Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Coles Corner Winning Wine: September 2010 (Archive)

Marc Bredif’s 2007 Vouvray – Made from the Chenin Blanc grape, this Appellation Vouvray Controlee is sweet without being heavy. Allow this wine to breathe to reduce its sharpness on the finish. Pairs well with mild cheeses and crème-based sauces.

2 comments:

  1. My niece told me that some wines are processed using egg products. I had never heard of that before, but her doctor told her that when she learned she was allergic to eggs. What do they use eggs for in wine? Do you know some wines that are not contaminated with egg products - for those who are allergic? Are restaurants aware of this problem and do they stock egg-free wines?

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  2. Peg, eggs are used to "fine" wine. Wines can be filtered and/or fined to remove particles from the wine. When a wine is fined it removes particles that are smaller than the particles removed during the filtration process. A little known fact is that wines often are fined with egg whites, fish intestines, or clay. Many wines, however, are unfiltered and/or unfined.

    Many restaurants have no clue what "fining" is and have no clue what fining agents could be used or actually were used for a particular vintage. Our own experience with this issue prompted emails and phone calls to several of our favorite wine makers. Some were very willing to answer (usually that meant no eggs) and some were not willing to answer. I can say that Rombauer, Margerum, Curran, and Hip Chicks Do Wine are some of my favorite wine makers that are egg-free.

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