Discovering Wines on the Boot of Italy

The results are in on the 2013 Italian harvest and for those that enjoy a good Barolo, Chianti Classico, Primativo or Nero D’ Avola and hundreds of other Italian varietals, the news is good. You will of course have to wait until bottles of these favorites are ready to be shipped to the U.S. and other countries that enjoy a lovely Italian red. Balanced ripeness is what I read for 2013.
All well and good, but our sights are set on vintages that are ready to drink now, such as 2010 , 2011 and to some extent 2012. So let’s launch our latest wine tour of the “boot” with new releases from an old friend, Castello Banfi in Tuscany .  It was a time of celebration for Banfi and the popular Solare Italian Restaurant in San Diego .

 The Banfi team at Solare included:  Regional  Diane Naris, Ambassador Luciano Castiello
and Restaurants Rita Delello.

Recently a full house of diners was treated to the latest 2010 reds, affectionately called “Super Tuscans.” 2010 may be the finest vintage since 2001’s great year.  The intensity is there, as well as rich, berry fruit in the Sangiovese base grape.  For noble reds, the Summus Toscana with Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah is as tasty as they come. Banfi is founded and owned by the Mariani Family, whose achievements in wine are recognized worldwide. castellobanfi.com.

From icons to discoveries, two names to know in Italy are:  Stemmari from Sicily and Centanni from Le Marche .

Stemmari is the new label of Feudo Arancio, a major Sicilian wine enterprise owned by northern Italy ’s Mezzacorona, well known in the U.S. which buys half of its million plus cases per year, according to Wine Spectator.  Stemmari has focused in on its Nero D’Avola, Sicily ’s go-to wine.  Its calling card is “Celebrate the Art of Living.” ($9.99)  Other varietals in the Stemmari selections include:  an elegant Pinot Noir, a Pinot Grigio, a Moscato and two blends, Dalila and Cantodoro. All are $9.99 with the blends at $13.99. Go to stemmari.it.

Jonathan Zeiger is a young, fresh face distributing a growing list of new Italian names for us to know in SoCal.  His ZGR Imports specializes in wines from the Le Marche district of Italy, including Centanni. He is working hard setting up buyers at the largest wine event in the country, Vin Italy .  The first thing noticed about Centanni bottles is that they use the fascinating VinoLok glass tops.  These “eliminate the risk of cork taint, allow for easy opening and resealing, minimize additional oxidation on an open bottle and are aesthetically pleasing.”  The wines I favored include:  Pecorino 2012 with 100% Pecorino grapes ($28.99) and Monte Floris 2011 Marche Rosso with 100% Montepulciano grapes ($28.99). zgrimports.com.

San Diego International Wine Show
International wines from all around the world will be tasted at the 3rd annual San Diego International Wine Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Saturday April 26 and 27th from 1 to 5pm in the Paddock area.

Hundreds of local and world renowned wines will be brought in by experts in wine making, with music and seminars  all for a single event price of $55 advance, $65. at the door. Proceeds to benefit Country Friends non profit projects.

This show is a must for wine connoisseurs and those simply interested in trying new world-wide wines.  Sample cooking under a big tent is an extra special attraction with creative cooking demos from well known chefs.  Look for olive oil, cheeses and chocolates.  The fairgrounds 17 Hands restaurant will be open for menu items.  Buy tickets at sandiegointernationalwineshow.com. More information at 619-8WINESD.

Wine Bytes
The Grand Del Mar will host a Peay Vineyards Sonoma Wine Tasting Tues Apr. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30pm.  Delectable hors d’oeuvres, cheese, cold cuts and 6 wine selections.   $55. pp.  RSVP at 858-314-1996.

The Orange County California Wine Festival is Fri. Apr. 25 and Sat. Apr. 26 at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Hotel and Lantern Bay Park , Dana Point . This 2 day show features Rare & Reserve Tasting Fri. 6-9pm and 1 to 4pm Sat.  Get all details and ticket info at californiawinefestival.com.

San Diego Magazine presents the Best of North County Fri. Apr. 25 from 6:30 to 9:30pm at Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad .  It features the best restaurants, breweries, wineries and live entertainment.  $75. ea.  Visit sandiegomagazine.com/noco2014.

