by Andrew John Chalk
The backbone of California winemaking is the tapestry of tiny wineries, family owned, each representing a vision and an idiosyncratic approach to the making of wine. They number in the hundreds and range in size from overstuffed garages to mansion-sized facilities backed by hundreds of acres of meticulously-trained vines.At the low end of the size spectrum is a 2000 case-per-year specialist that is quickly gaining a reputation among the cognoscenti. Jericho Canyon Vineyard has only been making and selling their own wine for eight years. Before that they sold fruit to other wine makers, notably David Ramey and Rudd. Their 30 acres of estate vineyards comprise four of the five Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot), Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardon...
by Jörn
In the last few years, many meeting planners have seen an increase in demand from their corporate clients for wine-tasting experiences guided by certified sommeliers. The following five factors may explain this trend and its likely continuation into the future.1. Wine tastings are entertaining, educational and highly interactive.Corporate leaders looking for engaging events for their teams find that a well-designed wine tasting can meet all of their objectives. The most popular wine-tasting experiences are wine flights paired with multi-course dinners; receptions with tasting stations; team-building exercises, such as a competitive blind tasting in which teams work to identify 10 key grapes or regions with the guidance of a sommelier; and seminars on the essentials of wine and wine etiquet...
by Andrew John Chalk
The late Robert Mondavi would be 100 this year were he still with us. The winery (part of Constellation Brands since 2004) is making a national tour to acquaint their wholesalers and retailers with their latest offerings. I was an invited guest at a tasting in the metroplex this week and it seemed an appropriate point to see what had changed and what had remained the same since Robert Mondavi himself ran the show.Gary Midyette, Director of Operations for Robert Mondavi Winery, led the tasting. He has been with the winery since before the Constellation purchase. Likewise, the wine maker of the offerings that we tasted, Genevieve Janssens. In fact, a lot of the same faces still work there and the same core line of wines is still made. I examined the style of the wines as well as we progresse...
by Michael Gallo
In terms of value wines, outstanding wines in the ten-dollar range, Bordeaux France is usually not at the top of most lists. Spain, Portugal, Chile and Argentina, more often than not, claim the top value spots. While these and other wine producing countries certainly deserve their accolades, I recently discovered a few Bordeaux wines that should be added to any ‘value wine’ list. In addition to being easy on the wallet, these wines can be wonderfully food friendly or even enjoyed on their own.Chateau Bois Redon, 2010 Bordeaux Superieur. This family estate near Saint-Emilion on Bordeaux’s right bank, produces traditional wines that have elegance and finesse. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Bois Redon is a fruity, soft wine. Easy drinking and well balanced, the wi...
by Uncorked And Decanted Wine Events, Frank & Maria Bramwell
Washington Producers Sharpen Their Game Eastern Washington is shaking its anti-Disneyland charm. On a recent trip to the Northwest to check out current releases, we found a change of pace in our favorite best-kept-secret wine region. For those of you who have not ventured into eastern Washington wine country, and this includes most of our wine friends, we are talking about places like Walla Walla and Red Mountain. Forget classic, evergreen, postcard Washington. This is east-of-the-Cascades Washington, where irrigation is life. It is destination wine country for the hard core; the less adventuresome speak of Washington wine country in terms of the viewing box of Seattle and Woodinville, famous for its urbanite tasting rooms. It’s been several years since we last toured the ar...
by Uncorking Argentina
The long and winding road through Mendoza wine country typically ends with purple teeth and a grumbling stomach. In an effort to offer a more complete experience, many wineries have built-in restaurants, which offer visitors menus designed to perfectly pair with house wines. In the sprawling vineyards of the Luján de Cuyo region, Ruca Malén Restaurant is a popular lunch spot for wine country wanderers.Under the direction of Chef Lucas Bustos, the Ruca Malén Restaurant offers a gourmet wine-paired set menu complete with 4 courses and 5 wines. The menu, along with selected wines, rotates seasonally, allowing chefs to adapt to what local farmers can provide.The meal began with a fall salad, deconstructed. Never before had I eaten a salad that required a road map – with bilingual direc...
by Andrew John Chalk
Allen Shoup left the position of President and CEO position at Washington State’s largest wine maker, Chateau Ste. Michelle, in 2000 but he had no intention of retiring. After three years ‘gardening leave’ (presumably to serve out a non-compete) he founded a new and very unusual winery. Long Shadows Vintners has not one winemaker, but one winemaker for each wine. Furthermore, that wine maker is not an employee but an acknowledged worldwide leader in that genre. For example, the Long Shadows Cabernet Sauvignon is made by Napa legend Randy Dunn. The Merlot, by French legend and Pomerol native, Michel Rolland. There are actually seven superstar winemakers making seven Long Shadows wines.At a tasting this week at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, at which I was an invited guest, I questioned Sho...
by Myrna E. Arroyo
Imagine a journey where you cruise past castles and vineyards, stop in quaint towns along the way, visit vineyards and wineries to taste the local wines, and then return to your comfortable stateroom for a good night's sleep while your luxurious ship takes you to the next stop. People love river cruising because there's no packing and unpacking in every town you visit, no checking in and out of hotels, and your every need taken care of from the minute you board.If you are curious about going on a river cruise, here are some factors to consider:The River Cruise ExperienceThe experience of river cruising is very different from ocean cruising. First, the capacity of the typical river cruise ship is under 200 guests (as opposed the thousands that sail on ocean cruises). So you are getting a...
by Tyson Scheumann
HistoryWhile initially part of Mexico, the land that now encompasses Holman Ranch was originally used by Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo during the Spanish Era. Formally established in 1928, the modern, family-owned Holman Ranch resides in the Carmel Valley just twelve miles inland from the Pacific Coast. Historically, the ranch has served as a retreat for Hollywood celebrities including: Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Vincent Price, Joan Crawford, and Marlon Brando. In 1989, the 400 acre ranch dedicated 19 rolling acres to planting a vineyard. Thomas and Jarman Lowder purchased Holman Ranch in 2006 and after completely refurbishing the property and repurposing the land, they realized their dream of producing estate grown and bottled wine and olive oil. Vineyard & WineryThe sun-...
by Tyson Scheumann
Bello Family Vineyards proprietor, Michael Bello, weekended in Napa Valley for over 13 years before finally embracing his deep passion for wine and realizing his dream of owning a winery. While initially scouring the valley for real estate investment opportunities and a wine country plot to retire on, Bello found himself inspired to enter the business. In 2000, he purchased land in Rutherford and began construction on what would become Bello Family's vineyard estate. Construction on the French style farmhouse took four years, using materials imported directly from France. Bello employed renowned vineyard management veteran, David Abreu, and elite winemaker, Aaron Pott, to head up operations for Bello Family. The team decided to entirely replant the land's current grapes, and remove the cha...
