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/ http://tastingroom.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/files/2010/09/Close_Color_Headshot_-_300_dpi.jpg 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

• Time is ripe for tomatoes http://kitchentalk.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10366/time-is-ripe-for-tomatoes/  Finally, they're here. Those juicy orbs of heirloom tomato goodness have arrived at the markets and in our back yards, and they're making us all look like gourmet cooks.  Slice 'em up, splash them with extra virgin olive oil and salt, and you feel like Mario Batali.What could be easier to eat? And yet – [...] Time is ripe for tomatoes
• 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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sun, Oct 3 3:00p http://events.pressdemocrat.com/santa-rosa-ca/events/show/121323405-blessing-of-the-animals Take part in our annual tradition by bringing your pet to be blessed at St. Francis Winery. If you have a dog, plan to show it off by participating in our Winery Dog of the Year contest. We'll have wine, nibbles, and pet friendly vendors on hand to round out the afternoon. Proceeds from this event go to support local animal charities. Event: Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sun, Oct 3 3:00p

WINE AND DINE NEWS

• Who Put the Whiskey in My Milkshake? http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=66cfec9ed36f6c20a22fdafee169f0c8 Laced with bourbon, schnapps or tequila, spiked milkshakes are a popular choice among the grown-up set.
  
  Who Put the Whiskey in My Milkshake?
• Restaurant Review: Fornino Park Slope http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=b29ab4ee59880f80165882be153c93fd Michael Ayoub's restaurant provides a comfortable destination in Brooklyn with an extensive Italian menu.
  
  Restaurant Review: Fornino Park Slope
• $25 and Under: Ayada http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=1b3fb3d59810b349966d208381dfaea0 In Elmhurst, Queens, a temple to Thai cuisine cooked and served the way it's supposed to be.
  
  $25 and Under: Ayada
• Fall Restaurant Preview: Lincoln's New Menu Is Put to the Test http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=8744acf3d5dae4662d31112de04abbf6 Making sure the pasta is not watery at a high-end Manhattan restaurant.
  
  Fall Restaurant Preview: Lincoln's New Menu Is Put to the Test
• Fall Restaurant Preview: The Tiki Bar Has Returned http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=de3398eedcbdab9135724616afd1490f Complete with pu-pu platters and exotic cocktails, New York's new tiki bars represent a break from serious dining.
  
  Fall Restaurant Preview: The Tiki Bar Has Returned
• Fall Restaurant Preview: The Chef Shea Gallante Comes Back to the Kitchen http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=3d3bb3a9ce7a5075068e17050efef8dd The former chef of Cru has emerged from a sabbatical to open Ciano, which will serve straightforward Italian food.
  
  Fall Restaurant Preview: The Chef Shea Gallante Comes Back to the Kitchen