Wine Outlook

Looking for a last-minute Valentine’s gift? Well, we’ve got the bottle for you. The Rosenblum Cellars Desiree dessert wine will fill your glass with chocolatey goodness and your loved one’s eyes with glee. The smell alone will make you swoon….chocolate, vanilla, coconut, and cigar box. We say it’s like liquid Mounds bar. And at $18 a bottle, you can buy two and the gift box, and make quite the presentation.

And rest assured, your love will be returned.

last-minute Valentine’s gift, Desiree, dessert wine

Or almost, anyway. After a mind-boggling December, January is starting off very slowly. While this is not such good news for me and the rest of the crew, it is good news for you, the Rosenblum fans out there. Typically our least busy month, January is the perfect time to come visit the winery and not have to fight the crowds as much as usual. You’ll get more attention and can maybe even talk us into a tour, if there is enough staff to cover the room.

Hey, I know what you could do. Make a day of it. Start at Rosenblum for a tasting, marveling at how creative the notes on the menu are. (Whoever could have written them? you’ll wonder) Then if the weather isn’t too bad, grab a turkey and avocado sandwich from Domenico’s–my new favorite deli–and head over to Lake Merritt to eat it, people and goose watching while you do, and then a walk. If it’s as gloomy as it has been, go to La Pinata 3 for a tasty carne asada bowl to warm you up and then check out St. George Spirits for a vodka tasting. Or maybe you’d rather sit and throw peanuts on the floor at Quinn’s Lighthouse, where the seafood is delicious and the wine is cheap. Next stop: Jack London Square to taste at JC Cellars and Dashe or to return gifts and get a few more for yourself at the shops along the way. By the way, Cost Plus World Market is having a great sale right now.

Rosenblum fans, Domenico’s, La Pinata 3, Quinn’s Lighthouse, Cost Plus World Market

Holiday gift ideas:If you find yourself unable to think of a gift that will knock the socks off the wine lover in your life, let me give you some ideas… Rosenblum Cellars gifts packs

Rock Your World (Rockpile Trio) ~$130.50
Our Rockpile Road wines are among our most popular and world famous, thanks to Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List, which put our 2003 Rockpile Zin in the No. 3 spot. This box contains our 2005 Rockpile Road Zinfandel, 2005 Rockpile Road Petite Sirah, and 2005 Fran’s Vineyard (Rockpile) Syrah. (This gift box is very limited because these wines are in such short supply.)

Zinful Ladies of Rosenblum ~ $110.50
Perfect for every occasion, these irresistible Zinfandels are elegant, voluptuous and drop-dead gorgeous. Containing our 2005 Maggie’s Reserve Zinfandel, 2005 Annette’s Reserve Zinfandel, and 2005 Carla’s Vineyard Zinfandel.

Syrah Sensation and Logo Shirt ~$60.00
This gift box contains our 2005 England Shaw Syrah, the latest in a long line of exceptionally rated Syrahs (the last 3 vintages each earned 91+ points in Wine Spectator). It also includes our 2005 Sonoma Hillside Syrah with another award-winning pedigree. The classic (free!) polo shirt adds a stylish element and comes in M,L or XL. Please indicate size when you place your order. (more…)

Holiday gift ideas, Rosenblum Cellars gifts packs, Rockpile Road Zinfandel, Zinful Ladies of Rosenblum

When Aura asked me to put the Christmas tree up at work a couple of weeks ago, I protested quite a bit. After all, it wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet. But our Open House was soon approaching and she wanted everyone to get into the holiday spirit, so I gave in. Plus, she’s my boss. After Sean went out and bought one of those pre-lit fake trees (since it was too early for a real one), Meg and I set to the task of decorating. I might have gotten into the spirit a little more easily if we’d been sipping on some egg nog, but there will be time for that later…. And not the non-alcoholic kind because, after all, this is Rosenblum.

