Wine Along The 101
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    • 2022 Articles >
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
    • Feliz Noche Wines
    • Terravant Custom Crush
    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
  • Photos
  • Who We Are
    • About Patricia Decker
    • About Fabian Rodriguez
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Popping corks on a fast growing wine trend, over 40 member wineries of the Rhone Rangers championed California’s terroir as a natural for France’s transplanted Rhône grape varietals in 2016 at their annual Los Angeles tasting event.  Pouring and swirling at The Skirball Center, winemakers embraced the buzz, tantalizing wine lovers with their versions of France’s transplants.  These fascinating wines embody some of the most exciting bottles produced in the state, and their growing popularity is taking what once was a maverick experiment and made it mainstream.    

​So you may wonder, what is a Rhone wine?  These wines, which originally came from France’s Northern and Southern Rhône regions, can include single varietal wines such as Syrah, Grenache (Blanc and Rouge), Roussanne, and Viognier; but the most fascinating wines are blends of several grapes, yielding a complex wine full of fruit and spice.  Red Rhone wines can be a spicy Syrah, with dark fruit, peppery and meaty; or a classic blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre (GSM), that thrills with a complex palate of fruit, earth, leather and spice.  White Rhone wines can be an exotic Viognier, with a bouquet of apricots, pears, and tropical fruits; or a crisp, full bodied Grenache Blanc, with green apple, citrus, and white peach. These distinctive wines are perfect all season sippers, great with summer barbecue yet equally delicious with heavier winter food.
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Patrick Comiskey, moderator and author
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(L-R) Larry Schaffer, William Allen, Jason Haas, Patrick Comiskey, Michael Larner, Bob Lindquist, David Gates
The Los Angeles Celebration of American Rhone Wines offered multiple ways for everyone to discover and enjoy the diversity of these wines.  It was a full day of Rhone wine-centric activities, starting with a winemaker seminar, “Red and White Rhone Blends”,  a panel discussion and tasting with seven of California’s hottest American Rhone winemakers:  William Allen of Two Shepherds, Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines, Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard, David Gates of Ridge Vineyards, Bob Lindquist of Qupé, Michael Larner of Larner Vineyard, and Kale Anderson of Kale Wines.  Author Patrick Comiskey, whose book, “American Rhone: How Maverick Winemakers Changed the Way Americans Drink”, moderated the seminar, bringing his keen insights to the art of the blend.  Comiskey noted, “California is all about the blend, and has a long history of varietal blending”, but advised that blending decisions are crucial to the success of the wine.  Each winemaker weighed in on their approach, adding a lively discussion to the value of experimentation, and the importance of the different varietals, exploring three white and four red wines.
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Schaffer, whose Verbiage Blanc embodied what he called “deliciousness”, felt that the wine really showed off the richness and roundness of Roussanne, which made up 64% of the blend.  Allen also professed love for Roussanne.  His Pastoral Blanc, 50% Roussanne, is a cool climate expression that he felt resulted in a layered wine that ages well.  Haas, whose family’s partnership with France’s Perrin family is responsible for all the imported clones used to make California Rhone wines, found that blending decisions at Tablas Creek were based on inventory, whatever they had the most of that year.  He stressed the importance of Grenache Blanc in their white blends, such as the Cotes de Tablas Blanc, observing that it “brings ‘nerve’, acidity and brightness, and helps define the wine”. ​
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Bob Lindquist of Qupé Wines
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David Gates of Ridge Vineyards
Anderson felt that his Heritage McGah Vineyard GSM wine was unique in Napa Valley, that co-fermentation brings complexity to the blend, and that rich fruit, balanced acidity and integrated tannins were the result.  Larner dissected his Elemental GSM, finding that Syrah brings the flavor, Grenache adds acidity and alcohol, and Mourvedre is the garnish, with its nuances of game and pepper.  Lindquist, one of the early Rhone pioneers in California, pronounced that “the sum is larger than the parts”, that his Los Olivos Cuvée GSM’s “synergies in varietals play off each other in blending, and they need and compliment each other.”  Gates felt that minimal handling was the key in crafting his Lytton Estate Syrah/Grenache blend, taking a page from French producers by co-fermenting his Syrah with some Viognier to give it deeper color and more flavor.

