Wine Blog
"Juicy Tales by Jo Diaz"

What a charming little village Lorgues is, located in the Côtes de Provence region of France. This area bespoke France to me. It’s a region rich in viticultural history; and, is actually known to be the birth of Mediterranean wine grape growing. (From the Mediterranean Sea, the Romans entered France coming into this region.)

Provence is rosé country, my friends; delicious and delectably refreshing wines, and it was all mine for a day, before we headed south, going to Nice on the French Riviera, next. My first visit was to

Château Roubine Cru Classe, which I’ve written about over time. So, after this morning to mid-afternoon visit, we went into town. This is when I thought, “I could return to my French roots, here.” Franck Duboeuf said to me earlier in the week, “I hope you love France.” He was spot on, as it would be very easy for me to live in France, honoring my Bernier-Ouellette grandparents’ roots.

Côtes de Provence ~ Terroir and Regions

Just for a bit of background, this region is heavily influenced by its Mediterranean climate, being in close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. It’s usually sunny, hot, and dry, varying with the sea’s influences; that is to say, depending on which way the wind is blowing. Its geology has complex, geological features. The makeup of its soils has a division line. In the northwest, the soil is limestone. In the southeast, the soil is crystalline.

• Limestone = Composed of calcium carbonate, but it may also contain small amounts of clay, silt, and dolomite (sedimentary rock similar to limestone, usually found in a basin).
• Crystalline = Composed of mica, kaolinite, and smectite.

There are five geographical areas in Provence: Coastal, Inland Valleys, Foothills, Beausset Basin, Sainte-Victoire Mountain.

And, there are six terroir designations: Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire, Côtes de Provence Fréjus, Côtes de Provence La Londe, Côtes de Provence Pierrefeu, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, and Coteaux Varois en Provence.

Lorgues Village

Just before we went to Château Sainte-Béatrice winery, our van stopped in Lorgues. I got out of the van, and my heart skipped a beat. There (picture above, lower, left side) was a red, slim-fitting dress on a mannequin. I could go no further in the town, I had to find the shop attached to the dress. I’m NOT a shopper, being a bit of a minimalist. I’ve left many European cities and towns, and bought absolutely nothing. When I see something I DO want (anywhere), I’m unstoppable. And I had to have that dress. I think I had waited my whole life for KINOALO Collection; and bought the dress, but the shop owner couldn’t take credit cards. This is the only way I saw Lorgues. I had to run up the street, to find an ATM machine that would convert cash into Euros. I just made it back to the store and back to the van. Got it! Everyone was waiting in the van for me, and off we went (about two blocks) to Château Sainte-Béatrice.

Château Sainte-Béatrice

We were welcomed as we walked into the reception room, which was filled with historical viticultural and winemaking memories and artifacts. So many tools from a time nearly forgotten of Provencal objects. The exhibition with old tractors represents the evolution of cultivation equipment. Each winery visited, in the 10-day whirlwind tour, took great pride in their emphasis on historical artifacts. Château Sainte-Béatrice was no exception; in fact, it’s exemplary. Such a collection seemed to gather everything seen in earlier winery visits, and a whole lot more, in one location.

I’m just going to run a group of photos for you. In my next story, I’m going to write about Chateau Sainte-Beatrice’s delicious and refreshing wines.

ADDITION: This photo below had a comment worth sharing, because it paints more of an image of “then.” From JCP: the blue machine was used in the countryside before the tractors to cut the grass of the meadows and also to plow. it was pulled by one or two horses. My response in the comments area.

ARTIFACTS AND ANTIQUES

Réserve du Domine Ste Béatrice 1988, Cotes de Provence, oh so tempting, how would it have held up? (The fact that it’s not in a cool, 55-degree wine cellar chilling, lust no more. Still, great to see a wine over 30-years-old, though; right, huh?)

Mastering the art of selection… what to explore first? I had absolutely no idea what this blue machine below actually is. I was just one person in a group of nine people. It was impossible to steal our eductor away from everyone else.

So, I put it out to my Facebook Village, which has quite a few wine professionals in it. “Most likely,” I thought, “someone from Europe will know.” As it turned out, with author Wink Lorch’s connections at the the Musée de la vigne et du vin de Savoie – (the Savoie wine museum), they provided two photos, one with a description of item.

— It still takes a village…

Labeling machine.
This machine from the 1960s is a manual triggered mechanical labeler. It was used to stick the paper label on the bottle. Different tin glues used. In the 1990s, mechanical labelers appear. If the labeling work is then greatly facilitated, the equipment had to be changed.

Well, we don’t have to be a wine scholar to know what this one is.

Whimsy tucked in with everything else, making me smile.

