I.

 

Wine Tasting

featuring the wines of…

Frank Family Vineyards

Derk’s Filet & Vine Market & Deli

Wednesday, October 22

4:00-6:00 P.M.

 

On Wednesday, October 22, Derk’s Filet & Vine will host a tasting of the latest releases from Frank Family Vineyards. Assistant winemaker Scott Lloyd will be on hand to present and answer questions about these balanced, fruit-driven wines from the Napa Valley. Showcased wines will include…

 

Frank Family Chardonnay, Carneros ’06. This 100% chardonnay was barrel-fermented in once-filled French oak barrels for 11 months. While ageing on the lees, the wine was hand-stirred regularly – a technique known as batonage, which promotes depth and longevity. The resulting wine shows aromas of kumquat zest, heirloom apple, white peach, and orange-fleshed melon, accented with notes of cardamom, cinnamon, honeysuckle, marigold, and orange blossom. Soft, fresh flavors of citrus, stone fruit, and Bosc pear are followed on the mid-palate by creamy-textured notes of lemon curd, pink apple, and poached pear custard. Hints of smoky bourbon, vanilla bean, and fresh baked breads are intermingled throughout.

 

Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley '05. Exhibiting a dense, inky-purple hue, this wine releases abundant aromas of ripe briar berries, juicy black cherry, and wild blueberry, intermingled with secondary aromas of cassis, roasted chestnut, sandalwood, and earth. Notes of black raspberry, cranberry marmalade, and watermelon rind lavish the palate with vibrant fruit, while firm tannins provide a plush, yet structured mouthfeel that is both elegant and supple. The finish exhibits lasting grip. Composed of 81% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot, 3% petite verdot, and 2% cabernet franc.

        

Derk’s Filet & Vine is located at 431 Cloverdale Road in Montgomery. Please call 334-262-8463 for more information.

 

The winery at Frank Family Vineyards was first constructed as the Larkmead Winery in 1884. Refinished with native sandstone from the nearby hills in 1906, the massive stone edifice still stands today and is considered an archetype of California’s wine country. It appears on the National Register of Historical Places and is listed as a Point of Historical Interest in the state of California. Owner Richard Frank, former Chairman of Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications, focuses his energy on making superb still wines. Once owned by wine legend Hans Kornell, the winery originally secured its reputation through the production of sparkling wines. Five sparkling wines are handcrafted today in the old building: brut, blanc de blancs, blanc de noirs, and occasionally the rouge and reserve. All of these are made using the traditional French méthode champenoise. Winemaker Todd Graff also produces chardonnay, zinfandel, sangiovese, and several distinctly different cabernet sauvignons. Graff worked in wineries in Europe, Australia, and California for approximately 20 years before settling in as winemaker at Frank Family Vineyards. The wineries on his résumé include Weingut Klaus in Schweicher Mosel, Germany; Chateau Yon Figeac in St. Emilion, France; and Arrowfield in Australia’s Hunter Valley. Graff specializes in creating fruit-driven, balanced wines. Frank Family Vineyards wines are produced in small quantities and are currently sold only at the winery and in a handful of select restaurants and wine shops. For more information, visit www.frankfamilyvineyards.com.

 

II.

 

Wine Tasting

featuring the wines of…

Ramey Wine Cellars

Ted “The Wine Guy” & Co.

Thursday, October 23

4:00-6:00 P.M.

 

George Staikos, of Ramey Wine Cellars, will visit Montgomery the following day, when he will host a tasting at Ted “The Wine Guy.” Ramey Wine Cellars was founded in 1996 by world-renowned winemaker David Ramey. For anyone not in the know, David Ramey’s winemaking training included a stint with the Moueix family at Château Pétrus, while his previous winemaking jobs were at Matanzas Creek, Chalk Hill, Dominus, and Rudd Estate. According to critic Robert Parker, David Ramey's “impressive classical training in winemaking certainly shows, as his wines seem to represent an intelligent compromise between European terroir-based, more austere styles, and the opulent ripe fruit of California.” “All of [David Ramey’s] unfiltered offerings represent tremendous expressions of their vineyard sources [...] Get on the bandwagon as David Ramey is on top of his game.” Please don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to savor David Ramey’s scrumptious wines! Featured wines will include…

 

Ramey Chardonnay, Russian River Valley '06. At 74%, this vintage derives primarily from five different Dutton ranches, together with 15% from Rochioli Vineyards, 6% from the Heintz Ranch near Occidental, and 5% from Green Pastures Vineyard (a 38-year-old Wente vineyard back Felta Creek Road). Goldridge loam and gravelly soils provide a crisper mouthfeel to Russian River Chardonnays compared with their Carneros counterparts. This medium-bodied wine offers spicy aromas of apple, pear, lemon, honey, and game. The honey and vanilla oak flavors are framed by a ripe, balancing acidity. Delicious with fresh halibut steamed with oranges, tomatoes, and olives. Previously awarded 92 points in The Wine Advocate (12-07).

 

Ramey Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast '06. This is Ramey’s fourth release from Sonoma Stage, a young vineyard planted by Richard Hyde and his son Rick, brother and nephew of Larry Hyde. A cool and windy site, the vineyard is at the apex of Stage Gulch Road between Petaluma and Carneros. This year, David Ramey included the first harvest off the Platt Vineyard as 23% of the blend. Planted to his specifications, with old Wente selected from Larry Hyde's vineyard, the Platt Vineyard sits 800 feet above the village of Bodega, with a south-facing exposition overlooking the Estero Americano. The result displays more tropical fruit than the Carneros Chardonnay, along with elements of lemon drop and brioche, leesy flavors, and a lively, ripe acidity. Previously awarded 91 points in The Wine Advocate (12-07).

 

Ramey Claret, Napa Valley ’05. Ramey’s entry-level cabernet blend, this vintage is composed of 54% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 12% cabernet franc, 1% petite verdot, 1% malbec, and 7% syrah. (The use of syrah in the blend is fashioned after the 19^th-century practice in England of importing syrah from Hermitage to blend with the wines of Bordeaux. The resulting wines often fetched higher prices in the English market than those which had not been “improved.”) This soft, easy-drinking wine is a good introduction to the vintage, and while it will improve over the course of two to five years, it is not a wine intended for long-term ageing. The soft, plush nature of this Claret stems in part from the mild vintage, which experienced no real hot spells. More than a third of it derives from the Jericho Canyon Vineyard, along with wines from the Somerston, Larkmead, and Snowden Vineyards, and 7% merlot from the Hyde Vineyard.  “Deep red. Elegant, sharply focused currant aromas show bright mineral lift. Sweet and juicy, with supple tannins and fresh red berry flavors given support by firm acidity. This has Old World spice and tannin structure, finishing on a bright red fruit note.” – Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (5-07). Awarded 90-91 points.

 

Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley '05. A new bottling for Ramey, this vintage is blended from 80% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 3% malbec. The grapes come from the Snowden Vineyard (33%) on a rhyolitic (volcanic tufa) bench just outside the Rutherford AVA; Somerston Vineyard (28%) in the eastern hills next to Chiles Valley; Jericho Canyon Vineyard (19%); Larkmead Vineyard (15%); and Kelleher Vineyard (5%) in the Oakville AVA. Analogous to Ramey’s appellation chardonnays, this blend offers the winery the opportunity to work with a broad range of Napa Valley vineyards, as well as providing a new tier to allow declassification of lots from Ramey’s vineyard-designate wines, such as the ones from Larkmead and Jericho Canyon. Awarded 91 points in The Wine Advocate (12-07).

