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Week of 8/22/2021 - Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Winemaker Dinner Sizzles at Flora. One of my favorite aspects of wine is the rich history of the wine world. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is one of Napa Valley’s most iconic wineries. Another of my favorites are Winemaker dinners. Both came together this past week for a Stag’s Leap Wine Cellar Winemaker Dinner at Sal Ercolano’s Flora Bar & Kitchen that Senior Editor Frank and I attended. (see full column)
Next up for Ercolano’s wine dinner series is (1) DAOU Family Estates (West End), Thu, Fri, Sat, 9/23 to 9/25, $75 per person+tax/tip, 858-259-5878 (2) Wagner Family/Caymus (Flora), Tue 10/19, Thu 10/21, & Fri 10/2, $85 per person+tax/tip, 858-461-0622 (3) Prisoner Wine Company (Flora), Thu-Fri, 11/18-19, $75 per person+tax/tip, 858-461-0622. This weeks Wine Bytes include: (1) Gianni Buonomo Vintners in Ocean Beach San Diego Bottling Day is Labor Day 9/6. Come by to see how 60 barrels of wine become 1,400 cases of wine in a single day. Details at 619-991-9911. (2) Join the Salsa Dance party on La Plaza at Bolero, Europa Village Winery in Temecula Tue 8/31, 7-10pm. Bolero will be hosting Salsa nights each Tuesday with live music by Kimba Light. There will be Salsa lessons, wines and tasty tapas. Admission is free with seating first come first served. Details at shop.europavillage.com/Shop/Events/Salsa-Nights. (3) South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula kicks off September with the first of its Rhythm on the Vine Country Music Concerts. The first is Thu 9/2 with Coffey Anderson. Kanan Road Group will be opening. Doors open at 5pm, concerts begin at 7pm. Concerts will be held outdoors in the South Coast Winery courtyard, with food trucks offering pre-concert and concert eating and drinking options. Villas and guest suites are available at the resort. Tickets start at $45 per person and avail at southcoastwinery.com/concerts. Download full column here. |
Week of 7/25/2021 - A Valle de Guadalupe Wine Dinner Trio at Flora Bar & Kitchen. Senior Editor Frank and I, along with 50 other guests, were wowed at a recent Sal Ercolano’s Flora Bar & Kitchen Valle de Guadalupe Wine Dinner featuring three of the top owners and wine makers from that region: Jorge Maciel (Cava Maciel), Paolo Paoloni (Villa Montefiori), and Kristin Magnussen Shute (Vinos Lechuza). Guests were royalty with a six course dinner that featured 7 tastings of wine including a Nebbiolo Paoloni and Cava Maciel duo for the Filet Mole Poblano main course featuring beef tenderloin with a killer poblano mole sauce served with rice and cactus salad.
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Week of 7/18/2021 The Sky Deck – a Dining Destination Unlike Any Other. Frank and Rico checked out Del Mar's latest food attraction Sky Deck. The Sky Deck, the most prominent culinary destination at the newly remodeled progressive Del Mar Highlands Town Center in North County San Diego, offers a 26,000 square foot, 1,000 seat culinary location modeled after Barcelona Spain’s upscale El Nacional dining destination. While there we dined a Zizikis STREET Food. This Fine-Casual Greek venue had killer pitas with Leg of Lamb imported from New Zealand, salmon from deep water Faroe Island Scotland, and local free range chicken from Jidori farms, along with farm to table fresh veggies. In addition to ZIZIKIs, patrons can take part of thirteen inside venues under the Sky Deck offer such food and drink as modern Greek (ZIZIKIs), Parisian pastries, Japanese delights, American with Mexican fusion, extraordinary Thai seasonally rotated, a pizza experience direct from Milan, a glass enclosed Yakitori inspired Sushi Asian style kitchen/bar, a completely re-imagined American dining experience, colorful Mexican flavored dining with a festive gastronomical setting, an entire upstairs Brewer’s Deck with three new styles of awesome brewed beverages including a hard Kombucha maker. Each stop has its own exclusive dining area.
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Week of 7/11/2021 - A Taste of Amalfi Coast at Lake San Marcos. I was glad to have rewatched CNN’s Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy episode featuring the Amalfi Coast and neighboring Napoli (Naples). It gave me and Senior Editor Frank a greater appreciation for what Co-Founder Emilio Muslija from Florence along with his three partners, Giuseppe Annuziata (Wine Selection/partner), Marcello Avitabile (Exec Chef & 5 world champion pizza), and Joseph Serra (Exec Pizza Chef) created in the backdrop of Lake San Marcos...
Emilio shared, “We have two completely different restaurants, the upstairs AMALFI Cucina Italiana and the downstairs AMALFI Marina Bar, which is an Italian, Mexican, and American fusion eatery featuring 24 local craft breweries along with our authentic pizzas.” What is most impressive is the Weekly Special menu that can change several times in a week. “This allows us to take advantage of the freshest farm to table produce and imported meats and cheeses we receive (from Italy),” said Emilio. Chef Marchello can also create your favorite dishes that are not on the Weekly Special or standard menu with something for everyone featuring appetizers, salads, pizza, pasta, along with meat and fish dishes and thrilling cocktails... This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) 12th Annual San Diego Spirits Festival Sat 9/11 2-6PM ($85), Sun 9/12 1-5PM ($75) Port Pavilion Broadway Pie. This spirited event brings an array of unique adult beverages, hand-crafted cocktails and live entertainment. A highlight is the San Diego International Spirits Competition with a blind tasting and analysis by a panel of expert judges. VIP ticket holders can sample winning brands and meet the judges. VIP tix Sat ($130), Sun ($110). Tix at sandiegospiritsfestival.com. (2) Vittorio’s Italian Trattoria (Carmel Valley) has award winning CASS Winery Wine Dinner Thu 7/29 at 6pm. This 5 course dinner includes braised petite lamb shanks with Cass 2017 Signature Cab Sauv, plus Chef’s Surprise dessert. $75. RSVP at 858-538-5884. Download full column here. |
Week of 7/4/2021 - Rock star chef shakes things up at Park Hyatt. What’s this! Richard Blais, winner of Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars, is shaking up North County’s food and wine world as we know it at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad. Blais, a Del Mar resident and celebrity chef, brings his culinary craft to the old Argyle Steak House located at the Aviara golf club in Carlsbad. The new name with the new format is now Ember & Rye, a Richard Blais Steak House. Blais is no stranger to the San Diego culinary scene. He helped launch Juniper & Ivy in Little Italy and has other restaurant credits nationwide, plus other TV “fun with food” projects. Ember & Rye is the final piece to the $50 million work-up renovations at Park Hyatt...
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa brings back Rhythm on the Vine - South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula brings back its popular Rhythm on the Vine jazz concert series, with Michael Paulo producing three exciting concerts this summer. Paul Brown and Gregg Karukas play on Sunday, July 18, at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:15 p.m. Brown is a two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz producer and has released six albums... Wine Bytes (1) Hats, Heels and Hooves—the Ultimate Del Mar Racing Opening Day After-Party is at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe on Friday, July 16, 5 to 10 p.m. The inn’s front lawns will become the setting to celebrate Del Mar’s big day. Enjoy a welcome cocktail, live music, dancing, entertainment and food creations by the inn’s culinary team and other restaurants. Cost is $125 per person. For more information, call 858-756-1131. (2) The news is out, the Pacific Wine & Food Classic Festival is returning to Orange County this year, at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 23-24. Help celebrate the bounty that is SoCal with exquisite wines, lavish cocktails and exceptional bites from the region’s top chefs. Net proceeds will go to the Golden Rule Charity. For information, visit pacificwineandfood.com. |
Week of 6/27/2021 - Our Top Ten Wines Coming to a Wine Shop Near You - Wine lovers are coming out of the closet in droves and saluting a strong year of wine and dine joy. Rico and I have again found ten beauties the 1st half of 2021 that should be in your cooler to salute this comeback economy.
My five consists of 3 Paso Robles winners that best represent this burgeoning wine country of over 200 wineries. I’ve got a new Bordeaux style blend from DAOU Family Estates, a Syrah with a spritz of Viognier and Rousanne from Denner and an elegant Cabernet/Petite Sirah from J.Lohr. The 5 fill out with a Pinot Noir from Sonoma, made by Far Niente and an 8 grape blend from Chile that made 95 points from noted wine critic James Suckling.
Rico’s Picks I loved Frank’s Top 5. As usual, we were able to experience most of these together along with my Top 5. My list includes, a 2nd DAOU Family Estate wine, their Sauvignon Blanc from Paso Robles, along with two Napa Valley wines, a local Temecula Valley, and a mind-blowing Brunello from Montalcino.
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Week of 6/20/2021 - Rico’s Road Trip to Colorado and Utah - I will cover a pair of fine dining Italian ristorantes and two restaurants with breathtaking views. First is Zino’s Ristorante in Edwards, CO, a few miles from Beavercreek and run by GM Adam Salvaggio and Owner/Exec Chef Nick Haley, an amazingly talented culinary expert who could be a celebrity chef with his passion for food excellence, creativity, and personality. Chef Nick personally prepared and presented items from each section of the menu including some new ones that will debut in the summer menu that launches June 22nd...
The second Italian venue is the newly opened Dulivia Ristorante in Springdale, UT. Along with its next-door sister restaurant, Switchback Grille, they bookend Springdale’s fine dining. Both are owned and operated by Kristen and Michael Marriott. Dulivia customers are greeted with beautiful art, indoor and outdoor seating areas that overlook the Watchman Mtns, classical guitar and jazz music, and a stunning 400 bottle glass wine cooler display. Chef Miguel Aliaga, formally trained in Italian cuisine based on his time spent training in Italy, was at the top of his game with a menu of classic dishes covering all of Italy vs any specific region... With the following accolades, AAA Four Diamond Award for 25 years, Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, OpenTable Diner’s Choice and Beaver Creek #1 Restaurant Rated By Trip Advisor, Grouse Mountain Grill (GMG) in Beavercreek, CO is an easy fine dining choice. GM Daniel Schoenfelder sat us at the best table in the restaurant with a breathtaking view of Beaver Creek Mtn and beautiful green trees vs. a bustling winter ski resort. Exec Chef Anthony Ferrozzo prepared a mouthwatering pan seared Alaskan Halibut served with a corn and fava bean succotash, handmade gnocchi, and carrot lobster jus... Our road trip column concludes with King’s Landing Bistro (KLB) also in Springdale, UT, which offers the best view of the Watchman Mtns from its quaint and romantic patio seating area. It is worth going to KLB even for a glass of wine and an appetizer to savor this view and enjoy the farm to table seasonal menu. Download full column here. |
Week of 6/13/2021 - Robert Renzoni – Respect for the Past, Creating for the Future Picture this. You and your friends are on the De Portola Trail in Temecula Wine Country in SoCal and spot the Tuscan style Tasting Room and Winery of Robert Renzoni Vineyards, sitting on 13 hillside acres of fertile soil, with sunny skies and gentle breezes. Inside, you ask for your favorite red and find out how long the Renzoni family has been making wine. The answer, 135 years, puts a smile on your face as you raise your glass to the family members who made wine history, from Fano Italy in 1886 to Temecula California today.
With such a history of winemaking, Robert Renzoni, with his father Frederick collaborating, founded the beautiful Temecula property in 2006. Despite the “Great Recession” of 2008, the magnificent Italian style tasting room and Mama Rosa’s Trattoria was built, and a family tradition took a giant step forward... This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Flora Bar & Kitchen in Carmel Valley presents a Night in Valle de Guadalupe Winemaker Dinner Wed 6/23/Thu 6/24 @6pm. These are a pair of rare evenings with wines from three of Mexico’s greatest winemakers, with a special menu that complements the wine selections. Cabernets, Italian wines and red blends will all be poured at this event. Call 858-461-0622 for an RSVP. Cost is $70. per person plus tax and gratuity. (2) West End in Del Mar is going all out for Father’s Day Brunch and Dinner Sun 6/20 Brunch from 9:30am to 2:30pm and Dinner from 4 to 8pm. Half off all wine bottles with dinner! View the Brunch and Dinner menu at westenddelmar.com. Make a reservation at 858-259-5878. (3) WineSellar Brasserie in Sorrento Valley San Diego has just revealed its menu for the Tablas Creek Paso Robles Vineyard wine dinner Fri. June 18 and Sat. June 19 at 7pm. These dinners are selling fast. Call 858-450-9557. Menus at winesellar.com. Download full column here. |
Week of 6/6/2021 - Waverly Wows for DAOU Winemaker Dinner. Waverly is Cardiff By The Sea’s latest coastal restaurant and is located in the Cardiff Town Center next to Seaside Market. The start of summer, the drawing down of Covid, the hip décor inside Wavery with swank art, lighting, and a beautiful bar, created an electrifying atmosphere for a recent DAOU Family Estates Wine Dinner narrated by Proprietor and Master Winemaker Daniel Daou. Senior Editor Frank and I were on hand for the festivities. In chatting with others at the dinner, everyone agreed, Waverly had an energetic vibe and amazing food riveling high-end Los Angeles restaurants. It was a perfect venue for the soldout Winemaker Dinner. DAOU also had three other nights of Winemaker Dinners all sold out as well with two nights at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club and one night at Waverly’s sister restaurant, The Kettner Exchange, also in the SDCM group owned and operated by Matthew Spencer...
The 5 course dinner featured fork split Braised Short Ribs with carrots, potato puree, and turnips and was matched with 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Like all the DAOU Bordeaux Cab Sauvs, the Reserve is a shining example of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, with its opaque purple ink color highlighting the fruit quality in DAOU wines with off-the-chart color phenolics due to the terroir of DAOU Mtn at 2,200ft and calcareous soil. The Reserve Cab had blackberry with hints of chocolate on the nose, ripe dark cherry and spice on the palate, and a lingering smooth tannin finish. Perfect Father’s Day Gifts at DAOU Family Estates - Looking for an extra special Father’s Day gift for wine loving fathers? DAOU Family Estates has you covered with a collection of wine gift sets. Many include the newly released DAOU 2018 Soul of a Lion 2018. One of the most popular gift sets includes a 2018 Soul of a Lion 750ml, Lion's Head Pourer, and Luxury Gift Box with complimentary shipping. There is a wide selection of gifts ranging from $85 to $800 and gift cards starting at $25. Details at daouvineyards.com/gifts. Download full column here. |
Week of 5/30/2021 - Meet Up with the Austin Hope Family Wines. The “legacy tasting,” welcome to all who visit, is the best representation of Austin Hope and Treana wines and includes Austin Hope Paso Robles Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($65), displaying a richness that has brought reward to the winery from Wine Enthusiast Magazine as #7 in their list of the Top 100 Wines in the world for 2020. Next, Treana 2019 ($32) was created as a Cabernet to the three men who helped influence Hope’s path: Austin’s father Chuck Hope, his Uncle Paul, and famous Napa Valley winemaker Chuck Wagner. Quest 2018 ($27) is a new wine that expresses the potential and excitement of Paso Roble, a Cab Sauv and Cab Franc red blend. Liberty School 2018 ($16) is a fundamental Cabernet, a versatile wine with a deep crimson color crafting a wine with great value. Finally, Troublemaker (NV $20) shows a richness in color and texture with a scent of black pepper that produces a bold flavor from the dark fruit and a signature splash of blackberry cobbler, finishing with smooth, silky tannins...
Vittorio’s, in Carmel Valley San Diego, was the recent stage for the lineup of Austin Hope Family Wines. The sold out event featured three Treanas and the famed Austin Hope Cabernet (2019). Vittorio’s owner Victor Magalhaes paired it with his ever-popular herb crusted lamb chops, Yukon mashed potatoes and Spring vegetable medley served with Au jus... This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Happy hour is back Mon to Fri, 3-6pm at all North San Diego Vigilucci bars. Celebrate DAD on 6/20 at one of the Vigilucci’s restaurants-vigiluccis.com. (2) A “wow” event on the X Wine Railroad, from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara with multiple tasting trip dates Sat 6/19, Sun 7/11, and Sun 8/9 from 9:15AM to 9:45pm all 3 days, $399 per person, and includes round-trip business class seats, luxury ground transportation in Santa Barbara, a vineyard tour with vineyard style lunch and more, call 702-234-4124. Download full column here. |
Week of 5/23/2021 - Catena Zapata Takes You Higher. When one thinks Malbec, hopefully they are thinking of fruit grown high in the mountains of Mendoza, Argentina. Mendoza is the Malbec capital of the world and just so happens to be the home of Catena Zapata vineyards. Senior Editor Frank Mangio and I were excited to attend a Catena Zapata Wine Dinner at Sal Ercolano’s West End Bar & Kitchen with Winebow Imports, Andii Ulrich, WSET Advanced, narrating the evening. It was only fitting that Chef Noe teamed up with Ercolano’s good friend Jose Luis, a Sommelier and Chef, from Canete, Peru to prepare the five course dinner paired with Catena Zapata wines... (continued in full column)
This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) The WineSellar Brasserie in Sorrento Valley San Diego presents two Carol Shelton Wine dinners Fri. June 4 and Sat. June 5, both at 7pm. Carol’s known as the Zen of Zin with her focused and sophisticated Zinfandels and will be in attendance to share her lovely wines with chef’s perfectly paired courses. RSVP at 858-450-9557 for pricing and availability. (2) Flora Bar & Kitchen in Carmel Valley San Diego is pleased and excited to present “Italian Night” Thurs. June 17 at 6pm with a special engagement by Rosario Monetti, live and in person. Mr. Monetti is well known as a famous opera and Jazz singer. He is also Music Director of the San Diego Italian Film Festival. Flora has crafted a special five course dinner + two glasses of wine for just $90 per person, all inclusive. Call 858-461-0622 to reserve your table. Download full column here. |
Week of 5/16/2021 - Welcome Back Vittorio’s to Taste of Wine – Victor Magalhaes of Vittorio’s Restaurant (Carmel Valley) survived the pandemic with generous price reduction events, pickup and delivery and nightly specials. A few weeks ago, Vittorio’s knew it was time to bring back his popular winery dinners and invited Stags’ Leap of Napa Valley for the first dinner for 2021. The RSVP’s came rushing in and Victor the owner had to almost immediately extend the event to a 2nd night...(see column)
Pelican Hill – A Place Like No Other. This lovely resort in Newport Beach is a feast of Italian inspiration with California splendor. Bungalows and villas are a spacious 847 to 1,624 square feet with all offering spectacular room décor in this world-class resort with a Tom Fazio 36 hole golf course facing breathtaking ocean views. Try the Coliseum Burger for lunch, it paired nicely with the Belle Glos Dairyman Pinot Noir. For dinner, consider the Chilean Sea Bass with Coconut Beurre Blanc with an included side. The wine selected was the ZD Pinot Noir from Carneros Napa Valley... (see column) This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Hope Family Wines (Paso Robles) at Vittorio's Thu 5/27 at 6:30pm. Treana White Blend, Chardonnay, Cabernet and Austin Hope Cabernet will be served. Cost is $75 per person + tax/tip. Reservations at 858-538-5884. (2) Triton Catamaran Luxury Yacht is hosting a Wine Cruise featuring Napa Valley wines by Stellareese Wine Co. Sat 5/22, 3:00-5:30PM. Your $70 ticket includes a 2.5 hour cruise, 2 glasses of Stellareese wine, a Charcuterie Box with gourmet cheese and cured artisanal meat, and Live jazz music by jazz guitarist Alex Ciavarelli. Details at eventbrite.com. (3) Waverly Restaurant / Lounge is hosting a DAOU Family Estate 5 course Wine Dinner with Master Winemaker/Proprietor, Daniel Daou on Wed 5/26 @6:30PM. Chef Brian Redzikowski, is featuring Braised Short Ribs with DAOU Reserve Cab Sauv as the main course. Tickets are $165 per person. Details at exploretock.com/waverly/event/277873/daou-wine-dinner. Download full column here. |
Week of 5/9/2021 - When it’s Cass … Let the Party Begin! The most dynamic duo I know of in the wine making business is Ted Plemons and Steve Cass of Cass Vineyard and Winery in Paso Robles. These guys play off each other like Brady and Gronkowski in the last Super Bowl. It’s been that way since 2000 when builder Plemons created Steve Cass’s new home and barn on the 145 acres Cass had bought to plant 12 varieties of wine. Two years later, Cass and Plemons created their partnership, and they haven’t stopped running the most ambitious program of wine and wine related activities that I know of. They know how to take care of their customers, especially wine club members...
I am most excited with plans for a Cass elite Society of Paso Absolute, by invitation only. This is an opportunity to share your passion to learn and savor premium wines at the winery, cultivating the excellence to understand and love the elite wines to come. Paso Absolute organized travel to notable wine and food districts of the world will light up your knowledge of the source of great wines. Quarterly winemaker dinners, events and entertainment with your friends and family will add memorable moments to your membership... This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Adam Carruth’s Bordeaux Bash returns to Carruth Cellars in Solana Beach Sat. May 22 and Sun. May 23 starting at Noon each day. This event celebrates all Bordeaux varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Guests can blend their own wines and take part in buying futures with up to 40% savings. Reserve a time slot for up to 6 guests. $100 members, $120 public. RSVP 858-876-7027 or carruthcellars.com. (2) West End Bar & Kitchen (Del Mar) presents a wine dinner with Catena Zapata of Mendoza Argentina, Thur/Fri May 20/21 at 6pm. $70 per person plus tax/tip. RSVP 858-259-5878 (3) Encinitas Craftsman Tavern is having their first wine dinner of the year, Wed 5/26 at 6pm. This will be a Spanish wine dinner with wine expert Bryan Taylor. $65 each person. To RSVP call Mike at 760-452-2000. Download full column here. |
Week of 5/2/2021 - An Italian Dynamic Duo – Flora and Antica Senior Editor Frank and I were excited to attend the recent Antica Wine Dinner at Flora Bar & Kitchen under the leadership of Proprietor Sal Ercolano. As a reminder, Ercolano was Taste of Wine and Food’s 2020 Restaurateur of the Year. When many were shuttering restaurants, Ercolano purchased Amici’s and converted it over to Flora knowing its potential once the pandemic eased. Extra special was the fact that this was the first wine dinner held at Flora due to Covid restrictions. The energy at the venue was electrifying for this inaugural dinner. Guests were ready for an amazing dinner paired with beautiful wine. Chef Hilario was at the top of his game for this five course dinner with Napa Valley Antica’s Glenn Salva, Estate Manager, narrating the evening with Ercolano...(See full column below)
Ercolano has two upcoming wine dinners. West End Bar & Kitchen featuring Catena Zapata wines Thu/Fri 5/20-21 at 6pm. Cost is $75 per person plus tax/tip. RSVP 858-259-5878. Save the date, A Night in Valle Guadalupe Winemaker Dinner where Ercolano has Valle Guadalupe winemakers from Vinos Lechuza, Cava Maciel, and Paoloni Vineyards Wed/Thu 6/23-24 at 6PM, Flora Bar & Kitchen in Carmel Valley. Cost is $70 per person plus tax/tip. RSVP at 858-461-0622. This Wine Bytes includes: (1) Cork & Knife Urban Winery is presenting its next Meet the Vintner, Steve Clifton, Wed 5/12, 5-7:30pm. This free wine tasting features Palmina Rose, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. Details at 858.703.8399 (2) Paso Robles Annual Wine Festival Thu 5-20 to Sun 5/23. Enjoy 4 days of wine tastings, winemaker dinners and outdoor winery events. Details at pasowine.com (3) Flora Bar & Kitchen and West End Bar & Kitchen are hosting Mother’s Day brunch and dinners. Both venues have $7 mimosas. Flora also has music by the Dirty Martinis Duo Band 11AM to 2PM. Brunch is served at both from 9:30AM to 3:00PM, dinner from 4:00 to 8:30PM. RSVP at 858.259.5878 (West End) -or- 858.461.0622 (Flora). Download full column here. |
Week of 4/25/2021 - Venetos – Small, Intimate and oh so Delicious You should pay a visit to Venetos Cucina Italiana on the Coast Highway in Oceanside. Rico and I chose a mid-week evening to visit with the owner, taste a few selections from the menu, then enjoy a couple of wine pairings from a largely Mediterranean list - 2016 Vigneti Reale Salice Salentino Riserva from Pulgia in the south of Italy and Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2017 ($40) . We were met at the front door by owner and manager Pino Bottalico, a quick-witted, sprightly, relaxed restaurateur for more than 30 years. We started with garlic knots and fresh baked bread enhancing a Caesar Insalata, then split a beautiful Margherita Pizza with Prosciutto. For the main course Rico dined on Vitello alla Parmigiana (two breaded veal patties topped with Marinara sauce and Mozzarella, with fresh zucchini, broccoli and carrots and a side of pasta). I had one look at the Ravioli entry with Ricotta filled shells with lots of luscious meat sauce covered with Parmesan cheese.
Rico and I smartly saved some room for the “Dolce” extraordinaire…. a Homemade Tiramisu! Chef Domingo Romero presides over the kitchen crew, working hard to get meals out to the tables that are hot and flavorful. Venetos hours are Lunch Wed. through Sun. at 11am. Dinner nightly Mon-Sun. 3pm to 9pm. For reservations and take out, call 760-722-1228. Visit VenetosCucinaItaliana.com. This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Vigiluccci’s Trattoria in Leucadia now has lunches Sat/Sun from 12 to 3pm. Details at 760-634-2365. (2) Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse in San Diego, and all other locations, are hiring and are offering a signing bonus. Apply in San Diego at 619-272-5060. (3) The Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery in Temecula will again be offering their popular annual Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch Sun. May 9th with Mediterranean style foods, 10am to 3pm and includes a complimentary glass of Champagne along with other beverage options and discounted Falkner wine by the glass. Live entertainment. RSVP at 951-676-8231 ext. 4. or falknerwinery.com. Download full column here. |
Week of 4/18/2021 - New and Exciting Wines from the Class of ’21. In the wine world it’s the season of new, fresh bottles of current vintage wines pouring into the palates of reviewers, the press and tasting rooms. Winemakers are hoping to get a jump start on sales from the ever growing population of wine aficionados whose devotion to wine knows no bounds. A couple of developments I’ve noted are the number of colorful labels with bold letters and symbols splashed across the front of new bottles. And there never seems to be enough red blends coming from California wineries. Here are a few “classy” examples: Cakebread Cellars Napa Cabernet Franc 2018 ($60), Les Tourelle de la Cree Cuvee Knights Templar Cote de Beane Rouge 2016 ($50), Coen Classic Malbec Mendoza Argentina 2019 ($25), DAOU Reserve Eye of the Falcon Paso Robles 2018 ($75), Flora Springs Trilogy Napa Valley 2018 ($85), Hess Select Chardonnay Monterey 2018 ($13), and La Storia Zinfandel Alexander Valley Sonoma Estate 2018 ($26)...
This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) A L’venture Wine Dinner at Winesellar Brasserie featuring Winemaker and owner Stephan Asseo, Fri 4/23 at 6pm in Sorrento Valley district of San Diego. Asseo went from making wine in Bordeaux France to Paso Robles with his own winery. Call for price and reserve the 3 course dinner at 858-450-9557 (2) Stags’ Leap winery of Napa Valley will join Vittorio’s for its wine dinners on Wed 4/28 at 6pm in Carmel Valley district of San Diego for its 5 course dinner. Cost is $75 plus tax and tip. Call 858-538-5884. (3) Sal Ercolano’s FLORA Bar & Kitchen in Carmel Valley has 3 specials you have to take advantage of from 4:30 to 9:30pm. On Tuesdays, buy one pizza and get one free with the same value. Choose your pizza with 2 beverages, inside or outside. Wednesdays are free corkage nights. Bring your favorite bottle of wine for dinner and FLORA will take care of the rest. Thursdays are $7. Martinis. Details at 858-461-0622. Download full column here. |
Week of 4/11/2012 - PASO – An Unbroken Circle of World Class Wines. Paso Robles reaches far and wide along the Central Coast, perfectly located between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Your first decision in Paso will be where to stay. It will be your easiest. The only true wine country resort is Allegretto, nestled in 20 acres that includes a working vineyard, olive and fruit trees, 171 guest rooms and suites, a restaurant with a chef’s garden, wine bar and rooms and hallways of collectable art and lush gardens...
