Perlises Pick: What Wines We Are Drinking At Home – Part 5

June 26, 2021 by Michael Perlis

We were initially planning to continue this series on lighter wines that we are enjoying at home with some more Northern California wineries, but the recent collaboration with Eve reviewing some rosés pointed Karen and me in another direction.

Ted Plemons of Cass

We drink rosés all year long but I realize that some wine drinkers especially fancy them in warmer months so it seemed like a good time to report specifically on a few of those that we have been pleased with recently.

One rosé that we really have been fond of is called “And Why Am I Mr. Pink?” – interesting name, no? The wine is produced by the Underground Wine Project, which is an intriguing name in its own right. I contacted them for more info, and they suggested I reach out to Trey Busch, Winemaker/Partner of the well-known and highly regarded Washington state winery Sleight of Hands Cellars. His response:

“Thanks for writing, and hope your liver has been holding up this past year :).

The Underground Wine Project is a collaboration between Sleight of Hand Cellars and Mark Ryan Winery. Mark and I have been friends for a long time, and we started the brand in 2007 with 100 cases of Syrah. That has transformed into adding And Why Am I Mr. Pink? to the lineup, as well as our 2 red wines, Idle Hands and Devils Playground.

We wanted an edgier brand than either of us have now, and the UWP allows for us to play in that area. Our Mr. Pink Rosé is mostly Sangio with some Syrah as well. All stainless steel (no barrel aging). We wanted to make a porch pounder rosé and this fits the bill. Juicy, terrific fruit, but then awesome acidity to hold it all together. We are making about 14,000 cases a year with the goal to increase production moving forward. National exposure with Whole Foods has helped.”

From Karen for the 2018 vintage: White/pink floral nose, light to medium finish, clean mouthfeel, moderate pear fruit, definitely a porch pounder as we were relishing it on our backyard patio on a warm Saturday evening with light nibbles for dinner.

Another winery that I’ve been a big fan of over the years Cass Winery in Paso Robles. [Yep, Paso again. I make no excuses, Paso wines are some of our favorites.] And I couldn’t pass up their special offer for Valentine’s Day of a dozen rosés. [Get it? Of course you do.]

From Karen for the 2019 vintage of the Cass Oasis Rosé: White flower floral note, dry medium body, red ripe berry fruit from the 63% Mourvedre, fresh, soft and hint of sweetness from the 37% Grenache.

Finally, an article about rosés wouldn’t be complete without the one that Karen has pronounced as her favorite for the last few years from Hoi Polloi winery right here in the Santa Clarita Valley. Doug Minnick [one of the founders of the Garagiste Festivals – I am so looking forward to these returning!] and his partners produce an assortment of terrific wines.

From Karen for the 2018 vintage of the Hoi Polloi Rosé from the Colburn Vineyard, Paso Robles: Fresh, crisp, true strawberry nose, medium to long clean finish, elegant, well-rounded body, silky soft tannins, this rosé of Grenache never fails to deliver!

Underground Wine Project

www.theundergroundwineproject.com

Cass Winery

www.casswines.com

Hoi Polloi

www.hoipolloiwinery.com

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 30 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers.

Tasting Monteru French Brandy with the Southern California Whiskey Club, aka a Masterclass of Single Grape Varietals

June 25, 2021 by evebushman

Never heard of Monteru French Brandy before Ries Michael of the So Cal Whiskey Club invited me to this particular class and I did some research on them ahead of time. They’ve won their fair share of medals in worldwide spirits competitions, received high ratings from respected critics, besides the styles listed in our tasting below they also have a brandy in Japanese Mizunura and other rare casks, then they double distil, triple toast and double cask…see their website for all of the details!

Photo credit: Stephen Roebuck.

For this tasting I asked Vashti and Steve Roebuck, of the popular Facebook group “Friends Who Like Wine In The Glass” to join me. Our notes are a combination from Steve (SR) and me (EB).

From the Southern California Whiskey Club:

This is a convergence of the world of wine meeting the world of whiskey in an informative tasting of single grape varietals, all aged in oak. If you are a wine connoisseur who is curious about amplified wine or a whiskey drinker who wants to learn the subtle nuances of grapes this is meant for you. We will taste five grape varietals, a sherry cask, and then a bourbon drinkers’ brandy for an in-depth and unique tasting.

Tasting Notes:

Single Grape Brandy, Riesling, 40% ABV

SR and EB: Pineapple, salted vanilla, lemon, floral, mango, light acidity, dill/herb, dried peach, some salinity.

Single Grape Brandy, Merlot, 40% ABV

SR and EB: Milk chocolate, almonds, Marzipan, white chocolate on palate, cream, char, oak, smoke, yellow corn, corn syrup. Vashti really liked this one, as did I.

