I was reminded of all the reasons why I love wine in box this morning when I found a note in my ‘inbox’ from one of my favorite northern California producers, Peterson Winery, presenting their latest Box Wines of the Season.

Fred and Jamie Peterson, who over the years have become more than ‘wine pals’ in the industry and now more like family, are part of a leading group of California producers that throw a small batch of their handmade juice into box.  From Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz to Rosé – the father/son winemaking duo pushes the envelope yearly with their savvy marketing and delicious vino packaged into creative new designs and blends.

If you haven’t had a chance to stock your fridge with some delicious Box Selections for the season, here’s a few goodies to look over from Peterson Winery!

3L Bag in Box Wines Currently Available in Limited Quantities

2011 Old School Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley Our extremely popular, extremely value priced, “easy-drinking, less thinking” Zin has been a hit the last few years, selling  The juicy dark fruit, make for a “go-to” wine. Something to go to after work, when friends arrive, when dinner is served, when packing for the weekend get-away, or whenever. 3L Bag in Box price: $72 Club price: $57.60 150 bag in boxes produced (50 cases) Buy it Now! 2012 Sauvignon Blanc Timber Crest Farms   Our Sauvignon Blanc is from the Timber Crest Farms vineyard right across the road from our winery location on Dry Creek Road. Rich layers of lemongrass, smoky oak and tropical fruit with a touch of floral round out the tempting aromas. Clean and crisp, yet layered, our Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine that even red wine lovers will enjoy. 3L Bag in Box Price: $72 Club Price: $57.60 75 bag in boxes produced (25 cases)   Buy It Now! 2012 Donna Bella Rosé   Tollini Vineyard 50% Grenache 25% Carignane 25% Petite Sirah Refreshing, crisp, and floral, this classic pink wine is perfect for summertime gatherings, whether poolside or canoeing down a river. Cofermenting Grenache, Carignane, and Petite Sirah cold and slow in stainless steel helps create a lovely wine perfect for warmer weather and lighter fare. 3L Bag in Box price: $64 Club Price: $51.20 75 bag in boxes produced (25 cases) Buy It Now! 2012 “Big Pink” Rosé Bradford Mountain  Estate Vineyard   50% Grenache 25% Zinfandel 25% Petite Sirah A complex blend from the Estate Bradford Mountain Vineyard that shows the intensity of the site while maintaining the light hearted quality a Rose should have. Red fruits, minerality, and lively acidity define this unique wine. 3L Bag in Box price: $80  Club price: $64 69 bag in boxes produced (23 cases) Buy it Now! 2011 Zero Manipulation Carignan, Grenache Syrah Blend Tollini Vineyard   Zero is a Rhone-style blend, built on the strong structure of old-vine Carignane, with percentages of other varietals. It’s easy-to-drink with clean vibrant fruit aromas and flavors, and has just enough structure to make it interesting without needing cellar aging. When you want a great glass of wine, think Zero Manipulation. 3L Bag in Box Price: $60 Club Price: $48 144 bag in boxes produced (48 cases)   Buy It Now! 2010 Shinbone Shiraz/Cab Blend Dry Creek Valley Our homage to the Shiraz/Cab blends from the land Down Under. Lovely fruit aromas of strawberry, mixed dark berries and plum join with hints of toasty oak, anise and earth notes. The creamy core holds rich vanilla and plum flavors wrapped with threads of smoked meat, licorice and tar. Nicely balanced with a smooth texture and easy to sip, this unique blend pairs well with your favorite everyday meals-grilled steaks, mac & cheese, pizza, burgers and more. 3L Bag in Box price: $80 Club price: $64 150 bag in boxes produced (50 cases) Buy it Now!

Remember, Boxed Wine is no longer Franzia!  Many high end wineries are experimenting with the containers for ease of packaging and a way to get more wine on your shelf in a smaller space.  At the same time, caring for your BAG IN A BOX takes a teensy bit of work to maintain its fresh taste.  The Petersons shared a fabulous link that speaks to the care of your Boxed Wine – did you know storing your wine improperly will spoil the juice inside?  

If you’re looking to branch out and check out a few more International selections from the box, my pals at Solo Vino, Selby Ave, St Paul and Elevated BWS, 41st & Hiawatha, Minneapolis both carry a plethora of terrific box wines.  Check em out!

Cheers & Happy Sippin’

I pay homage and say good-bye to a Durango, CO restaurant legend.  Randy’s Restaurant, an establishment I worked and managed for over 9 years almost 15 years ago.

Restaurateur, Randy Burton, not only one of my greatest career mentors, but life’s closest friends created an environment for his employees that was educative, and truly encapsulated the feeling of ‘family’ for all that were a part of his team.   Certainly, a very memorable part of my Coloradan history, and one that will not be forgotten.  Thanks for all the great memories, Randy!

Article published Jan 21, 2013 by The Durango Herald – Durango, Colorado

Good-bye to a Durango favorite

Photo by: JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald

AGAINST THE ODDS, ELEVATED SET TO DEBUT IN STYLE
Saturday Party Culminates Grand Opening Week

Navigating a long road filled with some surprising obstacles, two local entrepreneurs are prepared to share their vision with South Minneapolis. Longtime friends Ryan Widuch and Tom Boland were determined to bring a craft beer specialty store that also provided a full selection of wine and spirits to their neighborhood. After over a year of hard work they will celebrate with a grand opening December 3rd through the 8th. The whole week will include many special guests, raffles, giveaways and special discounts

Saturday’s party will feature a full lineup reflecting the decisions made throughout the store: selection without pretense, emphasis on a comfortable atmosphere for all, and ongoing commitment to education.

The Tasting Room schedule will start the education in earnest, building to Saturday’s bill of Lucid Brewing, Leslee Miller of Amusée Wine and Kevin Welch of Boom Island Brewing. Free beer and wine pairings presented by SCRATCH Food Truck and live music DJ’s and performers round out the celebration.

