Frank Mangio Presented Sentinel Award for Wine Reporting

In a ceremony at SOLARE Ristorante in Pt. Loma San Diego, TASTE OF WINE, the leading wine/food weekly column was awarded the "Sentinel," for wine reporting, from Banfi Vintners and Castello Banfi, world wide leaders of wine. "I was humbled and thrilled by this award," said Frank, Senior  Editor of the column that reaches along the SoCal coastal market. " I honestly felt like I was getting an 'Oscar' for all the work we have done in presenting wine to readers and viewers these past 10 years." Cristina Mariani-May CEO of Banfi presented the award to Frank.

Frank Mangio and Cristina Mariani-May with the Sentinel Award. 

The Best Wine & Food Tour Ever: The Beginning

by Frank Mangio
Three months before, the idea of a journey to the ultimate wine country, some Sonoma and mostly Napa Valley, came into the planning stage.

It was gong to be harvest time, a difficult time at best to get the attention of wine makers and managers of wineries, but critical to what I wanted:  access to the truth about this year’s harvest and what we could expect from 2015. The millions of bottles from the over 500 wineries, will start coming  to  market  next year.

In mid September I flew to the lovely little “Snoopy” airport, the Charles Schulz, just above Santa Rosa , an hour twenty flight from San Diego . A rental without wait quickly got me to the pristine village of Sonoma. After a Pinot Noir tasting at the cottage of Walt Wines in the Plaza that I’ll bring up in another issue, my destination in Sonoma was  the critically acclaimed  wine/food center of excellence, Carneros Bistro.

Executive Chef Joshua Murray, at the
Carneros Bistro with columnist Frank Mangio

This beautifully designed restaurant is centrally located in the Lodge at Sonoma , with hotel, restaurant, wine bar, spa and shops.  It offers many wine choices with reasonable pricing, collected by Sommelier  Joshua Betts who enjoys finding little-known but excellent wines like the Riesling from S.A.Prumm, in the Mosel area of Germany.  Equally lovely was the presentation of a bottle of Almus, a single vineyard cabernet from the Napa Valley Pritchard Hill district. It was a 2008 that had significant seasoning to soften tannins and add complexity.

Carneros Bistro is gem of a dining room.  It has a vast open kitchen and it was a delight to watch Executive Chef Joshua Murray mastermind the many meals being created with his team to present to an upbeat room.  I ordered from the menu, but Murray kept bringing us his personal specialty samplers, some of which I had not been familiar with.  After some reservation on my part, he explained the personal ingredients he had infused with such dishes as:  Wood Grilled Octopus, Sonoma Foie Gras and BBQ Pork Belly.  All were firsts for me and after sampling, I felt good making the great leap forward to exotic dining. Menu items favored were:  Farmers Market Salad with luscious figs, Wood grilled Ora King Salmon from Australia and Grilled Niman Ranch Steak with roasted fingerling potatoes, broccolini, cauliflower puree and cabernet syrup. Chef Joshua came from another favorite resort of mine, the Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert and insists on a farm to table style of menu.

The Renaissance Lodge at Sonoma Resort  & Spa is a member of the Marriott Group. To discover more, go to Marriott.com/sfols.

On to Napa Valley
On day two, all I could hear about was the wildfire that toasted a town in Lake County just north of the Napa Valley line and was taking out everything in front of it. Traffic was stopped at Calistoga, Napa Valley ’s northernmost town.

Bill Miller, Director of Wine Sales at Hill Family Estate in Napa Valley ,
expresses the Hill philosophy that ” if you want to dream in color, drink wine.”

I arrived after a 45 minute drive from Sonoma, across the Carneros district and up to Yountville, arriving at Hill Family Estate where I met the expressive Bill Miller, who guided me through the family garden that services fresh ingredients to most of the restaurants in the area.  Earlier in Hill’s history the family provided similar service for many wineries in Napa Valley.  They grew grapes from over a thousand acres, and sold them to some of the most prestigious wineries. Now, only the best are reserved for Hill Family Estate.  Look them up at hillfamilyestate.com.

On Wednesday, day three, the rains came and subdued the renegade fire; another miracle from the place of miracles, Napa Valley .

Part 2 of the Best Wine & Food Tour Ever will be seen in next week’s column.

Wine Bytes
Vittorio’s in Carmel Valley has a Tuscany Tour of wine and food Thurs. Oct. 29th starting at 6pm.  $49.50 ea.  RSVP at 858-538-5884.

Il Fornaio Coronado presents a Mondavi Wine Dinner Thurs. Oct. 29th at 6pm.  $65. per guest.  Reservations at 619-437-4911.

Justine Vineyards and Winery from Paso Robles will host a four course dinner with their wine Fri. Oct. 30th at 7:30pm in the underground wine cave at Pala Casino Spa & Resort.  $68. pp. Call 1-877-946-7252. Ask to “book the wine dinner on Oct. 30.”

Top Ten Wine Tastes of 2014

by Frank Mangio
Pop the corks, and let the new year of 2015 begin.  2014 by any wine follower’s yardstick was a beauty.  As we noted in an earlier TASTE OF WINE, the price point for a bottle of wine and a night at a favorite restaurant rose per consumer.  Many more household wine names were doing  road shows at restaurants and wine events.

The French wines continued their slide, especially in the U.S. and China , which bought 72% less French vineyard property than 2013, according to a recent Wall St Journal article.  Chinese wine imports from Chile , the U.S. and Italy are rising.  Wine Spectator’s top 100 wines in the world had 19 from the U.S., 19 from Italy and 14 from France . The world wide chain Starbucks projects a billion dollars in wine and beer sales from their menu expansion that includes wine bars.  Their American group President was quoted as saying “female customers in particular enjoy meeting friends for a glass of wine in the evening.”

The new fashion color in 2015 for men and women will be a “a shade of wine with everything” that’s earthy and sophisticated, and is called Marsala , named after a wine capital in Sicily. My  Top Ten Tastes include: 3 from Napa Valley , 3 from Italy and 1 each from Washington , Paso Robles, Sonoma and Monterey.

Varietals include:  3 Cabernets, 2 Chardonnays, 2 Sangiovese, 2 Pinot Noirs and 1 Montepulciano di Abruzzo.

The ten are equally ranked on an excellence scale of one to 5, considering flavor, body and value at the best pricing I could find. The list is alphabetical, all were rated excellent and does not indicate ranking.

Avignonesi Rosso di Montepulciano Italy . 2012. $19.  Bursting with red fruits, this Tuscan wine has complex hints of rosemary and peppery spices for a hearty taste. Avignonesi.it.

One of the pristine wine cellars at Castello Banfi, Montalcino Italy

Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino, Italy .  2009.  $60.  The Brunello that put this elegant wine on the world map.  With Banfi, it truly is no Brunello before its time.  Nurtured 5 years before release. A classic Sangiovese grape. Castellobanfi.com.

Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, Napa Valley .  2012.  $40.  A fine restaurant white wine with grapes from the Carneros region of Napa Valley . Bright natural acidity. Aged in oak.  Cakebread.com.

