Vino Chick

A Chard, Some Chevre, and a Chanteuse Provide a Preview to a Classic French Meal

2012-01-20T18:03:00.000-08:00

In cultivating a love of all things French, I wanted to share a recent Francaise overload...

My prelude to a dinner of coq au vin (my first attempt at the classic French-braised chicken in wine) consisted of a glass of Joseph Drouhin's excellent Laforet, a young Bourgogne (that's French for Burgundy) full of bright lemon and stone.

Laforet met its match with a creamy Humboldt Fog Chevre (French for goat cheese), multigrain crackers and fig paste. Added into the mix were the haunting and beautiful vocals of famed chanteuse Francoise Hardy, who's sort of a rock star in her native country, and for good reason.

Next up...the main course, accompanied by an elegant white Chateauneuf du Pape...would it be the best or a bust? Stay tuned for details...

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Yummy Cabernet and a Chocolate-covered Bacon Bionic Birthday

2012-01-12T17:09:00.000-08:00

There aren't many pairings better than a good Cabernet and some haut dark chocolate, but my friends and I recently one upped ourselves by matching our wine with some chocolate-covered, delicious, salty bacon. Thrown in for good measure was a favorite 1970's action hero for good measure, all to celebrate my friend Shellie's birthday.

Our trio decided to try the appropriately named 3 Girls Cabernet, a fruity, smoky, and smooth offering from Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi. For the uninitiated, Vosges gourmet products are sort of like the Cadillac of chocolate, and their Mo's Dark Bacon Bar paired perfectly with the dark cherry and earthy undertones in our wine. My girls went Lady Gaga over this irresistable combo.

In the Bionic Woman episode 'Kill Oscar,' Jaime Sommers battles female robots (the infamous fembots) who are in on a plot to control the world via a weather machine.

What better accompaniment to viewing this iconic TV series than yummy red wine and pork belly smothered in cacao?

For our friend Cheri's upcoming birthday, perhaps we will enjoy a Petit Syrah, a few episodes of Charlie's Angels, and some chocolate-covered potato chips...

Follow me on Twitter:
@vinochick75

Newly Discovered Italian Varietal is a Flavorful Surprise

2012-01-01T14:10:00.000-08:00

Question: What's full of chocolate covered cherries, sweet tobacco, and tight tannins? Answer: A delightful Mosby Sagrantino, one of my latest finds that I've filed under the category of "Grapes to Discover in 2012."

I've always wanted to taste Sagrantino, a lesser known Italian varietal that hails from the Umbria region, and my first foray into this tasty example from a Santa Barbara County producer didn't disappoint. Upon first opening, the wine also has a slightly earthy quality with a hint of winter pine. I decided to enjoy this little treasure with a grilled New York strip steak and cauliflower gratin.

After it had decanted for a bit, the wine took on the flavors of spicy holiday fruit cake (not the kind that Aunt Martha ships to your house each year) and smoky, big red fruit. This grape is formidable, and even the notes on the back of the bottle describe it as having "aggressive fruit."

It has generally been my experience that aggressive gets things done, and I'm already seeking out other examples of this wine to share with my more assertive friends...here's to a New Year full of exciting and unusual discoveries of all things vino...

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Got Uncommon Wine?

2011-12-10T10:21:00.001-08:00

The Inland Empire now boasts a unique shop that offers something a bit different for discerning wine drinkers like me to like to 'geek out' on the stuff, so to speak.

You can find up to 50 different bottles from all over the world at Chris Kern's Forgotten Grapes, a niche tasting room and shop tucked away off of Spruce Street in Riverside.

Kern has dubbed himself America's Uncommon Wine Expert, and he carries the selections to back it up. Here, you can find everything from an interesting red from Lebanon...

to a reasonably priced Sauternes.

Kern offers clever, pop culture-inspired comparisons to these lesser known varietals; sure to inspire chuckles from customers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8rEIAe5WY4&feature=youtu.be
There's also a social consciousness at work here, with a portion of the proceeds from some selections going to select charitable organizations.

During my visit, I tasted a lemony, warm, and spicy Rousanne, and enjoyed a killer Cru du Beaujolais full of plum and holiday spice.

Next time, I'll tell you about a delicious, rare treasure I took home with me...a selection I had been hard pressed to find...until now.

Kern ships all over the country too, so get your holiday orders in now.

If You go:
Chris Kern's Forgotten Grapes
1735 Spruce Street, Suite A,
Riverside, CA
(951) 782-8130
http://www.forgottengrapes.com/

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Giving Thanks for Terrific French Reds

2011-11-27T11:10:00.001-08:00

Potluck Thanksgiving meals are always a treat for me, with everyone bringing something unique to the holiday table. As host this year I was in charge of the turkey, which I basted in appled juice and stuffed with apples, cranberries, and fresh rosemary.

I paired our appetizers of cranberry goat cheese and smoked chedder with a '10 Le Bout du Monde, an earthy red with flavors of prune and tobacco. Deep purple in color, this wine has concentrated fruit, spice, and a hint of white pepper that melded well with the cheeses.

For our main meal, I opened an '08 Chateau Simian, an addictive Chateauneuf Du Pape full of dark cherries and reminiscent of an adult Jolly Rancher, and a '10 Domaine Coston, an inky Grenache-based blend from the Langeudoc with faint aromas of pine that instantly reminded me of childhood trips to the Christmas tree farm.

Both wines were rich, full bodied, and held up well against the heft of the succulent turkey, apple stuffing, cranberry sauce, zucchini casserole, and decadent truffle mashed potatoes.

Just add a terrific group of food and wine loving friends to the mix, and give thanks!

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

#Languedoc Day a Social Media Sensation

2011-11-10T17:50:00.001-08:00

Thursday, November 10, 2011 is now known in social media circles as Languedoc Day. Wine writers spent the day blogging about the tasty, about-to-be-famous juice that comes from this up-and-coming region in Southeastern France, many of us Tweeting with the hashtag #LanguedocDay.

I'm an avowed nut for Languedoc's older sister Chateauneuf du Pape, who lives just north of her, so this was an easy assignment. I experimented with the 2009 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut from vaunted Rhone producer M. Chapoutier.

This is a gorgeous bottle of wine, made from Grenache, Syrah, and old vine Carignan. Simply put...I love this stuff and found it really inky, warm, and full of Cherry Coke, chocolate, and holiday spices.

I enjoyed a glass with flavorful maple pork tenderloin, mashed yams, and broccolini.

I think this Languedoc gem would be a great choice for the Thanksgiving table, a perfect companion for juicy turkey in cranberry thyme gravy.

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Johnny Costa's Offering Tasty New Selections This Season

2011-11-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

In addition to a great happy hour menu, Johnny Costa's Ristorante in downtown Palm Springs has some tasty new vino to accompany an array of flavorful small plates and homestyle Italian dishes.

In terms of whites, I enjoyed the 2010 Sortesele Pinot Grigio from one of Italy's most storied producers, Santi Winery. This seafood-friendly wine is slightly floral and lacks the predictable bite that characterizes many examples of this varietal. Instead, there is a smooth, almost buttery-like finish on the palate that I really enjoyed. For $6 per glass, there is true value here, and while this selection hasn't made it to the full menu yet, it will soon.

I also tasted the Barco Reale di Carmignano Cappezzana, a hearty Sangiovese-Cab blend that really needs food! This wine is quite rustic, with a lot of tannin to be tamed, ideally with a rich bolognese or hearty veal dish. At $9 per glass,I would also drink it with one of the restaurant's tasty wood-fired pizzas.

Special thanks to:
Johnny Costa's Ristorante
440 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs
(760) 325-4556
http://www.johnnycostaspalmsprings.com/

Harvest Wine Dinner a Fall Feast for the Senses

2011-10-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

There's an indescribable sense of comfort I glean from wine dinners; the joy of sitting down with friends to handcrafted cuisine and tasty wines carefully paired with each morsel.

I enjoyed one such meal recently, an organic Farm-to-Table menu prepared by Executive Chef Sean O'Connell at bluEmber Restaurant inside Rancho Las Palmas Resort. Chef O'Connell selected produce from locally based County Line Farms, which David Dees of JAQK Cellars then paired with some exquisite wines.

Selections included Chanterelle-baked pan squash with grilled asparagus matched with the lush and easy-drinking Pearl Handle Chardonnay.

The earthy and flavorful mushroom and squash combined well with the creamy and lemony notes in the wine. I'm not typically a Chard lover, but this version has certainly captured the attention of my fickle palate.

Zippy heirloom tomato and tender squash blossoms were a tasty treat when matched up with the tummy-warming favorite of the night, Soldiers of Fortune Syrah. Full of cherries and chocolate, taking the first sip of this wine is like opening gifts on Christmas morning. It is easily my favorite in the JAQK lineup.

We also enjoyed vanilla salmon confit with JAQK's spicy Black Clover Merlot, the notes of vanilla bean in the wine making it a solid choice for this dish.

JAQK's tobacco-inflected High Roller Cab was smooth on the palate with a pull-apart slow-braised wagyu short rib beef perched atop creamy polenta.

For the grand finale, we inhaled a cardamom-spiced pumpkin cheesecake that was light as air and also paired with the High Roller Cab, which took on an almost sherry-like quality when sipped with this decadent dessert.

Suffice it to say, I'm still dreaming of Syrah and squash blossoms...

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Special thanks to:

JAQK Cellars

http://www.jaqkcellars.com/

bluEmber Restaurant:

http://www.rancholaspalmas.com/Dining/bluEmber

Get Your Tickets Now for the Sweet n' Savory Convention

2011-10-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

What could be better than the enticing aroma of red wine, herbs, and short ribs simmering in a crockpot?

Not much else, apparently. Now add some veggies, bittersweet chocolate, clove, cocoa and chili powders, a dash of cinnamon, and let this convention of sweet and savory meld overnight for ten hours on low. (Of course there's a bit more to it, but you'll have to wait for the book to find out exactly what). Regardless, I awoke to a meal like no other.

A feast like this deserves nothing less than a hefty, big fruited wine to join the flavor party. I chose a 2009 Llama Old Vine Malbec.

This wine is full of chocolate and spices, and is rich and full of deep cherry flavors, just like the rustic style of the short ribs, which sat atop homemade sweet potato mash. Now if only our wines could be as 'fork tender' as this mouth-watering repast...

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75 and email me at vinochickswirls@gmail.com.

'Opening Night' Tastings Offer Tempting Sips and Bites of the Season to Come

2011-09-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

In terms of pure decadent enjoyment, there is no place quite like Fleming's Steakhouse in Rancho Mirage. I recently enjoyed their “Opening Night” to remember, an event that featured 20 different wines from the new Fleming’s 100 Wines-by-the-Glass List.

Also debuting was the restaurant's new small plates menu, and Ahi Tuna Skewers with wasabi aioli, sweet tomato vinaigrette, and homemade wonton chips was sublime with a glass of 2010 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. The char on the fish matched really well with the steely citrus in the wine, which also had a fresh grassy taste.

One of my favorites was the Vina Leyda, a raspberry-inflected Chilean Pinot that reminded me of the coveted Tootsie Roll pops I chomped on as a kid.

But there was no chocolate surprise at the center of this Tootsie Roll (that was to come later). Instead, I found myself devouring Chef David Burke's creamy, crunchy, and severely addictive polenta fries with this wine.

One of the best pairings I've enjoyed in a while was an inky, herbal, and dark-fruited '08 Meritage from Beringer. This is a bold, slap you in the face wine, and it needed the dish to match.

Enter the New Zealand Petite Lamb Chops with pistachio-mint pesto, and a secret "F17" sauce. I was on the verge of sticking the bottle and the extra chops in my purse, but thought better of it. I would like to be invited back.

Just when I thought I could eat no more, out came a ridiculous finale: Chef Dave's Peanut Butter, Bacon, and Chocolate Souffle.

This life-altering combo of savory and sweet, placed on the table as it oozed with everything bad for you, is not on the regular menu, but they'll whip it up at your request. I paired it with a smoky, blackberry-like Columbia Valley Syrah from Milbrandt, which Chef went Lady Gaga over.

On the way out the door, my friend Cheri and I had just one request...a souffle to go and more polenta fries, please!

Special thanks to:
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
71800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage
760-776-6685
http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75 or email me at vinochickswirls@gmail.com.

To Poudre or Not to Poudre: A Memorable Birthday Pairing

2011-08-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows anything about wine is aware that it does NOT mix with perfume. Well, apparently those rules don't apply when it comes to the iconic Coco Chanel..specifically this pioneering French fashion designer's 128th birthday, celebrated with a recent wine and perfume pairing (gulp) on August 19 at Saks Fifth Avenue on El Paseo.

The 'no no' factor went right out the window as Vino Chick, with help from 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro, paired four wines to match a quartet of Saks-exclusive fragrances, including the brand new No. 19 Poudre.

The new interpretation of No. 19 (released on Chanel's actual birthday) is floral intermingled with crisp green woods, and a touch of powder. I paired it with a 2010 Gryphus Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, which is pale yellow in color similar to the fragrance and full of fresh fruit.

Other pairings included the zippy and citrusy 2010 Zolo Torrontes, an addictive Argentinian white matched with Elie Saab, a floral scent with notes of orange blossom and patchouli.

I matched a creamy 2009 Crème de Lys Chardonnay with teh Fan de Fendi fragrance, a leathery peppery scent that reminded me of the aroma I get when I stick my head in an oak barrel...not to be tried at home, of course.

Lastly, I paired the over-the-top, sexy as hell, vanilla-spiked Sweet Redemption by Killian with a 2007 Pinot Gris from Chalk Hill. Killian is a cigar guy by trade, so this scent has some powdery smoke and heft to it, which matched well with the wine's spicy/oaky/apple/nut flavor profile.

Now what to pair with that pesky No. 5...

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75 and email me at vinochickswirls@gmail.com.

Special thanks to:
Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Desert:
73555 El Paseo
Palm Desert, CA
(760) 837-2900
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/

3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro:
73101 Highway 111
Palm Desert, CA
(760) 837-9600
http://www.the3rdcorner.com/

A Roo by Any Other Name...

2011-08-09T16:35:00.000-07:00

There is a certain magic that comes with sharing good wine and food with terrific friends; those epic meals where deep secrets are shared, right alongside platefuls of irresistable flavors.

I enjoyed one such experience recently with my friend Cheri at Johannes Restaurant, a widely-acknowledged foodie heaven with an eclectic, Austrian-influenced menu, in downtown Palm Springs.

