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Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
My first crush...Makes Me Blush
Everything is fabulous... scary words to say out loud. But really, life is going along just fine. Sauvignon crush was so interesting and those grapes, the few missed by picking - warm from the sun, were golden rays of delicious! I couldn't believe the attraction. If I were I bird, those vines would have been effective propagators all around the Napa Valley College. Sweet success. The viticultural aspect of maturation and ripening is so real. The grapes make or break it.
Now there is rumor of rain this weekend. My heart goes out to the farmers who worked so hard ever since their first cuts to train the vine, and wham... rain at the wrong time without wind and it could be an even more difficult year. (But, I do think wind is in the forecast.) Lord knows Tahoe had a great snow in May and the wildflowers up there were stupendous in August and the vines have had a tough time finding heat for months.
We are on to Pinot Noir next week so stay tuned and check out a couple of my crush photos at www.mrsbonvivant.com Until then... let's raise a glass and maybe say a good word for this years crop.
Now there is rumor of rain this weekend. My heart goes out to the farmers who worked so hard ever since their first cuts to train the vine, and wham... rain at the wrong time without wind and it could be an even more difficult year. (But, I do think wind is in the forecast.) Lord knows Tahoe had a great snow in May and the wildflowers up there were stupendous in August and the vines have had a tough time finding heat for months.
We are on to Pinot Noir next week so stay tuned and check out a couple of my crush photos at www.mrsbonvivant.com Until then... let's raise a glass and maybe say a good word for this years crop.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Let's Catch Up
Botany last year was a doozy, all my Viticulture classes were amazing, and we bought a new house and moved.
I didn't get into Davis and now that I sit staring at SF Bay I guess I can swallow that denial.
We have our Davis house on the market and I am thoroughly enjoying exploring the Bay...both land and sea.
For years I have wanted to at least go, if not be involved at the Marine Mammal Center. Now I am all connected over there. It is a wonderful place, doing great work, sitting above a great beach.
"The Kids Are Alright"...yup, I suppose so.
I am still not done being an appreciator of wine. More classes this quarter at Napa Valley College. This time I will be in the winery itself and not as much in the field. I will save a few classes for next year to have plenty of experience and get settled in the new spot before tackling finding fruit and making a vintage. We didn't buy a vineyard as once thought. Sounded like a good idea at the time. Instead, I am happy with the surrounding water, and still devoting a bit of time each week to Enology.
I am fortunate enough to be able to take things slow and savory them. And, yet I know each day is a gift and I still try to pack them full. Now I just try to pack them full of the things I won't regret.
I didn't get into Davis and now that I sit staring at SF Bay I guess I can swallow that denial.
We have our Davis house on the market and I am thoroughly enjoying exploring the Bay...both land and sea.
For years I have wanted to at least go, if not be involved at the Marine Mammal Center. Now I am all connected over there. It is a wonderful place, doing great work, sitting above a great beach.
"The Kids Are Alright"...yup, I suppose so.
I am still not done being an appreciator of wine. More classes this quarter at Napa Valley College. This time I will be in the winery itself and not as much in the field. I will save a few classes for next year to have plenty of experience and get settled in the new spot before tackling finding fruit and making a vintage. We didn't buy a vineyard as once thought. Sounded like a good idea at the time. Instead, I am happy with the surrounding water, and still devoting a bit of time each week to Enology.
I am fortunate enough to be able to take things slow and savory them. And, yet I know each day is a gift and I still try to pack them full. Now I just try to pack them full of the things I won't regret.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Pop Another Cork...
So many wines, so little time, so cliche! So true!
Student life kicked into high gear after learning I still needed two more prerequisites for potential entry to the Davis program next Fall. After a couple of days scrambling, I ended up filling my needs at Napa College. Plant Biology and Viticulture sends me to our sweet valley down the highway three days a week. Two more days a week 'auditing' UCD's introductory class. Same wine and vit class I attended Spring of 82...dang, there I go dating myself. I will just say that I was actually not more than 19 in my first wine class. Ahh, college.
Quick notes on Wine, then I will let you know of the more exciting stuff... I know what could be more fun than wine? I will get to that.
