TO O RDER M ORE F EATURED W INES CALL 1-800-823-5527 TODAY!

Volume 1 The Number 14 ©Vinesse Wine Club 2006 SKU 9644 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

So Many Reasons to Be Grateful, and Not Just During the Holidays

By Robert Johnson

MARTIN’S t’s the season of cheese as soon as it became eco- I giving… and the nomically feasible, and I have not JOURNAL season for giving had it since. The years go by so quickly, and ’ is the season for thanks. now it’s my daughter and her hus- drinking great T band and their two children who wine with great One of the great lessons I learned are learning to be grateful for the friends. With that in in life was to be grateful for what I little things. They still eat mac-and- mind, here are a few have. That lesson came in particu- cheese, but because there are two toasts for those larly handy when I was a young, incomes in their family, they also special occasions… single parent — at the time, a mix in some Hamburger Helper on recipe for lots of macaroni-and- occasion. These days, if you live in cheese dinners, cheap wine and not Southern California, you almost much of a social life. need three incomes to comfortably While being the sole bread win- manage a household. ner in a single-income household In a few weeks, I’m going to get wasn’t easy — especially during to spend some cherished time with my daughter’s pre-school years — I my daughter, with no son-in-law or learned to take great pleasure in grandkids around. It’s going to be life’s seemingly little things. I now great, and I can’t wait. ■ Here’s to mine and here’s to look back on those long father- In fact, this might be the time to thine! Now’s the time to clink it! daughter walks… those games of end my mac-and-cheese strike and Here’s a flagon of old wine, and catch in the back yard… those whip some up to share with my here we are to drink it. shopping expeditions for a new daughter — for old time’s sake. ■ Here’s to the man who owns piece of Barbie clothing… those Only this time, I think we’ll also the land that bears the grapes that attempts in the kitchen to make share a nice bottle of Chardonnay. makes the wine that tastes as good mac-and-cheese taste a little as this does. bit less like mac-and-cheese… ■ A warm toast. Good company. with great relish. A fine wine. May you enjoy all Hmm… I wonder how relish three. would have tasted on mac-and- Giving credit where credit is due, cheese… those toasts were originated by It took a lot of years to get on Richard Hovey, Omar Khayyam and firm financial footing, but I Paul Dickson, respectively. wouldn’t trade those years for All I can add is: They go double anything. I swore off mac-and- for me. Cheers! Robert Johnson can be reached at [email protected]. 2 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com

they found it to be a ready-made “excuse” for drinking more wine.) Merlot became the red wine of the moment because it was “smoother” than Cabernet Sauvignon, less expen- sive than Cabernet, and plentiful. For the next few years, thanks to that sin- OUR MISSION: gle “60 Minutes” story, wineries had To uncover and bring you wine gems no reason to market their Merlot bot- from around the world, which you’re tlings; they sold themselves. not likely to discover on your own, and A little more than a decade later, a which enhance your wine enjoyment. ill ‘A Good Year’ small-budget movie titled Sideways, YOUR GRAPEVINE TEAM: W do for the Luberon set in Santa Barbara County’s bucolic Intrepid Wine Enthusiast, Chief area of France what Santa Ynez Valley, had an equally sig- Taster and Winehound: ‘Sideways’ did for Santa nificant impact on the world of wine. Martin Stewart Only this time, Merlot was the victim Chief Operating Officer Barbara County? rather than the benefactor, as one of (aka “The Buck Stops Here”): the movie’s main characters decried its Lawrence D. Dutra It’s an intriguing question, and it sameness and lack of personality. His Editor: goes to the heart of the influence that wine variety of choice was Pinot Noir, Robert Johnson the media has on our lives. Yes, even and his eloquent description sent Pinot Wine Steward: our wine lives. sales skyrocketing and Merlot sales Katie Montgomery Remember that “60 Minutes” story plummeting. The Grapevine is published by Vinesse, that Morley Safer did back