How’s your palate when it comes to GSMs? Don’t know what a GSM is? Here at Just Grapes, we can help!

On June 17, we’re hosting a Wines of Australia class, where you’ll taste the distinctive Australian blend of Grenache, Shriaz, and Mourvèdre (GSM), plus amazing Australian Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Cabernets, and much more (including the two wines below!)

For only $25, you can join us from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, and leave with a deeper knowledge of grapes grown “down under.” So the next time someone says, “Australia? Isn’t that where kangaroos, Kylie Minogue, and Crocodile Dundee come from?” You can smile with confidence, and ask them what their favorite GSM is.

2007 D’Arenberg “Custodian” Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia [$15.99]

D’Arenberg’s next tier of reds begins with the 2007 The Custodian Grenache. It is dark ruby-colored with a perfumed nose of spice box and cherry. Sweetly fruited and juicy, it closely resembles a high level Cotes du Rhone. On the palate, it is a bit leaner and racier in style than the past few vintages. With excellent grip and balance, it can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years. 89 Pts – Robert Parker

2004 Penley Estate Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, South Australia [$27.99]

Dense ruby. Powerful, deeply scented bouquet of blackberry, cassis, plum compote and dark chocolate; a bit youthfully brooding today. Fat and supple, with concentrated dark berry and cherry flavors and an array of pungent herbs and dusty minerals. There’s terrific sweetness and sappy texture here: this is clearly built for positive evolution over the coming decade. Reminds me of a high-end Bordeaux on the sweet, expansive, impressively long finish. Serious stuff! 92 Pts – Robert Parker

Wild weather here in Chicago: rain, tornadoes (in the good ol’ burbs), more rain. It makes one want to bundle up with a good book and some popcorn. A good wine to pair with a predictably tempestuous night? Tempranillo, of course (word play!).

Here at Just Grapes, we’re spending our Wednesday conducting a special seminar on the deliciously varied black-blue grape. Whether from Ribera del Duero or Rioja–whose wines most are familiar with–tempranillo is an affordable, accessible grape with all manner of moods and flavors for any discerning palate. Below are our favorites:

2005 Solabal, Tempranillo, Crianza, Rioja, Spain [$20.49]
“100% tempranillo…Saturated red. Expressive, highly complex bouquet of red berries, white pepper, dried flowers and baking spices. Supple redcurrant and raspberry flavors are concentrated but not heavy, with nervy minerality adding energy to the back end. Nicely balanced Rioja with a nice interplay of sweet fruit and musky herbs on the finish. This is complex enough to drink now.” 90 pts – Steven Tanzer

2007 Emilio Moro Finca Resalso, Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero, Spain[$15.49]
An enticing perfume of mineral, violets, black cherry, and blackberry. On the palate it reveals an elegant personality, savory, spicy flavors, good depth, and a fruit-filled finish. 90 Pts – Robert Parker

2007 Teso La Monja Almirez, Tinta de Toro, 100% Tempranillo, Toro, Spain [$31.99]
Vivid ruby. Very pretty, focused aromas of raspberry, rose, minerals and Asian spices. Sweet red and dark berry flavors are complicated by graphite and candied floral qualities reminiscent of pinot noir. The finish features smoky minerals and leaves behind sweet red fruits. This lively wine is balanced to reward aging, and will continue to evolve for 4-7 years.
91 Pts – Steven Tanzer

NV Heidsieck Blue 4 PK Case, Champagne,  France
Sparkling wine outdoors is practically a no-brainer. I mean, come on: it’s light, it’s refreshing, it’s bubbly. Who needs soda when you have a delicious citrus-and-toast Champagne? Enter Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Champagne. That’s right, Champagne. The good stuff, the gold standard, so on and so forth. There’re a lot of crisp fruit notes in this otherwise creamy bubbly. And get this: it comes in a cute four pack box complete with collapsible picnic cups, ready to tote to your favorite grassy spot in Millennium Park or Ravinia. Cheers indeed.

2009 Borsao Rose of Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain

In my Rockwell-ian picnic visions, I imagine delightful strawberries being shared by enamored sweethearts while watching local kids throw around frisbees. Short of all that 50s-esque rigmarole, there is the fruit-forward and lush Borsao rose, a blush Garnacha hailing from Campo de Borja, Spain. Balanced acidity with young, fresh fruit on the palate, there is an interesting spice note adding a refreshing complexity to an ideal red/white go between.

2008 Gomba “Galluccio” Dolcetto D’Alba, Piedmont, Italy

Watching the clouds go by has never sounded sweeter, unless of course you are sharing a bottle of Gomba Boschetti Dolcetto d’Alba. This Dolcetto’s rich bouquet of spice and berry fruit is rounded out by soft tannins and an easy finish. Non-cerebral in the truest sense, this wine is best paired with a sense of whimsy (“Is that cloud a rabbit or a sock?”) and a Sunday afternoon.

