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Volume 15 The Number 11 ©Vinesse Wine Club 2007 SKU 10640 Gra evine HE FFICIAL EWSLETTERp FOR INESSE INE LUB EMBERS GraTHE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER FORevineVINESSE WINE CLUB MEMBERS T O N p V W C M

Sipping, Nibbling & Spitting Your Way Through a Tasting Room

By Robert Johnson

MARTIN’S ntil we get that wine in your mouth, it’s perfectly OURNAL U law passed that acceptable to spit it out — that’s J allows people to buy what the buckets on the tasting bar hen Arnold their wine only from are for. If you’re self-conscious about spitting, just take very small W Schwarzenegger Vinesse, we know sips and pour any unused wine into was elected Governor you’re probably going the bucket. You won’t insult the of California, some to stop by a winery winemaker; he or she doesn’t want figured he wouldn’t be (or two or three) you to get drunk, either. spending much time when the occasion 5. Some wineries offer compli- in the capital city of arises. mentary nibbles. Eat them. Or eat before you hit the road. Food helps Sacramento. to metabolize alcohol. So, to help you get the most out 6. Take notes. Especially if you’re But “Awnold” has embraced the of the touring-and-tasting experi- going to be tasting a lot of wines, Northern California community, and ence, we offer the following 10 this will help you remember what Sacramento’s proximity to “wine tips... you like. country” likely contributed to his 1. Select a designated driver. 7. Ask questions. (And listen to decision to proclaim September as D.U.I. laws are so restrictive in the answers.) You’ll learn a lot. “ Month.” many states that even one tasting 8. If the winery offers a tour, But let’s not forget that Sacramento room visit could put one’s blood take it. You’ll learn about the wine- itself is home to an emerging wine alcohol over the legal limit. Reward making process and what makes scene. Numerous restaurants have the designated driver with a bottle that winery special. developed impressive wine lists, (or two or three) to enjoy at home. 9. Ask if there are any “special including my personal favorite, 2. Don’t use cologne, perfume, bottles” behind the counter. You Mulvaney’s Building and Loan, scented soap or anything else just may get to taste something nor- where much of the cuisine is local with a strong scent. You want to mally reserved for regular cus- — from the produce to the vino. be able to savor the aroma of the tomers or fans of the winery. Plus, if you drive south, east or wine in the glass... and so do the 10. Have fun. This isn’t rocket west from Sacramento, you’re head- other tasting room visitors. science. Don’t be so focused on ing toward wineries. The city is basi- 3. Take your time. The goal is being a “wine geek” that you don’t cally surrounded by vineyards. not to see how many wineries you get as much enjoyment out of the And if anyone knows what to do can visit, but to discover two or experience as you could... or when he’s surrounded, it’s the three special bottles that you’ve should. Governator: Start popping corks! never had before. 4. Spit. After swirling a sip of

Robert Johnson can be reached at [email protected]. 2 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com

