Thomas Jefferson, his wine habits, and the culture of wine in America today. For those not familiar, Tom Ashbrook is host of On Point on WBUR and National Public radio, a multi-subject talk show airing on public radio stations in many US cities.

If you are into wines, thought you might find this laid back conversation with it's dose of things historical and contemoraray interesting.

Enjoy!

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From the OnPoint site :

Americans and Wine
Aired: Thursday, December 14, 2006 11-12PM ET


American founding father Thomas Jefferson knew a lot about music, architecture, revolution, slaves, philosophy, governing, and wine.

Jefferson was far and away the young nation's wine-lover-in-chief. He advised sober George Washington on what to drink, kept fabulous wine cellars when the country was still the province of hard cider and whiskey; braved pirates and hurricanes to see his favorites across the high seas; roamed the vineyards of France until he knew them like home.

Today, Americans like never before have made wine part of their lives and culture. But Jefferson may still be our first, best guide.

This hour On Point: we pull a few corks, bring in the experts, and track the American taste in wine, from Thomas Jefferson to 2006.

These are the wines Tom Ashbrook and Jack Beatty sampled on today's show:

1. M. Sorrel (Les Rocoules, HERMITAGE, France, 1995)

This is a wine that Thomas Jefferson enjoyed. He called it "the first wine of the world without a single exception."


2. Firesteed (PINOT NOIR, Oregon, 2004)

Andrea Robinson's guide describes this wine as having a taste of "delicious cranberry and dried cherry fruit, a nice kick of acid, and a great price made it easy to love."

This is the red grape from France's Burgundy region where it's thought to have been grown for more than 2,000 years. France is the largest grower of Pinot Noir grapes, but they've become extremely popular in the US too, where they are grown in California, Oregon and Washington.


3. Catena (MALBEC, Argentina, 2004).

Malbec is a red-wine grape grown in France, Argentina and Chile, less so in Australia and the United States. It's often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.

Wine Spectator described this wine as having, "great aromas of crushed blueberry and raspberry, with a juicy texture and well integrated toast and mineral notes. Nice blast of pure fruit on the finish."

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what are you doing you crazy old man?

lol, jk!

Crazy maybe, but old? Don't get me started, bud.

ha ha ha

:P

haha, didn't mean to offend. Who drinks wines anyways, wines are for women or for some formal dinner. i see you're into wine.

Hey, no offense taken :)

"Who drinks wines anyways, wines are for women or for some formal dinner"

Thats's what you think? The less I say the better. Beer or whiskey macho enough?

i didn't say that. you misunderstood what i said. when i said women drink wine, i have in no way said that drinking wine by men makes them a pussy.

Allrighty ... no problemos. Thanks for the clarification. And enjoy your drink of choice this holiday season!

Captain: Ever tried Nichols Zin. It's one of the best ones to come out. Full bodied with a finish of dark chocolate. It melts in your mouth. I was in Napa Valley few weeks ago. The new Caymus Special Select is awesome, although at $135 a bottle you'd expect it to be good.Try Peju Syrah and Silver Oaks Cab.

Hey Eminitrader -

I don't recall trying the Nichols Zin - I'll put that on my list - thanks for the recomendation. I believe I have tried the Silver Oaks cab. As I am sure you can attest to, it is sometimes hard to keep up with brand names - except perhaps those that get etched into your memory for one reason or another.

An interesting wine I tried the other day was a Rhone Hermitage - thick texture with a smooth finish and a faint but pleasant after taste. I have also been trying some of the Argentine whites - pretty interesting stuff there.

I sometimes wish I could chronicle and journal all the wines I had - perhaps, if my investments go through the roof, and I can retire at 35, I just might! LOL

Hope you are having a good day.

Regards.

:)

Ol chap,
Save some of the Hermitage for me, will you...

Will have to make do with Merlot for now, I am afraid.. :)

Cheers.. :-)

I guess I was a couple of weeks late, but I tried the 2006 Beaujolais Nouveau over the holidays:). Have been mulling over the idea of starting my own cellar - LOL! Came across this tit-bit and thought some of you might find it interesting.

To good life - hope you all had a good new years!

:)



Ten bits of trivia about Beaujolais (from - http://www.intowine.com/beaujolaisnouveaufacts.html )

1. Beaujolais [BOE-zjoh-lay] Nouveau is always released the third Thursday of November, regardless of the start of the harvest.

2. The region of Beaujolais is 34 miles long from north to south and 7 to 9 miles wide. There are nearly 4,000 grape growers who make their living in this picturesque region just north of France's third largest city, Lyon.

3. All the grapes in the Beaujolais region must be picked by hand. These are the only vineyards, along with Champagne, where hand harvesting is mandatory.

4. Gamay (Gamay noir à Jus Blanc) is the only grape permitted for Beaujolais. While certain California wineries may label their wine "Gamay Beaujolais" this is not the same grape variety as what is grown in France, and is quite different in taste and growing habits.

5. Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be made from grapes grown in the 10 crus (great growths) of Beaujolais-only from grapes coming from the appellations of Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages.

6. Beaujolais Nouveau owes its easy drinkability to a winemaking process called carbonic maceration—also called whole berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the wine, without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.

7. Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be drunk young-in average vintages it should be consumed by the following May after its release. However, in excellent vintages (such as 2000) the wine can live much longer and can be enjoyed until the next harvest rolls around.

8. Serve Beaujolais Nouveau slightly cool, at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit-the wine is more refreshing and its forward fruit more apparent than if you serve it at room temperature.

9. Approximately 1/3 of the entire crop of the Beaujolais region is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau.

10. BeaujolaisThe region of Beaujolais is known for its fabulous food. The famed Paul Bocuse Restaurant is just minutes from the heart of Beaujolais, as is Georges Blanc's eponymous culinary temple. These great restaurants have plenty of Beaujolais on their wine lists. This quintessential food wine goes well with either haute cuisine or Tuesday night's meat loaf.