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).

Wine bottles come in many shapes and sizes, and as wineries seek to create new trends, new styles develop. But, no matter what, there will always be a few classic bottle styles that will always stay in fashion. Today, Brian Freedman examines Burgundy and Bordeaux - two of the most historic varieties of wine. The wines used in today's episode are the Robert Mondavi 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Louis Jadot 2005 Pinot Noir Bourgogne.

One of the important steps in making wine comes before the grapes are even picked. The winemakers job is to determine the correct time to pick the chardonnay, or viogneir grapes for optimal flavor. Classic Wines interviews the winemaker at Bedell Cellars, John Levenberg, in Long Island to find out the many determinations that a winemaker will make to bring you that wonderful glass of wine.

Older wines benefit from being decanted because when you bring oxygen to your wine it helps to bring out the flavor. Today we review an old Bordeaux wine, the Chateau Simard 1995 Saint Emilion . To help us decant the wine we use the unique looking Taste of Purple decanter with an easy to use pour spout - great for your holiday table. Learn more about decanting your wine in our latest video with Brian Freedman.

This week "The Classic Wines Minute" explains the importance of decanting your wine. We review three wines, a white 2005 Chardonnay, a red Chateau Haut-Ballet 2001 Bordeaux and the Mollydooker "The Boxer" 2006 Shiraz, a red wine from south Australia. Helping us decant our wine is a product called the Soiree decanter, an in bottle decanter.

This week "The Classic Wines Minute" visits The Wine Room of Cherry Hill in Cherry Hill , New Jersey. Brian Freedman talks with Kenton Nice, the owner of The Wine Room about the steps you go through to make your own wine. We also do a tasting of some of their wines with Michael D'Auria including a Brunello, Chilean Sauvignon Blanc and an award winning Bordeaux Blend. You heard it right - award winning wines can be produced socially at The Wine Room utilizing their professional equipment, staff and grapes sourced from around the globe for different seasons.

Today on The Classic Wines Minute Wine Showdown, we review the 1995 Chateau Roquevieille Cotes de Castillon against the 2000 Chateau Roquevielle Costes de Castillon.