Two Faves Back in Stock at Dan's

Two wines we like are back in stock at Dan's Wine Shop in Palm Desert. Both deliver plenty of delicious fruit with grace, complexity and a refreshing mineral streak. Better yet, both are easy on the wallet and great with a variety of foods.

Dr L Riesling by Loosen Brothers is from Germany's steep and slaty Mosel region. Its lively kick of ripe mango and apricot fruit is tempered by juicy lime freshness. Between the screw cap and low 8.5% alcohol, you and your guests might never get to the red wine. This versatile wine goes with a variety of foods from tangy appetizers, Asian cuisine, pork and lighter meat dishes.

The 2008 vintage in stock for $9.95 nailed spot #62 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year and was selected as a best value. Ripe and ready to drink now, you can also stock up and store this Old World winner to savor its crisp, clean pleasure over the next eight years.


Just one look at the ruby red color that gushes out into the glass from a bottle of Bodega Colomé 2008 Amalaya is enough to get a red wine lover's heart racing. This Malbec blend from the Calchaquí Valley of Argentina's northern Salta region boasts crushed red raspberry, fig and currants with a sweet smokiness lifted by a bright mineral streak.

Balancing out the 75% Malbec is 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah and 5% Tannat. Soft tannins and a juicy, lush mouthfeel make this red blend a great pairing for meatier pizzas and stews, lamb, richer preparations of chicken, pork, burgers and other beef dishes such as flank steak. If you like it as much as we do, you may want to snatch a few extra bottles to keep on hand as it's sure to get even better over the next couple of years. We learned that sad lesson when we ran out of the 2007 Amalaya. Find it for $13.95 at Dan's or call to have him hold your winter supply at 760.674.0305.

Cheers!

Dan's Wine Shop Shakes, Rattles and Rolls

Yesterday's earthquake rattled through the desert a few minutes before the first shift was scheduled to arrive at Dan's Wine Shop in Palm Desert for two special tastings for WinewomenPSP and friends. Owner Dan Sullivan was relieved everyone and his shop escaped injury and grateful that the shaking stopped when it did. A couple more seconds and it might have been ugly.

Instead, the tremor seemed to create a chummier, more intimate tasting experience for all, perhaps because everyone was OK with no heebie-jeebies from aftershocks. Or was it because we figured if we were going down, at least we'd go down with some great wine? Whatever the reason, wine and warmth flowed.

With a cheery intro to each pour, Derek from Young's Market helped us feel at ease and eager for the rest of the lineup. Northeast Italy's Zenato 2008 Pinot Grigio gave us a great start. It's a crisp refresher with delicate green pear fruit, clean minerality and a light, lemony finish. For contrast, Ponzi 2009 Pinot Gris – a New World version of the same grape from Oregon – delivered a heftier mouthfeel with brighter fruit and a lingering finish. Growling tummy triggered pairing thoughts: Aperitif or whitefish for the first PG; heavier fish dishes, chicken or pork for the second.

Rustenberg Stellenbosch 2008 Chardonnay was a delightful surprise, especially to those new to South African wines. Medium-to-fuller bodied, it rocks the palate with rich melon, apple and pear flavors wrapped in toasty oak. Many tasters agreed with Wine Spectator's anointment as a smart-buy and 90-pointer.

Deloach Russian River Valley 2007 Pinot Noir kicked off a trio of reds. The terroir-driven and value-priced Pinot delivers a mouthful of earthy yet restrained plumy and blackberry-dark cherry fruit. Next, an Argentine that might benefit from a little more time in the bottle: Marraso 2008 Malbec with soft, jammy fruit and sweet smoke on the finish.

Dan and Derek picked a perfect closer: Incognito 2006 Red Blend, a luscious load of Lodi fruit. Dark and fragrant in the glass, this rogue rouge is a smooth blend of Mourvèdre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cinsault, Carignane, Tannat, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Grenache. Guests goaded by its supple taste or mysterious red masquerade bottle were loading up on this one too.

We heard raves and rants for each wine – you know, that taste thing. But the hands-down winner was a souvenir bottle many just had to have, even though it wasn't included in the tasting – Earthquake Petite Sirah, a wine that promises to "rock your world." We think we'll wait for our jitters to settle before we pop the cork on that one.

