The headline on this entry poses a really good question. And, its a question often debated in the wine world.

I started blogging about one year ago, exclusively about wine. I launched the blog the same time I started a newspaper column. I feel inadequate when I read many other wine writers talk about specific wines. But I also feel, at time, put off by the snobbery.

I can usually spot pretty well-made wine. It’s not brain surgery. So I decided to give this wine writing thing a try. I’ve enjoyed it immensely and its opened some doors I never expected.

For one, I’m hoping to contribute regularly to a new online wine magazine with a national profile. Palate Press debuted last week and managed 3,000-plus visits the day of its debut. My first contribution, on Portuguese wines, should appear in next week or so.

But don’t worry, I’m sure in some self-aggrandizing manner to make sure I re-direct from here! Ha! You can jump to Palate Press with the button in the left column on this page.

Already in two weeks there have been two topics in the Palate Press about wine writers, wine critcs, snobs and wine know-it-alls. I found both really fascinating reading. You can read the story here.

I decided when I started this that I wasn’t going to get too far ahead of myself. In other words, I’m going to talk about wines within my knowledge range and not try to sound more knowledgable than I really am. If my musings are helpful in any way, then I’m pleased. The feedback has been overwhelming. I think I struck a chord by sticking to the value wine category. What I’ve learned is people want to drink better wine.

I’ve also opened a Twitter account, though still getting the hang of how to use it effectively. That’s still a work in progress. You can “follow me” on Twitter: @hwhwarren

So I now like to think of myself as connected to the Social Network: Twitter, Blog, Palate Press, and the newspaper column. It’s been crazy, good fun!

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In the 1990s I was bicycling a lot and even got into distance riding. It was during that time I found the tastiest energy bar – Clif Bars. The others all tasted like cardboard or worse.

I was surprised to find the energy bar makers have gotten into the wine business. The Clif Family Winery and Farm is located in Napa Valley and practice sustainable farming. I have a bottle of their Climber White and Red. Tonight, I opened the white wine.

The Climber White is an interesting blend of 88 percent Sauvignon Blanc, two percent Chenin Blanc, three percent Chardonnay, three percent Riesling, and four percent Muscat.

While the Sauvignon Blanc dominates the wine with typical citrus notes and minerality, the lighter wine grapes – particulary the Muscat gives the wine at texture of creaminess. It’s a nice change of pace from the expected ‘zing’ of most Sauv Blanc!

This wine would be an excellent introduction to Sauvignon Blanc for those afraid of the acidity or sharp flavors. It has a smoothness missing from most Sauv Blancs. It would work really nice with milder flavored fish off the grill.

This is a nice wine at a very reasonable mid-teen price point. The white makes me anxious to try the red!

There’s lots of great reading on the Clif Winery website. Here is a video where winemakers Gary Erickson & Kit Crawford talk about farming.

I bought a half bottle of SantoNegro Crianza “Barrel Selection” red wine at Mass Ave Wine Shop in Indianapolis today. How can you beat $4.99 for a couple nice glasses of wine?

The juice is 60 percent Monastrell (think Castano I’ve raved about) and 40 percent of Spain’s most traditional red grape, Tempranillo.

It was smooth with some cherry and hint of vanilla, I thought. It had enough tannins to be taken seriously and a really nice finish for an inexpensive bottle of wine. It was nothing fancy and nothing memorable but was a darn nice glass of wine on the cheap.

I write about these and pick up bottles like this one to encourage people to try something different and/or try something new.

This was a nice half bottle of wine.

In photo: I think I could be a hand model???????!!!!????

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The photo above may look a bit odd. That’s because it’s an altered photograph and a really odd idea.

The photo is of Germany’s beautiful Mosel Valley. The Mosel is arguably one of the finest Riesling producing areas in the world. The German government, as part of an economic stimulus plan, is proposing building a bridge over the valley.

So the photo is real the bridge is an artist’s concept imposed electronically on the photo. The Mosel River empties into the Rhine River. I was lucky to drive up the Rhine River in 1994 and its a beautifully captivating area of Europe.

I came across this story and illustration and was stunned that the German government, which supports so much of the country’s history and culture, would fund such an eyesore. The story also suggested the bridge would only reduce the drive in the area by about 30 minutes.

It would be a shame to see such a gorgeous area ruined with something like this!

So, just a rant I guess! The bridge is a really bad idea!

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I just posted my latest newspaper column to Grape Sense, the link in the left column on this page.

I wrote about my two-day July drive along the Ohio River and stops at seven Indiana wineries. But most of this column is devoted to Jim Pfeiffer at Turtle Run. He is doing some really interesting, fun and tasty things at Turtle Run.

Turtle Run is not far off I-64, west of Louisville, and well worth the trip. I have a bunch of other notes with Jim I hope to write up and get on the site here in the next week or two.