Our closest pals playfully refer to us as Nickeroo and Cheroo, so it was only fitting that on this dining adventure, "The Roos" had been invited to try Roo...kangaroo, that is.

Intrepid foodies that we are, we eagerly anticipated Johannes' take on this organic, grass fed protein, which is sometimes hard to find here in the U.S. Our kangaroo loin w as served in an addictive Blood Orange Juniper Merlot reduction, with an orange and herb salad, roasted pear, and broccolini.

There was certainly a game-like taste and thick, fibrous texture, not as heavy as venison, but also warm and with rich flavors. Once I got over the idea that this was the most primitive thing I had ever eaten, I realized that my palate was dancing like Andy Gibb during his 1977 appearance on The Midnight Special.

Of course, a meal this exotic can't be enjoyed without a formidable wine to match. Owner and Chef Johannes Bacher brilliantly selected a 2005 Lyrique Syrah from Santa Barbara County. Lyrique is like a mouthful of smoked cherry jam and spice, some of my favorite characteristics in a big red.

Johannes offers his take on the pairing in the video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPZ1x171KSo

To Johannes' disppointment, there wasn't any wine left to share...just some fun little secrets, and an epic evening for the two Roos..make that three...

Follow me on Twitter @Vinochick75.

Special thanks to Johannes Bacher, Chef/Owner:
Johannes Restaurant
196 S. Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA
760-778-0017
http://www.johannes-restaurant.com/

2011-08-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

I am very much into earthy, woodsy flavors, especially when those tastes relate to wine. Even better are those instances when the eats match up.

My wine and food coma pairing for the week is an '08 Felino Vina Cabos Malbec, matched up with a juicy and flavorful venison burger from cult favorite Grind Brgr Bar in Palm Springs, topped with bleu cheese crumbles and applewood smoked bacon.

There is an enbarassing amount of dark red fruit in this wine, accompanied by intense cocoa-like chocolate flavors. When you marry that sort of decadence with smooth and earthy bleu cheese blanketing organic beef, you start to hear Olivia Newton-John crooning in your ear...specifically her ethereal 1980 smash hit "Magic."

What made this matchup even better? The side of garlic fries doused in Sriracha Chili Sauce to honor my beloved Phillies, who just happened to be chomping on The Colorado Rockies that night...

Wait, wasn't that venison from Colorado?

Follow me on Twitter @Vinochick75.

Still Tasty After 50 Years?

2011-07-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

My torrid love affair with Chateauneuf du Pape (herein known as CDP) has been well documented throughout this blog, so imagine my giddy anticipation when my friend Dean, who'd been rummaging through some vintage household items, asked for Vino Chick (not Nicky, so I knew it was serious) to stop by and rate his latest discovery.

Before I could adequately prepare myself for what I was about to see, there she was, sitting majestic on the rec room bar. Her label was slightly tattered and rough around the edges. It bore the year 1961, the year JFK was inaugurated President, the Soviets put the first man in space, and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" was a hit by The Shirelles.

Yes, this brilliant, rich, full-bodied specimen of France's southern Rhone region had been (and probably been kicked out of) places, no doubt places a lady won't discuss, yet she was nonetheless stunning and damn near royal in the elegant and regal calligraphy of her font; the gentle curve of her top somehow unspoiled by the hands of time.

This was a CDP from A. Ogier & Fils. In 1961, rich powerful wines had emerged from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and experts say the best are still drinking well.

So what about our gal? Had she held up the merciless ways of Father Time and the intense desert heat? The top of her cork had disintegrated a bit over time, and immediately slid back down into the bottle when Dean tried to remove it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbmnbWL8EVU

Then it was time for a taste of French history...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGY3Ur5NVOo

An hour later (and after some serious palate cleansing) came another foray into the glass...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-ubqJhagqs

Throughout the evening, comments from tasters ranged from "You could start a lawnmower with it" to "Its like seeing a really, really hot guy and you're gonna get together and it just doesn't happen."

All corks and cliches aside, in the end this little CDP did the best she could, given her age and the conditions in which she lived her life. And really, that's all you can hope for when looking for the wine of your dreams.

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75.

Downtown Palm Springs Restaurant Beats the Heat with Wine and Watermelon

2011-07-15T15:31:00.000-07:00

Scorching temps are certainly upon us, and what better way to cool off than with a specialty cocktail?

At Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill in downtown Palm Springs, bartenders use only the freshest ingredients available, perfect for mixing cool summer-inspired drinks.

My new favorite combines two irresistible ingredients: watermelon and wine. The end result is crisp, refreshing, and hard to pass up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u2ddGmXkzw

I also tried the Paloma, a formidable concoction that melds tequila and grapefruit juice into an icy delight.

So next time you find yourself sweating it out downtown, step inside Rio Azul for a few sips that are sure to carry you away to cooler climes.

WATERMELON WINE SPRITZER
2 oz Pinot Grigio

4 oz of fresh chopped watermelon
Splash of grenadine
Blend together

PALOMA
1 1/2 oz el jimador blanco tequila
2 oz grapefruit juice
1/2 oz lemon flavored soda
1/2 oz soda water

Special thanks to Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill:

350 South Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

(760) 992-5641

http://www.rioazulpalmsprings.com/

Follow me on Twitter @Vinochick75.

A Twin Pomegranate Killing

2011-06-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

Without a doubt, Ojai is one of the most idyllic towns I have ever visited, and my first visit to its annual wine festival was a memorable one.

One of my most unusual finds came at the end of my visit there, and it was one I almost walked right by, literally. Brian and Nick Davis, two brothers known as the "Twin Poms," have crafted three Pomegranate wines, of all things, from their small production wine company in Fresno. The bottles carry a disclaimer that "Consuming One Glass May Promote Smiling."

I know..the jokes could be endless...should be twice as good, right? Or maybe double the flavor? etc...predictably, I could go on and on... but I won't...because I must say...as I sipped their light and slightly floral table wine (they also make a sparkling wine and a white blend), I imagined myself sitting on a small fishing boat out on the lake we were facing, a plateful of steamed Old Bay shrimp on my lap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3LHOla6FJA

The fact that these guys are really cool and pretty cute doesn't hurt either...but seriously, try their wine...and find a serene body of water and some shellfish worthy enough to share it with.

For more information go to:

http://www.twinpomegranates.com/

Follow me on Twitter at Vinochick75.

Palm Springs Bistro Puts a Flavorful Twist on Farm to Table Pairings

2011-06-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

The above picture speaks volumes about Twisted Bistro, arguably the most enjoyable new restaurant to hit Palm Springs in a while.

Executive Chef Michelle Heinrich and her talented team are culinary artisans, culling the best produce and freshest ingredients from local sources, and bringing them to your Twisted table.

Dishes like Northwest King Salmon with avocado butter atop fava beans with pesto, grilled fennel, and squash.

Of course, all of this is essential to the wine (dish pictured above served with Primitivo) that I enjoyed in one wonderful, sensory-overloading six-hour marathon evening there. Heinrich describes her list as "frivolous, intense, sexy, dirty, crisp, full-bodied, light-bodied, fruity, earthy, cherry, blackberry, grapefruit, apple, dry, and oaky."

I must agree on all fronts, and this Napa and Lodi-dominant list, peppered with a few Oregonian and Italian offerings, is a good one...just as good food and wine don't lie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUy1vEqWT80

Just when I thought I was full from the salmon, Heinrich whipped up what I am certain is one of the best things I have ever tasted. Tender, flavorful crabcakes filled with, of all things, sweet potatoes and beets.

In case you're wondering...yes, it works...boy does it work, especially when paired with a crisp 2009 California Viognier from Miner Family Vineyards.

Other standout pairings include Twisted's thin crust pizza. I enjoyed a slice topped with oyster mushrooms and feta (and gluten free, which I didn't know til I had already wolfed it down), also paired with the Viognier.

Since I'm always crushing hard on red (get it? Crushing...grapes...I know, dumb), my favorite wine of the night was the '09 Felino Vina Cobos Malbec, which has a ton of chocolate, dark berry, and more velvet than Lou Reed and his Underground.

Since I was way too full for dessert, I grabbed a handful of the cocoa-dusted almonds that double as bar nuts there. No surprise here...even they went fast.

Special thanks to Michelle Heinrich and the staff at Twisted Bistro Palm Springs:
1775 E Palm Canyon Dr # 220
Palm Springs, CA 92264-1646
(760) 325-8180
http://www.twistedpalmsprings.com/

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Ojai Wine Fest Offers a Taste for Every Palate

2011-06-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

It stands to reason that when you find yourself drinking wine along a beautiful waterway, not much can go wrong.

I discovered this on my first ever visit to the unbearably gorgeous Ojai, California.

The 25th Annual Ojai Wine Festival, held on the serene Lake Casitas, drew thousands of people and more than 60 wineries in celebration of adult grape juice.

The very first sip I took was a jammy and yummy Carignane from Toucan Wines, a family owned micro-winery in the Arroyo Grande Valley...this was a wine with character...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRiFsFYlV3Y

WHAT DO ROSE OF TEMPRANILLO AND A SEXY NURSE HAVE IN COMMON?

One of the more interesting finds was a Rose of Tempranillo from Vines on the Marycrest, a small boutique winery out of Paso Robles. The winemaker's descripton of his creation was intriguing and slightly offbeat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYk2_mAuB2A

BIG LOVE FOR A LITTLE GRAPE

I had the pleasure of tasting some killer reds from Michael David in Lodi. Offerings like Lust, a blueberry-inflected Zin that makes you wanna hurt someone.

My wine loving friends know that I will do just about anything for some of their Petite Petit, a dreamy blend of Petite Syrah and Petit Verdot. I was lucky enough to learn a bit more about these wines from the folks in the trenches:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ90S2r1fi4

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

One vintner had a novel approach to marketing his 'not yet ready for prime time' wines, conducting an on site barrel tasting to take the pulse of future customers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTQZAWoxNbQ

ITS EASY BEING GREEN

At least one winemaker offered samples of an earth-friendly grape growing philosophy...the big and bold Petite Sirah from Green Truck (Red Truck is the more familiar label) would be perfect with any mole dish.

After a delicious meal with new friends at the iconic Boccali's Restaurant...

it was time to hit the road for the journey home...

After enjoying such fabulous views and wines, something tells me I won't be leaving Ojai in my rear view mirror for very long.

Vino Chick would like to thank Angela May and the folks at the Ojai Wine Festival for their gracious hospitality:

http://www.ojaiwinefestival.com/

Follow me on Twitter@vinochick75

Days of Wine and Fragrances

2011-05-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

I've conducted plenty of wine and food pairings in my life, but a recent event I participated in at Saks Fifth Avenue was quite unusual, even according to my quirky standards of taste. Just how does one match up wines with perfumes?

The concept actually makes perfect sense. If we're tasting vino properly, we're sniffing, swirling, and inhaling the aromas, or bouquet, of that particular wine. Same goes for perfume: when we sniff and inhale the notes it offers, we quickly decide whether we like it or not.

I took five wines and one port, pairing them with quality scents from the Saks collection that I felt matched well. First up was Bond #9's Madison Square Park, a perfume that has notes of huckleberries, grape hyacinth, grass, teakwood, and vetiver root, among others. The wine I chose was a non-vintage Champagne from Michel Olivier, slightly dry and full of fruit.

Next was Jo Malone's Sakura Cherry Blossom, which has a delicate aroma of rose and bergamont. naturally, I thought an exotic, flowery Rose would pair well, so I selected the off dry 2009 Las Mulas from Chile.

A creamy Napa Chardonnay like the 2008 offering from Leese-Fitch seemed to go well with Aventus from Creed, arguably my favorite scent of the group. With top notes of black current and royal pine apple; heart notes of birch and patchouli, and base notes of oak moss, ambergris, and vanilla, it was a terrific pairing that went over well with Saks customers.

In what was my favorite matchup of the afternoon, I paired Maison Martin Margiela, a perfume based on green floral notes that also has some incense, musk, and an earthy quality. It seems that the 2010 Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc was made for this particular scent, as this varietal is extremely grassy and green-like when it comes from New Zealand.

Lastly, I needed something with warmth and a bit of heft for the Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum. This scent is nothing short of intoxicating in its own right, with rich, woody depths that evoke glamour, confidence and refined sensuality. This perfume has toffee and Indonesian patchouli too, so I picked an R.L. Buller non-vintage Fine Tawny Port from Australia. The melt-in-your-mouth vanilla, amber, and molassas flavors were truly to die for.

This isn't rocket science, folks...its about smell and taste and the marriage of the two...can't wait for my next nuptuals.

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Special thanks to PS Wine & Specialty Foods in Palm Springs who supplied the wines for this event:
188 South Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262-6604
(760) 322-4411

Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Desert:
73555 El Paseo
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 837-2900
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/

Preview Party Offers Sneak Peek at Restaurant Week Sips

2011-05-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

Restaurant Week in Palm Springs always serves as a great way to try the food and wine of notable area establishments without breaking the bank. For those of us who write about the event, its a chance to preview the coming attractions and get excited about the menus to come.

This year's bash was held at the beautiful Escena Grill, where I quickly found some fun glasses to pair with some of the culinary offerings. The first taste to tantalize was a creamy Napa Chardonnay, enjoyed with some flavorful ahi tacos from Copley's on Palm Canyon.

My food writer friend Kimberly immediately discovered what ended up as my favorite pairing of the night. Delectably tender short ribs from Escena Chef Oscar Ayala, matched up with the dark berry jam flavored 2008 Spellbound Petite Syrah. The braised beef and intense fruit were almost too much to handle.

One of the most interesting finds that evening was the Berenjager honey liqueur I sipped on that inspired me to conjure up a killer reduction for grilled chicken...or maybe even a honey pancake breakfast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_iGUhT1xZw

After an assortment of tasty Malbec, Bordeaux, and other assorted reds, it was time to call it a night..that is, until the first Restaurant Week tasting menu beckons me.

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

JAQK Cellars Not the New Kid on the Wine Block Anymore

2011-05-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

Each year, the Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival gives me the chance to taste new brands and concepts I

may otherwise miss out on.

I was thrilled to catch up with one of my favorite wine guys from the previous year, David Dees of JAQK Cellars. JAQK's national sales manager was as affable as ever as he poured some delicious selections, including my new favorite, an inky Cab with rich sweet fruit called 22 Black.

