tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124465888589473292024-03-04T20:58:24.154-08:00 Sip, Swirl, Savor: a wine girl's guide to all things grape Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-33718648879573202942014-02-19T04:25:00.000-08:002014-04-08T17:14:54.362-07:00New content on AuthorCortney.comLast week, I attended the San Francisco Writers Conference to meet with literary agents in hopes of getting representation for my debut novel, <a href="http://www.authorcortney.com/novel/" target="_blank">Where I Want to Be</a>. I have submitted portions of my manuscript to a few interested agents and now I'm hoping one of them writes back soon and wants to take the next step. At this point, they want to see sales...<br />
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If you haven't read my first book yet, I ask you to please download it on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBWUJU8" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or <a href="http://bit.ly/1aveWcg" target="_blank">iTunes</a> and begin reading it tonight! (Thank you thank you thank you!)<br />
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After meeting with the agents, I attended many panels and presentations from fellow authors at the conference. One thing I heard over and over was to "blog at least twice a week". I realized I would blog more if I wasn't busy updating two websites. So, in an effort to blog more often, I am merging my Sip, Swirl, Savor wine blog with my beautiful new <a href="http://www.authorcortney.com/category/cortney-wine-blog/" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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The content here on sipswirlsavor.blogpost.com will still be available to reference older posts, but for new information, please join my mailing list at <a href="http://authorcortney.com/">AuthorCortney.com</a>.<br />
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Please note that my new Facebook page is <a href="http://facebook.com/AuthorCortney">facebook.com/AuthorCortney</a>, my sole twitter account is <a href="http://twitter.com/authorcortney" target="_blank">@AuthorCortney</a>, and my Instagram account is also <a href="http://instagram.com/authorcortney" target="_blank">@AuthorCortney</a>. Thank you and I look forward to continuing to provide wine tasting notes and winery recommendations to you!<br />
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Cheers,<br />
CortneyCortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-83839637017381979132014-02-14T02:00:00.000-08:002014-02-14T02:00:04.790-08:00A smart and "Savvy" new guide to wine<div class="MsoNormal">
About a month ago, I received an email from a fellow USC
Trojan alum. Although we had not met prior, when Brittany Deal asked if I
would be interested in reviewing her new book about wine, I immediately agreed to
take a look at it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZO4O6oiZKjKpXo2-uJUXiMtHdx83g-BU_lZSZNKrZyEHDaq9xRVrHr8jz5mat6v92Mw3KLyMWc68WztXmhcNIqiZh4G39fEhn7bLkNGo_yp97k8StFHKkqd49oyJ8-jKu_BHxMJt_yVEg/s1600/SavvyGirlCov_ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZO4O6oiZKjKpXo2-uJUXiMtHdx83g-BU_lZSZNKrZyEHDaq9xRVrHr8jz5mat6v92Mw3KLyMWc68WztXmhcNIqiZh4G39fEhn7bLkNGo_yp97k8StFHKkqd49oyJ8-jKu_BHxMJt_yVEg/s1600/SavvyGirlCov_ebook.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://savvygirl.net/" target="_blank">Savvy Girl: A Guide toWine</a></i> is a cute and contemporary handbook for wine novices. Written in a
sassy and conversational tone, this 87-page paperback is filled with useful
tips, quirky comparisons, and “wino buzzwords”. After reading it—with a glass
of wine in hand, of course—I asked Brittany a few questions… <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you for contacting me to review your book! What
motivated you to start Savvy Girl?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="paft" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 2010, I
took a sabbatical to travel the world and reflect on what I really wanted out
of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always been a lover of
learning and a lover of how-to books. But one day while reading a book on my
Kindle in the middle of the Bolivian Amazon I realized that most non-fiction
books were full of fluff and repetition. I remember thinking, what if I wrote a
book series that made getting savvy quick, effortless and fun? What if I made
books that were beautiful to look at, and written in a way that felt more like
a conversation than a book? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So I set out
to create Savvy Girl, a go-to source for rich, yet concise, knowledge on the
topics women care about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think your debut book is perfect for women who want to
learn more about wine that don’t have enough time on their hands to, for
instance, enroll in a wine class. What inspired you to write the first Savvy
Girl Guide about wine?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I chose wine because women
love wine, yet many wish they were more wine savvy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ultimately, my goal for the wine book was to cut through the
clutter and make learning the basics of wine simple and fun so a reader could walk
away feeling more comfortable talking about wine, buying it, and reaching for
that wine list!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Plus, researching
wine was a lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, haha. Research and development is always fun when wine
is involved! Who are your wine mentors? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I absolutely love
Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan. I love that she took a risk to follow her passion in
wine and I also admire her drive. Before I pulled the plug at my banking job
(and long before I decided to make the first Savvy Girl guide wine related), I
saw an article about her in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fortune
Magazine</i>. It talked about how she went from “leverage” (from a banking
career) to “corkage” (to being the 4<sup>th</sup> woman in the U.S. to get the
Masters of Wine title). [The] courage [she had] to go after her dream was inspiring.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkkKmGUMAiJhFf27p9z-vqZyQIOttHUTxpzcR6At3m9bapXyncef9bdLHFxPAUD8rUUo4oOuRkUhYEd2jArWxzA95BONlhjvw5fTr1cPbMrz-w_D6CdIhgGznESYJLNKqsC5Hf2MkiroX/s1600/IMG_2271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkkKmGUMAiJhFf27p9z-vqZyQIOttHUTxpzcR6At3m9bapXyncef9bdLHFxPAUD8rUUo4oOuRkUhYEd2jArWxzA95BONlhjvw5fTr1cPbMrz-w_D6CdIhgGznESYJLNKqsC5Hf2MkiroX/s1600/IMG_2271.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What’s your favorite wine? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve tried so many
good wines it’s impossible to pick a favorite! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good answer. Your favorite winery?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Favorite winery—Del
Dotto. Their cave tour is the most memorable wine tasting experience I have
ever had. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I can relate! I was at Del Dotto last month (see picture to the right) and might feature their caves in my second
novel in the Wine Country Series... You mention quite a few wine-growing regions
in your book (Napa, France, Italy, New Zealand, etc.), what’s your favorite?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Napa!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good answer. What’s next on your Savvy Girl agenda?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqHiBnsny_bd4IRnEMf_eAH9K-SUn1PWnC-Ht6whKn4yP5t0DxniVCTnBDQYRafR1dcMTGpxiVI8CpIXum3P5ArPLXet6UyXH-RylMqJc7SaLLnKR96733TzlF-7pOGE727kIZw6bSCxm/s1600/brittany.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqHiBnsny_bd4IRnEMf_eAH9K-SUn1PWnC-Ht6whKn4yP5t0DxniVCTnBDQYRafR1dcMTGpxiVI8CpIXum3P5ArPLXet6UyXH-RylMqJc7SaLLnKR96733TzlF-7pOGE727kIZw6bSCxm/s1600/brittany.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a>Savvy Girl is growing fast. The next two new titles are
scheduled to publish in the Fall of 2014. Our long-term goal is to have over
100 guidebooks in the brand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’re also launching a YouTube Channel in 2014. Sign up for
our email list at www.savvygirl.net or follow us @SAVVYGIRLguides to stay in
the loop. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">That sounds
fantastic. Best of luck to you, Brittany!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Brittany Deal is a Los Angeles resident and a
Seattle native. She graduated from USC with a degree in business and began
working for a bank. After a couple of years of two-hour LA commutes, Brittany
gave up her job and traveled. She started Savvy Girl shortly thereafter and
published her debut book in October 2013.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Savvy Girl: A Guide to Wine</i> is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wine-Savvy-Girl-Guide-ebook/dp/B00FRSJZCE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392241020&sr=8-1&keywords=savvy+girl" target="_blank">Amazon in ebook andpaperback</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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***Want to win a paperback copy signed by the author? It would be my Valentine's Day present to you! Send me
an <a href="mailto:info@authorcortney.com" target="_blank">email now</a> to enter!***<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-65175538814457591752014-02-11T12:49:00.000-08:002014-02-11T12:52:04.194-08:00Satisfy your senses at Domaine Chandon with amazing food and wine!<div class="MsoNormal">
Although I have been to Domaine Chandon in Yountville quite
a few times, this past Sunday was my first experience at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">étoile, </i>the restaurant on the property<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> Seated with a unique group of authors, journalists, and wine
industry folks, the lunch began with a bottle of Domaine Chandon 40<sup>th</sup>
Anniversary Cuvée Rosé ($40/bottle). This pretty pink sparkler has ripe strawberry and rose
petal notes with bright acidity. It was enjoyed with lively conversation as the
six of us got to know one another.</div>
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On pearl plates with a matching incandescent spoon, caviar
was soon served and accompanied by fluffy blini and crème fraiche. The
presentation was absolutely exquisite; the saltiness of the caviar paired
impeccably with the slight sweetness of the sparkling wine.<o:p></o:p><br />
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For my main course, I enjoyed the artfully prepared arctic
char, which was cooked to perfection and served over colorful beets and slivers
of blood orange. This amazing dish was delicious with the bubbly!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The luncheon preceded my very first book event of 2014.
Along with Lisa Mattson, author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Exes in my iPod: A Playlist of the Men that Rocked me to Wine Country</i> and
Marketing & PR Manager at Jordan Winery; and Emily Brown, author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stories of the Sisterwives: How I Survived
Dating a Sociopath</i>; I participated in a book chat led by Ian White of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">7x7 Magazine</i>.<br /><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ_OW8HBnKgBucD0qZXUOAtLnTPlZpQhnxJM-01mJ1ZpIshzJqaqt2oJD-DNPgFQrLnXvGQN_K3uEs2zQTLC1ubOaZZjW5_kxOb_oirjzcBVb0MwNRG9YUpAsItW_r5GEGL35RlueWRLZ/s1600/author+Q&A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ_OW8HBnKgBucD0qZXUOAtLnTPlZpQhnxJM-01mJ1ZpIshzJqaqt2oJD-DNPgFQrLnXvGQN_K3uEs2zQTLC1ubOaZZjW5_kxOb_oirjzcBVb0MwNRG9YUpAsItW_r5GEGL35RlueWRLZ/s1600/author+Q&A.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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With the exception of Ian, Howard Yune of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Napa Valley Register</i>, and Emily Brown’s
boyfriend, it was an all-female crowd. This came as no surprise; all three of
the featured books are women’s fiction. Somehow, Lisa convinced Ian to read
them and moderate the Q&A. Regardless of the genre, Ian enjoyed reading my
novel and left a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Want-Wine-Country-Series-ebook/product-reviews/B00FBWUJU8/ref=cm_cr_pr_top_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending" target="_blank">5-star review on Amazon</a>!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Coverage of the event was featured in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Napa Valley Register</i>, which is the first
time my book has been mentioned in print (yay!!). Read Howard Yune’s article
here: <span style="background: #F3F8FB; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1aO4zpx">bit.ly/1aO4zpx</a></span><br />
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After the book signing portion of the event, I wandered into
the tasting room for a sampling of more sparkling wines. (I am partial to the
Etoile Brut and Etoile Brut Rosé sparklers, which are always lovely). Between
the beautiful lunch, an enthusiastic attendance at my event, and the delightful
wines, this was an incredible visit that has left a lasting impression on me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The next time you’re in Napa Valley, I strongly recommend
that you plan to spend a couple hours dining, drinking, and taking in the views
at <a href="http://chandon.com/" target="_blank">Domaine Chandon</a>; it will satisfy all of your senses!<o:p></o:p></div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-2785438660938791232014-01-31T11:33:00.000-08:002014-02-03T18:32:24.176-08:00Upcoming Book Signing and Wine Tasting event at Domaine Chandon Feb. 9th<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Get in the Valentine’s Day spirit with a book chat and wine tasting at one of Napa Valley's best sparkling wine producers! I am so excited to host this event with two other Wine Country female authors. The event is from 2-4 PM on Sunday, February 9th. Please RSVP on <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-chat-and-wine-tasting-with-three-female-authors-tickets-9221918005" target="_blank">EventBrite</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/583023268457016/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. Copies of our books will be available for purchase and signing. Hope to see you there!</span><a data-mce-href="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chandon-billboard-lotstolove.jpg" href="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chandon-billboard-lotstolove.jpg" style="color: #21759b; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><img alt="chandon-billboard-lotstolove" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-271" data-mce-src="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chandon-billboard-lotstolove-300x128.jpg" src="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/chandon-billboard-lotstolove-300x128.jpg" height="128" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; clear: both; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0.857142857rem auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to myself, the following two authors will be attending: Sonoma’s Lisa Mattson, author of <em>The Exes in My iPod: A Playlist of the Men Who Rocked Me to Wine Country</em>; and Napa’s Emily Brown, author of <em>Stories from the Sisterwives: How I Survived Dating a Sociopath</em>. This event will feature a lively Q&A discussion about a range of juicy topics led by Ian White, Wine Country Director of 7x7 magazine and Creative Director of Napa Valley Life’s “INK,” followed by a book signing and wine tasting.</span></div>
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<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In case this is the first you're hearing about my novel, here's what it's about: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">During
a weekend of wine tasting in Napa Valley, Olivia Goldstein falls in love with
the beautiful landscape, the amazing wines, the friendly locals, and one
particularly attractive male tour guide. For shy and introverted Olivia who
never takes chances, this wonderful weekend is enough for her to make the most
spontaneous and terrifying decision of her life. She puts her lackluster job in
Los Angeles on hold and enrolls in a wine education program in Wine Country.
