This week I had the good pleasure of spending a day with Ms. Alison Sokol Blosser of Sokol Blosser Winery from the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  

After catching up on some shared old friends amongst the Willamette Valley, Alison and I spent a great day discussing the progress of Sokol Blosser’s vineyard estates and unique organic/sustainable farming techniques.  Working for Archery Summit, just up the hill from Sokol Blosser, and spending many years within the Willamette Valley, I was reminded of missing the very cool ‘farming’ talk that Alison and I had the oppportunity to catch up on.  Soaking up the traditionalism and the passion in which Alison spoke of her family’s vineyards, I was inspired this Saturday morning to delve deep back into a few of my wine books and read up on some of this industry’s most passionate vineyard specialists and worldwide organic/biodynamic estates.  There are many within the world of wine that set the bar for what we do today within the United States in the way of vineyard practice, but strictly looking at what we do here on a national level, I want to share just a bit about some of Sokol Blosser’s innovation practices.

With 85 acres to look over and a whole family of Pinotphiles, the Sokol Blossers have made a great impact on Pacific NW wine culture.  Susan, Alison’s mother and founder of the winery, was one of the first in her industry to make way for great Pinot in her area.  Today, she continues to make exemplary strides and leads by example for her industry with her farming/winery techniques.  Sokol Blosser, first in the country to become LEED certified with their barrel cellar, certified organic within their vineyard estates and producing as green as possible through the use of biodiesel tractors and post consumer waste recycled paper within their labels, the winery has certainly set the standards for many amongst the great Dundee Hills Appelation in Oregon.  The richness of the Willamette’s Jory soil and the rich earth driven vines are apparent in the nose, palate and color in each of the wines that Alison and I tasted from their portfolio.  Of course, the Sokol Blosser Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is one of the best examples when it comes to expressing the soils of its origin, but I did find that all the way down to their white blend, Evolution, and Pinot Noir based red blend, Mediterina, the essence of Oregon floated from the nose of every wine we tasted. From the nose to the palate, there is nothing that can compare to this rich region of Pinot.

Alison, just as passionate as her mother, in an industry that is always needing more pioneering women, was a real treat to hang out with giving me the urge to make a quick trip out to see some old pals within the valley.  With a similar passion to Pinot, I find myself  having that urge to dig into my cellar for a glass of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Delish!

For more information regarding Sokol Blosser and their wonderful line up of wines visit:  www.sokolblosser.com

Cheers!

On Wednesday, February 18th, I had the honor of presenting wines for the second year to one of radio station’s, KBEM, ’RestauranTOUR Jazz Dinners’.  The event, which was held at The Red Stag Supper Club, showcased a wonderful four-course menu featuring an array of international wines and local sustainable food.  Kim Bartman, owner of The Red Stag and other local goodies ~ Bryant Lake Bowl and Cafe Barbette, hosted the group for the second year as an avid supporter of the station. 

The dinner guests, a really fun group of individuals with enthusiasm and passion for food and wine, enjoyed the sounds of a local jazz musician while sipping their way through a wine menu that consisted of 4 international wines.  From a new Italian Prosecco (Astoria Lounge) to a beautiful little Cotes du Rhone from French producer Chapoutier that I had chosen for the dinner’s main entree, the wines showed perfectly with each dish.  Kevin Barnes, marketing and development director for the station, emceed the event while I spoke of each wine with the courses served.

I am reminded when I do local events of this nature that my new community is truly one with a great deal of passion for their local programs.  I sat with a delightful couple, Hendrika and Charles, that shared many stories with me of their yearly travels and beautiful acreage of land that consisted of a zillion vegetable crops, a forest and a couple of friendly outdoor cats that they had adopted.  They had enjoyed many wines around the world and had a wonderful sense of passion for life that was purely magical. 

 Another highlight to my evening was an introduction to a new wine by name of Havens.  Havens, located in the Napa Valley, produces a number of highly allocated products that is released yearly to their wine club.  Members of the jazz dinner, Katie and Peter, had brought a bottle to share with their table.  As we got to talking about wine, they offered me a glass to taste.  Peter, a collector of fun wine and a Havens wine club member, and I shared a great conversation of a few new California wineries.  The wine, a blend of Cab and Syrah, was a nice juicy treat.  Soft and gooey like the inside of a toasted marshmallow, the body shared a smokey note true to its Syrah component while leaving a nice little velvety crunch to its outer edge ~ making it perfect to pair with the chocolate cake that was served for dessert.

The pairing of the night, however, an AMAZING spinach salad with bits of roasted pear, smoked yellow raisins, bleu cheese and puffed wild rice which I paired with a fresh, crisp Italian Pinot Grigio.  Absolutely delicious, I can only think that I’ll be heading back to the Stag soon for more of the same!

Another new crowd of faces for me and always a great adventure.  I’m constantly reminded of why I settled back to the Midwest after living many years on the west coast, and it has everything to do with the people.  Thanks to everyone who attended ~ it was a delightful evening!

I just had to take the time this morning to jot a quick ‘thanks’ for all who made my ABC’s of wine class a smash hit last nite at Cook’s of Crocus Hill in St. Paul.

With 30 folks in attendance, almost 95% of those who came were brand new faces to an Amusée wine class.  With a room packed from those who absoultely knew nothing about wine to a few who knew quite a bit, there was much to be learned by all.  

