win June 2007

win@thebarn.com

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[wine] Two Buck Chuck Chard Wins CA State Fair Tasting

by russellmccandless＠frontiernet.net

From James Laube's blog in Wine Spectator on line: James Laube Unfined A Chardonnay Shocker from the California State Fair Posted: 12:25 PM ET, June 27, 2007 During yesterday?s blind tasting in Napa, amid a flight of sumptuous 2005 Sonoma Coast Chardonnays from the likes of Paul Hobbs and Chasseur, came a news flash across my computer screen. Glad I was sitting down. Two-Buck Chuck, less known by its formal name of Charles F. Shaw, was judged the best Chardonnay from California at the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, held in Sacramento. The 2005 Two-Buck, with a California appellation, goes for $1.99 in California and a dollar more elsewhere. It's only sold at Trader Joe's. I know what you?re thinking because I?m thinking the same thing. How can this be? What?s next? Forrest Gump for president? Aliens plan to spring Paris Hilton from the joint? The moon really is a big wedge of green cheese? Since the state fair uses wine professionals as judges and the wines are tasted blind, the results stand on their own. Some 270 Chardonnays from 2005 were evaluated, so Two-Buck had plenty of competition. Still, I?m wondering if this bottling of Two-Buck is really that good. Or whether, more likely, that this is a result of a clean, fruity, non-oaked Chardonnay that has enough appeal to win the approval of a panel of judges? There?s no question that for many critics, too many Chardonnays are too oaky and there are questions about whether the wines are true to their appellations. Or whether, in the extreme, all Chardonnays taste alike, in which case it?s conceivable that Two-Buck could emerge a winner. If you?re wondering why this matters, well, here?s why. Think what you may about a $1.99 wine, but Two-Buck is impacting the market. It has sold 300 million bottles in five years and it continues to put downward pressure on wine prices, and at the end of the day, that?s great news for wine drinkers. Think it?s not popular? Check out a Trader Joe?s this weekend and watch as people wheel out shopping carts loaded with cases. James Laube Unfined No Passing the Buck: Here's My Take Posted: 11:58 AM ET, June 29, 2007 OK, so how good is Two-Buck Chuck Chardonnay, the reigning champion, and low-price leader of California Chardonnay? It didn?t take my staff long to buy a bottle from Trader Joe?s (and a second bottle was sent to my office in Napa) and slip it into yesterday?s blind tasting of Sonoma Chardonnays (even though Two Buck carries a California appellation and the appellation was not disclosed in my tasting). Well, the wine is certainly good and serviceable. I rated it about the same as I did last year (when it received an 83-point score). It?s simple, clean and fruity, with a light mix of citrus and herbal notes, though not especially varietal. The citrus-herb scent made me think it might have a dollop of Sauvignon Blanc. The label says 12.5 percent alcohol. No trace of wood, or oak chips! The irony, though, is that Two-Buck performed as well as a trio of Chardonnays that sold for up to $35 a bottle. I?ll spare those wineries the agony of disclosure until their scores are published in an upcoming issue of the magazine or on our website. One more element of intrigue: One of the Two-Buck's labels indicated it was bottled in Sonoma, while the other was bottled in Napa, so it would appear that there are at least two different bottlings in the market. It?s not uncommon for a wine of this volume to be made in different batches and for it to have multiple bottlings. The winery wouldn?t comment on the wine?s varietal make-up, or anything else, except to say that the wine?s owner, Fred Franzia, has bottling facilities in both counties. So when you pick up your bottle of Two-Buck Chuck for this weekend?s blind tasting, make note of where it was bottled.

