Wine Culture

What wine goes best with an intense drama written by award winning Shem Bitterman and directed by the incomparable Steve Zuckerman set in Colombia amidst a raging war involving drugs, wealth, and idealism? An obvious choice would be a big, strong red to stand up to the mind blowing content of this bold play revolving around a high stakes game of life and death. Perhaps, a better choice would be a 2009 Wiens Family Cellars Pinot Noir to soften the electrifying effects of an evening at the Skylight Theatre in the Los Feliz district of LA. At least, that was the wine of choice by Steve Zuckerman (Everybody Loves Raymond, Murphy Brown, etc., etc.), and even The Winemaker’s Wench isn’t going to argue with such genius.

It was my pleasure and honor to attend this incredible play with such high caliber talent gathered under one roof. After a chance meeting with Mr. Zuckerman a week ago, I found myself traveling back to LA to attend, “A Death in Colombia.” Produced by Gary Grossman, co-owner of The Beverly Hills Playhouse Acting School, “A Death in Colombia,” is a must-see on everyone’s list. I was impressed that Zuckerman was so passionate about this play, that he would take the time to invite, nay, urge this Winemaker’s Wench to attend the show. How could I resist?
Don’t miss this chance to see live theatre that is superbly acted by Joe Regalbuto, best known for his role as Frank in the block buster TV series, “Murphy Brown.” Regalbuto is hauntingly creepy as a deranged CIA agent who has lost touch with reality and his own moral compass. Roxanne Hart plays Lisa with heartfelt emotional pain, tenderness, and anguish as doom looms apparent in the safety of her own apartment in Bogota.

Zuckerman makes a 180 degree turn around from his signature comedic history to expertly make the audience squirm in uneasy anticipation at every twist and turn in this thriller. You are left guessing what’s up next, sitting on the edge of your seat, and gasping until the very end.
This is theatre modified for today’s modern, impatient audiences. From start to finish, the tale unfolds in less than 90 minutes without intermission and with continuous action. Get in. Get on. Get out. I booked online (which gave us priority seating), made a quick Sunday drive into LA with friend and author, Sue Richter, (“Guide to Becoming the 60 Second Lover” www.serabooks@aol.com), easily found free street parking in a nearby neighborhood, enjoyed a meal with plenty of eclectic sidewalk cafes to choose from, hit a Broadway caliber show, and was home in bed by 10:45 pm. For tickets, go to http://www.katselastheatre.com/

Whether you live in the greater LA area, or a neighboring community throughout Southern California…don’t get caught up in a rut, doing the same old same old, going to the regular haunts, seeing the same people day in and day out. Southern California boasts incredible wineries here in Temecula Valley Wine Country, live theatre right in your own town, LA, or San Diego, horseback riding, a day trip to Catalina, scuba lessons, world-class restaurants, cooking classes with famous chefs, beaches, mountains, and the desert!! GET OUT and enjoy the abundance of where we live.

Cork vs Synthetic vs Screw Caps

In the wonderful world of wine, we are at an impasse.  Wine is a very romantic entity with a long and illustrious past.  Wine is entrenched in traditions.  The French, Spanish, and, now, even the Americans have created strict laws and codes of conduct regarding wine.  Wine is a pretentious and fickle lady.  The wine never lies.  Or, does it?!

 

Everything in life evolves.  Modern technology dictates and demands change.  Old-fashioned ways fade into obscurity for newer, more innovative, updated versions.  Do younger generations even know what a percolator is or a sweeper or hootenanny? Who has 8-tracks anymore?  Or, watches black & white TV's?  It only stands to reason that wine should be no different!  It comes down to cork vs. synthetics vs. screw caps.  Those of us who grew up with Boonesfarm, Riunite on Ice, "That's nice!" and, even, Mad Dog 20 (yikes, did I just admit to knowing about that?!  Soo, it was just one New Year's Eve a very long time ago!) know exactly what I'm talking about.  How can any serious wine even dream of adorning an exquisite creation with a screw cap atop?

When my husband and I first met, I was so disappointed to find that he had gasp! sold out, in my book, and was using synthetic corks.  We debated.  He was patient and explained all of the advantages of using the synthetic corks over a natural cork.  Reluctantly, I had to agree that it made sense.  And, it still makes the neat little POP when it's pulled out AND you still get to use the cork screw.  After all, that's part of the whole ceremony that takes place every time you open a bottle of wine.  I was somewhat placated. 

Immediately following this discussion, he popped the rest of the story on me….screw caps are the best and most dependable seal you can put on a wine bottle.  I fainted.