in 1992? The Merlot being made at the time 822 Hampshire Road, Suite E, Westlake Safer’s report looked at the men and was no worse than that made in 1992, Village, CA 91361; 1-800-823-5527. Copyright by Vinesse, LLC. Printed in USA. women of France, who love their foie and the Pinot Noir wasn’t any better. No responsibility is assumed for loss or gras and rich butter sauces and many But the perceptions had changed damage to unsolicited materials. other culinary delights that aren’t nec- because of the media crush, prompting essarily heart-healthy, yet have an Pinot makers to celebrate and Merlot amazingly low rate of heart disease. makers to dust off their marketing tools. CHARTER MEMBER Citing a variety of experts, Safer con- A Good Year, based on the book by BENEFITS: cluded that drinking wine apparently Peter Mayle, is set in one of the lesser- The Grapevine Newsletter mitigated the harmful health effects of known corners of Provence known as fat-laden food. Luberon, where it’s not unusual to see Premium wine selections at Almost overnight, bottles of mostly grapevines surrounding a castle. You members-only prices red wine and primarily Merlot began can read more about Luberon and its Wine tasting as a participant to disappear from supermarket environs in this month’s “Wine on VINESSE’s Gold Medal shelves. Americans believed that if a Touring Tips” feature. Award Panel report appeared on “60 Minutes,” it This movie is much less about wine Free subscription to VINESSE’s had to be true. (Or, at the very least, than Sideways, but the scenery is just Cyber Circle Community as stunning, and I can Members-only savings, includ- definitely see wine enthu- ing Food & Wine subscriptions, siasts making the trek to dining out, gourmet food and walk in the steps of Max tickets to the hottest events Skinner, the character Random giveaways of wine and played by Russell Crowe. accessories At the very least, I can see couples waiting for the Wine Finders Reward — identi- fy a future wine selection and DVD to come out, and earn a reward playing it at home on a Friday or Saturday night Perfectly matched recipes for with a nice bottle of wine featured wine selections — Merlot, Pinot Noir or otherwise. Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 3 WINE APPELLATION SHOWCASE PASO ROBLES ATOZ We conclude our series on the family work with the vineyard: father wineries of California… Howie, daughter Cynthia and grand- uberon. An area of Provence, in son Ryan. LFrance’s far southeastern corner, he entrepreneurial Austin Hope is another example of where “A Good Year” — the book T spirit is alive and the second generation leading the by Peter Mayle and the movie by well in Paso Roles wine winemaking and overseeing all Ridley Scott — are set. Provence, as country, as many fami- aspects of the business at the Treana a whole, is known for its blended and Austin Hope wineries. And at ly-owned and operated wines using multiple grape vari- Tablas Creek, Jason Hass serves as eties, as well as its zesty Rosés. wineries prepare for the general manager, learning the busi- next generation to move ness from his father. osel-Saar-Ruwer. Perhaps the the industry forward. In all cases, the next generation is Mgreatest wine-growing region of France, named for three rivers taking leadership roles that will help that flow through it. Recently- From viticulture to winemaking, Paso Robles — long a favorite area passed legislation will shorten the and from sales and marketing to among the wine clubs of Vinesse — name of the region to what wine operations, the second generation is achieve its full potential on the lovers have been calling it for eons: stepping up in all aspects of the busi- national and global fronts. simply, the Mosel. ness. Working hand-in-hand with their families, they’re already making euburger. An Austrian grape an impression. Nvariety used to make some At J. Lohr Vineyards and Winery, average dry wines and some quite the second generation — Steve, tasty sweet wines. Cynthia and Lawrence — work in vineyard development, sales and regon. Important Northwest marketing. Steve Lohr is spearhead- winegrowing state known espe- O ing the winery’s expansion in both cially for Pinot Noir. No other major wine-producing state is Paso Robles and Monterey. impacted as significantly by weath- At Peachy Canyon, both sons — er as Oregon, where ill-timed rain- Josh and Jake — are active in wine- storms can wreak havoc during the making and sales. At Steinbeck harvest season. Vineyards, three generations actively

