TASTE OFTASTE OFWINE & WINE & FOODFOODBy Frank MangioBy Frank MangioWeek of March 17, 2019Week of March 17, 2019

Hats Off to Gianni Buonomo & its Latest Hats Off to Gianni Buonomo & its Latest WinesWines

In the middle of San In the middle of San Diego’sDiego’scoolest beach community coolest beach community sits the consummate, sits the consummate, perfect-fit for an urban perfect-fit for an urban winery and tasting room – winery and tasting room – Gianni Buonomo. Ocean Gianni Buonomo. Ocean Beach is a colorful Beach is a colorful collection of character collection of character studies, and it’s home to astudies, and it’s home to a star group of high quality star group of high quality wines, mostly old world wines, mostly old world and mostly sourced from and mostly sourced from the great wine country of the great wine country of Washington. First a word Washington. First a word about the name. Buon about the name. Buon uomo means “good man” uomo means “good man” in Italian, in the Northern in Italian, in the Northern region of Piemonte. region of Piemonte. Though not flashy, he Though not flashy, he always wears fashionable always wears fashionable

shirts, pants, shined shoes and a Fedora hat. He has a sense of old shirts, pants, shined shoes and a Fedora hat. He has a sense of old world style and tradition. world style and tradition.

Brittany Jones is the bartender at Gianni Buonomo Vintners. Brittany Jones is the bartender at Gianni Buonomo Vintners. She displays her favorite, the Double Gold Medal winning 2014 Charbono.She displays her favorite, the Double Gold Medal winning 2014 Charbono.Gianni is the quintessential gentleman, with elegance, distinction and Gianni is the quintessential gentleman, with elegance, distinction and sophistication, and a model for these wines. Owner Keith Rolle makes sophistication, and a model for these wines. Owner Keith Rolle makes all the red wines at Buonomo with Gianni in mind, respectful of the all the red wines at Buonomo with Gianni in mind, respectful of the essence of old world culture. Most of his wine grapes are sourced from essence of old world culture. Most of his wine grapes are sourced from the Yakima Valley in Washington, which is 2the Yakima Valley in Washington, which is 2ndnd in U.S. wine production in U.S. wine production to California. Washington’s biggest attraction for wine growers is its to California. Washington’s biggest attraction for wine growers is its long daytime hours. Eastern Washington, where most of the grapes long daytime hours. Eastern Washington, where most of the grapes are grown has a full 2 hours more sunshine, a big advantage in full are grown has a full 2 hours more sunshine, a big advantage in full grape development of flavors and acidity. An increasing amount of grape development of flavors and acidity. An increasing amount of grapes are now coming from El Dorado Hills, in the Sierra Foothills of grapes are now coming from El Dorado Hills, in the Sierra Foothills of California, including Charbono and Barbera. In all, fourteen varietals California, including Charbono and Barbera. In all, fourteen varietals are now counted on the wine menu.are now counted on the wine menu.My favorite is making a comeback thanks to a Double Gold Medal My favorite is making a comeback thanks to a Double Gold Medal award at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle competition last year.award at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle competition last year. It’s the 2014 Charbono red.( $55.) On this occasion, the new release It’s the 2014 Charbono red.( $55.) On this occasion, the new release award-winning 2015 Barbera was introduced.($39.) It has a deep ruby award-winning 2015 Barbera was introduced.($39.) It has a deep ruby cherry flavor with help from an addition of Malbec and Sangiovese. cherry flavor with help from an addition of Malbec and Sangiovese. Barbera is the staple wine of Piedmont in Northern Italy. The event wasBarbera is the staple wine of Piedmont in Northern Italy. The event was special as authentic Northern Italian cuisine was prepared and served special as authentic Northern Italian cuisine was prepared and served by Chef Max Farina and his Zafferano Catering. by Chef Max Farina and his Zafferano Catering. Rolle has 2 wine clubs going, Club Gianni where members enjoy 10% Rolle has 2 wine clubs going, Club Gianni where members enjoy 10% off retail for all bottle purchases, and the Fedora and the Gold Band off retail for all bottle purchases, and the Fedora and the Gold Band Club, with 20% off. See more about the only beach winery in San Club, with 20% off. See more about the only beach winery in San Diego at GBVinters.com.Diego at GBVinters.com.

Petal to Plate a 10 Day Party for Petal to Plate a 10 Day Party for Carlsbad’s Flower Carlsbad’s Flower FieldsFields

For over 60 years, For over 60 years, the city of Carlsbad, the city of Carlsbad, my hometown, has my hometown, has been the hometown been the hometown for one of the most for one of the most spectacular displaysspectacular displays of natural color and of natural color and beauty in the world beauty in the world with its Flower with its Flower Fields.Fields.

