Sonoma County Wine Tips

My wine mentor and colleague, Tylor Field III, is embarking on a trip to Sonoma Valley this weekend. And since I can’t be there with him, I thought I’d share a few wine tips from that region.

Photo Credit: Winestrong

Location Sonoma County lies between Napa County and the Pacific coast, and is bordered on the north by Mendocino and Lake and the south by Marin, Solano, and Contra Costa. There is a wide variation of climate in Sonoma County. In the cooler, foggy climates of the northern stretches of Sonoma coast, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive and produce fruit forward grapes.The more inland and southern areas within Sonoma County experience a warmer climate that ultimately proves most hospitable to Rhône grapes and Zinfandel.

AVAs of Sonoma County Los Carneros (Carneros), Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Bennett Valley, Sonoma Coast, Northern Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile, Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak (est. 2011), Fort Ross-Seaview (est. 2011).

Photo Credit: Adobe Road Winery

A few Vineyards and Wineries of Sonoma County

Wines to try out

Adobe Road, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2009

Iron Horse Vineyards, Cuvee, 2007

Kunde Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Family Estate Series, 2008

Intersted in learning more? Follow Tylor Field II on twitter this weekend as he tweets tips, photos and more from Sonoma Valley!

I’d like to know! What’s your favorite wine or vineyard from Sonoma County?

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by jillianbeard on June 1, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by jillianbeard on June 1, 2012

http://jillianbeard.com/2012/06/01/sonoma-county-wine-tips/

Connecting with Willa Cather

Growing up in south central Nebraska, it is standard curriculum to read the works of one of our most notable authors, Willa Cather. She did, in fact, spend her childhood only a few miles from my hometown, Bertrand.

My Antonia was the first book that I read. And (I hate to admit it) I was bored.  I mean, I could step outside my house and see what Cather was describing. It wasn’t until I lived in Chicago for a few years that I picked up the book again. I missed my family in Nebraska and life on a farm. I wanted to re-connect.

Reading My Antonia was like stepping back into my family farm. Willa Cather had captured the prairie and I am in love with her writing. Here’s a excerpt from her book:

Alone, I should never have found the garden–except, perhaps, for the big yellow pumpkins that lay about unprotected by their withering vines–and I felt very little interest in it when I got there. I wanted to walk straight on through the red grass and over the edge of the world, which could not be very far away. The light air about me told me that the world ended here: only the ground and sun and sky were left, and if one went a little farther there would be only sun and sky, and one would float off into them, like the tawny hawks which sailed over our heads making slow shadows on the grass. While grandmother took the pitchfork we found standing in one of the rows and dug potatoes, while I picked them up out of the soft brown earth and put them into the bag, I kept looking up at the hawks that were doing what I might so easily do. -My Antonia

I’m on my fifth book by Cather and I plan to read all of her works. Perhaps someday I will attend the annual Willa Cather conference. The 57th annual spring conference is happening this weekend in Red Cloud, Nebraska.

How about you? Which author best captures your hometown?

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by jillianbeard on May 31, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Farm Living
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Posted by jillianbeard on May 31, 2012

http://jillianbeard.com/2012/05/31/connecting-with-willa-cather/

À votre santé! #ChardDay

Did you know? It’s #ChardDay!  I’d like to step outside of the U.S. and celebrate French white wines.

French whites, often referred to as “Frenchies”, are the well loved wines made from Chardonnay grapes. “Frenchies” are full, fresh, elegant. and delicate. Taste a New World Chardonnay along side a French Chardonnay and you’ll taste what I mean about French white wines being delicate.

So when perusing the restaurant wine list or shopping for a new vintner, here are a few whites to consider:

Puligny-Montrachet. Located in the middle of the Côte de Beaune in France, it is also home to one of the most famous vineyards in the world, Montrachet.

Chablis. [also Petit Chablis, Premier Cru Chablis, Gran Cru Chablis] The grapevines of Chablis, France are almost all Chardonnay, which makes for a dry white wine embodying a pure aroma and full-bodied flavor.

Meursault. Hailing from France’s famous Burgandy region, Meursault produces award-winning white wines from Chardonnay grapes. Possessing a stark oak influence, many have described Meursault wines as “buttery” and “bold” in flavor.

Pouilly-Fuissé. Not to be confused with Pouilly-Fumé (Sauvignon Blanc-based wines), Pouilly-Fuissé is 100% Chardonnay with a pretty and refreshing finish.

Pair your glass of Chardonnay with Brie Cheese, Seafood like Crab Cakes and Lobster, Creamy Chicken dishes, or even a juicy cheeseburger (it is after all, it’s also National Burger Month).

What’s your favorite wine region for Chardonnay? I’d love to hear from you!

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by jillianbeard on May 24, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Social Media, Wine
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Posted by jillianbeard on May 24, 2012

http://jillianbeard.com/2012/05/24/a-votre-sante-chardonnayday/

Raise a glass to #LanguedocDay!

If you follow my blog or tweets, then you know that there’s a soft spot in my heart for kitschy foodie holidays (it’s the perfect excuse to try something new and to take part in online discussions).  Well, today’s no exception…

It’s Languedoc Day!

A little background: Languedoc (pronounced “long-dock”) wine region is located in the southern coast of France. The Mediterranean Sea, soil blend, wind and sun make the Languedoc region some of the best terroir for winemaking. Languedoc produces a wide variety of grapes, including the well known Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Chardonnay as well as (perhaps the lesser known) Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Lladoner Pelut.

Some fun facts: Languedoc is the largest wine region in France and includes over 20 AOP’s. Despite so many disparate AOPs and acres under vine, the Languedoc-Roussillon region produces only 10% of France’s AOP wine. The Languedoc AOP reds are generally a minimum 50% combined Grenache, Syrah, Mourveèdre, and Lladoner Pelut; however, varietal makeup and percentages vary by subappellation.  Languedoc AOP whites principal varieties (vineyard must contain at least two) include: Piquepoul Blanc (max. 50%), Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Tourbat, and Vermentino.

Celebrating this day has re-kindled my interest in the wine world (I passed the first level examination with Court of Master Sommeliers back in 2010). I hate to admit that I haven’t put my knowledge into practice. So, today is the perfect excuse to brush up on a region that I haven’t spent much time on. Here’s a few wines that I plan to try out.

Domaine du Silene,  AOP Côteaux du Languedoc – Grès de Montpellier (a blend of classic southern French varieties, including Syrah and Grenache)

Domaine D’Aupilhac , AOP Montpeyroux (predominantly Mourvedre with Syrah, Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault)

Domaine Virgile Joly, Vin de Pays de l’Herault (100% Grenache Blanc)*

*This white wine was recommended by my friend (certified sommelier and mixologist), Sara Fasolino.

I’d love to hear from you!  What’s your favorite wine region? Do you have a recommendation from the Languedoc region?

Want to learn more about Languedoc? Here’s a few resources: Languedoc-wines.com, LanguedocAdventure.com, twitter.com/LanguedocDay

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by jillianbeard on May 3, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Social Media, Uncategorized, Wine
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Posted by jillianbeard on May 3, 2012

http://jillianbeard.com/2012/05/03/raise-a-glass-to-languedocday/

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