Last week, we announced to you, TSG preferred clients, that The Savory Grape and Grape Ideas Wine Education will hold "Pair Essentials - Exploring the Art of Matching Food and Wine" class on Monday, Dec. 4th from 7 pm to 9:30 pm at Trattoria del Corso Restaurant in EG. We only have 7 seats remaining, so please call us to reserve a place at this fun event! Please click here for full information on the event.

We are amazed that already there is a countdown for the Christmas holiday. When you are ready to begin thinking about gift giving, forget the malls, traffic and even wrapping paper! The Savory Grape can help you simplify this holiday season. If you are trying to conjure up new ideas for your holiday parties or gift giving let The Savory Grape make it easy for you. We are happy to help you select wines or conduct a wine tasting, which is a fun twist to a typical party, and we can help you develop a menu and select/work with your caterer. All you do is invite and enjoy! A wine basket or wine club membership is also a great holiday gift for your friends, family or boss, and we will deliver to your home or office so you don't have to fret. Let The Savory Grape simplify your gift giving and make your holidays less stressful!

Campus Oaks Zin fans listen up! The Campus Oaks Lodi Zinfandel ($11.99) should be back at the shop later this week/early next week. We are thrilled to say that it's on its way to us.

Although we often think of wine as a subjective, aesthetic experience there is actually a bit of science behind crafting quality wines, hence our scientific image at left. This image depicts the chemical compound 2,4,6 trichloroanisole (TCA), which is present in corkwood or produced during cork wood processing, and the culprit behind the dreaded "cork taint." This week's FAQs start with cork taint and what may constitute a bad bottle of wine. We also tackle wine gift giving and what changes to expect after you allow a favorite wine to age.

Q: I opened a new bottle of wine and it just seems "off" to me. How do I know if it's a bad bottle?
You might think - "well if I don't like it then it is a bad bottle." But that doesn't constitute a bad bottle, just one you might not like to drink. There are key characteristics to assess in a newly opened bottle of wine - color, aroma and taste. A bottle of wine that has gone bad is usually hard to mistake. The aroma and flavor are vinegary and sour, not the fruitful bouquet and flavorful palate you often experience. The color may not be noticeably affected, but a bad bottle may fizz in the glass. Although certain whites may have a slight frizzante that is intentional or naturally occurring, reds should not unless they are sparkling. The most common cause of wine taint is due to 2,4,6 trichloroanisole, or TCA, which is a chemical found in corkwood and used in producing wine corks. It is reported that 5% of bottles are compromised and 80% of those bad bottles are caused by TCA. It can cause flavors and aromas of wet cardboard or a musty, wet basement. The fruit in the wine is also muted by TCA. Wines affected by TCA can range from absolutely terrible to only slightly different from a pristine bottle, and it can be difficult in the more subtle instances to tell the difference. However, just because a bottle smells or tastes different, doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad. Taste and smell are subjective and a malodorous scent to one person may be very enjoyable to another. Reds can often smell leathery, earthy, musty or like tar and tobacco. We have even had a winemaker describe her wine as smelling like "old, sweaty saddle" as a selling point! However this does not mean the wine has turned bad; it merely means the wine is less fruity and more on the earthy, "funk" side. Let us here at The Savory Grape guide you so you get a selection that suits your tastes. If you think you have a "corked" bottle, bring it here to us at The Savory Grape, and we will asses it for you.

Q: If a cork crumbles when I open it or if it's a bit dry, does that mean it's bad?
The answer is no. (I have had many dry corks that have subsequently provided me with great wines.) Corks can be less moist at times without actually compromising the wine. Also, cork can sometimes get into your wine as you open the bottle, but this does not mean the wine is bad. You simply have cork in your wine. Also, if you pull off the foil around the wine's neck and detect a sticky substance, there's no need to be concerned. When the cork is first pushed into the neck, some wine may have spurted out and dried under the foil. It may give you tacky fingers but the wine will taste still as it should. Many wines that have been aged will have naturally occurring sediment in the bottom, which may offer you grit in your mouth or at the bottom of your glass. This is perfectly normal and does not indicate a bad bottle. If your wine has sediment, funnel and decant before pouring into the glass.

Q: I opened a wine that was in my cellar aging. The color is a brownish orange, is this normal?
Over the years you may notice that a wine's color will change often from ruby red and purple to brown and orange hues. This is normal and naturally occurs during the aging process. So anticipate that your bottle of 10 year old Bordeaux will be excellent!

Q: I would like to give wine as a gift. What should I consider?
As with any gift, the key to buying the perfect wine gift is the thought that is put into it. Do your research. Find out if the recipient prefers reds or whites; French or California styles; Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc. Then take your gift giving to the next step by selecting a new or unique wine to provide your friend, co-worker or loved one with a thoughtful and different gift. If you know that your sister loves Pinot Grigio but drinks it all the time, why not give her a Vernacchia or Orvieto, which are similarly crisp, dry Italian wines that would be an interesting alternative. Next, think of what, or whom, you are celebrating. One of the great things about wine is that it can transport you to a place and time, bringing back fond memories. You also can make vintage purchases to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Lastly, consider your budget. Price does not always equate to quality! Fabulous wines exist to suit any budget. Ultimately, it is not the price tag on the bottle that your loved one will remember.

