Winemakers taste, judge, discuss Napa Valley’s ‘artisan wines’

A tasting and discussion of “artisan wines” from Napa Valley set off an explosion of conversation between members of the St. Helena Star/Napa Valley Vintners Tasting Panel who met last week at the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone.
At the outset of discussions, the very definition of “artisan” was challenged. Brett DeLeuze of ZD Wines said he associates artisan winemaking more with home winemaking. DeLeuze does not see “artisan” as a positive term and said the goal of ZD is to produce world-class, not artisan, wines.
As the definition of “artisan” was explored, the majority of panelists agreed that artisan winemaking could be synonymous to labor-intensive, or “hand-crafted” wines. It also could be used by a winery making 100 or 30,000 cases; size was not relevant in and of itself, many contended.
Regardless of the term used, Kristen Belair of Honig Winery likened the pursuit of artisan or “fine” winemaking to a connection with a place — people having a connection to the product and understanding the source of the ingredients. Winemaking buzzwords such as “wild yeast” and “whole cluster fermentation” are used by wineries as a way to tell their story, to show their connection and attention to detail in making their product.
So lively was the conversation, it was evident the topic struck a note with the winemaking panelists. One sensed the discussion could have gone on forever, much like those meaning-of-life talks that go on all night in college where the partakers are surprised to find the sun coming up.
What was agreed upon by everyone on the panel was that a tasting of artisan wines from Napa Valley would necessitate a tasting of almost every single Napa Valley wine. As one of the great wine capitals of the world, Napa Valley uses, explores and re-examines winemaking techniques (that some may call “artisan”) in their pursuit of making the very best wines.
With an understanding that fine winemaking was being discussed, and trying to avoid the term “artisan” for fear of another round of dictionary definitions, a number of winemaking techniques were briefly discussed. These techniques are often used to denote attention to detail and fine winemaking, although surely each of these procedures could in turn be disputed or discussed at length by the winemaking members of the panel.
For some wineries, the use of native, or wild, yeast is important to producing fine wines. These yeasts pre-exist in the vineyard or in the winery cellar and their proponents say they provide a further expression of the growing site on the wine.
Other wineries use whole-cluster fermentation. This process requires putting whole grape bunches, stems and all, into a tank for fermentation, with no prior crushing or de-stemming. Those who use it do so to produce fruit-driven wines.
“Unfiltered” and “unfined” wines are other favorite descriptors among some Napa Valley wineries. However, John Skupny from Lang & Reed challenged the use of these terms, asking, “How can you undo something you have not done?” Panelists laughed in agreement, as John went on to use the terms “nonfiltered” and “nonfined” (no fining process used). Proponents of nonfiltered and nonfined wines say this is a gentler way to produce wine while also keeping the depth of natural flavors that exist in the wine.
Regardless of the techniques that a winery chooses, it became apparent that the goal is the same for the great majority of Napa Valley winemakers: to produce the best wines in the world. To do so, these winemakers are not satisfied to follow a set recipe and churn out wine each year. They prod, they explore, they re-examine techniques in their fervent pursuit of greatness.
With that, the panel examined the wines submitted by Napa Valley Vintner members for the tasting and found these to be their favorites:
• Jarvis 2008 Will’s Science Project ($105). This cabernet franc was aged in small (110-liter) barrels and only 400 cases were produced. Will Jarvis, son of the winery owners, made the first batch of this wine for his eighth-grade science experiment. When it was tried 10 years later, it was so delicious that the winery made a second batch in the same way and added this wine as a new product for the market.
• La Jota Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc, Howell Mountain ($75). The La Jota cabernet franc vineyard was planted back in 1976 and was grafted onto St. George rootstock, which resists phylloxera. Hand-crafted at each step, the wine is also not fined or filtered. Complex flavors with rich black fruits made this a popular wine with panelists.
• Alpha Omega Winery, ERA, 2009 Red Blend ($195). Wild yeasts were used for this 80 percent cabernet sauvignon wine, as well as barrel fermentation. Winemakers Jean Hoefliger and Michel Rolland have created a big, lush wine; panelists appreciated its rich red fruits and silky mouthfeel.
• Franciscan Estate, 2010 Chardonnay, Carneros ($40). This wine was produced with wild yeasts. Panelists loved its vivid fruitiness, and its gentle handling of oak. While having a nice richness on the palate, the wine was called graceful and elegant. This is a beautifully produced wine.
• Elyse Winery, 2007 Grenache, Carneros ($37). Whole clusters were fermented to make this favored wine, but what really captured the panelists’ attention was that dry grapevine canes were steeped in the must. Winemaker Mike Trotta explained that the technique was devised from an old Rhone Valley procedure, and enhances the aromas of the wine, adding white pepper and a nice smokiness. The canes are chopped into small pieces, toasted and put into cheesecloth sachets, which are steeped into the open-top fermenters. This wine has a beautiful nose of rich fruits, floral and spice leading to a rich, delicious wine on the palate.
• Oakville Ranch Vineyards, 2010 Field Blend ($38). This wine was made by fermenting zinfandel, petite verdot, primitivo, and petite syrah all together (co-fermentation). Panelists appreciated that the wine emulates the time in Napa Valley history when different grapes were all planted together and fermented together, creating what are called “field blends.” The wine was also favored for its expressive aromas and flavors.

http://napavalleyregister.com/star/business/winemakers-taste-judge-discuss-napa-valley-s-artisan-wines/article_f6d64760-a539-11e1-bf5f-001a4bcf887a.html

Best place to unwind in Angeles City Pampanga Philippines is to do a little wine shopping at the Clark Wine Center which is also considered as the best place in Clark for private wine tasting, small parties and social functions outside of Manila. Guests of this wine shop in Clark enjoy the cozy ambience as well as the privacy and exclusivity of the roof deck lawn. Some guests that wine and dine at the famous restaurants near Angeles City Pampanga often drop by this wine shop to pick up a few good bottles for diner. Residents and guests staying in Pampanga Angeles City and Subic frequently visit this wine shop in Clark to buy some bottles from its fine selection of vintage wines that are offered at attractive prices. Some guests, business executives especially, select this wine shop in Clark for their business entertainment outside of Manila.

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Things to do in Clark Philippines and Pampanga: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. Residents and visitors staying in Angeles City Pampanga have discovered that one of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. To those on vacation or holidays, the Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

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Yats Leisure Philippines

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Log on to this web site for more information about Yats Wine Cellars as the leading wine importer and wine supplier in the Philippines:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

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Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

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Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
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Manila wine and food lovers looking for things to do in Pampanga and Manila can consider attending one of these wine events. The best way to learn more about wine in the Philippines is to attend public wine tasting events that have no sponsors. These wine tasting events held by Yats are non-commercial. Yats Wine Cellars does not promote a specific winery, producer or a brand. These wine tastings and wine dinners held in Manila and Pampanga are all designed to let wine lovers explore more interesting aspects of wine.