Vintage Beacon 11/09: Who to Serve on the Holidays

December 2, 2014 by evebushman

In the spirit of the holidays this week’s column will tackle such questions put forth as: Is it truly fair to pour the Good wine to those that know and the Bad to those that don’t? Which category does Nouveau Beaujolais appear in? And, finally, how can you get through the holidays without taking the edge off some of your less desirable relatives?

I have read that it is proper etiquette to thankfully accept a gift of wine at your holiday event. On the other hand it is not bad etiquette not to drink it at said event. I have done this myself for these two different reasons: One the bottle is too good; the other, not good enough. It may also depend on your menu, the guest size and/or the occasion. I have a magnum of non-vintage French Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne in my fridge waiting for the proper venue. I thanked my guest for the gift and set it aside for when I had enough guests over to be able to finish it.

Sometimes in the case of a gift that is apropos but not my choice, if I can swing it, I will decant it along with other bottles and let my guests decide what to try. Of course, if it is shamefully bad I will pour it into the gift giver’s glass first; let them choose if they would like to continue or to move on. I don’t correct, unless sincerely queried, but by having other bottles available it is entirely up to them. It’s a simple matter of taste; and we as wine drinkers all viva la difference.

Nouveau Beaujolais is a little trickier. This wine is produced in France, going from vine to bottle in the speed of grape to raisin, and has been specially flown over on the Concord in time for Thanksgiving. Years ago Ed and I were eating at La Fondue Bourgogne and in the midst of our meal a great hubbub occurred: the Nouveau had arrived! The flurry to adorn our tables with small menu cards, as there was only one brand from one French vineyard; a stage had been set. All present took a deep intake of air, pushed ahead and ordered. This annual release is supposed to be an indicator of what the Beaujolais vintage will produce that year. Its celebratory incantation perfectly fitted for celebrations!

It’s not such a big deal any more as our own local Napa wineries are doing their own versions. And if that’s not enough to spoil the thrill, it’s served chilled. It has lots of fruit. Like a dark White Zinfandel. Do we drink? Do we pass? As part of the festivities in a restaurant or holiday event at home we will always taste. And for your guests that like this offering both the domestic and the imported are very inexpensive. It’s a good compromise and a decent warm-up to your more resplendent selections.

For your turkey? I say go for it! Whatever is your current favorite red will suffice. When guests arrive with their offerings (Or ask what to bring) it’s a perfect opportunity to try different varietals like Spanish Riojas, Italian Barolos, French Burgundies and South African Shirazes. And, if you are entertaining chances are you will have more than one opportunity to learn by sampling. Try and do it like a wine bar: just give yourself a one once pour and then decide if you want to commit to a full glass. The object is never drunkenness but education, satisfaction and sublime taste. (No one ever knows what I’ve coveted unless they check out the bottle closest to my place setting…)

For your pumpkin pies, holiday sugar cookies and left over Halloween chocolate be careful pairing with a dessert wine. Dessert wines, with their high sugar levels, can stand alone. A melt in your mouth dessert zinfandel or cabernet, doesn’t require chocolate. And a late harvest chardonnay or Muscat can so thickly drench your tongue in honey your pie will pale in comparison. Again, it’s your personal choice. For me, after a big holiday meal a split of dessert wine can cover eight guests. After that an excellent coffee is all that I think is required.

At the end of the evening consider that even your most undesirable “side effects” of the holidays can be dulled with the right wine selections. Including your mother’s friend that you didn’t invite but offers to wash all of the dishes if you keep her wine glass full. For that friend that breaks your wine glass every time try tying a large red ribbon on the stem. It cured my friend’s bad habit pretty darn quick! And your own hot flash will dissipate if you relax and unwind with that magnum of champagne, the one you’ve been hoarding for a special occasion, all by your lonesome, at the end of your event, hidden by the cigarette smoke of those that have exited to your yard and once all of the dishes are washed of course.

Jan 2009 Vintage Beacon: The Single Malt Scotch Tasting Phase One: Planning

November 4, 2014 by evebushman

My husband Eddie auctioned off a single malt Scotch tasting in our home, for 6 guests, this past November. The event is now coming up on January 10. Some of our friends have threatened to join our group and we might take them…for a price.

Scotch tasting @1999

I visited Cookbooks Plus on Main Street in Newhall and found a rare copy of “Enjoying Scotch” by Dion Pattullo and Derek Cooper. As the “Water of Life” has been made in Scotland for over 200 years it didn’t matter that my edition was from 1980. Not much has changed in how Scotch has been produced. At least it’s not illegal anymore.

I’ve been bantering with Eddie across our u-shaped desk about how Lagavulin failed to copy Laphroig with its replica stills, water and land while Balvenie was developed by the Glenfiddich family using the same malt and water, again with the same findings: taste could not be duplicated.

So, back to making our plans, we printed tasting sheets, maps of the lowlands and highlands of Scotland and are deciding if we want to use our many existing wine glasses or purchase some new glasses. Either type can be used; depending on how serious we want to get.

In tasting single malts the purist will at first pour a “dram” – small 1/2 to 2 ounce pour – without water or ice into the very-accepting vessel. (Preferably a glass and not the gaping mouth of the over-zealous taster.) So that is why any glassware, glass being important for tasting any liquor, is appropriate. Riedel makes a reasonably priced connoisseur Scotch tasting glass that looks like a tulip shaped wine glass. They would be nice for the tasting but for drinking we like the look and weighty feel of crystal double old fashioned glasses.

