Charles de Cazanove NV Vieille France, Brut Champagne

Our holiday party got off to a tremendous start with this Champagne in a very un-Champagne-like bottle!

Good Things Come In Cool Packages

When I spied this bottle in Costco, I was taken aback. I was looking in the sparkling wine section and thought this bottle must be misplaced. Perhaps it is a dessert wine or an aperitif from Hungary. But no, the label clearly stated, “Champagne.”

I fondled the bottle for a while, but ended up not buying it. The Green Dragon has been after me to “drink down” my wine cellar. That can’t be done if the bottles bought exceed those drunk down. So I passed it by.

Thank the lucky stars, though. We hosted a holiday party the next night and Glorious T and the Cabernetor came bearing gifts. In their package was this bottle of Charles de Cazanove Vieille France Champagne – chilled and ready to open, I might add.

So we did.

Ain’t Nothin’ Like The Real Thing, Baby

What a way to start our party! (How it ended is another story…) We poured the Vieille France into our new Champagne flutes and a flurry of bubbles erupted capped by luscious mousse.

You can tell a lot about sparkling wine by the bubbles. In general, the smaller and more continuous the bubbles, the higher the quality of the wine. Check and check – the Vieille France (Old France) was putting on a bubble show. There was no lacking in the taste department either – flavors of toast and honey were evident with a tickle of apple too.

Maison Charles de Cazanove is a leading Champagne house in the Cotes des Blancs region of Champagne. It was founded in In 1811 by Charles Gabriel De Cazanove, a young man aged 24 from a family of master glassmakers. Perhaps that explains the wonderfully unusual bottle shape. Maison Charles de Cazanove produces more than three million bottles of Champagne a year. Their top of the line Champagne, called Stradivarius, uses grapes from Grand Cru vineyards and is produced in the same bottle as the Vieille France.

This is the time of year for Champagne and sparkling wine. Vieille France is available for less than $30 at Costco and is a true gem. We suggest you uncork some of the “real thing” this holiday season and Charles de Cazanove is a great place to start.

The Top Wines of 2016: A Vino-Sphere Exclusive List

Here it is – our annual listing of the best bottles of the year. Sit back and “sip” these reviews of stellar wines.

 
It’s been a good year! During 2016, which is now rapidly drawing to a close, we had an opportunity to taste hundreds of wines and visit wineries in Rioja, Priorat, Woodinville, Washington, Amador County and Lodi California. Of course, we do it just for one reason, to bring you the inside information on the very best wines. We also transitioned from “Toledo Wines and Vines” to our new moniker of Vino-Sphere.

Here’s our list of top wines from 2016. We present the list in alphabetical order. An asterisk indicates exceptional quality. Raise a glass!

 

