Winos On A Budget

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Daou wine tasting is an amazing experience

It’s not every day wine tasting that the surroundings are as amazing as the wine. Beautiful, breathtaking, and picture perfect all describe my family’s thoughts as we spent time at Daou Mountain. This was a birthday celebration and the hospitality of the Daou team was outstanding. As I looked out over the vineyards, I understood the inspiration that Daniel gets in making his fabulous wines.

When tasting in Paso Robles, you know that red wines will be the majority of the wineries’ varietals. The reds at Daou range in fruit, depth, and structure with some varietals that are well-known and some that you may never have heard of before. Unbound is one of these wines with the familiar and less known grapes - 50% Petite Sirah, 24% Tannat, 26% Tempranillo. The result of this combination is a fruit forward explosion that ends with a smooth finish and lingering cocoa flavor. Our chef daughter spontaneously named ten meals she would pair this with – it’s complexity allows for a wide range of options.

As a historically white wine drinker, I was thrilled to find out that Daou has launched a new brand into retail. Of course, I enjoy their chardonnay and Daou rose is a ‘go to’ wine always found in my wine fridge. But – what a wonderful surprise Bodyguard chardonnay is. I’ve been known to enjoy my chardonnay on the heavier oaked side with plenty of vanilla and butter. Bodyguard takes those characteristics and mellows them to a perfect balance. After tasting the vanilla and cream, the oak kicks in (American and French) and ends with the silky feeling every chardonnay lover craves. I’m excited to have this vintage join our selection of Daou wines in the chiller.

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Wine tasting Daou is the perfect activity to celebrate Spring moving into Summer

Ready to get out and spend time with friends? Wine tasting is definitely the way to enjoy time with people and celebrate food and the joy of viticulture. Daou Mountain provides an amazing selection of varietals and options for every wine lovers palate. The winemaker and co-proprietor, Daniel Daou is passionate, thoughtful, inquisitive, and focused on his approach to the art of winemaking. It is absolutely clear in his choice of grapes, his selection of terroir “between Bordeaux and Napa”, and his concern for the wine enthusiast who is waiting to drink his next vintages. There is time, consideration, planning, flexibility, and appreciation of every part of the winemaking process put into each bottle of Daou Vineyards wine.

Wine tasting at Arizona Country Club, my friends and I were able to experience not only the amazing food provided by the chef but also a walk through the myriad of wines Daou offers. I have been to Paso Robles – Daou’s home – before, but have not visited the winery. My preconceptions of a “Paso wine" went out the window the moment the first wine was served. I was transported to places that I have also tasted wines – Provence, Florence, Napa – it was wonderful to be so surprised! I hope you will try these wines and be as pleasantly shocked as I was… And – these are just a couple of the ones I purchased and can’t wait to serve to friends and family…

Daou Rose

Admittedly, I like rose in the summer (and we are heading there fast with the temperatures in AZ). My husband will drink it if I open a bottle but he would prefer a chardonnay. He couldn’t stop drinking this. I’m still not even sure how Daniel was able to create this complex wine - in it’s second year of production - but I am so happy that he did! It’s everything a rose would typically be (crisp, refreshing, summery – quotes from my girlfriends at the table😊). But – it’s also not overly fruity – it ends with a finish that borders between pear and peach – there was a big debate at the table on this one but ultimately we decided that “it’s just great!”

Daou Seventeen Forty 2018

Something sticks with me from last night as a habitual chardonnay drinker. Daniel said that he doesn’t want his wines to ‘scratch you’. I agree. Some red wines ‘scratch me’ and I don’t like them. BUT – this doesn’t (neither do any of his reds but this one is really special…). There are tannins, there is pronounced fruit, there is a really red wine feel – but you won’t feel scratched. The mouth feel is smooth, pleasing, and demonstrative without being overstated. It’s enjoyable to sip and amazing to drink with a great piece of red meat (like we had…). It would be wonderful with a firepit and great conversation. Bottom line – I would challenge you to find a reason not to enjoy this wine.

We are looking forward to our next wine tasting trip to Paso and visiting the place where these wonderful wines are grown.

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Virtual wine tasting success can depend on the brand…

This year wine tasting has taken a new twist entering into the virtual world.  For many organizations virtual events and fundraising is the best way for everyone to not only connect, but also to contribute. OneHope Wine is an organization that has realized the value of contribution to communities while enjoying wine long before the pandemic…it is engrained in their company.  

