TASTING ROOM BLOG

• Q&A with Glenn Close, soon to be in Wine Country http://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/09/02/qa-with-glenn-close-soon-to-be-in-wine-country/ Q&A with Glenn Close, soon to be in Wine Country. The actress who has played a Dalmatian-skinning mastermind (101 Dalmatians), an obsessed mistress (Fatal Attraction), and a high stakes litigator (Damages TV series), will be in Wine Country Sept. 11 for the Staglin Family Music Festival to support mental health research. Q&A with Glenn Close, soon to be in Wine Country
• Wine label controversy. What camp are you in? http://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/09/01/wine-label-controversy-what-camp-are-you-in/ Wine label controversy. What camp are you in? The California Legislature unanimously approved a proposal by the Sonoma County Vintners to have every bottle of wine produced in the county bear the words 'Sonoma County' on the label. This means that if a bottle is produced in Dry Creek Valley, it would say 'Dry Creek Valley " Sonoma County.' And this would be the case for all of the county's 12 appellations, including Sonoma Coast and Sonoma Valley. Wine label controversy. What camp are you in?
• Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet drinking in his win http://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/08/30/modern-family%e2%80%99s-eric-stonestreet-drinking-in-his-win/ Stonestreet, who just won an Emmy for best supporting actor in a comedy, has no doubt been uncorking cab to celebrate his win. No bubbly? Just how do we know what he fancies? Here's the skinny. When Stonestreet was in Napa in June he said, 'I really only drink wine with food and I'm a carnivore so whatever goes with steak works.' Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet drinking in his win
• One Melnik Minute http://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/08/29/one-melnik-minute-10/ One Melnik MinuteGot 60 seconds?Righto. I'll keep it brief.Did you know that pinot gris and pinot grigio are fraternal twins? One Melnik Minute
• Hemenway serves up wine by the price http://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/08/29/hemenway-serves-up-wine-by-the-price/ Chef Lisa Hemenway will have an eye to budget wine when she opens 'Fresh,' a European market of sorts, at the Skyhawk Village Market space in Santa Rosa on Hwy12 in September. Hemenway serves up wine by the price

BLOG: KITCHEN TALK

• Crock around the clock with pork http://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10359/crock-around-the-clock-with-pork/ For most families in Sonoma County, this week marks back-to-school time.  It seems unfair that our kids have to head back to the classroom just as the weather warms up outdoors, but such is life on the West Coast this summer. When kids are running from school to soccer practice to homework, it's always a bit more hectic [...] Crock around the clock with pork
• The ultimate Wine Country weekend http://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10355/the-ultimate-wine-country-weekend/  Labor Day Weekend means the end of summer, but  in Wine Country, it also marks a special opportunity for food lovers in search of the ultimate farm-to-table experience.In support of the Bocuse d'Or USA Foundation, chef/owner Thomas Keller will host an over-the-top weekend featuring the meals produced by his three Wine Country restaurants " The [...] The ultimate Wine Country weekend
• Love that melon and prosciutto http://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10352/love-that-melon-and-prosciutto/  A Townie to Market  bike ride, hosted by the ever-effervescent Chef Duskie Estes of Zazu restaurant, rolls through Healdsburg  at 9 a.m. Saturday  as part of the annual Russian River Valley Winegrowers' Grape to Glass weekend.The casual bike brigade will breeze by the Healdsburg Farmers  Market and make pit stops at The Cheese Shop, Love [...] Love that melon and prosciutto
• Make the most of a crappy kitchen http://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10349/10349/ I've had a cookbook on my desk for the past few months that never fails to elicit a laugh from  passing colleagues. It's called 'Gourmet Meals in Crappy Little Kitchens,' and I think that most people can relate to that oxymoronic title.Author Jennifer Scharertl,started her career as sous chef in a  Crappy Little Restaurant Kitchen [...] Make the most of a crappy kitchen
• Student eats on the cheap http://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10343/students-eats-on-the-cheap/ As college kids get ready to return to campus this fall, many of them are packing up for their first apartment and brushing up on their cooking skills.Along with the Tupperware and the frying pan, grab  a copy of '$5 A Meal College Cookbook: Good Cheap Food For When You Need To Eat' by Rhonda [...] Student eats on the cheap