• Acquiesce 2015 Belle Blanc, Lodi
• Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2015 Crawford Vineyard Viognier
• Alexandria Nicole Cellars  2014 Jet Black Syrah
• * Avennia 2013 Sestina
• Angels & Cowboys 2015 Rosé, Sonoma County
• Brangero 2012 Dolcetto,  Diano d’Alba
• * Cairdean Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Atlas Peak
• * Cesari 2012 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
• Chais Saint-Laurent 2013 La Vigne en Véron Chinon
• Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Austral Red Wine, Columbia Valley
• Dolce 2002 Late Harvest Wine, Napa Valley
• Dry Creek Vineyard 2010 Meritage, Sonoma County
• Dry Creek Vineyard 2013 Endeavour Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
• * Ellipsis 2015 Rosé of Pinot Meunier, Sonoma Coast
• Flora Springs Gamut, NV First Release, Rutherford
• Freixenet 2009 Malvasia Cuvee Prestige, Penedès
• Germano Angelo Azienda 2010 Nebbiolo d’Alba “Visette”, Langhe
• Gorman 2012 Pixie Syrah, Red Mountain
• Henry’s Drive 2009 Dead Letter Office Shiraz, South Australia
• Holman Ranch 2013 Virgin Chardonnay, Carmel Valley
• Januik 2013 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Petit Verdot
• Kessler-Haak 2014 Estate Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills
• * LaBri 2012 Syrah, Franschhoek
• * Lewis Cellars 2002 Cuvee L, Napa Valley
• Lieb Cellars 2011 Reserve Blanc de Blancs, North Fork of Long Island
• McCay Cellars 2013 Grenache, Lodi
• Meeker Combination (code three) California Red Wine, California
• Mercer 2013 Sharp Sisters Red Blend 2013, Horse Heaven Hills
• LaMontagne 2013 Kessler-Haak Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills
• * Morlanda 2010 Vi de Guarda, Priorat
• Muenzenrider 2004 Sämling Trockenbeerenauslese, Burgenland
• * Novelty Hill 2013 Columbia Valley Cascadia
• Pepper Bridge 2013 Merlot
• Ransom 2013 Cabernet Franc, Rogue Valley
• * Renwood Grand Reserve Barbera, Lodi
• Résonance 2013 Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton
• Rio Maggio 2012 Falerio Pecorino DOC
• * Scott Harvey 2008 Vineyard 1869 Zinfandel, Amador County
• * Sleight of Hand 2012 Illusionist Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
• Solar Viejo 2011 Orube Vino de Autor, Rioja
• Soléna 2011 Guadeloupe Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carleton
• Stag’s Leap 2012 Hands Of Time Napa Valley Red
• Tercero 2010 Cuvée Loco, Santa Barbara County
• Terras Gauda, 2014 Terras Gauda O Rosal DO Rías Baixas
• Turley Bechtoldt Vineyard Cinsault, Lodi
• * Two Hands 2012 Bella’s Garden Shiraz, Barossa Valley
• * Valdubón 2011 Honoris, Ribero del Duero
• Vionta 2014 Albariño, Rias Baixas
• * Vino Noceto 2013 Marmellata Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley
• Von Winning 2014 “Winnings” Riesling, Pfalz
• Zaglia 2012 Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Friuli
• Zolo 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza

Lieb Cellars 2011 Reserve Blanc de Blancs, North Fork of Long Island

What’s weird about this picture? It has a flute and a beautiful bottle of bubbly. Nothing strange about that. Look closer. This wine isn’t from Champagne, California or Italy – but Long Island.

A Special Spot In New York

If you have followed this blog for a while, you know that we are big advocates of New York State wine. Many people don’t realize that New York is the third largest wine producing state, trailing California and Washington. Oregon is fourth.

One of our favorite wine regions anywhere is New York’s Finger Lakes. But we have to give some love to another New York wine region: Long Island. Long Island is about two hours east of New York City and the region is relatively young, with the first vines being planted in 1973.

There are two AVA, the North Fork of Long Island and, in the south, the Hamptons AVA. There are many Bordeaux-style blends and we’ve enjoyed some dynamite Chardonnay from there as well.

Gift Bag O’ Bubbles

The subject of our article today arrived in a gift basket to our office staff, from our friend Patty in Minnesota. There were cookies, sweets and some savory cheeses. I’m sure she wouldn’t be surprised to know I dove directly into the wine-shaped box to see what it contained.

To my delight, I discovered the bottle of Lieb Cellars 2011 Reserve Blanc de Blancs. How cool. I’ve had some delicious sparkling wine from the Finger Lakes, but this would be my first taste of Long Island sparkling. We popped open the bottle during our annual staff holiday lunch.

The Lieb Cellars bubbly is made in the Traditional Method, just like Champagne with a second fermentation in the bottle to create those luscious bubbles. The main grapes from Champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The Lieb wine was made with Pinot Blanc. Since it uses only white grapes, it earns the label Blanc de Blancs.

