Welcome to your Black Winer Newsletter for Sunday, November 08, 2009

Table of Contents


No rest for the wicked, or those with a wicked taste for wine!

Good day all,

It's been quite hectic on this end lately. Recently, I conducted some in-store tastings of Milbrandt Winery's Chardonnay and their Cabernet Sauvignon. These two wines just got listed in Pennsylvania, and as it happened, I knew both the NY/PA manager for the San Francisco Wine Exchange, which is the distributor of this wine, but also the owner of another winery whose wines just didn't happen to get here in time. You might see me in some PLCB states stores again in December as a result of this.

I also added the ability to search wines by viticultural area; this is useful for wines that are named by the area (e.g. Burgundy, Chianti) instead of the grape, and also for finding wines that share similar characteristics based on where the grapes are grown. An example of the latter would be Russian River Valley in California. Due to one crappy wine, I snapped up the domain crappywines.com, because sometimes it's best to know what not to by. I am also going to add the ability to drilldown/search by wine rating shortly.

As some of you might know, one of the main things I have always been interested in is television, and due to the sub-prime mortgage collapse, I had to put my plans on hold for awhile. Well, as I retooled and restrategized, I brought in my partner-in-crime Chef Al Paris in order to get this concept up and running faster. We have two main concepts which we will be embarking upon, one titled Over a Glass, and the other called Four and a Bottle. There are a couple more projects that I have copyrighted as well, and potentially, due to some possible other avenues that might open, we might get to film a couple of episodes of those as well.

Currently, we are planning a major day of shooting on December 6th on which we will take on a whirlwind schedule and film a total of six episodes. It's a self-funding process in that we are funding our production through the event. There will be two seatings of fifty people; one seating will be at noon and the other at 4:00. Each seating will encompass three episodes; two episodes of Over a Glass and one episode of Four and a Bottle.

For the former show, people will be served two sets of dishes. The first set will consist of three small plates and three glass of wine. The second set will consist of one entree and one dessert and two glasses of wine. During each set, several people will be chosen to sit at the main table. After the second set, we will then shoot an episode of Four and a Bottle in which several people will be chosen to sample the chef's creations. This will be a filmed event, and we intend to also film people during the event and getting their reactions and thoughts on the wine and the food.

Admission is $50 per person and it's a bargain as you'll get five glasses of wine and five dishes. If we're lucky, we'll be able to also throw in a few door prizes as well.

This is the first of what hopefully will be three more months of similar events as we have some thirteen episodes of each show to tape, and I'd rather have more episodes taped than that.

Additionally, for those interested in helping us bring this to fruition (and yes, we definitely need help in selling out both seatings), we're going to form some sort of booster club/posse. Those people in it will definitely be rewarded, whether it's free admission to events, first choice as guests for some more private tapings, or just some private wine dinners of thanks. If you can help us, we'd be happy to have you.

The other thing that we are doing is running down potential sponsors for these shows. I've been drafting up the proposals and the overview letters and sending them out to restaurant suppliers and what not. Hopefully, we aim to get sponsors in the areas of kitchen appliances, wine related utensils, glassware and flatware.

Lastly, Al and I might be doing some sort of charity dinner for Thanksgiving eve, or Thanksgiving at noon. If anyone knows of any great recipients in the Delaware valley, we'd love to get your recommendations.

Well, that's it for me today. Time to get back to the grind.


Latest Events

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Lights, cameras, wine and dine!

They're back!!!!!

"Over a Glass" & "Four and a Bottle" show taping, drinking and eating

Sunday, December 6, 2009

For those of you that remember the ridiculously priced Wine Sessions, 10 glasses for $20, that we had over at Mantra/Bar Amalfi, we're back, but in a different way. Wine guy Zachary M.C. Harris has brought food guy Chef Al Paris in on two of his television project, and this is our first day taping episodes.

We're taking over Mission Grill restaurant on December 6th, 2009 and having two seatings, and taping a total of six episodes between both shows. Each seating will compose two episodes of Over a Glass and one episode of Four and a Bottle.

In Over a Glass, Zach will bring wine to which Al will pair the food. All in attendance will be seated and enjoy each course and be interviewed as to their reactions and/or impressions on the wine and the food. Several people will be chosen to sit at the main table and be the focus of the dining experience.

