WineCountry Wine Blog
The phrase "wine is made in the vineyard" is not
only the emptiest cliché in the wine business; it's also the most annoying. Why?
Because it's either dumb as rocks or a deliberate deception.
Read Thom Elkjer's blog for more of his insights into the wine industry and post your opinions back.
His most recent piece comments on the veracity of the phrase "made in the vineyard". Also read about the new state of
Italian chianti in "Chianti The Italian-American Way".
Get your wine news "By the Glass."
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IN
THE SPOTLIGHT
Holiday in Carneros Winery Open House
November 19th and 20th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 Celebrate the 18th annual Holiday in Carneros Open House! Eighteen wineries, located at the southern end of Napa and Sonoma Valleys in the Carneros district, are expected to participate.
Admission is $25.00 per person. Just purchase a logo glass at any participating winery on either day of the event (no advanced purchase is necessary or available). Admission includes a Holiday in Carneros logo glass, wine tasting, and unique offerings planned by the individual wineries. These offering may include food and wine pairings, live entertainment, barrel, reserve, vertical, or library wine tastings and more.
Some of the wineries expected to participate in Holiday in Carneros are Adastra, Bouchaine, Buena Vista, Carneros Creek, Ceja, Cline, Curvare, Etude, Homewood, Larson Family, McKenzie-Mueller, Robledo, Shug, Truchard and Viansa.
More information (including a map to participating wineries): www.carneroswineries.org
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This Holiday Season Send A California Wine Adventure!
 Since 1990, The California Wine Club has featured the best of California's smaller family-owned wineries. Club owners, Bruce & Pam Boring, hand select every wine and every wine comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Each month's shipment includes two bottles of award-winning wine along with the 12 page, full color magazine Uncorked. In Uncorked, members find out the story behind the wines and the winemakers, recipes, fun facts, detailed tasting notes and more. Just $32.95 per month plus shipping.
As a FREE BONUS, your gift recipient will also receive a copy of our hilarious, 15th Anniversary Wine Calendar. For one month or a year, they'll always appreciate and remember their fun and unique gift of the California Wine Club. Call 800-777-4443 or shop online at www.cawineclub.com.
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Ventana Vineyards – Award-Winning Family Estate Wines
 "Our style is European sensibility with lush, intense California fruit" Doug Meador
Ventana Vineyards, the most award-winning Single Vineyard in America is a family owned estate. Ventana has already received over 90 Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals this year, including 4 Best of Class top awards from prestigious major competitions.
The 2001 Ventana Syrah is lively with fresh cracked black pepper, black cherry and spice. The 2000 Meador Estate "Maverick" Syrah is as a tribute to winemaker Doug Meador. Many wine writers have called Doug "The Maverick of Monterey's Wine Country". The combination of twenty-five year old vines (the oldest by a decade in Monterey County) grown on their own roots ancient style combined with the winemaker's twenty years experience with the grapes have yielded this remarkable concentrated lush Syrah. Order online to get these Syrahs and details on their extensive wine club.
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STRAIGHT UP — WINE OF THE MONTH
Syrah’s Star Keeps Rising in Santa Barbara
County
by Thom
Elkjer, Wine Editor
A year after the movie debuted, they’re still giving “Sideways”
tours down in Santa Barbara County, and they will be for years
to come. That’s how it is with movies that cement an image of
a place in the popular mind. Santa Barbara’s wine country is
now Pinot Noir country, and that’s that.
Except that it isn’t. For some of us, Santa Barbara County’s
chunk of the massive Central Coast appellation is Syrah country.
It’s where Zaca Mesa winery, founded in 1972, still preserves
what it calls the oldest Syrah vineyard in the Central Coast
and still makes illuminating Syrah. It’s where Bob Lindquist
went to work in 1975, and then founded Qupé to make some of California’s
first breakthrough Syrahs in the early 1980s. Those wines made
it onto the wine list at Chez Panisse, which wielded more influence
in those days than most people can imagine, and Syrah was effectively
launched on its current rocket ride to star status.