North Fork Gains New Fans

Lieb focuses on small lot, reserve wines from its 85-acre estate. The Reserve Blanc de Blancs did not disappoint. It is aged on the lees for four years before it is disgorged (this is when the yeast and sediment is removed – quickly – and the bottle recapped).

This had nice persistent bubbles with notes of nuts, apple and citrus. We had a variety of dishes, everything from fish to a cheese steak sandwich. The Reserve Blanc de Blancs paired famously and, not surprisingly, was perfect for a holiday toast.

Lieb has produced a well-made sparkler than stands tall. I’ve got a preference for Traditional Method sparkling wine and the care spent making this wine via this very involved process is evident in the glass. It is tasty and tasteful. It has an SRP of $30, but drinks like twice the price. 

Distribution of Long Island sparkling wine is a tiny blip compared to California or Europe, but that just makes it even more of a treat. We highly recommend this bottle – grab it if you can. (It’s available online too.)

Over The Top Dinner Focuses on Culinary Feats, Top Shelf Wine Experience

When we bid on a special dinner in the Exchange Club of Toledo silent auction at their benefit wine tasting, we had no idea the spectacular event that was in store.

Cold On The Outside, Party On The Inside

About 10 months ago we were the top bidders on a wine dinner to be put on by our friends Glorious T and Ann Baronas. We could bring four other guests and for one reason or another, it was almost impossible to get everyone’s schedule to sync.

The icy blasts of winter had their grip on the Toledo area before we could finally get our special evening scheduled. It certainly was worth the wait.

The party was held at the home of Glorious T and the Cabernetor. Ann’s friend Tom Nourse helped with the festivities and our “posse” included friends Maria, Larry and Donna and Maria’s friend Betsy. In addition to a winter weather advisory for Northwest Ohio, we had issued our own “wine advisory” for the evening. As a result, we took Uber to the dinner.

Let The Bubbly Flow

If there is a more festive way to start an event than sparkling wine, we don’t know it. Once we arrived we were greeted with Kir Royale cocktails. Kir Royale is a swanky Champagne and black raspberry cocktail made with Chambord liqueur and garnished with a lemon twist and a blackberry. The Chandon sparkling wine matched perfectly with our appetizer trio of prosciutto-wrapped goat cheese dates, mushroom caramelized onion palmier and amuse bouche ala Oscar. This was a sensational party already – and we had barely hung up our coats.

Our six-course meal continued with roasted carrot ginger soup and a winter salad with maple vinaigrette. Soup and especially salad are notoriously difficult wine pairings. Have no fear – as I knew he would, the Cabernetor had just the right wines. The first came from Ann’s cellar – a magnum of French rosé! It was the 2014 Chateau Hourtin-Ducasse Les Roses de Marie from Bordeaux, crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It was a refreshing blast of springtime on a wintery night and paired brilliantly with the soup.

A pair of Balletto wines accompanied the next menu items. The 2014 Balletto Teresa’s Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay from Russian River Valley rocked the salad and delighted my wife, the Green Dragon, who is no fan of oaky whites. The food and wine decadence continued with butter poached lobster paired with the 2013 Balletto Gewürztraminer. The spicy and floral notes of the Gewürztraminer were a nice foil for the rich flavors of the lobster.

The Main Attraction And Then Some

Many toasts and humorous stories later, it was time for the main course. The dish was beef tenderloin au poivre, which is steak with peppercorn sauce and crust. This was accompanied by goat cheese and garlic potato soufflé, balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts and garlic butter mushrooms. This was a culinary tour de force!

The entrée was paired with two magnificent reds from Lewis Cellars in Napa. Opening up (literally) was the  2004 Alec’s Blend. This is a superb composition of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet. Both bottles from Lewis Cellars – treasures from Ann’s trip to Napa -- were decanted and were elegant companions to the beef. The group was amazed by Alec’s Blend, but my favorite was yet to come.

