Happy 80th Birthday to Jim Concannon

After spending hours on the keyboard, with intricate spreadsheets, short spoofs, and annoying emails, I drove an hour from the BevMo! Service Center (a.k.a. Corporate Headquarters) in Concord, to the cool and now sophisticated town of Livermore. Not a long drive, but one that brought me back to a place that I haven't visited in quite sometime. This was the night that the family of Jim Concannon wanted to celebrate his 80th Birthday. It was not going to be a stuffy affair, but one in which his family, close friends, industry VIP's were simply going to join the man in a fun, comfortable evening. As soon as I arrived, with the sun squarely in my eyes, I knew it was just going to be fun.

As I signed in, I was handed a glass of delicious Concannon Chardonnay. The sky was so bright that I couldn't even see the vintage, but I drank it nonetheless. After conservations with Fred and Evan Swan as well as many others, I went to the real star of the evening- Petite Sirah. That wine was even more delicious. As sun began to set, I spoke with many other luminaries in the business. At some point, though none of us were in a rush, dinner was served.

Heading to our assigned seats, I found myself with a group of pals (actually every table had nifty folks). The food and wine flawlessly presented. First the 2010 Concannon Vineyard Reserve Viognier- nicely aromatic and well balanced. It was followed by the 2007 Concannon Vineyard Captain Joe's Petite Sirah. Couple with spicy, grilled chicken, the wine was a real hit in my notebook. The dinner's conclusion unveiled a new wine in honor of Jim Concannon- 2009 Concannon Conservancy Crimson & Clover- a blend of Petite Sirah, Cabernet, Syrah and Zinfandel. John Concannon spoke eloquently has he presented the wine in his dad's honor. Served with a trio of cheeses, the wine was pretty fine and show another side of Petite Sirah and how it marries with other varietals.

During the evening, a few guest speakers recounted stories about the birthday boy and how his pioneering spirit gave Petite Sirah its prominence. I simply dined with my pals and toasted to the greatness of the varietal. The evening had so much going on that I have yet to put it all together into print or photographs, but one memory I will always have of this evening is seeing the joy of the Concannon family and remembering the delicious flavors of Petite Sirah. Happy 80th Birthday, Jim

Bittersweet

Bittersweet: I grew up in the Haight-Ashbury and witnessed some of the crazy, zany stuff that went on in the late 1960's. Of course I was a teenager at the time and was really oblivious to most of the "bad" things that went on in my neighborhood. I spent most of my waking hours studying at Lowell High School in San Francisco. As one of the highest rated schools in the city, I found myself constantly at awe with my fellow students. My grades were so-so, but good enough to get me into the University of California at Berkeley in the mid-1970's. I enjoyed a mixed career as an undergraduate studying psychology. In my senior year, I tried my hand as an English major and found myself so far behind that I simply could not matched the well-trained, over-read students already way deep into the program. And then came the Ashbury Market!!!

My parents ran a fine, neighborhood business, taking care of the inhabitants that occupied the Haight-Ashbury and Ashbury Heights area. So while competing at UC Berkeley, I launched my new love...a bona-fide wine vocation. I got distracted from my studies and my parents, who had no idea what school and academics was all about, desperately looked to me as "the son" who would take the family business to the next level. I quickly grew the Ashbury Market wine department and received surprisingly great press coverage. I developed the department but finally gave way to my younger siblings, who wanted to grow the business their way. In 1993, I left our business and found myself out there until Beverages & more! (now known as BevMo!) hired me as the company's first import wine buyer. In 2000, I became e-commerce cellarmaster, which became cellarmaster. So what is the bittersweet stuff?

Because, I became so bitten by the wine bug, I still need few units to complete my BS at Berkeley in psychology. I wonder if I just stayed with my academics, if I would have become some kind of wired scientist or worse, a doctor or lawyer, something that my parents wanted me to become. Instead, I have become this wine guy, who tastes around 8,000 wines annually, meet and interview winemakers and travel four to seven times abroad a year to France, Italy, Spain, Argentina and other famed vineyard countries. What is better doing what you were meant to do? Or, becoming a successful, empty suit? While I may still grab those few units, I really love what I am doing and revisit Berkeley often, especially around Vine and Shattuck, where I can discover the world's greatest cheeses at the Cheeseboard to pair with my favorite wines.In vino veritas!

Robert Mondavi Winery, one of Napa Valley's most important stops!

There is no question the Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley makes some of world's greatest and remarkable wines. High quality, year-in and year-out places this winery above most others. I always take the time to taste their wines as much as I can because of the leadership role play by this larger-than-life player.

The 2007 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon deftly combines ripe fruit with savory earth and a light touch of oak. A formidable yet far from impenetrable wine. Drinks very well now with a few years of softening that could prove beneficial. For me, I like it now because it says, "I am proud to be from the fame Napa Valley." When you have a chance to visit Oakville, Callifornia, don't pass up this destination; it is one Napa Valley's most important stops!

Chinese Broccoli

When I was young, my mom repeatedly told us (there were three of us for a long time; then two more later) to eat our greens. She made mostly mustard greens and cooked them to death. So while I always went to the protein and carbs, I reluctantly chewed my way through the dreaded greens.

Now than I am way old, I have come to enjoy the fibrous veggies and in particular, my favorite is Chinese Broccoli with oyster sauce, a real staple in Cantonese cooking. While it took me nearly five decades to learn, I am feeling that I am finally following my mom's wishes and eating healthier.

I really enjoy my Chinese Broccoli (gai lon) as often as possible and recommend that those of you who dine in Chinese restaurants order this. You may want to scrape some of the oyster sauce to the side; it is very salty and not all that great for you. If you really want be in vogue, you may drink a few ounces of Argentine Torrontes with this as well as with the rest of your meal.

A window

We often peer into windows, wondering what what is going on inside. Mysterious, inviting, and foreboding at the same time, should we go further or retract? It all depends, where we are in our lives, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This window in the Napa Valley let to the wonderful and fine Hall Wines tasting room in St. Helena, off of highway 29. I went in and found myself the way into one of the events of the 2011 Napa Valley Premiere. There, I saw "my people and enjoyed an incredible time.

The message here is don't be afraid of windows, just be aware of where you are, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.


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The first time I ever tasted the Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard was in the early 1970's when I served a bottled of the 1967 to my folks at Thanksgiving dinner (so long ago). I had ventured up to the Napa Valley and bought this bottle for a white-haired gentleman at the tasting room on highway 29 in St. Helena. Young and learning, I took his word to heart, when he told me, "Young man, if you want a treat, then buy the 1967 and serve it a few years from now with roast turkey on Thanksgiving.

When I uncorked the wine, I was so very excited and got everyone in my family ready to enjoy. We enjoyed a great family meal, ate the turkey and drank the wine. Funny, I don't remember much about the wine, but I saw the wine disappear as the night progressed. Funny how great times with family go well with fine food and special wines.

Today, I tasted the newly released 2006 Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Wow, what a wonderful, young wine. Shows precision flavors of black currants with an accent of mint. Long and rewarding on the palate with much of the same and perhaps a hint of leather. Way young now, but already showing its seductive qualities. Hmm, now I sound like a "geek." Perhaps I should return a few decades and just remember how much I enjoyed drinking the 1967 Martha's with my family. Sigh, that was such a long time ago...but the memory (no matter how blurry) still remains with me today. The 2006 is quite a special wine and perfect for building memories still to be written.

A different red wine blend!

Who would hve thought? Tannat, a much maligned red varietal with roots in France, has come to life in all places-Argentina! In a recent vintage to Cafayate (in the province of Salta), we discovered that the varietal has much to offer. In a blend that my colleagues from BevMo! (109 stores in California and Arizona) were looking to put together, we tasted a possible candidate of 70% Syrah, 20% Tannat and 20% Malbec and guess what? The wine tasted great! Rich and ripe with a load of delicious berry-like flavors, this tasty delight looks to be the real thing. So while Tannat has seldom distinguished itself as a stand alone varietal, its value may rest in its ability to contribute as a componet in a mixed varietal red.

Well, we have returned to the states and are anxiously awaiting our next tasting trial of this delicious red wine blend. From past experiences in Argentina, I fully expect this wine to become a hit with our customers. Stay tuned as I tell you more at a later date.