Here’s What’s Happening in the Wine World

by Frank Mangio

The Coast News expands. As some of my readers know, I’ve been criss-crossing Colorado for the past couple of weeks, visiting wineries from Denver to Grand Junction and will deliver the news of what I found out about Colorado wines in just a few weeks.

While I was gone, the news came out about my home newspaper, The Coast News Group in North County San Diego, now being circulated in the inland communities of Escondido , San Marcos and Vista , for a total of 120,000 readers, starting with this column.

For those who are new, TASTE OF WINE brings you the best wine and food pairing news from the top wineries, wine bars, restaurants, resorts and special events. We comment on new wine releases and tell stories about the people that make the wine, the loveliest  beverage known to the civilized world.  Congratulations to publisher Jim Kydd and his talented staff for this award-winning, free on-demand publication, for pick up in racks and newsstands in nearly 400 high-traffic locations.

Fallbrook Winery wins with 33 Degrees North.  Proving that estate grown grapes from Fallbrook can produce nationally acclaimed wines, Paul Fornier headed the wine tasting team from Fallbrook Winery that poured 33 Degrees North, a proprietary red blend that was the hit of the Rotary Wine, Brews & Blues annual Festival in Escondido.  This is the same Fallbrook Winery that took the honors when I was judging the San Diego County

 

Paul Fornier offers the wines of Fallbrook Winery including the awarded 33 Degrees North Red.

Fair’s first ever wine competition last year. Then it was Fallbrook Winery’s Chardonnay that blew away the competition.  Wineries are opening in Fallbrook, as avocado farms close due to water expense.  Its’ a wine district to watch!

The Jolie-Pitt & Perrin Cotes de Provence Rose’ Miraval 2012.  Now there’s a mouth-ful!  Hopefully it’s a tasty, flavorful mouth-ful.  My friends at Wine Spectator have profiled the actors- turned- winemakers Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt who have purchased a vineyard in Provence France for 60 million dollars and collaborated with star  Rhone Valley French  winemaker Marc Perrin on Rose’ vinification. The new release is ranked 90 points on Wine Spectator’s 100 point scale.

The Perrin Family in Paso Robles.  Jean Pierre and Francois Perrin of that distinguished French Family, helped found and operate Tablas Creek Vineyard and make Rhone Valley style wines in Paso Robles California with Robert Haas.  They have encouraging news about this year’s crop which started out starved for rain with just 2.5 inches by February.  It was 10 inches at bud-break where it should have been 25 inches.  Despite the harrowing start, flowering looks good.  The vines look healthy and the hope is there will be a similar crop to last year, which was surprisingly good.

Bijou French Bistro Coming to Prospect in La Jolla . Building on their success of Parisian-inspired cuisine that made Addison a triumph at the Grand Del Mar resort, award-winning Chef William Bradley has created the menu for the new Bijou French Bistro, to replace the La Jolla location of Amaya, set to open any day now. Included will be a new wine bar  and wine cellar room.  Global French favorites will include:  Steak Frites, Coq au Vin, Rainbow Trout and Veal Paillard.  Pastry delights abound with:  Crème Brule’e, Macarons du Jour, and of course Chocolate Souffle’ with Grand Marnier.

Bijou’s wines will offer selections from France as well as regional and global choices.  Lunch and dinner will be served daily. Check out more at www.bijoufrenchbistro.com.

Marina Kitchen’s Sommelier/Bar Manager  is San Diego ’s Wine Wunderkind.
Josh Orr, the smart, young Wine Sommelier at Marriott’s Marina Kitchen next to San Diego ’s Convention Center downtown, recently scored a first place win in the Guild of Sommeliers Top/Somm Honors in the national championships, beating out over 200 similar experts for the distinction.  The test was on wine theory, service and taste.  Orr credits his San Diego ties for their support. “ I have a great group of somms here in San Diego that I study and taste with.  We are constantly pushing each other, and that has helped me immensely in my preparation.” Orr now prepares for his Master Sommelier exam, a grueling difficult test, with a less than a three percent pass rate.

Wine Bytes
Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas is planning a Hiatus Cellars new release party Sat. June 21 from 4 to 7pm. $25. pp includes all wines and a taco bar. 760-479-2500.

The 3rd Annual Taste of our Towne is at Poway Center for the Performing Arts Sat. June 21 from 5 to 10pm.  Enjoy wine, music, local food and a silent auction.  Cost is $100. 858-668-4797.

Croce’s Park West in San Diego presents  a Chandon Wine Makers Collection Dinner Tues. June  24 at 7pm.  Chandon and Sommelier Michael Simpson will be pouring and describing the wines with a 5 course dinner.  $70 per person.  RSVP: 858-345-7379.