Following close behind was the 2002 Cuvee L. This wine is made only in exceptional years. It is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon with 7% Cabernet Franc. It is a towering beast of a wine, tamed by the steak and tannins that are integrating nicely. It is a limited production wine, with only 300 cases made. Randy Lewis was a professional race car driver for more than 20 years and raced in five Indy 500’s. He also excels at making supercharged red wines!

We needed a short break from the dining table, so we went downstairs to tour the wine cellar and work off some of the meal at the ping pong table. Larry drubbed me in the first game, but as I drank more of the Cuvee L, my game improved (at least I thought so!).

The Final Verse

How do you wrap up a spectacular wine and food extravaganza? How about a couple of “stickies,” which is what the Australians call dessert wine. Sea salt caramel lava cake was accompanied by Bellangelo Muscat Vin Doux Naturel from the Finger Lakes and the 2003 Dolce Late Harvest Wine from Napa Valley. A vin doux naturel wine is lightly fortified to stop fermentation before much of the sugar is converted to alcohol, leaving it tastefully sweet. The Dolce is called “liquid gold” and is made by the only winery in the US devoted solely to producing a late harvest wine. In this case it is Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon – rich and scrumptious!

We love lava cake and dessert wines. On their own, they would overpower, but were a nice match for a sweet dessert. Betsy, a sweet wine fan, was applauding every drop!

Thanks to Glorious T, Ann, Cabernetor and Tom for cooking and coordinating such an awesome event. Just recalling has brought defrosting thoughts to this chilly December night!

Photo credit to Betsy Watson Herman for the group photo of the “wild wine bunch.”

Montes 2014 Limited Selection Pinot Noir, Aconcagua Coast

Chile is 2,600 miles long and about 100 miles wide. This narrow strip of land between the Andes and the Pacific is home to outstanding wine and terrific values. Take Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir, for example…

Chilean Wine Blessed By Geography

One wouldn’t expect to find world class wines so close to the equator, but Chile is blessed by its varied geography, excellent climactic conditions and ideal soils. For many years Chile has been a value leader in wine, providing first rate quality at absurdly reasonable prices. We like all these things about Chile.

The proximity to the Pacific, which brings cooling breezes and fog, gives the needed coolness for grape growing. The chilly Humbolt Current in the sea also brings lower temperatures to the area.
For Pinot Noir, our tastes usually run toward Willamette Valley in Oregon, Los Carneros (which spans Napa and Sonoma) or perhaps a French Burgundy. Pinot Noir from Chile? We were dying to take a taste.

Quality Roots

Montes is one of the first premium wineries in Chile. They released the iconic Montes Alpha premium wine in 1988 and also produce one of our favorites, Purple Angel, a Carmenère blend. The Limited Selection Pinot Noir comes from the Casablanca, Leyda and Zapallar valleys in the Aconcagua Coast region. The vineyards are close to the sea with some grapes coming from just four miles away.

In the glass the wine is light ruby in color. On the palate it is a light-medium body with a lovely smooth texture. Green Dragon commented that she got flavors of eucalyptus and cola flavors while I enjoyed nice herbal and earthy nuances. The Montes Limited Selection Pinot gets six months in French oak to add structure but it does not smother the light fruit flavors with tannins.

Well what do you know? Chile makes a very tasteful Pinot Noir. The Casablanca Valley is also known for Chardonnay, so we intend to seek that out as well. Montes is a trusted brand, so you can feel comfortable buying any of their wines. At a SRP of $17, the Limited Selection Pinot Noir is an affordable and tasty buy.

Full Disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

Two Hands Garden Series Elevates Aussie Shiraz To Lofty Heights

Whether you call it Shiraz or Syrah, we dig this grape. Two Hands Wine is delivering eye-opening Shiraz expressive of Australia’s best regions.

Contenders For Top Wines Of The Year List

Each year I compile a list of our top wines of the year. It’s a lot of fun reviewing tasting notes, posts and photos.

