Where in the wine world are we? We haven’t done one of these for a while….but look for clues in the photo, then hit us with your thoughts in the comments. Win a gold star! Partial credit if you show your work.
There is a bit of a story here to check back later for details.
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On February 3rd, 2011 at 9:07 am ,Mike wrote:
That is Dr. Vino’s Man Cave, the pool table & flat screen are on the other side
On February 3rd, 2011 at 9:22 am ,Aleksi wrote:
Valpolicella?
On February 3rd, 2011 at 10:42 am ,Tweets that mention Where in the wine world are we? Barrel room edition | Dr Vino's wine blog -- Topsy.com wrote:
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Wine Lovernews, yancharbonneau-wine. yancharbonneau-wine said: Where in the wine world are we? Barrel room edition http://bit.ly/h7BJ0Y […]
On February 3rd, 2011 at 10:44 am ,Aaron wrote:
The smaller barrels and the mold (racodium cellare?) on the wall makes me inclined to think it is Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary?
On February 3rd, 2011 at 11:22 am ,Tom Kersten wrote:
Brunnenhof Mazzon, Sud Tirol
On February 3rd, 2011 at 12:08 pm ,Jarrod H. wrote:
Sherry. I’ll get back to you once I figure out some more specifics…
On February 3rd, 2011 at 12:34 pm ,Jarrod H. wrote:
So, I initially guessed Sherry because I remember that the climate combined with the effects of the solera system produces a fungus on the walls of the cellars there. That said, all of the bodegas that I was through were the big tourist attractions around Jerez de la Frontera. The ceilings were much higher than in the photo. Is it a very small producer? Newer looking barrels than what I saw as well… Is that how new American Oak barrels look? The insignia on the end of the Barrels almost looks like the Osborne Bull, no? That doesn’t help.
I’m going with a small producer in Sanlucar de Barrameda.
On February 3rd, 2011 at 12:38 pm ,Jarrod H. wrote:
Also, the size and shape of the barrels doesn’t look right for Tokaj-Hegyalja. That said, they do look a bit smaller than the 600 liter sherry casks.
On February 3rd, 2011 at 1:56 pm ,Robin C wrote:
California, but I’m sure that’s too simple an answer.
On February 3rd, 2011 at 2:35 pm ,Steve Edmunds wrote:
Slovenia!
On February 3rd, 2011 at 7:49 pm ,Grant wrote:
I think Jerez as well.
On February 3rd, 2011 at 9:57 pm ,Laurie wrote:
Ok, I’m going to hang ten here. I suggest the Caribbean. Rum, not wine. Looks like a solera system, but new oak barrels. Lots of humidity. Hey, someone had to go against the Jerez grain.
On February 3rd, 2011 at 11:55 pm ,Jarrod H. wrote:
Yikes!
On February 4th, 2011 at 2:34 am ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Some good thoughts here, but so far none specific enough to be right!
On February 4th, 2011 at 11:01 am ,Scott wrote:
My vote is against Sherry as those barrels are brand new. The wooden floor would also be atypical for a cellar in Jerez.
On February 4th, 2011 at 11:56 am ,Nathan Kandler wrote:
Monte Bello?
On February 4th, 2011 at 11:44 pm ,Laurie wrote:
Torres Brandy from the Penedes. Solera system with new oak.
On February 5th, 2011 at 3:09 pm ,Christianna Sargent wrote:
Jerez: Sherry wine in the barrels, because of the stacking seen in the pic, evident of Solera system; read some comments, thought it was interesting about the mold, i wasn’t aware of that!
On February 6th, 2011 at 11:05 am ,mbh wrote:
Wine in the barrels, truffles growing on the wall….I’ll make them white truffles. Langhe
On February 6th, 2011 at 2:54 pm ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Thanks for playing! I will put you out of your misery now.
Good of you to note the mold on the walls, more often found in Old World cellars rather than New. However, in this case, it was a red herring!
Good to note the new (American) barrels. That is correct!
Nice to think sherry–there are no red wine stains on the barrels, after all. But it is not, in fact, a solera.
The actual location of this barrel room is: Ridge Monte Bello! You can see another room in the cellar here.
Congratulations to Nathan Kandler (who works in the area) for guessing correctly!
On February 6th, 2011 at 5:11 pm ,Jarrod H. wrote:
That was a good one Dr. Vee!
On February 7th, 2011 at 5:00 pm ,Nathan Kandler wrote:
A must visit for anyone interested in American wine, truly a national treasure. The new American bbls and funky old walls are quite the contrast!