Vintage Eve Circa 7/2014: A Masterclass on The Wines of South Africa

December 26, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Sure, I don’t mind driving down to the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills (with the hoards of summer tourists) and then up to the penthouse suite to learn about and taste South African wines. I knew it would be worth it, and more. This was the info that came with rsvp:

Hi Eve,

We’d be glad to have you. The masterclass will include 12 top South African wines representing a range of varietals, styles, and regions; I’ll be covering history, trends, terroir – all the stuff a sommelier needs to get a good grasp of South African wine today. I hope you can make it.

Jim Clarke

Marketing Manager, WOSA US

Wines of South Africa Masterclass

With no money coming from the government, the WOSA (Wines of South Africa) groups represents all of South African wines, and representative Jim Clarke covers all of the U.S.

Clarke explained that the Western Cape is the grape growing region, and is fairly compact. The first harvest was in 1659 with grapes brought in by the Dutch. White wines was known to combat scurvy as citrus fruits did, so the Dutch wanted the white wines for their ships. The French Huguenots arrived in 1688.

KWV was founded in 1918, starting as a cooperative not the distributorship they are today; and most wines were offered in the $10 range. (From Wikipedia, “The name “Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Suid-Afrika” is Afrikaans for “Co-operative Winemakers’ Society of South Africa”)

With Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990, by 1994 the country held their first elections, and could start exporting wine again as the sanctions were dropped. And Clarke said that a “bump in quality” occurred before 2000. Wines are being made in the old world character, and winemakers are now very big on blending.

The sustainability seal (Sustainable Wine South Africa) is being used by 93% of their producers. Any seal found on a wine or estate brandy “has been certified by the Wine and Spirit Board” and “is a guarantee of origin, vintage, and variety as stated on the label.”

Sauvignon Blanc is the second most planted white wine grape varietal and Chenin Blanc is still the first. Pinotage is not as common as people think, with only about 6% of the plantings. Pinotage is a unique varietal to South Africa. It is a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault – Cinsault is also referred to as Hermitage, hence the name. The first Pinotage was in 1959 and has proven to be disease resistant and offers a high yield.

From the WOSA, “When the term ‘Wine of Origin’ or the abbreviation ‘W.O.’ together with the name of a production area, such as Stellenbosch, Durbanville or Robertson appears on a label, it confirms that 100% of the grapes from which the wine was made come from that specific area.”

They have a wine school and viticulture school in South Africa; as well as fair-trade and black-owned wineries, and black winemakers due to scholarships now being offered. Clarke said there are lots of efforts being put into those areas now.

Of final note, good wines are available in the $30 to $50 range. The retail prices of the wines we tasted are below.

Tasting

Aromas and flavors separated by “;”

Klein Constantia Perdeblokke Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Fresh crisp and cool, white peach, golden delicious apples, lemon zest; lemon, grapefruit, acidic, long finish. Need shellfish, thinking icy cold shrimp cocktail. (Costantia region.) $24

Downes Family Sanctuary Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2012, some Semillon.

Juicy, herbaceous and floral, peach, apricot, steely; good mouthfeel, acid mid-palate, lemon-lime, softly balanced. (Elgin region.) $20

Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2013

Honeydew melon, cantaloupe, a tiny hint of white pepper, wet pebbles; Nice mouthfeel, sliced apples, acidic, tingly and pleasant. (Stellenbosch region.) $10

Botanica Chenin Blanc 2011

Jasmine, anise, orange peel, stemmy; licorice, lemony, sharp and tangy, quite pleasant. (W.O. Citrusdal region.) $20

De Westhof Lesca Chardonnay 2013

Lemon-lime, butter, fresh, hint of suede; lemonade, grassy, acidic. (W.O. Robertson) $22

Sadie Family Skerpioen 2012

Tropical fruit cocktail, sweat, anise; Lime, peach, concrete, acidic finish. (W.O. Swartland region, Chenin Blanc, Palomino.) $55

Painted Wolf Guillermo Pinotage 2010

Leather, sautéed mushrooms, black plum, mint, dark chocolate, rich soil; Dry, dark dusty fruit, green peppercorn, lingering black licorice. (W.O. Swartland region) $18

Jardin Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Blueberry, blackberry, black pepper, milk to dark chocolate, dried wood; Black cherry, spice and pepper in good balance, nice finish, well done. (W.O. Stellenbosch) $20

Vilafonte Series C 2011

Plum, pluot, mint, bark; dusty black fruit, smoke, cigar. (W.O. Paarl. Cabernet Sauvignon blend.) $60

Mullineux Syrah 2012

Stewed dark fruit, Mexican chocolate, cinnamon, white pepper; dark dry and tannic, pungent, long finish. (W.O. Swartland) $30

Keermont, 100 Syrah, 2011

Blue to black fruit, smooth, pepper blend; Great spice, juicy dark fruits, smoke. Well done. (W.O. Stellenbosch) $45 approximately.

