Wine Walking in Tahoe City - Put on Your Calendar for June 20th

One of the nicest ways to enjoy the breeze off Lake Tahoe in late June is to stroll the streets of Tahoe City during the annual Wine Walk.

This year's line-up of wineries is really terrific, and my tasting glass is ready already!   If you want to attend, you can get tickets in advance at www.TahoeCityWineWalk.com

Downtown Tahoe City

Here are the wineries you'll have a chance to experience, all in a tidy 6 block walk:

A to Z Wineworks, formerly REX HILL Vineyards, a 25 year old legacy winery in the northern Willamette Valley, is known for their Pinot Noir

Arbios/Praxis Cellars, a small Sonoma County family wine business, is known for their Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Bent Metal Winery, located in nearby Grass Valley, features Barbera, Primitivo, and wonderful blends

Charlyn Zin is showcasing its Old Vine Zinfandel,  Lodi appellation, from a limited production of 10 barrels

NEW TO THE EVENT!  Cline Cellars, a family-owned vineyard and winery in the Carneros region of Sonoma County, sustainably farms and crafts Single Vineyard, Sonoma County, Ancient Vine and California wines.

NEW TO THE EVENT!  CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs, is featuring its Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and its Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Fawnridge Winery is a small, family-run winery and tasting room located in the heart of the Placer and Nevada County wine trails,

HaGafen Cellars brings together the elements of “Old Napa” style so often missing from today’s world of wine.  They produce wines that they themselves drink and enjoy: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, White Riesling, and Zinfandel as well as Sparklig Wines.

NEW TO THE EVENT!  Handley Cellars, established by Milla Handley in 1982 in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County, produces award winning Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris

NEW TO THE EVENT!  J Vineyards & Winery is an independently-owned Sonoma County winery that focuses on Brut and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris primarily from the Russian River Valley appellation. 

Madroña Vinyards, located near Placerville in El Dorado County, makes wines that are a pure and balanced expression of the land.  They have produced a Lake Tahoe Red (Zinfandel) and a
Lake Tahoe White (Chardonnay) for your enjoyment!   (for more information, search this blog for “Madrona”)

Nevada City Winery is a small production high-quality boutique winery located in historic downtown Nevada City, in Nevada County, CA  (for more information, search this blog for “Nevada City Winery”)

Pedroncelli Winery is a family winery that has been making wine in Sonoma County for nearly 90 years.  Enjoy their Zinfandel, white wines, and Rose’

Renwood Winery, located in Amador County, is one of the most respected wine producers in the Sierra Foothills, specializing in Zinfandel, Rhone and Italian varietals.  (for more information, search this blog for “Renwood”)

Single Leaf Winery is the oldest continuously owned family winery in the Fair Play region for over 2 decades!  Enjoy their Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Barbera

NEW TO THE EVENT!  Skinner Vineyards and Winery produces hand-crafted Rhone-inspired wines in El Dorado, in the Sierra Foothills of California. (for more information, search this blog for “Skinner”)

Smith Vineyard produces exquisite wines from a 10 acre estate vineyard is in the Sierra Foothills near Grass Valley. (for more information, search this blog for “Smith Vineyard”)

Sobon Estate and Shenandoah Vineyards are a family owned and operated winery in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County, specializing in award winning wines that include Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Primitivo, and Zinfandel Port. (for more information, search this blog for “Sobon”)

Tank House Winery is a two generation family winery located in Gilroy, Santa Clara County, CA.,  with a tradition of creating premium wines, each with their own distinctive varietal character.

Twisted Rivers Wines is a winery created by the Heringer Family which has been farming the Clarksburg Delta for over 145 years. After selling wine grapes through the decades to many of the great wineries in California, they now produce a full range of wines from their grapes.

