It will be a few years before you will be able to taste David Vergari's contributions to Thornton Winery. As Thornton's new Executive Winemaker, Vergari comes a...
The word “ikal” means poetry in Mayan native languages and 1150 refers to the meters above sea level (about 400 ft.) where the winery sits in the majestic Andes mountains. The elevation being free of insects and mold allows Ikal to create gravity fed winemaking without pesticides. Rocky Andes mountain soil, optimal growing temperatures, and pure snow-melt water combine to produce a concentration and complexity of flavors that I found to be truly poetic in nature.
So when looking for wineries outside of these areas, why not consider Pennsylvania? The most likely answer that will be given back is, “you are kidding?”
I think Europa Village is going to be a wonderful addition to the Temecula wine landscape and I look forward to their opening. Plans now are to open a Prelude Tasting Room in the early part of 2011 at Europa Village and will then offer a glimpse of what is yet to come.
But wait, there’s more. On to the main course of “Roasted Pork Loin with Guinness Stout Glaze,” which requires a 12 oz bottle of beer. Chef Marty says that beer should never be bought in odd numbers and recommends employing the phone-a-friend option for remaining beers. I’m now begging Mr. W to cue the crane to get me out of my seat.
This latest release is predominantly Syrah based with Grenache, Sangiovese and Barbera blended in. The winemaker calls it Rhône meet Italy. It's a "buy today, drink tonight" wine, with notes of chocolate, it's an easy drinker.
Wilmer and Carlos are both natives of Perú, while Waleed was born in Lebanon. Wilmer and Carlos both practice dentistry, but in 2003, Wilmer planted roughly 75 acres of Malbec in Argentina. They met Waleed at the DePortola location and came up with the idea of opening a tasting room in Old Town. Like the De Portola location, the Old Town location will offer not only wine, but live music and food, too.
Ah yes, back to my earlier promise. After returning to the safe haven of the Stephen Taber, I donned my swim suit and plunged into the frigid 50° water. I can't remember the last time I felt so alive, or so cold. We set sail again and a few hours later enjoyed our second shipboard wine tasting with Italy the focus this time.
The first morning I dined on grilled pineapple followed by French Toast stuffed (yes, stuffed) with strawberry cheesecake. A stuffed yours truly put on his walking shoes once more and strolled back downtown.
He and Catherine found the 27 acre parcel where their farm in located about ten years ago. It was in such disrepair they turned around halfway up the driveway. After being persuaded to take a good look, they decided it was worth a shot.
