VinesseToday.com

Santa Barbara Returns to Its Downtown Wine Roots

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:00:21 PST

Santa Barbara had the good fortune of being the site of one of the numerous California missions built by the Franciscan Brothers in the late 18th century.

The good brothers needed altar wine and a source of reliable drink. Wells and stored water had a habit of becoming contaminated. Whether by choice or necessity, they used a grape variety now known as Mission...

Make a Date to Visit Grapevine, Y'all

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:00:00 PST

One of my favorite under-the-radar "winelands" is the town of Grapevine, Texas, just outside Dallas.

While the city of Santa Barbara, Calif., is gaining widespread recognition for its relatively new "urban wine trail"--as you'll read about tomorrow here on VinesseTODAY--Grapevine has been attracting visitors to its downtown winery tasting rooms and wine bars for years...

2 Tasty Ways to Bid Adieu to July

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 09:00:40 PST

If you've never been to the town of Gilroy, not far from San Francisco, you don't really need a map to find it.

Just follow your nose, as the aroma of fresh garlic is unavoidable.

Gilroy bills itself as the garlic capital of the world, and each summer, all-things-garlic are celebrated during the Gilroy Garlic Festival...

Demystifying "Organic" Wines

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 09:00:10 PST

Have you ever had a glass of wine from southern France?

How about central Spain?

If so, chances are you"ve consumed an "organic" wine--perhaps without even knowing it...

R.I.P., Ignazio Vella

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:57:17 PST

During World War I, it was virtually impossible to find Parmesan cheese in American markets.

In 1931, Gaetano Vella, known to friends as Tom, developed a wonderful Dry Monterey Jack cheese, which was marketed as a Parmesan substitute. His Vella Cheese Co. was located in the northern California town of Sonoma.

Vella's son, Ignazio (better known as Ig), not only took over the family business during the 1980s, he took it to a whole new level...

The Essentials of Life

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:00:40 PST

The federal government has come out with a revised version of the "food pyramid," which now is shaped more like a pie--a sugar-free, no-flavor apple pie, no doubt.

After close examination of the new guide to healthful eating, we were struck by the absence of two life-sustaining food groups: wine and chocolate.

Fortunately, the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau in California has come up with a culinary program to address this obvious oversight.

Wining & Dining, Cosmopolitan-Style

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:00:34 PST

Las Vegas has been hurting more than most cities during the economic downturn of the past several years, but one sign that things are looking up is the opening of a new hotel on the famed Las Vegas Strip: The Cosmopolitan.

Like most of the new millennium resorts in Vegas, The Cosmo (as the locals are calling it) is huge. So huge, in fact, that it's home to 13 restaurants, several of which are under the direction of world-famous chefs and/or restaurateurs.

The Wine Trails of Ohio

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:00:57 PST

There's always something to do at the wineries of Ohio, particularly during the summer months.

What's that? You say you didn't know there was much of a wine culture in Ohio?

Read on...

No Training Wheels Necessary

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 09:00:48 PST

When traversing the Silverado Trail--that's the road less traveled that more or less parallels busy Highway 29 in the Napa Valley--one must-stop is ZD Wines, a maker of wonderful Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, among other varieties.

And this summer, ZD is providing two reasons to visit beyond just the wine-tasting experience.

Train Is Making Tracks in the Wine World

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 09:00:43 PST

The music group Train hopes to do for wine what Jimmy Buffett has done for margaritas.

The group--which consists of Scott Underwood, Patrick Monahan and Jimmy Stafford--recently released a Petite Sirah wine dubbed "Drops of Jupiter."

This Brat Rhymes With Yacht

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:00:46 PST

Wisconsin is known for its cheese--as we detailed here yesterday. But it's also recognized as the brat capital of the United States, as any fan of the Green Bay Packers or Milwaukee Brewers would tell you.

And nowhere in that state is the brat more joyously celebrated than in Sheboygan, where the spicy, mouth-watering sausage was introduced by German immigrants.

The Right Cheese and Wine for Your Pic-a-nic

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:00:51 PST

At long last, it's Yogi Bear's favorite time of the year.

That's right, Mr. Ranger Sir, it's pic-a-nic basket time.

We may pack a basket to accompany a concert at a favorite outdoor venue, to enjoy under the trees at a county or state park, or to savor in the sunshine while lounging on a pristine beach.

9 Fascinating Facts About Petite Sirah

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:00:55 PST

There is nothing "petite" about Petite Sirah. This is a big, inky monster of a wine.
The first plantings in California date back to the 1880s. Only a handful of other varieties can make that claim.
It's not unusual for Petite Sirah to be used as a blending wine to "beef up" other varieties, particularly in lesser vintages.

Winery Dining in Temecula

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:00:26 PST

In Oregon, wineries have been fighting for the right to add restaurants to their on-site operations. (See our story on this topic here.)

It's an uphill battle, with the primary objection being that such additions would harm the rural nature of the winegrowing areas.

There have been no such concerns in the Southern California appellation of Temecula, however, where no fewer than seven wine estates are home to excellent restaurants.

There's Always More to Learn...Even for Teachers

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:00:58 PST

Virtually every profession evolves with time, and that makes continuing education an important aspect of many jobs.

That includes teaching people about wine.

The Society of Wine Educators' 35th Annual Conference will take place August 3-5 in Providence, R.I., and this year will offer a creative take on the theme, "A Food and Wine Experience."

It's a Great Time for Wining-and-Dining

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:00:02 PST

Let's talk about alcohol.

No, not vodka or whiskey or tequila. Frankly, once I "got into" wine more than two decades ago, I haven't consumed much of the "hard stuff." With so many different types of wine to enjoy, why would I?

I'm talking about the alcohol level in wine. Like so many things in life, it is something that is cyclical. (Just try saying "cyclical" after consuming a vodka martini, and you'll understand why I stick to wine...)

A New Chairman for Wine Institute

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 09:00:20 PST

David B. Kent, CEO of The Wine Group LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, became Wine Institute Chairman for the 2011-12 fiscal year at Wine Institute's 77th Annual Meeting of Members, held at the Sonoma Mission Inn.

Also elected were Kathleen Heitz Myers of Heitz Wine Cellars in St. Helena, first vice chairman; Chris Fehrnstrom of Constellation Wines U.S. in San Francisco, second vice chairman; Carolyn Wente of Wente Family Estates in Livermore, treasurer; and Greg Coleman of E. & J. Gallo Winery in Modesto, secretary. Robert P. (Bobby) Koch is President and CEO of Wine Institute.

Vinous Magic Happens on Mount Veeder

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:00:24 PST

Mount Veeder was named for the German Presbyterian pastor, Peter Veeder, who lived in Napa during the Civil War era and enjoyed hiking on the mountain, where the Douglas Firs and Bristlecone Pines reminded him of the forests of home.

It was during those Wild West days that winemaking on Mount Veeder was first recorded. In 1864, Captain Stelham Wing presented the first Mount Veeder bottling at the Napa County Fair, a wine hailing from today's Wing Canyon Vineyard.

Coming Soon to Washington: More AVAs

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:00:54 PST

As Washington state's wine industry continues to grow and mature, don't be surprised if a number of new American Viticultural Areas are okayed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

Insiders say that the next area likely to gain AVA status is Naches Heights, which is situated north of Yakima.

Celebrate Wine in Carmel

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:00:29 PST

The 19th annual Monterey Winemakers' Celebration is set for August 13 at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel, Calif.

The Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association will bring together more than 40 wineries to pour roughly 200 wines at the outdoor summer festival.

The Winemakers' Celebration festivities will include: