Learn About Wine Blog

FREE WINE TASTING OPPORTUNITY

Something new and different… Something FREE!

Three ways to make this Thursday’s STARS of Santa Barbara a FREE Tasting!

1. The Automatic Winner

Buy a ticket at Full Fair VIP ticket at $159 – and get a second ticket free

Click Here to Purchase VIP Ticket (Only good on this link)

Your name will be on a VIP list at the door.

You will be a VIP guest and allowed in at 6:45 for an inside tasting with Ian Blackburn….

And get to taste Sea Smoke before the doors open (must be on time to capture this amenity)

Or

Join our membership and get this as a free gift

Click here to join membership

Check out the incredible number of benefits you get this month!

All members get upgraded to VIP as well.

2. The Lucky Winner

Review LearnAboutWine on Trip Advisor or Yelp – all reviews get entered into a random drawing to receive four free tickets!

RULES

• Once you write your review
• Grab the link and email it to us.
• Email info@learnaboutwine.com
• Include your name & phone number for us to confirm you.
• One lucky winner will be selected randomly
• This is not a writing contest
• This is not a race
• All reviews of any quality and score will be entered.
• Review must remain on line for a minimum 1 year to qualify
• It only takes a moment to set up a review account on either service.
• You can enter twice by reviewing on each website.
• Limit one entry per website per person.
• All reviews must be submitted by Noon on Wed, Jan 25th
• No phone calls please

3. The Old Fashioned Bribe!

Send us a creative email telling us what you would be willing to trade, barter, or pay for a ticket or two…. We can be bribed if the offer is good – you will be accepted.  We will publish these … so keep them clean!

• Creativity counts
• Not all Bribes are accepted
• ONLY equitable bribes will be accepted – deemed equitable by Ian Blackburn
• Business owners are encouraged to use assets, services, or talents in trade.
• Skilled laborers, artists, designers – welcome
• Submit the detail information about your bribe via the link: CLICK HERE
• Include your offer, your contact information, and we will respond after Wednesday at 12 noon.
• Wait for confirmation email or contact – to know that your bribe was acceptable.
• No phone calls please.

On December 29th, 2011, Ian Blackburn, CEO and Founder of LearnAboutWine.com and Wine Cloud Inc. hosted a fancy Champagne event featuring top of the top lists.

Details are below:

Champagne Session

Tasting Rare & High Quality Bubbles - Toast Goodbye to 2011 – Hello 2012!

Thursday, December 29th 7pm at Downtown LOFT 218

File Under: Seated tasting class, rare and high quality champagne, fun tasting event, become an expert in Champagne in one day, limited seats available …
Taste great wines – watch us Sabor open a bottle –  learn about the grower terroir wines (RM) and Negociant branded wines (NM) – and what is the latest in Champagne news and information.

Revised Wine List (12 wines total)… cheese and appetizers served.

THE WISE – 1990 was an incredible vintage

Dom Perignon “Oenotheque” Vintage 1990 – Valued at $500 – BOOM!

Delamotte Blanc de Blancs 1990 – magical

THE HIP – smaller producers of insane quality

Vilmart – Grand Cellier, Brut Premier Cru

Pierre Peters – Les Chetilllons, Cuvee Speciale “Le Mesnil” Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru 2002

Just Added – Paul Bara – Bouzy, Grand Cru 1989 – A $200 value!

Champagne Supreme – Top Producers you can trust

Champagne Lanson – poised to take what is rightly theirs

Heidersick and Co.  - best champagne for the dollar

Krug – when we sell out at 20 guests – we turn the regular Krug into 1989 Vintage!!!!

The BUBBLES from another mother – Not Champagne but truly extraordinary

Gruet Blanc de Noirs – WINE SPECTATOR TOP 100 – 2011

Cava Avinyo Reserva Brut – Best Cava ever?

Le Vigne di Alice Doro Valdobbiadene D.O.C.G. Brut – Best Prosecco ever?

Cleto Chiarli “Vecchia Modena”  - not your Grandmothers Lambrusco!

To see the Champagne Map: CLICK HERE

On Thursday, December 15^th, 2011, Ian Blackburn of LearnAboutWine.com hosted a special dinner featuring top wines of Burgundy.

The event was taken place at Michelin 2 stars French restaurant Melisse in Santa Monica.