Founded in 2008, JAQK is quickly making a name as a producer of highly personalized wines, handcrafted by oenological genius Craig MacLean. As the JAQK website points out "Each varietal has been lovingly coddled, cajoled, and doted upon every step of the way." These wines, especially the reds, can be quite bold with a quick punch of flavor at first sip, but they manage to maintain an understated elegance in the glass.

Vino Chick caught up with JAQK Founder Joel Templin, who shared his thoughts on the marketing strategy behind JAQK's dark-fruited, meat lover's fantasy Soldiers of Fortune Syrah...one of my 'bath tub' wines...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye46G_PbOoc

With a savvy marketing strategy firmly in place, JAQK has positioned itself to be around for a while..or at least until the Syrah runs out...

For more information, go to http://www.jaqkcellars.com/.

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Irresistable Flavor Combinations Abound at Palm Desert Food & Wine Fest

2011-04-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

The Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival is a terrific chance to try new bottlings and terrific eats, all while catching up with good friends.

This year's culinary offerings were hard to resist; everything from pizza to watermelon gazpacho.

Of course, with all that wine I'd been consuming...

I knew I needed to eat something before I fell sideways...that's where my restauranteur friend Mindy came in. The owner of Zin American Bistro and Zini Cafe Med in Palm Springs, Mindy dazzled me last year with a spicy lime shrimp dish.

As I approached her table this year, she handed me a plate of Zin's beyond decadent veal ricota meatballs and truffled mac n' cheese and said "try this with it." 'This' was a Clos Pegase Chardonnay, full of the sweet aromas of peach and nectarine..matched up with the sweetness of the meatball sauce and the velvety smoothness of cheese and truffle...its safe to say that this marriage started off with sparks worthy of a 'Do Not Disturb' sign for the hotel room door.

As I moved on to other festival discoveries, Mindy leaned over and dabbed me behind the ears with her truffle oil...don't try to tell me that's not a rite of passage...

There were many wines to discover, and among my favorite of the group were the Hahn Cycles Gladiator Central Coast Syrah. Black pepper and juicy dark fruit seemed to be just what I needed, and this wine delivered both.

A late festival find (literally tasted this one in the last five minutes) was the '07 Chateau l'Hospitalet Reserve from the Languedoc, one of my favorite regions for affordable, delicious bottlings. This one is a blend of 30% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre, three of my favorite grapes on earth. All I could think of were sweet tobacco and blackberries...if there had been an extra bottle of this stuff, I would have confiscated it...and then probably not invited back next year...but it would have been well worth it.

In my next entry, you'll meet a rogue wine guy who's relatively new to the business of making vino and is doing things his way..with success.

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Palm Desert Food & Wine Fest a Fashionable Amalgam of Flavors and Flair

2011-04-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

It would be a gross understatement to say I'd been looking forward to the Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival. This highly anticipated event that serves as a wrap up to Fashion Week seems to get more stylish each year, aging like the fine bubbles that greeted us upon arrival.

These white tents were surely made for exploring, and I wasn't looking for anything specific. Just some great new tastes and the fun of meeting up with friends and colleagues.

One of my first treats was a ripe and peppery Zin from Folie a Deux, the same folks responsible for Menage a Trois, the sister label that produces those popular, lower cost red and white blends. This particular Zin is crafted from old vines in Amador County, which immediately brought me to those languid summer backyard barbecues where sweet spicy ribs are served up by the plateful.

Then there was the '07 Pahlmeyer 'Jayson,' a gorgeous Bordeaux blend that instantly won Vino Chick's heart...lots of blueberry and chocolate...wowzers...judging from the looks of this bottle, i wasn't the only one experiencing wine drool...because yes, its THAT good.

I then met up with an unexpected, non wine-related treat when I encountered one of the soap opera world's all-time fan favorites. Tristan Rogers played the inimitable Robert Scorpio on General Hospital in the 1980's, and is apparently a wine lover himself. The affable Rogers can now be seen on the CBS sudser Young and the Restless.

Of course with all that wine, I needed to eat something before I fell sideways...in my next installment, I'll explain the story behind this decadent little pairing that I'm still dreaming about...

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Myriad of Discoveries at Pasadena Tasting

2011-03-20T19:12:00.000-07:00

Four hours, 200 wineries. Needless to say, there was enough juice at a recent Family Winemakers of California tasting to keep Vino Chick's head spinning like Linda Blair in an Exorcist-inspired frenzy.

The neat thing about this tasting, held at the Pasadena Convention Center, was that it allowed me to try wines from up-and-coming producers I had never encountered. Joined by fellow wine lovers Chris Kern (http://www.forgottengrapes.com/) and Cindy Juneau, we explored the offerings of Urban Legend Cellars, an East Bay Winery turning out hearty reds and elegant whites like their crisp, apple orchard-inspired Riesling.

Speaking of whites, one of those that really jumped out of the glass was the Thomas Fogarty Gewurztraminer..simply put, this honeyed, gorgeously spicy liquid will be my future bathtub wine of choice...whew!!

In my humble estimation, Chilean producer Alex Guarachi poured the most noteworthy Cab of the day, an '08 from his line of Guarachi Family Wines. Iconic Napa winemaker Paul Hobbs is responsible for this otherworldly bottling, full of ripe blueberries, pine and plush leather reading chair:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5UqRxnxqu8

One Rhone blend from Paso Robles ended up on my 'head-turning' list. Flying Nymph is, quite simply, a fun wine. Creator Ted Plemons, owner of Cass Vineyards & Winery, is no less playful in his enthusiasm for "The Box."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHPjtGKfSuk

All in all, a highly productive day...discovering new oenological treats for the palate is hard work, believe me...

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Special thanks to:
http://familywinemakers.org/
http://www.ulcellars.com/
http://www.fogartywinery.com/
http://guarachifamilywines.com/
http://www.casswines.com/

Johannes Restaurant: Getting Reintroduced to a Neighborhood Favorite

2011-03-11T13:01:00.000-08:00

A recent feast I enjoyed at Johannes Restaurant in Palm Springs certainly wasn't my first experience at the popular downtown eatery, but it was definitely the most memorable to date.

Chef Johannes Bacher is known for his European flair in combining unique flavors that tantalize the palate, and this meal was no exception. I started my epicurean adventure with a heady wild mushroom soup touched with intoxicating white truffle oil, well matched with a minerally and delicately spicy Austrian Riesling.

My dining partner enjoyed a fragrant escargot appetizer plated in an aromatic garlic and green herb butter, for which our server recommended a velvety smooth and tropical fruit-inspired Gruner Veltliner from Fred Loimer.

Next was an unbelievably tender, grass-fed New Zealand lamb rack served in a Dijon mustard sauce, which we paired with an '06 Burgess Napa Syrah, full of dark fruit and stunningly delicious in its richness. What a twosome!

I enjoyed a savory roasted duck breast with sauteed spinach and roasted Bosc pear in an orange Tarragon glaze, matching it with a juicy Oregon Pinot called Les Cousins by Beaux Freres. The slightly spicy fruit in the wine matched well with the tangy sauce, subduing the fibers in the duck meat like an experienced lion tamer.

Instead of ordering dessert wine, we opted to stick with one of the evening's favorites...the Burgess Syrah, which we sipped while indulging in a perfect trio of creme brulee, apple strudel and a winter bread pudding. Suffice it to say, there goes the neighborhood...if only every town could be so lucky.

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75. For more information about Johannes Restaurant, call 760-778-0017 or go to:
johannes-restaurant.com

Opa! Greek Fest a Delicious Overload for the Senses

2011-03-06T23:21:00.000-08:00

It is my humble opinion that if you've never consumed cheese that has been dipped in brandy and lit on fire, you haven't lived.

I indulged in this decadent treat (called Saganaki) and more recently at the Greek Festival in Palm Desert. I am of Greek descent (Mom is half) and growing up, dishes like Souvlaki, Pastitsio, and Spanakopita and desserts like Baklava and Galotobourico always added excitement to the roster of delicious meals my Mom would whip up.

On this particular excursion, I discovered something entirely new and delightful: a dry white wine called Patraiki.

At once lemon-scented and a tad flinty, this wine is a true palate pleaser. I was enchanted by its crisp and clean flavors, and its smooth texture was the perfect match for the creamy and sharp tasting Saganaki.

Add a piping hot gyro to the mix and you have yourself the makings of a feast that would make Dionysus proud. Oh, and the Patraiki pairs well with Galotobourico too ;)

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Its More than Jennifer's Kitchen that Draws Regulars to the Chef's Weekly Wine Tastings

2011-02-22T19:11:00.000-08:00

When you hear the name its natural that you would think of food, but Jennifer's Kitchen offers more than just deliciously-catered eats. The weekly wine tastings at this Rancho Mirage showroom tucked off of Highway 111 draw quite a crowd, and for good reason.

Chef Jennifer Johnson pours a sampling of six wines each Wednesday evening; offerings ranging from a pineapple-scented North Coast Sauvignon Blanc to a juicy, dark-fruited Chianti.

One of my favorites was a Ruby Cuvee from Temecula's South Coast Winery, a pungent, intoxicating, delicious, and bubbly take on Syrah. Its color is magnificent, and its impact on the palate as unforgettable as a Nat King Cole song.

The tastings, which are always accompanied by an array of tasty morsels prepared by Jennifer herself, have developed a loyal following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8I5fzBaVbk

My favorite pairing of the night was a Marquis Philips Cabernet and Jennifer's lamb and penne, an aromatic blend of raisins, herbs and earthy meat. The wine, a South African offering, was a bit tannic prior to tasting the dish but upon the first sip, the food immediately brought out a subtle sweetness in the glass. Perfection.

Jennifer's Kitchen is located at 70-225 Hwy. 111 in Rancho Mirage. For more information, call 760-324-3904 or contact Chefjenj@aol.com.

Follow me on Twitter@vinochick75.

All-natural Meat a Perfect Fit for a Big and Bold Glass of Red

2011-01-26T21:52:00.000-08:00

One of life's most decadent and timeless pairings is a good steak and a hearty glass of red. Even more satisfying is an all natural cut of meat matched with a delicious Cabernet. I was lucky enough to enjoy both at a special high-end beef unveiling at the Chop House in Palm Springs.

The Kaiser Restaurant Group principals spent last summer hunting for beef as it once was -- hormone free, grass fed, low fat, free range, full of flavor and texture.

Foodies and wine lovers were treated to six impossibly fork-tender morsels, mine paired with a 2007 Lockwood Vineyards Cab. This wine is a dreamy blend of spice and dark berries, and transformed the buttery beef into something that much more mouth-watering.

Restauranteur Lee Morcus has a real passion for meat without fuss, and enjoys sharing the wines to match them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwTF0BFp0aI

After dining on this bountiful beef, I'm looking forward to trying Grind Brgr Bar, Morcus' newest enterprise, located above the Chop House in downtown Palm Springs. But what to pair with an antelope cheddar burger?

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Sausage and Peppers, Braised Short Ribs and Killer Wine, Reunion-Style

2011-01-02T15:46:00.000-08:00

For me, the holidays have always been about getting together for great food and wine with family and friends. This Christmas, I met up for some culinary festivities and Tuesday night Eagles football with my friend Darren, a high school pal of mine who I hadn't seen in years, and our reunion was well worth the wait.

To say Darren is a master of the kitchen is an understatement. My food blogging friend and dining guru is constantly whipping up something delectable, and this time around it was mouthwatering Philly-style sausage and peppers that had just enough kick in the pants to keep me wanting more, paired with an interesting blend of Shiraz, Cab and Merlot from Peter Lehmann called Clancy. This wine mellowed in the glass faster than a Carpenters song, and was full of smoke and spicy fruit as it opened up, a nice match for the sharpness of the provolone cheese and the bite of the meat and peppers.

Not to be outdone by his first offering, Darren then offered up some of the best fall-off-the-bone, tender and flavorful wine-braised shortribs (served with a comfort food-style polenta) I have ever had the pleasure of tasting.

Spiked with cinnamon, cloves, fennel and a few other secret ingredients, we decided to match it up with an '04 Meritage from Estancia. This wine was so addictingly full of cherry-style fruit, I almost had to chew it along with the ribs. Light oak and a hint of cocoa completed the flavor profile of this classic bottle, all making for a memorable feast for the ages.

If there's one thing I learned from this experience, it's that good food and wine never go out of style..and neither do lifelong friendships.

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Dessert for Dinner

2010-12-22T05:39:00.000-08:00

There's nothing quite like the aroma of sliced bananas simmering in white truffle oil and chocolate wine...what did I just say? Yep, a late night hankering for a quick bite somehow evolved into the most off-the-wall dish I have ever concocted in the kitchen...

and somewhow the ChocoVine chocolate wine, a blend of Dutch chocolate and red wine from Holland, ended up being the least random ingredient of all.

Added to this eclectic dish were chocolate bon bons...yep, I said bon bons...directly from the freezer to the frying pan...then enter the chili powder, sea salt, cracked black pepper and cayenne folded into low carb pasta.

The trick was in the pairing, which was an '06 Castillo Rioja, a Spanish Crianza (for reds, aged two years with at least six months in oak). This wine was sultry and inviting, and I tasted sour cherries and pepper, which melded well with the chili powder in the dish and was a really nice counterbalance to the rich sweetness of the chocolate and banana.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZeKe6n80Gg

To be honest, this was one of the best things I have ever tasted, and has inspired me to ponder a possible culinary skill enhancement via cooking classes. Now what to pair with Caramel Apple Chicken...

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Vino Chick Partners with TheWinecellarinsider.com for Close Up on Wine and Words in Walla Walla

2010-12-19T16:23:00.000-08:00

As part of my partnership with www.thewinecellarinsider.com, I wrote an article recapping my unforgettable adventures in Walla Walla during the 2010 North American Wine Blogger's Conference.

Here's the link:

http://thewinecellarinsider.com/?p=10906

Thanks to editor Jeff Leve, and here's to many more collaborations in the future!

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Late Night Rhone and Ribeye

2010-12-12T16:09:00.000-08:00

Its no secret that Chateauneuf-du-Pape (CDP for short) is my favorite wine..ever...so I'm always looking for an excuse to pop the cork on this Treasure of the Southern Rhone, and a late night meal provided that opportunity recently.

I opened a delicious and extremely affordable ($22 retail) '06 CDP from Domaine de Cristia, which is mostly Grenache and loads of blackberry fruit. I discovered this little gem on a recent visit to The 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro in Palm Desert, and was impressed with its quality and value.

