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.

This Week’s In-Box to the Wine World

By Frank Mangio
When I was going through San Diego State University as a “late-blooming” student chasing a Journalism degree, I used to ponder the role of the “gatekeepers,” those news editors who had the
responsibility of using press releases for articles, or flushing them into the round file, never to return to see the light of day.

TASTE OF WINE is now my “gate” and I am up to an average 200 e-mails daily that feature information on wines. At times I wish it were less.  But every so often I see fascinating, game-changing news nd I want to share it all.  So, every so often I put a column out that is a sort of roundup of nice stuff that I love to uncork for my readers, like this one. Last night, I had the pleasure of tasting through the current vintage of Castello Banfi wines from Montalcino Italy . The winery’s signature Brunello vintage 2009 has been released after 4 years in barrel. ($58.) The building of Brunello to its most elegant position among the famous wines of the world, is an
inspiring story.

 John Mariani, right, co-founder of Tuscany’s premier winery, Castello Banfi,

with family members as they were honored recently at Cornell University in New York.

As co-founder John Mariani says “It was a revolution that sparked a fine wine renaissance.” Recently, the renowned Cornell University in New York bestowed the 2014 Icon of Industry Award on the Mariani Family for their leadership and contributions both in
industry research and education. I affectionately like to call John my electronic “pen pal” for his comments and insights on my Taste of Wine columns.

Congratulations John and to all members of the Mariani family for all you have done to elevate the quality of wine everywhere.

My friend Claude Robbins, who operates one of the highest quality International Wine & Spirits schools, out of Denver Colorado , found some research on how private tastings for wine club members are much bigger sellers of wine than public tastings. The private gatherings averaged $294. per person compared to a $70. per person sale at public tastings, although it needs to be said that public tasting room fees are growing, generating revenue growth. Caymus Winery in Napa Valley scored a big success with their 40th Anniversary 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet keepsake bottle.  Owner Charlie Wagner shipped the special edition in May and sold 60,000
cases that month alone. ($58.).

The word is spreading up and down California about an early wine grape harvest and what it will mean for the quality of the wines.  At Laetitia Vineyard and Winery in Arroyo Grande, south of San Luis Obispo and makers of premium Pinot Noir, they got bud-break in February, way too early and now are looking at picking their 12 different clones of Pinot, managing sunlight, leaves, soil and water.

 Eric Hickey is the Laetitia Winery President and Head Winemaker,
balancing Old World tradition with cutting-edge California style wines.

Although the current vintage for Pinot Noir, 2012, is getting some mixed reviews due to over production, Laetitia’s lineup is crisp and clean, refined by the winery’s dedication to limited production craftsmanship.  Its best example is the Laetitia Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, with notes of cassis, tobacco and peppercorn with a touch of sweet oak and black tea ($40.).  The delicate berries are removed from the stem prior to fermentation.  The wine is taken to a whole new place
and is a top new pick for Taste of Wine.

Another great new pick from the Central Coast is the Niner Wine Estates 2010 Fog Catcher, a blend of 29% Cabernet, 29% Malbec, 24% Cab Franc, 9% Carmenere and 9% Petit Verdot.  It won gold at the Central Coast Wine Competition 2014. ($65.) The Paso Robles appellation  is getting bigger, expected to be split up into 11 districts within the existing 612,000 acre area.

Wine Bytes
Europa Village Winery in Temecula invites you to its La Tomatina Festival, modeled after Spain's famous food fight, Sun. Sept. 7th from 4 to 7pm.  Tickets are $35. ea.  Music, wine and food. RSVP at: 951-216-3380.

Capri Blu in Rancho Bernardo has an Oveja Negra Chilean Wine Dinner Wed. Sept. 3rd at 6pm. Five course dinner with wine for $55. pp.  RSVP at: 858-673-5100.

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.

A New Look at Carlsbad’s Twenty/20

by Frank Mangio
San Sebastian, in Spain, is an upscale lifestyle hang-out for the rich and famous and a lot of “wannabees.”  I have never been there, but I came very close when I visited the new look at the Sheraton Carlsbad’s posh Twenty/20 which declares itself to be a San Sebastian style restaurant and wine bar.

