 Sometimes when I enter a winery there's a sense of coming home, and such was the feeling when I entered the Anderson Valley tasting room of Brutocao Cellars. An even more impressive tasting room and restaurant are located in Hopland, named for the hops, which were a significant crop before prohibition reared its ugly head. Now, of course, wine grapes are the primary business of this part of Mendocino.
Brutocao makes many impressive white and red wines as I discovered in the tasting room. Italian right down to the Bocce ball court at the Hopland tasting room, their wines include a number of Italian grapes including Primitivo, Dolcetto, Sangiovese, and Barbera. The one bottle I had to buy, however, was the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Hopland Ranches. This dark, rich wine offers lots of blackberry and earthy spice on the nose, and dark fruit and mouth-filling lush tannins on the palate. I instantly fell in love with this Cab.
They also make excellent and well-priced Pinot Noir wines. Those grapes are sourced from Anderson Valley which is well-known for its Pinot Noir grapes, influenced as they are by the coastal fog that drifts down the Navarro River, which slices the southern end of the valley. As the name suggests, the 2006 Cab comes from the Hopland wine growing region where warmer weather and a longer growing season permit the grapes to fully ripen.
That evening my wife and I joined friends down in Petaluma at Sugo Trattoria Italian restaurant. The reasonable corkage fee made it obvious I'd bring the Cab with me, even though Sugo has an extensive wine list. Everyone at the table was so impressed with my selection I didn't have the heart to tell them it was only $22. Yes this wine is a best buy.
The Cab paired beautifully with my filet, which was no surprise, but also paired with everything else on the table. I give Sugo high points for food, service, and The Seven year Itch, which was projected on the wall behind me. I viewed it through the reflection off the restaurant's glass front. Seeing its mirror image was almost like seeing it for the first time. Not your usual dining experience.
Check out Brutocao Cellar's impressive website for a virtual tour of the wines and vineyard, but you need to buy the wine to have the complete experience. |
 A New Time Each Tuesday at 5:30
Bold Food, Bold Wines:
Audio Blog
Bold Foods and Bold Wines. Jane discusses food and dinner menus while I pair wines with each course she covers. Jane includes food tips on preparation and economical ideas for keeping costs down, while I cover wine care and handling tips, wine bargains and wines that deliver without busting anyone's budget. We encourage you to call-in and ask questions on food and wine. Look for new episodes each Tuesday at 5:30 mountain time.
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| A Few Minutes With Jim
Swirling your wine
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The Southwestern Wine Blog
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April is a great time to visit local wineries. Be sure and check out my blog and my website for more ways for you to enjoy wine more fully.
Sincerely
Your Southwestern Wine Guy
Jim Hammond
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Around New Mexico with the
Southwestern Wine Guy
Jim has expanded his venues and is now the Wine Expert for Albuquerque Examiner.com  . Jim is writing articles two to three times a week. Click Here for the latest wine news.
Jim is often in demand as a professional speaker and wine expert due to his knowledge and his style. His wine selections ensure a memorable event and he delights his listeners when he describes his experiences and insights on a wide range of topics and wine regions.
Jim spoke at Espa�ola Public Library 313 Paseo del Onate on April 16. No wine was served but he used a wine aroma kit to provide a non-alcoholic wine experience. If your organization is interested in learning more about wine and how to talk about wine like an expert, please contact us at 505-899-8578.
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Jim Hammond has been exploring wines in North America, Europe and Australia for more than 20 years. A published author, he includes information about wine
in every book. |
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"Wines of Enchantment" | |
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Wines of Enchantment
ISBN # 0-9709878-0-3
$7.95
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A Unique Party Idea
Spend an entire evening with Jim, the Wine Maestro, and learn fun facts, such as the difference between a Bordeaux and a Burgundy, or what the riutal of tilting, swirling and sniffing a wine befoe taking the first sip is all about.
You and your guests will delight in Jim's light humorous and information-packed style when you include a Wine Maestro presentation in your
party plans. | |
Spring in the Mountains
Rent Hamond House
Located in Alto near Ruidoso, it's beautiful
this time of year, and, for a limited time only- $700 per week! |  | |
Imagine sitting by a crackling fire in the fireplace with a bottle of rich wine, crusty bread and tangy cheese.
Plus, it's just a long stone's throw from Willmon's Prime Grille in Ruidoso which has atmosphere of refinement like that of a Left Bank caf� in Paris, without the attitude.
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