Vino Noceto is a small, family-run vineyard and winery, renowned for our premium Sangiovese wines and located in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County.  (for more information, search this blog for “Vino Noceto”)

Wilderotter Vineyard is a premier grower and producer of fine wines in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County, CA.  They are pouring Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, Mourvedre and Zinfandel

Santa Lucia Highland Wines: Full-flavored and Intense

The Santa Lucia mountain range overlooks the Salinas River Valley.  Near enough to Monterey Bay to get its fog and ocean breezes, the vines enjoy morning sunshine and grapes have a long, gentle ripening.  The result is full flavored wines with intense flavors.  This AVA has a reputation for intensely flavored Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and other Burgundy varieties. Here are some of the highlights from a recent Santa Lucia Highlands tasting in San Francisco.  These wines, worth searching for,  are all available direct from the winery.

Jeff Pisoni poured
for Pisoni Estates

It’s almost impossible to talk about this region without mentioning the Pisoni family.  Grapes from their vineyards – Pisoni, Gary’s, Soberanes – are found in many fine wines.  The family makes some spectacular wines too.   Pisoni Estate’s 2013 Rose of Pinot Noir, “Lucy” Santa Lucia Highlands is pink, young and drinkable now.  It has flavor of strawberry, spice, sour cherry, and a touch of floral.  I enjoyed the citrus, peachy and melon flavors too.  14.1 percent alcohol.  $18 the 375 ml bottle.  One dollar from each bottle sold goes to breast cancer research. www.pisonivineyards.com

A.J. Kemp, co-founder
Hawks View Cellars

Hawks View Cellars featured its 2011 Syrah, Cellar Series – Gary’s Vineyard.    Although the winery is located in Oregon, grapes for this premium syrah are picked at 6 a.m. in Santa Lucia Highlands’ famous Gary’s vineyard, and trucked to Oregon for crushing before dinnertime there.  Co-founder A. J. Kemp is proud of the product. The wine is a dense inky red in color, and aroma of crushed blueberries and raspberries predominates.  This Syrah is lush, intense, with soft fruit, fine tannins, a velvet texture in the mouth and a long finish.  Only 180 cases were made.   14.5 percent alcohol.  $45 the bottle.  www.hawksviewcellars.com



Chris Weidemann, Proprietor
and Winemaker, Pelerin

Pelerin’s 2010 Viognier/Roussanne blend, “Les Tournesols”   (French for “Sunflowers”) has flavor of mango and asian pear, a hint of honey and a dash of licorice.  It is well balanced, rich, and from the Viognier portion (58 percent) there is a component of fresh cut white peach.  14.3 percent alcohol.  $30 the bottle.   www.pelerinwines.com

Mike Pramuk, Wine
Educator, poured Mer Soleil

Mer Soleil’s 2006 “late” dessert Wine is primarily Viognier, and has the concentrated, nectar-like sweetness we love so much in a dessert wine.  Surprisingly, it is only 10.4 percent alcohol.  $30 the 375 ml bottle.   www.wagnerfamilyofwine.com

 

 

 



Rebecca Green Birdsall,
Proprietor, Black Kite

 

For Black Kite’s 2012 Chardonnay, “Soberanes Vineyard”, the winery obtained grapes from Soberanes, a Pisoni vineyard. My first aroma and flavor impression was of apricot, but there is also honeydew melon, apple and toasted marshmallow too.  It has a rich finish, nice acidity and a hint of minerality. 14.5 percent alcohol.  $45 the bottle.   www.blackkitecellars.com

Sake and the City: Richard Dare Writes from New York

Pouring 96 varieties of Sake

I must confess, your faithful correspondent was at first blush less than certain that sake -- in spite of being colloquially referred to as "rice wine" in the west -- would really fit within the taste profile loved by American oenophiles.  Yet I decided to be Zen about the situation and attend an invitation only event featuring Timothy Sullivan founder of Urban Sake (urbansake.com) who explained and then paired sake with mouth-watering wagyu beef prepared by executive chef Hiroki Abe of EN Japanese Brasserie (enjb.com).
 
Sake, as you may already know, is a beverage fermented from rice, a grain that to my way of thinking categorizes it rather closer to the beer family than to wine.  On the other hand, sake is not carbonated and tastes far more like wine than beer, and not even remotely like gin, vodka or other spirits.  So “when in Tokyo” do as the locals do, I always say.