-Starting out from the Allegretto Resort, Paso’s Town Square is worth a visit with its quaint restaurants, shops and more than 20 wine bars. 10 minutes south we visited Denner. It was awarded one of the Wine Spectator top 20 wines in the world in 2019 for its Dirt Worshipper, a French Rhone Valley style blend of 98% Syrah, with 1% Viognier and 1% Roussanne... -Alta Colina, Spanish for “high hill,” is a high country winery operated by Bob Tillman and Daughter Maggie Tillman, they’ve made superior Rhone style wines since 2003. The high elevation, hard to get to steep hillsides, present unlimited possibilities for quality. We tasted the Alta Colina wines at their “Summit Tasting,”... -We ended the memorable day in downtown Paso Robles, Buona Tavola, featuring Northern Italian cuisine. While the owner chatted by phone inviting us back soon, Anthony Versochi, a DAOU employee since 2013 and current DAOU Lab Manager, unveiled and signed for Rico and me his new personally made wine, the 2018 PIUS, a 100% Cab Sauv sourced from Paso’s Adelaida District, awarded 95 pts by Wine Enthusiast. -Other winning wineries include: Hope Family Wines, Halter Ranch, Niner Wine Estates, San Antonio Winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard and Turley Wine Cellars. -This week's Wine Bytes include: FLORA Bar & Kitchen presents a dinner with Antica Winery of Napa Valley & the Antinori Family Wine Estate, Thu/Fri 4/22 and 23 at 6pm with Estate Manager Glenn Salva. The FLORA menu will pair perfectly with Antica wines including a Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Select. Cost is $70 per person. RSVP at 858-461-0622. Download full column here. |
Week of 4/4/2021 - Behind the Scenes: DAOU Family Estates - Senior Editor Frank Mangio and I (Rico) had the pleasure of spending two days behind the scenes with Daniel Daou, Proprietor/Master Winemaker, along with others from Team DAOU Family Estates during our recent Paso Robles trip. For a wine and food journalist, it gets no better than this.
Our behind the scenes adventure included dinner at Daniel’s house, a tour of DAOU Mountain including barrel tasting, the initial testing and tasting of 2020 Soul of a Lion, the new site of PATRIMONY Estates and a tour of Gabrielle’s Vineyard. We also enjoyed dinner at Buona Tavola, covered next week... continued on full column below. Download full column here. |
Week of 3/28/2021 - Carruth Cellars Rolls Out the Barrels - Senior Editor Frank Mangio and I, along with 200 other guests, had the opportunity to taste and enjoy 10 red wine barrel samples at Carruth Cellars (2 day sold out) 11th Annual 2021 Barrel Tasting Party. Adam Carruth, Proprietor/Winemaker, showcased his latest creations. Attendees were able to take advantage of up to 40% savings.
The following 2019 vintages were presented at 5 stations: Pinot Noir/Sangiovese (Sta1), Zinfandel/ Merlot (Sta2), Cab Franc/Malbec (Sta3), a duel of Alexander Valley/Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (Sta4) and finished with Petit Sirah/Syrah (Sta5). Many of these have pedigrees as Double Gold, Gold, and Silver winning vintages... FoodTrucktopia.com and DJ Nickolai Beats was there for food and great tunes. Be sure to Save the Date for Carruth Cellars Bordeaux Celebration on May 22 and 23. Attendees will be able to enjoy barrel samples and reserve wines including mini verticals. Check out carruthcellars.com. Gianni Buonomo Scores Double Gold, Best in Class-Congrats to Gianni Buonomo Vintners lead by Proprietor and Winemaker Keith Rolle for their recent wins at the esteemed West Coast Wine Competition in Petaluma CA for 2017 Gianni Buonomo Avennio (GOLD, 92pts). Even bigger were their wins from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC) for the following: (1) 2016 Buonomo Reserve Charbono, DOUBLE GOLD – BEST OF CLASS (2) 2017 Gianni California Petite Sirah, DOUBLE GOLD and (3) 2017 Gianni Buonomo Maestrale, GOLD. This week's Wine Bytes includes: Happy Hour at West End Bar & Kitchen (Del Mar). $5 Wine, $7 cocktails, $2 off beers and 20% off all food on starter menu (4:30-6:30pm). (2) Vittorio’s (Carmel Valley) allows customers to pay your bill in cash and get 10% back in a gift card. (3) Parc Bistro-Brasserie (San Diego) re-opens its doors for a Live Music Easter Celebration Sun 4/4 10am to 8pm. Enjoy a 3 course Prix-Fixe Menu, live music with Celeste Barbier 11-2pm and Carlos Valesco 4 to 7pm. Brunch from 10 to 3pm and dinner from 3 to 8pm. Download full column here. |
Week of 3/21/2021 - Ten Current Release Wines to Cheer on 2021. As I dot the final i and cross the last t on this column, I’ll get to the final socks, shoes and shirts that I’ll pile into my luggage. Rico and I then head north from San Diego County to Paso Robles to meet and greet some of the finest wine heroes to fill a bottle of wine in California. While you and I have hung out at home for the most part of last year, those heroes have found a way to make reds and whites that only get better with age. The forecast in Paso, as it will be all over the West Coast, is clear and sunny for the next week. Follow the rules as most have done, but be sure to get out and support a winery. Rico, time to pop some new corks.
In alphabetical order: - Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles CA. 2018. $56. - DAOU Estate Soul of a Lion Cabernet Sauvignon Blend Paso Robles CA. 2018. $150. - Far Niente Estate Chardonnay Napa Valley CA. 2018. $70. - La Storia Trentadue Cuvee 32 Alexander Valley Sonoma CA. 2018. $36. - Northstar Merlot Walla Walla Columbia Valley WA. 2013. $25. Rico’s Picks Thanks for the hand off Frank. Love your selections above. Many we shared together. We are indeed in store for a great trip up north for some of the finest that Paso Robles has to offer. I look forward to paying tribute to the wine heroes you mentioned above, and I too will also be finishing up my packing as soon as we wrap up this column. - Belle Glos Dairyman Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Sonoma County CA. 2018. $55. - Falkner Amante Super Tuscan Style Temecula Valley CA. 2017. $60. - Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley CA. 2016. $50. - Justin Isosceles Blend Paso Robles CA. 2017. $76. - San Simeon Petit Sirah Paso Robles CA. 2018. $23. Download full column here. |
Week of 3/14/2021 - Falkner Winery Recovers with Award Winning Wines & its Pinnacle Restaurant
Ray and Loretta Falkner overcome a double whammy of covid and a fire that burned down their winery June 5th 2020. After the fire, Ray with winemaker Duncan Williams at his side had to inspect wine in barrels and tanks along with bottles laid down and inventory one by one along with lab testing to determine what could be saved. Frank and Rico recently revisited Falkner wines at their award winning Pinnacle Restaurant with Ray and Duncan over lunch. It was a true test of agility to overcome a major fire in the middle of a pandemic. Falkner Winery’s first big Pinnacle event of this year is the Easter Champagne Brunch on Sunday April 4 from 10am to 3pm. The delicious premium menu, created by Executive Chef Jason Barradas, will be ala carte Mediterranean style, with live entertainment. All guests over 21 will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne. Reservations should be made ASAP by calling 951-676-8231 ext 4, or online at their website falknerwinery.com. This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Join L’Auberge Del Mar Fridays and Saturday evenings for a new outdoor dining experience with vibrant live music, light bites or full dining experience. Call 877-713-4896. (2) Live music is back at the Loft, at Lorimar Winery Tasting Room in Old Town Temecula, from 4 to 7pm every Fri. and Sat. For details and entertainers, call 951-694-6699. (3) Meet the winemaker of Castelli Family Wines, Mike Castelli, at Cork and Knife in Escondido. Sample the Castelli Syrah and Sangiovese wines, Wed. March 24 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. For more info, visit corknknife.com. Download full column here. |
Week of 3/7/2021 - 3rd Time’s the Charm for Schramsberg & West End Back in the beginning of December 2020, Sal Ercolano, TASTE OF WINE & FOOD’S Restaurateur of the Year, disappointedly shared the news that he could not stage the last and most important wine dinner of the year, his West End Del Mar Bar & Kitchen Schramsberg 3 night soiree. New state rules forbid any restaurant dining. He had sold out all 3 nights. After a 2nd postponement of another 3-night Schramsberg series in January for the same reason, restaurants were finally granted approval to open with rules and conditions attached, in February. A 3 night series at West End with Schramsberg and partner wine J. Davies, was finally and successfully completed with a sell-out for the event by the dinner loving faithful...
Frank tips his hat to Flora bar & kitchen for their luscious Lasagna Bandiera, their lead entrée and pair with Joe Wagner's 2019 Belle Glos Los Alturas... This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Del Mar Highlands Town Center, as part of their $120 million dollar expansion, is welcoming 15 new tenants including the new concept Sky Deck of restaurants. It rounds out the over 80 retailers for this top lifestyle destination. (2) DAOU Family Estates of Paso Robles will be the first guest winery of a 5 course wine dinner at FLORA Bar & Kitchen in Carmel Valley, Tue. and Wed. March 23 and 24 at 6pm. DAOU’s signature wine, the lovely Soul of a Lion, will highlight the event paired with Wild Ossobuco. Cost is $75. per person plus tax and gratuity. Call now at 858-461-0622 to reserve your seat. DAOU Wine and other prizes will be given away. Download full column here. |
Week of 2/28/2021 - DAOU Family Estates Evolves and Transcends DAOU Family Estates continues to evolve and transcend with memories of Joseph and Marie Daou, Georges and Daniel’s world-renowned efforts, and the next generation of Daous working in operations, winemaking, and viticulture. Daniel and Georges would say the best yet to come! Visit daouvineyards.com. Story #2 - All Aboard the Good Ship Poseidon. This photo could have been taken on a luxury cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico but it wasn’t. It was taken last week in the middle of winter in Del Mar, less than 10 miles from my SoCal Carlsbad home. Del Mar is a surfing fiefdom where soaking in the sunset is a rite of passage. The “luxury cruise ship” is really the deck of the Poseidon restaurant, with coastal cuisine on the beach and a front row view of the best natural show the world has to offer, the daily sunset. Poseidon seems to flow with the tide, sand and surf. You could be in Santorini Greece, Portofino Italy or Nice France with a setting like this.
This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Italian Weekend Brunch Sat/Sun Flora Bar & Kitchen (Carmel Valley), 1030am to 1:30pm. Live music on Saturday's with “Dirty Martinis” band. Add Bottomless Mimosas to your brunch for $14 additional. RSVP at 858-461-0622.(2) Carruth Cellars Urban Winery (Cedros Design Center Solana Beach) is celebrating its 11th annual Barrel Tasting Party Sat and Sun (3/20 & 3/21). Taste the best wines straight from barrels. Reserve a private time slot (4 to 6 people per slot) to enjoy 10+ wine varietals, souvenir glass, live music, and food trucks. Purchase wine before release at a generous discount. 21+ socially distanced experience. Mask wearing enforced. $56 members, $70 public. Tix at carruthcellars.com or 858-847-WINE. (3)Gianni Buonomo Vintners, named Best San Diego Winery past 2 yrs by SD Magazine, is inviting the public to have their artwork on a wine label ($100 winner). Submissions accepted through 4/23. gbvintners.com/winelabel. Download full column here. |
Week of 2/21/2021 - Turbo Charging Your Smoker with Instant Pot. Rico shows how to turbo charge smoker cooking time with Instant Pot cooking Costco Pork Sirloin Tip Roasts in half the smoker time. He and Senior Editor Frank enjoy 2018 DAOU Reserve and Estate Cabernets. Rico walks through making killer cheesecake in Instant Pot.
This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) West End Bar & Kitchen (Del Mar) kicks off the 2021 Wine Dinner series with royal treatment including Schramsberg Sparkling Wine Vineyards and Davies Vineyards of Napa Valley in a memorable 3 night wine dinner, Thu - Sat Feb 25-27, 6pm. This event is close to a sell-out so don’t delay. Cost is $95 per person plus tax/gratuity. RSVP at 858-259-5878. (2) WineSellar Brasserie (Sorrento Valley) San Diego, is presenting an Eleven Eleven Wine Dinner Sat 2/27 at 6pm. Entice your senses and make your moment as this small production boutique winery introduces wines that are single vineyard and single varietal from winemaker Kirk Venge. A 4 course dinner will climax with the 2018 Eleven Eleven XI Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Oak Knoll in the heart of Napa Valley. Cost is $110 with club members discounted to $100 each. RSVP at 858-450-9557. (3) It’s “Vintage Paso” with over 100 local Paso Robles wineries celebrating Paso’s own Zinfandels Fri - Sun Mar 19-21. Each of the wineries will have their own special schedule to smell, sip and savor the heritage of Paso, under current state approved rules, which are currently only allowing outdoor service with a maximum 6 people per party. Get the full 3 day program with the wineries and locations within Paso by visiting pasowine.com/events. Download full column here. |
Week of 2/14/2021 - This week Senior Editor Franks discusses Cakebread’s New Cab, EJ Gallo Adds 30 new brands and 5 wineries, and Finding Wine Excellence at $25 or Less.
This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Skip Coomber reminded me that his Coomber Craft Wines on Mission in Oceanside has live pop and country music 7 nights a week starting at 6pm. His “back yard” stage is state of the art with lots of outdoor seating and heating, with super quick wine and food orders. Details at coomber.com or call 760-231-8022. (2) Here’s a reported restaurant change to check out later in the year. A long-time favorite of mine with fabulous ocean views is saying its goodbyes. Charthouse, part of the Landry chain of luxury restaurants will be spiffed up to become Mastro’s Ocean Club at Restaurant Row along the Coast Highway in Cardiff. Charthouse goes back to the 50’s and was a casual surf and turf restaurant where surfers hung out with the money crowd. Details like architectural upgrades, alcohol service times, dress code and entertainment are still being worked out according to press sources. Happy Valentine's Day - Frank and Rico Download full column here. |
Week of 2/7/2021 - DAOU’s PATRIMONY Estate Dream Team is Born. Every great legacy begins with a back story... (see column)
During the interview, I asked what makes PATRIMONY different from Soul of a Lion, which is dedicated to Daniel and Georges’ father Joseph who told the boys when life gets tough, have the “Soul of a Lion.” Soul is a spectacular wine as well, with 100% estate, free run juice outselling the best of Napa Valley wines. Daniel shared, “It is all about the phenolics” and gave an example of color. “Most first growth Bordeaux wines have color at 180 parts per million (ppm). Soul of a Lion has around 300ppm, and PATRIMONY has 480+ ppm.” PATRIMONY is aged in three different barriques, including limited Tonnellerie Sylvain barrels made from 362-year-old fine-grain oak, originating from a forestry program initiated during the reign of Louis XIV; only 35 of these barrels were produced from two fallen oaks. The aging includes 30 months in barrels and an additional year in the bottle. This creates seamless integration with perfect balance in color, structure, and tannins resulting in PATRIMONY’s “Modern Antiquity” deserving to compete on the world stage. I had one final question for Daniel, Why PATRIMONY? He said, “...PATRIMONY is Georges’ and my legacy. This is what Georges and I want to leave the world and be remembered by.” Starting with the 2017 vintage, each bottle is prominently molded above the label with LEGATUM NOSTRUM meaning Our Legacy in Latin. This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) West End Bar & Kitchen (Del Mar) presents Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards of Napa Valley for 3 nights of wine dinners (Thu-Sat Feb 25-27). Cost is $95. per person. RSVP at 858-259-5878 (2) Flora Bar & Kitchen (Carmel Valley) is planning a DAOU wine dinner with Proprietor and Winemaker Daniel Daou, Wed Mar 24 at 6pm. This 5 course dinner menu features DAOU wines including world class DAOU Soul of a Lion. RSVP at 858-461-0622. Cost is $75 per person. Download full column here. |
Week of 1/31/2021 - Wineries/Restaurants Open Again for Outdoor Tasting and Dining. With Valentines Day just a brief couple of weeks away, our needy friends in the hospitality and wine business would love to see you for a hearty glass of wine and a dinner away from home. If time permits check out Paso Robles Cass Winery headed up by Steve Cass and Ted Plemons, especially now with their newest modern winery retreat, Geneseo Inn at Cass. Geneseo Inn is a luxury boutique hotel nestled in the rolling hills of Cass Winery’s 145 acres of vineyard, allowing guests to “breathe in the vineyard views.” featuring ultra-modern appliances and décor, panoramic elevated vineyard views from a private bedroom deck, and an included daily Estate Breakfast, prepared by the executive chef. Chef gardens are grown around the perimeter of Geneseo, making it the quintessential food, wine and lodging experience. Guests can ramp up their adventure with an optional “Cass Camp” experience in the vineyard, making it a playground of fun and learning. Pick from horseback riding, cooking classes, E-bike rentals, archery and a “field to fork” class. Of course, this is a VIP winery with the emphasis on Rhone style French wines, led by a 2015 Backbone Syrah, which hits double gold annually. casswines.com.
DAOU Family Estates Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift. Toast your love with a “Soulmates” Gift Set that includes: a 2017 Magnum Soul of a Lion and a lion head pourer-aerator in a luxury gift box. This Bordeaux Blend wine displays richness, elegance and balance, the hallmarks of a superb growing season that allowed for extended ripening. A deep, complex bouquet reveals notes of cassis, black currant, licorice, incense, ripe plum and vanilla. Cost for the DAOU Magnum Soul of a Lion Valentines gift set is $350 plus $10. flat shipping. To order yours go to daouvineyards.com. Download full column here. |
Week of 1/24/20201 - Instant Pot “Tailgating” with Baby Back Ribs. A rare, good thing to come out of the Covid pandemic this year, at least for me, was my introduction and adoption of Instant Pot cooking. Based on the popularity of the Rigatoni alla Bolognese column a few weeks back, it seemed fitting to write a new column highlighting Instant Pot “Tailgating.” A clear advantage of watching a playoff game at home is having electricity to power up an Instant Pot to make some baby back pork ribs and homemade onion rings.
Before the ribs were made, Senior Editor Frank jumped in on the action with two rounds of appetizers. Round 1 included Borrelli’s pizza, Genoa Aged Salami, cheese and olives. Round 2 was Norwegian Salmon along with toasted French bread topped with caramel sauce. The appetizers were paired with a 2016 Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The Phelps had black fruit, anise, and coffee on the nose with a creamy texture on the palate finishing with spices, vanilla, and notes of fig well complementing the appetizer poo poos. josephphelps.com. I love having Syrah with pork. After digging through my collection, I decided on a 2013 Carruth Cellars Sonoma Valley from Hershberg Vineyard with great fruit and Syrah jaminess, medium tannins, and a nice long finish. carruthcellars.com. Download full column for ribs, onion rings, and chocolate lava cake recipes. |
Week of 1/17/2021 - Taste of Wine & Food Restaurateur of the Year is Sal Ercolano
Sal Ercolano is the proprietor of three San Diego Restaurants including Seasalt Bistro in Del Mar and newly added West End Bar & Kitchen in Del Mar and FLORA Bar & Kitchen in Carmel Valley. While most are barely surviving, Ercolano, the shrewd restaurateur that he is, is opening new establishments in a pandemic. Another reason it was an easy call to select Ercolano is his his commitment to serve his customers as his special guests and his employees as family. Also, his amazing value wine dinners. These 5 course wine dinners with premium wineries such as Caymus, DAOU, and Cakebread, nominally for around $60 along with discounted wine offers at the dinners make these terrific value dinners. Speaking of wine dinners, A special “Royal Night” wine dinner event is planned for Thurs. Feb. 25 thru Sat. Feb. 27 at 6pm. Schramsberg American sparkling wines along with Davies Vineyards, both from Napa Valley, will accompany a memorable 5 course West End dinner for a limited number of guests. These three nights WILL sell out so please call for your place at 858-259-5878. Cost is $95. per person. Bravo, Bravo Sal Ercolano on being our Restaurateur of the Year! Download full column here. |
Week of 1/10/2020 - Rigatoni Bolognese alla Instant Pot. Tech Director/Writer (and Instant Pot) chef surprises Senior Editor Frank with his fav pasta dish - Rigatoni Bolognese along with Chocolate Lave Cake, both made in an Instant Pot. Frank and Rico enjoyed 2018 DAOU Bodyguard during meal prep and a 2015 Talenti Brunello di Montalcino at dinner. See the column for both recipes.
This week's Wine Bytes include: West End Bar & Kitchen has rescheduled their Royal Night Wine Dinners to: Thurs. Feb. 25 to Sat. Feb. 27 at 6pm featuring Schramsberg Vineyards and Davies Vineyards. Schramsberg Vineyards focus on producing the finest and most complex handcrafted Chardonnay sparkling wines in California. West End has carefully chosen their favorite selections and uniquely paired them to complement their flavors. Call now 858-259-5878 to reserve your place. Cost is $95. per person plus tax and gratuity. Download full column here. |
Week of 1/3/2021 - The Latest Napa Valley Cabs from To Kalon+ a Tale or Two from that ‘Holy Grail’ Vineyard.
Behold To Kalon Vineyard on Highway 29, adjacent to Mondavi Winery in the Oakville district of Napa Valley. Known in inner circles as the “Kingmaker” Vineyard, wineries in Napa that can afford to buy grapes from To Kalon have gone on to fame and fortune, thanks to this fragmented 1,000 acre expanse of wine grape-growing land. I had the extreme good fortune of walking several rows of To Kalon several years ago, experiencing this higher world of “first growth” vines, and tapping into its magical well-draining gravelly soil where vines must search deep underground for water, creating ideal stress for grapes to ripen... Two recent dynamic wines have emerged recently with To Kalon grapes, the 2015 Blind Justice 100% Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon, with a recent sale price of $174.95 and the 2016 Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon with a recent sale price of $218.95. Visit at bountyhunterwine.com. This week's Wine Bytes (1) Sal Ercolano’s West End Bar & Kitchen in Del Mar has opened his entire menu to take out and delivery. Daily hours are 4 to 8pm. Check out his website for surprise offers and special news at westenddelmar.com. (2) Chandler’s Oceanfront Dining at Cape Rey Resort in Carlsbad has new family style dinners (for 2 to 4 persons) pick up only Wednesday thru Sunday from 4 to 8pm. Call 760-683-5500 or visit chandlerscarlsbad.com. (3) The Morada Restaurant at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe has “Comfort Classics for Home.” Choose from a menu of cocktails and newly added dinner items like Braised Beef Short Rib and Buttermilk Fried Chicken dinner for two. Open for your order from 8am to 8pm. Call 858-381-8289 or visit theinnatrsf.com. Download full column here. |
Week of 12/27/2020 - Meet our BIG TEN Best Winning Wines for 2020. In our previous column we unveiled the World’s Top Ten wines from Wine Spectator. Six countries were represented, the result of blind tasting of over 11,000 wines. Rico and I keep our tasting to nearly 1,000 wines that are readily available at most supermarkets, wine shops and online.
We are now pleased to present our BIG 10 best wines of the year. Unlike Spectator, they are not ranked, but are listed alphabetically, equally excellent in flavor, body, value (the wine’s price comparison) and the “wow” factor. The five from my corner starts off with… - Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany Italy 2016. $24. - Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2017. $25. - Orin Swift Abstract Red Blend, Napa Valley 2018. $34. - Runquist Reserve Barbera, Plymouth CA 2018. $48. - San Simeon Monterey Pinot Noir 2017. $23. Rico’s Picks-Frank thank you for the handoff. This pun was intentional with the kickoff (another pun) of the NFL playoff season. - Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley, 2018. $55. - Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016. $70. - Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016. $40. - DAOU Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2016. $85. - Talenti Brunello di Montalcino, 2015. $50. This week's Wine Bytes include: Seasalt Seafood Bistro rescheduled their Royal Night Wine Dinners to: Thu 1/14 to Sat 1/16 at 6pm featuring Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards. Schramsberg focuses on producing the finest and most complex handcrafted Chardonnay sparkling wines in California. Seasalt has carefully chosen their favorite selections and uniquely paired them to complement their flavors. Call 858-755-7100 to RSVP. Cost is $95 per person plus tax and gratuity. Happy New Year 2021 to all our readers! Frank and Rico Download full column here. |
Week of 12/13/20202: Guy Fieri – A Restaurateur Hero
* Rico features Food Network Culinary Star Guy Fieri. Fieri raised $21M leading the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF) where 43,000 $500 grants were dished out to those in the restaurant industry devastated by Covid. * Senior Editor Frank reviews Wine Spectators (WS) 2020 Top Ten. WS blind-tasted over 11,000 wines this year with nearly 50% rated as 90 points or higher. The top 100 wines will be revealed in WS in their next edition, evaluated for quality, value, availability and the “wow” factor. Truly a world class list, there are 6 countries represented in the WS Top Ten:U.S. (California 3 & Oregon 1), France (2), Italy (2), Argentina (1) and Spain (1). * This week's Wine Bytes features Sal Ercolano’s West End in Del Mar and Flora in Carmel Valley still open for take out dinners. (1) West End has free delivery up to 3 miles, every day from 4pm to 8pm. Buy $50. worth of take out food and select a bottle of wine from the menu at a 50% discount. Call 858-259-5878. (2) Flora is Ercolano’s Farm to Table family restaurant featuring delicious Italian specialties. Take out and delivery hours are 4 to 8pm Tues. thru Sun. Buy $50. worth of dinner and get a free pizza of your choice, up to $15. Call 858-461-0622. Limited time on both specials. Frank and Rico wish all of our readers a relaxing, healthy, and joyous holiday season! Download full column here |
Week of 12/6/2020 - Here & There in the Wine World.
* Senior Editor Frank interviewed Paolo Paoloni of Montefiori Winery in the Guadalupe Valley of Baja Mexico to present his newest wines in a novel way - a staged blind tasting of Paolo's 2013 Sangiovese Grasso vs a 2014 Italian Brunello... * Stella Rosa Golden Honey Peach wine sports a nutrition label on its wine... * The talk around Napa Valley after the recent Glass Fire did its damage is the extent of that damage to future wine production. The whisper around the vineyards is that “smoke taint” is a permanent defect to the 2020 Napa and Sonoma vintage... * Wine Spectator will began their countdown to the Top 100 wines in world for 2020, Monday December 7th. TASTE OF WINE & FOOD will bring you the results of The Top Ten from Spectator as well as its own Top Ten before the year ends. You don’t want to miss a bottle. This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Our friends at DAOU Family Estates in Paso Robles are internet offering the DAOU Legacy Collection for the holidays, for $450. It consists of 3 bottles of DAOU Soul of a Lion 2017 in an elegant custom DAOU signature wooden box with shipping included (2) The Vineyard Rose restaurant at South Coast Winery, Resort and Spa in Temecula celebrates the holiday with a Christmas Carry Out on Fri. Dec. 25th from 11am to 2pm., pre ordered for 4 or more. It features Turkey Breast and all the trimmings. Dinner for 4 to-go is $99. Pre-orders must be placed by Noon on Tues. Dec. 22 by calling 855-232-1557. (3) Seasalt Del Mar is offering 25% off Takeout Pasta! Offer is good for any specialty pasta dish to-go, Tues. thru Sun. from 4:30pm til 8:30pm. Call 858-755-7100. Download full column here. |
Week of 11/29/2020 - Carruth Cellars Annual Reserve Sale – A Huge Success.
