On The Road Again to Find the Great Eight Wines

The road map to find my great eight wines for the first three months of the year took me to many road shows, wine bars, resorts and restaurants.

Wineries are teaming together to tell their story along with a taste of the latest releases. Impulse wine buying is still alive and well. When I find a candidate, no impulses for me.  I give the wine a test drive with foods, cheeses and breads of many flavors, then compare to others from a similar varietal and year. Only then did it make the great eight for this year. Prices are the best I could find, on line and in retail stores.

So let’s shop on board, fill the cart and pop the corks.

First stop:  Washington – Columbia Crest Merlot, 2011, Columbia Valley. $7. What, you say, $7!  This is a rich, smooth, complex beauty that must be tasted to be believed.  The key to a great Merlot like this…a velvety smooth texture.   columbiacrest.com.

Temecula – Falkner Winery Amante Blend 2010.  $39.95. A Super Tuscan style with Sangiovese, Cabernet, Cab Franc and Merlot.  Bring in the pizza and pasta for this soulmate matchup.  falknerwinery.com

Ray Falkner, newly minted winemaker Duncan Williams and columnist Frank Mangio.

Carmel Valley Monterey – Holman Ranch Heather’s Hill Pinot Noir 2010.  $37. High on a hill with this one has vines that get all day sun and good protection from breeze, fog in the morning.  It’s a great prescription for healthy, vigorous Pinot Noir.  Small production with high quality.  holmanranch.com.

Russian River Valley Sonoma – J Vineyards Pinot Gris.  2013.  $12.  Lots of melon and ripe peach.  Yes, it’s a white wine, but at times it’s good to have a fruit salad instead of a steak.  Jwine.com.

Guadalupe Mexico – Monte Xanic Gran Ricardo 2011.  $49.99.  Big Bordeaux style blend Deep , dark and intensive with an old-style handsome wax seal.  It’s time for Mexican wines to make their move.  montexanic.com.mx.

Paso Robles - Opolo Vineyards Mountain Zinfandel 2012.  $16.  An alcohol level to match the price in this stud wine.  This big bang wine has plenty of cherry, plum and spice, but balanced acidity to keep it drinkable. opolo.com.

Temecula - Robert Renzoni Old Vine Zinfandel.  2009.  $34. Classy and brilliantly crafted from vines that are many decades old.  I take my zin from old vines for a taste of blueberry, coffee and caramel with a rich finish.  A leader on the De Portola Trail of wineries. robertrenzonivineyards.com.

Tuscany Italy – Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Reserva. 2010.  $27.  Twenty six generations of winemaking in this family. Through Wine Spectator I personally studied under Piero Antinori, who provided me with inspiration and thirst for the wines of Tuscany , where the roots go deeper than any other in Italy. antinori.it.

Follow Up:  Vin Diego Wine & Food Festival
 Vin Diego, in its 2nd year as a major San Diego wine festival, took off and was a huge success at its new location, Liberty Station in the Pt. Loma area of San Diego . Encinitas Producer David Fraschetti doubled the number of wineries in attendance at the early April event,
from local San Diego wineries to top tier Napa Valley names.

David Fraschetti  turned in a successful job in producing the 2nd annual Vin Diego.

Wine Bytes
The Junior League of San Diego has a food and wine festival Sat. May 3 at La Jolla Cove on Coast Blvd. in La Jolla from 1 to 5pm. Enjoy wines, craft beers, spirits and food pairings.  $85. pp.  Details at 858-869-5771.

Great Wines from Baja is the theme at Wine Connection at Flower Hill Del Mar,  Sat. May 3 from 12 Noon to 3pm.  Cost is $5.00.  Meet the owner and winemaker of Adobe Guadalupe.  More at 858-350-9292.

Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula has a wine class Sun. May 4 from 1 to 3pm entitled Capturing Sunlight in a Bottle.  $25. charge, Wine Club members $10.  RSVP at 951-699-9463.

Europa Village Winery in Temecula has its Film Festival de Cannes Thurs. May 8 at 6:30pm.  Explore the cuisine, music and films of the south of France .  Gourmet 4 course dinner with Europa Village C’est la Vie French wines.  Tickets $85., $75. for wine club members.  Call 951-216-3380.

Viticulture & Vinification are the themes of a winemaker’s panel and Tasting at 333 Pacific Restaurant in Oceanside Thurs. May 8 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.  Sommelier Maurice DiMarino will lead the discussion.  $35. pp.  Call 760-433-3333.

