Perlis Picks: Benom Wines

June 23, 2018 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

In a recent article, I wrote about Guillaume Fabre, who came from the South of France and created Clos Solene for his wife and fortunately for all of us as well.

BENOM As it turns out, Guillaume has a brother – Arnaud. And while Karen and I had initially met Guillaume at a wine festival, our introduction to Arnaud was indirectly related to one.

Back in 2013, we attended the Ojai Wine Festival for the first time. Karen came across a new winery that she insisted I try…Law Estate Wines. She was right, of course. The wines were great and we’ve been fans of Law ever since.

But that’s not when we met Arnaud.

A couple of years later, we were tasting at the new Law tasting room in Paso Robles where we met Arnaud for the first time when he conducted a tasting for us. Now, I’m no genius but even I could figure out when we met this tall young man from France with the last name Fabre, that he must be the brother of Clos Solene’s winemaker / owner Guillaume.

In my article about Clos Solene, I wrote about how Guillaume convinced the love of his life, Solene, to come to Paso Robles. Arnaud’s story is similar, as he found his soulmate once he joined Guillaume in Paso and met Chloe of L’Aventure Winery. His job as Sales and Marketing Manager of Law keeps him very busy, especially now that he and now-wife Chloe have a baby.

Busy as he is, the pull of making wine with his brother Guillaume has always been present. So, when Guillaume moved Clos Solene from its spot in Tin City to the new estate property, it was time for the brothers to see what they could do together.

Benom was born. Arnaud told us that focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends, they wanted to bridge their roots (Languedoc-Roussillon and Bordeaux) with Paso Robles, producing wine that reflects the style of a French wine with the richness and power of Paso Robles.

What does “benom” mean? Don’t try to look it up. It is the phonetic spelling of the French word “binôme”, meaning “a project together, a duo”. I’ve tried to allude to similarities and differences of the two Fabre brothers, such as how we met both of them and how they met their loves. The wines reflect this as well.

The 2017 Contrast is an almost 50/50 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, which is a very atypical blend. It is definitely not something you’d find in France or in many places, actually. It turns out that the natural acidity of the SB matches up perfectly with the richness of the Chardonnay.

Another blend is the 2017 L’Essor, 52% Grenache and 48% Cabernet Sauvignon. Did I mention this was a Rosé? When did you last or ever come across Cab in a Rosé? The Grenache was picked especially for this wine and the Cabernet is the bleed-off from their 100% Cabernet Sauvignon [more on this below]. This is an unusual blend that really works well.

Speaking of unusual blends, the 2015 Les Deux Frères is comprised of Grenache, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. Even my very limited knowledge of French enabled me to translate this as The Two Brothers; and a fitting tribute to them it is as it was my favorite wine of our visit.

Finally, we tasted the 2015 Origin. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has everything the Cab lover could want – great fruit and aging structure. It is a beautiful nod to the Fabre brothers’ French roots with the power of Paso Robles. But, a sneak peek of the 2016 makes me think the best is yet to come.

It is going to be exciting to see what this project borne of brotherly love creates for the future.

Benom

3050 Limestone Way

Paso Robles, CA 93446

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.

The Circuitous Path from Network News to Fine Wine, by Tim Ortman (Part One)

June 7, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Many roads can lead to a real love of wine. And I’m not talking about flirting with Chardonnay because “everyone else is doing it.” Or, a casual steakhouse affair with a glass of Cab, after which you return to your beloved Vodka martini. Nope. I’m talking about the head-turning, life altering, seminal moment many have experienced that plunges them head-first into a mesmerizing and totally foreign journey. The moment from which there’s no turning back.

I was a content and happy-go-lucky 25-year-old cameraman working in Chicago, the city of broad shoulders, and slowly becoming polished in my profession if still a bit culturally frayed around the edges. With so many deep-dish pizzerias and Italian beef options, I was leery, even fearful of fine dining where wine was a four-letter word. However, my Chicago bliss was rudely interrupted.

Unknown to me, I had been evaluated and selected for a life-changing upgrade. My talents (not my sophistication, I promise you) were deemed worthy of a promotion… a big one. As a result, my wife and I packed up and headed for Europe, where I would join the International Press Corps. as a staff cameraman and member of the NBC News Frankfurt bureau.

From the outset, the job was a dream come true. I was traveling through all of Europe (and the world, too, soon enough) covering news for a major American news network. But when I would gather with my colleagues for crew lunches, or when my wife and I would join friends for dinner, we felt like the gourmet’s version of a square peg in a round hole. Trying to blend in, we replaced my Coke and her Sprite with bottles of something called ‘mineral water’. (Who came up with that name, by the way, and was it intended to sound appealing?) And the meals were marathons. Lunches could last THREE HOURS and dinners often had no end in sight. The common thread throughout went something like this: once seated, a senior colleague, usually European, would utter some unidentifiable words to our waiter and, like clockwork, completely different bottles would appear. Their labels seemed to contain a secret code of uninterpretable French or, God forbid, German writing. Deciphering these codes was foolhardy at best and maddening at worst. Instead, we mimicked our friends and my coworkers and forced down the ubiquitous liquid, pretending to enjoy every drop. At least we no longer stuck out like sore American thumbs.