The fact of the matter is….a screw cap is the most evolved form of packaging wine. It always seals perfectly, doesn't add or take anything away from the wine, and doesn't lose its integrity over time.  Let's look at the evidence.  True corked wine can become…well, CORKED!  Did you know that about 1 in 20 bottles pick up a musty, wet cardboard taste from natural cork?  How many times have you anxiously opened a long-anticipated bottle of wine to accompany your meal only to find the cork was dried out? It crumbled into your wine? It allowed air to seep in? It has a funky smell and putrid vinegar taste?  Now what do you do?

We still have far to go on the acceptance of the screw cap.  It's coming, though.  Prepare yourselves.  In the tradition of watching the last steam engine roaring past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmtvA0yJyTU) to giving up your Erica phone for push button to cell, albums to cassettes to CD's and i-tunes, the screw caps are coming.  Make way for progress.



The Erica Phone



Lots of great wine related activities surround us during the summer months.  The Temecula wineries are knocking themselves out to power pack fun and wine for your summer pleasure.  Check out http://www.temeculanightout.com/

THE place to go for All the places to go!

Get out there and support our local wine industry! 

Cheers & Joy!!



Raising the Bar!

Many a day in the life of The Winemaker's Wench can be demanding.  Lacing my bustier and gathering up my petticoats, I dashed from one wine event to another the past two weeks.  Each outing as tasty and riveting as the next.  Each time I was left with a distinct impression that "...the times, they are a changing!" It has often been related to me that Temecula used to be nothing more than a gas and beer stop on the way to Tijuana, back in the day.  Further reminiscing, most folks remember when there were only two to three wineries in the area.

Against all odds, droughts, frosts, Pierce's Disease, and bad raps, Temecula Wine Country has persevered and evolved.  Thanks to the efforts of many, the images and reputation of wineries in our area are entering a new era.  There are the pioneers like Hart, Faulkner, and Bailey's that have remained a constant, producing solid wines year after year.  There are the people at Wilson Creek and Ponte's that helped put us on the map as a fun wine region.  And, there are the serious big red boys on the block like Wiens, Leonesse, Palumbo's, and Briar Rose, who are proving that first-class, premium wines are being produced in Temecula.  Least of all, shall we forget, South Coast who has nabbed the title of "Winery of the Year" two years running?!

Impressive and continuing to make an impact in the world of wine, we are!  I challenge those of you who tried Temecula Valley wines years ago and were underwhelmed, or those who heard through the grapevine that Temecula just can't be taken seriously, or those who had one negative experience in the area...Revisit and have an open mind.  Remember the French prior to Montelena taking them by storm in their own blind tasting?!  On a recent visit up north, I mentioned to dubious Napa wineries "Be ready"!  Temecula wineries, once written off by serious wine connoisseurs, are making a comeback stronger than ever!

Smoky, tobacco, hints of chocolate, earthy, and chewy.  Bold tannins and deep, rich colors.  Smooth and silky with fabulous legs.  These are the buzz words describing wines presently being made in Temecula with Temecula fruit.  This is not cellar blindness speaking nor is it blatant biasness.  This wining wench has tasted around the globe in over five countries and in numerous wine regions across the United States. My palette ranks up there amongst the sophisticated and well trained (if I do modestly say so myself!).  When I met my winemaker, he had to prove himself and his wares in order to win the affections of this aficionado!  When we were fighting over the last drops of his '02 Merlot at our first dinner date, there was no doubt that this fine fellow, "....had me at Merlot." 

Hey!  Wine Snobs!  Try a shoot-out French style!  Just like they did in 1976 when top French judges unwittingly chose a little known Napa Chardonnay as their #1 ranked wine.  Pick up 6-8 bottles of the same wine varietal from different regions and countries.  Choose a wide price range as well, just to make it interesting!  Have one person in your group cover the wine in paper bags with barely the lip showing and number them.  Then, let the fun begin.  Don't discuss the wines as you sample them.  Sip and savor.  Take notes.  Then vote.  You will be amazed!  Candid, honest opinions will emerge.  Even the most discerning wine lovers in the group will surprise themselves at which ones they favor and why.



Take a Cinderella carriage ride through the Vineyards of Temecula!

 Temecula Wineries.  Closer than you think.  Better than ever!  Come see for yourself.  Visit Temecula Valley for outstanding wine, fabulous weather, beautiful resorts, great restaurants, casinos, historic Old Towne, antiquing, ballooning, and world-class golf.  We've got it all right here in Southern California's little slice of heaven!