But she spends the summer learning about more than just the wine industry. As
soon as Olivia arrives, she meets three wine-savvy young women who encourage
her to step out of her comfort zone. As she dabbles in the Napa dating pool,
her awkward and often hilarious experiences teach her to appreciate her newly
acquired confidence and her supportive friends. With their help, Olivia pursues
a new career path and finally discovers her dream job. This is the first novel
in The Wine Country Series and it is about following your passion, learning to
trust your intuition, and working your way towards happiness. <a href="http://www.authorcortney.com/novel/">http://www.authorcortney.com/novel/</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Buy it on </span>Amazon ($3.99): <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBWUJU8">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBWUJU8</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy it on iTunes ($3.99): <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/where-i-want-to-be/id790472568">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/where-i-want-to-be/id790472568</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><a data-mce-href="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/dfw-lm-teimi-cover-iba-final-229x300.jpg" href="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/dfw-lm-teimi-cover-iba-final-229x300.jpg" style="color: #21759b; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><img alt="dfw-lm-teimi-cover-iba-final-229x300" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-272" data-mce-src="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/dfw-lm-teimi-cover-iba-final-229x300.jpg" src="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/dfw-lm-teimi-cover-iba-final-229x300.jpg" height="300" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; clear: both; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0.857142857rem auto; max-width: 100%;" width="229" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>About <i>The Exes in My iPod</i>:</b> When Harley Aberle got her first iPod, she created the kind of playlist every girl wants to keep on solitary lockdown. She called it The Exes—a collection of long-lost songs that instantly steamrolled her down a memory lane of men wider than a six-lane freeway. <i>The Exes in My iPod: A Playlist of the Men Who Rocked Me to Wine Country</i> is a no-holds-barred account of Harley’s quest to win the hearts of a motley crew of men during her twenties—that golden decade of poor judgment where college, career, alcohol and romance run a crash course. With a musical time capsule of “lucky 13” songs, Harley takes you on a rockin’ journey through laugh-out-loud heartaches and headaches, as this redneck waitress from a long line of alcoholics searches for true love and her calling in life—finding both in California wine country. Grab some earbuds, pour a glass of wine and kick back with an amusing e-book that will inspire you to create your own Exes playlist and discover the hidden beauty of all that baggage. <a data-mce-href="http://exesinmyipod.com/" href="http://exesinmyipod.com/" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;">http://exesinmyipod.com/</a>eBooks on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble and Kobo ($3.99): <a data-mce-href="http://exesinmyipod.com/purchase/" href="http://exesinmyipod.com/purchase/" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;">http://exesinmyipod.com/purchase/</a>Like on Facebook: <a data-mce-href="http://www.facebook.com/exesinmyipod" href="http://www.facebook.com/exesinmyipod" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;">www.facebook.com/exesinmyipod</a>Follow on Twitter: <a data-mce-href="http://www.twitter.com/lisamattsonwine" href="http://www.twitter.com/lisamattsonwine" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;">www.twitter.com/lisamattsonwine</a></span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<b><a data-mce-href="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/my-cover.jpg" href="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/my-cover.jpg" style="color: #21759b; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none;"><img alt="my-cover" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-273" data-mce-src="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/my-cover.jpg" src="http://www.authorcortney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/my-cover.jpg" height="300" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; clear: both; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0.857142857rem auto; max-width: 100%;" width="233" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">About </span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Stories from the Sisterwives: How I Survived Dating a Sociopath</i></b><b>:</b> Emily Brown was a single woman in her mid-30s living in the Midwest when a Dark Prince found her online dating profile. Fearing it was now or never, she relented to his persistent persuasion and immediately began ignoring the instinctual pulls telling her something wasn't right. Their tawdry relationship centered around guilt, shame and withholding served up by the Dark Prince until Emily put her foot down. Well, actually, she put her foot in his backpack. And that showed her all she needed to know. Emily shares the painful discovery of how the man she loved was sharing his life with other women, how she went on to befriend her "Sisterwife," and how she found herself again. “<i>Stories from the Sisterwives</i>” is the remarkable true story of heartbreak, friendship, love and triumph over the darkness. <a data-mce-href="http://storiesfromthesisterwives.com" href="http://storiesfromthesisterwives.com/" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;">http://storiesfromthesisterwives.com</a></span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Amazon ($2.99): <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Sisterwives-Survived-Dating-Sociopath-ebook/dp/B00HET7WEM" href="http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Sisterwives-Survived-Dating-Sociopath-ebook/dp/B00HET7WEM" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;">http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Sisterwives-Survived-Dating-Sociopath-ebook/dp/B00HET7WEM</a>Like on Facebook: <a data-mce-href="http://www.facebook.com/StoriesfromtheSisterwives" href="http://www.facebook.com/StoriesfromtheSisterwives" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;">http://www.facebook.com/StoriesfromtheSisterwives</a>Follow on Twitter: <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/MuddyAtwood" href="https://twitter.com/MuddyAtwood" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;">https://twitter.com/MuddyAtwood</a></span></div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-73070040964537437202014-01-18T19:10:00.000-08:002014-01-18T19:12:21.789-08:00My book is featured on the Traveling Wine Chick blog!<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the January 6th edition of
#WIML: What's in my Library on the Traveling Wine Chick wine and travel blog,
my debut novel was featured among two other wine-savvy books!</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>Where I Want to Be</i> is now available on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/where-i-want-to-be/id790472568?ls=1&mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes and the iBooks Store</a> (in addition to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBWUJU8" target="_blank">Amazon</a>). For additional reviews, please visit <a href="http://www.authorcortney.com/novel/">AuthorCortney.com</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Here's the</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #21759b; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; outline: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://travelingwinechick.com/2014/01/06/wiml-whats-in-my-library-the-january-2014-edition/" href="http://travelingwinechick.com/2014/01/06/wiml-whats-in-my-library-the-january-2014-edition/" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; outline: none;">review</a> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; outline: none;"><span style="color: #444444;">from the Traveling Wine Chick:</span></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin: 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A friend loaned me this book and I ended up with two Kindle
copies, one gifted to me and one purchased by me, so it was a sign to read this
book. My friend kept telling me I had to read it because the similarities
between the main character, Olivia, and me were so similar. He was right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin: 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While this is a book about Napa Valley wine country culture and
living, it’s also a book about learning to love yourself and learning to take
risks in order to live a passionate, fulfilling life. Like me, Olivia had a
passion for wine, but had not yet developed the confidence and self-esteem to
pursue her passion until she decided to temporarily move to Napa Valley to take
an intensive wine course. The wine course is not the focus of the book, but
rather Olivia’s growth as a self-confident woman and wine professional. She
steps out of her comfort zone many times and takes great risks to achieve her
dreams and become a happier person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin: 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am thankful that my friend recommended this book to me, as I
have embarked on the same journey and am moving to Napa Valley in less than a
week. If you are someone who has been hesitant about following your passion,
then this is the book for you.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin: 1.714285714rem; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-5krQh6-zgpVSzjmkycRYVHvIVpmiF0KeSp3P0t4bqL7sJYf7jpjN9UqSyDe9DQEu9s1bEDb__2V09hGUrLj1rDjkeS_6NCskmMjocjivAD0MkJxGOD_SuYWcNMcaMelrra4tkdyLjrt/s1600/16460_10200685926930209_1345257171_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-5krQh6-zgpVSzjmkycRYVHvIVpmiF0KeSp3P0t4bqL7sJYf7jpjN9UqSyDe9DQEu9s1bEDb__2V09hGUrLj1rDjkeS_6NCskmMjocjivAD0MkJxGOD_SuYWcNMcaMelrra4tkdyLjrt/s1600/16460_10200685926930209_1345257171_n.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Check out</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://travelingwinechick.com" href="http://travelingwinechick.com/" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; outline: none;"><span style="color: #21759b;">TravelingWineChick.com</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">for more wine-related fun!</span></div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-58190356663019860542013-12-21T10:16:00.000-08:002013-12-21T10:19:51.862-08:00Top 10 wines of 2013<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">‘Twas the year
of Pinot Noir… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">While scrolling
through my bottle shots in iPhoto and clicking through the past year’s posts, I realize
I was on quite the Pinot Noir kick—all year long! I picked the following wines
as “favorites” because they stood out in my mind and/or I enjoyed them more
than once. Here they are, in no particular order:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Laurent Perrier
Brut Champagne NV</b>: I always like to begin with Champagne, and the LP never gets
old to me! I enjoyed it on my birthday in October; every time I have gone to La
Folie on Polk Street in SF in the past three months; and on countless occasions
during the summer. There are even two half-bottles of it in my fridge as I
write this. Bright and crisp, this Champagne is always a great price (under $40
retail, less than $20/glass in restaurants) and delicious every time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2010 Dominique
Cornin Pouilly-Fuisse</b>: When I was working in the city, I accidentally
grabbed a bottle of this instead of the $20/bottle Cornin Macon-Chaintre (which
I think is a great value and <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/03/2010-cornin-macon-chaintre-sexy.html" target="_blank">blogged about in the spring</a>). Alas, I was pleasantly
surprised with this Pouilly-Fuisse ($35/bottle), as it was a notch up in complexity and
fruit flavors from its more affordable sibling wine. Unadorned with oak, this
Chardonnay also has terrific acidity without the mouth-puckering quality of biting
into a lemon. If you know where to find in the Bay Area, please let me know!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2011 Domaine
Perraud Mâcon-Village Vielles Vignes</b>: Yes, another White Burgundy. I’ve become a
huge fan, especially when said wine is only $18/bottle. Totally unoaked, this
is a great wine for summertime and seafood, as mentioned in the <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/07/refreshing-summertime-sippers.html" target="_blank">July 18thblog post.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNP1JgdaINON9mi_E-HIq-XwCNhgx4PEYdLXasToLDDMtupz4Z6Dd2Tu2cTMWfVHsS3IPv4Aoumun4-NxGzVaj7-7oAJA5309IRZIUuNjdkShtF8FILLpa8rLJzTBv7qRkfhvRx99GGB29/s1600/IMG_3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNP1JgdaINON9mi_E-HIq-XwCNhgx4PEYdLXasToLDDMtupz4Z6Dd2Tu2cTMWfVHsS3IPv4Aoumun4-NxGzVaj7-7oAJA5309IRZIUuNjdkShtF8FILLpa8rLJzTBv7qRkfhvRx99GGB29/s320/IMG_3083.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2009 Gary
Farrell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir</b>: I listed the vintage only because it
was a 2009 I <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/09/what-to-drink-now-chardonnay-pinot-noir.html" target="_blank">blogged about back in September.</a> But at the winery in Healdsburg
last month, I had the opportunity to taste a few single-vineyard Pinot gems
that you won’t find in stores. The 2011 Gary Farrell Hallberg Vineyard Pinot
Noir ($55/bottle) has a perfume of rose petals and dark berries. On the palate,
notes of ripe plum and red currants are bolstered by ample acid and silky
tannins. And the views of Russian River Valley from the tasting room are
spectacular!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2009 Kosta
Browne Gaps Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir</b>: I really liked the 2009 Kosta Browne
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir as well, which I tried on July 4<sup>th</sup>
(but didn’t blog about) and then enjoyed again at a party in October. It was awesome
tasting the RRV and the Gaps Crown Vineyard side-by-side. Mr. Browne does an
excellent job of taming the tannins that Gaps Crown fruit is known for, while
keeping the mouthfeel lush and satiny. It’s a full-bodied Pinot fit for a steak
or similarly full-flavored meal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2010 Alysian
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir</b>: I never mentioned this particular wine in a
blog post, but it is delicious ($42/bottle). It has been on the
wine-by-the-glass menu at Main Street Wine Bar in Tiburon for the past six
months—for a reason: everybody loves it. It has that classic dark cherry cola
flavor with just a hint of earthiness and a luscious mouthfeel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPHK0P7Xst-naddZJDXrFlrVLvgBwN1C517J9YyfQVqvVK4xeIv1IHlv4zLjPNtT0UNnxnxzwAvYyL7ebaDgBtqQNzUHRxqTDjxp6AYFhMynJ6ZaoDH7PtiZBiQRLtZ-YU84e6do-AW0I/s1600/IMG_1217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPHK0P7Xst-naddZJDXrFlrVLvgBwN1C517J9YyfQVqvVK4xeIv1IHlv4zLjPNtT0UNnxnxzwAvYyL7ebaDgBtqQNzUHRxqTDjxp6AYFhMynJ6ZaoDH7PtiZBiQRLtZ-YU84e6do-AW0I/s320/IMG_1217.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2011 Sojourn
Cellars Wohler Vineyard (Russian River Valley) Pinot Noir</b>: Are you seeing a
pattern here? I love Russian River Valley Pinots! This particular one even got
a mention in my novel and was mentioned in the highlights of <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/10/release-party-round-up.html" target="_blank">my “Release PartyRound-up” post</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsD7JfCECkThSwL18vX6CHKcHX46CojJnigBIh-2cMWMq6ixEK3FLrh8Znxf32gq-eU6oUHoWAsGw_lQF022AzcJsWbwzdAgKYpvfDW9IPZsqaBAL9_WCCF5784rhm6yeyMgqNd-a765Z/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsD7JfCECkThSwL18vX6CHKcHX46CojJnigBIh-2cMWMq6ixEK3FLrh8Znxf32gq-eU6oUHoWAsGw_lQF022AzcJsWbwzdAgKYpvfDW9IPZsqaBAL9_WCCF5784rhm6yeyMgqNd-a765Z/s320/IMG_2844.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2010 Anaba
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir</b>: I discovered this wine at my favorite restaurant,
Picco in Larkspur, after driving by the winery hundreds of times. I finally
stopped in at the tasting room, which is a quaint spot just off the 121/12
intersection in Carneros and <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/07/carneros-appellation-recommendations.html" target="_blank">blogged about it in July</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87OAxj39ClGWJE5KeMuB05cTy84CDdJZMe-CVZPamZsKME5J_Ycclo9MVsFCKyoDqmaAxtRrj-3OGpYQ6oMR_7nlQ7aHZ5eJusYyRx8MqTjx118Ht7ztYC7On22_WEJDe53YLP80QhkfZ/s1600/IMG_2753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87OAxj39ClGWJE5KeMuB05cTy84CDdJZMe-CVZPamZsKME5J_Ycclo9MVsFCKyoDqmaAxtRrj-3OGpYQ6oMR_7nlQ7aHZ5eJusYyRx8MqTjx118Ht7ztYC7On22_WEJDe53YLP80QhkfZ/s320/IMG_2753.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2010 Sequana
Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir</b>: This was a popular wine on many by-the-glass
menus in the spring—and I was quite happy about that. I also love the darker,
richer Sequana Pinot from Russian River Valley and compared the two in a <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/05/special-pinot-noirs-from-sequana.html" target="_blank">postback in May</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_EpNKKd11Mqmr0dYgH8zHbPqa58zdqvFgi3TfiUk5IQ05YdPEpNs8yH_jln9gDFrP6P_iJwFeynxrQrmOJo9NB9RaGb4M7j_U6A13CJmVb7a-YXlQiV4YfJj5WgTx5WckqptjapNeF2t/s1600/IMG_1805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_EpNKKd11Mqmr0dYgH8zHbPqa58zdqvFgi3TfiUk5IQ05YdPEpNs8yH_jln9gDFrP6P_iJwFeynxrQrmOJo9NB9RaGb4M7j_U6A13CJmVb7a-YXlQiV4YfJj5WgTx5WckqptjapNeF2t/s320/IMG_1805.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2009 Cornerstone
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon</b>: I have to include at least one Napa wine on
this list! And this is it. This new release from one of my favorite wineries is
a delicious Cab, which I included the tasting notes for in my <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/12/book-signing-recap-at-cornerstone.html" target="_blank">last post</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A few other
wines that I really enjoyed in the past year were the 2009 Castello di Amarosa
Sangiovese, the 2010 Tendril Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 2010
Rubissow Mt. Veeder Merlot and the 2012 Hess Collection Albarino. I would love
to hear your favorite wines of the past year—please post your comments below or
on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sipswirlsavor" target="_blank">my Facebook page</a>. Cheers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">P.S. The hardback edition of <i>Where I Want to Be: A Wine Country Novel </i>is still available for purchase at <a href="http://authorcortney.com/">authorcortney.com</a> or consider the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBWUJU8" target="_blank">ebook</a> as a gift for yourself or a fiction-loving friend (no shipping fee, all you need is the recipient's email address). The ebook is exclusively for Kindle and the Kindle app for iPad, iPhone, and iMac.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
P.P.S. I look forward to sharing more of my reviews and wine-tasting
experiences with you in 2014. Happy Holidays!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-82170931523501282912013-12-04T18:35:00.001-08:002013-12-05T09:53:29.256-08:00Book signing recap at Cornerstone Cellars<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a great turnout for my first-ever book signing party
at <a href="http://cornerstonecellars.com/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Cellars</a> in Napa Valley this past weekend. In my novel, <i><a href="http://authorcortney.com/novel" target="_blank">Where I Want to Be</a>,</i> the
main characters visit the Cornerstone tasting room in Yountville. It was the perfect venue for my event!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0uvikCHViwIMlwJ24lVKSbo751rePtVrLuNgxrYJn_1HV8arakMhXN5pz7wHNqxI_n2MfraMvJThbKeBNzxgAjFlD07u1jGBjQzZIP5P_bPPRwtZTQr_mg3OUYbLtD2hqbcCAxZ4GfqJ/s1600/IMGP3122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0uvikCHViwIMlwJ24lVKSbo751rePtVrLuNgxrYJn_1HV8arakMhXN5pz7wHNqxI_n2MfraMvJThbKeBNzxgAjFlD07u1jGBjQzZIP5P_bPPRwtZTQr_mg3OUYbLtD2hqbcCAxZ4GfqJ/s320/IMGP3122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In between chatting with my Wine Country friends and
answering questions about my book (no, it’s not autobiographical!) to new fans, I took the
chance to taste through the current line up of Cornerstone wines:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYag3535HU-HCP8v1oAF9HR80ijoeaevDlddnA4OUdBb7TkOFfGaZnr9DFxHp1qms3_nqI7wOcA6PtiSJztGkwz2y794WhwRc7gZvcNC_Yu-AVCE24fw-ewzrNCBErCLQ8li_aZPwpcie1/s1600/IMG_2085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYag3535HU-HCP8v1oAF9HR80ijoeaevDlddnA4OUdBb7TkOFfGaZnr9DFxHp1qms3_nqI7wOcA6PtiSJztGkwz2y794WhwRc7gZvcNC_Yu-AVCE24fw-ewzrNCBErCLQ8li_aZPwpcie1/s320/IMG_2085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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2011 Stepping Stone Napa Valley Riesling ($20/bottle): Yes,
it’s a dry Riesling! This wine has a fresh and lively attitude with bright
citrus notes and an alluring finish. <o:p></o:p></div>
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2011 Willamette Valley Chardonnay ($40/bottle): Lots of
Meyer lemon on the palate with a kiss of vanilla and a long finish citrusy
finish. This would be an amazing complement to fresh crab. Mmmmm….<o:p></o:p></div>
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2010 Stepping Stone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
($35/bottle): This delightful Pinot Noir is young and fruity with notes of ripe
raspberry, cranberry, and juicy strawberry. Vanilla and spice are super-subtle
on the finish. Very easy to drink!<o:p></o:p></div>
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2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($65/bottle): This
brand-new release has “drink me” written all over it. The rich and complex
palate offers delicious notes of dark red berries and dark chocolate supported
by velvety tannins. (I went back for seconds of this one!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD3C5VoFrm5vM86RxI6X9dBIyu9I9NZrFmwzo9sNPwUgToRvR_HB6LrIRMj9j-7Vrvd0QS-7VbjGpeJFeA_0kUhFw-5qAlowfrtJx5fVckg2SIEojm2chdq2VnlNkVRen4MfF9ivPHBmK/s1600/IMG_1825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD3C5VoFrm5vM86RxI6X9dBIyu9I9NZrFmwzo9sNPwUgToRvR_HB6LrIRMj9j-7Vrvd0QS-7VbjGpeJFeA_0kUhFw-5qAlowfrtJx5fVckg2SIEojm2chdq2VnlNkVRen4MfF9ivPHBmK/s320/IMG_1825.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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2010 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($80/bottle): This
wine has such a gorgeous perfume that becomes more pronounced with every swirl.
Think blackberry jam, fresh sage, and black licorice. On the palate, a mélange of
ripe dark fruits charms the taste buds with a finish that lingers seductively
until your next sip. A little age on this wine will help smooth out the sturdy
tannins. I tasted the 2009 vintage of this wine on Sunday night and it is
divine. But it is also quite youthful; it was even better the second day. Don’t
forget to decant!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you're going to be in the Napa Valley this weekend, please visit the Hill Family Estate tasting salon on Saturday, 12/7 from 2-4 PM for my second book signing event! <a href="http://authorcortney.com/upcoming-events" target="_blank">Click here for more info.</a></div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-87366650482446421182013-11-23T11:09:00.000-08:002013-11-23T11:11:14.875-08:00Serve Brut Rosé at your next holiday soirée <div class="MsoNormal">
It is nearing Thanksgiving and I would like to declare how
grateful I am for pink bubbles. I can enjoy brut rosé all year long, but there
is something about a bottle of bubbly that makes any occasion feel more festive.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIfNhpvI7LlnzKqsRm6GvytLr1q9yfKIcwS7A67NPdjn1IF2b1dEjCDqvizH8SAkFJeFQmzfKQetHyYT9Hndciw8nsnNh3HNRrnz1pDcbAfsLSL45gkGBeeEer4JRBpx-8VMgMkpw37MW/s1600/glasses-of-rose-champagne-served-at-reception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIfNhpvI7LlnzKqsRm6GvytLr1q9yfKIcwS7A67NPdjn1IF2b1dEjCDqvizH8SAkFJeFQmzfKQetHyYT9Hndciw8nsnNh3HNRrnz1pDcbAfsLSL45gkGBeeEer4JRBpx-8VMgMkpw37MW/s320/glasses-of-rose-champagne-served-at-reception.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With a whisper of sweetness, most brut rosé wines are quite
pleasant on their own and pair well with soft lighter cheeses (think goat chèvre or
burrata), seafood (particularly smoked salmon), and even turkey. Any of these pretty
sparklers are sure to impress your dinner guests this Thursday and throughout
the holiday season:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwUesRWHm5kZzHF0Cgs0aj7oliXmUDAOEbXOzEzE12yt0f6H6h6bEMw1XpXhUgAHrWRFO-F33Mg20StKch9DhCnlOjPrA54mrkZOY1qWNiNsZZQ66A4LWet2YsFSLRQiVPOkYVGB4tmYt/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwUesRWHm5kZzHF0Cgs0aj7oliXmUDAOEbXOzEzE12yt0f6H6h6bEMw1XpXhUgAHrWRFO-F33Mg20StKch9DhCnlOjPrA54mrkZOY1qWNiNsZZQ66A4LWet2YsFSLRQiVPOkYVGB4tmYt/s320/IMG_1856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.legrandcourtage.com/" target="_blank">Le Grand Courtâge Grand Cuvée Brut Rosé NV</a> is a French
sparkler made of Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc and Gamay. Thanks to the addition of
the Gamay, this wine has a lovely fruitiness to it with a delicate sweetness.
Fresh and vibrant, it offers aromas of ripe strawberries and white flowers
while the palate extends flavors of wild strawberry and white peach. It can be
found locally for as low as $20 a bottle at Three Birds Wine Bar & Bottle
Shop in Corte Madera and Vintage Wine & Spirits in Mill Valley. Great
value!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeluBGvms-1elLRPcuL8eo2eJiMY6_wpDX8SbOTWVWc224OgF3eRdBRZEPhEsSm92Mr3RQiDBMvOktdQip00OUj_PblN_EcHxpxS5JmX0b-hQFBXyf4F-TaxCN00wFHL521voQU-Z27dB/s1600/IMG_1651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeluBGvms-1elLRPcuL8eo2eJiMY6_wpDX8SbOTWVWc224OgF3eRdBRZEPhEsSm92Mr3RQiDBMvOktdQip00OUj_PblN_EcHxpxS5JmX0b-hQFBXyf4F-TaxCN00wFHL521voQU-Z27dB/s200/IMG_1651.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.jwine.com/en/Wines/Sparkling/J-Brut-Rose" target="_blank">J Brut Rosé Russian River Valley NV</a> ($38/bottle) has long
been one of my favorite California bubblies. It is 66% Pinot Noir, 33%
Chardonnay, and 1% Pinot Meunier. It has a bright coral hue to it and a lovely
perfume of strawberry and freshly baked bread. The palate is layered with notes
of rose petal, strawberry and raspberry. As you can see, it disappears quickly!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsSh6PLafOib_Qcl3hIb-F-xTScpi-d7gJ4EDz21v3K5GX1ymuPkIBuzDr5M89Rd3ZevH3p1T1q03i26NjtNhEqikWmY5jmguoeff2i5PZDq98enoKcykKPQuZsN9QLFkO2wyANhXFZc3/s1600/IMG_2943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsSh6PLafOib_Qcl3hIb-F-xTScpi-d7gJ4EDz21v3K5GX1ymuPkIBuzDr5M89Rd3ZevH3p1T1q03i26NjtNhEqikWmY5jmguoeff2i5PZDq98enoKcykKPQuZsN9QLFkO2wyANhXFZc3/s320/IMG_2943.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut Champagne NV ($85/bottle 750 mL; </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://mainstreetwinebar.net/">mainstreetwinebar.net</a></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">) is made from 100% Pinot Noir. It is a glorious magenta hue with powerful notes of black currant, sweet cherry, and raspberry. Rivals Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé in complexity and richness (and price!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlcQlbk_5vqfrhLLe5S69XQhKCbi2FgtY5EdK9lzDdw9kkGbG7Tgyf7mMVH42-uD_JZRlRPXBWRerbr6QiciU64zHgXniz4nyw7_DYW3gJKobYlEOMW0ge0GWUxPFFOTEDzyQwgMQ6PUq/s1600/IMG_1724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlcQlbk_5vqfrhLLe5S69XQhKCbi2FgtY5EdK9lzDdw9kkGbG7Tgyf7mMVH42-uD_JZRlRPXBWRerbr6QiciU64zHgXniz4nyw7_DYW3gJKobYlEOMW0ge0GWUxPFFOTEDzyQwgMQ6PUq/s320/IMG_1724.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled
with friends, family, and amazing wines like these - and maybe a good book?! The hardback edition of <i>Where I Want to Be</i> is now available for purchase at <a href="http://authorcortney.com/novel">authorcortney.com/novel</a>. </span><span style="background-color: white;">If you have another wine
you like to pair with turkey dinner, please leave a comment here, on Facebook,
or Twitter. Gobble gobble!</span></div>
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Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-45625487901400632202013-11-09T15:12:00.001-08:002013-11-09T15:12:30.961-08:00Crazy about Cab Franc
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Of the Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Franc has always been a
favorite of mine. Usually a tad bit lighter in body compared to Cabernet
Sauvignon, Franc generally offers supple tannins; a ripe, fruit-forward palate; and a
hint of exotic spice. I have blogged about Cab Franc from boutique producers
such as <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2012/03/my-top-10-wines-plus-few-more.html" target="_blank">Titus</a>, <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2012/09/cabernet-deserves-more-than-one-day.html" target="_blank">Crocker & Starr</a> and <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2012/07/david-arthur-winery-incredible-views.html" target="_blank">David Arthur</a>; now I can add Cornerstone
Cellars to that list.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoR_Jw7PHanLg9FKl2CQMYsCVMYaHa5vxDv7HCRgshd7SfCNbbV5B6TplBp5r9eRIhewfcQx9TFsUwUxV3oHdJzpkh3HT8IB17ntw3AvPKR0x5EM9yZcZkfiDwH95Aq_2q7i980iq91U_/s1600/IMG_1057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoR_Jw7PHanLg9FKl2CQMYsCVMYaHa5vxDv7HCRgshd7SfCNbbV5B6TplBp5r9eRIhewfcQx9TFsUwUxV3oHdJzpkh3HT8IB17ntw3AvPKR0x5EM9yZcZkfiDwH95Aq_2q7i980iq91U_/s320/IMG_1057.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://cornerstonecellars.com/" target="_blank">2010 Stepping Stone by Cornerstone Cabernet Franc</a> is an
approachable Napa Valley red with distinction. With savory aromas of red pepper
and dried herbs, it is quite different than its Cabernet Sauvignon counterpart.
This Franc offers super-smooth tannins, bright acidity, and luscious red berry
flavors. Blended with 8% Merlot, this wine is aged in 100% French oak (50%
new). It is youthful and bright; enjoy it now or hold on to it for a couple
years.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0Ih4Mx-fX95eDYH3vDYJgkZqmgv82ZUjHj-_2CL0xO5u0Jm4DdLZj0zalELVY6zhFyPWO9bLL3866k05RH1oY4nhGzERrR7625g00LOnYVOZ0m3ijO2KBLfju4fPE0wBf3-A4eBK_i77/s1600/IMG_1079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0Ih4Mx-fX95eDYH3vDYJgkZqmgv82ZUjHj-_2CL0xO5u0Jm4DdLZj0zalELVY6zhFyPWO9bLL3866k05RH1oY4nhGzERrR7625g00LOnYVOZ0m3ijO2KBLfju4fPE0wBf3-A4eBK_i77/s320/IMG_1079.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Cabernet Franc is a unique wine because less than 3% of Napa
Valley vineyards are planted to this varietal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cornerstone produces less than 800 cases of
Cab Franc and sources the fruit from vineyards in St. Helena and Carneros. It
was a great match for the homemade spaghetti Bolognese with sautéed mushrooms
and fresh basil I cooked for dinner last week. At $35/bottle, this wine offers
value and food-pairing flexibility. Find it in their Yountville Tasting Room, which is mentioned in my debut novel <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBWUJU8" target="_blank">Where I Want to Be: A Wine Country Novel</a>, </i>or order it directly from their <a href="http://cornerstonecellars.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. Cheers!</div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-17372399524437872052013-10-26T17:35:00.002-07:002013-10-26T17:35:31.317-07:00Oh, those beautiful Burgundian varieties...
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What I love about Pinot Noir is its food-pairing potential. Either
light and earthy or rich and fruit-forward, the Pinot Noirs grown in California
can pair with just about everything (roasted salmon, mushroom risotto, pizza, roasted duck, seared ahi tuna, lasagna or past, cheeses and charcuterie...the list goes on and on). </div>
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Last week, I went to <a href="http://www.vinantico.com/" target="_blank">Vin Antico</a> in San Rafael and ordered
the rabbit entrée. The meal was delicious, but the Cabernet Sauvignon that the
server suggested was just too tannic for such a delicate white-meat dish. So I
asked for a glass of White Burgundy, which paired perfectly with the rabbit as
well as the sautéed corn on the plate. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgngDclTiX_M3YWyKNjBse6qsjUgPemAlapzZT7j5MTjik_kS9Wy2x5QRrbqFNE2e8soCedlk5DGuMmGgGK3uXG1O2AgZdv7KVDCMDFbwVM0SSBZcsFhnFGMvJywxPKH13G21gFIplrdH/s1600/IMG_1528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgngDclTiX_M3YWyKNjBse6qsjUgPemAlapzZT7j5MTjik_kS9Wy2x5QRrbqFNE2e8soCedlk5DGuMmGgGK3uXG1O2AgZdv7KVDCMDFbwVM0SSBZcsFhnFGMvJywxPKH13G21gFIplrdH/s320/IMG_1528.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The 2010 Louis Latour Chardonnay Montagny Premier Cru from
the La Grande Roche Vineyard ($20/bottle; <a href="http://wine.com/">wine.com</a>) is a pretty golden hue in
the glass. It offers bright green apple and lively acidity on the palate. Medium-bodied,
it has a creamy texture and a mineral-driven finish. It was also divine with
the sheep’s milk cheese we enjoyed for dessert.<br />
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After dessert, we ended up at the restaurant's bar for a glass of Pinot Noir. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYUdJ8FAz_jZBdmVJ-batGHMsNZirvRP5E5q2im-zMdV3QRpqGwD4cJ4Cxf-XilwQOT7XBZEBzxuLZs6KwcrE7hcM4-dDgYmAxfiqe26pkAeI7PPTx-5HVmOqMNW8PhqIiTR0lsY9LbL-/s1600/larue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYUdJ8FAz_jZBdmVJ-batGHMsNZirvRP5E5q2im-zMdV3QRpqGwD4cJ4Cxf-XilwQOT7XBZEBzxuLZs6KwcrE7hcM4-dDgYmAxfiqe26pkAeI7PPTx-5HVmOqMNW8PhqIiTR0lsY9LbL-/s320/larue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The 2010 LaRue Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir greets
the nose with aromas of rose petal, violets, and sweet red fruit. On the
palate, this elegant and flavorful wine delivers juicy red raspberry flavors, a
silky-smooth texture, and nice complexity. Only 310 cases were produced
($68/bottle; <a href="http://laruewines.com/">laruewines.com</a>).<br />
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P.S. This wine would have been an awesome match for the rabbit dish!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9W4tHYCLBrGHxmY5G062PknZZMf9lZvZ5NtuCWu_FwjJn2yEspTImPyBS6O92nuuN5Fb6t1eWY4OxF4CN4I45tK5He9bKjGScNqpMPpB4WNTlWp2wkp-nCjaPxM5TBm2eSvT2WjOeies/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9W4tHYCLBrGHxmY5G062PknZZMf9lZvZ5NtuCWu_FwjJn2yEspTImPyBS6O92nuuN5Fb6t1eWY4OxF4CN4I45tK5He9bKjGScNqpMPpB4WNTlWp2wkp-nCjaPxM5TBm2eSvT2WjOeies/s320/IMG_1618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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That being said, this wine (like many Pinot Noirs) was delicious paired with nothing other than good
company. For so many reasons, I am becoming quite a fan of Burgundy
varieties...</div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-41653451183935127382013-10-15T19:10:00.000-07:002013-10-15T19:29:02.921-07:00Release Party Round Up<div class="MsoNormal">
On October 5th, I threw myself a party in honor of the
release of my new ebook, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where I Want to
Be: A Wine Country Novel.</i> This is the first of four novels in the Wine Country
Series and it contains many real wine and winery references. If you have been
reading <i>Sip, Swirl, Savor</i> for any length of time, you know I only promote wines
that I am passionate about. The same goes for the wines I mention in the
novel—they are my favorite wines and places to visit. Naturally, I sourced the
same wines for the party!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp3emPluZvY7l9jjPdsVxNKURDgLEjACREibqeZVC7r5G86pYmjc4Op0JudzDR13lihTMww7-G5R9Mgy_iC4uyI4G8u5wqPmMDr3RtqkjEFE7jK2nBcfjAnhuOTMQRxwvyPDZCIiNyq84/s1600/IMG_1122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp3emPluZvY7l9jjPdsVxNKURDgLEjACREibqeZVC7r5G86pYmjc4Op0JudzDR13lihTMww7-G5R9Mgy_iC4uyI4G8u5wqPmMDr3RtqkjEFE7jK2nBcfjAnhuOTMQRxwvyPDZCIiNyq84/s320/IMG_1122.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
You can’t call it a celebration without bubbles, so we
popped the cork on a bottle of <b><a href="http://www.jwine.com/Wines/Sparkling/J-Cuvee-20-Brut-NV" target="_blank">J Cuvée 20 Brut NV</a></b> ($28/bottle) right off the
bat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, this J sparkler was a
crowd pleaser. A blend of 50% Chardonnay, 49% Pinot Noir and 1% Pinot Meunier,
this Russian River Valley bubbly is elegant and sumptuous. It offers zesty
citrus notes and yeasty aromas with flavors of pear, toast, and almonds. It was
spectacular to sip on it’s own but it was also quite lovely with a variety of
cheeses, olives, and Marcona almonds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHiG6XWTzMtb_RNSSae4HGU4DF4q56xVLy1guVO7Gy-sOzW9aVEMjRCtnZLOvJWlTht3fY25VLTcRLCCJVtGTcrtS0cZbqKMT3Rs8aNt5rvMW5sIIh3oo7qqgInCJh7a76RfB22jaPTZb/s1600/IMG_1253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHiG6XWTzMtb_RNSSae4HGU4DF4q56xVLy1guVO7Gy-sOzW9aVEMjRCtnZLOvJWlTht3fY25VLTcRLCCJVtGTcrtS0cZbqKMT3Rs8aNt5rvMW5sIIh3oo7qqgInCJh7a76RfB22jaPTZb/s320/IMG_1253.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The <b><a href="http://www.gloriaferrer.com/wines/blanc-de-noirs/" target="_blank">Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs NV</a></b> ($22/bottle) is what we
toasted the success of my ebook with. (It’s a delicious wine, let’s hope it’s a
lucky one too!) This pale-pink bubbly is 82% Pinot Noir and 8% Chardonnay, all
of which is hand-harvested from the 340-acre estate in Carneros (Sonoma). With
lots of bright strawberry and bright acidity, this too is a wine that is great
with ripe cheeses or duck liver mousse, ahi tuna, or smoked salmon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexeQeKhiOLKTlKoUc7piLFfWiEI41JzuXbMlh65r3adEVTesLMOr5JQU3IKcyyARTiDKVqZ-l0rBPmNgJ-0HUayx4pzeTjsexT48Kl0b6hcD6x_TLitysEIQSicqqSqlywfxQvE03QEzW/s1600/IMG_1123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexeQeKhiOLKTlKoUc7piLFfWiEI41JzuXbMlh65r3adEVTesLMOr5JQU3IKcyyARTiDKVqZ-l0rBPmNgJ-0HUayx4pzeTjsexT48Kl0b6hcD6x_TLitysEIQSicqqSqlywfxQvE03QEzW/s320/IMG_1123.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The <b><a href="http://www.cornerstonecellars.com/product/2012-Napa-Valley-Pinot-Gris?pageID=38732695-b5ef-7447-cc85-aeaf5221bc30&sortBy=DisplayOrder&maxRows=6&" target="_blank">2012 Stepping Stone Napa Valley Pinot Gris</a></b> ($20/bottle)
is a brand-new release from Cornerstone Cellars. This fresh and lively white
wine with its colorful label was the perfect accompaniment to the joyous energy
of the celebration. With crisp fruit flavors and
great acidity, this is a terrific warm weather wine and great with appetizers of all kinds!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ0q7HqdRbrrQBRnmz55BuSdBckcjR3fsAT-qaSCHioAHpvmjp3obxeG1Wt3odrLsYjVrnCSSjJ5CDAeWf6sA5SixHLWomvuZcfRIGOpsPi42KuxtTqWTLF0b8mVZqUkjNV0xh1PKpsyK/s1600/IMG_1112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ0q7HqdRbrrQBRnmz55BuSdBckcjR3fsAT-qaSCHioAHpvmjp3obxeG1Wt3odrLsYjVrnCSSjJ5CDAeWf6sA5SixHLWomvuZcfRIGOpsPi42KuxtTqWTLF0b8mVZqUkjNV0xh1PKpsyK/s320/IMG_1112.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Side note: Interestingly enough, the three wineries above just recently
debuted beautiful new websites! After launching my new <b><a href="http://www.authorcortney.com/" target="_blank">Author Cortney</a></b> website,
I can appreciate how much effort goes into this process. I love the new look at <a href="http://jwine.com/">Jwine.com</a>, <a href="http://gloriaferrer.com/">GloriaFerrer.com</a>, and <a href="http://cornerstonecellars.com/">Cornerstonecellars.com</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wgAUkH8nt_4OmcDnwSoVxfDAgQia3XDWO0ZzPNc1aBp5YhXIlb1hbrfjRkvtJC91k6LXGVuD_n_g_Jz-_zdUGEQW0lBm1gzDpoPrT4v0LvCUWlXlAn-gXt8BMhuYchsBxo9XUE_df8zb/s1600/IMG_1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wgAUkH8nt_4OmcDnwSoVxfDAgQia3XDWO0ZzPNc1aBp5YhXIlb1hbrfjRkvtJC91k6LXGVuD_n_g_Jz-_zdUGEQW0lBm1gzDpoPrT4v0LvCUWlXlAn-gXt8BMhuYchsBxo9XUE_df8zb/s320/IMG_1114.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Another white wine that attendees sipped while I read one of my
favorite excerpts from the ebook was the <b><a href="http://www.honigwine.com/Sauvignon-Blanc" target="_blank">2012 Honig Sauvignon Blanc</a> </b>($17/bottle). It’s a white-gold color in the glass with subtle aromas of mango,
lime and lemongrass. On the palate, it has zippy acidity with bright tropical
fruit flavors. This wine is very refreshing and such a great value. Ten percent is aged in neutral oak barrels and it is blended
with 2% Semillon and 1% Muscat. Yum! </div>
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After the party, a small group of us went to the <b><a href="http://lodgeattiburon.com/amenities/tiburon-tavern/" target="_blank">Tiburon Tavern</a></b> for dinner where we enjoyed the <a href="http://www.sojourncellars.com/wines-vineyards/2011/pinot-noir-wohler" target="_blank"><b>2011 Sojourn Cellars Wohler Vineyard Pinot Noir </b></a>($48/bottle). This is one of my favorite Sojourn wines. About 500
cases were produced from this small Russian River Valley vineyard. It has that
classic cherry cola flavor along with a super-smooth mouthfeel and moderate
weight. It paired perfectly with the lamb sliders! <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you like reading this wine blog, check out my <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBWUJU8" target="_blank">new ebook</a></b>,
which is available exclusively on Amazon. <i>Where I Want to Be</i> started as a blog
post, and then got longer and longer until I started referring to it (and
self-published it) as a novel. Although it’s women’s fiction, quite a few men
have already read it (and enjoyed it!). I hope you’ll enjoy it too. Cheers!</div>
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Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-57069068585224201962013-09-30T21:36:00.001-07:002013-10-15T19:25:44.721-07:00Wine & Women's Fiction: the Perfect Pairing!Over the past 18 months, I have written—and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBWUJU8" target="_blank">self-published</a>—a
novel about life in Wine Country. It started as a collection of dating stories with a bunch of wine
references (because blind dates are better, or at least funnier, when wine is involved). I started referring to these wine-fueled musings as a novel when the page count hit 200 (and I wasn't done yet).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxJPzTA31ZV1q6dwQ6f1pu92hKbDXoBnD_eXQw-IxXvLIgHb-XbAKxwhsfrLK-0h0F79yBZY-YYQ-77KqKfaDimrDqdht8zWxKIJvza3rscH_bl8slitvaTXpXWMpIX3PLFVBR0dk6FE2/s1600/tile-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxJPzTA31ZV1q6dwQ6f1pu92hKbDXoBnD_eXQw-IxXvLIgHb-XbAKxwhsfrLK-0h0F79yBZY-YYQ-77KqKfaDimrDqdht8zWxKIJvza3rscH_bl8slitvaTXpXWMpIX3PLFVBR0dk6FE2/s320/tile-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've always known I would be a novelist. In the Creative Writing program at USC, the lesson plans
focused on writing short stories, poetry, essays or journalistic articles. But even after graduating with a B.A. in Creative Writing and getting lots of writing experience (including penning a weekly wine column for the <i>Daily Trojan)</i>, I felt unprepared for what I really wanted to do. All my professors told me to "write what you know", but I didn't know how to write a novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
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So now that I’ve finished my first novel—and begun working
on the second one—everyone wants to know about the process. Maybe they didn't teach novel-writing at USC because it comes down to two simple things:
a few great ideas and lots of hard work. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5u_YCrbklWU8LmWglQt_oZseVQzV9ZKp38QDPSQbiLwX7uAw4jZcejWYotWz5ATa1f2NRZTUCodGvbmdIubz14WgGPI2DL2VtiP2mW39r6dcXiX9foQnIfJIIKH0t7QnHzcnYEWkj951/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5u_YCrbklWU8LmWglQt_oZseVQzV9ZKp38QDPSQbiLwX7uAw4jZcejWYotWz5ATa1f2NRZTUCodGvbmdIubz14WgGPI2DL2VtiP2mW39r6dcXiX9foQnIfJIIKH0t7QnHzcnYEWkj951/s200/IMG_0943.JPG" width="200" /></a>Oh, and a good editor, supportive friends, and many bottles
of wine... </div>
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The easiest part of writing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.authorcortney.com/Novel/" target="_blank">Where I Want to Be</a> </i>was deciding which wines to mention<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>I looked back at four years’ worth of
blog posts and picked out the most memorable ones. </div>
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After writing about eight drafts and proofreading until my
eyes hurt, I am thrilled with the feedback from fellow wine bloggers and
friends! And although this novel is “women’s fiction”, I know one guy who read
it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Click here to check out Alana Gentry’s review on
<a href="http://girlwithaglass.com/">girlwithaglass.com</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMZrXUHQgpwOm_05B_VzHXbmi2v95YfhX9w6dqmaaTpuqzsh1cXbqYf_bKoFbbEba-hE7UeN6kjCb2gJmIJ8J4IrZH2PHebqi3sAV04K7cWtdLmpOF2zbqkH5HrrCKA334Jkmo_dZeBdV/s1600/IMG_0787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMZrXUHQgpwOm_05B_VzHXbmi2v95YfhX9w6dqmaaTpuqzsh1cXbqYf_bKoFbbEba-hE7UeN6kjCb2gJmIJ8J4IrZH2PHebqi3sAV04K7cWtdLmpOF2zbqkH5HrrCKA334Jkmo_dZeBdV/s320/IMG_0787.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I hope that you will <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FBWUJU8" target="_blank">buy my debut novel on Amazon today</a> and
enjoy it too. Preferably with a big glass of wine!
<br />
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Cheers, </div>
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Cortney</div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-46527375770793129192013-09-24T14:29:00.001-07:002013-09-24T14:29:24.285-07:00So many delicious Mt. Veeder wines!
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This past Saturday was the 14<sup>th</sup> Annual Mt. Veeder
Appellation tasting at The Hess Collection in Napa. Surprisingly, it was also
the first rainfall of the season. Despite a little wetness, about thirty
wineries poured their Mt. Veeder-grown wines and there was a great consumer
turn out!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6tyA63ICBGlFx56qoXZptdTRhsbWMrUoqOy7CMXXyipxWn8Rr1f95cfYVLiEfxOZZtO0_mX3HbnUZHfeL_2gP0hjQmk9wyYvljPSC7LAq0OfoebikMXsQLnfNNx_a3iav1WhN29Eh3ur/s1600/IMG_0968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6tyA63ICBGlFx56qoXZptdTRhsbWMrUoqOy7CMXXyipxWn8Rr1f95cfYVLiEfxOZZtO0_mX3HbnUZHfeL_2gP0hjQmk9wyYvljPSC7LAq0OfoebikMXsQLnfNNx_a3iav1WhN29Eh3ur/s320/IMG_0968.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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At the last Mt. Veeder Appellation tasting that I attended
in April I enjoyed some <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/04/notes-from-mount-veeder-spring-tasting.html" target="_blank">fantastic wines</a>, but there were many new wines for me to
try on Saturday. I was particularly impressed with the <b>2007 Renteria Tambor
Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon</b> ($50/bottle; <a href="http://renteriawines.com/">renteriawines.com</a>). The 2005 and the
2008 vintages were also very good and it was great to compare the three
distinct bottlings, but the 2007 really stood out. This single-vineyard Cab is
luscious and provocative with a medium-plus weight. The palate is very
fruit-forward with rich, ripe flavors of boysenberry, black cherry and
blueberry. It ends with a long, lingering finish of juicy red fruits with a
kiss of oak spice. Blended with 3% Syrah, there were only 220 cases produced! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdljwDmLb-aCRBg0bDnv32hJ6CJsNJu7hVt4b3slgRAPykqLz9JZJQKnEHZ9wwEmh9-zfoWc1DisNxrS7hSSwfmkMPojlp5FQeuiyNv5p5D8bKwaB1XRJN_k-y-i8cbIqe57IeNOxf9rGn/s1600/IMG_0965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdljwDmLb-aCRBg0bDnv32hJ6CJsNJu7hVt4b3slgRAPykqLz9JZJQKnEHZ9wwEmh9-zfoWc1DisNxrS7hSSwfmkMPojlp5FQeuiyNv5p5D8bKwaB1XRJN_k-y-i8cbIqe57IeNOxf9rGn/s320/IMG_0965.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The <b>2010 Rubissow Mt. Veeder Merlot</b> ($38/bottle, <a href="http://rubissowwines.com/">rubissowwines.com</a>)
was also very impressive. One-hundred percent Merlot, this recent release
offers the hallmark super-smooth tannins of this variety with the depth and
concentration expected from a mountain-grown wine. It is full-bodied and lush
with forward flavors of mocha, sweet black plum and ripe raspberry. This Merlot
spent 20 months in 35% new French oak barrels and will age well, but it is
incredibly drinkable now; 289 barrels made. I am also a big fan of the Rubissow
Trompettes, a Bordeaux-blend of predominantly Cab Franc. Contact the winery directly for purchase info.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidztYS8NPtPdfapHh2ndy6oGwHsTswqchQFXEGGuPTW4KsZ1jNRSSUiALBRLaU1fz3fbeZjFFopRh43mqERK6nPaL-volb6bX8CggRvASEFx0ecMWBMGu0cxzBPJpZWo8R8skeceFAXERI/s1600/IMG_0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidztYS8NPtPdfapHh2ndy6oGwHsTswqchQFXEGGuPTW4KsZ1jNRSSUiALBRLaU1fz3fbeZjFFopRh43mqERK6nPaL-volb6bX8CggRvASEFx0ecMWBMGu0cxzBPJpZWo8R8skeceFAXERI/s320/IMG_0982.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The <b>2009 Mount Veeder Winery Elevation 1550 Cabernet
Sauvignon</b> ($60/bottle; <a href="http://mtveeder.com/">mtveeder.com</a>) was another amazing quaff. The fruit for
this particular bottling is sourced from estate vineyards that average at 1550
feet elevation. Powerful yet refined, this limited offering has flavors of crushed
dark berries and spice with velvety tannins. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde4ElXYkD6Tk77H-ty5-hJHk1XCqqFXBBmbt-B56OyJeLJBXXnw_9gCV_K-bTIm9FfKaV_M4ylG4U-_AzkbJLKzDbzYrtf68nAKNUp-H2uDaTFgesohw0dBr8Cmj1Ys2RoXjHRurITYPh/s1600/IMG_0983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde4ElXYkD6Tk77H-ty5-hJHk1XCqqFXBBmbt-B56OyJeLJBXXnw_9gCV_K-bTIm9FfKaV_M4ylG4U-_AzkbJLKzDbzYrtf68nAKNUp-H2uDaTFgesohw0dBr8Cmj1Ys2RoXjHRurITYPh/s320/IMG_0983.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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According to the Mayacamas website, the <b>2008 Maycamas
Cabernet Sauvignon</b> has yet to be released, but this is definitely the vintage
that I tasted at the event (I have the picture to prove it!). The assistant
winemaker was present to explain the lengthy and unique aging process, which begins
with fermentation in concrete. Before bottling, the wine spends up to eighteen
months in large American (neutral) oak casks and at least one year in French
oak barrels, only 10% of which were new. This barrel regimen keeps the tannins
restrained and produces a wine medium in body (especially compared to other
mountain-grown Napa Valley Cabernets). But what it lacks in weight, it makes up
for in complexity and approachability. The 2008 Cab offers cassis, blueberry
and blackberry complemented with savory and spice notes. Find more info about
this upcoming release at mayacamas.com. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8Cou2pN_ukaJx6jcQA2tVlcGk0LuzNSh8ZD8oPaA6FYYrTWaN23PpieEajETho7mCLARPPp8JCZcRxKPC-vREEdqhkWwXeFXsQdn4SZMeZJu-HEdc0SBBbiFmxgtJSARouRXwIDuG2Bd/s1600/IMG_0984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8Cou2pN_ukaJx6jcQA2tVlcGk0LuzNSh8ZD8oPaA6FYYrTWaN23PpieEajETho7mCLARPPp8JCZcRxKPC-vREEdqhkWwXeFXsQdn4SZMeZJu-HEdc0SBBbiFmxgtJSARouRXwIDuG2Bd/s320/IMG_0984.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our last stop in the lovely outdoor courtyard where the tasting was held
was the Hess Collection table. The <b>2012 Small Block Series Albariño</b> was an
absolute stunner ($28/bottle.com; <a href="http://hesscollection.com/">hesscollection.com</a>)! It has aromas of
tropical fruit and a palate bursting with white peach, pear, citrus, minerals,
slate and zippy acidity. Bright and balanced, this round and complex white wine
would be incredible with shellfish and salads. When I opened a bottle on Sunday night, I learned it's a great wine for Mexican fare too. And it's pretty darn tasty on it’s own. The <b>2009 19 Block Cuvée</b> ($40/bottle) and <b>2010 Mt. Veeder
Cabernet Sauvignon</b> ($55/bottle) were spectacular. See more notes on these wines in my previous <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/04/notes-from-mount-veeder-spring-tasting.html" target="_blank">Mt. Veeder blog post</a>. I also enjoyed tasting the 2010 Hess Allomi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($30/bottle) in the tasting room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtn_NylYTPwcLePQ600PnIgXhNMw_s-SbV0p0etgCNmBXHVO-z4qPZyhAKBeGKcJaO4Bs50dKDRG2SfMLjk3dl9l-1hHBarumHV54h5PGyjeA49MQzOnNtgULelIxr_buOGnB7CVPvmTdy/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtn_NylYTPwcLePQ600PnIgXhNMw_s-SbV0p0etgCNmBXHVO-z4qPZyhAKBeGKcJaO4Bs50dKDRG2SfMLjk3dl9l-1hHBarumHV54h5PGyjeA49MQzOnNtgULelIxr_buOGnB7CVPvmTdy/s320/IMG_0985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you’ve never been to the Hess Collection Winery, I
strongly recommend a visit. This secluded property features an historic stone
winery constructed in 1903, a contemporary art collection, and a broad portfolio of wines available for tasting. A special thank you to the winery for hosting the tasting. What a great experience!</div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-64719393583409116712013-09-06T08:14:00.000-07:002013-09-06T08:14:32.528-07:00What to drink now: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Champagne!
