Author Archives: Cintya J

Cintya Jiménez -My visit to The Red Hook Winery

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When making an appointment, you wonder if the person on the other side of the phone is going to be friendly or not. But I ventured forward anyway and the Winery I visited was called “The Red Hook Winery” located in Brooklyn. A person named Ethan answered the phone at The Red Hook Winery, he is a sales representative who sounded very friendly and joyful on the phone. It made me feel great about the idea of choosing Red Hook Winery for my assignment. At first, I was nervous about making a trip to the Red Hook Winery by using the bus, especially making a trip on a bus of that distance from City Tech. I felt the same way about how I was going to get to my destination as well. Once I got to the winery, I got confused about where the entrance was located but enjoyed the beautiful landscapes overlooking the ocean and the Statue of Liberty. Later, I found out it was the back of the winery. Ethan came to my rescue and guide me to their small lounge. He offered me water or wine, which I honestly didn’t want wine on an empty stomach.

The Red Hook Winery’s goal is to represent New York State  for people to understand the concept of winemaking. Ethan also mention to guests to feel free to dump the wine on the floor, that they will not be offend by it. He and the staff at the winery want to let visitors express the way that they feel about what they are tasting or what it looks like in their glass. I notice that he kept his word by literally dumping some of his red wine on the floor while he was giving a tour. Some of the grapes were under maceration a process of the grapes being separated from the skin and their juice also called maceration-barrel. There were exposed grapes everywhere in the winery, which explain the fruit flies everywhere. We walked to a wood barrel that had tons of grapes, so we were fortunate to get a first pick at fresh grapes. The winemaker Christopher told us that he protects the grapes from the flies by covering it with a clear plastic bag and spraying some chemicals. It’s also their technique of macerating their grapes.

The pH of wine and alcohol are present all the time when he gets to mix the grapes and its juices inside the barrel. Maceration is the process where the phenolic materials of the grape tannin, coloring agents and flavor compounds are leached from the grape skins, seeds and stems into the must. The next step in macurating (sleeping). He also mentions that maceration is becoming a trend for companies who crafts their own beers. A group of servers from a restaurant in Greenpoint joined us for the tour and they taste the juice from the barrel. Christopher passed around a glass for everyone to taste and tossed it back inside  a barrel. I was a little concerned about contamination after everyone who tried the juice from the same wineglass. Christopher explained that the acid was to low and the alcohol was too high for contamination to occur. The extended maceration the Malolative fermentation that often happens during the process. Which the winery doesn’t have the equipment to measure it or if he wanted to bottle that batch wine earl. He would have to send it to a fancy lab in California. To do a Melolactive fermentation.

We got to taste it and it had a strong and bitter flavor from the raw grape juice that made me cough and the skin was hard and not easy to swallow. Making it more common in the production of varietals  with less natural flavor and body structure like Sauvignon blanc and Semillon. They used protective spray all over the covered grapes, because they are natural fermentations and can’t protect himself from carbon dioxide while they ferment. They generate carbon dioxide to protect themselves from oxidation and also from critters. In Europe, there is a perception at Finger Lake of growing fruits and not necessarily the wine created in the winery.

Learning about the methods Christopher makes his wine in The Red Hook Winery is very interesting, especially when you get to try out their product straight from the source.I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is interested in wines to visit during the spring or summer. Also, to enjoy their great outdoor view with their significant other or friends.

The picture on the right shows the front of The Red Hook Winery. The next picture on the left shows how the barriers are situated around the Winery.

 

Christopher is the winemaker at The Red Hook Winery.The first image above shows the grapes are in the barrier, while the juices are being release under the surface. In the last image he covers the grapes with clear plastic bags to protect it from flies and help control the fermentation process.

Behind me is the stainless steel that can hold two hundred to two hundred fifty gallons. The second image is of a stainless steel wine grape press machine.

The first wine I tried was The Red Hook Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (White Wine). Second wine was The Red Hook Winery Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 from Jamesport Vineyard, North Fork of Long Island (Red wine). Third wine was The Red HookWinery Merlot 2015 Magart Vineyard, North Fork of Long Island.

The fourth wine I tasted was The Red HookWinery – Late Harvest Riesling 2015. I had to purchase this for the holidays from The Red HookWinery Island Hope, 2016. It’s considered a dessert wine. This is an extremely sweet wine. Ethan mentioned this wine will last me at least two weeks. No, need for a dessert.

 It cost $45 after tax. If anyone wants to give this wine as a gift to a friend or family member that loves dessert this makes it a perfect gift for the holidays.

This is how the inside of a white and red wine barriers looks like.

I hope you enjoy my post, can’t wait to read yours!! please comment.

