While driving down to Comic-Con on the 15 freeway this summer, I passed by signs for the Temecula Valley wine country for the first time. Another wine country so close (well, "close") to home? I was intrigued. Not enough to return, but intrigued nonetheless. So when Learn About Wine threw a "Summer Taste" event last week bringing the Temecula Valley wineries right here to Hollywood, I signed up.
Grabbing a few friends, we dashed over to the Space 15 TWENTY (next to the Umami Burger) and tried some (but not all) of the "Taste of South Coast" offerings:
Keyways Winery
· Roussane
· Viognier
· Tempranillo
· Valley Cuvee Du Sud
Danza del Sol Winery
· Sauvignon Blanc 2011
· Barbera 2011
· Chardonnay 2012
· Syrah 2011
Europa Village
· Muscat Canelli 2011
· Nocturne Syrah 2009
· Riesling 2011
Robert Renzoni Vineyards
· Estate Grown Pinot Grigio 2012
· Tempranillo 2010
· Estate Grown Brunello di Sangiovese & Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Monte De Oro Winery
· Synergy 65 2009
· Nostimo 2012
· Muscat 2012
Wiens Family Cellars
· Solace (Chardonnay Blend) 2012
· Sangiovese 2011
· Crowded (Red Blend) 2011
Miramonte Winery
· Pinot Gris 2011
· Estate Syrah 2009
South Coast Winery
· Viognier 2012
· WHP Merlot 2011
I stuck with the reds, and particularly enjoyed the blends. At the cheese table, sponsored by Happy Cows Make Happy Cheese, the habanero cheddar was a revelation.
The wine
The winemakers
The crowd
The cheese
