Loving Lodi

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Bill Caruthers

If you read the SF Weekend Chronicle you probably noticed the write up about Lodi and some of the great grapes and wines coming from there. Locals ever on top of the trends, where’s, what’s and why’s of wine country has several Lodi wines to offer for your consideration.

Both the Eric Ross Tempranillo and the Struttin Red have Lodi grapes and believe me they are tasting great right now. Eric Ross also has an Albarino that is fabulous and the grapes come from Lodi. Try pairing this great white wine with Burrata cheese on toast points with Arugula in olive oil with salt and pepper.

For those meat eaters amongst you try adding some prosciutto. Just a reminder for those of you not on top of the Facebook updates check out the September sale on Gunfighter Zin. Normally a $28.00 bottle of wine it is going for $16.80. That is a whopping 40% off! This offer is only while stock lasts as the 2009 Gunfighter Zin is almost gone and the new release is waiting in the wings so hurry and stop by or call and we can process an order over the phone. Cheers

Bill Cauthers

Bill Caruthers
Locals Tasting Room
(707) 857-4900

Locals fans are on the move

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Bill Caruthers

Bill Caurthers

It always amazes me, working behind the bar at Locals to hear the adventures that the customers are having and the wines they purchase to enjoy. Lately we had a young couple from Oakland in to buy wines, they were headed to Lake County to lie outside on a blanket and watch the meteors with their four year old. They bought (accordingly) a bottle of One Time Space Man “Moon Duck” and a bottle of Pendleton Petite Syrah to enjoy while watching the falling stars.

Sunday a club member picked up her wines and then bought a mix of whites, Albarino, The Choir and Foggy Valley Chardonnay for their up coming trip to Burning Man. I’m sure their camp site will be a hit with all the great wines they are taking along.

Three weeks ago a couple from San Francisco came out and sampled wines, they returned this weekend and bought 5 cases of wines for their wedding, it was great fun discussing the wines and the foods and coming up with the wines that they will remember forever for their wedding event.

What are your plans?

Got the wines you need?

Stop by for a tasting and share the good times.

Locals Tasting Room

(707) 857-4900

Albarino

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Bill Caruthers

Eric Ross Albarino

Hey Bloggers, not sure if you read the Sunday July 1, 2012 food and wine section in the SF Chronicle but they mentioned that there are only about 176 acres of Albarino planted in the whole state of California and that it is fast becoming a very popular varietal and at some point down the short road may challenge the Chardonnays for popular whites. Given it fast growing popularity it will be a hard to get this wine later in the year. Stop by Locals and try the Eric Ross Albarino, it pairs great with Burratta cheese served on grilled bread toast points with Arugula and Prosciutto.

Bill Cauthers

Bill Caruthers
Locals Tasting Room
(707) 857-4900

Great Appetizer for Pairing with White Wine

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Bill Caruthers

Burratta cheese photo courtesy of Pepo Fuser.

Recently, in fact as recently as last Saturday, Sami and I were working in the tasting room and we got some club members who were up from San Francisco to pick up their club wines and sample some of the new wines that have just been released. As we were pouring the whites we started discussing what foods to serve with which white wines.

One of the club members mentioned her passion for Burratta cheese with white wines and Sami and I knew about Catelli’s Burratta cheese appetizer plate served with garlic toast points and arugula tossed with salt, pepper and olive oil. Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese, made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving it an unusual, soft texture. It is also defined by some sources as an outer shell of mozzarella filled with butter or a mixture of butter and sugar. It is usually served fresh, at room temperature. The name “burrata” means “buttered” in Italian.

So, off we dashed to get an order and the eight of us paired the appetizer with the Albarino from Eric Ross and it was a great hit. The Albarino varietals characteristics of lychee, apricot, tree ripened peaches and tangerine with its clean bright acidity was a perfect match for the smooth creamy burratta cheese and the peppery overtones of the arugula. Come and get it. Cheers!

Bill Cauthers

Bill Caruthers
Locals Tasting Room
(707) 857-4900

Covered Deck or Tree Shade Wine Time

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Bill Caruthers

Photo courtesy of Pauly

Weather man says it will be in the 80’s and 90’s for the next full week up here in Geyserville. How about where you are? Time for some Rose’ or White Wines to cool things down and add a splash of fun to your time on the deck or in the shade of your favorite trees. Consider one of our two Rose’ wines one filtered and one unfiltered, the Peterson is a blend of Mourvedre, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah and Petite Verdot, and the Pendleton is a 100% Petite Syrah, both yummyon a hot day.

Not sure? Come by and sample them. Also for your consideration on hot days and warm evenings, our Albarino which I think pairs wonderfully with Burratta Cheese, on garlic toast points with Arugula and olive oil. For a nice cool glass full of floral notes from a French varietal try the new release of the 2010 Praxis Viognier as a stand alone or pair with cool slices of melon and or chilled peel and eat prawns.