I Betz You Can’t Drink Just One

Washington State is gaining a reputation for making world-class wines and Betz Family Winery is just one of the many wineries here that has made an excellent impression on the wine community. I’m no exception.

I had dinner last night with my previously-mentioned friend that currently lives in China. No, I didn’t go to China last night to have dinner with him; he came here to have dinner with me. Okay, he came here for a business trip, but we did have dinner together last night. We made a deal that whoever arrived at the restaurant first got to order the wine. I arrived at the restaurant first so I had the formidable task of picking the wine, or so I thought. It turned out that the task wasn’t that difficult since the Italian restaurant where we were dining had a very large wine menu, chock-full of mostly Italian wines, and only a handful of Washington wines from which to choose. Since we’re both huge fans of Washington wines, I narrowed it down to two Betz wines, their “La Cote Rousse” and their “La Serenne,” both Syrahs, and asked the server which one she recommended of the two. She suggested the Betz 2004 “La Cote Rousse” Syrah because she’d just tried it recently and she assured me it was really good. I’ve never been steered wrong by any of the servers, and I use that term loosely because they are so much more than that at Serafina, at my favorite restaurant when they’ve recommended a wine, so I took her at her word. She was right on the money.

The Betz “La Cote Rousse” was created by uniting grapes from two Red Mountain vineyards, Scott Williams and Ciel du Cheval and what a perfect union it is! The aromas of this lovely Syrah are a heady sensation, to say the least. The scent of dark fruit waft up and then swirly, swirl and then swirly, swirl some more, and aromas of smoke, bacon fat, and gaminess make their way out of the beautiful juice, partly due to the characteristic of the grape, partly due to time spent in barrel (about 12-13 months), and partly due to plain old fashioned hard work and skill. According to the winemaker’s notes on the Betz Family web site, the 2004 Syrah has more French character than previous vintages. Terrior, anyone?

My friend and I spent many hours lingering over our dinners of lamb and pork, catching up on each other’s lives, while enjoying not one, but two bottles of “La Cote Rousse.” We were both quite happy with the wine choice and it went perfectly with the lamb and pork. I recommend this wonderful expression of one of Washington State’s best dry red wines from one of the best AVAs in eastern WA - Red Mountain.

I “Betz” you can’t drink just one.


The Stats:

What: Dry red – Syrah
Producer: Betz Family Winery
Vintage: 2004
Varietal: Syrah 100%
Alcohol by volume: unknown
Location: Red Mountain AVA, Eastern WA
Cost: $45.00 (double that if you’re purchasing at a romantic, Italian restaurant in Seattle)

A Taste of Provence

I’m probably the last person on the planet to see the movie “Bottle Shock” but I finally saw it last night and it’s worth the time investment. There are lovely scenes of ripe grapes hanging heavy on the vines in Napa Valley. There are attractive young people whose hormones are fueled by drugs and wine, and also by, um, hormones. Alan Rickman gets to play a snobby wine shop owner – at which he excels, I might add. But the best part (spoiler alert!) is at the end when the French do a blind tasting contest of French wines and California wines. Guess which wine wins. That’s right, California. And the wine that took first place is (second spoiler alert!) a Chardonnay. Hey, it was the 70s!

So it seems like more than a small co-inky-dink that I attended the monthly Seattle Wine Society meeting last Wednesday and the wines that evening were from Provence, a wine region in the south of France. The French-American Chamber of Commerce collaborated with the Seattle Wine Society to celebrate the mutual interests of their members. That evening, we all came together to taste and learn about French wine. There was nary a “freedom fry” in sight, nor a Canadian flag lapel pin. Have we grown? Perhaps.

The first two wines we tasted were whites, paired with Provence herbs and goat cheese “candies.” These delightful little nibbles were not sweet nor were they candy. But, my God, they were so awesome I could’ve eaten my weight in these little goodies. Phyllo dough, brushed with egg white, wrapped around herbed goat cheese. Drool. Oh yeah, the wines. The first was a Viognier du Var, Domaine de Triennes. The color was nearly as pale as water, the nose had a sweet, floral aroma but it was dry and tasted like pear. The other white served was a Cassis, La Badiane, Terrior des Duex Soeurs. This one was very pale straw in color and smelled like Bees Wax. I’m not kidding. It was dry, very delicate and it was wonderful with the goat cheese “candies.”

