Why did I enjoy the Blizzard of 2015? the answer is five words: Shannon Ridge and High Valley Wines by Philip S. Kampe

                                        Look for the sheep at Shannon Ridge ....

               

           The 'Blizzard of 2015' wines from Lake County, California

Why did I enjoy the Blizzard of 2015?  The Answer: I had ample time to sample the wines from California’s Shannon Ridge and High Valley Vineyards by Philip S. Kampe

It’s been snowing since I woke up at 6am this morning. They call it the ‘Blizzard of 2015’. I live in the Berkshire mountains, in the great, but somewhat, deflated state of Massachusetts. There is enough snow to bury a magnum. More is on the way, maybe enough to bury a jeroboam.

Anyway, today is the perfect day to sample wine. Driving is restricted because of the states highway ban. Everyone is housebound unless winter sports are your thing.

So, what am I to do for breakfast? Should I start with a bowl of cereal, make an egg and have orange juice? I don’t think so.

What I chose to do was quite simple.

I created my day’s meal by filling a large oval platter with a variety of cheeses, one goat, one sheep and one cow. I added Italian and Spanish olives, marcona almonds, water crackers, dried figs and a dozen slices of prosciutto and salami to the mix.

I am now ready for today’s challenge.

The challenge is to sample wines from Lake County, Napa’s northern neighbor. I just returned from a family vacation in California with a suitcase full of wines from Lake County, California, including two sustainable Shannon Ridge wines, 2011 Home Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 Home Ranch/Two Bud Block Zinfandel and three wines from High Valley (owned by Shannon Ridge), 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, 2012 Barbara and 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Owner Clay Shannon and his wife, Maragarita, are committed to preserving their land for not only wine, but nature and wildlife. Of the 2,165 acres owned by the Shannon family, 65% of the land has been used as a wildlife preserve. The remaining 35% of the Home Ranch has been converted to vineyards. The Shannon’s practice sustainable farming by using a herd of over 1000 sheep to maintain the cycle of the land. Our border collie, Maggie McGee, would have loved to have lived on the Shannons’ property.

The history of Shannon Ridge dates back to the 80’s when the couple grew grapes for others. As time passed, they wanted to see if their grapes could stand on their own. They stopped sourcing the grapes and began making wine in the mid-90’s.

Today, the couples wine empire has grown with the purchase of several parcels, including High Valley Vineyards in April, 2012. The Shannon’s wines highlight the Lake County characteristics.

Now, to the wine….

Since High Valley was a recent purchase and I had three bottles of their first two years of vintage, I was eager to sample the wines.

The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc ($15) was outstanding if you like acidity and minerality.  The wine was well-balanced, with highlights of citrus, specifically, limes, lemons and grapefruit. The flavors suggest its use not only as a food wine, but, as an aperitif.

                                              

          

                                                                    

The other spectrum of Lake County is that the area can produce both outstanding white wines as well as red wines. Two wonderful examples are the High Valley 2012 Barbara and Cabernet Sauvignon ($15). Both wines, in different applications highlight dark and red fruit, vanilla and a sense that chocolate and mocha are in your palate.

The old standby wines that have been part of my life for years are the Shannon Ridge, Home Ranch, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.

2011 Home Ranch Shannon Ridge Zinfandel ($30) is a very complex, well-balanced, silky wine that focuses the palate on blackberry jam, leather, tobacco and chocolate. The lingering finish has a toasty vanilla quality that dominates your palate. This wine is a great value.

2011 Home Ranch Shannon Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon ($30) is made in the classic style using oak barrels. It’s obvious blackberry, vanilla, dark cherry and tobacco profile make this wine a favorite of mine. It pairs favorably with heavy, rich foods. At 14.9% alcohol and rather young, decanting the wine an hour or more before serving will only help its flavors to amplify.

Drinking the wines of Clay and Margarita Shannon, while watching the snow fall in Massachusetts, makes winter one of my favorite seasons. Why not join me with a glass of Shannon Ridge or High Valley wines?

                                       


                                                                                  

Philip S. Kampe

Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

California Wine at Bargain Prices by Philip S. Kampe

Just another day of wine searching for wine bargains in southern California. My last findings were wines that were sold at at a 30% discount at the infamous 'Ralph's' supermarket.

The California wine photos that I posted posted created a lot of attention, as the article had an extremely  high readership.

The photos below were taken on 18 January. The wines are for sale at the upscale Sherman Oaks Pavillion market, a branch of Vons supermarkets.The shelf talkers tell the complete story...