Single Grape Brandy, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014/2016, CS002-16, 41.3% ABV

SR and EB: Caramel, dark chocolate dust, some almond, creamy soft palate, hints of caramel, maple syrup, super long finish. One of my favorites.

Single Grape Brandy, Chardonnay, 2014/2016, Batch CH002-16, 41.3% ABV

SR and EB: Chocolate, caramel, orange blossom, pine sap, brine, orange chocolate candy, honey, candied ginger, pine needles, maple, honey, jasmine tea, ginger, dried botanicals, sweet finish. Another favorite for Vashti and me.

Single Grape Brandy, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014/2016, Batch SB002-16, 41.3% ABV

SR and EB: Light lemon, ginger, salted caramel, savory honey notes, oak on the palate, an herbal quality, sandalwood incense, counting mouthfeel of clover honey yet savory, the sweetest and lightest in color from the tasting. This was another one I wanted again.

Rare Cask Finish, French Oak, Finished in Sherry Oak, 2012/2016, Batch 001, 41.7% ABV

SR and EB: Caramel, orange blossom, vanilla, honey, brine, salt on palate that overtook some aromas for Steve, while I noted the whisky-like aroma and salted nuts.

Double Wood Triple Toast, 2012/2016, Batch 003, 42.7% ABV

SR and EB: Sweet corn, caramel, brine, maple, dill/herb, almonds, vanilla, oak notes, honey, mango, freshly husked corn, simple syrup.

Want to get your hands on some Monteru of your own? Email Davidd@MissionLiquor.com

About the brand:

The origins of Monteru date back to the late 1700’s and has remained closely tied to the tradition of brown spirits distillation and has become a leading innovator by combining authenticity and tradition to create a product somewhere between traditional brandy and single malt whisky. Maison Monteru produces small batches with intricate differences that are aged in a stone cellar on the Atlantic coast where the temperature and the humidity levels remain stable. Another significant characteristic of their process is to age the brandies in different types of oak casks: French first, imparting delicate nut flavors, then American oak which conveys subtle spice and brioche aromas.

https://www.monteru.fr/home

https://www.facebook.com/MaisonMonteru

https://www.southerncaliforniawhiskeyclub.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/149146278567212

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.

New-To-Me: Tasting Ron Rubin Winery Pinot and Chardonnay

June 11, 2021 by evebushman

Another winery from Sonoma for me to try for the first time! This time it was a Ron Rubin Pinot Noir and an unoaked Chardonnay. The wines promised, “affordable, accessible, all-round ‘beautiful experiences’”. I invited a Pinot-lover over to try the former with me just to get her thoughts as well. Our collective tasting notes are below, and below that is a wealth of information from the two technical sheets from the winery itself.

Ron Rubin Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2018 / SRP $25

Our tasting notes: My Pinot-loving pal thought the wine was fruit-forward, maybe finished in a neutral oak, had some white pepper and low acidity. She enjoyed the wine and would purchase it. For me I found stewed fruit, dried cherry, raspberry, brambles, balanced and a nice long finish. We enjoyed the wine with cheese, charcuterie, almonds and toasted French bread.

Technical sheet

TASTING NOTES: Bright cherry, cranberry, and raspberry aromas with hints of dill, fennel, and spice. The bouquet is rounded out with sweet vanilla and berry flavors, with a balanced and elegant finish. This very approachable wine offers mouth-filling, yet soft, tannins. Ripe fruit flavors are complemented by bright acidity and a gentle oak mid-palate. This complex and fruit- driven Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with fig and goat cheese crostini, roasted duck, and rotisserie chicken.

VINTAGE: It was another remarkable vintage for Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. A fairly dry winter gave way to a wet early spring, delaying budbreak in the vineyards but providing ample moisture for our 2018 crop. Consistent and mild conditions during bloom and throughout the early growing season, along with a cooler than normal August, led to slow ripening and a later harvest. This long hang-time allowed for full flavor development.

TERROIR: Our Ron Rubin Pinot Noir expresses the character of Russian River Valley terroir, while reflecting the versatility of the region. Russian River Valley’s morning fog, and cool coastal breezes from the Pacific Ocean, create ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir. This allows for a 15-20% longer hang-time than that of neighboring areas, allowing our Pinot Noir to retain bright acidity and develop full-flavor maturity.

WINEMAKING: Our 2018 Pinot Noir was hand-picked, sorted, destemmed and put into open top fermenters, and was cold-soaked for 5-days. It was then fermented, pressed, and stored in French Oak barrels. In addition to growing these grapes on our Estate, we acquired fruit from a few local, family vineyards.

