The Flavor of Paso Comes to San Marcos

by Frank Mangio

I was fascinated and privileged to be part of an intimate wine dinner at a neighborhood pizza-pasta restaurant in San Marcos, Rossi’s Pizza. The owner, an affable host, Marshall Bryer, like most of us, enjoys stopping at country vineyards and knocking on doors. One such trip through the back door to Paso Robles, took him to a town called Templeton and there he met Michael Giubbini who operates Rotta Winery, one of the first in Paso Wine Country.

Bryer loved the wines and proposed that Rotta Wines be featured at his restaurant along with a 4 course Italian “soul food”menu of Ceasar Salad, Lasagna, Chicken Parmigiana and a stunning chocolate cake. Each course would be paired with Rotta Wines and the price would be very attractive to all…they even had half price 2 for 1 tickets to make it irresistible.

Chicken Parmigiana and pasta with meat sauce led an all Italian menu at a recent Rotta Wine Dinner at Rossi’s Pizza and Pasta in San Marcos, washed down with Merlot.

Two wines stood out in this wine event that I want to advise you to taste: the Estate Zinfandel 2006 is very fruity and intense, definitely a power Zin. It has won gold. $27. at the winery and at Rossi’s. The other is the Black Monukka Dessert Wine, served with a rich chocolate cake.

It’s a carmelized, nutty vanilla, baked cream sherry drink, produced in small, oak barrels. This one is a big hit with judges around the country. $27. at the winery and at Rossi’s. Giubbini emphasized that “we use the dry farming method of growing grapes. No irrigation, just the natural rainfall. We had a light crop, about ½ ton an acre to make a hearty wine grape.”

Learn more at www.rottawinery.com, and www.rossis-pizza.com.

New Season – New Wines

Many wineries are introducing new releases for the fall and up-coming holidays. Some wines I recommend you try include:

ü Banfi Centine, Tuscany Italy, 2008, $12. No matter the price point, Banfi quality is produced into each wine. A richly deserved accolade. www.castellobanfi.com.

ü Charles Krug Reserve “Generations,” Napa Valley CA, 2008, $51. A showstopper at the recent 150th Krug Anniversary Celebration. www.charleskrug.com.

ü Falernia Carmenere Reserva, Elqui Valley, Chile, 2007, $9. Carmenere just might be the grape that no-one knows about. This winery may break it open to the world. www.falernia.com.

ü Frank Family Zinfandel, Napa Valley, CA, 2008, $27. Historic winery established 1884. Aromas of black cherry and oak Zesty spice and cinnamon flavors. www.frankfamilyvineyards.com.

ü Gen 7 ”Road To Zanzibar” Zinfandel Blend, San Diego, CA, 2008. $34. Magical Red made from Zinfandel, Cab Franc and Carignane. www.gen7wines.com.

ü Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey, CA, 2009. $22. From the Wagner Family that gives us the great Caymus Wines. This Chard is made of steel only. Lovely and crisp.

ü Orin Swift “The Prisoner” Blend, Napa Valley, CA, 2009. $35. Mostly Zinfandel with luscious, rich black cherry overtones. www.theprisonerwine.com.

ü Pedroncelli Bench Vineyards Merlot, Dry Creek Sonoma, CA, 2009. $15. Sloped, rocky terrain brings out the best in this richly textured Merlot. Soft, integrated tannins. www.pedroncelli.com.

ü Sterling Vineyards Meritage, Napa Valley, CA, 2007. $30. Black cherry and toasty oak spike up the Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Layers of flavor. www.sterlingvineyards.com.

ü Thornton Mourvedre, Temecula Valley, CA, 2010. $22. A Rhone Valley grape, that’s finally unleashed. Truly delicious. www.thorntonwine.com.

Wine Bytes

§ VINZ Wine Bar in Escondido now has Sunday and Monday entertainment as well as Friday and Saturday. For an RSVP call 760-743-8466.

§ Alternative Wines in Carmel Valley presents Tablas Creek Vineyard of Paso Robles Fri. Sept. 30 at 6:30pm. Check 858-780-9463 for price.

§ “Sons of Italy” and other organizations bring you La Dolce Vita Italian Festival in Laguna Niguel Fri. Sept. 30, 5 to 10pm and Sat. Oct. 1, 10am to 10pm. Free entertainment, dancing, cooking demos and shuttle to bocce. See more at www.ladolcevitafestival.com or call 949-340-5770.