Carruth Cellars, held their Annual Reserve Sale a few weeks ago. Once a year, the Carruth Cellars team digs deep into their reserve wine storage to gather up limited and award winning wines for their largest annual sale. It was a great opportunity to stock up on bottles up to 50% off as gifts for wine loving friends, and favorites to fill your own wine rack! Guests enjoyed tastings of limited and endangered wines at five stations spread throughout the tasting room. The admission price included 12 tastings, a special event take home logo wine glass, and a Red Oven wood fired personal pizza... Another Pandemic Result – a Thanksgiving Feast in a Box. Remember the time when Thanksgiving meant inviting the neighborhood and as many family members as could drive or fly in to fill up on a Thanksgiving feast at your home. This year was very different and this Thanksgiving Day we had to deal with gatherings of “under ten” only, masks and six foot distancing. The only thing that remained the same for us was that beautiful Pinot Noir wine that paired perfectly with this year’s eventual Thanksgiving dinner… in a box along with three Pinot Noirs: Frank Family Carneros Napa Valley, 2018, Laetitia Estate Arroyo Grande Valley, 2018, and San Simeon Monterey, Estate Reserve 2017... Wine Bytes (1) Coomber Craft Wines continue a creative combination of wine flights and a sensible wine club, quick-order food from neighbor restaurants and a covered outdoor concert stage with seating that respects distance, attracting guests to listen to live top regional talent. A full 6 nights a week of bookings has been scheduled for Dec 5:30pm and 7:30pm. Details at CoomberWines.com. (2) Seasalt (Del Mar) offering 25% off any Pasta Dish every Wed for a limited time from 4:30pm both dine and take out. Other discounts include brunch & taco specials. Call 858-755-7100. Download full column here. |
Week of 11/22/2020 - Napa Valley’s Iconic Chateau Montelena Comes to West End Del Mar. Chateau Montelena is one of the legendary wineries founded in the late 1800s in one of the most iconic wine regions in the world, Napa Valley. Specifically, the winery is in Calistoga at the foot of Mount Saint Helena. Senior Editor Frank and I had the pleasure of attending a Chateau Montelena Wine Dinner at Sal Ercolano’s West End Bar & Kitchen in Del Mar narrated by Young’s Market John Parker this past week...
The 4th and main course featured Veal Osso Bucco over wild mushroom risotto served with bone allowing guests to dig out the flavorful bone marrow. The 2017 Napa Valley Cab Sauvignon was an easy choice for this course. The 79% Cab, 21% Merlot blend had cocoa and fig on the nose with plum and dried fruit on the palate... This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Morton’s The Steakhouse in downtown San Diego has a Wine & Divine Duo dinner for two for $99, Sun - Thur for the rest of November. You get dinner for 2 and a bottle of wine to share. Details at mortons.com or call 619-696-3369. (2) Seasalt Seafood Bistro presents a Royal Night for 3 nights: Wed 12/16, Thur 12/17, and Sat 12/19 at 6pm featuring Schramsberg Vineyards and Davies Vineyards. Schramsberg Vineyards focuses on producing the finest and most complex handcrafted Chardonnay sparkling wines in California. Seasalt has carefully chosen their favorite selections and uniquely paired them to complement their flavors. Call now 858-755-7100 to reserve your place. Cost is $95 per person plus tax and gratuity. Download full column here. |
Week of 11/15/2020 - The Radical Romance of Zinfandel. This month Zinfandel wineries are celebrating their story in California and urging consumers to try it, you’ll like it. Zin lovers are probably laughing to themselves along with others that know better. This wine has been and is the real stuff: a jammy, briary, mouthwatering, big-fruit wine that you either love like no other, or like some, turn your back on the musclebound, high-alcohol slug of a wine..
Featured Zins include: • Carol Shelton, Mendocino County Wild Thing Old Vine Zin, 2018 ($19.) • Grgich Hills, Rutherford Napa Valley Zin ($36.) • Opolo Mountain Zin, Paso Robles ($23.) • Rombauer, St Helena Napa Valley Zin ($35.) • Seghesio Winery, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley Cortina Zin ($40.) • Turley Wine Cellars, Paso Robles, Ueberroth Zin 2017 ($48.) Buy Wine by the Six-Pack and Save Big at PAON - Dave Andersson, C.C.S. Certified Sommelier manages their wholesale wine program called Peacock Selection Wine of the Week, with fabulous brands offered at wholesale prices purchased by customers in six-packs or by the case. Ask for Steve or Dave to receive the e mail weeklies for each “Peacock” wine selection at 760-729-7377. This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Lorimar Winery and Vineyard in Temecula live new music groups include Those Guys, Fri 11/20, 6 to 9pm. Admission is free. Food and wine is available for purchase. (2) Thanksgiving traditions featured at Westgate Hotel, downtown San Diego on Thanksgiving, 11/26. Seating begins at 11am for their 4 course Prix Fixe Menu for $79 each. A Thanksgiving Family Dinner to-go 2 person dinner is $90. Call 619-238-1818 for details. (3) Chandler’s Oceanfront Dining in Carlsbad has live music outside on Sundays from 5 to 7pm. On Nov. 22 and 29 it’s Alex Elisabeth. Grab some friends for good eats and drinks, at Chandler’s, the Cape Rey Resort. Details at 760-683-5500. Download full column here. |
Week of 11/8/2020-A Tale of Two Legends – Morton’s & DAOU. If you asked Senior Editor Frank and me our favorite steakhouse, Morton’s The Steakhouse, would be at the top of our lists. If asked our favorite wine, DAOU Family Estates would be at the top of our wine lists. We were instantly salivating when we saw the “A Tale of Two Legends” Morton’s The Steakhouse DAOU Wine Dinner announced. Frank and I were excited to attend the four-course 5 star dinner at the San Diego Morton’s venue overseen by General Manager Tim Reed and narrated by DAOU Family Estate, Daniel Brunner, CSW, Assistant Division Sales Manager, Southern California.
DAOU Family Estates is owned by brothers Georges and Daniel Daou. Daniel is also their winemaker. I would add that Daniel is one of the top master winemakers in the world across all varietals they produce and a Cabernet Sauvignon wizard! When I think of DAOU three items come to mind: (1) Lebanese culture and love of family (2) Quest to make the world’s best Cabernet and (3) The experience created for their customers whether at beautiful DAOU Mountain or wherever you are enjoying DAOU wine... This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) West End Bar & Kitchen Del Mar will present a Wine Dinner with Napa Valley's Chateau Montelena, Thu 11/19 and Fri 11/20 at 6pm. Wines are from French oak barrel aging and are the result of sustainable and organic farming that promote soil health. A 5 course dinner is featured. Cost is $75. per person plus tax and gratuity. RSVP at 858-259-5878. (2) Charthouse in Cardiff has Thanksgiving Family Meals available for order. Choose from their famous slow roasted Prime Rib or traditional Turkey Dinner, both served with a starter, entrée accompaniments and desert for a family of 3 to 4. Pre-order by Nov 20 at 3pm. Call 760-436-4044. (3) North County Wine Company in San Marcos has a Pinot Noir Thanksgiving Promotion. Check out their weekly Pinot special discount price. Think cherries and raspberries with a long, luscious finish. Call 760-653-9032 for discounts. Download full column here. |
Week of 11/1/2020 - Pt1 Nightly Live Music at Coomber Craft Wines. Taste of Wine & Food staff Frank and Rico along with travel writers Scott Hagner and Nancine Belfiore had a great time at Oceanside's Coomber Craft Wines meeting with owner Skip Coomber with nightly music. We enjoying Kimmi Bitter’s pipes and chops. She prides herself on being old school with music integrity inspired by Patsy Kline and Linda Ronstadt... Pt2 BLACK RAIL KITCHEN + BAR Thrives with Soothing Outdoor Dining. Senior Editor Frank took on the Black Rail Half Pound burger, grilled with Prime Beef surrounded by crispy Pancetta, Havarti cheese, Bibb lettuce, tomato, black garlic Aioli, toasted Brioche bun and crispy Fingerling potatoes... (see below for the full column)
This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Il Fornaio in Del Mar is now open for lunch every day. Make a reservation or order food and wine to go. Your choice of indoor or outdoor dining, or curbside pickup and delivery available. Call 858-755-8876. (2) A Wine Tasting class is on with a renowned Sommelier at Somerset Winery in Temecula, Sun. Nov. 29 from 10:30 to 1pm and Sun. Dec. 13 from 10:30 to 2:30pm. Cost is $85. per person for the public. It includes 7 wine samples, food samples, tour of the barrel room and other experiences. For details, call 951-365-5522. (3) Vigilucci’s North County Coastal Restaurant Group has a large menu of take out food, perfect for two, with the same great quality Italian food as always. Choose your location: in Leucadia call 760-634-2365, in Carlsbad call 760-434-2500 and in Carlsbad by the Sea, it’s 760-434-2580. Download full column here. |
Week of 10/25/2020 - Cakebread Wine Dinners Sell Out at Seasalt. Sal Ercolano hosted two sold out nights of Cakebread Cellars Wine Dinners this past week at Seasalt Seafood Bistro in Del Mar as part of his 2020 Wine Dinner series. Over a delicious 5 course dinner paired with Cakebread wine, guests learned about Cakebread’s history and wines from Young’s Market John Parker who narrated the wine dinner event...
CASS Winery Named 2020 Winery of the Year - CASS Winery and Vineyard earned its 3rd Winery of the Year award by the 18th annual Central Coast Wine Competition (CCWC). Previous winners for CASS were 2015 and 2018, making it the first time a winery has won this award three times, all under the supervision of 34 year old chief wine maker Sterling Kragten. This year’s competition included 503 wines from 86 wineries in 10 counties, from Alameda to Ventura... This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) With Halloween close at hand, North County Wine Company has the perfect wine for the occasion. The 2018 Vampire Cabernet Sauvignon is blood red and full flavored, with lush notes of blackberry, plum, mocha and vanilla. Each bottle comes with its own vampire cape! This party wine is just $11.97 thru Halloween, Sat. the 31st. For a check on inventory call 760-653-9032. (2) The 8th annual Ramona Art and Wine Festival is Fri. thru Sun. Nov. 6 to 8 with wine tasting, bites, a silent auction and art and vendor exhibitors at 6 participating wineries. A gala reception will be held Fri. Oct. 30 at Hatfield Creek Winery from 5 to 7pm when commemorative art will be unveiled. For details on the Festival, see ramonaartandwinefest.net. You can also contact Elaine Lyttleton at 760-787-1102. Download full column here. |
Week of 10/18/2020 - Drink What We Found – Our New Wine Discoveries Wines are like words. We get used to drinking the same tired wines over the years when there’s a world full of new tastes, just waiting for you. Instead we fall back on the same names. Words can be the same way. How could so many wines be “cool” or “killer.” It’s amazing. Whoops, there’s another one. Rico and I did some investigative tasting and came up with five new wines each for you to try.
- Gracianna Westside Reserve Pinot Noir 2018. $76 - Liano Umberto Cesari Sangiovese/Cabernet Blend, Emilia Romagna It.2017.$35 - Raymond R/Collection Field Blend Lot #5, Napa Valley 2018.$13 - St. Supery Rutherford Estate Merlot Napa Valley 2016. $50 - Late entry, just in…BONANZA Cabernet Sauvignon, Fairfield CA. multi-vintage. $22. Rico’s Picks - Frank thank you for the handoff. We loved pulling together these discovery wines for our readers to enjoy and learn about. Three of mine will be from familiar vineyard and winery names, but higher end ranges putting them in different taste categories despite names that many recognize as discoveries. - Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri 2018. $30. - Beringer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (White Label). $54. - J. Lohr Pure Paso Proprietary Red Blend Paso Robles 2017. $27. - Marchesi Frescobaldi Tenuta Perano Chianti Classico Riserva 2016. $30. - Robert Mondavi Maestro Red Blend Napa Valley 2017. $50. This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Morton’s The Steakhouse and DAOU Family Estates combine for A Taste of Two Legends Sat 10/24, downtown San Diego 6:30-9:30pm. A 4 course dinner and wine pairing with each course, including legendary DAOU Soul of a Lion Cabernet. Cost is $175 per person including tax and gratuity. Go to Mortons.com or call 619-696-3369. (2) Charthouse in Cardiff is raising funds for those affected by breast cancer. $1 from each specialty cocktail or dessert sold will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation, from now until Oct. 31. For details call 760-436-4044. Download full column here. |
Week of 10/11/2020 - Merlot’s Bounceback Complete with October ‘Merlot Month’ Celebration. 15yrs ago, an intoxicating wine movie comedy with little fanfare except “word of mouth,” caught fire. Sideways was about two frustrated sidekicks on a bachelor’s last days spent guzzling wine along the Central Coast of California. The movie savaged Merlot in both words and deeds, resulting in a stunning 25% drop in sales that year. In the movie, Miles, the main character who hated Merlot, secretly owned a never-opened world-class Merlot bottle, a very expensive Right Bank Bordeaux French legend named Petrus. In a fit of anger and frustration over a lost book publishing deal and a lost love, he gulps down the Petrus with a burger at a McDonalds.
At its best, Merlot is a beautiful round and supple grape. It is sometimes characterized as the flesh on Cabernet Sauvignon’s bones...And better it got…so much so that in 2017, a Duckhorn with Merlot grapes from their Three Palms Vineyard in Napa Valley, was awarded the number one wine in the world by the most respected wine publication in the world, Wine Spectator... This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Lorimar Vineyards and Winery in Temecula is making a bid to become the entertainment capital of the area with an array of dates monthly. Live pop music group,Those Guys, play Fri. 10/23 6-9PM. Free admission, with food and wine for purchase. Also, a fun Murder Mystery Dinner is on Thurs. 10/29, 7PM. $50 per person includes admission and dinner with three choices of entrees. Details at lorimarwinery.com or 951-694-6699. (2) Experience new seasonal food and wine/spirits events at Morada at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Resort & Spa. Chef Haas’ seasonal menu includes new versions of a Pan Seared Seabass and Charred Ribeye. A cocktail lab is presented each Thurs. at 5:30PM. Oct 21 enjoy Bourbons of Jack Daniels. $65 per person, small bites provided. Call 858-756-1131. (3) October is National Seafood month at Charthouse along the Cardiff coast. Mon-Thur celebrate with a 3-course Sea-to-Table Prix Fixe menu for $39 each. RSVP at 760-436-4044. Download full column here. |
Week of 9/27/2020 - Three Night Sell Out for Caymus Wine Dinners at West End. While many local restaurants are still electing for virtual wine dinners, West End Bar & Kitchen proprietor, Sal Ercolano, is hosting live wine dinners diligently following required safety protocols for Covid. Ercolano’s latest wine dinner series featured one of Napa Valley’s most popular vineyards, family owned Caymus Vineyards. Mary Gavin, Regional Sales Manager, Southern California, and John Parker, Young’s Market, Account Manager narrated the event...
The 2020 wine dinner series has three more in the lineup. Cakebread Cellars at Seasalt Wed 10/21 and Thur 10/22, $70 per person, RSVP at 858.755.7100, Chateau Montelena Thur 11/19 and Fri 11/20, $75 person at West End, RSVP at 858.259.5878, Royal Night of Schramsberg complex handcrafted sparkling wines along with Davies Vineyards at Seasalt on Wed 12/16 and Thur 12/17, $95 per person. RSVP at 858.755.7100. All of these West End and Seasalt wine dinners start at 6:00PM. Ercolano is opening a new Italian Restaurant in Carmel Valley in mid-October called Flora’s, named after his mom. Watch out Energizer Bunny, Sal Ercolano is on your tail. Bravo Sal! This week's Wine Bytes includes (1) Il Fornaio in Del Mar Plaza has created a four-course Lasagna “Prezzo Fisso Speciale” for 2, available “to-go” for just $50.This limited time special can be ordered at 858-755-8876. (2) Capri Blu in the Rancho Bernardo district of San Diego brings Live Maine Lobster Dishes to its menu, available Thursdays through Saturdays while supplies last. And try Capri Blu’s new Limoncello Tartufo, a lemon ice cream with a liquid limoncello core coated with crushed merinque. Seating limited so call for an RSVP at 858-673-5100. (3) North County Wine Company’s Wine of the Week is an Australian McLaren Vale Blend, a 2016 Davey & Brown Vortex. It’s mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Tempranillo and a splash of Grenache. Wine Enthusiast rates it 90 points. NCWC has knocked the price down to just $13.97/bottle. Call 760-653-9032. Download full column here. |
Week of 9/20/2020 - NBA Stars Give Boost to Black Presence in Winemaking - With a dream of his own winery in Napa Valley firmly in his ambition after basketball, Wade forged a strong friendship with a leading Cabernet Sauvignon winemaker for over 30 years, Jayson Pahlmeyer. The dream turned to reality when, under Pahlmeyer’s wing, Wade’s passion for fine wine became a reality with Wade Cellars. Something personal and profound in the 38 year old Wade’s life was bottled in his first release, a Wade Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, launched in Napa Valley in 2015. Now known as the NBA’s most prolific wine star, Wade is currently seen daily on social media, hanging out in the world’s capitals on a boat or a Parisian bar with basketball star buddies, tasting the latest French classic wines from Bordeaux... (continued)
The NFL’s Charles Woodson Scores with Winemaking Charles Woodson played for the Oakland Raiders and the Green Bay Packers, and was the only Defensive player in college football to win the Heisman Trophy as the best player in the country. He also made his first barrel of wine in 2001. In the latest issue of Wine Spectator, the article on Woodson points out that over the past two decades, he founded two wine labels. The first, out of Calistoga in Napa Valley was labeled Twenty Four, his football uniform number... (continued) Wine Bytes: San Diego’s Best Reader’s Poll awarded Vineyard Grant James of Ramona their Favorite Local Winery open Thur to Mon, 11am to 5pm. Owner/winemaker Susanne Sapier invites the public to their winery’s big harvest, Sun Sept 26 starting at 6am. Vineyard Grant James needs you as a volunteer to help pick grapes. Harvest will be followed by a brunch and lots of wine for the pickers. Bring clippers, gloves, hat, sun screen and 5 gallon buckets if you have them. The winery will be following COVID protocol so wear your mask and social distance. If you can’t make it at 6am, come anyway…they can always use the help. RSVP so they can make sure to have enough food. Call 760-789-2733. Download full column here. |
Week of 9/13/2020 - Making Wine at Carruth Cellars 10th Anniversary Celebration + Sojourn Cellars Fall 2020 Release. Carruth Cellars with Adam Carruth at the helm, is the largest urban winery in San Diego County with four bustling locations in Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Little Italy district San Diego and a new production facility across from Oceanside Airport. In the past ten years, Carruth Cellars has grown to operate three tasting room locations bottling some 20,000 cases of a wide variety of Carruth wines, primarily sourcing grapes from Northern and Central California... All month long Carruth Cellars three tasting rooms will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary by giving away raffle drawing prizes each week. Each are open daily. Two Grand Prizes will be awarded at the end of the celebration.
Sojourn Cellars Releases their Fall 2020 Lineup-This release features exclusive small-lot bottlings of 2018 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from exceptional Sonoma vineyards, including 94 point rated Ridgetop and Riddle Vineyard Pinot Noirs. They also have allocations of their extraordinary 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville Ranch Vineyard available. The Oakville Ranch Cab was one of Frank and my favorites from the Spring 2020 release. This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) West End Bar & Kitchen in Del Mar Caymus Vineyards Napa Valley Wine Dinner Wed 9/23, Thu 9/24, and Fri 9/25, each starting at 6pm. Main course will be Amalfi Flat Iron Steak, served with a Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Full 5 course dinner and wines are $70. per person plus tax and gratuity. Call 858-259-5878 to reserve dates. (2) Market Restaurant and Bar in Del Mar is now open for indoor dining. Enjoy Market’s 3 course Tasting menu for $70. per person. Reservations are mandatory. Dinner is served 3 to 8PM Tues. through Sat. evenings. Please call 858-523-0007. Download full column here. |
Week of 9/6/2020 - “Big John” Haedrich-A Giant for Prime Dining. Tip Top Meats opened for business in Carlsbad in 1967 and quickly became a favorite place to meet, greet and dine on prime meat. Over time, owner “Big John” Haedrich enriched his restaurant with his German background and love for prime meats, sausages such as Bratwurst and Knackwurst and side dishes like sauerkraut and red cabbage. Authentic German beer and wine were readily available to wash them down. He was many years before his time the way he presented his menu in a fast-casual, easy-order way... That format still serves Tip Top today and could be the origin of many a fast-casual chain restaurants’ operation today...
Big John’s German Wines-Until the 20th century there were only two outstanding wine producing countries…France and Germany. As a matter of fact, in the high end wine auctions in 19th century London, German Rieslings sold for more than First Growth Bordeauxs and Grand Cru Burgundies. Rieslings have a shimmering quality about them, attributed to their far Northern vineyards. Inexpensive and sweet, German wines get caught up in a sweet flavor box. In fact, most wines that retain a pedigree from the excellence of the past, are more precisely sited than any in the world. The best are always planted up high on the banks of rivers, facing south, west or east along the slopes of the Rhine or Mosel Rivers.... This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) They’re dining in at Seasalt in Del Mar. Join the fun for lunch 11am to 4pm and dinner from 4:30pm to 9pm. Sal Ercolano has brought back $10. Tacos & Tequila drinks Tues and Thurs. Take your pick of steak or fish tacos. $10 craft cocktails or premium tequilas are avail when you dine inside. RSVP at 858-755-7100. (2) The Charthouse, Cardiff, has a ”We Mix, You Pour” promotion. Here are 4 steps to a good time with this one. 1) Pick up one of the world’s premier ready-to-serve bottled cocktails to go. 2) Take it home. 3)Grab your glass & pour on ice. 4) Enjoy! Find out more at 760-436-4044. Download full column here. |
Week of 8/30/2020 - Rock Royalty Makes a Splash with French Rose’, Keep Dining Outdoors at Firenze, and Daniel Daou vineyard sessions return, Katherine Daou new podcast. This week's column features 80's Rock Star Jon Bon Jovi's transition from making music to making Rose' wine. Firenze Trattoria in Rancho Sante Fe has created an outdoor garden with relaxed spacing for quiet serene dining. Join Master Winemaker Daniel Daou in the vineyard during harvest. Due to weak connectivity signals on DAOU Mountain, recordings will be posted on Instagram (@daouvineyards) and Facebook Thursdays at 9AM vs live streaming. For those who were able to check out the spring series of Daniel in the vineyard, this is sure to be as good or possibly better with the processing of the ripe berries. This was one of Tech Director Rico's favorite virtual wine series of the pandemic. Also, Katherine Daou, Social Media Manager & Brand Ambassador, is starting an Instagram podcast called thethiirsty (@thethiirsty) – “A little wine, a little pop culture, a little inappropriate.” Be sure to check out Daniel and Katherine’s venues!
This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Chandler’s oceanfront dining, Cape Rey resort in Carlsbad, has brought its Happy Hour back! Join them for appetizers and drink specials on their outdoor patios, Wed-Sun, 3 to 6PM. To-go hours are 8:30am - 6pm Mon. and Tues. Dinner hours are 3pm to 10pm Wed. thru Sun. RSVP at 760-683-5500. (2) The Carter Family toasts California Wine Month with special September eventsat South Coast and Carter Estates wineries in Temecula. There are 2 ways to celebrate their annual Grape Stomp in the Vintner’s Garden of South Coast winery. Personal Grape Stomps are held every Fri. and Sat. 5-6PM, and Sun 11am - 1pm. For all events and discount sale wine details at South Coast, call 844-428-6292. Carter Estate Winery & Resort is 844-851-2138. Download full column here. |
Week of 8/23/2020 - Mexican Wines with an Italian Heart. The title of this week’s column happens to be the tagline of one of Baja California’s premier vineyards and wineries in Valle Guadalupe, Villa Montefiori, overseen by owner and wine maker Paolo Paoloni. Senior Editor Frank and I had the pleasure of dining with Paoloni this week at Sal Ercolano’s West End Bar & Kitchen featuring Villa Montefiori’s wines over a 6 course wine dinner. When few restaurants are holding in person wine dinners, Ercolano, ensuring covid safety protocols are being met, is providing his customers opportunities to enjoy traditional great value wine dinners that he is famous for... (continued in column). Next up for Ercolano and West End Bar & Kitchen are 3 nights of Caymus Wine Dinners starting Wed Sept 23rd – Fri Sept 25th @6PM. At $70 per person, this is an amazingly valued 5 course elite wine dinner featuring Wagner Family wines with Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Amalfi Iron (pan seared flat iron steak) lined up as the main course. RSVP at 858-259-5878. Story by Tech Director/Writer Rico Cassoni
Our thoughts go out to our vineyard and winery friends to the north battling historical fires. We wish you the best for you, your families and properties. Frank and Rico This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Chandler’s Restaurant, Cape Rey Resort, Carlsbad, now open for Dine-in / To-go. Dine-in Wed to Sun, 3 to 10pm. Blackened Seared Ahi Tuna, served over coconut sticky rice, bok choy and cimini mushroom in a miso butter sauce added to menu. Call 760-683-5500; (2) Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Winebar, La Jolla, is ready to wine and dine you during Al Fresco Date Night, special menu feature for patio dining, starting at 4pm. Call 858-535-0078 for details/RSVP;(3) Jeff Venier, Wine Steward at Pavilions in Carmel Valley, is presenting Chardonnay Saturday, Aug. 29th. Chardonnays from around the globe can be purchased at the double discount price. For more, contact Jeff at 858-793-4661. Download full column here |
Week of 8/9/2020 - Buena Vista Winery Featured at Del Mar’s Seasalt. Sr Editor Frank Mangio and I attended Sal Ercolano’s Buena Vista Wine Dinner. Under Chef Hilario’s helm, guests enjoyed a 5 course meal-Chef’s mini bites paired with La Victorie Brut Champagne. The next three courses were paired in order with 2018 Chateau Buena Vista Chardonnay (Carneros), 2017 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast), and 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa). The 2nd course was Sea Bass Ceviche, followed by Seared Sea Scallops atop saffron risotto, and Drunken Ribs (main course)-slow cooked short ribs over polenta, finishing with Crème Brulee. We sat with Marta Gebo, SoCal Area Sales Mgr, Boisset Collection. We asked Marta to share the Top 3 things she wanted our readers to know about Buena Vista. (See website column for full details). Before ending, lets jump back to Sal Ercolano. Ercolano, implementing Covid safety protocols, held 2 wine dinner series-3 sold out nights of DAOU Wine Dinners and 2 sold out nights of Buena Vista in July. He has 2 nights of Dinner of Valle de Guadalupe at West End featuring Villa Montefiori wines Wed/Thu Aug 19th/20th@6PM $65 per person, RSVP 858-259-5878. Ercolano also has 3+ nights of Caymus Wine Dinners at West End Wed Sept 23rd–Fri Sept 25th@6PM. $70 per person, RSVP 858-259-5878. Ercolano’s new Italian Restaurant Flora’s, named after his mom, located in Carmel Valley where the old Amici’s used to be is scheduled to open ~Oct 1, 2020. This week's Wine Bytes include (1) Orange County Wine&Spirit Fest Sat/Sun Sept 19/20, 1-5pm at A Stones Throw Winery (Camino Capistrano). Enjoy wine, craft beer and fine spirits along with live country music and gourmet food trucks. Gen admission $100, VIP Admission $120 (includes food/wine pairing lunch). ocwineandspiritfest.com. (2) 7 Mile Kitchen (Carlsbad) brings back burger & local craft beer, $12. Good Mon-Thu 11:30-9pm. 7milekitchen.com. (3) Morton's The Steakhouse in Downtown San Diego has a special Summer Dinner Menu for $49 for a limited time, patio dining/take-out, choice of starter, entree, side and dessert. Details at 619-696-3369 or mortons.com/sandiego.