wineries, because the value percentage is directly connected to the bottom line. Without draining the supply line, they were able to realize a return on investment that all businesses (with the possible exception of Google) would envy. OUR MISSION: But what if those figures were To uncover and bring you wine gems reversed? What if the volume of from around the world, which you’re exported wine had increased by 30 not likely to discover on your own, and percent, but its value had gone up by which enhance your wine enjoyment. wasn’t great in math only 4 percent? YOUR GRAPEVINE TEAM: I during my school True, any increase in value is a good Intrepid Wine Enthusiast, Chief days, but as an adult thing, but when it takes massive vol- Taster and Winehound: ume to realize a modest increase, it Martin Stewart I’ve developed a love for can stress the supply line and result in Chief Operating Officer statistics. higher prices for everyone — including (aka “The Buck Stops Here”): Lawrence D. Dutra us here in the States. In fact, did you know that 78.9 per- It’s all about supply and demand. If Editor: Robert Johnson cent of all statistics are made up on the demand for a product exceeds the Wine Steward: the spot? (Sorry — heard that joke the supply, its price will go up. That’s why Katie Montgomery other day and just couldn’t resist using the makers of America’s so-called “cult it here.) wines” can command prices that I The Grapevine is published by Vinesse, Actually, statistics come in very consider obscene. 822 Hampshire Road, Suite E, Westlake Village, CA 91361; 1-800-823-5527. handy in my job as the wine steward The 2006 export statistics are particu- Copyright by Vinesse, LLC. Printed in USA. for the clubs of Vinesse. Specifically, larly impressive because many coun- No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited materials. wine sales fig- tries levy tariffs on ures. By tracking imports that can run sales activity and two-and-a-half times trends around the the U.S. rate. CHARTER MEMBER world, we can Looking ahead, the BENEFITS: identify areas big elephant in the The Grapevine Newsletter where opportuni- room, as it is in so Premium wine selections at ties may exist to many industries, is members-only prices secure certain China. Slowly but types of wine. surely, that giant mar- Wine tasting as a participant Likewise, statis- ket is opening its on VINESSE’s Gold Medal Award Panel tics can help us plan for the future — doors to “luxury products” such as both short-term and long-term — as wine. Free subscription to VINESSE’s they pinpoint under-served or over- Once an avid wine-drinking popula- Cyber Circle Community served markets, holes in the distribu- tion is established in the world’s most Members-only savings, includ- tion lines, the popularity of certain populous country, America won’t be ing Food & Wine subscriptions, wine varieties and so on. the only wine-producing nation eyeing dining out, gourmet food and Let me share some recently released it with covetous intentions. tickets to the hottest events statistics with you, as well as what I The result could be higher profits for Random giveaways of wine and think they could mean for club mem- the wineries, but also higher prices for accessories bers like you. all of us. Whether those price hikes Wine Finders Reward — identify The Commerce Department reports will be felt mainly among value-priced a future wine selection and that U.S. wine exports (mostly from wines or across the price spectrum earn a reward California, since that state produces a remains to be seen. Perfectly matched recipes for vast majority of America’s wine) One thing is for sure: Winemakers, featured wine selections increased by 30 percent in value and 4 distributors and exporters will be percent in volume from 2005 to 2006. watching the statistics very closely. That’s great news for America’s Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 3 WINE APPELLATION SHOWCASE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORE ATOZ their signature wine. nniskillen. A winery in Canada’s n Michigan, it’s Lake Michigan Shore also is home IOntario province known, in I known as “the other particular, for its icewines. west coast.” And it’s to some stunning renditions of Gewurztraminer, , ammy. Description of a berry- home to more than and Pinot Grigio. Of course, you’ll Jlike quality in some wines. Used 10,000 acres of wine- find most of the “usual suspects” — most often in describing California grapes. , . , et al — at istler. A winery in California’s area wineries, but Lake K Sonoma County, best known This expanse of Michigan Shore is build- for its Chardonnay. land runs roughly ing its reputation on from New Buffalo in “under-the-radar” ength. Word used in assessing the south to varieties. L how long a wine’s flavor Saugatuck in the The wineries are a mix remains in the mouth after it has north, and as far of relatively new ven- been swallowed. When the flavor east as Paw Paw. Its tures and venerable remains for several seconds, the western border is estates. The oldest is also wine is said to have a “long finish,” or “good length.” Lake Michigan. the best known: St. Because the area Julian. It was founded in usty. An aromatic impression shares a common 1921 by Mariano Meconi, Min some wines — similar to climate and light, and today is operated by mildew or wet cardboard — indi- beach-like soils, it his grandson, David cating that the bottle may not have has been made an Braganini. Another third- been properly stored, or that the official American Viticultural Area. generation operation is Warner cork was faulty, allowing air to get The AVA’s name is Lake Michigan Vineyards, an officially recognized into the bottle. Shore. Michigan Historic Site. ouveau. A French term for a Cabernet Franc, a minor blending Round Barn Winery may be the Nwine that is bottled very soon grape in Bordeaux and California, is region’s most eclectic: It produces after harvest and fermentation. among the region’s star varieties. In wine as well as Vodka, Brandy and Typically very fruity. fact, several vintners point to it as microbrews.

¥ Hand-crafted gems produced by little known or small estates ¥ Limited-production bottlings ¥ Under-the-radar wines you won’t find in supermarkets EACH SHIPMENT INCLUDES: ¥ 2 or 4 bottles from all over the wine world ¥ Detailed Tasting Notes for each featured wine ¥ Latest edition of The Grapevine newsletter

THE ONE THAT WINE COLOR MIX: Reds, Whites, or Both — Your Choice! FREQUENCY: Approximately Monthly STARTED IT ALL! PRICE: Only $12 Average Per Bottle Plus Shipping

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VINESSE STYLE MILK CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCES

ÉLEVANT ou say you missed Lyon. The shop is located near the Y National Milk Moulin Rouge. Chocolate Day? • Choco-Story Museum — This museum in Bruges chronicles the SOCIETYª (It was July 28.) tasty history of Belgian chocolate, IT’S NOT FOR EVERYONE. and even offers workshops on mak- IS IT FOR YOU? Oh, well, guess you’ll just have to ing pralines. Info: choco-story.be. wait until next year. Yeah… right. • Purple House — Located on Vinesse created the Elevant Milk chocolate is Chicago’s fashionable Society to meet members’ one of the joys of North Michigan demands for super-premium life, and there’s no Avenue, this café is the wines. While virtually all shortage of desti- home of Vosges Haut- nations where one Chocolat, the purveyor members of the original may get their fix. of off-beat flavor com- American Cellars Wine Club In this issue and binations that always were very satisfied with their next, we’ll share are part chocolate. The monthly selections, some some of our café recently added wanted more, and they favorite oases for chocolate-and-wine indulging our milk chocolate pairings to its offerings. were willing to pay for it. passion… Info: vosgeschocolate.com. • L’Etoile d’Or — Many consider • Scharffen Berger Chocolate EACH ELEVANT SOCIETY this shop in Paris to be the best Maker — Ghiradelli may be more SHIPMENT INCLUDES: chocolate shop in the world. They famous, but this San Francisco Bay may be right. It carries all of France’s Area manufacturer concocts a wider • 2 or 4 bottles — your top brands, and it’s the only place is range of taste-tempting treats. Take a Paris where you can purchase choco- tour of its Berkeley facility and learn choice — of super-premium lates crafted by Bernachon, consid- all about the chocolate-making wines, mostly big and bold ered the grandmaster chocolatier of process. Info: Scharffenberger.com. red varieties or blends ¥ Detailed Tasting Notes for BEING GREEN each featured wine

¥ Latest edition of The As part of its commitment to the local community, Acacia Vineyard, a winery in California’s Carneros growing region, has installed two educational panels at Grapevine newsletter the Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area. The panels were developed in part- nership with the California Department of Fish and Game to educate the public FREQUENCY: about the importance and value of improving and restoring wetlands in the Approximately Monthly greater San Francisco Bay Area. “The marsh provides an important habitat for a variety of fish, waterfowl, wildlife and plant species, several of which are PRICE: threatened or endangered,” says California Department of Fish & Game Senior $69.99 Average Per Wildlife Biologist Larry Wyckoff. “We have limited funding, so this generous Shipment Plus Shipping donation from Acacia Vineyard is critical in helping us educate the public about the importance of restoring this marsh.” Adds Acacia winemaker Matthew Glynn: “We believe in sustainability and want to do our part to preserve this TO LEARN MORE ABOUT piece of our Carneros heritage that helps us make such compelling wines. The THIS CLUB, CALL 800 - 823 - 5527 Napa-Sonoma Marsh gives us such beautiful afternoon breezes and evening fog OR VISIT WWW.VINESSE.COM. that allow our grapes to develop more concentrated, complex flavors.” Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 5

Raise a Glass & Say, ‘Cheese!’

