Vintage Eve Circa 8/2013: Tasting, and Learning, from Louie Lucas of Lucas and Lewellen Vineyards

June 20, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Walking into the Lucas and Lewellen Vineyards tasting room on the popular Copenhagen Drive in Solvang, I was pleased to have my winery appointment set up with Louie Lucas himself. Before we even sat down he started giving us some history of his winery.

Louie Lucas is on the far right, with his hands on his award-winning grapes. Photo from Facebook.

With 400 acres, and four different properties, Lucas and Lewellen grows 25 grape varietals. The tasting room had been open for 10 years – serving up to 25 wines. The planting began in 1970 and Lucas has been in the area for 40 years.

The current winemaker for the last five years is Megan McGrath Gates, who went to UC Davis for her wine credentials.

Wining Awards For Others

Lucas and Lewellen Vineyards has a long history of selling grapes to Napa wineries as well as more local winemakers. So, his grapes “win awards for others”. And he also makes wines for others, like actress Jane Seymour. Amongst his list is Chardonnay to Kendall Jackson, more goes to Jed Steele of Steele wines, Muscat to Napa’s Castello di Amorosa, Gewurztraminer to V. Sattui and Syrah to winemaking legend Heidi Barrett.

I asked Lucas if I could mention this in my article, he hesitated for two seconds and then agreed, saying, “Its too late for them to get me!”

Lucas’ father and grandfather were grape growers, and what they produced had to be perfect and blemish free, even the stems had to be cured. “You grow good grapes,” Lucas said. “And you get good wine.”

“Today we buy from catalogs when shopping for root stocks,” Lucas said in regards to how things have changed in 40 years. “So many more variations then we had before, and all are supposed to be resistant to disease, we shall see.”

Lucas and Lewellen has 1200 French oak barrels, and buys both new and used. They added 300 new barrels last year and are experimenting with hybrid barrels that are made from half American and half French oak.

Tasting

2011 Blanc de Noirs Brut Sparkling wine, 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

Juicy fruit strawberry and peach on the nose, nice toast and jam on the palate. They don’t make the wine, instead they use a sparkling wine facility to make it, and only use their handpicked grapes. Outstanding.

Viognier 2012

A touch of stainless steel, followed by peach, kiwi, candied ginger and pear on the nose. Very balanced on the taste. Perfect.

2009 Chenin Blanc

White peaches, lime, green grapes, green grass. Great viscosity, mouth coating, not acidic.

Gewurztraminer 2011

Lemons, earth, peppermint on nose. Same gentle mouthfeel and low acid.

2011 Old Vine Moscato

2% residual sugar. Candied orange, wet wood, cloves.

2012 Pinot Noir Rose (100% Pinot)

Cherry, stems, rose petals…again, that nice balance and viscosity.

2009 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir, Estate

New clones since the “movie” (a nod to “Sideways”), and now making outstanding Pinot Noir wines from 10 different clones.

Good dark cherries, dry, green peppercorns.

2010 High Nine Pinot 667 clone, Santa Maria.

Smokey, charred, bright red fruit, long finish.

Malbec 2010

Blue and red fruit, dry, medium length. A favorite.

2007 Petit Verdot

Inky black color, blue fruit, blueberry jam rolled up in a pancake on the nose. Mature and tannic on the palate. Another fave.

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Cote del Sol (means “The Sun side”)

Balanced red and blue fruit and tannins, very good, long finish.

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Valley View

83 cab percent and all other Bordeaux grapes

Balanced, dusty, plums bell pepper.

2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 6

Dark purple, jammy, dry toast, plums.

http://www.llwine.com

Tasting Room: 1645 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang, CA 93463

MARTINI Vintage Prosecco scores 95+ at The Drinks Business Prosecco Masters

June 11, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Hamilton, Bermuda – MARTINI® Prosecco Vintage 2016 has achieved a top score of 95+ points at The Drinks Business Prosecco Masters 2017, beating strong competition from some of the world’s best loved Prosecco brands including Bisol, Bottega, Follador and Andreola.

The judging panel, comprising five Masters of Wine, also presented MARTINI Prosecco Vintage with one of six Master Medals, a testament to the exceptional quality of the wine.

MARTINI is the world’s best selling Italian sparkling wine brand and is driving growth worldwide through innovation. This multi-award winning wine was crafted by MARTINI’s Master Winemaker of the past 30 years, Franco Brezza. Made from 100% Glera grapes from the 2016 harvest, MARTINI Prosecco Vintage is pale gold in color with hints of emerald green and delicate bubbles. It offers delicate floral notes and fresh green apple and lime undertones.

