That’s Amore at il Farro

by Frank Mangio

Domenico Maurici is a huggable former southern Italian villager from Calabria Italy. As a young man, he and his brother worked the fields of his parent’s farm, producing a rare grain called Farro, a very tasty and healthy ingredient for pastas. They learned more at the regional culinary institute and at local Italian restaurants where they developed their home-style Farro based dishes.

Il Farro owner Domenico Maurici, Wine Director Susan Bartoletti and Mission Wine Distributor Ciro Cirillo

Southern California was next and 17 years ago, il Farro was born by the pier in Newport Beach. He was the first to present Italian food with low carbs, low gluten and high fiber with his Farro grains. This recent evening at an Italian wine release from Mission Wines, a leading distributor, il Farro was vibrating with happy diners who loved to hug and kiss as an antipasto.

The Farro grain was presented in the form of Fettuccine di Farro con Ricotta e Noci, Fettuccine pasta with ricotta cheese and walnuts in a blush sauce. The wine was a bold Italian, Casal Moro Rosso Del Veneto 2009. ($15.) The main dish was a Filletto alla Wellington, a beef filet mignon wrapped in puff pastry and stuffed with chicken and mushrooms, served with a porcino mushroom sauce.

The wine that was paired, which earned a top score with me, was the Lume Sangiovese Livio Innocenti. ($18.) from Montalcino. Ciro Cirillo, the wine spokesman, emphasized that the wines were only “small, handcrafted wines, in fine restaurants, and passionately made to pair with food.” For more, contact il Farro at 949-723-5711. www.ilfarro.com.

Cupid Comes to the Grand Del Mar

The Grand Del Mar, with two excellent restaurants, intimate bars and lounges to enhance the award-winning resort, spa and golf club, has mapped out a memorable month of February, the “Month of Love.”

On Monday February 14, Valentines Day itself, Addison invites diners to join in specialties such as Baby Sea Scallops, Lamb Rack Persille and other delights. This is a 6 course feast offering two options for 3 of the courses ( $135. pp; slightly higher with wine pairings).

Valentines Day dinner at Amaya will have chef Camron Woods presenting a 4 course menu with options for each course such as hot smoked salmon, lobster risotto and grilled prime Filet Mignon ( $95. pp; slightly higher with wine pairings). A Chocolate & Wine Tasting happens Friday February 11 from 5 to 8pm in the resort lobby lounge.

Wine Bytes

Central and Southern Italian Wines will be poured at Bacchus Wine Market, Fri. Jan. 28 from 4 to 8:30pm in the Gaslamp District of downtown San Diego. 7 wines will be sampled from Tuscany to Sicily. $15. ea. Call 619-236-0005.

Morgan’s In the Desert at La Quinta Country Club is planning a Pride Mountain Vineyards Dinner Fri. Jan. 28 with a reception at 6pm followed by dinner. You will be served Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot and a library 2002 Cabernet. $95. pp. For an RSVP call 760-564-7600.

South Coast Winery in Temecula is conducting a Wild Women Cooking Class Sat. Jan. 29 from 11am to 2pm. Learn some exotic menu items paired with delicious wine selections. $35. charge for this fun and charged-up event. Call 951-587-9463 for your RSVP.

The ABC’s of wine from grape to glass is Sat. Jan. 29 from 2 to 4pm at Thornton Winery in Temecula. This informative workshop is conducted by winemaker David Vergari. Appetizers and 3 wines included. $65. inclusive. RSVP at 951-699-0099.

Orfila Winery in Escondido has their next Concert in the Vines Sun. Jan. 30 from 4:40 to 6:30pm. Enjoy the Cory Wilkens Band. It’s Classic Rock with an up-tempo beat. $20. ea. includes a glass of Orfila wine. For details, call 760-738-6500 xt 22.

Third Annual Family Winemakers Event, March 13

Family Winemakers of California, an association of small, family-owned California wineries, announced today that "Tasting 2011" will be held on Sunday, March 13, and feature over 200 wineries.

The event is the Association's only Southern California wine tasting that is open to both the public and wine buying trade, and it will be held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. "Tasting 2011" allows wine enthusiasts and trade members to taste and explore new wines from many California regions, while small and family-owned wine producers have the opportunity to expand their reach into the Southern California market, said Paul Kronenberg, president of Family Winemakers of California.

"We're pleased to return to San Diego with 'Tasting 2011' for our third consecutive year," added Kronenberg. "As the region's largest tasting of California wines, 'Tasting 2011' gives wine lovers the unique opportunity to taste from over 200 family-owned wineries pouring 1,000 wines, all in the course of one afternoon. Wine fans will get to meet winery owners and winemakers who are committed to the craft of producing quality and passion-driven wines, while tasting from a selection of small-production and hard-to-find wines that may not have local retail distribution."

