Fine Wine On Line

Pasadena Wine Festival Worth The Price of Admission?

2009-10-07T17:54:00.000-07:00

Despite the one free ticket I won thru Vinvillage and the second one I purchased, I can't tell you how horribly disappointed I was in the Pasadena Wine Festival.........

Starting with the price of parking.....yea...yea I know its the Arboretum and its beautiful, and once upon a time it was home to "Fantasy Island" " The Plane....The Plane"! Nothing could make of for the misleading advertising.

Along with the fabulous wines you were suppose to tasting, you could have samplings of food as well. The food sampling were 3 booths of cheese!! So I'm thinking ok, there must be food to purchase.

Sure there was food to purchase.....one food vendor! And the menu was, Tri tip sandwhich, some kind of sausage, garlic fries and a Caesar salad gone horribly wrong!

Coffee Bean was there giving out some of their yummy iced blends....yippie!! I'm excited now! Can't wait to turn the corner and taste some wines.

So with tasting card in hand, ready to take notes and take in the whole experience. Well.... experience this.....I was so hard pressed to fine a wine that had any kind of substance. Most were flat and bland. The servers either were rude or mispronounced half of the wines.

I did come across a pretty decant Temparnillo from Prestige, but certainly not worth the sticker price!

Yet I forged on....when I was continually approach by wine goers offering to give their tasting cards away, I new it was time to call it a night...but without taking these pictures. I wish it was only half as good as it looked.

Glad I paid to see

this!!! lol

Wow can't wait til next year!

Cheers!

Dale

Fine Wine On Line

Monterey, California's Bountiful Bay

2009-09-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

Monterey, California's Bountiful Bay
Story and photos by John Blanchette

“Cannery Row…is a poem, a stink…the whole street rumbles and groans and screams and rattles” – John Steinbeck, “Cannery Row”

Sleepy fisherman rests on a Jetty while others bark into the ocean air all day and night .

Things haven't changed all that much since the sardines left Monterey Bay in the 1940's and the canneries closed down.
The cacophony is now supplied by the roar of the sea when the tide runs in, gulls screaming over the water, unmannerly sea lions barking, continuously and at all hours, their sound carrying for miles in the damp salt breezes, and the kelp beds at low tide provide the proper stink to Steinbeck’s seaside memory. The bones of history can still be found in the environs of Monterey Bay, this much visited, sophisticated and stunningly beautiful part of California.Located south of Santa Cruz, the Bay curves into the land for about 55 miles, running through the towns of Moss Landing, where most of the commercial fishing fleets dock, past Castroville, the artichoke heart of America, down to Monterey, Pacific Grove, the golf paradise of Pebble Beach and ends at lovely Carmel and Big Sur, home to other writers like Henry Miller, Upton Sinclair and Robinson Jeffers and photographers Ansel Adams and Edward Weston (whose works are on display at the Monterey Museum of Art).

Monterey was the Capital of California under Mexican and Spanish rule, moving to Sacramento in the late 1800s after “Manifest Destiny” claimed the west from them and the American Indians.
Nature is abundant and wealthy here on both land and sea. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has captured the bounty of the local waters in its exhibits, from sea otters and jellyfish to giant ocean sunfish, a variety of menacing sharks, crustaceans and nervous schools of food and baitfish.
Monterey Bay forms the west coast of the fertile Salinas Valley, America’s salad bowl whose rich farm lands played a major figure in native son Steinbeck’s works, this Eden to the West is now producing a new crop that is bringing world attention to the area, not ”The Grapes of Wrath” but of wine.
The amazing find was that there are so many consistently fine wines being grown throughout the county, from the Santa Cruz boarder on the North to Paso Robles and the Central Coast to the south. Pinot Noirs do exceptionally well, but the wide range of geography, climate and soils accommodates all the major grape varietals.
On arrival we took a sunset tour of the private street 17-Mile Drive, which meanders through the magnificent coast, homes and golf courses of Pebble Beach (there’s a nine dollar fee per car).
While we were driving through millionaire’s row we watched a camera crew shooting a commercial for a new automobile called Monterey on a cliff overlooking the ocean and the gnarled, austere and wind-weary Cyprus trees.

Lone cypress clings to the Ocean Rocks on 17-Mile Drive.

Back in town, make sure to wander through the old streets and shops of Cannery Row, where you can find several wine tasting rooms sampling many of the local vineyards, boutiques, galleries, craft shops, restaurants and bars with live entertainment, all buried inside the old canneries.
The Aquarium is at the end of Cannery Row and is an absolute must. The Zagat Travel Guide names it the top aquarium in the country and the third best travel destination. You can spend hours mesmerized by the exhibits of coral reefs, jellyfish, giant sea tanks with large numbers of species swimming together, and the amusing otters.
The Aquarium also has several excellent restaurants where you can observe sea life inside a 20-foot high kelp bed while dining on their relatives. The Portola Restaurant has a great dessert chef. Try the goat cheesecake with pineapple chunks and pomegranate sauce.

NO MORE CANNERIES - The bones of Cannery Row have been preserved by little shops, galleries, restaurants and tasting rooms, filling spaces where fish were once processed

You can work off dinner on The Recreation Trail, a three-mile biking, running and walking path that connects Cannery Row to Fisherman’s Wharf and passes through the Historic District of old homes and museums including the Maritime Museum and Museum of Art.
Fisherman’s Wharf is a lively commotion of seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, tourists, tour boat conductors (whale watching tours of the Bay are especially popular) and fishing boats for rent. Unlike most tourist destinations, the wharf has character and is one of the best places to observe sea lions, harbor seals, otters and sea birds all cavorting together. You can’t miss the sea lions and seals, they live to eat, sleep and bark. Also watch for the commercial fishing boats unloading their catch next to the pier.
IF YOU GO:There are many wonderful places to wine and dine in Monterey County, most featuring fish on the menu. But if you want a change of pace, I had a hearty, rainy evening meal at The Forge in the Forest in Carmel, accompanied by full-bodied Galante reds. The Monterey Plaza Hotel’s Spa Duck Club has a varied menu and a romantic view of the harbor. The comfortable bar is a great place to watch the otters.
For a chocolate truffle break there are two great makers in Monterey, Belgique’s and Lula’s Chocolates. Try them with a bold local red or my favorite, a Rogue River late harvest Viognier or the Mission Trail Pot Belly Port.
Two indispensable guides are Monterey Land and Sea, the Official Travel Guide, and Monterey Bay Wine & Travel. For information on tasting rooms and Monterey wineries contact the Vintner’s & Growers Association at www.montereywines.org. For information on Monterey, www.montereyinfo.org.
Hotels and Inns:
Accommodations range from chain motels to lovely bed & breakfasts and country inns. The Monterey Plaza is the most elegant hotel in town, with a full spa, closely followed by the Hotel Pacific, Monterey Bay Inn, Spindrift and Victorian Inn.
The Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa sits over the water in a corner of the Bay, has two restaurants with open ocean views and 290 rooms and suites, beginning at $199 (400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940; 800-334-3999, www.montereyplazahotel.com).
Hotel Pacific is a Spanish style boutique hotel with 105 individual suites starting at $129, which includes a complimentary continental breakfast (300 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940; 800-554-5542, www.hotelpacific.com).
Monterey Bay Inn is a contemporary luxury hotel with 49 guest rooms starting at $159, including a complimentary continental breakfast (242 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940; 800-424-6242, www.montereybayinn.com).
Spindrift Inn is a luxury hotel located on McAbee Beach with 45 guest rooms starting at $149, including a complimentary continental breakfast (652 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940; 800-841-1879, www.spindriftinn.com).
Victorian Inn is a pet-friendly boutique hotel whose main building was completed in 1906. There are 70 guest rooms and suites, beginning at $109 and they serve a complimentary continental breakfast and evening wine and cheese tasting (487 Foam Street, Monterey, CA 93940; 800-232-4141, www.victorianinn.com).
# # #
SIDEBAR:
WINERIES OF MONTEREY:
By its very nature, wine country must be beautiful and Monterey is no exception. Bordered by the sea and the inland mountains guarding the California Central Valley, warm days bring offshore breezes funneling down Monterey Bay, to temper the grapes growing among the rolling hills and undulating plains of this sparsely settled land.
During my week in Monterey I was able to visit all the wine appellations and taste wines from over 85 vineyards and can personally testify to the quality and variety now produced in the hills and mountain valleys of Monterey County. The wines are uniformly good and great value, most in the $10-$25 range.
Besides Monterey, eight other official wine appellations are now recognized, including Santa Lucia highlands (my favorite. You can’t find a bad bottle from this area), San Bernabe, Chalone, Arroyo Seco, Carmel Valley, Hames Valley, San Antonio Valley and San Lucas.
There were quite a number of wonderful wines that I tasted over the week. Some of the more notable were Pianetta and Lakeview Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignons; San Bernabe Loredano and Vantana Riesling; Jackson, Carmel Road, Pelerin, Silver Mountain, McIntyre and Morgan Pinot Noirs; Paraiso, Szalay, San Saba and Pessagno Chardonnays and Viogniers; Jekel and Vantana Gewürztraminer; Lockwood Sauvignon Blanc; Chateau Sinnet Champagne; and De Tierra (any of their wines, consistently good quality across the whole line).
The best wine I tasted was the Pinot Noir from Belle Glos, spectacular but expensive ($50).
Some of the larger and better-known vineyards are J. Lohr, Chalone, Estancia, Hahn, Blackstone, Paraiso and Chateau Julien.
J. Lohr:
In the early 1970s Jerry Lohr decided to use his farming background to develop vineyards in Arroyo Seco area of Monterey. He was one of the pioneers of modern winemaking who were bringing California wines to the international level.
He planted 280 acres which have since sprawled to over 900 acres, primarily producing Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir. His wines are widely distributed in the U.S. and in 25 foreign markets. Typical of the area, J. Lohr offers good quality at an affordable price.
Chalone:Heavily influenced by the wines of Burgundy, Dick Graff established Chalone Vineyard in 1966 along the Gavilan Mountain Range, 1,800 feet above the Salinas Valley, bordering on the Pinnacles National Monument. The vines sit at the base of an extinct volcano in mineral rich limestone soils similar to those in the Burgundy region. Graff employs French techniques and oak to make his signature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Burgundian varietals.
The terroir is dry, cool and well-drained, producing concentrated flavors in austere, minerally wines. All the grapes are estate grown and bottled.
Estancia:
Estancia produces one of my favorite moderately priced Pinot Noirs.In 1986 Augustin Huneeus left Franciscan Winery, purchasing the Paul Mason Vineyard Ranches in Soledad and renamed the vineyard Estancia, Spanish for estate. The Chilean native had been in the international wine business in South America and Europe for 25 years before coming to California to express his winemaking philosophy.
The Pinnacles Vineyards produce cool climate varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and offer excellent value for price.
Hahn Estates:
Some of the best wines in Monterey County come from the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. Hahn Estates is located here, overlooking the Salinas Valley. The beautifully planted vineyard was originally composed of the Smith and Hook horse ranches and Nicky Hahn adopted their names for his wine when it premiered in 1980.
In 1991 he added his own name to the label, becoming Hahn Estates/ Smith & Hook Winery. Incidentally, Hahn means rooster in German, hence the red cock on label.
Paraiso Vineyards:
In Spanish Paraiso means heaven or paradise, and it certainly fits this vineyard. It was the name that the early Spanish settlers gave to this region of Monterey County. In 1973, Rich and Claudia Smith, graduates of the UC Davis wine course, arrived in Monterey to begin their life’s work. They now harvest over 3,000 acres of wine grapes selling most to other vintners.
But in 1988 they started limited production of their own premium wine under the Paraiso label, with grapes harvested from the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate brings a lovely complexity to the wines, due to the long hang time and vine thinning techniques to concentrate flavors.
Chateau Julien:
Modeled on a chateau located on the French/Swiss border, Chateau Julien is a lovely boutique vineyard set on 16 acres in the lush Carmel Valley. Its tasting room is the most elegant in Monterey County. Bob and Patty Brower opened the vineyard in 1982 and the first vintage was 1985.
Merlot is the premiere grape grown on the property, with some oaked Chardonnay and Sangiovese grapes, but the main attraction is the Chateau, French gardens and grounds.
Blackstone:
Another of the good quality affordable area wines, Blackstone Vineyard was established in 1990 in Gonzales and produces approachable, full-bodied and well-balanced wines. They are especially known for sponsoring rock concerts and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Cheers!