Cans, for what, for when?

And… my personal FAV. Who wouldn’t want a little cannon to scare away murmuration?

Tags: Château Sainte-Béatrice, Cotes de Provence, Crystalline, France, Franck Duboeuf, KINOALO Collection, Limestone, Lorgues, Lorgues Village, murmuration, Réserve du Domine Ste Béatrice 1988, Terroir and Regions, Valérie Rousselle

Mission Statement: In today’s times… I halted dead in my tracks. So innocent, I would never have guessed the comments put forth. But I understand them, so I’ve morphed.

[PHOTO: Jo Diaz, all rights reserved.]

Wait for it

It started out so simply. The mission statement for PS I Love You is now more than a bit dated.

To promote, educate, and legitimize Petite Sirah as a noble variety, with a special emphasis on its terroir uniqueness.

Written in 2002, promoting was going to be my focus for the variety; because, as a wine grape, it had all but fallen off the known wine grape, varietals chart.  Easy, let’s fix them with a lot of publicity, starting in 2002.

So, how would this be accomplished? With education, through press releases. Again, easy.

Legitimize Petite Sirah as a noble variety… Let’s face it, the French wine industry has documented wine grape nobility, and they’re not going to change it, maybe not even in a blue moon. That’s even if we stand on our heads and spit nickels. So, not going to even think that anymore. But, very few people now would even say it isn’t a heritage grape in California. The history of Petite Sirah follows the year of American researched in a timeline, placed on PS I Love You… Ahead of our research, the history of Petite had been well-documented by Charles Sullivan, our noted American, wine historian, though U.C. Berkeley Publishing.

[PHOTO: Jo Diaz, all rights reserved.]

Terroir uniqueness, now this one is not totally complicated; since Petite Sirah morphs into wherever it’s planted. It does well in cool climates, in warm climates, and everything in between. You just have to taste and document each one separately. So, have fun with it.

1. My first draft updating the mission statement went to the members of PS I Love You.

To promote, educate, and legitimize Petite Sirah as a heritage variety, with a special emphasis on terroir uniqueness, taught by our Masters of Petite Sirah.

Lots of “Yeses!” But then I had two “Nos.” The first one made me stop and think, but I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it, yet.

JULIE JOHNSON of Tres Sabores:

I’m not sure how either reads to be honest.. sorry. “Educate” is confusing.  We’re not educating Petite Sirah.  We can educate ( the public, the press— etc “about “ petite sirah   Etc. etc.)   I don’t think the grape has any difficulty being legitimate.  I think it has a problem with garnering the recognition it’s due.  And we’ve always been about that.  That’s different.  Always love “celebrating” a wine. My two cents! 

The awkward sentence structure made PS I Love you educating Petite Sirah, itself; which of course ~ we don’t sit Petite down and offer it some courses. So, that could be more straight forward.

And, I’m over the “Noble” part, which was why I pulled it, switching out “Heritage.” And it is about garnering recognition. This Petite Sirah group still has a way to go to get those celebrating headlines Julie mentioned.

[PHOTO: Purchased.]

This is what you waited for

The second thought submitted for an edit, and coming from left field for me; when, in fact, it’s coming from the generation of my own adult children. We educated them around having empathy regarding social issues, and now they’re taking it to the next steps, which then re-educates us, the parents. Check it out… It came from Robert Biale Winery.

We have had a point come up in our company from someone about saying “Masters.” Right now since the Master Sommeliers have decided to drop the Masters part of their position. They are worried about BLM that people might have issues about saying Masters.  He thinks it just might be a sensitive thing to change to right now. Just wanted to let you know.

Ah… yeah. My kids would be right on this, too, if the Email had gone to them.

[PHOTO: Purchased.]

So, the Master Sommelier thing. I immediately began to research it. Yes, it’s already come up as an issue.

The New York Times: Prestigious Wine Organization Drops Use of Term ‘Master’ (From the Master Somm’s organization).

The organization, the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, wants to be more inclusive. Some black wine experts say the recent changes aren’t enough.

By Christina Moral, June 22, 2020
A prestigious wine organization will stop its common use of “master” with a sommelier’s surname as part of an effort to be more inclusive and to help diversify the wine industry.

The organization, the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, said in a statement last week that it wanted to play a part in diversifying the industry in the wake of nationwide unrest and conversations about institutional racism prompted by the killing of George Floyd.

