Oct 18, 2005
The popularity of the movie “Sideways” really did do a disservice to Pinot Noir. What makes this wine, particularly its New World incarnations, so interesting is not its new-found popularity. What makes it the most interesting wine in the world today is the craftsmanship that has been put to work on its behalf over the past decade. No other varietal has been given so much attention by so many artisan-minded winemakers as Pinot Noir. I believe it’s fair to say…
Sep 22, 2005
One of Sonoma County’s really great wine events is the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. The fair itself is a 3 day event beginning September 30. However, it’s the Harvest Fair Award Night Gala Celebration on September 24 that is the real wing ding. Wineries from across the county set up tables and pour, pour, pour and pour some more. They pour those wines they’ve entered in the accompanying wine competition. However, they have no idea if any of the wines…
Sep 16, 2005
You visit wine country for the drink. We all know this. It’s pretty and all. The trinkets in the tasting rooms can be cool. But mainly it’s for the drink. Some wineries give us far more reason than just the wine to stop in. Mumm Napa has one of the best reasons I’ve seen in a while to head off to the tasting rooms:MUMM NAPA’s "THE LEGENDS OF ROCK" PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITSept 17 to March120 images of America’s rock musicians taken…
Sep 14, 2005
The Anderson Valley International Alsace Varietal Festival Now this is an event I can get behind. What a brilliant and appropriate idea for a wine event. Anderson Valley, probably my favorite appellation in California, is surely the best source of California Gewurztraminer and Riesling and a great source for Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, all the varietals that will be under consideration in this upcoming event. Anderson Valley is probably best know for its Pinot Noir, for good reason. But…
Aug 23, 2005
I spent a good part of Sunday standing behind the Astrale e Terra table at the Family Winemakers of California Annual tasting pouring a mountain grown Cabernet blend and Syrah for anyone who wanted to taste it. And that was a lot of people. I’ve done this sort of thing before, many times, on behalf of numerous wineries. You have the opportunity to observe people pretty closely under these conditions. Specifically, you have a chance to distinguish the variety of…