Dale

Finewineonline

www.wineshopathome.com/dalerossi

The New Wine In Malibu!

2009-09-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

Story and photos by John Blanchette

Folded into the Santa Monica Mountains and the hills above Malibu, California are more than 50 patches of vineyards producing a few hundred gallons of wine for local consumption, tended in most part by enthusiasts and gentleman farmers, including Emilio Estevez and Tony Griffin, son of Merv. But there are 10 commercial growers who have taken vino-culture very seriously and are producing world-class wines in an area more known for surfer dudes and celebrity residents than Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.I met them at the 7th Annual Malibu Wine Classic, produced by Ian Blackburn of the Los Angeles wine promotion and education organization, Learn About Wine, http://www.learnaboutwine.com/.

Yum, enjoying wine and Oysters at the 7th Annual Malibu Wine Classic

Over 60 wineries and 30 local restaurants offered tastes and drinks, including Mariel Hemingway, who was sampling her sugar-free “Blisscuits,” delicious and delicious.

The Blissful Mariel Hemingway

Tony and Tricia Griffin’s daughter Farah, Miss Malibu, was the official greeter for the thousands who attended this lovely event at the Malibu Civic Center, benefitting the child abuse center Childhelp. It was a beautiful day in the “BU.”

Farah Griffin, Miss Malibu and yours truly

Grapes were originally planted by the Spanish missionaries in the Santa Monica Mountains as far back as the 1800s primarily for making sacramental wine. But it was in 1985 that Michael McCarty of Michael’s Restaurant in Santa Monica put in the first world class wine grape stock on his Malibu property in the hills above Carbon Beach and named it The Malibu Vineyard.

Malibu wine visionary and founding father Michael McCarty

About three acres in size, they produce some nice Pinot Noirs that are featured in his restaurant. A number of top end Los Angeles restaurants often have several Malibu labels on the wine menu.His neighbor, wealthy entrepreneur and real estate developer George Rosenthal, owner of Raleigh Studios and the Sunset Marquis, was intrigued by what he saw Michael doing, so he did extensive soil sampling and in 1987 put in his first grapes creating Rosenthal –the Malibu Estate at an elevation of 1,400 feet, about four miles from the ocean off of Kanen Dume Road.
Today 30 acres of grapes are planted and the winery produces 4,000 cases from grapes grow in the Malibu-Newton Canyon AVA. Another 3,000 cases are bottled under the Surfrider label made from purchased fruit.His first vintage in 1991 of Cabernet Sauvignon earned a 91 rating from Wine Spectator. Leah Metzger, Marketing Coordinator and Wine Club Manager, led me through a tasting of the deliciously jammy wines. For $12 you can taste four wines and for $15 eight. I chose the better deal and tried them all.

In summer, Rosenthal Estates hosts a “Wine Down” on Friday evenings at the villa, the only cost the purchase of a bottle of wine. Drive in through the beautifully landscaped property, past the sculpture gardens and through the vineyards up to the rambling Spanish hacienda at the top of the hill and enjoy the sunset with fellow wine lovers. Reservations required, www.rosenthalwinedown.eventbrite.com.
Rosenthal Malibu Vineyard Tasting Room
The Coastal Commission doesn’t allow Malibu growers to make wine at the vineyards. Most grapes are trucked up to Norm Stafford’s Camarillo Custom Crush and made there. Rosenthal has its own winemaker at Orcutt Road Cellars in San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast.But many of the growers are now talking about creating their own on site wineries, including cellars and caves, to go along with the tasting rooms. It’s been a 22-year-long fight to make this happen and many hope to see it soon.

Tony and Tricia Griffin, major organizers and sponsors of the Wine Classic

Another important local grower is Ron Semler of Saddlerock Vineyards and Semler Malibu Estate, which is making a nice Syrah and has 75 acres of grapes planted, the largest of any grower in the area.Tasting rooms and larger vineyards:Malibu Wines, 31800 Mulholland Highway 818-865-0605 www.malibuwine.comMalibu Family Wines, www.malibufamilywines.com 818-889-0120Richard Hirsch at Cielo winery uses a high tech irrigation system to water its five acres, 2598 Sierra Creek Rd., 818-865-0440, www.cielofarms.com.Rosenthal, the Malibu Vineyard Tasting Room 26023 Pacific Coast Highway, next to Beau Rivage Restaurant 310-456-1392 www.rosenthalestatewines.comJim Palmer’s vineyard in Decker Canyon, www.malibu-vineyards.com 310-456-3805Malibu Vineyards, www.malibu-vineyards.comMalibu Sanity, www.malibusanity.com, 310-849-7505Malibu Solstice, 310-359-3108Hoyt Family Estate

An awesome pour at the Cielo booth

Beside the tasting rooms, Malibu wines can be tried at Barrel Malibu in Malibu Colony, 310-456-8777, winebrain@barrelmalibu.com, Cornell Tasting Room at 29975 Mulholland Highway, www.cornellwinery.com 818-735-3542 and they are widely distributed to wine shops throughout Los Angeles County.Rebekah Evans at The Malibu Chamber of Commerce is preparing a Wine Lovers Brochure to be available shortly that will provide a map and information to guide tasters along the Malibu Wine Trail, www.malibu.org.And the cult of mountain wine is spreading into the nearby hills as well, including the Rhone-style blends of the Milan Winery in Topanga Canyon, The BIG Cabernet Sauvignon from Bodega Gomez in Trancas Canyon, and the bold reds from Malibu Valley Vineyards at Triunfo & Lobo.
Los Angeles has its own little wine colony developing in the hills and Mountains above the beach community of Malibu, now the other colony by the sea.

I thank my friend John for writing about this amazing event and allowing me to blog about it.I wasn't able to attend.. I was working doing my own In Home Guided Wine Tastings .Thanks John for taking me there with your words and photos!

Cheers!

Dale Rossi

Fine Wine On Line

www.wineshopathome.com/dalerossi

Wine And Chocolate tasting

2009-09-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

Friends and Wine Lovers,
Thought I would share this discovery with you.

Nothing like a great bottle of your favorite red paired with some of the most amazing chocolates!

There is this fabulous little chocolate store called "Chocolata", every month they do a wine and chocolate tasting. You bring your favorite bottle, pay $5 at the door and get ready to taste some of the most spectacluar chocolates around!

Next tasting: Sept. 15th 7:00PM

Location: 20202 Anza, Torrance, Ca. 90505

310 793-7793 for reservations

Cheers!

Dale Rossi

Fine Wine On Line

www.wineshopathome.com/dalerossi

Taking the Last Sips of Summer !

2009-08-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

Season Finale: Taking the Last Sips of Summer
These sandy beaches and long, warm nights will soon give way to golden leaves crunching beneath our feet and fall’s first chill. Now is the time to take the last sips of summer with simple home entertaining that is easy on the host and easy on the wallet.

