WHISKEY 101 – When Wine Just Won’t Cut It (Part One)

June 16, 2023 by evebushman

I have been tasked with devoting my column to a Q & A all about whiskey. This is not a problem because, for one, I have a certification in Wine and Spirits, and two, my husband and I have co-taught single malt (scotch) whisky classes in our home. I’ll answer some of the usual questions we get, some of our favorite single malts and next week I’ll share some yummy brown spirit cocktail recipes.

Q: Why did you just spell whiskey/whisky those two different ways?
A: Simply put, any scotch made in Scotland is spelled without the “e;” whiskies made anywhere else – Japan, China, Ireland the U.S. and other places – spell it with the “e.” Think of this rule just as you would when applied to wine. We aren’t allowed to call our U.S. made sparkling wine Champagne anymore, even if made in the same method. Only wines from Champagne, France can legally have that distinction.

Q: Then the next logical question is: What in the heck is the difference between whiskies labeled as scotch, bourbon and rye?
A: Here is your cheat sheet. Scotch is distilled from malted barley. Bourbon, a U.S.-only product, is distilled from grain mash, and rye is from, well, mostly rye mash.
There are several rules about the percentage of mash used, barrel types, aging and filtering processes for each distilled product, etc., but we can save that for a Whiskey/Whisky 102 class! And a note on bourbon: this category has gotten huge in the last few years, with male and female drinkers, so try a few and see what you think. We currently enjoy Bib and Tucker, Woodinville and Bardstown the most.

Q: What is your favorite whiskey, and do you pair with food?
A: That’s a great question, and I usually get it regarding wine. My answer is the same: It’s dependent on my mood and what I’m pairing it with. If I want something spicy, I go for rye. Smokey? I go for bourbon. When I don’t want to mix it with anything, I enjoy a single malt scotch. As far as the pairing, I like all whiskies, in a cocktail or alone, with oysters, a charcuterie plate and dark chocolate flavored with dried fruit or nuts.

Q: I’m feeling emboldened now – how do I hold my own single malt scotch tasting?
A: You can hire us (flagrant self-promotion!) or visit your favorite large liquor store with a map of Scotland in hand. Choose scotch from different areas – Islay, Lowland, Highland, etc. Just like wine, single malt will taste different based on the influence of salt, air and/or peat moss!

Q: Favorite Las Vegas Whisky Event?

A: The Universal Whisky Experience. The Nth is “a spectacular whisky master event, showcasing the best whiskies and brands in the world. This affair is a singular opportunity for serious whisky aficionados to come together to taste, savor, discuss and learn more about fine rare whiskies in the lavish, opulent atmosphere of the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas…” Usually a “4-day destination event” pre-Covid where “you’ll indulge in exceptional whisky tasting opportunities, mingle with master distillers and blenders, and take pleasure in epicurean delights.” https://universalwhiskyexperience.com/

Q: What’s the best way to drink single malt scotch whisky?
A: Serve in the proper nosing glass – or any glass – but pour less than one ounce. Smell and taste without water, then taste again with a drop or two. Water opens up aromas in single malt, the opposite of what water does to wine.

Return to the blog next week for WHISKEY 101 (Part 2) – Favorites And Cocktail Recipes June 23, 2023

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

Perlises Pick ForFriends Inn And Village

June 3, 2023 by Michael Perlis

Very early in our wine journey, Santa Barbara Country was a focal point of our interest. Back in the 1980s and early 1990s, there weren’t too many tasting options there yet. Memories can be hazy, but we have very fond ones, such as visiting The Brander Vineyard and tasting wines in the barn before the tasting room was even built.

As years went by, we expanded our domestic wine tasting horizons, venturing farther north to Paso Robles, Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino and up to Washington. But, we had grown nostalgic for Santa Barbara County. Although we would visit occasionally, we recently decided that it was high time to pay more attention to the area.

When visiting a new wine region, or revisiting one after an extended hiatus, checking out the local vintners’ association is a good idea. The Santa Barbara Country Vintners’ Association (www.sbcountywines.com) is a great resource for member winery suggestions as well as lodging and dining. We really appreciate all of the help that SBCVA’s Director of Operations Philip Carpenter provided to us.

Our first order of business was deciding on lodging. We were looking for a place to stay a little removed from the bustle of Solvang and Los Olivos, but still with easy access to them as well as the surrounding wine regions. Close [but not too close] to the roundabout where Highways 154 and 246 meet, ForFriends Inn & Village fit this requirement perfectly, with the added benefit of being easy to get to the city of Santa Barbara if we wanted to explore the tasting rooms there.

But location was far from the only benefit of staying at FFI&V.

In 2012, two couples – Dave and Katie Pollock along with Jim and Debbie Campbell acquired the Edison Street Inn in Santa Ynez and turned it into the ForFriends Inn. The Campbells have since moved on, but the Pollocks have turned FFI into what felt to us like a home away from home; actually even better since we didn’t have to lift a finger. (By the way, Dave answered my unspoken question that the name was always For[not Four]Friends Inn, as the property was intended for all friends, new and old, to enjoy.)

But the Pollocks weren’t done.