Elevated Beer Wine & Spirits is South Minneapolis’ new craft beer and wine destination. Offering a full service liquor store with a focus on atmosphere, selection and expertise, Elevated Beer Wine & Spirits is taking the modern liquor store to the next level.

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On Saturday, December 8th @ 4pm – Come join Leslee Miller of Amusée for a fun BUBBLE BATH!  Taste a number of sparkling wines from around the globe, including a brief tutorial regarding  bubblies and the regions they come from.  Taste, explore and stock your cellar with a selection of interesting sparkly goodies from around the globe!

Tasting is FREE, why would you pass it up?

For more information, please contact Ryan Widuch, Tom Boland, or Katie Brennan at 612-208-0973 or email info@elevatedbws.com

Friday I had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to train a winery in my own backyard. Well, not exactly my own backyard, but when you’re from Minnesota, an hours drive feels like something from your neighborhood.

Crow River Winery, a Minnesota Winery, located just one hour west of the Twin Cities is an outstanding one day get-away tour for those in the metro looking to escape the daily grind of the city. A winery that sits within the Crow River Watershed, an area defined by the 15,000 yr old Des Moines Glacier. Full of glacial til and gravel, the region leaves a well-drained stony, clay soil perfect for growing the region’s most popular grapes:  La Crescent, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac and Marquette.  All grapes from which some of the winery’s flagship wines are made from.

The winery is owned by a very lovely and exceptionally gracious couple, Mike & Val McBrady, both who are local to the region and its people. Although quite new to the wine industry, the duo has managed to gracefully build one of the largest winery spaces the state has known.

The facility, is unlike any other MN winery I’ve visited. With a unique road-side sign (a structure that originally came with the property), the winery and all its grandeur is quite hard to miss. At one point, McBrady tells me, the state actually wanted to charge him for the space of an actual highway billboard due to the size of his facility’s entrance sign. Hard to miss.  When you visit, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Of course, I had done my homework before heading out, yet something told me that the drawn outlines of the winery space online were going to be much more than I had expected. The winery, with plans to host a 400 person event hall equipped with an outdoor amphitheater, fountains, gorgeous outdoor patio for tasting, olive oil/balsamic bar, pizza oven parlor and serpentine shaped tasting bar – all honestly, sounded too good to be true. In Minnesota? Had I just landed in Napa?  I honestly had to give myself a pinch and remind myself that I was, in fact, standing just outside of Hutchinson, Minnesota standing in awe.  A facility, yes, fit for Napa.

The winery space, which opened in August last year, has spent every day since, adding/building and maximizing every square inch that their Minnesota property has given them.  To give you an idea as to just how far this couple has gone to ensure that the proper service expectations and etiquette of their staff match the gorgeous facility that they’ve spent their waking hours building, they hired an insider of the industry to help them shape the knowledge of their crew. With a background in 5 star restaurants and exclusive winery training – I felt privileged to be that person sharing my knowledge and experience with the young staff of this Minnesota built winery as their ‘insider’.

Tasting through the wines just two weeks before gave me a refresher course on Minnesota grown grapes, yet the number of fruit wines that the portfolio produced were all new to me. Ranging from Apricot, Strawberry/Rhubarb, Honey-crisp Apple/Cranberry to more – the couple shared that their award-winning Honey-crisp Apple/Cranberry wine still ranks highest with many who visit the winery.  And, indeed it is a winner. Fresh, with brite notes of honey-crisp apple and yes, cranberry – the wine, I’ve described to many, as an amazing starter to any dinner event.

With a number of varietaly correct Minnesota wines, and a staff just about as ‘Minnesota Nice’ as one can get – I’ll admit, I’m Crow River Winery’s new biggest fan.

It’s not often that wineries, especially in the Midwest, reach out and ask for ‘winery’ training – leaving their departments of customer service, wine service and wine education up to fate. At the same time, it was not surprising the second I walked into the facility and met the owners, that they were striving for ‘best in category’ when it came to all sections of their winery. A couple, whom by day, owns a successful data software company was complete with local history, enthusiasm and professionalism regarding the properties on which they farmed, managed and produced. Committed to sustainability, their industry and obviously, their community, it was clear that Hutchinson was lucky to have the McBradys in their own back yard.  With a portfolio that holds everything from fruit wines, Minnesota grapes, port wines to a selection of garlic cooking wines – they have your beverage selections covered from kitchen prep to dessert course.

My time, needless to say, was an experience that I will tell many about as I am amongst the public. Funny, as it was I, who was hired to drive home the idea of customer ‘experience’ with the staff.  Little did they know that it was them – gifting me with a story that I would later tell others.  After all, isn’t it the ‘experience’ that ends up telling the story of the wine and creates the relationship for many of us?  Think about it.

If wine is 90% experience – who you’re with, how it was served and the story it shared – why wouldn’t every winery strive to give their guest the best experience they could?

So really, don’t you need a day to escape the city life?  Jump in the car, head west one hour on highway 7 and look up just a couple miles east of the city limits of Hutchinson. You’ll see the sign and you’ll certainly see the facility. Walk inside and enjoy a day tasting and enjoying a number of Minnesota wines with the McBradys and their winery family.  The Crow River Winery staff is shiny-faced, enthusiastic and ready to educate, entertain and shower you with 5 star customer service – I can pretty much guarantee it!

By the way, looking for something fun to do on the eve of  Valentine’s Day?  Crow River has a styl-y Valentine’s Day Dinner lined out just for you! Romanticly set up with flowers, candle-lite, delicious food and wine – the gang at the winery still has room with a few more seats for you, a date or a group of pals.

Sign up today!

Thank you to my new friends at Crow River Winery – your hospitality was very much appreciated.

