Wine Guy

Jerry Lohr

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Today let me introduce you to Jerry Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards. I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say he was born and raised on a farm in South Dakota. After attending Stanford, Jerry took a job with NASA. In ‘72 Lohr planted 280 acres of grapes in Monterey County. In ‘74 he completed his winery in San Jose. In ‘88 Jerry Lohr found his way to Paso Robles and began purchasing vineyards that today encompasses more than 3000 acres. The wines of J. Lohr showcase the importance of right grapes and right place. Look for the J. Lohr 2011 Carol’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc with classic grapefruit and light grass in the nose; in taste light herbs, lemon, and spice, 4 wine stains, $24. And the J. Lohr 2008 Cuvee St. E a Cab Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon blend , all violets, blueberries, and cassis, 5 wine Stains, $50.
Ladies and gentlemen – Jerry Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines.

Bubble Machine

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Move over Lawrence Whelk, here comes Gloria Ferrer. I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say for those of us old enough to remember Lawrence Whelk, who could forget his bubble machine? But, his bubble machine is nothing compared to the bubble machine known as Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves. How many bubbles do you think are in a bottle of Champagne?… Give up? 44 million bubbles! It all has to do with grams per liter in the dosage and atmospheres of pressure. If you don’t believe me pick up a bottle of Gloria Ferrer 2000 Carneros Cuvee. And I did say 2000. This wine has been 10 years on the yeast and is a stunner! All apples, pears, and yeast in the nose, in the mouth crisp, lively, and clean, complex with cream and vanilla in the finish, a perfect 5 wine stains, wow! $50. Gloria Ferrer – my favorite bubble machine in Sonoma’s Carneros AVA.

What's Happening in Wine Country

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Sip and Soup at Girard, Artisano at the Vintners Inn, and what are you doing Thanksgiving weekend? I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say this Saturday, November 10th, from 1:00 – 5:00 Sip and Soup at Girard in Yountville. The weather’s cooling down, so stop by for a bowl of minestrone soup and taste a few great wines. Click on girardwinery.com
And mark on your calendar Saturday, November 17th for Artisano, a festival celebrating local artisans and in support for Ceres Community Projects. Enjoy small batch artisan wines, restaurants that support local farmers and ranchers, unique food purveyors, and talented artists. That’s November 17th at the Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa. Click on artisano.org.
And don’t forget to take your visiting relatives wine tasting Thanksgiving weekend as each Sonoma appellation is hosting holiday open houses.
Now get out there and taste responsibly.

Sonoma-Cutrer

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:21:00 GMT

If you say Chardonnay… I say Sonoma-Cutrer. I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say since its inaugural vintage in 1981, Sonoma-Cutrer has helped define what California Chardonnay is today. If Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of red grapes, Chardonnay is queen of the whites. Chardonnay is California’s most widely planted wine grape and is the most popular wine in the U.S. I tasted through the Sonoma-Cutrer wines last week with winemaker Mick Schroeter. Approaching his third harvest with Sonoma-Cutrer, Mick explained the differences and similarities of the Sonoma-Cutrer wines which now include five Chardonnays and three Pinot Noirs. Look for Sonoma-Cutrer’s 2008 The Cutrer Chardonnay, creamy with honeysuckle and toast, 4½ wine stains, $35. And the Sonoma-Cutrer 2010 Les Pierres Chardonnay all apples and pears, flinty with mineral and toast, 5 wine stains, $36. When you think Chardonnay, think Sonoma-Cutrer.

Williams Selyem - By Appoinment Only

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:19:00 GMT

By appointment only! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say… no not a dentist appointment; no fun. I’m talking a private tour and wine tasting. Along with Williams Selyem’s new winery facility on Westside Road comes a new policy – private wine tastings. No stuffy, straight-laced tour and tasting here. You’re greeted with the smiling face of hospitality manager Michael Traverso, yes, the same Michael Traverso of Santa Rosa’s famed family deli. A flight of six selected Williams Selyem wines, both current and library, is waiting. The day we were there the Williams Selyem 2006 Lytton Estate Pinot Noir was being poured. The ’06 showed complex bottle bouquet, perfectly aged with dark cherry and spice, a 5 stainer, $100 a bottle. What’s the cost of this memorable experience? It’s complimentary… as in no charge. At this point in time, Michael said they are booked two weeks out. A call to Williams Selyem for your appointment is highly recommended.

