Author Archives: Chinelle Ann Hooper

Crozes – Hermitage

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Crozes – Hermitage by Elisabeth Yoo & Chinelle Ann Hooper

Crozes – Hermitage

  • Country – France
  • Region – RhĂ´ne Valley (Northern)
  • Appellation – Crozes – Hermitage Cote de Beaune

Grape Variety

  • Red – Syrah

Climate

  • Mediterranean, East & South Slopes don’t get effected west facing is dry.

Soil

  • Granite soil with a blend of sand along the RhĂ´ne River

Vilification

  • Stainless steel vats, traditional white wine production

How to read a Wine Label

  • Labels differ in reference to the origins of the grapes, even though same producer.
  • Grand Cru is the highest vineyard classification in Burgundy, followed by Premier Cru. After that, the appellation is only for the village as a whole, and finally the appellation for the region.

Interesting fact

  • Wines range in quality from simple food wines to awesome Syrah’s

Experiential Learning Analysis – Chinelle Ann Hooper

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Paumanok Vineyards is one of the top vineyards in the North Fork area of Long Island, within an American Viticulture Area (AVA), it was founded in 1983 by winemaker Charles Massoud who is originally from Lebanon, who owns, manages and operates the 127-acre estate – vineyard and winery along with his wife Ursula Massoud who is originally from Germany from the Pfalz.

Paumanok traditionally makes wine from Premium Vinifera grapevines with an impressive range of grape varieties like Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, but Chenine Blanc is the oldest and best. Paumanok is the only winery in Long Island to have grown the grape for many years. The vineyard plants 1100 to 1400 vines per acre to produces concentrated fruit for high quality wines.

Paumanok Vineyards climate is most common with Bordeaux which is very much a maritime climate, as Long Island is an island that extends out into the Atlantic and is surrounded by the Peconic Bay. The soil of North Fork is sandy and gravely subs soil, so the soil drains exceptionally well when it rains. Due to the cool climate the grapes are allowed to have a long ripening period. Due to the weather patterns they sometimes have variation in their vintage, and the alcohol percentages in the white wines are from 11% to 13% and the red wines fall in the range of 11% to 14%.  The vineyards are open to different viticulture methods but they follow a simple 100% sustainable vinicultural technique which is to grow the healthiest and plump grapes to make great wine, bottle it and preserve it, the remains are used in the soil which also helps with the flavor. The vineyard has a range of minimalist wines which consists of Chenine Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

I visited Paumanok with my friend and mum and was surprised by how big and rustic it looked. When we entered the barn like house we found ourselves in the tasting room which was not very big and overlooked the vineyard and a patio. I was met by an employee who was willing to answer my questions but she had limited knowledge about the vineyard and its practices. She mentioned that we could go and take photographs of the vineyard and the crushing area where I took my picture. When we returned back to the tasting room for a wine tasting, we met Beth, she was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all my questions as well as give me additional information. She mentioned that they make around 10,000 – 15,000 cases of wine in a year.

They had 3 simple tasting menus ranging from $15 to $20. We decided to taste the White Label wines which consisted of 2015 Barrel fermented Chardonnay 2017 Dry Riesling (balanced not too dry or too sweet with a fruity flavor and smooth finish) 2014 Merlot 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon And a cheese platter

TASTING ROOM

WINE LIST

 

They had 3 simple tasting menus ranging from $15 to $20. We decided to taste the White Label wines which consisted of

2015 Barrel fermented Chardonnay

2017 Dry Reisling (balanced not too dry or too sweet with a fruity flavor and smooth finish)

2014 Merlot

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

And a cheese platter

 

BARREL TASTING ROOM – WINE TASTING EVENT

I was unable to tour the barrel tasting room as they had an event, but took a photograph from the glass ceiling of the event in progress.

WINE FOR SALE

All the wines mentioned in their list was for sale.

EQUIPMENT USED TO MAKE WINE – BOTTLING EQUIPMENT

OAK BARRELS

Vinification process they use Oak Barrels and Stainless steel tanks, they bottle the wines on the vineyard with their bottling equipment.

 

GRAPE VINES

Following vertical viniculture.

VINEYARD

 

GRAPE SKIN REMAINS AFTER FERMENTATION

 

When passing the large bins the smell of wine and yeast was strong and surprisingly pleasant. I resisted the urge to stick my finger in the bin.

PHOTO OF ME STANDING IN THE GRAPE CRUSHING AREA

Paumanok Vineyards. (n.d.). Retrieved November 26, 2018, from https://www.paumanok.com/

The international story behind Paumanok wines. (2013, June 27). Retrieved November 26, 2018, from http://northforker.com/2013/06/26/the-international-story-behind-paumanok-wines/

Climate change creating new challenges for North Fork farmers. (2016, December 21). Retrieved November 26, 2018, from http://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/2016/12/72266/climate-change-creating-new-challenges-for-north-fork-farmers/

 

 

 

Retail Beverage Shop Analysis – Chinelle Ann Hooper

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Grand Wine & Liquor founded in 1933 is a family owned retail store; it is located at 30-05 31st St, Astoria, NY 11102 and is a large neighborhood store which offers a variety of wines as well as a full selection of spirits.

