No ratings, no hype, just straight talk about Wine/Spirits, Food and Travel.
WINE, SPIRITS, & OTHER BEVERAGES: As a wine writer for over a decade including some of the top wine publications in the world, and wine, spirits judge at competitions from California to West Virginia to Puerto Rico and Portugal, I've tasted a lot of great stuff. My goal is to find the best wines, spirits, beers and bottled waters at prices commensurate with quality. Here are some excellent choices.
Ice wine: wine made from grapes that have stayed on the vine so long they form ice crystals inside the grapes, and they have very concentrated sugars. True ice wines (there are a lot of fake ice wines out there - grapes sitting in a freezer somewhere which taste more like cough syrup because of the additives) are pricy, due to horrible harvesting conditions, usually in the dead of winter, and the tiny amount of juice you can squeeze out of a grape. So if you’re gonna spend money on these, the Inniskillin ice wines from Canada are stunners, and well worth the price tag.
The purity, the depth of flavor including sweetness, acidity and viscosity cannot be understated. They are liquid love. They make a variety of versions: Vidal, Cabernet Franc, Riesling and others. Just get a bottle. You will not regret it, and I promise you that.
Getting wine in the mail is still so cool (like Christmas all year round), but seems like it’s been around forever. Well, it hasn’t been. In fact, it was 1972 when Paul Kalemkiarian, Senior started out with this novel concept. These days, Paul Kalemkiarian, Junior runs an impressive operation out of a storefront in Monrovia, shipping about 40,000 bottles of wine a month to people everywhere. But the cool thing about this wine of the month, and I’ve tasted wines with Paul, is that he finds really impressive values; breathtaking bang for the buck. Unlike a winery wine club where you only get their wines, with the Original Wine of the Month Club, you’ll sample wines from all over, giving you a breadth of diversity unlike any other wine club. There are three tiers to choose from and you won’t go wrong. Rather than plucking an unknown bottle off a store shelf, let the Original Wine of the Month Club do the work for you, so you can sit back, sip down and enjoy life. http://www.WineoftheMonthClub.com (DEC/2011)
The best Rieslings come from Germany – I know I’ve toured the region extensively. However, it’s not always possible to secure solid German Rieslings in the U.S. So with that in mind, Pacific Rim is doing one of the best jobs at making terrific West Coast Rieslings, a feat not easily accomplished. Between their sweet and dry versions, they manage to compliment the characteristics of their German brethren, and at a price point that is truly remarkable for the quality, around 10 bucks a bottle. And the best part of Riesling is that it is such a versatile wine, dry, semi-dry or sweet, the floral and mineral notes and decent acidity work with a variety of foods. Too many people only think of Rieslings as sticky sweet wines, but the true is that many are made dry (non-sweet) and it’s great to veer away from the standard Chardonnay once in a while and try something you haven’t had for a long time. And these come from Washington State. Say no more! Get a few bottles and experiment…it will be das gut! http://www.RieslingsRules.com (NOV/2011)
Firestone Walker is a brewing icon on the California Central Coast. Their beers have won so many awards it’s not even funny. But that’s the point; they know exactly how to brew. Their IPA is terrific as are all their beers, and every year around November they release their Anniversary Ale: a concoction blended with 8 different beers (including a double IPA, and an oatmeal stout, among others) from 197 different oak barrels. But that’s not all: they enlist the help of Paso Robles winemakers to help with the blend. To say this beer is creamy is an understatement; it is velvety, and the dark spices are balanced against the hops. There are minimal notes of mocha, toffee, with a slight whisper of citrus making this a very comprehensive brew, rich and brooding. All of their Anniversary Ales are worth getting your hands on, though they are limited in supply, but the XV is the best I’ve had in years – totally smooth and seamless. About $23 for a 20 ounce bottle. http://www.FirestoneBeer.com (Nov/2011)
Many wineries make one or two wonderful wines, a preponderance of average wines, and a few stinkers; so the goal is to find a winery that has a strong portfolio where all the wines shine. Chamisal Vineyards in San Luis Obispo County, actually the first vineyard planted in Edna Valley in 1973, fits this bill. From terrific Pinot Noirs to Chardonnay, to a wee bit of Grenache to a stainless steel version of Pinot Noir (trust me, this is rare), Chamisal Vineyards crafts excellent wines which suggest a sense of place. Their calcareous soils and variety of 25 different clones and rootstock are suited to the area, only 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean, which allows for diurnal temperature swings (high to low degrees usually about 30 degrees or more). Bottle prices start at $18 and work up from there. Their tasting room has a great outdoor patio in which to kick back and relax in the Edna Valley. Chamisal is SIP (Sustainability in Practice) certified, a rigorous farming practice, so you know their 50,000 cases will taste good to you, and be good to the land. http://www.ChamisalVineyards.com
~Clear Creek Distillery, Portland, Oregon People hear the word distillery and they may think of Kentucky bourbon, single malt scotch or something along those lines. But this is not the case at Clear Creek Distillery, the third largest distillery in the U.S., located in an industrial zone in Portland, Oregon. They have been producing an astounding array of 28 different distilled spirits like Eau du Vie, Grappa, Oregon Single Malt Whisky, Plum and Pear liqueurs, Kirsch and way more. Steve McCarthy is the brains behind the operation and his 14 employees operate four stills working almost non-stop to meet demand.