Well balanced, this vintage was a great match for a juicy ribeye steak topped with charred garlic and seared in olive oil and some of the Cristia. The slight spice in the wine was a nice accompaniment to a side of chili powder-dusted snow peas, and the perfect last-minute meal on a chilly winter's night in the desert.

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

Sangiovese & Sauce: Italian Vino Meets Up with a Popular Chain's New Pie Recipe

2010-12-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

What to nosh on for a casual Sunday night dinner? Sometimes there's nothing easier or tastier than pizza and red wine.

I quickly discovered that Santa Cristina Sangiovese REALLY likes Domino's Pizza, especially the thin crust variety topped with extra sauce and onion.

The popular chain's newer recipe for pie seems to have more flavor and zip to its peppery sauce and smoother-than-usual and slightly-browned cheese, a great match for the bold fruit and hint of earth I found in the wine.

Add some Sunday Night Football into the mix and I had a first down...down the hatch, that is.

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.

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

2010-11-28T17:23:00.000-08:00

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...

2010-11-12T08:22:00.000-08:00

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.

Smoky Superhero October

2010-10-28T18:35:00.000-07:00

There's nothing I like more than the smell of Fall: that delightful chill in the morning air, a soft breeze at night and smoky, fireplace-inspired wine and food to match.

On this night, it was an '08 Tulip Hill Petite Sirah, full of dark red fruit and damp earth. Trader Joe's smoked oysters met up with this leathery, sandalwood-redolent beauty and fell in love.

The meaty, wood-smoked bivalve's were a substantial friend to this wine, which I envision myself sipping beside a warm hearth in an Aspen ski lodge. Suddenly, Wonder Woman (1970's Lynda Carter version-best outfit, for sure) appears and tosses her truth lasso around Vino Chick, demanding that I reveal the source of these culinary treasures, all as she deflects the intense flavor of each sip and bite with her vintage bullet-proof bracelets......yes, I do have an active imagination... and yes, this stuff is THAT good...

Follow me on Twitter@vinochick75.

Epicuro and Champagne Uncorked On An Epic Night in the History of Phillies Baseball

2010-09-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

It is no secret I bleed red...well red and white, that is. And I'm not talking the vino variety, although there has been some speculation that if a needle were to prick my skin, a lightly-oaked Syrah may spill forth. No, I am a die-hard Philadelphia Phillies fan, and our ace Roy Halladay was on the mound, the National League East Championship at stake.

Naturally, I needed a good wine to accompany me as I watched this epic night in the history of the Fightin' Phils unfold. I chose a Salice Salentino from Epicuro, a terrific value red from Trader Joe's, and a wonderful companion during this two-hit shutout, title-winning performance.

This wine is full of big juicy fruit and earth, not unlike my salt-of-the-earth Phillies. It also has attitude and character, just like outfielder Jayson Werth, who racked up four RBI's on this historic night.

I whipped up some portobello mushroom ravioli topped with shaved black truffle cheese (my new food obsession) to accompany my bottle and ball game.

The combination of woodsy spores and forest-like berries were a great match for a classic finish, as seen in the video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfvrm5swxG0

Thanks to Jayson and Roy Halladay...who uncorked their own piece of baseball lore tonight...and to my Broad Street boys, I'll be seeing you in October!!

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75 and at mydesert.com/vinochick.

A Burger and Some Wine, From Venice to Bali Ha'i

2010-09-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

I'm totally and helplessly in love with old films, specifically those that air on Turner Classic Movies.

So on a recent day off, I decided to treat myself to a bottle of Merlot and splurge on a smoky cheddar bacon patty and sweet potato fries from Grill-A-Burger in Palm Springs.

Turner was featuring a series of films starring Rossano Brazzi, a hunky Italian actor with blazing eyes and a smoldering screen presence. First up was Summertime (1955) with Katherine Hepburn.

This particular Merlot was from Echelon on the Central Coast, and full of blueberries and warm, smoky vanilla.

It was a great match for my juicy, chargrilled burger, and a terrific companion for the intense scenes between Brazzi and Hepburn, followed by his wartime chemistry with Mitzi Gaynor, leading lady in the epic and wondrous musical South Pacific (1958).

"I'm as corny as Kansas in August, I'm as warm as blueberry pie..."

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75 and at www.mydesert.com/vinochick.

Have You Any Dreams You'd Like to Sell? A Night of Mac and Wine

2010-09-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

It is no secret that wine is my passion, but something else that gets my blood pumping is music; specifically the sweet sounds of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac.

I enjoyed the best of both worlds recently when PS Wine hosted a tasting and screening of the band's 1997 reunion tour concert DVD The Dance. The DVD was courtesy of loyal PS Winers Dale and Tanya; the Joel Gott Zinfandel spicy and full bodied, much like my 'Gypsy' Stevie.

There's something special to me about these classic 70's rockers and a nice glass of vino. Both are smooth and sultry, always hinting at something and leaving you wanting to share in more of their charms...here's one partygoers take on the magic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhuJTm7axh8

'I can still hear you sayin' you will never break the chain...'

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75 and visit mydesert.com/vinochick.

Truffle and Wine, So Divine

2010-09-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the most memorable meals are those that are most simple: fresh ingredients, an inventive recipe and a little passion go a long way when crafting that special repast.

An impromtu dinner with friends started with sliced Jersey tomatos drizzled with blueberry balsamic vinegar, a dash of salt and pepper and topped with fresh basil and grated Italian truffle cheese.

Their hunger temporarily kept at bay, I turned to creating our main dish as they sipped on a snappy and lemony Pinot Grigio from Contadino.

I seared scallops and shrimp in olive oil and butter, then added garlic, white wine and crushed red pepper. Served over linguini, I topped it all off with that same addictive truffled wonder.

Our wine was an '01 Payva Crianza, a blend of Tempranillo and Graciano grapes. Full of red cherry and cinnamon, it was great match for the earthiness in what has become our favorite cheese. The carmelized flavors of the sea were skillfully extracted by the warm, brandy-like flavors in the wine.

Smiles all around, with a built-in anticipation for our next feast.

Follow me on Twitter @Vinochick75 and on mydesert.com/vinochick.

Getting My Kicks On the Road with a Travel-Ready Bordeaux

2010-08-27T00:52:00.000-07:00

The works of the Beat Generation writers have enchanted me since I was in my early teens. There is something intoxicating about the call of the open road and the spirit of being free. In that spirit, I recently curled up with a copy of Jack Kerouac's On the Road and a yummy '05 Bordeaux.

"All those lovely California cottonwoods and eucalpti brooding on all sides."

With that line, it is almost like Kerouac knew what my palate was experiencing as I sipped the Chateau Jalousie, a gorgeous wine full of earthy herbal notes, eucalyptus on the nose and dark fruit as formidable as Route 66, that vintage highway to the West.

"Looked up and saw jackpines in the moon...mad drunken Americans in the mighty land."

Jalousie wants to take you places, its heady aroma reminiscent of a late-night excursion through a forest of pine trees, on a path well lit by a full Moon.

"Soon it got dusk, a grapy dusk, a purple dusk...the sun the color of pressed grapes, slashed and burgundy red...."

The wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and boasts a deep red hue with a hint of orange on its rim. With some hot jazz from Charlie Ventura providing the soundtrack to my retro evening, the only thing better would have been a visit from the Father of the Beat Generation himself, reading to me aloud as we sipped together...well, a Chick can always dream, can't she?

Visit me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and at mydesert.com/vinochick.

Summer Sippin' at The River

2010-08-23T20:02:00.000-07:00

As someone who has made a habit out of wine tasting, I always take into account the beauty of my surroundings. Tulip Hill's tasting room at The River in Rancho Mirage offers a smattering of Old-World style that adds a welcomed nuance to the experience.

The winery itself is located ninety minutes north of Napa Valley in Lake County, and produces primarily reds and a handful of whites. On this visit, I enjoyed a lemony and bright Pinot Grigio, followed by a series of interesting blends. Most notable was Delirious, a combination of Zinfandel, Sangiovese and Cabernet grapes. This one has exactly the effect that the name implies...the tasting notes never lie...

I prefer bold and fruit-filled reds, so the super-earthy, fresh soil of a 2008 Syrah wasn't exactly my style. I did enjoy the taste of Mirage, an '06 blend of that same grape with Merlot. A Sangiovese and Cabernet combo called Sangiovignon was no less fascinating, and its woodsy cherry-like flavor reminded me of a leisurely stroll through a mountain forest.

Here's tasting room manager Tom Montaney's take on the Cabepulciano, a Tuscan-inspired marriage of Cabernet and Montepulciano:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQQLejrrvXM

Can't wait to see what Fall brings to this little corner of the wine world...

Tulip Hill Winery at The River

(760) 568-5678

http://www.tuliphillwinery.com/

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and at mydesert.com/vinochick.

Sweltering and Spanish-Inspired Weeknight Wine

2010-08-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

Looking to escape the desert summer swelter, I headed into Zini Cafe Med in downtown Palm Springs one recent evening, where I had a somewhat ironic urge to sip on a tummy-warming and strawberry-inflected Tempranillo as I awaited my friend Carol's arrival for dinner.

As I started to perspire (what did I expect?) it suddenly occured to me she might be waiting for me at Zin, sister eatery to Zini. Sure enough, I found my ever-smiling pal sitting inside the sophisticated bistro that is popular with my food and wine-crazed group.

Zin is known for its excellent wine list, and my favorite offerings are usually of the Rhone-inspired variety. I've been known to geek out over the stuff with owner and wine director Mindy Reed, who knows her vino front and back.

She agreed with me that a fruity and smooth Juan Gill Monastrell would be an excellent accompaniment to whatever sort of meat dish I would inevitably order.

Sure enough, the braised short ribs were tender, and the Spanish wine an excellent accent with its smoky, Old World earthiness. A perfect score, on a night shared a friend who warms the soul, well worth walking down the street to meet in the August heat.

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and at mydesert.com/vinochick.

http://www.zinicafemed.com/

http://www.zinamericanbistro.com/

Little Boomey and the Lady Almost Lost

2010-08-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

I have done more than my fair share of dumb things in this lifetime..but dropping my iPod Nano in the pool the other night and rendering it senseless is way up there on the list.

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth (thousands of really awesome songs were at stake) I was inundated with advice on how to remedy the catastrophe: shake the device a few times...turn it on and off...stick it in a bag of rice to absorb the moisture...I was even instructed to recite aloud a short tribute to the country that manufactured my musical toy (my warranty was printed in China, so I started there).

I'm sure at this point you're wondering what any of this has to do with wine...well you see...wine is a celebratory liquid, one that is shared in good times and in bad...and this was bad...as I lamented the loss of this musical treasure trove, I popped open a 2006 Shiraz from South Australia called Little Boomey...and as flavors of dark plum and spicy black cherry washed over my tongue, something amazing happened...

I could have sworn I heard a sputtering gasp...and then...she was back! The familiar sounds of Derek and the Dominos washed over me like a warm tide of gladness...and with Little Boomey in my belly and a song in my heart, I felt alive again...so I dedicated this little ditty, courtesy of Kenny Rogers, to My Lady...the iPod Nano I thought I'd lost forever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJwdrsEhz70

Oh, it was the rice by the way...apparently it works like a charm every time...

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and at mydesert.com/vinochick.

Fig, Meet Raisin

2010-08-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

A recent Wednesday evening started out with fresh Smyrna figs...which I transferred to ae what crust pizza also topped with olive oil, shaved asiago cheese, cracked black pepper, salt and arugula upon cooking.

I chose an immensely concentrated 2006 Amarone della Valpolicella from Conte Di Bregonzo to go with it...deep, dark raisin met earthy fig in a passionate embrace...and it was ON...video diary coming soon...

Follow me on Twitter at VinoChick75 and visit mydesert.com/vinochick.

'Wine'ing Down With A Sunset Series of Sips

2010-08-13T15:39:00.000-07:00

I always look forward to Friday afternoons that signal the end to a work week and the beginning of weekend leisure time. Recently, I found a new way to 'Wine Down' my week here in the desert.

Fantasy Springs Resort is hosting a weekly wine tasting in their scenic 12th Floor Wine Bar & Cocktail Lounge. For $30, guests will receive samples of six of the featured winery’s best varietals, nibble on assorted fruits, crackers and cheeses and get to rub elbows with a winery representative, who answers questions and discusses the various offerings tasted.

On this particular night, we tried some yummy offerings from Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars in Napa. First a delicious Twomey Sauvignon Blanc that was more reminiscnet of the crisp New Zealand style than what is produced here in California. I enjoyed the Twomey Pinot, which was full on raspberry and very food-friendly, and really liked the Merlot we tried, which was warm on the tongue and reminded me of a welcoming relative who makes you feel good deep down in the pit of your soul.

Silver Oak's Cabernet Duo was fabulous! First up was the Alexander Valley incarnation, rich and full of spicy winter fruit. The Napa Cab is a blend of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot so its technically a Meritage, big and ideal for lamb or hearty game.

Speaking of game, Vino Chick is certainly up for a repeat visit to this enjoyable and well-attended event, sunset included please.
Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and visit mydesert.com/vinochick.

Special thanks to:
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
800-827-2946

http://www.fantasyspringsresort.com/

Tonight's Special...Tender AmlaPaste Served with a Little Chica...

2010-08-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

I've enjoyed some strange pairings in my life, but this one takes the cake in terms of bizarre...I was recently gifted a bottle of something called Little Chica, a Spanish blend of Old Vine Tempranillo and Garnacha...of course I found the name hilarious, being referred to as Vino Chick in some parts...and in others as Chica, one half of the classic rock cover duo Chica and the Man.

Cool name notwithstanding, this '07 blend has colossal tannins, with dark rich fruit and color. Awesome with a hearty beef or chicken dish...my stomach was starting to rumble, and as I went to open the kitchen cupboard, it hit me...why not match up this Little Chica with something healthy? My doctor's assistant Jeni recently offered up a challenge of sorts when she asked me what I would pair with this special gooseberry paste I'm eating to enhance my pituitary function (I lobbied hard for a series of Syrah infusions, but no dice). This stuff is thick as a brick so I immediately thought red and hearty...

As the serene, white-bearded gentleman on the bottle would tell you...the effect of the clove-infused AmlaPaste, as it is called, spread on multi-grain rice crackers and joined with the hearty berries that Little Chica was showing, was simply mind-numbing...all of that fruit and spice packed together in one concentrated little sip and bite was invigorating...I still have no idea what a gooseberry is, but I suspect that if my pituitary gland could talk, it would thank me...

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75.