As I was preparing to do this year’s edition, it dawned on me that I hadn’t reported on two of the best bottles of 2016 – Two Hands Wine 2014 vintages of Bella’s Garden and Lily’s Garden Shiraz. I’m correcting that wrong right now.

We tasted these two as part of Wine Studio, an online wine education program. We previously wrote about Two Hands Wine and their unique philosophy of winemaking. We love their focus on crafting wines that express the essence of the best Australian wine regions.

Fresh From The Garden

Our latest tasting focused on Two Hands Garden Series wines, specifically the Bella’s Garden and Lily’s Garden. They are from Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale respectively, two of the world’s premier wine regions. Simply put, these are outrageously good wines. One sip will win the heart of any wine lover.

We sampled both bottles with some home-made beef stroganoff. This is not a classic pairing, but it worked well with the duo of wines. That’s probably because they are so good they would elevate the most pedestrian fare.

Amplifying our enjoyment was the contrast between the two wines. Each wine represents well the hallmarks of their particular wine region. Bella’s Garden has the boldness of Barossa, while Lilly’s Garden has the elegance of McLaren Vale.

Both Shiraz have deep flavors and lush finishes. They are 14.2% alcohol, but have no “hot,” alcoholic feel. About 90% of any wine is water and some wines taste like that – but not the two Two Hands (not to be confused with tu-tu) Shiraz at our table. The robust, radiant flavors are expansive.

Barossa and McLaren – A Winning Duo

From Barossa, Bella has a focus on dark fruit flavors with blackberry and spice flavor notes. The wine is aged in French oak for 18 months, but just 17% new oak – so the wine is far from tannic. Unlike a two-year old Napa Cabernet, which should age for several more years to let the tannins integrate, Bella’s Garden is ready to be harvested right now. It can still cellar for 10 to 15 years, but we would suggest getting multiple bottles and enjoying one now.

With origins in McLaren Vale, Lily’s Garden has a focus on rich red fruit. There are blueberry flavors to delight you along with notes of vanilla and mocha. Like Bella, Lily has a supple texture that coats the palate and a finish that lingers like a warm summer day. That’s very appealing right now as the daylong snow continues outside my window.

These wines retail for about $46 each. I hesitate to mention this, because you can’t really put a price on happiness. These are wines to savor and are sure to bring a warm smile from the Land Down Under.

Brandywine Country Club Wine Event Satisfies The Discerning Diner

Looking for a new wine destination in the Toledo area? Be sure to check Brandywine Country Club.

By Wine Correspondent Glorious T

 

New Owners, New Hot Spot

The timing was perfect; a wine tasting dinner, on our anniversary, right down the street from our home. We opted to visit Brandywine Country Club for the first time in many years. Of course, we had heard about its change in ownership, and their goals to reestablish the club as a hot spot for dinners and the social scene. Upon reviewing the Uncorked! events menu and wine pairings, we made a reservation. The room was pretty full, with good ambiance. We were seated at a table with two other, very friendly couples and began what would be a great evening of laughter and fun complemented with great food and wine. Alison from Berman Wines did a wonderful job of pairing the wines with each outstanding course.

Entertaining Eats

The evening began with seared sea scallops accompanied by caramelized pecan bacon and sweet potato puree, finished with lemon beurre blanc, toasted pine nuts, and Italian parsley coulis. This dish was simply decadent; the scallops succulent, sweet, with a little browning on the top. We were excited about the meal starting off with a very impressive course. The scallops were paired with Niner Sauvignon Blanc; the pleasant, slight acidity of the grapefruit notes made this course very enjoyable and highlighted the deep flavors in the dish.

On to the unusual mixed green salad with pasta, cucumber and prosciutto, dressed with basil mint vinaigrette. The slightly crisp pasta ribbon gave the salad a nice crunch. The flavor profile paired beautifully with Garnet Chardonnay. This wine has a beautiful, fresh citrus bouquet, very smooth with slight oak. Alison suggested tasting this a bit warmer to get a real review. We found this to be very drinkable and most at the table refilled their glasses.

