Eve's Wine 101

ANNOUNCING THE 20TH ANNUAL WORLD OF PINOT NOIR

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The event – March 5-7, 2020 in Santa Barbara – will include Grand Tastings featuring more than 250 wineries from around the globe, Pinot Noir and Champagne parties, pairing dinners and expert-led seminars.

October 14, 2019 (Santa Barbara, Calif.) – The World of Pinot Noir (WOPN), the wine industry’s foremost organization dedicated to the education and celebration of Pinot Noir, is now selling tickets for its marquee event, taking place March 5-7, 2020 at the seaside Ritz-Carlton Bacara in sunny Santa Barbara.

More than 3,000 wine lovers are expected to attend the 20th Annual World of Pinot Noir, which includes an opening night party followed by two full days of pairing dinners prepared by renown chefs, parties, two Grand Tastings featuring more than 250 premier Pinot Noir wineries from around the globe, and expert-led educational tasting seminars.

To mark this momentous anniversary, special seminars, dinners and new events have been added to the weekend-long program. The What’s New List includes:

  • The annual Burgundy Seminar will explore Grand and Premier Crus. This year’s featured winery is Bouchard Pére et Fils.
  • Bollinger Champagne joins the 20thAnniversary celebration offering a vertical seminar, and an exclusive Bollinger Champagne La Grand Annee release dinner.
  • Award-winning Chef Santos MacDonal, of Il Cortile and La Cosecha restaurants in Paso Robles, is crafting a menu to pair with the Pinot Noirs from Italy’s Alto Adige, as well as wines from Argentina and Chile, among others.
  • A special Founders Dinner, featuring many of the winemakers (and their coveted wines) who helped launch the World of Pinot Event 20 years ago includes: Talley Vineyards, Foxen, Patz & Hall, Adelsheim Vineyard and Stephen Ross Wine Cellars.
  • A seminar and luncheon hosted by Santa Barbara’s Wine Cask restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara, kicks off the weekend with a deep dive into the amazing wines of Italy’s Alto Adige.

Also new this year are exclusive opportunities for Weekend Passport holders. The Weekend Passport is the World of Pinot Noir’s all-inclusive, fully customizable VIP ticket for the entire weekend. In addition to having a concierge help guests navigate the options, those who purchase their Weekend Passport prior to Nov. 30, 2019, will secure tickets to the Bollinger Champagne tasting seminar and have priority access to the event’s most exclusive dinners: the Vintage Burgundy Dinner hosted by the SommFoundation, and the first-ever Bollinger Champagne Le Grand Dinner.

To view the full lineup of events, and to purchase tickets, including the Weekend Passport, please visit WorldofPinotNoir.com.

About The World of Pinot Noir

WOPN, a non-profit trade organization, was established in 2001 by a small, dedicated group of winemakers from California’s Central Coast. The group’s mission is to bring together the world’s foremost Pinot Noir producers, and in a gorgeous setting, celebrate the delicious wine grape. Wineries, potential sponsors and wine enthusiasts interested in learning more, please visit worldofpinotnoir.com, or contact info@wopn.com. Follow and tag us on Facebook,Twitterand Instagram. #wopn #wopn20

Wine House’s Monica Marin, DipWSET, Nominated as WSET Educator of the Year

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WEST LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (PRWEB) – The Wine House, named one of the world’s best wine shops by Food & Wine, is proud to announce that Monica Marin, Director of Education, is one of ten educators worldwide that have been nominated by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) as an Educator of the Year for 2019.

Monica Marin, center, flanked by her WSET students. Photo: Facebook.

“We are thrilled that the WSET is recognizing what we have known all along – that Monica Marin is a phenomenal and passionate wine educator,” said Bill Knight, Wine House President. “We have been fortunate to have Monica leading Wine House WSET programs of all levels here since 2012, and our customers have benefited greatly from her knowledge and enthusiasm.”

The Educator of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contribution of an individual or company within WSET’s network of Approved Programme Providers. The recipient will have demonstrated a significant contribution to the development of WSET, promoting its values and vision while achieving noteworthy success in their own region. The award is proudly sponsored by Riedel.

Marin started out teaching Levels 2 & 3 Award in Wines & Spirits, and she now also teaches Level 4 Diploma in Wines as well as WSET Level 1 in Wines and Level 1 in Sake courses. The Wine House teaches over 500 WSET students a year and has recently opened two satellites in the wine-growing areas of Paso Robles and Santa Barbara. Marin is also a ‘Flying Wine Educator,’ teaching several times a year in Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Panama and Mexico.

Originally from Spain, Marin teaches in English and Spanish and enjoys experiencing the different cultures as she shares her love of teaching and her students enjoy learning about wine!

“It is an incredible honor to be considered for such an award by the WSET, and I am grateful to be nominated along with other top wine educators from around the world,” said Marin.

In January 2020, The Wine House will offer WSET Level 1 in Wines, WSET Level 2 in Wines, WSET Level 3 in Wines and WSET Level 1 in Sake. More courses, including a new intake of WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines, will be offered throughout the year.

