2019 Filoli Summer Nights Schedule Announced

June 20, 2019 by evebushman Leave a Comment

WOODSIDE, Calif. (PRWEB) – Filoli Historic House and Garden, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and one of the last country estates reminiscent of the Gilded Age, is proud to announce the 2019 edition of its Summer Nights series.

Summer Nights are increasingly popular among Filoli’s guests. Only last year, nearly 300 guests every Thursday enjoyed themed evenings with special events, music, and activities for the whole family. All activities are included with admission, and some require advance registration.

“We are very excited to announce the third edition of our Summer Nights series, a now awaited season for our visitors to enjoy extended hours and experience the Summer like nowhere else in the Bay Area. This is also an excellent way for our members to bring a guest for free to experience Filoli during the evenings. At the same time, Summer Nights is also an opportunity for us to bring new and exciting programming to our growing and more diverse audience,” said Kara Newport, Chief Executive Officer for Filoli.

The 2019 Summer Nights take place on Thursdays through August 29. During this time, the House and Garden remain open to the public during extended hours, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, a beautiful time to visit the gardens. Filoli offers special programming for all guests and exclusive activities for members. Every night is themed differently, so a visit every Thursday is highly encouraged to take advantage of the wide array of activities that Filoli offers during this series.

Members enjoy activities planned exclusively for them every night, including posy making, honey and fruit tastings, aromatherapy lotion making, among others. Hikes and tours include: architecture tours, access to the second floor of the House, rose and orchard tours, sunset hikes and bird walks. Exclusively for members, Filoli’s popular greenhouses are also open on select evenings. The Quail’s Nest Cafe will remain open on Thursdays during Summer Nights.

For more information on Filoli Summer Nights schedule of events, please visit: https://www.filoli.org/summernights, or contact Marijose Alvarado, Filoli Marketing Manager at (650) 364-8300 Ext. 235 or via e-mail at: marketing(at)filoli(dot)org.

Ticket & Membership Information
For more information or to purchase tickets for the Summer Nights special workshops, please visit: https://filoli.org/summernights/ or call the Filoli Tickets Office at 650-364-8300. Tickets may also be purchased via email: tickets(at)filoli(dot)org. Interested in becoming a member at Filoli and getting free access to some of the events and special programming listed above? Visit https://filoli.org/membership/ for more information.

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About Filoli
Located in Woodside, CA, Filoli boasts 654 acres of historic beauty nestled along the slopes of California’s coastal range. The historic property features a 54,000+ square foot Georgian revival style mansion, 16 acres of exquisite English Renaissance gardens, a 6.8-acre Gentleman’s Orchard, and a nature preserve with over 7 miles of hiking trails. Established as a private residence in 1917, Filoli was open to the public in 1976 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Filoli is dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of the cultural traditions and is considered one of the finest remaining country estates of the 20th century. For more information about Filoli, visit https://filoli.org/.

Address:
Filoli Historic House and Garden
86 Cañada Road
Woodside, CA 94062

Winners of 2019 Experience Rosé Competition Announced + The Great Rosé Pairing for Summer on June 22

June 8, 2019 by evebushman

Photo: Experience Rose Facebook page

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 2019 Competition, held at Soda Rock Winery in Healdsburg, California on Wednesday, May 1. Directed by globally-renowned wine expert and educator Del Fiorentino, Experience Rosé: The 2019 Competition drew just under 400 entries of domestic and international rosé wines, making it the largest wine competition dedicated to Rosé in the Unites States. The public’s first opportunity to sample some of these award-winning wines in one festival-setting will be on Saturday, June 22, at The Great Rosé Infusion of Summer event, to be held at Soda Rock Winery.

“Our judging is committed to the highest standards of competition,” explains Debra Del Fiorentino, who attracts a world-class panel of judges for the Competition. “The Experience Rosé judging seeks the very best in dry, a little sweet and sparkling styles that pair quality winemaking with the passion for rosé and its infinite possibilities.”

Experience Rosé is one of only a handful of U.S. competitions exclusively focused on identifying excellence in rosé wine, domestic and international, all styles. Due to the increased number of this year’s entries, the competition is now considered the largest rosé competition being held in the U.S. “This put a real feather in our cap,” states Del Fiorentino. “The art of creating great Rosé wines has fast-tracked within the industry as illustrated with more than 27% more entries than last year. We couldn’t be more delighted.”

The esteemed panel of judges awarded five Best of Show awards, nine Best of Class designations, 22 double gold and 61 gold medals.

Top honors and Best of Show went to the Balletto Vineyards 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, estate grown, bottled and produced. Described as a domestic dry rosé with tasting notes of cantaloupe, sun warmed strawberries, raspberries and rose petals, the wine garnered 94 points.