Gourmet Gnoshing Makes a Match with Geriatric Garnacha

2010-08-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

There's something to be said about friends who can cook. There's something else to be said about friends who are literally gourmet chefs. I am lucky enough to have a very good pal who has earned her stripes in the kitchen.

My friend Felicia is known for crafting killer cusine, and her cioppino is by far the best I have ever tasted. She and husband Mike add herbs from their garden to homemade meals that leave me swooning long after I've eaten.

Fresh mussles, crab, squid and scallops abound in this particular dish, swimming in a heady and aromatic tomato-infused garlicky broth.

I was charged with finding a wine to match this wonderful meal. I chose a budget-friendly Old Vines Garnacha (in France, the grape is Grenache) from Evodia. Old vines means that the wine comes from grapes that are at least 35 years old, and this one lives up to the billing.

Call me crazy, but don't call me late for this meal!! On the nose, it reminded me (in a good way) of freshly-tilled soil and vegetables, primarily bell pepper, and something else...leathery library chair. The only thing missing was Dad's pipe and the unmistakable aroma of Sweet Charity tobacco, wafting through the air of my childhood in tantalizing rings of smoke.

Full of spicy fruit, it was perfect with the briny and succulent cioppino, accompanied by crusty artisan bread smothered in anchovy paste.

Oh, and the wine was also yummy with bacon that Mike cures and smokes himself...I could really get used to this treatment...

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and at mydesert.com/vinochick.

Dynamic Duos Dazzle a Pair of Palates

2010-08-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

What happens when you do a side-by-side comparison of two kickin' Zins, accompanied by stellar chargrilled eats?

If you're Vino Chick, you get happy really fast...it was all about duos recently...I was dining with Unorthodox Foodie, who created a pair of delicious salads...one a combo of arugula, shaved asiago and cherry tomatoes topped with balsamic vinaigrette made from scratch; the other a cantaloupe and blueberry offering with sprinkles of chopped organic tarragon.

In a fit of culinary brilliance, I seared and then slow-grilled two filet mignons, topping them with a melted gorgonzola and crabmeat combo. This is the dish that I suspect God must be serving to his inner circle in Heaven.

The wines were a smoky Old Vine Zin from Sonoma-based Saint Francis Winery & Vineyards and a briary, thick-fruited 7 Deadly Zins from Michael David in Lodi. Both were unique in their match for the meal- the crisp charcoal lovin' I got from the meat and the big, bold and full-bodied flavors I tasted in the vino. I have to say, I preferred the jamminess of 7 Deadly to the tobacco-inflected Saint Francis. But both were almost too good to handle...the evidence is in my face-but for your own safety PLEASE don't look at the picture for more than a second or two...seems I spent a bit too much time in the pool that particular afternoon...

Follow on on Twitter @VinoChick75 and visit mydesert.com/vinochick.

Luck Be a Full Tummy of Smoky Perfection

2010-08-02T21:09:00.000-07:00

It is Vino Chick's humble opinion that not much else compares to the succulence of slow-smoked cuisine. Even better when that fall-off-the-bone goodness is joined by some great wines.

Lucky's Cook House in Palm Desert offers delectable selections of cured, spiced and smoked meats and seafood with the vino to match. A crisp and peachy Inman Pinot Gris enjoyed with down-home bites of fried pickles just might be my favorite summer pairing. This Russian River gem was also perfect with Lucky's smoky crab cakes, with the mingling of sweet crab meat and melony vino tantalizing on the tongue.

Where there's smoke, there's fire, which aptly describes the one-two punch of a Maple bourbon-cured and grilled pork chop I enjoyed with 2004 Shafer Relentless, a maddeningly delightful Syrah that nearly tricked me into thinking someone had poured me a glass of blackberry pie. Shafer is surely one of my favorites, and it was hard for me to wipe the smile off my face as I devoured Lucky's campfire-inspired baked beans, the best I have ever tasted.

So when I wanna get my smoke on, an urge that hits me pretty often, this is where I will go...where there is already a bottle Relentlessly calling my name.

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and at mydesert.com/vinochick.

Special thanks to:

Lucky's Cook House
36902 Cook Street at Gerald Ford
Palm Desert
760-610-6817

Nothin' Says Lovin' Like Some Gravy and Aussie Vino

2010-08-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

Now that the weekend is upon us, I find myself feeling a bit homesick for my folks in South Jersey (not a shock for those who know me best), so I thought I'd revisit and divulge the details of a wonderful meal I shared with my desert friends and Mom and Dad the last time they came to town.

Have it be known...despite the fact that Mom is Polish, she makes the best Italian food I have ever had....ever...On this particular Sunday, we awoke at 6 AM to start the meatballs, a delicious blend of pork, veal and beef with garlic, oregano, breadcrumbs and assorted spices.

The gravy is a secret...don't even ask me because I will lay some hurt down...I will say that some serious hand-crushing of the San Marzano variety took place...with some East Coast attitude thrown in for flavor...

Of course, no spaghetti dinner (fantastic Tuscan bean and herb salad included) would be complete without some killer vino. This time around, I decided to rip the top off of the pairings box with my bare hands and opened a 2007 2up, a meaty Australian Shiraz with truckloads of ripe dark red fruit and the tannins to match Mom's sauce...er, gravy...

The wine was uber smooth, complimenting the acids emanating from the tomatoes...reaching out to touch the meal like E.T....and before I knew it...everyone's plate had beebn licked clean and the bottle kicked...which strangely enough is what I was hoping would happen.

Follow me on Twitter at VinoChick75 and visit my page at www.mydesert.com/vinochick.

Coachella Valley Attorney Shares His Passion for the Vine and All Things Pinot

2010-07-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

Rob Bernheimer has a thing for Kosta Browne. You can see it in his eyes as he giddily recreates the scene of a verticle tasting (wines of different vintage years but from the same winery) he hosted at his Indian Wells home recently. There's a wait list to get on the wait list with this producer, and Rob uses words like 'killer' as he lovingly cradles each bottle like a newborn child.

This desert attorney's decade-long obsession with vino didn't happen overnight, nor did he amass his collection of more than 400 bottles in a day. Rob's passion for grapes developed slowly over the years, aging like a fine Burgundy, and growing with cult bottlings from the likes of Sea Smoke Cellars and the aforementioned Kosta Browne, arguably his favorite Pinot producer.

"I dont' consider myself a collector," he says. "I buy wines I want to drink and wines that I know my friends and I will enjoy with a terrific meal. I don't have a problem opening the last bottle of something, because I know the experience will be special."

Special is an understatement when it comes to this collection. Rob admits he's partial to Syrahs and Rhone-Style blends, some of which he keeps at home. Most of his bottles are stored at a temperature-controlled facility specific to wine, ready and waiting for his eager palate, a palate awash in First Growth Bordeaux and Super Tuscans.

Its not uncommon to find him in an animated conversation via cell phone with some of California's most noted winemakers, many of whom have become fast friends, as evidenced by the sea of signatures that grace much of his treasured collection.

I was itching to ask the question, though I suspected I knew the answer: "If you were only able to drink one more of your wines in this lifetime, what would it be?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfU78L4L5XE

Something tells me that even if the answer was a Zin from an up-and-coming vintner in Paso Robles, Rob would still enjoy every last sip of it...just like I reveled in the 2004 Pinot he opened for my birthday a couple years back...the producer? You guessed it...Kosta Browne.

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and at mydesert.com/vinochick.

Beating the Heat With a Cool White

2010-07-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

After enduring weeks of unbearable heat in the Palm Springs area, Vino Chick has experienced enough of the arid madness. With good friend in tow, I decided to head for the cool oasis of Newport Beach, where the salt air met me with a gentle kiss and the sunshine gazed lovingly on my desert-worn countenance.

Naturally, I was in the mood for some sort of treasure from the sea and a crisp white to go with it. The Bluewater Grill on Lido Park Drive offers a great selection of shrimp, mussels, clams and fish. I chose an '08 Marques de Riscal from the Rueda region in Spain. This wine is fragrant with lemon and slightly creamy, which were a kickin' match for briny and meaty Hama Hama oysters on the halfshell, enjoyed with cocktail sauce and a red onion mignonette.

I grew up spending my summers at the Southern New Jersey shore, where meals like this are commonplace. The journey to the ocean may take a bit longer now, but when surrounded by vintage shanties and wrapped in a cool breeze, it is worth every delicious sip.

Follow me on Twitter at VinoChick75 and at mydesert.com/VinoChick.

Santa Barbara Treasure Goes Up in Smoke Via Live Twitter Tasting

2010-07-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

I admit, I'm not as diligent about my Twitter postings as I am with my Facebook entries, but I do enjoy a spirited series of Tweets if I'm talking wine.

Which is why the concept of the recent 'Pinot Twitter Tasting and Smackdown' was so appealing to me. This two-hour event brought Pinot-lovers from all over the world together for a virtual tasting and Tweetfest about this most fickle grape. '#PinotNoir' had to be included with each post and to vote for a specific region, you added another two-character hashtag (#SRH for mine because it was from the Santa Rita Hills Appelation).

For this special occasion, I had the extreme pleasure of sipping a 2004 Sea Smoke Southing Pinot, a generous gift I'd received just that morning from a thoughtful co-worker. This wine is the stuff that dreams are made of-spicy, dark in color, full of cherries and eucalyptus and smooth as a baby's behind. It made me wanna skip down a wooded path as I sang Sunshine on My Shoulders. Other Twitter folk were just as enthusiastic about their Pinot picks:

As it turns out, there were more than 2,000 Tweets during the event, with Oregon's Willamette Valley coming away with the Smackdown Award for most Tweets. Winning and losing aside, I'm looking forward to the next Twitter tasting-and to treasured bottles of wine that seem to go up in Smoke before my very eyes...

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and at mydesert.com/VinoChick

Last Minute Chardonnay-Infused Meal a Reminder of Home

2010-07-19T21:51:00.000-07:00

Whenever I return from a trip to South Jersey, I find myself craving those regional flavors that were such an integral part of my culinary life growing up on the East Coast.

One of the most endearing and enduring of those flavors is Old Bay seasoning. For the uninitiated, Old Bay is a drop-dead delicious combination of pepper, celery salt and a secret blend of spices that would force you to slap your grandmother (gently, please). My most vivid memories involve devouring Old Bay-seasoned crab, shrimp, fries and whatever else I could find to put it on.

On a recent evening at my place in Palm Springs, it was an aromatic blend of blue claw crab meat, light olive oil, a pat of butter and fresh garlic. I reduced the sauce with a cup of Toasted Head Chardonnay, which really added depth and accentuated the smoothness of the butter and sweet crab, which I poured over tasty, gluten-free spaghetti. Sure it was a last minute weeknight meal, but delicious all the same. A reminder that home is where the heart-and stomach-reside.

Vino Chick in the news again!
http://www.wineanddinewallawalla.com/2010/06/28/wine-bloggers-conference-walla-walla-wrap-up/

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and read more at www.mydesert.com/vinochick

One Person's Zin is Another Person's Weenie Water

2010-07-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

There's something about good wine and friends that goes incredibly well together. Add a great venue into the mix and you've got the makings of a perfect night.

Which is the way it usually turns out at PS Wine & Specialty Foods in downtown Palm Springs. Owners Vern and Paulette Wright are one of the most hospitable couples around, and I look forward to their incredibly affordable ($5 for six pours) Friday night tastings so much that I actually feel like I'm missing out when I can't make it over there.

Zin night was a lot of fun, as we devoured some of Vern's homemade chili, Paulette's spicy meatballs and tried some impressive and yummy styles from a handful of California producers.

As aromas of dark fruit, black pepper and exotic spices filling the air, one of my more outspoken friends who doesn't allow herself to get bogged down with the technicalities of wine tasting, took issue with an Old Vine bottling from Lodi that she described as "Tastes like campfire." When I finally stopped laughing I tried it for myself and agreed, but termed it a bit differently: "Its Sleepaway Camp without the curling iron murder," I said. While I may be lauded for my extensive knowledge of C-grade horror flicks, I am certainly not known or cherished for my subtlety...

Then out of nowhere came a cry of "Weenie Water!" I looked over and that same friend was at it again, still analyzing her wine glass. She looked at me almost pleadingly as she explained "This wine reminds me of water that's been used to boil hot dogs." Needless to say, there were some incredulous faces, hearty laughter and a bit of street cred lost that evening. But the way I see it, wine means something different to all of us-what's in the glass is subject to interpretation. As for my friend, she will never live down that hot dog liquid-inspired moniker that we now all shout out at random times for purposes of great hilarity...and I wouldn't want it any other way...

PS Wine & Specialty Foods

188 S. Indian Canyon Drive
(760)322-4411

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75.

Palm Desert Wine Bar Lets You be Sommelier for the Night

2010-07-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

Choosing a bottle of wine to compliment your meal can be a challenge for even the most discerning oenophile-the 3rd Corner Wine Bar & Bistro turns that challenge into an adventure, where you get to play sommelier for the evening.

An array of wines from all over the world beckoned to be chosen, ranging from a Santa Barbara Pinot to a Spanish Tempranillo. The 3rd Corner won’t break the bank either. There seemed to be a bottle to fit just about every price range, and more than enough selections to compliment the wide array of cheeses and entrees that the menu offers.

We chose a 2005 Ojai Vineyard Syrah, an addicting wine full of smoke, dark fruit and tobacco with a smooth finish. The wine was perfect with my braised short ribs and was a nice compliment to my dining partner’s creamy and delicious truffled risotto.

The best part about the 3rd Corner is that it is open later than most places in the desert-just in case that itch for a late-night sip of Burgundy needs to be scratched.

Special thanks to:
The 3rd Corner Wine Bar & Bistro
73101 Highway 111
Palm Desert
(760) 837-9600
http://www.the3rdcorner.com/

Follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75.

Stocked Pantry Makes for Pre-flight Delight

2010-07-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

One of the things I love most about visiting my family in New Jersey is the fact that I always manage to unearth a neat bottle that matches whatever we happen to be eating that day.

My last pre-flight meal consisted of chile powder-dusted corn on the cob, grilled clams, Jersey tomatoes and grilled peppers stuffed with ground sirloin, onions, garlic, tomato paste and chopped Serrano chiles.

I reached into the pantry and pulled out a 2007 Corral de Campanas. This Spanish Tempranillo has big, round tannins with lots of spicy dark fruit and a hint of vanilla. It was big enough to match the grill factor of the food and subtle enough not to overpower the meal.

Here’s to visits home…and to finding a Barolo the next time I reach into that pantry.

