A friend of mine started giving me the hefty Wine Spectator (WS) magazine at least ten years ago as a yearly holiday gift. There are plenty of wine periodicals out there and any would suffice if you like their offerings, but I like WS because they have a short news column section as well as tackling several different topics a month from a specific wine region world wide, a particular grape varietal and the ever-handy pull-out guide that starts with inexpensive Smart Buys straight through to Collectibles. I used to pull out the guide every month and comb my favorite wine stores for their recommendations. (Although I do recommend sampling for yourself and only using numeric systems as a guide.)
There are countless wine books. A yearly pocket-sized buying guide to enclopedic collections. I actually read the “coffee table” books I’ve been given through the years looking for new wineries to try, food pairings and trends. The usual accompanying lavish glossy photography adding depth to my mouth-watering palate.
Wine courses offer a lot more “hands on” education. Through the years I have been expertly led from “Wine with Junk Food” to four weeks just on the “Wines of Bordeaux”. Your lecturer, sometimes a wine aficionado or a winery representative, can answer your impromptu questions as well as educate. These evenings never fail to titillate as you can learn for yourself how subjective tasting wine can be. He hates what you love and vice versa. You taste or smell plums while he reflects on the lingering bouquet of raspberries. Your descriptive word choice and taste buds are yours alone; fellow class mates appreciating what you taste in comparison to their own impressions.
Lately people have been making wine suggestions to me. I spotted an acquaintance of mine with several bottle of Puzzle wines in her Trader Joe’s cart. Frankly I was more intrigued by solving the simple word search game on the label. But, ever the social drinker, I couldn’t resist tossing one in my cart too. You can offer me anything and I will try it starting with Two Buck Chuck. My neighbor told me about that one a few years ago, I tried to drink it, and I did survive. So if you have a suggestion, or a wine you want me to sample, I would love to hear from you.
Good Wines We Can Find and Afford
“I agree in shopping local. There’s a lot of good wine, that doesn’t have to cost $50 or $100 a bottle. This includes boutique winemakers that don’t sell to the mass retailers. That’s the fun of shopping for wines.” Steve C. (Skip to the end to find out where the Helen LaPrairie band is playing in this week’s installment of the SCV Wine Calendar.)
Steve’s idea of finding good inexpensive wines allowed for another “roundup” from wine friends. But as it appeared they had much more than I had thought in the under $20 range, I had to set some limits. In this edited version of what they have for you, get ready, as some have tasting notes to make your mouth water for wine, Beaconeer Buddies, even here at 9am:
All Corked Up
All Corked Up
(http://www.allcorkedup.com, tasting notes, Victor Herstein, wine buyer)
Whites – 2007 Terra Robles Chardonnay 10.99, a nice Chard at a nice price point. 2007 Calina Chardonnay Reserva Valle De Casablanca 10.99, Chile continues to show great values. 2006 Esser Chardonnay 12.99, former owner of Cuvaison’s new project. 2006 Clos LaChance Chardonnay Unoaked 12.99, gorgeous aromas of pure Chardonnay. 2006 Ten Knots Chardonnay 15.99, from winemaker Kevin Riley, yum. 2006 Martin Codax Albarino 12.99 light dry wine perfect with many dishes.
Reds – 2005 The Red Square Pinot Noir 13.99, a real find in medium body Pinot. 2006 Valle De Uco Urban Malbec-Tempranillo 90 points Robert Parker 12.99, 50-50 blend, a Jorge Ordonez find. Seven Daughters Red Wine 7 Grapes Non-Vintage 12.99, a nice medium-bodied blend. 2006 Peirano Malbec 13.99, just in, a really nice Malbec. 2007 Fat Cat Pinot Noir 8.99, a fine everyday medium Pinot. 2006 Peirano Tempranillo 13.99, new winery to us, very impressive.
Aabalat Fine and Rare Wines (http://www.aabalat.com will give Eve’s Wine 101ers a discount if we order en masse.)
Whites – 2002 Monte Volpe Mendocino Primo Bianco 5.99, 2000 Navarro Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc 11.99, 2004 Cliff Lede Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 18.15, 2002 Clos Chaumont 1er Cote de Bordeaux Blanc 19.99, 2005 Harvest Moon Russian River Valley Estate Gewürztraminer 15.99, 1996 Laetitia San Luis Obispo Estate Reserve Pinot Blanc $19.99.
Reds – 2002 Monte Volpe Mendocino Primo Rosso 8.99, 2002 Harvest Moon Russian River Valley Zinfandel 17.51, 2003 Paul Mathew Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 19.99, 2006 Sainte Colombe Cotes de Castillon 15.95, 2003 Rocher Bellevue Figeac St Emilion 18.95.
Agua Dulce Vineyards, from their Angeles Crest label, all less than $20 (http://www.aguadulcevineyards.com, tasting notes, Dr. Andy Hock, sommelier.)
Whites – 2004 Chardonnay, apples and citrus mingle with the toasty oak and vanilla aromas. At the table, the AC Chard is an all-round performer with brie & grape quesadillas, grilled turkey burger and Caesar salad.