Another award-winner

Beautiful Sake bottles on display

The primary distinctions between types of sake are based not so much on the varieties of rice used but rather on how severely each individual grain of rice has been milled or polished.  This is the case because the core of a rice grain has a greater concentration of starches than its exterior husk.  So more thorough polishing produces a drink with more intense and complex flavors.  Serious sake begins when at least 30% of the rice grain has been removed and 40-50% removal is not uncommon. Unlike western wines, most sake is meant to be consumed young and fresh, so don't bother to open the bottle to allow it to breathe or the flavor will grow too soft.  And finally, expensive good sake is usually served chilled.  Cheaper sake, however, traditionally arrives hot, possiblya tradition from times past meant to mask the quality of the product being served.

At the table in New York City in late October was a dazzlingly diverse array of some 94 different types of sake including the very elegant Chokaisan Junmai Daiginjo ($60 per 24 oz. bottle, a variable 15-16% alcohol) with its pronounced floral bouquet and Gold Medal prize from the 2008 International Sake Challenge; as well as the velvety smooth and semi-fruity Fukuju Junmai Ginjo ($34 per 24 oz. bottle, 15.5% alcohol) famously served at the 2012 Nobel Prize awards dinner in Stockholm and increasingly in demand worldwide.  Paired with fine Japanese wagyu beef they both presented perfectly, the Chokaisan feeling more appropriate as a dinner drink and the Fukuju as an apéritif. 

The unique fruitiness, fragrances of flowers, hints of mushrooms, earth tones and the like -- in short, the sorts of things one might look for in wines from Europe or America -- are present in sake as well.  In sake’s case, however, the nuances result largely from the specific yeast used (specified by number on most bottles for serious connoisseurs), the flavor of the local water, and so on.  Thus, many of the joys of sake stem from an understanding of the drink’s terroir just as they do with western wines.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Richard Dare is an author, cultural commentator and executive who enjoys fine wines and good food.

 

The Italian Job

The Italian Job
Richard Dare, guest columnist

The plan was flawless.  The heist was perfect.  The escape was clean.  The only threat was the one they never saw coming.  This autumn, they’re not in it for the pay.  They’re in it for the payback.  Nicosia Wines (nicosiawines.com) presents at the magical Culinary Loft (culinaryloft.com) in the heart of Manhattan:  Fondo Filara Frappato, Fondo Filara Etna Rosso, Fondo Filara Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico, and Sosta Tre Santi Nero d’Avola in The Italian Job.

Deep in the heart of Sicily, generous and untamed, labor Nicosia’s fine winemakers hidden in the shadow of a ten-thousand foot high volcano, Mount Etna, that dominates the horizon just behind their 115-year old winery in Trecastagni, Italy, nourishing the soil with thousand year old ash.  But this taster thinks more than the volcanic soil, more even than the perfect goût de terroir, is the skillful blend of Denominazione di Origine Controllata grapes Nicosia’s five generations of family winemakers employ to infuse Nicosia’s full-bodied, irrepressibly aromatic offerings with what can only be described as emotional intensity worthy of a Sicilian.

Graziano Nicosia, fifth generation winemaker

A delightful apéritif, Nicosia’s Fondo Filara Frappato (12.5% alcohol vol.) appears a vivid red in the glass, and at $15-20 per bottle (retail price) pleasantly fragrant bouquet of fresh red fruits, raspberries and blueberries to the nose with a fresh, lively profile not unlike a cheeky Beaujolais.  Frappato pairs well with cheeses and salamis or pizza, it is also a valid alternative to white wine, particularly when served with flavorful fish course dishes.  But unlike its sister wines, the Frappato is best served slightly chilled at about 57°F. 

Nicosia’s Fondo Filara Etna Rosso (13-14% alcohol vol.) is a skinnier wine for my taste, but still ruby red at $30-33 per bottle (retail price) and produces an intense bouquet with elegant hints of wild red fruit, spices and licorice.  It’s dry, robust and lingering with a long and pleasant balsamic finish that seems a wonderful accompaniment to such first-course dishes as risotto, roasted and grilled meats, or semi-aged flavorful cheeses.