Eventually, I broke from the pack of lemmings and realized that I actually liked some of what I was imbibing. My taste – or ‘palate’ – leaned more to the white stuff over the red. I noticed that the white wines with French labels were subtly different from one another but generally tasted good. Those with German labels were generally off-puttingly sweet. And the red stuff with French labels just tasted like dirt. But the learning curve was mind-numbing and intimidating. What was the difference between a Pouilly Fuisse and a Pouilly Fume? And, what was a Pouilly to begin with? Asking such questions in a public forum would reveal me as the ignorant American rube that I was. Instead, I’d need to keep quiet and steal glances at labels when no one noticed.

(Editor’s Note: This story is broken into four parts, please return to this website on the same weekday next week for part two.)

Tim Ortman is an Emmy Award-winning cameraman and producer and author of the new book, Newsreal: A View Through the Lens When… He is a certified Sommelier and member of La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Connect with him on Facebook, @TimOrtmanWriter.

Wine in a Can vs. Wine in a Bottle in Blind Taste Test

June 6, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

NAPA, Calif. (PRWEB) – Essentially Geared Wine Co., which exclusively makes wine packaged in cans, is addressing the big question that all wine drinkers ask before cracking their first can: how does it compare to traditional wine that comes in a bottle? The answer emerges in a blind taste test where consumers are asked to taste two comparable wines–same varietal, similar price point, equally chilled, served in a traditional wine glass. Captured on video, it quickly becomes clear that, while most people may prefer the taste of Essentially Geared’s rosé, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc compared to comparable bottled wines, literally not one person can tell that it came from a can.

THE TASTE CHALLENGE
While a blind wine taste test is nothing new, wine in cans is a new concept to most, and many are skeptical. What’s the quality like? Will it taste like a can? Um, why cans? Essentially Geared decided to take the oldest wine quality measurement tool in the biz–the blind tasting–and test its wines with wine drinkers of all sorts, from novices to industry professionals. They ask each participant to taste wine A, then taste wine B, share their thoughts, and lastly pick a favorite. With reactions ranging from “Whaaat?!,” “In a can?,” to “Can I shotgun this sucker?,” participants are drawn to the new packaging concept and immediately begin answering the “Why cans?” question for themselves:

“Convenience.”
“You don’t need a corkscrew!”
“Bottles are a pain in the a** to deal with.”
“It’s just easier to pack a can.”
“[Bring it] where you’re not allowed to bring glass.”
“So you don’t look hoity-toity when the guys are drinking beer.”
“Would anybody even know if I was drinking wine at a park? Just saying.”

WHY CANS?
So, how does Essentially Geared, a wine company that packages their wine exclusively in cans, answer the “Why cans?” question? “We like our wine like we like our lives: delightful, simple, no pretense,” says co-founder and winemaker Grant Hemingway. “I set out to show the world what I’ve always known about wine: high quality doesn’t have to come with a high level of fuss. When you think about it, cans are actually the perfect wine vessel. They’re durable, lightweight, easy to open, lightproof, and airtight. Aluminum is hands down the most sustainable beverage packaging out there, and that was important to us.”

Weighing in at 1/20th of the weight of glass, each can is made of 70% post-consumer recycled material and is more than twice as likely to be recycled into a new can compared to glass. And the aluminum in a used can will enter the product life cycle again as a new can in just 60 days. Plus, they’re real hard to break. (Try it.)

Wine quality will always be a subjective measurement. That’s why we have things like points and scores and sommeliers and tasting notes to give us guidance in this great big world of fermented grape juice. But the notion that quality is dictated by traditional packaging alone is outdated. Great wine comes in a bottle, true. But great wine also comes in a can. And cans are a lot more convenient.

#screwcorks

ABOUT ESSENTIALLY GEARED WINE CO.:
Essentially Geared is a wine company based in Napa, CA whose motto is to “Seek the Everyday Uncommon.” Founded in 2017, EGWC produces rosé, chardonnay, a red blend, sauvignon blanc, and Bubbles (a chenin blanc-based carbonated wine) exclusively packaged in 375mL and 250mL aluminum cans. Distributed nationwide, their goal is to make great wine in a practical and sustainable package.

Follow the story: @egwineco

Vintage Eve Circa 4/15: Santa Barbara County AVA Lesson and Tasting Courtesy NASA and Michael Larner

June 5, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Santa Barbara County is our local world-class wine region. The region boasts a perfect combination of climate, soils, geology and geography, allowing growers and vintners to produce excellent wines from grapes associated with three major global areas – Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone.

Santa Barbara County Vintners Vice President Michael Larner, a grower, vintner and geologist by training, led our lecture on this very local winemaking region.

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Michael Larner, photo from Larner Vineyards Facebook page.

Seminar

“Today I will be your conductor…” began Larner. Who would share “what is diverse in the wines found in a 17 mile stretch.”

Larner explained that there are 211 AVAs (designated wine grape growing regions) in the United States.

Almost all of what we have in California has the varietal name on the label.

There can be up to a 50 degree shift between day and night temperatures in Santa Barbara County, which allows for “great natural acidity left in the wine…longer hang time…(and) giving a great complexity to the wines.”