Shane Hoyne, CMO Europe & North America, comments: “Premium Italian sparkling wine is experiencing tremendous growth, fuelled by consumers’ love of its light, refreshing style. Prosecco is the fastest growing category in the global sparkling wine industry, and we have created this exquisite tasting and beautifully packaged product to lead that growth and to knock on Champagne’s door with a strong quality statement”.

Franco Brezza, Master Winemaker says: “We have used all expertise and know-how to create a sparkling wine that offers a true alternative to champagne. The harmonic but delicate flavors make this the perfect style to enjoy as an aperitif.”

Instantly recognizable with a gold foil and stylish glass bottle, MARTINI Prosecco Vintage joins a selection of award-winning wines in the growing MARTINI Sparkling Wine portfolio including its sister wine, MARTINI Vintage Asti. Other wines in the range include MARTINI Prosecco, MARTINI Asti, MARTINI Rosé, MARTINI Brut, MARTINI Riesling, Alta Langa and Montelera.

The full results of The Drinks Business Prosecco Masters will be announced in the May issue of The Drinks Business, which will be distributed at the London Wine Fair at London’s Olympia from 22^nd – 26^th May.

About The Drinks Business Prosecco Awards
The Drinks Business Prosecco Awards is now in its fourth year and judged 135 Proseccos. This year’s international panel of experts included Alex Canneti, Anthony Foster MW, Jonathan Pedly MW, Roberto Della Pietra, Patrick Schmitt MW, Patricia Stefanowicz MW and Nick Tatham MW.

About MARTINI
One of the most iconic brands in the world, MARTINI® is the leading name in Italian winemaking and a purveyor of the highest quality aromatized and sparkling wines. The award-winning, vibrant and bittersweet taste of the MARTINI range is the result of secret blends of more than 40 botanicals sourced from the finest locations across the globe. The MARTINI portfolio includes: MARTINI Bianco, MARTINI Rosato, MARTINI Rosso, MARTINI Extra Dry, MARTINI Asti, MARTINI Moscato d’Asti, MARTINI Prosecco, MARTINI Rosé, MARTINI Brut and MARTINI Royale. Created in 1863 in Turin, Italy, the MARTINI brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, and continues to be the market leader of the category. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

Enjoy Martini Prosecco Responsibly

MARTINI and the ball and bar logo are trademarks.
For more information, please visit www.martini.com

National Association of Professional Women Inducts Eugenia Romeo, Owner of Romeo Vineyards & Cellars/Blue Heron Vineyards, Into VIP Professional Woman of the Year Circle

June 8, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Garden City, NY (PRWEB) – The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) honors Eugenia Romeo as a 2017-2018 inductee into its VIP Woman of the Year Circle. She is recognized with this prestigious distinction for leadership in entrepreneurship. NAPW is the nation’s leading networking organization exclusively for professional women, boasting more than 850,000 members, a thriving eChapter and over 200 operating Local Chapters.

“I’m pleased to welcome Eugenia into this exceptional group of professional women,” said NAPW President Star Jones. “Her knowledge and experience in her industry are valuable assets to her company and community.”

In 1997, Eugenia Romeo and her husband purchased land with a vineyard in downtown Calistoga, CA, in the heart of the Napa Valley. According to the company’s website, “Romeo Vineyards produces elegant and enduring wines from vines forty- two years old…” The vineyard has 25 acres, 16.5 of which were planted in 1971.

Originally from Manhattan, Ms. Romeo’s rich family history goes back 14 generations to Ireland. As winemakers, she and her husband are respectful not only of the vineyard land but of the wildlife who call it home. Blue Heron Vineyard is named for a blue heron that was killed by a poacher on the property years ago. Today, two herons roam freely on the vineyard.

The vineyard’s wine label is called “Sempre Vive,” which in Latin means “Always Alive.” Among the many award-winning wines produced at the vineyard are whites, roses and reds. Customers may enjoy these wines at the on-site tasting room that was opened in 2014. There is plenty of outdoor seating and people can reserve the space for catered events. The tasting room also features a pizza oven and portable bar. Discounts are available to military personnel as well as members of the vineyard’s exclusive wine club.

Awards & Accomplishments:
Ed.D., College of Notre Dame; member of Wine Association, Family Wine Makers and California CA Grape Growers

About NAPW
NAPW’s mission is to provide an exclusive, highly advanced networking forum to successful women executives, professionals and entrepreneurs where they can aspire, connect and achieve. Through innovative resources, unique tools and progressive benefits, professional women interact, exchange ideas, advance their knowledge and empower each other.

Perlis Picks: The Rhone Rangers Back Again [Part Two]

May 6, 2017 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

Last week’s article was about the seminar that kicked off the latest Rhone Rangers event in Los Angeles.

Now it is time to report on the grand tasting. Three dozen wineries were pouring, mostly from Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles]:

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Bud break, photo courtesy Rhone Ranger Facebook.

Adelaida Vineyards & Winery

Alta Colina

Andrew Murray Vineyards

Bernat

Bonny Doon Vineyard

Broken Earth Winery

Calcareous Vineyard

Crux Winery

Derby Wine Estates

Eberle Winery

Fess Parker & Epiphany

Hearst Ranch Winery

Jaffurs Wine

Kaleidos

Kenneth Volk Vineyards

Kukkula

Leverage

Lone Madrone

Martian Ranch & Vineyard

Morgan Winery

Petrichor Vineyards

Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery

Qupé

Ranchero Cellars

Record Family Wines

Rideau

Ridge Vineyards

Sculpterra Winery

Seven Oxen

Tablas Creek Vineyard

tercero wines

Thacher Winery

The Withers Winery

Two Shepherds

Vines on the Marycrest

Wrath

Zaca Mesa

Zenaida Cellars

I was determined to get to some new wineries along with some old favorites. With that many wineries, I couldn’t taste nearly everything. So, before I begin my personal picks from the event, I’d like to preface my remarks. More than maybe any other event, the Rhone Rangers tastings have always impressed me with the overall high quality of the wines being poured. My point is this. I tasted at less than half of the tables and found amazing wines at pretty much all of them. I am quite sure that if I had tasted at the other half of the winery tables, I would have found an equal number of outstanding wines at those stations as well.

That being said, these were the standouts for me of what I tasted – once again, please pardon the lack of diacritical marks on the French words. I’ve added a few comments here and there, along with a few from my wife Karen as well, noted as KP.

Alta Colima

Paso Robles, CA

2013 Toasted Slope Syrah

Andrew Murray Vineyards

Los Olivos, CA

2014 Roasted Slope Syrah

2015 Watch Hill Vineyard Syrah

[Nice to see Andrew Murray, one of my early Rhone influencers, continuing to hit it out of the park.]

Bernat Wines

Los Olivos

2010 Intrigue Syrah

Bonny Doon Vineyard

Santa Cruz, CA

2012 Le Cigare Volant Red Blend

[Randall Grahm is my own personal nominee for the father of the American Rhone movement, with the latest release of the wine that started it all for me.]

KP: Bonny Doon’s 2016 Picpoul was an even balance of bright acidity and minerality. My favorite white of the day.

Calcareous Vineyard

Paso Robles, Ca

2014 Tres Violet Red Blend

2013 Devil’s Canyon Syrah

2013 Moose Red Blend

Crux Winery

Geyserville, CA

2013 GSM, Red Blend

2014 Mourvedre

2013 Syrah

[Nice to taste some of more of the wines from this winery that I was first introduced to at Hospice du Rhone last year.]

Derby Wine Estate

Paso Robles, CA

2011 Mourvedre

2013 Petite Sirah

[For some reason I hadn’t tasted Derby’s wines, even though I am well acquainted with the history of one their vineyards – Laura’s. I’m glad I finally tried them.]

KP: I dragged Michael over to the Derby table. I enjoyed all their white wines and loved their 2015 Mourvedre Rose. Light, refreshing and clean on the palate. It was one of my favorites of the day.

Hearst Ranch

San Simeon, CA

2014 The Pergola Petite Sirah

Leverage

Paso Robles, CA

2016 Leverage Rose, Grenache Blend

2014 Acceleration Red Blend

2014 Trajectory, GSM Red Blend

[A fairly new winery, doing some good things.]

Petrichor Vineyards

Santa Rosa, CA

2014 Syrah

2014 Grenache

2014 Les Trois Red Blend

[I’ve been a fan of this winery since it started. We visited them in 2015. Still making great wines that make you want more of them.]

KP: I tasted the Petrichor 2016 Rose Blend. Subtle and very enjoyable.

Ranchero Cellars

Paso Robles, Ca

2013 Carignane

[Amy Butler might be better known as a consulting winemaker for other wineries in Paso, but her own label is definitely worth seeking out.]

KP: Amy’s 2015 Chrome, Grenache Blanc, knocked me over. It has wonderful mouth feel and bright apple overtones.

Ridge Vineyards

Curpertino, CA

2015 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah

2014 Lytton Estate Grenache/Mataro/Syrah

[An iconic winery. Nothing else needs to be said.]

tercero wines.

Los Olivos, CA

2013 Mourvedre

2011 Grenache, Camp 4 Vineyard

Two Shepherds

Windsor, CA

2014 Pastoral Blanc

2014 Pastoral Melange, Red Blend

Vines on the Marycrest

Paso Robles, CA

2014 Syrah

2014 Petite Sirah

Zaca Mesa

Los Olivos, CA

2014 Mourvedre

2012 Mesa Reserve Syrah

[Almost skipped this oldtimer, until I saw our friend Anita Musi pouring the wine. Turns out she is now their Southern California sales manager. I’m glad we stopped because the wines were excellent.]

