Wine tasting Thursday July 14th

I just noted there is 109 vineries in the Santa Barbara area. I am sure there is more than that, but listed in the small brochure I found at one of them I get better idea of the volume of wine from this area.

Missing out on Palmina and Fiddlehead in Lompoc we headed for Mosby, but on the road we saw Foley (http://www.foleywines.com) and took a quick decision to stop. They do have some good wines, but compare price and wine we did not think it matched what we was looking for.

Another suddenly stop was when we saw the sign for Babcock Winery, but when we entered the gate there was another sign towards Melville Winery (http://melvillewinery.com) so we went there.

Great tasting room in a great Italian styled villa with a view straight out on the grapes, tasting the wine and looking at the price tags there was a match not only by the taste of the wine to what we like, but it will in the future also be worth wile sign up for their wine club.

Than it was to track down Mosby Wines (http://www.mosbywines.com), it was not easy straight away to find it, no sign from 246 and no sign for the Santa Rosa Rd as we could see. So knowing driving to far we turned back to give it a shot and we managed to find it.

Nothing fancy, no new Italian buildings to attract the business, no restaurants, just a small tasting room in the old barn at the farm. It was just the perfect setting for us. That we will have a different setting in Italy, I am sure of, but at this place we also could feel home and enjoy that Bill Mosby was doing.

It is his love for Italian grapes that made us visit, and it is his love that made us sign up for his wine club so we know we could have this regular shipment of his wine 3-4 times a year.

Starting with a light refreshing Pinot Grigio with aromas of ripe pear, apple and vanilla bean, the crisp citrus taste was followed by a dry, clean finish. Historically, Pinot Grigio originates from the Fruili Venezia Guilla of Italy. Said to be a mutation of Pinot Noir grape, the Pinot Grigio seems unsure whether it is red or white wine grape, hence, grigio, meaning gray.

Bill Mosby was the first winemaker in Santa Barbara County to release Pinot Grigio wine and continues to release much success with international acclaim.

Another white wine we tasted was the Mosby Dolcetto, produced carefully tended estate-grown grapes, creating a full bodied wine that can be enjoyed with everyday meals. The 2007 Mosby Dolcetto has brilliant aromatics of brown spice, herbs and white pepper. Mouth-filling flavor of yellow-fleshed plum and cola lead to the honest, lingering finish. It should be served with interesting cheeses, hearty pastas, grilled meats or pizza.

The Moseby Sangiovese has a lot going on! We detected amazing scents of cocoa, dried cherries, lavender and lilac; these delightful aromas progressed into layer flavors of crushed dark berries, spice and light oak. The full body of this release is nicely balanced by brisk acidity and smooth tannins, making it an ideal wine for food pairing like beef or game ragus, tomato-based pasta sauces or spicy Tuscan-style chicken. Even it is ready to drink it can hold for three to five years in cellar.

The Mosby La Suduzione is Bill’s fifth release of this rare Cal-Italian varietal. The Lagrein grape is named after the Lagarina Valley of Trentino, although it is now primarily grown at Gries on the outskirt of Bolzano, the velvet violet colored wine offers aromas of dark plums, cocoa and wild wood mint.

For dessert we can enjoy wine made from raspberries, jammy, raspberry fruit with a bright finish. Dessert in a glass is a good alternative to port.

Note that they also produce a lot of other tempting “stuff” we did not taste, as mentioned before we did by a bottle of Grappa.

And are you looking for Slivovitz you find it here.

The last final taste of the day I just had to do.

Named after my favorite place in Italy, and hopefully the place for us to retire Lucca, this non-vintage, Primitivo-based red has a nose of dark berry and sweet brown spice. The flavor has classic elements of bright berry fruit hints of forest floor and is supported by a firm tannic finish.

The wine has been aged in older French oak barrels which preserve the bright fruit character and smooth finish. Open now… or hold. This is a perfect wine for everyday meals, and pairs very well with pasta in tomato sauces, veal dishes, poultry, beef, or pizza. Salute!!!!

The next we did was to have some food before we started at the local toccata winemaker and the Mandolina wines.

Ahead of us was both the “lista del vino bianco” and “lista della riserva”.

2005 “Bianco di Bianco” Sparkling wine,a 2/3 Muscat and 1/3 Chenin Blanc. Spicy coriander flavors with orange and peach from the Muscat Canelli blend wonderfully with perfumed melon of Chenin Blanc. Delightfully distinctive with fruit and aromas not found in traditional Champagnes.

2010 Toccata Pinot Grigio, crisp with natural acidity, this wine will be a fine complement to salads, fruit and cheese when we get home.

