Banfi Pours at the 3rd Corner-Will be the Top Stop in Taste of Wine Tour of Tuscany

by Frank Mangio

The wine glasses were being toasted high and loud recently at the 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro in Encinitas. Not only was there a classic lineup of Castello Banfi Chianti Classico, Super Tuscan Blends and a 4 course menu especially created for the occasion by the 3rd Corner Executive Chef Lincoln Williams; it also kicked off the news of a special, personal tour of great Tuscan wineries that I will lead October 7th to the 10th of this year.

I have teamed up with Banfi, the Mazzei Winery, Celebrity Cruise Lines and Vineyard Travel in Escondido for a round- trip Rome to Rome 10 day Mediterranean Cruise with on-board wine events from October 10th to the 20th. Ports of call include Naples, Messina Sicily, Mykonos, Santorini, other Greek Islands and Kusadasi, Turkey.

The 3rd Corner Encinitas Executive Chef Lincoln Williams and Banfi Wines Representative Diane Cappetta Nares

Prior to the cruise, our privileged group will set out 3 days earlier and enjoy hotels,transfers, rustic breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the wine country of Tuscany. It will include castles, wine tastings with extensive winery tours in Montalcino and Castellina, an Italian cooking class and an ancient glass museum.

There is no other place on earth like the sun-kissed hills of beautiful Tuscany. I know, I have walked the hills and felt the joy of life in this wine country. I have carefully chosen Mazzei with its legendary Fonterutoli and Banfi with its Brunello Di Montalcino wines as excellence in a bottle. The wineries are known worldwide for their graciousness and hospitality.

Italy is the largest importer of wine into the U.S. and makes roughly 20% of all the wine in the world. All 20 regions of this amazing country, from Sicily to the Alps, offer high quality old world wines from some 3,000 different grape varietals.

Other master-produced wines include: Gaja Barbaresco, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, Pio Casare Barolo, Bertani Amerone della Valpolicella Classico, Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico, Marchesi Antinori Tignanello, Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia and Planeta Santa Cecilia.

That is an unforgettable Italian wine journey and we get to sample the heart, in Tuscany. Complete details are at www.vineyardtravel.net. Enter offer #676757. Or call Rosemary Nigro at 800-359-3772.

Wine Bytes

A Cupid Wine Party is planned for Fri. Feb. 11 from 6 to 9pm at Bacchus Wine Market in the Gaslamp downtown San Diego. Appetizers, deserts and plenty of wines on hand for the party. $25. cost. Call 619-236-0005.

La Costa Wine Company has an Italian Tasting on Fri. Feb. 11 from 5 to 8:30pm. For $20. pp., taste 5 great Italian varietals including the ’07 Oreno awarded 95 points. New are “Wine Wednesdays” …a three wine flight for just $10. Details at 760-431-8455.

Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas is planning a Bordeaux night on Fri. Feb. 11 from 6 – 8pm. Call the shop at 760-479-2500 for brands and varietals.

Orfila Vineyards and Winery in Escondido has a special Valentines Day concert in the vines, Sun. Feb. 13. $20. ea. or $35. per couple. Includes a welcome glass of sparkling Moscato. Check for times and tickets at 877-727-9463.

San Diego State University’s next wine class starts Tues. Feb. 15 from 6 – 9pm. Advance sommelier Lisa Redwine teaches “Exploring Wine.” Call 619-594-6924 for more.

San Clemente Wine Company has a Cheese and Wine Pairing Class with Starr Cornwall on Wed. Feb. 16 from 6:30 to 7:30pm. 5 wines, chocolate, cheeses and educational materials are included for $35. To learn more, call 949-429-7067.

Bang the Drum for Temecula Wines

by FrankMangio

My in-box is loaded with optimistic news on Temecula Wine Country. It’s time to catch a rising star in the wine world. (Are you paying attention Wine Spectator ?)

Peggy Evans, Executive Director of the Winegrowers Association just added Krista Chaich to the marketing team to further fine tune the message of Southern California’s home wine country, with 30 some vineyards and wineries that specialize in Mediterranean climate grapes.

