Volume 6, No. 4 December 1, 2007 Time Away Recently, Betsy and I property in 1991 and have Feu restaurant located on celebrated our wedding completed all of the pains- Custom House Street in anniversary at our favorite taking restorations them- downtown Providence, RI. local destination – The selves. The renovation We dined both evenings Jacob Hill Inn in Seekonk, work is quite a significant in the upstairs Salon, Massachusetts feat – accurately retaining which offers a lovely prix (www.jacobhillinn.com). the historic character of fixe menu that is a tre- the property, while provid- mendous value. The The Inn is comprised of ing guests with up-to-date list is splendid with a solid several buildings that amenities such as whirl- selection of well-priced have been fully restored pool tubs and air condi- . Make sure you and updated to include all tioning. The Inn itself is ask for a of Sau- of the most luxurious located on a beautiful, ternes if you order the amenities. Bill and Elea- secluded property sur- Foie Gras as your appe- nora Rezek are the loveli- rounded by woods and tizer – it is perfectly sinful! est hosts and hand pre- meadows and is only 15 You’ll note that we en- pare delicious breakfasts minutes from downtown joyed Pot Au Feu twice, for their guests. The main Providence. largely because we voted building on the property with our wallets and dates back to 1722 and Speaking of Providence, walked out of the original has a long, rich history of on our recent stay at the restaurant at which we prominent owners. The Inn we enjoyed two din- had planned to dine. We Rezeks purchased the ners at the fabled Pot Au were (Continued on Page 6)

Feature: Santa Rita Hills is the red grape of , growing seasons that are too warm to where it produces memorable wines at produce truly note-worthy Pinot Noir. often stratospheric prices. I’m a big fan of However, there is a portion of California Burgundy, but their scarcity and resultant that has seemingly ideal conditions for high prices have sent me looking for wines growing first class Pinot Noir – the Cen- with similar expression and better availabil- tral Coast region. Most of my readers ity. Pinot Noir is a cool climate grape and know that my favorite part of much of the New World is blessed with (Continued on Page 2)

PAUL J. MALAGRIFA, CSW, CWE Inside this issue: Upcoming 2007 Wine Events: Feature: Santa Rita Hills 2 December 1st—Wines of the Pacific Northwest December 15th— Notable Potables: Red 3

Notable Potables: White 4 We’re in the process of putting together Local Redux 4 Musings on the Vine our schedule of events for Spring 2008, so Gadgets 5 please send your suggestions to us at [email protected]! Glassware 7 Feature: Santa Rita Hills