Follow me on Twitter at VinoChick75.

Bayside Bottles and Delicious Dining Draw Locals to a Margate Hotspot

2010-07-08T17:43:00.000-07:00

One of the things I miss most about living at the Jersey Shore is the proximity to a plethora of standout restaurants and bars. Tomatoes on the Bay in Margate is one of those places. An outstanding wine list and stellar food distinguish this staple of the shore, an opinion reinforced during a recent and most satisfying Happy Hour visit.

South Jersey had been experiencing record heat during my visit, so I was in the mood for a crisp white to accompany my Cape May oyster shooters, served with a red onion, jalapeno and cider mignonette. I picked a 2009 Nieto Senetiner Torrontes, a delicate and floral Argentinian white.

Make no mistake, this is a very young wine, and reads as such upon introduction. All I could think of was that someone must have squeezed a lemon into my glass prior to the pour. My briny, sweet oysters were instantly overjoyed by the marriage of citrus and sea, and the white wine-inflected migonette melded perfectly with my selection.

My father had ordered an overflowing plate of spare ribs, and as he handed me one of these carniverous delights, I spotted a South African gem on the wine list. Normally I would pair this iconic bar food, dusted in a dreamy cinnamon-clove-cardamon rub, with a peppery Zin, but I was on vacation and wanted to switch it up a bit. The Wolftrap is a Syrah, Mourvedre and Viognier blend, and its dark cherry and earth accentuated the spices that enveloped the meat, which fell off the bone in a hurry and made me tear up it was so tender.

I was about to howl in delight...but decided I wanted to be able to walk back thru that door on my next visit, sans embarassment, and order more ribs....after getting myself caught in another Wolftrap, of course.

For more of my wine adventures, follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75.

Wining and Winding Down a Decades-old Tradition at the Jersey Shore

2010-07-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

For me, visiting home is all about sharing in the traditions of my youth. Sadly, on a recent trip, I enacted one of those rituals for the last time.

For 128 years, Busch's Seafood in Sea Isle City has been a mainstay of dining excellence. Some of the waitstaff there has been serving meals since the Watergate Era, and my family has spent nearly four decades enjoying mouth-watering meals of crab casserole, broiled lobster tail and many other treats of the sea.

When summer 2010 comes to an end, Busch's will be torn down to make way for condos, so I relished the fact that I was able to get my hands (and lips) on one last delectable meal.

It was inevitable that crab fingers were going to appear on the table in a hurry, so I decided on a glass of Babich Chardonnay. Typically New Zealand Chards are less oaky and have more minerality and stone fruit than many California bottlings, so I knew it would be a good match for the sweet, succulent crab meat accompanied by a zippy mustard sauce for dipping.

For my meal, I ordered deviled clams and crab-and another glass of the Babich. Why mess with a good pairing? The wine was equally tasty with this entree, which came complete with baked potato and the sliced apple stewed in clove and cinnamon that I will remember til I'm old and sitting on a porch swing. I even had enough leftover for one last kitschy doggy bag.

After my brother ordered one last chocolate parfait for old time's sake...

we said goodbye to this place that had played host to so many family celebrations...the sun is setting on Busch's, but certainly not on the art of sharing wine and food with those closest to my heart.

Follow my wine adventures on Twitter @vinochick75.

Red, White and Blue Vino-A Patriotic Pairing Down the Shore

2010-07-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

Its been years since I enjoyed a 4th of July holiday 'down the shore' in southern New Jersey.

So this Independence Day, I decided to go all out with a patriotic pairing that would make the founding fathers proud.

Afte whipping up some salsa, my mother and I turned our attention to creating a batch of creamy deviled eggs, which I wanted to match up with a white that wouldn't overpower the delicate texture but accentuate their richness. My choice was a Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc, so fresh and light it almost floated away in my glass, its airiness and lemony quality perfect for the dish.

With my ground strip steak burger, I was pondering a Zin but pulled a Sarah Palin and went rogue, picking a Rosso di Montalcino from Uccelliera. Even though Rosso is considered the little brother of Brunello, it has wonderful qualities all its own and goes down easier in warmer weather anyway. After sampling the wine and taking a bite of my juicy burger, I was pretty happy with my choice. Full of bright and flavorful sweet cherries, it was still earthy enough to match the meat, topped with a fresh-picked Jersey tomato and red onion.

For our sweet finale, Mom's homemade blueberry muffins were met with a natural choice-blueberry wine from Tomasello Winery in Hammonton, New Jersey. Both are made with locally-grown blueberries that are to die for...the pairing was too.

Of course, no 4th of July in Ocean City would be complete without fireworks and funnel cake on the world- famous boardwalk. I indulged in both, the salt air greeting me on a cool evening breeze, with the comforts of home foremost in mind. I'm thinking a German Riesling would go great with the powdered sugar...

For more of my wine adventures, follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75 and visit me at http://www.mydesert.com/vinochick.

Join me on Wednesday for another food and wine pairing experiment, this time at an iconic seafood establishment that has been a Vallee family tradition for nearly 40 years.

Live Blogging: Wine Tasting Goes Speed Dating and Leaves Conference-goers in a State of Twitterpation

2010-07-01T17:36:00.000-07:00

The concept of speed dating has never appealed to me and I find it a bit confounding, to be honest. I mean, let's get real. How in the world are you supposed to know whether you want to ger to know someone further after just a few minutes of rambling, sweaty palm-inducing conversation? As I and some of my bloggers discovered, the same logic applies to wine when it is hastily and perhaps clumsily revealed.

One hour...12 wineries...five minutes to plead their case...In what amounted to the most dizzying 60 minutes I've experienced since I last watched LOST, winery reps (this happened twice, one hour for whites and one for reds) talked terroir, tannins and time spent in barrel.

Here I was, floating in a sea of wine with my fellow bloggers, our spit buckets filled to the brim, Tweeting away until I thought we'd all require thumb transplants. Here's a sample from my feed as I furiously documented the process:

@emerituswines Ponzi Pinot not fruit forward enough for me but nice nose

@nectarwine oh i agree...awesome stuff i wanna bath in it

@TrioVintners red blend is tasty but I want more body!

@nectarwine I liked it, but it didn't have the fullness on the tongue that I expected from the nose..

@vinophile Molly Dooker Velvet Glove..incense..where are Tommy James and the Shondells when I need them?

There were certainly some standouts. I enjoyed the 'punch me in the face' high acidity moxy of a rose from Pithy Little Wine Company, the Old World fruit of L'Ecole No. 1's Chenin Blanc and a well balanced Sauv Blanc from Cornerstone Cellars.

Much to my chagrin, which quickly turned to humor, there was also boxed wine...apparently, the folks at Pepperwood Grove (Don Sebastiani is the label's negociant) were out to show us that their Big Green Box Chardonnay shouldn't just be reserved for NCIS marathons and bad Lifetime movies starring Jaclyn Smith.

Actually, it should. The wine with no corkscrew to call its own wasn't as balanced as I would have hoped; the tropical flavors had potential to rise above the bad TV cliche, but ultimately struggled to be tasted.

Not the case for John Concannon, fourth generation winemaker at Concannon Vineyards, celebrating its 127th harvest this year. His spiel was colorful and passionate, his wine smooth and well balanced:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5qojsfmSII

One of my last Tweets pretty much summed up the madness:

#WBC10 Speed dating..urr..I mean, live blogging with wines...I think the Don Sebastiani guy may ask me out :)

Urr...not if he reads this post, Vino Chick!

On Monday, I'll show you how I celebrated Independance Day with some red, white and blue vino and my family at the Jersey Shore.

For more of my wine adventures, follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75.

Special thanks to Robert Whitley at: http://www.winereviewonline.com/

Happy to report that Vino Chick is making news:
http://union-bulletin.com/stories/2010/06/28/ww-leaves-good-taste-in-bloggers-mouths

Sunlit Vineyard Tours, Barrel Room Edibles and Stevie Nicks Make for an Eclectic Saturday Excursion in Walla Walla Wine Country

2010-06-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

Pardon the pun, but there's nothing quite like the smell of vineyard in the morning. Walla Walla Wine Country offers expansive, rolling hills and row upon row of vines tended with the utmost care and attention.

The night before, we had been treated to an evening of seminars, speed dating..I mean rapid wine tasting, dinner and a walking tour of some 22-odd downtown tasting rooms. These merchants were a wonderful bunch and treated us to some stellar pours.

The next morning we hopped on buses, happy and exhausted, and headed to a magical mystery tour of wineries unknown...

First stop was Woodward Canyon Estates Vineyard, where we sampled a smooth, slightly-oaked Chard and a velvety Estate Barbera while wandering through the vines.

Next on the agenda...Beresan Winery, where a plethora of flavor profiles awaited.

Beresan collaborates with vine master Tom Glase and his Balboa label. Glase turns out some impressive bottlings, like 'Mith,' a medium-bodied blend of Cab and Syrah:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI7KSbUeiN8

Our group was treated to a delicious lunch in the Whitman Cellars barrel room, our aromatic North-African spiced chicken sandwiches and tarragon-laced salads paired with some exquisite Sangiovese and formidable Cab Franc.

Somehow...as delicious cookies and brownies arrived at our table...the Stevie Nicks in me was coaxed out by our charming bus driver, Rhonda:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1suRXMZOyGs

Next, I'll take you inside the frenetic world of speed tasting...a lot like speed dating, but with wine...and lots of it.

Oh, and check it out, folks! Seems Vino Chick didn't go unnoticed during her stay in Walla Walla:
http://union-bulletin.com/stories/2010/06/28/ww-leaves-good-taste-in-bloggers-mouths

Special thanks to Robert Whitley at http://www.winereviewonline.com/.

Walla Walla, Bang Bang! Bloggers Unite for Love of Words and Wine

2010-06-28T00:05:00.000-07:00

The power of the written word is limitless. Apparently so is my capacity for delicious vino, which I discovered via the North American Wine Bloggers' Conference, held in gorgeous Walla Walla, Washington from June 25-27.

300 wine bloggers and industry professionals converged on this gem of southeastern Washington Wine Country for three days of tastings, wine dinners, seminars and vineyard tours.

Among the unique activities I joined in were two live blogging events that operated on the concept of 'speed dating' but with white and red wines. I'll elaborate on this in a later post, but let me tell you it was fast and furious and left us all Twitter-pated...especially the boxed wine we tasted...I'll explain that later too...

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my trip was meeting so many of my fellow wine lovers and bloggers. I received tremendous feedback about my site, and was surprised and honored to learn that some of these oenophiles had already heard about Vino Chick! The power of social media should NOT be underestimated.

On Wednesday, I'll take you to a few of the beautiful vineyards I visited, and introduce you to one vintner who shared with me his personal philosophy on winemaking.

For more of my wine adventures, follow me on Twitter @VinoChick75.

Special thanks to Robert Whitley at: http://www.winereviewonline.com/ for making this trip possible!

Truffle Vinaigrette and a Serious Case of Pinot Envy Make for An Enjoyable Restaurant Week Feast at Escena Grill in Palm Springs

2010-06-24T22:15:00.000-07:00

My meal at Escena Grill almost didn't happen-that's because I couldn't find the place...seriously. There was no signage in sight for this midcentury-inspired restaurant inside the Escena Golf Club, so naturally I was a bit concerned as I nervously navigated the twists and turns of the property, eventually arriving at the establishment I'd been dying to try. I soon realized it was a very good thing that I hadn't given up.

In honor of Palm Springs Restaurant Week, Escena offered a four-course prix fixe menu, with a wine pairing option available. First up was a chilled tomato gazpacho with scallops, which the restaurant paired with a Ruffino Pinot Grigio. The soup was peppery and delicious, and the acidity of ripe tomatoes matched well with that same characteristic I always enjoy in this wine.

A salad of grilled romaine hearts was hugged by a smooth and airy bleu cheese vinaigrette with candied almonds-just wonderful with a crisp and floral Riesling from Chateau St. Michelle, one of Washington State's finest producers of the stuff. (Incidentally, I will be able to enjoy even more of it since this same winery is sponsoring a dinner at the conference I'm attending this weekend). I was starting to get the idea that these Escena folks really have a knack for the pairing thing.

Next, a beautifully roasted piece of halibut arrived with sauteed spinach in a passion fruit and shrimp beurre blanc. The match made in heaven was a rich and creamy Sonona Cutrer Chardonnay, a wine I found absolutely alluring with its hints of spice and banana.

My lust for truffles has been pretty well documented lately, and quite frankly I have become somewhat of an embarassment to the people dining with me, even at the mere mention of them. I was giddily enthralled with a mini crab cake that came to me perched atop a roasted corn and truffle vinaigrette, a beautifully pink shrimp acting as garnish. The dish was matched with a Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc full of melon, pineapple and pear. I count New Zealand Sauv Blancs among my favorite whites, and the minerality of the wine was a great fit for the sweet crabmeat and earthy truffle flavor. At this point, I just really like using the word truffle.

Pull apart, melt-in-your-mouth braised short ribs with herbed polenta and haricot vert was paired with an unusually earthy Pinot Noir from Gainey Vineyard. Boasting flavors of deep, dark cherry and cola, this one also has aromas of pine, the kind I encounter on my frequent drives up to Idyllwild. Suddenly and quite unexpectedly, I found myself with a serious case of Pinot Envy. It was a bold pairing and it worked like a charm, much like the rest of the evening's matchups. I will return to Escena Grill, and soon. The upshot is, I'll be able to find it with my eyes closed this time.

Special thanks to Elise Routh and the staff at Escena Grill:

http://www.escenagolf.com/

On Monday, I'll take you to beautiful Walla Walla, Washington, site of the 2010 North American Wine Bloggers' Conference (no, I'm not making this up and yes, I know you're jealous-I would be too!) There, I will meet 300 of my closest blogger friends, get an in-depth look at industry trends and indulge in three days worth of delicious wine and food. See you back here Monday!

Happy Wine Trails to You, Desert Sun Readers

2010-06-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

For as long as I can remember, I have been a curious soul. As a child, I was constantly asking questions of my parents, devouring books as if they were meals, and searching incessantly for information on topics that interested me. As an adult, not much has changed. I still have that same thirst for knowledge-and now wine.

For those of you already familiar with the Vino Chick blog, my passion for all things related to the vine is no secret. For those of you who have yet to discover it, I hope you'll join me in these adventures as featured on Mydesert.com. I'll be exploring some of the Valley's most unique and worthwhile places to find a terrific and affordable glass of wine, along with the perfect dish to pair with it.