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VINESSE STYLE WINE COUNTRY RESTAURANTS

f ever there were a “The foie gras selections are truly ÉLEVANT I reason to venture to transporting, especially the silky salt- wine country specifical- cured torchon with petite warm crum- pets that beg to be slathered with the ly for a fine meal, accompanying rhubarb compote and SOCIETYª Cyrus may be it. finished with Riesling gelee. Another IT’S NOT FOR EVERYONE. standout is the silky black sea bass IS IT FOR YOU? Located in Les Mars Hotel in the resting in a savory dried scallop broth Sonoma County community of with tender little shiitake caps. Vinesse created the Elevant Healdsburg, Cyrus recently was “The cheese cart has close to two Society to meet members’ ranked among the top 40 restaurants dozen artisanal varieties of the demands for super-premium in the United States, as selected by creamy, the runny and the moldy. wines. While virtually all Gayot in its restaurant issue. Desserts are innovative, like the members of the original Here’s what Gayot had to say about pineapple-and-mint ravioli, resem- Cyrus: bling an Ettore Sotsass architectural American Cellars Wine Club “This sophisticated restaurant model. were very satisfied with their exhibits a rare combination of world- “The lengthy and impressive wine monthly selections, some class dining matched with impeccable list understandably contributes to the wanted more, and they service that steers diners into an easy- convivial and celebratory air that per- going wine country frame of mind. As meates the well-appointed and time- were willing to pay for it. guests enter the intimate dining room, lessly decorated room.” a call is placed to chef-owner Douglas Getting hungry? The number to call EACH ELEVANT SOCIETY Keane in the kitchen, signaling him to for reservations — an absolute must SHIPMENT INCLUDES: begin preparing the table’s canapés. on weekends — is 707-433-3311. “Most likely, famed maitre d’ Nick Gayot also named The French • 2 or 4 bottles — your Peyton will charmingly wheel up the Laundry in the Napa Valley town of swoon-worthy Champagne and caviar Yountville to its list, as well as a choice — of super-premium cart, presenting at least four kinds of favorite among Vinesse tasting panel wines, mostly big and bold caviar, measuring them on the scale members: Manresa in Los Gatos. red varieties or blends against petite gold bars. Situated near both the Monterey and “Diners craft their own prix-fixe Santa Cruz Mountain wine regions, ¥ Detailed Tasting Notes for meal, choosing three to five courses Manresa serves creative French cui- each featured wine off Keane’s extensive menu of con- sine paired with sommelier-recom- temporary cuisine with French, sea- mended fine wines. Reservations: ¥ Latest edition of The sonal and global influences. 408-354-4330. Grapevine newsletter BEING GREEN FREQUENCY: Approximately Monthly California’s Lake County has a cool mountain climate that is unfavorable to many pests and diseases that trouble other growing areas. This natural advantage PRICE: has helped reinforce the commitment of winegrape growers to preserve the land and other natural resources. Several wineries are doing their part, too. Among $69.99 Average Per them is Ceago Vinegarden, which combined biodynamic farming with ecological Shipment Plus Shipping building to create an educational and hospitality center on the north shore of Clear Lake. Cougar’s Leap Winery has built its facility entirely off the power grid, using photovoltaic and ground source cooling to power the winery. Six Sigma Winery TO LEARN MORE ABOUT donated a conservation easement when it originally acquired its property, and THIS CLUB, CALL 800 - 823 - 5527 established vineyards integrated with native vegetation and wildlife corridors to OR VISIT WWW.VINESSE.COM. preserve the natural habitat for deer, bobcat and other animals. Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 5

Pleasures & Pitfalls of Collecting

