Introducing The Wine Atelier & Wine Picks for Thanksgiving!!

I'd like to thank everyone for your patience while The Glamorous Gourmet undergoes some exciting changes and improvements. It's hard to believe the blog I began a few years ago to support the Junior League of Boca Raton's James Beard award winning cookbook, Savor the Moment has grown into a full-fledged website which will be fully functional very soon. Aside from the new site, the biggest change is the addition of The Wine Atelier & Club, our latest vinous endeavor.

The Wine Atelier & Club is an online wine boutique, club and educational treasure trove born of a desire to provide you with access to the latest wine discoveries and trends from around the globe. The Wine Atelier also represents a shift in the way wine is typically sold. The word atelier means "studio" and, unlike with many other retailers, here, you’ll never encounter the daunting “wall of wine” navigable only by relying on critic's scores, a prayer and bit of good luck. Our passion is to help you “empower your palate” through education (the fun kind, I promise!) and sampling a variety of wines and styles from around the world. We find that when our clients learn not only what they like but why they like it, they can navigate the world of wine with confidence, understanding and enjoyment. We are here to provide you with unique, personalized assistance in selecting wines at virtually every price point. Please consider us your friend along this journey of vinous exploration!

Wines for Thanksgiving!

For this most American of holidays, why not serve home-grown American wines? Here are five selections that represent great values while also following a few of my favorite pairing principles that can help you avoid an acute case of Wine Pairing Paralysis (click here for more info). These selections have you covered - no need to tangle with the "wall of wine"! 

If you like bubbles...

Domaine Carneros Brut Vintage 2008
This lovely sparkler comes from the California incarnation of Taittinger Champagne and represents an excellent value given its stellar pedigree! Winemaker Eileen Crane (aka America's Doyenne of Sparkling Wine) is the most experienced Sparkling Winemaker in the United States. Crane was hand-selected by Claude Taittinger to not only develop Domaine Carneros's wines but also oversee the design and construction of the winery. 
The 2008 cuvee is a delightful blend of 57% Pinot Noir and 43% Chardonnay. Approximately 9% of the cuvee underwent malolactic fermentation prior to blending. This sparkler has been aged for three years prior to release and is delicious now yet will also age beautifully in your cellar for a decade or more.
Wine Spectator - 90 points
Price: $29 

If you like Chardonnay or Viognier...

2010 Truchard Vineyards Roussanne, Carneros 
Truchard Vineyards began as a 20-acre parcel of land established in 1974 when Dr. Tony and Jo Ann Truchard came to the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. Over the past 31 years the Truchard Estate Vineyard has grown to 400 acres and in addition to making their own estate wines, the Truchards now sell grapes to more than 20 premier Napa Valley wineries.
Roussanne is a white grape grown originally in the Rhône wine region of France, yet has shown great potential in New World regions such as California, Washington, and Australia. This wine has a kiss of oak and also underwent a partial malolactic fermentation resulting in lovely floral aromas of honeysuckle and fresh apricot highlighted with brioche and vanilla. The palate has a creamy texture with flavors of nectarine and Meyer lemon. Firm acidity provides a lengthy finish of citrus, mineral, and spice.
Price: $18  

If you like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc...

2011 Lincourt Steel Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills

Bill Foley founded Lincourt in 1996 in the Sta. Rita Hills region of Santa Barbara County. Today the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, established in 2001, is one of California’s well-respected, cool-climate, viticultural regions. This area is exposed to fog and coastal breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean that create an ideal climate for growing cool-climate grapes such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Unlike big, oaky Chardonnays, this wine is fermented entirely in stainless steel and is a blend of 98% Chardonnay and 2% Gruner Veltliner. It features lovely aromas of kiwi and citrus zest and the palate is crisp and minerally with notes of lemons and green apples. This wine is very versatile and makes a fabulous aperitif or pairing for a variety of cuisines.
Price: $17   

If you like Pinot Noir or lighter reds...

