A Day of Vineyards, Friends and Secondary Fermentation in Temecula Wine Country

Wine tasting with friends is one of my treasured activities, and a recent trip to Temecula Wine Country proved to be a refreshing change of scenery and a day of new discoveries.

At Mount Palomar Winery, the Castelletto Cortese, an interesting white full of rich pear and citrus was a standout favorite amongst our group.

An '08 Winemaker's Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel at Calloway was spicy and full of dark fruit, with "General Tso's Chicken" on the nose (I swear)...needless to say, there were a new good laughs had at my expense over the unconventional comparison.

\

Our final stop of the afternoon was Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards, a favorite spot for those looking to relax in a bucolic outdoor setting while sipping.

Here, winemaker Bill Wilson explains the origins of his acclaimed almond champagne, a sweet liquid that has attained cult status here in Southern California:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA1KiHYk0_w
As the quality of the wines from this region continue to improve, I have a feeling my visits will become more frequent as well...

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Some Phabulous Vino, Cheesesteak, Cheesecake and a Phantastic Phillies Victory...

What can I say? I am a diehard Philadelphia Phillies fan, and Game 2 of the National League Championship Series was as nervewracking as it was gonna get for us. To combat my extreme sports-induced stress, I employed the expert assistance of one of Philly's own, Greg Foster.

Greg is now known as 'Chef Cheesesteak,' in lieu of his magnificant abilities to meld grilled meat and cheese into a beautiful East Coast-inspired delicacy.On this night, our dinner was made to order, whether it was Provolone and onion, or veggies and Swiss.

For our wine, I chose a Manina Cabernet, a great value from Chile's Valle Central. With dark red fruit and tobacco, the earthiness of this bottling was a great match for the grilled meat, mushroom and onion we were devouring at a rapid pace. 

For dessert, a Cote du Rhone was a smooth pairing for some decadent cheesecake, courtesy of a friend with a penchant for the sweet confections of Manhattan in the Desert. 

The Phils did pull off a win that night, only to lose to the eventual World-Series Champs in the next round. But on this night, our Phillies' hearts, and bellies, were happy. Can't wait for next season!

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75.