Saturday, August 23, 2014

HARVEST FESTIVEOUS & MORE FOR THE REST OF US ©


            The Paso Robles Wine Alliance has rolled out the details for this year's Harvest Wine Weekend. The weather has been so dry and hot that some varieties of grapes are already being harvested and the entire crop may be in before the October 17-19 event weekend. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't celebrate and participate what looks to be a great vintage in both quality and quantity. Full details and a downloadable brochure of the activities taking place and nearly 150 area wineries are available at the PRWA website - www.pasowine.com.

I've mentioned the late September Sunset magazine's Savor the Central Coast (check it out at savorcentralcoast.com) in former postings. But this just in , the entertainment for the Saturday the 27th evening in Paso Robles, held at Vina Robles winery's Amphitheater is a home run. In addition to wines to taste and some excellent food you surf daddies and Gidgit girls can rock on to Beach Boy founders Brian Wilson and Al Jardine. Tickets are available on line, starting at $70.

Also coming up in September (13-14th) for music lovers is the annual Beaverstock gathering at Castoro Cellars, the home of "dam fine wine". Proceeds aid in benefitting the Templeton Education Foundation. If not familiar, the winery is located close to Paso Robles (actually in Templeton for you pickers of nit) on Hwy 46W at the Bethel Rd. intersection. A total of ten bands (5 per day) will be playing and includes Los Lobos and Allen Stone, there are lots of other things to do for the entire family. Kids under 10 are free and tickets are only $40 to $60 for adults. Details are found at the PRWA site above or at www.castorocellars.com.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

NEW HAMPSHIRE - LIVE FREE & SIP ©


            Here's some news of the "Who'da Thunk It" variety. The Great Granite State of New Hampshire has a per capita annual wine consumption rate (2013 numbers) of 19.6 liters. The most of any in the US of A, excepting the District of Columbia. Though not actually a state, the leading rate of consumption in DC may explain some things. We in California, with over half of all the wineries in the country, are mere piker's by comparison. To pull our weight, denizens of the former Bear Republic need to add 5.7 liters annually to claim the #2 spot!

This is according to the American Wine Consumer Coalition's 2013 Report Card. That also notes wine production being at record levels and average bottle pricing up from $9 in 2012 to $10.85. Meaning I have no idea what kind of wine the masses are drinking but it sure didn't come from the Central Coast. I also doubt it represents what our Representatives are imbibing.

The report card score for New Hampshire was A+, which was awarded to only five other states. And of course the aforementioned District. The Coalition concluded there is no better state in which to swirl, sniff and sip, based on availability, price and liberal regulations. The last item including taking wine into restaurants, having it shipped to their door or buying it in grocery stores. That said, you may be surprised to know that New Hampshire is a state run liquor store location, one of only six beverage monopoly states left in the U.S. Those familiar with such states know it usually means limited selection, inconvenient locations and high taxation, near semi-prohibition in places like Utah until recently.

Of the A+ states in the report, only New Hampshire levies no tax on wine. Here in CA, the rate is only $ .20/gal while the District's rate is $1.61. An unusual case of paying their own higher taxes. But less than half that of the protection of home-made whiskey in Kentucky with its (highest in the nation) rate of $3.56 a gallon. The state run operation also markets extensively and allows sales outside of the locations it runs directly.

Thanks to Reid Wilson of the Washington Post for bringing some of this to my attention.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

SUNSET UPDATES SAVOR THE CENTRAL COAST ©


                Though the annual "Savor the Central Coast" (sponsored by Sunset magazine) event isn't until September 25 - 28, I advise planning your attendance and getting tickets in hand. The very popular fall gathering typically sells out the variety of special offerings from Hearst Castle down the coast, some are already fully subscribed. The kickoff dinner dance has few remaining seats. It was recently announced that the entertainment will be the San Luis Jazz Band. As the sun sets, a tasting of winning wines from the magazine's International Wine Competition will be sampled on the plaza in front of the Casa Grande.

The dinner will feature the respected work of local caterer Meagen Loring. She is assisted by Chefs James Siao & Derek Simsik, both running restaurant operations for area Kimton Hotels. They are top toques at Finch & Fork at the Canary property in Santa Barbara and the new Goleta location, the Goodland's, Outpost respectively.

The Main Event, held over the weekend, is the main tasting opportunity but offers cooking demos and much more. This takes place at the Santa Margarita Ranch near San Luis Obispo. Tickets and details are at www.savorcentralcoast.com.

For those of you living in SLO County, Main Event ducats can be obtained, through August 31, at a 15% discount. At check out, enter LOCAL in the promo box to receive the special pricing. See you there.