Caymus Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley .  2012.  $55.  40th Anniversary keepsake bottle. Fantastic Cabernet from  iconic winemakers, the Wagner Family.  Dense purple color from blackberry with silky tannins.  Enormous response with 60,000 cases sold.  Caymus.com.

Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley Washington .  2012.  $9.95.  Could be the greatest value of the ten.  Consistent quality as in all Columbia Crest wines.  Dark, spicy, smooth tannins. Lingering flavor.  Columbiacrest.com.

Edna Valley Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey .  2012.  $45.  Another great 2012 harvested wine.  18 months in oak.  Dark cherry with notes of caramel, mushroom and earth.  Ednavalleyvineyard.com.

Grgich Hills Estate Grown Chardonnay, Napa Valley , 2012.  $42.  Excellent harvest, even better quality Chardonnay, pioneered by Mike Grgich and made famous at the Paris Tasting in 1976. Complex flavors and natural acidity, all farmed naturally.  Apple notes with hint of melon and cashew nuts.  Grgich.com.
   

Grgich Hills Estate in Napa Valley produced three Chardonnays this year, all harvested in 2012, one of which is a celebration of his world renowned success at the 1976 Paris Tasting.

Justin Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles. 2012.  $22.  Welcoming soil and sub-climate make finesse-filled wines at this western-most Paso outpost of fine wines.  Small oak barrel aging, balanced with flavors of black fruit and spice. Justinwine.com.

Sojourn Pino Noir, Russian River Sonoma . 2012. $48.  Big and deep Pinot from the Wohler Vineyard. Classic cherry, cola and earthy flavors.  Sojourncellars.com

Villa Cafaggio Reserva Chianti Classico , Tuscany Italy 2009. $20.  Only hand-picked grapes selected for color, aroma and soft tannins.  Aged 18 months in French oak barriques.  Wine has concentration and depth. 100% Sangiovese grapes.  Villacafaggio.it.                                                                                                                    
Wine Bytes
The new Perfect Pairings Wine Bar & Bistro in Carlsbad at 300 Carlsbad Village Dr. has a Justin/Landmark Wine Dinner, Tues. Jan. 6 at 6:30pm.  5 course dinner for $85.  Five wines will be poured including one of TASTE OF WINE’S top ten tastes, the Justin 2012 Cabernet.  RSVP and details at 760-453-7974.

Solare Restorante at Liberty Station in San Diego presents a Castello Banfi Wine Dinner with 6 Banfi wines and a 5 course dinner, 6:45 to 9:30pm.  Banfi’s own  Luciano Castiello will MC the wine portion of the evening.  Cost is $75.  For all the details, call 619-980-9652.

The Worldly Wines of Washington State

by Frank Mangio
Intense and complex are the two descriptors I see most when describing the wines of Washington state. Washington is way up North, the most northern major wine growing area in the world. But before you start thinking that this wine country is a small group of cold weather winemakers, think again. Two global wine giants call Washington home:  Chateau St. Michelle and Columbia Crest, now joined at the hip for a collaboration to make the best wines in the region.

Founded in 1934, Chateau St Michelle is the oldest in Washington, known for its Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet. Its winery is 15 miles northeast of Seattle in Woodinville, but its grapes are grown way East in the Columbia Valley.  I have two favorites from this iconic wine maker.

Head Chateau St  Michelle winemaker Bob Bertheau with German Riesling expert Dr. Ernst Loosen

The first is the 2011 Eroica, a German style Riesling ($19.at North County Wine Company) exuding lime and orange rind flavors with subtle mineral notes. It’s a collaboration of Dr. Ernst Loosen, Germany’s most famous Riesling maker, and head winemaker of Chateau St. Michelle, Bob Bertheau.

The other worldly wine that I can’t get enough of is the Chateau St. Michelle Col Solare.  In 1995, Piero Antinori, Italy’s master winemaker and a founder of Tuscany’s “Super Tuscan” wines, came to St. Michelle and made Col Solare (means Shining Hill in Italian - $49.99 for the 2006 at Encinitas Wine Merchants; It’s also poured by the glass there.)

The Bordeaux style blending is 71% Cabernet, 25% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. The ‘06 spent 27 months in oak barrels, and should mature from five to seven years, so it should be ready now.

Grapes from this regal red come from Red Mountain, a sub-appellation to the Columbia Valley. In the Columbia Valley as well as Walla Walla, Yakima and Puget Sound AVA’s,  Washington’s vast wine country is the #2 wine producer in the country, a distant 2nd to California. With its 17 hour summer sunshine, wine grapes fully develop rich flavors.

Columbia Crest  and its Horse Heaven Hills ( H3) is adjacent to the Columbia River with a rocky volcanic basalt and bedrock base.  The current  2010 Cabernet ($13. at North County Wine Company) delivers a balance of cherry blossoms and rose petals laced with earthy mineral flavors.

Other names to try include:  Quilceda Creek 2010 Cabernet, Leonetti Cellar 2011 Merlot and L’Ecole 2009 Cabernet. For more on our feature wineries, tap into www.ste-michelle.com and www.columbia-crest.com.

 Firefly Grill & Wine Bar on Fire
Jim Barrasso has cranked up the heat on his Firefly Grill & Wine Bar in Encinitas. He and Chef Justin have rolled out a new late summer menu  with many new items on board with the freshest meats, seafood and local seasonal produce.  Firefly was again honored with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, the 7th consecutive year, for  its extraordinary selection of world class wines. Barrasso keeps finding insider pricing for his customers to take home and savor at  50% or more reductions. This time around it’s the Kuleto Estate Meritage, “The Frog Prince” Napa Valley 2009.  At the winery, it’s $50. a bottle.  Barrasso has a few cases left at $19. a bottle at press time.  Call him at 760-635-1066.

Wine Bytes
A flight, full glass of wine and a flatbread starting at $15. is the big-bang combo at Seasons 52, daily til 6pm, at UTC in La Jolla. All wines are hand-selected by their master sommelier. Details at 858-450-1252.

An Around the World Tasting is offered by Bacchus Wine Market, downtown San Diego, Fri. Aug. 30 from 4 to 8:30pm.  For $20., sample seven wines from 7 countries. More at 619-236-0005.

The San Diego Wine Company in San Diego has an End of Summer Grillin’ Wine Tasting Sat. Aug. 31. from 11 to 4pm.  $10. pp.  Call 858-586-9463.

The Grape Day Wine & Craft Beer Festival at Grape Day Park in Escondido is Sat. Sept. 7 from 11 to 3pm. Tasting includes Orfila, Stone and many more.  $20. cost.  Call 760-839-4587.

New Winemaker in Napa Valley Makes it Right with Haitus

by Frank Mangio

The man on the move with Napa Valley wines that are making a solid statement is Mark Davidowski.

Mark was the guiding force behind the highly successful (and it still is) Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas, which he started in 2002 after a successful run as a tech specialist and wine distributor.  He implemented revolutionary strategy for a wine shop at that time, bringing in wine makers, producing major benefit wine events and establishing relationships with overseas wineries, so much so, they came to Meritage just to hang out and pour wine at its festive wine bar.

Mark Davidowski pours a pop of his 2009 Haitus Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet.