From The Masters Sommeliers 

With great humility we commit to listening, learning, advocating and acting for change in our industry and our communities. We resolve to support initiatives for inclusion and diversity in the hospitality industry and to support organizations that create opportunities for the Black community and people of color to thrive as sommeliers, winemakers, distributors, retailers, and beverage industry leaders. We pledge to do more within our organization to inspire and support those seeking to become Master Sommeliers. In January we made a small but significant first step to encouraging…”

Aha, I see even more. What I had originally read had me understand they weren’t dropping it from their title, they’re just going to drop “Masters” from their lexicon. So, yes, we’ve also got to drop the ‘master,’ because I hear them. What also drives this is that I’ve held a few Masters of Petite Sirah events. I don’t intend to ever use that name again, even though a master can be a noun (person), with another master being a verb (achievement). It’s just too soon, if ever. Empathically, we’re still on an upward swing… maybe even toward more fun features.

REWRITE

PS I Love You promotes and accents the positives of Petite Sirah as a heritage variety worth enjoying.

[PHOTO: Purchased.]

Tags: Black Lives Matter, BLM, Inc., Julie Johnson at Tres Sabores, Mission Statement, Petite Sirah I Love You, PS I Love You, Robert Biale Vineyard

My theme is TERROIR; capturing the heart, soul, and essence of it. And, yes, there was most certainly wine education involved.

Beautiful places I’ve been and photographed: Provence, France.

[PHOTOS: Jo Diaz, all rights reserved.]

You say Provence and I say “lavender” (maybe I’ll even say Rosé).

It was just a perfect day under Provence sun at Château Roubine Cru Classé.

Imagine standing on the very earth where the Knights Templar once lived as one of their outposts. They were safety guards for Christians, who were on pilgrimages from France to the Holy Land, during the Dark Ages.

This Knight Templar stands guard in the lovely gardens of Chateau Roubine, celebrating that history.

Now, imagine owning a chateau on that land. May I introduce Château Roubine Cru Classé. This day was dedicated to learning about Provence terroir and wines, while having an exquisite luncheon (definitely black truffles included), on the grounds of this historic earth.

We first went on a vineyard tour, to whet our appetites. “I spied, with my little eye,” a touch of verasion in the vineyard. (For anyone who doesn’t know, veraison is when grapes begin to turn from green into their true purple colors;  the grapes sugar levels become elevated and then balanced enough for harvest).

My guides: on the left is Adrien Riboud, co-owner of Château Roubine Cru Classé (with his mother Valérie Rousselle). The gentleman on the right is their vigneron Pierre Gérin.

In the distance from the vineyards, you can see the chateau and its countryside.

Château Roubine Cru Classé Wines

In Provence, the art of their bottles is as important as the art of their vineyards and the wines within the bottles.

The amount of sophistication is revealed in every detail.

This day was followed by dinner at Chez Bruno with a Black Truffle Fixe Prix dinner. Each course revolved around black truffles; black truffles and rose go hand in hand due to where they’re both grown and lusted after.

Chez Bruno in Provence, France is Very Sophisticated

As guests of Chateau Roubine, we were welcomed to Chez Bruno Restaurant. in Lorgues, France.

Art was really well placed around the grounds at this jewel in Provence, with an eclectic edge on delightful.

Quite the lovely wall.

Black truffles, right now are about $95 per ounce… Chez Bruno has an all-black truffle menu. Their menus… https://www.restaurantbruno.com/en/menus

All of it, just all of it, all day long, was picture perfect and scrumptious. The amazing presentation of black truffles, from which our host to choose what he would like to share with his guests…

Tags: Château Roubine Cru Classé, Chez Bruno Restaurant, France, Knights Templar, Provence, Provence France

I saw this bottle. I had no intention of buying any wine, I was just out to get some fruits and veggies, and a rotisserie chicken for my cat Buddy (in lieu of canned cat food). I was in Oliver’s Grocery Store in Windsor, California. As I turned from the rotisserie display, there it was… Right there, ready for an impulse buy.

I couldn’t wait to photograph it, it was so dazzling. There were so many reasons I wanted this bottle of wine:

• The bottle’s artwork would make a great vase for delivering a long stem red rose to someone, from our bushes.
  • It would also be a great vase for white roses, found everywhere in our gardens.
• This brut was made with organic grapes.
• The price didn’t even matter, although it was a great price.

Notice, nowhere above do I mention that I even wanted a wine.

So why?

In the late 60s, my friend Leon Pinkham said to me, “Album covers have the greatest art on them.” I hadn’t thought much about it before he said that to me. I had just taken it all for granted, but once Leon pointed that out, it was clearer than clear.

Along with that musical generation came a platform for visual artists, too. They created, and if it was exceptional it became a lead into the magic that was inside.

Today, the same holds true for a bottle of wine. And, if you’re just beginning to enjoy wine, you’re the most susceptible, because you’re not bogged down by what you know. You’re open to innovation… You can live the excitement, and you’ll also build a brand.

