…Washington County is home to what might be considered “lifestyle centers” where any serious foodie, shopping loving, wine aficionado would be glad to trade her most prized wine glass for. From food and wine, to refreshing Saké, farm fresh food, local jewelry, and premium wines, I spent most of my time whipping out my credit card with a clear war cry of, “I’ll take it!”…
Affordable French Wines
…In early August, eight wine writers came together to taste six wines provided by Gerard Bertrand Winery. We are a tough, but positive group. We don’t always agree unanimously on the “best” bottle of the night. We do always pair a special dish with each wine. At this point in our wine journey we have tasted more liters of wine than we are likely to publicly acknowledge. We like value for our money. Wine can be any price range; we just want it to be at a price point that makes sense for what we taste. There have been some big hits, and some disappointing lows…
Terra Bella Wine Country
…The Terra Bella wine country located in Central California’s Sequoia region should be on your list of places to explore.
Terra Bella is a scenic agricultural community easily accessed on your way to or from Porterville on Highway 65. It’s an easy breezy 3.5 hour drive from the larger tourist areas of LA and San Francisco. I think you’ll be intrigued and inspired by an emerging wine region that welcomes wine lovers of all levels of sophistication.
Chocolate Strawberry Spritzer and Mom’s Day Contest
If you’re feeling like a refreshing beverage, try a Chocolate Strawberry Spritzer, perfect for a warm spring day.
Fill a tall glass with ice
Pour 3/4 full with Chocolate Shop Strawberry
Add a splash of club soda
Garnish with a chocolate-covered strawberry or fresh strawberries.
Mark your calendar for ‘The Chocolate Tour’September 24 Indulge LA – Los Angeles CA
Chocolate Shop Strawberry wine is available at Thornton Winery.
Triple Threat: Tuna Tataki, 2011 Albariño and Keyways’ David Raffaele
Albariño 2011, Temecula Valley ($23) – A hard to find, but up and coming varietal for the Temecula Valley, Albariño is beginning to make a name for itself. Commonly found growing in the northwest regions of Spain and Portugal, this grape does extremely well in warm climates. I think you’ll like this light crisp wine. With its lighter style it is perfect for hot summer days. The honeysuckle on the nose is complemented by apricot and peach undertones with a hint of minerality…