Mo's Wine & Spirits

Fragrance, designer clothes, deli sandwiches even poke a little fun. There are a few rockers out there who have their own brands of Tequila. Now the rich and famous from all walks of life are getting their feet wet in the wine industry. More than just on the drinking end of a Riedel at dinner. Some of them are even doing the someones got to make the donuts kind of working in the vineyard.

Off the top of my head there is Francis Coppola the movie director,Lorraine Bracco the actress, Randy Lewis the race car driver,Joe Bastianich who is Lydia’s son and Mario Batali’s partner, Paul Newman-self explanatory and Maynard James Keenan the singer of Tool and Perfect Circle. Oh, and I believe Martha Stewart is getting into the wine business also, is that a good thing?

So what about the wines. They all have various price points.  Lewis wines are very allocated and expensive and impressive. Coppola wines have various levels and a really cool tasting room with movie memorabilia for you to ogle . Paul Newman calls on Rebel Wine Company with Joel Gott and his band of thieves to help out with his project. All proceeds after costs go to charity.

Maynard James Keenan has been the frontman for the band Tool since 1990. He is an avid collector of some of the finest wines in the world. He blogs for the Wine Spectator. I know this since I am a fan of his music. He started Arizona Stronghold Vineyard a few years back with only a plan. Now the wines are ready for drinking.

 Now my question is this: Are people more inclined to buy wine based on the popularity or status of the person ? Do Famous People sell more wine? I would try Maynard’s wine for two reasons. I have not had a wine from Arizona, and I would like to see if what’s on the website is true. (nothing to do with my being a FAN). So what if I read his blog once in awhile, maybe he reads mine. Some of our customers at Mo’s come in and ask for the “celebrity” wines. I guess in this instance I am as curious as the next gal. Who are you and what will you do to your wine?

                                     Cheers, Sharon                               

You might be inclined to say that Helen Turley is a self made woman. You might  even say that Helen Turley is a vine in the world of wine that made her way from the ground up! Maryland late 1960’s. College put Turley together with her husband John Wetlaufer. Turley wasn’t sure if the land or the ocean would be her calling. Lucky for us the land won. Turley wanted to work for a winery, but in the 70’s most of the jobs for women were in the cellars and labs. Her first job was at Robert Mondavi Winery in the lab.

Turley needed hands on experience to put her ideas to the test. She got a break and landed a job at Chapellet under Tony Soter. This enabled her to acquire a head winemakers job in Kentucky. The time is 1980. Along came Stonegate Winery and a gateway to wine making-hands on experience in California was all that Turley needed to launch her now iconic career. She was instrumental in the start-up of B R Cohn , showing what she could do with Cabernet. 

Turley has been a pioneer from her days of helping craft wine such as Les Pavots at Peter Michaels Winery. The Bordeaux style blend is known for having great depth and balance. French wine making and viticultural techniques have been integrated into the Turley style. Dense planting, low yields, intense fruit and single vineyard characterisation. Constant monitoring during fermentation, usually with natural yeast. This digilence has been known to produce ultra intense ,highly sophisticated, harmonious and extremely coveted wines. Her Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Marcassin are highly sought after. Some of her side project wines can be acquired without taking a second mortgage.

Helen Turley enjoys working on small single vineyard projects. These include(have included)  Martinelli, Kapcsandy Family Winery, Blankiet Winery, Palmeyer, Landmark, Bryant Family, Colgin and Marcassin. The girl knows her way around a vineyard. If you are thinking about having Turley consult for your yours , start saving. Consulting could cost you around $250,000 a year, give or take.

Once again I am at the portion of the program where I tell you about the people who might say Turley is difficult to work for or with. Then there are those who are cranky that her own wines are outrageously priced. We know.  You know what I am going to say next, It’s lonely at the top. But it must be fun up there drinking all that good wine! Who’s that Girl?? 

                                            Cheers, Sharon

Bees might just be the key to better wines. Yes, we’re talking about the small black and gold insects that make honey! It seems that scientists at the Queensland Brain Institute in Australia are emulating this insect’s keen sense of smell in developing a machine – an electric nose — that can sniff out the difference between good and bad wines.

Dr. Judith Reinhard, an expert in honey bee behavior, claims that “a honey bee’s sense of smell is so precise it can distinguish between hundreds of different aromas.” That’s the word from an Australian news site. This unique ability has drawn the interest and funding of CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, which is working with several universities to create a special biosensor to benefit the wine industry.

CSIRO’s goal is to have a Cybernose developed by 2013 “that will enable the wine industry to precisely measure aroma and flavor” in order to “understand, measure and optimize flavor throughout the grape growing and winemaking process.” Ultimately winemakers will be able to hold the electronic noses over wine bottles to tell what chemicals are present and learn if it’s going to be a good wine.

What exciting news for wine lovers! For a more detailed glimpse into the project, visit the CSIRO Cybernose web page.

1970-California wine country wasn’t much to talk about. Enter Andy Beckstoffer. After college Beckstoffer worked his way to the top of the ladder at Vinifera Development, a company designed to boost grape production for Inglenook and Bealieau Wineries. Vinifera is now for sale. Beckstoffer is 33yrs old and ready to buy.  $7500 and borrowing 6 million, Andy Beckstoffer set off on his dream. Risk taking is a key element in being an entrepreneur. It is vital in the success of the vineyard.  Beckstoffer’s willingness to learn all aspects of vineyard management from the ground up helped his career inch slowly forward.

Beckstoffer has quite an impressive real estate roster. His vineyards total over 1000 acres in Napa Valley including the famed Beckstoffer To Kalon. He also owns over 2000 acres in Lake and Mendocino Counties. He is still looking to purchase more land. Quality is evident in the tending of the Beckstoffer Vineyards. Many wines made from Beckstoffer grapes have gone on to achieve worldwide acclaim. The only thing more impressive than the real estate roster is the client list, the who’s-who of the “Luxury Vineyard” purchases. These are some of the names that make the California Cabernet wine world go ’round. Paul Hobbs, Caymus, Darioush, Duckhorn, Cain, Merryvale, Schrader, Acacia and Joel Gott, to name only a few. Tuck Beckstoffer (Andy’s son) also makes wine.

Beckstoffer is responsible for creating the bottle price formula. Andy didn’t like the fact that the growers seemed to be on the short end of the vine when it came to making money in the wine industry. The formula goes like this, whatever the retail price of the bottle is x 100 would be the ton price of the varietal to the winery. Pricey wine, pricey grapes.( To Kalon grapes go for around $23,000 a ton ) Since 1976 this formula has worked well for Beckstoffer. The vineyards produce over 14,000 tons of grapes per year.

There are some who say Beckstoffer has his own interest at heart. Honestly, what businessman doesn’t? Since 1973 Beckstoffer has been building his vineyard empire on the north coast of California and shows no signs of stopping. He will buy land if someone wants to sell. The vineyards practice sustainable agriculture. There is a trust on some of his land so it is in conservation, no one can ever sell it off and develop it, even when he is gone.

Like him or not, Beckstoffer has climbed his way to the top of the vine. Many want to purchase his grapes to make wine or enhance their own production. Looking at the outstanding track record of some of Beckstoffers’ clients wines after purchasing his fruit is proof enough. The fruit of another can be quite delicious and tasty for their wines and their wallets too!

                                                 Cheers, Sharon

Wine Spectator has named country singer LeAnn Rimes as “the latest celebrity to embrace her love of wine. But rather than purchasing a vineyard or investing in a winery,” the publication continues, “the star did what country singers do best — she put her favorite ‘happy hour’ beverage into song.”

It’s true, Rimes recently released the music video for the second single off her 2007 album, Family.  In the song and video, the Grammy winner sings the praises of a “Good Friend and a Glass of Wine.” It’s a personal song written as well as performed by Rimes, a young lady who has learned the value of friendship and taking personal time to re-group.

Those who have followed the artist’s career might recall that Rimes recorded her first album at age seven. By 13, she had a national hit song and, shortly thereafter, began to collect numerous merit awards. You can see why she might need a little down time and self-indulgence!

View the video below or, to see the full lyrics, visit the official Leann Rimes web site.

Nothing says spring like seeing the rose’ girls arriving in the store. They come from different parts of the world to take their appropriate places on the rack. France, California, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Oregon,Greece, Italy and they are only the first to arrive!  Many snub the girls of  crimson hues. They are no relation to White Zinfandel although many will confuse the two. More for those of us who enjoy the season.

