IN
THE SPOTLIGHT
The Merlot Legacy Continues in Monterey, CA
More than 25% of Chateau Julien Wine Estate's 246-acre vineyard is planted with their flagship varietal — Merlot. As the winery's first 100% red varietal produced back in 1982, the Merlot grape captivated Chateau Julien owners Bob & Patty Brower with its complex favors and subtle depth.
Today, the Merlot legacy continues with the current vintage Private Reserve, Estate Vineyard and Barrel Selected Merlot. "We have been producing this varietal for nearly 25 years — there is a commitment to consistency and quality with each vintage," comments Chateau Julien Winemaker Bill Anderson. Current vintages are now available through the winery's website at www.chateaujulien.com.
Visit us in Monterey Wine Country and taste award-winning Chateau Julien wines daily at the 16-acre French style Chateau in Carmel Valley. Family owned and operated since 1982. This year, our winemaker will participate in the "Merits of Merlot" Seminar on April 1st at the Monterey Wine Festival. Don't miss this great event — visit us online for more information!
|
Villagio Inn & Spa in Napa Valley, CA
April Mid–Week Special: $165
Now you too can afford the luxury of Villagio Inn & Spa. Make mid–week reservations for $165/night (typically $230/night and up) and secure your April Spring Escape. Your package includes deluxe accommodations for two featuring a fireplace and oversize sunken bathtub, complimentary bottle of wine, and champagne breakfast buffet. Don't miss out on this fabulous offer — see website for details and make your escape to Napa Valley.
Planning a trip later in the summer? Take advantage of other lodging and spa mid–week specials like the Romance Package or Spa Indulgence Package that are valid through the end of August. Make reservations online. Add on a spa treatment, but be sure to call for an appointment in advance — the spa is popular!
Villagio Inn & Spa features luxurious accommodations, is close to several well–known restaurants such as French Laundry and Bouchon. Also nearby are specialty shops, galleries, wine tasting and hot air balloon adventures. Paradise awaits . . . call (800) 351.1133 or visit www.villagio.com!
|
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. |
|
 |
|
Closet Merlot Drinkers, Unite!
There's no reason to hide our love of top-notch Merlot.
by Thom
Elkjer, Wine Editor
The current attitude among wine fans about Merlot - don't get caught
dead with it - is a fashion trend, not a wine evaluation. Like many bashin'-fashions,
it arose in response to over-exposure. Starbucks was cool once, before it was on every
block downtown. Even Jennifer Lopez went from scorching hot to the, ahem, butt of jokes
when she put out too many movies, videos, and albums too quickly. Same with Merlot.
So it's useful to remember when Merlot was first emerging into the limelight.
That was back in the 1980s, when Dan Duckhorn, Sandra MacIver and others like
them were experimenting with moving Merlot out of Cabernet Sauvignon's shadow. The French
had been using Merlot for generations as an invisible blending component that made Cabernet
Sauvignon into a complete wine, meaning a wine that offers everything from aromas through
flavors to the finish at the same high level. Such blending was necessary more often than
not in overcast France, and at first California winemakers followed suit.
But then winemakers in sunny California and equally sunny eastern
Washington discovered that Merlot could make a complete wine on its own. Furthermore,
when it was grown alongside Cabernet in choice vineyard spots, it could offer similar complexity and ageworthiness as well.
Continue
reading article |
WINE BUZZ HIGHLIGHT - NAPA VALLEY, CA
 Shady Oaks Country Inn: Free Bottle of Wine!
Plan a spur of the moment trip! Stay at Shady Oaks Country Inn now through March 31, 2006 and receive a bottle of limited–production wine produced by winemaker John Runnells. Shady Oaks Country Inn is perfect for a romantic interlude in the Napa Valley Wine Country. Each guestroom boasts its own private bath, antiques and fine linens. Champagne breakfasts are served each morning and premium wines and cheeses each evening. CLICK HERE to make reservations online.
|
|
MERLOT WINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Thom Elkjer's Wine Picks
by Thom
Elkjer, Wine Editor
Click the link below for some of my favorite Merlot programs, because they
succeed year in and year out in producing memorable wine. The bottlings from these producers
cost more than ordinary Merlot, but far less than extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon, which is
what they should be compared to. Most top–class Merlot can age in the bottle until ten years
from the vintage, if not longer, if they are kept in a temperature–controlled wine cellar or
in a cool, dark place free of vibration. If you drink them when they are released — generally
two or three years after harvest — don't be afraid to pour them into a decanter first.
Read
Thom Elkjer's Tasting Notes |
WINE
BUZZ HIGHLIGHT
 Wine Country Food and Dining!
Hungry for Wine Country food? Visit our new FOOD PAGES where you can get recipes, reviews of some of your favorite Napa and Sonoma restaurants, itineraries, news and much more. Plus, each week, find out what's on Heather's plate with her Forklifter Blog or check out Thom Elkjer's Wine Blog and get a unique take on what to drink now!
|
WINE
PAIRING RECIPE - SONOMA, CA
Grilled Eggplant Roulade with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, Roasted Red Pepper, Sweet Basil and St. George Cheese
Recipe by Chef Andrei Litvinenko
Serve with 2002 Kendall-Jackson Highland Estates Grizz Ridge Merlot
Heirloom Black Bell eggplants are sliced thin, brushed with garlic olive oil and
grilled. We then layer our roulade with roasted sweet Italian heirloom peppers, sun dried tomato
pesto, sweet basil leaves and Matos Family St. George cheese. The combination of the concentrated
flavors and smokiness of the vegetables with the aged cheese pairs well with the rich tannins and
complexity of the Highland Estates Grizz Ridge Merlot, as well as our Stature Merlot.
The Kendall Jackson Tasting Room is located in Sonoma Wine Country at 5007 Fulton Rd – Fulton, CA 95439 – (800) 769.3649.
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Go to recipe |
FEATURED
WINE EVENT - NAPA VALLEY, CA
Napa Valley Mustard Festival
There are still several events that you don't want to miss out on. The Napa Valley Mustard Festival 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.
March 25, 2006 — A Taste of Yountville features gourmet restaurant fare, olive oils, mustards, fine wines, and micro–brews.
April 1, 2006 — Attend the Grand Finale Mumm Napa Photo Finish where you will be treated to great food, live music and photo masterpieces.
Buy tickets online for these events and many others!
|
WINE
BUZZ HIGHLIGHT - NAPA AND SONOMA VALLEYS, CA
 14th annual Best of Napa and Sonoma Valleys
The 14th annual Best of Napa and Sonoma Valleys is out! The winners have been chosen by local ballot and the magazines printed. Best of readers have offered answers to the truly crucial questions in life, such as best place for wine tasting, best boutique winery, best winebar, and best local winemaker. If you don't agree with the choices your brothers and sisters in culture, lifestyle and consumption have made, well, we encourage you to exercise your right to vote.
Best of Wine — 2006 List of Winners
|
|
