Joanne Weir’s New Tequila Book

After several days of great wine tasting we went back to San Francisco for the launch of Joanne Weir’s new Tequila book, click to Amazon to buy a copy. The book has great drinks for the summer and many good appetizers to go along with your latest creations.

Spring Release of New Wines in Walla Walla

Sat. 5/2 a group of us flew to Walla Walla , city East of Seattle. Driving is about 4 hours or 45  minutes by air, serviced by Horizon Air. The area is known for over 300 days of sunshine, cold winters and warm summers.The ground offers perfect soil for growing many varietals of grapes. 

 

 

 

 

 

Washington State is now becoming well known for wonderful wines, both red and white. St. Michelle was one of the early producers of Washington wines. Today Washington boasts over 125 wineries.

The first week-end of May has become the time to head to Walla Walla for the spring release of new vintages with open house for many wineries. Parties abound as hundreds of friends gather to taste and tour. Always seeking that special new wine to add to cellars back home.

We headed to Long Shadows around noon on Sat.  A new player in the region. Their new winery with amazing vessels by artist Dale Chihuly gracing the tasting room.

Long Shadows creates 6 very different wines, go to www.longshadows.com . Each  wine listed below is unique and rated very high by Parker and others.

1. Feather; Pirouette;Pedestal; Sequel and Poet’s Leap 

The winery was started in 2003 by Allen Shoup ,creating this unusual concept of a collaboration with wine makers from around the world.

Try the Poet’s Leap, a dry reisling wine that is perfect with summer fare.

Next was an opening party at a new comer–Corliss Estates. Michael Corliss and Lauri Darnielle invited guests to a feast in the newly remodeled winery downtown. The winery is housed in an old building that was used as a bakery 100 years ago. Last week-end the new Corliss wine was showcased with a barrel tasting of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Go to www.corlissestates.com to get on the mailing list or your local wine store to purchase a bottle of their beautiful smooth red wines.

 A wine to watch.

Napa Valley

Last weekend we went to Napa Valley and the region of St. Helena. We shared time at a friends home eating, tasting wines and sharing thoughts about life and the wines we were tasting.

A visit to a winery called “Pride” was a special surprise for me. Located on the stop of Spring Mountain the grapes tend to ripen a bit slower than on the valley floor. The wines we tasted were strong in flavor and smooth in the taste as they touched the back of your mouth.  A special favorite was the Viognier and the Vintner Select Merlot. Get on the wine list and receive information about buying direct, www.pridewines.com, I promise you will enjoy each bottle.

Over dinner our group shared the table with two wonderful wine makers. Napa Valley brought us Duckhorn and Woodard Canyon came from Walla Walla, Wash.

We were surprised how similar the wines were. The Bordeaux Verietals, Merlot and the Cabernet Savignon were poured together and tasted side by side. Even though the grapes were grown thousands of miles apart the fruit produced many similarities in the final bottles of wine.

 

 

Next time you are in San Francisco take time out to go to one of the best Indian restaurants in the region. Dosa on Fillmore  is a special experience. The offering are from the southern regions of India where the dosa, a crisp savory pancake, is a staple in every meal.

This restaurant was an A+!

Dosa

1700 Fillmore @ Post
San Francisco   415-411-3672