Eve's Wine 101

Wine Tasting with Eve in Crete, Greece

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Our guide to two local wineries in Crete, Greece, was an enologist – wearing a WSET pin similar to my own – and also a linguist, who chose to spend his summer giving winery tours in Greece. Lucky us! Via a Food and Wine magazine collaboration, Holland America cruises offered us two wineries to try in one relaxing afternoon.

From our host we learned that Crete is 165 miles long from one end to the other. There are four main areas, and over one million people. While winters are mild (we were there early October and it was perfect) the summers are excruciatingly hot.

Greeks languish over wine tasting with plenty of food pairings, which would extend for hours if there also happened to be a celebration such as a wedding or birthday. Wine drinking is “a very social thing” and Greeks “eat and drink slowly and steadily for hours.”

The terrain, rocky and mountainous, lends itself to both Greek and non-Greek wine grapes. Traditionally there are 16 varieties most used: eight are local and the remaining eight are international; four in each category are white, the other four are red. But there are thousands of varieties made.

Note: I have had tastings and Greek wine education, but it had been years so this was a great way to renew my education and interest. Also of notes, the pricing of these Greek wines was more than reasonable and many guests bought bottles to have on the boat, to take home and for gifts. Now let me share some of my tasting notes and takeaways from the two wineries:

Karavitakis Winery

These wines were served with salty black olives, local hard sharp cheese and delicious croutons made with black olives and plentifully topped with sesame seeds.

2021 Kompsos (white)

Vidiano, Assyrtiko, Malvasia grapes

13% alcohol

9 Euros

The name Kompsos means elegant, and this wine was made from three local varieties. It tasted like a dry Sauvignon Blanc to my palate plus the fruit of a Viognier. It had low acid with plenty of lime and Meyer lemon; it was fresh with a light viscosity. A great start for me.

2021 Moschato Spinas (dry white)

9 Euros

With sweet stone fruit, Earl Gray tea and a lemony finish the winery host said the wine as a good aperitif and I had to agree.

2021 Kompsos Liatiko Rose

10 Euros

This Rose wine, my first time tasting a Greek Rose, was “elegant” just as the name Kompsos promised. The color was a peachy salmon, with aromas of watermelon and talcum powder – which I happen to love! The flavor reminded me of the freshest of strawberries and watermelon, with a slight acidity.

2020 Klima Kotsifali Mavrotragano (red)

10 Euros

The work Klima refers to climate, and the words Kotsifali Mavrotragano refer to the two grape varieties used, which should express itself with a “lighter color, body and tannins.” Other wineries mostly “add Syrah for color”, but the Mavrotragano does the trick as it’s a “black grape…crisp…and (we) only used 10%.” I got stewed cranberry, cherry, and other red fruits in this dry wine. It reminded me of a terroir-rich Pinot Noir or Grenache, and it was my favorite wine in the line-up.

2019 Eca Blend (red)

18 Euros

This was the favorite for most of the people in our tour. It is named after an olive tree located 1-½ miles away from the winery and credited for being over 3,000 years old. The wine is 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache Rose and 10% Carignan. Smelled very much like a Cabernet Sauvignon to me, and the guest nearest me said it “tastes like velvet.” Our winery host said the wine could age for 10 years. (All of the other wines were ready to drink now.) While the nose was dry, the flavors in the glass were that raspberry and cranberry fruit again.

2010 Viates Avo Purasko (sweet red wine, no photo)

Barbera clone

30 Euros

I got wonderful notes of caramel, plum, currant…and it reminded me very much of a ruby Port wine.

Manousakis Winery

Our winery host explained that the Manousakis family created the winery – with the help of experts – due to the growing tourism in Greece in the late 1980s.

These wines were paired with a toasted brown crouton-type cracker that was served with a rock-type white salt and olive oil they made at the winery.

2018 Nostos “The Journey” Assyrtiko (white)

Very lemony and tart, with notes of lime, green grass (aroma only!), and yellow apple. It was refreshing, and, like the white we started with at Karavitakis, refreshing.

2020 Nostos Muscat of Spina (white, dry Muscat)

Honeyed, peach, dried apricot, with a nice acidity and dryness. This was the group’s favorite of the two whites.

2016 Nostos “The Journey” Grenache (red)

This was my favorite wine at Manousakis. Stems, black and red cherry, dry, tannic, balanced, and it reminded me of a nice cherry liqueur, thought it was very well done.

2018 Nostos Blend (red)

14.5% alcohol

Balanced, brighter than the Alexander (below) but a similar profile. Thought the blend wasn’t mentioned, or on the label, my guess that it was also a GSM blend.

2018 Nostos Alexander (red)

40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre young vines.

14.5% alcohol

Black cherry, both sweet and dry, with chocolate notes, sweet pipe smoke and firm tannins. This was also a favorite of the group’s and mine.

