Report from ... Discover California Wines – April 2, 2012

The annual California / LCBO love it took the first part of the day.  California thanks the LCBO for its support and then continues by rubbing it in with enviable numbers like 196 million (dollars of California wine sold by the LCBO); 9 (percentage of increase in sales on the general list); 4 (where they sit in sales in the overall LCBO scheme); 1 (with 20% of Vintages sales that have taken over top spot); 72 and 84 (percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay – respectively – sold in Vintages).

Then up stood guest speaker, Evan Goldstein (MS) to speak about California and had a few of his own numbers to share: 7395 (number of wineries in the USA); 3519 (wineries in California); 18 (years of continuous growth of wine consumption in the US); 90 (percentage of US wine exports that were California wine).

Evan also gave his top ten of what is happening in the world of California wine ... some highlights:

1 - White wine is making a comeback – 40% of all new plantings are muscat and is the number 2 white wine, surpassing Sauvignon Blanc

2 - There is a Chardonnay Renaissance

4 - Alternative grapes are gaining traction

8 - Wines by the Keg at bars and restaurants – keeps freshness from first to last drop.

9 - Bloggers are the new world order –and don’t foreget social media.

Finally ... as for the wine, with close to 500 wines in the room it's hard to taste them all.

Prices given when available ... notes are limited

3 and a half star wines (*** 1/2)

Cuvaison 2010 Chardonnay - $29.95

MacRostie 2010 Chardonnay - $29.95

Aquinas 2009 Pinot Noir - $17.95

Freakshow 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon - $27.95

Esser Vineyards 2009 Merlot - $16.95

Pedroncelli 2009 Bushnell Vineyard Zinfandel - $21.95

Bennett Lane 2006 Maximus - $43.35

C.G. Di Arie Vineyards 2009 Red - $40.95

James Judd & Son Vineyards 2006 Malbec-Verdot - $26.00

Bacio Divino Cellars 2008 Cabernet Blend

C.G. Di Arie Vineyards 2009 Breakaway Zinfandel

Carneros Wine Company 2010 Fleur Pinot Noir

Justin Winery 2009 Syrah

Laurel Glen Vineyard 2009 Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon (fruit forward)

Paul Hobbs 2009 Chardonnay

Peter Franus 2009 Brandlin Zinfandel

World's End 2009 Against the Wind Cabernet Franc

Zaca Mesa Winery 2010 Viognier

3 and a half plus star wines (*** 1/2+)

MacRostie 2008 Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay

Foley 2009 Pinot Noir Rancho SR

Chateau St. Jean 2008 Cinq Cepage - $74.95

Lucas & Lewellen 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - $39.95

Vineyard 7 & 8 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Dry Creek Vineyard 2006 Mariner - $45.00

Bacio Divino Cellars 2008 Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon

Conway Vineyards 2008 Deep Sea Pinot Noir (earthy, sour cherry and cranberry)

Deerfield Ranch Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - $29.95

Deerfield Ranch Winery 2006 Old Vine Zinfandel - $56.75 (nice complexity)

Thomas George 2009 Starr Ridge Chardonnay

Thomas George 2009 Estate Pinot Noir

Vina Robles 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (with a touch of Tannat to make it interesting)

World's End 2009 Little Sister Merlot

4 star wines (****)

Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - $24.95

Elyse Winery 2007 Tietjen Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

C.G. Di Arie Vineyards 2008 Sierra Legend

Justin Winery 2009 Isosceles - $73.95

Justin Winery 2009 Savant

Star Lane 2007 Happy Canyon Red - $44.95

Bacio Divino 2008 Pazzo Sangiovese Blend

Bliss Vineyard 2007 Brutocao Hopeland Ranches

Bliss Vineyard 2010 Chardonnay - $16.99

Cliff Lede Vineyards 2010 Breggo Cellars Pinot Noir - $48.00

Cliff Lede 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon - $74.00

Simi 2008 Landslide Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - $45.00 (juicy black cherry)

Deerfield Ranch Winery 2007 Red Rex - $27.50

Rosenblum Cellars XXXII Zinfandel Cuvee

Foppiano Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir

Peter Franus 2006 Red Bordeaux Blend (smooth)

Thomas Fogarty 2006 Lexington Meritage (beauty of fruit with chocolate finish)

Thomas George 2009 Cresta Ridge Pinot Noir

World's End 2009 Crossfire Cabernet Sauvignon

Zaca Mesa Winery 2009 Chardonnay (1/2 stainless steel to keep the fruit)

Zaca Mesa Winery 2009 Syrah (first to plant Syrah in Santa Barbara county in '78)

4 plus star wines (****+)

7 Deadly Zins 2009 Zinfandel - $24.95

Bogle Vineyards 2008 Phantom - $26.95

Vina Robles 2009 Red4 - $17.95

Elyse Winery 2007 C'est Si Bon - $29.95

Bliss Vineyard 2008 Zindandel (friendly, juicy, delicious)

Bonny Doon Vineyard 2007 Le Cigar Volant

CA'Momi Wines 2010 Zinfandel - $25.00 (nice balance)

Elyse Winery 2008 Morisoli Zinfandel - $39.95 (really good)

Ravenswood 2007 Pickberry Red Blend

Thomas Fogarty 2009 Pinot Noir (earthy yet juicy)

For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com,

while there sign up for Michael's free bi-weekly newsletter.