Sunday, July 27, 2014
At dinner last night Margie pointed out to me that I did not comment of her wine event in July. Somehow I just plain forget all about it. So this will probably be a short post because after 6 weeks my memory fades. In fact after 6 minutes it starts to fade. I hate to think how I will be if and when I stop working. Working full time at my advanced age does keep my brain active and keeps me around younger people which I like. I go to happy hour on Wednesday with a group and they are all retired. Sometimes I am so bored with their chatter and medications, health problems. dietary problems etc.,
So I do remember that the theme was South African Wines, Reds, Whites or Sparklings. There were a couple of Graham Beck sparklings which were quite good. There are a good buy for the money.Total wines brought were 20 and it was a mixed bag. Only 4 Pinotages which was surprising. I brought a 2008 Tamboerskloof, Steelbosch, Syrah. I liked it. But at this point I can't remember what other wines I liked besides the sparklings and a 2011 Spier 21, Gables, Chenin Blanc.
The hosts decided on a belated 4th of July theme and had hamburgers and hot dogs on the menu. Paul went around and took your order. 1/3 lb or 1/2 pound. Rare, medium or well. Cheese ? which kind. Bun ? toasted or not. That is a lot of work. Felt like a restaurant. Of course all the condiments were there also along with a large array of side dishes. I filled up on appetizers so when dinner came around I opted just for a burger.
The weather was miserable. We were outdoors in a very nice shaded patio area but the humidity was not kind to us. I just cannot eat or drink alcohol in hot, miserable weather. Maybe I should move to Florida and then I could lose some weight
Friday, September 12, 2014
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Chez Lomita Expo
Saturday. September 6, 2014
This party was set up as a mini cellar cleaning. The host had a magnum and double magnum of wine he wanted to share with a larger group. It was a mix of "wine" people and "non-wine" people. Otherwise a group that knew what they were drinking and a group that was asking for "Chardonnay". or "white wine". Nice people but no clue. Limited wine experience. Some were interested in learning and others just wanted to drink. But that is what life is made up with. Makes for non-boring parties.
The front patio area and the area in back around the pool was set up with tables, chairs, food, games, trivia., etc. Something for every one. Along with chips, crackers, cheeses, dips, nuts etc., the host made Tri-tip, Grilled Salmon and Ahi sliders. Along with accompaniments.
Later in the evening we were treated to a "magic" show. Two friends to the host are members of the Magic Castle and entertained us with tricks. A nice ending to a great day.
The two show cased wines were the 2000 Williams Selyem, Vista Verde, Pinot Noir, # 3 of 4, Double Magnum, signed by the winemaker and the 2005 Ponti, Holiday Reserve, Temecula, Zinfandel, Magnum. I will say both wines were exceptionally good. I am not a big fan of Temecula wines (most grapes are sourced from other places than Temecula) but I give thumbs up to this Zinfandel.
Other notable wines was a 1982 Opus One, just slightly over the hill, still had lots of fruit, good color. 2000 St Innocent, Seven Springs Vineyard, Pinot Noir and a 2006 Beaulieu Vineyards, Geoges La Tour, Private Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon. 1997 Chateau du Tetre Marguax and a 2009 Chateau Dauzac Marguax.
One of my favorites of the evening was a 2010 Robert Biale, Black Chicken, Zinfandel. Needed a few more years of aging but I have always liked this wine.
In all there are 30 wines on the list. Something for everyone. The reds out numbered the whites 3 to 1. So a good time was had by all. But my luck on the road that day was something else. Going to the event the main street was blocked at the freeway so we had to get on the freeway, go a mile, get off and detour to get to the street I wanted to be on. Leaving the event the main street was blocked about a half mile down by police so we had to back track and take an alternate route. Fortunately I was in an area I am really familiar with so I knew the shortcuts. And along with that, the chair I was sitting in at dinner collapsed and I ended up on the floor of the patio. Someone spilled a large glass of red wine and I got splattered with the wine. Sure hope it comes out of my blouse. But at least it wasn't a boring day.
