One of the perks of being in the Tahoe region is that we have an abundance of brilliant wine minds. Once or twice a year, I like to share some insider tips from the top, local wine gurus. These are the wines the professionals love, picked from the hundreds they taste each year.
Zia Lina Chef and owner Suzanne Nguyen, right, and wine director Kelly Nelson | Courtesy Zia Lina
Suzanne Nguyen is not only the chef and proprietor of Zia Lina Ristorante in Tahoe City, but also a Level 2 sommelier. It’s no surprise that she offers up some Italian treasures. Arneis from Piedmonte in northern Italy is a great chardonnay/sauvignon blanc alternative, and a true food wine. She digs the ’12 Ceretto version that, according to her, is “Slightly effervescent, crisp and fruit forward with nice notes of apple and pear.” Italian Amarone’s get their amazing intensity from a pre-fermentation grape-drying process called ripasso. For a fraction of an Amarone price, the ’11 Masi Campofiorin is made from the same grapes and also in the ripasso style. This Italian gem displays cherry and plum aromas and flavors, with vanilla, cinnamon and spices. It also has a freshness and a long, yummy finish.
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“These are the top selections from the palates and hearts of some of Tahoe’s best and most passionate wine professionals.”
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Live from Kings Beach, Soule Domain chef and owner Charlie Sou
le is his usual effusive self as he shares his picks. “How cool. Right now the 2015 Whispering Angel Rose from Provence makes me happy. I like the dry, crisp fruit in a refreshing rose. I love Norcal Pinots. I love the cherry aromas and full-bodied delicious fruit. Right now, I am on the 2013 MacRostie Goldrock Ridge in Sonoma County. I also had a great visit to Pezzi King Winery in Healdsburg recently and love everything that the Wilson family is doing there,” he says.
Brad Kohler is the food and beverage manager for Sugar Bowl Resort. He also has had successful stints as general manager of such wine Meccas as Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley and the Majestic Dining Room at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. “Wines that I love right now are the Fogdog Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rose. Mostly because they are rocking wines and partially because they won’t be available much longer. Phelps feels that the vines are now mature enough so all that this fruit will go into the Freestone program. Get it while you can.” Fogdog and Freestone are Joseph Phelps Winery projects.
This is a great tip because Freestone wines cost about twice that of Fogdogs. So, if you buy on taste instead of name, there are your high-end wines to stock up on at value prices.
Viola! These are the top selections from the palates and hearts of some of Tahoe’s best and most passionate wine professionals.
Lou Phillips is a Level 3 Advanced Sommelier and his consulting business WineProwest.com assists in the selling, buying and managing wine collections. He may be reached at (775) 544-3435 or lou@wineprowest.com. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com for more wine columns.
