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 20

Number 6 ©Vinesse Wine Club 2012 The SKU 19560 GrThe Officiala Newsleptter forevine Viinesse Wiine Club Members

Napa Valley: Beyond the Tasting Rooms

Sparkling Advice Fritz Winery: Go Celebrities in the for the Wedding Underground in Cellar: How Many of Your Dreams Sonoma Country Can You Name?

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 http://blog.vinesse.com 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. Your Grapevine Team: Two Cures for the Wedding Intrepid Wine Enthusiast, Chief Taster and Winehound: Cake and Champagne Blues Martin Stewart By Robert Johnson Chief Operating Officer (aka “The Buck Stops Here”): ne of my most vivid Lawrence D. Dutra O memories of childhood Editor: involves wedding cakes. Robert Johnson My folks owned a bakery, and Wine Steward: Katie Montgomery several times each summer, orders would come in for special cakes to The Grapevine is published by Vinesse, 822 Hampshire Road, Suite E, Westlake be served on those special days. Dad Village, CA 91361; 1-800-823-5527. would sell customers any kind of Copyright by Vinesse, LLC. Printed in USA. No responsibility is assumed for loss or wedding cake they wanted, as long damage to unsolicited materials. as it was a standard white cake with iteration thereof) only once a year buttercream icing — three layers, — on New Year’s Eve, as long as Be good to the planet stacked, with a plastic bride-and- someone else was picking up the tab. groom figurine on top. But even with his limited knowledge recycle Actually, customers did have one of wine, he knew instinctively that the option: They could choose the color dry sparkling wine typically served at of the decorative icing that lined the wedding receptions would not go well Charter Member edges of the cake: pink, yellow or with the sweet icing on the cake. He Benefits: light green. Yes, those were simpler didn’t have a solution, but he knew The Grapevine Newsletter times. it was a pairing nightmare, akin to Each summer, I would help Dad sucking on a lemon. Premium wine selections at deliver the cakes in the family station Well, with wedding season upon us, members-only prices wagon, which was painted a hideous and possessing a modicum more wine Wine tasting as a participant “mist-turquoise” color courtesy of knowledge than Dad had, I’m here to on VINESSE’s Gold Medal Earl Scheib (which my dad no doubt offer two solutions for the upcoming Award Panel selected because of the $29.95 price... wedding season: Complimentary subscription no ups, no extras). We would recline 1. Serve the sparkling wine and to VINESSE’s Cyber Circle the back seat, creating a large flat the cake separately. Conclude the Community space, and I would sit back there with toasting, then slice the cake, and place Random giveaways of wine the three cake boxes. My job was to pitchers of ice water on the tables. and accessories make sure they didn’t move around, 2. Serve a slightly sweet sparkling Wine Finders Reward — bump into each other and mess up wine (look for “demi-sec,” “sec” or identify a future wine selection the icing job. the misleading “extra dry” verbiage and earn a reward There was no seat belt, but then, on the bottle) with the cake. Perfectly matched recipes for at that point in my development, the Sweet with sweet can work. Sweet featured wine selections cake was worth a lot more than I was. with dry can’t. You don’t want your Complimentary wine tasting Yes, those were simpler times. first argument as a married couple to Dad drank Champagne (or some be over wine. Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 3

How to (Safely) Remove a Champagne Cork hampagne can be dangerous. And, no, “popping” prematurely, and use your C we’re not talking about the stupidity other hand to remove the wire cage by of getting behind the wheel of a car after slowly untwisting the coil. It’ll be sort of like winding an alarm clock... drinking too much bubbly. only backwards. The “don’t drink and drive” mantra applies to all alcohol, 3. Place one hand firmly around not just sparkling wine. We’re talking about the process the cork (you may want to use a of opening a Champagne bottle — which, according to towel), and with your other hand, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is the most slowly turn the bottom of the bottle. common cause of holiday and wedding-day eye injuries. If you hold the bottle still and turn How could this be? There are two factors involved: The the cork, it’s much more difficult to Champagne cork is under about 90 pounds of pressure prevent the cork from popping (about three times that inside a typical car tire), and many out and flying. people have never before opened a bottle of bubbly. The goal is not to get that There’s not much we can do about the first factor, but loud popping sound heard on we can help with the second. Here’s how to safely open a Lawrence Welk reruns. The bottle of sparkling wine... sound should more closely 1. Remove the foil that covers the capsule. In some resemble the “poof” cases, there’s a small tab — similar to those found on an heard when the Coyote orange juice bottle or the plastic covering a CD case — to hits the ground after help get you started. If not, use a fingernail or small knife falling over a cliff to get the removal process going. while in pursuit of 2. Place one hand firmly atop the cork to prevent it from the Roadrunner.