The second wines were roses paired with orange and raisin cracked wheat taboule salad. The first rose was a Coteaux-d’Aix-en-Provence, Bargemone. It was a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and I believe Counoise. It was very light pink in color with a sweet, floral nose, and dry but the unripe strawberry flavor didn’t really make me want to go back for more. The second rose was a Bandol Rose, Domaine Sorin and I felt the better of the two. It was a blend of Mourvedre, Grenache, and Cinsault and it was a couple of shades darker pink in color. It had a heavier mouth feel and tasted more like ripe strawberries. I thought it was a better match for the taboule.

The next two wines were reds and were paired with the best black olive tapenade spread on crostini I’ve ever had (the chef gave away most of the ingredients in this as black and green olives, capers, anchovies, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice – he probably left something out to preserve his recipe). The first red was a Coteaux-d’Aix-en-Provence, Bargemone and was a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache. It had a beautiful, fragrant nose, medium purple in color, dry to the taste, and was a light-bodied red. The second red was a fuller-bodied, deep purple, dry wine made with Mourvedre, Grenache, and Cinsault. I liked it better with the olive tapenade than the first, lighter-bodied red.

The last two wines were reds paired with lamb meatballs with pine nuts and fresh mint and were my favorites of the evening since they were the tastiest and the most full-bodied of the evening. The first red was a Luberon, Chateau La Canorgue made of Syrah and Mourvedre. It was ruby colored and had that barnyard smell that turns some people off but makes me stand up and take notice. I love wines that have a funky natural aroma. But that’s just me. It was well balanced, the tannins matched the acid. The last wine of the evening was a Les Baux de Provence, Mas de Gourgonnier and was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere (I think), Old Vine Grenache (who knew?), and Mouvredre. It was a lovely ruby color and tasted, well, tasty. What can I say? It was the last wine of the evening and that’s when my note taking goes south, coinciding with my attention span.

So, in conclusion, if any of you are still reading this, I don’t speak or read French. I know that all of these wines were provided by Champion Cellars, http://www.championwinecellars.com/ in Seattle. The chef who delighted us all through the evening with his wonderful creations is a genius by the name of Eddy Ricco, a native of Cannes, France, and is the chef and owner of Provence Gourmet French Catering on Mercer Island. What’s he doing here when he could be frolicking in the south of France? I wondered the same thing.

The Dark Side

Yesterday, I went to "The Dark Side" and I may never come back. Why would I go to "The Dark Side?" Because this is a delicious place to be. What the frack is the Wine Muse musing about now? Be patient, wine friends, and I'll tell you the story.

It took about an hour and a half by car, and then by ferry, but I managed to go to and spend the day on an island yesterday. Vashon Island. Burton Bay on Vashon, to be specific. I know; the picture doesn't do it justice. It was much lovelier in person, but you get the idea.

I have family on Vashon so yesterday we decided to spend the day together, hang out in the country, barbeque some steaks, munch some chips and salsa, watch the kids play, and, one of my favorite reasons, to drink some really nice wine. I took two bottles of wine with me. A bottle of the 2003 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley to go with the steaks (which we never got around to drinking because there were other bottles of wine open), and another bottle of wine, just to enjoy while we were hanging out and watching the kids jump on a trampoline outside and play with legos inside the house. This is when I went to "The Dark Side."

The other bottle of wine I took to share was a 2006 Syrah called "The Dark Side." All I can say is: I will be going back out to Woodinville to Darby Winery, located in the warehouse district, to pick up more of this amazing wine. "The Dark Side" is a new release by Darby Winery and the grapes are from the Walla Walla Valley in Eastern Washington. I opened the bottle of this juice and was rewarded with the beautiful perfume of a typical Pacific Northwest Syrah and the dark purple color that is oh so enticing. Every bit of the deep, jammy, plummy richness that I've come to expect and enjoy from wines made in the Napa of the Northwest is expressed in this wine, and then some. Although this wine is dry, I felt like I was having dessert before my dinner, that’s how wonderful and rich this wine smells and tastes. This wine was a pleasure to sip on throughout the afternoon. When it was all gone, I wanted more. Yes, I've gone to "The Dark Side" and I may never come back. It's a good place to be for a Wine Muse.

You might be able to get “The Dark Side” at a good wine shop but I say - don’t! Go directly to Darby Winery in Woodinville to pick up this wine so you can see that this is a small winery, with just a couple hundred cases of handcrafted wines. Darby also makes a delicious Viognier and a red blend called Chaos that’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot. I think we’ll be hearing a lot more about this winery in the near future.

Who knows? Perhaps you’ll find yourself going to “The Dark Side.”

The Stats:

What: Dry red – The Dark Side
Producer: Darby Winery
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: Syrah
Alcohol by volume: 14.6%
Location: Darby Winery located in the warehouse district in Woodinville, WA, grapes from Walla Walla Valley, Eastern WA
Cost: $28.00

Wine Muse Performs Magic Trick

Going, going, going, gone! Magic!

Phantom

Just like the name suggests, a bottle of Phantom, when opened, is mysterious and hauntingly seductive. This incredible wine is a blend of Petite Sirah, Old Vine Zinfandel, and Old Vine Mourvedre, which is not only an unusual blend, but at 14.5 percent alcohol, it’s also a spirit to be reckoned with. The grapes are grown in the Bogle vineyards, Clarksburg, California, in the fertile Delta River region nestled along the Sacramento River. The Bogle family, according to their web site, has been farming that area since the mid-1800s. Planting grapes didn’t come until 1968, when they planted their first 20 acres, but currently at 1200 acres of vineyards, KA-POW! This family has arrived!

Bogle is an odd name, isn’t it? What does it mean? It’s Scottish in origin and means friendly spirit. Get it? Phantom? Bogle Vineyards? I know. They’re very clever.

What about the taste? I’m so glad you asked. This wine is nothing short of amazing. After you’ve opened a bottle of Phantom, poured some of this intoxicating juice into your glass, and if you’re a Petite Sirah / Old Vine Zinfandel fan like me, you’re going to gasp with surprise, then smile with delight. You’ll see a gorgeous, deep purple apparition staring back at you as you gaze down into your glass. You’ll taste dark fruit, anise, and black pepper. I’ve been drinking this wine tonight with lamb chops, Toscana bread, and steamed broccoli and it’s a perfect match. Next up, a chocolate éclair for dessert. Oh yes, I know how to live.

Check out this Phantom at your local Whole Foods, or neighborhood wine shop. For $20.00, you can’t go wrong with this friendly spirit.

The Stats:
What: Proprietary red blend
Producer: The Bogle family
Vintage: 2005
Varietals: Petite Sirah, Old Vine Zinfandel, Old Vine Mourvedre
Alcohol by volume: 14.5%
Location: Bogle Vineyards, Clarksburg, CA
Cost: $19.99
Purchased: Whole Foods on 65th/Roosevelt, Seattle, WA

Proprietor's Red

Are you a frugal wine shopper? Looking for something quaffable that’s also priced to fit your budget? Who isn’t, right? Do I have the wine for you, wine friends!

One of my wino friends is a rep for St Hilaire Cellars and he’s turned me onto their “Proprietor’s Red.” Winemaker, Joel Tefft, has crafted this red table wine that’s a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Tempranillo grapes from Yakima Valley vineyards in Eastern Washington. I kid you not; this is one of the best valued wines and seriously great tasting wines that I’ve come across in a while.

Don’t believe me? Jay Miller, the Northwest nose for Robert Parker, and famous wine writer for Conde’ Cox, chose the top 100 Northwest wines for the September 2008 issue of Seattle Metropolitan magazine, with a special frugal shopping section. “Proprietor’s Red” made it to the top of the list of best valued wines in the Northwest. This delicious red table wine will delight you with the abundance of dark fruit, nice structure, and an enticing hint of spiciness; at around $7.00 a bottle (prices range from $6.99 - $7.99) won’t put a dent in your wallet. This wonderful bargain can be found at many QFCs, Top Foods (Shoreline and Edmonds), Ballinger Thriftway, Fred Meyer (Totem Lake), and at my favorite Seattle wine shop, Esquin Wine Merchants.

Get some “Proprietor’s Red” and serve it with pasta or red meat. Your wallet and your mouth will love you for it!

P.S. I just heard from my wino friend/St Hilaire Cellars rep that in the near future there will be a “Proprietor’s White.” This highly anticipated white blend will be 75% Chardonnay, 18% Pinot Gris, and 7% Riesling, and hopefully, just in time for picnic season.

The Stats:
What: Red blend
Producer: St Hilaire Cellars
Vintage: Unknown
Varietals: 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Tempranillo, 5% Syrah
Alcohol by volume: 13%
Location: Yakima Valley, WA
Cost: Ranging from $6.99 - $7.99
Where to Purchase: Various QFCs, Top Foods (Shoreline and Edmonds), Ballinger Thriftway, Fred Meyer (Totem Lake), and at my favorite Seattle wine shop, Esquin Wine Merchants.