FERMENTATION/AGING: Open top stainless steel tank. Aged in 100% French Oak barrels, 20% new, for 10 months.

Ron Rubin Winery Pam’s UN-Oaked California Chardonnay 2020 / SRP $14

My tasting notes: Pale yellow in natural sunlight, followed by aromas white peach, lemon-lime, honeydew melon and cream. Going in for a taste my husband immediately remarked, as he beat me in having that first taste, “It’s good!” Examining the flavors I found a full mouthfeel of yummy fresh and homemade fruit cocktail, lemon bars, bruised yellow apple, a mild but bracing acidity and medium finish. Definitely a steal for $14!

Technical sheet

TASTING NOTES: This lovely UN-Oaked Chardonnay is perfect for all gatherings. It’s refreshingly fruity and light-bodied, with a beautifully transparent, pale yellow color. It has showy fruit aromas of Asian pear and Golden Delicious apple; and, ripe citrus, like key lime and tangerine. With a touch of sweet, this wine is just bursting with lingering flavors of juicy, ripe poached pears. Yet, it is fresh and crisp.

VINTAGE: It was another notable vintage for UN-Oaked Chardonnay! Lighter than usual spring rain caused low soil moistures providing for an earlier than normal bud break in the vineyards. These mild conditions throughout the early growing season and heat spikes in late Summer also led to an earlier harvest by about a week. However, these coupled conditions allowed for remarkable flavor development all while still retaining plenty of bright acidity. Harvested by mid-September, and fermented only in stainless steel tanks, we have crafted a crisp, delicious wine that is very approachable and food friendly.

TERROIR: We source our grapes for our UN-Oaked Chardonnay from family owned vineyards in Clarksburg and Lodi. These regions are well known for their sustainable ethics and Mediterranean climates. Like southern France, these regions can bring out a beautiful ripeness in the grapes, while maintaining fresh acidity.

WINEMAKING: These UN-Oaked Chardonnay grapes were pressed into stainless steel fermentation tanks. Next, they were cold fermented to retain freshness and aromatic intensity.

FERMENTATION/AGING: 100% stainless steel tanks

From the Winery

For Ron Rubin, his namesake winery and vineyard in the Green Valley subzone of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley is a dream come true, acquired 40 years after Ron wrapped up his studies at UC Davis. A vintner and self-styled “beverage guy,” Ron’s intent is to make affordable, accessible, all-round “beautiful experiences” (a favorite expression), i.e. Sonoma wines to be consumed and enjoyed. The prospect of making high-priced, super-limited-production, hard-to-find wines is not what makes Rubin tick. For the rest of us, that translates into beautiful wines you can feel good about buying: The Ron Rubin Winery is SIP-certified (Sustainability in Practice — the gold standard for sustainable vineyard, winery and wine certification), and Certified Sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

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.

Introducing Mezcal Rosaluna, an Earth Agave Spirit With a Smooth Finish

June 9, 2021 by evebushman

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) – Made in a small Mexican village in Oaxaca, Mexico, Mezcal Rosaluna has officially launched in the United States and is available online and in-store. The handcrafted Mezcal is produced from self-grown agave and offers complex notes of both citrus and tropical fruits, combined with a hint of agave smoke and a silky smooth finish. Available in 750 milliliter bottles, the blend is 40% alcohol by volume and is certified vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, zero carb, plant-based, and carbon neutral.

Mezcal Rolsaluna is created by a brother and sister duo from the quaint town of Santiago Matatlán, which is often referred to as “The World Capital of Mezcal.” Their family perfected the craft of creating Mezcal over the course of six generations, leaving the sibling duo with the ability to grow, farm, ferment, and distill agave from seed to bottle; the result of this is a fully-integrated process that is both sustainable and carbon neutral. The process begins by planting baby agaves and nurturing them for eight years, with hand-cleanings and constant maintenance of fresh, Matatlan soil. After eight years, the heart of the agave is harvested by removing the leaves and extracting just the sweetest part: the piña in the middle. These are then taken to an underground pit and carefully placed atop a stone-buried fire to be roasted for up to five days (adding that cooked, smokey flavor to the Mezcal). These roasted pineapples are then taken to a mill to extract juices and fiber, and are then fermented with water for up to eight days. Finally the remains are distilled, with the head and heart of the first distillation going back in for a second round, separating alcohol from water to truly enhance the purity of the Mezcal.

