Eve's Wine 101

The Italian Riviera in a Bottle: Portofino Dry Gin Announces Nationwide Launch

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Portofino Dry Gin is announcing a nationwide launch across the United States. Hailing from Italy’s town of Portofino, known around the world for its breathtaking view, iconic Italian scenery, beauty and charm, Portofino Dry Gin is bringing Italian authenticity and high quality, packaged in a striking, unforgettable design, to the United States.

“Portofino Dry Gin was founded as a tribute to my grandfather, Klaus Pudel,” says Ruggero Raymo, CEO and co-founder of Portofino Dry Gin. “He was admired for having saved Portofino from the destruction during World War II. Portofino is in the heart of the Italian Riviera, and the bottle design is an homage to the beautiful region. We are thrilled to bring a spirit that combines heritage and a sense of place to the US.”

Produced at an antique Italian distillery, Portofino Dry Gin (SRP $56.99) features 21 botanicals, each one carefully selected for its natural aromatic properties. Juniper, lemons, lavender, rosemary, marjoram, sage, iris and rose are organically grown in Portofino Dry Gin’s botanical sanctuary on the hills of Portofino and combined with locally handpicked ingredients to complete Portofino Dry Gin’s secret recipe. The region’s unique microclimate allows lush Mediterranean vegetation to grow year round, and each botanical is ripened by the fresh sea breeze and the warm sun of the Italian Riviera.

“We are so proud to bring Portofino Dry Gin to the US. It’s a major milestone in our company’s growth,” says Christopher Egger, CMO and co-founder of Portofino Dry Gin. “While we would love for everyone to experience the beauty and charm of our town of Portofino in Italy first-hand, we are thrilled that we can now bring that authentic Italian experience of charm and beauty to the US. You don’t have to travel to Portofino to experience Portofino!”

Imported to the United States by Artisanal Cellars, Portofino is available at select premium retailers including Eataly as well as nationally via Cask & Barrel.

About Portofino Dry Gin
Portofino Dry Gin (SRP $56.99) is produced in Italy. Each batch of Portofino Dry Gin is made using a combination of traditional and innovative methods: from an old Italian copper pot still used to distill local liqueur and grappa to a state-of-the-art technology that produces vacuum distillation, preserving the aromas from Portofino Dry Gin’s most delicate botanicals. Distilled and bottled in Italy using natural ingredients, without added sugar, artificial flavors or preservatives. Alc./Vol. 43% – 86 Proof. Portofino Dry Gin is available nationwide via Cask & Barrel.

Guide to Santa Barbara Wine Country, Courtesy The Leta Hotel

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Santa Barbara County may be rightly famous for its reliably mild weather and sun-splashed scenery but these enviable assets have also made it a prized destination for wine lovers. Geography tells the story. 

Several million years ago, the mountains that rose along the Pacific Coast of North America mostly ran from north to south. But here in what’s now Santa Barbara County, the nascent peaks decided to veer off course and sprinted the opposite direction: east to west.  

This extraordinary geographic anomaly created a protected south-facing pocket of paradise, tucked between soaring peaks and offshore islands, where visitors and residents revel in a balmy climate amid stunning natural scenery.  

It also gave birth to an exceptionally diverse grape-growing region that lured winemaking pioneers starting in the 1960s. The towering peaks and sloping hillsides funnel cool winds and fog nearly 40 miles from the ocean through river valleys. The result? Myriad microclimates and a superior environment for premium wine grape cultivation.  

Santa Barbara County eventually earned an international reputation for world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Fast-forward to 2021, when Wine Enthusiast lauded Santa Barbara County as the world’s Wine Region of the Year.  

No matter what varietal your palate prefers, you’ll probably find it here. Santa Barbara County vineyards produce more than 70 varietals, primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet, in seven approved AVAs (American Viticulture Areas). More than 275 wineries speckle the landscape in rural northern Santa Barbara County and line the streets of cities, towns, and villages.  

How to Choose With so many choices, what’s a wine lover to do? Start with a virtual visit to Santa Barbara Vintners, where you’ll find loads of info, including trails, maps, tours, and brief winery descriptions with links to websites.

Regional wineries range from rustic cottages to palatial manors. In recent years, the area has become known for its sustainable farming methods and holds a plethora of biodynamic, organic, and regenerative vineyards.  

