Learn About Wine Blog

SummerTASTE at Maggiano’s at The Grove “ZIN & BBQ Wines” on July 6th, 7-9pm at Patio Space at Maggiano’s at The Grove

Hi everyone! Summer is there so it is time for SummerTASTE!!

LearnAboutWine hosts a series of wine events called SummerTASTE on first Wednesday each month from May to October!

May event theme was white wines around the world “ZIN & BBQ Wines”

Photos by Andrew Hong

File Under: Social tasting, 10-12 producers sharing ideas, concepts, education, and sampling 200 consumers at Maggiano’s at #1 Los Angeles shopping complex “THE GROVE”.  Easy to park, easy to shop, easy to dine, great movie theaters… and now great wine tasting gatherings the first Wednesday of every month – May thru October.

TJ MARTELL FOUNDATION, and we raise the interest in great wine through our tastings… DJ music fills the air, wine fills the glass, and for one small price. Nice foods catered and tailored for each event …

Zinfandel -  An authentic expression of California – produced in a huge assortment of terroir – this is a great way to explore California’s various growing areas.  Anticipated examples representing all prime locations of California – from Napa Valley, Sonoma’s Dry Creek, Lodi’s old vines, Temecula’s knarly bush vines, to vines as old as the gold rush. The cuisine of California – fresh edibles – grilled, bbq’d, loves wine with a briary, jam, spice, and rich fruit component… Zinfandel, Blends, Petite Sirah, and all their friends.  Compliment the wine selection with a plate of BBQ and you must be at SummerTASTE!

The Crazy Good Wine List:

Buehler, Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2009 – 91 pts wine spectator

Lone Madrone, Bailey Ranch Zinfandel Paso Robles 2007 – Wammy Wine!

Shai Cellars, Adome (65% SYR, 35% CAB), SYV, 2008 – LAW Favorite

Mauritson Vineyards, Zinfandel, Sonoma, Dry Creek 2009 – 92 points

Kiame, Kiame Cuvee, Paso Robles 2006 – top paso cuvee

Turley, Old Vines, California 2009 – 92 points

Seghesio, Rockpile Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2009 – 94 points

Kuleto, Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2008  – 91 points

Artezin, Zinfandel, Mendocino County 2009 – top value!

Vines on the Marycrest, Zinfandel, Remo Belli Vineyard, Paso Robles 2008

Other BBQ WINES:

Stacked Stone, Quarry, Paso Robles 2006

J. Lohr “Seven Oaks” Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2009

J. Lohr “Los Osos” Merlot, Paso Robles 2009

Stanger Vineyards, Tempranillo Reserve, Paso Robles 2007

Chateau Haut-Colombier, Bordeaux, France 2008

Chateau Saint-Florin, Bordeaux , France 2007

Lindeman’s Bin 50 Shiraz, Australia 2009

Andezon, Cotes-Du-Rhone, Rhone Valley, France 2009

Vina Von Siebenthal, Carmenere Reserve, Chile, 2008

Mulderbosch, Chenin Blanc, Western Cape South Africa 2009

Mulderbosch, Rose, Western Cape South Africa 2010

Lone Madrone, Zin of Steel, Paso Robles 2010

Lone Madrone, La Mezcal Roja, Paso Robles 2009

Vines on the Marycrest, My Generation, Paso Robles 2007

Vines on the Marycrest, Petite Sirah, Paso Robles 2008

Buehler, Russian River Chardonnay 2009

Buehler, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2008

BBQ and Italian Foods will be provided by Maggiano’s Little Italy at The Grove

Click to download SummerTASTE Brochure July.6

Click HERE to see future SummerTaste events!

SummerTASTE at The Grove “White Wine: Chardonnay vs. ABC” on June 1^st

Hi everyone! Summer is there so it is time for SummerTASTE!!

LearnAboutWine hosts a series of wine events called SummerTASTE on first Wednesday each month from May to October!

May event theme was white wines around the world “White Wine: Chardonnay vs. ABC”

Special Guest: Laura Holmes Haddad – AKA Gourmet Grrl, author of  …”Anything but Chardonnay”

Click HERE to see SummerTaste photos.