The result of this process is a robust Mezcal designed with intricate layers of complimentary flavors, all highlighted by a smooth finish. Its aroma is built on tropical fruits and notes of citrus, cinnamon, and ginger, all of which pair beautifully with the caramel notes of the roasted agave hearts. Mezcal Rosaluna pairs well with numerous drinks and fruits including cranberry, coffee, and grapefruit, while also leaving room for experimentation and design. The makers themselves have lovingly crafted 16 unique cocktail recipes that include Mezcal Rosaluna, including the Pink Moon Paloma, the Topo & Luna, and the Seventeen Fifty. No matter how it’s mixed, every sip is a beautiful and intricately woven blend of flavors that is the result of generations of refinement from the World Capital of Mezcal.

Handcrafted in the foothills of Oaxaca Mexico, Mezcal Rosaluna is an authentic agave spirit developed over the course of six generations. It is self grown, processed, and distilled without GMOs, gluten, or carbs, making it vegan, plant-based, and carbon neutral. Bottles are available to purchase on Drizly and ReserveBar, with more information available on https://mezcalrosaluna.com/.

TENUTA MONTEMAGNO – MYSTERIUM: the Barbera d’Asti Superiore of 3 barrels

May 17, 2021 by evebushman

The use of wood, whether it is French oak, or Slavonian, whether it is barrels of different dimensions, the time of aging, the various toasting, because of all these details, it demands attention and respect.

The mastery is the wise and equilibrated use, to create a perfect balance between the wine that ages in and the aromas of the wood itself.

Mysterium is our Barbera d’Asti Superiore which refines in wooden barrels for at least 18 months.

It’s the uniqueness Barbera of Tenuta Montemagno, as the grapes come from the most ancient vineyards and tell its story. Actually, the Barbera d’Asti is the identity of this corner of Monferrato as well as of Tenuta Montemagno, which has its roots in the provinces of Alessandria and Asti.

The ambition of Tiziano Barea, owner of Tenuta Montemagno and the oenologue Gianfranco Cordero, is preserve the beauty of this grape through a wise and careful use of aging.

The manual harvest of Barbera grapes for Mysterium is medium late, with a further selection of the grapes during the harvest process, so as to reduce the yield per hectare to 65 q, compared to the 90 provided for in the production specification.

Pumping over and fermentation takes place with the Nectar system, which does not use mechanical components during the operating cycle. All this happens thanks to the natural CO2 emission of the wine that is formed during the process.

This procedure allows the preservation of the organoleptic characteristics of the grape variety.

Starting from this imported assumption, the aging in wood that follows the malolactic fermentation provides that the wine is separated in 3 equal parts:

The first part stays in barrique – Allier oak, medium toasting, second hands barrels. The second portion refines in tonneau, French oak, again second passage oaks; the toasting is strongest. The remaining hectoliters will age in Slavonian oak barrels, 2500 liters of capacity.

During
reserved to the barrels, is dark, at controlled temperature and with a constant humidity tax for keeping the elasticity and salubrity of the wood and, consequently, the quality of the wines that is aging inside.

Why 3 oak barrels of different dimensions and made of diverse oaks?

Because it is fundamental the constant exchange that is created between wood and wine, between each other’s aromas.

The peculiarities of the Barbera, the vine with the lowest level of tannins among the varieties, make this process even more interesting and enhance and strengthen the traits that are its identity, typical of the composition of the soil where our Barbera grows up: marls astiane, calcareous/clayey, with alkaline pH and good salinity.

The deep ruby red color becomes intense, with violet and black reflections. The bouquet of red fruits and flowers is full, with hints of jam, of ripe fruit; hints of vanilla and spices, which represent the secondary scents, proper to the passage in wooden barrels.

Finally, the evolution of aromas leads us to tertiary, cocoa and balsamic sensations. On the palate, the acidity is tamed by tannin and becomes soft, and well balanced. It is almost velvety.

Above all, the gustatory and olfactory persistence is surprising. The latter evolves opening to wider and more differentiated sensations.

Mysterium is an example of the versatility of Barbera and how the intelligent and wise use of aging in wood, respecting the vine, gives a complex and modern wine, versatile and fascinating, with body and intensity.

Mysterium has been prized at the last edition of Mundus Vini – International Wine Competition, with the gold Medal and with 93 points by Decanter Magazine.

Mysterium, Barbera d’Asti Superiore docg is the Barbera that tells about us and represents us.

Tasting A Tribute Wine: 2011 DON Cabernet Sauvignon by Pure Cru Napa Valley, Winemaker Mitch Cosentino

May 7, 2021 by evebushman

Eddie and I tasted the 2011 “Don” Cabernet Sauvignon Tribute Wine with Mitch Cosentino, founder and winemaker at Pure Cru Napa Valley, in 2015. We liked it so much then we bought a few bottles, found them in our cellar recently and decided that we needed to crack one open. Below are notes from the back label, my tasting notes from 2015 and 2021, the technical notes, and a new quote from Mitch.

What is the tribute for?

In April 2014 we lost a family member, friend and partner, Don Held, aka Superman. This wine, like Don who had so many special qualities, has been developed as a tribute to his life. He lived life to the fullest and enriched the lives of those lucky enough to be around him. Two of the rarest clones of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have been blended to produce this extremely rare, one of a kind wine.

For those that knew Don, we hope when you drink this wine it will bring back so many beautiful, lasting memories. For those of you who did not have the pleasure of knowing him, our hope is “Don” will inspire you to makes some special memories of your own.

We never met Don, but we do raise a glass – from his remarkable wine – to him now.

2015 Tasting Notes

2011 The Don: (25% of the sales of this wine go to Make-A-Wish foundation and is named after a former partner in the winery that has since passed away.) 100% Cabernet from “two of the rarest clones” that shall not be named…I got aromas of dust, what Mitch referred to as “lead pencil”, blackberry and hard candy; very rich dark fruit, velvety, intense black cherry that would be hard for any taster to miss, doesn’t need food or aging. 96 Eve pts.

2021 Tasting Notes

14.8% alcohol.

Opaque, dark purple in color. Aromas included dried blackberry, fresh blueberry pie and chocolate mousse desserts, pecan, campfire, black pepper, toasted wood/sweet bark, spicy. Velvety layers of dark spicy fruit flavors that goes on and on. Found the same blackberry and blueberry notes as on the nose, balanced with spice notes, coffee grounds, tannins doing their job. Doesn’t need food, which seems remarkable as it’s a big wine. 97 Eve pts.

I texted Mitch after we tasted Don and he added this news, “…we just bottled the same blend from 2017 in honor of another partner who passed, Dr. Prab. That is the last we can do because one of the clones (the Lafitte) was torn out by the current owner of the property unfortunately. It will be offered to club members this summer. I have hidden the Don’s that I have to keep me from drinking them.”

Technical Sheet

Napa Valley (100%), 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winemaking: Each lot was punched cap fermented and barrel aged for 36 months in selected French Oak barrels then blended before bottling.

Tasting Notes: Currants with a hint of spice and a gravel like mineral element in the nose. On the palate it is intense and dense with black fruit. Very varietal and well structured, accented by spice throughout add to that long, complex and complex finish.

Special Notes: This is a very special tribute wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon components are very unique. The two clones used are the rarest in the Napa Valley. One is the Secret Clone from its original vineyard on a hill in Pope Valley and from a small block in Yountville. The other is the “L” Clone which supposedly traces its origin to the famous Chateau Lafite Rothschild property. This is the first use from new plantings in Pope Valley where it exhibits a distinctive Pauillac minerality and dense black fruit as it does in Bordeaux.

(Production limited to 80 cases.)

https://www.purecruwines.com

https://www.facebook.com/PureCruWinesNapa

BORDEAUX REACHES NEW MILESTONES IN SUSTAINABILITY AND BIODIVERSITY ACTION WITH 65% of VINEYARDS CERTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL

May 4, 2021 by evebushman

BORDEAUX, FRANCE (PRWEB) – The Bordeaux wine region has reached new milestones in their commitment to sustainability efforts that encompass a wide spectrum of initiatives from vineyard and cellar management, preservation of natural habitats and resources to workplace safety and supply chain efficiency. Bordeaux is one of the first wine regions to have approved new grape varieties that can alleviate hydric stress associated with temperature increases and shorter growing cycles. More than 65% of the Bordeaux vineyards are certified environmental — a new benchmark for the region. Bordeaux also leads all French AOPs in volume of High Environmental Value (HVE) certifications for their wineries, having accomplished the top level of sustainable certification in France and a 30% increase in organic agriculture.

No single model of sustainability is the same, but the people behind Bordeaux wine share a collective commitment to proactively act to address climate change by preserving scarce water and energy resources; protecting fragile ecosystems; and championing biodiversity from best vineyard practices to alternative packaging. Bordeaux’s vision is an expansive one that includes efforts to sustain the wine community by enhancing worker safety, job satisfaction and training and development for current and future generations.

We are pleased to share the stories of 10 Earth Day Heroes from Bordeaux who exemplify sustainability in action. Our Earth Day Heroes showcase a full spectrum of choices to address today’s significant environmental and societal agenda, including why certification matters; how to inspire their teams; the challenge of educating and engaging consumers; pioneer efforts to develop eco-friendly packaging and supply chain efficiency; and how sustainability and organic winemaking impact the taste and quality of their cuvées.

Meet our 2021 Earth Day Heroes and read their full profiles.

