'Zilla's Weekly Wine and Tunes Pairing

By Joe Colgan

To keep with the theme of celebrating this weekend's Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival (which started back in 2008 and is hands-down one of the best music/arts festivals in the US), I'm going to pair two participants of this year's festivities. Not only does the 3 day event host upwards of 60 musical acts, it also plays host to a number of wineries which are showcased in the Wine Lands Tent. Over 30 wineries will partake and it's estimated that that will equate to about 750 cases and 50 kegs of wine on site. 

At the festival this year is Rock Wall Wine Company, a boutique size operation (located in an old airplane hanger in Alameda across the bay from San Fran) that is at the forefront of the urban winery movement. Their 2008 Petite Syrah, with grapes sourced from Mendocino County AVA, is a delicious choice and great sample of the quality of wine that Rock Wall is producing. The wine is all-around dark...from the color to the nice coco and dark juicy blackberries on the nose, to the long lasting chocolate/smoky finish. Retailing at around $23, it's the type of wine you like to pair with a quality steak. Or, if you have a bottle, it's perfect to enjoy at a festival where the weather might turn characteristically foggy and cold....It is summer in SF people.

The second part of this pairing is a tough decision. Did you see the lineup this year?!?  That Rock Wall wine can go nicely with so many artists. Mavis Staples! The Roots! Ugh. Ok, time to close my eyes, and pick......The GreyBoy Allstars (good pick). This band, which delivers excellence both in their studio recordings and live performances, is comprised of a bunch of allstars; coincidentally? The current lineup features such heavy hitters as sax colossus Karl Denson , Robert Walter on keys and Elgin Park on guitar. The band is funk + jazz + boogaloo + good feelings * funk. If you have a heart beat your body will move when they hit the stage.

So, if you don't live in SF, grab yourselves a bottle of the 2008 Rock Wall PS and enjoy this vid below from the 2006 High Sierra Music Fest in Quincy, CA. If you are in San Fran tomorrow, get yourself to the east end of Golden Gate Park, pay your fee, and waltz on over to the Wine Lands Tent. Step up towards Rock Wall and try wherever they're pouring; and tell them about The 'Zilla!. Then head over to the Lands End stage at 1:45PM PT, and enjoy.

Cheers!

By Ben Heskett

Time to bring the funk. In celebration of the start of the annual Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in Golden Gate Park here in San Francisco this weekend, I thought I’d introduce everyone to the Los Angeles-based phenomenon known as Orgone. Or perhaps you’re already in the loop. Either way, they’re a band worthy of your attention.

In this clip from last year’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. (Posted below), Orgone (Some interesting background on the name can be found here) rips into a stellar cover of the Meters “Ain’t No Use,” with some terrific female vocals adding freshness to this classic.

To pair with such a funk fest, I’ve turned to a wine I recently delved into that offered a great combination of complexity, value and, frankly, utter deliciousness (A requirement if you’re going to bring the funk). This bottle is from the Rhone Valley – A Cachette 2009 Cotes-du Rhone made with 70 percent Grenache, 10 percent Syrah, 10 percent Carignan and 10 percent Cinsault.

It’s a terrific, fruity, drinkable wine, that also adds some nuts and spice notes as it opens up. It also has a patatable price point - I found it at a neighborhood grocery store on sale for about $12. The long and short? This bottle won’t last long once it has been opened. Hence, the perfect accompaniment for an Orgone party!

For those in the Bay Area of California and attending Outside Lands, here’s my itinerary for today if you’re having trouble deciding who to see: Lotus, the Original Meters, Orgone, Miguel Migs (In the Heineken DJ tent), and, last but not least, Phish, in all their glory. I'm packing all of my Outside Lands enjoyment into one day this year (Foregoing Sat. and Sun.). It should be a great day of music. Enjoy, everyone, and remember – Know your limits!

Weekly Wine News Around the Web

Map in Boontling May Not Help: The Anderson Valley’s town of Boonville is promoting its four tasting rooms, part of an effort to develop interest in wineries from the region. Foursight Wines, Londer Vineyards, Philo Ridge Vineyards and Ledson Winery and Vineyards have teamed up to promote the area, according to Wines and Vines online report.

Origins of Landmark in Question: The origins of Landmark Vineyards, the Kenwood, CA –based winery that was recently purchased by Roll Global (Owners of other brands, such as Justin Vineyards and Fiji Water), are in dispute, according to a Santa Rosa Press Democrat report. It’s a tangled vine, indeed.

