Prestigious Wine Region Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary of AVA Status

August 1, 2021 by evebushman

The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, established in 2001, is located on the central coast of California in Santa Barbara County. The Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance is preparing to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the AVA designation with a series of educational events planned for the weekend of August 12^th through the 15^th. The events will pay tribute to the first planted vineyard, Sanford & Benedict, as well as honor the founding pioneers of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The annual Wine and Fire celebrations will culminate with a Grand Tasting at the beautiful La Purisima Mission located just outside of Lompoc’s Santa Rita Hills.

Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, 135 acres, was planted in 1971 by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict. Through research and development, they determined what wine grape varieties were best suited for the area. Earthy soils, containing large deposits of limestone and diatomaceous earth, to sandy loam, coupled with daily ocean winds that tunnel up the transverse valley from Point Conception create the perfect environment to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Lafond Vineyards and Winery followed suit in 1972 but it was not until the early eighties that additional plantings ensued. Over the next 20 years approximately 1,100 acres were planted, predominantly to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In 1999 winegrowers began the pursuit of establishing the Santa Rita Hills as a distinctive growing region, and submitted their application in 2000 to the TTB to be recognized as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). Granted recognition in 2001 the rest is history, the region is currently planted to just under 4,000 acres of vineyards.

The 20 year anniversary weekend celebration will kick off Thursday night with a tasting at the first vineyard planted and winery established in the Sta. Rita Hills, Sanford & Benedict. The iconic vineyard offers stunning vistas of Fiddlestix and Sea Smoke vineyards. Ten producers will pour Sanford & Benedict vineyard wines ranging from current to library offerings.

Production of sparkling wine is on the rise in the region and Friday morning’s event will be an opportunity to meet some of those producers and sample the wines. Moderator Adam Lee will lead the discussion followed by a walk around tasting.

Friday evening the celebration continues at the beautiful Alma Rosa Vineyard as the Pioneers of the Sta. Rita Hills are honored La Paulee style. Richard Sanford was inducted into the California Vintner’s Hall of Fame in 2012 and was honored as Vintner of The Year for 2020 by the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance will be one of 6 honorees.

Saturday morning’s event “Time in a Bottle” will delve into the aging potential of Sta. Rita Hills wines. Gregory Brewer, Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year, will join 5 other long-time producers for this intimate event that will take place at Spear Vineyards and Winery.

The Saturday evening Grand Tasting at the stunning La Purisima Mission will be the finale of the Alliance events and will showcase 40 wineries, local farmers, caterers, and BBQ chefs for a taste of the Sta. Rita Hills.

Tasting Rooms will be welcoming Passport holders for a weekend of specials and wines.

For more details visit staritahills.com / Wine and Fire 2021.

Canadian wine auction sets world record: $17,625 for single bottle of 1992 Screaming Eagle

June 20, 2021 by evebushman

CALGARY, ALBERTA (PRWEB) – Within two months of launch, IronGateAuctions.com has set a world record, fetching the highest price ever paid for a 750 mL bottle of 1992 Screaming Eagle according to Wine Market Journal, the industry’s most comprehensive resource for wine auction trade values and market information. The Californian cult legend sold for $17,625 CAD (including 17.5 per cent buyer’s premium) during Iron Gate’s most recent online wine auction, which ran from May 11 to 18. The auction yielded strong prices in all categories with an impressive offering of Bordeaux and Burgundy leading the way, grossing $673,510 overall, including 17.5 per cent buyer’s premium.

Photo: California Wine Report.

“The results from our latest online commercial wine auction are clear: Canada can compete on the world stage for vintage fine wine,” says Warren Porter, President and Founder of IronGateAuctions.com. “Canadian consignors now have a reliable channel to sell their prized collections and can reach a broad base of energetic buyers who are thirsting for these rare, coveted wines. It’s a dream come true for me that IronGateAuctions.com is helping to put Canada on the fine wine auction map.”

Total sales of the seven-day auction came in at 90 per cent of the high estimate. According to Porter, this is a good price position for buyers and sellers alike.

“We believe our online auction sales results send a strong signal to both consigners and buyers,” says Porter. “Canada is an attractive market for collectors looking to sell wines of impeccable quality and there is great value available for buyers of vintage fine wine.”