Château Guiraud (Sauternes): Pioneers in permaculture, Château Guiraud was the first Grand Cru Classé in Bordeaux to attain organic certification. The team’s integrated approach has attracted more than 700 species of pollinators to the vineyard.
Château Jean Faure (Saint-Émilion): Certified organic and biodynamic, Jean Faure credits responsible agriculture for the freshness of the estate fruit and rising consumer demand.
Château Brown (Pessac-Léognan): A flower farm and orchard of fruit trees support Château Brown’s natural ecosystem where bees, insects and birds thrive with the vines. Eco-friendly packaging helps to preserve scarce resources and resonates with consumers.
Château Roquefort (Entre-deux-Mers): Château Roquefort balances space for vine cultivation with natural growth; Only 45% of the estate is for the vineyard, the rest is forest, woods and fields.
Vignobles Rousseau (Bordeaux Supérieur): The team at Vignobles Rousseau has planted nearly 13,000 square feet of giant bamboo on their estate to act as a protective, natural barrier to block harmful emissions. They also endorse a vision of sustainability that encompasses equity for every employee and all visitors.
Groupe Grands Chais de France (multiple Bordeaux AOCs): Representing more than 20% of French wine exports, GCF’s global reach allows the company to have significant impact with one of the most efficient logistics and supply chain centers in Europe and intensive employee training in CSR and sustainable management.
Le GDON (The Group for the Defense against Harmful Organisms of the Vine): Each year, seasonal employees from GDON walk 19,539 miles to monitor vineyards across Bordeaux for disease and drastically reduce the need for harmful pesticides.
Château Brillette (Moulis en Médoc): Conservation is paramount at Château Brillette. Oak barrels are delivered free of plastic wrappings and boxes, saving 1.5 containers of waste with each shipment.
Bordeaux Families: Affectionately known as “Les Bee GIEE’s,” this grower cooperative farms organically and, as the name implies, the honeybee is central to their ambitious “Bee Plan.”
Jules Lebègue (Saint-Émilion, Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Médoc, Bordeaux): A négociant, Jules Lebègue partners with winegrowers to adopt environmentally friendly practices and attain HVE3 and organic certification.

ABOUT Bordeaux Wine Council (C.I.V.B.)
Bordeaux Wine Council (C.I.V.B.) was created by the French Law dated August 18, 1948. It unites representatives from the three families in the Bordeaux wine industry: winegrowers, merchants and traders. The CIVB’s 4 missions:

Marketing mission: stimulate demand for Bordeaux wines, recruit new, younger consumers and ensure their loyalty to the brand. Provide education for the trade and strengthen relationships.
Technical mission: build knowledge, protect the quality of Bordeaux wines and anticipate new requirements related to environmental, CSR and food safety regulations.
Economic mission: provide intelligence on production, the market, the environment and sale of Bordeaux wines around the world.
The industry’s general interests: protect the terroirs, fight counterfeiting, develop wine tourism.

Bushman and Perlis Review 5 Newly Released 2020 Rosés

April 30, 2021 by evebushman

Recently Michael Perlis and I were presented with a few new Rosé wines for review. We didn’t taste together so below you will see notes by either K&MP (Yes, Michael enlisted his wife Karen to help with the hard work) or EB. I will first share the tantalizing invitation, and below that are descriptions of the wines from the wineries followed by our own tasting notes:

Rosé season is finally upon us! We are excited to present our selection of newly released 2020 Rosés, which come in a beautiful spectrum of pink shades. While these are wonderful wines for year-round enjoyment, there’s just something special about sipping a glass of pink during the springtime, when the weather begins to feel warmer, flowers bloom and days start to lengthen.

Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé 2020 (750ml/$14.99): Jean-Luc Colombo is an estate built upon innovation, passion, and dedication to winemaking. From the stony, limestone vineyards nestled in the hills above the bay of Marseille near Provence comes Cape Bleue Rosé – a wine of pure elegance and freshness with pronounced raspberry aromas over a core of red fruit, classic watermelon and peach notes. An elegant mouthfeel, fluid and round with ample length and crisp finish. K&MP: Very intense with flavors of Gala apple and Anjou pear from the Mourvedre that wrap around the smokiness of the Syrah. We paired the wine with a roasted Pork Loin marinated in a ginger scallion sesame sauce with a few red pepper flakes thrown in. The wine was a great accompaniment. This was MP’s favorite – guess he’s a cheap date.