A majority of the wineries are family-owned and produce fewer than 10,000 cases. The vintners association strives to create public awareness of this.

Climate is diverse in the different zones, and allows for different varieties to be grown. The heat burns off the nightly fog and pulls in the marine layer. Then, as the sun burns it off, a vacuum is created and brings in the coastal breeze.

Fog burns off at different times in the various regions, so some vineyards get warm while others remain cool.

Grapes were planted first in the area in 1782. The first commercial wineries started planting in 1960s.

“In a short story…we have two continents that crashed against each other…over 40 million years ago.” Then 20 million years ago an area north of San Diego fragmented off and ended up where Santa Barbara now is. Land is still moving due to the San Andreas Fault.

By 2013 23,000 acres had been planted. More Bordeaux varieties have been planted since 2003, as well as Syrah mostly in Ballard Canyon.

Larner then went through the stats for each of the Santa Barbara AVAs, when they were established, climate, elevation, rainfall, degree days (a heat summation; how many days an area gets hot after fog is burned off), soils and principal varieties grown in the region.

Note: One AVA, Sta. Rita Hills, was established with that abbreviated name over Santa Rita because there already is a wine growing area in Chile with that name.

Tasting Notes (Aromas and flavors separated by 😉

2013 Fess Parker Viognier, Camp 4, Rodney’s Vineyard, Santa Barbara County
Lemon, white pepper, orange; lemon-lime, citrus, crisp, nice fruit, long finish.

2012 Byron Chardonnay, Nielson Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
Buttery oak, buttered popcorn, sugary lemon drops, a bit of anise; balanced citrus fruit and acid works well, oak dries my palate and made me want more, well done. If you’re an oak fan this one is for you.

2012 Brander Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley
Lime, Kiwi, white peach, lemon, wet gravel; bright, lemon, pineapple, medium acidity and finish.

2012 Sanford Pinot Noir, Sanford and Benedict Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
Raspberry, plum, tart cherry, green peppercorns; same fruit, tart but nice balanced bright fruit with a light acid.

2010 Larner Syrah, Larner Vineyard, Ballard Canyon
Deep, dark plum, mushroom, black licorice; nice mouthfeel, bowl of dark fruit, balanced with nice pepper. My favorite of the tasting so far.

2011 Star Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara
Dusty blueberry, river bed, chocolate, little bit of mint; Dark dusty plums, blackberry, stems, black pepper, stewed mushrooms.

After the conclusion of the seminar Larner invited us to taste some other wines from the Santa Barbara Vintners. It was nearing the end of the workday for me having already had a great class and a tasting…but I still thoroughly enjoyed:

2011 Palmina Alisos red blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, Santa Barbara

2012 Scott Cellars Sangiovese, West Slope, Santa Barbara County

2012 Fess Parker Syrah, Santa Barbara County

2013 Rusack Syrah, Ballard Canyon Estate, Santa Barbara County

2013 Casa Dumetz GSM, Santa Ynez Valley

2009 Larner Elemental GSM

Story in photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10205360193031725.1073741909.1455706632&type=1&l=f4f064285c

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 guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. 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

Vintage Eve Circa 5/2015: Family Winemakers, is the Hit-Maker Once Again

May 15, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

I almost skipped this year’s Family Winemakers uber-large tasting as it was being held in Pomona at the Fairplex, a two-hour round-trip drive. But then I noticed that the organizers had given the press a four hour window to taste (and recover) from about 100 wineries – each serving up two or more of their latest efforts. So…I made the trek. (If you would like to skip the coverage below you can see the story in photos here.)

Tasting Full Line Ups

Ancient Peaks – Served up some lovely wines, my favorite was the Renegade blend of Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot and the Oyster Ridge blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Sirah.

Carlisle Winery – Eve Wine 101 VP Michael Perlis is a fan so I have to try and get my hands on these wines whenever I can, usually over our staff lunches (thank you Michael). Today I was loving their Steiner Vineyard Gruner Veltliner, “the only Gruner made in Sonoma.” From there both the 2013 Russian River Valley Zinfandels wowed me: one from the Papera Ranch and the other from Montafi Ranch.

Carol Shelton Wines – From the 2011 Sonoma County Karma Zin, Cucamonga Valley (yes, as in Rancho Cucamonga) 2013 Monga Zin, 2013 Rockpile Sonoma County and through to the 2011 Late Harvest Sonoma County…I was in love with these Zins! They also had some fine wines from their secondary label, Wild Thing, and I especially appreciated the flavor of the Rendezvous Rose.

Clos Pepe Estate – I’m a member of the winery, but since my shipments are usually Pinot Noirs I wanted to try the latest Axis Mundi wines made from grapes outside of the estate; the Rose of Mourvedre and blend (Grenache and Syrah). Glad I didn’t miss either, and I will want them in my next shipment.

Dolin Estate – I had to turn down a wine pairing dinner with Elliott Dolin as it was in Westlake Village on a weeknight – a possible three-hour round-trip trek. I wanted to make it up by tasting them at Family Winemakers. Elliott was happy to take me through his line-up and I was especially smitten with the 2012 Malibu Estate Chardonnay and every Pinot Noir, especially the 2012 Rincon Vineyard out of the Arroyo Grande Valley.