Secret Ingredient Contest

Are you a foodie?  Do you love to create in the kitchen?  Have you dreamed of entering a cook off?  Are you ready for some serious Wine & Dine fun in Temecula Valley?  If you answered Yes, to any or all of these questions, then have I got the contest for you!

Secret Ingredient Recipe Cook Off is coming to Temecula Valley's Wine Country, Southern California's premiere wine region.  Temecula Nightout at http://www.temeculanightout.com/ is sponsoring the first ever Garlic Cook Off contest (No, The Wench, cannot keep a secret!) to be held at Danza del Sol Winery http://www.danzadelsolwinery.com/.  This fab event will feature 5-Star Chef, Michael Cragg, formerly from The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/LagunaNiguel/Default.htm, and presently with his own Temecula Catering Company and Cooking School, http://temecula-catering.com/. 

Do not tarry to enter!  Get your recipes in by June 30, 2011.  Email Recipe@TemeculaNightOut.com with your "Original" Garlic recipe.  Chef Cragg will choose two lucky finalists then guide them with his prepping and preparing expertise as they move on to the final event on July 31, 2011.  In addition to delish garlic dishes and tasty wines, Diego Mondragon will be delighting the audience with his smooth sounds of Latin-jazz fusion tunes violin style.

The first place winner will receive a "Never to be Forgotten" 5 Star Gourmet Dinner for two prepared and cooked personally by Chef Michael and accompanied with Danza del Sol Wines. 

As a member of a prestigious group of media representatives, I had the opportunity to experience the incredible food personally prepared by Chef Michael.  The pairings with Mike Tingly's wines from Danza and the perfect soulful music of Mondragon set the stage for a winning event in July.

Temecula Nightout is the ONE place to go for ALL of the places to go!  Don't be left out!  Submit your entry today and be ready to be whisked away.  Do you have what it takes to be crowned the Garlic Champion of Temecula Valley Wine Country?

Sexy Senoritas Sipping Spanish Wines

“Well I never been to Spaiiiiin, but, I kinda like their music…” and, wine!  From the popular, Three Dog Night, song from 1971, I added my own flair to the end of that phrase, after sipping through the Navarro Region of Spain at the latest Women’s Wine Council.  Another delightful wine fiesta in the company of some savvy, spicy senoritas.  Out of six different wines that were sampled, there wasn’t a bad one in the bunch.  All of the wines were solid and enjoyable.  Were they all my personal favorites?  Now that’s a stretch!  But, as a hostess, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy or serve any of these wines.

We started the tasting with a 2009 Otazu Chardonnay.  I didn’t expect to be impressed.  After all, we mainly hear about vino tinto, tempranillos, or riojas associated with Spanish wines.  This Chard started off with aromas reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc.  However, once sampled, it had more of a green apple flavor and a flat finish.  The pleasant surprise came in how nicely it paired with several of the dishes; including a lovely homemade Spanish olive tapenade with almonds, parmesan, and a hint of anchovy and a spectacular cilantro and onion shrimp ceviche.  Ole!

The second wine in our lineup was the 2010 Torrecilla Rose.  It started flirting with me from the first scents of dry, earthy aromas and finished tempting me with hints of strawberry notes.  The Rose didn’t stop tantalizing there, oh, no!  It continued to tease with a very light mouth feel that slowly turned into some big, bold tannins.  The real treat came, once more, with how well it did the cha-cha with smoked salmon from The Fish House Veracruz, merengued with soft brie giving the wine a smart, fresh flavor; and, finally sizzled with chicken empanadas packed with roasted red and poblano peppers and cream cheese.  Hotchihuahua!

Next on our list was a lovely 2008 Malon de Echaide Tinto Roble (Granacha) with a modest 13.5% alcohol content.  Is it any wonder that this wine was a delight coming from 20+ year old vines?   It was a joyful sensory overload full of mushroom and earthy tones giving way to a deeper smoky and black licorice taste.  Can I just say, for the record, that if Pee Wee Herman had been around, he would have married this wine AND the incredible chocolate chip brownies with fresh ground cloves, on the spot!  And, YUM!  This Tinto Roble absolutely popped with the above mentioned chicken empanadas. 

On to number four, was the classic Marco Real Crianza (Tempranillo) from 2006.  More old vines, a year in oak, and all from a state of the art winery.  Big, black, coffee aroma with hints of vanilla.  The shocker was at how light and smooth tasting this Tempranillo was until paired with food.  The crowd pleasing empanadas brought out the bolder tones in this wine and served quite nicely with the brownies.

