They Just Keep On Comin'

If you like Rhone Valley varietals, or if you would like to see if you do, a  new Carmel Valley wine tasting venue--Marilyn Remark-- is for you.  

  

     Our tasting experience there was quite educational and entertaining.  The tasting room manager, Jack Pickworth--or as he called himself, "the guy in the black hat"--has a philosophy that guides his approach to wine.  It's "friends, food, and wine," in that order.  When you go, plan to get hungry because Jack suggests succulent food pairings for each of the wines, and often suggests the appropriate setting.

     Here are a few of the wines we enjoyed, with Jack's suggested pairings, and comments:

     2010 Marsanne (white) with Brie and almonds, overlooking the ocean; 2010 Viognier (white) with its "nice smooth mouth ride over the tongue" with scallops or swordfish; 2010 Roussane for that rosemary chicken in the clay pot at 275 degrees for two hours; 2012 Rose de Saignee (made from Grenache)--"a 2 p.m. pool wine"--gotta love it!; 2009 Grenache (a fruity red from Los Ositos Vineyard) for those cheeseburger days; and finally, if lamb chops are calling you, reach for the 2011 Syrah.

     The tasting is only $5 for seven tastes-- three whites, three reds, and one rose.  You'll learn a lot about wine and food, and, if you're lucky, have the company of the tasting room dog, Sammy. 

     And if you're wondering, as we did, who Marilyn Remark is, she's the wife of the owner/wine maker Joel Bernstein.  Their winery is located on River Road in Salinas; their Carmel Valley location is on the East End Wine Row (where Silvestri's used to be) and is open Thursdays and Fridays, 1-6, Saturdays and Sundays 12-6. 

     Look for "The Remark of the Week" on the wine tasting bar.

Wine for Thanksgiving

       There we were... having an early Thanksgiving with friends.  Why not?  Isn't there a saying about "the early bird catches the worm?" 

       We had a delightful day with all the basic fixin's-- glorious golden turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffed zucchini and onions from my family cookbook, bread sausage stuffing, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream--preceded by a prayer of thanks for all the blessings in our lives and accompanied by a special Carmel Valley wine.  What could be better.

        Our wine?  A Chesebro Roussanne. It was a rather spontaneous choice.  I walked into the Chesebro Wine Tasting Room to pick up my wine club wine and asked what they would serve with a Thanksgiving turkey.  Roussanne was the first answer; since I knew I liked the wine, that's what I bought.  A nice medium bodied Rhone blend--Roussanne (85%), Vermentino (10%), and Sauvignon Blanc Musque (5%), all from grapes grown in Carmel Valley mountains-- it was perfect...as would have been many of Chesebro's other unique, very affordable wines.

        I also wandered over to the Bernardus tasting room and bought another one of my current favorite wines, a 2011 Saignée de Pinot Noir, a true rosé from grapes from the Santa Lucia Highlands, which we thought would be a wonderful light crisp wine with the turkey.  We were so prudent, however, that we never even got to it.  Thank goodness there are more holidays ahead.

        After our event, I got curious as to what Carmel Valley wineries might suggest for the traditional Thanksgiving turkey extravaganza.  Here are some responses: 

Bernardus: 2009 or 2010 Pinot Noirs (Santa Lucia Highlands); Chateau Julien: 2011 Pinot Grigio Reserve or the 2013 Gewurtztraminer...to be bottled on the 19th, and released soon after, just in time for Thanksgiving; Dawn's Dream: 2011 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay, 2011 Alyssa Pinot Noir; Georis: 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, 2012 Les Abeilles Rose, 2011 Cabernet Franc; Parsonage: 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, 2011 Red Wine (their biggest seller), 2009 Bordelaise; Talbott: 2012 Kali Hart Pinot Noir ("for easy pre-dinner drinking"), 2012 Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir.  And, as you know, there are many more Carmel Valley wineries to check with for their suggestions.

And this is just a beginning...

        No matter what wine you have for Thanksgiving, may the holiday bring you tasty fare, good companionship and many blessings.