Foxen Vineyard – Starting with lovely fruit from a 2013 Chenin Blanc from the Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, I also enjoyed the 2013 Chardonnay, Block UU, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley; 2013 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley; 2013 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills.

Frostwatch Vineyard and Winery – Poured and described by wine friend Michael Fraschilla I found myself totally digging every white I tried: the mostly Semillon 2013 Vice Versa, 2013 Chardonnay and their 2012 Ophira Reserve Chardonnay.

Guarachi Family Wines – I doubted that vintner Alex Guarachi would be at the table but I had to look…and was greeted instead by his latest, and very tasty, Pinot Noir: 2013 Sun Chase Vineyard from the Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast.

Miner Family Winery – A lovely 2013 Simpson Vineyard California Viognier tickled my fancy and 2010 The Oracle Napa Valley Bordeaux blend put me over the edge. Tasty stuff.

Pride Mountain Vineyards – A delicious 2013 Napa Valley Chardonnay was followed by a 2012 Merlot and 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, both with grapes from Napa and Sonoma Counties.

Rocca Family – Yes! I was so happy to find a new favorite Napa winery that I visited last October and even happier to discover they had new releases for me to try today! There were two Cabernet Sauvignons that were delish, but a Merlot stole the show. For some reason it make me think that even a non-Merlot fan would like it; it was ready to drink now and had very nice fruit and spice. Best Merlot at the event, IMO.

Round Pond Estate – I had visited Round Pond’s Napa tasting room in April of 2012 and at the time I was fond of the whites, today I was into the Cabernet Sauvignons. The first was a Rutherford estate and the second, a Kith and Kin, which is made from Rutherford and “neighboring appellations.”

Swanson Vineyards – Though I was hoping winemaker Chris Phelps would be there as we dined together years ago, I was equally thrilled to say hello again to his director of national sales, Shelly Eichner. I love their wines, especially the latest Alexis Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tablas Creek Vineyard – Can you ever have too many Rhônes? Never! They wowed me with every white Rhône blend, red Rhône blends and single varietals. Their 2014 Vermentino and 2012 Mourvedre were stellar.

About

Family Winemakers of California is an “organization that reflects the small producer’s point of view.” With nearly 5,300 licensed wineries in California someone needs to consistently speak for small, family wineries in the fight for more access to markets, protecting individual freedom from government over-regulation, and fostering aspirations to make the best wine. Our beginnings are humble. Family Winemakers was founded in 1990 after the wine market order extension was voted down in a true grassroots campaign. Industry growth and public policy on a myriad of issues begged for input from small producers. One man, one vote is the bedrock principle behind Family Winemakers that guides our views on legislation, regulation, litigation and business practices. We’ve spent 24 years and counting working to loosen up the post-Prohibition restrictions in California law and broaden access to domestic markets.

A list of the Pomona Participating Wineries can be downloaded here.

Stewart Cellars to Host a ‘Farmer’s Market Spring Soiree’

May 3, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Yountville, CA (PRWEB) – Stewart Cellars is proud to present their second annual Stewart Cellars Spring Soiree taking place Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. The event will feature their second vintage of Sonoma Mountain Rosé, live music, flower bouquets, and plenty of Farmer’s Market themed items to taste and take home. Alongside their newly released Rosé, the Stewarts will also showcase a surprise library Cabernet Sauvignon for all to enjoy.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the release of our new Rosé, now in half bottles, with an afternoon of spring fun,” said Caroline Stewart Guthrie, co-proprietor. “Guests can enjoy our wines on the patio with live music, fresh cut flowers and everything that makes spring such an amazing time of year in the Napa Valley.”

With the ‘Farmer’s Market’ theme this year, there will be vendors and Stewart Cellars wines for guests to enjoy. In addition to the Rosé, Stewart Cellars will feature their latest spring wine releases. Festivities include live music, baked goods by Monday Bakery, flowers by the Monkey Group, and a farm-fresh cart full of local produce. Additionally, there will be a custom shaved ice creation featuring a specially made Stewart Cellars Rosé syrup crafted by 2 Girls Shave Ice. The graceful indoor-outdoor property features three stone buildings oriented around an existing heritage oak tree creating a seamless union where guests can flow indoors and outdoors easily.

Tickets are $55 for adults and $45 for members of the Stewart Cellars Wine Club. To purchase tickets, go to http://www.stewartcellars.com/product/Spring-Soiree1.

