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Cheers 2 Wine News - December 2007 Issue
December 27, 2007
Cheers from Steve and Kathy Howe


Wine Quote




"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. "

Opray Winfrey








Ring in the New Year in the Wine Country

Napa Valley Wine Train
Enjoy an appetizer reception with freeflowing wines and the soft sounds of jazz. Wind your way through Napa Valley on the wine train while dinner is being served. Then dance the year away as you celebrate the beginning of 2008.

Romp With the Beasts - Santa Rosa
Party on New Years with the four footed animals at Safari West in Santa Rosa. Go wild this New Year's at Safari West's second annual...Romp with the Beasts! Split after midnight strikes or enjoy all the creature comforts and spend the night in a luxury safari tent.

All Inclusive New Year's Yacht Party - San Diego
Take an all-inclusive trip aboard the largest private yacht in Southern California with 1000 other VIPs and sail in to the New Year on the smooth waters of San Diego Bay! Enjoy three decks of music, unlimited drinks, and stunning views of San Diego.

New Year�s Eve Wine Country Cycling Getaway
Celebrate the end of 2007 with a 2-night/3-day cycling getaway in the Santa Barbara Wine Country. This weekday wine country escape includes a half day guided cycling tour, bike rental, professional tour guide, gourmet picnic lunch & wine tasting, hotel accommodations at the Hadsten House in Solvang and a New Year�s Eve dinner at the Vineyard House in Santa Ynez.




Renwood Wionery
WINE OF THE MONTH

Our latest wine of the month is Renwood's 2004 Grandp�re Zinfandel The small crop of 2004 produced a rich, syrupy Zinfandel. It is a dark ruby color with a bouquet full of raspberry, vanilla and white pepper, cocoa and nutmeg. Enjoy flavors of berry, black cherry and dark bitter chocolate. It has rich, chalky tannins and a smooth but intense finish. This wine should age well for 10 years. $40

Renwood Winery is located in the Sierra Foothills near the small town of Plymouth. This winery is known for producing many award winning Zinfandel. The wine tasting room is open daily from 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM. Tastings are complimentary. Call (209) 245-6979 for more information about Renwood Winery.

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




Escape to San Diego

Winter is the perfect time to head south for warmer weather. Enjoy sunny beaches and spectacular sunsets in this beautiful coastal city. Learn more about the many things to do in San Diego from a local San Diego resident. Possibilities include wine tasting, hiking, biking, kayaking through the La Jolla Caves, exploring Balboa Park, cruising the bay, theater, sporting events, and more.




Latest Wine Picks

Bernardus 2005 Chardonnay This Chardonnay exhibits citrus and tropical fruit aromas mingled with mineral notes and subtle toasty oak nuances. The lush, opulent palate is intense and focused with complex flavors of ripe pineapple, lime, mineral notes, and cr�me brul�e lingering on a long, creamy finish. ($16.99)

Il Poggione 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva The Riserva is aged for 36 months in French Allier oak barrels, and continues to mature for another 12 months in the bottles before it is placed on the market, five years after the harvest. This wine's huge impact begins with the bright ruby red color; it is stylish on the nose with fruity, floral notes enfolded in sweet spice. The flavor is lingering and balanced with a long, seductive finish. A very classy wine which will improve with time. ($89)

Bodegas Conde 2005 Neo Sentido - Tempranillo Red wine drinkers will love this Tempranillo. Its dark ruby color and aromas of cedar, spice box, blueberry, plum and cherry notes are delightful. Fresh and spicy, with juicy dark fruit flavors, mineral and a touch of vanilla on the finish. Could be cellared for 10+ years, but is delicious right now. ($18.99)

Schramsberg 2000 J. Schram - Champagne The 2000 J. Schram exhibits aromas of pineapple with melon and apple cider along with citrus notes of orange peel and lemon custard. Rich, creamy notes of creme brulee, fresh baked baguette and toasted nuts are derived from barrel fermentation and nearly 6 years of yeast aging. ($85)

Babich Chateau 2006 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is an ideal aperitif wine, and can also be enjoyed with pasta, seafood, white meats and vegetarian dishes. Very light and smooth wine with crisp flavors of fruit.($14.99)




Wine Tasting Coupons
As a subscriber to Cheers 2 Wine News you can access our pages of free wine tasting coupons. Some of these coupons allow you to taste for free while others let 2 people sample wine for the price of 1. The password for these pages is:
cheers2wine2006






Mark Your Calendars!

January 4, 11, 18, 20, or 25: From Here to the Next County: Sonoma
Copia, 2505 W. Turner Rd., Lodi, California
1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. $50 general/$40 member Interactive cooking demo, garden talk and lunch with wine The focus is on Sonoma as COPIA�s experts prepare and discuss specialties from the bountiful county to our west, over an indulgent meal paired with three seductive Sonoma County wines. Menu: Dungeness Crab Bisque � Five Cheese Ravioli with Roasted Butternut Squash, Goat-Cheese Walnut Sauce and Arugula � Blood Orange and Campari Granita. For information call (707)259-1600.
More Details

January 8: Wine and Food Pairing Class-
Lodi Wine & Visitor Center

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The cost is $50 per person or $35 Lodi Wine & Visitor Center Wine Club Members. Reservations are required. The menu includes Lobster Pumpkin Risotto, Asparagus and Artichoke Greens, Chateau of Beef, and Baked Alaska. For more information,call (209) 367-4727.

January 9, 16, 23, 30: Wine Appreciation 101 -
Sacramento's Delta King

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Learn more about wines at this series of classes taught by noted wine educator, G.M. "Pooch" Pucilowski, CWE. All classes include wine tasting and designed to make you feel more comfortable and confident with wine. The optional fourth class includes a five-course meal paired with wines and champagnes. Reservations are required. Classes can be taken individually or as a series. Call (916) 961-6080.
More Detail:

January 19, 20: - 16th Annual Winter Wineland - Sonoma County
11 AM - 4 PM. Explore the Russian River Wine Road they celebrate their 16th Annual Winter Wineland. Meet winemakers, taste limited production wines, new releases or library wines. Some wineries will offer food pairings and others will have tours. Ticket price will cover the tasting fee at all of the participating wineries for the weekend. Tickets: $40 Weekend, $30 Sunday Only, $10 for Designated Drivers Ticket prices go up $10 at the door. Advance online and phone ticket sales will end January 13, 2008.

More Details:

January 26-27: Bring Out the Barrel - El Dorado County
Sample distinctive wines straight from the barrel. Vintners will offer an inside look at winemaking, future sales, light food pairings, and demonstrations, providing tips on how to discern the magical alchemy that goes into each barrel. Novice tasters as well as seasoned veterans will be welcome to dream of the future by tasting great young wines. Advance tickets for the El Dorado Barrel tasting weekend are available for $20 through January 22. A limited number of tickets will be available for $30 at wineries during the event weekend.
More Details

January 31: Riedel Seminar - The Magical Kitchen Restaurant - Santa Barbara
7:00 PM Experience a wine & glass experience! Discover the effect of shape & size on the perception of wine in a glass & wine tasting tutorial. Included are tastings of four wines, The Magical Kitchen tasting hors d'oeuvres, and four new Riedel Vinum glasses for each participant.

More Details






Cooking With Wine

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

W.C. Fields



Lamb Stew

4 lamb shanks
2 tablespoons oil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
16 ounces whole canned tomatoes
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
2 carrots, cut into strips
2 stalks of celery, sliced
1/2 cup rice, uncooked
4 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped

1. Saute onion and garlic in oil for 5 minutes in a large pot.
2. Add lamb shanks to pan and brown.
3. Add the liquid from the canned tomatoes, broth, wine and rosemary to pan. Cover and simmer 90 minutes.
4. Remove shanks and cut meat from bones into small pieces. Skim fat from surface.
5. Add vegetables and rice. Simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
6. Add lamb, tomatoes, lemon juice, and salt; heat through. Garnish with parsley.

This will make 4 servings.






Beef Stroganoff

12 ounces wide egg noodles
1 pound beef sirloin
3 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
3/4 pound mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup Pinot Noir
3 tablespoons cognac
2 tablespoons prepared oyster sauce
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
6 tablespoons sour cream
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Add noodles, return to a boil, and cook until tender 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and pour into a large serving bowl.
2. Rinse beef and pat dry. Cut meat into 1/8-inch-thick slices.
3. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and beef into a 12-inch frying pan and cook over medium-high heat. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to brown. Pour into another bowl.
4. Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to pan. Cook onion and garlic and stir for 3 to 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and brown 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Add wine, cognac, and oyster sauce to mushroom mixture. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer to blend flavors, about 5 minutes.
6. Add cream and return to a simmer. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water until smooth. Add to mushroom mixture and stir until it boils and thickens, about 2 minutes.
7. Add sour cream and beef and heat for about 1 minute. Add salt and pepper to taste.
8. Pour beef over hot noodles.

This will make 4 servings.






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