September 22, 2006
Wine Quote
"Wine can be considered with good reason as the most healthful and hygienic of all beverages."
Louis Pasteur
>
Wine of the Month
Our latest wine of the month is d'Art Old Vine Zinfandel 2003. This Zinfandel is enjoyable with lots of fruit flavors. Located near Lodi, California d'Art also produces Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Port. Owners, Dave and Helen Dart, are relatively new to wine making. In the last nine years they have gone from making small one-barrel lots in their home to owning a 7 acre vineyard and winery. They are quickly establishing a name for themselves for their quality red wines. Visit soon and check out their wines for yourself. They are open weekends from noon until 5. From Highway 99 exit at Harney Lane and travel east. Turn right on Curry Avenue. d'Art is located on your right at 13299 Curry Avenue, Lodi. (209) 334-9946.
Subscribe to the ultimate wine magazine...perfect for all wine enthusiasts. The Wine Spectator is THE magazine about wine.
Romantic Winery Getaways in San Diego
San Diego is the place to enjoy a romantic winery getaway. The year round fantastic weather of this area and its breathtaking coastal scenery make San Diego a great destination. San Diego wineries are sure to delight you with the quality and variety of their wines.
The wineries are spread out into 3 areas. Choose the one that sounds most interesting and enjoy!
The historic town of Julian is known for its unique shops, wineries, hiking, and its many wine country bed and breakfast inns. You will find 7 wineries on the drive to Julian or in the Julian area.
In the north region of San Diego County there are a number of great wineries located in San Diego, Escondido, and Fallbrook. These wineries are easily accessible off of I-15.
The city of Temecula, about an hour north of San Diego, has more than 20 wineries located close to each other. Exit at Rancho California from the I-15 and find a diverse group of charming wineries with wonderful wines for you to sample.
Wine tasting is just one of many fun activities to enjoy in San Diego. For information on San Diego beaches, unique date ideas, romantic restaurants, and more visit this web site:
Romantic Things to Do in San Diego
Napa Restaurant With the Best View
Auberge du Soleil has the best view of any Napa restaurant. The indoor dining room has a lovely casually elegant atmosphere that is totally overshadowed by the view from the outdoor terrace. Make reservations to insure a table on the patio where you can dine overlooking the rolling hills, citrus groves, and vineyards of Napa Valley. The natural beauty of the scenery makes this a favorite dining spot. The ambiance is relaxed and romantic. Both the food and service are also excellent. This restaurant is located off the Silverado Trail in Rutherford.
Stock Up On These Best Buys!
De Martino 2004 Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Peter Lehmann 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine is from Barossa Valley, Australia. Some of the best bargains in wines come from Australia and this is no exception. This wine has rich, intense flavors of black currants and a long silky finish. Very nicely balanced. ($15.99)
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2003 Hawk Crest Cabernet Sauvignon
This is one of my favorite bargain Cabs. It has a nice earthiness along with flavors of cherry and raspberry. Very smooth and well balanced. ($14.99)
Bonny Doon 2003 Ca' del Solo Big House White (Screw Cap)
This house wine is a blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc. It has a floral and fruity flavor. A bargain in a screw top bottle! ($10.99)
Argyle 2004 Chardonnay (Screw Cap)
This wine is from Willamette Valley, Oregon. A big, creamy Chardonnay with flavors of pear and apple and hints of rosemary. It has a nice, lingering finish. ($13.99)
Kim Crawford 2005 Sauvignon Blanc (Screw Cap)
Intensely ripe and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with fresh tangy apple flavors. This wine is a light straw color. Another bargain in a screw top bottle. ($17.99)
Bonny Doon NV Framboise Infusion of Raspberries (half-bottle)
This is a delightful sweet wine in a half-size bottle. It’s been awarded 90 points from Wine Spectator and 92 from Wine Enthusiast. Enjoy the captivating raspberry aroma and flavor…this wine is a dessert by itself! ($12.99)
How to Select a Bottle of Wine
Have you ever stood in a supermarket aisle staring at row after row of wine, wondering which bottle you should purchase? Most people select a wine because they like the label; which, of course, has absolutely nothing to do with the quality or taste of the wine.
