SstarWines

04/28/2010 - 18:00 diblasi: Hello! I am here now :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:00 sstar: Hello, and I am there now.

04/28/2010 - 18:00 sstar: Where is here?

04/28/2010 - 18:00 diblasi: Good evening! Thanks for having me as a guest.. Here in the chat room, I hope

04/28/2010 - 18:01 sstar: There is in Wrocław, south western Poland.

04/28/2010 - 18:01 sstar: I mean physically not virtually ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:01 diblasi: Ok.. I am very new to this, so you may have to guide a bit ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:02 sstar: You are doing well, couldn't be better :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:02 diblasi: haha.. thanks

04/28/2010 - 18:02 diblasi: took a look at you site and some of the wines you have

04/28/2010 - 18:02 diblasi: nice selection

04/28/2010 - 18:02 sstar: So where are you right now?

04/28/2010 - 18:02 diblasi: Norway..

04/28/2010 - 18:03 sstar: And more specifically?

04/28/2010 - 18:03 diblasi: Bergen. Second largest city in Norway. West coast

04/28/2010 - 18:03 monty: hello!

04/28/2010 - 18:03 monty: how's going? :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:03 diblasi: Hello Monty! Welcome ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:03 diblasi: I am well!

04/28/2010 - 18:04 diblasi: had a long night last night . drinking some natural wines

04/28/2010 - 18:04 sstar: Could you shortly descibe how you ended up (or pehaps not) there? Where do you originally come from?

04/28/2010 - 18:04 diblasi: Yes

04/28/2010 - 18:04 sstar: Hi Monty :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:04 diblasi: I was raised in California by an Italian mother and an Italian-american father

04/28/2010 - 18:04 diblasi: San Francisco bay area

04/28/2010 - 18:05 diblasi: I worked in Finance before leaving

04/28/2010 - 18:05 diblasi: I left the states in 2002 heading for Italy

04/28/2010 - 18:05 diblasi: Ended up here in Bergen because my brother was living here.

04/28/2010 - 18:05 diblasi: a year after I got here, I started working at a wine bar

04/28/2010 - 18:06 diblasi: Within 12 months I was manager and helped bring the wine list up to about 500 titles and it's first Wine Spectator award

04/28/2010 - 18:06 diblasi: But

04/28/2010 - 18:06 sstar: But?

04/28/2010 - 18:06 diblasi: I wanted to do something on a "smaller" scale,

04/28/2010 - 18:07 diblasi: so I started working for a small restaurant

04/28/2010 - 18:07 diblasi: about a year and a few months ago

04/28/2010 - 18:07 sstar: Wine Spectator is not very nature wines oriented, is it?

04/28/2010 - 18:07 diblasi: Correct

04/28/2010 - 18:07 diblasi: I had a few natural titles

04/28/2010 - 18:07 diblasi: LIke Cornelissen and Donati

04/28/2010 - 18:07 diblasi: But; I really started to focus on natural in Jan of 2009

04/28/2010 - 18:08 diblasi: Or rather just before

04/28/2010 - 18:08 sstar: What are addresses of this restaurants? Preferably www:-)

04/28/2010 - 18:08 diblasi: the end of 2008

04/28/2010 - 18:08 sstar: Why so?

04/28/2010 - 18:08 diblasi: The addresses are

04/28/2010 - 18:08 diblasi: just a second

04/28/2010 - 18:08 sstar: ....

04/28/2010 - 18:08 diblasi: here is the current place I work:

04/28/2010 - 18:08 diblasi: http://jacobsbergen.no/om.html

04/28/2010 - 18:09 diblasi: And the previous is

04/28/2010 - 18:09 diblasi: sorry, still looking, they have changed it a bit

04/28/2010 - 18:09 sstar: Hard to read ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:10 sstar: Almost as hard as SstarWines for you ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:10 diblasi: Here is the main site for the Augustin Hotel where the Altona Vinbar was located

04/28/2010 - 18:10 diblasi: http://www.augustin.no/

04/28/2010 - 18:10 diblasi: haha

04/28/2010 - 18:10 sstar: Les mer means more?

04/28/2010 - 18:10 diblasi: yes

04/28/2010 - 18:11 diblasi: I believe there as an English option somewhre

04/28/2010 - 18:11 sstar: Now is much easier ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:11 sstar: I entered one of your wines (or Cornelissen) with photo in our website: http://www.sstarwines.pl/wino9370

04/28/2010 - 18:11 sstar: Have you tried also Magma?

04/28/2010 - 18:11 diblasi: nice photo ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:11 diblasi: Yes I have tried Magma

04/28/2010 - 18:11 diblasi: many times

04/28/2010 - 18:12 diblasi: I have 3 bottles of his 2002 (one from each vineyard) downstairs

04/28/2010 - 18:12 diblasi: but, I don't think that they are good

04/28/2010 - 18:12 diblasi: I just drank the 2002 Trefiletti last night at Altona

04/28/2010 - 18:12 diblasi: and it was dead - unfortunate

04/28/2010 - 18:13 sstar: Why they are not good? Our wine critics said it was great, although they had not tried it ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:13 diblasi: Natural wine was a natural progression for me

04/28/2010 - 18:13 sstar: I mean what lacks Magma?