Long-time wine marketing pro Karen Lindstrom is now in Catering Sales and Marketing for Callaway Vineyard and Winery, and it looks like the long-awaited Europa Village is headed to reality. I was recently contacted by a spokesman.

Over at Falkner Winery, the irrepressible and suave Angelo Abril is now Restaurant Manager for the premier Pinnacle Restaurant for Ray and Lorreta Falkner. The pair hosted an elegant holiday winemaker 5 course dinner with Falkner’s best wines, including my favorite, the 2006 Amante Super Tuscan style blend.(39.95)

Angelo Abril, Falkner Winery’s Pinnacle Restaurant Manager, and Ray Falkner with his wife Lorreta, are combining to help bring Temecula wines to the next level.

It marries up the flavors of Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc. Pinnacle is offering Mediterranean style lunches since executive chef Gianni Ciciliot got his hands on the menu. A leading regional publication has awarded Pinnacle “Best Restaurant” the last 3 years. It will be open for Valentines Day Wine Dinners on Saturday through Monday February 12, 13 and 14 with timed seatings. Call for an RSPV and price at 951-676-8231 ext 1.

Over at Keyways, Terri Pebley and her winemaker David Raffael, introduced me to their latest wine, Traditions, a Merlot varietal from the Woodworth Vineyard in nearby Deluz. It has an irresistible ruby color with rich flavors of plum, cherry and mocha. ($31.) Keyways Voignier is always rich and complex with tropical notes, accents of peach and apricot, and the 2009 version carries this tradition. ($27.)

South Coast Winery, Resort and Spa is breaking new ground with a new release for a new label, from a new vineyard in southeastern Monterey County. Its’ called Saint’s Valley Winery and its first release is the 2010 White Zinfandel with a price starting at $3.99. Master Winemaker Jon McPherson promises a new day for this “blush” historic varietal.

A new book has just been launched by Temecula writers and publicists Tom Plant and Linda Kissam called A Recipe for Temecula Wine Country ( $19.98). It’s a contemporary cookbook featuring recipes from 22 of Temecula’s finest wineries. Vivid color pictures make it a mouth-watering experience, with pairing suggestions and recipes.

The book is already in circulation at local wineries and is coming soon to Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Call Linda Kissam for locations at 951-526-4540.

The next big Temecula winery event is the World of Wine 2011 Saturday March 5 and Sunday March 6. It’s barrel tasting and gourmet food servings in an all-day self guided tour. Limited time pre-sale two day ticket is $89. Check in at www.temeculawines.com for details. www.lacostawineco.com

Wine Bytes

Valentines Day in a winery and vineyard…now that’s romantic! Here are more choices in Temecula.

South Coast Winery Resort and Spa has a Valentines Wine Dinner on the 14th from 5:30 to 9:30pm. The chefs have a special menu and live music. $95. pp with a select bottle of wine. RSVP at 951-587-9463 ext 7237.

Tesoro Winery has a “Dolce Pomeriggio” ( sweet afternoon) Sat. Feb. 12 from 4 – 7pm. Wine, Champagne, chocolate and love songs with the Deek and Long duo. Cost is $26. ea. Call 951-308-0000.

Oak Mountain has a winemaker dinner Sat. Feb. 12 from 6 – 9pm. Four course Filet Mignon dinner with chef Michael from the Ritz Carlton and Oak Mountain favorite releases. Ticket sales at 951-699-9102.

Thornton Winery has its Romantic Rendevous Sat. Feb. 12 at 7pm. Adults only Valentines Day celebration with strolling violinists. Choice of glamorous venues in the winery. Filet Mignon and Salmon entrée. $85. pp. Call for RSVP at 951-699-0099.

Callaway Winery has a Vino d’Amore Dinner on Sat. Feb. 12 from6 -9pm. It features sparkling wine, live music and dinner in the barrel room. $90 ea. Call 951-676-4001 for seats.

Keyways has two Valentines events: Sat. Feb. 12 with That’s Amore, a 4 course dinner and entertainment from 6:30pm – 9:30pm for $99; and Cupid’s Walk, a romantic winery tour on Mon. the 14th from 3-4pm where you’ll sip wines and learn a little about winemaking for $17. RSVP at 951-302-7888.