I guess a learning highlight was a Silver Oak Wine dinner recently at Sacramento's Sutter Club. The Sutter Club is an old gentleman's club in the Downtown. Among it's other claims to fame is it has an underground tunnel straight to the Capitol. Fun...not sure if it's true, but fun to pretend. Old Skool, but, enchanting, private, secretive and an all around glittery night out. Combine that with the Silver Oak folks coming to entertain and it was a winner!
Salmon Lobster Wellington with Cavier-Chive Butter paired with the 2008 Twomey Sauvignon Blanc was my highlight. First course, first wine... first nose: cat pee. Wow, what an example of that trait in a Sauv Blanc. I had not quite experienced this first hand other than with my own dang cats. My husband and I looked at each other and did the knowing nod so as not to offend our hosts. But, whoo weee. The incredible thing was how it seemed to disappear with the food pairing and how amazingly delicious the whole compliment of flavors. Just goes to show wine can be brought to new heights with food. My opinion. And, visa versa.
The dinner went on with Venison (Red Currant Jus) and 2005 Twomey Merlot... loved the Merlot and the Celery-Apple Choucroute. I love learning of new food....Choucroute is basically a shredded, krauty sauteed combo. Next was Filet Mignon and the dreaded debate of Napa vs. Alexander Cabernet. Yes, we had to go in a couple of times to precisely decide on a favorite. And, lovely enough we were split in the decisions around the table. I thought that was quite 'right' of us. Of course, based on paper and pocket decisions..most would pick the most expensive and well known. I like the underdog, so you know which side of the table I was on. The main thing I took away from the Big Cab's...was not to 'over Oak' any wine I would be responsible for in the future. I think there definitely comes a time when not to beat one about the head with Oak. Silver Oak has such a standing within the industry, and the wines were deliciously clean and bold. Yet, I could see if one wasn't careful, a wine could have too much a good thing.
On to the interesting news. We might buy a bit of ground. Ground with even a few areas for grapes. Yes, very exciting! More on that later...so as not to jinx it. Must make this short in order to write an offer and drive back to Napa. Nuts and Cell Respiration awaits.
Student life kicked into high gear after learning I still needed two more prerequisites for potential entry to the Davis program next Fall. After a couple of days scrambling, I ended up filling my needs at Napa College. Plant Biology and Viticulture sends me to our sweet valley down the highway three days a week. Two more days a week 'auditing' UCD's introductory class. Same wine and vit class I attended Spring of 82...dang, there I go dating myself. I will just say that I was actually not more than 19 in my first wine class. Ahh, college.
Quick notes on Wine, then I will let you know of the more exciting stuff... I know what could be more fun than wine? I will get to that.
I guess a learning highlight was a Silver Oak Wine dinner recently at Sacramento's Sutter Club. The Sutter Club is an old gentleman's club in the Downtown. Among it's other claims to fame is it has an underground tunnel straight to the Capitol. Fun...not sure if it's true, but fun to pretend. Old Skool, but, enchanting, private, secretive and an all around glittery night out. Combine that with the Silver Oak folks coming to entertain and it was a winner!
Salmon Lobster Wellington with Cavier-Chive Butter paired with the 2008 Twomey Sauvignon Blanc was my highlight. First course, first wine... first nose: cat pee. Wow, what an example of that trait in a Sauv Blanc. I had not quite experienced this first hand other than with my own dang cats. My husband and I looked at each other and did the knowing nod so as not to offend our hosts. But, whoo weee. The incredible thing was how it seemed to disappear with the food pairing and how amazingly delicious the whole compliment of flavors. Just goes to show wine can be brought to new heights with food. My opinion. And, visa versa.
The dinner went on with Venison (Red Currant Jus) and 2005 Twomey Merlot... loved the Merlot and the Celery-Apple Choucroute. I love learning of new food....Choucroute is basically a shredded, krauty sauteed combo. Next was Filet Mignon and the dreaded debate of Napa vs. Alexander Cabernet. Yes, we had to go in a couple of times to precisely decide on a favorite. And, lovely enough we were split in the decisions around the table. I thought that was quite 'right' of us. Of course, based on paper and pocket decisions..most would pick the most expensive and well known. I like the underdog, so you know which side of the table I was on. The main thing I took away from the Big Cab's...was not to 'over Oak' any wine I would be responsible for in the future. I think there definitely comes a time when not to beat one about the head with Oak. Silver Oak has such a standing within the industry, and the wines were deliciously clean and bold. Yet, I could see if one wasn't careful, a wine could have too much a good thing.
On to the interesting news. We might buy a bit of ground. Ground with even a few areas for grapes. Yes, very exciting! More on that later...so as not to jinx it. Must make this short in order to write an offer and drive back to Napa. Nuts and Cell Respiration awaits.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
All Happening Too Fast
Second day of Intro to Wine Making whirled by. Tons of information on just the second day. We covered varietals, pie charts of percentages of income, production, export, import, etc...in addition to disease intros, and planting methods. Then off to real work, then finally Friday drank some wine.
We had a lovely and exhausted easy dinner of Sparkling and Caviar. I had swooped two ozs of Dean and DeLuca brand last visit and it was perfect for the Domaine Chandon Le Reve, Late Disgorged. We side by sided it with Mumm DVX and the Mumm was much less subtle and supple. The Mumm on it's own is a fine wine, yet the Le Reve is so delightfully smooth, creamy with a slight nutty finish.
Saturday and Sunday were spent in Napa and Sonoma. Saturday we opted for quick and easy Thai food with accompanying Syrah. A local man in the neighborhood makes a delicious deep, dark fruit Syrah. He is a doctor and takes his chemistry knowledge skill and good will into wine making. Senders Syrah was wonderful with the blend of exotic spices from our local Thai restaurant, owner also another neighbor. Oh, and enjoyed another date with Mr. Foley.
Sunday found us at the top of Mt. Veeder walking and scouting an amazing 'billy goat' property along the ridge straddling both the Sonoma and Napa county line. It is for sale for a mere 1.4 million. If we had 5 million handy it would have been a fun, worthy, fabulous effort into 1st class Cabernet grapes. Alas, we had to settle for our first encounter with Cantinetta Piero in the new Hotel Luca in Yountville. Our friend is associated and had been talking it up for some time. We gave it a whirl. The settling is comfortable, the staff were a perfect blend of sweet, interested with enough distance and the food was interesting and original. The menu was very authentically Italian with more rustic and old country items modernized. It certainly was more unusual, yet still basic and simple foods, than most Italian menus. Somehow we indulged in a 1985 Dominus. I am not sure what the occasion was... hmm.
Monday night is French class... but Monday day found me back in Sonoma and discovering Green Valley and Suisun AVA. We are also reviewing properties anywhere we feel good grapes could grow and we could potentially afford. Thus, the property of the day included 5 acres of Merlot. I obviously thought a side by side of good old common place Merlot was in order. Under 8 dollars for a bottle of Boogle Merlot and under $15 for a bottle of Merlot grown and made just a block away from the subject property to go with our CostCo pizza... please forgive! Both were easy to drink, easy to buy and no wonder the premium wines are struggling. Damn Costco. Bonne nuit!
We had a lovely and exhausted easy dinner of Sparkling and Caviar. I had swooped two ozs of Dean and DeLuca brand last visit and it was perfect for the Domaine Chandon Le Reve, Late Disgorged. We side by sided it with Mumm DVX and the Mumm was much less subtle and supple. The Mumm on it's own is a fine wine, yet the Le Reve is so delightfully smooth, creamy with a slight nutty finish.
Saturday and Sunday were spent in Napa and Sonoma. Saturday we opted for quick and easy Thai food with accompanying Syrah. A local man in the neighborhood makes a delicious deep, dark fruit Syrah. He is a doctor and takes his chemistry knowledge skill and good will into wine making. Senders Syrah was wonderful with the blend of exotic spices from our local Thai restaurant, owner also another neighbor. Oh, and enjoyed another date with Mr. Foley.
