Wine/Grapes

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 15:44:

bump

robi666 says on May 10, 2008, 15:47:

Too much rain.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

vicshere says on May 10, 2008, 15:49:

Kat I believe that here in Colombia we don't have the know how or experience to make a good wine....it takes many years to make a good producing vine yard...and then even more years to process a good wine....Colombia has plenty of good slopes which the vines like....with hot days and cool nights I also cant understand why we don't produce good grapes

listo

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 15:54:

Also....what is the quality of soil or the type of soil. This makes a difference too. Maybe someone knows more about this?

ooops! ....Did I say that?

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 15:55:

too much water?

Grajales being a big company should get all the knowledge, why they haven't try to go into the competitive market? do you think is because we are not a big wine drinkers? but i am sure if they produced a good wine people will change their minds

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 15:56:

Grajales Wines are Jrabes in compare to Chilean o Argentineans i rather drink Coke

nueva york bombero says on May 10, 2008, 15:58:

In Chile, I stuffed my backpack and duffel bag with bottles of wine.
I definitely went over the limit.
Average price of a good bottle was $4 US!

vicshere says on May 10, 2008, 15:58:

i have seen vine yards in spain growing on almost sand type soil

listo

robi666 says on May 10, 2008, 16:02:

Yes, Kat, too much rain-water.
Soil is too fertil.

Wine and tropics do not go together.

Best wine are made with specific low production vineyards. Temperate with low precipitation climate. And yes, poor soils.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 16:05:

uhmm Riobi666 that explain why countries in the tropic don't produced good wines.

so if i want to grow grapes in villavicencio, what i need to do.

vicshere says on May 10, 2008, 16:12:

in and around Buga they grow grapes but cant compare to Chile or European grapes

listo

Tinto (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 16:20:

Long, warm autumn days and cooler autumn nights allow the sugar in wine grapes to perform its magic. That combination just doesn't exist in Colombia. It also helps to have sandy or easy-to-drain soil and a sloping field. That's why you see so many world class vineyards on gently rolling hills or in river valleys.

Ah well, that's life and that's why countries need to trade -- I can't get bananas, coffee or mangos to grow very well in Minnesota, either.

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 16:24:

Now i will sound like American/pow wow/ jeje but with all this climate changes, don't you think we will be able to grow good grapes, we are having fruits here in the UK we will never though they will grow in a climate like the UK. example Pineapples.

webmanco says on May 10, 2008, 16:26:

Colombia is catching up on the wine industry, in Boyaca to be more precise

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 16:31:

tell me more?

jorgegdiaz says on May 10, 2008, 16:50:

... Chateau du Kat?

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 17:03:

yeah jorgegd.. don't forget Reserve ;)

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 17:11:

Tinto pretty much hit it on the head. BTW Kat, I agree, Grajales is undrinkable and we sold them one of their vineyards, but we grew table grapes and didn't try to make wine from them,LOL.

webmanco says on May 10, 2008, 17:13:

I did see and article in El Tiempo not long ago.

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/colombian-wines/

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

Lisa Zee says on May 10, 2008, 17:14:

Hey Kat, how about pinas, bananas, mangos.
you have to import Northern California weather for a superb wine.

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 17:18:

California is producing good wines.. Ernest and Gallo are from there ;)))


Billy can we make good wine out of our own grapes?

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 17:23:

E & G are from Calif, but most of their wine is grown in the central valley, which is not the best for high quality, like Napa, Sonoma and the central coast highlands, for example, are. Kat, what kind of soil does your land have and what is the weather like? Like Tinto said, you need good drainage so rocky or sandy soil is a plus, specially for burgundy grapes, and like he said you need those long warm days and cool nights, without too much rain right before harvest. Where is your place, in Villavo?

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 17:27:

Kat...Ernest and Gallo

Eeee Gaaad!!!!
Amiga, you need to go on a wine tasting run in the Alexander Valley and you will never say that again ñ===

ooops! ....Did I say that?

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 17:29:

45 minutes from Villavicencio on the way to Pto Lopez, we do have cool nights but very dry summers, rainy season start about middle march/ April.

this is the actual weather in Villavo taken from google

At the moment the maximum is 21c an the minimum 17c

but because we are in the rainy season

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 17:30:

CG, i think the Katster was being sarcastic, no Kat?

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 17:31:

well that is the only one i know from California, but to tell you the truth my favourite wines are French :))

Tinto (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 17:31:

I just washed down some excellent Colombian-spiced chuletas de cerdo with a bottle of California's finest Cabernet Sauvignon. It comes from a little winery with a peculiar name - Three Buck Chuck!

