Wine tasting is actually one of my favorite activites. I really enjoy heading up to Sonoma and the Russian River Valley in my little Blue convertible on a beautiful sunny day to discover wonderful California wines. Some of my favories from the Russian River area are: Joseph Swan (incredible pinots and zinfandels), Christopher Creek (wonderful Syrah's, and their incredible Deux Barriques), Everett Ridge & Lambert Bridge (both have yummy Chardonnays), and of course Rafanelli, who makes some simply incredible Cabernets. I really prefer the Sonoma area to Napa, as the people are so very nice, the wines are more reasonably priced, and the area gets a lower volume of traffic. That being said, some of my favories are in the Napa area, such as Robert Sinsky ('89 Claret, YUM!), Pine Ridge (their '97 Andrus is amazing!), Regusci (the most underappreciated unknown winery I've ever run into!), Stags' Leap, and so many more.

My idea of a great day is driving up to Sonoma, experiencing a beautiful day of tasting, stopping for a picnic at Ferrari Carano, a bit more light tasting, then a wonderful dinner in town, all with the right lady of course! Personally I feel very lucky to have been born in San Francisco and to live so close to so many superb wineries. I'm certainly no major expert on wine, I just go, try a little bit of this, and a taste of that, and I know what I like when I find it! I really enjoy jammy reds that just tend to explode in your mouth, like the Joseph Swan wines. Although a good Chardonnay with hints of ripe granny smith apples, pears, or peaches also really floats my boat. Of course we also have some truly fantastic Champagne here in California, like the Domaine Carneros Le Reve! (Ok, Sparkling Wine officially). I've never really enjoyed the sweeter wines, such as Ports, Gewurtz's, or Reislings, but every once in a while I run across one that I buy.

The way I taste wine is a little different than most people. I specifically ask that they don't tell me the price of the wine I'm tasting. Then I try it, decide if I like it, and then come up with a price in my head as to what I think it's worth per bottle. If their price is in line, I'll consider buying. If their price is far below what I have in my head, I'll usually ask for my industry discount and get a case to cellar. (My father owns the California Wineries Mall, http://www.cawinemall.com, so I can usually get a very good deal from most wineries). On my wine tasting trips I usually find one or two real gems, those wonderful wines with all the qualities I love, at a price I just find irresistible!!!

My collection at home isn't huge, but I always have a really choice bottle of wine stashed down there that's finally ready to be enjoyed. Most of the cellar contains wicked red wines, as they need the most age, and the whites and champagne is usually ready within a year or so.