Back to Back Issues Page
Cheers 2 Wine News, Issue #001 -- Hear the latest news from the California Wine Country
April 25, 2006

Wine Quote

"Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance."
Benjamin Franklin




Food and Wine Pairing Trying to decide which food to serve with which wine? This is always an individual choice. There are some basic guidelines to follow when pairing food and wine. Learn about the different types of red and white wines.




Are you thinking of wine tasting in Southern California? We have recently returned from a California Wine Tour of Southern California wineries and have the latest information on Temecula wineries, San Diego wineries as well as recommendations wine country lodging, San Diego restaurants, and Temecula restaurants.



A Fabulous Wine Country Bed and Breakfast in the Sierra Foothills Dunbar House is a wonderful California Bed and Breakfast located in downtown Murphys. Murphys is in the heart of the Calaveras Wine Country. Murphys is a charming Gold Rush town that has 10 wine tasting rooms all within walking distance. This is great destination for a California Wine Tour.




Great Cambria Restaurant While visiting Central Coast wineries, there's a fabulous little restaurant in Cambria called Madeline's that you really should try. We love everything about it. . . the fine food, exceptional service, and romantic atmosphere.




Mark Your Calendar!

May 7: 23rd Annual Sierra Showcase of Wines
The showcase takes place from 2-4 PM at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth. Sample wines from throughout the Sierra, enjoy live music, local artists, and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Hospice of Amador County. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information call (209) 223-5500.

May 19-20: Paso Robles 24th Annual Wine Festival
The main event is Saturday, May 20 from 1-5 PM in the downtown city park. Enjoy the wines from more than 80 Paso Robles wineries, live music, and wine country cuisine. This is the largest outdoor wine tasting in California. Tickets are on sale now. For more information you can call (805) 239-8463 or go to Paso Robles Wine Festival Info

May 20: Lodi ZinFest
This is the second annual Lodi ZinFest being held from noon until 8 PM at Lodi Lake in Lodi. Enjoy wine tasting from more than 40 wineries, music, cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, exhibits, and games. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information you can call (209) 367-4727 or go to Lodi ZinFest Information

May 20: 12th Annual Wine Auction sponsored by Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation
This auction held at Wente Vineyards raises money for local charities and all of the Livermore wineries participate. There's a silent auction from 4-7 PM with wine and hors-d'oeuvres at a cost of $50. Afterwards, enjoy a Gala Dinner and Dance with a live auction where rare, one-of-a-kind wines from around the world will be auctioned. This event costs $250 and includes the earlier silent auction as well. For more information call (925) 447-9463 or go to: https://www.livermorewine.com/auction_2006.html

April 2006 - July 2005: Copia's Wine Tasting 101
Copia is a wonderful place to visit when you are in Napa. They have many exhibits, eating places, seminars, and interesting things going on to celebrate wine and culinary pursuits. Wine Tasting 101 is a 30 minute class covering the basics of wine tasting and selecting the wineries to visit that would best fit you. The class is held daily from 10:15-10:45 and costs $15, which includes admission to Copia. For more information you can call (888) 512-6742 or go to Copia Information

June 2-4: Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival
This annual event is held at the Lake Skinner Recreation Area in Temecula. Enjoy wine tasting (more than 20 Temecula and San Diego wineries), cheese sampling, food, hot air balloon launches, arts and craft exhibits, and live concerts. Tickets are $15 for adults. For more information you can call (951) 676-6713 or go to Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival Information




Easy Wine Recipes - Cooking with Wine

*It's a good idea to use the same wine in cooking that you will serve with the dish.*



Stuffed Mushrooms

1 pound mushrooms
2-3 Tablespoons melted butter
8 Tablespoons soft butter
2 cloves of minced garlic
6 Tablespoons of shredded Jack cheese
4 Tablespoons of Zinfandel
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2/3 cup finely crushed cracker crumbs

1. Remove stems from mushrooms.
2. Brush mushrooms with melted butter.
3. Mix together the soft butter, garlic, and cheese.
4. Add wine, soy sauce, and cracker crumbs and blend to make a paste.
5. Fill mushrooms with this mixture.
6. Set in a baking pan and broil for about 3 minutes until hot and bubbly.
This will serve 6 to 8.




Baked Trout

4-6 trout (about 1/2 pound each)
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cloves minced garlic
1 cup Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
2 Tablespoons Italian parsley
2 Tablespoons green onions
2 Tablespoons seasoned bread crumbs
4 Tablespoons melted butter

1. Wash and dry the trout with paper towels.
2. Lay the garlic in the bottom of a baking dish that is large enough to hold the trout in a single layer.
3. Lay trout in the dish and pour the wine over the fish.
4. Sprinkle parsley, green onions, and bread crumbs on top.
5. Spoon butter evenly over the fish.
6. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Makes 4-6 servings.




Do you know someone who'd like to read this?

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.

Haven't subscribed yet?

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.

Contact Us

If you have any comments, opinions, or content ideas, we'd love to hear from you. Just click this link to contact us.


Back to Back Issues Page