Champagne: the Bubble Capital of the Wine World

T o O r d e r M o r e F e a t u r e d W i n e s C a l l 1-800-823-5527 T o d a y !

Volume 19

Number 2 ©Vinesse Wine Club 2011 The SKU 17196 GrThe Officiala Newsleptter forevine Viinesse Wiine Club Members Champagne: The Bubble Capital of the Wine World

Getaway: Celebrating Solvang’s Centennial The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail: Unexpected Delights Chardonnay-Friendly Portabella Burgers Wine Buzz: Chelsea’s Wedding Wines & More

G e t Y o u r D a i l y D o s e o f W i n e N e w s a t www .V i n e s s e T o d a y . c o m 2 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com

Our Mission: To uncover and bring you wine gems ditor s ournal from around the world, which you’re E ’ J not likely to discover on your own, and which enhance your wine enjoyment. What Are Friends For? Your Grapevine Team: Intrepid Wine Enthusiast, Chief How to Create a Wine Lover Taster and Winehound: Martin Stewart By Robert Johnson Chief Operating Officer something a bit more complex, a good (aka “The Buck Stops Here”): t’s a topic that never Lawrence D. Dutra I gets old, even if the “starter wine” would be an off-dry (or semi-sweet) Riesling. Editor: writer addressing it Robert Johnson does: how to transform Once they can identify some of the flavors of the Riesling variety, move Wine Steward: someone who doesn’t Katie Montgomery drink much wine into a on to a completely dry rendition. This will help them understand that a wine The Grapevine is published by Vinesse, wine lover. 822 Hampshire Road, Suite E, Westlake can taste sweet (via its fruit flavors) Village, CA 91361; 1-800-823-5527. Hey, it’s all part of being a good without actually being sweet. Copyright by Vinesse, LLC. Printed in USA. No responsibility is assumed for loss or friend. You know how much more From there, an ever-so-slightly sweet damage to unsolicited materials. enjoyable a meal can be when there’s Chardonnay — the type that Kendall a food-friendly bottle of wine on the Jackson makes — would be a logical Be good to the planet table. You also know that culinary next step. Follow that up with a rich, memories can be created when the buttery, completely dry Chardonnay. recycle wine truly complements the food... After they’ve been drinking recycle and vice versa. So why wouldn’t you Chardonnay for a few months, it’ll be want your BFF to enjoy the experience time to take the big step: introducing Charter Member with you? them to red wine. Start with a lighter Benefits: But wine can be an acquired taste for red, such as an Italian Chianti or a some. And if their first wine experience California Merlot. Next, have them try The Grapevine Newsletter was with a big, bold, tannic Cabernet a fruit-forward Zinfandel or a silky- Premium wine selections at Sauvignon, getting them to give the smooth Pinot Noir. members-only prices glorious gift of the grape another try Once they’ve gained an appreciation Wine tasting as a participant could be an uphill battle. for those varieties — and only then on VINESSE’s Gold Medal That’s why you need to (almost — open up a bottle of Cabernet Award Panel literally) lead them by the hand, Sauvignon. Pour it alongside a thick, Free subscription to VINESSE’s introducing them to certain types juicy steak, and then look for a light Cyber Circle Community of wine in a very specific bulb to appear above their head. Random giveaways of wine order. Just as we don’t jump from and accessories If they’re already drinking simple addition to White Zinfandel on quantum physics, a Wine Finders Reward — occasion — and there’s newcomer to wine identify a future wine selection and earn a reward nothing wrong with that should not be expected — they probably have a to be a Cabernet Perfectly matched recipes for sweet tooth... as most of Sauvignon lover right featured wine selections us do. In weaning them off the bat. Free wine tasting off White Zin and getting It can happen, but it’s them to experience rare. Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 3

