I’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to the upcoming Dark & Delicious Petite Sirah event in Alameda, CA on February 18th – and they might just have YOUR name on ‘em!
The Dark & Delicious event is organized by P.S. I Love You, which is probably the world’s most passionate collection of fans and promoters of the powerful wines made from the Petite Sirah grape (interestingly, we can go back in the annals to the very beginnings of 1WineDude.com and find me professing myself as one of the lovers of PS). Here’s how Jo Diaz of www.wine-blog.org and the uber-promoter of all thing P.S. I Love You describes the event:
“There are 48 wineries pouring their Petite Sirahs, with nearly 30 foodies, creating foods to go with Petite Sirah. This is a medium-sized event (about 800 people attend), and most of the winery owners and winemakers are the ones pouring their wines.
February 18, 2001, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Three hours of wining and dining, free parking, all for $63.00 per ticket, at Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda… Overlooking the San Francisco Bay skyline. The only restriction is that attendees must be 21 years or older to attend.
The foods being offered are well beyond bread, crackers, and/or cheese… People enjoy delightful meals, which also finishes with eclectic chocolate companies. The quote from Tom Merle says it best, because he’s been to every event in the SF Bay area… ‘You offer far more real gourmet treats than any other of the marketing association tastings.’”
You know the drill – the giveaway covers the event tix only (sorry, no travel or any other expenses), and to enter you need only comment on this post with a Petite Sirah recommendation for your fellow 1WineDude.com readers. On Friday, January 28 at 6PM ET I will randomly select one commenter from this post as the winner (who will be notified via e-mail).
Cheers – and good luck!
The first Petite sirah I ever had was from Guenoc (Lake County)…my go to PS now is from Miner Family (who do a good job with most of their wine varitals). You should visit them as you pass on your way up to Meadowood.
Thanks, vg – I just might do that! I've got a ton of P.S. samples here as well, I need to organize an epic (for me, anyway) tasting!
Hi Joe! Here's my recommendation: Just opened a bottle of the '04 Trentadue La Storia Petite Sirah a few days ago – it was terrific! Just wish I had more…
Thanks, Diane!
Or even varieties… ;-)
The wine varietals made from the grape varieties…no?
The Guenoc PS Vinogirl mentioned, their basic model with no options, has always been solid, maybe the best QPR in PS. One of my favorite PS's is the True Grit from Parducci in Mendocino County.
Thanks, John – True Grit is hanging out in my sample bin as well.
As a "high volume" home winemaker (75-150 cases per year), I'd have to say my petites are pretty solid (2006-Clarksburg, (herzog Vineyard) 2007 Calistoga (Guarino Vineyard) and 2008 Green Valley of Solano County (Old vine field blend predominately petite from an absolute jewel of a vineyard called Wirth Ranch). needless to say, I am super big fan of petites. From a commercial perspective, I'd try the M2 Row 23 petite (clarksburg) , Miraflores (El Dorado), Olabisi (Susuin) and Elyse (Napa).
Thanks, Andy – guess most readers wouldn't be lucky enough to by able to find your PSs to try them?
No, I make wine for 60 of my closest friends (aka "investors") who pay cost. None of them seem terribly willing share it….not sure why :)
Maybe someday, when I completely lose my sanity, I'll go pro!
Andy, your friends sound like real jerks, then – unless they're planning on saving some of the wine for me to try in which case they are intensely loyal, talented and exceptionally good-looking people. :)
They resemble that remark….If you are ever driving though Sacto you can stop by and taste "at the winery"..aka my garage
P.S. – I love P.S. too.
:-)
Thanks, Joe!
My pleasure, Jo – thanks for providing the tix opportunity for the readers.
While not a straight Petite we just had a marvelous bottle of 2006 Por Que No? fromTre Sabores. The Petite really punches through with a deep berry, spice and chocolate notes. In 100% Petite Sirah Micheal and Anne Dashe (Dashe Cellars) produce a real luscious full bodied wines with exquisite mouth feel and a finsh that lasts until tuesday….
sjs – totally agree on the Tres Sabores; plus, the owners are really good peeps. Cheers!
Guenoc is my go-to PS, but I also highly recommend Heretic by Four Vines, Paso Robles. And if you can find it, Quivira of Dry Creek Valley has a nice one.
Thanks, SonomaLass!
hi Joe – Hoping you'll make it to D&D! We always bring a vertical of our Twisted Oak PS to D&D, starting with the 2002. (And a shameless plug: our 2007 PS is part of today's http://wine.woot.com/ deal. You have about 4 hours!) Cheers!
Alas, Jefe, I won't be there this year. :-( I am sure you'll have plenty of fun without me though! :)Cheers!
Known for their burly ass Zins, Turley also makes a pretty killer PS. The 2005 Pesenti Vineyard (if they aren't sold out) is a delicious bottle. Besides, if I won the contest, my wife would keep me around a little longer. She loves PS more than I- and that's saying a lot!
Thanks, Jerry – uhmm… not sure but yours could end up being the first marriage helped by 1WD (aside from my own, that is! :-). Good luck!
I care…
Jefe – Star Wars quotes are always welcome around here. ;-)
2007 Petite Sirah from Mitchell Katz in Livermore was really great. Livermore always gets overlooked, but the "hot weather" grapes really perform. Inky black, yet full of fruit.
I do like me some inky black wines. Thanks, norcalwineguy!
I love P.S. One of my faves is 2007 Dashe Todd Brothers Ranch P.S. Stage Left,an up and coming urban winery in Oakland also has a 2007 P.S. made from Paso fruit that's wonderful
Interesting pick – thanks, martin!
MMMMMM, love this deep deep purple varietal. While I love El Jefe's Twisted Petite, I must add that Foppiano's offerings have left some lasting impressions. Tasted through their verticals a couple years back and it was memorable!
Thanks, LynnMJ – I've got a sample of the Twisted waiting for me in the cellar…
recently tasted, loved and purchased the 2005 JC Cellars "Frediani Vineyard" and the 2002 Turley "Library Vineyard" and any Stags' (apostrophe on the "right"side) Leap Winery Petite Sirah is my go to.
oh and isn't the Petite Sirah grape the only grape that actually produces "red" juice?
Thanks, Natalie. If by red juice you mean teinturier grapes – those that have pigmented pulp as well as skins – I don't think Petite Sirah is in that category. There are handful of those types of grapes that are made into wines (ones even darker than PS if you can imagine it! :), the most common examples being Alicante Bouschet and Saperavi.Cheers!
I can vouch for the veracity of the quote from Tom Merle embedded in Jo's quote in your announcement. A mini version of the Fancy Food Show with a most tasty beverage to go with the grub.
Wish I was going!