May 9, 2007
I like Awards. I think it’s because I’m a gawker. But also, these thins often point to real talent and alert me to things and people I need to pay attention to. Recently the James Beard Awards were announced. They are the food and wine world’s equivilent of the Oscars. Folks get dressed up, attend the ceremony, get their awards and even have to back stage photos taken of them in front of a board that splashes "James Beard Foundation"…
Mar 15, 2007
Wine Spectator writer and wine reviewer James Laube is one brave man! I was sent word of a local event and wine auction benefiting The Young School, a Montessori school in St. Helena. Like many local schools in wine country, they organize grand events to raise money through sales of tickets to the event and through an auction. The Young School’s event, "Forever Young" at Quintessa Winery on the 17th has a great line up of auction lots. The Young…
Mar 15, 2007
There are lots of "Barrel Tasting" events here in Wine Country. These are fun events on a number of levels. You get to taste wines still maturing in barrel, sip from bottled wines, take advantage of discounts, eat good food, enjoy music and entertainment at the wineries and generally just party. This weekend is the barrel tasting for wineries in my neighborhood: "SAVOR SONOMA VALLEY: A BARREL TASTING AND CULINARY EXPERIENCE." The name of the event is a bit grandiose,…
Feb 23, 2007
I keep rooting for Carneros. I can’t help it. Over the years it got bad raps from critics, has experienced an identity crisis, seemed to be at the top of the Pinot heap before being overtaken by other regions and has to dance between between being both Sonoman and Napan. Those are some big chips to carry around on your shoulders. But have you tasted the wines? Check out this list: Saintsbury, Schug, Etude, Acacia, Donum Estate, Sangiacomo, Hudson, Durell,…
Feb 8, 2007
The folks over at PS I LOVE YOU, the Petite Sirah Appreciation organization sure do know how to put on an event. Ginny and I skidded through the rain this evening to check out the variety of Pets at Rosenblum Cellars in Alameda, California where the "Dark & Delicious" tasting put on by Jo Diaz and PS, I Love You was held. It was a feast…in every sense of the word. You really have to gear up for a Petite…