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Monday, January 26, 2009

California Wines for Obama Inaugural Lunch

At the official post- inaugural lunch in the Capitol building, President Barack Obama was toasted with three Californian wines which are reasonably priced, making the wine industry hope that his presidency will help promote wine drinking culture in the country.

Duckhorn Vineyards 2007 ($25), Sauvignon Blanc, Goldeneye 2005 Pinot Noir ($52) and Korbel Special cuvee sparkling wine NV ( $14 for a regular Brut) as a dessert wine adorned the luncheon table.

The lunch was attended by 237 guests that included former Presidents Bush, Carter, Clinton and Bush, as well as Supreme Court judges, members of the Congress, senior Cabinet officials and several political and government honchos.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Napa Valley kosher wine makes splash

Jeff Morgan, winemaker, author, journalist and wine educator is a partner in Covenant Wines that makes kosher wines from Napa Valley grapes. David Stoneberg photos

Napa Valley kosher wine makes splash
St. Helenan and crusader Jeff Morgan wants the world to know that he’s making a great Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon. The grapes are from an historic vineyard near Calistoga, the wine is fermented and aged in French oak and it has earned great praise from Robert Parker.

Morgan is partners with Leslie Rudd, and the two vintners’ flagship wine, Covenant, is sold all over the United States and in many countries throughout the world, even though the 2006 production, currently in release, is a mere 500 cases.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

California's Boho Vineyards 2006 Central Coast Chardonnay

There is a box of wine in our refrigerator, a confession that just a few short months ago we would not have made under torture.

Technically, we're talking about what the industry likes to call a premium wine cask, a taste- and odor-neutral plastic liner inside a cardboard box, typically holding 3 liters of wine, the equivalent of four standard bottles.

Here's why producers like it and we do too: It is lighter and cheaper to ship, allowing a lower price point at retail; because it requires less fuel to ship, it produces a smaller carbon footprint; and because air is excluded from the container as the wine is drawn, it lasts much longer than wine in an open bottle.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Napa Valley Wine Train

The Best Couples Getaway this year is the Napa Valley Wine Train, one of the most popular tourist attractions in a place that is the definition of elegance. The visitor who boards the Wine Train gets a little taste of pampered rail travel - think Orient Express - for a fraction of what it would cost for the real thing.

Once on board, it's clear that the Wine Train has pulled out all the stops to make this as luxurious as possible. We settled down into plush chairs facing one another with a table in between. During our three hours on board, we were treated to waves of meal and beverage service starting with wine (not included in your meal price, by the way), appetizers, salad, a main course - which during our trip was a choice between salmon and a beef entrée - and dessert. Everything was exquisitely prepared and the presentations rivaled what you would find at an expensive gourmet restaurant. To learn more about the Napa Valley Wine Train, call (80... or go to www. winetrain.com.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Foley Wine Group snaps up Sebastiani Vineyards

After more than a century in business, a family-owned California winery has sold itself to a southern California conglomerate as consolidation swirls in wine country.

Amid increasing competition and consolidation in the wine industry, Foley Wine Group has purchased Sebastiani Vineyards for an undisclosed sum, according to a statement released by Sebastiani. The sale includes the Sebastiani winery, a Sebastiani tasting room and event center in downtown Sonoma, Calif., and 100 acres of vineyards.

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