But Mark did a disappearing act a few years ago to bury himself in winemaking Napa Valley style, and a year or so ago emerged as the proud proprietor  of Haitus Cellars, with 5 varietals and blends, now offering his 2nd series of releases.  He was “back at the shop” a couple of months ago at Meritage, pouring his 2011 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($48.), 2010 Apex Napa Valley Cabernet Red Blend $40.), 2010 Napa Valley Chardonnay ($27.), 2007 Hiatus Red Syrah Blend $40.) and the 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet ($50.).

The wines I make are about all the relationships I have developed with vineyards in Napa and Sonoma for the past decade and more,”Davidowski revealed.  “ I really work hard to find and take ownership of the finest grapes I can find.  Once fermented I take over and start with the blending.  I already know what the flavor will be for the  block of grapes I get for Haitus.  I work closely with the vineyard’s top winemakers to make wine on site to my specs.  I ‘m on a first name basis with Paul Hobbs and other greats to make my style of wine. I love elegance in an earthy style, like the best Burgundies.”

I asked him about his 2007 Haitus Red which blew me away.  “ The grapes are from the Pope Valley with a rich and powerful thrust from the 39% Syrah. I put Cab Franc in for flavor.  I needed a lift for the blend so I put a small but potent percent of Zinfandel in and made it that much richer and bigger,” he concluded.

Get to know Mark Davidowski and Haitus at www.haituscellars.com.

Wines from Down Under at Villa Capri 2

My good friend Victor Magalhaes is riding high these days with his successful Villa Capri 2 among several other Italian restaurants along the Carmel Valley 56 corridor in San Diego.  If that were not enough he just bought Twisted Vine Wine Bar in the same area. When I caught up with him, he introduced me to Mark Salter, the Southwest Sales Director for Australian wines, with a few in France, Italy, New Zealand and the U.S. west coast. At Villa Capri 2, he was singing the praises of the signature wines of d’Arenberg from the

D’Arenberg wines were showcased recently at Villa Capri 2 in San Diego.  Sales rep Mark Salter

is shown on the left, with restaurant owner Victor Magalhaes.

McLaren Valley of South Australia.  The ones that broke through on taste and body were:  the 2009 Custodian Grenache ($17.50), the 2010 Footbolt Shiraz($17,50) and the 2009 Cadenza Blend ( Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre( $23.).  See more events at www.villacapri2.com.

Top Ten Most Booked Restaurants in San Diego
Open Table dot com just came out with their Top Ten voted by subscribers:
#1-Seasons 52 in La Jolla.  #2-Cucina Urbana in San Diego.  #3-Stone Brewing World in Escondido.  #4-Benihana in San Diego.  #5-Ruth’s Chris Steak House in San Diego.  #6-Jake’s in Del Mar.  #7-Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Del Mar.  #8-George’s in La Jolla.  #9-Vintana in Escondido.  #10-The Patio in Pacific Beach.

Wine Bytes
Vintana Restaurant Escondido is celebrating its 1 year Anniversary Sun. May 19 starting at 2:30pm.  Enjoy wine tasting, hosted Hors d’oeuvres and live music. Meet Executive Chef Deborah Scott.  RSVP a must at 760-745-7777.

North County Wine Company in San Marcos offers a tasting event from Hendry Napa Valley, Fri. May 17 from 4 to 10pm. Cost is $15. pp.  Wine rep Jacquee Renna appears. 760-744-2119.

Europa Village Winery in Temecula presents a mystery dinner theatre, “Murder on the  Oriental Rug,” Sat. & Sun. May 18 & 19 starting at 6pm.  Broadway costumes encouraged.  Tickets $59. ea.  For RSVP’s contact 951-216-3380.

Vin Opera, a wine and music paired dinner happens at Acqua Al 2 on 5th Ave. Gaslamp San Diego, Wed. May 22 at 7 pm.  4 course dinner with Italian wines and opera.  Cost is $70. RSVP at 619-230-0382.

More Wines to Know in Napa Valley

by Frank Mangio
There is no debate that the best known wine country in America  has been under a lot of stress due to the economy, challenging grape growing weather, price cutting and carpetbagger-discounters.  It’s been a struggle the past 5 years for the famed Napa Valley.  What a difference a year has made. 2012 will be forever known as the great turn around year for this small place with the big reputation, that produces just 4% of California’s wine grapes but sells some 80% of its wines.

I have come to be convinced that “mountain wines” in the Napa Valley are in many ways, the most intense and flavorful.  Three appellations stand out, so let’s start with Mt. Veeder to the south, and Hess Collection, founded by Swiss born Donald Hess in 1978.

Hess Collection Senior Wine Educator Emily Eckerman pours a 2011 Small Block Pinor Gris 

($24. at the winery).

Hess now has 310 acres under vine on Mt. Veeder plus two other Napa vineyards and one in Monterey, and sustainably farmed according to the Hess philosophy:  “nurture the land, return what you take.”

The wine name to know at Hess is the 2008 Mt. Veeder 19 Block Cuvee, a Cabernet based blend, with Malbec, Merlot and Syrah ( $36. at the winery).

At the northern edge of Napa Valley, way up on Howell Mountain, sits Robert Craig Winery. This area begins at 1,400 feet above the fog, meaning warmer mornings and cooler afternoon breezes.  Cabernets rule here and Zinfandels do well also. Rocky, volcanic soil allows porous conditions with superior drainage for deep roots.

Robert Craig grows great Cabs at 2,400 feet on just 9 acres, planting only where nature allowed.  He has 34 acres at neighboring Spring Mountain.  He was with Hess Collection when he founded his vineyard in 1978, then started the Robert Craig name in 1992.  He makes only mountain Cabernet and calls it the “Iron Fist in the Velvet Glove.” Try his flagship 2009 Affinity, a delicious splash of dark berry flavor with hints of espresso and anisette ( $45. at the winery.)

November’s  San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival brought in Michael Keenan of the Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley, winemaker and owner of Robert Keenan Winery.  The winery is known world-wide for its brilliantly crafted Merlots, harvested from  Keenan’s 3 vineyards.

Michael Keenan of Robert Keenan Winery lit up a recent seminar at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival with his comparative tasting of Keenan Merlots from around the Napa Valley.

“We’re in a big turn around on price and quality,” he asserted. “My favorite wine is Merlot.  It goes with almost everything I eat; it’s round and elegant with a sensual taste.  It is an uphill struggle only because it doesn’t get the publicity other reds get, and too many wineries were making bad Merlot.  The best thing that ever happened to Merlot was the movie Sideways because it forced a lot of wineries to get rid of their mediocre Merlot. Women love it as an alternative to the tannic Cabernets.”

The year 2012 was excellent for the Merlot crop and gave it powerful flavor enhancement. I recommend the 2009 Keenan Napa Valley Merlot, a big tasting Merlot mostly from Spring Mountain ($36. at the winery).

Wine Spectator has just revealed its #1 wine in the world and I am happy to announce, it’s a Napa Valley wine:  the 2008 Shafer “Relentless” Blend, a combination of Syrah and Petite Syrah, made on a hill in the Stags Leap District. ($60, at the winery)

Wine Bytes
Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas has an Italian Face-off Tour of the Boot tasting Fri. Dec. 7 from 6 to 8pm for $20. pp.  Details at 760-479-2500.