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 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

Fritz: Wine Tasting Goes ‘Underground’

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 members of the original American Cellars Wine Club t was Jay Fritz’s were very satisfied with their Iembracement of monthly selections, some sustainability and quality wanted more, and they that ultimately made Fritz were willing to pay for it. Winery — known as “the underground winery” — what it is today.

Each Élevant Society The company’s ongoing respect for shipment includes: the vineyards, as well as the traditions • 2 or 4 bottles — your choice — of artisan, hand-crafted winemaking, are a testament to its founding in 1979 of super-premium wines, mostly and its commitment to the future. sensibility for efficiency and awareness big and bold red varieties or Clayton Fritz is the family member in by utilizing the unique attributes of its blends charge these days, and as he likes to subterranean design. • Detailed Tasting Notes for each say, “Why would anyone in their right Naturally cool temperatures, ideal featured wine mind ever look outside Sonoma County for winemaking and cellaring, are for fruit? We have everything here and maintained without any use of sufficient soil variation to provide a wide expensive or carbon-heavy devices assortment of truly great varietals.” common to modern wine production. Frequency: The winery is located in northern The three-tiered structure maximizes Sonoma County — Cloverdale, to be Approximately Monthly energy efficiency by capitalizing on the precise — and its wares have earned gift of gravity. praise from wine enthusiasts and Price: “By harnessing gravity to move critics around the world. our juice from the crush pad down $85.99 average per Fritz Underground Winery is a to the tanks and barrels, we’re not shipment including shipping visionary wonder built ahead of its only saving energy by foregoing time by Jay Arthur Fritz in the Gaudi pumps, we’re also saving our precious architectural style, reflecting forms juice from the detrimental effects of To learn more about found in and complementing nature. excessive pulsation and buffeting,” Built into the side of a picturesque this Club, call 800-823-5527 Clayton Fritz explains. “It’s in this way hill atop the northernmost region that the delicate nuances present in or visit www.Vinesse.com of the famed Dry Creek Valley, the our Pinot Noir and other prized estate Fritz Winery operates with a modern fruit is maintained and then nurtured Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 5 by our winemaker, Brad Longton.” very own slice of heaven here in our And what wonderful fruit it is. little corner of the Dry Creek Valley,” “At Fritz, we choose to hand-craft Fritz says. This pairing is available fine wines from the most famous and from late spring to autumn, when the reputable growing regions in Sonoma weather is the best. Cost: $35. County, including the Russian River • Explore the Hidden Depths of Valley and the Dry Creek Valley,” Fritz — Built into a picturesque Longton notes. And because most of hillside, the tasting room at Fritz offers the bottlings are made in quantities of sensational views at every turn, along 200 cases or fewer, Longton is able to with delicious wines. But to fully embrace a true artisan approach, giving understand what makes Fritz unique, each and every barrel a great deal of one must venture underground and attention prior to bottling and release. take the Underground Tour. “We’ll Among Fritz’s offerings are regular show you how we utilize our unique and/or “Reserve” renditions of design to produce wines by employing Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, a full gravity-flow process of Zinfandel, Chardonnay and Sauvignon winemaking,” Fritz says. “This is your Wines that match Blanc. The winery also offers an opportunity to not only explore Fritz the season unusual (and refreshing) 50/50 blend from top to bottom, but to taste some of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc of our wine straight from the barrel.” Summer — wines for called Vino Valpredo Bianca Mia. These tours are offered on weekends barbecues, picnics or just for The public is welcome at Fritz by only. Cost: $20. sipping. Fall — wines for hearty, appointment, and several tasting • Create Your Own Unique Fritz harvest-time dishes. You get the options are offered: Pinot Noir — Have you ever wondered • A Taste of Fritz — If you’ve never what it’s like to make wine? At Fritz, idea. All wines are selected by our been to Fritz, or if it has been a while Brad Longton has been scoring high Tasting Panel to pair beautifully since your last visit, this is the way to and winning gold medals with all with the foods you love. go. The “Fritz Flight” features a taste of his Pinot Noir bottlings, and will of all the different varietals made and provide you with the tools to become showcases the variety of flavors that a winemaker for a day. During this Each shipment includes: Sonoma County vineyards have to experience, guests blend, bottle and • 4 bottles of specially-selected offer. It includes wines made from fruit cork a Pinot Noir that they get to take wines grown on the estate, as well as wines home when finished. “You’ll learn made from grapes grown in some of about the various components involved • Detailed Tasting Notes for the best vineyards of the Russian River in the bottling process and what it each featured wine Valley. Cost: $10. takes to create a balanced wine,” • Reserve Wine Tasting — This Longton explains. Cost: $175. flight includes Fritz’s Reserve A number of wineries now embrace Wine Color Mix: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and “gravity-flow” winemaking and other Reds, Whites, or Mixed Cabernet Sauvignon, and concludes wine-friendly techniques in the cellar, with the Estate Late Harvest Zinfandel. but Fritz was among the first to do Frequency: These wines are available only at the so. If you’re looking for a winery tour 4-times per year, plus a special winery and made in extremely small like no other, the Fritz Underground holiday shipment quantities. Cost: $15. Winery is the place to go. • Artisan Chocolate Truffle and Price: Wine Pairing — When the weather is Winery 4-1-1 gorgeous, and the views from the patio $98.99 average per can’t be beat, Fritz likes to offer guests Fritz Underground Winery shipment including shipping a truly special experience. The winery 24691 Dutcher Creek Rd. pairs delectable, handmade, artisan Cloverdale, CA 95425 chocolate truffles from Salt Side Down To learn more about Chocolates with Reserve red wines to Tasting by Reservation this Club, call 800-823-5527 elevate the tasting experience from 800-418-9463 delicious to divine. “This really is the www.fritzwinery.com or visit www.Vinesse.com ultimate tasting experience, and your Overland Trail railway car

