Pali Wine Co.Tasting Room Moves South

Pali Wine Co. named by two entrepreneurs Tim Perr and Scott Knight after their hometown of Pacific Palisades on the west side of Los Angeles is dedicated to making small lots of Pinot Noir. On November 6 Pali officially opened their third tasting room ( the other two are in Santa Barbara and Lompoc ). Little Italy in San Diego has always been a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike and even more so now that Pali Wine Co. has created another home here. I attended the opening and was extremely impressed. First and foremost, as a big fan of Pali's wines, I am thrilled that I can visit them right in the heart of Little Italy.

The tasting room has multiple levels including a roof top deck with a fabulous view, space for private parties and a beautiful bar. They are offering small bites to pair with the wines and on the night of the opening we were treated to a sneak preview of their beautiful cheese and charcuterie boards which included mimolette cheese, one of my favorites. As well as having a variety of Pali Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays available by a flight or by the glasss they are also offering their second label Tower 15. Tower 15 focuses on premium Bordeaux and Rhone blends. My favorite two Pinot Noirs from the opening were Pali's Huntington from Santa Barbara County and their Riviera from the Sonoma Coast.

What makes the Pali Wine Co. tasting room experience even better as a local? They offer select wines on tap for purchase by the refillable bottle/growler to take home. These refilable bottles are perfect for any occasion but especially as the gift that keeps on giving during this upcoming holiday season.


Cheers!

Rosé All Day

As summer is in full swing, I thought I'd chat about my favorite Rosés, new and old. One of the most fantastic things about Rosé is that it's so refreshing on its own, but also pairs so wonderfully with classic summer fare...strawberry salads, watermelon and feta, BBQ chicken and pork ribs to name a few!

I'm always hunting for new Rosé wines each season as well as restocking some of my favorites.

Some of my newer finds this year so far are:

Goldeneye, Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, CA

Big Table Farm, Laughing Pig Rosé, Willamette Valley, OR

Wolffer Estate Vineyard, Rosé, Long Island, NY

M, Minuty, Rosé, Côtes de Provence, Provence, France

Château Léoube, Rosé de Léoube, Côtes de Provence, Provence, France

My annual favorites

Croteaux, Jolie, Cabernet Franc, Rosé, Long Island, NY

Domaine Tempier, Rosé, Bandol, France

Domaine Saint Lucie, MIP, Rosé, Côtes de Provence, France

Chateau d'Esclans, Whispering Angel, Côtes de Provence, France

Chateau du Campuget, Tradition Rosé, Costieres de Nimes

Go out there, try some of these favorites, explore and find some of your own.

Seize the day with Rosé!

Grace Kelly in a Glass

Yves Cuilleron, Les Chaillet, Condrieu, France

Orange blossoms, honeysuckle, dried apricots and minerality for days... sounds beautiful? It is and it's the magical characteristics of the varietal Viognier. Viognier is one of my favorite varietals. It's grown all over the world...Australia, South Africa, Italy, United States and in France to name a few.  Of all the expressions of it Viognier from Condrieu is one of the most adored. Condrieau is a French AOC located in the Rhone Valley that is an appellation strictly for Viognier. The wines from Condrieu are not inexpensive but will take your breath away from their elegance...think of Grace Kelly in a glass.

My favorite food pairing with Viognier? Treat yourself to a cozy bowl of Truffle Risotto...earthy meets floral....angels may sing.

Portland Playback

As I return from Portland, Oregon where I took my first crack at the Advanced Sommelier Exam ( follow me here as I spend my next year studying to retake it ), I think of how exciting and impressive their food and wine scene is.  Yes, Portland is a little weird, after all,  it's the city's motto! But, it's a great kind of weird!

Enjoy and allow me to indulge as I relive some tasty travels around Portland this April ranking some of my favorite "must go" spots!

Best Bar:

Ambonnay Champagne Bar
107 SE Washington Street #167
Portland, OR 97214

Did someone say Champagne??  Anyone who knows me knows I come running when I hear mentions of Champagne so this was a must on my list of places to check out. Sommelier/Owner David Speer ( named one of Food & Wine Magazine's Sommelier's of the a Year in 2013 ) has created a fantastic bar serving up one of the best lists of Champagne & sparkling wines by the glass/bottle outside of Champagne, France itself!
My recommendations:
By the glass:  Laherte Freres, Ultratradition  Brut, Champagne, France NV (2010)
By the bottle:  Vouette & Sorbee, Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne, France (2010)

*small bites & nibbles available too

Best Lunch : 

Little Bird Bistro
219 SW 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204

Sibling to another Portland hotspot that many flock to, I prefer Little Bird.  I had little time before my first exam of the week and the service, food and wine was charming and just what I wanted! Fresh, local and mouthwateringly delicious!
My recommendations:
Salad: Butter Lettuce, warm lentils, roasted lamb neck ( moist and delicious! ) with lemony yogurt
Main: Sheep Cheese Gnocchi, pea purée, asparagus and morels
For Sipping: Pierre Brigandat, Tradition, Champagne, France

Best Dinner:

Gruner
527 SW 12th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204

After hearing from both food publications and friends I was happy to finally get to Gruner. Gruner serves "cozy, alpine cusine" and an extensive wine list featuring wines from Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland. It was rainy and chilly outside so it was a perfect night to visit.
My recommendations:

Salad: Smoked coho salmon, watercress, mizuna, roasted beets,

french green lentils, horseradish-beet yogurt

Main: Malfatti, ricotta dumplings with nettles, dandelion

and turnip greens, sautéed hen-of-the-wood mushrooms,

melted butter, parmigiano-reggiano

For Sipping: 2012 Chehalem, Gruner Veltliner, Ridgecrest Vineyards, Willamette Valley, OR

Perfectly Portlandian:

Noble Rot

1111 East Burnside (Fourth Floor)

Portland, OR 97214

Any place that promises Wine, Booze, Food and a View sounds like a must check out to me! Noble Rot is located on the fourth floor offering amazing views of Portland as well as numerous menu items coming from their roof top garden. The decor is quirky cool and the staff is too.

My recommendations:

For Sipping: (Drink local!) 2012 J Albin, Pinot Noir, Laurel Vineyard, Willamette Valley, OR

"...the hazelnuts, these are local?" - Portlandia

Nothing Like New York (Part 1)

As the holidays have come to an end, I sit back and reflect on a quick but fantastic little December trip into New York City with my best friend, Kate. After a easy drive from the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts to Wassaic, NY we hopped a train and NYC bound were we! As I now live in San Diego I eagerly anticipated snowfall and snowfall we got indeed

Laduree

As we exited Grand Central Station, snowflakes danced around us and we began our wintery walk. Our first stop was to a place dreams are made of... Laduree. Anyone who loves ( and obsesses ) over macarons knows about Laduree. They originated in Paris, make the best macarons in the world and now have their first stateside store on Madison Avenue. As we entered I (and I'd take the liberty to say that Kate too) were enamored with the beauty of the store, it was as if we were transported into a tasting salon in Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon. There were multitudes of colored macarons shipped in from Paris almost daily, candles, teas and chocolates...color me a happy girl!

After Laduree we were off to check into The Franklin Hotel , our stylish little home away from home for the night on the Upper East Side. It's a charming little spot that offers European breakfast, an evening wine & artisnal cheese reception and 24 hour tea, latte and cappuccino. The Franklin is in a great location; just around the corner from Zabars, a delicious gourmet food and deli, truly an institution in New York and just a few blocks from The Guggenheim Museum.

The Franklin Hotel

Our evening packed with an ambitious agenda we were off to a chic wine bar called Uncorked Wine and Tapas first where we shared a bottle of  J.P. Chenet Sparkling Rose from France with Marissa Ain, the fabulous founder of Plate + Decanter , a Culinary + Wine Event Company. Next as it was the  holiday season we just had to get a look at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. We snacked on roasted chestnuts as we walked to the subway to meet up with our friend Thea at Corkbuzz Wine Bar & Studio, a place I had heard great things about. Corkbuzz was even better than I anticipated...we apparently arrived with impeccable timing as we were greeted with the question "So are you here to enjoy our Champagne Campaign?"  As a lover, or rather a slave to Champagne, I perked up and inquired further. Kate and I were informed that every night at 10pm-close Corkbuzz indulged their guests offering 50% off any and all Champagne. We were off and running!

Corkbuzz Wine Bar & Studio

NV Chartogne Taillet Rose Champagne

I ordered us a bottle from one of my favorite producers, a NV Chartogne Taillet Rose Champagne , a glorious Champagne that is impressively complex offering notes of rhubarb, red cherries, strawberries, ginger and brioche. Kate ordered the Lamb & Pappardelle Pasta dish while I selected  a side of Brussels Sprouts with Pecorino and an order of housemade Duck Proscuitto...all of it magical with the Chartogne Taillet Rose.  After we wished our goodbyes to Thea, Kate and I hopped back on the subway to The Franklin where we grabbed a cup of Harney & Sons Tea and headed up to our room to rest up and plan for our next day's  New York City adventures...Part 2 to follow!

Warm Wine Country Charm

My wine and culinary adventures through Greece continue, next stop is Domaine Spiropoulos (organically certified) in Mantineia in the Peloponnese (a large peninsula in Southern Greece).

As my companions and I approached the winery we were warmly greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Spiropoulos and invited in to explore and taste. Inside a tasting of wines from producers all over Mantineia was set up (further mention of other wineries in upcoming posts) . Although wines from the Moschofilero grape are grown all over Greece, it really shines here in Mantineia as we discovered throughout the tasting. Wines made from Moschofilero are most often perfumed and floral on the nose with hints of rose petals and rose water and crisp acidity with notes of spice on the palate.

I am always on the hunt for sparkling wine when/where ever I travel so I was quite pleased when I discovered that Domaine Spiropoulos does indeed make sparkling wine. First to try was their Ode Panos Brut, a 100% Moschofilero dry sparkling wine that had the beautiful notes of rose petals, green apples and ended with a creamy finish. Their Ode Panos Brut Rose sparkling that is made with 90% Moschofilero and 10% Agiorgitiko was next to try. The Rose also had the aromas of rose petals but with addition of red apple and on the palate there was a lovely touch of blood orange as well. I was quite pleased, both lovely sparkling wines!