he catering lemon juice, because of its acidity, T business can be would make the bitterness even more WINES THAT MATCH pronounced. Even adding water tough. Some people THE SEASON. want to eat like wouldn’t help; it would dilute the beverage, but the bitterness would princes but pay like Summer — wines for still be there. barbecues, picnics or just paupers. The only ingredient that could tame for sipping. Fall — wines for an overly bitter cup of tea is milk. As a result, it’s not unusual to see The protein and fat in milk basically hearty, harvest-time dishes. cheap red wines served with catered camouflage the bitter quality and You get the idea. All wines spreads. But those wines can be bit- make the tea drinkable. are selected by our Tasting ter. That’s why smart caterers make Likewise, the protein and fat in Panel to pair beautifully with sure there is lots of cheese around to cheese can tame the tannin of a harsh the foods you love. accompany those wines: Cheese helps red wine. Caterers know this, so tame or tone down the if the budget won’t EACH SHIPMENT bitterness so even a allow for a top-quality INCLUDES: cheap wine tastes wine, you can bet acceptable. the cheese tray will ¥ 4 bottles of specially- When a wine be stacked high. selected wines leaves a bitter Interestingly, ¥ Detailed Tasting Notes impression on the much like choles- for each featured wine terol, there can be tongue, the cause ¥ Latest edition of The almost always is good tannin or bad tannin, a com- tannin in winegrapes. Grapevine newsletter pound that comes from the seeds and Good tannin is fully ¥ A special surprise gift stems of grapes. Tannin can either ripened and enhances a red wine’s WINE COLOR MIX: help make a wine great or cause an color and structure. Bad tannin is Reds, Whites, or Mixed inferior wine to be less enjoyable. unripe, and can make a wine almost A parallel can be drawn with tea one-dimensional and bitter. More and FREQUENCY: more, vintners pay as much attention since a tea leaf, like a grape’s skin 4 times per year, plus a and stem, contains tannin. When a to tannin ripeness as they do to sugar special holiday shipment tea bag is placed in hot water for the levels at harvest time. recommended period of time, a fla- Dauntingly, there is no scientific PRICE: vorful, nicely balanced beverage is measurement available for tannin $89.95 Average Per the result. But if that bag is left in the ripeness. Furthermore, a grape that’s water for too long, the tea can be so ready to pick from a sugar perspective Shipment Plus Shipping harsh it’s almost impossible to drink. (for which a scientific measurement is Can that cup of tea be “saved”? Yes. available and utilized) may simultane- TO LEARN MORE ABOUT But not with the typical ingredients. ously possess unripe tannin. That THIS CLUB, CALL 800 - 823 - 5527 Adding sugar would sweeten the leaves the vintners to depend on their OR VISIT WWW.VINESSE.COM. brew, but only momentarily. Adding experience and trust their tastebuds. 6 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com You’ll Fall for Niagara Wine Country