;-)

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 17:34:

Colombia with all its diversity must have a place that is ideal for wine grapes, I am trying to think of a region. In the north Valle you can grow table grapes the size of golf balls, but it is too hot at night for good wine grapes and probably too humid as well..

jorgegdiaz says on May 10, 2008, 17:34:

Kat, by Pto Lopes the best thing you can do is cattle ... (or coca if you are into that...)
Catgirl is right. Go on a wine tasting tour and you won´t try E&G anymore... lol

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 17:37:

Kat - If I recall, corectly, you prefer white wines correct? Fume Blanc? Chardonnay?

Germany has some good wine too

ooops! ....Did I say that?

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 17:37:

Tinto, you got ripped off, it is two buck chuck, jejej.

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 17:39:

Australia is cominf out with some pretty decent table wine - ever try Yellow Tail?

ooops! ....Did I say that?

jorgegdiaz says on May 10, 2008, 17:40:

Kat, iwth your new $150K / year salary as moderator you can afford the $21,95 shipping and handling that this book costs...



http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/Wine-For-Dummies-4th-Edit...

Of course !! now with that salary you´re buying a ranch in Villabo to grow grapes... nice !!

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 17:40:

oh nooo cat girl my favorites are French specially Puligny-Montrache oh lalal

jorge i heard that there is a coca wine on the market... Arthur Brode post some pict.

by agree Billy there must a place in Colombia where you can grow good grapes.

jorgegdiaz says on May 10, 2008, 17:41:

yes catgirl, Yellow tail has a pretty good Shiraz, It´s available in someplaces in Colombia for about 16000 COP

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 17:44:

For you info I don't like red that much, specially Shiraz, i am more of a Merlot
I love dry white wine specially Puligny-Montrache ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 17:45:

Yellow Tail Shiraz flies out of the shelves around here, good wine, great price.

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 17:49:

Kat: Puligny-Montrache
Amiga...I think this is the name of the wine but not the "type"? Considering most wineries in France now learned most of what they know from Wine Country CA ;))...

What type of wine is this?

ooops! ....Did I say that?

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 17:54:

it's a dry white wine, and that is the name the same as the village that it produced and the producer is Louis Jadot , oh i can smell it for miles jejejee
1979 my favourite a bit expensive so forget about getting drunk...

robi666 says on May 10, 2008, 17:56:

Americans and Colombians talking about wine... too funny... the only people that should be allowed to talk about wine on this board are Cassini and me... :)

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 18:03:

robi, i guess you have never been to napa or sonoma :))

jorgegdiaz says on May 10, 2008, 18:05:

Robbi misses Lambrusco...

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

robi666 says on May 10, 2008, 18:05:

Just joking billyb... :)

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 18:06:

actually robi66 before i met my husband i never drunk any alcoholic drink, he introduced me to pimms first ok that was fine, never was fan of beer or aguardiente, then he introduced me to reds ok fine but not crazy about then they gave me headaches then my friends introduced me to sweet white wine, from there i went to mediums and now i won't drink anything else but dry white wine, that is why in Colombia for me is so difficult to find a place who sell CHILL white wine and believe me i have been in so many places in Bogotá and some places don't stock them, the most common one is casillero del diablo. which they charge me twice the amount of the retail price.When i went to a bar in Bogota and asked for a white dry, they took ages to find it, when the guy delivered the bottle to my table, he didn't know how to opened it, so i had to teach him ( being an alcoholic jeje) i knew how to do it!! and By the end of the evening i got a free bottle of WINE... i asked the waiter why? and he said because I was one of the very few customer who asked for wine.... no wonder they wanted to keep me happy every bottle cot me 80.000 pesos!!!

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 18:08:

New York Wine Tasting of 1973
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The New York Wine Tasting of 1973 was organized by pioneering alcohol journalist Robert Lawrence Balzer. He assembled 14 leading wine experts including France’s Alexis Lichine, who owned two Chateaux in Bordeaux, a manager of the Four Seasons restaurant in New York City, and Sam Aaron, a prominent New York wine merchant. They evaluated 23 Chardonnays from California, New York, and France in a blind tasting before an assemblage of 250 members of the New York Food and Wine Society.