More Alcohol Insights: In previous news installments, CORKZILLA has touched on the subject of rising levels of alcohol in wine, and the errors found in reporting alcohol levels on wine labels. This week the San Francisco Chronicle features an interesting read on how the body processes alcohol (good grade-school Biology refresher) and how drinking different alcohol levels can make a big difference.

Staking a Claim: California currently has over 100 AVA's (American Viticulture Areas). Started by the Fed's in 1980, the purpose of creating AVA's was to inform the consumer about the geographic pedigree of the wine - 85% of that wine must come from that AVA. Over the years this boundary system has caused a lot of tension and battles for some within the wine industry. Jon Bonne, wine editor for the SF Chronicle, voices concern  that perhaps some in the industry are more focused on establishing their region - since anyone or any region can apply for a federally recognized appellation - rather than producing good wine, worthy of recognition.

Point, Click, Beware: We all know buying something sight unseen online (off online?) can be a harrowing experience. Will the product be what I ordered? Will I like it? Will I get scammed?!? When is comes to buying wine online these fears can make the purchase process nerve-wracking. When ordering vino from a distant purveyor there are few things one should take into consideration before clicking 'submit'..

'Zilla's Weekly Wine and Tunes Pairing

Editor’s note: Wine and Tunes Pairing co-conspirator Joe Colgan is currently off the grid on vacation. His pairing will return next week.

By Ben Heskett

The world has innumerable problems. That much is certain. I don’t need to go through the laundry list of ills facing the Earth and its people. I would never compare the unfortunate situation I'm about to address to any serious issue, but it is ever-present. What issue is that, you ask? It’s the state of rock ‘n’ roll. I will resist a diatribe on the topic, but let’s face it – There’s just not enough good rock bands out there. Period.

Oh, the Foo Fighters may put out a decent song every once and a while and we can always count on some of our more indie-oriented sistren and brethren to contribute on occasion, but when was the last time a band literally made you open your eyes a little wider, made your ears prick up a little bit, and made you look around like you’re checking out a rare animal in the wild and you're making sure someone else sees it too?

I give you Rival Sons, a Southern, CA-based band I discovered while surfing music channels on television late one night. I was transfixed on the song posted below, called “Pressure and Time,” for its adherence to some of rock’s basics – A tough, world-dominating riff, a Robert Plant-like vocal performance, and a groove that can’t be ignored.

How to meld this type of song with wine could be a central topic for CORKZILLA until the end of time. It’s tough, but not impossible. Let’s face it, great rock ‘n’ roll played at a high volume does not necessarily make you think of a good bottle of wine. Beer? Sure. Whisky? Er, yup. But wine? To pair with a bone cruncher such as this, I think you need to delve into what you might be cooking while listening.

In my case, when I want it loud, I’m generally also wanting some sort of meat product – a steak or perhaps one of my famous pork chops. In that scenario, there is one call that rises above all others – A big, bold Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. For the purposes of this pairing, I’ll go with one of my favorites – the Heitz Cellar (Tasting room pictured above at left) 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet. I’ve chosen this one due to its cost relative to some of Heitz’s other Cabernet offerings (If you want to treat yourself, check out the Martha’s Vineyard vintage – Off the charts), but it still represents the best of Napa, with its dark berry fruit, tannins and long, velvety finish. This is a young wine that will only get better with age. If you can be patient, let it rest and evolve. If not, turn it up and pop the cork!

Weekly Wine News Around the Web

Fiji Snags Another Winery: Roll Global Corp., owners of brands such as Fiji Water and Teleflora, announced the purchase of Landmark Vineyards of Kenwood, CA, in Sonoma Country. Landmark is known for its award-winning Chardonnay and helps Roll Global fill out a varietal portfolio that started with the December 2010 acquisition of Justin Vineyards, the Paso Robles, CA-based producer of high-end reds. The Landmark deal includes the winery, inventory and 11-acre vineyard, according to the Wine Spectator. Terms were not disclosed.

Arson Suspect “Thrown Under a Bus” by Ex-Lawyer: Infamous alleged arsonist Mark Christian Anderson is attempting get a new trial, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report, nearly six years after he allegedly torched a Vallejo wine warehouse as part of an embezzlement scheme. The fire destroyed nearly $200 million in wine. He changed his plea to not guilty Thursday.

New World? It’s Been Doon: Not the timeliest of posts, but a recent interview with Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard explores his views on the state of California wines and winemaking originality, among other topics. An interesting read.

Happy Birthday Jerry!

The Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia would have been 69 years old today. In honor of his birthday, CORKZILLA dusts off a terrific interview with Jerry and Bob Weir. Let us know how you'll be celebrating!

