Wine Writer Diana Combs Announces Launch of ‘Writing on the Vine’ Brand Identity, Logo, and Website
Brooklyn, New York – February 1, 2013

Wine writer Diana Combs is proud to announce the wholly new brand identity Writing on the Vine, a community for wine amateurs and enthusiasts looking to understand wine and wine culture through Diana’s writing and from one another.

The newly launched WordPress website [http://writingonthevine.com] and social media pages have been designed to attract and educate this audience, as well as to inform editors interested in soliciting pieces from an established writer with a passion for wine and a keen awareness of her audience.

Diana has over 10 years’ experience writing for journals, newsletters, and magazines, for non-profits, corporations, and government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. She began exploring the world of wine several years ago and has taken wine classes from the American Sommelier Association, the Institute for Culinary Education, and Astor Wines. She shifted her writing focus to wine while working in a wine store that sells wine from around the world.

Writing on the Vine originated from a study of the 2012 Writer’s Market, from which Diana learned the importance of using online technology to attract potential editors, showcase her work, and establish her credibility. Through an online writing forum, she was referred to online marketing and branding specialists Enve Creative [http://envecreative.com], with whom she began a discussion about developing a simple website that she could maintain on her own.

“After hearing Diana’s ideas, I saw great potential to make her website not just a place for editors to find her but also a forum for building a wine community while positioning herself as an expert wine writer,” says Sarah Espano, co-founder of Enve. “She had identified a niche market—people who want to understand wine but who had perhaps found traditional wine publications and websites to be exclusively targeted at the wine connoisseur—and that’s a rarity. I posed the idea of taking it a step further: crafting an entire brand. I was delighted when Diana enthusiastically agreed.”

The Enve team has developed the name, logo, website, stationery, and business cards, as well as artwork for the Facebook [http://facebook.com/writingonthevine] and Twitter [http://twitter.com/writingonvine] pages. With some preliminary guidance from Sarah, Diana immediately began actively contributing to her social media pages, quickly attracting a captive and passionate audience of wine enthusiasts.

“Sarah at Enve Creative immediately understood the look and feel I was going for, and created a site that reflected my style with ease,” Diana shares. “I am delighted that I have a quickly growing Facebook following of people from around the country! I am hoping that these fans will come to my website to learn from my blog posts and discussions with others.”

The new website [http://writingonthevine.com] features Diana’s wine blog, a wine discussion forum for all levels of wine enthusiast to meet and collaborate, past samples of her writing, and biographical information. It’s designed to distinguish Writing on the Vine from more standard wine blogs and wine writers by stressing the importance of collaboration, education, and sharing of ideas.

The Enve team will continue to support Diana along the way, but has largely placed her in a position to run with her new brand and have fun with it. “We actively seek out clients who have what we call ‘vibrant purpose,’ who are enthusiastic about their ideas and want our help taking them to the next level,” Sarah relates. “We’re honored to have had the opportunity to work with Diana to form her new brand identity. Her passion is infectious, and we can’t wait to see where she takes Writing on the Vine.”

Diana is hopeful about the future of her new brand. “I am hoping that Writing on the Vine will become a place where my readers can discuss my writing with me, but also discuss wine together. As a voice of the down-to-earth wine drinker, I want my website to be a place where people can learn and talk about wine without sensing pretension.  My goal is to introduce every reader to several white, red, rose, and sparkling wines that become his or her ‘house wine’.”

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For more information, contact:
Diana Combs
Writing on the Vine
diana@writingonthevine.com

347-529-3899
 Sarah Espano
Enve Creative

sarah@envecreative.com

860-626-5004

Italian Reds: More Variety than You Imagined

Italy produces more wines from different grapes than any other country.  If you can't find a white or red wine from anywhere else that makes you happy, then give Italian wines a try.  Below are some reds for $20 or under that you can choose from.

Dolcetto D'Alba, Verduno Italy, 2010 - Dolcetto is supposed to be a light wine, so this one surprised me with a heavy cedar/wood flavor. It is from the Piedmont region of Italy, which produces many of the nation's well-known and loved wines.  People typically describe this wine as grapey-spicey and bitter-chocolate, so I decided to let this wine breath a little before trying it again.  Then the grapey flavor was there, but still with a strong bitter-wooden finish.  Remembering that wine is better with food, I finally drank the wine when eating, and the bitter finish was gone. 