Other Best of Class winners include:

· Best of Show and Best of Class Domestic Dry: Balletto Vineyards, Rosé of Pinot Noir 2018
· Best of Class and Double Gold
o Domestic Sparkling: J Vineyards Brut Rosé
o Domestic Sweet: Jolee Wines, Rosé Jolee
o International Dry: Le Grand Courtage, Trés Chic Rosé
o International Sparkling: Risata Wines, Sparkling Rosé
· Best of Class and Double Gold
o Soda Rock Winery Rosé
o Hungry Hawk Vineyards Rosé
o Le Grand Noir Rosé
o Balverne, Rosé of Pinot Noir Reserve
· Best Domestic Cider, Gold: Urban Tree Rosé

Results were announced at an intimate gathering held at Soda Rock Winery on Thursday, May 2, following the judging. About 10 wineries, all Competition gold-and-above medal winners, poured and convened with a select group of industry influencers, media, and event sponsors and producers.

To view a complete list of 2019 winners, visit https://www.winecompetitions.com/experiencerose or http://rosewinetoday.com/2019-competition/.

Gold-and-above winners in the competition are invited to showcase their wines in The Great Rosé Infusion of Summer, to be held Saturday, June 16 at Soda Rock Winery in Healdsburg.

The Soda Rock event begins at 11 a.m. with an extraordinary Experience exclusively for VIP guests, titled “Rosé Without Cliché.” Thomas DeBiase (Idlewild Wines) will host a panel of distinctive winemakers pouring signature rosés that forever assert the commanding authenticity and captivating individuality rose’ can bring. Winemakers pouring and presenting their wines include Jeff Runquist (Jeff Runquist Wines, Amador), Antoine Favero (Wilson Artisan Wines, Sonoma and Mendocino), and Rick Moshin (Moshin Vineyards, Sonoma).

During the public event, from noon to 4 p.m., guests can expect to taste more than two dozen different rosés, in spaciously set-out themed tasting areas on the picturesque and historic grounds of Soda Rock Winery. Tasting areas are designed to illustrate how readily rosé pairs with so many different cuisines, and guest chefs will be on hand presenting delicious bites. French-trained chef Marc-Henri Jean-Baptiste (Mason Porcella) will serve elegant charcuterie offerings; Melissa Yanc, Healdsburg’s wildly acclaimed artisan baker, brings a tantalizing array of her mouth-watering artisan breads from her Quail and Condor; and Brian Bank will be showcasing his popular new BBQ hot spot in Fairfax, Way Station. By popular demand, Steel Jam has been invited back to fill the event with the exuberance of steel drum.

“There is a burgeoning appetite for all things rosé,” states Experience Rosé Founder and Co-Producer Craig Palmer. “Our goal is to showcase excellence, and the Competition sets that standard. This year we evaluated not only the best in rosé wines, but in rosé-infused spirits, beers and ciders. This is a first-of-its-kind idea for a public event.”

Early bird tickets are available now at experiencerose.com. VIP: $125; General Admission: $85; Designated Driver: $45. Tickets for The Great Rosé Pairing for Summer can be purchased by visiting www.experiencerose.com. For information about other Experience Rosé event, please visit www.experiencerose.com. Like Experience Rosé on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/experiencerosewine/.

Experience Rosé is proud to thank its Presenting Sponsor, Bank of Marin, and Hosting Sponsors: Soda Rock Winery, Jeff Runquist Wines, Spirited, and Wine Competitions Management.

About Wine Competitions Management & Production (WCPM) and Libations Logistics
Based in Santa Rosa, Calif., WCM&P is an independently owned and operated adult beverage competition company with a uniquely designed portfolio to appeal to a niche market based on its regional or otherwise defined style of judging. Its wine competitions include the prestigious world-renowned Sunset International Wine Competition, The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, Harvest Challenge, West Coast Wine Competition, International Eastern Wine Competition, East Meets West, International Women’s Wine Competition, and the Craft Distillers Spirits Competition. It also operates the Mendocino Cider Competition and manages Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition. See website at www.winecompetitions.com.

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.

Tasting and Lesson with Stacie Hunt: Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe

May 31, 2019 by evebushman

Had the pleasure of sitting in on a lecture of the wines of the Valle de Guadalupe with the LA Wine Writers at our favorite spot for a wine paired luncheon, Napa Valley Grille, a few weeks ago. Will share what I learned and tasted below, or you can just skip to the story in photos here.

Some Things We Learned

There are over 200 years of wine history in the area, with the first grapes, table grapes, being planted before the 16^th century. Jesuit priests reactivated winemaking in the Tijuana area in 1791. In the 1800s the Dominicans came in, the Jesuits were out, and planting began north of Ensenada. By the 1900s Russian Molokans fled Russia and they too settled in Baja.

