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Cheers 2 Wine News - August 2007 Issue
August 29, 2007
Cheers from Steve and Kathy Howe


Wine Quote

"Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him: a new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with pleasure."
Ecclesiasticus 9:10








Wine of the Month

Wilson Winery
WINE OF THE MONTH

Our latest wine of the month is Wilson Winery 2005 Tori Vineyard Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley. Enjoy the delightful aromas of spicy black pepper and blackberries along with hints of mocha and pepper. This spicy, but smooth Zinfandel offers intense flavors of berries, cocoa, vanilla, mocha, and pepper. The array of tastes makes this Zin a luscious treat sip after sip.($32)

This Sonoma County winery has a magnifcent view overlooking the Dry Creek Valley near Healdsburg. The wine tasting room is open daily from 11 AM - 5 PM. Call 707-433-4355 for more information about Wilson Winery.



. Learn about other Sonoma County Wineries.



Top Ten Best Wine Buys

Are you tired of reading lists of top rated wines and then not being able to find a place where you can buy them?



These wines are actually available for you to purchase right now, online. Click on the name of the wine to get information about ordering.

Trevor Jones NV Jonesy Port - Dessert Wine
This is a full-bodied Australian Port that has been blended with an average age of 46 years. Enjoy the sweet flavors of ripe plums, maple syrup, and hazelnuts. Rated 93 points by Robert Parker. (Definitely a best buy at only $10.29!)

Yalumba NV Museum Reserve Muscat (half-bottle) - Dessert Wine
Another fabulous dessert wine from Australia. This tawny red colored muscat is a full-bodied rich wine that exhibits scents of rose petals and orange. The flavors of fruit, nuts, spices are incredible. Rated 97 Robert Parker. (Great value for only $17.29)

Bodegas Castano 2004 Hecula - Mourvedre Red Wine
This 100% Monastrell from Spain has delightful aromas of toasty black fruits with hints of milk chocolate. Rated 91 by Robert Parker. (A remarkably rich wine for only $10.99)

Las Rocas de San Alejandro 2005 Garnacha
This Grenache is made from vines that are 70 to 100 years old grown in high altitude vineyards of Spain. Enjoy enticing aromas of firsch, raspberries, and pepper. This balanced, full flavored wine is rated 90 by Robert Parker. ($10.29)

Saint Clair 2006 Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc
This Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough, New Zealand has flavors of gooseberry, guava, honeysuckle, and grapefruit. This light, dry, crisp wine can be enjoyed with fresh vegetables, salads and fish. Rated 90 by Wine Spectator. ($12.99)

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Pinot Gris
This Pinot Grigio is crisp, dry, and fruity. It's bursting with aromas of pear and honey. Enjoy flavors of pear, melon, and spice. Perfect to serve with salmon, cheese, shellfish, chicken, salads, and fish. This wine is rated 93 by Wine & Spirits.($15.99)

Acacia 2005 Carneros Chardonnay
This is a full flavored elegant Chardonnay with aromas of creme brulee, ginger, lemon curd, and peach. A lovely medium-bodied wine with a long, full finish. Serve with seafood, fish, chicken, and pork. Rated 92 by Wine & Spirits. ($18.99)

Peter Lehmann 2004 Semillon
This Semillon from the Barossa Valley of Australia is pale straw in color with refreshing aromas of lemon flower and grapefruit. Unoaked and fruit driven, this wine is zesty and crisp with a soft acidity. Serve with seafood and chicken. James Halliday has rated this wine 90 points.(Another best buy at only $10.49)

Gnarly Head 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel
Made from old vines 35 to 80 years old in Lodi, California. Flavors of plum, pepper, cola, and chocolate. The lingering spicy finish pairs well with grilled meats, pasta, and ribs. (A great value for an old vine Zin at only $10.29)

Calina 2005 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
Now is the time to stock up on this great value Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile in South America. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from 3 different regions: Cachapoal Valley, Colchagua, and Maule. The result is a flavorful, complex wine with well balanced tannins.(An unbelievable price of $7.99)

Do your own wine search:

Wine Name:
Vintage:
Shipping to:




Top Wine Openers

Removing the cork from a bottle of wine should be a simple and enjoyable task. There are a large number of corkscrews to choose from. Wine openers make the perfect gift to give yourself or someone else. Learn about the top wine openers currently on the market by clicking on the link above.

Hollister Wineries

Hollister Wineries

Plan a visit to San Benito County wineries and discover one of the hidden treasures of California's Wine Country. The wineries of San Benito County are located near the city of Hollister just 25 miles from Monterey Bay.

Wine grapes were first planted in San Benito County during the 1850's by a French immigrant named Theophile Vache'. Using vine clippings he brought from France, he planted his new vineyards in the beautiful hills of the Cienega Valley.

Learn about the wine makers who continue the tradition of producing excellent wines in this scenic region. In addition to touring the wineries and sampling the wines, visitors might also want to explore the nearby attractions including Pinnacles National Monument and Mission San Juan Bautista.




Wine Tasting Coupons As a subscriber to Cheers 2 Wine News you can access our pages of free wine tasting coupons. Some of these coupons allow you to taste for free while others let 2 people sample wine for the price of 1. The password for these pages is:
cheers2wine2006






Mark Your Calendars!