Pinot Noir has also grown in popularity since that time, but
Syrah’s stats are undeniable.In 2004, Syrah joined Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, and Zinfandel as the only premium red wine grapes in
California with more than 100,000 tons crushed. Pinot Noir? Down
the list (behind Grenache, among other things) at around 70,000
tons. It’s the same in the Central Coast counties of Santa Barbara
and San Luis Obispo (which the state of California combines for
reporting purposes). The 2004 crush for Syrah was more than 14,600
tons, compared to about 10,400 for Pinot Noir. Certainly there’s
plenty of Syrah in SLO, but there’s also Pinot Noir.
Continue
reading article |
WINE BUZZ HIGHLIGHT
 9th Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend
Celebrate the splendor of harvest at Monterey Wine Country's 9th Annual Great Wine Escape
Weekend November 10-13, 2005. Weekend highlights include a Vintners Reserve Reception at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa,
wine and food integration seminars, winery open houses, guided wine country tours, winemaker dinners, a silent auction and the Grand
Finale at Pebble Beach. Ticket prices range from $40 – $95. For more information: (831) 375.9400, events@montereywines.org or www.montereywines.org
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CALIFORNIA SYRAH RECOMMENDATIONS
Wine Editor Thom Elkjer's Tasting Notes
The marriage of Syrah and California has one of the hottest trend
lines in wine. Ten years ago, the state had 800 acres of the grape
about 2% of the acreage held by Cabernet Sauvignon. Today it’s
on its way to 16,000 acres and growing faster than any other major
grape, red or white. It’s easy to see why. Syrah comes from a region
in the south of France known for sun and wind which California
has in even greater abundance. It’s easy to grow and easy to make
into wine. And its flavor profile fits California’s Mediterranean-style
dining trends like a lock and key.
A classic description of California Syrah is “blueberries in blood”
dark sweetness mingled with a powerful physicality. Some people
emphasize Syrah’s “meatiness” both in flavor and texture. Others
like the “brambly” quality of spice and dried herbs. Whichever you
prefer, you can pair young Syrah with any hearty food, particularly
grilled sausage or cassoulet. Older wines can be stunning with veal
and poultry.
These eight Syrah’s have all been grown using organic and biodynamic
practices, but they are all distinctly different. Taste them and
see if you agree with Thom. Read
Thom Elkjer's Tasting Notes |
WINE
BUZZ HIGHLIGHT
 Paraiso Vineyards 2001 Syrah
Taste Paraiso Vineyards 2001 Syrah rated at 90 points by Wine Spectator! This wine has classic blackberry and cherry flavors married to spice and warm vanillin-oak. Enjoy today or even more perfect after a few years in the cellar. Pair with just about anything off the grill. Buy online at www.ParaisoVineyards.com or at our scenic tasting room in Monterey's Santa Lucia Highlands. Call (831) 678.0300 for directions.
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WINE
PAIRING RECIPE
BV Syrah & Pasta Carbonara
Visit Beaulieu Vineyards newly renovated Reserve tasting room in Napa Valley, CA and enjoy world-class wines including their
2000 California Syrah. Take home a bottle or two and pair with Pasta Carbonara - a fabulous dish featuring bacon and eggs. Make this dish on Sunday night and you'll love eating leftovers on Monday.
Go to recipe |
FEATURED
WINE EVENT
Discover Winter in the Wine Country
From Nov 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006, create your custom getaway. Sip award-winning wines, sample world-class cuisine, sleep among the vines, rejuvenate at legendary spas, and discover unique boutiques and more – all while experiencing substantial savings! Discounts are only available with a Discover Winter VIP pack – only $25. VIP Packs include a keepsake wine opener, VIP commemorative pins, copy of destination magazines with maps, and participant brochures. Simply present your VIP commemorative pin to access discounts. Purchase once but visit numerous times to enjoy discounts throughout the entire promotion.
Purchase today and start saving. For a complete listing of participating businesses or to purchase VIP Packs, call the St. Helena Chamber at (800) 618. 6456, or visit www.sthelena.com/discover.
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WINE BUZZ HIGHLIGHT
 WineRave 2005: COPIA
Saturday, November 19 – 9:00 p.m. - Midnight
COPIA and Wine X Magazine present wine, music, dancing and fun! This nightclub experience features happenin' wines, the latest music mix, finger foods, the Jelly Bean Wine Bar, Dr. Vino and all the attitude you can handle. Come to COPIA and get to know wine in a rave new light. Those pouring wine will include Hook & Ladder, Rocca Family Vineyards, St. Supery and many more. Tickets are $35 advanced purchase/$45 at the door.
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