TAPAS Grand Wine Tasting

TAPAS logoEvery June in San Francisco, the Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society (TAPAS) presents a Grand Wine Tasting, where North American wineries come and pour their wines made from the indigenous grape varietals of Spain and Portugal.

The Tasting also has some very good food available.  Instead of just bread and cheese, restaurants and caterers usually provide tapas-style food.

This event is a great opportunity to focus on some varietals that aren’t as commonly found in North America as the usual seven (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah).   Instead, the wines at the TAPAS Grand Wine Tasting must be at least 75% made from of grapes such as Albariño, Carignan, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Graciano, Malvasia, Mourvedre, Palomino, Tempranillo, Tinta Cão, Torrontes, Touriga Naçional, Verdejo, and Verdelho.  And if Touriga Naçional is around, that means there will be Port.

Of the 45 wineries and growers serving in 2011, these are the ten tables we will stop at first next time:

Abacela Vineyards and Winery – Roseburg, OR

Berryessa Gap VIneyards Winters, CA

Bonny Doon VineyardSanta Cruz, CA

Fenestra WineryLivermore, CA

Forlorn Hope WinesNapa, CA

JarvisNapa, CA

Paradise VineyardSonoma, CA

Quinta CruzFelton, CA

Tesouro Port CellarsSt. Helena, CA

Twisted Oak WineryVallecito, CA


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