This might boil your blood. Maybe you know a grape grower or two with fruit left hanging to feed the birds, or alas, return to the earth. I surely do. Nearly 30% of the would-be harvest in Mendocino county has gone unspoken for. Think about your high school prom: one-third of the people standing on the sidelines with no prospect of a dance partner. Sad. And yet, in what seems a galling move, big wine makers are importing more juice than ever from far away lands. Bulk wine imports tripled in the first part of 2009 over 2008. The big guys are bringing in juice from Australia, Argentina and France by the boatload, literally, in polyurethane bladders. Franzia is one of them. So is Mondavi. It seems ironic, no? Anticipating a shortage a decade ago, when grapes weren’t cheap enough here, they encouraged plantings elsewhere. Keep this in mind when reaching for cheap wine.
Autumn’s warmth continues to ripen tomatoes and peppers, as the poison oak turns crimson and coral. When you just want a simple, satisfying wine, twist the top off a 2008 Clayhouse sauvignon blanc (locally grown in Paso Robles) and enjoy the bright citrus and peach flavors. Nothing fancy, just refreshing and juicy-good. And not imported in a boat.
Making Halloween plans? Sarah’s Vineyard in Gilroy will be hosting a civilized adult Halloween Party on Friday October 30th from 6pm to 10pm. They’ll have a nice bonfire going along with space heaters to combat the chilly Fall evening. Live music, and high-octane trick or treating. At Poetic Cellars, to the north in Soquel, they’ll feature a variety of fondues with wine pairings: prizes for costumes.
Mark your calendars for November 6th & 7th, when the inaugural Big Sur Food & Wine Festival will offer great food and wine experiences surrounded by unmatched natural beauty. Morgan Winery will participate in the festivities, and Dan Lee, along with a panel of experts, will discuss sustainable vs. biodynamic vs. organic vineyard practices, in a seminar called, “Does it Matter?” Don’t miss “Afternoon Eclectic,” a strolling wine tasting with tapas on the grounds of the Post Ranch Inn. On Saturday afternoon, the Grand Tasting, will take place at the Lodge at Julia Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. http://www.bigsurfoodandwine.org/
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