Chris Columbus, Explorer and Wine Spy

Then, the Italians heard about this paradise called Vinland –

Queen Izzie and King Ferdie sent Chris Columbus over to check out the grape competition. Chris tried four times to reach the grape new world but the idiot kept ending up in Cuba, Puerto Rico or The Bahamas.  The Fourth Voyage landed him in Central America checking out the tourist sights in Honduras and Costa Rica!  For Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria’s Sake, why couldn’t somebody have given this poor, smelly sailor a working compass for Christmas!

And well, the rest is more History!

Hardy Wallace to ok a little time from his frantic pre-WCLC preparations to share some thoughts. All we can say is, think Van Morrison, singing Domino… roll me over, Romeo:

“I’m in a blur
… tying up loose ends (the glamour of doctor and dentist appointments, packing and shipping gear, getting a rock star hair cut, etc), trying to spend time with my girlfriend, Tracy, and also making sure I have some time to celebrate with the people who supported me and got me here. The pace is nuts and I could use a nap.”

Checking things thrice:

“I’m part absent-minded professor, and part obsessive list maker. My checklists have checklists, and I really want to make sure that I bring everything with me that I need. Microphones, cables, lenses, mixing boards, all sorts of weird junk that I may never use, but I’ll be happy to have, and will make Healdsburg feel like home.”

Feelings Now:
“I’m still in disbelief. I really haven’t taken a breath yet. I would really like an hour or two by the pool with my iPod, some roots reggae, and a drink with an umbrella. Then things may hit me. I really am thrilled about this opportunity — getting here is an achievement, but that’s just the end of the beginning — making it work, and being successful, and showing the ROI of social media, is the real task. I can’t wait to really get started.”

Ditto, Dirty!
MGs…

virgin wine glass

still in the box

waiting for grapes

chardonnay rocks!

by PJ Laurel

What is Chaiku?

Chaiku is a neologism derived from the first two letters of Chinese and the last four of HAIKU. It refers to the notion that Chinese poetic meter can play the same role as the meter of haiku in the composition of verse in English.

Chaiku consists of four lines, each containing four syllables, that is to say either four words of one syllable, or four syllables regardless of number of words. Chaiku may consist of one or more quatrains. Rhyme is permitted but not required.

 No melting chocolate to worry about!  Just sip back and enjoy this vino treat from the sweet-tooth wine fairy!

 A little chocolate. A little sweetness. A little naughty – could lead to dancing! Black Mesa’s best seller. GOLD Medal at 2007 “Wine Tasters Guild International Wine Competition!

Still want more chocolatey goodness?  Try Black Mesa Winery’s unbelievable dessert treat!

Black Beauty Chocolate Wine Sauce $19.95

Black Beauty Chocolate Wine Sauce is made with Black Mesa’s award winning Black Beauty.   Live dangerously pour it over a bowl of ice cream, cheese cake  or over fresh fruit.  Have chocolate will travel.     Black Mesa Winery PO Box 308 1502 Highway 68 – Mile Marker 15 Velarde, New Mexico 87582 1-800-852-6372 (505) 852-2820  (Fax) 505-852-2820 jer@blackmesawinery.com Directions: From Interstate 25 take the St. Francis exit in Santa Fe and go north toward Taos through Espanola. The Winery is located at mile post 15 on Highway 68. Click here to get driving directions to Velarde, NM from Mapquest Winery Tours: They are happy to give you or a group of your friends a tour of our winery! Please call at 1-800-852-6372 or locally at 505-852-2820 to schedule a tour. You are also more than welcome to stop by the Tasting Room any time Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, or on Sunday Noon-6pm.

2009 Santa Fe Wine Festival Poster

This year’s commemorative Santa Fe Wine Festival image, “La Sumiller” was created by acclaimed painter William Rotsaert. Posters will be available for purchase at the event, which Mr. Roetsart will be on hand to sign.  

Learn more!  www.santafewinefestival.com

WHEN: 12 noon to 6 p.m July 4 and 5
Sample wines produced by more than a dozen New Mexico winemakers at this annual festival, then buy your favorites to take home. The event also includes live music and food, as well as arts and crafts for sale. 

WHERE:

www.golondrinas.org

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

334 Los Pinos Rd.

(505) 471-2261

Driving Directions directions.html

Participating wineries:

• Anasazi Fields Winery
• Black Mesa Winery
• Blue Teal Vineyards
• Corrales Winery
• DH Lescombes
• Gruet Winery
• Guadalupe Vineyards
• Luna Rossa Winery
• Matheson Vineyards & Winery
• Milagro Vineyards
• Ponderosa Valley Vineyards
• Santa Fe Vineyards
• St. Clair Winery
• Tierra Encantada Vineyards
• Tularosa Vineyards
• Wines of the San Juan

Click here for “Keep It Green Girls” Video!  planet-green-winemaking-old-style

Watch Planet Green’s “Keeping It Green Girls”:  Exploring the world of wine à la “I Love Lucy” style!  How do you start stompin’ some juicy organic grapes old style?  Just show up with a pedicure and painted toenails, rinse feet in pan of water, and start dancing on the grapes, baby!  Old style grape crushing fun!  Well, for those watching it maybe.  Not so sure I want purple feet at the beach this summer.