04/28/2010 - 18:13 monty: sorry

04/28/2010 - 18:14 diblasi: The wine (2002) I have tasted three times in the last 4 months and it was just physically dead..

04/28/2010 - 18:14 diblasi: I mean

04/28/2010 - 18:14 diblasi: flat, lifeless

04/28/2010 - 18:14 diblasi: just seem sweetness left lending to the alcohol

04/28/2010 - 18:14 diblasi: know what i mean?

04/28/2010 - 18:14 sstar: Natural is not natural at all, is it more intellectual or sensual experience or adventure?

04/28/2010 - 18:15 diblasi: For me it's looking at a painting that I really like or a song that I really like

04/28/2010 - 18:15 diblasi: I cant always explain why I like it

04/28/2010 - 18:15 sstar: For most people oxidized wines on purpose or not are faulty!

04/28/2010 - 18:15 diblasi: Oxidation is ok with me as well and not a fault in my mind - but

04/28/2010 - 18:15 diblasi: some wines have oxidation as the most obvious trate

04/28/2010 - 18:15 diblasi: and this for me is perhaps a fault

04/28/2010 - 18:16 sstar: But is it not being just blasee with normal wines? Looking for sth peculiar to feel more sophisticated and original?

04/28/2010 - 18:16 diblasi: I am not sure I understand your ?, but perhaps you are asking if I enjoy and promote natural wines because they're diferrent?

04/28/2010 - 18:17 diblasi: which makes me more original?

04/28/2010 - 18:17 sstar: Yes.

04/28/2010 - 18:17 diblasi: ok...I never really though about that

04/28/2010 - 18:17 diblasi: in fact

04/28/2010 - 18:17 diblasi: I sometimes feel isolated

04/28/2010 - 18:17 diblasi: it

04/28/2010 - 18:18 diblasi: is not always easy to promote natural wine ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:18 diblasi: This being said, I understand

04/28/2010 - 18:18 sstar: How could you describe what makes them tasty? Are they tasty?

04/28/2010 - 18:18 diblasi: I think that they are tasty. For me Natural wines can be a bit

04/28/2010 - 18:19 diblasi: more volatile in a good way. This helps give the wine

04/28/2010 - 18:19 diblasi: interesting aromas and feel alive in the mouth.

04/28/2010 - 18:19 diblasi: Do you know what I mean?

04/28/2010 - 18:19 monty: yes, very well :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:19 diblasi: Thanks Monty :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:19 diblasi: also

04/28/2010 - 18:20 diblasi: I feel that wines that are spontaneously fermented

04/28/2010 - 18:20 diblasi: make for some of the most interesting wines

04/28/2010 - 18:20 sstar: Yes. Once I tasted Musar 1998 and it was alive in taste (changing, living) although controversial with weird aromas.

04/28/2010 - 18:20 diblasi: Yes

04/28/2010 - 18:20 diblasi: Love musar

04/28/2010 - 18:20 diblasi: great wines and very alive

04/28/2010 - 18:20 sstar: Some people reject it. Some accept.

04/28/2010 - 18:20 diblasi: I think people have a right to their opinions and tastes

04/28/2010 - 18:21 diblasi: But...

04/28/2010 - 18:21 diblasi: I have to say one thing that I think is important

04/28/2010 - 18:21 diblasi: I worked for 4 years with almost exclusively

04/28/2010 - 18:21 sstar: True. But you are promoting some ideas. Could you suggest some natural wine which could be available in Poland? Perhaps Monty will help...

04/28/2010 - 18:21 diblasi: "conventional" wines

04/28/2010 - 18:22 diblasi: and they faded once opened more quickly than the natural wines I have consumed

04/28/2010 - 18:22 diblasi: regarding natural wines in Poland

04/28/2010 - 18:22 diblasi: This is def. a ? for Monty!

04/28/2010 - 18:22 diblasi: I have had difficulties finding natural wines "on my own" in Poland

04/28/2010 - 18:23 diblasi: sstar:

04/28/2010 - 18:23 diblasi: I noticed you of course sell both conventional and natural wines

04/28/2010 - 18:23 diblasi: through your site

04/28/2010 - 18:23 diblasi: any favorites??

04/28/2010 - 18:24 sstar: I have to dissapoint you.

04/28/2010 - 18:24 sstar: I do not sell wines :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:24 diblasi: oh..

04/28/2010 - 18:24 diblasi: I need to improve my Polish ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:24 sstar: It is just a site for exchange of info between those who like wines.

