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Cheers 2 Wine News, Issue #002 -- Hear the latest news from the California Wine Country
May 25, 2006

Wine Quote

"Wine has been a part of civilized life for some seven thousand years. It is the only beverage that feeds the body, soul and spirit of man and at the same time stimulates the mind. . ."
Robert Mondavi




Step by Step Guide to Tasting Wine
Do you ever wonder if their are special things you should be doing when tasting wine? This guide to wine tasting walks you through the process step by step.




Great Place to Eat in Temecula
Cafe Champagne is a fantastic place for dinner while wine tasting in Temecula. This romantic restaurant is located at Thornton Winery. You can dine indoors or outside on the patio. The food is fantastic and we enjoy listening to the live music as we dine.



A Fabulous Wine Country Bed and Breakfast on the Central Coast
The Blue Whale is a wonderful California Bed and Breakfast located in Cambria along the central coast. Cambria is a charming town close to Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo wineries. The Blue Whale Inn offers lovely accomodations across from Moonstone Beach. We loved walking along the wooden walkways overlooking great views of the Pacific Ocean.




Visit the wineries of Calaveras County
If you have never visited Calaveras wineries, you really should think about planning a visit to this historic region. The site of the annual Jumping Frog Contest made famous by Mark Twain, Calaveras County is also known for its great wines. Visit Cheers2wine.com for all of the lastest on Calaveras wineries, restaurants, and accomodations. Begin planning a trip today!




Free Wine Tasting Coupons

As a subscriber to this newsletter, you have access to a free list of wine tasting coupons available online. You can choose from the wineries on this list. Click the links to go to the web sites where you can then print your very own wine tasting coupons. Some coupons offer complimentary wine tastings while others are 2 for the price of 1.
The password required to access this page is given to subscribers with their first issue.

Download free wine tasting coupons now!




Mark Your Calendar!

May 31: Enjoy a Taste of Venice in San Diego
Glide through the canals and waterways of Coronado Cays on Coronado Island while sampling Italian wines paired with appetizers. The cost is $45. Call (619) 429-6317 for reservations or go to the web site: Gondola Ride - Coronado Info

June 3: 2nd Annual "North of the Gate Wine Gala" in Petaluma
Taste Gold Medal Winners selected from over 800 wines at the Savor North of the Gate Wine Competition. The cost is $35 and includes wine tasting and appetizers. The event is being held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Herzog Hall. For more information call (707) 283-3247 or visit North of the Gate Wine Gala Information

June 3,4,10,11: Vintners Festival 2006 "A Taste of the Mountains" in Santa Cruz
Enjoy barrel tastings, food, music, art, winery tours, and special exhibits. During the first weekend wineries and restaurants from the Eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains will be participating and the Western side will be involved the second weekend. The cost is $30 in advance and $35 at the door. The event lasts from 11-5 daily. For more information call (831) 685-8463 or visit Vintners Festival Info

June 10 - Sept. 9: "2006 Groovin' in the Grove Summer Concerts" at Jessie's Grove Winery in Lodi
Get out your blankets and chairs and head to Jessie's Grove Winery for an outdoor concert this summer. Concerts costs $15 per person and begin at 6 PM. Jessie's Grove wines will be available for sale by the bottle or by the glass. Save one or more of the following dates:

June 10: Greg Barber & Hwy. 61
(Blues)

July 8: Rhythm Doctors
(Blues, Rock, & R&B;)

Aug. 12: Deja Blues
(Blues)

Aug. 26: Shane Dwight Band
(Rock & Blues)

Sept. 9: Nite Cry
(R&B;)

A catered BBQ dinner is available for sale as well. For more information call (209) 368-0888 or go to Summer Concert Information - Jessies Grove

June 17-18: 15th Annual "A Taste of Redwood Valley"
Treat your father to a Wine Tour of the Redwood Valley this Father's Day weekend. Visit 13 Mendocino wineries sampling food and tasting wine. Tickets are $25 and include a logo glass and entry into a drawing. Tickets are available at any of the participating wineries. Some of the participating wineries are not usually open to the public; making this a special event. For more information call (800) 760-3739.

June 16-18: "10th Annual Passport Weekend" presented by the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance
Celebrate Father's Day Weekend in Calaveras County. Enjoy wine, gourmet food, art, and entertainment in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Participants validate their passports at each winery as they sample the wines and are entered into drawings for prizes. If you make it to all the wineries, you are entered into the grand prize drawing. First prize is 2 mixed cases of wine. For more information call (209) 736-6722 or visit Passport Weekend Information

June 17: African-American Vintners' Winetasting at Copia in Napa
Sample award winning wines produced by members of the Association of African- American Vintners. Featured wineries are: Black Coyote Wines, Esterlina Vineyard & Winery, Mark Norwood Vineyards & Winery, LLC, Sharp Cellars, Stover Oaks Vineyard and Winery, Sugarleaf Vineyards, and Vision Cellars. Wine tasting begins at 1:30 PM and ends around 3:30 PM. The cost is $30 and includes admission to Copia. For more information you can call (888) 512-6742 or go to African-American Wine Tasting 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.*



Yummy Yummy Chicken Marsala

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Flour
Kosher salt
Fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
3 slices chopped bacon
8 ounces mushrooms
1/2 cup sweet Marsala wine
1/2 cup Swansons chicken broth
2 T butter
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
1 clove minced garlic
Fresh sliced or shaved mozzarella cheese

1. Flatten chicken breasts by covering with plastic wrap and pounding with a meat mallet until they are only about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Put 1/2 cup of flour in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan until the oil is hot.
4. Coat both sides of the chicken pieces with flour, shaking the excess off into the bowl.
5. Fry the chicken in the hot oil for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
6. Lower the heat to medium, fry bacon pieces in frying pan for a few minutes.
7. Add mushrooms and minced garlic and saute for approximately 5 minutes until brown and moisture has evaporated.
8. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Add Marsala to the pan and cook for 30-60 seconds to cook out the alcohol.
10. Add the chicken stock and simmer for 1 minute.
11. Add the butter. Place chicken back into the pan.
12. Simmer mixture to heat the chicken.
13. Season with salt and pepper. Top with chopped parsley.
14. Serve with fresh sliced or shaved mozzarella cheese.

This will make 4 servings.




Port Strawberries - Quick and Easy

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup Ruby Port

1. Place fresh sliced strawberries in a large bowl.
2. Pour Port over the strawberries and toss gently.
3. Chill strawberries in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
4. Spoon into small bowls with the juice and serve.

Makes 4-6 servings.




Best Barbecue Sauce

1 cup minced Italian parsley
1 cup minced chives
3/4 cup red wine (red table wine, Merlot, whatever you happen to have open)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. 2. Cover the bowl and let set overnight at room temperature. 3. This sauce is great for marinading chicken, ribs, and pork chops. While barbecuing, baste with more of the sauce.
Makes 2 cups




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