liqueurs, and take a tour to learn about hroughout the both the winemaking and distillation T year, the wineries processes. of Ontario, Canada — • Thirty Bench. Taste limited-produc- particularly those on tion, single-lot wines while you soak in the Niagara Peninsula WINE sweeping views of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario. Ask for — pull out all the stops a sample of vintner Natalie Reynolds’ to make a visit to their Triangle Vineyard Riesling. “wine country” unfor- • De Sousa Wine Cellars. Portuguese gettable. varieties are the specialty of this desti- nation winery, which includes a villa, Visit during the winter, and experience gardens, groves of trees, a boutique and the icewine celebrations. In spring, new a museum. releases are rolled out across the region. • Lakeview Cellars Estate Winery. Summer is alive with outdoor events, TOURINGTOURING TIPSTIPS Winemaker Tom Green is particularly including the 10-day Niagara proud of his Baco Noir Reserve, Wine Festival. And during the but for a really unusual treat, fall months, many estates offer don’t miss his Cabernet Franc delectable wine-and-food pair- Icewine. ings. • Rockway Glen Estate Speaking of food, the Niagara Winery. How many wineries Peninsula is known for its fine have their own championship regional cuisine. Many restau- golf course? This one does, rants take full advantage of the along with both casual and fine bounty of locally produced dining, and a “19th Century fruits, vegetables and cheeses Antique Wine Museum.” And in preparing unique and memo- its wine boutique brings a rable dishes. whole new meaning to that The peninsula’s landscape is a study Willamette Valley and New Zealand. friendly golf refrain, “Meet you at the in contrasts. From Grimsby to St. The two Great Lakes moderate tempera- 19th hole...” Catharines, the wine route winds past tures, ensuring the cool springs and long Those are just six of the nearly four vineyards that are nestled below the autumns that are ideal for growing dozen wineries on the Niagara steep outcropping of the spectacular winegrapes. Peninsula that are open to the public. Niagara Escarpment, named a World More than 50 wineries are located in With so much to see (and taste), a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations the rolling landscape between Grimsby minimum of a long weekend is recom- for its rare and diverse ecosystem. and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Open year- mended in order to truly capture the The road then dips into the flat plains round, most welcome visitors with flavor of the region. of Niagara-on-the-Lake and a lush tours, tastings, special events and the That means you’ll need a place to patchwork quilt of still more vineyards. opportunity to experience the aforemen- stay, and two popular bed-and-break- It’s a drive that reveals unexpected tioned amazing regional cuisine in many fast inns are the House (with its pleasures at nearly every turn. Travel onsite restaurants. Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces) and the Niagara’s wine route and you’ll discover A few must-see wineries: Bonnybank (with its Tudor-style archi- picturesque villages, fabulous dining, • Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery. tecture). Most of the national chains galleries, museums, theater and conser- This world-class wine and culinary des- also can be found in the area. vation areas. tination (shown on the opposite page) is For dining, try one of several winery And the peninsula is recognized as an renowned for crafting elegant Bordeaux- restaurants. Among those recommend- outstanding wine-producing region. Its style red wines and classic Burgundian ed by locals are The View Restaurant at soils are excellent, and the climate is whites. EastDell Estates Winery, the Hillebrand similar to that of some of the great • Kittling Ridge Estate Wines & Winery Restaurant, the Peller Estates wine-producing regions of the world — Spirits. Taste wines plus icewines, Winery Restaurant, and the Vineland Burgundy, the Loire Valley, Oregon’s whiskies, Brandies and specialty Estates Winery Restaurant. Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 7

