The Taste of Howell Mountain 2018
The Taste of Howell Mountain was created to raise money for the elementary school on Howell Mountain. The vintners and winemakers gather to donate their wine to support the educational needs of the kids who go to school on the mountain. The funds that are raised will provide needed resources, and the kids are the biggest winners of the day.
This event remains one of my favorites. There are several reasons for this, starting with the wines of the AVA (American Viticultural Area – a designation within the United States that denotes shared characteristics for the growing area). The altitude of Howell Mountain provides warm days and cool nights that afford the grapes an opportunity to develop fine phenolics (chemical compounds that affect taste, color and mouthfeel of the wine) and produce deep, rich red wines with bright acidity. They are lush on the palate with tannins that are sometimes big and yet refined. When you start with this quality of wine, you have set an excellent day in motion.
Calistoga Food and Wine 2018
Calistoga is a small town at the northern end of Napa Valley. Population, at the last census, was around 5500. It is known for its hot springs, mud baths, and relaxing mineral water along with its wine. Just a few weeks ago, production teams were filming for a Netflix movie starring Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and other Saturday Night Live alumnae. That is a lot for a little town; and, this past weekend, the big draw was the fabulous Calistoga Food and Wine event, which culminated in an event held at the Solage resort.
Saturday afternoon, the stage was set for delicious bites from local restaurants accompanied by lovely wine. This was the culmination of a 3-day event, and it was very cool. There was music, food, and wine! The food ran the gamut from Korean BBQ ribs (they were excellent) to crab cake bites, pulled pork, and lovely desserts. You would have to work at going hungry at this event. The local restaurants were well-represented and welcomed everyone with their fare.
Wine Dinners Near You
This past Saturday night, we had the pleasure to attend a wine dinner locally that was quite literally – awesome. The evening started out with a sparkling wine while the room was being prepared fully for the experience. It was an intimate experience, including less than 20 wine aficionados, which provided a pleasant environment to enjoy and learn. The venue was a restaurant, and the theme of the evening was Cabernet Sauvignon from 2004. Yes – that is right! All these cabernets had been well kept and aged for 10 years. While the dinner was not specifically paired to each wine, it lent itself well to the taste and texture of these lovely wines.
This was a journey through some wonderful wines with the pièce de résistance being a Harlan. Harlan itself is one of the most highly regarded wines from the Napa Valley and upon release will sell at $500 plus a bottle. When else would one get to experience these wines all together? That is why I say it was an awesome experience.
Press Restaurant in St. Helena — a WOW Dinner!
I am just about to dive into my dessert of coconut sorbet. One of the only times I ever order dessert is after a meal at the excellent Press restaurant in St. Helena, and it is well worth the indulgence. Quite frankly, it is the smoothest and richest sorbet ever, and it’s following a wonderful dinner here at Press. This is simply my favorite restaurant in the Valley — the food and the service are amazing. Tonight, I had my favorite meal of New York strip steak cooked to perfection with a side order of brussels sprouts. I know, I know – you’re saying, “Brussels sprouts??” These were served sautéed with bacon and cranberries — simply wonderful. The New York strip steak had a perfect char on the outside with juicy, meaty flavors. I hope I am making you hungry. Oh, yes, and the wine – a rich, opulent 2008 from Blankiet.
Leslie Rudd, the owner of Press, is very active in both the Napa Valley and throughout the United States. He also owns Dean & DeLuca, the Oakville Grocery, and the wineries Rudd and Edge Hill. I would have to say that I am a big fan of Mr. Rudd. Historically, I have had many a meal at both Press and the Oakville Grocery, and I truly admire his dedication to quality wine. Rudd Winery is a beautiful property at the corner of the Silverado Trail and Oakville Cross Road in Oakville, CA (in Napa Valley). Mr. Rudd’s Edge Hill winery produces wonderful wines that age gracefully. I have enjoyed them all and have several cellared. While Edge Hill is not open for visits, a visit to the Rudd Winery is well worth the time. It is a sophisticated experience with a sit-down tasting that includes a tour of the lovely and lush grounds. The wine is deep and rich – the Sauvignon Blanc to the big cabernets are well crafted and enjoyable.
Wine and Food: Ideas from Shafer Vineyards
Shafer Vineyards is a winery that has become one of the icons in Napa Valley. John Shafer started this vineyard in 1972 and crushed his first cabernet in 1978. Robert Parker has called this winery one of the “10 best wineries in the world.” They produce quality-crafted, well-structured wine regardless of the vintage, and the wines are enjoyable no matter what varietal you prefer. Shafer produces Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet. I have enjoyed all Shafer wines — they never disappoint! Their cabernets are delicious and approachable, often when they’re both young and well-aged. Their “1.5” cabernet is a great wine for any special dinner. The Shafer Hillside Select is one of the most highly sought after wines. As a matter of fact, it drew the highest bid at this past year’s Napa Valley Auction. Last year, their 2008 Syrah, titled “Relentless” (and named for Elias the wine maker and his pursuit of excellence), was named the #1 wine of the year by Wine Spectator.
This winery routinely shares great information through their website and their newsletters to their mailing list. This next piece is one I wanted to share with you since it is about pairing wines with food in a way that makes everything taste better! Here it is — reprinted with the permission of Shafer Vineyards…