I went tasting in the Dry Creek Valley over the weekend. First time. I’d done downtown Healdsburg and Russian River, but this was my first time in Dry Creek. Abundance of jammy Zins, if you’re interested. We hit Unti, Quivira, Preston, Bella, Roshambo, La Crema and Thumbprint. Here are my three standouts:

Preston: Hands down the best overall wines I had that day. Especially the Carignane, Madame Preston (a white blend), and the Viognier. No wine is under $25, but this stuff’s worth it. The whites are organic, and you can taste the difference.

La Crema: Best pinots of the day. Earthy, smooth and nutty. I loved them and they didn’t charge a tasting fee! I seriously heart Sonoma.

Roshambo: Definitely wins for hippest winery, ever. I’ve written about them before and interviewed owner Naomi Brilliant. Everyone there’s got tattoos, there’s really funky art on the walls and the space was made for parties.

I come across these once in a while, and just wanted to share and thereby show how sacred wine is, and how long it’s been around. It’s believed that the first winemaker was a woman, some 5000-7000 years ago, along the Caspian Sea, in Iran. That would make her a Zoroastrian, a religion that predates Islam in that area:

"Go, eat your bread in gladness and drink your wine in joy, for your action was long ago approved by God…Whatever it is in your power to do, do it with all your might…"

– Ecclesiastes

What did you think of the Gallo-ization of America story in today’s paper? I’ve always been a fan of that Gallo of Sonoma line (that’s a great cab under $10). I was surprised to learn that Red Bicyclette (from France) and Ecco Domani (from Italy) also fall under the Gallo group. The author notes that trying to stretch the Gallo name over wines from $5 to $75 might confuse consumers, but I don’t think so. Levi’s sells jeans at Target for $20 and a higher-end pair in specialty boutiques for $200. GAP tells us to go to Old Navy for affordable clothes and its new store, Forth & Towne, for fancy stuff, right? We can figure it out.

You so don’t have to drink that cloying plum wine with sushi. The subtle flavors pair really well with red and white wines. You just have to choose delicate ones.

Bubbles: Dry sparklings are clean and brisk without overloading you with fruit. Try the Sofia Blanc de Blancs in the pink cans at BevMo!

High Acid Whites: Dry-to-sweet Reislings (I like the one by Gainey). Ripe, bright Sauvingon Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc Cellars, of course!)

Dry Roses: If you follow my stuff you know sophisticated dry roses have been hip for years now. Try Domaine de Nizas, or Taltarni Brut Rose, which gets you the bubblies too.

I got to work a harvest this month. Sort of. Clos Du Val, one of Napa’s best examples of superior winemaking at reasonable prices, had a little event for its wine club members and Jenny and I got to participate. If, like me, you’ve always wondered what it’s like, here’s a glimpse:

We wore gloves and clipped the grapes off the vines and dumped them in a big tray. When the trays were full, we carried them into a big bucket, making sure to take out the leaves. Then, I got to stomp the grapes. Yes, with my feet, I Love Lucy style. Winemaker Bernard Portet insisted he did it the same way with his brother Dominique (now of Domaine Portet in the Yarra Valley of Australia), some 30 years ago, but that the juice is not drinkable.

Apparently, one SF woman didn’t hear him. She was sipping the  stuff from a glass, all mauve-y and Jolly Rancher-looking with floating skins and stems. Odd. We used it to tie-dye our T-shirts. While the experience was more of a contest, competing with other winemakers, it gave me an idea of how difficult vineyard work is, and how critical it is to be thorough at the beginning of the wine making process.

Hey there. Sorry, it’s been a while. Sinus infections and wine just don’t mix. But I’m back and easing back into wine with half bottles. They’re seriously the best invention since screwtops, especially if you’re single, travel a lot, don’t like being forced to finish off whatever’s open, or can’t afford the bigger size. Those enough reasons? Halfwitwines.com has the largest selection of half bottles, over 1,000 labels. Check them out.

If you have a nonbeliever in your life, someone who doesn’t realize that wine is going the way of unstuffines, take him to this event next Wed., the 18th. Nightlife Napa Valley brings 60 wineries together in San Francisco for a huge party at the LIMN Gallery. It’s all young people in outrageous outfits. Fabulous appetizers, too. $25 ($20 if you pay with your AMEX). Go to the Napa Vintners site for more details.

A French triple creme called Pierre Robert served with a German reisling. Orgasmic. The cheese has the texture of thick whipped cream and the wine is off-dry — just sweet enough to balance the cheese’s saltiness.

Okay, so I’m still daydreaming about the American Wine Awards from the other night. While I’m skeptical on how those fine wines and winemakers won (magazines are way different than newspapers when it comes to advertising and editorial), I thought I should mention the fabulous food that the wines lubricated: I’m truly afraid of pate but the truffled pork variety from Traci des Jardins (Jardinere) was phenomenal with all the syrahs. The oxtail ragu from Mark Sullivan of Village Pub and Spruce melted against the apple confit and all the cabs I drank with it. Bravo and well done.

What a scene last night at the De Young Museum! Food & Wine Magazine hosted the 10th Annual American Wine Awards to an invite-only group of 200-300. Think the Oscars, but way more casual. I’m going to list the winners here and then report back with juicy tidbits on the evening’s festivities, including food and people sightings. But first, the envelope please:

Best New Winery: Sea Smoke, Santa Barbara County

Winemaker of the Year: Bob Levy, Napa

Best Bordeaux-Style Blend: 2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia ($150), Napa

Of the best wines under $20 (there were 7 winners), Cliff Lede’s 2004 Sauvignon Blanc stuck out. Crisp, fresh and green peppery. And the Red Car Boxcar Syrah, on the lighter side of most syrahs, but well-balanced and powerful all at once.

Of the best over $20 (also seven winners), where do I begin? The 2003 Etude Heirloom pinot noir blew my brains. So smooth and rich, almost like a syrah it was hearty. Also the 2003 Behrens & Hitchcock Chien Lunatique. Smoky and heavy, like steak in a glass. Beautiful.

Check back for details on the party.