Farm Fresh Food with First Class Wines at West

by Frank Mangio
There’s something remarkable going on at Bistro West and West Steak and Seafood in Carlsbad.  It’s excellence aligned, with top tier wine presentations and food unequaled in freshness and taste on the restaurant landscape.

In a way it’s a simple but brilliant model of same-day fresh vegetables and fruit and the very best Napa Valley/ Sonoma wines, to excite diners who crave this combination.  Evidence the recent wine dinner marquee wineries to present:  Silver Oak and Ferrari- Carano from Sonoma and on Tuesday June 18th, Duckhorn Winery comes in from Napa Valley.  This will be a gold rush sellout and we advise an RSVP on this right away, at 760-930-9100.

 Left to right:  Ben Cane, Winemaker from Silver Oak/Twomey, Julie Bart, rep from Silver Oak, Tom Bertrand, GM of West Steak and Seafood and Bistro West Manager Sean Merzbacher.

Silver Oak is one of the standard bearers for fine Cabernet ever since the wine world of Napa and Sonoma caught on in the 70’s.”Life is a Cabernet” was created by owner Justin Meyer.  Its current 2008 vintage from the Alexander Valley($60.) was served up at West to pair with Executive Chef Eugenio Martignago’s Wagyu steak.  It was a truly savory experience. The Silver Oak 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet ( $90.) was mated with the Rib Eye Cap, a luxury combination that gets to the heart of the West program of only excellence...Only excellence is never more true than Chef Eugenio’s three acre West Farm, just a couple of short miles from West Steak and Seafood and Bistro West.

Someone once said “Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables.  They probably get jet-lagged, just like people.”  Now West’s authentic same-day farm to table approach produces many of the herbs, fruits and vegetables offered from these two restaurants.

The West Restaurants in Carlsbad craft their menus around nature in a three acre farm supervised by Executive Chef Eugenio Martignago shown in the greenhouse where seedlings are nurtured.

 “Right now, we are ready to pick artichokes, zucchini, brussel sprouts, cabbage, beets, onions, asparagus and all the other sides you see on our menu,” he enthused.

“We planted 50 trees this year like avocado, citrus and fruit.  We pick early in the morning and have that day’s crop ready by lunch. Our asparagus grows wild…the more that is picked, the more it comes back.  You never have to plant them again!”
Martignago revealed that for the steakhouse, he leaves the beautiful flower of the zucchini on the plant for show, and encourages diners to eat the flower.  “It is so good,” he exclaimed.

West Steak and Seafood has introduced “A Night with the Chef,” a dining adventure on Tuesday and Thursday nights.  Guests are invited to trust in the expertise of the chefs, who will design a 6 course prix fixe menu based on their hand-picked selections of seasonal ingredients from West Farm.

Guests will get to sample a range of produce to compliment fish, steak or chop; one of a kind, off the menu plates.  Reservations are required 3 days in advance at $95. per person, including wine pairings.  Call 760-930-9100, or visit www.weststeakandseafood.com.

Wine Bytes
PAON Restaurant in Carlsbad has a winemaker dinner Wed. June 19 from 6:15pm, featuring DAOU Vineyards and Winery of Paso Robles.  Special guest is Georges Daou.  $85. ea.  Call 760-729-7377 for an RSVP.

Join Toast Enoteca & Cucina in San Diego’s Gaslamp for an opera-paired 4 course wine dinner Thurs. June 20 at 7pm.  The wine is Alex Sotelo’s Cellars of Napa Valley. Call in to reserve at 619-269-4207.

SLO Wine Country, San Luis Obispo presents Roll Out the Barrels Weekend, Thurs. June 20 to Sun. June 23. Dinners in the wineries, and tours of the wineries with a passport on Sat. and Sun.  Check out all events at www.slowine.com.

The Terrace at Addison, the Grand Del Mar Resort, is the location for Flights of Wine Tasting Fri. June 21 from 5:30 to 7:30pm and every other Fri. through Aug. Price is $25. Details at 858-314-1996.

Encinitas Wine Merchants has two major winery pourings Fri. June 21, McPrice Myers and Bodega De Edgar plus over 20 wines available by the glass.  $20. pp.  Call 760-407-4265.

Reviewing 2012 and the Top Ten Tastings

by Frank Mangio
In 2012 America solidified its position as the world’s largest wine consuming country in the world (beating the French, again).  Sales at COSTCO, the number one seller of wine, reached 1.4 billion dollars as the membership discounter amped-up its square footage with more premium wine offerings.