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With the release of my debut novel, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCortney">Where I Want to Be</a>,
coming up in the next few weeks, I haven’t had much time to blog (shame on me).
I have been busy developing my marketing campaign for the Wine Country Series,
reaching out to the wineries mentioned in the first ebook (yes, there will be
more!), making a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve-3mdW9-X8">YouTube video</a> in which I read an excerpt from the first
chapter and proofreading the final proof of WIWTB. Despite all these
non-drinking activities, I have still managed to enjoy some fantastic wines.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGV5HqxJ4uUE0ujY9jp_D727pxiVHhKiqjYjb-ni2ItwFPT8FHMO7uXVGmkFTNljh9PweRyGdpXmz0-mPx6g-DiyrDPRe4_sXi3EFF6rQj7K8obKQExQX7Dcjeon7nmgJqIYIvDnj3pZO/s1600/IMG_3038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGV5HqxJ4uUE0ujY9jp_D727pxiVHhKiqjYjb-ni2ItwFPT8FHMO7uXVGmkFTNljh9PweRyGdpXmz0-mPx6g-DiyrDPRe4_sXi3EFF6rQj7K8obKQExQX7Dcjeon7nmgJqIYIvDnj3pZO/s320/IMG_3038.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I love a crisp Chardonnay on a hot
late-summer evening, which we have had a lot of in Marin County recently . The
2011 Castello di Amorosa Reserve Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa
Barbara ($38/bottle; <a href="http://castellodiamorosa.com/">castellodiamorosa.com</a>)* is a terrific summer sipper with a
nose of white flowers, pear and crème brûlee spice. Upon the initial quaff, I
almost deemed this wine too oaky for my likes, but as the wine warmed up in the
glass and continued to evolve with a little aeration, I could fully appreciate
its intricacy. On the palate, this wine offers flavors of Meyer lemon, candied
ginger and minerals. With only 20% malolactic fermentation, this wine retains its natural vibrant acidity. The finish is refreshing and clean and enhanced
with tropical fruit notes and a whisper of vanilla. This is a great wine to share with girlfriends (or perhaps a good book). Yum!<br />
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A slightly chilled Pinot Noir can be just as refreshing... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWEZYwZVVjdKpDS7epWUouaaVmUJ5h1UxrA1GgbrUz-Kn82ksiC_78fBy61P6OyFsG2jHolu_6hzIWaN6ETls00hYmp28D5Bsof2EyeJJKjyCApMaL_x7b4yMZhyWDX5mIYlFP0ESnz07/s1600/IMG_3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWEZYwZVVjdKpDS7epWUouaaVmUJ5h1UxrA1GgbrUz-Kn82ksiC_78fBy61P6OyFsG2jHolu_6hzIWaN6ETls00hYmp28D5Bsof2EyeJJKjyCApMaL_x7b4yMZhyWDX5mIYlFP0ESnz07/s320/IMG_3083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you didn’t catch my post about <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/07/praise-for-pinot-days-2013.html">Pinot Days on July 1st</a>,
perhaps you haven’t heard me boast about the awesomeness of Russian River
Valley. Last weekend I had a date—his name was Gary Farrell and he was
absolutely delicious. From the 2009 vintage, this RRV Pinot Noir ($35/bottle; <a href="http://fpwm.com/">fpwm.com</a>)
has matured nicely and offers up a complex flavor profile of cherry cola, juicy
plum and red raspberry. The mouthfeel was super-smooth and lush. The mid-palate
kept me intrigued with notes of vanilla, earth and spice. It was a lovely wine;
the kind I would definitely say yes to for a second date. ;-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAI3RhU4RsRd4qvtUPnW-z4xQWW6XYQjcPI7Ys-4x6-mRrNidJqj1xE5rIZqP01c_6nRctXnOBjMA3qIM7azWOqqo9VaiKAxAgIKQZmpV3w-cMMj2_PUW7mqnHn7sNCa7l-1ep0XP_5w5/s1600/IMG_2958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAI3RhU4RsRd4qvtUPnW-z4xQWW6XYQjcPI7Ys-4x6-mRrNidJqj1xE5rIZqP01c_6nRctXnOBjMA3qIM7azWOqqo9VaiKAxAgIKQZmpV3w-cMMj2_PUW7mqnHn7sNCa7l-1ep0XP_5w5/s320/IMG_2958.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Last but certainly not least, the other stunner I have had
the pleasure of spending time with is Jean Vesselle. From Bouzy, Champagne, the
Oeil de Perdrix NV ($29/bottle 375 mL shown or $56/bottle 750 mL; <a href="http://mainstreetwinebar.net/">mainstreetwinebar.net</a>) is a 100% Pinot Noir brut rosé.
It has a peachy color with aromas of wild strawberry, freshly baked bread,
roses and a hint of smoke. It is robust and seductive in the mouth with
complementary notes of roasted nuts, bright red fruit flavors and a long
delightful finish. </div>
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As always, thank you for reading. Please provide comments
and questions on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sipswirlsavor">Facebook page</a> and stay tuned for more wine reviews to be posted soon. Cheers!</div>
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*This bottle was received for review purposes from Castello
di Amorosa. Please contact the <a href="http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/">winery to purchase</a>. </div>
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Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-38139010625396843272013-08-11T14:08:00.000-07:002013-08-11T14:08:55.491-07:00Women's Fiction and Cline White Cashmere
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Last week I attended a fabulous event that perfectly catered
to two of my longtime interests: wine and women’s fiction. Especially now, with
the publishing date of my eBook quickly approaching, I was particularly
thrilled to go to an author reading at the Book Passage in Corte Madera
organized by Chick Lit + Wine. Cline Cellars provided the wines. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mn0zBxkEqNncKjOEnngh9q46nvggAXBy0_2UkMJLR_N12Dd3Q662nxxv8oFG_xiqPdZjjvxBWWV6TLeNfRBEsZQt-tp2UTYCcAoaQ94Cg4pDhyphenhyphenmDS_KcXLJwcF6g8zFhojxVhNYIhMQs/s1600/IMG_2986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mn0zBxkEqNncKjOEnngh9q46nvggAXBy0_2UkMJLR_N12Dd3Q662nxxv8oFG_xiqPdZjjvxBWWV6TLeNfRBEsZQt-tp2UTYCcAoaQ94Cg4pDhyphenhyphenmDS_KcXLJwcF6g8zFhojxVhNYIhMQs/s320/IMG_2986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sisters Danielle and Sonya English launched
<a href="http://chicklitandwine.com/">ChickLitandWine.com</a> in 2010 to provide book reviews with wine pairings. What an
amazing concept for women who appreciate a great book and a wonderful wine.
(Like me!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcpjeosSJgiXbPKoTYGePqJC9-SijNrQvhjFXaz_EHCAhoyBZXdAu_z-uEmp6Npa_nfeytBwSBpFvLT_jTYy0X1hoVm4_4Ql12CEs-wBeAKfFbD4gveDDpFr9MpXBNnaOxqXXQZUXtZP_/s1600/IMG_2985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcpjeosSJgiXbPKoTYGePqJC9-SijNrQvhjFXaz_EHCAhoyBZXdAu_z-uEmp6Npa_nfeytBwSBpFvLT_jTYy0X1hoVm4_4Ql12CEs-wBeAKfFbD4gveDDpFr9MpXBNnaOxqXXQZUXtZP_/s200/IMG_2985.jpg" width="150" /></a>While sipping on Cline’s White Cashmere (a delicious blend
of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Muscat Canelli and Viognier), I listened to the
author readings by <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Meg Donohue (All the Summer Girls),
Gretchen Berg (I Have Iraq in My Shoe), Seré Princeton Halverson (The Underside
of Joy) and Libby Mercer (Unmasking Maya) and thought about two things….what
portion of my manuscript I will someday read to an audience and what wine I
would pair with my first novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where I
Want to Be.</i></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With so many real wine references in my
novel, it’s hard to imagine picking just one wine that fits the entire story. The
main character, shy and insecure Olivia, has a thirst for wine knowledge.
With a little encouragement from her friends, she enrolls in a wine program in
the Napa Valley and starts trying new things like online dating, playing bocce
ball and sitting alone at a restaurant bar. She makes new friends and does a
lot of wine tasting while learning to embrace change and live her life more
fully. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because I have enjoyed many different
wines while writing this novel, I am more likely to compare the characters to
specific wine varieties. Olivia is most similar to a young Cabernet Sauvignon,
a wine that needs a good amount of time to open up in the glass but has an
underlying strength and complexity. Winemaker and world traveler Charlie
resembles Cabernet Franc—luscious and forward with a spicy kick. Grace, who is
training to be a sommelier, is intense and effervescent like Champagne. And social media specialist McKayla is zesty and bright like Sauvignon Blanc. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikE8-rpMuQXUhkr6fVt0U7RcTXj4S96tj1cGLXiurlMohBXdu10mCqzfgQSGlm_2cPG54-zaMYCaof4UhxBs0jh7In8GKkKyRyjuRB94x-G-TRkrwX1dHirLwjlbjaCWspu64Ii7Zh_vNi/s1600/FINAL+cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikE8-rpMuQXUhkr6fVt0U7RcTXj4S96tj1cGLXiurlMohBXdu10mCqzfgQSGlm_2cPG54-zaMYCaof4UhxBs0jh7In8GKkKyRyjuRB94x-G-TRkrwX1dHirLwjlbjaCWspu64Ii7Zh_vNi/s320/FINAL+cover.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I hope you will download my eBook and
read it while enjoying a nice glass of wine once it is available on Amazon. For
more info about the release date, please check out <a href="http://facebook.com/AuthorCortney">Facebook.com/AuthorCortney</a>
and follow me on Twitter @AuthorCortney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">P.S. The <a href="http://www.clinecellars.com/LBBC">Cline Cellars White Cashmere</a> is only $18/bottle and it’s the wine that gives back. To date, Cline has
donated over $150K to breast cancer organizations. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drink up and read more women’s fiction!</b></span></div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-6782900386089492992013-07-25T09:54:00.001-07:002013-07-25T09:54:16.977-07:00Editing and enjoying the 2010 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
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I love blogging about wine, but it’s not the only writing I
do... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItEIDGvJaq1Ccsw1RKy7QLaHLHyERk77gZJJSd7v0vycI-M0r7sUq7OotAu99mR_h7ccz3IV3gFOQ2XDXNPUSqT0A_THv3HRU6MHXjLNvDe1TsnsKeGMuCLI4wBSS6scVUF_JvMRqKiLH/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItEIDGvJaq1Ccsw1RKy7QLaHLHyERk77gZJJSd7v0vycI-M0r7sUq7OotAu99mR_h7ccz3IV3gFOQ2XDXNPUSqT0A_THv3HRU6MHXjLNvDe1TsnsKeGMuCLI4wBSS6scVUF_JvMRqKiLH/s320/IMG_1541.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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As a writer, I have always been encouraged to write what I
know. It was sometime in December 2011 when I started a novel. Because I was
living in Yountville at the time, it was the logical setting for my story. I wrote
about dating and drinking wine in the Napa Valley—two topics I know well. </div>
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In the second draft, I flexed my creative muscles and developed
the main character, meaning I made stuff up. This is not an autobiography; it is
contemporary women’s fiction (yes, that’s a genre!). The third draft was all
about adding wine references and a few wine-savvy personalities to support the
main character—a wine novice—on her wine-soaked path to self-discovery.</div>
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The development of this story and the writing process itself
has been inspired and fueled by many glasses of wine. After working with a
wonderful editor, <a href="http://susankcole.com/">Susan K Cole,</a> I am currently polishing the final draft with
hopes of self-publishing my ebook on Amazon soon. For updates on the official
ebook launch and other fun fiction tidbits, please like my new Facebook Page at
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCortney">www.facebook.com/AuthorCortney</a>
and follow me on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AuthorCortney">www.twitter.com/AuthorCortney</a>.