 

Ramey “Jericho Canyon Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga '05. “The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Jericho Canyon Vineyard is another sensational wine with the complexity of a Bordeaux and the sensational ripeness of a Napa Cabernet. There were 1,280 cases made from a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot. Opaque purple-colored with notes of scorched earth, blackberry, licorice, incense, and plenty of sweet fruit, this full-bodied wine has more structure and slightly more vibrant acidity than the 2004, giving it more definition and, while probably every bit as big as its predecessor, there is a sense of more lightness and freshness on the palate. This is a beauty that should age for 20-25 years.” – The Wine Advocate (12-07). Awarded 92-95 points.

 

Ramey “Larkmead Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley '05. This is Ramey’s second release from this historic vineyard on Larkmead Lane surrounding the former Hans Kornell Winery, which in turn enclosed the historic Larkmead Winery. Ritchie Creek, which separates the Spring Mountain and Diamond Mountain appellations, probably ran through this valley-floor site at one time, contributing to the prominent gravel and excellent drainage that distinguishes this vineyard. This vintage is blended of 84% cabernet sauvignon, 8% cabernet franc, 7% petite verdot, and 1% malbec. Awarded 90-92 points in The Wine Advocate.

 

Admission to this tasting is free. Ted the Wine Guy is located in Zelda Place at 3062 Zelda Road in Montgomery. Please call 334-395-9911 for more information.  

 

Located in Healdsburg, California, Ramey Wine Cellars produces handcrafted wines in an old-world tradition, coupled with new-world innovation and California terroir. The winery remains committed to cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and syrah as its primary varietals, which are sourced from vineyards with which David has worked for many years. The resulting wines are consistently rated among the best in California. David is widely acknowledged to be among the wine pioneers whose efforts helped raise the bar for all American winemakers and brought California to the forefront of the international wine world. David’s groundbreaking work with indigenous yeasts and malolactic and barrel fermentation yielded a new California style that was richer, lusher, and smoother than before. At first, David followed a traditional path and received a graduate degree from the University of California at Davis, where his 1979 thesis on volatile ester hydrolysis (translation: how flavors evolve in wine) is still used today to unveil certain vinous mysteries. Shortly afterwards, a stint working for the Moueix family at the renowned Château Pétrus introduced David to the time-honored methods of winemaking in France. He brought his lessons home and applied them to the grapes he found growing in California’s premier wine regions. Back in California, David helped establish a number of wineries as household names, including Chalk Hill, Matanzas Creek, Dominus Estate (owned by Christian Moueix, of Pétrus), and most recently, Rudd Estate. His benchmark style is now emulated by many. For more information about Ramey Wine Cellars, please visit www.rameywine.com.

 

III.

 

Taste of the Waters Wine & Art Festival

The Waters

Saturday, October 25

11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

 

On Saturday, October 25, please join us at the first annual Taste of the Waters Wine & Art Festival. This outdoor festival will showcase the works of several local artists, live music, and over 50 wines from around the world. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Joy to Life Foundation, a non-profit organization providing free mammograms for medically underserved women in 28 counties in Alabama. Rush Wines will have the following wines open for tasting…

 

Palmadina Pinot Grigio, Friuli Venezia Giulia '06. This pinot grigio has a nose of slate and green apples, and the lightly spiced palate is loaded with mineral and pear flavors. The finish exposes bursts of lemon zest and other citrus notes, while stainless-steel aging imparts a compelling minerality. A perfect match with Venetian-style mussels or clams.

 

Manifesto! Sauvignon Blanc, Suisun Valley '07. Vibrant nose of citrus peel, grapefruit, and pine needles with secondary aromas of pineapple, guava, and gardenia. Mouthful of ripe Meyer lemons, pink grapefruits, and orange peel coat the palate with a perfect dose of food-marrying acidity.

 

Ramblin' White, California '05. Consulting winemaker Paul Moser put together this fresh, lively white blend. It is composed of 50% organically grown sauvignon blanc from Lake County, 27% sauvignon blanc from Monterey County, 20% chardonnay from Clarksburg, and 3% Riesling from Monterey. Notes of flowers, ripe citrus, and perfume constitute the nose, while the flavor profile consists of fresh peach, apricot, melon, ripe citrus, and minerals. The finish is crisp. Enjoy as an aperitif or with mussels in zucchini basil broth.