Q: Sporadically, I have been collecting cases of wines that I particularly enjoy. How will aging affect my selections?
Everyone should start their own small wine collection! The vintages that you love won't always be available so it's nice to have some stashed away for celebrations, special occasions or just a personal treat. However, there is nothing worse than having your anticipation and enjoyment ruined by a lack luster or (gasp!) vinegary glass of a wine that's past its peak. Understand your collection; conduct research on your wines or ask your local wine shop expert. As mentioned above, you will notice that the color of both white and red wines will change. Just as the vibrancy of color is stripped down over time, so too is a wine's tannin and acidity levels. The tannic nature of a younger wine will soften to reveal hidden aromas and flavors. Every wine has a different maturation cycle and some may mature faster than others; so it's important to research the aging recommendations specific to vintage and varietal. Keep the temperature of wine constant. Lay bottles down to keep the cork from drying out. A moist cork will remain plump and tight in the neck and will keep additional air out of the bottle, avoiding oxidation, which can compromise your wine.When you do decide to open that bottle, take time to enjoy it, whether on your own or with friends. It will be a real treat!

2004 Yalumba, ''Y'' Cabernet Sauvignon - $9.99. This is a great value, a delicious alternative to the ubiquitous Shiraz and another great everyday, wine. Wall Street Journal's Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher gave it a "Best Value." It reveals intense, dark fruit flavors (black raspberry and cherry) and cassis that is backed by a balanced acidity. (What is acidity you ask - think of something that makes your mouth pucker. This puckering is from acidity.) This is a wine of some conviction!

2002 Carr Cabernet Sauvignon - $21.49. Carr's 2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon released in January of 2006 is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 5% Syrah. This heady cuvee was blended after 28 months in French and American Oak and shows an expression of Rutherford terroir highlighted with black currant flavors. It's deep in color with plum and ripe berry aromas, as well as a hint of smoke and vanilla. Just recently released, this one to enjoy with special friends.

St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Kabinett 2005 - $15.99. From a vineyard in the heart of Mosel founded more than half a century ago, this Riesling reveals the true characteristics of German soil. St. Urbans-Hof employs traditional methods of wine growing and winemaking which have been used in the Mosel and Saar Valleys for centuries, some of which date back to the Romans. Organic fertilizers are utilized in order to maintain the natural balance of the soil. Most importantly, yields are kept low in order to achieve intense and well-structured wines. For optimal flavor development, leaves are thinned and grapes are harvested as late as possible to allow for maximum ripening. All grapes are hand picked and carried from the vineyard in traditional shoulder-mounted containers called 'hotten' to ensure optimal fruit quality. Rich and creamy in texture, it exhibits lemon custard, lime, vanilla and slate aromas and flavors. More up-front in style, its fruit, floral aromas and residual sugar are well-balanced. Drink now through 2012.

Farnese Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - $9.99. This Montepulciano from Ortona, a small town on Italy's east coast, is one of our new "Best Buys," which means it represents an excellent quality-to- price ratio. (It has truly been a store and private party favorite; so much so we will taste it this weekend.) From Italy's Abruzzo region, this Montepulciano has an intense and persistent fragrance with lovely flavors of red fruit and plums with just a hint of vanilla. It's full-bodied, balanced and ready to enjoy now. It is a perfect pair with rich meat, cheese dishes or even a pan seared salmon!

2004 Joseph Phelps Le Mistral- $39.99. Joseph Phelps Le Mistral red blend is just hitting its stride and will age well over the next five years and through 2011. Awarded 90 points from Robert Parker, le Mistral is 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and small amounts of Alicante Bouche and Petite Sirah. It is "juicy, savory, and ripe, with peppery black raspberry and currant aromas, sweet flavors, a hint of tar, no evidence of oak, and a long, heady finish."

Friday, Oct. 27 (5 pm - 8 pm): Italian Favorites

2005 Tiziano Pinot Grigio: This light, crisp Italian Pinot Grigio became a fast store favorite with its bright citrus flavors and unbeatable price. Right out of the bottle, this white has vibrant aromas and a refreshing taste with a clean finish. Perfect for sipping with friends or as an aperitif with a salad or light hors d'oeuvres. ($9.99)

2004 Di Majo Norante Sangiovese: - Aged six months in large foudres, Di Majo Norante's 2004 Sangiovese offers up aromas of strawberries, black cherries, earth, spices and fruit cake. Made from 100% Sangiovese, grown in the Sciabolone and Martarosa vineyards and harvested in late October, the wine is aged in large oak barrels for 6 months. This Sangiovese exhibits a fresh bouquet of violets and woodland berries. It is smooth and refreshing on the palate with loads of ripe fruit and represents an excellent value. 90 points from Robert Parker. ($9.99)

Saturday, Oct. 28 (5 pm - 8 pm): Blood Red Halloween Tasting

2001 Raimat Cabernet Sauvignon: - This easy sipping red comes from Costers del Segre, the Catalonia region of Spain. Although it is a rich, deep colored hue, it is a mellow Spanish blend of 85% Cabernet and 15% Merlot that offers a pleasant cedar spice from 18 months in American and French oak. It is medium bodied, supple and almost creamy, with deep, cherry fruit and a lengthy finish. ($10.99)

Farnese Montepulciano d'Abruzzo: As we mentioned above, this Montepulciano from Ortona, a small town on Italy's east coast, is lovely with intense and persistent flavors of red fruit and plums with just a hint of vanilla. Enjoy it with us on Saturday! ($9.99)

email: jessica@thesavorygrape.com

phone: 401.886.9463

web: http://www.thesavorygrape.com