Packaging will either draw you in, or move you on down the aisle to find exactly what you’re looking for. Before I understood (better than I do today) what was in the bottle, I was drawn to the label like a moth to a flame, bought the wine, and only then discovered what was inside. (Some pretty exciting days and some not so exciting.)

Before living in California, I lived and worked for radio station WBLM-FM, in Portland, Maine. I was as far away from viticulture as possible, but I loved my weekend food and wine adventures with my husband. We had a favorite wine shop that I’d go to each Friday. I’d buy a bottle of wine, bring it home, and we’d enjoy it over the weekend.

Finally, after months of doing this, Jose said to me, “Alright! I’m going to buy the wine this Friday, because every time you buy a bottle of wine, it has some flower or plant on it.” I couldn’t argue. He was right. So, off he went to Audie’s Wine Shop, and he bought a bottle of Clos du Val Cabernet.

You know, that’s the label with the three graces on it… a.k.a. three naked ladies. Rest my case.

Palama Rosé Brut

A blend of 95 percent Italian Glera white wine grapes and five percent of Raboso red wine grapes, the flavors of this sparkling wine didn’t disappoint. Chamat Method, the brioche flavors were present, lots of tiny bubbles danced in my glass and on my palate, and the finish was very refreshing. Produced by La Cantina Pizzoloto, this was really a delightful surprise… The flavors of excitement were the same as the bottle’s excitement that I had… One of those, Oh My Gawd shopping moments.

Here’s how wine marketing works, and it’s a personal story. I call it Wine Marketing 101, when you’re not going out with a precise shopping list or you’re not going to purchase a “library” wine, because buying wine is on such a basic level, completely proving my point about how we buy and what we buy… based on emotion.

This wine was NOT a sample.

Tags: Glera wine, Natural Wine Merchants, Raboso, Wine Marketing 101

My visit to France was orchestrated through Quintessential Wines and Georges Duboeuf Wines. Every bit of it had to do with meeting owners and/or winemakers for each place visited, in formal or informal settings, and sometimes both. All were located in the Beaujolais region of France, starting in the north and then moving southward. Time varied at each château, and each time I listened intently, while the photographer inside of me was also inspired and on pointe.

I’m a true believer that a picture is still worth a thousand words and are for quiet enjoyment. So, I’ll give you a few words and restrain from going overboard in the verbiage department. Enjoy yourself here, in St. Amour, France.

Amore!

We bagan a media tour at  Château de St. Amour, owned by the very sweet and genuinely authentic Sidaurin family, with their onsite winemaker, while the Duboeuf family guides the winemaking process.

On this tour, the one item that really struck me, as being much more Europen than my own California wineries I’ve worked for and visited for stories, is their use of cement fermenting and aging tanks. I did work for Foppiano for nearly nine years, where I first learned about cement tanks… They have an entire wall devoted to being a cement holding tank; but, I haven’t seen anything like these small holding tanks in other countries. The sizes of these tanks range from 70 to 10,000 gallons, and they can also be larger (as in my Foppiano example). When you enter their cellars, aromatic history plays an important welcoming role.

winemaker and tanks

In this photo, Romain Teytea (right, working with Georges Duboeuf Winery) is interpreting the history of the wine cellar and their procedures, as told to him by the winemaker.

owner/grandparents and their adorably shy granddaughter.

I can only imagine the amount of intimidation for such a young child and so many “big” people; curious, yet cautions. She braved through it, though, and I was able to get a smile and nearly a goodbye wave had her arms not been full, as we departed. It’s was a true wine and food experience entrenched with Roman and French history, generosity, and a special camaraderie. Such a visit!

Interesting facts about the château from Quintessential Wines and Château de St. Amour:

The south-facing vineyards of the Estate include 49.4 acres, where most of the vineyards are more than 20 years old and trellised in the traditional Gobelet style. Harvest is conducted manually, in whole bunches. Semi-carbonic maceration and malolactic fermentation take place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wines see no oak. The Sidaurin family owns the Estate and has been aligned with Les Vins Georges Duboeuf for many years.

– Romain and winemakeraklgh;asehalsna

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Château de St. Amour ~ Photo Perspective

Greeted by We began our tour in their chateau’s wine cellar, walking through a large ban door. Cement floors, aromas of past harvests, and a working of preparation for their incoming. This was the end of July. Literally the cellar of their home. How intoxicating harvest must be for them, when grapes arrive at the chateau.

