Back for a 6th time, and better than ever, Guy Lelarge, the staff of Valencia Wine company, dozens of wine representatives from the U.S. and abroad, Chef Daniel Otto and the Oaks Grille staff, gave guests an “all-you-can-taste” shopping spree.
That last part, about the shopping spree, refers to guests that were able to get (from the wine list at the end of this post) a nice discount for bottles purchased at the event. One more reason to attend the annual wine tasting: A jump-start on holiday shopping!
Once again, this being the second once again, I youtubed some of the shenanigans at Eve’s Wine 101 YouTube Channel. But in case that’s not your bag, I’ll fill you in on some of the details here.
Of the 15 tables serving wine I was maybe able to visit 10. The wines that I really dug I italicized below in the list.
Guests paired some outstanding Champagnes, Sparkling, Ice Wine, Bordeaux, Barbera, Barolo, Chianti Classico, Amarone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, White Burgundy, beer, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, etc., etc., with heavily laden cheese trays and many passed appetizers. The convenience of a seasoned meatball, or wonton, handed to you by a smiling server – without having to interrupt your tasting – was perfect.
I enjoyed visiting with, and learning from, many representatives: Dean Cox of Tanaro River Imports, Robert Posey with Vinifera Imports, Wendy Roberts from Wine Warehouse, Dennis Hyde for Cosentino Winery, George and Jennifer Skorka with Frank Lyn/Angeles Wines, just to name a few.
In pilfering Facebook, I found these public remarks from friends about the event: Jackie Hamby said, “Four hours of unlimited wine tasting. Heaven!” Darlene Gandara thought it “An awesome event” mentioning the Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon as a favorite. Helen LaPrairie chimed in that, “It was fantastic! Wasn’t the French Champagne at Jerome’s table delish??!! And so many others!” Rob Trautwein told Guy that, “Monica and I had a wonderful time as usual at the TPC Holiday Wine Tasting! Wanted to thank you again for hosting such a fabulous event . . Cheers as usual!” Stacey Mayfield contemplated, “Another beautiful Sunday wine tasting in Santa Clarita. Thank you Valencia Wine Co. After a few hours, I feel like I’ve spent a day in Napa.”
And, a final one from my Guru, Guy Lelarge: “Thank you everyone who attended & supported our 6th Annual Holiday Tasting held at TPC – it was a huge success and I hope everyone had a great time! Thanks to all who have been there every year and to the new clients who attended for the first time. Without your continual support it would not be the great event that it is. We at ValenciaWine Co truly appreciate you!”
Some of the Tasters
Mark and Julie White, Claudia Sheridan, Bill and Maureen Farrar, Robert and Monica Trautwein, Robert Parker, Robert and Darlene Gandara, Katie Neimand-Figueroa, Randy and Kim Andrews, Kevin Osborne, Guy Lelarge and Helen LaPrairie, Chris and Jeannie Carpenter, John and Jackie Hamby, Perry and Kim Mangers, Michele Buttelman, Jo Ann Vindigni, Doug Gould and Lisa Cole, Dora Zavala, Mike Weinstein, John Adams, Terry and Stacey Mayfield, Larry Mazzeo and Jennifer Haberer, William Friedman, Dr. Mark Jenkins, Ramon Rebel and many more…
The Wine Line Up:
1 – SOUTHERN WINES & SPIRITS:
Simi Landslide 2006
Franciscan Magnifcat 2006
Ravenswood SVD Teldeschi 2007
Robert Mondavi Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Wild Horse Unbridled Pinot Noir 2007
Wild Horse Unbridled Chardonnay 2008
Borgo Conventi Pinot Grigio 2008
Inniskillin Vidal Ice Wine
2 – SOUTHERN WINES AND SPIRITS:
Candoni Pinot Grigio 2008
Coppola Pinot Noir Directors Cut 2007
Gary Farrell Pinot Noir 2007
Gloria Ferrer Brut Rose
Trapiche Malbec 2009
Chateau St. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Blue Label NV
3 – VIN WEST INTERNATIONAL
Handley Gewurztraminer 2008