The main course option was up next: grilled double lamb chops, served on smashed red skin potatoes with beets, pea puree and goat cheese crumbles, finished with blackberry syrup and a demi glaze hinted with fresh rosemary. This course was an absolute hit with the table. Mastering lamb chops is not easy, but the chef hit a home run. I chose the salmon option, and this was honestly one of the best filets I have had in a restaurant. It was hot off the grill, with a nice light charcoal flavor, well-seasoned and melted in my mouth. The meal was paired with 2014 Tangley Oaks Pinot Noir. Willamette Valley is a favorite appellation for the wine team, so we had high expectations and this selection was up for the challenge. It was the clear favorite of the table. The nose was fresh and full berries, with slight earth and white pepper. This medium bodied wine complemented both the red meat and the fish. Well integrated tannins and a long smooth finish made this wine easy to enjoy.

Dessert And… More Wine!

It was time for dessert. The menu listed, “Godiva infused chocolate mousse with mixed berries and fresh mint”. A pretty basic offering, right? That’s what we thought until it arrived. Not that we were expecting to be disappointed; you can’t go wrong with Godiva mousse. However, this mousse was truly a masterpiece. Rich flavor mixed to a perfect texture. We wanted more! When paired with the 90 point, Wine & Spirits “Year’s Best US Cabernet & Blends” honoree, Simi 2013 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it was a taste treat. We savored every bite and every sip.

The wines were then offered at very reasonable prices, and everyone, including us, walked out with a few bottles. We had the opportunity to meet the new owners, Stanley and Kathryn Chlebowski and congratulated them on a wonderful event. We also met a few loyal members, who have been with Brandywine Country Club for plus years. They are excited about the direction the club is taking at this point. Our appreciation and congratulations go to Rachel Airhart, Andrew Riley (Marketing Director), and the chef and staff for a lovely evening, featuring truly outstanding food and remarkable wines. We will continue to keep Brandywine Country Club at the top of our list for fine dining, and we hear the casual dining is really good as well. We highly recommend you give them a try for an evening of cocktails, a fabulous Sunday brunch, dinner, of one of their many upcoming events. It’s great to have a place of this quality open to the public again. Cheers and best wishes to the Brandywine team for phenomenal success!

Brandywine Country Club is located at 6904 Salisbury Road, Maumee, OH. Phone number: (419) 865-2393

A Cabernet Franc Day Tasting

The Cabernet Franc grape is sometimes treated like an outcast. The spotlights focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir or other marquee grapes like Chardonnay. But Cab Franc is finally getting its due and now even has its own day.

Finally, A Cab Franc Day

I was bumfuzzled the other evening as I looked at my Twitter feed. There was a tweet talking about #CabFrancDay coming up on December 4. This was akin to glancing at a calendar and realizing that your wedding anniversary is tomorrow – and all the stores are already closed!

A check of the date in the corner of my computer screen confirmed that I still had time to plan for this momentous occasion. There are plenty of other wine days, like Merlot Day, Tempranillo Day, Chardonnay Day and even National Wine Day – as if the latter is really needed. Cabernet Franc (Cab Franc to friends!) was overlooked.

Yes, there is a Cabernet Day and you can drink Cab Franc on that day – but seriously, most of the participants are cavorting with bottles of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Not the same.

As far as I can tell, the push for Cab Franc Day was initiated by Lori and Michael Budd of Dracaena Wines. Lori and Michael make award-winning Cabernet Franc in Paso Robles. Of course, there are legions of fans ready to back the effort.

Like Father, Like Son?

It is ironic that the notoriety of Cabernet Sauvignon should eclipse Cab Franc. After all, Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Cabernet Sauvignon is the offspring of Cab Franc. Now Cabernet Sauvignon is acting like a spoiled teenager demanding the keys to the car!