File Under: Social tasting, beautiful outdoor location, 10-12 producers sharing ideas, concepts, education, and sampling 200 consumers at #1 Los Angeles shopping complex “THE GROVE” – outside at the fountain park near Nordstorm.  Easy to park, easy to shop, easy to dine, great movie theaters… and now great wine tasting gatherings the first Wednesday of  every month – May thru October. DJ Music, Dog Friendly, Appetizer Foods Provided

Join us…we raise money for Children’s Cancer and Aids Research Charity,

TJ MARTELL FOUNDATION, and we raise the interest in great wine through our tastings… DJ music fills the air, wine fills the glass, and for one small price. Nice foods catered and tailored for each event … and you can bring a well behaved dog on a leash if you have one, as we enjoy the grassy setting.

Chardonnay, in all its forms, is America’s number one white wine.  Production styles vary in extremes – oak, butter, crisp, mineral, unoaked, apple, pear, creamy, ripe, dry, fresh, pure… as complex as white wine can get – to as clean and crisp and pure as possible.  Over the last decade, Chardonnay has been under attack by what we call the “ABC” movement.  “ANYTHING BUT CHARDONNAY” – Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino, Viognier, Marsanne, Blends, Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Chenin and thousands of white varietals converged on the white wine category… distracting and tempting the Chardonnay lovers with endless options.  Come enjoy the temptations and see which wine you enjoy the most….

Wine List:

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay, Napa, 2008

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards, Pinot Gris, Napa, 2006

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, 2009

Ahnfeldt, “Provocative”, Chardonnay, Caneros, 2009

Ahnfeldt, Pinot Grigio, Caneros, 2008

Buttonwood Farm Winery, “Zingy”, Sauvignon Blanc, Estate, Santa Ynez, 2010

Buttonwood Farm Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, Signature Blend, Estate,Santa Ynez, 2009

Buttonwood Farm Winery, Grenache Blanc, Estate, Santa Ynez, 2010

Buttonwood Farm Winery, Marsanne, Estate, Santa Ynez, 2008

Clayhouse, Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles, 2009

Clayhouse, “Adobe White”, Viognier/Grenache Blanc/Roussanne/Princess, Central Coast, 2009

Dierberg Estate Vineyard, Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley 2008

Fontes & Phillips, Chardonnay, Santa Maria, 2008

Fontes & Phillips, Chardonnay, Santa Maria, 2009

Hoyt Family, Chardonnay, Malibu, 2008

Hoyt Family, Chardonnay, Malibu, 2009

Hoyt Family, Collage White Wine Blend, Malibu, 2008

Inception, Viognier, Santa Barbara, 2010

Inception, Chardonnay,Santa Barbara, 2010

J. Lohr,”Riverstone “, Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco, 2010

J. Lohr, “Arroyo Vista”, Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco, 2008

J. Lohr, “Bay Mist”, Riesling, Monterey, 2010

J. Lohr, “Carol’s Vineyard”, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, 2009

Sweeney Canyon, Estate Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills, 2001

Sweeney Canyon, Estate Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills, 2006

Sweeney Canyon, Estate Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills, 2008

Montes Winery, Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, Chile, 2010

Montes Winery, Classic Series Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, Chile, 2010

Food was provided by La Piazza Ristorante Italiano at The Grove

Click do download SummerTASTE Brochure June 1

SummerTASTE at The Grove  “Que Syrah Shiraz” on  May 4th, 7-9pm at The Grove

Hi everyone! Summer is there so it is time for SummerTASTE!!

LearnAboutWine hosts a series of wine events called SummerTASTE on first Wednesday each month from May to October!

May event theme was Syrah around the world “Que Syrah Shiraz”

Click HERE to see photos from this event.

File Under: Social tasting, beautiful outdoor location, 10-12 producers sharing ideas, concepts, education, and sampling 200 consumers at #1 Los Angeles shopping complex “THE GROVE” – outside at the fountain park near Nordstorm.  Easy to park, easy to shop, easy to dine, great movie theaters… and now great wine tasting gatherings the first Wednesday of every month – May thru October.