Picnicking at Home

Château de Saint-Amour is the northernmost and smallest region of Beaujolais, France. Their estate has a kind of down-home-chateau charm that just draws you in. The “romance” of wine is especially pronounced in this region by virtue of its “amour” name. (Amour is French for love, and you might already know that. This is a “just in case.”) This estate exudes a homey comfort; a true living-working, grape farm. Imagine for a moment, you’ve arrived.

This photo of the Chateau on the wine label honors this silky smooth and great “entry” wine for anyone daring to cross over from white to the red side of wine. (Red wine lovers have every reason to love it, too.) It’s 100 percent Gamay… I believe once you’ve tried Gamay, you’ll never see red wine quite the same way. Similar to the body of a classic, gentle, and well-rounded Pinot Noir, Gamay is in the same wine weight category. Think French onion soup with Gruyère cheese, positioned on a toasted baguette smothered in butter, resting on sweet, white onions, in a savory beef broth. Now, you sip Château de St. Amour’s Gamay, and you know you’ve hit paydirt.

The lovely, long-standing garden touches, a small stable at the back of the gardens; because, the small child “likes to horseback ride.” It seems I’m always allowed to roam freely with my camera and get to know any property; so, I walked to the back of their gardens and discovered their very friendly horses. I curiously discovered their intimate spaces. It does allow for a bit of snooping and I’m always looking for the money shot; something that will deliver real emotion. This chateau is a major, family investment; I instinctively knew that investment. Owning my own family business, I’ve leaned it well over the last 30 years. With grandparents on-site, helping to raise an infant into childhood, hope is alive, well, and all is blooming.

PHOTO

My theme is TERROIR.

The 1,686 words are missing here that I wrote, at one point. Terroir ~ The Most Complex Segment of Wine. This blog posting is more of a pictorial representation. The link to my story is a bit long, yet all of these images play a very important role in Terroir, according to my understanding. For today, just enjoy the images of the French countryside and take in the terroir moments.

Thank you Georges Duboeuf for the education. Each photo tells you where we went, from north to the south of Beaujolais, France.

It all began here, at the Georges Duboeuf hamlet.

DAY 1 [above photo] Northern Beaujolais: In the town of Saint-Amour, Château de Saint-Amour, with the Sidaurin family (owners) and winemaker Roland Berrod. The gardens always had a lovely touch to terror, with their bees and hummingbirds.

Château des Capitans in Juliénas with winemaker William Chevalier. The important shade is provided by the flowers, as we headed into the wine cellar.

Headed to Morgon to meet with Nicole Descombes, of Morgon Jean-Ernest Descombes winery.

Domaine des Quatre Vents, in Fleurie, France. The red doorway opens up the view of the little chapel in the above and below photos.

The hamlet of Fleurie, overlooking the town from the Madrone Chapel.

An evening dinner meeting in Odenas, France with owners Jean-Benoit and Tiphaine de Chabannes, at Chateau de Nervers.

DAY 2 – SOUTH OF FRANCE, the Market of Villefranche-Sur-Saone, shopping for ingredients for a cooking class with Chef Stephane.

The town of Oingt. The more important aspect of this town is for us to notice the gold colors of their stone… Stones used by Roman to build a solid structure.

Headed to the Vignerons (grape cultivators) des Pierres Dorees Coop, with director Sylvain Flache.

When vineyards were planted, it’s widely understood in France that their grape growing teams need to get out of the hot sun and have a break. These kinds of little shelters are missing in California and had me yearning for something like these to be built here. (Call me a dreamer.)

Sylvain Flache, kneeling, inspecting the grapes grown very close to the ground. Vines are not on a trellis system here.

A helicopter tour of the Golden Stone region of Beaujolais. This castle is an example of how some towns have been constructed, with the castle surrounded by a stone wall.

The famous Rock of Solutre… People can and do climb this mountain. On the day we arrived, the temps were in the 90s, so thanks, but no thanks. Instead, see the next image.

Maconnais region of France. Wine director Gilles Corsin. Pouilly-Fuisse – so delicious! The Mountain is to the left of Gilles in this image.

Domaine des Chenevieres‘ vine arbor above the wine cellar doorway.

Thank you, also, Quintessential Wines

How’s everyone in wine country doing?

Nothing But A Musing Here

If ever I was musing…

My wine blog… it’s taken a hit this year from my usual self. I don’t even know how I feel anymore. There’s so much more going on in my personal life; the death of my mother-in-law, a child of mine with a serious illness, friends now in the path of horrific fires (and perhaps us, again), and a cat who can’t live much longer into his 18th year, but if we have to evacuate again, into the car he goes again, which he hates…

I’m ready to sleep in the car, if need be. I’m so exhausted, so I would prefer not to. (We have invitations to places that will be safe, but I don’t even know if I want to go to other places, while California burns.)

And yet, I want to write about wine.

And, I want to continue dreaming about an upcoming trip in November to Venice, Piedmont, and Spain. I want it to happen so badly. I truly believe I lived in Venice in a past life. I’ve had a dream in Italian and I understood every word. It woke me out of deep sleep. I sat right up, woke Jose to ask, “What does this mean?” He casually said, “You were Italian in a past life, Now, go back to sleep.” I did, but I’ve never forgotten. I hold a deep feeling about being an old housewife, hanging out of her third-story window, to pull on the rope of a shared clothesline with a neighbor, across the way. We used to yell back and forth to each other, pre telephones.

This is August in wine county. Usually, it’s still summer in quietly, almost non-descript, temperatures in the 80s. When August hits, I’ve always been able to feel the slightest descent. Not this year, not in this global, pandemic year with a crazy kind o’dragon that’s shooting lightning bolts to an earth that was first baked by the highest temps on record… getting it all nice and crispy… for the next “greatest show on earth,” and I don’t mean any real circus has come to town.

So there. I want to write about wine, but I’ll be damned if I can find the words right now.

So, anyway…

[Photo purchased: Iakov Kalinin]

Thank you WineBusiness.com for promoting this story. And thanks to Bluest Sky Group for the dedication to having this wine business trip happen in November.

Tags: California fires, musing, pandemic

It’s been since June 3, 2020, that I’ve been able to actually journal about wines I’ve been enjoying. I’ve never stopped notetaking, it’s just that Covid, Black Lives Matter, and now the election have just taken over, while the world continues to really swirl around. Lots of personal passions and challenges; this also included some organizing and jumping-into-ZOOM hoops, with the PS I Love You group.

Yet, I still do slow down to enjoy food and wine each day, not just put it into a story.

Many people are now better adjusted to lives at home 24/7. I made that segue in 2001, and am just about ready to celebrate 20 years of loving it. Having so much to do on this beautiful land is part of it, and it’s also about the hours. I used to love 80 hour weeks at my desk, but not anymore… Not when I have grandchildren, can feed the birds, and keep the flowers and veggies still coming. And, the wines…

Having many ducks now in a row, I still try to get back to my computer keyboard on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Wine is such an integral part of having enjoyed life along the way, taking notes, traveling to parts unknown, and working hard.

LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER WINES

Beginning with Tiamo, dry wine spritzers in a can.  I’ve loved wines in cans, since the instant, they came out. Being an early adopter on this one, I’ve watched the acceptance of alternative wine selections in cans also continually grow. And I’m not surprised.

“A benefit near any water sports”

Today, there are also all types of wine knock-offs being crafted, and for so many different audiences. In the beverage isles of some large grocery stores, it’s become a bit unreal to simply find a bottle of just real lemonade, and if you make it carbonated, so much the better, but yet another bottle.

So, memorize this image, if you’re looking for something refreshingly fun, and really satisfying. It will let you have a little wine experience, while also quenching your thirst on a very hot day, like this one. I didn’t sip this one, I found myself indulging a bit. I just saw a friend add a bit of Perrier to her red wine. I didn’t flinch. I knew it was a mod-mood-thing, and we just kept talking, as she blended.

So here’ the skinny on the spritzer #samples I tasted:

Only 90 calories, in 8.4-ounce cans, and five percent alcohol by volume. Let’s just say, I wasn’t the earliest adopted on these spritzers. My snob factor was in full bloom, when they arrived on the market. Still, I’m also not a “keeping up with the Jones” either. I just had to think about it, and a 100-degree day put me over the edge. Sweating bullets, at the time it had been well over three weeks of 100-degree weather (in June), and that will lead you right into the samples you’ve had chilling for a bit, and right to something to stop the weather encouraging more hot flashes. As it happened, Timao Spritzer Time kicked in.

I’ve enjoyed their wines in cans, now it’s the Spritzera!

From Tiamo: “Tìamo is an innovative and modern brand produced sustainably from organic grapes, a perfect match for the canned wine format that promotes common sustainable attributes, like lightweight packaging and efficiency in recycling,” explained Todd Nelson, marketing and communication manager for Winesellers, Ltd.  “Tìamo organic White and Rosé are ideal for this application and entry into the emerging canned wine category.”

