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Sideways Is Back, in Japanese Form

YumSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:00:18 -0700

If you were stoked to hear about the release of The Ramen Girl, wait until you hear about the next big foodie flick. Oh, wait - you may have already seen it. Twentieth Century Fox is creating a Japanese version of Sideways, the Oscar-nominated comedy about four friends road-tripping through California wine country that became a runaway hit in 2005.

Given wine's increasing popularity in Japan, Fuji TV, one of Japan's biggest film producers, thought the movie would be an ideal candidate for a remake. But for its new film, tentatively also called Sideways, the company made changes to the storyline.Rather than drinking their way through Santa Barbara wine country, the group meanders through Napa Valley, a wine region that is better-known among the Japanese. The movie's two main male characters - named Michio and Daisuke, not Miles and Jack - drive up to Napa Valley from Los Angeles. “You can’t do a road trip in California without going over the Golden Gate Bridge,” said the director of the remake, Cellin Gluck.

At first, Napa Valley vintners were not too enthusiastic about the film, given that the original's Merlot-bashing lines led to a plummet in sales of the varietal. However, the new feature doesn't knock varietals of any kind and successfully managed to shoot at local restaurants, as well as winemakers such as Frog's Leap, Beringer, and Chandon.

I'd never have guessed that the Japanese would remake a movie like Sideways, with its focus on a specialized West Coast winemaking region, but I can see how the comedy has universal appeal. Do you like the concept, or should Fox have simply dubbed the original?

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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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The Judgment Of Paris

partysugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 01:01:01 -0700

Today's date, May 24th, is a memorable day in California wine history. Before 1976, France was regarded as the only region to produce great wines. 31 years ago, a blind taste test was conducted by a group of eleven of France's most prestigious figures in the wine industry. The white wines were tasted first and the judges unanimously awarded the top honor to both (Chalone Winery and Chateau Montelena) - two California whites. Likewise, the top red wine went to a Cabernet from Napa's Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. The judges were appalled by the outcome and the results of the tasting were not publicized in the French press. Although it is difficult to evaluate the scientific results of such an objective tasting, the judgment did wonders in elevating the status of California wines.

13 Under $20 Wines Perfect For Hostess Gifts

partysugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:15:34 -0800

Do you have an iPhone? Then stop what you're doing right now and download the Nirvino (my preferred online drinking community) wine ratings guide. With over one million wines listed by name, price, grape varietal, flavor profile, region, and producer, the wine application is an amazing resource to always have at your fingertips.

Not only does it provide food pairing suggestions, but there's also lots of fun lists to browse. Food Network's Aida Mollenkamp shares her favorite wines to drink while cooking, Sommelier Mark Bright rounded up his top bottles from Whole Foods, and yours truly has even created a list!

I headed to Safeway to pick out the best wines - all of which are under $20 - for hostess gifts. I've tasted and enjoyed these wines and would bring them to a party. Be it a birthday bash at Hog Island oyster farm, an intimate Thanksgiving dinner, or an upcoming holiday soirée, there's a bottle for every occasion. To check out my list, keep reading.

Noteworthy Nibbles - Nov. 3-10, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:07 -0800

Kick-start the new month with a number of celebratory fêtes that are happening this week. Learn all about the art of butchering (and enjoy fire-cooked meats) in Napa Valley; sample food from Boston's best new chefs; or watch Paula Deen's antics in the nation's capital.

Where will your stomach lead you this week? Let us know below.

Boston, MA: StarChefs Boston Rising Stars Revue - Nov. 3
Washington DC: Tour de Champagne - Nov. 6
Houston, TX: Chocolate Festival of Texas - Nov. 6-7
Big Sur, CA: Big Sur Food & Wine Festival - Nov. 6-7
New York, NY: Cook. Eat. Drink. Live. - Nov. 6-8
St. Helena, CA: PRIMAL Napa - Nov. 7
Abbeville, LA: Giant Omelette Celebration - Nov. 7-8
Washington DC: Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show - Nov. 7-8
Los Angeles, CA: Great Chefs Go Organic - Nov. 8
San Antonio, TX: New World Wine & Food Festival - Nov. 8-15

Yummy Links: From Top Chef's Finale to Spanish Chorizo

partysugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:50:08 -0800

The finale of Top Chef Vegas was recently filmed in Napa Valley. - Eater
The New Yorker get to know Los Angeles restaurant critic Jonathan Gold. - Grub Street NY
Ubuntu, Napa's vegetarian darling of a restaurant, may start serving meat. - SF Foodie
Thirteen individuals who are making waves in the food industry. - Chow
One Houston restaurant critic has dropped his anonymity. - Eat Me Daily
What your beer says about you. - Serious Eats
Spanish chorizo adds a richness and flavor to everything it touches. - The Epi-Log