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Other things we learned in Greece, between this tour and one other with a Greek guide included:

The olive trees are plentiful and very old. I rarely saw a vineyard, but I saw plenty of olive trees!

Greeks are friendly people, lots of smiles and greetings, arguments are short-lived and be careful when they talk with their hands as they are far-reaching!

Websites and social media:

https://www.instagram.com/karavitakis_winery/

https://www.facebook.com/karavitakiswines

https://www.manousakiswinery.com/

https://www.instagram.com/manousakis_winery/

https://www.facebook.com/ManousakisWinery

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

L’Ecole No 41 is Awarded Top 100 Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine

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WALLA WALLA, WA – L’Ecole N° 41, one of the Walla Walla Valley’s founding wineries, has announced that Wine & Spirits Magazine has recognized it as a Top 100 Winery of the Year for 2022. This is the sixteenth time the winery has received this recognition.

Each year, Wine & Spirits designates its Top 100 Wineries of the World. The magazine’s editors taste many thousand wines from around the world to develop a list of the year’s best wineries based on overall performance. Only 18 wineries including L’Ecole, have been named to this prestigious list 16 times.

L’Ecole will participate in the Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tastings in San Francisco and New York City. These events recognize the year’s Top 100 recipients pouring their wines alongside food offered by each city’s top restaurants. L’Ecole will show their Bordeaux- style blends from their two estate vineyards: 2019 Ferguson, Estate Ferguson Vineyard and 2019 Perigee, Estate Seven Hills Vineyard, both of which received 94 points from Wine & Spirits. Patrick J. Comiskey, Wine & Spirits Senior Correspondent, has referred to Perigee as “a winery statement through the lens of a single vineyard” and referred to it as “iconic, a definitive expression of Walla Walla’s terroir …”

“This is an extraordinary honor for L’Ecole especially given it comes on the cusp of our 40th harvest as a winery,” says Marty Clubb, Owner and Managing Winemaker. “We strive for high-quality, expressive wines, vintage after vintage. Honors like this Top 100 award affirm our efforts and speak to the excellence of Walla Walla Valley, and to the commitment of our family, winery team, vineyard crew, and growers.”

About L’Ecole No 41

Housed in the historic Frenchtown schoolhouse depicted on its label, L’Ecole has earned international acclaim for producing expressive, distinctive wines that reflect the unmistakable typicity of Washington State and the unique terroir of their Walla Walla Valley estate vineyards. Founded in 1983, L’Ecole celebrates its 40th harvest this fall. In addition to Clubb, his wife Megan Clubb and their children Riley Clubb and Rebecca Olson are also co-owners and serve on L’Ecole’s Board of Directors.

About Wine & Spirits Magazine

Founded in 1982, Wine & Spirits is published four times a year in print, with 24 online Regional Tasting Reports, and read by over 200,000 members of America’s wine community. Consumers and wine professionals read the magazine for information on established and up-and-coming regions and producers, the art and science of viticulture, industry happenings, and food and wine pairing. Wine & Spirits, the only wine publication to win the James Beard award five times for excellence in wine writing, evaluates more than 15,000 bottlings every year.

What is Amaro, And Why You Should Try It

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Amaro is traditionally made by infusing grape brandy with a (usually secret) mix of herbs, flowers, aromatic bark, citrus peel and spices—a blend that can include anything from cardamom to elderberry flowers. Then it’s sweetened with sugar syrup and aged, sometimes for years. – Wikipedia.

I have a fondness for bitters, all things Italian, dark flavors and aromas – so it’s no surprise that I have a fondness for Amaro. Over the years I’ve had it on the rocks after dinner – called a digestif – as well as alone to sample during classes and in icy cocktails. Let me share some of my favorites with you – not my absolute favorite brand of Amaro – I’m still exploring the differences, but what I’ve learned about Amaro that I hope will make you want to learn about it and try it as well.

The first that I mentioned was having Amaro as a digestif. I’ve been told that drinking bitters messages your stomach to fight whatever may be disturbing your stomach, so having bitters after a meal settles the stomach. I’ve often added bitters to a cocktail or had an Amaro after a large meal and did have positive results. Doesn’t hurt that I also love the flavor. My favorite is simply on the rocks with a lemon peel.

In a class organized by Fernet-Branca a few years back we examined seven different expressions from the Fratelli-Branca portfolio. (I have seven photos of our day here.) I learned a few things you may find interesting:

  • The herbs and roots, 27 of them, used in the liqueurs come from four continents. So whatever they add, it’s been done in-house and from scratch.
  • The recipe for each liqueur is a secret, even the order of when each ingredient is added matters and is also a secret.
  • The flavors come from the ingredients: Monday the distillery smells of chamomile, Tuesday it’s espresso beans, and so on.
  • Just some of the roots, spices and herbs include saffron, ginger, bitter orange, sweet orange, aloe, chamomile, Chinese rhubarb, peppermint, Myrrh…
  • When we were told that Fernet-Branca cured cholera I had to Google that. “Bernardino Branca dreamed up (Fernet-Branca) in 1845 as a cure-all to treat cholera and spleen pain, among other conditions. For decades, it was even sold in American pharmacies…” (Read more here.)