Want a stand-out backyard BBQ party this summer?

(1) grab some unsuspecting friends, (2) make them start a rockin’ samba workout, (3) and watch the juice fly. 

Their Reward?  That fine cabernet you have stashed away for a special evening.  You’re gonna need it to make peace while they’re picking the grapeskins out of their toes!

The Greenest part? After pressing, you can make free “Wine Vitamins”!  The leftover “stuff” called pumice is a waste by-product that can be turned into a compost.  Wine nourishing vine vitamins from waste. (Try saying that three times after a couple of glasses of cabernet.)

Jump, squish, press!?  OK, I’m always up for something new. I’ll try it! I must find my own slippery tub of grapeskin fun!  Let the Googling begin!

In a world of techno-gibberish, there is one correspondent that will stand tall — chosen to get the Goode word out, escape the Matrix of Vino Confusion, lead us into the Goode Wine World, learn the art of Liar’s Dice, sing some Goode songs, stomp some Goode grapes and, most fun of all, taste some mighty fine GOODE wine!

Whether you’re a Neo or a Trinity — knowing the Goode you’ll be doing the world by leading the blind-to-wine folks to the safety of a Goode Zin, Cab or maybe a sip of Merlot?  Yes! Even the wine connoisseurs will join our journey!  Red, White, Pinkish — all wines will get along — and bring humanity a little closer to their longed-for Goode life!

View My Video! Wish me luck!  Hope to cyber-see you in California Wine Country soon!

My Google search for the meaning of “Cuvee” (a fancy wine-word recently tossed my way) uncovered curious things about the meaning of “Cuvee”.

CUVEE: a vat with a batch of various ingredients for wine, beer or even chocolate blended to produce a certain taste. If you want more detailed info on the winish meanings of Cuvee, do your own google . . .

because the sweet side of my brain (which is quite gi-normous) is darting uncontrollably from Cuvee to Grapes to Blending Stuff to Chocolate! Everything good ends in Wine and Chocolate!  And My Cuvee of Chocolate Chili Rocks!

SANTA FE CHOCOLATE CHILI CUVEE

A rich version of Chili con Carne with bitter chocolate. More delicious than the non-chocolate traditional recipes! Very easy to make! You can add more chilies if you prefer a more spicy Chili con Carne!

Yield: 6 servings  

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 onions, chopped

2 pounds / 1 kg minced beef

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) tomatoes

2-4 red chilies, chopped

1 red sweet pepper, chopped

4 teaspoons ground cumin

½ teaspoon ground pepper

2 teaspoons oregano

2 bay leaves

2-3 teaspoons salt

1-2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) beans, drained

2 oz (60 g) bittersweet chocolate

Cheddar cheese for garnishing (optional) 

HOW TO MAKE IT:

   1. Cook the minced beef, onion and garlic in olive oil.

   2. Stir in tomatoes, chili, sweet pepper, salt and spices

        and cook for 15-30 minutes.

   3. Add more chili, salt or spices as required.

   4. Add beans and cook until heated.

   5. Add chocolate, mix well when melted.

   6. Serve with rice, cheddar cheese and a salad. 

THE THIRSTY QUESTION
What juicy red wine will go with my tasty “Santa Fe Chocolate Chili Cuveé”?
ANSWER: Mosey on over to Black Mesa Winery!  A few miles north of Santa Fe!  Discover this perfect pairing!

COYOTE ’06

Dark tannic red. Signature wine, blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Zinfindel. Silver Medal winner at New Mexico State Fair.

AWARDS

2008 BRONZE MEDAL at 2008 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

2008  SILVER MEDAL Lone Star International Wine Competition.

2008 SILVER MEDAL Southwest Wine competition.

2008 SILVER MEDAL New Mexico State Fair Wine Competition.

2007 SILVER MEDAL at 2007 New Mexico State Fair Wine Competition .

2007 BRONZE MEDAL Southwest Wine Competition.

BLACK MESA WINERY

PO Box 308
1502 Highway 68 – Mile Marker 15
Velarde, New Mexico 87582
1-800-852-6372
(505) 852-2820
(Fax) 505-852-2820
jer@blackmesawinery.com

Directions:
From Interstate 25 take the St. Francis exit in Santa Fe and go north toward Taos through Espanola. The Winery is located at mile post 15 on Highway 68. Click here to get driving directions to Velarde, NM from Mapquest

Winery Tours:
They are happy to give you or a group of your friends a tour of their winery! Please call them at 1-800-852-6372 or locally at 505-852-2820 to schedule a tour. You are also more than welcome to stop by the Tasting Room any time Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, or on Sunday Noon-6pm.