Looking for a deal on a great wine? That and more from Modesto wine columnist
Here are some wine items that have been piling up on my desk. It’s a new year and it’s time to find my desk.
If you are a Cabernet Sauvignon fan, you might want to tune in to what’s going on with the PRCC. Formed in 2012, the Paso Robles CAB Collective is a collaborative effort of leading Paso Robles growers and producers of Cabernet and red Bordeaux varietals specific to the Paso AVA. The PRCC just received a grant of $14,988 to identify research and education needs specific to the Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon and red Bordeaux wine grape growing region. Check out pasoroblescab.com for tons of information including a cool map listing 24 wineries you probably should visit.
Wine and Spirits Magazine named Eden Rift among the Top 100 Wineries of the Year. It is located in the Cienega Valley AVA, which straddles Monterey and San Benito counties. It was acquired in 2016 by San Francisco native Christian Pillsbury. Eden Rift rose quickly in recognition for their limestone-based Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays under direction of winemaker Cory Waller who tenured under Josh Jensen at Calera. Find out more about Eden Rift at edenrift.com.
I wish all restaurants had quality house wines. We went to a relatively new steak house to order a cocktail and take notes on the amazing mixologist. I asked about his house wines. He said the Cabernet Sauvignon was L. Martini Napa, the Pinot Noir was Angeline Sonoma, the Chardonnay St. Francis Sonoma and the Pinot Grigio Stemmari from Sicily. All are under tap! He said the tap system is perfect, no wasted wines and no bottles to deal with and I added, also a fair price ($8) for the happy diners.
The Sonoma County Winegrowers have launched a weekly post called “The Good Stuff”. Each Wednesday go to sonomawinegrape.org to find out what’s happening in and around the beautiful Sonoma Wine Country.
The economic impact of California wine on the U.S economy is big. It it employs 1.1 million Americans, generates $170.5 billion in annual economic activity and pays $21.9 billion in annual taxes including local, state, federal, business, excise and personal taxes. (Are you taking notes?)
What’s On Our Table
When looking for wine steals, I always check the back of the bottle to see who produced, vinted or just cellared the wine and of course, where it was bottled. The 2021 Juniper+Oak California Sauvignon Blanc was vinted and bottled in Modesto and is $3.99 at the Grocery Outlet. I returned to buy more and discovered a 2020 Juniper+Oak Pinot Grigio. That sealed the steal. A mixed case also gave me another 10% off. It looks like 2023 is going to be a great year. And yes! I just found my stapler. Cheers!
This story was originally published January 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM.