Rain or Shine!

Going wine tasting is always an adventure to me. It never gets old and my anticipation is almost that of a 10 year old at the gates of Disneyland! Kirsten and I have visited wineries throughout California, from Santa Barbara County on up to Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino and I can honestly say that I recall most of each and every visit, scary isn’t it? I think it is because each one of these regions has such distinct characteristics. This past week, some friends were visiting us on the vineyard and even though the weather was not cooperating (15 inches of rain had fallen already that week and it was still coming down), we decided that nothing could stop us from exploring at least a couple of wineries and so we decided to go down to the Dry Creek region. We donned raincoats, hats and umbrellas and packed into one car...and yes, we had a designated driver! In order to try to maximize the wine tasting adventure in the rain, we called one of our favorites, A. Rafanelli Winery as they only take appointments thinking that they would not have a lot of traffic and that we might have the opportunity for a more intimate experience, maybe even a conversation with the winemaker. To our surprise, they were completely booked...hmmm, maybe the downpour was not keeping people away as we expected. We decided to visit two wineries... Dutcher Crossing and Fritz Underground Winery. With windshield wipers flapping and the storm pounding, we drove carefully down the rain soaked hill and over to Dutcher Crossing, which is one of my favorite settings. The parking lot was full and the tasting room was warm and welcoming with a fireplace in full glow! Two couples were feasting on an impromptu picnic by the fire (nothing would spoil their plans!), and the bar was full of people conversing and sipping. The vineyard views out the back doors are magnificent and the moody sky made the view even more dramatic. I loved their 2008 Stuhlmuller Chardonnay and the 2008 Maple Vineyard Zinfandel is fantastic! I enjoy sipping and just listening to the conversation all around me, a couple were inquiring about where to make a reservation for dinner, while another were scribbling down notes. At this point, the crowds that showed up made it feel like a spring day...on to Fritz. This winery has a great view over a secluded hilltop that looks out over a serene pond (reservoir). The stove pot fire was blazing as we stepped up to the bar...my favorite was the 2008 Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay! I was amazed at how many people braved the weather to pursue their passion for wine! As we made our way back to the Ranch I couldn't help but smile...even the rain couldn't stop the fun!

Here are the rainy day wines:

Dutcher Crossing 2008 Stuhlmuller Vineyard Chardonnay ($34)
Delicately balanced with hints of nuts, pear and butterscotch.

Dutcher Crossing 2008 Maple Vineyard Zinfandel ($40)
Big, luscious fruit with deep blackberry flavors.

Dutcher Crossing 2006 Port ($32)
A stunning port that will pair well with Stilton cheese!

Fritz 2008 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay ($45)
A full bodied Chard with aromas of baked pear and hazelnut.

Fritz 2006 Estate Zinfandel ($25)
Rich in color with aromas of blackberries and spices.

Fritz 2007 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($35)
This Cab opens with aromas of currents, cherries and coco.

Cheers & Happy New Year!

It's "clear" to me

When I hold a glass of wine up to the light, I am able to see the intensity of the color! In the case of red wine, I sometimes see rich ruby tones or even a richer clay-like hue. The color comes from the structure of the wine, or 'architecture' if you will. So much has gone into the making of each glass of wine as growers and winemakers alike have put their hearts and souls into the construction process. I have to admit that I am a bit fussy about the type of glass in which to serve my wine. Whether or not you believe that the shape and structure of a glass has any effect on wine, the logic behind it does make sense. Each vintage is completely different and you can maximize it's qualities with the right glass. Just as wine has 'structure' so do the vessels of glass that you drink from. I have noticed that when wines are higher in alcohol and served in bigger bowl glasses, the fruit can be lost or diffused, and so a narrower glass might be the solution to help pull the wine back and down to size. When a wine is too young or intense I have found that using a larger bowl glass can expand the flavors and relax the impression. This does not just apply to red wines as some white wines can also be overpowering and too dense or oaky and would benefit from a bowl glass as well. In the case of a Champagne flute, the bowl most likely will resemble the shape of a trumpet or be very narrow which is due to the belief that the shape will retain the 'sparkle' by reducing the surface area. It is also interesting that one reason for long stems on wineglasses and Champagne flutes is that the drinker can hold the glass without affecting the temperature of the drink! Georg Riedel represents the tenth generation of glass makers in a family in Austria that has made glass stemware for over 300 years. In this video, Georg Riedel explains how and why the shape and size of a glass can make a difference in wine. My rule of thumb is to have at least a few different sizes and shapes of wine glasses to choose from so as to try and match the wine to the glass...no need to go overboard and buy a glass for each and every varietal! Traditionally, red wine glasses should have a wider, rounder bowl and while white wine glasses vary, they will tend to be a little shallower and narrower. Just for fun, try your favorite wines in a couple of different glasses at home and see if you can detect a difference. Also, next time you are out at a restaurant, notice the shape and size of glass they choose to serve the wine you ordered! Is it enhancing the experience? Trust your own instincts when it comes to choosing a wine glass!
As we head into the Holiday party season, here are some reasonably priced suggestions for the festivities:

Roederer Estate Brute NV $19.99
A lovely, tightly structured Sparkling Brute from Mendocino.

Geyser Peak Chardonnay 2008 $10.99
Ultra-Rich wine with attractive stone fruit and a touch of oak.

Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 2007 $21.99
A medium bodied Pinot with dried strawberries and a hint of spice.

Hanna Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $25.00
A rich ripe-fruited Cabernet with a great balance of spice and earth.