It’s not all that often that we hear anything beyond “who the winemaker” is anymore when tasting wines out of California.  I’m not saying that it never happens, but often I feel this ends up being the case when tasting some of the golden state’s more cult-styled wines.  After living almost 4 years in Oregon and spending half of that time traveling to and from the Napa region with Archery Summit’s sister winery, Pine Ridge, I learned to experience WINE more from the vineyard perspective – above and beyond just the persona of the winemaker.  Oregon to me was and still is more about the life of the ‘property’ vs. ‘the who made it’ mindset.  During those monthly work trips to Napa, I’d make time to taste the wines of the valley in my down time.  Tasting in Napa always ended up feeling like the selling points were more focused on the ‘celebretism’ of who made the wines, leaving the conversations few and far between when it came to the actual farming of the fruit.

Today, I honestly don’t feel that much different about the valley.  When visiting now, I remain loyal to the farmers and true land stewards I made friends with years ago and continue to visit their properties.  When I make appointments to visit outside the realm of my little wine families, I make sure I expend my energies with others who follow the same philosophies.  Why?  Because I’ve seen the silo winemaking teams and have experienced the cult-y snotty attitude that ends up leaving me completely bummed by my visit.

So when a recent Twin Cities wine rep asked me if I’d taste wines with cult-statused Winemaker David Long of David Arthur Vineyards, I grumbled.  I didn’t need another $300 Cabernet on the wine lists for whom I consulted.  I wanted the funky, unique, small batch farmers that were going to share their love for the land upon which they farmed.  Open wines with me that would not only impress my palate but share with me, a story.  Needless to say, when my appointment finally arrived- I was not as excited to meet Sir David as the rest of the ‘cult seething groupies’ that he had lined up to taste with earlier in his day.

With a huge smile upon his face and a style that reminded me of a Coloradoan city slicker, David greeted me with hands out stretched and an air of enthusiasm that I had not expected.  The rep reached out and poured our first glasses of Sauvignon Blanc.  And without even taking one sip of wine and most importantly, without contention, David, instead of launching straight into a full sales pitch – went right into ‘story telling’ mode.  Not the stories of flavors, point scores and attitude that I expected – yet, an initial story of his “tour bus” named Meritaggio.  Were these the first impressions of one of California’s most coveted winemakers?  Not really.  After all, this was a man who scored a whopping 99 points from the iconic 1997 vintage.  What was he doing with a hippie tour bus?  (Okay, it doesn’t exactly have the ‘dancing bears’ pasted all over it- so maybe not hippie-but I liked his FREE NATURED notion.)  A man whose property sat amongst the likes of Chappellet and Colgin and a man whose wines sold for more money than most pay for groceries in a week.  I started to think…were all my initial preconceived notions of this iconic Napa winemaker dead wrong?

Wine after wine, the stories went on.  Stories of when he first met his childhood hero, a 1967 Olympic skier.  Years after making wine, he met the skier and actually had the opportunity to converse with the Olympian.  Most importantly, finding that not only was he a fan of this skier, but that the athlete was a fan of his wines.  Describing the moment as ‘humbling’.  Stories with heart and pure enthusiasm.  The funny part, it was I asking for the information when it came to tasting the wines.

Why the names, why the grapes, why the plot of land and why on earth Sangiovese in one of his most celebrated blends ‘The Meritaggio’?

The Meritaggio came, he said, after trying a wine in the late 70s, maybe early 80s (he said he couldn’t remember – as was the case, he said, of many things now in his age) made entirely of Sangiovese.  A grape, he said at that time, he’d never heard of.  Infatuated with the grape’s backbone, intensity and flavor – he decided to throw into his Bordeaux blend, using it to replace the grape that he really wasn’t the biggest fan of…Malbec.  And the name, thought up by his brother in Chicago and announced one day in a phone call that simply stated the word: Meritaggio – then hanging up after the word declared.  The funny part, he said, was that the blend initially started out having a 1-2% of the grape blended in – now up to 19% he loved it so much!

At the end of the day ~ the wines, in one word: Lovely.  Really lovely.  Wreaking of Pritchard Hill dark briary fruit and dusty baker’s cocoa – the smells were all too familiar to the palate if you’re a lover of this dusty hillside.  Gorgeous aromas of wild blackberry, baked cherries and dark chocolate.  And with a mouth-feel smooth enough to crawl out onto and take a nap on.  Luxurious.

My own bratty, ill-conceived notions of a fancy pants’d winemaker – who once graced the cover of Wine Spectator for his 99 point wine – was after all, a horrible way to introduce myself to a portfolio of luxurious fruit and very cool down to earth guy.  David, as I ended up calling him by the end of our tasting, was my newest ‘down to earth, hippie lovin’ winemaking friend’.  And now one added to my small portfolio of wine family peeps, and one that I will be happy to introduce my family to when we visit the Napa Valley in a few weeks.  Bravo David, Bravo.  I applaud you for making wines with grandeur, and for living a life that goes above and well, beyond just WINE.

Now after many days of recovery under my belt, I’m finally able to share what was The Biggest Cabernet Day Ever within my household!

With a whopping 20 hungry, Cab lovin’ foodies in attendance and a backyard set only for the finest of September days – the 7 course feast that I designed and cooked with all ingredients pairing to Cab – was one that will most likely go down as legendary.

All that was asked of each guest was to bring one bottle of Cabernet – from any region and really, from any pricepoint.  The menu was sent out ahead of time so that each guest had time to find just the right Cab to pair to their favorite course.  Instructions beyond were to tin foil your bottle so that the wines were initially served blind, leading each guest to form their own opinions of the Cabernets before unveiling their favorites.