About The Wine House:

The Wine House is a family-owned independent retailer that has been serving customers from around the world for over 40 years and was named as one of the Ten Best Wine Stores in the World by Food & Wine. Our 25,000 square foot facility in West Los Angeles, CA has a vast selection of over 6,000 domestic and imported wines, spirits and beers that is one of the largest and well-curated collections in the country. With helpful and knowledgeable staff to help customers make their selection and a wide variety of events such as seminars, tastings, wine and food pairings – from casual, in-store tastings, to sit down dinners with winemakers from all over the world as well as in-depth seminars that lead to certifications – we provide a unique, exciting shopping environment for clients ranging in wine experience from the complete novice to the connoisseur. We are honored to be the First Call for customers seeking products or assistance with any of our wide variety of products.

About the Wine & Spirit Education Trust:

Set up in 1969 and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, WSET is the largest global provider of qualifications in the field of wines and spirits.
WSET offers qualifications across four levels, from one-day beginner courses through to an expert level diploma. Courses are available in more than 15 languages and over 70 countries and are open both to industry professionals and interested enthusiasts.
WSET is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual, the English regulator of qualifications and examinations. All WSET qualifications have a strong reputation worldwide as the industry standard for knowledge.
In the last academic year (2018/19) over 100,000 candidates sat for a WSET qualification and, since 1969, WSET has awarded nearly one million individuals a WSET qualification.

For more information about WSET, please visit WSETglobal.com.

Crittenden Estate of Australia Wins Top Honors in 2020 BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS (PRWEB) – The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) in partnership with FIVS, a global public policy federation serving the wine, spirits, and beer sectors, are pleased to announce the winners of their 2020 International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition. Topping this year’s competition is Crittenden Estate of Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia, based on the winery’s on-going programs addressing the three elements of sustainability – environmental, economic, and social – as well as its wine’s flavor.

Founded in 1982 by Garry Crittenden, Crittenden Estate farms 27 acres in Dromana and is proud of its multi-generational family farm commitment to preserving the land while producing high-quality wine.

Among Crittenden’s many sustainable accolades are abandoning the use of chemicals in the vineyard for an innovative program of inter-row cover crops and soil cultivation; a twelve-month composting program to maintain soil health; introducing bees to the property to fertilize desirable fruit trees and supporting a diverse agricultural population of plants and insects while combating wasp species; reducing energy costs by sixty percent cost with the installation of solar panels; and reclaiming and reusing water through Crittenden’s water treatment plant.

The awarded wine was Crittenden Estate’s Cri De Coeur 2017 Pinot Noir, a new, premium wine that showcases Crittenden’s viticulture and winemaking efforts.

“The Crittenden family has taken great pride in working their land for two generations and in that time their wines have won the accolades of Australia’s food and wine critics,” said Dr. Ed Schneider, BRIT’s president and executive director. “The combination of sustainable programs with the family’s love of the land has produced a wine that’s truly outstanding.”

“To win such a prestigious international award, particularly given the caliber of our fellow entrants is very humbling for us,” said Rollo Crittenden, second generation winemaker at Crittenden Estate. “We’re passionate about our sustainability and regenerative programmes and delighted that they have been recognised in this way by BRIT/FIVS. There is no doubt these efforts contribute directly to an increase in the quality of wine we produce, and we will continue to strive further on both our land care and wine advances over the generations to come.”

Additional BRIT/FIVS sustainable awards went to:

Gold Medals

  • Vina Cono Sur, Santiago, Chile. Submitted Cono Sur Organic Red Blend.
  • C. A. Henschke & Co., Keyneton, South Australia. Submitted Henschke Mount Edelstone 2015.

Silver Medals

  • Herdade dos Grous, Albernoa, Portugal. Submitted Herdade dos Grous Red.
  • Valdivieso, Santiago, Chile. Submitted Valdivieso Eclat Vigno 2010.

Bronze Medals

Platinum Multi-brand Award

“A big round of applause goes to all of our 2020 winners,” says Greg Hodson, President, FIVS. “From their sustainable programs in the field to their progressive workforce and community programs, to being good leaders and stewards within the global wine industry, we congratulate their achievements.”

When entering the competition, wineries provide a self-assessment of their organization’s accomplishments in sustainable winegrowing, winemaking, and ecopreneurial/social responsibility practices. They describe their organization’s conservation efforts in the field and in their operations; how they have sought to minimize waste, how water is reclaimed, and how the winery extends conservation efforts to its customers and communities. They also are asked to submit a wine sample that best represents their sustainable efforts for a tasting by the judging committee.

Because the BRIT/FIVS award is the only international award of its kind, it is of primary interest to wineries who are taking a leading role in their community/region/country by embracing sustainable practices. Sustainable winegrowing programs are by nature ongoing, so a key component of each program involves its continual improvement process.

Presentation of the BRIT/FIVS glass sculpture award to Crittenden Wines will be made in Fort Worth on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, during BRIT’s Vine to Table award dinner and fundraising event.

The 2021 BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition begins in the summer of 2020. Details of the 2021 competition will be posted on the BRIT web site, http://www.BRIT.org/wineaward and on the FIVS web site, https://www.fivs.org.