6 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com

Napa Valley: Beyond the Tasting Rooms

flagship store in Oakville was founded birds including hawks, kites, kestrels, TTOURINGOURING TIPS TIPS in 1881, and has been serving locals hummingbirds and even an occasional and visitors ever since. For decades, it golden eagle. In the early morning or es, we go to California’s has been a must-stop destination for late evening hours, rabbits, squirrels, YNapa Valley for the wine. food, wine, picnic provisions and gifts. foxes, a bobcat family (on hole 16) But those tasting rooms can All of its food can be taken to-go, or and many other “critters” stroll get pretty packed during the enjoyed on its picnic grounds. But if through the fairways. summer months, and every it’s a park you prefer, head for Bothe- so often, we need a break Napa Valley State Park, where you can work up an appetite on the hiking or from the elbow bumping. biking trails before sitting down for Fortunately, there’s more to the your picnic in a picturesque setting. Napa Valley than wine. Lots more. • Take a ride in a balloon. If Here are a few ideas to help you fill in you’ve been to Napa Valley, you’ve • Pay homage to California’s that idle time between sips... probably seen those colorful hot- legendary winemakers. The air balloons hovering above the Vintners Hall of Fame, located on vineyards during the early morning the Culinary Institute of America’s hours. Balloons Above the Valley has campus in St. Helena, celebrates the experienced, friendly pilots who will men and women whose collective provide you with an incredible birds’ vision, determination and hard eye view. Each ride includes pre-flight work have been responsible for the • Take a mud bath. The up-valley café and pastry service, and a post- growth and worldwide prestige of the town of Calistoga and mud have a landing Champagne brunch. California wine industry. long history. Mud baths — said to • Golf in the vineyards. Well, not Bronze sculptures of the inductees, relax muscles, sooth aches, improve exactly in the vineyards — unless crafted by renowned artist Lawrence circulation and smooth the skin — you really shank a shot, that is. Newlan, are displayed on historic have been drawing relaxation-focused Chardonnay Golf Club in American 2,200-gallon redwood wine barrels visitors ever since Sam Brannan Canyon features a unique blend of in the former Christian Brothers’ reined in the thermal springs at the golf holes that consist of six par- Barrel Room. Each plaque includes a foot of Mount St. Helena and opened 5s, six par-4s and six par-3s that biography of the inductee, capturing his Calistoga Hot Springs Resort in meander through more than 150 acres that person’s unique accomplishments the 1860s. Spa after spa followed, and of Chardonnay vineyards. There are and role in making California one today there are more than a dozen. numerous lakes and creek crossings, of the most legendary places in the That makes Calistoga the most “spa- and a wide variety of native trees, world for fine wine. ified” town in the West. shrubs and wildlife. The CIA’s Vintners Hall of Fame • Go on a picnic. Many wineries Several areas of the property are also includes “A History of California have picnic tables, but there also are designed as wildlife preserves, Wine: The David and Judy Breitstein a handful of parks in the valley that dedicated to maintaining wildlife Collection,” the first major educational offer a respite from the throngs of habitat among the vineyards and exhibit to document the rich history tourists at the tasting rooms. Oakville fairways. Sharing the property with of California wine as told through Grocery’s historic and beloved the golfers are several species of rare bottles and their accompanying Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 7 informational placards. Meticulously curated by Karen MacNeil, chair of vinesse the CIA’s Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies, the Breitstein