Schramsberg was also the first California winery to produce a sparkling wine made predominately of Chardonnay.  Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Brut Vintage 2009 ($27.99) is notable for its crisp acidity and notes of bright green apple as well as pear and a slight citrus.  While this sparkler certainly stands on its own, it will pair well with seafood especially crab which is in season now.  If you’re feeling adventurous I also recommend it with fried dishes such as chicken or shrimp.  Happy Holidays and enjoy the bubbles!

Bill A., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

Bill A., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

Decorations will be hung, linens finely pressed and great steaming bowls of sweetened yams, string beans and rich gravy prepared.  But what of the wine to accompany such a feast?  Any host in good standing will need to ensure that the guests’ glass never runs empty and that the fine wine in question compliments perfectly each and every dish.

An inspired host will want to be unique and original in their choosing to pique the interest and imagination of those present, begin by offering a fine fluted glass of Bellavista Franciacorta Cuvee Brut ($39.99) from northern Italy, composed chiefly of chardonnay with a hint of Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero, the mousse is soft and creamy with a delicate perfume comprised of peach fruit and vanilla bean echoed sublimely onto the palate.

A bird as fine as a plump juicy turkey will be complimented by red and white wines in equal measure, however, be cautious in your selection of richly flavored heavy red wine as this may overpower the subtle flavors and fine textures of the meat.  With the potential selections being so great, how does one choose a suitable wine?  The proprietor of your local merchant may overwhelm you with options, obvious and uninteresting choices no doubt.  Here I propose to you four unique wines, two of white and two of red, all providing their own individual charm.

Our first white hails from the Vetroz region of western Switzerland, the Romain Papilloud Cave du Vieux Moulin 2009 ($32.99) made from the Petite Arvine grape famous for its bracing acidity and subtle grapefruit aromas.  This is a wine of full texture and generous extract from its thick skinned berries, a little sweetness is also present, perfect for highlighting those sweetened yams and thick slices of moist white meat.  For something with a more robust authority, a white Chateau Neuf Du Pape from the southern Rhone valley may be in order, a luscious blend including Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Roussanne offers up a refreshing minerality and creamy texture combined harmoniously with orchard fruit and citrus pith for a subtle lift on the palate.

If you wish to offer the option of a red wine, the following suggestions will provide further enhancement to the celebrations as the feast gets under way.  The Costaripa Marzemino 2010 ($19.99), grown within reach of lake Garda in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region is a wine in similar standing to that of Pinot Noir having a light body with a slightly floral character and fresh, tart red berry fruit.

Our final choice hails from the renowned Medoc region of Bordeaux, carrying more weight and heady aromas of black fruit and cigar box smokiness is the Clos Manou 2009 ($29.99).  This will most certainly appeal to those guests with a penchant for something more intense and demanding on the palate.

If dessert is requested, or indeed, required, a sweet wine may be in order.  A fine example of this is the Domaine l’Ancienne 2009 ($21.99) from the Monbazillac region in southwestern France.  Comprised of Semillon and Muscadelle, this wine is rich and luscious with a distinct marmalade character enhanced with hints of roasted almond and a pleasing lengthy finish.

After such a feast, retiring to the sitting room with a soothing snifter of fine brandy might be just the thing to cap off the evening.  The Dartigalongue XO Bas Armagnac ($43.89) with its smooth texture and intoxicating nutty aroma might be just the thing to see off those chilly November nights and keep the conversation flowing until dawn breaks and the necessity of a new day steals us away to begin again.

Christian B., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

In more recent time, California is often known for big and beefy Napa Cabernet and rich and fruity Chardonnay, both very popular styles for good reason. However, California is well known for having the gift of numerous micro climates, innovative wine makers, and a variety of soils that to this day continue to buck tradition and deliver wines of similar earthiness and old world style, while still retaining key characteristics that put California wine on the map in the first place. Come along as we explore off the beaten path, and find a vaguely familiar, but very different sense of place. Like a toast at the beginning of a meal, we begin with sparkling wine.

In Champagne, the traditional method of making a sparkling wine in which the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation inside the bottle, is a practice that had been perfected by monks by hundreds of years of trial and error, and is used today to great affect by Roederer Estate in Anderson Valley, Mendocino. Founded in early 1980 by Louis Roederer, president of the world renowned Champagne Louis Roederer, Anderson Valley was selected for its cooler microclimate and favorable soils. At $17.99 per bottle, Roederer Estate Brut NV is a California sparkling wine that stays true to its traditional origins, the end result being a sparkling wine with excellent effervescence, creamy texture, and bready aromas yielding to a fruity bouquet, and will cost you a lot less than most entry level Champagne. Cheers to that!

