Turning Leaf

The Wine That Speaks for Itself

by Rochelle Brown

I’ve been to lots of luncheons, dinners and wine tastings where a wonderfully excited wine affection ado talks about the glorious characteristics of the wine.  The expert talks. The writers taste.  Then, it’s on to the next wine. Talk. Taste. Talk. Taste. Maybe, after a while a journalist will ask a few questions. Then, there’s more taste and talk.

But today, I was invited to a luncheon sponsored by Turning Leaf Wines.  As my fellow writers arrived, we chatted and looked around the room for the wine representative.  We thought, “Oh, he must be late.”  Wrong!!!  There was no expert on wine…only the wine.

Um-m-m—m. That’s different. There must be a catch.

So, we sat down and opened the wine elegantly placed on the table, picked up our catered box lunches and began our lunch.  Then, it hit me!!!  The wine is the guest of honor.  The wine is speaking for itself!  How novel!  I loved it…and I loved the Turning Leaf Chardonnay and Merlot, too.

The really cool thing about Turning Leaf, and this was not my first time drinking it, is the bottle.  It’s very nice, but unassuming.  The bottles are clear enough that you can actually see the wine and enjoy the color.   More than that, Turning Leaf falls within a price range that just about everybody can afford.  Most 750 ml bottles are under ten dollars.  Unlike a lot of more snobbish wines, you can buy it just about anywhere including supermarkets sometimes.

Drinking this wine was like having an old friend over for dinner.  Always showing up. Always filled with rich stories and conversation.  Always leaving you slightly intoxicated with rich, smooth conversation and a sense that there is all the time in the world to savor the visit.

Also, it was interesting that lunch included Mexican food and barbecue. Both the Turning Leaf Merlot and the Turning Leaf Chardonnay pleased our palates with these very different dishes.  We left very happy.

But don’t take our word for it!  Turning Lear has received applause from wine competition domestically and internationally.  Among them are:

Silver Medal  - Turning Leaf Chardonnay 2006

                         2008 California State Fair Wine Competition

Silver Medal – Turning Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

                         2008 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition

Gold Medal -   Turning Leaf Pinot Grigio 2006

                        2008 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition

Silver Medal – Turning Leaf Pino Grigio 2006

                         Indy International Wine Competition

Gold Medal -   Turning Leaf  Merlot 2006

                         2008 Pacific Rim Wine Competition

Bronze Medal – Turning Leaf Riesling 2005

                          National Women’s Wine Competition

Gold Medal -    White Zinfandel 2006   

                          International Eastern Wine Competition

So, I think Turning Leaf deserves a toast and a nod.  What a great way to spend an afternoon – talking with your wine.  And what better wine to speak for itself than this one.

So, thanks Turning Leaf for a new media experience and for really great wine!!!

For more information about Turning Leaf Wines visit www.turningleaf.com