Galante Gazette September 2014

20th Anniversary Celebration – 1994-2014

I cannot believe that 20 years ago in September we opened our new winery and brought in our first harvest! It certainly doesn’t feel like 20 years! Dawn and I want to celebrate this anniversary with you in Grand Style so we decided to throw a 20-Year Anniversary Celebration at the winery on October 11 from 1 to 4PM. We will have available over 30 wines to taste starting with our first vintage of 1994 and spanning our history. There will be plenty of tasty treats prepared by Master Chef Mark Ayers, raffle prizes, extra special pricing on ALL library wines, and much more. This is a not to miss event. Tickets are $45/person with advance reservations ($55 after Oct. 6th). Wine Gang members receive a $5 discount. IN ADDITION, for those who do not want to drive, we are providing limited chauffeured transportation from both the Mouth of the Valley (Crossroads Shopping Center) and Garland Park (parking lot). Transportation MUST be reserved in advance and space is limited ($20 per person). Tickets to this event are available on our website or by calling Danielle at 831-624-3800. Thanks for all your support over the past 20 years and we look forward to seeing you at the celebration!

2012 Grand Champion Release

Grand Champion is our best of the best and this is only the second time we have produced this fabulous blend! Our last vintage was the 2007. First we select only the finest vintages, then we hand select the best grapes from our vineyards and age the wine in 100% new French Oak barrels. Lastly we pick the best barrels from those lots to create this winning blend, which may vary in composition each year. Our 2012 consists of 38% Malbec, 37% Petit Sirah and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Upon pouring this wine you will immediately be struck by its dark garnet color. The nose explodes with rich berry and currant characters and a lovely balance of vanilla and oak. After a short time in the glass, the flavors explode with robust and lingering tastes of Marion berry, blackberry and dark chocolate. This wine is presented in 6-bottle wooden cases, branded with the Grand Champion logo and, although drinking beautifully now, it will last for many years to come. ORDER NOW!

Galante Vineyards Gift Cards

We are very pleased to introduce a new way of sharing Galante Wines with your friends and family: GALANTE GIFT CARDS. Sometimes it can be difficult to choose the wine that will be most appreciated and our Gift Cards take the guess work away. In addition, there are no shipping charges for you since the gift recipient can use their gift card for both wine purchases (and retail items) as well as shipping charges. The cards come in denominations of $25 and $50 and may be purchased and redeemed on-line as well as at the tasting room. If giving as gifts, we can mail the cards out directly for you at no charge with your personal note. ORDER ON-LINE or visit the Tasting Room in Carmel.

Wine of the Month – 2010 Ace High Malbec

Each month we select one wine to highlight with a very special offer. Our 2010 Ace High is September's Wine of the Month. With a lovely bouquet of boysenberry and violet and a flavor profile of spicy plum and blackberry, this is a rich and juicy wine with modest tannins. My personal favorite Malbec to date! This month ONLY, buy 6 or more bottles and receive free shipping! ORDER NOW!

Upcoming Events

Sept 13: Carmel-by-the-Glass, Devendorf Park, Carmel, CA; 2-5pm

Rich Pèpe and I are pleased to present the 3rd Annual Carmel-by-the-Glass. Mingle with locals and visitors while you enjoy regional wines, light bites and music by Terry Shehorn and the Hornets, all set to a wine harvest theme. All twelve of Carmel’s wine tasting rooms will showcase their wines, with light appetizers provided by Carmel restaurants and live jazz to set the scene of a lovely afternoon in Carmel. Guests will have the ability to sample local wine grapes at the “Guess the Grape” tasting table and there will be a fun raffle as well. 100% of net proceeds benefit the Carmel Mission Foundation! To order tickets call 831-402-PEPE (7373) or go on our website at www.carmelbytheglass.com. Guests must be 21 years of age and over.

Sept 19: Library Tasting, Galante Vineyards Tasting Room, Carmel, CA; 4-6PM

Join Jack and the team at the Tasting Room for an in-depth tasting of several select library wines. Enjoy extra special pricing on your favorite choices of the evening. What better way to start off a wonderful evening in Carmel, and don’t forget to take advantage of complimentary corkage at many local fine-dining establishments. Tickets are $20 ($10 for Wine Gang Members). RSVP at 831-624-3800 or by E-mail.

Oct. 11: Galante Vineyards 20th Anniversary Celebration, Galante Vineyards, Carmel Valley, CA; 1-4pm

Join us as we celebrate 20 years of friends, fun, and especially, FANTASTIC WINES!!  Come on out to sample over 30 library wines, enjoy great food, enter for your chance at fun raffle prizes, and enjoy harvest season at the winery. Tickets are $45 for Advance Purchase ($55 after Oct. 6th).  Wine Gang members receive a $5 discount. Chauffeured transportation is also offered at $20 per person with advance reservations. For more information and to order tickets visit our WEBSITE or call 831-624-3800.

Nov. 15: Annual Blending Bash, Galante Vineyards, Carmel Valley, CA; 11-3pm

Yup, it's that time for you to try your skills at blending your own wine. We welcome you to the Galante property for an educational and entertaining afternoon. The ticket price includes a fabulous lunch prepared by Chef Jack himself, all the wine you could ever hope to taste, an informative seminar on wine blending, and, after blending your own wine, a fun and friendly blind tasting competition. Included in the cost of the event ($500) is a full case of your own one-of-a-kind blend with your custom label to add to your wine cellar. Additional cases are available for purchase. So, if you would like to be a Master Blender then come on out and try your hand. Guests of the Master Blender who would like to assist or just have a great lunch and enjoy the seminar can purchase tickets for $100 each. These tickets do not include a case of wine but do include the great lunch. Call 831-624-3800 or email Danielle to reserve your spot today! Limited availability so book early!

Jack’s Saddlebag – To Pair or Not To Pair

I am so often asked about what food to pair with what wine and, as a chef as well as a winemaker, I certainly appreciate that perfectly paired dish with the appropriate wine. When I am preparing a meal and deciding on the wine(s) I do tend to follow these general principles:

1. Champagne works with anything salty (think Caviar).
2. Sauvignon Blanc is excellent with tart foods and sauces  (Sautéed Scallops with grapefruit)
3. Viognier is delightful with grilled seafood, foul and exotic spice  (Chicken with a curry peanut sauce)
4. Chardonnay prefers fatty fish and richer sauces (Shrimp Scampi with butter and garlic)
5. Rieslings, slightly sweet, enjoy sweet and spicy dishes (lots of Asian dishes)
6. Dry Rose pairs beautifully with cheese and cheese dishes (Croque Monsieur) – and is perfect with a plate of steamed mussels and pommes frites!
7. Pinot Noir is perfect with earthy dishes (Leak and Mushroom wood-fired Pizza)
8. Sangiovese doesn’t get any better than with Tuscan food (Papardelle with Veal Ragu)
9. Malbec is inspired by sweet-spicy barbeque sauces (Asian spare ribs)
10. Zinfandel pairs well with rich pates and mousses (Chicken liver pate)
11. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and most all Bordeaux blends love grilled red meats    (Cowboy cut Ribeye)
12. Sauternes of course are magically paired with Foie Gras.

More than the base food itself, wines should be paired with the spices, sauces, and flavors that accompany them. The main thing is to experiment with various dishes and wines, and above all, if you enjoy the wine with whatever you are eating, then it works! Have fun and be creative, don’t be afraid to experiment. Enjoy!