In Four and a Bottle, four chefs will each construct a meal on the fly given a glass of wine to taste. Several audience diners will be chosen to participate, being served both the wine and small plates of all four creations.

The first seating will start at twelve noon and feature five wonderful wines that I was introduced to that come from the country of Chile. These are some vivacious reds that will knock your socks off. The second seating will start at four in the afternoon, and the theme is wine seduction, with the focus being on bubbly (sparkling wine) and dessert wine. We might even throw in some chocolate!

Summarily, all in attendance will enjoy five glasses of wine, three tapas, one entrée and one dessert. The price is $50 per person, and group discounts are available. For those of you that have attended past events, you know that you get your money's worth, and in this, you'll also be on our shows (5 glasses of good wine would run you at least $40 not including tax and tip; 3 small plates, an entree and a dessert would easily cost you about the same or more; you do the math and look at the bargain).

For more information, you can call me at 215-474-1911 or contact me. Space is limited to fifty people per seating

Mission Grille
1835 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2744

Cost: $50.00

Purchase Tickets for the Red Wine Seating at 12 noon

Purchase Tickets for the Wine Seduction Seating at 4:00 PM



Mission Grill
1835 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $50.00
Time: 12:00:00 PM - 8:00:00 PM

Contact name: Zachary Harris

Contact phone: 215-474-1911
Contact email: admin@theblackwiner.com
url: www.theblackwiner.com/over_a_glass.asp


Latest Articles

Lights, cameras, wine and dine!

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

They're back!!!!!

Over a Glass' & 'Four and a Bottle' show taping, drinking and eating

Sunday, December 6, 2009

For those of you that remember the ridiculously priced Wine Sessions, 10 glasses for $20, that we had over at Mantra/Bar Amalfi, we're back, but in a different way.  Wine guy Zachary M.C. Harris has brought food guy Chef Al Paris in on two of his television project, and this is our first day taping episodes.

We're taking over Mission Grill restaurant on December 6th, 2009 and having two seatings, and taping a total of six episodes between both shows.  Each seating will compose two episodes of Over a Glass and one episode of Four and a Bottle.

In Over a Glass, Zach will bring wine to which Al will pair the food.  All in attendance will be seated and enjoy each course and be interviewed as to their reactions and/or impressions on the wine and the food.  Several people will be chosen to sit at the main table and be the focus of the dining experience.

In Four and a Bottle, four chefs will each construct a meal on the fly given a glass of wine to taste.  Several audience diners will be chosen to participate, being served both the wine and small plates of all four creations.

The first seating will start at twelve noon and feature five wonderful wines that I was introduced to that come from the country of Chile.  These are some vivacious reds that will knock your socks off.  The second seating will start at four in the afternoon, and the theme is wine seduction, with the focus being on bubbly (sparkling wine) and dessert wine.  We might even throw in some chocolate!

Summarily, all in attendance will enjoy five glasses of wine, three tapas, one entrée and one dessert.  The price is $50 per person, and group discounts are available.  For those of you that have attended past events, you know that you get your money's worth, and in this, you'll also be on our shows (5 glasses of good wine would run you at least $40 not including tax and tip; 3 small plates, an entree and a dessert would easily cost you about the same or more; you do the math and look at the bargain).

For more information, you can call me at 215-474-1911 or contact me.  Space is limited to fifty people per seating

Purchase Tickets for the Red Wine Seating at 12 noon

Purchase Tickets for the Wine Seduction Seating at 4:00 PM




Latest Reviews

Terrible at first, palatable after a long aeration

Brand NameLa Playa
Wine NameSauvignon Blanc
AVAColchagua Valley
CountryChile
Wine ClassWhite
Wine TypeSauvignon Blanc
Alcohol Percentage13%
Price$10 and Unders
Site Rating6 (on a scale of 1-10)

I have seen the La Playa label for a long time, and possibly have had several of their wines, but I don't ever remember purchasing a bottle. My last time to the store, I decided to pick up the big bottle of Sauv Blanc for it's cheap price. When I finally opened it, I was assaulted with a taste that was too much lemon, and possibly too much sulfite content, and I swear that my ears started getting hot. It was so bad, that I got the domain name, crappywines.com just for wines like this.

But, I didn't throw it out immediately, and sampled it again one week after opening it. Hey, let's admit it, I try not to let wine go to waste. And this time, while the lemon/citrus was still high, it was a lot more bearable. The aroma is very floral, but besides that, the overpowering citrus masks any other flavors from this wine.