Short on time? Head to the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, with more than 30 wine-tasting rooms in six neighborhoods on the South Coast. Many wineries have two tasting locations: downtown Santa Barbara and another close to north county vineyards.

Want someone else to do the driving? Check out these wine tour companies.  

You can also maximize your time by focusing on tasting-room hubs. More than 40 tasting rooms line several walkable blocks in historic Los Olivos, a throw-back pioneer town about a 40-minute drive from The Leta Hotel.

Standouts include Coqueliquot, Larner, Future Perfect, Holus Bolus, and Blair Fox Cellars. Wineries also cluster in Lompoc, about a 50-minute drive from Goleta in wine country’s far western edge in the Santa Rita Hills.

Those in downtown Santa Barbara, just a 12-minute drive from The Leta Hotel, are a quick and popular option to try new regional wines, such as Melville, Santa Barbara Winery, Riverbench, and The Valley Project. 

Select vintners will offer tastings on Friday evenings at The Leta Hotel from May through the summer. Past wineries have included Grassini, Fess Parker, SAMsARA, Carr, and Santa Barbara Winery. In addition, The Leta Restaurant serves several Santa Barbara County wines, including J. Wilkes Pinot Blanc, Jackson Estate Chardonnay, Point & Line Sauvignon Blanc, Carr Pinot Gris, Nielson by Byron Pinot Noir, Zaca Mesa ‘Z’ cuvée, Margerum M5 Rhône blend, and Refugio Ranch Barbareño. The VIP amenity wine is a Pinot Noir that comes from the oldest winery in the region, Santa Barbara Winery.  

Wineries to Visit Here are a few top picks to inspire your adventures and give you a small taste of the amazing depth and breadth of Santa Barbara County wine country. Be sure to check hours and whether reservations are required or recommended. 

Alma Rosa In 2005 pioneering winemaker Richard Sanford and his wife Thekla severed ties with their namesake winery and launched a new venture at their El Jabali vineyard estate in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation: eco-friendly Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyard. The Sanfords no longer own the winery and vineyard, but still play important roles as consultants and hosts. Winemaker Samra Morris, who hails from Bosnia, crafts small lots of single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rhône varietals, and sparkling wines. Sample them in a stunning new tasting room with indoor/outdoor seating in downtown Solvang, a 40-minute drive from Goleta. Try to book a private tasting at the historic ranch house on the 628-acre estate, where the Sanfords planted the region’s first certified organic grapes in 1983. You can also sign up for vineyard hike-and-taste experiences.  

Babcock Bryan Babcock has made wines since the early 1980s and helped establish the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. He’s also widely considered one of the best winemakers in the county and has won numerous awards for estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other wines. The family-run enterprise sits on Highway 246 near Lompoc on the western edge of wine country. This is a don’t-miss experience, not only because you’ll taste top-notch wines, but also amble around the hip and quirky tasting complex, which includes a huge, repurposed warehouse filled with an eclectic array of vintage furnishings, clothing, décor, and collectibles. Babcock continues to pioneer new techniques, most recently in regenerative farming. 

Folded Hills Descendants of the famous Anheuser-Busch empire founders run this small winery, ranch, and farmstead in a magical country setting right off Highway 101, 30 minutes from The Leta Hotel. Wine grapes grow alongside 18 acres of organic row crops, fruit orchards, and a collection of animals that range from Budweiser Clydesdales, sheep, and goats to a camel and a zebra. The winery specializes in Rhône varietals and pours tastes in a contemporary space amid oaks and redwoods at the ranch, and in an upscale tasting room in Montecito, close to downtown Santa Barbara. 

Gainey Vineyard The fourth generation of the Gainey family currently runs the vast Gainey Ranch, which encompasses nearly 2,000 acres of farmland and vineyard estates. The Home Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley produces Bordeaux varietals, while a property in the cooler Santa Rita Hills vineyard focuses on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Try the various vintages at the Spanish-style hacienda or outdoors on the expansive lawn or arbor-shaded veranda — a fantastic spot for a picnic.  

Buttonwood Winery & Vineyard Sip wine and picnic amid orchards, gardens, and groves of native buttonwood trees (aka sycamores) at this 106-acre working farm-turned-winery on Alamo Pintado Road, a five-mile country road that connects Solvang and Los Olivos. Buttonwood grows sustainably farmed Bordeaux and Rhône-style grapes in its 39-acre vineyard, and longtime winemaker Karen Steinwachs has transformed them into quality wines since 2007. Buttonwood’s flagship wines are Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernets.  

Zaca Mesa The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, which begins in Los Olivos, wends its way for 20 miles through some of California’s most scenic countryside. Chance Corbin, The Leta Hotel’s food and beverage general manager, says “Foxen Canyon is really the main trail in wine country. I always recommend it as it’s really popular with guests.” Zaca Mesa — a star along the trail — is a 1,752-acre property on a wild and rugged site the native Chumash called zaca, or “restful place.” The family-owned and -operated winery, established in 1973, specializes in handcrafted, single-vineyard Rhône-style estate-grown wines. In 1978 Zaca Mesa planted the first Syrah in Santa Barbara County; this vineyard block still produces low-yield grapes with intense flavor for the winery’s coveted Black Bear Syrah.

Barolo and Barbaresco World Opening Event Is Back With 2022 Edition In Los Angeles

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LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) – The Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, the association representing over 500 wineries in Piedmont, Italy, is pleased to announce the second annual edition of Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening in Los Angeles. The upcoming event will feature the most recently released vintages of Barolo and Barbaresco, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening is a unique occasion to learn more about the two iconic red wines of Piedmont. Through this comprehensive event, the consortium aims to increase awareness and build excitement in the United States market by providing direct encounters with the most influential wines of these famous appellations.

BBWO 2022 will begin on April 28th with a preview tasting for Master of Wine, critics, sommeliers and journalists from Europe and the United States to analyze the overall quality of the 2018 and 2019 vintages. The tasting will be followed by an exclusive gala reception in Hollywood at Paramount Pictures Studios, featuring a celebration of Piedmontese food and wine culture.

On April 29th, at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, over 150 producers will present their Barolo and Barbaresco wines to press, trade, and consumers with a walk-around tasting. Both the Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG appellation wines will be poured during the tasting, as well as select single-vineyard labels.

“After the tremendous success of the inaugural event, we are thrilled to return to the United States with the second edition in Los Angeles this year,” said Matteo Ascheri, President of the Consortium. “The Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening is an incredible opportunity to present our wines, our traditional food and our culture to the most influential wine personalities in the United States, ​​our highest-volume export market.”

The renowned Barolo and Barbaresco wines, often called the “king and queen” of the Langhe region where they are made, are produced from 100 percent Nebbiolo grapes. Age-worthy and complex, these wines have a long history of production in Piedmont and express the nuances of the region’s microclimates. In addition to the Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG appellations, producers may use the term MGA (Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive) on qualifying labels to indicate single-vineyard bottlings. The Grand Tasting will feature an area dedicated to these MGA wines.

The Langhe region, situated in the southern part of the Piedmont region between the Alps and the Apennines mountains, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the cultural history of its vineyard-covered hills, a manifestation of wine traditions that have evolved since pre-Roman times, yet remain central to the daily economic activity and social life of the region. The region’s distinctive microclimates and unique geological soil types can be tasted in the glass year-after-year, making the Langhe home to some of the world’s most respected wines, among them Barolo and Barbaresco. To uphold the quality of these wines and its land, the Consortium maintains strict agriculture guidelines, such as the yield per hectare planting regulations set in 2011.

The event will also include cheeses of Fontina Valle d’Aosta PDO, and rice of Biella and Vercelli Barraggia PDO. Over two days, participants will have the chance to take a culinary journey to Italy, tasting Barolo and Barbaresco wines paired with Fontina PDO cheeses and risotto prepared with Baraggia rice. The Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening event is part of the European campaign “Top Tales: A piece of Europe on your table,” created to increase awareness of these three PDO products in the United States market.

For more information about the Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening events, contact BBWOevents@colangelopr.com, for media inquiries contact merland@colangelopr.com.

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About Top Tales: Top Tales is a project supported by the European Union aimed at promoting Fontina DOP from Valle d’Aosta, Rice di Baraggia Biellese e Vercellese DOP, as well as the DOCG’s Barolo and Barbaresco. The European communication campaign Top Tales: A piece of Europe on your table, is designed to increase the awareness of the three DOP products in the United States market.

About the Consorzio Di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe E Dogliani: Founded in 1934 and representing 537 wine producers across multiple appellations, the Consortium is committed to the management, protection, and promotion of the Langhe, Alba, and Dogliani wine denomination. The Consortium ensures high quality by a set of formal production guidelines for the entire winemaking process, from agronomy to market surveillance. The Consortium continues to perform periodic sampling of wine products on the market to prevent fraud and to protect the wines’ authentication and reputation. Barolo & Barbaresco are registered trademarks in many countries throughout the world.

About Consorzio Tutela Fontina: The Consortium was created in 1957 to protect Fontina DOP, its production and distribution. The entity releases the Fontina DOP trademark on every wheel of Fontina produced following the Consortium’s rules.

About Consorzio Tutela Riso di Baraggia Biellese e Vercellese: the rice from Biella and Vercelli was awarded the PDO status in 2007 after the European Union verified its unique quality and nutritional characteristics. Today, the denomination covers 22,000 ha of paddy fields across 28 communes.

Ever heard of the red grape Trepat? Get to know Conca de Barberà through the “European quality Wines: taste the difference” project

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Conca de Barberà, set north of the Tarragona, is a small, almost unknown wine region in north-eastern Spain.
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Bound by the Francoli river and its headwater Anguera, it was formed by vigorous water erosion. Situated at elevations ranging from 350 to 900 meters above sea level and benefiting from a Mediterranean climate, elevation, slope and exposure differences throughout the region contribute in creating a wide range of microclimates. Conca de Barberà was officially recognized as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in 1985.

Photo from: Do Conca de Barberà

Its most important varieties are Trepat, along with Macabeu and Parellada, but what really defines Conca de Barberà is the Trepat, a native grape variety that can be found only in this area. Given its voluminous berries, Trepat was traditionally used to make the region’s flagship rosé wine, and it coexists in the Conca de Barberà region with other indigenous and imported varieties. Nowadays, local producers are devoted to showing Trepat at its best, both as rosé and red expressions. The rosés feature a clean raspberry color and fruity notes, whereas reds exhibit ruby hues with fresh red fruit aromas. While the production of rosés using Trepat is traditional to the area, the production of red wines only began in the 21st century, with the first launch of a single-variety wine in 2004. Now, Trepat is broadly used by wineries within the region.

About TASTE THE DIFFERENCE PROGRAM
The program: European quality wines: taste the difference is a project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and PRODECA for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines abroad in China and US. In order to achieve this objective, the TTD.EU program will organize wine seminars, workshops and b2b meetings both in these countries and in Spain and Italy, inviting wine professionals to join study trips to Europe. The program, realized in the span of three years (2021-2023) aims at creating awareness about European quality wines, in particular Italian and Spanish, which share a long tradition and a high standard of quality.

The beneficiaries: Unione Italiana Vini is the oldest and most commissioned Association of the Italian wine market. It represents cooperative, private and agricultural wine-companies, bottlers, consortia, associations and wine-making machines or wine cellars / laboratory manufacturers, located throughout the Italian territory. Promotora de Exportaciones Catalanas (PRODECA) is a public company established in 1986 and part of the “Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Government of Catalonia”. It supports the agri-food sector and its companies with the knowledge, tools and experience to increase their products in Catalunya and worldwide.

Get to know Pla de Bages, Spain’s smallest appellation which is rising to new heights

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Despite its absence on the average wine list in the United States, Pla de Bages represents a most interesting story of resilience in the wine world.

Located north-west of lively Barcelona, Pla de Bages stretches on 1230 acres across two fluvial valleys shaped by the Llobregat and the Cardener rivers. The region has been associated with wine production from the very beginning inasmuch as to be named after Bacchus, the Greek god of wine. Pla de Bages means Plain of Bacchus and conjures up the image of a land dotted with vineyards. Wine production already flourished under Roman domination, as witnessed by the architecture of rural villas and pottery remains from the 2nd-century, one vase bearing the noun vinum, wine in Latin. In the following centuries the popularity of the region would only grow, reaching its peak in the 19th century.

Its gilded epoch expanded between 1860 and 1890 when Pla de Bages became Catalonia’s most productive wine region, supplying Barcelona’s market as well as France, already experiencing the drama of Phylloxera and craving for quality wine. Unfortunately, by the end of the century the pest had also reached Pla de Bages dragging the region into obscurity.

