Classic Wines

In a previous episode, we discussed how long is too long for storing a bottle. Now we'd like to play our own devil's advocate and discuss how Short is Too Short. A lot of wine lovers will use expert opinions to guide just how long they store a bottle before they open it. Unfortunately, the expert's taste may not match their own. You may find yourself opening a bottle too soon based on someone else's instinct. Host Brian Freedman explains the parameters in which you can open a bottle, and how not to commit a panic open. Todays bottle is a Chateau Leoville Barton 1995 (Bordeaux).

Willamette Valley has made great strides in creating a reputation for itself, especially when it comes to Pinot Noir. Host Brian Freedman is an especially large fan, so this showdown was a treat for him. Join in as Brian samples two Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley and gives is professional reviews. Sampled today are the Airlie Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2006 and the Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006.

Brian Freedman continues his investigation of good cellaring techniques. In this episode, Brian discusses the time element in storing wine. The tricky thing about storing wine for periods of time is that every bottle behaves differently. Depending on the level of tannins and their dominance in the wine itself, every bottle should get different treatment. As if that weren't enough, personal taste plays a role in cellaring time, depending on how tannic you prefer your wine. Time management can seem a little overwhelming, but is actually one of the most fun aspects of wine collecting. Used in today's episode is the Domaine Jamet 2001 Cote-Rotie.

Host Brian Freedman gets vertical this week as he tries out two Pessagno Chardonnays. Pessagno is a well respected establishment that hails from the Monterey and San Benito counties of California. Focusing on back-to-back years, 2005 and 2006, Brian is able to analyze the different flavor profiles a year's difference can produce. Tasted in this episode of ClassicWines TV are the Pessagno 2005 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay, and the Pessagno 2006 Lucia Highlands Vineyard Chardonnay.

Classic Wines TV continues to explore wine collecting in this latest video about wine cellar management. Host Brian Freedman uses a bottle from his very own collection to demonstrate the two main concepts of managing your cellar - bottle value, and personal affection. Certain bottles can be stored simply for financial accruement or because the bottle will age well. This is a very cerebral approach to wine cellar management. But the bottle can also be stored if it has a personal connection to you. Perhaps you visited the vineyard and had a wonderful experience. Perhaps the bottle was made on a child's birthday. Whatever the case may be, appeal may be another factor to consider when storing bottles. The bottle examined today is the Dierberg 2005 Pinot Noir "Steven".

Got a few wine bottles sitting on your kitchen counter? Maybe a few collecting dust down in the basement? Well it's time to get in the game - start your collection right away! Brian Freedman shows you the basics of starting a real wine collection, and gives tips and tricks for keeping yourself organized. Wine collections aren't just for aristocrats with thousands of bottles; anyone can do it. You might be surprised at how easy and cost effective it can be.

Wine lovers are famously in-tune with the nuances of food and beverage. Wine, being complex and dynamic, provides drinkers with a different experience every time they open a bottle. Unfortunately, due to its alcoholic nature, wine is only appropriate at certain times of day. What else could capture wine lover's attention in the same way? Host Brian Freedman contends that coffee is answer. Discussing high end coffee's from Jax Coffee House, Brian compares the diverse tasting palate that good coffee provides. If wine owns the nighttime, certainly coffee is king all day!

Corks... screw tops... glass stoppers... the world of wine enclosures is much more diverse than it used to be! Years ago, your choices were essentially limited to one - cork. But as technology grows, more consistent means of enclosure have developed. Of course, with change comes reaction in the form of complaints about a lessening of 'breathability' that corks natural contain. Host Brian Freedman examines the most popular kinds of enclosures available today and let's you be judge.