Ten years later in 2022, ForFriends Village came online. Just a very short walk around the corner from the original Inn, the Village is made up of six “tiny inns” in their own little community. Greatly expanding capacity from the eight rooms at the Inn, these rooms can hold up to four occupants each, include a kitchenette and are ideal for those wanting additional privacy or for a larger traveling party. Indeed, all or parts of the entire property are available for large groups and even corporate retreats.

Your day can revolve around what FFI&V has to offer. Starting with a delicious breakfast, guests have an option of scrambled eggs with perfectly cooked bacon or a daily special, also served with bacon. On our visit, our choices included banana pancakes with homemade coffee whipped cream, tomato quiche and chorizo breakfast tacos. In addition to the main course, breakfast includes a fruit cup with yogurt and granola as a starter, along with coffee and an assortment of juices. Rosemary popovers were also served. For the record, one day it was sausage instead of bacon, but since the sausage was some of the best we’ve had, there were no complaints from us.

But FFI&V doesn’t stop there. A Friendship Pass is provided to all guests, which enables them to take advantage of some great winery, shopping and dining discounts throughout the area. After a day of enjoying Santa Barbara County, don’t forget to come back to the Inn for the daily happy hour of charcuterie and local wine; if you’re lucky, you may even get to be entertained by Dave on his guitar. Depending on the weather, you can enjoy your wine and hors d’oeuvres in the gardens at the front and back of the inn. The front porch is convenient too. Your day with ForFriends isn’t done though – don’t forget to bring the Friendship Pass with you to dinner as some local restaurants participate in it as well. If you need something sweet before going to bed, FFI&V has cookies and dessert wine to enjoy. Then, you can finally retire to your luxurious room after a day well spent.

The above all sounds pretty terrific, doesn’t it? But do you know what the best part of all this is? It’s the amazing team that the Pollocks have put together. We want to thank Dave and Katie, along with Kalin, Sandra, Vanessa, Ben and Spencer [who we didn’t meet but feel like we did] for making us feel like we were part of the ForFriends family.

ForFriends Inn & Village

www.forfriendsinn.com

1121 Edison Street, Santa Ynez, CA 93460

Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers.

FOLEY FAMILY WINES ANNOUNCES COOL-SEASON VISITOR EXPERIENCES

December 3, 2022 by evebushman

SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Harvest is underway in California wine country and Foley Family Wines has seized the season as inspiration to spotlight a slew of wine tasting experiences at seven of its Sonoma County wineries. Foley is rolling out the welcome mat with activities ranging from new outdoor tastings, on-site entertainment, and unforgettable epicurean experiences. Reservations are available online at each winery’s website, linked from www.foleyfamilywines.com.

Holidays at the Estates, All Foley Food & Wine Society Wineries

The entire Foley Family Wines portfolio will be celebrating the holidays at its estates in Sonoma, Napa, the Central Coast, and the Pacific Northwest with delicious food, festive décor and lots of cheer. On Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, each of the Foley Food & Wine Society wineries will feature a special tasting flight paired with a festive holiday bite, plus exclusive wine specials to make holiday shopping easy. These experiences are best enjoyed as a progressive tasting, hopping from winery to winery. A complete list of participating wineries is at www.foleyfoodandwinesociety.com/events; queries can be directed to concierge@foleyfoodandwinesociety.com. Tasting fees vary by estate.

Ferrari-Carano, Dry Creek Valley

As a pillar in the Sonoma County hospitality scene, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery recently unveiled their newly opened Fontana Pergolas, surrounded by 100-year-old olive trees, gorgeous fountains, spectacular gardens and sweeping vineyards. Guests can enjoy a flight of five reserve wines in the privacy of a reserved Pergola setting. On Sundays, guests can savor an Italian-inspired Brunch featuring Prosciutto Benedict, Breakfast Pizza, Croque Madame and more, all well-paired with the Ferrari-Carano wine selections. Pergola Tasting, $95 per person, reservations available Monday – Saturday at 10 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3 PM; Sunday Brunch 10:30 AM – 1 PM, $95 per person, reservations required. Book online at https://ferrari-carano.com; 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma Valley

New to the Foley portfolio this year, Chateau St. Jean invites visitors to sample its famed chardonnays or Cinq Cépages Bordeaux blend in a choice of unique indoor or outdoor settings. Inside the winery’s 1920s chateau, a wine educator will guide guests through a sample of five Reserve and winery-exclusive wines. Outside, guests can enjoy the Bocce, Bordeaux & Burgundy Experience, where groups can sip wines by the bottle in a private outdoor area equipped with bocce ball court, lounge furniture and picnic tables. Larger groups can consider two unique options that showcase the winery’s extraordinary views and historic property: the Chez Nous Experience, a seated, private tasting in the historic chateau’s elegant dining room for 7-15 guests, with a wine educator guiding the group through a flight of five wines and optional cheese & charcuterie board; or the Olive Grove Experience in the open-air pergola, where groups of 20-35 guests enjoy a private tasting surrounded by 120-year-old olive trees. Bocce Experience, $50 per person for two-hour reservation; Chateau Experience, $60 per person. Reservations available at https://www.chateaustjean.com. Group pricing varies; call 707-257-5784 or email concierge@chateaustjean.com for information.