04/28/2010 - 18:25 sstar: There is google translator ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:25 diblasi: Ok. So the wines you have on your site are wines that people have tasted, including yourslef?

04/28/2010 - 18:25 sstar: Coming back to California period...

04/28/2010 - 18:25 diblasi: sure

04/28/2010 - 18:25 sstar: Yes, exactly, we drink, describe, discuss...

04/28/2010 - 18:26 sstar: Yesterday we had polish winemaker who learned there...

04/28/2010 - 18:26 sstar: But connection was lost and we had to stop

04/28/2010 - 18:26 sstar: What you think about Randall Grahm and Rhone Rangers?

04/28/2010 - 18:26 diblasi: that's too bad.. What questions about California do you have?

04/28/2010 - 18:26 diblasi: Ok

04/28/2010 - 18:26 diblasi: Well,

04/28/2010 - 18:27 sstar: This is the question I wanted to ask yesterday... but failed ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:27 diblasi: I have a good impression of Randall.. In fact my home town is in the same area that he is...I used to enjoy his wines

04/28/2010 - 18:27 diblasi: but

04/28/2010 - 18:27 sstar: But?

04/28/2010 - 18:27 diblasi: I tasted them again recently when he sent me a few bottles... and I found them "un interesting "

04/28/2010 - 18:28 sstar: We have his Bonny Doon Syrah in M&S, do you recommend it?

04/28/2010 - 18:28 diblasi: But, his top Syrah wines are quite good

04/28/2010 - 18:28 diblasi: Which Syrah do you have?

04/28/2010 - 18:28 sstar: But they are tasty, well made, or exaggerated, tiring?

04/28/2010 - 18:28 sstar: Normal one, I guess basic one.

04/28/2010 - 18:29 diblasi: I think his wine are ok...(again, my opinion).. but not very exciting

04/28/2010 - 18:29 sstar: Have you found some Syrah in US which was similar to Rhone archetype?

04/28/2010 - 18:29 diblasi: I am still waiting to get excited about some CA wines!...

04/28/2010 - 18:29 sstar: Say to la Landonne ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:29 diblasi: and to

04/28/2010 - 18:29 diblasi: La Landonne?!

04/28/2010 - 18:29 diblasi: in California?

04/28/2010 - 18:29 diblasi: :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:29 sstar: Perhaps Bien Nacido Qupe?

04/28/2010 - 18:29 diblasi: ok... you can try the ORION

04/28/2010 - 18:29 diblasi: produced by Sean Thackrey

04/28/2010 - 18:30 sstar: And how is it?

04/28/2010 - 18:30 diblasi: he is a bit crazy and his wine are "sponty".. The last time I tasted it, fantastic

04/28/2010 - 18:30 diblasi: but rare and expensive

04/28/2010 - 18:30 sstar: :-(

04/28/2010 - 18:30 diblasi: yes. but

04/28/2010 - 18:30 diblasi: there are a few bottles

04/28/2010 - 18:30 diblasi: floating around norway

04/28/2010 - 18:30 diblasi: through the old importer

04/28/2010 - 18:31 diblasi: 100 + year old vine syrah

04/28/2010 - 18:31 diblasi: :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:31 diblasi: He makes wine

04/28/2010 - 18:31 diblasi: according

04/28/2010 - 18:31 diblasi: to books that he collects that date back 400 years!

04/28/2010 - 18:31 diblasi: He lets the grapes

04/28/2010 - 18:31 sstar: Perhaps you can catch one of them and bring to Poland, you said you are going to visit our lovely country :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:31 diblasi: rest after harvest for about 24 hours before

04/28/2010 - 18:31 diblasi: haha!

04/28/2010 - 18:32 diblasi: I will visit Poland very soon

04/28/2010 - 18:32 sstar: How about californian pinots? Any close to burgundy?

04/28/2010 - 18:32 diblasi: I have yet to taste a CA Pinot that reaches the levels of Burgundy!

04/28/2010 - 18:32 diblasi: But

04/28/2010 - 18:32 diblasi: I have to say...

04/28/2010 - 18:32 diblasi: I have been drinking Old World since before I left CA

04/28/2010 - 18:33 diblasi: so my knowledge of CA wine is quite weak

04/28/2010 - 18:33 diblasi: maybe Oregon?

04/28/2010 - 18:33 diblasi: for Pinot

04/28/2010 - 18:33 sstar: And Russian Valley?

04/28/2010 - 18:34 diblasi: Russian River Valley.. I tasted a 10 year old Pinot from williams selyem last year

04/28/2010 - 18:34 diblasi: I tasted with friends

04/28/2010 - 18:34 diblasi: we agreed that it was actually quite good

04/28/2010 - 18:34 diblasi: and "Burgundian"

04/28/2010 - 18:34 diblasi: They make only about 500 cases a year

04/28/2010 - 18:36 sstar: Why do you think American wines are so expensive, esp. in Poland, but perhaps in all Europe?

