Robert Mondavi Family of Wines Brings Nationwide Tour to Great Arizona Picnic

WHAT/WHO:

California wine country is heading to Phoenix with the fifth annual Robert Mondavi Discover Wine tour. Guests are invited

to join Robert Mondavi wine experts at Great Arizona Picnic to learn anything and everything – from winemaking to wine

pairing. Great Arizona Picnic is the first stop on the nationwide Robert Mondavi Discover Wine tour bringing an interactive

and educational wine experience to consumers. Great Arizona Picnic will be held at the Scottsdale Civic Center and is one ofthe city’s premier food and wine tasting events.

WHY:

The Robert Mondavi Discover Wine Tour fulfills Robert Mondavi’s vision of enriching life by embracing wine, food and

the arts as an integral part of gracious living. Great Arizona Picnic will also feature a feast of delectable food and musical

entertainment.

WHERE/WHEN:

Great Arizona Picnic

Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza

7380 E. 2nd St.

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

INTERVIEW/PHOTOGRAPH OPPORTUNITIES:

• Educational experts from Robert Mondavi Wines will be available for both onsite and in-studio interviews

• Talk to wine enthusiasts and novice consumers attending the event for their perspective

ROBERT MONDAVI DISCOVER WINE ATTRACTIONS:

• The Robert Mondavi Wine and Cooking Stage – Guests can participate in wine tasting and cooking demonstrations

with some of the best local chefs and wine experts

• Essence Station: Before wine sampling, guests will be encouraged to stimulate their senses and become acquainted

with essences – the subtle aromas and flavors found in every glass of wine

• Interactive iPad station-For guests to learn more about the tour, the interactive iPad station will provide access to

email recipes and wine pairings, see photos of past events and view tasting notes from the wines tasted at on the

tour

• Guests will be able to watch exclusive video footage on the set, giving a look into how Robert Mondavi

revolutionized the American wine industry and winemaking

• Wine Tasting Seminars featuring wines from Robert Mondavi Winery and Robert Mondavi Private Selection

Robert Mondavi Discover Wine

Saturday, 4/9: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Sunday, 4/10: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Tickets

On or Before March 4th: $7.50

After March 4th: $10

(additional $5 for Discover Wine

ticket and $1 for tastings)

(YOUNTVILLE CA) - This Easter, as the buds break on the vines and spring to life in Napa Valley, Chandon brings a fresh take on your Easter celebration (for the over 21 crowd, of course).  Consider a new tradition by including colorful Chandon 187s of Brut Classic and Chandon Rosé in your Easter baskets and fill in the gaps with your favorite dark and milk chocolates.

Remember that the darker the chocolate, the more full-bodied you’ll want your sparkling wine to be. Try Rosé with dark chocolate and raspberries and then move to Chandon Riche to compliment white chocolate dipped apricots.

Whatever you do, make sure to have plenty of Chandon on hand for your Easter bash. Three Chandon cocktails that match the wonderful colors of spring are the Chandon Luscious Peach, the Chandon Easter Parade, and the Chandon Cucumber Peel. The colors and tastes of these sparkling drinks will tell your guests that spring has sprung!

Chandon Luscious Peach:
Ingredients
2½ oz Chandon Extra-Dry Riche

¼ cup of fresh peach

½ oz simple syrup (or pomegranate syrup)

5-7 mint leaves (for a little spice, add 2 grinds of fresh pepper instead of mint)

Instructions
Muddle the peach with the syrup and the mint or pepper in a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with Chandon Extra-Dry Riche and stir. Garnish with a peach wedge or a sprig of mint.


Chandon Easter Parade:
Ingredients for 1 cocktail

1 scoop good raspberry sorbet

1 sprig fresh thyme

Chandon Rosé

Instructions

Scoop sorbet into glass. Place thyme sprig into the center of it as a garnish. Fill glass with Chandon Rosé and enjoy immediately.


Chandon Cucumber Peel:
Ingredients


2½ oz Chandon Brut Classic

2 inches of raw cucumber with peel

½ oz simple syrup

5–7 spearmint leaves

Instructions
Muddle cucumber with mint leaves and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with Chandon Brut Classic and stir. Garnish with a slice of cucumber or a sprig of mint.