Chalk Hill Estate, Russian River Valley

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, the 1,300-acre Chalk Hill Estate is a Sonoma County icon celebrated for its flagship Estate Chardonnay and limited production, estate-grown wines. More than 60 percent of the Chalk Hill Estate remains uncultivated, inviting exploration and adventure via the Chalk Hill Hummer. The Estate and Garden Tour and Tasting begins with a seated tasting on the terrace, followed by a Hummer ride through sustainably cultivated vineyards and organic gardens, offering stunning views of the Russian River Valley to the west and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east, and concludes with a seasonally inspired garden-to-table food and wine pairing. $105 per person. Reservations available Thursday-Sunday at 10:30 AM; Upcoming Events: Chalk Hill 2022 Harvest Celebration: Saturday, November 5,1PM – 4PM, Holiday at the Estate: Saturday, December 3. Reservations and tickets at www.chalkhill.com. 10300 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Roth Wine Estate, Russian River Valley

Built on bold Bordeaux grape varieties, Roth Estate offers unique experiences at their picturesque location on Chalk Hill Road. Come hungry for their Ultimate BBQ Lunch experience where these wines shine alongside smoked barbecue short ribs and estate-grown potato salad, or enjoy a seated experience with their Premier Cave Tasting featuring wines from across the Foley Food & Wine Society portfolio paired with small culinary bites. Ultimate BBQ Lunch $90 per couple, reservations available daily 12 PM and 2 PM. Premier Cave Tasting, $90 per person, offered at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM, Thursday- Monday. Book online at Roth Estate; 10309 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Lancaster Estate, Alexander Valley

Located at the confluence of the Knights Valley and Chalk Hill appellations in the southern tip of Alexander Valley, the 53-acre Lancaster Estate features an exceptional wine cave–which visitors can explore by booking the Hillside Cave Tour and Tasting. The tour highlights Lancaster’s library of estate-grown wines exclusively from classic Bordeaux varieties, including its esteemed Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Guests will learn about the winery’s detailed barrel aging process and taste four estate wines in an elevated indoor setting. Cave Tour, $100 per person. Reservations required; book at www.lancaster-estate.com.

Banshee Wines, Healdsburg

When most winery tasting rooms are closing, Banshee hits its stride with daily happy hour from 5PM-7PM, featuring wines by the glass in its newly remodeled, lounge-style tasting room. Flights are available from 12PM-5PM by reservation for parties up to six people (last appointment at 4:30PM). Flights, $40 per person, reservation required; Happy Hour pricing varies, no reservation required.

Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, Sonoma

Now through October 30, Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery invites guests to kick back on the patio and enjoy wine and musical performance by local bands at its Sunday Afternoon Music series. Picnic reservations for up to six guests are also available and include a private, designated picnic area, where guests can bring a picnic to pair with wine from the tasting room. Sunday Music Series, 1PM-3PM now through October 30; wines by the glass or bottle available for purchase, along with charcuterie boards. Picnic, $25 site fee plus two-bottle minimum purchase. Reservations available daily from 11AM to 2:30PM at www.sebastiani.com. 389 4th St E, Sonoma, CA 95476.

About Foley Family Wines Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines is a portfolio of highly-acclaimed wines from some of the world’s greatest vineyards. Every brand in the company’s portfolio has a distinct style and legacy. Encompassing more than two dozen wineries across the globe, Foley Family Wines is the proud steward of some of the wine world’s iconic brands and winery experiences. The Foley Food & Wine Society, the world’s leading luxury lifestyle community, provides members with a gateway to an unmatched variety of culinary, travel, and entertainment experiences around the globe, including the US, New Zealand, Italy, France, Argentina, and Chile. 200 Concourse Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403; (707) 542-4565; https://foleyfamilywines.com.

Hillick and Hobbs’ Finger Lakes Estate Set to Open, As Announced by Winemaker Paul Hobbs

June 30, 2022 by evebushman

FINGER LAKES, N.Y. (PRWEB) – After years of anticipation, renowned winemaker Paul Hobbs has announced the grand opening of his Finger Lakes estate, Hillick & Hobbs. The state-of-the-art hospitality center will showcase Hillick & Hobbs’ exceptional estate Riesling and is set to become one of the premier wine destinations in the Finger Lakes.

Situated on the southeastern banks of Seneca Lake, the new Hillick & Hobbs hospitality center will feature cypress walls, furniture crafted from materials sourced from the estate and other sustainably made furnishings. Hobbs entrusted the planning and design of the estate to international designer Tom Johnson. Based in the Finger Lakes, Johnson has worked in Japan and other areas of Asia and has designed custom residences and wineries in upstate New York.

“Tom is an extraordinarily gifted designer. His ability to blend purposeful utility, simplicity, function, and beauty is thrilling,” said Hobbs. “His sense of scale and form play well to my own sensibilities.”

Hobbs selected Trade Design Build to lead the project because of its integration of architecture and construction within a single company. The firm specializes in the construction of luxury restaurants, tasting rooms, and bars with a focus on the environment and location.

