The Wine and Food Society of Clark County hosted a Library tasting and Christmas party. Musical background pianist, Yvonne Page, provided a wonderful atmosphere for all to gather. Jason provided bartending services and colorful Christmas drinks. The children enjoyed movies in the theatre room from Ice Age - The Meltdown to Superman Returns with authentic movie theatre popcorn. Everyone brought a dish to share and some brought recipes for their dishes. The food ranged from ham to delicious pecan pumpkin pie. Hardly anything was leftover. A white elephant gift exchange rounded up the evening of enjoyment as everyone shared in the festivities. It was so much fun that everyone left planning for next year. The wines that were tasted are listed below, as well as a link where you may reach Yvonne Page.

Navarro Vineyards is a family-operated winery founded in 1973. We nurture vines on ninety acres of hillside vineyard and farm to promote biodiversity and ecological balance. Each unique vineyard site is monitored row by row and farming practices vary according to clones, rootstocks, trellising systems and the seasons. Since the climate is similar to Northern France, we specialize in many of the same grape varieties: Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling.

Hand crafted wines are aged in traditional French and German oak casks to mature and clarify naturally with minimal manipulation. We vinify each vineyard site separately and Navarro’s staff works hard at creating blends from only the best lots. Any wine that does not come up to snuff is discarded; consequently our tasting room wall is overflowing with gold medals.

You won’t find Navarro wine in your local supermarket, although you might find it in one of your favorite restaurants. We have chosen to remain small. Selling to regulars who drink and serve our wine is not only personally gratifying, it also allows us to make quality wine at moderate prices and provide our employees with full benefits.

Navarro Vineyards are the leading family farm in the Anderson Valley in coastal Mendocino. In addition to growing grapes and producing non-alcoholic grape juices since 1974, they make some of the most sought-after wines in Mendocino. Acclaimed for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, another standout is an amazing Dry Gewurztraminer.

http://www.navarrowine.com/

ACCOLADES

Wine Spectator - 2001 Pinot Noir, Mendocino - 89 points.
A delicate style, with fragrant floral and rose petal aromas and ripe cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavors that are elegant and refreshing.

Via Magazine
“Some of the best gewürztraminer in the world is produced at Navarro Vineyards.” - November/December

2003Wine & Spirits
“The Year’s 10 Best Chardonnays”

2001 Premiere Reserve Chardonnay, Anderson Valley - 93 Points
Navarro has a trick of growing wines in the Anderson Valley that mirror the whites of Alsace. It's a character most apparent in their pinot gris, but it turns up in their other whites as well, like this chardonnay, for which my notes read: “Smells Alsace.” Is it the autumnal feel of the wine, with scents of pale mushroom flesh and roasted apples? Is it the relatively light weight (for California), yet fulsome flavor? The wine is sturdy, broad and rich, with oak playing a background role to structure it, letting the earth and lemon zest flavors take precedence in the finish. Age it to let the complexities evolve, or enjoy it now with halibut in parchment with preserved lemon. - April 2003.

Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences “Bargain of the Week”
2002 Edelzwicker, Anderson Valley
A blend of Gewürztraminer and Riesling, with an aroma that’s startlingly fresh and spicy. Perfectly balanced wine to match with Asian foods or to sip as an aperitif. A great value. -August 14, 2003.

Note that we don't have all the wines that were tasted listed below. We will post more information on them as we receive it from Navarro. The wines tasted were:

Chardonnay: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

Pinot Noir: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

2002 Pinot Noir, Deep End Blend
French counsel
The 2002 is well toned without being muscle bound; the fruity core hints of cherries, olives, chocolate and spice. Great with braised duck. Gold Medal winner. Best of Class.
"Body: Medium-full. Dryness: Dry. Comments: Very good. Aromas of brioche, plum, black cherry and strawberry; fleshy yet with silky texture; plush tannins; brimming with ripe plum, strawberry, blueberry and spice flavors." -Steve Pitcher, San Francisco Chronicle
Specifications
Harvested: Sept. 21 to 29, 2002 Sugars at Harvest: 24.7° Brix
Bottled: Sept. 25 & 26, 2003 Cases Produced: 214
Alcohol: 14.2% Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
pH Level: 3.85

2004 Chardonnay, Mendocino
What's the score?
We aged it in seasoned French oak; we wanted the texture that comes from sur lie barrel aging without strong oak flavors that would overpower the delicious fruit. "I'm happy with this! I'm salivating! They dance together!" -Roscoe Skipper owner of Rivoli Restaurant, Berkeley when tasting this wine with his white corn soup for the S.F. Chronicle. Gold Medal winner. Best of Class.
Specifications
Harvested: Sept. 08 to Oct. 02, 2004 Sugars at Harvest: 24.0° Brix
Bottled: June 25 to 30, 2005 Cases Produced: 4289
Alcohol: 13.7% Total Acidity: 7.4 g/L
pH Level: 3.30

2003 Chardonnay, Première Reserve
Symbiotic relationship
The majority of the grapes were grown in Navarro's Hammer Olson field, named for a valley homesteader and the grapes display ripe apple flavors. Most of the rest came from the vines stretching out from the tasting room deck and the grapes are redolent with citrus and pear blossom. We fermented the juice in our best and newest French barrels. One sip will help you understand why humans let grapevines run their lives. Silver Medal winner.
Specifications
Harvested: Oct. 15 to 25, 2003 Sugars at Harvest: 23.8° Brix
Bottled: June 21 to 24, 2004 Cases Produced: 3377
Alcohol: 13.8% Total Acidity: 7.4 g/L
pH Level: 3.49

Yvonne Payne, professional pianist and passionate piano teacher started her professional career at age 15. Today she has over 30 years experience and entertained at more than 500 events ranging from private weddings to major corporate events including a concert with Doc Sevrensen (trumpeter and music director of the Johnny Carson Band on The Tonight Show). Her current student body of 26 ranges is age from 5 to 55.
While Mrs. Payne’s professionally plays a wide variety of music, her background is in classical music, gospel and light jazz. She received her formal training in Music Performance and Education from the Lower Columbia College as well as from University of Washington where she received numerous awards for her outstanding performances. In the late 1980s Yvonne Payne was announced "Woman of the Year" by Beta Sigma Phi.

Yvonne Payne has been mentioned in publications such as the Columbian, Longview Daily News, Vancouver Business Journal, and LaCamas Life Magazine. She maintains professional affiliations with the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and the Music Teacher Association where she functions as Treasurer.

Mrs. Payne now lives in Vancouver Washington. She has three grown daughters, two grand children, and “Cici” a Bichon Frise pet dog. Her wide array of interests also include gardening, reading, bowling, walking, and family Barbeques.

Visit or book Yvonne at your next event here: http://www.ebonynotes.com