Wine in Unbreakable Travel Glasses are Great for Travel

by Nancy Bragg
Keep the stemware and the big, breakable wine bottles at home next time you hit the beach, campground, or open-air concert. 
     
Three former UC Irvine MBA students--Matt Zimmer, Jodi Wynn and Doug Allan--have come up with a pretty neat solution: stackable plastic wine glasses. No bottles, no stemware, no corkscrews (which are always forgotten at home, anyway).  
     
They've turned their idea into Newport Beach-based Stacked Wines. Each sleek package, which retails for about $15, comes with four foil-sealed glasses of wine, together equaling one wine bottle. 

Filled with California Merlot, (also available with Chardonnay) the stackable container system for wine-lovers on-the-go solves the dilema of packing the traditional glass bottle and stemware associated with sipping wine somewhere else besides your patio, dinner table, or neighbor's kitchen.
     
Safely sealed in a tight plastic casing, Stacked Wines slip nicely into a backpack, picnic basket, or tote bag. Each of the four plastic cups of wine snap apart from the stack, and are sealed individually with foil tops. I took along one of the Stacked Wine towers to a friend's birthday party at a local park; since it was a bring-your-own wine gig, I drank one of the stackables, my friend drank another, and I took the other two home for later, safely sealed, and without the fuss of re-corking a traditional wine bottle, the hassle of rounding up the corkscrew (which I usually forget anyway) and carefully packing up my glass stemware.
     
Stacked Wines are a great idea for summer travel, or just a little getaway at the local hiking path or dog park.  For more information on the Stacked Wines, as well as ordering information, visit: http://stackedwines.com/

Temecula Wineries Open Their Hearts to the Troops

by Frank Mangio
The wineries and the community of Temecula are opening up their hearts and wallets to Marine Corporal Juan Dominguez who chose Temecula to be his home after suffering a triple amputation of both legs and an arm in combat in Afghanistan.  The goal is to build a “smart home” with state-of-the-art features to allow him to live independently.

The current event drive for funds is a Salute To Corporal Dominguez at Monte De Oro Winery on Friday, May 25 from 6 to 9pm with Temecula wineries, restaurants, silent and live auctions and four bands for entertainment.

Tickets are $65. each, $120. for couples.  Purchase tickets at www.deportolawinetrail.com.
All proceeds will benefit Corporal Dominguez.

Cpl. Juan Dominguez, a Marine triple amputee, jams with actor/musician Gary Senise and his Lt. Dan Band, at a Temecula benefit concert to help in the building of a self-sustaining “smart home” for him.

In March, noted actor and musician Gary Sinise organized, with the city of Temecula, the “Lt. Dan Benefit Concert”at the newoutdoor city hall center.  Some 2,200 packed the area, paying up to $150. each to aid Temecula’s new citizen.  The Lt. Dan name came from the famous role played by Senise in the “Forrest Gump” movie, that of a disabled Vietnam veteran.

Anyone wishing to find out more about helping the building of the Dominguez home, should call Tunnel to Towers Foundation at 718-987-1931.

Also in Temecula, Briar Rose, the limited production premium estate winery, announced its “We Remember” wine project as a tribute to America’s veterans.  Owner Les Linkogle, himself a Vietnam veteran, is working with the Veterans Research Foundation to directly help veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan with this non-vintage, proprietary red with a distinctive “American Medal Of Hope” label.  A percentage of the proceeds will fund world class medical research for veterans of all generations, vital in addressing the wounds of war, seen and unseen.  Linkogle praised the wine as having “a Bordeaux-like structure with fruits of blackberry, raspberry and mocha/vanilla notes.” ($24.)

 Les Linkogle of Briar Rose Winery has made a premium wine called “We Remember” 

to directly aid medical research for veterans.