As we finished the tasting Mrs. Spiropoulos invited us downstairs where she had prepared an authentically local lunch for us. She was so excited to share the dishes with us and the history and details of the recipes. Of all the dishes we had I was very excited to learn about Kagiana (pronounced Kayana). Kagiana is an egg dish and Mrs. Spiropoulos' version was with a simple tomato sauce made first by cooking down tomatoes. onion, a little garlic and oregano. Then fold in a few whisked eggs, after a minute or so some feta and finish with salt and pepper. It was so warm and comforting and was delicious with the Ode Panos Brut!

My other favorite dish was just what I had been waiting for...simply done...grilled lamb chops with just salt, pepper, oregano and a squeeze of lemon. I poured myself some Ode Panos Brut Rose to try with it and for the next 5-10 minutes had a beautiful symphony of flavors...sip, lamb chop bite, sip, lamb chop...you get the idea!

 

Upon the meal's conclusion we gratefully, but sadly departed. All thinking the same thing, how lucky we were to share the day with such a proud, passionate and warm family that sincerely loves to share their wine and culture with others! 

Santorini; Assyrtiko's Heavenly Home

View from the Esperas Hotel, Oia

Recently I was fortunate enough to be awarded a trip to Greece (thanks to the Court of Master Sommeliers). Our first stop was two days on the island of Santorini. We stayed in the small town of Oia at the Esperas Hotel,  perched on a cliff with unrivaled views of the Agean Sea. I am still dreaming of this heavenly, breathtaking island!

While on Santorini I explored the unique wine making techniques for Assyrtiko, the island's darling white wine varietal. Due to the island's severe Meltimi winds the Assyrtiko vines are trained into a "bird's nest" or "basket shape" known as Stefani training. This technique protects the grapes not only from the scorching sun, the wind but also from the chance of being pelted with the native volcanic rock and sandy soil.

Mr. Paris Sigalas of Domaine Sigalas exposing the underbelly of Stefani trained Assyrtiko vines

Although grown in other areas in Greece, Assyrtiko from Santorini is my favorite. Especially in Santorini... it's a racy, brisk white wine brimming with mineralty with just a hint of salinity. Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, founder and winemaker for Gaia Wines has said about Assyrtiko; " It's a white wine you should propose as a red." After many meals in Santorini myself I agree with Yiannis, Assyrtiko from Santorini has the body and acidity to stand up to red meats (lamb!) just as well as it's ability to pair magically with white and shell fish. Cheers to that or as they say in Greece...Yamas!

Freshly caught Seabring at the Sunset Taverna in Oia

Although many of these wines are not available in the States yet...hold tight! I foresee Greek wines, especially Assyrtiko from Santorini as a rising star in the American market for it's beauty, versatility and honest tariff.

From my travels here are my favorite Assyrtikos/Producers from Santorini. Should you see them, do yourself a favor and give them a try:

Domaine Sigalas: A classic and mouthwatering Assyrtiko, bring on the oysters!

Gaia: Yiannis' Wild Ferment Assyrtiko was one of my absolute favorite wines of the trip...complexity astounds!

Hatzidakis : Masterful wines with impressive age-ability!

Yamas!

Spring Lamb

Spring and Easter are upon us and with it brings the perfect occasion for lamb! I love serving lamb in all forms; burgers, rack, chops but for Easter a boneless leg roast is perfect (and you might even have leftovers for a feta and lamb salad the next day).

My favorite way to serve a boneless lamb roast is actually my adaptation of a recipe I found on Food & Wine online for Vadouvan-Spiced Leg of Lamb.

Here is my version:

Clementine Vadouvan-Spiced Leg of Lamb

Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter
3 tablespoons vadouvan or curry powder
2 tablespoons coarsely grated Clementine zest (so floral and fresh!)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons salt...citrus if you have it...I used Salt Farm's Lemon Pomegranate
1 tablespoon crushed pink peppercorns
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
One 4-5 lb boneless leg of lamb

Directions:
In a saucepan, combine the butter, vadouvan, zest, rosemary, mint, salt, pink peppercorns and black pepper. Cook over moderate heat until the butter is melted; let cool.
Rub the curry butter all over the lamb. Set the lamb on a rack in a roasting pan and let stand for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450°. Roast the lamb for 20 minutes at this temperature and then lower it to 325°. Roast the lamb for about 25-30 minutes per pound for medium rare basting a couple of times. Look for the instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part to register 130° for medium-rare meat. Transfer the lamb to a carving board and let rest for 15 minutes. Pour the pan juices into a small saucepan and skim off the fat. Set the roasting pan over moderately high heat. When the drippings sizzle, add the water and bring to a boil, scraping up the browned bits. Add the deglazed drippings to the pan juices and keep hot. Carve the lamb into 1/2-inch-thick slices and serve with the curried jus.

As a suggestion for a festive side why not roast the lamb over artichokes carrots and sweet potatoes too!?

What wine should you pair with this? Here are some classic and some fun suggestions:

Classic:
For special holidays and occasions this lamb roast and a bottle of France's Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge are perfection. Of course in the spirit of the season and a newly named Pope a wine from the "New House of the Pope" is perfect!

Prefer domestic? Try a Central Coast Syrah or Grenache... Tablas Creek's Espirit de Beaucastel from Paso Robles for example.

Fun:
When I say fun I also mean a little out of the normal thought process for wine pairing. My recent "fun" pairing for this roast was a bottle of white wine, a Viognier from Condrieu in France. The citrus notes from the curry butter danced magically with the orange blossom and dried apricot notes in the wine.

My domestic suggestion would be Darioush's Viognier from Napa Valley.  This wine would satisfy a red wine drinker and could hold up to the gaminess of the lamb.

Happy Easter and Slainte!




 

Move Over Diamonds...

...Rubis are this girl's best friend! Rarely would I speak in opposition of the legendary bombshell Marilyn Monroe or her tribute to the diamond... that was until I met Louis Barthelemy's Rubis Brut Rose Champagne. The Rubis (French for Ruby) is one of the rarest and most precious of jewels so it seemed quite fitting to name Barthelemy's cuvee after it. This Rubis is composed of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and is elegant and refined with a feminine pink hue. Rich aromas of cherries, red currants and cocoa will seduce you. Of course this would please palates at any time of the day but I'm dreaming of  Barthelemy's Rubis and a cocoa dusted dark chocolate truffle.

Wondering where to find this beautiful Champagne? Join me Thursday, February 7 at Protocol Wine Studio for "Ardor in the Bubbles", a Communal Table tasting to taste this and many others. It will  not be for the weak of heart with fine examples of Champagne, Cava, Franciacorta, Cremant and Sparkling wine. Hearts will be aflutter with our surprise reception wine: the soon-to-be hottest varietal in the wine arena today followed by a Saber Exhibition to kick off the night.

6:30pm – 8:00pm pst
Limited seating $20 per person
Email to RSVP : PoisedPalate@gmail.com
4186 Sorrento Valley Blvd Suite H
San Diego Ca 92121
Twinkle lights on in full force to light your way!

Can't make it but need this Champagne? Email me @ PoisedPalate@gmail.com

Slainte! 

Holiday Kick Off Wine That's Oh So Fine!

Ready...set...go! Beaujolais Nouveau release 2012 is upon us (the Thursday before Thanksgiving) and to me it signifies kick off for the holidays! Most consumers can recall seeing Beaujolais Nouveau on the shelves every year around this time but might not understand the beauty of this wine for the holiday season. And yes, there is some brilliant Cru Beaujolais (to be explored further in a future post) that has age ability but Beaujolais Nouveau is released young and meant to be enjoyed upon release and celebrated!

And now as I begin to write my shopping list for Thanksgiving I thought I would share my plans, suggestions and briefly wax poetic on Beaujolais Nouveau and a few other favorites for the Thanksgiving table.

1. 2012 George Duboeuf', Beaujolais Nouveau, Beaujolais, France $12 ;Pomegranate! It is singing of this glorious fruit as well as cranberries, red currant,peach and a punch of black pepper. Perfect for parties and a crowd pleaser for the season!
(Note: They release a special one for Whole Foods only and is pictured above)

2. NV Lucien Albrecht, Cremant D'Alsace Brut Rose, Alsace, France $19; In my mind no holiday table (or really any table!) is complete without a bottle of bubbly and this is my chic little value go to. It's dry and offers notes of toast, strawberries, raspberries, citrus and a hint of herbal, get a full glass, it goes quick!

3. 2011 VML,  Gewurztraminer, Sonoma, CA $25; I discovered this beauty on a recent trip, it's dry and crisp with notes of rose petals, lychee, citrus, green apple and dressed in an absolutely gorgeous label.

4. 2011 Bodegas Martin Codax, Burgans, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain $15; This is one of my new favorites and whether you offer it as an aperitif and with cheese (fantastic with Asiago) or serve it with turkey and stuffing the notes of peach, lime, pineapple and mango with a hint of chalky minerality will brings smiles to all your guests.

5. 2010 Four Graces, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR $32; It's an elegant woman in a black dress, classic and sophisticated with notes of cranberries, strawberries, cherries and even hints of violet and black tea.

May I also suggest as a twist if you'd like to try something new this year,  give Cornish game hens a whirl! They are small, and make an equally beautiful presentation...roast them in a pomegranate molasses and red wine sauce and garnish with pomegranate seeds for holiday flair!

Happy Thanksgiving and Slainte!

Celebrate International Champagne Day!

October has always been one of my favorite months of the year; the changing of the leaves, the chill in the air and of course.... pumpkin season! However this year I am more enamored with this month than ever as I learned that Friday, October 26 has been decreed the third annual International Champagne Day!

What exactly is this one may ask? It is a social media event and day designated to enjoying the beauty of Champagne and is celebrated all over the world. How can you participate? There are many ways whether you want to throw a party at your home, pop open that bottle you have been saving or go and partake at one of the events locally. Be sure to post what you're tasting on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram or whatever your favorite social media medium may be. To find out where events are being held in your area and to participate check out the events page on Eventbrite.

