10 posts tagged “wine”

What is liquid meat?  Food Network's Alton Brown explains.  Food writer Jonathan Gold is a pie-lover.  He shares some stories of what pie means to him.  A tour of the Los Angeles Times' test kitchen.   Ching Ching Ni tells us about a culture clash involving rice noodles.  A delicatessen serves ethnic food of a different sort.  David Sax explains how the deli is endangered.  Timothy Childs works for NASA and makes chocolate.  Find out what those two things have in common.  Mark Peel has us over for a family dinner.  And Stacie Hunt takes us wine tasting in Croatia.  It's the story of wines after war.  And Laura Avery takes a trip to the Santa Monica Farmers Market.

Guest Blogger Mira Advani Honeycutt recently traveled to California's Central Coast's wine country and town of Lompoc.  She reports on her wine findings:

The cool Santa Rita Hills appellation is such a hotbed for pinot noir that its unassuming neighboring town of Lompoc is now home to a band of cult winemakers. This group is focused on sustainable farming and crafting small lots of artisanal wines. The wines here are lush with fruit and well balanced with acidity.

 

There are nine wineries (open by appointment only) along the Lompoc Wine Trail, six of them housed in an industrial complex, the Wine Ghetto and the other three at the Pinot Prison near the airport. 

 

Chad Meville of Samsara Punching Down 2009 Pinot Noir

However, its not only pinot that you’ll find here. At Samsara we savor Chad Melville’s deep rich cool climate syrah and at Flying Goat, winemaker Norm Yost pours us a taste of Goat Bubbles sparkling pinot rose. Fiddlehead and Dragonette also make sauvignon blanc, and Nicolaysen crafts pinot blanc.

 

Palmina’s Steve Clifton is passionate about Italian wines and he produces some 21 wines of this varietal only. Pali and Ampelos offer Rhone varietals and La Vie makes riesling and chardonnay. To make these different varietals, winemakers source their grapes from all over Central Coast,

 

Although the ghetto is making news now, it was veteran winemaker Rick Longoria (Longoria), fondly known as the Ghetto Godfather who first set up his winery in this industrial park back in 1998.

 

Wes Hagen, winemaker for Clos Pepe loves the vibe here and finds this cool region sustainable as winemakers don’t have to rely on air conditiong. “Its the greatest wine cellar in the world,” he quips. But he’s not happy with the ghetto moniker and wonders, “Is that a good image for a $50 pinot?”

 

For hotels and restaurants I recommend the Los Olivos and Santa Ynez area.  To Dine: Brothers at Mattei’s Tavern, Los Olivos Cafe, Hitching Post, Grappolo, The Ballard Inn restaurant.  To Stay: Fess Parker Wine Cuntry Inn, Santa Ynez Inn , The Ballard Inn.

 

Mira Advani Honeycutt is the author of California’s Central Coast, The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles (Chronicel Books).

Guest blogger Mira Advani Honeycutt frequently visits us on Good Food to talk about Indian celebrations in Los Angeles.  After all, she is the chairperson of the LA Mumbai Sister City Affiliation.  But she is also an expert on Central Coast Wineries.  Here she gives us a preview of the upcoming Harvest Wine Weekend:

Summer’s over and the celebration of harvest is upon us. One of my favorite places to enjoy this season is in Paso Robles, a region known for blending Rhone and Bordeaux varietals  that I call “Super Paso” (think Cabernet/Syrah with a touch of the local Zinfandel thrown in).

Approximately a four-hour drive north of Los Angeles, Paso and its adjacent Templeton, now has more than 150 wineries - the large ones along Highway 46 East and the small family-owned are tucked in hillsides and back country roads. Paso’s historic town square is also brimming with a dozen or so tasting rooms. 

To explore the region’s Zinfandels and Rhone varietals (bold reds and aromatic whites), drive up to Paso for its Wine Harvest Weekend, Oct. 16-18.

Phillip Hart checking the biodynamic vineyards of his Ambyth Winery in Templeton

"L’Aventure’s” Stephan Asseo and “Linne Calodo’s” Matt Trevisan, are Paso’s two expert blender masters, and “Clautiere’s” whimsical tasting room serves up delicious Syrahs. Check out Justin for complex Cabernet Sauvignon and Tablas Creek for excellent white and red Rhone blends. Although Paso is not known for Pinot Noir, “Windward,” “Jack Creek Cellars” and “Adelaida” excel in this varietal.  “Ambyth’s” biodynamic wines can be savored ‘by appointment only’ at the Harts’ gorgeous hillside ranch.

To Dine: Matthew’s, Thomas Hills Organics, Villa Creek, Bistro Laurent.
To Stay: Paso Robles Inn, Hotel Cheval.

Mira Advani Honeycutt is the author of California’s Central Coast, The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles (Chronicle Books).