More highlights from IronGateAuctions.com’s most recent commercial auction include:

99% sell through rate
631 wine lots sold
4,648 bids placed with 1,750 placed in the last four (4) hours
Notable lots sold include a single bottle of 2009 Jean-Louis Chave, Hermitage, Ermitage Cathelin selling for $8,255 CAD
$673,510 CAD in auction gross sales with 17.5 % buyer’s premium

IronGateAuctions.com’s Fall auction season will kick-off in September 2021. Interested wine buyers can register at IronGateAuctions.com for regular updates and early access to catalogues and information about upcoming auctions. Canadians looking to consign wines can contact Warren Porter directly at warren@irongate.wine.

IRONGATEAUCTIONS.COM – HOW IT WORKS:

Auction catalogues are posted online for preview one week prior to opening bids
Bidding is anonymous, simple and secure
Register at IronGateAuctions.com with name, phone number and email address
Registrants can create their own auction item wish list and make anonymous bids throughout the duration of an auction
Bidders will receive email and/or text notifications for bids, outbids and won
Bids can be placed from anywhere across Canada
Online auction catalogues can be searched by producer, region and sub-region, vintage and appraisal value
The platform features a real-time countdown clock that will track the time remaining in auction down to the second
No cost to register and place bids
Successful bids will be charged a 17.5% buyers’ premium, well below the auction industry standard of 20% to 22.5%. Purchases are also subject to a 5% sales tax, the lowest in Canada and another benefit of hosting in Alberta
Once the auction closes and purchase are finalized, IronGateAuctions.com transfers title to each successful bidder at which point they are contacted by a shipping company who will make arrangements on the bidder’s behalf

About Iron Gate – Private Wine Management:
Founded in 2004, Iron Gate Private Wine Management offers fine wine collection management, off-site wine storage, cellar and wine appraisals, traditional and virtual wine auction services both commercially and for registered charities via IronGateAuctions.com, an Alberta corporation. In 2017, Iron Gate launched IronGate.Wine, a U.S.-based online wine retailer offering Canadian wine collectors access to sell on the secondary wine retail market in the U.S.

Websites & Social Channels:
irongatewine.com | IronGate.Wine | IronGateAuctions.com
Twitter: @irongatewine
Instagram: @irongatewine

Texas Whiskey Festival Crowns Best Texas Whiskeys

May 13, 2021 by evebushman

AUSTIN, TEXAS (PRWEB) – The Texas Whiskey Festival announces the winners of the annual competition of the best Texas Whiskeys.

Each year the Texas Whiskey Festival hosts a competition to determine who has the best Texas Bourbon, Rye, and Malt Whiskey. With a panel of judges, we conduct the competition with a method known as blind judging. The brands and specific whiskeys they are tasting are unknown to the judges. “Our panel of judges smell and taste their way through each whiskey, rating the aroma, taste complexity, and finish,” says Co-Founder Jake Clements.

Bourbon: Grain to Glass

Gold – Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Texas Straight Bourbon
Silver – Silver Star Spirits 1849 Straight Bourbon
Bronze – Balcones Distilling Texas Pot Still Bourbon

Bourbon: Aged and Bottled in Texas

Gold – Rebecca Creek 10 year Straight Bourbon
Silver – Milam and Greene Triple Cask Straight Bourbon
Bronze – Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery Select Bourbon

Rye Whiskey: Grain to Glass

Gold – Balcones Distilling Texas Rye 100
Silver – Gulf Coast Distilling Giant Rye 100
Bronze – Ranger Creek Distilling .44 Texas Rye

Rye Whiskey: Aged and Bottled in Texas

Gold – Treaty Oak Distilling Schenley Reserve Rye
Silver – Yellow Rose Distilling Rye
Bronze – Oak & Eden Rye & Spire

Malt Whiskey: Grain to Glass

Gold – Ranger Creek Distilling Rimfire Mesquite Smoked Single Malt
Silver – Andalusia Whiskey Co. Stryker Smoked Single Malt
Bronze – Balcones Distilling Lineage Single Malt

Other Whiskeys: includes whiskeys aged in used barrels, blended whiskey, and light whiskey.

Gold – Austin 101 Light Whiskey (made grain to glass in Texas)
Silver – Remington Family Distillers Remington Revival
Bronze – Rebecca Creek Small Batch

“These are their winners, but remember the best whiskey is the one you like,” says Co-Founder Jake Clements. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite distillery to decide on the people’s choice.

Thank you to the Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co for hosting us. A big thank you to our talented judges.