I'll take you to that new restaurant you've been dying to try, and inside the hip new wine and cheese bar you've been hearing about. You'll also experience my experimentation, which will inevitably be followed by a few errors, as I mix and match wine and food at home and on the road when I travel. With me as your guide, we will visit some interesting places and meet some wonderful people, always with an eye on learning something new about wine in the process.

So let's have some fun together. I welcome and appreciate your comments, questions and participation and look forward to some memorable pours.

On Friday, I'll share the details of a terrific meal I enjoyed at Escena Grill during Palm Springs Restaurant Week, and talk about my upcoming sojourn to Washington State Wine Country. For now, cheers!

Also visit me at http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?plckPersonaPage=BlogViewEdit&plckUserId=53e544302e464e6db3e4cdb416647eb8&U=53e544302e464e6db3e4cdb416647eb8&plckScript=personaScript&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckElementId=personaDest&category=PluckPersona

In-Your-Face Flavors, Subtle Summer Parings Abound at Copley's

2010-06-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

As a rule of thumb, with the advent of summer comes lighter fare and drink. As a lover of red wine, I find myself yearning for something more in the middle, even when the mercury rises here in the desert. On a recent excursion to Copley's on Palm Canyon, I discovered a bit of both.

Lately, the restaurant has been touting its bright, dog-day inspired menu and there are certainly some standouts. For starters, I chose to pair a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with an appetizer of tuna tartare, avocado and roe. The 2009 vintage from Babich Wines was full of nectarine and passion fruit flavors. The menu's tasting notes also mention flavors of gooseberry...if I knew what a gooseberry was or what it tasted like, I could tell you if this description is accurate...alas, we may never know...that being said, the flinty quality of this wine melded quite well with the flavors of the sea.

My dining partner, food writer Unorthodox Foodie, ordered a cilantro-scented Scottish salmon in a curry sauce, which I paired with a 2007 Zaza Grenache Rose. This gorgeous wine hails from the Campo de Borja region of Spain, which has a knack for producing quality Garnachas (the Spanish name for this grape). The wine was scented with raspberry and strawberry, which stood up to the heat of the Thai-inspired sauce.

This may ruffle some feathers, but I would have married my entree if it were legal in California. I thoroughly enjoyed the fork-tender braised short ribs in a merlot reduction, topped with a beautifully-grilled shrimp. In fact, I took such a liking to the reduction that I decided to pair it with a 2007 Camelot Merlot. The flavors matched amazingly well, with the wine a jammy blend of dark fruit, vanilla and spice in a glass.

Sure, it wasn't a traditional summer meal by definition, but its parts certainly equalled one sum of delicious dining.

Special thanks to Juliana Manion Copley and her terrific staff:

http://www.copleyspalmsprings.com/

For more on this meal, visit http://unorthodoxfoodie.blogspot.com/.

New Menu Items Are Bedeviling, Tasty Treats at Fleming's

2010-06-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Deviled eggs..I can't stop thinking about them...and I don't even eat deviled eggs, much less the truffled variety...but my hard and fast rule was overturned during a recent visit to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, and I'm still trying to sort it all out after the unbelievable array of food and wine that was set before me.

Pairing princess that I am, I thoroughly enjoyed introducing the deliciously sweet lump crab Louie wraps to a delightfully crisp and acidic 2008 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio. Not to be outdone, the roasted mushroom ravioli was just begging to have a seat next to Kim Crawford's citrusy '08 New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Crawford was quite accomodating, and even made room for those eggs I mentioned. It was love at first bite, as creamy indulgence gazed adoringly at bright minerality.

Tender, center cut filet and New York strip steak were thrilled to meet the restaurant's own Forty-Six Diamonds, an '04 propriety blend of Napa red that is at once big and hearty, yet with fruit subtle enough to gently accentuate the iron-rich flavors exuding from the meat. About midway through the meal, I found myself wiping away happy tears as I watched all of these flavors getting along so well, as if they'd known one another for years.

Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, a volcano of chocolate arrived and smiled at our Tawny Port. I just hope I'm invited to the wedding...and that they serve those deviled eggs...

Special thanks to John Verhoef and his staff at Fleming's in Rancho Mirage:

http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/locations/ca/rancho-mirage/

To read more about this meal go to:

http://www.unorthodoxfoodie.blogspot.com/

Restaurant Week Party Offers Preview of Coming Attractions

2010-06-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

It is no secret that Palm Springs-area restaurants have really upped the ante over the last few years in terms of creativity. That was no more evident than at the recent Restaurant Week Preview party, where I found unique food and wine combos at every tasting table.

Upon arrival, I was handed a deliciously refreshing glass of heady, blood-red sangria. This addicting concoction was courtesy of Kobrand Spirits, who combined their Passion Fruit Alize (a Passion fruit/cognac blend) with some juicy table Zin and a handful of fresh fruit.

I do enjoy white wine, but tend to favor pairings that involve juicy, fruit-centric reds. So I was pleasantly surprised with the delectable bourbon honey-glazed salmon and shitake succotash from Old La Quinta's Hog’s Breath Inn, matched with a 2007 Cosentino Chardonnay. Crisp with citrus and green apple flavors, the wine was well-matched with the richness of the fish and the slight earthiness of the vegetables.

One thing I try to stay away from unless I'm at the pool is wine in a cup, but short ribs are a different story as I quickly discovered, courtesy of Mr. Parker's in Palm Springs. Their glazed short rib with wild mushroom and garlic cream, complete with a parmesan twist puff pastry was delectable. It tasted even better was Cosentino's 2007 Cigar Zin, an "Old Boys Club" style wine that evoked 'tobacco, spice and smoke' for Unorthodox Foodie. She was dead on, as the smoky meat got along amazingly well with this formidable vintage.

If our preview treats were any indication, desert food and wine lovers will have plenty of surprises to discover in the very near future.

Sangria recipe:

One bottle of Passion Fruit Alize
Two bottles of your favorite Zinfandel

Bunch of red grapes

Four oranges sliced, peel on

Special thanks to:

http://www.palmspringsrestaurantweek.com/

Sweet Meats in the Summertime

2010-05-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

When I think of summer, three things come to mind-baseball, beer and hot dogs. That being said, I will always be a wine lover first, so I decided to mix it up a bit recently with a rogue pairing of sorts.

On a whim, I decided to try a German white with my dog. I stopped off at Trader Joe's and picked up a Dr. Beckerman's 2008 Auslese Rheinhessen. Auslese means 'late harvest' in German and true to form, the wine was definitely on the sweeter side. The Rheinhessen regiob is known for its quality, and this bottle certainly complimented the crisp saltiness of the hot dog and cut through the acidity of the ketchup I had doused it in.

Next up was a juicy cheeseburger, that Unorthodox Foodie and I paired with a 2008 Chook Shed Shiraz. Barossa Valley reds are known to compliment red meat, especially the slightly charred variety, so we thought this would be a slam dunk..not so fast. The dark fruit and substantial tannins seemed to overpower the burger, and the two were almost "fighting for control," as Unorthodox put it. She preferred the white over the red with both dishes, and while I enjoyed the white with the burger too, in the end I leaned more toward the red with my iron-rich meal.

So in the end we agreed to disagree as we enjoyed one of our favorite pasttimes-eating great food and searching for that perfect pairings for sweet meats in the summertime.

Special thanks to:

http://www.traderjoes.com/

A Pizza Pie in the Sky Pairing

2010-05-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

Growing up on the East Coast certainly had its culinary benefits, one of them being my exposure to some of the most amazing pizza I have ever tasted. Of course, the only thing better than pizza is a pie paired with some seriously good Italian wine. I enjoyed both at Johnny Costa’s when I sampled two of their thin crust offerings, matched with a superb 2005 Villa Antinori Toscana.

This Tuscan gem is mostly Sangiovese, with some Merlot and Cabernet thrown in for good measure…make that great measure. The soft and supple tannins created a formidable match for Costa’s prosciutto, mushroom, artichoke and olive-topped pizza, aptly-titled The Four Seasons.

2005 was a terrific year for winemaking in Tuscany, as evidenced by this bottle’s succulent acidity, which paired well with the creaminess of the mozzarella that topped our Margherita pie. If this wine were a baseball player, it would not be sitting on the bench for long. Its moderately intense cherry, anise and herb flavors make it versatile enough to get along with fresh basil and garlic, while deliciously approachable fruit helps it make friends with zesty tomato sauce too.

The key here is balance, and I nearly lost mine in all the excitement.

Do You Believe in Wine Rescues?

2010-05-11T22:19:00.000-07:00

The title of this blog entry is actually a question recently posed to me by one of my favorite oenophiles. Jeff heads up the wine department at Cost Plus-World Market in Palm Springs and is a valued resource for all things vino. He always finds a way to cut me a break on wines that are already fabulously priced, and I rarely walk out of the store without having nabbed a screaming deal on an exciting label.

This most recent visit was no different. After selecting both a Chianti and a Syrah that Jeff suggested, I started to make my way to the register. "Not so fast," he said as he pointed to a nearby display of an Australian Bordeaux-style red called Thistle Dew. Apparently Jeff had sliced the label of one particular bottle when opening the box that this wine had been shipped in. "Its dead to me now so I have to get rid of it," he smirked. "Do you believe in wine rescues?"

Now, I really like Jeff but I thought he knew me better than to ask such a question. Needless to say, I walked out of the store with three bottles for the price of two. Naturally, I had to try the poor, defenseless injured one first!! Despite its in-store struggles, this 2009 blend of Cabernet and Petit Verdot is hearty while smooth and chocolatey, with strong aromas of raspberry and black cherry that just sang out to me from within the glass. I also detected grape taffy, the kind I used to get at the bank as a kid if I behaved well...which wasn't too often, so I was surprised I remembered the taste.

I matched it up with some barbecued pulled pork courtesy of Trader Joe's, which was full of cinnamon and molasses. The earthiness of the wine went well with the spices in the meat, and I felt good having saved this bottle of deliciousness from certain demise. Cheers to Jeff and his overzealous box slicing...let's hope it happens again soon, this time with a shipment of Barolo...

Special thanks to:
http://www.worldmarket.com/

Away We Go: Enterprising Chef a Tour Guide for Experimental Pairings at Vintage Palm Springs Hideaway

2010-05-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

I love to travel, and I tackle food and wine with that same indomitable spirit of adventure. Well sated, I came back from a recent visit to Citron, a vibrant, eclectic hideaway inside the Viceroy Palm Springs, with the feeling that I had completed a journey into culinary nirvana.

The restaurant is draped in Hollywood Regency charm, which after meeting Executive Chef James Bailey, I realized is not just contained to the dining area. Bailey is a serious talent and not afraid to take chances. The inventive creations he dished out that evening included a trio of sweet corn demitasse (corn stock and puree with sea salt), cedar-wrapped salmon belly and a Kumamoto osyter topped with Yuzu Shiso granita- and that was just the amuse bouche.

That and a deliciously creamy poached egg yolk with brioche toast topped with Ossetra caviar were paired with a Non Vintage Brut Rose from Nicolas Feuillatte. This champagne has a beautiful effervescence with heady aromas of raspberry and strawberry, which went well with the briny oyster and delicate fish eggs.

A decadent treat came in the form of Sonoma foie gras with pistachio butter, 12-year aged balsamic, strawberries and brioche. Bailey stepped out of the box a bit by pairing this one with a Yalumba Museum Reserve Muscat. Typically a wine served with dessert, its honeyed flavors married well with the richness of the foie gras and the acidity of the balsamic.

One of most colorful and fresh dishes I have ever enjoyed was Bailey's cucumber gazpacho with fresh heirloom tomatoes, pickled Serrano peppers and Dungeness crabmeat. A roadside farmer's market in a bowl, the soup's spicy and earthy flavors joined well with the stone fruit and steely smoothness of our 2007 Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc.

Also paired with the Sauvignon Blanc was a beet salad with brown sugar walnuts, chervil and endive. Grilled shrimp with appled herb salad and summer truffles was served with a 2006 Cakebread Chardonnay, full of fruit with a buttery finish that matched well with the rich truffles.

Bailey paired a 2007 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir with his black trumpet mushroom-encrusted lamb, cooked sous vide with English Pea veloute and roasted mushroom jus. He and I agreed that the Pinot was a bit too light in body for the intensity of the lamb, but its exotic spices and notes of black cherry and chocolate did compliment the dish's bright flavors.

Moments later, I came to the realization that this same Pinot and our dessert, a strawberry soup with Greek yogurt panna cotta, Tahitian Vanilla and strawberry carpaccio, were pretty well matched. Not a pairing I would have conceived on my own, but then again, the night had been full of pleasantly unexpected unions-and to think I had almost left my passport at home...

http:/www.viceroypalmsprings.com/

Guest columnist Natalie Brand's take on the evening:

What makes a memorable meal? Good company, good conversation, a pleasant atmosphere and, of course, impeccable food. Nicky and I had all the right ingredients in abundance at the Viceroy Palm Springs Citron, where executive Chef James Bailey went above and beyond during a special tasting. Each course shined on its own, but, they also complimented each other beautifully and deliciously, leaving you hungry for more.

To start, we had a 3 part amuse meant to wake up the palate: sweet corn demitasse, salmon with meyer lemon and dill wrapped in cedar paper, and a Kumamoto oyster. Close your eyes and imagine eating the essence of corn on a perfect summer day. The Chef used corn stock and puree with sea salt, but it tasted so creamy and rich, yet still refreshing and simple. Next to the corn, a perfectly cooked, bite-size piece of salmon, moist and just slightly flavored by the smokiness of the cedar. The third element, a Kumamoto oyster, considered the perfect variety for beginners, which worked well for me, since I haven’t quite acquired the taste of a true oyster lover. It was mild and sweet and went swimmingly well with our glass of Rose. In fact, Nicky described them as “dancing.”

Next up, a poached egg yolk perched on two toasted squares of brioche, topped with a generous heap of caviar. Rich, but just the right size, so it was fulfilling, instead of overwhelming. This would work great as a breakfast appetizer as well, alongside a mimosa.

Chef Bailey served up more decadence for our third course: Artisan Sonoma foie gras and brioche on top of a pistachio butter sauce that I can only describe as out of this world. It would have went well with anything! Warm strawberries and aged balsamic (my favorite) cut the richness of the foie gras and added just the right sweetness to the dish. The intensity of the flavors really surprised and delighted.

