Back to the Future when Brookside was the One
I remember, and so do most wine drinkers in the 70's. So does Tim Bucino, a 6th generation owner and wine maker at Brookside Winery.
His family started this iconic winery in 1832.
Brookside reached its peak in the 70's, when they were the 6th largest winery in the U.S. and in every corner of California, selling over 150 brands of wine. They were the first wine company to get on TV with a commercial. I spoke to Bucino at the Encinitas location of Wine Styles and asked him what the business was like then. "The 70's was more about learning and exploration," he said. "The hot sellers were Chablis, Chardonnay and White Zinfandel. Sweeter wines were easier to sell than dry wines and we sold by the color: white, red and blush. We were one of the first wineries to educate the public to a wine taster's palate."
With Brookside the retail chain sold off, Bucino looks forward to a boutique style he is making named Gen 7, a tribute to his daughter Gabriella.
His 4 wines under the Gen 7 label were introduced recently at the Encinitas location of Wine Styles, an eclectic wine shop that's very active in introducing small but vibrant wineries, where Gen 7 can be purchased.
I was pleased to see the initial selection was a 2009 Viognier ($20.).
It had the usual luscious stone-based tropical fruit style and orange blossom finish. It's the French Rhone Valley's iconic white. After taking me through an '05 Cabernet and a Muscat Reserve 2010, Bucino was at his best with his Gen 7 Road to Zanzibar Red Blend 2008. ($24.99). You will be tasting black cherry, big in Zinfandel which is 46% of this wine. Other varietals are: Cab Franc 31% and Carignane 23%. Bucino hears the nostalgia for Brookside when he presents at many restaurants. I tell old fans that if you liked Brookside then, you are going to love Gen 7 now. Now it's tradition, quality and complexity."
Evidence of that was the success of Gen 7 at the recent Pacific Rim Inter-national Wine Competition when all Gen 7 wines entered won medals, including gold for the Viognier and the Muscat. Look it up at www.brooksidegen7.com. Call 619-540-1986.
Learn more about Wine Styles at www.winestyles.net/encinitas. Phone 760-633-0057.
A Sage Restaurateur Shows How to Succeed in Today's Economy.
Several months ago I got curious about Sage Grill in Encinitas after seeing some "come on in" inviting e mails.
Long-time owner Rick Camp-bell was turning things around with a combination of custom-quality entrees without the premium pricing, a Sunday/Monday $15. dinner, a retail wine selection at less than retail pricing and a wine bar and events at consistently lower price points. I call it the "Trifecta"to drive traffic into a wine/food operation.
All wine dinners are priced at $59. They include a 3 course dinner and 4 generous glasses of wine from a leading winery. On the occasion I attended, Ruth-erford Hill was the winery. Sage has Napa Valley's Markham coming on Monday June 20 and Argentina's Catena on Monday July 18. All dinners begin at 6:30pm.
For an RSVP to the wine dinners, and other information, call 760-943-7243.
Wine Bytes
- The great Grammy Award singer Sheena Easton is performing at the Grand Del Mar's Club M, Fri. and Sat. May 27 & 28 at 7pm. Tickets are $85. ea. Call 858-314-2700.
- Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas has a "Walk Through Washington" wine tasting Fri. May 27 from 6 to 8pm. $20.pp. More info at 760-479-2500.
- Miner Wines of Napa Valley are spotlighted at San Clemente Wine Co. Fri. May 27 from 5:30pm to 9pm, with wine maker Dave Miner. Cost is $15. for 7 wines, cheese, crackers and chocolate. Call 949-429-7067.
- PAON is hosting a Moshin Wine Tasting Wed. June 1 from 5:30-8pm in the wine bar, and later in the month on Wed. June 29 PAON will have a Livin-gston-Moffett Wine Maker Dinner for $85.pp. 760-729-7377 for an RSVP.
- The Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival is Fri. June 3 thru Sun. June 5. Sat. June 4, many hot air balloons ascend skyward at dawn. 20 wineries will pour. Check out www.temeculacvb. com or 888-363-2852 for tickets and other information.
- Encinitas Rotary presents its annual Wine Festival at the Botanical Garden Sat. June 4 from 5 to 8pm. Visit www. encinitaswinefestival.com for prices and details.
Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading wine commentators on the web. View his columns at www.tasteofwinetv.com. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.