A High End Bordeaux wine tasting happens at Bacchus Wine Market, downtown San Diego Sat. Dec. 8 from 2 to 8:30pm. Try world class Cabernet, Merlot and Meritage blends.  Cost is $35.  Call 619-236-0005.

Dolce Pane E Vino in Rancho Santa Fe presents a B Cellars Wine Dinner Tues. Dec. 11 at 6:30pm.  Some of the best from Napa Valley will be paired with the cuisine of two chefs.  RSVP at 858-832-1518.

Firefly Grill & Wine Bar in Encinitas is planning A Roth Estate  Sonoma Wine Dinner Thurs. Dec. 13 from 6:30 to 9pm, featuring Alexander Valley Cabernet 2009 with pan roasted Flat Iron Steak.  $60. pp.  Call 760-635-1066.

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.

Top Ten Wine Tastings – 1st Half of 2011

The first half of this year brought to us more wine events than ever, with emphasis on trade and wine country associations banding together promoting their respective regional interests. I counted over 400 that crossed my radar with over 3,500 wines tasted.

On the retail side, a couple of trends developed on my Southern California beat: restaurants and resorts are adding a retail “buy it here, drink it here or take it home” component to their operation causing stress to locally owned wineshops; and county government is actually cooperating with winery associations to promote wine tasting in new or existing AVA’s.

Evidence the opening of some 10 public wine tasting rooms where there were nearly none allowed earlier, in the Ramona Valley of San Diego County.

The following are standout wines that I have tasted and awarded an “excellent” rating, based on flavor, complexity and price point-to-value. The Top Ten are NOT ranked but are listed alphabetically. Prices shown can vary and are what I have noted in web sites and at retail shops. Web sites are inserted for your further research.

§ Artesa Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2005. $15. A classic Cabernet from this Carneros District winery, with grapes from 3 vineyards in Atlas Peak and Oakville. www.artesawinery.com.

§ Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz, Australia, 2007. $18. A French style red with a touch of Cabernet and Grenache to add to the Shiraz body for an old world flavor medley. Australia’s Producer of the Year award winner. www.banfivintners.com.

§ Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel Germany, 2009. $15. World renowned maker of racy, mineral-driven Riesling from the steep, slate slopes of the Mosel River. Crisp, slight sweetness on the palate. www.drloosen.com.

§ Fontodi Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, 2006. $26. Pure 100% Sangiovese legacy grapes. 12 months aging in small French barriques. Great benchmark for all that is lovely in Tuscany. www.fontodi.com.

§ Marilyn Remarke Grenache, Monterey, Ca., 2008. $45. Meticulous re-creation of Rhone style Grenache. A revelation of old world south-of-France vibrancy. www.remarkewines.com.

§ Niner Twisted Spur, Paso Robles, CA., 2007. $25. Wine maker Amanda Cramer brought out the best of the vineyard in this all-estate blend of mostly Merlot, supported by Cab Franc, Syrah and Petite Sirah. www.ninerwine.com.

§ Pedroncelli Bushnell Vineyard Zinfandel, Sonoma, Ca.,2009. $20. Remarkable Dry Creek Valley Zin from prized 20 acre family related vineyard for over 50 years. Captures the essence of “California’s grape,” and takes it to a new level. www.Pedroncelli.com.

§ Solis Winery Merlot Reserve, Santa Clara Valley, CA. 2008. $40. Rich Italian family tradition from the 20’s has brought Solis L.A. International Gold, and acclaim to this velvet-lined, regal tasting wine. www.soliswinery.com.

§ Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Oregon, 2008. $39. World-class Pinot from the new world’s authentic footprint of Burgundy, France, the birthplace of Pinot Noir. Its certified organic farming was first in the U.S. www.sokolblosser.com.

§ South Coast Winery Sangiovese, Wild Horse Peak, Temecula, CA., 2006.$34. 100% old-world style Sangiovese in French barrels especially designed for this varietal. A sweeping pedigree of high praise for this best-of-class. A triumph for veteran wine maker Jon McPherson. www.wineresort.

Wine Bytes

Falkner Winery in Temecula celebrates its 11th Anniversary Sat. Ju.y 2 thru Mon. July 4. Free Jazz concerts Noon to 3pm on Sat. and Sun., hourly raffle drawings, outdoor BBQs, tours and deep discount sales on top selling wines. All activities are 11 to 5pm. Call 951-676-8231 for details.

Bacchus Wine Market, in the Gaslamp District of San Diego, is having a Sparkling Wines and BIG Zinfandel Tasting, Fri. July 1 from 4 to 8:30pm and Sat. July 2 from 2pm to 8:30pm. $15. pp. Six tastings promised. For more, call 619-236-0005.

Tesoro Winery Old Town Tasting Room in Temecula is presenting the Two Of Us Plus One concert on Fri. July 8 from 6 to 9pm. Contact phone is 951-308-0000.

TASTE OF WINE regretfully reports that one of the pioneers of the modern wine shop format in Carlsbad is closing its doors the end of June after some 6 years. Carlsbad Wine Merchants, led by Kathy Bankerd, was an honest, creative wine merchant, who fell victim to the bad economy. She will be missed. The shop has some big discounts on wine and accessories before closing. Call 760-804-9994.

Rhythm and Vine is Music, Food and Wine

by Frank Mangio

Indulge all your senses Saturday April 9 from 6 to 9pm at Westfield Center North County San Diego, as Rhythm and Vine comes again for an unforgettable night of hot tunes, hot food and cool, award-winning wine, to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego.

The music lineup includes the Clay Colton Band with Rock, Country and Folk (shown in photo), Simeon Flick with Acoustic Soul, and Anthony Garcia (Flemenco Guitar). Over 60 wineries will be pouring, paired with 35 gourmet restaurants.

Under the professional guidance of Fast Forward Event Productions, with an unbeatable history of success in large wine and other lifestyle events, the Boys and Girls Club has found a singular food, music and wine event to raise funds for the 25,000 plus children of San Diego County who ultilize its services.

A highlight for guests is the optional VIP tent granting VIP ticket holders access to exclusive food and beverage partners, as well as a VIP after-party that will last until 10pm. The cost is $125. in advance and $150. at the door. General admission tickets cost $75. in advance and $100. at the door. A special discount is available for students and the military-two tickets for $99, pre sale only. Purchase tickets at www.rhythmandvine.org. You can call 760-858-0591, x203 for questions.

Most wine countries in California are represented with generous pours of Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Mourvedre, Sauvignon Blanc and a host of wine blends.

One of the wines showcased in Rhythm and Vine is Callaway Winery of Temecula, fresh from big wins at the 2011 Winemaker Challenge in San Diego.

Callaway Winery in Temecula has recently won Gold for its Chardonnay and will be at the Rhythm and Vine event in Escondido.

Callaway was Temecula’s first winery and lately has come a long way with recently changed ownership, winemaker and marketing support. They have secured gold with the 2008 Winemaker’s reserve Chardonnay and 2009 Winemaker’s Reserve Late Harvest Chardonnay.