18 years, 5 months

[wine] Rose' at Sapor

by Jim L. Ellingson

----- Forwarded message from "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> ----- Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 10:57:43 -0500 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:45:04 -0600 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Been a while since we've been to Sapor..... Stay Cool. Cheers, Jim We're going to Sapor at 6:30 on Thursday. Style du jour is Rose' We pay $5 per person in leu of corkage. Please include this amount (pre-tax and pre-tip) when computing the amount you owe. Part of their wine list is on their web site. If you happen to bring something that's on the list or the shelf (easier than you might think. Ask Russ about a split of something obscure he'd bought at a winery that was on their shelf as well.... ) we'll just save it for another week. We're never short of wine. http://www.saporcafe.com/ 428 N. Washington, Mpls 612 375 1971 Yes Bob Lori Betsy Sapor is very close to Sam's Wine Shop (closes at 8:00 M-Th). ----- End forwarded message -----

18 years, 5 months

[wine] Roper Rhone Rangers

by Jim L. Ellingson

----- Forwarded message from "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> ----- Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:45:49 -0500 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: [wine] Rhone Menu, The Dozens Thanks to all for replying. see you at 6:30. Vintage chart suggests 1997 and older N. Rhones may be ready. Betsy - green salad Alicia - veggie side ----- Forwarded message from "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> ----- Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:55:23 -0500 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: Rhone at Chez Louise on Thursday User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.9i X-Spam-Score: -1.44 () ALL_TRUSTED X-Scanned-By: MIMEDefang 2.56 on 128.101.142.226 Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:27:17 -0500 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: [wine] Rhone Wine at Chez Louise Greetings, We wanted to host one more dinner before we re-do the kitchen. This is your last chance to see the small flower wall paper and the Roper Range. Thursday 6/21 at 6:30. I have 5 lbs of Beef Tenderloin and will add to that as needed. Please bring a dish to share. ATTENTION! (Please) Contact and Coordinate w/ Louise no later than Tuesday 19 June so we can round out the menu as needed. LStich3(a)yahoo.com 612 822 1481 Wines. Reds from the Rhone and white Rhone varietals from anywhere. We're going to pour some older things. (Coordinate w/ Louise if you like.) Bubbles, dessert wines, white wines and "ringers" are always welcome. Of course champagne goes with everything and Pinot Noir/Burgundy is "very food friendly". :) Playlist Thank you all for coordinating with Louise. Jim/Louise Beef, grain breads, appetizer, mushrooms. Betsy Green Salad Warren Lentels Alicia Veggie Side Ted/Carman Rhubarb Dessert Karin/Nicolai Apps/Fruit/Fruit Salad Lori Apps/Fruit/Fruit Salad Bob Cheeses Dave Baguettes An Even Dozen w/ Bob and Dave. Contact us TODAY (6/18) or tomorrow evening by the latest if you can/will be joining us. It will be a fine evening. Address is 5219 Elliot Ave S., 55417 612 822 1481 lots of ways to get there. 35W to 46th st. S East to Chicago South to 52nd or 53rd. East one block to Elliot 1/2 block S or N to 5219. Alternates... Crosstown to Portland. North to 52 or 53, then east to Elliot. The M'haha Parkway to Chicago, S. to 52 or 53, east to Elliot. River Road to the Parkway from St. Paul and Portland all the way from downtown are good choices if the weather's bad or if 35 W is a parking lot. CONTSTRUCTION NOTICE: The Diamond Lake Road bridge and exits are no longer an option. Cheers, Jim ----- End forwarded message ----- -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Ellingson, jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 * ----- End forwarded message ----- -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Ellingson, jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *

18 years, 5 months

[wine] ladera tasting

by Annette Stadelman

Hi all, I'm sure many of you get Solo Vino's newsletter, but I wanted to extend a personal invite to the Ladera tasting tomorrow 4:30-6:30 at Solo Vino. Serious, but not over-the-top Cab's are their specialty and the owner, Pat Stotesbery, is from MN. His son, Dan, will be pouring their wines which retail for up to $75. If anyone cares, their Lone Canyon Cab was in the Spectator Top 100 last year. Hope to see you there! Annette Annette Stadelman, CWE Director of Wine Education & Restaurant Division Sales Phillips Wine and Spirits 1999 Shepard Road St. Paul, MN 55116 651-637-3351

18 years, 5 months

[wine] Rhone Menu, The Dozens

by Jim L. Ellingson

Thanks to all for replying. Vintage chart suggests 1997 and older N. Rhones may be ready. Betsy - green salad Alicia - veggie side Lori and Karin - ?? Fruit or fruit salad is open, as well as appetizer. ----- Forwarded message from "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> ----- Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:55:23 -0500 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: Rhone at Chez Louise on Thursday User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.9i X-Spam-Score: -1.44 () ALL_TRUSTED X-Scanned-By: MIMEDefang 2.56 on 128.101.142.226 Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:27:17 -0500 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: [wine] Rhone Wine at Chez Louise Greetings, We wanted to host one more dinner before we re-do the kitchen. This is your last chance to see the small flower wall paper and the Roper Range. Thursday 6/21 at 6:30. I have 5 lbs of Beef Tenderloin and will add to that as needed. Please bring a dish to share. ATTENTION! (Please) Contact and Coordinate w/ Louise no later than Tuesday 19 June so we can round out the menu as needed. LStich3(a)yahoo.com 612 822 1481 Wines. Reds from the Rhone and white Rhone varietals from anywhere. We're going to pour some older things. (Coordinate w/ Louise if you like.) Bubbles, dessert wines, white wines and "ringers" are always welcome. Of course champagne goes with everything and Pinot Noir/Burgundy is "very food friendly". :) Playlist Thank you all for coordinating with Louise. Jim/Louise Beef, grain breads, Betsy Green Salad Warren Lentels Alicia Veggie Side Ted/Carman Rhubarb Dessert Karin/Nicolai Apps/Fruit/Fruit Salad/??? Lori Apps/Fruit/Fruit Salad/??? Bob Cheeses Dave Baguettes/??? An Even Dozen w/ Bob and Dave. Contact us TODAY (6/18) or tomorrow evening by the latest if you can/will be joining us. It will be a fine evening. Address is 5219 Elliot Ave S., 55417 612 822 1481 lots of ways to get there. 35W to 46th st. S East to Chicago South to 52nd or 53rd. East one block to Elliot 1/2 block S or N to 5219. Alternates... Crosstown to Portland. North to 52 or 53, then east to Elliot. The M'haha Parkway to Chicago, S. to 52 or 53, east to Elliot. River Road to the Parkway from St. Paul and Portland all the way from downtown are good choices if the weather's bad or if 35 W is a parking lot. CONTSTRUCTION NOTICE: The Diamond Lake Road bridge and exits are no longer an option. Cheers, Jim ----- End forwarded message ----- -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Ellingson, jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *

18 years, 5 months

[wine] Rhone at Chez Louise on Thursday

by Jim L. Ellingson

Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:27:17 -0500 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: [wine] Rhone Wine at Chez Louise Greetings, We wanted to host one more dinner before we re-do the kitchen. This is your last chance to see the small flower wall paper and the Roper Range. Thursday 6/21 at 6:30. I have 5 lbs of Beef Tenderloin and will add to that as needed. Please bring a dish to share. ATTENTION! (Please) Contact and Coordinate w/ Louise no later than Tuesday 19 June so we can round out the menu as needed. LStich3(a)yahoo.com 612 822 1481 Wines. Reds from the Rhone and white Rhone varietals from anywhere. We're going to pour some older things. (Coordinate w/ Louise if you like.) Bubbles, dessert wines, white wines and "ringers" are always welcome. Of course champagne goes with everything and Pinot Noir/Burgundy is "very food friendly". :) Playlist Jim/Louise Beef, grain breads, Ted/Carman Betsy Karin Warren Seven is a very lucky number. Seven people works fine for us. Up to 12 is doable. Contact us TODAY (6/18) or tomorrow evening by the latest if you can/will be joining us. (Does anyone know if Bob and Dave T are coming?) My apologies if you've told me you're coming and I've forgotten. Just call/write and remind me. It will be a fine evening. Address is 5219 Elliot Ave S., 55417 612 822 1481 lots of ways to get there. 35W to 46th st. S East to Chicago South to 52nd or 53rd. East one block to Elliot 1/2 block S or N to 5219. Alternates... Crosstown to Portland. North to 52 or 53, then east to Elliot. The M'haha Parkway to Chicago, S. to 52 or 53, east to Elliot. River Road to the Parkway from St. Paul and Portland all the way from downtown are good choices if the weather's bad or if 35 W is a parking lot. CONTSTRUCTION NOTICE: The Diamond Lake Road bridge and exits are no longer an option. Cheers, Jim