So – if you want to enjoy some great wine from a Napa valley winemaker and a company dedicated to supporting not only national philanthropic organizations but also helping local communities – OneHope Wine is the company to share with friends and family during a virtual wine tasting.  Here is a wine that stood out to me during a recent evening with friends…

Vintners Collection Red Blend

I am a primarily white wine drinker – BUT when I am tasting wines I am open to every varietal.  This red is very welcoming to anyone – white, red, non-wine drinker.  It’s smooth fruit forward start and mellow finish make this a perfect red wine for anyone to enjoy.  With a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and zinfandel you could easily meet the needs of any red wine drinking guest.  The added benefit is that a portion of the sales of this wine go to support Team Rubicon.  Team Rubicon serves communities by mobilizing veterans to continue their service, leveraging their skills and experience to help people prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises.

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Wine tasting with friends for the holiday season

Wine tasting can be fun anytime, but during the holidays season it can be extra special.  Our group had a wide range of wine drinkers, the self-proclaimed ‘white wine drinkers’, the always defined ‘red wine drinkers’, the ‘newbies’ to wine tasting, and those who appreciate any varietal. Aridus Winery in Scottsdale always does a wonderful job of sharing their various options and this evening was no exception.

In true tasting form we started in the whites, moved to the lighter reds, and finished with the boldest wines. Everyone found something they enjoyed and here are our comments for just a few of the wines we were able to experience.

2015 Chardonnay

This isn’t your buttery, oaky chardonnay, but we agreed that there is a full-body quality to the wine. Food options for this bottle are wide-ranging – obvious choices like chicken and fish, of course – but the smoky, lively characteristics also lean this toward a spicier food too.  

2017 Zinfandel

If you’re looking for an easy to sip wine for now or in a couple of years – this is the one to reach for. With notes of cinnamon and a woodsy background, even the white wine drinkers were compelled to finish this and ask for more.

2017 Malbec

Steak anyone?  The blackberry fruit flavor in this red would make any carnivore happy.  This bottle can probably sit in the wine fridge for a couple of years too – definitely more growth potential in this grape over time.

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Temecula Wine Tasting at Danza del Sol

Whether you are escaping the heat, heading to popular beaches, or just looking for a new location to wine taste, Temecula California could be the perfect choice. There are a few different options for routes depending on what type of winery you want to visit.  Danza del Sol has a pleasant outdoor courtyard and a rustic tasting room with attentive staff.  If you have the chance, ask for Walter to assist you – he is helpful, interested in your wine preferences, and looks for ways to make your visit memorable.  Being summer white wine drinkers, it was a pleasant surprise to taste this special red that is a ‘must buy’!

Danza del Sol 2015 Petite Sirah

Bold, fruity, and smooth are all great words to describe this bottle.  A special event, flavorful meal, night by the fire, or binge watching your favorite show would be perfect occasions to drink this.  We recommend getting this to drink now, but it probably could sit for a few years too – that is if you can wait that long….

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Temecula Wine Tasting at Leoness

Located on one of the southern roads in Temecula wine country, Leoness has varietals for every palate.  Not only do they have dry white options like the 2017 Melange de Blanc and 2018 Viognier, but their reds have a wide range of grapes.  The tasting room is warm and inviting and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly.  Because we were there during the week, we took advantage of the SIP Temecula Wine Passport and had six tastings.  The menu of choices will make any wine drinker happy.  Here is one of our favorite finds….

Leoness Cellars 2016 Syrah

This fruit forward 100% syrah is drinkable with or without food.  There is a depth to this wine that makes it perfect for a flavor filled meal. We enjoyed it later that night with a boldly seasoned flank steak and grilled potatoes.  Make sure you pick up a bottle of this wonderful wine when you visit!

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Holiday tasting could help you find a new favorite

The holiday season provides an opportunity for various venues to celebrate with wine tasting events.  At a recent tasting we had a wide range of varietals - whites, reds, and bubbles.  Whether you tend to lean one way or another,  take advantage of these opportunities to open up your palate to the full list.