The single day event takes place on Sunday, March 13, and will be held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The event is open to members of the wine trade from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and is open to both trade and the general public from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Tickets for the general public are now on sale with ticket prices beginning at $45 for early bird tickets purchased by February 21, $55 for advance tickets purchased by March 12, and $65 at the door. Trade segment admission for consumers is also available to the first 50 ticket buyers at $75 per ticket. Qualified trade and media interested in attending the tasting may register online at www.familywinemakers.org

Provence : the Origin of Rose’

by Frank Mangio
The 2009 Rose’ collection from Provence was unveiled at the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival late last year with more than a dozen producers visiting direct from the south of France.

Julie Peterson, in charge of the wineries stopped with me to describe the renaissance of flavor that has helped fuel the comeback of Rose’. “Provence is the largest appellation in France, from the Alps to the north to St. Tropez in the south, and the signature wine for Provence,” she said.

Winemakers produced Rose’ some 26 centuries ago, making them the oldest vineyards in France. Their pink color induces “affection and fun.” Peterson said that “the main red and rose’ grape varieties are: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre and Tibouren. Each grape is vinified separately, then balanced together in the blending process. What comes out is the character of a red wine, with the crispiness of a white.” All the wines come from family owned single estate vineyards of 40 or so acres.

“Rose’ sales are growing at about 17% annually while general wine growth is currently 3% annually,” she asserted. “Rose’ pairs well with fresh fish and other Mediterranean style foods; also with lamb and Asian food.”

Domaine de Saint Ser is a leading winery with a lovely Cuvee Prestige Rose’ 2009 for a value price of $8.00. It has blends of Granache, Syrah and Cinsualt.

In the Skyroom with Georges de Latour
A hush fell over the assembled in the lofty, intimate confines of the Skyroom in the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla on this recent night when a Vertical Tasting of the Georges de Latour collection of seven vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon from Beaulieu Vineyards (BV) of Rutherford in Napa Valley was about to begin.

It would have been perfect had Mister Latour been with us with his brilliant winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff who crafted the first Cabernet Reserve in 1936.

It fell upon John Reilly of Pacific Wine and Spirits to captivate us with his insights, and to Justin Wilson, La Valencia’s Food and Beverage Director to provide the authentic Latour vintages, from 1976 to the present release, the BV 2007, now selling for $115. Vertical tastings of heritage wines are an education of taste. The ’76 was mature, exotic with dusty flavors like licorice and chocolate with big tannins.

The Latour BV Vertical Tasting guests included: Paul Cheyne of Wine Steals in Cardiff, Frank Mangio of Taste of Wine and MC John Rielly, Wine Manager of Pacific Wine and Spirits.

As we progressed to 1984, 1987, 1990 and 1996, the winemakers changed and the powerful fruit, okay with a deep ruby color, started to assert itself. Then, in the 2003 and 2007, the present winemaker, Jefferey Stambon introduced the Private Reserve Latour Cabernet. The strength of black fruits like dark cherry, licorice, black olive, even a hint of peppercorn, vaulted the taste to an all-time excellence. The wines are bold, passionate statements of Rutherford quality.

“Beau Lieu” means beautiful place in French. It was named by the Latour family when they set their eyes on the original 100 or so acres they had purchased back in 1900.

The same can be said for the petite, handsome Sky Room where this wine event took place. Renovated to compliment its 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean, it’ s located on the 10th floor of the historic La Valencia Hotel, with a small, intimate bar. The wine is smartly served with Riedel Stemware and it has a menu that changes monthly.

As John Rielly said, “credit the La Valencia for the patience to store and cultivate the fine wines of Latour over the years so that we may enjoy them today.”

Wine Bytes
§ Vinz V-Lounge in Escondido is back with name entertainment. His restaurant, wine bar and lounge has Jimmy Patton and Enrique Fri. Jan. 21 from 7 to 10pm. Call 760-743-8466 for more event information.

§ The 3rd Corner in Encinitas hosts a Castello Banfi Wine Dinner on Tues. Jan . 25 starting at 6pm. Banfi has been named the Italian Winery of the year and will feature one of TASTE OF WINE’S top ten tastes: the Chianti Superiore 2008. Four course dinner with other Banfi favorites for $60. pp. Call 760-942-2104 for an RSVP.

§ San Diego Wine Company has a South American tasting Sat. Jan. 22 from 11 to 4:30pm. $10. fee. Call for names at 858-586-WINE.

§ Pinot Envy comes to Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido Mon. Jan. 24 from 5:30 to 7pm. Low cost labels with plenty of personalities. Cost is $5.00. Find out more at 760-745-1200.