Hillick & Hobbs holds special meaning to Hobbs, who named the winery after his parents, Joan Hillick and Edward Hobbs. The winery honors Hobbs’ roots in western New York where he grew up on his family’s farm. In 2013, he revived his family’s legacy of growing grapes in New York when he acquired a 78-acre property in the Finger Lakes with the vision of producing world-class Riesling. Hillick & Hobbs will offer an estate vertical experience featuring two vintages of the Estate Vineyard Dry Riesling, which was launched with the inaugural 2019 vintage, and a curated charcuterie board. There will also be a selection of food pairings available.

“The Finger Lakes is a compelling region for growing world-class Riesling. Its well-drained, slate soils trap the radiant heat, and the moderating effect of Seneca Lake creates the airflow crucial for keeping the canopies healthy,” said Hobbs. “After an exhaustive two-year search for the ideal site to grow Riesling that could rival the best of the Old World, aided by my brother David, we finally found the property just south of Hector Falls that was reminiscent of the Mosel.”

The estate vineyard is currently planted to 21-acres of high-density Riesling on steep slate soils that run with the slope, akin to Germany’s famed Mosel region. The Hillick & Hobbs estate is one of the first in the region to plant in this style with a focus on crafting site-specific estate Riesling under the supervision of winemaker Lynne Fahy and vineyard manager Samuel Pulis.

For more information about Hillick & Hobbs’ wines, history, new releases, and upcoming celebratory events, please visit http://www.hillickandhobbs.com and follow Hillick & Hobbs on Instagram @hillickandhobbs.

About Paul Hobbs Wines
Founded on Paul Hobbs’ pioneering spirit and adventurous pursuit of innovation and discovery, Paul Hobbs Wines is a highly curated selection of superior quality wines. Through sustainable farming, meticulous vineyard management, and minimally invasive winemaking techniques, each wine expresses its vineyard origins with finesse, complexity, and authenticity. The company’s portfolio spans the globe; domestic projects include Hobbs (California), Paul Hobbs Winery (California), Crossbarn (California), and Hillick & Hobbs (Finger Lakes, New York). The international ventures, imported to the U.S. by Paul Hobbs Selections, includes Viña Cobos (Argentina), Crocus (Cahors, France), Yacoubian-Hobbs (Armenia), and Alvaredos-Hobbs (Galicia, Spain). For more information, visit http://www.paulhobbswines.com and http://www.paulhobbsselections.com.

About Paul Hobbs
Highly regarded for his ability to identify exceptional vineyards across the globe and working innovatively to refine the art of winemaking, Paul Hobbs continues his unwavering pursuit to express new and historical sites by employing viticulture and winemaking practices that capture their unique origins. For over 30 years, Paul has engaged annually in two harvests spanning seven countries. Today, Hobbs is owner and vintner for wineries around the globe: Paul Hobbs (California), Crossbarn (California), Hillick & Hobbs (Finger Lakes, New York), Viña Cobos (Argentina), Crocus (Cahors, France), Yacoubian-Hobbs (Armenia), and Alvaredos-Hobbs (Galicia, Spain). To learn more, visit http://www.paulhobbs.com.

Perlises Pick: Soda Rock Winery

June 25, 2022 by Michael Perlis

A trip to the Healdsburg area wouldn’t be complete without visiting Antoine Favero. Antoine is a winemaker for several of the Wilson Family Wineries. We’ve met with him a few times at Mazzocco Sonoma in Dry Creek Valley [with a focus on amazing Zinfandels] and at Jaxon Keys in Mendocino County [love those Rhone varietals] but we felt we should expand our reporting so we agreed to meet at Soda Rock Winery in Alexander Valley, which specializes in Bordeaux varietals.

Pulling up to Soda Rock Winery should be very impressive for any first-time visitor. It sure was for us. Visible from the road is the towering figure of Lord Snort, who is directly in front of the sadly burnt-out husk of the original winery and tasting room that was destroyed in the 2019 Kincade fire. The winery building was about 150 years old and was the original site of the Alexander Valley general store and post office. Ken and Diane Wilson purchased the property in the year 2000.

By now, you might be wondering who is Lord Snort, whose photo is included with this article. Lord Snort is a 20,000 steel sculpture created by local artist, Bryan Tedrick. This is the second of his sculptures at a Wilson family winery property, being preceded by the Coyote sculpture at Wilson Winery in the Dry Creek Valley.

Lord Snort actually made his debut at Burning Man – check out this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=edNJ_uGzlmA – and the rumor is he will be there again.

We arrived at Soda Rock a little before Antoine got there and were greeted warmly by tasting room hostess, Madison. She gave us the option of tasting in the refurbished barn or outside among the trees right next to the vineyard and we chose the latter. Although Antoine had planned an afternoon of red wines for us, Madison poured us a couple of whites to get us started. She also brought over some cheeses and charcuterie to nibble on, which are available for purchase with your tasting.

Kenneth Carl Sparkling Brut – blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a kiss of Pinot Meunier. Notes of green apple, ripe pear. Made at the Jaxon Keys winery in Mendocino but available at all of the Wilson family wineries.

2019 Chardonnay Reserve West Soda Rock – Alexander Valley, 100% Chardonnay. Notes of lemon, blood orange and sweet honey.

By now, Antoine had arrived. It was such a pleasure to see him again. Not only is he a great winemaker but the passion he exudes for his craft is infectious. It had clearly rubbed off on Madison who continued to pour the wines and share her thoughts on them.

