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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v10n02)
The Wine Scene - by Jill A. Ditmire
posted: Jan. 20, 2013

Wine Scene header

Wine By The Numbers
It was all about the numbers when I judged the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in California last week.
5500 entries. 60 judges. 27 degrees in the morning. And winning wines that were in the price range UNDER $20. Ok, 3 were a wee bit more, but worth the price. Another good reason to seek and find wines that win medals in wine competitions, rather than just relying on a wine critic whose tastes might not be similar to yours, and thus a wine they give a 92 and think is outstanding, you may hate. MORE numbers!
I spent the week in charming Cloverdale, California, a town that reminds me of the TV series Northern Exposure.
Day one started with a red carpet welcome for the judges. Literally. This contest started in 1970 as a small competition among local wineries. This year it once again racked up an impressive number of entries from all over the US. So our hosts decided to roll out the red carpet with a glass of bubbly to welcome us.
My panel of 3 judged Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs on day one. About 100 total. Chardonnays and Zinfandels on day two. Just over 100 that day. And Pinot Grigio's and Ports on day three. 64 Pinot Grigios and 43 ports. SPITTING is the key to survival by day but savoring is the theme of the night.
Day one, Tuesday is always a grand day. From the red carpet welcome to the homemade lunches to the easy going extra tasty BBQ dinner held at SFC Organizer Bob Fraser's home. It's always my favorite day. BBQ'd oysters filled with butter and chopped garlic were happily slurped and an array of wines were offered for judges to sample and SWALLOW with dinner that nite. Tri-tip, salad, potatoes, bread and a decadent caramel apple pie ( I am STILL swooning from that slice of heaven!) were on the menu along with time to relax and talk with fellow judges from all over the country. Friends and colleagues I have known for almost 13 years. So we couldn't let the nite end after the meal. We had to head to La Hacienda, a Mexican restaurant in Cloverdale that is a real hole in the wall with outstanding margaritas and platters of nachos. Cheers to the years of friendship.
Each morning I woke early and took a mind calming walk thru the town that is nestled among mountains and creeks and rivers. The smells of wild growing lavendar, sage, olive trees, citrus trees fill the air as the morning fog creeps in. It is a visual and aromatic up lifting way to start your day.
Day two's evening outing was the annual winemakers dinner hosted this year by DeLoach. This well known winery was bought several years ago by the Boisset Family of Burgundy, France. The Boisset's own dozens and dozens of wineries in France and with many new acquisitions in California they are creating a true world wine empire. 43 year old Jean Charles Boisset is the ring leader of the Boisset wine circus which features wines in all price ranges and styles.
De Loach Winery in Sonoma County has a storied and rich history turning out outstanding vintages for years while owned by Cecil De Loach. Boisset bought the property in 2004 and started ripping up the vineyards to make them all biodynamic. This system relies on the cycles of nature and requires certification from the Demeter group. Its a big endeavour but nothing is TOO big for the Boisset clan. Jean Charles welcomed us to the barrel room with bubbles and appetizers and a Burgundian style "clapping song" that probably made more sense once one had consumed several glasses of wine but was all in good fun. We left the barrel room and went into the newly designed guest house, which is more like a guest manor. Floor to ceiling windows and tables set with multiple glasses and candles created a warm, inviting, elegant atmosphere for the food and wine to come.
Wines sampled included the JCB 21 Cremant Bourgogne, the crisp, refreshing, rich bubbly. The JCB Chardonnay, oaky and buttery. Raymond Napa Valley Reserve Chardonnay, lush and rich. Raymond Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, fruity and smooth. Buena Vista "The Count", an EZ drinking red blend. DeLoach O.F.S. Pinot Noir, earthy and young. And the JCB 3 Pinot Noir, a pricey mix of old and new world style.
The menu included a Sting Ray Ballotinne (a layered fish pate), Fingerling Potato Salad, Buffalo Cheeks and Venison Loin (!!) with Truffle Sauce, Celeriac Mashed Potatoes, Farro with Wild Mushrooms, and a Cold Hazelnut Souffle Opera Cake.
Our judges reunion continued that night when we got back to the hotel and a dozen "wine geeks" gathered to share more conversation, stories, plus some harmonica and guitar playing. And wine. The SFC folks give each judge a "goody bag" when we arrive. Inside is a bottle of wine and an assortment of salty and sweet snacks to keep our energy up during the week ( the blueberry-pomegranate KIND bar is SO tasty). So each of us brought our bottle, opened it, and shared.
Day 3 was bittersweet. I would leave early the next morning and thus miss the final round of sweepstakes judging so I had to say goodbye early to my wine judging friends. That night I dined in one of the many new and exciting restaurants (Scopa) in nearby Healdsburg with a dear friend. My glass of Italian white wine and a plate of perfectly grilled, tender smoky Calamari on a bed of fresh arugula and white beans with a lemon-olive oil dressing made for a divine ending to my week of wine, food and friends.
Oh wait. I WAS there to work. And we did award many deserving wines. See the entire list including the SWEEPSTAKES winners under $20 and available in Indiana at www.winejudging.com



Jill A. Ditmire is an Omnimedia wine specialist, AWS certified wine judge, freelance broadcast journalist and 20+ year home owner in the Warfleigh neighborhood of Broad Ripple. Send your questions and comments to Jill at jill@broadripplegazette.com
Also on INSTAGRAM @jaditmire




jill@broadripplegazette.com
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