Reds – 2002 Sangiovese, aromas of red raspberries, cherries, vanilla and spice draw us in to this medium-bodied red that pairs beautifully with nice aged Parmesan or your favorite tomato cream pasta sauce.
2004 Syrah, aromas of plum and dark red fruit, rich texture and earthy finish make it perfect for almost anything off the grill, including grilled chicken and salmon dishes from our kitchen.
2004 Zinfandel, during a recent blind tasting with this wine and some <$20 wines from Lodi & Northern CA, our tasters could hardly be convinced they’d just tasted “LA.” Just as good with roast beef or turkey with aged jack cheddar sandwiches as it is for pizza.
2003 Sierra Rojo, marrying the rich texture and subdued purple fruit of the Syrah with the ripe front and lingering finish of the Cab-the Merlot adds just the right bite of acidity to make this a great wine for lots of rich dishes.
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, fruit forward with undertones of wood smoke and light in body, dusty smooth tannins. It’s a great wine for baguette with soft, rich French cheeses or beef carpaccio.
Vino 100 Valencia (http://www.vino100valencia.com, tasting notes, Lil Lepore, owner)
Whites – 2006 Protocolo Arien $11, peaches and pears balance this refreshing wine’s soft acidity. 2007 Torrontes $12, tropical fruit flavors, smooth and creamy finish. 2006 Hey Mambo Swanky White $14, delicious blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Muscat Canelli. 2006 Cartlidge & Brown $15, tropical fruits, orange blossoms, gentle oaks and spice leads to a supple and elegant finish. 2007 Mosby Pinot Grigio $17, light and refreshing with aromas of ripe pear, apple; crisp, citrusy taste, dry clean finish.
2007 Espirito Lagoalva $19, floral, delicate, clean and crisp.
Reds – 2007 Stella Sangiovese $12, ripe berry aromas, round, elegant. 2006 Urban Uco $13, very approachable, soft blend of Malbec and Tempranillo. 2007 McManis Cabernet Sauvignon $14, aromas of blueberry, blackberry, toffee, mocha with juicy fruit flavors on the pallet, soft finish. 2005 Abundance Syrah $16, rich plum flavors, well balanced with ample tannins and oak leads to a long, fruity finish. 2006 Onix Classic $18, Grenache and Carinena blend showing a bouquet of dark plums, sweet black cherries, rounded and nicely balanced. 2005 Trinitas Old Vine Zin $19, big, black fruit flavors with cocoa aromas with rich, bright and long finish.
SCV Wine Calendar this week:
Friday February 27: The Social Happy Hour 4-6pm, Face Book Friends: The last days (event ran all month) to print out info from FB and get a 25% discount on all breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch items (excluding tax, gratuity or alcoholic beverages) at Vines Restaurant, hear live music with Blue Sky at All Corked Up (ACU) 7:30-10:30pm and at Valencia Wine Company (VWC) with the Helen LaPrairie band.
Saturday February 28: Face Book Friends: Today is the last day to print out info from FB and get a 25% discount on all breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch items (excluding tax, gratuity or alcoholic beverages) at Vines Restaurant, “Killer Reds” tasting with Jeff Prange, VWC 4pm, Syrah, Shiraz and Rhone with John Kelley pouring Raven Oaks Syrah ACU 3-5 pm and then stay around for Vic Rocks live music 7:30-10:30, CLUBBEV members only: nickel sale preview 2/28 to 3/2.
Sunday March 1: Drive to Pasadena and try POP’s Champagne Brunch 10-1pm, Midwinter Madrigal Feast Hyatt Valencia1-5pm, weekly wine class with wine specialist ACU 2-3:30, CLUBBEV members only: nickel sale preview 2/28 to 3/2 BEV MO.
Monday March 2: Half Price bottle night on any wine under $100 at Salt Creek Grille, $3.50 flights at Vino 100, Tobin James Wines ACU 6-8pm, CLUBBEV members only: nickel sale preview 2/28 to 3/2 BEV MO.
Tuesday, March 3: Happy Hour The Social 4-6pm, Girl’s Night Out/Men Welcome with Martinis $2 off, discounted appetizers, raffle every half hour for free movie tickets Salt Creek Grille, “Te-what” class is a closer look at terroir’s influence 6:30-8 Loose Goose, $1 tasting flight when you purchase a bottle at Vino 100 4-7pm, School Fundraiser Night 6-10pm ACU, 40% off all bottles of wine at Wolf Creek, CLUBBEV nickel sale begins today for the public at BEV MO.
Wednesday, March 4: 50% off $100 bottles or less with 2 paid entrees, dining room only, not combined with other offers The Social, Wine-down Wednesday at Salt Creek Grille where wines are discounted by the glass, CLUBBEV nickel sale at BEV MO.
Thursday March 5: Teacher & School Staff Appreciation 4-6pm ACU, The Social Happy Hour 4-6pm, CLUBBEV nickel sale at BEV MO.
Further details of these events and more can be found on my blog: http://www.evewine101.blogspot.com.
Eve Bushman- Commentary
Eve Bushman is a local writer that specializes in writing about wine. You can find great articles by Eve on her blog at http://www.evewine101.blogspot.com or email her at [email protected]. Her commentaries represent her own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization she may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon. She is also now on Facebook!
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