Over the years winemaking has changed due to new technology, growing techniques and water issues. (Underground aquifers are being exhausted due to drought. Drip systems can help control the salinity of the wines.) Most days reach 85 degrees, however the nights are at least 20 degrees lower and breezy. Stacie said that the fog creeps over in the morning and like a cat’s paws.

Some of the red wines being produced, with ABVs between 14-15%, include Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Grenache, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Mision, Sangiovese and other Italian reds.

Whites, with ABVs between 12-13%, include Chardonnay, Chasselas, Chenin Blanc, Macabeo (aka Viura), Muscat Blanc, Palomino, Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Mision Blanco, Albariño and a variety of Italian whites.

There are many notable wineries including Casa de Piedra, Casa Magoni, Paraleo, Mogor Badan, Monte Xanic, L.A. Cetto, Montefiore and more. There are approximately 200 bonded wineries in total.

There is no system presently, for classifications on the labels, however, like California, bottles have to be made of 75% of one singular variety to have that variety’s name on the label. The only other items on a label have to be the producer’s name, region and the alcohol content.

One of Stacie’s mentors is winemaker, educator and a leader in the field, Hugo D’Acosta. He created an educational facility for budding winemakers in El Porvenir, has vineyards in Bordeaux and Pyrenees and partners with Wente in Napa and Milagro in San Diego.

These wines are “not your daddy’s wine” Stacie said, not like the wines of Bordeaux or Italy though they share similar varieties. The terroir makes a difference in the varietal character, which you may see via my tasting notes below.

The Wine and Pairing

This four course wine paired luncheon, one of many I’ve enjoyed with the LA Wine Writers, was outstanding as usual. Below are the courses, the wines (all retail for $35 and under), notes on the wines and the pairings.

Poached Bosc Pear with Burrata and Endive

Cavas Maciel, Venus Rosa of Merlot

100% Merlot Rose

Valle de Guadalupe

Aroma: Pink grapefruit, pear, pale florals, pebbles, flint.

Flavor: Peach, crisp acidity and then palate drying, a slight salinity.

Pairing: Very refreshing on the palate.

Diver Scallop Crudo with Cucumber Brunoises, Blood Orange Reduction

Monte Xanic, Sauvignon Blanc

100% Sauvignon Blanc

Valle de Guadalupe

Aroma: Lemon-lime, fruit cocktail, white peach.

Flavor: Meyer lemon, crisp, clean and low acid.

Pairing: The fruit in the dish and in the wine made for a good pairing.

Seared Cumin Crusted Seabass, Coconut Cauliflower Puree

El Cielo, Chardonnay 2015

100% Chardonnay (oaked)

Valle de Guadalupe

Aroma: Toasted oak, butter, cream, Golden Delicious apple, rich mouthfeel with some salinity.

Flavor: Lemon, oak, hay, balanced fruit and acid.

Second wine: Vinos Lechuza, Chardonnay 2016

100% Chardonnay (stainless steel)

Valle de Guadalupe

Aroma: Unsalted butter, banana, kiwi, pale oak.

Flavor: Golden Delicious apple (again), oak, buttery with a long finish.

Pairing: I preferred the oaked Chardonnay over the stainless with this dish.

Pasta Arrabbiata with Romano Pecorino

Vinos de la Reina, Sangiovese 2015

100% Sangiovese

Valle de San Vicente

Aroma: A slight vegetal aroma blew off in a few minutes, then I got plums, perfumy, char and a dusty quality.

Flavor: Red to dark fruit, pepper, tannic, dry, jammy. (Stacie said the jammy quality comes from the heat in the area.)

Pairing: Most of the writers inhaled this pairing and who am I to argue? But maybe I was just saving myself for the grand finale.

Santa Maria Grilled Tri Tip Chimichurri, Spring Farmer’s Vegetables, Tri Tip Jus.

Vina Cava, Tempranillo 2016

100% Tempranillo

Valle de Guadalupe

Aroma: Earth, dust, blueberry, blackberry – perfume to my nose.

Flavor: Deep, dark and dusty with black fruit, char and oak. Another wine I will look for again.

Pairing: The spice in this dish enhanced the wine perfectly.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Best Wine of the World 2018 Competition’s Winners have been selected – the Best Wine in the World is Masseto 2009

May 16, 2019 by evebushman

BWW-The Best Wine of the World-competition is by far the toughest wine competition on this planet. Unlike any other industry competition, only 1% of the wines involved will be awarded.