Sunday found us at the top of Mt. Veeder walking and scouting an amazing 'billy goat' property along the ridge straddling both the Sonoma and Napa county line. It is for sale for a mere 1.4 million. If we had 5 million handy it would have been a fun, worthy, fabulous effort into 1st class Cabernet grapes. Alas, we had to settle for our first encounter with Cantinetta Piero in the new Hotel Luca in Yountville. Our friend is associated and had been talking it up for some time. We gave it a whirl. The settling is comfortable, the staff were a perfect blend of sweet, interested with enough distance and the food was interesting and original. The menu was very authentically Italian with more rustic and old country items modernized. It certainly was more unusual, yet still basic and simple foods, than most Italian menus. Somehow we indulged in a 1985 Dominus. I am not sure what the occasion was... hmm.
Monday night is French class... but Monday day found me back in Sonoma and discovering Green Valley and Suisun AVA. We are also reviewing properties anywhere we feel good grapes could grow and we could potentially afford. Thus, the property of the day included 5 acres of Merlot. I obviously thought a side by side of good old common place Merlot was in order. Under 8 dollars for a bottle of Boogle Merlot and under $15 for a bottle of Merlot grown and made just a block away from the subject property to go with our CostCo pizza... please forgive! Both were easy to drink, easy to buy and no wonder the premium wines are struggling. Damn Costco. Bonne nuit!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Two out of Three
Ending a long day, a bit short on food and the second day of my new life becoming a wine student... I opened the first of three bottles for the day.
We, my husband and I, are avid wine drinkers, collectors and have aspirations of retiring to a sweet home on a hill surrounded by vineyards. Maybe some chickens, a couple of goats (for cheese, but that is a different story) and the family pets could watch us come and go into the 'winery' across the path from the house. All this in a dream that starts with each bottle I open.
Two nights ago began 'the journey' with attending my first French class. Monday nights, small group, $70...couldn't be all bad. Certainly couldn't be any worse than my terrible pronunciation of 'hartcot verts'...lol. Enrolled in French class, application turned in at UC Davis Viticulture and Enology department, signed and paid for Wine Chemistry and Wine Microbiology through UCD Extension and lastly yesterday crashed the Ven3 class on campus for the first lecture of Intro to Winemaking. I actually had the class from Vernon Singleton (wrote the proverbial book) in around 1983. I was barely 21 and it was dry, boring yet we did taste some wine eventually. This time around, the chair of the department is teaching it and he has a fresh sparkle. He is making it fun for the 400 students, yet still reminding them it is a true class. Amusingly, he asked how many were there just because it involved alcohol, how many just needed the 3 units of general education, and how many truly wanted to know about wine. I thought I would attend and see if it would be a good refresher for me on varietals, production, and general overview. I will hope to attend more and if I continue, I will become a legal student and pay the fee.
All this wine action made me thirsty! So, waiting for my husband to quickly get ready for our date to our favorite Italian restaurant in Sacramento, I opened a bottle of Robert Foley called The Griffin. So, I will begin this "Raise Your Glass" blog with The Griffin. Having once been a fantasy believer... Castles, Renaissance Faires, fenced some saber in my day... I thought it had an enchanting name. Plus, we are huge Pride Mountain Vineyard fans and he was a past winemaker. In addition, we adore Barbara Richards of Paloma and he makes a claim there as well. Last pass through Dean and Deluca, I purchased The Griffin.
The Griffin upon first encounter was slight in the nose. I was tired, starving and very thirsty. Therefore, in all honesty did not give it adequate time to open. I did enjoy fruit forward,yet quickly replaced, in my first taste. The mid was very tannic and the balance was extremely different. I tried it a few more times and decided to put down until after our return from dinner. I just don't know about the Griffin yet. I am looking forward to trying the same bottle later today, as we never did get back to it after the rest of our decadent night. Now, being the good wine student, I researched it a bit just this morning (drink first, learn later approach). Foley's self review is a claim to fulfill the 'dream to be artistically free' to blend at will and indulge one's 'hedonic' side. True, fair enough and wouldn't we all like to have that freedom...so, cheers I say to that! Griffin, you and I have a date later today, as quirky as you may be.
