Risotto makes a great first course, with smoked trout adding salty complexity and asparagus adding color and crunch. The dish calls for a dry, but fruity white wine. Check out my notes on Gewürztraminer and Muscadet, wines you need to get to know!
Savenniéres and Pink Snapper
Summer’s on its way. Grilled Snapper is always a winner, but this recipe . . . with Savenniéres . . . a rich Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley . . . takes it to another level. You gotta try this pairing!
Cali Wine Road Trip – Days 6 & 7 – Sea Ranch and Big Sur
Our final leg of this Road Trip is all about the northern and central California coastline – some of the most dramatic coastal terrain in the US. Check it out.
Cali Wine Road Trip – Day 5 – Anderson Valley
On this day we head north to the wineries in the Anderson Valley, through a Redwood Grove and to the coastal town of Mendocino.
Cali Wine Road Trip – Day 4 – Sonoma
The Russian River Valley in Sonoma – a mosaic of microclimates – is a haven for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Check out what we learned there.
Cali Wine Road Trip – Day 3 – Ridge
The road trip targets Ridge Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Cali Wine Road Trip – Day 2 – Santa Ynez Valley
The road trip continues on through the Santa Ynez Valley to Moonstone Beach.
Cali Wine Road Trip – Day 1 – Ojai
Join Trish and me on a wine road trip from Newport Beach to Mendocino. First stop: Ojai Valley.
Grilled Pork Chops with Pinot Noir and Espresso-Infused Demi-Glace
This is a great recipe to move you out of your comfort zone of fruit-forward, over-extracted California red wines and serve an old world red from Portugal. It’s all about the sauce.
Vermentino and Brussels Sprout Salad
Really??? Brussels Sprouts??? Yes, really! This is a great “raw” preparation paired with exotic Vermentino – a noble grape of Sardinia now cultivated in California and Italy.