California is the Central Coast, home to into the military and served as a Naval followed and in the year 2000 a number of very special appellations. Officer during the Vietnam War until all Sanford estate vineyards were the Anyone who saw the movie Sideways 1968. Returning from the war and first in Santa Barbara County to certi- saw the picturesque countryside and wanting to pursue a more earth- fied organic by the California Certified heard tell of the many dedicated wine- connected occupation, Richard set Organic Farmers (CCOP). makers producing some really fine about discovering a local climate zone wine. Recently, when attending the similar to Burgundy, where Pinot Noir As will often happen in business, differ- SWE Annual Conference in Monterrey, would flourish and produce California- ences in business philosophy led to a I had the opportunity to learn more based wines to rival the best of France. separation from their namesake about many of the special appellations Using his background in Geography in 2005. Richard and Thekla began that make up the Central Coast. and studying the climates of California anew, leaving behind Sanford Winery to Among my favorites was an up-and- going back to the 1900’s, Richard dis- found Alma Rosa Winery and Vine- coming AVA entitled the Santa Rita covered a remarkable geographic yards. Alma Rosa is an entirely new Hills. The Santa Rita Hills AVA, newly anomaly – the transverse mountain venture dedicated to organic farming established within the larger Santa range of California. These mountains and sustainable agriculture. The vine- Ynez Valley is distinguishing itself as run east and west and allow cool mari- yards of Alma Rosa are located on an the best place to grow and produce time air to blow into the valley from the original Mexican land grant, Rancho Pinot Noir-based wines. This is really west, moderating the usually hot grow- Santa Rosa. In Spanish, the phrase no surprise to the gentleman who con- ing climate. After locating acreage with Alma Rosa means “soul,” intending to ducted the in-depth review at the SWE well-drained soils in the chosen climate define the Sanford’s view that their Conference: Richard Sanford. Richard zone Richard organized a partnership wines are a reflection of the soul of the came to the Santa Ynez Valley 35 to purchase a ranch, and there he rancho. Alma Rosa also expresses the years ago with the desire to create planted the first Pinot Noir in soulful connection they enjoy with each wines that would rival the best France the region, known as the Sanford & other, their employees and the land had to offer. Richard was the first per- Benedict Vineyard. The year was where they first began their journey 35 son to recognize the full potential of the 1970. years hence. Santa Rita Hills, and he was the first to plant Pinot Noir vines there. Richard is At that time, growing grapes of any kind Alma Rosa has over 100 acres of certi- a pioneer with a well-established repu- in the Santa Ynez Valley was unheard fied organic vineyards all located in the tation for excellence in wine making. of, but as it turns out, Richard’s hunch Santa Rita Hills AVA. The winery fo- about the area was correct. The cli- cuses on high-quality production of For more than 30 years, Richard and mate is ideal for the Pinot Noir with a Pinot Noir, , and Thekla Sanford have been involved in long, cool growing season that results . The first wines of Alma numerous successful wine growing in well-structured, high-acid grapes. Rosa were released in 2006 to wide- enterprises, such as their namesake Since their first bottling, the wines from spread critical acclaim. venture, Sanford Winery, a partnership this area have been known for their they separated from in 2005. Their extraordinary balance and depth, win- (This piece was adapted from a presen- latest venture, Alma Rosa Winery and ning praise and accolades from wine tation delivered by Richard Sanford at Vineyards represents the culmination of writers and wine lovers alike. the SWE Annual Conference, Mon- a lifetime’s experience - an enterprise terey, CA) dedicated to creating high-quality wines In 1976 Richard met his future wife and setting a benchmark for organic Thekla Brumder. They were married in Richard and his wife Thekla presented farming, sustainable agriculture meth- 1978, and in 1981 they started Sanford the lovely wines of Alma Rosa winery, ods, and environmentally friendly com- Winery together and for the next 25 which I have provided my tasting notes merce. years produced some of the finest wine below. to come out of California. In 1983 the In 1965, Richard Sanford graduated Sanford’s planted their first entirely or- 2005 Alma Rosa Chardonnay “El Jabali from UC Berkley with a degree in Ge- ganic vineyard at Rancho El Jabali. Vineyard”, Santa Rita Hills, California ography. He was immediately drafted The La Rinconada and La Encantada ($30.00/bottle) (No ML)

Page 2 MUSINGS ON THE VINE Feature: Santa Rita Hills

Bright, fruity nose with lively lemon, ance. Bright berry palate, clean with taste. Lovely. Drinking well now and green apple, floral and tropical hints – floral notes. Moderate length – re- should continue to improve with 3 to a touch of minerality – very pretty. freshing and crisp. Light cinnamon 5 years in bottle. Medium-bodied with moderate acidity and vanilla on the aftertaste. Drinking 2005 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir “La Encan- – crisp and refreshing – good balance. well – not for aging. tada Vineyard”, Santa Rita Hills, Califor- Tropical fruit palate, bright with mouth- 2005 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir, Santa Rita nia ($48.00/bottle) watering tartness. Moderate length Hills, California ($36.00/bottle) with a soft, floral finish. Very nice. Restrained nose with berry, floral, Drinking well now – not for aging. Ripe, jammy nose with eucalyptus, and fresh mint hints – soft and lightly black cherry, black pepper, anise and tarry. Medium-bodied with moderate 2005 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir Vin Gris, mint aromas – quite complex. Me- acidity and moderate, supple tannin. Santa Rita Hills, California ($20.00/ dium-to-full-bodied with moderate Good balance. Sour cherry palate bottle) acidity and moderate, supple tannin. with raspberry and allspice notes. Light cherry nose with loads of fresh Well balanced. Smooth, ripe berry Long finish with dark fruit and hints of berries, mineral and grass hints. Me- palate with tarry and herb notes. vanilla and black pepper on the after- dium-bodied with moderate acidity Moderate length with a black pepper, taste. A sleeper with 5 to 7 plus years and soft, supple tannin. Good bal- nutmeg and bing cherry on the after- of aging potential.