I will be starting my celebration with a Rose from my favorite Champagne, the first established Champagne House in 1729...Ruinart. For my tasting notes and food pairings throughout the day follow me on Facebook , twitter @PoisedPalate and on Instagram @PoisedPalate.

Keep in mind, while lovely, sparkling wines are are not Champagne. It is only Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region in France itself.

A votre sante!

Old World Meets New at Vina Los Vascos

 

As early as 1815 Chateau Lafite Rothschild has had a reputation for producing some of the finest and most elegant wines in the world. In 1855 Lafite was awarded the honor of First Growth status within the 1855 Classification.

Fast forward to 1988 when Los Vascos, one of Chile's oldest wine estates is managed by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) who starts a modernization and investment program. Los Vascos is a 560 hectare vineyard located in Caneten Valley of Colchagua province in Chile. The goal here under the direct technical supervision of Domaine Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) is to produce the finest and most balanced wines with elegance and harmony. 

I recently tried one of the Los Vascos wines myself and was impressed with 2010 Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc. It beholds lovely aromatics of grapefruit, white peach, tropical fruits and a hint of basil. There is a zippy lime acidity that awakens your palate and continues to offer more tropical notes. As well as the fruit I really enjoy the notes of fresh herbs, as if they were just plucked from your garden; chives, basil, parsley and tarragon.

Suggested food pairing you ask?

For me personally I would make a pesto with basil, chives and parsley, a squeeze of lemon or lime, toasted pine nuts, salt, pepper and olive oil. I would toss the pesto with angel hair pasta and then garnish the dish with a healthy does of fresh chevre (or goat cheese) allowing it to melt into the warm pesto pasta and becoming a gooey and delicious creamy sauce. 

Slainte!

Serenly Sokol Blosser

Step back a few years to the London International Wine Fair. As a California resident, wine is at my fingertips at an instant so my main objective was to taste anything and everything beyond the United States. My one exception, where I was truly curious to taste more of
(as I am a fan of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris) were the wines of Oregon. Enter Alison Sokol Blosser and the Sokol Blosser booth.

Alison was warm and friendly and began telling me the story of her parent's Bill Blosser and Susan Sokol Blosser's journey to become pioneers in Oregon's wine industry. It all began in 1970 with their discovery of an abandoned prune orchard, some basic wine making knowledge and a passion for Pinot Noir. By 1979 Sokol Blosser was now winning international recognition at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London. In 1996 Sokol Blosser is the first winery to be "Salmon Safe". In 2002 they were the first US winery to receive LEED Certification and began their organic transition in 2004.

Now back to present day I am reconnecting with Alison at the winery after a fantastic weekend in Portland for the Wine Bloggers Conference. Among their achievements and certifications the thing that Alison and her family feels is of the utmost importance is to keep as little as possible between the vine, the grape and us the consumers. She leads my friend and filmmaker Chrissa and I through the serenely picturesque 100 acres (80 of them planted) vine-scape that is Sokol Blosser with Twix the resident Wine Poodle (official title) in tow.

While we walk she shares tastes of their crisp and mineral rich 2010 Pinot Gris (ideal for the current heatwave!), their dry and elegant 2011 Rose of Pinot Noir ( a perfect ballerina pink color ) and then we move into the explore the barrel room and the Pinot Noirs.

We begin with their 2009 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir grown in the amazing red Jory soils of Yamhill County's Dundee Hills. As a winery's "entry level" Pinot Noir it's stunning and one I could easily drink on a daily basis. Besides their Dundee Hills Sokol Blosser also makes 4 other "block" designated Pinot Noirs. To get a better vision of where the blocks are located on the property they have a great map on their site; Sokol Blosser. These four are Peach Tree (delicate, roses and violets...pair with seared salmon), Big Tree (Asian spices, coffee and cocoa...pair with a coffee and cocoa rubbed lamb chop), Orchard Block (savory, plum and purple flowers...pair with duck breast with a plum sauce) and my absolute favorite the Goosepen Block (earthy, sour cherries and black truffles...pair with black truffle risotto or even a roast turkey!). 

Alison herself favors the Goosepen Block but said she has fond memories of the Big Tree that once stood on the Big Tree Block. Whatever Pinot Noir you may decide upon the theme I savor in all their wines is that seductive, feminine, but strong character that they possess (and at a fantastic value!).

As a fan and a friend to the Sokol Blosser Winery I highly recommend a visit to them. Their wines are also available online and would make a great addition to the table for the upcoming holiday season.

Thank you again Alison for a fantastic tasting and visit!

Sparkle in the Hamptons

One of my greatest pleasures in life is exploring the wine regions of the world. Champagnes and Sparkling wines are my passion and I was absolutely enchanted by my recent visit to Wolffer Estate in Sagaponack, Long Island, NY. Sandy loam soil in combination with an Atlantic breeze (2.6 miles away) create ideal conditions allowing them to achieve their signature Wolffer style; European elegance married to the terrior of Long Island.

I attended a Sunset Friday event that the Winery offers from May - October from 5pm-sunset at The Wine Stand. (The Wine Stand is just around the corner from the Winery.) It's the perfect way to relax among the vines, soaking in the setting sun with a music and a glass of their sparkling wine.

What did I taste?