Les’s American Medal Of Hope consists of a Coat Of Arms, American Eagle and American Flag and took over 7 months for government approval.  He has also written a song called “We Remember” that has gained a lot of interest by major recording stars.  The “We Remember” proprietary red wine is available at Briar Rose Winery.  Call 951-308-1098 and pick up a few cases.  The label alone is a keep-sake.  Find out more at www.briarrosewinery.com.

Wine Bytes
Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas is planning a “Cab” Ride Around the World Fri. Apr 27 from 6 to 8pm.  Cabernets are in the spotlight.  $20. p.p.  Call 760-479-2500 for details.

The Temecula Wine & Music Festival is at Vail Lake Resort on Highway 79 Sat. Apr. 28 from 11 to 6:30pm.  An all star jazz cast headed by Deniece Williams performs.  Purchase tickets at www.tix.com.  or call 951-696-0184.

Fleming’s La Jolla presents First Fridays Wine Tastings, this time on Fri. May 4 from 5:30 to 7:30PM.  You will get an extensive selection of wines produced in Napa Valley.  $25. per guest.  Make an RSVP at 858-535-0078.

Cinco De Mayo comes to the Temecula Wine Country at Oak Mountain, Sat. May 5 from 6 to 9pm.  Enjoy a street vendor taco bar, rice and beans chips and salsa plus 2 glasses of wine or their famous wine margaritas.  Live music from Buzz Campbell of Stray Cats.  Cost is $40. or $35. for members.  Details at 951-699-9102.

3rd Corner in Ocean Beach is having a Laird Family wine dinner on Monday May 7 starting at 6pm.  This is one of Napa Valley’s finest.  4 course pairing menu.  Cost is $65.  RSVP at 619-223-2700.

A Pahlmeyer Wine Dinner is planned for Thurs. May 10 at 21 Oceanfront in Newport Beach  from 6:30 to 10pm.  A Pahlmeyer executive will speak at the 4 course dinner.  $99. pp.  Call 949-673-2100 for more.

A Fortress for Pinot Noir + Wine and Dine Radio Hits the San Diego Airwaves

by Frank Mangio

Along the Sonoma Coast, high on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean and barely accessible, sits Fort Ross Vineyards and Winery, home of the finest Pinot Noirs in California. It meets all the demands of this “queen” of the wine grapes: high elevation, a coastal strip with plenty of sun and night time fog blanketing the vineyard during growing season.

The Sonoma Coast-Seaview is the region’s newest AVA covering 27,500 acres due to its distinctive identity, a zone that has a maritime flavor to it. The area is teeming with history of a different sort. Fort Ross was a Russian outpost in the western world and two hundred years ago they established the enclave.

Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery on the Sonoma Coast of California makes excellent Pinot Noir and is owned by Linda ( above) and Lester Schwartz.

The Russians thought they were in the Caribbean and liked the area so much they brought in grapestock from Peru. Shortly after, the American government purchased the land from the Russians, along with Alaska, but the Russians fondness for the area carries over to this day.

“We are bottling a special 200th Anniversary of Fort Ross Pinot Noir for the occasion and helping to plan festivities,” said owner Linda Schwartz. The only funding for the celebration is coming from the Russians due to their part in the history of the area.”

Linda and her husband Lester came from Cape Town South Africa and emigrated to San Francisco, he as a practicing attorney. Yearning for a farming life, they purchased the land that is now their vineyard of some 50 acres and found that Pinot Noir flourished along with Chardonnay. All grapes are estate grown . The land gets more rainfall than the Amazon Jungle, averaging 75 inches per year on the 1,800 foot high ridges. All harvesting is done by hand. It is the closest winery to the Pacific Ocean.

You will find vibrant, black colors in Fort Ross Pinot., kept in French Oak barrels. The Pinot Noir production is on 40 acres with 24 blocks. Total production is 4,000 cases per year.

My favorite of the four current Pinot releases was the 2007 Reserve , that proved to me that Pinot can be aged gracefully and mature with a beautiful intensity.

