X is for Xylem (of the Grape Plant)

While writing about Wine from A-Z, friends have asked (with a devilish grin): “What will you write for X?”

Never fear! The world of wine is so vast it even includes one of those tricky X words, specifically: xylem.

Xylem is the woody part of the grape vine that transports water and nutrients—the sap—from the roots to the rest of the plant.

Like what you're reading? Read more wine stories in Alicia Bien's book collection Evolution of a Wine Drinker.

You can visualize the xylem as a one-way street that runs vertically from the top of the roots to the top of the plant. The xylem is used in two cases.

First, the normal process of photosynthesis—by which the plant converts the sunlight it absorbs into chemical energy—causes the plant to become dehydrated thus requiring a transfer of sap along the xylem to the rest of the plant for rehydration.

Second, if there is water in the soil, the plant’s roots will absorb it, which causes pressure to accumulate in the roots forcing the sap to travel from the plant’s roots through its xylem up to the rest of the plant.

The xylem is a vital part of the grape vine’s growth and if I say so myself, pretty darn incredible. So to all you X-word doubters out there: you can wipe off that devilish grin, pour yourself a glass of wine and toast to the xcellent, xtraordinary xylem already!

You’re welcome!

W is for Wine Scores

“What about this one?” My husband said pulling a bottle off the store shelf.

“I don’t know,” I said.

“It got a wine score of 91.”

“I don’t know.”

“What will make you know?”

“Tasting it.”

90 - 95  =  Outstanding 

Most people only know if they like a wine after they have drunk it. I confess to being one of those people. The ability to sample a wine before purchase is possible in just a few cases, namely: 1) Winery visits; 2) A wine club; or 3) Your husband’s wine glass. The rest of the time deciding which wine to buy is left to you and your very dry mouth. Darn it!

Enter the Wine Score. Sensing the need to help wine consumers make educated choices about wine purchases, in the mid to late 20^th century wine critics started ranking wines through descriptive tasting notes and assigning a numbered score to them. Some critics used a 5-Star scale with 5 Stars being the best. Other critics used a 1-20 point scale with 20 being tops. However, the majority of the movers and shakers of wine criticism—including Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator magazines—used the 100-point scale, which is defined by Mr. Parker as:

96-100  Extraordinary

90-95  Outstanding

80-89  Barely Above Average to Very Good

70-79  Average

60-69  A Cleansing Product

50-59  RUN!

Like what you're reading? Read more wine stories from Alicia Bien in her collection Evolution of Wine Drinker.

Finally! An aide to help me buy wine before tasting it! With such a clearly delineated system, it would be easy to always choose the “extraordinary” wines ranked 96-100, if… if I didn’t have to pay for them. Because a funny thing happened to wine with the advent of wine scores: the higher the wine score the higher the wine’s price. Darn money!

But price isn’t the only method used in determining to buy—or not to buy—a bottle of wine. The occasion will also guide your purchase decision. Say I wanted to buy a business gift for my boss, I would spend more money on it than I would for a bottle that I’d use in the kitchen to marinate meat. If Robert Parker knew that anyone was using a 1947 bottle of Chateau Cheval Blanc Saint Emilion to make Grandma’s beef stew, I believe he would strangle said person with one vise-like grip. That $400 + bottle of wine (which he gave 100 points to) was meant to be drunk for a very special occasion.

Wine points, price and occasion—buying wine comes down to these three things, but the greatest of these is: What do you like? Because knowing what you like in a wine is paramount. For example, do you like flavors of berry, melon, mineral or oak? Do you like grapes of Reisling, Syrah, Tempranillo or Grenache? Do you like wines of the new world or the old world? Do you like wine at all?

Thus your best guide to purchasing wines is your own self-knowledge.

Back at the wine store my husband held up another bottle: “How about this one?”

“Is it a Cabernet Sauvignon?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s buy it!

"Uh... I forgot my wallet at home."
"Darn it!"

V is for Vineyard... in the Backyard

"This year let's plant tomatoes in the backyard," I said at the home improvement store.

"Sure," my husband said putting a flat of tomatoes in the orange cart.

"And zucchini."

"Sure."

"And Cabernet Sauvignon grapes."

"... Excuse me?"



PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

U is for Ullage, Uvula, U Know

U is for ullage, uvula, U know, it’s one of those weird U words. But in wine it serves a purpose.

Ullage is the small space of air in the bottle between the top of the wine and the bottom of the cork. This space is provided to allow for any expansion of the liquid during storage. As wine ages this space—the ullage—grows because the wine is evaporating slowly through the cork.

For centuries corks have been made from the wood of the—wait for it!—cork tree, which is a majestic evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean region. Fifty percent of the world’s cork is grown in Portugal alone. Like grapes, cork is harvested, in this case from a mature tree, which means the tree is not chopped down but rather layers of the living tree’s trunk bark are cut away to be fashioned into cork wine stoppers. One oak tree can be harvested a dozen or so times during its lifetime.

Like what you're reading? Get more wine stories from Alicia Bien's book Evolution of a Wine Drinker.

But with corked bottles, the ullage grows because precious wine—albeit just a little each year—is being lost. It's the 21st century, isn’t there a better way to seal bottles?

Enter the lowly twist off cap. Wine consumption continues to grow worldwide with China being the latest region to embrace the "nectar of the gods". Making wine for China's billions of people, as well as the rest of the world, has meant that demand for cork far exceeds supply. In response the past 15 years have seen a rise in the number of vineyards opting to seal their bottles with twist off caps.

Some of the first adopters of the twisties were white wine makers. Once opened white wine has a longer shelf life than red wine and if re-capped and stored in the refrigerator, can be drunk up to a week or more after opening. Once opened every bottle of wine is exposed to oxygen, at first this aeration will enhance the wine's flavor. However if the bottle is not consumed at one sitting and is re-corked with its cork wine stopper, the oxygen will continue to work on the wine through the permeable cork. Using a metal cap decreases the changes in flavor caused by aeration over time thus allowing white wines to be drunk over a number of days.

Nevertheless, some people dislike the taste of wines with a metal twistie and prefer wines sealed with cork.

It may be humble but a twist off cap also means the ullage doesn't grow during storage, which means more wine for you and all those billions of Chinese wine fans.

So the debate over which is better—cork vs. twist off—is irrelevant. Winemakers choose the best sealant option for their wines and business. So it's not cork or twistie, it's cork and twistie.

And that's what really matters: getting the best bottle of wine U can, U know? 

T is for Hosting a 20-Something Wine Party

     “I wish I knew more about wine,” my friend Roseanna said over drinks one night.

     “Host a wine tasting party,” I said.

     “I’m 25. I don’t have money for that.”

     “Can you afford to eat?”

     “Yes.”

     “Then you can afford a wine tasting party.”

Ahhh, being 20-Something. I remember those days of ramen noodle dinners, hand-me down furniture and buying clothes at thrift stores. I’m far from 20-Anything but I still shop at thrift stores because I relish the challenge of finding something great for a low price. Recently I found the most adorable shirt and pants by California designer Trina Turk in bright tropical colors and… but I digress.

Being 20-Something and not having a lot of cash does not prohibit you from hosting a swinging tasting party where you can learn about wine. Like thrifting it’s the challenge of doing something nice for a low price.

Like what you're reading? Get this, and more, in Alicia Bien's book of wine stories, Evolution of a Wine Drinker.

Here are 10 Tips to Host your own affordable 20-Something Wine Tasting Party:

1)    Every guest brings a bottle of wine. (No one is allowed to bring Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck because everyone already knows what that wine tastes like!)

2)    Open all the bottles and set them in a central location on the table. Encourage guests to begin tasting the sparkling wines (aka Champagnes) first, then move on to the white wines, after which they can sample the red wines.

3)    Make a list of the wines drunk and, based on the other wines being sampled, rate them from 1-5 (with 5 being “the best”). Discuss with your friends what you smell, taste and like about the wine. Even if everyone likes the Pinot Noir and you don’t, it’s okay! Remember the goal is to discover what wines are available and which ones you like to drink.

4)    Provide a “dump bucket” for the wine. If a guest samples a wine but after tasting it does not like it they can pour it into this dump bucket. Preferably use a deep dump bucket that is not clear glass. No one wants to see what’s been dumped.

