Perlis Picks: Hospice du Rhône [Part Two]

June 16, 2018 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

THE GRAND TASTINGS

Of course, the HdR event wasn’t all “work” [I use this term very loosely] at the seminars that I wrote about in last week’s article.

HDR Friday afternoon was the Opening Tasting and the Closing Tasting was held Saturday afternoon. The participants were the same at both, with the opening tasting focusing on older vintages and the closing tasting representing current releases. Wineries could only pour wines that were primarily made up of the 22 Rhône varieties. This was not only a great opportunity to taste an incredible number of fine wines, but to also interact with lots of winemakers.

I did not take notes on individual bottles and did not get a chance to taste at nearly every table – check out this list of participants and you’ll see why I didn’t make it to everyone. I also focused primarily on California producers as these would be wineries I’d be most apt to follow up with for in-depth reporting in the future.

Of those I tasted, these wineries poured my favorites…

Alta Colina, Paso Robles, CA

Anglim, Paso Robles, CA

Barton Family Wines, Paso Robles, CA

Bedrock Wine Co, Sonoma, CA

Caliza Winery, Paso Robles, CA

Carlisle Winery and Vineyards, Windsor, CA

Clos Solene, Paso Robles, CA

Delmas, Walla Walla, WA

Denner Winery, Paso Robles, CA

Donelan Family Wines, Santa Rosa, CA

Jeff Cohn Cellars, Sonoma, CA

Keplinger Winers, Napa, CA

Larner Vineyard and Winery, Los Olivos, CA

Law Estate Wines, Paso Robles, CA

Ledge Vineyards, Paso Robles, CA

Levo, Paso Robles, CA

Onx Wines, Paso Robles, CA

Paix Sur Terre, Paso Robles, CA

Saxum Vineyards, Paso Robles, CA

TOP, Paso Robles, CA

Turtle Rock Vineyards, Paso Robles, CA

Not on the list on the website, the wines of Santa Barbara’s Kunin Wines were also being poured. Seth Kunin passed away last year; I never met Seth and by all accounts my life is poorer as a result. Seth’s wines were being poured by his wife and his brother and they were delicious.

THE MEALS

Wine tastes great on its own, but ultimately it really shines as part of a meal – oft times for me as the star of the meal, but part of it nonetheless.

Lunch on Friday was devoted to Rose, with bottles of Rose everywhere being provided by HdR participants, along with food prepared by Chef Nick Nolan of Society Cuisine.

The Live Auction Lunch on Saturday featured dishes prepared by Martin Testa of Testa Catering along with lots of wine provided by the HdR participating wineries. The auction generated funds for the HdR organization to continue to provide these kind of events and to help Northern California Wildfire Relief…

In addition, the passing of two wine luminaries was addressed, Seth Kunin of Kunin Wines and Robert Haas of Tablas Creek, as well as the Person of the Year being announced – Jed Dunnuck of jebdunnuck.com.

The Farewell Dinner Saturday evening provided a wonderful time to reflect on the weekend that had passed so quickly. The four course meal was prepared by Chef Spencer Johnston of Danior Kitchen, featuring Southwestern inspired fare capped off with a delicious selection of meats [beef, chicken, chorizo and lamb] followed by dulche de leche cake along with strawberries and cajata. Not to mention the cooked grasshoppers which were a big hit at our table. And of course, the wines…it looked like all the bottles that had been opened at the tasting were sitting somewhere, along with plenty of full ones.

I can’t say enough about this event – hopefully you’ve gotten this far in my writing about it. From the organizers to the participating wineries to the attendees, from the seminars to the meals to the tastings, whether one bought a weekend pass or went a la carte, I can’t think of a more well run event or one with higher quality wines across the board. As we headed off into the night, I thought that I couldn’t believe it was over and that two years couldn’t pass soon enough. Kudos to all involved.