§ Relm Wine Bistro in Carlsbad has Wet Your Pants Wednesday on Jan. 26 from 7 to 9pm. It’s wine and lots of laughs with the first ever Comedy Night. No cover charge. Check it out by calling 760-434-9463.

Taste of Wine TV Profile: Cameron Hughes, Wine Entrepreneur of the Year

by Frank Mangio
Every so often I am granted an interview with a wine owner and personality that I really look forward to unwrapping. Such was the opportunity to spend some time with Cameron Hughes of Cameron Hughes Wine at the San Diego Press Club holiday party in Point Loma.

“We buy grapes on the spot market and got the company going in 2007,” he began. “We really began to make a lot of wine with various partnerships like COSTCO and that enabled us to grow quickly and flexibly, by focusing on vineyard districts with an established reputation that were having quality harvests. The identities of the vineyards selected are a closely guarded secret to protect their price points.”

Photo: Cameron Hughes

Cameron Hughes bottles and sells the wine at significant discounts. He rightly chose Napa Valley Cabernet to establish a name and early success. “The focus is on fantastic pricing and staying true to the business model. We move quickly to buy at the right wholesale price to fuel growth,” he declared. “We don’t own vineyards. We store, process and bottle at large warehouses, or partner up with a leading winery for their facilities. We look at appellations that have excess capacity and that can take off in sales.” Cameron Hughes pricing sweet spot is the $10. to $25. range. This is a good spot to be in. The low end with a similar model is owned by Fred Franzia and his Bronco Wines of Modesto, founder of boxed wines and the famous Charles (Two Buck Chuck) Shaw with wines at Trader Joes for $2.

A small amount of grapes in this brand come from Napa Valley but most are from the San Joaquin Valley, never a quality choice. (Hughes is also from Modesto, but that’s where the similarity ends.)

Recently Hughes has applied his formula for success to other districts in California like the Santa Ynez Valley, Sonoma, and now Oregon and Chile. “We want to bridge the gap between the producer and retail seller,” he revealed. “We provide cash flow to the venture for a percentage and take the wine up the ladder of success. Our goal is always to provide the best high-end wines for a very reasonable price point. I am watching the wine grape market every day.” A prime example of Cameron Hughes quality would be the Lot 200, 2008 Napa Valley Rutherford/Oakville/Stags Leap Cabernet. Hughes calls it “the best deal ever.” Check it out at COSTCO or the website www.www.chwine.com.

Pinot Noir Wineries Pop the Corks in L.A.
Pinot Days comes to Southern California with a Grand Festival on Saturday January 15 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica from 2 to 6pm.

Thursday and Friday, January 13 and 14, a “Table Hop” dinner and a Meet the Winemakers”dinner , both in Los Angeles, will complete the extended weekend of Pinot Noir entertainment, food and world-class wines.

Pinot Noir is a Burgundy-inspired wine of French birth. It thrives in the coastal elevations of California and Oregon. Most are hand crafted with great care. I am a huge lover of great Pinot.

Photo: Jim Bernau.

Two California brands showed up in my Top Ten Tastes for 2010 and Oregon Pinots have made the list in the past. Jim Bernau purchased what is now Willamette Valley Vineyards in the fertile Willamette Valley of Oregon in 1983. Now the vineyard has expanded to 250 acres of rich, red soil and sits on slopes with about two tons per acre picked for highest quality. Their 2008 new release Pinot Noir will be a spotlight wine at the Pinot Days Grand Festival.


The producers have kept the price at a very reasonable $60.00 per person base price, plus a complimentary Burgundy-style glass. For tickets and other options, go to www.pinotdays.com, or call 415-246-2967 for further information.

Wine Bytes
Bacchus Wine Market downtown San Diego presents Wines from Spain, Fri. Jan. 14 from 4 to 8:30pm. 7 wines from regions like Rioja, Jumilla, Rueda and more. $15. pp. Call 619-236-0005.

Scott’s Restaurant in Orange County hosts the 8th annual Wine Stars of Santa Barbara produced by Learn About Wine, Tues. Jan. 18 from 7 to 9:30pm. 40+ wineries will be pouring. Advance tickets are $89. Call 310-451-7600 for details.

Meritage Wine Market hosts a Burgundy tasting on Fri. Jan. 21 from 6 to 8pm. Cost is $20. More info at 760-479-2500.

Callaway Vineyard & Winery in Temecula kicks off a series of winemaker seminars Sat. Jan. 22 from 10 to 12:30pm. Winemaker Craig Larson will begin with A Taste of Winter. A bottle of wine is included. Cost is $88.50 per seminar, with a discount for club members. Call 951-676-4001.

Vigilucci’s Ristorante in La Jolla has a North to South Wine Dinner Sat. Jan. 22 at 6pm. $65. ea. for a three course dinner paired with regional Italian wines. For an RSVP and details, call 858-454-9664.