Farmer's Market Wine Challenge: Corn + Sylvaner

"When life hands you lemons," they say, "make lemonade!" But what about when life hands you corn? Which wine to choose? 

It's July and the produce stalls at farmer's markets everywhere are piling high with corn. Grilled on the cob or tossed into a salad, corn tastes best when it's fresh and in season. It is easy to prepare and fun to eat, and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Even better, the creamy/sweet flavor of corn and its juicy crunch give it broad palate appeal, making it a favored choice for summertime entertaining. 

To complement the creamy and sweet flavors of corn while keeping the palate fresh in the summer heat, I prefer light to medium-bodied white wines with delicate aromas and flavors, a hint of richness on the palate, and balanced acidity. Chardonnay, oaked or unoaked, can be a reliable go-to, but if you're in the mood for something a little more adventurous (and local!) I suggest  giving this unusual white wine from Sonoma a try: 2013 Scribe "Ode to Emil IV" Sylvaner.

Sylvaner is a white varietal native to Austria where, in addition to parts of Germany and Alsace, France, you are still most likely to find it today. Though rare, there is some Sylvaner produced in California. The first Sylvaner cuttings were brought to the US by a German immigrant Emil Dresser in 1858 and planted to what is now Scribe Estate in Sonoma County. This dry white is 100% organic, from a 1 acre plot on the southwest facing slope of Arrowhead Mountain. Inspired by the traditional Sylvaners of Germany and Austria, it shows soft citrus and floral notes with crisp underpinnings balancing a broad palate. A delicious and versatile white, this will not overwhelm  a more subtly flavored cold corn soup, but has the body and flavor to complement spicier sides like corn succotash and homemade salsas. Not much is produced, so this is a rare treat. 

 Cheers!

2013 SCRIBE "ODE TO EMIL IV" SONOMA COUNTY SYLVANER ($29.99)

in stock now at Mission Wines

Wanna taste it? We are pouring it tonight in our Tasting Bar from 1pm-6:30. Enjoy a flight of three wines for $15/$10 with purchase! Wines are also available by the glass and we have locally brewed Craftsman beer on tap too! 

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Here in South Pasadena, we have a wonderful Farmer's Market, which takes place every Thursday. It is located right off the Metro Gold Line on El Centro Street, one block south of Mission Street, making it easy for folks up and down the Arroyo to access. In addition to hosting lots of local produce vendors, its stalls house meat and fish vendors, cheese makers, bread and pastry vendors, selections of honey, sundries, and spices, not to mention a number of solid food trucks. Live world music lends a little flair to the Main Street USA ambiance. After filling your basket, you can stroll down Mission Street to enjoy a wine tasting and pick up the perfect wine for your market-fresh meal at Mission Wines. We look forward to seeing you! 

Natural Wine from Paso? Yes. And it Rocks.

Ambyth Estate Now at Mission Wines! 

We are thrilled to be among the few retailers in the Los Angeles area to carry wines from the California producer that is on every insider's lips: Ambyth Estate in Paso Robles. Situated in a little corner of heaven outside of Templeton, Ambyth is a small, family-owned and managed vineyard and farm. USDA certified organic and the first Demeter-certified Biodynamic producer in Paso Robles, the folks at Ambyth are true pioneers for natural winemaking in the region. Ambyth farms without the use of any pesticides or chemicals. Their wines are produced with native yeasts and free of any winemaking tricks to allow the true story of the vintage and the imprint of terroir be expressed in each bottle. All the wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered (making them vegan-friendly too!) and with zero added sulpher. They age their wines in neutral oak barrels, stainless steel, or terra cota amphoras handmade in Italy.

Ambyth is also a fully functioning self-sustainable farm! In addition to vines, they raise cows, chickens and other animals, grow vegetables, fruit, olive and nut trees, and keep bees for healthy biodiversity. All landscaping is with native plants, and they operate with minimal-to-zero use of water. Ambyth doesn't mess around. They are the real deal and the proof is in the wines.


2013 AMBYTH PASO ROBLES MARSANNE ($42.99) From 100% estate Biodynamic, dry-farmed, head-trained Marsanne vines planted on steep hillsides, this white (or should we say orange?) wine impresses for it's depth and intensity, as well as complex aroma and flavor profile. Delicate floral and nutty aromas greet the nose, with a hint of beeswax and savory herb underneath. Vibrant acidity gives great energy to the wine, and a finish that lasts for minutes. Treat this like you would aged Burgundy, Vouvray, Rioja, or Jura white and be prepared to think twice about what you think you know about Paso Robles, Marsanne, or natural winemaking.

Take it from me. This wine rocks.

-Chiara

Aperitivo at Mission Wines. It's Happy Hour Italian Style!

I really enjoy Happy Hour. It's a great way to unwind at the end of the work day with a cold beer or nice glass of red and maybe some snacks. Every Wednesday here at the shop we have Happy Hour from 3p-6p but last week we changed things up a bit and hosted an "aperitivo" with a special guest Importer, Giammario Villa. I first met Giammario at an event hosted by the Italian Cultural Institute, where I am currently studying the Italian language. When he suggested hosting an aperitivo as part of our Wine Wednesday Happy Hour featuring the wines of Luca Faccinelli, we thought it would be a wonderful way to spend an afternoon talking food and wine pairing with our customers. In Italy, the idea behind the aperitivo is a little something to encourage you to feel hungry, to get the juices flowing. What better way to achieve this than with three distinctive wines from Italy and a delicious assortment of traditional Italian bites prepared by Osteria Mamma? Here are the wines Giammario presented:

Randi Ravenna Bianca, Emilia-Romagna
Randi "Burson" Ravenna Nera, Emilia-Romagna
Faccinelli "Ortensio Lando" Valtellina Superiore

Thank you to Giammario and to everyone who attended. Stay tuned for information about future events like this by joining our mailing list here.

-Sharon