Rose’ wines can be quite intriguing. Fruit flavors the likes of raspberry ,strawberries and berries can reside in a glass of rose’. Sometimes you will find a hint of citrus with along with a beautiful floral nose. The rose’ girls can be playful, graceful, elegant, lively, exciting, fresh, vibrant, joyous and downright fun. Rose’ wines can be an economical way to liven up a picnic or dress up a tuna nicoise salad

Rose’ can have different style profiles. Recently I tried Bon Bon Rose’ made by R Wines. Fun and playful, this rose’ is summertime in a bottle. The fragrant nose of fruity strawberry candy and summer roses didn’t overwhelm my palate. It was a perfect wine to drink to watch the April moon come up over the harbor. On the other hand there is Commanderie de Bargemone. Quite the lady from Coteaux d’Aix in Provance, France. What a difference! While the Bon Bon is a rich ruby red and full throttle, the Bargemone is elegant and refined. Her color is jeweled salmon. Strawberries, raspberies and a hint of sea salt. Must be the good life on the Mediteranean. Grenache, Cinsault and Mouvedre make up this beauty. I enjoyed the ‘06 vintage as well. ALOT.

So much rose’ and the season has just begun. I am glad to be one of people who can have that  choice and”drinka pink”when the girls are in town. There are many different price points and styles of roses’ to choose from. Why not throw those old misconceptions about pink wine out with the recycling? Perhaps a bottle of rose’ has your name on it this spring or summer season. Don’t wait too long , most of us have already started drinking!

                                                        Cheers, Sharon

If you haven’t been impressed with Spanish white wines in the past, now is a good time to give them a second try. Not only has the quality skyrocketed, say Frank and Kate Sutherland, writing for the Gannett News Services, but the wines currently coming out of Spain tend to be very affordable.

There was a time when Spanish wines might be described as “unremarkable,” but those days seem to be over. In recent years, Spain’s winemakers have gone state-of-the-art, and quality has gone up as well.

In a review of five Spanish whites, all under $15, the Sutherlands have mostly good things to note. For example, a Martin Codax Albarino with its “complex nose, racy minerality and a lingering finish” was a favorite. And the bright, fresh and tart flavors of an Albet I Noya Xarel-lo Classic were combined with a pleasing texture.

Read more about the Sutherland’s impressions here or follow up to see if the Spanish reds fared as well.

Apulia or Puglia, Italy. Not a big tourist attraction. Almost 20% of the wine produced in Italy comes out of the Puglia.  Many people remember Puglia as the heel of boot on the map. There are many varietals that grow in Puglia due to the rich coastal influence. Primitivo and Negroamaro have caught my attention again recently.

Negroamaro and Primitivo are the two most well known red varietals from Puglia. Both grapes have some common traits. They make big, rich red wines that  can be enjoyed with or without food. There is the standing debate of which came first, the Primitivo or the red Zinfanded in California. Carole Meredith , professor at UC Davis has proven that the Primitivo came first. Her work with other varietals has made a profound impact in the world of wine. Negroamaro means bitter and black. Maybe it was the Phoenecians or the Romans who really enjoyed wine making. The Byzantine Muslims made tax money and had vineyards. Both varietals made it through over 4000 years of takeovers and uprooting. Some Primitivo and Negroamaro have D.O.C. classification.  That ensures the wine is made to certain government standards.

Both varietals are worth checking out.  We tasted La Corte Salice Salentino the other day. It will make a terrific BBQ wine. If you like California Red Zins why not try a Primitivo on for size. He will also make for good BBQ quaffing. Life has been tough for our two varietal friends. Gratefully I will toast the Negroamaro and Primitivo the next BBQ of mine they attend!

                                             Cheers, Sharon

Domestic travelers are in for a treat! Foggy Bridge, the first winery destined for a national park, will open this summer in San Francisco’s Presidio.

The site already has a rich history. The Spanish first established the Presidio as a military garrison in 1776. During the 1800s, the Presidio changed hands twice, first being taken by Mexico, and then held by the U.S. In 1994, the lands were transferred to the National Park Service and the post now comprises an historic airfield, forests and beaches on its 300 acres. It also offers “sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge,” according to a write-up in Wine Spectator Online.

The Presidio’s newest addition, the Foggy Bridge winery, reflects a new era in the area’s history. “The winemaker and partner in the project is Daryl Groom,” the former senior vice president of winemaking and production at Beam Wine Estates, notes Lynn Alley, writing for the Wine Spectator. “Groom was winemaker at Geyser Peak for 15 years and is generally credited with the brand’s high quality for value.”

The winery itself is being built in what was a 1921 aircraft hangar and will feature a tasting area in an old Army machine shop. The winery will make wines “using grapes from its own 132-acre Livermore Valley vineyard and will also partner with wineries in other regions, adds Alley. Future plans call for the addition of a restaurant and the opportunity to enjoy food-and-wine cruises aboard Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidential yacht (once owned by music legend Elvis Presley).

So, consider a wine destination for your 2008 get-away. For more information, or to make travel plans, visit the National Park’s Presidio Web site.