RossoCube, Umbria Italy, 2009 - This wine is made from 60% Sangiovese, 20% Canaiolo, and 20% Ciligiolo.  It is medium bodied and light flavored, probably excellent with pasta or lasagne.  It is a good table wine that will pair easily with the right foods.  I liked it with creamy soups! As long as your food's flavor isn't stronger than the wine, you'll enjoy the wine.

Where there's Sangiovese, there is also Chianti, so I also tried...

Sorelle Palazzi Chianti, Colline Pisane Italy, 2009 - In a word, YUM.   I chose this Chianti, which is one of many in the $15-20 price range, because it is organic.  There is a small but devoted number of organic wine drinkers, so it is worthwhile to include an organic wine in my writing when I can.  That said, this Chianti is outstanding, I loved it.  I'd drink it with cheese, pasta, soup, or by itself.  It is 85% Sangiovese, 10% Malvasia Nera, and 5 % Canaiolo.  The grapes are grown on old vines, which could be what gives this Chianti such intense and great flavor.  This is an Italian wine that I would easily make my medium-bodied table wine.  Give it a try!

Note: There is Chianti Classico, and then there is Chianti from other regions.  The distinction is not necessarily in the name, but the Classico wines are distinguished by a black rooster somewhere on the neck.  Chiantis made in Classico regions are made from vineyards that were included in older, more "original" Chianti regions.  In the days when those regions were selected, Italy was more particular about what is the Chianti region.  Over time, more people wanted to grow grapes for Chianti, so the Chianti region expanded.  Some people think that Chianti Classico tastes better than other Chianti.  This is up to each individual to decide, I am letting you know so you are more familiar with what you're buying.  A decent wine store will have the same prices for both wines, so you should not be forced to make the decision based on price.  Good luck!

Burlotto G.B. Comm. Verduno Pelaverga, Italy 2011 - Recommended by three different people, this wine is under $20 and is a table wine for one colleague.  It has a light mouth feel, light red color and is full of a flavor and very balanced.  Some wine professionals would say that the wine is elegant or delicate. What they mean is that this wine strikes you as being delicious without having the strong, blunt flavor that other Italian wines have.  I drank this wine while eating a spinach & cheese lasagne, and the two went well.  Elegant chicken and pasta dishes would pair well with this wine.  If you want to pair food with this wine, think of foods that have flavor but not in a blunt way (such as sauteed food and not grilled food.)  An excellent wine for not much money, I'd especially recommend it to red wine drinkers who crave flavor and complexity in lighter red wines.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Italian wines!!

Affordable Bordeaux Region Red Wines

There is a lot of talk about Bordeaux wines.  Why?  There are many reasons.  Some people believe that Bordeaux region wines are much less fruity than California wines, other people buy into the status that Bordeaux has lent itself for higher quality wines that earn 90 -100 (out of 100) points.  The grapes most commonly grown are Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, but other grapes grow there are well.  In the Bordeaux region, there are wines that are extremely expensive and rate something like 95 out of 100 points, but most of us can be just as happy with the affordable (less than $20) wines from the area.

Mademoiselle L, Haut-Medoc France, 2009 - As promised, the wine packs a punch!  Beginning with dark fruit flavors such as cassis, the finish goes into lighter fruits like cherry.  The wine is remarkably smooth in the mouth and medium bodied.  As usual, the wine label doesn't indicate the grapes.  If you're a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot drinker with a longing for Syrah, this wine is for you.

Clement Saint-Jean, Medoc France, 2010 -  Less fruity and more deep than the last wine, I really like this wine and drink it faster than the last.  I can taste the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but the Syrah much more.  All the great flavors of Bordeaux wines are more subtle in this wine than the last.  I recommend this wine with chocolate cake or brownie!

Chateau Couronneau, Bordeaux France, 2010 -  It smells like Cabernet Sauvignon but definitely has the spices of Syrah.  It is in fact 100% Merlot, as most (if not all) wines from "Bordeaux Superieure" are.  Full-bodied and fruity with tannin giving it an edge, I liked this wine with meat.  Will it scream "Bordeaux" when you taste it?  Probably not, but its still delicious!

Chateau Greysac, Medoc France, 2008 - I found this wine when I was reorganizing my wine cabinet.  I had been looking for it when I first wrote this blog!   This wine sells quicker than any other Bordeaux region wine in the store, so I was curious to taste it.  It has aged more than any other I have tasted, and the fruit flavor is tempered with more flavor of the "terroir" -- it is a better wine for food than probably the rest.  It is made with mostly Cabernet Sauvignon.