Saturday Sips Around Town

Just because we're partial to WinewomenPSP events doesn't mean there aren't other wine haps in town worth a sip. If you're looking to get wet before our December 10th event at The Art Place, you can enjoy two valley tastings this Saturday, December 5th.

Jensen's in La Quinta hosts a tasting of Byron wines from 2-5 PM. For only $5, you'll taste Byron's 2007 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley vineyards. Compare that Pinot to the 2006 Bien Nacido or find out how lovely Pinot Blanc can be. You might find a new favorite from this Santa Barbara County winery. Aubrey and his staff will roll out cheese and olive snacks, too. Reservations are not needed so just show up to their store at the corner of Washington Street and Highway 111 with your five-spot. Information: 760.777.8181.

Dan's Wine Shop in Palm Desert is also having a $5 wine tasting Saturday from noon to 5 PM. RSVP by e-mail to danswineshop@aol.com or by phone at 760.674.0305.

At Dan's you'll belly up to three totally different whites: Alexander Valley Vineyards Dry Gewürztraminer, Napa Cellars Chardonnay, and King Estate Pinot Gris. Like red wines too? Taste three more styles in Bearboat Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Folie à Deux Amador Zinfandel and Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon.

Find Dan's at 73360 Highway 111 on the north side of 111 opposite the Palm Desert Jensen's. Be sure to call or e-mail ahead to reserve.

Remember, Monday December 7th is reservations deadline for our WinewomenPSP holiday spirit event at The Art Place on Thursday, December 10th in support of Mourning Star Center. Wear your comfy shoes and come party!

Summer of Love

What's hotter than July in the desert? Nada, niente, zero baby. We gave July the kiss-off at That's Amore, our July event benefiting the Stroke Recovery Center. Our hosts at Amorè Ristorante Italiano served a top-notch dinner for nearly sixty Winewomen (and a few brave men) as seamlessly as a cooked-to-perfection dinner for two.

Phil Molnar chose four outstanding wines from Creative Wines International's boutique portfolio. We eased in with Sandholdt 2006 Pinot Grigio from the Central Coast. Its soft nose and medium body paired well with appetizers of baby spinach and mozzarella caprese. Next, Godwin 2006 "Floral Clone" Russian River Chardonnay proved a perfect pairing with Tuscan rigatoni served in bianco with sausage and white beans. Its gentle oak had us smiling and sipping as we lapped up pasta in white wine-butter sauce.

The two whites proved so popular, many of you stayed with them through the chicken marsala and mushroom main course. We hope you didn't miss another winner from Mettler, the family vineyard whose Zinfandel sent us over the top at April's Spring Fling at La Quinta Resort. This time it was their 2006 Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon – wow, Lodi is definitely on our wine map! The winery goes organic in 2010. Perhaps we'll try their Petite Sirah before then (many times, we hope).

Phil was a prince for rolling out a great finale: Mendelson 2000 Muscat Canelli dessert wine. Winemaker Richard Mendelson, who's also a lawyer and artist provoked this closing argument: Which dessert from Amorè's trio was the favorite? Our vote went to the Sicilian mini-cannoli with fresh ricotta stuffing and crisp pastry shells. There was love in the kitchen that night!

We learned Stroke Recovery Center dishes out the loving all year round with their menu of free services for clients living with the aftermath of stroke. Contact James Martinez and give these great folks your support so they can begin their good work where others leave off.

As though we weren't having enough fun, Amorè's Jerry Ring closed out the evening with an operatic Happy Birthday serenade to Margi in his rich baritone voice. She won't be forgetting that anytime soon – bravo, Jerry! We hope you won't forget to pick up some of these terrific wines at Dan's Wine Shop in Palm Desert. Give Dan a call at 760.674.0305 and ask for WinewomenPSP's special pricing, courtesy of Prince Phil. Grazie a tutti!

Since we believe you can never have enough summer love Italian-style, we have more in store for you on Friday, August 28th at Piero's Acqua Pazza at the River in Rancho Mirage. Don't miss this one – make your reservation today. Arrivederci!

Palm Desert Wine Tasting at Dan's

Five bucks doesn't get you much these days. So when Dan's Wine Shop in Palm Desert announced a six-wine tasting for $5 that included Mer Soleil, we were all in.

