2006-10-27
Hot Tickets
Autumn has returned and that means “A Wine & Food Affair,” the annual showcase for the Russian River Wine Road, is just around the corner. On November 4 - 5, enjoy an exceptional two-day weekend of wine and food pairing in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. Included with your $50 tasting fee, you will receive the new “Tasting Along the Wine Road” Cookbook, Volume 8, and an event logo glass. All of the wineries participating will have a favorite winery recipe in the cookbook, which they will prepare both days for you to sample, along with the perfect wine. To participate, call 1-800-723-6336 or visit www.wineroad.com. Best Bites
Every year around this time it seems as though autumn unleashes a primitive hunger. As the days grow shorter, the desire to rekindle bygone pleasures of the feast and the warmth of the campfire seems to intensify. If your inner hunter/gatherer instincts are beckoning, satisfy those ancient appetites with sumptuous, civilized servings of Nature's beastly bounty during “Wild Game Week” at the acclaimed John Ash & Co. This special annual menu is scheduled for November 6 - November 11. Savory entrees include: grilled loin of buffalo, wild boar sausage pizza and roasted breast of pheasant. Fall cooking classes, demonstrated by the master himself, are now being scheduled. Participation is limited so sign up soon. John Ash & Co Restaurant is located at 4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa. Reservations are recommended; (707) 527-7687, www.VintnersInn.com. Top Tastes
Ever wonder what the best wines in the world taste like? Make plans to be in Downtown Napa for the rare opportunity to sip Robert Parker, 91-point (and higher) wines. This inspired sampling is the brainchild of Daniel Dawson, owner and winebuyer of Back Room Wines. Enthusiasts have been raving about this underground wine mecca for years because they excel at finding extraordinary, small-production wines that you just can't find anywhere else. Back Room Wines is a literal gold mine for savvy wine shoppers as they continually find hot wines before they even register a blip on the worldwide wine scene. For example, Paloma, Switchback Ridge, and T-Vine Cellars were discovered by Back Room Wines before everyone wanted them (recently they created shelf space for the magnificent Detert Family, Scholium Project, and Violet Green, too). Anytime is the perfect time to discover this sparkling little wine shop, but Friday, November 3, from 5 to 9 p.m., is extra unique as Daniel will be presenting a tasting of six (or more) wines, all of which have scored at least 91-points from the man with the golden palate, Robert Parker, or a contributing Wine Advocate critic. Cost is only $20 per tasting and the crowd is always hip and fun. Find Back Street Wines at 974 Franklin Street in Downtown Napa; (707) 226-1378, www.backroomwine.com. Stellar Samplings
If you are in the Monterey Peninsula, one of my favorite wineries is Meridian Vineyards. Located in the heart of the Central Coast wine scene, Meridian Vineyards is one of those places where you can get away from the stresses of everyday life and explore the wine road less traveled. The beautiful scenery and friendly atmosphere will certainly recharge your spirit. As you drive along the long, serpentine driveway and past the sweeping vineyards, you’ll find yourself surrounded by majestic, 200-year-old oak trees, landscaped flower gardens, and beautiful picnic grounds. At the center of this dramatic property is a magnificent, natural stone winery. Signature varietals include award-winning Pinots and Chardonnay. A great time to experience this exceptional winery will be on Friday, November 3, as Meridian Vineyards serves delicious, down-home Cajun Cuisine from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Meridian Tasting Room. Each dish of course will be paired with a Meridian wine, exclusive to the tasting room. Best of all, this tasty food and wine event is complimentary. Meridian Vineyards is found at 7000 Highway 46, East Paso Robles; (805) 226-7133, www.MeridianVineyards.com. Cuisine du Cucina
On Friday, November 3, from 6 to 9 p.m., Relish Culinary School and Hanna Winery presents celebrated chef and author John Ash, who will be leading a demonstration of flavors that perfectly represent autumn in the Wine Country. John’s very first cookbook “American Game Cooking” was groundbreaking in that it was based on contemporary approaches to cooking both wild and farm-raised game. John will use a few recipes from that book along with some new ones that feature locally harvested wild mushrooms, other fresh fall produce, and wild game from Northern California and beyond. John always entertains with his consummate stories and sound advice. In addition to the culinary education, guests will be treated to panoramic views of the fall vineyard colors sweeping across the Alexander Valley. The complete dinner menu will be paired with award-winning Hanna wines. Participation is $90 per person and seating is limited. Hanna Winery is at 9280 Highway 128, Healdsburg; 1-877-759-1004, www.RelishCulinary.com.
Big Deal
The fourth annual “Divine Food & Wine” featuring the finest Master Chefs of Sonoma Wine Country, will be held at the Santa Rosa Hilton, on Sunday, November 5. Proceeds from this important event support the Diabetes Society. Now in its fourth season, this fall fete has rapidly become the must-attend event for ravenous food and wine lovers. From 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., enjoy an enchanting evening of epicurean delights, live music, and fun-loving people, all while helping fund research for a very worthy cause. Cost is $100 per person. For more information, call (707) 578-0887.
On the Radar
- Enjoy four days of outrageous fun and exploration of Monterey County’s Wine Country at the 10th Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend. Scheduled for November 9-12, the highlights of the weekend include a Vintners’ Reserve Reception at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, wine and food integration seminars, open houses at the wineries, guided Wine Country tours, winemaker dinners, a silent auction and the Grand Finale at Pebble Beach. Tickets begin at $40 per person. To participate, call (831) 375-9400 or visit www.montereywines.com.
- Visit Lodi Wine Country December 2 - 3, for their Winter Wine Wander
Passport Weekend. Wineries will be beautifully decorated and festive
seasonal music will fill the air. Guests can get a head start on their
seasonal shopping while enjoying delicious wine tasting and light
appetizers at participating wineries. Tickets are $25 per person in
advance or $35 at the door. Tickets and information are available at
www.lodiwine.com or through the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at (209)
365-0621.
E-mail content considerations to jeff@fyiwinecountry.com
Jeff can be heard promoting Wine Country every Thursday on KRML 1410, in Carmel, at 5:30 p.m., or online at www.krmlradio.com
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