We at Just Grapes love a good wine label as much as the next person, so we’re starting a series of blog posts dedicated to the artists that make those bottles great! Fess up to it or not, the way a wine bottle looks is almost as important as what’s on the inside. The label is a marketing tool, meant to make a bottle jump off the shelf and into your arms. Save for a few countries where the wine produced is so ubiquitous, they could put a drowned kitten on the label and people would still buy and love it (France, anyone?), most wineries don’t have that kind of luxury.

If you’ve been in the shop anytime in the past, oh, three months or so (oh you haven’t, you say? Well you’re due for a visit!), you may have seen some very distinctive labels on a few of our bottles. The 2007 Skulls, the cheeky 2007 Chateau Chateau Chateau, and the epic Anamorphosis all have one thing in common (besides being Australian and having Parker ratings): the art of Hungarian István Orosz graces each of their labels (and in Anamorphosis’ case, the incredible poster that is meant to be reflected in its mirrored bottle).

Born in 1951, Orosz—who also goes uses the pseudonym Utisz, which means “no one”—is an accomplished painter, graphic designer, printmaker, animated film director and a bunch of other titles of media manipulation and creation I’m sure he’d want me to list here (artists…). Often compared to M.C. Escher, Orosz loves creating images of impossible objects and geometric, mathematical illusions.

Resurrecting anomorphoses (Greek for “re-transformation”), an illustration that plays with perspective and optical illusion that was popular during the Renaissance, Orosz breathes fresh life into the technique. Early is his career, he focused on producing theater, movie and exhibition posters. With all the democratic changes in Eastern Europe in the 80’s, he was into drawing political posters as well. So he was quite the revolutionary as well.

Check out some of his art that isn’t on our wine bottles:

“There are things I can imagine and I can draw. There are things I can imagine but I cannot draw. But, could I draw something that I cannot imagine? That interests me greatly.” – István Orosz

http://www.utisz.net/

With the quality and variety we’re offering, it’s hard to believe these are the lowest prices in the country on these amazing wines, but they are. And if you think you can wait until Friday (April 25), the last day of the sale, to make your trip to Just Grapes, I urge you to reconsider! The sale starts Monday, April 20, and plenty of customers have informed us that they plan to get there early to stock up on these values.

Whether you’re in the market for a new buttery Chard (the 2006 Arboleda Chardonnay from Chile is only $6 during the sale!!!) or a highly-rated Pinot Noir (the 2005 Benton Lane First Class Pinot Noir from Oregon is $17.50), we’ve got deals that you don’t want to miss. Plan a trip in early next week, because these wines won’t be around for long!

What do you think of our sale selection?

“South Africa?” My friend raised an eyebrow on the stool beside me. “And what’s a Pinotage?” The bartender set the drink in front of me.

“A grape,” I replied, swirling the ruby red glass of 2007 Bon Cap Pinotage, Robertson, South Africa before taking a big whiff. Pleased by the aromas of ripe plum and hints of espresso, I took my first sip… and fell in love. Figs, bacon, and a funky (in a good way) earthiness that I’ve come to associate with South African reds.

When I started at Just Grapes in February, I was so happy to learn that we carry the Pinotage that won my heart for South Africa. I also learned that Bon Cap is an organic wine, and at $17.49 a bottle, an even better bargain than I thought. I regularly take a bottle home with me. I’ve enjoyed it with ribs. I’ve enjoyed it with sweet, stinky cheeses. I’ve enjoyed it with friends. I’ve hogged it for myself. Last week, I made it my in-store staff pick.

Many Just Grapes customers have tried (and loved) our 2006 Excelsior Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, another South African red that no one can believe is only $9.99 a bottle. In this Cab, there are notes of tobacco, hemp, and that same deliciously funky quality that  I love in the Pinotage. Our wine buyer Maggie described it best: “A lot of South African Cabernets have this earthy funkiness to it that tastes like the old world and the new world came together and had a party.”

So why are these funky reds “a perfect fit for spring and summer,” as the title suggests? After all, wine drinkers tend to slowly gravitate towards roses and whites as the weather warms and the sweaters go into storage.

Here’s why: I dare you to find a better BBQ wine.

Really. Try. Bring the Bon Cap Pinotage to the next (or first) BBQ you’re invited to this year. Have it with anduoille sausage, or steak and bell pepper kabobs, a cheeseburger, or my personal favorite, ribs (or for vegetarians out there, try it with Gardenburger’s meatless riblets) . Try it against every other red you’ve ever thought would make a great BBQ wine. The smokiness in the Bon Cap and the smokiness in the meat and the pleasant weather will mingle in your mouth and have you dancing on down to Funkytown… or at least dancing on down to Just Grapes to buy another bottle.