04/28/2010 - 18:37 diblasi: They are expensive all over the world.. why? I don't know.. "reputation" or marketing?

04/28/2010 - 18:37 sstar: And not internal consumption?

04/28/2010 - 18:38 sstar: inner market perhaps?

04/28/2010 - 18:38 diblasi: Ah.. Well, the internal consumption is quite high...

04/28/2010 - 18:38 diblasi: and people have a higher limit perhaps and what they are willing to spend?

04/28/2010 - 18:38 diblasi: I am a value guy

04/28/2010 - 18:38 diblasi: so, I don't like to spend too much for wine

04/28/2010 - 18:38 diblasi: But, I can if the wine is amazing (to me )

04/28/2010 - 18:38 sstar: If we are talking about Pinots have you tasted any DRC wines? Or some other Pinot that stayed in your memory for whatever reasons?

04/28/2010 - 18:39 diblasi: Good question

04/28/2010 - 18:39 diblasi: I had my first experience with DRC just a few months ago

04/28/2010 - 18:39 diblasi: a 1996 Échezeaux

04/28/2010 - 18:40 diblasi: a massive wine

04/28/2010 - 18:40 diblasi: and I am not sure I will ever get the chance to taste DRC again ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:40 diblasi: and it was one sip

04/28/2010 - 18:41 sstar: Was it special?

04/28/2010 - 18:41 diblasi: well, here is what I remember:

04/28/2010 - 18:41 sstar: Or as any other good massive Pinot?

04/28/2010 - 18:42 diblasi: It seemed very very very massive not like an Pinot I have had before

04/28/2010 - 18:42 diblasi: It seemed to need perhaps 30 years just to make it approachable

04/28/2010 - 18:42 diblasi: and, I don't remember finding many Pinot-like aromas

04/28/2010 - 18:42 sstar: But it was a very special vintage.. for a long haul ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:42 diblasi: extremely

04/28/2010 - 18:42 sstar: Oak was prominent?

04/28/2010 - 18:43 diblasi: I am sensitive to oak, so prominent for me, but not over the top...

04/28/2010 - 18:43 diblasi: it was quite well-balanced in that sense

04/28/2010 - 18:44 sstar: We tried few DRC: http://www.sstarwines.pl/sample.php?guess=Romanee&inc=lookup.php and were mainly dissapointed, although they were very tasty... good fruit, well balanced... and nothing special :-(

04/28/2010 - 18:45 diblasi: This is what I remembered as well.. thinking that it wasn't worth the money

04/28/2010 - 18:45 sstar: But they were mainly from the lesser 2006 vintage.

04/28/2010 - 18:45 sstar: How many points in any scale would you give to this DRC?

04/28/2010 - 18:45 diblasi: 2006

04/28/2010 - 18:45 diblasi: yes. the more classic, cool 206

04/28/2010 - 18:45 diblasi: Um..points?

04/28/2010 - 18:45 sstar: :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:46 diblasi: Points are difficult for me

04/28/2010 - 18:46 sstar: We have 3-8 scale in Sstarwines, have a try...

04/28/2010 - 18:46 diblasi: 3-8... 3 being really bad and 8 being "oh my god!"??

04/28/2010 - 18:46 diblasi: hummm

04/28/2010 - 18:47 sstar: 3 faulty, 4 bad... 5 good, 8 oh my and her god ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:47 diblasi: as I exhale ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:47 diblasi: I would say that when I tasted it, it was a 5.5

04/28/2010 - 18:47 sstar: :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:47 diblasi: good, but not fantastic

04/28/2010 - 18:48 diblasi: could have been the age, so don't get upset people ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:48 sstar: You referred to WS, what is your opinion on Parkerism? Points, notes...

04/28/2010 - 18:48 guest-2: 3 is for Penfolds, 8 is for Jean-Marc Brignot :)

04/28/2010 - 18:48 sstar: Grange?

04/28/2010 - 18:48 diblasi: Welcome guest-2!!!!

04/28/2010 - 18:48 diblasi: Brignot makes me smile..

04/28/2010 - 18:48 diblasi: sorry,

04/28/2010 - 18:48 sstar: Welcome guest-1 :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:48 diblasi: I am not a WS fan

04/28/2010 - 18:49 diblasi: just my opinion, again

04/28/2010 - 18:49 sstar: Where does he come from? Brignot.

04/28/2010 - 18:49 diblasi: He is from Jura

04/28/2010 - 18:49 diblasi: but makes wine in Beaujolais too!

04/28/2010 - 18:49 guest-2: It's monty but incognit o

04/28/2010 - 18:49 diblasi: again!

04/28/2010 - 18:49 diblasi: got it

04/28/2010 - 18:50 sstar: What do you think of Beaujolais...

04/28/2010 - 18:50 diblasi: it can be utterly fantastic!

