Get the ultimate guidebook to wine country. It’s like a Michelin Guide with free passes.

Here are 3 tips for finding new wine to love and enjoy.

• Once you discover a wine that you like, note the vintage (year it was made) as well as the producer and variety (type of grape, e.g. Syrah) and where you bought it.  It’s also helpful to write down the price & whether it was on sale. You can use a notebook that you keep in your kitchen & grab when you go shopping, or you can use a computer program.  Once a vintage is sold out, you won’t be able to find that wine again, so I recommend buying at least a case (12 bottles) if you have room to properly store it.

• Some wineries (winemakers) maintain a similar taste profile year after year, while others let the grapes express themselves as purely as possible to represent that year’s particular influences (weather, ripening etc.).  This is why vintage matters with some wine, and much less with others (i.e., 2 Buck Chuck).  If you like a particular wine, go ahead and try that winery’s other vintages.  Once you pay attention to vintage, you start to understand why you suddenly don’t like a wine that you previously loved.

• It’s perfectly legitimate to use scores, awards and recommendations by wine critics/enthusiasts (like myself) to try new wine.  However, it is not the point to like a wine because it has a high score; the point is to see if that reviewers’/judges’ tastes fits your own.  For me, I’ve noticed a high degree of synergy between my palette and the scores in Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Your palette may be in tune with the scores from Wine Spectator magazine.  What I’ve learned is when I shop for something new, I ignore certain reviews/points/awards and pay attention to others.

* While tasting at parties, sometimes it’s easier to take a picture to remember the wine you like.

A related article you might like.

I took this photo with my old Canon Powershot at the Napa Valley Mustard Festival Kick Off party.  I didn’t photoshop it because the graininess adds to the illusion that this is a painting.  Instead, as my title suggests, it’s a live model within a theatrical painted set.

I was touched by this modern woman modelling (in a body suit).  With so many women being shy about their body (myself included), it’s lovely to see a strong curvy gal showcased in modern art.  Kudos to the model, the artist responsible and the producers of the Festival.

Sciandri Family WInery

Many visitors drive through Napa, see the large corporate/investor owned wineries and think this is Napa. If you’ve already been to these wineries or it’s just not your cup of tea, it’s time to discover alternatives.

Here are three fabulous, unique and intimate experiences that I highly recommend.

Sciandri Family Vineyards. (Pronounced She-an-dree) Located behind the city of Napa (northeast edge of the valley), you wind through Wild Horse Valley to an area called Coombsville (soon to be its own AVA) and park in front of the Sciandri’s house and tasting room. The vibe at Sciandri is relaxed and welcoming; their daughter tells a  fascinating story of how the family starting making wine just a few years ago, how her hard working parents came to rebuild an old house and pursue a dream that would ensure that their family stayed close.  Call for an appointment to sip their Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon with a nice plate of Italian Salumi while pretending you live there for an afternoon at least. (Every appointment is a private tour and tasting, and groups from 2 -12 people are welcome.)

Black Cat Vineyard.  This must be the smallest winery in Napa. One woman does it all, and I mean everything.  When you visit Black Cat Winery, leave the cell phone, camera and video recorder in the car. Be in the moment and soak up Tracey Reichow’s massively intelligent and fascinating wine knowledge.  The view is outstanding, but her explanation about the Coombsville region being “wine mecca” makes it unforgettable. I love her Syrah & Cabernert Sauvignon; gently & lovingly crafted, a beautiful alternative to in-your-face big, bold “Napa” reds.

Casa Nuestra.  This winery is on the Silverado Trail on the farthest northern edge. When you drive up, you’ll see an unpaved driveway and a little yellow house.  It’s tiny, yet behind the scenes, they are making approx. 15 different wines!  This is one of my top ten wineries; I always find something I like and the people at the winery are sincerely welcoming. (It doesn’t seem right to call them staff because they are such an integrated part of the experience.)  A VIP Pass for a private tour and tasting is included in my guide.

This post was inspired by my Guidebook being a speed dial gift on KQED’s Winter Pledge Drive. I’m so proud to be part of the great tradition of public radio!

Before television (and Twitter) people gathered around the radio for entertainment.  I’m too young to have those memories directly, but I loved the TV drama The Waltons, about a depression-era Virginia mountain family.  Also, firmly in my memory bank is the War of the Worlds Play read by Orson Welles in 1938. (Available as a podcast.)

