Hop On, A Dry-Hopped Sauvignon Blanc

Written by Allison Levine on April 17, 2018

Wine

This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register.

There is a saying in the wine business that “it takes a lot of good beer to make great wine.”

After a long day during harvest, many winemakers will agree that a refreshing, low-alcohol beer is exactly what is needed. So, what would happen if hops were added to wine? Would you get the best of both worlds? Well, that is what winemaker Karen Steinwachs did and wouldn’t you know it, hop-infused wine is quite tasty.

Steinwachs has been making wine in the Santa Ynez Valley for more than a decade and is the winemaker at Buttonwood Farm Winery and Vineyard. In addition to making wine, Karen sits on the board of World of Pinot Noir and each year during the technical symposium that takes place prior to the festival, 60-70 winemakers get together to taste the current vintage of wine.

They also bring interesting wines from new vineyard wines to experimental wines, to share and discuss. In 2014, Scar of the Sea winemaker Mikey Giugni, who also makes cider, brought a hopped cider for everyone to try at the symposium and “it was so delicious, it is what all of the winemakers drank at dinner that night,” Karen recalled.

Karen kept thinking, if Mikey can add hops to cider made with apples, why couldn’t she do it with wine? After all, like many winemakers, Karen loves beer and it might just be in her DNA.

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé

Written by Allison Levine on April 14, 2018

Wine

While I think Champagne should be enjoyed every day, many think that Champagne is only for celebrations. So, here is a reason to celebrate! It is the 200th anniversary of Champagne Billecart-Salmon so why not toast with a glass of the Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé, the Please The Palate pick of the week.

Founded in 1818 by Nicolas François Billecart and his wife Elisabeth Salmon, Billecart-Salmon is the oldest continuously family-owned and operated house in Champagne. It is currently managed by the family’s seventh generation, brothers François and Antoine Roland-Billecart.

When I first started learning about wine more than 10 years ago, I recall trying the Billecart-Salmon Rosé. It left a lasting impression on me. It is an elegant and sophisticated wine that has somewhat of a cult following among many sommeliers. It is the wine that made me fall in love with Rosé Champagne.

Billecart-Salmon Rosé is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir which is vinified as a red wine. The wine is a vibrant pale pink color with hints of gold. On the nose, it has delicate notes of red fruit and citrus. On the palate, it is elegant with a touch of raspberry and is fresh, elegant and bright.

Billecart-Salmon Rosé sets the bar for Rosé Champagne and that is why it is the Please The Palate pick of the week.

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: California Wines – Down to Earth Month

Written by Allison Levine on April 7, 2018

Lifestyle Wine

It is April and that means it is Earth Month. In fact, 2018 brings us the 48th Anniversary of Earth Month. It is also the 7th annual California Wines: Down to Earth Month and the 15th year of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA). Focused on earth friendly wines that are made with sustainable winegrowing and winemaking practices, California Wines: Down to Earth Month is the Please The Palate pick of the week.

Currently, there are 1,099 vineyards certified and 127 wineries certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. There was more than a 46% increase in the number of Certified Sustainable vineyards in 2017 and more than 20% increase in the number of Certified Sustainable wineries in 2017. Of the 602,000 total California winegrape acres, 22 percent (130,375 acres) are certified sustainable. Of the 286 million wine cases produced in California, 74 percent (211.5 million) are made in certified sustainable wineries.

2017 also marked the introduction of the first Certified Sustainable Wine Logo which has begun appearing on some wine labels and will continue to appear in more in the coming years.

And, to top it off, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance is part of the Disney Food & Wine Festival 2018. This is the first year that they are a part of this 42-day festival that celebrates the best of California and runs from March 2 – April 12.

Throughout the month of April for California Wines: Down to Earth Month, and beyond, seek out wineries that believe in sustainable practices. It is good for the wine and it is good for us and our future!