We, of course, went for a wine-themed Christmas tree. Making use of our excess of corks–cork ornaments:we pierced them with paper clips and hung them sporadically. Celeste’s idea (the Healdsburg tasting room maven) was to put old wine labels back to back. Then I was struck with inspiration (more…)

wine-themed Christmas tree, cork ornaments

I’m going to have to jump out of order to report on my dinner at Astaria, as there’s a need for urgency. It was a happy surprise the other night to find out all bottles of wine are half off through July. So if you live in the Bay Area, definitely try out this Mediterrenean restaurant soon… We had two very nice split bottles, an app, and two great entrees for a little over $100. That picture was our appetizer of chorizo and corn pancakes with prawns mole. The mole was maple-syrup infused, and it made for an extremely interesting combination with the corn, onion, and avocado salsa. The NV Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label was refreshing with pear, apple, lemon, and biscuits, though maybe not the best pairing ever. The shrimp were fairly spicy and overpowered the bubbles too much. (more…)

Astaria, NV Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label

Ah, the 4th of July: a BBQer’s ultimate paradise. Burgers, steaks, sausages, hot dogs, shish kebobs, corn, potatoes…. If it’s not moving, throw it on the grill. And while I find two wines to be just heavenly for grilled treats (Zinfandel and a dry rose’) this year I’m going for Sangria. While I plan to make the red version tomorrow, yesterday I got some practice making my first white Sangria. It was a spur-of-the-moment idea, so I just threw in what I had: Ventana white wine, apple juice, strawberry lemonade, and tons of diced peaches and mangoes. It was very refreshing, I only wished I had some sparkling white grape juice or Sprite to give it a little fizz.

And in the meantime, read this inspired and witty piece by Peter Hartlaub about the lack of freedom on the holiday that embodies freedom. It’ll make you want to break the law, and load up on Roman candles, bottle rockets, and the like.

4th of July, white Sangria, Peter Hartlaub, grill and wine pairing

Readers and drinkers, I did go to Healdsburg, and I promise to post about it soon. I even have a couple pictures, which is amazing at the rate I haven’t been taking them lately.

But I thought I’d get a head start on my trip to Paso Robles next weekend. (Did I mention I love my new schedule at Rosenblum? I actually get a weekend day off every week!)

So–what wineries in Paso Robles do you think I shouldn’t miss?

winetasting in Paso Robles

Readers, sometimes I like to turn the tables. Instead of offering you information, I want to ask for some. Tomorrow I’ll be driving up to Healdsburg for the day. I’ve got a couple places in mind, but I’m wondering if anyone has suggestions for wineries (or other destinations) that I should not miss.

Healdsburg

Here’s a link to my last column in the Jackson Free Press, which addresses issues with wine shipping laws. Living in California now, it’s easy to take it for granted. But some states do not allow direct shipping, leading to great disappointment, let me tell you.

If you read it, I’m adding the original conclusion below. (My piece must have been too long.) (more…)

Last week I had the great idea to make calamari. And by great idea, I mean I will never try it again. Without a deep fryer, it just doesn’t work. They were chewy from being in too long, and I still have burns on my face and arm…though they’re finally fading. Therefore, with the chaos of fighting oil splatters in a hot kitchen on an extra-warm evening, talking, and holding ice to my face while trying to eat, I didn’t take any notes on the Moet & Chandon White Star. I do recall, however, that it was exactly what I needed at that point, and it went down far too easily. I’ll have to get it again and pay better attention. (more…)

calamari, Moet & Chandon White Star

Don’t forget tomorrow is Mother’s Day. I was much better this year than last, and my mom got her package yesterday… although she’s waiting to open it.

But if you haven’t done anything yet, here are a few ideas:

*My friend Val left me a voicemail saying I would be proud of her. For her mother-in-law, she bought a basket at World Market and filled it with those cute little single-serving bottles they have in the wine and food section. Reds, whites, and sparkling… and then she planned to put some different cheeses in there as well. Throw in some crackers and it’s a mini wine tasting for Mom!

*If you’re in the Bay Area, bring your favorite mom up to Thomas Fogarty Winery. They’ll be pouring late-harvest Gewurztraminer and Blanc de Blancs, with some strawberries, chocolates, and Harley Farms goat cheese on the side. Tasting room hours 11-5. The lawn will even be open for picnics, which usually isn’t allowed. Normally, I’d be there pouring wine, but I will be attending a tea party for my friend Sara. Her sweet mom once offered to adopt me, seeing as how my family is across the country, so I’ll have a surrogate tomorrow.

*And maybe there’s something your mom has been wanting you to do and you just haven’t done it yet. Now’s the time. For me, it’s to give my mom a list of a few wines to have around the house that aren’t too expensive and are easy to drink.