Do your homework. If you want a bottle of wine for a special occasion, there are websites where you can research the type of wine you are looking for. Winespectator.com is one good source. Read the reviews and ratings to see if a wine stands out that you might want to try.
Keep track of good wines you drink. Write down the name of the winery, varietal, and Country of Origin. If sampling wine at the tasting room of a winery, they will usually let you have a copy of the wines you are tasting and their descriptions. Make note of your favorites.
The employee of a shop specializing in wine is usually knowledgable about the wine they stock. Describe what kind of wine you want and you should get a reliable recommendation.
When all else fails, you could select a wine by its rating. Stores will often post the rating of wines that are highly rated. Everyone has different taste in wines, but at least you know that someone enjoyed the wine if it has a high rating. A rating of 90 or more is excellent. Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast are two of the more common rating services. Be aware that most wines are never entered in competitions so you do miss some great wines if you only purchase wines based on their ratings.
Purchasing the wines you want online can sometimes save you hours of searching. One of the best places to buy wine online that we have found is Wines.com. They have an extensive list of wines available and the prices are reasonable. They have wine reviews, ratings, and recommendations to make it easy to select a wine.We're providing a link to this site so you can check it out for yourself.
Free Wine Tasting Coupons As a subscriber to Cheers 2 Wine News , you are able to access a page with direct links to free wine tasting coupons. New coupons are added each month.
After going to this page, simply click on the wineries you are interested in and you will be able to print free wine tasting coupons. The password for this page is given out each month in the newsletter.
Mark Your Calendar
September 28-Oct. 1: 21st Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine FestivalThere are numerous activities involving food and wine going on in North Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley and Truckee as part of this festival. The grand finale is on Sunday, October 1 at 3:00 PM at the Resort at Squaw Creek Grand Ballrooms. This event will feature food from Lake Tahoe chefs paired with premium wines. Tickets are $70 in advance and $80 at the door. Call (888) 229-2193.
More Details
September 30-October1 -8th Annual Nevada Country Gold Harvest Wine Trail
Enjoy fine wines, barrel tasting, hors d'ouvres, live music, and the colorful scenery of the Sierra Nevada on a Fall day. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. Fees include a commemorative glass. For reservations call (866) 355-9463.
October 8, 2006 - Taste of Lodi A Food & Wine Experience at Wine & Roses in Lodi
Enjoy food from the area's best restaurants and chefs, sample award winning wines from over 35 wineries, cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, live music, and a Port, Cigar, & Chocolate Pavilion. Call (209)365-0621.
More Details
October 14: "Celebration of Harvest" - Santa Barbara
Sample wines complemented by appetizers. Enjoy live music and a silent auction. Event runs from 1-4 PM at the beautiful Rancho Sisquoc Winery on the outskirts of Santa Maria. The cost is $65 per person and includes a souvenir glass.
More Details
October 19: Wine d'Vine 2006 - San Diego
Enjoy a unique wine tasting at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla. Food, fine wine, and both a silent and live auction. Wines from throughout California and the world will be served. Participants can watch a dive show and tour the aquarium's sharks, seahorses, and more. The cost is $75 per person and proceeds will benefit the Walden Family Services. Call (619) 584-5777 for reservations.
More Details
October 20-22 - Harvest Wine Tour - Paso Robles
More than 85 Paso Robles wineries will be participating in this year's Harvest Wine Tour. There are a variety of activities available including educational seminars, a sunset hayride, grape stomping, winery tours, barrel tasting, and more.
More Details
Easy Wine Recipes Cooking with Wine
W.C. Fields
Gourmet Food Revolution.
A site devoted to SIMPLE & CONVENIENT solutions for cooking and serving gourmet food in the home......for time stretched individuals who truly enjoy good food and stylish entertaining.