Send Out the Invites: The promise of glasses overflowing with wine is always a winner. If you’re pressed for time or don’t want to bother with the snail mail, go to www.evite.com to create a great invitation that includes your theme (wine of course has got to be center stage). To make it extra easy on yourself, invite each guest to bring a dozen of their favorite appetizers. Easy on them. Easy on you. Fun to share, compare and trade recipes of favorites.
Pick The Perfect Spot:Take the party outdoors and take advantage of the late afternoon or early evening. When twilight comes the magic truly begins. Go for lots of candles – from simple votives floating in a bowl to tapers placed in your best crystal or silver (yeah, remember those wedding gifts? Or, the gift from Aunt Edna tucked away in the closet. Bring them out and let them shine up the night).

Set the Mood:Here’s the deal. A great party track can make your event memorable. They’ll be humming those tunes long after they’ve said goodnight. Put your DJ face on and create your playlist, download your favorites and let the music soar. Here are some suggestions for a large outdoor gathering : "A Minha Menina" by Os Mutantes, "The Noise of Carpet” by Stereolab, "Lebanese Blonde" by Thievery Corporation, "Dance with Me" by Nouvelle Vague, "Let me Down Easy" by Bettye LaVette, “Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra, “Blue in Green” by Miles Davis and “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young.

Pop the Cork:Chill the white in a large bucket of ice (pouring water into the ice makes it easy to push the bottles down for a better chill), pop the cork on the reds and you’re good to go. Arrange wine stems on top of a bar, table or tray and let guests help themselves. Pitchers, or decanters of still or sparkling water (toss in a sliced lemon if you choose) make a nice touch. Add non-alcoholic beverages to the offering so there’s something for everyone. Enjoy the season’s finale with family and friends. Toast to their health, their joy, their happiness. The memories will last all winter long.
Heres to Wine Shop At Home Setting The Mood!

Cheers!
Dale Rossi
www.wineshopathome.com/dalerossi
www.winetasting-dale.blogspot.com

New Resort Worth Visiting

2009-08-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

If you are in Southern California or traveling there be sure to visit an amazing resort on cliffs of Palos Verdes Peninsula with fabulous coastal views. I recently went there with some of my fellow wine consultants. See we live in the area and had to check it out, and I'm glad I did!.
We ate one of their many restaurants "Mar'cel's " , wow!! Everything about it was top notch from their one of a kind appetizers, to their main courses, to their service. We were mainly there to check out the wine list.And did they have a list indeed, so of course we indulged. Our choice was a Red Meritage from Newton Vineyards, a luscious, velvety smooth wine! It was a perfect blend, so much so we by-passed on dessert and ordered another bottle! That was our dessert. I still dream about that wine along with the spectacular chocolates that our server brought us as a perk.
Now...... lets talk about those chocolates.....well there are no words!! Sorry folks.
I highly recommend an evening at Mar'cel's, it will be an evening to remember.
Cheers!
Dale
Fine Wine On Line
www.wineshopathome.com/dalerossi
http://www.terranea.com/?esiteurl=terranearesort.com&esitecname=terranearesort.com#

Tasting In Santa Ynez

2009-07-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

I Recently got to celebrate my Birthday wine tasting in Beautiful and HOT Santa Ynez! It was a great time.. if you ever get a chance to go you must stay at the Santa Ynez Inn! An amazing B & B. Big beautiful rooms, even bigger bath rooms, service was impeccable and for a $5 fee you can have your breakfast delivered to your room if you don't want to eat in the breakfast room. It was a great way to start our day.

We made 5 stops to various wineries: Gainey,Suntstone (fabulous building felt like we were in France), Rubideau (great grounds for a picnic),Blackjack (don't bother, not pleasant people there, maybe it was a bad day for them),and Kalyra .

Now I know wine is subjective, and being in the wine business helps or not! However the only one that was worth blogging about was KALYRA. Well worth the visit.

As you drive up you are not sure (or we were not sure ) it was even a winery, very unpretentious building, they obviously put there money into the wines and not the facade. I love that!

We were greeted with welcome arms by all. Which fits their name Kalyra which means "A Wild and Pleasant Place". The wine maker is Australian. We tasted 7 wines plus 3 dessert wines.... Very rarley do I like all wines on a tasting menu. Typically you have a couple stand outs.

Their whites: 2007 Kalyra Sauvignon Blanc $18. sourced from one of the old vineyards in Santa Ynez Valley. It is a classic Sauvignon Blanc with its classic floral and subtle overtones of grapefruit & gooseberry, with a great finish. Will hold up to most any spicy dishes, as well as grilled fish and summer salads.

2008 Kalyra Unwooded Chardonnay $24 .this was made in the new world style with no oak influence. the grapes were picked at night from White Hawk vineyards in Los Alamos. Very fruit forward with a subtle vanilla characteristic. yummmmmmm!

2007 Kalyra Riesling $18. Considering how hot it was in the valley that day, this wine truly was a refreshing delight. It is a off dry style Riesling and rich forward fruit. it was served at the perfect temperature. I gave this a 5 star!!

Their Reds:2006 Kalyra Sangiovese $28. this wine features a more Tuscan flavor with subtle dark berry flavors, bit of spice and great long finish. A perfect red to drink on its own! Even in 90 degree heat!

2005 Kalyra MC2 Blend $24.I called this the Mc Dreamy wine. This vintage is a Bordeaux blend of a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cab Franc. its rich with dark berry flavors and a SMOKEY chocolaty finish. this is why I tagged it the McDreamy!

2005 Kalyra Metralla Blend $30. Its a blend of 3 different Portuguese varietals. it is an explosion of rich flavors , dark coffee on the nose and soft berries on the finish. Another yummmm!

Their Desserts: Wow ,Wow and Wow for all three of them! I'm typically not a dessert wine drinker, but these just may make me cross over.

2007 Kalyra Viognier "Stickey Wicket" $30

Kalyra NV Black Muscat $16 . I gave this a 5 star, can't beat the price!

Not on the tasting menu: An Orange Muscat $26..

I highly recommend you stop by this winery. Its not to be missed.

Cheers!

Dale

Fine Wine On Line

www.wineshopathome.com/dalerossi

5 Star Wineries

2009-07-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

Wine lovers and friends,

Once again I must tell you I love my job! I just returned from my company’s national convention in Napa, Calif. It was a two day extravaganza where I was recognized with 7 awards of excellence. But this is not my main purpose for blogging about this trip. I was able to extend my trip to do what I call RESEARCH! (lol) I visited seven wineries and this is what I wanted to share with all of you.

I had my own rating system which goes to 5 stars. So let’s cut to the chase. There were three wineries that where stand outs and are 5 stars in my book. All three made the grade because of the following: amazing wines, outstanding customer service, and fabulous presentation. They are:

Darioush*, Paraduxx, and Peju.Now lets take them one at a time.

Darioush: As you drive up onto the property it immediately invites you on a unique journey, with a feeling that you have just stepped back in time with its impressive columns that look like you are entering a temple straight out of Raiders Of The Lost Arch. Not typical of Napa wineries.

As you go thru the massive doors you are greeted by Diana Lasso, Concierge and wine expert extraordinaire! She quickly sat us down and began her presentation. If you ever want to really learn about the wines you are tasting this is the place to be. Diana has such a command of the language, but is able to keep it in layman terms and still be elegant. Everything about her is top of the mark. From how she presents herself to how she presents each wine without EVER being intimidating. Nothing is ever rushed!

Let’s talk about the wines, the tasting flight was: 2007 Signature Chardonnay $43.2008 Signature Viognier $39. 2006 Signature Merlot $45... 2006 Duel $45. 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon $80.00

Their Chardonnay and Viognier are geared towards red wine drinkers, meaning they have more complexity, more weight but not heavy in acidity. The Viognier is meant to drink crazy cold! It feels sweet but is all fruit. Viogneirs are tricky to get right and did they got this RIGHT!

Their Merlot is full bodied with a blend of Cabernet & Cab Franc for spice. Aged 24 months in new French Oak.

Their Duel, this is one of my all time favorites. Each year it holds up to all my expectations. This can only be purchase thru the winery and is in limited quantities. It is 60% Cabernet and 40% Shiraz. This has just the right amount of body and weight, yet velvety smooth. You want to savor every sip!

Their Cabernet Sauvignon: This is made in the Bordeaux style, 85% Cab, and 9% Merlot, and 3% Malbec, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The French would be proud of this one. At the $80 price it is well worth every drop!
http://www.darioush.com/

Paraduxx: As you walk up to the entrance it is this quaint yellow unassuming house, but as you enter it is contemporary, innovative and out of the ordinary. This is part of the Duckhorn Wine Company; it was competed in 2005, located along the less traveled Silverado Trail. Paraduxx is a bold and expressive in their red wines. They have developed their own personality. Their service from the get go was friendly and accommodating, however this is the best; you have a choice to have your tasting inside or out. We chose outside. Both are tableside service! They have the most beautiful and comfortable outside lounge where you wanted to hang out all day. All of this takes place under two of the most massive, break taking trees. As I was lounging reflecting once again how much “I love My Job”! I was then greeted with our guide who was exceptional friendly and pleasant, carrying on a beautiful silver tray (meant to keep all wines at the perfect temperature).Wines were served in stem less glasses, each vintage has its own artist label with its own pair of ducks, along with the perfect cheese and cracker pairings. Fabulous presentation!

About the wines: 2008 Parajaxx Napa Valley Rose, 2004 Paraduxx, 2005 Paraduxx, and 2006 Paraduxx. All Napa Valley red wines.

2008 Rose`: 100% stainless steel, blend of Zinfandel, merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cab Franc. This is felled bodied and mixes well with warm weather. Smooth entry wonderful fruits and bright acidity. Aromas are refreshing with layers of strawberry, red cherry, and watermelon. It was the perfect complement to the warm day.