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Twisted Rail – Alexander Valley near Cloverdale Named for a 2011 abandoned railroad tunnel fire that was originally built in 1898, this wine is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot. Medium color and tannin, big and bright with notes of cigar and black cherry and a dry, clean finish.

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Five Star General – Alexander Valley. 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot. The best of the barrels for each varietal go into this. Chocolate, blue and black berry notes with supple and subtle tannins.

2018 Malbec Reserve Runway – Dry Creek Valley near the Mazzocco winery. 77% Malbec, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon. Tangy and deep, but brightened up by the Cabernet. Cherry, cedar and leather notes.

2019 Cabernet Franc Warm Springs Ranch – Dry Creek Valley near Lake Sonoma, the wine is 93% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. These vines are at 1700 ft elevation; they get stressed from the high elevation, but are cooled by the nearby afternoon marine breezes. Fruit forward and very well rounded.

2019 Meritage Alexander Valley – Sonoma County. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot. Notes of dark plum fruit along with chewiness from the Cab Franc, with a full mouthfeel and a long finish.

2019 Lord Snort – Sonoma County. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot We might have expected a wine named after a steel sculpture of a wild boar to be frivolous, but we should have known better. This was a serious wine, with lots of depth from the Merlot

2019 Zinfandel Wentworth – Sonoma County. It wouldn’t have been a visit with Antoine without a great Zin; this one is 75% Zinfandel, 20% Primitivo and 5% Petite Sirah. It is named after Fred Wentworth, the original owner of the Alexander Valley general store that housed the Soda Rock Winery before the fire. Tart, fruit-forward, dark fruit, chocolate and vanilla notes, tinge of nutmeg and ginger, herbaceous.

2019 Primitivo Lytton Station – Alexander Valley. 96% Primitivo, 4% Petite Sirah. Persian cucumber nose with vanilla and cinnamon notes, refreshing and cool.

We really enjoyed all of these wines and highly recommend visiting Soda Rock Winery. There is so much local history in the refurbished barn saved from the fire that we found interesting. It made for a leisurely wine tasting afternoon. We would be remiss if we did not remind our readers of the Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund created by Ken and Diane Wilson in 2002 in collaboration with the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. Per the website, this fund has distributed more than $500,000 in scholarships. Antoine administers this program and was excited to tell us that one of their recipients had just gotten accepted into Yale. Wow, talk about life-changing!

Soda Rock Winery

www.sodarockwinery.com

8015 CA-128, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Please note there is also a tasting room in downtown Healdsburg:

409A Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Eve’s How To: The Wine Night

March 18, 2022 by evebushman

We have a “wine night” with friends pretty frequently and it recently dawned on me that I’ve never written about how that works.

For some, or even most of you, you have some experience with this: you invite pals over, everyone brings a bottle or two to share over dinner, and you talk about the wines – why you chose them and how they fared during the evening. This blog post is to remind those with experience how to make it enjoyable for the newbie guest, and the how-to for a newbie host.

This one wine night I will use as an example is described a bit in this social media post: How was your last Wine Night with friends? We recently shared a 2019 Napa Hindsight Chardonnay that was new to me and Chablis-like due to its fresh fruit and no noticeable oak, then came the Grenache we mistook for Syrah or Mourvedre in a 2007 Domaine Du Pegau Chateauneuf Du Pape, a masterfully balanced 2000 Marcarini Brunate Barolo with dinner that benefitted from 6 hours of decanting, and two I was too tired to taste: 2010 Orma Super Tuscan and Camus VSOP Cognac. If I had to pick a favorite of the night it would be hard as the ones I had were all so good for many different reasons.

Now the details to help our wine 101ers:

Let your guests know what your menu is so they can bring a wine (or two) that they believe will be appropriate for pairing.

Always have a white to start. I’m amazed at how many people prefer sparkling, white or pink wines in general; so having at least one leaves no one out.

Decant any wine, in this case it was the Barolo, if you know requires it due to its youth or older age. Decanting allows more air to envelop a wine that needs to “open up” a bit before drinking. If you’re not sure, taste the wine before you serve it to guests. If it’s tight or tart decant it.

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You can also search the Internet for the same wine (same vintage year too) and see what others recommend.

Serve appetizers as well as a main course during your evening. Drinking wine without food causes early inebriation so having some starters helps. And as this may be when you are drinking your white wine, serve with cheeses, nuts, and crackers – nothing too big – unless you will be moving onto reds. If you do that before dinner then add in the charcuterie. Some wine people like charcuterie with whites too, it’s not my preference, but as in my recommendation for decanting – taste your food with your wine to educate your palate and form your own opinion.

When you do move onto reds you can do it a couple of different ways.

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Serve the lower alcohol wines first and move up the bigger ones last. You can decide what is served first depending on the menu. Big wine with big food. In this case we had the Barolo with a lasagna dinner, the Rhone that was more Grenache-based just before, and the Napa Chardonnay first. The Super Tuscan came at the end of the meal and the Cognac came last.

One other note on the order of the wines. If you have an amazing wine to share consider serving it early on in the evening. I had “palate fatigue” and couldn’t taste the final Super Tuscan or enjoy the Cognac, and I may have missed out.