 I began with the 2007 Wolffer Estate Blanc de Blanc made with 100% Chardonnay from their oldest vineyard block planted in 1988 and is made Methode Champenoise. On the nose it's fresh with notes of lemon zest, pear and also a hint of toasted sweet brioche. On the palate it's rich and creamy and welcomes the green apple and apricot to the party! As a New England girl (besides sipping solely) this would just be beautiful paired with Lobster freshly kissed with a squeeze of lemon.

I also had to try the 2008 Wolffer Estate, Noblesse Oblige, Sparkling Rose. The Noblesse Oblige is comprised of 65% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay and 1% Merlot. On the nose peaches and strawberries invite you in for a taste. As the Rose's sparkle tickles your tongue you taste strawberries, orange, white peach and rose petals. It's refreshing and sophisticated and would be oh so pretty with fresh lump crab meat tossed lightly in pasta and olive oil and finished with orange zest or for a more casual dish on occasion I can't resist a rich juicy beef burger and a glass of sparkling rose!

I cannot wait until my next chance to revisit Wolffer and
savor a glass of their beautiful sparkling wine under a pink sunset.

Slainte!

For the Love of Figs!

Cookbooks! There are so many on the market these days that it really has to be something special to spark my interest. "Plats du Jour; The Girl and the Fig's Journey Through Seasons in Wine Country"  by Sandra Bernstein has not only sparked my interest but captured my heart. In this book Restaurateur Sandra Bernstein and her Executive Chef John Toulze share their love of seasonal French-country cooking mouthwatering recipes, pictures and wine pairings. It also highlights the bountiful ingredients available seasonally in Sonoma Wine Country (where the restaurant The Girl and the Fig is located).  

I recreated two recipes from the book. The first is a simple, and elegant appetizer;  

Goat Cheese and Lavender Honey Toasts (pg 39). It's simply honey simmered with lavender and then whipped together with goat cheese and a little heavy cream and dolloped onto a crustini! For extra flair I added some additional lavender to the plate as well.

 If I were starting a party with this, my pic for a dynamic wine pairing would be a Rose from Sancerre. My favorite is Domaine Vacheron's Rose! It's crisp and light with notes of strawberry, lemon, thyme, and a hint of lavender.

The second recipe from the book is a twist on a French classic dessert; the Clafoutis. Traditionally it is made with cherries and is a cross between a pudding and a cake. As my French friend Ivanne has said, it's so rustic a dessert that growing up she and her Grandmother never even pitted the cherries!  The twist in this recipe is it's a Fig Clafoutis (pg 158) and as figs are in season now I used beautiful fresh ones (although the recipe gives you the dried fig alternative as well.)
One tip that I took from this recipe that is really a good one is to

strain your batter so that it is creamy and smooth going into your dish. This will give your finished product a glorious custard like texture!

I liked the wine pairings offered for this dessert a lot. They suggested either a domestic JC Cellars Late Harvest, Marsanne, Ripken Vineyards from Lodi California or M. Chapoutier Rasteau, Cotes du Rhone from France. Now I must find both to try with the recipe!

I must go now as I have a beautiful dessert to dig into and as I don't have either of the suggested pairings on hand I'll opt for a little glass of Orange Columbo (it's meant to be an aperitif, but rules are meant to be broken!) instead that I fell in love with on my last trip to Provence. It offers notes of orange blossom, orange peel and a little herbal bitter taste on the finish which I love!

If you are someone who loves to cook with what is seasonal and fresh and love the flavors of Sonoma Wine Country and French country style cooking I can not recommend this cookbook enough...and did I mention....there are cocktail recipes too!?

Sante!

Fabulous and Forty; Jordan Celebrates

This year May will hold an extra special significance to one of my favorite wineries; Jordan Winery and it's family. Forty years ago on May 25th Tom and Sally Jordan signed the deed on their first piece of land in Alexander Valley which was to be Jordan Winery. That same day their son, John, was born.

In celebration of this 40th anniversary and John's 40th birthday Jordan Winery has a spectacular year of events and competitions in the works.
Some highlights include:

4 on 4 Top 40 Art Competition that challenges local artists in Miami, Los Angeles, New York and Dallas to create a work of art work that marries the elegance of Jordan with their city's style and flavor.

Trivia and Contests Follow Jordan's Facebook and Twitter pages and participate in fun trivia quizzes and contests with fantastic prizes!

Videos Join the Jordan Family and Winemaker Rob Davis as they share special memories and moments monthly

Jordan Seeking Jordan Share your special Jordan moment with the family and John will select his favorite to feature each month.

Or celebrate by visiting the winery for a tasting and tour (advance reservations are required) of their gorgeous property. No plans to travel? Order a bottle (or more!) from their online Jordan Shop of their elegant and lively 2009 Chardonnay (perfection with roast chicken) or their age worthy and sophisticated 2007 Cabernet Sauvingon (a juicy lamb burger plays well with this wine!) and toast to Jordan for being fabulous and forty!

Last Minute Valentine Libations

It's Valentine's eve and I thought I would post some last minute wine and beer suggestions to help you delight and indulge tomorrow or just anytime you want to treat your Sweetie!

