by Christina Waters | Jan 6, 2010 | Home, Wine |
That would be the 2007 Billy K Estate Merlot – from Alfaro Family Vineyards.
A tasty tipple indeed (I can’t believe I am recommending a merlot!), this is an enlightened wine with enough macho moves to please cab drinkers, and enough finesse to play hide ‘n’ seek with your favorite pinot.
The initial nose yielded apple, leather and plum, turning to sassafras and bacon – substantial and crying out for bbq chicken or pulled pork. We found it interesting in its own right, with a complex central core, and perfect for partnering most entrees this side of scallops.
Named for Richard Alfaro’s late father-in-law Billy Kempker, the wine is all estate, a beautiful ruby color and balanced to drink now, or age for a few years. At 14.5% alcohol this makes for a well-spent $30.
by Christina Waters | Dec 22, 2009 | Food, Home |
Consider the prospect of succulent Mexican bay scallops, with tender local squid atop a pool of gigante and ceci beans.
You know you want this dish.
You’ll find it in the soothingly cozy dining room of Gabriella Cafe.
by Christina Waters | Dec 16, 2009 | Home, Movies |
And between those five-inch heels on Penelope Cruz’ feet and a kitchen table strewn with ripe tomatoes, Spanish cine-maestro Pedro Almodovar literally invents the color red.
The film is Broken Embraces, a virtuoso homage to great film masters past, as well as a ripping great mystery yarn that spans the genres from Almodovar’s early gender-morphing camp to indelible Liebestod.
In Almodovar’s hands, Cruz is visually addictive, to say the least. Think Hitchcock with exuberant sexuality. Now change Kim Novak’s grey suit into lipstick red, her platinum blonde hair to black and her placid English to sensuous Spanish. You have the picture. Almodovar’s latest film is a tightly-wound masterpiece, serving up a brilliant collage of film styles — even a film or two within a film — all to unfold the back-story of a mysterious tycoon obsessed with a sweet sultry call girl. Somehow they become involved with a film maker, and the obsessions multiply.
Super-saturated images are used (more…)
by Christina Waters | Dec 11, 2009 | Home |
Winemaker Jeff Emery may not know if you’ve been bad or good, but he has the perfect stocking stuffer either way.
Fans of Emery’s vintage skill can take their pick of at least eight different varietals, available in half-sized splits, perfect for sharing with your very special someone. These bottles are priced to move directly from the Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard tasting room, in the Ingalls Street Surf City Vintners complex, into stocking or under the Christmas tree. I’m thinking they would be perfect to take along on that New Year’s picnic as well.
Tempranillo, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Verdelho, you have the picture. Santa might even like his very own split.
by Christina Waters | Nov 30, 2009 | Home |
A pitch-perfect cinnamon bread pudding, served with warm stewed huckleberries and rosemary ice cream absolutely blew us away last Sunday night.
At The Cellar Door. Thank you Charlie Parker — saints have been canonized for less.
by Christina Waters | Nov 29, 2009 | Home |
Seven wineries, five Christmas tree farms and assorted shops and restaurants along the Santa Cruz Mountains joined forces in a Holiday Wine Trail. The “trail” exists for the three weekends following Thanksgiving. The wineries include:
Vine Hill Winery
Burrell School Vineyards
Hunter Hill
Poetic Cellars
Generosa Winery
Loma Prieta Winery
Regale Winery
This robust tree trek gets you out of the house, out of the malls and out to find your favorite Christmas tree, as well as taste and purchase that beloved holiday gift: wine.
Many of the wineries involved, like Vine Hill, will be running specials on selected wines, so keep your eyes open.
For a map and specific information, check the trail website: www.christmastreewinetrail.com