Tìamo Dry White Wine Spritz

• 8.4 Ounces
• Made with organic grapes
• 5 percent alcohol by volume
• Deliciously clean white wine
• With love and moderation
• Made in Italy

Tìamo Dry Rosé Wine Spritz

• 8.4 Ounces
• Made with organic grapes
• 5 percent alcohol by volume
• Only 2-grams of sugar
• No sugar or artificial sweeteners
• Made in Italy

These little spritzers are very lively, their faint wine nuances have just made it perfect to do a quick, safe guzzle, given how hot and thirsty I was when I opened them. Immediately satisfied that I made the right choice for writing, because it’s really impossible to guzzle wine, but a quick throw your head back and just take it all in, as we adjust to heat, that was pretty much what I wanted… It was perfect.

And, BTW, no artificial flavors or sweetners. Vegan-Friendly. Gluten-Free. what’s not to love in 100-degree weather!

Tags: 2016 Tìamo Canned Organic Rosé, 2016 Tìamo Canned Organic White wine, Summer wines, Tìamo Wines, Winesellers, Winesellers LTD

With Wings on his feet, Episode 6 leads you quickly from past Episodes of Kerry Damskey, a global brave and daring winemaker, to now Three Corners being explained as ONE VISION | ONE WINEMAKER | THREE TERROIRS:

• ISRAEL
• CALIFORNIA
• COSTA RICA

Episode 6 – Kerry Damskey & Three Corners Wine

Episode 6 is a quick three minutes recap; especially good if you’ve seen his prior episodes. You’ll quickly realize this is one man who defines ingenuity, driven by curiosity to perfection. Within this map, you can imagine from Israel to California, then down to Costa Rica, and back to Israel make Kerry’s Three Corners complete…

He ends Episode 6 and segues right into his final Episode 7.

Episode 7 – Kerry Damskey Talks About Palmeri Wines

Back to California, and his California wine brand, Palmeri. Kerry and his wife Daisy decided to name the brand after what they do, which is mountain wine growing. Palmeri comes from a species of oak called Quercus palmeri, only grown at high altitudes. There are only 600 to 800 cases a year. He’s either worked with the vineyards or discovered then, and they define the meaning and providence of the wine grapes growing, with lots of wine words to follow about its importance. Kerry brings in many great details of winemaking techniques; all of his passions are set into motion, including his legacy.

Thanks to Jose Diaz of Diaz Communications for all of the technical details.

Thank you to Wine Business for its lead feature blog story.

Tags: Daisy Damskey, Drew Damskey, Kerry Damskey ~ Episode 6, Palmeri Wines, Three Corners Wine

With Fodor’s Travel Guides, we can explore world regions from the eyes, ears, and penmanship of regional writers. Many of our own decisions are based on the reviews in print and online, about these fabulous and global places of interest.

• USA
• Europe
• Africa and Middle East
• Asia
• Australia and The Pacific
• Canada
• Caribbean
• Mexico and Central America
• South America

And, it takes a global village of people to create these kinds of resources. For my part of the wine country (Sonoma, and Napa), Fodor’s writing is being accomplished by the very affable Danny Mangin, who covers “wineries, sights to see, activities, restaurants, and hotels in Napa, Sonoma, and beyond.” (Quoting his Website.)

I first met Danny at ACORN Winery, located in the Russian River Valley. My friends Bill and Betsy Nachbauer (owners of ACORN) had also invited Danny Mangin and his partner William, and so began my seeing Danny at every subsequent wine event I attended. Initially, we’d chat, but I never got to the bottom of who he was. I just knew I liked him. As time went on, I saw Danny on every electronic media channel, and I finally got pretty curious. My reaction, at this very time, is that Danny is extremely formidable, and is definitely part of our current, global wine writer database.

I’m really honored to share him with you. The best I can do for fellow wine writers is to share who they are, so you, too, know who you can enjoy through their profiles on my Wine Writer page.

While Danny’s writings are very thorough and interesting about all wine stories and data, it plays to the strings of my heart that he’s also a champion of the underdogs. These writers dare to step off the beaten path… they’re adventurous and selfless, they elevate all boats so the sea is more level, with their ship and contents then catch more visibility. Writers are our marketers and our heroes.

Danny Mangin ~ Fodor’s Travel Destinations

Q&A

[Q] Tell me something about you that no one in the wine world knows.

[DANNY MANGIN] Personally

In the late 1970s, I did lighting for two Bay Area punk-era bands and occasionally picked up gigs with headliners like Ray Charles, Etta James, and the Talking Heads. Rock friends were always impressed about the Talking Heads until I confessed my instructions from David Byrne: “Turn the lights all the way up when we get onstage. Turn them off when we leave.” (It was the band’s minimalist period.)

Professionally

I tasted the winning Judgment of Paris California wines when they were young.

[Q] What inspired you to write about wine?

