by Christina Waters | Sep 26, 2012 | Home |
Some of us just can’t get enough grenache—the berry-laden, spicy, stand-up grape that fuels the great creations of the Rhône, old world as well as new.
The Rhône Rangers — 150 wineries in the United States devoted to making wines from grapes canonized by France’s Rhône Valley—gathered last week to salute International Grenache Day. And our local tasting opportunity to celebrate the under-appreciated grape, took place at the Bonny Doon Vineyard tasting room.
Assembled and pouring their grenache-driven best were winemakers from Big Basin Vineyards (kudos to Bradley Brown and his infinitely food-friendly 2010 Homestead GSM), Birichino (John Locke, shown above, brought his latest 2011 Grenache from Besson Vineyard), Clos LaChance Winery (a bold 2008 Grenache), Martella (renowned winemaker (more…)
by Christina Waters | Sep 26, 2012 | Home |
That would be the evolving dining room-with-a-view at the edge of the beach in the Dream Inn.
The new chef on board at Aquarius is Brian Drosenos who brings experience and robust menu ideas to the choice oceanfront property. He already has formed alliances with local food artisans such as El Salchichero and Route One Farms. More local wines dot the menu, gorgeous tapas plates—like the seared scallop with Greek yogurt and preserved lemon shown here—are available in the lounge. Live jazz on Thursdays (more…)
by Christina Waters | Sep 26, 2012 | Home |
While the Rhône Ranger were pouring grenache next door, Jeff Emery—one of the stellar grenache makers in the region—was busily forklifting grapes for his 2012 vintages, from truck to cellar.
Those are Jeff’s just picked Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard grapes posing for this week’s masthead at the top of my web column.
And, for the record, my current house red is Bonny Doon Vineyard’s Clos de Gilroy, containing 75% grenache grapes. Killer and affordable.
by Christina Waters | Sep 25, 2012 | Home |
Do some wineries have all the fun? or does it just seem that way…..
At the annual Day of the Doon celebration for Bonny Doon Vineyard wine club members, Randall Grahm and company finished off the impressive, multi-course meal created by chef Ryan Shelton and pastry chef Yoomi Shelton, with a firedancing ceremony.
After the incredibly graceful (and brave) Luke Mahler whirled balls of fire around the intrepid winemaker, in a beautiful ceremony of dance and invocation, chef Shelton ignited the huge paella pan (now filled with grappa) and stirred the flaming liquid, called queimada, adding bits of fruit and spices to the blend.
From northwest Spain, Galicia, comes this tradition of distilled spirits, ignited into a beautiful blue fire while a special incantation wards off evil spirits.
The potent queimada ritual must have been successful since no evil spirits showed up later to steal Yoomi Shelton’s bewitching peanut butter meringues and layered grape gelée candies.
The high spirited finale topped an amazing wine dinner. Truly spectacular!
by Christina Waters | Sep 24, 2012 | Home |
PEPPERFEST! Saturday, October 6th, Westside Farmers Market.
You know that pepper season is in full swing, so why not have an entire party to honor the brilliantly-hued vegetable? That was a rhetorical question, btw.
PepperFest will dazzle your Saturday, as will the peppery patter by master gardener Orin Martin, Manager of the Alan Chadwick Garden. Learn insider pepper lore from Everett Family farmers and watch a pepper roasting and smoking demonstration. Both sweet and hot pepper varieties will also be for sale at the Everett Farm booth, as well as others. The Westside Farmers Market runs from 9-12. Get yourself down there by 11 am sharp for Orin’s discussion on the mind-boggling variety of peppers you can enjoy right this moment of the central coast farm calendar.
[photo: Weston Monroe]
by Christina Waters | Sep 11, 2012 | Home |
Stupendously tart, crisp and perfumed with a wine scent, these lovely Pink Pearl apples absolutely made our day one recent lunchtime.
From a local Watsonville grower, they were discovered at New Leaf market.
Beyond even Gala, Braeburn and Newtown.