In discussing these wines with a mentor, I mentioned that I don't like Cabernet Sauvignon.  He talked me into buying Chateau Fonbadet, Pauillac France, 2009.  I buyed it, and tried it.  It is good, full of dark red fruit flavor that I have come to associate with Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is also more than $20.  I was told to buy this wine again, and let it age in the bottle -- and then try it!  Something to consider.


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Affordable & Tasty French Wines

When I first started working at Garnet Wines, I was told that Southern French wines outside Bordeaux are not bought much, because American shoppers have trouble grasping what these wines are.  The grape is rarely put on the label, so you pretty much need to know what the region grows.  I'm here to let you know about some of these wines.  They are all affordable.

Vin de Savoie, St Jean de la Porte France, 2011 - Ever heard of the Mondeuse Noir grape?  It grows in Savoy France, and is often blended with other grapes to make wine.  The joy of this wine is that it is 100% Mondeuse Noir.  Light-bodied with lots of delicate flavor, this wine is a treat.  Easy drinking for red wine lovers who want it by itself, with finger food, or with a veal dish.  Only $13 a bottle!

Millegrand, Minervois France, 2009 -  Like many southern French wines, wines from this area are often blends.  This wine is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvedre.  With grapes that deliver so much flavor, you might expect a big wine.  This wine, however, does not sucker-punch you.  Instead you get the Syrah spice up front, and then have a softer finish.  As many "wine geeks" like to point out, wines like this go with more foods because of the blend.  Different foods will bring out flavors from different grapes in the wine.  Best of all, it is also affordable.

Georges 2010, Cotes du Roussillon, France -  Another blended wine, this one has consistently powerful flavor of dark red fruits, fig, from and spice.  A stronger wine than Millegrand, it is also sturdier.  This wine sells quickly, because it is less than $15, but doesn't taste cheap.  It is definitely a good buy.  The wine maker says that he uses grapes from vines that are 60-80 years old that are hand-picked at the Pyrenees foot hills near the Spanish border. 

Mas de Bayle, Gres de Montpellier, France 2007 - If you hear people refer to "big grapes", they're not referring to the size of the fruit, but the size of the flavor.  This wine is made of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.  There is not a timid-flavored grape in this wine.  From start to finish the flavor is a blend of cooked fruits (not sugary fresh fruit).  This wine could sustain lamb or steak, and has more complexity than many wines made from one grape.  My favorite of the bunch, this is a wine to enjoy as the weather gets colder.

Next: Affordable Bordeaux wines!

Pinot Noir: Side by Side Comparison

Coming out of light, easy summer white and rose wines, Pinot Noir is a good way to ease into red wines as Summer melts into Fall.

Parker Station, Central Coast California, 2010 - This wine lasted me several days, and was good each time.  The color of Pinot Noir is typically a translucent medium-red wine.  This one has more purple than I expected, however it is still translucent.  The aroma contains plenty of red fruits with a pungent edge; and the flavor is a soft blend of red fruits without being sweet.  This wine is recommended with turkey and cranberry sauce, and guess what -- Thanksgiving is coming!  Give it a try.

Bodegas Carrau Pinot Noir de Reserva, Uruguay, 2010 -  A traditionally light red color, this Pinot Noir surprises you by its origins.  "Uruguay?" you ask.  I reply "yes!"  Light bodied with red fruit flavors but acidic with a seductive spicy finish, this wine is Pinot Noir plus!  Be aware, though, that like other light Pinot Noir wines, it is better with chicken than red meat.  Enjoy this wine, it will not disappoint you if you like the Old World Pinot Noir style.

Jelu Estate, Patagonioa Argentina, 2009 -  Although traditionally known for its Malbec, Argentina produces other good red wines, including this one.  A very drinkable wine, it is medium bodied with light fruit flavor and not too much alcohol.  My favorite of the first three Pinot Noirs I tasted for this blog, I would drink this Pinot Noir with pork and other medium-flavored meats.

Joseph Faiveley, Burgundy France, 2010 -  That's right, Burgundy red wines are Pinot Noir wines.  This particular Pinot Noir has a pale ruby red color that hints at its lighter body.  Unlike some light bodied red wines, however, this wine has a lot of flavor and is very balanced.  This wine would be good with poultry and pork.