The 2008 Inurrieta Sur was a blend of Granacha, Syrah, and Graciano and one has to love this vino for being aged six months on American oak!  Bully for them!  (Or, should I say Toro!)  This blend had beautiful aromas with a mix of spicy smokiness and black pepper.  The strangest food combo of the day was a mint, prosciutto, brie bite that hit a homerun with our group and this particular wine.  A big thumbs up and double Ole’s from me on this one!

We ended our trip to Spain with a lemony fresh tasting 2010 Ochoa Moscatel.  Let me be the first to admit, I am not a syrupy dessert wine type-of-person.  However, when it partnered with the spicy mango slice on the chocolate chip brownie, all of my pre-conceived notions disappeared.  This stuff was muy bueno!

When the tallies were all in, I was surprised that my top three picks came in the top three spots with the group.  After only one other meeting, is our group already developing a sense of collective palates?!  The Inurriate Sur earned the number one spot.  Second place went to the smooth Malon de Echaide Tinto Roble and the Tempranillo nabbed the bronze.  Rounding out the roster was the Rose in fourth, the Chardonnay was fifth, and the desert wine rounded out our roster at sixth.  As one friend recently said to me, her dream was to drink her way across Europe.  After this tasting, I don’t think I would mind starting off in Spain!

For recipes used in this tasting, go to http://winesofnavarra.com/cuisine/.  Special thanks to The Wine Company, http://www.tvwineco.com/, of Temecula for our door prizes!

Some articles by "The Wench" can also be viewed at Temecula Nightout http://www.temeculanightout.com/.  Like them AND me, The Winemaker's Wench, on FB!

Must See Video

Our former marketing manager, Suzanne Schaffner, included this clever clip in her comments to my "Wish I Had a Nickel" posting from yesterday!  The hilarity is in the irony of everything the characters say.  It pretty much sums up the outsider looking in viewpoint of owning a winery.

For me, the days of "Falcon Crest" resonate in my ears when I think of life in the vines.  Fast cars, hot guys (Lorenzo Lamas is STILL sizzling!), sexy women, cat fights, black tie galas, and diamonds galore!  hahahahahahaha!  More like old pick ups, dirty jeans, grape-stained hands, and long, stressful days.

Watch and enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcjVfXBxvdg

Wish I had a nickel!

....for every time someone tells me, "It's always been our dream to have a winery."  It's a great dream to have and far be it from me to squelch anyone's dream....BUT!  This definitely fits into the category of, "Be careful what you wish for, it just may come true!"

People visit us from all over the world and it's alway a thrill to see tourists outside of our winery snapping away memories to take with them.  My husband is absolutely passionate about what he does and on most any given day, merrily whistles whilst he works!  Winemaking is an honorable and gratifying profession.  A winemaker is able to observe the fruits of one's labor from start to finish.  He is involved in every aspect from bud to bottle.  And, he loves every minute of it.

Make no mistake, it is way over romanticized and definitely not for the faint of heart!  I have a dear friend who has a deep passion for all things wine!  A few years ago, Angel was emphatic about wanting to become a winemaker.  So, my patient man helped her do due diligence, "Are you good at Math?"  "Ummm, no, not really."  "Do you like Science?"  "Yeh, noo, not particularly."  "Are you prepared for years of classes and internships and long hours and working for next to nothing?"  "Yikes!  Maybe I'll just keep drinking wine and enjoying that aspect of it."  Good answer!

Then, there's the whole money side of it.  I can't speak to all areas of the United States, but if you're going to start up a winery in California, you better have deep pockets.  Whatever your budget is, triple or quadruple it.  Don't expect returns for at least five years.  Be ready for healthy servings of political red tape and numerous rounds with the city and county.  If a large, extended family is involved, get out your boxing gloves, smelling salts, and be ready to go the distance.  If business partners are solicited, be prepared for ruthlessness, cutthroat conniving con artists, lawsuits, criminal activities, heart break, stolen ideas, and debt.  Have you heard enough?  Are you dissuaded yet?  Don't even get me started on just wanting to grow grapes as a little side business.  Actually, I'll let my brother, Dave, field those questions!

Right now I'm feeling like the neighborhood bully that just told a 5 year old that there's no Santa, the toothfairy is your parents, and Bambi's mother gets killed in the movie.  As you dejectably walk away with your head bent down, tears in your eyes, and dragging your little grape vines behind you, let me tell you the upside!