</div>
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Who knows where I would be in my writing process without wine. Last night with a glass of the 2010 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet
Sauvignon, I edited the 22<sup>nd</sup> chapter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTK25eZmfmYPs5jYIMyITRDpJby4FLEhJ-C0OiNdr904dHn3Q6-O103yiR1OQ_yhggzLTAfDHJScJs_MqnTFqfRvW9zwDtJcCbdwNEOtzh26V_CI-0lhLM4jCTzZt0PnRWlAEaxhOob-9Y/s1600/IMG_2941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTK25eZmfmYPs5jYIMyITRDpJby4FLEhJ-C0OiNdr904dHn3Q6-O103yiR1OQ_yhggzLTAfDHJScJs_MqnTFqfRvW9zwDtJcCbdwNEOtzh26V_CI-0lhLM4jCTzZt0PnRWlAEaxhOob-9Y/s320/IMG_2941.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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At $25/bottle, this is a tasty weeknight Cabernet and pretty
affordable by Napa standards. The nose offers aromas of dark berries and oak
spice. Concentrated and bold, this Cab has a lush mouthfeel and well-integrated
tannins. With ripe blackberry flavors, dark chocolate notes, and the tiniest
whisper of black licorice, this is a young wine with a lot of potential. Over
the next six months, it will benefit from decanting and don’t forget to give it
a good swirl. Cheers!</div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-10019108966699201582013-07-18T10:09:00.002-07:002013-07-18T10:11:42.364-07:00Refreshing Summertime Sippers<style>
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</style>Summertime is my favorite time of year. As the
temperature rises, I am more inclined to reach for something chilled and refreshing. Here are a few options to help keep you cool…<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy6GNOHBJSOyvqpP0pFvOg7uSsnEiychiRmrwvKqSt4qaxk8-dDVW8BhVcIwxt5DJ6VMzc0VCc2M3x0l7nMs2Ok7agNBFD0tSXYWLFU0CRbGoB36oPMKA6A5LfbkIlI-ohTf2zlhmhK7J/s1600/chateau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy6GNOHBJSOyvqpP0pFvOg7uSsnEiychiRmrwvKqSt4qaxk8-dDVW8BhVcIwxt5DJ6VMzc0VCc2M3x0l7nMs2Ok7agNBFD0tSXYWLFU0CRbGoB36oPMKA6A5LfbkIlI-ohTf2zlhmhK7J/s320/chateau.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
2011 Chateau Lestrille Blanc, Entre-deux-Mers (under
$15/bottle, <a href="http://bordeaux.com/">bordeaux.com</a>): I tasted this refreshing white at the Wine Riot event in San
Francisco earlier this month. Fermented and aged in stainless steel for three
months, this crisp wine is mostly Sauvignon Blanc blended with a little
Muscadelle. It has aromas of white flowers and citrus with peach and stone
fruit flavors. With vibrant acid, this wine is best sipped alongside fresh
oysters, summery salads, or moules frites.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprhNSm1xbQWdIIsaREshiM4lb-qDtYXRwhwbcKqng7QRPNRPQbYR4fjkozRsr-Tf6Z7mToVo5-nxTFQkbSROSDvivDP1TN45sePKjzkhJ_u1ymzAAmhwrfcJ48ino1eFKQQ_o-zVm7dkC/s1600/J+Pinot+Gris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprhNSm1xbQWdIIsaREshiM4lb-qDtYXRwhwbcKqng7QRPNRPQbYR4fjkozRsr-Tf6Z7mToVo5-nxTFQkbSROSDvivDP1TN45sePKjzkhJ_u1ymzAAmhwrfcJ48ino1eFKQQ_o-zVm7dkC/s320/J+Pinot+Gris.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2011 J Winery Pinot Gris ($15/bottle, <a href="http://jwine.com/">jwine.com</a>): As always,
this tasty bottling is crisp and clean and perfect for just about any occasion.
This easy sipper offers aromas of Mandarin orange, stone fruit and melon.
Vivacious acidity balances the melon, citrus and minerals on the palate. It has
a screw-top closure and lots of food pairing potential, especially with spicy
foods. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlnXxcbeT0JLxXtXIxM9L-7z0qfxiMJYNZ2_YUEymtwfiY_jDzGIvUz3sO-UL71W9f4Ht50k3wBsGYqx4JQmsa8gkByP9WVjkL9IaEUEb_fBgpS04ZYh4GsJ2i941BD7NJg6IBCzx5YNg/s1600/IMG_2919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlnXxcbeT0JLxXtXIxM9L-7z0qfxiMJYNZ2_YUEymtwfiY_jDzGIvUz3sO-UL71W9f4Ht50k3wBsGYqx4JQmsa8gkByP9WVjkL9IaEUEb_fBgpS04ZYh4GsJ2i941BD7NJg6IBCzx5YNg/s320/IMG_2919.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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2011 Domaine Perraud Mâcon-Villages Vielle Vignes
($18/bottle, <a href="http://fpwm.com/">fpwm.com</a>): Who loves White Burgundy with a small price tag? I do!
I do! This Chardonnay is unadorned with oak and pleasantly fruit-forward.
Lively acidity and green apple flavors make it a great match for a sunny
afternoon by the pool, a goat cheese salad, chicken dishes, or sauteed shrimp.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrHrwM0wNGNzJ5602GFKFnCsPn8pwEQ1gkyqbuXEyYDWxoPVggEQhjRNMmaFLCo4xi5kaiu9g12IQgbpz9w2QycOARVdcCSdQcB3oLmokiZEGIaahk9TMHf3pFPCaRjx04ZVnWfTqgwht/s1600/cornerstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrHrwM0wNGNzJ5602GFKFnCsPn8pwEQ1gkyqbuXEyYDWxoPVggEQhjRNMmaFLCo4xi5kaiu9g12IQgbpz9w2QycOARVdcCSdQcB3oLmokiZEGIaahk9TMHf3pFPCaRjx04ZVnWfTqgwht/s320/cornerstone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2010 Cornerstone Cellars Sauvignon Blanc ($25/bottle,
<a href="http://cornerstonecellars.com/">cornerstonecellars.com</a>): This wine is aged sur lie in French oak for six months
following fermentation in stainless steel. Pale straw color in the glass with
the tiniest tinge of green, it has alluring aromas of lemon peel and guava with
a very subtle note of fresh herbs. The palate is equally as mesmerizing with
mouthwatering acid, bright minerals, and snappy citrus flavors. This is an inspired
Sauvignon Blanc that pairs with everything from a triple-cream cheese (as shown in the pic) to fresh
crab or even lobster risotto. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCewc2q_F-tg6diyKG2RGg21h9bMROHf2ibidWxmfiUrPzpiz4XSf9bVg5IiHPhHxNSl_0QObS3bBeBE5Z_MfIz_THAvVaFwBxf8RPEAscEVdiehgo2Iwzzh_xNhkbvjAa-q1nbQvlqVtL/s1600/riesling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCewc2q_F-tg6diyKG2RGg21h9bMROHf2ibidWxmfiUrPzpiz4XSf9bVg5IiHPhHxNSl_0QObS3bBeBE5Z_MfIz_THAvVaFwBxf8RPEAscEVdiehgo2Iwzzh_xNhkbvjAa-q1nbQvlqVtL/s320/riesling.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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2011 Smith-Madrone Riesling ($27/bottle, <a href="http://smithmadrone.com/">smithmadrone.com</a>):
If something light and fruity is what you’re seeking, this Riesling from the
Spring Mountain district is it. With a lower alcohol content (12.6%) and
brilliant acidity, the stone fruit flavors explode on the palate. With less
than 1% residual sugar, it is technically a dry wine and delicious at
lunchtime. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLijh9zw6zI38P47q1QQbclChvVJ7P041pj8LnKyq4XRJpaAsCK-pp1syz_SCemQ09y33UVMoVcwrAMh_uGgZEZ1L2bIDEDMGGZbSAvGvCg6rl1ipYVAGU5iNIyiVRljOmXaEoFDXj0QOt/s1600/nicolas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLijh9zw6zI38P47q1QQbclChvVJ7P041pj8LnKyq4XRJpaAsCK-pp1syz_SCemQ09y33UVMoVcwrAMh_uGgZEZ1L2bIDEDMGGZbSAvGvCg6rl1ipYVAGU5iNIyiVRljOmXaEoFDXj0QOt/s320/nicolas.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Splurge</b> 2004
Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Blanc de Blancs ($50/bottle, <a href="http://mainstreetwinebar.net/">mainstreetwinebar.net</a>): This
vintage Champagne is utterly dreamy! It has a perfume of roasted hazelnuts and
freshly baked bread. The palate is nutty and yeasty with racy green apple
flavors and a kiss of caramel. Not particularly fruity, this sparkler is best
served all on its own! </div>
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As always, thank you for reading Sip, Swirl, Savor. Please follow me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sipswirlsavor">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/winegirl365">Twitter</a> for wine events and more fabulous wine-related content. </div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Cortney </div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-75868397418344641912013-07-07T20:21:00.000-07:002013-07-07T20:21:25.763-07:00Carneros Appellation Recommendations
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Many people don’t realize how many fantastic tasting rooms
there are halfway to Napa! Less than 30 miles from San Francisco, the Carneros appellation provides lots of places to whet your palate...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHZ9n0-Pv69rV5vB7tx9m7FhCn1jCE3mW3upCC-zdjkmxBkvwsj6OI-UWBUSdYSCAfHd5g_KPKU4uhk3jfKirq9_m2FlXU9bCkNhEJ0JQZrofRl3o5yWv_ohDTPZBVdBASxFYd5-MmS2v/s1600/IMG_2689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHZ9n0-Pv69rV5vB7tx9m7FhCn1jCE3mW3upCC-zdjkmxBkvwsj6OI-UWBUSdYSCAfHd5g_KPKU4uhk3jfKirq9_m2FlXU9bCkNhEJ0JQZrofRl3o5yWv_ohDTPZBVdBASxFYd5-MmS2v/s200/IMG_2689.JPG" width="200" /></a>On a recent trip to celebrate a friend’s thirtieth birthday,
our first stop was <a href="http://www.gloriaferrer.com/">Gloria Ferrer</a>. Sitting outside on the terrace is a wonderful
experience on a clear, sunny day. Instead of ponying up to the counter, you can
sit back and enjoy the views while the hospitality staff delivers your choice
of a tasting flight or glasses table-side. I highly recommend the 2004 Royal
Cuvée ($32/bottle). A blend of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay,
this delightful sparkler offers citrus and stone fruit notes balanced by toast
and rich yeasty aromatics. The 2007 Blanc de Blanc ($32/bottle) is also very
pleasant with refreshing green apple flavors and crisp minerality!<br />
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Less than a mile down the road is the tasting room for Anaba
Wines. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve driven by this tasting room a thousand
times as I speed up the Carneros Highway (Route 12) to downtown Sonoma or Napa.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxOJd9hFE_isyBOOKGGvJeTyXf93NMYBW4VJkHGgbd3_6yGfIBrflsua7p_pjAX4oc4QLuKQWQDgccIeRUGhY13NT2P4qOAObMFCdR3L2Jc_Yb2eXoYieFk3evGZ8RYPCtVEcBi9Hd1u2/s1600/anaba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxOJd9hFE_isyBOOKGGvJeTyXf93NMYBW4VJkHGgbd3_6yGfIBrflsua7p_pjAX4oc4QLuKQWQDgccIeRUGhY13NT2P4qOAObMFCdR3L2Jc_Yb2eXoYieFk3evGZ8RYPCtVEcBi9Hd1u2/s320/anaba.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With no appointment necessary, I popped into the Anaba
tasting room last week a few minutes after 5 PM (yes, they stay open until
5:30!). The tasting menu features many vineyard-designate Chardonnay and Pinot
Noirs as well as Rhône varieties and blends. I was very impressed with the
variety!</div>
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I highly recommend the 2010 Anaba Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
($32/bottle). It is a deliciously drinkable wine with lots of lovely dark fruit
and subtle complexity. A blend of fruit sourced from the famed Gap’s Crown
Vineyard and Sun Chase Vineyard (both sites are part of the Petaluma Gap), this
Pinot is aged in 35% new French oak barrels. With a whisper of oak and silky
dust-like tannins, you can enjoy this wine on its own, with salame and cured
meats, pizza, roast chicken or even fish like salmon and tuna. This wine can be
ordered direct from the <a href="http://www.anabawines.com/">winery,</a> enjoyed by-the-glass at <a href="http://www.restaurantpicco.com/">Restaurant Picco</a>, or
purchased at <a href="http://www.mainstreetwinebar.net/">Main Street Wine Bar</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5ID4z-yBvzfL90YkuuwjR2Vlt-CnuEiTBwZfGGv9_JC9zEtT2xC_LOAIqUCHqAj32Xx7PcuFlHq3b4pZfw81OxtD05bX8oz-n9HMSe9173HadtLIa41rPPunRYYBEethglfrkvoDZ27i/s1600/IMG_2712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5ID4z-yBvzfL90YkuuwjR2Vlt-CnuEiTBwZfGGv9_JC9zEtT2xC_LOAIqUCHqAj32Xx7PcuFlHq3b4pZfw81OxtD05bX8oz-n9HMSe9173HadtLIa41rPPunRYYBEethglfrkvoDZ27i/s320/IMG_2712.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Other tasting rooms worth checking out in Carneros include
Domaine Carneros, Cline Cellars, and Nicholson Ranch. There’s also Schug,
Etude, and Acacia (which I haven't visited yet but they are on my list). Cheers!</div>
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Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-9681045412307077952013-07-01T22:05:00.001-07:002013-07-01T22:05:48.190-07:00Praise for Pinot Days 2013
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Promise not to judge me? This wine girl did not like Pinot
Noir when she started working in the wine industry. Yeah, I know; it’s hard
for me to believe, too.</div>
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During a visit to the Hope & Grace tasting room in
Yountville in late 2009, it was the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir that broadened my
horizons. Since then, I don’t think I’ve ever met a Pinot from the Russian
River Valley (#RRV) that I didn’t like.</div>
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So it was no surprise that, this past Saturday, I fell head over heels for the
2010 Bluxome Street Winery #RRV Pinot Noir (which I brought to Salito’s in
Sausalito to share with some friends). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Purchased
from <a href="http://www.fpwm.com/">www.fpwm.com</a> for $32/bottle, this
silky-smooth wine is dark ruby and opaque in the glass. Sourced from <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">five
different vineyards, it delivers classic #RRV cherry cola flavors. The palate
is opulent and complex with nuances of vanilla and spice; it finishes with
lingering notes of red fruit. That was Saturday night. Yum!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then on Sunday. . . </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4X3GSpS3M7IwgI0FzVsc-oKzQYVrja261Atv_Qb2OnbNqRcmWT7MJ1bgMlONeqxbPmVwnVUfjrh0TfD6D8PHNjmYDINMvXlr2OqmQwH6zuT7CHzaV_UEJ7h5AjhPOBjIxzpC5gBho2hlb/s640/Pinot+days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4X3GSpS3M7IwgI0FzVsc-oKzQYVrja261Atv_Qb2OnbNqRcmWT7MJ1bgMlONeqxbPmVwnVUfjrh0TfD6D8PHNjmYDINMvXlr2OqmQwH6zuT7CHzaV_UEJ7h5AjhPOBjIxzpC5gBho2hlb/s320/Pinot+days.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although I was pouring for <a href="http://sojourncellars.com/">SojournCellars</a> at the Pinot Days event at Fort Mason in San Francisco, I was able to
sneak away and do a bit of tasting. The folks from Bluxome Street were there
with the 2011#RRV Pinot as well as single-vineyard Pinots from Yorkville
Highlands and Mendocino. I was partial to the #RRV, but all three are super
tasty and available direct from the <a href="http://www.bluxomewinery.com/">winery</a> (which is located in SF!).</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With limited time to taste, I visited a
few of my longtime favorites. The selections from <a href="http://jwine.com/">J Winery & Vineyards</a>
included the 2011 #RRV Estate Grown Pinot Noir (which is great every year) and
the 2010 Robert Thomas Vineyard #RRV Pinot Noir (which was new to my taste
buds). With deep aromas of cherry and spice, this limited-production wine is
dark and delicious with lingering notes of baking cocoa, dark fruit, and dusty earth.
