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Our very own Charlie & Ron write a column for the Easy Reader Newspaper. You don't need to receive the paper though, you can read the column here! Easy Reader, Dec 2007 Complementing any holiday dinner with the perfect wine! By Ron Miranda and Charlie Bean With the holidays upon us, there is no better time to start planning your dinner menu and selecting wines to complement your feast. The question to ask is - which wine or wines to go with the variety of tastes, textures and aromas that are the focus of a holiday meal? Is there one wine that will go from appetizers to desserts – or do you choose several wines to complement the different dishes on your table and possibly cater to your guests’ varied palates? It is entirely up to you, and here are some ideas to help get you started. If you are looking for a single wine to serve this holiday season, consider a sparkling or rosé wine. Both provide a delightful middle ground for those that are not decidedly in either the red or the white wine camps. If you are considering a sparkling wine you may choose one labeled as “extra dry” – which will offer a touch more fruit flavor than a brut. As for rosé wines, a drier selection will be the most versatile for pairing with virtually any part of the meal. Some trusted and reliable holiday meal wines are Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Syrah/Shiraz and Zinfandel for red wine lovers and Sauvignon Blanc,Viognier, Riesling and Gewurztraminer for those who prefer whites. Typically wines that offer a light-to-medium body with lower tannin levels and less complexity are better suited for the multitude of flavors that are typical of a holiday meal. Also consider a Beaujolais Nouveau, which
is a light, fruity red wine that goes very well with turkey and
all of the fixings. This wine is released from France on the third
Thursday of November, just in time to highlight any holiday feast!
Easy Reader, October 18, 2007 Langmeil – Barossa Valley– Australia Three Gardens – Shiraz / Grenache / Mourvedre 2005 By Ron Miranda and Charlie Bean The Barossa is one of the oldest wine growing regions in Australia, with the first pioneering families establishing wineries as early as 1847. The first vines were planted in the early 1840s and many of them are still producing first class fruit. The reason for their longevity is that the Barossa has never suffered from phylloxera. This devastating pest has seen the demise of many of the original vines around the world. Even Australia experienced outbreaks in Victoria in the early 1900s. The Barossa can claim to have some of the oldest Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre vines in the world, as well as other varieties. They still grow on their original roots which came from European and South African vines before they were destroyed by phylloxera. These exceptional circumstances allow the Barossa to produce some of the rarest wines in the world. This delicious wine draws its name from the old Barossa Vignerons word for vineyard. Three Gardens were chosen for their distinct Barossa style and complementary characteristics. The blend of Shiraz (48%), Grenache (42%), and Mourvèdre (10%) shows good balance and integrated structure. The nose displays aromas of juicy plums,
raspberries and cherries Enjoy over the next five years or so. The Langmeil Three Gardens 2005 is available
locally for $19.99. Previous article... Easy Reader, October 11, 2007 WINE MADE SIMPLE QUNITESSA – Rutherford – Napa Valley Red Wine 2004 By Ron Miranda and Charlie Bean The Quintessa property is comprised of a total of 280 acres of which 170 acres are planted to the classic Bordeaux grape varieties in 26 vineyard blocks as follows: Cabernet Sauvignon (129 acres), Merlot (26 acres), Cabernet Franc (7 acres), Petit Verdot (4 acres), and Carmenere (4 acres). Valeria Huneeus, the Vineyard Master and Proprietor explains "The most important lesson in diversity learned at Quintessa is the need to keep the soil alive with a variety of plant life. Pests are managed through the use of organic materials, cover crops and other innovative practices, and only when required. From its very inception, the vineyard has been maintained with strict criteria of care for the soil and the environment. It is a very special feeling to know that at Quintessa, there was never any other kind of grape growing." Qunitessa Napa Valley Red Wine, once again,
maintains the finesse and elegance that has been the signature
of this wine from its inception. An opaque jet black color leads
to a bold attack on the palate that transitions to a layered mid-palate
of infinite complexity. The lengthy finish is supple and round
with exquisite tannins. Recommended with a flame-broiled The Qunitessa Napa Valley Red Wine 2004
is available locally for $144.99.
Archives September 20, 2007: Semler Cabernet Sauvignon September 6, 2007: Levendi Stagecoach August 23, 2007: Champagne & Cheese August 2, 2007: Working Girl White July 26, 2007: Wild Rock Pinot Noir July 12, 2007: Rosso Di Montalcino
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Other happenings, press, & tidbits: We just completed another amazing event at the SHADE Hotel in Manhattan Beach, and guess who tried to crash the event? Shia LaBeouf... details were even relayed in Star Magazine.
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