Blog: WineAbout

• Aubert to open new winery http://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/08/24/aubert-to-open-new-winery/ Fans of Mark Aubert's amazingly sublime chardonnays and pinot noirs should be happy to hear Aubert and his wife will finally have a winery of their own, having purchased a new facility in Calistoga, right along the Silverado Trail.It is slated to open in January 2011 after an extensive renovation to both the winery and [...] Aubert to open new winery
• Taste of Terroir opening in Healdsburg http://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/07/22/taste-of-terroir-opening-in-healdsburg/ http://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/files/2010/07/Fullroomview-150x150.jpg Boisset is opening a new “Taste of Terroir” tasting room on the Healdsburg Square, in the location formerly used by Gallo of Sonoma. Which is interesting since Jean Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo are married.Boisset Family Estates owns DeLoach Vineyards and Raymond Vineyards locally; in France they are the family behind Domaine de la Vougeraie, [...] Taste of Terroir opening in Healdsburg
• Arrowood leaves Arrowood http://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/06/21/arrowood-leaves-arrowood/ Richard Arrowood is making it official – no more job as winemaster at Arrowood Vineyards and Winery. Instead, he'll concentrate full-time on Amapola Creek, which he and wife Alis founded in 2007 up in the hills not far from his namesake winery.Amapola, an organically farmed, 110-acre estate winery spread along the western side of the [...] Arrowood leaves Arrowood
• Olde Sonoma Pub opens in Boyes Hot Springs http://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/06/15/olde-sonoma-pub-opens-in-boyes-hot-springs/ A new pub has opened its doors in the Springs, the work of local brewmaster Coley Thinnes, who started out at Lagunitas and was most recently at Iron Springs in Marin. The Olde Sonoma Pub should have 32 beers on tap, rotating in and out depending on what's tasting really good. Beer will also be [...] Olde Sonoma Pub opens in Boyes Hot Springs
• Global Toast to Robert Mondavi http://wineabout.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/2010/06/08/global-toast-to-robert-mondavi/ The Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville will honor the late Mr. Mondavi on June 18 (Mondavi's birthday) with a special open house at the winery. Margrit Mondavi and winemaker Genevieve Janssens will lead the day of celebration with a new technology twist – they're inviting well-wishers from around the world to send in their thoughts [...] Global Toast to Robert Mondavi

