A TASTING OF GROWER CHAMPAGNES AND SPARKLING WINES

The Vienna Wine Company and WineWise Oakland, California presented a tasting of Grower-Producer Champagnes and Sparkling Wines from Terry Theise Estate Selections and WineWise in October at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles.

Germany 2010 – A Spectacular Vintage

Imagine if Philippine Rothschild had said that today’s supermarket Mouton Cadet was the equal of the 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, the estate’s flagship wine from a famed vintage. Hanno Zilliken, owner/winemaker of the famed German Saar estate Forstmeister Zilliken, made a similar statement, comparing his 2010 wines to a cellar aged 1983 gold capsule Auslese, a prized late harvest wine from a highly praised vintage.

Two New Food and Wine Festivals Announce Plans For Their Initial Epicurean Extravaganzas

Two New Food and Wine Festivals Announce Plans For Their Initial Epicurean Extravaganzas
The First Annual Hawaii Food and Wine Festival Will Take Place on Oahu September 29 – October 1
The First Annual Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival Is Set To Occur October 13 – 16

The 21st Annual Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters Generated $1.7 Million For The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The “Midwest Street” backlot at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, once again served as the venue for A Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters, a tasting and hors d’oeuvres extravaganza, on May 14, raising $1.7 Million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, besting the 2010 total of just under $1.6 Million.

NEW RELEASE TRADE TASTING — New Zealand Wines

I recently attended a new release trade tasting in Los Angeles for New Zealand wines. Some 26 wineries were represented and there were well over 100 wines available to taste in a 3 hour period. These types of tastings are a way to get a general idea of the wines. But, for me, they are not an opportunity to write detailed notes on each wine.

TRADE TASTING California Pinot Noir “In Pursuit Of Balance”

I recently attended a trade tasting featuring California Pinot Noir. It was held at restaurant RN74 in San Francisco. Rajat Parr, the sommelier, has been a strong proponent of wines with alcohols lower than 15%. Lower alcohol wines are something that has been advocated by many of us for a very long time.

Charity Wine Auctions Announce Exciting Events for 2011

A Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters, 22nd Annual –

Saturday, May 14, Burbank, California

Vintage Affaire, 29th Annual – Saturday, June 25, Atherton, California

Central Coast Wine Classic, 27th Annual – Thursday, July 7 through Sunday, July 10, Avila Beach, California

St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church Cellar Classic, 2nd Annual –

Saturday, July 30, Los Olivos, California

Recap of Our Favorite Charity Wine Auctions in 2010 and Announcements of 2011 Plans

While most of the charity wine auctions have been struggling in this tough economic climate for the last couple of years, it seems that some have rebounded in 2010. Here are five of our favorite auctions which began rallying last year. The sixth auction listed here was in its successful first year. The 2011 schedule for each of these auctions is also announced.

A Tasting of Grower Champagnes

The Vienna Wine Company and WineWise Oakland, California presented a tasting of 86 Grower-Producer Champagnes from Terry Theise Estate Selections and WineWise in October at Campanile Restaurant in Los Angeles.

The Champagnes are delicious, hand-crafted and estate-bottled, grown and produced by a vintner or by a family. Generally, the Champagnes imported by Terry Theise sell for about $45-100 for non-vintage and $60-145 for vintage. Theise calls these Grower Champagnes Farmer Fizz because the wines are made by a farmer and offer the individually distinctive flavors of terroir-driven wines.

A Tasting of Grower Champagnes and Sparkling Wines

The Vienna Wine Company and WineWise Oakland, California presented a tasting of 89 Grower-Producer Champagne and 11 Sparkling Wines from Terry Theise Estate Selections and WineWise in November at Campanile Restaurant in Los Angeles.