Dunning Done Good!

Once in a while, something so amazing comes along in life that makes you realize how lucky, blessed, fortunate you are to be a part of it!  Being a member of a cohesive group of wine loving ladies called The Women's Wine Council of Temecula, is one of those rare treats.  Sharing our passion for wine, food, travel, and writing with each other gives us the opportunity to blend friendship, encouragement, tips, and fun all rolled up in a few hours once a month.

Our last council meeting found us transported (metaphysically speaking) to Paso Robles as we sipped on wines from Dunning Vineyards.  We've come to a point where, at first glance, an outsider may wonder whether we're a wine or food council!  By the looks of our table overflowing with luscious goodies (all strategically created to enhance and pair with specific wine varietals), we embark on our journey to find the perfect wine with its perfect mate!

Ladies, start your engines!  Straight out of the gate comes the underdog champion of the day, a stunning & a stunner of a Chardonnay.  Thier 2009 Estate Chardonnay was laced with vanilla and pear.  Aged in my favorite, a new French Oak, it only had mild hints of oak to the palette.  It paired superbly with a lovely Sage/Apricot cracker and made my Cranberry Tarragon Wine Dip from our own Orange Coast Winery literally pop in your mouth.  The winning Chardonnay was a stunner since our group is primarily a Big Red's kinda group.  But, the appealing full-mouth feel of this Chardonnay was a sleeper delight that none of us could resist!  This is one Chardonnay that I wouldn't mind paying the retail price of $24.

Next we sampled a fun 2008 Estate Vin De Casa ($24) that boasted of 45% Cab France, 35% Zin, and 20% Syrah.  What's not to love in this amazing blend?!  This deep, earthy, liquid saddle paired with espresso chocolate cookies and persimmons with a prosciutto wrap drizzled with balsamic olive oil.  We also were excited to find that Edam cheese and Wasabi crackers were super with the bold taste of this blend.  I have to admit that even though I loved the Chard, I'm still a sucker for a wonderful, full-bodied blend.  The Vin De Casa was my personal, number one pick of our Dunning taste test!

As our tasting progressed, we were mesmerized with the Dunning 2009 Estate Zinfandel ($28) with its full-body and hints of raspberry.  Is it no wonder that the little darlings of the day, the espresso chocolate cookies, also paired with this one as well?!

Admitting that the Vin De Casa was my favorite and the Chardonnay was a force to be reckoned with, the 2009 Private Reserve Estate Zinfandel ($35) that we rounded out our council soiree with was not to be upstaged!  This Zin had a richness that balanced between bold, spicy flavors and the perfect amount of oak.  Definitely old world charm abounds in this wine.  You're probably not surprised that yes, once again, the espresso cookies found their way into favor with the Zin as well; but, not to be forgotten was the incredible roasted sage, pumpkin, fontina, pancetta, and pepita flat bread.  Forgo the turkey dinner for Thanksgiving and just serve this dish and Zin.  How Zinfully easy would THAT be?

Since my husband and I recently purchased a little winery in Newport Beach, I couldn't resist showing off our gold medal winner from the recent Orange County Fair.  The ladies were exceedingly pleased with this Sauvignon Blanc and its light, citrus appeal.  It was wonderful with a plethora of the foods presented that day and nabbed the spotlight as the most versatile food wine of the day.

It is always bittersweet when our Women's Wine Council realizes that we've tasted through our selection of wines and had our way with the delicacies that we've each lovingly prepared...we've laughed, shared stories, toasted, sipped, and supped.  As all good things come to an end and we say our last adieu's, we leave our compadres with the reassuring thought that we get to do this all over again next month!!!

Temecula's Wine & Balloon Festival!

Flashing lights, cacophonous noise, jamming beats, free flowing wine, crowds, and every kind of food imaginable.   Oh, and gigantic, glowing hot air balloons.  It’s that time again!  Temecula’s annual Wine & Balloon Festival.  Is it possible it could be bigger and better than ever?!  Over 20 years in the running and a resounding YES!  The festival planning committee keeps adding more features and improving conditions in order to enhance the attendee’s experience.  ( I especially appreciate the water truck sprinkling away to keep the dust at bay!)

Last night the merriment opened with the smooth sounds of Ambrosia on the main stage, looking and sounding better than ever, warming up the crowd for the incomparable Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx.  DeYoung found his groove early when he opened with “Come Sail Away” and continued creating a smash performance with more of Styx’s greatest hits of all time  including, “Mr. Roboto,” “Too Much Time on My Hands,” and rounding out the evening with a beautiful rendition of “Babe I Love You.”  I swooned!  DeYoung’s voice was as fresh and lively as it was 30 years ago when they hit the scene.  His performance delivered and delighted the throngs as he dished out humorous old-man quips telling fans that his jeans were pulled all the way up to here (pointing to his chest) under his jacket and a crack or two about his prostate.   If you check out their official fan page, you’ll find that they have their own brand of coffee!  http://www.styxworld.com/

If you haven’t been to the festival ever or since the earlier days, especially if you’re a local, you owe it to yourself to get out there and see what the buzz is all about.  Row after row of decorated booths boasting of Temecula’s finest wineries where you will meet celebrated winemakers and family members.  Talk to them up close and personal.  Find out their stories and learn their secrets to success.  For the more discerning wine goers, there’s even a premium flight of wine tasting available this year.  Get into the cabana club and chillax under cover with members of the bands and other festival VIP’s!  Indulge AND give to a good cause with the Red Cross annual Wine & Food Pairing event.  Stroll amongst the hundreds of vendors showcasing the latest and greatest products that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!  And, of course, there’s food galore….kettle corn, BBQ, cotton candy, funnel cakes, Greek, Mexican, Thai, ice cream, Italian, and on and on and on!!!

What are you waiting for?  Quit reading this!  Get off your duff and get to Temecula’s Wine & Balloon Festival !  Come early and stay late for the smash hits of Third Eye Blind.  Look for me, I’ll be sporting a cowboy hat with flashing neon lights, a giant lightsabor, glowsticks, and a bedazzled wine glass hanging around  my neck yelling “WHOOOO HOOOOO!”….or, not….you’ll never know if you don’t go!!