Photo courtesy of Bravo

10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Thomas Keller

YumSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:50:09 -0700

On this Wednesday, we don't just celebrate Hump Day for the week; we also honor French Laundry chef and restaurant legend Thomas Keller, who turns 54 today. The culinary pioneer - who's been called everything from the food industry's Yoda to Father Jesus Keller - shows no signs of slowing down. He's about to open a Bouchon restaurant in LA and a new inn in Napa Valley. Although chef Keller gets plenty of press, he still manages to keep a lot of his personal life under wraps. Here, 10 things you probably would never have guessed about him.
Source: WireImage

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Aug. 11-18, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:30:27 -0700

If you don't have any solid plans for this weekend, don't let the food festivities pass you by. From New Mexico's Hot Chili Days, Cool Mountain Nights event to an Iowa homage to sweet corn, August is packed with distinctive culinary celebrations.

Personally, I wish I could attend North Carolina BBQ pitmaster Ed Mitchell's dinner at the James Beard House - but I'll happily settle for a local lesson in making Summer farmers market cocktails. What's on your tasting itinerary for the weekend? Pipe up and tell us in the comments!

Houston, TX: Houston Restaurant Week - Aug. 11-23
New York, NY: Modern Israeli Cuisine at the James Beard House - Aug. 12
San Francisco, CA: Botanical Spirits & Summer Farmers Market Cocktails – Aug. 12
Chicago, IL: Taste of the Nation Chicago - Aug. 13
West Columbia, SC: Eat, Drink & Think Local - Aug. 13
Red River, NM: Hot Chili Days, Cool Mountain Nights - Aug. 13-15
West Point, IA: West Point Sweet Corn Festival - Aug. 13-16
Boston, MA: Fisherman's Feast – Aug. 13-16
Delcambre, LA: Delcambre Shrimp Festival - Aug. 13-16

To see the rest, read more.

Springfield, MO: Summer Sizzle BBQ – Aug. 14-15
Emporia, KS: Flint Hills Beef Fest - Aug. 14-16
Sonoma County, CA: Grape to Glass Weekend - Aug. 14-16
San Rafael, CA: San Rafael Food & Wine Festival - Aug. 15
Cary, NC: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ - Aug. 15
Hayward, CA: Hayward Zucchini Festival - Aug. 15-16
Napa, CA: Taste of the Nation Napa Valley - Aug. 17
Philadelphia, PA: Taste of the Nation Philadelphia - Aug. 17
New York, NY: Legends of Barbecue with Ed Mitchell - Aug. 18
San Francisco, CA: Summer Garden Party at the Magic Flute - Aug. 18

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Mar. 10-16, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:00:16 -0700

East and West Coasters, take notice: There's something for everyone to imbibe this week, regardless of whether you're in the mood to enjoy a preview of this year's vintages or kick back with an artisan brew. Manhattanites can get a taste of Napa Valley while it's into town, and Floridians savor the fresh catch while you can.

Will you be attending any fun foodie events this week? If you think of anything we've left out, please feel free to chime in below!

New York, NY: Taste Napa Valley - Mar. 10-12
Philadelphia, PA: Philly Beer Week - Mar. 10-15
New York, NY: NYC Restaurant Week - Mar. 10-20
Cincinnati, OH: Cincinnati Wine Festival - Mar. 12-14
Napa, CA: Napa Valley Mustard Festival Awards - Mar. 13
St. Augustine, FL: Seafood and Music Festival - Mar. 13-15
Kiawah Island, SC: Gourmet and Grapes at the Sanctuary - Mar. 13-15
Kailua-Kona, HI: Kona Brewers Festival - Mar. 14

To see the rest, read more.

Temecula, CA: World of Wine Barrel Tasting Weekend - Mar. 14-15
Phoenix, AZ: West of Western Culinary Festival - Mar. 14-15
Napa, CA: Napa Valley Mustard Festival Marketplace - Mar. 14-15
Sonoma County, CA: Annual Barrel Tasting - Mar. 14-15
Del Mar, CA: Family Winemakers of California Tasting 2009 - Mar. 15, 17
San Francisco, CA: Edible Pursuit - Mar. 15

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