Getting to Know a Wine Thief

If you've never had the opportunity to taste wine directly from a barrel, you are probably not familiar with a wine thief. No, it's not someone out to steal wine. But it is a device that could be used for such a purpose.

A wine thief is typically a glass or plastic tool used by wine makers to remove a small amount of wine from a barrel for testing or tasting. 

It works by simply dipping the device into the wine and then holding a finger or thumb over the opening at the top to trap some of the wine in the tube.  The technical term is pipetting. But it works by creating a partial vacuum above the wine-holding chamber to allow the wine to be drawn out.  When you remove your finger, and hence the vacuum, it releases the wine either into a glass or testing vessel.

A quite simple device that makes drawing wine out of wine barrel extremely easy.

So, next time you are visiting a winery and get a chance to get into the barrel room, ask to see a wine thief. Or, better yet, ask to see it demonstrated.  You just might get a taste of wine directly from the barrel which can be quite a treat.

Cheers!

Paso Roble Wineries - So Much More

With more than 300 wineries in Paso Robles it's hard to highlight just a few.  In recent posts, we've taken a look at the east and west sides of Highway 101 along Highway 46. And, we've explored some of the wineries on the west side along Vineyard Drove and Adelaida Road. But there's so much more!

In addition to the wineries highlighted in the links above, here are some other favorites:

• Écluse - Owner & winemaker Steve Lock will pour wines for you in this small but excellent winery just on the west side of downtown

• Vines on the Marycrest - True "Mom & Pop" winery with Victor doing all the winemaking and his wife, Jenny, running the business side and pouring in the tasting room.

• Chronic - Very hip and edgy. Brothers from Peachy Canyon started this one with a fun tasting room, cool wine labels and a bunch of really good wines

• Red Soles - The wine-growing and wine-making duo, Randy and Cheryl Phillips, do the farming and happily run the tasting room themselves at this great little spot

• Cypher - Winemaker Christian Tiekje started Four Vines, sold it off and started Cypher. A funky and fun winery with a bunch of good wines

• Zin Alley - One of the Paso originals, owner Frank Nerelli does it all from growing the grapes to pouring this wines in the tasting room.

• Wild Horse - Known for flagship wines you can find in your local market, Wild Horse is so much more. You'll be pleasantly surprised by this small farmhouse tasting room set out in the vineyards serving excellent wines

Well, you may think of Paso Robles as just a small dusty town along California's Highway 101, but it has become an excellent wine region in California. And, as a matter of fact, this little wine making region was actually split up into 11 separate AVAs a couple of years ago.  A testament of the variety of wines being produced in the region.  Be sure to give it a try!

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2014 Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon ($13)

After starting Joseph Carr Wines in 2005, Joseph went on to launch Josh Cellars in 2007. The 'Josh' label is named for his father, Joseph, who's friends called him Josh.

This Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles is bold and rich with distinctive flavors from oak ageing.  Probably could have used some time in the decanter. But, a nice everyday wine that paired well with a steak and mushrooms.

Paso Robles Wineries - More West Side Options

The Paso Robles wine region offers many options. There are nice wineries on the east side of Highway 101 along 46E and a bunch more on the west side of Highway 101 on 46W. But, you'll also find a lot of nice wineries off the beaten path.

If you travel west on Highway 46W, you'll pass all the wineries described last time.  But, if you make your way to Vineyard Drive and head north, you'll drive into some beautiful country that's dotted with wineries.  Along the way, some of the highlights include:

• Opolo - Along with great wines, Opolo has "Pairings on the Patio" with pizzas, sausages, cheeses and salads, along with The Inn at Opolo if you're interested in staying in wine the heart of wine country.

• Oso Libre - Winery and cattle ranch where you can be both a wine club member and a member of The Black Angus Beef Club. 100% energy sustainable.

• Brecon - Nestled in the rolling hills of Paso Robles, this small winery sells its wines exclusively through their tasting room.

• Whalebone - Another small family-owned winery producing from a site where actual whale bones were discovered while planting the vines.

• Tablas Creek - One of the premiere makers of Rhône style blends having imported new cuttings of Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah, Counoise, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul Blanc from the Beaucastel estate in France.

• Justin - Another of the bigger players in Paso Robles, Justin produces wine you may see in stores but, like most wineries, server and sell their best at the winery.

Then, you can head back into downtown Paso Robles along Adelaida Road that also boasts a bunch of good wineries:

• Halter Ranch - A beautiful tasting room overlooking the vast vineyards serves Bordeaux and Rhône blend wines.

• Adelaida - With property at 2300 ft, their beautiful new tasting room overlooks their grove of almond trees and the vast rolling hills of the Adelaida district.

• Lone Madrone - The 'hobby' of the Tablas Creek winemaker, this winery is named for the lone Madrone tree that sits atop the vineyard hillside.

• Daou - Sitting atop the hills of western Paso Robles, this winery has spectacular views that match their spectacular facility and wines.

But wait, there's still more! Next time we'll look at some other wineries tucked away among the hills and valleys of Paso Robles. Until then, cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2013 Tobin James Ballistic Zinfandel ($14)

Tobin James is one of the larger producers in Paso Robles. Located on the east side of Highway 101, this winery has a salon-style tasting room and a fun atmosphere.

The Ballistic Zinfandel is one of their flagship wines. Paso Robles is known for their Zinfandel, and this is a good example. Using grapes from the noteworthy Dusi Vineyard, this Zinfandel starts with rich and jammy dark fruit flavors and finishes with classic peppery notes.

This Ballistic Zinfandel from Tobin James fits right in with the "Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week" theme of good wines at a great price. Enjoy!