Stopping at Zaca Mesa helped to remind me, and I am now reminding you, to check out all of these Rhone Ranger wineries. They’re making wonderful, delicious wines and deserve your attention.

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.

Tasting with Emilien Boutillat, Winemaker of Champagne Armand de Brignac and the “Best Blanc de Noirs in the World”

May 5, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

What a rare treat it was for me to sample the current releases from Champagne Armand de Brignac, aka “Ace of Spades”, that I had to admit I have never sampled before. This is how it went:

The Stage

The boardroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel was the perfect size for a small group of wine writers, wine store buyers, restauranteurs and sommeliers. The table was set with five engraved tasting glasses, courtesy Armand de Brignac. Winemaker Emilien Boutillat sat in the center. Five metallic bottles, each its own unique glistening color, sat icing in a golden bowl. The lighting was brought up so that we could examine our samples. French bottled water was poured to cleanse our palates. A brunch was set up on the side bar to enjoy after the tasting. Sparkling silver wine buckets would soon be – only slightly – filled with leftovers. But there weren’t many leftovers…

Tasting With Emilien Boutillat

Winemaker Emilien Boutillat grew up in Champagne and worked with some very prestigious wineries in Bordeaux, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, South Africa, New Zealand, Chile and California before settling back down in France. He works now with the lead winemaking team: Jean-Jacques and Alexandre Cattier.

Boutillat said that Armand de Brignac produces “just a drop” of Champagne compared to others; only producing about 100,000 cases of all of their cuvees combined per year. Everything, including the riddling, is done by hand. What matters most is the soil, climate, the right time for harvest, blending and – only using the first press of juice. They have purchased from the same growers – who are now friends – every year for many years. “There are no tricks,” Boutillat commented, “we let the fruit talk.” All of the cuvees are multi-vintages and blends.

Brut Gold

40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier

Multi-vintage: 2009, 2010 and 2012

The color of pale hay with aromas of green apple, pineapple, cheddar cheese and wet pebbles. On the mouth I got the same flavors, very bright fruit, with the additions of lemon and toast. 99 Eve pts.

Rosé

50% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay

Multi-vintage: 2009, 2010 and 2012

A beautiful color or rose gold with notes of strawberry, Luxardo cherry and a hint of licorice on the nose followed by flavors of strawberry, limeade, orange zest and a nice long finish. (This was made as a blend, not in the saignée method.) 99 Eve pts.

Blanc de Blancs

100% Chardonnay

Multi-vintage: 2009, 2010 and 2012

A very pale yellow in color, then a nose of ripe red delicious apple, roasted nuts, lemon-lime and white pepper. On the mouth I got pineapple, white peach, white tea and roasted nuts again. 100 Eve pts.

Blanc De Noirs Assemblage Two

100% Pinot Noir

Multi-vintage: 2008, 2009 and 2010

Pale gold in color and aromas of apricots, cream and yes…what everyone noted: peppermint. On the palate that same peppermint was apparent as well as apricot and peach. Also another incredibly long finish. Welcome to the U.S. my pretty friend! 100 Eve pts. (How could I disagree with Fine Champagne Magazine, and TastingBook.com, that named this the best Blanc De Noirs of the year in 2016?)

Demi Sec

40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier

Multi-vintage: 2009, 2010 and 2012

Straw in color, and a nose of fruit cocktail, cheese corn and Jasmine! In the mouth I was reminded of candied apple and cinnamon toast, and the fruit lingers for another long finish. 98 Eve pts.

About Armand de Brignac

“10th and 11th generation champagne growers, Jean-Jacques Cattier and his son, Alexandre, craft the prestige cuvées of Armand de Brignac. Their dream was to create a champagne of the most exceptional quality, that would represent the best of the best from the region, where their family have grown vines for more than 250 years. A group of just 14 highly skilled people touch a bottle of Champagne Armand de Brignac, from pressing the fruit, to the moment the bottles leave the cellars. Each step of the process is led by the human touch, from handpicking the grapes to polishing each bottle and hand-applying French pewter labels. Without the pressures of volume, the team behind Champagne Armand de Brignac focuses on each small detail, to ensure ultimate quality at every step.”

http://armanddebrignac.com/home

https://twitter.com/armanddebrignac

https://www.instagram.com/armanddebrignac/

https://www.facebook.com/ArmanddeBrignac/

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

Perlis Picks: The Rhone Rangers Back Again [Part One]

April 29, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

It doesn’t seem that long ago that we had the pleasure of the Rhone Rangers visiting Los Angeles at the Skirball Center last year. They came out to see us again recently, a little earlier this year than in the past, getting exposure to attendees and enthusiasts who weren’t able to attend last time. So American Rhone fans were provided with an earlier than usual jump on the wine event season as well as the opportunity to taste from some wineries who weren’t able to attend last year’s event, along with some of the usual favorites.