uman beings have Society wines typically are agewor- thy, so if you’re looking to build a H always been collec- WINES THAT MATCH tors. Whether it’s an collection, those bottlings represent an excellent starting point. THE SEASON. art lover tracking down an Impressionist paint- Summer — wines for ing or a baseball fan barbecues, picnics or just coveting a Willie Mays for sipping. Fall — wines for card, we take great hearty, harvest-time dishes. pride in possessing You get the idea. All wines items that please us. are selected by our Tasting Panel to pair beautifully with the foods you love. Wine is no different, and yet very different. While all collectibles are EACH SHIPMENT subject to the ever changing winds and whims of the marketplace, wine Here are three tips to help you get INCLUDES: is unique because it is consumable. the most out of wine collecting: ¥ 4 bottles of specially- With wine, the collectible itself ■ You don’t need a fancy cellar like selected wines changes over time. that of Chicago’s NoMI restaurant, ¥ Detailed Tasting Notes shown here. What you do need, how- That very factor is what makes for each featured wine wine collecting so risky. Once a cork ever, is a cool, dry place to store your comes out of a bottle, there’s no turn- treasured bottles. If you’re serious ¥ Latest edition of The ing back. The wine must be con- about this endeavor, invest in a tem- Grapevine newsletter sumed at that time or, certainly, with- perature- and humidity-controlled ¥ A special surprise gift in a day or two. unit. If you’re interested simply in Well-made wines, properly stored, mid-term aging, a dark closet will do WINE COLOR MIX: can gain complexity and character the trick. Reds, Whites, or Mixed over extended periods of time. But ■ Get organized. Use bottle tags, FREQUENCY there is no set-in-stone formula that such as those furnished with your : applies to all red wines or all Vinesse tasting notes, to keep track of 4 times per year, plus a Cabernet Sauvignon or even every vintages and optimum drinking special holiday shipment bottle from a single vintage of a sin- times. gle estate. Wine is a living, breathing ■ Track the progress of your wines. PRICE: thing, and no two bottles are exactly If you buy a case of wine, plan to $89.95 Average Per alike. That is what makes collecting open a bottle every six months to see Shipment Plus Shipping both rewarding and risky. And it’s how it’s progressing. When the wine why the wine clubs of Vinesse fea- seems to be nearing its peak, uncork TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ture primarily wines that are ready to — and enjoy — the remaining bottles THIS CLUB, CALL 800 - 823 - 5527 drink upon arrival. more frequently. As we always say, OR VISIT WWW.VINESSE.COM. Even given the undeniable perils, it’s better to drink a wine a little too wine collecting can be fun. Elevant soon than a little too late. 6 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com Turning ‘A Good Year’ Into a Memorable Week

es, the wine estate would become his total immersion in Y featured in the the Provence lifestyle when he wrote movie, ‘A Good Year,’ is A Year in Provence. Writing a best-selling book about real. And, yes, you can WINE the place you’ve decided to live can visit it. be a double-edged sword. Perhaps because A Year… sold more than 5 A Good Year is based on the novel million copies, Mayle and his wife by Peter Mayle, the same writer who soon found themselves as unwilling brought us A Year in Provence and hosts to readers who wanted to see French Lessons. In case you haven’t Mayle’s Provence for themselves. seen the movie, here are a few Eventually, the unannounced guests excepts from critic Bill Zwecker’s became so numerous and bothersome review: that Mayle and his wife decided to “Perhaps more often than we real- TOURING TIPS pack up and take up temporary resi- ize, people wake up one day and dis- dence in the Hamptons. cover they may have made the wrong most beautiful places on the planet — The Mayles had become so accus- choices, about career or relationships encased in a story that makes you feel tomed to the lifestyle in France, how- — and often both. I’m not talking all is right with the world.” ever, that they returned four years about the obvious blunders that lead So, if you missed A Good Year in later, this time settling in an unan- to dangerous paths we frequently see theaters, be sure to buy or rent the nounced locale “somewhere