This party was set up as a mini cellar cleaning. The host had a magnum and double magnum of wine he wanted to share with a larger group. It was a mix of "wine" people and "non-wine" people. Otherwise a group that knew what they were drinking and a group that was asking for "Chardonnay". or "white wine". Nice people but no clue. Limited wine experience. Some were interested in learning and others just wanted to drink. But that is what life is made up with. Makes for non-boring parties.
The front patio area and the area in back around the pool was set up with tables, chairs, food, games, trivia., etc. Something for every one. Along with chips, crackers, cheeses, dips, nuts etc., the host made Tri-tip, Grilled Salmon and Ahi sliders. Along with accompaniments.
Later in the evening we were treated to a "magic" show. Two friends to the host are members of the Magic Castle and entertained us with tricks. A nice ending to a great day.
The two show cased wines were the 2000 Williams Selyem, Vista Verde, Pinot Noir, # 3 of 4, Double Magnum, signed by the winemaker and the 2005 Ponti, Holiday Reserve, Temecula, Zinfandel, Magnum. I will say both wines were exceptionally good. I am not a big fan of Temecula wines (most grapes are sourced from other places than Temecula) but I give thumbs up to this Zinfandel.
Other notable wines was a 1982 Opus One, just slightly over the hill, still had lots of fruit, good color. 2000 St Innocent, Seven Springs Vineyard, Pinot Noir and a 2006 Beaulieu Vineyards, Geoges La Tour, Private Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon. 1997 Chateau du Tetre Marguax and a 2009 Chateau Dauzac Marguax.
One of my favorites of the evening was a 2010 Robert Biale, Black Chicken, Zinfandel. Needed a few more years of aging but I have always liked this wine.
In all there are 30 wines on the list. Something for everyone. The reds out numbered the whites 3 to 1. So a good time was had by all. But my luck on the road that day was something else. Going to the event the main street was blocked at the freeway so we had to get on the freeway, go a mile, get off and detour to get to the street I wanted to be on. Leaving the event the main street was blocked about a half mile down by police so we had to back track and take an alternate route. Fortunately I was in an area I am really familiar with so I knew the shortcuts. And along with that, the chair I was sitting in at dinner collapsed and I ended up on the floor of the patio. Someone spilled a large glass of red wine and I got splattered with the wine. Sure hope it comes out of my blouse. But at least it wasn't a boring day.
August's Gathering of The Winos
Sunday, August 30, 2014
Hot day and time for our yearly August Zinfandel tasting. Don't ask why, the host seems to delight in heavy, overly extracted Zinfandels on the hottest day. Fortunately in the past few years he has added Roses, sparkling and Champagne's to the mix.
And he did make a good crock pot dish of either beef or pork - frankly I could not tell the difference. It looked like pork but tasted like beef. Probably the sauce it was in. Whatever - it was still better than the over cooked, dry, inedible brisket that has been done the past few years. I like my meats rare to medium but I just cannot handle cremated meats. No flavor, and its hard to gag them down they are so dry. To each their own, I fill up on appetizers so I don't have to eat some of these main dishes people put forth. Guess I am just picky and bitchy.
I tasted the bubblies and the Rose's. Only had a couple of Zinfandels. The Rombauer, Chateau Montelena and the Williams Selyem. They were all good.
A breeze finally came up and cooled the temperatures down a little. Made it a decent day after all.
I will not be at next months tasting. Conflicts with my trip to Washington. This will be only the second time in 14 years I have missed our monthly group tastings. Couldn't get the host to get me a date in a timely manner so I booked my trip and took a chance. Turned out to be the conflict. I wish people would realize that the more in advance a date is announced the better it is for every one's schedule. It's not just about their schedule. There are 20 some odd other people involved.
Hot day and time for our yearly August Zinfandel tasting. Don't ask why, the host seems to delight in heavy, overly extracted Zinfandels on the hottest day. Fortunately in the past few years he has added Roses, sparkling and Champagne's to the mix.
