El Dorado County wineries

Thursday 13th August. It is a warm day today as we rise around 9am for the complimentary breakfast in the Brewery. Alfred is still there serving and hanging about out table. He seems fascinated by the fact that we came so far to see his mansion and brewery. After a walk around the old cowboy town and a cool barber haircut for Flashman (got the senior's discount too!) and then some confusion as we try and find an ATM, we eventually head for the wineries around Placerville. The 'Bitch' is behaving today and just as well, because there is poor signage to the wineries and turn off from the freeway. The car is very comfortable and just as well, as the temp is now in the 90's. However, we notice the service light on the dash stays on. Some initial panic and consulting of the manual eventually leads us to 'stuff it, it's a hire car, just keep driving.' We assume this is a 'rite of passage' for all ANZAC car hirers as the very same thing happened to the kiwis and Jo and her gang in their hire cars.  We have three recommendations for wineries from yesterday's walking tour. The waitress at 'Downtown and Vine,' has kindly given us the good oil. Lady P has agreed to be skipper, allowing Flashman to conduct the bulk of the research. So, generously, he agrees to limit such research to three wineries, with spitting optional. We enjoy a relaxed day of tasting at Boeger Winery, Placerville; Lava Cap Winery also in Placerville.

 

It is here that the couple standing next to us hear our Australian accent and say G'day. She's from Sydney, married to a Californian and has been living here eight years. Her Aussie accent is still fairly strong, so how do we sound? Anyway a good session. Last is Madrona Winery in Camino, where we do 10 of the 11 wines on offer but from the reds through to the whites. The winemaker explains that the high altitude produces fairly acidic wines and the reverse of the usual tasting order seems to work better for them. Worked for Flashman. We purchase two bottles at each winery. An exceptional Chardonnay and  Pinot Gris and from some of the very good reds tasted, a Sangiovese and a not so typical Californian, a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon - this style copied from the winemaker's time spent in Australia on a research trip a bit like ours. Mid afternoon sees us heading back to Sacramento to do the other side of the road at the shopping outlets. Many hours later (well, it felt like it), Lady P emerges without a single purchase. Back home in reasonably good traffic conditions, where we both manufacture a stunning smoked salmon salad and pasta from our supplies and crack the chardy. Bliss.