A Wine Tour to some New "Favorites!"

Saturday Cindy and I went wine tasting with a co-worker and her husband, Jennifer and Randy Hunt. They are both foodies and winies so it was fun to share this experience. We each packed a picnic to share and, as most potlucks go, it all seemed to work out great!

We started our tour with a nice drive into the Dallas countryside to try the wines of Illahe. I became acquainted with Illahe because the son of one of my instructors from Chemeketa Viticulture Center, Pat Lundeen, is the winemaker (along with Brad Ford) for Illahe. (Michael also has his own label - Genius Loci - and I look forward to trying these wines.) We were really taken with the white wines we tasted (Gruner Veltliner, Pinot Gris, and Viognier). I was especially taken with the Viognier primarily because unlike most examples of this varietal, I didn't find it to have that viscous quality to it. The nose was as heady as most Viogniers but I liked the texture and finish so much better. I can hardly wait to try it on one of the really hot days I'm counting on before the summer is out!

From there, we made a quick left hand off 99W to turn into the driveway entrance of Left Coast Cellars. Again, this took me to my Viticulture Center days, as one of the students I met there, Devon, is the main marketing person at Left Coast. Devon left Dom. Serene for Left Coast a few years ago, and I thought it would be fun to say "hi" and taste what they are making there. Unfortunately, Devon was not there but fortunately I found a yummy Pinot Noir (Suzanne's Reserve). Suzanne's is a study in subtly in an otherwise flashy vintage (very warm weather). Darker, mysterious aromas of blueberry and black currant are intensified by distant smoke, white truffles and rich earth. I really enjoyed the setting of this winery - as you drive the long road to the winery, you pass a small lake on your left, continuing on past wild flowers, grasses, yard art, etc. This winery also has a small little cafe so you can have a nibble before heading on to your next destination.

Finally, we really enjoyed our experience at Maysara. I have wanted to taste here for a couple of years - especially on holiday weekends - as I've been told they have some amazing food! But Saturday, the pleasure was really in meeting the youngest daughter of the Momtazi family - Hannah. She was a delight. She is way tooo young to be so wise. And she knows her family's wine! Apparently her older sister is the winemaker. At Maysara, they are committed to holistic farming, employing practices from both organic and Biodynamic® agriculture and to gentle winemaking techniques to allow the wine to express their own characteristics from the vineyard. Had the pleasure of tasting a lovely Pinot Gris, a dry, crisp Rose', and a couple of outstanding Pinot Noirs. It is here we paired our picnic with Maysara wines - what a great idea it was for us to wait as the food tasted especially delicious with these accompaniments!

Well, I could go on and on but I'll stop for today. I'd love to put together a wine tour for you. Give me a call or e-mail me, and I'll see what I can do! Cheers and until next week.....