[DANNY MANGIN] Through a roadie friend, I met a collector of Napa Valley wines who introduced me to labels—Mayacamas, Heitz, Phelps, Trefethen, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Stony Hill, Steltzner—way better than anything I’d been drinking. I immediately “got” why these wines were magnificent. My ardor back then, for a particular Cab, led to some stern advice I’ve lived by ever since: “Heitz Martha’s Vineyard is not for a Monday-night burger by yourself.”

I didn’t begin writing about wine right away, but seeing the wine world through a collector’s eyes and participating in conversations, with the vintners and winemakers he knew, spurred a lifelong interest. Some encouraging words from Zelma Long late in her tenure at Simi led more directly to my involvement.

[Q] What is your primary interest with wine?

[DANNY MANGIN] I come from the travel-guide world, where part of the job is to help readers choose the best experiences given their budgets and levels of taste—and perhaps gently elevate the latter. So, turning people onto worthy wines and wineries is a primary focus. This includes broadening readers’ varietal awareness—as you know, I’m enthusiastic about California Petite Sirah and Zinfandel. I also like to highlight low-on-the-radar mom-and-pop wineries, along with operations of any size that are advancing winemaking or grape growing.

[Q] Tell me about your Fodor writings (what a great gig).

[DANNY MANGIN] It is a great gig. What’s not to like about tasting great wines and food and interviewing people intensely passionate about what they do? I’m coming up on three decades with Fodor’s, two times in Manhattan on staff and three in California as a freelancer. While on staff, I ran Fodors.com for five years and was the editorial director of the culturally oriented Compass guides.

My main assignment is Fodor’s Napa and Sonoma, and I cover Mendocino, Lodi, the Gold Country, and a few other areas for Fodor’s California. A few years ago, I checked out wineries from Shasta County to Temecula in the same month. You learn a lot about terroir covering that much ground, but also varietal. I became fascinated, for instance, about the diverse ways Syrah expresses itself throughout the state, even before factoring in winemaking skills, cellar approaches, and facilities.

[Q] What has your journey been like as a wine writer?

[DANNY MANGIN] I commissioned and edited copy about California wines for a decade before doing much writing and learned a lot from my authors. As part of my editorial due diligence, I found myself consulting all sorts of texts, taking classes, and tasting hundreds of wines (I’m very diligent). One always feels one could know more, but I am happy to have followed the path I have.

[Q] What wine regions have you covered, what would you like to cover, and why?

[DANNY MANGIN] For Fodor’s and other outlets, I’ve covered most of California. I haven’t explored Santa Barbara County as systematically as other regions, so I’d like to complete that part of my education. In March, I participated in a master class in Oregon wines that rekindled interest in Pacific Northwest wines that dates to when I commissioned books on Oregon and Washington. Outside the U.S., the Loire Valley, Spain, Tuscany, and Chile intrigue me. Oh yes, and New Zealand for Pinot Noir—I recently had some superb wines from there and would like to try more.

[Q] As an independent writer, without the safety net of a salary, what’s your biggest challenge?

[DANNY MANGIN] It’s the same as when I did have a salary: not drinking up the profits! To be serious, though, I’ve been lucky enough to have had a few ongoing writing and editing opportunities that pay decent if not fabulous money. These days, the biggest challenge is ferreting out assignments that help me grow as a wine writer.

[Q] Does William also write with you, or is he your constant companion with any suggestions?

[DANNY MANGIN] I used to joke that I had William accompany me on winery visits so I could get the Every Traveler’s take, but he’s become too sophisticated to provide that anymore. His evolution is instructive, though. When we met 33 years ago, he was as apt to like grocery-store Chinese plum wine as Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. But like the rest of us, the more he tasted, the more he became able to detect and appreciate quality. He doesn’t write, but he snaps mighty-fine social-media photos.

[Q] Besides wine, what is another passion?

[DANNY MANGIN] We’ve lived the past decade in northern Marin County (or as we prefer to say, lower Petaluma Gap), so like all good Marinites we’ve gotten into hiking. I write about some favorite hikes on my website.

[Q] What does a typical day look like for you?

[DANNY MANGIN] This being the first week of updating Fodor’s Napa and Sonoma, I’m spending much of the day reviewing the last edition, reading my notes about what’s changed over the past two years, and lining up places to (safely) visit and research.

[Q] What are your greatest strengths?

[DANNY MANGIN] As a writer, I hope my greatest strengths are that I can turn a phrase and do my part to make wine less intimidating for general readers.

Check out our fun-loving Danny on my wine writer page. He’s a great addition! He also has his own website.

[PHOTO CREDIT: Chenoweth Wines]

Tags: Acorn Winery, Bill and Betty Nauchbauer, Danny Mangin, Fodor, Fodor's Travel Destinations and Guides, William Wong, Wine Writer