(Photos by Sandy Zimmerman and Moraga Bel Air Wines)
I was invited to a private and very special Media Tasting event for Moraga Bel Air Wines 30th Anniversary Holiday Wine Tasting party in the Fountain View Penthouse Suite, at the Bellagio Resort. Each of the guests were given keys for the tower elevator to their 17th floor suite. With stunning views of the Paris Hotel, Planet Hollywood Hotel and much of the strip, this was a wonderful setting for tasting different vintages beginning with their red wine- 1996, and other red vintages from 2007, and 2015. We also tasted selections of their 2014 and 2017 white wine vintages.
It was a perfect evening, an exciting chance
to discover so many of Moraga’s wines and find the delightful difference in each of their tempting flavors!
The Moraga winemakers define their red wines as being, “noted for a complex blend of dark red berry, plum flavors, tobacco notes, and sweet herbal characteristics.”
I enjoyed their Cabernet’s excellent fusion of the dark red berries’ robust flavor with the plum flavors brought a bolder taste. This became an interesting combination along with the earthy tobacco notes and touch of sweetness.
All of these contrasting flavors were uplifting as each surprised my taste buds with every sip. Wine blends are richer, tastier, and bring so much more to the wine.
INTERVIEW: Roxanne Langer, Vineyard Sommelier,
Moraga Bel Air Director of Sales and Marketing.
Langer: “People don’t realize that Los Angeles was all vines in 1800 and some vineyards won awards in Europe before Napa became known. Far from Hollywood, at that time, the owner of Moraga considered this his country home.
Moraga is located in Bel Air, next to Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. We see the Santa Monica Bay from our vineyard and every day its breezes keep the vineyard cool. When people drive across the freeway they say, “Gosh, there’s a vineyard in Bel Air!
Moraga Bel Air is a Hollywood historical area. Beginning early in 1989, our vineyard is within a little canyon and in the flat area where we grow 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Walking around the vineyard we see ancient marine life and seashells.
Our white wines can be served with anything tropical and seafood, while the red Cabernet wines prepared with black fruit have a broader reach to pair with steak, cheese, and lamb.
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Sandy Zimmerman produces television programs, documentaries, and travel specials around the world- in Beijing and on the Yangtze River Cruise in China, and in addition to travel specials in Italy and other countries as well as for Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon North Rim National Park, a real Cattle Drive similar to the early westerns in Reno, Nevada, and other destinations in the US.
With 20 years’ experience as a syndicated Show and Dining Reviewer, Travel/ Luxury writer, Health, as well as a Photographer/ Videographer, Editor, and Talk Show Host of Sandy Zimmerman’s Las Vegas TV Show and Discover the Ultimate Vacation travel specials. For information, questions, comments please contact Sandy Zimmerman at sandyzimm2003@yahoo.com 702-515-0846.
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