Monthly Wine Update
 

Discover California! recently expanded it's popular wine tasting room - giving you more room to tour Northern California's wineries all in one convenient location.   This is our series of monthly newsletters, which will be sent to our database of customers.  Each month we will send you wine related news, updates on the newest and greatest California wines, special event information and much more.  If you do not wish to receive this, please "opt-out" at the bottom of this newsletter.  We hope you'll enjoy reading this with your favorite glass of California wine! 

We're doin' it again!

 Discover California! and Randy Baranek from Ehrhardt Estates Winery invite you to join us as Randy pours his family's wine November 9th from 5 to 8 p.m. Taste his 2003 Petite Sirah, a 2006 California State Fair Medal winner, 2004 Chenin Blanc and a 2004 Late harvest Chenin Blanc from his estate vineyards of Clarksburg. A special treat will be tasting his pre-release Chardonnay.

Ehrhardt Estates Winery.... "Just try it!" 

The Ehrhardt family was among the first settlers on the Sacramento River Delta. In 1902, they sold some of their finest acreage to John Herzog. Until 1955, the Herzog family farmed row crops and operated a dairy. In 1960, vineyards were planted and today the vineyards are tended by the fourth generation of the Herzog family. 

  Don't forget to make your reservations!

The winery will be pouring between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. .. call today and reserve your spot.   Sample wines along with tasty treats, find out about the wines, and just have a great evening.  Oh, don't forget to get your souvenir glass, too. The tasting fee will be $15.00 per person for the evening.  For reservations, click here or call 443-8275.  It'll be another fun evening! Drawings every hour for fun gifts!

A great time was had by all!

Another successfull Winemaker's evening  was  provided last month by Vino Con Brio Winery of Lodi. Anne Matson was a hit with all who attended pouring her family's wines and giving us all the history of her winery. They have a B&B on the estate, run by Anne's mother.  Next time you pass through Lodi stop by Vino Con Brio and say hello and stay awhile.
 Thanks again to all attending.  It was fun as ususal!

OUR "NO CARRY-ON" SPECIAL!

With all of the carry on luggage restrictions at the airport, we are making it easy to get your California wines home.

Purchase one case (12 bottles) of wine from us, and we'll ship it for free! All rules & restrictions for shipping wine apply - including the states that wine can be shipped to ... contact the "Wine Guy" for details.  Note: Alaska and Hawaii are subject to an additional surcharge.  Ground shipping only. Limited time offer. May be withdrawn at any time.  

Planning a Wine Party?

Are you're looking for something fun and interesting to do...? Get your friends together and Discover California!

Tour California wineries all in one location. We have over 130 wines in 27 varietals to choose from with over 40 California State Fair Medal winners!

      Discover California will provide:

·        4 different wines of your choice, 2 bottles each*.

·        A party cheese tray serving 20.

·        Knowledgeable wine staff pouring for 3 hours.

·        A unique and fun Old Sacramento environment to enjoy good wine and friends.

·        Dancing on the tables. (Well, not really. We don't have a dancing license!)

  A minimum of 20 people is required to reserve the tasting room for your event. A per person charge of $15.00 will apply.

 * There will be a credit of $140.00 toward the purchase of the wines selected for tasting.

**Charges for additional selections, additional bottles or higher priced wines will be added to the above minimum charge. Attendance above the 20 person minimum will be charged $15.00 per person. We must limit private parties to 40 people.

The Tasting Room....
I have a great selection of fall wines open for tasting. If you haven't been in for a while, there are new wines for tasting.  I try and keep the tastings rotated frequently to keep things fresh.  Don't forget about joining us November 9th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. for our next Winemaker's tasting events, A Taste of California!   To RSVP, click here.

If you would like to have me send you information on these or any other offerings, or be added to our emailing list, contact me at wineguy@discovercal.com.

John Hicklin

The "Wine Guy"
Discover California!
114 J Street
Old Sacramento, CA 95814

916-443-8275
wineguy@discovercal.com
www.discovercal.com

Stop by our tasting room on your next visit to Old Sacramento. Check out the selections open for tasting. You'll always find something good!
This month you will find a great selection of Zinfandels open for tasting. We are featuring Windwalker, Matzin Old Vine, Bogle Old Vine, Chatom, Trecini and Montevina SHR to name a few. The tasting selection changes frequently, so stop in often.
 

Save the Date! Thursday December 14th

Our Monthly Winemaker's tasting is going to have a different twist in December.  We're having a "California Christmas" Party.  You won't want to miss it!

An Excellent Holiday Treat

Zinfandel Port Cookies
Source: Sunset Magazine, November, 1994 (and, yes I do have the issue, STILL!  Ask my wife!)
Makes about 4 dozen cookies

1 package (12 oz.) vanilla wafer cookies
1/2 cup Dutch cocoa
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup Montevina zinfandel port or other port
About 1/2 cup powdered sugar

In a food processor, combine cookies, cocoa, and pecans. Whirl until reduced to fine crumbs; pulse for several seconds.

Or by hand, put cookies in a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal shut, and crush cookies with a rolling pin. Finely chop pecans and mix with cookie crumbs and cocoa.

Add corn syrup and port. Continue to blend or mix until well blended, about 15 seconds if using a food processor.

Using your hands, form dough into 1-inch balls; roll in powdered sugar. Serve, or store airtight up to one month; for longer storage, freeze up to two months. Just before serving, roll balls in more powdered sugar if a white snowball effect is desired.

Serve with a glass of Montevina Zinfandel Port and a dollop of really good vanilla bean ice cream... and another glass of Port!

STAFF'S PICKS

With over 160 different wines and Ports from 28 varietals you will always find something good!  Have you found your favorite yet? 

White Rock Vineyards 2003 Chardonnay

Windwalker Vineyards  2003 Lady in Red

 Mt. Vernon Vineyards 2003 Cabernet Franc

David Girard 2004 Terrior Rouge

Chatom Vineyards  2001 Esmeralda Syrah

Terntadue Vineyards 2003 La Storia Cuvee 32

Lucas Vineyards 2001 Zinstar Zinfandel

Vino Con Brio 2003 Pinotage

Lava Cap 2004 Muscat Canelli
 

Did you know?  

The most expensive bottle of wine was sold at an auction at Christies, London, in December 1985. The buyer paid £105 000 for a bottle of 1787 Chateau Lafitte claret that was engraved with the initials of Thomas Jefferson. Eleven months after the sale, the cork dried out, slipped into the bottle and spoiled the wine, making it the most expensive bottle of vinegar!

GOT WINE?