Caring for Your Wine Glasses

ome of us invest a lot of money in 2. Store the glasses Sour wine glasses. Different sizes. upright, not upside down. Different shapes. Real crystal, as opposed The rim of the glass is much more prone to chipping than to plastic. the base, so use the base as it Nothing is more disheartening than the sound of a was intended. favorite wine glass hitting a hard kitchen floor and 3. When washing the glass, shattering into a hundred pieces... unless it’s several do not hold it by the stem. glasses breaking at the same time. Instead, hold it by the bowl in But accidents happen, and there’s not much you can do one hand, and place it under about them. That said, accidents also can be prevented, warm or hot running water. particularly when washing your glassware. 4. Avoid using harsh detergents. As long as you don’t We asked members of our tasting panel to share some allow the glass to sit unwashed overnight, water is all you of their glass-washing savvy, both in terms of protecting need to get the glass clean. the glasses from breakage and getting them squeaky clean. 5. When drying the glass, again hold it by the bowl, Here are six of their tips... not the stem. Cradle the glass in one hand with a clean 1. Carry one glass per hand at a time. Even if you have towel, and then use a second towel for the inside. Dry big hands, you’re just asking for trouble when you try to the outside and the inside simultaneously with a simple transport multiple glasses. And don’t use a tray. Filled circular motion. wine glasses are top-heavy, and the typical laws of gravity 6. Store the glasses in a cabinet away from the kitchen. just don’t seem to apply. That old saying does apply, Glassware can pick up the odors of food, and the only however: Haste makes waste. thing you want to smell in that wine glass is wine.

The one that started it all!

• 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: Wine Color Mix: Reds, Whites, or Both — Your Choice! • 6 bottles from all over the wine world Frequency: Monthly • Detailed Tasting Notes for each featured wine • Latest edition of The Grapevine newsletter Price: Only $12-$15 average per bottle plus shipping

To learn more about this Club, call 800-823-5527 or visit www.Vinesse.com 4 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com

ÉLEVANT

society™

It’s not for everyone. Is it for you? Vinesse created the Élevant Society to meet members’ demands for super-premium wines. While virtually all Goose Ridge Is Flying High members of the original With a ‘Top 100’ Ranking American Cellars Wine Club were very satisfied with their hen a wine makes the annual “Top 100” list selected monthly selections, some W and published by Wine Spectator magazine, two wanted more, and they things typically happen. were willing to pay for it. First, the wine almost immediately spot on the Spectator’s list for 2010. sells out. Second, the price goes up for What is known is that Goose Ridge Each Élevant Society the next vintage. has been producing high-quality wines shipment includes: It’s too early to know whether that ever since its founding in 1998 by the will happen with the three-variety Monson family, with the assistance • 2 or 4 bottles — your choice — blend known as “Vireo,” crafted by of legendary Washington wine figure of super-premium wines, mostly Goose Ridge Vineyards and Estate Walter Clore. big and bold red varieties or Winery in Richland, Wash. Its 2006 The late Dr. Clore — known as blends bottling of “Vireo” — consisting of the father of the Washington wine • Detailed Tasting Notes for each 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah industry — assisted Arvid Monson featured wine and 29% Merlot — claimed the No. 41 in establishing the estate. Today, it • Latest edition of The Grapevine newsletter