Today, I’m hooked on radio story-telling.  I love This American Life on my local public radio station, and even if it’s getting a little long-in-the-tooth, Hubby and I still listen to the Sunday edition of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion.

There are a lot of interesting new shows on Internet radio but I have a hard time finding them–there are so many it’s overwhelming.  Any suggestion are welcome.  I’ve done a few interviews (audio & video)…fun Tips & Picks from Girl with a Glass!

I bought this fun dress at Wildcat in downtown Napa.  It’s a small shop with vintage-style new and used clothing for women and men. The jewelry is from Accent’s, a fabulous boutique in downtown Novato (& Petaluma).  Hubby bought me this Aquamarine necklace & matching earrings for Christmas.  Here’s  some fun “facts” about the stone.

Traditionally seen as the birthstone for March, Aquamarine stone gets it’s color from iron ferrous and has been known since ancient times as a stone of hope, happiness, good health, fidelity, eternal youth and lasting love.

Aquamarine stone cleanses and aligns the chakras and the etheric and mental bodies. It helps you to reduce fear and communicate with those around you in a loving and compassionate way, all the while it is flushing out your lymph system.

Aquamarine stone attracts friends and friendly people to you. People you can trust and that show compassion for you. It is often used to calm disrupted situations with it’s ability to bring harmony.

Aquamarine crystal help facilitate communication and is especially good to help couples work out their problems in a friendly and peaceful manner. (Source)

Visiting the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone (St. Helena) makes me happy.  I love the old stone building and knowing that there are aspiring chefs on the 3rd floor while I dine in the restaurant.  I like the service, the decor, the reasonable wine mark ups and the artsy, interesting food.

When it was announced that the 17th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival’s kick off party was going to be held at CIA, I immediately bought tickets.  I’ll be posting lots of pictures this week. Bobby and I had a fantastic time, but my absolute favorite part?  Eating in the chef’s kitchen.

Napa’s famous restaurants (Bouchon, Brix, etc) served small bites in the wine tasting room, but we headed straight for the kitchen.  Guests picked up a plate and went through a double-sided buffet flanked by chefs standing next to their stoves offering osso buco, polenta, mustard greens, Italian wedding soup, breaded shrimp with fruit dipping sauce, blood red orange salad, cioppino and more.  We sat family style at a long table in the middle of the kitchen.  For me, it was a once in a lifetime experience.  There are plenty of parties where I can walk around balancing a plate of small bites while drinking wine, but the opportunity to eat in the CIA kitchen…priceless!

Imagine a soft, feminine voice that agrees to (almost) every crazy suggestion that Hubby makes. He loves it, and I have the bruises to show for it. Our first date, I went white river rafting with him. Our second date he rented a mountain bike for me and I rode up and down Mt. Tamalpias (not flat!), the day after our wedding, I rode down Squaw with him, before that I gamely followed him down the treacherous, expert Downieville Downhill. I’ve scubaed into caves and wrecks, become a runner and took up off-road motorcycling at age 35. I’ve loved it (especially after surviving) and at times, I’ve had complete meltdowns brought on by fear, heat-exhaustion, and self-talk.

A few years ago, Bobby’s back had degenerated so badly from all the crashes (especially the motorcycle head-ons into trees), he could no longer do any sports at all. His athletic endeavors are now limited to short “family walks” (with Tulip and I) and physical therapy.

As this change in our lives unfolded, I did two things, I bought a puppy to distract him and make us laugh; and I encouraged him to pursue his long-time passion for photography. Tulip is three years old now and he loves her, brags on her and is happily wrapped around her little paw. As for the photography, he has passionately immersed himself in it, just like every sport he has ever taken on. And of course, I’ve agreed to go along.

So now I have a retired motorcycle, mountain bike, surfboard, scuba gear and running shoes and new photo equipment. But Lord knows, this isn’t point and shoot photography. We have “shoot offs” (did I mention he’s competitive?); I receive books and instruction on lighting, macro shooting, aperture, shutter speed, etc. and we have to get up insanely early on weekends to catch the perfect light. The only thing that has changed is I have far less bruises.

Sleeping Wine

A winemaker friend whom I greatly respect insists that Zinfandel is the hardest grape to make into a great wine.  I had never thought about it until then, but, I think he has a point.  Growing conditions, ripeness at harvest and a winemaker’s preferences make this wine hard to predict.