Philip S. Kampe
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

Star Chef's International Chefs Congress (ICC), my Favorite Event in the past six months by Philip S. Kampe & Maria Reveley

STAR CHEF’S  International Chefs Congress (ICC), my FAVORITE Event during the past six months by Philip S.Kampe and Maria Reveley

           

                                         Somm Slam Finalists

                                           Zany MC Fred Dexheimer (2nd left)

The vision of today’s Tastemakers is to look for and demand true authenticity of food products coupled with the desire to create good, honest cooking, If this is the mantra that the Tastemakers follow, then the Star Chefs International Congress that took place at the new Brooklyn Expo Center was a smashing success.

Culinary heavyweights, both international and domestic, joined together to teach, cook and converse with the attendees at this all-industry, three day food-related extravaganza. Workshops, seminars, demonstrations, tastings and discussions dominated the ICC star-studded event.

The main stage featured the culinary scene, from food prep to culinary demonstrations  to interviews with trade heavyweights. Other venues featured mixologists, sommeliers, pastry chefs and cooks, all focusing in on the theme of the ICC for this event, ‘Cooking Honest: The Power of Authenticity in the Kitchen’.

As a focused wine journalist, I was honored to have been one of the judges for the SOMM SLAM, an event featuring ten of the countries top sommeliers competing amongst each other. Fred Dexheimer was both jubilant and zany as the MC (it was no stretch), while confident sommelier, Sara Moll, took charge of every aspect surrounding this prestigious competition.

If wine tasting and cocktail experimentation isn’t enough for you, why not choose a presentation to attend. Choices ranged from ‘The New Chef and the Call to the Community’, to ‘How to Lead a Loyal Kitchen Tribe’.

The reoccurring theme of authenticity and honest cooking was in full swing at ICC.

As an attendee, I was fortunate enough to sample food from the Southern Food Cart Showcase, the Sandwich Food Cart Showcase and the NYC Food Cart Showcase. Presentations from famous culinary chefs included Joan Roca, Masaharu Morimoto, George Mendes, Yoshihero Narisawa and Marcus Samulsson,

Trends were discussed and the buzz on new trends focused on local cuisine, vinegar, pickling, fermentation, Nordic influences, foraging and Peruvian ingredients.

                      Chef Joan Roca of Cellar de Can Roca (Girona, Spain)

If you are in the industry and want to expand your knowledge base and broaden your horizon, then the Star Chefs International Chef’s Congress (ICC) 2015 is for you. I am counting the days until the 10^th ICC Congress takes place in 2015.

For more information, visit: www.starchefs.com

Philip S. Kampe

philip.kampe@thwinehub.com

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California Wine at California Prices by Philip S. Kampe

My two week journey through southern California's vast array of wine shops has been a true education for me, the east coast wine consumer. Like everyone else, purchasing wine from a respectable wine merchant has always been my objective.


Both New Jersey (Wine Library) and western Massachusetts (Spirited Wines and Nejaime's) have met my needs with quality service, weekly tastings and educated wine consultants.

It seems like California is much the same, a little bit more laid back, as the wine merchants expect that the consumer knows about wine--since they live in California.

Taking that in account, I chose to visit numerous wine outlets that had little to no staff to sell the goods. The money saved by not paying the staff to hand sell was reflected in the price of wine.

The infamous 'Ralphs' supermarket was the best answer to 'Who sells middle to top quality wines at discount prices'?


                       

              

Philip S. Kampe
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

The Future of Puglia, as Seen Through the Eyes of Luigi Rubino and Romina Leopardi by Philip S Kampe

       The Future of Puglia, as Seen Through the Eyes of Luigi Rubino and Romina Leopardi.

                                                         Luigi Rubino

                                              Luigi Rubino and Romina Leopardi

We call him the Donald Trump of Italy. Others call his vision too new world and not in tune with the foundation that was laid down centuries ago by Luigi’s forefathers. I call him the future of Puglia wine and tourism growth.

Whatever you call him, the future lies in the hands of visionary Luigi Rubino, owner of Puglia’s Tenute Rubino winery, and Romina Leopardi, his partner..

As a couple and a team their goal is to put Puglia on the map, both as a wine haven and as a tourist destination that combines the culture, history and beauty of the province that focuses on gastronomy and world-class wines.

In Rome, Luigi and Romina would be known as the power couple.

In Puglia, they are known as the couple that sees that the future of Puglia’s growth lies with the growth of tourism, gastronomy and wine.

Luigi Rubino says, ‘Why not join the three directives together into one and call it wine tourism with flavor?’.

 As head of Tenute Rubino winery, Luigi is committed to quality wine production, as well as changing the course in history of the wines from Puglia. Nearly 60% of Puglia’s wines are classified as DOC or IGT, a symbol of quality.

Fifty years ago, Angelo Gaja spearheaded a similar campaign that drew worldwide attention. What would make Luigi Rubino and Romina Leopardi any different?

