california wine

Wine Critic Robert Parker Changing Things Up At Wine Advocate

Filed under: Wine

Those in the world of wine got a little shake-up recently. The emperor of wine, legendary critic Robert Parker, the founder of the Wine Advocate, is going to stop reviewing most California wine. His publication will still feature California wine of course, it's just that one of his other critics, Antonio Galloni, who has been responsible for Italian wine for several years, will be taking over that responsibility. Wine writer Jon Bonné reports that Galloni will also be responsible for influential portions of Burgundy, the Cote d'Or and Chablis, and Champagne reviews.

Meanwhile Parker will focus on his beloved Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley. He will continue to do occasional California wines including older wines. He wrote to subscribers that he would soon do a series focusing on horizontal and vertical tastings of perfectly stored California wines to see how they develop over time.

Parker's influence in wine, and specifically in California wine, is huge. Some say that you can lay the responsibility for the popular big, bold, pricey status Napa Cabs nearly wholly in his lap. But he also raised the profile of Rhone-style California wines and in general has served as a starmaker, helping to increase the critical attention paid to California wines around the world.

Wine Advocate began with one man's palate but has evolved beyond that, now a whole team of tasters cover the world. While wine scores may not be as influential as they were before social media made everyone a wine critic, they do still carry a lot of weight and Parker's Wine Advocate brand remains one of the top trustworthy institutions.

Tags: california wine, robert parker, wine, wine critic

California-Themed Wine Bars To Open Across Asia

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

I've mentioned the growing hunger for French wine in Asia but California wine hasn't caught on quite as strongly yet. That could change with the launch of California Vintage, a new chain of California-themed wine bars that will open in Asia starting in the Central neighborhood in Hong Kong in January. Decanter reports that the backers of the project are 22 California 'partner' wineries and a Hong Kong-based importer. The bar will offer 80 wines by the glass and all wines will come from the partner wineries including Fritz, Hope, Peachy Canyon and Tierra Roja. The wineries are all small, family-owned boutique wineries. California Vintage plans to open 20 outlets across Asia in the next five years in Hong Kong as well as China, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.

Tags: california vintage, california wine, hong kong, wine

Duckhorn Vineyards Wins the Readers' Choice Award for Best Domestic Red Wine

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Duckhorn Vineyards, located in St. Helena, Ca., is the winner of the Readers' Choice Award for Best Domestic Red Wine.

Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent nearly 35 years establishing itself as one of North America's premier producers of Bordeaux varietal wines. From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, to its addition of Sauvignon Blanc in 1982, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.

Duckhorn made an early decision to focus on the production of Merlot. Though many Napa Valley wineries were using Merlot as a blending grape in the late 1970's, few were exploring the potential of this varietal as a stand-alone wine. A great fan of Merlot since traveling to St. Emilion and Pomerol, Dan Duckhorn felt that this elegant varietal was under appreciated in North America. "I liked the softness, the seductiveness, the color," says Duckhorn. "The fact that it went with a lot of different foods; it wasn't so bold, didn't need to age so long, and it had this velvety texture to it. It seemed to me to be a wonderful wine to just enjoy. I became enchanted with Merlot."

Gallery: Duckhorn Wine Company

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Cristie Kerr's Curvature Wine

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Golfer Cristie Kerr has become the latest golfer with a wine label. Kerr's wine, Curvature is partnership with Suzanne Pride Bryan, the owner of Pride Mountain Vineyards in St. Helena, California. The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reports that the first New York tasting of Kerr's wine took place Monday at Country Club of Rochester after her Sunday win of the the LPGA Championship presented by Wegmans. The first edition is a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, with a production of 350 cases.

A 2007 Cabernet with a run of 700 cases will be unveiled in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Kerr's mother, Linda, is a breast cancer survivor and Kerr has also partnered with Kwiat on a line of pink gold, pink sapphire and diamond jewelry that benefits her Birdies for Breast Cancer charity. Kerr also donates $50 to her Birdies for Breast Cancer charity every time she birdies a hole. A 1.5 liter magnum sells for $165. Three bottles in a wooden box autographed by Kerr sell for $250. Proceeds will go to breast cancer awareness charities. The wine was first unveiled in April and has been picked up by all the Trump resorts.

Tags: birdies for breast cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, breast cancer awareness month, breast cancer research, california wine, celebrity wine, cristie kerr, golfer wines

Napa Valley Auction, June 3-6

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Auctions, Events

Auction Napa Valley celebrates its 30th anniversary June 3-6. Hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners, a non-profit trade organization representing nearly 400 Napa Valley wineries, this four-day gala is not only the world's most successful charity wine auction, it is also the most fun. Beginning with casual, intimate dinners with host vintners in their homes and wineries Thursday night, it ends Sunday with a "Farewell Fête." Friday is a day to meander through a food and wine festival at the Rubicon Estate where more than 100 wineries will be pouring wines. Local restaurateurs and artisan food producers will showcase their specialties. You will also have a chance to taste and bid on wines from the barrel in the rousing Barrel Auction inside the winery's caves.

