Extra! Extra! Huguenots  flee France and make first wine in America   

Northside San Francisco U.S. Edition, 1560 issue – Having fled religious persecution in their native France, the Huguenots have landed in America.
   

Northside San Francisco U.S. Edition, 1564 issue –Your Northside S.F. reporter has learned that the Huguenots used native American grapes from the family of Muscadines, which includes both the varieties Muscadine and Scuppernong.
   

Now let’s fast forward to 2008. We now know the French landed near Jacksonville, Fla., and made that first wine from the Scuppernong. If you wish to try its close relative, Muscadine (both varieties grew only in the southeastern United States and Mexico), contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or phone Joe Carattini at Saint Rose Winery, 903-434-9460.

How to preserve leftover wine
   

Northside S.F. reader Dottie L. asks how best to preserve wine left in the bottle. OK. First …
   

The problem: Oxygen (in the air) plus ethyl alcohol (in the wine) react to form vinegar.  So, we want to slow down this reaction, and remove oxygen from the bottle.
   

The solution: First, put the bottle in the refrigerator. This is most important because it slows the reaction mightily. It takes about nine days in the frig to make as much vinegar as is formed in one day at room temperature.
   

Second, remove some of the evil oxygen by pumping or blowing. Most wine shops carry vacuum pumps with special stoppers as well as cans of oxygen-free gas, such as Private Preserve. We tested both the pump and gas extensively in our Fort Mason classes and found both equally effective.

Can you get a B on this wine quiz?   

Match each name (1-4) with only one event (A-F) below. Three correct = A, two = B.Names

1.    Joan of Arc
2.    Robert Mondavi
3.    Genghis Khan
4.    Napoleon

Events
A.    One of the first admirers of the wine made in Shiraz.
B.    Recovered after being shot in a snowstorm and left for dead.
C.    Liked bread dipped into red wine.
D.    Drank fermented honey instead of wine.
E.    Created the name Fumé Blanc.
F.    Switched from Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon.
 
Answers
1.    C: Joan dipped her bread in wine.
2.    E: Robert named Fumé.
3.    A: Genghis liked Shiraz.
4.    F: Napoleon switched to Cab.



    Do guys make passes at dolls who take classes?
    To find out, take one of our upcoming classes:
•    April 14: France and Italy vs. California – Past sessions have included $30 Chardonnays and $50 to $75 Cabs.
•    April 26: Basics for Beginners – Discover the role of acids, tannins, age of vines, and other factors affecting wine.
•    May 10: Australia and South America vs. California – Study and taste 10 wines from the Southern Hemisphere, each paired with a California counterpart.
•    May 3: Taste the Terms – Study 20 wines that illustrate “finesse,” “fat,” and other wine terms.
    To enroll or wait-list, phone San Francisco City College at 415-561-1840, or visit www.ccsf.edu/Services/Continuing_Education/

Unsuccessful Pinot Noirs   

The Los Angeles Times reports that unsuccessful Pinot Noirs can unleash gobs of harsh flavors, but at our Fort Mason classes, our students found three Pinots that were quite successful. In fact, each was judged to be outstanding in its price range.•    Harlow Ridge Lodi Pinot Noir 2005, $10
•    Bogle Sonoma Pinot Noir 2004, $13
•    Handley Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2003, $25

Quiz postscript  

The Queen of Sheba preferred fermented honey. California’s greatest winemaker, Andre Tchelistcheff of the BV Winery, was left for dead in the snow in Russia.Credits: Edgar Vogt (tastings); Ophelia Mercado (statistics)

Oregon’s Pinot Gris   

“To really experience the range and the beauty of Pinot Gris in this country you must turn to Oregon, principally the Willamette Valley.“ – Los Angeles Times

   

We tried eight California and two Willamette Valley Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio). While the best California bottle scored 82, the Oregon wines scored higher:

•    2nd: 84 Oak Knoll Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2006, $12
•    1st: 86 King Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2006, $16


And a final wine smile

Speaking of the vaunted Willamette Valley, my mother is said to be the first woman to graduate in chemistry from the University of Willamette. I used to kid her that she got those good grades by marrying her professor … who became my dad!

Fred McMillin was voted one of the best wine writers in the United States by the Academy of Wine Communications. Phone him with questions at 415-563-5712.