§ Lobster 2011 is Sat. Oct. 1 from 6 to 9pm at Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas. It’s an old fashioned lobster boil with Maine Lobsters. $100. includes 6 wines. Pre sale only. Call 760-479-2500.

§ The RB Tasting Festival is at Bernardo Winery Sun. Oct. 2 from 12 to 4pm. Enjoy music, art, food and beer and wine. $15. pp, $25. for 2 in advance. Free logo glass. Call 858-663-4852.

§ A Fall Harvest Wine Dinner is planned at Bistro West Carlsbad, Tues. Oct. 4 at 6:30pm. Cost is $55. ea. Reception, dessert and a 3 course dinner with 4 top wines, make it a must.

Cooking/Home Entertainment Showcase Coming to Del Mar

by Frank Mangio

A two day extravaganza for lovers of gourmet fresh foods, wine and spirits, desserts, oils and vinegars, cheeses, spices and much more will be showcased at the GOURMET EXPERIENCE, set for Saturday October 8 and 9 from 11 to 5pm at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Over 250 exhibitors offer the best in culinary trends, as well as travel and home products and specialty foods.

There will be 12 specialty pavilions, focused on the latest trends, with “That’s The Spirit Beer and Wine Pavilion” catching the most interest for Taste Of Wine readers. You’ll be able to taste and explore fine wines, craft beer and spirits, with award-winning producers.

John Alonge, who runs the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center will be a key speaker on “5 Steps to Truly Enjoy Wine.” Other pavilions you’ll want to check out include: Gourmet Meats, Spice Alley, Grilling and Outdoor Entertainment, Bounty of the County, and the Gourmet In Action Stage.

A number of well-known chefs from restaurants with superior reputations will keep you asking for samples. These include personal favorites Bernard Guillas from the Marine Room in La Jolla with a fun book on the shelves called “Flying Pans-2 Chefs, One World.” He’ll be walking you through his Stout Beer-Braised Prime Beef Short Ribs.

Another chef with an original delicacy is Jeff Rossman from Terra Restaurant and his book “From Terra’s Table.” He will be cooking Fritters and Plating with Avocado Mango Sauce.

It’s two action filled days for testing and tasting in the kitchen, culinary instruction, meeting and greeting and sipping luxury wine and spirits.

Single day passes are $25. in advance, $30. at the door. Weekend passes are $40. advance and $45. at the door, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds O’Brien Hall. Access www.thegourmetexpo.com. 619-312-1212.

At Dudley’s it’s Back to Wine Basics

Eric Dudley grew up in the ethnic neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York and the close-knit feeling of camaraderie, especially in the neighborhood pubs that the TV series “Cheers” made famous, stuck with him as he carved a future in wine in Southern California. Three years ago, he opened Dudley’s Wine & Gifts in Murrieta. Why gifts? “Because wine is a gift,” is his quick and accurate answer.

“I always wanted to open a place where you don’t have to know the name and description of the wine and come dressed up, and where it’s comfortable and relaxed. Mission accomplished,” he concluded.

I asked him how he presented his wines at his tasting events which are every Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 5:30pm. He said “I want to humanize the wine experience.

There’s just too much techy talk about sugar levels, oak vs. steel. I stay with aroma, flavor and the vine to wine relationship. I tell stories about the wine.” And that Dudley is very good at. He’s been to 20 countries, most of them romantic wine countries and he is a history and geography expert.

Eric Dudley loves to talk about and offer small production wines at his neighborhood wine bar in Murrieta.

He loves to find and discover small production wines and give them a chance. As they begin to grow in popularity, he feels Dudley’s will grow with them. “Price, although still a consideration, will be secondary to the wine experience as loyalty builds,” he commented.

Dudley’s World Wine Club is a well-thought-out incentive benefit- driven customer plan for real discounts on wines and tastings from countries around the world. To learn more about this and other unique Dudley’s customer privileges, go to www.dudleyswineandgifts.com and the phone is 951-461-2225.

Wine Bytes

§ So Diego Tours has introduced Wine Tasting in the Gaslamp with a walk- around to the wine bars in the neighborhood, with a history of the Gaslamp Quarter. $65. pp. Details at 619-233-8687.

§ 80’s Flashback Concert is at Wiens Winery in Temecula, Fri. Sept. 23 with doors open at 5:30pm. Enjoy the Motels, Naked Eyes and Gene Loves Jezebel. Tickets start at $40 ea. E mail info@goldencrownproductions.com.