One important philosophy in France that has become just as important here in California is that of “Terroir,” or a sense of place. In Chablis, that sense of place is defined by the cool crisp air and the limestone rich kimmeridgian soils that help bring out the acid of the Chardonnay grape, and lend to it its signature mineral character. A similar sense of place can be found in the area of Portola Valley within the northern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, were Chardonnay specialist Varner has situated itself. In an area with great diversity in soil, the Amphitheater Block sits on a bed of limestone rich, clay and loam soil similar of Chablis’ kimmeridgian, and enjoys a consistently cool climate. Along with very subtle oak and little to no butteriness, 2010 Varner Amphitheater Chardonnay is steely and mineraly with crisp acidity, without going overboard with California’s signature pineapple flavors. At $43.99, it is an excellent chardonnay that can stand up to some of the best of Chablis, and is excellent with the local sea food catch in the bay area.

Lastly, continuing on with the importance of terroir, the Côte de Nuits of Burgundy is well known for its Pinot Noir of great structure and assertiveness, thanks to the chalky soils that help bring out the acid and minerality that Pinot Noir thrives best in. No one outside of Burgundy knows this better then Josh Jenson, founder of Mt. Harlan AVA’s exclusive vineyard, Calera. Jensen, having personally worked harvests for Domaine Romanee-Conti in Vosne Romanee and Domaine Dujac in Morey St Denis, experienced first-hand the importance of chalky subsoil and cooler climate for Pinot Noir, and searched all over California looking for the perfect spot for his winery, eventually finding himself in the Gabilan Mountains of San Benito County, where he took over the derelict remains of an old limestone quarry and single handedly established Mt Harlan as an AVA. With six vineyards dedicated to Pinot Noir, the characteristics of one vineyard right next to another vary wildly, very much like the vineyards in the Côte de Nuits. The 2009 Ryan vineyard for $37.99 is rich and robust, however yields great complexity of fruit and earth with decanting, and can age for a long time. A far cry from Hearty Burgundy!

The wine world is finicky and constantly changing. Old ideologies that were once mainstream, like the belief that Old World has finesse and earthiness while New World is fruit driven and plush, quickly grow out of date with each passing vintage. Even in the Old World there are more and more producers who create wines that embrace newer world styles that can throw off even the most studious of Sommeliers. To keep up with the constantly changing world of wine, and to get the most out of the beverage you have grown to love, I will always recommend to push one’s boundaries, and to expect the unexpected. Saluté!

James L., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

Located exclusively in Chouilly, in the area known as the Côte des Blancs, 95% of their vineyard is Grand Cru Chardonnay.  The remaining 5% is planted with Premier Cru Pinot Noir.  The vines average an age of 30 years, cultivated in a large number of different plots.  After pressing, each plot is vinified separately and blended according to their various characteristics.

The 2005 Club Blanc de Blancs is an excellent expression of the finesse and elegance that fine Champagne can achieve.  The wine displays a great lift of bright aromatics and flavors of citrus and minerals, a very fine mousse and a somewhat higher toned intensity and detail.  This gives the wine more a sense of airiness than weight, and yet remarkable length.  The Club, by the way, refers to an association of independent wine growers that strive to create superb quality champagne.  I can certainly say that this producer successfully accomplished the goal with this beautiful wine.     Price:  $79.99

The Brut Reserve Blanc de Blancs has a more flamboyant and bold personality than the ’05 Club.  Although it also possesses a very refined mousse and intense aromatics, the nose gives away hints of a fairly rich wine to follow.  And, it certainly does.  On the palate, a combination of apple, brioche, white chocolate and mineral all come together to create a richly textured, if not slightly creamy, expression.  Although there is a sense of weight, the wine is so beautifully balanced that it glides deftly across the palate.  Also amazing is the price.  With this exceptional wine, you get 100% Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs for just dollars over many non-vintage Brut Champagnes.   Price:  $49.99

I highly recommend that you try both these Champagnes. They will definitely enhance any of your Fall Season events and holidays.  Enjoy!

Gary M., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

Lillet Blanc ($15.99):  Delightfull, delicate and elegent, aromas of orange rind and apricot with subltle honeysuckle tones. The finish has a slight bitter kick to it, owing to the quinine that is part of this drinks heritage.