Despite the odds, today Pla de Bages still produces attention worthy wines, some from varieties not often found elsewhere, thanks to the determination of a small group of obstinate producers who have resisted the temptation to abandon the valley and move to the city for a safer earning. This bunch of families have embraced innovation as a way to enhance the regional great potential, nowadays almost forgotten by human memory. Clay and calcareous soils, together with the local microclimate, low amount of rain and the noticeable diurnal range, allow grapes to thrive. Made from Picapoll Blanc and Macabeo varieties, white wines are savoury and fresh, whereas from Sumoll and Garnacha grapes red wines gain intense fruity aromas and a high drinkability. The quality-driven efforts of the local wineries, amounting nowadays to fifteen brands, resulted in Pla de Bages gaining DO status in 1995 and, most importantly, revived a long tradition which would otherwise have been lost.

Lodi, California: Home to a World of Winegrape Varieties

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Home to 125 varieties in production, the Lodi AVA is the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. While it is the leading producer of many top California varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, what makes the region truly distinctive are the myriad of unusual grape varieties planted here. From Alicante Bouschet to Zweigelt, Lodi is a dazzling melting pot of global varieties. Take a peek to learn how Lodi came to grow the largest collection of German varieties outside Deutschland.

Dusky sky over Harney Lane vineyard, Sept. 2013-Credit Randy Caparoso

Lodi’s ideal Mediterranean-like climate is integral to the ability of different winegrapes to flourish within the region. Varying micro-climates across Lodi’s sub-appellations and sandy loam soils rich in granitic-based minerals create an ideal environment for diverse wine production. During the growing season, warm, sunny days allow for optimal ripening of winegrapes, while cool winds off the Pacific Ocean which travel inland over a network of waterways act as a natural air conditioner, helping grapes maintain racy acidity.

In addition to near-perfect terroir, Lodi’s success in winegrape diversification can be attributed to multi-generational winegrowing families who are dedicated to innovative and sustainable viticultural practices. Find out how the region’s LODI RULES for sustainable winegrowing program is ensuring fruitful longevity for years to come.

Film and Wine: A Genius Pairing Showcasing Southern Oregon

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ASHLAND, OR. –Biannually, the Ashland Independent Film Festival (AIFF) hosts their most delectable and decidedly nerdy event that features local winemakers to an audience of avid art film supporters and wine-lovers. This year, Vinos Veritas: A Sparkling Garden Party, follows this 8-year tradition.
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Held at the end of July under a blue bird sky in the stunning, private garden of Tika Squires, the exclusive gathering focused on the best of the best sparkling wines and champagnes, locally and internationally including Maison Jussiaume’s 2019 Oeil de Perdrix, a brut Méthode Champenoise cuvée of 50-50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and winner of the prestigious 2021 Sunset International Wine Competition for Best Sparkling.

Guests were joined by AIFF Artistic Director Richard Herskowitz, AIFF Executive Director Phil Busse, wine maker Jean-Michel Jussiaume, of Del Rio Vineyards and his own label Maison Jussiaume, Corrie Reimer, owner of Hither Market, wine buyer Bruce Crowell of the local iconic market the Ashland Food Coop, and wine-maker Steve Grande of Wooldridge Creek Winery. Served alongside local wines from Maison Jussiaume and Wooldridge Creek Winery were Le Vigne di Alice Tajad Frizzante, Avinyó 2018 Brut Reserva Cava, Olivier Morin Tentation Brut Crémant and Marc Hebrart Premier Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne. These were paired with fromage blanc, gouda, watermelon and feta salad, herbed potatoes, pickled shrimp with fennel, homemade rye bread, and poached king salmon hand-carried in from the coast. Music was provided by Son Ravello with Paul Hume on Keyboard and Vocals.

The patron-hosted event brought in $4,000 in support of the ongoing work of Southern Oregon’s award-winning independent film festival.

With 170 microclimates and five AVAs defined by four rivers, Southern Oregon is ideal for growing a large variety of grapes. Lesser known than their Californian neighbors to the south and their Willamette Valley neighbors to the north, they produce exceptional yet accessible wine, that focus on terroir and with bottle prices at a fraction of the cost. Past AIFF wine events have dived into tempranillo, cabernet franc and pinot noir—all grown in the region.

