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!