Omega,

'99 is somewhat of a hit and miss year. Although it seems that it's more hit than miss. Generally, any 1999 California red from the Alexander Valley (includes Dry Creek area) or the Russian River Valley is fabulous. Some of the Napa Valley stuff is good too. However, some of the '99s are just not that good. Look at the region and use the above as a guide. If it is outside that region, you need to do some research.

I was in charge of this week's program for our local Lions Club. We had....a wine tasting. Actually, I contacted a local merchant and they contacted their distributer and it was more of an introduction to wine than a tasting. We had a Vovaray and a 2001 Cab Sav from Chile. The white will be a big seller. Not too bad for a wine of that sweetness. The Cab Sav I will have to buy and try again. It needed more time to breath than our time would allow.

The presentation went well. They will pick up more customers (my goal).

I have a wine dinner tonight. Italian wines as well as Grappa. I wish I didn't have this cold. I can't taste much and I hear they're going to be really nice wines. Three reds and three whites as well as a desert and the grappy.

BAD SPELLERS OF THE WORLD U N T I E!!!!!

Well, to make Dawnie jealous, this is Zinfandel season in San Francisco. The Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) group has 4 events this week each year. Night before last we attended the wine and food pairing event. 32 wineries and 32 restaurants. Fabulous event.

Today is the main tasting at Fort Mason in San Francisco. There will be a couple hundred wineries and they will probably have well over 500 wines open. Some Zinfandel Ports and some late harvest (dessert wine), but all Zinfandels. And, not a white one in sight.

Oh, so much wine ... so little time.

I am so jealous. All of that wine in one of my favorite cities! I have to put this on my calendar for a future visit.

Final count as best I can from the program: 276 wineries pouring at least 600 wines.

Mark your calendar. Next year it will be January 19-22. The big tasting is the Saturday (the 22nd) at Fort Mason in San Francisco. For more information, go to http://www.zinfandel.org

600 Wines!!! How ever does one drive home? Heh heh

Well we had 7 baby! Count them!!! 7!!!!! at the wine dinner.

Ok wait that's not very many. Dang I need to head to California

Are "ice wines" included in these late season zin dessert wines?

There's plenty of time to schedule a trip for the Spring Wine Festival in Santa Barbara! Come on down!

KK, we need details. When is it? Is there a website?

Check out the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association. The Vintner's Festival is May 15 at the Firestone Meadow.

Red grapes are rarely turned into ice wines (that I've seen) aside from the grenache grapes. Normally they end up in the port because they finish (late in the harvest) with a higher alcohol content, though they can be sweet as well.

The defination of Ice wine though leaves plenty of room for wiggling: Sweet wine made from frozen grapes that are pressed while frozen to extract a more concentrated juice.

I would imagine if you can squeeze it late (it has to be a certain degree cold or colder, picked prior to 10 am or some silly thing, and the juices have to come out as ice shards) and it qualifies otherwise it would be Ice wine.

I'm going to have to ask the boss when he returns from the Winery. Their best wines are Zin's so he should know for sure, or at least pretend to give me a real answer.

Thank you for your research. Have never tried an "ice wine". I will make a point of doing so.

I got a call yesterday from my local grocer. My Bitburger beer (bier) is in. It is not a wine but a good, full-bodied beer. Any other Bitburger fans out there?

I love it! My cousin brought some for us at Christmas, and we all went nuts for it. (well, my mother preferred her Coors Light....... but What'cha gonna do?????

The carton states Bitburger is the number one draught beer in Germany. Does that make it Bud "D" or "Millerstrause"?

I had never heard of it until a couple of years ago.

WildTurkey should know as well.

I understand that "Two Buck Chuck" merlot won double gold at an international wine contest. I need to try this stuff!