HELSINKI/PRNewswire/ — The BWW 2018 competition was held in the world’s largest wine information service – tastingbook.com. 18,477 wines received in total 2,354,989 votes from 416,000 wine professionals and wine lovers from 116 countries during the three months voting period.

After the voting period, only 100 most voted wines in seven different categories remained in the Finals, organized in January 2019. The seven main categories included red wine, white wine, rose wine, sparkling wine, fortified wine, champagne and Wine Critic.

In the Finals the wines were evaluated and ranked two different times as blind by the panels of Tasting Book Professionals (selected Judges from over 7000 Pros: Wine writes, bloggers, MW’s. Wine makers etc.)

The six main wine categories included red wine, white wine, rose wine, sparkling wine, fortified wine and champagne categories. Under each category, the best wines were also awarded according to price level and country categories.

The Title above all categories – The Best Wine of the World 2018 – was awarded to the wine that won the highest scores in the Finals.

In BWW Competition 2018, the Best Wine of the World -title was awarded to the Masseto 2009, Tuscany, Italy.

The Best White Wine of the World -title was awarded to the Joseph Drouhin Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche 2010, Burgundy, France

“It is without saying that winning the Trophy of Best White Wine of the World is an immense satisfaction. We, as a Team, feel very honoured and would like to thank the wine professionals for their vote. The relationship between our two families, Laguiche and Drouhin, goes back to 1947. Complex, refined, elegant with exceptional flavours and texture the Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche is truly an iconic wine showing the unique soul of its soil.” – Veronique Boss Drouhin

Other Winners of the main categories are:

Best Winery of the World: Winner: Niepoort

Best Champagne of the World: Winner: Dom Perignon 2002, Champagne, France

Best Wine Critic of the World: Winner: Jancis Robinson

Best Red Wine of the World: Winner: Masseto 2009

Best Champagne of the World: Winner: Dom Pérignon Rosé 2006

Best Sparkling Wine of the World: Winner: Brundlmayer Brut Rosé

Best Rosé Wine of the World: Winner: Château de la Soujeole Malepère 2017

Best Sweet Wine of the World: Winner: Château d’ Yquem 2009

Best Port Wine of the World: Winner: Niepoort Vintage Port 2015

Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wine of the World: Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Best Merlot Wine of the World: Petrus 2011

Best Pinot Noir Wine of the World: Armand Rousseau Chambertin 2009

Other 150 winners and prizes can be found at www.tastingbook.com

BWW is the largest wine competition in the world, whether measured by the number of wines, the number of consumers involved or the judges taking part.

BWW warmly welcomes all vineyards to enter their wine for the 2019 competition.

Registration is the easiest, fastest, and most affordable in the business. Register at www.bwwcompetition.com.

SOURCE Tastingbook

Wine and Cheese Pairing the Millennial Way

April 18, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Millennials may have killed canned tuna and mayonnaise, but when it comes to wine and cheese, they are willing to put their money where their mouth is – and that bodes well for imports.

Photo: Wisconsin public radio.

“Millennial consumers have sophisticated palates, and their taste in both cheese and wine extends beyond U.S. borders,” said Charles Duque, Managing Director Americas for the French Dairy Board. “They grew up going to grocery stores stocked with imported goods, and these luxuries became part of everyday life. Additionally, with the popularity of Instagram, Millennials are deliberately choosing foods to eat and share that make a great ‘gram’,” he added. In cheese terms, varieties that are gooey, like a runny brie or one with a pop of color like Mimolette are popular with Millennial consumers.

“When it comes to wine, Millennials are open-minded, curious, and willing to taste many different styles,” says Gordana Josovic, Head Sommelier, Beasts & Bottles in Brooklyn, NY. “Traditional cheese and wine pairing rules of their parents’ era do not always apply.”

Adam Teeter, Co-Founder of Vinepair.com, agrees and points out that Millennials are more likely to opt for a grape or region they’ve never tried, such as Beaujolais, Chenin Blanc, Rosé from Provence, Malbec and even Canned Sparkling Wine, and aren’t swayed by an ad campaign. “Millennials are not interested in a score or rating, but instead a great tale that will capture their purse. They are making less formal and certainly more budget conscious decisions,” said Teeter. “They are looking for a relatable story and an approachable price.”

Here are some perfect Millennial pairings to consider:
1.    Beaujolais – Raclette, Beaufort
2.    Chenin Blanc – Crottin de Chavignol, Comté – 12 months
3.    Canned Sparkling Wine – Chaource, Saint André
4.    Provence Rosé – Young Cantal or Young Brie
5.    Malbec – Saint Nectaire, Fourme d’Ambert
6.    Vintage Grower Champagne – Stravecchio Parmigiano Reggiano

About The Cheeses of Europe:
The Cheeses of Europe Marketing Campaign, orchestrated by CNIEL (The French Dairy Inter-Branch Organization) and funded in part by the European Union, was designed to create awareness for the variety of European cheeses available in the U.S. market and to suggest ways that American consumers can incorporate those cheeses into their diets, recipes and lifestyles. The campaign’s goal is to increase the appeal of European cheeses and strengthen their competitive position in the growing specialty cheese category.

Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival Returns April 29-May 5

April 17, 2019 by evebushman

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Returning in just one month for a seven-day run following the success of last year’s expansion to a week-long event, the 2019 Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival presented by Mercedes Benz of Charlottesville will return to Charlottesville to celebrate the best of wines in the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA) of Virginia beginning Monday, April 29 through Sunday, May 5. Events will take place at Vault Virginia, multiple area wineries and restaurants, and Sprint Pavilion.

Tickets are on sale now and available at monticellowinetrailfestival.com and the Charlottesville’s Visitor Center on the downtown mall. Patrons will again have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of events available with optional VIP upgrades.

The Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival, an established spring tradition in Charlottesville, is a partnership between the Monticello Wine Trail, Sprint Pavilion and Vault Virginia, with presenting sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Charlottesville. The Monticello Wine Trail is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote quality grapes and wine produced in the Monticello AVA. Dynamic winemakers, who are creating a unique wine region that features wines with an authentic expression of place, shape the region. The high quality of these wines is often recognized with success in national and international wine competitions.

“The Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival is a great opportunity to experience all of what the Monticello AVA has to offer. Expanding the festival from three to seven days allowed us to schedule a wider variety of events so guests can create an itinerary that matches their personal tastes,” said MWT President George Hodson.

Participating Vineyards and Wineries

The 2019 Monticello Wine Trail Festival will feature 29 participating regional wineries and vineyards, including: Afton Mountain Vineyards, Barboursville Vineyards, Blenheim Vineyards, Burnley Vineyards, Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery, Chestnut Oak Vineyard, Cunningham Creek Winery, Delfosse Vineyards & Winery, Early Mountain Vineyards, First Colony Winery, Flying Fox Vineyard, Gabriele Rausse Winery, Glass House Winery, Grace Estate Winery, Horton Vineyards, Jefferson Vineyards, Keswick Vineyards, Kilaurwen Winery, King Family Vineyards, Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery, Lovingston Winery, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Reynard Florence Vineyard, Stinson Vineyards, Stone Mountain Vineyards, Thistle Gate Vineyard, Trump Winery, Veritas Vineyard & Winery and Wisdom Oak Winery.
2019 Schedule of Events & Ticket Information

Festival Kick-Off – Monday, April 29: Monticello Cup Awards
Vault Virginia
6-10 p.m.
An exciting event for the wine enthusiast to kick off this year’s Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival, taste award-winning wines from the 2019 Monticello Cup WineCompetition alongside the wine growers and winemakers who made them. The night ends with the competition results for the Top 6 wines and winner of the prestigious Monticello Cup for the overall highest scoring wine.
Tuesday, April 30 – Thursday, May 2: Winemaker Dinners
A series of collaborative dinners between local restaurants and wineries.
For event details and locations, visit monticellowinetrailfestival.com. Reservations are required for each dinner. Contact participating wineries. More dinners to be added.
- Wednesday, May 1 – Brasserie Saison Winemakers Dinner (Afton Mountain Vineyards & Jake Busching Wines).
- Thursday, May 2 – Taste of White Hall Winemakers Dinner (Grace Estate Winery, Stinson Vineyards, White Hall Vineyards)
- Thursday, May 2 – Going Rogue: A Most Peculiar Wine Tasting (Early Mountain Vineyards, Flying Fox Vineyards, King Family Vineyards, Lightwell Survey Wines, Veritas Vineyard & Winery)
Friday, May 3: The 3rd Annual Rosé Lunch
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Call for event information: 434.245.4920
The 3^rd annual Monticello AVA Rosé Lunch will feature four rosés from the Monticello AVA perfectly paired with a seasonal menu.
Friday, May 3: Winery Tours and Tastings
For event details and locations, visit monticellowinetrailfestival.com. These events will have limited tickets available depending on location. Please contact participating winery for more information.
Friday, May 3: A Spirited Wine Trail Reception
For event details and locations, visit monticellowinetrailfestival.com.
Saturday, May 4: The Grand Tasting
Sprint Pavilion
1:30-5:30 p.m. (VIP ticket holders gain early entry at 12:30 p.m.)
Tickets (ages 12 and under are Free):
General Admission: $29 until Midnight April 15, $35 after April 15, $40 at gate
General Admission Designated Driver or Under 21: $10
VIP: $80
VIP Designated Driver or Under 21: $25
Tasting event at Sprint Pavilion featuring more than 25 local wineries and live entertainment. An exclusive VIP ticket is available and offers catered food and an opportunity for sampling exclusive wines from each winery.
Wine tastings will be limited to one flight of tastings per winery with the purchase of your ticket. Extra wine can be purchased by the glass or bottle.
Festival Finale – Sunday, May 5: The 4th Annual Sparkling Brunch
Veritas Vineyard & Winery
10 a.m.-Noon | Tickets are $25
Wrapping up this year’s Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival, the 4th Annual Monticello AVA Sparkling Brunch will be held at Veritas Vineyard & Winery and will feature sparkling wines from five area wineries. The ticket prices includes food and a tasting from each sparkling producer. Additional glasses, or bottles, of sparkling wine can be purchased for on and offsite consumption.

