Learn About Wine Blog

LearnAboutWine’s one of famous “STARS” event, this time “STARS of Cabernet” was featured in GAYOT.com

“November 16
Learn About Wine is hosting their 3rd annual Stars of Cabernet on November 16, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. There will be unlimited wine tasting of some of the best Cabernets, carving stations, pasta stations, a silent auction for charity and social style tasting with Riedel Glassware. Only 100 tickets available. Advanced tickets are $175 per person or use code “STAR” to get half off ($87) until November 1. Vintage members are $79 and no ticket fee until November 1. For more information, visit www.learnaboutwine.com. The Peninsula Beverly Hills, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212,   310-551-2888, 800-462-7899″

CLICK HERE to see article online.

CLICK HERE to see the event detail.

To see future LearnAboutWine events: CLICK HERE

LearnAboutWine’s exciting two upcoming events are announced on Gayot too! CLICK HERE to see article online

Calon-Ségur Vertical Dinner on October 21, 7 p.m: CLICK HERE to see the event detail

Wine & Oyster Night at McCormick & Schmick’s on October 26, 6:30 p.m.: CLICK HERE to see the event detail

To see future LearnAboutWine events: CLICK HERE

On Wednesday September 21^st, 2011, Ian Blackburn of LearnAboutWine hosted a fancy crazy wine dinner at UMAMI Burger, featuring 15 celebrity Cabernets.

The event’s wine list included the CULT wines such as Screaming Eagle, Scarecrow, Harlan, and Araujo which wine collectors, investors, and highly enthusiastic consumers pay unbelievably high prices to obtain.

Wines were divided in three flights and served BLIND.

After each flight, Wine Educator Ian Blackburn explained each wine using the screen.

To pair with those great wines, UMAMI Burger served fantastic house made pickles, two kinds of delicious potato fries with four gourmet sauces, a luxury burger, and tater-tots with cheese!

<First Flight>

The highlights of the first flight were ’91 Spottswoode and ’97 Jones.  ’91 had what could be described as fallen leaves character, a comfortable aroma that can be found in aged wines, while ’97 still displayed a layered aroma of rather fresh forest fruits.

Spottswoode, Napa Valley 1991
(WS 93, $125)

Cakebread, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007
(Valued at $75)

Justin, Isosceles, Paso Robles 2006
(Valued at $100)

Jones Family Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 1997
(RP 94, $150)

Viader, Red Wine, Napa, 2007
(RP 90, $100+)

<Second Flight>

Among the five, ’04 Araujo was the favorite of the group. Their vineyard, Eisele, is praised as one of the most respected Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in Napa and it shares similar terroir structure as a premier cru Bordeaux.   The wine showed a complex aroma and a great silky texture on the palate.

Melka, “Métisse”, La Mekerra Vineyard, Knights Valley, 2007
(RP 91, $125+)

Araujo Estate Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Eisele Vineyard, Napa, 2004
(RP 98, $300+)

Robert Foley, Claret, Napa, 2005
(RP 92, $150+)

Pride Mountain, “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa/Sonoma, 2007
(RP 95, $180)

Scarecrow, “M.Etain”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2008
(RP 93, $300+)

<Third Flight>

Last flight was almost “Where’s Waldo?” game.  The group seriously analyzed which wine would be the $2000 bottle Screaming Eagle.  Screaming Eagle tasted AMAZING. The wine could be described as “kaleidoscopic”, as it displayed almost strangely balanced beautiful complexity and provided evolving new aroma with time to time.

Harlan, “The Maiden”, Napa, 2006
(RP 91, $200+)

Joseph Phelps INSIGNIA 2006
(WS 94 $140)

Quilceda Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon, Galitzine Vineyard, Red Mountain, 2007
(RP 100, $300)

Screaming Eagle, Napa Valley, 2008
(RP 97, $1,450 +)

Scarecrow, Napa, 2008
(RP 93, $500+)

After the third flight, the group enjoyed bonus wines offered by a special guest Ms. Kata Adasz from Hungary.

