Be Unique, Shop Boutique

Our Temecula Winery

I really should copyright this phrase that I coined about a year ago when doing an article on unique, local places to shop.  Being a small business owner myself, I know how critical it is to the heart of our business to have the support of our local community.

I was reminded of these series of articles that I did when a friend recently sent me a forward on purchasing USA made products this holiday season as well as buying from local artisans, supporting family-owned businesses, helping struggling musicians by booking them for your holiday parties, and dining at local restaurants.  A feel-good, boost our own hometown movement.  I like that.  Pitch in, do your part, think locally, give experiential gifts, be unique & shop boutique.   Here is the "jist" of the forward that was sent to me (and I threw in a few personal tips as well!):

"This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. It's time to think outside the box.  Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

How about gift certificates from your local hair salon (my friend, Ricardo is amazing) or barber?

Guitar lessons? Yoga classes? Car detail? Oil change? (Massages from either of my sisters, Liz has Avani in Hastings, NE and Priscilla has a place in Palos Verde!)

Perhaps you know someone who would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, (try my son's business Kinnanscaping in Omaha, Nebraska) or driveway plowed all winter (Kinnanscaping, again!), or time at the local golf course. 

GIVE TO A CHARITY that you know will do some good!

My friend's charity, Baakari!

What about a month of breakfast at the local cafe?  SUPPORT your home town... Americans with their financial lives on the line need to keep their doors open.  

Incredible Rustico's!

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? She would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day, month, or year.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I bet I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

My friend's store in Murrieta

Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at locally owned and operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.   Musicians need love, too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Christmas is and should be about caring anyway!  Let's encourage American small businesses to keep plugging away by helping them keep their doors open and dreams alive.  When we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.  Let's make this the new American Christmas tradition."

Our Newport Beach Winery

Synergy

Synergy.  When wine and food are paired together, they have “synergy” or a third flavor beyond what either the food or drink offers alone.  This is a wonderful saying I stumbled upon this past week on a website called “Random Facts” that is now saved to my favorites.  This also occurs when our Temecula Women’s Wine Council convenes with a cohesive group of like-minded women.  As Linda Kissam aptly put it, “Somehow we’ve created a very special blend.  Each person in this group brings a special talent with them that enhances all the others present.”  Nice.

On October 5, our merry group, including guest writer, Sue Richter, was brought to order and were ready to review Terra d’Oro wines from Amador County.  The intro on their website states that years ago folks flocked to California for the gold, but today they come for the wine.  Indeed, wine reigns supreme in California as we are one of the largest producers and consumers in the world. 

Our afternoon was filled with the usual fascinating fare of exciting combinations and delectable delights waiting anxiously to be paired with its perfect mate during the equivalent of speed dating between food & wine.  First up was a 2008 Barbera with an approachable aroma of blackberry and spices.  This wine turned out to be the most food versatile of all that were sampled and struck up a relationship with some unlikely mates.  It was as pleasing with a homemade pumpkin truffle pound cake as the mushroom and wild rice dish.  My favorite was a scrumptious little cheddar/rosemary cracker, but was disappointed that the asparagus wrapped in roast beef with horseradish cream cheese (which I brought to specifically pair with it) did not light up my world.  Not to despair, as this little number was a favorite with several other wines amongst us.

The unique 2007 Field Blend Zin was the next contender and delivered musky, earthy tones mixed with deep tobacco flavors.  The Field Blend found its true love with the amazingly spicy BBQ ribs (also homemade!).  With such a big wine, it is advisable to aerate before serving.  Closely following this wine was the 2007 Home Vineyard Zinfandel with smoky raisin and hints of cherry, this Zin was wonderfully versatile and could be enjoyed with cinnamon cranberry goat cheese (oh, my, can we talk about this cheese?! Big Hit!) or my famous asparagus wrapped spears!  An aged cheddar was also begging for affection and attention from this Zin as well!  This was my Number Two pick of the day.

As we moved through our list, the next up was their Deaver Vineyard Zin, also a 2007 vintage.  It started us off with a bit of a funky, inky bouquet that opened nicely into a ripe plum flavor on the palette.  This Zin went well with just about everything we tried it with.  BBQ ribs?  Check.  Rice, mushroom, lamb?  Check.  Cheddar Cheese Crackers?  Yep!  Spicy cayenne chocolate chip cupcakes?  Definitely. To quote Linda, again, this wine had an “open-door policy!”

Our Number Five wine was actually our Number One.  A 2007 Forte Super Tuscan with powerful pine and musk flavors tantalizing our taste buds, we loved this as much with the fiery chocolate cupcakes as the aged cheddar cheese.  Terra d’Oro’s tasting notes said it best, “Muscle and Finesse.”  The finale of our soiree was the Montevina Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port.  A lovely example of a port with grapy flavors, caramel and orange peel.  With the traces of orange peel taste,  the flavors in a light orange-flavored shortbread cookie were a pleasant pairing, but also two-timed with the bittersweet chocolate.  A fun finish to a fun tasting.

How the rest of the wines ranked….My number one choice was the lovely Barbera, even though she didn’t cooperate with my chosen pairing, she was still a darling in my eyes.  However, the group chose the Super Tuscan as number one, followed by the Barbera, with the Home Vineyard Zinfandel as number three.  The Deaver Zin and Port were duking it out for 4^th and 5^th while the heavy hitting Field Zin rounded out our list. 

Our group has been together now since early last summer and it’s been an incredible journey thus far.  Our palettes are ever growing and changing as evidenced by our diehard Chardonnay fan who is slowly being seduced by the Red Side of the force.  We are honing our ability to pair incredible combo’s together and still surprising ourselves when two unexpected flavors twirl in our months fancifully proclaiming, “Look at us!  We’re dancing together in your cheek-to-cheek!”  And, mostly, we are becoming true sisters in wine, spirit, and synergy.

The Terra d’Oro wines are available at BevMo and range between $9.00-$15.00 dollars per bottle.  A modest amount for some solid wines.  As an owner of two smaller lot wineries, my motto will always be, “Be unique, shop boutique.”  For those occasions when you need to grab & go, it’s nice to have a road map of good “Go-To” wines.

Wiens Team with Orange Coast Winery

Saturday, September 17^th, marked the first-ever Orange Coast Winery Wine Club Members BBQ held at the Palisades Tennis Club on Jamboree Road in Newport Beach.  The Orange Coast Winery, located at 869 16^th Street in a funky warehouse, has quickly picked up momentum in the six months since it opened.  Owners Gus and Jennifer DeFalco have been wowing patrons with their award-winning wines and personal touches at their family-owned business.  According to Gus, it was time to celebrate with their faithful Wine Club Members in a big way.

Thanks to the generosity of Ken Stuart, owner of Palisades Tennis Club along with manager, Terri DeLong, the DeFalco’s hosted close to 200 Orange Coast Winery Club Members and friends to a foodie’s delight free of charge.   The menu consisted of BBW Hot Italian Sausages, BBQ breasts of chicken marinated in their own Beach Blend white wine with honey mustard sauce, BBQ chicken from leg and thigh marinated in Sonoma Zinfandel red wine sauce, BBQ whole white corn on the cob basted with kosher salt, cracked black pepper, and unsalted butter, New York style garlic toast grilled to perfection, BBQ baked beans served with six styles of beans in a Smokey Sonoma Red Zinfandel sauce with bacon, mixed salad and nine additional veggies with a choice of creamy blue cheese or zesty Italian dressing, and topped with fresh grilled white peach halves covered in full fat French Vanilla ice cream.  Palisades own café manager, Jose Cervantes, was the grill chef for the feast.

Serving the Orange Coast Winery’s finest selections of reds and whites was Christian Henderson also from the Palisade Tennis Club.  Guests were offered an impressive selection of wines including their 2007 Sonoma Zinfandel, a 2007 Mendocino Merlot, the 2007 Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc, a 2007 Santa Barbara Chardonnay, and the ever-popular 2007 Beach Blend White.

The group delighted in the music by two local groups.  Personal friend, K. C. Fockler, took to the upper deck first and filled the air with jazzy notes to get the party started.  Don Brennan, www.donbrennan.com, a professional musician available for private venues, finished the afternoon with easy listening guitar tunes and kept the festivities going well into sunset.
For many of the Orange Coast Winery Wine Club Members, this was their first opportunity to meet Gus’ wife, Jennifer, who spends much of her time traveling while Gus holds down the fort and creates his winery magic.  The BBQ was also an opportunity for the DeFalco’s to introduce their new business partners, Doug and Debbie Wiens of Temecula.  The Wiens’share the same vision and passion for wine, gourmet foods, and family values as the DeFalco’s and will be a welcome addition to the winery.  Between Doug and Debbie’s shared expertise in viticulture, marketing, and events, the combined forces will continue to make Newport Beach history in the world of wines.

For additional information on the Orange Coast Winery, visit their website at http://www.orangecoastwinery.com or call 949-554-4920.  Business hours are noon-5:00 Saturdays and Sundays.  Let the Orange Coast Winery plan your next private event or stop by soon to taste their award-winning wines.  Tasting fees are $10 and include a beautiful crystal logo glass.  All wines are reasonably priced between $15 and $28.  Catch the wine wave at Orange Coast Winery located in the heart of Newport Beach.  

Falling in Love with French Wines, Again (or, Be Wooed for the First Time!)

An afternoon in downtown LA with the Wines of South West France

On a quiet Tuesday afternoon on a balmy September day near the LA Toy District in Loft 218, while many of you were in an office crunching numbers, yawning through administrative meetings, or teaching kiddies how to add, a few of us had to slave away in a wine tasting seminar…tasting wines and deciphering which cheese paired best or which one had a smoother finish or which is the best quality for the price.  As the cliché goes, “It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.”

The wine seminar was led by Master Sommelier Fred Dexheimer and spokesperson for the South West Wines of France Council (IVSO).  The fourth largest appellation in France in regards to volume and sales, this is the wine world’s best-kept secret.  Sounds like our own Southern California Temecula Valley’s Wine Region!  This region boasts authentic grape varieties, diversity, great quality to value ratio, and a wide-array of product offerings.  These wines are meant to be savored with food and complement endless food pairing options.

Now, wait a minute, some of my readers may be thinking!  We live in the heart of a premiere wine region.  Why would we want to spread the word about French wines?  Why spend time researching and learning about a French wine destination?  Because, my friends, wine is a world-wide community and we are but one aspect.  It is a brother/sisterhood of camaraderie that is ever-changing, evolving, growing, and stretching forward while bridging an illustrious rich history.   As wine enthusiasts, our adventure is never-ending and there is much to learn and share with others around the globe.

The delightful wines from this region are not only food-friendly and produced by talented winemakers; they are being touted as having some of the healthiest benefits of all red wines.  Roger Corder states in his critically acclaimed book, The Red Wine Diet, certain red wines high in tannins, especially hailing from Madiran and Saint-Mont appellations, may be more beneficial to one’s health than other wines. 

In addition to the possible added health benefits, this region is endearing because it is a co-op of smaller farms and winemakers (5,000 to be exact!) who have joined together in their efforts to promote themselves and this lesser known South West Wine Region of France.  The region is home to forward thinking yet traditional winemakers.  They are as proud as they are passionate about their art of winemaking.  Be one of the first in your wine circles to impress with your knowledge about this area.

Obvious enough as it may seem, it struck an interesting note when our wine guide for the day, Dexheimer, discussed how wine is subject to fashion and pointed out the trend in Chardonnay that went from heavy oak, to very little, to stainless steel.   The whites that we sampled first embodied these trends.

The 2010 Gascogne with 80% Colombard and 20% Sauvignon et Ugni Blanc spent time in temperature-controlled stainless steel and exhibits this trendy tart, green apple taste that is so apparent when a white wine is made by this method.    The 2007 Gaillac delivered an initial tart, green note, but due to fermentation and time spent in new oak barrels for 8-9 months, this wine comes around to a full, smooth, creamy finish.  Both wines boasted their own personalities and would both be enjoyed as a starter wine to your event pairing nicely with a soft brie, pears, or salted nuts.  With price points of only $10-$15, how can you go wrong?  Perhaps my favorite white of the day was a lovely 2010 Cotes de Gacogne made from 80% Colombard and 20% Gros-Manseng.  Coming in at only $8.95, it was definitely the sleeper hit with a beautiful smooth, apricot aroma and a full-flower bouquet enveloping your tongue while flirting all the way down, I found myself politely polishing off this one and without apologies  avoiding the preferred “sip & spit” method.

Speaking of a Gros-Manseng, it was a happy surprise to stumble upon some new varietals at the seminar which strayed away from the normal Cabs and Merlots (which isn’t surprising since there are 10,000 types of grapes in the world).  The 2009 Marcillac from Domaine Matha Cuvee Lairis is made with 100% Mansois.  This region is all about authenticity and with the Mansois grape, it’s as real as the region can get!  From a small, terraced winery; this wine is unique to the region and believed to be related to the Malbec.  “This IS terroir!” Dexheimer proudly states.  The temperamental grapes are immediately destemmed to prevent a strong green bell pepper taste and fermented in stainless steel.  It sees no oak.  In spite of their efforts, there is still a beckoning first aroma of green tannins due to the red clay and ashy soil; however, it quickly dissipates into a fine beefy taste that made me crave Beef Wellington.  Retailing for a mere $12, this is definitely a food wine.

Ok, there’s always one in every crowd, right?  The Wench’s boyfriend.  The 2008 Fronton from Chaeau Le Roc, Le Classique. With 70% Negrette, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this bad boy was aged in a tank for 15 months.  Retailing at only $12, drink it now or lay him down for 2-5 more years.  The first wafts of cinnamon tickles your senses and gives way to luscious tannins and literally melts in your mouth.  The family carefully cultivates their Negrette, Cab, and Syrah and takes pride in their use of traditional grape-growing methods in order to produce their fruit-forward wines. 

Not to be overlooked was another delectable creation, the 2008 Gaillac from Domain Rotier and imported by Tru Wines.  The dark purple color comes from the 40% Duras (Father of Malbec), 24% Braucol, and 35% Syrah.  Its black licorice, smoky, (almost charcoal) taste makes a bold statement going in and finishes with a whisper.  This was a fun wine and, again, a great chance to sample some new varieties at only $12.

The Team from South West Wines of France

Be wooed by French wines.  Let go of your inhibitions and flirt with them.  Discover the best kept wine secret from France and travel to the South West, vicariously speaking, through their wines that complement your food, your health, and your sense of value.  Join the scores of other Americans who are exploring French wines and discover this region just south of Bordeaux.  Madiran, Saint-Mont, Fronton, Gaillac, Irouleguy, Gascogne, and Cahors anxiously await your arrival.

Belize It and Be Amazed

Welcome to the Tropics

The motto on Caye Caulker in Belize

The Split at Caye Caulker

Belize is a blip of a coastal country in Central America and something of an anomaly for the region.  A little melting pot of cultures, terrain, and tourist attractions.  When they say that Belize offers something for everyone, you better Belize it!  With tumultuous times in Mexico, Belize offers beautiful resorts, sandy beaches, Mayan ruins, tantalizing rum drinks with naughty names, and, mostly, safe travels.

Culture and Comfort found here

If you’re looking for an idyllic place to stay, try the tiny, laid back Belizean island of Caye Caulker.  Caye Caulker is a beautiful tropical paradise located five minutes away from the second largest barrier reef in the world, and only a 30 minute water taxi ride or brief commuter flight from Belize City.   Slip away to complete relaxation or zoom into full throttle excursions of snorkeling and scuba diving with nurse sharks, manatees, and sting rays.  Take a trip down the river with spider monkeys and crocs on your way to see the ruins of Chetumal, Mexico.  Be lazy and set sail on a romantic, sunset rum cruise around the island.  Whatever your heart craves and your soul desires, it may be found on this island where your only mode of transportation is by foot, bicycle, or golf cart.

The serenity of Seaside Cabanas on Caye Caulker

Take it easy upstairs or down at the Seaside Cabanas in Belize

Quaint thatched roofs and seaside cabanas offer respite

Reluctant to travel to an unknown destination and take your chance with unchartered hotels?  After enjoying nine days in this sanctuary of sun and surf, my top choice is Seaside Cabanas.  Intimate and romantic, combining beautiful blends of Mexican and Belizean architecture; Seaside Cabanas is only a shell’s toss from the ocean and offers a freshwater pool, cabanas with fabulous roof-top sundecks, ten additional rooms with verandas and views, and  a quaint, two-story bar with covered palapa where 2-1 rum drinks are served all day, every day!

The friendly and knowledgeable staff is second to none and provides guests with assistance in booking tours, travel arrangements, and tips on where the freshest, tastiest lobster dinner in town can be found.  Seaside Cabanas offer a continental breakfast, which serves as a greeting time for guests to meet, mingle, and compare notes on various adventures in and around the island.  The gift shop has an array of local art and souvenirs as reasonably priced as any street vendor without the hassle.

The manager, Israel, and his friendly staff at Seaside Cabanas

Bright colors welcome weary travelers at Seaside Cabanas in Caye Caulker

Plenty of fun in the bar, Uno Mas, at Seaside Cabanas

Each room offers all of the conveniences and amenities that weary travelers expect and are designed to make your stay pleasant and memorable.  Enjoy their bamboo furniture, cable TV, DVD player, mini fridge, remote control air conditioning, and even telephones where they’ll preload your phone to call anywhere for about $1.00 Belizean.  There’s an ocean view from almost every point at Seaside Cabanas with hammocks, padded chaise lounges, and a thatched cabana just perfect for watching the boats come in.

Fresh catch of the day grilled surfside!

Caye Caulker is known for friendly folks who are primarily English speaking, offers world class water activities, and first class relaxation.  Step into another world that asks you to “Go Slow.”  Be charmed and enchanted by all that the island has to offer.  This three mile island has sandy streets that allow you to stroll along barefoot, take in the brightly painted clapboard buildings, and pontificate with the locals!

Caye Caulker is sure to surprise and delight visitors from around the world.  Book your winter escape now.  Call the Seaside Cabanas at (501) 226-0498, email them at info@seasidecabanas.com, or visit them at www.seasidecabanas.com.  Tell them Debbie, The loveable Winemaker’s Wench, sent you!

Local children enjoying their island

Sleepy and serene fishing village

The picturesque mangrove tree is plentiful on Caye Caulker

The famous rum drink of Belize,
The Panty Ripper!

Fresh catch of the day - YUMMMMM!

Cooked to perfection & ready to share

Going slow for sure

No skimpin' on the Lobster at the Tropical Cafe!

Belize it!
A welcoming band sits above the luggage belt at the airport

No caption needed!

Oh yeh, that be a banana pancake with fresh fruit

A local favorite for breakfast, Cafe Y Amor.

Begin or end your vacay with a visit to this amazing spa on Caye Caulker

Travel writer & bestie, Sue Richter with The Wench gettin' around with ease
on bikes from island mainstay, Mario's!

Friends gather at the island's swankiest restaurant, Habenero's.
Travel writer, Sue Richter (L) and Moi (R)

Ban Premarin!

Dear My First for Women,

http://myfirstforwomen.com/

I picked up a copy of your August 8, 2011 magazine to enjoy on a recent trip. Was I ever mortified to find the sprawling two-page ad for Premarin. Being in the target age group for this drug, I was insulted to find it so blatantly thrown "in my face" from a source that women perceive to be a "trusted" magazine that has our best interest in mind.

Premarin is a horrific drug that is produced by inhumanely housing pregnant mares cramped in "factories" that are only interested in collecting their urine. The foals are viewed as a by-product and are shipped off in over-crowded trucks to be slaughtered for meat used in an overseas market. What's worse, the pharmaceutical companies prohibit the farms from working with rescue groups to save the older mares and their foals. Not to mention, the catastrophic side-effects to women who take this drug, (http://www.premarin.com/side_effects.aspx).

As an educated woman and concerned humanitarian, this drug, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures it (and, tried to lobby through drummed up legislation against my right to choose synthetic hormones), and your two-page ad all add up to one giant slap.

I recently introduced a dynamic woman who is championing this cause through The Baakari Foundation, http://baakari.com/, at a Baakari Foundation fundraiser in Temecula, California, where I specifically called out YOUR magazine for having the audacity to run such an ad. Yes, advertising dollars are King in the magazine world, but where is your responsibility to your readers and to the plight of these magnificent creatures and their offspring?

Please. Do your homework. Seek more women friendly advertisers. Stop running the Premarin ads in First for Women!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdv-E37K0hs


Debbie Israel Wiens
310-213-0696
http://thewinemakerswench.blogspot.com/
www.lacasting.com/debbieisraelwww.resumes.actorsaccess.com/debbieisrael

Project Paso

Project Paso

Paso Robles will always hold a special place in my heart as it played an intrical part in bringing a special winemaker into my life via my family's Five Oaks Vineyard just off Crestin Road.  In the rolling hills surrounding this beautiful wine region, where Zinfindels reign, Moonstone Beach beckons, and the elephant seals languish around the tide pools, one can truly be seduced by the allure of it all.  It is this backdrop that sets the stage for so many robust wineries in an ever-growing wine destination.

Enter, Project Paso.  A class act quietly blending wines in the Paso Robles appellation for 30 years.  The families of August Sebastiani Sr. and Sam Balakian started their project by mixing depth, spice, and complexity in an effort to share this region's rustic character in each bottle they lovingly produce.

Delicious flat bread with pesto and roasted garlic

The Women's Wine Council of Temecula began our research of the Project Paso wines with the classic varietal of a Sauvignon Blanc.  A crisp white with pleasant aromas of citrus and honey to greet you with first sniffs.  Blended with a Semillon to give it a smooth, green apple mouthfeel, this wine paired quite nicely with a bloodorange jam on simple wine crackers and allowed the zesty taste of garlic, pesto flatbread to shine through brilliantly.  A fun side note on the Project Paso bottling was the introduction of the "Zork!"  A quirky synthetic cork that is recyclable, reusable, and made in the good 'ole US of A!  Peel off the seal.  Pop the Zork.  Re-stop!  Handy dandy!

Next stop was a 2009 Chardonnay that packed a powerful oaky-punch as it was aged for 8 months on half French and half American oak.  Light flavors of apricot and Meyer lemon come from the cold marine air that flows into Paso Robles through the Templeton Gap.  Alone, it was a bit daunting for this true-blue red lover.  But, Ba-Zinga! when paired with a scrumptious (freshly caught!) Alaskan salmon slathered in a dill, cuke, and yogurt mixture.

Pinwheel roll ups with a kick!

Now, for the real stars of Project Paso, (in this Wench's opinion), as we sampled the Old Vine Zin.  Ah, yes, Paso Zins as alluded to earlier.  The concentrated white pepper, blueberry aromas, and warm indian spices help this Big Zin stand up to your barbiest of BBQ dishes and did a lively dance with our appetizer of cream cheese, shredded cheddar, salsa, dried cranberry, chopped green olive pinwheels that partied past the teeth and through the gums, look out tummy, here it comes.  (Yes, I love to mince nostalgia by using good old-fashioned sayings that I grew up on.)

Delightful figs with goat cheese, bacon, and drizled in Balsamic

Being more and more influenced by my own honey's love of blending, the Red Wine Blend definitely took first prize in my book.  So delicious that I savored every sip and forgot to even write any tasting notes except that it took my breathe away (Oliver, Oliver, I hear Berlin playing in the background! A little Green Acres reference since the original farmhouse in the opening shots is right up there in Paso).  The intense, jammy red cherry sips containing Grenache, Zin, Petite Sirah, and Mourvedre all melded beautifully together with subtle caramel, cinnamon, and walnut nuances strutting their stuff and marching with panache over my taste buds.  As I thoroughly enjoyed the exquisite taste of this wine, I was hard pressed to find a befitting hors d'oeuvre amongst our array and succombed to the sensation that some wines are just meant to be savored solo.  However, the goat cheese baked figs with bacon bits drizzled in balsamic was working it's way into my favor!

Savory bites of chicken with honey mustard and Tabasco!

The 2009 Cab on our list was definitely noteworthy and one of our Cab lovers in the group proclaimed this to be the best of all.  It certainly was a perfect example of high quality Paso Robles Cabernet with a multi-layered nose from dusty blackberry, hints of jalapeno, leather and dried mushrooms hailing from Paso's rich, red soils.  So complex was this wine, that the entire group was searching to find the best food mate for our sultry friend.  I enjoyed zesty honey mustard Tabasco chicken bites, albeit we unanimously voted a green and black organic dark chocolate bar with almond and currant as the divine match.  And, thusly, we closed out another hard day at the office!

One of our lovely council members, Carmen!

Chatting merrily, cheersing away, and hydrating with plenty of natural spring water, The Temecula Women's Council thoroughly embraced the wines from a sister appellation who started from humble beginnings, much like our Temecula region, fought hard and long to gain respectable standings in the world of wine, ditto to Temecula again, and are finally enjoying the fruits of their labors.  The Project Paso wines reviewed today retail for a modest $14 and may be found in Temecula Old Towne at Rancho Liquor.  For those times when you need to grab & go, Project Paso wines are a sure deal for a great price.

Guest member, Robin, debating with Carmen.

Scrumptious homemade chix salad w/ hints of curry & cranberries.

As the US just surpassed the French in total annual wine comsumption for the first time in history, we cannot sit back and rest on our laurels!  NO!  Indeed!  We still have a ways to go in catching them on amount of wine consummed by individuals...now, get out there and do your part!  Drink wine with every meal, toast every special occasion (like, it's a Tuesday and you live in Southern California!), take wine destination vacations, and support your local wineries!  Make the USA proud! 

To learn more about the Project Paso wines reviewed in The Winemaker's Wench blog, check on the Don & Sons at  http://www.donandsons.com/ourwine/projectpaso/redblend.php

Our hostess, Corie, with Judy in the background.

As always, giant thank you to Corie Maue at
 http://lifehalffull.co/ and http://www.docpros.net/contactus.html

And, of course, a huge thank you to our great guru, Linda Kissam, for having the vision (and patience) to pair this group of winey women together!

Little Black Riding Wench with her basket of goodies!  Delicious salmon in the foreground.