Q. I recently picked up some Hop Kiln Big Red. I have been a fan of this vineyard since hearing about it in the ’90s. When I got the wine home, I noticed there was no year date on it. I thought this was strange and called the phone number on the label. This is the answer I got: “Big Red is a blend and since we use several different years in the blend, we cannot ID a vintage year for the wine.”
I think this is very strange. What do you say? I feel that Hop Kiln has gone the way of jug wines (October, November, etc.) and is trying to capture a somewhat premium price — midteens.
— Jim Barry, La Grange
A. Wines made with a blend of juice from different years can’t be labeled with a vintage year. It’s more common than you think; look at the New Age white mentioned below. Champagne and sparkling wines are often non-vintage because the maker wants to maintain a consistent “house” style that won’t be affected by seasonal variations. The question for me with Big Red isn’t where’s the vintage, but did you like it? If so, did you like it enough to buy it again?
Q. A few weeks ago, my wife and I and a group of friends visited the Green Dolphin Street on North Ashland Avenue. We sampled a few bottles of a white wine, New Age, which was enjoyed by all tremendously. We have been unable to find the wine in any liquor/wine stores in Chicago or the nearby suburbs. Do you have any idea where we can find this great wine? We’re looking to purchase a case or so.
— William B. Wyatt, Palos Heights
A. The slightly sweet, effervescent wine is made by Valentin Bianchi in Argentina. The non-vintage New Age white is a 50-50 blend of sauvignon blanc and malvasia and contains about 9.5 percent alcohol by volume. It isn’t fancy; indeed, the company itself suggests pouring the wine over ice and adding a spritz of fresh lime or lemon juice. Stoller Wholesale in Franklin Park is the local distributor; there aren’t many stores carrying it in the Chicago area. The WineStyles franchises in Des Plaines and Palatine are selling it for $11.99 a bottle. Too far a ride? Ask your local store to order you a case.
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Send wine or spirit questions to Bill Daley, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, or e-mail wdaley@tribune.com. Questions cannot be answered individually.