We brought with us a long owned wine, as we often do to keep our dinner cost to a low roar. The last time we tried one of our Groth Reserves (1994) it was a bit thin. This time we brought the 1995 Reserve Cabernet with hopes the Cabernet Merlot blend would be perfect with the variety of yet unknown menu decisions. We were correct. The smooth, deep success of Groth's reserve was fabulous with the Ahi over Butternut puree, the thin sliced steak over a blended composition of Cannellini beans, the spice of the Peppato cheese sheared over our salads. It ran out just as our Annegato al Cafe (gellato drowned in cafe) arrived. Last sip worked with the strength of the espresso and chocolate. However the dessert wine was heavenly paired with what we thought was our finale.
The dinner was amazing as always and Ruben, one of our favorites, just brought us his decisions. No need for a menu. Love it! Ruben is from Argentina and has the best descriptions. His version of an Argentinian is "he thinks he's Italian, speaks Spanish, acts like a Frenchman, and wants to be treated like an Englishman". Did I get that right, Ruben? Anyway, naturally even after a short pour of their wonderful Italian dessert wine... still searching for the name, we weren't quite done. I told you...long day. Oh and it was the day each quarter when we receive a large check for turnaround straight to the government for taxes. Stinks! Comes in one hand and goes right back out the other and that is again a different story. However, we were still thirsty. This is a possibility when one is sweet enough to share their bottles with the staff, owner and any other lucky patron, as we do often. Not a self brag, just a tip if you enjoy trying multiple wines.
Hartwell was a wine we discovered through Ruben last time we were there on a celebration night over the holidays with my parents. That occasion we were celebrating the conclusion of a long awkward meeting at the accountants, so we could truly set our sights on the goals of retirement. This time, we were mourning our hard earned money turning into a forced contribution to pay for items we will never know. So we weren't drinking without a compliment, we enjoyed the 2000 Hartwell Cabernet Sauvignon with Gorgonzola, honey and toast... Ruben's creation. It was magnificent! I now, again being a good student, studied the Hartwell website for the first time. I am thrilled to read another dreamers success story. Apparently, Bob and Blanca worked hard in a different career and retired into a second life of wine. This is what we would love to do. Maybe? It certainly helps to have those gone before you reach back and give a helping hand into the future. Mr. Hartwell obtained his grapes from another vintner willing to share his clones. A different friend had the good fortune to get a call in Texas from Dan Duckhorn about a piece of property he thought was a good deal. That seems to be the story of old fashion Napa. Occasionally, we still meet lovely wonderful people who I hope will stave off the corporate merger mentality and keep the local folk sweet with dreams come true.
Off I go to do my real job. Back later with another story of wine, dreams, love and purple teeth.
We, my husband and I, are avid wine drinkers, collectors and have aspirations of retiring to a sweet home on a hill surrounded by vineyards. Maybe some chickens, a couple of goats (for cheese, but that is a different story) and the family pets could watch us come and go into the 'winery' across the path from the house. All this in a dream that starts with each bottle I open.
Two nights ago began 'the journey' with attending my first French class. Monday nights, small group, $70...couldn't be all bad. Certainly couldn't be any worse than my terrible pronunciation of 'hartcot verts'...lol. Enrolled in French class, application turned in at UC Davis Viticulture and Enology department, signed and paid for Wine Chemistry and Wine Microbiology through UCD Extension and lastly yesterday crashed the Ven3 class on campus for the first lecture of Intro to Winemaking. I actually had the class from Vernon Singleton (wrote the proverbial book) in around 1983. I was barely 21 and it was dry, boring yet we did taste some wine eventually. This time around, the chair of the department is teaching it and he has a fresh sparkle. He is making it fun for the 400 students, yet still reminding them it is a true class. Amusingly, he asked how many were there just because it involved alcohol, how many just needed the 3 units of general education, and how many truly wanted to know about wine. I thought I would attend and see if it would be a good refresher for me on varietals, production, and general overview. I will hope to attend more and if I continue, I will become a legal student and pay the fee.