Klein, 100% Muscat, 2008, late harvest, no botrytis.

“Natural Sweet Wine.” Honeysuckle, rose petals, pear liqueur, gentle, compelling; lovely viscosity, honey and acid play off each other. (W.O. Constantia)

$65.

Vintage Eve Circa 5/2014: Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc and Frito Pies!

November 14, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

When offered a South African Chenin Blanc to sample for review the thing that caught my eye and made me request the sample was their surprise suggestion of pairing the wine with Mexican food. See “Notes Accompanying the Sample” to read how this white wine would do well with Fajitas, Al Pastor or Arroz con Camarones – none of which did I have on hand…so I made do with Frito Pies! That’s Mexican, right?

All kidding aside (though I did pair with Fritos) I’m always amazed when people will have a Margarita with Mexican food when they dine out but opt for wine when they dine in. So that also made me want to rise to the challenge. And convince my husband that’s it’s perfectly fine to bring wine to a Mexican restaurant…we’ve done it maybe just once!

Wine Details

2011 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc

From the Western Cape region of South Africa.

Swartland grapes.

13.92% alcohol (Pretty exact!)

20% of the wine went through five months of maturation in Hungarian and French oak barrels.

5 to 7 years maturation potential.

(Screw cap)

My Notes

Color: The palest of golden sunrises.

Aromas: Buttery (from the time spent in oak), grass, moss, gravel and lime.

Taste: Tangerine, some kumquat (both the tart flavor in the fruit and sweetness of the rind), a balanced acidity, grass again on the back palate once the acid falls away.

Pairing: Due to their suggestion of Mexican food I heated up some Hormel chili, tossed my Frito chips into a bowl with diced onion and proceeded to dive in. (Others added shredded cheese and sour cream.) The pairing didn’t really work. If anything the Chenin Blanc worked as a Wet Nap for my mouth, to borrow one of winemaker Wes Hagen’s terms. It served to cleanse my palate between each bite. It did not, however, add a thing to my palate, though I did enjoy both the food and the wine!

Notes Accompanying the Sample

Varying degrees of spice, fragrant herbs and accents of tropical fruit. No, I am not talking about wine- I am talking about Mexican food. One of the general rules when pairing food and wine, is to take elements of the wine that complement components of the meal. Following this rule of thumb, it’s a shame most people default to beer when eating Mexican. Next time, try wine.

We choose the Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc (SRP: $13.99). The acidity will balance out the fat of the meats in many dishes like Fajitas, the zesty tropical fruit profile will complement the lime and fruit flavors found in both mains like Al Pastor, and the oak and creaminess won’t over-power a more gentle dish like Arroz con Camarones.

One of South Africa’s premiere estates, Mulderbosch is famous for award-winning wines and top ratings from critics and publications and has national distribution.

Vinexpo New York Expands Wine and Spirits Exhibition

November 11, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

NEW YORK – Vinexpo New York – the leading international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in North America, jointly organized with Diversified Communications – today announced that it has expanded the footprint of its March 5-6, 2018 exhibition, nearly doubling the original floorplan in order to accommodate demand. The event will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Open exclusively to the trade, Vinexpo New York, will feature two days of business meetings, tastings and conferences.

“In such a fast-evolving market, it’s the opportunity for the wine and spirits industry to meet and for producers to make strategic decisions for the distribution of their brands in the U.S.” said Guillaume Deglise, CEO of Vinexpo.

To date, exhibitors from Australia, Austria, France, South Africa, Spain and the U.S. have registered, as well as from Argentina, Chile, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Moldova, Russia, Sweden and Uruguay. The current list of exhibitors is available here.

“We are thrilled by the response to Vinexpo New York. It is shaping up to be the must-exhibit, must-attend conference,” said Mary Larkin, executive vice president, Diversified Communications. “With a growing list of more than 115 exhibitors representing 16 countries, it is a testament to just how vibrant the North American market continues to be.”

Attendee registration is currently open at www.vinexponewyork.com/attend/. An early bird fee is available through Nov. 30.

About Vinexpo

Vinexpo was established in 1981 to organize wine and spirits events for the trade and act as the sector’s international partner. Vinexpo Bordeaux takes place in uneven years, while Vinexpo Hong Kong (formerly Vinexpo Asia-Pacific) has been held in even years since 1998. In 2014, Vinexpo expanded into the Japanese market with the launch of a third biennial fair, Vinexpo Tokyo. Vinexpo Hong Kong and Vinexpo Tokyo are now key events in the Asian wine and spirits trade calendar. In January 2017, Vinexpo initiated a new concept, Vinexpo Explorer, two days of business meetings and discovering vineyards. Vinexpo New York, which takes place for the first time on March 5-6, 2018, will open doors to the U.S. market for international exhibitors. For more information, visit www.vinexpo.com. Join Vinexpo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Matter of Taste Returns to San Francisco

October 22, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

San Francisco, CA – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (RobertParker.com), the leading authority on wine, announces the return of its international Matter Of Taste tour to San Francisco on Saturday November 4, 2017 at The City Club San Francisco.

