I usually find myself not liking the Italian Chianti’s with Merlot, I prefer the Caniolo grape in my Chianti wines.

But during a Saturday morning trip to Cincinnati’s wonderful Jungle Jim’s Market I picked up a bottle of $14.99 Tuscan wine and noticed it was from Mazzei. The producer dates back to the 1400s and remains on the same property today. I had tried to arrange a trip to the Mazzei winery when I was in Italy over New Year’s but couldn’t work that out.

That alone was enough to get me to pick up a bottle. (And you thought it took more?)

The Badiola might be called Mezzei’s value label and so be it. I liked 70 percent Sangiovese and 30 percent Merlot blend a lot – a little too much last night, frankly.

This wine had that nice soft cherry you often get from Sangiovese-based wines but a bigger structure than some without the off-putting acidity. It was well balanced or round, whichever term you prefer!

I had it with a grilled rib eye last night and it was great! This is a great value Sangiovese wine.

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Journalists, and ex-journalists, are often guilty of getting cute ideas to tell a story. Tonight I was a victim, horribly jaded now, from my own journalistic tricks.

Today, Sept. 2, is #Cabernet day in the social media world. Bloggers, Tweeters (Twitter for the newbies) and wine writers are all drinking and writing about Cabernet Sauvignon today. The – #Cabernet – allows you go search on your favorite search engine and find thousands of entries about the king of grapes – Cabernet Sauvignon.

I was trying to think throughout the day what Cab I could pull from the rack, storage system, or even my basement of goodies. When I got home I had nothing really except expensive Cabernet. I don’t like opening those when I’m cooking just for one so I looked a little longer. I had a couple of nice blends but I felt that was not in the spirit of things. I wanted a Cab that was at least 75 percent Cabernet (which California laws require in order to call it a Cab) and not a blend that was half Merlot or another grape.

So this is where I out-tricked myself. I thought, ‘Well, Howard you write about value wine. You’ve been known to bash supermarket brands on occasion so why not head to the Kroger and buy a bottle of Cab. That’s a great angle, clever fellow!”

So off Krogering I went and found the ever-growing wine aisle. They actually had a bottle of Louis Martini Cab which is darn good stuff for the price point. I wrote about it back in March.

But I felt like that would be cheating. I picked up a bottle of Alamos Cab, the great Argentinian producer, and held on to that one. Then my eye caught Parkers Estate Old Vine Street 2007 Cabernet from Sonoma Valley. I grabbed that one, a steal I thought at $13.99 and regularly priced at $19.99.

Click on the link to the winery – try to find a Mr. or Ms. Parker, an estate, or anyone with a pulse other than a marketer. My dear wine buddies, that’s a clue! And, maybe needless to say, not a good one!

Parkers Estate is a product of the Winery Exchange that according to its website is “a full service, corporate brand beverage alcohol company that sources beer, wine and spirits from the finest regions of the world.” In simpler terms, it’s corporate wine. But honestly much of what you drink is probably corporate wine if you’re buying it at the market.

The wine actually wasn’t bad on the nose so I held out hope my clever approach to #Cabernet Day would pay off. It was a beautiful dark purple. But then I actually tasting it.

Now in all fairness it’s not awful, bad perhaps, but not disgusting. It has a hint of dark fruit on the palate but a flat and somewhat astringent taste that kills the fruit rather quickly. The alcohol is relatively low at 13.5 percent, but on the nose I got alcohol – a bad sign.

I had not had the wine open long when first tasting. It would probably improve some with serious decanting. I found a handful of amateur ratings for this wine which were consistently around 83 points. Low 80s usually mean good wine, but pretty unremarkable. I’d have a hard time getting out of the 70s on this one.

So why pick on this one wine? It’s the whole point of my wine writing really. There are really nice Cabernets, and plenty of other wines, less than $15 but you usually will not find them at the grocery. Martini, Duck Pond and Milbrandt of Washington state, and many others make a well-balanced Cabernet that will really surprise you for the price point. (Oh, why didn’t I go with the Alamos?)

You shop carefully for your family, loved ones and friends. You should shop just as carefully for your wine.

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Editor’s Note: As an old newspaper guy, with ink in the veins, I still like seeing my column in print. I was reminded of that today when I received a copy of The Chronicle from my friend Publisher Brenda Kleihege.

The Chronicle is a unique publication serving Portage, Valparaiso, Chesterton, and Hobart, Indiana. It is a nicely designed features publication in an area with some strong newspapers. I like this idea and think we’re going to see more of this type paper in coming years.