Ian Blackburn invited a special guest Ursula Hermacinski.   She is an Auction Expert, Leading Voice in Wine, Former Director of Screaming Eagle, Jonada, currently taking role as Senior Advisor at Zachys.

Following is the detail info about the event:

——–

File Under – Intimate Dinner – Private Room at Melisse – 10 Course Meal – 12 Grand Crus – 1 night only

Inclusive of all wines, tax, and tip, Valued over $1000
$799 – advanced Sale
Vintage Members $749

- Wine List -

Welcome Whites
Dominque Lafon, Mersault “Clos de la Barre” 2002 – Valued at $100
Domaine Faiveley, Corton Charlemagne, Grand Cru 2009 – Valued at $150
Domaine Michel Niellon, Batard-Montrachet, Grand Cru 2005 – Valued at $500
Etienne Sauzet, Montrachet,  Grand Cru 2008 – Valued over $500

Chambolle-Musigny
Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue, Bonnes-Mares, Grand Cru 1990 – Valued at $500
Drouhin, Bonnes Mares, Grand Cru 2007 – Valued at $300
Louis Jadot, Musigny, Grand Cru 2004 – Valued at $400

Vosne-Romanee
Domaine De La Romanee-Conti, Richebourg, Grand Cru 1998 – Valued at $1200+
Jayer-Gilles, Echezeau Grand Cru 1993 – Valued $400+
Domaine De La Romanee-Conti, Echezeaux Grand Cru 2002 – Valued at $1000+

Chambertain and Others
Camille Giroud, Chambertain, 2005 – Valued at $300

One bottle of wine will be opened per guest – 14 guests maximum

—

The 10-course menu will accompany 10 of the greatest burgundy wines ever produced.

Menu ”10″ By Josiah Citrin

Amuse
-
1. Egg Caviar
Soft Poached Egg, Lemon Crème Fraîche, American Caviar
-
2. Wild Japanese Hamachi “Inada”
Fairview Baby Turnips, 7 Year Aged Acquerello Rice, Santa Barbara Uni, Meyer Lemon
-
3. Roasted Mushroom Consommé
Lentils de Puy, Black Truffle Mousse
-
4. Seared Foie Gras
Quince, Orange and Ceylon Cinnamon
-
5. Santa Barbara Spot Prawn
Matsutake Mushrooms, Sunchokes, Roasted Sunchoke Emulsion
-
6. Black Bass “En Ecailles”
European Crayfish, Tromboncchino Squash, Lobster Mushrooms, Nantua Sauce
-
7. Prime Beef Rib Eye
Braised Swiss Chard, Bone Marrow, Brentwood Corn, Red Wine Herb Jus
Or
Jimenez Farms Lamb
Red, Chiogga and Gold Beets, Nantes Carrots, Portabella Mushroom, Lamb Jus
-
8. Fourme d’Ambert
Roasted Flame Grapes, Candied Pecans, Peppered Honey
-
9. Chocolate and Caramel Fondant
Hazelnut Crumble, Valrhona Abiano Sorbet, Mochaccino
-
10. Second dessert

To read Ian Blackburn’s comments on the wines: CLICK HERE

To see future Vintage Dinner schedule: CLICK HERE

STARS of CABERNET November 16th at The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Trade Hours 2pm-5pm

Consumer Hours 7pm-9:30pm

Ian Blackburn, CEO of LearnAboutWine.com hosted a rare and gorgeous wine event at the Peninsula Beverly Hills collaborating with top Cabernet Sauvignon producers in California.

More than 200 wine buyers and sommeliers attended the trade portion of the event and for the night event 150 tickets were sold out!

Followings are the 2011 STARS of Cabernet Wine List:

Anderson’s Conn Valley Winery

Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Bernardus Winery

Marinus Estate Carmel Valley 2007

Swan Block Blend Estate Carmel Valley 2004

Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir SLH 2009

Cain Vineyard & Winery

Five, Spring Mtn District, Napa Valley 2007

Concept-The Benchland, Napa Valley 2007

Cuvee, Napa Valley NV”

Cliff Lede Vineyards

Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry 2008

Coup De Foudre

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2009

Cuvee blend Napa Valley 2009

Darms Lane

Bon Passe Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Linda’s Hillside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Bon Passe Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