2004 Paraduxx: Aged 18 months in oak, 65% American, 35% French, 70% new, 30% second vintage. This vintage is 65% Zinfandel, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Merlot. And before I start can I just say Yummmmm! Medium bodied, velvety, long finish. Flavors of wild boysenberry, strawberry, currants and just the right amount of toasted oak.
2005 Paraduxx: Also aged in oak for 18 months. This vintage is a blend of 60% Zinfandel, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. This also medium bodied but with chewy texture, approachable tannins, lengthy finish. Flavors of raspberry, red cherry, and boysenberry, with hints of chocolate.

2006 Paraduxx: 18 months of aging in oak, 50% American, 50% French, 50% new, and 50% second vintage. A blend of 64% Zin, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon,7% Merlot 2% Cab franc .Dense color, smooth, fine tannins, black pepper, bing cherry ,strawberry ,raspberry, layers of blueberry, red currant finish.

Peju: Beautiful grounds with marble and bronze sculptures. Larger than life aged wood front doors. As you enter small gift store with complimentary appetizers’ served while waiting for your spot at the tasting bar. They have two one off the gift store and one upstairs that overlooks the barreling room. Great staff1 I had the pleasure of having Bob at the upstairs tasting bar. He couldn’t be more personal able and entertaining. He truly loves what he does. His knowledge is extensive, and makes sure you are getting a wealth of information as well as having a good old time!

About the wines: The flight consisted of 2008 Carnival- French Colombard $16(a new release). Provence a California red/white blend $22, 2005 Estate Merlot $35, 2005 Estate Cabernet Franc Reserve $95.

2008 Carnival: This was my first time experiencing a French Colombard, and for the price I couldn’t be more excited about this lovely summer wine. Flavors of peach, apricot preserves, and tropical fruit. Aromas of magnolia, cantaloupe with notes of rose petals. If you enjoy concerts in the park, picnics, or just lounging by the pool, this is the perfect match.

Provence: This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zin, and barrel fermented Chardonnay, along with French Colombard. This has a refreshing finish and begs for a second glass.

2005 Estate Merlot: 87% Merlot, 10%Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cab Franc. Soft yet firm tannins, flavors’ of Bing cherry, vanilla, brown sugar, cocoa, hints of toasted oak.

2005 Estate Cabernet Franc Reserve: This is Bob’s favorite. Lush and full bodied, big nose of dark garnet and black fruit. Flavors of berries and plum with small hints of cocoa, cedar.

Well friends there you have it. I hope if you have the opportunity to travel to Napa that you stop by these extraordinary wineries.

*Darioush not to be missed ask for Diana to complete your experience.

At a later time I will blog about the other three wineries, all were good, and a few stand out wines. Till then…..

Cheers!
Dale
Fine Wine On Line

www.wineshopathome.com/dalerossi

Regions of Spain and Portugal

2009-06-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Spain and Portugal
With a blend of tradition and innovation, Spain produces red, rose, and white wines of varying quality. It is best known for sherry, Rioja (oaky reds and whites), and sparkling known as Cava. Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache) are its most important grape varieties.
Aside from Port, Portugal makes red, white and rose wine. Since it joined the European Union, the quality of wine making has improved a great deal.

Wines Of Spain: Many wines are a blend of grapes. Red Rioja is typically a mix of Tempranillo and Garnacha, and white is mostly Viura (also known as Macabeo). Wines from Rioja’s three main districts are Alavesa, Alta, and Baja, are often blended. American oak barrels are used in Rioja to age both reds and whites .Cava is sparkling wine using the Champagne method, and can be of excellent quality.

Portuguese Wines: Portugal uses grape varieties little known elsewhere. Vinho Verde is a light white wine best drunk young. Dao’s once coarse and tannic reds are now fruitier with spicy flavors. Minho is an important region which makes Vinho Verde.

Cheers!

Dale

Fine Wine On Line

Napa Valley Late Harvest Dessert Wine

2009-06-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

I've just experienced an amazing dessert wine, which I typically don't drink....but this one blew my socks off, so I thought I would share all I know about it.

This blended late harvest dessert wine has about one-third each of Muscat, Semillon and Chardonnay, all three of which were allowed to ripen longer than usual creating a sweet dessert wine. The Chardonnay portion was barrel fermented and after the final blend was made, the wine was aged in 100% new oak barrels for an average age of 5 years. As with most dessert wines, this wine will age very well for 8 to 10 years and possibly beyond. Late harvest wines owe their rich complex flavors to several factors. Late harvest crops are usually smaller in both weight and quantity. As the grapes ripen, they lose water making the clusters lighter while concentrating the sugar. Late Harvest wines are typically carefully handpicked to assure magnificent quality. These delicious wines — with their extended aging periods — make them highly anticipated and very, very special indeed. This Ceres Napa Valley Late Harvest Dessert Wine has aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, pralines and caramelized pears. The flavors of this wine are a perfect mirror of the aromas, with mouth-filling sweetness and layers of complexity. The finish is long and sweet with hints of fruit, finishing with a light nuttiness. Enjoy this wine with pecan pie, Roquefort cheese and walnuts or bananas foster. Yummmm! I tried it with something I would have never thought to pair with it...the Roquefort cheese. Wow! give it a try.

Cheers!

Dale

Fine Wine On Line

Fog Zin & Merlot Rosato

2009-05-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Did your at Home Business Company go out of Business?

2009-05-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

Has your Home business company gone out of business? Did you build a successful team or were in the process of building? Don't want your hard work to go down the drain.Want to Keep your momentum and sales going? Bring your team to a company that has increased its sales this pass year 40%.Start getting paid immediately!Still want to be your own boss and have fun doing it? Come join the Wine Revolution!Come for the taste, stay for the Life Style. One of the few industries that has not been effected by the recession.
No wine knowledge? No problem.. we will train you, it's fast and easy to get started. No big huge over head or inventory to maintain. What are you waiting for? Contact me now. www.wineshopathome.com/dalerossi dale.finewineonline@yahoo.com www.finewineonline.net
Cheers!

Four Best Selling books for Free!

2009-05-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, this is a friend of mine , I thought I would pass this on to anyone that could use it.

I would like to give you for FREE, four of my best selling books: Talk & Grow Rich, Debt Free with Financial Kung Fu! and Insider Secrets of Raising Capital for Business. The last one: "Isn't that pyramid selling?" is a very positive book about network marketing.Just go to www.ronhollanddirect.com and collect them!

Cheers
Dale Rossi
While you are reading, have a glass of wine in your hand!

Hook and Ladder . A Must Try

2009-05-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Ok... wine lovers.. this is a must try! This weekend I had the opportunity to do a Mother's Day Tasting for a great group of women.And the host gave me a bottle of Hook and Ladder "Station Ten" Zin blend.
83% Zinfandel
10% Petite Sirah
5% Carignane
2% Alicante
ruby-red blend, with aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, and plum that lead to spicy flavors of rich dark berry and vanilla, has just arrived. This “barn-burner” has good acidity in the mid palate with sweet oak and soft tannins in the long finish.Fabulous! And it's only 17.00!

There is a great story behind this great wine :In 1970, San Francisco firefighter Cecil De Loach and his wife Christine
staked their claim in the wine grape business by purchasing 24 acres of old-vine Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. In the early seventies, the De Loaches decided to acquire additional vineyard land.
For several years they watched others make notable wine from their grapes before making the decision to produce wine under the De Loach label in 1975.
More than three decades later, Cecil and Christine sold that label and have continued their winemaking skills at the helm of a small family winery that employs a simple philosophy - craft exceptional wines, from the highest quality grapes, that people love to drink.
We consider each step of the winemaking process an opportunity to showcase the distinctive flavors contained within our carefully cultivated grapes. Every bottle of wine is a worthy representation of the best effort from each and every person at Hook and Ladder Vineyards and Winery.
for more info visit:hookandladderwinery.com
I happen to think my wines are exceptional, but when I come across a note worthy wine. I like to share.
Cheers!

Here's To All The Moms Out There!

2009-05-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

"Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore. She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep . . . the colors of the rainbow . . . she is Christmas morning. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. A mother shows every emotion: happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow . . . and all the while, hopes and prays you will only know the good feelings in life. She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space . . . not even death!" unkown

Cheers!

The average vineyard produces how many bottles of wine a year?

2009-04-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

Drinking and Driving Fascts you should know

2009-04-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

Yes... I believe that " A day without Wine is like a Day without Sunshine". However ,we must all be responsible, alcohol reaches the brain in 20 to 30 minutes, at which time it begins to DULL alertness and slows down every drinker's reflexes, and reactions times. Alcohol also dramatically slows down the eye muscles used to focus on and track the movement of approaching vehicles and objects (hense, the roadside "follow the pen test").Because alcohol is a CONFIDENCE booster, drunk drivers refuse to accept their inability to drive normally and, even worse court disaster by speeding up! The worst time to judge if you should drive is after you drink. 45% of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol.

If you must drive, DON'T DRINK. If you know you are going to drink, DON'T DRIVE. Be smart, relax; get a non-drinker to do the driving. You can always drive tomorrow!

Cheers!

Dale Rossi

Wine Consultant/Team Leader

Wineshop At Home

Earth Day! What will you do?

2009-04-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

"It is our collective and individual responsibility . . . to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live." ~Dalai Lama Earth Day,

A wonderful reminder that we are responsible for preserving and protecting our beautiful planet Earth for all future generations. What will you do for your "mother", Earth, today?

Quote Provided by Lyn Conway

Mother's Day Queen Of Hearts & Bubbles & Chocolate For Mom!