Marianne Eaves, KY’s First Female Master Distiller, Founder of Eaves, LLC Whisk(e)y and Spirits Consulting and Curator of Eaves Blind.
Gabrielle Pharms, Veteran journalist with bylines in/on Bourbon Plus, Whisky Advocate, Imbibe Magazine, UPROXX, and more.
Tom Koerner the former Spirit Guide and General Manager of Seven Grand Whiskey Bar and Las Perlas Mezcaleria, Current Brand Ambassador for Mezcal Unión

About the Texas Whiskey Festival
The festival’s mission is simple: To help promote and enhance the brands of the many great distilleries throughout Texas. We want to promote and educate whiskey lovers about the whiskeys produced in our great state. We’re doing it all while having fun, drinking great whiskey, and building memorable experiences. As an organization, we know that Texas has some of the best distilleries and whiskeys globally. The Texas Whiskey Festival is an opportunity to showcase that. For more information, please visit https://txwhiskeyfest.com.

Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits Releases Absinthia Verte

April 22, 2021 by evebushman

OAKLAND, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits (@Absinthia_Absinthe), a woman-owned artisan spirits company, has released Absinthia Verte, the follow-up to its inaugural and Gold Medal-winning Absinthia Blanche.

“As an unregulated category, there are a lot of ‘crapsinthes’ on the market that use artificial ingredients and dyes to achieve the end product. Absinthia absinthes are carefully crafted according to a vintage Swiss recipe using all-natural ingredients and no sugar,” said J. Absinthia Vermut, founder and creator of Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits. “We start with a neutral spirit made from biodynamic grapes from California, and distilled that with organic herbs – fresh wormwood (artemesia absinthium), star anise, fennel seed, and coriander seed – from an organic farm in Oregon. The result is an aromatic, brilliantly clear and modern take on absinthe, launched in 2018 as Absinthia Blanche.”

To create the beautiful peridot green of the Verte, Absinthia distills the Blanche with organic artemisia pontica, anise hyssop, and lemon balm. The Verte has a natural sweetness and earthier flavor than the Blanche. It is delicious neat, on the rocks, with a splash of cold water, or in a cocktail.

“I started with the release of the Blanche because out of the still, it was delicious,” said Vermut. “Also, we knew if we released a blanche and a verte at the same time, most absinthe drinkers would gravitate to the better known verte. The blanche is so delicious that we wanted to make sure our customers tried it first – and they did.”

Absinthia Blanche has received several awards, including a Gold Medal from the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2018.

Absinthia Facts:

Farm to glass authentic absinthe from a vintage Swiss recipe
Twice distilled in California in a copper pot from biodynamic grapes and fresh herbs
110 proof (55% ABV)
Blanche SRP $44.99 (375ml)
Verte SRP $44.99 (375ml)

About Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits:
Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits is a WBENC-certified woman-owned artisan craft beverage business based in Oakland, California. The passion of founder J. Absinthia Vermut, the company began hand crafting absinthe according to an authentic Swiss recipe in 2017. Distilled in a copper pot from biodynamic grapes, grown in California, and fresh organic herbs – wormwood, anise, fennel, and coriander – from Oregon, Absinthia Blanche was awarded a Gold Medal in 2018 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Absinthe Verte was launched in 2021. Absinthia’s absinthes are distributed in key markets and available online. For more information, visit www.absinthia.com.

Follow Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits on Social Media: @Absinthia_Absinthe #Absinthia #GreenFairy

Smith-Madrone: Chard, Cab and Riesling Oh My!

April 16, 2021 by evebushman

When was the last time you tried a new wine from Napa…but wait…let me re-phrase that: When was the last time you had a wine from Napa that you never had before, that has been around since the 1970s, and that you found to be damn good? Well I was what they say “today years old” when I had chance to review three new-to-me wines from Smith-Madrone. Below are my tasting notes, information about the winery and some links for more details.

Smith-Madrone 2017 Riesling, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

Estate Bottled

This wine has the exact shaped bottle a Riesling from Germany has, long with a slender neck, meant to mimic a perfume bottle. Aromas of white flower, lemon-lime, white peach and cool, wet pebbles. The taste was not sweet, so if you are expecting an overly sweet Riesling, this isn’t it, or in other words, this is not your Mother’s Riesling. It’s all grown up and it leaves the sugar behind. Bone dry, lemonade, limeade, and fresh fruit including pineapple and melon. We had this with a Caesar Salad topped with warm grilled chicken. Perfect.