Chocolate Festival today

Hello Wine Friends,

If you're looking for something fun to do today, Enumclaw is having a chocolate festival today from 1pm to 9pm. I'll be pouring wine at the Basel Cellars wine table. There'll be 21 wineries there today so come on out and have some chocolate and wine!

http://www.enumclawchocolatefestival.com/

Yum! Hope to see you there!

Old Ham Mowbray

G. Hamilton Mowbray was his name.
Wine and vineyards in Maryland
Were once the objects of his game.
He won the Merite Agricole award in 1975.
This was his major claim to fame.
Montbray Wine Cellars was his stomping grounds.
That was where he could usually be found.
Tinkering with the grapes he deduced
Adding SO2 and egg to the juice.
Then old Ham departed the vineyard
Never more to roam the Cellar
His ashes became part of the terrior (that means soil for you retards).
Then the vineyard closed
In the year of our Lord -
Nineteen hundred and ninety-two.
The ghost of old Ham now roams
In the place he once called home.
The vineyard where he once deduced
Add some yeast to grapes and turn up the heat
You’ll get some darn good wineThat no one else can beat.

Pizza and the Pyramid

An extended family member, my daughter’s boyfriend, came over last night to help me build a desk for my office that I bought over the weekend. And when I say “help me” I mean he did all of the work. I stood around looking like I was helping while listening for the kitchen timer to tell me when the pizza I had made earlier was ready to take out of the oven. As luck would have it, just as we, and by “we” I mean “he,” finished building the desk, the timer beeped. PIZZA! YAY!

I decided to open another bottle of Sardinian wine that I bought at one of the free wine tastings at Esquin (www.esquin.com) where I tasted through several Italian wines that were all extremely delicious. I’ve been eager to open this wine because the two other Sardinian wines I’ve opened have been wonderful and incredible values. You can read about my experience and the other wines on this previous post: http://thewinemuseinseattle.blogspot.com/2009/01/wines-of-sardinia.html

Again, I was amazed at how good this wine was. The wine I opened last night is called, Tanca Farra, is made from two varietals, half Cannonau and half Cabernet Sauvignon, and is a 2002 vintage. The grapes are from the Alghero appellation in Sardinia and it’s a DOC wine. What does all this mean? I knew you’d want to know! Read on if you’re interested in a little wine education.

A little background:

The first real quality system in Italy that set rules to guarantee the quality of wines and their place of origin was introduced in 1963. Above is a nifty picture of the Italian Appellation System pyramid.

Alghero is the appellation, or officially recognized area where the grapes are grown. DOC literally means Denominazione di Origine Controllata or Appellation of Controlled Origin for the non-Italian speaking/reading crowd. As you can see from the pyramid above, the table wines are at the bottom, indicating they have the least amount of rules around quality, and the Tanca Farra is closer to the top, just under DOCG, indicating that it’s higher quality and has more rules about the grapes and how long aging must occur.

Enough wine nerd speak already! How was the wine? Did it go well with the pizza? Would I buy it again?

I pulled out the cork, and pulled, and pulled, and pulled some more. What the frack?! The cork went on and on and on seemingly forever. When I finally got the cork out of the bottle, I held it up next to another cork and it was the longest damn cork I’d ever seen. It was almost twice as long as all of the corks in the bag on my kitchen counter. I’m thinking that the Guinness Book of Records should be notified. The wine was brick red in color and at first I thought this was a bad sign but the wine smelled and tasted great. It tasted like plums and smelled like a breeze blowing off of the Mediterranean Sea. It made my mouth water so I knew it was pretty acidic but it wasn’t so high that it turned me off. The tannins were about medium meaning that I could feel it on my tongue but it wasn’t too overly grippy on my gums. Looking down at the wine in my glass, held a bit sideways, I could see there was a very light rim around the wine indicating that it had some age. It went really well with the pizza, which I hoped it would.

As the pizza passed over our lips and into our hungry mouths, while bits of veggies and sauce fell onto my shirt, and as we sipped the Tanca Farra wine, I couldn’t help to think that it doesn’t get any better than this. And my daughter's boyfriend really enjoyed the wine as well.

The Stats:

What: Red wine – Tanca Farra
Producer: Sella & Mosca
Vintage: 2002
Varietals: 50% cannonau, 50% cabernet sauvignon
Alcohol by volume: 13%
Location: Sardinia, Italy
Appellation: Alghero (DOC)
Cost: $9.00
Location purchased: Esquin Wine Merchants, http://www.esquin.com/ Seattle, WA