south, and developed the Brookside Vineyard Company in the area today known as Ontario. For many years, Brookside supplied local farmers and other residents with wine that was siphoned right out of the barrels and into big jugs. Fast-forward to 1909, and the birth of Philo Biane at the Brookside Winery. Biane was the great-grand- nephew of Theophile Vache, and was seemingly destined to follow the The Niagara Peninsula may be a family’s long-established winemaking continent away from the Napa Valley, tradition. but there’s no doubt that it’s “wine Biane rose to the position of country.” President of Brookside Vineyard Two California Company when it was located in the For Further nearby town of Guasti, and spent his Wineries Share entire life in winemaking. Information In fact, even during his retirement, Niagara Wine Festival Historic Ties he couldn’t shake the winemaking niagarawinefestival.com bug. He established another winery, called Rancho de Philo, in the town Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery t Pietra Santa of Alta Loma, and crafted very small Beamsville • 905-563-0900 AWinery, the top-of- quantities of Cream Sherry, using the Kittling Ridge Wines & Spirts the-line wines carry the traditional solera system of blending Grimsby • 905-945-9225 name Vache on their multiple vintages. Biane died in 1999, but his daugh- Thirty Bench labels. ter, Janine Tibbets, carries on the Beamsville • 905-563-1698 venture. Rancho de Philo operates De Sousa Wine Cellars Pietra Santa is located in year-round, as the various vintages Beamsville • 905-563-7269 California’s Cienega Valley, part of must be monitored, but it is open to Lakeview Cellars Estate Winery the Gabilan the public only one Vineland • 905-562-5685 Mountains foothills, week each year, dur- some 25 miles east of ing November. That’s Rockway Glen Estate Winery Monterey Bay. The all the time it takes St. Catharines • 905-641-5771 ven during estate was first devel- E for an entire year’s Merlot House Bed & Breakfast oped during the 1850s his retirement, allotment to be sold Niagara-on-the-Lake • 905-468-7509 by a Frenchman to and picked up by Bonnybank Bed & Breakfast named Theophile Philo Biana could an adoring public of Jordan • 905-562-3746 Vache, who hailed mostly long-time from the island of customers. The View at EastDell Estates not shake the Oleron, off France’s Theophile Vache Beamsville • 905-563-9463 Atlantic coast. winemaking bug. will always be Hillebrand Winery Restaurant That effort grew into remembered for his Niagara-on-the-Lake • 905-468-7123 an enterprise known contribution to Peller Estates Winery Restaurant as Valliant Vineyards, California winemak- Niagara-on-the-Lake • 905-468-4678 and earned Vache a permanent ing, and now Janine Tibbets place among the recognized pioneers embraces a labor of love to maintain Vineland Estates Winery Restaurant of the California wine industry. The the family’s connection to history, Vineland • 905-562-7088, ext. 33 area became known as the “Vineyard even as housing developments slowly Tourism Niagara District” of San Benito County. plow under her dwindling sources of tourismniagara.com The Vache family later ventured grapes. 8 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com QuotesQuotes DuDu JourJour QANDANDA ■ Q A Ludvig van Beethoven, using wine as an analogy for writing music: “Music is the wine which inspires My husband goes on and on as sharp and biting. Ultimately, bal- one to new generative processes, and about the importance of drinking ance is the key. In very hot growing I am Bacchus who presses out this wine while it’s in its prime or areas where the ripening grapes glorious wine for mankind and makes before, and not cellaring it for too may lose some of their natural acidi- them spiritually drunken.” long. But I’ve heard that there’s ty, it’s common for winemakers to nothing better than a great wine add two or three grams of acid per ■ M.F.K. Fisher, demonstrating a that has been aged an extended liter to the wine as it’s fermenting. proclivity for the dreaded run-on period of time and is uncorked at That may not seem like much, but it sentence: just the right time in its develop- can make all the difference between “I can no more think of my own life ment. Who’s right? a finished wine that’s balanced, and without thinking of wine and wines You both are. one that’s either too flat or too and where they grew for me and why sharp. I drank them when I did and why I picked the grapes and where I opened Many of the Tasting Notes that the oldest procurable bottles, and all accompany our club wines men- When we go to a BYOB restau- that, than I can remember living tion the wine’s acidity. Why is rant, how much should we add to before I breathed.” acidity important in wine? the tip for wine service? All wines possess a certain degree We recommend anywhere from $5 ■ Legendary vintner Robert Mondavi, of acidity. Generally, whites have to $10 per bottle, depending on the on how he developed his attitude more than reds. Acid gives wine its level of service. If the restaurant toward wine: vivacious character and also con- provided good-quality stemware, “I always knew that food and wine tributes to its refreshing quality. uncorked the bottle for you and were vital, with my mother being Without sufficient acid, a wine may kept an eye out for low levels of Italian and a good cook.” taste flat, dull and lifeless. However, vino in the glasses, a more generous ■ Thomas Becon, on one consequence as with all things in life, there can tip is called for. Good service is of wine drinking: be too much of a good thing when good service, whether it involves a “For when the wine is in, the wit is it comes to acid. When there’s too restaurant’s food or how it handles out.” much acid, a wine can come across a customer’s wine.

EACH SHIPMENT FEATURED WINES MADE WINE COLOR MIX: INCLUDES: IN CALIFORNIA EXCLUSIVELY! Reds, Whites, or Both — ¥ 2 or 4 bottles of the best It’s Your Choice! finds from California ¥ Napa ¥ Sacramento Delta FREQUENCY: ¥ Detailed Tasting Notes ¥ Sonoma ¥ Amador County Approximately for each wine Every Other Month ¥ Latest edition of The ¥ Santa Ynez ¥ Mendocino PRICE: Grapevine newsletter ¥ Monterey ... and More! Only $12 Average Per Bottle Plus Shipping

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bill as it creates a monopoly for them VINESSE® among other-than-winery businesses.