David Arthur Vineyards

3 Acre Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley 2009

Elevation 1147 Estate Napa Valley 2009

Dominari

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2006

Merlot Napa Valley 2007

Zinfandel Napa Valley 2007

Rose Napa Valley 2010

Duckhorn Wine Company

Decoy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Monitor Ledge Vineyard 2008

Duckhorn Vineyards Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Farella Vineyard

Estate Bottled Napa Valley La Luce”" Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Estate Bottled Napa Valley “”Coombsville Divide”" Merlot 2007

Estate Bottled Napa Valley “”West Face”" Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

“Alta”" Estate Bottled Napa Valley”" 2007

Frank Family Vineyards

Napa Cabernet

Rutherford Reserve Cabernet

Gentleman Farmer

Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Red Wine 2009

Grassini Family Vineyards

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Grgich Hills Estate

Fume Blanc Napa Valley 2009

Chardonnay Napa Valley 2008

Zinfandel Napa Valley 2007

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007

Heitz Wine Cellars

Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2010

Chardonnay Napa Valley 2008

Cabernet Napa Valley 2006

Cabernet Oakville Martha’s Vineyard 2006

IDEOLOGY CELLARS

Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Knoll District 2008

Jaffe Estate

Metamorphosis Cabernet Sauvignon St Helena 2007

Transformation Proprietary blend of Cabernet & Merlot St Helena 2008

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008

Insignia Napa Valley 2006

Insignia Napa Valley 2008

JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery

ISOSCELES (Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc) Paso Robles 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon (Cabernet) Paso Robles 2009

SAVANT (Syrah, Cabernet) Paso Robles 2009

Kathryn Kennedy Winery

ESTATE CABERNET Santa Cruz Mountains (Vintage TBD)

ESTATE CABERNET Santa Cruz Mountains (Vintage TBD #2)

LATERAL – 2008 Napa Valley Red Wine

Kelleher Family Vineyard

Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville/Brix 2006

Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville/Brix 2007

Knights Bridge Winery

Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley/Estate 2008

Pont de Chevalier Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley/Estate 2008

Pont de Chevalier Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley/To Kalon Vineyard 2008

Lail Vineyards

Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008

J. Daniel Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008

Lancaster Estate

Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2007

Roth Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2008

Mauritson Wines

Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

LOAM 2008

LOAM Suther 2008

LOAM Positas 2008

LOAM Clough 2008

Moone Tsai Vineyards

Cor Leonis Cabernet Sauvignon  Napa Valley 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008

Howell Mountain Merlot  Napa Valley 2008

Chardonnay Napa Valley 2008

Patland Estate Vineyards

Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyards 2007

Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyards 2008

Syrah Stagecoach Vineyards 2007

PEJU

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley 2007

Porter Family Vineyards

Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville 2005

Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville 2006

Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville 2007

Red Blend Coombsville 2008

Rocca Family Vineyards

Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Napa Valley/Grigsby Vineyard 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa VAlley/ Collinetta Vineyard 2007

Round Pond Estate

Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2008

Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2009

Rudius Wines

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Panek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon St Helena 2009

Signorello Estate

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007

Padrone 2007

Seta 2009

Silverado Vineyards

Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Solo Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Napa Valley 2007

Sylk Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Carlyn & Barton Vineyard 2007

Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Carlyn & Barton Vineyard 2008

Satin Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2009

Tierra Roja

Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley 2003

Va Piano Vineyards

Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2007

Syrah Columbia Valley 2008

Merlot Walla Walla Va Piano Estate 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Va Piano Estate 2008

Venge Vineyards

Bone Ash Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga Estate 2009

Silencieux Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2009

ZD Wines

Chardonnay California 2010

Pinot Noir Carneros 2009

Founder’s Reserve Pinot Noir Carneros 2009

Cabernet Napa Valley 2009

Reserve Cabernet, Napa Valley, 2008

PRESS Recap:

Topix local news

To read the full article: CLICK HERE

Examiner.com

To read the full article: CLICK HERE

On Nov 16^th, LearnAboutWine will host the annual “STARS of Cabernet” at The Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills.  The Trade hour is 2:00pm-5:00pm, and Consumer Event is 7:00pm-9:30pm.

To see Trade Event detail: CLICK HERE
To see Consumer Event detail: CLICK HERE

— Press —

STARS of Cab as seen on Booze News: CLICK HERE to see article online

STARS of Cab as seen on Examiner.com: CLICK HERE

STARS of Cab as seen on Beverly Hills Courier: CLICK HERE