JF

Wine Snobbery for Dummies, Part VII

Mar 6, 2014

MW
Stage· 204 messages
Mar 6, 2014

This week the Winos will be sipping Avalon Cabernet while discussing the many luscious virtues of the Cabernet grape. Mmmmmm! See you Wednesday!nnHere's to life!

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:00 AM

Hola winos!!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:00 AM

Helllooooo, Winos! Okay, so I've been sniffing this for, like, 15 minutes, and it is divine! Can we PLEASE sip it, already?!?!?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:01 AM

Oh, hey, Molly! :)
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:01 AM

Oh, is that what we're supposed to do? Sip?
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“Good evening fair ladies and gentlemen”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“Who said we had to wait ?”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:02 AM

Well, yes, Molly...we are ladies, after all. Aren't we??? And by "sipping" I suppose you mean tossing it back with an open throat? Cuz that's certainly what I meant.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:02 AM

Hi, Steve!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:02 AM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“hello all”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:03 AM

So many of my favorites are here!!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:03 AM

And p.s. I've been traveling this week so it's a safe bet that I'm not sipping with my pinky out.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:03 AM

@shannon, you are so polite!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“2010 Cab, 2011 Cab, 2009 Cab, her favorites”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:04 AM

@molly, put that pinky out! We are classy, dammit!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:04 AM

So this is, undeniably, one of my favorite go-to wines.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“It's my Lenten promise, be polite & drink more wine. #check and #check”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:05 AM

I love a good Catholic.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:05 AM

And a good Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Atheist..
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:05 AM

@shannon, good subject. What's everyone giving up for Lent. For my part, I will sacrifice sobriety and celibacy...not necessarily in that order.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:06 AM

Starting with this lovely Avalon Cab introduced by Miss Molly. :)
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:06 AM

I'm sacrificing stuff. I haven't yet clearly decided yet what that is, but...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:07 AM

Molly, how's Comcast holding up after last week? did they survive?
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:07 AM

I'm at a remote location.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:07 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“I've decided to give up suffering fools, off to a helluva start today”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:08 AM

Damn Comcast.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:08 AM

On the contrary, Sean... you're kinda in the wolves den.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:08 AM

Wolf pack.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:09 AM

Haha! Pun not intended, but awesome just the same!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:09 AM

Well, whaddya say, gang? Shall we drink some wine?
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:09 AM

Oh let's!!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:10 AM

If you've got your Avalon, I highly recommend getting started. It's kinda fabulous!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:10 AM

It's pretty amazing.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:10 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“I snagged the Avalon Cab”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:10 AM

Atta girl, @shannie
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:11 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“2011 Cab from California, also bought a 2010 which was from Napa”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:11 AM

Awesome @shannon! I did too, but only because I started my search early. I really did break up w/ my old wine store. My new one s much more accommodating, and therefore "in".
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:11 AM

And, if anyone noticed...this one's got nice legs.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:12 AM

@sean, I have the 2010 Napa. Yummers. (I know that's not an actual "wine term", but you get my drift).
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:13 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“PA Wine and Liquor stores are tough, but I spent my lunch hour hunting it down!”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:13 AM

Oohhh! Should we do the whole "wine snobbery" thing? (In a non-snobby way, of course).
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:13 AM

I appreciate the commitment, @Shannon!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:13 AM

Oh, let's definitely!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:13 AM

Me too @shannon! Nice work!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:13 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“ok for those us with Palate's in training, can someone point out the flavors”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:14 AM

@sean, should we "sniff" it first?
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:15 AM

This one speaks to me.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:15 AM

I have to say, this is one I couldn't stop sniffing - do with that comment what you will. But I think it's damn fine.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:15 AM

@molly - what does it say???
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:15 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“I think they all speak to you, your own fermented deities”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:16 AM

HAHAHAAAAA! @Sean - I'm so stealing that comment. Not sure where yet, but it will turn up!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:16 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“*sniff, sniff, sniff* dare I say the sniff is just as enjoyable as the sip”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:16 AM

My thoughts, exactly, @shannon!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:16 AM

It says, "drink the whole damn bottle even if @Sean and his fastidious accountant's mind has determined that one bottle equals 8 beers and therefore you are a high functioning alcoholic."
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:17 AM

Especially from the perspective of emerging from a literal tundra, the ripe berries are luxurious.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:17 AM

Cranberries anyone?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:18 AM

Focus on the operative word, @molly - FUNCTIONING alcoholic.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:18 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“steal away”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:18 AM

Thanks!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:19 AM

Yeah...I get cranberry. But with a bit of earthiness - like it just came from the bog.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:19 AM

Earthy! Good word to describe it. I was kind of struggling with that.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:19 AM

For the record, I like that...the earthiness. I like "dirty" wine. :)
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:20 AM

But this one, to me, doesn't taste dirty...just outside'sy to me.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:20 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“Mmmm, earthly, how appropriate for Lent”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:20 AM

Ashes to ashes, right @Shannon?
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:21 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“Darn tootin' St. Molly”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:21 AM

Outside'sy...Molly, you have just described a new attribute. And it's PERFECT!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:21 AM