On the heels of the sold-out events in Zurich and London earlier this year, the San Francisco Matter Of Taste tour continues the global series of exclusive events for RobertParker.com members, non-members and guests. The signature event, the Grand Walkabout Tasting, will feature over 150 outstanding wines, each rated 90 or more points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. This year’s themes will be Right-Bank Varieties and Global Sparkling.

The roster of events will include a VIP preview hour, the Grand Walkabout Tasting, and exclusive rare wine Master Classes. A progression of exceptional wine dinners will take place throughout San Francisco the week of October 30, 2017, including a very special “Vérité Winery Retrospective & Dinner” on November 3, 2017, hosted by Lisa Perroti-Brown MW and Vérité Winery’s Hélène Seillan at Spruce restaurant. The “La Paulée” Grande Finale Dinner, The Ultimate Hedonist’s BYOB Dinner, November 4, 2017, will conclude this extraordinary week, with guests invited to bring up to three bottles of their favorite “90 RP points or above” wines to share with fellow subscribers and members of the Robert Parker Wine Advocate review team. Set in the 12th floor Penthouse of the City Club San Francisco, a sumptuous sit-down, four course haute-cuisine menu will make this an extravagant feast not to miss. Seats are limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. This is a rare chance to participate in a true Hedonist’s Gazette dinner with incredible vintner hosts and reviewers Neal Martin, Monica Larner, and Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW.

The Grand Walkabout Tasting, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., will include some of the world’s most prized wines, encompassing a range of varietals, regions and styles. Well-regarded winemakers will be pouring their wines, including iconic wineries Abremundos, Cheval des Andes, Lagarde and Marcello (Argentina); Chateau Valandrad, Clos de Sarpe, Fleur Cardinale, Haut Bailly and Charles Heidsieck (France); Hickinbotham, Penley Estate, Giant Steps and Cullen (Australia); Feudi di San Gregorio, Ca’ del Bosco, Le Macchiole and Petrolo (Italy); Cono Sur, Calyptra and Leyda (Chile); Craggy Range, Te Mata Estate and Giesen (New Zealand); Dominio de la Vega (Spain); Prats & Symington (Portugal); Tokara (South Africa); Cadence, JM Cellars and Northstar (Washington); and Daou, La Jota and Peter Michael Winery (California).

In addition to the Grand Walkabout Tasting, six exclusive Master Classes are offered. Wine Advocate Editor-in-Chief reviewer Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW will be hosting “Washington and a Global View of Merlot” – a blind tasting of Washington and new world Merlots including 2013 Blackbird Vineyards Illustration Proprietary Red, 2013 Buty Winery Merlot, Cabernet Franc Conner Lee Vineyard, 2013 Kapcsandy Family Winery Merlot Roberta’s Reserve, 2013 Vérité La Muse, 2014 Cadence Bel Canto, 2014 Craggy Range Sophia Proprietary Red, 2014 Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot, 2014 Leonetti Cellar Walla Walla Merlot, 2014 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot, 2014 Spring Valley Vineyard Uriah, and 2014 Woodward Canyon Estate Reserve.

Wine Advocate reviewer Neal Martin will be hosting “The Best of the Best: South Africa,” focusing on the very best wines of South Africa. The tasting will focus on the artisan South African winemakers, including rare and coveted wines from renowned growers such as Eben Sadie, Chris and Andrea Mullineux, and Bruwer Raats. In addition, Martin will be leading “Right Bank Legends: Rive Droite 2009, 2010, and 2015.” This tasting will examine three exemplary estates from some of the finest terroirs on the Right Bank: Belair-Monange in Saint Emilion, and La Fleur-Petrus and Trotanoy in Pomerol. Attendees will have the opportunity to compare each one from some of the finest vintages of the last 20 years: 2009, 2010 and a preview of 2015. Christian Moueix and Tod Mostero, Winemaker, Dominus Estates, will be in attendance offering insights into these wines and vintages.

