What's in My Other Wine Cellar
Updated 04/06/2007
This is only a listing of some of my other wines; I have 80+ bottles of different wines, some dating back to 1972, others are 2004 vintage. My wine cellar is my basement barroom area. It is closed off from the rest of the basement, and an open-air stairway leads down to it. I regulate the heat to about 55 deg. Fahrenheit and maintain a 65+ % humidity level. The bottles are either lying in a custom-made metal wine rack holding approx. 60+ bottles, or within an antique Schlitz wooden beer case. Not a large collection of wines, but then most of them are meant to be drunk within the next year or so. As I have the time, this listing will expand.
Now that winter is descending on us in Wisconsin, that 65% humidity is tough to maintain; I'm at 55% plus and that running the humidifier full tilt, 24/7. The moisture is being sucked upstairs despite the center furnace humidification and a secondary humidifier running upstairs, also 24/7. I'll just have to wait and see who wins out.
Fetzer Vineyards Chardonnay-Viognier 2003, 80% Chard & 20% Viognier, $7.99, Pick 'n Save, Sussex, purchased 1/24/05. Tasted 1/24/05 - I've been reading about Viognier, a supposedly up-and-coming varietal, with a spicy aromatic aroma/taste. I had checked Brennan's on Blue Mound Rd. but one manager hadn't even heard of it (had to look it up). Found this one, though inexpensive, thought it would be interesting. I haven't had much Chardonnay recently, and was looking for the spice kick of the Viognier - big disappointment. Little aroma, watery tasting. I'm drinking it but not much pleasure found in it; will have to find a 100% Viognier later on. Further reference: http://www.enjoyingviognier.com/ (V-OWN-yay) or (vee-ohn-YAY)
Italian Swiss Colony Muscatel, non-vintage, Naples, New York, $4.99, Discount Liquor, Milwaukee, purchased 1/15/05. Tasting" I wanted to try a Muscat or Muscatel, this 1.5L bottle is pure "Yech" to borrow a term from Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher; it went down the drain after a couple of sips.
Navarro Pinot Noir "Unfiltered" 2002, arrived from winery 121504; my doctor recently visited the Napa Valley, early Fall 2004, and highly recommended Navarro's Pinot Noir, "The best he has ever had". He doesn't remember whether he had the filtered or unfiltered; perhaps a taste test comparison is in the future? His description was raspberry, chocolate and velvety. Tasted: 12/18/2004 Served to friends before dinner. Though somewhat velvety in texture, none of us were overly impressed by any berry or chocolate flavor. It was a very good wine, but not what I expected.
BRENGW - Brennan's Market, New Glarus, Wisconsin
BREMIL - Brennan's Market, Blue Mound Rd., Brookfield, Wisconsin
DISWAU - Discount Liquor, Waukesha, Wisconsin
ERIMAU - Eric's Specialty Liquors & Wines, Mauston, Wisconsin
EWIPE - Estate Wines International, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
FRINFM - Firehouse Liquor, Northfield, Minnesota
GRABRO - Grasch Foods, Brookfield, Wisconsin
JOS124 - Jewel-Osco, 124th St., Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
OTTO MF - Otto's Liquor Store, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
PS - Pick 'n' Save, Sussex, Wisconsin
PSP - Pick 'n' Save, Ryan St., Pewaukee, Wisconsin
SENMF - Sentry Food Store, Menomonee Falls
SENOCO - Sentry Food Store, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
TLLMAN - Timber Lodge Liquor, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
VRIBLU - V Richard's, Blue Mound, Brookfield, Wisconsin
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