Wine paired with chocolate does not have to be romantic, but it could be. Consider this your chance to find out at the Enumclaw Wine and Chocolate Festival this February 4th and 5th, 4-10pm and 12-10pm respectively. For the third year, participants will find many treats all in one place, Enumclaw Expo Center, Washington State. Such treats will include more than items for the wine rack or secret chocolate cupboard back home. Continue reading
My second wine-tasting night is still a long way off, but I have been thinking hard about how to theme it. The first time guests were asked to bring a bottle, any kind, and we noted our different experiences. This time, I plan to ask guests to be more specific. Continue reading
Maria Falconetti as Joan of Arc, 1928
Do you notice how this happens: you just read an article about, I don’t know, say The Skellig Islands and then, suddenly, everywhere you look, there are those mountain peaks sticking-up from the sea off the Irish coast in books, on TV. National Geographic runs a special edition about the thousands of birds all over the smaller island, etc. Something similar happened with Joan of Arc recently.
I’d heard of her, knew she was young, a military leader and burned at the stake. Wanting to fill-in the gaps I read a biography and also got out a piece of fiction (Mark Twain’s novel) from the library. In the biography several movies were mentioned, including a silent film from 1928 entitled The Passion of Joan of Arc. It was ranked #1 in the Toronto Film Festival 100 best films ever made, trumping Citizen Cane, and is playing at our local community cinema on Monday. If you wonder why it suddenly outranked Orson Welles, this is because Dreyer’s film had been lost for many decades and was only re-discovered in the latter half of the twentieth century.
There’s more: Joan of Arc crowned Charles VII King in the Notre Dame Cathedral at Rheims which, as many of you know, is Champagne country. Chances are she never drank any herself; her defence of France against the Burgundians and England took place more then five centuries ago. Still, if you happen to have a bottle of Champagne on your wine rack, remember it must have come from either Rheims or somewhere very close. Say a toast to Joan, perhaps, while you sip.
See Ya Later Riesling has been a winner this year. At the BC Wine Awards it shows up as a bronze medal winner. In San Francisco it won gold among others of its varietal. Put a bottle of this on the wine rack and you are supporting a champion. Continue reading
People can do just about anything on a cruise: aerobics, swimming, dancing; so why not wine tasting? Actually, they can. Continue reading
There is a varietal which has been in my face a lot lately. It turns up everywhere, from blends to pure offerings: I’m talking about Viognier. Continue reading
Seldom have I seen a bottle labeled ‘kosher’, and when I do my response is ‘huh’? It has always puzzled me, this term, but now I have a better understanding thanks to the ‘Wines of Canada’ website. Continue reading
Greenwood Ridge Wines
Mendocino County presents Crab and Wine Days. Not sure about the crab part, but to the best of my understanding, this area on the northern coast of California is known for Dungeness Crab, so perhaps gain some pairing ideas while traveling around from one winery to another with a passport from January 21st-30th. Continue reading
If you live in the vicinity of Santa Ynez Valley, bring a clean palate and a sweetheart to the Wine Around Event. 2011 is the first year for this event taking place at four locations.
Beginning February 14th at noon, participants visit Bridlewood Estate Winery, Fess Parker Vineyard and Winery and Foley Vineyard and Winery plus Chumas Casino and Resort. Cost is $125 including wine, hors d’oeuvres and transport.
Bridlewood wine racks boast varietals such as Viognier and Grenache. Fess Parker makes a table red, Chardonnay and more. Foley Estates carries a long list of red, white and rose wines.
Hadsten House Inn, Spa and Resort offers several wine-related packages to would-be guests and an elegant setting if you want to spoil your honey for Valentine’s Day and are visiting from out of town. Even if you live in Santa Barbara, here is your chance to be romantic.
Guests could choose to come some other time besides Valentine’s Day, spend the night and still have the chance to meet vintners for tastings and food if they book a Wine Cask and Food Pairing Package. Keep that in mind, any readers who forget February 14th: you might need to do some serious back-tracking.
Before Christmas when I asked my brother what he wanted, he said a bottle of red chosen by me. As if I could begin to understand what belongs on his wine rack…That boy (he’s but a year younger than me) has a finely tuned palate and knows what he likes. Then again, I do my research. Continue reading