Wine reviews, pairings, events, and getaways
Hello and Happy Holidays! This will be my last post before the New Year, as I’m taking a bit of a hiatus to relax a bit (as much as one can whilst studying for their WSET Diploma exam).
I just want to wish everyone a safe and healthy end to 2020. Cheers to a new bright future ahead!
Hello my friends. As I write this, Sonoma has announced we are going into another lockdown—something, in my opinion, we should have taken on board sooner. But despite personal opinion, whether you agree or disagree, I urge you all to be safe and follow the local ordinances of your state and county.
With that out of the way, I’ve got my weekly list of wine-centric news and blogs. So please, scroll away, catch up, have fun, leave a comment if you feel so inclined.
For those of you following along on my WSET Diploma journey, apologies for the lack of posts. I’m hoping to get them going again soon but I’ve been spending a lot of time balancing work and study. Connect with me if you’re in the middle of your Diploma as well—would love to learn how others are tackling this D3 process and what kinds of tips/tricks/info you’d like to see covered here. Always happy to engage.
Signing off—have a fun, safe, and healthy weekend.
Happy weekend. I hope everyone had a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving weekend last weekend and is off to a great start to the Christmas/Hanukkah season. For my part, I’m keeping busy with work and studies.
The biggest news this week came on Thursday when Governor Newsom announced another wave of stay-at-home orders for several California counties which will undoubtedly affect several small businesses, including wineries and tasting rooms. I’ve included a few pieces to give you an idea of what’s going on.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Scroll through and find some fun—What’s it like to be quarantined with Francis Ford Coppola? Discover the myth of witch’s wine. And of course go down to the blogs for some independent insight.
Enjoy.
It’s time for another fun episode of Hey Briscoe, What Else you Drinking? Yes, believe it or not I do find time to taste wines not associated with my exam preparations. I do several virtual wine tastings, belong to my own set of wine clubs and *gasp* purchase wine for the pure random pleasure of it. Here’s a list of a few recommendations from recent sips…
No tasting grid necessary, these are off the cuff tasting notes, so please don’t mind the slam poetry and leave wine-snobbery at the door. You’ve been warned.
In this video interview, I talk with Ehler’s Estate winemaker Laura Diaz. We discuss her career, her viticultural and winemaking practices, and taste through some of Ehler’s newest releases. Laura provides insight into what makes this piece of Napa Valley so special in terms of terroir, history, and the loving family behind the wine brand.
If you have follow up questions for Laura, please leave them in the comments below and we’ll get answers for you in a follow up article.
Interested in tasting the wines discussed?
Ehler’s Estate 2019 Sauvignon Blanc
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Harvest: August 24th and 26th 2019
Wine Analysis: 13.2% alcohol ● 3.18 pH
Appellation: St. Helena, Napa Valley
Bottling Date: February 11, 2020
Cases Produced: 845 cases
MSRP: $32
Ehler’s Estate 2018 Cabernet Franc
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc
Wine Analysis: 15 % alcohol ● 3.87 pH
Oak Ageing: 58% New French Oak, 42% used French oak for 22 months
Appellation: St. Helena, Napa Valley
Cases Produced: 756 cases
MSRP: $65
Ehler’s Estate 2018 Jean Leducq Cabernet Sauvignon
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Analysis: 14.5 % alcohol ● 3.6 pH ● 6.6 TA
Appellation: St. Helena, Napa Valley
Cases Produced: 525 cases
MSRP: $90
For more information about Ehlers Estate, their wines, and to purchase wine directly or make an appointment for an in-person or virtual tasting, please visit the Ehlers Estate website.
BriscoeBites officially accepts samples as well as conducts on-site and online interviews. Want to have your wine, winery or tasting room featured? Please visit the Sample Policy page where you can contact me directly. Cheers!