The new menu, shaped by Executive Chef Robert Carr, is where the “San Sebastian” spotlight shines.  With local produce, fresh seafood, grilling, spicy sauces and lots of Sangria cocktail choices, hanging out and filling up is a Spanish past-time you can easily enjoy at Twenty/20.

Executive Chef Robert Carr has orchestrated a menu direct from San Sebastian Spain, at the newly revamped Twenty/20 at the Sheraton Carlsbad.

Sangria is the house specialty, with a choice of house-made Red, White and Rose’.  The Red is a blend of Spanish Garnacha, Torres Brandy, cranberry juice and fruit such as blackberries and red grapes.
If a straight shot of pure Spanish wines is your choice, you will find plenty of favorites by the glass, including  Tempranillo from Rioja and Garnache from Calatayud.

I asked Chef Robert what seasonality there was in the menu now as winter winds down.  “We use a lot of root vegetables in the current menu.  You will see items such as beets, arugula, and tomatoes,” he revealed.   “We use braised meats in the entrees, but when the weather turns warmer, we’ll get into grilled meats, crab dishes, sardines and tuna dishes.”  He cooks his salmon with the skin on for a crispy effect, and likes an all-organic salmon out of Vancouver.

As in most finer restaurants, Twenty/20 offers a medley of flatbreads for an appetizer.  One you won’t find everywhere is the Carmelized Onion flatbread with toppings of Cebrales hot blue cheese and Arugula greens for $12.

The outdoor veranda of Twenty/20 is like a “restaurant within a restaurant” with custom designed fire and water treatments, relaxed and communal seating, state-of-the-art heating elements and an inspiring ocean view.  To make reservations, call 760-827-2500.

Wine and the Web: Still a Work in Progress
The total U.S. market for wine sales is somewhere north of 28 billion dollars. Wine shipments direct to the consumer make up just 5% of this amount, at about 1.35 billion dollars, including wine clubs and direct sales.  Take away that and the market for direct sales on the web from online companies is less than 1% of the wine market.  Meanwhile on-line retail sales of all products is forecast to be about 12% of total sales, up from 3% in 2007.

Beringer Winery in Napa Valley may look ancient, belng established in 1876.  But it has a very sophisticated  online “wine shop”  with a simple process of buying the wine you want with a 

“browse and buy” system.

Clearly wine is stubbornly resistant to the trend of buying online.  The problem to point the finger at, according to the Wall Street Journal,   is a patchwork of federal and state regulations regarding alcohol sales that makes shipping a “thorny problem.”  New York will fine you if you include any type of food with wine.  Shipping directly to customers in Utah or Kentucky could land you in jail, and Texas prohibits delivery by mail of beverages over 16% alcohol, killing the port and other dessert wine online business.  One leading online wine company had to pay 2 million dollars annually for regulatory compliance.

Two online websites and a winery do a great job of making things easier for the customer.  Beringer Winery in Napa Valley has a thoughtfully designed “wine shop” online with good prices, at www.beringer.com. Independents to try include:  www.wineexpress.com  and www.hookedonwine.com.  And for wine reviews, use www.cellartracker.com

Wine Bytes
Callaway Winery in Temecula presents Budbreak, a wine and dine event Sat. March 16 6:30 to 9:30pm.  The latest Muscat Canelli, Syrah, Dolcetto, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc will be served up with culinary creations.  $95. pp.  RSVP at 951-676-4001.

A Saturday in Spain is the theme at Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas March 16 from 3 to 6pm.  12 wines with appetizers. Cost is $20.  RSVP at 760-479-2500.

Europa Village in Temecula has its Moulin Rouge Taste of France Thurs. March 21 with their own singing waiters.  Call for time and price at 951-506-1818.

Monte De Oro Winery in Temecula hosts a Black Label Winemakers Dinner Sat. March 23.  Meet winemaker Tim Kramer and enjoy Black Label Reserve wines with a gourmet 5 course dinner by Executive Chef Taylor Harris.  Tickets are $140. and includes a bottle of reserve wine.  RSVP at 951-491-6551 x 115.

Submit articles and news releases to Mike Bragg: WineClubber@Yahoo.com

Milagro Farm Worth the Back-Country Trip

by Frank Mangio (photos courtesy of Paul Body)

San Diego County is a late-bloomer in the booming California wine industry. Maybe it’s because in my home area, we have been so busy building homes and commercial properties, we forgot our roots: growing and producing wine like the first missionaries in the 16th century. When the Franciscan fathers were sent north and settled in San Diego and Los Angeles, they brought wine grape cuttings from Mexico which were of Spanish origin.