between showcased in films — drug use or DVD. Or, better, still, plan a trip to the Avignon and Aix.” And while sou- hooking up with the worst partners little known French winegrowing out- venir shops, huge hotels and golf one could find. post of Luberon, where author Mayle courses have been added to the land- “No, there are far more instances began what scape, it’s still possible to “get lost” in exemplified by men like Max the countryside, traversing roads that Skinner, the extremely successful corkscrew through the Luberon hills. and very wealthy London stock Among Mayle’s favorite restaurants trader. Clearly a workaholic, Max in the area is Auberge de l’Aiguebrun, (Russell Crowe) is unable to a 19th century manor house where carve out a personal life that guests are greeted by a purring cat — allows him to enjoy the riches he not unlike those found on many wine has amassed. estates — and a wild boar that has “When news arrives that Max’s become something of a family pet to Uncle Henry (Albert Finney) has the owners. died — leaving him a vineyard in For many years, the grape growers the south of France (where Max of Luberon sold their fruit to large spent his childhood summers) — cooperatives, which blended the the cocky financial whiz is present- grapes into non-descript cuvees for ed with one of those forks in life’s the mass market. More recently, how- road. ever, a handful of farmers have dedi- “The intriguing part? Max hasn’t a cated themselves not only to growing clue that he’s suddenly thrust into a grapes but also to making wine, and place where he will be making that their dedication is paying off in the kind of decision.” bottle. We don’t want to give away too If you’re the adventurous type and much of the plot, but we will add this would like to explore the region on from Zwecker’s review: your own, the closest international “Though predictable in many ways, airport is in Nice, where you can I thoroughly enjoyed A Good Year, a rent a car and head out. However, pleasant jaunt through one of the many people prefer to fly to Paris Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 7 and then board a high-speed train to steep slope on a craggy hillside. The Avignon or Aix-en-Provence. vines produce precious few grapes Once in Luberon, a good place to each year, but those grapes are highly start — for the scenery as well as the concentrated in aroma wine — is Domaine de la Coquillade, and flavor, and that’s what makes which sits on a hilltop and offers the resulting wines so amazingly magnificent views of the Luberon complex. range as well as Mount Ventoux. Glorian uses basically the same In France, it’s not unusual for vint- grapes — in slightly different propor- ners to be involved in politics, and at tions — for both her signature Clos Domaine de la Citadelle, you just may Erasmus and her second-label Laurel. meet the Mayor of Menerbes, Yves In a typical year, the Clos Erasmus Rousset-Rouard. At the Citadelle win- might consist of around 78 percent ery, you can sample the current Grenache, 17 percent Cabernet releases while you peruse a museum Sauvignon and 5 percent Syrah, displaying more than 1,000 whereas the Laurel might have a little corkscrews. less Grenache and a little more of the And at La Canorgue, where much of Daphne Glorian’s other two varieties. A Good Day was filmed, proprietor Another difference is in the aging Jean-Pierre Margan often presides ‘Second Label’ Is process prior to bottling. The Clos over the tasting room, along with his Erasmus typically spends 18 months winemaker-daughter, Nathalie. They a First-Class Wine in new French oak barrels; the Laurel take great pride in their organic is aged for 12 months in one-year-old wines, and while they appreciate the barrels. business that Mayle’s books have hen your so- There’s also a difference in the fruit brought them, they worry about the W called “second used. The Clos Erasmus utilizes area being overrun with tourists. label” garners consis- grapes primarily from the long-estab- “We don’t want to become like tently high scores from lished vineyard, whereas most of the Mickey Mouse,” Margan told USA the wine media, you Laurel’s fruit comes from younger Today. “Our job is to make wine.” know you’re doing vines that Glorian planted herself. She now has four vineyard sites in something