by Christina Waters | Jul 13, 2010 | Wine |
The scenic Santa Cruz Mountains viticultural region opens up its winery tasting rooms this Saturday for the July installment of the Passport tasting cycle.
Over 40 wineries, each distinctive, each showcasing handmade premium wines and the ineffable terroir of this region, will be open for visits, tastings, picnics, finger food, live music and of course purchases – this Saturday, July 17 from 11am until 5pm.
Find out all the details at SCMWA and plan to discover your new favorite wine this weekend.
by Christina Waters | Jul 5, 2010 | Home, Wine |
Italian for “rascal,” birichino is also the name of a highly drinkable malvasia bianca busy quenching discerning thirsts all over central California. Impish and bone dry, this ultra-crisp white wine has been orchestrated by oeno oracle John Locke from Monterey grapes.
A mere one year old, the crystalline creation practically floats in mid-air, offering up hints of jasmine and citrus as it opens. Graced with 12.5% alcohol, the 2009 vintage could go from breakfast to dinner without much struggle. Currently at Soif wine shop for a pocket-friendly $15.
by Christina Waters | Jul 2, 2010 | Home, Wine |
An evening of Italian wines with Amanda Rehn was not only full of vibrant conversation and saucy wine lore, but provided a dozen of us the chance to actually learn a lot about what’s going on in contemporary Italian winemaking.
Three whites and four reds crossed our palates, helped out with ripe taleggio, bread, quince paste and astonishing honey. Of the lot, my favorite was a crisp, complex 2009 Colle Stefano Verdicchio di Matelica, from Le Marche region of central Italy. Gorgeous and easy to drink, it moved from peaches, to salt, into a seductive herbaceous middle, and finished with almonds and violets. The relatively low 13% alcohol kept it refreshing on the palate.
Another revelation was a rustic, earthy Aglianico 2006 Molettieri Irpinia from the very southern Basilicata region. Cigar leaf and roses, bay and white pepper (more…)
by Christina Waters | Jun 23, 2010 | Home, Wine |
The 2008 installment of Bonny Doon Vineyard’s Le Cigare Blanc has been released just in time for serious summer relaxing.
An initial tasting provided an opening hit of honeydew, chased with sea salt and finished with some quince, lime and light jasmine. At 57% Roussane (for the depth) and 43% Grenache blanc (for crisp structure) this wine exudes a perfect balance among citrus, fruit and minerals. Its 14.3% alcohol delivers without equivocation.
This wine just can’t lose. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Jun 20, 2010 | Home, Wine |
My two new summer tipples include a gorgeous persimmon-hued Grenache 2008 made by Denis Hoey of Odonata Wines. Full of pepper and berries, it stands up to king salmon as well as grilled chicken and chile verde. Dreamy and local.
The other comes in blush form, namely the 2008 Vin Gris de Cigare from Randall Grahm, of Bonny Doon Vineyard. Salt and geraniums form the center of this crisp, inviting pink wine. Serve icy cold — it goes with everything but marinara sauce.
by Christina Waters | Jun 15, 2010 | Wine |
Sure you could get him another tie and then throw some burgers on the Webber, or…..you could take Dad out for a little something different this Father’s Day weekend, June 19 & 20.
How about a scenic wine trek through the Santa Cruz Mountains? The Summit to Sea Wine Trail offers spectacular vistas, vineyards in full vigor and little extras like lazing over an ocean-view picnic, or feeding ducklings at the winery pond?
There will be special opportunities for fun and wine tasting at (more…)