First and foremost....FREEE WINE!  duuuuh!  Okay, seriously...well, that IS seriously, gobs & gobs of free wine (but, that in itself can be a dilemma as well--Jenny Craig,  http://www.jennycraig.com/& Gold's Gym http://www.goldsgym.com/ love me!)  Alright, alright, I'll be really serious.  Opening your own winery means a full social calendar with more events, concerts, dinners, parties, and travel than you can imagine.  Meeting wonderful wine enthusiasts from all walks of life and corners of the world are definite bonuses.  Having a sense of pride and accomplishment at the end of every harvest/crush season is priceless.  Feeling good that you're selling happiness, good times, and special memories, awesome.  Leaving a lasting legacy for future generations, check!  Enjoying the comaraderie and cooperation that it takes to become and remain successful, heart warming.

Through our winery, I've met incredible musicians like Lukas Nelson, http://www.promiseofthereal.com/, who says things like, "Yes, Ma'am." and "It's an honor to be compared to my dad."  Or, Dave Wakeling,  http://www.davewakeling.com/home.asp, who loves us so much he just performed for the 4th year in a row.  Even famous DJ's like Richard Blade, http://www.richardblade.com/.  He and his wife can't get enough of us and even renewed their 10th wedding anniversary vows at our place last year. 

Not to mention, a built-in place to entertain friends and family.  I barely clean my house anymore!  Out-of-town guests...sure!  Meet us at the winery.  Family gatherings?  Head on over to the winery and we'll have a picnic on the grounds.  Need to get my girlfriends together?  Join me for an afternoon of wine tasting in our private reserve room.

Nothing in life that's worthwhile comes easy.  For most of us, there is no free handouts.  (How many more of those sage dad-isms can I quote?)  The bottom line is that owning a winery and making it in the wine business takes hard work and perserverance.  When all is said and done, at the end of the day, as you sit on your patio and watch the beautiful California sunset, while you sip on an incredible Sangiovese or Bordeaux-style blend, the winemaker and his wench sigh a collective sigh of happiness and make a toast to life, love, and abundant blessings.

Bordeaux-licious!

In light of the fact that our second, Women's Wine Council, is convening once again in a few days, I wanted to post my review from our first-ever session on Bordeaux.

Bordeaux Mix

Take 6 wineaux women
Add a delightful array of hors-d'oeuvres
Stir in six lovely bottles of French wine from Bordeaux
Sprinkle in generous portions of laughter and fun
Gently fold all ingredients together 
Viola'!  You have a recipe for a beautiful thing.

After a bit of whining, I was graciously invited to attend Linda Kissam's newly formed Women's Wine Council.  The only stipulation?  Write about the experience.  Piece of cake....with some Bordeaux, si vous plait!

The history of Bordeaux wine dates back to the invasion of St. Emilion by Rome. The Romans planted vineyards in order to supply the soldiers with wine back in 48 AD, although the first recorded Bordeaux vineyards weren't created until 71 AD.  Okay, so we'll give them a few years on us here in California!  Most of the Bordeaux wines are red blends (referred to by the British as claret) with a few other varietals surprisingly splashed in for dramatic effect.  89% of the wine produced in Bordeaux consist of the famous claret; however, sweet and dry whites, sparkling, and roses round out the Bordeaux roster.

We began our journey with a sparkling wine called Favory Cremant de Bordeaux Brut from Chateau Montlau.  Since our group consisted of diverse wine palates ranging from diehard Chardonnay fans to big, bold, red lovers, this sparkling went on to nab the top ranked spot.  Pleasing lemony citrus tones initially greeted us opening into a smooth, creamy taste that was as easy on the senses as a soft summer breeze.  One member mentioned that she wanted to bathe in it!  This golden-hued sparkling paired exceptionally well with an apple, brie, prosciutto wrap.  For a more advanced taste sensation, try the same combination substituting a mild gorgonzola for the brie.  The most versatile appetizer of the day was a sensational spicy lemon marinated shrimp. With the right blend of zesty lemon, red pepper flakes, and white wine vinegar, this gastronomic hit managed to work well with most of the Bordeaux wines sampled on this day and particularly this sparkling.