'Zilla's Weekly Wine and Tunes Pairing

By Joe Colgan

Weekend, what took you so long? These days we see a growing trend among musicians and their interest in wine. It seems the list of musicians that have taken a step into the wine industry is constantly growing - some having major success with producing their own brands of wine. On this wine & music Friday we're going to take a brief look at veteran rock stars Rush, who aren't necessarily in the business of producing their own wine, but are very serious connoisseurs with very serious collections. Plus women can't get enough of the band.

Know for being musicians' musicians, Rush has been rockin' their complex compositional/fantasy lyric laden style music since the early '70s. Each member of the band has gained reputations for being masters of their respective instruments. They are truly one of rock's most respected bands with a large cult like following. Lead singer and bassist Geddy Lee (pictured at right in his home cellar, and coincidentally celebrates a birthday today) and guitarist Alex Lifeson both share a passion for fine wine and have both managed to amass impressive collections while touring the world with the band over the decades.

We're going to pair a 2006 Joseph Phelps Syrah with the mighty Rush this week. The inspiration comes from this episode of Drink Bravely in which Lifeson talks about a wine internship that he and Geddy took part in at the Joseph Phelps winery, located in Napa. The 2006 represents what great Californian Syrahs can be. The wine, which is 100% Syrah, produces dark berries, tobacco, & earthiness on the palate and has very smooth tannins which add to a nice long finish.

The vid below comes from the band's epic 1981 concert flim "Exit Stage Left", which is a great representation of what Rush is all about if you're not already a fan.  Insert comfortable couch, feet up,  the 2006 Syrah, and you have yourself a party..

For a closer look into the bands intrest in vino, click here for a interview with Lifeson and Wine Spectator. Click here for a wine chat with Geddy Lee..

Cheers!

By Ben Heskett

It’s difficult to express the splendor of Radiohead, particularly in the few paragraphs of a Wine and Tunes Pairing. This English band has offered a blend of British psychedelia and song craftsmanship that remains unique in this vast wasteland of a music industry we currently live in.

 With songs that are taut, emotive, and at times explosive and jarring, Radiohead has redefined what it means to be a band in the 21^st Century – With their music and their approach to making and selling records (Having offered their “In Rainbows” album over the Internet for whatever fans wanted to pay for it).

CORKZILLA will revisit the impressive catalog of Radiohead in the coming months and years, but suffice to say, they are among our contemporary elite bands. As a side note, they’re even better live – Don’t miss them if you get the chance to see them.

 To pair with this introspective live version of the Floydian “How to Disappear Completely,” it’s only fitting we take you to one of the greatest wine regions in the world, Burgundy, for a delicious choice -The Domaine Joseph Voillott Volnay “Vielles Vignes,” a wonderfully balanced Pinot Noir from a town – Volnay – that has been on the French wine map for centuries. In other words, a true classic. Enjoy!

Weekly Wine News Around the Web

Wine Even with Beer Among U.S. Consumers: The American beverage consumer prefers wine and beer evenly for only the second time in two decades, according to a new survey completed by Gallup. The 35 percent of consumers who prefer wine is near a record high, according to the report.

You Lookin’ At My Vines?: Legendary Hollywood actor Robert DeNiro (Pictured at right) is considering an investment in the Argentinian wine business, according to a South American business journal. DeNiro is reportedly interested in a 100-acre vineyard in Vista Flores, Tunuyan, part of the Mendoza wine region that has become known for its Malbecs.

Wine Grows on the Web: After red tape and related hurdles, buying wine on the Web is finally taking off, according to a report in Advertising Age. The report points to a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision as the turning point that finally made it possible for wine websites to navigate the labyrinth of state laws and interstate shipping regulations.

Diageo Settles Bribery Suit: It took $16 million, but global beverage conglomerate Diageo has settled a bribery suit alleging improper payments within the countries of India, South Korea and Thailand. No word whether officials in those countries have sobered up yet.

Charlottesville = Wine Blogger Ground Zero: Hundreds of wine bloggers descended on Charlottesville, VA, this past weekend to taste Virginia wine and write about it as part of the fourth North American Wine Bloggers Conference. Where is this annual event next year? Portland, OR. Look for CORKZILLA to be part of the fun.

More Random News Items: CORKZILLA can’t do it all. Check the Wine Spectator’s brief rundown of interesting news in the wine world.