Appetizers included my first handmade Parmesan Tuile – super easy to put together and really, very pretty – with a gorgeous array of chopped Heirloom Tomatoes and fresh chives that sat atop the crispy Parmesan crisp.  The wine that really paired best here was a nice, juicy, yet slightly tomato paste-like Cab from Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ – Columbia Valley, WA. Next, came a recipe that I sort of put together last minute, including fresh fall figs, wrapped in Italian  Prosciutto, grilled and topped with a honied goat cheese.  YUM.  Not bad for a last minute throw together!  Wildly, the round sumptuous Plumpjack Cabernet from Oakville, CA hit the figs and the goat cheese perfectly.  Notes of blackberry, roasted fig and chocolate melded magically with the crispy, yet juicy wrapped figs.

Heading into a full plate of herb encrusted lamb lollipops – the appetizers warmed the palate up for what was about to come.  My husband, acting as head Grill Master for the nite, charred the pops just right leaving the lamb a beautiful juicy red on the inside – a perfect medium rare.  Here, one of my favorite Italian producers, Villa Cafaggio, made the pairing round out this enormous plate of gamey goodies with the producer’s single vineyard, Cortaccio, made exclusively from 100% Cabernet grapes.  The herbal notes of the wine and rich, chewy tannins instantly made friends with the fatty insides of the lamb, leaving us all licking our lips for more.

Course three included a simply cut eggplant round – which I rubbed with a pink sea salt and slathered with a delicious worcestershire, garlic, honey marinade – grilled and topped with fresh Parmesan.  Again, the Italian  (“What Grows Together, Goes Together”) Cabernet, a heavenly pairing with the herbs, marinade and Italian cheese.

Course four was, and could sincerely be, the most impressive course of the nite – a course made by my friend Jennifer – was a hand-built three layer Duck Confit Salad.  Fresh stewed fruit, arugula and the sweet notes of the confit’d duck breast were mouth-watering.  One of our household favorites, made the pairing complete – Ladera Vineyards Cabernet, Napa.  Notes of raspberry, earth and spice rounded out the plate splendidly leaving only the fresh notes of the salad’s arugula to cleanse the palate.  Delicious.

Course five – a very simple, yet strikingly decadent course – included fresh center cut Ahi steaks, which I rolled in pink and black peppercorns, and then quickly pan seared leaving the centers of the fish a brite cherry colored rare temp.  The topping – a lemon and parsley herbed compound butter – made this dish a succulent plate.  Without expecting this to occur, I think the best Cabernet pairings here were the South African wines brought to the party.  Both full Bordeaux Blends, seemed to fill the peppery cracks to the tuna, leaving only the fresh briny notes of the fish to appear.  Again, immaculate!

Course six – I guess you could say, was my main plate – and really, quite pretty again – was a simply salt n peppered flank steak grilled to another perfect medium-rare, accompanied by salt roasted beets topped with goat cheese and caramelized balsamic onions.  C’mon!  This was an amazing course…  The beets, which I swore took over two hours to roast, along with a plate full of two hour slow sauteed onions were both great sides to the grilled flank.  The pairing- an earthy, raspberry centered Cab from St. Emilion, Bordeaux.  I feel, aged just right, to pair – the wine paired wonderfully to the rare sides of the beef and the sweet sides of the roasted beets.

My favorite wine unveiled at this point of the evening – a 1984 Chateau Montelena Cabernet.  With a bit of decanting, this wine turned out to be the favorite of the nite.  The nose youthful and lively with scents of fresh rose petals and dark cherry fruit led into a round, supple mouth-feel of kalamata olive and briar patch fruit.  With just a slight ‘over the apex’ palate – the wine was rock solid!  Perhaps enjoyed best at its tipping point, I would guess a year to two ago, I was most impressed with the longevity and complexity of this Napa Valley Cabernet.

Last, but certainly not least, came a decadent multi layered flour-less chocolate torte.  My recipe left instructions to serve as one layer – yet I thought if I were to really take this dinner party over the edge – I might as well layer the cakes with a rich chocolate ganache.  The best part?  Each slice was topped with crumbled blue cheese and paired to a lovely Chilean Cab, Ecos de Rulo.  Notes of boysenberry, chocolate and syrup rounded the glass as the dessert melted perfectly upon the palate.  Again – splendid!

The party went on into the late hours of the nite as more bottles made their way to the table from the piles of wine that were brought.  A nice candied Washington Cab called Sweet Spot was the last I remember tasting of the evening.  It seemed to fit the last bites of the chocolate torte left on my plate and all at once, became the mantra to the memories of a fabulous evening with friends.  My life – One Sweet Spot .  Filled with friends who love food as much as I do, appreciate the wines I pour and love up on food/wine pairings almost as much I do and just simply, make me smile.  Happy Cabernet Day, to me!

Time is just flying by these summer months!  And as I would love for the August summer clock to tick a bit slower, I still found myself these past few weeks counting down the days to our Girls August Tasting Nite.  Blogs past recap our past events, yet none can seem to truly encapsulate the amount of passion, energy and enthusiasm that is felt and shared each time our group convenes.  Each time, I leave with a sense of fulfillment – smiling from ear to ear all the way home – recapping the combination of wine remarks, conversations and stories.  Yet, my favorite part is always the next day when I look back over the scribbled mess of wine notes I’d taken just the nite before.  The notes remind of the stories that came from each sip – listening to each girl’s account of what that ‘smell’ reminded them of in years past.  And with each account, a new story and a new memory shared between friends.

Our grandmother’s gardens, that strawberry candy we had as kids or the smell of a fresh fall September morning. 

All in all, a lovely reminiscent evening of story telling, sharing and laughter over a fabulous selection of great summer wines.  And one, I can barely wait for, as we set our date for the following month. 

And so, with a whopping 14 wines under our belts from the nite before, I transcribe  and share this lovely and unique list of summer wines for you to enjoy!

