Look back to the future

Wines & Vines, August, 2003 by Al Cribari

Hot Ziggity! In "Wise & Otherwise," P.E. "Aldo" Hiaring tells the tale of Chateau Montelena, a fine winery up Napa way, which, when approached by a charity for free wine to help in fundraising, suggested that the charity write a letter to the American Vintners Association indicating that the charity does not equate wine with illegal drugs and does not approve of higher excise wine taxes. According to Aldo, the Lyric Opera of Chicago replied that, "We are not in a position to reciprocate in the manner which you have suggested." What a gasser--wish I'd had the brains to take the same position in my wine giving days! But you can bet your bottom dollar that the next time I am approached for a wine donation, I will ask for some such letter.

During 1993, some clouds were beginning to appear on the financial horizon for our industry, and unfortunately, they were mostly ignored, e.g. grape planting went on apace. According to the current Turrentine Wine Brokerage letter, the Charles Shaw brand is draining the San Joaquin Valley of excess wine. All I know is that Fearless Freddie Franzia's Two-Buck Chuck is exiting the local Trader Joe's stores almost faster than it can be brought in.

Tasting Note: A friend brought us a bottle of Trinchero 2001 Sauvignon blanc. In my opinion, it is about the best Sauvignon blanc I have tasted. Of course, I am a fan of this variety, but I think it's a tough one to vint (it tends to have a strong, cut-grass aroma). This one is 45% Santa Barbara, 15% San Luis Obispo and 30% Monterey counties.

"You can't have a civilized meal without wine."

Julia Child--and you know who she is!