Frequency: Approximately Monthly

Price: $84.94 average per shipment plus shipping

To learn more about this Club, call 800-823-5527 or visit www.Vinesse.com Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 5 includes a 1,400-acre Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, vineyard that’s planted Chardonnay, Pinot Gris on a south-facing slope and Riesling — all of in the Columbia Valley which have developed appellation, adjacent to strong track records in the Red Mountain. Columbia Valley climate. From the very beginning, Goose Ridge provides the vineyard has yielded two tasting rooms for grapes of exceptional traveling wine lovers. The character and complexity, a “home base” is situated in key to developing a line of the heart of the vineyard, highly regarded wines. and includes an event “We are committed to producing center which enables it to host large consistent, high quality, memorable groups. Private tours also are available wines through sound viticulture by appointment. practices, site selection with low yield The second tasting room is in vineyards, and artisan winemaking,” Woodinville, in the heart of the Wines that match a Goose Ridge spokesman tells us. Columbia Valley “wine country,” not the season “Our winemaker, Kendall Mix, works far from Seattle. It’s located adjacent closely with our vineyard manager to to the historic Hollywood Schoolhouse, Summer — wines for indentify the best blocks in our estate and can host intimate private events. barbecues, picnics or just for vineyard.” The wines of Washington state have sipping. Fall — wines for hearty, Those blocks provide the fruit for the been growing in popularity as touring harvest-time dishes. You get the winery’s signature blends, including in the Columbia Valley has increased. “Vireo,” as well as “g3” and “Sol Visitors to the dozens of tasting rooms idea. All wines are selected by our Duc.” have known about the high quality of Tasting Panel to pair beautifully The “g3” wine features the same the offerings for years. with the foods you love. varietal mix as the “Vireo,” but with Now, with the kind of added more Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, attention provided by a “Top 100” Each shipment includes: and a little less Syrah. “Sol Duc” is ranking from Wine Spectator, even • 4 bottles of specially-selected named for the sparkling waters that more people will be in on the region’s wines nourish the Columbia Valley, and is “vinous secret.” When planning a trip positioned by the winery as “a classic to the great Northwest, a stop at one • Detailed Tasting Notes for concentrated red wine.” of Goose Ridge’s tasting rooms should each featured wine Sheltered from Seattle’s maritime be on your “To Do” list — before all • Latest edition of The Grapevine climate by the towering Cascade of its now-famous bottlings are gone. newsletter Mountain Range, the Goose Ridge • A special surprise gift vineyard receives less than 8 inches of Winery 4-1-1 rainfall annually. Long, warm summer Wine Color Mix: Goose Ridge Vineyards days and cool nights contribute to the Reds, Whites, or Mixed growing of grapes that are noted for and Estate Winery their ripe, rich character. 16304 N. Dallas Road Frequency: “We are committed to sound Richland, WA 99352 4-times per year, plus a special viticultural practices,” the spokesman 509-628-3880 holiday shipment adds. “All vines are planted on Open Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. original rootstocks. We have south to Price: north row orientation for maximum Second Location: solar exposure. We use drip irrigation, $89.95 average per 14450 Woodinville Redmond Rd. we manage the crop loads, and we shipment plus shipping NE make canopy adjustments.” All that work pays off, as one can Suite 108 Woodinville, WA 98072 To learn more about taste in the award-winning blends this Club, call 800-823-5527 as well as the various single-variety 425-488-0200 bottlings made at the winery. Those Open Daily, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. or visit www.Vinesse.com single-variety wines include Cabernet 6 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com A Dozen Delicious Reasons to Explore Southern Illinois n the summer of 1995, the owners of the first three Wine Trail in June of 2005. Originally Iwineries in Southern Illinois — Alto Vineyards, Pomona from Sweden, Gerd and Anders Winery and Owl Creek Vineyard — recognized that their Hedman took over a peach orchard in Alto Pass, planted a vineyard, and estates had untapped tourism potential. began selling their peaches and grapes With that in mind, they worked with Another piece fell into place in 1994 to local wineries. Debbie Moore, Executive Director of when Ted Wichmann built Owl Creek Now producing and selling their the Carbondale Convention & Tourism Vineyard and released his first wine own European-styled wines, they Bureau, and Cindy Benefield of the the following year. Wichmann had also own and operate the Peach Barn Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau, established his vineyard in 1980 and Café, specializing in Swedish cuisine. and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail was had worked as Alto Vineyards’ first In addition, Hedman Vineyards has born. winemaker. Now owned and operated a Scandinavian gift shop and a Bed Modern winemaking in the area by the Genung family, Owl Creek & Breakfast, both located in their started in 1984, when Guy Renzaglia produces dry wines, lighter sweet historic three-story peach barn. established Alto Vineyards by planting wines and delicious dessert wines. After having been a dream for years, five acres of then-unheard-of grape In 1997, Dr. Paul, a local Blue Sky Vineyard opened its doors varieties: Chancellor, Chambourcin, optometrist, and Rhoda Jacobs opened on the 4th of July in 2005. Barrett Vidal and Villard Blanc. Gradually, Von Jakob Vineyards and became Rochman and Jim Ewers brought a word got out, curiosity grew, and by the Wine Trail’s fourth member. The taste of Tuscany to the eastern end the time the winery was built and Jacobs’ original location in Pomona is of the Wine Trail with their winery, the first wine was released in 1987, surrounded by vineyards and offers a people were standing in line waiting warm, cozy atmosphere. Their second to buy this new Illinois wine as fast as site in Alto Pass provides breathtaking the crew could label it. views of their orchard. Renzaglia’s success was noted by In 2003, Inheritance Valley a pair of would-be winery owners, Vineyards, owned and operated by George Majka and Jane Payne, who Tim and Kendall Waller, joined the had been making wines from apples Wine Trail, upping the number of and other local fruits for more than a wineries to five. The Wallers believe decade. In 1989, they broke ground that by keeping things as simple for the Pomona Winery at a location as possible, they are best able to as far away from people as you can produce quality grapes and wines to get and still be in the state of Illinois. be enjoyed by a diverse group of wine It became a licensed winery in 1991, drinkers. and released its first two apple wines Hedman Vineyards opened as the in 1993. sixth winery on the Shawnee Hills TTOURINGOURING TIPS TIPS Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 7 vinesse

