South Carolina Wine Joe

On February 7 and February 21, 2020, SC Wine Joe presented "Wines of the Eastern United States" to a total of 50 participants from the Osher Lifetime Learning Institute at Furman University.  We reviewed the history and the current status of wine making in the eastern states, focusing on Virginia, New York and the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina.  This was the fifth year that SC Wine Joe has presented a wine program at OLLI. Above are students from the February 21 session. SC Wine Joe  waiting for program to begin. SC Wine Jane waiting for program to begin A wine tasting followed the presentation.  The wines included: 1.  Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve Virginia 2016 2.  Forge Cellars Dry Riesling Classique Seneca Lake 2017 3.  Jefferson Vineyards Cabernet Franc Virginia 2017 4.  Shelton Vineyards Two-Five-Nine Petit Verdot Yadkin Valley 2017 The first three wines were purchased at Wine Xpress in Simpsonville, SC.  The Shelton P

It has been a few days since I last posted to this blog.  I have had a respiratory infection and the medicine interfered with my wine tasting.  Yesterday, we finished a bottle of a heavier Cabernet Sauvignon which we have always appreciated, but I just could not fully taste the wine.  When that wine was depleted, I opened a bottle of Three Thieves Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 and WOW, I can taste wine again.  The lighter, fruit forward flavor was just what I needed. Three Thieves is a product created by three well known winemakers, Roger Scommegna, Joel Gott and Charles Bieler.  They have created a line of wines at accessible prices that outperform their cost. Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) grapes are sourced from Lodi with lesser amounts from coastal California regions. As mentioned above, this is a fruit driven wine with flavors of cherry, black cherry and darker berries.  There is minor vanilla and the oak influence was enhanced with oak staves. Wine Enthusiast Magazine rated this wine

I found Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red 2016 at Costco for $11.99.  This is a fantastic buy since the winery sells it for $20 and online vendors sell it for around $17.  I have been finding great values recently in Columbia Valley reds and I hoped this would be another. Firehouse Red is a blend of 31% Merlot, 27% Syrah,  16% Cabernet Sauvignon,  11% Cabernet Franc and the remainder is lesser amounts of 5 other grapes.  The winery website says that the grapes are pressed directly into the oak barrels for primary and secondary fermentation.  After 1 year, the individual lots are blended. On the nose, I noted dried cherry and vanilla.  I really like Columbia Valley Syrah and that flavor jumps out to me in this wine with blueberry, dark chocolate and spice tones.  I really like this wine and it is a steal at $11.99.  I hope there will be some left when I return to the store. Note:  The tasting room for this winery has closed but will reopen in the spring at a new location in downtown