Then, as in a wine tasting, the guests are encouraged to smell, swirl and taste. But, not like a wine tasting, we will then prompt our guests to do it all again…this time with a little water added. And, like aerating a wine, adding water to Scotch will change its taste.

I ordered 3 sets of spherical ice cube trays from MoMA (Museum of Modern Art in New York). The trays only holds 2 “large ice spheres” each of a 2 inch diameter. I had a single malt Scotch “On the Rock” at an upscale restaurant in Pasadena a few years ago and had never seen them since. The idea behind the “rock”, as opposed to the “rocks”, is that for a single malt a single large cube (or ball as the case may be) will melt slower thereby diluting the Scotch less. I don’t have enough for the tasting but just enough to show them off as a novelty to our guests.

Then, as we continue to travel Scotland Eddie will pull out his map…and we both will try and recall what our teachers said about when single malts will loose their easy smoothness and dip into peat territory. Or what I like to say: “This smells like a wet Band Aid.” Or Eddie, “Bad day at work, pour me some angry Scotch please.”

We will pair some light appetizers along with the different selections, and, most likely, take breaks so our guests can take their time, make some notes and not become too intoxicated.

But, as most tasting parties go at our humble abode…eventually it becomes a memorable evening that was centered on liquor. We have fun. We laugh. We make fun of our friends. So…we expect that our guests will leave with a little education and a long shopping list. In the meantime, feel free to suggest any Scotch, pairings…or a rich distributor that wants press.

An Interview with Andrew McNamara, Master Sommelier and Director of Fine Wines for Premier Beverage Company By Scott Richardson

August 7, 2014 by evebushman

I recently spent some time with Master Sommelier, Andrew McNamara during the Court of Master Sommelier’s Introduction and Certified level exams here in Orlando, Fl.

Andrew was one of ten candidates to pass this rigorous exam in 2007, Andy is also one of the very few in the court’s history to successfully complete all three portions and receive the highest score on his first sitting- tasting, service, and theory – and receive the coveted Krug cup – an award bestowed by Krug Champagne. In 2010, Andy was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Guild of Sommeliers. The Guild of Sommeliers is a non-profit, member-run organization, committed to excellence, development, inspiration and exchange of information for wine service professionals and wine enthusiasts across the U.S. (Editor’s note: Scott’s questions are in plain font and Andy’s answers are in italics.)

Why Wine? What drew you to Wine? This was a second career for me. My father loved wine, and instilled that in his children. It was always about family and friends and having a good time. It’s hard to have a glass of wine or talk about wine and not be smiling.

Why did you decide to start and complete the Master Sommelier course? I decided on the MS program for several reasons. First, the owner of the wine shop I worked in (Arthur’s Wine Shop in Charlotte, NC) had mentioned that a previous employee – Robert Jones, MS had worked through the program and that he thought I could do it. I took the Introductory Course in the fall of 2003. I remember coming back from the first day of class and telling my wife “I want to be a Master Sommelier – it looks like it’s so much fun!” And that was that.

How long did you study for the MS? My entire life? I’d been learning for a while and enjoyed it, but sitting down, studying, practicing – 3 ½ years from the time I took the Introductory Course until I passed the MS Exam in 2007.

How difficult is it to taste wines like an MS? It’s like anything – the more you practice, the better you become. I don’t believe that I’m a “gifted” taster in any way, shape or form, but I practice –continue to practice – a LOT – 4, 5, 6 thousand wines/year. I’ve found that most people are great tasters – they just don’t believe that they are. Most people eat a strawberry and don’t think about what it tastes like – most great tasters think about everything they taste and smell all the time.

Did you ever find out what wines you tasted on the day you took the MS exam? No – and I’m sure that I don’t want to!

If I were to give you a wine to taste right now would you describe for my readers what you taste? Always! But… and this is a BIG but… wine is such an experiential thing and each person is different. What I get in a wine might be different than the person next to me. The general categories will most likely be the same, but there is some subjectivity.

What’s the most difficult part of the Sommelier course? Finding the time to study! It’s hard to map out a study plan on a subject that constantly changes. It’s balancing work, family, friends, other obligations – all of it. It’s like having another full-time job.

For these Intro level students, what advice would you give them to go to the next level or even all the way to MS (there are a total of four levels in the CMS)? Enjoy it. I mean that literally. If you don’t stop and just drink a glass of wine or a cocktail every so often, all it becomes is study. Remember why you wanted to do it in the first place.

Some people think Sommeliers are very snooty… do you consider yourselves a wine snob? I’m a snob in the sense that I know what I enjoy, but I’m always open to trying new beverages. (Different question – Am I a price snob?) Absolutely not. Some of my favorite wines are $7 a bottle and fantastic. It’s easy to find a $200 bottle that’s great – it should be, quite frankly. I get far more joy in finding an inexpensive bottle that knocks my socks off.

What is your favorite value wine? I love Southern French Rose. They’re perfect all summer, great in the winter and extremely versatile with food.

You work two jobs… what are your roles in your respective companies? My official title is “Director of Fine Wine/ Master Sommelier” for Premier Beverage Company. I run our Premium Account Development Specialist team and Augustan Wine Imports. I also do internal education, some work with accounts, and new product acquisitions. Keeps me busy!

What wines are trending at the moment? Moscato continues to be hot – as does Malbec. What I’m seeing is a movement towards great values – the varietal, country or region doesn’t matter so much – it’s the quality in the glass that’s most important.

