Ten Things To Do in Santa Rosa, CA this Summer

Santa Rosa is centrally located in Sonoma County and the largest city by far (pop. 185,000). You may be coming for the cutesy wine towns of Sonoma and Healdsburg, but you're likely to be in Santa Rosa and maybe even lodging and eating in Santa Rosa. There are actually a few wineries/tasting rooms in town, but what else is there to do in town this summer?

Some of the more interesting, and older, Sonoma County tasting rooms

If you are interested in seeing a bit of California wine history here are some ideas of places to visit in Sonoma County. Some of the history dates back to the earliest days of California; others only a few decades to some of the people that put the area on the premium wine map.

Judgement of Paris -- Some Little Known Facts

Yesterday's blog post  recognized the 40th anniversary of the Paris tasting that put California on the wine map. Today we'll look at a few details of the event.

The tasting put Bordeaux and Burgundy France up against the upstarts in California. Some things you might not know:

Forty Years Ago -- Judgement of Paris

Before May 24, 1976 all the world's great wine came from France. Actually, all of the good wine also came from France. Conventional wisdom and history put France at the center of the wine universe. That day Burgundy and Bordeaux took a hit that changed the wine business.

The Judgement of Paris, as it's now called, was a blind tasting of Chardonnay and Cabernet from California and France. The best part was the judges were all French wine experts.

The winners were both from California.
 

 
Some of the French judges were so embarrassed they wanted to change their votes. The bottles pictured here are in the Smithsonian.

Memorial Day Weekend in Sonoma County

It's the kick-off weekend for the summer of 2016. Following are a few ideas of what to do and what to expect. The economy is humming along and people are traveling so be ready -- ready to have a good time that is!

The Answer to American Health Problems

Diets vary by nation. We all know Americans are fat and have heart attacks at a rate higher than others. Lots of cultures eat food that is supposedly bad for you, but they don't have our health issues. Why? Well, the answer finally delivered here.

Yes, Red Wines are Healthier, But It's Summer

Probably every wine drinker has heard by now of the benefits to moderate consumption of red wine. The antioxidant Resveratrol is in much higher concentration in red wines than in whites. It comes from the grape skins and there is lots of skin contact with the juice in red wines, but not whites (that's where the color comes from).

But it's getting hot and who wants a big ol' Cab in that weather? Luckily, there are a couple options.

Mistakes Made When Visiting a Tasting Room

VinePair is a NYC-based wine, beer, and spirits website. They have published a nice list of things not to do when visiting a winery.  The key point is, it's not a bar, it's about tasting and learning.

Summer 2016 Events in Sonoma County

Following are major wine and non-wine events in Sonoma County for the month of June through Labor Day weekend 2016. Lots of stuff happening and it's going to be a fun summer. Come see us!
 

The Science of Taste

Whatever your favorite wine, beer or food may be it's not the same as everyone else. Maybe not even the same as anyone you know. So, if you're right for you that doesn't mean everyone else is wrong, right?

Some people like Sauvignon Blanc, some only drink red wine, most people seem to either really love or hate IPA beers. 

What Wine for Today's "Holiday?"

I often like to suggest wines for goofy, obscure holidays like National Doughnut Day, for instance (which will be on June 3rd so mark your calendars). 

Well, the first Saturday in May is World Naked Gardening Day. Nope, I'm not making this up. I am a bit at a loss for wine "pairings," but have a couple suggestions.

Dumb and Dumber Drinking Laws

You can't be happy in Indiana, Vermont,
and several other states

 In the land of states' rights, Puritans, and lobbyists we run into some wacky laws--drinking laws included. Here are just a few of the things your state legislature is doing to you. Along with strict liquor laws come higher prices.

 There are still dry counties in parts of the South and Bible Belt Midwest. Some of the wet counties allow you to buy bottles of liquor; others are by the drink only. What to get a six-pack on a Sunday? Not in some states.

 Confused yet? It gets worse. And this is just a small sampling. Enjoy reading with your favorite adult beverage.

Today's Wine News -- Weird, Good, Ugly

There are several bits of interesting wine-related news coming out in the last few days. The first one is something you'll probably never need to know. The second has to do with the booming economy. Next is a "shame on you" bit. Last is a wine country bungalow for sale (yes, we all live like this).

Will Zinfandel Ever Find Its Way?

Zinfandel is called America's grape. Maybe should be called America's most misunderstood grape. Okay, you could make a case for Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and probably a couple other for being misunderstood, but Zin is bigger than any of those.

Where is it from, how did it get to California, is it the same as Primitivo, where should it be grown, what style should it be made in? Heck, even what color is it supposed to be? These are a few of the questions surrounding Zinfandel.