St. Molly...Patron St. of the...(finish the sentence here...and GO!)4
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:21 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“Being a wine enthusiast and going to a wine party is like being the unknown sucker at the poker table, If you're at the party for 1/2 hour and can't spot the wine snob then it's you The problem is everyone loves taking money from the sucker”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:21 AM

@Sean - HAHAHAAAAA!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:22 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“I pray to St. Molly, every Wednesday, and twice on Sundays”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:22 AM

I'm benevolent and forgiving.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:22 AM

Like the slightest wine hangover.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:22 AM

Saint Molly, Patron Saint of AWESOME! (and wine)
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:23 AM

And poor decision making...
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:23 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“Wine Doritos and unbearably long runs”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:23 AM

Hellllooooo????? Are we actually DRINKING this nectar yet? I mean, I am, but...
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:23 AM

My runs are fueled by wine and Doritos.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:23 AM

The whole marathon community is missing out.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:24 AM

ANYWAY...
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:24 AM

Back to my delicious cab...
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:24 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“Oh I think the problem is I've been sipping the sacrament most of the evening.”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:24 AM

You've obviously got this figured out, Moll - do NOT let them in on your secret!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:24 AM

So cranberries and earthy/outdoor'sy...what else do y'all smell?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:25 AM

So...who's got something educational to share with us regarding the fabulous cabernet grape??? (Sean, I'm looking at you.) :)
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:25 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“Jenn won't let me read the label”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:25 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“Cranberry, yes”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:26 AM

Use your noodle, @Sean.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:26 AM

But, dirty cranberries. No...sorry..."outdoorsy" cranberries...
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:27 AM

Those are the best kind of cranberries.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:27 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“the Cabernet grape, grows on a vine”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:27 AM

No way!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:27 AM

Good job, Sean! Point 1 on Cab grapes!!! Anybody know what happens next???
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:28 AM

C'mon @Sean???!!!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:28 AM

Did you know that Cab grapes were the most-planted varietal of all time until the 1990's, when Merlot had a brief takeover?
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:28 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“Is a Cab normally on the drier side? I feel like this has a nice middle ground”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:29 AM

This one definitely is, @Shannon.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:29 AM

This is nicely grounded in the middle @Shannon - but you are correct in that a traditional Cab can be quite dry on the finish, especially.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:30 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“Grape of great character spicy herby tanic with characteristic blackcurrant aroma.”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:30 AM

I think that is why this one appeals to me so much.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:30 AM

@Sean - NICE! Is that genuine? Or did you just read that somewhere? ;)
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“A nice compromise, in a sense”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:31 AM

Oh, it was definitely verbatim from somewhere.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:31 AM

Plagiarism kills unicorns, @Sean.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:31 AM

That's what it's all about @Shannon. Finding the balance that is most pleasing to you.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:31 AM

Ahhhhh! Not the Unicorns!!!!!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:32 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“top wines need aging and ususally benefits from blending with Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese etc”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:33 AM

@Sean, even though you are a Unicorn killer, you are correct. Cabs are most pleasant to the "average" palate when blended with milder, yet complimentary grape.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:33 AM

Can we talk about complimentary grapes for a second?
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:34 AM

I don't actually know as much about them as Jen.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:34 AM

And my "average" I mean people who are actually out to enjoy their wine experience, rather than simply "impress" society with their wine prowess.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:34 AM

aka "snobbery"
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:35 AM

Complimentary grapes...Yes!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:35 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“all the pressure was getting to me, Freshman English all over again, 80's flashback”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:36 AM

Don't cave @Sean!!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:36 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“interesting turn, complimentary grapes”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:36 AM

Jen, enlighten us, por favor...I truly don't know enough about that.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:36 AM

But @Sean could surely look it up on the internet for us.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:37 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“google, sponsor of wine snobs”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:38 AM

Well, I'm not a winemaker (though I'd like to be!) but I do know what tastes awesome. We've all had wines that are "too dry" or "too oakey" or too "fruit forward"...etc. right?
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:38 AM

Definitely.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:38 AM

I'd love to be a winemaker.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:38 AM

So, it's really about balance.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:38 AM

Unfortunately, I'd drink the profits.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:39 AM

There's some math for you @Sean.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:39 AM

@Molly - I've got a greenhouse & lots of acreage - let's do that! ;)
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:39 AM

A lot of wine + Molly = zero dollars.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:40 AM

More than anything, when winemakers "balance" their blend, it's about terroir more than it is varietal. In other words, cabernet grapes from one region can taste a whole lot different than cabernet grapes from another region...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:40 AM

Because their flavor nuances come from the soil...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:42 AM

That said, blending different types of grapes - often from different regions - allows for wines of the same "genre" to adopt completely different flavor profiles. That's why the same person can think one Cab is the bees knees, while another is total
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:42 AM

shiite...and they can even be "technically" from the very same vally.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:43 AM

valley*
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:43 AM

The lady knows her stuff, eh?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:43 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“How do you make a small fortune in the wine business?”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:43 AM

So, let's talk about palate.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:43 AM

I'd love to know the answer to that @sean.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:43 AM

