Wine Notes From Elise:
One of the most frequent comments I hear in regards to the wine list at F. Scott’s is: “I don’t recognize a single thing on this list”…to that I say “great…let’s have some fun!”
While it is not my intention to challenge or confuse our guests, it certainly is my goal to introduce people to some of the more unusual wines which I have the opportunity to taste.
I make a concerted effort to select wines for the list that are appropriate for each season’s menu, and the chef’s creations. I also try to find wines that are artisanally crafted.
You may also notice that I give special mention to wines that are produced with sustainable efforts, whether it be by organic or even biodynamic methods.
I believe that most of our guests, whether locals who frequent our restaurant, or out-of-town visitors who are dining with us for the first time, come to F. Scott’s for an unique, individualized experience and I hope to present you with a selection of wines that is equally as unique & exciting.
We invite you to take this opportunity to try something you may never have tasted before, whether it be an unusual varietal or a wine from a region you have never considered before.
Biodynamics
The Biodynamic farming is the world's oldest system of alternative agriculture. It was developed in Germany in the early twentieth century as a reaction to the invention and implementation of the Haber process, which allows ammonia to be produced from atmospheric nitrogen. The ammonia can then be used to manufacture synthetic fertilizer. Prior to the Haber process and the resultant invention of synthetic fertilizer, farms needed animals to provide the nitrogen-rich compost that fertilized their crops. As the use of synthetic fertilizer became more and more widespread throughout Germany, and animal husbandry became decoupled from the agricultural process, some farmers started to recognize a decline in food quality and asked Rudolph Steiner for guidance.
A philosopher, theologian, educator and agricultural expert, among other things, Austrian Rudolph Steiner responded to the farmers’ request for guidance with a series of eight lectures, delivered in 1924, that became the basis of today's biodynamic farming movement. While it embraces many of the same principles as organic farming, such as eliminating the use of chemicals, biodynamics is a more holistic approach. The overall approach behind biodynamics is to treat the farm as a self-sustaining, living entity that avoids the cycle of dependence on fertilizers and pesticides by maintaining a balanced, diverse ecology. It differs from organic farming in three distinct ways: it treats the farm as a closed, self-contained eco-system and minimizes the use of any external inputs; it recognizes that cosmic rhythms influence life and utilizes the lunar calendar to guide practices from the vineyard to the cellar; and it utilizes specific natural preparations to improve the health and vitality of the soil.
Choosing Imported Wine
With more wines than ever available to the consumer today, choosing wine, especially imported wine, can be exciting to some…daunting to others. A new frontier of terrific imported wines has become available to us through several reputable importers, some well-established, others newer but no less impressive in their selections and efforts to bring qualitative wines to the US. These individuals go to great lengths to choose not only outstanding producers, but also their best wines. Some of my favorite importers (in no particular order) along with a list of their specialty & if available, website, are listed below. When you are looking at a label, be sure to turn the bottle over and read the back labels also. Most importers add their logo to the back of each bottle they represent. Taste is, of course, subjective, so while selecting one of their products can not guarantee that you will love the wine, it is certainly reassuring that you are buying a good bottle. *Please note that some of these companies are also retailers and/or distributors in their markets. Their on-line portfolio may represent all aspects of their business and all products may not be available in your area.
VinDivino – Austria, Italy www.vindivino.com
Domaine Select – Italy, Austria www.domaineselect.com
Kysela/J&D Selections – France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Australia www.kysela.com
Vine Street Imports – Australia www.vsimports.com
Rare Wine Company – Spain, Italy, Portugal www.rarewineco.com
Vias Imports - Italy
Eric Solomon/European Cellars – Spain, Portugal, France www.europeancellars.com
Becky Wasserman – Burgundy, Champagne
Spain Classical Wines – Spain, Germany, Portugal www.classicalwines.com
North Berkeley Imports – France, particularly Burgundy, Italy: www.northberkeleyimports.com
Vineyard Brands – France, South Africa www.vineyardbrands.com
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Screw Caps = Quality Assurance
More & more producers are drawn to the quality assurance & security of screwcap closures. "Why", you ask? Cork taint has become a very serious problem. Current studies estimate that 5% of all wine closed with cork suffers from cork taint. Lower levels of TCA (trichloroanisole - the problematic chemical that causes cork taint) can be harder to detect, but still affect the wine's aromatics & flavors.
So don't be surprised, or disappointed, if the next $25 bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, or even the $225 bottle of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon you order, arrives at the table to be "unscrewed", as opposed to "uncorked"! Revel in the fact that you know your bottle of wine will be perfect. |
