by Christina Waters | Aug 11, 2010 | Home, Wine |
There are always many good reasons to visit Soif Wine Bar. This superb and supple 2007 estate Syrah from Peay Vineyards is now among those reasons.
Loaded with leather, a central core of robust red meat and soft peppers, this big, beautiful wine floats a hint of roses and fennel in both nose and finish. Extreme persistence highlights this creation of celebrated winemaker Vanessa Wong, and the name “les Titans” derives from some large-scale redwoods on the Sonoma vineyard’s property.
The Peay “Les Titans” syrah is easily one of the finest California syrahs I’ve tasted. Now at Soif. Go there and sample.
by Christina Waters | Aug 11, 2010 | Art, Home |
Maybe it’s just me, and if so, then you can ignore this observation. But I’m beginning to think that contemporary, especially young audiences have no idea how to respond to live theater. The serious kind, as in Shakespeare.
Worse. It’s entirely possible, at least based upon what I’ve seen lately, that actors and directors themselves are drifting away from creating coherent contexts for the spectacles they mount. Let me speak plainly: given postmodernism’s trashing of history, historical background and/or consideration for any and all authorship, the state of English-language theater seems to be suffering from serious identity issues.
Audiences raised on screen-mediated ‘entertainment’ are little inclined to suspend disbelief (more…)
by Christina Waters | Aug 9, 2010 | Home, Wine |
Chemistry—a wildly energetic blend of rarely-combined white varietals, including pinot gris, chardonnay and (gasp!) riesling—is loaded with nectarines, apple and mineral essences. Even a backnote of almonds.
Utterly drinkable all by itself, this Willamette Valley blend is charming enough to sidle up to grilled halibut, goat cheese, and some of the more subtle pastas and pizzas. Katy Cater poured me a sample at Avanti last week and it was an instant “yes!” Stop by the wine bar in the Westside dining landmark and make friends with this beautifully-balanced blend.
by Christina Waters | Aug 3, 2010 | Wine |
Be among the adventurous and sample some exotic Pinotage at a Release Party for the 2008 vintage, August 7 & 8 at Loma Prieta Winery.
Loma Prieta Winery will release the 2nd bottling of 2008 Pinotage from the Amorosa Vineyard in Lodi, along with light appetizers and live music on Saturday afternoon.
There are less than 50 acres of Pinotage planted in California. This intriguing grape was first developed for South African cultivation by crossing Pinot Noir with Cinsault. The result is an explosive mix of red fruits mingled with spicy cured meat and red licorice. Loma Prieta is the only vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains currently growing this variety, and the only winery producing it. So come over the hill and take a taste on the wild side
Loma Prieta Winery – open every weekend, noon to 5pm.
26985 Loma Prieta Way
Los Gatos, California 95033
by Christina Waters | Jul 27, 2010 | Home |
Led by Marco Barricelli and a virtuoso cast of Equity actors, this year’s Shakespeare Santa Cruz opener, Lion in Winter, started off with a roar last weekend. Astute casting and transparent directing, by Richard E.T. White, helped power this biting psychodrama to full dazzle. The effect is potent, sobering, and very funny.
Barricelli (SSC’s Artistic Director) commands the stage with his richly physical portrayal as King Henry II, yet shares the theatrical electricity with a cast of professionals. As Eleanor, aging queen-in-exile, Kandis Chappell hurls invective with laser precision, yet shimmers with all the innuendo of a scorned, still loving wife.
Henry and Eleanor’s sons are played with bravado and intelligence by John Pasha (Richard, the Lionhart; shown here), Dylan Saunders (John) and Aaron Blakely (Geoffrey). Joined by Philip the young King of France (Adam Yazbeck) whose sister Alais (Mairin Lee) is Henry’s new mistress, these outstanding actors take hold of the play’s dark domestic dynamics and never let go. (more…)
