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A Quick Wine Tour

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By KLINT LOWRY | The Suncoast News

Published: January 26, 2008

Tarpon Springs Castle Winery introduced its newest wine this week, Pinot Grigio, bringing its current roster of offerings to 13 varieties.

"My husband's a wine making genius," Diana Marks said of her husband, Joe. Each wine is completely distinctive from one another, and each shows the care he takes making them.

Diana Marks takes guests through tastings at the winery every day, and can specify what makes each wine special.

Pinot Noir: "We have this because of the movie 'Sideways,'" she said. This is the driest of their reds, with a slight oakiness and very soft tannins. $18.85/bottle.

Merlot: There's a wide range of merlots out there. "My husband says merlot is a romance grape," Diana said. So he makes his merlot soft and mellow. $16.95/bottle.

Cabernet Sauvingnon: Most makers use Hungarian oak to age their cabs. But Joe learned from Uncle Tony to use French oak, which gives this wine a lightly chocolatey finish. $18.95/bottle.

Shiraz: Made to be served chilled, this is Joe's most full-bodied wine. Bright, with berry undertones, it's a red that doesn't need food to compliment it. $25.95/bottle.

Castillo Rojo: A light, bright merlot-cabernet blend. Joe's trick, Diana explained, is that unlike most wine makers, he does his blending at the fermentation process, rather than after. $22.95/bottle.

Bayou Breeze: "You can't say 'port' because the name belongs to Portugal," Diana explained, but that's what this is. Joe believes if you have a good port, you don't have to fortify it, so he doesn't. $20.95/bottle.

The Rose and the Thorn: Canadian transplants clamor for this one, which is an "ice wine" by another name. Naturally sweet, and considerably less expensive than its north-of-the-border counterparts. $22.95/bottle.

Chardonnay: A difficult grape to work with, most wine makers mix in other varieties of grapes. Joe's secret: buy good grapes and aim to make the wine taste just like you popped a fresh grape in your mouth. $17.95/bottle.

White Zinfandel: "This poor grape's been maligned," Diana said. Wine makers have been adding more and more sugar to this variety since 1936, turning it into "wine pop." Joe turns back the clock. No sugar added, for a delicate wine with hints of strawberry. $14.95/bottle.

Tarpon Springs Traditional: Another international name dispute, this time with Germany, prevents it from being called a Riesling. The winery's best-seller by far. $17.95/bottle

Golden Summer: "This is my wine," Diana said. She asked Joe to create an English-style sherry. It's a difficult task – "Two degrees off and you have vinegar." Like the Bayou Breeze, it is unfortified, allowing all its characteristics to be better appreciated. $23.95/bottle

Trebbiano: Joe's masterpiece, so far, in Diana's opinion. Made from a hard-to-find grape, this dessert wine is like champagne in that it is suitable for any occasion. Light, with an almond finish. Only 1,400 bottles were made, and when their gone, they're gone. $39.95/bottle.

Pinot Grigio: The latest addition sold 10 bottles its first day. It has a creamy finish and nuances of candied fruit. $18.95/bottle.

All the wines are available by the case (mix or match) at a 20 percent discount.

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