Tartaric Acid : Wine Diamonds

The Grape is King to all fruits. It satiates our thirst and ails our woes, uplifts our meals and happy occasions, brings us warmth in the winter and relief from summer strokes. It is only appropriate that wine be adorned with jewels.... and by jewels I mean "diamonds," and by diamonds I mean tartrates.

Tartaric acid is present in all wines, acting as a balancing force to pull all the mouthwatering juiciness into one comprehensive, uplifting brightness in the mouth. Formation of sparkly bottle crystals occurs naturally, yet is oft avoided by wine makers, as the mass of consumers tends to prefer clear and particle-free juice. My heart, however, lies with the romanticism of unfiltered natural wines, whose sometimes cloudy and sediment-heavy liquid reminds one of the old days, before excessing fining became the norm.

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Learn more about Tartaric Acid.

Winefile: Red Rhône

Yves Cheron : Les Dentelles 2007 : Côtes du Rhône : $10

Floral elegance meets multifaceted pleasantries in this playful wine. It's light and airy, with hints of herbs and spices---juicy, mouthwatering strawberry-blueberry fun!

Many grape varieties hang on the vines of Côtes du Rhône---Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cincault, and even a bit of white berries can make their way into any bottle of red. Famed wines of the Rhône have long inspired oenophiles, and the love-fest went a little something like this: the Romans--lovers of excess--planted vineyards for their wine supply. A wine-enamored 14th century Pope build his palatial summer abode at Avignon. Laws of the 1600s inspired quality, proud Kings recognized the peerless wines, and by 1937 the region was awarded A.O.C. status. Today, wines of the Côtes du Rhône are enjoyed all over the world.

the Superlative Intoxicant: Diamonds on the Tongue

Chateau de Pampelonne Rosé, 2009. Provence, France

concoction: Grenache, Cinsault, Syra, Tibouren.

visuals: a demure, chic dusty mauve.

sniffings: soft and complex strawberry watermelon and white tea.

palate: a savory afternoon in Santa Cruz with salty, rose taffy. Like strawberries on a picnic.

ruling: gorgeous. vibrant. classy. Audrey in How to Steal a Million.

spendings: a well spent $18

Courses

aperitif

vin - benoit gautier [sparkling] vouvray NV

deuxieme

warm brussel sprout salad with caramelized onions + hazelnuts

vin - donna maria 2007, portugal

principal

rosemary seasoned creamed potatoes

wine soaked roast + vegetables

vin
1. domaine notre dame des pallieres gigondas 2007

2. millesime le clos 2008

3. chateau ste michelle indian wells cabernet sauvignon 2008

les bonbons

vin - terra blanca botrytis chenin blanc 2006 reserve

Tastings from the Basement

crushed velvet pillows. comfy plaid. cold leather. warm blankets. entangled fingers.

NYtimes Article

Can Cotes du Rhone Take the Heat? <-- wine critic Eric Asimov discusses the troubles inheriant with a hot vintage. Do the French wines of 2009 overpower the palate and stray too far from traditional complexity?