The West Coast had it finest harvest of wine grapes in over a decade in 2012.  We predict that when the red wines are showing on the shelves starting in 2014, buyers are going to buy them by the case (cheaper by the dozen).  Another prediction:  Francis Ford Coppola, the movie director turned winemaker in Napa Valley, will remake the old, cheapened Inglenook wine name into one of the most favored wine brands in the world.

My Top Ten Tastes include three from Napa Valley, one of the world’s best growing grounds for red wine, at the best prices I could find.  Other areas are: Sonoma,  Italy, Germany and Spain. The ten are treated equally on an excellence scale from 1 to 5, weighing flavor, body and value.  The list is alphabetical, all were rated excellent and does NOT indicate rank.

Alto Moncayo Garnarcha, Borja Spain.  2009.  $52.  Bold, ripe and ripping with muscular texture.  Bursting with ripe berry flavor. This old vine Garnacha, a twin to the French Rhone Genache grape, is elegantly laced with a smoky white pepper accent.  www.wine.com

Angelini Agricola Sangiovese, Marche Italy. $17.  A rich landscape of farming northeast of Tuscany, Angelini captures the essence of the Sangiovese grape, a full-bodied, dry red.  Hints of cherry. leather, vanilla, oak and tobacco. Aged a minimum one year. Perfect pasta wine. www.angeliniwine.com.


B Cellars Sangiovese Napa Valley 2010.  $45. Remarkable minerality normally found only in Tuscany, Italy.  Ripe Strawberry with hints of vanilla.  Not as acidic as some.  Bolder skins of Syrah are integrated for skin color and tannins.  www.bcellars.com.

B Cellars Napa Valley owner Duffy Keys, left, lives in Rancho Santa Fe  and appears at wine dinners at Dolce Pane E Vino, welcomed by General Manager Steve Flowers.

Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel Germany 2010.  $20. Found at the newly remodeled Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Feand The Grand Del Mar, this Riesling has stunning fruit forward, perfectly proportioned sweetness of peach, to balance citrus qualities. Harvested from the steep slate slopes of the Mosel District. www.drloosen.com.

Ferrari-Carano Tresor Blend Sonoma CA. 2009.  $52.  Mostly Cabernet in a Bordeaux Blend from “dry” farmed, low-yielding vines on higher elevations, Tresor produces a dense, black well of color, with vanilla and cedar tones.  Aged in French oak for 19 months.  www.ferrari-carano.com.

Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma CA.  2008. $52. An Estate Cab with start to finish high quality control, matching the best of Bordeaux.  Silky and elegant with ripe plum accents.  www.jordanwinery.com.

Keenan Merlot Napa Valley CA.  2009.  $36.  Winemaker Michael Keenan’s favorite wine…”goes with everything I eat.”  From the Spring Mountain area of Napa Valley, above the fog.  Intense black cherry, blackberry and cassis.  Coffee bean notes.  A BIG Merlot.  www.keenanwinery.com.

Lewis Alec’s Blend Napa Valley CA.  2010.  $60.  All mountain blend of 70% Syrah, 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet.  Big high horsepower wine with chocolaty finish.  High octane 15.5% alcohol nicely balanced.  www.lewiscellars.com.

Selbach-Oster Kabinett Riesling Mosel Germany. 2010. $18.99.  The lead white wine for the upscale restaurant chain Seasons 52 Fresh Grill, and hand selected by their Master Sommelier George Miliotes

Miliotes describes this discovery as fruity to slightly sweet with a perfect baked apple finish.  As in most Rieslings, only 9% alcohol guarantees to bring out the juicy  refreshment as only a German Riesling is capable of doing; like a kiss of a wet stone. Slate soils high on Mosel banks inject this layered-in minerality.

Miliotes added: “I was drawn to the Mosel River district of Germany.  This Riesling is my poster child for our old world wines.”  www.winesearcher.com

A Seasons 52 Fresh Grill appetizer is the Artichoke and Goat Cheese Flatbread with two Selbach-Oster Kabinett Rieslings from Mosel Germany, a Top Ten Taste.

Tomassi Amorone Valpolicella Classico Verona Italy. 2007. $79.  The Tomassi family has been making this timeless wine for 112 years. Includes Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinari grapes from the region. Grapes are dried for 4 months prior to pressing, then aged for 3 years in large Slavonian Oak.  www.tomassiwine.it.