Download full column here. |
Week of 8/2/2020 - Q and A with Jim Tobin of North County Wine Company. America’s small wine/food companies are in survival mode, with hard disciplines like strategy, inventory, management, financing and leadership, dependent on these building blocks being in place before this crisis hit. My hope is that wine bars and restaurants in the area be stable, following health rules and keeping their customers coming in with dynamic product presentation from high owner supervision. North County Wine Company fits this profile with a brother team of Jim and Bill Tobin in charge since their purchase of the San Marcos wine bar in 2010.
Taste of Wine & Food (TOW&F) visited with Jim Tobin to learn what makes his wine shop so successful despite this Pandemic. TOW&F: What creative idea have you employed at the shop that really took off for you over the years? Jim: The thing that had an amazing impact and continues to this day, is the sign in front of the property facing traffic on San Marcos Boulevard. We changed the identification colors to a much brighter combination and installed a message board to communicate our wine news. Customers come in based on the sign just to thank us for it. This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Il Fornaio Del Mar has a $10 discount on $40 + online to-go order placed on ilfornaio.com. Offer valid now to 8/9/20. Use code 247-821-166 at checkout to receive the $10 credit (2) Vigilucci’s Trattoria Italiana in Leucadia is featuring Date Night on Mondays for $60. per couple. It includes 2 glasses of wine and 2 entrees from a choice of five. The special menu is available 4 to 9pm. Call 760-634-2365. (3) Pacifica Del Mar in the Del Mar Plaza is presenting live music, bites and sips on the Plaza Deck every Thursday 6 to 7:30pm and Saturday night 5:30 to 7pm through August. Their walk-up bar opens at 1pm and bites are available starting at 4pm. Details at pacificadelmar.com. Download full column here |
Week of 7/26/2020 Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Food. This week we focus on Pasta The Ultimate Comfort Food featuring pastas available at Il Fornaio Del Mar including Pennoni alla Vodka and Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. They also have 3 killer family feasts avail on DoorDash and Olo.
This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Sal Ercolano’s Seasalt in Del Mar is presenting the iconic Buena Vista Napa Valley Winery in a memorable wine dinner Thurs. July 30th and Fri. July 31st at 6pm. Buena Vista was California’s first premium winery. Cost is $70. per person plus tax and gratuity. Call 858-755-7100 for an RSVP to this 4 course masterpiece. Seasalt now has Weekend Brunch on its open patio and outdoor space every Sat. and Sun. from 10am to 2pm (2) Gianni Buonomo winery in the Ocean Beach district of San Diego is open for bottle sales and is offering a super-premium lineup of award-winning wines, including: Double Gold Medal winner 2015 Blaufrankisch, and Gold Medal winners 2015 Maestrale, 2015 Avennio and 2015 Sangiovese. For more details, call 562-458-9477. (3) The San Diego Zoo is planning a Food, Wine & Brew Celebration Sat. Sept. 26 from 6:30 to 10:30pm for VIP, 7:30-10:30pm for General. Cost for General is $100. and for VIP $200. More than 160 of SoCal’s best vendors with live entertainers are planned. Check for the latest info at zoofoodandwine.com. Download full column here. |
Week of 7/19/2020 - Back with a Bang…West End DAOU Wine Dinner . When restaurants opened back up for dining in, we suspected that Sal Ercolano, owner of both Del Mar’s Seasalt Seafood Bistro and West End Bar & Kitchen would be one of the first in San Diego to host a wine dinner. And, we were right! Frank and I were especially excited when Ercolano announced that it was going to be a DAOU Wine Dinner. What was initially planned for 1 night dining in and 1 night virtual wine dinners, turned into three sold out dining in events. We are always amazed and impressed by our good friend Sal. Bravo Sal!
Chef Noe was at the top of his game for this 5 course dinner... Next up for Ercolano wine dinners are two nights of Buena Vista Wine Dinners at Seasalt Bistro Thu. July 30th & Fri. July 31st, both at 6:00PM. $70 per person plus tax and gratuity. Chef Hilario is creating a 5 course menu featuring slow cooked Drunken Short Ribs. All five courses will be paired with Buena Vista wines re-born under the vision of Jean-Charles Boisset. RSVP at (858) 755-7100. Wine Spectator, the signature publication for restaurant and wine excellence, has again honored PAON Carlsbad Village for its wine list that offers “excellent wine across winegrowing regions, along with superior presentation.” This is the 5th year in a row that PAON, in Carlsbad North San Diego County, has come away with this distinguished award. Wine Director Kate Edgecombe exclaimed “what perfect timing to announce our new Peacock Selection Wine Discount Program!” PAON, in French, means Peacock, a beautiful multicolored bird with a rainbow-like fan span. This wine discount program covers many colorful wine regions, some available exclusive to PAON. Examples of the current list include: Caymus-Suisun Grand Turif Petite Sirah 2017, was $60 now $35. Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017, was $78 now $40. Niner Pinot Noir Paso Robles 2018, was $38 now $26. There is a 3 bottle minimum for purchase. Pickup in the wine bar is Wed. thru Sun. 4pm to closing. To learn more about the Peacock Selection Wine Discount Program, call 760-729-7377. Download full column here. |
Week of 7/12/2020 - Three Cheers for the Red, White, and …Green? For those readers who have been following my San Marzano tomatoes, this is part three and the culmination of the San Marzano series. Please see our website (tasteofwineandfood.com) then Recent Columns tab for Part 1 (5/17) and Part 2 (6/21). July 4th marks the official start of the tomato harvest at Casa Cassoni. Although we get a few of the red beauties in late June depending on the weather.
Each year, our cul de sac July 4th party, kicks off with homemade Rico Cassoni Margherita pizza. Due to Covid, this year was a small crowd of 8 including my 2 doors down from me neighbor and Senior Editor Frank Mangio. Anyone who guessed Red, White, and Green for the Italian flag since both Frank and I are proud American-Italians (but Americans first) were close. However, the Red, White, and Green in this case is for the colors of a Margherita pizza. Let’s go into details on the colors as I share how to make a perfect pizza with beautiful leoparding. (See column for recipe and procedures) This week's Wine Bytes include: Due to local rule changes temporarily eliminating restaurant indoor dining, here are a few great ones that feature outdoor dining. (1) MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE downtown San Diego features USDA prime –aged steaks with the same great service. For a limited time, 25% off all wine bottles when you dine on their patio or order to go. Call 619-696-3369 or visit mortons.com. (2) THE WINESELLAR BRASSERIE in San Diego’s Sorrento Valley is turning inside out! A safe environment is promised. New hours are Tues. thru Sat. 12 Noon to 8pm. Everything is available: food, wine, cocktails, lunch, happy hour and dinners and take-out. Call 858-450-9557. (3) FLEMINGS STEAKHOUSE in La Jolla is ready to serve you outdoors, from 4 to 8pm. Due to limited seating, the restaurant recommends calling for an RSVP at 858-535-0078. Download full column here. |
Week of 7/5/2020 - Tips for that Blind Wine Tasting Party Post Covid Well you too can be a Wine Tasting host and get your friends together at the ultimate wine party…the “Drink Yourself Blind–Name Those Wines” party.
To make the party a success, you need to develop some home preparation to entertain and educate your friends to the dynamics of wine. If you haven’t yet, I urge you to start a wine collection in a wine cellar or a refrigerated wine cooler. It doesn’t have to be hundreds of bottles, just 50 will get you going, but make them mostly reds and make sure you have a variety of them from the major wine regions of California, Washington, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina (new world wines) and the major wine regions of Europe (old world wines). From Europe, you will want to have a few from Italy, France, Portugal, Spain and Germany. The defining difference between new and old world wines is that new world emphasizes the fruit of the wine (“fruit forward,”) while old world wines emphasize the earth (“terroir,”) from which the wine came. Blended wines are excluded as they tend to be a mix of several red grapes. For a 7 bottle test, I would suggest you include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, Sangiovese and Malbec... (see the column for the full column). This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) The Godfather Restaurant in Clairemont has a great offer for July. Dine-in guests can indulge in a 4 course dinner for two for only $68. per couple, including a complimentary bottle of Querceto Chianti Classico. RSVP at 858-560-1747. (2) 7 Mile Kitchen in the Sheraton Hotel is now open in Carlsbad and is offering Grab n Go service from 7am to 9am. Their dine-in service is offered exclusively outdoors in the heated patio. Call 760-827-2514 to order. (3) Grab n Go and dine-in is also available in Carlsbad at Chandler’s Oceanfront dining. All outdoor patio areas are open for dining. For restaurant hours and an RSVP, call 760-683-5500. Download full column here. |
Week of 6/28/2020 - Top Ten Tastes 1st Half of 2020 & the Winners are…
Rico and I have ten fantastic wines we want to share with you in our Ten Best Wines, lined up on TASTE OF WINE & FOOD’s top shelf, each one selected for superior bouquet, flavor, body and value. And let’s not forget that “Wow” factor that makes you want to shout “one more time!” Franco's picks include: 2 Cabs and a Petite Sirah from Napa Valley, a Malbec from Mendoza, and a legendary original “Super Tuscan “from Italy (in alpha order). Let’s get to them! Antinori Tignanello, Tuscany Italy, 2016, $134.99; Fifty Row Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, 2017, $65; Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2017, $40; Goldschmidt Vineyards Yoeman Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, 2016, $75; Septima Malbec, Mendoza Argentina, 2018, $14. Rico’s Picks-Taking the handoff from Frank, my five picks include a Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon blend, a Paso Robles Cab Franc blend, a Shiraz from down under, and two Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. All but one of these, we had at wine dinners, which are great opportunities to take in several courses of top shelf food and wine pairings (in alpha order). Giddy Up! Nicolas Catena Zapata, Mendoza Argentina, 2016, $99; DAOU Seventeen Forty, Paso Robles, 2017, $75; Mollydooker, The Boxer, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2017, $30; Orin Swift Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2017, $130; Stag’s Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016. $75. Happy July 4th to our dear TASTE OF WINE & FOOD viewers. Frank and Rico Download full column here. |
Week of 6/21/2020 - In this week's column, Tech Director/Writer Rico provides an update on his San Marzano tomatoes with a pivot to spotlight Mangia e Bevi's CEO and Co-Owner Tore Trapiano, a 3 Time Pizza Expo Champion and United States Pizza Team Member. Trupiano and the Mangia e Bevi team have been busy over the Covid Pandemic featuring their full menu for take out and providing meals to Oceanside seniors via the Great Plates Delivered program. They should be open the 2nd week of July for al fresco dine in. Senior Editor Frank covers Piero Antinori, the famous Florentine vintner. Since 1385, over 26 generations, the Antinori family has been in the wine making business. Antinori, not content with his Tuscan success and visualizing the dynamic wine market on the west coast of America, began a focused foothold in Napa Valley with investment in Atlas Peak and Stag’s Leap wineries, then Col Solare, part of the St. Michelle group of wineries in Washington. Later he ventured into Romania, Chile and Hungary.
Wine Bytes (1) Sal Ercolano’s West End Kitchen & Bar in Del Mar, after 2 sellouts on his DAOU “dine-in” wine dinners Thurs. and Sat. June 25 and 27, has a 3rd dinner for you Fri. June 26 with great DAOU wines and a gourmet 4 course dinner. $85. pp, $150. for two. Also, West End is now offering a Seaside Brunch, available both Sat. and Sun. Seating. RSVP for either at 858-259-5878. Protocol rules apply. (2) The DAOU winery experience on DAOU Mtn. in Paso Robles has now re-opened. Its personalized one-on-one experience has been enhanced with guided walking experiences and the latest offering, the “French at Heart” Picnic, in a new lawn area near its Cabernet Sauvignon clonal vines. Details at daouvineyards.com. Download full column here. |
Week of 6/14/2020 - Coomber Craft Wines is All About Community Senior Editor Frank and I were elated to spend our first post Covid shutdown in person review and event at Oceanside’s Coomber Craft Wines with our good friends and owners Skip and Maureen Coomber. The Coombers’ were beaming with ear to ear smiles to not only have guests back to their winery and tasting room, but with 7 days a week of live music as well. Skip indicated, “Being the CEO of ‘California Music Lessons’ with over 200 instructors, it was important for us to support local musicians and no better way than performing at Coomber Craft Wines...” (Download below for full article).
Welcome Back to the Tasting Rooms of California! As I format the 2nd story of this issue, I want to first echo the excitement, joy and relief Rico and I had in our first assignment since the Coronavirus shutdown in early March. Coomber Craft Wines in Oceanside was a perfect urban winery for the two of us to return to form. Given the good news on the return of winery tasting rooms, I want to introduce our readers and viewers to a tucked away, brilliantly composed winery in Amador County, Jeff Runquist. Jeff Runquist wines is a producer of single vineyard wines with red table grapes that he chooses from throughout California... (Download below for full article). Wine Bytes: (1) Carter Hospitality re-opened South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula. Carter Estate Winery & Resort opens 7/1. (2) Morton’s of San Diego has the 3 Kings of Paso Robles Virtual Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Tasting Fri 6/19, 7-8pm (J Lohr, Austin Hope and DAOU Winery) with reps from each winery. $99 each. Wine dinner options extra. Call 619-696-3369. (3) The Godfather Italian restaurant (San Diego) has Father’s Day weekend dinners Sat 6/20, 5-10:30pm and Sun 6/21, 2-9pm. To-go menu also avail. Call 858-560-1747. (4) Sal Ercolano’s West End Kitchen and Bar (Del Mar) has a dine-in DAOU wine dinner Sat 6/27, 6:30pm. $85 per person, $150 for 2. 4 great DAOU wines with 4 course gourmet dinner, led by 2017 DAOU Reserve Cab. RSVP at 858-259-5878 Download full column here. |
Week of 6/7/2020 - The Winemaker with the Gold Touch is Nick Goldschmidt
The Winemaker with the Gold Touch is Nick Goldschmidt. If I could choose an ideal winemaker to make wine from a vineyard of some of the highest quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the Sonoma/Napa Valley districts, first this person would have to be known worldwide, then know about maximum flavor development through their own vineyards and finally have future generations of winemakers to step in on a moments notice. I know of only one such winemaker that fits those big shoes….Nick Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt and his world-traveling family including wife Yolyn, hail from New Zealand. “I knew early on that winemaking would become a passion and enrich our lives,” said Goldschmidt... See full column on our website. Here & There in the Covid World of Wine & Food (1) Our good friend Sal Ercolano at the lovely Seasalt Seafood & Steak is now open for Dine-in with lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The full menu will also be available for take-out. A favorite that developed from take-out is Taco Tuesday and Thursday. 2 steak or fish tacos for $10. Call for details at 858-755-7100. (2) West End Bar & Kitchen in Del Mar is having a Virtual DAOU Wine Dinner Fri. June 26 at 6:30pm. Cost is $85. per person, $150. for 2 people. This is a 3 course dinner plus a dessert, all paired with 3 DAOU wines, including one of my personal favorites, the DAOU 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Dinner and wine will be picked up the day of the event on 6/26 between the hours of 3 and 5pm. Call now for an RSVP at 858-259-5878. (3) Tore Trupiano owns Mangia e Bevi in Oceanside. He’s also a 3 time Pizza Expo Champion. His newest location was on its way to great success early this year when we all got slammed with the Coronavirus Pandemic, and sales plummeted. Frustrated that he could not serve his customers correctly, he turned to an offer by the city of Oceanside to provide meals to an assisted living and senior citizen facility. Then, another offer came in from the state of California called “Great Plates Delivered,” bringing 3 meals a day to qualified seniors in the area. Mangio e Bevi is now focusing their resources on this campaign to help vulnerable Seniors. Take-out is still OK for customers. The restaurant will wait til the time is right for dine-in. For more information contact Trupiano at 760-231-1225. (4) Pacifica Del Mar and the Breeze Café, at the Del Mar Plaza, is open for dine-in. Restaurant service begins at 8am with breakfast, lunch at Noon, bar at 4pm, Happy Hour from 4 to 6:30pm and dinner from 5pm Mon. thru Fri. and 4pm Sat. and Sun. For reservations, call 858-792-0476. Download full column here. |
Week of 5/31/2020 - Take Out is Good - Dining In Is Better
We visited Craftsman Tavern in Encinitas and their talented G.M. Mike Cusey who emphasized that he had to limit his hours to Wednesday through Sunday from 4pm to 8pm initially to gauge how the public will respond to coming back to dine-in while the Pandemic’s death toll went past 100,000 nationally and 266 in San Diego County. Craftsman chef Sergio Serrano manages 10 entrees plus many other appetizers, flatbreads and burgers, along with a full beverage bar... Dining In Returns to Fleming's UTC As my colleague Senior Editor Frank Mangio says above, “Dining In is Better!” My wife Mary and I were excited when we saw that Fleming’s UTC (La Jolla) was open for dining in. According to Operating Partner, Marc Clark, “the UTC location was the first Fleming’s location to re-open for dine-in during the Pandemic and was being used as a ‘pilot’ to learn and perfect guidelines to ensure that Fleming’s meets re-opening guidelines for their dine-in customers...” Download full column here. |
Week of 5/24/2020 - Brunello 2015 - the Classic Wine from Tuscany
Some 40 years ago, farsighted winemakers in the heart of Tuscany, in and around the hallowed heights of the city of Montalcino, were granted Italy’s highest status, DOCG, for their Brunello di Montalcino. It was the first wine in Italy to receive this honor... Spotlight on Exec Chef Luke Morganstern of Orfila Oceanside Tasting Room When Senior Editor Frank and I were thinking of a local North County chef to spotlight, we were torn. There are many great chefs out there and finally decided to feature Orfila Oceanside Tasting Room Executive Chef Luke Morganstern. Like all great chefs we meet, Luke fits the textbook description - passion for great fresh food and someone you want to chat with for hours... Download full article here. |
Week of 5/17/2020 - No Matter Which Vine… It’s All About Farming
When talking vines, I suspect that most of our viewers are thinking they are about to hear about Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, or other familiar grapes. Surprise! This week we are throwing our viewers a curve ball in the spirit of baseball, that hopefully will be starting soon despite the Covid pandemic, with tomato vs. grape vines. This article features the most popular and famous tomatoes found in Italian kitchens – San Marzano. I will explain not only why San Marzano tomatoes are dominant in fine Italian cooking, but also, where they come from. Let’s start with where they come from first. The Ultimate Take-Out Takes Place at Charthouse Did you ever think that a deluxe fine dining 3 course dinner for 2 would ever be served take-out style. Well this is 2020 and strange happenings call for strong responses if business is to survive. And so it was on Mothers Day, Charthouse, along the shores of Southern California’s Cardiff in San Diego County, pulled all the stops with its take-out dinner for two ($60). Wine Bytes (1) With more Charthouse take-out news just in, the restaurant now has a 12 Pack Wednesdays and Thursdays. 6 burger sliders with cheddar cheese plus a 6 pack of domestic beer $22. dollars, with imported beer slightly higher. Order from 3 to 8pm at 760-436-6044. (2) PAON in Carlsbad has an expended take-out menu to include steaks and dessert. Add a half-bottle of wine with your order for just $10. Details at 760-729-7377 Wed. thru Sun. from 3 to 7pm. (3) Craftsman Tavern restaurant in Encinitas is now open for take-out Wed. thru Sun. from 4pm to 8pm. A full menu is now available, including their famous Buttermilk fried chicken breast with potato puree. Call in at 760-452-2000. Hope all our viewers are staying safe and healthy! Frank and Rico Dowload full article here. |
Week of 5/10/2020 - The Five S’s… the Essence of Wine Tasting. Last week I got to thumbing through my earlier wine columns some years ago. The wine world has changed so much since those halcyon days when life was a little calmer, prosperous and most of the wine we reported on was Cabernet and Chardonnay. But what hasn’t changed and what I focused on in those columns is that wine is a celebration of life and it makes sense to know how to celebrate to get the most out of it.
Pour about a third of a glass of your favorite red and stay with me as I take you through the basics of elevating your celebration, with a review of the five S’ - SIGHT, SWIRL, SMELL, SIP, and SAVOR.... Simple Innovation in a Complex World-I am always amazed (and sometimes frightened) by machine learning and artificial intelligence baked into our phones, especially when I am getting ready in the morning and my phone tells me when I have to leave the house, where I am going, what time I have to be there, the weather, traffic along the way, and alternate routes if incidents. All of this from my 6x3x0.5 inch phone that talks to my “Dick Tracy” smart watch. This week when an email popped up in my email box with the subject line of “Cooking at home during COVID-19 (or the apocalypse) with solar ovens”, I reached out to Senior Editor Frank Mangio to pitch the idea of covering solar ovens, surely a simple concept. We had a social distance staff meeting, but close enough to enjoy a bottle of 2017 Mollydooker Two Left Feet ($30), a blend of Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet, purchased in February from our good friends Jim and Bill Tobin, owners of North County Wine Company in San Marcos, CA. At the conclusion of our staff meeting, Frank with a grin on his face said, “Rico run with the solar oven story.” When I checked out GoSun’s solar ovens, I was amazed at the technology baked into their oven. There are three models from a portable GO to middle of the road SPORT to grand FUSION. Info at gosun.co. Story by Tech Director, Rico Cassoni. Hope all of our viewers are staying safe and healthy! Frank and Rico Download full column here |
Week of 5/3/2020 - Wineries Turn to Social Media to Keep Corks Popping
Another, more important evolution is staying connected with your favorite winery via virtual video social experience through Facebook and Instagram. In Paso Robles, by any yardstick an already successful global wine power, DAOU Family Estates, present video programs that are illuminating, celebratory messages to reach out to its customers. Currently, Winemaker and Proprietor Daniel Daou is hosting a Vineyard LIVE on LIVE Instagram every Tuesday at 9am (@daniel.j.daou). Paso Robles wineries most active in virtual experiences, sharing their stories and wines on LIVE Instagram outside of DAOU include wineries such as Alta Colina, Allegretto, Austin Hope and Justin. Justin has brought back founder Justin Baldwin to host their video events. See Pasowine.com for the complete list and web sites. Napa/Sonoma districts, Cakebread Cellars has Facebook LIVE, J Vineyards & Winery via Instagram each Sunday for cooking demos. Family Coppola, Sonoma wine country, offering great wine for great cause. $5 from each bottle of Gia Coppola wines donated to “No Kid Hungry” In Temecula, South Coast Winery Resort/Spa, Carter Estate Winery/Resort contributing 50% on-line wine sales to furloughed staff members. Take Out & Virtual Restaurant Events - (1) Mangia e Bevi (Oceanside) virtual wine dinner with Master Sommelier Fred Dame and DAOU Family Estates Wed May 6, 6:30pm. Choice of 3 course or 4 course dinner with pickup of paired wine and food at the restaurant from 4 to 5pm. Two price levels: $40 & $125. Call 760-231-1225. (2)Another virtual DAOU wine dinner at Vittorio’s Trattoria (Carmel Valley, SD), Sat. May 16, 5:30pm ($75 per pers)-3 courses, 3 wine choices. Call 858-538-5884. (3)PAON Carlsbad Village is back with its “no ordinary take out menu” Wed-Sun 3-7pm. Call 760-729-7377. (4) The Grill at Torrey Pines has take-out weekly specials like lamb and goat cheese ravioli and Chef Kelli’s family feast like seared ahi tuna and pork loin. Pair meal with half priced bottle of wine. Details 858-777-6641. Download full column here. |
Week of 4/26/2020 - This Week’s Take-out Creations & Newly Discovered Wine Gems
During this stay at home and social distancing mentality we are enduring, you may be surprised to know that wine sales are doing very well, thank you very much. The last week of March, wine, along with other alcoholic beverages, rose 55% in the latest figures released, proving that wine especially is a needed “essential.” It’s reported that Roses’ rose 75% year over year. And, online sales were way above last year sales for all wines. Download full column here. |
Week of 4/19/2020 - Morton’s The Steakhouse, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars - A Tale of Two Legends (see full column on our website). Morton’s GM Tim Reed & Sales/Event Manager Tanya Coffey along with Asst Manager/Sommelier Nicole Langerman pulled out all stops for this legendary wine dinner. This was evident with the kickoff of passed appetizers that included: Caviar Blini, Duck Rillettes, Fresh Oysters on the half-shell, and Passion Fruit Mignonette. These were complemented with Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, AVETA, Sauvignon Blanc with tangerine, guava, papaya, and lemon on the nose and orange on the palate resulting in great flavor combos. Jeff McIntyre, Key Account Specialist from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits represented Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and narrated the evening in concert with Tim Reed... ...Bravo, Bravo Tim and Tanya for making this another memorable Morton’s dinner and Jeff for your narration of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars history. Look forward to dining in after Covid-19 Stay at Home ends. Those salivating after reading this article can take advantage of their extensive Take Out menu, all days of the week, Monday through Sunday 3-8PM. They even have 50% off select bottles of wine with your To-Go orders. Check out mortons.com/sandiego.
Stag’s Leap – 50 Years of Award Winning Wines ...Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is one of those wineries that almost immediately after its founding in 1970, made a bold imprint on all those around it in Napa Valley. Napa Valley is full of heroes and heroics in its formative years in the 60’s and 70’s. Names like Martini, Mondavi and Cakebread and grapes like Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon became the wine names to know. In winemaking, it was Andre Tcheleischeff and Mike Grgich, with no background in snooty French wines, that ushered in a revolution of new ideas in the art of making fine wine. Stay safe and healthy and be sure to support our local restaurants offering takeout and delivery. Frank and Rico Download full column here. |
Week of 3/12/2020 - Wine’s Favorite Companion is Olive Oil. It’s remarkable how olive oil has walked in the same footprint as wine, recently capturing the public’s fancy. It’s favored with rustic breads, salads, over pizza and avocados and as a sophisticated garnish to pasta sauce. No longer content to use plain-tasting backyard made oils, aficionados look for brand, high quality and a story-line. Olive oil tastings are complimenting wine tastings in small boutiques and at wineries that have chosen to market olive oil as a cash crop, that is readily available to the public just after harvest...
Ercolano, Phinney Inspired Wine Dinner Pt2 - Senior Editor Frank Mangio and I were reminiscing this week about some of our favorite wine dinner venues and of course Sal Ercolano’s Seasalt and West End Wine Dinner venues came to the top of our list. As we have mentioned in previous articles, Ercolano’s Wine Dinners consistency have three qualities that we look for: (1) Great Food, (2) Great Wine, and (3) Great Deals on the wine being showcased. The Orin Swift Wine Dinners held at West End Bar & Bistro Thursday March 5th and Saturday March 7th were no exception. Michelle Christman, Portfolio Consultant for E.J. Gallo Wines Elevage Collection narrated the event taking us through 5 Orin Swift Wines with Chef Noe paired dishes. Michelle shared that Dave Phinney started his career as a lawyer. Little did he know that his Florence experiences in Italy would pivot his life career to winemaking... Michelle you were a rock star narrator. I look forward to seeing you at other dinners. Visit gallo.com for more wine information. Keep up the great work Sal. We commend you and the Seasalt /West End teams for staying open for takeout. See seasaltdelmar.com and westenddelmar.com for takeout and delivery options. Rico’s Takeout Mentions. (1) Luke Morganstern (Executive Chef) Orfila Oceanside Tasting Room grass fed burger w/ bacon, blue cheese, & garlic aioli on brioche bun with fries (2) Rosati in Encinitas Chicago style deep dish pizza. I drifted back to Chicago thinking I was at a Lou Malnati’s. Download full column here. |
Week of 4/5/2020 - Napa Valley Reaches Out with its Cellar Library Wines. Napa Valley has just gone to its Ace of Hearts in a bold effort to appeal to its many customers who, over the years, have traveled to this fabled wine country and had a wine experience unlike any other. Many wineries are offering cellar library wines at sharply discounted prices if purchased directly online or at the winery... A partial list includes: Paul Hobbs, Chateau Montelena, Inglenook, Lewis, Merryvale, Hall, Roundpond, Groth, Raymond, St Supery and Plumpjack, etc. With some, shipping is waived. Go to napavintners.com for more.