1. Rosa del Rosa Nebbiolo Rosé- IT- $17:  Dark Pink, sweet cherry & watermelon jolly ranchers in the nose.  Brite, herbal and weirdly abrasive.  Half said we liked it, other half said ‘nope’. 
2. Can Feixes Penedés Blanco- SP- $16:  Gun flint barrel and petrol in the nose, notes of sea salt and brine.  A bit flabby on the palate, but strangely alluring…because it was so unique!  We agreed to LIKE.  Perfect Pairing Idea:  Serve with a potato pancake, sour cream, chives and applesauce.    Retail:  Solo Vino
3. Valle Reale Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Rosé- IT – $20:  Dark cherry in color. Nice, strawberry, supple, juicy candy peel.  Reminds us of those shiny wrapped strawberry candies as kids – the ones with the chewy centers to them.  Really lovely wine.  We all LOVE!    Retail:  Solo Vino
4. Chateau Font Mars Picpoul de Pinet- FR – $15:  Fresh, crisp green apple.  Clean, floral, lemon curd melangé – soft and pineapply on the palate.  Delicious!  Retail:  France 44
5. Burgans Albarino – Rias Baixas, SP – $14:  Briny, creamy, white flowers and hints of kiwi fruit.  Nice.    Retail:  France 44
6. Vietti Roero Arneis- IT – $30:  Fresh oyster shell, lemon and lime scents w sweeping aromas of MN Honeycrisp apple.  A crisp September morning.  Palate is honied with drips of lite caramel.  Absolutely IN LOVE with this wine.                 Retail:  Haskell’s, Minnetonka
7. Chateau Brondelle Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon- Graves, FR – $15:  Smells exhausty, yet alluring with notes of green grass, cat pee and grapefruit.  We swear it is NZ Savi, it is so distinctively New World in the nose.  Really grapefruity as it opened up.  But were surprised once revealed!  We agree to be okay with it.    Retail:  Pairings Wine Market
8. Domaine A. Et P. De Villaine Aligoté- Bouzeron, FR – $20:  Wow!  Honey crystallized with bits of warm ginger, oily and sort of wet wool.  Had almost a creamy Creme Fraiche smell about it – nice.  I think it’s reminiscent of Chenin from the Loire – but was spoofed by this Burgundian beauty.  We like it.    Retail:  Solo Vino

9.  Aveleda Fonte Albarino- Vinho Verde, SP – $10:  Oily, crisp but hints of bar chalk.  Gr apple with a slite lime peel zest – sweet tart chalk – sort of candied.  Very easy drinking and a steal for the $$$!    Retail:  France 44

10.  Nikolaihof ‘aged’ Gruner Veltliner- Wachau, Austria:  You can smell the age.  ‘Smells Victorian, almost Baroque’ says Lindsay!  Like those little mini Cherobs flying around… What kind of tasting notes are these anyways?!  Yeasty and oily like your grandmother’s wallpaper – yet, we really like it!!

11.  Cade Sauvignon Blanc- Napa- $30:  Soapy, chalky and minerally on the nose.  Really abrasive on the palate and severely disjointed.  First wine of the nite we did not like and would not recommend.  Seriously, a bad way to spend your dollar and cents.    Retail:  Pairings Wine Market

1. 12.  Trimbach Riesling – Alsace, FR- $20:  Petrol, dry, crispy with hints of earth and spice.  Clean too.  We really like it.  A nice, clean cut DRY Riesling.  We might LOVE this one.  Oh and P.S., I love Hubert Trimbach!     Retail:  Byerlys
2. 13.  Innocent Bystander Moscato- Victoria, Auz- $14:  Yippeee!!!  A gorgeous pink bubbly.  Looks orangey, yet we are in the dark by now and have had a few, so it’s unclear what color it really is!  Notes of orange creamsicle, orangey zest, really LOVELY!  Smells like Lindsay’s grandmother’s rose garden.  Gosh, Lindz is on a roll here tonite.  This is really good, we’re pretty sure.  And, a great Buck-for-Buck Wine!    Retail:  Pairings Wine Market

14.  Quadrio Nebbiolo- IT- $20:  Earthly and mushroomy, smells like dried flower petals.  Also a bit sulfur-y.  Sulfur drops out and the palate is dry, and begs for risotto.  We are very happy to have this one red in our tasting!  We enjoy it immensely.    Retail:  Solo Vino

So there you have it.  A gorgeous array of fresh summer wines, intertwined and perfect paired to an amazing group of wine lovin’ ladies!

This week I am reminded of ALL the ‘wicked cool’ peeps I know and admire in the wine world as my friend, Fred, joins us for a week’s stay in sunny Minneapolis.  A Dry Creek, Californian with integrity and passion for his industry.  A soul bound and determined to make wines with, well only one thing in mind…SOUL.  The motto for his winery ‘No Soul-less Wines’. 

I am lucky enough to say ‘I’m a Friend of Fred’s!’  And so with that…I forward on his most recent newsletter from the winery, with details of some of his best BBQ sippers and more on how you too, can join the FRIENDS OF FRED Wine Club at Peterson Winery. 

Enjoy!