Notable Potables: Red

The next two wines are made by the 2005 Catena , Mendoza, Argen- Jammy, fruity nose with fresh cherry same producer – Catena in Argentina. I tina ($19.99/bottle) and light floral hints. Medium-bodied was asked to taste the two wines and Ripe, fruity nose with black cherry, with moderate acidity and moderate see if I could tell whether the more ex- vanilla and allspice hints. Full-bodied tannin. Good balance. Moderately pensive bottle was worth the $10 up- with moderate acidity and moderate chewy palate with black cherry, cas- charge. Well, I have to say, while I tannin. Good balance. Dense, chewy sis, cocoa and black pepper. Classic thought the less expensive wine was palate with black cherry, chocolate CDR. Moderate length – a tad quite a nice and a good value, the more and tar notes. Intense. Long finish closed. Coffee, tar and black pepper expensive bottle was noticeably with unfolding complexity – allspice, on the aftertaste. Drinking well now smoother, with more refined structure dried herbs and anise. Splendid. and should improve for 3 to 5 years. and aging potential. Both should be Super value. Drinking well now and should con- widely available, so you should try them tinue to improve over the next 5 to 7 2005 Clos du Mont Olivet, Chateau- both to see what you think… years in bottle. neuf-du-Pape, France ($25.99/bottle)

2006 Alamos Malbec, Mendoza, Argen- Jammy, juicy nose with bright cherry, tina ($9.99/bottle) I’ve been tasting a number of wines vanilla and lavender hints. Medium- from the Rhone Valley in France from Ripe, jammy nose with black cherry, bodied with moderate acidity and the 2005 and it looks like 1998 mint and vanilla hints. Full-bodied supple, tannin. Good balance. Pep- all over again. Unfortunately, the prices with moderate acidity and chewy tan- pery, spicy palate with rich chewy, reflect the Rhone’s string of successes nin. Good balance. Dark fruit core cherry fruit and dried herb and anise since 1998, which makes selection with fresh cherry, tar and eucalyptus notes. Moderate length with persis- more important. The following two wine notes. Moderate length with black tent spiciness on the aftertaste. represent great values in this superla- pepper and cocoa on the aftertaste. Drinking well now and should im- tive vintage. Drinking well now and should hold for prove for the next 7 to 10 years. another 2 to 3 years. Good value. 2005 Domaine Lafond Roc Epine, Cô- Great value. tes du Rhone, France ($9.99/bottle)

VOLUME 6, NO. 4 Page 3 Notable Potables: White

2006 Cono Sur Limited Release, 2006 Clos Roche Blanche Sauvignon Bío Bío, Chile ($7.99/bottle) Blanc, Touraine, France ($11.99/bottle)

Lovely perfumed nose with wildflower, Light, grassy nose with mineral and floral

lemongrass and petrol hints. Light-bodied hints – pretty. Light-bodied with moderate

with moderate acidity. Good balance – acidity. Good balance. Fruity palate with

crisp and refreshing. Soft palate, lightly peach, pear, lemon and grass notes.

floral with apple, pear and lemon notes. Moderate length with a simple, crisp

Very pretty. Moderate length – clean with finish with wet stone hints. Drinking well

a slightly tart finish. Drinking well now – now – not for aging. Good value.

