Wine Country Fires
It’s been a while since my last blog. A lot has happened since the first of October. It was not anything I anticipated. Moving to wine country was the dream and never did I ever envision what ignited on the night of October 8th. It was supposed to be four days of family and visits throughout the valley to enjoy fine food and wine. As you are very much aware, that could not happen with the wildfires that broke out. The Diablo winds ripped through the valley and left real tragedy in its path. With speeds of up to 70 miles an hour, the winds pushed the fire and sent many scrambling for safety. 43 people lost their lives, and thousands lost their homes. We were fortunate – evacuated, yet returned home to only ash clean-up.
Thanks to first responders and firefighters, much remains the same in the valley. The valley is open for visitors and ready to make everyone who comes feel welcome. The countryside is still beautiful, and one would not necessarily even see the path the fires took during a visit to the wine country.
Pinot Noir Tear
Palates change. I have seen my own appreciation for different varietals evolve over time with the wines that I drink. When I was young, we had Liebfraumilch at the table – also know as “The Little Blue Nun.” My father was German; and this, in his mind, was appropriate for a young palate. I then fell in love with Kendall Jackson Chardonnay – which, by the way, is the number one selling Chardonnay in the U.S. No, it is not Rombauer, as popular as that wine is. Then I moved on to Merlot, Zinfandel, and so on up the ‘tannin scale’. By the way, there is a great blog written by Tim Gaiser, Master Sommelier, summarizing how he describes the journey of the palate. It’s called The Evolution of a Palate.
As of late, I have been on a Pinot tear. It has captivated my palate, and I am looking to explore and taste as many as possible. This exploration of Pinot is what led me to Failla Wines, near Saint Helena in Napa Valley. Failla is a small, boutique winery that flies a little under the radar. I had become aware of Ehren Jordan, the owner and winemaker at Failla, through his work at Turley. He led the winemaking team for several years and took the opportunity to shift gears and direction. His first vintage under the Failla label was back in 1998.
Cabernet and Chocolate: A Match Made in Heaven?
Just this past weekend, I had the pleasure to attend a luncheon and tasting at a winery. The dessert that was served was brownies, and a friend said all he wanted at the moment was some more Cabernet to go with his brownie. He said it was a great pairing. Let me say, maybe not.
Below are Karen MacNeil’s comments (she is the author of The Wine Bible) on the pairing of Cabernet and Chocolate:
Vérité Wines: In Search of Consistent Perfection
Vérité is a winery in Healdsburg, California that takes on perfection as their goal at every turn. The winemaker himself brings diligence to each step in the winemaking process, even down to the selection of the wood for the barrels. This is their ambition. The efforts are clear – there is a big commitment to quality.
Wine: What’s in the Glass?
The first evidence of wine consumption has been traced back to China in 7000 B.C. In 2007, researchers at UCLA discovered the first evidence of a winery in 4100 B.C. According to an article in National Geographic, what we know to be the oldest winery was founded in ancient Armenia.
So wine is an age-old friend, deeply woven into many rituals. You know that, yet do you know what is in your glass? What are the constituents of wine?
Donelan: A Family Affair
Donelan Wines is a family winery that takes great pride in delivering quality wines for your drinking pleasure. The venture began back in 2000 under the name of Pax wine. I originally joined the mailing list after visiting the industrial setting winery for a tasting. Their Syrahs were getting high marks from reviewers, and that always peaks my curiosity. I am not one to take it solely on a critic’s review and need to try the wine firsthand. The wines were wonderful then, and they continue to deliver with every year.
This is a working winery located in Santa Rosa. It is situated in an industrial setting that is home to several smaller wineries. The driving force in the winery is Joe Donelan. It is his vision and passion that set the stage for these winning wines. Joe has been quoted as stating that quality is the most important goal with every vintage. The scores and accolades the wines receive demonstrate his commitment. He is supported full time by his two sons, Tripp and Cushing. Tripp is the Director of Sales, and Cushing is the Director of Marketing. This is what really makes it a family affair.
Put a Cork in It — Or Not!
Your waiter has gracefully opened the bottle of wine and gently places the cork in front of you. What should you do? Actually nothing – you may smell the cork to see if it is good (the cork that is), yet it will not tell you if your wine is flawed. That comes when you smell the wine itself. The ceremony of presenting the cork evolved as the wine industry fought forgery. The one way to be certain that the wine in the bottle was what was represented on the label was through the cork. Wineries embed their name on the cork, and this should authenticate the wine.
Cork has been used as a closure for wine for hundreds of years. It is an age-old tradition – the popping of a cork is part of the process of enjoyment. Natural cork comes from the bark of the cork tree. Most top quality corks used today come from trees grown in Portugal.
Flavor! Napa Valley
What if you only had a few days and wanted to explore and have a taste of many of the outstanding food and wine experiences in the Napa Valley? So many fine restaurants, so many great wineries. What is a person to do?
Well, there is a great week of events just for you. It is titled “Flavor! Napa Valley.” This is a week-long exploration of what the valley has to offer in food and wine experiences. “Flavor! Napa Valley” is for you. It is an immersion in fabulous food and wine.
Hall Wines: An Artistic Expression
Wine tasting in the Napa Valley is a joyous experience. Almost 500 wineries call the valley their home. So isn’t that a luscious palate to choose from for a tasting adventure? Yes, of course, yet not all wineries welcome visitors and offer tastings without appointments. Within the valley there are three distinct categories of wineries. One being that there is no permit or access to tasting. These wineries may not be able to build a tasting room based on the size of their production or because they sell out of their wines through their mailing lists. Secondly, there are wineries that welcome visitors on an appointment basis and may offer multiple choices of tastings that could include pairings with cheeses or other small bites. And then there is a third group of wineries that are open during certain hours and offer a menu of tasting options for the visitor, even without an appointment.
This is where Hall Wines fits in. Hall offers a portfolio of wines that one may stop in and sip through. They offer many different experiences to explore, although some of these will require an appointment as well. For those driving down Highway 29 looking for a beautiful setting and great tasting wine – Hall Wines is a perfect stop.
Bubbles for Any Budget!
As we approach February 14th, the stores are showing the bright red colors of Valentine’s Day – a time when our hearts turns toward expressions of love and romance. Nothing is more quintessential for this month than sparkling wine! Real Champagne can be pricey, but there are many lovely expressions of sparkling wine that can fit the occasion and the pocket book.
Sparkling wine is made all over the world, including in Champagne, France, which is the only place real Champagne comes from. It used to be that no other region could challenge the sparkling wine from Champagne, yet that is no longer so. Many wines, especially the sparkling wines of California, can provide the luxurious texture and flavors to rival Champagne.