California Chardonnays received the top four scores. Fifth place went to the 1969 Beaune Clos des Mouches Joseph Drouhin. Other French wines in the competition were the 1970 Corton-Charlemagne Louis Latour, the 1971 Pouilly-Fuisse Louis Jadot, and the 1970 Chassagne-Montrachet Marquis de Laguiceh Joseph Drouhin.

Three years later, in the notable Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, American and French wines were once again compared in a blind tasting.

Judgment of Paris (wine)
The Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 or the "Judgment of Paris" was a wine competition organized in Paris in 1976 by Steven Spurrier, a British wine merchant, in which French judges did blind tasting of top-quality chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon wines from France and from California. California wines rated best in each category, which caused surprise as France was generally regarded as being the foremost producer of the world's best wines. Spurrier sold only French wine and believed that the California wines would not win. [1]

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 18:10:

Many Besos BB ;)) Purrr

ooops! ....Did I say that?

OneHappyBoy says on May 10, 2008, 18:10:

Colombia has too high of humidity.. Not hot enough, in the good growing regions, and no cold autumn nights. other than that, its a great place to grow grapes:)

There are some grapes that lend themselves to being grown in a climate like Colombia, but I don't know the quality of grapes for wine.

Words are just words. nothing more or less, but eloquently expressed, like a symphony to Beethoven's ear, no army can defeat and no oppression can exist.

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 18:11:

I know you were robi, but just wanted an excuse to post the above since you HAD to mention cASSini, jeje. But you are right, colombia has never had much of a wine culture, except for the last few years, I have noticed a great increase in wine appreciation there, although it is still miles away from the european.

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 18:15:

BB - on the coment of the happy boy - I wonder if Colombia might do well with late harvest wines? AKA Dessert wines? Since they usually are harvested during what we call "Indian Summers" or long and late summers out here.
But I am now learning that they are making less Dessert wines these days. I think it is nice to have after dinner and then a little n***kie - (did I say that?) oops!

ooops! ....Did I say that?

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 18:17:

catgirl i will stay well clear of those, i had such a ummmmmmmmm embarrassing experience with them jejej

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 18:19:

Come on Kat, spill it, we want to hear about the dessert wine "incident"

robi666 says on May 10, 2008, 18:47:

In Italy, we get used to wine from the childhood. I can't remember Coca Cola or beer on my family table... while a "caraffa" of white wine was NEVER missed.
You never buy wine per bottle, but you buy per liter into "pimpinas".

You get used to drink white wine with water very early. That's maybe why we don't have (or had not) an alcohol abuse problem like in the north of Europe. The "not selling alcohol" to underage rule was never heard of when I was a teen ager.

Almost everybody in the countryside used to make their own wine and Grappa.

Quality wine, of course, it is another story...

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 18:50:

ah, robi, i love that lifestyle you ities have over there.

jorgegdiaz says on May 10, 2008, 19:25:

grappa ... hmmmm .... grappa.... :)

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

Papi de Alejo says on May 10, 2008, 19:42:

I would think that Colombian conditions would favor a Muscat wine. Very sweet dessert wine.

PdA

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 20:30:

Robbi ' I did not know you were raised in Italy - I bet you've got some more good stories to tell ;)

You don't pinch do you?

ooops! ....Did I say that?

billyb says on May 10, 2008, 23:20:

wow, now that was enlightening.

CatGirl says on May 11, 2008, 00:08:

BB ' yeah, we got a real Einstein comment there!

ooops! ....Did I say that?

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 11, 2008, 05:31:

Someone told me if i want to grow grapes on my farm i have to work in the soil first, to make it more acidity? or something like that anyway he said if i put Calcium bicarbonate this could help.. :(

billyb says on May 11, 2008, 08:40:

Kat, if you have to go to that much trouble to change the character of the soil, it probably is not going to work out real well. On the other hand, I saw a travel show on Wales and they talked about the nascent wine industry, they specially mentioned the whites, that you are SO found of

Tinto (Moderator) says on May 11, 2008, 08:54:

It's not uncommon to use "lime" to alter the pH balance of soil, but first you need to get a bunch of soil samples to determine if it's necessary and what the proper application (amount, type, time of year) should be. Find a professional because this is serious stuff; you're temporarily altering the chemistry of your soil. You don't want to turn your little slice of paradise into a modern day Sodom.

robi666 says on May 11, 2008, 08:58:

Where is the farm Kat?