not for aging. Super value. 2006 Marc Ollivier Clos des Briords, Mus- 2006 Bodegas Valdesil Monte Novo cadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie, France Godello, Valdeorras, Spain ($9.99/bottle) ($11.99/bottle)

Lively, spicy nose with wet stone, melon Yeasty, nutty nose with lemon and min-

and lime aromas. Pretty with floral es- eral hints. Light-bodied with firm acidity.

sence. Medium-bodied with moderate Well balanced. Soft palate with citrus,

acidity. Good balance. Full, lush palate lemon custard and mineral notes. Lovely.

with apricot, pear and hibiscus notes – Moderate length – crisp and clean with a

lovely, seductive. Moderate length with persistent toasted almond on the after-

just a touch of fruity sweetness on the taste. Really nice – drinking well now –

finish. Drinking well now – not for aging. not for aging. Great value.

Super value. Will likely become my

“house” white for a while!

Local Wineries—Redux

On our recent jaunt to the Jacob Hill We enjoyed the following wines on our Medium-bodied with firm acidity. Inn, we revisited a few of the wonderful last visit: Good balance. Tart palate with green wineries in Rhode Island and South- apple and quince notes. Short finish – Rosecliff Pinot Gris ($16.99/bottle) eastern Massachusetts. The following clean. Not for aging. are a few of the wineries we stopped at Spicy, floral nose with mineral, honey 2006 Vidal Blanc ($12.99/bottle) and our favorite wines from each stop. and citrus hints. Light bodied with

crisp acidity – clean and refreshing. Fruity, floral nose with apricot, pear Greenvale Vineyards – 582 Wapping Good balance. Citrus palate with and heather hints. Medium-bodied Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 – (401) green apple notes. Short finish – with crisp acidity. Good balance. Ap- 847-3777; www.greenvale.com crisp. Very pretty – not for aging. ple, lemon, and grapefruit on the pal- Our second trip to Greenvale, which is ate. Moderate length with a fruity fin- 2003 Chardonnay ($19.99/bottle) becoming a really fun destination, ish that is clean and refreshing. Not yielded another group of impressive, Oaky nose with apple, pear and va- for aging. Really liked this wine. nilla hints. Medium-bodied with crisp estate grown wines. We had a lovely Skipping Stone White ($11.99/bottle) tour of the vineyards, which were just acidity. Good balance. Apple and about ready for . Staffed by a pear fruit on the palate with a touch of A blend of 90% Cayuga & 10% Vidal lemon. Short finish – smooth – less Blanc wonderful group of folks and situated on a picturesque piece of property, tart than the 2004. Not for aging. Spicy, exotic nose with floral and gin-

Greenvale Vineyards is a must visit for 2004 Chardonnay ($15.99/bottle) ger hints. Medium-bodied with crisp those wanting to support fine quality acidity. Good balance. Fruity palate local wines. Creamy nose with a touch of wood with tart lemon and dried apricot notes. and some apple and light citrus hints. Moderate length with a clean, refresh-

Page 4 MUSINGS ON THE VINE Local Wineries Redux

Ing finish. Not for aging. Really liked Our third trip to Sakonnet, another really Spicy, classic Gewurztraminer nose – this wine. nice spot to visit. The grounds and facili- good fruit, acid balance – nice. ties are lovely and the tasting area is The Elms Meritage ($25.99/bottle) 2004 Fume Vidal Reserve ($15.95/bottle) ample, which is a good thing because A blend of 56% , 33% they are always very busy when we stop Creamy, oaky but with good fruit – and 11% Malbec by. The staff are very helpful and strive to nice.