And he did make a good crock pot dish of either beef or pork - frankly I could not tell the difference. It looked like pork but tasted like beef. Probably the sauce it was in. Whatever - it was still better than the over cooked, dry, inedible brisket that has been done the past few years. I like my meats rare to medium but I just cannot handle cremated meats. No flavor, and its hard to gag them down they are so dry. To each their own, I fill up on appetizers so I don't have to eat some of these main dishes people put forth. Guess I am just picky and bitchy.
I tasted the bubblies and the Rose's. Only had a couple of Zinfandels. The Rombauer, Chateau Montelena and the Williams Selyem. They were all good.
A breeze finally came up and cooled the temperatures down a little. Made it a decent day after all.
I will not be at next months tasting. Conflicts with my trip to Washington. This will be only the second time in 14 years I have missed our monthly group tastings. Couldn't get the host to get me a date in a timely manner so I booked my trip and took a chance. Turned out to be the conflict. I wish people would realize that the more in advance a date is announced the better it is for every one's schedule. It's not just about their schedule. There are 20 some odd other people involved.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Saturday Night at Golden Star
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Small group tonight. Terry is back in rehab and Steve had other plans, so just 4 of us . Henry did say we can plan a dinner with a maximum of 10 people because so many people have been asking. Most of the regulars (the boys) will not be asked to this dinner, as we do Chinese quite frequently Will open it up to everyone else. So with Henry and I, there will be room for 8 people. I will start working on that for either September or October.
We started out with fresh clams in a scrumptious sauce. Had some jalapeno peppers in it so there was a slight bite to it. When you have a Chinese restaurant in a Vietnamese community you get spicy food.
Next was a plate of garlicy green beans with Sea Bass. Excellent dish. Followed by a soup made with ham, pork, chicken, squash and who knows what else. But it had really good flavor. Probably all the leftovers from the day before but that's the way I make soup.
Then a plate of stir fry scallops, Managers Style. Otherwise who knows what all the green stuff was but a great dish, good flavor. Henry ordered a beef dish, prime beef strips, stir fry French style with greens and along side it a bowl of fat noodles in a broth. Meat was excellent and I am a sucker for fat noodles.
Finally to top off the meal large segment of nectarines with a Green Bean Tapioca.
We had a Segura Viudas Cava which paired nicely with the fish dishes. A 2008 Roar, Garys Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2006 Kosta Browne, Russian River, Pinot Noir and a 2010 Gemstone, blend from Yountville in Napa Valley. All the wines were very good and showing well.
Small group tonight. Terry is back in rehab and Steve had other plans, so just 4 of us . Henry did say we can plan a dinner with a maximum of 10 people because so many people have been asking. Most of the regulars (the boys) will not be asked to this dinner, as we do Chinese quite frequently Will open it up to everyone else. So with Henry and I, there will be room for 8 people. I will start working on that for either September or October.
We started out with fresh clams in a scrumptious sauce. Had some jalapeno peppers in it so there was a slight bite to it. When you have a Chinese restaurant in a Vietnamese community you get spicy food.
Next was a plate of garlicy green beans with Sea Bass. Excellent dish. Followed by a soup made with ham, pork, chicken, squash and who knows what else. But it had really good flavor. Probably all the leftovers from the day before but that's the way I make soup.
Then a plate of stir fry scallops, Managers Style. Otherwise who knows what all the green stuff was but a great dish, good flavor. Henry ordered a beef dish, prime beef strips, stir fry French style with greens and along side it a bowl of fat noodles in a broth. Meat was excellent and I am a sucker for fat noodles.
Finally to top off the meal large segment of nectarines with a Green Bean Tapioca.
We had a Segura Viudas Cava which paired nicely with the fish dishes. A 2008 Roar, Garys Vineyard, Pinot Noir, 2006 Kosta Browne, Russian River, Pinot Noir and a 2010 Gemstone, blend from Yountville in Napa Valley. All the wines were very good and showing well.
German Wine Dinner at Delius
Friday, August 29, 2014
I have done this German Wine dinner for quite a few years at Delius Restaurant. www.deliusrestaurant.com. I will say this is the first time I have had some disappointment in the wines and food pairing. Apparently part of the wine problem was that the distributor couldn't get what was originally selected from the warehouse in Napa because of the earthquake. So they had to use what was available locally.
We started out with a glass of 2012 Von Buhl Riesling Sekt Brut - very nice sparkling.
First course: Seared Scallops, Salad of Sea Beans, Enoki Mushrooms and Daikon Sprouts. Paired with a 2013 Wirsching Silvaner Dry Estate. Wine was good and went well with the salad but not with the scallops. Maybe just a little too crisp of a wine for meaty scallops. The sea beans were interesting. Looked like mini seaweed and had a salty taste to them. My problem with these salads that are so finely shredded it is difficult to get onto your fork and when you get them in your mouth you have small spears sticking out They are not "date food". The salad had great flavor and looked really nice on the plate but a pain to eat.
Second Course: Caramelized Gnocchi, Alle-Pia Ruspante Sausage, Roasted Baby Heirloom Tomatoes and English Peas. The Gnocchi was excellent, the sausage was a chicken and turkey with fennel (Alle-Pia is the brand and available on line) was wonderful. Could have ditched the tomatoes, they seemed out of place and did not add anything to the dish. Too acidic. Wine was a 2011 WHS Heger Pinot Gris Estate. Pinot Gris is not in my top likes of wine. This one paired well with the sausage and nothing else.
Third Course: Crispy Skin Red Snapper with Pickled Shallots, Curried Cauliflower. Snapper had good flavor but was a bit salty and mine was a little dry. The cauliflower had great flavor but needed a few more minutes cooking. Just a little to "al dente", almost raw. The wine paired was a 2013 Becker Pinot Blanc Dry Estate. Very light weight wine but clean. I think I would have preferred a very light red wine with this dish.
Fourth Course: Duck Breast, Creamy Polenta, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Pearl Onions, Green Peppercorn Demi-Glace. Duck was perfect. Paired with a 2011 Becker Family Pinot Noir. The wine was herbal and too warm. It needed a slight chilling. But a good pairing. Best dish of the evening and best wine pairing.
Dessert: Pine Nut Lemon Sabayon Tart with Honey Marscapone Cream and Fresh Raspberries. Excellent tart. Not to heavy and a great lemon tartness to it.
A good dinner but not up to the standards I have come to expect from Delius. Every restaurant has an off night, menu, food pairing etc., so you don't hold it against them. In all the years I have been patronizing Delius (since the late 1990's) this is my first real disappointment in the wine and food together.
I have done this German Wine dinner for quite a few years at Delius Restaurant. www.deliusrestaurant.com. I will say this is the first time I have had some disappointment in the wines and food pairing. Apparently part of the wine problem was that the distributor couldn't get what was originally selected from the warehouse in Napa because of the earthquake. So they had to use what was available locally.
We started out with a glass of 2012 Von Buhl Riesling Sekt Brut - very nice sparkling.
First course: Seared Scallops, Salad of Sea Beans, Enoki Mushrooms and Daikon Sprouts. Paired with a 2013 Wirsching Silvaner Dry Estate. Wine was good and went well with the salad but not with the scallops. Maybe just a little too crisp of a wine for meaty scallops. The sea beans were interesting. Looked like mini seaweed and had a salty taste to them. My problem with these salads that are so finely shredded it is difficult to get onto your fork and when you get them in your mouth you have small spears sticking out They are not "date food". The salad had great flavor and looked really nice on the plate but a pain to eat.