The next three wines that we diligently researched included a 2009 rose from Chateau Penin, a 2009 Bordeaux Blanc from Axel des Vignes, and another Bordeaux Blanc (2008) from Eos du Chateau de Lugagnac.  The rose was aged in oak for 12 months and danced a slow tango in my mouth tempting me with inviting strawberry and vanilla tones.  This would be a nice alternative to a more robust red and will serve well in the warm summer months ahead.  Food alert, this wine did not play well with others.  Rather, it is somewhat of a diva demanding that she be the star of the tasting show.   If you're a fan of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, then you will revel in the 2009 Bordeaux Blanc from Axel des Vignes with it's subtle grassy notes, crisp tones, and hint of citrus. This wine was the antithesis of the rose and was starving for a companion.  The winning combo was a mini-BLT tomato morsel that brought out the smoky textures! For those of you who enjoy a buttery, oaky Chardonnay, the Bordeaux blanc from EOS is tailor made for you.  Pairing well with Asian meatballs, the Chardonnay lover in our group stood in solidarity with this wine and savored every sip.

We finally arrived at my most anticipated wines, two beautiful Bordeaux clarets.  They did not disappoint.  The first red Bordeaux in our line up was the Chateau Lestrille 2006 Bordeaux Superioeur Rouge.  I should have known I would fall in love with a big red "rogue."  94% Merlot and 6% whatev!  "You had me at Merlot!"  Believe it or not, I coined this phrase over six years ago (before the Vegas ads) when my husband brought his '02 Merlot to our first dinner date.  He said he knew I was the girl for him as we fought for the last drops.  I simply shrugged and said, "You had me at Merlot!"  Our group quickly dubbed this fab Bordeaux "Debbie's boyfriend" with incriminating evidence of me (shockingly) kissing the bottle.  Musty, earthy scents with undertones of Cinnamon Toast Crunch gave this wine deep, long-lasting flavor sensations swirling and twirling about in my mouth.  It left me spellbound, warm, and tingly all the way down to my toes.  For all you big-time wine snobs out there, forgive my layman's terms in describing this wine.  For everyone else....oh, yeh...you know what I'm talking about!


The last devilish darling was a super 2007 Bordeaux Superieur Rouge from Chateau Bel Air.  I was reluctant to embrace another big red so soon after my newfound love, but with a smooth blend consisting of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Cabernet Franc, how can one go wrong?  This appealing, full-bodied bordeaux was a wonderful conclusion to our afternoon of wine research or "serious fun."

Recently, I was asked by another winemaker's wife if I enjoyed wines besides my husband's, referring to what we in the biz call "Cellar Blindness." This happens when you drink your own wine to the point of exclusivity-snubbing your nose at all others.  No way!  We enjoy wines from all appellations and countries.  We look for the subtle nuances that distinguish one winery from another.  We appreciate how the different terriors and climates create rock stars from various wine regions.  For your next wine gathering, try a blind tasting where you compare the same varital hailing from different local wineries, US wines, and wines worldwide.  Or, focus on tasting different wines from a specific wine region as our Bordeaux tasting with the Women's Wine Council. 

If any of these specific wines piqued your interest, check with your local wine stores such as Dudly's in Murrieta, Wine on a Dime in Temecula, or BevMo and ask if they carry them or would be able to order them.  Find local wines that would be similar to those that I've reviewed and conduct your own taste test.  Expand your wine knowledge!  Promote ALL wines!  Research and have fun!  Whatever you do, don't let Cellar Blindness effect your ability to enjoy the abundance that the World of Wine has to offer! 

Temecula's Wine & Balloon Festival!

Flashing lights, cacophonous noise, jamming beats, free flowing wine, crowds, and every kind of food imaginable.   Oh, and gigantic, glowing hot air balloons.  It’s that time again!  Temecula’s annual Wine & Balloon Festival.  Is it possible it could be bigger and better than ever?!  Over 20 years in the running and a resounding YES!  The festival planning committee keeps adding more features and improving conditions in order to enhance the attendee’s experience.  ( I especially appreciate the water truck sprinkling away to keep the dust at bay!)

Last night the merriment opened with the smooth sounds of Ambrosia on the main stage, looking and sounding better than ever, warming up the crowd for the incomparable Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx.  DeYoung found his groove early when he opened with “Come Sail Away” and continued creating a smash performance with more of Styx’s greatest hits of all time  including, “Mr. Roboto,” “Too Much Time on My Hands,” and rounding out the evening with a beautiful rendition of “Babe I Love You.”  I swooned!  DeYoung’s voice was as fresh and lively as it was 30 years ago when they hit the scene.  His performance delivered and delighted the throngs as he dished out humorous old-man quips telling fans that his jeans were pulled all the way up to here (pointing to his chest) under his jacket and a crack or two about his prostate.   If you check out their official fan page, you’ll find that they have their own brand of coffee!  http://www.styxworld.com/