Gen 7 – the Next Generation of Wines

by Frank Mangio
A new wine release event flashed across the internet recently, to celebrate the bounty of a special harvest from the Gen 7 winery and its newest releases. It was a time of celebration for the Bacino family in the Crosby community in Rancho Santa Fe.  This family came from a legacy of success with the famous Brookside Winery which produced wine for over 150 years in California and had a number of retail locations headquartered in Cucamonga in Southern California. Over 636 stores put the family in 6th place in wine sales nationwide in the 50’s, with over 6,000 vineyard acres.

Tim Bacino is the current winemaker and he has a model to guide him in his efforts to make Gen 7 wine.  “I’m not doing this just to sell wine, but to continue our family legacy.  I want to pass it on to the next generation,” he promised.  The Gen 7 name on the bottle reflects 7 generations of winemaking, including his daughter Gabriella who helped make the wine in his 2008 Road to Zanzibar zinfandel blend. Bacino is one of the growing trend in winemakers that source the best grapes available in California, like Napa Valley, Santa Barbara, Lodi and Temecula, and artistically blend the best together.

Tim Bacino, owner-winemaker of Gen 7 Wines of Rancho Santa Fe

If you ask him, Bacino has a special affection for his Zinfandel and it was on a pedestal at his new release event, labeled as the 2010 Dryfarmed Old Vines Cienega Valley 1832 Zinfandel( $48.).  These are plantings that are over 100 years old. His great Uncle left France in 1832 and came to California to make wine from a purchased 250 acre farm in Hollister, the first vineyards in the area.  The 2010 is a very big Zin and shows flashy fruit with dynamic body and a peppery finish.

Gen 7 released 4 other new wines on this day:  A Brut style sparkling wine; a white blend of Viognier and Muscat; a French style light and crisp Chardonnay with just a “kiss” of oak, from the Central Coast; a Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes from the Temecula Valley that Bacino says “will convince wine drinkers of the quality of Temecula grapes.”

Gen 7 wines have been on the market for almost 3 years now and are in some wine departments in grocery stores and wine shops in San Diego County.  You can purchase these handcrafted wines at www.gen7wines.com or call at 619-540-1986.

Grillin’ and Chillin’ at Pacifica Del Mar
Grilled seafood is the passion at Pacifica Del Mar.  The menu and wine list is seeded with a large array of examples of this model and diners are all the better for it.

Pacifica is fortunate to have Executive Chef Stephanie O’Mary-Berwald, a fresh talent, back in the kitchen, providing a new and exciting touch to the menu.  Her Peruvian heritage seasons her dishes with a South American background, but her tendencies are to present high quality Mediterranean dishes.

With a dramatic view of the Pacific atop the Del Mar Plaza, you’ll want to zoom in on such dishes as:  Miso Marinated Black Cod, Grilled Swordfish and Mahi Mahi, Slow Poached Maine Lobster and my choice, Pan Roasted Seabass with soy glaze, bok choy and green curry-coconut sauce. Chef loves being in San Diego because “in San Diego there are lots of local seafood companies that provide fresh, highly acclaimed selections.”

Executive Chef Stephanie O’Mary-Berwald has created a strong seafood menu at Pacifica Del Mar.

I asked her what else she sees as a fast-growing trend.  “The surge in interest for Kale, which has a texture and flavor that is increasing of interest.  It’s wonderful uncooked in salads, chopped in small pieces and as a hot side for seafood entrees.” Pacifica has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medallion for “Best Seafood Dining in San Diego.”

On the wine side, Pacifica uses  an I Pad system on each table, so diners can electronically browse the extensive list for a favorite selection.  I liked the ½ bottle choices so customers can try big name wines at less than the price of a full bottle. I chose a Napa Valley 2007 Trefethen Cabernet. For more, see www.pacificadelmar.com.

Wine Bytes
Il Fornaio in Del Mar has its Festa Regionale now thru Sun. Jan. 19, this time with menus from Trentino-Alto Adige.  Pairing wines include Teroldego and Pinot Noir from the district.  Call 858-755-8876.

Europa Village Winery in Temecula presents Egg Cooking, Sat. Jan. 11 from 11:30 to 1:30pm.  Find out how many ways you can use an egg.  Tastes are paired with wines.  $45.pp.  Call 951-216-3380.

SDSU in San Diego has an Open House for its Wine Education Program for Spring 2014, Tues. Jan. 14 from 6 to 7:30pm.  Hospitality and prizes.  Details call 619-594-6924.

De-Mystifying Wine: What’s in your Glass

by Frank Mangio
In travels near and far, I meet a lot of wine consumers who love this classic beverage and want to learn more, but questions do persist about content.

Transparency is always a good thing in any product.  I expect that the label on wines will be a little more crowded with revealing information as the government will be pushing for calorie counts and other data to keep us “informed and safe.”