Over 50 acres are ablaze with a riot of colors, from approximately 10 Over 50 acres are ablaze with a riot of colors, from approximately 10 million Ranunculusmillion RanunculusThe Carlsbad Flower Fields, some 50 acres, are now open for aThe Carlsbad Flower Fields, some 50 acres, are now open for a massive natural display of Ranunculus flowers, now though May 12.massive natural display of Ranunculus flowers, now though May 12.

flower plants. This year’s event has been blessed with about 12 inchesflower plants. This year’s event has been blessed with about 12 inches of rain, 10 inches more than last year, and the foliage is bursting with of rain, 10 inches more than last year, and the foliage is bursting with color. Last year’s attendance was reported to be 260,000. Beside the color. Last year’s attendance was reported to be 260,000. Beside the spectacle of the flowers, many family events are planned for this spectacle of the flowers, many family events are planned for this regional attraction near Interstate 5 and Palomar Airport Road. One-of-regional attraction near Interstate 5 and Palomar Airport Road. One-of-a-kind picnics in the flowers, food trucks and an American Flag of a-kind picnics in the flowers, food trucks and an American Flag of Flowers are available, with a live music schedule each weekend Flowers are available, with a live music schedule each weekend through Mothers Day May 12.through Mothers Day May 12.Petal to Plate is a 10 day celebration of fine flowers, food and drink, Petal to Plate is a 10 day celebration of fine flowers, food and drink, starting April 4 and going to April 14 with a wide range of fun, food andstarting April 4 and going to April 14 with a wide range of fun, food and wine. Especially attractive are the Sunset Wine Tasting and Music wine. Especially attractive are the Sunset Wine Tasting and Music dates of March 29, April 5, 12 and 19. Five wines and a Sommelier, 5 dates of March 29, April 5, 12 and 19. Five wines and a Sommelier, 5 bites and live music are included, plus the outdoor ambience of bites and live music are included, plus the outdoor ambience of gorgeous flowers. This event is $65. each and will be by advance gorgeous flowers. This event is $65. each and will be by advance reservation. Day admission is included in the event price. For details, reservation. Day admission is included in the event price. For details, go to Eventbrite.com, then click on Carlsbad and the date selected.go to Eventbrite.com, then click on Carlsbad and the date selected.

Wine BytesWine Bytes A comprehensive class on the most talked about grape, Pinot Noir, A comprehensive class on the most talked about grape, Pinot Noir,

will be held at Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas, Sat. March 23 will be held at Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas, Sat. March 23 from 3 to 5pm. The expert educator is “M” and she will pour and from 3 to 5pm. The expert educator is “M” and she will pour and tutor you on 8 renditions of Pinot from California, Burgundy, Oregon,tutor you on 8 renditions of Pinot from California, Burgundy, Oregon, New Zealand and South Africa. Light appetizers are included in the New Zealand and South Africa. Light appetizers are included in the $79. price. Call 760-479-2500 for your place.$79. price. Call 760-479-2500 for your place.

The Craftman’s Tavern in Encinitas has a High West brand Whiskey The Craftman’s Tavern in Encinitas has a High West brand Whiskey Dinner coming Wed. March 27 at 6pm. Entrees include salmon, Dinner coming Wed. March 27 at 6pm. Entrees include salmon, steak tartare, sirloin and more. Cost is $65. each. Call Mike at 760-steak tartare, sirloin and more. Cost is $65. each. Call Mike at 760-452-2000.452-2000.

Vittorio’s in Carmel Valley San Diego presents a Zaca Mesa Winery Vittorio’s in Carmel Valley San Diego presents a Zaca Mesa Winery dinner Thurs. March 28 at 6pm. Wine includes Viognier, Roussanne,dinner Thurs. March 28 at 6pm. Wine includes Viognier, Roussanne, Syrah, and a special blend. 4 courses plus dessert for $60. per Syrah, and a special blend. 4 courses plus dessert for $60. per person. RSVP at 858-538-5884.person. RSVP at 858-538-5884.

Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading commentatorsby Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading commentatorson the web. View his columns at tasteofwineandfood.com.on the web. View his columns at tasteofwineandfood.com.Go to recent columns. Reach him at Go to recent columns. Reach him at frank@tasteofwineandfood.comfrank@tasteofwineandfood.com to comment or unsubscribe. to comment or unsubscribe.