David Baverstock of Esporao and Joe Roberts of 1wine dude on Portuguese white wines

David Baverstock, chief winemaker of Esporao and Joe Roberts of 1winedude.com talked Portuguese white wines yesterday in a live video chat on Ustream.   You can check it out here http://www.ustream.tv/channel/esporao-wines-usa

"Greek Wine:keep calm. drink up"

"Greek Wine:  keep calm. drink up"  

by Victoria Moore in The Telegraph

"Healthier exports will ensure that the economic crisis doesn’t end in tragedy for the beleaguered winemakers of Greece."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/wine/9612989/Greek-wine-keep-calm-drink-up.html

This is a thoughtful and more personal look at the Greek economic crisis through the lens of the Greek Wine industry.   And some fine Greek wine recommendations to boot.  I love the description of the Malagousia variety as  "Think albarino meets greco di tufo."  I toast to a day when a more broad wine drinking public will find either Albarino or Greco di Tufo to be easy reference points.  If this is already the case in the UK, hats off to you!

"Grape Varieties you've never heard of"

This is a fun list of "Grape Varieties you've never heard of" from Jancis Robinson.  George Gavala's Katsano from Santorini made the list.

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/4d2fedc2-133b-11e2-ac28-00144feabdc0.html#axzz29YdEV3sm

And one that pops to mind that I would add to the list is Tinta Grossa.  A Portuguese variety grown in the Alentejo.  Paolo Laureano, the famous Portuguese oenologist and consultant, is the proud owner of some of the last several hectares of this nearly extinct variety.    His eponymous winery is located in his homeland of Vidigeuira, the last known home of Tinta Grossa in the zones of Vila de Frades and Vila Alva na Vidigueira.  The winery produces a 100% Tinta Grossa ( 550 cases total production) and includes the variety in their "Ema's vineyard" blend.   Laureano believes the grape variety has the potential to develop classic wines expressive of terroir in great vintages, with plenty of black fruits, ample tannins, acidity and elegance.

http://paulolaureano.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=53

John Mariani for Bloomberg Businessweek, explores Great Greek wines on Santorini and in Astoria, Queens

There are lots of things I miss about living in Astoria, Queens.  (The out of tune bells that rang early Sunday mornings at the Greek Orthodox Church I lived next to are not one of them)  Easy access to great Greek products definitely is!

This is a fun article with wine recommendations Mr. Mariani scooped up at Grand Wine & Liquor in Astoria

"Ouzo Makes Way for Great Greek Wines, Native Grapes"  Bloomberg Businessweek, John Mariani

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-09-03/ouzo-makes-way-for-great-greek-wines-native-grapes

http://www.queensbuzz.com/grand---wine-liquor-stores-in-astoria-nyc-cms-472