Smith-Madrone 2017 Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

Estate Bottled

Sweet cream, vanilla bean, crème brûlée, unsweetened butter – just a lot of vanilla/dairy notes on the nose that I found really interesting. From there I also got toasted oak, caramel candy, fresh sliced apple and pears in light syrup. Wasn’t sure what to expect from the taste but in I went…and found a full and round mouthfeel, mild acidity – not as much creaminess as I expected from the nose but wholly pleasant – some earth, the pears and apple again as well as a hint of buttery corn on the cob. And hour later my husband and I were just finishing the bottle, and even with less chill on the wine, it was still being discussed. Wowza, I want this one again. I had this with a Falafel burger with lettuce, pickles and tomatoes. Again, it was perfect.

Smith-Madrone 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

Estate Bottled

Blackberry, blueberry, ash, cigar, incense, stewed mushrooms, char, earth and dark chocolate – all aromas I found on the nose. The flavors reminded me of the darkest of fruit, bursting with spices and layered with rich tannins and pepper. The finish was extremely long. I might like to lay this one down a few years and see how it develops. Was fine right now with Short Rib Ravioli.

About Smith-Madrone

Brothers Stuart and Charles Smith are the vineyard managers and winemakers of Smith-Madrone Winery. Also in the family attic is the Fetherolf family, German farmers from the Palatinate region, who came to America on the Good Ship Thistle in 1730. The name for the winery came as a tribute to the Smith brothers who pursued their dream and to the Madrone trees which distinguish the property.

In May 1971, with a partnership of family and friends, Stuart Smith bought the ‘terroir’ which today is Smith-Madrone Vineyards & winery. He was 22 years old and had just received his B.A. in Economics from UC Berkeley and was taking classes towards his Master’s in Viticulture at UC Davis. In trying to find land to plant vineyard in the Napa Valley, through a family friend he explored a forest on the remotest and highest part of Spring Mountain and discovered that the land had been a vineyard in the 1880s and in fact had been part of the wagon trail route between Napa and Santa Rosa. Today he is respected for his expertise and leadership as a mountain vineyardist.

Stuart was born and raised in Santa Monica. While pursuing his master’s at UC Davis, Stuart was the first teaching assistant for wine industry pioneers Maynard Amerine and Vernon Singleton in 1970-1971. He taught enology at Santa Rosa Junior College and Napa Valley College; he has chaired the 1986 and 2006 Napa Valley Wine Auctions. He is an active member of the G.O.N.A.D.S. (the Gastronomical Order for Nonsensical and Dissipatory Society), a group of Napa Valley vintners who started getting together for monthly lunches in the 1980s. He served on Napa County’s Watershed Task Force for several years, appointed by the Board of Supervisors; in 2006 he was appointed again by the Board of Supervisors to sit on Napa County General Plan Steering Committee, responsible for updating Napa’s General Plan, a three year project. Stu also serves as auctioneer for an Omaha (NB) charity auction every year.

Stuart served as Scout Master for St. Helena’s (Boy Scout) Troop One for many years and continues as the Troop’s Chair today. He is an avid canoeist, having canoed through the Quetico Wilderness in Canada many times and often canoes the Klamath and Trinity Rivers in California. He has five children and three grandchildren; the family includes a photographer, management information specialist, winemaker, wine marketer and a college student.

Technical Sheets

https://www.smithmadrone.com/wines/winefactsheets/factsheet_ries2017.pdf

https://www.smithmadrone.com/wines/winefactsheets/factsheet_char2017.pdf

https://www.smithmadrone.com/wines/winefactsheets/factsheet_cab2016.pdf

Winery background: https://www.smithmadrone.com/downloadables/pdfs/SmithMad-backgrounder-2021.pdf

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.

Jamie Foxx Announced as Owner of Flavored Whiskey Brand BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon

April 7, 2021 by evebushman

DALLAS, TX – Flavored Whiskey brand BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon announces award-winning actor, musician and entrepreneur Jamie Foxx as owner. Foxx’s leadership and a redesigned bottle usher in a new era for BSB and its two product offerings, BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon and BSB 103.

(Photo Courtesy: Nicholas Maggio / Brown Sugar Bourbon)

As owner, Foxx will guide the creative direction and lend his entrepreneurial spirit to help further the brand’s expansion. BSB’s new packaging signifies a turning point for the brand, anchoring its position as the nation’s premier flavored whiskey with the style and sophistication to suit any gathering.