What role should the FDA have in regulating the safety of our food supply?  Dr. David Kessler, the former head of the FDA shares his thoughts.  Plus, Jonathan Gold stops by with a restaurant suggestion.  This time it’s molecular gastronomy served at a bakery.  And, enjoy some of our incredible premiums while supporting KCRW and Good Food.  Sommelier Stacie Hunt designed two special wine flights of hard-to-come-by bottles for KCRW subscribers.  She has the details.  And, Laura Avery tells us whats fresh at the Farmers Market.

For the month of July, Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar is donating 25% of its enomatic wine sales to the Garden School Foundation, and organization bringing gardening to LA public schools.  So, drink up, Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 6 pm!

A listener named James asked whether it was okay to freeze leftover wine to use for cooking.  I asked Stacie Hunt of Du Vin what she thought.  Here's what she wrote:

"Freezing wine is a perfect thing to do with any leftover wine.  You can pour the wine into ice cube trays, freeze and then put the cubes into baggies.  You'll have perfect beginnings for sauces, soups and marinades.  Frozen wine cubes can stay indefinitely.

Andrew Major & Taylor Latham

Guest bloggers Andrew Major and Taylor Latham of Little Barrel Clothing Company have some recommendations for a few last minute, close-to-home getaways in wine country:  

There are a large number of fantastic wine-tasting experiences to be had within a day’s trip from Los Angeles. Here are our favorite picks for the regions we love.

Santa Ynez Valley

Only a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, the views of rolling hills dotted with vineyards immediately transports you to the South of France or Tuscany.  This is where the movie Sideways was filmed.  Our favorites to visit for both quality and scenery are:  Star Lane Winery, famous for making the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the area the '05 Astral Cabernet Sauvignon; Demetria Estate, with the best views in the valley, this vineyard’s Pinot Noirs are very indicative of this region’s most famous grape varietals especially the '06 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir Cuvee Sandra and Foxen Winery, located in a rustic shack along the breathtaking Foxen Canyon Trail whose minimalist approach to winemaking results in very expressive wines such as the '07 Chardonnay Bien Nacido, Vineyard Block UU, Santa Maria Valley.

Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail

Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine trail occupies two city blocks of winery-owned tasting rooms just a short walk from the beach.  Three stand-out wineries include: Oreana, a winery collective housed in an abandoned tire shop – check out the '06 Cabernet Sauvignon from Golden Oaks Vineyard; Stearns Wharf Vintners, located right on the wharf with a picnic deck that overlooks the Pacific; and Carr Winery, housed in a 1940's Quonset Hut cave - just like going from the beach to Burgundy – we recommend the '07 Pinot Noir from Turner Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills.

Malibu Wines Tasting Room

To try wines closer to home, visit the Malibu Wines tasting room nestled in the mountains of west Malibu, between the PCH and the 101 (just off Mulholland Highway).  Pack a big picnic and a group of friends for a relaxing afternoon in the vineyard, where abundant tables with umbrellas and a large manicured lawn make this a great gathering spot for any occasion. Try the '05 Semler Syrah Malibu Estate while you are there.

A listener recently wrote to us asking about books on making wine.  We asked our wine expert and guest blogger, Stacie Hunt:

From Vines to Wines

"Once you start enjoying the pleasures of wine, a new passion begins to form, way back in your head.  It starts as a little thought, "Maybe I might like  to  make my own wine..."

That thought takes root, so to speak, and sprouts to, "Maybe I'd even like to try my hand at growing grapes..."  It's not long before you notice a patch in your yard, or even a large, 30+" diameter pot and you inch closer to seeing vines in your future.  Well, you're not alone!  Take a look at some of my favorite books on the subject, ranked by my priority:
 
From Vines to Wines: The Complete Guide to Growing Grapes and Making Your Own Wine, by Jeff Cox
This book isn't intimidating; it's easy to understand, especially on the second reading

Vines, Grapes & Wines:  The Wine Drinker's guide to Grape Varieties, by Jancis Robinson
A great book that identifies grape varieties and helps you select types that you can grow, plus it offers great history on each variety.

The Home Winemaker's Companion:  Secrets, Recipes and Know-How for Making 115 Great Tasting Wines, by Gene Spaziani
Easy to read and follow instructions, plus a few secret short-cuts.

First Steps in Winemaking:  A Complete Month-By-Month Guide to Winemaking, Cyril J.J. Berry
Steps for each month from the ground to the glass.

The Grape Grower:  A Guide to Organic Viticulture, Lon Rombough, Roger Swain
For the organic composter.

There's also a great online resource, courtesy of UC Davis called, "Making Table Wine At Home."

And, while you're waiting for bud break, which is scheduled for around April 1st, pull the cork on a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from Temecula Valley and give Patrick Bartlett a call at: 951.699.8896, or email him.  He's started a facility where you can have a secured space for processing your own grapes and produce your wines under his and winemaker, Tim Kramer's careful eyes.  He'll even help you with marketing of your wines and is planning a restaurant placement program for his members' releases.