WINE GEAR: Two Openers Considered

By Jim Louderback

When it comes to wine gear, there are probably more variants of wine bottle openers than any other product on the market – aside from glasses. There are rabbit-shaped openers, winged openers, T-shaped models, jack-knife corkscrews blades and even those (to me) impossibly inscrutable two-pronged jobbers that are typically wielded by snooty waiters looking for an outsized tip.

This article, however, is not about any of those. Instead, it’s focused on the lazy-man’s corkscrew, those that promise to suck up a cork – like an elephant inhales peanuts – with just the touch of a button.

I put two of the more popular models to the test, the chic and sleek Waring Pro WO 50 (usually $90 at Amazon, but on sale while I was writing this for just over $30), and the stubby Ozeri Nuveau Electric Corkscrew (also listing at $90, but on sale for $26 when I checked).

Let’s talk about looks first. If you’re considering an electric corkscrew, chances are you’re looking to both ease the cork extraction process and impress your friends. Since they’re cordless, you’ll probably be wielding the tool like a mason wields his trowel, and looks definitely count. In that category, the Waring wins hands down. The long, sleek shaft of the opener sits in an attractive base that also charges the built-in battery and includes a tuck-in foil cutter. The black base and stainless steel and black opener are attractive, and would look at home in even the highest-end kitchen or wine cellar.

Compared to the Waring, the Ozeri is just plain ugly - like comparing an F16 fighter to the A-10 Thunderbolt – aka the Warthog. But like that plane, it’s deadly effective, and fun to use to boot. The Ozeri comes in three different colors – silver, red and black. But where the Waring is an enclosed cylinder, half of the Ozeri is made of clear plastic, which lets you actually watch your cork being extracted and then expelled from the opener. The Ozeri, too, runs on built-in rechargeable batteries, although it lacks an elegant charging base. But in a clever twist, the top of the charger itself is also a detachable foil cutter – pretty slick.

So that’s form. Let’s talk function.  I ran each through a case or so of bottles over the course of a summer party, and both openers did a good job in my tests of separating cork from bottle. Although their opening skills were similar, I give the nod to the Ozeri, primarily because it let me actually watch the cork as it was pulled, and bathed the cork in a neat blue LED light to boot. 

But getting the cork out is only half the battle. The openers both include a reverse switch, which is designed to expel the cork in one piece. And here, alas, the Waring collapsed. On more than one occasion the cork got caught up in the machinery, and crumbled while being extracted. And that left pieces of cork firmly wedged inside the opener, which required an extraction process not dissimilar to that performed by an oral surgeon. The corks that got caught up did not seem overly dry, so in the end I blame it on the tool, not the user or the substrate.

The Ozeri, by contrast, did a great job expelling corks – all were released in good enough condition to reuse, recycle, or turn into twee cork-art, depending on your inclination.

Although I didn’t open enough wines to drain the batteries, suffice it to say that either would last for nearly any party – apart from a graduation, Kennedy wedding, or other similarly massive and sodden affairs. Waring claims its opener will extract up to 80 corks on a single charge, while the Ozeri says it’s good for 40. Either way, that’s probably more than you’ll regularly need in a single night – even if your in-laws are visiting.

Unfortunately, though, the Waring seems to have a battery defect. I couldn’t confirm this, but more than one purchaser on Amazon claims that when they drained the Waring’s battery completely without dropping it back into its charger, the opener failed to recharge, turning it into a useless piece of cylindrical plastic.

The Ozeri is not without its detractors online either – but only for the springiness of its snap off foil cutter, which for some lost its gripping ability over time. Again, after considerable, but irregular use of both over the last few months I have not encountered either of these problems, but you should know that those experiences are out there.

So which to buy? I have to recommend the Ozeri. Although I love the looks of the Waring, and the charging base is a nice touch, the functionality of the Ozeri – especially when it comes to expelling the cork – makes it a winner. And frankly, those reported battery problems with the Waring scare me. Even better, the Ozeri can be found online for a few bucks less.

Jim Louderback is a veteran technologist and media executive, lover of great wines, and follower of great bands and music. You may bump into him at various music venues in the Bay Area and beyond. He's a big fan of everything from Pinot Noir to Cabernets and Syrah, but unaccountably can't stomach Zinfandel. On the white side he's happiest with Viognier or a Caymus Vineyards Conundrum, can't stand acidic Sauvignon Blancs, but has been known to wax poetic on Rose. Go figure. Jim lives in Pacifica, CA, with his wife and son. He can be reached at jim@louderback.com.

