Mendocino

Edmeades Late Harvest Zinfandel, Mendocino, California.

Grapes 100% Zinfandel   Facts I don’t feature dessert wines enough. It’s a shame really. The problem is that the majority of wine drinkers (at least the ones I encounter) just don’t understand dessert wines! I shouldn’t have to religiously state that “…dessert wines are generally meant to accompany (or even be served as) dessert…” but it seems that is continuously the case.Sure, you can’t get home from a long day at work and rip…

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Grilled Eggplant with Garlic-Cumin Vinaigrette, Feta & Herbs Paired with On Point “Christinna’s Cuvee” Pinot Noir, California.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is my first vegetarian pairing. Of course I couldn’t make the WHOLE meal vegetarian…I’m just not quite there yet…not that I want to offend any carrot munchers that might be reading this! Since the Grilled Eggplant with Garlic-Cumin Vinaigrette is a Mediterranean-esque recipe, I decided to throw some lamb into the mix.  You don’t eat enough lamb! I’ve already decided this for you. You…

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The Police “Synchronicity” Red Wine Blend, Mendocino, California.

Grapes Carignane, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Viognier (probably in that order, %’s unknown). The term “Synchronicity” refers to a “meaningful mix of seemingly unrelated events resulting in a significant sum”, which was the inspiration for this red wine blend of grapes which aren’t commonly seen together.   Facts Quite unbelievably, Sting is actually hand-harvesting all the grapes himself from this “Synchronicity-blend”. He also serves as winemaker; and can regularly be seen in the…

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Gewurz by Alexander Valley Vineyards – Gewurztraminer from Mendocino County

  Grape 100% Gewurztraminer   Facts Before we get started let’s get the pronunciation on the grape out of the way: ‘ga-VERTZ-trah-MEE-ner’ It’s a tough one! Alexander Valley Vineyards decided a few years ago that the Gewurz was one of those wines       perfectly suited to bottle under a screw cap.  This due to the fact that the wine should ideally be consumed within a few years of its vintage date.

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Straight Line Tempranillo California 2009

  Grape 90% Tempranillo 10% Graciano   Facts If you caught my previous post where I visited the excellent Talisker on Main restaurant in Park City, Utah, you’ll know that I brought the Straight Line Tempranillo to the restaurant. Since this wine is one of my favorites that winemaker Jon Grant produces, I felt it was worth a little more insight! The Tempranillo grape is native to Spain and is arguably one of the most…

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Talisker On Main, Park City, with Straight Line California Tempranillo 2009

  There is fine dining and there is fine dining, but Talisker on Main is probably one of my most exceptional dining experiences. Truly, no exaggeration. With a statement like that you would expect that once the check came at the end of the meal, you would have to sell a kidney in order to fully satisfy your bill. Let me just get a little ahead of myself and say that I have seen much…

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Couloir Roma’s Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2009

    Grape 100% Pinot Noir   Facts Couloir was founded by winemaker Jon Grant, who also finds time to hold down assistant winemaking obligations at Turley Wine Cellars. Grant learned the art of winemaking at Corison Winery and Plumpjack Winery. Couloir is a relatively brand new operation, with 2007 being the inaugural vintage. The name, Couloir, means a steep mountainside gorge and reflects Grant’s love for ski mountaineering. What a strange coincidence that I…

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Introducing Couloir Wines!

Couloir Wines aim to express the true varietal character of grapes planted in different appellations, on different soils, and in different climates. The winemaking procedures are deliberately minimal; recognizing that the right grape in the right vineyard can produce wines of great character and expression. Winemaker Jon Grant’s love of wine came from managing a wine store in Snowbird, Utah. He then went on to run the wine program for the six dining rooms at…

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