Other wineries worth noting are: Artesa of Napa Valley, Cass from Paso Robles and Michael-David from Lodi.

Wine-Speak from Robert Renzoni

I really enjoy trading comments on wine with the new “millennial.” Say what, you say? That’s’ OK, I had no clue what this new wine force was until I found out it’s a crucial part of the marketing of Paso Robles wine country, and their college and night club events. It’s all the young adult generation who turned 21 in 2000, to the present time.

I was at a wine dinner recently at the Temecula Creek Inn and they were featuring nearby wines by Robert Renzoni, who himself is a young, good looking Italian guy who does wine-speak in an easy-going harmonious manner. He’s all about family. Robert is full of stories about father Fred’s involvement in Italian wines from back east and how they have built up a family tradition of wine since 1886.

Robert Renzoni, left, brought his wines to Temecula Creek Inn to pair up with the tasty Meditteranean small bites of Chef Sal Giuliano

A Pinot Grigio, Julia’s Vineyard, is named after his mother, and La Rosa 2008 Rose’ is named after his grandmother. As he likes to say “alla famiglia!” With this spirit in place, many young “millennials” who came that night listened intently to the wine stories and spoke up about their wine choices. A young, well-dressed lady beside me (who brought her young baby to the event) flashed a winning smile and loved the Robert Renzoni 2008 Sangiovese as a beautifully structured, balanced body of wine with a soft finish. The Temecula Creek Inn event planners scored big-time on this one. Check out future events at www.temeculacreekinn.com.

Wine Bytes

PAON Restaurant & Wine Bar is planning a Taste of Bordeaux Sat. April 2 from 2 to 5pm in the Wine Bar, served with chef’s selection of fine cheese and fruit. Five wines will range from an ’09 Blanc to an ’07 St. Emilion. A wine host will be at PAON to educate. $20. pp. Call 760-729-7377.

Falkner Winery in Temecula will have Free Live Jazz on Sundays, starting April 3 from Noon to 3pm. It will be held on the outside lawn area next to the Tasting Room. Saxman Jason Weber will blow.

Lovers of Italian wines will want to get on a plane and go to Verona for this years’ Vinitaly, one of the largest showcases for Italy, Thurs. April 7 to Mon. April 11. Banfi of Tuscany plays a leading role in the event.

Proper, a Gastro Pub next to PETCO Park downtown San Diego will have Anglim Winery of Paso Robles in a wine dinner on Mon. Apr. 4 for $49. ea. RSVP at 619-255-7520. Amglim is a small-lot Rhone style winery.

South Coast Winery Resort and Spa in Temecula brings in the blessing of the Vines Celebration & BBQ Sun. Apr. 10 from 4 to 7pm. Guests take the processional tour through the vineyards for the blessing and chefs cook a BBQ’d meal of Bratwurst, chicken and burgers, with live entertainment and dancing. Call 951-587-9463 for pricing.

RELM Wine Bistro, downtown Carlsbad is hosting Pre-Dating Speed Dating with the next event Sun. Apr. 17 at 5pm and 7pm. Different age groups are matched up so call for details on pricing and demographs. 760-805-5398. Happpy hour is now extended from 3 to 7pm at RELM.

The latest issue of Dining Out San Diego, a free glossy magazine on restaurants and menus, is now on display at hotels, restaurants, wineries and galleries.

Taste of Wine TV Profile: Cameron Hughes, Wine Entrepreneur of the Year

by Frank Mangio
Every so often I am granted an interview with a wine owner and personality that I really look forward to unwrapping. Such was the opportunity to spend some time with Cameron Hughes of Cameron Hughes Wine at the San Diego Press Club holiday party in Point Loma.

“We buy grapes on the spot market and got the company going in 2007,” he began. “We really began to make a lot of wine with various partnerships like COSTCO and that enabled us to grow quickly and flexibly, by focusing on vineyard districts with an established reputation that were having quality harvests. The identities of the vineyards selected are a closely guarded secret to protect their price points.”

Photo: Cameron Hughes

Cameron Hughes bottles and sells the wine at significant discounts. He rightly chose Napa Valley Cabernet to establish a name and early success. “The focus is on fantastic pricing and staying true to the business model. We move quickly to buy at the right wholesale price to fuel growth,” he declared. “We don’t own vineyards. We store, process and bottle at large warehouses, or partner up with a leading winery for their facilities. We look at appellations that have excess capacity and that can take off in sales.” Cameron Hughes pricing sweet spot is the $10. to $25. range. This is a good spot to be in. The low end with a similar model is owned by Fred Franzia and his Bronco Wines of Modesto, founder of boxed wines and the famous Charles (Two Buck Chuck) Shaw with wines at Trader Joes for $2.

A small amount of grapes in this brand come from Napa Valley but most are from the San Joaquin Valley, never a quality choice. (Hughes is also from Modesto, but that’s where the similarity ends.)

Recently Hughes has applied his formula for success to other districts in California like the Santa Ynez Valley, Sonoma, and now Oregon and Chile. “We want to bridge the gap between the producer and retail seller,” he revealed. “We provide cash flow to the venture for a percentage and take the wine up the ladder of success. Our goal is always to provide the best high-end wines for a very reasonable price point. I am watching the wine grape market every day.” A prime example of Cameron Hughes quality would be the Lot 200, 2008 Napa Valley Rutherford/Oakville/Stags Leap Cabernet. Hughes calls it “the best deal ever.” Check it out at COSTCO or the website www.www.chwine.com.

Pinot Noir Wineries Pop the Corks in L.A.
Pinot Days comes to Southern California with a Grand Festival on Saturday January 15 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica from 2 to 6pm.

Thursday and Friday, January 13 and 14, a “Table Hop” dinner and a Meet the Winemakers”dinner , both in Los Angeles, will complete the extended weekend of Pinot Noir entertainment, food and world-class wines.

Pinot Noir is a Burgundy-inspired wine of French birth. It thrives in the coastal elevations of California and Oregon. Most are hand crafted with great care. I am a huge lover of great Pinot.

Photo: Jim Bernau.

Two California brands showed up in my Top Ten Tastes for 2010 and Oregon Pinots have made the list in the past. Jim Bernau purchased what is now Willamette Valley Vineyards in the fertile Willamette Valley of Oregon in 1983. Now the vineyard has expanded to 250 acres of rich, red soil and sits on slopes with about two tons per acre picked for highest quality. Their 2008 new release Pinot Noir will be a spotlight wine at the Pinot Days Grand Festival.


The producers have kept the price at a very reasonable $60.00 per person base price, plus a complimentary Burgundy-style glass. For tickets and other options, go to www.pinotdays.com, or call 415-246-2967 for further information.

Wine Bytes
Bacchus Wine Market downtown San Diego presents Wines from Spain, Fri. Jan. 14 from 4 to 8:30pm. 7 wines from regions like Rioja, Jumilla, Rueda and more. $15. pp. Call 619-236-0005.

Scott’s Restaurant in Orange County hosts the 8th annual Wine Stars of Santa Barbara produced by Learn About Wine, Tues. Jan. 18 from 7 to 9:30pm. 40+ wineries will be pouring. Advance tickets are $89. Call 310-451-7600 for details.