2009-04-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

Queen of Hearts Spa Spectacular Basket

Give your Queen of Hearts a Mother’s Day spa escape. Our delightful, exclusive Frisch Riesling – German for fresh – will refresh and relax her. A luxurious soak in the tub with Green Tea fizzers, bath tea, bubble bath & bath cream will delight her. Her spa experience will be complete with tea cookies, pistachios, Ghirardelli chocolate, cheese straws, nuts, tea and wafer cookies.
About the wine:Frisch (Gr: Fresh) Our Frisch wines are fresh, fruity and infinitely memorable. Handcrafted with both German-style know-how and French flair Frisch is the embodiment of Alsatian-style wines, reflective of two cultures blended together in perfect harmony.
Yours for only $79.95

Bubbles Chocolate for Mom Basket

Mother knows best and she’ll know how much she means to you when she receives this sensational basket. Send her love and best wishes with a bottle of sparkling wine and treats galore – truffle cookies, Ghirardelli chocolate bar, truffles, wafer cookies and cashew roca. Happy Mother’s Day!

About the bubbly:This Grand Cadeau Cava has a pale color with a fine and persistent mousse. The aromas of apple, honey and gardenia are accented with a light touch of sweetness. The flavor is a balance of the crisp acidity and fresh fruit followed with a finish of the harmonious palate cleansing effervescence.
Yours for only $59.95

visit:www.wineshopathome.com/dalerossi

A Legendary Affair Event 4/25/09

2009-04-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

Come visit this wonderful free planning resource center for brides and grooms
To learn about all the products and services you might need for your upcoming wedding.
At the same time you are invited to
join us for a guided tasting featuring limited production wines, light appetizers and lots of fun
See samples of personalized wines to commemorate your special day, shop for wines for attendant gifts,
consider a Wine Tasting Shower Event, and place orders through WineShop At Home to start your wine cellar
Enjoy a whole new way to Discover, Taste and Shop for great wines!
Event begins at 3:45Pm , tasting begins at 4:00pm

Brides and a guest are invited to a
Wine Tasting Event at
A Legendary Affair Wedding & Party Planning Showroom
505 N. Sepulveda Blvd. #10
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Locatiion & Directions:
http://www.alegendaryaffair.com/location.cfm

No Charge to Brides and one guest Not a Bride? No worries ...come for the tasting!
RSVP d4rossi@yahoo.com

One of The Top 5 Home businesses! ABC network says

2009-04-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 14,2009 "The View" with Barbara Walters. Wine Shop At Home featured as one of the top 5 home businesses to be in!!A Great Company to find a job where you are the boss. No one can fire you for being late to work!! Join the Wine Revolution!

Summer Wine Releases Frisch Riesling, Milano Sangiovese

2009-04-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

Grape Varieties

2009-04-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

I think most wine lovers and enthusiasts basically know the most common grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc etc. But how much do we know about that particular grape varietal? Well for those of you that don’t, I wanted to touch on some information on each of these varieties in hopes for a better understanding of them.

WHICH GRAPES MAKE WINE? Grapes make up a large, diverse plant family. All classic wine making grapes come from the species Vitis vinifera, which yields the largest and sweetest fruits. Thousands of varieties exist. The grape variety determines the character of any given wine, although growing conditions and the wine-maker process will affect the end results.

Cabernet Sauvignon: Grown in many wine regions around the world, this variety always makes wine with a recognizable style and flavor. It is thick skinned and the fruits are small and blue in color. This is the most well known grape variety in the world. Along with Merlot, with which it is often blended, it is the most important Bordeaux variety and is successful in the New World, too. The grapes are high in tannins, so Cabernet Sauvignon wines age well (especially if oaked), but need time to mature. At best, the wines are rich in color, aroma, and depth, and in time have a long-lasting flavor, often blackcurrants.

Chardonnay: Unquestionably the most popular white grape variety, this is in part due to its unfussy temperature and versatility for making wine. It is the variety behind classic white Burgundy and one of the three varieties used to make Champagne. Wines from this grape are dry, and light (crisp apple like flavors) to medium and full bodied (buttery), depending on how the wine maker wants to make them.
Chardonnay is easy to cultivate, disease-resistant, and highly productive in most conditions. Chardonnay re3sponds very well to being aged in oak barrels. This gives the wine a depth of flavor not achieved by other processes. However in recent years a lot of wine makers are choosing to make their chardonnay’s on the lighter crisper side, demand for a oaky, buttery Chardonnay’s have dropped considerably.

Chenin Blanc: Very high acidity characteristics these grapes, which need plenty of sun to ripen properly; otherwise the wines are tart. Aging improves good quality sweet Chenin Blanc by bringing out the fruit.
These grapes have thin skins and high sugar content. The main regions for Chenin Blanc are the Loire, New Zealand, and South Africa. White wines from very dry to sweet, as well as sparkling, are produced. Successful dry wines are fresh and fruity, sweet wines well balanced and honeyed.

Gamay: Beaujolais, which is made from Gamay grape, is of enormous commercial importance in Burgundy, where it accounts for more than half of all wine produced. Most are uncomplicated, light, fruity reds intended for drinking when young and fresh. The wine has a distinctive intense pear aroma, which is the result of the production methods, and a raspberry flavor. More serious Beaujolais can be aged. Beaujolais nouveau (new) made to be drank just weeks after harvest, this is usually more hype than quality.

Gewürztraminer: The highly aromatic wines made from this spicy variety are full-bodied whites that can be dry or sweet. They have low acidity and high alcohol content, often over 13%. Alsace produces the finest examples. With its exotic perfume and intense litchi flavor, this is one of the few wines that pairs well with spicy foods. Grapes are distinctive pale pink color. Frost is a danger to young buds in spring.

Grenache: On its own, this black grape makes warm fruity flavored wines with high alcohol content and aromas of freshly ground black pepper. The grapes are low in tannins, however, so they are often blended with highly tannic grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, which benefits both varieties. Southern France, Australia, California, Spain are the main growing areas. Grape yields must be carefully controlled to ensure quality.

Merlot: this is the most widely planted black grape variety of Bordeaux, where it is usually blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. The latter gives backbone to Merlot, which is lower in tannins and acidity, yet can bring a richness and smoothness to wines that would otherwise be harsh. On its own Merlots that are unblended are usually soft and easy drinking wines, with flavors of plums and fruitcake.

Pinot Noir: This is the grape used to make red Burgundy. It is extremely sensitive to climate conditions, and yields are very high, making it both difficult and expensive to produce. Rarely blended, Pinot Noir grapes make fairly pale colored, light to medium bodied reds, with strawberry or raspberry aroma. Best quality Pinot Noirs are those from Burgundy; they can be the most sumptuous reds in the world. Some other regions, including New Zealand and Oregon, are starting to enjoy success. The Key role, Pinot Noir is one of the main grape varietal used in Champagne.

Riesling: this classic German grape variety makes some fine white wines all over the world, from bone dry to sticky sweet. They are light in body and low in alcohol, yet strongly flavored and very long lived. High acidity always balances any richness, whatever the style of wine. Superb, very sweet white wines are made from Riesling grapes that have been subject to noble rot *. Slow ripening is best and the wood is very hard making the vine frost resistant. Riesling’s reputation has suffered unfairly in recent years due to similar but inferior grapes being wrongly labeled as Riesling.

Sauvignon Blanc: Wines made from these grapes are mostly very dry, fresh whites, designed to be drunk young. Their intense taste and aroma, suggestive of green grass and gooseberries, make them easy to recognize. Sancerre and Pouilly Fume, from the Loire, are perhaps the most well known Sauvignon Blancs, but New Zealand also produces some fine examples. Growth of this vine is very vigorous. The acidity makes this a good blending variety, to add zest to bland wines. If blended, it is most often with Semillon.

Semillon: This versatile grape makes a range of white wines, dry to very sweet, particularly notable Australia and Bordeaux. It is often blended, usually with Sauvignon Blanc and also Chardonnay. Dry and blended wines are best when young, but many of the sweeter wines improve with age. Semillon is perhaps greatest when subject to noble rot*, making some famous dessert wines like Sauternes and Barsac. Thin-skinned grapes are prone to noble rot*.

Syrah (Shiraz): Called Shiraz in Australia and South Africa, the Syrah grape makes dark full bodied, strong red wines with great potential longevity, particularly if oak aged. Fairly tannic when young, these wines should reward keeping for at least three years; they are best with food. Mature Syrah has aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, and mixed spice. Syrah is widely planted in the Rhone. Vines are adaptable, thriving in warm places. In Australia, Shiraz is used to make sparkling and fortified wines, in addition to its world famous still reds.

Zinfandel: Regarded as California’s own grape variety, Zinfandel makes wines whose style can vary from light and elegant, as in the white or rose wines, to massive and tannic reds, but the grape’s berrylike character always comes through. The best are arguably those that are rich and deeply colored, preferably with brief aging in oak. These will be at their peak after five years. White Zinfandel: these black grapes also make white wine, called blush, which is usually very pale pink in color, light in body, and slightly sweet to the taste.

Other important grape varieties: Barbera makes light, fruity Italian reds. Colombard makes fresh, tangy white wines in France, California, and Australia. Muller-Thurgan is a mediocre relative of the Riesling, used in cheap white German wine. Muscat covers several related white varieties, all with a distinctive musky aroma and grapery flavor. It is grown through out southern Europe. Nebbiolo (red) is used for Italian Barolo. Pinto Blanc and Pinot Gris makes whites in Italy, France, and Germany. Pinot Blanc is similar to Chardonnay; Pinot Gris is more aromatic. Sangiovese (red) is the main grape for Chianti. Sylvaner a high producing grape makes dry whites. Tempranillo (red) is the chief variety in Rioja. Viognier makes Condrieu, an excellent quality dry white that is perfumed and full bodied.