Collection will display some 40 of the 150 bottles in the collection at any one time. • Take in a classical music concert. This year’s Music in French Laundry, Yountville the Vineyards series features 16 performances at venues ranging you can bring your own bottle — a from the Hudson House at Beringer maximum of one bottle for each two List Vineyards to the stunning, art-filled people in a party — for a corkage fee grounds of the Hess Collection. of $75 per bottle. Hot Island Wine Festival. The 2012 season runs from July 29 The Restaurant at Meadowood 1 Barbados is a mere 166 square through Aug. 19. in St. Helena also features multi- miles in size, and this fall, a very • Dine at a Michelin-starred course dining extravaganzas, created high percentage of the people on restaurant. There are 10 of them by Christopher Kostow, along with the island will be wine drinkers. in Napa Valley, including the 3-star wine pairings for each course (for They’ll be there for the Barbados French Laundry and The Restaurant at an additional cost). “What excites us Food & Wine and Rum Festival Meadowood. most,” says Kostow, “is the concept — described by organizers as “a Thomas Keller describes his French of curation: creating menus that speak delicious excuse to take a much Laundry in Yountville as “a uniquely to each guest’s individual preferences needed vacation.” It’s scheduled for American restaurant whose inspiration and sense of adventure.” Nov. 16-19. is in the countryside of France.” Other Michelin-starred restaurants in www.foodwinerum.com Don’t try to decide on your entrée the valley include Etoile at Domaine Hot Georgia Winery. You in advance; every day is a new day Chandon (Yountville), La Toque won’t encounter even a trace at the French Laundry, as Keller and (Napa), Solbar (Calistoga), Ubuntu 2 of pretension at Three Sisters company serve up a pair of nine- (Napa, on sabbatical as this issue Vineyards & Winery, which is course tasting menus (one devoted was going to press), The Restaurant located in the steep foothills of the exclusively to vegetables) that offer at Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford), Appalachian Mountains in Georgia. delicious twists and turns with each Bouchon (another Thomas Keller And that’s what visitors love about plate. There’s also an extensive enterprise in Yountville), Redd the facility, which is owned by (and equally expensive) wine list, or (Yountville) and Terra (St. Helena). Doug and Sharon Paul. Among the more popular bottlings is a blend of For Further Information Norton, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Mud Baths Etoile at Domaine Chandon Cabernet Sauvignon named “Fat www.calistogaspas.com/mud-baths/index.html www.chandon.com/etoile-restaurant.html Boy Red.” According to Sharon, it’s named after her husband. Oakville Grocery Company La Toque www.oakvillegrocery.com www.latoque.com www.threesistersvineyards.com Bothe-Napa Valley State Park Solbar Hot Santa Barbara Restaurant. www.napanet.net/~bothe www.solagecalistoga.com/solbar 3 The food and wine pairing Balloons Above the Valley Ubuntu possibilities are seemingly www.balloonrides.com www.ubuntunapa.com endless at Bouchon. Among Chardonnay Golf Club The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil them: Dungeness crab cakes with www.chardonnaygolfclub.com www.aubergedusoleil.com/napa-dining/ Viognier from Cold Heaven Cellars. restaurant Vintners Hall of Fame The proprietor is a co-owner of www.ciachef.edu/california/vhf.asp Bouchon Santa Barbara’s iconic Wine Cask www.bouchonbistro.com Music in the Vineyards restaurant, so he knows a thing or www.napavalleymusic.org Redd two about wine. And at Bouchon, www.reddnapavalley.com French Laundry the extensive wine list is made up www.frenchlaundry.com Terra entirely of Santa Barbara County www.terrarestaurant.com The Restaurant at Meadowood bottlings. www.therestaurantatmeadowood.com www.bouchonsantabarbara.com 8 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com