right. FOR FURTHER all, but their total area spans a mere two INFORMATION Such is the case hectares. • A good deal of information with the “Laurel” Glorian came up with about the Luberon region is Priorat, a wine the Erasmus name as a available online. Start your made in the rugged nod to philosopher planning by visiting these hills of northeastern Erasmus von Rotterdam, websites: Spain by Daphne author of the essay, “In Glorian at Clos Praise of Folly.” In the FranceGuide.com Erasmus. beginning, many dubbed ProvenceGuide.com Glorian had no her enterprise pure TheLuberon.com intention of purchas- madness, but she has • The French Government ing a venerable block proven them wrong and, in so doing, Tourist Office may be reached of Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache) or helped reestablish the Priorat on the by calling 514-288-1904. starting a winery when she was in Spanish wine map. • Kathy and Charley Wood lead the area visiting friends in the late In fact, with names like Glorian, small groups to many of the 1980s. But those friends convinced Rene Barbier and Alvaro Palacios all places mentioned in Peter her that some amazing wines could calling the region home, the Priorat Mayle’s books. Seven-day trips be crafted there if the vines were now seems destined to take its right- typically cost around $2,500. given the proper attention, and they ful place among Spain’s great wine- For further information, call turned out to be right. growing regions. With “second 865-693-3036. What made the vineyard so chal- labels” like Laurel, the possibilities lenging to farm was its setting: a seem deliciously endless. 8 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com Quotes Du Jour ANDAND ■ Wine writer Karen MacNeil, on pairing wine with garlic-based dishes: QQ AA “Rosés combine the earthy red fruit character of red wine with the light- What’s the best way to tell, without and perhaps premature aging. Such ness and acidity of white. The affinity opening it, if an older bottle of wine wines will receive no benefit from between Rosé wines and garlic is is still okay to drink? additional cellaring; it’s time to open remarkable. If Rosé isn’t your favorite, The short answer is: There is no sure- them and see how they are. You may opt for a super-fruity red, such as fire way. However, there are a few tell- be pleasantly surprised by how they’re Zinfandel or Beaujolais.” tale signs that provide clues regarding drinking, but it’s best not to get your ■ Before unrelenting winter rains possible problems. hopes up. put parts of Oregon underwater, grape For instance, if I just learned that growers had a successful harvest, as there’s any sign of f there’s any sign a bottle of “Napa” Chehalem winemaker Harry Peterson- leakage around wine that we had Nedry explains: the cork — per- I with dinner a few “In general, this vintage has us haps a sticky area of leakage around weeks ago wasn’t hunting for negatives, finding only the on the neck of the made from Napa six days of 86 degree-plus days in the bottle — that’s a the cork –– perhaps a grapes. How could early harvest. The rest of the picture danger sign this be? is hard to imagine better, with no because it indi- Until recently, there birds, no disease, perfect crop loads, cates that air may sticky area on the neck were no laws that no rain and cool nights.” have been getting required a winery’s ■ Where was Samuel Johnson when into the bottle. –– that’s a danger sign. name — if it includ- Mel Gibson needed him? And as we know, ed a geographic refer- “One of the disadvantages of wine is air is the enemy of ence — to match the that it makes a man mistake words wine, at least when it comes to the source of its grapes. However, earlier for thoughts.” aging process. Another warning sign is this year, a long-running lawsuit finally ■ For that matter, where was a change in color. With red wines, the was settled that now requires truth in Heraclitus? color might become less intense. With labeling. Henceforth, if a winery uses “It is better to hide ignorance, but it white wines, the color may turn from “Sonoma” in its name, as an example, is hard to do this when we relax over light or golden to a more brownish hue. it must use grapes grown in Sonoma wine.” In both cases, this is a sign of aging, County. We applaud this change.