If you haven’t been to the festival ever or since the earlier days, especially if you’re a local, you owe it to yourself to get out there and see what the buzz is all about.  Row after row of decorated booths boasting of Temecula’s finest wineries where you will meet celebrated winemakers and family members.  Talk to them up close and personal.  Find out their stories and learn their secrets to success.  For the more discerning wine goers, there’s even a premium flight of wine tasting available this year.  Get into the cabana club and chillax under cover with members of the bands and other festival VIP’s!  Indulge AND give to a good cause with the Red Cross annual Wine & Food Pairing event.  Stroll amongst the hundreds of vendors showcasing the latest and greatest products that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!  And, of course, there’s food galore….kettle corn, BBQ, cotton candy, funnel cakes, Greek, Mexican, Thai, ice cream, Italian, and on and on and on!!!

What are you waiting for?  Quit reading this!  Get off your duff and get to Temecula’s Wine & Balloon Festival !  Come early and stay late for the smash hits of Third Eye Blind.  Look for me, I’ll be sporting a cowboy hat with flashing neon lights, a giant lightsabor, glowsticks, and a bedazzled wine glass hanging around  my neck yelling “WHOOOO HOOOOO!”….or, not….you’ll never know if you don’t go!!

Wine Knowledge 101

(Based on true events that happened to my son)  Ok, so you want to be the big man in the group (insert appropriate silver back sounds.)  You want to be the go-to guy, the in-the-know man of the crowd.  You look at the wine list as everyone is expectantly looking at you.  They are embarrassed to have ordered a Bad Cab prior to your arrival.  Now, the group's proclaimed "wine expert" has arrived and they will finally get to enjoy a delicious wine chosen by one who has impeccable taste.

Aaaaahhhh!  So many choices!  So many labels!  So many varietals!  But, the group is counting on you.  You can't let them down.  Worse yet, you can't let the truth be known that you REALLY don't know that much more about fine wines than the rest of them.  You, my friend, are in a real conundrum.  Here's the puzzle….What red wine will universally appeal to a variety of palates within a group of wine novices wanting desperately to enjoy reds, but not quite ready for a primetime big, bold red.  One that will be smooth with some depth, easy on the tannins, but still a respectable member of the red family?

Sangiovese! (San-ge-o-vay-zee) You can't go wrong with a Sangio!  The sangiovese is a medium bodied red.. Chianti with a fancy name.  What I like to refer to as "A Gateway Red!"  As a whole, the group will be quite pleased and sufficiently impressed with your selection and you will continue to enjoy your status as "resident wine expert."   Case closed.  You saved the evening from becoming a wine novice's nightmare!  And, you didn't even have to defer to the snobbish server's overpriced suggestion. 

Since I offered a pronunciation key on the Sangio, let’s discuss pronunciations.  Let's talk about the relatively new kid on the block…the Meritage.  Oh, I know it's tempting to give it a romantic sounding French pronunciation, which you are more than welcome to continue doing.  However, if you must know, the word is a made-up American word that combines the two words Merit and Heritage.  Meritage was created to describe an American style Bordeaux because the French just really don't like us to use their sacred wine words.  So, next time you order a Meritage, order with confidence.  Tihj not Tahj.

For my last bit of random wine thoughts, let's talk wine and art!  My husband and I were recently in Hawaii for some R&R and decided to take in the Thursday night Lahaina art scene.  Taking advantage of the free flowing wine, we began to fancy ourselves true connoisseurs of art.  To quote Pee Wee Herman, "Hehe...SCARY!"

Fleeing one gallery, which shall remain nameless, we felt as though we'd escaped from a used car lot and subsequently stumbled into the lovely Lahaina Gallery with the knowledgeable, friendly director, Nils Kullander.   He guided us to the most stunning, realistic painting depicting our favorite subject – Wine!  This gorgeous painting was by the modern master of realism, Dario Campanile.  We loved the rich, bold colors and depiction of cheese, fruit, and wine.  What truly sold us on the painting was the whimsical touch that Campanile added; both, at first glance, of the tipped over bottle with one last little drip suspended in air to the oh-so-subtle, darling pair of mice savoring the remnants of the party.  Originally, we made our purchase for a classy addition for our winery until we realized how very personal art could be and knew that this had to be the beginning of our own original art collection. 

Art comes in many forms.  Take time each day to enjoy the beauty of art in everyday living…from a painting to a sunset to a well crafted glass of wine.

Until we meet again…..keep it real!

