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Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

Russ Winton: Walk down Mother Lode Main Street

I've written about walking the beautiful Monterey recreation trail and tasting wine along the way to Cannery Row.

Wine Line also featured a walking wine tasting tour of the Carmel Valley Village and laid out an interesting wine tasting walk in Carmel.

As you can see, I much prefer parking the car and walking while tasting wine. Why not? It's good exercise, it's safer than driving and you can read interesting restaurant menus along the way. If you like this concept, then it's time to head to the hills and enjoy the laid-back style of Murphys.

On my last trip to Murphys, I asked how many tasting rooms there were. I got three different answers, somewhere between 18 and 23. So suffice it to say there will be plenty of tasting rooms open any day of the week you choose to visit. Murphys is the perfect Mother Lode town to park the car and stroll Main Street. You can taste wine, read menus, shop for antiques or just sit and watch the leaves fall off the trees.

Driving time from Merced is about an hour and a half and most of the tasting rooms open at 11 a.m., so stopping in Jamestown for breakfast is a good idea. If you have the desire to visit a working winery, I suggest Chatom Vineyards just past Vallecito on your right, on Highway 4. This winery produces some excellent wines, has a very active wine club and is a fun place to visit.

When you reach Murphys, it's time to meander, which means wandering aimlessly without urgent destination. I love to meander, don't you?

Some of my favorite stops are Black Sheep Winery, Newsome-Harlow Wines, Hatcher Winery, Lavender Ridge Vineyard and Milliaire Winery.

As wineries and tasting rooms have sprouted in this bucolic village so have restaurants. Check out the restaurants as you meander between tasting rooms and ask how late they serve.

A late lunch would be a perfect way to end your visit in Murphys. Grounds, the Firewood, the Alchemy Market, the Murphys Hotel and the V (my favorite) are all excellent restaurants. It's a great time to visit Murphys, the leaves are falling.

Cheers!

2009 Holiday Spirit Weekend

The family wineries of the Madera Wine Trail will host the "Holiday Spirit Weekend" on Nov. 14 and 15. Wine lovers may purchase a Passport Glass for $25 at any of the participating wineries or pre-purchase tickets online for $20 at www.myticketportal.com.

Celebrate the season on the Madera Wine Trail!

What's on our table

Beverages and More is having the buy-one-get-the-second-bottle-for-five-cents sale. If you know what you like, you can find some real bargains. If you are not sure, you can taste these wines every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. for just 25 cents. Here are some deals I like: 2008 Alianca, Gazela or Twin Vines Vinho Verde for $4.50 per bottle, 2007 Dry Creek Chenin Blanc for $5.50, and 2007 Columbia Crest Riesling for $5.50. For reds try the 2006 Bodega Norton Malbec for $8.50 or the 2006 Lake Sonoma Zinfandel for $10.

Cheers!

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? You can reach me at rgwinton@yahoo.com.