Wine For Novices

From Wine To Arts

Angela's Analysis
From Palate to Palette
Angela Hart


I recently attended the “From Wine to Arts” wine tasting at the home of Randy and Chris Elrod in lovely, historic downtown Franklin. The Elrods are that couple that you want to be when you grow up: warm, hospitable, and fun-loving wine drinkers, honing the idyllic balance of homespun charm and urban panache. They host periodic wine tasting fundraisers at their home to raise money for Kalien, an innovative artist development center. Coined “From Wine to Arts,” the invite touted rare and expensive wines, gourmet tapas, and a silent auction of Randy’s original art.

Donning my first summer dress of the season, I took myself to this swanky house party anticipating the invite’s trinity: wine, food, and art, all things I relish. Attended primarily by artists, creative types, and techie-progressives, I was kindly introduced by Randy, our host, as a wine writer and a fellow blogger. I entered the blog zone about four months ago and among this innovative crowd blogging felt like a rite of passage. My smug feeling of relevance was short-lived when my introduction (or induction, perhaps) was followed by, “But do you twitter?” For those of you like me, slow on the hi-tech uptake and under the assumption that twitter is merely a synonym for chirp, “Twitter” is an Internet-based program where people text message each other in real time about what they are doing. Apparently all the kids and wine enthusiasts are doing it.

Read more HERE

The Art of Wineries

by Dan Perkins

Hang with me here... I am not making a social statement only setting a stage.

Art is the timeless medium of culture. Although art is not something which can endure the elements of time, we are lucky to have kept many wonderful masterpieces intact through diligent restoration and preservation. Francis Schaeffer in his classic book, How Should We Then Live, primarily uses art to chronicle the variances of humanity throughout western civilization which led to shaping our current world view. In it the notion of personal peace and prosperity becomes the common denominator of a post-modern product. In other words, we have worked hard in our western culture to discover and live for personal pleasure. This is why I find it amusing that art is becoming synonymous with wine.

We talk about wine as an art form and for those who study it, as well as enjoy it, you will find there is a distinct fashion to wine. But over the years of travel to Napa Valley, to study this art in a bottle, we have discovered more and more wineries are becoming destinations for the art that is displayed rather than the kind you drink.

So, for all you art lovers around the Watercooler, consider your next art pilgrimage out west. Here are some places for you to explore.

1. Copia Robert Mondavi practically leveraged his reputation for this amazing center of Food, Wine and Art. You can loose yourself here and truly discover personal pleasure in a whole new way. Give yourself plenty of time and visit often as the events and showings are constantly changing.

2. The Hess Collection Donald Hess started this upscale winery after coming to Napa Valley. Having been an art collector for years decided to house some of his art (much of which are on consignment to various museums) at his out of the way, mountain winery.

3. Mumm Napa Valley Primarily know for photographic art you'll find an extensive collection of Ansel Adams on display.

4. Clos Pegase Eclectic sculptures and hidden meanings abound at this modern estate. Daily art tours are given on the grounds. Call ahead for schedules.

5. Peju Province A popular stop on Hwy. 29 the grounds and winery boast different exhibits of both local and world renown artists. The winery's 10' x 20' stained glass window was created in 1906 and unassembled, imported and reassembled for the winery and is a must see example of this rare art form.

Many other wineries boast unique exhibits and displays mostly of local artists. We have purchased some pieces and proudly display them in our home. One of our favorite little places is a winery in Santa Barbara County where you can actually paint on community canvases or doodle in the tasting rooms art journals... a place where you become the artist. Also, check out one of their artists, Christina LoCascio who paints with wine. Talk about convergence!

This post is part of the Watercooler Wednesday group of impressionists who blog about art and culture over at Ethos. Check it out and consider posting your own thoughts in the comments or how you can contribute by clicking HERE.

Six Best Wines Under $20

CNNMoney asked Andrea Robinson, Master Sommelier and author of the annual 'Wine Buying Guide for Everyone,' to identify the best values among widely-available wines. Her 6 picks are in order of body style, lightest to fullest.

See them HERE.

Fine & Rare Wine Tasting-May 9-Franklin, TN...

A Fine & Rare Wine Tasting
Friday, May 9
7pm

We will be tasting:

1992 Opus One
1980 Whitehall Lane Cabernet (Alexander Valley)
1990 Whitehall Lane Reserve Cabernet Napa
1990 Silver Oak Alexander Valley
1986 Cain "Five" Napa Red Table Wine
1988 Anselmi Amarone Re Cioto Della Valpolicella
1989 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Red Wine
1987 McDowell Syrah Mendocino
1991 Girard Napa Cabernet
1987 Carmenet Sonoma Red Wine

Also featuring gourmet tapas appetizers and a complimentary wine glass.

All proceeds benefit Creative Community, Inc. A 501c3 non-profit Artist Development Center.

$100. per person (RSVP & payment in advance)
Only  25 5 spaces left.

The evening will also feature original watercolors and a wine auction sponsored by Frugal McDoogal
For more Info E-mail me HERE.

For more great posts today on culture and the arts check out Watercooler Wednesday.

Why Not Wine In Tennessee?

Red White and Food is a campaign to allow Tennessee retail food stores the choice of selling wine to their customers.

Right now, 33 states allow wine sales in retail food stores.

Right now, Tennessee retail food stores can sell beer.

Right now, the big question is: Why not wine?

The primary supporter of Red White and Food is the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association.

They have a GREAT website HERE.

They have started a grassroots campaign and over 1,000 signing up as members of the Red White and Food campaign. If you live in Tennessee--SIGN UP NOW HERE.