Meanwhile back in the electronic world, here is my latest print column:

With the two-year anniversary of Grape Sense approaching, it dawned on me many readers missed some earlier columns that covered some basics.

I was reminded of that after the column debuted in Columbia City two weeks ago. I got an email from a reader asking: “Should wine be refrigerated after opening? And, how long will wine keep if sealed properly?”

The second question, in particular, is a frequent one. I have a couple of items for today’s column so thought I’d start with the Columbia City questions.

You will find conflicting opinions about both questions but through my years of enjoying wine I’ve decided to refrigerate white wines, which I think will keep 2-3 days and sometimes a little longer. I do not refrigerate red wines after opening though. I use the rubber seal and air pump device for leftover wine. I honestly don’t believe red wines are drinkable much past 24 hours. I have had a few good up to two days after opening but that’s an unusual exception.

I hope that helps.

2010 Indy International Wine Competition.

I was a guest judge at the Indy Wine Competition again this year and really enjoyed the experience. Just imagine tasting, spitting and trying to evaluate 50-plus wines in an hour-and-a-half!

Readers interested in Indiana wine can go to the Indiana Wine and Grape Council website for a full list of winners.

Several folks in Indiana really scored big. French Lick Winery was honored for its 2008 Traminette as the competition’s White Wine of the Year. Oliver Winery, Bloomington, won the Winemaker of the Year Trophy, which honors the winery winning the most gold medals.

Indiana wines compete with more than 2,700 wines from around the world. But there is also an Indiana grown wines division. Other Indiana winners included Huber for its 2009 Vignoles and 2008 Knobstone Blaufrankisch. Easley Winery was honored for its Pink Catawba.

Visiting Oak Hill Winery

Whenever I’m driving the Hoosier byways and have a little extra time I try to find a nearby Hoosier winery to visit. Recently I stopped in at Oak Hill Winery at Converse. Converse is about 15 minutes east of U.S. 31, on Ind. 18, north of Kokomo.

Rick Moulton has a small operation of about 1,000 cases a year. He makes mostly dry wines from grapes usually associated with Indiana’s traditional sweet wines. His style is very different than most. Not only does he make a dry Concord red wine, among others, but he makes them in a very light style.

Howard’s Picks:

Summer is winding down so instead of a specific wine recommendation how about some generic suggestions. Next time in the wine shop pick up a bottle of dry Rose’ and give it a try. Rose’ is great by itself and great with most foods. Pink Wine isn’t for wimps anymore!

The other summer suggestion would be non-tradition whites. More than a year ago I wrote about Albarino, which comes primarily from Spain and Portugal.
You can find good Rose’ and good Albarino at most Indiana wine shops. These wines also are great values ranging anywhere from $10-$15 for really good ones. You can buy great ones around $20.

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I stumbled across Durigutti’s Argentinian Bonarda a few weeks back and loved. That led me to buy a 2006 Reserva ($23.99) shortly thereafter, and then Durigutti’s entry level ($15) Malbec recently.

I tried the $15 bottle Friday night and thought it was quite good in that price range. I’d compare the Durigutti to Altos within the same price range. Both are excellent Malbecs if you find either.

The Reserva is obviously a different price point but it will sure illustrate what you get for a few more bucks!

The wine was a very dark color with wonderful aromas of dark fruit like cherry. On the palate it was big, bold, smooth and velvety. There was a hint of pepper on the finish with very nice tannins.

I can not think of any other Malbec I’ve had in the $18-$25 price range that I can compare. Wine Spectator gave this one 90 points.

I bought this bottle at Vine and Table in Carmel for $23.99. Interesting, I found it online for $17-$27, so I guess $24 is a decent price.

If you like Malbec and been buying in the $12-$15 range, give yourself a treat for a special occasion and try this bottle with a big grilled steak.

It’s great wine.

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I get a modest amount of wine from marketing companies since I write a newspaper column, this blog, and contribute to Palate Press. The marketers, hired by the wineries, are hoping you’ll say something nice about their products.

I’ve written about it before with the disclaimer I do accept samples with no promises I’ll like or write about the wines. I’ve stuck to that. Frankly, usually if I don’t like them I just don’t write about them. But for the most part, I’d guess I’ve written about 90 percent of the wines I’ve received. There are several in the wine racks around the house right now.

Last night I opened Banfi’s Centine 2009 Rose. All of these shipments have glossy and high quality press materials with the best copy writing money can buy.

For example, the Centine: “An enticing introduction to fine quality wines from Tuscany, Centine’s trio of red, white and rose proposes clean, straightforward flavors appropriate for every dish, every occasion, and every season. Available at fine wine retailers and on restaurant wine lists nationwide for approximately $11, Centine’s accessibility and value is hard to match.”

That’s verbatim and typical of the usual pitch. Often the marketing power outweighs the wine but I can honestly say not in this case.

The Centine Rose is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. I was prepared for a rather acidic and strong flavored Rose I wouldn’t like. The wine was far lighter than those grapes would suggest with a hint of acidity and really beautiful dry fruit.

I have a bunch of Rose on the racks and haven’t consumed as much this summer as recent years. It’s time to catch up. I’m glad I started with the $11 Centine.

Banfi has wines all across the country and aren’t hard to find. If you like Rose, particularly lighter ones will great balance, try this one.

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I’ve often found Languedoc wines like a boring neighbor – nothing interesting, always around, easily forgotten.

They almost always seem to be a light or watered-down version of better Cotes du Rhone wines. Perhaps that’s harsh because I haven’t tried all that many but enough to be thoroughly ho-hum about the region.

That was until tonight when I opened a 2005 Domaine de Nizas Coteaux du Languedoc. Wow! This one actually had ….. flavor!

The wine is a blend of 60 percent Syrah, 35 percent Mourvedre, and 5 percent Grenache. I thought it was earthy and herbal. It had a nice big nose, an herbal, spicy, and smoky taste with a long finish.

It was just a lot bigger than any other I’ve tried in recent years. It’s well made and quite fresh.

Wine Spectator gave this stuff a 91. I might not go quite that high, but darn close. If you see this wine give it a try. I bought this bottle at Grapevine Cottage in Zionsville for $13.99.

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I picked up another daily newspaper for my column, Grape Sense, this week.

The Columbia City Post and Mail joins 11 other Indiana newspaper running the column. I’m grateful.

Columbia City, for those who don’t know, is located about 20 mile west of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The Post and Mail is a small daily serving a city of about 7,000 and Whitley County which has a population of approximately 30,000.

A tad bit of irony, Columbia City is known as the home of Thomas R. Marshall who became Vice President 1913-1921. Marshall was a graduate of Wabash College where I work.

So thanks to Ruth Stanley, Managing Editor, for picking up Grape Sense. The Post and Mail puts my combined circulation well over 200,000 Hoosier homes now!

And, by the way, I have a new newspaper column coming later this week. I post them here and over on Grape Sense where I archive just the columns. A link to Grape Sense is in the right hand column here.

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I started getting the urge four or five days ago. I know I have a good bit of delightful Oregon Pinot Noir stashed safely away in the basement. But, what is the purpose if you don’t pop one open once in a while?

I opened Winderlea’s 2007 Ana Vineyard Pinot and was in Pinot Palooza Heaven! I cut up some nice Michigan Leelanau Cheese, got out the last of the Norman Love “Black” chocolates, cut some small fresh sun gold fresh, sweet tomatoes (which I drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper), and feasted.

I’ve written about Winderlea a couple of times and here is a piece I did after an April 2009 visit.

The interesting thing about this bottle is that it had a bit of effervescence that I find off-putting. I had decanted the wine a good two hours before drinking. But after getting the wine into the glass and swirling awhile the annoying sense of fizz (new term for me!) went away and it was the gorgeous Pinot I remember drinking with Bill and Donna and their uber cool tasting room a year ago spring.

Robert Parker liked this Pinot to the tune of 90 points. For me, it’s the nose of Oregon Pinot Noir. And the Winderlea Ana Vineyard really delivers that nice stinky Pinot nose that makes me silly. Okay, I did use the word silly. Criticize after you sniff a glass of this juice.

Now, here are the downsides. Winderlea ships to a limited number of states but if you can find it – buy it. This particular wine is sold out at the winery and lists for $45.

It is a great representation of what Oregon Pinot Noir is at its best, full flavored, full bouquet, but with a delicate hand and beautiful balance.

Yes, I guess you could say I really liked it!

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I have made many friends and new acquaintances through wine. It’s been one of the biggest benefits of my wine writing.

This week I participated in the Indy International Wine Competition which I’ve written about below. Michael Palmer, Vinture Wine Group, was on my panel for the second straight year. We became friends on Facebook Friday. This morning I noticed a link to a really great three-part video about the wines of the Rhone Valley.

If you care about wine it is very educational and entertaining. Additionally, it makes a fabulous follow up to my most recent newspaper column about the area.

Here is the first segment. You will find parts one and two on the YouTube Playlist next to this one.

Thanks Mike – this is a great video!

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