Meritage Wine Market hosts a Burgundy tasting on Fri. Jan. 21 from 6 to 8pm. Cost is $20. More info at 760-479-2500.

Callaway Vineyard & Winery in Temecula kicks off a series of winemaker seminars Sat. Jan. 22 from 10 to 12:30pm. Winemaker Craig Larson will begin with A Taste of Winter. A bottle of wine is included. Cost is $88.50 per seminar, with a discount for club members. Call 951-676-4001.

Vigilucci’s Ristorante in La Jolla has a North to South Wine Dinner Sat. Jan. 22 at 6pm. $65. ea. for a three course dinner paired with regional Italian wines. For an RSVP and details, call 858-454-9664.

Ten Wine Tastings for 2010

by Frank Mangio
After a long and winding road, visiting wineries, vineyards, wine shops, restaurants, resorts and wine events, at times I asked myself “are we there yet, have we found the ten best tastes for this year?” I hope not. Tomorrow may bring yet another lovely wine that matches the list below. I will keep up the hunt for bigger, better, luscious tasting prized wines.

As we go public with this list, wine lovers are getting more for their money and are seeking the highest value wines available as competition is keen with new wine shops offering ever more wines, events, wine bars and small-bites restaurant components. My ten include: two from Napa Valley, two from Sonoma, two from Italy, and one each from Monterey, Paso Robles, Washington and Spain.

I attended some 300 events, tasting over 3,000 wines from all over the world, documenting their taste characteristics, ranking them on my 1 to 5 value scale, and considering cost point vs. flavor. Prices vary from discount retailers to wine shops to web site “cart” prices, so it pays to compare. The ten are NOT ranked, but appear alphabetically. Web sites follow the wine descriptions for your further research.

Banfi Toscana Chianti Superiore, Tuscany, Italy, 2008. $11.
Seven thousand acres at the base of the fabled town of Montalcino plus legacy vineyards in South America and other districts of Italy, Banfi makes a statement with this select Sangiovese grape varietal at an inexpensive price. www.castellobanfi.com.

Cantina Zallagnina Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo, Italy, 2007. $11.
Comes from the younger vineyards of the Montepulciano district in eastern Tuscany. A splash of fruit flavor complements the gritty, earthy old world taste that accentuates with hard cheese and pasta. www.vivavino.com.

Chateau St. Michelle Dr. Loosen Eroica Riesling, Washington, 2008. $18.
Two of the world’s great makers of Riesling, Germany’s Dr. Loosen and Washington’s Chateau St. Michelle, make this bold and forward varietal, with tastes of mandarin orange and sweet lime. www.ste-michelle.com

Duckhorn “The Discussion” 6 Vineyard Blend, Napa Valley, 2006. $115.
An artful blend of varietals from 6 of Duckhorn’s vineyards. It includes 53% Cabernet, 28% Merlot, 14% Cab Franc, and 5% Petite Verdot. The winery’s highest acclaimed creation. Can you detect Truffle Cassis? www.duckhorn.com.

The highly successful RELM Wine Bar in Carlsbad discovered Triton, a Spanish Tempranillo, and one of Taste of Wine’s Top Ten.

Ferrari Carano “Tresor” Bordeaux Blend, Sonoma, 2007. $58.
Old world classic style with new world California flavor. A closer taste finds: 84%Cabernet, with Merlot, Malbec, Cab Franc and Petite Verdot. Tresor means Treasure in France. Indeed, it is. www.ferraricarano.com.

Fog Head Reserve Pinot Noir, Monterey, 2008. $16.
Strawberry/raspberry on the nose. Silky, soft tannins are a trait of fine Pinot. Sits at the Santa Lucia Highlands, positioned to take advantage of the fog pattern that settles at Fog Head’s doorstep. www.tastemonterey.com.

Frank Family Vineyards Pinot Noir, Napa Valley Carneros, 2008. $32.
Over 200 acres spread over the Valley to choose only the best of estate grapes. Six Frank family members plus two grandchildren pouring their hearts out . www.frankfamilyvineyards.com.

Justin “Justification” Bordeaux Blend, Paso Robles, 2008. $45.
Reduced yields pushed up quality. 10 months barrel time dressed up flavor for an unmatched Cab Franc/Merlot marriage. www.justinwine.com

Lewis Chardonnay, Russian River Valley Sonoma, 2008. $65.
A small-lot passion allows constant development with pruning at every stage, from bud break to veraison (fruit coloration) to harvest. Lewis barrel-stores their Chardonnay in French Oak for up to 15 months. www.lewiscellars.com.

Triton Tempranillo, Douro Valley, Spain. 2008. $24.
Named after the Roman God Neptune’s son Triton, who galloped along great seasides and rivers. The Douro River and its soil components play a large role in the sophisticated, elegant flavor of this Spanish creation, with elements of chocolate and delicate spices; a discovery of RELM, the dynamic wine shop in Carlsbad. www.ambassadorofwine.com

Say "Cheese" with your Wine

by Frank Mangio
The press release read: “Join the Cheese Impresario Barrie Linn, bringing together the finest wine and cheese to create a magic relationship that will sing and dance on your palate.”

This invitation was circulated by Dorian Linkogle, the co-owner of Briar Rose Winery in Temecula. Ok, I knew about the wines she and her husband Les produced (see my column of October 10th) but truthfully I had never been to a premium cheese event.

This much I knew. Red wines, especially heavy-bodied varietals, bloom into velvety, delicious, elegant wines, when European style cheeses are added to the tastings.

Linn was passionate in her love of cheeses as she opened up about how she simply wanted to tell the world about her discoveries. And the world responded. She has partnered with the Slow Foods Movement, The Oscar Awards Show, Wine Spectator and numerous wineries in her search for the greatest cheeses on the planet, matching up with the greatest wines. Barrie introduced us to the “Cheese Highway,” a method of maximizing the taste of cheeses and wines.

According to Linn, after sharp inhalations, she advises putting a small amount of the cheese on the tongue, then sip the selected wine pairing on the tongue over the cheese and swallow.

My favorite of the tasting was the Sartori Reserve Rasberry Bella Vitano from Wisconsin, with origins in Italy. It has a unique Parmesan flavor and a cheddar texture. Soaked in raspberry tart ale, it took first place in the American Cheese Society Competition. This cheese was paired with the 2005 Briar Rose Double Gold Winner Cabernet Franc, a Bordeaux style wine that exploded with flavor when poured over the “cheese highway.” To learn more about this cheese phenom and more of her thoughts and tips about cheese, go to www.thecheeseimpresario.com.

Now a few choice words about my all-time favorite cheese, Grana Padano, a magnificent cheese from cultivated cows in the enriching pastures of Parma, Italy. Almost any area of Italy produces cheeses that are worshiped by cheese lovers everywhere. Other popular cheeses are: Asagio in Veneto, Gorgonzola from Lombardy, Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romana from Romagna, Provolone and Mozzarella from Campania, and Ricotta from most areas of Italy.