The entrance to the underground cellar at Milagro Farm Vineyards and Winery in Ramona.

The grapes were simply “mission grapes.” The success of these missions and the growth in population prompted secular vineyards and wineries and by the mid 1850’s, with the gold rush and the “go west” movement, wineries were abundant. But where California wine making began, in San Diego County, it took until recently to get it going again.

The county finally made it easier financially to open tasting rooms, but it was really a gathering of serious winemakers to form a true wine country and that country is the Ramona Valley. More than 16 wineries now open their doors to wine tasting. An attractive brochure points out the precise locations with an invitation to “come up and taste the wines of Ramona, a high valley community, located minutes from downtown San Diego in the heart of North County.” Also helping was the area designation as an American Viticultural Area in 2006, allowing wines to be labeled “Ramona Valley.”

At Milagro Farm Vineyards and Winery, Jim Hart is the winemaker. He grew up in the wine business as son of Joe Hart, a legendary name in Temecula Wine County with Hart Winery. Jim still adds to his winemaking duties at his father’s winery. Milagro has already done well in competition.

Milagro winemaker Jim Hart barrel tastes one of his reds with a customer prior to bottling.

Its 100 acres at 2,400 feet in the Ramona high country is suited to white varietals likek Pinot Gri and Chardonnay. Red wine selections include: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of Sangiovese and Barbera called Raggio Rosso and a Meritage with Bordeaux style grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cab Franc. I loved the Cab with its full body flavors and prospect for aging.( $32. Wine club price $25.60.) A total of 14 acres are under vine. The tasting room is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

See more at www.milagrofarmvineyards.com.

Wine/Food Radio Comes to San Diego-and the Winners in San Francisco

Wine and food veteran journalist Ron James along with show producer Mike Bragg of Taste of Wine TV Network kicks off a “feast for your ears,” a food and wine radio show called Wine & Dine Radio on KFSD AM 1450 radio starting Saturday March 10 from 1 to 2pm.

A team of dedicated wine and food experts will guest on the show, including TASTE OF WINE’S Frank Mangio, poised to get passionate about his favorite wines on the premier show. Now, every Saturday at 1pm, you can get a wealth of information about food and wine. Drink it in on San Diego AM 1450, or you can hear the show on your computers and smart phones available on demand anytime.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, largest judging of American Wines in the world is official, with over 5,500 entries, a record. Best of Class included:

Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards 2006 Carneros Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine $28.

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2010 Finger Lakes Gewurztraminer $24.

Barnard Griffin 2011 Columbia Valley Rose’ of Sangiovese $12.

McGrail Vineyards 2008 Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve $36.

Castello di Amorosa 2010 Anderson Valley late harvest Gewurztraminer $35.

Wine Bytes

Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas has its first ever Luau Party Sat. March 10 from 5 to 7pm. A traditional Hawaiian menu with fun new wines. RSVP required-call 760-479-2500. Cost is $35 per guest.

Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas has a Pine Ridge Wine Dinner from 6:30 to 9pm, for $75. a diner. Call 760-635-1066 for details.

Via Italia, downtown Encinitas brings in Wines from Sicily with special guest Silvio di Silvio and a 5 course wine dinner, Thurs. March 15 at 7pm. Cost is $75. Call 760-479-9757.

RELM Wine, Beer and Bistro in Carlsbad presents Grenache-Domestics vs Imports Thurs. March 15 from 6 to 8pm. Four tastings with small bites, for $40 ea. RSVP at 760-434-9463. Look for the new RELM in San Elijo Hills opening soon.

PAON Restaurant and Wine Bar in Carlsbad brings in distinctive wines from South America March 15 to 21 in the wine tasting bar. $16. for six pours. Call 760-729-7377 for times.

Krupp Brothers Came/Conquered at Dolce

by Frank Mangio
In a spirit of constant discovery, the full house at Dolce Pane E Vino in Rancho Santa Fe sipped, laughed and buzzed about the collection of wines from the revered hills of Napa Valley, from Krupp Brothers. Krupp Brothers actually are brothers, Jan and Bart and 1800 feet above the valley floor, they harvest some of the most valuable land in the area.