04/28/2010 - 18:50 sstar: ...Nouveau

04/28/2010 - 18:50 diblasi: I love the gamay grape

04/28/2010 - 18:50 diblasi: Nouveau?

04/28/2010 - 18:50 diblasi: again, can be fantastic ;-)

04/28/2010 - 18:51 sstar: Example?

04/28/2010 - 18:52 sstar: Last year was pretty good for Nouveau, don't you think so?

04/28/2010 - 18:52 diblasi: Jean-Paul Brun makes a great one. Brignot just made his first vintage (2009)...

04/28/2010 - 18:52 diblasi: 2009 was a great vintage I hear

04/28/2010 - 18:52 diblasi: in Burgundy

04/28/2010 - 18:53 sstar: I had cheap Bdx 2009 - spectacular ;-) But they do not sell it en primeur :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:53 sstar: How about food recommendations for Gamay... you are sommelier, aren't you?

04/28/2010 - 18:53 diblasi: ok. so Bordeaux also good in 2009.. I was tasting the wines in The western Loire and found them good as well

04/28/2010 - 18:54 guest-2: Yes, we tasted together those Ruyere :)

04/28/2010 - 18:54 diblasi: :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:54 diblasi: food? fish? depends on the preperation

04/28/2010 - 18:54 diblasi: unless you go to the Cru level... then chicken? duck??

04/28/2010 - 18:55 sstar: http://vinosseur.com/my-top-9-list-february-2010/

04/28/2010 - 18:56 diblasi: Rayure, number two for me!

04/28/2010 - 18:56 diblasi: only tasted it twice

04/28/2010 - 18:56 diblasi: but blew me away both times

04/28/2010 - 18:56 sstar: Could you comment briefly on food combinations with your 9 favorite wines?

04/28/2010 - 18:56 diblasi: ok

04/28/2010 - 18:57 diblasi: I have had an amazing combo with the Munjebel Bianco and roasted chicken with honey and lemon

04/28/2010 - 18:57 diblasi: Rayure, I ate pigeon.. not sure about that combo, but i didn't care ;-).. Perhaps some pork would be nice :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:57 diblasi: Donati's bandita is nice with prosciutto and other salami

04/28/2010 - 18:57 diblasi: even chocolate :-)

04/28/2010 - 18:58 diblasi: Number 4, Laureano Serres I only tasted once, but quite similar to Munjebel Bianco

04/28/2010 - 18:58 diblasi: Overnoy.. another light and fresh red wine.. fish... with some bacon??

04/28/2010 - 18:58 diblasi: Cuvee Raoul.. def lamb!

04/28/2010 - 18:59 diblasi: Malvasia secco was really great with Porchetta

04/28/2010 - 18:59 diblasi: Domaine Griottes - nice also with lighter pork dishes and Chevre

04/28/2010 - 18:59 diblasi: Robinot... Concerto... this is the toughest one

04/28/2010 - 18:59 diblasi: I am still looking for that match :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:00 diblasi: maybe a light rabbit dish??

04/28/2010 - 19:00 diblasi: we don't eat Rabbit in Norway, so I haven't tried it with this wine.. but I did in France, and i remember yummy ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:00 sstar: Robinot Concerto what's that? In fact I do not know most of the wines from your list:-)

04/28/2010 - 19:01 diblasi: Jean Pierre Robinot from the Eastern Loire. His reds (like this one) are made of Pinea d'Aunis... His whites are Chenin Blanc

04/28/2010 - 19:01 diblasi: He is a wild guy.

04/28/2010 - 19:01 diblasi: This is his base red wine fermented and stored only in fiberglass

04/28/2010 - 19:01 diblasi: nothing added, nothing taken

04/28/2010 - 19:02 diblasi: Here is a producer profile of him:

04/28/2010 - 19:02 diblasi: http://vinosseur.com/category/2-producer-profile/jean-pierre-robinot-loire-valley-france/

04/28/2010 - 19:02 diblasi: interesting...

04/28/2010 - 19:03 diblasi: Have you tasted Guest 2?

04/28/2010 - 19:03 diblasi: Robinot??

04/28/2010 - 19:04 sstar: Pineau d'Aunis we tried from Belliviere, 2002 was found to be spectacular... described like Yves Saint Laurent dancing in a inn

04/28/2010 - 19:04 diblasi: great description! I dont know this producer..

04/28/2010 - 19:04 sstar: by Marek Bieńczyk our beloved writer and wine critic :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:05 sstar: it was Hommage a Louis Derre... but who the f... is Louis?

04/28/2010 - 19:06 diblasi: ??

04/28/2010 - 19:06 sstar: The name of the wine from Domaine Belliviere

04/28/2010 - 19:06 diblasi: yes

04/28/2010 - 19:06 guest-2: Yes, I tasted Robinot but those bottle was a little fricky

04/28/2010 - 19:06 sstar: Do yoy use wine jargon or try to sound simple?