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VINESSE® WINE IN THE FUNNIES One can find references to wine in the most unusual places, including the comic strip, “Hagar The Horrible.” In a recent strip, Hagar returned home, presumably after a ‘IT’S NOT MY PROBLEM!’ long day of plundering, and inquired, Winemakers in France’s Bordeaux “What’s for dinner, Helga?” The region are shrugging off warnings reply: “We’re having veal cutlets in that there is a growing trend of “fak- wine sauce.” Hagar pondered this JOIN US FOR AN ing” top Bordeaux wines. One eventuality for a moment and then INCREDIBLE WINE method involves filling a bottle with said, “I’m not crazy about veal. Why JOURNEY! non-descript wine and then placing a don’t you just pour me a glass of the counterfeit, venerable-looking label wine sauce?” Each Shipment Takes You on the bottle. Amazingly, however, to a Different Corner Bordeaux vintners seem unfazed by PLAN AHEAD of the Wine World! the practice. “Yes, there are some The Napa Valley Wine Train offers a fakes of very old bottles from the last number of special excursions Taste Exquisite Boutique century,” said Francis Mayeur, the throughout the year. But none is Wines... Savor Each director of Chateau d’Yquem. “But more spectacular than the “Fireworks Country’s Winemaking fakes do not concern the chateau; Express Dinner,” which takes place Tradition... and Collect they concern exchanges between col- on the 4th of July, and includes a Some Souvenirs! lectors.” Christophe Salin, director of five-course dinner plus “the best Chateau Lafite, put it even more suc- seats in the house” for the annual cinctly: “Fakes are not our problem.” fireworks show at the California EACH SHIPMENT So, when purchasing high-end Veterans Home in Yountville. To INCLUDES: Bordeaux, the old saw definitely obtain a list of all upcoming Napa ¥ 6 bottles of specially applies: “Buyer beware.” Valley Wine Train special events, call selected wines from one 800-427-4124. country or region of the A TOAST TO THE SPEAKER The new Speaker of the House, wine world Nancy Pelosi, is married to a San ¥ Detailed Tasting Notes Francisco investment banker and owns a second home — and a vine- for each featured wine yard — in the Napa Valley. Though ¥ Latest edition of The we’ll never fully understand politics, that figures to be good news for Grapevine newsletter America’s winegrowers, winemakers ¥ A special souvenir and wine lovers. NO SOUR GRAPES When in New England, plan a visit WINE COLOR MIX: A POSITIVE IMPACT? to White Silo Winery, located on Elsewhere in this issue, we wonder Route 37 East in Sherman, Conn. You Reds, Whites, or Mixed whether A Good Year will boost won’t find grapevines there, but you FREQUENCY: tourism in the Luberon region of will find plenty of fruit trees. We France in the same manner Sideways liked the raspberry wine, in particu- 6 times per year brought hordes of tourists to lar, and White Silo also makes very PRICE: California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Author good sour cherry wine and rhubarb Peter Mayle offered this take on the wine. The tasting room is open on $99 Per Shipment topic to Wine Spectator magazine: weekends from May through Plus Shipping “I’d like to think the effect on the December, and the rest of the year by TO LEARN MORE ABOUT Luberon will be positive, and if that appointment. Call 860-355-0271 to THIS CLUB, CALL 800 - 823 - 5527 rubs off on wine sales, great.” plan a visit. OR VISIT WWW.VINESSE.COM. 10 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com The Grapevine