Than my surprise, Laila better prepared for this one, 2009 Malvasia Bianca. Fresh white flowers like gardenia, summer fruits including apricot and peach are anchored with a hint of amber incense in the Malvasia made from 2 acres in Los Alamos. An off-dry style, the slight sweetness and intense perfume quality makes for exquisite flavors to pair with a wide range of cuisines. ¤ bottles in our care with us on the road.

The 2009 Moscato has slight residual sugar with just enough sweetness to accentuate honeysuckles, orange blossom, orange tea, and honey aromas. It displayed a pretty character with a pleaseant smooth mouth feel and lingering finish.

2010 Muscat Canelli is a taste for me, sweet, Muscat Canelli is the oldest cultivated grape in France and have a rich history. The berries are small with intense perfume and flavor. The wine has light residual sugar to enhance the natural fruit and spice in the grape and concentrated aromas of tropical fruit, melon, and citrus. This light, low alcohol style wine is particularly delicious with fruit and cheese I am sure.

Wine tasting is an under estimated sport

My wife told me and I do agree after the latest days in California, wine tasting is an under estimated sport. Wonder how I will value it when I am finished with these 3 weeks at 5 different wine areas.

Today we had plans, but due to we was early we wanted to have a look at the local scenery. From Solvang we hit the coast road one as well 246 down to the beach. Amazing to see the difference in nature, agricultural work and the beach for surfers, way back we intended to hit two wineries we did not find. So other was chosen.

In the area we know what we will see and what we just take as it comes and today it turned up with a bit of both.

Melville Vineyard was the first we ended up with, not planed but great wine, so was Foley, both along road 246, not so easy to find, but when we got there, you will have our recommendation tomorrow for what we tasted.

Than we chased the Mosby, and it was “HARD” to find, but when we got there we loved it, great wine and great restroom.

It one of the hidden treasures of the valley, that we will have shipped wine is for sure, and what we brought with us home was the local grappa. One of their wines is named of our special city in Tuscany, Lucca, so could we resist this place?

No, we could not. It was a simple nice home with a tasting room to our like. I am sure my friend Paolo will now Bill, and I am sure I will tell Bill where to go and if he do not know my favorite dinner place in Lucca I will show him. All that know me knows Gli Orti Via Elisa (www.ristorantegliorti.it) is the place and to stay at Hotel Ilaria (www.hotelilaria.com).

That we at the tasting room also found a picture on the wall the same as we have in our living room in Stavanger made in unique, and so did their restroom.

It was hard to take pictures but the place is worth visiting just for the restroom.

Finished our out of town adventure we went back to the Greenhouse to have lunch with delouses Danish bread and Herring

before we turned our so up and going nose to the Mandolina tasting room. Reason was that they focused on Italian wine and as well made wine from the Malvasi grapes. We ended up with buying 12 bottles.

A split of Malvasi, Sagniovese, Rosé, and a blend. Picking up at Saturday when we head for the next stop. We became a member of their wine club, so what we was told than was that we could do wine tasting at their sister company, Lucas & Levellen for free, and sure we did.

Needed to be a bit care full, we needed to get back to the hotel for dinner, but we had great conversation with people around, some from Corona next to Temecula and some from San Antonio.

What great fun it was, so I will say again, wine tasting is an under estimated sport.

Next stop Solvang

It was sad to leave  ”our” chef and his family, but our vacation continued with a 220 mile drive to Solvang near Santa Barbara.

First it was a new wonderful breakfast and recommendation on the road from the innkeeper.

I did not manage to take a picture of it myself but we saw the HOLLIWOOD sign at the hills over LA. Must say even I been to LA many times, it was the first time I have seen the sign, just as we entered 101.

A short 5 hours drive and we was at Mirabelle Inn where we will be located the next 3 nights. (http://www.solvanginns.com/mirabelle_inn.html) If I am not wrong they have a great restaurant there as well that we will try out tomorrow. After we arrived we just had a stroll around in the town to get familiar. Had a late lunch with real Danish bread and for me lobster wrap. Great to have some food related to beck home. For a change I was caught on picture drinking beer, now wine today for me.

It is Wednesday and farmers market in Solvang, very nice and attracted a lot of people. Good organic food was available.

There are many tasting rooms around in Solvang so we needed to get familiar, what we will do later and where we will eat, we take it as it comes.

As long as Laila not threatening to join the Danish army,

and we can keep our secrets as they come.

Chef Dean Surprise

I must say our stay at Loma Vista has been a great surprise. New surprises comes up more than once each day, and never have we been more looked after than what we have been here.