Even in Bordeaux, Merlot gets the Right Bank. Cabernet Sauvignon the Left Bank. Guess what? There are no banks left for Cab Franc and to some it is seen simply as a blending grape. Wrong-o.
We live in Ohio, where chilly weather can be a challenge to winemakers and grapes that aren’t winter-hardy. Cab Franc thrives here and in two of our favorite wine regions: the Finger Lakes and Ontario. Our tasting team has long savored the delicious, herbal flavors of Cab Franc. It can exude black currant and plum flavors. The body is more inviting, with less tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. A favorite characteristic is a pop of pepper in the flavor notes.

Cabernet Franc From Coast To Coast

We started our Cab Franc Day (CFD) celebration a day early at Registry Bistro in Toledo. This being our first CFD celebration, we wanted to do it up right.

We started with an Autumn Green and Butternut Squash Salad with pomegranate and crispy chickpeas. The Green Dragon ordered Moroccan Braised Goat Shank with Figs and Cured Oils which sat picturesquely on Anson Mill pin oat risotto with Lucky Penny goat cheese. I opted for the beef tenderloin with confit garlic, truffled frit and brocollini. Yeah, we were dining in style.

For our wine we opted for the 2013 Ransom Cabernet Franc from Rogue Valley, Oregon. Rogue Valley is in the southern part of Oregon, almost to the California border. As a result, the warmer weather allows the growth of ripe, delicious Cab Franc grapes. Ransom Wine Company is producing some outstanding artisan wines. This Cab Franc was limited to 237 cases. We requested a decanter and the wine opened up nicely as we enjoyed the lively atmosphere at Registry.

The Ransom Cab Franc has extracted flavors, with strong cherry and black currant. There are beautiful savory notes and a great balance. A smooth body ends with an extended finish. This was an amazing pairing with the beef and rocked out with the goat shank.

On the “real” CFD, a bottle of Dr. Frank 2010 Cabernet Franc from the Finger Lakes emerged from our cellar. Our love of Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars knows no bounds. It is one of our favorite Finger Lakes wineries – and they excel at Cabernet Franc (as well as Riesling and sparkling wine).

Six years is probably at the outer limits of the drinking window – so I wasn’t sure what we’d taste. I was encouraged as I opened the bottle, noting that the 2010 vintage celebrated the winery’s 50th anniversary.

Green Dragon’s enthusiasm for Cab Franc can sometimes be curbed if there are green pepper notes in the wine. Green pepper is fine as long as it remains as a back-up singer in a harmony of herbal flavors. If there is too much green pepper the Green Dragon checks out. She smiled at the first sip with no green pepper anxieties.

The wine had aged quite well. Smoothness flowed from the bottle. Dark cherry, leather and maybe mushrooms danced in the glass. We could think of no better way to toast our inaugural CFD celebration than by drinking a glass of Cab Franc from the winery of the man who started the “vinifera revolution” in the US.

Long live Cab Franc!

Top Three Wine Lover Books For Christmas

What do you give a wine lover for Christmas – aside from more wine? Here are three outstanding books they will love!

Corkscrew by Peter Stafford-Bow

This novel is billed as “the improbable but occasionally true, tale of a professional wine buyer.” It is a madcap romp that covers wine adventures from South Africa to Italy to the back alleys of Britain. It follows the cheeky adventures of Felix Hart from his expulsion from school to his rise as wine buyer for a major supermarket chain.

There is a leopard attack, a fatal stampede, human trafficking and enough consumption of high end wine to keep wine lovers flipping the pages to the end. One of the most interesting features is Felix’s efforts to earn the coveted “Minstrel of Wine” certification. This involves tasting and identifying more than a hundred wines and then putting on a performance of classical music. The results are hilarious.

This book gets a big thumbs up from me. Please note that this is not for youngsters or those easily offended. It includes plenty of wine, women and gunplay.

