Cheers from Steve and Kathy Howe
Wine Quote
"Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing." Ernest Hemingway
Wine of the Month
Hanna Winery WINE OF THE MONTH
Our latest wine of the month is Hanna Winery 2006 Sauvignon Blanc. This delightful wine was produced exclusively from grapes grown in their 50 acre Slusser Road Vineyard. Enjoy the fruity aromas. This refreshing Sauvignon Blanc has flavors of pear and lime. Serve this wine chilled with salads, poultry, seafood, and cheese. Wine and Spirits chose this wine as the #1 choice out of 166 Sauvignon Blancs at a recent tasting. It's a great choice for a summer wine.($17)
This Sonoma County winery is located atop a knoll overlooking the Alexander Valley. The wine tasting room is open daily from 10 AM - 4 PM. Call (800) 854-3987 for more information about Hanna Winery. Their website currently has a free wine tasting promotion.
Click here to access coupon
.
Learn about other Sonoma County Wineries.
Top Ten Best Wine Buys
Are you tired of reading lists of top rated wines and then not being able to find a place where you can buy them?
These wines are actually available for you to purchase right now, online. Click on the name of the wine to get information about ordering.
Razor's Edge 2005 Shiraz This is a smooth tasty Australian wine. Enjoy the intense flavors of ripe plums, blackberry, and dusky spice. This wine is fruity and fresh and leaves a pleasant aftertaste. Rated 90 points by Wine Spectator. (Definitely a best buy at only $9.79!)
Marques de Caceres 2006 Rioja Rosado You will want to stock up on this great value rose from Spain. Light raspberry in color with bouquet of berries and flowers. This full bodied wine has flavors of cherry, rose, menthol, and herbs. It's perfect for summer drinking. 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garancha. Rated 87 by Wine Spectator. (Great value for only $7.99)
Kumeu River 2005 Village Chardonnay This Chardonnay from New Zealand has pleasing arimas of fruit and hazelnut and enjoyable flavors of ripe peaches. This crisp and refreshing wine has been rated 91 by Wine & Spirits. ($18.99)
Goats do Roam 2005 Goat-Roti - Rhone Blends Red Wine This red wine from South Africa is vibrant purple in color with enticing aromas of ripe fruit and pepper. Enjoy the silky texture and flavors of fruit in this wine rated 90 by Wine Spectator. ($18.29)
Jim Barry 2005 Lodge Hill Shiraz This Shiraz from the Clare Valley of Australia has aromas of black cherry, plums, vanilla, and dark chocolate. The flavors of blackberry, caramel, and eucalyptus end with a smooth, lingering finish. Rated 90 by Wine Spectator. ($15.29)
Seghesio 2005 Sonoma Zinfandel This delicious Zinfandel has scents of black pepper. It's bursting with flavors of spice, oak, blueberries, and cherries. Perfect to serve with grilled meats. This wine is rated 90 by Wine Spectator.($19.99)
Argiolas 2006 Costamolino Vermentino - Italian White Wine This Italian white wine is straw yellow in color. This is a delightful summer wine to serve with fish. It's very crisp and refreshing. Rated 91 by Robert Parker. ($13.79)
Benton Lane 2006 Pinot Gris This Pinot Grigio from the Willamette Valley of Oregon is pale straw in color with a floral bouquet highlighted with aromas of pear and tropical fruit. Enjoy this crisp Pinot that begins with crisp citrus and apple flavors and ends with a honeysuckle and pear finish. Wine and Spirts has rated this wine 92 points.(Another best buy at $16.29)
Hanna Winery 2006 Sauvignon Blanc This Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc from the Alexander Valley is our Wine of the Month. It's been rated 93 points by Wine and Spirits. Enjoy this excellent wine at a special sale price. ($14.49)
Root 1 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Now is the time to stock up on this fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile in South America. It's dark cherry in color and has delightful aromas of currants, vanilla, and berries. The rich fruity flavors are nicely balanced by oak. Enjoy the creamy texture with a lovely dark chocolate finish. Rated 90 by Robert Parker.($10.99)
Do your own wine search:
Pairing Food and Wine
What to Drink With What You Eat
by Andrew Dornenburg is the best book we've seen about pairing wine with food. The book is full of information and is surprisingly simple to use. You can spend just minutes skimming through the pages to find the perfect wine to go with the meal you are planning.
Hollister Wineries
Hollister Wineries
Plan a visit to San Benito County wineries and discover one of the hidden treasures of California's Wine Country. The wineries of San Benito County are located near the city of Hollister just 25 miles from Monterey Bay.
Wine grapes were first planted in San Benito County during the 1850's by a French immigrant named Theophile Vache'. Using vine clippings he brought from France, he planted his new vineyards in the beautiful hills of the Cienega Valley.
Learn about the wine makers who continue the tradition of producing excellent wines in this scenic region. In addition to touring the wineries and sampling the wines, visitors might also want to explore the nearby attractions including Pinnacles National Monument and Mission San Juan Bautista.
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.
Mark Your Calendars!
August 4: 2nd Annual Summer Jubilee to the Nth Degree - Wente Vineyards, Livermore
12:00p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Join us for a Summer Wine Tasting Festival! Sample our new release of The Nth Degree Syrah in our barrel room as well as taste Small Lot & reserve wines on the patio. Live music by: Jim Hurly and the Night Harvest Food available by Wente Vineyards Catering* $5.00 Club Wente Wine members $10.00 for nonmembers, includes a Riedel logo wine glass Wente Vineyards Estate Winery 5565 Tesla Road Livermore For information call 925-456-2305 x4 Nominal fee for catered food.
August 4th: Vine 2 Wine Sunset Barbecue - Temecula
6:00 PM until Sunset. Enjoy a relaxing late afternoon Santa Maria Style Barbecue. We begin with a lovely wine and cheese reception in the brand new Wiens Family Cellars Barrel Room. Dinner seating will be in their event pavilion. All food and wine is included. $53.00 per person. Dinner Menu includes Tri-tip, chicken breast, and pork ribs served with pasta salad, baked beans, wine country salad, assorted bread and pie & ice cream. Enjoy tasting over 21 wines including reds, whites, sparkling and dessert wines.
More Details
Various Summer Dates: Wente Vineyards 21st Concert Season - Livermore
Enjoy top name headliners in the lovely vineyards and lushly landscaped grounds for a memorable summer evening. Schedule: Hootie & The Blowfish 7/31/2007; George Carlin 8/8/2007; UB40 8/15/2007; Los Lonely Boys 8/16/2007; Huey Lewis and The News 8/23/2007; Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons 8/30/2007; Vince Gill - The Friends and Family Tour Featuring Amy Grant and The Del McCoury Band 9/6/2007; The Doobie Brothers & Peter Frampton 9/12/2007.
More Details
August 18: - Jackson Wine, Art & Music Fest - Amador County
5:00 pm 9:00 pm � Annual wine, art and music festival featuring outstanding Shenandoah Valley and Gold Country wineries. Downtown main street will be closed to traffic allowing you to stroll shop and taste as well as listen to good music and enjoy fine art. For more information call (209)223-2327 or (209)257-0518. Purhase tickets in advance for $20 at participating downtown merchants, by credit card at 1-866-463-8659 or atwww.highsierratickets.com Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
August 19-29: Family Winemakers of California Tasting 2007 - San Francisco
Family Winemakers of California will hold their annual tasting on August 19 and 20 in San Francisco, California. �Tasting 2007� is open to the wine trade, media and consumers on Sunday, August 19 at Fort Mason Center�s Festival Pavilion. It will be an opportunity to taste great wines and meet the winemakers and owners behind some of California finest wineries. Over 400 wineries poured 1,000 wines and upwards of 30 wineries make their debut at the event.
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August 25: Santa Barbara County Wine Boot Camp
Wine Boot Camp is an interactive one day experience for wine lovers. Wine novices and experts experience firsthand the joys and frustrations of winemaking. Work hands-on in the vineyard and the cellar under the direction of top winemakers and viticulturists. The cost is $425, which includes a bottle of wine you create, lunch, dinner, a t-shirt, transportation, and extensive wine tasting. Boot camps are conducted in other locations and on other dates as well. For more information call (707) 874-1975.
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August 25: A Summer Evening in Tuscany - Lockeford, California Vino Piazza's Annual VIP Winemakers' BBQ featuring Live Authentic Italian music by: Pasquale Esposito. Enjoy Special Vendors, Watermelon by the Slice, Grape Stomp Competition, Special Winemakers' BBQ & Prizes! General Tickets: Concert & Festival Only - $15. Concert/Festival/BBQ - $35 General. VIP Members Admission: Concert & Festival Only - $10. VIP Concert/Festival/BBQ - $30. Call 209-727-9770 for Reservations. Vino Piazza, 12470 Locke Rd., Lockeford
Time: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
More Details
Easy Wine Recipes Cooking With Wine
"I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food."W.C. Fields
Shrimp Bordelaise
This variation of the classic French dish uses shrimp instead of crayfish.
1 large carrot
1 medium onion
2 celery stalks
1/4 cup butter
pinch of thyme
1/2 bay leaf
salt and pepper (to taste)
2 pounds uncooked large shrimp in shells
1/4 cup brandy
2 cups dry white wine
3 egg yolks
1. Mince carrot, onion, and celery and place in sauce pan.
2. Add butter, thyme, and bayleaf. Saute until vegetables are soft.
3. Remove bay leaf and season with salt and pepper. Add wine.
4. Clean shrimp and remove the veins using scissors to cuts shells down the back.
5. Loosen the shells but do not remove them. Place shrimp in a pan. Warm the brandy, ignite, and pour into the pan covering the shrimp.
6. Add the vegetable mixture to the shrimp. Cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Remove shrimp from the pan. Place 1/2 cup of the sauce into a small bowl and mix with the eggs. Stir egg mixture into the pan. Cook sauce until thick.
8. Pour sauce over the shrimp and serve.
This will make 4 to 6 servings.
Tasty Turkey
Turkey isn't just for Thanksgiving!
2 turkey legs with thighs
1/4 cup margarine
1 clove minced garlic
1 large onion, sliced and separated into rings
1 1/2 cups sliced celery
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
salt and pepper (to taste)
1 tablespoon flour
1. Brown turkey with margarine in a frying pan.
2. Add garlic, onion, celery, and carrots. Saute until soft.
3. Add chicken broth, wine, seasoned salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Then cover, reduce the heat, and simmer gently for 2 hours.
4. Remove turkey and vegetables from pan. Place 1/2 cup of the sauce in a small bowl and add the flour. Stir to make a smooth paste.
5. Over high heat reduce the sauce in the pan by 1/2.
6. Blend in flour mixture. Cook until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly.
7. Pour sauce over the turkey and serve.
This will serve 4-6
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