My friends at the International Wine Guild in Denver peeled back a typical bottle of wine and found that wine is not really a natural, organic product, but like most other food and drink, there are additives that stabilize the beverage, so it lasts longer and tastes better.  So let’s take a peak at what those ingredients are.

Grapes made into wine are helped along during the winemaking stage by a number of additives, assuring its preservation and flavor.

Sulfites are the most discussed additive in wine.  It may not have been that way, except that in the U.S. it is mandated that sulfite content appears on wine labels as a government warning.  Since 1987, American producers have to mention sulfites, even though the additive keeps unwanted bacteria and yeasts under control, and acts as an anti-oxidant. It also keeps oxygen levels low in wine, which is the biggest destroyer of the flavor of wine.

According to the Wine Guild report, wine producers have to print this warning if the sulfite content  is more than 10 parts per million.  Sulfite sensitivity impacts about 1% of the U.S. wine consuming population.  Wine has nowhere near the sulfite content as, for instance, dried fruit at 1000 parts per million.

Yeast is an additive that turns natural grape sugars into alcohol by way of a three step process.  This chemical process is essential for making wine, beer or spirits.

Tannins found in wine are:  stems, the inside surface of the skins and seeds.  This adds bitterness and astringency to wine.  Tannins add to the flavor profile, mouthfeel and the ability to age.  But, too much tannin can make a red wine undrinkable, especially a young red.

Sugar is added to either increase the alcohol content or increase the sweetness of a wine.  It is a must in cooler or cold climates where wine is produced without benefit of the warm sun, such as Germany.

Fining agents are used to remove visible particulates in wine and clear it up.  A common fining agent would be egg whites and milk products.

Acid control is accomplished by additives like calcium carbonate, a form of chalk.  It’s the active ingredient in Alka Seltzer and it is common in cold climates.  In warm climates, just the opposite happens as acidifiers are used such as malic, tartaric and citric acid to help increase the acid level.  Acidification is rare in old world wines like France and Italy, but a common practice in new world wines like California.

Simi Wines Impress at USD Wine Dinner

La Gran Terraza is a beautiful, panoramic old-world Spanish décor restaurant, suitable for the finest restaurant rows in the country.  In fact, it is located on the campus of the University of San Diego, and was awarded one of the top ten restaurants in San Diego by the respected Open Table, the popular internet table service.

 Tanya Beers of Simi Wines in Sonoma presents her selections to Chris Guillet, manager of La Gran Terraza Restaurant on campus at the University of San Diego.

There is a lot to like about this dining room, starting with the incomparable view, and featuring the creativity of the Chef De Cuisine, Mitch Weaver.  On this pleasant summer evening, chef was serving 4 styles of wood fire pizza, including a Ricotta Stuffed Squash Blossom.

Simi Wines of Sonoma was pouring a selection of fine wines and for the pizza pairing, it had a 2010 Cabernet.  For the final course, Simi chose a 2010 Merlot ($20.) which was a big favorite, to mate with a Pecan Dusted Rack of Lamb with Spinach Pancetta Salad.  The next wine dinner at La Gran Terraza will be a Sanford Wine Dinner Monday September 16th at 6pm.  Cost is $50.  The restaurant will re open for dinners August 27 from Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 9pm.  Lunch is currently offered Monday through Friday from 11:30 to 1:30pm.  For more information, call 619-849-8205.

Wine Bytes
Bentley’s Steak & Chophouse and Meritage Wine Market of Encinitas present a Robert Craig Napa Valley Wine Dinner on Thurs. Aug. 8 at 6pm.  $75. pp.  Call 760-632-9333 for an RSVP.

Wines from Central and Southern Italy will be poured at Bacchus Wine Market, downtown San Diego, Fri. Aug. 9, 4:30 to 8:30pm.  Cost is $20.  Drink wines from Tuscany, Abruzzo, Sicily, Calabria and more.  Details at 619-236-0005.

Europa Village Winery in Temecula presents a Mystery Theatre in the Vines Sat. Aug. 17 and Sun. Aug. 18 from 6:30 to 9:30pm.  It’s “Polter Heist” an audience participation murder mystery.  It shows during a gourmet dinner with a glass of wine included.  Tickets are $59. for Sat. and $49. for Sun.  For information and tickets, call 951-216-3380.

Kitchen 4140 in San Diego has a winemaker’s dinner Thurs. Aug. 15 at 6pm in the new Wine Room. Chef Kurt presents Hall and Walt Wines of Napa Valley and Sonoma, leading Bordeaux style wineries.  $100, ea.  Six course meal with wine pairings and winemakers from both wineries.  Call 858-483-4140 for details and an RSVP.