Their Fondo Filara Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico (13-14% alcohol vol.) is the color of cherries, also $30-33 per bottle (retail price) and boasts a rich aromatic profile featuring hints of red fruit.  It’s warm with a smooth taste would pair well with roasts, grilled meats, small game, and sharp and aged cheeses—although to be fair I enjoyed it with a bit of Amedei chocolate from Tuscany (70% cacao blend) which created a sort of multiplier effect bringing the wine’s tannins to a luxurious effect (amedei.com). 

And finally, Nicosia’s very satisfying full bodied Sosta Tre Santi Nero d’Avola (12.5-13.5% alcohol vol.) grown on 25-year old vines and $40 per bottle (retail price) appears dark ruby red in the glass, with a typically fruity aroma with touches of morello cherry.  The fruity aroma can be tasted in the mouth, warm and lingering, and would prove an ideal accompaniment to many of the tastiest Italian recipes including baked pasta with meat sauce or meat couscous, roasted game and aged cheeses.

The fine Nicosia presentation

After pulling off an amazing job in the great Sicilian winemaking tradition, the only thing left for Nicosia to accomplish now is to find a worthy and capable distributor to deliver this little bit of Sicilian heaven to the tables and taste buds of families in the United States.

Don’t worry though, they’re hot on the trail of a distributor even as we speak.  But until that deal is sealed, you’ll just have to take my word for how delicious and satisfying their wines really are!

The Culimary Loft, site of the Nicosia Wines event

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Richard Dare is an author, cultural commentator and executive who enjoys fine wines and good food. 

Great Wines from Family Wineries featured at San Francisco Event

The Family Winemakers of California annual tasting in San Francisco is a first-class tasting event, focusing on the many good wines that come from small and medium sized wineries. I tasted dozens of wines and recommend the following.  Most are available directly from the winery, some are available in wine shops, and a few sell out quickly – so don’t delay ordering if these sound good to you.

Diane of Auriga

Diane Stading of Auriga Wine Cellars poured their 2010 Zinfandel among other wines.  This wine, made from El Dorado County grapes grown on 35 year old vines on the ridge of the Sumu Kaw Vineyard near Placerville, features an intense fruitiness.  It is big and bold and juicy, well balanced with bright notes and good acidity.  The flavor also had notes of Bing cherry, with deep grape flavors, nice spices and pepper tones along with vanilla and oak on the finish. “This is one of my finest zinfandels,” said the winemaker. 15 per cent alcohol. $24/ bottle.  www.aurigawines.com

Larry of Frog's Tooth, left,
pours for a taster

Another nice Zinfandel made from El Dorado grapes, in this case the Gold Hill Vineyards, is the 2010 Zinfandel from Frog’s Tooth Vineyards, Murphys, CA.   15 percent alcohol.  $26/bottle.   www.frogstooth.com

Marilee of Urban Legend

Marilee Shaffer of Urban Legend Winery poured a 2010 Dolcetto made with grapes from the LBS Ranch/Lava Cap vineyards near Placerville.  Aroma of black cherry and plum, and cherry flavor dominates. There’s a bit of red raspberry flavor too, and on the finish a tad of mocha and hint of almond. This 2010 Dolcetto, of which 125 cases were produced,  sells at $25 a bottle. 14.6 percent alcohol.  www.ulcellars.com

Suzi of Vino Noceto

Suzy Gullett of Vino Noceto, Amador County, poured the 21^st vintage of their Sangiovese, made in a Chianti style. Flavor is fruit forward cranberry and cherry character, and a hint of chocolate. Highly versatile with food, and lauded as the best Sangiovese in California!  14% alcohol.  $18.  www.noceto.com



C. G. DiArie featured their new Summer Breeze, an El Dorado blend of Zinfandel, Primitivo and Barbera.  This wine was served chilled  “on the tap” via a  bladder system within the barrel developed by Chaim Gur-Arieh, a well known food scientist.    A huge hit with consumers at the tasting, and although to date Summer Breeze is only available in the keg-with-tap system, I suspect it will be in their regular wine offerings soon.  www.cgdiarie.com





Jana Harvey of Scott Harvey Wines



 

Jana Harvey of Scott Harvey wines, Amador County and Napa, poured their 2010 Zinfandel from Ancient Vines, the “1869”.  This Amador wine is a briary zin with flavor of deep blackberry, fig, pomegranate, and violets. The hint of coffee and currant make it truly delicious.  14.5% alcohol, $45 the bottle.  www.scottharveywines.com.

