The Art of Wine and Music

WINE RACK

Technology, globalisation, flying winemakers all have contributed to the continuous improvement of the wines on the world market of the past few years. It is getting really hard to make bad wine. Last week I started a list of my top 10 favourites that I tasted in 2008. Here are the other five wines that I enjoyed listed in no specific order. Approximate bottle prices are listed for your information.

Part II - Top wines for 2008
- The art we consume

E Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003, France - If you like big intense red wines with soft tannins, this is the wine for you. This wine has been called one of the best in its category by the world's top critics. When we get the rare opportunity to pour this wine, it always receives rave reviews. A powerful, rich and intense deep ruby-hued wine reveals a big, sweet bouquet of kirsch, black currants, exotic Asian spices, and pepper. One of my all-time favourites. Approx price J$6340.00
Sassicaia 2003, Italy - We were blessed with the opportunity to try Sassicaia at a private tasting recently. "Fantastic" was the response by all who were lucky to taste before the bottle was emptied. Sassicaia is today considered to be the ne plus ultra of Italy's great red wines not only for its exceptional and consistent excellence but also for the creative, intuitive spirit of a revolutionary generation of new Italian wines it represents. Universally acclaimed by the wine world's most respected voices, Sassicaia is considered one of Italy's and one of the world's top Bordeaux-style reds. Approx price J$24,000.00
Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Chile - Don Melchor was hailed the best Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile by both the Wine Spectator and Robert Parker. The Don has been the aristocrat of Chilean Cabernet since its first vintage, in 1987. Concha y Toro sells millions of cases of wine each year, but this is its flagship, made from the poor alluvial soil of the cool Puente Alto vineyard, located in the upper reaches of the Maipo Valley. Named after the founder of the winery, Don Melchor de Concha y Toro, the wine has become a symbol of the best the land and the winemaker's hand can produce in Chile. This fantastic wine was awarded 96 points by Wine Spectator and it is listed on the 2008 Top 100 at number 12. Another of my all-time favourites. Approx price J$5900.00
B&G Sparkling Rose NV, France - This wine was recently introduced to the market and it has become an instant favourite as a great aperitif. Aboard one of finest yachts in our harbours, this wine was in high demand for its refreshing appeal on a recent hot sunny day out at Maiden Cay. A fresh and enjoyable wine, it shows thin bubbles, strawberry and raspberry aromas. Approx price J$1000.00 - GREAT VALUE!
Ruffino Orvieto Classico 2006, Italy - This lean everyday white is a good alternative to Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. Whenever I pour this wine for curious wine drinkers, it is always very well received. This wine is light-bodied, dry, crisp with citrus and melon aromas and it is great for sipping in hot weather. Approx Price J$880.00

Jamaica Jazz &
Blues Festival 2009
- The art we listen to

Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines Jazz as 'music originating in New Orleans around the beginning of the 20th century and subsequently developing through various increasingly complex styles, generally marked by intricate, propulsive rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, improvisatory, virtuosic solos, melodic freedom, and a harmonic idiom ranging from simple diatonicism through chromaticism to atonality'. WOW... time for some wine after reading that definition. While we all realise that the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival has long evolved past just jazz and blues alone, this definition, while a mouthful, made me think about the extremely wide variety of music, specifically jazz music that are out there and by extension all the different wines to match.

Today is the start of the three-day music festival with a number of great artistes performing; the nights are long, so take wines that are easy drinking all night long. No need to take too many different types of wines unless you and your 'peeps' are the geeky wine types and will be discussing the wines instead of focusing on the music. For some great easy drinking value priced wines try wines made by Catena, Lindemans, Beringer, Trivento, Hardy's, Yellowtail, Woodbridge and Zonin. I think I will be taking B&G Sparkling Rose and Little Penguin Shiraz.
Drink responsibly.

Cheers! Now go forth and try a few new wines. DeVine Wine Services is operated by Chris and Kerri-Anne Reckord and its mission is to improve wine appreciation through wine education and events. Both are members of the Society of Wine Educators and the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.