I Wish They All Could Be California ...Wines

By:Julie Dalton

“Art is the accomplice of love.Take away love and there is no art.”

-Remy de Gourmant

I think what made me fall madly in love with Thomas Arvid's work is that he paints the wines that make my heart skip a beat when I think about them.There are many wines in his work that I've never tasted, but there are many that I have.The wines from California are the ones that I most identify with.Here's why.

The tannin.That carpety, stick to your teeth kind of feeling that's left in your mouth after you swirl, sniff, slurp and swallow.Big.Dark.Heavy. Intense.Tough.Rich.Bold.Opaque.Concentrated.I love that first smell of a California Cabernet right when air penetrates it for the first time since its bottling.The essence of oak, black fruit and alcohol diffuses up and tingles your nose.

I'm trying to remember when my true preference for California wines began to shine through.I was in college - I don't think it was a particular event or experience.

I think it just had to be exposure.Just taste, taste, taste.And keep tasting, tasting, tasting.I take advantage of every possible opportunity to taste.Even if I think I won't like it.You never know what kind of surprise is lurking inside of a bottle.

I remember my first taste of Silver Oak.I was waiting tables at this seafood restaurant called Gaido's in Galveston, TX in college - 1998ish?It was a late night during the week.There was a large private party in the Pelican Club (the exclusive members-only part of Gaido's.)The party settled up and left the restaurant.At their table remained a half full bottle of Silver Oak.Our manager on duty, JulioYucra, poured himself and a few of us lucky late night servers a small glass of that beautiful wine.I can remember in every detail how this wine smelled, differently than any other I'd had up to that point.I can remember in every detail how long this wine lasted in my mouth, even long after I had finished the taste.I can remember in every detail how my standards for red wine changed based on that one sip of Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon.

When I moved to Maryland from Texas not knowing anyone other than family, I decided that working in a wine shop could kill two birds with one stone...it would increase my social circle, and I would learn more about wine.Taste, taste, taste!So, I went to Mitchell Pressman at the Chesapeake Wine Company in Baltimore and he hired me on the spot.

My favorite aspect of working at Chesapeake was the Tuesday night wine tastings.Every Tuesday, Mitchell would choose a theme, and then he would choose about eight wines that complemented the theme.Julie Ossman (the other Julie that worked on Tuesday nights) and I would serve cheese and bread, fill water, and taste the wine while Mitchell did the pouring and the teaching.I think it had to be this priceless experience that made me fall in love with California wines.

During my stint at the Chesapeake Wine Company, I visited Europe for the first time.Despite my advice of taste, taste, taste, I can imagine that one would think it odd that while driving through the burgundy region in Beaune, France, I wasn't excited.Sure, it was beautiful, but I didn't feel the urge to stop at the wineries along the way.At that point, I had tasted enough French wine to know that I liked my wines stronger.Bigger. Much more in my face.Yes, the French have been at this a lot longer than we have...there's just something about California that grabs me...it doesn't let me forget its presence.

One tasting I most remember at Chesapeake in particular was a California Cabernet blind tasting.Mitchell opened the good stuff (Diamond Creek, Peter Michael, Laurel Glen, I think he even opened a Silver Oak....) He gave us a list of these wines, but poured them covered in a brown bag.It was fun to try to figure out which wine he was pouring.I would have to say that this tasting in particular is the one that got me in trouble.At that point, not only did I love California wines, but tasting the really good stuff raised my standards even more for Cabernet!I joke with Mitchell today, not knowing whether to love him or hate him for this experience!

When I go to the Washington D.C. International Food and Wine Convention, I find that I don't venture too far from California.I'll hop over to Argentina for a couple tastes of Malbec, or I'll go see if Italy is pouring any Barolo or Brunello de Montalcino.But it's understood by whomever is in my company, if we lose each other, you'll find me in California.They always inevitably explore other places, but it's hard to pull me away from those California Cabernets!

You know, everyone has their thing about which money is no object.For my sister, it's her kids.For my best friend, it's home improvement and travel.For another friend, it's Tiffany jewelry and travel.For another of my friends, it's Louis Vuitton.For me, it's wine - whether it's in a bottle or on canvas!

Thomas Arvid's work, to me, is just how I've described what I love about a California wine.It's in your face and pulls you in.It doesn't let you forget about it.What about the first time you saw an Arvid?Did you forget about it?Could you walk away easily?The detail is striking and captures a wine lover and non-wine lover alike.Just like that California wine, his work is big.Intense.Rich.Bold.Concentrated.Amazing.

I know how I feel about some of the following wines.No wonder Thomas Arvid has work lined up for at least five years.Can you imagine if you had such a detailed perfect work of your favorite wine?Wine not only tastes good - but doesn't it evoke a memory?Isn't it about an experience?How wonderful would it be to have a reminder of that experience hanging on your wall?