Corkscrew is published by I AM Self Publishing and is available for $12.99 on Amazon or your local bookstore.

Vertical: Passion and Pinot On The Oregon Wine Trail by Rex Pickett

What wine lover doesn’t know Sideways by Rex Pickett? The movie adaptation won more than 350 film critic awards as it followed the adventures of Miles and Jack in California wine country. Some may recall it as the movie that torpedoed Merlot sales.

The good news is that Miles and Jack are back in the saddle, this time taking their antics to Oregon. Times have changed. Miles is now a successful author and Jack is a down on his luck alcoholic with his best days in his rear view mirror.

There are over-the-top moments aplenty, including Miles nearly drowning in a vat of Merlot at the International Pinot Noir festival. Vertical is published by Loose Gravel Press and is available on Amazon or your local bookstore for $14.95 in paperback. As in the original, adult themes abound.

But First, Champagne: a Modern Guide to the World’s Favorite Wine by David White

You’ve gotta love the title – But First, Champagne. We agree with that sentiment and can confidently recommend this book as a good companion as you sip a bottle of bubbly
David White weaves history, winemaking knowledge and information on the region into his attractive hardcover book. Wine lovers will found something not generally included in wine books: detailed narrative on subregions of Champagne including Montagne de Reims, Vallee de la Marne, Cotes des Blancs and The Aube. If you don’t know the three grapes that make up Champagne, shame on you. You can read about Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier in the book.

You’ll also find profiles of the regions leading producers and insight into the “grower” Champagne trend. Perhaps my favorite inclusion is the history of sabrage (sabering open Champagne) and a step by step guide to doing it.

Nicely illustrated with photos, this is a great gift for Christmas. But First, Champagne is published by Skyhorse Publishing and sells for $29.99 on Amazon or your local bookseller.

Campo Viejo 2014 Rioja

Rioja is one of the most famous wines of Europe. Smooth flavors and low tannins make this a popular wine around the globe.

Star Grape Of Rioja

Rioja was the first Spanish wine region to rise to the highest level of Denominación de Origen Calificada, or DOCa. Today it is one of only two regions to achieve that distinction.

The rise to the top of the Spanish wine world is powered by the Tempranillo grape. Nowhere else are wines crafted with this elegance and flair.

We’ve come to appreciate Tempranillo because it can produce a medium to medium-light bodied wine with some delicate flavor notes. At times heavy, tannic wines can be a drag – especially when it comes to pairing with food.

A Nice Introduction to Ull de Llebre

Ull de Llebre is on of the half dozen or so synonyms for Tempranillo. That’s your wine insider tip of the week. If you are passing through northeastern Spain, you’ll know what to order. Loosely translated, it means “eye of the hare.”

Closer to home, my wife popped open the Campo Viejo with a plate of olives and some cheese. Nice move! In Madrid and Barcelona, tapas and small plates are the rule – along with outstanding Spanish wine.

This Campo Viejo Tempranillo retails for $9.99 and is one of their entry level wines. They also offer Riserva and Gran Riserva versions of Tempranillo which have longer aging requirements. American oak barrels are part of the signature flavor profile of Rioja – but this bottle is very light on the oak.

It offers medium to light body – on par with a Pinot Noir. There are flavors of strawberry, vanilla and spice. In Rioja grapes from the three subregions – Rioja Baja, Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa – are traditionally blended together. A regulatory council ensures that all wines in the region follow strict production rules to ensure a consistent Rioja product. The Campo Viejo is an easy drinking wine that pairs well with food and is ideal for casual occasions. It also is perfect for wine lovers who dislike heavy, ponderous wines.

We suggest this bottle of Camp Viejo wine as a launching point for a tour of Tempranillo. It’s a solid value and should entice you to sample different types of Tempranillo (like Crianza or Reserva) and Tempranillo from other regions as well. Tempranillo is one of the world’s greatest grapes – we think you’ll agree.

Full Disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.