Adept at wine tourism experiences and a self-confessed traveler in search of inspiration around the world, the sommelier Daniel Steinle is now a partner and responsible for the wine list of Nelita authorial Italian restaurant, on the trendy Rua Ferreira de Araújo, commanded by chef Tássia Magalhães and which integrates the select list of 50 Best Restaurant Latin America in the 35th position.
At the restaurant, the professional handpicks labels ranging from classics to organic naturals, the result of research on trips to countries that are among the most famous in wine production.
Studies began in 2015 not far from Brazil, in Maipo Valley at the Chile . Then it was the turn of Italy where he visited the regions of Tuscany and studied Barbaresco wine in Piedmont.
THE France then came a veritable expedition through the main producing communes in Burgundy. And the California entered the sommelier route in 2022, where he visited some of the main wineries in the famous region of napa valley .
This last trip even yielded some tips from Steinle, who shares below an explanation about the wines of the Californian region and also some of his discoveries by the best wineries:
california wines
The Paris Trial in 1976 was a watershed for Californian wines, where the 1973 vintage of Stag’s Leap wine won the blind tasting made with wines from the same Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety.
After this emblematic event, wine lovers learned to recognize North American producers.
It is necessary to recognize the tremendous effort of the Californians in approaching the characteristics of French wines. Napa Valley is known for having red wines inspired by Bordeaux and whites from the Burgundy region, both for the vinified grape varieties and also for the winemaking methods.
For wine lovers who want to understand the entire winemaking process and learn about the history behind these great labels, I advise you to look for a place in the center of the village of Yountville and take advantage of the days to visit the wineries.
Below, I highlight two wineries and a restaurant that are unmissable in Napa Valley:
Progeny Winery
THE Progeny is a super-modern, high-altitude winery located in the Mount Veeder region.
The 32-hectare project is incredible and all of its production is distributed only to a club of members of the winery itself and seven other restaurants in California handpicked by the owners.
The winery brings varieties from Bordeaux and Côtes du Rhone and also offers the option of visiting and pairing wines with cheeses and sausages starting at US$100 and going up to US$250. Visits must be scheduled in advance.
1032 Mt Veeder Rd, Napa, CA 94558, United States / Tel.: +1 (707) 257-9001 / Opening hours: Monday to Sunday by prior arrangement.
Stags’ Leap
Another must-visit in Napa Valley is the Stags’ Leap . The winery was responsible for putting California on the wine map and has about four options for tasting the labels and vineyards, ranging from US$85 to US$150.
Located more in the center of Napa, they produce the great Cabernet Sauvignon, winner of the Paris Judgment. If you risk visiting the winery during the summer, be prepared for a dry climate and temperatures above 30°C.
6150 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558, United States / Tel.: +1 (707) 257-5790 / Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday by prior arrangement.
The French Laundry
The essential stop for wine and gastronomy lovers is at The French Laundry . the restaurant of three Michelin stars commanded by Thomas Keller requires reservations up to six months in advance.
In addition to a memorable tasting menu (two of them are served daily), the house also has a cellar with exclusive samples made for the restaurant itself.
With more than three thousand bottles, the cellar has rarities from all over the world, with producers and vintages that we would never imagine finding.
6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599, United States / Tel.: +1 (707) 944-2380 / Hours: Open daily for dinner; Private outdoor patio open from May to September depending on weather conditions.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
