April 23

Even though my brother was a contestant on Survivor, my favorite reality TV show is Project Runway. I am amazed what the designers can create in such a short amount of time. Those who know me have to be shocked, as my fashion sense runs from Hawaiian shirts in the summer to denim shirts in the winter. No joke, that's my idea of fashion. What does that have to do about wine? How about wine from the town that is half my wardrobe.

Yes, I have tried a pineapple wine from Hawaii, but it was not umm, well, umm, nothing to say.

Chateau Grande Cassagne 2008 from the town of Costieres de Nimes, is a tasty spicy earthy fruity red for $11.99 a bottle. Perfect with grilled burgers and dogs as well as cheese and crackers and any mid-week meal, make sure you are wearing denim when you serve the wine. Yes! Denim was invented in de Nimes. De Nimes is in the south for France not far from the Italian border. The material was worn by the Italian Navy in the 1800's and most of it was shipped out of the city of Genoa. Genoa, not only famous for its salami, but it is where the term, Blue Genes came from.

Did you know that the Genovese love green vegetables more than any other food?

Did you know that tonight was the grand finale of this season's Project Runway? That's why the de Nimes was picked. And I am wearing denim shirt and blue jeans as I blog this.

I'm ba-ack

Sorry for being away, but life happens. Gonna do 2-a-days like football in August til I catch up.

April 17th, more or less.

"Great Question!" Standard answer when someone asks you a tough question and you need a couple of seconds to think up a "great" answer. Yesterday, a customer asked a great question that truly was a great question. "Bob, do you have a grape I have never tried before?" GREAT QUESTION! At least from my perspective.

Bobal is the name of the grape. It is grown only in East-Central Spain mostly in the Utiel-Requena region. It grows no where else on Earth. I love the grape. The red wine produced from Bobal is unique. It reminds me of Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet all rolled into one. Kinda Sorta. The 2006 Mestizaje, make sure it is 2006, the 2005 is weak, has Bobal and 5 other grapes in the blend, but mostly Bobal. $14.99 a bottle and it pleases wine geeks and typical palates equally. It is delicious with all red meats, roasted or grilled. It is smooth and tasty and aromatic. Yes, it's wicked good for the money.

My name is Bob, my late father's Al. The name of this grape is a good omen for me.

Two old friends

Two of the first batch of South African wines that started me on this happy path for wine fun are the Glen Carlou Chardonnay and the Wolftrap Red Blend. The rep was in today with new vintages on both and both are delicious.

The Glen Carlou Chardonnay new vintage is 2008. An erratic quality year in South Africa, Glen Carlou nailed its traditional French styling with balance between fruit, wood and acid. There seemed to be a touch more oak in the 2008 vintage compared to 2007. This added sensation of oak gave the wine a richer weight that was balanced by crisp acid. It reminded me of Meursault from France. Glen Carlou is $15, Meursault is $50, you do the math.

The Wolftrap is the entry level red wine to the aforementioned Chocolate Block which is made by Boekenhoutskloof in Franschoek South Africa. Wolftrap is a blend of red and white grapes that yields a steal at $9.99 a bottle. Complex in flavor and aroma, it handles red meat and all cheeses with ease. This is a contender for house red wine of the year. Serve with barbque for a wonderful match.

Am very proud of myself, just double-checked the spelling of Boekenhoutskloof and I got it right without looking the first time.

Wine from the Cape

NO, not Cape Town, although there will a lot of wines from South Africa in the coming blogs, but from my annual crashing of a Cape Cod wine trade show that is my personal first day of spring.

This year one of the big hits was a familiar friend in a new vintage. The 2007 MOMA from the Rubicone of Italy made by Umberto Cesari, read your Caeser for Rubicone stories, was just delicious. A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the red wine is smooth, full of flavor and easy to drink with or without food. The MOMA has been a steady staple in the store for many years and this is the best I have ever tried. I would not serve it with red sauce, but a meaty Bolognese or grilled meat or hearty stews will work fine.

I visited Cesari almost ten years ago and had a wonderful time visiting a gracious host and talented winemaker. It's always good to support nice people in the wine business.

I guess crossing the Cape Cod Canal is my Rubicone of Spring.