Stewart Cellars is located at 6752 Washington Street in Yountville, CA. Private tastings can be organized by phone at (707) 963-9160, via email at reservations@stewartcellars.com or online at http://www.stewartcellars.com. Their tasting hall and NOMAD Heritage Library are open this spring everyday of the week from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Spring, 2018 Stewart Cellars Wine Releases

2017 Rosé, Sonoma Mountain // SRP $28
2016 Chardonnay, Sonoma Mountain // SRP $37
2015 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast // SRP $50

Full Spring New Release Wine Technical Sheets: http://bit.ly/2oHhu6w

About Stewart Cellars
Founded in 2000, Stewart Cellars is the collaborative project of founder Michael Stewart, his son James Stewart, daughter Caroline Stewart Guthrie, and son-in-law Blair Guthrie. Together, the family oversees all aspects of the winery’s operations: James, an artist who left behind a burgeoning career in television and music for hands-on work in sales, marketing and distribution; Caroline, who leads the day to day operations along with each wine’s development; and Blair, the winemaker who works closely alongside acclaimed consulting winemaker Paul Hobbs to capture the singular site signatures of Stewart’s premier vineyard sources. Stewart Cellars produces eight wines including their flagship NOMAD Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Napa Valley Merlot, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley Rosé, Napa Valley Tartan Red Blend and a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Their new tasting room is located at 6752 Washington Street, Yountville, CA. For more information, please visit stewartcellars.com, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, @StewartCellars.

Vintage Eve Circa 2/2015: Tasting Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs

April 24, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

The Gloria Ferrer “Blanc de Noirs” sparkling wine, roughly translated to “white wine of black grapes” is actually a pink-colored wine made predominately from Pinot Noir grapes.

12970907_10153722502853043_765676533074217915_o And a tasty one at that. Read on.

Although I provided my own tasting notes, below those are tasting notes from the winery. Detecting aromas and flavors is very subjective, please read these as guides alone. I bet you will find other ways to describe the wine. For me, I try and hide the winery tasting notes so that I can be as objective as possible. Then I have some fun looking later to see if any of our descriptors intersect.

From Eve

Color – The mauve-colored foil on the neck of the bottle is only a hint, a shadow, of the pink and peach hues that can be seen in the glass. The bubbles are medium-sized and aggressive in their pursuit to reach the top where they help to maintain a slight layer of foam for a few minutes longer than usual, and a rim of foam holds still – seemingly until the next glass is poured. Very appealing.

Aroma – Strawberry, yellow cling peaches, pears, apricot, maple scones and a wee bit of vanilla.

Flavor – Kiwi, strawberry, peach, mango, lemon-lime yogurt and a nice dance of acidity and fruit twirls together.

Pairing – This wine would go great with chocolate covered or naked strawberries, of course, but also before that with lobster, cold crab, sushi or cheese.

Conclusion – I liked it, I really liked it. Where I expected it to be too sweet on the palate due to all of the fruit I got in the aroma, it wasn’t at all. A beautiful bouquet that delivers. 90 Eve pts.

From Gloria Ferrer

…Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs (SRP: $22) is 92 percent Pinot Noir and 8 percent Chardonnay. A small amount of vin gris gives it a creamy palate and a rosy hue…

The wine features bright strawberry and black cherry aromas with subtle vanilla highlights. Creamy cherry, lemon and cola flavors combine with a lush palate, lively bubbles and a persistent finish.

Garagiste Wine Festival Comes to the Heart of Sonoma Wine Country in May

April 16, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (PRWEB) – Garagiste Events today announced that its internationally renowned Garagiste Wine Festival comes to the heart of Sonoma, California on May 12th for the very first time. The festival will showcase the rich variety of small-production wines currently being crafted by some of the most innovative winemakers in Sonoma, Mendocino, Livermore, Lodi, and Napa, as well as other California regions. The non-profit event will be held at the Sonoma Veterans Building near Sonoma’s historic downtown plaza. Tickets are on sale today at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-garagiste-festival-northern-exposure-tickets-43108506704

Like many small production wineries, over ninety percent of participating wineries are without a tasting room where they can meet the public, making the premier Sonoma Garagiste Festival a one-of-a-kind opportunity for consumers to discover, and meet, 40 winemakers while tasting 150+ wines made from over 15 varieties. This is why The Garagiste Festival, which always sells out, has been dubbed ‘wine tasting Nirvana;” ‘a wildly exuberant and fun wine event,’ and “not-to-be missed’ by the LA Times.

“Sonoma-area winemakers and wine lovers have been asking us for quite some time to bring the Garagiste Festival further north,” said Garagiste Festival Co-founder Douglas Minnick. “On May 12th, at last, we are able to offer this fertile and creative winemaking community the opportunity to share their delicious wines in the intimate and unique Garagiste Festival setting. Bringing these winemakers onto the radar of passionate wine fans on the lookout for new wine discoveries is one of the great pleasures of the festival.”

“And, if you think you know the garagiste line-up, think again…” added Festival Co-founder Stewart McLennan. “Over half of these wineries are brand new to the festival, as are many of the Northern California regions represented. In the wake of the Northern California fires, we are glad to spread the word that this part of California not only remains open for business, but is thriving.”

Known for high quality wines, first-time and ‘soon-to-break-out’ discoveries, diverse grape varieties, a ‘no snobs allowed’ policy and a renegade and fun-loving spirit, the non-profit Garagiste Festivals are the only festivals in the US dedicated to micro-production winemakers. Garagiste Festivals have introduced hundreds of outstanding artisan winemakers (who produce under 1500 cases of wine) to thousands of passionate wine consumers, members of the trade and media, raising the profiles of many of the winemakers nationally for the first time, and raising thousands of dollars for the education of future winemakers.