Monica Larner, Wine Advocate reviewer, will lead “Italian Cabernet Franc: The Mighty French Grape Finds an Ideal Home in Italy,” where Cabernet Franc expresses its inner Italiano in this fascinating collection of wines. This stubborn grape from France finds a perfect home in the laid-back and sun-drenched vineyards of Italy, discovering its secret soul along the way. Find out why Italy and Cabernet Franc are a match made in heaven. Larner will also lead, with proprietor Luca Sanjust, “A Retrospective of Petrolo’s Galatrona: An Iconic Merlot from the Heart of Tuscany,” a tasting of the 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 vintages. In addition, Larner will host, with proprietor Antonio Capaldo, “A Retrospective of Feudi San Gregorio’s Patrimò: The Wine that put Southern Italy on the World Wine Map,” a tasting of the 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2015 vintages. For a complete list of featured wines as well as tickets for the Grand Walkabout Tasting and all six Master Classes and dinners, please visit www.a-matter-of-taste.com.

“Our members are some of the most passionate and knowledgeable wine consumers in the world. Matter of Taste is the perfect opportunity to share with our members a world-class wine experience they’ll cherish forever,” enthuses Perrotti-Brown.

The Matter of Taste wine experiences began in 2014 and have been in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London, Chicago, Macau, Miami, Manila, Jakarta, Napa, New York, and San Francisco. Matter of Taste moves to New York on December 3, 2017.

Annual members of RobertParker.com are entitled to discounted tickets ($120 through October 21, 2017) to the Matter of Taste Grand Walkabout Tasting. Non-member discounted tickets ($180 through October 21, 2017) include a one-year membership to RobertParker.com and access to over 500,000 professional wine reviews and articles. A limited number of early entry VIP passes are available for an additional $100. All Master Class prices vary between $100 and $250 depending on the class. Further details and booking information are available at www.a-matter-of-taste.com.

About Robert Parker Wine Advocate

For more than 39 years, The Wine Advocate, and later RobertParker.com, have been the global leader and independent consumer’s guide to fine wine. The brand was established by the internationally recognized Robert M. Parker, Jr., the only critic in any field to receive the highest Presidential honor from three countries – France, Italy and Spain. Robert Parker Wine Advocate provides a wealth of information to its subscribers, including a searchable database of more than 300,000 professional wine ratings and reviews, in addition to articles, videos, daily news content, online retail availability and pricing, an active, professionally moderated bulletin board, a mobile app for easy access to the comprehensive online database of reviews, and much more. For more information, visit www.RobertParker.com.

33rd Annual Winesong Event on Mendocino Coast Raises $700,000 for Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation

October 16, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

FORT BRAGG, CA – After a spectacular weekend of award-winning wine, fabulous food, fine art, music, merriment, and charitable giving, this year’s 33^rd annual Winesong was declared a resounding success, with increased auction sales and more guests than ever participating in the auctions. Held on the Mendocino Coast on September 8^th and 9^th, highlights included A Pinot Noir Celebration, the Grand Tasting event and a Live and Silent auction. Winesong is the main fundraising event benefiting the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, all proceeds go towards supporting the local Hospital that serves the entire Mendocino Coast, plus rural inland areas covering nearly half the distance to Highway 101.

Winesong 2017 kicked off on Friday, September 8th with a sold-out insider’s view of spectacular Pinot Noirs at ‘A Pinot Noir Celebration’ hosted by the Little River Inn. Guests enjoyed Pinot Noir tastings and delicious passed hors d’oeuvres, along with a chance to “talk shop” with the winemakers from Mendocino County, Napa and Sonoma Counties. On Saturday, September 9^th, attendees to the Grand Tasting strolled the enchanting Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens while enjoying vintages poured by world-class wineries from Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and beyond, and bites from nearly 50 fine food purveyors. The celebration continued in the Auction Tents with the always-entertaining main attraction, the Live and Silent Auctions, where nearly 150 lots were on offer – including spectacular wines from a selection of prestigious wine producers, rare and hard-to-find vintages, special vertical and horizontal collections, original paintings and art from highly acclaimed artists, and domestic and international vacation packages.

Bidders at the Live Auction under the big tent helped raise significant funds, with a projected gross of more than $700,000 coming in from the two-day event. After covering production expenses, the Winesong net return will be used to assist the Mendocino Coast District Hospital purchase needed equipment. Some of the most coveted items were the big international trips and spectacular wine auction lots. Leading the way for bidding was a 10-day trip to South Africa, which was doubled at $21,000 per trip! Trips to Italy and Amsterdam each garnered $18,000. An unparalleled 20-bottle collection of Chateau Gruaud Larose Grand Cru went for $16,000 and a rare wine lot featuring companion vineyards from Chateau Pichon Longueville went for $17,000. Another highlight was the “Fund-A-Need” to help provide comfort and care to patients by way of upgraded beds and patient room improvements. The goal was $200,000, which was surpassed by a combination of day of bidders and pre-event gifts to raise $205,000, with 100% of these donations going directly to the Hospital.

“This year’s Winesong had a different layout than in the past, and one of the main purposes was to encourage general admission ticketholders to register for bidder paddles and join the fun,” says Jamie Peters, Event Director for Winesong. “And I’m happy to say that it worked! We had more new bidders than ever and are encouraged ourselves to continue to make it easy and convenient for all guests to participate in the auctions as well as the beautiful tasting.”

