By Janene Roberts
Reviews
As Linda McWilliams, co-owner of San Pasqual Winery, talked about her idea to open a wine bar focused on sparkling wines at their Valentine’s Day Chocolate & Dessert Extravaganza, I could see the twinkle in her eye and realized later after sampling the wine and dessert pairing offerings, that sparkling wine is where her gift as a winemaker is.
Their pairings featured their “Toast of the Town” Sparkling Brut and a creative pairing of the Brut with their Roselle Passion Fruit Wine called “Pretty ‘n Pink”. That drink along with a white truffle from Sugar & Scribe in Pacific Beach was my favorite pairing of the evening. A melt-in-your-mouth truffle along with the fun and sparkly wine was a wonderful combination. I purchased a bottle of their Roselle wine and my friend purchased some more Sparkling Brut. I suggest picking up this pairing and offering it at your next party or outdoor picnic as the weather warms up.
Picks
•San Pasqual Toast of the Town Brut Sparkling wine $25 a bottle
•San Pasqual Roselle Passion Fruit Wine $15 a bottle
On another note, San Pasqual was featured in February’s Sunset Magazine
in their article on the top 100 cultural trends shaping the west. The article spelled out the ideas, places and things that are making life in the west better. Trend numbers seventeen through twenty-one featured five urban wineries. San Pasqual Winery was listed in this section as an urban winery with “north-of-the-border-made Tempranillo (a Spanish grape), grown in Baja, Mexico.”
www.sanpasqualwinery.com, (619) 462-1797, 8364 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA
Reviews
Early in March I experienced Temecula Valley’s WOW-World of Wine barrel tasting event that lasted the whole weekend. Thirty-three of Temecula Valley’s wineries participated and offered ticket holders a new wine still in the barrel as well as a few bottled wines and food pairings. When my friend and I saw all the offerings we wanted to come back the next day and sample more, but by the end of the day, we had been sated enough to be content.
One of my favorite offerings was at the winery where we picked up the tickets. Ponte Family Estate Winery offered a 2009 still-in-the-barrel Sangiovese and a 2009 bottled Viognier. Viognier has been my favorite white wine for a while, and this one didn’t disappoint. A lot of the wineries are producing this white variety that grows well in the area, but Ponte’s was my favorite Viognier I tasted that day.
Pick
•Ponte 2009 Viognier, $23.95 a bottle
www.pontewinery.com, (877) 314-9463 35053 Rancho California Road, Temecula
Upcoming Events
Rhythm and Vine
A music, wine and food event benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego. In its third year, the festival that takes place at the North County Westfield Shopping Center, features world-class wineries, spirits and breweries, North County’s best restaurants and gourmet foods, a wine and lifestyle silent auction, an exclusive VIP tent and after-party, and a variety of high-energy musical performances. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego.
April 9, 2011
6-9 p.m.
$75 (in Advance) (General Admission)/$100 at the door
Upcoming Events
Slow Foods Temecula Valley
Premiere Wines, Craft Beer and Food Pairing Event in the Temecula Valley. An afternoon of local cuisine, premium wines, cold beer and friendship centered around teaching local Temecula Valley kids to know where food is grown, how it tastes, and how their food choices affect the rest of the world.
May 21, 2011
1-5 p.m.
$50 (presale) per person
www.slowfoodtv.org
No comments:
Post a Comment