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

New Releases From Mystic Hills Vineyard: From (Their FIRST) White to Red

June 15, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

When my longtime friends at Mystic Hills Vineyard, vintners Joel and Judy Cox, sent me their latest five new releases for review I wanted to share the wines with some wine pals for a group tasting: and NINE ladies were thrilled to join me. I was excited too, as I would taste their first white wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, along with their other popular varietals that I had already fallen for. The tasting notes below are a collective from all:

The Wine Tasting

Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Lots of citrus on the nose, followed by both yellow and green apple, a slightly chalky/powdery scent and a steeliness. On the mouth we got flavors of crisp lemon-lime with an acidic backbone. The group agreed with me when I thought the wine was Sangria-worthy and would lend itself well served in the glass with fresh cut fruit and some spritz.

“H.E.A.R.T.S.” Rosé 2017

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc

Named after the Coxes five grandchildren (their first initial) with a beautiful artsy label and the color of ripe watermelon, all were excited about trying this rosé. We got the gamut from fruit to minerality in the aroma: strawberry, raspberry, honeydew melon, fruit cocktail, butter, earth and wet sidewalk. When we went in for our tasting we also found: red cherry, stewed fruit, clove, black pepper, as well as that butter and wet sidewalk again.

Gran Trio 2014

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot

A lovely balanced nose of both spice and fruit that included blackberry, black cherry, pepper and forest floor. We tasted complex notes of that same pepper and spice as well as layers of deep dark fruit, smoke, tannins and even a hint of bourbon. One taster called it “a hug in a glass.” This was a favorite among the red wine lovers in the group.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

And this was to be the favorite of both the red and white wine lovers in the group! We were literally seduced by notes of chocolate covered cherries, plum, blackberry and stems in the aroma. The flavor had that same chocolate, spice with the addition of dried blue to black fruit and toasted oak.

Unforgiven 2014

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot, 15% Merlot, 5% Malbec

Another favorite for our big red wine lovers. This Bordeaux blend had it all: dark chocolate, dark fruit, plums, dark cherry, blackberry, rich and port-wine-like all on the nose. The taste gave off big notes of spice and fruit: black to blue fruit, spice, espresso and an incredibly long finish.

About Mystic Hills Vineyard

Mystic Hills Vineyard is a boutique, family-owned vineyard nestled in the beautiful rolling hills outside of Paso Robles, California. We focus on sustainable estate-grown Bordeaux style wines that showcase our passion for excellence and our tenacity for a memorable bottle of wine. We are blessed with crisp mornings acquired from the Pacific Ocean influence, and hot days soothed by the cooler afternoon winds. This climate, with the beneficial temperature swings, helps to create superior fruit for our wines.

Owner Joel Cox is an Academy Award winning Film Editor who brings his professional and creative love of film to his wine. His meticulous and diligent eye for a well-crafted scene in a movie is brought to life in our beautiful, extraordinary wines that will surely captivate your palette and produce a memorable experience for you to embrace.

http://www.mystichillsvineyard.com/

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

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

June 6, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

#screwcorks

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

Follow the story: @egwineco

Perlis Picks: Epic Times at Epoch Estate Wines

June 2, 2018 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

In my last article, I mentioned that I’d next be writing about who went into the old Clos Solene spot at Tin City. Well, some technical difficulties have delayed that report, so this week you get…

Photo from Epoch Facebook page.

One of the benefits of living in Southern California, as do most of our Eve Wine 101 readers, is proximity to various wine regions. Santa Barbara wine country is just a couple of hours away, Paso Robles a little farther and a few more hours gets you to Napa, Sonoma and beyond.

Inevitably, once you do start visiting wineries, you’ll be presented with opportunities to join winery clubs. With so many wineries offering great wines, it is easy to get overwhelmed. How do you decide which clubs to join? For us, it is often, in addition to the wine quality, it is the feeling that we have a personal relationship with the people involved.

Epoch Estate Wines in Paso Robles is a great case in point. Karen and I first tasted the Epoch wines in 2010 when they were still being made at Denner. We had the good fortune to meet Kristen Darnell (née Carrillo), now Epoch’s Vice President of Sales and Personnel as well as newly hired winemaker Jordan Fiorentini. The wines were great, Kristen and Jordan were too, and the fact that the owners had purchased the old York Mountain Winery site to develop their winery [a place we had first visited in the 1980s] was icing on the cake. We were hooked.

A perk of being in a wine club is that members often get invited to special events. Recently, Epoch members were invited to the beautiful state of the art winery on York Mountain to attend not one but two events.