Côté Mas Aurore Rosé Pays d’Oc IGP 2020 (750ml/$13.99): Côté Mas Aurore Rosé captures the essence of its Mediterranean region’s charm, offering a rich and smooth palate full of cherry, strawberry and floral aromas evolving toward soft candied fruit notes. The palate is rich and smooth with ripe red fruits and well-balanced acidity. Enjoy as an aperitif or pair with grilled chicken, shrimp, and goat cheese salads. EB: I’ll admit I chose this wine to review as the label design attracted me: a couple from the past – he wore an old fashioned straw hat – sitting for some wine with the vineyard in the background, all painted with pastel pinks, blue, yellow and green. The color of the wine itself, a pastel pink, coordinated perfectly. Now, to smell, I got aromas of cherry blossoms, fresh cut watermelon, lemon and lime zest, dried berries and wet stones; for the flavor there was welcoming crisp apple, juicy red fruit, and a mild to medium acidity which gave away to a nice length. We enjoyed this as recommended, as an aperitif. 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 10% Syrah and 10% Vermentino. I would buy this wine.

Valdo Prosecco DOC Rosé 2020 (750ml/$15.99): One of the must-try wines from the newly approved category designation, Prosecco DOC Rosé, Marca Oro has a lovely pink hue and persistent perlage. On the nose, inviting floral notes lead to apple, pear, and small red berries. The palate is delicate, fruity, pleasantly harmonious with a long finish. This is perfect as an aperitif, and it pairs perfectly with pasta, fish, and tartare. EB: The color, of a perfectly ripe peach, and oodles of dancing bubbles definitely drew me in, including the three Prosecco lovers that shared this bottle with me. On the nose there was a wealth of raspberry, strawberry, toasted French baguette, wet river rock and white flower – all very enticing. One guest commented on the taste that the bubbly was fruit forward, as I got with more than a hint of ripe raspberry, bright strawberry, a feeling of general freshness, a nice low acidity, and that same raspberry from the nose to the taste lingered through to the finish. Pinot Noir and Glera grapes. My guests took photos of the wine in the hopes of finding it. I would also like to find this wine again.

Bertani Bertarose 2020 (750ml/$19.99): Bertarose is one of the oldest wines of the Bertani winery, and a blend of 75% Molinara and 25% Merlot grapes. Fresh aromas of pomegranate and red currants with notes of white flowers. Decisive on the palate, medium bodied with deft balance between acidity and tanginess. Excellent length. Perfect as an aperitif, it also goes well with salads, delicate-flavored pasta dishes and white meat. K&MP: Very clean nose and finish. Nice smooth mouthfeel as well. We got some citrus/lemon notes as well as pear. This wine was very refreshing yet full bodied enough to stand up to the mini-Reubens that we paired it with. They’ve been making this wine since the 1930s and they definitely know what they are doing. Very interesting blend as well as the approach of fermenting the Molinara on the skins and the Merlot off the skins. Makes for a pretty complex wine, which is not unexpected for a winery credited with creating the first commercial dry Amarone.

Planeta Sicilia DOC Rosé 2020 (750ml/$19.99): A blend of 50% Nero d’Avola and 50% Syrah, this fresh, fruit-forward rosé represents all the feelings of a Sicilian summer. The fresh aromas of strawberry make it a marvelously friendly wine, and easy to drink. Enjoy Planeta Rosé in good company, as an aperitif with tapas, raw fish, fresh salads or alone with seasonal fruit. K&MP: Light in color and nose, which makes sense as the wine is vinified like a white wine. Fragrance of Jasmine tea leaves. Seemed to bounce off the palate with its brightness. We paired this with a margarita pizza that we had added smoked salmon to and it matched perfectly. This would be great on a late summer California afternoon/evening with passed appetizers.

Find where to purchase any of these wines via Taub Family Selections:

https://www.taubfamilyselections.com/

Andalusia Whiskey Co. Releases their First Texas Brandy!

April 25, 2021 by evebushman

BLANCO, TEXAS (PRWEB) – Andalusia Whiskey Co will release their first Texas Brandy on Saturday March 27th. The distillery is not the first but one of the few to release a brandy in Texas.

“I feel most people overlook brandy,” said Co-Founder Ty Phelps. “Which is why we are excited to show what a brandy from Texas can taste like,” he continued.

The Andalusia Whiskey Co. Texas brandy uses 2018 Orange Muscat grapes grown by Lost Draw Cellars and then pressed by William Chris Vineyards. These grapes were too sweet to make wine but great for distilling into brandy. Aged 2.5 years in used American oak charred barrels. “We love how aromatic and flavorful the spirit turned out,” said Ty Phelps. The tasting notes include citrus, vanilla, honey, floral, anise, and cloves.

“People have a desire for local products, so we jumped at the chance to make a local Texas Brandy from regional wineries,” said Co-Founder Tommy Erwin.

Our Texas Brandy will be available in 375 ml bottles for $40. You can purchase them at the distillery or online. Online sales must be picked up at the distillery located at 6462 N US Hwy 281, Blanco, Texas 78606. Whiskey or brandy cannot be shipped. You are allowed to pick up two bottles (750 ml) per person per 30 days.