Photo courtesy Rhone Rangers Facebook.

In brief, the Rhone Rangers is an organization of wineries dedicated to wines made in the United States from grapes that have their origins in France’s Rhone Valley. Some of the better known grape varieties are Syrah, Grenache and Viognier, but there are almost two dozen in all. For my wife Karen and me, American Rhone wines are without a doubt favorites of ours [along with Zinfandel, which I just can’t help mentioning] and make up the majority of our own wine enjoyment.

[Speaking of American Rhone, Patrick Comiskey was on hand to autograph copies of his definitive book on the topic during the grand tasting portion of the latest Los Angeles event.]

This year’s event was at a new location, Civic Center Studios in downtown Los Angeles. This central location was selected to help attract more attendees in general as well as more “millennials and hip somms” as explained to me by one of the participants, which makes a lot of sense as they are the future of wine consumption, after all.

This is the kind of event that I recommend going “all in” on if you can, taking advantage of the seminar as well as early VIP entrance to the grand tasting. [VIP status also got you access to the VIP lounge.]

[As I typically request when writing about grapes of French origin, please excuse my eschewing of accent marks, etc.]

The seminar this year was dedicated to pink wines. Titled Rhone-n-Pink, its timing was perfect for the start of spring and heading into the warmer months.

Moderated by Dan Fredman, these were the panelists and the wines they were pouring and discussing:

Andre Murray, Andrew Murray Vineyards [Los Olivos, CA], 2016 Esperance Rose [Cinsault].

Amy Butler, Ranchero Cellars [Paso Robles, CA], 2016 Galaxie Rose [Carignane].

Erich Fleck, Lone Madrone [Paso Robles, CA], 2015 Mourvedre Rose.

Larry Schaffer, tercero wines [Los Olivos, CA], 2016 Mourvedre Rose.

Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard [Santa Cruz, CA], 2013 Vin Gris Tuile

Victor Abascal, Vines on the Marycrest [Paso Robles, CA], 2015 Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah rose blend.

A pretty stellar panel, representing both Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles, along with Randall Grahm to represent the rest of the known universe. [Seriously, no disrespect intended. Randall is probably the winemaker most responsible for my own love of Rhone varietals – I have a signed poster of the 1984 Le Cigare Volant hanging on my wall like a teenager worshipping a rockstar – and without people like him pushing the envelope the wine world would be a much poorer place – definitely more boring. It was really a kick in the head to have Andrew Murray on the panel with him, because after Randall it was also Andrew who really fueled my Rhone interest many years ago.]

Who would have thought that such a seemingly simple topic would have produced such lively discussion? Did the winemaker go for a dark color or light color or maybe didn’t care about the color at all? Were the grapes picked specifically for rose or was the juice used the result of the saignee method [bleeding off the juice from grapes so the remainder can be used for a more concentrated red wine]? Should the wine be a “porch pounder” meant to be consumed as a quaff or should it be as attention getting as any red wine?

And of course, there was Randall’s wine which was, not surprisingly, the outlier of the six, literally solarized, sitting outside in carboys for nine months.

At the end, there were two main takeaways for me. 1. The white zin backlash is still evident as related by these producers of pink wine; it is hard to get people to even taste the stuff. And 2. Regardless of the winemaker’s philosophy of managing color and complexity, the end result still better taste good.

Next week: the Grand Tasting

TEXSOM International Wine Awards Announces 2017 Winners

April 16, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Dallas, Texas – TEXSOM Co-founders and Master Sommeliers James Tidwell and Drew Hendricks today announced the final results for the 2017 TEXSOM International Wine Awards. The Awards garnered 3,581 entries representing 29 countries and 19 U.S. States, a record for the competition.

Entries in the TEXSOM International Wine Awards were blind-tasted and judged by 71 internationally renowned industry influencers from 5 countries. Of these entries, the judges awarded 2,480 medals: 310 Gold medals, 901 Silver medals, and 1269 Bronze medals. Suggested retail pricing of medal-winning entries ranged from US $2.99 to over US $700.00. Vintages spanned 40 years, with the oldest being 1977.

Judges’ Selections winners, those wines that were judged best for their categories, were announced at a reception sponsored by Enterprise Greece during ProWein 2017 at the Greek national pavilion on Monday, March 20. The event was a culmination of a series of award announcements by both Texas Monthly and the TEXSOM social media channels of all the Award-winning wines. All winning wines are listed on the Texas Monthly website at http://www.texasmonthly.com/article/tiwa2017/. Texas Monthly was the presenting sponsor, and has been instrumental in promoting the competition.