This one had high scores with its black currant and orange pekoe tea complexity. It had mineral notes with a velvet cast. 344 cases were made with barrel aging of 10 months. ( $49. at the winery). Other Pinot Noirs to look for include: 2008 with dark plum and vanilla flavors; 2,064 cases made ($37.), and the 2010 Sea Slopes with boysenberry and raspberry notes; 973 cases ( $26.). Learn more about this fascinating winery at www.fortrossvineyard.com.

Wine & Dine RADIO Has Food/Drink News!

Now into its 2nd month on the air at KFSD 1450 AM on the dial in San Diego, each Saturday from 1 to 2pm, Wine & Dine Radio San Diego is truly a feast for listener’s ears.

Ron James, long-time industry professional moderates a panel of experts of the wine and dine scene who are passionate about food and drink.

Ron James (Co-Executive Producer), left, hosts Wine & Dine Radio, with commentary by show regulars David Nelson, Frank Mangio, Mike Bragg (Co-Executive Producer) and Caron Golden.

The show is lively and leans on guest appearances by Exectuive Chefs and Winemakers with trendy ideas. Food and wine enthusiasts in San Diego and anywhere can hear the show on their computers and smart phones as it is streamed live and available on-demand anytime.

Note: Wine and Dine San Diego Radio announced on Friday, April 13th that Miramar based Fixtures Living will host the Wine and Dine San Diego Radio production team, who will produce radio shows, live from the Fixtures showroom, beginning April 21, 2012

Wine Bytes

Jazz is back at the Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo on Sundays from 2 to 5pm. Brunch is also served on Sundays at their Café Merlot from 11 to 3pm. RSVP at 858-592-7785.

A total of 19 Chefs from Del Mar’s best restaurants will be wining and dining guests on Sun. Apr. 22 from 1 to 4pm at the Hilton Del Mar. It’s a benefit to support the fight against child abuse. Sample signature dishes. Tickets are $150. ea. Call 760-754-5500.

North County Wine Company in San Marcos has a Keenan Wine Tasting event Fri. Apr. 20 from 4 to 8pm. Just $10. Call 760-744-2119 for more.

Callaway Vineyard and Winery in Temecula has a Taste of Spring Seminar with the Winemaker, Sun. Apr. 22 from 10 to 12:30pm. Mimosa, continental breakfast and a walk through the vineyard are included, for $88.50. Call 951-676-4001 for an RSVP.

Pacifica Del Mar in the Del Mar Plaza presents Terlato Family Vineyards wines with a multi course dinner, Wed. Apr. 25 from 6:30 to 9:30pm. $85. pp. Call 858-792-0476.

PSST! Let Yourself Go to the Roaring 20’s

by Frank Mangio

It’s good to be bad at Wine & Dine-Prohibition, a roaring good time to benefit ElderHelp, Saturday April 21 from 7 to 11pm at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter Hotel in downtown San Diego.

Throw caution to the wind and revel in the excitement of live music, gaming, wine and beer tasting and delicious cuisine from a collection of downtown restaurants. A charity auction and raffle drawings will get the juices going. Wineries that will be pouring include: Callaway from Temecula, Woof’n Rose and Hacienda de las Rosas, the award winners from Ramona, Michael David, Cinnabar and many more.

The event also promises costumed entertainers like mobsters, flappers, dancers and speakeasy characters. There is a constant dance floor of music from the 20’s.

Take a trip back to the Roaring 20’s with flapper girls, mobsters non-stop dancing and food and wine at the Wine & Dine-Prohibition Benefit, on Saturday April 21th at the Downtown San Diego Westin Hotel.

Executive Director of ElderHelp Leane Marchese said that “Wine and Dine is a great opportunity for San Diegans to try cuisine from San Diego’s finest restaurants and sample premium wines and spirits for all over California, plus entertainment, all for a great cause.” ElderHelp was founded in 1973 as a community-based volunteer organization in the inner city for needy seniors and their families. It helps seniors remain independent and live with dignity in their own homes.

