It’s that time again! The East Bay Vintner’s Alliance, presents the 4th annual “Passport to the East Bay” featuring 21 award-winning urban wineries pouring their wares at 6 winery locations. The East Bay Wine Trail wanders the concrete jungle of Oakland and Alameda, providing hours of imbibing and hors d’ oeuvres. You’ll get to sample the classics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Pinot Noir, but also more intrepid varietals like Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional & Roussanne.Each ticket purchased ensures a wristband that guarantees free access to each of the six tasting rooms from 12pm to 5pm, an assortment of appetizers, and also a souvenir glass. Designated drivers will receive a complimentary coffee mug.Take advantage of the urban environment and use public transit. For your convenience, a shuttle bus between wineries, BART, and the Oakland Ferry will be provided by The Mexican Bus.

WHEN: April 2, 12pm-5pm

COST: $40 in advance or $45 at the door.
($10 ticket for designated drivers)

WHERE: 6 winery Locations

1) DASHE CELLARS & JC CELLARS
55 4th Street Oakland, CA 94607
*Additional wineries: Aubin Cellars, Eno Wines, Stage Left Cellars & Tayerle Wines.

2) CERRUTI CELLARS
100 Webster St Oakland CA, 94607

3) PERISCOPE CELLARS (at Linden Street Brewery)
95 Linden St. Ste 7/8 Oakland, CA 94607

4) ROCK WALL WINE CO.
2301 Monarch St. Ste 300 Alameda, CA 94501
*Additional wineries: Andrew Lane Wines, Blacksmith Cellars, Carica Wines, Ehrenberg Cellars, JRE Wines & R&B Cellars.

5) ROSENBLUM CELLARS
2900 Main St. Alameda, CA 94501
* Additional wineries : Prospect 772

6) URBAN LEGEND
621 4th St. Oakland, CA 94607
*Additional wineries: Adams Point Winery, Stomping Girl Winery & Urbano Cellars.

Historically, China has been more of a beer and white spirit consumer. However, given the government’s policy controls on the alcohol industry, the beer and liquor markets are shrinking[2].  Due in part to the lowered tariffs from 65% to 14% along with the rising bourgeois class, China’s consumption behavior is changing.  Though foreign wine consumption is rather small compared to beer and liquor, it still poses a threat to domestic wine consumption.

In addition to lowered tariffs, domestic wine producers are now subject to a government prohibition on half-juice wine which accounts for 40% of domestic production. This along with the lowered tariffs has created an opening for foreign wine producers to reap the benefits of a burgeoning market.

One of the downfalls of this new wine market is the rising fraud. Taking advantage of the novice Chinese wine market, fraudulent merchants are taking part in the en primeurs system where the most exclusive wines are sold as commodity futures 12 – 18 months prior to bottling[3]. The true impact of fraud won’t be known for a few years.

Bordeaux appeals to China’s burgeoning Nouveau Riche as it is a symbol of wealth, although most of China’s sales are concentrated on lower-end Bordeaux.  There is the potential that the influx of low end Bordeaux may erode the Bordeaux brand over time.

However, for now, the French give China a resounding, merci infiniment!

VITALS
Enlightenment Wines CSA

website

You’ve never had a real chip in the wine game.

Sure, you’ve placed some interesting bets, sipped Assyrtiko from the volcanic island of Santorini and even sampled the full swath of exotic Long Island varietals.

But the time has come to prove you’re dead serious about fermentation.

Introducing Enlightenment Wines CSA, the state’s smallest legal winemaker, now offering you a piece of the action with a guaranteed ROI of 12 bottles delivered to your door four times a year.

All you need to do to get involved is register through the winery’s website and await your first delivery, scheduled for just a few weeks from now. But don’t expect any of the cabs, pinots or other Napa standards that fueled your earliest cheese pairings.

Actually, forget about the grape entirely. Enlightenment only deals in sparkling wines, handmade using old-school methods, from Hudson Valley apples and honey. And while it’s understandable that such ingredients might leave you fearing an overly sweet, cider-esque weirdness, we think you may be a little surprised by the vino—it’s crisp, it lives up to its 12% alcohol pedigree, and it has all the inhibition-lowering effects of your favorite bottle of Barolo.

And should you have strong feelings about flavors you’d like to see added to the wine (they’re constantly tinkering and adding things like currants, cherries and dandelions), you can send in recipe suggestions that the other investors will receive, and then rate you genius or madman.

Of course, truly great wine is often misunderstood in its own time.

Home of Robert Mondavi,  Lodi, CA, situated approximately 25 miles south of Sacramento,  is respected for its Zinfandel varietal.  However, on this wine trip, I found not only Zin, but a whole lot more.

First stop on the tour was Peirano Estate Vineyards.  Located  at 21831 North Hwy 99 in Acampo,  Peirano boasts Shiraz,  a proprietary blend  that they call Red Shorts,  and my personal favorite Old Vine Zinfandel.

Peirano’s 1999 Old Vine Zinfandel gets its name from the 106 years old vines from which its produced.   Dry with a bit of a smoky taste, Old Vine has its own uniqueness that’s better experienced via the palate.

Honorable mention: 2002 Shiraz

While tasting, I was referred to a couple of new wineries in the area, D’Art and Harney Lane.  

D’Art was an especially goo d find! Located at 13299 Curry Avenue, D’Art is owned by artist, Dave Dart and his wife Helen. Dave’s artwork is prominently displayed throughout the tasting room.   D’Art has an excellent line up:  2007 Petite Sirah, 2007 Zinfandel  (including Old Vine),  2007 Dog Day Red,  2005 & 2006 Cabernet, and Port.

My personal favorite, Dog Day Red, blends just the right amount of dryness, oak, and sweetness to make it simply divine!

Actually, you can’t go wrong with any of D’Art’s wines…its all an art form.

As for the Lodi region as a whole, you cannot go wrong with Old Vine Zin and Petite Sirah!

Note: June 13  & June 14, 2009 Peirano Estate Vineyards is having  a summer sale featuring 2004 Autumn’s Blush, 2002 Shiraz, 2004 Barbera, 1999 Old Vine Zinfandel, and 2006 Muscat Canelli at half off prices.  Stop by and pick up a case or more!