Next up: unusual regions of France!

Italian Wines, Cheeses, and Meats

As we go into Fall and look toward nice red wines again, I decided to write this review of red wines and their cheese and/or meat pairings.  Once you have an idea of the cheese/meat flavor that pairs with the red, you can imagine what wine you might pair with a dinner using the below tasting notes.

Lagrein, Lindenburg, Alois Lageder from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy 2006 with Rabiola Musciada and Teleggio cheeses - the wine is a deep red to purple color and smells smoky, woody, and of deep rich red fruits and plums.  The tannins are mild and the wine is a smooth dark cherry with rich dark and smoky flavor.  The Rabiola Musciada is a cow and sheep milk cheese mix, and the Taleggio flavor is strong, made with a wash rind.  Along with those cheeses, the wine would be good with stew.  I really enjoy this wine!

Chianti Classico, 'Reserva di Famiglia' Cecchi, Tuscany, Italy 2005 with Provolone Auricchio - the wine is made from Sangiovese  grapes and the cheese is a quality provolone.  The Chianti is old and oaked, with the age showing in the brick-like color.  The wine smelled savory, woody, and rich, with elegance.  The wine has moderate amounts of both tannin and acid; with sour cherry, plum and wood flavors and a long finish.  The wine pairs well with the cheese, but if you're lactose intolerant, try it with roast beef!

Valpolicella Superiore (Ripasso), 'Campo San Vito', Villa Monteleone from Veneto, Italy and Bresaola salumi - The wine is made from the Corvina, Rondinella, Croatina, and Molinara grapes.  It is purple-red and smells of prune, petroleum, and smoke or oak.  It odor was rich and soft.  The wine had enough tannin and rich dark cherry flavor to pair well with Bresaola salumi meat.  Another pairing option for this wine is more stew.

Brachetto d'Aqui 'Rosa Regale', Banfi from Piemonte Italy and Gorgonzola Dolce - The wine is made from Brachetto grapes, and was both rosy and sparkling.  The aroma was floral and peach, but the wine tasted of sweet red fruits.  When consuming a sweet wine, the pairing choice is to go with salty, spicy, or savory; or a dessert that echoes the wine flavor.  In my case, I prefer not to pair sweet with sweet, so I really liked the cheese with this wine.

American vineyards grow French varietals, but as we know, Italy has some great wines too.  This is review number one for your red wine pleasure!

Rose Wine Review!

What is a summer without trying some new Rose wines?  To close out the summer season, I tried several Rose wines from different European countries, and recorded my notes below.

Vinaluz Rosado 2011 - Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, made 100% of syrah grapes in Spain.  The color was a dark pink to light red wine, and tasted strongly of red fruits.  It had a bit more sweetness than I am comfortable with in a wine.  The winemaker describes the wine as good with pasta, fish, rice, and light meals.  I would go further, and pair it will salty or spicey foods.  The vintner also describes the wine as well-balanced, but it was not dry enough for my preferences.

Domaine Fazi Ile de Beaute, 2011 Corsica, France - A beautiful salmon-colored wine that smelled of strawberry, red cherry, and honey.  While fruity, the wine was dry and lightly acidic, and so smooth.  I liked this wine a lot.  Nice light summer foods such as salmon and other fishes would go really well with this wine.  Call me crazy, but part of why I bought the wine was because of the Corsican flag's symbol that I saw on the bottle. (See left above image)



Vinya D'Irto 2011, Spain - I drank this wine on three separate days, trying to find the food, temperature, and circumstance to make it appetizing.  It mostly tasted like sugar-free cough syrup served cold, and was very tart when it warmed up a little.  The color was a light cough syrup color, and very clear.  I was disappointed in this wine. 

Alto Adige Lagrein Rosato 2011, Italy - This wine returned me to the Rose I have come to love.  It smelled of light red fruits like strawberry, and tasted the same, but was dry.  It is a wine I had to put away before drinking too much, I liked it so much!  It had a light ruby type of pink color to it.  I had this wine with spicy food, fish, and dessert.  I liked it with any summer food!

The last of my Roses, which I decided to save for next year because I can, is a Rose from Sancerre.  With the humidity gone and cool breezes accompanying our 70-something weather, my eye is on lighter reds, to explore them more than I did last winter.  Stay tuned!