​When asked if they ever made a blend that didn’t work, some named specific blends that were never released, while others spoke in general terms.  Anderson confessed out of 100 different blends, 99 didn’t work, admitting that he likes to blend at every stage of winemaking, and that for him, co-fermentation gave different results every time.  Haas felt it was in the timing of blending, preferring Spring after the wine has settled down from fermentation, and he noted that co-fermention has not worked for Tablas Creek either.  Larner said he doesn’t make enough wine to experiment with, and sticks with the tried and true.  But Lindquist got a laugh, saying he never made a blend that didn’t work, since those blends that fell short were incorporated in Qupé’s Central Coast Syrah, what he called “the kitchen sink”. 


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After the winemaker luncheon, the Grand Tasting began, it was a chance to meet the owners and winemakers, while sampling the many wines.  Here are a few of my highlights:
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Boony Doon Vineyard, the iconic project of original Rhone Ranger proponent Randall Grahm, poured 10 very nice wines, all with screw caps!  For over 30 years, Grahm has been an innovator, tinkering with matching vineyard sites to varietals.  Achieving fame with his flagship wine, the legendary Le Cigare Volant, he’s expanded his “vin de terroir” to include Picpoul, Le Cigare Blanc (white blend), Vin Gris de Cigare (rosé blend), Clos de Gilroy Grenache, Old Telegram Mourvedre, and Bien Nacho X-Block Syrah, to name a few.  All 10 wines that I sampled were excellent, most superb, wines of character and distinction.  A couple of library wines were poured, and the very first vintage of Boony Doon, a 1983 Syrah, was offered as a novelty.  Although over the hill, it was a kick to watch decanting by smartphone flashlight!
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Steve Martell of Kaleidos Wines
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Kaleidos Wine, out of Paso Robles, also poured over a half dozen beautiful wines, a Grenache Blanc, GSM Rosé, Osiris (GSM), Morpheus (SGM), Syrah, and an intense Praying Mantis Syrah.  The horizontal stripes on the bottle labels correlate to the number and percentage of varietals in the wine, a visual aid to what you’re tasting!  Winemaker Steve Martell is a purist, and his wines reflect the detail and care that goes into the bottle.
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Larry Schaffer pours his Tercero wines
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Tercero Wines offered almost a dozen delightful wines, red and white, poured with enthusiasm by winemaker Larry Schaffer.  His Viognier and Roussanne, so delicious and distinctive; the White Hawk Syrah and Verbiage Rouge, standouts; but truly all the wines are special.
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The Withers Winery poured four very good wines, a Rosé, Bel Canto Grenache Blend, Ruben Mourvedre Blend, and Mr. Burgess Syrah Blend, all from El Dorado.  A relative newcomer, with 2013 The Withers first vintage, the commitment to quality is evident, and comes with a story.  Andrew Tow, the founder, had been making wine for friends and family all his life.  With Withers, he strives to take it to the next level, make great wine, sell it for a fair price, and give back to those in need, while being environmentally responsible.  The labels, a tribute to Mr. Burgess, their beautiful Irish dressage horse, reflect the elegance in the bottle.
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William Allen pours a Two Shepherds wine for Patrick Comiskey
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Two Shepherds poured seven unique wines, a “Tribute to Saralee” Roussanne, Viognier, Pastoral Blanc blend, a Carignan Rosé and Red, Pastoral Rouge (GMS), and Cinsault from Bechthold Vineyard, the oldest Cinsault vineyard in the world.  These distinctive, intriguing wines offer cool climate aromas and flavors with texture and mouthfeel, made in an Old World style with minimal intervention.  Winemaker William Allen, a former garagiste, crafts small lot wines, most of which he sells to “The Flock”, his wine club.  These are out-of-the-ordinary, fabulous wines that deserve a place in your wine cellar!
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The VIP Lounge offered special bottles
Proceeds from this tasting event and silent wine auction that followed went to the Rhone Rangers Scholarship Fund, which, in conjunction with the James Beard Foundation, grants a chef or sommelier a travel-study opportunity to learn about American Rhone wines.