Then to lighten and clean our palates, the Chef brought out a bright and beautiful gazpacho with heirloom tomatoes, a few, thinly sliced pickled serrano peppers with sherry vinegar, a wonderfully light but extremely flavorful soup, topped with Dungeness crabmeat, as if it couldn’t get any better. The tomato water, poured in at the end, was worth drinking alone (which the Chef let us try in wine glass before pouring into the bowl). All elements combined made an ideal warm weather dish; healthy, filled with nutrients, yet completely satisfying. Oh, and yes, it paired perfectly with a bottle of 2007 Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc.

For course four, the Chef delivered lobster for me, grilled shrimp for Nicky, who’s allergic to lobster (poor thing). I believe you can never go wrong with lobster, and, on this night, the Chef served it butter poached with a salad of granny smith/Fuji apples, fine herbs and summer truffle vinaigrette. A pleasing, seasonal dish, which left you craving an ocean view and more fresh seafood!

But, I count the fifth course as my absolute favorite. You’ve never tasted lamb cooked so perfectly, tender and mushroom encrusted. A beautiful cut, sitting atop creamy pea veloute, along with roasted mushrooms and mushroom jus. Each bite of lamb melted in your mouth; the rich vegetable accompaniments enhanced and enriched the meat’s natural flavor even more. I believe we all cleaned our plates!

At this point, we’re beyond satiated, but it’s time for dessert and my sweet tooth is always game! Strawberries count as one of my top food staples, so imagine my delight at strawberry soup, poured over yogurt panna cotta, with Tahitian vanilla. And, we’re not talking about just any strawberries, but “Harry’s Berries,” from Oxnard. A family farm that’s been around for decades, dedicated to growing “ordinary foods with extraordinary flavor,” according to their mission statement. I can attest firsthand that they more than deliver. To take these amazingly sweet and juicy strawberries, and make a puree? Unreal. The tart greek yogurt provided just the right contrast.

Wait, dessert’s not over. In my opinion, the best way to end any meal is with chocolate. And, this wasn’t just any chocolate creation, but a very grown-up kit-kat bar, that featured a crispy layer of dark chocolate topped with more chocolate in the form of a rich frozen chocolate mousse. A gratifying taste of nostalgia that left me licking my fingers and leaving only crumbs on my plate!

Call This Short Rib a Cab!

2010-04-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

As a wine and food junkie, I look forward to the Taste of Palm Springs each year and to the pairing possibilities it undoubtedly affords. As in years past, the wine sponsor was Jacob's Creek, Australia's largest wine brand. That being said, this behemoth of the industry still offers easy drinking wines that are of great value and high quality.

After sipping the Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet and Shiraz, I determined the tobacco and blueberry-inflected 2006 Reserve Cab to be the most food friendly wine of the night. My decision was strongly influenced after tasting the incredibly tender braised short ribs with onion straws and mushroom risotto from Mr. Parker's. The meat was a great match for the Cab's smooth tannins, and I encountered more of the same with the Riviera's roasted lamb loin (cooked sous vide), which brought out the wine's subtle fruit.

One of my favorite dishes of the night was..you guessed it...a delectable morsel of short rib perched atop carrot puree courtesy of Matchbox Pizza. The beef flavors were intense and joined well with the hints of tobacco in the Cab. A return visit to this restaurant and its own wine list is in short order.

Dessert was a tiny morsel of a velvety chocolate cherry cupcake from Sisters Cupcakes by Design, followed by a sip of the subtly-oaked red. Not the most traditional of pairings, but why stick with the tried and true when you can step out of the box and still be delicious? If I have learned one thing about this smorgasbord of a night, it is just that.

Special thanks to:
http://www.tasteofpalmsprings.com/
http://www.jacobscreek.com/

FOOD SIDEBAR BY GUEST BLOG STAR UNORTHODOX FOODIE
Taste of Palm Springs Highlighs Tried and True Gems and Newbies to the Scene

A week ago I attended my first Taste of Palm Springs at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The premise was simple—get any and all Palm Springs area restaurants together under one roof to offer their best culinary wares and raise money for AIDS Assistance Program in the process. I found it very fitting that the organization in our community that gives free food vouchers to those living with HIV should be a beneficiary of a food event. I had never been before so didn’t know what to expect for the $50 ticket fee and was pleasantly surprised to find that the price was an extreme deal that allowed one to try copious amounts of good food and four glasses of fine wines.

One of the best highlights of the evening was the sheer scope of the food from convenient and quick restaurants like Chipotle to the upper echelon of fine dining establishments. A sampling of cuisines for every occasion and pocketbook presented itself in a wide array of booths and I enjoyed not only finding new wonders at already-beloved restaurants but being introduced to good eating from places I might not ordinarily try. In the true spirit of representing the diversity of our valley’s food, I will discuss what I consider the surprises and true treasures of the evening, with props to the chefs and restaurant staff who decided to go a little beyond the norm to provide a creative taste to us guests of this great event and to all for helping raise money for those who need to eat!

The Greek-owned restaurant JOHN’S has been a local favorite forever with its cheap food, no nonsense diner style atmosphere and an eclectic menu of things that never go out of style like huevos rancheros for breakfast and fried zucchini for late night appetites. What makes John’s different than the traditional diner are the customized special items like the spaghetti with the clove-spiked sauce and an amazing saltibonca chicken entrée that begs to make the restaurant a top of mind awareness spot for quick and easy comfort food dinners when you want to dine in jeans with no pretension.

On Arenas Road across from the bars where the boys come out to play, the old pizzeria Just Pizza used to sit where you would go after dancing for hours to refill the carbs with some greasy slices. Now, it’s a new place called Café Palette and they still serve pizza, but it is much better than it used to be and comes in thin crust versions with savory toppings like spicy, crumbled sausage. Could become a new, favorite stop in place on the way home on Sunday afternoons.

For those who love short ribs, there were two standout versions at the event. One from MATCHBOX (which, along with Spaghetteria and Papa Dan’s has the best pizza in the valley) that was served falling apart tender on a mash of carrot puree (which I predict will be the next trend at all black tie galas). The other was served on top of faro with crispy onion curls from MR. PARKER’S.

Another normal pizza stop, CPK, handed out generous portions of tamale and corn ravioli which was so rich, sweet and filling I could only eat two pieces. Would be a great accompaniment to share with a BBQ chicken salad and a friend.

SISTERS CUPCAKES were doling out miniature versions of cupcakes in all flavors like cherry chocolate, red velvet and peanut butter but it was the crème brulee version that took the cake.

NEW LEAF CATERING served samples of their big fat pan seared scallop with coconut beurre blanc served atop a creamy polenta gory with cheese.

RIVIERA RESORT dished out slices of lamb with an ancho raspberry sauce that was so perfectly cooked it made me want to actually dine at the restaurant at least once to overspend on this fine meat dish.

But the highlight of the night was the molecular gastronomy experiment being orchestrated on hand at the PEAKS TOP OF THE TRAM RESTAURANT booth. Each visitor was handed a push up pop type ice cream contraption that contained brown sugar bacon and cinnamon ice cream. Sounds bizarre yes, and created an equally surreal experience in the mouth when the spicy cold cinnamon and vanilla melted on the tongue to produce remaining bits of crispy sweet bacon. I will definitely be trekking up to the tram to try this again.

Grapes, Meet Gravel: Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail Offers Delicious Vino Smack Dab in the Middle of Town

2010-04-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

The serene and natural beauty that is Santa Barbara had been unknown to me until a recent business trip via Amtrak's Surfliner introduced me to her haunting and addictive charms.

A few thoughtful strolls on the beach and a generous sampling of wines later, I realized that not only does the Central Coast boast killer ocean views and friendly locals, the vino produced in this region is pretty amazing too.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that my visit included a stay at the gorgeous oceanside Fess Parker Doubletree Resort. I enjoyed a sunset rooftop tasting of the late actor's award-winning wines, and especially enjoyed Parker's Big Easy Syrah, aged in French and American oak and full of chocolate, blueberry, sandalwood and a hint of smoke.

I also discovered what is touted locally as the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail. There are several tasting rooms situated on and near State Street, all within blocks of a vibrant downtown and the beach. Since the arrival of my train home was imminent, I was only able to make it to one of those places which in hindsight, was a terrific choice.

At Kalyra Wines, I felt as if I had just stepped into a funky, aboriginal meets tiki-style lounge. The winery's strategically-located tasting room is staffed by friendly, knowledgeable wine lovers like the charismatic Izzy, who guided me through a series of wines produced in both Santa Barbara County and Australia, the home of winemaker Mike Brown.

My passion for reds notwithstanding, I really took to the 2008 Kalyra Pino Bianco, refreshingly crisp and floral with bright citrus and hints of honey. This is the type of wine you want to tuck into a picnic basket as you make a beeline for the sand. My real favorite was a wine I want to tuck myself in with at night, the 2006 Kalyra MC2 blend. This delicious Bordeaux-style wine is full of huge fruit with soft tannins and a smooth mouthfeel. I could really get used to these wines and the spirit of sun, surf and carefree living they evoke.

As my train pulled away from the station and I bid a painful adieu, I was already making plans for a return trip to this coastal paradise, and to the wine region that has surely stolen my heart, one sip at a time.

Vino Chick would like to acknowledge the following:
http://www.fessparkersantabarbarahotel.com/
http://www.fessparker.com/
http://www.kalyrawinery.com/

The Other Coachella Fest: An Olympic Gold Medal Winner & Emerging Winemakers Converge On Indian Wells

2010-04-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

Here in the Southern California desert, the words 'Coachella' and 'Fest' are synonymous with the musical extravaganza that converges annually (and soon) on the Indio Polo grounds. Add in the word 'wine' and it came to mean something else entirely, which is what I discovered as I wound my way through the myriad of bold California wines, generously poured by industry pros at the Coachella Wine Festival, held at the Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells.

The first taste that struck my fancy was a 2008 Napa Pinot Grigio from Ahnfeldt Winery that was creamy and rich with tropical and stone fruits. Then it was on to one of the more exciting Festival finds. Bink Wines are a cult favorite in Medocino County, where winemaker Deborah Schatzlein and her partner Cindy Paulson craft some rather excellent, high-alcohol whites and bold reds.

Standouts were the 2008 Randle Hill Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, fragrant with honeysuckle and ripe sweet pear, and the 2006 Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir. The Pinot was juicy with thick red fruit and soft velvety tannins, with an explosion of vanilla on the finish. Hoping to find these wines in the desert at some point.

I had the pleasure of talking vino with Olympic Skater and Gold Medalist Peggy Fleming, who with her winemaker husband Greg Jenkins, turns out an addictingly delicious Rose and some standout Syrahs in Los Gatos. Peggy is a breast cancer survivor, which inspired the name of the Fleming Jenkins Rose: Victories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMP4h-4noR0

It was Greg who turned me on to the Festival's perfect pairing-his inky and fruity 2007 Madden Ranch Syrah (made with grapes sourced from football great John Madden's Livermore Valley Vineyards) matched with tender, succulent braised short ribs, courtesy of Bing Crosby's in Rancho Mirage.

Other standout selections included a spicy and cedary Petite Syrah from Vina Robles and a supple and rich Sonoma Cab produced by Trione Winery. This festival did not receive as much advance publicity as the Fashion Food & Wine Fest that took place on El Paseo recently, but it was a well-organized and extremely enjoyable event that turned me on to some exciting names to watch for in the future.

Vino Chick would like to thank the following:

Event Photographer: Timm Andrews

http://www.coachellawinefestival.com/

http://www.ahnfeldtwines.com/

http://www.binkwines.com/

http://www.flemingjenkins.com/
http://www.vinarobles.com/
http://www.trionewinery.com/

Where the Catwalk Meets the Vineyard: Some Grapes Really Do Know How to Strut Their Stuff

2010-04-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

The world famous El Paseo shopping district is known for its trendy sense of style, but Rodeo Drive East, as it is referred to in some circles, was known for something entirely different on a recent excursion-its exquisite taste in food and wine.

The Fashion Food & Wine Festival provided a myriad of culinary and vino-related delights, some of which I am still trying to process! Starting with a Chardonnay from vaunted Sonoma-Cutrer and wrapping up with a rose of Malbec that made a recent Oprah Winfrey "O" List, there was something for every oenophile in attendance.

As I made my way through the fluffy white tent, I indulged in a juicy '07 Cab from Napa Cellars, a ripe and jammy Petite Syrah courtesy of Girard Winery and one of the afternoon's biggest and best surprises-a Vino Rosso from Pininfarina. For those of you who know your Italian coachbuilders, this company was responsible for the body design of the Cadillac Allante, a memorable luxury roadster, in the 1980's (I trained for my learner's permit with the cherry red version!). Well, they produce a pretty damn good wine too, folks. The '05 has ripe and sweet tannins with huge, dark blueberry and black currant on the front end-enough to make me wanna call in the fruit bomb squad to diffuse it. Had me dreaming of duck with a leather bucket seat reduction...

I also had the pleasure of chatting up master sommelier and talented winemaker Emmanuel Kemiji. Raised in Europe and educated in California, this dashing vintner recently started his own label, Miura Vineyards. As we talked, he poured me an exquisite '07 Pinot called AQUA, a full bodied wine with notes of fig, black cherry and subtle herbs on the finish. Kemiji's wines are just as elegant and classy as he is, and I am already mapping out a visit to his vineyard to see the winemaking magic firsthand.

Some of the other exciting new wines I tasted came from Napa-based JAQK Cellars. This boutique winery offers a series of delicious wines with card game-themed names. Along those I tried were a smooth and creamy '08 Chardonnay referred to as Her Majesty, and the '07 Soldiers of Fortune, a bold and intensely fruity Syrah. David Dees is JAQK's superstar rep, and his love for these wines is supremely evident. I'm really taking a liking to them myself.

For this lover of all things Rhone, one of the true highlights was sampling the wines of Gerard Betrand. This master of the Languedoc produces some of the highest quality vino this up-and-coming region has ever seen. My favorites were the juicy and velvelty Corbieres, a one-two punch of Syrah and Mourvedre, and a sweet yet spicy beauty blend of Syrah and Carignan called Minervois. Both wines are what I would pour in my bathtub if it wasn't such wasteful spending.

I have to say, should this Festival become an annual event it will be one of the most highly anticipated outings of the year for this wine lover and my dear friends who are also so inclined. I'm already dreaming about what Emmanuel Kemiji will be pouring...

To read about the delectable food featured at the Fashion Food & Wine Festival, visit Kimberly Nichols' blog at http://www.unorthodoxfoodie.blogspot.com/