Lastly, encourage your guests to taste each wine before committing to a full glass. That way if it isn’t their “cup of tea” they can move onto something else that is. I like to have at least two bottles open at a time to give guests that option.

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.

S Bar At Mandalay Bay Covers All of Your Senses

January 28, 2022 by evebushman

Back in December, a few days before their opening on New Year’s Eve, I shared news about the latest S Bar in the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Unable to attend that first night Eddie and I rectified our loss by visiting them two weeks later. From the outside in, we were excited with just how the place looked. Once seated we had our chance to sample as much as we could – the atmosphere, art, drinks, food and music – and by the end of our time there we were left thinking, this is not the bar for selfies and to be seen, at least not for us. This is the bar of 2022, where all of your senses will be gratified in luxury. Let me share why. (And for those of you that just want to skip reading, photos and videos can be found here and here.)

Photo: S Bar website

The Space

I took a lot of photos of the S Bar before we even entered, it’s that grand looking. When you exit the parking garage elevators onto the Casino floor it is one of the first things you see on your immediate left.

Gold glimmers, lights from the interior flicker to catch your eye, and the hostess waits for you to find your way to her. Once inside the big sparkly bar will definitely catch your eye, in the center of the room and a fantastic focal point. But then, after you are seated on one of several cozy areas, your eyes will be drawn to the framed black and white photographs all around you, and the two from the owner Sam Nazarian’s private contemporary art collection that he removed from his home to share with his guests: a large Marilyn Monroe and a second piece of art, a seated naked woman. Both will make you catch your breath.

There were two main sitting areas, and a third private VIP lounge tucked away and conveniently located near one side of the bar – giving the impression that you would have private access to the bar. This is intentional.

Near the front entrance is an area for musicians. On this night we benefitted from a talented electric violinist that played along to current popular favorites. She was amazing.

Then at this point, before you have really taken it all in, one of the many attentive members of the service staff will greet you, offer you several types of water, offer the drink and food menus.

The Drinks

We usually order our favorite drinks at bars. But when it’s a new bar, with what we understood to be very experienced barmen, we asked our server which cocktails she thought we might like based on our tastes.

Neither of us like sweet drinks, and she made great suggestions.
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Eddie went for “The Second Rodeo” which was described on the menu as Green Chile Vodka, Spiced Hibiscus, Lime and Rose Kombucha. Eddie has never had any of these ingredients, and I was proud of him for trying something out of the box. And one of the reasons the drink was suggested was because it came on fire. After blowing out the flame Eddie had his taste and declared it spicy but not too spicy, and enjoyed all of the unique flavors.

Another recommendation was for me, to try the “Palm Reader” which was crafted with Bourbon, Cacao Rum, Licor de Elote, Palo Santo and orange bitters – and if you watch the video you can see that our bartender also served the drink on the rock with a little bit of white chocolate shavings! After we lingered over these for an hour…we did try our usual Sazerac (for Eddie) and an Old Fashioned (for me) and they were just as yum-worthy.

A note on the bar itself: all top notch equipment including cut crystal mixing glasses, copper jiggers and strainers, clear ice (they even have clear tall Tom Collins ice), and house-made simple syrup and bitters.

The Food

We started with the Charcuterie board and probably could’ve stopped there as it was more than enough for two for dinner with all kinds of meats, cheeses, nuts, jellies and toasted Crostini. But we didn’t. The “Tarte Flambee” flatbread that came next just slayed us, it was described as a loaded potato on flatbread and it didn’t disappoint as it was loaded with onion, bacon, Crème Fraîche, Fromage Blanc and chives! We finished with a beautiful Tuna Poke tower with large wonton chips.
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Friends we were happily surprised to discover sitting at the bar had the Deviled Eggs, Wagyu Sliders and were about to order the Charcuterie board and Lobster Mac when we left!

Conclusion

Walk, don’t run as I know you will be dressed nicely, to the new S Bar in Mandalay Bay for your slice of heaven soon. https://www.sbe.com/nightlife/s-bar/las-vegas

THESE EIGHT ICONIC WINERY EXPERIENCES AIM TO SPARK WINE WANDERLUST

September 6, 2021 by evebushman

From Napa Valley to the Central Coast, these Eight Wineries from Foley Family Wines Offer Exciting Tasting Experiences Throughout California

SANTA ROSA, Calif. -With travel back on the agenda for 2021, wineries are welcoming visitors with open arms and a slew of entertaining and engaging experiences that go beyond the usual swirl-and-sip tasting. These eight California wineries, all part of the Foley Family Wines portfolio, beckon travelers up and down the state with activities ranging from weekend brunch to strolls among horse stables to cave tours and more. Reservations are available online at each winery’s website; all winery information is available at https://foleyfamilywines.com.