Budget Friendly BBQ Wines and Great Events   Peterson Winery 4791 Dry Creek Rd Bldg #7                  Healdsburg, California 95448 707 431-7568 Click the links below to jump down to our upcoming special eventsBlending Seminar – Saturday, July 23rd10:30am-2:30pmSummer Celebration 25th Anniversary Kickoff Open House Saturday, August 13th 4:30pm-7:30pm Bradford Mt Vineyard Exploration Saturday, August 27th 8am – 1pm 2008 ZERO MANIPULATION Easy to Use, Cheap to Operate, and oh so delicious!                  We recently received a very nice endorsement for the 2008 Zero in the summer issue of Cambria Style magazine, by Wine Sommelier Leslee Miller! Here is what the article had to say, as well as a link to the magazine:   Great for Grilling Zero Manipulation by Peterson Winery Smokin’ hot, charred and right off the grill deserves a wine with similar attributes. This dark-fruited mouthful is a combination of Carignan, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel. I love it! $15-$17   http://issuu.com/cambriastyle/docs/cambria-style-summer-2011  (on page 39)   Regular Price: $15                                 Wine Club Price: $12     Case Price: $153 Wine Club Case Price: $135              Click here to Buy Now   82% Old Vine Carignane filled out with 6% each Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. The spicy, smoky quality of this wine makes it perfect for BBQ, while the low level of tannin allows it to be enjoyed slightly chilled.         BIANCO is Back! 2010 Bianco Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County   Our “Easy Drinking, No Thinking” white wine has made its return in time for Summer! Refreshing, lower alcohol, crisp and clean; all things that go perfectly on the patio, by the pool, or anything that speaks of Summer.                                      Regular Price: $14                       Wine Club Price: $11.20   Special Whole Case Price: $126   Click here to Buy Now   Back to top   Notes from The Cellar-  This time of year brings many big moments and decisions for the life of our wines inside the winery. Bottling the last of the delicious 2009 reds will take place in the next few weeks. We are also in the middle of putting together our blends of the 2010 vintage that are still in barrels. If you would like an inside look at how the blending process takes place, the following will tell you more about our winemaker Jamie’s upcoming blending seminar. Saturday, July 23rd - 10:30am – 2:30pm  Blending Seminar with Winemaker Jamie Peterson  - The Bordeaux Varietals.    Come taste the exciting first vintage (2010) wines of Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot/Malbec off the newly replanted Bradford Mountain Vineyard. Those of you that participated in planting the Cabernet Franc might enjoy tasting the fruits of your labor. Each attendee will put together their own Bordeaux blend and learn firsthand some of the finer points of what goes into a great bottle of wine. $45/person, just $35 for Wine Club Members. Price includes lunch and a bottle of your custom blend.  To RSVP, call 707-431-7568 or email jamie@petersonwinery.com no later than July 12th. Also, tickets are available online by clicking here. Space is limited to the first 18, so please respond soon if you want to be a part of this unique Bordeaux varietal blending seminar. Back to top Summer Celebration -  Peterson Winery was started in 1987 in an old red barn on Lytton Springs Road. We never had a tasting room, and relied on word-of-mouth appointment visitors and a few events a year to sell our wine. One of those events was our Summer Open House, and we invite you to continue that tradition with us as we head into our 25th year. Saturday, August 13th - 4:30pm – 7:30pm Peterson Summer Open House   Come help us celebrate as we gear up for the 25th vintage of Peterson Winery. Enjoy some new and sneak peak releases, a few special library wines and some tasty bites as we toast 25 years of handcrafting Peterson Wines. Please RSVP as soon as possible by email or phone – 707-431-7568, or by going here on our website! This celebration is free to the friends of Peterson Winery. Back to top           Vineyard Views -  This spring, much like last year, was cool and wet and delayed the vines bloom a good two weeks.  Unlike last year where the vines were loaded with large and full clusters, this year we have fewer, looser and smaller clusters to begin the unknown weather of this summer.  We hope the weather stays warm, clear and incredibly boring for the balance of the growing season and it doesn’t rain until November.  At the moment, the vines are green and full, the tiny grapes are just beginning to size up and we are working on our good thoughts and positive energy for the 2011 harvest.  If you’ve ever desired to walk through beautiful vineyards and get a better understanding of how grapes are grown, we are having an event that is perfect for you.   Saturday, August 27th - 8am – 1pm Bradford Mountain Vineyard and Varietal Exploration with Winegrower Fred Peterson    Join Fred Peterson for a walk through his estate vineyard on Bradford Mountain. As we take a look at all the different varieties grown in Fred’s vineyard, we will also have the opportunity to taste and compare the flavors of the grapes as harvest approaches. Following the vineyard tour, we will taste through a few current and new releases from Peterson Winery, including our Bradford Mountain wines. The event finishes with lunch in the cellar, or at the picnic grounds (weather dependant). 8am-9am – check in, breakfast pastries, & coffee/tea 9am-11am – Bradford Mountain Vineyard tour 11am-1pm Wine tasting/lunch at the winery $45/person or $35 for Wine Club Members. Click here to buy tickets, give us a call at 707-431-7568, or send an email. Space is limited to the first 18 people, so reserve your spot soon!   Back to top

I teach only what I believe.  I believe only what I experience for myself and actually end up feeling, from my own view point.  Yes, I teach the facts with every wine class – but in all reality – I also allow folks to ‘experience’ wine from their own point of view.  You know why?  Because ‘feeling’ a wine really goes a very long way.  So when they say ‘Wine is 90% Experience’ – they (whoever ’They’ are) are not lying. 

Ever shared an unbelievable moment in time with a good bottle of wine?  Did you end up putting that bottle of wine into the ‘Great’ category?  I bet so.  Wine yes, is given value via its sensory profiles: Sight, Smell & Taste ~ yet, we end up giving it more or less value when we ‘experience’ the wine from top to bottom with a great friend, a partner, a special occasion, etc.

Case in point:  My husand proposed to me over a Vintaged Bottle of Krug Rosé Champagne.  Was it amazing?  Yes!  But, I have tasted a lot of really great and some amazing wines through my career.  The bottle of Krug, however, is a taste that I will never ever forget.  Did I ‘technically’ sight, smell and taste the wine – nope, I just drank it as wonderful, beautiful thoughts crossed my mind.  Smiling ear to ear – it is a bottle of wine that had THE most luxurious taste I have ever experienced.  And why, because my fabulous husband asked me to marry him over it.  It still is a bottle locked in its case, empty of course, perched on a shelf in our cellar.  The thought of it brings a tear to my eye.

So with that said- I feel like THIS is one of those times of year where memories are made.  There really isn’t anything like the summer in Minnesota.  With its lush foliage, the somehow tropical smells of its creeks and rivers and its gorgeous landscape.  And yet, for most of my ‘summer occassions’ a bottle of wine is brought along to share amongst the summer setting & memories are born.