The first event, reserved for the top tier of Epoch members, started with a reception that included passed appetizers along with Epoch’s newly released white blend [Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne] and Rose [Mourvedre, Grenache and Syrah] wines. Both were excellent but the Rose is really something special. Just ask my wife Karen.

Then, we were treated to an elegant sit-down dinner in the winery, paired with the great Epoch wines.

The 2015 Sensibility [Grenache and Syrah] was paired with Manchego & Prosciutto. The 2015 Zinfandel [with a touch of Grenache] was matched with Grilled Quail and the 2015 Veracity [Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah] with Wild Mushroom Risotto. Finally, the 2015 Estate Blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Tempranillo and Zinfandel was served with barbecued New York Strip with bone marrow butter and Roquefort whipped potatoes. The dessert table filled with petit fours and brownies topped off the evening, along with more wine to accompany them.

The next evening, open to all Epoch members, was a more casual affair with serving stations set up in the winery. The white blend and the Rose were available at the entry to the event along with various appetizers. The reds were paired as follows…

2015 Sensibility with two flatbreads – one wild mushroom and the other prosciutto and arugula.

2015 Zinfandel with bacon wrapped blue cheese stuffed dates.

2015 Veracity with Capicola and blue cheese skewers.

2015 Estate Blend with lamb sliders.

There was also Seafood and Chorizo Paella, which Karen really enjoyed with the Rose.

Although the events were markedly different from each other, they both really emphasized one thing to me. While the wines are delicious on their own, they really shine when they are paired expertly with the right dishes.

The other thing that always has struck me about Epoch is the amazingly nice people that work for them. Owners Bill and Liz Armstrong told me that this is the first requirement in their hiring process as almost anything else can be taught. Kudos on a job well done.

Release of New SKYY INFUSIONS® SUN-RIPENED WATERMELON (+ Cocktail Recipe)

May 31, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) – Watermelon is having its moment in the sun. Endless summer days are synonymous for backyard BBQs, cheerful picnics, and sunset beach excursions, all perfectly complemented by the juicy fruitiness of Watermelon. SKYY® Vodka – a vodka born in San Francisco – pays homage to this all-American classic treat with the release of SKYY Infusions® Sun-Ripened Watermelon, a must-have for Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and every conceivable celebration in between. A refreshing, watermelon-infused vodka made with real fruit, SKYY’s latest trendsetting addition captures the brightness and complexity of succulent Watermelon and is now available nationwide.

The new SKYY Infusions Sun-Ripened Watermelon offers a mouth-watering and slightly sweet spirit, where the real-fruit flavor bursts forward to stand out with most any mixer. Fans of SKYY Infusions will open a bottle and immediately notice the aroma of fresh Watermelon paired with SKYY’s premium smooth vodka made from American grain for an elevated true-to-fruit experience. SKYY Infusions Sun-Ripened Watermelon is the perfect complement for outdoor cocktails with its bright fruitiness, and can be enjoyed on the rocks, muddled with fresh fruit, or used to put a surprising twist on a classic favorite.

Whether its amping up your summer style with a twist on a rosé spritzer or delighting in a new-found summer romance over a Watermelon Shandy, SKYY Infusions Sun-Ripened Watermelon is the perfect vodka to indulge in for leisurely days.

WATERMELON ROSÉ SPRITZ
1 part SKYY Infusions Sun-Ripened Watermelon
1 part Aperol®
3 parts Sparkling Rosé
1 part Soda or Tonic Water
Glass: Large Wine or Spritz
Garnish: Melon Balls, Lime Wheels & Cucumber Ribbon
Build in a Large Wine glass over ice. Garnish with Watermelon Balls, Lime Wheels and a
Cucumber Ribbon.

SKYY Infusions Sun-Ripened Watermelon joins the brand’s existing line of award-winning premium flavors, which includes Citrus, Blood Orange, Pineapple, Bartlett Pear, Honeycrisp Apple, Tropical Mango, Coastal Cranberry, Texas Grapefruit, Pacific Blueberry, Georgia Peach, Vanilla Bean, Wild Strawberry, California Apricot, Cherry, and Raspberry. Since the introduction of SKYY Vodka in California in 1992, the brand has always been an innovator.