I’ve had three of reputedly the most popular: Montengro, Averna and Fernet-Branca. This article on Liquor.com shares a few of the brands, and the differences: https://www.liquor.com/italian-amari-5079342

There are dedicated Amaro bars in Italy, and there is one Italian restaurant in Las Vegas that I’ve discovered so far, Monzu Italian Oven and Bar, that has a huge selection that I’m dying to explore. I want to sample them on their own, and in whatever cocktails the Amaro lends itself well to. So far at home I enjoy Amaro on the rocks, or replacing sweet Vermouth in a Manhattan.

Home

https://www.fernetbranca.com/en

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

Union des Grands Crus Bordeaux 2022 Tasting Event: The New 2019 Vintage

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Not sure how many of the “130 Castles in the Union” of Bordeaux Eddie and I tasted at the Union des Grands Crus Bordeaux 2022 tasting event, but taste we did! We go to this preview of newly released Bordeaux wines every year – we missed a couple as everyone did when events went on hiatus through Covid – so we were thrilled to attend this latest event.

The preview event we attended was filled with sommeliers, journalists, and restaurant and wine shop owners – as it has been in the past – so it was nice to reconnect with many of my peers after such a “dry spell”. We were also blessed with seeing some of the same winery representatives across the table we hadn’t seen in a while – and some Chateau owners too! Again, as it’s been a couple of years, everyone just seemed so relieved to finally meet again over fine wine that came across the ocean to be shared. (The evening’s event, open to the public, would be filled with wine lovers, aficionados and collectors.)

Appellations represented include Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Pauillac, Sauternes and Barsac, Pessac-Leognan, Graves, Pomerol, Listrac-Medoc, Moulis-en-Medoc, Haut-Medoc, Medoc, Margaux, Saint-Julien and Saint-Estephe. There was enough wine to fill two rooms of excited tasters.

You can see the story in my public photos here or read on. We appreciated everything we sampled! In general, I felt that many of the 2019s were good to drink now and didn’t necessarily require a lot of aging, the blends were well done, there was a buzz about the Merlots and the Cab-based Bordeaux from Pauillac.

Again, and just in general, some of the reds were dark, tannic and brooding while others were fresh and lively which to me means there was a lot to appreciate no matter what blends you normally lean towards.

The whites – Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauternes that I enjoyed – benefitted from great fresh fruit and winemaking skills. I enjoyed almost every single one I sampled.

Though we didn’t come close to tasting everything, we would recommend that you seek out these stellar 2019: Chateau Lynch Bages, Chateau Phelan Segur, Chateau de Chantegrive, Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot, Chateau Leoville Barton, Chateau Leoville Poyferre, Chateau Gloria, Chateau Fonreaud, Chateau Dauzac, Chateau Talbot, Chateau Rauzan Gassies, Chateau Croizet Bages, Chateau Prieure Lichine, Chateau Gazin, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Chateau Pavie Macquin, Chateau Clinet, Chateau La Tour Figeac, Chateau Grand Mayne, Chateau Pape-Clement, Chateau Latour-Martillac, Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse, Domaine de Chevalier, Chateau Haut-Bergey, Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron, Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Chateau Larrivet Haut Brion, Chateau Bouscaut, Chateau Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Chateau Doisy Daene and Chateau Sigalas-Rabaud.

A complete list of the UGC members can be seen here: https://www.ugcb.net/en/members

Keep up with UGC news and events here: https://www.ugcb.net/en/home

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

Ready-to-drink Del Mar Margaritas Deliver Vacation In A Bottle

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ST. HELENA, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — Del Mar Margarita Wine Cocktails has announced its entry into the popular ready-to-drink margarita wine cocktail market – currently growing by more than 50 percent and worth more than $199 million annually1. The vacation-inspired duo in Pacifica Lime and Strawberry expressions beckons the beach with bold flavors from agave wine blended to perfection with real lime and strawberry juices. Each 13.9 percent ABV offering is vegan, gluten-free and available nationwide in three summer-ready sizes: 187mL four-packs ($11 SRP) plus 750mL ($10) and 1.5L ($18) bottles.

“This summer, we invite beach-goers and beach-dreamers alike to enjoy this new twist on America’s most-loved cocktail2,” said Jennifer Hohman, director of marketing for Del Mar Margarita Wine Cocktails. “Simply twist the top and pour your favorite flavor over ice for your ticket to good times in the sunshine and a beachside state-of-mind with this sessionable summer sipper.”