A Wine Oasis in the Desert

by Frank Mangio
Odd place for a wine renaissance, but on closer examination, the Palm Desert, Palm Springs, La Quinta resort areas are blooming attractions for the wine crowd.  An enormous amount of restaurants serve a growing population and increased visitor count, and guess what, the Palm Desert COSTCO has the 2nd largest wine department in the chain, right behind Carlsbad in San Diego County.

Palm Desert is one of my favorite get-a-ways and when I go, I have an eye open for the latest developments at the JW Marriott’s Desert Springs Resort.  The latest trip was a real eye-opener as they are celebrating their 25th year with an upscale building program for their restaurants and wine bar.
Paul Bologna conducts the best wine tastings south of Napa Valley and he produces the wine programs at Desert Springs.  Actually he spent the first part of his wine career working in Napa Valley so he closely follows those wines.

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort Sommelier Paul Bologna conducts Boat Dock Wine Tastings most days of the month.

The day I participated, Bologna was profiling Full Bodied Reds From Napa Valley.  A  $50. charge got you five luscious reds and a delicious artisan cheese tasting.  The wines were all “mountain wines:”  merlots, cabernets and blends from Mt. Veeder, Pride Mt., Diamond Mt. and Pine Mt. I was struck by the power and finesse of the J. Davies Cabernet from Diamond Mt., a 2008 that retails for $80.  “We love Napa Valley small producers,” exclaimed Bologna.  Most are 100 case producers or less, and both our wine and food suppliers are all from California.”

Ciprian Orian is the enthusiastic restaurant manager of the new Rockwood Grill and the posh Blue Star Lounge. The Rockwood Grill opens up the dining experience with extra virgin olive oil served with grilled bread.  The salads are home grown in the Coachella Valley.  Mine had greens, shaved apple, fennel, radish, candied pecans, tangerine and pomegranate.  Nicely done.

The San Diego Brandt Farms provided the Filet and it was excellent with sides of grilled asparagus and polenta.

“We are working on a new expansive patio dining concept, adding 80 seats in September,” Orian revealed.  “It will extend into the existing lake and give diners an island sensation.  The Blue Star Lounge will also expand around the dining area, for a total of 468 seats.  Small bites will be big in the lounge area.”   Lots to know about at the web site:  www.desertspringsresort.com.

San Diego’s Little Italy & Enoteca Style Taste Great

It was Open House along India Street in San Diego’s Little Italy recently
as hundreds of visitors, hungry for old world food and drink, descended on nearly 30 restaurants. The new format restaurants are exciting to see and to dine in.  They include: Davanti, a small bites bar with a large inside and outside dining area; ISOLA, a pizza bar with huge blowups of Italian actress Sophia Loren and a red wood-burning pizza oven direct from Naples; Bencotto, an urban dining room featuring take-out and two $12,000. Prosciutto curing and cutting “red wheel” slicers.

ISOLA Pizza Bar is one of the newest Italian food and wine bars in the Little Italy district of San Diego.

Be sure to check out Enoteca Style, owned by chef Scott Thomas, who also owns Salad Style in the Gaslamp District.

The wine list is one of the largest in Little Italy, from sparkling Prosecco to a regal, velvety  Nebbiolo d’Alba, both popular Italian wines.  The food is California fusion with the Italian tradition.  And they do deliver, whether it be fresh, creative paninis, international style salads or full plate entrees such as Tuna Tatare and Roasted Garlic Chicken Meatballs.  Every Wednesday, it’s half price wine night. Have look at www.enotecastyle.com.

Wine Bytes
The 2nd annual San Diego Wine Country Festival returns to Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo Sat. Aug. 11 from 1 to 5pm.  Over 20 wineries will be pouring.  Tickets on line for $25. or day of event for $30.  Full details by calling 858-487-1866 or www.bernardowinery.com.

The 17th annual Mamas Kitchen benefit Wine & Food Tasting is Thurs. Aug. 16 from 6 to 9pm in San Diego.  The organization delivers food daily to the AIDS stricken.  $60. advance, $70. day of event.  Call 619-233-6262.

Europa Village Winery in Temecula has a Celebrity Art event  Sun. Aug. 19 from 11 to 3pm.  Art viewing and live music are free to the public.  Wines available for purchase.  Details by calling 951-216-3380.

The San Diego Spirits Festival is Sat. Aug. 25 and Sun. Aug. 26 from 1 to 6pm, on the Broadway Pier in San Diego.  This is the biggest mix of Cocktails, Culinary and Culture on the West Coast. Bands and mixology contests.  Check out prices and other fun stuff at www.sandiegospiritsfestival.com.  Or call 858-551-1605.