West Restaurants Reach Out with Toys for Tots

by Frank Mangio
My favorite time of the year is within reach, when the food and wine community reaches out and sets the table with special occasion dinner and wine parties and giving programs for the needy.

The West Restaurants & Inn in Carlsbad is a prime example of such an outreach of fun, flavorful food and drink sampling, healthy choices for diners and a seasonal gift for the holiday season on Thursday, December 6 from 5 to 8pm.  On that date, West Village is staging its 6th annual Holiday Open House, asking guests to bring an unwrapped gift for the Marines Toys for Tots drive.

A short time ago, Executive Chef Eurgenio Martignago hosted an OktoberWest culinary, wine and beer event.  Wines included a Von Hovel Reisling with a farm to table caprese, basil oil and pumpkin de cre’me.

A Santa Cristina Sangiovese was paired with West Farm Tampura-Style Zucchini Blossoms and the Navarro Correas Cabernet highlighted a butternut squash gnocchi. All the while, the oompah pah music thumped away Bavarian music.

On December 6th, there will be special appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus with carriage rides, carolers, face painting and holiday treats for all.  It’s all free, with an wrapped toy or gift encouraged.  For more, call 760-448-4500.

Enjoy Wines with a Core and Explore Strategy
Ever more brands are presented to wine buyers these days, which can turn into a frustrating experience when you are locked into a few wines, but yearn to learn about what else is out there.

I enjoy a new discovery now and then, but I don’t’ stray from my “go-to” wines that I know will please my palate.  My aproach for a relaxed, systemized way to consume wine is what I call Core and Explore. I have a simple 5 point rating system, from one point (dislike) to 5 points (loved it!).

I log the tasted wine with its rating on to a master list, with name, where it came from and where it was bought, varietal, vintage and cost.  Your list of “loved its” is your core wine list, which roughly could be about 60% of your wine budget.  Save 40% for new wines, that you might have tried at wine events or with friends at a party.  Check out their web site for more information, then buy.

If the wine is truly great, then you’ve added another to your core list.


Some Wines to Try for Holiday Dinners and Parties
Here are some wines that I have tried and added to my TASTE OF WINE Core List:  Argyle Nuthouse Pinot Noir Oregon 2009. $50.  A robust Pinot Noir aged in a hazelnut drying facility.  Bold Structure.

Ferrari-Carano Tresor Red Blend, Sonoma Ca.  2009.  $52.  Five Bordeaux style grapes led by Cabernet Sauvignon from the best estate vineyards hand harvested from dry-farmed vines. French Oaked aged for 19 months.

Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Sonoma Ca.  2008. $52. a TOP pick in a Readers Choice poll, this wine is silky and elegant with ripe plum accents. Some Merlot and Petite Verdot.

NORTHSTAR Merlot, Columbia Valley Washington, 2008.  $20.  From the family of St. Michelle wines, concentrated vintage from the wine country with the longest  days of sun and light for grape growing.

Orfila Vineyards Pinot Noir, San Pasqual Valley, Ca. 2011.  $40. Amazing flavor extracted from young, enthusiastic grapes brought in from Arroyo Grande in Monterey Wine Country.  Credit Justin Mund, winemaker for this creative, move.

Tommasi AmoroneDella Valpolicella Classico, Verona, Italy.  $70.  A peak performer taking locally grown Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinari grapes and hand drying for 4 months, then aging for 3 years.

Wine Bytes
Davanti Enoteca in the DelMar Highlands Center has a Piemonte Italy Wine Dinner event Thurs. Dec. 6 at 6:30pm.  Taste sparkling wines, Barolo, Barbera and Barbaresco wines with a 5 course dinner.  $75. per person.  Details and RSVP phone 858-519-5060.

Wiens Cellar in Temecula is staging a benefit event for the Zoofari Foundation, Sun. Dec. 9 from 4 to 6pm.  There will be wine pouring, appetizers and animal “Ambassadors” like Victor the Cheetah.  Also Silent Auction.  $55. donation pp.  RSVP at 760-630-9230.

Holiday Wine Cellar is planning its Grand Tasting Sat. Dec. 15 from 3 to 6pm.  150+ wines to choose from to the first 100 who RSVP.  $35. ea.  includes commemorative glass.  Call 760-745-1200.