Last year, Greek wines showed well at the TEXSOM International Wine Awards, finishing 4th in medals received among the 25 countries entering wines. Enterprise Greece, the Greek government agency responsible for export promotion, is sponsoring some of Greece’s leading wineries at ProWein.

“We had a record year for the TEXSOM International Wine Awards,” said Tidwell. “That paired with the international recognition at ProWein, indicate that the TEXSOM International Wine Awards has become one of the most internationally influential competitions in the world. From the caliber of the judges to the quality of the entries, the Awards set the standard for what key tastemakers and industry influencers believe are the world’s top wines.”

Award entries were arranged by category of beverage, place of origin, and type. The final list of all winners includes: Judges’ Selections, Traditional Method Sparkling Wines, Other Sparkling Wines, Fortified (Dry and Sweet), Sake, White Wines, Rosé and Blush Wines, Red Wines, Ciders, and Fruit, Flavored and Honey Wines.

Wines chosen for Judges’ Selections were nominated by judging panels for specific categories, then blind-tasted by special panels to determine the winner of each Selection. Judges’ Selections demonstrate quality and unique character that are exceptional even amongst their medal-winning peers.

Unique among all other wine competitions, the TEXSOM International Wine Awards involved 42 rising-star sommeliers (separate from the judges) and three editors who have written detailed descriptions of a selection of medal winners. These notes will be highlighted for Featured Wines on the TEXSOM International Wine Awards website over the course of the year, and in the publication TEXSOM presents SOMMELIER. In addition to their duties in crafting notes for the selected award winners, the sommeliers participated in an educational retreat where each attended a series of seminars and observed judging by sitting with a judging panel, and also had the opportunity to receive direct instruction and feedback from a Master Sommelier or Master of Wine on blind tasting of wine.

The TEXSOM International Wine Awards was supported by 71 judges and more than 80 volunteers and staffers working together to make the competition happen. A list of judges may be found on the website at http://texsomiwa.com/.

ABOUT TEXSOM
Founded in 2005, TEXSOM was started by Master Sommeliers James Tidwell and Drew Hendricks to help promote professional wine service standards, outline paths for further wine education and certification, and raise public awareness about the professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. Today the conference draws more than 1,100 attendees, of whom more than 800 are sommeliers and other beverage industry professionals. The TEXSOM group purchased the competition now known as the TEXSOM International Wine Awards in April 2014. One of the largest, most respected, and longest-running in the United States, the competition was founded in 1985 by journalist and wine expert Rebecca Murphy.

Perlises Pick: Great Wines of Italy 2017 – Part One

April 1, 2017 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

Yes, you read that title correctly.

My wife Karen helps a great deal with my articles, usually behind the scenes. She attends tastings with me as often as her busy schedule permits. She reviews all my stories and gives me her two cents [more like $100] worth on a regular basis; my writing would suffer greatly without her input.

Can you find the Perlises in this pic? Photo- James Suckling Facebook.

For quite some time, I’ve been encouraging her to actually share some writing duties with me, and she finally said “yes”! So, I present to you the first truly co-written effort of “Perlises Pick.”

JAMESSUCKLING.COM Great Wines of Italy is an annual tasting with this year’s US portion of the world tour visiting Miami, New York and San Francisco in addition to the event we attended at The Montage in Beverly Hills. As with the previous event of Mr. Suckling’s that we attended [Great Wines of the Andes], wines poured were only those that he had personally tasted and rated 90 points or better. So high quality was practically guaranteed that evening, needless to say.

So was quantity — with over 70 wineries represented and most pouring two wines apiece, it was hard to make more than a dent, but of those we tasted, here are some of our favorites. Please note that the comments in quotes are Mr. Suckling’s [some abbreviated] from the 200 page program, along with his point score. Lazy reporting, perhaps, but I saw no reason to reinvent what Mr. Suckling does so well.

First though, from Karen: It would be wrong not to mention that The Montage set out a beautiful and large spread. I was especially impressed by the hand shaved Prosciutto. Michael and I also enjoyed the pate, grilled vegetables and many of the cheeses. We didn’t taste all the cheeses, there were really too many to choose from. On the other side of the buffet line, there was a pasta bar with three different pasta shapes accompanied by sauces which were equally delicious. Two chefs were cooking the sauces up fresh right in front of the patrons.

Karen’s top picks…

Bellavista –

Bellavista Franciacorta Alma Gran Cuvėe Brut NV

“Pretty aromas of bread dough, lemon and cooked apple. Fresh. Medium to full body, tangy acidity and a fruity finish. Always an outstanding sparkling wine. Drink now. 91 Pts.”

KP: As my palate evolves as I get older, I find that white wines are tickling my fancy now. I really enjoyed the brightness of this wine.