Ferrari-Carano, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County – Sycamore Grove Wine & Brunch by @allisonuncorked

Ferrari-Carano, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County – Sycamore Grove Wine & Brunch

Long known for its unparalleled hospitality, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery recently unveiled new tasting experiences that showcase this Sonoma County winery’s stunning gardens, vineyards and outdoor enclaves. Enhanced appointment-only tastings held in the Sycamore Grove or outdoor Terrace invite guests to sit amongst shady trees and experience the winemaker’s favorite wines paired with Italian-inspired bites prepared by the Estate Chef. On Sundays, visitors can enjoy La Colazione Italiana (Breakfast Italian Style) at the signature Sycamore Grove Wine & Brunch. $30 per person, Il Terrazzo Tasting; $85 per person, Brunch. Reservations available daily from 11 AM to 5 PM; Sunday Brunch, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM only. Book online at www.ferrari-carano.com. 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Chalk Hill Estate, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County – Vineyard Overlook Experience

Founded in 1972, Chalk Hill Estate Vineyard and Winery is a premier Sonoma County wine estate best known for its iconic Chardonnay, as well as its limited-production, estate-grown wines. The spectacular 1,300-acre estate is home to multiple venues hosting elevated experiences, organic culinary gardens and largely uncultivated wilderness in an effort to preserve the land. Its signature wine tasting, The Vineyard Overlook Experience, offers guests an elegant and immersive guided-tasting experience with picturesque vineyard views of the Russian River Valley alongside an array of estate-grown wines. $40 per person. Reservations available daily from 11 AM to 3 PM at www.chalkhill.com. 10300 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, Sonoma – Historic Cherryblock Vineyard Tour and Tasting

Sebastiani’s historic Cherryblock Vineyard Tour and Tasting takes guests on a private 90-minute excursion with a Senior Wine Educator to learn about the winery’s rich history, unique viticulture and the winemaking philosophy behind their world-famous estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Cherryblock. Tasting includes five signature wines, including two vintages of Cherryblock. $110 per person. Reservations available daily from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM at www.sebastiani.com. 389 4th St E, Sonoma, CA 95476.

Chalone Vineyard, Soledad, Central Coast – Signature Tasting

Monterey County’s oldest winery, Chalone Vineyard, is perched in the ruggedly beautiful terrain of the Gavilan Bench with a storied past as remarkable as its acclaimed wines. Located 1,800 feet above the Salinas Valley and bordering Pinnacles National Park, the estate’s rolling vineyards benefit from a unique combination of limestone and granite soils that create wines with distinctive minerality. Visitors will enjoy an intimate wine tasting of five estate wines while learning about a winery whose Chardonnay brought California wines to the world stage during the landmark Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976. $25 per person. Reservations available Friday through Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM at www.chalonevineyard.com. 32020 Stonewall Canyon Road, Soledad, CA 93960.

Lincourt Vineyards, Central Coast

Lincourt Vineyards is nestled in Santa Barbara County outside of the Dutch-inspired town of Solvang in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, one of the most coveted cool-climate AVAs in California. Lincourt’s tasting room is located in an original 1926 Sears Craftsman Kit Home that has served as the farmhouse of what was once a dairy farm. The property has retained the rustic, rural charm and simplicity of an earlier era. Named for Bill and Carol Foley’s daughters, Lindsay and Courtney, Lincourt produces small-lot bottlings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Guests can enjoy views of the beautiful estate vineyard for their seated tastings on the patio, with the option of an accompanying cheese and charcuterie plate. $30 per person; additional $30 for charcuterie plate. Reservations available daily from 11 AM to 5 PM at www.lincourtwines.com. 1711 Alamo Pintado Rd, Solvang, CA 93463.

Firestone Winery, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County – Friday Night Wine Experiences

Firestone is located in a unique cusp region with a “Goldilocks” climate that is neither too hot nor too cold. Visitors can enjoy seating tastings in the tasting room, on the lawn or in the courtyard, with flights including wines ranging from crisp white to intense red blends. Throughout the summer, Firestone offers a coveted Friday Night Summer Concert Series, featuring live music from 6 PM to 9 PM and wines by the bottle. Food is available for purchase from either Filthy Filly’s Steakhouse Food Truck or Tom’s BBQ for tri-tip sandwiches. Friday concerts are free; reservations are required and available at www.firestonewine.com. 5017 Zaca Station Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441.

Lancaster Estate, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County – Hillside Cave Tour & Tasting

An exceptional cave tour experience, highlighting our unique wine library & our detailed barrel aging process. Based on County restrictions, you may experience limited access during your visit. Join us in our Garden Grove for an intimate tasting of four estate wines in a relaxed outdoor setting, overlooking our premier Bordeaux varietals grown exclusively in Alexander Valley. Allow our wines to reveal the unique character of our hillside estate. $75 per person. Reservations available daily from 10 AM to 4 PM at www.lancaster-estate.com. 15001 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Foley Johnson, Rutherford, Napa Valley – Three Wineries in One Stop

Housed in a converted 1920s redwood barn, Foley Johnson’s tasting room offers three iconic Napa Valley winery tastings in one location. Guests can reserve an indoor or patio tasting of wines from Foley Johnson, Kuleto Estate and Merus wineries — three distinctive Napa Valley wineries brought together under one roof by Bill Foley and his wife, Carol Johnson. $85 per person for Luxury Cabernet Vertical; $50-55 per person for Foley Johnson or Kuleto Estate patio tasting. Reservations available daily from 10 AM to 5 PM at www.foleyjohnsonwines.com. 8350 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA 94573.