“I’ve always lived by the rule that life is short, and you need to go out and do what you want to do. Owning a brand that brings sweet life to the party has always been a goal and with BSB we’re making it happen,” said Foxx. “Before the quarantine I watched bottles of BSB disappear at all my celebrations and knew this was a brand I wanted to bring into the spotlight. Anyone who tries BSB is going to love it just like I do.”

BSB is an ultra-smooth, award-winning flavored whiskey that features distinct notes of brown sugar and cinnamon. BSB and BSB 103 are ideal for sipping, shooting and mixing in cocktails.

“We are extremely fortunate that Jamie was introduced to our brand at one of his legendary parties,” said Sean M. Penn, CEO of BSB Spirits. “I have no doubt that Jamie will lead BSB to new heights. We can think of no better creative force than Jamie, and we look forward to watching him introduce BSB to the world.”

Founded in Washington state in 2016, BSB is a genuine product of the U.S. and is currently available nationwide online and at the finest retailers. BSB is distributed nationally by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

For more information, please visit https://brownsugarbourbon.com/.

About BSB – Brown Sugar Bourbon

The BSB brand family consists of BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon & BSB 103. BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon, a two-time winner of the “World’s Best Flavoured Whisky” award, blends ultra-smooth bourbon with just the right amount of brown sugar and cinnamon. At 60 proof, it is perfect for sipping, ideal for shooting and optimal as the main ingredient in your favorite cocktails. BSB 103 is the big brother to BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon. At 103 Proof, it is one of, if not the only, overproofed flavored whiskeys on the market today. BSB 103 uses the same ingredients as little brother, but with a bolder whiskey taste.

About BSB Spirits

BSB Spirits is a fast-growing sales and marketing company focused on the introduction and development of innovative new brands into the beverage alcohol category.

About Jamie Foxx

Foxx recently won “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture” at the NAACP Image Awards and received a SAG Award nomination for “Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role” for his riveting performance in Just Mercy for Warner Bros. He can currently be seen in both Disney/ Pixar’s Soul on Disney + and Netflix’s Project Power. Foxx is producing and set to star in They Cloned Tyrone and is executive producing and starring in Netflix’s father/daughter comedy series Dad Stop Embarrassing Me, which is based on his relationship with his oldest daughter, Corinne Foxx who also produces the series. Foxx and his producing partner, Datari Turner just announced a first look deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Releases from Castello di Fonterutoli with Giovanni Mazzei and Eve!

December 11, 2020 by evebushman

Another week, and another great opportunity for a Zoom meeting, this time with a winery in Italy, Chianti Classico to be exact:

…Giovanni Mazzei debuts three new Chianti Classico Gran Selezione releases from Castello di Fonterutoli, the historic Tuscan estate where his family has been making wine for 24 generations. Castello di Fonterutoli’s vineyards are situated within the territory of three adjoining Chianti Classico municipalities: Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga and Radda in Chianti. Beginning with the 2017 harvest, the Mazzei family launched a new approach to its Sangiovese-based range of wines, aimed at highlighting the biodiversity of these three terroirs in three Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wines, each with its own inimitable character.

What We Learned from Mazzei

The wines we would taste were from different vineyards and varied terroirs. These were to highlight a new approach to Sangiovese winemaking. In over two dozen generations of making wine – back then it was talked about in barrel now it’s talked about in bottle – there has been an evolution to the winemaking.

The different vineyards, see the photo of the map, cover three districts and include seven vineyard zones. Each give different “aromatics, elegance and power.” There will be discernable little differences between the different districts. We were one of the first to sample these wines. Mazzei then invited us to visit, said he would love to take us through all of the vineyards in his Land Rover to see it for ourselves. Who doesn’t want to do that?

The Wines and Tasting Notes (Some of the notes are ones I agreed with but made by Mazzei or another participant in the Zoom.)

Badiola Gran Selezione 2017 – from the estate’s highest altitude vineyards, below the 12^th century church of La Badiola. SRP $99 From the tech sheet: Aged 16 months in French oak barrels (500L, 30% new), then finessed for five months in concrete tanks before bottling. JAMES SUCKLING, 96 points, July 2020. 94 PTS WINE ADVOCATE 8/20 .92 PTS VINOUS 9/20. 91 PTS DECANTER 2/20. Our notes: Red cherries, red currant, spice, toasted oak, earth; same tart cherries, brambly.

