Great Wine Source Wine Blog

Basic information about wine, wine education and wine business discussions

This just in … from Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Mar 8

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California’s wine industry first took root in … Wisconsin?

Risa Wyatt in the March 2010 Wine Enthusiast Magazine provided a fun bit of history on a “viticultural visionary” (p. 19).

Agoston Haraszthy (regarded as the father of California viticulture) established Buena Vista vineyards in Sonoma County in 1857, but prior to heading out west, stopped by our great state of Wisconsin and planted vineyards by the Wisconsin River in Prairie du Sac. The grapes did not survive our winters, but his vision lives on in Wollersheim Winery. Wollersheim stands on property formerly owned by Haraszthy, but now owned and run by Julie (Wollersheim) and her husband Phillipe Coquard. Wollersheim produces 20 different grape wines and uses the caves dug by Haraszthy.

Who would’ve thunk it?

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Asian Wine Dinner

Mar 4

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Last night I had the opportunity to try, for the first time, a dinner event organized by Nan Sorella’s wine bar. If you’re not familiar with Nan Sorella’s, they are located in Trolley Square on Olde Oneida St. in Appleton. For these events, they open up a banquet room across from the wine bar and include dinner and wine.

This event featured Wines and an Asian theme, but we were informed that the wines we were trying were not Asian wines, simply selected to pair well with the Asian foods.

The Menu

Thai Lemongrass Chicken Soup paired with Kikkoman Plum wine
Asian Thai Flatbread paired with Nagasaki Berry Sake
Slow Roasted Tenderloin with cranberry orange glaze and cranberry orzo paired with William Hill Cabernet
Bananas Foster with coconut glaze paired with Mionetto Moscato

Course 1: Thai Lemongrass Chicken Soup

Simply put: AMAZING! Our chef described it perfectly as starting with a strong sense of coconut, transforming into lemon and lime flavors, finishing with spiciness at the back of the throat. It was very delicious and the sweetness of the plum wine (while normally a bit too sweet for me) helped to offset some of the spice allowing all the wonderful flavors to show through.

Course 2: Asian Thai Flatbread

The Flatbread, similar to a pizza with yellow peppers and onions (I think they were caramelized) with hot sauce drizzled on the plate for sampling. It was paired with Nagasaki Berry Sake, and I loved the Flatbread. However, I discovered that I am not a fan of Sake. I guess I enjoy fermented grapes more than fermented rice.

Main Course: Slow Roasted Tenderloin with cranberry orange glaze and cranberry orzo.

The Tenderloin was exactly that … quite tender and with mouthwatering with light orange glaze, crisp pea pods and slightly sweet orzo. The William Hill 2008 Central Coast Cabernet did not have a lot of structure, although the flavors were complimentary to the Tenderloin.

Dessert: Bananas Foster with coconut glaze

I was very interested in trying this dessert with the wine. I’ve paired Bananas Foster with a heavier dessert wine, and the sweetness can almost be overwhelming, so I was excited to pair it with a lighter wine like Moscato. This Mionetto Moscato was sparkling, light and slightly sweet. It was very nice all on its own (and the other guests at the table enjoyed it thoroughly) with enough effervescence to please and a nice compliment to the sweet dessert.

Summary

All in all, the event was delicious, a lot of fun (shoutouts to tablemates Shannon, Renee, Amanda visit Amanda’s MaryKay website, Dave and Kathy), and the next event on April 7th sounds like it will be a blast: Hollywood theme – dress up like your favorite star!

Cheers to full glasses all around!

Great Wine Source is your guide to the best wine party in Appleton, Green Bay, Oshkosh and throughout the State of Wisconsin.
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Wine Recommendations

Mar 2

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Love Zinfandel? Wine Spectator Recommendations

As you may know, I love Zinfandels. They are bold, spicy and sassy; kind of like me.

Wine Spectator has a couple of highly recommended, highly rated Zinfandels this month that I am posting and going to go out to purchase. I’ll post my thoughts and recommendations after I have the chance to give them a try myself.

