beer, wine & culinary miscellany
News
Calistoga AVA Gets OK From Feds
0
Napa Valley's New Calistoga AVA
Calistoga has finally been granted its own American Viticultural Area (AVA) appellation, after the federal government issued a long-awaited decision Thursday, ending a contentious years-long battle between vintners.
Spearheading the effort was Bo Barrett of the famed Chateau Montelena along with Rep. Mike Thompson and the help of the Napa Valley Vintners. Barrett formally petitioned the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to recognize Calistoga as a Napa Valley sub-appellation citing its unique soil composition, microclimate, as well as its long history of quality viticulture and oenology. Chateau Montelena is one such example, established back in 1882 and bringing great prestige to the winemakers of California after their ’73 Chardonnay won a blind tasting against French counterparts at the Judgment of Paris (did you see Bottle Shock?).
The major setback for the movement came about after the much-protested opening of the Calistoga Cellars tasting room in Calistoga. Despite the use of the Calistoga name, vintners complained that there was a truth-in-labeling conflict since their wines were made with grapes from other areas of the valley. Subject to this latest ruling, they, along with Calistoga Estate Vineyards, have three years to either change their brand names or begin sourcing their grapes exclusively from the newly defined AVA.
“I am extremely pleased to announce that Calistoga has finally been designated as an American Viticultural Area, a long overdue and much deserved distinction,” said Thompson in a press release. “It has been a long road, but like the incredible wines made in Calistoga, we will savor this wonderful news. We should all raise a glass to the new Calistoga AVA.”
Calistoga will now join the ranks of 14 other celebrated Napa Valley sub-appellations including Oakville, Stags Leap District, Los Carneros, Mt. Veeder, and Rutherford.
Wine Enthusiast Top 25 Beers of 2009
0
Beer Man © Alberto Gottardo
Wine Enthusiast has released their list of Top 25 Beers of 2009, a newcomer joining their annual Top Wine & Spirits lists, no doubt a testament to the well-deserved growing popularity of craft beer and microbreweries.
Top honors were given to Captain Lawrence Rosso e Marrone, a sour ale aged for two years in oak with the addition of Zinfandel and Merlot grapes that was given 95 out of a possible 100 points. (Despite the usual stigma associated with Brettanomyces in the wine world, it’s interesting to note their affinity for it in the beer realm.)
California beers were featured prominently, with The Lost Abbey raking in two brews on the prestigious list, the only brewery to do so. Tomme Arthur’s special releases — Cuvee de Tomme and Duck-Duck-Gooze — both scored an impressive 93 points. Stone Brewing Company Vertical Epic 09.09.09 came in at 92 points, as did their Special Winter Ale collaboration with Nøgne Ø and Jolly Pumpkin, although it was Nøgne Ø’s version that was awarded the spot.
Rounding out the California nods on the list of top beers are Orchard White from The Bruery and Russian River Beatification, each boasting 93 points, as well as Sierra Nevada Summerfest coming in with a score of 91.
Ratings and reviews of all 25 craft beers to be honored can be found here. (PDF)