Cris Carter owner and winemaker of Weatherborne Wine Corp, and who owns a vineyard in the Anderson Valley, has showcased his wines at multiple Garagiste Festivals. “The Garagiste Fest is the perfect place for small-production, family-run wine brands to meet their audience. Winery owners meet face-to-face with interested and engaged consumers who often wind up being their most loyal customers and brand advocates,” says Carter. “Attendees get to pick the brains of the people actually making the wine and running the business, learning the wine’s story in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. For the wine trade, it’s a great place to unearth the next wave of exciting California producers; a true opportunity to find hidden gems for your wine list or portfolio.”

The Sonoma Garagiste Festival will kick off at 11:30 am on Saturday, May 12th, with a signature tasting seminar: “The Garagiste Variety Show: Exploring the Diversity of Small-Production Winemaking.” The seminar will focus on the range of wines being produced by Garagiste winemakers, and investigate why garagiste winemakers have stepped away from Cabernet and Chardonnay to work with grapes considered under-the-radar in Northern California. Moderated by McLennan, panelists include: Paul Gordon of Halcon Vineyards and Randy Hester of Lightning Wines. In the afternoon is the main event: the Grand Tasting, which runs from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Like all Garagiste Festivals (and unlike many larger wine festivals), the Sonoma festival will limit ticket sales to give attendees a comfortable and relaxed tasting experience with personal winemaker interaction.

For the full schedule, more information, go to: http://garagistefestival.com or follow us on Twitter (@GaragisteFest) or Facebook. For breaking festival news and special discounts sign-up for our free newsletter, The Dirt at http://garagistefestival.com/sign-up/.

Winemakers already scheduled to pour include:
Betwixt Wines, Calstar Cellars, Camlow Cellars, Chenoweth Wines, Crux Winery, Enoteca Five, Fallon Place Wine, Fields Family Wines, Gordenker Wines, Gregory James Wines, Halcon Vineyards, Kendrick Vineyards, La Pitchoune Winery, Lightning Wines, Magna Vita Cellars, Mastro Scheidt, Merisi Wines, Montagne Russe, Montemaggiore, Murder Ridge, Nowell-Smith Wines, Parmeson Wines, Piezo Winery, T. Berkley Wines, Trojak-Knier Winery, Von Holt Cellars and Weatherborne Wine Co.

Sponsors include: ETS, Laffort, Glenn Burdette, Digital Dogma, mWEBB Communications, Farm Credit, and G3

For sponsorship info, email info@garagistefestival.com.

About The Garagiste Wine Festivals
The Garagiste Wine Festivals (http://www.garagistefestival.com) are the first and only wine festivals dedicated to the undiscovered and under-recognized American artisan ‘garagiste’ producers who are making some of the best, most exciting, handcrafted small-lot production wines in the world. Founded by fellow garagiste winemakers Stewart McLennan and Douglas Minnick, the Garagiste Festivals are committed to discovering the best and most innovative limited-production winemakers and promoting and showcasing them to a broad audience of discerning wine consumers. In addition to its flagship annual festival in Paso Robles, CA, the Garagiste Festival line-up includes Garagiste Festival: Southern Exposure, featuring Santa Ynez Valley garagistes; the Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure, in Los Angeles; the Garagiste Festival, Northern Exposure, in the Bay Area; winemaker dinners, a newsletter, garagiste profiles and more.

The festivals were named one of the ‘Top Nine Incredible Epicurean Vacations’ in the world by ABC News,* “one of the premier wine events of the year,” by the LA Times and “Best Festival” by Sunset Magazine’s ‘Best of the West.’ The festivals are produced by Garagiste Events, a non-profit dedicated to furthering the education of future winemakers and those training for employment within the wine industry. Garagiste Festivals Inc. is a 5013c non-profit organization and proceeds from the festivals support the Garagiste Festival Scholarship fund of the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo Wine and Viticulture Department.

**Garagistes (garage-east) is a term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate renegade small-lot wine makers, sometimes working in their “garages” (anything considered not a chateau), who refused to follow the “rules,” and is now a full-fledged movement responsible for making some of the best wine in the world.

L.A.’s Best “Happy Hours” Guaranteed to Make You Smile As You Sip, Savor & Save This Spring!

April 7, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Get out of your comfort zone Santa Claritans and check out these great Happy Hours from Beverly Hills to Venice!

Casita Del Campo - Classic Margarita _preview

Casita Del Campo: Casita Del Campo Margarita. Photo Credit: Three-Fold Agency

For over 50 years, Casita Del Campo has been serving up exceptional Mexican cuisine in Silver Lake, in a party atmosphere with two outdoor patios and a beautiful dining room. With a lively nightly Happy Hour, guests may enjoy a wide selection of margaritas including the Casita Classic prepared with tequila, fresh squeezed lime, triple sec, Fruit Margaritas comprised of strawberry, peach, banana, watermelon, mango, ginger, pomegranate, and guava, and a Smoky Margarita made with Cazadores Reposado Tequila, mescal, triple sec, and fresh squeezed lime. Bartenders also serve up Pina Coladas, Tequila Sunrises, Palomas, and Mojitos. Appetizers include Quesadillas Con Rajas two corn tortillas prepared with a combination of cheeses and mild green chile strips, the Casita’s Special includes six crispy mini tortillas topped with chicken, beef, beans, guacamole and sour cream, and the Sweet Corn Tamales which include two delicately sweet tamales filled with raisins and jack cheese. Every day is a fiesta at Casita Del Campo during their nightly Happy Hour!

Casita Del Campo is open for Happy Hour Monday through Sunday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm; 1920 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323.662.4255; www.CasitaDelCampo.net

CHAYA Downtown:

CHAYA Downtown offers a wide selection of Happy Hour cocktails, wines, beers, and bites that will take the edge off after a long day at the office and satisfy tourists in need of a rest after exploring Downtown Los Angeles. Choose from a selection of specialty cocktails for $8.00 including the Russian Blues, prepared with lemon-infused Crystal Palace vodka, house-made spritzer and fresh blueberries, the Bourbon Mash mixed with Jim Beam bourbon, passionfruit purée, orange juice, and mint, or the Bahama Mama comprised of Cruzan Coconut Rum, pineapple, orange juice, fresh sweet & sour, and garnished with an orange slice. If wine is more to your liking, guests can enjoy a selection of including Castle Rock Sauvignon Blanc, Castle Rock Chardonnay, Mouton Cadet Rosé, and the Castle Rock Pinot Noir. Guests of CHAYA can also opt for a nice cold beer like Sapporo Premium Draft Pale Lager, Kirin Light Pale Lager or the Estrella Damm Euro Pale Lager. Finally, a tasty beverage should not be left without delicious small bites, so guests can enjoy a Spicy Shrimp Crunchy Roll, Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Seeds, Shrimp Hushpuppies with Karachi mustard dip, and Salmon Belly Skewers with yuzu pepper miso as well.

CHAYA Downtown is open for Happy Hour every Monday through Friday 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm; 525 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071; 213.236.9577; www.TheChaya.com

CHAYA Venice:

Chaya Venice offers a respite to long days spent plugging away in Silicon Beach, or for a drink and some nosh after a fun day at the beach. Choose from a selection of specialty priced snacks, cocktails, sake, beer, and wine in the CHAYA Venice bar. Enjoy a variety of small plates including a Yuzu Spicy Tuna Roll, the classic California Roll, and Ramen made with creamy chicken, pork belly, and Casamigos Reposado. Choose from a variety of Happy Hour Cocktails that are sure to tantalize the palate including the Pear Pressure mixed with Shochu, pear purée, lemon and ginger, and the Blood Orange Sour prepared with gin, blood orange, and soda. Of course, if cocktails do not strike your fancy, sake flights are always an excellent choice at CHAYA Venice, along with an ice-cold beer or specially selected glass of wine.

Chaya Venice serves Happy Hour every Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and every Friday and Saturday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm; 110 Navy Street, Venice, CA 90291; 310.396.1179; www.TheChaya.com

Church & State:

After a long day at the office, or an early evening out with friends, look no further than visiting one of Downtown L.A.’s most beloved restaurants, Church & State, for a Happy Hour filled with small bites and drink specials to liven the evening. Enjoy a daily selection of $1 Oysters paired with lemon and mignonette, along with the Le Cachat, a lavender herbed goat cheese on crostini, the Foie de Volaille(chicken liver mousse on crostini), or the Deviled Eggs with paprika, lardon, and chives. For cocktails, enjoy a crisp Craft Cocktail prepared with gin, lemon, Pimm’s, Aperol, and mint. With all the delectable choices at hand, guests can easily let the hectic day slowly slip away, as they sip their drink of choice.

Church & State is open for Happy Hour every Monday through Friday from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm; 1850 Industrial Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021; 213.405.1434; www.ChurchandStateBistro.com

Spring:

Come unwind for Happy Hour in the Springside Lounge at Spring in Downtown Los Angeles after a long work day and enjoy specialty libations and appetizers every Tuesday through Friday right at the Springside Bar from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Nibble on an array of snacks such as the Marinated Olives, Herbed Goat Cheese on Crostini, Beef Tartare, and the true pearl of the menu, the $1 Oysters, which are served with fresh lemon and mignonette, all while enjoying a glass of wine or one of Spring’s perfectly balanced cocktails.

Spring serves Happy Hour every Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm; 257 South Spring Street; Los Angeles, CA, 90012; 213.372.5189; www.SpringLosAngeles.com

The FLATS:

You may not think of going to Beverly Hills for Happy Hour, but with the recent opening of The FLATS restaurant, you now have a spot to go for a refreshing cocktail and tasty bite after a day of shopping or a tough day at the office. Come enjoy featured Happy Hour cocktails created by Head Barman Shaun Summers including the Old-Fashioned prepared with whiskey, aromatic bitters, and Demerara sugars, the Margarita comprised of tequila blanco, house Curacao, and fresh lime juice, the Daiquiri prepared with white rum, sugar, and fresh lime, along with other popular classics that are sure to please the palate. After a long day, pair your drink of choice with delicious Small Platesincluding Fried Olives, Crispy Hen of the Woods Mushrooms with tempura, garlic water and Fresno chili, Fresh Cut Fries with rosemary aioli, or the delicious Brussels Sprouts made with brown butter, pickled dates, and cured egg yolks. And, don’t forget about Executive Chef Paul Shoemaker’s fresh, artisanal Flatbread Artisan Pizzas including the Margarita with organic tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella, and the Pepperoni with organic tomato sauce, mozzarella, and smoked pepperoni. Of course, what would Happy Hour be without sliders? Choose between the Honey Boo Boo Sliders with whipped honey butter, bacon, and gruyere cheese or the Baby Calibamma that is sure to deliver a kick, prepared with Calibamma hot cabbage slaw, red jalapeños and pickles. With food this amazing, the only thing up for debate during Happy Hour at The FLATS is what cocktail to order next?

