california wines for house wines

I think as with any business... people can be consumed by growth, or assume that growth always means "better". Mondavi is a prime example of this paradox.

LJ

http://www.gospelcom.net/psol/

http://www.griffinhousemusic.com/

Actually the `02 Geyser Peak SB I found to be a pretty decent and drinkable for it's price range of $8-10. WS didn't like it, apparently... rating it an 80. But it's a decent food wine.

Navarro, St Supery, and Ceago make good Sauvignon Blancs that can be had at great prices of $15 or so.

For good, dirt cheap house wine Cali Reds, Delicato Shiraz is a good buy. Retails for about $8.

For better representations, Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon can be had for $10.

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AIM: Drunken Mariachi

[This message was edited by DJ Hombre on Jan 03, 2004 at 01:29 AM.]

geyser peak, not savignon blanc but merot, cab, single block shiraz, all their sonoma county wines. For that land, terroir, dry creek whatever should produce better wine.

I know you are talking about the low end CA value wines but... I was wondering why more restaurants don't buy a few cool wines direct from small wineries not sold by distributors in the Twin Cities. IE.. Loring,Brewer Clifton, Melville, Blackjack Ranch, Rafanelli, Paloma, David Arthur, etc. Why not offer customers something besides a full list of usual overpriced suspects. Most wine list in the Twin cities totally lack imagination and are marked up way too much. We had dinner at Oceanaire two weeks ago and they had Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch for $95/btl???? So I brought in a 99'Hanzell.

Also...
checkout my Twin Cities Offline post...

It's not legal for wineries to sell direct to retail shops and restaurants in other states. We can sell direct to consumers, provided the state allows that. But shops and restaurant sales must go through distributors. That's how I understand the laws.

Loring Wine Company

Interesting. While working up in Mendocino, I'm pretty sure that we ordered straight from a few wineries.

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AIM: Drunken Mariachi

brian,
don't you have some say on how much some of your rest. friends get!!!!!
bez

quote:

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Originally posted by DJ Hombre:
Interesting. While working up in Mendocino, I'm pretty sure that we ordered straight from a few wineries.

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Within the same state is fine. California wineries can sell wine direct to restaurants and shops in California. A California winery cannot sell direct to restaurants or shops in another state.

Loring Wine Company