Much like the Rogue Valley wines that Ashland Independent Film Festival showcases at their wine events, discovery and experimentation and engagement is a theme. Set in the picturesque town of Ashland, the festival offers to audience members, filmmakers, and industry representatives the rare opportunity to interact after films, at symposiums, talk backs, parties, lounges and after hours. They are beloved by movie-goers and film-makers alike for their warmth and quality, with a fiercely devoted following.

If you’re not familiar with AIFF, check out this regional gem. They are currently holding their #WorldFilmWeek of international films with online and local screenings.

Chianti Classico Consortium Announces Results of 2019 Harvest

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NEW YORK, NY (PRWEB) – The Chianti Classico Consortium (Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico) is pleased to announce the positive results of the recently-completed 2019 harvest, a year which promises to be memorable for the historic Tuscan denomination. Both qualitative and quantitative factors strongly indicate a vintage of classic proportions, and one that will be of great interest to national and international critics, collectors, sommeliers, and wine lovers.

The year’s relatively mild and dry winter was met with an early spring, ensuring a normal budding period for the vines, and late spring rain resulted in water reserves useful for maintaining plant health throughout the summer heat. May and the very beginning of June saw cool, humid conditions slightly delaying the growing cycle of the vines — a turn of events paralleling, in fact, the seasonal shifts that created the great vintages of the 1980’s. Summer was hot and largely typical, with no extreme changes in heat or rainfall, and September was marked by good weather and notable diurnal shifts allowing for both perfect phenolic ripening and an amplification of the grapes’ natural aromatic profile. Sangiovese was largely harvested between September 20th and mid-October, with fruit arriving at wineries showing full health, vitality, and quality.

All signs point to 2019 Chianti Classico developing into a fresh and balanced vintage due to evenness of acid strength and tannins, proper concentration, an intense aromatic profile, and a slightly lower alcohol content than the recent average — factors which together meet the current market trends while also positively auguring future ageability. Further examination of extract values, anthocyanins, and polyphenols also support the outlook that the year’s Chianti Classico will be one of classic varietal typicity with all of Sangiovese’s unique aromatic signatures. An all-around excellent vintage, 2019 is a year able to enhance the innate characteristics of the grape, while also clearly translating the diversity of soil types and microclimates that make the terroir of the Black Rooster one of the world’s finest.

Moreover, the whole Chianti Classico region is increasingly defined by a commitment to ecological balance, organic viticulture, and a reduction of human impact on the environment—all factors contributing to the exceptional quality of the finished product, which, as one of the world’s great fine wines, is inevitably the result of harmony between human intervention and the natural world.

“Chianti Classico is enjoying great success,” says Giovanni Manetti, President of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium. “Behind that success is a territory that is unique in the world but also requires a lot of work, significant investments, and a deep respect for the land. Two thirds of the territory are covered in woods, with only one tenth of the area dedicated to viticulture, of which 40% has already been converted into organic agriculture. Today, in the Chianti Classico region, wine producers increasingly aim for ecological balance, committing themselves to reduce human impact as much as possible. In fact, wine reflects the image of the territory, and for this reason, it is important to preserve the environmental context, alongside the care of a quality product.”

For more information, please contact Silvia Fiorentini of the Chianti Classico Consortium or Luca Venturelli of Colangelo & Partners.

About the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico:
The Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico exists to protect, oversee, and valorize the Chianti Classico denomination. Since the Consortium’s founding in 1924, the organization has changed its name and the design of its logo, the Black Rooster, which since 2005 has been the trademark of the whole denomination. As one of the premier institutional organizations in the European Union in the grape-growing and winemaking sector, the Consortium represents 96 percent of the DOCG production. The entire production chain is supervised by a public tracking system, which enables consumers all over the world to check the bottle they’ve purchased via the Consortium’s website. The Consortium also conducts research and development in the agronomic and enological fields, in collaboration with prestigious educational and research institutes. For more information, please visit http://www.chianticlassico.com.

Vintage Eve Circa 9/2016: A Trio to Taste From Paso’s Oso Libre

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After regrettably missing out on a wine luncheon orchestrated by Cori Solomon of the #LAWineWriters Cori reached out to the winery and connected me so that I could review a few samples from home. The winery: Oso Libre in Paso Robles.