While this could go down as my most favorite memory of the summer – and although it did not involve wine – it was the smell of the air, the sounds of laughter and the child-like rush I felt of this ‘experience’ – I’ll probably never forget.  A simple boat ride down Minnehaha Creek with my 12 yr old neighbor, Joe.  With a creek well above its normal bank and a kiddo full of more energy and positivity than one can shake a stick at – the day brimmed with ‘experience’.  It was my first trip down our local creek with Joe and I promise, it will not be my last.  The smell of the thick underbrush and leafy green trees overhead – the sight of the fast moving current that created a bit of excitement for us both – and the laughing ‘so hard til it hurt’ memories that truly left me with that  feeling of  ’what more is there in life’?  Great fun.  Simple.  And perfect.  Thanks to my friend, Joe.

Knowing that summer runs its season quick here in the Midwest, I wasn’t sure I could truly share another ‘off the chart’ summer experience like that within the months to come – yet, there it was – all at once, another immaculate ‘experience’ – just last eve.

I’ve written before on the group and have shared thoughts, videos and posts regarding my all-star female tasting group.  Each post and video shared with excitement – thinking certainly ‘How can the last tasting be topped?’ – knowing that we’ll meet again for another ‘girl power’ wine tasting the following month.  I started the group late last fall because I truly wanted to taste, educate myself more from a ‘blind’ perspective and appreciate wine with a group of women who had the same philosophy and mindset as I did about wine and food.  Turns out, I gathered an outstanding group of 4 + myself and within months, have created with is now the most anticipated date on each month’s calendar labeled as:  The Girl’s Tasting Group. 

We used to meet at my house, but as the tastings went on – we realized that the outdoors weren’t something we could pass up in these hot summer months.  With that in mind, last nite we chose ~ Boom Island Park in NE Minneapolis ~ under the setting summer sun with a theme of Summer Wines – Red, White or Rosé.  After a trek across a few city blocks and fields of rock and wild weeds – we fell into what was, the most perfect summer setting.  With the river at our backs, the city keeping watch over our shoulders, a perfectly set picnic table, the smells of fresh summer foods prepared by each taster and a cooler of delicious wines blindly tin foiled to experience all of its sensory components – it came off as one of my most favorite ‘experiences’.  The wine yes was really really good – but, in all honesty I think the wine ended up almost perfect, because of its setting.  So many of the wines were listed a ‘great’ , ‘a big hit’ or ‘fantabulous’ in many of my notes.  Not that the wines were ALL that smoking hot, but because we were amongst a group of what has become, great friends.  Sisters.  Girls enjoying a perfect July nite, with each other.  Laughing, sharing stories, and occasionally hopping the fence for pee breaks – teasing of poison ivy and poison oak in all the wrong places.  Of course the wines were yes, analyzed with perfect measure from sight to palate, but the wines really did take on that much more because of our ‘experience’. 

And certainly never thinking one could top off the nite with any more enjoyment after packing up a cooler of half empty bottles – we took in one last drink of our summer’s nite over an old railroad bridge, emptying the last bits of wine into our glasses to salute our summer’s picnic in the moonlight – as a group of giggling girls remember a nite of just good old-fashioned clean, fun.  THAT was THE EXPERIENCE.

My word of advice…don’t share your wine with those who won’t appreciate the way you will.  It doesn’t matter the price-point, the varietal, the region, the wine – sometimes, it’s just the company you drink it in.  Salut to more memories and experiences!

For a short bit on the wines we sampled, the following lists our tasting notes of the eve:

Girls Summer Picnic Tasting – July 2011

Crisp dusty mineral bar chalk on the nose
Brite fresh honeydew melon on the palate
Spanish Viura Verdejo
Esperanza Verdejo/Viura

Slightly effervescent
Dawn dish soap & fresh chlorine pool water – green on the nose
Txomin Etxaniz Txakolina – Basque

Pink in color!
White pepper ripe strawberry Christmas cranberries on the nose
Blk pepper & balsamic on the palate
Guessed old world Syrah
EGuigal CotesDuRhone Rosé = Delightful

Pink in color again
Supple strawberry w a touch of mint marischino cherries on the nose
Pucker but round & brite
Proprietà Sperino Rosa del Rosa
Nebbiolo Rosé
Big Hit!

Round melons – peachy – tangerine – orange creamcicle – banana boat – banana runt candy on the nose
Banana split – peach puree on the palate
Anne Amie Muller-Thurgau
We loved!

Dk candy Kool-aid in color – Another Pink
Smells kinda chocolatey – wet rose petal – Erin says ‘skunky’  + Medicinal jalapeño on the palate- we’re not sure we like it
Heitz Cellars Grignolino Rosé

Cat piss – ‘What! The cats that are pissing smell dehydrated & most cat pee smells much worse than that. This isn’t cat pee!’ ~ Lindsay’s quote of the nite!
Green bean green grass on the nose & definitely cat pee!
Kind of fat w grapefruit on the palate
Domaine D’Arton Cotes De Gascogne (Colombard, Sauvignon & Gros Manseng)
We think we likey

Fresh almonds Frangelico Almond oil on the nose – Marzapan – Almond Paste
Ground up apple pulp – yummy
Brunori ‘le Gemme’ Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi

Dk apple color
Fresh honey & baked apple  - spiriment – mint oil
Fresh green apple
Quattro Mani Tocai – Movia
Interesting and rare- stellar
Pea puree & mint crostini sounds like a perfect pairing

Bar chalk Lemon twist  Green bean  Fresh whipped cream
Ripe apricot  lemongrass  Full bodied
Huff Kerner
Loved the disconnect of the nose & palate!

