Crystal Basin, Author at Crystal Basin Cellars

June Meau-Faux, Jacques Cousteau

by Crystal Basin | Jun 1, 2023 | Cellar Events, Station Events

Jacques Cousteau, undersea explorer, writer, filmmaker

Born June 11, 1910, Jacques Cousteau was a visionary underwater Meau-Faux in the true tradition of the genre. The dude who actually invented breathing underwater no less! Spy, war hero, commando and cinematic pioneer, Cousteau perhaps did more to change the framework of human perception excepting perhaps the Wright Brothers. His films, exploration and risk-taking were part of the culture of discovery and wonder in the 1960 and his observations initiated much of the ecological consciousness that marks our conversations today. As a French Military Intelligence officer, Cousteau would have been quite familiar with rich and flavorful red wines and would have enjoyed them at almost every meal. We certain he would have been a big fan of Crystal Basin’s tasty red wines. We dedicate our Meau-Faux of the month for June to the legend of the sea – Jacques Cousteau.

May Wine of the Month Grenache

by Crystal Basin | May 8, 2023 | Wine of the Month

Ah Grenache. We picked it as the wine for the month of May, largely because it is a transitional wine, much like May itself. Like May, Grenache comes in a host of styles and flavors. It is the second-most planted red wine grape in the world, only surpassed by Cabernet Sauvignon. It grows in virtually every wine-producing region and is made in possible the widest range of styles. We suggest that you serve Grenache a little colder than you would other white wines – let it slowly come up to room temperature on your table to see what we’re talking about. From the light rose wines of Tavel in France, to a fruit-bomb GSM wine from Australia to the venerated Hearty Burgundy from California in the 70’s, Grenache is a workhorse. It likes heat and it likes to bear a heavy crop. It likes to be blended – check out a Chateauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhone or a Rioja or Priorat from Spain. It is the lead singer in the GSM blend – Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre! Grenache boasts of Spanish origins but its main stage may be found in the Rhone Valley of France. It can stand on it’s own as a high alcohol wine like Banyuls or Gigondas or add a lighter edge to a blend. We suggest that, as you fire up the barbie for the first couple of times this year – you consider pulling a cork on a Grenache to see how it fits your transition to the patio for the summer!

May’s Meau-Faux Orson Welles

by Crystal Basin | May 8, 2023 | Cellar Events

Orson Welles was not just the ‘wine before its time’ guy. He was the guy who pioneered Fake News by scaring the bejezus out of Americans by announcing an alien invasion over the radio in 1938. Spoiler alert – it didn’t happen… Late in his career, he became well known as a (paid) California wine advocate on early TV ads. Welles was famous for almost creating many cinematic masterpieces. But the style of the time was to let the studio that owned the films do the editing and much of his best work was left uncompleted or hacked. Nonetheless, Citizen Kane is viewed as one of the best films of all time. Welles was also a magician, a theater actor and spent much of his professional life in Europe. His imposing presence and deep baritone voice made him a frequent guest on TV shows in the 70’s. We think that Welles’ wine quotes are best summed up with this gem: ‘The best way to learn about wine is to drink it.”

Dead Presidents Weekend

by Crystal Basin | Feb 5, 2023 | Cellar Events, Station Events

Every year we get questions about Dead Presidents Weekend. Because we are all about customer service and we’re always here to help, this year we are going to help you operate from a position of clarity. The basic premise is that you hit your safe deposit box and pull out stacks and stacks of valid US currency and trade us for wine. Some other highlights:

There is a US law that will now allow living persons to be depicted on currency. So, all those Obama bucks you’ve got stashed won’t work.
There is another law that says you can’t make your own currency. (Unless you are really, really good at it – then don’t tell us). So don’t bring that homegrown stuff either.
For clarity – size does matter. To be specific, this is a Woody. It would be the best picture of a dead president you could EVER bring up to CBC:

4. If you don’t have a lot of Woodys at your house (of if you are fresh out), here’s what you can expect at CBC from the various presidential pictures on other forms of US currency:

a. $1 George Washington – All You Can Eat Pretzels!

b. $5 Abraham Lincoln – Glass of CB Bubbly or Renegade Red.

c. $20 Andrew Jackson – Your Choice of One Bottle of Any of Renegade Red or CB Bubbly – Tax Included!

d. $50 Ulysses Grant – Your Choice of any 3 Bottles of Any of Our Bistro Reds, Renegade Red, or Mystery Juice – Tax Included!

e. $500 William McKinley – This will get you a Big Daddy at CBC! Three Cases of Futures to Spread Out Over 2 Vintages!

f. $1,000 Grover Cleveland – A Big Daddy and 3 Cases of Wine to Take Home!

g. $5,000 James Madison – 1 Pallet (56 cases!) of Renegade Red or CB Bubbly – Your pIck!

h. $100,000 Woodrow Wilson – See Above – Bring About 45 of These and We’ll Give You the Keys to the Winery and the Forklift. No Kidding…

February 18 – 20, 2023

Due to the popularity of this event, reservations are highly recommended.

Syrah Wine of the Month

by Crystal Basin | Jan 27, 2023 | Wine of the Month

Announcing Crystal Basin’s Wine of the Month Syrah!

Syrah was one of the two grape varieties that Crystal Basin was founded to showcase.

Grown at higher altitudes, Syrah gains a rugged, meaty fruitiness and loses the higher tannins that its often known for.

Our Syrah is a fruit-forward expression of sun and soil.

El Dorado fruit brings on a rich blackberry and peppery aspect that is intriguing like wearing shiny leather pants.

We hope you’ll enjoy some of our Syrah soon!

Syrah

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