Parusso –

Parusso Vino Spumante di Qualita Metodo Classico Brut 2012

“A beautiful, delicate and flavorful rosé with strawberry and lemon character. Medium-bodied, dense and flavorful. Pure nebbiolo. Drink now. 91 Pts.”

KP: This was my favorite of the evening. I could have finished the whole bottle. The fact that it was nebbiolo blew me away. It had a finesse about it and I was admittedly taken by surprise.

Prà –

Pra Soave Classico Montegrande 2015

“A steely and bright white with sliced apple, lemon and stone character. Hints of free herb. Medium body, tight and dense with lovely fruit. Crisp and lively. Drink now. 92 Pts.”

KP: I enjoyed this one as it was clean and fresh. It perked up my taste buds for the rest of the evening.

My top pick was…

Poggio la Noce –

Poggio la Noce Gigio 2013

“A fine and silky red with chocolate, bark and blueberry aromas and flavors. Medium body, dense center palate and a long and flavorful finish. A fascinating blend of sangiovese and a splash of teroldego from hillside vineyards above Florence. Drink in 2018. 92 Pts.”

Poggio la Noce Gigetto 2014

“A red with beautiful purity and stature. Currant, blackberry and walnut aromas and flavors. Full and silky. Very intense and structured. Better in 2020 but so exciting to taste for the vintage. 93 Pts.”

MP: I found both offerings from this tiny winery to be so exciting and complex. Great flavors and amazing finishes. I was tempted to stay at this table for the rest of the evening.

Next week I’ll list the rest of our favorites from the evening.

Sandestin Wine Festival Uncorks the Perfect Pairing – and The Meiomi House

March 27, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Miramar Beach, FL (PRWEB) – The Sandestin Wine Festival, one of the top wine festivals in the country, today announced the addition of two major players at the upcoming April 20-23, 2017 event.

The Sandestin Wine Festival is pleased to announce that Coastal Living signed on as a presenting sponsor for this event for the ninth consecutive year. Coastal Living is the premier brand for people who love the coast. It is the ultimate magazine and resource for coastal décor, food, lifestyle trends and travel.

The Meiomi Home (photo – Event Marketer)

The event is also pleased to announce that Meiomi, will be a featured wine sponsor for the first time. Meiomi will be pouring its three California coastal wines – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and its brand new Rosé—in the Meiomi Home on April 21 and 22. The Meiomi Home made its debut in 2016, touring the top food and wine festivals in the U.S. to bring the fresh, approachable taste and style of Meiomi directly to consumers. More than 30,000 wine lovers have tasted Meiomi in the Meiomi Home; a 20-foot by 20-foot structure crafted to resemble a cozy California bungalow. Tasters will feel at home as they sip Meiomi and discover the elegant, coastal elements of the Meiomi Home. Additional information about each of the wines, vineyard sourcing, and winemaker, Melissa Stackhouse, can be found at meiomi.com.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Meiomi Home to Sandestin this year, and to welcome visitors into our California wine bungalow,” said Clayton Seeto, Meiomi’s director of event marketing. “Our team will share delicious flavors from coastal California and capture the memory with our Lightbox, which will be a great reminder of their festival experience and time spent with Meiomi.”

Now in its 31st year, the Sandestin Wine Festival is the most established and continuously running wine festival on the Coast. Known as the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals,” this picture perfect event is complete with the tasting of hundreds of wines, culinary treats, wine dinners, seminars, live music and more. Guests are invited to “uncork some fun in the sun” April 20-23 and see why the Sandestin Wine Festival receives accolades from media around the country.

Proceeds will be donated to the Fisher House, a worthwhile organization that provides free or low cost lodging to veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers, and Sandestin Foundation for Kids, whose goal is to make a meaningful and positive difference in children’s lives.

Chief sponsors of the Sandestin Wine Festival include Coastal Living, Meiomi, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Good Grit, Visit South Walton, Publix, 30A, GPL Landscaping, EC Magazine, 850 Magazine, Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport and SoWal.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort provides the convenience of having accommodations that are steps, or a convenient complimentary tram ride, away from the festival. Packages with discounted tickets and deluxe accommodations are available with savings up to 25% off (code: WINE17). Call 855.516.WINE to talk to a reservation specialist or visit Sandestin.com/WINE.

About the Sandestin Wine Festival

The Sandestin Wine Festival is the most established and continuously running wine festival in the Southeast. Thousands of people enjoy festival events including wine dinners, seminars, grand wine tastings and culinary experiences in April, plus Sparkling Wine and Holiday Lights in November. Fans are invited to follow @SandestinWineFestival on Facebook. For complete information about the festival and affiliated events, visit sandestinwinefestival.com.

