Tag Archive for 'pinot'

Online Wine Video Theater

Published
by
joanie
on September 9, 2008
in Articles on Wine and Vineyards, Joanie Hudson and Pinot Noir
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I have always been a visual learner.  Lately I have taken up to watching informational videos on wine to increase my knowledge.  Two of the best sites that I have found to do this are winelibrarytv.com and the video theater section on Wine Spectator’s website.  These are great ways to focus in on specific areas that peak your interest as well as to learn about something you had no previous knowledge whatsoever about.  On winelibrarytv.com Gary Vaynerchuk takes viewers through a live blind tasting.  He will choose either a certain varietal, a specific region, or diverse price points (to name a few) and then line up a few wines and taste them in front of a camera.  Viewers can see his honest reactions and develop their wine vocabulary and flavor profiles (your spice cabinet of wine descriptors).  

Wine Spectator’s videos are put together by their editors.  James Laube, a senior editor, put together an interesting piece on Russian River Pinot Noir that I just watched where he speaks to the winemakers of famed cult winery, Kosta Browne.  They discuss the ideal climate for pinot noir grapes to flourish in, pointing to cool nights as an integral part of the process.  The fog rolls in at night to the Russian River Valley, like it does in the Sta Rita Hills, to keep the area from getting too warm.  Pinot is a delicate grape that does not do well in areas that have hot days or warm nights.  These cool nights allow the grape to develop its vibrant acidity to the full potential and the purely seductive bright fruit that it brings to the palate.  

Check out both of these sites to learn more about your favorite grape or region.  Or if you’re just a wine nerd like me…

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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New Release - 2007 Chardonnay

Published
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joanie
on September 3, 2008
in Chardonnay, Joanie Hudson and Tasting Room
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We have a new release in the tasting room, the 2007 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay (color label).  We transitioned from the 2006 to 2007 yesterday, and put it on the tasting list along with a few other changes.  The 2004 Nebbiolo is on the list, which is an interesting one to taste as it is unlike any of our other wines, and a very unique grape.  We also have the 2007 Pinot Gris on the list, as well as the 2007 ZCS.  The 2007 Rose and 2005 Sangiovese will stay put for now.  

Our color label Chardonnay is one of our most popular wines, our signature wine I guess you could say.  It makes up about a third of our total production.  It is relatively consistent through the years, but this year we had a different assistant winemaker, Ryan Ralston, than previous vintages.  Always interesting to see what a different winemaker brings to the mix… Come try the new tasting list, which is offered daily from 10-5.   

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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Santa Barbara Winery September Wine Club Selection

Published
by
joanie
on August 31, 2008
in Joanie Hudson and Wine Club
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Finally, summer is coming to an end and cooler weather is upon us, which means that it is time for another Santa Barbara Winery wine club shipment.  This month’s selection will go out a little bit later in the month than usual as we are still waiting for it too cool down all over the country.  Suzanne will send out an email notifying you of the exact day that the wine will go out, but it will roughly be around the third week of the month.  If you notice that you have been charged for your wine mid-month, but have not received it yet, that is because we need about a week to process everything before packing and shipping. 

One more thing to keep in mind - if you know that your shipment is coming and you would like to purchase and add more wine (taking advantage of our flat 9.50 shipping rate), just call us and we will add the wine to your club shipment for no extra shipping charge.

The September Wine Club shipment will include the following:

Mixed:
2007 Pinot Gris
2007 ZCS
2006 Lafond SRH Pinot

Red:
2005 Petite Sirah
2007 ZCS
2006 Lafond SRH Pinot

White:
2005 Lafond SRH Chardonnay (This is a library wine. Try the 06 next to it for a vertical tasting!)
2007 Pinot Gris

*If you aren’t sure if we have your email address on file, just give us a call and let us know, we will make sure to add you to the list.

Enjoy!

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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Viognier/Roussanne/Marsanne Cheese Pairings

Published
by
joanie
on August 28, 2008
in Joanie Hudson and Wine and Food Pairing
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Last night, Spiritland Bistro’s Wednesday Wine and Dine theme was Viognier/Roussanne/Marsanne (white wines from France’s Rhone region), and the cheese pairings were so perfect that I must share.  If you haven’t read my previous posts about this event, in short, Spiritland hosts a themed four course dinner on the last Wednesday of each month.  They choose a theme (July’s theme was Rose, September/October’s theme will be SRH Pinot), and during the first hour guests are able to pour themselves a taste of all of the wines that each person brought along.  During this first hour, guests graze on cheese from local shop, C’est Cheese that are meant to complement the wine.  