*Noble Rot: if conditions in fall are warm and humid enough, a fungus may infect grapes left on the vine. These grapes are shriveled and dehydrated, but their sweetness is concentrated. Noble Rot affects Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Semillon and Gewürztraminer favorably.

Next newsletter: Where wine is produced and their regions.

Cheers!
Finewineonline.net

2009-03-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

Wine Tasting in Manhattan Beach with fellow consultants.

Flight of wines: Mariana Old Vine Zin, Evo Merlot, Talmage Merlot, Milano Sangiovese,Avalon Cellars Pinot Grigio. Yummmmmmm

Great day had by all. We have tuff jobs!!

2009-03-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

A day without
WINE is like a day without sunshine....Brighten someones day with wine!

Cheers!

How To Read a Wine Bottle Label

2009-03-04T10:15:00.000-08:00

Ok, so you are at your local store or wine shop...you zero in on your varietal only to be staring at this sea of wines, and you grab the one that has the prettiest or coolest label. You get home...you're excited..can't wait...mouth is watering.. the anticipation is killing you. You open it....you swirl....you smell.....you sip! Ahh! jeeze this is not what I wanted, you slump in disappointment! Did you know that there are indicators on a label that can tell you some of the characteristics of the varietal? I'm about to tell you some of them. So maybe the next time you get your wine home and it's just what you wanted.

Reading a wine label: Regions differ in what the law requires them to include on labels, but trend worldwide is toward giving more information. ?The most important thing to look for is: what sort of wine is it? Where does it come from? Is the style of wine or grape variety given? Is there an indication of an appellation grading? It’s age, shown by the vintage, is important to determine if it is ready to drink.

Alcohol level is the best indicator on any label as to the wine’s sweetness or dryness. Usually, the wines under 11% tend to be sweeter, while those from 11% to 13.5% tend to be dry. Those above 13.5 % can go either way, since residual sugar is often used to balance the slightly hot taste of alcohol. A tolerance of 1.5% over or under is allowed for wines under 14% . It is impossible to accurately predict final alcohol content in order to print the labels in advance of bottling.

Fining is a technique used for clarification of wine. It removes astringent tannins from reds and excessive bitterness from whites. You will sometimes see this word on the back of a label. When a wine has gone thru this process it will age better and last longer.

Region of the varietal: For example if the label reads Napa, Monterey, Paso Robles. 85% of that varietal must be from that region. So for instance if you have a wine that says California Chardonnay those grapes could have come from any where (Washington,Oregan, Calif.) they get to call it California if they bottled it in California.

Varietal designation: for it to be labeled “Chardonnay” it must contain at least 75% of that varietal. French labels seldom give the grape varieties. New world labels: not all countries have their own appellation system, but some wine labels often provide useful details about the grapes and wine style. Generic names like Chablis can be misused. A “Meritage” is thoroughly an American word derived from merging two words “Merit” and “Heritage”. It is always a blend. For a white it must be a blend of two or more of the following: Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Vert, and Semillon. For reds it must be a blend of two or more of the following: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Gros Verdot, and Carmenere.

Vintage dating: A vintage year may be used on labels of wine produced in the U.S. when 95% comes from grapes harvested and fermented within that calendar year. In Australia and most of the European Union countries, the minimum required is 85%. Only a few specific regions, such as Bordeaux, require a higher standard of 95%. Chilli, So. Africa requires 75%. Canada is the same as U.S. 95%.

The back label: Always read the back label if there is one, since it may contain a fuller description of the wine. A lot of your wine makers are now using their descriptors on the back labels. Such as, Flavors and aromas of, Raspberry, Bing Cherry, Spice etc.

There you have it, I hope this helps in your purchasing process. Should you have further questions feel free to contact me at: dale.finewineonline@yahoo.com
Cheers!
http://www.finewineonline.net/
www.youtube.com/d4rossi

Help Save the big Cats!

2009-02-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

EVO 2006 Sonoma Valley Merlot
This 2006 EVO Sonoma Valley Merlot has a myriad of aromas and flavors including blackberry, plum and anise with hints of leather and spice. The complex flavors are consistent with the aromas. The wine offers a delightfully smooth mouthfeel with perfectly balanced tannin and acidity followed by a long, fruity finish. Enjoy this wine with stuffed mushrooms, pasta with pesto sauce, round roast or grilled lamb chops.

African and Asian lions are disappearing – join the fight against extinction. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle of the Sonoma Valley Merlot goes to support the National Geographic Big Cats Initiative. If you would like to learn more about how you can help, please visit http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/gow.cfm?z=wineshopathome%2C339913%2Cb9KF5SQk%2C3000902%2Cbf8Ff9R. Click here to view the Vintner's Notes

EVO 2008 Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc
This 2008 EVO Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc has crisp aromas of apples and pears with hints of citrus. The flavors are a subtle complex mirror of the aromas with a medium weight mouthfeel and food-friendly acidity. The finish is crisp and steely with a pleasant mouth-watering finish. Enjoy this wine with spinach and cheese ravioli, roasted chicken or light pastas with olive oil.

The Snow Leopard is an endangered species with approximately 6,000 left in the wild. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle of the Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc goes to support the National Geographic Big Cats Initiative. If you would like to learn more about how you can help, please visit http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/gow.cfm?z=wineshopathome%2C339913%2Cb9KF5SQk%2C3000902%2Cbf8Ff9R. Click here to view the Vintner's Notes

Now I've seen everything!

2009-01-30T14:55:00.000-08:00

Gotta Love it! Don't you think? I thought hooking your wine glass on the side of a plate was good!

Tell me what you think.

Flavors Of Wine

2009-01-29T13:54:00.000-08:00

Many seemingly improbable descriptions of the aroma or taste of wine actually have a scientific basis: Identical chemical compounds are found in certain wines and the items with which they are compared. Do no worry if these associations don't suggest themselves to you: they are meant simply as handles to build your experience and heighten your pleasure in drinking wine.

PEACH AND APRICOT: Suggest New World Chardonnay (as does pineapple), ripe Riesling, or Muscat.
LIME OR LEMON: Flavors are often found in wines made from Semillon and Australian Riesling.
HONEYED FLAVORS: Emerge in mature dessert wines or where grapes were subject to noble rot*.
SOFT RED FRUITS: Such as redcurrants, strawberries, and cherries, can imply the presence of Pinot Noir grapes.
BANANA AND PEAR: Aromas can show that the wine was fermented at a low temperature, which is common for Beaujolais and inexpensive whites.
RASPBERRY: Flavors emerge in inexpensive red Rhones, often from Syrah grapes.
GOOSEBERRIES: Imply Sauvignon Blanc is the grape variety used.
LITCHIS: Are very strongly evoked when nosing (smelling) a Gewurztraminer wine in any style.
GREEN PEPPER: Implies inexpensive young reds from Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc.
BLACK PEPPER: Is an aroma often evoked by spicy reds from the Syrah grape.
MINT AND EUCALYPTUS: Are both indicative of Cabernet Sauvignon, usually from Australia, South Africa, or California.
TOAST: Can be a sign of new oak barrels, or bottle aged Chardonnay or Semillon.
BUTTER: Means Chardonnay of all styles: both Old and New world*.
NUTTY OVERTONES: Hazelnut or Walnut, mean the wine is likely to be mature white Burgundy.
VANILLA: Is often associated with wine that has been aged in New Oak.
ROSE PEDALS: Are a more subtle sign of Gewurztraminer than lychees but may be Muscat.
CHOCOLATE: May characterize a fine full-bodied red wine: ripe, mature, and low acidity.
Other common associations are: gas and mature Riesling; coffee and mature Champagne; spices and oak aged red wines; blackcurrants and Cabernet Sauvignon.

*Noble Rot: if conditions in fall are humid enough, grapes left on the vine may be infected by a fungus called Botrytis cinerrea, or noble rot. When shriveled and dehydrated, their sweetness is concentrated.
*Old and New World: New world: Europe. New world: any wine producing country outside of Europe.

Cheers!
Fine Wine On Line

Dear Wine Friends,

2008-12-22T15:42:00.000-08:00

I just read an article on the dangers of drinking.... Scared the crap out of me. So that's it!

After today, no more reading !

Live the Wine Country LifeStyle!

2008-12-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

SEASONS OF THE VINE

2008-12-11T11:27:00.000-08:00

Bud Swelling: A primary bud awakens from dormancy as the vine pumps life up from its roots. (January/February)

Bud Break: Leaves from buds left on canes after winter pruning begin to emerge. (February/March)

Leaf Emergence: Leaves are now recognized and shoots are beginning to photosynthesize. (March)

Shoot Growth: More leaves emerge as the shoot elongates. At this point, shoots are still highly susceptible to frost that can significantly damage crop yield. (March).

Flower Cluster Emergence: Many of these tender young flowers will become this year’s fruit. (March/April)

Flower Clusters Before Bloom: Flowers are fully formed but not yet bloomed. (April)

Beginning Of Bloom: Flower caps pop off to reveal the reproductive stigma and stamens of the vine’s flowers. (April/May)

Full Bloom: Because grape flowers are self pollinating their bloom is unlike many fruits that display extravagant blooms to attract birds and bees to help them pollinate. (May)

End Of Bloom: All the flowers that will get fertilized have been pollinated and the berries begin to swell. (May/June)

Just Before Berry Set: Remnants of flowers remain before the unfertilized berries fall off the cluster.
(May/June)

Berry Set: flowers that have been fertilized now become firmly attached to the stem and will eventually become grapes. (June)

Berries Enlarging: Cells within the berries are dividing as well as expanding. (June)

Cluster Closing: Berries have reached full size and have no room for further enlarging. (June/July)

Beginning of Veraison: Berries begin to turn color, soften and further their flavors and sugars. (July)

Veraison Nearly Complete: the point at which most grape clusters have completed veraison is an ideal point to thin out those clusters that are the furthest from completing veraison. (July/Aug)

Ripe Clusters: Grape flavors are fully mature; acids and sugar are in balance- its Harvest Time! (Sept./Oct.)

Harvest: Harvest grapes, depending on location, and prepare for winemaking process. (Sept/Oct.)

Prune: Cut back canes to prepare for dormant winter and next year’s spring. (Dec./Jan.)

CHEERS!
www.finewineonline.net

VARIETALS AND THEIR DESCRIPTORS

2008-11-25T17:21:00.000-08:00

SAUVIGNON BLANC, CHARDONNAY, SYRAH, MERLOT, CABERNET SAUVIGNON

SAUVIGNON BLANC
1. The most famous white varietal of Bordeaux and the Loire Valley
2. Sauvignon Blanc grows especially well in California and New Zealand
3. When Sauvignon Blanc is barrel-fermented or barrel=aged, it is often referred to as Fume Blanc
VARIETAL DESCRIPTORS
Sauvignon Blanc is generally light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity.
Fruits: Melon, Fig, Grapefruit, and Gooseberry
Earth: Minerals
Florals & Spice: Grass, Hay, Straw, Herbs

FOOD & WINE PAIRING
Poultry & Seafood: Light chicken dishes, Mussels, Clams, Dungeness crab, Scallops, Ceviche
Cheese & Nuts: Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar, Almonds, and Pine Nuts
Vegetables & Fruit: Corn, Caesar Salad, Yellow & Orange Tomato, Apple, Cantaloupe, and Figs
Sauces: Vinaigrettes, Light Olive Oil, Light Cream, Fruit Salsa
Herbs & Spices: Saffron, Tarragon, Sesame Seeds, and Basil
Desserts: Fruit Salad, Melons

CHARDONNAY
1. The Chardonnay grape was first planted in France early 12th Century
2. Chardonnay is the most famous and most widely planted of all the white wine varietals
3. It is the most popular white wine varietal and in 2007 accounted for nearly 25% of all the dollars spent on table wine
4. Chardonnay is planted in 35 of the 42 total wine producing countries
5. California now exceeds France in Chardonnay acreage
6. Chardonnay can be one of the most versatile and food friendly wines
7. Chardonnay typically does better in somewhat cooler, growing regions
8. Winemaking style will have a tremendous impact on finished Chardonnay wines

VARIETAL DESCRIPTORS
Chardonnay is usually light, medium, or full bodied with medium to high acids. It can be layered and complex or fruit forward and simple.
Fruits: Apple, Pear, Citrus, Tropical, Mango, and Pineapple
Earth: Minerals, Toast Oak
Floral & Spice: Floral, Vanilla, Butterscotch, Honey, and Bread Dough

FOOD & WINE PAIRING
Meat & Seafood: Chicken, Pork, Duck Breast, Quail, Lobster, Scallops, Swordfish, Mussels, Snapper
Cheese & Nuts: Havarti, Jarlsberg, Humboldt Fog, Gouda, Almonds, Coconut, Cashews, Hazelnuts
Vegetables & Fruits: Roasted Garlic, Pumpkin, Avocado, Spinach, Stone Fruits, Papaya, Mango, and Apple
Sauces: Cream, Butter, Fruit Salsa, non-spicy Chutney, Olive Oil
Herbs & Spices: Cinnamon, Saffron, Tarragon, White pepper, Fennel, Mustard, Clove, Nutmeg
Desserts: Fruit Compote, Cheesecake, and Apple Pie

SYRAH
1. Syrah is one of the oldest varitels dating back to 500 BC
2. It was once thought to have originated from Persia near the city of Shiraz, but recent DNA tests have confirmed it is indigenous to France
3. Over 50% of the worlds Syrah vineyards are planted in the Rhone region of France
4. Syrah makes excellent, even world-class wines on its own, but is often used as a blending grape
5. Syrah should not be confused with Petite Syrah, which is predominately Durif
6. Syrah is very adaptable and grows well in a of climatic conditions
7. It is a relatively late ripening grape
8. Small berries with thick skins mean a high skin-to-juice ratio and intense, concentrated flavors
9. Syrah first came to California in the early 1880”s, primarily from Spanish sources
10. In 1985 there were only 100 acres of Syrah planted in California. As of 2006 there are over 15,000 acres planted throughout the entire state.

VARIETAL DESCRIPTORS
Syrah tends to be medium to heavy body, often deep violet to nearly black in color with chewy texture & richness.
Fruits: Cherry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Plum, Cassis, and Currant
Earth: Leather, Truffle, Tobacco, Barnyard, Mushroom, and Tar
Floral & Spice: Violet, Smoke, Clove, Pepper, Sage, Lavender, and Chocolate, Mint

FOOD & WINE PAIRING

Meat & Seafood: Lamb, Venison, Beef, Bacon, Goose, Rabbit, and Salmon
Cheese & nuts: Sharp Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Camembert, Hazelnut
Fruits & Vegetables: Currant, Stewed Tomato, Beets, and Plum
Sauces: Heavy red sauces, BBQ, Mushroom, Mustard
Herbs & Spices: Oregano, Sage, and Curry
Desserts: Dark Chocolate, Dark Berry Sauces

MERLOT
1. Merlot is a distant cousin of the Cabernet Sauvignon
2. The word Merlot means little Blackbird
3. Merlot, not Cabernet is the most important and most widely planted grape variety in Bordeaux
4. Merlot is known for its soft, velvety quality and its suppleness
5. Growing conditions cannot be too hot or too cold
6. Compared to Cabernet, Merlot has: lower acids, lower tannins, ripens relatively early so it can handle slightly cooler climates than Cabernet
7. Merlot continues to be the top-selling red wine varietal among American Consumers

VARIETAL DESCRIPTORS
Stylistically Merlot is all over the place depending on the origin of the fruit and the winemaking. It can be fruity or tannic, simple or complex, light or heavy bodied.
Fruits: Blueberry, Plum, Blackberry, Black Cherry, and Raspberry
Earth: Tobacco, Barnyard, and Tar
Floral & Spices: Rose, Violet, Vanilla, Chocolate, and Mint

FOOD & WINE PAIRING

Meat & Poultry: Beef, Ribs, Chicken, and Game Birds
Cheese & Nuts: Aged Goat Cheese, Hard Cheeses
Vegetables & Fruits: Black beans, Stewed Tomato, Beets, Plum
Sauces: Heavy red sauces, Berry sauces, Bordelaise, Béarnaise
Herbs & Spices: Thyme, Dill
Desserts: Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Berry sauces

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
1. The oldest recorded reference to Cabernet Sauvignon is from 600 years ago in Bordeaux
2. Cabernet is prized as a collector’s wine because of its aging potential
3. Cabernet prefers moderately warm to warm, somewhat arid growing regions
4. It is the most robust red grape varietal, full bodies, with relatively high alcohol and acid levels
5. Cabernet is widely grown in the “Old World” and “New World” countries

VARIETAL DESCRIPTORS

Cabernet Sauvignon is medium to heavy-bodied with firm structure and complexity of style. Color can range from deep ruby red to garnet.
Fruits: Cassis, Plum, Blackberry, Black Cherry, Black Currant, and Olive
Earth: Tobacco, Tar, Barnyard, Lead pencil, and Minerals, Leather
Floral & Spices: Smoke, Cigar box, Pepper, Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint, Cedar, Herbs

FOOD & WINE PAIRING

Meat & Poultry: Roast Beef, Lamb Chops & Shanks, Chicken, Game Birds, Veal, and Halibut
Cheese & Nuts: Blue-veined Cheeses, Cheddar, Swiss, Fontina, Muenster, and Limburger
Vegetables & Fruits: Bell Peppers, Plums, Blackberries, Grilled Squash, Roasted vegetables
Sauces: Madeira, Port, Gorgonzola, Mint, and Horseradish
Herbs & Spices: Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Marjoram, Pepper
Desserts: Chocolate, Berry sauces, Plum Compote

CHEERS!
www.finewineonline.net

The “Fashionista” Turned "Wine Consultant Machine"