 

 

 

This review first appeared in my Wine Time column in The Tahoe Weekly on September 4, 2013.

http://theweeklymagazineonline.com/2013/09/great-wines-from-family-wineries/

Great Wines for Boating or Anytime

The boating season at Lake Tahoe may be almost finished, but the wine drinking season is not.  That is clear from a visit to the Wine Village at the Concours d’ Elegance, the  annual Wooden Boat Show held in August 2013.



Hungry Blonde and
Windmill Valley wines

 Right away I was accosted by a “Hungry Blonde”.  This Viognier from Davis Estates in Napa Valley has an alluring slogan (“for those who thirst for life and live it to the fullest”) and a taste to match.  It is a crisp classic Viognier.  14.2 percent alcohol.  $30/bottle.  Among its vineyards, Davis Estates has 155 acres in Calistoga,  home to Windmill Valley Vineyards.  Also being poured at the event were Windmill’s 2012 Sauvignon Blanc and 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon.  www.davisestates.com

It’s always delightful to see South African wines at any tasting, the Barista 2010 Pinotage from the Paarl winegrowing region not far from Stellenbosch featured a burst of intense rich coffee and chocolate aroma with ripe taste of mulberry, plum and Maraschino cherries.   Pinotage is a flagship South African grape, created from a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut.  It is always deep red, a bit smoky and earthy, sometimes with tropical notes.  Once you’ve tasted it, you’ll never forget it.  13.5 per cent alcohol.  On the internet, it sells for between $12 to $15 a bottle.

A nice bright Riesling, the Anew 2012 Columbia Valley Riesling opens with aromas of fruit, white flowers, spice and citrus. Flavors are of fresh peach, citrus and a hint of spice, and a bit of fizz that’s refreshing. I can foresee enjoyment for anyone who pours this aromatic and balanced wine on a sunny day on the deck of a smooth-sailing boat on Lake Tahoe. 11.5 percent alcohol. Only $12 the bottle. Stock up! www.anewwine.com

A pleasant surprise was a ready-to-drink Sangria.  Although it seems a bit spend-thrifty to pay wine prices for something that is mostly fruit juice, it certainly is tasty and provides all the convenience you’d want for a summer boating party drink.  This Eppa SupraFuta Sangria is a red wine blended with pomegranate, blood orange and acai juices with some natural citrus essences. Serve over ice and add fruit slices for visual effect.  Only 8.5 percent alcohol   (remember, it is mostly fruit juice).    www.eppasangria.com.  www.winechateau.com has it on sale for $14.50 a bottle and you get almost one-third discount in case quantity.  Go for it.

 Last but not least, a visit to Chile via Santa Rita 2011 Carmenere “120”.  This is the signature grape of Chile, and this 100% Carmenere is a mouthful of spice and red fruit, nicely balanced, medium-bodied and with soft tannins.  14.2 per cent alcohol.  Average bottle price on the internet is $8. 

For more information on dining and the wide range of activities around Lake Tahoe, see the online version of The Tahoe Weekly. This article appeared in my column "Wine Time"  in August 2013.

 

California Cabernets: Many Choices Showcased at Prestigious Tasting

To many people, when you say “California Wines”, the mental leap is immediately to Cabernet Sauvignon.   In fact, the growing conditions in many parts of California emulate some of the best conditions for Cabernet in the Old World.

One of the most anticipated events on the tasting calendar each year is the special tasting of the California Cabernet Society, held recently in San Francisco.  For many of these wineries, the production is small and you might have to go to the winery tasting room or order directly from the winery if you want your own bottle.