First and foremost, when I think of romance, and celebration I think of Champagne and for me Ruinart is simply the best...

NV Ruinart, Rose, Champagne, France (55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay); starting with the luminous rose gold color to it's intoxicating bubbles and notes of wild strawberries, raspberries, roses and roasted herbs it makes my heart skip a beat! Heavenly with duck breast, seared ahi or even a rich lamb burger (SRP $60)

2011 Chateau Bonnet, Rose, Bordeaux, France (50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvingon); Rose is perfect for every season and this dry rose is sophisticated, fun and juicy and would be delightful with salmon or pork at a fantastic everyday price (SRP $13)

2010 George Dubouef, Fleurie, Beaujolais, France (100% Gammay); Fleurie (translates to "flowery") is known as the Queen of Beaujolais and this wine is elegant, velvety and floral with notes of violets, spice, raspberries and plums...pair with roast chicken or a rich chocolate cake with a raspberry coulis (SRP $16)

Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence, New York, US; Rich dark Belgian chocolate, dark malt with Perle hops that impart flavors of mint and spice..feeling frisky...why not pair this with some chocolate crepes (SRP $14)

Guinness, Stout, Dublin, Ireland; Smooth and creamy with hints of coffee and cocoa I have loved Guinness with everything from Oysters to a coffee rubbed filet (SRP $8)

Southern Tier, Choklat Imperial Stout, New York, US; This is probably the richest, most decadent beer I have ever tasted with the marriage of bittersweet dark Belgian chocolate, chocolate malt and Chinook and Willamette hops. Love chocolate covered strawberries? Have a glass of this in one hand and strawberries to feed your love in another... (SRP $10)

These are a few of my favorite things....

Whether you are a fan of Valentine's Day or not I always look at it as a day to take the time to tell those closest to you how much you love and care for them; significant others, family and friends. And of course a day to look forward to wines, chocolates and good food!

With that in mind I thought I would pick a few of my favorite things that I think are unique and delightful treats for your sweet.

As far as I am concerned chocolate must be had and my absolute favorite chocolatier is Woodhouse Chocolates located in St. Helena in Napa Valley. As we eat with our eyes first, before you have entered their store you know you are in for a feast for your eyes as well as your taste buds. It appears as if you are stepping into a glorious jewel box with glass cases full of decadent truffles and chocolates. My favorite must haves from their jewel case are the Pistachio, and the Thai Ginger chocolates. Other musts I collect every time I visit (and are also available to order online) are the Dark Chocolate Caramels with Fleur de Sel and their Milk Chocolate with Golden Grahams Bar!

Now that your chocolates have been collected... onto the wine! Imagine you are in the Napa Valley as you sip on Swanson Vineyards' Instant Napa Cabernet Sauvingon that celebrates Swanson's 25th Anniversary. This wine is comprised of carefully selected fruit from small blocks of premium Cabernet Sauvingon, Merlot and Petite Verdot from all across the Valley. Silk cascades across your tongue as you experience cassis, black cherries and espresso finishing with a delightful tug of tannin. Prefer a white wine? I adore their Viognier with it's crisp acidity and no need for a bouquet of flowers if you have this wine (although it never hurts)! It's floral notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom are simply intoxicating! (food pairing hint...Viognier pairs heavenly with black truffle risotto!)

Chocolates and wine collected...now it's time to snuggle up with a good book. As it is Valentine's Day one of my new favorite finds is La Figa Visions of Food and Form . This book (available on Amazon) is a collection of 20 recipes and sensual photography by Matt Freeman where the models are wearing nothing but edible creations from the James Beard Award Winning Chef Tiberio Simone. Browse the beautiful pages of the vibrantly captured living art, divine recipes (Drunken Figs is my favorite!) and see where the night takes you!

"For me the sensuality of food closely resembles the pleasures of sex. From the first bite of a meal, the body is catapulted into rapture through the last climactic bite. A delicious morsel is as sweet as the first kiss" - Chef Tiberio Simone

Adventures in Champagne & Paris with Ruinart Part 2

And now we journey onto Paris...

"Bright and early we all arose and I took one last wander through L'Assiette's beautiful gardens with hopes of someday returning. After a quick train ride (less than an hour) we indeed arrived in Paris and we were giddily off to Laduree for a quick cafe and macaroons (various flavors....rose, violet, chocolate...of which I savored every morsel of!) and were also able to try Canneles, a pastry treat famous in Bordeaux before we were to visit Guerlain practically across the street on the Champs Elysee. Guerlain, which opened in 1914, is a historical fragrance house and we were led through the components that made up their flagship scents such as Shalimar and then elegantly guided through the completed fragrances, some with a seductive swish of black feather fans.

Next off to the George V Hotel to have lunch at Le Cinq. This was especially exciting for me as even before I could ever have dreamed to dine in such a location I have been a fan of world renowned floral artist Jeff Leatham's work and artistry it is indeed. From the moment one enters the hotel brilliant arrays of colorful bouquets are like candy to your eyes. Upon entering the restaurant, Le Cinq, we are warmly greeted and ushered to our table, what was to be our home for the next three hours full of divine wine and food pairings..all which was served to us blindly. Of course we began with Ruinart...1996 Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and throughout the lunch we were also treated to 2007 Château Grillet and a magnum of 1977 Grahams Port among others. We were all in absolute awe and admiration for the finesse, precision and execution that was Le Cinq.