What wine did you taste last night? Actually tasted 6 – A 2010 Bordeaux, a Moscato d’Asti, a sparkling Vouvray, two reds from Spain – a Jumilla and a Ribera del Duero – and finished with a killer Amarone.

What is your favorite non-wine drink? I love a great Negroni, Manhattan or Margarita.

What is the best wine you have ever had? My stock answer is I haven’t had it yet. In reality – the 1990 Jacques Frederic Mugnier Musigny Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru from Burgundy. I can still taste it. It was with a group of great friends in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in San Francisco. The glassware was awful, the service even worse. But the wine… an amazing experience. I’ve had the same bottle several times and none of them were quite as good.

You pair wine with food not food with wine… why the distinction? I actually do both. In restaurants, especially in the U.S., it’s more common for diners to order their food first and the wine second (or start with one wine and then have another wine to go with the main course). Sometimes I’ll make a suggestion based on the food that was ordered, or I’ll make a suggestion of food to go well with the wine. Depends on the guest.

What is one word of advice you can give to the common wine drinker when choosing a wine? Know what you like, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The days of the snooty sommelier are (almost) gone – most are out to give you a fantastic experience, not a wallet-emptying experience.

Scott Richardson has been in the hotel and restaurant business for almost 30 years. His love for producing remarkable food and service evolved to his love for all things wine. Scott has worked at many prestigious locations including The Cavendish Hotel, in London England and The Grove Park Inn and Resorts in Asheville, NC. His culinary background and his love for wine pushed into the teaching profession with University of Central Florida’s Rosen School of Hospitality Management, Valencia College, Johnson and Wales University and New England Culinary Institute. If that was not enough, Scott is also a volunteer judge at several food and wine festivals in Central Florida throughout the year. Scott is currently pursuing his passion in wine by working towards his PhD in Hospitality Leadership with research in the wine tourism industry. In his spare time, Scott writes for The Park Press, his column “The Educated Palate” can be found at www.theparkpress.com. Scott can be reached at scott@theparkpress.com

NINE TIMES: LA Wine Fest

June 6, 2014 by evebushman

One of the first wine fests I attended as press was the LA Wine Fest. Founder Joel Fisher was very kind in extending passes and personally welcoming us at the event. Since then I’ve covered the 500+ winery/brew/spirit event in photos, as my hands are always too full with a wine glass and program to manage a pad and pencil.

James Carling, Ventura Limoncello

Through the fest I’ve also benefitted from Sake, Scotch and even cheese pairing classes that Fisher offers from a wide variety of educators. The first time I had Ventura Limoncello, Herzog Cellars, Roxo Port, and wines from Ventura County was at the fest. I have fond memories of meeting friends from both Santa Clarita and Los Angeles, as well as people-watching a new generation of wine friendly people.

So, without further adieu, here is photo album link that pairs with the descriptions of what I sampled (below): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10203084160692339.1073741874.1455706632&type=1&l=60db4f2cb6

Tasted

www.BondBars.com had a homemade bark made from Belgian chocolate, not overly sweet and perfect for my palate.

From www.CieloFarms.com, we enjoyed their Woodstock Collection 2012 Purple Haze and 2011 Anthem red blend.

It was nice to find www.CaseyFlatRanch.com after discovering them earlier this year at Family Winemakers. I enjoyed their 2013 estate Sauvignon Blanc, Rose and Viognier wines while my husband got his first taste of their 2010 Estate red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Mourvedre.

I spied sommelier Adem Sash of Del Frisco’s Grille leading a pairing seminar to a nice crowd of press and wine tasters.

I took the “Nut Tasting Tour” cleverly offered by www.CrazyGoNutsWalnuts.com and learned that I liked walnuts flavored with orange almost as much as the ones with Parmesan.

The very first display from the Van Ness entrance was from uber-popular www.CupcakeVineyards.com. I stopped long enough for a splash of refreshing prosecco.

Tried something new at www.DirtyTequila.com: a Dirty Margarita made with their cinnamon and pineapple infused tequila. Loved it.

www.ReyesWinery.com was there with attentive crowds in both the VIP lounge and at a pouring table sharing their award-winning wines.

Though the “chocolate man” has melted at the www.EOSChocolates.com table, the samples did not. Very nice chocolates with flavors ranging from orange to ginger to crushed nuts to pepper.

Greg Martin, winemaker and owner of www.SevenAngelsCellars.com in Paso Robles was very interesting. His seven kids, angels at one point, were the namesake of the winery, and he made well over 7 wines that we enjoyed: 2010 Petite Sirah, 2011 Kindred red blend, 2011 Grace red blend, 2011 Confession red blend, and several whites including a 2012 Grenache Blanc. Will definitely be watching this winery.

Loved all of the blends, again, in the www.JadaVineyard.com lineup: 2010 Malstria, 2010 XCV, 2010 Jersey Girl, 2010 Jack of Hearts and 201 Hell’s Kitchen.

Every time I get to try www.VenturaLimoncello.com I’m a happy girl. Owner James Carling also served up a cocktail with vodka, sparkling water and ice, and my favorite Orangecello.

Tasted a few wines from www.BEvineyards.com: 2009 Merlot and 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon while chatting up with www.LAWineFest.com founder Joel Fisher and his right arm/daughter Sara Fisher Chapin.

Picked up a copy of Len Napolitano’s book, “Nose, Legs and Body” for review – looks like it’s perfect for wine 101ers!

Greg Martin, Seven Angels Cellars

Had a surprise from Temecula Valley: www.LeonessCellars.com impressed me with their lineup that included a 2011 Grenache, 2010 Meritage of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot, 2011 Syrah and Port.