First released in 2008, the development of SKYY Infusions, charted a new course for flavored vodkas by creating products that cater to the current consumer trend toward natural, infused products that elevate the taste experience.

The new flavor is 70 proof (35% ABV), is available in 50ml ($1.99), 750mL ($13.99), 1L ($16.99) and 1.75L ($21.99). The entire SKYY Infusions collection can be enjoyed simply on the rocks, with club soda, or in other delicious, sophisticated cocktails. For more information, visit SKYY.com, http://www.facebook.com/SKYYVodka.US and on Instagram and Twitter: @SKYYVodka.

About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM). At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry. The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka. The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world’s finest whiskies since the 1800’s. Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Campari Group’s portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Grand Marnier®, Campari®, Aperol®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek® Canadian Whisky, BULLDOG® Gin, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón® Tequila, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Averna®, Braulio® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.

Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at http://www.campariamerica.com, http://www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and http://www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

North of the Gate Wine Competition Announces Award Winning Wines

May 30, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

PETALUMA, Calif. (PRWEB) – Of the 302 wines entered in the North of the Gate Wine Competition in Petaluma, California an unprecedented 294 were honored with awards. And yet despite the overall quality of the wines entered, this year’s esteemed judging panel of 12 had no trouble at all selecting just one overall winner. This year’s Best of Show was awarded to Lewis Grace’s 2015 Petite Sirah, which also won Best of Show Red, Best of Class, Best of El Dorado County, and a Double Gold award.

The North of the Gate Wine Competition, produced by the Sonoma-Marin Fair held June 20-24, 2018, is known for attracting high end luxury wines. Competing wines come from grapes grown in the wonderful Sierra Foothills all across Northern California to the beautiful California Coast. We have the consistently best wine producing regions in the world. More and more varietals are being grown and this year the judges had a difficult time awarding the best wines since so many were exceptional.

Not only is the competition one of the oldest to include all of Northern California’s unique wine regions, but it also has one of the highest esteemed judging panels. This year four panels of professional wine judges met on April 26 to determine which would be worthy of their accolades.

The Best of Show White Wine was a racey 2017 Albarino from Imagery Estate Winery with bright acidity that enhances its peach and citrus flavors. It has won top awards at many wine competitions and should not be missed.

Rosé wines are making a come back and just in time for summer. This wine judging category has exploded and the Best of Show Rosé Wine was a beautifully colored 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir made by Rodney Strong Vineyards. It is fresh and vibrant with aromas of strawberry and white peach as well as fresh acidity and a lasting juicy finish.

The Best of Show Red Wine also won the top award: Best of Show Wine, highlighting the incredible wine-making skills of two brothers: Trevor and Tyler Grace from the El Dorado region. Their 2015 Lewis Grace Petite Sirah steps out with an intense maroon color and an equally complex boysenberry and cedar nose. The friendly pomegranate opening and chocolate finish complement it’s characteristic peppery kick.

Winery owner Steve Grace received this highly coveted accolade humbly by sharing, “we are more than thrilled with the results. While it is a small competition compared to some, the judging panel is superb and it’s great to have exposure to that group.”

Case in point, last year Grace Patriot Wines received multiple awards including the Sweepstakes Award for their 2016 El Dorado Rosé of Pinot Noir.

Among the best by county this year were Brassfield Estate Winery 2016 Sauvignon Blanc for Best of Lake County, Handley Cellars 2015 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir for Best of Mendocino County, My Italian Cousin 2015 Eugenio for Best of Napa County, Oak Farm Vineyards 2016 Tievoli for Best of San Joaquin County, Grindstone Wines 2017 Rosé of Syrah for Best of Colusa County, Lewis Grace 2017 Torrontes was Best for Sacramento County, and Schug Carneros Estate Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon for Best of Sonoma County.

For a complete list of this year’s North of the Gate Wine Competition winners and more information on this year’s judging panel, please visit sonoma-marinfair.org.

Wine tasting of the top medal winners will be available during the Sonoma-Marin Fair in the beautifully landscaped Wine Garden. The best of the best will be poured on Saturday, June 23 during the fair’s annual Taste of the North Gate. Guests can mingle with wine makers, enjoy live music, and partake in a cheese and chocolate pairing. A separate ticket will be required and available for purchase at the gate the day of and in advance online.