The Freemark Abbey 2016 Chardonnay stood out as a must have purchase.  This isn’t your traditional oakey white, although 82% of it’s aging is in oak.  Instead of the chewiness with some oaked Napa whites, there is a distinct fruit and vanilla at the front and a smooth finish. With or without food this chardonnay has a fullness to satisfy any wine drinker.

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Sonoma offers great wine tasting options

If you’re heading up north for wine tasting in California, there are an amazing number of options. We decided to spend the day in Sonoma and found a wide range of varietals for any oenophile’s tastes. Most of the Carneros tasting rooms don’t require a reservation and are pretty reasonable in cost too.  One location in particular offered a great environment, friendly staff, affordable tasting fee ($15), and wonderful wines – here are some wines to be sure to taste at Obsidian Wine Co.

Obsidian Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2017

This isn’t a typical Sauv Blanc with a grapefruit ending.  It’s dry and light with a slight flavor of white roses on the end that offers a crisp but satisfying finish.  Sitting by the pool during the summer or grilling shrimp with pasta?  Pick this wine to pair perfectly!

Poseidon Vineyard Estate Chardonnay 2016

Our white wine addicts loved this selection.  With a slightly earthy finish the Hungarian oak that houses these grapes adds a smooth flavor.  This varietal can be sipped slowly alone or with foods like baked oysters or chicken picatta.

Poseidon Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir 2015

Looking for a pinot that will keep you engaged while you drink – this is it.  The subtle vanilla creeps in and brings a taste that can please even a white wine drinker.

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Girard is a California urban tasting gem

Yountville is in the southern part of Napa County and could be forgotten by the St. Helena/Napa wine tasters.  There are multiple wineries available for tasting in this general area, but we would recommend you start at Girard for not only a wonderful experience, but also an eclectic choice of varietals.  The $30 tasting fee shouldn’t scare you away – the five wines are well worth the price and you can also add a cheese plate for only $15.  During our tasting we most enjoyed these selections:

2017 Mixed Whites

You won’t find this in any restaurants or grocery stores – it’s a tasting room exclusive.  Viognier, Albarino, Grenache Blanc and Riesling all make an appearance in this fruit forward white.  Drink this by itself or with any summer dinner.

2015 Cabernet Franc

The 100% cab franc grapes are grown in Napa Valley to create this very drinkable red.  Another one you won’t find at retail, this bold wine can definitely sit in your fridge for a few years.  Steak, thai or Mexican food would all be good pairings for this wine.

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Fun afternoon tasting at Carruth Cellars

Anyone visiting northern San Diego County should head to Carlsbad for a fun afternoon of wine tasting at Carruth Cellars.  Doesn’t matter if you are a white, red or ‘I don’t really know’ wine drinker, this place is a great way to spend time with friends and enjoy different varietals. With grapes from Napa, Sonoma, and Willamette, there are options for everyone and the 6 tastings for $15 is reminiscent of Northern CA fees in the 80’s.  The music is great, the servers are friendly and knowledgeable, and they have indoor and outside seating.  Here are three selections to tempt and motivate you to go there!

2017 Sauvignon Blanc

Forget the strong grapefruit taste – this light white has a smooth finish.  There are crisp fruit flavors and this is a great option for the summer warm weather with or without food.

2015 Super Tuscan

The name is accurate – with a significant percentage of sangiovese, this red packs a punch. Think about grilling a steak, sitting by a fire, listening to music late night…I would recommend this wine for all of these events.  It makes sense that the winemaker picked this as his #1 choice.

2014 Syrah

Get ready to picture yourself in a vineyard in Sonoma.  The grapes in this wine will transport you and leave a big smile on your face.  Smooth start with a hint of spice make this perfect for dinner with almost any food.

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Even Bon Appetit says you should have a wine budget

I recently flipped through the latest issue of Bon Appetit magazine and found the article ‘A Real-Life Guide to Buying Wine’.  Some of the recommendations are exactly in line with our mantra – including Rule 3 “Tell Them Your Budget” when shopping for wine.  Although we don’t necessarily think you have to go to a wine shop instead of a grocery or big box chain to get assistance and find a great wine.  Many higher end grocery chains have sommeliers in house that share their years of experience everyday with seasoned and new wine drinkers.  Stores like Total Wine® train their personnel to understand varietals and possible food pairings.  So – yes, have a wine budget – consider checking out larger stores before you head to a smaller wine shop and your money may go farther in the long run.

