Check out this great article from Delectable!

https://delectable.com/feeds/ec_san_diego_somm_con_somms

 

What a success last Saturday night!  Everyone enjoyed the sample class focusing on Old World wines.  We enjoyed six selections, two each from Spain, France, and Italy.  A party favorite was the low-tannin Barbera d’Alba, which also paired nicely with the evening’s food.  If you are hosting a private party and looking for a sommelier, don’t hesitate to reach out to KutaSomm. I’ll be there in a flash!

Below:  Certified Sommelier and Italian Wine Professional

Below:  Leading a tasting during an entertaining presentation

Below:  Students engaged in the presentation

Thanks to Bree and Megan for putting together fantastic charcuterie boards for the final class session.  If you are in need of catering for a party, reach out to Breeana’s Kitchen.  Both Bree and Megan passed the final exam, so they received a certificate for completing the MiraCosta Fall 2018 wine appreciation class Old World vs. New World.  Congratulations!

This week wraps up the Fall 2018 semester of Old World vs. New World at MiraCosta College.  Session 1 began with white wines, comparing Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from different regions.  Session 2 was all about sparkling wine.  While my favorite was the Franciacorta, everyone else’s favorite seemed to be the Veuve Clicquot Champagne.  We had a Pinot Party for Session 3, enjoying delicious Pinot Noir from Burgundy, Oregon, California, and New Zealand.  Session 4 focused on Bordeaux from both the Left and Right banks, while comparing similar varietals from Napa Valley and the California Central Coast.  In Session 5 we traveled to Italy (figuratively), and hosted a guest speaker, Brandon Boghosian.  That Barolo sure was delicious!  For the final Session 6, we tried three different quality levels of GSM from the Southern Rhône Valley, and had another fabulous guest, Brian Kordik, lead the class in a blind tasting.  What a fantastic group of students!  I’m hoping everyone had a stellar time and I hope to see everyone in future wine appreciation classes.  I will teach an Italian wine appreciation class in Spring 2019, along with a repeat of Old World vs. New World, both at MiraCosta College.  Also look for me teaching at CSUSM Extended Learning thru the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.  Sign up today!  Cheers!

Success at the Boundless Regenerative Medicine 10 Year Anniversary Patient Appreciation Party.  A selection of 7 varietals was poured.  Fun times were had by all.  Thank you Dr. Bunyak and the Boundless team for having me at this wonderful event.

The book for the Fall 2018 MiraCosta Wine Appreciation Class, Old World vs. New World, arrived just in time. I signed a few copies for the friends and family that helped with the publishing costs. If you Go Funded Me, look for your free copy in the mail soon. Cheers!

I had so much fun at the Cardiff Greek Festival that I went back for a second day. Below are the wines that I poured at the Taverna tent. The Restina and Ouzo were the most popular beverages, by far!

Come check out the 40th annual Cardiff Greek Festival, where I will be pouring wines on Sat Sep 8 from 10am to 2pm. Lots of Greek wine will be available, from Assyrtiko to Xinomavro to Naoussa. Plus have the last chance to sign up for the Fall 2018 Old World vs. New World wine tasting class at MiraCosta college, right next door to the Greek church! Hope to see you there. Cheers!

BBQ grills see action year-around in Southern California. Pair your next BBQ with this week’s wine deal of the 2013 Ravenswood Single Vineyard Sonoma Valley Barricia Zinfandel for only $15 at 3rd Corner Wine Shop and Bistro on South Coast Highway 101 in downtown Encinitas.

Zinfandel makes a great paring with spicy BBQ, because the spiciness in the wine will hold up to the spiciness of the food. This deliciously jammy single vineyard wine is packed with berry fruit, while also having hints of raisin and fig. Some wine fans insist they sense peach yogurt when enjoying Zinfandels, but my palate never registers that particular flavor. You’ll also get a sense of oak and some black pepper to spice things up, as mentioned previously. This is a big wine!

Selling for $39 on the Ravenswood website, wine buyer and Certified Sommelier Dave found a stellar deal from his distributor, and can offer the over 60% discount to members of his no-fee wine club. By joining the 3rd Corner wine club, you’ll receive weekly emails about upcoming events and happenings, including the occasional incredible wine deal such as this. Tell ‘em KutaSomm sent ‘ya.

Everyone loves Champagne, and everyone dreads buying it. What kind shall I buy? Will the quality be good? What’s the difference between Champagne and other sparkling wines?

This week’s wine deal is about a great Champagne. Head over to Costco in Carlsbad for non-vintage Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut for $43, the lowest price you’ll ever see for this wine.

True Champagne, produced with what is called the Traditional Method, can only come from the French wine-growing region of Champagne. No other sparkling wine can legally be called Champagne (although some American producers are allowed to label their wines California Champagne).

Veueve Clicquot is one of the oldest Champagne houses in France, and was brought to prominence by one of the world’s first great businesseswoman. Named after the widowed Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin (Veuve means widow in French), this wine was one of the first to use labels, instead of cork imprints, to distinguish and market the product. The unique shade of yellow was also copyrighted. Before the nineteenth century, you only knew what wine you were drinking after opening the bottle and looking at the cork!

Costco has a stock of limited edition Journey Arrow Tins, which means in addition to this delicious Champagne, you’ll get impressive tin packaging and a souvenir arrow-like sign embossed with the great cities of the world. Tell ‘em KutaSomm sent ‘ya.