Grana Padano gets its name from its texture which is grainy. This hard cheese is wonderful for grating over food. Use it in place of salt to enhance flavor. It is an accented yet savory flavored cheese, made in “wheels” and with aging of two years or more. Grana Padano tends to be moist and more delicate than other Parmigiano cheeses, not as sharp as some, but with a nutty character, sweet and delicate.

Wines that do well with Grana Padano are the full bodied reds from Piedmont and Tuscany. Sip some Barolo and Barbaresco, or Chianti Classico Reserve for the full effect. This cheese lasts a long time without spoiling which is to the good as it is a premium cheese at about $10. a pound or more. Check La Costa Wine Company for inventory. It has expanded its cheese department and has cheese tastings on occasion. Call 760-431-8455.

Wine Bytes
§ La Costa Wine Company has a “Deep, Dark Mysterious” wine tasting Fri. Oct. 29 from 5 to 8pm. You sip deep, brooding, adventurous wines. Free tasting for best Halloween costume. Details at 760-431-8455.

§ Canapes Bistro and Wine Bar in San Marcos is having a Halloween party Sat. Oct. 30 starting at 8pm. Great food, live music and select wines. Reservations and details at 760-510-2088.

§ A Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner is planned for Thornton Winery in Temecula Sat. Oct. 30 at 7pm. Eat, drink, come in costume and dance the night away. $90. pp. RSVP at 951-699-0099.

§ Lorimar Winery has a Halloween “Spooktacular” Sat. Oct. 30 at 6pm in the Temecula Old Town Tasting Room. Wear costumes for a big contest, live music, appetizers, and drink specials. Price and details at 951-240-5177.

§ A “Hallo-wine” and Spirits Party happens at Hotel Del Coronado Sat. Oct. 30 from 7 to 11pm. Costumes encouraged for grown-up trick or treating. Wine and chocolate combinations served in the wine shop, then delicious, lavish hors d’oeurves and dancing in the Crown Room. Advance RSVP’s. For price and details call 619-522-8490.

§ The Temecula Wine Growers are presenting a two day Harvest Celebration Sat. and Sun. Nov. 6 and 7 from 10am to 4:30pm. Visit up to 30 member wineries for wine and wine barrel samplings, and chef special cuisine samples. Two-day ticket $99. Check other options and to buy tickets, phone 800-801-9463 or access www.temeculawines.org.

§ The San Diego Spirits Festival and Chef De Cuisine Association is pairing local bartenders and chefs in a “Team Challenge” event Sun. Nov. 7, 1 to 5pm on the rooftop of the Hard Rock Hotel, downtown San Diego. $25. tickets in advance or at the door. More at www.sandiegospiritsfestival.com.

The "Magnificent 7" at Thornton Winery

by Frank Mangio
Success in any endeavor these days, no matter what the product or service, is measured by a number of different yardsticks. Image means a lot in any enterprise, but in the wine world, product is first and foremost.
In the Temecula Valley, Thornton Winery’s 22 years making acclaimed wine seems a lifetime compared to the recent flurry of new wineries that have come on board or have aspirations. A recent drive-thru revealed six colorful “coming soon” vineyard and winery signs.

In 1988, a prominent San Diego family, John, Sally and son Steve Thornton, made the decision to purchase an existing winery and opened Thornton Winery at the gateway to the Temecula Valley.

They concentrated on award-winning and premium varietal wines. Using a process called Methode Champenoise to make sparklingwine/champagne, the awards and medals quickly followed, in a burst of fame from this traditional French method of production.


Steve Thornton, the President of Thornton Winery and Café Champagne, has steered the winery into adding Mediterranean and Rhone style wines.

Their Brut Reserve is considered one of the finest classically made Methode Champenoise in the country. This varietal got so much of a reputation that for a while, Thornton was considered a “one trick pony,” a winery that was known for this one style of wine. No More. Under Steve Thornton’s direction, the winery smartly diversified into the French Rhone-Italian style that has uncorked a magnificent 7 new releases, mostly 2007 vintage wines. They are:

1. 2008 Viognier $28. My favorite white. Floral notes with a tropical underbelly of coconut and tangerine.

2. 2007 Thorny’s Coast Red. $18. What’s a complex wine like this doing with a value price like that? A blend of 9 vineyards with a combination of Syrah, Grenache, Barbera, and Sangiovese.

3. 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. $30. Native grapes from the west hills of Temecula and the Deluz area of Fallbrook.

4. 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel $28. Produced from century-old vines from Cucamonga, with original clones planted by Italian and Portuguese farmers. Rich berry fruit and spice.

5. 2007 Huis Vineyard Zinfandel. $36. Barrel aged 22 months highlights what the Temecula Valley can do with Zinfandel. Balanced flavors and lowered alcohol. A “delicate monster,” raves the winery.

6. 2007 Nebbiolo. $34. My personal favorite of the 7. The grape backbone for the famous Italian twin towers: Barolo and Barbaresco. Rich, visceral red fruit and mocha on the palate. A sell-out every year.

7. 2007 Estate Petite Sirah. $40. Complex and big, color and structure reaches new heights. California style wine, grown on the property.

So there it is, a five-star lineup of new, exciting wines from the proven cellars of Thornton. Other features to be familiar with are: the wine clubs and their special pricing and benefits, and the Champagne Jazz and Supper Club Concerts that run every weekend through September. Get all you need to know at www.thorntonwine.com.

Wrap Your Lips Around These
Other wine tastes worth noting this past month or so…

Banfi Chianti Classcio, Tuscany Italy, 2007. $10. Banfi just won the Best of Italy award at the San Francisco International Wine competition. It’s easy to see why with this worthy value wine. Lovely cherry and plum flavors.

Ferrari-Carano Prevail West Face, Sonoma, 2005. $55. Deep purple. Vineyards faced for ideal exposure. Blend is 65% Cabernet, 35% Syrah. Classic Proportion.

J Vineyards Pinot Noir Nicole’s Vineyard Sonoma, 2007. $50. Dark plum, cherry and fennel. Steeply banked hillside vineyard that stresses the vines, bringing intense flavor.

Pedroncelli Cabernet Sauvignon, Three Vineyards Sonoma, 2008. $16. Full bodied, hand picked fruit from the first family of value wines in Sonoma. Recent gold winner at the Orange County Fair. Will excel even more with age.

Wine Bytes

Cal State San Marcos has a Wine & Brew Festival for Sat. Aug. 14 from 4 to 7pm. 12 local wine and beer names to know. A variety of local restaurants will be offering food samplings. Live music and silent auction. Cost is $35. for alumni and $50. for the public. Call 760-750-4270.

San Diego Wine Company presents Italian and French wines Sat. Aug. 14 from 11 to 4:30pm. $10. fee. Contact 858-586-9463.

Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido has come up with a $5. Wine-Down Monday starting at 5:30pm. Aug. 16 it’s the Wines of Portugal and the 23rd it’s Chardonnay. Details at 760-745-1200.

San Diego State’s next wine class is “Red, White and Champagne,” Mondays starting Aug. 16, part of its Professional Certificate in the Business of Wine. Call 619-594-6924 for the complete story.