NEW YORK RIESLING PIONEER SELLS ESTATE Hermann J. Wiemer, the vintner who symbolized the rise to promi- nence of New York Riesling, has sold his estate to his winemaker, Decanter WINEMAKING CONTRIBUTES reports. The Mosel-born Wiemer, TO SLO’S ECONOMIC VITALITY now 65, turned the property on JOIN US FOR AN A study commissioned in part by Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes dis- INCREDIBLE WINE the Economic Vitality Corporation of trict over to Frederick Merwarth, 36 San Luis Obispo County (Calif.) years his junior. Wiemer helped JOURNEY! reveals that the economic impact of establish a high standard of quality in Each Shipment Takes You the county’s grape and wine industry New York by applying the experience to a Different Corner acquired from his Mosel wine-pro- totals $1.8 billion currently. of the Wine World! ducing family. “Many made fun of MONOPOLISTIC RETAIL me for planting Riesling,” said Taste Exquisite Boutique LAW PASSES IN ILLINOIS Wiemer, who certainly got the last Wines... Savor Each Special interest groups won a major laugh. Country’s Winemaking victory in Illinois when both cham- Tradition... and Collect bers of the state legislature passed YOUNG ADULTS PERCEIVE Some Souvenirs! House Bill 429, which bans the ship- WINE-DRINKING AS ‘REFINED’ ment of wines to Illinois by out-of- According to a study conducted by state retailers. “The bottom line is Vinexpo, consumers aged 20-25 have EACH SHIPMENT that residents of the state will have a perception of wine as a healthy, INCLUDES: less access high-quality ¥ 6 bottles of specially to wine product that selected wines from one than they is becoming have had popular country or region of the until now. among their wine world This bill is age group, blatantly although the ¥ Detailed Tasting Notes anti-con- perceived for each featured wine sumer and expensive anti-consti- cost of wine ¥ Latest edition of The tutional,” and confu- Grapevine newsletter said Tom sion about Wark, exec- different ¥ A special souvenir utive direc- wine styles tor of the can be WINE COLOR MIX: Specialty Wine Retailers Association barriers to consumption. One of the Reds, Whites, or Mixed in Sacramento, Calif. Wark said that key findings of the study was that his organization would challenge the young people in all countries consid- FREQUENCY: inequity of the law in court. “We ered wine to be the healthiest alcohol 6 times per year may sue before the law takes effect, beverage, yet many perceived wine or we may wait and file afterward,” as the drink of choice among older PRICE: he said. The group has already filed a adults, aged 30-35 to 40. Still, this $99 Per Shipment lawsuit in Texas against a similar ban image makes wine more attractive as Plus Shipping enacted more than a year ago, Wine the study participants defined a wine TO LEARN MORE ABOUT Spectator reports. Illinois wine distrib- drinker as “refined, educated and THIS CLUB, CALL 800 - 823 - 5527 utors lobbied hard for passage of the cultivated.” OR VISIT WWW.VINESSE.COM. 10 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com The Grapevine