Also from www.TemeculaWines.org, I found both a 2011 Lorimar blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Mourvedre, and 2011 Hart Syrah.

I gave singer Nicki Minaj’s MYX fusion drinks a shot and thought the coconut would pair quite nicely with a little sparkling water…and a bikini.

www.RoxoCellars.com served up several of their yummy Paso Robles’ ports: 2009 Paso Mélange, 2009 Ruby Tradicional and 2008 Magia Preta.

The spiced up nuts from www.SanteNuts.com went well with all of the wine, beer and spirits.

Both our local winemakers, Nate Hasper and Steve Lemley, of www.PulchellaWinery.com, were on hand for the first time sharing their Paso wines at the fest.

www.ShortMountainDistillery.com wowed me with their aptly named “Shine” version of Tennessee Moonshine.

Gotta love this tagline, “KOOKSOONDANG puts human beings on the front burner before brewing wine” and a lineup that included Grapefruit Rice Wine (I was told that the rice wines are made in Korea and not allowed to be called Sake), Raspberry Rice Wine and Plum Wine. Check them out at www.BeksejuUSA.com or in your local Korean market.

At www.JVSimports.com I enjoyed two single malts: the very smooth and nutty Tamdu and the richly-peated Smokehead.

The very large www.StellaArtois.com tent did a brisk business. The lovely ladies clad in red served up several beers, including a hard cider, in their appropriate glassware. The guests really dug getting a full glass, and being able to take the glasses home.

Some of the wineries and vendors we missed (only as we ran out of steam 3 ½ hours into the event) can be found in the listings below:

Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries

Allied Importers
Alonso Family Vineyards –
(with Sierra Pelona Valley Vintners Association)
Angel City Brewery
Bekseju USA (Kooksoondang)
Bouquet Vineyards –
(with Sierra Pelona Valley Vintners Association)
Cantara Cellars, Ventura –
(with Ventura County Winery Association)
Casey Flat Ranch
Cielo Wineyards, Malibu
Claremont Craft Ales
Cupcake Vineyards, Livermore
Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
Dirty Tequila
DM Vineyards & Partners
E.D. Wines
First Crush Cellars
Frey Vineyards
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
Grizzly Republic
Heritage Auctions
Herzog Wine Cellars, Central Coast
J. Hamilton Wines
Jada Vineyard & Winery, Paso Robles
JVS Imports
LA International Wine Competition
Leoness Cellars, Temecula
Lone Madrone
Maddalena Vineyard Brands –
(A San Antonio Winery Company)
Marisco Vineyards (Marlborough, NZ)
Pulchella Winery –
(with Sierra Pelona Valley Vintners Association)
Ranchero Cellars
Reyes Winery, Sierra Pelona
Riboli Family Wine Estates –
(A San Antonio Winery Company)
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Rosenthal, The Malibu Estate
Roxo Port Cellars, Paso Robles
San Antonio Winery
Seven Angels Cellars, Paso Robles
Sierra Pelona Valley Vintners Association
Simply Vino
Stella Artois
Temecula Valley Winegrowers Assoc.
The Other Guys
Ventura County Winery Association
Ventura Limoncello
VinVillage, San Diego
Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula
Wood Closet Group –
(Unique flavored wines & alcoholic beverages)
Zaca Mesa Winery, Santa Barbara
Zinfandel Advocates & Producers, California
Zuri Wine Tasting, Redondo Beach

Lifestyle Boutique Exhibitors

Bella Candles
BevWizard Co.
Bistro Blends
Bond Bar
Cambozola Black Label
Coravin
Crazy Go Nuts
Dave’s Killer Bread
De’ Longhi America
DelGrosso Foods
Dora Blackman Palm & Card Reader
Eos Chocolates
Fancifull Fine Foods and Gift Baskets
Farm Fresh To You
Garlic Expressions
Glitz N’ Glamour
Gourmet Blends
Grand Avenue Coffee
Icelandic Glacial
Indian Wells Brewing Company
JDN73
Kaleo Marketing
King Barrel
Laga Handbags
Laguna Salt Company
LeeLee Jewels
Loom in the Living Room and Heirloom Baskets
M. Cigars
Olive Oil Boutique
Paint & Sip Studios LA
Nuts.co Specialty Foods
Signature Hand Engraving
Soirée
Southern Innovations
The LA Times
The New York Times
Uber
Ultimate Kitchen Grater
Watchdog Breathalyzer
Weaver’s Coffee & Tea
Welk Resorts
Wine Treasures

Gourmet Food Stations/Trucks

Border Grill Truck
Carb & Nation
Crepe de Ville
Kogi BBQ
Mi Dolce Vita Cupcakery
Poke-Poke
Raleigh Grill
Slammin’ Sliders
Sweet Arleen’s
Tainamite
The Grilled Cheese Truck
The Surfer Taco

Get a Taste of Sunland Vintage and Cielo Wineyards at the 3rd Annual California Jazz & Wine Festival (PROMO CODE 1413 and receive a 10% discount)

April 14, 2014 by evebushman

Thousand Oaks, Calif.– Wines and Jazz lovers from throughout the region will gather in Thousand Oaks on May 18^th for the 3rd Annual California Jazz & Wine Fest, set for Sunday, May 18, 2014 at Conejo Creek Park North (1379 East Janss Road) in Thousand Oaks. Presented by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise, the festival will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will feature wine and food tasting and live jazz. The event supports high school music programs in the Conejo Valley.

