Lodi’s best-of-the-best wines at the 2012 California State Fair

Ron Silva's Lodi grown Torrontes named "best" of all white wines at California State Fair

Lodi grown wines garnered their share California State Fair awards, announced earlier this week.  That’s impressive, considering that there were 2,890 wines, made by 688 wineries, submitted for sober adjudication by 72 distinguished wine judges.

2,156 of these wines earned medals; but more importantly, a handful of  Lodi grown wines that garnered top top honors at the State Fair.  Especially this one – grown by Lodi’s Portuguese grape king, Ron Silva, up there in Galt – which was named best white wine period (“better” than over a 1,000 other white wines, of every type and in every category, entered into the State Fair) by the persnickety judges...

Jun 22, 2012 at 9:45 PM Permalink

The soul of a winegrower in Lodi’s Twisted Roots

The Schmiedt family's Dairy Vineyard Zinfandel, planted in 1918

When Ross Schmiedt talks about wine quality, family and sustainability – something he does all the time, with inspiring ebullience, even from the confines of his wheelchair (in recent years Mr. Schmiedt has been impaired by ALS) – you quickly realize that in his mind, all three things are one and the same...

Jun 18, 2012 at 9:51 PM Permalink

Going mad about saffron & Iberian grapes at the TAPAS Grand Tasting

Bokisch Vineyards' Concetta Zoria Wilkens pours for the TAPAS crowd

46 wineries and growers presented cutting-edge wines made from grapes of Spanish or Portuguese origin at the 5^th annual TAPAS (Tempranillo Advocates Producers & Amigos Society) Grand Wine Tasting in San Francisco’s Fort Mason this past Saturday, June 9.

Yet one could argue that the biggest hit at this year’s TAPAS showcase was not a wine or winemaker, but a dish:  the sumptuous, golden paella made by Lodi’s own Addy’s Paella, which has to be tasted to be believed:  saffron infused rice (utilizing authentic arroz from Spain), shrimp, chicken, Lockeford sausage, and the most pungent, garlicky aioli made west of Madrid...

Jun 13, 2012 at 9:57 PM Permalink

Forlorn Hope’s pure style of Torrontés & Alvarelhão

Forlorn Hope winemaker/proprietor Matthew Rorick

While Lodi is known for its wine grape productivity – as such, the largest single American Viticultural Area in the U.S. – it has also become known as a source of many a cutting-edge grape.  You name it, at least some of it is grown here:  from Alicante Bouschet, Bastardo and Carmine, to Trincadeira, Vermentino, Zweigelt, and some 70 other odd varieties in between.

Many of the gigantic wineries, like E. & J. Gallo and Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, utilize lesser known varieties in their blending programs.  On the opposite end of the scale are the micro-sized producers who actually produce varietal wines from underappreciated grapes...

Jun 11, 2012 at 10:06 PM Permalink

TAPAS & Albariño, for all the right (culinary) reasons

Albarino from Bokisch's Terra Alta Vineyard

The gastronomic grape

Do you enjoy alternative style wines veering off from the usual heavy handed, ripe or oaky style typical of “California” wine?  Then  you should seriously consider attending the Grand Wine Tasting sponsored by TAPAS – that is, the Tempranillo Advocates Producers & Amigos Society – this coming Saturday, June 19, 2012 in San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center; and where, needless to say, a number of Lodi’s top producers will be pouring.

Jun 7, 2012 at 10:13 PM Permalink

Phenomenal 2010 Zinfandels, current & upcoming

Lodi Zinfandel picker, harvest 2010

Since fall of 2010, Lodi’s leading Zinfandel specialists have been saying that 2010 is the best vintage in recent memory.  Now that a few of these wines are out in the market, it’s time to ask the hard question:  is 2010 truly a “vintage year” for Lodi Zinfandel, or are some people just blowing smoke?

Jun 5, 2012 at 10:20 PM Permalink

LangeTwins Sauvignon “Musque,” the perfect summer refreshment

Tiny beads of recently LangeTwins Sauvignon Musque

Summer officially arrives in three scant weeks (June 20, 2012).  What will you be drinking?

In a region fast becoming known for its variety, from Albariño to Vermentino, there is one Lodi grown wine that has become the dependable mainstay for its exceptional quality – purely as a wine, and also for its palate soothing taste – as well as reliably great price:  the Sauvignon Blanc cultivated by fourth and fifth generation Lodi growers, the Lange family...

May 30, 2012 at 10:19 AM Permalink

Phillips Farms hosts star winemakers & press at historic Bechthold Vineyard tribute

Backhoed hole showing deep sandy loam beneath ancient Bechthold vines

Last week Wednesday, May 23, 2012, Phillips Farms, the agricultural arm of Michael-David Winery, hosted a gathering of eight other stellar winemakers and ten influential wine journalists in a vineyard walk and tasting of wines from Lodi’s oldest – and perhaps, most revered – vineyard:  the Bechthold Vineyard...

May 29, 2012 at 10:15 AM Permalink

Photo-reminiscings of 2012 ZinFest & Vintner’s Grille

No wine lovers like Lodi ZinFest wine lovers!

We’ll go dancing in the dark
Walking through the park and reminiscing…
- Little River Band

Enthusiasm was brimming during Lodi’s 2012 ZinFest, taking place under the gargantuan Weeping Willow trees of Lodi Lake Park...

May 21, 2012 at 9:46 AM Permalink

Many wines other than Zinfandel at 2012 Lodi ZinFest

Barbara Huecksteadt picking her Hux Marzemino

Lodi crushes about 40% of California’s entire crop of Zinfandel each and every year, and there are more pre-1960 plantings of Old Vine Zinfandel (mostly, still growing on their own rootstocks!) in the Lodi AVA than anywhere else in the state.

Therefore, Lodi Wine Country’s biggest, yearly spring celebration in Lodi Lake Park is called ZinFest, but make no mistake:  ZinFesters will be able to taste many more wines other than Zinfandel at this year’s ZinFest...

May 16, 2012 at 9:35 AM Permalink