wine Vinesse Style AtoZ CELEBRITY WINES ots of celebrities are making wine these days. L(Or having it made for them.) Some are more annin. Group of compounds creative than others in naming their vinous ventures. Tfound naturally in grape skins, Here’s a sampling... contributing to the structure and aging potential of red wines. Extra Adrian Crenier: Stomping Ground. tannin is sometimes added during Antonio Banderas: Anta Banderas. winemaking; oak-derived tannin Dan Ackroyd: Dan Ackroyd Wines. comes from aging wine in new Dave Matthews: The Dreaming Tree. barrels. Emeril Lagasse: Emeril’s Classics Wines. Francis Ford Coppola: Francis Ford Coppola Winery. rban Wine Trail. Name given to Gerard Depardieu: Gerard Depardieu Winery. Ua group of tasting rooms that are Jason Priestley: Blackhills Estate Winery. located in downtown Santa Barbara, Jeff Gordon: Jeff Gordon Collection. Calif. At present, there are 15 stops Kyle MacLachlan: Pursued by Bear. on the “trail.” Lil Jon: Little Jonathan Winery. anilla. One of the common Lorraine Bracco: Bracco Wines. Vdescriptors for a wine that has Mario Andretti: Andretti Winery. been aged in new American oak Mario Batali: Mario Batali Selection. barrels. Spelled “vanillin” by some Martha Stewart: Martha Stewart Vintage. wine writers. Mick Fleetwood: Mick Fleetwood Private Cellar Wine. Miranda Lambert: Red 55 Winery. inzergenossenschaft. German Olivia Newton-John: Koala Blue Wines. name for a winery cooperative W Peggy Fleming: Fleming Jenkins Vineyards & Winery. (an association of multiple growers). Ramona Singer: Ramona Singer. ylem. The tissue that carries Sam Neill: Two Paddocks. Xwater and mineral salts from the Sting: Sister Moon and Casino delle Vie. root of a grapevine to all of its other Vince Neil: Vince Vineyards. parts. Wayne Gretzky: Wayne Gretzky Estates.

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: • Santa Ynez • Mendocino Only $15-$17 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

® appellation showcase vinesse

Join us for an incredible wine journey! Paicines Each Shipment Takes You to a Different Corner ong after the early Mission vineyard plantings of the Wine World! L were abandoned, the Paicines growing region was rediscovered some 40 years ago by Almaden. Taste Exquisite Boutique Wines... Savor Each Country’s It then was again deserted as a the San Joaquin Valley. Because of bulk brand growing region for more the relative lack of trees adjacent to Winemaking Tradition... and lucrative areas, but now is being the vineyard areas, Paicines is open Collect Some Souvenirs! reclaimed, this time as a high-end to the direct influence of these winds. growing region. In the afternoon, it experiences a Each shipment Donati Family Vineyard is the slight cooling breeze that comes in only brand located in the Paicines off the Monterey Valley. includes: appellation, which is in the center of At night, Paicines is more protected • 6 bottles of specially selected coastal California, about an hour from from the fog than much of the San Jose to the north and Monterey surrounding area because of its open wines from one country or to the west. There are approximately location. However, during periods of region of the wine world five other vineyards within the extremely heavy fog, the area tends • Detailed Tasting Notes for each appellation, growing primarily to hold the fog longer. featured wine Bordeaux varieties. Neighboring Elevation ranges from 500 to 1,200 appellations are home to Calera Wine feet above sea level. The average Company, Chalone Vineyard, Leal elevation is lower than much of the Vineyards and DeRose Vineyards. surrounding area, which is closer to The Paicines appellation is about the Gabilan Mountain Range. The Wine Color Mix: 17 miles north of Pinnacles National climate differs greatly from the area Reds, Whites, or Mixed Monument and Park, and consists of surrounding the Gabilans, with annual about 4,500 acres of grape-growing rainfall between 12 and 15 inches. Frequency: area. On the western side are the The Paicines area is comprised of Cienega Vineyards and the Gabilan various soil associations, including 6 times per year Mountain Range, which separate Sorrento, Mocho, Clear Lake, Price: Paicines from San Lucas and King City. Willows, Rincon, Antioch, Diablo, The San Luis Dam, New Idria Soper, San Benito and Linne. The $139.99 per shipment and the Panoche Valley are on the soils are generally well drained including shipping eastern edge. The San Benito River and of various depths, and the root forms a portion of the western zones are quite deep. There are boundary and continues on through some steady alluvial fans and terrace To learn more about the vineyards. escarpments with rapid runoff — all this Club, call 800-823-5527 The Paicines area is in a wind in all, ideal for growing cool-climate or visit www.Vinesse.com tunnel of cool ocean air flowing to winegrapes. 10 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com