Rico Ups His Pizza Game with Solare LIVE - As an Italian and Tech Director/Writer for Taste of Wine and Food (TOWAF), of course, making homemade pizza is a passion of mine. On my list of To-Do’s, to up my pizza game, was taking the Pizza Making class at Solare Ristorante Italiano under the guidance of Brian Smerik… Before ending, we would like to plug a few of our North County and Paso friends: (1) Orfila Winery has opened their Oceanside Tasting Room, Wed through Sun from 12 to 7PM for takeout. Check out one of the best burgers in North County by Exec Chef Luke Morganstern (2) Tore Trupiano, Co-Proprietor of Mangia e Bevi and world renowned pizza maker, has DIY pizza kits at their Oceanside location and also open for take out - mangiaoceanside.com. (3) PAON in Carlsbad has reopened bottled wine sales. Each week Wine Manager Kate Edgecombe will feature wine specials. They are open Wed-Sun, 3-7PM. Order ahead, by phone/email for pick-up or stop by to shop deals. Call 760-729-7377 or email Kate@PaonCarlsbad.com. (4) DAOU Vineyards launched their new 2019 Discovery Rose’ wine today. This Grenache-based rose resembling iconic French dry roses with aromas of strawberry, peach, and watermelon and palate of nectarine, orange, strawberry parfait and apple is sure to be another knockout DAOU wine ($22). Details at daouvineyards.com. Stay Healthy..Frank and Rico Download full column here. |
Week of 3/22/2020 - Order Food to Go – Help Save a Restaurant
Restaurants are in a world of hurt since the Pandemic Coronavirus closed all restaurants and other establishments that serve food on-site in California and other states... We can help... Please send us your take out/delivery information and we’ll do our best to publicize it during this shut-down. Send to info@tasteofwineandfood.com. As my friend, owner Randy Smerik at Solare Italian Restaurante in Pt. Loma San Diego likes to say, “Food is the power that brings us together.” Carruth Cellars 10th Annual Barrel Tasting - It is amazing how different the world was before Covid-19 emerged. For example, just a few weeks ago, Senior Editor Frank and I were enjoying Carruth Cellars’ 10th Annual Barrel tasting with sold out crowds for two sessions each on Sat and Sun Feb 22 and 23rd before social distancing was part of our vocabulary. Guests were able to enjoy a baker’s dozen (13) of barreled wine samples served from a wine thief... (Story by Rico) Challenging Times Require Creative Solutions-During these unimaginable times resembling fictional Sci Fi movies, it is key for societies to maintain human interaction, and comply with stay at home mandates. The wine industry has stepped up to provide creative opportunities via virtual wine tastings and social sessions to add levity. Here are a few examples that we have heard of and even participated in. Check out Enriquez Wines virtual tastings, check out the next Solare LIVE via Instagram (@solaresandiego) on Tues Mar 24 @6PM when Tommy has a session on making cocktails and Italian spritzes, check out the next DAOU LIVE via Instagram (@daouvineyards) today (Sun Mar 22) @4PM when Co-Proprietor Georges Daou does storytelling. Stay Safe and Healthy, Frank and Rico. Download full column here. |
Week of 3/15/2020 - DAOU is Building a New World Wine Culture. This week with feature how DAOU Vineyards is creating a New World Wine Culture. We also have a review from our recent DAOU Wine Dinner at Rancho Valencia.
This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Tuscan wines and an Italian Food Pairing cooking class workshop with an award winning guest chef Fabio Flagiello team up at the Bunker House Lounge on Cleveland Street in Oceanside. The date is Thurs. March 26 from 6 to 9pm. Learn and help make a 3 course Italian meal with Italian wines for $110. More at bunkerhouselounge.com (2) The Godfather restaurant in San Diego will present a Charles Krug Wine dinner Thurs. March 26 at 6:30 with winemaker Peter Mondavi from Napa Valley. This is a 4 course meal with the cost set at $129. per person. Call 858-560-1747. (3) Vittorio’s in Carmel Valley San Diego has a Paso Robles CASS wine dinner, Thurs. March 26 at 6:30pm. Enjoy 4 course entrees with Rhone varietal wines from CASS. $60. pp when you RSVP at 858-538-5884. (4) The Family Winemakers Tasting show, scheduled for Sun. March 22, has been postponed due to the Coronavirus crisis. No new date has been planned yet. We will keep you posted. Check familywinemakers.org. Coronavirus Impact Taste of Wine and Food empathizes with all our wine and food partners as society bands together to make tough decisions to curb the spread of the virus. We wish the best to all our partners and viewers as we get through these trying health and economic times. The wine and food will be that much better on the other side. Stay Healthy, Frank and Rico Download full column here. |
Week of 3/1/2010 - Duckhorn Dazzles at Il Fornaio Del Mar
I suspect that some read the title, smiled, and thought Ah Duckhorn! Perhaps, a few others read the title and thought where did I hear Duckhorn from? For the latter, Duckhorn was Wine Spectator’s 2017 Wine of the Year with their 2014 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot that renewed interest in Merlot following its unfortunate bad rap from the movie, “Sideways.” Merlot lovers everywhere jumped for joy and rejoiced that Merlot was once again in good graces... Discover New and Celebrity Wines at Fun Bars Like PAON & NCWC Last week’s column had several tips on how to get that new wine you want to add to your “highly regarded, tastiest discovery” wine list. I poured through my e mails from wine shops, bars and wineries, dovetailing the info, did some cork-popping and came up with some new wines I thought you should try. Two wine bars in the San Diego area, as they usually do, caught my attention for the wines presented in their weekly “flights,” the price to value of the list and the research that went into their presentation-North County Wine Company and PAON... Download full column here |
Week of 2/23/2010 - Discover New Wines. We’ll Tell you How and Name a Few
I was just about to sit down in front of my computer and launch my latest idea on a column urging you to take a break from the same labels that you’ve coveted for years, and reach out for something new, different and intriguing. I have for some time subscribed to the idea that for every four familiar wine names, change your instincts and reach for something different... David Phinney Inspired Wine Dinners at Ercolano Restaurants Sal Ercolano called Frank and me up at the end of 2019 when he was putting together his 2020 Wine Dinner venues to share the great and exciting news that he was going to have a The Prisoner Wine Dinner at Seasalt Seafood Bistro back to back to with an Orin Swift Cellars Wine Dinner at his West End Bar & Kitchen restaurant. We loved it! ... Download full column here |
Week of 2/16/2010 - South Coast’s Country of Wine – Temecula
It was the day I’d been waiting for, a day when the weather could not have been better, the hills were a lush green and it was the 2020 kickoff wine country celebration for the Temecula Valley Winegrowers of Southern California. This two day soiree was the annual Barrel Tasting event, when, like the winemakers themselves, guests had a glass of wine drawn straight from barrels along with recently released bottles. Red wines dominated the barrel tasting, like a 2016 Estate Lambrusco from Cougar, a rich red 2018 Meritage blend from Lorimar and a 2017 Syrah from Monte De Oro, ready for new French Oak. 22 wineries were available for tasting on the Sunday that Tech Director Rico and I visited. The day prior, 22 other wineries were on display with their barrel tasting. There was a nominal cost for both days and clearly that was the bargain for wine lovers. The full column elaborates on our Cougar, Lorimar, and Monte De Oro visits with a feature piece on Monte De Oro. This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Valley’s ZD wines Thurs Feb 27 from 6-9pm. Cost is $125 per person. The event offers dedicated time with Chef de Cuisine Christopher Gentile and his 5 course meal, and cellar master Joe Baumgardner and his teachings of the fine wines of ZD. Call 858-675-8551 for an RSVP. (2) Parc Brasserie in the Bankers Hill district of San Diego welcomes Silver Oak Winery to a 5 course wine pairing dinner, 6:30pm on Feb 26. Cost is $115 each. Some of Napa Valley’s best wines will be served. (3) February “Leap Day” is Sat Feb 29 and Marriot’s Marina Kitchen is making it memorable with a Stag’s Leap dinner from 7 to 10 pm, presented in their private dining room. Main course is a Brandt Beef Eye of Ribeye steak with two Stag’s Leap Cabernets from the great 2016 vintage. Guest charge is $150. Call 619-230-8337 for details. Download full column here. |
Week of 2/9/2020-St. Valentine Inspired Dishes at Il Fornaio Del Mar.
This week features: (1) Il Fornaio serving romantic dishes now through Feb 16 as part of their Umbria Festa Regionale menu. (2) Rancho Santa Fe’s The Bistro, lovingly operated by the husband and wife team of Farah and Mozy Jahanguiri including premium wines including Napa Valley (Caymus) and Paso Robles (DAOU) favs. This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Join Parc Brasserie on 5th Ave. San Diego for a Valentines Day 3 course Prix-Fixe dinner in the French style, Feb. 14 starting at 3pm. $75. pp. Call 619-795-1501. (2) 20/Twenty, an appropriate restaurant for the classic Valentines day dinner this year, celebrates with a 3 course dinner for you and your significant other. Gourmet food, wine and live music on the 14th at $75, per person. Check out 20twentygrill.com. (3) Il Fornaio in Del Mar presents a special Duckhorn winemaker dinner with guest speaker and VP of winemaking Dana Epperson Wed. Feb. 19 at 6pm. This 4 course dinner is $99.99. For an RSVP please call 858-755-8876. (4) Gianni Buonomo Vintners in Ocean Beach San Diego is planning a wine dinner celebration for their wine winnings at the recent San Francisco Chronicle competition. The dinner is on Sat. Feb. 22 at 6:30pm to 9pm with a $55. cost. It’s a 3 course Italian dinner created by Chef Max Farina along with a glass of any of the award winning wines, the 2015 Barbera and the 2015 Avennio. Details at gbvintners.com. Download full column here. |
Week of 2/2/2020-Valentines Day Edition With Valentines Day several 24 hours away, we thought we’d be cute and offer you four headlines for you to choose from, to impress your Valentine. You can poetically use them in your Valentine themed card, scratched on your glass of wine or a romantic gift, then break the news about the tasty restaurant you’ve chosen. My favorite? “Love the wine you’re with”! I have it on a waiter’s fancy towel hanging from my floor-to-ceiling wine cooler. They are all wines I love to open and sip. You grey-haired types, if you still have hair, surely remember Crosby Stills and Nash from the 60’s. Stephen Stills sang the lead on “Love the one you’re with.” “Wine” replaced “one” shortly after...
Sojourn Cellars hailing from Sonoma was at Ruth’s Chris Del Mar for their Spring 2020 Wine Release Party. They are calling the 2018 vintage a winemaker and grape grower’s dream across Sonoma and Napa Valley. Moderate temperatures and dry weather created abundant yields of high-quality fruit. Cool evening temperatures and a long, even growing season allowed for complex flavor development while retaining natural acidity. Sojourn offered guests the first 5 wines to prove the 2018 Dream with 7 wines to enjoy in total... This week's Wine Bytes include: (1)Firenze Trattoria (Encinitas) a special premium menu on 2/14. Main entrée choices include Halibut, Risotto, Pollo, Salmon and others. $75 each. RSVP 760-944-9000 (2)Enjoy a Valentines Sparkling Wine Rose’ Tasting Thurs. 2/13, 5:30-7:30pm at Vintage Wine Storage (Carlsbad). Light appetizers avail. Cost is $20 (3)South Coast Winery, Resort & Spa (Temecula) offers romantic dining on 2/14 with a 3 course gourmet experience, 5:30-9pm. Live entertainment 4:30-9:30pm. $150 per couple. RSVP at opentable.com or 951-719-8356. (4) Celebrate St.Valentine at Il Fornaio (Del Mar) Feb. 3-16. Menu inspired by the Italian region of Umbria, home of St. Valentine. Featured dishes include Risotto Umbro and Fondente ai Tre Cuore, a heart-shaped flourless dark chocolate cake with white chocolate and mixed berry gelee hearts. RSVP at 858-755-8876. Download the full column here. |
Week of 1/26/2020 - France and Italy Versus the U.S. - Having the wines of these 3 countries to compare and compete against each other is like having the NFL Super Bowl, NBA playoffs and MLB World Series go at it at the same time and in the same space. France and Italy, aka “old world” wines and the U.S. (read California new world wines) are the wine heavyweight champions of the world. These three regions pinpoint and focus on all that is great in the world of wine.
The Italians were the first of the three countries to introduce and develop fine wine to the civilized world. Etruscan tribes based in Central Italy about 800BC emigrated to what is now France. Later, Roman legions, in their thirst for power and territory, found France to be a garden for wine grapes. Craftsman Tavern Hosts 5 Course Italian Feast Craftsman Tavern GM Mike Cusey knew exactly what to do when Alluvial Wines, San Diego Account Manager, Bryan Taylor said he had some exceptional Italian Wines. Mike reached out to his Italian Executive Chef Sergio Serrano to create a 5 course Italian Feast. Taylor, who has a passion for Italian wines, was able to secure select low production high quality wines for the dinner that he called “Royalty Wines”. First up was a Clara C Brut Prosecco paired with a mini charcuterie plate... This week's Wine Bytes features (1)Oak + Elixir wine bar (Carlsbad Village) has a Hill Family Napa Valley Wine Tasting and Food Pairing, Thurs. Feb. 6, 6:30 to 9pm. Cost is $40 per person. RSVP at 760-453-7853. (2) Firenze Trattoria (Encinitas) welcomes Beaulieu Vineyard of Napa Valley for a 4 course wine pairing dinner, Thurs. Feb. 6 at 6:30pm. The dinner will feature Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet. $98 each. RSVP at 760-944-9000. (3) Join award-winning Italian chef Fabio Flagiello on a country style 4 course Italian wine dinner demonstration at Apotheque lifestyle spa and social lounge at the Bunkershouse (Oceanside), Thurs. Feb.6 from 6 to 9pm. In this cooking class Italian food and Tuscan wines will be served. $69 per person. Call 760-967-7727 for details. Download full column here |
Week of 1/19/2020 - Sal Ercolano proprietor of both Seasalt and West End Bar & Kitchen kicks off his 2020 Wine Dinner Series with international flair hosting Argentina’s Catena Zapata Wines. Andii Ulrich, Winebow Group SoCal Manager narrated the dinner providing the rich history of Catena Zapata wines. Ulrich noted that, “Today Catena is led by third generation Nicolas Catena Zapata who took over in the 1960’s and revolutionized not only Catena but Argentinian wines in general and is compared in stature to Robert Mondavi’s influence in Napa Valley...”
Temecula Valley Opens its Doors for Annual Barrel Tasting The history of wine making in Southern California starts with Temecula Wine Country and its over 50 years of building a major district of some 40 wineries. The major wine publication Wine Enthusiast, called it one of the 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations in 2019. The best time to enjoy all that this beautiful land has to offer is its self-guided annual barrel tasting and tour of up to 19 different wineries per day Sat. Jan. 26 and 19 more, Sun. Jan. 26 from 11 to 4pm. a 2 day ticket is your best value at $138. per person. A Sat. ticket is $88. per person and a Sun. ticket $78. This week's Wine Bytes features: Seasalt hosting a 5 Course Seafood-inspired The Prisoner Wine Company Dinner on Thu/Fri Feb 6&7 @6PM with a monkfish wrapped main dish. Cost is $75 per person and includes tax/gratuity. RSVP at 858-259-5878. (2) The WineSellar & Brasserie (San Diego) is having a “Walk-Around” Wine Tasting of staff favorites Sat Jan 25, 3:30 to 5:30pm. Try 15+ wines. $35 per person. Call 858-450-9557. (3) Vittorio’s (San Diego) has a J. Wilkes 4 course wine dinner Thu Jan 30 at 6:30pm. $65 each. Call 858-538-5884. (4) Ranch 45 in Solana Beach, Wed. Jan. 29 from 6 to 7:30pm, is celebrating Rose’ wine from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the US. $45. Enjoy light appetizers. Contact Ranch 45 at 650-250-1983. (5) 7 Mile Kitchen (Carlsbad) has a Super Bowl party with special offer: a pitcher of select beer, wings and fries for $19. 1 to 11pm on Sun Feb. 2. RSVP at 760-827-2514. Download full column here. |
Week of 1/12/2020-Here & There in the 20/20 World of Wine & Food.
In cavernous New York City, a curious but fascinating story was recently put to bed and published in the New York Times: 52 places to go in 2020. The only place in California given the honor of this list at #6, was Paso Robles in Central CA, a rapidly rising wine country district with a hip city built around its more than 300 wineries and vineyards. What put it in this enviable position was a masterful “field of light” created by artist Bruce Munro, with 60,000 illuminated glass orbs rolling through 15 acres of prime vineyard land east of Highway 101. There is also a rising wine hero, Daniel DAOU, who with his creative brother Georges, is ringing the Paso bell on DAOU Mountain... THE PALM SPRINGS PINOT NOIR FESTIVAL IS SAT. JAN. 18 - Taste and discover new wines and current standards from Oregon and California. The Grand Ballroom of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Rancho Mirage is home for this “Passion 4 Pinot” celebration. Some of the best chefs in the desert from highly acclaimed restaurants and country clubs will be preparing delicious bites to enhance the beautiful, sensuous pinots. Prices range from $95 for general admission at 2:30pm, to $125 for early entry at 1:30pm. Visit palmspringspinotfest.com. This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) The Craftsman Tavern in Encinitas have put together a special Italian dinner Wed 1/22 at 6pm with a special guest educator, Bryan Taylor. This 5 dinner is matched by 5 Italian wine gems. Signature entrée will be a Braised Short Rib enhanced by a 2014 Daniele Conterno Barolo from Piemonte. Cost is $70. 30 seats are available. RSVP at 760-452-2000. (2) North County Wine Company starts 2020 with fantastic Happy Hour deals Tues. thru Thurs. Wines by the glass are half price from 4 to 7pm. Mark the date for Fri. and Sat. Jan. 17th and 18th when their Top 100 Wine Tasting event happens, and Penny Sale is on Fri. 1/31. Details at 760-653-9032. (3) Justin Isosceles 5 course dinner at KnB Bistro (La Jolla) with Sinia Shaw (Justin) and chef Erin Sealy, Thu 1/23 from 7 to 9pm. $85 each. Details at 619-823-3541. Download full column here. |
Week of 12/29/2019 - 10 Deluxe Wines Selected as the Top Ten for 2019
A bounty of the finest wines line up on the Taste of Wine top shelf, led by the 2016 vintage, universally touted as the best in years with its influence now spilling over to 2017. Tech Director Rico Cassoni and I had a great time putting this list together for our viewers. The excellence is best exemplified by Cabernet Sauvignon, the most popular varietal, revealed in a recent nationwide COSTCO poll. These most noteworthy wines were selected for flavor, body, value in the wine’s price point and the “Wow factor,” Wines appearing are by Alpha listing: CADE Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, 2016. $110, DAOU Bodyguard Adelaida District Paso Robles, 2017. $36, DAOU Estate Soul of a Lion Adelaida District Paso Robles, 2016. $125, Duckhorn Merlot Atlas Peak Napa Valley, 2016. $78, Fattoria di Felsina Chianti Classico Reserva Tuscany, 2016. $35, Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2016. $80, Lewis Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley, 2016. $175, Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder Napa Valley, 2016. $100, Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Tuscany, 2016. $30, Turley Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard Paso Robles, 2016. $55. Happy New Year! From our Taste of Wine and Food team to you and yours, we wish all our viewers a healthy and prosperous 2020. We are taking the first full week in January off and look forward to bringing smart information back to your table the following week. Download full column here. |
Week of 12/22/2019 - A Superior Vintage Now on Sale Worldwide
A Superior Vintage Now on Sale Worldwide The other day I was going through some of the many candidates the Taste of Wine team had gone through this past year, prepping for our Top Ten Wine Tastes for 2019, the last week of this year. The light bulb started to get brighter and bigger as I sifted and thought through some elite big dog Cab wines. They not only represented the U.S. West, where it’s best, but spread out to other varietals in the European underbelly that in the same year, captured the fancy of our wine brethren from Italy and even France... Seasalt 2019 Wine Dinner Season Finale Spotlighting Far Niente Proprietor Sal Ercolano, also proprietor of West End Bar & Kitchen, hosted 30 dinners in total between both restaurants in 2019, featuring an epic 5 course Season Finale Far Niente Wine Dinner with champagne reception. It was nostalgic seeing Mark Pighini, Far Niente, Western Region Sales Manager. Far Niente was the first Napa Valley winery I visited when the column started 15 years ago and Mark was the first person that I met at the winery. Chef Hilario dazzled guests with tray passed small bites at the champagne reception and after sitting down we had octopus carpaccio, homemade tortellini with pancetta, slow cooked short ribs... This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Wine Vault & Bistro (San Diego) has a Top 5 Reds of 2019 10-Course Tasting menu on Sun Dec 29 4:30-6:00PM. Cost is $69.50 per person. RSVP at 619-295-3939. 2) Firenze Trattoria (Encinitas) is celebrating New Year’s Eve with a special menu starting at 6:00PM featuring a 3-course Prix Fixe menu including their specialty Lasagna Firenze. Cost is $75 per person. RSVP at 760-944-9000. (3) Marina Kitchen Restaurant & Bar (San Diego) at the Marriott San Diego Marina is hosting a DAOU 5-Couse Wine Dinner on Jan 8, 7:00-10:00PM featuring Braised Short Rib paired with 2016 Estate “Soul of a Lion” and Seventeen-Forty, Mystery Vintage. Only 40 seats available, cost is $165 per person and includes gratuity. RSVP at 619-234-1500. Download full column here. |
Week of 12/19/2019 - Daniel Daou Dazzles at Il Fornaio Wine Dinner
Guests enjoyed an unforgettable evening with DAOU Winemaker & Proprietor, Daniel Daou. DAOU wines were paired with Italian cuisine of Il Fornaio (Del Mar). The 5-course menu was created by Exec Chef Roberto Gerbino with wine curated by Daniel. Il Fornaio GM Vittorio Homberger and his team ensured that guests had a memorable experience. Before the dinner, DAOU wine admirers were able to partake in a wine tasting at the Del Mar Pavilion’s lead by Director of Liquor, Phil Markert. For Daniel, winemaking is a labor of love fusing art and science. “To do this”, Daniel said, “it takes quality and teamwork.” First, it was important to find the best terroir. Daniel and co-proprietor/brother Georges explored the world to find the perfect spot. When they discovered, in Paso Robles, the rich calcareous soils of France’s right bank and the perfect Napa Valley climate with the elevation of a mountain and diurnal temperature swings, the brothers knew they discovered gold... . Alaska Airlines starts non-stop flight service from San Diego to San Luis Obispo on January 7, 2020. This is great news for San Diego Wine Lovers looking to get to Paso Robles Wine Country for quick trips... . This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Gianni Buonomo Vintners invites you to a full-service, sit-down Italian Holiday Dinner in their barrel room for the release of their 2015 Reserve wines on Dec 29 @6:30PM. The event will feature 4 single varietal 2015 Reserve wines (Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Aglianico, and Cabernet Franc) paired with a Chef Max Farina exquisite dining experience. Details at gbvintners.com/events or (619) 991-9911. Both A.R. Valentien and The Grill at The Lodge at Torrey Pines have Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinner Celebrations. A.R. Valentien dinners created by Executive Chef Jeff Jackson are 4-course Prix Fixe, $120 per person ($60 under 12) and The Grill dinners are 3-course Prix Fixe, $60 per person ($35 under 12). Details for A.R. Valentien at 858-777-6635 and The Grill at 858-777-6641. #tasteofwineandfood #daouvineyards Download full column here. |
Week of 12/8/2015 - The Weather Outside Was Frightful, But PAON’s Holiday Party Was Delightful
PAON Restaurant & Wine Bar recently held its 2nd Annual Holiday Tasting Party & Wine Warehouse Sale. Over 200 guests enjoyed 7 Wine Tasting Stations with more than 67 wines to sample along with PAON small bites. The event wine prices were discounted just in time for holiday shopping and gift giving... Pahlmeyer Wines Perfectly Paired At West End Bar & Kitchen Wine Dinner - The wine industry is filled with intriguing stories. Jayson Pahlmeyer’s story easily fits into this category. Out of the chute, thirty years ago in its first release, Pahlmeyer scored a stunning 94pt Robert Parker score with its Chardonnay that is made even more famous where it was showcased in the Hollywood Blockbuster movie, “Disclosure” starring Michael Douglas and Demi Moore. What is most interesting is how then lawyer, Jayson Pahlmeyer, and partner and land owner John Caldwell, got their vineyard started in 1981. After analyzing John’s soil, Bordeaux experts said that the land was best suited to grow corn. However, that did not stop this duo’s ambition to create a “California Mouton.” This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Wine Vault & Bistro (San Diego) is hosting a 6-course winemaker dinner featuring Justin Winery founder and namesake, Justin Baldwin, in person on Sunday, Dec 15, 5PM. Guests will enjoy Landmark Chardonnay and Pinot Noir followed by Justin iconic reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Justification and Isosceles. Price is $89.50 per person. RSVP at 619-295-3939. (2) L’Auberge (Del Mar) is hosting a Christmas Eve Celebratory 3-course dinner, Dec 24, 5 to 9PM. The main course choices include Sea Scallops, Braised beef short ribs, Swordfish Oscar, or Ratatouille. Cost is $95 per person. (3) L’Auberge (Del Mar) is hosting a Christmas Day Buffet, Dec 25, 11AM to 5PM. This is a full-featured brunch with optional Bloody Mary/Mimosa bar ($20 per person). Guests will enjoy Eggs Your Way and Carving Stations. Cost is $75 per adult and $25 for young guests (12 years or younger). Contact 858-259-1515. (4) Save the Date for the Palm Springs Pinot Noir Festival, Jan 18th at the Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage. Event Producer David Fraschetti is featuring 50 Top Tier Pinot Noir wineries for this exciting event. Various ticket options are available. Details at palmspringspinotfest.com. Download full column here |
Week of 12/1/2019 - San Diego Urban Wineries Inaugural Sip By The Sea Sets Sail.
