Wine Tasting – Page 11

Wine Tasting Along The Chianti Wine Trail

May 6, 2015 by Deborah Mines

Chianti Classico is an area steeped in rich history, dating back to the Etruscan times. Over the years, the Romans laid claim, followed by the ferocious medieval battles between Siena and Florence. Today, Chianti Classico is tranquil and undisturbed, yet vibrant, and is home to artisans and winemakers alike.

In a region where vineyards are plentiful and cellars are centuries old, one needs a strategy before blazing the wine trail. Unlike wine tasting in California, which is both casual and unpretentious for the most part, wine tasting in Chianti Classico is a bit more structured.

6p43JPG

The key to fun and eventful wine tasting is simple – take the time to plan your itinerary in advance. Care in planning ahead will save time in the long run and will enhance your wine tasting experience overall.

Keep in mind that the most memorable cellar tours encompass wine tasting along with food pairings.

A wine guide or sommelier will often guide the group tasting in the cellar and will offer sumptuous local food pairings such as bread and olive oil, prosciutto or salami and Pecorino Toscana cheese to compliment the featured wines.

In Chianti, wine tastings are never rushed. The pours are more than generous and the conversation with the wine staff flows easily. Wine tasting fees are nominal and a purchase of a bottle of wine is certainly appreciated, but not expected.

To get the most out of your wine tasting experience, if possible, arm yourself before your wine trek with The Black Rooster Map, (Le Strade del Gallo Nero), the official wine road map. [Read more…]

Sonoma’s Buena Vista Winery Attracts Ghost Hunters

March 30, 2015 by Deborah Mines

Buena Vista Winery is considered California’s oldest premium winery and was founded in 1857 by the self-proclaimed “Count of Buena Vista”, Agoston Haraszthy. Situated in the Los Carneros AVA (also known as Carneros AVA), the Buena Vista Winery vineyards are poised atop the hills overlooking San Pablo Bay.

The proximity to the cool fog and breezes from the bay makes the climate cooler and more moderate than the wine regions further north in Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, allowing for the cultivation of cooler climate varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Many of the grapes grown in Los Carneros are also used for sparkling wine production.

Rarely does one think of ghost hunting when wine tasting, however, Sonoma’s Buena Vista Winery has a ghostly past and an eerie presence. In 1862, legend has it that 20 Chinese migrant workers were busy bottling, corking and wiring Champagne magnums in the deep wine caves when a minor earthquake triggered a cave-in. Racism attitudes at the time, left the men to be buried alive amidst cases of fine champagne. [Read more…]

Oceanside’s Beach House Winery Views Are Astounding

March 9, 2015 by Deborah Mines

Looking to avoid the crowds in Temecula Wine Country this weekend, I headed toward the ridge of the Sleeping Indian on the Oceanside/Fallbrook border. Lo and behold, there lie the Beach House Winery high atop the steep narrow driveway.

caf44750dfabb627b01af32d0f18f006

I was warmly greeted by owner and wine maker George Murray, who was doubling as a valet.

Established in 2010, the Beach House Winery has been quietly making a name for itself with the locals.

Beach House Winery’s tasting room, albeit cozy, features a spectacular tasting menu with over 12 varietals. George and his wife, Kim, have been handcrafting wines since 1989, purchasing grapes from Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak, Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe and locally from San Diego County. [Read more…]

Dry Creek Vineyard Sparkles ~ 2015 Winter Wineland

March 1, 2015 by Deborah Mines

Smack dab in the middle of Dry Creek Valley, near Healdsburg, marks the spot of Dry Creek Vineyard. Founded in 1972 by David Stare, this family owned winery is often considered the flagship vineyard of the Dry Creek Valley AVA as it was the first winery constructed in the area after Prohibition.

Every January, the Wine Road showcases over 140 wineries in the Northern Sonoma wine country, each outfitted in a winter theme with stellar wine and food pairings. The 2015 Winter Wineland is just one of the many events hosted by Sonoma’s Wine Road throughout the year. www.wineroad.com

This year, Dry Creek Vineyard was one of the most festive wineries, naming each wine selection with ski run course jargon. Guests could start with the Bunny Hill, a 2013 Sauvignon Blanc or the MIlk Run, a 2012 DCV Estate Block 10 Chardonnay, selected from the best 30 rows of the family’s Russian River Valley vineyard.

For the more adventurous tasters, the Dry Creek Mogul, a 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel and the lusty Black Diamond, a 2012 Mariner, a meritage of the five Bordeaux grapes ~ Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc were gold medal winners on the slopes. [Read more…]

Historic Rancho Sisquoc Winery & Vineyard ~ Angus to Vines

January 11, 2015 by Deborah Mines

Dating back to the 1850’s the 37,000 acre Rancho Sisquoc is part of a Mexican land grant, snaking along the Sisquoc River 14 miles east of Santa Maria. The Chumash Indians called this pristine land, “Sisquoc”, meaning gathering place.

And what a gathering place Rancho Sisquoc Winery has become! Originally a cattle ranch with plots of beans and barley, today, over 300 acres are planted in vines. Another piece of history adorns the ranch ~ the San Ramon Chapel, declared as Santa Barbara County’s first State Historical Landmark. Erected in 1875, the chapel still holds Sunday services.

Further down the winding gravel road is the rustic tasting room which was constructed in 1977 and overlooks the entire working cattle ranch and hills beyond the river. Rancho Sisquoc Winery‘s tasting room decor is fashioned after an old western saloon and expands to the outside patio in warm weather months.
[Read more…]