All this wine action made me thirsty! So, waiting for my husband to quickly get ready for our date to our favorite Italian restaurant in Sacramento, I opened a bottle of Robert Foley called The Griffin. So, I will begin this "Raise Your Glass" blog with The Griffin. Having once been a fantasy believer... Castles, Renaissance Faires, fenced some saber in my day... I thought it had an enchanting name. Plus, we are huge Pride Mountain Vineyard fans and he was a past winemaker. In addition, we adore Barbara Richards of Paloma and he makes a claim there as well. Last pass through Dean and Deluca, I purchased The Griffin.
The Griffin upon first encounter was slight in the nose. I was tired, starving and very thirsty. Therefore, in all honesty did not give it adequate time to open. I did enjoy fruit forward,yet quickly replaced, in my first taste. The mid was very tannic and the balance was extremely different. I tried it a few more times and decided to put down until after our return from dinner. I just don't know about the Griffin yet. I am looking forward to trying the same bottle later today, as we never did get back to it after the rest of our decadent night. Now, being the good wine student, I researched it a bit just this morning (drink first, learn later approach). Foley's self review is a claim to fulfill the 'dream to be artistically free' to blend at will and indulge one's 'hedonic' side. True, fair enough and wouldn't we all like to have that freedom...so, cheers I say to that! Griffin, you and I have a date later today, as quirky as you may be.
We brought with us a long owned wine, as we often do to keep our dinner cost to a low roar. The last time we tried one of our Groth Reserves (1994) it was a bit thin. This time we brought the 1995 Reserve Cabernet with hopes the Cabernet Merlot blend would be perfect with the variety of yet unknown menu decisions. We were correct. The smooth, deep success of Groth's reserve was fabulous with the Ahi over Butternut puree, the thin sliced steak over a blended composition of Cannellini beans, the spice of the Peppato cheese sheared over our salads. It ran out just as our Annegato al Cafe (gellato drowned in cafe) arrived. Last sip worked with the strength of the espresso and chocolate. However the dessert wine was heavenly paired with what we thought was our finale.
The dinner was amazing as always and Ruben, one of our favorites, just brought us his decisions. No need for a menu. Love it! Ruben is from Argentina and has the best descriptions. His version of an Argentinian is "he thinks he's Italian, speaks Spanish, acts like a Frenchman, and wants to be treated like an Englishman". Did I get that right, Ruben? Anyway, naturally even after a short pour of their wonderful Italian dessert wine... still searching for the name, we weren't quite done. I told you...long day. Oh and it was the day each quarter when we receive a large check for turnaround straight to the government for taxes. Stinks! Comes in one hand and goes right back out the other and that is again a different story. However, we were still thirsty. This is a possibility when one is sweet enough to share their bottles with the staff, owner and any other lucky patron, as we do often. Not a self brag, just a tip if you enjoy trying multiple wines.
Hartwell was a wine we discovered through Ruben last time we were there on a celebration night over the holidays with my parents. That occasion we were celebrating the conclusion of a long awkward meeting at the accountants, so we could truly set our sights on the goals of retirement. This time, we were mourning our hard earned money turning into a forced contribution to pay for items we will never know. So we weren't drinking without a compliment, we enjoyed the 2000 Hartwell Cabernet Sauvignon with Gorgonzola, honey and toast... Ruben's creation. It was magnificent! I now, again being a good student, studied the Hartwell website for the first time. I am thrilled to read another dreamers success story. Apparently, Bob and Blanca worked hard in a different career and retired into a second life of wine. This is what we would love to do. Maybe? It certainly helps to have those gone before you reach back and give a helping hand into the future. Mr. Hartwell obtained his grapes from another vintner willing to share his clones. A different friend had the good fortune to get a call in Texas from Dan Duckhorn about a piece of property he thought was a good deal. That seems to be the story of old fashion Napa. Occasionally, we still meet lovely wonderful people who I hope will stave off the corporate merger mentality and keep the local folk sweet with dreams come true.
Off I go to do my real job. Back later with another story of wine, dreams, love and purple teeth.
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