For more cocktail recipes and entertaining ideas visit http://chandon.com/entertaining/hosting.html to start planning your party, and for more reasons to celebrate everyday visit http://www.chandon.com/365/chandon-365.ics to download Chandon’s 365 Reasons to Celebrate calendar to your desktop or go to www.facebook.com/chandon and click on the 365 tab.


About Domaine Chandon
Founded in 1973, Domaine Chandon was the first American sparkling wine venture established by a French Champagne house (Moët & Chandon). Chandon crafts a range of sparkling wines that reflect California’s vibrant regional character yet remain true to the practices of méthode traditionnelle. A leader in viticulture as well as winemaking, Domaine Chandon is at the forefront of sustainable farming practices and continues to replenish, control, and in many cases restore the natural habitat. Domaine Chandon’s acclaimed fine dining restaurant étoile received a star rating in the 2010 Michelin Guide. The winery was selected “Winery of the Year 2005” by the California Tourism Association.

North Shore Restaurant Boasts Most Extensive Greek Wine List in Midwest

For wine-lovers, escaping to Greece is now as easy as a trip to Winnetka and Avli Estiatorio.  The contemporary Greek restaurant features the most extensive Greek wine list of any restaurant in the Midwest.  Avli lets you tour all the regions of Greece with an impressive list of over 115 authentic Greek wines. With bottles ranging from $20 to $100, everyone has a chance to accent their meal with a savory wine. A more expensive specialty reserve wine list is also available upon request for wine connoisseurs and those who are looking to further enhance their dining experience.

“We carry a number of wines that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in America,” says owner, Loui Alexakis.  “In addition to the roditis and retsinas that most people think of when it comes to Greek wine, our wine list features bottles from Paros, Cephalonia, Santorini and more.” Starting in May, Monday's will feature wine flights for $10 with either 3 half glasses of white wines from the island of Santorini or 3 half glasses of red wines from the Nemea region.

The North Shore restaurant is the only Greek restaurant in the state of Illinois to be honored with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.  This prestigious national award recognizes restaurants whose wine lists appeal to a wide range of wine lovers, offer interesting selections and are appropriate to their cuisine.


About Avli Estiatorio
Located in Winnetka on Chicago’s beautiful North Shore, Avli Estiatorio prides itself on serving both authentic and innovative Greek cuisine in a fresh, relaxing atmosphere. The beautifully secluded outdoor patio space lends itself perfectly to enjoying a glass or two of vino - Avli’s extensive Greek-only wine list received a 2010 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence - paired with their incredible Mediterranean menu options. Avli was named one of the Best New Restaurants in 2009 by Northshore Magazine and has received a 4.5 star review from Make it Better Magazine. Whether it’s a large family gathering or a quiet dinner for two, a meal at Avli Estiatorio is as close to Greece in Chicago as you’ll get without a plane ticket. Avli is located at 566 Chestnut in Winnetka, Illinois, and can be reached at 847.446.9300 or online at http://www.avli.us.

Vintners and Growers Association Launches Interactive Winery and Vineyard Database

March 29, 2011 (Monterey, CA)—The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association (MCVGA) extended their forward-thinking presence in the digital age with the recent unveiling of an online database that brings Wine Country vibrantly to life. The Association launched the innovative application, available at www.MontereyWines.org under the vineyard header “Find Your Favorite,” to put up-to-the-minute information on the region, its varied American Viticulture Areas (AVA), member producers, and 42 winegrape varietals at a users’ fingertips. Consumers searching for winery information can utilize the same database tool to find out information on wine labels from Monterey Wine Country.

The database utilizes detailed profiles that are easily searchable by vineyard or winery name, AVA or by a specific varietal. Profiles of vineyards or wineries offer website links and contact details, provide consumers and visitors with information on what is for sale, and maps to the vineyards. MCVGA member businesses may update their own information via a proprietary system developed by Moosepoint Technology, which is then posted to the Association’s website in real time.

