Bacchus & Beery Wine Blog

Feb 122013
 
2010 Emeritus Pinot Noir Hallberg Ranch, Russian River Valley, CA, $47 (S) – 93

Year after year Emeritus Pinot Noir creates on of the great food pairing Pinots. Very accessible from the first pour. A sensual garnet color precedes a nose of dark fruit, smoke and blueberry. The soft mouth-feel is beautifully balanced with good food pairing acidity offering flavors of blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and spice with subtle notes of cinnamon. Previously only available in restaurants and wine bars, the beauty is now available from the winery. Buy This Wine

Jan 312013
 
rockandvinebookjacketYou Can Win a Free Copy of Rock and Vine …Read on….

CONTEST CLOSED…CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THREE WINNERS

Many California wine lovers have heard the stories of Napa and Sonoma pioneers from the 1960’s, 70’s and earlier. Even the movie Bottle Shock celebrated their early successes. But what about now? Who are the rising wine stars that wine lovers need to know? Many of the up and comers have it in their genes…they are the children, grandchildren and even in some cases the great-grandchildren of the early wine country pioneers.

Due out early February 2013 is the beautifully written and photographed book, Rock and Vine which “reveals the lives and innovations of next generation changemakers in California’s wine country. Continue reading »

Winemaker Interview – Kurt Beitler of Bohème Wines (Sonoma Coast)

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Jan 302013
 

Kurt BeitlerDuring the 2012 Aspen Food and Wine Festival we had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Sonoma Coast winemaker Kurt Beitler of Bohème Wines. I was excited to meet the energetic and passionate young winemaker; if for no other reason than he is a grandson of one of the winemakers most influential in my early wine development, Charlie Wagner, co-founder of Caymus Vineyards. We waited for Kurt outside an Aspen restaurant, to find him wheeling up through the festival crowd on his mountain bike with a great smile on his face and even better wines in hand.

While Kurt learned much of his craft working with his uncle Chuck Wagner (co-founder of Caymus) and cousins at Caymus Vineyards, he ventured out a few years ago to create hand-crafted Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under his own label Bohème Wines. Kurt’s five small-lot wines are exceptional examples of terrior-driven single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Bohème Wines are available from their website and tasting room in Occidental, CA. For those who support small, family and artisan wineries…Bohème is a wine find that will definitely excite your palate and enhance your cellar. Continue reading »

Jan 232013
 
2011 Giordano Fiano “Apulia Collection”, Puglia, Italy, $12.50 (S) – Rating 90

A super value white patio sipper with a delightful floral nose with notes of citrus and green apple. The palate offers flavors of pear, citrus and apricot with crisp acidity and a pleasing tartness. Pair with Asian food, sushi or a summer salad with poppy seed dressing. Buy This Wine

Jan 222013
 
2010 Van Duzer Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR, $30 (S) – Rating 91

An extremely approachable and eminently enjoyable Pinot Noir. The nose offers aromas of dark fruit, spice and just the tiniest hint of campfire smoke. The palate is treated to bright berry flavors, dark cherry, blueberry and ripe raspberry with subtle notes of cola and smoke. The wine is very well-balanced with soft tannins and enough acidity to pair well with the chicken in wild mushrooms we served. Buy This wine