­ Wine has become more approachable. This “ generation has more access to wine and decreased formality. They don’t have to know which wine to drink with what, and that

We are tailgating at a atmosphere was not there for baby boomers. baseball game next month, and I’m going to make my — Beverage analyst Garima Goel Lal, on the rise ” Q of Millennials as wine drinkers. famous Crab Cioppino. In the past, I’ve always served beer with this (Source: Chicago Tribune) dish, but this time, we’d like to have some wine. Any ideas? he history of organic grape growing in California’s Mendocino County can be traced to the early Italian immigrants who first planted grapes Assuming you make your T there in the late 1800s. Before the introduction of agricultural chemicals Cioppino with a tomato-based following World War I, all grape growing and food production was, in Abroth and a certain degree of essence, organic. Many of the early grape-growing families resisted the spice, this will be one of those “red pressure to accept modern chemicals in favor of their wine with fish” occasions. Zinfandel traditional “organic” methods. Frey Vineyards, along is always a good choice when spice with a handful of other family-owned vineyards in is involved, and don’t be afraid to Mendocino County, joined California Certified Organic chill the wine down a little bit before Farmers in 1980 and created the first wines in the U.S. to be made from serving. A nice dry rosé (also chilled) certified organic grapes. In 2008, fruit from more than 30 certified organic is another option. And then there was grape growers was utilized to make 12 varietals of Frey organic wine. Over this short answer from one member the years, Frey has helped many of these growers through the process of of our Vinesse tasting panel: “Rioja. certification, increasing the total organic vineyard acreage in Mendocino Case closed.” County to more than 3,500 acres.

Number of acres of grapevines planted in California’s Livermore Valley. For more on that region and a special 5,000 food-and-wine pairing event in July, turn to page 11. ine on tap? What kind of restaurant would serve he 7th annual Lake Wwine on tap? Isn’t that like drinking wine from a TMichigan Shore box? That was then; this is now. A number of restaurants Wine Festival is right around the country are embracing the concept of the around the corner. It’s “wine keg,” and it’s not a new idea. For generations, scheduled to be held on Italian families would lug small kegs or jugs to their June 16 on Weko Beach neighborhood vintner to have them refilled right out of in Bridgman, Mich. The barrels. It’s too early to call it a trend, expected turnout of 4,000 wine lovers basically doubles and up to this point, the number of Bridgman’s population for the day. In addition to local premium wines available in the keg wines — available by the taste or the glass — guests format is pretty limited. But as an will enjoy extraordinary cuisine from local restaurants, alternative way of presenting a wine- plus live music in the “Big Top Tent.” And because by-the-glass program, kegs provide a the festival runs from 1 to 10 p.m., organizers are decent product at a decent price point. reasonably confident that they can promise a dazzling And we wouldn’t be surprised at all to see the practice sunset as well. For further information, visit: expand to a degree that we could describe it as a trend. www.miwinetrail.com or www.swmichigan.org. Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 11