make your visit memorable. Dense nose with black currant, mint, 2004 Chardonnay Reserve ($18.95/ eucalyptus and tobacco aromas. Me- My one complaint with Sakonnet is that bottle) dium-bodied with moderate, firm acidity the wine list that you get at the tasting Good fruit – yeasty from sur lie aging and moderate tannin. Good balance. area is too small to accommodate note balances . Not bad – saved by acid- Red berry fruit on the palate with taking during tasting and I lacked a sup- ity. smoky, gamey notes. Moderate length plemental note book, so my observations with a nicely complex finish and just a on the wines we tasted are brief… Cock of the Walk (Red)

touch of oak. Drinking well now and A blend of 44% Lemberger; 37% Cab- should improve for another 2 to 3 years 2006 Vidal Blanc ($10.95/bottle) ernet Franc; 19% Chancellor in bottle. Fruity but with crisp acidity – pleasant and quaffable. Very interesting – gutsy with good fruit Sakonnet Vineyards - 162 West Main – liked this wine. 2005 Gewurztraminer ($18.95/bottle) Rd., Little Compton, RI. 02837 – (800) 919-4637; www.sakonnetwine.com (Continued on Page 6)

Gadgets

It must be Christmas time because the would have believed this technology volume of mail order catalogs has dramati- worked had it not been for actual experi- cally increased, adding almost 60 lbs. a ence. I tested both units when I was in week to our recycling pile. One thing that I Monterey in June and I was amazed at the have noticed this year though is that every results. The Spirit Smoother was used on company is getting into the wine cooler and Johnny Walker Red Label Scotch and I was accessories game. It’s also around this astounded at the smoothness of the results. time of year that I receive a lot more email The BevWizard is a remarkable piece of It was as if the Red Label had been trans- asking about wine accessories and which science that I would never have believed formed into a much older, more refined ones are worth buying. Two that I have actually worked unless I had the chance to Scotch. I tested the Wine Smoother with been playing with a lot and have found test a unit for real. The BevWizard Wine similar, albeit less dramatic results. I have really interesting, if not down right useful Smoother and Spirits Smoother are two not seen the BevWizard products in the are the VinTemp Infared Wine Thermome- pouring devices that actually improve a typical wine accessory venues, but both ter by Prologix and the BevWizard Bever- number of different beverages. The Wine beverage smoothers can be purchased age Smoother by Inventive Technologies. Smoother works especially well on young, from the web site: www.bevwizard.com The VineTemp is a simple yet sophisticated tannic red wines making them smoother tool for checking the temperature of your and fruitier with much less bitterness on the wine before you pour. The VinTemp uses palate. As wine is poured through the Wine infared technology to read the temperature Smoother it passes through high-intensity of the wine inside the bottle. You simply magnetic fields built into the pouring spout press the tip of the VinTemp against the and combined with patented oxygenation bottle, press the button and read the results (aeration) technology, the wine is trans- on the digital panel. I’ve been using one formed. The Spirit Smoother works on the since June and it is great. Check it out at: same principles but has been designed to www.vintemp.com/vintemp001.php. optimize results with wood-aged spirits like Scotch and Bourbon. Like I said, I never

VOLUME 6, NO. 4 Page 5 Local Wineries Redux (continued from page 5)

2004 Rhode Island Red ($13.95/bottle) oak. Moderate length with a clean Sweet, floral nose with citrus and

A blend of 53% Chancellor; 32% finish. Very nice – the best Chardon- pear hints. Medium-bodied with high nay we tasted all day! acidity. Good balance. Lush palate – Lemberger; 15% Cabernet Franc sweet with citrus fruit. Long finish – Full-bodied – well-balanced. Gutsy 2005 Vidal Blanc ($10.00/bottle) lovely wine. with a tight finish. Liked this wine. Bright citrus nose with floral hints.

2004 Cabernet Franc ($18.95/bottle) Light-bodied with crisp acidity. Good balance. Citrus palate with pear Spicy, peppery with good fruit – good notes. Short finish – clean and re- balance. Very nice. freshing. Very nice.

