Wine Quote
"No thing more excellent nor more valuable than wine was ever granted mankind by God."
Plato
Wine Tastings Paired with Food
One of the newest trends in wine tasting at California wineries is to sample wines along with food that pair well with each wine. These wine and food tastings can be lots of fun (and educational as well). Some of the wineries that offer combination wine and food tasting are:
Sonoma
Kendall-Jackson: The charge is $18 per person. Call (707) 571-8100 for more information.
St. Francis: This reserve wine and food pairing is $20 per person. They sample 4 wines paired with 4 different appetizers. Call (800) 543-7713 x242 for more information.
J Vineyards & Winery: Cost varies from $20-$45 and depends on your choice of tasting flights. Call (707) 431-5430 for more details.
Viansa Winery & Italian Marketplace: Price varies according to which tasting flight you select. Call (800) 995-4740 for more details.
Mayo Family Vineyards: Sit down, relax and enjoy 7 courses of food paired with wines that compliment the food. Price is $20 per person. Call (707) 833-5504 for more information.
Napa Valley
Pine Ridge Winery: 3 wines paired with 3 hors d'oeuvres costs $40 and is available selected Sundays at 11 AM. Call for reservations, (800) 575-9777.
Beringer Winery: Sample 4 wines along with cheeses that pair well with those wines. The cost is $30 per person. Advance reservations required; call (707) 963-8989 x2222.
Calistoga Wineries
If you are planning a Napa Wine Tour, be sure to visit the wineries located in the most northern Napa Valley town of Calistoga. Enjoy smaller crowds and great Napa wines. Learn more about these unique wineries.
Great Place to Eat in Calistoga
While wine tasting in Calistoga recently, we discovered a great restaurant called Brannan's Grill. Located in downtown Calistoga, Brannan's serves lunch and dinner during the week and brunch and dinner on the weekends. Visit on a Friday or Saturday evening to enjoy live jazz in addition to their fantastic food.
Romantic Getaway in Temecula
If you are looking for the perfect spot for a romantic getaway, South Coast Resort in Temecula is the answer. Pamper yourself in the luxurious surroundings of your own private villa. Enjoy your own patio overlooking the vineyards, a bottle of complimentary wine, and an in-room massage.
Visit the wineries of Amador County
If you have never visited Amador wineries, you really should think about planning a visit to this scenic region. Amador reminds us of what Napa use to be like. You are sure to enjoy the world class wines, mountain scenery, and friendly wine tasting rooms. Visit Cheers2wine.com for all of the lastest on Amador wineries, restaurants, and accommodations. Begin planning a trip today!
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 sent within the newsletter each month. If you just signed up for the free newsletter and don't want to wait until the 25th, email us via the contact page and we will send you the password.
Mark Your Calendar!
July 29-30: Second Annual Lake County Wine Adventure
Sample award winning wines and delicious food. Each of the 19 wineries will offer special events such as barrel tasting, winery tours, food, and entertainment. After visiting all 19 wineries, you are entered in a drawing to win prizes including a stay at a local bed and breakfast. The cost is $25 per person and includes a logo glass. Call (707) 998-4471.
More Details
July 30-Aug. 27: Chouinard Winery's Music in the Vineyards - Livermore Wine Country
Each Sunday San Francisco artists will be performing at Chouinard Winery from 4:30 until 8:30. Bring a picnic and enjoy the music. Reservations are required and the cost is $35 for a carload. Wines will be available for sale. For more information call (510) 582-9900.
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August 5-6: Summer in the Hills - Placer Hills Winery Tour
Sample award winning wines being produced by the 8 participating wineries of Placer County from Noon until 5 PM. This event is free. Meet the actual grape growers and wine makers. Also enjoy winery demonstrations, create-a-blend sessions, live music, tasty trets, and art displays. These open houses are only held once every 3 months or so.
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Aug. 12 - 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:
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.
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Aug. 12: 14th Annual Monterey Summer Wine Festival
This festival features Monterey County wineries and is being held at the Historic Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey. Sample wines from over 45 Monterey wineries from Noon until 4 PM. In addition to wine tasting participants will also enjoy live music, dancing, gourmet foods, and a silent auction. Tickets are $35 per person in advance or $40 at the event and a logo glass is included in the price. Call (831) 375-9400 for reservations.
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Aug. 18: 11th Annual Grape to Glass - Russian River Valley
Plan a visit to Sonoma County's Russian River Valley. You have a choice of a variety of fun activities including winery tours, wine tasting, bike riding, golfing, a magical mystery bus tour, and an old fashioned barbecue.
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Aug. 26: 13th Annual Hands Across the Valley - Napa
Enjoy Napa food and wine, dancing under the stars, a live and silent auction, and mingling with celebrity guests. This event is being held at Rubicon Estate (formerly Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery) in Napa Valley from 6-11 PM. Proceeds from this benefit event go to various food programs in the Napa Valley. The cost is $125 per person.
More Details
Easy Wine Recipes Cooking with Wine
"I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food."W.C. Fields
Zinfandel Burgers
These burgers are great for a summer barbecue!
2 pounds lowfat hamburger
1/4 cup Zinfandel
(Save rest of bottle to drink with meal)
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
8 sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped
2 teaspoons garlic salt
Canola spray for spraying on grill rack
6 large seeded hamburger buns
2/3 cup mayonnaise
6 slices Monterey jack cheese
2 tablespoons prepared basil pesto
red leaf lettuce leaves
6 tomato slices
6 thin red onion rings
8 fresh wet basil sprigs for adding to fire
1. Prepare grill for cooking.
2. In a medium bowl combine the following: hamburger, Zinfandel, minced basil, minced onion, bread crumbs, sundried tomatoes, and garlic salt.
3. Divide the hamburger into 6 portions and shape into round patties.
4. Spray the grill with canola oil.
5. Toss the basil sprigs onto the coals.
6. Grill hamburger patties until done (5 to 8 minutes approximately on each side).
7. During the last minute of cooking top each hamburger with a slice of cheese.
8. Mix mayonnaise and basil pesto and spread some of this mixture onto each of the toasted hamburger buns.
9. Assemble lettuce, hamburger, tomato slice and onion slices onto each bun.
This will make 6 servings.
Filet of Sole a la Gewurztraminer
This is a quick and easy way to fix filet of sole.
7 tablespoons margarine
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
2 pounds filet of sole
1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 cup Gewurztraminer
4 tablespoons heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
1. Dot the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with 3 tablespoons of the margarine. 2. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the parsley in pan. 3. Lay filet of sole in dish. 4. Layer the remaining parsley and the bread crumbs over the sole.
5. Dot with the remaining butter.
6. Pour the Gewurztraminer over the top and season with salt and pepper.
7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
8. Add cream and serve.
Makes 4 servings.
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