Work Citation

Squarespace. “The Red Hook Winery.” The Red Hook Winery, www.redhookwinery.com/.

 

 

Cintya JimĂ©nez – Retail Wine Shops

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This image is the Shelf Talker. Red wine Chateau Cheval Noir. Deep red in color with an intensely flavored nose and palate. Supplies sumptuous aromas of vanilla, toast and concentrated ripe black fruit. The palate is fruit driven and fleshy, but also contains freshness. It’s also Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.

This Image is a red wine from a region I didn’t know that made wine. From Chile called “LOS VASCOS”, grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon,2017 Estate grown Colchagua valley, Chile. On top of the label it said Domaine Barons de Rothschild {lafite}. The ALC is 14%.


This image is a red wine from Spain called “Campo Viejo”. The Designation of origin is Rioja Alavesa. The producer is Bodegas Campo Viejo, Vallée de l’Ebre is the region of this wine. the regulated designation is DOCa. Contains 13.5% of Alcohol. The grape variety is Tempranillo 100%. Online the price is $14.50.


This image is the Sparkling wine from Italy. Sparkling wine Caposaldo sparkling peach. Cocktail aromatized from wine and peach flavor. It has 65% ALC , sugar has 15g, calories 110 and the total carbohydrate 15 g (5%). The ingredients are wine, grape, must, sugar, peach, aroma, E102 yellow Tartrazine, Citric acid E330, Italy for Kobrand. The price for this bottle is $139.99.


This image is a red wine from a region I didn’t know that made wine.
called “Layer cake” One hundred percent hand crafted.  Producer Shiraz/ Syrah, from South Australia Vintage is 2017. Price of this wine is $17.99. The aromas of cocoa, warm spice and dark fruit are very powerful from the first whiff. In the mouth, the wine is layered with rich blackberry, dark cherries and hints of dark, creamy chocolate ganache. The finish lingers on, hanging on your palette while the fruit and spice flavors slowly change and fade.


This image is a sparkling wine called Chandon. Born French, raised in California. Founded by Moët & Chandon in 1973. Chandon blends French know-how with California spirit to create vibrant sparkling wines.


This image is a Red Wine of Spain called “MarquĂ©s de Cáceres. This rich, full-bodied wine is made only in excellent vintages from hand-picked Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano grapes grown in Rioja Alta. Aged in French and American oak casks, Marques de Caceres Red Crianza has spicy aromas, berry fruit flavors and a velvety finish. Open preferably one hour before serving with hearty dishes, roasts, grilled meats or tapas. Red Wine – Product of Spain.


This image is a white wine from a region that I didn’t know made wine. Lanzerac is a sauvignon Blanc 2017 from South Africa. Lanzerac, established in 1692, is one of the oldest wine farms in the Cape. It’s an iconic cellar with a rich history and a worldwide reputation for well-crafted quality wines. Delicious gooseberry and kiwi-fruit flavors, with white peach undertones and a fresh limey twist. The balanced acidity contributes to a complex, lingering finish. serve between 10-12 C. ALC.13.5%. Stellenbosch.


This image is the second retail wine shop shelf talker. This white wine is from Argentina. Called Zolo Torrontes Estate Grown Mendoza 2018. This bottle cost $19.99. The appellation is Mendoza. The wine type is still. The aromas are dedicated and intense where tropical fruit, jasmine flower are predominant.

I visited the Carnegie Spirits and Wine, which located at 7th Ave and West 54 Street. It is a small establishment, so it was difficult to walk around without bumping into bottles. I asked an old gentleman that was near the register if I can take notes and pictures of some wines. I handed him my assignment sheet. He allowed it showing no interest. While I was looking for red wine, white wine and a bottle of sparkling wine. The shelf talker is a written description of a chosen wine that informs customers of the origin and grape varity.

I was impressed that the bottles had no dust a good presentation for sales. There have been other times that I have witnessed duct coating the wine and liquor bottles on store shelves. I would recommend this store because I took the necessary time to gather information and wasn’t rushed out. But I would have liked the old gentlemen to have approached me for any assistance. There were a lot of bottles from Spain, Spanish Chile, and France. They were categorized by grape variety such as Chardonnay, Burgundy, Pino Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. I would visit this shop if I was in the area more often.

The second location I visited was near 55th street called Wine & Spirits in midtown manhattan.This store had a lot of space to walk through and approached someone by the register if I can complete my assignment. So, I went around taking pictures and notes but was unable to ask specific questions. Unfortunately, I felt because I was not a customer I was rushed to get this assignment done and leave.

I would not recommend this store to any of my classmates. Once I left the store, I notice a “help- wanted” sign on the window which made me think that they just want someone to work there and not caring too much about customer service. It said a lot about this place just by me being there for a few minutes.