2002 Port ($15.95/bottle) 2005 Pinot Gris ($20.00/bottle)

100% Chancellor—Aged 2 years in Lemony nose. Light-bodied with oak crisp, racy acidity. Good balance. Wow! Full-bodied with great complex- Tart, mouth watering palate – citrus ity – last forever – really nice! and grapefruit notes. Short finish – quite refreshing. Very nice. 2005 Winterwine ($24.95/bottle) 2002 Cabernet France ($10.00/bottle) 100% Vidal Blanc Dense nose with tobacco, mineral Another wow! Super lush palate. and balsam hints. Medium-bodied Creamy, sweet but with great balanc- with moderate acidity and supple ing acidity. Superb! tannin. Good balance. Black cherry

Running Brook Vineyards & Winery – palate with tar, black pepper and 335 Old Fall River Rd., North Dart- spice. Moderate length with hints of nutmeg and raisin on the finish. Nice. mouth, MA 02747 – (508) 985-1998; www.runningbrookwine.com 2003 Cabernet Franc Merlot ($14.00/

bottle) Our first visit to Running Brook Vine- yards & Winery was quite fun. No frills A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc; 40% operation, or as the proprietor put it: “a Merlot work in progress.” Call it whatever you Dense nose with tobacco, tar and want, the wines, all made from estate black cherry hints. Medium-bodied grown grapes are quite nice. Make sure with moderate acidity and moderate you call ahead, since the tasting room tannin. Good balance. Sour cherry hours vary – the previously mentioned palate, tart with black pepper and proprietor had just finished bringing in dried herb notes. Moderate length about 60 tons of grapes the morning we with persistent black pepper and herb stopped by. If you like what you taste finish. and show some interest, be prepared to taste some very interesting 2006 Auslesen ($20/bottle – 375ml)

“experiments.” This was especially fun Tropical fruit nose. Medium-bodied for the wine maker in me… with high acidity and a touch of spritz. Here are a few wines we enjoyed: Good balance. Honeyed palate – pineapple and papaya fruit. Long 2004 Chardonnay ($10.00/bottle) finish – acidity keeps the wine from Creamy, oaky nose with green apple cloying. hints. Medium-bodied with crisp acid- 2005 Frost Wine ($25/bottle – 375ml) ity. Good balance. Apple, pineapple and pear on the palate with a hint of 100% Vidal Blanc – Vine Frozen

Page 6 MUSINGS ON THE VINE Glassware

I firmly believe that using the correct glass- practical for everyday and classroom tast- stems. In this way, my students go forth ware can significantly improve the enjoy- ing. The Riedel glass is not cheap and it is with the appropriate tools for continuing ment of drinking wine. In my classes I use made of fairly delicate crystal, which means there assessment of fine wine. A recent set a 24% lead crystal INAO tasting stem that I a steep investment that has a higher prob- of three-class graduates were wrapping-up, believe to be the perfect glass for the criti- ability for breakage and loss. These are not so I set about finding an alternative to the cal assessment and appreciation of wine. really factors with the INAO tasting stem. St. George INAO tasting stem. After The glass was designed and certified by the Now that I’ve primed the pump and have months of research and a lot of trial and Institut National des Appellations d’Origine, my readers poised with car keys in hand to error, a suitable replacement was found: the governing body in France that oversees go out and buy these perfect , the Luigi Bormioli’s DOC tasting stem. The Laws. What makes this glass bad news is that the company that sold Bormioli glass is almost the exact same perfect are a number of factors. One, the them (St. George Crystal) no longer carries dimensions as the INAO glass, with almost overall size at 7.25 ounces means that a 1 the product. Alas, rumor has it that the the exact same shape. The glass is not to 2 ounce pour affords ample room for Austrian company that was the producer of crystal, but the glass is thin enough and of vigorous swirling with little risk of spilling. the glassware is out of business, no doubt a high enough quality to afford adequate Two, the tulip shape allows odor elements the result of producing the perfect tasting visual inspection. The glass is a touch to gather in the chimney of the glass mak- glass and selling them for such a bargain heavier in your hand, but not heavy enough ing smells and aromas more pronounced. price. to be a distraction. The rim is straight, not Three, the glass material produces a glass rolled, which was a fault of most of the re- that is thin and perfectly transparent making placement INAO glasses on the market visual inspection easy and free of distortion. today. I’ve been testing the Bormioli glass I have demonstrated on more than one for a few months now and the results are occasion that wine tasters have an im- excellent. Reports from my graduates who proved experience when using the INAO now have the Bormioli glass are very good. tasting stem versus other less ideal Cost on the glass varies, but a boxed set of glasses. The realization is often astonish- six can be found for around $30. I placed a ing to my students. Oh, and I forgot to large order with Marjorie Lumm’s Wine mention that the glasses only cost $25 for a Glasses (www.wineglassesltd.com) and boxed set of six stems. So, if the INAO had a wonderful experience – ask for glass is so good, Riedel stems must be Jessica when you call and tell her Paul nirvana, right? Well, I think that Riedel from Musings sent you. stemware is wonderful. We own several Rest assured all is not lost. As a gradua- types of the Vinum series glassware and tion present to my students that take all they really do make a difference. However, three of my Wine Appreciation classes, I I find that most Riedel glasses just are not like to give away a set of the INAO tasting

