Super-Innovative Iberian Tasting at Copia

August 17, 3:05 PMSF Wine and Drinks ExaminerLiza Zimmerman

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 Sorry for the delay in getting you fresh, new wine and cocktail news dear reader. It has been a crazy week and filled with technical problems. But we are good to go now!

I went to an amazing tasting of Spanish and Portuguese grape varietals last weekend at Copia in Napa. Put on by TAPAS, the Tempranillo Advocates and Producers Amigos Society, the two-day tasting showed a bevy of exciting wines mostly from California that are being produced with these beautiful, well-balanced varietals.

The Tapas program at Copia.

I do get so exhausted of seeing and tasting the same handful of wines, made from California's "leading" grapes and frequently produced in such similar style that they often taste the same. It's exciting to see how other varieties do on our soil and when they shine, it's really exciting.

My old friend, Earl Jones of Abacela, a Spanish-varietal specialist in southern Oregon invited me to the tasting. I was, as always, stunned by his beautiful Albarino- and Tempranillo-based wines. It was fun to experience new producers' wines and blends from places like Lodi and Amador which seem on target to become regions of greater interest.

Some of my favorites included The Old Solider 2006 Touriga Nacional (one of the traditional grape varieties used in Port) from St. Amant Winery; I also quite liked their non-vintage Tawny-style Port (although I wish they didn't call it Port). The winery is based in Lodi and I haven't had a chance to taste many wines from this potentially up and coming region. I also really liked the Bray 2007 Verdelho, the Viña Castellano 2005 Grenache Rosé and the Quinta Cruz 2005 Tempranillo.

So here's to exploring the great big world of grape varietals on our home soil.

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Some of InterCon's zodiac-inspired drinks (yes I am a Pisces).

Recession special: the Viansa 2007 Dolcetto is another well-executed example of using classic Mediterranean grapes on California soil. This grape traditionally hails from Piedmont in Northern Italy and this version is earthy, spicy and packed with black fruit. It is priced at $19.50.

Fun happenings around town (that I just had to share with you): InterContinental hotels have rolled out a zodiac-inspired cocktail program nationwide! How fun is that? Each drink is supposedly created based on ingredients and colors that will be soothing and invigorating for people of that particular sign. They have two locations here in SF, the Mark Hopkins near Union Square and their newish property in SOMA.

 In good spirits,

Liza the Wine Chick