Ripe strawberry & rhubarb on the nose
Green strawberry on the palate – great for the grill
Lori dei Mori Barbera D’Asti

Stinky maderized cherry fruit – dried spice clove nutmeg mace
Fruit compote fig newton nice mouthfeel – ohh, lushy!
Renato Ratti Dolcetto D’Alba

Bing cherry & round plum on the nose
Tapanade olive- nice & easy drinking
La Mano Mencía
Fab w double stuff Oreos

Frizz ante – Red in color
White pepper & raw strawberry stem
Raw cocoa powder – Pretty cool
Gragnano Della Penisola Sorrentina

Oh right, AND who could forget our Croft Pink Port – interesting to say the least!!!

If I had a dime for all the times I’m asked about Minnesota Wine, I’d be a very wealthy lady.  Or, if I had a FAQ List of the things I’m asked about coming from a wine basis every nite – What do you think about Minnesota Wine? – would be at the top of the list as #1.  So what do I think?

I’ve put together a couple of blog posts along the way along with a video or two reviewing some Minnesota Wines – yet, I find myself getting deeper behind some of Minnesota’s Wine Growing History. 

Did you know that much of the Minnesota’s Grape Growing History dates back to the mid 70s with Winery, Alexis Bailly, acting as the first to open its doors in 1978?  Or, how bout the fact that much of what is grown here, in the way of grapes, was agriculturally composed at the University of Minnesota?  And what about the fact that a U of M constructed grape by the name of Frontenac, is one of THE most popular red grapes to date in the Midwest?  And finally, that we have over 1500 acres now under vine in the state of Minnesota?  Pretty cool, huh?

(For more Minnesota Grape Growing History)

Often times, I end up in these conversations with folks – as they so snootily have their noses turned up – stating that the grapes we have here should not be compared to the hierarchy of grape scale that we are used to consuming - deriving many of their roots from European countries.  Recently, I accepted a comment from a MN Grape Grower, applauding my ‘open mindedness’ when it came to the grapes of MN.  Happy that I had not compared them to the Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noirs of the world.  Stating that he too felt that the world should not, just in the same sentence, compare Burgundy to Bordeaux as regions.  Different profiles, styles, climates, soils and lastly…grapes!

I suppose that is my purpose as a sommelier, to keep YOUR world of wine – OPEN.  I didn’t stick to working only restaurants, or selling wine, or really any one facet of my industry.  I’ve made sure to work every angle of my industry – from the field, table-side, distribution and all the way through to an educative role.  My idea of ‘great’ wine is a rare find – and as great winemaker friend once told me – there aren’t many on this planet.  Yet, there are a zillion good and even really good wines out there.  So I say – Try them all and really, check them all out.  Eat them with everything and THEN and only then, can you begin to really figure out for yourself what you think is good, really good and great. 

My most recent saying ‘Don’t kick a grape out of your life, until you’ve tried it around the globe’

Although you may feel like you’re a Chardonnay drinker, have you tried it from every corner of the world?  Or, the same for Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Merlot?  Remember, the U.S. is NOT where many of your favorite wine grapes began.  However, the opposite can be said for many of these Minnesota grapes grown right here in our own backyards.  Just because it reads a little funny and comes away with a different grape name than you’re used to – doesn’t mean you can or should discount it – until you’ve really tried it and perhaps tried it with just the right foods.

Case in point…I was asked a few weeks back to host a Minnesota Wine Tasting alongside a Minnesota Beer Tasting with my pal, Cicerone Michael Agnew, of A Perfect Pint.  Of course Michael’s job, a piece of cake.  Think of ALL the options he had to choose from?  With an audience ranging in every age group and state location – I had to certainly choose wines – just as had to with beer – that were fitting as a style for many different palates.  While the range went deep, here were a couple of my favorites and incidentally, great wines for your summer table.

Alexis Bailly Vineyards VOYAGEUR
Hastings, Minnesota
STYLE: A bold red wine of blended old world french grapes and new varieties developed to survive Minnesota winters
ALCOHOL: 13%, no residual sweetness

The Voyageur wine was named for the French/Canadian pioneers who paddled the waterways in their birch bark canoes from the St. Lawrence seaway through the Mississippi, finding their way to Hastings led by the winery owner’s 4th great grandfather, Alexis Bailly.

The wine reflects that pioneering spirit in taking our old world grape varieties from France (the Leon Millot and Marechal Foch grapes) that were the original plantings in our vineyard in 1973 and blending them with the new world grapes developed at the University of Minnesota (the Frontenac grape).
The wine is deeply colored with rich flavor, bold and opulent fruit flavors of black berries, smoky vanilla aromas from extensive aging in new mid-western oak barrels, a wonderfully balanced wine that drinks deliciously when young yet rewards you with greater complexity as it ages from 3 ­ 8 years in the bottle. Pair with similarly robust foods, hearty pastas, grilled meats, wild game, but know that it drinks soft and supple all on its own.

 Cannon River Winery ST PEPIN
Cannon Falls, Minnesota
Crisp flavors with a hint of pineapple, apple, and pear aromas, off-dry with a medium body; similar to Sauvignon Blanc.
Grapes Used: St. Pepin – a Minnesota grape grown in our vineyard.
The winery has created a family of wines that has something for wine lovers… and wine likers. They are proud to say that their wines are based on Minnesota hybrid varieties, such as St. Pepin, LaCrosse and Frontenac, to name a few. Like most Minnesotans, these grapes survive our tough winters in good spirits, and show plenty of character as a result.

To be honest, both of these wines were delicious!  While most expected the wines to end up sweet or even a little fat, comparing them to a variety of fruit wine – my audience was ALL very pleasantly surprised. 

The white, a fabulous summer sipper with hints of lemongrass and white peach – dry and the Voyageur, a delightful pairing to any holiday BBQ gathering.  Also, a very nice accoutrement to any hearty winter supper.  Both, really some of THE best wines I’ve had now in the Midwest.  Proud and of course, very happy, to always represent my community when I can and also, excited to share my two new favorites with you all.  Run out and get ’em for your 4th of July table this weekend and really, celebrate those who work hard in our community to bring them to you from their farms!

Salut to these American Made Wines!