Yes, Molly...let's!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:44 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“Start with a large fortune”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:44 AM

Lol, @Sean!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:44 AM

For me, personally, with this wine, it smells berry/earthy, but has hits the palate with a strong sense of vanilla.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:45 AM

But not sweet.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:45 AM

Which is why I L-O-V-E it.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:45 AM

It hits my palate with a strong sense of sexy, and ends with a little pepper on the finish...
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:45 AM

I feel the sexy, but not the pepper :)
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:46 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“Cherries and chocolate, oh damn killed another one”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:46 AM

It's more of an essence than a flavor...could be a sentimental remnant of the sexy. ;)
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:46 AM

THAT'S 8 BEERS, I WILL REMIND YOU, @SEAN.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:47 AM

Isn't individual taste/preference funny?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:47 AM

Lol...he's so fired. Good thing no one actually gets fired here.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:48 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“ok to be clear I did the math to figure out when driving its not a good idea”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:48 AM

Totally...that's why there's really no right/wrong with wine. There's decency, of course...but even in that realm "good" is debatable.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:48 AM

Except with Ice Wines...we've already established that.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:49 AM

Ice Wines are horrific. I think I'm actually developing diabetes from it.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:49 AM

But I'm still saving the rest of that bottle for my mom.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:49 AM

★ Spotlighted from Bridget Dozier

“I made! What did I miss?”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:49 AM

We missed you, @Bridgie!!!!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:49 AM

Not because I'm awful...because she likes that sort of thing. Oh, God...I hope she's not here! ;)
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:50 AM

Bridget!!!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:50 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“"I'm here to talk to you about diabetus"”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:50 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“ice wines suck, and grapes grow on a vine”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:50 AM

Yes, Sean...grapes still grow on vines.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:50 AM

Quick side bar...because that's how I do...Papa Leonard once thought he had a touch of the diabetus.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:50 AM

And grape vines think alike! (please laugh!)
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:51 AM

And how did that turn out?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:51 AM

With Papa Leonard, I mean?
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:51 AM

To be fair, he does drink Carlo Rossi Sangria so he might not be wrong.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:51 AM

And p.s. DYING. Your pun was not missed.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:52 AM

Let's make Papa Leonard some fresh fruit Sangria...
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:52 AM

So, we have 8 mins left (seriously...how does 60 minutes last for 10?)
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:52 AM

Does anyone have anything in particular they'd like to try next week?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:53 AM

And...speaking of fresh fruit Sangria and EXPERT wine pairings of all varieties...
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:53 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“California wineries, has really been the unspoken sponsor of the this Tawkers, let's head to Europa? or Australia?”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:54 AM

Wait, Sean...it's not what you think!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:54 AM

When I first read that @Sean I thought it said, "shameless pig."
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:54 AM

Sorry...just had to sneeze for, like, 15 minutes there...
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:54 AM

And then I thought, "Well that's a good Catholic right there."
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:55 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“I'm all aboard for a Chilean wine”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:56 AM

Next Wednesday, Molly & will be interviewing restaraunteur and wine-pairing expert, Kim Finnell, of Osorio's Latin Fusion!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:57 AM

★ Spotlighted from Bridget Dozier

“Looking forward to our guest next week!”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:57 AM

With that in mind, I would like to suggest that we taste anything from Concha y Toro winery; particuarly recommend the Castillo de Diablo line...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:57 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“Frontera!”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:58 AM

Their "base" line is very good for the price point - next level up is even better!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:58 AM

@Kim is divine...I'd gladly drink whatever you two suggest!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:59 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“you'd gladly drink, ok I wont finish that sentence”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:59 AM

Anything?
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 2:59 AM

Everything?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 2:59 AM

And...before our hour is up (where the hell does the time go???), we'd like to invite you all to "like" our new FB page, www.facebook.com/winesuponatime.us
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 3:00 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“I think I detect the aroma of horsehit, Leonard Shoutout”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 3:00 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“Perhaps we each find our own Concha y Toro wine we like and go from there”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 3:00 AM

Ha! I wish we were interviewing her about margaritas!!!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 3:00 AM

That's perfect, @shannon - they're all good.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 3:01 AM

@Shannon is a genius.
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 3:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“I think Shannon classes up this joint, I know that I dont't”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 3:02 AM

Pick a wine for next week http://www.conchaytoro.com/
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 3:02 AM

And come prepared to Tawk about it.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 3:02 AM

Okay, gang...I can't believe it's over already, but I sure do enjoy spending my Wednesdays with y'all! Here's to life!
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 3:02 AM

Cheers!!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 3:02 AM

My pick is the Carmenere...
MW

Molly Wolfgram · 3:02 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“I say a guest entry mid-summer, care of Marge A. Rita”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 3:02 AM

Just trust me...:)
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 3:03 AM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“say goodnight gracie”

MW

Molly Wolfgram · 3:03 AM

Adios, winos! Have a great week!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 3:03 AM

Good night, Gracie.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 3:03 AM

★ Spotlighted from Shannon Kelley

“Goodnight Gracie!”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 3:03 AM

★ Spotlighted from Bridget Dozier

“Cheers!!”