5)    Host your party on a weekend where you have time the day of to prepare for the party. 

6)    Choose your music play list in advance. Some wine songs to include: “Spill the Wine” by the Isley Brothers, “Red, Red Wine” by UB40 and anything by Dean Martin.

7)    As the host, provide food to snack on. Do a colorful veggie tray with sliced cucumbers, red peppers, celery sticks, baby carrots and cherry tomatoes. Buy the vegetables whole so you can peel and slice them yourself, which is always cheaper—and healthier—than buying them pre-washed, pre-cut or pre-chewed.

8)    Make a cheese plate with mild varieties that will complement the wines, like Brie, Camembert, Gouda, or even a mild cheddar. (Cheese will be your biggest expense but a little goes a long way, which makes it worth it.)

9)    Decorate your cheese plate with thinly sliced apples, pears and/or red or green seedless table grapes. My favorite: Red Flame grapes.

10) Provide crackers to nibble on in between tasting the various wines. (Avoid salty crackers whose salt will mask the wine’s flavors.)

But which wines to buy? Here’s a list of 10 wines from our last tasting. I set a price limit: each bottle should cost $15 or less. Friends brought:

Sparkling Wines:

1) Cava: Freixnenet Cordon Negro from Spain. “The Spanish Champagne”.

Whites:

2) Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Republic from Marlborough, New Zealand

3) Chardonnay: Edna Valley Vineyard from California

4) Pinot Gris: A-Z from Oregon

5) Vinho Verde: Aveleda Fonte from Portugal

Reds:

6) Red wine blend: Epicurio Aglianico from Italy

7) Merlot (semi-sweet): Balatonboglári from Hungary

8) Grenache: Bitch (R Wines) from South Australia (Its name is fun if you don’t take it personally.)

9) Malbec: 1 Antigal from Argentina

10) Cabernet Sauvignon: Ravenswood from California

10 tips to hosting a wine party + 10 wines that cost $15 and less = a terrific 20-Something Wine Tasting Party!

So whether you are 20-Something, 90-Something or somewhere in between, you can host your own affordable wine tasting party. I’m feeling so inspired I think I’ll host one myself. And I know just the outfit I’ll wear—the most adorable shirt and pants by California designer Trina Turk in bright tropical colors…

S is for a Simple Sauvignon Blanc

“You want anything from the store?” I said into the phone as I left work.

“Some Sauvignon Blanc,” my husband said.

“What kind?”

“Just a simple Sauvignon Blanc.”

Ahhh. Famous last words.


PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

R is for Retsina Wine Drinking

“Welcome to Greece!” my cousin, Mike, said embracing me.

“This calls for a celebration,” my husband said hugging Mike.

“I know just the place to go,” Mike said.


PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

Q is for Las Quintas Wine Tasting (in Portugal)

"I’m planning our vacation," I said pulling my husband toward my desk.

"Okay."

"We're going on a wine tour."

"Okay."

"To see Las Quintas!"

"… huh?"

PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

P is for Pregnant (not) Wine Tasting

"Taste this Châteauneuf-du-Pape," my husband said pushing his wine glass toward me.
"No, thanks."
"It's delicious."
"No, thanks."
"Just a sip?"
"No, thanks!"



PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

O is for Oak Wine Barrels

When making wine, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. These days winemakers can use various techniques to create a quality vino for the market. One of the most versatile elements in the winemaker’s tool kit is oak.


PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed. 

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

N is for New World Wines (with apologies to West Side Story)

Which is better: New World Wines or Old World Wines? It's a battle immemorial pitting:

The New vs. The Old; 

The West vs. The East;

The Sharks vs. The Jets!



PLEASE NOTE:

Do you like what you're reading? You can find more wine stories in my book collection Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

M is for Moscato Wine

“Enjoy your trip to wine country today,” I said pouring a cup of coffee for our guest.

“Come with us,” Stephen said.

“I have to work—” 

“In no time it’s the present, as you Americans say.”

“That’s not the expression,” I said.  
But he wasn’t listening. 




PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed. 

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

L is for Languedoc-Rousillon (French Wine Country)

"Want to spend our honeymoon in France's wine country?" my newlywed husband asked over breakfast.
"I do!"




PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

K is for Kosher Wine

A minister, a  priest and a rabbi walk into a winery and the the minister says "I've come to taste your dry white wine." The winemaker pours her a glass and the minister days, "Delicious."

The priest goes up to the winemaker and says, "I've come to taste your dry red wine." The winemaker pours him a glass and the priest days, "Delicious."

The rabbi goes up to the winemaker and says, "Where's the closest juice bar?"



PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

J is for Jesus the Winemaker

Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding at Cana. The mother of Jesus was there, too. When they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

Jesus said to her, “What does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”



PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

I is for Italian Wines

“Teach me Italian,” my friend, Gloria, said seated next to me on the train.
“But we’ll be in Rome,” I looked at my watch, “in ten minutes.”

“Teach me something.”

“Questa è deliziosa.”

“…Delicious…-o.”



PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

H is for Hybrid Wines (aka Two are Better than One)

Have you ever visited New York City, London or Tokyo and said, "What a great city, I bet I could make it here!" Then you move there by yourself and suddenly you’re overwhelmed by subway maps, "agonising" over funny spellings and inundated with big-eyed animé characters. And you realize you’re not thriving in this new environment, you're barely hanging on, so before you wither and die there, you pack your bags and move back to where you came from.

That’s how it was for wines.

PLEASE NOTE:
This Blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my book collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available at Amazon.com.

Thanks!
--Alicia

G is for Girl's Wine Trip

INT. TASTING ROOM – VINEYARD – DAY

Dripping with diamond jewelry, Gigi and Feefee sniff glasses of wine.

GIGI

Oh, Feefee dahling, look at the legs on this wine.

FEEFEE

Oh, Gigi dahling, the bouquet on this wine is devine.

PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

Like what you're reading? You can find more wine stories in my book collection Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

F is for Films about Wine

I can’t chase bad guy spies like James Bond. I can’t scale Dubai skyscrapers on a Mission Impossible like Ethan Hunt. I can’t fight evil in an Ironman suit like Tony Stark. But drinking wine with a couple of friends à la Sideways, that—yes that—I can do.




PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed. 

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

E is for Eiswein (aka Ice Wine)

“Merry Christmas!” my boss’s wife said setting a festive wine bag on my desk.

“You shouldn’t have,” I said with a smile, then extracted a thin bottle. She saw the puzzlement on my face.




PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

D is for Decanting Wine

"I brought the wine you asked for," my husband said setting the bottle on the kitchen counter.
"Excellent," I said rubbing my hands together with anticipation.
"It's young."
"Excellent."
"So young that when I bought it they were still stomping the grapes."
"Excellent!"




PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

C is for Chardonnay

“I’m looking for a bottle of wine,” I told the wine shoppe specialist.

“That’s difficult,” he said scratching his head.

“It’s for my women’s wine group.”

“That’s easy,” he said pushing a bottle of Chardonnay into my arms.

PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

Do you like what you're reading? You can find more wine stories in my book collection Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

B is for Boxed Wine

“You made it!” my sister said greeting me at the airport terminal.

“That was the bumpiest, most-delayed cross-country flight ever,” I said collapsing into her bear hug embrace.

“As soon as we get to the house I’ll pour you a big glass of wine!”





PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

A is for Drinking Alone

“Look at those people sitting at outdoor cafés,” I said walking down the cobblestone street.

“Talking, reading, drinking wine, it looks like they’re having fun,” I said back to myself in a very one-sided conversation.

PLEASE NOTE:

This blog post has been removed.

However you can find it, and more, in my collection of wine stories called Evolution of a Wine Drinker available on Amazon.com!

Thank you!
--Alicia

An A-Z of Wine--All Month!

During the month of April The New House Girl—which would be me—is taking a break from the comedic chronicles of Mr. Wonderful, our coo-coo cat and nosy neighbors to do something a little different. 

This month I’m writing blog posts about wine. Yep, an alphabet’s worth of blog posts starting with “A is for Drinking Alone” and running through our 26-letter alphabet all the way to “Z is for Zinfandel”.

Afterwards, the adventures of the New House Girl will resume here!

In the meantime, I hope you’ll join me on this wine tour. And remember: no whining, just winning!

Let the wine fun begin! CHEERS!