Follow Andalusia Whiskey Co. on Facebook for updates on tours, tasting room hours, and special releases. You can find Andalusia’s award-winning single malts Stryker, Revenant Oak, and their Triple Distilled whiskey at liquor stores throughout Texas.

About Andalusia Whiskey Co.
Andalusia Whiskey Co. produces hand-crafted, grain to glass malt whiskies deep in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. The distillery offers tours, tastings, and cocktails in their beautiful tasting room. Visitors to the Texas Hill Country are encouraged to sign up for a distillery tour and come by for a visit. For more information, visit their website http://www.andalusiawhiskey.com. For interviews, contact Jake Clements at media@txwhiskeyfest.com.

Perlises Pick: What Wines We Are Drinking At Home – Part 3

April 24, 2021 by Michael Perlis

When I started writing this series of articles about the lighter wines Karen and I have been drinking recently, I hadn’t really thought that so many of them would be from Paso Robles. After all, Paso’s reputation [at least in my mind] is for big delicious Reds, and there certainly are a lot of those coming from this area. And we don’t limit ourselves to PR’s AVAs, as I expect you know. But, as I’ve said, great winemakers make great wine, regardless of color, and here are three more wineries that produce some of our favorite lighter wines from the area. As an added bonus, they are all somehow connected to each other.

We’ve actually known Guillaume Fabre of Clos Solene www.clossolene.com the longest of these three, having met him at an event back in 2009. He was pouring his first vintage – a delicious Roussanne – and was still assistant winemaker at L’Aventure. But 2009 was long ago. We’ve followed him to the shared Paso Underground tasting room in downtown to Paso Robles and then to Tin City just south of downtown Paso. Now he and his wife Solene have their own property in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles, from which they are creating some of the best wines in the region. I’ve always felt that his Red wines did a great job of showing how their inherent power could be softened into elegance without losing the characteristics of Paso.

The lighter wines are equally as stylish. Karen loves all of them when “paired with our “Snacks– Hunkered Down” nights of charcuterie and/or smoked fish, various cheeses, dried and fresh fruit, followed by lemon cookies or a scoop of ice cream.”

The pink La Rose is a Rhone blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah, made from grapes specifically farmed for rosé – no saignee here! Very pale in color that belies the complexity of the wine itself.

Clos Solene’s Hommage Blanc is a classic white Rhone blend of mainly Roussanne plus Viognier and Grenache Blanc. Karen found it to be “full bodied…flowers, fruit, spices…”

Finally, En Coulisse is 100% Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley’s Bien Nacido Vineyards. A nice rich Chard, and [per Karen] “not overpowering with oak, vanilla or butter but fruit forward…”

Guillaume is also partner in another Paso Robles winery with his brother Arnaud –

Benom Wines www.benomwines.com. They originally took over Clos Solene’s spot in Tin City, although I believe they have now moved to a larger space in the same area.

The name Benom is a riff on the French word “binôme” which translates to “a project together”. These French brothers have successfully combined their homeland’s heritage with all that Paso has to offer, with their blends showing what can be done by them in a place with no rules. No surprise, again, that the red wines are great, but this article is focusing on these lighter wines.

The L’Essor rosé combines Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon and Contrast is a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Neither of these could be made back home due to the rules about combining grapes from different regions. And they clearly should be. Karen loved the “bright fruit” of the L’Essor and found the Contrast to be “crisp, clean, full of fruit…”

As I mentioned at the start, this article is about three wineries that are somehow connected. Arnaud Fabre of Benom is also marketing director at Law Estate Wines www.lawestatewines.com, another winery that we first tasted at a festival. This time it was the Ojai Wine Festival back in 2013, when Karen came up to me and said “you really have to try Law”. As always, she was right and we have been big fans since. We met GM Oliver Esparham at the Ojai Festival and have visited him and the rest of our friends at Law at the state-of-the-art winery and tasting room many times – once even before it was complete. The winery and vineyards high up on Peachy Canyon are amazing in their own right. But, that would mean nothing if the wines didn’t match. And they definitely do. The Law wines are truly some of the best ones around.

With regard to lighter wines, Law makes two. The Rosé blend is typically Grenache based while the white Rhone blend Soph [named after the Laws’ granddaughter] is usually about half Roussanne. The exact blends vary from year to year for both of these, but they are always stunning and are present on our table [and in our glasses] often. I love that the description on the website refers to Soph as “an extremely moreish wine”. We definitely agree on that.

Next article, we’ll finally leave Paso Robles and look at wines from farther north. Unless I change my mind.

Clos Solene

www.clossolene.com

Benom

www.benomwines.com

Law Estate Wines