2008-11-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

October 27, 2008
GrapeVine: Team Leader Dale Rossi: The “Fashionista” Turned "Wine Consultant Machine"
GV: Dale, can you tell us how you came to join us at WineShop At Home?
DR: First off let me say that I’m always throwing parties, so when I found out about Wine Shop At Home, doing in home guided Wine Tastings, I jumped all over it! I love wine and could never take the time to go Napa. My Tasting was a great success and I had the opportunity to go to another Tasting through a mutual friend of mine and the Consultant (Meg Collins). As I was sitting there taking it all in, I had an “Ah Ha” moment and tugged on her skirt and whispered “I need to be doing this”. After meeting with her, I knew this was for me. I knew nothing about direct selling companies, I was a clothing designer turned wardrobe stylist, it didn’t matter. After becoming a Consultant I saw the unlimited earning potential and hit the ground running and my business took on a life of it’s own!
GV: It sounds like you’ve got some mighty big dreams in mind for yourself!
DR: You bet I do. One of My greatest dreams for my business is to grow my team and reach that 6 figure income, so I share a house in Tuscany with my family. Another is to ROCK southern California by providing the best wine experience around!One of the things I’m most proud of is, turning myself from a “Fashionista” into a Wine Consultant machine!! I knew nothing about wine. I’m proud to say I go to my Tastings with total credibility. I can’t believe I made Team Leader!! WhoooAh! Onward and upward I say!
GV: Dale, tell us a little bit about your family and how you balance your home life with your business.
DR: Well I wasn’t fortunate enough to have children, but I was sent my guardian angel, my knight in shinning armor, Marc my significant other. He’s an incredible person and is very supportive of my business. He loves to join me on my Tastings and do the pouring and my Hosts love it! I have established a schedule so Marc and I have our time. It also allows us quality time with family and friends. One of the greatest things about being an Independent Wine Consultant with Wine Shop At Home is I set my own hours, and schedule my Tastings around my availability.
GV: I bet you have some great Wine Tastings, Dale. Tell us a little about one of your favorites.
DR: All of my Tastings are great! They are just a real kick in the pants! I have to pinch myself every time. But one in particular where the Host just GOT IT! She coached her guests well and everybody was on time and excited. They all were very eager to learn. It was very interactive, great questions were asked. I picked the wine sampler that best fit the guests for that Tasting. Which made it very difficult them to pick their favorites, they LOVED them all! So I ended up selling 8 ½ cases and got two bookings. The Host was thrilled, she learned more in that hour and a half about wine than she did all of her years of buying and enjoying wine. She is set for another Tasting in November.
GV: It seems to me that we really offer great value. What are your thoughts about today’s economy and how we offer the best value proposition around?
DR: Where can you go, especially in today’s economy and entertain 10 to 12 friends for $59.00 and have the mystery taken out of wine and get your confidence level raised! In the privacy of your home you can try before you buy and not be intimidated to ask questions. Genius! Genius concept! And, great for today’s value-minded consumer. Sheer genius!
GV: How does the sharing of food and wine fit into your ideas of modern day entertaining?
DR: It has always fit into my idea of entertaining. What better way than sitting around a table or in ones living room with your best friends and family having great food,GREAT WINE and great conversation! And a little wine education thrown in for good measure!
Dale Rossi is a master booker – she just knows how to fill that calendar with bookings! Here are Dale’s booking tips, along with her other winning success strategies.
Dale’s Booking Tips:There’s two ways I fill my calendar. Number one, get your bookings for your Wine Tastings. Here’s what I do:
Towards the end of my closing I always make a point to say:” Here tonight you had the opportunity to taste 6 exclusive, limited production wines not found in any store. Book a Tasting at this Tasting and experience another 6 limited production wines for $49.00. Where can you go and taste 6 limited production wines for $49.00?”
This strategy – which is based on truth – gets them every time! I always end my Tastings with these words: “Some people have personal trainers, some people have personal assistants, and you now have a personal Wine Consultant! Feel free to call me any time with any questions you may have.” Then I look for that spot in the conversation where I can segue into” Lets get a Tasting booked and I can expand on that for you and your guests at YOUR Tasting.”
The second way I get bookings is through networking events. When I talk about what I do as a Wine Consultant I generate interest. The key to getting Tastings booked, whether it’s through Wine Tastings or networking events is consistent regular FOLLOW UP.
Tips to Build Wine Club Memberships: I took my lead from our fearless leader, Mr. John Lynch. I treat it like it’s a no brainer! Cite the benefits: a. you are not locked into a contract; b. you get to pick your combination; c. you can change it at any time; d. you can cancel at any time. The best part is “ It’s like Christmas every month”! HELLO!
Tips to Sponsor New Consultants:Be passionate about what you do! Come on… is this one of the greatest jobs in the world? And in the words of Joe LoBue” If I could show you how to achieve your goals, would you be interested”?
GrapeVine: Team Leader Dale Rossi: The “Fashionista” Turned "Wine Consultant Machine"
GV: Dale, can you tell us how you came to join us at WineShop At Home?
DR: First off let me say that I’m always throwing parties, so when I found out about Wine Shop At Home, doing in home guided Wine Tastings, I jumped all over it! I love wine and could never take the time to go Napa. My Tasting was a great success and I had the opportunity to go to another Tasting through a mutual friend of mine and the Consultant (Meg Collins). As I was sitting there taking it all in, I had an “Ah Ha” moment and tugged on her skirt and whispered “I need to be doing this”. After meeting with her, I knew this was for me. I knew nothing about direct selling companies, I was a clothing designer turned wardrobe stylist, it didn’t matter. After becoming a Consultant I saw the unlimited earning potential and hit the ground running and my business took on a life of it’s own!
GV: It sounds like you’ve got some mighty big dreams in mind for yourself!
DR: You bet I do. One of My greatest dreams for my business is to grow my team and reach that 6 figure income, so I share a house in Tuscany with my family. Another is to ROCK southern California by providing the best wine experience around!One of the things I’m most proud of is, turning myself from a “Fashionista” into a Wine Consultant machine!! I knew nothing about wine. I’m proud to say I go to my Tastings with total credibility. I can’t believe I made Team Leader!! WhoooAh! Onward and upward I say!
GV: Dale, tell us a little bit about your family and how you balance your home life with your business.
DR: Well I wasn’t fortunate enough to have children, but I was sent my guardian angel, my knight in shinning armor, Marc my significant other. He’s an incredible person and is very supportive of my business. He loves to join me on my Tastings and do the pouring and my Hosts love it! I have established a schedule so Marc and I have our time. It also allows us quality time with family and friends. One of the greatest things about being an Independent Wine Consultant with Wine Shop At Home is I set my own hours, and schedule my Tastings around my availability.
GV: I bet you have some great Wine Tastings, Dale. Tell us a little about one of your favorites.
DR: All of my Tastings are great! They are just a real kick in the pants! I have to pinch myself every time. But one in particular where the Host just GOT IT! She coached her guests well and everybody was on time and excited. They all were very eager to learn. It was very interactive, great questions were asked. I picked the wine sampler that best fit the guests for that Tasting. Which made it very difficult them to pick their favorites, they LOVED them all! So I ended up selling 8 ½ cases and got two bookings. The Host was thrilled, she learned more in that hour and a half about wine than she did all of her years of buying and enjoying wine. She is set for another Tasting in November.
GV: It seems to me that we really offer great value. What are your thoughts about today’s economy and how we offer the best value proposition around?
DR: Where can you go, especially in today’s economy and entertain 10 to 12 friends for $59.00 and have the mystery taken out of wine and get your confidence level raised! In the privacy of your home you can try before you buy and not be intimidated to ask questions. Genius! Genius concept! And, great for today’s value-minded consumer. Sheer genius!
GV: How does the sharing of food and wine fit into your ideas of modern day entertaining?
DR: It has always fit into my idea of entertaining. What better way than sitting around a table or in ones living room with your best friends and family having great food,GREAT WINE and great conversation! And a little wine education thrown in for good measure!
Dale Rossi is a master booker – she just knows how to fill that calendar with bookings! Here are Dale’s booking tips, along with her other winning success strategies.
Dale’s Booking Tips:There’s two ways I fill my calendar. Number one, get your bookings for your Wine Tastings. Here’s what I do:
Towards the end of my closing I always make a point to say:” Here tonight you had the opportunity to taste 6 exclusive, limited production wines not found in any store. Book a Tasting at this Tasting and experience another 6 limited production wines for $49.00. Where can you go and taste 6 limited production wines for $49.00?”
This strategy – which is based on truth – gets them every time! I always end my Tastings with these words: “Some people have personal trainers, some people have personal assistants, and you now have a personal Wine Consultant! Feel free to call me any time with any questions you may have.” Then I look for that spot in the conversation where I can segue into” Lets get a Tasting booked and I can expand on that for you and your guests at YOUR Tasting.”
The second way I get bookings is through networking events. When I talk about what I do as a Wine Consultant I generate interest. The key to getting Tastings booked, whether it’s through Wine Tastings or networking events is consistent regular FOLLOW UP.
Tips to Build Wine Club Memberships: I took my lead from our fearless leader, Mr. John Lynch. I treat it like it’s a no brainer! Cite the benefits: a. you are not locked into a contract; b. you get to pick your combination; c. you can change it at any time; d. you can cancel at any time. The best part is “ It’s like Christmas every month”! HELLO!
Tips to Sponsor New Consultants:Be passionate about what you do! Come on… is this one of the greatest jobs in the world? And in the words of Joe LoBue” If I could show you how to achieve your goals, would you be interested”?

EARN EXTRA CASH

2008-10-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

Looking For Some
Extra Holiday Cash?

Making up that gift list and seeing red? Counting up the balance sheet and feeling blue? The Holiday Season is the perfect time to launch a wine business. Whether you are looking for extra money to see you through the season, or are considering a new career, now is the perfect time to become a Wine Consultant with WineShop At Home. Why? The holiday season is our busiest time. Wine Consultants are in high demand to present in-home wine tastings at holiday gatherings. Wine sales soar during the holidays and your sales will soar, too, earning you significant income from the get-go. You’ll also be able to offer friends, family, business associates and acquaintances gift baskets, stemware gifts, personalized wines for all their gift giving and holiday entertaining needs.

Is it easy to get started? Yes, absolutely! Do you need experience? No, your enthusiasm will carry the day. Everything you need is in the business kit (ask your Wine Consultant how you can purchase the kit for just $99.00 by Hosting a Wine Tasting of your own or simply attending someone else’s Tasting), plus you’ll have plenty of support and your own personal website to see you through.Come join in the fun and earn that holiday cash that will help you stuff some stockings for the kids, fill the tank with gas, pay for that holiday party – if you’ve got a holiday dream….we’ve got a dream job for you.

DALE ROSSI
TEAM LEADER
INDEPENDENT WINE CONSULANT

(310) 378-2275
http://www.finewineonline.net/

GREAT WINES AND INFO!

2008-10-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

Please join our news letter for wine tips. www.finewineonline.net

In Home Guided Wine Tasting

2008-09-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

IN HOME GUIDED WINE TASTING

BRINGING THE WINE COUNTRY TO YOU

Limited production,hand crafted artisan wines, not found at any store.
Its a whole new way to discover and shop for wines! Try before you buy.
www.wineshopathome.com/dalerossi