The 2018 Sonoma-Marin Fair will be taking the summer fun “Beyond the Milky Way” from June 20-24, 2018. Enjoy 5 fun-filled days of FREE concerts, unlimited carnival rides, the World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest, action-packed Pit Stop USA Sprint Car Racing, fun games & contests, delicious fair food, and more. For details, visit sonoma-marinfair.org or call (707) 283-3247. Be the first to know about all of the fun by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Plan for an out of this world experience!

Winners of 2018 Experience Rosé Competition Announced

May 21, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Debra Del Fiorentino, Founder of Wine Competitions Management & Productions, in conjunction with Craig Palmer and Allen Habel, co-founders of Experience Rosé (formerly Rosé Today), are pleased to announce the results from Experience Rosé: The 2018 Competition, held at Soda Rock Winery in Healdsburg, California on Wednesday, April 18. Directed by globally-renowned wine expert and educator Del Fiorentino, Experience Rosé: The 2018 Competition drew 317 entries of domestic and international rosé wines – a thirty-seven percent increase from the number of entrants in last year’s competition.

Glasses of with pink champagne decorated with lavender

The esteemed panel of top-tier judges selected by Del Fiorentino sought out the very best in dry, sparking and sweet categories – all of which represented a wide range of rosé winemaking styles. Judges included Dan Berger, Jacques Brix, Bernadette Byrne, Traci Dutton, Renata Franzia, Denise Gill, Erik Miller, David Sandri, Chris Sawyer and Cathy Vicini.

The Competition embodies the concept of rosé wines as an integral part of the wine drinking experience every day, all year long “because every day pairs better with Rosé,” the tagline for this and every Experience Rosé event.

“That’s the idea that attracted us so irresistibly to this lifestyle concept of Experience Rosé,” proclaims Founder and Producer Craig Palmer. “So many everyday opportunities become so much more colorful paired with this infinitely elegant and exuberant wine.”

Top honors and Best of Show went to Draxton Wines for its 2017 Pinot Meunier Rosé, Napa Valley, garnering an impressive 100-point score.

“That’s not easily achieved,” says Del Fiorentino. “Our judges are very savvy and very strict with their scores. To achieve a perfect score is a true feat of accomplishment for the winemaker and the wine.”

Advantage International was awarded Best International Dry, Double Gold and Best of Class for its 2017 Marquis de Goulaine Rosé d’anjou. Bronco Wine Company was awarded Best Domestic Sparkling, Double Gold and Best of Class for its NV Domaine Laurier Brut Rose while Natural Merchants, Inc. was awarded Best International Sparkling and Best of Class for its NV Tarantas Sparkling Rose. Penns Woods Winery took Best Domestic Sweet and Best of Class for its NV Penns Woods Winery Moscato Rose.

Other Best of Class winners include:

Castle Rock Winery, 2017 Castle Rock Rosé of Pinot Noir, category: Domestic Dry

Nichelini Family Winery, 2017 Nichelini Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, category: Domestic Dry

Peju Province Winery, 2016 Peju Sparkling Rosé, category: Domestic Sparkling

Winery at Black Star Farms, NV Black Star Farms, Old Mission Delighted – Sweet Bubbly Rosé, category: Domestic Sparkling

E&J Gallo Winery, 2017 Fleur de Mer Rose, category: International Dry

Overall the judges awarded five Best of Show accolades, 10 Best of Class designations, 15 Double Gold and 79 Gold honors. A complete list of winners can be found by visiting http://rosewinetoday.com/competition-winners/.

Results were announced at an intimate gathering held at Soda Rock Winery on Thursday, April 19^th, following the judging. About 15 wineries, all competition gold-medal winners, poured and convened with industry influencers and event sponsors and producers.

Experience Rosé is proud to thank its Presenting Sponsor, Bank of Marin, and Hosting Sponsors: Soda Rock Winery, Sonoma Magazine, Spirited Magazine, and Hangar 1® Vodka.