Other highlights from the live and silent auction include:

Lot 12: Artist of the Year art piece – “Barn Song” – a 30” x 30” Bas Relief – $14,000
Lot 16A: A surprise lot courtesy of Ann & Dick Grace that includes dinner for 4 at The French Laundry and large format wines from Grace Family Vineyards – $12,000
Lot 22: “Sweethearts in Paradise” – a trip for two couples to Barbados – $13,000
Lot 24: 45” x 60” giclee on canvas by the late Lowell Herrero – $15,000

“We were thrilled with the results of Winesong 2017,” states Michelle Roberts, Executive Director of the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation. “The live auction tent was filled with energy as generous donors responded to the call to action to help us fund vital equipment at Mendocino Coast District Hospital. We thank everyone who helped make the day a success. The generosity around this event is truly awe-inspiring.”

About Winesong & the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation

Winesong is produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Its mission is to help the small rural Hospital provide the best possible medical care to residents as well as the many visitors to the Mendocino Coast. Winesong proceeds have enabled the Hospital to purchase chemotherapy equipment, portable ultrasound machines for the Emergency Room as well as a state-of-the-art Diagnostic Imaging Center, Cardiology Equipment, a Bedside Medicine Verification System and a Patient Bedside Monitoring & Alert system.

For further information, please visit http://winesong.org or call (707) 961-4688.

Ian Blackburn on The Wines of South Africa

October 5, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

YESTERDAY: We made some great progress for Wines of South Africa in Los Angeles …. honestly, probably not the first place Californians think about for great wine…. but should be included in a very short list!!!

For the most part; restaurants in LA ignore the opportunity to showcase the great value South Africa can create… A $10 glass of South African wine can be amazing… while we would struggle to find anything close in California that would touch this platitude. This should be a wake up call to the Sommelier but they were sadly unmoved and for the most part didn’t attend despite our huge effort to invite (heartbreaking) … we are honest in our efforts and assessments and see the challenge South Africa is presented with… but retailers came in mass and so did the press channel (and we will need to work to change this if South Africa is to have greater success). The classes were a huge hit! I have never had a program where every class sold out (Four sold out programs yesterday) so this would be the approach I would continue to explore if I was South Africa… and Jim Clarke gets huge applause as the right guy… on time, tempo… his presentations had great impact and will play an important roll in the future growth.

The fact is that South Africa makes GREAT WINE. I start with a quick look at the amazing whites!

– Chenin Blanc: One could argue this is the best dry Chenin in the world. The old vine & high-tier designations are spectacular… while the volume wines represent great values. Christopher Lavin entertained the VIPs with an array of wines from Audi Bodenhurst and other storied producers that really took my breath away. When you look at the top wines – you’re looking at wines that sell between $25-$50 a bottle… for the best of the best…a fraction of the cost for similar effort from California…. I know because I make one! They are selling great wine in California at the cost I incur just to make a great wine in California! and that is the key to the difference in price!!!

– Sauvignon Blanc: Distinctively different – robust, punctuated, intense, bold and driven – a style I greatly prefer over other island locations to the south (no names) that are sweet and lack finesse. Cape Classics and The Sorting Table whom I always turn to for an authentic impression showed off a number of my favorites… Neil Ellis Wines, Linton Park Wines just to name a few.

– Chardonnay – true varietal character with high end marks, and sits perfectly between the acid and stone styles of Burgundy and the ripe and rich California cream. Boschendal Wijnen, Babylonstoren, Meerlust Wine all have similar styles and efforts of merit.

– White Blends – David Shaw turned me onto a unique kitchen sink blend with Chenin, SB, Chard, Viura (Macabeo)…. it was my white of the day (David what was that called)?

::::THE REDS::::
– GSM – MSG – SGM – the Rhône blends are more rhoney that some of the Rhônes themselves today… beautiful and balanced with terroir and finesse. Mullineux Wines – Absolutely stole the show! with blends from The Chocolate Block igniting conversation with a sensational blend.

– Cabernet and Cabernet Franc were HUGE hits last night – with California ripening away the Pyrazines – you sometimes forget the difference between Cabernet and Merlot… not in South Africa! The nose knows… and I loved the pencil lead and graphite (Cabernet Franc) with the tension of the old world… a number of great versions. Meerlust Wine – Backsberg – De Toren Private Cellar – Keermont Vineyards – Edgebaston Wines

– Pinotage – Last but NOT least – you may have written off Pinotage but last night it was “”””all the rage””” – there is some new energy in this category and even the classic brands are making vastly improved wines that thrill!!! Kanonkop Wine Estate – absolutely knocked people out! – Beaumont Family Wines – Deetlefs Wine Estate – Diemersfontein Wine Estate – Simonsig – the wines are marked, detailed, intense, and wild… and I think Pinotage has new life!!!