Complete schedule of all events, information and menus available at monticellowinetrailfestival.com.

For more information on the Monticello Wine Trail Festival, visit monticellowinetrailfestival.com, and follow on: Facebook.com/TasteOfMonticelloWineTrailFestival, and Twitter@TasteMonticello.

Cheese, Beer, Wine, Cider – A Field Guide to 75 Perfect Pairings

April 10, 2019 by evebushman

In Cheese, Beer, Wine, Cider [Countryman Press; March 19, 2019; Flexibound; $24.95], authors Steve Jones and Adam Lindsley show that while wine may be the more traditional pairing with cheese, sometimes there’s no better companion than a strong milk stout or a woodsy, hops-forward cider.

Lindsley and Jones not only offer pairings, but also a “how-to” of eating cheese with beer, wine, and cider. This includes:

Nine rules of buying and serving cheese
Notes about alcohol, including the serving temperatures, glassware, and pouring tips
Tips for making new pairings, which include the three pillars of matchmaking and what to drink with cheese in a restaurant

Once you get into the 75 exciting combinations presented in Cheese, Beer, Wine, Cider, you’ll wonder why you never thought to pair a salty, dry Manchego with a semisweet American cider, producing the flavor of a rich buttery pie crust, or a Quadrello di Bufala with a Flanders red ale, which tastes astonishingly close to cherry cheesecake. Of course, in addition to the pairings, Jones and Lindsley also provide flavor profiles of the cheeses and beverages, and describe exactly why the flavors work so well together for each pairing.

Equally useful are the “Quick Bite” blurbs which provide history and context. These include a discussion on the process of malt roasting, how the less common French process of saignée is used to produce rosé, and a brief history of cider’s strange relationship to US tax codes.

With Cheese, Beer, Wine, Cider, you’ll have the knowledge to create a party conversation starter, a primer on how to pair 75 different cheeses with beer, wine, and cider, and you’ll develop new skills in describing flavors, along with plenty of trivia about cheese and alcohol production. Thanks to Lindsley and Jones, you’ll never stress about how to pair cheese and alcohol again.

About the Authors: Steve Jones’s Portland-based shops, Cheese Bar and Chizu, have been heralded among The Best Cheese Shops in America (Travel + Leisure). Adam Lindsley is a Pacific Northwest contributor for Serious Eats.

TITLE: Cheese, Beer, Wine, Cider: A Field Guide to 75 Perfect Pairings

AUTHOR: Steve Jones & Adam Lindsley

PUBLICATION DATE: March 19, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-68268-243-2

PRICE: $24.95

PAGES: 224

Rosé All Day Garden, New Seminar Stage Announced for 2019 South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival

April 6, 2019 by evebushman

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (PRWEB) – America’s most renowned wine and food festivals have four main ingredients—celebrity winemakers, top culinary talent, informative tasting seminars, and elements that highlight and celebrate current trends. The South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, April 25 – 28, combines these elements to create the ultimate wine weekend in Northwest Florida. Held in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, the 2019 South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will feature a dazzling roster of celebrity winemakers, distillers, chefs, brew masters and entertainers while presenting popular features, including the Rosé All Day Garden, provocative seminars with industry leaders and culinary masters, aiming to please every palate.

“I have been immediately captivated by the opportunity to feature Château Sainte Roseline at the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. This later is one of the oldest international wine festivals in the US which has been widely acclaimed by both the wine industry and the general public,” said Aurélie Bertin, owner of Chateau Sainte Roseline in Provence. Bertin will be featured and pour her highly sought-after sustainable wines in the Rosé All Day Garden at the Saturday and Sunday Grand Tastings, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Presented by ResortQuest, the Rosé All Day Garden will feature Rosés from around the globe, including Italy, Spain, France, South America and from North America, California and Oregon. The entire Grand Park will be transformed into all things Rosé. From pink décor to machines whipping out Frosé, a popular frozen drink made with Hendrix Gin and Marques De Caceres Rioja Rosé, the Garden will be blooming pink. Rosé champagne, Rosé sparkling wines and Rosé wine from domestic and international vineyards will be among the hundred different tasting options. Attendees are invited to embrace the theme by donning their favorite pink, rose or blush colored attire. A photo booth and Rosé swag from ResortQuest give guests every opportunity to see and drink pink.