2009 Shooting Star Blue Franc, Washington State

Owner and winemaker, Jed Steele has been involved in California's wine industry for 43 years. After starting some of California's best known wineries including Edmeades and Kendall-Jackson, he created Steele Wines which reflects his never ending fascination with many different varietals and vineyard locations. His approach allows him to maintain the practice of true craftmanship in the production of their small lot bottlings.

Blaufrankisch (aka Lemberger) is a late-ripening red grape variety known for its ability to produce red wines with approachable tannins and spicy character. This wine is clean and crisp with aromas and flavors of black fruits and berries that complement notes of pepper, cherry and cinnamon. The Shooting Star Blue Franc also has soft tannins, medium body, great color and pairs well with a variety of cuisine. It has a beautiful label too!
Price: $14   

If you like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon...

2011 Cline Cashmere 

What's not to love about cashmere this time of year? Fred Cline founded Cline Cellars near Oakley, CA in 1982 and was responsible for preserving and restoring many ancient vine sites to their rightful condition as premier California wine lands. After relocating his winery to the Carneros region of Sonoma in 1991, a region planted largely to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot, Cline pioneered the planting of Rhône varietals including Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne.

The 2011 Cline Cashmere is a delightful and approachable blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah. This wine offers aromas and flavors of bright cherry, raspberry, chocolate and toast with hints of cracked black pepper and plum. It is a versatile reds that pairs well with a variety of cuisines.

Wine Spectator - 88 points
Price: $16  

The Wine Atelier also offers a full range of Sommelier services including Wine Cellar Management and Consulting; Wine Tastings, Parties and Seminars for both private and corporate events; Wedding  Consultations; and Food and Wine Pairings.

While The Glamorous Gourmet & Wine Atelier website is under construction, to purchase these or any other wines for your holiday dinners, parties or gifts please call 561-317-6663 or e-mail stephanie@theglamorousgourmet.com. Mention this post and receive 10% off your purchase of a case of any of the wines mentioned in this post.

Cheers,

 

"A Moveable Feast" with Napa's Truchard Family!

Cheers!

We're back from California and a journey packed with many memorable vinous experiences!

While there's many new discoveries and things I look forward to sharing with you, I'd first like to tell you about an amazing evening spent among the vineyards in Carneros with one of Napa's pioneering wine families. Our friends Monty & Sara Preiser kindly invited us to "A Moveable Feast" at Truchard Vineyards. The evening was part of an auction package they'd purchased at the 2012 Boca Bacchanal, an event Steve and I chaired. We were honored and delighted that they included us.

While looking forward to the evening, we really had no idea of the adventure in store for us! This actually turned out to be the first time the Truchards had done this particular format of dinner, which made it that much more special.

Upon arriving at Truchard Vineyards we were greeted with a lovely reception featuring sparkling wine from Domaine Carneros and delicious passed hors d'oeuvres. Our resident hosts were Dr. Tony and Jo Ann Truchard, patriarch and matriarch of this wonderful family which has played a significant part of Carneros history since the 1970's. Also representing the Truchard family was son Anthony and his lovely wife Suzanne. The Preiser's son Justin and daughter-in-law Stacy were also in attendance and celebrating Stacy's birthday which further contributed to the festive feel of the evening. It was a cool, clear beautiful night and the setting was charming, enhanced not only by the Truchard family pet cats but also their adorable pet goat Rocky. Soon after making everyone's acquaintance and sipping and savoring the welcoming offerings, Anthony Truchard revealed the master plan for the evening. Before long we were being whisked up winding vineyard roads in a convoy of SUV's to our first "course" - it was a "Moveable Feast" after all!

Dr. Tony & Jo Ann Truchard

Steve and I were very fortunate to ride with Jo Ann Truchard behind the wheel, and with the golden, wine country sun making its descent on the horizon, we got to hear firsthand how the Truchards, Texans prior to moving to California, happened into the wine business. "I slipped on a grape at the grocery store and broke my leg when I was nine months pregnant with my second child!" Jo Anne said. "Tony [an Army physician] was supposed to ship out to Korea but he couldn't leave after that. I gave birth a few days later with a full cast on my leg." Instead of going to Korea, they ended up stationed in Herlong, California and eventually purchased their first 21-acre plot of land in Carneros. Soon after they realized growing grapes was going to be much more than just a weekend project! Since then, Truchard Vineyards has grown to 400 contiguous acres and is one of Napa's most diverse estates growing 10 different grape varieties. The family keeps only 20% of their fruit to make their estate wines, and sells the other 80% to 20 of Napa's most well-respected producers. Listening to Jo Ann talk about her family's history in this very special part of the world was certainly a treat for us as her passion was clearly evident.

Scallop & Spot Prawn Salad with Vanilla Essence

Soon the convoy was parking and we were delighted to hear our first stop was among the Roussanne vines. Roussanne is a white grape variety primarily grown in France's Rhone Valley yet does remarkably well on the Truchard land as well. As we disembarked we could see a clearing in the vineyard set with lovely high top tables. The view of the rolling hills in the distance, the Roussanne grapes hanging on the vine, and the sun in the distance was truly breathtaking. The "Roussanne Vineyard Course" featured a delicious Scallop and Spot Prawn Salad with Vanilla Citrus Essence which paired beautifully with the 2010 Truchard Vineyards Roussanne. It was a magnificent start to our feast!

Anthony Truchard

Our next stop took us through even more scenic, winding roads to a clearing in the vines overlooking more beautiful vineyards and Boot Lake, so named for its shape. As we emerged from the trucks, we were guided to a beautiful table decorated with assorted squash and gourds from the Truchard's garden. While enjoying the fabulous company and a picture-perfect Carneros sunset we enjoyed two more delicious courses. "Pork and Pinot" featured Pork Three Ways served with Rancho Gordo White Beans and Salsa Verde that paired beautifully with the 2009 Truchard Vineyards Pinot Noir in addition to some other special bottles the Truchards had brought. This dish was also accompanied by freshly baked bread served with the Truchard Vineyards Extra Virgin Olive Oil made from olives grown on their property as well (Martha Stewart has nothing on the Truchards!). Next was the "Lamb and Cabernet Sauvignon" course featuring perfectly charred, juicy Dixon Spring Lamb Chops with Caramelized Garden Beets, Black Olive Sauce and Blood Orange Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This dish made my husband Steve particularly happy and the lamb paired famously with the 2008 Truchard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. I have to mention the amazing food for the evening was prepared in sight by the fabulous folks at Smoke Open Fire -  truly extraordinary!

Once the sun had set and the crescent moon made its appearance in the sky it was time to head back to the estate. Our evening wasn't over yet though - far from it in fact! Back at the estate we were guided into the impressive Truchard wine caves where another beautiful table awaited with our dessert course. A selection of delicious Northern California Cheeses, fabulous handmade cookies, and decadent chocolate strawberries were served with the 2007 Truchard Vineyards Roussanne Botrytis and French Press Coffee. Needless to say all in attendance were sufficiently satiated and awed not only by the wonderful and unique experience but also by the charm and graciousness of the Truchard family. I also have to give a special mention to Linda Carr who has been with the Truchards since 1998. Linda played an intrinsic role in the planning and execution of our evening and I just had to sincerely applaud her efforts.

Monty & Sara Preiser

Following dessert the Truchards fired up the traditional Texas fire pit and invited the Preisers to make some selections from the family's wine library. As we enjoyed the warmth of the fire and lovely aromatics of the burning Eucalyptus wood we enjoyed some more very special wines that had, like this amazing family, thrived with the passing of time.

A big thank you to Monty and Sara Preiser for including us in such a special evening and to the Truchard family for their gracious hospitality!

Cheers,