If you have ever wondered about the history and methods behind wine blending, prepare your pipettes and get ready to create some wine alchemy with Justin Winery, based in Paso Robles.
Justin Winery will be part of the fifth annual Food & Wine Festival Palm Desert, March 27-29, under The Big White Tent on Larkspur between El Paseo and Shadow Mountain in Palm Desert. Top chefs and winemakers from around the world will gather to offer tastings and dazzle attendees with the latest trends in the culinary and winemaking worlds. Oenophiles will wander in wonderment to taste nearly 100 wines.
In addition to booth tastings, select wineries will conduct educational seminars for more serious wine lovers who opt to purchase Grand Tasting tickets.
Justin Vineyards and Winery is family-owned and has been in operation since the initial planting of the vineyards in 1981. Located in the western-most section of the Paso Robles Appellation, this winery encompasses 700 acres and produces 50,000 cases of award-winning wines each year. You can find three award-winning wines from Justin at the Festival this year; 2012 Isosceles Bordeaux Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc), 2012 Justification Red Blend (Cabernet Franc/Merlot), and 2012 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon.
Don’t miss the Blending Seminars offered March 28-29 at the 2015 Food & Wine Festival Palm Desert.
The Blending Seminars led by Baldwin will focus on the history of wine blending in France and participants will learn the principles behind why and how wines are blended. Using barrel samples from the 2013 vintages of three varietals that comprise Isosceles, it will be a hands-on experience for attendees and the final blends will be judged by the winemaker himself.
Are you ready to be your own master blender? Pick up a pipette and start swirling.
With 25 vintages under its vibrantly-hued belt, Isosceles is consistently rated by Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate over 90PTS. The 2011 vintage was rated 92 PTS by The Wine Advocate, and the 2012 vintage being tasted at this year’s Festival is lauded as showing the same great depth, complexity and balance that has earned its reputation as a top wine.
Visit www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com for tickets and more information about the 2015 Food & Wine Festival Palm Desert. Visit www.justinwine.com for more information on Justin Winery.
Lori Cohen-Sanford is a private/personal chef, cooking class instructor and owner of Nourishfoods Organic Meal Services www.nourishfoods.biz. Her food column, Tastes Around Town, will appear weekly on Wednesdays. Have a story idea? You can contact Lori at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @nourishfoodsps.
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