Visionary Chilean Winery VIK Awarded 2019 Wine Star

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SANTIAGO, Chile /PRNewswire/ — Wine Enthusiast Magazine revealed their 20th Annual Wine Star Awards this past month, naming VIK, in Millahue Chile, the inaugural Wine Star for ‘Best Winery Experience.’ The award celebrates wineries offering more than just superb wines in a beautiful setting, but those that provide an unforgettable immersion in wine lifestyle.

Photo from VIK’s Facebook page.

VIK is the first winery to be awarded this accolade. Wine Enthusiast Founder and Publisher Adam Strum extolled the achievement, saying, “From world-class pours and exceptional food to stunning architecture, boutique accommodations, cultural activities and more, VIK goes above and beyond offering one-of-a-kind, wine-centric wine tourism experiences.” Wine Star Award winners reflect the industry’s highest standards. Winners will be featured in the magazine’s December 31st Best-of-Year issue, and at January gala.

VIK is meticulously curated and designed to delight. Guests visiting for the day or staying at one of three spectacular on-site accommodations, Vik Chile, Puro Vik, or the Vik Cabin can explore the vineyard on horseback, taste a flight of exquisite wines at the altar to VIK, and learn culinary techniques from VIK’s exceptional and inspired Chef. “VIK redefines what a luxury winery experience can be,” said the winery Co-Founder Carrie Vik. “Awards like the Wine Star show how close we are to achieving our goal of joining the pantheon of the world’s great wines.” Visionary entrepreneurs Alexander and Carrie Vik trail-blazed Chile’s Millahue Valley, planting the first commercial vines in 2006, opening the Vik Chile retreat in 2014 and releasing the first VIK vintage to the public in 2015.

To visit the winery and reserve a tasting or book accommodations at Vik Chile, visit www.vik.cl.

About VIK
VIK is changing the world of fine wine. A pioneer of Chile’s Millahue Valley, located within the Cachapoal Valley, VIK is one of the most highly-awarded new vineyards in the world. Guided by holism and the stewardship of nature, the winery and vineyard employ exclusively sustainable practices. VIK wines are available internationally both through the winery website and through valued trade partners. First planted in 2006, VIK wines have been recognized with critical acclaim and are featured on leading Top 100 lists. To learn more, visit www.vik.cl

STARS of Cabernet 2019? Yes! We did it again!

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How many times have we covered STARS of Cabernet? A bunch. But why do we cover the same event year after year? Because year after year there are ALWAYS new wineries to discover, new vintages from old favorites and a bunch of wine-loving friends that we’ve made over the years that we get to see again. (If you want to cut to the chase just for photos go here.)

So what was new for us this year from the incredible wine list below? Well, Ian Blackburn of WineLA.com always does a tremendous job curating wineries for us, so it’s very hard to narrow it down! I have put the wineries in bold that we were able to visit – we can’t do it all – and have noted any special wines we want you to look for:

The 2019 STARS of Cabernet Tasting List

  • Addendum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2015
  • Addendum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stagecoach Vineyard, Atlas Peak, USA, 2015
  • Addendum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Skellenger Lane, Rutherford, USA, 2015
  • Alejandro Bulgheroni, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lithology Napa Valley, Napa Valley, USA, 2015 – we also had three 2016 single vineyard wines that were outstanding. This is a winery I will be looking for.
  • Allegretto Wines, Trio, Allegretto Vineyard, Paso Robles, 2017
  • Allegretto Wines, Malbec, Cira Vineyard, Paso Robles, 2015
  • Allegretto Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Allegretto Vineyard, Paso Robles, 2016
  • Allegretto Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Willow Creek, Paso Robles, 2015 – and thanks to Quin Cody for taking such good care of us.
  • Almaviva 2016 – During our tasting they were notified that this 2016 was a Wine Spectator Top Ten Wine of the Year, and guess what? Ran out before we could taste it, betting it’s sold out now as well!
  • Almaviva 2017 – a Chilean blend.
  • AXR – TBA
  • Barnett Vineyards Spring Mountain Cabernet, Spring Mountain District, USA, 2017
  • Barnett Vineyards Rattlesnake Cabernet, Spring Mountain District, USA, 2017
  • BV Tapestry Red Blend, Napa Valley, USA 2016
  • BV Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour, Rutherford, CA USA 2016
  • BV Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford, Napa 2018
  • Bernardus, Marinus Estate, Carmel Valley, 2010
  • Bernardus, Marinus Estate, Carmel Valley, 2011
  • Bernardus, Marinus Estate, Carmel Valley, 2013
  • Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, Carmel Valley, 2017
  • Chappellet Signature Cabernet, Napa 2017
  • Chappellet Mountain Cuvee, Bordeaux Blend, Napa/Sonoma 2017
  • Chappellet Grower Collection Chardonnay, Calesa Vineyard, Petaluma Gap, 2017
  • Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, 2015; Calistoga, USA – they also served a 2005 Cab that was amazing.
  • Chateau Montelena, Chardonnay, 2016 Napa Valley, USA
  • Clark Claudon – TBA
  • Crown Point, Estate Selection Bordeaux Blend, Happy Canyon, USA, 2014
  • Crown Point, Estate Selection Bordeaux Blend, Happy Canyon, USA, 2015
  • Crown Point, Cabernet Sauvignon, Happy Canyon, USA, 2016
  • Dana Estates – VIP 6 PM ONLY
  • Davis Estates – TBA
  • Dominus Estate – VIP 6 PM ONLY
  • Duhig Wine, 2016 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley – this was a nice discovery for us. The Cab was slightly chilled and had a lovely mouthfeel, and the two sisters working the table were delightful.
  • Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016
  • Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc, 2016
  • Ehlers Estate Portrait (Bordeaux Blend)
  • Ehlers Estate 1886, 2015
  • Napa Cabernet, 2016
  • Rutherford Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016
  • Winston Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014
  • Carneros Chardonnay
  • Arrowood Wines, Sonoma Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016
  • Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2016
  • Frank Family Vineyards 2016 Rutherford Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
  • Freemark Abbey, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016
  • Hawk & Horse Vineyards – 2014 Petit Verdot, Red Hills, Lake County – always nice to taste with Hawk & Horse.
  • Hertelendy Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2015
  • Hertelendy Vineyards Signature Mtn Blend, Napa Valley, 2015- we missed seeing Ralph Herterlendy at the event this year but his wines were still amazing without him.
  • Hertelendy Vineyards Chardonnay, Ritchie Vineyard, Russian River Valley, 2015
  • J. Bookwalter, Cabernet Sauvignon, Volume 6 Dionysus Vineyard, Columbia Valley Washington, USA 2016
  • J. Bookwalter, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chapter 9 Conner-Lee Vineyard, Columbia Valley Washington, USA 2016 – new winery for us, good wines.
  • Jack Wines – TBA
  • Joseph Phelps Chardonnay, Freestone Vineyards, 2017
  • Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir, Freestone Vineyards, 2017
  • Joseph Phelps Insignia, Napa Valley, 2016
  • Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016 – we’re club members, so it was so cool to see them at this event!
  • Gelson’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville, Napa Valley
  • Marciano Estate – TBA
  • Michel Rolland – TBA
  • Moët Hennessey presents – all unfiltered wines, I enjoyed all the 2015 Newton Estate: Spring Mtn, Yountville, Mt. Veeder
  • Monteverro – TBA
  • Moraga White (SB) Bel Air, CA, 2017
  • Moraga Red (Bordeaux Blend) Bel Air, CA, 2015
  • Napanook – TBA
  • Palmaz Cabernet 2016
  • Palmaz Cabernet 2015
  • Palmaz Chardonnay “Amalia” 2017
  • Prime Solum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2015
  • Prime Solum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2014
  • Prime Solum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2011
  • Prime Solum Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Brokenrock Vineyard, Napa Valley, 2018 – I had written about this winery for Napa Valley Life Magazine so it was a treat to see them and taste all of their yummy wines!
  • Relic Wines – TBA
  • Rocca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot Blend, “Vespera” Grigsby/Collinetta, Yountville/Coombsville, USA, 2014
  • Rocca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grigsby, Yountville, USA, 2014
  • Rocca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Collinetta, Coombsville, USA, 2013 –so cool to find Rocca at this event! Had visited them a few years back, and just like then I loved all of their wines.
  • Sequoia Grove Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016
  • Seven Stones Winery – TBA
  • ST. FRANCIS WINERY & VINEYARDS, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, 2016
  • Teachworth Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, 2016
  • Teachworth Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Manzanita Hill Vineyard, Diamond Mountain District, 2012
  • Teachworth Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard, Diamond Mountain District, 2012
  • T. Berkley Wines, Cabernet Franc, Leaning Oak Vineyard, Los Carneros, Napa, 2016 –This may have been my favorite wine at the tasting. I love Cab Franc and the winemaker told me that Cab Franc was the reason he became a winemaker. Same winemaker for both Teachworth and T.Berkley: Taylor Berkley Boydstun.
  • The Debate – TBA
  • The Unfiltered Collection, winemaker is Jean Hoefliger formerly of Alpha Omega, all native yeast: 2015 Clark Claudon “Eternity” Cabernet Sauvignon, V. Vineyards 2015 “Audace” Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016 “The Debate” Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Trujillo Cabernet Napa Valley 2016
  • Trujillo Gary Morisoli Single Vineyard Designate Cabernet Rutherford 2016
  • Trujillo Henry Brothers Single Vineyard Designate Cabernet Howell Mtn. 2016
  • Two Old Dogs – TBA
  • V. Vineyards – TBA
  • Yount Ridge Cellars – TBA
  • ZD Wines, 59% Pinot Noir 41% Chardonnay, Anniversary Reserve Cuvee Sparkling, Napa Valley AVA, USA
  • ZD Wines, Chardonnay, California Chardonnay, California Appellation, USA, 2017
  • ZD Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley AVA, USA, 2016
  • ZD Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley AVA, USA, 2010

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 (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

The 11th Annual STARS of Cabernet, Once Again at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Wednesday, November 13th

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LA’s #1 Cabernet Showcase – no other event features the breadth of quality Cabernet wines in such an exceptional tasting environment, with an intimate high-tier audience limited to 140 guests!!  As expected, this event sells-out every year and raises money for T.J. MARTELL FOUNDATION and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Cabernet is KING and The STARS of Cabernet embraces the continued refinement inside the Cabernet category!  Wines from Napa Valley, Sonoma Country, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, France, Chile, and Washington will be on display with abundant tray-passed appetizers and culinary delights!  The STARS are the wineries themselves, and whenever possible, the winery table is hosted by a winemaker, proprietor, and/or a winery executive.  A “first hand” tasting experience like none-other.