04/28/2010 - 19:06 diblasi: old vines....

04/28/2010 - 19:07 diblasi: I try to be as simple as possible

04/28/2010 - 19:07 diblasi: I try to create a bridge from the glass to my guest

04/28/2010 - 19:07 guest-2: Sorry, but I'm using celluar phone to ne on chat, so I have some problema :)

04/28/2010 - 19:07 diblasi: so that they feel more comfortable

04/28/2010 - 19:07 diblasi: And yes, Robinot can be very freaky guest 2

04/28/2010 - 19:07 diblasi: :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:07 sstar: Or even simpler... Einstein said that things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:08 diblasi: haha. gotta love Einstein!

04/28/2010 - 19:08 sstar: Have you tried Polish wines? Or Czech ones? Slovak? Chateau Bella by Egon Mueller?

04/28/2010 - 19:09 diblasi: I don't remember ever tasting Polish wines (but I want to). Czech yes, but not often and I don't rmember.. And i have not tasted Bella (Mueller). Is it good?

04/28/2010 - 19:10 diblasi: Can you recommend to me some Polish wines to taste??

04/28/2010 - 19:13 sstar: Yes.

04/28/2010 - 19:13 sstar: From small producers ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:13 sstar: Płochoccy, Wzgórza Trzebnickie

04/28/2010 - 19:13 diblasi: my favorite.

04/28/2010 - 19:14 diblasi: will you name them here?

04/28/2010 - 19:14 diblasi: ok

04/28/2010 - 19:14 sstar: And from larger: Jaworek

04/28/2010 - 19:14 diblasi: and. where can I find these wines (in Poland)?

04/28/2010 - 19:14 sstar: Certainly Monty have some, and if you visit Kraków go to Krowoderska to wina.pl

04/28/2010 - 19:15 diblasi: yes. I have been to Krowoderska Wina.pl

04/28/2010 - 19:15 sstar: Krowoderska Street. www.Wina.pl have them!

04/28/2010 - 19:15 sstar: At least some of them :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:15 sstar: You are Italian aren't you?

04/28/2010 - 19:15 diblasi: ok. I was there in April... I will go there next time I am in Krakow :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:15 diblasi: yes I am Italian

04/28/2010 - 19:17 sstar: Where do you come originally from?

04/28/2010 - 19:17 sstar: Which region?

04/28/2010 - 19:17 diblasi: My mother's side of the family is from Emilia Romagna..

04/28/2010 - 19:17 sstar: What do you think about Italian wines?

04/28/2010 - 19:18 diblasi: I like Italian wines.. But, I prefer French

04/28/2010 - 19:18 sstar: Any wines from E-R to be recommended?

04/28/2010 - 19:18 diblasi: E-R

04/28/2010 - 19:18 diblasi: That depends

04/28/2010 - 19:18 sstar: Some typical combination with food my by granny?

04/28/2010 - 19:18 sstar: made by granny:-)

04/28/2010 - 19:18 guest-2: Ageno especially :)

04/28/2010 - 19:19 diblasi: Some good old Lambrusco from Donati

04/28/2010 - 19:19 diblasi: and Yes.. the wines of La Stoppa (agenoi )

04/28/2010 - 19:19 diblasi: ageno

04/28/2010 - 19:19 diblasi: and his red Gutturnio is quite great

04/28/2010 - 19:19 diblasi: but the ER is not known esp for their wine

04/28/2010 - 19:19 diblasi: it's more of a food region

04/28/2010 - 19:20 sstar: What do you think are aging capabilites: nebbiolo vs sangiovese You had vertical of Ducale: http://vinosseur.com/a-vertical-tasting-ruffino-chianti-classico-riserva-ducale-oro/ Compared to pinot vs cab.

04/28/2010 - 19:21 diblasi: I think that many grapes have the potential to age.. it depends a lot on the wine, vintage, etc.. But, Nebbiolo is "known" to age quite well. Perhaps more long lived than the Sangiovese

04/28/2010 - 19:21 diblasi: But I have had some older Sangiovese wines that have aged very well.

04/28/2010 - 19:22 diblasi: Nebbiolo is quite a rough grape when it's young..

04/28/2010 - 19:22 diblasi: High acidity and tannins

04/28/2010 - 19:22 diblasi: ageing will soften these and make them easier to drink for many people

04/28/2010 - 19:22 diblasi: I really enjoy young wines

04/28/2010 - 19:22 diblasi: :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:23 sstar: Did you have some experience with old Barolos compared to old Brunellos?

04/28/2010 - 19:24 sstar: Old Bordeaux against Bourgogne?