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About Foley Family Wines

Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines is a portfolio of highly-acclaimed wines from some of the world’s greatest vineyards. Every brand in the company’s portfolio has a distinct style and legacy. Encompassing more than two dozen wineries across the globe, Foley Family Wines is the proud steward of some of the wine world’s iconic brands and winery experiences. The Foley Food & Wine Society, the world’s leading luxury lifestyle community, provides members with a gateway to an unmatched variety of culinary, travel, and entertainment experiences around the globe, including the US, New Zealand, Italy, France, Argentina, and Chile. 200 Concourse Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403; (707) 542-4565; https://foleyfamilywines.com.

A Chard and a Brut Cuvee Met…In My Kitchen

August 13, 2021 by evebushman

It’s summertime and the living is easy, that’s how the saying goes and it’s a good time to discover some white wines I haven’t had before. The two we are looking at today come from different California AVAs and are also different varieties. We have a Chard from Santa Barbara County and a sparkling from the Arroyo Grande Valley.

2019 Qupe Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, “Y” Block

Aromas: Freshly sliced lemons, pineapple, mown grass, cheddar cheese, milk, wet concrete. Flavors: Lively fresh citrus and stone fruits, lemon zest, limeade, toasted oak, mild acidity, long finish. Classic chardonnay in style, structure and flavor. Paired with Shrimp Scampi and it served well as a palate cleanser between bites indeed.

An excerpt from the website:

HONORING THE CHUMASH

The name “qupé” was chosen to honor the Chumash, the indigenous people of the Golden State’s Central Coast and Channel Islands.

In Chumash, “qupé” refers to the poppy, a flowering plant traditionally used for food and medicine. In 1903 the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) was officially designated the state flower, and every spring masses of the bright orange blossoms still blanket local hills and back country.

Vintage Eve Circa 8/2018: And the Best of Show Goes To…?

February 23, 2021 by evebushman

By now you’ve (hopefully) read my two articles on judging the first annual Global Wine Awards; you may have even seen a third installment on the winners. But what you haven’t seen, or had your virtual taste of, is the wine the judges awarded a Gold, then a Double Gold, and then finally the Best of Show to: Martellotto 2016 Il Cappocia Riserva (Barrel Aged) from Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara.

So, I’m here to rectify that. I ordered a bottle for myself, just for a little R and D, and to give me a full opportunity to savor over. For good measure I thought it wise to try another red from the same winery and same AVA, the 2016 La Bomba Cabernet. So, without further adieu, here are the results:

2016 Martellotto Il Cappocia Riserva

(Barrel Aged)

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec

Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara

Best in Show and 97 points at the Global Wine Awards

https://martellotto.com/products/2016-martellotto-riserva-il-capoccia-happy-canyon-of-santa-barbara

Color: Dark purple with some raisin-coloring on the edge.

Aroma: Crushed black cherry, blueberry, char, dark chocolate, cream, cigar, dried leaves and the tiniest whiff of menthol.

Flavor: Blue to black fruit, cracked black pepper, dark chocolate again, velvety at the start and then a great bite of spice and tannin, yet balanced and just as good as I remembered. Excellent blend of Bordeaux grapes.

Pairing: Cheese and charcuterie board was our dining choice for the evening but this would pair well with anything from a juicy steak, Bolognese pasta to chocolate crème Brûlée.

Conclusion: As I noted when I had my taste: just as good as I remembered and well deserving of the Best of Show award we gave it. I was really looking forward to trying the Cab next…

2016 Martellotto La Bomba Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.

Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara

Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition; Double Gold and Best of Show at the Central Coast Wine Competition.

https://martellotto.com/products/martellottocabernet

Color: Beautiful opaque blackberry.

Aroma: So, knowing that La Bomba translated is The Bomb I was looking forward to what I would find on the nose: a LOT of fresh and ripe blueberry, plum, green peppercorn, rich, spicy, coffee bean and no nose burn. The nose definitely called you in for the taste.

Flavor: bold red fruit followed by dark fruit in luscious layers and incredible balance, nice spicy qualities that lingered in the palate, both green and black pepper with the same velvety quality on the palate as the Il Cappocia Riserva.

Pairing: I had this with a bacon-wrapped filet mignon smothered in sweet onion and sautéed mushroom. Yea, that was pretty great. But I also imagined this with a robust charcuterie board filled with Mortadella with pistachio, chorizo and both hard and soft cheese.

Conclusion: I found both an unexpected flavor and balance – akin to a young Napa Cab – for a SBC Cabernet. Very well done. Makes me want to seek out Happy Canyon and the winery to learn more.

From the Winery

Martellotto Wines is the only winery in Santa Barbara County to be winning this many awards for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals, specifically from Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara.

The Rise of Santa Barbara Wines

As you know, this area is already well regarded for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production (which I also make). However, were you aware that our region is also producing some outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals? The TTB established the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA in 2009 given its distinctive climate in the far eastern part of the Santa Ynez Valley. This warmer climate is proving to be fertile ground for high quality Bordeaux varietals, especially since the diurnal temperature changes are so dramatic.

Today, a handful of producers are leading the way. I’m pleased to report Martellotto Winery is one of those wineries. In fact, Martellotto is one of the few wineries in California bottling varietally labeled wines of each of the five noble Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

Martellotto Winery

100 Los Padres Way #7

Buellton, CA 93427

(619) 567-9244

*Tastings Available by Appointment Only