Monthly Archive for December, 2008

January Passport Pinot Noir

Published on December 16, 2008 in Joanie Hudson. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .
 

With the end of 2008 fast approaching, January 2009’s Passport Pinot Noir tasting is coming soon and will feature five of the same varietals grown in different growing regions all over the world.  

Heavier bodied Syrah started off the series in November, followed by Grenache – whose structure can be comparable to that of Pinot Noir, and now we move into the more light and ethereal Pinot Noirs.  

Pinots will be served from New Zealand, France (where it is known as Burgundy), Oregon, and the Sta. Rita Hills showing vastly different sides to the notoriously finicky and difficult to grow grape.  A chance to see how different Pinot Noirs stand up to each other as well as an opportunity to taste Santa Barbara Winery new release – 2007 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir.  

Over at the winery we are really excited about the 2007 vintage because its low yields led to extremely concentrated and juicy fruit.  While we may have less wine to sell the quality is through the roof.  Food pairings will be announced in the days leading up to the tasting, which will be held on Wednesday, January 7 at the Pierre Lafond Bistro and Wine Bar. 

January Pinot Noir

06 Wild Earth Winery, Pinot Noir Central Otago, New Zealand

06 Bouchard Pere et Fils, Bougogne Rouge, Burgundy, France

06 Benton Lane, Pinot Noir Willamette, Oregon

07 Santa Barbara Winery, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, CA

06 Lafond, SRH Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills, CA

 

An opportunity to taste a selection of five wines from exceptional growing areas and different countries paired with a delicious culinary selection.

Passport Food Pairings – Grenache

Published on December 8, 2008 in Food and Wine Pairing and Joanie Hudson. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Grenache, Garnacha, GSM – call it whatever you like, but it sure can make a deliciously structured wine all over the world.  Last week’s Grenache tasting at The Bistro was a hit. For those of you who were at November’s Syrah tasting, we had to move it into the other side of the restaurant this month so that there would be more room for the crowd.  Four different wines were served, all either 100% Grenache, or Grenache-based. 

From France there was the Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Telegrame 2005.  France’s Chateauneuf du Pape appellation in the southern Rhone Valley is renowned for producing Grenache-based blends that are comprised of up to 13 different approved varietals.  This was served with spiced zucchini cakes and a drop of chive cream.  Wine Spectator’s 91 point rating of this wine is described in the below notes, enjoy this wine at your next bistro visit from our wine list. 

Wine Spectator: “Ripe, with nice kirsch and raspberry fruit backed by darker hints of applewood-smoked bacon, plum sauce and dark licorice. Juicy and long on the finish, this stretches out nicely. 91 points.”

Next we had the 2005 Santa Barbara Winery Grenache.  Two acres are planted to Grenache in warmer part of the Lafond Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills.  It is a soft yet powerful wine with a dark berry fruit profile and hints of cedar from its aging in Hungarian Oak barrels.  Always a nice holiday wine, here it was paired with a smoked turkey rillette with balsamic blueberry jam.  

Back to Europe we enjoyed the 2007 Monte Oton Garnacha from Campo de Borja, Spain.  This hearty and ripe red was delicious even in its youth with hints of plum and other deep spiced notes.  Its weight and depth are nice for a chilly winter evening and perfect paired with the olive tapenade and goat cheese on grilled flatbread.

Australia’s Barossa Valley hit a high note with its 2006 Hewitson Miss Harry Rhone-style GSM (Grenache-Syrah-Mouvedre blend).  This fruit concentrated wine is typical of Australia’s famed Barossa appellation and was intense and powerful in its youth, while at the same time very approachable in its signature style. Chicken liver and caramelized onion mousse was served on bite-sized crunchy crostini alongside this juicy red.

Bistro sommelier Zach Blair hand picked each of these wines to be included in the passport tasting.  Next month, January, will feature Pinot Noir.  These tastings will be held on the first Wednesday of every month.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

Wine List Highlight – Vermentino

Published on December 2, 2008 in Joanie Hudson. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

The Bistro’s new wine list has some exciting varietals from different pockets and vines of the globe.  Part of our job here at the restaurant and the winery is to educate our guests on some of the lesser known varietals, such as one of my current favorite whites on the list, a Sardinian Vermentino.  The 2007 Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino comes from the Italian island of Sardinia where it is known for its refreshingly vibrant punch in the tastebuds character.  Vermentino is a late ripening white grape that is said to originate in Spain.  You can find Vermentino from Spain, Portugal, France (where it is known as Rolle), and even in California at Tablas Creek Vineyards in Paso Robles. 

Vermentino is delicate and fresh on the mouth with a distinct earthy citrus nose that you find when you smell the leaves of a lemon tree.  I have read this as a descriptor from many different sources, and it is dead on as an identifier of the wine in the glass.  Refreshing lime and green apple hits the palate. 

Bistro sommelier Zach Blair recommends trying this wine with Sardinian cheeses such as sheep’s milk Pecorino.  It is also a nice pairing with an assortment of light white fish and chicken dishes on the current menu.  Available by the glass ($10) or by the bottle ($36).

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery