Go West for a Harvest of Fresh Food & Fine Wines

by Frank Mangio
It was billed as Oktober West and the celebration was on to toast the harvest of the West Steak and Seafood Carlsbad Organic Farm. I was greeted at the tented entrance by a smiling group, no actually a happy-to-see-you family: owners, management, an executive chef, kitchen and wait help, all with a big contribution to this amazing world-class rustic farm-to-table feast. They included the other two hospitality favorites Bistro West and West Inn & Suites.

All were excited about Executive Chef Eugenio Martignago’s six generous food and wine pairings on this sun–filled fall day. The small bites offerings included: red and gold beets napoleon layered with truffle goat cheese, baby greens tossed with basil, pesto and balsamic honey glaze. Then there was coconut shrimp with mango and horseradish cocktail sauce. But the two that made my day were: butternut squash ravioli with prosciutto, zucchini flowers, cherry tomatoes, fresh sage and white wine sauce; and New York steak pomodoro with asiagio cheese, garlic and basil.
Part of the management team at West: left to right, Linda Fietz Eugenio Martignago, Tom Bertrand, Alex Sadeghee, Kristine Bane, Kim Akers and Jason Connolly.


Chef Eugenio did not disappoint with his selection of wines. The stand-out was Banfi of Montalcino Tuscany and its value selection, Centine. This is a beautifully crafted Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot, blended to produce a smooth, fragrantly satisfying wine with Italian character. Banfi dates back to the 11th century when it was known as Castello di Poggio alle Mura. It has been owned by the Mariani Family since 1978 and officially known as Castello Banfi with 7,100 acres.
For more on West, check out www.weststeakandseafood.com, and www.bistrowest.com.

Wines to Know for the Holidays
The excitement is building at the biggest wine trade publication in the world, Wine Spectator. They have revealed 4 or their top ten wines for 2010. They have reviewed nearly 16,000 wines from all over the world in blind tastings. 3,900 received classic or 90 + ratings. Spectator observed an increase in expensive, limited production wines. Average price of the top 100 is $48.
Here are the number 10 through 6 rated wines:

10: Clos des Papes, Chateaneuf-du-Pape White 2009. France. $100.

9: CARM, Douro Reserva, Red 2007. Portugal. $27.

8: Fontodi, Coli della Toscana, Flacianello, Sangiovese Red. 2007. Italy. $110.

7. Schild, Shiraz Barossa, Red 2008. Australia. $20.

6. Paul Hobbs, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, Red 2008. Sonoma. $45.

Next week I will reveal the rest of the top ten, plus my recent picks in over 70 tastings I have attended since my last “favorites” column in September.

Banfi Honored as Italy's Top Winery

by Frank Mangio
Castello Banfi, the anchor to the worldwide Banfi Vintners, has been honored again as Italy’s top winery at the annual VinItaly wine fair in Verona, Italy. An international panel, through rigorous blind wine tasting, awarded Banfi Italy’s “Gran Menzione,” the equivalent of the gold medal. It is the 12th time in 17 years that Castello Banfi has been declared Italy’s best winery.

Three generations of the Mariani Family have built Banfi Vintners into a world-wide name in imported wines, from the original Castello Banfi in Tuscany, to other properties in Europe, South America and the new Chateau Tanunda in Australia.

The founders of Banfi Vintners are ( front left to right)
John and Harry Mariani. Present family proprietors are ( upper left to right) Cristina Mariani-May and James Mariani.

The original winery was established in 1978 when John and Harry Mariani purchased 7,100 acres within several vineyards at the base of Montalcino, a medieval village rising 600 meters from the valley floor.

Brunello, a premium clone of the Sangiovse grape of Chianti fame, is their signature wine. The “Castello” is a Romanesqe fortress, masterfully restored as a hospitality center, formal restaurant, taverna, enoteca, glass museum and recently opened five star “ Il Borgo” villas, with luxury rooms and suites.

Names to know in the Banfi family of wines include: Rosa Regale, a festive sparkling wine from Piemonte, perfect as an aperitif when chilled; Don Melchor from Concho Y Toro, Chile’s ultimate Cabernet; and shown in the photo, the Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino, the 100% Sangiovese with a production process of nearly four years plus additional time in bottle before release. Currently the 2004 is available. Characteristics are: intense ruby red, velvety encounters, beautifully integrated tannins with traces of spice. This was the first wine to achieve the ultimate Italian standard of “DOCG” status. Priced at $60. in a majority of wine shops.

Despite hard times for wines (the largest wine distributing company in the world just reported a sales drop of nearly 4% last quarter), Italian wines are up so far this year, with Sangiovese up a whopping 13.8%. Italy beat the other leading U.S. imports by a wide margin. It bodes well for Banfi, especially when wines priced $20. and above showed solid growth in dollar sales and volume. See more at www.banfivintners.com.

Spirits Festival Comes to San Diego June 2-5
If at first you succeed, make it even better next time. Liz Edwards of “Let’s Play Downtown” has San Diego waiting for her 2nd annual San Diego Spirits Festival Wednesday June 2 to Friday June 5. The location is the Hilton San Diego Bayfront next to the Convention Center, with the Grand Tasting Friday on the 4 plus acre Waterfront Park next door. Right now there is a call for exhibitors who are related to the beverage industry, and media alliances are being formed daily. Seminars and competitive tastings are firmed up.

You can get the latest up to date information on this exciting event by tapping into www.sandiegospiritsfestival.com. To speak with the director, call 858-551-1605.

Wine Bytes
Live Jazz and Wine is the feature attracting crowds at WineStyles Wine Lounge in Encinitas with Suzanna Kurner playing Fri. Apr. 23 from 6 to 8:30pm. Wines by the glass or flight, plus pizzas, paninis or cheeses available, from $15. Also live music on Sat. 7 to 9:30pm. Call 760-633-0057.

§ VR Green Farms at Bella Collina Towne and Golf Club in San Clemente is hosting a Sapore Della Domenica (“Flavor of Sunday”) Italian celebration Sun. Apr. 25 from 2 to 6pm. Italian cultural dishes, wine, artisan bread, olive oil, honey and fava bean tasting. Live music, a car rally and artisans. Now that’s Italian! Limited seating at $ 50. pp. Tickets ordered at www.vrgreenfarms.com. Or call 949-697-0032.

§ Firefly Grill and Wine bar in Encinitas is planning a Pahlmeyer Vineyards Wine Dinner on Tues. Apr. 27 starting at 6:30pm. Enjoy this Napa-Sonoma powerhouse and its ’06 Pinot Noir, Merlot, Pahlmeyer Red Blend and other winners. Main course is Braised Beef Cheek from Executive Chef Aaron Daily. These are top tier wines in their prime. $75. ea. RSVP at 760-635-1066.

§ Opolo of Paso Robles is spotlighted at The Wine Encounter in the Hillcrest area of San Diego Tues. Apr. 27 from 7 to 9pm. Cost is $15. For more, call 619-543-9463.

§ The Four Seasons, Aviara Carlsbad, is presenting an Orin Swift Cellars Wine Dinner Thurs. Apr. 29 at 6:30pm. These highly sought after wines will be presented by Orin Swift family member Melissa Leonardini, along with a perfectly paired dinner. $121.91 pp. Call 760-603-6800 for an RSVP.