Des Moines Wine and Food Connection

2011 Wine Industry Tasting Pt. VI

MJ Distributing tasting; 45 wines tasted

MJ Distributing is one of the newer (2004) distributors in the marketplace but they have assembled a nice portfolio of smaller and mid-size wineries/importers from around the world. They do carry some big boys like Guigal, Stelzner, David Bruce, etc... but they have many wineries that one doesn't find in every market and party store around the state. There's always something new to taste at their show, held every year at their warehouse in Ankeny and the tasting is always fun and relaxed. This was the final industry tasting of the season so your wine and food guy will compile a list of all my recommended wines in my next blog so you the reader will have a holiday checklist to take shopping with you.

To begin, Fritz Winery out of the Dry Creek area in Sonoma is producing a great rose (2010) from syrah. zinfandel, cabernet & petite verdot that isn't one of those light, delicate rose's that pair with light flaky fish. Fritz' rose is big and spicy with the body to stand up to holiday meals and hearty food like grilled brats and tailgate food. This wine and salmon would form a wonderful duet. Cajun, Asian and other spicy dishes work well too.

From South Australia, the 2010 Boxhead Chardonnay shows beautiful bright citrus fruit and apple character with a steely note reminiscent of French Chablis. This wine is perfect for sipping, as well as paired with sushi, shellfish and any kind of appetizers.  

New Zealand is making it's name in reds with the pinot noir grape. The Otago region of the south island seems to be the heart & soul of this production and Wild Earth winery has produced 4 great vintages in a row now. 2009 was an exceptional vintage for NZ and this pinot proves it. Red and black cherry, black liquorice, musky oak and a hint of mushroom on the nose. The palate is full with ripe black cherry, plum, orange peel, cassis and mushroom with mouth caressing tannins and a lingering finish that won’t quit.

Zinfandel anyone? Predator Old Vine Zin 08' from Rutherford Wine Company is one to enjoy year round. Good with food or by itself, this zin starts of sweet on the palate then opens up to show red & blue fruit and some spice on the finish. Not too alcoholic nor overbearing, this zin knows it's place and doesn't overreach. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.

Finally, three sherries from the San Francisco Wine Exchange impressed me. The "very old" Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez (375 ml) were both super but rather pricey (approx $50 ea.). The Solera 1847 Oloroso showed nearly as much character and a price (approx $20) that's much more user friendly. Pass this around after a meal to enjoy with the evening's coffee & dessert.

So that's the holiday show round-up. There are many superb wines to enjoy with friends, family & associates as well as with food or by themselves. Have a super holiday season and if you have any questions contact me here or at my CdV e-mail. I'll pull together a comprehensive list of all my holiday show recommendations asap.

Eat well, drink well, live well,

All the best,

Howard

Howard Bernstein
Wine & Food Guy
Des Moines Wine and Food Connection   

2011 Wine Industry Tastings Pt. V

Okoboji Wines tasting; 37 wines tasted 

I've been a bit slow getting back to this. Sorry for the delay.

Okoboji Wines have an extensive, diversified portfolio of wonderful wines from all over the world. Their tasting each year is the most work for me because they pour many wines that aren't available to taste year round due to small allotments or availability. Plus I want to get caught up on the current vintage of some of my "standards". On top of that there are many new wines to try each year. I tasted 110 wines one year and over 160 another year. This year the show was scaled down quite a bit which was understandable, economy being taken into consideration. The tasting was still extremely nice and much more manageable from the tasting perspective. Des Moines Golf & Country Club is a beautiful setting and the food superb. Could have used a bit more room for notes but vintage and pricing were nice.

So what was good?

2011 Wine Industry Tasting Pt. IV

Johnson Brothers tasting: 34 wines, 1 tequila, 1 vodka, 1 Jones soda

Johnson Brothers are one of the big dogs in the Iowa market as well as across the country. They're in something like 26 states and are the 5th or 6th largest disrtributors in the country. They're actually 4 divisions that encompass wine giants Gallo Wines & Constellation Wines. They put on a large tasting in the conference rooms at Prarie Meadows (the past 3 years) and it includes beer, wine & liquor + sodas, waters & Riedel glassware. It's big, crowded (around the tables) and lots of fun. The food spread includes carving stations and it's a good opportunity the get caught up on all the current vintages of favorites like Peter Lehmann, Hess, Caymus, Mt. Veeder, Coppola, Montes & more. Plus it's a chance to try new items that your wine & food guy may not have had exposure to. The tasting can be leisurely, the wine booklet is good, spit buckets & water plentiful but there are a lot of folks that show up there to party and they park in and around the tables and yap so it can be a challenge to get to those buckets. So, what was good?

2011 Wine Industry Tasting Pt. III

Ruby Fine Wines tasting: 45 wines tasted                                                            

Two industry wine tastings were held yesterday (9/20). Ruby Fine Wines out of Iowa City and Des Moines distributor Johnson Brothers. Today I'll focus on Ruby's tasting.

