On a warm Spring-like morning in March, 13 students from the CCIV program in
Beaune ventured to Burlingame, led by Professor Pascal Durand.
Importer Charles Neal of
CHARLES
NEAL SELECTIONS
and myself led this little seminar covering wine sales and
wine importing.
We spoke about the history of wine in California and the effects of the
Prohibition Era on wine and the regulation of it in the U.S.
Charles explained how his little importing company got going and how he selects
and sells wines.
We then opened up a number of bottles of wine to taste...
Alouette 2005 Chardonnay
Some students queried Charles about his company and his importation of wines.
"Alouette?"
"Oui, Alouette...a little birdie told me it's a French word..."
"This wine has a short finish..."
After tasting Talley 2005 Chardonnay, DeSante 2005 Napa
Sauvignon Blanc, Seghesio 2005 Sonoma Zinfandel, Foxen 2005 Pinot Noir and
Emilio's Terrace 2003 Napa Cabernet, we strolled a few doors away to Aji Yoshi
Ya for some lunch and a few more wines.
The first wine was a very Chi Chi Pinot Blanc...
Clos du Chi Chi
*Because Clos du Bois was already taken.
A toast to all!
Welcome to Burlingame.
It's not Beaune, but it's not bad.
Everyone tasted the Pinot Blanc from J. Wilkes, a 2005 from Santa Barbara.
Meanwhile, the sushi-meister at Aji Yoshi Ya was busy...
Soon we opened another bottle, "Caquelard Cellars," a delicious
Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc from the Westerly Vineyard.
Everyone was busy, sipping and trying the sushi.
Then, a bottle of a special Zinfandel appeared...
A 2004 Napa Zin from D-Cubed...
And finally a nice Napa Cabernet from Honig...
Pascal brought a nice little souvenir from Burgundy for me...a wonderful star...
We hope the class enjoyed its visit to Burlingame and that we will see a new
group in 2008!
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