 

Rush Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendocino County ’05. Rush Wines is excited to announce the release of the third bottling of its private-label cabernet sauvignon! Again crafted by master wine-blender Spencer Graham, of The Burrton Wine Company and Elizabeth Spencer Wines, this vintage is a blend of 95% cabernet sauvignon from Mendocino County, 4% syrah from the Sonoma Coast, and 1% malbec. The wine, parts of which were sourced from organically farmed vineyards, exhibits a more substantial tannic structure than the first two releases. Copious notes of bright cherry fruit dominate the medium-bodied palate. Only 1117 cases of this limited-production wine were made.

 

Wall Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley '05. Composed of 93% cabernet sauvignon and 7% merlot, this Napa Valley cab has almost textbook varietal characteristics. It is filled with ripe flavors focused around a balanced structure and refined tannins, expressing flavors of dark chocolate, leather, and bing cherries. Hints of nutmeg and tobacco contribute to the seamlessly integrated finish. According to winemaker Brian Nuss, of Vinoce Winery, careful tannin management was an important factor in achieving this wine’s balance of ripe flavors and smooth tannins. Fermentation started in tank and finished in the barrel, which allowed the wine to start its integration sooner.

 

Cost of admission to this event is $25, which buys a ticket and commemorative wine glass. The Waters neighborhood is located at 55 Bridge Street in Pike Road, Alabama. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Peppertree Steaks & Wines or online at www.rsvp-montomgery.com. For additional information, please please call RSVP Montgomery at 334-354-3577.

 

IV.

 

Wine Dinner

featuring the wines of…

Champagne Mandois

Nobles Restaurant

Wednesday, November 5

6:30 P.M.

 

Jack Jelenko, the U.S. importer of Champagne Mandois, is set to visit Montgomery next month, when he will host a Champagne dinner at Nobles Restaurant. Founded all the way back in 1735, the family-owned House of Mandois is located just outside of Epernay in the premier cru village of Pierry. Mandois crafts a unique house style of bright, fresh Champagnes that possess richness and complexity. Four selections from this centuries-old estate will be paired with a multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Ted Nobles – an event you don’t want to miss! For more information, visit www.champagne-mandois.com. Featured wines will include…

 

Mandois Champagne Brut « Origine »  NV. Consisting of 40% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir, and 30% pinot meunier, this richly endowed cuvée offers a subtle bouquet of citrus fruit, supported by bright, fruity flavors in a well-balanced framework. Oak barrel-ageing yields an intriguing complexity and richness. Awarded 88 points in Wine Spectator (12-31-07).

 

Mandois Champagne Brut Rosé « Grand Réserve » NV. This dry pink Champagne is made with rosé de saignée, pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay. It offers delightful red fruit notes, rich color and structure, and finesse and delicacy. A portion of the wine was aged in oak barrels. Awarded 90 points in Wine Spectator (11-30-07).

 

Mandois Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru ’02. The 2002 Mandois Blanc de Blancs is produced entirely from premier cru chardonnay grown both in Mandois’ estate vineyard in the village of Pierry and in vineyards in the Côte des Blancs. Aromas of grapefruit and apricot give way to a round, complex mouth-feel. A majority of the wine has been aged in oak barrels.

 

Mandois Champagne Brut « Nature »  NV. This cuvée of 40% chardonnay, 30 % pinot noir, and 30% Pinot meunier is produced with zero dosage. It possesses a minerality and crisp elegance that reflects the pure state of Champagne. A portion of the wine has been aged in oak barrels and has spent a minimum of four years on the lees before disgorgement.

 

The cost of this dinner is $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Please make reservations through Ted “The Wine Guy” & Co. at 334-395-9911.