Join us…we raise money for Children’s Cancer and Aids Research Charity,

TJ MARTELL FOUNDATION, and we raise the appreciation of great wines through our tastings… DJ music fills the air and wines fill the glasses with just very small price.  Nice foods are catered and tailored for each event … You can bring a well behaved dog on a leash if you have one, as we enjoy the grassy setting.

Syrah: One of the great grapes on earth.  Syrah can range in characteristics such as from the classic Northern Rhone style with the earthy chocolate to the modern Australian Shiraz style with blue fruits and rich texture…or even from other cool climates pepper and spice notes to warm climates intense chocolate lava cake.  Syrah can be blended to enhance the flavor and the complexity of a wine.  Syrah can stand alone to make an amazing statement of an origin and a producer.

Wine List:

Andezon, Cotes du Rhone, 2009

Anglim, Paso Robles

Reynvaan, Walla Walla

Brampton, South Africa

Schild Estate, Australia

Derby Wine Estates, Paso Robles

Dierberg, Santa Barbara, Happy Canyon

J. Lohr, Paso Robles

Lindeman’s, Australia

Reeves Ranch, Santa Ynez

Shai Cellars, Santa Ynez

Stanger, Paso Robles

Tic Tok from Robert Oatley, Mudgee, Australia

Zaca Mesa, Santa Barbara

Food provided by Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro (at The Grove)

Click to download SummerTASTE Brochure May4

Click HERE to see future SummerTaste Calender

VINTAGE Burgundy  - Legendary Wines, Producers, and Vintages

LearnAboutWine hosted a tasting tour of quality Burgundy wines on September 25^th 2010 from 1pm at LearnAboutWine Loft 218.

Hosted by Author (The Pearl of the Cote and Burghound.com) and Connoisseur of Great Burgundy
Mr. Allen Meadows.

Legendary Lineup  – Over $5000 worth of great Burgundy…. served with Artisan Cheeses.

Raveneau, Chablis Premier Cru “Monts Mains” 2007 (young but monumental)

Comte de Vogüé “Bonnes Mares” Grand Cru 1993 (valued at $500)

G. Roumier “Bonnes Mares” Grand Cru 1998 (valued at $400)

Jean Grivot, Vosne-Romanée “Les Beaux Monts” 2002 (Legendary)

Ponsot “Clos De La Roche” 2007 (extremely collectable)

Domaine De La Romanee-Conti “Echezeaux” Grand Cru 1990

Henri Boillot, Volnay, 2005 (brilliant)

Armand Rousseau, Gevrey-Chambertin “Clos St. Jacques” 2007 (Legendary)

Drouhin-Laroze Gevrey-Chambertin “Lavaut Saint-Jacques” 2005 (Superb)

Camille Giroud, Chambertin, Grand Cru 2005

Domaine Leroy, Meursault 2002 (only the best)

Domaine Moreau, Chablis Grand Crus “Les Clos” 2006 (older perspective)

Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier “Musigny” 1998 (One of the greatest of all time) ($900)

Domaine Michel Niellon, Chassagne-Montrachet, Clos de La Maltroie, 2004 (tremendous wine)

Lucien Le Moine, Bourgogne Rouge, 2006

Click HERE to see event detail.

Sea Smoke Dinner at Nobu, LA on Wednesday, June 29^th 6:30pm

Ian Blackburn, CEO and Founder of LearnAboutWine.com hosted a gorgeous dinner featuring Sea Smoke Cellars Wine Collections at Nobu Los Angeles on June 29^th,2011.

This was a rare opportunity to taste 12 wines all from Sea Smoke.
Sea Smoke Cellars is one of the Santa Barbara’s most revered wineries, famous for its quality Pinot Noir.  Their wines are highly rated by Robert Parker and Wine Spectator, and because of their limited production, the wines are sold only to collectors.
Mr. Victor Gallegos, Director of Wine making and General Manager of Sea Smoke joined the dinner to talk about characteristics of each wine and some tasting tips.