South African whites are also rising in popularity, and with The Wall Street Journal naming our 2008 Ken Forrester Petit Chenin, Stellenbosch, a 2008 Best Bargain, it’s nearly impossible to keep our bottles from flying off the shelf. South Africa has taken the Loire varietal Chenin Blanc and put a New World spin on it. South African Chenin Blancs are crisp, clean, and citrusy as a result of the climate. For $10.99 a bottle, I can’t get enough of the Ken Forrester. To me, this is how a white wine should taste in the spring or summer time. We have two other fantastic South African Chenin Blancs in the store: the 2008 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc and the 2008 Man Chenin Blanc. All three present citrus and tropical fruit flavors ( the Ken Forrester has lovely green apple notes as well), clean drinkability, and exceptional value.

South African Chenin Blancs are perfect for sipping on the back porch as the sun sets or with a spring salad at a BYOB al fresco bistro. And year-round, they’re perfect with Thai food, sushi, white fish, and South American seafood and poultry dishes.

So go on, give South African wines a try. They won’t be a best-kept-secret for very long, and we should all enjoy these spectacular values before it’s too late!

What exactly makes wines (or food) kosher, you ask? According to About.com, “Jewish Dietary Laws are rules and regulations concerning food that are derived from Biblical laws and rabbinical extensions. A person who follows Jewish Dietary Laws is keeping kosher. The ‘kosherness’ of a food is indicated by a symbol printed on the food package. Each symbol represents a particular agency’s certification that the food has been processed in accordance with Jewish Dietary Laws.”

In simpler terms, kosher refers to the method of preparation, not the taste.

While kosher wines may be indistinguishable to many palates from non-kosher wines, wine from Israel is not often served outside of the Jewish household. But not all kosher wine is produced in Israel; in fact, Spain produces thousands of cases of kosher wine each year.

Perfect for a Passover seder or if you’re looking to broaden your global wine horizons, here are the four we’ll pour:

2007 Galil Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Galilee, Israel: In the Upper Galilee, a wild mountainous region of forested slopes, gorges, stony ridges and running streams, lie the vineyards of Galil Mountain Winery. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, full-bodied with concentrated berry and plum notes, layered with a hint of herbs.

2007 Yarden Mount Hermon, White Blend, Galilee, Israel: Yarden Mount Hermon White was produced from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grown in the Golan heights. The cool climate, rocky volcanic soil and high altitude are ideal conditions for growing classic wine grape varieties. Cold fermentation retains the natural fruity and floral qualities characteristic of these varieties. To preserve the quality of the wine, this bottle should be stored on its side in a cool, dark place. Kosher For Passover.

2006 Galil Mountain Merlot, Galilee, Israel: Sparkling purple color with raspberry, strawberry and wild berry jam characters and a light touch of mint and green pepper. A medium-to-full bodied wine with balanced acidity and a pleasant finish.

2006 Galil Mountain Kosher Chardonnay, Galilee, Israel: Clear golden color. A velvety Chardonnay featuring abundant varietal characters of green apple, peach and mandarin with layers of butter, almond and oak. A well-balanced wine with a medium-to-full body and an elegant finish.

Stop by tomorrow between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to give these great kosher wines a try!

Cataluna: The Cataluna (also known as Catalonia) region of Spain is home to D.O. Cava, where 95 percent of Spain’s acclaimed sparkling white of the same name is produced. Cava is made using the exact same technique as Champagne; the only major difference is the grapes. Cava, like the Gran Sarao Brut Cava that we love at Just Grapes, is primarily made from the Xarel.lo, Parellada and Macabeo grapes. Olé’s notable offering from Cataluna the Cellar Vilafranca “Casteller” Cava Brut NV. Just Grape’s Assistant Manager Maggie Smith once said, “if it’s not Champagne I’m drinking then it’s Cava from Spain.” This Cava is perfect for Champagne lovers. Crisp, clean, and elegant, the Casteller Cava has pleasant hints of citrus in the finish, which I found to be true of many of the regions sparkling and still whites.

Valencia: Sunny Valencia in Spain is home to D.O. Alicante. While traditionally home to sweet dessert wines, the loose, sandy soil is yielding some surprising, earthy, fruity reds. Monastrell is the grape behind the VSL 2006 M2, which is smoky and leathery with distinct notes of fig and plum. The fruit in the M2 is younger than VSL’s oakier, more acidic 2007 M5. The M2 will be a great value wine, and is strong enough to drink on its own or paired with tapas and Spanish cheese.

D.O. Valencia also produces some delicious Tempranillos and Garnacha tintoreras, like the spicy, creamy 2005 Pasamonte Tintorera that Just Grapes will be pouring at tonight’s First Wednesday tasting.