Silver Stone Keeper 2005
Silver Stone Merlot 2005
39 North Petite Sirah 2006
Derby Implico Meritage 2006
Derby Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Grey Wolf Big Bad Wolf Zinfandel 2008
Old Codger Port NV
4-BRIDLEWOOD
LaMarca Prosecco NV
MacMurray Sonoma Pinot Noir 2008
MacMurray Chardonnay 2008
Bridlewood Blend 175 2009
Laguna Chardonnay 2008
5-CHATEAU DIRECT~France
Château Grand Abord White Graves 2008
Domaine Louis Sipp Pinot Gris 2006
Domaine Debray Hautes Cotes de Beaune 2007
Domaine Charles Allexant Cotes de Nuits Villages 2007
Château de l’Eveche Pomerol 2005
Château Moulin de Sales Pomerol 2000
Domaine du Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras 2007
6-TANARO RIVER IMPORTS
Bindi Segardi Climax 2007
Bosco Agostino Barbera d’Alba 2007
Bosco Agostino Barolo 2005
Beck-Hartweg Gewurztraminer 2006
Beck-Hartweg Gran Cru Riesling 2007
7-VINIFERA IMPORTS
Sant ‘Elena Pinot Grigio 2006
Mormoraia Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2008
Icardi Barbera d’Asti 2008
Villa Medoro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2006
Fontodi Chianti Classico 2006
Brigaldara Amarone 2006
Icardi Moscato d’Asti NV
8-FRANK-LIN/ANGELES WINES
Villa San Juliette Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Villa San Juliette Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Villa San Juliette Petite Syrah 2008
Bachey-Legros Bourgogne Rouge 2007
Yves Cheron Cotes du Rhone Les Dentelles 2007
Jean Vullien Chardonnay Cuvee Prestige 2008
Vigneau-Chevreau Vouvray Sec Cuvee Silex 2008
Gualda Young Tempranillo Joven 2009
9 – WINE WAREHOUSE
Trefethen Double T Chardonnay 2008
Trefethen Chardonnay 2007
Trefethen Merlot 2006
Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV
Louis Roederer Carte Blanche NV
Cloudline Pinot Noir 2008
Forman Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Plungerhead Lodi Zinfandel 2008
Jermann Pinot Grigio 2008
Joseph Drouhin 2008
Ramos Port 10 Year
Ramos Port 20 Year
10-WINE WAREHOUSE~BEER~
Birra Moretti
Moretti La Rossa
Erdinger Dunkel Weizen
Erdinger Pikantus Weizenbock
Anderson Valley Brother David’s Triple
Triple Kameliet
KWAK
Anderson Valley Imperial IPA
11 – VINTAGE POINT
Layer Cake Shiraz 2009
Layer Cake Primitivo 2008
Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Layer Cake Cherry Pie Pinot Noir 2008
Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Joseph Carr Chardonnay 2008
Luna Sangiovese 2007
Luna Pinot Grigio 2008
Hidden Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Ottimino Zinfinity 2007
12– CLASSIC WINES
Rusack Chardonnay Santa Barbara 2008
Rusack Pinot Noir Santa Maria 2008
Falcone Syrah Paso Robles 2008
Bell Claret Napa Valley 2007
Veuve De Vernay Brut NV
Filus Reserve Malbec 2008
13- AMERICAN WINES & SPIRITS
J Vineyards Pinot Noir 2007
Forefront by Pineridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Root 1 Chardonnay 2008
Chateau Bonnet Blanc White Bordeaux 2009
J Vineyards Brut Rose NV
Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico NV
14- PAUL YOUNG WINES ~FRANCE~
Ployez Jacquemart Champagne ‘Passion ‘ NV
Abbaye du Petit Quincy Bourgogne 2006
Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelettes 2008
Deveze Cotes du Roussillon Pandora 2005
Deveze Cotes du Roussillon Astree 2005
Damana Crianza 2004
Pinuaga Tempranillo 2005
15-COSENTINO WINERY
M Coz 2006
Reserve Merlot 2005
Reserve Cabernet Franc 2006
Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Napa Chardonnay 2007
Cigar Zin 2007
The Zin 2007
The Novelist 2007
Couples and Co Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Couples and Co Sangiovese 2006
Couples and Co Chardonnay 2006
Pure Cos Meritage 2006
Pure Cos Meritage 2006 Magnum
16- INTERNATIONAL WINE CLUB
Call the store for details on their new International wine club! 661-254-9300 http://www.valenciawine.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 guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