San Diego Urban Wineries held their Inaugural Sip By The Sea at Del Mar Plaza overlooking the Pacific from on high. It was a perfect location and venue for local urban wineries to celebrate Harvest 209 and to showcase their wines. Before we get too far into the story, a few might be wondering what defines an urban winery. These are wineries working closely with suppliers in the county and beyond to source 100% of their exceptional fruit. Once the fruit (grapes) is received, these urban wineries crush, ferment, age in oak, stainless steel, etc., and lay down to complete the aging just as estate wineries would... . West End Bar & Kitchen Hosts Huneeus Family Wine Dinner - We were fortunate to enjoy the great wines of Huneeus Family at West End Bar & Kitchen. Agustin Huneeus and wife Valerie are proprietors and founders of Quintessa, one of the Napa Valley’s most highly regarded wineries. Their winery benefits from 50 years of Agustin’s experience in the wine industry that started in 1960 in Santiago, Chile... . This week's Wine Bytes features: (1) Join Violet Grgich, daughter of Master Winemaker Mike Grgich and President of Grgich Hill Estates, for a Bottle Signing & Wine Tasting at Pavilions (Carmel Valley). Sat Dec 7, 1:00 PM - 3:45 PM (2) DAOU Wine Tasting at Pavilions (Carmel Valley), Wed Dec 11, from 3pm-6pm at Pavilions in Carmel Valley. DAOU will be pouring the Reserve Chardonnay, Bodyguard, and Soul of a Lion. (3) DAOU Wine Dinner with Winemaker Daniel Daou at Il FornaioDel Mar Wed Dec 11@6:30pm. This will be an unforgettable evening with DAOU Winemaker & Proprietor, Daniel Daou. Savor DAOU wines paired with the authentic Italian cuisine of Il Fornaio in Del Mar. Enjoy a memorable 5-course menu progression created by Executive Chef Roberto Gerbino with wine curated by Daniel. Cost is $99 per person. RSVP at 858-755-8876. Download full column here. |
Week of 11/24/2019-Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Trade Show Sharpens Our Saw
Our commitment to our viewers is to bring “Smart Information to Your Table.” This also happens to be our tagline. One of ways that we stay abreast of the wine industry is to attend events such as Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Trade Show. The San Diego event showcased over 100 suppliers and vendors. . I was able to visit about a dozen booths. The highlight was a booming crowd at the Mollydooker from down under booth. Mollydocker Vineyards hail from Adelaide in Southern Australia’s McLaren Vale region and is led by owner Sarah Marquis. The company responsibly grows its high-quality fruit using the self-created Marquis Vineyard Watering Program along with their Marquis Fruit Weight... . Gianni Buonomo Celebrates 2019 Harvest-If you are a winemaker and owner of San Diego’s Best Voted Urban Winery, what do you do after crushing and processing 30 tons of fruit and needing to launch your 2015 Sangiovese? Keith Rolle knew. He teamed up with Zafferano Owner and Executive Chef Max Farina for a Harvest Celebration / Sangiovese Launch... . This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) A shout out to Paso Robles friend Allegretto Vineyards. Congrats on their 2015 Willow Creek Cabernet that was just awarded 97 points and Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. This varietal is aged in 40% new oak for 40 months (2) PAON Wine Bar in Carlsbad will be hosting their 2nd Annual Warehouse Sale and Holiday Party on Dec 8, 12:00 to 4:00 PM with Wine Tastings, Live Music, and Food Stations. Wines will be priced at a tremendous discount and available for pick up at the event. Tix are $30 per person. Details at eventbrite.com (2) West End Bar & Kitchen is hosting 5 course Pahlmeyer Wine Dinners on Dec 5 and 7, 6:00-9:00PM. The dinner includes both Jayson and Paulmeyer wines highlighted by Ossobuco Veal Shanks and saffron risotto for the main course. Tix are value priced at $75 per person. RSVP at 858-259-5878. Download full column here. |
Week of 11/17/2019 - Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Pairing Suggestions
Tech Director Rico and I had a great discussion and came up with Rieslings, Viogniers, and Chardonnays as our favorite white varietals with Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett Blue Slate, Yalumba Virgilius Viognier, and Rombauer Chardonnay. For red, we immediately thought of Pinot Noir and wanted to suggest a Pinot that was readily accessible at most grocery stores and easily affordable. Our selection is Meiomi Pinot Noir. . Perhaps some are not cooking and are visiting family or friends and wondering what a good bottle of wine may be for a host gift. May we suggest surprising your host with a bottle of award winning DAOU Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Robert Parker 94pts). Happy Thanksgiving and Bon Appetit! . Candor by Giuseppe Revisit - We loved our visit to Candor by Giuseppe in San Diego La Jolla so much, we could not resist introducing travel writers Scott and Nancine to share in this great find. Owner and Exec Chef Giuseppe Ciuffa's is a culinary master. Two of us had the Lamb Pappardelle two had the Fisherman Stew. We paired these with Valle de Guadalupe Montefiori Aglianico and Paso Robles Vina Robles Petite Syrah. It’s always great dining at dinecandor.com. . Wine Bytes (1) Vittorio’s Trattoria is hosting a 5 course Joseph Wagner Wine Dinner featuring Belle Glos wines on Thur, Nov 21@6PM. Guests will enjoy Roasted Duck Breast, Roasted Tenderloin, and Slow Roasted Beef Cheeks along with Pasta Farfale appetizer and dessert. Tickets are $70 per person. RSVP at 858-538-5884. (2) Looking for a perfect kickoff to your Thanksgiving Day, L’Auberge in Del Mar, has you covered with an all-day brunch with an Eggs Your Way station, Mediterranean specialties, and carving station with Turkey and Sirloin Beef along with Spinach Ricotta Agnolotti and Blackened Pork Loin. There is also Bloody Mary and Mimosa / Bellini bar ($20 extra charge per person) and a Young Adult menu with burgers, pizza, and spaghetti. $85 per adult, $25 per young guest (12 y/o and under). Details at laubergedelmar.com. Download full column here |
Week of 11/10/2019 - Catch Florida Stone Crab Season at Truluck’s.
Technical Director Rico and I had the pleasure of visiting the only Truluck‘s in California at San Diego’s Aventine Hyatt Plaza in La Jolla. We were able to enjoy this in season delicacy that is farmed, poached, ice packed, and served fresh the next day in California. . General Manager and Sommelier Lee Carre shared, “What makes the Florida Stone Crab extra flavorful are the warm Gulf waters. The crabs do not have to create a fat layer. Everything under the shell is succulent crab meat"... (see full column) . Sal Ercolano, proprietor, West End Bar and Kitchen, Del Mar, teamed up with Paso Roble’s Justin Vineyard for a 5-course dinner featuring Chef Noe starters, a seafood medley with shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams, then pork belly with mango chutney, veal loin with scalloped potatoes, and Gruyere Souffle. Each course was paired respectively with: Sauvignon Blanc, Rose (a crowd favorite for the evening), Cab Sauvignon, signature Isoceles, and hard to find Savant. Justin’s Sinia Shaw provided expert commentary for each of the wines... (see full column) . This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Gianni Buonomo Winery, Ocean Beach, is hosting a Harvest Celebration Dinner / 2015 Sangiovese Release Party. This 3-course Wine Dinner featuring Chef Max Farina, Saturday, Nov 21 @6:30PM. $55 per person. RSVP and details at sangio.bpt.me. (2) Our initial list of Thanksgiving Dinners includes two events at The Lodge Torrey Pines. For either event, RSVP at opentable.com. The Grill has a prix fixe three-course meal with optional beer or wine pairings for an additional charge, or create your own feast with the a la carte menu. Starting at $60 per person ($35 under 12), Thu, Nov 28, 10:30AM to 10:00PM. Executive Chef Jeff Jackson invites you to celebrate Thanksgiving in A.R. Valentien's timbered indoor-outdoor dining room with a prix fixe four-course meal. Starting at $120 per person ($60 under 12), Thu, Nov 28, 12:00 - 10:00PM. Download full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (10/27/2019): Visit Old World Chicago Steakhouses at Morton's
Old World Chicago style steakhouses is what Morton’s The Steakhouse prides itself on. Across the world, 73 cities get to partake in their 40-year history of making “The Best Steak Anywhere!” Technical Director Rico Cassoni and I enjoyed a dinner that we are recounting as “Over the Top Excellence”. Asst Mgr Vasili Konstan and Server Joseph Lucenti were amazingly attentive and gracious hosts. Harvest for Hope Recap - This is a follow to our 9/22/19 column that focused on Harvest for Hope. As a reminder, this fundraising event was started by Richard and Diane Nares who lost their son after a 3-year battle with cancer and passed away at 5 years old. They launched the Emilo Nares Foundation (ENF) in San Diego that spread throughout the county and is now available in Orange County with hopes of reaching Los Angeles. This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Our hearts go out to Sonoma Country vineyards and wineries that have been battling the Kincade wildfire and loss of electricity for the past 2 weeks, especially Soda Rock winery in Healdsburg that was consumed by the wildfires. (2) West End Bar and Kitchen in Del Mar is hosting a “Dinner with Huneeus Family wineries featuring Quintessa” Thur. 11/21@6:00PM, $75 per person. The Huneeus family dedicates itself on capturing the beauty and harmony through organically and biodynamically farmed and harvested wines. RSVP at 858-259-5878. (3) Wine Vault & Bistro in San Diego is presenting a Ridge Winemaker Dinner #1 with Winemaker Eric Baugher on Sun. 11/17 from 5:00-800PM featuring Ridge’s Zin and Zin blends paired with braised pork, grilled steak, and roasted duck. Cost is $75 per person. RSVP at 619-295-3939. Download full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (10/27/2019): A Family of Wines at a Place like Home.
Skip and Maureen Coomber have brought their love of wines to downtown Oceanside. If ever there was a craft winery and tasting room that merits a “WOW” Coomber Craft Wines Oceanside in the “Mid Mission” District is the one! Open less than 6 months ago with the look and feel of a “Cheers” bar with a lot of an “Austin Texas City Limits” atmosphere, this home away from home is a fascinating place to hang out and have a great time with friends. . I especially loved what I felt was the “inside-outside” feeling of the place. A roll up window next to the entrance allows customers to greet the street and spread the fun around. This community feeling extends to a large outdoor area for wine tasting and live music on stage Thursday through Sunday 6 to 8:30pm, with a state of the art sound system, including a Grand Player Piano. Some 20+ Coomber wines are available in glass, wine flight or bottle. A preservation system ensures each glass is as fresh asit can be. Food can be delivered in from select restaurants with no service charge. Be sure to ask about the Coomber Collection Wine Clubs, the smart way to join the “Coomber Community.” Hours are Monday to Friday 4 pm to 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday noon to 9pm. Learn more at 760-231-8022 or visit CoomberWines.com. . This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Uncorked Derby Day Sat. 11/9 from 12-4PM at Del Mar racing returns. 150+ wines and Champagnes with live music, costume contest, and gourmet food trucks. Tix are $65-$95. Visit uncorkedwinefestivals.com. (2) The Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery has a new “Mediterranean Diet” created by Executive Chef Jason Barradas. Daily 11:30am to 3:30pm, while enjoying a panoramic vineyard view. Details at falknerwinery.com. (3) Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido has their annual Grand Wine & Beer Tasting Sat. 11/9, 3-6PM. Cost is $75. This is a big 75+ brand, 125+ pours event including wines, beers and more. Sweet and savory treats from local producers. Raffle drawings throughout. Call ASAP to 760-745-1200. Download full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (10/20/2019): Everything You’d Ever Want in a Resort is Yours At South Coast Resort & Spa Temecula
Jim Carter’s dream happened in a movie theatre in the mid 1990’s, after watching classic vineyard film, “A Walk in the Clouds.” With 400 acres of scenic land, he now had a vision to create his own winery. Jim mentions, “I wanted to share the complete wine country experience. Guests not only enjoy the finest wines paired with the finest foods, but they stay in a private villa in a working vineyard.” South Coast Winery (SCW) Resort & Spa includes 132 hotel rooms with Tuscan inspired single level villas, a working winery and tasting room, full-service spa and fine dining Vineyard Rose Restaurant. Three years ago, Carter Estate Winery and Resort was added, with 109 acres, adjacent to SCW with 60 bungalows and suites and similar amenities. From Chardonnay to Cab Sauv and other varietals, SCW earned 2,000+ awards and set the gold standard being the only CA winery to claim "California Winery of the Year" 4 times. Check out this year's final performance of SCW Rhythm On The Vine Jazz Concert Series, Sun 11/3 @6:30PM featuring piano legend David Benoit. Tix start at $40, visit southcoastwinery.com/concerts. . This week's Wine Bytes include:(1) Winesellar Brasserie, Cabaret of Cabernet, Sat 10/26@3:30 to 5:30. 14+ Cabernets from Bordeaux to Loire Valley and Napa Valley. $35 ($30 members). Visit winesellar@winesellar.com (2) Breast cancer benefit “Breast Fest” at Cheval Winery (Escondido), Sun 10/27@1 to 5PM. Cost is $5.00 per "sip". Live music, food, wine. Call 760-690-6617.(3)San Diego Urban Wineries (SDUW) present SIP BY THE SEA, Sun 11/10@3 to 6PM at Del Mar Plaza’s ocean view deck. Unlimited tastings from a dozen local urban wineries and Charcuterie by Pacifica Del Mar. Tix are $49. A portion of sales goes to Helping Paws Foundation, a veterans support local non-profit. Visit sdurbanwineries.com (4) A two day private tour of Valle de Guadalupe Nov 9 to 11. Experience the best wineries with daily wine tastings, lunches, dinners and nightly stays in high end accommodations. Limited avail. RSVP to Sal at salercolano@hotmail.com or call 858-864-9598. Download full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (10/13/2019): Here & There in the Wine & Food World
In this week's column, Senior Editor shares his in-basket of wine and food information. Highlights include the top drawer Ruth's Cris/DAOU Wine Dinner. It was a match made in wine and food heaven, two of the best in their respective categories. There are 5 DAOU wine events coming to the San Diego area in December including the Dec 4th West End Bar and Kitchen DAOU Wine Dinner. . The 16th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival runs Nov 10-17 featuring hundreds of wineries, chefs, restaurants all week, including the Saturday Grand Tasting. . October is National Pizza month and time to once again hail the exploits of Mangia e Bevi Oceanside owner, Tore Trupiano. He’s a leading “pizzaioli” (pizza chef) in the country and a recent 2nd place winner for best pizza in the nation. . Congratulations to San Diego’s Joshua Orr for earning his Master Sommelier diploma, only the second person with this ultimate wine designation in the city. . Banfi Winery, home to Brunello wine from Montalcino, sent their ambassador Luciano Castiello to West End Bar & Kitchen and owner Sal Ercolano. Ercolano’s “Night in Tuscany” crafted a magnificent menu featuring Brunello with West End’s Lamb Ossobuco. Next West End wine dinner is Justin from Paso Robles Thurs. Oct. 24 and Sat. Oct. 26 at 6pm. The 24th is already sold out. Call today for the 26th. . This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Craftsman Tavern (Encinitas) French harvest 5 course wine dinner Oct 23 @6pm. Chef Sergio Serrano pairs his cuisine perfectly with 5 French varietals. Cost is $70. Call Mike at 760-452-2000. (2) Riboli winery 5 course dinner at North County Wine Company Oct 23 @6pm, prepared by Chef Erin Sealy. Cost is $85. Details at 619-823-3541 or chef@winepairsevents.com (3) Vigilucci’s Seafood & Steakhouse (Carlsbad) presents a Gaja Wine Dinner with District Manager Joeseph Schlegel, Oct 24 @6pm. Cost is $175. Five gourmet courses and great wines. Call 760-434-2580. (4) Cakebread Cellars Wine Dinner at Vittorio’s Trattoria (Carmel Valley) Oct 24 @6:30pm. Cost is $75. Call 858-538-5884. Download full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (10/6/2019): The 130 year Inglenook Tale from Niebaum to Coppola
This week we feature the rich history of the 130 year Inglenook Tale from Gustave Niebaum to Francis Ford Coppola. It is one of the most fascinating and exciting in the wine industry. This was a perfect way to introduce the Inglenook/Coppola Wine Dinner at Sal Ercolano's SeaSalt restaurant held on Sept 26th. And also to mention the upcoming West End Bar & Kitchen JUSTIN Wine Dinners on Oct 24th and 26th. $75 per person. We also celebrate September as California Wine Month with factoids and tidbits including Gov Gavin Newsom's part ownership in 3 wineries including Plumpjack and new Cab Sauv releases from Lewis, Frank Family, Long Meadow, and Louis Martini. This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) The Winery at UTC in La Jolla is presenting a 6 Course Batasiolo Barolo Wine Dinner Thurs. Oct. 17 from 6 to 9pm. Stefano Poggi, Batasiolo Wine Educator, will speak on understanding Piedmont Italian wines. Cost is $95. Details at 858-230-7404 or thewinerylajolla.com/events. (2) The Lodge at Torrey Pines is offering its annual Celebrate the Craft food festival Sun. Oct. 20, 11:30am to 3pm showcasing Southern California’s finest chefs, food artisans, produce, wine and craft beer. General Admission is $145. ea. + $11.24. Details at 858-777-6641 or lodgetorreypines.com. (3) PAON Wine Bar & Bistro in the Carlsbad Village celebrates October Merlot month with a wine tasting of six unique Merlots now through Fri. from 5 to 8pm. Cost is $25. – no RSVP required. Details at 760-729-7377 or info@paoncarlsbad.com. Download full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (9/29/2019): Italian Eateries May be Hard to Pronounce but they Stick Around Forever
With Italian restaurants, you learn as you eat, starting with the name, which could be a family name, a place, a restaurant item or a menu description. They typically fall into two broad categories: small, family style eateries with one, maybe two locations such as Rosina's. Home made recipes are scratched out as specials added to basic menus that typically include 5 or 6 basic pizza dishes with unlimited choices of “items” for a buck or so more, pasta dishes with spaghetti and basic marinara (tomato) sauce and lots of Garlic bread. For a few more bucks, you’re better off with the meat sauce (Bolognese). Order it with three meats sauce (veal, pork and beef) and you have the best! The other type might feature delivery service, a loyalty program, full bore internet marketing, date-night specials, $10 Sunday Pasta dinners and wine dinners such as Vittorios. They hosted Niner Wine Estate at their most recent dinner. This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) Newport Beach Wine & Food, Oct 3-6 at the Civic Center. Premier Grand Tasting events are Sat and Sun Oct 5 & 6 with VIP entrance avail at 2pm (vs 3pm Gen Admission). Visit newportwineandfood.com (2) Carlsbad Rotary 37th Annual Oktoberfest is Sat. Oct. 5, 12 to 9pm. at Holiday Park. Meal and admission for 10& older $15 in advance, $20 at door. Admission only $5. Visti rotaryoktoberfest.org. (3) A natural wine tasting at Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido Sat. Oct. 5, 3 to 6pm. 25+ natural wines with minimal intervention will be tasted. Admission $20, Members $15. Details at 760-745-1200. (4) La Jolla Art & Wine Festival is Oct 12 & 13, 10am to 6pm. This is a FREE event with art, gourmet food, live music, wines and craft beers, spirits and sips. Visit ljawf.com. (5) Witch Creek Winery in Carlsbad and NSEFU Wildlife Conservation Foundation invite you to A Toast for Tusks Wine Tasting Fundraiser, Sun. Oct. 13, 2 to 6pm. Enjoy delicious wine, food, and live music with silent auction bidding. Tickets are $60 per person. Details at 619-334-8084 or witchcreekwinery.com. Download full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (9/22/2019): La Jolla’s Newest Intimate Honest Restaurant Can Only Be Candor
This week's column covers Dine Candor Owner and Exec Chef Giuseppe Ciuffa's dream. He came to San Diego in 1994 and opened his first restaurant in La Jolla four years later called Come On In. In 2003, Giuseppe sold his restaurant to focus on Ciuffa ’s Fine Catering empire with 300 events annually. Ciuffa has come full circle and re-purchased his original restaurant location, now called Candor. He applies his Italian roots for the freshness and high quality of farms, vineyards, local cheese and fish making everything “in-house.” The food and wine was EXCEPTIONAL during our review. One of the top Italian restaurant bistros in San Diego! It's that time of the year again for Newport Beach Wine & Food. This is one of SOCAL's premier wine and food events. The event is topped by the Grand Tastings, Sat. Oct. 5 and Sun. Oct. 6, with VIP entrances at 2pm (Newport Beach Civic Center). It includes award-winning chefs, restaurant food sampling and over 250 wines. This week's Wine Bytes includes: (1) Seasalt in Del Mar addition on one evening, Fri. Sept. 27 at 6pm, for a premier Inglenook Vineyard & Francis Ford Coppola wine dinner. Dinners are Thu (9/26) and Fri (9/27). Price is $70. Guests will taste Coppola Director’s Cut Cinema Red Blend and Inglenook premium Cab Sauv in a brilliantly paired 5 course dinner. RSVP at 858-755-7100. (2) WineSellar & Brasserie Annual Pinot Noir World Tasting is Sat. Sept. 28, 3:30 to 5:30pm. Cost is $35. RSVP at 858-450-9557. (3) 24th annual Encinitas Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest is Sun. Sept. 29, 10am to 6pm. Festivities include Alpine singers and dancers, carnival rides, authentic German band, and craft beer garden pouring beer and wine with German food. For details call the Chamber at 760-753-6041. (4) Grgich Hills Estate is planning a tasting of its best varietals at Pavillions market in Carmel Valley, San Diego Fri. Oct. 4, 4 to 7pm including the latest Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Chardonnay, and Estate Cab Sauv. This is a free tasting, no reservation required. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (9/15/2019): All Cabernet All the Time with the Cab Collective
This week's column features Paso Robles Cab Collective (PRCC) overseen by Executive Director Linda Sanpei who the @tasteofwineandfood team ran into during our June 2019 Paso Robles Media tour. On our tour we visited seven of the 24 PRCC wineries including: Allegretto, Cass, DAOU, Justin, Niner, Opolo, and Riboli of San Antonio. Others wineries in the PRCC mentioned in this week's column include: Halter Ranch, Adelaida, Austin Hope, Eberle, J. Lohr, Robert Hall, and Rotta. Also, smooth jazz musician Marc Antoine is coming to South Coast Winery Sun Sept 29. General Admission is $40. with a Gold Level, VIP Level and Sponsor Table available. Ticketholders can take advantage of 15% accomodations. This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) DAOU wine dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Del Mar Fri. Sept. 20 at 6:30pm. 5 exquisite wines and food courses will be the best dinner in town. Cost is $120. RSVP at 619-550-8529 (2) Craftsman Tavern in Encinitas has wines from Paso Robles Bodega de Edgar. Special guest is winemaker/owner Edgar Torres. Wed. Sept. 25 at 6pm. This will be a 5 course dinner created by chef Sergio Serrano. Cost is $65. Contact Mike at 760-452-2000 (3) Vintana in Escondido is hosting a Paso Robles J. Lohr wine dinner Fri. Sept. 20 from 6 to 9pm. The 5 course menu features a luscious lamb dish and J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. $80. ea. RSVP at 760-745-7777 (4) Seasalt Seafood Bistro in Del Mar has a 5 course Inglenook Vineyard and Francis Ford Coppola winery of Napa Valley and Sonoma, Thurs. Sept. 26 at 6pm. $70. RSVP at 858-755-7100. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (9/8/2019): Harvest for Hope Happens September 22
We are constantly reminded about how the wine and food industry comes together for great causes that make a HUGE difference. A premier example of this is the Emilio Nares Foundation (ENF) created by Diane Nares, loving mother of her only child, who, after a nearly 3 year battle, passed away at 5 years old. She and her husband Richard created ENF to support low income, underprivileged families of children as they battle cancer. As of the first of this year, 986 families have been supported with some 94,924 miles of rides. Other services are provided and more are planned including an End of Life program. General admission tickets are $160. per person. Partnerships are still available. To learn more about the foundation and to RSVP for tickets to the September 22 event, visit enfhope.org, or contact Katie Khasim at 858-571-3328. A big thank you to @banfiwines as a Gold Sponsor! This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) 3rd annual Ramona Grape Stomp, Sat. 9/14, 2 to 7pm at Ramona Outdoor Community Center. Enjoy grape stomping, wine tasting, children’s activities, music, food and line dancing. Stomp competition Grand Prize is $300. Tickets can be purchased at the door or website. Adults $10. Kids $5. Under 6 free. Visit ramonagrapestomp.com. (2) Zaca Mesa Winery from Santa Ynez will serve their new releases at a 5 course wine dinner at North County Wine Company in San Marcos, Sat. 9/14, 6pm. Chef Erin Sealy will be pairing each of the 5 wines with her own dinner courses. Call 619-823-3541 or visit chef@winepairsevents.com for details and pricing. (3) Il Fornaio in Del Mar presents a Masi wine dinner Thurs. 9/19, 6:30pm. A 5 course dinner will feature choice of baked wild seabass or whole beef tenderloin with a Masi Amarone Costasera 2013. $80. per person. RSVP at 858-755-8876. (4) Vittorio’s Trattoria in Carmel Valley San Diego, has a Niner Wine Estates four course wine dinner Thurs. 9/26 at 6:30pm. The 2016 Niner Cabernet Sauvignon will be featured with a petite filet mignon. Reserve now at 858-538-5884. Cost is $70 each. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (9/1/2019): Vegas Shows the Love Except for Wine Prices
This week's column features, Senior Editor's recent Las Vegas trip. While there is LOVE at the Venetian, there is not much love when it comes to restaurant wine prices. However, a quick trip to a nearby store such as Walgreen's or CVS and a nominal corkage fee brings comfort and love to your wallet as well. Taste Of Wine and Food was onhand at Gianni Buonomo's sold out 2015 Blaufrankisch Appreciation Day Party and Dinner with 80+ guests. Chef/Owner Max Farina of Zafferano created a gourmet 3 course dinner complementing the Blaufrankisch. Lots going on in this week's Wine Bytes: (1) West End Bar & Kitchen in Del Mar presents A Tuscsan Night with Banfi Wines Thurs. Sept. 12 at 6pm. Enjoy a 5 course dinner with some of the latest-release great wines from Banfi, including Brunello di Montalcino. An added attraction is the humor and charm of Banfi’s Ambassador, Luciano Castiello. $70. per person. RSVP at 858-259-5878. (2) Banfi wines continue the next day, Fri. Sept. 13 at 6pm with a Super Tuscan wine dinner at Villa Capri in Carmel Valley, San Diego. A 5 course dinner awaits you with a unique Italian style dinner and Banfi Ambassador Luciano Castiello. Cost is $65. per person. RSVP at 858-720-8777 (3) A DAOU 6 course wine dinner is being planned by Oceanside’s 333 Pacific Restaurant, Fri. Sept. 13 with reds and whites from the leading winery in Paso Robles. Enjoy cuisine from surf to turf highlighted by a dry aged New York strip steak. Tickets are $90. ea. and available at 333pacific.com. (4) South Coast Winery Resort & Spa has their annual Grape Stomp Sun. Sept. 15 from 5 to 9pm. Winemakers Jon McPherson and Javier Flores will appear and offer top quality wines with a gourmet buffet with the friendly competition of the Grape Stomp. General admission ticket is $85. and can be purchased at SouthCoastWinery.com/stomp or 866-204-5896. (5) Missed out on last weekend’s Orfila Grape Stomp and feeling left out? Check out their ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Oceanside location at 221 N. Cleveland St. Festivities are Sept. 7 from 12 to 9pm, with a grape stomp competition from 2 to 2:30pm and ribbon cutting ceremony at 3pm. This is a free of charge event. Details at 760-755-7040. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (8/19/2019): The Winery is Much More than a Winery
This week's column covers our brunch visit to The Winery at UTC mall. This is one of three along with Newport Beach and Tustin. In addition to brunch The Winery offers lunch, dinner, and happy hour menus. We were impressed by their 450 wine choices with over 2,500 bottles on site. The food was amazing. Can't wait to revisit. This week's Wine Bytes include: (1) South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula is the place for Jazz stars in its Rhythm on the Vine series. On Sun. Sept. 1, it’s Michael Paulo and Friends in the Vintners Garden, starting at 6:30pm. Tickets are $40. general admission, $55. for Gold seating and $85. for VIP seating. Dining is available for a nominal charge. See southcoastwinery.com/concerts. (2) The Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival is Thurs. Oct. 3 to Sun. Oct. 6 with the Grand Tasting Sat. and Sun. Oct. 5th and 6th, 3 to 6:30pm at the Newport Beach Civic Center. Best buys are the Platinum VIP $250. tickets with an early 2pm entrance, 250+wines, spirits and brews, 40+ highly acclaimed restaurants, live cooking demos and a Riedel wine glass. General admission ticket $150. For details go to newportwineandfood.com (3) Vittorio’s Trattoria in San Diego’s Carmel Valley is offering a Seghesio Family Vineyard Four Course Wine Dinner, Thurs. Aug. 29 at 6:30pm. Enjoy the award winning wines including “Angela’s Table Zinfandel with a Beef & Spinach Braciole homemade Gnocchi. $60. per person. Call for an RSVP at 858-538-5884. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (8/11/2019): PAON Restaurant Receives Best Of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.
