Drink Pink: 2007 Hope Estate Pink Awareness Shiraz Reserve

As part of my pledge to Drink Pink this month, I picked up a bottle of the Hope Estate Shiraz. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle is donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The Hunter Valley “Pink Awareness” Shiraz Reserve will
generate a $60,000 donation to the NBCF. This donation will be used to
help educate women for early detection and for much needed research in finding a cure.

Hope Estate 'Pink Awareness' Shiraz Reserve, Hunter Valley, Australia
Party Town, ~$12.99

While this wine may have a big purpose, it doesn't have a big punch. The nose is loaded with a lot of red fruit, which is fairly typical for an Aussie shiraz. It follows through with all that red fruit on the palate as well. There's a large amount of deep plum and dark cherry. On the finish, there's some kick – with a little bit of spice and cinnamon.

This wine isn't overly tannic – the tannins are almost soft, in fact. The alcohol level on this one is only 13.5%, which I consider blessedly low for an Aussie red. However, I do expect my Shiraz to pack a bit of a wallop and this one didn't. It's more of a gentle Shiraz.

Our rating:

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Drink Pink!

I've made a pledge to myself this month. I'm going to drink wine with a cause in mind. Anything I can do to help, you know.

What it means is that I'll be reviewing two types of wine this month: wine that directly supports breast cancer research through purchases, and rosés, which are pink. Since it's Breast Cancer Awareness month, and even the NFL has gone pink, it's the least I can do. At the end of each post, I'll include a link where you can donate to the cause.

I'm one of the few people who hasn't been touched by breast cancer in any way. My family and friends have all been blissfully ignored by this particular cancer. However, that doesn't mean I don't live in fear of it a bit. I saw a statistic that other day that around 1 in 8 women will be touched by breast cancer in some way.

With that in mind, on with the cause!

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Mad Men Mondays: Asti Spumante & Moscato d’Asti

Last night our favorite couple took a whirlwind trip to Rome during a hot summer at home. When Betty first arrives at her table, looking all Audrey Hepburn, she orders (in fluent Italian), a glass of Asti Spumante.

The first thing into my head is the jingle from when I was a little girl: "Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante, a celebration in a glass." I searched all over The Internets and could not find that ad anywhere (although I was highly amused by a few Angie Dickinson, Burt Bacharach, and Jaclyn Smith Martini & Rossi ads). I did find one with the right attitude though:

Are you done laughing now? I laugh nonstop every time I watch it. And don't you just want to break into the jingle there at the end?

Thanks to years of ads like the one you just watched, Asti Spumante gets a pretty bad rap, and in fact, most of it is mass produced. Betty should have ordered a Moscato d'Asti.

Both Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti are made from the Moscato Bianco grape and come from an area to the south of the town of Asti in Piedmont, Italy. How is Moscato d'Asti different? Well, aside from smaller production, Moscato d'Asti is lighter, more fizzy than bubbly.  

Additionally, the production process is different. After all, there's more fizz than foam in a Moscato d'Asti. When making our moscato of choice, the winemakers stop the fermentation earlier than they do with a Spumante. The result? Less sugar is consumed by the yeast, so you get a sweeter, low alcohol wine.

A Moscato d'Asti is a drink-now sort of wine, tasting fresh and easy. It's a perfect light summer drink, for instance. And of course, perfect if you're in Rome in August.

Featured Cincinnati Wine Events: Oct 3 – Oct 9

It's a slow week for one-time events, but don't forget all of the recurring events, including tastings at Little Sonoma, Cork n Bottle, Dilly Deli, and Liquor Direct.

There are two items I want to which I want to call your attention. First, this is the last weekend to enjoy the music and wine at Harmony Hill before they close for the season. So get yourself out to Bethel (it's not that far off 275) and enjoy the Farmer's Market, wine, and great songs.

Next, tonight is the first of the recurring tastings at Water Tower Fine Wines. I think you'll find their selection is a little bit different from other wine shops, so swing by tonight between 5:30 and 8:30 pm to find out more and help support the new guy on the block.

Remember, all the recurring events, those dependable weekly tastings,
are displayed on our calendar. The one-time events are after the jump.

There's
a good chance I missed something, as my schedule has been
out-of-control this week (real life and all), so just email me or list
it in the comments.

For information on what's going on
in Dayton, you can refer to Mark's blog at Uncorked.

Local Wine Tasting Event Calendar

Friday Interactive Wine Tasting Map

Saturday Interactive Wine Tasting Map

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