This year’s festival will feature dozens of exhibitors and amazing wines from regional wineries like the Sunland Vintage Winery and Cielo Wineyards.

Sunland Vintage is known for its fabulous wines and the passion that the owners bring to their craft. Their wines have been described by reviewers on Yelp as “Amazing”, “Excellent”, and “Wonderful”. Their Thousand Oaks tasting room is comfortable and a terrific place to enjoy a glass or a bottle. Now, as a featured exhibitor, attendees at this year’s festival will have that opportunity to experience Sunland Wines as well.

Cielo Wineyards is another of our area’s a premium wineries. They feature their Estate Collection and Popular Woodstock Collection with great wines like “Black Widow”, “Redhouse”, “The Witch”, “Deep Purple”, “White Rabbit”, “Purple Haze” and more. They have a light hearted approach to naming their wines but they take their craft seriously, which you will quickly discover when you come to the California Jazz & Wine Festival.

Whether this is your first Festival visit or if you are returning for more, we encourage you to secure your tickets early. General Admission tickets are $55, but purchasers can apply the PROMO CODE 1413 and receive a 10% discount. Tickets are on sale at CaliforniaJazzWine.com

For more information on wineries that will be exhibiting, go to: CaliforniaJazzWine.com/featured-exhibitors

Vintage Beacon: Giggles and Bubbles

April 1, 2014 by evebushman

I’ve been thinking about POP Champagne bar in Pasadena for a few months because…well…we don’t have a Champagne bar in Santa Clarita yet.

With dozens of Champagnes, by the flight, glass and bottle, also doing the same for sparkling wines, fortified wines, pink wines, vintage champagnes and regular wines…I figured that I would get over there someday to taste a sampling for myself.

That day was last Wednesday as it’s the first weekday they are also open for lunch. Why go to Pasadena for lunch? Well…it wasn’t just the bubbles. It was also for the giggles.

Dana T., the T. standing for a middle name I never knew but made it that much easier to find her in Facebook, was meeting me there.

Dana T. was a friend of mine from before wine writing, before husband, before daughter.

Dana T. was my friend from …gasp…retail.

Dana T. (and I promise to make this the last paragraph that starts with a name that I just love repeating) was in retail for a reason. I found out from Facebook that she had graduated from the Fashion Institute of Merchandising and Design in 1982 as a designer and spent several years catering to the clientele at Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills; I had worked retail because I couldn’t even dream of making a living writing about what I was drinking back then: Myer’s Rum and OJ.

Then via e-mail I learned that Dana had moved on to become a Fashion Consultant/Stylist/Designer. She is currently building a business designing clothes, consulting about fashion and even just helping clients with what’s in their closets. (If you want a little oomph in your step you can find Dana T. on Facebook like I did – just add the last name, Glover. Or do it the old fashioned way and e-mail her at dmadsky@gmail.com)

We picked POP because it was my first choice for a celebratory reunion. The store, in the quaint old section of Pasadena about 35 minutes from SCV, was a welcome sight of brick walls, antique chandeliers, velvet lined booths and what Dana would awe over: tables designed as showroom jewelry cases filled with the owner’s family heirlooms of jewelry, hair adornments, playbills and photographs. It was the perfect focal point of the room; outside of the endless rows of wine.

As Dana stepped in the chandeliers twinkled off of the dynamite smile I remembered as always open and honest – I was happy to see she still had it. And, after 25 years my Dana was still the classiest, best dressed woman in the room.

And then the roar of her…giggles? To be discreet I had forgotten about Dana T.’s signature laugh. But it all came back to me with a dignified, irrepressible…snort.

And there we were, 25 years withstanding, laughing, snorting and hugging. What a great time to have champagne.

The Champagnes

As we caught up we ordered the White Bubbles trio tasting of Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs 07, Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Blanc de Blancs and Guy Charlemagne Blanc de Blancs.

They came in the expected Champagne flutes, with enough bubbles that they appeared to be from freshly popped bottles. Each had its own unique taste; delightful and festive for our occasion. Admittedly, had we had drivers, or at the POP brunch, we would have had much more. But for a light lunch selection ranging from small bites to salads and sandwiches and to-die-for desserts, while pouring over years of photo albums and memories, it was absodamnlutely perfect.

Tasting flights also listed that we couldn’t take in were the After Dinner Delight that included Quady Deviation, Jackson Triggs Vidal Ice Wine 07 and Badia a Coltibuono Von Santo 08. The Fortified Flight had Trentadue Viognioer White Port 06, Deco Chocolate Port and Duet Hazelnut.

Other flights came under the titles of International Bubbles, California Bubbles and Pretty in Pink Bubbles. All made us giggle even more.

Beyond the flights, on the legal-sized elegant menu with a list filling both front and back were: 187ml, 375ml and, by the glass selections. Bottles are chilled to order so may take up to 13 minutes after ordering.

In the red and white sections you will find some wine selections, if you didn’t want champagne. There is a Santa Barbara Chardonnay, Hey Mambo Swanky white and red, Volver Tempranillo 05 and Stellenzicht Shiraz South Africa to name a few.

Then if that dares not to do it for you there is draft, domestic and imported beers including a selection of Belgian Ales, Lambics, Sakes, Champagne cocktails, hot and non-alcoholic beverages.

There is a lunch menu, a Sunday brunch and weekly specials, so I would recommend checking their website: http://www.popchampagnebar.com or calling 626-795-1295.