Tags: auction napa valley, California wine, E-auction, Napa Valley, Napa Valley Vintners, staglin vineyards, wine auction

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Woodbridge Creates An Inexpensive Sparkling Wine

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

You can't drink champagne everyday but with the new value priced sparkler from Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi you can enjoy bubbles without any guilt. The Woodbridge Brut Sparkling Wine marks the first time in brand history that a sparkling wine has been added to the extensive Woodbridge portfolio. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Brut Sparkling Wine uses the Charmat method to create a Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine with Chardonnay grapes harvested early in the season to retain their liveliness. The wine goes through a secondary fermentation for 3-5 weeks in small pressurized tanks to produce its distinguishing sparkle by introducing specially selected yeast from the Champagne region of France to the base blend. The sparkling wine is then aged sur lie for 1-2 months and prior to bottling, a final dosage of sugar is added to balance the wine within the Brut level of sweetness (typically between 0 and 15 g/l of residual sugar).

The resulting wine has bright apple, pear and citrus notes. At under $10 a bottle it's a budget option for tossing into a mimosa or bringing along on picnics and other summer events. The Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Brut Sparkling Wine will be available nationally beginning June 1, 2010.

Tags: brut wine, california wine, robert mondavi, sparkling wine, woodbridge

Attend Grape Camp in California Wine Country

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wine

What better way to indulge your love of great wine than by scheduling a vacation around it? At Grape Camp in Sonoma County you'll learn all about how wine is made through the hands on experience of picking grapes and blending your own wine, plus learning about wine, food, and cheese pairings during gourmet meals provided by master chefs. This year the camp runs from September 27 - 29 and costs $1750 per person per couple (or $1900 for a single) and includes two nights accommodations at the Vintners Inn plus all meals, tastings, and transportation.

Via Luxury Travel Advisor

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Tags: california wine, CaliforniaWine, grape camp, GrapeCamp, sonoma, sonoma county, SonomaCounty, wine

New Program To Certify California's Green Wines

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Green

California's wineries have been on the green trail for a while but now they have a new official certification program. Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing is a certification program that provides third-party verification of a winery or vineyard's commitment to a "process of continuous improvement" in the adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices.

While wines are certified organic, the other aspects of green (solar power, water conversation etc.) have largely been a question of wineries opting to police themselves. Wineries could declare themselves to be green minded but for consumers it was mostly a matter of trust.

The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance which had handled self-assessments, is behind the new initiative. The comprehensive self-test quiz looks at 227 winery practices and provides a good starting point for wineries taking a closer look at steps toward sustainability.

What is particularly interesting about the new certification is that, at least for now, it's not being pushed to consumers. In a comprehensive article in the San Francisco Chronicle, Chris Savage, director of environmental affairs for E&J Gallo Winery, says that the program isn't "about putting a label on the bottle yet."

Auditors haven't been chosen yet but once they are in place they will perform on-site visits at wineries and follow up with online audits. Major winemakers including Gallo, Diageo and Constellation have signed up. Some critics say the current standards are too modest and too vague but the planners say that the certifications will evolve over time. It's at least a good place to start.

Tags: california wine, california winemaking, CaliforniaWine, CaliforniaWinemaking, green, sustainable, wine, wineries, winery

Chardonnay Goes "Nude"

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

California Chardonnays sometimes get a bad reputation for being overly oaky. While big, oaky Chards definitely have their place, especially with richer foods, an unoaked Chardonnay can offer a light and fruity taste that is perfect for summer. Summers Estate Wines in Calistoga has released their "Le Nude," a limited-production un-oaked Chardonnay which is fermented in stainless steel and produced from grapes grown in the Alexander Valley. This is the first time Summers Estate Wines has produced a "naked" Chardonnay. The wine is made from grapes grown in the Alexander Valley and has flavors of tropical fruit and yellow flowers. This wine sells for $24 and has a screw cap, making it an easy choice for outdoor picnics.

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Tags: california wine, CaliforniaWine, chardonnay, unoaked, white wine

Heidi Barrett Joins Fantseca

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

One of the most respected names in winemaking, Heidi Barrett, has announced her first new project since leaving the famed Screaming Eagle, she will be working with Fantesca Estate & Winery. Barrett, called the "The First Lady of Wine" by the "emperor of wine" critic Robert Parker, Jr., is the only winemaker ever to have received five perfect scores from the top wine critics in the country.

We've covered Fantesca for their Adopt A Grape project before, which offers an inside look at winemaking through a series of films. They will be capturing the entire growing season with bi-monthly high definition films. Heidi Barrett, Vineyard Manager Jim Barbour and owners Susan and Duane Hoff will take the viewer from bud break through harvest on adopt a grape. Visitors can also adopt a grape from one of Fantesca's seven vineyard blocks following it in films, photos, and written updates.

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Tags: california wine, fantseca, heidi barrett, screaming eagle, wine

In the Wine Business? Why You Might Want To Sell Soon

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

If you are looking to sell the family winery you might want to think about doing it soon. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that a recent study indicates that between 500 and 1,000 family-owned wineries in California, Oregon and Washington could be sold in the coming years. The major reasons for this mass sell-off is that the next generation is either unwilling or unprepared to take the reins from their winemaking parents.