§ Wines from Sonoma are spotlighted at Bacchus Wine Market in the Gaslamp downtown San Diego, Fri. Sept. 23 from 4 to 8:30pm.Taste wines from Russian River Valley and Dry Creek. Details at 619-236-0005.

§ Wine & Chocolate Day to benefit local Hospice is hosted by Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula, Sun. Sept. 25 from 4 to 8pm. Wines, food sampling, auctions and live music for $60. pre pay and $70. at the door. Call 951-200-7800 for more.

§ PAON Restaurant downtown Carlsbad is offering a wine and food pairing featuring Puro Uno Wines from Argentina, with winemaker Frank Baroudi on Wed. Sept 28. $24. pp. Phone 760-729-7377.

§ A Taste of Italy is Sat. Oct. 1 from 4 to 10pm in Los Angeles on Main Street in “Little Italy.” Over 20 top Italian restaurants and bakeries will serve. Over 40 wineries will pour. Enjoy live entertainment. Tickets $45. pre sale; $50. at the door. RSVP at 213-485-8432.

Tommy V’s Catching the Wine & Dine Wave

by Frank Mangio

There’s a new team, a new attitude and a strong wave in place at Tommy V’s Del Mar, across from the polo fields. Owner Tommy Maggiore of Tuscany La Costa fame has placed veteran restaurateur Tyler Willams in place as Manager with Executive Chef Giorgio Loverdi and head waiter Eduardo Laquiz.

I had been to Tommy V’s 3 times to catch the wave of excitement and good times that seemed to be in the air. The latest was a recent gathering of friends, family and guests of the new Gen 7 wines, introduced by owner Tim Bacino at a new release party.

Tyler Willimas,left, manager of Tommy V’s in Del Mar, welcomes Tim Bacino, 2nd from left, and his family and friends at the Gen 7 wine party.

Wine included: Viognier, Muscat Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and an awesome Red Blend( Zinfandel, Cab Franc and Carignane, a rare grape from the south of France) called Road To Zanzibar, $34. at Gen 7’s site.

Bacino is no novice. Members of his family built the Brookside Winery brand in the 70’s to great heights, with 36 retail wine stores in California and elsewhere before selling to a national chain. Gen 7 is named after Bacino’s young daughter, the 7th generation connected to the family business and is off to a great start, being named “Best Micro Winery” in a recent competition in Sacramento.

Earlier in the month I had put Tommy V’s to the test as the Italian Chophouse with classic old world interpretations of that style of cuisine. With Eduardo as our waiter and Executive Chef Giorgio personally superivising we got right into a typical Tommy V’s menu extravaganza of cured meats and cheeses, Arugula Salad, and a beautifully crafted Bistecca Siciliano, a 16 ounce Dry-Aged steak rubbed with herb and cheese crumbs with a side of sauteed mushrooms.

Eduardo’s choice for me to wash the meal down in traditional style was a a Vietti Barbera D’ Asti, 2008. Barbera is a red grape from the Piedmont District of Northern Italy. French Oak Barrels store this wine for 12 months, then in steel tanks for 2 months before bottling.

Head Waiter Eduardo Laquiz and Executive Chef Giorgio Loverdi service a large group of diners at Tommy V’s in Del Mar.

This wine will emit a ruby purple color with red cherry, minerals and a hint of vanilla. The Barbera compliments pasta and breaded veal, pork, chicken and steak, and is an affordable value wine on Tommy V’s list of worldwide reds. Find more information at www.tommyvdelmar.com. Gen 7’s site is www.gen7wines.com.

Wine Bytes

San Diego Restaurant Week is back, Sun. Sept. 18 through Fri. Sept. 23, with over 180 restaurants participating in discounted 3 course prix fixe menus See www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com for a location near you.

PAON Restaurant & Wine Bar in Carlsbad has an Italian Tasting with six wines for $14., Thurs. Sept. 15 to Wed. Sept. 21, 2 to 9pm. Call 760-729-7377.

Barolo and Barbaresco wines are featured at Bacchus Wine Market, downtown San Diego Fri. Sept. 16 from 4 to 8:30pm. Some of Italy’s greatest wines will be poured. $40. fee. RSVP required. Call 619-236-0005.

The 2011 Taste of Hope is planned for Sun. Sept. 18 from 4 to 7pm on the terrace at the Hilton Bayfront in San Diego. $65. pre sale, $75. at the door. Downtown restaurants will offer cuisine, with an excellent selection of wines. Proceeds to the Cty Of Hope. Call 858-452-6846 for more.

Monte De Oro Winery in Temecula celebrates Calilfornia Wine Month with a Grape Stomp Sun. Sept. 18th. Call for more information at 951-491-6551.