food & wine pairings

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the fastest-growing club in vinesse history! A club for people who enjoy A Taste of Livermore Valley a touch of sweetness in their wines. f you enjoy the hedonistic synergy between food and Wines that are lighter in style, I wine, you need to attend “Taste of Terroir.” sometimes sparkle, Also known as “The Livermore Livermore Valley. occasionally blush, and are Valley’s Wine & Food Experience,” At “Taste of Terroir,” guests sample simply fun to drink. the 2012 edition is scheduled for multiple vintages and varieties from July 19 at The Palm Event Center all of the valley’s top producers — Wines selected from top in Pleasanton, Calif. It runs for served as they should be: with equally regions around the world. three hours beginning at 6 p.m., amazing food. providing guests with plenty of time In 2011, the “Taste of Terroir” Each shipment to sample local wines paired with award winners were: complementary food. • Most Innovative Pairing — Cedar includes: Early bird pricing is in effect until Mountain Winery and Porter’s • 2 bottles of delicious July 1, enabling guests to save $10 Restaurant at Poppy Ridge. The 2007 light-and-sweet wines off the $85 ticket price. In addition Hansen Vineyard Zinfandel was paired to the food-and-wine pairings, the with local lamb meatballs on black • Detailed Tasting Notes for each event features a silent auction and bean sopapillas with jalapeño jelly. featured wine live music. • Best Classic Pairing — Concannon Livermore wine country is less Vineyard and Market Café at than an hour east of San Francisco, Pleasanton Marriot. The 2007 Reserve Wine Color Mix: where picturesque canyons, ridges, Petite Sirah was paired with braised Mostly White; Occasionally lush vines and convivial tasting short rib bruschetta. Blush/Pink or Sparkling rooms intermingle with outposts • Judges’ Best Pairing — of suburbia. Spanish missionaries Nottingham Cellars and Wild Vine Frequency: first planted grapevines there in the Hideaway Bistro & Lounge. The 2009 1760s, and today there are more than Malbec was paired with seasoned Approximately 40 wineries, and some 5,000 acres and garnished lamb skewers, drizzled Every Other Month devoted to grapevines. with a zesty Malbec wine sauce. Price: The valley’s historic roots are • People’s Choice Award — Ruby significant. Concannon Vineyard Hill Winery and Casa Real at Ruby Only $15–$17 average per bottle pioneered the Petite Sirah variety Hill Winery. The 2008 “Intesa,” a plus shipping in California... Wente Vineyards is blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and known as the oldest continuously Barbera, was paired with braised operated, family-owned winery in goat with hints of cloves, coriander To learn more about America... and the first California and vanilla, served on creamy goat this Club, call 800-823-5527 wine to carry a “Chardonnay” cheese polenta with fresh cherry and designation on the label came from micro-arugula garnish. or visit www.Vinesse.com 12 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com The Grapevine

RED WINE-BRAISED SHORT RIBS 5. Add all herbs to pot, along with garlic. Stir in stock. You’ll need three bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon for this Bring to a boil, cover, and transfer to oven. dish — one for the ingredients, and two to drink with 6. Cook until short ribs are tender (2 to 2 1/2 hours). friends, as this recipe yields 6 servings. 7. Transfer short ribs to a platter. Ingredients 8. Strain sauce from pot into a measuring cup. Spoon fat • 5-lb. bone-in beef short ribs, cut crosswise into from surface of sauce and discard. Season sauce to taste 2-inch pieces with salt and pepper. • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 9. Serve in shallow bowls over mashed potatoes with • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil sauce spooned over. • 3 medium onions, chopped PEACH COBBLER • 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped • 2 celery stalks, chopped A lighter-styled, slightly sweet white wine makes the • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour perfect pairing partner for this dessert. This recipe yields • 1 tablespoon tomato paste 10 servings. • 1 bottle (750-ml.) Cabernet Sauvignon Ingredients • 10 sprigs flat-leaf parsley • 1/2 cup unsalted butter • 8 sprigs thyme • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 4 sprigs oregano • 2 cups sugar, divided • 2 sprigs rosemary • 1 tablespoon baking powder • 2 fresh or dried bay leaves • Pinch of salt • 1 head of garlic, halved crosswise • 1 cup milk • 4 cups low-salt beef stock • 4 cups fresh peach slices Preparation • 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season short ribs with • Ground cinnamon or nutmeg salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over Preparation medium-high heat. Working in two batches, brown 1. Melt butter in a 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish. short ribs on all sides (about 8 minutes per batch). 2. Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and Transfer ribs to a plate. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of salt. Add milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are drippings from pot. moistened. Pour batter over butter (do not stir). 2. Add onions, carrots and celery to pot and cook over 3. Bring remaining 1 cup sugar, peach slices and lemon medium-high heat, stirring often, until onions are juice to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Pour browned (about 5 minutes). over batter (do not stir). Sprinkle with cinnamon or 3. Add flour and tomato paste, and cook, stirring constantly, nutmeg. until well combined and deep red (2-3 minutes). 4. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes, or until 4. Stir in wine, then add short ribs with any accumulated golden brown. juices. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium and 5. Allow cobbler to cool to room temperature, and then simmer until wine is reduced by half (about 25 minutes). serve.

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