TASTE OF TASTE OF WINE & FOOD WINE & FOOD By Frank Mangio By Frank Mangio Week of January 20, 2019 Week of January 20, 2019 Celebrate with Dom Perignon French Celebrate with Dom Perignon French Champagne Champagne Anything that is cause for celebration: a birthday, an Anything that is cause for celebration: a birthday, an anniversary, a new job, winning the lottery, a new marriage anniversary, a new job, winning the lottery, a new marriage or just another day of living, calls for popping a cork and or just another day of living, calls for popping a cork and sipping some French Champagne, or countless other bubbly sipping some French Champagne, or countless other bubbly wines. wines. In my column a few In my column a few weeks back, I weeks back, I reported that in my reported that in my review of THE MED at review of THE MED at the La Valencia Hotel the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, the in La Jolla, the first drink they first drink they served was the new served was the new release 2008 Dom release 2008 Dom Perignon ($180.) from Perignon ($180.) from Champagne France, Champagne France, home of all true home of all true Champagnes. Prior to that, I was never a sparkling wine Champagnes. Prior to that, I was never a sparkling wine drinker, due to real or imagined “headaches.” drinker, due to real or imagined “headaches.”
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TASTE OF TASTE OF WINE & WINE & FOODFOODBy Frank MangioBy Frank MangioWeek of January 20, 2019Week of January 20, 2019
Celebrate with Dom Perignon French Celebrate with Dom Perignon French ChampagneChampagneAnything that is cause for celebration: a birthday, an anniversary, a Anything that is cause for celebration: a birthday, an anniversary, a new job, winning the lottery, a new marriage or just another day of new job, winning the lottery, a new marriage or just another day of living, calls for popping a cork and sipping some French Champagne, orliving, calls for popping a cork and sipping some French Champagne, or countless other bubbly wines.countless other bubbly wines.
In my column a few In my column a few weeks back, I reported weeks back, I reported that in my review of THE that in my review of THE MED at the La Valencia MED at the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, the first Hotel in La Jolla, the first drink they served was drink they served was the new release 2008 the new release 2008 Dom Perignon ($180.) Dom Perignon ($180.) from Champagne from Champagne France, home of all true France, home of all true Champagnes. Prior to Champagnes. Prior to that, I was never a that, I was never a sparkling wine drinker, sparkling wine drinker, due to real or imagined due to real or imagined
“headaches.”“headaches.”The cellar master who brought Dom Perignon Champagne to The cellar master who brought Dom Perignon Champagne to great brilliance is Richard Geoffroy, with the winery since 1990great brilliance is Richard Geoffroy, with the winery since 1990and who just retired with the 2008 vintage Legacy Limited Edition, and who just retired with the 2008 vintage Legacy Limited Edition, was awarded the #5 wine in the world by Wine Spectator for 2018.was awarded the #5 wine in the world by Wine Spectator for 2018.
After one sip of this elegance, masterful beverage, I became a follower After one sip of this elegance, masterful beverage, I became a follower of Dom Perignon. Vivid acidity is the hallmark of this wining of Dom Perignon. Vivid acidity is the hallmark of this wining champagne. Weather played a major role in its extraordinary finish champagne. Weather played a major role in its extraordinary finish with a cool early summer and a hot, sunny season in September. with a cool early summer and a hot, sunny season in September. ”Legacy Limited Edition” was added to the label to celebrate Geoffroy’s”Legacy Limited Edition” was added to the label to celebrate Geoffroy’s retirement at the top of his game. Wine Spectator’s descriptive retirement at the top of his game. Wine Spectator’s descriptive declared it to be “powerful yet graceful with vivid acidity, swathed in a declared it to be “powerful yet graceful with vivid acidity, swathed in a fine, creamy mousse and flavors of toasted brioche, kumquat, pastry fine, creamy mousse and flavors of toasted brioche, kumquat, pastry cream, candied ginger and poached plum. An underpinning of smoky cream, candied ginger and poached plum. An underpinning of smoky mineral, gains momentum on the lasting finish.” This is a Brut mineral, gains momentum on the lasting finish.” This is a Brut Champagne which denotes a dry to very dry style with a luminous goldChampagne which denotes a dry to very dry style with a luminous gold look to the beverage. Only 3 kinds of grapes are allowed to be look to the beverage. Only 3 kinds of grapes are allowed to be converted to Champagne. All are French. They are Chardonnay, Pinot converted to Champagne. All are French. They are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Menier. The complicated process of “double Noir and Pinot Menier. The complicated process of “double fermentation” to achieve the “tiny bubbles” effect was perfected by fermentation” to achieve the “tiny bubbles” effect was perfected by Dom Perignon, a winemaker from the house of Moet and Chandon in Dom Perignon, a winemaker from the house of Moet and Chandon in the 17the 17thth century. He is considered one of the great figures in the world century. He is considered one of the great figures in the world of Champagne. The Champagne region is its own appellation by the of Champagne. The Champagne region is its own appellation by the same name and is the only region that can use the word Champagne same name and is the only region that can use the word Champagne for its wines. for its wines. The explosive “pop” of the cork, all the bubbles (some say in excess of The explosive “pop” of the cork, all the bubbles (some say in excess of one million per bottle, but who’s counting) and the image of one million per bottle, but who’s counting) and the image of Champagne as a celebratory drink, all point to it as exclusively a party Champagne as a celebratory drink, all point to it as exclusively a party bottle, but that’s not so.bottle, but that’s not so.It goes very well with food. From omelets to caviar to smoked salmon, It goes very well with food. From omelets to caviar to smoked salmon, Champagne and other sparkling wines should be the only choice. Blue Champagne and other sparkling wines should be the only choice. Blue cheese is also a delight. cheese is also a delight.