Castelllo di Fonterutoli Gran Selezione 2017 – made from a selection of the best vineyard plots surrounding the hamlet of Fonterutoli. SRP $74. From the tech sheet: Aged 18 months in French oak barrels (500L, 50% new), then finessed for four months in concrete tanks before bottling. JAMES SUCKLING, 96 points, July 2020. 93 PTS WINE ADVOCATE 8/20. 92 PTS VINOUS 9/20. Our notes: Robust red fruit, black cherry, more brambly than the Badiola, lavender, peppery; full bodied, dry red fruit with silky tannins.

Vicoregio 36 Gran Selezione 2017 – a blend of 36 different Sangiovese biotypes (aka clones) deriving from 50 years of research, from the single Vicoregio vineyard. SRP $99. From the tech sheet: Aged 18 months in French oak barrels (500L, 50% new), then finessed for four months in concrete tanks before bottling. 95 points WINE ADVOCATE, August 2020. 95 PTS JAMES SUCKLING 7/20. 94 PTS VINOUS 9/20. Our notes: Thick, rich, raisins, prunes and other dark fruit; tannic, dry, “grip” and velvety.

Giovanni then shared the soon-to-be-released Siepi 2018 Toscana IGT, a 50/50 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot that was first produced in 1992. SRP $130. From the tech sheet: 70% of the wines are aged in new French barriques (Merlot: 18 months; Sangiovese: 16 months), then blended and aged an additional 4 months in concrete tanks. The wine is bottle aged for 4 months before release. 94-96 POINTS, WINE ADVOCATE, August 2020. Our notes: Really pretty nose, red to blue fruit, earth, smoky; complex, balanced (probably due to Merlot influence), silky, black fruit, chocolate, very drinkable now.

About Castello di Fonterutoli

In the Mazzei family since 1435, Castello di Fonterutoli stretches across 1,600 acres of rolling Tuscan countryside in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone, taking in 7 areas under vine that cover a total of 290 acres. The seven vineyard zones are themselves broken down into no less than 120 plots which lie at an altitude of between 230 and 570 metres above sea level. Vineyard cultivation is entirely manual, up to and including the grape harvest, with vine care solutions tailored to each plot. Our centuries-old acquaintance with this territory, combined with more than half a century of research, has allowed us to base our range on36 biotypes of Sangiovese, 18 of which are mass selections exclusive to Castello di Fonterutoli. No other Chianti Classico winery can boast this level of biotype diversity.

The 2017 Vintage

It’s hard to remember such a remarkable season as 2017, when a succession of challenging weather events demanded all our instinct and expertise. A frost around 20 April was followed by a spring and summer when it hardly rained at all, with summer temperatures hitting the high notes and inducing a water stress that limited grape growth and reduced bunch weight. Towards the end of the season we took a gamble, waiting for September rains, and were rewarded with 130mm of rainfall in twenty days, which together with an abrupt fall in temperatures (with lows reaching 5 °C) gave the grapes new vigour. Grape quality was therefore good overall with peaks of excellence, far exceeding our pre-rainfall expectations, though yields were down 35% on the yearly average.2017 turned out to be of those ‘textbook’ years when great experience and a careful monitoring of every single vineyard, on a tailored, plot-by-plot basis, were essential to winemaking success.

www.palmbay.com

www.taubfamilyselections.com

Mionetto Prosecco for Holiday Gifts? Sure! For Yourself and Everyone Else On our List!

October 5, 2020 by evebushman

It’s been quite the year, to say the very least. And having to endure your aunt’s ‘famous fruitcake’ while also having to explain to your distant relatives why you’re still single via Zoom is more than enough to drive anyone up the wall. Luckily Mionetto is here to help with a few refreshing sparkling wines from the Prestige and Luxury collections. From the perfect holiday pairings, luxurious gifts, and stocking stuffers galore, Mionetto has you covered this holiday season – or perhaps just keep the bottle for yourself?

Mionetto Prestige Brut ($14 750ml / $4 Mini 187ml) Made from 100% Glera grapes from the province of Treviso, an area renowned for high quality Prosecco, this sparkling wine offers a luminous straw yellow hue and stylish mousse. The palate is marked by aromatic notes of honey and white peach. For stocking stuffers, you should start with Mionetto’s signature mini bottles ($4). The classic ribbon beautifully displayed across the bottle means there’s no need to wrap. You can even customize with notecards displayed around the bottle’s neck.