Vintage Beacon Circa 3/09: Lisa’s Wine

March 11, 2014 by evebushman

There’s a new local flavor in town. You don’t have to leave your home to try it. Comes in many varieties and styles. And it involves wine, of course.

Lisa Madison is a beautiful blond. I wished she wasn’t. When I met her at Lee’s Wine Bistro last week to discuss her wine knowledge, interests and new home wine tastings I found her encircled by…people that weren’t me.

I had an appointment. I had an interview to conduct. I was supposed to find out what Wine U Up, the name for her Wine Shop at home business, was all about. Luckily for me the swarm of patient followers wanted to hear what she was all about too.

“I love wine. And not all wine. But I’ve given, and been to, a lot of tastings and this format is closest to vineyard wine tasting – except that it allows for more. I know a good wine when I have it whether it was in Napa, Santa Ynez, Paso Robles, France or Italy and now with these wines,” Lisa began.

“As a professional interior designer with formal training in design and art history, I bring a different level of sophistication to the table as your personal wine consultant. I like to entertain, have people over, and love event design,so this was a natural progression for me. The opportunity allows for flexibility and, meeting new people. (She was far more gracious to her hovering fans than I was…) I thought it would be a fun “night” job and be a good compliment to my design career.”

“First you set a date, then invite 10-15 friends to your home, provide glasses and appetizers and I do the rest,” she continued. “For $59 I bring 6 bottles of wine to sample – all limited production artisan wines made by our own winery with grapes from the best crops up and down California and the around the world .”

“People taste, order what they want and can even purchase wine glasses, join our wine club, order wines with custom labels, purchase artisan decanters, yummy looking baskets, gift boxes …all the things they may need. Some people really get into it, and I can recruit those to do it for themselves. I took a certified Wine Spectator course but you don’t have to, I just wanted to know as much as I could when I got started. Most of my training is from wine bars and tasting rooms.”

I looked forward to seeing Lisa, in her own home with her own guests, the following week for a follow up interview and, of course, to taste her wines for myself.

Time on Pine: Hotel Cheval, Pony Club and Villa Creek

February 28, 2014 by evebushman

I’ve never devoted one of my columns to one block of one town in one wine area. Thinking no one else has either. So, for fun, I’ve written about some of the places on Pine Street, in downtown Paso Robles, which we visited on our last trip and suggest that you visit too!

Hotel Cheval

The Hotel Cheval had been highly rated and suggested time and again by friends as the perfect place to stay in Paso. Centrally located less than a block away from the large square park in the center of downtown, City Park, and walking distance to restaurants, bars, candy stores, shopping, a movie theater, cookie shop, wine bars…Hotel Cheval is a quaint romantic hotel that boasts more amenities than most.

After checking in at the beautifully furnished lobby and checking out their signature jewelry and warm cookies we were handed a real door key. In our “Classic Room” we found thirsty robes, an electric fireplace, a private patio with a fountain, bottled water for the coffee maker and nightly turn-down service.

Outside in the courtyard there were numerous comfy corners to read/drink/chat by a couple of outdoor fireplaces. In the morning the complimentary breakfast in the adjoining Pony club had so many choices – bagels, deli meats, cheeses, cereals, breads, muffins, fresh fruit salad, juice, coffee, etc. – there was no need to go out for breakfast. We also enjoyed checking out the library, spa, and…solicitous bartender Bradford Thompson-Young in the Pony Club.

The hotel is dog friendly, as is the Pony Club bar, but check the rules first. Happy hour in the bar goes from 5 until 7 p.m. with all wines by the glass for $7 – no matter if it’s the most expensive wine by the glass on the list (yes, I ordered it). We met some fun people in the bar and enjoyed more people-watching on the patio on Pine.

All in all I thought the hotel a great option for romantic couples, and for those that really don’t want to drive after dining. We enjoyed our stroll to and from our hotel so much that we did it multiple times.

Buttered Popcorn, Fudge, Taco Tuesday

Pony Club Patio on Pine.

After we shared a glass of wine at the Pony Club before dinner, we left the patio and started to stroll up Pine Street. The blast of hot buttered popcorn from the movie theater tickled our noses and we thought, should we skip dinner and do a movie and junk food night instead? But, we remembered that Taco Tuesday at Villa Creek Restaurant came highly recommended by Annie Browne, of the Hoot n Annie Paso blog, so we forged ahead.

It still was difficult, as then we also had to pass Pappy McGregor’s Pub and Grill. We had lunch on their patio with locals on past trips and it was very fun. We also passed, but this time we stopped into, Rocky Mountain Fudge, so my husband Eddie could buy a piece of candy to have after dinner.

When we finally got to Villa Creek, a restaurant I had always wanted to go to as I am a fan of Villa Creek wines and winemaker Cris Cherry, I spied two other favorites we would miss: Bistro Laurent and Artisan. Hard to turn either of those down, but by this point we didn’t smell popcorn or chocolate anymore, it was definitely taco time.

We had heard to expect a crowd of winemakers and other winery workers, but it didn’t seem too bad to us for a weekday crowd. We were quickly seated in the bar and within minutes I had ordered the Carnitas Taco and the Roasted Turkey and Mole Taco, paired with a Kukkula Zinfandel. Eddie got the Fish Taco and the Carnitas as well, paired with a Moscow Mule (correctly served in a copper cup).