Along with a glass of wine he came with cheese and crackers along with some strawberries and figs. Among the cheese the “Norwegian” brown cheese we had not tasted since we left Norway in January.

What could we do? Yes, as you see their two dogs, newly groomed today wanted to keep warm in the chilly Californian sunset.

Other than the breakfast tomorrow we look very much to be back to Temecula to stay when we want to discover the local San Diego and LA area, an extra hour to drive but ok, shame we started with the best first, but what a start on our 3 weeks vacation.

Wine tasting Tuesday July 12th

As yesterday the day was grey of fog from the coast. However it once again just brightens up with the breakfast served at Loma Vista B&B and chef Dean.

Swiss muesli with apple, raspberry, blackberry and peach, just wonderful and so was the “American” pancakes with Canadian syrup, strawberry and blueberry in addition to the San Diego special sausage.

After done our homework, we could head out walking to our first wine tasting for the day, 100 yards down the road at Thornton winery.

Looking for an early lunch, guess what it ended up with a Champagne Flight through 4 sparkling wines.

Starting with the Thornton 2004 Brut Reserve Natural, produced in the same way as the traditional French method in producing a fine sparkling wine, the method champenoise process, is used exclusively in producing the Brut Reserve.

The natural version of the Brut Reserve is finished without any sweetening dosage and is the perfect wine for those discerning drinkers who truly like it “dry”.

Next was the Thornton 2004 Brut Reserve. This highly acclaimed California sparkling wine is among the top wines produced in California. Blended from the best Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir, this special Cuvee was assembled and finished in 2010. This icon shows delicate apple and toasted yeast aromas in the nose brought out by the fine bubbles in the glass.

The new Non-Vintage Brut is a blend of primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, giving it a crisp fruit characters while taking on a clean and straightforward yeast flavor from the lengthy tirage time. The additional of a small amount of Pinot Noir helps to round out the wine, giving it complexity and uniting the white varietals.

However we did find the Thornton Non-Vintage Blanc de Noirs put into a buying position. A rich and complex sparkling wine made entirely from the classic Pinot Noir grapes. With a hint of color from minimal skin contact, it has aromas of rich melon fruit and toasty yeast, with abundant citrus and apple characters in the mouth.

Finished the “FLIGHT” we needed an appetizer before we headed along to next winery! So having a cheese platter along with Thornton 2008 Rosé, great cheese with honey and walnuts, apricot and grapes, what could be better. The Rosé combines two amazing varietals, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese to create a distinctively rich and fruit forward Rosé. A ruby red color leads to brilliant flavor of cranberry, cherry, strawberry and plum. We have both just rediscovered the Rosé based on Sangiovese and what could be better. Curries to know if we find it other places than in Temecula!

Just across the street, and I MEAN just across the street and 100 yards up the hill we find Calloway.

Yes for those who know Golf it is related, but I am sure I will keep them separate. Play golf now wine tasting, or the other way around.

I do not want to go into the details, but they blended nicely into our expectation and understanding of the wine from Temecula Valley is to meet our wishes for both white and red in addition to the port, yes I must say the Port we tasted in the end just was heaven.

As long as we had the appetizer before we was ready for late lunch.

Starting with Ceviche “Mixto” with Ahi, Octopus, Claims, Mussels & Blue Crab for Laila and Shaved Prosciutto Flatbread with Zucchini, Fenel, Baby Tomato and Basil for me with recommended wines, even we did find out for our own taste that we changed the wine.

For the main enter Laila got Crispy Duck Salad with Organic Spinach, Blackberry, Roasted Mushroom & Butternut Squash with Sherry Walnut Dressing, and I the Veal, Beef & Ricotta Meatball Parmesan with Rigatoni “Agli Olio”, Capers & Arugula. The Meatball was enough for me and they could have done a better job in cleaning the spinach leaves.

But it was great food, making us ready passing the hill down to our last wine tasting for the day at Europe Village.

Their tasting room that lay along Rancho California Rd and La Serena way, easy to find even if you do like us strangers climb the hills from Callaway to take a short cut and not the risky road.

Tasting started with two white, their Pinot Grigio and their Chardonnay. Next the red, name no comment: Libido and Tampranillo. In the end what fall into my taste as perfecto, the Muscat Canelli.

It is buy here as well, and that we will be back in addition to see how their estate develop, I am sure, nice girls behind the counter for serving. In addition my guess will be in addition to be my request to the owner, get yourself together and have a lunch place with Chef Dean running the party.

I can’t wait to be back.