Back to Back Issues Page |
Cheers 2 Wine News, Issue #003 -- Summer news from the California Wine Country June 24, 2006 |
![]() Wine QuoteWine is a constant proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.Livermore Wineries You are sure to enjoy a wine tasting trip to Livermore. There are more than 25 wineries located in this scenic valley. Plan a Livermore Wine Country getaway and discover great wines and friendly wine tasting rooms. Wine tasting is usually complimentary. ![]() Bistro Don Giovanni is our favorite restaurant in Napa. You can dine indoors or outside on the patio. Everything is fresh and full of flavor. We seldom visit the Napa Valley without stopping here for either lunch or dinner. Read more about this great restaurant by clicking on the link above. ![]() Seascape Resort offers outstanding wine country accomodations along the central coast just south of Santa Cruz. It's a short drive south to Monterey or Carmel from this resort. We love the short stroll down the trail to the beach. Along with every amenity we could think of, this resort sits right on the coastline where you can enjoy relaxing views of the Pacific Ocean. ![]() If you have never visited El Dorado wineries, you really should think about planning a visit to this region of the Sierra Foothills. Some of the highest vineyards in California are located in El Dorado County resulting in the slogan "Wines with an Altitude". Visit Cheers2wine.com for all of the lastest on El Dorado wineries. Begin planning a trip today! ![]() Mark Your Calendar!July 2 and August 12: Fair Play Wine & Poker Run - El Dorado County Wine Country Visit 5 Fair Play Wineries. Choose your favorite bottle of wine from each winery to take home with you. Collect one playing card from each winery. Prizes will be awarded to people based on the poker hand they have at the end of day. There's awards for best poker hand, worst poker hand, and more. Dinner is included. The cost is $84.50 (Remember that this includes 5 bottles of wine and dinner.) If you need more information, email them at [email protected]. For reservations go to their web site: Fair Play Wine and Poker RunJuly 13: California's Grape and Gourmet at Cal Expo in Sacramento Taste the best wines in California from the 2006 California State Fair Wine Competition. Come taste this year's award winning wines. The cost is $50 in advance and $60 at the door. This event benefits the Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program. The event is being held at California State Fair and Exposition from 5:30 - 8:30 PM in Buildings A and B at Cal Expo. For more information call (916) 263-3049 or visit their web site: 2006 California State Fair Wine Tasting July 14: Hwy. 46 West Wineries "Friday Night Wine & Cheese Tasting" in Templeton - Paso Robles Wine Country Taste wines from 14 Hwy. 46 West Wineries. Cheese will be provided by Di Ramondo's Italian Market and Cheese Shop and bread and pastries will be sampled from Coastal Cookie and Gourmet Desserts. The cost is $10 per person and tickets will be sold at the door. The event lasts from 6-8 PM. For more information call (805) 423-8303 or visit their website: Friday Night Wine and Cheese Tasting Info July 15-16: "Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon, Napa to Sonoma" and Wine & Music Festival in Downtown Sonoma Runners and walkers will both enjoy this 13.1 mile race through the scenic vineyards, farms, and a wildlife preserve. The race begins at Domaine Carneros Winery in Napa and finishes at the Sonoma Plaza in downtown Sonoma. Everyone (even nonracers) is invited to join the fun at the Wine & Music Festival where you can sample wine from wineries from the Carneros Wine Alliance. Wineries include: Acacia, Artesa Estate, Etude, Gloria Ferrer, MacRostie, Nicholson Ranch, Pine Ridge, Ravenswood, Robert Sinskey, Saintsbury, and Schug Carneros Estate. An optional Race dinner is scheduled for Saturday and a breakfast is availabe before the race on Sunday. The cost for participating in the race is $55-$60 and only $15 for just the Wine and Music Festival. For more information call (707) 933-1769 or go to Carneros Wine Country Half Marathon & Wine & Music Festival Information July 17: Rose Avengers & Producers "PINK OUT - SF" Taste more than 50 rose wines from throughout the world at this international fine rose event. Pan-Pacific appetizers will be provided by Chef Robert Lam. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. This event will be at Butterfy, a restaurant located on Pier 33(The Embarcadero at Bay Street) from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. For more information (including a list of participating wineries) or to make reservations visit their web site. PINK OUT! - SF Information July 21: Guided Wine Tour from San Diego to the Valley de Guadalupe in Baja, Mexico Board a 30 passenger shuttle bus for a tour to three wineries in Baja California. Depart from the Old Town Transit Center in San Diego around 9 AM and return around 9 PM. The tour costs $75 per person and includes lunch, wine tasting, a bilingual guide, border crossing fees, toll both fees, and insurance. For more information or to make reservations visit their web site: Baja Wine Tour Information July 22: 3rd Annual California Wine Festival "Reds, Whites, and Blues at the beach in Santa Barbara"- Touring and Tasting Magazine is sponsoring this wine event at Chase Palm Park in beautiful Santa Barbara. 100 wineries from Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Southern California will be present. Sample their wines and enjoy the live blues music and gourmet appetizers from local restaurants. A silent auction will feature a variety of great prizes with proceeds benefiting local charities. The cost is $45 in advance and $55 at the gate. For more information call (800) 850-4370 or visit the web site: California Wine Festival - Santa Barbara Info July 22 - August 26: Niles Canyon Railway Wine "Tour de Train" Wine Tasting and Train Ride - Livermore Valley Take a two hour train trip every Saturday from July 22 through August 26. Discover the secrets of wine tasting and pairing food and wine from professional sommelier Sean Andrade. Each week different Livermore Valley wineries will be featured and served along with cheeses and breads to compliment the wines. Boarding begins at 4:00 PM from the station in Sunol. The cost is $30 per person. For more information call (408) 249-2953 or visit the web site. Tour de Train - Train Ride & Wine Tasting Info July 29 & 30: @nd Annual Lake County Wine Adventure Sample wines from 19 wineries in Lake County. Enjoy barrel tasting and winery tours as well. The cost is $25, which includes a logo glass and your "adventure pass". After visiting all of the wineries, you are eligible for a raffle drawing. For more information call (707) 998-4471 or visit their web site. Lake County Wine Adventure Information ![]() Easy Wine Recipes Cooking With Wine3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 1/2 pounds hamburger 2 cloves garlic (minced) 2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce 1 6 oz. can tomato paste 1/2 cup of dry red wine 1/2 cup of water 1 teaspoon oregano leaves 2 teaspoons basil leaves 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and sugar 1 teaspoon salt 12 ounces of lasagne noodles 1 lb. ricotta cheese 8 ounces mozzarella cheese (sliced) 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese 1. Saute the minced onion until soft. 2. Add hamburger and garlic to the onion. Cook until meat is browned. 3. Add and stir: tomato sauce, tomato paste, wine, water, salt, oregano, basil, pepper, and sugar. 4. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer slowly for 90 minutes. 5. Cook noodles according to the directions on the box. 6. Lay 1/3 of the noodles in the bottom of a 9X13 inch baking dish. 7. Cover with 1/3 of the meat mixture. 8. Top with 1/3 of the ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. 9. Repeat 2 more times so that all ingredients are used. 10. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. 11. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Tip: I usually double the recipe and freeze one dish to use at a later time.
8 slices bacon (chopped into 1/2 pieces)
3 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons spiced dark rum 3 tablespoons orange liquer) 1 orange (sliced) 1 lemon (sliced) 2 ripe peaches (sliced) 3 ripe plums (sliced) 2 cinnamon sticks 1 bottle Spanish red wine Sparkling soda water 1. Add to a punch bowl (or other large bowl): sugar, rum, orange liquer, fruits, and cinnamon sticks. Mix together. 2. Stir in the bottle of wine. 3. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 - 8 hours before serving. 4. Discard cinnamon sticks. Spoon fruits into glasses. Pour the spiced wine over the fruit. Top with a splash of soda water.
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. 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 |