1976 marked a triumphant turning point for California wine. An English wine merchant in Paris organized a blind tasting that pitted prestigious French wines against new contenders, the California wines. It was almost laughable to the French — even when the Californians nabbed the highest scores for both red and whites, the 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon and the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay.
And the California legacy still carries on today. Even if our delicious wines are mostly made up in Napa Valley, we can still enjoy the trickle-down effect in Orange County.
Here are some upcoming events for all you connoisseurs and beginners:
Trivia & Gourmet Pizza Night at The Wine Artist
Assemble your team of two to four people and head to The Wine Artist for a night of trivia, five wine tastings and gourmet pizza on Thursday, April 8, 2010, from 6-8:30 p.m. First place earns a bottle of wine for each team member, second place team members receive a bottle of wine to split and a voucher for a tasting, and third place wins one bottle for the team. If you’d rather skip the trivia and simply delve into some tastings, The Wine Artist’s tasting room is open Tuesday-Saturday from 12–6 p.m. You can also treat your mom for Mother’s Day on May 1, with a brunch, raffle prizes, shopping booths, and of course, wine from 1-4 p.m. Tickets are $40 presale or $50 at the door. Splurge for VIP admission ($55 presale, $65 at the door) and enjoy Champagne and hors d’oeuvres while customizing your own wine label. 21064 Bake Pkwy, Lake Forest
Register: 949.297.3656 :: info@thewineartist.com
The Artistry of Wine Series
Most Sundays, the oceanfront resort Montage Laguna Beach offers wine tastings and seminars in The Loft Bistro. The series welcomes novices and experts alike, and every tasting includes four wines — usually two reds and two whites, unless otherwise noted — and a cheese plate. Be sure to request the “Perfect Bite,” a slice of cheese combined with other yummy ingredients designed to be eaten in one go. Upcoming tastings: I Drank What? Blends, Part 3 (April 11), Wines of Alsace (April 18), New Zealand (April 25), Celebrate Women in Wine (May 2), Hidden Treasures of the United States (May 16) and Artisan Sake (May 23). Sundays, 2-4 p.m. $35 per person
Register: 949.715.6420
A Taste of Tuscany with Leonardo Frescobaldi at The Wine Exchange
On April 15, the Wine Exchange welcomes Leonardo Frescobaldi to lead a tasting of Tuscan wines. The native Florentine, director of marketing of Marchesi de Frescobaldi, has rich family ties to wine’s history in Tuscany and a vast knowledge of wine. April 15, 4-6 p.m. $9 per person. 1500 E. Village Way, Orange
Reservations: 714.974.1454 or winex.com
Alexander Valley Wines at Prego Ristorante
Prego Ristorante celebrates spring on April 16 at 7 p.m. with a five-course authentic Italian meal priced at $54.95. Best of all, each dish is paired with an Alexander Valley wine. 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine
Reservations: 949.553.1333 :: pregoristoranti.com
“Hot Picks” From Napa Valley
La Maison Gourmet, a wine and cheese specialty shop in Mission Viejo, will be having a tasting of six vintage wines from Napa Valley on April 16. Enjoy cheese plates, pates, appetizers, and chocolate fondue on the lakeside terrace while learning about the wines from a wine connoisseur. April 16, 6-8:30 p.m. $35 per person. 27772 Vista del Lago, Mission Viejo
Reservations: 949.916.4810
Indigenous Italy: Italian Wines You’ve Never Heard of Before
UC Irvine Extension will host the first and only university-level wine studies program in Southern California from April 19-May 18. The structured classes provide curriculum designed by instructor Marlene Rossman of Manhattan Wine Seminars, who has led wine seminars and events for businesses and individuals for numerous years.
Register: unex.uci.edu
California Wine Festival, Orange County
Orange County welcomes the California Wine Festival in a celebration of California’s extraordinary wines and delectable seafood. On April 22, the festival kicks off with the Tastes of the Future: 21st Century Classics event, pairing sustainable seafood delicacies with organic and biodynamic wines at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel from 6:30-9 p.m. On April 23 from 6:30-9 p.m., the Dana Point Yacht Club hosts the Sunset Rare & Reserve Wine Tasting event in which guests taste the rarest finds and enjoy gourmet food samplings and live jazz. On April 24, the Beachside Wine Festival along Doheny State Beach wraps up the festivities with an afternoon of wine tastings, food sampling, live music, and even local brews beginning at 1 p.m.
Purchase tickets to one or all events: californiawinefestival.com
Earth Day Wine Tasting at Anne’s Boutique Wines
Celebrate Earth Day at Anne’s Boutique by tasting only organic and biodynamic wines. April 22-23. 270 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa
Reservations: 949.631.6627 :: annesboutiquewines.com
Learn About Wine (L.A.W.) School
This four-week course at the St. Regis Monarch Beach is called L.A.W. school because it’s serious: Be prepared to take notes, read and study under Ian Blackburn, a Napa Valley Vintners Ambassador and experienced sommelier. May 3: An introduction to wine, how wine is made, grape types, Riedel tasting seminar, regional wine overview, and California tasting. May 10 and 17: The Southern Hemisphere — France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean. May 24: Wine and food, wine and health, wine service, purchasing and storage, wine lists, and tastings. Course is $475
Register: 949.234.3200 :: thelawonwine.com
Tres Sabores at the Wine Lab
On May 7, Julie Johnson of the family-run ranch and organic winemaker Tres Sabores brings along three of her best organic wines for tasting: ’08 Sauvignon Blanc, ’07 Porque No and ’07 Zinfandel. 2901 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach
Reservations: 949.515.8466 :: winelabnewport.com
2nd Annual Sunday in the Vineyard Fundraiser at The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
The Winery Restaurant, located in The District at Tustin Legacy, will be holding a fundraiser for two nonprofits, the Marconi Foundation for Kids and the Child Guidance Center, on Sunday, May 23. Taste over 60 wines from around the globe, enjoy a live cooking station and participate in a live and silent auction, all for a good cause. May 23, 2-5 p.m. $125 per person
Purchase tickets: 714.258.3001 :: marconimuseum.org