The WineSellar in Sorrento Valley focuses on Brunello Di Montalcino Wines, the elite wines from Tuscany, Wed. Sept. 21 starting at 6pm. $25. pp. Check it out at 858-450-9557

A Reflection of Wines past, a Re-Birthing For the Future

by Frank Mangio

On Saturday September 10, Napa Valley and a lot of the rest of the wine world, will celebrate a significant milestone – the 150th anniversary of Napa Valley’s first winery.

Charles Krug Winery was founded in 1861. Of the more than 3,000 wineries in California, Charles Krug laid the blueprint for new world wines, their fruit-rich consistency and character, but with a European style and sophistication. I have been on the hallowed grounds with its heritage oaks and vast expanse of lawn and realized that Charles Krug is a remarkable piece of America. And so does the governor, who has proclaimed “Charles Krug Winery Charles Krug Day" on September 10, 2011.

Winery in the Napa Valley, owned by The Peter Mondavi Family, is celebrating 150 years.

There is another component of this celebration and a primary page in the history of Napa Valley winemaking. This was the first winery purchased by the Mondavi Family, when Peter Sr. and Robert Mondavi built a brand that would be forever hailed as some of the greatest wines in the world. Later, Peter Sr. and sons Peter Jr. and Marc would carry on the tradition but with a new direction: stewardship of the land and the move to sustainable farming practices for next-generation preservation.

I recently had the opportunity to taste the Mondavi Family’s Reserve 2008 “ Generations,” a tribute to the family’s banner year of celebration.

This showstopper is a blend of 56% Cabernet, 31% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Distinctive roasted chestnut, brown sugar qualities hold together black cherry and some mineral notes. ( $51. at the winery. )

Make a date for September 10th, 2 to 5pm at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena for a significant milestone, the 150th Anniversary of Charles Krug and salute 96 year old Peter Mondavi Sr. with a “well done.” A host of other wine and food tastings will top the afternoon’s activities. See more at www.charleskrug.com.

Plans in Place for the 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

The Grand Tasting Event is Saturday November 19 at the Embarcadero, San Diego. Here’s a wine and food event you absolutely, positively must experience.

The 8th annual edition of the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival is set for Wednesday November 16 through Sunday November 20. Check out the over-the-top lineup: 170 wine and spirit brands, 70 of San Diego’s top chefs, cooking and wine tasting classes, big bottle auction, continuous food and wine tastings, over 800 wines and a $50,000. “Chef of the Fest” competition.

Festival co-producer Michelle Metter asserted that “for eight years we have created an experience in Southern California that puts wine and food enthusiasts face-to-face with true culinary legends, rockstars in fact to many of us. Throughout the year, we follow the trends, the winemakers and chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, who are trailblazing a path filled with innovation and creativity, bringing many of them to San Diego for this event,” she added.

Throughout the week, visitors can choose from a number of events and packages to match their schedule. Be sure to include: the Reserve & New Release Tasting and Silent Auction , Friday November 18, 6:30 to 9:30pm on board the Hornblower Inspiration; and the Grand Tasting Event Saturday November 19 from Noon to 3pm ( VIP passes for 11am to 3pm) at the Embarcadero behind Seaport Village. Complete ticket and schedule details online at www.worldofwineevents.com or call 619-342-7337.

Wine Bytes

Every Tuesday, RELM Wine Bistro in Carlsbad has Keith offering an exploration of 4 different varietals for $10., from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Details at 760-434-9463.

Bernardo Winery presents its Grape Stomp Festa Sun. Sept. 11 starting at 5pm. $35. A ticket, includes grape stomping, buffet dinner, wine tasting and live music. Get more info at 858-487-1866.

A special Ken Forrester Wine Dinner is planned for PAON Restaurant and Wine Bar in Carlsbad, Tues. Sept. 13. Reception at 6:15pm. Meet Ken Forrester and Jessie Casanova from the winery. $85. pp. Call for an RSVP at 760-729-7377.

Firefly Grill and Bar in Encinitas has a Baker & Olive Wine Dinner Wed. Sept. 14 at 6:30pm with Smokescreen and Fifty Row Wines. Cost is $60. Call 760-635-1066.

Cougar Vineyards and Winery in Temecula is celebrating Mexican Independence Day with a Salsa and Guacamole Competition Fri. Sept. 16, 6:30 to 9:30pm. Visitors pay $30. pp; $25. for club members. Details at 951-491-0825.