Ruby Fine Wines is a small, eclectic distributor out of Iowa City. Their portfolio leans more towards imported than domestics. This is the first tasting of theirs I've been to here in Des Moines. It was held at Mojos on 86th in Johnston and was very tastefully done. The food & wine were nicely displayed and buckets & water were prevalent. Ruby's price book was easy to maneuver and had plenty of room for notes. Here's some of your wine and food guys finds:

2011 Wine Industry Tastings Pt. II

Dimitri Wine & Spirits tasting: 71 wines tasted 

Dimitri Wine & Spirits put on their holiday show last night (Weds.) at the "new" Embassy Club on the 34th floor of the Ruan Building. I didn't think the new location could possibly equal the Club's previous location at the top of the 801 Building. I was wrong. The new location is every bit as spectacular and the space and setup of the club may even exceed the previous one. Very well done.

Dimitri W & S is not one of the "big boys" in the local wine scene but Dimitri Papageorgiou conducts business the old school way. A personal touch, a shake of the hand, looking you in the eye. You know his word is good. His business is local (Davenport) and is family oriented instead of a corporate, multi-state, big business operation. Sometimes there can be confusion but the intent is always good.

Dimitri always puts on a classy holiday show. It may be the one show I look most forward to each autumn. Their portfolio is a little more eclectic, not a bunch of mass produced juice. The people pouring seem a bit more connected to their product and proud of it. The food & service is always top notch. White tablecloth, good spacing, accessible spit buckets & water pitchers. And a easy to use booklet with pricing and space to write (good on ya' David). A beautiful day to look out over Des Moines and the scene was complete. The tasting was a pleasure. What about the wines???

2011 Wine Industry tastings

Pre-Holiday shows are de rigeur in the wine industry. Here I'll try and give a brief synopsis of each tasting I attend.

 Glazer Tasting: 51 wines & 4 beer tasted.

The fall wine tasting season (for industry professionals) kicked off this afternoon at Embassy Club West with the Glazer Distributing Holiday Show. The tasting was very nice with adequate space, good lighting, and plenty of spit buckets & water pitchers. This year's booklet made it easier to take notes but any way we can get the program to proceed in the same order as the tables next year folks?

Some of the wines that made my highlight list:

Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Rose - France's #1 bubbly always makes a good value rose.

Cline 2010 Viognier (Cal.) - Showing nice balance of fruit & mineral. Very Rhone like.

Fontanafredda 09' Barbera (Piedmont, Italy) - Easy fruit with some grip on the back end. Screams for tomatoes & pasta.

Hope Family "Troublemaker" Red (Syrah, Grenache & Mourvedre) - A Rhone style blend from Paso Robles. Seems I'm on a Euro kick here.

pro+mis+Q+ous Red - (Zin, Merlot, Cab & Petite Sirah) A California blend that shows nice deep fruit and layers of flavor. Worth checking out.

*Get it while you can* - 2006 Villa Mt. Eden Cabernet Sauvignon - Just a few 6-packs left I'm told. Deep, lucious & complex without going over-the-top or being jammy. A well made Cab for now and the next 5-7 years.

Beer alert! Zatec Lager from the Czech Republic. Think Pilsner Urquell. Think good beer.  

Final note: We go on and on about food/wine combos and so many times the sum is so much greater than the individual parts. Tasted the Russell Hamilton Pinot Noir from South Africa by itself and it was bright and acidic and a bit wild. Went and grabbed a piece of brie or camembert (not sure which) and tasted the cheese and then the wine again. The richness of the cheese completely knocked down the acidity and tamed the wine leaving beautiful red fruit to stand alongside the cheese. THAT'S what it's all about.

Good on ya' Glazer,

Howard Bernstein
Wine & Food Guy,
Des Moines Wine & Food Connection

Eating & Drinking

Casa di Vino may be closed but your Wine & Food Guy is always in the field doing research. Here's some brief updates.

My wife and I visited Baru 66 for the first time last week for our anniversary. We had a very nice meal. She had the french onion soup, provencal lamb & creme brulee. I had escargot & sweetbreads, a truffled chicken sausage on risotto, and apricot 3-ways for dessert. We will definately return to try some of the chefs other creations. By the way, Baru's wine list just got a Best of award from Wine Spectator.

Enjoying Lagavulin 16 yr. and cigars recently courtesy of Kerry & Joe. Thanks much and good on ya' folks.

Some fine corks have been pulled over the past few weeks and the juice has flowed. 04' Mollydooker's The Boxer & The Maitre' d. Both at their peaks. Orin Swift Machete, 1996 Lynch Bages (outstanding), 2001 Harlan Estates Cabernet (superb), & 1995 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet. Also and ethereal 2004 Badia a Coltibuono Vin Santo. Great pours.

While in Detroit, pastrami from The Bread Basket deli. Sorry Des Moines, nothing like it here. Detroit also has it's own style coney dogs that must be a local thing. Native Detroiters go nuts over them, New Yorkers & Chicagoans go "huh?".

If you haven't tried the sandwiches being made by Pronto down around Nollen Plaza you're missing the boat. I had their Banh Mi sandwich the other week and it was spectacular. Marcus, you rock!

Anyway, that's the scoop. Eat well, drink well, live well.

Howard Bernstein
Owner (now defunct), Casa di Vino
Wine & Food Guy,
Des Moines Wine & Food Connection