04/28/2010 - 19:24 diblasi: Old Barolo - The oldest I have tasted was a 1961 - still quite fresh and alive. I had 100+ year old nebbiolo

04/28/2010 - 19:24 diblasi: http://vinosseur.com/category/3-tasting-notes/italy-tasting-notes/piemonte-italy-tasting-notes-tasting-notes/lessona/

04/28/2010 - 19:25 sstar: A friend of us said that old Brunellos are easier somehow, and old Barolos are more difficult to cope with... do you agree?

04/28/2010 - 19:25 diblasi: The wine had lost all of it's color but was very interesting. Still had good acidity, some tannins and a bit of oxidation

04/28/2010 - 19:25 diblasi: I have quite limited exp with Brunello. I have tasted very few, and not many older ones, so I don't know..

04/28/2010 - 19:26 diblasi: They are rather expensive

04/28/2010 - 19:26 diblasi: But, nebbiolo can be difficult to enjoy

04/28/2010 - 19:27 diblasi: especially when young... and expensive when old ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:27 sstar: We had Vernaccia from 1976: http://www.sstarwines.pl/wino9371 and it was dinkable, surpisingly... due to acids still present

04/28/2010 - 19:28 diblasi: wow.. Yes, Sangiovese has quite high acid levels and that can help preserve a wine

04/28/2010 - 19:29 sstar: and it gained some juraic smoothness and elegance

04/28/2010 - 19:29 sstar: but it was not Sangiovese :-) Vernaccia !

04/28/2010 - 19:29 diblasi: sorry

04/28/2010 - 19:29 diblasi: my mistake

04/28/2010 - 19:29 diblasi: :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:30 sstar: What is you opinion on portugeues wines: Douro, Dao and Colares?

04/28/2010 - 19:30 sstar: portuguese

04/28/2010 - 19:31 diblasi: I have only tasted Colares once. I have of course tasted other Portuguese wines. I don't currently have any on my wine list. I haven't found many lately that have made me smile

04/28/2010 - 19:33 diblasi: since my wine list is so small, I focus on areas and countries that I like

04/28/2010 - 19:33 sstar: Douro Boys or Dao Girls?

04/28/2010 - 19:33 sstar: Which Colares you had?

04/28/2010 - 19:34 diblasi: it was a Colares that a friend of mine brought back a few years ago - I had no exp before that. I wrote about it here:

04/28/2010 - 19:34 diblasi: http://vinosseur.com/category/9-wine-thoughts/colares-doc-%E2%80%93-an-ungrafted-sandy-oasis/

04/28/2010 - 19:34 diblasi: there is a photo of the bottle

04/28/2010 - 19:34 sstar: What is minerality in wine?

04/28/2010 - 19:34 sstar: Does it exist? Or is it like looking for a Graal?

04/28/2010 - 19:34 sstar: http://vinosseur.com/minerality-the-6th-taste-sensation/

04/28/2010 - 19:35 sstar: I know your Colares. It is from Adega, not from Silva i.e. Chitas.

04/28/2010 - 19:36 diblasi: hah.. I don't know.. sometimes I just have to get my thoughts out. And this was a topic that my friends and I were discussing.. NOt sure there really is a 6th taste sensation :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:36 sstar: :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:36 sstar: But is it like a taste, or aroma?

04/28/2010 - 19:37 sstar: Or is like a granite, or basalt, or...

04/28/2010 - 19:37 diblasi: Good question.. and is what we are smelling (aroma) or tasting really minerality? This was quite a hot topic

04/28/2010 - 19:37 diblasi: is it reduced sulfur compounds we are tasting?

04/28/2010 - 19:37 sstar: Some like it hot ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:37 diblasi: :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:38 diblasi: or is it salt??

04/28/2010 - 19:38 diblasi: or both??

04/28/2010 - 19:38 diblasi: :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:39 sstar: I like your approach, asking not giving definite responses... but it is not very connaiseur like approach... rather vinosseur;-) http://vinosseur.com/who-is-vinosseur/

04/28/2010 - 19:40 sstar: Which wines would you recommend to the very beginner who likes chilean and australian wine?

04/28/2010 - 19:40 diblasi: So, now we are talking reds? I would start them in Italy

04/28/2010 - 19:40 diblasi: Perhaps a Barbera from Piemonte?

04/28/2010 - 19:40 sstar: Or semi sweet wines, or semi dry ones, as most clients who enter wine shops in Poland

04/28/2010 - 19:40 sstar: Red!

04/28/2010 - 19:41 diblasi: semi sweet red?!

04/28/2010 - 19:41 diblasi: argh

04/28/2010 - 19:41 sstar: Sounds good. And more sugar?

04/28/2010 - 19:41 diblasi: I don't mind sugar in a wine.. if it belongs there ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:41 sstar: Yes. In Poland perfect answer are georgian wines!

04/28/2010 - 19:41 diblasi: Yes, I have tasted many semi sweet red Georgian wines!

04/28/2010 - 19:41 diblasi: ouch

04/28/2010 - 19:42 diblasi: You just need to have a story when introducing someone to a new wine

04/28/2010 - 19:42 diblasi: a dry red wine.. with a story...