There were three cheeses last night, all served at a recommended room temperature so that they become almost spreadable on crackers.  First there was the Idiazabal from Spain.  This is a pressed unpasteurized sheep’s milk cheese that comes from the Basque country.  It has a buttery flavor with hints of hazelnut and is slightly acidic.  Nice for cutting through the richness of Rhone varietal white wines.  

Second we had Toma Maccagno from the Valle Cervo in Biella, Italy (Piedmont).  This one was best kept at room temperature because it is semi soft to begin with and was the perfect consistency to spread on a tiny cracker.  Toma is made from cow’s milk.  It is rich and earthy and like the Idiazabal has a buttery texture.  

Last there was my favorite, the Hoch Ybrig (hohk ee-BRIG) from Switzerland.  This is a full flavored cow’s milk that has a firm texture and ripe stone fruit essences, primarily apricot.  This wine would also be nice with a Riesling.  

The wine’s were fantastic, as usual, and I particularly enjoyed the 2006 Tablas Creek Bergeron that I brought.  Bergeron is 100% Roussanne (a French Savoie grape). If you are not familiar with the Tablas Creek wines, they are one of my favorite wineries in California and produce Rhone varietals in Paso Robles.  One reason I love their white wines so much is that their acidity keeps them nice and crisp, never cloying.  Their lean character makes them very food-friendly and balanced.  

Hope to see you at the October 6 SRH Pinot dinner!  See a previous post for the menu.  

Spiritland Bistro, 966-7759

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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Pinot Noir August 26, 2008

Published
by
Pierre
on August 27, 2008
in Articles on Wine and Vineyards, Pinot Noir and Vineyard
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This is where the Pinot Noir is now. David Lafond who took some berry samples on Monday says harvest will probably begin mid-September. Berry samples, however, are not very accurate and for more accuracy we take random field cluster samples but a berry sample gives us some indication of maturity. 

This is a photo of the same vine we have followed during the growing season. February and March frosts severely damaged the crop — the clusters are small and there are not many of them. The good part is that the wine will probably be incredibly concentrated and dark. The vines have a lot less to mature. The green cluster on top right side is second growth which will not be picked.

Click image to enlarge:

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Indian Cooking Class

Published
by
joanie
on August 25, 2008
in Joanie Hudson, Special Events, Wine Club and Wine and Food Pairing
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Over the weekend, we hosted our final wine club special event prior to Harvest 2008.  Chef Joel Chapman led an Indian cooking class in the barrel room for an intimate group, and it was a blast.  He provided helpful demonstrations while weaving in pieces of the history of the food and culture.  Santa Barbara Winery wines were paired with each of the three delicious courses.  This class was a follow up to the Greek cooking class back in June.  Below is the menu of plates Joel dished out.

Saturday August 23 Chef Joel Chapman:

Vegetarian Samosa with Cilantro Pesto Dipping Sauce
Paired with 2007 Pinot Gris

Lamb Skewers with Three Dipping Sauces and Fragrant Rice
Paired with 2005 Petite Sirah

Shrikhand (an Indian sweet dish made from strained yogurt)
Paired with 2007 Riesling 7.3% R.S.

2007 Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Reserve Chardonnay

Joanie Hudson, assistantTasting Room manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir dinner menu

Published
by
joanie
on August 24, 2008
in Joanie Hudson, Lafond Winery, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara Winery and Wine and Food Pairing
. 0 Comments

As I previously mentioned, Santa Barbara’s SpiritLand Bistro hosts a Wednesday Wine and Dine Social on the last Wednesday of each month.  Each dinner has a speaker that is an expert on the night’s designated varietal (either a winemaker, a distributor, etc.).  October 6, our assistant winemaker Ryan will be representing Lafond Winery and Santa Barbara Winery and speaking about Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir.  

This will actually be held on a Monday night because there is such a huge crowd in town interested in attending an SRH Pinot dinner that they will be holding two (one at the end of September).  I received the menu (which we will likely get a paper copy of in the winery if you’re interested in taking another look), and it screams for pinot to pair with it.

First Course: Assorted Gourmet Cheeses (chosen to go with the wines)

Second Course: -Rustic wild mushroom tart

Third Course: -Salmon with balsamic & red wine reduction, potato gratin, & vegetable medley

Fourth Course: -Mixed berry crumble

The mixed berry crumble will likely be paired with a dessert wine that is TBA.  $45 includes tax and tip for four-course organic meal. Bring a bottle to share that matches the theme - no corkage fee! If you are interested, or if you have any questions at all about the event, call Spiritland Bistro at 805-966-7799.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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