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Cheers 2 Wine News, Issue #007-- Hear the latest news from the California Wine Country
October 25, 2006
Cheers from Steve and Kathy Howe


Wine Quote

"In vino veritas. . .In wine there is truth."
Pliny the Elder



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Wine of the Month

Domaine Carneros by Taittinger
WINE OF THE MONTH - OCTOBER, 2006

Our latest wine of the month is Domaine Carneros Le Reve By Taittinger. This Sparkling Wine is a luscious Sparkling Wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. Citrus flavors interact nicely with the floral notes. Le Reve is an elegant creamy sparkler with a long silky finish. This wine is perfect for special celebrations and is consistently rated highly by wine reviewers.

Located in the Carneros Region of Napa Valley, Domaine Carneros specializes in Sparkling Wines and Pinot Noir. The winery sits high atop a hill and offers one of the best views of the Napa Valley. It's the perfect place to sit outside on the terrace, sip wine and appetizers, and enjoy the breathtaking view.


Be sure to check back each month for our wine of the month.


Yountville Wineres - Napa Valley
Yountville is known for the many marvelous wineries scattered around this small town located in the heart of Napa Valley. It is also known as home to a number of world class restaurants including The French Laundry, Bouchon, and Bistro Jeanty. You can also enjoy interesting shops and charming wine country accomodations in downtown Yountville.


Bistro Jeanty
Enjoy the charms of a French Bistro during your visit to Yountville. Hearty dining, fresh local ingredients, and fabulous food are to be found at Bistro Jeanty in downtown Yountville. Dine indoors in quaint, intimate surroundings or outdoors on the colorful patio.



Be Healthy . . . Drink Wine

Is wine good for you? The answer is, �Yes!� There�s lots of research providing proof that there really are health benefits from drinking wine.

Flavonoids from the skins and seeds of red grapes are the key to wine being good for you. These flavonoids lower your risk of coronary heart disease by reducing your LDL or bad cholesterol levels. At the same time these flavonoids actually increase your HDL or good cholesterol levels and decrease the likelihood of blood clotting.

Scientists believe that there may be other health benefits from red wine. A recent study discovered that an antioxidant in the skins of red grapes, called resveratrol, may inhibit the growth of tumors in some cancers. It�s possible that resveratrol can help treat Alzheimer�s and Parkinson�s as well and new studies are on the way.

Are some wines better for you than others? Again, the answer is, �Yes!� Researchers at University of California at Davis have concluded that full-bodied dry red wines contain the highest levels of flavonoids and provide the greatest benefits. The number one wine for supplying the most flavonoids is Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir also ranking highly. Sweeter wines and white wines have less flavonoids and are less beneficial.

How much should you drink? Moderation is the key. Women should drink 4 ounces of red wine daily with a meal and men 4-8 ounces.

Pour yourself a glass of red wine and drink to your health. Cheers!






Order Thanksgiving Wines Online!

Ch. Ste. Michelle 2005 Indian Wells Riesling $18.29) Washington State�s Columbia Valley. Just enjoying the aromas of ripe pineapple, mango, and peach is a treat. This is a crisp, well balanced wine that your guests who prefer white wine will enjoy.

Renwood 2002 Old Vine Zinfandel ($17.49)This Zinfandel has aromas of caramel, eucalyptus, and berries. The flavor is spicy and exploding with berries. This distinctive Zinfandel comes from vineyards that are at least 50 years old. These old vines produce concentrated, complex fruit flavors that will please the red wine lovers in your group.

Faiveley 2003 Bourgogne Pinot Noir ($16.99 This is a lovely Pinot Noir at a bargain price for the quality of the wine. It offers aromas of blackcurrant and luscious flavors of ripe black cherries. Very smooth and elegant. This wine will go well with a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Twomey 2002 Merlot ($64.99) This impressive Merlot is a bold wine with a velvety texture. You will love the lush, ripe flavors of cherry and chocolate. This wine is produced by the same family as Silver Oaks Cellars. After drinking this wine, you will agree that they know how to make noteworthy wine.

Belle Glos 2004 Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir ($42.99) Year after year, this wine from California�s Santa Maria Valley is a winner! Starting with the wonderful aromas of plums, cinnamon, and caramel this wine is a standout. The smooth fruity flavors of cranberries and blackberries blend with soft tannins to make a wine that will complement your Thanksgiving celebrations.

Everything Wine - Wine Store & More

Gifts for Wine Lovers

Have you started thinking about Christmas shopping yet? Make it easy for yourself this year by doing your shopping online. Buy with confidence through Amazon. Read product reviews and recommendations and order great gifts from the comfort of your own home. Gifts can be shipped directly to the recepient or to your home or office.







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 cheers2wine2006






Mark Your Calendar

October 27-29: Haunted Tours - Lodi Wine Country
Tour the haunted cellars of Wino Piazza in Lockford, California. This complex has 12 independently operated wineries with free wine tasting rooms. For a spooky evening of wine and food call (800) 939-2566. This facility is located at 12470 Locke Road, Lockford, CA 95237.
More Details


November 4-5 - Temecula Harvest Wine Celebration
Enjoy fine wines, barrel tasting, food, live music, and the colorful scenery of the Temecula Valley on a Fall day. Tickets are $83 per person.. Fees include a commemorative glass, wine, and food at each participating winery.
More Details


November 9-12 - 10th Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend Monterey
There's a wide variety of events happening in Monterey for this spectacular weekend celebration. Highlights include a Vintners' Reserve Reception, wine and food integration seminars, open houses at the wineries, guided wine country tours, wine maker dinners, a silent auction, and a Grand Finale at Pebble Beach.
More Details


November 11, 12: Silver Pass Weekend on Silverado Trail in Napa
Sample wines at 12 participating wineries located along the Silverado Trail. Event runs from 11-4 PM each day. The cost is $30 for the entire weekend or $20 for a single day of tasting. Call (866) 844-9463.
More Details


November 11, 12 - Placer Hills Winery Tour
Enjoy wine tasting at wineries located in the hills of Placer County. These wineries are only open to the public during these periodic Open House events. Events include wine tasting, tasty treats, art displays, live music, hands-on vineyard and winery demonstrations, create-a-blend sessions, and more.
More Details





Easy Wine Recipes Cooking with Wine

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

W.C. Fields



Linguini with White Clam Sauce
Serve with bread and Sauvignon Blanc


3 cloves crushed garlic
6 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup Sauvignon Blanc
3/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 cup minced clams with liquid (or 4 cans of clams with liquid)
1/4 teaspoon oregano
8 ounces linguini
12 hard shell clams
Grated Romano cheese

1. Saute garlic in olive oil until golden.
2. Add 1 tablespoon flour and stir until smooth.
3. Gradually add Sauvignon Blanc, parsley, claims with their liquid, and oregano.
4. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until sauce is thickened and smooth.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve sauce over linguini and top with steamed hard shell clams and freshly grated Romano cheese.

This will make 4 servings.






The weather is starting to cool making it a great time for some hot soup.

Fish Soup


3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion chopped
2 medium size carrots chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon paprika
16 ounce can Italian plum tomatoes
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
2 eight ounce bottles clam juice
1 1/2 pounds of either flounder or sole cut into bite size pieces
1 tablespoon of anise-flavored apertif such as Richard or Pernod

1. Saute onions in olive oil until soft. Add garlic and saute for another minute.
2. Add everything but fish and apertif.
3.Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
4.Add fish and simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in aperitif and serve immediately.
Note: If you want to make this ahead of time, do steps 1-3 in advance. Just before serving bring the soup back to a simmer and cook the fish just before serving.





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