Navarra: In D.O. Navarra, located in north central Spain, you’ll find Bodegas Viña Magaña, a world-class (and courageous) family vineyard where Juan Magaña and his son Diego make… Spanish Merlot. And Malbec.

Before you think “Merlot grows everywhere,” consider that planting Merlot in D.O. Navarra was actually illegal when Juan planted the grape at Bodegas Viña Magaña. For anyone who has ever found Merlot to be dull and disappointing, the 2005 Viña Magaña Merlot will have you wondering what you may have been missing. Diego, whose first vintage as winemaker was this 2005, is a young man but has tremendous pride in the history of his family vineyard. In addition to making Spain’s oldest Merlot, Bodegas Viña Magaña has eight acres of Malbec (yes, Spanish Malbec), which grows in Limestone and Clay soil (as does the 152 acres of Merlot; their Cabernet grows in soil comprised of Gravel and River Stones). This is a Merlot with an outgoing, fruity beginning with hints of vanilla and cloves, and a pleasant spark of pepper at the finish.

I’ve always loved Spanish wines, but it was nice to see such a surprising variety in Olé’s 2009 portfolio.

Beaujolais is a region in France, a district of Burgundy, south of Paris. It produces Gamay grapes almost exclusively. Gamay is a light, thin-skinned red grape. It can be very, very good or very, very bad, depending on how it is handled.

About half of the wine produced in Beaujolais is labeled simply and basically Beaujolais AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlee—a system of laws regulating grape varietals, viticulture methods, harvest and yield restrictions, minimal alcohol content and winemaking techniques for each area in France).

About half of this Beaujolais AOC wine is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau or Beaujolais Primeur. It is always released the third Thursday of November, made from that same year’s harvest just weeks earlier. Designed to be fresh, fun and fruity, it tends to suffer off-aromas and flavors because of its intensive production using carbonic maceration. It is intended to be drunk immediately; to be informal; to be inexpensive; and to invite non-wine drinkers to give it a go. It might make a bad first impression—most wine lovers don’t take it seriously, and many even despise it after tasting too much hastily made swill.

And wine labeled Beaujolais Superior AOC might not be superior to Beaujolais AOC at all. Sometimes sold as Beaujolais Nouveau as well, this wine simply has 1 percent more alcohol than the basic Beaujolais.

Beaujolais Villages AOC means the wine is a blend from two or more of the villages in Beaujolais. Here, you may find good quality Gamays, depending on the producer … or you may find Beaujolais Nouveau.

The next step up, theoretically, is Beaujolais labeled with a single village name. This may be Nouveau or it may be some of the best in the world, in which case the producers in that village would eschew the village name for the privilege of bearing the “cru” designation.

There are 10 of these Cru Beaujolais villages. Beaujolais labeled such will be a far different drink than Nouveau. Just Grapes carries an example that does the Gamay grape justice, the Joseph Drouhin, Moulin-a-Vent, 2005, Beaujolais. Moulin-a-Vent is a village in Beaujolais with a concentration of manganese in its soil that gives the Gamay intensity and power here. The Joseph Drouhin is described as deep purple, with a nose of intense fruit and spicy, ripe aromas. It has noticeable but elegant tannins and a long finish.

Whether you give the Nouveau a whirl or choose a Cru that’s more true to Gamay and good winemaking practices, the third Thursday in November is as good a day as any to show Beaujolais a little love. Maybe a cru that’s nouveau to you for the best of both worlds, at any time of the year?

Reference: The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, Fourth Edition, by Tom Stevenson

Famed blogger Dr. Vino, aka Tyler Colman, was in Chicago today at Just Grapes speaking about some wines coming out of France that do more than part with tradition—they go running from it.

Our fifth wine was a Thierry Puzelat Pineau d’Aunis from the Loire Valley in France. It’s a limited-production wine from an organic and biodynamic winemaker using an obscure, ancient grape from Touraine. They don’t get much more exotic than this.

We all stuck our noses in our glasses and then took a swig. It was quiet for a moment, as we all tried to absorb what we were experiencing. Colman said, “Don’t you want to have a roast chicken right now?” Why, yes! Pepper. Some tannins. A rich, deep color. It might as well have been the roast chicken itself; maybe just a wee bit more dry.

Thierry Puzelat’s rogue choices in grape varietals mean he often falls outside French laws requiring the use of certain grapes to be able to label a wine with the appellation, or place. He still dares to be different, which holds a certain appeal for those ready to get off the beaten Pinot Noir path. “It’s a total hipster grape variety,” Colman said of the Pineau d’Aunis.

And while it’s light and lively enough to play nice with food, it’s interesting enough to stand alone. You can have this one with the chicken, or you can save it for later, when the dishes are cleared and it’s time for cocktails and conversation. Certainly, this spicy renegade will hold its own at the table.