I was recently asked to participate in a 3-month Premier Club gift membership (a $150.00 value) from the California Wine Club and write about my experience. Having not previously belonged to any Wine Clubs, I am eager to see what wine surprises the next 3 months will bring!

The wines for Month 1 featured the Fess Parker Winery. Fess was a successful actor back in the day, best known for his roles as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. The Premier Club shipment came with 2 bottles, the 2010 Parker Station Pinot Noir (retail ~$12) and the 2010 Fess Parker Riesling Santa Barbara (~$14).

The Parker Station Pinot Noir is meant to be “the best wine that you can drink daily.” At 13.8% alcohol, this Pinot is very drinkable and food friendly. The fruit comes through with a hint of sweetness. I really enjoyed this wine, although over time the sweetness seemed to intensify a bit more than my liking. Would I get it again? Sure – the price point and wide availability of this wine makes it great for an inexpensive, crowd friendly choice.

If you like peaches, you’re going to like the Fess Parker Riesling. As I was sipping it, I just couldn’t get this song out of my head. I wish they had put the International Riesling Foundation Scale on the back so I wasn’t surprised by the level of sweetness which seemed more than “off-dry.” Another crowd pleaser, although too sweet for my personal preference.

Uncorked, the California Wine Club magazine, was filled with information on Fess Parker Winery and remembrances of Parker who passed away in 2010. Fess-isms included quotes from Parker, such as “Enjoy the warm company of family and friends, as much as possible around a table with good food, drink, stories and song.” Good advice indeed!

A recipe for Bacon and Mushroom Risotto to pair with the Pinot and fun wine facts were also included. My favorite fun wine fact: Who has more appellations  - Sonoma or Napa? Answer: Napa barely edges out Sonoma 16 to 15.

Overall, this was a well put together package leaving the recipient with a good overview of this winery. The price seems a little high but does include shipping for only 2 bottles which can be costly. I’m very interested to see what Month 2 and 3 bring!

California Wine Club is offering readers 4 bottles for the price of 2 when you sign up. Use the code life12 at checkout if you are interested in this offer.

Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. 

Given the challenge to find a Barossa for under $30, I trekked out to my local wine shops and found many above this price point. WineStone in Chestnut Hill had this Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz for $23 so I grabbed a bottle.

David Powell has a passionate belief in the Barossa Valley which he mixes with a love of Rhone wines and varietals. Torbreck is named for a Scottish forest where he worked as a lumberjack.  All Torbreck wines are hand harvested.

The Woodcutter’s Shiraz comes from younger vines than others in the Torbreck portfolio and is meant to be a “true expression of Barossa Valley Shiraz.”

The wine poured out an extremely dark, inky red almost black color.  A sniff gave me wood, lots of it, with cherry lurking in the background. Bottled without fining or filtration, this is one raw and powerful wine. The first sip made me glad I’ve been working out so it didn’t knock me over.  First comes the oak, then the tannins, and finally the fruit.  Much as the winemaker noted, a hearty meal is a great accompaniment – this is not a sipping wine. Given that the Barossa has a strong German heritage, I could see this wine with a traditional meal.

Decanting for at least 30 minutes is advised. I also think another year or so of aging would allow the flavors to become more complex.  I can’t wait to see how this wine transforms on the second night of drinking it, and will update this post with what I find!

Night 2: Still fierce!

Are you an expert on Barossa Shiraz? Is this really “a true expression?” I haven’t had enough wines from Barossa to know, so please share!

Prepping for the Wine Riot requires training similar to planning for any endurance event. In order to be in optimal shape for swirling and sipping your way through 4 hours of wine soaked fun, here are the recommended steps to ensure you make your way through the whole event injury free.

Prior to Wine Riot Day:

Download Mobile App. With 250 possible wines to taste, you’ll need to plan your attack well and this app is amazing! I wish all big wine events came with something similar. Booths will corresponding numbers and what wines will be served are laid out for you.

Day of Wine Riot:

Step 1: Go to gym and workout. This removes any feelings of guilt from drinking and eating all day. You need to build up those muscles to be able to continuously lift the glass to your mouth.

Step 2: Eat. Get a base layer of food in your stomach. All those sips add up! It’s helpful to down a bunch of water on your way to stave off dehydration.

Step 3: Pick up wine loving friend. As with most things in life, this experience is best shared.

Step 4: Open Second Glass App and go on Discovery Tour: ‘Bust out that Bubbly.’ Sparkling wines are a great way to start before delving into the heavier stuff.  Sip and enjoy. Rate wines on mobile App –  2 thumbs up, 1 thumbs up, or ‘meh.’  Use App to locate wines you really like at stores in your local area.  Get excited by the Dr L Sparkling Riesling, make note in App to purchase this! Get mystified by the Sparkling Shiraz, which is just plain weird.

Step 5: Decide to check out local wine scene: For Boston, this means Travessia, Westport Rivers, and Farnum Hill Ciders. Ask DJ to dedicate a song to the awesomeness that is the Travessia Vidal Blanc. Show sadness that you will have to wait 3 more weeks before it is released in stores. Swing by the always fun Finger Lakes Wine Country and check out offerings. Hear stories about someone pulling a Miles and drinking the spit bucket the previous evening.

Step 6: Check App and see Top Wines as rated by attendees. Go to Huge Bear to check out the Cabernet that is currently rated #3. Feel like you have consumed a large oak tree. Shudder. Move next door to Cypher Winery to check out what’s going on in Paso Robles. Thoroughly enjoy their Anarchy, Peasant, and Heretic wines. Wish they weren’t all in the $40 range.

Step 7: Take a break. Be thankful for presence of Roxy’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese. Consume every bite while enjoying watching people compare tattoos and dance in the aisles.

Step 8: Go international without enduring a TSA patdown. Try Greek wines made from Assyrtiko and Agiorgitiko. Love them. Make note to buy more Greek wine in the future. Move onto Italy and France. Try several more before declaring complete palate fatigue and calling it a well spent day. Be happy that the mobile App has stored all your wine picks for future reference.

Attended on press pass.  

Thanks to wine.com for sending along this infographic in honor of Earth Day! To delve further, I recommend picking up Alice Feiring’s book Naked Wine: Letting Grapes Do What Comes Naturally