Blue Sky Vineyard at dusk List Hot Culinary Celebration. It’s a Tuscan-style villa surrounded by Southern Illinois’ highest ridge tops, also a centennial celebration 12 acres of grapevines, nestled in the deep in the heart of the Shawnee Hills 1 as the town of Solvang in rolling hills of the Shawnee National American Viticultural Area. Orlandini California’s Santa Ynez Valley Forest. Blue Sky Vineyard also has began releasing wines to the public in turns 100 in 2011. The “colony,” two suites available for rent year- 2001, and a tasting room was opened as it was called in 1911, was round. in 2008. founded by Danish immigrants, Also joining in 2005, StarView Hickory Ridge Vineyard & Winery, and its architecture underscores Vineyards became the eighth member owned and operated by Ron and that heritage to this day. Among of the Wine Trail when Scott Slyvia Presswood, and Rustle Hill numerous special events planned Sensmeier brought his wife and two Winery, owned by John Patrick and during the year is the annual Taste small children back to his hometown Debbie Russell, round out the list of of Solvang in March — a great of Cobden. The Sensmeiers purchased Trail members. opportunity to sample traditional a mature vineyard and their first As the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Danish fare following a day of wine harvest yielded six award-winning continues to expand, it has become touring in the valley. wines, medaling in national and virtually impossible — not to mention www.solvang100.com international competitions. The family unsafe — to travel the whole Trail has since expanded the vineyard and in one day. The good news is that Hot Volcanic Vineyards. In hosts many events throughout the several B&Bs have opened near the 2 Sicily, rows of grapevines flank year. wineries, enabling visitors to extend the still-active Mt. Etna volcano, A more recent addition to the Wine their stays in comfort. and several wines made there are Trail is Kite Hill Vineyards. In 2006, Need yet another excuse to explore attracting worldwide attention. Jim and Barbara Bush purchased this the region? In March, “Vintage Arts Example: the Contrada Ramparte, little bit of heaven off Highway 127, Month” will feature exhibitions by a cuvee that is more reminiscent of which includes a boutique winery local artists at all 12 wineries. Visitors a fine Burgundian cru than a rustic and Bed & Breakfast. Kite Hill offers will be able to view watercolors, Italian red. Andrea Franchetti is the guests who stay at their B&B a three- acrylics, ceramics, photography and winemaker. course breakfast, wine tastings, and more while sampling the wide array 39-0942-986315 a relaxing stay after a full day of of wines. Southern Illinois touring. Hot Wine List Trend. Ask to see In 2008, Orlandini Vineyard became Winery addresses and phone numbers, 3the wine list at the Chicago Cut the 10th winery to join the Trail. Gary as well as links to the websites of area steakhouse, and you’ll be handed and Noella Orlandini planted their B&Bs, are available at: an iPad. It’s part of a growing vineyard 10 years earlier on one of www.shawneewinetrailcom trend among restaurants that seek to appeal to a younger and hipper clientele. Each listing includes not only the name of the wine and its price, but also detailed tasting notes. And for those who think this may be a really inexpensive way to obtain an iPad, be aware that the devices are equipped with tracking software. 8 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com