OTHERS: Pinot Noir – Sparking wines – Rose – white blends – red blends – it is a very safe bet that South Africa will astonish you at comparable dollars…. to your ordinary wine… so give it a shot! I will be increasing my South African intact and hope they will come back next year for another effort…. we have much work to do to get the word out…. one day will not be enough but we definitely take on this project with great enthusiasm… and hope to build momentum.

I want to thank iHeartRadio radio Diva Lisa Foxx for her support – and Michael Moloney for bringing all his great friends. Michael Moloney is a major influencer and his show Extreme Makeover Home Edition is one of our favorites!

Ian Blackburn, Founder http://www.winela.com/

About WineLA.com

wineLA is about enhancing the wine culture of Los Angeles. To do so, wine must be in rhythm with fashion, music, food and other beverages. It must take advantage of the geography, the architecture and the centers of interest. Los Angeles is a giant playground with an amazing array of venues, spaces, wine bars, restaurants, beaches, roof tops, gardens, and magical views. We want to be a part of the LA lifestyle, the wine lifestyle, and celebrate the people, the place and the passion.

wineLA will promote significant events, occasional classes, and tastings of merit. This is phase two of what we started 20 years ago at LearnAboutWine.com – America’s first wine education website and first in wine event creation. LearnAboutWine will now evolve onto a digital platform; the transformation will take some time; so we will slowly rebrand our event efforts onto wineLA, reduce the number of activities we focus on, and elevate our efforts to focus on the next big thing… Doing what is best for the wine industry and the communities we serve. Edicts: innovate, evolve and excite.

Color Up Your Summer with Brazilian Wines

July 19, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

New York, NY – Attention, wine lovers: the Wines of Brazil have made their way to the U.S. and are ready to take the country by storm. Internationally celebrated for its soccer players and its Rio Carnival, Brazil is also home to a variety of flavorful wines that will delight American consumers in search of young and fresh wines, at great value for money.

Photo: The Drinks Wholesaler magazine

In a region known for its at times excessively powerful wines, Brazil stands out for its production of lighter, friendly and easy-drinking wines. Brazilian wines offer a surprising and high-quality alternative to your usual wines choices, being generally pressed from the varietals you love: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, both still or sparkling. Embodying the soul of the country, Brazilian wines are lively, aromatic and colorful, and will be the life of the party!

Brazilian Sparkling wines – the taste of celebrations

Shake up your habits and pop a Brazilian sparkling wine for your next festivities. Characterized by an exceptional acidity and freshness, they are ultimate crowd-pleasures. Many of the producers follow the méthode traditionnelle – the same as Champagne – Brazilian sparkling wines are mainly produced from Chardonnay, Italic Riesling, Pinot Noir and Muscat. Aromatic and vivacious, they can be enjoyed on their own as an aperitif, or with all kinds of every day food such as sushi and light salads.

Brazilian Red wines – the flavor of passion

Brazilian reds will delight every red wine lover: from fruity to earthier reds, the region is home to a palette of vibrant reds pressed mostly from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which produce elegant and structured wines. With lower alcohol contents than similar New World wines (around 11-12.5%), they can be sipped during the day, without fears of headiness. The wines’ aromatic flavors combined with mild tannins make them a perfect addition to the dinner table: fresh and young, they will not overwhelm your meal’s flavors. Sip them with a BBQ-grilled meat to feel like a proper Brazilian enjoying a churrasco, the country’s iconic ember-grilled steak.

A look inside Brazil

There are six wine regions in Brazil, covering an almost 2,500-mile distance along the country’s eastern border. 90% of the wineries are in Rio Grande do Sul, the state located in the southernmost part of Brazil, bordering Uruguay. The state is also on the same latitude as Argentina and South Africa:

Serra Gaúcha – the leading region in terms of production, representing 85% of all wines produced in Brazil, it is recognized for its fruity reds and fine sparkling wines. The basaltic soil, humid climate and mild nights produce wines with a distinctive personality.
Campos de Cima da Serra – known for its aromatic whites, and elegant and sophisticated reds, the region enjoys moderate temperatures and consistent winds, which guarantee healthy vines.
Serra do Sudeste – celebrated for its low-yield vines and delicate wines with great minerality, this mountainous region is recognized as one of the most promising wine areas in Brazil.
Campanha – located in the south, bordering Uruguay and Argentina, the region is devoted to vinifera grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, but also Tannat and Tempranillo, and is recognized for its flavorful reds.
Planalto Catarinense – known for its high-altitude vineyards, Planalto Catarinense is celebrated for its fresh still and sparkling whites. The region is also developing an interesting organic and biodynamic wine production.
Vale Do São Francisco – the most northern vineyard in Brazil, its grapes have higher sugar levels, creating bold and fruity wines. The region is also known for its full-bodied reds, high-quality Moscato sparkling wines and exceptional yields with two harvests a year.

