san franciscian Q214 newsletter

Issue #7
Q2 2014
The SF Confrérie Press
W W W . S F C O N F R E R I E . O R G
W i n e m a k e r
For this Confrerie event we experienced
the WHOLE WINERY EXPERIENCE! It
was one of the most unusual fun tasting
experiences in the Napa Valley. We all
became a winemaker for the day. We
started our day in the Red Room with some
bubbly from JCB then proceeded into the
lab. Dance music was playing and we all
got into the winemaker character with our
silver hats and lab coats. We created our
own Bordeaux-style red wine. It may have
taken use 3 or 4 blends (wink wink!!) but
we all ended up with a fantastic blend that
f o r
t h e
D a y :
A p r i l
1 3 ,
2 0 1 4
we all think was better than the others. We even
created our own wine label, bottled our wine and
stuck on the label just like a winemaker would and
brought home our own 750ml bottle of our award
winning blend. It was a fun and fantastic day with
our members and potential new members.
UPCOMING
EVENTS:
S u m m e r
e v e n t :
J u l y
D i n n e r
D ’ a r c
J e a n n e
Back by Popular Demand!
Jeanne D’Arc is an elegant French restaurant located
near Nob Hill and Union Square in the Cornell Hotel de
France. Replete with tapestries, stained glass and artifacts the décor celebrates the life and deeds of France’s
legendary heroine, Joan of Arc.
1 0 t h
♦
October–
October– Fall event
Livermore Valley
The Details:
Date: Thursday, July 10th
Time:
6:30pm: Champagne Reception
7:00pm: Dinner
Cost: $95 per person
RSVP by Monday, June 30th
RSVP form attached to this newsletter
Founded by the Lambert family in 1972, the restaurant is
a favorite of locals and visitors.
Our event will feature a 4-course meal paired with great
French wines.
Website:
www.sfconfrerie.org
Chapter Info:
Email:
[email protected]
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/SFConfrerie
Like us on Facebook
P a g e
2
T h e
H a r d e r
t o
p r o n o u n c e =
S F
C o n f r é r i e
B e t t e r
P r e s s
W i n e ?
One Study from Ontario’s Brock University revealed that wine enthusiasts are more likely to enjoy a wine if it has a fancy or difficult-topronounce name. They’re also willing to pay more for it. Wine researcher Antonia Mantonakis conducted a marketing study in which she
asked participants to taste various wines, then report how much they liked and were willing to pay for each. “Participants not only reported
liking the taste of the wine better if it was associated with a difficult to pronounce winery name. But they also reported about a $2 increase in
willingness to pay,” Mantonakis told NPR in 2014.
L i v e r m o r e
V a l l e y
W i n e
R e g i o n
F a c t s
"A Thriving Wine Region in the San Francisco Bay Area"
Less than an hour east of San Francisco, Livermore Valley Wine Country welcomes visitors with a flourish expanse of vineyards, wineries,
and wine country experiences. Amid picturesque canyons, ridges and outposts of suburbia, the lush vines and convivial tasting rooms
increasingly define the quality of life in the valley. To the delight of residents and visitors alike, the region is enjoying a wine renaissance
harking back to the golden years of early California wine history. One of California's oldest wine regions, the Livermore Valley played a
pivotal role in shaping California's wine industry. Spanish missionaries planted the first wine grapes in the Livermore Valley in the 1760s. In
the 1840s, California pioneers looking for outstanding vineyard sites began planting grapes in the region. Robert Livermore planted the first
commercial vines in the 1840s. Pioneer winemakers C. H. Wente, James Concannon, and Charles Wetmore recognized the area's
winegrowing potential and founded their wineries in the early 1880s. Livermore Valley captured America's first international gold medal for
wine in 1889 at the Paris Exposition, putting California on the world wine map. Livermore Valley wineries were the first to bottle varietal
labeled Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah. Nearly 80% of California's Chardonnay vines trace their genetic roots to a Livermore Valley clone. Livermore Valley also boasted more than 50 wineries until Prohibition and contributed significantly to the state's enology
and viticulture that lives on today. Attracted to the rich winemaking tradition, climate, soil and geography, new winemakers and vineyardists
are working alongside fifth generation winegrowers to create this Livermore Valley wine renaissance. The region now has over 40 wineries,
with several more about to open, and more than 5,000 acres of vineyards. Wineries vary in size from limited release, 100-case labors of love
to 400,000-case industry heavyweights, and grapes range from familiar Merlot and Chardonnay to Italian, Rhone and Spanish varieties.
Welcoming tasting rooms showcase award-winning wines and offer year around activities. In addition to the myriad happenings at individual
wineries, the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association sponsors several consumer events each year, showcasing the talent, energy and
fine wines of the region.
F e e l i n g
S p o n ta n e o u s ? ? ?
The following are local area wine related activities if anyone is interested in attending.
These are not our formal quarterly events, just impromptu fun things to do!!
Friday, August 29: AT&T Park: Wine & Baseball
Wine Fest Presented by The Wine of Lodi California: Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, casual wine tater or just a fan
looking for a fun pre-game activity, Wine Fest will be a great way to gather with friends, family, co-workers or other
Giants fans before the game. Your special event ticket package includes a ticket to the Friday evening game against the
Brewers, access to the pre-game Wine Fest in Seals Plaza from 5-7pm, a complimentary tasting card and a Giants
Balancing Wine Holder. Several wineries from the Lodi region will be on site providing tastings, so make sure to reserve
your spot. For more details go to www.sanfranciscogiants.com