Here’s what Wikipedia says about the different AVA’s and Zin.

Certain California regions are regarded as “exceptional” for Zinfandel,^[44] each with identifiable flavor characteristics.

• Amador has a reputation for big, full-bodied Zinfandel. These extra-ripe wines have been called jammy, briary, and brambly, having aromas of sweet berries.^[44]
• Although the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA in Santa Clara Valley produces Zinfandel from just 9 acres (3.64 hectares),^[43] the Zinfandel from that region is known for its complexity and depth.^[41]
• Sonoma county has a Zinfandel-producing land area second only to that of San Joaquin County.^[43] The county contains the warm Dry Creek Valley AVA, known for its juicy Zinfandel with bright fruit, balanced acidity and notes of blackberry, anise and pepper.^[4][41] Dry Creek Valley produces Zinfandel in a variety of styles ranging from the high-alcohol Amador style to balanced, spicy wines.^[44]
• San Luis Obispo, particularly the Paso Robles AVA with its hot days and cool maritime evenings,^[44] produces Zinfandel known for being soft and round.^[41]
• While the Napa Valley AVA is known primarily for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, Napa also produces Zinfandel wines described as plummy and intense, tasting of red berry fruits with cedar and vanilla.^[4][41] Zinfandel in Napa tends to be made in a claret style like red Bordeaux.^[44]
• The Russian River Valley generally produces well during warm vintages. Otherwise, the grapes do not fully ripen, leaving the wines with excessive acidity.^[41] The area has mostly “old vine” Zinfandel, characterized as spicy and somewhat lower in alcohol than Zinfandel from other regions.^[44]
• Mendocino County Zinfandel wines have been considered high quality, but they are less known because they are not heavily marketed.^[44]
• Lodi has some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in California. While often used for White Zinfandel production, in the red style, Lodi Zinfandels have a reputation for being juicy and approachable.^[41]

What do you think? Do you have a favorite Zinfandel?  A favorite pairing?

Leave a comment and I will randomly draw your name out of a hat on Friday.  The winner will receive 2 tickets to the Grand Tasting at ZAP.

ZAP
The 19th Annual Grand Zinfandel Tasting takes place on January 30 from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. at the Festival and Herbst Pavilions at Fort Mason (Marina Blvd. at Buchanan, San Francisco 94123). Tickets for non-ZAP members are $59; for ZAP members, $49. Over 200 wineries will pour their wines; a list of participating wineries can be found at http://zinfandel.org. There will be a silent auction based at the Festival Pavilion from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., benefiting ZAP’s Heritage Projects.

It’s rainy this winter.  My friend, Amanda, has come from North Carolina to visit her beloved wine country.  I believe this is her 23rd visit.  She’s not letting the rain get her down though.

Wine country (and California) is wonderful year-round.  Many wineries have fireplaces, the tasting rooms are quiet and staff is eager to bring out all kinds of wines for you to try.  You get in your rental car (or hire a driver), go to the places recommended in my guide (I’m telling you, you’ll love them) and then come back to cozy, welcoming luxury at the White House Inn & Spa (my favorite B&B in Napa).  Housed in an old mansion right around the corner from the trendy new Napa River Waterfront district, you’ll find great restaurants, Silo’s Jazz Club and tasting rooms close by for your evenings.  (No driving all the way to Yountville or St. Helena and back for dinner.)

Napa is close enough to Kenwood (Sonoma County) that you can easily stay in downtown Napa and spend a lazy afternoon in Kenwood.  I recommend starting at Kunde (wine & cheese in the Kinneybrook Room) then having lunch at The Vineyards Inn Bar & Grill.  (Enjoy a free seasonal Tapa named after me and a glass of owner’s Steve Rose’s vino.)  After lunch, go visit Chris Loxton, an Australian winemaker who makes suburb reds, whites and rosés.  He’s enthusiastic, welcoming (and his accent is lovely to listen to).  If it’s not raining, plan on doing a Walkabout With the Winemaker Tour.

Downtown Napa & Kenwood have a lot to offer. If you’ve “done up-valley Napa”, do something different next time.  It’s an insider’s secret, and now you’re in on it!

All the places and activities mentioned here are in my guide, purchase a guide and all tastings & tours will be free to you.