Over 35 luxury brands will be pouring over 100 amazing wines (For each of the featured Cabernets, wines retail at $50 or more). This event features the option of enjoying a 5:30 PM “Insignia” dinner with the President of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Clarice Turner plus VIP tasting status **or** A 6 PM VIP Ticket providing early access to the Grand Tasting and includes:  (1) A Peninsula Buffet Dinner w/ Carving station, (2) an older vintage tasting during the VIP hour, (3) a limited collectable tasting of Dana Estate and Dominus Estate, AND (4) the full registry of over 100 luxury wines, both Cabernet and other celebrated efforts / varieties from all places of quality.  Both the 5:30 Dinner and the 6:00 PM VIP tickets include a VIP GIFT BAG of assorted artisanal treasures from various sponsors, with this year’s bag sponsored by GELSON’S. The 7PM ticket includes unlimited tasting and Peninsula Tray-Passed Appetizers with a Pasta station. All attending guests are also welcome to stay for the 9pm after party – when the music comes up and out comes the dessert!  Magic Castle Magician Zach Waldman (made infamous on The Howard Stern Show!) will be performing throughout  the evening showing off his sleight of hand expertise.

THE STARS OF CABERNET 2019 INCLUDE: 

Addendum, ZD Wines, Bernardus, Trujillo Wines, Bulgheroni Wine, Crown Point Vineyards, Chappellet, Almaviva, Joseph Phelps, Allegretto Winery, Jack Wines, Two Old Dogs, Beaulieu Vineyard, AXR, Clark Claudon, Michel Rolland, The Debate, V. Vineyards, Monteverro, Hawk & Horse Vineyards, Napanook, Frank Family Vineyards, Teachworth Napa, J. Bookwalter Wines, Palmaz Vineyards, Ehlers Estate Winery, Prime Solum, Seven Stones Winery, Relic, Duhig Wines, Hertelendy Vineyards, Marciano Estate,  Davis Estates, Barnett Vineyards, Chateau Montelena, Yount Ridge Cellars, Freemark Abbey, and a special wine made for Gelson’s by Winemaker Julien Fayard.  **A special pouring older vintages and from Dominus Estate, and Dana Estate are limited to the 6pm VIP ticket**

A robust and automated silent auction of collectables and large format wines will benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation, the music industry’s largest entity funding innovative medical research focused on finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS, as well as sourcing/supporting early-stage research projects aimed at developing more effective clinical treatments for patients who otherwise cannot afford a panacea. Learn more at tjmartell.org.

Tickets will sell out and prices do increase as the event date approaches – buy your tickets now!

For information and ticket purchasing,  please visit STARSofcabernet.com

About TJ MARTELL FOUNDATION:  

The T.J. Martell Foundation is the music industry’s largest foundation that funds innovative medical research focused on finding cures for cancer. The Foundation sources and supports early-stage research projects aimed at developing more effective clinical treatments for patients which otherwise might not be funded.  WineLA has raised over $550,000 in the past 10 years for TJ MARTELL and this is our largest effort of the year.

About wineLA:

wineLA has focused on improving Los Angeles wine culture through ongoing educational tastings, classes and experiences. Educating and edu-taining with precision, we invite and welcome the best of the wine world to Los Angeles to partake.  Established in 1995, wineLA was the first of its kind and continues to innovate, fortifying a quality wine audience one class, one tasting, one experience at a time.  We are a part of the Los Angeles lifestyle, the wine lifestyle, and celebrate the people and the place with passion.

For more information visit www.wineLA.com or call  310-451-7600

ULTIMATE WINE CHALLENGE Announces 2019 Results

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Hawthorne, NY – Ultimate Wine Challenge® (UWC), since 2010 the world’s most progressive global wine competition, released the results of the tenth annual Ultimate Wine Challenge. The judging, which took place throughout May, determined 31 Chairman’s Trophy winners, UWC’s highest honor.

Additional recognitions include Finalist, Great Value (awarded to entries with a high price/value ratio – showing that great wines don’t need to be expensive); and the Tried & True Award™, bestowed on brands that have demonstrated unfailing, consistent quality, year after year.

Led by UBC Founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, and 16 of the world’s foremost wine experts, buyers, journalists, and educators convened to evaluate more than 1,100 still, sparkling and fortified wines, and sakes from around the world. Ultimate Wine Challenge was held at the custom-designed Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) Evaluation Center in Hawthorne, NY. To view a full list of UWC judges, please visit www.ultimate-beverage.com/uwc2019judges.

Said Pacult of UWC 2019, “Everything we do, each system we’ve installed, is geared to showcase every entry’s virtues on a level playing field of its peers. The responsibility of our judges to render reliable results is paramount to UWC’s mission of No Shortcuts. Just Honest, Impartial Judging.”

Top-scoring wines will be published in the Ultimate Beverage Challenge 2019 Guide To The World’s Best Wines & Spirits in the October 2019 issue of Beverage Media, which is referenced by 70,000 beverage alcohol buyers in the U.S. market.

THE 2019 ULTIMATE WINE CHALLENGE CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS

Full results at www.ultimate-beverage.com/uwc2019results
Images at www.ultimate-beverage.com/uwc2019photos

RED WINES
Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot 2016 Alexander Valley, United States (Merlot—World)
Château La Haye Majesté 2016 Saint-Estèphe, France (Red Wine—France)
Fernández de Piérola Gran Reserva 2004 Rioja, Spain (Red Wine—Spain)
Frey Organic Malbec 2016 Mendocino, United States (Malbec—World)
Gallo Signature Series Zinfandel 2016 Dry Creek Valley, United States (Zinfandel—USA)
J. Lohr Cuvée ST. E 2015 Paso Robles, United States (Red Blend—North America)
Joana da Cana Reserva 2016 Tejo, Portugal (Red Wine—Portugal)
Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Alexander Valley, United States (Cabernet Sauvignon—World)
McGuigan Hand Made Shiraz 2015 Langhorne Creek, Australia (Shiraz/Syrah—World)
Shiloh Legend Fiddler 2016 Judean Hills, Israel (Red Wine—Eastern Mediterranean)
Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir 2016 Russian River Valley, United States (Pinot Noir—World)
Topografia Reserva Red Blend 2014 Uco Valley, Argentina (Red Blend—Southern Hemisphere)
Villa La Pagliaia 2014 Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy (Red Wine—Italy)
William Fèvre Chile Espino Reserva Especial Carménère 2017 Valle Central, Chile (Other Red Varietals—World)

WHITE WINES
Aluado Chardonnay 2018 Lisboa Vinho Regional, Portugal (White Wine—Portugal)
Kim Crawford Signature Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Marlborough, New Zealand (Sauvignon Blanc—World)
La Perrière 2018 Sancerre, France (White Wine—France)
Pacifica Evan’s Collection Riesling 2017 Washington, United States (Riesling—World)
Protos Verdejo 2018 Rueda, Spain (White Wine—Spain)
Ron Rubin Pinot Gris 2017 Russian River Valley, United States (Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris—World)
SIMI Reserve Chardonnay 2016 Russian River Valley, United States (Chardonnay—World)

ROSÉ WINES
Secret de Léoube 2018 Côtes de Provence, France (Rosé—Europe)
Three Thieves Rosé 2018 California, United States (Rosé—North America)

CHAMPAGNE/SPARKLING WINES
Chapel Down Three Graces 2014 Tenterden, England (Sparkling Wine—World)
J Vineyards Cuvée 20 Russian River Valley, United States (Sparkling Wine—USA)
Mionetto Prestige Brut Prosecco Treviso, Italy (Prosecco—Italy)
Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2012 Extra Brut Rosé Champagne, France (Champagne—France)
Vallformosa Col leció Brut Reserva 2012 Cava, Spain (Cava—Spain)

DESSERT WINE
The Hare Wine Co. Frontier Collection Cabernet Franc Icewine 2017 Niagara-on-the Lake, Canada (Dessert Wine—World)

SAKE
Joto Junmai Ginjo Ibaraki, Japan (Junmai Ginjo—World)

SANGRIA
Tiki Tonga Draft House Tropical White, Spain (Sangria—World)

All products are rated on the 100-point scale. All wines rated 80 points and higher receive an individual results page (accessed by clicking on “MORE DATA…” next to the product name) which provides downloadable marketing art work for the product. Wines rated 85 points and higher receive a tasting note also accessed from the individual results page. UWC results are promoted globally via email and web publication to both trade buyers and consumers.

Ultimate Wine Challenge…No shortcuts. Just honest, impartial judging.

ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGE
Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its two innovative annual competitions: Ultimate Wine Challenge and Ultimate Spirits Challenge. UBC partners are F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley and David Talbot. Photos and more are at ultimate-beverage.com.

Surprises At Our Local Bev Mo

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Whenever someone messages me looking for wine of course I suggest our local wine bars and stores as we all support locally owned businesses. However, if they are looking for a larger selection then they simply must go to BevMo. There really isn’t any other option for us locals. And lucky us we have two to choose from in the Santa Clarita Valley. I happen to choose the one in Stevenson Ranch, on the Old Road, as I’ve been successful finding what I need there from spirits to wine.

Lucky me again when fellow wine writer, Carl Kanowsky, invited me to join him for a tasting with store manager Brian Ilvento and Wine Specialist Doug Characky a few weeks ago. They promised to expose us – and our readers – to some of their broad selection, and specifically to lesser known wines that they carry.

Our invitation read that we would be doing a tasting of “… wines that are a bit under the radar… (and are) considered ‘undiscovered’ and ‘hidden gems,’ as well as some from other regions.”

Characky, a local who had taken the wine studies program offered by Elizabeth Schweitzer and DiMaggio Washington at College of the Canyons, said they are seeing a lot of wine from up and coming areas that include Chile, South Africa and Greece. He also noted the popularity of Spanish Cavas and kosher wines from Israel. He commented, “I think this is a place where people that love wine will find paradise.”

Ilvento, who keeps staff trained with tastings among other things, said that everyone in the store can help shoppers find what they’re looking for. He added, “We’re here to find the perfect drink for every glass.”