Carpano Antica Formula ($27.99): Intriguing, dark and rich, a cornucopia of fruit and herbs. Orange, mint, clove and black treacle with an edge, quite unique, utterly delicious.

St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur ($31.98): Exquisite, haunting. A perfect balance of sweetness, alcohol and acidity. Grapefruit, pears and fresh flowers, this is quite simply delicious.

Ricard ($27.79): The jewel of Marseilles. Licorice and anise, floral and fragrant. A thirst quencher bar no other. 

Delamotte NV Champagne ($34.99) Dry. The nose reveals crisp apple and lemon, the palette  has a hint of almond and ginger with a bright mineral, chalky finish. 

Lustau Fino, Jarana Solera ($14.99): Considered by many to be the ultimate Aperitif. The wine opens with an aroma  of pecan and brazil nuts, there is a hint of ripe apple and vanilla, with a lush lingering finish.

James D-B, Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

What makes a wine kosher for Passover? Kosher wine must be made by a Shabbat observing male under a Rabbi’s supervision. All wines require yeast to start the fermentation process and turn grape juice into wine, but kosher for Passover wines must use yeast that is not started on bread. To be certain the wine is kosher for Passover; look for the “P” next to the kosher symbol.

Passover is a holiday that obligates one to drink four full glasses of wine throughout the Seder. Luckily for us, Beltramo’s has some fabulous kosher for Passover wines to keep those glasses full. This year I’m looking forward to enjoying a bottle of Blanc du Castel Chardonnay ($44.99), paired with a roasted chicken at our Seder meal.  Blanc du Castel is 100% Chardonnay from a hilltop vineyard outside Jerusalem It was barrel fermented and aged sur lie with  notes of  peaches, citrus, vanilla, minerals, and honey. This wine is reminiscent of a white burgundy.

Other kosher for Passover Chardonnays that we are offering are Hagafen Napa Valley Chardonnay 2009 ($19.99). With  its light sunflower hue and Honey Crisp apple, baking spice, and caramel bouquet, Bartlett pear and kiwi season and flow across the palate into a finish of crème brûlée and creamy smooth acid.

And Baron Herzog California Chardonnay 2008 ($12.99). This Chardonnay was barrel and stainless steel fermented and then aged in French and American Oak for 15 months. This cool, terroir-oriented wine shows elegant notes of lime, chamomile and tropical fruit overlaid with a bouquet of toasty oak.

Hagafen Napa Valley Merlot 2007 ($23.99) has a nose of ripe plum, bright white cherry, Lincoln rose, sweet cardamom and vanilla.

Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 ($29.99). A rich and complex Cabernet from Israel has notes of ripe dark red and black fruits, spice, and chocolate.

Galil Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Yiron Galilee 2006 ($24.99). A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 5% Syrah with abundant aromas of wild berry, cherry and plum jam on a background of seasoned characters of vanilla, clove and toasted oak; full bodied and well balanced; long, classic finish.

Hagafen White Riesling 2010 ($18.99) A delicious off dry Riesling with notes of apples, peach cobbler, meyer lemon, and honey.

Golan Moscato Galilee 2011 ($13.99). This low alcohol lightly sparkling dessert wine is a perfect selection to end your Seder meal with its refreshing notes of citrus blossoms, grapefruit, guavas, and melons.

If you had enough wine to drink during your Passover Seder and want to enjoy a cocktail, Beltramo’s also carries Distillery 209 Gin ($34.99) that is kosher for Passover. Five times distilled, this kosher, sugar cane gin, was created with exceptional attention to detail in handcrafted small batches. This local gin is probably the only gin made over the water at Pier 50 in San Francisco, and it is well worth trying.

With so many fantastic kosher for Passover wines available, my Seder table might have more than the required four glasses on it this year, but as the comedian Jackie Mason said, “A Seder without sweet Manischewitz, would be like horseradish without tears, like a cantor without a voice, like a shul without a complaint, like a yenta without a big mouth, like Passover without Jews.”

Beki Miller, Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

No need to fret about it, because there is a way you can settle the score by serving terrific Easter Brunch wines.  How’s that you ask?  Well, while you are rapturing away over the beautiful aromatics and fruit intensity your wines display, the kids are stuck with orange juice.  It will take years for them to figure out what’s going on.