A Teaser

Nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountains on the far western edge of Paso Robles’ acclaimed Adelaida district, Oso Libre Winery is fast gaining recognition for its rich, complex wines and for the unusual microclimate of the sustainably farmed vineyards that produce them. This small, family-owned estate lies just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean, which is consistently cooler than the rest of Paso Robles and is proving ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, Rhone varieties and Primitivo.

Owners Chris and Linda Behr acquired the 90-acre property in 1996 when it was raw land and set about developing it into a sustainable working cattle ranch and vineyard. After more than 10 years of getting to know the region, understanding the property’s unique microclimates and learning how to grow grape vines and make wine, the couple was ready to embark on their next phase—a winery. Their son Jeff Freeland and his wife Elizabeth, with their twin daughters, moved north from Los Angeles in 2007 and two years later the family winery opened for business. (‘Oso Libre’ is Spanish for ‘free bear,’ a combination of their last names and a nod to Linda’s Hispanic heritage.)

Tasting – Aromas and flavors divided by ;

2012 Nativo (100% Estate Primitivo)

Dark browned plum in color. Spiced red apple, plums, dark cherry, mushroom, earth and dark cocoa; bright red fruit, cracked black pepper, dry and good tannins. 90 Eve pts.

 

2012 Carnal (Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah)

Blackberry in color. Smokey blue to black fruit including blueberry, blackberry, black plum, cigar, grilled mushrooms, grilled meat, spice rack; same dark and robust fruit, dust, black pepper, firm balanced tannins. Want another bottle. 92 Eve pts.

 

2012 Vino d’Oro (Chardonnay)

The color of pale yellow hay. Oak, Meyer lemon, cantaloupe melon unsalted butter; viscous, both cream and tang from the oak, lemon with a long finish. 89 Eve pts.

 

Visiting Oso Libre

With its distinctive Central Coast location, award-winning wines and picturesque working ranch and vineyards, a visit to Oso Libre Winery offers guests much more than wine. Just off Highway 46 towards Hearst Castle, the mountain setting boasts outdoor patio seating just steps from the vines. The SIP-certified (Sustainability in Progress) estate is powered by solar panels and a wind machine, and Oso Libre practices sustainability in all areas of the business. A spacious and welcoming tasting room is open every day except Tuesdays, and visitors are encouraged to take their time tasting and learning about Oso Libre’s limited production wines. An impressive display of 54 bottles on the tasting room wall, one from each of their neighboring wineries, emphasizes the close ties Oso Libre has to its fellow vintners and the community spirit they all enjoy. The winery is dog and kid-friendly and families can view the “working partners” grazing in the pastoral, mountainous ranch setting. Wine club members are treated to the locally raised dry-aged beef at member gatherings and special events at the winery.

Oso Libre’s wines not only offer a sense of terroir of this coveted Central Coast region, they also embody the winery’s blended beliefs of commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship and charity. Oso Libre prides itself in creating a sustainable and healthy ecosystem for every component of its working ranch.

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

What’s New in Wisconsin Dells: From Lavender to Libations, Adult Offerings Abound

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WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – Wisconsin Dells is famous as a family vacation destination. However, with the addition of a new winery, wine bar, lavender farm, outdoor music venue and expanded world-class spa, “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®” is quickly becoming a hotspot for adult travel groups and couples, as well.

Vine and Stein
Local, artisanal wineries have become increasingly popular travel destinations, and the Dells area, in particular, has become a magnet for wine lovers. Home to five wineries – including the state’s oldest and largest, Wollersheim Winery & Distillery – it is also home to the state’s newest. Set to open this spring, Broken Bottle Winery will temporarily source its grapes from the vineyard of parent Baraboo Bluff Winery while its own vineyard fully takes root. The winery will feature two indoor bars, plus a large front porch for sipping outside.

Wisconsin Dells also will welcome a new premium wine bar in the historic downtown area this summer. In addition to wine, Kilbourn Cork will also feature single-malt whiskies, small-batch bourbons and other handmade spirits, as well as local and regional craft brews and seasonal small plate selections – not to mention an outdoor fire pit.

Beer aficionados will find a new microbrewery in the Wisconsin Dells area in 2019. Tumbled Rock Brewery & Kitchen, nestled in the hills near Devil’s Lake State Park, is a family-friendly restaurant and brewery boasting a wood-fired oven, pizzas and pub food. Its stouts, witbiers and IPAs are brewed in-house.

