Huree to Belle Marie!!!

Master Chef Giovanni, Belle Marie G.M. Jeff Lazenby and winery owner and host Mick Dragoo salute the event.(Foto by Frank)

Italian Wines Flourish at Belle Marie
by Frank Mangio

When Italian wines are featured at special event dinners, the host winery or restaurant is suddenly transformed into extended family celebration. The talk is loud and happy, the food takes on the flavor of a wedding or anniversary and the wines embody the very essence of the Italian lifestyle.

I started being served sips of Italian wine when I was all of four years old in Boston, where my grandfather had a press and a barrel in his cellar. My uncles used to play a simple game throwing fingers, for a double pour of this home-made red. Back then the wines were poured into large double strength glasses that beer is normally served in now-a-days. They knew nothing of the thin-stemmed tulip shaped glasses that are popular now.

This atmosphere was captured at a recent Italian wine dinner at Belle Marie Winery in Escondido, when Mick and Mary Dragoo hosted a feast for some 120 guests in their barrel room.

Six different grape varietals were served, paired with a luscious five course gourmet dinner created by Master Chef Guiseppe di Giovanni of Ciao Restaurant in nearby Vista. Mick told stories of each of the wines that were selected to pair perfectly with each course. All wines were Belle Marie or the limited edition Chateau Dragoo.

The Italian wines presented were cellar creations to be released at a later date: the 2007 Dolcetto, 2006 Montepulciano, 2005 Aglianico, 2007 Late Harvest Primitivo, 2005 Chateaneuf du Pape ( from the south of France) and my favorite of the group, the 2005 Super Tuscan which is available on the Chateau Dragoo label. “We were really fortunate on this Super Tuscan which has major portions of Brunello in it,” said Mick. “We got first cuttings from the Guadalupe Valley where all of our Italian grapes come from, before the Italians copyrighted the Brunello name. Ours contains 6% Cabernet Sauvignon to solidify the taste.

The cost is well below what the Italian brands would charge.” (Cost is $28. Case price is $22.40 per bottle.)

Mick made wine in the Napa Valley for 12 years before realizing he could do better in San Diego County with Mediterranean style grapes. A pioneer winemaker in Temecula, Joe Hart, introduced him to Italian style grapes from the Guadalupe Valley and master grower from Italy, Camillo Magoni.

“He grows perfect grapes,” Mick exclaimed. “It’s the classic climate for all that is wonderful about Italian wines.”

The next major wine event for Belle Marie and Chateau Dragoo is the Vintage Club Pre-Release Party on Saturday, July 18 from 2 to 4pm, free of charge for club members and their friends. The newest wines will be tasted before they are released to the public. Visit the winery on line for more information about the Vintage Club at www.bellemarie.com. The phone number is 760-796-7557.

Wine Bytes
 Eli’s Wine and Food in Del Mar is helping present the Rady’s Children’s Hospital Wine and Food Tasting “Heard it Through the Grapevine,” on Sun. June 7 from 5 to 8pm at Del Mar Plaza. Admission is $50. and can purchased at Eli’s or by calling 619-871-9700.

 The next San Diego State University class on Exploring Wine is June 8 to July 6 from 6 to 9pm on-campus. Includes an extensive overview of the world of wine, taught by expert Lisa Redwine. Cost is $295. or $325. after June 1. Call 619-594-6924.

 A wine class on the Piedmont district wines of Italy is being held at Bacchus Wine Market Thurs. June 11 from 6 to 8pm for $45. Taste your way through the grapes of the region, like Barbera, Dolcetto, Barolo and Barbaresco. Light appetizers and 8 to 10 wines. Call 619-236-0005.

 “Wines for Summertime” is the theme for the next event at the Grand Del Mar’s Culinary and Wine series on Wed. June 10, 6:30 to 8:30pm. Light, elegant wines are on the list, like German Riesling, Austrian Gruner Veltliner and domestic Pinot Noir. $95. pp. For an RSVP, contact 858-314-2000.

 333 Pacific Restaurant at the Oceanside Pier opens its posh great wine room for a Suhr Luchtel Napa Valley wine and dine event on Wed. June 17 with a 6:30pm start. Winemaker Gary Luchtel will educate and entertain, choosing five wines to match with the lovely courses presented that evening. The main entrée will be: grilled Australian lamb sirloin, matched up with the ’05 Sur Luchtel Cabernet “Stagecoach Vineyard.” $75. each. To reserve space, call 760-433-3333.

Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. His columns can be viewed at www.tasteofwinetv.com. He is one of the top wine commentators on the web. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.