This week cover's PAON in Carlsbad and other San Diego Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence awardees as well as The Addison at the Fairmont Hotel in Del Mar, San Diego's only Wine Spectator Grand Award winner. We also cover the Two Shepherds Wine Dinner at The Craftsman in Encinitas. This week's Wine Bytes includes: Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas “Exploring the Wines of Piedmont,” Fri. Aug. 16 from 6 to 7:30pm in Meritage’s private Cellar Room with educator Michele Graber featuring killer b’s, Barolo and Barbaresco. One sparkling, two white and three reds will be tasted along with regional cheeses and meats. Cost is $49. each. Call 760-479-2500. Vintana Restaurant in Escondido is presenting Wine on the Lanai Sat. Aug. 17 from 1 to 4pm. Enjoy your favorite wines like Justin and J Lohr and gourmet bites of chef-made food, with activities like grape stomping, blind tasting and much more. Tickets are $40. per person advance, and $50. at the door. Phone for details at 760-745-7777. San Diego’s “wildest” tasting event is the San Diego’s Zoo’s Food, Wine & Brew, Sat. Sept. 21 from 6:30 to 10:30pm. This celebration showcases the best in beer, wine and food from over 160 vendors while enjoying the adventure of the zoo. Live music and dancing. Tickets available now at 619-718-3000 or visit zoofoodandwine.com. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (8/4/2019): Paso Robles Wines – Ocean Flavor at Orfila Wine Dinner in Oceanside
This week's column feature a seafood Winemaker Dinner at Orfila's new Oceanside Tasting Room. Winemaker and General Manager Justin Mund presided over the narrative on the wines and menu. All the wines served had to be able to enhance a variety of seafood, a unique deep dive into the lore of ocean flavor that he and his talented chef, Luke Morganstern had created. In scanning the menu, I realized we were in for a very special evening, one that would change my concept of what ocean cuisine can achieve. The main course featured Branzino. Chef Luke said, "Branzino is related to the Sea Bass found off the shores of Naples Italy. Here you have in place, old world style stuffed ingredients, lightly salted and pureed to release the fish’s ocean bouquet, surrounded by garden fresh zucchini and summer squash, grilled peaches and pickled fennel. Inside the Branzino I infused the Italian old world tastes of celery, onions, bread crumbs and sweet sausage. I keep the tail and head in place for an authentic old world display.” I was thrilled when the wine chosen for this magnificent signature menu selection was the 2017 Estate Petite Sirah, one of my Top Ten Picks for the first half of 2019. Learn more at orfila.com. Looking for a great corkscrew, consider Brookstone's “Connoisseur’s” Wine Opener that works with even the worst cork challenges, and with quality corks resonates with the “pop” that wine lovers live for. This week's Wine Bytes features: Orfila Vineyards & Winery in Escondido has its 26th Annual Grape Stomp and dinner feast Sat. Aug. 24 from 4 to 8pm. Open to 21+ only. Includes wine tasting, gourmet dinner, grape stomping, vineyard rides, lawn games, live music and raffles. $95. public, $85. wine club. Details at 760-738-6500 x322 or 800-868-9463, Sal Ercolano’s Seasalt Seafood Bistro in Del Mar is pleased to present two nights of wine dinners with Valle de Guadalupe Thurs. and Fri, Aug 22 and 23 starting at 6pm. You’ll enjoy two fine wineries, Cava Maciel and Villa Montefiori, wines that have a French and Italian flavor. Menu is authentic Mexican cuisine. Price is $65. per person. Reserve your seat today at 858-755-7100, the 6th annual Carlsbad Brewfest is Sat. Sept. 7 presented by the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club at Holiday Park in Carlsbad. Entrance Noon to 4:30pm for VIP $75. and 1 to 4:30pm for General Admission, $55. Details at carlsbadbrewfest.org, the 7th annual Latin Food Fest is Fri. Aug. 16 and Sat. Aug. 17 at the Embarcadero Marina Park North. Experience California’s top Hispanic culinary celebration. Cost is from $25. up to $149. Visit for details at latinfoodfest.com. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (7/28/2019): Paso Robles Wines – A New View – Part 3
This week's column is Part 3 of 3 of our Paso Robles press tour recap. In Part One and Two, we have explored Allegretto, DAOU, Hidden Oak and Turley. This third and final edition, we’ll pass the wineglass to Justin, Opolo, Niner, Cass and Riboli, a circle of wineries starting from the west end and winding up at the northeast of Paso… the Central Coast Wine Country of California. Grazie, to the entire entourage of wineries and personalities that make up the Paso Robles experience. It was one we will never forget. For the latest news on Paso Robles wineries, learn more at pasowine.com. and pasoroblescab.com. In this week's Wine Bytes, Ranch 45, the new café/butchery in Solana Beach is hosting a Wines of Oregon dinner on Tues. Aug. 6 from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Cost is $95. per person for 3 courses of menu specialties and wines. Call 858-461-0092 for details; Gianni Buonomo in Ocean Beach is having a Blaufrankisch Appreciation Party Sat. Aug. 10 from 6:30 to 9:30pm. “Blau” as locals call the Austrian red varietal, will be celebrating the 2015 vintage. A special sit-down party menu is planned for $55., $45. for club members. Includes one glass of wine and optional bottles of “Blau” for $25.ea. Details at gbvintners.com; The MED in the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla has 2 wine dinners in August. Ridge Vineyards will be featured Thurs. Aug. 8 at 6pm with new Executive Chef Timothy Ralphs creating a 5 course tasting menu paired with top wines from Ridge. Price is $125.pp. Details at LaValencia.com. On Thurs. Aug. 15 at 6pm, A Taste of Italy at Giardino will include 5 top Italian wines and original courses by Giardino. The multi course dinner with wine is just $60.pp. Details at giardinosd.com. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (7/21/2019): Cabs & Zins Dominate in Paso Robles – Part 2
This weeks column is Part 2 of our Paso Robles Press Tour. We feature DAOU, Hidden Oak, and Turley Vineyards and Wineries along with the Paso Robles Cab Collective consortium. While we all know that DAOU is famous for their Cab Sauv's, we recommend our viewers to check out Unbound, one of our First Half Top 10s, along with soon to be released "The Bodyguard" that Daniel Daou calls "approachable luxury". Speaking of Cabs, Hidden Oak features their 2013 Estate Cab with smooth as glass tannics. We knew were in for a treat when we visited "Zin King" Larry Turley's Winery. The Ueburroth Zin, also one of our Top 10s. was spectacular and reason why it earned a 94 pt scoring with Wine Spectator. Wine Bytes includes A Chardonnay Tasting Shootout at Winesellar and Brasserie, Sat. July 27, from 3:30 to 5:30pm ($35. per person $30 for club members) 14 renditions, from unoaked to luscious buttery and bubbly. RSVP at 858-450-9557; North County Wine Company (San Marcos) starts Happy Hour pricing 4 to 7pm every Tues. thru Thurs. Half price wines by the glass plus a wine special price every mid-week that will change weekly; Craftsman Tavern (Encinitas) has a winemaker dinner with William Allen of the NorCal Rhone Ranger Association, Wed. July 31 at 6pm. $65. ea. for a 5 course dinner with 2 Shepherds wines. Contact Mike at 760-452-2000 for details; Meritage Wine Market (Encinitas) will have its next Friday night tasting on Fri July 26th, 6 to 8pm with the Battle of the Valleys. Sonoma and Napa Valley duke it out. Enjoy a Lewis, Chalk Hill, Oakville, Martinelli and others. $30 per person. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (7/14/2019): Touring & Tasting Paso Robles – Part 1
For just the 2nd time in the history of this 15 year column, a wine country will be featured in 3 parts. Only Napa Valley has had this distinction before. Paso Robles has come of age. It has captured the hearts and palates of many more wine lovers than even a few years ago. For a number of years, it was mainly French Rhone Valley style wines that caught the attention of visitors and buyers. Over a 5 day period we spent precious time with 9 dynamic vineyards and wineries, eager for us to learn the “secret sauce” of Paso Robles. We would recommend them all on your next journey to Paso. From day 1 to 5 we tasted lovely wines from: Turley Wine Cellars, Hidden Oak Winery, Cass Vineyards and Winery, DAOU Vineyards and Winery, Justin Vineyards and Winery, Opolo Vineyards, Niner Wine Estates, Riboli Family Wines and a unique vineyard, winery and resort, Allegretto Vineyard Resort by Ayres. This weeks Wine Bytes includes Orfila Oceanside Tasting Room 5 Course Winemaker Dinner with Justin Mund, Tuesday July 23 at 6pm. Cost is $120. per person. Details at shop.orfila.com/events, Cakebread Cellars gets the spotlight at a wine dinner at Parc Bistro-Brasserie in Banker’s Hill San Diego, Wed. July 24 at 6:30pm. 5 Courses and wine glasses for $99. Call 619-795-1501, Gianni Buonomo Winery in the Ocean Beach district of San Diego celebrates its Cena in Cantina, launching the 2015 Rhone-styled blend, Avennio, on Thurs. July 25 at 6:30pm. This is a full-service sit down dinner saluting this Syrah-Mourvedre blend for $74.00 per person. Call 619-991-9911, North County Wine Company in San Marcos celebrates its famous Anniversary Party Fri 4 to 9pm July 26th, and all day the 27th. Incredible Champagne and wine specials in the bar plus raffle prizes, food and sabering! Get the details at 760-653-9032. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (7/7/2019): The Ten Best Wine Tastes – First Half of 2019
Cheers to California. Most of our top wines came from this historically great wine country. The upside surprise was the increase in excellence from Paso Robles which rang up 4 winners. The rest came from the west coast of the U.S. with 3 from Napa Valley and one each from Sonoma, Walla Walla WA. and Escondido, north San Diego. Best new restaurants so far in 2019: Del Frisco’s, Cesarina, Mangia e Bevi and West End Bar & Kitchen. Important yet-to-open restaurants include: Brian Malarkey’s Herb & Sea in Encinitas, star chef Michael Mina’s International Smoke in Del Mar, Italian Restaurant Blade in Oceanside and Sere, the new anchor restaurant for the Hotel Del Coronado. Wine guidelines included: all ten equally “excellent” and listed alphabetically; prices taken at each winery’s web site, and all selections had superior flavor, body and value for the price. Web sites are listed for your further information. Winners were: (1) Cass Reserve, Paso Robles, 2015. $125, (2) Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016. $65, (3) DAOU Unbound, Paso Robles, 2016. $76, (4) Justin Isosceles, Paso Robles, 2016. $76, (5) Laird Jillian’s Blend, Napa Valley, 2014. $48, (6) Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla, WA. 2016. $120, (7) Opus One Overture, Napa Valley, 2015.$130, (8) Orfila Estate Petite Sirah, Escondido North San Diego, 2016. $45, (9) Turley Ueberroth Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles, 2016. $50, and (10) WALT Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2016, $75. Wine Bytes returns next week. Download the full column here. |
Taste of Wine and Food (6/30/2019): Like Fine Wine The Butcher’s Cut Steaks are Aged then Served
Week of 6/30/2019 - Like Fine Wine The Butcher’s Cut Steaks are Aged then Served. This week Taste of Wine and Food reviewed The Butcher's Cut in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. Senior Editor Frank Mangio was dialed into the glass floor-to-ceiling steak locker with beautiful cuts of meat, in rows, like models in a meat marbling fashion parade. Classics like Prime Rib Eye Bone-in, T-Bone, Prime Porterhouse and my revered choice, Angus Center Cut New York, locked me into their superior flavor prospects. All were reasonably priced. We also cover San Diego Vittorio's latest Wine Dinners, big red Stag's Leap famous for their 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon that beat the French versions in 1976. This week's Wine Bytes highlights the following events (1) Capri Blu's 5 course wine dinner with some of the best French wines with Italian dishes, Wed. July 10 at 6pm. Cost is $65. each, with an RSVP at 858-673-5100. (2) Sal Ercolano’s Seasalt Seafood Bistro in Del Mar brings Chateau E. Guigal in for a memorable French style wine dinner in honor of Bastille Day, Thurs. July 11 at 6pm. Call 858-755-7100 to reserve your place. Cost is $70. per person. (3) Thornton Winery in Temecula kicks off its Summer Champagne Concert Series on Sat. July 20 at 7pm with the Brian McKnight 4. General Admission is $95. Gourmet Supper package is $180. Also, the great Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti appears Sat. Aug. 3 at 7pm. General Admission is $105. Gourmet Supper Package is SOLD OUT. Download the full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (6/23/2019): Orfila Leads Wine Quality Upswing In San Diego
This week Taste of Wine and Food highlights the growing parade of wineries building up momentum in Southern California and they’re centered right here in the San Diego metro area. Last time an official count was made in the county, 116 wineries made the cut. The San Diego County Vintners Association that promotes area wineries, points out that this district was the first to make wine in California with the beginning of the missions way back in the 18th century. It was a happy group of wineries in a rustic circular setting ranging from BK Cellars to ZXQ Vineyard in Escondido, south to Ocean Beach and the dandy digs at Gianni Buonomo, run by our good friend, Keith Rolle. Taste of Wine and Food had a chance to visit Orfila new Oceanside tasting room. It was great meeting with Orfila's GM and Wine Maker Justin Mund, Chef Luke Morganstern, and Tasting Room Manager Jessica Englund. The new location features a full kitchen and menu. At the show one of the booths we stopped as was Ramona’s Principe Di Tricase headed up by Wine Maker Alberto Sepe who features Italian favorites including Aglianico, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Moscato sparkling wine. With the 4th of July right around the corner, consider the fun and food at 20 / Twenty’s “Red, White & BBQ” at the Westin Resort in Carlsbad. From 6 to 10pm on the 4th you’ll celebrate with favorites like smoked chicken, cheddar biscuits and strawberry cobbler. This is in addition to 20 / Twenty's new Summertime Selections for their Beverage & Food Menus. This week's Wine Bytes includes Falkner Winery in Temecula 19th Anniversary with 4 days of celebration starting July 4 to July 7. Check it out at falknerwinery.com or call 951-676-8231 x4. Also, Ponte Winery in Temecula is having their first-ever Ponte Family Fest, Thurs. July 18 from 5 to 9pm. Proceeds from the event will benefit a local non profit for needy children. Visit pontewinery.com or call 851-694-8855. Download the full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (6/9/2019): Parc Brasserie Rolls Out New Menus, Banfi Wines and a Local Favorite
This week's column covers Parc Brasserie Banfi Wine Dinner. Senior Editor Franco likes to call it “Paris in the Spring” with its garden look and feel, murals of the French Quarter and customers swirling and sipping European wines. Banfi is Italy’s premier vineyard estate, and the creator of modern day Brunello di Montalcino. We also cover Sal Ercolano's historical 4 night Caymus wine dinner at the new West End Bar & Kitchen. West End's sister restaurant, Sea Salt, will host the next blockbuster dinner, Antinori Family Wines Thurs. June 20 and Fri. June 21 at 6pm, featuring Antica wines from Napa Valley! Antica’s old world-new world blended approach, combines 630 years of Italian wines with modern Napa Valley techniques, to craft a 5 star treasure in Antica’s Cabernet Sauvignon. Seasalt’s pan-seared Sea Bass highlights the 5 course dinner, offered for just $75. per person. Call now at 858-755-7100 to reserve your seat for this memorable meal with some of the finest wines in the world. Wine Bytes - (1) Vintana Wine + Dine in Escondido has a 4 course wine dinner featuring Terlato wines, Thurs. June 20 from 6 to 9pm. (2) Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse in San Diego is planning a Rose’ Soiree Tasting Fri. June 21 from 4 to 6pm, featuring 30 Rose’ wines from around the world. Cost is $50 and is conducted by Wine Director Faith Fulginiti. (3) Stag’s Leap Wines will be the main attraction at the Firenze Trattoria wine dinner in Encinitas Thurs. June 27 at 6:30pm. (4) Seasalt Seafood Bistro in Del Mar presents a “Spoonful of Magic” with sleight-of-hand expert Sky King. It includes a 3 course meal and an option to pair it with wine, Wed. June 26 at 6pm. Download the full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (6/2/2019): Hall & Walt Wines = A Perfect Score
This week's column features Hall and WALT wines including their launch event at Laguana Beach's Seven Degree venue. The event featured 7 new Pinot Noirs with the WALT label and a New York Times Best Selling book. "A Perfect Score" written by Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall. Lots of great Wine Bytes - (1) Carter Estate Winery and Resort in Temecula has a new Wine & Chocolate Pairing Experience every Fri. starting at 3pm, (2) Seasalt Seafood Bistro in Del Mar premium Antinori Family wine dinner Thurs. June 20 and Fri. June 21 at 6pm, featuring the Antica Winery from Napa Valley, (3) The 24th annual Rotary Club of Bonsall Wine, Brews and Blues Festival is Sat. June 15 from 5:30 to 10PM at Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook, and (4) San Luis Obispo Wine Country is presenting “Roll out the Barrels” 3 day celebration Thurs. June 20 thru Sat. June 22. Download the full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (5/26/2019): Dining Around for the most Beautiful Views in San Diego
The best coast for dining views is the West Coast, and the best in the West is the view from a few privileged restaurants that have stunning panoramic views of San Diego to add to other over-the-top features inside as well as out. In casting around for candidates for this honor, I had to ponder such luminaries as Coasterra, Mr. A’s and The Marine Room. All had some of the indulgent reasons for best view, but only two could pass my checklist of a dynamic menu of wine and food, a 180 degree ocean view, outdoor patio, relative quiet while dining, views from the majority of seating spaces, beautiful classy surroundings and a happy group of servers, chefs and managers. It’s been my experience that the wine and dine experience is so enhanced by all these pluses that leaving is the most difficult of choices. My congratulations go out to two restaurants that meet these criteria: Cusp and Il Fornaio Coronado... Download the full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (5/19/2019): PAON Ramps up with Napa’s Laird – Riboli Next
PAON Ramps up with Napa’s Laird – Riboli Next. In this week's column we cover PAON Carlsbad Laird Wine Dinner, and upcoming Riboli and Marimar wine dinners. Wine Director, Kate Edgecombe, is busy as a spring bee creating all of these wine dinners. Also covered is Gianni Buonomo's gold medals at Fingers Lake International Wine Competition where the Sangiovese took double gold and Maestrale and Charbono each earned gold medals. Check out Wine Bytes as well - Eric Kent Winery at Craftsman Tavern, Stags Leap at Vittorio's, Encinitas Wine Festival, Keenan Winery at Solare, and Mexican Gourmet Festival. Download the full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (5/12/2019): This Month’s Wine May-ry-go-round
This Month’s Wine May-ry-go-round This week's column captures highlights the sold out VinDiego Wine Festival, Justin Wine Dinner at Vittorio's in Carmel Valley, Sicilian Festa Regionale at Il Fornaio restaurants, and upcoming events in Wine Bytes. Download the full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (5/5/2019): Results are in: Belching Beaver Builds Beer & Wine Togetherness
Belching Beaver Builds Beer & Wine Togetherness. This week's column features Belching Beaver Tavern & Grill, 10 Ramona wines at San Diego’s Toast of the Coast County Fair competition, and Wine Bytes - WineSellar and Brasserie Famille Perrin Wine Dinner, Sat. May 11, Country Line Dancing and Wine Sipping Sat. May 11 at La Fleur’s Winery, 20/Twenty Mother's Day brunch, and PAON Restaurant & Wine Bar Scott Palazzo Wine Dinner on May 22. San Diego County Vintners Association is holding its annual Wine Festival Sat. May 18 at Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead in Escondido. Download the full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (4/28/2019): Results are in: Cesarina is a Fresh Look at Italian Dining
The future of Italian dining is now, with the lively owners of the new Cesarina in the upper Voltaire neighborhood of Point Loma in San Diego. Restaurateurs Niccolo Anguis, Giuseppe Scognamiglio and Giuseppe Capasso, all born and raised in Italy, are young, good looking and full of ambition. They offer a lineup of daily fresh-made pasta, lots of seafood, healthy protein choices, a respectable vegan menu selection and a luscious pastry program created by Cesarina Angius, Niccolo’s wife and the restaurant’s namesake. Download the full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (4/21/2019): Results are in: Best San Diego Winery is Gianni Buonomo
This is one of those “couldn’t happen to a nicer guy” announcements. San Diego Magazine coordinates all its resources annually in a comprehensive polling of “best” categories in San Diego County. According to its readers and web site followers, Gianni Buonomo has been voted in as Best San Diego Winery. TASTE OF WINE & FOOD has written a number of times on this vibrant 4 year old winery located in the Ocean Beach district of San Diego... PAON Carlsbad has Try Before you Buy Events for their Wine Club. The wine program at PAON has taken on a life of its own since the kickoff of its customer-first Wine Club and the arrival of Kate Edgecombe as Wine Director. PAON had always been known for its upscale excellence with a fine dining room and a special selections wine shop. Where the customer service ramped up was in the rewards and outreach for wine club members... Download full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (4/14/2019): Wine Family Style and Made in California
This week's article covers the recent Family Winemakers of California show at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Taste of Wine and Food Frank and Rico enjoyed many wines from local to Paso Robles and Napa Valley. Download full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (4/7/2019): Here and There in the Wine World
This week we feature Chateau Montelena in San Diego at West End Bar and Kitchen, Acre Zinfandel, Paso Wine Festival May 17, Walla Walla wines including Leonetti Cellars and LeCole. Ramona handmade Cheese from the Cave comes to Vista urban winery 2Plank Vineyards. Caymus 2015 Special Selection is now avail. And of course Wine Bytes - Charthouse Cardiff, Lorimar Winery, Europa Village, Gianni Buonomo Maestrale launch party 4/20. Download full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (3/31/2019): Top Ten Wines Tasted 1st Three Months of 2019
The first few months of 2019 saw more expansion of urban wine bars, catalysts for growth and increased interest in older communities. Highlights included a discovery of the legendary Opus One on a wines-by-the-glass menu, a new pizza and pasta place run by a chef who was part of the longest pizza ever made and the return of Family Winemakers of California to the San Diego Fairgrounds with many wineries from Paso Robles. We have 3 such wineries on our Top Ten. All our wines are equal in excellence and are listed in alphabetical order with varied pricing to fit most any budget. Download full column here |
Taste of Wine and Food (3/24/2019): Vin Diego Comes to Waterfront Park
If you really enjoy comparing and tasting wines, you have to be at Vin Diego, the one all-wine festival in Southern California, Saturday April 13, at its all-new location at Waterfront Park, Harbor Drive at the Embarcadero in San Diego, starting at 3pm. Carruth is San Diego’s Largest Urban Winery Adam Carruth is taking his Carruth Cellars Urban Winery on the right track, offering a wine experience unlike any other in the San Diego region. In a short time, he now offers Gold Medal award winning wines from the most prestigious and respected competitions. Download full article here |
Taste of Wine and Food (3/17/2019): Hats Off to Gianni Buonomo & its Latest Wines
In the middle of San Diego’s coolest beach community sits the consummate, perfect-fit for an urban winery and tasting room – Gianni Buonomo. Ocean Beach is a colorful collection of character studies, and it’s home to a star group of high quality wines, mostly old world and mostly sourced from the great wine country of Washington. Petal to Plate a 10 Day Party for Carlsbad’s Flower Fields For over 60 years, the city of Carlsbad, my hometown, has been the hometown for one of the most spectacular displays of natural color and beauty in the world with its Flower Fields. Over 50 acres are ablaze with a riot of colors, from approximately 10 million Ranunculus Download full article here |
Taste of Wine and Food (3/10/2019): Markham Merlot Sails on at Seasalt: Sal Ercolano, owner at Seasalt and now West End, knows what wine is the right time for a full house. Take the Napa Valley Markham 2016 Merlot ($25.) that spotlighted the most recent wine dinner at Seasalt.