I sort of complained that there were no Villa Creek wines by the glass on the bar menu. I was told that I could get a flight, and that winemaker Cris Cherry was dining inside and I should say hello to him. Well, bolstered by wine, I grabbed a biz card and strolled over. I told Cris how much I loved his Rhone blends, had visited him three years ago and wrote about his wines back then for my site. He invited me to come and taste at the winery the next day, but our day had been planned out – so I ended up ordering that flight instead. It included four healthy pours of a Roussanne, two Rhône red blends, and a 100% Mourvedre. Score!

But it didn’t end there. Cris and his son were eating something others had told us to try, so when I got back to the table I mentioned it to Eddie. Instead of more tacos how about the mile-high “Not Nachos” chips that came covered in corn, duck confit, mole sauce and God-knows what else. When the huge dish arrived I slid my Roussanne to one side, to have as my dessert, and happily dove into those chips with my Rhône blends. Awe-someness!

On a side note, as we walked back to Hotel Cheval we reflected on one sour note brought up to us by a man that had bought a home in Paso for his retirement. He said locals were not happy about Wine Enthusiast magazine naming them as the Wine Region of the Year. They were fearful of becoming the next Napa. Eddie and I thought, I guess that could happen as Paso Robles is twice the size of Napa, but where would Pine Street go? The infrastructure – hotels namely – are not enough right now for some busy weekend, amphitheater and fest crowds. It seemed to us that the area deserves the title and the infrastructure will follow, as soon as we all let it. Hopefully it will be a graceful transition and all of our favorites will remain exactly where they stand today, proudly on Pine.

Here is my Paso Album Link, visible to those off Facebook as well: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202418996463649.1073741859.1455706632&type=1&l=8473850ac5

Note: Some of the wineries we visited (DAOU Vineyards, Law Estate and J Dusi) have been written about by my esteemed staff writer Rusty Sly and/or Contributing Editor Michael Perlis. So my coverage of those and a few others will be in the other website I write a weekly Friday column for: those reviews will be found in The SCV Beacon.

Vintage Beacon 2/09: Shocking the Bottle

February 25, 2014 by evebushman

I’ve been an Alan Rickman fan from Sense and Sensibility (chick flick) to Galaxy Quest (guy flick). I’ve been a wine fan even longer. Both were definitely working for me before I even stepped into Vino 100 this last Friday night for a special screening of the movie Bottle Shock.

Bottle Shock tells the story of the historic 1976 wine tasting known as the “Judgment of Paris,” where, for the first time, American vintners managed to defeat the French in a blind tasting to crown the ultimate Cabernet and Chardonnay. Director Randall Miller offers up a serio-comic take on the event starring Bill Pullman and Alan Rickman.

Lil Lepore, owner of Vino 100, aptly served California wines against French: 2007 Raymond Vineyards Chardonnay, 2006 Bouchard Pere & Fils Bourgogne Blanc, 2006 Chateau de Bel Bordeaux and 2006 Angeline Cabernet Sauvignon.

There were also plenty of appetizers, sweet treats and hot popcorn to pair with the movie. Seats were placed in neat rows; ours, just behind the iron railing bisecting the store from the tasting area, made us feel like we were in balcony seats.

“This is our second screening as last night we had one of the screenwriters on hand to sign DVD’s,” Began Lepore. “This movie tells of the unprecedented event there we beat the pants off the French as they had thought all other winemaking in the world was insignificant.”

“Some things to look for in the film are the real shots of Chateau Montelena, which is the actual winning Chardonnay winery in Napa, parts of Sonoma and a wine bottle with a bar code on it that didn’t exist in the 70’s.”

There were a few technical difficulties with the DVD player, that if were given at home we might have turned off the set. But at Vino 100 it turned into buying wines by the bottle, catching Woman of the Year Judy Penman swirling red licorice in her glass, female and male Zontans sharing their gluten-free crackers and their second bottle of wine and…comparisons to audience participation in a Rocky Horror Picture show.

“What a fun time we’re all having,” Penman said. “They’re so community minded at Vino 100; it makes a difference in selling wine and having a good group of people that support a business – especially a female owned business.”

It was a party, and, I thoroughly enjoyed the festive atmosphere pairing quite nicely with the entertaining film. Rickman was perfect, as was Pullman, and the supporting cast of young wine makers and workers had all the embarrassing nuances of character that we did at their age.

But, as the guests were also enjoying McManus Cabs, Opolo Grand Rouge and I was emptying my own bottle of Kilakanoon Shiraz…I couldn’t get any quotes in the dark.

So I asked my new friends on Facebook (FB) for their thoughts:

“I thought the story was great because I love love love CA wines. In fact I enjoyed a Brian Benson Syrah while I was watching it.” Nicolette H.

“I saw Bottle Shock a couple days ago with my husband via Netflix. We really enjoyed it.” Patty P.

“I worked the premiere with Ian Blackburn (Learn About Wine educator). A fun little movie. Alan Rickman rocks, as always.” Denise L.

“I thought that even though the love story was bogus, the (female) love interest was SMOKIN’ H-O-T! (sorry, just bein’ a guy!)” Chad L.

“I saw the movie last night and really liked it. The broad story of the underdog going against the ‘pro’s’ and the trials and tribulations could be plugged into any industry or venture. However, if you’re just getting into wine there is a lot to learn from the film.” Katheen C.

Vino 100 is selling the DVD, including a2-pack with another funny wine film, Sideways. Call 294-6886 or visit the store, 28112 Newhall Ranch Road in Valencia. (2014 Editor’s note: Sadly, Vino 100 is now closed.)

Malbec, One of the Traditional Bordeaux Varietals

February 20, 2014 by evebushman

What is there to do in Buenos Aires if you don’t Tango? Simple, drink wine. Argentina is renown for its red wines, especially Malbec.

This week I am joined by friend and fellow sommelier, Pilar Alonso. No relation, but we do manage to arowse curiosity when we check into a country inn and ask for two rooms. Pilar does manage to peak their curiosity by playfully asking for rooms with an adjoining door.

Just back from the Mendoza Valley we are lazing away the afternoon in Pilar’s favorite Buenos Aires cafe, Mama Racha. For a city the size of Buenos Aires, there are surprisingly few open-air cafes. Set on the street corner, Mama Racha not only boasts an abundance of outdoor seating, they are also proud of their second story patio. From this vantage point, we have an ideal view for people watching. As we look out on to the bustling tree-lined Plaza Armenia we are able to comfortably enjoy the excellent Malbecs Pilar has selected for our tasting.

Malbec, often spelled “Malbeck,” in Argentina, and is the country’s premier red grape varietal. Malbec once dominated Bordeaux’s Medoc sub-region in the 1800s, however, it has since lost favor with French vignerons. This is most unfortunate because at one time, Malbec was grown in almost every region in France. It fell from favor in part because French vintners primarily used Malbec as a blending wine, and they also saw it as short lived. Not at all an appropriate wine for aging.

This is perfect for Argentina because here, Malbec truly comes into its own. The wines produced have shown to be softer and more lush in structure. They have also proven to age fairly well. Typically, Argentine Malbecs are medium to full-bodied and with plenty of acidity. The wines are pleasantly aromatic, and dominated by flavors of plum, cherry, black cherry, and anise. It is an extremely versatile and food friendly wine.

Our first selection, Luigi Bosca Reserva 2010 very much typifies the Malbecs of the Mendoza Valley. In the glass, the wine is a deep ruby red. On the nose, the bouquet is alive with aromas of blackberry, mocha, tobacco, accented with pepper and spice. The palate is a complex array of flavors of raspberry, olives, and the subtle smokiness of tobacco. The finish is long and complimented by fine-grain tannins. Definitely a wine with great body, structure, and personality. The alcohol content is 14% with a surprising bottle price of $15.

“I started with Luigi Bosca because I know how much enjoy their wines,” Pilar lightly stroked my hand. “Malbecs pair quite nicely with red meat, lamb, game, sausages, stews, and hard cheeses.”

“I find that Malbec can have a very unique pairing profile,” I paused in reflection. “Spicy foods such as Mexican, Cajun, Indian, Thai, and Italian …”

“Thai and Italian?” Pilar broke in.

“I should have said Thai or Italian barbecue dishes.”

“Interesting,” Pilar nodded in approval. “I guess with the popularity of LA’s fusion cuisine scene, a versatile wine such as Malbec can be quite popular.”

For our second selection, Pilar decided on a Cobos Felino Malbec 2012. Respected Californian oenologist Paul Hobbs partnered with two Mendoza locals, Andrea Marchiori and Luis Barraud to create Vina Cobos. The goal was to combine New World innovations and European traditions to produce the world’s best Malbec. This offering is a blend of 97% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Merlot. In the glass, the wine is a rich red in color with deep magenta hues. On the nose, the bouquet is filled with flowery aromas of dark berries, anise, and vanilla. On the palate, the 2012 shows balanced acidity and freshness, and firm tannins. An intense wine that displays pure flavors of raspberries, black plum, with light hints of graphite. As the wine opens up, it unfolds in velvety layers with notes of ginger, white pepper, and chocolate. The finish is balanced with notes of cedar, slate, and mocha. The alcohol content is 14.5% with a bottle price of $25.

“I love the velvety layers of this wine,” Pilar said complacently as she enjoyed her wine. “A very easy wine to drink.

“A wine definitely meant to be drunk now,” I toasted her. “Salud.”

Our next selection, Lagarde Malbec 2009 is another classy wine. In the glass it is a very intense red, highlighted by shades of purple. On the nose, the bouquet is dominated by aromas of ripe fruit and preserves. There are also soft notes of vanilla and chocolate followed by the the faint whisper of tobacco smoke. On the palate, the 2009 truly comes alive with flavors of black plum, blackberries, hints of coffee, and caramel. This well- balanced, full-bodied wine is filled with ripe tannins. The creamy and silky smooth texture also adds to the wine’s sophistication.The finish is persistent with plenty of depth. The alcohol content is 14% with a bottle price of $30.

“A savory wine that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a meal,” Pilar smiled with pleasure. “It would be difficult not to like this Malbec.”

“Definitely a wine with international appeal.”

Our last selection, Pilar decided on a Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard Vina Frederico Villafane 2008. In the glass, the wine is an intensely dark purple that is almost black. It adds to the wine’s allure by creating a sense of mystery. On the nose, the bouquet abounds with aromas of red fruits, black cherry, and candied orange. There were also subtle notes of spice and smoke. On the palate, as the wine opened up, there are flavors of sweet juicy fruit with nuances of mocha cream, chocolate, and almonds. The finish is long and pleasurable. The alcohol content is 14% with a bottle price of $40.

“I especially like the gentle tannins on this wine,” Pilar smiled complacently.

“An exceptional wine that any Malbec aficionado should add to his or her cellar.”

“Will you still be leaving for Uruguay in the morning?” Pilar queried

“I’m afraid so.”

“On this trip, will you be traveling to the wine regions in Peru or Brazil?” Pilar paused for effect. “They are no longer producing just table wines. Some exciting wines are coming out of these two countries.”

“But that my friends, is a different story … ”