About Wines of Brasil

Wines of Brasil, is an organization that represents 34 wineries that produce wines in six appellations: Serra Gaúcha, Campos de Cima da Serra, Serra do Sudeste, Campanha, Planalto Catarinense, Vale Do São Francisco.

The main mission of the Wines of Brasil project is to promote the quality of Brazilian wines in the international market. To achieve this goal, its work starts within the wineries, providing producers with guidance on how to export, which results in promotional campaigns in different parts of the world, including the participation in wine fairs and direct contact with trade agents and opinion makers.

The Brazilian wineries produced for the export market over 2.2 million liters and commercialized to 36 countries from January to December 2016. The exports to the USA market have increased 34.64 % in 2016.

Visit www.winesofbrasil.com for more information, or follow Wines of Brasil on Instagram (@brazilianwines), Faceebok (Wines of Brasil) and Twitter (@WinesofBrasil)

Tastings This Week: Red Blends from New Zealand, Napa and South Africa!

February 24, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

This week I got to taste three different expressions of red Bordeaux grape blends – none from Bordeaux, France. One, from Napa, is a pretty known source for Bordeaux blends, the other two, from New Zealand and South Africa, not so known. It was interesting to taste through them to not only remark on the aromas and flavors, but also to note differences that would be due to location, weather and winemaking choices. These are my tasting notes, and the winery notes are below.

Eve’s Tasting Notes

Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Trinity Hill The Trinity 2014

Merlot, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah

The color of black cherries stretching out to a dark purple edge, clear and clean. From a few inches away those black cherries extended to the aroma and called me in, where I also found stewed mushroom, plum, milk chocolate, a bit o’ mint, bark and smoke. In the mouth it was all very drying: dried dark fruit, blackest of blackberries, cigar, some tartness, some brightness, but relatively big and dark with forceful tannins. Not unappealing in any way. Wanted a nice charred steak with it. 90 Eve pts.

Napa, California, U.S.

2013 Leviathan

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah

Very dark purple as well, with a slight brown tinge to the edge, opaque. Pungent plum, blueberry, blackberry, spice, forest floor/earthy, oak and more – all on the nose. Tasting the wine I discovered bold fruit, fresh and big, great mouth-coating viscosity, and with the same fruit I found on the nose: fresh blueberry up front and then blackberry, followed by welcoming tannin. This wine would be fine now, or in 10 years in my opinion. Enjoy with pizza through to chocolate. 91 Eve pts.

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound

Bordeaux Blend

Deep plum to brown in color, opaque. On the nose I got whiffs of suede, red clay, plump raisins, brick and stewed dark fruits. I couldn’t wait to taste this. I got the gamut of flavors there: chewy chocolate, spice, bright red fruit to dusty dark fruit with a very firm tannin backbone. Definitely wanted ribs, pasta or any robust dish. If you like interesting wines, you want to look for this one. 92 Eve pts.

Winery Tasting Notes

Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Trinity Hill The Trinity 2014 (SRP $17) This intriguing proprietary blend of Merlot, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah combines aromas of plum and leather with lingering flavors of cassis and redcurrant. Soft, rich and ripe tannins make this an eminently drinkable wine. Made to be enjoyed while still quite young with barbecued meats.

Napa, California, U.S.

2013 Leviathan (SRP $48) A beastly red blend with dense berry fruits, licorice and bittersweet chocolate notes, with hints of coffee and peppery spice. This red is balanced with bright acidity and prominent oak. Blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah from vineyards in and around Napa, this wine is never blended the same way twice. You can ensure a unique wine year to year that truly reflects the unique soils and terroir of California.

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound (SRP $25) This bold Bordeaux blend brims with dark fruit notes of mulled boysenberry, cassis and black cherry, all streaked with spicy accents of menthol and black tea leaves. The wine is definitely New World in style with its creamy mouthfeel and medium acidity level. Notes of licorice stick, espresso and roasted cocoa nibs linger through the long close.

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

Seed Wine wins gold for its inaugural Malbec vintage

February 19, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

First time’s a charm for Seed Wine, which brought home a Malbec gold medal in the prestigious 2016 Global Masters wine competition in London on November 21, 2016. Hosted by the Drinks Business, the Global Masters is a rigorous series of blind tasting competitions, attracting entries from every corner of the wine-making world.

The tasting notes for Seed’s 2014 Malbec include luscious steeped blackberries, marionberries, and dusky Italian plums. The fruits lie well beneath lighter, more enigmatic aromas of violets, dust, and dark chocolate shavings. Seed’s 2014 Malbec vintage is the inaugural release for the boutique wine label, and its owners are delighted with the results.

