There is one annual event that my husband Eddie and I have never missed in the past 11 years, even the one year it had to be postponed a week due to a shut down of the 5 freeway:
The classiest annual holiday wine tasting is at our very own, locally owned, Valencia Wine Company on Towne Center Drive in the Westfield Valencia Mall. This year the event will be held on the afternoon of Saturday November 14 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. (You can stop in the wine bar or call to reserve a ticket: 661-254-9300.)
Unique Tasting/Eating/Educational Opportunity
Guests will have plenty of time to taste wine from both domestic and imported sources – see our growing wine list below.
All of the wines will be paired with both savory and sweet treats catered by the one and only Martha Aguilera, owner of Kokolita.
Besides having the three hours to taste wine and food, guests will have a special treat – education, if desired, from the winery representatives.
George Skorka – a wine representative serving during the event, that so happens to have a stellar wine pedigree as a sommelier and wine judge – has been devoted to Valencia Wine Company’s education program for many years. This is an event that guests look forward to as it’s an opportunity to learn and taste with George.
The many wine representatives that will join George are very educated about the wines they are serving, so it’s pretty much a sure thing that if you want to learn more about what you are tasting, you will!
One more thing: You should be able to get some of your necessary holiday shopping done! Each guest is given a tasting booklet that is several pages long; listing out all of the wines and their prices. And though my husband usually goes for a case (there is always a nice discount for buying a full case) I can’t be positive that all of the wine we purchase will be gifted to others.
Keep your eyes peeled to the Facebook event page for Valencia Wine Co.’s 12th Annual Holiday Tasting because…I will be posting teasers there until the event takes place on November 14!
Some of the Wine Selections, at Press Time
Champagne
POL ROGER BRUT NV
LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT PREMIER
LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT ROSE 2009
LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT 2008
White wines
REGNARD CHABLIS GRAND REGNARD 2013
SCHLUMBERGER RIESLING SAERING 2010
LATOUR MONTAGNY LA GRANDE ROCHE 1er Cru 2013
BRASSFIELD PINOT GRIS HIGH SERENITY 2013
MER SOLEIL CHARDONNAY RESERVE, SANTA BARBARA 2012
CARPE DIEM CHARDONNAY 2013
GARY FARRELL CHARDONNAY RESERVE 2012
Red Wines
CH DE PEZ ST ESTEPHE 2011
HENRY FESSY FLEURIE CHT LABOURON CrU BEAUJOLAIS 2011
FAIVELEY MERCUREY CLOS MYGLANDS 2011
JL COLOMBO CORNAS TERRE BRULEES 2012
MARQ MURRIETA RIOJA RSV 2010
DELAS ST JOSEPH TOURNON 2013
ETUDE PINOT NOIR 2013
FLOWERS PINOT NOIR 2013
CARPE DIEM PINOT NOIR 2012
MARCHESI DI BAROLO BARBERA 2013
HANNA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013
THORN MERLOT 2012
Remember, the event is coming up fast, November 14, so you best call 661-254-9300 to reserve. We did!
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