She poured three beautiful HETSZOLO Tokaji dessert wine 3, 5, and 6 puttonyos (“puttonyos” signifies sugar level and there are level 1to 6, with 6 being the sweetest).

To see this event detail: CLICK HERE

To see LearnAboutWine future events: CLICK HERE

Photo credit: Andrew Hong

Blog: Alice Hama

On Thursday August 25^th, 2011, Ian Blackburn of LearnAboutWine hosted a special wine event at famous luxury hamburger place “UMAMI Burger” welcoming Mr. Dennis Cakebread from Cakebread Cellars as a guest.

The event was taken place at the patio in front of UMAMI Burger.

The night started with a refreshing crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a perfect aperitif for a summer evening.

While we tasted two whites, Dennis explained the history and winemaking process at Cakebread Cellars using the back screen.

Cakebread Cellar was founded by Dennis’s father Jack Cakebread in 1973.

Jack originally started his career as a professional photographer, however after taking his role as a wine country photographer; his passion for wine led him into the art of winemaking.

Jack is one of the most influential men in the California wine industry as he has been serving as a pioneer to introduce innovative farming techniques while maintaining the classic style of quality wines, and to establish cutting edge marketing strategies.

Cakebread Cellars’ wines are highly rated and they are no doubt the one of representatives of quality Napa wines.

At the event following wines were GENEROUSLY poured!

Wine List:

2010 Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Chardonnay

2008 Merlot

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Zinfandel

2008 Dancing Bear Cabernet Howell Mountain

The first Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Rutherford, Carneros and Calistoga.  It does not have typical “grassy” character; rather, it has a layered aroma of zesty citrus and a hint of spiciness.   According to Dennis, a small portion of “Sauvignon Musque” a Sauvignon Blanc’s clone is added to give the wine more complexity.

Chardonnay is mainly sourced from the foggy area of Carneros, the area famous for producing sensitive cool climate grapes.   It has aroma of YUBARI melon, bananas, and a varieties of tropical fruits. This Chardonnay is very rich and has round finish attributed from partial malolactic fermentation and the “sur lie” technique.

Merlot is also from Carneros. The wine represents juicy fruits of cherries, plums and red and black berries.  Not like other casual Merlot, it has velvety character and complexity which can be found in an aged Cabernet. Winemakers use special Bordeaux juice extraction technique to fully develop Merlot’s potential attractiveness.

Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from multiple microclimates from warm Calistoga to cool Carneros. The wine has true Napa expression, with rich and opulent fruits aromas and flavors commingled with forest aromas such as cedar, sandal wood, and juniper.  Tannins are soft and provide comfortable finish.

Zinfandel is mainly sourced from Red Hills in Lake County, the area known for premium Zinfandel.  This Zinfandel displays black cherry, plum, and black current aromas and flavors followed by exotic spices and licorice hint.  It is very round and well-stretched on the palate and has long elegant finish.

Dancing Bear Cabernet shows more Bordeaux elegance. The grapes are sourced from Howell Mountain, higher elevation area. The wine has a pure acidity providing longer aging potential.  On the nose, beautiful forest fruits aromas are followed by complex “bouquet garni”.  Rich in concentrated fruits flavors yet elegant on the palate.  It shows evolving aromas as it spends time in a glass and has very long finish.

To see the event detail: CLICK HERE

To download the Cakebread Event Wine Mat: CLICK HERE

To see future LearnAboutWine events: CLICK HERE

Photo credit: Andrew Hong

Blog by: Alice Hama

Choctoberfest, a wine, beer and gourmet chocolate festival will be on Wednesday October 5^th from 7pm-9pm at the Grove, Los Angeles.

For event detail: CLICK HERE

Choctoberfest is featured on GAYOT.com

To see the article online: CLICK HERE