VEAL SCALOPPINE about 15 minutes total. • 1/3 cup Italian parsley, coarsely chopped Here’s a recipe that serves 6, and pairs 4. Add mushrooms with liquid, chicken • 2 to 4 Tablespoons tomato paste perfectly with Pinot Noir. broth, tomato juice and nutmeg. Reduce • Salt to taste Ingredients heat to low, cover and cook for 30 min- • 1-1/2 lbs. thinly sliced veal round utes, or until veal is tender. Preparation steak 5. Sprinkle with grated cheese and cook 5 1. Place chopped tomatoes in a colander to • 1/2 cup flour minutes longer. drain while you cook the pasta and • 1/2 teaspoon salt start the sauce. 6. Garnish with parsley, and serve. • 1/8 teaspoon pepper 2. Heat olive oil in a stainless steel or non- • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil stick pan over medium heat. Add onion • 1 medium onion, sliced PASTA PUTTANESCA and bell pepper and saute, stirring or • 1 can (4-oz.) sliced mushrooms, not This classic dish, which originated in tossing frequently until onion is trans- drained Naples, Italy, matches beautifully with • 1 cup chicken broth Barbera or Sangiovese. parent but not browned. • 2/3 cup tomato juice Ingredients 3. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; con- • Dash ground nutmeg • 5 cups ripe tomatoes, chopped tinue to saute for another minute or • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 lb. linguine two. • 2 tablespoons minced parsley • 2 Tablespoons olive oil 4. Add anchovies (optional), and mash • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced Preparation them fine with the back of a spoon. • 1/2 medium red or yellow bell pep- 1. Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium 5. Add the well-drained tomatoes and per, thinly sliced heat. Combine flour, salt and pepper. • 2 to 4 anchovies (if desired) cook, stirring, until heated through. Dredge veal slices in flour mixture. • 2 to 4 garlic cloves, minced) 6. Add the olives, capers, herbs and toma- Pound veal to thin and tenderize; cut • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes to paste. Continue to stir until very hot, into strips about 1 by 3 inches. • 1/3 cup black olives, chopped giving the flavors time to mix and 2. Add onion slices to the skillet; cook • 1-1/2 Tablespoons capers, drained develop. Taste and salt, if necessary. • 2 Tablespoons fresh basil, coarsely until they just begin to brown. 7. Mix with drained pasta and serve. chopped 3. Add veal strips; brown on both sides, • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

¥ 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 fun to drink. FREQUENCY: THE FASTEST-GROWING 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 2002 Maddalena Vineyards Central Coast Syrah...... $12.99 2003 Aurelia California Cabernet Sauvignon ...... $12.99 2004 Sweetwater California Merlot ...... $12.99 2004 Arribeno Ribera del Duero, Spain Cosecha Tinto ...... $15.99 NV Stella Rosa Piedmont, Italy Sparkling Rosso...... $16.99 2004 Vinos Sin-ley Montsant, Spain G2 Garnacha ...... $17.99 2004 Three Brothers South Australia ‘Reunion’ Shiraz ...... $19.00 2006 Dominique Morel France Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau ...... $22.99 2006 Dominique Piron Beaujolais Nouveau ...... $22.99 2003 Niner Ranch Estates Paso Robles ‘Bootjack Ranch’ Syrah...... $24.00 Chateau Reynella Old Cave 12 year Old Tawny Port...... $27.99 2004 Carr Paredon Grenache Noir...... $28.99 2003 Dom. Maxime Chomel ...... $28.99 RED WINES Member Price 2005 Charring Cross Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc ...... $12.99 2005 Skyline Cellars California Chardonnay...... $12.99 2005 Sparrow Creek California Chenin Blanc...... $12.99 2005 Lillyspring Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc ...... $13.00 2005 Shady Bay California Chenin Blanc...... $13.00 2005 Raywood Cellars Central Coast White Zinfandel ...... $13.99 2001 Sinatra Santa Barbara County Chardonnay ...... $15.00 2005 Adler Fels California Gewurztraminer...... $15.99 2005 Kalyra Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc ...... $16.99 NV Il Conte d’Alba Italy Moscato d’Asti ...... $17.00 2005 Golan Heights Isreal Moscato ...... $18.00 2005 Hermanos del Villar Rueda, Spain Ipsum ...... $18.99 N.V. Duval Leroy Brut Champagne...... $54.99 TO ORDER, USE ORDER FORM ON BACK PAGE. MAIL TODAY, FAX TO 805-496-4311, OR CALL TOLL-FREE: 800-823-5527. HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM TO 5PM PST We don’t print those postcards for our health. ASK A

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