For dinner that evening we went more for a Parisian Bistro style at Bistrot de Paris, passing around dishes and sharing. Although Morgan will say his Pied de Couchon (Pig's foot) was the winner I think Nicole's selection of Steak Tartare was the favorite..so fresh and with a delicious bite of mustard. From there Friday evening we continued our exploration of Paris hopping to various wine bars. Saturday was a free day allowing more time to venture through the city and I was able to delve into a fantastic farmers market, the Louvre, and finally get to L'Atelier. None of which could have been possible without the generosity and hospitality that was displayed by our hosts.

Thank you many, many times to The Guild, Charlotte Duntze, Dorothy Bakker Lee, Frederic Panaiotis and Julie Murez for such an educational and pleasurable experience!

Adventures in Champagne & Paris with Ruinart Part 1

It seems like just yesterday I was packing and getting ready to embark on a trip of a lifetime, but alas, it has passed but I have my memories, great friends and pictures to remind me...and of course Ruinart Champagne will always be a love of mine! I wrote this essay after I came back from my trip ( I was awarded as the 2011 Chicago Ruinart Champagne Challenge winner) this summer for the Guild of Sommelier's but thought I should share on my blog (In 2 parts...Champagne and Paris) as well..especially so close to Valentine's Day....thought it might offer inspiration!

"There is not many moments in my life where I have been left breathless...this time spent in France however touring and tasting with Ruinart's Chef de Cave, Frederic Panaiotis in Champagne and exploring the artistry and beauty of Paris was one of those moments.
Our journey began upon arrival to Paris' Charles de Gaul Airport as we were greeted by a jolly Frenchman named Jacque who escorted Nicole Burke from San Francisco and Morgan Harris from New York and myself to our hotel in Champagne. Upon arrival to L'Assiette Champenoise, the place where we would lay our heads for the next few nights, which I was absolutely enamoured with (so much that is was truly hard to leave it!) we checked into our rooms, met Dorothy Bakker Lee (Ambassador for Ruinart) and off we went to lunch at Cafe du Palais where we were to meet Fred (Frederic preferred to be called), and the other two Sommeliers Eric Hastings from Houston and Jeff Bencus from Las Vegas.

After lunch, which contained our first delightful taste of Ruinart's NV Brut (not available in the United States...yet!) we continued on our day and ventured to the illustrious Cathedral de Reims, home of over 20 coronations of French Kings. Up, and up we climbed towards the top of the Cathedral giving us a beautiful view of the town of Reims and beyond.

From the Cathedral we ventured to where we were all eagerly awaiting, to the Ruinart Estate and to explore the cellars. Ruinart is the first established Champagne House in 1729. In 1768 Ruinart acquired former Gallo-Roman chalk quarries for the purpose of storing their bottles and is classified as a historical monument. These crayères offer the triple benefit of constantly stable temperatures, absence of vibration and the perfect humidity level. This was indeed our lucky day because Fred also had Master of Wine Essi Avellan, the first Master of Wine from Finland visiting so there were quite a few special vintage wines in addition for us to sample and magnums at that. As the afternoon progressed into evening we were fortunate enough to try an array of Dom Ruinart magnums of both their Blanc de Blancs and Rose.The standouts for me were the 1969 and 1998 Blanc de Blancs and the 1985 Rose which floored me with its complexity and depth.

From there we relaxed outside on the veranda before dinner partaking in one of my favorite, simple, but classic pairings.... NV Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Gougères. Ruinart has a new event dining room and were were one of the first groups to dine there. Along with the divine meal we were able to chose from the Magnums we tasted earlier for each course. I absolutely agree with Nicole; " The Cheese Cart is a wondrous part of dining, but a Magnum Cart reached unparalleled heights!" After dinner it was time to catch up on sleep and prepare for a day filled with blind tasting and a visit to the CIVC.

Thursday we found ourselves back at Ruinart about to embark on a 6 round flight adventure exploring Blanc de Blancs from all across Champagne. The flights contained an extreme range of styles and vintages (including the oxidative styling of Jacques Selosse) and happily I discovered that even blind, Ruinart's NV Blanc de Blancs was one of my favorites. After a quick, but delightful lunch of NV Blanc de Blancs, Sushi and Macaroons we were off to the CIVC (Comite Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne) where we were given a better understanding of their research, environmental efforts and the region in depth through a presentation in the conference building and then wandering through the glorious colors of the vineyards.... the vibrant shades of green....the crisp white from the chalky soils and the brilliant red of the poppies.

After a magical dinner at Le Jardin Brasserie in Reims the group decided we would grab one more drink at the bar back at L'Assiette Champenoise and what a good decision it was! The old saying "right time, right place" could never have been more true as Olivier Krug and the new President of Krug, Maggie Henriquez were just finishing a dinner for the press and we were fortunate enough to have a glass from a Jerobaum of Grand Cuvee disgorged in1995 courtesy of them. Then we were back to our rooms to pack and prepare for the next day's adventure into Paris..."