wine Vinesse Style AtoZ STAINLESS STEEL WINE GLASSES f you have little kids around the house, your wine glasses are in constant danger. utty. Descriptor for a wine that I Nexhibits the flavor of nuts — Not even the tips provided by our it’ll hold up to 10 ounces of wine quite common in Sherry and older staff of experts in this — although you’d want white wines. issue’s “Cellarmaster” to pour only about half feature can protect that much so that it can kanagan Valley. British your glassware from be swirled and sniffed OColumbia’s oldest and largest the little fingers of a without spilling. wine region. A wide array of grape curious 3-year-old. GSI Outdoors also varieties fare well there, from What to do? Place offers the Glacier SS Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon your expensive Stemless Wine Glass, to Riesling and Gewurztraminer. crystal stems in a which holds up to 11 inot Noir. One of the most locked cabinet, and ounces of vino. Prevered grape varieties, invest in some stylish Both are made with particularly in cooperative vintages. stainless steel wine 18/8 stainless steel Its historic home is the Burgundy glasses. and are rust-proof. region of France. That’s right: stainless And because you steel. It’s an alternative don’t have to worry about ipeness. Describes the final, that campers have embraced breaking them, the glasses can Rand most important, aspect of a for years, and it makes perfect be cleaned in your dishwasher — winegrape’s development. Perfectly sense for any toddler-inhabited another plus for any home that ripened grapes produce beautifully household. includes small children. balanced wines. Overripe grapes The Glacier SS Nesting The Nesting Glass sells produce wines that can be sweet in Wine Glass from GSI for $12.95, while the flavor and high in alcohol content. Outdoors has a stem Stemless Glass goes that can be removed for $9.95. Additional chist. Common in France’s Loire from the rim for information is Valley and Germany’s Mosel, a S storage. The stem available online at: type of soil created from rock that has a non-slip base, and www.gsioutdoors.com was exposed to extreme pressure or heat.

Each shipment Wine Color Mix: includes: Reds, Whites, or Both — • 4 bottles of the best finds It’s Your Choice! Featured wines Made from California Frequency: in California Exclusively! Approximately • Detailed Tasting Notes • Napa • Sacramento Delta for each wine Every Other Month • Sonoma • Amador County Price: • Latest edition of The Grapevine newsletter • Santa Ynez • Mendocino Only $12-$15 average per bottle plus shipping • Monterey ... and More! To learn more about this Club, call 800-823-5527 or visit www.Vinesse.com Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 9

vinesse® appellation showcase Champagne, France

Join us for an incredible wine journey! Each Shipment Takes You to a Different Corner of the Wine World! Taste Exquisite Boutique hampagne, east of Paris, is one of the great historic Wines... Savor Each Country’s C provinces of France. As far back as the times of Winemaking Tradition... and Emperor Charlemagne, in the 9th century, it was one of Collect Some Souvenirs! the great regions of Europe, a rich agricultural area that Each shipment was famous for its fairs. includes: Today, thanks to the sparkling Gothic cathedrals of northern France wine to which the region has given and a UNESCO world heritage site. • 6 bottles of specially selected its name, the word Champagne is Badly damaged during World War I, wines from one country or known worldwide. it has been painstakingly restored to region of the wine world The region is essentially made up its past glory. • Detailed Tasting Notes for each of areas of relatively flat agricultural The city also is home to some of land and other areas of gently the major Champagne producers, featured wine undulating hills. The hills are including Taittinger, and cellar tours • Latest edition of The Grapevine higher and more pronounced in the are available. newsletter north of the region — the area of However, for perhaps the most the Ardennes — and in the south, enjoyable cellar visits and sparkling known as the Plateau de Langres. wine tasting, many visitors prefer to Wine Color Mix: The central part of Champagne has visit the smaller town of Epernay, Reds, Whites, or Mixed vast expanses of cereal production, 15 miles south of Reims. Located in while north of Reims, vegetables and the heart of “Champagne Country,” Frequency: sugar beets dominate the landscape. Epernay is home to many of the most In the north of the Ardennes famous producers, including Moet & 6 times per year department, you’ll encounter Chandon and Perrier-Jouet. Since the wooded hills and valleys. The town is small, it’s quite easy to visit Price: famous vineyards of Champagne lie a number of Champagne houses or $122.94 per shipment on the chalky hills to the southwest cellars on foot. of Reims, and around the town of One other Champagne-producing plus shipping Epernay. area, quite distinct from the Reims- Reims, a university city, has the Epernay vineyard corridor, lies to To learn more about feel of a bustling regional capital. the south in the Aube department, this Club, call 800-823-5527 The old city is dominated by its 13th between the towns of Bar sur Aube or visit www.Vinesse.com century cathedral, one of the great and Les Riceys. 10 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com