Experience Rosé is all about providing extraordinary experiences to anyone who revels in the passion for Rosé. The brand’s dedication to excellence continues with two new consumer events held in June and October. On Saturday, June 16, 2018, The Great Rosé Pairing for Summer will take place at The CIA at Copia in Napa, from 11AM to 4PM. Attendees will sip winning wines from the 2018 Competition paired with gourmet cuisine from six major rosé producing regions (France, Italy, Spain, Northern California, Central California and Southern California) prepared by teams of emerging star chef CIA students and led by Lars Kronmark, Professor of Culinary Arts at CIA California. A sampling of rosé cocktails and summer refreshers using Hangar 1®’s newly launched rosé infused vodka will be prepared by CIA’s wine and beverage students. This multifaceted event will also include special arts programming and Experience Talks – an educational series featuring presentations, panel discussions and pairings curated by John Cesano, Executive Director of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association. Jubilant, intoxicating music will be provided by Steel Jam.

Ticket costs for The Great Rosé Pairing for Summer:

VIP Patio: $125 in advance; $130 at the door

Regular admission: $85 in advance; $90 at the door

Designated driver: $40 in advance; $45 at the door

Later in the year, on Friday, October 19, Jaxon Keys Winery and Distillery in Hopland (Mendocino County) will host The Great Rosé Pairing for Thanksgiving. Nicholas Petti, Culinary Arts Instructor at Mendocino College, along with his talented students, will create a selection of seasonally-inspired bites to showcase perfect Rosé pairings for holiday dinners and celebrations. This event exclusively features Rosés produced in the Hopland and Redwood Valley regions of inland Mendocino County.

Ticket costs for The Great Rosé Pairing for Thanksgiving:

Regular admission: $95 in advance; $105 at the door

Tickets for both The Great Rosé Pairing for Summer and The Great Rosé Pairing for Thanksgiving can be purchased by visiting: www.experiencerose.com.

About Experience Rosé

“Because every day pairs better with Rosé” is our theme. With the burgeoning passion for the colorful array of Rosé wines, Experience Rosé showcases excellence in international winemaking, connecting wine lovers with singular adventures and curated resources that are spirited, expansive and revelatory. For more information on Experience Rosé please visit, www.experiencerose.com.

Like Experience Rosé on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosewinetoday/

Follow Experience Rosé on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosewinetoday

Follow Experience Rosé on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosewinetoday/

About Soda Rock Winery

Nestled in Sonoma County’s scenic Alexander Valley, Soda Rock Winery offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy an eclectic mix of wine-country experiences. Sip a delicious array of wines with a focus on Bordeaux varietals. View the splendid surroundings and appreciate the historical buildings that have been beautifully restored using green building and recycling practices. Soda Rock is the original site of the Alexander Valley general store and post office, and was once the central hub of activity for the valley. Historic records provide evidence of the first bonded winery on this property in 1880. With a large line-up of Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux varietals, Soda Rock wines are big and bold, just like its historic past.

About The CIA at Copia

The Culinary Institute of America’s newest location in downtown Napa, the CIA at Copia, offers food and wine experiences to the public, including hands-on cooking and beverage classes, culinary demonstrations, shopping, dining, community events, private events, and more. It is the first public-facing facility for the college.

About Jaxon Keys Winery & Distillery

Jaxon Keys, a 1,250-acre estate winery, continues a historic legacy in Mendocino County with their long-term commitment to fine wine and brandy. Formerly Jepson Winery, the estate’s new name, Jaxon Keys, is a tribute to family ancestors Jack Wilson and Cecil Key – honoring the past and heralding a new era. They offer many varietals grown on their ranch for tasting at their 1880s Farmhouse Tasting Room. Enjoy a leisurely wine tasting at the antique bar, spend some time out on the covered veranda, drink in the views, the flavors and the old-fashioned hospitality served up Mendocino style. Jaxon Keys makes a wine for every taste – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, white and red blends, Grenache, Zinfandel, Primitivo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, a port-style wine and Alambic pot-still brandy.

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

May 15, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

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

Tasting Full Line Ups

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About

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

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

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Perlis Picks: Clos Solene

May 12, 2018 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been writing about Guillaume Fabre, winemaker/owner of Clos Solene for almost nine years. Yet, he and his winery haven’t been the focal point of the article until now.

