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The Anderson Valley of Mendocino holds the International Alsace Varietals Festival each February, with wines from around the world.
The beautiful and friendly Anderson Valley has a similar climate, and grows the same white wine varietals, as Alsace, France.
February brings sweet Valentine treats, a day off to honor a pair of presidents, a “shadowy” groundhog, and ~ if you can get to the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County ~ the delicious and fascinating 6th-annual International Alsace Varietals Festival.
Slated for February 12th and 13th, the Festival will transport you, virtually, to the historic Alsace region of France ~ without pesky customs inspectors, jet lag, or packed-to-the-overhead-bins airplane. Along with a full afternoon of wine tasting, the weekend-long Festival features a technical conference, a gala Winemakers’ Dinner, and open-house tastings throughout the Valley.
Bordering Germany, in the northeast of France, Alsace grows many of the same grape varietals that Germany is renowned for. (Moreover, Alsace was actually part of Germany in times past, which accounts for the Germanic surnames on Alsatian wine bottles, as well as culinary specialties such as sausages, freshwater fish, and hearty winter stews.)
Alsatian fare, served buffet-style, at Saturday afternoon's Grand Tasting.
What Alsace and Mendocino have in common is an unusually cool climate, at least where wine grapes are concerned. Because of the similar temperatures, Mendocino is ideally suited for the same types of wine that Alsace grows. The Anderson Valley, which opens to the chilly Pacific, has earned a stellar reputation for its “Big 5 Alsace varietals,” namely Riesling, Pinot Gris (the same as Pinot Grigio), Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, and Muscat.
A majority of the wineries here produce at least one or two of these white varietals, and some also make lusciously sweet late-harvest versions as well.
Late-harvest Gewurztraminer and Riesling from Navarro Vineyards. Serve them *with* dessert ~ or *as* dessert!
The International Alsace Varietals Festival offers a perfect opportunity to taste not only the Anderson Valley’s finest bottlings of these five wines, but also Alsace-style examples from around the world. The lineup at Saturday afternoon’s Grand Tasting includes wines from cool-climate locales such as France, Germany, and New Zealand, plus Oregon, New York and Michigan. Alsatian-style food and live music round out the virtual “day trip to Alsace.”
On Saturday evening, in Scharffenberger Cellars’ private dining room, the Anderson Valley winemakers themselves will be presenting their wines, served alongside a sumptuous sit-down dinner. The menu includes many Alsatian specialties, served with a California twist ~ including Confit of Pork Belly, Sauerkraut, and Whole-Grain Mustard; Steelhead with Creamed Leeks, Black Trumpet Mushrooms, and Spaetzle; and Foie Gras and Caramelized Onion Tartlet with Munster Cheese.
Alsace, like Germany, is known for its excellent Munster cheese.
Sunday brings open houses at wineries throughout the Valley, where tastings, which are free, also feature specially paired foods to go with the wines. Even if you can’t make it to Saturday’s events, Sunday is not to be missed.
And in case you’re wondering, you won’t find one iota of snobbery here. The atmosphere throughout the Anderson Valley is casual and fun, and the friendly hospitality is beyond compare.
Like Navarro, Handley Cellars has been making world-class Alsace varietals for decades. Their nectar-like Late-Harvest Riesling is one of my all-time favorite dessert wines.
I’ll bring you full coverage of the 2011 International Alsace Varietals Festival, of course, after the event. Meanwhile, for a taste of things to come, you can check out my post about last year’s Festival here.
For complete information, and to make your reservations, go to http://www.avwines.com/, or contact Janis MacDonald at 707-895-WINE (9463) or janis@avwines.com. Hope to see you “in Alsace”!
As always, my friends ~
Cheers,
Rosina
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Hi, Rosina. Thanks for connecting with me on LinkedIn.
Would you like a pair of tickets to Dark & Delicious 2011? It’s at Rock Wall in Alameda… nearly 50 wineries and 30 foodies, wining and dining from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
I’ll comp you a pair of tickets. It’s an awesome event and should be right up your alley, based on your blog
Just connect via Email. Would love to have you at our event. — jo