04/28/2010 - 19:42 diblasi: doesnt have to be a tannic wine.. fruity rahter

04/28/2010 - 19:42 diblasi: rather

04/28/2010 - 19:42 sstar: http://translate.google.pl/translate?hl=pl&sl=pl&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sstarwines.pl%2Fdrupal-6.10%2Fnode%2F154

04/28/2010 - 19:43 sstar: Give me some story :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:43 sstar: I gave you one about Georgian Wines ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:44 diblasi: When I have a guest, and I want this guest to taste the Contadino from Cornelissen, I tell this guest about the producer..

04/28/2010 - 19:44 diblasi: how and why he is doing what he is doing.. This is what I mean by a story.. I suppose its more of an intro

04/28/2010 - 19:46 sstar: Then he forgets that the wine is ugly and not tasty at all? ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:46 sstar: Isn't it ironic, don't you think?

04/28/2010 - 19:47 diblasi: No. This way I get them to taste the wine and understand why it is different

04/28/2010 - 19:47 sstar: Contadino is quite expensive for a beginner.

04/28/2010 - 19:47 diblasi: These natural wines are not typical for most wine drinkers......

04/28/2010 - 19:47 diblasi: and not a beginner wine perhaps?

04/28/2010 - 19:48 diblasi: One of the stranger wines for many

04/28/2010 - 19:48 sstar: To see a difference you should offer them as well basic Penfolds.

04/28/2010 - 19:48 sstar: Which one would they prefer?

04/28/2010 - 19:48 diblasi: if I only had a Penfolds to give them!

04/28/2010 - 19:48 sstar: Without a story and prejudice?

04/28/2010 - 19:48 diblasi: The thing is, many of these guests have tasted the Penfolds style of wine and know the dif right away

04/28/2010 - 19:48 diblasi: side by side perhaps?

04/28/2010 - 19:49 sstar: In blind tasting?

04/28/2010 - 19:49 diblasi: I am not sure that is necessary.

04/28/2010 - 19:49 diblasi: a blind tasting woudl be cool

04/28/2010 - 19:49 sstar: Perhaps thay digest just your story?

04/28/2010 - 19:49 sstar: Couldn't you convince them with a nice aborygen story about penfolds?

04/28/2010 - 19:50 sstar: don't you think?

04/28/2010 - 19:50 diblasi: of course. I can sell any wine to most guest. I just prefer not to :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:50 sstar: :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:50 sstar: why?

04/28/2010 - 19:51 diblasi: There are too many people selling these Penfolds wines. If they want that exp, then they don't eat at Jacobs :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:51 diblasi: People tend to trust...'

04/28/2010 - 19:51 diblasi: especially the foreign guy ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:52 sstar: not to their own senses?

04/28/2010 - 19:52 diblasi: "he's from CA, he must know about wine "

04/28/2010 - 19:52 sstar: sideways ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:52 diblasi: In the end, they usually complement the wine and ask for a second glass

04/28/2010 - 19:52 diblasi: That would be to satisfy their senses :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:52 sstar: and italian!

04/28/2010 - 19:52 diblasi: yes!

04/28/2010 - 19:53 sstar: perfect combination in a cool country like norway or... poland?

04/28/2010 - 19:53 diblasi: perhaps

04/28/2010 - 19:53 diblasi: like I said, I keep it simple

04/28/2010 - 19:53 sstar: perhaps you should move to Poland?

04/28/2010 - 19:53 diblasi: people like that

04/28/2010 - 19:53 diblasi: Should I move to Poland?

04/28/2010 - 19:53 diblasi: ;-)

04/28/2010 - 19:53 sstar: Why not?

04/28/2010 - 19:54 diblasi: I love Poland.. I don't speak Polish for one

04/28/2010 - 19:54 diblasi: does that matter?

04/28/2010 - 19:56 sstar: No. Wine is international and local at the same time :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:56 sstar: So... welcome to Poland!

04/28/2010 - 19:56 diblasi: I like that quote! And thank you for your hospitality!

04/28/2010 - 19:57 sstar: Thank you for coming.

04/28/2010 - 19:57 diblasi: My pleasure!! :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:57 sstar: I hope to guest you once again... some time...

04/28/2010 - 19:57 diblasi: That would be nice sstar! I hope this was interesting for you

04/28/2010 - 19:57 diblasi: I found this quite nice

04/28/2010 - 19:58 sstar: Very much so!

04/28/2010 - 19:58 diblasi: :-)

04/28/2010 - 19:58 diblasi: thank you

04/28/2010 - 19:58 sstar: See you or rather hear you...

04/28/2010 - 19:58 diblasi: Ok! Until next time!

04/28/2010 - 19:58 sstar: Thank you and good night!

04/28/2010 - 19:58 diblasi: good night