About Coastal Living

Coastal Living is the source of inspiration and information for nearly 4 million who celebrate life along the coast. Coastal Living is produced by Time Inc., a leading content company that engages over 150 million consumers every month through its portfolio of premium brands across platforms. Follow Coastal Living on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

About Meiomi

Meiomi wines take their name from the word for “coast” in the language of the native Wappo tribe, a word which best symbolizes the character of the coastal California vineyards which lend their fruit to Meiomi’s distinctive wines. Using some of the very best grapes in Sonoma, Santa Barbara, and Monterey counties, veteran winemaker Joe Wagner introduced the first vintage of Meiomi Pinot Noir as a by-the-glass wine label.

Today, Meiomi offers a critically acclaimed collection of wines of unrivaled taste. Crafted under the stewardship of current winemaker Melissa Stackhouse, Meiomi wines blend the best expression of each coastal region into a singular, harmoniously balanced, complex and rich style. Meiomi Pinot Noir has become one of California’s leading luxury wines, garnering awards and accolades from both critics and wine lovers, while Meiomi Chardonnay is praised as an exemplary California Chardonnay, with an unforgettably bright and creamy style.

About Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is a major destination for all seasons and all ages, and was named the #1 Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast. The resort invites guests to a world of 2,400 acres and 30 charming neighborhoods featuring more than 1,300 vacation rentals, condominiums, villas, town homes and the best in hotel accommodations. As a member of Visit South Walton and Visit Florida, the resort features more than seven miles of beaches and pristine bay front, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 113-slip marina, a fitness center and spa, meeting space and The Village of Baytowne Wharf, a charming pedestrian village with events, shopping, dining and nightlife. People are invited to download Sandestin’s APP for iPhone and Android devices, or become a Facebook Fan or Twitter follower for the latest events and news.

Getting My Minerals From Leaf Vodka

March 24, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Two different expressions of vodka made by the same brand, the difference only based on the location of the water each was distilled from, awaited for me in sampling LEAF^®Vodka. One is made from Alaskan Glacial water and the other is made from Rocky Mountain Mineral water. The Alaskan version has a green colored leaf label on the back of the bottle, and the Leaf title is in gold; the Rocky Mountain version has a blue colored leaf label and the Leaf title is blue.

You may have heard this from me before: the best way to educate your palate is in side-by-side tastings of the same spirit or the same wine varietal. Here I had two vodkas, a spirit known for being flavorless and colorless, that I had a chance to sit down and get to know. And I found it remarkable that these two had their own unique qualities.

A cocktail recipe and tasting notes from Leaf are just beneath my tasting notes:

Leaf Alaskan Glacial

Clean aromas that included biscuit, lime and orange twist, fresh Japanese ginger; with slightly sweet flavors of that same orange and lime, the ginger again, with a medium burn and long finish. 90 Eve pts.

Leaf Rocky Mountain Mineral

Pale mint, pear, hay, grass and wet gravel on the nose; in the mouth I got citrus, black licorice, mint and that gravel again. Long finish. 91 Eve pts.

From Leaf

Had enough of winter? Ring in the spring with a new cocktail from LEAF^®Vodka called the Lychee Lake. With a refreshing blend of fruit, combined with a lovely spring color and a floral garnish, it is the perfect antidote to the winter blues!

The combination of lychee and grapefruit bring out the crisp smoothness of the Alaskan Glacial water used to make LEAF Vodka, and the effervescence of the sparkling wine adds a refreshing quality that makes this cocktail a delightful escape.

The Lychee Lake

Ingredients:

2 oz. LEAF Vodka made with Rocky Mountain Mineral Water

1.5 oz. lychee puree (perfect puree)

0.5 oz. grapefruit juice

0.5 oz. lemon juice

1 oz. sparking rosé wine

Tools: Mixing shaker, jigger, strainer, and muddler.

Method: Shake all ingredients except rosé wine, add ice and shake vigorously

Strain into a martini glass, top off with sparkling rosé, garnish and serve.

Glassware: Martini, Garnish: Orchid

LEAF believes vodka’s main ingredient, water, is what truly defines the spirit. LEAF Vodka is sourced from unique waters here in the USA. One variety is made from Alaskan Glacial water, which lends a pure, smooth taste with a hint of sweetness. The other, made from Rocky Mountain mineral water, provides richness and complexity, offering a warm and savory impression. The water sources give LEAF Vodkas their signature tastes.

“LEAF Vodka’s naturally-sourced waters are fundamental to its taste and quality,” say Maxim Dubossarsky, CEO of Global Spirits, owners of LEAF Vodka. “These taste attributes, and the fact that the vodka is USDA Certified Organic, are being embraced by some of the nation’s leading mixologists.”

For more recipes and information, visit www.leafvodka.com or follow the brand on Twitter and Instagram @LEAFVodka.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), 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