18 years, 5 months

[wine] La Belle Vie

by Karin Teder

*+* * La Belle Vie <http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe3315747461037e701571&ls=fdf0117277610675741d757d&m…>* is hosting a bring-your-own-bottle wine dinner on Monday, June 25. Chef/owner Tim McKee will prepare a five-course dinner, e-mailed to guests two weeks prior, so oenophiles can plan. Corkage fees will be waived for the evening. /$95, excluding tax and tip. 6 p.m. Reservations, 612-874-6440./

18 years, 5 months

[wine] Fhima Finale

by Jim L. Ellingson

----- Forwarded message from Bruce Adomeit <badomeit(a)startribune.com> ----- Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:02:28 -0500 From: Bruce Adomeit <badomeit(a)startribune.com> Subject: Restaurant closing Fhima's, in St. Paul, serving its last meal this Saturday Six years after St. Paul spent $700,000 of public money to spruce up space for the trendy Fhima's, the Wabasha Street restaurant is going kaput. Saturday will be the last night for the downtown eatery. The city owns the Lawson Commons retail space along Wabasha and leased the space to restaurateur David Fhima, 46, who also is an executive at Lifetime Fitness. "Fhima's has been a great asset for the last six years, and it's unfortunate he can't continue to make a go of it," said Cecile Bedor, the city's director of planning and economic development. Bedor said city planners have met with two real estate brokers, who expressed confidence that the space can be leased to another restaurant by summer's end. In 2001, city planners lured Fhima, chef and owner at the old Mpls. Cafe, to downtown St. Paul in hopes that his French Mediterranean cuisine and glitzy ambiance would lend hipness to the city's core. Bedor said that LoTo, the other St. Paul restaurant with Fhima connections, will stay in business. It's owned by Lifetime Fitness and overlooks Mears Park. Fhima had been experiencing financial troubles and owes back rent at the restaurant that bears his name. Fhima's Louis XIII in Southdale Mall in Edina went out of business in 2005. ----- End forwarded message ----- -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Ellingson, jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *

18 years, 5 months

[wine] Ingredients Wine Dinner - July 5th

by Joyce Hegstrom

Hi I've talked to the chefs at Ingredients in White Bear Lake and they would love to have us back. The wine theme will be chardonnay and sparkling wine. When I asked whether they wanted us to order off the menu they replied "let us create a dinner for you!" Cost will be $55 including tax/tip and a multi-course "chef's choice" meal (yet to be determined). Being July 5th is a vacation week, I need to get a preliminary count of how many of us there will be and get back to them early next week. If you think you can be there, please let me know by next Tuesday. A minimum of 8 is needed. Thanks. Bubbles P.S. Since this is a holiday week travel to WBL should be easier than the last time we were there!!!!!

18 years, 5 months

[wine] Rhone Wine at Chez Louise

by Jim L. Ellingson

----- Forwarded message from "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> ----- Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 11:43:42 -0600 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Greetings, We wanted to have one more dinner before we redo the kitchen. Thursday 6/21 at 6:30. I have 5 lbs of Tenderloin and will add to that as needed. Please bring a dish to share. Please coordinate w/ Louise no later than 18 June so we can round out the menu as needed. LStich3(a)yahoo.com 612 822 1481 Wines. Reds from the Rhone and white rhone varietals from anywhere. We're going to pour some older things. Bubbles, dessert wines, white wines and "ringers" always welcome. Of course champagne goes with everything and Pinot Noir/Burgundy is "very food friendly". :) Playlist Jim/Louise Beef, grain breads, Should be a fine evening. Address is 5219 Elliot Ave S., 55417 612 822 1481 lots of ways to get there. 35W to 46th st. S East to Chicago South to 52nd or 53rd. East one block to Elliot 1/2 block S or N to 5219. Alternates... Crosstown to Portland. North to 52 or 53, then east to Elliot. The M'haha Parkway to Chicago, S. to 52 or 53, east to Elliot. River Road to the Parkway from St. Paul and Portland all the way from downtown are good choices if the weather's bad or if 35 W is a parking lot. Cheers, Jim -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Ellingson, jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *

18 years, 5 months

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