Refreshing and tangy, Del Mar Pacifica Lime Margarita opens with zesty notes of real lime juice accompanied by fresh flavors of organic Blue Weber agave from Jalisco, Mexico. Del Mar Strawberry Margarita delivers the same juicy mouthfeel, accented by sweet and succulent notes of real strawberry. Both are crafted with wine made from the agave plant – the base in craft tequila spirits. Agave wine is a fortified wine made from fermented agave plants, resulting in a lower ABV agave-based alcohol that delivers tequila-like flavors and aromas without the boozy burn. Together, these ingredients elegantly blend into Del Mar Wine Cocktails with a lower ABV than traditional margaritas – all while maintaining the classic aromas of agave and tempting taste of tequila in a ready-to-drink format.

Like its namesake oceanfront city, Del Mar Margarita Wine Cocktails evoke a beachside state-of-mind. Twisting the top of Del Mar brings memories of sun on your shoulders, friends by your side and toes in the sand. Kick off your summer and reach for the beach with classically delicious margarita wine cocktails from Del Mar; with one sip, you’ll escape to a flavorful and fun vacation* (*flip flops not required).

About Del Mar Margarita Wine Cocktails

Reach for the beach and live life in the sunshine with Del Mar Margarita Wine Cocktails, a refreshing ready-to-drink wine cocktail made with agave wine and a beachside state-of-mind. With two delicious flavors, Pacifica Lime and Strawberry, Del Mar brings memories to mind of friends by your side and your toes in the sand. Like its beachfront city namesake, Del Mar knows life by the ocean. This ready-to-drink margarita brings you to the beach and the good times in the sunshine that it provides. After all, Del Mar is more than a destination. It’s a state of mind. For more information, visit www.delmarwinecocktails.com.

Social Media
Instagram: @DelMarCocktails
Facebook: @DelMarCocktails

Breckenridge Wine Classic Announcements

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GOLDEN, Colo. – The Eighth Annual Breckenridge Wine Classic (September 15-17) has announced details regarding its innovative lineup including a “Winemaker for a Day” experience, “Wine & Wildflower Hike,” and exquisite paired dinners with some of the country’s best vintners at five standout Breckenridge restaurants, including one at the ski resort. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the Breckenridge Wine Classic is a three-day festival anchored by the two-day Grand Tasting, which features hundreds of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and epicurean purveyors at this ultimate food, wine and sensory destination. Tickets for the seminars and paired dinners are on sale now, while Grand Tasting tickets went on sale in April.

“The Breckenridge Wine Classic is so much more than the Grand Tasting. We develop programming that provides unprecedented access to sommeliers, winemakers, glassware experts and other industry pioneers that will help everyone from a wine novice to someone with decades of wine enthusiasm learn more about the craft,” said Breckenridge Wine Classic Festival Events and Marketing Director Kristen Horpedahl. “Where else can you play winemaker for a day for $85 or explore the Rocky Mountains with a master somm?”

All tickets can be purchased on the Breckenridge Wine Classic Eventbrite page. Experiences at the 2022 Breckenridge Wine Classic include:

Thursday, September 15: The Breckenridge Uncorked Dinner Series (prices vary) will feature five-course paired wine dinners at Breckenridge’s best restaurants including:

  • The Tour of Pinot Noir Dinner at Hearthstone Breckenridge with Copper Cane’s portfolio
  • Single Vineyard Reserve Dinner at Beaver Run Resort’s Spencer’s Lounge with Canard Vineyard
  • Wild West of Wines Dinner at Carboy Winery Breckenridge with Colorado’s own winery
  • Master Sommelier Reserve Dinner at Rootstalk Breckenridge with local Master Sommelier Sean Razee
  • Read All About It Dinner at Modis Breckenridge with Robert Craig Winery

Friday, September 16:

  • Winemaker For A Day Blending Experience ($85): Alexander Valley Vineyards hosts a blending seminar where guests are invited to taste from the barrel samples and create their own craft blend
  • Uncharted Territories Hike ($130): This guided 3-mile hike on the Burro Trail culminates in a three-course paired lunch at Cabin Juice with wines from little known regions of Australia.

Saturday, September 17:

  • Class On Glass Riedel Seminar ($125): Guests will sample wine from Riedel’s varietal-specific glasses to understand how glassware enhances the aromas and taste components.
  • Wine & Wildflower Hike ($130): This 3-mile guided hike throughout the Rocky Mountain’s wildflowers alongside Deanna Benzenberg of Michael David Winery culminates in a three-course paired lunch at Cabin Juice.
  • Giampietro’s Reserve Lunch ($99): Double the somms, double the fun. This double-trouble paired lunch features two Master Sommeliers: Sean Razee and Damon Ornowski at Giampietro Italian restaurant.

Tickets for the seminars and paired dinners start at $85, while Grand Tasting tickets start at $109.

More details regarding the seminars and events will be released closer to the festival. Volunteer applications will open in June.

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High-resolution renderings available here.

Media interested in attending, please fill out this form.