Red: low-priced Rosenblum or Ravenswood Zinfandels (great bargains and consistently good), Penfold’s Cab/Shiraz blends, Folie a Deux Menage a Trois
White: Thomas Fogarty Gewurztraminer (y’all know I love it!), low-priced Louis Guntrum Rieslings (one’s in a blue bottle and one’s yellow), or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, such as Matua Valley or Nobilo
Sparkling: Mumm or Gloria Ferrer ( I prefer the Blanc de Noirs for both, but you could also go for the Brut) Cristalino Cava (Brut or Rose’) and for something sweeter–the Toad Hollow Risque’.

Happy Mother’s Day, a little early!

Mother’s Day, wine for mom, suggestions for house wines

If you’re in or around Jackson, Mississippi, have I got news for you. This Saturday evening brings the wine event of the year: Sante South Wine Festival. Over 30 wineries will pour over a 100 wines, with a dozen local restaurants providing delectable treats.The center courtyard of Highland Village, a quaint outdoor mall, provides the perfect setting with its cobbled walkways, fountains, benches, flowers & trees, and scattered artwork.

Back story: when I attended the first one two years ago, I had just returned to the Jackson area with plans for finding a wine job. Thinking this festival would be a great opportunity to meet people in the industry, I did a little research on each winery being represented (and even had index cards with notes). However, a combination of my being shy and enjoying the wine a bit too much–this was before I began to spit–didn’t exactly lead to any offers. At the time, it didn’t matter. That was the first time I hung out with the sommelier, who is now one of my dearest friends. We bonded afterwards over the Guntrum “Yellow Fantasy” and rosemary & honey glazed chicken at Julep, right around the corner. Not that we needed any more wine, or food, at that point. (more…)

Jackson, Mississippi, Sante South, Wine Festival

I’ve written about this in the past, but it definitely bears repeating. It kills me when I hear people make comments (comments I have made myself, in the past, though I hope I’ve now changed) about how they do not like one type of wine and will. not. try. it.

Obviously, this happens fairly often with Merlot, which is why once on the tasting room menu, I began the notes for the ‘01 vintage “Forget what you know about Merlot.” Though, in actuality, it probably should have said, “what you think you know.”

Like I said, I’ve been there. Until recently, I’d skip past the Chardonnay because I’m not a fan of hugely oaky whites. However, many wineries realize there are hordes of people who feel that way, and they’re laying off the over-the-top buttery richness. And I was never one to choose Merlot when there were other wines available, though now sometimes I’ll get it just to spite those with the anti-Merlot attitude.

This all comes up again because I had a lady the other day in the tasting room stick out her tongue when she read Malbec was in our Skyline blend. So here’s a link to my column in the Jackson Free Press proclaiming reasons to give the grape a try.

trying new wines, open minds

Now, other than the glass of too sweet sparkling I had after the show, Altar Boyz doesn’t have all much to do with wine. It’s a show about 5 boys in a Christian pop group, who sing and dance The Word, even though one of them is Jewish.

Wait, there was “The Miracle Song.” The first one occurs at a wedding “When all of a sudden, the wine gave out/Mary on the Q.T. gave J.C. a shout,” followed by the possibly familiar story of Jesus turning water into wine that was better than what they were drinking before.

I’d have to say the best part was the fact that we were on the front row, and one member of our group (the biodegradable wine fan) was pulled up onto the stage by the lead singer as he cooed to her “Girl, you make me want to wait.” She was quite the good sport, but also being Jewish, I told her she should have made a beeline for Abraham. (more…)

Altar Boyz, water into wine

Situation
Would like to go on a mini road trip tomorrow. Would like to keep the drive not much longer than 2 hours (from say, San Mateo)

Issues to consider
Places I’ve been that I don’t want to go this time: Napa or Sonoma
Other places I’ve been: Livermore, Healdsburg (very briefly), most wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains–except the most southern ones, couple of tasting rooms in Monterey

Other requirements
should have other fun activites besides winetasting (including, but not limited to, hiking, affordable shopping, ghost sightings)

It seems the places I really want to go are just a little too far (Paso, Amador, Mendocino….) So come on, readers and drinkers. Help a girl out!

wine suggestions, wine country advice