To be sure, Italy offers some beautiful wines that would be great with the usual brunch fare, or even unusual, depending on how creative you are.  For example, a good Prosecco, from the Valdobbiadene region just north of Venice, is a great match with an omelet.  Its fairly soft, delicate sparkling personality and apple/pear like fruit work very well with a fluffy egg.  I know first-hand because we had Prosecco with omelets while looking out at the Grand Canal, and no, it wasn’t just the scenery that made it taste so good.  But what about something slightly sweet to go with the strawberries and other fresh fruit?  You know,  something even Grandma will like.  For that, a spritzy Moscato d’Asti comes to mind with its floral and often pit fruit (peach/apricot) aromatics and flavors, delicate texture and lively fruit intensity.  And, if you are one of those “I only drink red wine” types, I highly suggest a Brachetto, a slightly sweet, slightly spritzy very aromatic red from the Piemonte region.  Just think of freshly picked berries in a bottle and you’ve got the right idea.  And, like the Moscato d’Asti; these wines are very low in alcohol, around 5%, so they won’t ruin your tennis game that afternoon.  Although, if you play like me, they could make you feel like you just won Wimbledon!

We have a number of these wines that are very good, but here are a few I particularly recommend:

Sorelle Bronca, “Particella 68,” Prosecco at $19.99.  The “68” refers to the number of a plot within the larger vineyards.  They believe that the fruit is so exceptional from this site that it is bottled separately.  Try it, and I think you will agree.

2011 Massolino Moscato D’Asti at $19.99.  This has been one of our top selling Moscatos over the last several years.  It has a beautiful rich texture, but not heavy or syrupy, with delicate, nuanced fruit.

2011 Ca’ Rossa “Birbet” Brachetto at $19.99.  This wine is so delicious you have to be careful not to drink it all before you sit down at the table!  Bright and fresh dark berry fruit abounds, but not in a dense, jammy way.

As always, let me know if you try any of these, garym@beltramos.com.

Oh yes, I am sure some of you reading this don’t have kids, or they’re all grown up and gone away.  You no longer care about Easter eggs or chocolate bunnies, and probably don’t want to fuss with making a brunch.  Okay fine, but while you’re reading the paper and having a Bloody Mary, couldn’t you at least put an egg in it?

Happy Easter, everyone!

Gary M., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

Located roughly 90 miles north of San Francisco cutting through the coastal range, the western tip of the Anderson Valley is only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean while the tiny town of Boonville lies 20 miles to the east inland. The Anderson Valley name is credited to the Walter Anderson Family who in 1845 left Missouri and headed out west seeking gold, new land, and new opportunity. By chance they landed in this irrefutable Eden surrounded by dense redwoods on the southwest side and grassy hills to the northeast.

It wasn’t until 1964 that the modern era of wine-growing and wine-making in Anderson Valley came into play. Leading the charge was Dr. Donald Edmeades who planted 24 acres of premium wine grapes: Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Following Dr. Edmeades lead was Tony and Gretchen Husch who crushed their first grapes in 1971 and founded Husch Vineyards, Anderson Valley’s first commercial winery since prohibition. Many have pursued the success of Husch and Edmeades, notably Ted Benett of Navarro Vineyards who refers to the Anderson Valley’s emphasis “on content, not appearance” as well as the world class French Champagne House Louis Roederer which built a California sparkling wine facility in the Anderson Valley in the early 1980’s.

The Anderson Valley AVA, one of ten AVA’s in the Mendocino County, is a 15 mile stretch that has become well known for its cool climate grape varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the aromatic whites such as Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling. And with 28% of vineyard acreage certified organic or bio-dynamic, Mendocino wine country is considered the “greenest” wine region in the U.S… I highly recommend making a trip through Mendocino and visiting all the down to earth and friendly wineries but if time doesn’t permit you, please come on into Beltramo’s and try some of my favorite Mendocino wines:

Husch Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer 2009 ($11.99): Producer’s notes: “aromas of pineapple, honeysuckle…flavors of ripe melon, lychees and an inviting spice character.” An excellent value wine!

Terra Savia Mendocino Chardonnay 2009 ($11.99): Made with estate grown organic grapes, this is one of my favorite un-oaked Chardonnays. An excellent food wine, with a very refreshing style with plenty of citrus fruit flavors.

Drew Gatekeepers Blend Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir 2009 ($27.99): A blend of two ridge top vineyards 2000+ ft. in elevation and less than 10 miles from the ocean: Manchester Ridge Vineyard and Perli Vineyard. Heavy aromas of rose, violets, tea leaf; hint of spearmint; light mineral notes.  Full of lively flavors of dark cherry, spices. A bit Burgundian in style.

Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2009 ($49.99): A blend of four different estate vineyards: Confluence, Gowan Creek, Narrows, and Abel Vineyards. Excellent tannic structure, supported by ripe cherry and blueberry flavors, balanced use of oak and refreshing acidity.

Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut ($17.99): A multi-vintage cuvee made in the traditional Roederer style, known for its body, finesse and depth of flavor. 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir. Notes of crisp apple, lemon tart, and touch of yeast. Flavors are creamy with pear and baked apple characteristics.

Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut Rose ($24.99): 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Slight Salmon tinge, wonderful crisp acidity and full round flavors of bright cherry, strawberry, red apples and touch of minerality.

Will Sundquist- Beltramo’s Wine Consultant and Assistant Manager

First, and without a doubt in the best buy category, is the Henriot Brut Souverain. What impressed me is the precision, detail and interplay of citrus, floral and bready aromatics and flavors. Not really a broadly textured wine, it still has a certain richness about it. The bright acidity gives it a fresh lively character and great lift. It is a very classy Champagne for $35.00. It was fabulous with the salmon dip made by Bianchini’s Market on Alpine road in Portola Valley.

Second, if you want to move up the ladder price wise, the 2002 Camille Saves Grand Cru Brut  is superb and, given such high quality at $70.00, a great value. The 2002 vintage is considered the finest since ’96 and it certainly shows here. The cuvee is 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay from their own vineyards in Bouzy. The flavors are an exotic combination of red fruit, citrus, mineral, and floral characteristics along with a touch of white chocolate. Although full-bodied and richly textured, the wine shows great finesse and elegance.

Gary M., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

PANIC!

Men, we can watch numerous commercials, view bill-boards, read the print ads and yet, February 14^th will catch us unaware, scrambling to purchase cards, flowers and gifts on the way home from work. Restaurant reservations? Who are we kidding, they were booked months ago. Dinner?  Oops, order take-out from that cute Italian place you went to last summer. Plans for the evening?  Oh no, you’re in TROUBLE.

Help is at hand my friends. You can create your own tasting experience at home with an appropriately themed subject: alcoholic libations and chocolate.  You can choose from wine, beer or spirits or any combination thereof. I write this to aid my fellow man and prove once again, the staff at Beltramo’s will go the extra mile to help our customers.

The pairing of wine and chocolate is a contentious subject amongst those in the wine profession. I hold firmly to the ideal that most wine does not pair with cocoa, but I offer you solutions to that conundrum.

We shall have 3 courses tonight. To begin the night’s festivities we shall start with sparkling wines move through to some English beers and finish with two fortified wines.  If time and your constitution permit try all of my recommendations; this will greatly enhance your evening.

Sparkling Wines

I recommend serving milk chocolate with these.

2010 Saracco Moscato D’Asti    $13.99 

The nose reveals pit fruits, vibrant apricots and peaches. The wine is sweet yet balanced and exhibits a fine bubble structure and a silky finish.

 Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Centenario Amibile Grasparossa di Castelvetro    $10.99 

This is a frizzante wine. A delicious foamy mousse begins and is followed by dark, dark raspberries. Rich and sumptuous, a mouth full of sweet berries. A rich finish.

 Beers

A dark chocolate will work here: one that is around 65% cocoa.

Young’s Double Chocolate Stout    ($3.79 available in-store)

A very dark beer, sweet but not too sweet, with a creamy, milk chocolate flavor and hints of coffee on the finish, nicely balanced.

Samuel Smiths Taddy Porter    ($3.49 available in-store)

Intense flavors of roasted barley, dry and tangy with a slight smoky quality, followed with delicious notes of coffee and caramel.

Fortified Wines

A dark, bittersweet chocolate for this course.

2009 M. Chapoutier Banyuls    $21.99 

From the South of France, abutting the Spanish border comes the world famous Banyuls.  The wine is rich and full-bodied yet delicate and with great acidic balance. Black plums and Bing cherries on the nose with orange rind and raisons on the mid-palate followed with espresso on the finish.

Meyer Family Port NV    $29.99 

Baked plums and cooking spices, mace, cinnamon and allspice on the front. A mid-palate of lush cherries and cassis and a long, lingering finish.

James DB,  Beltramo’s Wine Consultant