Cheers To Miner Wines

partysugar — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:03:31 -0700

For my birthday I invited a small group of friends to join me for a wine tasting in Napa. We visited a few wineries, but our favorite was Miner family vineyards. The excellent PR girl had arranged a private tasting and tour, complete with a surprise birthday cake for yours truly! Our guide, the jovial and informative Jaime, began by giving us a sampling of the Miner Sauvignon Blanc and Rosato. Next we moved on to the Sangiovese and the Pinot Noir - both of which were outstanding. However the best wine was the limited edition Benedetto blend series. A smooth and bountiful red, this wine was like heaven in a glass. Jaime lead us through the wine making rooms and into the Miner caves. Nestled in the base of a small mountain, the caves hold thousands of aging barrels of wine. We sampled a 2006 Malbec which they plan on using to make their signature blends. Later he showed us the private cave dining room where we had an impromptu birthday party. If you are planning a trip to wine country, Miner winery is a MUST stop. If you won't be coming to California anytime in the near future seek out these wines at your local wine shop. Miner wines have been served at the White House so I can guarantee you will not be disappointed. To check out the entire gallery of images from my trip there, read more

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To Taste Menu or Not To Taste Menu

partysugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 06:08:31 -0700

A few weeks ago I found myself at one of the Bay Area's top 100 restaurants, Redd in Napa Valley. My cheffie buddy and I glanced at the menu before deciding that there were too many delicious dishes to choose one each. So we decided to try the five course tasting menu.

A tasting menu, if you've never experienced one, is a fabulous way to sample small portions of several dishes. Usually everyone at the table is required to order the tasting and for each course a different dish is brought out. At Redd, the first course I tasted was the tuna tartare, while my dining companion tried the sashimi. We rotated plates half way through each course and were able to taste a total of 10 dishes from the menu! To learn more on tasting menus, and check out pics of the food I ate at Redd, just read more

Here are a few more things you should know about tasting menus:

They differ from a prix fixe menu, although are sometimes called the same thing. In a tasting menu, the chef chooses what he sends out, whereas on the prix fixe menu, you pick from a selection of entrees.
A tasting menu can be paired with wine (usually called the wine flight). With each course you will be sent a new half glass of wine that is specifically picked to perfectly match the dish you are savoring. It's more expensive, but fun to do if you are interested in wine and food pairings.
Tasting menus can often be expensive.

While you get smaller portions, it is very easy to fill up quickly on a tasting menu. Don't choose a tasting menu unless you are ready to eat a full, several-course meal.
If you happen to be at a restaurant known for their tasting menu get it!
Tasting menus originated in Europe and were thought of as a bohemian indulgence. Only when they were adopted in America did they become a statement of fine dining.

What are your experiences with a tasting menu? Tell me about them below!

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Cheers To Miner Wines

To Taste Menu or Not To Taste Menu