Ross Cobb pouring a Cobb Pinot Noir

The best part of lunch for me, besides the pork belly in a green pea puree with a Papapietro Perry Pinot (say that three times fast) was that I sat next to Master Sommelier, Evan Goldstein. The food and wine vet was kind of busy leading a cadre of winemakers through the various lunch courses but I did talk with him about California’s efforts to pull back from the big oak Chardonnays and I asked him about the controversial new state law which, starting in 2014, will require the inclusion of “Sonoma County” on the front label of all Sonoma County wines. Goldstein said it was a terrific question but didn’t want to register an opinion. Winemakers are an individualistic bunch and don’t like to be told what to do. Many feel the new requirement crowds their label but the Sonoma County Vintners hope it will build brand name for Sonoma.

After lunch it was on to the grand tasting for the rest of the folks and time for me to return to work, wishing I had 'spit' a bit more during the morning course and lunch.

Sonoma in the City remaining public events:

Thursday, July 14, 2011: Forks and Corks at the Firehouse, 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Fort Mason, San Francisco.

Friday, July 15, 2011: Vin 12 presents Sonoma Valley Wines, 5:30 p.m.–9p.m. at Sloane, 1525 Mission St, San Francisco

A calendar and links to all tickets can be found at sonomawine.com/sf.

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Sipping Sonoma Wines in the City