A glass of wine is great “ refreshment after a hard day’s work. — Composer Ludwig van Beethoven ” Like a lot of people, I’m here’s a big royal wedding on the horizon that promises dieting now that the holidays to overshadow last summer’s nuptials of former First are over. So I’m eating a lot T Q Daughter Chelsea Clinton. No word yet on which wines will of salads. What’s the best type of be uncorked when Prince William ties the knot with Kate wine to drink with a salad? Middleton, but we can report on the wines served at the Clinton-Marc Mezvinsky wedding: Kluge Blanc de Blancs Obviously, the flavors of and Clinton Vineyards (no relation) Tribute, which is a a salad can vary greatly Seyval Blanc. Abased on the ingredients used. That said, a very basic salad, arcel Lapierre believed strongly in a perhaps topped with blue cheese M“minimalist” approach to winemaking, dressing, calls for a bright and and he practiced what he preached at his refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. That’s a estate in the Morgon appellation of France’s variety that can have some “green” Burgundy region. Part of his philosophy involved qualities, just like the lettuce, and a embracing organic viticulture by eliminating well-chilled Sauvignon Blanc with a the use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides well-chilled salad works very well. in his vineyard. Today, that would make him a participant in France’s so-called “natural wine” movement. But in the 1980s, when Lapierre began implementing his philosophy, it made him a pioneer. Jules Chauvet, who promoted organic farming even earlier, was Lapierre’s mentor. Sadly, Lapierre passed away late last year following a long illness. He was just 60. Happily, his son has taken over operation of the family vineyard and winery, and plans to continue Marcel Lapierre’s groundbreaking work in organic viticulture.

erhaps the most amazing thing about Michelin-starred Topolobampo, the PMexican restaurant in Chicago owned by Rick Bayless, is its wine list. Mexican food has never been easy to pair with wine, but Bayless has developed a list that works beautifully with outh African David Frost won his menu. Chicago magazine recently asked Bayless to S10 titles while on the PGA name the most versatile ingredient in Mexican cooking. Tour, and now splits his time “There is always one ingredient that I have on my pantry between the European Tour and shelf at home: canned chipotles,” he revealed. “They the Champions (senior) Tour. Since can spice things up. Use them in a marinade. A salad 1994, he also has been a vintner; dressing.” And, yes, there are wines that stand up to and complement that he owns a 300-acre vineyard in spice. Just check the Topolobampo wine list. his home country’s Paarl growing district. How did the golfer catch Percentage of vineyard plantings in France’s Bordeaux the wine bug? His mother grew region devoted to Merlot — which may come as up on a vineyard, and when his somewhat of a surprise considering so many Bordeaux parents got married, they planted blends are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. their own vineyard. 54 Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 11