They also have a great new blog HERE.

Tennessee is not one of the 33 states that allow wine sales in retail food stores.  It just doesn’t seem to make sense when you consider:

• Tennesseans who choose to drink wine want the convenience of purchasing it at retail food stores.
• Wine sales in retail food stores would benefit consumers by increasing competition.
• Retail food stores are already required by law to check the age of everyone purchasing alcohol and undergo annual training. Read the Responsible Vendor law (PDF).
• Consumers are being denied choice by Tennessee’s powerful liquor lobby that is focused on protecting its monopoly.
• Retail food stores will have the option not to sell wine if that is their choice.
• Wine is rarely a choice of underage drinkers.
• Wine sales in retail food stores are not linked to increased drunk driving.
• Wine and food are a natural combination.

Pears Laurenne ...

My daughter Lauren "cooked" up this new dessert and hmmmmmm, is it great or what? Yes!

Pears Laurenne

Cook Time: 35 Minutes
400 degrees
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
2 Pears
Sugar
Ground cinnamon
Inexpensive Merlot*
Balsamic vinegar glaze**

DIRECTIONS
In a clear, pyrex baking dish sprinkle sugar and cinnamon to cover bottom. Slice pears in half, lengthwise, place face down in dish. Pour wine over pears. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes or until fork tender.

SERVING SUGGESTION
Serve each half in a martini glass with two micro-scoops of vanilla ice cream. Add one fresh raspberry and one fresh blackberry. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar glaze and top with a fresh mint leaf. Tastes best served with champagne or same red wine you used with the pears.

*I usually use $8 Columbia Crest Merlot, Two Vines
**Strongly suggest Balsamic Vinegar Glaze from Williams Sonoma but you could also use a chocolate glaze.

Wine and Chocolate

by Dan Perkins

When you think of having a nice glass of wine outside of the context of a meal, what’s the first thing that comes to mind in the food category as something to munch on? Cheese, right?  Wine and cheese, wine and cheese... everybody loves wine and cheese. Well, not everyone. I like cheese but given the opportunity to have a chunk of cheddar with my Zinfandel or a piece of bittersweet chocolate; I’ll go with the chocolate every time! In fact I love chocolate chip cookies with my wine and at this time of year I utilize several good bottles to help polish off all those boxes of See’s Chocolates I got at Christmas.

Now for years we’ve been hearing about the wonderful antioxidant properties of both red wine and dark chocolate, that in itself should be good enough reason to experiment with the combination but truly it is the flavor profiles of both that actually work. Mind you, I do prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate but the combination of sweet and bitter, fat and acidic makes for a hand in glove fit. The other thing is for those who are already on the chocolate bandwagon, with glass in hand, is to not over look the benefits of chocolate with white wines. Most people tend to think chocolate is a partner to red wines only because chocolate can be part of a red wine flavor profile (just read any notes on a well made cabernet sauvignon and you’ll often see chocolate as a descriptor). But look at what often is found as part of the flavor profiles of white wines, vanilla caramel, honey and butter just to name a few(because vanilla ice cream is white and chocolate ice cream is brown we subliminally think they’re opposites... let me be clear; vanilla is not the opposite of chocolate!). All of these descriptions used for white wines are flavors that either directly compliment or are ingredients for chocolate.

So let’s talk chocolate!

Interesting Wine Facts

-Americans prefer wine to other alcoholic beverages. 39% prefer wine, 36% prefer beer, and 21% prefer spirits.

-All fifty states now have wineries.

-The link between red wine drinking and health has been covered widely in the media.

-The hot grapes for red wine in the world are Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. For whites, it's Pino Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.

-Costco in now the largest retailer of wine in the United States, with over $750 million in wine sales.

-A line of inexpensive wines produced by Charles Shaw (aka Two Buck Chuck) sold more than 10 million cases in 2006.

Napa Valley Wine Tasting ...

Wines, Cuisine, Photography & Watercolors of Napa Valley

Friday Jan. 25 - Franklin, Tennessee, USA

$50. per person donation (tax-deductible)

(Benefiting the non-profit organizations Red Road and Creative Community) Only 25 11 places remaining.

Taste wines from stellar vineyards such as: Honig, Miner Family, Failla, ZD, Chateau Montelena, and Ehlers Estates.

Reserve Now.

Know Your ABC’s

by Dan Perkins

Here in California where wine is a snobby business there are some folks who will turn up their noses to one of my favorite wine varietals... When you ask them why; their response is somewhat typical... “I’m a member of the ABC club.” ABC? -- Anything but chardonnay!

Yes, it’s true. There are some folks out there who will take issue with a well oaked, full ML (malolactic fermentation), California chardonnay. I don’t get it either. But here are some of the reasons they may feel this way.

First, for quite some time the only white wine that seemed to get any serious consideration was chardonnay. This is due, in part, by comparing older white varietals having been hand crafted in their countries of origin like Germany, France and Italy with those here being mass produced for “box” wine along with significant residual sugars made most, such as Chenin Blanc, French Columbard and various Rieslings, unappealing.

But, ahhh! The children have grown up and now US producers are making some incredible white varietals.  Secondly, the financial success of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay gave opportunity for wineries to explore other varietals and expand their profiles employing the same quality and production standards resulting in superior wines.

So, you may be one who has recently graduated from pink to white and chardonnay is now your “go to” wine or you have since moved on to reds and you really don’t care much for whites anymore... Well, my friend, once you go red you can still go back; but now you have options... Here are some great white wine alternatives...