It’s called Stagecoach Vineyards, with 600 acres of vines in 100 uniquely different blocks over the past 20 years. This is rugged terrain and any knowledgeable wine aficionado will get excited anticipating wines that build to a smooth boldness that will radiate its taste though front and middle palate, with a long, lingering finish.



Brian Thompson, Regional Sales Manager for Krupp Brothers Napa Valley wines, with Lauryn Weinstein of Dolce Pane E Vino in Rancho Santa Fe.


In speaking with Krupp Brothers Sales Manager Brian Thompson, he revealed that the Vineyard sells grapes to some 4 dozen of the leading wineries in Napa Valley and just 7% winds up in Krupp bottles. We agreed that by far the signature wine was the 2006 “The Advocate.” This wine is a blend of 42% Merlot, 32% Malbec, and 26% Petit Verdot, barreled 15 months in French Oak. Just 628 cases were produced, and the media treated it like I did, with a lot of respect. 92 points was the norm. It goes for a market price of $66. a bottle.

Steve Flowers, who came on board Dolce Pane E Vino recently from Vigilucci’s Italian restaurants, is on a mission to brand the wine bar/restaurant as an upscale, comfortable place to test drive great wines. If you like them, he has a retail component that he can sell them to you. You can drink them there, or take it home.

Other Krupp favorites were: the Black Bart Syrah 2007 and the Krupp Brothers Synchrony 2006. This one has 56% Cabernet Franc, 38% Cabernet, 5% Merlot and 2% Malbec. ( $60.)

Check out more on Krupp Brothers at www.kruppbrothers.com. Dolce has a Caymus Family Wine Dinner on Wed. Dec. 15. It will be

LocalWineEvents.Com for Wine Tastings
This web site is my favorite for finding out about wine events around the nation. It is the world’s largest calendar of food and wine places to go. Yet you can pick your locations and focus in on exactly where you are or where you are going. The information is free. And if you are an owner wanting to get your event out there, it is also a free posting, including a map on how to get to your event, with a link to your website. So, no sending of press releases or phoning in information. What a concept!

Eric Orange is the genius who has the site. He also includes wine information and columns that I have been featured on. Last I checked he had over 4 million events tickets that his service had sold to users. Here is his web site: www.localwineevents.com. For questions, call Eric at 610-647-4888 xt 2.


Wine Bytes
§ Bacchus Wine Market in the Gaslamp district of San Diego has a 90 point wine event, Fri. Dec. 10 from 4 to 8:30pm. They promise to show you that not all highly rated wines cost big bucks. 7 of them will be poured. Fee is $20. Call 619-236-0005

§ Callaway Winery in Temecula presents a Babes in Toyland Holiday Sat. Dec. 11 from 6 to 9pm. Enjoy sparkling wine and appetizers, buffet dinner and Callaway’s best wines. Jazz musicians play seasonal favorites. Photos with Santa for the kids. $60. pp. Kids $30. RSVP at 951-676-4001.

§ Gondola Wine Tasting is on Saturday through the season at Loews Coronado. Next one is on Dec. 11, 6:30-8pm. Sommelier Kurt Kirschneman takes you on a wine flight of 6 varietals. Cost is $45. ea. Call 619-429-6317.

§ Orfila Vineyards and Winery now has Concerts in the Vines with local, talented musicians. Next is Sun. Dec. 12 starting at 6:30pm. $20. cost includes one Orfila wine. Bring blankets and low back chairs. Order tickets at 800-868-9463.

§ The great masters collection of Beaulieu Wines from George de Latour will be featured in a fine wine dinner at the Sky Room of La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, Thurs. Dec. 16 from 6 to 10pm. This is a vertical wine pairing starting with the legendary 1976 vintage! Cost is $175. RSVP at 858-551-3765.

Wind and Rain, and Wine, Oh My!

Taste Of Wine TV host J.T. Meadows and Taste Of Wine TV producer Mike Bragg braved the elements at the Grand Event of the 2010 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival to get out and chat with some of the dedicated vendors who kept attendees well-fed and well beveraged during a rainy, windy afternoon at the Embarcadero.

Great Holiday Drink Idea Shown at VIP Party by El Vitral

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.

"Wine Girl" Hits the Book Signing Circuit

Janene Roberts, (aka Wine Girl in several blogs, including this one) recently took delivery on her new book "Guide to Wine Tasting in Southern California and Beyond". This is the third edition of the popular guide to wine and wineries, that Janene has put together for learned wine lovers, as well as neophytes.

Wine Girl is making at least one appearance a week at local restaurants. book stores, wine lounges, etc. to offer her (signed) book, chat with folks, and exchange notes about wine and venues that may be considered for her next issue. This edition includes around $100 worth of money saving offers and discounts, not to mention the time and frustration saved by avoiding wine and wine places that may not be good for your budget (or palate).

You can check Janene's website for upcoming appearances (www.PopCornPressMedia.com)or order a copy of her book for just $15.95.

Janene Roberts (right) with Dorian Linkogle, owner of Briar Rose Winery in Temecula Wine Country. Dorian recently co-sponsored a book signing party for Janene, at Decanter Wine Lounge in Rancho Santa Fe.


Janene Roberts, author of Guide to Wine Tasting in Southern California and wine Beyond, is signing new books and comparing wine and food notes with friends at various locations around southern California.

In the Beginning: The Robert Renzoni Story

by Frank Mangio

Picture if you would, gentle sloping hills with signature Sangiovese grapes providing a tapestry for a stone villa with a commanding view of the countryside.


In the barrel room, names like Sangiovese, Bellisimo, Moscato and Pinot Grigio tempt the visitor with a handsome parchment-like label with the proprietor’s name: Robert Renzoni. Are we in Tuscany or possibly north of Milan?

In Temecula, Robert Renzoni with his father Fred recently unveiled a Vineyard and Winery that footprints those lovely wineries that dot the Italian landscape. The Renzoni family involvement with wine goes back to 1886. Robert is 4th generation with a keen knowledge of the importance of family and historical tradition. It is this soul of Italian winemaking that supports Robert Renzoni Vineyards and will carry it to stardom in Temecula Wine Country.

Robert is no stranger to wine country. “I was with Leonesse Cellars as their sales manager and saw an opportunity to bring a new kind of winery to Temecula” he said. We are bringing a touch of Italy to Temecula. Our Sangiovese is old world style: a light to medium bodied table wine with plenty of flavor. Our focal point will be a Tuscan style two story villa which should be constructed next year, that will house a landmark 50 foot bell tower with a bell that’s’ been handed down through the family. The second story will be a VIP style tasting room with an outdoor deck for gatherings.”

In the meantime, a comfortable tasting room has been put together in the barrel room that is open daily 11am to 6pm at the vineyard which is on De Portola Rd. between Keyways and Leonesse Wineries. There, visitors can taste and purchase 6 wines: a 2007 Pinot Grigio, a 2007 La Rosa with a lovely strawberry summer taste, a 2007 Bellisimo, a 2007 Moscato, a 2006 Sangiovese, aged 17 months in American Oak and a 2006 Old Vine Zinfandel with brilliant aromas of ripe blueberry and blackberry. Robert pointed out that “we will have a Cabernet and a Chardonnay soon, and we have just planted Brunello Sangiovese clones on the property. Our wine club is up and running and is offering 25% off on all wines.”

I fell in love with the ’07 Bellissimo, a refreshing white that reminded me of a smooth Sauvignon Blanc, and the ’06 Sangiovese with grapes sourced from Paso Robles. In my enthusiasm for this infant Vineyard and winery, I tripped and addressed Robert as Mondavi. Correcting myself, it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, Robert Renzoni may one day be the Robert Mondavi of Temecula Wine Country. The wine is that good! Call 951-302-VINO or access information at www.robertrenzonivineyards.com.


More From Temecula
Cougar Vineyard and Winery is another of Temecula’s newest wineries with the first husband and wife winemaking team: Rick and Jennifer Buffington. They own about 10 acres and also believe the Italian style wines are what is best grown in this area. They are also on DePortola Rd where last year they were medaled with their Chardonnay, estate Sangiovese, Muscat Canelli and Riesling. Cougar is also planting Montepulciano, Aglianico, Vermentino and Primitivo grapes. Look them up at www.cougarvineyards.com.