Dan's tastings are informal and friendly. Choose the 5-6 PM or 6-7 PM time slot and show up with your five-spot. Dan greets you with a wineglass, your passport to the wine bar in back. Chat up the wine rep or head into the wine room to compare notes with other wine lovers.

We got going with a blast of grapefruit refreshment delivered by Pomelo 2007 Sauvignon Blanc. Pomelo is the second line by Napa's Mason Cellars, one of our favorite California sauv blanc producers.

One taste pegged the gently-oaked and pear-scented Merryvale 2006 Starmont Chardonnay as a great dinner-party wine. Rounding out the whites was golden, buttery Mer Soleil 2006 Chardonnay from Monterey County's Santa Lucia Highlands. Lovers of creamy, full-bodied Chardonnay were in tropical fruit and vanilla-bean heaven. Winemaker Charlie Wagner II knows luxe wine – the Wagner family makes Caymus, Conundrum and Belle Glos Pinot Noir.

A few crackers readied us for the first of three red selections: Laetitia Estate 2007 Pinot Noir from Arroyo Grande Valley in San Luis Obispo County. The dark-fruit and bright acidity screamed out for food, and perhaps a bit of decanting.

We finished up with two powerhouses, Cline Ancient Vine 2007 Zinfandel and Layer Cake 2008 Shiraz. Cline's Contra Costa vines produce wines with spiced blackberry fruit and mocha flavors. It's a zin for Memorial Day barbecue.

Napa-based Layer Cake goes global to source grapes for their wines. Their Shiraz made from South Australia's Barossa Valley fruit delivers the Aussie fruit bomb with tobacco and spice. It'll taste even better with some time in the bottle.

Start your weekend off on the right foot the next time Dan hosts a Friday wine tasting. Call 760.674.0305 or e-mail him at DansWineShop@aol.com to get on his mailing list. Find Dan's Wine Shop on a north-sided frontage road off Highway 111 west of San Pablo Avenue, across and just west of Jensen's. You'll not only discover great wines to suit your budget but you might also make a new friend or two. Cheers!

Rosés for Mom

Mother's Day is as good a day as any to rediscover rosé. All pretty and pink in the glass, rosé adds a festive note to Mom's special day.

Swirl a bit of blush wine around and instantly rosé makes wine-drinking more fun. Happy vin rosé gives off a fruity-floral nose, perhaps with a hint of sweetness. On the palate, rosé explodes with clean tastes of vibrant, fresh fruit. No brooding allowed with these wines. Instead, you'll find blush wines bursting with bright red strawberry, cherry and raspberry flavors. Some rosés taste of chilled watermelon for added refreshment and juiciness. Want depth? Complex rosés offer earthiness, smoke or spice notes to herald a satisfying finish.

We fell in love with rosé all over again at our Winewomenpsp event at Ruth's Chris last October when we were introduced to Crios, the second label of Argentine wine maker Susana Balbo. Dinner came to a delectable close with a simply fresh dessert course of berries and cream paired to Crios Rosé of Malbec. We can still remember its delicate strawberry aromas and flavors laced by a touch of cinnamon on the finish.

When we ran out of Crios, we turned to French rosé and a change of pace from the Pacific Northwest. All are great buys at around $10 each.

Fans of frizzante will want to check out Château de Jau Côtes du Roussillon Villages Rosé 2007 at Dan's Wine Shop in Palm Desert. Tiny bubbles and lively acidity make this red berry-fruited rosé a spirited aperitif or accompaniment to appetizers and salads.

Head to Jennifer's Kitchen in Rancho Mirage for the Les Deux Rives Vignerons de la Méditerranée Corbières Rosé 2007. Made from Cinsault (15%), Syrah (35%) and Grenache (50%), this Western Languedoc rosé is a basket of berries with sturdy texture and a long finish.

For a dash of spice, look for A to Z Oregon Rosé 2007. This floral-scented rosé is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes grown in southern Oregon. A great food wine for chicken or fish, the A to Z delivers luscious strawberry-raspberry jam fruitiness goosed by a grind of nutmeg. BevMo's out right now but we'll track more down and let you know.

Get to know rosé this Mother's Day and enjoy its refreshment all summer long. Today, we'll raise rosé glasses in a toast to our mom Rose and wish her peace. Happy Mother's Day.