Wine Outlook

Tonight is our Component Analysis seminar, and I’m hard at work this morning getting things ready. Boiling, chopping, smashing, grating, and washing items to analyze. I’m super excited about this one. Not only are we going to discuss tasting techniques, but we’re going to get down and dirty (ok, not really) with experiments and putting our noses to good use. The class will get a chance to see what aromas and flavors they can pick out in six different Rosenblum wines. No pressure, just fun.

And here’s a tip for a class like this and for any winetasting excursion: don’t wear perfume, oils, or cologne. You don’t want competing aromas to distract from those in the wine and make your nose work that much harder. Trust me, I love perfume, and it pains me to not be able to wear it to work, but I know how difficult it is when customers come in who seem to have doused themselves in the stuff. It’s hard to breathe in such close quarters, much less smell the wine.

By the way, this seminar is full, but here’s a heads up for the next one: Feb.20–To Age or Not To Age, more details to follow.

Component Analysis seminar, winetasting etiquette, wine classes

We’ve always said we were a dog-friendly winery. How could we not be with a 40+ year veteranarian as the owner and winemaker and the fact that we donate to Paws With a Cause…. There are even some doggy regulars among the canine crew, such as Sweet Pea, Elvis, and Franny. And Jordan the dog even has his own business card and has left it with us once or twice.

The Saturday before last, however, was a veritable doggy playground. In the middle of the holiday season–our busiest time of year–hordes of tasters crowded in, trying to belly up to the packed bar. I went downstairs to print price sheets and maybe grab a bite to eat. When I returned, there were three chihuahuas in the window seat, two Alaskan huskies near the register, and one or two in between. (more…)

dog-friendly winery, Paws With a Cause

Recently there was an article in the San Francisco Chronicle about the trend in some wineries being friendly towards children and dogs. Rosenblum Cellars has always been happy to let dogs roam the tasting room. With an owner who started his wine career while moonlighting as a veterinarian, it would seem silly if we didn’t. With a water bowl on the floor and treats behind the bar, it’s a veritable doggy playground. And of course, our Chateau la Paws label with the two Rhone style wines donates to Paws with a Cause.

Recently, we made the move to help find entertainement for children. With coloring books, cards, an Etch-a-Sketch, and other games…the kids can keep busy while their parents taste good wine. Juice boxes are scheduled to arrive soon.

The article focused mainly on Napa and Sonoma, so we didn’t get mentioned…. but our tasting room in Healdsburg did get the spotlight. Here’s what they said: (more…)

Rosenblum has a fun label called Chateau La Paws. Kent Rosenblum, being a vet and a winemaker, put the two loves together to make Cote du Bone Blanc and Cote du Bone Roan. $6 from every case is donated to Paws With a Cause, an organization dedicated to training service animals for those who need them. So when a friendly canine was in the tasting room on Tuesday, and the owners said she’d like a little Chardonnay, I gave her instead some Bone Blanc. Refreshing, fruity, and perfect for those dog days of summer…

Chateau La Paws, Cote du Bone Blanc, Paws With a Cause

Everyone always thinks my job is the best gig in the world. Working on top of a mountain, pouring great wine, a lovely view out the window… However, people are people wherever you go. Sometimes that means complaining about prices or the size of the pour, insisting on discounts for no reason, making a mess of the clothing items, or just plain rudeness.

That’s why it’s so nice to have people come in the door that you are truly excited to see. In my case, that usually means wine club members. Having been at the winery over a year now, I’ve gotten to know many rather well. (more…)

Now, I would venture that most people who come into the tasting room find me friendly and helpful. I answer questions, assist in purchases, provide suggestions, take pictures, make jokes…almost always with that southern charm I can’t seem to shake. Often if there are enough people in the room, I might let someone slip in after closing time, just letting them know the tasting will be at a faster pace.

However. Some days 5 o’clock can’t come fast enough, and turning the sign from ‘Open’ to ‘Closed’ brings far too much joy. Sunday was one such day, as it began trying to complete 3 different inventories before customers came in–unsuccessfully. It being the end of the month, I’d have to finish after everyone left, adjusting numbers accordingly. Not to mention the cleaning and register transactions. So when a group came in after 5, I held my ground, despite their pleas and attempts at making me feel guilty. (more…)

I’ve been amiss in tasting room tips, so it’s time for another.

You really don’t have to rinse your glass between tastes, unless you’re going from red to white, and then it’s mostly about the color. Reasoning behind this relates to the strength of the wine, rather than purity. It’s better to have a few drops of wine in the glass than water, because the second waters down the wine. Many wines these days are blends anyway. Even if the label says Cabernet Sauvignon, legally it only has to contain 75%(85% in Oregon) of that variety, and probably has a little Merlot, etc. to soften it.

People also ask about “this stuff in my glass” and sometimes request a new one. Nothing to be scared of, readers. It could be sediment, which comes from the skins and other bits of goodness that add flavor when the wine isn’t filtered or maybe tartrates, from tartaric acid, helpful in preservation.

If you still want to rinse, only put a small amount of water in your glass, and shake as much out of it as you can.

I promise I won’t gasp loudly and almost yelp in disbelief, as two men in a tasting room did to me, making this girl from Mississippi feel about two inches tall. I won’t be catty and name the winery. I’ll just say I was about to drink the Insignia…

tasting room, rinsing wine glass, sediment, tartrates

…..Farley Walker

I just scoured three websites focused on tipping etiquette and didn’t find one mention of tasting rooms. People have asked me what’s appropriate, and seeing as how I work in one, I say, “Go for it.” Granted, I’m biased. (more…)

Had you seen me earlier today, you might have thought me a little (more) crazy. Darting around the tasting room, waving a net through the air. It wasn’t my idea of a good time. Honestly–ever since I finished Girl Scouts, I have stopped purposefully acting like a lunatic in front of groups of people.

But the fruit flies have taken over, you see. The brevity of their lifespan is far outweighed by their insane ability to multiply. If the view is blocked by the black cloud hovering in the air and you find yourself swallowing the damn things along with your Diet Coke, pride disappears down the drain. (more…)

After yesterday at work, I decided I needed a new category. I’ve been meaning to write a general post on the matter, and I already dedicated one of my instructional wine videos to the subject. The problem is, the people who really need to read/see this stuff–aren’t. They probably wouldn’t bother.

So I’ve decided as these indignations occur, I will do my best to report them, as objectively as possible. (more…)