Recently, at a pre new Recently, at a pre new year’s dinner, Vittorio’s year’s dinner, Vittorio’s in Carmel Valley San in Carmel Valley San Diego staged a Diego staged a Champagne and Champagne and Sparkling Wine dinner, Sparkling Wine dinner, collaborating with The collaborating with The Estate Group wine rep Estate Group wine rep company that brought incompany that brought in 5 bubbly-style wines 5 bubbly-style wines served with such foods served with such foods as: Baked Brie cheese, as: Baked Brie cheese,
Caitlin McDonald, and Marcos Mizzau of Estates Group in San Diego Caitlin McDonald, and Marcos Mizzau of Estates Group in San Diego presented sparking wines and Champagnes at Vittorio’s restaurant,presented sparking wines and Champagnes at Vittorio’s restaurant,from sparkling Conundrum to Charles Heidsieck Champagne.from sparkling Conundrum to Charles Heidsieck Champagne.
Prosciutto chicken and herb crusted Halibut. Charles Heidsieck Prosciutto chicken and herb crusted Halibut. Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut was the bottle with the biggest buzz, with the Champagne Brut was the bottle with the biggest buzz, with the reasonable price of just $60.reasonable price of just $60.Vittorio’s next event will be headlined by Beaulieu Vineyard Thursday Vittorio’s next event will be headlined by Beaulieu Vineyard Thursday January 31 at 6pm. RSVP at 1-858-538-5884. For more Dom Perignon January 31 at 6pm. RSVP at 1-858-538-5884. For more Dom Perignon info, go to domperignon.com.info, go to domperignon.com.
Wine BytesWine BytesTHE MED at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla will host monthly five course THE MED at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla will host monthly five course dinners for the year, starting with a special wine brunch with Iron dinners for the year, starting with a special wine brunch with Iron Horse Vineyards, Sat. Feb. 9 at 1pm. Bruch dishes will be offered Horse Vineyards, Sat. Feb. 9 at 1pm. Bruch dishes will be offered along with striking ocean views on their outdoor terrace. Cost is $165. along with striking ocean views on their outdoor terrace. Cost is $165. all-inclusive. On March 14, Miner wines will be invited, with wine all-inclusive. On March 14, Miner wines will be invited, with wine maker Stacey Vogel. To RSVP, contact 1-858-454-0771. Reception maker Stacey Vogel. To RSVP, contact 1-858-454-0771. Reception starts at 6pm.starts at 6pm.
Il Fornaio in Del Mar will offer an Antinori Italian Wine dinner Thurs. Jan.Il Fornaio in Del Mar will offer an Antinori Italian Wine dinner Thurs. Jan. 31 at 6:30PM. a selection of Antinori wines will be presented with a 5 31 at 6:30PM. a selection of Antinori wines will be presented with a 5 course feast including a Risotto al Vino Bruciato paired with Guado al course feast including a Risotto al Vino Bruciato paired with Guado al Tasso 2016. Price is $85. per guest. Call 1-858-755-8876.Tasso 2016. Price is $85. per guest. Call 1-858-755-8876.
Winesellar & Brasserie in Sorrento Valley San Diego has a Walk AroundWinesellar & Brasserie in Sorrento Valley San Diego has a Walk Around Tasting of their favorite wines from 2018, Sat. Jan. 26 from 3:30 to Tasting of their favorite wines from 2018, Sat. Jan. 26 from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Taste over 15 for $35. each guest. Club members $30. 5:30pm. Taste over 15 for $35. each guest. Club members $30. Appetizers are included. RSVP at 1-858-450-9557.Appetizers are included. RSVP at 1-858-450-9557.
Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley comes to Orange County at 21 Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley comes to Orange County at 21 Oceanfront Restaurant in Newport Beach, Tues. Jan. 29 from 6:30 to Oceanfront Restaurant in Newport Beach, Tues. Jan. 29 from 6:30 to 9:30pm.9:30pm.This historic winery has a top rated wines from Chardonnay to This historic winery has a top rated wines from Chardonnay to Cabernet. Fine dining with an ocean view. Call 1-949-673-2100 for Cabernet. Fine dining with an ocean view. Call 1-949-673-2100 for details.details.
La Fleur’s Winery in San Marcos has a class, Wine 101, on Thurs. Jan. La Fleur’s Winery in San Marcos has a class, Wine 101, on Thurs. Jan. 31 at 5pm with guest winemaker Brian Vitek. How do you really taste 31 at 5pm with guest winemaker Brian Vitek. How do you really taste wine? Why is red wine red? Tasting of 8 different wines. Cost is $20. wine? Why is red wine red? Tasting of 8 different wines. Cost is $20. ea. $15. for club members. RSVP at 1-760-290-5082.ea. $15. for club members. RSVP at 1-760-290-5082.
Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading commentatorsby Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading commentatorson the web. View his columns at tasteofwineandfood.com.on the web. View his columns at tasteofwineandfood.com.Go to recent columns. Reach him at Go to recent columns. Reach him at [email protected]@tasteofwineandfood.com to comment or unsubscribe. to comment or unsubscribe.
