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Happy Hour: 2006 Iron Horse Estate Pinot Noir

partysugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:15:04 -0700

Last night I attended Jack Falstaff's first Farm to Table Grower's Dinner. The special menu features seasonal ingredients from local producers. The most exciting part of the meal (besides the delicious food) is that the farmers and wine makers dine with you.

I was lucky enough to speak with Audrey Sterling, the grande dame of Iron Horse vineyards. After fabulously describing the wines, she told me about how Iron Horse is served at the White House! Their varietals have been selected by the past five presidencies, dating back to Ronald Regan. It's a fun fact to tell guests when serving Iron Horse.

While I enjoyed all the wines they poured, my favorite was the 2006 Estate Pinot Noir ($40). It was subtly complex and incredibly smooth. Like the perfect little black dress, it's elegant, but stylish. It rolls through the mouth with fruity, earthy flavors and a rich aroma. The wine's made with a special precision-harvesting technique that closely examines each vines needs, resulting in a silky, wonderful wine. The wine was served with an intensely crispy, suckling pig porchetta, but I think it would be lovely with everything from comforting macaroni and cheese to braised beef.

The Stink Piles Up for Ramsay

YumSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 02:58:19 -0700

Gordon Ramsay sure is causing a stink. Actually, make that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) sure is causing a stink for Gordon Ramsay. PETA UK demonstrators dressed up as horses and dumped a ton of horse manure in front of his London restaurant Claridge's. Ramsay has been putting himself in the bad graces of PETA, first by dragging a slain deer through his restaurant and then by suggesting that people should eat horse meat. In an upcoming episode of his show The F-Word, Ramsay admits to eating horse.

"I've eaten horse", and says that it is healthy, with lots of iron and half the fat of beef and far more Omega 3 essential fatty acids. He describes horse meat as "slightly gamey" and "packed with protein".

Some are calling the horse meat statement a "ratings gimmick," and others say it's perfectly viable to consider other red meat sources. Either way I bet Ramsay didn't think it would cause such a stink.

Source: The Telegraph and Metro UK

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Come Party With Me: Romantic Valentine's Day Dinner - Drinks

partysugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:58:18 -0800

Valentine's Day is a short week away and if you have not made it over to your local wine shop do so now. Why you wonder? Well you don't want them to sell out of the best champagne! You can't enjoy the most romantic day of the year without enjoying a little bit of bubbly. I'm planning a romantic dinner for you and your significant other (I'm single so I'll be sipping my sparkly with the gals). I started on Monday by creating a love note invitation and yesterday I planned out a savory seductive meal perfect for snuggling over. Today I'm discussing the drinks for this private little party of 2 and it's all about the bubbly, baby! To see my wine recommendations (and cocktail ideas) read more

Treat you and your honey to a nice bottle of champagne. If you don't know much about sparkling wine, ask the sommelier at your local wine store for help. Stay clear of large supermarkets where the sales clerks will know little about wine and instead hit up large specialty stores like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, or Cost Plus World Market (or any place where they have in store wine specialists). My picks for Napa Valley sparklers are: Roderer Estate Anderson Valley Brut and 1996 Iron Horse LD Green Valley Blanc de Blancs. If you prefer real champagne from France, try 1998 Piper-Hiedsieck Brut Vintage or 1988 Vueve Clicquot Ponsardin Rare Vinatge.

Pink Champagne (commonly referred to as Rosé) is another fun option because it is a pale pink color that will add a touch of Valentine charm to the meal. If you are against serving champagne, pour a French white such as a Pouilly-Fume or Sancerre to pair with the clams. With the main course, pour a red Zinfandel or Pinot Nior (I am really into Pinot Noir's right now).

If you and your man are hard liquor drinkers, make vodka or gin tonics festive by tossing in a few fresh raspberries. Likewise, if your guy is a hardcore beer drinker be sure to have plenty of his favorite beer on ice. For a special treat for yourself, make my favorite champagne cocktail, the fuchsia hued Kir Royale. Buy a few mini bottles if you don't want to drink an entire bottle of champagne.

What are you planning on drinking at your Valentine's Day dinner? Tell me about it below. Next up on the romantic meal plan: the decor (which is going to be super sexy) so come back tomorrow for more.