'Zilla's Weekly Wine and Tunes Pairing

By Ben Heskett

As a Boston area native, I can feel you overheating East Coast (Of the U.S.). It takes me back to the many hot summers of my youth, with air-conditioners constantly on high. With temperatures over 100 degrees today and more coming for you, my East Coast brethren and sistren, it can feel pretty stifling. That kind of heat is actually one of the things I miss most as I continually try to get my brain around the notion of 65-degree days in San Francisco in July, with even chillier, fog-dominated nights.

To help you through this heat wave, I bring you one of my all-time favorite reggae classics – “96 Degrees in the Shade” by Third World, fine purveyors of roots music. There’s not a better soundtrack on a hot day than some soothing reggae sounds. Period.

And nothing serves you better during a heat wave than those moments when you can relax, cool down, and enjoy a cold beverage. While my go-to during these times is very often an ice cold beer, such as a Samuel Adams Summer Ale, I will also recommend a wine I’ve recently been re-introduced to – The Matanzas Creek 2010 Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc, recently featured on CORKZILLA. I used to drink a fair amount of this wine, but it somehow fell off my radar. No more.

It features nice balance, with peach and citrus notes that go well in a chilled bottle, with a lingering finish to contemplate. Though at temperatures this hot, there may be a tendency to over chill this wine, try not to. It’s an interesting one on the palate and deserves to be enjoyed for all of its elements.

As a side note, I recently got a chance to visit the Matanzas Creek Winery in Bennett Valley (Pictured above at right). It’s a terrific spot to hang out in the shade of the deck, with a wonderful tasting room staff. I’d recommend checking out the 2008 Bennett Valley Pinot Noir while you’re there.

By Joe Colgan

Hi Friday, we're glad you’re here. We're going to focus on keeping things cool this weekend, as much of the country is baking under a unrelenting sun. To accomplish this we need some very cool/smooth music and a nicely chilled beverage to enjoy. Nothing speaks cool and smooth more than the sweet sounds from the "yacht rock" era - a term used to describe the soft rock music from southern California that was saturating the airwaves between 1976 and 1984. Artists like Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Chris Cross, George Benson, and Toto were at the forefront of this new smooth music scene.

In 2005, writers/actors J. D. Ryznar and Hunter D. Stair set out to create a online satirical documentary about the origins of yacht rock. Spanning twelve episodes, the Yacht Rock series tells the story of how this smooth era of music came to be and how it ultimately set sail forever. The episodes gained a huge cult online following and John Oats (from Hall & Oats) credits the show with 'rekindling interest in their band and lowering the fan's age demographic'. The Yacht Rock series is some of the funniest stuff out there and is guaranteed to make you rethink your view of smooth music if you're not already a fan.

So, what do you pair with smooth music in this heat? We need to go chilled. Very chilled. Like my associate, I believe a nice Sauvignon Blanc is the call to bring the perspiration levels down and the happiness factor up. The 2008 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc , hailing from the Stags Leap district of Napa Valley, is a nice choice that retails for about $22. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is loaded with bright citrus (I get grapefruit and orange) & grassiness, with nice acidity. It's a delicious crisp wine that can help you beat this summer heat.

As an added 'Zilla note: If you ever find yourself visiting the Cliff Lede Vineyard, check out their in-house art gallery…usually some great stuff in there. But more importantly, if you're looking for a fantastic Napa getaway, stay at The Poetry Inn which is owned and operated by Cliff Lede Vineyards and is perched high on the ridge of Stags Leap. The view, service, and accommodations are some of Napa's best.

With that my 'Zilla friends it's time put on your captains hat and lace up your boat shoes. Pour yourself a glass and set sail for a cool smooth ride...

Editors note: A little warning for those with sensitive ear buds: the language in the yacht rock series can be a bit high in alcohol, very astringent, and overly spicy for some.

Cheers!

Weekly Wine News Around the Web

Series Analyzes Sonoma Jazz Plus Festival Issues: Some interesting insights on the state of the Sonoma Jazz Plus Festival in Sonoma, given recent reports it is in financial trouble. Part I can be found here, with Part II available here.

A Million Acres in Argentina for Sale: A vast plot of land reported to be ideal for wine growing is available in Argentina, in the San Juan province in the western part of the country close to the Chilean border. The price tag for this massive piece of land? Nearly $10 million.

Lynfred Winery Founder Dies: Pioneering Illinois winemaker Fred Koehler died July 16 at the age of 83. A touching tribute to a bit of a wine maverick, given his insistence on making wine in Illinois, can be found here.

A Little Education: The Tablas Creek Vineyard blog has a good post about shoot thinning, the process of pruning shoots that are not needed on the vine to expose the fruit to the sun after growing underneath its leaf canopy.