Consumers who want to experience the region first-hand can access tasting room information utilizing the same database tool before visiting over 30 tasting rooms profiled in the area. Visitors can find out details on location, hours, and wines being poured in Monterey Wine Country through the winery “Find Your Favorite” tool, also available at www.MontereyWines.org.

In concert with the online database, the MCVGA will also shortly release a new mobile phone app for users and visitors on the go. Compatible with all smartphones (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile), the free app will allow users to search vineyards and tasting rooms based on their AVA, varietals available for tasting, and amenities such as pet-friendly grounds, food sales, or picnicking accommodations.

Bringing together the talents and resources of its members, partners and the community, the MCVGA promotes and supports their leadership in the art, science and business of wine. Founded in 1974, the Association is a non-profit organization representing over 75 vintners and growers in Monterey, California. Additional details are available by visiting www.MontereyWines.org or by calling (831) 375-9400.

This is such fun packaging and to be honest a wine shop's nightmare if they are trying to place it in their conventional racking! The "Si Soave" is a white wine produced in Italy's SOAVE DOC and is composed of 90% Garganega and 10% Trebbiano.

Most Soave is light and crisp white wine that is amazing during the summer time or just about any time of the year if you pair it with the right dishes. Stylistically it's somewhat similar to Pinot Grigio in that it has a similar texture and acidity. However, I think that Soave has a bit more complexity and perhaps an extra layer of minerality and savory character that P.G. doesn't normally embody. It's a wine I would highly recommend with oysters!

The "Si Soave" has a bouquet that exhibits aromas of freshly sliced lime, sea salt, mineral, and wet pavement.

On the palate the wine shows quite distinct flavors of tart grapefruit and salty mineral. It's a wine with  fresh and vibrant acidity that hold a extra touch of texture and length. I don't know what it is but the saltiness of this wine is quite intense. It seems as if it were crafted distinctly for oysters. It's simple wine and really needs seafood for it to be enjoyed at it's fullest. 86 points


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The Doisy-Védrines vineyard remains the largest of the three Doisy estates (Daëne, Védrines and Dubroca) with 30 hectares of vines with an average age of more than 30 years. The vineyard is dominated by Semillon, accounting for approximately 85%, the remainder being Sauvignon Blanc. Chateau Doisy-Védrines was classified as a second growth in the 1855 classification of Bordeaux.

On the nose this wine is extremely explosive and immediately pierces the senses with powerful and intoxicating aromas of apricot, honey, botrytis spice, vanilla, and just a hint of tire rubber. Ha Ha.... yeah it smells like a bike shop and fresh new rubber bike tubes! - This is very slight and blows off as the wine opens up.

On the palate this wine is extremely creamy and fatty, it has a melted butter-like texture. The flavors are incredibly bright and fresh with notes of lychee, ripe tangerine, and a light touch of honey. On the finish the botrytis spice kicks in with lovely white pepper notes that are accompanied by flavors of honey, vanilla,  and mineral.

This wine is quite sensational and quite a bit better than the last Sauternes I reviewed just a few days back. Actually "better" is a bad word that should never be used when talking about wine...... What I mean is that I believe this wine has quite a bit more complexity and perhaps a bit more of what I find interesting and spectacular about wines from this part of the world.

You see, my impressions of fabulous and near perfect Sauternes will always be burnt quite firmly into my mind. I've had about a dozen Chateau d' Yquem experiences, and with exception of maybe one, I have always been floored by the intensity and powerful flavor-burst that these wines can offer. Yes, Yquem is in a different class, but all other Sauternes and Barsac will have to be measured by that perfection.

What I expect from great dessert wine is powerful flavor intensity, matched with razor sharp acidity. This wine has that in spades. 94 points


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I few weeks back I reviewed the Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva and thought it was really nice wine for the price. Now It's time to see if the "Gran Reserva" (which should be the prize of the bodega) is at least as good as the reserva.

This wine is composed of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo. It was aged in barrel for 24 months and then it was held back in-bottle before release another 36 months. These five years of aging before release meet the minimum requirements set forth by the wine laws in Spain. Some of Rioja's Gran Reservas can be held for 8+ years before release.