Karen and I first met Guillaume in 2009. In that article, I spent most of the time whining about events that provide tasting tickets as opposed to unlimited tastes of wine. In spite of that focus, we did taste some nice wines, including Clos Solene, about which I said: “An outstanding Roussane from Paso Robles.” [And yes, now I see the typo.]

My understanding is that this was the first wine released under the Clos Solene label. Guillaume had not yet made the full-time leap to his own winery, but was still working as assistant winemaker at L’Aventure in Paso Robles. Leaving his native France where he had grown up growing grapes and making wine with his family, Guillaume had come to Paso Robles to work with L’Aventure as an intern and fell in love with the Paso Robles area. Guillaume describes this as “un coup de foudre” – a bolt of lightning moment when he realized what the future in Paso Robles could be. This was the second such moment in his life, the first being when he met his future wife Solene, whom he convinced to join him in the New World.

My next article about Clos Solene was nearly five years later, in 2014, as part of a longer article about up-and-coming Paso wineries. My big takeaway about his wine was “in addition to the purity of the fruit being expressed, these wines were incredibly elegant.” At this point, Guillaume had just left the relative security of L’Aventure and was devoting himself full-time to Clos Solene, pouring at the collective tasting room in downtown Paso Robles known as Paso Underground.

Since that last visit, Guillaume has moved Clos Solene –twice!

Paso Underground is still there, of course, and definitely worth your time visiting, with four wineries pouring their wares along with all the other tasting rooms in downtown Paso Robles. But just a few miles south of downtown Paso is an area known as Tin City, with an ever-growing number of small wineries. Tin City is well on its way to becoming a day’s destination all on its own. And as Clos Solene’s popularity and production increased, having a private tasting room / winery made sense.

By the time we planned to visit him there, he had acquired the old Pipestone Vineyards property on Paso’s west side and was deep in the process of making changes to meet his vision of what Clos Solene needed to be. So we never did see him during that trip.

Although we did see Guillaume and taste the Clos Solene wines at a handful of events over the years, it took us another year [and about four years since our Paso Underground visit] to make the drive on a rainy Saturday morning into the hills and follow the long driveway to visit the property that Guillaume and Solene had acquired about a year before.

Sitting with Guillaume on the estate’s patio, as the rain stopped and the sky cleared, looking out over the property and sampling the current tasting room offerings, we got a chance to reflect on the last nine years and the plans for the future. As it turns out, everything has been in a state of evolution. That Roussanne we tasted nine years ago? That was the first wine under the Clos Solene label and it has evolved over time into Hommage Blanc, a blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Viognier. The Rose has evolved as well, as Guillaume has focused on using grapes grown specifically for the Rose as opposed to bleed-off from grapes to be used for red wines. And then there are the reds. Every year, Guillaume has been perfecting these blends as well. One after another, these wines prove that Clos Solene represents the best of Paso. Some, like Harmonie, are pure expressions of Rhone varieties. Others, like Fleur de Solene, show what an artist like Guillaume can do without the restrictions of his native France, blending Rhone and Bordeaux varieties into true masterpieces.

Truthfully, we are fortunate to be able to taste a lot of really good wine on a regular basis, both as writers and as consumers. But, the quality of the Clos Solene wines is still the exception rather than the rule and it helps to remind us what drove us to this passion in the first place.

The future is exciting as well. Guillaume has always sourced fruit from outstanding vineyards, such as James Berry and Glenrose. But now with the new property, he’ll be able to produce wines from his own estate, controlling the process from beginning to end. It will be just like back home, but better. Production will continue to be very limited with some slight growth in production. Guillaume and Solene are working harder than ever, now with three little mouths to feed in addition to their own.

Karen and I joined the Clos Solene Wine Club to make sure we don’t wait four or five years for another visit.

[Are you wondering what happened to that Clos Solene tasting room in Tin City? Read about that in my next article.]

Blatty Wines…Take Me Away

May 4, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

I first met Mark Blatty of Byron Blatty Wines (same person but I understand he prefers to go by Mark) at Assistance League’s wildly successful Sunset in the Vineyard 10^th Anniversary event last November. His tasting table was adjacent to the Pulchella Winery table and I quickly learned that Mark had joined other local winemakers at the Pulchella crush pad.

