July 21, 2004
Cabernet Franc anyone?Saturday afternoon, July 24 from 2 to 5 p.m., the annual Cabernet Franc Fest takes place at the Union Hotel in Los Alamos. In a garden setting at the historic hotel, join 18 Santa Barbara County wineries in a unique tasting celebrating cabernet franc.
Cabernet Franc is a major red grape variety from the Bordeaux region of France. It ranks up there with cabernet sauvignon and merlot, along with the lesser known varieties, malbec and petite verdot. In blends, cabernet franc gives the wine the high tone "berry fruit" component. The variety exudes notes of fresh blue berries.
I remember the first time I ever had cab franc. It was at a restaurant in Santa Barbara. I had it with Bob Lindquist of Qupe and Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat. One of the entrees with lunch was a zinfandel soup.
Cabernet Franc is also grown, and well known, from the Chinon region of France. Chinon reds are ultra fruity, and delicious to drink on summer days. They oftentimes are a bit lighter in body, and can be chilled with quite pleasant results.
Wineries participating are Brander, Foxen, Bedford Thompson, Kahn, Buttonwood, Longoria, Daniel Gehrs, Drew Family Cellars, Firestone, Beckmen, LinCourt, Rusack, Cottonwood Canyon, McKeon-Phillips, Lucas & Lewellen, Los Olivos Vintners, Babcock, and Benjamin Silver.
American Flatbread, I found out from Paul Cavanagh, is catering the food. I called over to see if they were going to be serving up any good bratwurst at the event.
Tickets are $35. For reservations call 344-2107.
New Assistant Winemaker at Fiddlehead Cellars
Fiddlehead Cellars is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Steinwachs as Assistant Winemaker. She joins Winemaker Kathy Joseph in all winemaking and viticultural activities. Karen previously assisted Winemaker Norm Yost at Foley Estates Winery and Flying Goat Cellars. Kathy's former assistant, Helen Keplinger, continues her winemaking career in Priorat, Spain. The "FiddleChix" look forward to a smashing 2004 vintage, according to Kathy!
Bon appetit!
Always on the lookout for good brats, wine lover and Santa Maria Times Wine columnist, Bob Senn, lives in the bucolic Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