Romina says, ‘Many people are not aware of where Puglia is exactly located. Puglia is the eastern most region in Italy, commonly referred to as the ‘boot or heel of Italy’. It is a long, narrow peninsula, bordered by two seas, the Ionian and the Adriatic. Puglia is the least mountainous province in Italy. The few mountains that exist are from the Gargano hills, known for high, steep cliffs. Half of the territory is flat and the flat plains are known as Tavoliere delle Puglie. There are smaller plains, the Pianura Salentina and the Terra di Bari. Puglia is a land where the ancient settlers left innumerable monuments throughout the territory. It is a land rich in culinary traditions, olive trees, wine and the treasures of the sea. In fact, Puglia has over 60 million olive trees, the most for any region in Italy, basically one olive tree for each person living in Italy. The province of Puglia is divided into six reginons:: Brindisi, Bari, Foggia, Lecce, Taranto and Baletta-Andria-Trani, the newest province established in 2004. The two seas that border Puglia are a gift to the vineyards. With over 325 miles of coastline, the sea is a major influence on the vines of Puglia. The sea influence paired with the hot summers help make the wines acidic, thus creating great wines for food’.

Luigi added to the conversation, ‘The three main indigenous red grapes that make wines from Puglia unique are: Negroamaro, Nero di Troia and Primitivo di Manduria. Negroamaro is from southern Puglia and is very dear to Tenute Ribino, Brindisi and Lecce. The word, Negroamaro, comes from the Latin and Greek words meaning ‘black’. Historically speaking, Negroamaro is the oldest cultivated grape variety in Puglia. The grape has been a key grape in Puglia for over three thousand years. The grape is small and compact, creating simple clusters. Thick skin grapes that are compact, like Negroamaro, create wonderful wines that age well. Hints of thyme and licorice define this acidic, food wine, grape.

Of course, Puglia is home to white grapes, adds Luigi. The most famous white grapes are Bombino Bianco, Malvasia Bianca, Moscato Reale, Bianco D’Alessano, Fiano and Verdeca’.

                                            The logo of Tenute Rubino Winery

Romina and Rubino add that with the unique grapes of Puglia, combined with the history of the island, help create a perfect environment for tourists to thrive in the region.

Our job is to get the word out.....

Isn't it time that we consider Puglia as our next wine and food destination in Italy? Or, maybe, even in the world?

Philip S.Kampe

philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

"The Wonderful Sparkling Wines of the Loire Valley" by Philip S. Kampe

“The Wonderful Sparkling Wines of the Loire Valley”, presented by Christy Canterbury,MW

The invitation arrived and in big, bold letters, it read, you are invited to a tasting of ‘The Wonderful Sparkling Wines of the Loire Valley’.

Not only do I have a love affair with the wines of the Loire Valley, but, a bigger love affair with the sparkling wines, known as “Fines Bulles”(small bubbles).

To truly understand the Loire Valley, we must step back in history…a time when poets, writers and artists shared France’s ‘Land of Enchantment’, where the countryside is dotted with a pastoral landscape of gentle, rolling hills, flowers the color of the rainbow and vineyard’s producing quality wines.  We are in France’s ‘Jarden de Eden’ (Garden of Eden), a region unchanged for centuries.

The Loire Valley and its renowned beauty is a kaleidoscope of cobblestone streets, gabled houses, gothic churches, renaissance gardens, medieval architecture and magnificent chateaux’s.  

Loire Valley’s storybook setting is home to some of the world’s most revered wines, all with a bit of history in each drop.

In fact, the Loire Valley is home to the second largest sparkling wine region in France. It is home to France’s largest white wine producing region and is the third largest AOC in France.

Much of the Loire Valley has been designated as a World Heritage area by UNESCO. The Loire Valley begins in central France and ends at the Atlantic Ocean. The Loire River is the largest in France at 630 miles long.

Chenin Blanc is the flagship grape for the middle Loire Valley and the Cremants de Loire (Saumur, Anjou, Vouvray & Touraine). Chenin Blanc originated in the Anjou wine region in the 9^th century. The varietal buds early and ripens late.

If Chenin Blanc is planted in sandy soil, a lighter, faster maturing wine is produced. If planted in limestone based soil, a more acidic wine develops. The versatility of the grape allows vineyards to produce sparkling, sweet and dry wines.  

Cremants from Samur tend to be dry. From Anjou, the sparklers are most often off-dry. Trademarks associated with Chenin Blanc are honeysuckle, quince, honeydew, cantaloupe, grass, hay, iodine, flint, vanilla and oak. Look for primary fruit aromas of peach, apples, quince and pears followed by secondary aromas of toasted almonds, clotted cream, marzipan and buttermilk.  On the palate, a nutty, floral, honey coats the mouth. Add acidity and minerality to the picture and you have complex Cremants deLoire.

