 |
Madrona Winery gets in the mood
with its Lake Tahoe-themed wine |
One of my favorite Tahoe-area summer wine events is the
“Taste of Gold,” which benefits the Lake Tahoe Community College
Foundation. Why the name? Well, it’s all about wines from El Dorado,
that California county over there on the South side of Lake Tahoe. The term El
Dorado, meaning “the golden one” was coined by Spanish explorers in the mid
1500’s as they sought a city of gold believed to lie in the heart of the Amazon jungle. To find your “gold” in terms of good wine
from the Sierra Foothills, simply attend the event, held each year on
campus. Top wineries from El Dorado
County offer many wines to taste.
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| Jen Tomei pours Boeger Wines |
Boeger Winery, Placerville, 2012 Pinot Gris. It has aromas of honey, peach and green apple. On the palate, I
like the hint of spice and the fact that it is light and delicate makes it a
great summer wine. Grapes are sourced from Boeger’s own Pinot Grande
vineyard. $15 the bottle. 13.5 percent alcohol. www.boegerwinery.com
 |
Tina & Charlie Bruess
pour for Crystal Basin |
Crystal Basin Cellars, Camino, 2010 Petite Sirah. A warm
black cherry aroma leads to two distinct layers of flavor featuring, on the one
hand, blueberries and on the other, soft tannins. $27
the bottle. 15.8 percent alcohol. www.crystalbasin.com
 |
Connie Varvais & friend
pour for Holly's Hill |
Holly’s Hill Vineyards, Placerville, 2007 Patriarche. This is a delicious blend of Rhone
wines: 63 percent Mourvedre, 19 percent
Syrah, 13 percent Grenache Noir, 5 percent Counoise. Aroma and taste of strawberries, dark berries
and plum with complex spices. This wine
has a nice earthiness, good acidity and smooth tannins. I love this blend. $30 the bottle. 14.4 percent alcohol. www.hollyshill.com
Perry Creek Winery, Fair Play, 2011 Zinman Rose. Aroma of strawberry and hints of flowers, and
a taste that come in layers of all the fruits of summer. This is a light, dry and delightful Rose that
is easy to drink. $12 the bottle.14.2 percent alcohol. www.perrycreek.com
 |
Carolyn Silan pours
for Colibri Ridge |
Colibri Ridge Winery, Fair Play, 2007 Barbera Fair
Play. Wow, a whopper of a wine at 16.1
percent alcohol but tannin-lovers will find this delicious with berry aroma
that leads to a mouthful of lush tasting blackberry, cherry, raspberry and
blueberries. $21.50 the bottle.
www.colibriridge.com
 |
Nello Olivo pours his wines for
Sarah Deliniere |
Nello Olivo Winery,
Placerville, 2009 Merlot. Try this wine
if you’ve become jaded about Merlot.
It’s quite a bold Merlot, made in the Bordeaux style. $39.50 the bottle. 13.7 percent alcohol. www.nelloolivo.com
Other El Dorado wineries pouring were Lava Cap and Madrona,
both located near Placerville.
Lake Tahoe Community College is located in South Lake Tahoe;
more at www.ltcc.edu. Attendees enjoyed the event featuring El Dorado wines and the cuisine of Lake Tahoe, held on the Ledbetter Terrace and Demonstration Gardens at the College.
If you missed this event, I suggest a visit
to the tasting rooms of these wineries.
There are dozens of great visits you can make in a day from Lake
Tahoe. Check the El Dorado Wine
Association map at www.eldoradowines.org/map.php
This review appeared in my Wine Time column,
The Tahoe Weekly, on August 8, 2013
