Just returned, once again, from traveling abroad. As a world traveling wine writer, I’m continually sampling wines from abroad and often buy otherwise impossible-to-find bottles or (better yet) am provided samples. Trouble is, today the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) doesn’t allow wine bottles to be brought back as airline carry-on luggage unless they’re purchased as duty-free at the airport. (Sounds like a scam to me.) More than a couple of bottles in checked luggage can get too heavy and cost travelers plenty in overweight charges. (Hmmm, maybe this is another argument for good boxed wine?)
After repeatedly asking the TSA for clarification, I’ve still been given no information about what the restrictions concerning wine actually are and when they might be lifted. So for now, I suggest shipping wines or properly, tightly boxing up wine as luggage. This reminds me of an old joke:
A vulture enters an airport dragging a dead pig. When he gets to the security gate, they tell him he has to check the pig.
“Check it?” the vulture asks, “Why? It’s carrion!”
Anyway…
Anticipation is building
Napa’s wealthy and generous Gasser Foundation has received the go-ahead from the Napa City Council to begin development of an 80-acre site in South Napa. The foundation, which has contributed more than $16 million in grants to Napa schools, social service agencies and local hospitals, plans on building up to 500 housing units, a 12-screen movie theater and 150,000 square feet of office and commercial space. The plan also includes a 60-bed homeless shelter. The city of Napa and the Gasser Foundation have been negotiating this plan for years and have finally smoothed out the final wrinkles. Along with the entire Oxbow District, this future development again reinforces how Napa will be transformed in the years to come.
At press time, construction on the Wal-Mart Supercenter in American Canyon remains on hold as the permit process is stalled in court with environmental issues in question. This new mega-Wal-Mart is supposed to anchor the Napa Junction project, which also features a retail center south of Napa Junction Road, a 216-unit apartment complex and a three-acre park. The funny thing is, there already is a Wal-Mart in the city of Napa (on Lincoln and Soscol) not too many miles up the road.
A star is born
A Napa-wide version of “American Idol,” called “Idol NV,” is taking place at the Napa Valley Opera House. Students ages 13 through 18 can sign up to take a shot at stardom by performing solo or in a duet in any musical genre. Performances take place Saturday nights through March 3rd. Preliminary winners move on to the two championship rounds, which begin March 17th. Fans of “American Idol,” here’s your chance to cheer on the local budding stars—and duds. More info is available at www.nvoh.org.
As you probably know, under the Napa Valley Vintners Association’s Napa Neighbor program, residents of Napa Valley can get free tastings and other great deals from many local wineries. There’s a list of deals at www.napavintners.com. In addition, many wineries post coupons on their websites. These tastings are given free to Napa County residents, but Sonomans with a smile can often get free sips, too.
Wine news
According to statistics compiled by St. Helena’s MKF Research for the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers, the wine industry and all of the industries associated with it contributed $51.8 billion to the economic health of the state in 2005. And the national wine industry had a huge impact on the United States’ economy, accounting for $103 billion overall. The total impact on California’s economy was 14 percent higher than the 2004 figure of $45.4 billion, and growth was nearly 60 percent over MKF Research’s first report issued in 2000. The company did not include figures for the national economy in its previous reports. Some numbers:
• $16.5 billion. Retail value for 2005 California wine.
• $2.7 billion. Number of 750 ml bottles of California wine produced in 2005.
• 477,000. Total winegrape-bearing acres in California.
Also, visitors to California wineries increased by 33 percent (to 19.7 million) in 2005 compared to 2004, and they collectively spent $2 billion, an increase of 57 percent over the previous year. Wine rules!
Wines of note
I recently sampled a surprisingly supple, very pleasant Bogle Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. This wine, at a delightfully reasonable $13, is a great find. Typically earthy and chock full of florals, it should please many palates. It did mine.
Andeluna is a stirring Reserve Malbec from Argentina. Not overly hearty, this mountain (4,200 ft.) Malbec has crisp tannins, balanced fruit and an elegant structure, plus a fine, lingering mouthfeel. This is a delicate wine selling for approximately $23. Andeluna Cellars’ wines are produced at a striking new state-of-the-art winery located at the base of the Andes mountain range in Mendoza, Argentina. What a great place to visit. Incidentally, the Andeluna 2003 Reserve Malbec was awarded a Double Gold medal from the San Francisco International Wine Competition.
ZD’s 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunner. The winemakers have expertly selected low-yielding fruit from the eastern bench land to create a structured wine with notes of tobacco, blackberry and cassis. Not too tannic and just right on the palate with a consistent finish, this is a “wow” wine sure to impress.
I’m continuing to enjoy Hess Collection’s Cellar Door Red, a Mount Veeder appellation blend of 90 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 percent Petit Verdot. It’s impressive—and such a deal?! Stored in oak for 10 months, this wine comes in one-liter and half-gallon refillable bottles. Purchasers of the Hess Collection’s commemorative bottles are invited to return to the winery on the second weekend of each month to refill their bottles with wine. And the price of $18 for an original half gallon and only $15 for a refill is definitely right.
Last, I was informed that the Napa Valley Poker Club, a motley collection of local winemakers, restaurateurs, businessmen and other social misfits, donated $600 to the Napa Food Bank at holiday time. Good show, boys!
