Exploring Wines with the Wine Consultant: A Special Place in Sacramento
If you want to get better, more informed, and have a richer and deeper experience of anything – you need a coach or a mentor. In my pursuit of wine knowledge, that person for me is Eric Stumpf. Eric and his wife, Renee, own a wine store in Citrus Heights, CA called “The Wine Consultant.” Eric has a vast knowledge and appreciation for wine. He has over 20 years experience and has traveled much of the world visiting wineries and meeting with wine makers, and then he shares his experience with his customers.
I first walked into his store about nine years ago, having just moved to Sacramento from Kansas City and in search of a fine wine connection. I have been visiting his store ever since. I would venture to say that there are few in the area who know more about wine than Eric. He has been a trusted advisor for me to grow and expand my palate and understanding of wine. What he knows is remarkable, and he’s willing to educate and share.
Eric is known for searching for great value wines, and his discoveries are finds that most folks would miss. Through his counsel, I have grown to appreciate wines from around the world. Every Saturday from noon until 4 pm, he will be pouring for your tasting pleasure as many as nine wines. What is unique, in my experience, is that you’re not just tasting but also learning about each wine that he pours in appropriate progression from bright whites to deep, dark rich reds. Amazingly, he can share the specifics of the terroir (the combination of factors, including soil, climate, and environment, that gives a wine its distinctive character) and the wine making process of each wine. I truly enjoy just listening as he explains what went into the wine, the type of barrels that it was aged in, and many more tidbits that come together for a great picture of the wine.
Just today, I dropped by the Wine Consultant, and the line up of quality, value wines was remarkable. The price of each wine today was under $20 and worth much more when you taste them. One of the wines was a 2010 Annabella Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, which is an $18 cabernet that is fruity, fresh, and smooth.
If you live in the Sacramento area, check out the Wine Consultant. Eric’s store is well worth a visit, and the Saturday tastings never disappoint. You can also shop virtually by visiting The Wine Consultant. Visit his site and see what I mean.