Carlisle

The first recommendation is Carlisle, 2007 Russian River Valley Papera Ranch Zinfandel. Rating of 96 and priced at about $40, Wine Spectator notes (p. 83):

A real knockout. Bold and intense, yet complex, with ripe cherry fruit deftly balanced by vibrant acidity. Offers floral aromas with notes of black raspberry, pepper and lingering Asian spice that lead to full but fleshy tannins.(p. 83)

Only 651 cases were made and it is drinkable through 2015, but with such a short supply of cases, hopefully I will be able to find this treasure before it’s gone!

Adelaida

The second recommendation is Adelaida 2007 Paso Robles Michael’s Estate Vineyard Zinfandel. Rating 92 and priced at about $28, Wine Spectator writes:

This briary red is nicely focused and structured, with loamy clay and smoky berry aromas that lead to gutsy wild blackberry, cracked pepper and licorice flavors. Finishes with ripe tannins. (p. 83)

821 cases made and it is drinkable now through 2015 as well. If you find these wines and have had the opportunity to enjoy, please post your comments, thoughts and ratings too!

Cheers to full glasses all around!

Great Wine Source is your guide to the best wine party in Appleton, Green Bay, Oshkosh and throughout the State of Wisconsin. Visit my website

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Benefits of Wine

Feb 28

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Wine does a body good!

You’ve read and heard no doubt that red wine is good for the heart. The Mayo Clinic writes:

“[D]octors do agree that something in red wine appears to help your heart, though it’s unclear just exactly what that “something” is. Researchers think antioxidants, such as flavonoids or a substance called resveratrol, have promising heart-healthy benefits.

Antioxidants aren’t the only substances in red wine that look promising. The alcohol in red wine also appears to be heart healthy. Find out what’s known — and not known — about red wine and its possible heart-health benefits. “ — MayoClinic.com

Now, a study published by the British Journal of Nutrition suggests that Champagne or sparkling wine that is made with both red and white grapes will provide some heart-healthy benefits as well. Researchers found that drinking moderate amounts of Champagne daily appears to improve heart function. According to the research, Champagne increased levels of nitric oxide, which controls blood pressure.

The key to all this good news is … you got it … moderation. If you over-do it, then you are doing more harm than good. All the research recommends only one glass a day, not two or three. And for those weekend enthusiasts, unfortunately you can’t have seven glasses in one day and expect the same benefits.

Be sure if you’re drinking a glass a day, that you add some dark chocolate with it to add even more benefits (with the flavonoids), but be sure to exercise, because those extra calories can add up quickly.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wedding Destination

Feb 27

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Vineyard at Vino Bello/Meritage Resort in Napa


I recently read an article by Stephanie Cain in “Wine Spectator” magazine, see Napa May Ring Wedding Bells that except for a few wineries, county ordinances prevent weddings from being held on winery properties.

Grape Crusher at the head of Napa Valley

With a rule change possible in order for Napa Valley wineries to make more money, there’s so many options available. V. Sattui has been able to hold weddings and it is a beautiful location, so that’s a great option.

Vino Bello/Meritage Resort are able to hold conventions, educational event and weddings. If you’re a wine enthusiast, and looking to get married, think about Vino Bello. I’ve been to Vino Bello and with its beautiful vineyard hillside, the grape crusher statue at the head of Napa, a wine cave and a a open-air gazebo, it is breathtaking. Here’s some images from my convention there last year.

Estate Wine Cave

The resort itself is amazingly beautiful with an Old World Tuscan décor, located in the heart of wine country in the shadow of the Grape Crusher statue at the head of Napa Valley. Upscale accommodations with Jacuzzi’s, heated swimming pools, full kitchens or kitchenettes, fine dining and wine tasting bar. It’s only 10 minutes from downtown Napa, the Wine Train and Oxbow Marketplace. You can schedule wine tours, recreational activities and in-room services with the Resort concierge.

Golfing available at the Chardonnay Golf Course (three different nine-hole courses).

Choosing this location for your wedding or business meeting will impress, excite and satisfy.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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