About Breckenridge Wine Classic

The Breckenridge Wine Classic is a premier destination event where master winemakers, culinary greats, and our distinguished guests gather to play, wine, and dine in beautiful Breckenridge, Colo. Experience more than 100 food artisans, wineries, breweries, distilleries, epicurean purveyors, and locally-made products at this ultimate food and wine experience. Whether you are a full-fledged foodie or an emerging gourmand, you are sure to find more than one event to whet your appetite at the Wine Classic. There is something for everyone – from food and wine tastings, to seminars and luncheons, to outdoor adventures with food & wine influences, there are tastes and temptations at every turn. For more information, visit breckenridgewineclassic.com or follow @breckwineclassic on Instagram and @breckenridewineclassic on Facebook.

About Team Player Productions

Founded more than 25 years ago in Denver, Team Player Productions (TPP) has produced and managed more than 400 events around the country, raising more than $2 million for its various nonprofit partners. TPP has created and continues to produce beloved annual events including Vail Wine Classic, Breckenridge Wine Classic and Vail Craft Beer Classic , and adopted others, such asDenver Burger Battle and the Boulder Creek Festival. The company was also the originator of events including Taste of Fort Collins, Steamboat Wine Festival and Park City Food & Wine Classic. TPP consults and produces events for a portfolio of clients as well, such as Goose Island Beer Co., Blue Point Brewing Co., Great Divide Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Company, Red Bull, City of Centennial, Anheuser-Busch, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and City of Littleton. For more information, visit TPPEvents.com, or follow @TPPEvents on Facebook and @TeamPlayerProductions on Instagram.

Milam And Greene Releases The Castle Hill Series Batch Two, a Limited-Edition Batch of 13-Year-Old Casks

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BLANCO, TEXAS (PRWEB) – Milam & Greene Whiskey is introducing The Castle Hill Series Batch Two, the second release of its limited-edition batch of 13-year-old hand-selected straight bourbon whiskies bottled at barrel proof. The Castle Hill Series celebrates the art of batching well-aged casks, one of the many methods Milam & Greene enlists to create its award-winning range of whiskies. Just 26 vintage barrels were married to create this superb whiskey, making it the most limited release from the acclaimed distillery that was recently lauded for its “Best in Show” whiskey at The American Craft Spirits Association competition.

The Castle Hill Series carries the oldest age statement in the Milam & Greene family of whiskies, and each batch includes the distillery’s most exclusive casks. The series is named for the historic Texas Military Institute, also known as “The Castle,” in Austin, Texas. While the Milam & Greene distillery operations and warehousing are in Blanco, Texas, The Castle is home to Heather Greene’s blending lab, and its old-world elegance serves as an inspiration for the Milam & Greene CEO and master blender.

Greene is renowned for her exceptional whiskey blending skills, and The Castle Hill Series showcases her ability to select the right casks to blend to develop complex flavors. Greene honed her tremendous whiskey blending skills while evaluating Scotch whisky for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Scotland, as well as while working with numerous distilleries around the globe before bringing her talent to Milam & Greene in 2018. Under Greene’s direction, whiskey blending is essential to creating core Milam & Greene whiskies including the Triple Cask Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Port Finished Straight Rye Whiskey.

“The guiding principle in blending The Castle Hill Series is to create a traditional bourbon that whiskey drinkers will love,” says Heather Greene, Milam & Greene CEO and master blender. “Each cask used to create The Castle Hill Series has a different personality. Those personality traits are developed through aging over a long period of time with influences from the environment. We hand-selected each barrel aged between 13 years, 10 months, and 17 days at the youngest, and 14 years, two months, and 13 days at the oldest, to identify specific characteristics that we want in the finished product. The result is a multifaceted bourbon with layers of nutty, spicy, fruity, and oak flavors.”

Milam & Greene The Castle Hill Series, Batch Two Tasting Notes
Milam & Greene The Castle Hill Series Batch Two shines in the glass with a deep burnt amber color. On the nose it is a dichotomy of youthful vigor and aged splendor with scents of warm peach cobbler, brown sugar, and vanillas with hints of almond and milk chocolate. Bottled at cask strength of 111 proof (55.5 % ABV), this potent straight bourbon whiskey features velvety, opulent flavors of caramel, cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, and tobacco with a warming and long finish.

The Castle Hill Series Batch Two Barrel Information
Twenty-six barrels were used to create The Castle Hill Series Batch Two. The ages of each barrel are detailed below:
4 barrels aged 13 years, 10 months, 17 days
8 barrels aged 13 years, 10 months, 18 days
4 barrels aged 13 years, 10 months, 19 days
4 barrels aged 13 years, 11 months, 6 days
2 barrels aged 14 years, 1 month, 20 days
2 barrels aged 14 years, 2 months, 13 days
1 barrel aged 14 years, 2 months, 16 days
1 barrel aged 14 years, 3 months, 6 days

Pricing and Availability
The Castle Hill Series Batch Two is available for a suggested retail price of $149.99 at select retailers that can be found on Milamandgreenewhiskey.com. This whiskey is extremely limited with only 3,000 bottles released around the country. Please call your local retailer to determine local availability. Milam & Greene whiskey is distributed by Southern Wine and Spirits, Empire Merchants, Heidelberg Distributing, Brescome Barton, and Winebow Fine Wine and Spirits.