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Mount Palomar Winery has old vines and great wines

With the oldest sangiovese vines in the Temecula Valley, Mount Palomar has whites and reds that will please any wino’s palate.  The tasting staff is friendly and outgoing with a broad knowledge of their wines and winemaking.  We enjoyed the tasting room atmosphere and the outdoor courtyard has shade for the warm Temecula day and sunshine lit areas for cooler temps.

2014 Dry Riesling 

Drinks like an unoaked chardonnay with pear up front and a smooth creamy finish.  Everyone in our group liked this one and could envision this for warm weather or as a first bottle on a night with friends while grilling chicken.

2012 Cuvee

They only produced 100 bottles of this red and when we inquired as to the varietal mix we were told it is ‘James Rutherford’s special sauce’.  This is a bit pricey but a good investment for a special occasion celebration.

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Ponte Winery is a beautiful location with good wines

Wine tasting in Temecula provides several choices for the aficionado on a budget.  Ponte Winery is a family owned winery where you can only purchase their wines on site.  A tasting includes six of their many varietals, so no matter what your preference - white, red, sparkling or sweet – you will find a nice selection of options. The outdoor patio adjacent to the vineyard is absolutely beautiful.  We didn’t have time to eat on property, but heard wonderful comments from others in the tasting room.

Pinot Grigio 2016 

This is a classically dry pinot grigio with a light overall taste and a crisp finish.  On a hot day, this would be a perfect starter bottle.

Tempranillo 2014

We purchased a bottle of this creamy, black cherry red.  Spanish grapes in this wine are bold and fruit forward finishing with a slight hint of vanilla.

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Blendz lets you be creative with your wine

There is a new – 7 months young – locale in Flagstaff, Arizona to taste wine and enjoy a creative way to interact with varietals.  Blendz is in old town nestled across from Heritage Square.  The innovative concept of blending their unoaked, pure varietals into your own personalized wine is a cool experience for locals and tourists alike. Very few wines are 100% of one grape from one vineyard, so why not use your palate to create a wine that includes the types you like the most?  Not only can you make the wine, you can tailor the bottle label on the spot with a pic from your phone or a myriad of other images.  The vibe is laid back and rustic with a great bar, lounge area with couches, and tables for every size group.  So, no matter whether you want to have a cocktail or beer, indulge in making your own wine, want to taste the wines in their pure forms, or just want a glass of one of the Blendz already created, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Symphony Wilcox 2013:  This white has a peach blossom flavor initially, a smooth light vanilla note and surprisingly dry finish.  We enjoyed tasting this as part of the Flight of 5 option on the menu. I would recommend this for the white wine drinker who isn’t stuck in the “oaky or die” mentality.  

Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2013:  Even our red wine drinking friend enjoyed this chardonnay.  After our individual first glasses, we decided to hang out and share a bottle and this one was a consensus choice.  We didn’t have the tapas, but we are heading back up in two weeks and will definitely be coming back!

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Peju Province Winery tasting is always an amazing experience

The last trip we made to Peju Province in Napa was 2013 and we were excited to go back this time and see our friend and experience their latest releases since the crush.  For those of you who haven’t been to Peju for tasting – you are missing not only a warm, inviting, and fun experience but also varietals that are classically Napa Valley vintages.  We had two people in our party who had not met our oldest – known for the longest time, not in age… - friend in Napa, Alan. Alan has been one of the key reasons we always visit Peju and have for the past 18 years!  He is gracious, informative, entertaining, and passionate about the wines he has represented for two decades.  If you visit Peju for tasting, you must try to request time with Alan – he is worth the reservation and the wait if necessary.

2012 Zinfandel:  Blackberry is very present in the front of this wine, with a slight cocoa and pepper at the finish. There isn’t a ‘bite’ like some Zins can have, the ending is smooth.  We are looking forward to letting this grow over time in our wine fridge, but it also could be thoroughly enjoyed now.

2013 Cabernet Franc:  Not too fruit forward, you can taste the herbs and a little wood in this easy to drink red.  As a primarily white wine drinker, this is a balanced wine that can be enjoyed with or without food.  Because we love to have our Peju vintages become their potential best, we will let this one sit for a few years.  For red wine drinkers, it may be hard to resist opening this over the holidays to celebrate with good friends and family.