We had six wines in our tasting lineup, most hovering about $20 and a couple toward $40. These are my tasting notes with the aromas and flavors separated by ; and, I enjoyed them all:

Honig 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley: Green apple, fruit cocktail, flint; same flavors as on the nose with a mouth coating viscosity and medium acidity.

Burgans 2017 Albariño, Spain: Crisp citrus fruits, wet pebbles fresh fruit, crisp, medium acid and stainless steel.

Frog’s Leap 2016 Chardonnay, Napa: Butter, oak, bruised apple and white flower; then that same oak and butter, popcorn kernel and almond.

Hahn 2016 Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands: Dark cherry, stems, cigar, mushroom and wet earth; same aroma profile for the flavor as well.

Michele Chiarlo Il Principe Langhe 2015 Nebbiolo, Italy: Barnyard blew off within a couple of swirls, then came toast, chalk, hard grape candy, and Characky also noted lots of cranberry and pomegranate that I had to agree with; noted much more of that red fruit Characky had found, a bit tight (so decant this one) and a long length.

Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon Blend, Napa Valley: Ilvento explained that he liked this wine for its six-Cabernet blend and winemaker Joe Wagner. Aromas of dark fruit, spice, black pepper, perfumy; balanced and smooth, pepper and fruit working perfectly together, a wine that’s good to go now.

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 (over 15k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Meeting with Winemaker Zak Miller, and All Things Domaine Carneros

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Love invites to wine and dine with winemakers, and this one was right up there with the best:

Hi Eve, 

A day trip to Napa and a leap of faith led Zak Miller, winemaker at Domaine Carneros, on a journey from field research in forestry science to the vineyards of California, Chile and New Zealand to learn all he could about winemaking. And another leap, joining Domaine Carneros over a decade ago, saw his deep respect and fascination for the Pinot Noir grape blossom into a surprising love affair with chardonnay working alongside Eileen Crane, Founding Winemaker and “America’s Doyenne of Sparkling Wine.” As winemaker at Domaine Carneros, Zak oversees the day to day operations of sparkling winemaking. 

On behalf of Zak…we’d like to extend an invitation to join him for an intimate dinner of award-winning, estate Carneros sparkling and still wines…at Avra Beverly Hills.

Winemaker Zak Miller

The Meeting

Tucked in the back of the swanky Avra Beverly Hills restaurant, Zak Miller sat alone at a table for five waiting for four ladies of the pen, the wine pen, to arrive. Though the restaurant was a bit high-status, along with Miller’s pedigree, Miller was not. Affable, friendly and open from the moment he stood to say hello to the end of our time together, roughly two hours, I came away armed with plenty of info to share from our “bubbly” time together. (If you just want to see more photos, go here.)

I had received a large file of past and current press releases from the winery and I have abbreviated some of that below. Before that I will share what we talked about and my notes on both the still and sparkling wines we sampled. This is what I learned from Miller firsthand, we absorbed more (in more ways than one – lol) during the tasting:

  • This is Miller’s 12th harvest with Domaine Carneros. He had experience winemaking for Saintsbury in Napa, as well as wineries in New Zealand and Chile.
  • The winery is striving to be 100% Estate Vineyards, they currently have 400 acres. They have long relationships with growers in Carneros for some of their fruit.
  • It takes roughly 10 years from harvest to release for each vintage.
  • The “Chateau” in Carneros is a replica of Champagne Taittinger official residence, the Chateau de la Marquetterie. Taittinger founded Domaine Carneros in 1987.
  • They use up to 13 Chardonnay clones in the sparkling wines.

The Tasting

2012 Le Reve Blanc de Blancs

2012 was a big harvest according to Miller. The bottle, the only one with embossing and a different all over shape, will be hard to find except in fine restaurants. A little over $100 a bottle and made with 100% estate grown Chardonnay. I got aromas of crisp yellow delicious apple, Brie cheese, rye toast and a mild salinity. In the mouth I got that same bright apple, pear, pink grapefruit and plenty of citrus. $115 a bottle.

2015 Brut Cuvee

This wine – 51% Chardonnay, 47% Pinot Noir and 2% Pinot Gris – spent 36 months in barrel. Notes of white peach, cream, white pepper and green grass on the nose with fresh fruit cocktail and hard red apple candy on the palate. $36 a bottle.

2016 Estate Pinot Noir

They make about 12 thousand bottles of Pinot Noir per year. This vintage used 15 of their 16 Pinot Noir clones, all estate. Loved the aroma of black cherry, stems and must as well as the flavor of both red and dark cherry, black currant and toasted oak. Well balanced fruit and tannin. After twenty minutes the wine further improved and showed more of that dark fruit I liked. Nicely done for only about $30 a bottle for a Napa Pinot.

Cuvee de la Pompadour

This blend of 59% Pinot Noir and 41% Chardonnay had only been macerated with the skins on for a few days before draining off. Miller wanted the color but not the tannins from the Pinot. He felt that a heavy Pinot influence makes the sparkling “bastardized.” Yellow cling peaches, raspberries, golden raisins and a hint of flint greeted me on the nose, followed by raspberry, red cherry and just a tad of cheddar. $42 a bottle.