On the flipside, they are making a late harvest Sauv Blanc that might turn out to be very impressive.


Something new, and it's supposedly good for your heart

Brand NameSella & Mosca
Wine Name2005 Riserva
AVACannonau di Sardegna
CountrySardinia
Quality/GradeReserve
Wine ClassWhite
Wine TypeGruner Veltliner
Alcohol Percentage13.5%
Price$10 - $20s
Site Rating8 (on a scale of 1-10)

So, on my last wine run, I met a couple that was looking for a particular wine that was supposed to be good for your heart. Now, we've all heard that claim before, but I decided to try a bottle anyway. Usually, it's not just the wine, but people's overall diet and activity levels as well.

This grape/varietal has several different versions, like Tempranillo depending upon both the alcohol content and the aging. This batch was aged in oak for two years, and has an alcohol content of 13.5%; if it were over 15% then it would be classified a 'Superiore.'

In any case, this wine should be consumed with food, as it is rather dry, and you definitely get the oak character from it. Weirdly enough, the tannins are there but not too assaulting on the palate. After the initial oak 'bite' you can get some dark fruits such as currants from this wine. The nose is rather pronounced, a result of the long aging in oak, but it's more similar in smell to a Rainwater Madeira, or even a Sercal.

This wine would go great with spicy foods as well as red meats.


Three grapes, but not too kicking

Brand NamePalo Alto
Wine Name2007 Reserve
AVAMaule Valley
CountryChile
Quality/GradeReserve
Wine ClassRed
Wine TypeCabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah/Shiraz
Alcohol Percentage13.5%
Price$10 and Unders
Site Rating7 (on a scale of 1-10)

So, this is a tourist wine, no matter what they call it. I find it funny that Robert Parker gave it 88 points, but this wine has no umph to it. It's Cabernet Sauv, Carmenere and Syrah, but it's lacking depth, which is what I need. For those that like a medium dry wine, this is actually quite good, but I am just missing that something something.

I can taste some dark plums, mild tannins, and just the faintest hint of nutmeg. Give it a try; your opinion might be different from mine.


A serene Cab with a slightly spicy roll-off

Brand NameMilbrandt Vineyards
Wine NameTraditions 2007 Chardonnay
AVAColumbia Valley
CountryUnited States
Wine ClassRed
Wine TypeCabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol Percentage14.3%
Price$10 - $20s
Site Rating7 (on a scale of 1-10)

I usually like a very powerful Cabernet, but that isn't to say that that's the only way that this grape should be utilized.

This wine is one that I have seen some people love, and some people hate, and I myself am actually on the fence. While it has some very nice spice as well as currants, it does have too much oak and tart for me. But once you get past the oak, the taste is splendid, but probably could be a total winner if the power of the fruit in the taste was amped up a couple of notches.

While this would not be my go-to wine, for some, they actually love it, and being open, there are more than one type of taste in this world.


Demure pineapple and oak with a slight woody backing

Brand NameFive Rivers
Wine Name2007 Chardonnay
AVAMonterey
CountryUnited States
Wine ClassWhite
Wine TypeChardonnay
Alcohol Percentage13.5%
Price$10 and Unders
Site Rating8 (on a scale of 1-10)

Sometimes, a wine doesn't have some overbearing aspects of it's flavor that pound your taste buds, but simply just adds a little bit more relaxation and a dash of joie de vivre to your day. This is one of those wines.

I get a muted meandering of pineapples offset with both the slightest bit of pepper and the faintest teasings of butter. I chose to have this with a traditional West Indian meal of jerk chicken, rice and peas, and cabbage.

While the finish is gradual with a nice casual letoff taking at least thirty seconds, the initial flavor builds after it sits on your tongue, delivering a nice amount of tropical citrus. Though this wine won't make my favorite list, it is a nice diversion that could be experienced nicely with spicy food, or a nice salad filled with fresh slices of mandarin oranges and/or grapefruit.



 

Our Mission: The Black Winer strives to expose African Americans [and others] to wines, without the flair, stuffiness, and airs of elitism and snobbery that you get from sommeliers and high level wine enthusiasts. We believe in finding something that you like the taste of, outside of the basic brands that you have been force-fed over the years through a combination of ethnically targeted advertising, and what people in your family have historically been drinking.

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