For now, the latest column is up!

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I’ve enjoyed French Grenache and Spain’s Garnacha for a couple of years now. So I was very intriqued when I came across the Domaine Lafage Grenache Noir at Cork and Cracker in Indianapolis.

It was an $11.99 bottle of French wine so I thought … what the heck?

I popped it open to night to enjoy with some pork chops I did on the grill and it had incredible “wow” factor. This was a really smooth, rich feel in the mouth and super smooth finish. After a little research, I learned there is no oak aging for this wine and its unfiltered – what you taste is what you get!

This had a dark fruit flavor with a little spice on the end. It opened up with some time out of the bottle and turned form a bit of a fruit bomb when popping the cork to a nicely blanced, dry red wine. I think you could drink this with about any mild to medium flavored dinner dishes.

I had not seen a “Grenache Noir” before but it make perfect sense after drinking this one. You get a milder dose of the beautiful Grenache grape in a style similar to a Pinot. It’s a beautiful combination.

At this price point, LaFage is a great, great value wine.
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I’ve milked the ‘research’ bit about as much as I can on the Portuguese red table wines and finished off the last red. It turns out the best was last.

A couple nights ago I opened a bottle of Quinta Do Alqueve 2006 Tradicional. Indeed, this red wine features Portugal’s three primary red grapes – Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Trincadeira and Castelao.

Again, Touriga Nacional is the primary grape in Port, but also used for red table wines. This $10.99 wine I bought at Kahns on Keystone in Indianapolis was the nicest of the 4-5 I tried in recent weeks.

This was a medium bodied wine that was satisfying without the too-ripe or overly earthy characteristics of some of the others I tried and wrote about on this blog.

I’ve had a hard time putting a finger on these reds. I found a few reviews, including wine columnist Edward Deitch, who said it reminded them at times of a Cab, other times as a Merlot and yet sometimes Pinot Noir.

The wine comes from the Ribatejo region, in central Portugal and just north of Lisbon, where a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are grown along with the traditional Portuguese grapes.

This exercise solidifies for me the importance of trying new things and new grapes. Portugal’s reds are definitely a little different, but give them a try!

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I’m still working my way through some Portuguese wines for my upcoming piece in the new Palate Press. (See entry below)

I found one at a slightly higher price point that was big and bold. Pilheiros 2004, from J&F Lurton Winery, had the same earthy tones of my previous exploration of Portugal’s unique grapes but this one was bigger and bolder. Still, the tannins were surprisingly light after the wine had been opened for a while.

The grapes are Tina Francisca, Tina Roriz, and the predominant Touriga Nacional grape found in most Portuguese table wines. It is from the big red grape growing area of Douro.

This was a more complex wine than the Grilos previously reviewed here. I find myself still struggling for an accurate flavor description of these interesting grapes. It is a dark, spicy, even woodsy flavor.

The alcohol is at 14.4 percent and the wine spends some time in oak. There is no question big food would match nicely with this wine. I paid $19.99 for this wine but found it online for as low as $15.

If you like bigger red wines, you should give Portugal reds a try. I have one or two more in the rack I’m going to open over the weekend.

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For the past couple of months a large group of dedicated wine journalists have worked at putting together an online wine magazine – Palate Press.

David Honig, an Indianapolis attorney and wine blogger, is the site’s Publisher and Founder. There is an impressive list of contributors headed by Editor W.R. Tish. “Tish” – as he is known – is a former editor of Wine Enthusiast magazine.

The contributors list even includes your humble blogger! I’m working on a piece about Portuguese wines for later this month.

But click the links and check it out. You’ll find tremendous writing and wine information. It’s on the level of any of the national wine magazines. Some of the bloggers contibuting have huge followings on their own blogs.

There is a button on the left hand side of this page to take you directly to the site. Check it out!

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I’ve been trying some Portuguese red table wines for a piece I’m writing for later this month on Palate Press. Palate Press is a new nationally-focused online wine magazine.

I was asked by the editor to do a piece on Portugal’s table wines. So I’m doing what I like to call “research!” Ha!

To make a long story short, considering I’ve written about it here before, I finally found a very nice red wine. Chamine’ Vinho Tinto from Cas Agricola Cortes de Cima red wine is a really nice glass of juice.

The wine is a blend of five grapes, big and juicy with great body and smooth finish – just a touch of tannins. The grapes are Tempranillo, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira and a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine comes from one of Portugal’s
Alentejano region in south central Portugal east of Lisbon and bordering Spain.

I had the wine with a grill America’s cut pork chop and grilled asparagus and it was great. This wine holds up to about anything on the market at the $12.99 price point. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it strongly.

I bought this bottle at Kahn’s Fine Wines on Keystone in Indianapolis.
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