Dunning Done Good!

Once in a while, something so amazing comes along in life that makes you realize how lucky, blessed, fortunate you are to be a part of it!  Being a member of a cohesive group of wine loving ladies called The Women's Wine Council of Temecula, is one of those rare treats.  Sharing our passion for wine, food, travel, and writing with each other gives us the opportunity to blend friendship, encouragement, tips, and fun all rolled up in a few hours once a month.

Our last council meeting found us transported (metaphysically speaking) to Paso Robles as we sipped on wines from Dunning Vineyards.  We've come to a point where, at first glance, an outsider may wonder whether we're a wine or food council!  By the looks of our table overflowing with luscious goodies (all strategically created to enhance and pair with specific wine varietals), we embark on our journey to find the perfect wine with its perfect mate!

Ladies, start your engines!  Straight out of the gate comes the underdog champion of the day, a stunning & a stunner of a Chardonnay.  Thier 2009 Estate Chardonnay was laced with vanilla and pear.  Aged in my favorite, a new French Oak, it only had mild hints of oak to the palette.  It paired superbly with a lovely Sage/Apricot cracker and made my Cranberry Tarragon Wine Dip from our own Orange Coast Winery literally pop in your mouth.  The winning Chardonnay was a stunner since our group is primarily a Big Red's kinda group.  But, the appealing full-mouth feel of this Chardonnay was a sleeper delight that none of us could resist!  This is one Chardonnay that I wouldn't mind paying the retail price of $24.

Next we sampled a fun 2008 Estate Vin De Casa ($24) that boasted of 45% Cab France, 35% Zin, and 20% Syrah.  What's not to love in this amazing blend?!  This deep, earthy, liquid saddle paired with espresso chocolate cookies and persimmons with a prosciutto wrap drizzled with balsamic olive oil.  We also were excited to find that Edam cheese and Wasabi crackers were super with the bold taste of this blend.  I have to admit that even though I loved the Chard, I'm still a sucker for a wonderful, full-bodied blend.  The Vin De Casa was my personal, number one pick of our Dunning taste test!

As our tasting progressed, we were mesmerized with the Dunning 2009 Estate Zinfandel ($28) with its full-body and hints of raspberry.  Is it no wonder that the little darlings of the day, the espresso chocolate cookies, also paired with this one as well?!

Admitting that the Vin De Casa was my favorite and the Chardonnay was a force to be reckoned with, the 2009 Private Reserve Estate Zinfandel ($35) that we rounded out our council soiree with was not to be upstaged!  This Zin had a richness that balanced between bold, spicy flavors and the perfect amount of oak.  Definitely old world charm abounds in this wine.  You're probably not surprised that yes, once again, the espresso cookies found their way into favor with the Zin as well; but, not to be forgotten was the incredible roasted sage, pumpkin, fontina, pancetta, and pepita flat bread.  Forgo the turkey dinner for Thanksgiving and just serve this dish and Zin.  How Zinfully easy would THAT be?

Since my husband and I recently purchased a little winery in Newport Beach, I couldn't resist showing off our gold medal winner from the recent Orange County Fair.  The ladies were exceedingly pleased with this Sauvignon Blanc and its light, citrus appeal.  It was wonderful with a plethora of the foods presented that day and nabbed the spotlight as the most versatile food wine of the day.

It is always bittersweet when our Women's Wine Council realizes that we've tasted through our selection of wines and had our way with the delicacies that we've each lovingly prepared...we've laughed, shared stories, toasted, sipped, and supped.  As all good things come to an end and we say our last adieu's, we leave our compadres with the reassuring thought that we get to do this all over again next month!!!

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.

In the beginning...there was wine.

This blog is dedicated to all things wine. Whether you're a goddess, a god, or a wench! Whether you are a novice, enthusiast, or complete wine snob. My purpose is to educate, pontificate, and titallate while providing some insights, wit, and charm into this wide world of wine. A fresh & fancy new take on wines, wine tasting, and the epicurean delights that pair, pardon, and accompany along the way.

Fasten your seatbelts. You're in for a wild ride!