The DePortola Trail Wineries in Temecula is having their RedFest from 10am to 5pm on Sun. April 27.  10 wineries will serve samples of 3 wines each and a serving of food. Early Tickets are $49.  available at the website deportolawinetrail.com.

California Wines on the Road Less Traveled

Between the Central California coastal city of Lompoc and the town of Buellton , just west of the 101, lies 30,700 square acres of the Sta. Rita Hills .  This pristine, peaceful land is located in Santa Barbara County and is part of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA. ( American Viticulture Area)

Its history as Sta. Rita Hills  AVA dates back only to 2005, but Franciscan missionaries were planting as early as 1787. Today, some 2,900 acres are planted to wine grapes in rocky soil where coastal fog fills the valley and hills intensifying a cool-climate influence, what’s needed for quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Pinot makes up about 78% of the vines in the area.

 The Pacific Ocean’s cooling influence helps Central Coastal  California ’s Sta. Rita Hills produce some of the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the state.

Natural acidity, balanced with firm structure, is a common thread in the wines throughout the region where some 60 vineyards and wineries have been established.

My sources for this article included two enthusiastic disciples of the Sta. Rita Hills wine country.  Joshua Orr is the in-house sommelier and bar manager at Marina Kitchen, in the Marriott Marquis and Marina in downtown San Diego .  In my conversations with him about wines with unique characteristics, his passion for Sta. Rita Hills poured out, and he revealed plans for an afternoon wine tasting of the region and a BBQ dinner to follow, on Sunday March 30.  The consumer tasting will start at 3pm, with the BBQ at 5:30pm.  That caught my attention, so I called the other disciple, Barbara Satterfield, who is the Executive Director of the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Growers Alliance. “We have an ideal climate for Pinot Noir with the perfect elevation, climate and soil, that define our AVA,” she said.  “We are very excited to be coming to San Diego , especially after a great 2013 harvest with high yields and quality grapes.”

The Marina Kitchen event Sunday March 30 will be a walk around with 20 wineries pouring for $20. per person.  The BBQ features many active food stations, large format bottles and more selections not found in the walk around. Cost is $45. each.  A discount will be offered for both. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com.  Keyword is Sta. Rita Hills .

Bogle is Best of Breed for Value Wines
Wine Spectator recently confirmed what I have been saying ever since I discovered the wonderful world of wine, paid $9.00 for a Petite Sirah and fell in love with Bogle.

That look of determination belongs to Warren Bogle, President and Vineyard Manager of Bogle

Vineyards  and a 6th generation family farmer.

This 2010 version was named a “top value” by the world’s largest circulated wine magazine. Most recently Bogle increased sales by 16% to 1.75 million cases, the core portfolio features 10 offerings, including the most recent blend, Essential Red ($10.)  It contains Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet and Petite Sirah and is aged 18 months in French oak.

“Our brand is really founded on value, and our core principal has always been to produce great wines for the money,” said Chris Catterton of Bogle Sales and Marketing in a recent column in Wine Spectator. The growth of sales was nearly out of control, until Bogle spent 50 million dollars on a new wine facility in Clarksburg in the Sacramento Delta, adding storage of about 100,000 barrels. Concentrated, rich and savory, Bogle’s appeal is all about every person’s budget at no sacrifice in quality.  See more at www.boglewinery.com.

Wine Bytes
The 3rd annual San Diego International Wine Show is scheduled at the Paddock, San Diego Fairgrounds in Del Mar Apr. 26 and 27.  Spaces are still left for wineries in California .  Contact the show producer at 760-807-6042.

RELM Wine Beer Bistro in Carlsbad will hold a cooking with wine class Sun. March 23 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.  Private chef Victoria East shows how to prepare amazing dishes with wine.  $45. ea.  Phone 760-230-2077.

Mille Fleurs in Rancho Santa Fe has its next Taste of Terroirs dinner, Tues. March 25 featuring Argentine wines. Owner Bertrand Hug will lead guests through 6 wines.  $100. per guest.  RSVP at 858-756-3085.

Vittorio’s in Carmel Valley off the 56 has a Foxen wine dinner Thurs. March 27 at 6pm.  5 courses with 5 Foxen wines.  $54.50 pp.  RSVP at 858-538-5884.