Time Away (continued from Page 1) shocked and dismayed when we spoke with the owner Bob Burke who Our anniversary weekend was simply scanned the wine list at Agora (Westin gladly welcomed us back for a return the best and it was largely due to the Hotel, Providence), our original destina- visit. We realize that restaurants claim hospitality extended by our friends at tion and found the wines were priced at that the mark-up on wine is often barely the Jacob Hill Inn and Pot Au Feu! five times retail. Inquiries about the adequate to cover amenities, but if a Thanks! pricing led nowhere, so we told our restaurant needs to charge five times server and the host that we were giving retail to cover expenses, then some- Cheers! up our table and dining elsewhere. thing else is wrong with the business Paul & Betsy Now on a Saturday night at 7:30pm we equation. We will not give our business had low expectations, but we had en- to pretentious restaurants that charge joyed ourselves so much the night be- usurious fees for wine. We hope you fore at Pot Au Feu that we called, feel the same way.

VOLUME 6, NO. 4 Page 7

Musings on the Vine was conceived with a few very simple goals: PAUL J. MALAGRIFA, CSW, CWE One, to share my passion and excitement of wine with anyone who cares to listen, and by doing Musings on The Vine so engender similar excitement in others. Two, to strip away the mysteries surrounding the ap-

E-mail: preciation of wine, making , buying and collecting fun and unassuming. And three, to [email protected] provide a resource for those people who don't necessarily want to become a Master , but instead just want to be able to buy something decent to drink with dinner tonight. I hope that my readers find this newsletter to be informative and enjoyable!

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Upcoming Musings Events

December 1—The Wines of the Pacific December 15—Champagne Your opinion counts! Northwest Once again, we’re soliciting feedback from our readers and event participants for our When people think about the wines from Holiday celebrations would somehow be Spring 2008 Musings events. the west coast of the US, most think Cali- diminished without the inclusion of fine fornia. If that’s all you think about, then Champagne. In the past, we’ve looked at If you have suggestions, thoughts or you’re missing a lot of really good, high the overall category of sparkling wines, all comments about what you’d like to see us value wine. While Pinot Noir made a very nice. However, sometimes there is offer, please drop us a line at name for itself in Oregon, many other nothing like the real thing to set one’s [email protected] varieties have become stars. Washington heart aflutter. At this tasting we will sam- We welcome your input! State was home to some of the finest ple several wines from Champagne, in- Merlot-based wines, there again, the cluding many vintage and tête du cuvee number of killer has grown dra- bottles. matically. At this tasting we will taste sev- eral wonderful wines from Oregon and Washington State.

The cost: $50 The cost: $100 Location: Wrentham, Massachusetts Location: Wrentham, Massachusetts Time: 3:00 p.m. Time: 3:00 p.m.