Mionetto Prestige Rosé Extra Dry ($14 750ml / $4 Mini 187ml) This deeply luscious sparkling rosè is the result of soft pressing of red grapes. The wine offers a peach blossom luminosity, accompanied by a fine, lively perlage. This wine is known for its intense fragrances, like holding an edible bouquet of violets, raspberries, strawberries, and wild flowers – a perfect pairing for your holiday table. Serving this cuvée with a grilled turkey breast or fish (or a variety of fish on the Feast of Seven Fishes) is sure to be a recipe for success.

Mionetto Luxury Cartizze DOCG ($40) This elegant Cartizze boasts luminous golden tones and delicate beads of tiny bubbles. A majestic, multi-faceted bouquet releases seductive impressions of apple and pear alongside notes of citrus and glazed almond. On the palate it is crisp, well-balanced, and elegant. The perfect gift for anyone special in your life.

11 Things You Might Not Know About Mionetto:

Mionetto was founded in 1887 by winemaker Francesco Mionetto in Valdobbiadene, the heart of the Prosecco region, just north of Venice.

As one of the areaʼs oldest wine producers, Mionetto has long-standing relationships with vineyard partners, ensuring a consistent supply of quality grapes year after year.

Mionettoʼs mantra is absolute freshness. Itʼs the only Prosecco producer to bottle on demand – as soon as an order comes in and not a moment sooner.

Mionetto Prestige Brut is made from 100% Glera grapes. In 2009, the Glera grape was renamed from Prosecco.

Mionetto Organic was the first Prosecco made from organically-grown grapes.

Mionetto Rosé is not a Prosecco yet, but it will be soon! The Prosecco Consortium approved the release of Prosecco Rosé and itʼs expected to hit U.S. shelves in January 2021.

There are 49 billion bubbles in one bottle of Mionetto and the cork pops at a speed of 25MPH!

Prosecco has fewer calories than most wine—especially Mionetto since itʼs one of the driest Proseccos—and many believe itʼs actually good for you. In moderation, Prosecco can improve blood vessel function.

Prosecco is not always bubbly. It can be made in sparkling, semi-sparkling, or still, but all Mionetto Proseccos are sparkling or semi-sparkling.

Just like the grade of the wineryʼs rolling hills, the Mionetto label is set at the same 27 degrees to honor its origins and history.

The Mionetto winemaking tradition continues today under winemaker Alessio Del Savio, who studied as Francescoʼs grandson, Sergio Mionettoʼs, protégé for over 15 years.

Quintessa Introduces Inaugural Decade Release with 2010 Vintage

September 30, 2020 by evebushman

ST. HELENA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Quintessa is honored to announce its inaugural Decade Release, a library release that consists of a limited number of bottles of 2010 Quintessa set aside to evolve for one decade in the caves where it originated. First made exclusively available to Quintessa Vineyard Circle members in 3-packs of 750ml bottles and in 1.5 L (magnum) bottles, the Quintessa Decade Release is now available in highly limited quantities in the wholesale market.

Convinced that Quintessa had all the quality elements as an estate to be a true Napa Valley classic, the only thing missing was an understanding of the wine’s capacity to age and improve with time. So in the summer of 2012, shortly after bottling the 2010 vintage, proprietors Agustin and Valeria Huneeus decided to set aside a limited number of bottles of the 2010 vintage to rest undisturbed in perfect conditions without leaving the estate.

“Wine has the capacity to reflect a place like no other, as grapes have the singularity of being fully connected to where the vines grow, including the soil, geology and the unique climatic conditions of that particular vintage,” said Estate Director Rodrigo Soto. “The resulting wine is a time capsule, and over the decade that this wine has transformed in the bottle, it clearly demonstrates that the evolution is not only real but also special and unique.”

The 2010 vintage is evidence of this incredible transformation, with black bright cherry and floral layers to dried herbs, anise & violets. From a supple silky texture to integrated layers of spice, followed by a long mineral finish. Having the time to age wine in the bottle brings balance and multiple dimensions to the glass, making the pleasure of drinking wine a completely different experience.

The 2010 growing season in the Napa Valley began with cooler than average temperatures and plentiful rainfall, which pushed bud break, flowering and fruit set back nearly two weeks. Mild, cool temperatures continued into summer which made meticulous canopy management essential to encourage consistent flavor development. Two late summer heat spikes helped the small, concentrated berries develop toward a later than average harvest.