Cremants are a passion of mine. They are produced using the ‘traditional method’ as is Champagne. What that means in simple terms is that the aging and second fermentation takes place in the bottle. Similar to laws governing Champagne, the second fermentation of Fine Bulles’ must be a minimum of nine months in the bottle. This is where the magic takes place.

The Cremants de Loire, for whatever reason price themselves at a ridiculously low price point. Compared to Champagne, which retails from $40 upwards, Cremant de Loire prices itself normally at $20 or under for a 750ml bottle. In fact, most bottles that I drink are in the $15 range.  Basically, you are getting a big bang for your buck.

The wine world has become overly competitive, as of late. Consumers, like importers,  are looking for quality and value.

With the Cremants de Loire, what you find in each bottle is quality and value at a substantial savings for sparklers using the ‘traditional method’.

Remember, Prosecco does not have a second fermentation and is bottled and on the shelf within fourteen days. That is the reason the price point looks like a bargain.

Contrast that to Cremant de Loire, with its second fermentation in the bottle for nine months or more and you will see why the quality far surpasses equally priced Proseccos. Of course up to 18 months on lees doesn’t hurt.

Unfortunately, bottles of Cremants de Loire are not as easy to find as they should be. I have numerous favorites and prefer to share a large list with you to make it easier to find.



      

           

My favorites include:

Chateau de Breze *Cremant de Loire NV)
Cave des Producteres de Vouvray C. Greffe (Cuvee Excellence Vouvray Brut, NV)
Domaine du Vieux Pressoir (Saumur Brut, NV)
Chateau de L’Aulee  (Intense Brut, Touraine Brut, NV)
Domaine Sylvan Gaudron (Vouvray Brut 2011)
Thierry Germain & Michael Chevre (Bulles de Roches, Saumur Mousseux NV)
Caves Louis de Grenelle (Chevalier de Grenelle, Saumur Mousseux NV)
Gratien & Meyer (Cuvee Flamme, Cremant de Loire Brut, NV)
Catherine et Pierre Braton (La Dilettante Vouvray Petillant, NV)
Deligeroy (Cremant de Loire Brut Rose, NV)
Jean-Michael Gautier (Touraine Rose Brut, NV)
Monmousseau (Cuvee JM Brut, Touraine Brut, NV)

New Year's is around the corner why not consider toasting 2015 with a bottle of Cremant de Loire?

Philip S. Kampe

Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

The Battle of Belgian-Style Beer Comes to Manhattan by Philip S. Kampe

The Battle of the Belgian-Style Beer visits Jimmy's No.43 (43 E. 7th, NYC) on December 6th

Rumors throughout the beer world surfaced recently regarding a Belgian beer face-off against contenders from around the world. Entrants from yes, America, France, Italy and the United Kingdom will vie for the honor, voted by consumers, what  beer best represents the Belgian style of brewing.

Union Beers’, Mike Lovullo, co-curator the event, promises an afternoon of fun, great beer and homemade food from Jimmy's No. 43.

The event will take place from 1-4pm on Saturday, December 6th at Jimmy’s Number 43, located at 43 East 7^th Street in New York’s East Village. Tickets ($57) , if still available can be purchased by visiting  www.jimmysno43.com . Included in the ticket price, on top of well over twenty beer selections, beer drinkers can dine on a whole roasted hog, Jimmy’s No. 43 style, bacon and vegetarian options to pair with your beer.

The line-up of beer at press time includes the Best of Belgium from 12% Imports. Beers included in the tasting are Vanberg & Dewulf, Shelton Brothers, B. United, Duvel and Merchant du Vin.

Small batch, one-of-a-kind and classic Belgian-style beers include:
Saison de Pipaix
Blaugies Moneuse
Smisje Catherine the Great
Wild Beer Somerset Saison
Ichtegem;s Grand Cru
Mystic Table Beer
Lovebeer D’Uvabeer
Bruery Oude Tart
Del Borgo 25 Dodici
Grimm Bees With A Buzz
Baladin Issac

Midnight Sun Trickster
De Glazen Toren Saison d’Erpe Mere

De Dolle Oerbier
Extraomnes Zest

Alvinne Melchior Pur Sang (aged in red wine barrels with cherries)

According to Jimmy Carbone of Jimmy’s No.23, ‘Expect many surprises at the event, including the appearance of Famed Brewmaster Brian Strumke of Stillwater Artisanal Ales’.

I am looking forward to 3 hours of unlimited (until they run out) walk-around beer tasting and the opportunity to vote for my favorite Belgian-style beer.

Who will be the winner? American beer, Belgian beer or other European beer entries. We will all find out on Saturday, December 6^th.

                                          Who will wine the competition?

Philip S. Kampe

Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com