I suppose it's important to note the color of a wine now that it is approaching 8 years in age . The wine still has a pretty deep ruby hue with only slight red brick tones just creeping in on the edges of the glass. It's quite a bit more youthful looking than I would have expected.

On the nose I get classic Rioja aromas of leather that combine with cherry syrup, cranberry, dried wild- flowers, and a touch of freshly cut wood. The nose is actually quite shut down at this point in time and perhaps could use a decanter to help make it open up and express itself more.

On the palate the wine shows great concentration and full-bodied flavors of ripened and stewed black cherry, dark chocolate, black currant, and hints of cedar and spice. The finish is big and chewy and cries out for a pot roast or osso buco!

This wine is amazingly priced at under $20. It's a whole hell of a lot more than what I was expecting and to be honest won't be the last bottle I purchase. I can't get over the concentration and the big, dense, and dark fruit flavors the wine throws down on the mid-palate and the finish. 90+ points


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This Petite Sirah is sourced from vineyards located in California's North Coast appellation. There's not a whole lot of information on the winery website, but I think it's safe to assume that they age their wine in oak and that they follow the basic regulations that would qualify their wine to hold the varietal name of Petite Sirah on the label .

On the nose I get aromas of dried cherry, leather, prune, milk chocolate, and hints of sandalwood. It's sounds kind of funny but the wine smells almost like it's from Tuscany. The bouquet has an amazing resemblance to many Sangiovese based wines I have smelt before. Perhaps the bottle got a touch oxidized before I had the chance to taste it.

On the palate I get generous amounts of black cherry, sweet black currant, tobacco, and hints of boysenberry. This wine is actually quite delicious and very generous on the palate. It's making my mouth water and ask for more!

I've never tasted a Petite Sirah that even closely resembled this one. In fact, it's the exact opposite of most Petite's I come across. It's not overly extracted or alcoholic, it's not thick in texture or inky in color, and it's not overloaded with oak and big black fruit. It's tastes like a ripe and refined "Super Tuscan". Sweet and fine tannins!! I believe the suggested retail on this puppy is like $10.....wow! Screamer -  90 points


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I couldn't find the exact tech data sheet for this wine on the winery website, however the newer 2008 vintage tech sheet states that the wine is a field blend of various varieties such as Mourvedre, Zinfandel, Nebbiolo, Alicante, Primitivo, and of course Syrah being the largest component at over 75% of the blend.

The color of this wine is surprisingly quite a bit lighter than I would have expected from a Syrah based wine. Now, I know that the Sierra Foothills region can get pretty chilly and perhaps this Syrah takes on a bit more of that Northern Rhone type identity. Some of the Cote Rotie wines can actually be very light in color almost resembling Pinot Noir at times.

On the nose of this wine I get aromas of dried herbs, tobacco, tea leaf, wild flowers, and hints of dusty earth. The bouquet lacks fruit and while it's somewhat perplexing, it doesn't seem to "wow" me at all. It's even a bit musty or stinky sock-"ish".

On the palate the wine has a soft texture almost like a Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir, then flavors of ripe red plums, tea berry, brown sugar, cranberry, tobacco, and hints of earth touch down. It's actually quite interesting wine and really doesn't taste all that bad. The problem that I have with it is that it doesn't seem resemble Syrah in almost any shape or form (color, nose, or palate). Strange stuff indeed. 84 points


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The 2007 Renwood Barbera is sourced from vineyards located in California's Sierra Foothills region. The wine is actually 89% Barbera and 11% Mourvedre and was aged for 13 months in used American and French oak barrels.

This ruby-red colored wine has aromas of black cherry, plum, hints of peppery earth, and a touch of oak.

On the palate the wine has some really nice tart fruit flavors that remind me of cranberry sauce, black cherry, and red currant. I like the bright red fruit and the tangy and sour fruit juice flavors. I can really see this wine pairing nicely with spaghetti or perhaps even a pizza made with a sweet tomato basil marinara and a crust painted in olive oil! mmmmm.....

This is a simple wine but one that I really think sets itself apart from most California made Italian-varietal wines. Kudos to Renwood....very fun wine on the palate. 89+ points


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