From Domaine Carneros (Abbreviated)

Some history: Founded in the Carneros appellation of Northern California by the Champagne Taittinger family, Domaine Carneros is a small grower producer of ultra-premium Carneros Sparkling wines and limited production Pinot Noirs. Thirty years after the winery’s inaugural harvest, Domaine Carneros has become the benchmark for California Sparkling wine, reflecting both the individuality of the Carneros’ terroir and the craftsmanship of its French legacy.

The Chateau: Completed in 1989, the 18th century château-style building was architecturally inspired by the historic Château de la Marquetterie owned by Champagne Taittinger in the Champagne region of France. Situated atop a knoll and overlooking endless rolling vineyards, the elegant property is an iconic Northern California landmark. The château houses the winery’s facilities as well as beautiful salons for visitors and wine club members.

The summer of 2018 marks the completion of the highly-anticipated and beautifully-designed Jardin d’Hiver – a conservatory-style addition to the north terrace of the renowned Domaine Carneros château, which will allow guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of Carneros and surrounding vineyards while being shielded from the weather.

Winemaker Zak Miller: It was his first harvest in Napa Valley at Saintsbury Vineyards that gave him a deep respect and fascination for the ever challenging Pinot Noir grape. Eager to continue learning, he traveled to New Zealand and Chile to hone his craft. Returning to northern California wine country in 2008, Miller joined Domaine Carneros with the goal of continuing to evolve his skill with pinot noir working closely with TJ Evans and his still wine program at the chateau. Or so he thought.

Working alongside Founding Winemaker, Eileen Crane, opened to Miller a new realm of possibility in winemaking – sparkling wines – and he hasn’t looked back since. Through Crane and the Domaine Carneros team, he developed a deep appreciation for the versatility of both pinot noir and chardonnay in sparkling winemaking and the great skill required to craft beautifully balanced, elegant yet complex wines. And through his work as a sparkling winemaker, he grew to love a variety he admittedly didn’t gravitate toward originally – chardonnay – which provides the base for what he feels is its finest expression (and a personal favorite), Blanc de Blancs.

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 (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Top Wine Pros Share Their Picks of the Best Values $20 and Under

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CHICAGO (PRWEB) – From the lush, exotic Pacifica Evan’s Collection Riesling ($17.99) to party-pleasing Domaine La Loyane Cotes du Rhone ($16), the mouthwatering medalists from this year’s competition make perfect pairings for life’s everyday celebrations. This year’s 19th annual challenge touts 25 wines scoring over 90 points, and 220 wines costing less than $12, making Tastings.com the value seeker’s resource to discover new cost-effective favorites. The best values on the market are conveniently showcased on Tastings.com, making this year’s results the go-to wine buying guide to get the most out of your budget.

Crystal R. of Chicago, IL makes heavy use of these results. “Tastings.com is my party-planning life-hack.” she says. “I use the mobile site in-store when shopping for my monthly get-togethers. I trust Tastings.com scores because they don’t accept advertising dollars from the brands they review. The WVWC is the ultimate guide for great wines in my budget. I use the suggested pairing ideas to pair my menu to my wine offerings and I love learning about new wines using their guides.”

Highlights of the competition represent a diverse group of wines spanning four continents and eleven countries. This year, top honors for value in robust reds went to some outside-of-the-box styles. Both the “Rich and stimulating” Shiloh 2017 Privilege Red Blend ($19.99) from Judean Hills in Israel and the earthy Quasar 2016 Gran Reserva Merlot ($20) from Maipo Valley in Chile snagged a 94-point Gold Medal. 90+ Cellars lives up to their name by scoring 92-points for their 2017 Reserve Chardonnay out of Russian River Valley, which judges lauded as a “great balance of creamy, toasty oak and zippy acidity.”

The WVWC results make economics and hedonics pour in unison. Check out these affordable pairing ideas:

  • The fresh simplicity of seared scallops is a fantastic first course to serve alongside the pure and elegant Zonte’s Footstep 2018 Shades of Gris Australian Pinot Grigio ($18.00).
  • For cheese pairing, why not choose bubbles? Pop a luxurious 92-point French crémant, Louis Revoir NV Cuvee Prestige Brut ($19) and serve with triple-cream washed-rind cheese. Impress your guests with this super-sophisticated sparkler alongside a perfect bite of Camembert; you’ll be the only one that knows it cost less than twenty dollars.
  • Seek out the gold-medal-winning Three Ghost Vine 2016 Pinot Noir. At $7.46 a bottle, this is one of the best values on the market to pair with anything from Chinese take-out to tea-smoked duck.

With so many bottles to choose from, in-the-know tipplers love how easy Tastings.com makes it to find their favorite award-winning wines. Each recommended wine is listed with a tasting note, suggested pairings, and style guide to help discover the best bottle for every taste. Their ‘Buy It’ button on each high-scoring wine’s page effortlessly pulls up a list of all the shops that carry the bottle. For a complete list of this year’s winners and the only value wine buying guide consumers need, visit Tastings.com.

About Tastings.com: Tastings, powered by the Beverage Testing Institute, was founded in 1981 with the goal of producing fair, impartial wine reviews for consumers.

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