The FLATS is open for Happy Hour every Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Late Night Happy Hour every Monday through Sunday from 11:00 pm to 12:00 Midnight (cocktails only); 8400 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211; 310.909.7549; www.TheFlatsRestaurant.com

The Raymond 1886:

With a Happy Hour this good, The Raymond 1886 is the place to be after a long day at the office or a day out with friends. Guests of The Raymond 1886 can enjoy 50% off Well Drinks and Bar Snacks, 50% off Wines by the Glass, $4 Craft Beers, and $7 Daily Featured Craft Cocktails! Pair the drink of your choice with a variety of tasty bites like the Tater Tots served with The Raymond 1886’s homemade Ketchup, Suckling Pig Tacos Al Pastor with pineapple, avocado, and salsa roja, Mac-n-Cheese baked with Irish cheddar and gruyère, and the Salmon Creek Pork Belly with pickled and roasted Cipollini, fried apple purée, fennel. Sip on a cocktail (or two) and indulge in some of Pasadena’s finest food as you lounge the rest of the day away at The Raymond 1886!

The Raymond 1886 is open for Happy Hour every Tuesday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm; 1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136; www.TheRaymond.com

Twohey’s Tavern:

Pasadena’s newly opened Twohey’s Tavern is the place you want to be when Happy Hour is this good! Wind down with after a long day with delicious small bites created by Executive Chef Travis Limoge that are sure to satisfy your hunger. Start with the Deviled Eggs topped with Ellie Shaft 2yr. blue cheese, Fresno Red Hot, and orange zest, or the Fresno Wings with fresh horseradish, blue cheese dressing, and carrots. Then, there is the Burger & Beer with caramelized onion, blue cheese, bread & butter pickles, and garlic aioli all paired with a beer of your choice for just $15. And of course, don’t forget to pair your favorite bites with any $6 Well Cocktails, rotating $5 Draft Beers, and White andRed Wines by the glass for under $7. Sip and savor the end of the day at one of Pasadena’s finest new dining and drinking destinations – Twohey’s Tavern!

Twohey’s Tavern is open for Happy Hour every Tuesday through Sunday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm; 2835 East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107; 626.449.2337; www.TwoheysTavern.com

Drinking Epiphanies

March 23, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

I just wanted to know what your drinking epiphanies were in 2014! After learning what our Eve Wine 101 Facebook pals experienced, I’d have to say I have some new boozy goals for 2015.

The statement above was from a Facebook roundup I did in January of 2015. Thought, heck, it’s been a few years, I wonder if anyone has some new discoveries since then to share. So I asked.

Anonymous: …in Vegas at an unnamed hotel I convinced people I was the owner’s son and got drinks for free and comps for days.

Caren: Tasting Jonathan Cross’s “When Figs Fly” signature cocktail at Cocktails On the Roof. (Cross is the bar manager at Olive Terrace Bar and Grill.)

Vicki: Although it was not last year my first taste of Sojourn Cellars Pinot Noir with a great friend.

Michael: Graham’s 1970 Vintage Port with Rupert Symington, and 1975 BV Georges de LaTour. I’ll toss in a 40 YO Ukrainian brandy as well.

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Mas Martinet DOQ Priorat Facebook page

Scott: Tasting wine at Mas Martinet in the mountaintop vineyard where the grapes are grown. Priorat Spain. Priorat is a must see. It is one if only 2 DOQ’s in Spain. The other is Rioja. To me Priorat seems more inventive, and willing to take chances, than stodgy old Rioja.

Kathy: My visit to Gibbston Valley Winery in New Zealand was one of my most favorite wine experiences last year! The 2013 Noble changed my life! I believe they ship to US for very reasonable prices!

Danny: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rum Barrel aged Gin…it’s completely different (from Genever) the botanicals are complimented nicely rum adds spice, chard adds richness and pinot adds floral(s), amazeballs. #brokenheartgin #reidandreidgin #sacredspringgin (#’s are brands to try)

Lee: Just enjoying it with good food, great friends and plenty of laughter.

Jenny: Great question! #1 was the private wine tasting from Leoness that I set up for a bachelorette. We did it by the pool at the house we were renting. Amazing….except that I was pregnant… So #2 was the first glass of wine I had after having my baby. Pulchella and it was heavenly!

From me: …for me in wines it was tasting Hourglass Wine for the first time, in their caves. Then tasting Armand De Brignac and Dom Perignon, well out of my price range. For spirits it had to be two whisky events: the Universal Whisky Experience and the Peatin’ Meetin’.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com