food & wine pairings

Flights of Fancy & in 36 has become a downtown Chicago tradition, Boffering both resident and visiting wine lovers an opportunity to sample a wide array of bottlings at the fastest-growing reasonable prices. club in vinesse • Bin 36th 10th Anniversary Cuvee history! — A sparkling A club for people who enjoy wine made from a touch of sweetness in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown in their wines. Monterey, Calif., with Wines that are lighter in style, impressions of juicy sometimes sparkle, cherries, cranberry occasionally blush, and are and orange-scented tea. simply fun to drink. Food pairings: Wines selected from top antipasti, cured meats, regions around the world. seafood salads, grilled meats, roast pork and Each shipment Located adjacent to the House mildly spiced Asian food. of Blues and the Sax Hotel, the • Monte de Luz 2008 Tannat — includes: restaurant/wine bar/cheese bar/wine This full-bodied wine from Uruguay • 2 bottles of delicious shop boasts a large oval bar where is fully flavored with intensely light-and-sweet wines downtown workers congregate after brooding black minerals and inky • Detailed Tasting Notes for each a long day at the office and tourists black fruit. meet before an evening at the theater Food pairings: hearty fare, including featured wine or a concert at the “House.” broiled and grilled meat, game and • Latest edition of The Grapevine Patrons can order wines by the vegetables. newsletter bottle, glass or flight, and it’s • Zantho 2008 Zweigelt — Bin 36 the flights that offer the greatest describes this wine from Burgenland, Wine Color Mix: Austria, as “the liquid definition of opportunity to discover something Mostly White; Occasionally new and/or exciting. balance.” It’s medium-bodied and Blush/Pink or Sparkling During one recent visit, a member richly flavored with dark fruit, berries of our tasting panel ordered a and generous spice. Frequency: flight that included four wines, Food pairings: hearty grilled or each accompanied by a small sheet roasted meat and game, burgers, and Approximately with tasting notes and food pairing hard cheeses. Every Other Month suggestions. • Cote Jardin 2008 Grenache Price: Always on the lookout for pairing Blanc/Marsanne/Roussanne — This ideas to share with members, our stylish wine from France’s Rhone Only $12 average per bottle panel member brought those sheets Valley offers classy melon and apricot plus shipping of paper back to our office. notes, dancing in concert with a long, Here’s a look at what she drank juicy and seriously elegant finish. that night, along with the food Food pairings: grilled fish, lightly- To learn more about pairings suggested by the Bin 36 sauced poultry, veal, and grilled or this Club, call 800-823-5527 staff... roasted vegetables. or visit www.Vinesse.com 12 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com The Grapevine

PORTABELLA BURGERS CHICKEN & SPINACH ENCHILADAS WITH AVOCADO SPREAD This delicious dish matches beautifully with Whether you’re a mushroom lover or an avocado Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, and this recipe aficionado — or both — you’ll love this burger, which provides two enchiladas each for four diners. matches beautifully with California-style, creamy Ingredients Chardonnay. This recipe makes 4 servings. • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into Ingredients thin strips • 4 medium-sized portabella mushrooms, stems removed • 1/4 cup chopped onion • 1 medium onion, cut in ½-in. slices • A 10-oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed • 3 tablespoons olive oil and well drained • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided • A 10.75-oz. can condensed cream of mushroom • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided soup, undiluted • 1 fully ripened avocado, halved, pitted and sliced • 3/4 cup milk • 2 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt • 1 cup sour cream • ½ teaspoon minced garlic • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 4 whole hamburger buns, toasted • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 4 jarred roasted red peppers • 1 teaspoon onion powder • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Preparation • 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas 1. Brush mushrooms and onion slices with oil. Sprinkle • Minced fresh parsley with ½ teaspoon of the salt and ¼ teaspoon of the pepper. Preparation 2. Heat large skillet or grill pan over medium heat until 1. Coat a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Cook hot. Add mushrooms and cook until tender, about 8 and stir chicken and onion over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink. to 10 minutes, turning once. 2. Remove from the heat. Add spinach and mix well. 3. Transfer mushrooms to plate, cavity side up, and cover to keep warm. In same skillet, cook onion slices 3. In a bowl, combine soup, milk, sour cream and until golden, about 8 minutes, turning occasionally. seasonings; mix well. 4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine half of the 4. Stir 3/4 cup into chicken and spinach mixture. Divide avocado, yogurt, garlic and remaining ¼ teaspoon evenly among tortillas. each salt and pepper. Mash until smooth. 5. Roll up and place, seam side down, in a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. 5. Spoon onions and roasted peppers into mushroom baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking cavities, divided equally. Spread smooth avocado spray. Pour the remaining soup mixture over enchiladas. mixture on bottom of each bun. Top each with stuffed 6. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. mushrooms. 7. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Return to the oven 6. Top with remaining avocado. Cover with tops of buns for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. and serve. Garnish with parsley.

As a Member, You Can View Your Account Online For full details about your account, including your personal shipment history, charge amounts, and more, please visit www.Vinesse.com and log on via the “Your Account” link at the top right. TO ORDER CALL TOLL-FREE: 800-823-5527 HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM TO 5PM PST Vinesse 822 Hampshire Rd., Suite E, Westlake Village, CA 91361 • www.Vinesse.com