Tickets are $150. in advance and $200. at the door. Advance purchase is available on line at www.winedinesd.com. For more information call 619-284-9281. Special ticket packages are also available.

The Latest Dirt on Wine

Congrats to Temecula’s Robert Renzoni on the winery’s 4th birthday. A 2 day celebration is planned for Saturday and Sunday April 14 and 15, with live music both days. The winery is now producing Italian Brunello! Learn more at 951-302-8466.

Ted Plemons of Cass Vineyard and Winery in Paso Robles loves a party and doesn’t miss a chance to promote his Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Rockin One Rhone Blend. He’s a leader of the pack of “Rhone Rangers,” wineries that are dedicated to the French Rhone style of wines. Count me in as one big fan of that grape style. Cass was a big player at both the recent Paso Robles Road Show in Newport Breach, and the Family Winemakers of California show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. That one listed near 200 small production California wines.

Taste Of Wine columnist Frank Mangio sipped the latest release Rhone Valley Mouvedre from Ted Plemons, winemaker at Cass Winery in Paso Robles.

What impressed me was that most of the wineries came with their winemakers. A big thank you to Fast Forward Event Productions for a marketing job well done.

Banfi Vintners, worldwide winery owners founded by the Mariani Family of Castello Banfi in Italy’s Montalcino , have just purchased venerable Sonoma winery Kenwood Vineyard, subject to due diligence with a closing scheduled for June. This will be the first winery for Banfi in California. They have recently bought wineries in Oregon and Washington. Kenwood produces over 500,000 cases.

Kudos to Napa Valley’s historic Grgich Hills and its iconic Cabernet Sauvignon as it was the wine of choice at a hosted dinner in Los Angeles for the next President of China, Xi Jingping recently. The 2008 release was 21 months in French Oak and has a slight blend of 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot and 3% Cab Franc. ($60.).

I spoke to the legendary Mike Grgich a week or so ago in Palm Desert (the Napa Valley hero of Judgment of Paris in 1976) and he is struggling to recover from two fractured vertebra in his back. As always he was full of energy and will be ready soon to help with the 2012 crop of naturally farmed grapes on his 366 acres. He was born in 1923, and has spent 54 years in the wine business.

Wine Bytes

San Diego Wine Company is doing a California Reds Tasting Sat. Apr. 14 from 11 to 4:30pm. Just $10. Call 858-586-WINE for selections.

3rd Corner Encinitas has a Dragonette Cellars Wine Dinner Tues. Apr. 17 starting at 6:30pm. Cost is $65. 5 wines matched with a 4 course dinner. RSVP at 760-942-2104.

Europa Village in Temecula Wine Country has the 2nd in a series of Old World Wine Dinners, this time Wed. and Thurs. Apr. 18 and 19 at 6:30pm. Enjoy “La Vie Parisienne,” the food, wine and music of Paris in a 5 course paired event. $84. pp. Call 951-216-3380 for tickets.

The Marine Room in La Jolla presents a dinner with the top artists in the area, Thurs. Apr. 19 from 6 to 11pm. This dinner gala will showcase original oil paintings by leading artists. $200. ea. Call 800-599-7111.

Dallman Fine Chocolates with its new store at Flower Hill Mall in Del Mar is creating the Dallman Chocolate Boutique with a series of special attractions including “Chocolate, Wine and Cheese,” an experience of the joy of these three pleasures. Start time is 6:30pm on Thurs. Apr. 19. Cost is $45. RSVP asap at 858-720-1933.

A Chef’s Table dinner is planned at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel on Thurs. Apr. 19 from 7 to 9pm. Dine with Executive Chef Andres Jimenez and his 4 course tasting menu sit down dinner with wine pairings. $169 pp.

Tutti Italiani: All-Italian Wines at the Masters

by Frank Mangio

Italian wines have had a checkered life here in the U.S. For a time, led by Chianti with its Sangiovese, the grape of origin in Tuscany, it seemed it was on every table either California grown and bottled, or brought over by an army of Italian makers, who sensed they could fill the jugs with anything that seemed palatable to American taste. The 60’s saw an “enough is enough” disgust with what passed as Chianti and Italy was shocked into action, as prices and demand plummeted.