The cool thing is that they are open for tastings and, wait for it…it’s free. Yep, as of my visit there in October, 2011, they do not charge for the five tastings they offer. They don’t do tours, and frankly their massive facility isn’t that exciting to look at. What is exciting, is what Steve is making. So when you’re in or near Portland, make it a point to check them out, buy something for a friend if you’re not into spirits, because they use predominately Oregon fruit in their distillations, so you’re getting a local product, albeit a liquid version of the great fruits that grow in the region. They have been distilling for 27 years so they have this down. (Oct/2011) http://www.ClearCreekDistillery.com
~Finger Lakes Wines New York: The equation is simple: People hear Riesling and they think of Germany, and certainly German Rieslings are outstanding. My visit to the Nahe, and Rheingau (near Wiesbaden) in Germany a while back was amazing. But here in the U.S., Rieslings are best expressed in the Finger Lakes wine region in New York. For those with poor geography skills, New York does not mean Manhattan: The Finger Lakes are about as north as you can get, hugging the Canada border. So, given the cool temperatures, the cold climate grapes do exceeding well here. I’ve had many Rieslings from a wide variety of producers in the area, and of the current crop, Rooster Hill and Swedish Hill are standouts: proper acids, minerality and these dry versions (as in not-sweet) fill the mouth with fruit. And perhaps best of all, most Finger Lakes Rieslings, available around the U.S. are under $20 and par with a variety of foods. So try one, and I can promise you’ll be surprised what’s coming out of New York. http://FingerLakesWineCountry.com(Sept/2011)
There are about 3,000 wineries in California, so when I say Chiarito are some of the best wines you’ve never tasted, I mean it. John Chiarito, whose small vineyard in the minuscule town of Talmadge near Ukiah in Mendocino County, is producing exceptional Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and an obscure and terrific grape, Nero D’Avola (a Sicilian variety). Structured, rich, flavorful and true to their varieties, these are absolutely terrific wines. He farms organically, though isn’t certified and he’s not a formally trained winemaker either.
John exemplifies the spirit of this region: immigrants who honor the land and their parents and grandparents. John is of Italian descent and his father and grandfather both made wine. His vineyard looks like it’s in disarray; old walnut trees line the perimeter, tomatoes and figs and other trees add their character, grasses consume the ground, and the place seems disheveled. But it’s not. He farms “for the diversity of the land,” he says, as a parcel needs such diversity to succeed. “I want to make the eco-systems work together as naturally as possible.” He tastes his wines by appointment in his kitchen. If you’re lucky he’ll have prosciutto and focaccia freshly made. (http://www.ChiaritoVineyard.com
The World Atlas of Whisky ~ Any book with the word “atlas” in the title might suggest dry, textbook literature void of creativity. Unless it is the exceptionally well-written and well-researched World Atlas of Whisky by Dave Broom. If whisky is even remotely intriguing to you, this book will be your bible to covert you to the ways of the golden liquid. Broom has a style of both authority and casual creativity in his writing and the photos are beautiful. Of necessity he covers Scotland, Ireland and America, but there are sections of whisky from Japan, India, Europe and other countries you’d never suspect were distilling. There are maps, how to guides for newbies, and comprehensive tasting notes as well as historical context for whisky coming of age, be that single malt or blends. Pick this up, sip your favorite concoction and be transported.
Offley ~ 30 Year Old Tawny Port A recent visit to the Gaia in Portugal allowed me some time to visit the port houses in Porto. Off the main drag are many smaller houses, Offley among them, established in 1737. Their 30 Year Old Tawny is a beautiful wine: The slight sweet dissipates mid-palette and you’re left with flavors like roasted almonds, apricots, caramel and sweet wood. This is a deftly balanced port retaining some of its acidity, some residual sugar and a smooth, velvety texture. A bottle will last you a while as this is an ideal after dinner sipper.
Don Q Añejo Rum ~ Puerto Rico From one of the island's oldest distilleries, Serrallés, the nose on this beautiful añejo ($18) is light burnt caramel and butterscotch. Aged for a minimum of three years in American bourbon barrels, this is a great sipping rum, with a soft velvety character on the palette and honey and a back note of apricot. You can mix this with other things, but seriously, why would you? This is a fantastic stand alone rum. The best place to drink this is in Puerto Rico as I was for the Taste of Rum Festival. But really any place is great.