But I feel like that brief description barely scratches the surface of what
this wine is capable of. It’s one to spend an evening with!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdaoCNEf_EfPZZ3SnrICkuOOg0B_Y9VRFSb6b4SZL5aN5mnEmEPBNzjrEnzZwC6DALHbX_4OfsgJ3a4L2RtV3RFHRcdHQ4KF8Gn9pT9iKZO8n6aJq2hYCck7JSk84V490bpSPpryFIaEW/s640/J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdaoCNEf_EfPZZ3SnrICkuOOg0B_Y9VRFSb6b4SZL5aN5mnEmEPBNzjrEnzZwC6DALHbX_4OfsgJ3a4L2RtV3RFHRcdHQ4KF8Gn9pT9iKZO8n6aJq2hYCck7JSk84V490bpSPpryFIaEW/s200/J.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like Sojourn, <a href="http://duttongoldfield.com/">Dutton-Goldfield</a> makes
many vineyard designate Pinot Noirs; vintage after vintage, they continue to
wow me. The 2011 selections from Dutton-Goldfield are fantastic, particularly
the new Azaya Vineyard bottling (Marin County). Lean and fruity, this wine
would be perfect for lighter summer fare.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAJ1Ejqdi5neDsnu4jNsPUck0NIAV_SgH4nkWTwO2fOzMMaARZWTABpBMl1EQRZDTyVrSWJ_gfJaOoKZtG24EO4nUoiPzMcwCauRqh9yt6SJyj8gWfhpfLH894BUja1K-XAb24EKyGEv1/s640/DG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAJ1Ejqdi5neDsnu4jNsPUck0NIAV_SgH4nkWTwO2fOzMMaARZWTABpBMl1EQRZDTyVrSWJ_gfJaOoKZtG24EO4nUoiPzMcwCauRqh9yt6SJyj8gWfhpfLH894BUja1K-XAb24EKyGEv1/s320/DG.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was also impressed with the offerings
from Ten Acre Winery (more on that later) and La Fenetre, which included many
delightful Pinots from Santa Barbara County. (<a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/02/picking-up-pace-with-la-fenetre-cote.html">Click here</a> for tasting notes for the A Côté Pinot
Noir from one of my previous blog posts). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHDux3at6AIxl2lg590RPbncDxecYY_dU-zpWxLNyejlbEErMgY-HI9ib8DkFhM72jO_q42BreehbW127-rTuQSZm3LbvVmqBrsnYKxaXZURIGQod-wauBCWTcNHiST1WEbCFa37FklD3/s640/la+fenetre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHDux3at6AIxl2lg590RPbncDxecYY_dU-zpWxLNyejlbEErMgY-HI9ib8DkFhM72jO_q42BreehbW127-rTuQSZm3LbvVmqBrsnYKxaXZURIGQod-wauBCWTcNHiST1WEbCFa37FklD3/s200/la+fenetre.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you like Pinot Noir and you’ve never
been to <a href="http://pinotdays.com/">Pinot Days</a>, make sure to get on their mailing list and check out the
event in SF, SoCal, NYC, or Chicago. Even if you don’t drink Pinot—go. It will
show you what you’ve been missing!</span></div>
Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-37088347989507900442013-06-17T20:27:00.000-07:002013-06-17T20:27:12.961-07:00Bonny Doon delights...!<div class="MsoNormal">
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Tiburon and sipping Champagne, the topic of my blog came up in conversation.
If someone asks me what I
do, wine-blogging is part of the answer. </div>
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When I started my blog in 2009, my premise could be easily
summed up in a single sentence—review the experiences at various tasting rooms
around the Napa Valley and attempt to visit all 450+ of them. I now blog about
whatever wines please my palate, including current releases, dusty older bottles from my “cellar” (a fancy word for the storage
unit at my sister’s place where I keep my overflow), and international selections that I come across in
my pursuit of something worth savoring. </div>
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In describing my review-style last night, I mentioned that I
don’t publish anything negative about a wine. My blog is a collection of
recommendations and personal favorites. It’s not that I can’t write objective
wine reviews, it’s that I don’t want to. To be honest, they can be a bore to
read. I’m a storyteller who prefers happy endings. If you read about a wine on
sipswirlsavor.com, it’s because I thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope you will
too!</div>
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So, speaking of what I’ve enjoyed recently…</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAksRVWilhp_aK2NL50yPGOy0gj8lzJ_X4hlkTQK8EePFgD2gi1glU6Ax9CbVhOAnWrGw1ugGOf_ZiqpChmb-KYq67wCcP2Ef9RHxO1vLKYLiRhTSgBJ-uG2Vhrvw399DNembrFqzxXLN/s1600/blanc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAksRVWilhp_aK2NL50yPGOy0gj8lzJ_X4hlkTQK8EePFgD2gi1glU6Ax9CbVhOAnWrGw1ugGOf_ZiqpChmb-KYq67wCcP2Ef9RHxO1vLKYLiRhTSgBJ-uG2Vhrvw399DNembrFqzxXLN/s320/blanc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There has been a lot from Bonny Doon in my wineglass. With
an appetizer of smoked salmon and avocado on toast last month, I enjoyed the brightness of
the <a href="http://shop.bonnydoonvineyard.com/2011-le-cigare-blanc-p646.aspx">2011 Le Cigare Blanc</a> ($28/bottle). A blend of 62% Grenache Blanc and 38% Roussanne, this wine smells fresh with
vivacious acidity, grassy notes, lemon curd, and a finish redolent with lime
peel. It is very refreshing and would pair beautifully with fish, shrimp, or
light salads.</div>
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With crispy pork cutlets, the <a href="http://shop.bonnydoonvineyard.com/2010-le-cigare-blanc-r%C3%A9serve-p643.aspx">2010 Le Cigare Blanc Reserve</a> ($50/bottle)
was outstanding! This blend of 56% Roussanne and 44% Grenache Blanc reminds me of an opulent Chardonnay with a rich
vanilla character and yellow apple and citrus flavors. A golden straw color in
the glass, this wine is allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. Full-bodied but decidedly balanced, this wine can hold up to
heartier fare and anything creamy. Less than 500 cases produced!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpjKQe2Z_djVaZrutvtMMFyEFRKGfbUQb9uJCpV744CXps12mingX7hovJKT1kWamnrwRq1Rhxim9uT8OxLFts1Dp2kLZG8sN3sOK_yl37ACEenLV11J9D_QTNGUgmHPbg-8U4lgkTZhS/s1600/volant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpjKQe2Z_djVaZrutvtMMFyEFRKGfbUQb9uJCpV744CXps12mingX7hovJKT1kWamnrwRq1Rhxim9uT8OxLFts1Dp2kLZG8sN3sOK_yl37ACEenLV11J9D_QTNGUgmHPbg-8U4lgkTZhS/s200/volant.jpg" width="150" /></a>A Rhone-style blend that changes vintage to vintage, the
<a href="http://shop.bonnydoonvineyard.com/2008-le-cigare-volant---normale---25th-mill%C3%A9sime-p621.aspx">2008 Le Cigare Volant</a> ($38/bottle) is a delicious wine with bright raspberry notes and a
white peppery finish. A week after enjoying the Blancs, this pretty
ruby-colored wine was a smashing companion to rabbit, but you could also pair
it with duck, roast turkey, or spicy sausage. A balanced blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 13% Mourvèdre, 7%
Cinsault, and 5% Carignane, this medium-bodied wine of about 3K cases has gentle tannins and lovely depth. </div>
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The <a href="http://shop.bonnydoonvineyard.com/2008-le-cigare-volant-r%C3%A9serve-en-bonbonne-p611.aspx">2008 Le Cigare Volant Reserve</a> ($65/bottle)
was a little too smoky for my preferences, but my dinner companions thoroughly
enjoyed it. An empty bottle is always a good sign.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRFjA0buKhNpcpWs2YS7gYR5OOdDKQKUbjM7LM00J3nHVyQ4FxpOP2OWBlzRYbKVCHyrxin1cfiAvUwEE9xaTEDes3ZbnQCTKQrd4f9xpwpMOxrKJqkqQqZTVitPZE8vh_uHnV0h1Sz2N/s1600/VGM12C_bottle_250pxh.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRFjA0buKhNpcpWs2YS7gYR5OOdDKQKUbjM7LM00J3nHVyQ4FxpOP2OWBlzRYbKVCHyrxin1cfiAvUwEE9xaTEDes3ZbnQCTKQrd4f9xpwpMOxrKJqkqQqZTVitPZE8vh_uHnV0h1Sz2N/s1600/VGM12C_bottle_250pxh.gif" /></a>One of my favorite Bonny Doon wines is the <a href="http://shop.bonnydoonvineyard.com/2012-vin-gris-de-cigare-p648.aspx">Vin Gris deCigare</a> ($16/bottle). This pale pink wine smells like wild strawberries and
offers mouthwatering flavors of watermelon, strawberry, and citrus. With
exciting acidity, this dry rosé is made with both red and white grapes,
primarily Grenache and Grenache Blanc. This wine pairs significantly well with
spicy foods like Mexican food. The screw-top closure is key for picnics and more!</div>
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The "Le Cigare" wines were received for review purposes. Please purchase yours from the <a href="http://shop.bonnydoonvineyard.com/storefront.aspx">Bonny Doon website</a>. As always, I look forward to your thoughts. Please post comments on my <a href="http://facebook.com/sipswirlsavor">Facebook page</a>. Thank you and cheers!</div>
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Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-9815928496437233172013-06-10T10:47:00.000-07:002013-06-10T10:48:54.995-07:00The Santa Rita releases from Expression Wines<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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With a terrific portfolio of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,
<a href="http://www.expressionwine.com/">Expression Wines</a> sources fruit from all the best places these varieties are
grown, including Sonoma Coast, Willamette Valley, and Santa Barbara County. As
a Northern California native, it’s easy to overlook the wines coming out of
Southern California. Don’t make that mistake! Released just in time for grilling season, these two wonderful wines are the ultimate accessory to your backyard BBQ's and summertime soirees...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSIwv4T20USKKsl7grmCk513VxOKPx-wb7PhxLKhr-U-fMwv9ZT5x4FSe9zbMoHLT_A94Yz1VIIPNI5GbZSO-UvUFn2tZ04IxmAlq8dWZXgjrIsuZjW2rasfEyx6RvJExG05m4m8Qt7L9/s1600/chard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSIwv4T20USKKsl7grmCk513VxOKPx-wb7PhxLKhr-U-fMwv9ZT5x4FSe9zbMoHLT_A94Yz1VIIPNI5GbZSO-UvUFn2tZ04IxmAlq8dWZXgjrIsuZjW2rasfEyx6RvJExG05m4m8Qt7L9/s320/chard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The 2010 Expression 34° Bentrock Vineyard Chardonnay from
Santa Rita Hills ($45/bottle) is a pretty golden hue in the glass with a
perfume redolent of crème brûlée. Fermented in French oak (10% of which were
new) and aged for 14 months in barrel, the palate is complex and creamy with
plenty of vanilla and spice. Flavors of baked green apple and lemon curd are balanced
by good acid and minerality. Refreshing tropical fruit notes linger on the
finish. Only one barrel was made of this tasty Chard (24 cases total)! Pair it
with summer salads, pesto pasta, salmon or shrimp.</div>
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The 2010 Expression 34° Rita’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir
from Santa Rita Hills ($65/bottle) is super dark and concentrated. The nose
offers deep aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, and espresso. Rich and
powerful in the mouth, crème de cassis, blackberry jam, and black licorice flavors
round out the palate. This Pinot has an opulent, juicy texture and a long
finish with notes of sweet vanilla and wood spice. Because it is on the bigger
side, this wine is a perfect match for grilled meats and BBQ ribs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Expression Pinot Noirs caught my attention at the <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2012/06/pinot-party-at-fort-mason.html">Pinot Days event last summer</a>. Keep an eye out for them if you’re attending <a href="http://www.pinotdays.com/Festivals/San_Francisco.asp#&panel1-1">Pinot Days</a>
on June 30<sup>th</sup> this year at Fort Mason in SF. It’s a fantastic event
if you’re a Pinot-lover like me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These
bottles were received for review purposes. They have just been released and are
available for purchase direct from the Expression website. <a href="http://www.expressionwine.com/Wines">Order here</a>. Cheers!</span><br />
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Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-43291643032762931512013-05-31T16:00:00.000-07:002013-05-31T16:00:53.675-07:00Sojourn Cellars: wines for every day of the week!
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Not far from the main square in downtown Sonoma is a quaint
little house-turned-tasting room. There’s a sign out front with a lawn chair on
it. This inviting and casual space is the home of <a href="http://www.sojourncellars.com/">Sojourn Cellars</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dfutoa-GflfAfqJZoQ-Y7Pc_ljger4U2Npb-xtF7aH8TEYXj-Osrv5HVAT6PyNk0cnFly6zYn_USMA-pf47YQBsDuzDYT1wL2rcrDEsTKwCtfBxXekW8LaJFwQDYNj-Bqwc2TvuBopWn/s1600/visit-us-downtown-sonoma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dfutoa-GflfAfqJZoQ-Y7Pc_ljger4U2Npb-xtF7aH8TEYXj-Osrv5HVAT6PyNk0cnFly6zYn_USMA-pf47YQBsDuzDYT1wL2rcrDEsTKwCtfBxXekW8LaJFwQDYNj-Bqwc2TvuBopWn/s1600/visit-us-downtown-sonoma.jpg" /></a></div>
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What started as a mere 100-case release of Cabernet
Sauvignon in 2001 has grown to an amazing portfolio of small-production
offerings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well. When I recently visited the
tasting salon, I was thrilled to taste seven different wines, each of them
enjoyable with significant food-pairing potential. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The 2011 Chardonnay, Sangiacomo Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
($45/bottle; 250 cases produced) smells of honey blossom and white flowers. In
the mouth, it is opulent and creamy thanks to the French oak treatment and 100%
secondary fermentation. Baked apple and vanilla notes round out the mid-palate
with refreshing hints of pineapple and ginger on the finish. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DHM__1ULGft2uodRhXJLQwl0GT_koO8xFXPQK1RSxYBAPmi8II4TPbgThEhM9LDo2ugD9fXQVyelvlh1k42Z4TPcWsL0Q0YPTy6Sj-iw0h4Ps8TprYn0phuEtugBtOxT55UVdOM3NiOe/s1600/IMG_2614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DHM__1ULGft2uodRhXJLQwl0GT_koO8xFXPQK1RSxYBAPmi8II4TPbgThEhM9LDo2ugD9fXQVyelvlh1k42Z4TPcWsL0Q0YPTy6Sj-iw0h4Ps8TprYn0phuEtugBtOxT55UVdOM3NiOe/s320/IMG_2614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The 2011 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($39/bottle; 1250 cases
produced) gives off delicate aromas of rose petal and red currants. It is on
the lighter side with thrilling acidity, racy red cherry fruit flavors and
dusty tannins with a whisper of smoke. This is an extremely easy-drinking wine
that would pair nicely with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus or bacon-wrapped
scallops.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The 2011 Pinot Noir, Rogers Creek Vineyard ($48/bottle; 550
cases produced) is dark and voluptuous for a Pinot. Perfumed with purple
flowers and baking spice, the palate delivers a mélange of boysenberry,
raspberry and black cherry fruit laced with a subtle earthiness. Wow!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The 2011 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley (not yet released)
is silky smooth and elegant. This purple-hued beauty tastes like dark plum
fruit and red candy and will only improve with a little age.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The 2011 Pinot Noir, Gaps Crown Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
($54/bottle; 800 cases produced) is chocolate-covered cherries in a glass. Dark
ruby-red in color, this wine is luscious and mouth-filling; it could accompany
many dark-meat dishes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5kozhMA-2Plrl0U2XG-QsGQXts063wt-6xWSN1rnevbRFISOKhw9RxGLeQIPDjmAmkamotctQmruttHGs7tQ_Kcc98ub9C1lDZnmrPhMaBUu4iICNIPOlTckARwZz0o9JHVtV-joifKm/s1600/sojourn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5kozhMA-2Plrl0U2XG-QsGQXts063wt-6xWSN1rnevbRFISOKhw9RxGLeQIPDjmAmkamotctQmruttHGs7tQ_Kcc98ub9C1lDZnmrPhMaBUu4iICNIPOlTckARwZz0o9JHVtV-joifKm/s200/sojourn.jpg" width="200" /></a>The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District
(please inquire for price and availability) tastes remarkably similar to the
Cabernets from Terra Valentine (which I love!). Sourced from the Wurtle
Vineyard, this Clone 7 Cab has aromas of black tea and dark fruit. Rich with
minerals, the palate delivers satisfying flavors of ripe blueberry compote and
blackberry jam. For a winery known for its Pinot Noir production, this Cab is
absolutely delicious; a shining gem of a wine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges
III, Rutherford, Napa Valley ($95/bottle; 225 cases produced) is a big, serious
wine with a lot of longevity. Definitively masculine, this wine is complex and
structured with firm tannins and a lingering richness. Will cellar very well
and pair perfectly with a filet mignon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe you're wondering about the lawn chair... I had to ask about the story behind it, because these wines are hardly the sip-by-the-pool kind. When the
founders decided to name their winery “sojourn”, which means to vacation or
rest (verb) or a visit (noun), a lawn chair was the obvious emblem for rest and
relaxation. Proprietor Craig Haserot also thinks the lawn chair symbolizes the
“laid-back” atmosphere in Sonoma County.<o:p></o:p></div>
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These wines are so good you will want to find a comfortable
place in which to sit back and enjoy them! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Don’t forget to call ahead for an appointment at the <a href="http://www.sojourncellars.com/visit-us">Sojourn Tasting Salon</a> the next time
you’re planning a trip to Sonoma. I also highly recommend grabbing lunch at the
Sonoma Cheese Factory (the pulled pork sandwich and slaw is to die for). More
Sonoma-based winery recommendations to come soon. As always, I invite you to
connect with me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sipswirlsavor">Facebook</a>. I look forward to your comments. Cheers!</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-27514006102874096772013-05-28T12:41:00.000-07:002013-05-28T12:41:42.516-07:00Special Pinot Noirs from Sequana Vineyards<br />
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Named after the Franco-Roman goddess of the River
Seine, which flows through the ancestral birthplace of Pinot Noir, Sequana
wines are elegant and terroir-driven. Tasting two of Sequana’s current releases
side-by-side showcases the contrasting characteristics between fruit from the
Santa Lucia Highlands and the Russian River Valley. Winemaker James MacPhail,
who also produces wine for his eponymous label, has crafted two unique and
attractively priced Pinot Noirs from these regions!</span><!--EndFragment--> </div>
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The 2010 Sequana Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
($32/bottle) is bright and delicious with aromas of red cherry and fresh earth.
Vivacious acidity complements cheerful flavors of red currant with lingering
notes of vanilla and wood spice. I was impressed with this wine’s refreshing
intensity on the mid-palate and the finish. It is medium-bodied and playful in
the mouth. This is a perfect Pinot Noir for lighter dishes like pork, roast
chicken, ahi tuna, or salmon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The 2010 Sequana Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
($38/bottle) is the darker, more concentrated of the two. Opaque in
transparency and dark ruby in color, it offers an attractive perfume of dark
berries, lavender, and baking spice. This wine is weighty and opulent with
black cherry and cassis flavors. Although the RRV Pinot has ample acidity to
balance the dusty tannins, it is a fuller, richer style than the SLH sibling.
This gorgeous wine finishes with a healthy dose of sweet oak and blackberry
fruit. It is a terrific match for a steak, duck breast, or charcuterie. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These
two wines were received for sample purposes. Seek out your inner goddess at the <a href="http://www.sequanavineyards.com/">Sequana website</a> and stay tuned for the opening of the new tasting room in The Barlow in
Sebastopol. The <a href="http://macphailwine.com/">MacPhail wines</a> can currently be tasted at <a href="http://macphailwine.com/visit-us-appointments/">the winery</a>. Cheers!</span>Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-46587624473927148342013-05-23T12:45:00.002-07:002013-05-28T12:49:53.332-07:00The Wines of Atlas Peak<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Hill Family Estate, Krupp Brothers, Astrale e Terra, VinRoc, Lobo Wines, Antica Napa Valley, and Alpha Omega all have one thing in common<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">—</span>these producers belong to the Atlas Peak Appellation Association (APAA). Despite a shared appellation designation, the wines grown in Atlas Peak couldn't be more diverse. This AVA offers quite the range of styles! For more information about the area, <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/05/the-atlas-peak-advantages.html">click here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXuIPHkG9bVxmyNAFMvsWP37DQXLcGjJv243NVoVD5W0sIw3MAVQHDAXsaGRXrz1pEeCDCzWuHnw8Eob6nV_fNNnibclsNi50qTPQayGFTRnmliJUnbGmY2echjvZ4dZtQE0FBaAt-40a/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXuIPHkG9bVxmyNAFMvsWP37DQXLcGjJv243NVoVD5W0sIw3MAVQHDAXsaGRXrz1pEeCDCzWuHnw8Eob6nV_fNNnibclsNi50qTPQayGFTRnmliJUnbGmY2echjvZ4dZtQE0FBaAt-40a/s320/IMG_2632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The APAA tasting kicked off with a barrel sample of the 2012 Hill
Family Estate Atlas Peak Sauvignon Blanc; a blend of 86.3% Sauvignon Blanc and
13.7% Semillon, this barrel-fermented white offers bright tropical fruit on the
nose. The palate is full and lush with lots of refreshing citrus notes and a
finish with just a hint of spice. Keep an eye out for its release this fall. Also from <b>Hill Family Estate</b>, the 2009 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon ($68/bottle) has
beautiful longevity and depth with lingering flavors of blackberry and sage,
with just a whisper of licorice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4pAs2uY3xkbZcyFnvRJdkMZYhqPA0JUGezvHhzvwOY-PgZg25jPyT53HY5gWovhw3_RWJalzMXYIYJIP_VqIfvneZgoSBCzD4PfUxw4885czArXZLMweTZ1OiXbrhkZmfx8xwWtk2hDX/s1600/IMG_2640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4pAs2uY3xkbZcyFnvRJdkMZYhqPA0JUGezvHhzvwOY-PgZg25jPyT53HY5gWovhw3_RWJalzMXYIYJIP_VqIfvneZgoSBCzD4PfUxw4885czArXZLMweTZ1OiXbrhkZmfx8xwWtk2hDX/s200/IMG_2640.JPG" width="150" /></a>From the <b>Krupp Brothers</b> label, the 2009 Chardonnay is opulent and
full-bodied; it is both fermented and aged in French oak (80% new) for 22
months. It undergoes 100% malolatic fermentation and yet it retains an attractive
acidity that complements the green apple flavors and buttery texture. The 2007 Veraison ($67/bottle) gets the same oak treatment and is a blend
of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cab Franc, 4% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot. This
sumptuous blend offers bright red fruit flavors and a robust richness on the
palate. It finishes with red berries and spice notes. It is delicious now but
still has a lot of ageing potential.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Astrale e Terra</b> is a tiny little winery that produces only
1500 cases annually. We tasted the 2012 Syrah Rosé ($22/bottle), which was just
lovely. Very pale pink in color, this rosé is low in alcohol and has the
tiniest amount of residual sugar to balance out the acid. Light and fruity with
cranberry and watermelon notes, it is a perfect poolside companion! The
soon-to-be released 2009 Arcturus ($40/bottle) is a blend of Cab, Merlot,
Syrah, Cab Franc, and Petit Verdot. This bold wine serves up a tasty
combination of plum and blackberry flavors with velvety tannins. A great
value!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsd8ftqbmWqekrq7tTe6Yhi5RPQUSsWn_Q-H6Zsc30Oi6qhE1n7TagSGwjGDDyS996LrZRknWjs3wsdiut9h2sehDvV2L0okdGM0Lq46L4MaYJRxFOIHN9N5ZquT704ts8B4hzQZTv64e/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsd8ftqbmWqekrq7tTe6Yhi5RPQUSsWn_Q-H6Zsc30Oi6qhE1n7TagSGwjGDDyS996LrZRknWjs3wsdiut9h2sehDvV2L0okdGM0Lq46L4MaYJRxFOIHN9N5ZquT704ts8B4hzQZTv64e/s320/IMG_2638.JPG" width="240" /></a>The 2008 VinRoc Cab ($98/bottle) is 100% Cabernet and
accounts for more than one-third of <b>VinRoc</b>’s total production. Aged for 24
months in French oak, the nose imparts aromas of black olive and earth.
Structured yet refined, red currant and surprisingly bright acidity round out
the palate. It finishes dry with lingering red berry notes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Lobo</b> is another itty-bitty producer. Only 75 cases were
produced of the 2009 Lobo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($65/bottle); it is
brick-red in color with savory aromas and big, mouthfilling tannins. This wine
will age well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We tasted a few wines from the <b>Antica Napa Valley</b> portfolio.
The 2011 Estate Chardonnay is perfumed with orange blossom and spice. The
palate delivers notes of lemon curd, almonds, and sweet vanilla with refreshing
acidity. The 2009 Townsend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($105/bottle) has a
soft, supple texture and a pretty purple color. Restrained and focused, this
wine offers dark berry and mineral notes. This is a wine that age wonderfully.
Then during lunch, a few bottles of the 2012 Fossino Rosé of Pinot Noir were
passed around. It was a refreshing complement to the food and the warm afternoon.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The last wine in the line-up was impressive and rich, the
equivalent of dessert. The fruit for the 2009 <b>Alpha Omega</b> Cabernet Sauvignon
($120/bottle) was sourced from Jan Krupp’s Stagecoach Vineyard. Dark and
super-concentrated in the glass, this Cab offers intense aromas of purple fruit
and baking spice. Prevailing flavors of coffee and dark chocolate overwhelm the
taste buds. Decadent! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uSgCpFj588yFvc1fzpLH_vRVYlAaPHEuMBigQeDCuNdv94MXxesJJbVpurhnuvxm9lgHohyphenhyphenI0VzMdQah_ajdr1Kk5VVu9EhPZhrv0DHJu-CRfpygXDv5sVPEhFP_DEoVqF04iERK5Uh0/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uSgCpFj588yFvc1fzpLH_vRVYlAaPHEuMBigQeDCuNdv94MXxesJJbVpurhnuvxm9lgHohyphenhyphenI0VzMdQah_ajdr1Kk5VVu9EhPZhrv0DHJu-CRfpygXDv5sVPEhFP_DEoVqF04iERK5Uh0/s320/IMG_2664.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Visiting the <a href="http://atlaspeakappellation.com/">Atlas Peak Appellation</a> and spending time at the <a href="http://anticanapavalley.com/">Antica Napa Valley</a> property was a fantastic
experience that I encourage you to experience for yourself. If you’re looking
for unique and complex Napa wines, this is where you can find them! <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712446588858947329.post-603344525803238692013-05-20T10:14:00.000-07:002013-05-28T12:48:33.353-07:00The Atlas Peak Advantages<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I’ve always had an affinity for mountain-grown wines, so
when I received an invitation to a luncheon and tasting organized by the <a href="http://www.atlaspeakappellation.com/">Atlas Peak Appellation Association</a> (APAA), I quickly confirmed my attendance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Prior to the luncheon last week, I don’t think I had ever
tasted a wine from the Atlas Peak AVA. It was an enlightening experience. Approved as an American Viticultural
Area in 1992, the region includes Soda Canyon and Foss Valley and ranges in
elevation from 760 feet above sea level to the highest point of its namesake
(the Atlas Peak itself stands at 2663 feet in elevation). This region is not new to the wine-producing landscape of the Napa Valley; in fact, grapes have been grown here since 1870! Located east of
Yountville and above the Stags Leap District, Atlas Peak covers 11,400 acres.
Only 1,500 acres have been planted, which is a teeny-tiny number compared to
the total vineyard acreage planted in the Napa Valley. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4Kwn19LuyzKMeWL6umvderGY-IYlVaqzIsjFJxpnr7cj7oaY42kjfQnHdnnWOzS7_9ImdGDSS8vt_ewbb5G-k1Jn7FrG8BoKLUJSsVMTiQ2ZQlPRNESqO1YizHNmJq_dTVb7XAWycWqn/s1600/atlas+peak+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4Kwn19LuyzKMeWL6umvderGY-IYlVaqzIsjFJxpnr7cj7oaY42kjfQnHdnnWOzS7_9ImdGDSS8vt_ewbb5G-k1Jn7FrG8BoKLUJSsVMTiQ2ZQlPRNESqO1YizHNmJq_dTVb7XAWycWqn/s320/atlas+peak+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With its diverse micro-climates, treacherous terrain and
limited access (there are only two very narrow roads in and out), it can be
hard to imagine why anyone would want to develop a vineyard site in Atlas Peak.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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When asked this very question, Doug Hill of <a href="http://www.hillfamilyestate.com/">Hill Family Estate Winery</a> just laughed. As a vineyard manager, grape grower, and vintner,
Doug talked about the surplus of challenges involved with growing grapes in
Atlas Peak. The soil is thin and extremely rocky. Preventing soil erosion on
these steep slopes and irrigating the vines is tricky. Also, all the farming
must be done by hand, which is more costly. And yet Doug and other APAA-members
saw the potential in this area and agreed that the additional effort required
to farm this land has been a worthwhile venture. Fortunately, this region gets
a good amount of rainfall and there are natural springs throughout. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPsblOqMr-SZsCp17YFZwVA4FCvI1L_Lz1EJD6ZRIK4Xmse4cwbiXBkAweYFqR_aVerGTo9WaZWMF_6d6St5I2qf6VfHnW9kBlFEgWG48tDFc9AP1lDkSbIxWSRjMhvC0zttcEkhTHLbH/s1600/vin+roc+caves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPsblOqMr-SZsCp17YFZwVA4FCvI1L_Lz1EJD6ZRIK4Xmse4cwbiXBkAweYFqR_aVerGTo9WaZWMF_6d6St5I2qf6VfHnW9kBlFEgWG48tDFc9AP1lDkSbIxWSRjMhvC0zttcEkhTHLbH/s320/vin+roc+caves.jpg" width="320" /></a>Another advantage of this AVA is that it’s above the fog
line which allows for long, sunny days and more consistent temperatures than
the valley floor. Michael Parmenter of <a href="http://www.vinrocnapa.com/">VinRoc Wine Caves</a> explained that the
grapes benefit from additional hours of sunlight and the rocky soils stay warm
at night so there is a smaller shift in temperature from day to night. The
elevation also shields the vines from heat spikes. On Michael’s property, we
witnessed how diverse the climes of Atlas Peak can be. Only twenty feet from
the front of his house where it was warm and sunny, the wind picked up and the
temperature dropped noticeably! For this reason, grapes within the same
vineyard—even on the same vine—mature at different speeds, which makes picking
at optimal ripeness all the more grueling and time-consuming. The harvest of
red grapes in Atlas Peak usually begins the first week of October and takes a
full month before completion. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Jan Krupp, the founder of <a href="http://www.kruppbrothers.com/">Krupp Brothers</a> and <a href="http://www.stagecoachvineyard.com/">Stagecoach Vineyard</a>, is known as a visionary. When he sold his medical practice in 1998 to
pursue his dreams of creating a vineyard to rival that of Chateau Margaux, he
was not intimidated by the formidable terroir of Atlas Peak. Jan was captivated
with the rich soils and rocky nature of this AVA and he was determined to make
world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc here.
Due to the adverse growing conditions, vines on Atlas Peak “struggle”, which
equates to small yields and tiny berries. These highly concentrated grapes
offer superior intensity of color and tannins, as well as a greater potential
to age these wines—just the qualities Jan was determined to achieve in his
vineyards. He farms the Bordeaux varietals and 13 more varieties in his
mountainous vineyards. Under the Krupp Brothers label, he only makes about
7,000 cases of wine but his vineyards are capable of producing as many as 133,000
cases. He sells the surplus fruit to 80 different wineries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For the luncheon and tasting, we were hosted at <a href="http://www.anticanapavalley.com/">Antica Napa Valley</a> by Glenn Salva, who has been the Estate Manager at this property since
1985. Similar to the Krupp Brothers, Antica sells as much as 90% of the fruit
they grow in Atlas Peak. Of their total planted acreage, 50% is Cabernet
Sauvignon; Chardonnay accounts for 25%; and the Bordeaux varietals and
Sangiovese make up the balance. Owned by the Antinori family, Antica was named
in 2006; it is the word for ‘ancient’ in Italian and also a blend of the family
name and California. Today, this beautiful wine estate boasts breathtaking
views; a 10,000-case annual production; and an Italian-trained chef.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNUTWlnkenFkqYVOZhh6KiOvsBOBTqTabBYL4NlvRTwCPIB-9ywXp9ikcKYNVMaZo-g-ueSdnVSGJwCf18XNWWBTEShL_PMSfl7Ge488asSwInx5DbKDgKN2JFU86TT7xcbVzQfazdnON/s1600/table+atlas+peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNUTWlnkenFkqYVOZhh6KiOvsBOBTqTabBYL4NlvRTwCPIB-9ywXp9ikcKYNVMaZo-g-ueSdnVSGJwCf18XNWWBTEShL_PMSfl7Ge488asSwInx5DbKDgKN2JFU86TT7xcbVzQfazdnON/s320/table+atlas+peak.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The terrace at Antica Napa Valley was the perfect setting to enjoy some stellar wines,
which represented a variety of styles. I highly recommend a trip up Soda Canyon
Road, just be sure to call before you get there; Antica Napa Valley is by
appointment only (as are the rest of the wineries in Atlas Peak).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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For the complete tasting notes of the APAA tasting, please <a href="http://www.sipswirlsavor.com/2013/05/the-wines-of-atlas-peak.html">click here</a>. Cheers!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Cortney Roudebushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03210427784459446086noreply@blogger.com1