About Milam & Greene
Milam & Greene Whiskey is made by some of the world’s most experienced whiskey professionals, including CEO, master blender, and author, Heather Greene and 30-year veteran and master distiller, Marlene Holmes. The Milam & Greene team distills in Blanco, Texas on small 300- and 1,000-gallon pot stills as well as in Kentucky on classic column stills, using its proprietary yeast and grain recipes. Aging takes place in rickhouses located in four states in different casks for a variety of flavors resulting in the most thorough array of casks made and collected by any craft distiller. These casks become the ingredients from which its award-winning American whiskey range is batched to create perfection. Milam & Greene Whiskey believes in using the best people and ingredients to create delicious, award-winning whiskey for whiskey lovers. For more information visit: http://www.milamandgreenewhiskey.com. Connect with Milam & Greene Whiskey on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Wine Country Resorts to Visit This Summer

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ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – When planning summer vacation time, travelers from far and near seeking natural beauty, exquisite food and wine experiences, unique-to-the-location adventures and attractions and luxurious getaway amenities and hospitality should consider one or more of these wine country resorts – all with special programming and easy access to the country’s finest wineries.

Silverado Resort and Spa – Napa Valley

Tucked into the rolling hills of legendary Napa Valley, Silverado Resort and Spa offers wine aficionados proximity to over 400 wineries, and the resort’s Best of the Valley wine tastings on Saturdays feature sommelier-led tastings of selections from highly respected local wineries. Outdoor activity enthusiasts will love the two championship golf courses, 10 tennis courts, bike and hiking trails and three swimming pools at the resort. Other customized features for Wellness guests to enjoy are the spa’s 30 fitness classes offered weekly and over 30 spa treatments available.

New This Summer: Daily yoga classes in the historic, tranquil Mansion Garden

Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa – Texas Hill Country

Located along 290 Wine Road between Johnson City and Fredericksburg in rugged, naturally beautiful Texas Hill Country, Carter Creek is the only winery resort in this wine country –which is home to over 50 wineries – that also houses a brewery, producing seasonal craft beers that beer lovers will want to savor. The winery’s award-winning wines include blended Plateau Red and white blended Gloriosa, and for music lovers, there’s live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night. Vacationers will want to be outdoors for all the nearby recreational offerings: hiking, biking, bird watching, kayaking, boating, horseback riding, golfing, fishing, caving and more.

New This Summer: Full-service Spa opening with five treatment rooms featuring organic ingredients

Carter Estate Winery and Resort – Temecula Valley

The resort is situated on 109 pristine acres, near more than 40 other esteemed Temecula wineries and many visitor attractions, including Harveston Lake Park for walking, jogging and summer boating, and the location is known for hot air ballooning adventures and horse-drawn carriage rides through the vineyards. Wine lovers appreciate that Carter Estate has a roster of award-winning wines and is especially known for its delicious méthode champenoise sparklings. For comfort and pampering, there are 60 luxurious villas with private patios steps away from the winery vineyards.

New This Summer: Exclusive Méthode Champenoise Tasting Experience in collaboration with Grazing Theory Cheese, available on Saturdays and Sundays

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa – Temecula Valley

Beautifully situated on 63 lush acres of rolling vineyards, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and is the only full-service resort and spa in the valley. For oenophiles and new wine appreciators, this multi-award-winning winery has been distinguished as a four-time winner of California Winery of the Year and offers over 45 wines to taste. Gourmet dining attracts food lovers to The Vineyard Rose Restaurant with appealing summer al fresco dining on the landscaped patio. For vacation pampering, GrapeSeed Spa touts 22 treatment rooms with patios with fountains and features a yoga studio.

Happening This Summer: Rhythm on the Vine® Concert Series featuring jazz, pop and country performers

Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach – Central Coast

An idyllic beachfront boutique resort along the Pacific with near proximity to Central Coast’s famed wine regions of Arroyo Grande, Edna Valley, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Cambria, this noted region for wine lovers includes more than 250 wineries. Vespera Resort hosts regular wine dinners with outstanding wine partner participation. After a day of wine tasting, guests can enjoy Vespera Resort’s beachfront location and, at night, its Stargazing Program with in-room collapsible telescopes to take outside to the Starlight Lawn. Special attraction for dog owners is the Pismo Pub Club that welcomes best furry friends to the resort with all kinds of amenities.