Vodka goes crazy! Using natural flavors and coloring, this Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka ($27) will win you over with its heady smell even before you taste it. Rich scents of caramel and butter it’s practically irresistible. Once you open the bottle and taste it, you’ll be sold. For some it might seem odd to infuse caramel with a super premium vodka and at first I was skeptical. But this is a real treat. Serve it chilled and neat, or room temperature, over ice cream or make cocktails, this is a fun vodka that will make you think of caramel apples this holiday season, but here you can drink it and not get your hands sticky. It’s also a perfect nightcap.
Ayala’s Herbal Water So this is why these are really good waters. They start with purified water and add organic culinary herbs like cinnamon, orange peel, lemongrass, mint and vanilla. And that’s it! Nothing else – no crappy sugars or fake ingredients. You get pronounced flavors with no calories, no preservatives, just healthy pure flavored water. They produce six flavors in all, so if you need your water with some taste in it, try these and keep hydrated. http://www.HerbalWater.com
About Michael Cervin and Cervin It Straight As a writer with an emphasis on wine, spirits and beer, my articles have appeared in diverse publications such as: Decanter, Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Dine, Santa Barbara Magazine, IntoWine.com, The Tasting Panel, Westways, Skywest, Luxveria, Vine Times, Wine Country This Week, Central Coast Magazine, Fido Friendly, Tolosa Press, Juxtapoz, Celeb Life Magazine, 65 Degrees, Food & Beverage World, and more than 60 others.
I've been invited to judge wines at the Monterey Wine Competition, the Central Coast Wine Challenge; the Santa Barbara, Ventura, El Dorado and Amador County Fairs; Paso Robles Winemaker's Cookoff, the SLO Grill and Wine Affair, and many others. I've been a judge at the Taste of Rum Festival in Puerto Rico, the Best of Vinho Verde in Portugal, and the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting. Yeah, it's a crazy world!
My travel book, Santa Barbara & The Central Coast is available nationwide in both paperback and Kindle. This is the most up-to-date travel book covering Santa Barbara, Ojai, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay and other coastal communities. Also check out my blog on the region: http://www.CervinsCentralCoast.blogspot.com
My handy 80 page pocket guide to Cambria, Morro Bay and the HearstCastle gives you great ideas of where to stay in the area, where to eat, things to see and do you might not know about.
Looking for the best fish tacos? How about the best views of Morro Bay, or a cliff-side walk above the ocean in Cambria most tourists never see. It's all here. http://www.Amazon.com
California Wine Country is all about wine country destinations. Included in this 650 page travel book is Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and the Sierra Foothills. I discuss the coolest wineries, the prime places to eat, the best places to stay and things to see and do while in wine country.
http://www.Amazon.com or get it at bookstores nationally or Wal-Mart, Powells, Borders, Barnes & Noble and, well, most everywhere!
Generous Fiction is my "anti-poetry," poetry book. Available at:
~Original Wine of the Month Club
~Pacific Rim Rieslings
~Firestone Walker Brewery, Anniversary Ale XV
~Chamisal Vineyards, 
~Clear Creek Distillery, Portland, Oregon
The cool thing is that they are open for tastings and, wait for it…it’s free. Yep, as of my visit there in October, 2011, they do not charge for the five tastings they offer. They don’t do tours, and frankly their massive facility isn’t that exciting to look at. What is exciting, is what Steve is making. So when you’re in or near Portland, make it a point to check them out, buy something for a friend if you’re not into spirits, because they use predominately Oregon fruit in their distillations, so you’re getting a local product, albeit a liquid version of the great fruits that grow in the region. They have been distilling for 27 years so they have this down. (Oct/2011)
~Finger Lakes Wines
~Chiarito Vineyards, Mendocino, California
John exemplifies the spirit of this region: immigrants who honor the land and their parents and grandparents. John is of Italian descent and his father and grandfather both made wine. His vineyard looks like it’s in disarray; old walnut trees line the perimeter, tomatoes and figs and other trees add their character, grasses consume the ground, and the place seems disheveled. But it’s not. He farms “for the diversity of the land,” he says, as a parcel needs such diversity to succeed. “I want to make the eco-systems work together as naturally as possible.” He tastes his wines by appointment in his kitchen. If you’re lucky he’ll have prosciutto and focaccia freshly made. (
The World Atlas of Whisky ~
Offley ~ 30 Year Old Tawny Port
Don Q Añejo Rum ~ Puerto Rico
Vodka goes crazy! Using natural flavors and coloring, this Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka ($27) will win you over with its heady smell even before you taste it. Rich scents of caramel and butter it’s practically irresistible. Once you open the bottle and taste it, you’ll be sold. For some it might seem odd to infuse caramel with a super premium vodka and at first I was skeptical. But this is a real treat. Serve it chilled and neat, or room temperature, over ice cream or make cocktails, this is a fun vodka that will make you think of caramel apples this holiday season, but here you can drink it and not get your hands sticky. It’s also a perfect nightcap. 
Ayala’s Herbal Water
California Wine Country is all about wine country destinations. Included in this 650 page travel book is Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and the Sierra Foothills. I discuss the coolest wineries, the prime places to eat, the best places to stay and things to see and do while in wine country. 