WINE EVENTS

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• Event: Wines & Sunsets in Paradise at Paradise Ridge Winery, Wed, Sep 8 6:00p http://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/112738045-wines-sunsets-in-paradise Ongoing each Wednesday evening through October 27th, the public is invited to bring a picnic and enjoy delectable award winning Paradise Ridge wines while watching spectacular sunsets from the winery's expansive veranda and beautiful poetry terrace. On Wednesday evenings our tasting room is closed, however, for your enjoyment wines are available for purchase by the glass or by the bottle. Paradise has the Most Beautiful View in Sonoma County. Guests come for the wines & stay for the view. Event: Wines & Sunsets in Paradise at Paradise Ridge Winery, Wed, Sep 8 6:00p
• Event: CCI's 2nd Annual Bone Appétit - A Celebration of Great Pairings at Canine Companions for Independence Jean and Charles Schulz Campus, Sun, Sep 12 2:00p http://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/136258185-ccis-2nd-annual-bone-appetit-a-celebration-of-great-pairings This year marks CCI's 35th birthday and we want to celebrate with you! Come and enjoy gourmet food and wine pairings, and bid on exciting items in our silent and live auctions. Bring your friends and family and have them learn more about Canine Companions for Independence! Event: CCI's 2nd Annual Bone Appétit - A Celebration of Great Pairings at Canine Companions for Independence Jean and Charles Schulz Campus, Sun, Sep 12 2:00p
• Event: Siduri Winery Special Oregon Pinot Noir Tasting at Siduri Winery, Sat, Sep 11 12:00p http://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/139081725-siduri-winery-special-oregon-pinot-noir-tasting Rare Blanc de Pinot Noir Highlights Siduri's Special Willamette Valley Tasting Siduri & Novy Family Wines hosts a special tasting of their Oregon Pinot Noirs from the Willamette Valley, showcasing offerings from the outstanding 2008 and 2009 vintages. The winery's 2009 Novy Blanc de Pinot Noir " one of the only white Pinots produced by a California winery " heads up a list of wines that will be offered at special event-only pricing Event: Siduri Winery Special Oregon Pinot Noir Tasting at Siduri Winery, Sat, Sep 11 12:00p
• Event: Wisdom of We 2010 Seminar at The Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel, Fri, Sep 10 5:00p http://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/135642525-wisdom-of-we-2010-seminar Join us for a Seminar on Friday, September 10th with leading social media icons Shel Israel (aka @ shelisrael ) and Robert Scoble (aka @ Scobleizer ). The two  will have an open table discussion on the changing landscape of social media and how communities work together.  Tickets are  $25.00,  which includes the seminar and tweetup (wine tasting & food).  Tickets will be $40.00 at the door!         The seminar will include real world examples of people coming together, best practices and where the future of collaboration, social media and community is moving. Afterward, Democrasoft   will be hosting a tweetup reception and wine tasting .  Come mingle with other leaders in social media/internet/wine/tech, eat appetizers provided by the  Hilton Sonoma Wine Country   and taste some of the best wines that Sonoma County has to offer.   All food and wine are included in the price.  There will be a social media game or two so make sure to bring your phone chargers! The Hilton Sonoma Wine Country will be providing special deals to stay the night and the next day everyone will have the chance to enjoy the Sonoma County by visiting participating wineries and get special deals that only #WOW10 attendees get (more info to come)! Win a night stay at the Hilton Wine Country! Join the Twitter contest .   Event: Wisdom of We 2010 Seminar at The Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel, Fri, Sep 10 5:00p
• Event: Labor Day Sunday at Balletto Winery at Balletto Vineyards, Sun, Sep 5 10:00a http://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/139336425-labor-day-sunday-at-balletto-winery Take it easy this Labor Day Sunday! Stop by our tasting room for Pulled Pork Sliders, Cole Slaw paired with our delicious wines available 11am - 2pm. Tasting Room is open 10am - 5pm. Since harvest will be in full swing it is an exciting time to experience the rush of activity as the grapes are being picked. Enjoy the sliders and wine on our lovely patio which overlooks the vineyards. Event: Labor Day Sunday at Balletto Winery at Balletto Vineyards, Sun, Sep 5 10:00a

WINE AND DINE NEWS

• Food: The Cheat: A Hot Tomato http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=99e0caa8c29ab0af360358805d120d60 The plump and juicy kind.
  
  Food: The Cheat: A Hot Tomato
• The Peanut Solution http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=394abecc6a02d38df00356d1420fb9d5 An easy-to-produce paste may help cure malnourishment around the world. But who owns the recipe?
  
  The Peanut Solution
• Roger Ebert: No Longer an Eater, Still a Cook http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=156f02d4dc069a14e4f13e5b889d758b After losing his lower jaw to cancer, the film critic, who can't eat, has written a cookbook that is an ode to the rice cooker.
  
  Roger Ebert: No Longer an Eater, Still a Cook
• Shopping With Marc Murphy: Picnic Essentials http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=dda91b22f57708d8baeea318ad4f13dd The chef Marc Murphy shopped for good things to put in the basket while the weather is still nice.
  
  Shopping With Marc Murphy: Picnic Essentials
• Power Ingredients: Rose Water Adds a Subtle Kick http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=7f3a51e3ebd92668a2bab731c8bfb287 Just a drop or two of this relatively inexpensive product adds the fragrance of one of the world's great flowers to your cooking.
  
  Power Ingredients: Rose Water Adds a Subtle Kick
• Rosh Hashana Recipes Routed Through Africa http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=0d31463bc2128378fa2078082ab6aeb0 For the Jews of France, holiday dishes often hold the flavors of North Africa rather than Eastern Europe.
  
  Rosh Hashana Recipes Routed Through Africa