“Furthermore, the casual atmosphere of the festival and the Florida sunshine and warmth go hand in hand with the promotion of Rosé wines from Provence – a wine that in itself promotes conviviality. Last but not least, the charitable aspects of the festival encouraging the adoption of good values is dear to my heart,” Bertin added. “I look forward to being part of the festival.”

Additional festival featured winemakers and celebrity guests include Erik Kramer of Willakenzie Estate, Eugenia Keegan of Grand Moraine and Jackson Family wines and Mollie Battenhouse with Jackson Family Wines – all of whom will pay homage to their Oregon-showcased wines in the Culinary Village. Additionally, they will present their Oregon-themed tasting seminar on the Seminar Stage, Sunday at 1:30 pm.

Also appearing for the first time at South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, Ralph Hertelendy of Hertelendy Vineyards, John Grochau of Grochau Cellars, Robert Alstrin with Argyle Winery. They will pour their prized wines and be available to discuss them with festival attendees.

Legendary Bill Samuels, Jr. of Maker’s Mark, will pour his iconic whisky at the Maker’s Mark large-scale activation on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Samuel’s will be joined by master mixologist Bobby Gleason, teaming up to delight fans with an original cocktail. Samuel’s will also present a once-in-a-lifetime tasting seminar on Saturday on the Seminar Stage, Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Educational tasting seminars are another exciting element of a world-class wine festival, and the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will once again feature highly-sought after winemakers and master distillers from around the world sharing their knowledge and love of producing fine wines and spirits.

In a repeat of last year’s standing-room only seminar, world-renown cheese expert and educator Michael Landis of Intitut du Fromage presents “The Perfect Pair(ing)” as the second seminars on both Saturday and Sunday at 2:45 p.m. Enjoy tantalizing pairings of award-winning cheeses, meats and more to perfectly pair with wine. Landis has been teaching food and beverage pairings for more than 20 years. Enjoy selected wines from Jackson Family Wines poured to compliment the cheeses and meats.

The four-day celebration of wine also includes Craft Beer & Spirits Jam, Spirits Row, Nosh Pavilions, live entertainment and more than 800 wines and spirits presented by knowledgeable wine industry insiders.

Tickets are now on sale. Event details and tickets are available at http://www.sowalwine.com. To purchase tickets, visit https://sowalwine.com/tickets/. Special festival rates on accommodations can be made with our participating lodging partners at https://sowalwine.com/information/#accommodations.

Presented by Wine Enthusiast Media, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and Visit South Walton, the festival offers the ideal backdrop for a beach getaway. The Festival is made possible by the generous support of the following Founding Partners: Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, Visit South Walton Tourist Development Council, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Wine World of Northwest Florida and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals is the official lodging partner of the festival.

About South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
This year’s annual South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will be held April 26-29, 2018 throughout the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. The festival features a stunning showcase of the best wines in the world. Meet the celebrity wine producers and master distillers presenting their fine wine and spirits from around the world. The Savor South Walton Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars. Visit the new Rosé All Day Garden, Spirits Row and Nosh Pavilions and enjoy live entertainment throughout the weekend. The Craft Beer & Spirits Jam and Winemakers & Shakers events round out the extended festival weekend. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.SoWalWine.com.

22nd Annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival Announced for May 17-19

April 3, 2019 by evebushman

Anderson Valley, CA – The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association is pleased to announce that the 22nd annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival will take place May 17, 18 and 19, 2019. Wine lovers are invited to sip, sample and savor Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (plus rose and sparkling wines) from more than 50 producers, enjoy mouth-watering food pairings by the region’s best chefs and local caterers, and listen to live music while bidding on exquisite auction lots for local charity.

The much-anticipated weekend’s events range from educational seminars to a live music BBQ, grand tasting, winemaker dinners and free winery open houses – all hosted amidst the spectacular beauty of Anderson Valley’s vineyards and towering redwood trees. Music lovers will be happy to learn about an added bonus – this year Camp Navarro will host a concert on Saturday evening. The events have achieved a loyal following for being distinctively uncrowded and unpretentious, with an array of Pinot Noir styles that serve as the ideal introduction (or refresher course!) to the Anderson Valley.