Second Course: Caramelized Gnocchi, Alle-Pia Ruspante Sausage, Roasted Baby Heirloom Tomatoes and English Peas. The Gnocchi was excellent, the sausage was a chicken and turkey with fennel (Alle-Pia is the brand and available on line) was wonderful. Could have ditched the tomatoes, they seemed out of place and did not add anything to the dish. Too acidic. Wine was a 2011 WHS Heger Pinot Gris Estate. Pinot Gris is not in my top likes of wine. This one paired well with the sausage and nothing else.
Third Course: Crispy Skin Red Snapper with Pickled Shallots, Curried Cauliflower. Snapper had good flavor but was a bit salty and mine was a little dry. The cauliflower had great flavor but needed a few more minutes cooking. Just a little to "al dente", almost raw. The wine paired was a 2013 Becker Pinot Blanc Dry Estate. Very light weight wine but clean. I think I would have preferred a very light red wine with this dish.
Fourth Course: Duck Breast, Creamy Polenta, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Pearl Onions, Green Peppercorn Demi-Glace. Duck was perfect. Paired with a 2011 Becker Family Pinot Noir. The wine was herbal and too warm. It needed a slight chilling. But a good pairing. Best dish of the evening and best wine pairing.
Dessert: Pine Nut Lemon Sabayon Tart with Honey Marscapone Cream and Fresh Raspberries. Excellent tart. Not to heavy and a great lemon tartness to it.
A good dinner but not up to the standards I have come to expect from Delius. Every restaurant has an off night, menu, food pairing etc., so you don't hold it against them. In all the years I have been patronizing Delius (since the late 1990's) this is my first real disappointment in the wine and food together.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Prix Fixe Dinner at Delius
Friday, August 22, 2015
Joined Tim, Maria and Hugh for dinner tonight and Cindy opted to come also. The August Prix Fixe menu at Delius looked good. www.deliusrestaurant.com, They change the menu once a month for that dining room.
Started off with a grilled shrimp, crispy jasmine rice, garlic siracha aioli. Shrimp was cooked perfect, the rice was great and the aioli to die for. Paired with a 2011 Von Hovel Riesling Kabinett.
Next was a Brussel sprout salad, frisee, bacon, very thinly sliced boiled egg and thinly sliced radish. I can do without the frisee, it's just not my thing but the rest of it was really good. Wine was a 2012 Parcel 41, Sauvignon Blanc from Oakville, Napa. Good wine.
A plate of crispy skinned duck with apricot mint chimichurri was sent down in front of us. Again the sauce was so good. And the duck at Delius is always good. A 2011 Sierra Rioja was paired.
Mai course was a Pork tenderloin, potato gnocchi, sherry cream sauce. Ate a few bites to see what is was like and had them pack it to go. After all we have dessert coming. Wine was a little bit of a disappointment. A 2011 Knez Winery, Boonhill, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir. Light weight. Ok wine but nothing to get excited over.
Dessert was a house made S'mores, salted caramel and spicy bittersweet chocolate. Decadent, overly sweet. Ate half and took the balance home. It was good. But too sweet and heavy for me after a big dinner.
A very good dinner. lots of fun, great people at the table. This is the way I like it. Maybe next time we will order our own bottles from the menu instead of having the pairing. Would not cost anymore.
Joined Tim, Maria and Hugh for dinner tonight and Cindy opted to come also. The August Prix Fixe menu at Delius looked good. www.deliusrestaurant.com, They change the menu once a month for that dining room.
Started off with a grilled shrimp, crispy jasmine rice, garlic siracha aioli. Shrimp was cooked perfect, the rice was great and the aioli to die for. Paired with a 2011 Von Hovel Riesling Kabinett.
Next was a Brussel sprout salad, frisee, bacon, very thinly sliced boiled egg and thinly sliced radish. I can do without the frisee, it's just not my thing but the rest of it was really good. Wine was a 2012 Parcel 41, Sauvignon Blanc from Oakville, Napa. Good wine.
A plate of crispy skinned duck with apricot mint chimichurri was sent down in front of us. Again the sauce was so good. And the duck at Delius is always good. A 2011 Sierra Rioja was paired.
Mai course was a Pork tenderloin, potato gnocchi, sherry cream sauce. Ate a few bites to see what is was like and had them pack it to go. After all we have dessert coming. Wine was a little bit of a disappointment. A 2011 Knez Winery, Boonhill, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir. Light weight. Ok wine but nothing to get excited over.
Dessert was a house made S'mores, salted caramel and spicy bittersweet chocolate. Decadent, overly sweet. Ate half and took the balance home. It was good. But too sweet and heavy for me after a big dinner.
A very good dinner. lots of fun, great people at the table. This is the way I like it. Maybe next time we will order our own bottles from the menu instead of having the pairing. Would not cost anymore.
Wine & Fire Weekend in Sta, Rita Hills
Mid August always finds the big event of the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance. Almost 100% participation from all the winemakers, vineyards and wineries in the area. I have been doing this event for over ten years now. There was a hiatus of a couple of years while they got their act together but it is back in full swing and better than before. They start out with a big "barn" party on Friday night. at the old Sanford barn. Music, food and of course wine. I have not been able to take in this event because of my work schedule but someday is coming.
Left about 6:50 am Saturday morning. Cindy offered to drive and I jumped on that one. No problems with traffic and we pulled into Buellton about 9:10. Gassed up, grabbed a breakfast sandwich from a drive in and took off for Santa Rosa Road and to find Fiddlestix vineyard. First stop for a four hour seminar and catered lunch. Two different panels this year. Very informative. Second part of the seminar we were supposed to discuss the wine. Adam Lee from Siduri was at our table. We decided that we had two red wines and two white wines and that they must be pinot and chardonnay. Batting 100% right now. That was a no brainer because that is the two varietals that are featured this weekend. Then it got a little tougher. Had to figure out which winemaker made which one. Our theory was to give the bigger wine to the younger winemaker. Seemed to work.
Lunch was served and open seating. Norm Yost from Flying Goat graced our table bringing wine with him. He had his Goat Bubbles and a Pinot from the Rio Vista vineyard. Some winemakers came around pouring their offerings. There was a 1997 Foxen, Sanford and Benedict Pinot, 2012 Kessler-Hawk Brut, 2012 Le Montagne, 2011 Clos Pepe sparkling, 2000 Mt. Carmel Chardonnay (can't read my own writing to tell who the winery is). Probably should have kept better notes. But there was a lot of wine flowing.
Off to check into the hotel and head for the Grand Tasting at the LaPurisma Mission. This is always a great event. Almost all the wineries are pouring tonight and the food is always good. Lobster Mac & Cheese, Beef sliders, BBQ ribs and tri tip. Salads, sandwiches. Doesn't get much better. I stayed away from the silent auction. Do not need to buy right now.
Sunday morning after a quick breakfast we headed for Clos Pepe for their annual release party.After sampling the library wines, we headed for the table loaded with a dozen different kinds of cheeses, meats, fig jam, quince etc., Great spread. Then off to taste the new 2013 releases. Another really good year for the Clos. Many things to do today. Left and went across the road to Huber. Need to pick up six cases of wine. Norman offered to let us come by in the morning on our way home to pick up the wine. That is a big deal for us. We are headed over to Los Olivos and it gets really hot in that area. About 15 degrees warmer than the Sta. Rita Hills.
Stopped in at Trecero and tasted then over to Stolpman to pick up six bottles of "Carbonic" Sangiovese. This is the new rage of the winemakers now.
We decided to stop in at Industrial Eats and get take out. Still full from that spread we had at the Clos. I ended up with smoked sturgeon, creme fraiche, avocado and pickled peppers. Cindy opted for a sandwich. Took them back to the hotel and went outside to the pool to eat. Cindy opened a bottle of wine but I stuck with water. By this time I have becomed "wined out". But I definitely want to come back to Industrial Eats and stay and partake in some more goodies.
Monday morning up at had another quick breakfast then off to Huber to pick up wine to bring home. Traudl gave us some squash she had picked earlier. Loaded up and headed towards home. Took a little longer getting back. The traffic in the Valley is always obscene.
This was Cindy's first time doing the Wine & Fire event and she really enjoyed it. Wants to come back. Which is OK with me especially if she drives. What a treat for me to have a driver. I am not sure if I would be in such a good mood if I drove. This weekend really did a number on me. It will take a couple of days to recoup. That's what I go to work for. But I am already marking my calendar for next years event.
Hopefully everyone will come over and get their wine out of my house quickly. I am not looking forward to six cases sitting around for too long.
Left about 6:50 am Saturday morning. Cindy offered to drive and I jumped on that one. No problems with traffic and we pulled into Buellton about 9:10. Gassed up, grabbed a breakfast sandwich from a drive in and took off for Santa Rosa Road and to find Fiddlestix vineyard. First stop for a four hour seminar and catered lunch. Two different panels this year. Very informative. Second part of the seminar we were supposed to discuss the wine. Adam Lee from Siduri was at our table. We decided that we had two red wines and two white wines and that they must be pinot and chardonnay. Batting 100% right now. That was a no brainer because that is the two varietals that are featured this weekend. Then it got a little tougher. Had to figure out which winemaker made which one. Our theory was to give the bigger wine to the younger winemaker. Seemed to work.
Lunch was served and open seating. Norm Yost from Flying Goat graced our table bringing wine with him. He had his Goat Bubbles and a Pinot from the Rio Vista vineyard. Some winemakers came around pouring their offerings. There was a 1997 Foxen, Sanford and Benedict Pinot, 2012 Kessler-Hawk Brut, 2012 Le Montagne, 2011 Clos Pepe sparkling, 2000 Mt. Carmel Chardonnay (can't read my own writing to tell who the winery is). Probably should have kept better notes. But there was a lot of wine flowing.
Off to check into the hotel and head for the Grand Tasting at the LaPurisma Mission. This is always a great event. Almost all the wineries are pouring tonight and the food is always good. Lobster Mac & Cheese, Beef sliders, BBQ ribs and tri tip. Salads, sandwiches. Doesn't get much better. I stayed away from the silent auction. Do not need to buy right now.
Sunday morning after a quick breakfast we headed for Clos Pepe for their annual release party.After sampling the library wines, we headed for the table loaded with a dozen different kinds of cheeses, meats, fig jam, quince etc., Great spread. Then off to taste the new 2013 releases. Another really good year for the Clos. Many things to do today. Left and went across the road to Huber. Need to pick up six cases of wine. Norman offered to let us come by in the morning on our way home to pick up the wine. That is a big deal for us. We are headed over to Los Olivos and it gets really hot in that area. About 15 degrees warmer than the Sta. Rita Hills.
Stopped in at Trecero and tasted then over to Stolpman to pick up six bottles of "Carbonic" Sangiovese. This is the new rage of the winemakers now.
We decided to stop in at Industrial Eats and get take out. Still full from that spread we had at the Clos. I ended up with smoked sturgeon, creme fraiche, avocado and pickled peppers. Cindy opted for a sandwich. Took them back to the hotel and went outside to the pool to eat. Cindy opened a bottle of wine but I stuck with water. By this time I have becomed "wined out". But I definitely want to come back to Industrial Eats and stay and partake in some more goodies.
Monday morning up at had another quick breakfast then off to Huber to pick up wine to bring home. Traudl gave us some squash she had picked earlier. Loaded up and headed towards home. Took a little longer getting back. The traffic in the Valley is always obscene.
This was Cindy's first time doing the Wine & Fire event and she really enjoyed it. Wants to come back. Which is OK with me especially if she drives. What a treat for me to have a driver. I am not sure if I would be in such a good mood if I drove. This weekend really did a number on me. It will take a couple of days to recoup. That's what I go to work for. But I am already marking my calendar for next years event.
Hopefully everyone will come over and get their wine out of my house quickly. I am not looking forward to six cases sitting around for too long.
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