IN
THE SPOTLIGHT
The Hess Collection – Double Gold Winning Late Harvest Viognier
Experience the small production and reserve wines of The Hess Collection Winery
located in Napa Valley’s Mt Veeder region. The 2003 Hess Collection Late Harvest Viognier won a double Gold at the 2006 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This wine combines aromas of orange blossom, nectarine, and honey suckle with an inherent spiciness. The finish is ultra rich and layered with a multitude of flavors intermingled with crisp acidity. Only 94 cases produced, the 2004 Small Block Series Viognier offers classic Viognier scents of honeysuckle and nectarine with a Muscat–like quality on the palate. Aged in 5 year old French oak barrels for 8 months, the absence of new oak allows the complex, fully textured mouthfeel of this wine to shine through.
We invite you to taste these wines with us at The Hess Collection winery this month. Or to ensure your order, purchase these small production wines online at www.hesscollection.com.
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Inman Family Wines: "Meet the Maker" Wine Tastings
The release of the Inman Family 2004 Olivet Grange Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir coincides with the winery's announcement that they now offer highly personalized, educational, "Meet the Maker" wine tastings on an appointment basis. Inman Family doesn't have a traditional tasting room. Instead, guests are treated to sit–down tastings personally conducted by owner and winemaker, Kathleen Inman. Discussions focus on the style and winemaking philosophy behind their elegant Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, their organic farming practices and food pairing. "Each tasting will be unique because we want to concentrate on the individual interests of those participating." If you are visiting Sonoma County's Russian River, consider a stop to "Meet the Maker". Regardless of your travel plans, visit www.inmanfamilywines.com to order their highly regarded Pinots. Use the promo code winebuzz when purchasing Inman wine online and receive 50% off the cost of shipping. Offer expires March 10, 2006.
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9th Annual Sonoma Valley Film Festival
The 9th Annual Sonoma Valley Film Festival — one of Sonoma Wine Country's most popular events is a premier destination festival unlike any other! Set amidst the unparalleled beauty of Sonoma Valley, the festival welcomes film lovers to experience an intimate and luxurious extended weekend, pairing award–winning wine, world–class dining, celebrity mingling, and new independent films from all over the world.
This year, leave all the planning to us! WineCountry.com is now featuring four all inclusive Sonoma Film Festival packages: Celebrity Wine Excursion, Legend Tour (3 days), Legend Tour (4 days), Icon Tour (4 days). CLICK HERE for details. Enjoy the film festival in a way that you never would be able to do on your own.
For those of you exclusively interested in the more than 75 new films from around the world, purchase the Patron, Premier or Festival Pass which will give you priority seating and admittance, plus complimentary wine and local epicuria pairings before every film screening. Tickets can also be ordered through WineCountry.com's Travel Offers or through Cinema Epicurea at www.cinemaepicuria.org. Don't miss out on this stellar wine country experience – the perfect weekend escape for people with a passion for fine living. |
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An Out–Of–Body Experience
Viognier: An exotic alternative to everyday white wine
by Gregory S. Walter
There are some who think that Americans should get past an obsession with Chardonnay and start drinking other white wines, such as Viognier, as a white wine of choice.
Granted, many of the people who put this thought forward have a vested interest —
they make Viognier and would like nothing else than to be in the position of not being able to
make enough of this wine, made from the white Rhône grape variety of the same name. But
having tasted through a number of Viogniers from around the United States recently, I'm
beginning to see the light as well.
"At its best, Viognier is an out–of–body experience; an exotic elixir
of peaches, wet stones and lychee nuts rolling over your tongue with the weight and texture of créme
brulée," said John Alban of Alban Vineyards in the Edna Valley region of California's Central Coast.
Alban is a pioneer in developing California's Rhône–styled wines and was the first to make a
California Viognier.
Continue
reading article |
WINE BUZZ HIGHLIGHT - MONTANA
 7 Chefs in 7 Days
Join Resort at Paws Up and some of the most innovative and original epicurean artists in the industry for seven days of flavor, food and fun at Montana's Last Best Food, Wine, & Wilderness Festival from March 19 through March 26, 2006! During the day, participate in hands–on cooking classes and demonstrations, wine, port, cheese and chocolate tastings and much more. Each night, indulge in a creatively themed meal prepared by different world–class chefs. For reservations: call (800) 473.0601 or visit www.7chefsin7days.com.
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VIOGNIER WINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Our Wine Picks
by Thom
Elkjer, Wine Editor
Click the link below for recommended Viognier wines that are
representative of not only the diversity of wine styles present in Viogniers today,
but also the common thread of delicious peach and floral aromatics that seem to run
through most of the wines. These styles and flavors bode well for Viognier's future.
Read
Thom Elkjer's Tasting Notes |
WINE
BUZZ HIGHLIGHT - SONOMA, CA
 9th Annual Sonoma Valley Film Festival
Buy tickets to this year's hottest event happening April 5–9, 2006 — The 9th Annual Sonoma Valley Film Festival. Exclusive packages can be purchased directly online through WineCountry.com's Travel Offers featuring 3 to 4 day trips such as the Celebrity Wine Excursion, the Legend Tour, and the Icon Tour.
The Film Festival will feature more than 75 new films from around the world, food & wine tastings before every film screening, hot parties, exclusive winery excursions, and casual mingling with emerging filmmakers, film stars, star winemakers and celebrity chefs. Many special events, exclusive screenings and VIP parties are very limited and do sell out, so buy your tickets now!
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WINE
PAIRING RECIPE - NAPA VALLEY, CA
Grilled Bartlett Pears With Point Reyes Blue Cheese and Candied Walnuts
Easy to make and pleasing to any palate, serve this delectable delight for dessert with The Hess
Collection 2003 Late Harvest Viognier. Purchase directly
online or call (877) 707.4377
Drop in for a taste of their Viognier or take advantage of special offers on The Hess Collection 2004 Syrah Rosé as featured as an exclusive offer this month seen HERE!
The Hess Collection Tasting Room is located in Napa Valley Wine Country at 4411 Redwood Road – Napa, CA 94558 – (877) 707.4377.
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
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FEATURED
WINE EVENT - NAPA VALLEY, CA
Napa Valley Mustard Festival
Celebrate the food, wine, art, and the rich, agricultural and cultural bounty of Napa Valley at the Napa Valley Mustard Festival from January 28, 2006 through April 1, 2006. The Mustard Season offers a full palette of cultural activities staged throughout the world–famous grape growing region when fields, vineyards, and hillsides are vibrant with wild mustard in bloom. This year, the Festival's signature event at COPIA, The Marketplace, is on March 18 and 19. Purchase tickets online for any of the art, community and tasting events.
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WINE
BUZZ HIGHLIGHT - NAPA VALLEY, CA
 Discover Winter in the Wine Country
Create your custom getaway with a Discover Winter in the Wine Country VIP pack. 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! Valid Nov. 1, 2005 – March 31, 2006. Purchase online and start saving – only $25. Call the St. Helena Chamber at (800) 618. 6456, or visit us online for more information.
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