Wine Etiquette

One of the greatest pleasures I discovered many years ago was the beauty and fun of wine tasting.  Exploring the various wineries and their distinct personalities, picking up cheese and fruit for our anticipated midday picnic, the thrill of your specially selected purchases, culminating with the heady rush of a memorable day in wine country; it didn't get much better!  Did I mention that we didn't pay one cent for tastings, not even a dime to tip our servers, and, whoever heard of a wine club?

Fast-forward about 20 years (I just aged myself, didn't I?)  It's a whole new scene.  The world of wine tasting has vastly changed over time.  Wine tasting has become big business.  It's the Disneyland of drinking packed full of fun for adults.  For those of you who remember the days of free tastings and now grumble about the cost of admission…peek in the back room of a winery nowadays and view the cases upon cases of wine poured in just one busy day.  It's mind-boggling.  With a boom in wine business nationwide and such an emphasis on wine regions as vacation destinations, the wineries had to implement a tasting fee to help off-set their ever increasing costs to provide this service.  In return, most wineries include a fun logo glass with the fee, apply credit toward your purchases, reimburse you the fee for joining their wine club, OR a combination thereof.

Tipping.  Obviously, tipping your server is not mandatory.  However, if you have a server that has taken the time to educate you on the distinct wines of that particular winery, patiently answered your questions, helped you make buying decisions, given you excellent service all around...what better way to show your gratitude than a tip.  It's not always easy dealing with large crowds that have been imbibing all day and sometimes not on their best behavior. 

So what's with all the wine clubs?   These are wonderful perks that the wineries have created with their wine patrons in mind.  While wine clubs vary from winery to winery, most will not cost anything to join.  They offer you discounts on everything from wine, gifts, and events plus exclusive offers on select wines, wine-club only events, and free tastings.  If you fall in love with a certain winery, by all means, join the wine club!

My husband and I are blessed to be in the wine industry and as a result are often treated to complementary tastings when we're out exploring.  As our thank you, we never leave a winery without a purchase or two, even if we weren't totally jazzed about the wine.  It's a matter of courtesy.  We also make sure we take good care of our server as well.  It creates goodwill and, often, they'll return the favor by visiting our winery in the future.  If you are lucky enough to receive free tastings whether due to an industry perk or through a coupon; please, please show your appreciation by purchasing something at the establishment and leave something for your server. 

It's a little thing called wine etiquette.

A Match Made in Wine Country

 Several years ago, a co-worker wondered if I would like to meet her single brother.  Not another blind date!  He was moving from Lodi to Southern California. Groan!  He was a winemaker.  Hey! This is getting interesting.  They were starting a winery in Temecula.  Sold!  I'll meet him. 

I'm a wine enthusiast from way back.  And, in spite of being a Midwest girl, my wine journey began when my brother moved to San Francisco and I fell in love with the Napa wineries.  Later, another brother bought land in Paso Robles and turned eleven acres into a vineyard.  I guess you could say that wine was in my blood.  Needless to say, the blind date turned out to be a match made in wine country.

 Where else would a winemaker go on his honeymoon but France?  France it was!  However, we only spent an afternoon in Bordeaux.  The rest of the trip we were immersed in the Champagne Region.  Imagine our thrill when the people at Moet Chandon learned my husband was a winemaker and gave us our own private tasting….in the Napoleon room!  My husband was supercharged and immediately began planning the release of his very first sparkler.  It had to be a French name.  It had to be romantic sounding.  It had to be unique!  Amour De L'Orange!  It quickly became one of our best selling whites.  Hmmm, could it be the special ingredient he infused into it?  

Besides our time in France, we spent almost a year researching champagnes and sparkling wines (our work is never ending!).  It was fun and enlightening.  I encourage all of you to take your own champagne journey.  Each time you go to one of our Temecula wineries that boast sparkling wine or stop by your favorite wine shop, pick up a different kind of champagne.  Compare a brut to a blanc de blanc or a cuvee to a blanc de noirs.  Notice the difference in sweetness, bouquets, or dryness.  Compare French to American to Chilean and so on.  Expand your champagne knowledge and discover which one most suits your personal tastes. 

 When the famous monk, Dom Perignon, discovered his amazing champagne creation, he was quoted as saying, "Come quickly, Brothers! I am drinking the stars!"  What a beauitful quote.  I could end there, but aren’t you the least curious as to what that secret ingredient is in my husband’s sparkling wine?  The answer is, "When you drink our Amour De L'Orange, you're drinking love!" 

A favorite, musical artist and friend of mine, Kiki Ebsen, has a CD that she released several years ago entitled, "Love Loud."  That pretty much sums up my life!!  I hope the same for you!  Until next time, love loud!  Sante!