Vittorio’s in Carmel Valley offers a 5 course wine dinner with Tobin James Cellars from Paso Robles, Thurs. June 26 with a 6pm start.  Local wine specialist Rob Rubin will speak.  $49.95 ea. Feature wine will be the Tobin James 2010 Cabernet “Notorius.”  Call 858-538-5884

Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe launches a Napa Valley Vintners evening of wine, cuisine and jazz music Fri. June 27 from 7 to 9pm on the croquet lawn. Nine wineries will be pouring. $65. cost.  Reservations: 858-759-6246.

A New View of the Pacific at Chandler’s on Carlsbad’s Oceanfront

by Frank Mangio
If you needed a new reason to sit and soak in the magnificent Pacific Ocean, you have one in the breathtaking surroundings at Chandler’s,  the new restaurant and lounge inside the equally beautiful new Hilton  Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa.

A sleek, fresh, environmentally friendly décor invites comfort and cordiality and connects directly with the resort and spa’s coastal colors and architecture.  Chandler’s Executive Chef is the acclaimed French
stylist Pascal Vignau, who is well-known  as the former Executive Chef for Four Seasons Aviara Resort and most recently  chef/owner of Savory Casual Fare in Encinitas with a widely celebrated international menu. Vignau’s passion is comfortable and approachable food, presented in a first-class setting.  His approach to wine is equally impressive. He has personally designed a private wine room , allowing guests to personally select their favorite wine from a spectacular world-class selection.

Pascal Vignau is the Executive Chef of the new Chandler’s Restaurant in the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa.

California wines are dominant on the list, with my value favorite being the Turley Zinfandel from the Central Coast. A premium wine to know is the Lewis Cellars Cabernet from the Napa Valley.

The evening I sat with Vignau he had planned a tribute dinner in honor of America’s favorite chef Julia Child who mastered the art of French cooking.  It was a delicious French Onion Soup, classic Boeuf Bourguignon and French Apple Tart.  “Tonight would have been her 100th birthday and in the days when I worked alongside Julia, she was the nicest lady ever,” he reminisced. “She received the Legion of Honor from France and the Medal of Freedom from the United States.  How big is that from someone who made her living in the kitchen!” I then asked him what made him turn from his own restaurant to a large resort-style dining room.  “Look at this beautiful place,” he said.  “ I come here to create my dishes and watch the magnificent ocean.  In the other place I watched a parking lot in a shopping center.  I love it here.”

Other things to know about when you visit this Hilton:  its 215 guest rooms have mostly ocean views, directly across from Ponto Beach on the Coast Highway; spectacular surf art splashes bright color throughout the corridors, created by the world renowned surf photographer Aaron Chang; the Ocean Crest Spa is an artistic triumph inspired by the ocean with next-generation wellness experiences, and the resort now offers an “Endless Summer Beach Package” full of benefits for one low price.  For more information and reservations, visit www.hiltoncarlsbadoceanfront.com  or call 760-602-0800.

Veraison in the Vineyards
No it’s not a grape varietal, it’s what happens to the leaves and grapes as the September harvest arrives.

It reminds me of the Fall Foliage back east, with leaf coloration that is nothing short of gorgeous, and the grapes go from green to a deep purple. Up in the Napa Valley when I visited recently, the excitement was building as weather signs indicated a memorable harvest ahead.

 Veraison is the vineyard transformation from green leaves to rich yellows and reds, and grapes from green to deep purple.

The grapes also increase in volume, weight and sugar content. Generalities though are hard to underline in the wine business due to “micro-climates,” where one vineyard will show very different results from another just a few miles down the road. For instance, in lower Napa Valley, Lewis Cellars is raving about the prospects for the growing season, while Michael Keenan of Keenan Wines up in the mountains near St. Helena  sees a late harvest due to lack of hot weather.  Over at nearby Provenance Winery in Rutherford, lead winemaker Tom Rinaldi’s one-word comment was “Giddy.”  He gives a big thumbs up to 2012.

Wine Bytes
The San Diego Zoo has a benefit food and wine celebration Sat. Sept. 22 from 7:30 to 12 midnight.  175 food and beverage suppliers will serve guests. Live music, animal ambassadors and silent auctions will keep it lively.  Cost starts at $90. for admission.  More details at 619-718-3000.

A Day in Tuscany is the theme, including a 4 course lunch with Italian wine pairings and a seminar at San Antonio Winery, downtown  Los Angeles Sun. Sept. 23 from 1 to 4pm.  $68. pp.  Call 888-223-1401.

The Taste of Hope is a wine and food benefit event, Sun. Sept. 23, 4 to 7pm at Rancho Valencia Resort in Rancho Santa Fe.  Cost is $65.  RSVP at 858-452-6846.

The San Diego Wine Show is a two day celebration of wine, food and music in the Paddock area of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Sat. Sept. 29, 2 to 8pm and Sun. September 30, 1 to 6pm.  Great whites and reds from California and the Pacific Coast with live entertainment in an intimate outdoor setting.  Fine food available.  Tickets $55. per day, $65. at the door, available at www.sandiegowineshow.com or call 800-653-8000.