For a little caffeine to balance the libations, guests can visit Bella Goose Coffee’s new roastery located downtown Dells on Eddy Street. Customers can tour the roastery, participate in coffee tasting events and purchase freshly roasted coffee beans. Bella Goose creates a craft coffee experience with pour over coffee, seasonal smoothies and juices, and their signature waffle bar complete with toppings.

Spa Experiences: Pass the Salt, Please
Halotherapy, more commonly known as salt therapy, is a trending treatment in the wellness industry. Spa Kalahari & Salon has added a salt therapy room that incorporates pure organic Himalayan salt and a halogenerator, which changes pure salt into salt vapor. When inhaled, the vapors detoxify the body and boost the immune system.

Similarly, Sundara Inn & Spa now offers a salt therapy treatment room as part of its recently completed 40,000-square-foot expansion. In this salt microclimate, salt crystals line the floor and walls as the halotherapy generator adds to the curative feel. Sundara’s expansion also includes new woodland suites, a dedicated restaurant, meditation spaces, a second outdoor pool, a signature indoor sanctuary, waterfalls, and replicated casts of the Cambrian sandstone bluffs seen along the Wisconsin River.

Love Lavender
Soothing scents, pastels and memorable flavors can be found at the New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm. Open June through September, this family-run farm is tucked away in the beautiful bluffs of the Baraboo Range. Guests can enjoy homemade lavender ice cream and original lavender cherry pies made fresh at the farm, in addition to handcrafted lavender soaps and lotions. Guided tours of the fields are offered, examining the 21 varieties of lavender grown on the farm, as well as Wisconsin’s sustainable agriculture industry.

Bon Appetit
Riverfront Terrace in downtown Wisconsin Dells has created a collective space to showcase the arts and celebrate the Wisconsin River. This hangout spot will open for its first full season this spring and have plenty of live music, food and drinks, and, of course, spectacular views.

The Vue Restaurant located in the River Inn Resort is slated to debut its first season this spring. The Vue is nestled along the Wisconsin River offering 180-degree views of the Sand Stone cliffs along the Upper Wisconsin Dells. A perfect choice to sip a local libation and watch the setting sun.

Hot Rocks – Sear.Sizzle.Savor. is the only restaurant of its kind in Wisconsin, the tiki-themed dining experience empowers guests to cook their food at the table on lava stones heated to 750 degrees Fahrenheit. Dating back to 7,000 B.C., hot rock cooking is one of the oldest styles of cooking.

Innovative Fun
The Wilderness Resort – America’s Largest Waterpark Resort – continues to add fun to its indoor inventory with a trio of rock-climbing walls to their Timberland Playhouse area. The three vary in difficulty and design, giving visitors a wide range of challenges.

The American Resort & Treehouses will offer some natural heat relief this summer with the debut of The Lagoon with 250,000 gallons of naturally filtered water complete with a cascading waterfall, stone grotto, and lazy stream.

For something exciting Knuckleheads Trampoline Park * Rides * Bowling will debut Hologate Virtual Reality (VR). This award-winning VR takes the gaming experience to a new dimension, with zero motion sickness. Suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Tournament Golf Courses
Wild Rock Golf Club at the Wilderness has been selected by the United States Golf Association to host a qualifying round for the 2019 U.S. Open on May 8. This magnificent 18-hole course, built on a former quarry, was designed by Hurdzan-Fry, the same duo who created Erin Hills, site of last year’s U.S. Open. The course incorporates an old stone quarry and a woodland area with a stream, as well as extreme elevation changes. Many holes play up and down the sandstone ridges for which the Dells is famous, and offer views of the quartzite cliffs of the Baraboo Range.

A memorable 9-hole course can be found in nearby Baraboo, adjacent to Ho-Chunk Gaming. Fairfield Hills Golf Course & Driving Range offers golfers the chance to play 3, 9, 12, or 18 holes. Recognizing that many golfers may not have enough time for a full 18-hole round, Fairfield Hills is one of the few Midwestern courses with a 12-hole option. This unique course was awarded the Golf Course Owners of Wisconsin’s 2018 “Golf Course of the Year” ranking in the 9-hole category.

For more information, and to order the 2019 Wisconsin Dells Vacation Guide, go to http://www.wisdells.com.