Lauren Ackerman pours 2008
Cabernet Sauvignon from
Napa's Ackerman Family Vineyards

I started with the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon from Ackerman Family Vineyards in Napa.  Only 500 cases of artisanal certified-organic Cabernet are produced yearly, and the wine is held back a total of four years by barrel aging for two years and bottle aging for another two before being released each October.  This is a classic Cabernet, with deep fruit flavors and mellow tannins that will enable it to be cellared for 10-20 years. The wonderful aroma is redolent of deep blackberry, Bing cherry, sweet plum and rich mocha/toasty oak.  Decant before you drink.  $75 per bottle. 14.2 percent alcohol.     www.ackermanfamilyvineyards.com

 

The royal family of California wine, the Mondavi family, presented its 2010 Family Reserve “Generations”.  Pouring and discussing the wine was Alycia Mondavi,  a member of the fourth generation in the wine business.  This scrumptious wine is a blend of 77 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 13 percent Merlot, 8 percent Petit Verdot, and 2 percent Cabernet Franc.  It is elegant, balanced, and presents aroma of blackberry, cherry and toffee.  A full mouthfeel with berry and nutmeg leads to a rich finish. 15.3 percent alcohol. Internet pricing $40 per bottle.   www.cmondavi.com

 

Peju featured its new release, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley.  This was my top choice; I liked the blackberry and raspberry flavors, with a bit of pepper and cocoa.  It’s a bright wine, yet with good structure and complexity, and it is ready to drink right now!  The ten percent petit verdot adds to its elegance. 14.3 percent alcohol. $50 the bottle.   www.peju.com

The Volker Eisele 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 79 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 percent Merlot and 3 percent Cabernet Franc.  Aroma of black fruit and vanilla leads to a taste of blackberry and black currant, and a crisp acidity. It’s a dry wine, with firm rich tannins.  14.5 percent alcohol. $45 the bottle. www.volkereiselefamilyestate.com

This information first appeared in The Tahoe Weekly newspaper, where I write the Wine Time column, on June 13, 2013   

Wine on the Water, Huge Charity Event at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, Attracts Exceptional Wines

Left,  Casidy Ward of Hidden Ridge,
Right, Hyatt sommelier Kristi Synder
 

The Third annual Wine on the Water charity event at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe dedicates all proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe. Kristi Synder, the exceptional sommelier at the Hyatt’s Lone Eagle Grille, puts her many contacts in the wine world to good use as the 30 wineries pouring at this event are all stellar. 

BNA Wine Group’s Tony Leonardini, partner and winemaker, poured their 2010 Butternut Chardonnay, Napa Valley.  Tony is a scion of the White Hall Winery family, from a long line of good winemakers.  This delicious chardonnay has a round creamy taste, a hint of hazelnut and a nice toastiness that’s not overwhelming.  Barrell aged in new French oak, he’s crafted a really nice wine.  13.9 per cent alcohol.  $15-17 the bottle.   www.bnawinegroup.com

Tamber Bey poured its 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Deux Chevaux Vineyard, Yountville. This wine features a nice minerality with boysenberry, dark plum and exotic oak overtones, and a hint of clove and mulled spice.  A lovely ripe wine, it features Cabernet Sauvignon with 12 percent Merlot for a firm lushness.  14.9 alcohol.  $42 the bottle.   www.tamberbey.com

Pouring: Alan Cannon of Rombauer
and friend Lynette Astors

Rombauer’s Diamond Selection 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of their top wines, and I was delighted to taste it.  Wonderful violet and wild berry aromas lead to layers of blackberry, black cherry, mocha and black olive.  The finish is velvety, and this wine drinks well now and will also age.  14.2 percent alcohol.  $55-65 a bottle.  www.rombauer.com

Kristi personally introduced me to Hidden Ridge; it’s the Hyatt Incline’s top selling Cabernet Sauvignon.  The 2007 “Impassable Mountain Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the eastern part of Sonoma County, and the taste reflects fruit grown at 1700 feet.  It is complex wine with aroma of cocoa, blackcurrant and clove, and taste of cherry, blueberry, vanilla and an earthy smokiness too.  14.9 per cent alcohol.  $75 the bottle.   www.hiddenridgevineyard.com