SLOW-COOKER comes just to the bottom of the • 1 stick unsalted butter, cut in BEEF STEW meat. small pieces and chilled 3. Cook on low setting overnight, • 3/4 cup half-and-half A flavorful wine such as Malbec or • 2 tablespoons sugar Merlot calls for a flavorful main dish. adding more water as necessary in This tasty recipe makes about 6 serv- morning. Allow to cook all day. Preparation ings. 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 2. In a large bowl, toss together filling Ingredients BERRY COBBLER ingredients. Pile mixture into a 9- Desserts can be tricky to match with • 4 carrots, chopped inch round baking dish or deep pie • 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed wine, but when berries are involved, the quest becomes easier. Try this plate. • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced recipe, which makes 6 to 8 servings, • 1 onion, chopped 3. In another bowl, combine flour, 1/4 with a fruitful Zinfandel, or almost • 3 stalks celery, chopped cup sugar, baking powder and salt. any slightly sweet wine. • 3 lbs. cubed stew meat Cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Lightly toss • 1 packet dry onion soup mix Filling Ingredients • 1 can (10.75-oz.) condensed with half-and-half until it forms a golden mushroom soup • 6 cups mixed berries (blackber- soft dough. ries, raspberries and blueberries) • 1 3/4 cups water 4. Drop the dough in tablespoon-size • 1/2 cup sugar pieces on top of the berries until Preparation • 2 tablespoons cornstarch the surface is almost covered. 1. Place carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, • 1/2 teaspoon salt Lightly pat the dough down to onion and celery in slow cooker. • Juice of 1 lemon evenly distribute the top, but leave Place stew meat over vegetables. Topping Ingredients spaces for berries to show through. 2. In a medium bowl, combine the • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar. soup mix with the can of soup. • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, 5. Bake cobbler 40 to 45 minutes until Add water and mix well. Pour in divided top is golden and berries are slow cooker over meat and vegeta- • 1 tablespoon baking powder bubbling. bles. Add water as needed so liquid • 1/2 teaspoon salt

¥ A club for people EACH SHIPMENT INCLUDES: who enjoy a touch ¥ 2 bottles of delicious of sweetness in light-and-sweet wines ¥ Detailed Tasting Notes their wines. for each featured wine & ¥ Wines that are ¥ Latest edition of The lighter in style, Grapevine newsletter sometimes sparkle, WINE COLOR MIX: occasionally blush, Mostly White; Occasionally and are simply Blush/Pink or Sparkling THE FASTEST-GROWING fun to drink. FREQUENCY: Approximately Every Other Month ¥ Wines selected CLUB IN VINESSE HISTORY! PRICE: from top regions Only $12 Average Per Bottle around the world. Plus Shipping TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS CLUB, GO ONLINE TO WWW.VINESSE.COM OR CALL 800 - 823 - 5527. Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 11

CELLAR SPECIALS WHITE WINES Member Price 2005 Monkey Puzzle Maule Valley, Chile Chardonnay ...... $11.99 2003 Aqua Pumpkin Monterey Chardonnay...... $12.99 2006 Tarrica Cellars Paso Robles ...... $12.99 2006 Sweetwater California Chenin Blanc ...... $12.99 2004 Mosaic Vineyards Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California ...... $14.99 2006 Terranoble Maule, Chile Vineyard Selection ...... $16.99 Adler Fels Winery Russian River Gewurztraminer ...... $17.99 2004 Indis Western Australia Chardonnay ...... $17.99 2006 Guy Harvey California Sauvignon Blanc ...... $17.99 2005 La Playa Colchagua, Chile Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc ...... $19.99 2004 Domaine Delaye Macon-Prisse, France Les Clochettes ...... $20.99 2005 Kenneth Volk Santa Barbara County, California Chardonnay ...... $25.99 RED WINES Member Price 2004 Cross Creek California Merlot ...... $12.99 2005 Rock Gate Cellars California Sangiovese ...... $12.99 2002 Chateau Bel-Air France Lalande-de-Pomerol ...... $14.00 2004 TerraNoble Vineyard Selection Merlot, Maule Chile ...... $16.99 Stella Rosa Piedmont, Italy Sparkling Red Wine ...... $16.99 2005 Tarrica Wine Cellars Paso Robles, California Zinfandel ...... $18.99 2002 Reschke Coonawarra, Australia Vitulus Cabernet Sauvignon ...... $18.99 2005 Preludio Mendoza, Argentina Malbec ...... $19.99 2003 Axel Colchagua Valley, Chile ...... $21.99 2005 Spinyback Nelson, New Zealand ...... $21.99 2005 Kaiken Mendoza, Argentina Ultra Malbec ...... $28.99 1999 Château Pomeaux Pomerol...... $40.00

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