Taste of Wine TV's “How to Taste” is Most Watched

by Frank Mangio
I had good cause to break open a favorite red the other day as the news crossed my computer that my wine appreciation video on You Tube “How to Taste Wine” had surpassed the Wine Spectator version. No only that, other versions had just half the viewers we have attracted. The Taste of Wine TV count of a short and long conversation is now: 19,899 and 37,605 respectively. You may view the short version by Clicking Here or the longer version by Clicking Here

It’s always a good idea to occasionally think about the essence of wine tasting and how to get the most out of the experience.

Photo:The late Leon Santoro who was a brilliant winemaker from Orfila Winery in Escondido California was the best wine taster I ever knew.

Anyone can drink wine. You raise the glass and down it goes. That may be acceptable for some. But with over 5,000 different wines available, each one just a little bit different from the next in several ways, a simple four step guide goes a long way in measuring thequality of a wine choice. I call it a four part harmony “S” test.

Wine tasting really begins with the valuable information on the label.

You learn about the vineyard, location, harvest year and the winemaker’s philosophy of the wine’s value. With a wide bowled, “tulip” style glass that is not cluttered by silly design elements, you are now ready to judge a wine by the following characteristics:

Sight – including color and clarity.
Swirl – aerating the wine and observing its “legs.”
Sniff – smelling its aroma and body.
Sip – tasting the wine, and the lasting effect of its taste.

Sight is like viewing a portrait for rich color and texture. After pouring an amount of wine, about a third of the size of the glass, view the content from the top of the glass. The wine should be clear with no sediment. With whites it will appear more intense in Chardonnay than say a Riesling. With reds, Cabernet should have a deeper, darker color than say a Pinot Noir. Next, swirl the wine by holding the stem tightly and rotate in a counter clockwise direction, but not so hard that the wine spills over the side. You are aerating, allowing air to penetrate the wine and release lovely aromas. Look for the “legs” or residue on the side of the glass. This is evaporated alcohol. If the lines are thick and “leggy” then you have a stronger, alcohol-forward wine. 14% or more alcohol content will show itself as “leggy.”

The smell of the wine is its “bouquet” or “the nose” of the wine.
There are over 200 different scents attributed to wine, but you may just smell wine, and that’s OK too. I recommend getting your nose down into the bowl and do short, sharp inhalations for the most revealing sensation. Don’t analyze too much, just enjoy!

The final, most enjoyable climax to this four part harmony is the sip, and you might add swallow as another by-product of the last “S” to find wines you really love. Slowly let the liquid envelope the many taste buds you possess in your mouth and tongue. It’s a wild ride of flavors: fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts, spices, flowers, earth, oak, honey…and… (you fill in the rest).

So there it is! Sight – Swirl – Smell – Sip. Salute!

Family Winemakers Gather in Del Mar
California is home to many small production winemakers who place quality over quantity. Wine lovers will have an opportunity to meet and taste many of these wineries in a public event at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Sunday March 14 from 3 to 6pm. The list of wines is impressive and includes: Chalk Hill, Ecluse, Elizabeth Spencer, Frank Family, Hall, Halter Ranch, JUSTIN, Pisoni, Spring Mountain and ZD, just to name a few. Cost is $45. in advance and $55. at the door. To purchase tickets, go to www.familywinemakers.org. For questions, call 415-705-0646.

Wine Bytes

§ Bistro 39 in the Hilton Garden Inn at San Diego’s Sorrento Valley has a Napa Cabs event Sat. March 13 from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Four exceptional wineries will be tasted and discussed. Cost is $20. ea. For more information call 858-720-9500.

§ Gary Parker’s WineSellar and Brasserie, also in Sorrento Valley, has a Burgundy Bliss Wine Dinner Fri. March 12. 6pm start. 6:30pm dinner. $88. pp. Wines are from Gary’s own collection. RSVP at 858-450-9557.

§ Next San Diego State University wine class is Dynamic Wine and Food Pairing Sat. March 13 from 9 to 4:30pm at Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula. The class is part of a wine certification. Call 619-594-6924 for pricing.

§ Tesoro Winery in old town Temecula has a benefit wine event for Homeless Prevention Sun. March 21 from Noon to 4pm. Special $8. tastings will be offered with all fees being donated to the cause. For more call 951-308-0000.

Wines for your Must-Try List

by Frank Mangio

Over the holidays, I had the pleasure to attend parties, dinners at homes and lovely restaurants, as I am sure most of you did also. A select group of wines from the latest releases caught my eye and palate that I want to share with you.

My goal in wine consumption is to inventory a “core” group of wines that I can count on to be superior in taste and value, but leave about 40% of my wine budget for wine to “explore,” new wines that I not familiar with. The following would be “explore” wines that were very impressive:

§ Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc ‘07, Marlborough, New Zealand $20. Perennial favorite, focused citrus with crisp acidity.

§ Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico ’04, Tuscany, Italy. $16. A surprisingly pleasant discovery from the one of the first families of wine in Italy. Smooth entry with lovely earthy mouthfeel.

§ Cuvaison Merlot ’01, Carneros, Napa Valley CA. (latest release is ’04) $29. Highly acclaimed, bright fruit, low production.

§ Elk Cove Pinot Noir ‘06, Willamette Valley Oregon. $29. Introduced to me by Sommelier Jesse Rodriguez at Addison, The Grand Resort, Del Mar. Careful hand-worked grapes from the Northwest Winery of the year.

PORT: It Isn't Just for Dessert Anymore...

by Frank Mangio

I have noticed that many more wine dinners offered by upscale restaurants, are serving some lovely sweet or dessert wines. Most delicate pastries demand a sweet Port, late harvest Riesling, Ice wine or my favorite, the Muscat Canelli.
This southern French and Italian style dessert wine is made from the Muscat grape. More about that later.

I was interested in how the wines get so sweet as to be a dessert in itself. Grapes that are used have to be very high in sugar content. They get that way by being picked after the normal harvest. The sugar may be maximized by allowing the grapes to “raisinate” by laying out on racks before crushing. This waiting process is labor intensive and makes for a more expensive price point for the wines.

Alcohol levels are higher, usually 16 to 19% due to the very high sugar level.

Now to the lovely Muscat Canelli. Muscat grapes were known to have been some of the oldest in France and Italy, brought in by the Phoenicians and Greeks.

The aromas on these dessert wines are captivating. They reek of racy tastes like orange, melon, peaches and apricot. With the holidays fast approaching, the popularity of these dessert wines increases. They have a settling quality about them after a king-size meal. Now here’s a large sized tip for you. Some of the best Muscat Canellis in the country are from the Temecula Valley. Recently the Wall Street Journal profiled this lovely dessert wine and found two from this neighborhood appellation that they thought were among the best. Another surprise was these Muscats were lower than normal on the alcohol, about 10 to 12%, and although sweet, contained enough acidity to balance the innate sweetness. Served chilled, it relaxes the mind, and the heart.

The two Temecula wineries that made the short Wall Street Journal list of best Muscat Canelli Wines were: Maurice Car’rie ’06 for about $12.95 and Callaway’s ’05 for about $18. Check them out at www.mauricecarriewinery.com.
and www.callawaywinery.com.