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 11, 2008, 08:59:

I've done a little research too and found out that you can grow Merlot grapes pretty far up in the north. It ripens early and likes cooler soils. Chardonnay is already being grown in England. There are some othe varieties of both red and white grapes that have been especially developed for cooler climates, like Hungarian Bianca, German Siegerrebe, French Madeleine Angevine, Russian Jubilei Novgoroda, there are others too. Some of those grapes can tolerate sub-zero temps and snow.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Catfish35 says on May 11, 2008, 10:32:

The Elements of which you guys talk are the Terroir. This is actually a word that means in wine language all the "natural" elements that are needed so that the actually vine will survive and thrive.
IMHO, Colombia has very few places that are very conducive to wine growing. From what I have observed 2 of the elements that work directly against the vines are the rains and the soil. Ideally, the terra should be sandy and a bit rocky, (contrary to what people think). A real fertile soil is not necessary for the vine and sometimes is not desired!
DESI, is correct that their are different types of "grapes varieties" that will thrive in cooler weather and some better in different climates.
ROBI, hits the nail on the head though when mentioning water as the main enemy in Colombia.
For a wine to be a good to great vintage you must have all the gods smile upon your vineyard in that particular year. The slopes must be just sloped! The sun must be just enough but not too much! The ground must stay moist but not too moist! You must have early sun young late sun older! Rain but not too much! the list goes on and on!
I am a certified Sommelier and have a great restaurant outside of DC/Baltimore if anyone would like to sample for free if you mention PBH and are a member!

"I refuse to have a battle of intelligence with an unarmed person, therefore I will just speak as the simpleton you have come to love"

rocinante says on May 11, 2008, 10:56:

" Sample What?"

The Burgundy grape has no business being grown outside of Burgundy. If you like Pinot Noirs from the US please remove me from your friend list at once. However the Cab grape outside of Bordeaux is just fine by me. Go figure!

Thank you!

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 11, 2008, 11:01:

jajaj Roci

Robie my farm is on the road Villavicencio - Pto Lopez

I am off to Italy tomorrow, Florence exactly... oh good wine too :)))

rocinante says on May 11, 2008, 11:03:

Cab grape outside of Bordeaux in Napa and in Tuscanny - now the edit buitton is gone in 8 minutes? OK I can deal with that.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

robi666 says on May 11, 2008, 11:03:

ah... Villavaina... I thought you were costenas...

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 11, 2008, 11:04:

I am, but my family moved from the coast to Bogota then Villavicencio, but i was already living in the UK when they moved to Villavo

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 11, 2008, 11:08:

Hve you seen that "drink" in Colombia, you will find it in all licoreras or corner shops, it's called " Katich" i think you spell it like that, anyway, that thing is just a very cheap sweet sparkling wine and many people have the nerve to call it champagne jajaja.

that thing is very if you are constipated..

robi666 says on May 11, 2008, 11:15:

What? They moved from the coast to Bogotà? We know it is not possible...

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 11, 2008, 11:25:

jajaj robi666 i know, and although they like the coast they don't want to go back and live there

Bluesdude says on May 11, 2008, 12:35:

Catfish35 hit it right on the head. Everything has to be just so, and that depends on the type of grape you are trying to grow. And a long enough dry season to let the grapes mature. I am not a sommelier, but I lived near the wine country of Northern California for over 30 years, and I am spoiled. I know many people who work in the wine industry there, and am just waiting for the day that I can import California wines and sell them here at a competitive price. Gallo??? are you kidding? Their private reserves are good, but their regular stuff is no better than the chilean box wine that you can buy for 9,000. I buy wines on sale at Carulla to get the best prices. Every friday here, they knock 25% off all wines and have a lot of 3 for twos. For my everyday swill, I pick up La Huerta for less than 9,000 per bottle with the discount; for better occasions, Castillo Molino has a very nice Cabernet with hints of pepper and berries and a slight creamy finish, and their Chardonnay is very complex with lots of fruit and oak. Castillero del Diablo's Chardonnay is very much like a lot of California chardonnays I like with an oaky, buttery flavor and finish. At a party, I had a glass of Santa Rita 120 Savigion Blanc that tasted like a nice Chenin Blanc. Most of the savignon blancs here are too acidy for me. Gato Negro's Carmenere is tasty. Other than those, I haven't found too many I would buy. These would be at the lower end of the scale for California wines where you can get a decent cab or chard for $5-7. I know that there are some nice French wines in Carrefour, but the Cartagena store doesn't seem to carry a lot of the ones that are on sale.