Jeff Stai of Twisted Oak

At Twisted Oak’s table, one of my favorite Calaveras County (Sierra Foothill) winemakers, Jeff Stai was pouring a new blend he calls “Potty Mouth.”  A nice blend of Mouvedre, Syrah and Grenache, it’s flavorful and popular.  Only 1000 cases made.  14.2 percent alcohol.  $18 the bottle.  www.twistedoak.com

Cary Thrasher of Opolo

A new offering from Opolo is a scrumptious Albarino, made of fruit sourced from Edna Valley, Central Coast of California.  Opolo also poured a fantastic 2010 Rhone Blend (Cournoise, Syrah, Grenache, Petite Syrah) that you really should try.  14.5 per cent alcohol.  $19 the bottle.  www.opolo.com

Put this event on your “must do” list for 2013.

 

 

Sierra Vintners Pops the Cork in Nevada City Event

An interesting aspect of attending a multi-winery event in the Sierra Foothills nearby is that you get a sense of not only the currently-poured vintages, but also what the future is likely to present. Talking to the wineries at the Nevada City Uncorked event recently, it looks like 2012 will be a good vintage. Grapes are now well past veraison (when grapes turn from green to red) and the heat days are good. Frost was not a problem this year, although water is. Water is a problem in all agricultural products this year, but many Nevada and Placer County wineries have access to irrigation water. It’s not cheap, but it’s available. Cost of wines may be rising, but they should be good.


Jacques Mercier of Solune

From a sampling of wares from several wineries, my rave review goes to Solune Winegrowers of Grass Valley, whose Titan XIII, a Zinfandel/Syrah blend is simply scrumptious. Winemaker Jacques Mercier teased wonderful flavors out of these grapes, resulting in a wine with refreshing berry taste of the Zinfandel and an earthiness from the Syrah. It is smooth, with a full rich mouthfeel and a lingering finish. A perfect wine for anything from the grill! 14.3 per cent alcohol. $18 at the winery. While you are there, taste the 2009 Verdelho, vinified from a zesty Portuguese grape that is summer-perfect. www.solunewinery.com



Lynn Wilson, Pilot Peak

 

 

Pilot Peak Winery’s Paramour, a medium-bodied Rhone blend, is another yummy red. This combination of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvédre and Petite Sirah is nicely intense and a bit spicy, and coats your mouth with light, toasty blackberry and dark cherry flavors. At 14.5 per cent alcohol, it is $24 at the Penn Valley winery. Winemaker/co-owner Lynn Wilson also poured a 2010 Viognier that was medium-bodied with the essence of pears, citrus and ripe melons and just perfect on a hot summer day in a Nevada City picnic-like setting. 14.3 per cent alcohol, $22 at the winery. www.pilotpeak.com



Bob Hilsman of Double Oak

 

 

Double Oak Vineyards & Winery, Nevada City, grows grapes on acreage near Nevada City that owners Bob and Ginny Hilsman started clearing in 1980. Bob started as a family winemaker producing just a few barrels for friends-and-family consumption, went on to take courses at UC Davis, and in 2001 built a state of the art winery. His best seller, the 2011 Chardonnay, is terrific. Golden in color, smooth and well-balanced, it has a wonderful mouthfeel. Flavors are pear, burnt toast, light citrus. 14.5 per cent alcohol. A real deal at $12 the bottle. www.Doubleoakwinery.com

Indian Springs Tasting Room,
located in Nevada City

Clavey Tasting Room,
located in Nevada City

This event, presented by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce and the Sierra Vintners group, also showcased the following wineries: Avanguardia, Bent Metal, Clavey, Coufos, Indian Springs, Lucchesi, Montoliva, Nevada City Winery, Sierra Knolls, Smith, and Szabo Winery. Head over anytime to Nevada and Placer counties for some good artisanal wines