Then I tasted his wine and noted, I had to have more. In January I did a round up on what happens in our wineries in January and February for Elite magazine and Mark wrote, “In February Byron Blatty will be bottling at least two brand new wines for their spring release. A Rosé of Grenache that’s 100% LA County fruit as well as at least one new red blend that is Grenache, Syrah and Merlot (also LA County). It’s their unorthodox take on a GSM.” The “their” included winemakers Steve Lemley, Nate Hasper and assistant winemaker Joey Perry. (See below under “website” to learn more about the winemaking team.)

Those wines Mark referenced would prove to be the two wines I would be tasting for this article, and readers would also have a chance to maybe try them too at Wine On The Roof set for May 17.

Tasting

2017 Rosé, Los Angeles County

100% Grenache

14% alcohol

With an inviting color of rose gold I was drawn in to find aromas of ripe raspberry, lemon and lime zest, yellow peach and tropical fruit – made me think of Hawaii…and a beach…and a much needed vacation. Okay, back to the wine, I dove in (not to the ocean) for a taste. Luscious mouth coating viscosity and a hell of a lot of fruit, same as on the nose, lightly crisp and with medium acidity. As the length just went on and on, I thought how nice this would be in between bites of…just about anything that sounds good with a Rosé wine. 90 Eve pts.

2016 Tremor, Los Angeles County

65% Grenache, 30% Merlot and 5% Syrah

15.5% alcohol

Aged 18 months in French oak barrels

Dark garnet in color, with a honeyed edge that may be indicative of the time spent in oak, was my first observation. Then the spices on the nose hit me like a ton of bricks, well maybe not a ton of bricks, but the full spice rack! Along with dark plums, chocolate, red berry, blueberry – and then the two, the spices and the fruit, just melded perfectly together. Itching for a taste, you guessed it, I dove in again. A very full mouthfeel of pleasantly blended fruit, spice, a mild but welcome heat from the alcohol, toasted oak, length and a style that I wasn’t really familiar with. Maybe it was the blending Rhône with Bordeaux grapes that got my attention but I don’t care what it was, this renegade of a wine was delicious! Betting even better with a little aging or decanting. 92 Eve pts.

From The Website

Mark & Jenny Blatty, Proprietors – Mark and Jenny founded Byron Blatty Wines in 2014, after a visit to Napa Valley. Inspired by the story of Napa’s original vintners, who challenged the French with their determination to create world-class wines in a previously unproven region, the Blattys had only one rule that would guide them on their endeavor to start a commercial winery: The wines had to be from their hometown of Los Angeles. Initially they intended to plant a small vineyard on their hillside property, but soon realized that the space was not large enough, nor was it right for the varietals they had in mind. Undeterred, they began to search for vineyards in LA County from which to source their grapes. Despite the area’s rich wine history, established vineyards in LA are few and far between, and it took the couple nearly a year to discover just the right sites, tucked away in the far corners of the county.

In addition to being vintners, the Blattys also have careers in television. Mark is a Los Angeles native, and Jenny relocated from Chicago in 2001. Their first child, Oliver Byron Blatty, was born in January 2017.

Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper, Winemakers – Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper are the winemakers for Byron Blatty Wines. With more than thirty-five years of combined winemaking experience, as well as formal training at UC Davis, the pair melds a deep knowledge of modern techniques with the finesse and feel one only acquires through firsthand experience with multiple vintages. With an almost fanatical approach, they work hand in hand with our growers and in the winery to push the fruit to the absolute limits for maximum flavor and color extraction, while retaining each varietal’s nuances and subtleties. The result is bold, powerfully styled wines that stand out from the crowd.

Joey Perry, Assistant Winemaker –Joey Perry became Byron Blatty’s assistant winemaker for the 2015 vintage—his third overall—and he manages all winery operations for Lemley and Hasper. The SoCal native got his MBA from the University of Laverne and had his sights set on a career on Wall Street before a wine course at College of the Canyons in Valencia altered his path. Perry decided the trading life was not going to be for him and instead immersed himself in wine, going to work full time for Lemley and Hasper after graduation. He married his wife, Kristine, in 2015 and lives in Santa Clarita with her and their two dogs.

Website: http://www.byronblatty.com

Email: info@byronblatty.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byronblattywines/

Instagram: @byronblattywines