“The Global Masters has reputation for being the toughest panel in any blind tasting series, so this really is an outstanding result for us,” CEO Tony Hartl said. “Our 2014 Malbec is completely sold out, but don’t fret, we have just released our 2015 vintage, which is fully expected to surpass the 2014s in elegance and age-worthiness.”

Malbecs from around the world were included in the competition, and a 6-person panel of highly qualified Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers judged each entry. Winners are awarded medals bronze through gold, with “Master” reserved for the best of the best. With its 2015 Malbec vintage now available, Seed Wine has its sights set on even greater accomplishments in the future. You can learn more about the 2015 vintage here.

Beautifully delineated, the 2015 Seed Malbec is a small lot single-vineyard wine that is aged for 16 months in new French oak and has a long life ahead of it. At this stage in its development, the nose is quite primary and is heavily laden in fresh blackberries, plums, and macerated strawberries rendered more complex by attractive notes of sweet tobacco, bitter chocolate, and violets.

About Seed Wine: Launched after a serendipitous sojourn to South America, Seed Wine is the brainchild of Dallas entrepreneurs Tony Hartl and Alex Chang. The boutique Malbec is harvested with the world’s best winemaking techniques: hand-picked grapes, ancient canal irrigation, and 43-year-old vines.

Together with business partners Thomas DelMundo and winemaker Giuseppe Franceschini, Tony and Alex have the audacious goal of making the best Malbec in the world. But they aren’t stopping there. Every time a bottle of Seed Wine is purchased, a child in Mendoza receives a new schoolbook. It’s the tangible way that Tony, Alex, Tom and Giuseppe are planting seeds for the future in Argentina.

Vintage Eve Circa Feb 2012: Wine Tasting on Cruise Ships

September 6, 2016 by evebushman 2 Comments

Cruise ship wine tastings are a nice diversion for a day at sea. And since it takes a day just to get to Glacier Bay in Alaska, and I wasn’t going to spend it all in the spa or playing Rummikub with my mother, carving out an hour of me time was not a problem. We enjoyed two wine pairings while on board the Holland America Zaandam; each one a sample of the different wine packages you could order from while on the cruise.

The movement of the boat, or some such excuse, restricted my notes so there are no “Eve Points” in today’s column. But I still had you in mind as I foraged ahead.

Premium Wine Tasting

Led by Cellar Master Rodrigo Geducos in the boat’s posh Pinnacle dining room, we began our escape with Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, France, NV. (Non Vintage, aka NV, is common for most Champagnes.) Popped open just for us of course, I watched as the little bubbles danced into my glass. Notes of honeyed-sugar and green apple in our Champagne paired well with fresh strawberries.

Next came an 04 Lanzerac Chardonnay, South Africa, with a honey color in the glass, fresh oak on the nose, and but I thought it had an unpleasant taste. Geducos paired this with Brie, which helped blow off some of the wine’s aromas, and successfully tuned the pairing.

08 Willamette Valley Vineyards, Pinot Noir, had a young, fruity nose, dry, no tannins in the taste, and a light finish. Again, the pairing made this wine more remarkable: duck pate.

07 Hedges Red Mountain Blend, Family Vineyards, had a perfect nose and the taste held fully matured fruit, some pepper, tannins, and went well with goat cheese.

The last in this tasting was an 05 Silverado Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, with strong flavors of black pepper, wood and structured tannins. The blue cheese it was paired with, not my favorite Stilton Blue, was stronger than the wine deserved.

The wines I liked the best were the Champagne, the blend and the Cabernet.

“We hope that this selection is just enough to please you,” said Geducos. It was.

Navigator Wine Tasting

I gave you the premium first, opposite of what I’d do at home, where I save the best for last. But, as a dry audience, I thought I’d get your salivary glands activated by reversing the order. I’m confident that these should continue to whet your palate:

Again Cellar Master Geducos aptly led us through:

An 09 Robert Mondavi Riesling, Monterey County was full of banana and honey on the nose, pear flavors and a delightful effervescence that dissolved into a long velvety finish.

08 Danzante Pinot Grigio, Italy had a green floral nose, a high acid mouthfeel, more tang than sweet and quite dry.

09 Laboure Roi Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France that I really wanted to like, but with its unripe cherry nose, and empty taste, I hoped it was just too young and would have benefited with decanting.

05 Errazuriz 100% Merlot, Chile, had a great spicy nose, with jammy black cherry and pepper.

08 Diseno Malbec, Argentina, had a lovely mature fruit – almost a perfect plum – and was good to drink. Ordered for dinner that night too!

In this tasting I loved discovering the Riesling, Merlot and the Malbec.