2 tablespoons olive oilbr>
2 oz. butter
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 level teaspoon granulated sugar
4 cups good beef broth
1 1/4 cups dry white wine
2 tablespoons Cognac
salt and freshly milled black pepper
For the Croutons:
French bread or baguette, cut into 1 inch diagnol slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
To Serve:
6 large or 12 small croutons (see above)
4 oz. grated Gruyere cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
chopped fresh parsley for garnish
1. Place a large, heavy based saucepan over a high heat and melt the oil and butter together (being careful not to let the butter burn).
2. Add the onions, garlic, and sugar and using a wooden spoon continue turning the onions over for 5 or 6 minutes until they start to turn a rich, golden brown.
3. Turn the heat down to the lowest setting and continue to cook for a further 30 minutes to reach the caramelization stage. Continue to occasionally turn the onions over during this time.
4. Now pour in the white wine and beef broth. Season well with salt and freshly milled black pepper.
5. Turn up the heat and continue stirring scraping the base of the pan to release the caramel. Once it comes back to a boil, turn the heat down to the lowest setting and leave to cook very gently for about an hour.
6. Finally, adjust the seasoning and turn off the heat.
Make the croutons:
7. Preheat the oven to 350F.
8. Drizzle the olive oil over a large, solid baking sheet. Add the crushed garlic and use your hands to spread the oil and garlic evenly.
9. Spread the slices of bread on the tray and press down lightly to absorb the oil. Turn the slices over and repeat.
10. Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until crisp and golden brown. Put to one side while you finish the soup.
To serve:
11.If you refrigerated the soup overnight, bring the chilled soup back to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the Cognac and check the seasoning.
12. Preheat the broiler/grill to high.
13. Ladle the soup into 6 individual (pre-warmed) heatproof soup bowls.
14. Place 1 large or 2 small crotons on top of each bowl allowing them to float. Sprinkle generously with the Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses.
15. Finally pop the whole lot under the grill and leave until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling. Carefully remove from the grill and place the bowls on underplates. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
1 pint giblet stock (recipe follows)
1/2 to 1 oz. white flour
1 glass of red wine, or 1/2 glass port wine
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon red currant jelly
1 teaspoon Maggi or Bovril seasoning, or to taste
Knob of butter
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Make the giblet sauce.
(Robert claims that this is the secret ingredient for a really good Giblet Brown Gravy.
1. Wash the giblets and shake dry.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan, add giblets, a roughly chopped onion, 2 chopped stalks of celery, and a chopped carrot. Fry over medium heat until golden brown.
3. Take pan off the heat and add enough water to cover generously. Bring back to boil and skim off the top until clear.
4. Pop in a bay leaf and a couple of fresh herb stalks. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Simmer gently, uncovered, until reduced by half.
Finish the gravy
1. Using the pan that the poultry has been roasted in, tip off almost all of the fat, leaving behind about 2 tablespoons, plus all of the wonderful juices.
2. Put the pan back on low heat. Gradually mix in the flour a little at a time using a wooden spoon. Make sure that you scrape all of the crunchy brown bits inside the pan into the mix.
3. Now slowly add the stock, mixing each addition with a whisk to keep it smooth. Keep adding the stock until the desired consistency is achieved (if you run short of stock, add more water, instead).
4. Bring the gravy back to simmer, whisking as you do. Add the red wine or Port, redcurrant jelly and Worcestershire Sauce. Stir well.
5. Now season to taste with Maggi or Bovril and finally salt and freshly ground black pepper. Allow to simmer for a few minutes.
6. Adjust the consistency again if needed by adding more liquid if the gravy is too thick or simmer longer if it's too thin. Add a knob of butter and stir until smooth and glossy.
7. Finally, strain the gravy through a sieve into a warmed gravy boat or jug.
We really hope that you've enjoyed reading this newsletter. If you think your friends might be interested in taking a look, please feel free to forward it to them.
If you're reading this on the recommendation of a friend and would like to receive future editions, you can subscribe for free by clicking on this link.
As you tour the California Wine Country, you will find great wineries, restaurants, and accommodations. If you need to make reservations for lodging, Hotels.com is the online site where we usually find the best deals. Take a look for your next getaway.
If you have any comments, opinions, or content ideas, we'd love to hear from you. Just click this link to contact us.