Financier Bill Price, a vineyard owner and co-founder of Texas Pacific Group ttold a wine conference in Santa Rosa on Wednesday that if they want to sell they should do it soon. He cited a study conducted by Silicon Valley Bank which showed that 88 percent of wineries in the United States were founded after 1975. Over half of those surveyed, 51 percent, were planning to transition ownership of their business in the next ten years but 45 percent of those said they don't have any one willing to take over. This function of our Baby Boomer culture could lead to a a cycle in which early sellers will get premium prices but those sellers in the heart of the cycle when everyone is selling will have trouble getting their top price and may have to wait until the end of the cycle when the supply plummets and prices start to rise again.

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Tags: california wine, wine, wineries

Newman's Wine Bottles Revealed

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Last fall I mentioned that Paul Newman was entering the wine business with the launch of Newman's Own 2006 California Chardonnay and 2006 California Cabernet Sauvignon. Now we've got pictures. To create the wines Newman worked with Rebel Wine Company and the wines are made from grapes in California's coastal vineyards, including ones in the Napa, Sonoma and San Luis Obispo counties. The labels feature Newman's face as well as drawings of two hats that Newman wore as Butch in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." A cowboy hat is on the Chardonnay label and there is a bowler hat on the Cabernet label. Newman does many great things, money generated from the products has allowed the Newman's Own Foundation to donate more than 200 million dollars to thousands of charities, but I still question whether or no the $16 retail is too high for these wines. I guess the proof will be either in the taste or in the power of Newman's fan base.

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Tags: cabernet sauvignon, california wine, chardonnay, newman's own, Newman'sOwn, wine

Rutherford Appellation Wine Passport Weekend

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Events

The Rutherford appellation in Napa Valley is looking for a little respect. In an effort to help educate consumers about the region the Rutherford Appellation Wineries have created their first Passport weekend on December 1-2. A $50 passport gets you access to 13 participating wineries which will offer special pourings, tastings and entertainment. The list of destinations includes the Swanson Salon, Peju, Beaulieu and Grgich Hills. Each winery is organizing unique offerings such as Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s at Beaulieu Vineyard, exclusive access to Alpha Omega's state-of-the-art tank room and artisan cheese and antipasto with your wine at Honig Vineyard & Winery. Profits from the event got to the Rutherford Dust Restoration Team, a group of vintners and growers working to improve the health of the Napa River as it passes through the Rutherford AVA.

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Tags: california wine, napa, napa valley, napa valley wine, rutherford appellation, RutherfordAppellation, wine events

Paul Newman Enters The Wine Business

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Celebrity Shopping, Charity

Following in the footsteps of Martha Stewart, Paul Newman becomes the latest celeb with a wine label. Newman's Own 2006 California Chardonnay and 2006 California Cabernet Sauvignon will be released next March. In the press release, Paul Newman notes that he originally bottles his first product, his salad dressing in old wine bottles with parchment labels, so the brand is coming full circle. Since that beginning 25 years ago Newman's Own has grown into a major brand offering pasta sauce, lemonade, salsa and more. Money generated from the products has allowed the Newman's Own Foundation to donate more than 200 million dollars to thousands of charities.

Newman worked with Rebel Wine Company, which also makes True Earth organic wine which we have previously profiled. The Newman wines are made from grapes sourced from coastal vineyards and are expected to sell for $16. An article in AdAge mirrors a question I had which is whether $16 is too high a price for wine's that have a celebrity name but not a lot of celebrity input. The True Earth wines sells for around $13 and Martha Stewart's wine is expected to sell for around $15. Newman's products generally seem to be a little pricer than others and consumers have been willing to pay a little more knowing that it goes to a good cause. Wine lovers, however, tend to purchase based on a complex variety of factors (including terroir and the recommendations of wine bloggers and critics) and might be a tougher nut to crack as they expect a lot from a bottle that veers toward the $20 bottle range.

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Tags: cabernet sauvignon, california wine, celebrity wine, chardonnay, expire-images:2008-11-6, paul newman, PaulNewman, wine

Mamietage Wine Brings New Meaning To The Word Full-Bodied

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

For certain winemakers, what is on the label rather than what is inside is the main selling feature. We've seen it recently with the wines that put Jesus and infamous dictators on the bottles and we are seeing it again in the new 2005 Mamietage wine which features images of aging bombshell Mamie Van Doren. Like the Marilyn Monroe wines we have seen before, this wine features nude pictures that are covered by peel-away stickers. The are three 1.5 liter bottles, two images of Mamie today (heavily Photoshopped, we hope, although for someone born in 1931 according to IMDB she looks fabulous) and one of Mamie at age 21. Should you choose to partake of the wine you will find a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Syrah and Malbec from the Alexander Valley bottled by the Armida winery which is located in Healdsburg, CA. A set of all three bottles sells for $300.

[via Wine Spectator]

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Tags: california wine, celebrity wine, mami van doren, MamiVanDoren, red wine, wine