“We could not be more thrilled to celebrate the 22^nd annual Pinot Noir Festival,” says Kristy Charles, President of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association and Owner of Foursight Wines. “Our aim is that revelers will leave the festival with a deeper connection to our vineyards and an appreciation for the caliber of wines coming out of Anderson Valley.”

A full list of events can be found below, as well as at avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival.
Tickets are available for individual events as well as for weekend packages. Discounted ticket packages are available when booked together, and limited. Winemaker dinners will be announced on Friday, March 15 at noon and often sell-out quickly. Sign up for the AVWA mailing list to be informed of event updates. Tent and cabin accommodations at Camp Navarro are available Thursday through Sunday on their website: campnavarropresents.com/anderson-valley-pinot-festival.

Event tickets are limited and will sell out, so early purchase is strongly recommended. For more information, please call 707.895.9463 or visit avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival.

About Anderson Valley
Anderson Valley, located less than 100 miles north of San Francisco, is an area blessed with a temperate cool coastal climate. Classified in viticultural terms as a Region 1 growing area, this designates it as the coolest climate in which grapes may be commercially grown with any success. Cutting laterally through the coastal range rather than lying between ridges, the west or “deep end” of the Anderson Valley is only a few miles from the cold Pacific Ocean, while the town of Boonville is some 20 miles to the east. The combination of warm sunny days and cool foggy nights and mornings allow the grapes from this region to mature slowly and to develop to the height of their varietal character. The planted acreage in the Anderson Valley consists primarily of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling. There are also small acreages of other varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Merlot.

In addition to producing superb Pinot Noirs and Alsace varietal wines, the valley is home to three methode champenoise sparkling houses.

About the About the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association
The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA) is a not-for-profit trade group created in 1983 to promote the grapes and wines of the Anderson Valley winegrowing appellation. The AVWA is supported through the dues paid by its membership, generous sponsorships, and proceeds from the festivals and events the association produces each year.

Along with promoting the Anderson Valley as a viticultural region, AVWA also works to build its community. To date over $400,000 has been donated to local community groups such as the Anderson Valley Health Center, Anderson Valley Housing Association, Anderson Valley Ambulance, the Anderson Valley Fire Department, as well as the Community Foundation of Mendocino County Disaster Fund for the most recent fire relief and recovery efforts. For more information on the AVWA, please visit www.avwines.com.

Vintage Eve Circa 3/2016: Tasting the New 2012 (And One 14 Rosé) Mystic Hills Vineyard Releases

April 2, 2019 by evebushman

It was a thrill to taste the newly released 2012 wines (and one 2014!) from Mystic Hills Vineyard because…every wine from their first release has received awards from various competitions! (Read more here) And this, just their second release, is poised for the same level of achievements.

I invited a few wine lovers over to share these first tastes, and to also chime in on the aromas and flavors they found. And, if you’re not interested in tasting notes know this: the tasting was a resounding success with all six guests agreeing that the wines were superb.

2014 H.E.A.R.T.S Rosé

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot

With vibrant aromas of fresh strawberry, ripe raspberry, wet stones and a hint of Meyer lemon it was followed up in the mouth with the same luscious red fruit flavors with the addition of apricot, red ruby grapefruit and a welcoming mild acidic finish.

We paired this Rosé with a BBQ Shrimp recipe that actually has no BBQ sauce or required barbequing; it was just all garlic, unsalted butter, Worchestershire sauce, lemon, pepper and Cajun seasoning. The Rosé was the perfect refresher between bites. 90 Eve pts.

Cabernet Sauvignon

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Sweet plum, cherry, black fruit, toasted marshmallow, wet bark and red rose wafted up in the nose of this Cab. The taste was all cherry, raspberry, earth and a bit of oak with mouth drying tannins. This one was voted “easy to drink” by the group.

Gran Trio

Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Blueberry, black currant, blackberry, incense and earth – all on the nose. Then with the taste we got beautiful red to blue fruit, spice, firm tannins and a nice long finish. As we let this open up in our glasses we noted more fruit developing. 90 Eve pts.

Unforgiven

Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec.

Aromas of dried blue fruit, cloves, mushroom and black pepper filled our noses. Once tasted we found robust jammy qualities with red fruit, spice and cracked pepper all in great balance.

My husband had guests wait to finish this stellar blend with a chocolate caramel Crème Brûlée he had made. As he torched the sugar and fresh mint into a crust, we waited expectantly. It was magical. 92 Eve pts. With the pairing, 93 Eve pts.

All three reds were paired with our cheese and charcuterie appetizer. Some also enjoyed the reds with the BBQ shrimp, and due to the pepper and spice in the dish, I agreed that it worked well.

http://www.mystichillsvineyard.com/

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