August 4: 2nd Annual Summer Jubilee to the Nth Degree -
Wente Vineyards, Livermore
12:00p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Join us for a Summer Wine Tasting Festival! Sample our new release of The Nth Degree Syrah in our barrel room as well as taste Small Lot & reserve wines on the patio. Live music by: Jim Hurly and the Night Harvest Food available by Wente Vineyards Catering* $5.00 Club Wente Wine members $10.00 for nonmembers, includes a Riedel logo wine glass Wente Vineyards Estate Winery 5565 Tesla Road Livermore For information call 925-456-2305 x4 Nominal fee for catered food.
August 4th: Vine 2 Wine Sunset Barbecue -
Temecula

6:00 PM until Sunset. Enjoy a relaxing late afternoon Santa Maria Style Barbecue. We begin with a lovely wine and cheese reception in the brand new Wiens Family Cellars Barrel Room. Dinner seating will be in their event pavilion. All food and wine is included. $53.00 per person. Dinner Menu includes Tri-tip, chicken breast, and pork ribs served with pasta salad, baked beans, wine country salad, assorted bread and pie & ice cream. Enjoy tasting over 21 wines including reds, whites, sparkling and dessert wines.
More Details

Various Summer Dates: Wente Vineyards 21st Concert Season -
Livermore

Enjoy top name headliners in the lovely vineyards and lushly landscaped grounds for a memorable summer evening. Schedule: Hootie & The Blowfish 7/31/2007; George Carlin 8/8/2007; UB40 8/15/2007; Los Lonely Boys 8/16/2007; Huey Lewis and The News 8/23/2007; Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons 8/30/2007; Vince Gill - The Friends and Family Tour Featuring Amy Grant and The Del McCoury Band 9/6/2007; The Doobie Brothers & Peter Frampton 9/12/2007.
More Details

August 18: - Jackson Wine, Art & Music Fest -
Amador County

5:00 pm 9:00 pm � Annual wine, art and music festival featuring outstanding Shenandoah Valley and Gold Country wineries. Downtown main street will be closed to traffic allowing you to stroll shop and taste as well as listen to good music and enjoy fine art. For more information call (209)223-2327 or (209)257-0518. Purhase tickets in advance for $20 at participating downtown merchants, by credit card at 1-866-463-8659 or atwww.highsierratickets.com Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

August 19-29: Family Winemakers of California Tasting 2007 -
San Francisco

Family Winemakers of California will hold their annual tasting on August 19 and 20 in San Francisco, California. �Tasting 2007� is open to the wine trade, media and consumers on Sunday, August 19 at Fort Mason Center�s Festival Pavilion. It will be an opportunity to taste great wines and meet the winemakers and owners behind some of California finest wineries. Over 400 wineries poured 1,000 wines and upwards of 30 wineries make their debut at the event.
More Details

August 25: Santa Barbara County Wine Boot Camp
Wine Boot Camp is an interactive one day experience for wine lovers. Wine novices and experts experience firsthand the joys and frustrations of winemaking. Work hands-on in the vineyard and the cellar under the direction of top winemakers and viticulturists. The cost is $425, which includes a bottle of wine you create, lunch, dinner, a t-shirt, transportation, and extensive wine tasting. Boot camps are conducted in other locations and on other dates as well. For more information call (707) 874-1975.
More Details

August 25: A Summer Evening in Tuscany -
Lockeford, California

Vino Piazza's Annual VIP Winemakers' BBQ featuring Live Authentic Italian music by: Pasquale Esposito. Enjoy Special Vendors, Watermelon by the Slice, Grape Stomp Competition, Special Winemakers' BBQ & Prizes! General Tickets: Concert & Festival Only - $15. Concert/Festival/BBQ - $35 General. VIP Members Admission: Concert & Festival Only - $10. VIP Concert/Festival/BBQ - $30. Call 209-727-9770 for Reservations. Vino Piazza, 12470 Locke Rd., Lockeford Time: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

More Details






Easy Wine Recipes
Cooking With Wine

"I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food."

W.C. Fields



Zinfandel Manicotti

Serve with Zinfandel, salad, and Garlic Bread


1 cup cooked spinach, drained and chopped
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 clove of garlic minced
1 tablespoon chopped basil
salt and pepper (to taste)
1 package manicotti

1. Mix well. Stuff uncooked manicotti and place in buttered baking dish. Cover with the following sauce:

1 pound hamburger
1/2 pound pork sausage
1 medium chopped onion
1 4-ounce can sliced mushrooms (not drained)
1 teaspoon Italian herbs
1/2 cup Zinfandel
1 30-ounce can solid pack tomatoes
1 6-ounce can tomato paste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Brown meat.
3. Add onion, seasonings, and Zinfandel.
4. Simmer on low for 1 hour.
5. Cover manicotti with sauce and top with Parmesan Cheese.
6. Cover pan with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.

This will make 6 servings.






Wine Bundt Cake



1 package yellow cake mix
1 4 1/2-ounce box vanilla instant pudding
4 large eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup Riesling
1 teaspoon nutmeg

1. Combine all of the ingredients; beating for 5 minutes.
2. Pour mixture into a greased bundt pan.
3. Bale at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done.

This will serve 8-10


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