On arriving at this shop after getting a little lost I met the Store Manager Jamie Anulawicz who had given me an appointment on receiving my email. She was very informative and went the extra mile to make sure she answered all my questions. She has been in the wine business for 6 years and still enjoys every moment of it, she did a course called WSET course at the International Wine Center to advance her knowledge of Wines.

I asked her many questions like, what wine was most popular now? She mentioned that Mionetto Proseco was the most popular wine that was selling, on asking her the reason why it was so popular she mentioned that it was a big brand with national advertising. She also mentioned that Bordeaux’s were also in demand and a hot selling wine among most people and they were willing to spend anywhere from $20 to $50 on a bottle. Their top selling wine was Coppiere Pinot Grigio that cost $8.99 a bottle and was light –bodied and refreshing; it would pair well with delicate white fish.

She showed me around the store which was I think well organized with wines from various countries like  Spain& Portugal, Germany & Austria,  Italy, South Africa, Australia & New Zealand, France, Argentina, Chile and American regions like California, Washington, and Napa Valley. There are racks of sparkling, red and white wines on display. They have a great selection of wines which are presented with prices along with tasking notes and best food pairing. They store wines which are not on the main floor in the basement and attic which are temperature controlled to 55 degree F. Red & White wines are stored together since they sell quickly. There is a section for kosher wines Dry Red Wine, Dry White Wine, Dry Rosé wine bottled by Greek wine cellars D Kourtakis S.A. Near the entrance of the store they have a table displayed with Rosé from different regions and ranging from different prices which they call “Rosé Avenue Station”.

Since most of their customers are regulars they introduce new wines to them. They cater to their customer needs and also have wines from Greece, Croatia, Georgia, and Romania it’s like almost impossible to not find what you’re looking for. The store carries one 750ml bottle of their most expensive wine from France Leroy LesBoudoi Nuhs St Georges 2005 which cost only $1300. To end the evening I embraced my inner oenophile and purchased a bottle of Rose.

 

  1. Shelf Talker

Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Sub-Region: Brunello di Montalcino

Grape Varietal: Sangiovese

Type: Still wine

Classification: DOCG

Brunello di Montalcino is a wine made with 100% Sangiovese with Italy’s highest DOCG classification. This is the Sangiovese that most wine critics cite to be the best in all of Italy. –  Wine Folly

 

  1. Red Wine from Spain

Country: Spain
Region: Jumilla
Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon,Mourvedre

Type: Still wine

Tasting Notes

Intense and dark cherry red color with purple edges. High layer. Clean and bright. Dense tear that lightly dyes the glass. On the nose it is powerful, very intensefresh. Initially, the elegant notes of the Crianza appear, toasted and balsamic. When opened, exploits the black fruit touch of very ripe red fruit, almost jam, at some point liquorice with spicycreamy lactic. Fine floral tobacco touches. In the mouth it is powerful, well- structured, fresh and very sweet. Surrounding entry with a smooth and rich taste.

Wine Maker notes

Selected vintage from low production vines of more than 40 years old, located at 900m altitude. It is hardly harvested in 15 kg boxes at its optimum ripening point, going through the selection table before the vinification. We conduct separate vinification processes for each variety. The malolactic fermentation is done in French and American oak barrel. Once the process is completed, the wine settles for 18 months in those barrels.

 

  1. Sparkling Wine from Spain.

Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Sub-Region: Prosecco
Grape Varietal: Prosecco

Type: Sparkling

Tasting Notes:

Light-bodied, with crisp acidity and flavors of green pear, melon, fleur de sel and lemon zest. Clean and fresh, with a modest, lightly floral finish. – Wine Spectator

 

  1. Red Wine from Plenkovic Hvar Croatia

Country: Croatia
Region: The Coastal Region

Sub-Region: Dalmatian Background

Grape Varietal: Non-Varietal Red Blend

Type: Still wine

High-quality dry wine Plavac Mali from the localities of Sv.Nedjelja. This wine aged in large wooden barrels (volume 40, 96 and 130 hl) and stainless steel a year and after filling in the bottles another 4 months. Dark red in color and has a rich structure and a long persistence. The wine is dark ruby in color, with a rich and layered, pleasant, and deep aroma that has undertones of Dalmatian herbs, spices, minerality, saltiness and dark fruit. The wine is warm and comforting on the nose, which is typical of Zlatan’s wines and has given them a specific identity and cult-following in Croatia and Europe. It is immensely structured and balanced and possesses a refined, complex, and an exceptional presence on the palate that is followed by a long and persistent finish. It is said that Zlatan’s wines are traditional drink of fishermen, farmers and the inevitable detail of the best restaurant tables. – Wine & More