Fair to say women love wine
What a great state the wine industry is in! And thankfully, it is not just California. The wines that made it to the finals of the International Women's Wine Competition hailed from all over the U.S.: for example, a lovely red raspberry wine from La Belle Winery in Amherst, N.H., a scrumptious Vidal Ice wine from Niagara, N.Y., and a wicked madeira from Haak Vineyards in Texas.
What do women want in wine, anyway? The short answer: something balanced and drinkable, enjoyable and easy to deal with. No unnecessary complexities. Unless they're Type A with a vendetta, most women are intuitive and peacemakers, and strive to keep things on an even keel: confrontation is out, negotiation is in. Subtlety is favored over absolutism.
When they open a bottle of wine, or order a glass at a restaurant, they don't want anything that gives them lip, a hard time or a headache. For the most part, it's not an intellectually challenging experience they're after (keeping the peace is far more exhausting than starting a fight and throwing punches), but an enjoyable beverage that enhances whatever experience they're having, whether it's catching up with the girls, having dinner with good friends, watching a movie, relaxing in the hot tub, or cajoling that exasperating, whiny client over a snore-a-bore dinner at some effete restaurant with linty linen napkins.
It's common knowledge that women have enormous buying power when it comes to wine: They buy eight out of 10 bottles of wine consumed at home. So it's with great pleasure I share that the 2010 Windsor Oaks sauvignon blanc and 2010 Galen Glen Gewurztraminer tied for best white wine made by women, and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Cold Creek Riesling was the best white in the overall competition. I don't think Gruner Veltliner is ever going to make it big, but there's no reason Riesling can't continue its climb.
Just received word that Morgan is debuting its first Riesling, from the Double L Vineyard, where Dan Lee planted a little over an acre of the stuff in 2007, betting that the coolish climate would make a lovely haven for the heady stuff. Can't wait to try it. It's available for purchase now at Taste Morgan in The Crossroads shopping center in Carmel.
Harvest update
The harvest reports keep rolling in. Dave Coventry is practically pinching himself with excitement about the Santa Lucia Highlands chardonnays and the pinot noir from both the Pedregal Vineyard in Paicines and the spectacular Dow Vineyard in the Highlands. He's especially ecstatic and surprised at the quality of the pinot from the place were pinot isn't supposed to do well: Paicines is a hot spot where Bordeaux varieties thrive, but this year, as Coventry emailed me, "No kidding, that Paicines PN surprised ... me. It's world class!" Of the Dow pinot, he simply says, "It's stunning." He's also dancing with joy over a super new Gewurztraminer he's got brewing, saying that it's "bone dry and just crazy fun! A food monster."
Vintners managed to get in all their Bordeaux grapes before the rains descended in cold, gray, lacy curtains. Pretty, but pretty much the kiss of death. Farewell, lovely Indian summer.
Mark your calendar
ª "Best of the Blue," 1 to 5 p.m. today; VIP Pre-Tasting, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Del Monte Aviation hangar, Monterey Regional Airport, Olmsted Road off Highway 68. $60 general admission, $95 VIP Pre-Tasting.
The very idea of the sound of radial engines combined with a whiff of jet fuel and the smell of food trucks is enough to get my taste buds primed for today's Best of the Blue. Among the new wines making their debut are the McIntyre 2010 chardonnay and the 2009 pinot noir. See you on the tarmac, matey!
ª Heller Estate Winemakers Luncheon, noon to 2 p.m. Sunday.
On the other side of the coin, though, we have Heller Estate, where Rich Tanguay again laments the loss of another year's worth of petit verdot, always the last horse into the barn. The stall once again is empty for 2011, alas. However, Heller has plenty to celebrate, so get on over there on Sunday for a winemaker lunch at the estate overlooking the vineyards. Should be beautiful with all of the vines taking on their crimson-and-goldness. Contact Rachael to reserve. 831-659-6220, or info@hellerestate.com.
Then, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, it's a special Heller library tasting at the Carmel Valley Village tasting room, for collectors and wine lovers. Cost is $45, and space is limited, so please RSVP. Richard T will be on hand to open up the memory banks. Should be enlightening.
ª Grand Opening of McIntyre Tasting Studio, Hyatt Regency Monterey, 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey. 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Dust off the Bentley, the Aston or the BMW, don your good leather jacket and a scarf and head to the Grand Opening of the McIntyre Tasting Studio. You'll be pleased to know you can indulge in the pleasure of bubbly, as Steve McIntyre will release his brand-new sparkling wine, just in time for the holidays. All that glitters is not gold, but all that sparkles gets my attention! Be sure to browse the great gift essentials assembled for your shopping pleasure.
How to bag Tre Gatti wines
Paula Getzelman, proprietor of Tre Gatti Wines (see "Her VineNess" of Oct. 29), says you won't be able to find her product in local stores, but you can add some feline-decked labels to your wine cache by email or phone, for next-day delivery: wine@tregattivineyards.com or 805-610-3263.