From the very beginning steps to  properly siting, smelling and tasting wine - my three hour class taught the intricate differences between understanding new/old world wines, noble varietals, soil types, proper storage and cellaring for wines, stemare and serving etiquette down to simplistic tips for food/wine pairing at home. 

Often times when students come in to a 3 hour wine class, they are not always sure what to expect.  I’m sure fearing that I could turn out to be a flat, snobby, un-enthusiastic wine brat is just one of the thoughts that run through their heads as they see me seated at the front of the class.  Yet, quickly after breaking the ice with silly ‘cork dork’ jokes, sharing my ‘do you like it? then drink it!’ theory and with lots of bubbly to start, the look of ‘don’t call on me’ goes away.  I warn that after the first hour passes, I, as the instructor, will not be able to get a word in edgewise.  (I was right about that last nite!)

It’s always fun to see a class progress and see the little lights turn on inside their wine brains.  One couple, very memorable, could not wait to talk about the ‘blind tasted’ New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that they had in their glass.  Eeking to raise their hands and speak of their experience on their NZ honeymoon, they gushed about the soil, the ail, the grapes and the wines that they had consumed on their adventure.  They knew, exactly, what was in their glass when it was poured, just from the smells that they remembered.  Honestly, giving me goosebumps, it is the greatest joy that I get from teaching these classes in these settings.  I make it clear that no answer is incorrect, no wine question is stupid and all tasting notes are allowable – this is where ‘experiencing’ wine is fun. 

I suppose I just wanted to make it a point to say ‘thank you’ for all who attended last nite.  It was a very memorable experience for me and I will probably never forget that very sweet honeymoon story and continue to speak of it in upcoming classes.

Thanks for the laughs, your enthusiastic energy and personal stories – after all, they ARE what makes this little wine world go round and round.

On a side note ~ If you haven’t taken the time to come to one of my classes, I strongly encourage you to- they are always a blast!  For more info, a list of classes and events are posted under my WINE EVENTS page at: http://www.amuseewine.com/html/wine_events.html

*Don’t forget about our 2nd Annual Upcoming Aphrodisiac Dinner at Café Ena this Monday, Feb 9th!  Sign up quick, space is limited.  For more info call Café Ena at 612.824.4441 or visit http://www.cafeena.net/ to make your reservations.

As you may have heard, Winemaker and founder of Archery Summit, Pine Ridge and Gypsy Dancer Wineries, Gary Andrus, passed away last Friday.

We are thankful for the vision and dedication that drove Gary to start both Archery Summit and its sister winery Pine Ridge. With his love for classic French wines and intense passion, he created two iconic properties that are outstanding representations of their appellations. At Archery Summit, which he started in 1993, he brought Oregon Pinot Noir to a new level of quality and respect within the wine world. And at Pine Ridge, what began as four acres within the Stags Leap District in 1978 is now over 220 of the most prestigious vineyards in Napa Valley.

Gary was admired and respected by his extended family within the wine industry and will be missed by all those who were touched by his legacy. Many are committed to honoring his vision going forward by continuing to produce wines that are of exceptional quality. Please join me in raising a glass of Archery Summit to the memory of Gary Andrus.

For those of you who are not lucky enough to have your own neighborhood fan club, you’re missing out!  

There are many wonderful things about moving back to the Midwest – the Packers!, big fluffy snowflakes, ice-skating on small quaint ponds, bright pink and white blossoms in the spring, red gold and orange maple leaves in the fall and best of all, a community and real neighborhoods nestled in every corner of the city with its own ‘block family’.  

I’ve felt my neighborhood come together many times over the past two years of living here from the summertime block parties, announcements tucked in my door of new babies born on the block, neighborhood families coming to the door with cookies for the Christmas season to the cluster of children that gather in our yard on weekend days to play.  If you want a good dose of what it is to feel ‘included’ or ‘loved’ by the people in your community, come on down to my hood.  There’s a unique group of kiddos that gather on the block that seem to always have the neighborhood hopping.  From their careless summer days to their wintertime ice skating down the ice covered sidewalks, they always seem to make the best out of even the coldest winter day.  It gives me a sense of nostalgia to remember what it was like living in the Midwest as a youngster.  It makes me smile to think that life was and still is, truly this simple.

Which, brings me to my ‘thank you’.  A few days ago, I suffered a back injury which has left me lying flat on my back, pent up in the house for a period of what has felt like eternity.  From the second I arrived home gimping from the car to my front step, I’ve had a wonderful slew of phone calls, emails and well wishings. All so appreciated, yet at the same time one came extra special last night.  My door bell rang at about 7pm, to find my two favorite neighbors standing at my door with a homemade card and a hot plate of brownies.  (Little did they know that I had been begging for brownies the night before.)  With a very carefully drawn artsy card and a wonderful message written on the back (of course made from scratch), my heart swelled with appreciation for the very small things that make life as special as it truly is.  Miss Grace, the baker of the group made a delicious batch of brownies from scratch with the help of her older brother Joe and their very good friend Brigid.  Feeling certainly blessed and loved, I can only think that my back will heal that much quicker with the help and prayers of my wonderful neighborhood gang.  

So with my little ‘thank you’, I say…find yourself a good group of neighborhood kids to surround yourselves with.  You’ll be reminded of the fact that it’s truly the simplest things in life that bring peace and joy to your everyday.  

Thanks so much Grace, Joe and Brigid!