Jeremy → California's Central Coast: I'm really becoming a big fan of Paso Robles and it is not too far a drive from me to make a day trip out of it although a weekend always works better. The Santa Ynez Valley is spectacular too.
February 21, 2008
Jeremy → Bordeaux, France: I truly hope to make it to Bordeaux one day soon. It has always been a dream of mine to travel and sample the wines. To experience France. If I had the time I'd be on a plane tomorrow.
February 21, 2008
Jeremy → Napa Valley, CA: Hot dusty summer days, cool nights, a bottle of wine and some great company. that is what Napa is to me!
February 8, 2008
Jeremy → daci: How are you doing? It has been a while since I was on. Sorry for not answering your message sooner.
November 15, 2008
Mark: This is a known bug Jeremy. They are for events that have already taken place. This will be fixed in an upcoming update to the site.
August 1, 2008
Jeremy → Mark: I have 2 wine event invites but when I click on them it does not show any events?
August 1, 2008
Jeremy → VineMaster: Thanks for the friend request. I'm happy to add you. How are this years vines looking?
Magic and Wine Tasting - Join us on Sunday March 16, for an enchanting performance of magic at a cozy Mediterranean chateau in Malibu. The evening includes tantalizing hors d'oeuvres from the Beau Rivage and a tasting of wines from Rosenthal - The Ma...
Update: Event will take place again on March 9.Magic and Wine TastingJoin us on Sunday Feb. 17, for an enchanting performance of magic at a cozy Mediterranean chateau in Malibu. The evening includes tantalizing hors d'oeuvres from the Beau Rivage a...
Please post your reviews for red wines here. I encourage everyone to participate in a lively discussion of their favorite red wines. Your review may be as formal or informal as you like. It would be great if you could also rate the wine on a 100 point scale.
If there is one thing that the region of Bordeaux is proud of, it would probably be its line of wines. For the record, Bordeaux is the largest wine-producing region in the whole world, and it would only follow that they produce the best wines available in the market today. Bordeaux is famous for its red wines, though, of course, its white varieties are doing exceptionally good as well.
Every Bordeaux wine possesses distinct quality, flavor, and taste. There are no two wines that are seemingly alike. And to come up with variations, wine makers planted and blended different vines that would collaboratively make up a unique-tasting and fine wine.
Bordeaux wines were said to have existed in the post 48 AD and were originally created for soldiers. As the years advanced, Bordeaux wines found other markets and were thereby exported, though in the earlier years wine exportation was never seen as a grand idea. Bordeaux wine industry witnessed several threats before like infestations and critical economic difficulties, but emerged from them successfully.
California's most celebrated wine region is the Napa valley. While other regions lie in close proximity to the Napa Valley (Sonoma and Carneros) it is Napa that most people know by name. In fact a lot of people lump in Carneros and Sonoma when they talk about Napa.
The Napa Valley, while only 20 miles long, stretches from the cooler town of Napa to the slightly warmer Calistoga where the foggy ocean access is left behind. In this small valley many vineyards have made their home. Some of California's finest Cabernet Sauvignons come form Napa as do great Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Cabernet Franc blends.
Some of the most notable vineyards are; Schramsberg, Beringer, Grgich Hills, Rubicon Estates, Robert Mondavi, Domaine Chandon, Chimney Rock, Stag's Leap, Rutherford Hill, Niebaum-Coppola, ZD, Merryvale, Mumm Napa, raymond and Beaulieu Vineyard.
Sonoma Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Bennett Valley and Russian River Valley are all in Sonoma County, California. Wine grapes are also grown at higher elevations, such as Atlas Peak and Mount Veeder AVAs.
Sonoma Valley is in the southern part of Sonoma county and is bordered by the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the Sonoma Mountains to the west. Sonoma Mountain protects the area from the wet and cool influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean. The Sonoma Mountains to the west help protect the valley from excessive rainfall. The cool air that does affect the region comes northward from San Pablo Bay through the Carneros region and southward from the Santa Rosa Plain. One of California's first successful commercial vineyards, Buena Vista Winery, was established here in 1857.
Alexander Valley is located north of Healdsburg and extends to Mendocino County north of Cloverdale. The are is home to more than 40 vineyards with such familiar names as Cols du Bois, Jordan Vineyard & Winery and Gallo Family Vineyards.
Dry Creek Valley centers around Dry Creek a tributary of the Russian River. This area is known particularly for its sauvignon blanc and zinfandel. It is also home to most of the Sonoma vineyards of E & J Gallo Winery.
Bennett Valley is surrounded to the south, east and west by the Sonoma Mountains and lies south of Santa Rosa. Fog creeping up through Crane Canyon provides a moderating effect on the climate here. This region is the principal grape supplier to Kendall-Jackson.
Russian River Valley is adjacent to the city of Santa Rosa and the Russian River. The Russian River Valley accounts for about one sixth of the wine grapes planted in Sonoma County. Vineyards are prevalent with over 75 wineries accounted for including one of my favorites; Sonoma-Cutrer.
The California Central Coast encompasses the counties of Alameda (Livermore Valley), Contra Costa, Monterey, Santa Barbara (Santa Ynez Valley), San Benito, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo (Paso Robles), San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Mountains). The Central Coast contains thirty American Viticultural Areas. While quite topologically similar the different microclimates affect the varietals grown and the styles of wines produced.
Defined by its proximity to the ocean with the mountain ranges running east to west, open to the ocean's marine effect, natural alleys allow the cool ocean fog and breezes to flow into the coastal valleys and their vineyards. This moderate climate ranging from foggy mornings, midday sun and afternoon breezes provides a long growing season allowing for slow, even ripening of the wine grapes. Slower ripening and a longer growing season induces more intense flavors in the grapes and thus the wine also.
Wineries in this appellation grow a diversity of grape varieties and range from small, boutique wineries to large scale producers. Initially, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were the dominant varieties but Rhone varieties as well as other major varieties have become well ingrained into the area.
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