New This Summer: Tacos & Beer Menu offered along with live entertainment on Starlight Lawn on Saturday afternoons overlooking the Pacific

Vineyard Picnic anyone? ONX Wines Has You Covered

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Nestled within the newly budded vines picnic basket in hand, guests can now get up close and personal with this recently Certified Sustainable Paso Robles vineyard. ONX Wines new Vineyard Picnic, Vineyard Afternoon Tea, and Vineyard Proposal experiences let their guests immerse themselves in the famed Central Coast viticulture.

When ONX Wines planted their vines, they knew they wanted to embrace the land, create community, and welcome guests to learn about their amazing AVA. For anyone that has dreamed of moments of cozy vineyard afternoons wine glass in hand…here they are.

Picnic anyone? Their new Vineyard Picnic Experience surprises and delights. Guests are welcomed to the estate, then led on an off-road tour to their private picnic spot amongst the vines. Here they can relax and enjoy locally sourced culinary creations packed in a winsome picnic basket while sipping through one of their newly released award-winning blends. $77.50 pp

Feeling a bit posh? Their Vineyard Afternoon Tea takes it a step further and allows the guest to sip through 5 estate wines while savoring a midday pause. These wines are carefully paired with locally made sandwiches and tea, which the guest can relish amongst one of the farms charming vineyard oases. Fluffy pastries, award winning wines and newly budding vines charm, delight and relax. Parties of 6-12 starting at $348.

Want to pop the question? Their exclusive Vineyard Proposal Experience will never be forgotten. A private oasis is carefully staged for your once in a lifetime moment.

“Looking forward to hosting you at our beautiful Vineyard!” Happy Saunders, Event Manager

ONX Wines is a Paso Robles winery & certified sustainable farmstead with a 130-acre vineyard located in the dynamic Templeton Gap AVA. It is planted with 18 distinct varieties and numerous clones. Their wines are expressive yet balanced blends that reflect the vineyard estate and its complex alluvium soils.

Discovering the White Wine Winery Acquiesce, a Lodi Treasure

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In planning a recent Napa trip one of my friends suggested we spend a day in Lodi. The last time I visited Lodi was virtually, when several winemakers came to LA to present a seminar and tasting. It was so long ago, possibly ten years, that all I recall was tasting old vine Zinfandels, a wine the area was known for.

We visited four wineries that day. All had at least one or more wines that I enjoyed from whites to old vine Zinfandels. One winery stood out. First because they only make white Rhone varietals (some which were new to me) and one rose, but as I tasted through their lineup, and made my notations, it turned out that every single wine I tried I wanted to buy.

Fast forward to planning this trip. I went to the LA Wine Writers group on Facebook and asked my associates who I should visit. Then I reached out to Lodi.com to help me plan the trip. As I only had one day I wanted to focus on the wines alone, there would be no time for winery or vineyard tours. We also invited Steve and Vashti Roebuck (wine bloggers, collectors and admins of the popular Wine in the Glass Facebook group) to join us.

Acquiesce Winery

This is an excerpt from my upcoming article in SCV Elite Magazine, “The first on my list to try was a winery recommended to me by more than one wine loving pal: Acquiesce Winery. We were awestruck by all of the gorgeous white wines, and one Rose, during our “Elevated Tasting Experience” there. Many are award winners from respected competitions: 2020 Ingenue, 2021 Grenache Rose, 2020 Bourboulenc, 2020 Clairette Blanche, 2021 Picpoul Blanc, 2021 Viognier, 2020 and 2021 Grenache Blanc. Don’t miss these Chateauneuf du Pape inspired Rhônes by winemaker Susan Tipton.” Here is the link to the social media post that also includes notes and photos from Acquiesce and other Lodi wineries we visited that day.

To expand, the Elevated Tasting Experience, seen here in the photo by Steve Roebuck, was a great pairing! (Not every food and wine pairing is spot on but theirs was.) And for Steve Roebuck and me, as it’s our practice to sample wines without food, it was difficult not to sample those small bites. But the wine…oh how I wish I could have lingered there all day. Also of note: most of these wines were less than $30 each.

The Pairing

We began with the 2021 Picpoul Blanc paired with Italian salsa, Spenker Goat Ricotta Tartine. Next was their 2021 Grenache Rose alongside Radish Tartine with Butter (butter is always a good choice!) and Cracked Pepper. Our third was the 2020 Grenache Blanc with Asparagus (a hard vegetable to pair), Ricotta, Preserved Lemons on Pumpernickel and then our final pairing with the 2020 Clairette Blanche with a Dijon Tarragon Tuna, Tomato, Tartine on Rye. All pretty simple and simply delish. (Note: this was their April Pairing Menu, titled “We Love Tartines” and their May pairing was geared toward the recent Cinco de Mayo holiday. So know that you will most likely have a different menu when you visit – don’t forget to make reservations – but I would make a bet that it would be just as yum-worthy. And when I last checked their website for the price it was only $20!)