“Omakase” Dinner (Chef’s Choice) was served with Sea Smoke Botella, Southing, Ten, and the limited production Chardonnay.

- Wine List -

2007 Chardonnay

Fermented in 100% French Oak for 16 months, the wine has comfortable nuttiness.  Aroma of lemon, mint, honeydew and a hint of bitterness similar to grapefruit skin. Rich wine with long finish.

2004 Chardonnay

2004 is creamier and has French-Meursault-like round nuttiness.  Aroma of kumquat, cotton candy, honeydew, and lemon custard.

2001 Botella

This wine has Burgundy Pinot Noir elegance with a little hint of “fallen leaf” earthy character.  Winemakers did not expect that this wine would last more than 10 years (according to Victor), however the wine turned out very beautiful and evolved with time. Aroma of wild rose, violets, earl gray, black cherries and red berries.

2004 Southing

True expression of high quality Santa Barbara Pinot Noir.  Layered aroma of black berries, black cherries, and other forest fruits with a hint of spiciness in the finish.  Floral aroma such as violet and rose evolved with time.

2003 Ten

I would say this wine has “Burgundy Clos-de-Vougeot” hint with elegant earthiness which could be described as the aroma of MOMIJI leaf or persimmon leaf.  Aroma of wild strawberries, black and red currants followed by mild acidity such as orange compote.

2004 Botella

Mid-to-full body with dark ruby color and pleasant tannin. It has aroma of black cherries, licorice, mulberries, cassis compote, followed by exotic spices and earthiness such as burdock root.

2006 Southing

Aroma of wild strawberries, black and red cherries, violets and acidity of ripe blood orange. Balanced wine with a hint of flint / dustiness.

2006 Ten

Like 2003, the wine has a nice earthy character with an elegant earl grey hint followed by an intense aroma of forest fruits, such as plums, wild berries, and black and red currants.

2007 Botella

Aroma of fresh fruits such as ripe strawberries, cherries and currants.  It also has earth or flint character which is a reflection of minerals attributed to the heavy clay soil.

2008 Botella

Aroma of cherries and strawberries followed by floral component such as violet, rose, and lily.  Juicy wine with a hint of earth such as SHIITAKE mushroom.

2005 Southing

Elegant wine with balanced acidity.  Aroma of dried cranberries, wild blue berries, violets and orange blossom.  This is the Sea Smoke’s signature wine which captures the uniqueness of the terroir.

2008 Southing

The wine has almost perfumey lively aroma of rose, violet, bergamot, and intense aroma of black forest fruits, followed by spices such as cinnamon and clove.

- Menu is Omakase (Chef’s Choice) –

Salmon Tar Tar with Caviar

Creamy tar tar with salt component by Caviar is a great friend of creamy European style chardonnay with a hint of flint.  The sauce made with heavy soy sauce blended with special stock of Konbu and Katsuo dashi gives depth and creates great pairing dish for Pinot Noir too.

Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno

Yellowtail is a “rich” fish that can be paired with both white and red wine.  Jalapeno on the top of sashimi serves a great new alternative to Wasabi, making the finish more refreshing and exotic.

Rock Shrimp Tempura wth Butter Ponzu

Flavorful dish and a great example of successful “opposite pairing”, pairing of food and wine having opposite flavors and textures.

Miso Black Cod

This is the Nobu’s signature dish (is famous for a favorite dish of Actor Robert De Niro).   White Sweet Miso gives great aroma and flavor and goes well with Pinot Noir with mild tannin.

Rib eye with Wasabi Pepper

Tender medium rare steak with elegant sauce with a hint of wasabi.  Not as other steaks with big flavors, the dish is very sensitive, collaborating beautifully with quality Pinot Noir.

Assortment of Sushi

Delicious fresh sashimi and lightly vinegared rice. Japanese course tends to have a rice dish toward the end of the course as for “palate cleansing”. Refreshing taste.

Dessert

Unique parfait with a sprinkle of black sesame on the top.

CLICK HERE to download Sea Smoke GLASS MAT

CLICK HERE to see Sea Smoke Dinner Brochure

Photos by Musangi Muthui

Blog by Alice Hama