I have always enjoyed Markham’s style on this misunderstood wine. Like all Merlots, sales plunged right after Sideways the movie skewered the varietal back in 2008. Well I’m here to tell you that Merlot is back and on the lips of more and more wine lovers. Markham Winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls was the presenter of the 6 Markham wines that embellished Chef Hilario’s memorable 6 course dinner. “Merlot is our best seller at Markham,” she proclaimed. “We are the 4th largest producer in Napa Valley and are looking to boost it in the future. It has a delicious flavor of raspberry, red current and cherry, providing classic Merlot fruit to add to distinctive minerals, rose petals,vanilla and baking spice aromas throughout this wine.” ... Solare in San Diego Introduces its New Chef: Solare Ristorante Italiano Bar & Lounge in Liberty Station San Diego, owned by Randy Smerik, has earned all the accolades and awards of last year. He has a passion and commitment to all things Italian. “I’ve been very privileged to have been to Italy some 150 plus times,” he said. “When I began going back in the 80’s, Italy was just a spot on the map, but I saw a passion for the good life like nowhere else. Food and wine are their first love. With the sauces and pastas, they have their own spin on fun and flavorful food. We had over 6 years with our award winning chef Occursio Lota who we bid farewell to recently. We now have our new Executive Chef Filippo Piccini who I met 2 years ago as a chef in La Jolla... Download full article here |
Taste of Wine and Food (3/3/2019): 333 Pacific – Oceanside’s Pioneer Fine Wine & Dine Restaurant
It was a delight to revisit with the current corporate Operations Manager, Deborah Lamoureux. My first visit to 333 Pacific was some ten years ago when it first opened. Lamoureux was their manager. She first introduced me to an entrée specialty that would become their most requested showcase dish, the 333 Filet Trio. If you love a chef’s specialty Filet Mignon medallion, with this dish you’ll be presented with three, each with their own delicious topping: crab and asparagus Béarnaise; blue cheese tomato-bacon jam; and brandy-peppercorn cream fried onions. The meal includes garlic smashed potatoes. All 333 Pacific steaks are finished with herbed butter and smoked seasalt. Download full article here |
Taste of Wine and Food (2/24/2019): Pizza Master Stays on Top with New Italian Kitchen
As part of the membership of the world renowned U.S. Pizza Team, he was one of the central “pizziaolos” in the World Pizza Championships held mostly in Parma Italy. He was also a team player in the Guinness World book of records that built the longest pizza in the world, a reported 1,930.39 meters (approximately 6,333.28 feet) on June 10, 2017. Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (2/17/2019): Zinfandel Has a Rich History and Stories to Tell
Prior to Governor Jerry Brown and now Gavin Newsom, the action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor of California. In addition to a craving for expensive cigars, the “governator” as he was affectionately called, enjoyed his Napa and Sonoma Zinfandel. “Zin,” as some like to call it, was at one time the most popular wine sold in California... BV Wines of Napa Valley This French style Beaulieu Vineyard with a Napa history since 1900, recently presented its portfolio at Vittorio’s Trattoria with a 4 course dinner. Founded by George de Latour in the Rutherford district, BV gained fame with the help of winemaker and hall-of-famer Andre’ Tchelistchef, a revered maker... Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (2/10/2019): A Night at Firenze with Niner Wines
A festive atmosphere of anticipation was a sure bet for the expected full house on news that Niner Wine Estates of Paso Robles was making another visit to Firenze Trattoria in Encinitas. The first visit, Niner winemaker Patrick Muran had just arrived at the winery to begin an esteemed run of quality and growth at the 223 acre, 3 vineyard estates in Paso Robles and the Edna Valley in the Central Coast of California. In the beginning, after a comprehensive search, founders Richard and Pam Niner established Niner Wine Estates in 2001. They expanded and built a first class tasting room and winery facilities over the next decade. Their son Andy Niner is now CEO and President, managing the operation. The winery is known for its estate-only production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, as well as a signature blend, Fogcatcher. Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (2/3/2019): Wine Food & Fine Restaurants for Valentine’s Day
Last week we introduced our readers and viewers to “The Most Romantic Wine in the World,” a lovely sparking wine, the Rosa Regale from Banfi in Italy. We recommended it for what is my special celebratory holiday, Valentine’s Day February 14. Although this is not a legal holiday, it is more a celebration of our humanity and love for one another. Originally it was a Christian feast day honoring sainthood for early martyrs persecuted under the Roman Empire. One of them, later known as St. Valentine of Rome, signed his final farewell letters “Your Valentine.” Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (1/27/2019): The Most Romantic Wine in the World
If I had just one wish in my lifetime it would be that the calendar begins with the month of February and not January. This way the New Year would begin with Valentines Day: romance, flowers, dining out and wine. Warms an Italian man’s heart just thinking about it. Well, February is almost here so make some memorable plans for the 14th before it happens. Which wine you say? Think ruby red, a rose bouquet, intense and aromatic. The flavor would be raspberry and strawberry with just enough sweetness to reveal your intentions. Of course, Rosa Regale is a sparkling wine, which, like Champagne that we wrote about last week, has maximum scented bubbly from Castello Banfi, a family of fine Italian wines from Montalcino in Tuscany Italy. Banfi is primarily known for its world class Brunello, an aged, complex Sangiovese, released in its 5th year after harvest. Just as much quality goes into their current 2017 Rosa Regale. These grapes are from Banfi’s 19th century sparkling wine cellars in the town of Strevi in Piemonte, with vineyard estates yielding 100% Brachetto d’ Acqui grapes from the towns of Acqui and Gavi. The cooler climate is ideal for sparkling wines and the winery keeps every part of the process cool, for charismatic color and aroma. The wine is filtered and stored at 32 degrees. The bottle is regal in structure with a large notched base to give the bottle solid footing... Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (1/20/2019): Celebrate with Dom Perignon French Champagne
Anything that is cause for celebration: a birthday, an anniversary, a new job, winning the lottery, a new marriage or just another day of living, calls for popping a cork and sipping some French Champagne, or countless other bubbly wines. In my column a few weeks back, I reported that in my review of THE MED at the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, the first drink they served was the new release 2008 Dom Perignon ($180.) from Champagne France, home of all true Champagnes. Prior to that, I was never a sparkling wine drinker, due to real or imagined “headaches.” Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (1/13/2019): Here and There in the Wine & Food World
For those of you who are just joining our growing network of readers and viewers, every so often we sift through the in-box emails, texts and mail-ins for a number of eye catching bits of wine & food information that I love to pass along but are too short for a feature. We call it “Here and There in the Wine & Food World.” Big Dogs from Napa Showcase at Meritage Wine Market - During the holiday season, Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas brought in the “Big Dog” wines from Napa for its regular Friday night wine soiree. 6 beauties were opened and the conversation flew about the merits of such luminaries as Cakebread, Caymus, Lewis and my favorite, Hourglass Estate 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. ($195.) It’s a dark expression of black fruit, cassis and blackberry Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (1/6/2019): Faith and a Double Eagle Make Del Frisco’s a Winner
A dramatic dining delight has come to San Diego. It’s the first west coast location for Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, the nationally acclaimed restaurant with a tasty looking waterfront panoramic view in the Embarcadero District. Del Frisco’s brings sophisticated class, always welcome in “America’s Finest City.” It spotlights a big, bold menu spearheaded by prime beef, with flavors that expand the tasting experience. We’ll get to our menu selections further into the column. What attracted me was the nationally acclaimed wine selections, created by Wine Director Faith Fulginiti. You get instant evidence that this is not your father’s wine cellar, when you ascend a staircase of Italian marble steps with glass walls on either side, housing more than 7,000 bottles of temperature-controlled wine, to enter the dining room. This creates a wine display visible from almost every seat. Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (12/30/2018): The Top Ten Wine Tastes for 2018
It’s been quite a year covering the wine world in 2018. Foremost in our celebratory tone this year for the column is the leap from fine wine to fine wine and fine food, with the appointment of Rico Cassoni to lead the cross-over with his consulting skills. He’s a Professor of Technology at MiraCosta College in Oceanside. He wasted no time in bringing our operation to world-class contemporary communication in Social Media. Close to 3,000 wines were tasted with the resultant exciting list of Top Ten Tastes including 5 from Napa Valley, and 1 each from Sonoma, San Diego, Italy, Monterey and Paso Robles. This seemed like the year of wine transparency. Doors were opened, top winemakers and owners came to town and web sites told us more about wines than ever before. Wine lists on our favorite restaurants got more revealing, and even suggested pairings with your favorite menu items. Higher quality, farm to table and alternative diets were encouraged. The ten are not intended to rank wines. All are excellent wines with flavor, balance, top dollar value and that “WOW” factor... Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (12/23/2018): 2015 - A Classic Year for Tuscan Wines & A Tasting Holiday Party
You have to do your homework with Italian wines. With each year there is an inconsistency in quality. They can be very good or very bad depending on what mother nature has presented to winemakers at harvest time. California has the most consistent weather conditions of any country. Even the most disappointing of recent vintages in California, the 2011, showed well in some varietals as select winemakers worked hard to get the maximum out of the harvest. But countries like Italy every so often contend with a headache called Mistral, a hurricane-like weather condition that can roar in from the north and virtually destroy crops. Reputable wineries have been known to plough under their grapes at harvest rather than bottle a bad vintage. 2015 had no such problem. I analyzed Wine Spectator’s recent Top 100 wines of the world out of more than 15,000 released and tasted this year, and indeed Italian wines scored as well as the U.S. with Tuscany topping any district in the world. Focusing in on the top ten, Tenuta San Guido Sassacaia 2015, from the Tuscan district of Bolgheri, was awarded the #1 wine in the world ($245)... PAON Holiday Party With key help from the Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery of Los Angeles, PAON Restaurant, Wine Bar & Wine Shop in Carlsbad staged a sold-out holiday party & Wine Warehouse sale earlier this month. Taste of Wine and Food was the media partner in the event, which featured 5 areas of wine tasting where wine club members mixed and matched with the public and members of the trade. The Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad was the benefactor of a Silent Auction... Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (12/16/2018): DAOU a Beacon of Fine Wine in Paso Robles
Off to the west of the 101, in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles, about a half day journey or so on the road from north San Diego, stands a solitary mountain of some 2,300 feet, producing magnificent Cabernet Sauvignon. Everything about this mountain is so right for the highest quality Cabernet. When the brother team of Georges and Daniel Daou staked their claim after growing up in France with a love of wine, then achieving great success in America in academics and in the tech world, the dream of DAOU Mountain turned into the discovery of a lifetime... Download full article at above link. |
Taste of Wine and Food (12/9/2018): A New View of Dining from 20/Twenty
The new Westin Hotel in Carlsbad, part of a corridor of resort hotels and dining just up the street from Legoland, can now offer an exciting fine wine and dining restaurant, 20/Twenty, in a classic new experience. The newly appointed 20/Twenty compliments the upscale appointments of the Westin. Casual elements of the restaurant’s menu form the major components of the newly created Mile 7 Kitchen, for the Sheraton Hotel, now just a short walk from the Westin. |
Taste of Wine and Food (12/2/2018): A Celebration of Food & Wine at the Annual Vigilucci’s “Sagra.” & New Italian Style Temecula Winery May Surprise You
You’re probably thinking the same thing I thought when I saw the word “Sagra.” Even though I have 100% Italian heritage, I wasn’t familiar with a “Sagra,” but it is the perfect Italian description since it means “anniversary festival.” Roberto Vigilucci, (friends and family call him Roby), since 1994 a highly successful restaurateur in North San Diego, opened Vigilucci’s Gourmet Market and Catering in 2014. It’s located in the Carlsbad Village Restaurant district, next door to one of his Italian full service restaurants. As our readers know from an earlier column, this was a long time coming for this treasured, many faceted authentic Italian market with its imported deli items, olive oil, wines, fresh pastas, restaurant and full service catering... Inspired by the sophistication of northern Italy, a new luxury destination winery has opened in Temecula. When finished in the sprng of 2019, Bottaia will boast an exciting pool, private Italian style “cabines,” a pool café and cocktail bar and wines Claudio Ponte, already a successful winery owner in Temecula, is the managing partner of Bottaia. “Bottaia means cask-aging room in Italian,” said Ponte... |
Taste of Wine and Food (11/24/2018): From Oporto to Pape – Taste of The Med at La Valencia in La Jolla
& Wine Spectator’s Top Wine for 2018 is Sassicaia Distinguished dining, a team of committed professionals, a new wine preservation system and a prix fixe menu full of value and upscale wines. You can expect all that and more, when you dine at The Med, a living room atmosphere with a fine dining experience, just inside the historic La Valencia Resort & Spa in La Jolla’s seaside restaurant row. The Executive Chef for La Valencia is Alex Emery, who has devoted the last two and a half years toward growing the menu of The Med. “Our current projects include a new Brunch with a multitude of delicious choices. Emery also pointed out that “our banquet business is growing nicely. We put a lot of time into make sure that a banquet meal is equal in quality to an individual meal in the dining room.”.. The most distinguished honor roll of wines for 2018, the Top 100 from Wine Spectator, has been revealed and the #1wine in the world is (drum roll) the 2015 TENUTA SAN GUIDO SASSICAIA ($245. at the winery). This grand blend of Italian grapes from the Bolgheri district of Tuscany was an original “Super Tuscan” Italian blend.... |
Taste of Wine and Food (11/17/2018): From Oporto to Pape – A Wine Journey Through Europe
Good News! TASTE OF WINE & FOOD has heard from our good friends and travel writers, Scott and Nancine Hagner. Every once in a while, they’re on the open road with their motor home, as long as it winds up next to a “yummy winery.” They have discovered tucked away wineries in the Northwest, Sonoma and Mexico with an eye toward less traveled destinations. In exchange, I turned Scott on to a wine shop that he simply can’t resist here in San Diego County. So much so, he has called it “The Candy Store.” Their latest adventure took a different turn this time. TASTE OF WINE & FOOD travel writers Nancine and Scott Hagner this time stored their motor home and wound up on a Rhone River cruise in the southern heart of France... |
Taste of Wine and Food (11/11/2018): A Thanksgiving Feast in the Kitchen
With Thanksgiving in the air, my e mail in-box loads up with Thanksgiving wine and food options to capture the flavor of this feel good holiday. There is a special excitement in Kitchen 1540, the cozy, award winning signature restaurant at L’Auberge Del Mar. Besides the panoramic ocean views, garden terrace walks and lively bar, their Thanksgiving dinner will be orchestrated and collaborated by Executive Chef Nathan Lingle and Chef de Cuisine Collin Leaver... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chef de Cuisine Collin Leaver has brought a wealth of top-drawer culinary experiences with him from San Francisco, New York and Naples Italy. His pasta ensemble dishes are artistic triumphs. He served as Executive Sous Chef at Quattro Four Seasons in Palo Alto, Chef de Cuisine at A16 in San Francisco and is a Certified Pizzaiolo by Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana in Italy. “I have an extensive background in wood fired ovens and opening these fine dining style operations and we hope to put that to good use in strikingly different approaches to Italian style food preparation,” he said. Four pastas with a country style focus are already gracing the menu, led by a beautifully styled Mezze Rigatoni seated on a Swordfish base with Caper Lemon and San Marzano tomatoes with bread crumbs and Oregano. |
Taste of Wine and Food (11/4/2018): A Special Selection for a Special Occasion & A Hot List of Cool New Wines
I have been a Red Sox fan for life. I grew up with them and laughed and cried with them. My hero then and now was Ted Williams, all-time great hitter with the Sox, who was a native San Diegan and who had a freeway named after him out here. With a gathering of close friends, I timed the opening of a Napa Valley Caymus Special Selection Cabernet 2013... California’s harvest is winding down into November, with the rich-bodied reds just being crushed and fermented. The excitement is building as it’s being labeled a great harvest with a substantial increase in production over 2017. Napa Valley will be just 4% of the total California harvest. However, Napa Valley will account for 50% of the value of all California wines sold. Did you know that the state of Washington comes in 2nd and is the fastest growing in the U.S... |
Taste of Wine and Food (10/28/2018): Caymus Comes to Seasalt, San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is Coming
You can’t get any better California wine than the historic brands at Caymus Vineyards in Napa Valley. It’s better known in winery circles as the Wagner Family of Wines, named after the iconic family that founded what is known as Caymus. Chuck Wagner, along with his parents, founded Caymus in 1971. Make your plans now to be a part of the mighty San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival, a weeklong celebration of food, wine and the lifestyle of San Diego. Between November 11 and 18, you’ll get to be in the middle of more than 40 events, celebrity chefs, hundreds of domestic and international wines, brewmasters, live music, winemakers, sommeliers and more... |
Taste of Wine and Food (10/21/2018): A Ristobar is Born in Carmel Valley, Wine the Great Helper for Fundraising
A what? When I first saw this description, I had to pause and refresh, with a glass of one of their select red wines at the opening last month of Amici’s in the Carmel Valley district of San Diego. Amici’s is a creative restaurant upgrade and that’s a word all should recognize. It means “friends” in Italian. We can thank the owners, Chris and Louise Lischewski and Eric Nielsen.... Once again, winemakers have come through for worthy causes, providing them with the resources to raise funds for direct support for needy members of our community. One of my favorites is the annual Make A Wish benefit in San Diego and Imperial counties, through the annual live and silent auctions in one gala evening at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad. “Wine and Wishes” helps funding for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. This year, with the tireless help of our friends from Meritage Wine Market, Dustin Cano and David Weigel who chaired the event, it was able to raise almost $450.000. The average cost of a wish is $10,000. so these funds will go a long way to help many... |
Taste of Wine and Food (9/30/2018): 5 Reasons to like Vigilucci's Gourmet Market in Carlsbad
A step inside the door of the one-of-a-kind Vigilucci’s Gourmet Market in Carlsbad Village offers you 5 ways to enjoy Italian style dining. First thing you’ll notice is the deli section with fresh scents of cheeses, sliced meats, garlic, olive oil and a host of menu items blended with the Vigilucci style of Bolognese sauces. Then your eyes will light up at the significant inventory of Italian and other wines, almost everywhere you look. Then you will meet the lovely manager of this treasured market, Maia Martinelli, who will quickly become your best new friend and show you the daily lunch specials ranging from Panini sandwiches, meat and cheese boards to luscious Lasagna served with a mixed green salad... |
Taste of Wine and Food (9/23/2018): Saluting Seasalt and Gianni Buonomo
Lately, the buzz around the wine beat in the San Diego district has been the head-turning performance of Seasalt Seafood and Steak of Del Mar in bringing in premium wineries to match up with Chef Hilario who always provides 6 course food pleasure. This year, the lively and engaging owner, Sal Ercolano, has taken his events to a new level, now offering 2 consecutive nights of wine dinners, and with special wineries like Prisoner, he sells-out for 3 nights... About 5 years ago, a friend of a friend urged me to try the wines of the “new guy” in town who had a few varietals with wine grapes from Washington state, with the quaint name of Gianni Bunomo (means good man in Italian). Our group tasted the wines including a Sangiovese, but the prevailing feeling was that he can’t get to first base…he was a new kid with a few cases of wine, a story we had heard many times over. How wrong we were. Keith Rolle learned well in the fields of Washington state. Fast forward to last year, and Gianni Buonomo, after gutting it out, opens its urban winery in San Diego’s Ocean Beach, next to Belching Beaver and Hodad’s, 2 surfing hangouts on colorful Newport Avenue. Recently, the impossible happened….gold medals have come to Gianni Buonomo from international competition... |
Taste of Wine and Food (9/16/2018): Deluxe Wine and Food on the Water, PAON and Paul Hobbs Wines, and Newport Beach Wine and Food Festival
Cruise lines, whether it be on oceans or rivers, have never been so in demand by the public. Seems like new ships are being released weekly and the fleets are nearly full as passengers are booking a year in advance to visit their favorite ports of call... The excitement from the full house at PAON in Carlsbad was at fever pitch when the fine dining restaurant brought in Paul Hobbs winery from Sonoma and Napa Valley. Hobbs has forged new paths to wine greatness and a sense of place wherever he has harvested wine grapes, that have been applauded for some 30 years. Paul’s brother Matt Hobbs presented diners with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet from various top shelf vineyards in both Sonoma and Napa Valley... (In picture, PAON Marketing Director Barbara Pape, with Taste of Wine and Food’s Tech Director Rico Cassoni and Senior Editor Frank Mangio... The Newport Beach Wine & Food happens from Oct. 5 to 7 for the 5th year. This is a lovely, upscale deluxe event with VIP chef dinners, Food Network & Bravo’s top chefs and Grand Tastings on Sat. Oct. 6 and Sun. Oct. 7. from 2:30 to 6:30pm. with a VIP ticket. $200. each ticket. For more information access www.NewportBeachWineandFood.com or the following social media, FB- @NewportWineandFood, Instagram - @Newbe_Fest, Twitter - @Newbe_Fest with these hashtags -- #NewbeFest, #NBWFF, #NBWF2018 |
Taste of Wine and Food (9/2/2018): North County Wine Company (NCWC) Celebrates its 8th Anniversary with Saber Ceremony
Jim and Bill, The Tobin brothers, are always seeking the road less traveled for their successful wine shop and bar in San Marcos. They cut their wine teeth in the old Long’s Drug chain in San Diego, then struck out on their own when opportunity rang, to purchase a wine operation in San Marcos 8 years ago... Il Fornaio Features the Cuisine and Wine of Campania - Have you taken a journey through Italy lately and had its dining delights in some of its delicious districts? Il Fornaio in Del Mar would have been a wonderful way to learn about the authentic cuisine and wines of Campania. It recently spotlighted the culinary charm of Campania, from Naples to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. Aglianico is the native red wine of the region. It is an explosve, intense body of dark cherry with aromas of ripe berries, spicy pepper, violet and prune. And there are delicious native dishes to pair with it... |
Taste of Wine and Food (8/26/2018): The Maestro of Maestoso - Marco Maestoso is a man on a mission. He and his lovely co-owner of Maestoso, Dalila Ercolani, operate a delightfully refreshing new Italian restaurant in the Hillcrest district of San Diego called Maestoso. Before dining at Maestoso, you must rid yourself of any old ideas about checkered tablecloths, straw wine bottles and mounds of old Mozzarella cheese. This is not your paisan’s restaurant. Maestoso’s food is excitingly different, so much so you’ll want to try everything on the menu...
Wine Spectator’s Best Restaurants in San Diego - Our congratulations go out to the committed restaurants in San Diego who have brought their wine lists to a high level of professionalism to the point that they are able to make this year’s Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence... |
Taste of Wine and Food (8/19/2018): NINE-TEN: Can’t Get Any Better Than That -
NINE-TEN is positioned in an indoor-outdoor setting in the Grande Colonial hotel which has been welcoming guests since 1913, over the pristine beaches and bluffs of SoCal’s most attractive coastal village. The Grande Colonial is a breathe of fresh air in more ways than one, with complimentary wi-fi, sports club pass and no resort fee (Jason Knibb is the Executive chef at NINE-TEN, house restaurant at the elegant Grande Colonial bouitique hotel in la Jolla)... This was the finale of what the chef called “my six course ‘Mercy of the Chef’ Tasting Menu.” This is a wonderful, custom parade of flavors, from appetizer to dessert. In between, Lamb Tartare, Thai Lobster Salad, Baja Striped Bass and the aforementioned duck breast (The feature dish in a 6 course “Mercy of the Chef” tasting adventure at NINE-TEN in La Jolla was the Smoked Maple Leaf Duck Breast, shown with the selected wine in the background, a 2009 Saxon Brown Syrah)... |
Taste of Wine and Food (8/12/2018): Rose’ – Summer in a Bottle - It came quickly with little history of an international craze. Rose’ had been confined to the Provence district of France for its rise to a major style of wine. The vines are mostly along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Its romantic coastline includes towns like St Tropez, Marselle and Bandol. It was here that the concept of a blush blend came into being. Rhone varietals such as Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre were being made into zesty, refreshing Rose’...
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Taste of Wine and Food (8/5/2018): Here and There with Wine and Food -
It’s an endless summer at Coastline al fresco restaurant in L’Auberge Del Mar. This celebrated beach coastal location has always delivered a resort experience over the years and with the new upscale improvements, it is the SoCal stay-place along the coast... Our congratulations go out to a remarkable Woman of Wine, Cristina Mariani-May, CEO and President of fine wine importer Banfi Vintners worldwide and Castello Banfi of Tuscany Italy, most honored vineyard estate in the country... |
Taste of Wine and Food (7/29/2018): Part 3 – the Wineries of Napa & Sonoma – the Last Dance - For the last couple of columns, TASTE OF WINE has been sharing our special experiences in Napa Valley. In Part 3, we finalize this wine journey with visits to Rombauer and Silver Oak in Napa, then over to Sonoma for a reunion with Jordan Vineyard and Winery.
Napa was California’s first official wine country (AVA) named in 1981. It’s hard to imagine the area is only 30 miles long by 5 miles wide with only 2 main roads and is home to well over 400 wineries. It begins with a bay in the south, (San Pablo), and ends with a volcano in the north. (Mt. St. Helena) Rombauer Vineyards is the one in the forest without another winery in sight, a perfect scenario for the late Korner Rombauer, patriarch of the colorful German family that founded it in 1982... At the Oakvillle Crossroad, just west of the Silverado Trail sits Silver Oak, the Grand Dame of upscale Cabernets in Napa Valley, with a 2nd location in Alexander Valley in Sonoma. This is a rarity that a high end Cabernet Sauvignon should do well in both wine countries. The newest release is the 2014 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cab. ($80)... Easily the most stunning property in Sonoma is the Jordan Vineyard and Winery on Alexander Valley Road north of Healdsburg. The approach is clearly that of a vintage French Chateau in the classic sense, established by Tom Jordan in 1972 after many visits to his favorite wine country, Bordeaux, in the southwest of France. The estate, the gardens, the hilltops, all on 1,500 acres, are a sight to behold, now owned and operated by John Jordan. We met with Director of Communications Lisa Mattson who treated us to a special Jordan Champagne tasting now in the family’s offerings... |
Taste of Wine and Food (7/22/2018): Wine “Paradiso” – Napa Valley Part 2 - Welcome to Part 2 of a 3 part wine and food dream trip adventure in the land of the world’s most triumphant wines: meeting, eating and drinking with selected world-class wineries in Napa Valley...
“Paradiso” is Italian for Paradise and that in itself would be all you need to know about Napa Valley. But this is a column, so I have a lot more to say about “Paradiso” and why I chose this description at this point in time. Brooks Painter (top in picture) is the Director of Winemaking for both V. Satttui Winery St. Helena, and Castello Amorosa in nearby Calistoga... We visited Caymus in Rutherford, one of the major stars of Cabernet Sauvignon, and met Jenny who was the winemaker for the new 2015 “Plumerai” Sauvignon Blanc. This is a bright, high acid drink with low alcohol. The thing about this bottle is it is a 1 ltr, larger than the standard .750 ltr, so it can and does get $90... Taste Of Wine & Food was excited to find BRIX on Highway 29, just north of Napa. It’s 100% committed from farm to table with raised farming beds just beyond the veranda patio, including wine grape acreage. BRIX has just been awarded a high honor from Wine Spectator, the Best of the Award of Excellence, for superior breadth of selection of wines, and their presentation. G.M. Jamie Jamison (bottom picture-middle) favors California-centric wines with a Napa Valley accent... Check out more pictures on Instagram and Facebook posts |
Taste of Wine and Food (7/15/2018): In the Land of the World’s Most Triumphant Wines -
Our marching orders were nothing less than premium wineries in Napa Valley and Sonoma. It was our joy of accomplishment, after conferring with and tasting the wines of 8 great properties over 4 glorious days recently, that we could conclude that it was mission accomplished... First I want to tell you that in my opinion the two finest examples of Napa Valley wine history met with us during this journey. They are: Joe Wagner of Copper Cane Wines and Provisions and Mike Grgich of Grgich Hills Estate. Wagner is 36 and Grgich is 95, quite an age spread... Pictured is Top - Joe Wagner (left), Frank Mangio (right) and Bottom - Rico Cassoni (left), Mike Grgich (center), and Frank Mangio (right) Check out more pictures on Instagram and Facebook posts |
Taste of Wine and Food (7/8/2018): The New 7 Mile Kitchen with SoCal Eating & Drinking Pleasure & Justin Wine Shines at Seasalt in Del Mar -
Carlsbad now has another reason to get out and eat, drink and play with the opening of the new and innovative 7 Mile Kitchen at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa, soon to be joined by its sister hotel, Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa, just above Legoland... Justin is the western-most Paso Robles wine property with fine wines that have enabled it to identify itself as a leading winery in all of California. For years it was operated by banker turned winemaker Justin Baldwin, who had a love for French blended wines from Bordeaux. His style evolved from old world to new world, with a very high flavor profile... |
Taste of Wine and Food (7/1/2018): Top Ten Tastes – First Half of 2018 -
The bounty of fine wine is never more evident than in our top ten wines. Up and down the price ladder it’s all about flavor, value, quality, cost and availability. The first 6 months of 2018 came in with a blowout birthday for me in front of 26 friends and family at Vigilucci’s in Carlsbad and wound up on the shelf with a blown vertebrae disc. That’s how fortunes change in life, and in wine. This time around we have: 3 red blends, 1 Pinot Noir, 1 Zinfandel, 1 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 Chardonnay, 1 Malbec, 1 Shiraz, and 1 Gewurztraminer. All wines are rated equally excellent and ranked alphabetically. Pricing is the best I could find.... |
Taste of Wine and Food (6/10/2018): On the Road Again with Taste of Wine’s Roadies -
Taste of Wine’s Travel Writers, Nancine and Scott Hagner, are indeed a happy dedicated couple with a lot of time for wine and the open road. When they launch into their plans for their next wine country journey, I want to break out the Willie Nelson classic “On the Road Again… just can’t wait to get on the road again,” then open a Zinfandel or Syrah, two of their favorite reds... |
Taste of Wine and Food (6/3/2018): Getting to the Root of Wine Tasting -
The tasting of fine wine is really a celebration of life, especially when it’s accompanied by flavorful food that enhances the event. Add special friends to the ingredients and you have a memory that can last a lifetime... |
Taste of Wine and Food (5/27/2018): The Prisoner- A Wine of Elegance & Balance Sets New Record at Seasalt -
As 2017 finished up as the busiest yet for wine events in Southern California, I happened to be wrapping up an assignment at Seasalt Seafood and Steak in Del Mar when the owner, the always positive Sal Ercolano, bounced over to my table and handed me the lineup card for all his wine dinners in 2018. “What do you think of these dates?” he asked... |
Taste of Wine and Food (5/20/2018): Welcome Back “Aussie” Wines -
Bill Tobin of North County Wine Company in San Marcos Ca, and Australian wine representative David Townsend of Langmeil from the Barossa Valley... |
Taste of Wine and Food (5/13/2018): Italian StrEAT Wine & Food Comes to Encinitas -
Encinitas, in North County San Diego, has been embracing the Italian style wine and food of Alice’s Italian Gourmet, now the big buzz for quick and delicious Italian on El Camino Real. Alice (pronounced Ah-leechee) and Carlo Paoletti bring bold new menu dynamics to tempt and feed the fast casual lunch and dinner bunch. They’re from Milan, so you’ll see and enjoy... |
Taste of Wine and Food (5/6/2018): Jazz Wine & Food at Thornton Winery -
From now through Saturday October 13, Thornton Winery in Temecula will have the lights lit on 18 major jazz music concerts on most weekends. Thornton sparkles and shines in the front courtyard with concert style intimate seating for general admission, and gourmet supper packages with reserved tables under a covered patio. Packages are prepared by the award-winning Café Champagne, available during each performance... |
Taste of Wine and Food (4/29/2018): The Real Mexican Cuisine is at Alfonso’s Of La Jolla -
With Cinco de Mayo celebrations here, we’ll put the wine scene on hold as I fall in love again with all shades and tastes of Margaritas and its chief ingredient, Tequila, nicely paired with a vast selection of Mexican cuisine. I did a little digging and got a few opinions about this subject and it didn’t stop at the drinks... |
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