Tasting Notes Courtesy Steve Roebuck:

2021 Picpoul Blanc

Score: 92 Points

Location: Lodi, California

Blend: 100% Picpoul Blanc

Wafting from my glass was an elegant bouquet of fresh cut apples, pears, lemon curd, crushed seashells, wet river rocks and a touch of lemon grass. The wine had nice acidity with a crisp palate giving way to hints of green apple, pears, melon, citrus oil, lemon grass, crushed minerals, and a soft note of dill on the finish with a splash of lemon. The wine is beautifully balanced with fresh orchard fruits and crisp minerals that seamlessly intertwine together. 

2021 Grenache Rose

Score: 92 Points

Location: Lodi, California

Blend: 100% Grenache Noir

This light salmon colored wine had a lovely bouquet of strawberries, melon, raspberries, Jolly Roger candy and dried hay bale. The wine had a nice level of acidity that brought balance to a palate painted with strawberries, watermelon, cherry, lemon zest and crushed gravel. The wine was refreshingly crisp with a beautiful layering of fruits and bright terroir notes. This wine is reminiscent of a French Provence rose wine; thus, an elegant and sophisticated style. 

2020 Grenache Blanc

Score:  93 Points

Location: Lodi, California

Blend:  100% Grenache Blanc

The wine had an expressive bouquet of cut apples, white peach, cut almonds, wet river rocks, chalky minerals and a note of marzipan. The wine is full bodied with a nice level of acidity, giving way to hints of green apple, white peach, wet slate, chalky minerals and a finish with softly brined apricots. This vivacious wine had lovely layers of fruit that harmoniously blended with the wonderful terroir notes. 

2020 Clairette Blanche

Score:  93 Points

Location:  Lodi, California

Blend: 100% Clairette Blanche

This rare beauty had an eloquent bouquet of poached pears, apricots, white tea, ginger cookie, marzipan, dried herbs, grapefruit and soft hints of yellow beeswax.  The wine is full-bodied with bright acidity that gives way to a palate painted with mixed orchard fruits, crisp minerals, light spice, fresh herbs and a touch of white fig on the finish. There is beauty here with a tapestry of fruit, exotic spice, and lovely terroir notes. 

2020 Ingenue

Score: 94 Points

Location: Lodi, California

Blend: 100% Ingenue

The wine had a floral bouquet of white flowers, poached pears, apple pie crust, kiwi, orange blossoms, cut almonds, dried herbs, lemon and crushed minerals. The wine was medium-bodied with lovely acidity that brightened the palate with hints of fresh apple, honeydew melon, vanilla, soft citrus oil, crushed gravel and a drop of honey on the finish. The wine is complex with beautiful layers of fruit and earth that harmonize wonderfully together. 

2020 Bourboulenc

Score: 91 Points

Location: Lodi, California

Blend: 100% Bourboulenc

This wine had a lovely bouquet of green apples, pears, white peach, lemon grass, chamomile tea and a splash of brine. The wine had nice acidity that gave way to hints of white peach, sliced apple, lime, beeswax, and white pepper. The wine is refreshing and crisp on the palate with soft notes of spice and orchard fruits. 

2021 Viognier

Score: 95 Points

Location: Lodi, California

Blend: 100% Viognier

The wine had an alluring bouquet of white flowers, lavender, jasmine, pears, peaches, honeysuckle, white pepper, crushed stone and a touch of pineapple. The wine is medium ++ in body with a beautiful level of acidity that gives way to hints of tropical and orchard fruits, honeysuckle, exotic spice, soft brine, river rocks, and a kiss of citrus. The wine is complex with harmonizing layers of fruit and earth that play beautifully together. The wine is reminiscent of a French Rhone, as it is showing in an old-world style. 

More

The winemaker and owner, Susan Tipton, led our tasting. She told us that they started ten years ago, after she fell in love with white Chateauneuf du Pape wines. Her vineyards are all estate-owned and are dedicated to white wine grapes alone. None are oaked. The area has a Mediterranean climate, warm days, cool nights and a Delta breeze.

We purchased a case of wine each, the Roebucks and us, and I’ve since been looking over the club membership: six bottles delivered twice a year, in April and October, 20% off any purchases, complimentary tastings at the winery and invitations to release parties and pick up events.

Read this to see how well their wines did at the recent San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. (Short answer: They won four Best of Class Awards – and over 5,800 wines were judged.)

From the Winery

Do you love white wines? Located in the Lodi Appellation we offer estate grown, award-winning premium white and rosé wines lovingly created in small batches. We carefully craft these unique wines: Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc, Belle Blanc and Ingénue (white blends) and a Grenache Rosé. Join us by appointment, Thursday – Sunday 11-5 for our Elevated Tasting Experience

Elevated Tasting Experience reservations à https://www.exploretock.com/acquiescewinery

Homepage
https://www.facebook.com/AcquiesceWinery
https://www.instagram.com/acquiescewinery/

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