At twenty years old in 2010, Quintessa’s biodynamic and organically farmed vines had the knowledge to work with mother nature and thrive through the seasons. Beginning on October 5th, the fruit from the Quintessa property was harvested with patience and precision to create a wine of elegance and balance, worthy of the first Decade Release.

To acquire or learn more, please visit quintessa.com/decade-release. For media inquiries, please contact Josh Zoland (jzoland@colangelopr.com) or Rachel Keigley (rkeigley@colangelopr.com) of Colangelo & Partners.

About Quintessa – http://www.quintessa.com
Quintessa is a world-class wine estate in the heart of Rutherford, Napa Valley. Inspired by the old-world Estate model, Quintessa crafts a single wine each year that expresses the Estate’s diversity and transforms the soil, vines, climate and energy into something greater than those individual elements. In order to capture the purest expression of place, Quintessa has practiced organic techniques since its founding in 1989 and transitioned to biodynamic practices in 1996.

When founders Agustin and Valeria Huneeus first set foot on the pristine, uncultivated property, they believed they had found something absolutely unique from what they had seen in Napa before. They knew that the land, spread over five hillsides, with different soil types and exposures, encompassed tremendous diversity that would lead Quintessa to become a world-class wine estate akin to the first growths of the Old World. Today, the Estate is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carménère on 26 vineyard blocks. Since its first vintage in 1994, Quintessa has quickly become globally recognized as a benchmark of the Napa Valley.

Vintage Eve Circa Jan 2018: Review of Joya Sangria

September 15, 2020 by evebushman

Had an interesting chat a few weeks ago with one Eamon McDonald, the Founder and CEO of Joya Sangria. I had some experience with both house bar made and commercially produced bottle made Sangrias, however I never did a review. Now was my chance.

Eamon said that his imported Sangria was made with Spanish grapes and a small percentage of sugar. Serve chilled, over ice, with add ons like fruit and it would also lend itself to a cocktail.

When I received my samples I waited until I had a group over to sample with me. Collectively, these are our notes from the first tasting, the second tasting two days later was just me:

Joya White Sangria

12% ABV

Aromas of pineapple, grapefruit and pleasant floral notes, followed by the same fruit flavors on the mouth with the addition of honey. A nice mouth-coating viscosity allowed the flavors to linger. I could see this over ice with a slice of orange.

Reopened the same bottle two days later: Got more aromas of hard candy, maybe apple and lemon, while on the mouth I tasted the same pineapple and grapefruit, but also the addition of lemon-lime. I still wanted to add an orange slice but now I also wanted a little spritz too.

Joya Red Sangria

12% ABV

This had received 90 points from Tasting Panel and all agreed that it was tasty. With aromas of dried black cherry, plum and earth that were followed up in the mouth with a much drier taste than the White Sangria. The same cherry and plum fruit but also some plump raisin.

Reopened the same bottle two days later: Maybe a bit more black fruit on the nose – blackberry for sure – as well as some of that raisin I had only noticed on the palate the first time, wet earth and stone. Tasting it a second time there was a new layer of juicy ripe blueberry.

Note on the reopened tastings

I’ve done this before, just to see how a wine may fare after being opened for a day or two. Sometimes the new aromas and flavors can be attributed to how you would view aging and/or aeration, however sometimes, which may or may not be the case here, I find more when I get the chance to study again. Clearly, you will need to do your own study of Joya to see if you agree!

From Joya

JOYA® Sangria is a Spanish jewel that will excite any palate. In fact, the word JOYA is Spanish for jewel.

Its origins are in the small town of La Puebla de Almoradiel, nestled between the rolling hills and vast plains of Castilla La Mancha. Here, in the corner of Spain known for its winemaking traditions since before the time of Don Quixote, a prestigious family winery is transforming noble grape varieties into this vibrant, authentic and Premium Sangria layered with all-natural essences of fresh Mediterranean fruits.

JOYA® is distinct from other Sangrias on the market today due to its fuller-bodied 12% ABV, versus competitors at 7.0% to 8.5% ABV. Why does this matter? Simple. JOYA® Sangria will maintain its great taste and alcohol down to the last drop – even after cooling with ice. It’s a fuller taste you and your guests will appreciate.

JOYA® Sangria is ready to drink. Serve chilled or over ice. Garnish with fresh fruit if desired.

See their website for pairing suggestions and cocktail recipes too: www.joyasangria.com

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