Bluesdude No Mas Gringas Por La Vida

podborski says on May 11, 2008, 13:39:

slightly off topic but I just had the good fortune to be able to taste an aussie Cabernet sauvignon that might be the best wine I've ever tasted (which isn't saying all that much, but it is great stuff).

billyb, you should see if you can get a bottle of this, I think it's about $80 USD (I met the US distributor recently). Anyway, its 18% alcohol! But was not hot at all, almost tasted like port. Really incredible stuff, the few of us who tried it are still talking about it days later.

It's called Branson Coach House 2005 Greenock Barossa Valley Rare Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

Only 50 cases in the entire USA apparently. But if you can find some...

(Unfortunately for me, it blows away some Argy Malbecs at twice the price.)

dwmte7 says on May 11, 2008, 13:51:

there's plenty of good climes and soils in colombia. you'll want your root stock from napa or the san juaquin valley in calif or someplace in france. the california are really hardy and can tolerate just about anything. then it's just developing your vineyard. takes about 7 to 15 years to develop a good annual trellis plant that's happy in the ground and knows what to do when it comes up each year. by 7 years your plants will be full fruiting and by 15, they will be as good as 100 yr old stock. choose your strain wisely from a grower that you like their venting. get dept of ag permission to enter the plants into colombia so they are not gassed and destroyed in la aduana. we started a pistacio orchard up by bello...first in colombia.

dwmte

webmanco says on May 11, 2008, 14:01:

Nice to know that both of our female moderators do their job under the influence of alchool.


:-)

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

Catfish35 says on May 11, 2008, 14:32:

ROCI.."Sample What"? I think we are talking about Buffalo steaks here right? Just stop by for a sample of Buffalo steaks. And the Pinot Noir BTW, Fetzer (Cali) Fiver Rivers is an outstanding wine.
Its amazing the difference you have when you take one grape to another region, country, climate etc and it changes its character...I love old world, however new world is great also.

"I refuse to have a battle of intelligence with an unarmed person, therefore I will just speak as the simpleton you have come to love"

lampltr says on May 11, 2008, 18:06:

Kat, Robi & Bluesdude are correct...need much sun and small amount of rain. I work in the wine belt of Italy and we may be lucky to see some rain twice in a 3 week period as yet, and it is not even summer yet! California wine sucks compared to true natural wine with no additives jeje sorry.

CatGirl says on May 11, 2008, 18:13:

Lamptlr - Just wash your feet before jumping into the vat ;)))

ooops! ....Did I say that?

rocinante says on May 11, 2008, 18:29:

Fish - What kind of Buffalo steaks? I meant maybe break it down a little more. Either way I now see your place is in Balt/DC area. I thought you were talking about doing a tasting at your Helado place in the Mayorista. Whatever happened to Gelatto?

I'm totally with you on New World but not with Pinot Noir when you have Burgundy on the brain. If you never had a taste for Burgundy and are drinking Pinots then you have no reference point and you treat Pinots as if they are the only thing. I LOVE California Viognier much more than French and I'll take Alsacian Gewertztraminers over the German any day of the week. Did I ever mention that really awesome high end California Cabs rival any decent first growth? My opinion. So I'm not anti new world by any means.

I worked with a chef who has a great pallate and was born in a chateau - he just loves California/Oregon Pinots so go figure.

Me? Pinot Noir from the west coast = Marketing hype from vineyards and distributors.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

CatGirl says on May 11, 2008, 18:44:

My favs - Wellington, & Gundlach Bundschu. Wellington has some old vine wine > 100 years very smooth - Nior De Nior and the only Zin I will drink. Gundlach has some great Cab

ooops! ....Did I say that?

Catfish35 says on May 11, 2008, 18:45:

ROC..some is correct what you say about the hype with the wine. I am right with you with Burgundy..I prefer French and my favorite wine is a good Amarone from the Venato region!
Sorry Bud no tastings at The Helado store..I still have the store and the little place has surprised me actually. The Gelati originale is still in the working as I speak..I arrive in MDE on Tuesday..you there?

"I refuse to have a battle of intelligence with an unarmed person, therefore I will just speak as the simpleton you have come to love"

Bluesdude says on May 12, 2008, 13:55:

Catgirl, I have friends that work at Gundlach; they get to bring home the partial bottles that are leftovers after big tasting events. I have drank a lot of that wine and I agree that their Cab is excellent. There are nice pinots coming out of the Anderson Valley between Cloverdale and Mendocino. I'm not a pinot fan, but some of them are really good with ligther fare. Does anyone know what it would take to import US wine into Colombia? Like logistics, taxes, etc.

Bluesdude No Mas Gringas Por La Vida