What's Happening in Wine Country

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:17:00 GMT

The Taste of Petaluma, an afternoon with me at Marcucci’s and the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say this Saturday, it’s the 7^th Annual Taste of Petaluma. Sample everything that Petaluma’s upscale culinary scene has to offer. Over 60 of Petaluma’s chefs, food purveyors, wineries and breweries will temp you with their talents. The event benefits the Cinnabar Theater. Click on tasteofpetaluma.org.

Also this Saturday, join me for a tour, food, and wine class at the Russian River’s Marcucci Farms and Winery. We’ll be exploring the components of the Marcucci Zinfandel. Call 707-544-4789 for reservations.

Then mark on your calendar Labor Day weekend as tickets are now on sale for the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend. It kicks off with a new Sonoma Starlight Supper Club at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Click on sonomawinecountryweekend.com for a schedule of this 3-day event.

Now get out there and taste responsibly.

Dinner With the Winemakers

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:06:00 GMT

Dinner with the winemakers! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say the best way to taste a wine is to have dinner with it. Last week Jeff Meier and Steve Peck of Paso Robles J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines poured their new releases for me at Healdsburg’s Dry Creek Kitchen. J. Lohr farms some 3000 acres from three wine regions: Paso Robles, Monterey County, Napa Valley. J. Lohr may be large, but it’s still family owned. It operates with the loving care of a boutique winery. Jeff Meier spoke with pride of his new small batch vineyard series, from the Clonal selection, soil types, to the winemaking techniques. The taste is in the bottle. Look for the J. Lohr 2010 October Night Chardonnay all lemon, tangerine, and pears, 4½ wine stains, $25. The J. Lohr 2010 Highlands Bench Pinot Noir is a smooth strawberry jam, cherry, and mocha of a wine, 5 wine stains, $35. Dinner with the J. Lohr winemakers… I love my job!

Jerry Lohr

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:03:00 GMT

Ladies and gentlemen – Jerry Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines.

What's Happening In Wine Country

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grape to Glass, The Taste of Petaluma, and an afternoon with me at Marcucci’s, I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say this Saturday, August 18^th it’s The 17^th Annual Grape to Glass preharvest party at Richard’s Grove & Saralee’s Vineyard on Slusser Road in Windsor. This Saturday enjoy 50 wineries and growers pouring their best while local restaurants and caterers share family recipes. Click on rrvw.org.

Then Saturday August 25^th it’s the 7^th Annual Taste of Petaluma. Sample everything that Petaluma’s upscale culinary scene has to offer. Over 60 of Petaluma’s chefs, food purveyors, wineries and breweries will temp you with their talents. The event benefits the Cinnabar Theater. Click on tasteofpetaluma.org.

Also August 25^th, join me for a tour, food, and wine class at the Russian River’s Marcucci Farms and Winery. We’ll be exploring the components of the Marcucci Zinfandel.

Call 707-544-4789 for reservations.

Now get out there and taste responsibly.

Screwcap Convert

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Okay, okay, I’ll admit it. At first I was intimidated. I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say for years I’ve been saying a screw cap is a better closure for wine than cork. So when I heard a group in New Zealand was bottling all their Sauvignon Blanc in screw top bottles, I marched to the store and brought one home. That bottle sat in the fridge for a week. Every time I looked at the bottle I saw a big black top that looked like foil. I wasn’t quite sure how to open it. Where do I twist? One hand or two? Finally, I took a deep breath, and… I just opened it, one easy twist. Now, I’m a pro! After just one try,

I’m ready, bring ‘em on, red, white, foreign, or domestic! I can hold my head high; I am no longer intimidated. Trust me. Just one twist and I guarantee you’ll be a convert. Then, all we’ll have to do is wait until the rest of the wine business sees the light.