A wine revolution occurred in Italy to reverse this trend and the government, along with key winemakers, set up strong standards to identify excellence. Wineries were told to abide by these standards for bottling their wines or “die on the vine.”

Today, Italian wine exports have reached a record 4.4 billion Euros last year, up 12%, with the U.S. the biggest customer. Italy is now winding up its the largest Expo, Vin Italy in Verona where more than 4,200 winemakers displayed their wines.

Catherine Fallis, Master Wine Sommelier and MC of the recent San Francisco Masters Italian Wine Expo, with the Mayor of Montepulciano Andrea Rossi.

Simultaneously, Wine Spectator, the largest wine trade publication in the world, printed 6 full page color ads mostly from Italian marketing associations promoting wine growing areas like Montepulciano. They brought their mayor, Andrea Rossi to the recent San Franciso Italian Wine Masters two day exhibition and conference.

Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis praised the quality of wines coming out of the Tuscany and Siena districts especially Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. At the grand tasting seminar conducted by Tim Gaiser, Education Chair for the Court of Master Sommeliers, a select group of wines were tasted from Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Conegliano Prosecco Superiore.

In my last trip to Italy last Fall, Montepulciano was a quick view on a hill as I made my way to nearby Siena as planned. Not so next time. This small medieval city is a natural movie set with its surrounding wall, dramatic overlook of the Tuscan countryside and wineries that are beautifully crafted in the city and on the outskirts.

Vino Nobile means the wine of popes and nobility. Its grape is the Sangiovese clone Prugnolo Gentile. “It is the gentle clone of Sangiovese, with more aging,” I was told by Andrea Contucci of Contucci Winery, located in the center of Montepulciano. “It is made with the highest standard in Italy, DOCG, no less than 70% Sangiovese. My wine is very traditional, it goes back to the 11th Century.”

At the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano reception in San Francisco recently, Contucci wine distributor Matt Pye greets guests while Andrea Contucci promotes his wines.

2008 is the newest vintage of his Vino Nobile, although the 2006 Reserva ( $30.) was a silky, refined masterpiece of Italian wine culture. It was aged for a minimum 36 months, then 10 months in bottle before release. A 2007 Riserva is just now released. ( $27.). Cartucci also revealed that “the 2011 harvest was a long Summer with rich grapes but low production. Picking was finished in early October just before the strong, destructive rains hit us.”

To learn more about these wines, visit www.kiwidistributing.com. Discover Montepulciano at www.consorziovinonobile.it.

Taste of Wine Seen in Great Taste Magazine

I am happy to report that TASTE OF WINE can now be seen in the leading restaurant magazine’s Internet network, Great Taste of Orange County. It’s a very attractive publication for foodies, hospitality, catering and culinary professionals. Subscribers are up to 22,000. Take alook at www.great-taste.net.

Wine Bytes

Flemings La Jolla presents First Friday Wine Tastings, the next one on Fri. Apr. 6 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. This event features 20 wines from a major grape-growing area, this time Washington and Oregon. $25. per guest. RSVP at 858-535-0078.

San Diego Wine Company has a California Reds Tasting, Sat. Apr. 14 from 11 to 4:30pm. $10. ea. Call 858-586-WINE.

Twisted Vine Bistro & Wine Bar in San Diego is pouring the Wines of Veneto, Italy, Sat. Apr. 14 from 4 to 6pm. Includes 5 glasses of wines with “lite bites.” Call for RSVP and price at 858-780-2501.

Seasons 52 at South Coast Plaza, Orange County, hosts Merryvale Vineyards and Starmont Winery’s Casey Chandler of Napa Valley, Mon. Apr. 16 starting at 6:30PM. $100. pp, with a 6 course dinner included. RSVP contact 714-352-1701.