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Food Section Sampler - Nov. 25, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:15:26 -0800

Behind the scenes at the Obamas' first White House state dinner. - New York Times
The Andy Warhol cocktail is nearly as charismatic as the famed artist himself. - San Francisco Chronicle
How to prevent overeating at the Thanksgiving table. - Washington Post
For restaurateurs, this holiday is looking to be another dreary dining season. - Los Angeles Times
Why one consumer advocacy group is taking a stand against Ocean Spray cranberries. - Boston Globe
Sick of turkey and vegetable leftovers? Transform them into a fragrant Thai curry. - Chicago Tribune
What recession? A 760-gram truffle has sold for $129,000. - Wall Street Journal

What Do You Know About Beaujolais Nouveau?

YumSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:50:36 -0800

As the French like to proclaim: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! Raise your glass, because Beaujolais Nouveau - the first wine of the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere - has finally arrived. Yesterday was the annual release date for the wine, which is welcomed on what's called "Beaujolais Nouveau Day" with a colossal celebration across France each year.

Since the wine - which certainly isn't for snobs - makes such a splash each year, I thought I would throw out some questions and see if you can, ahem, arrive at the answers. What do you know about Beaujolais Nouveau? Let's find out.

Take the quiz

Food Section Sampler - Nov. 18, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:27 -0800

Time to stock up: Looks like pure canned pumpkin is in short supply this year. - Los Angeles Times
Don't miss out on the Beaujolais Nouveau celebrations. - Wall Street Journal
Catching up with rapper Coolio, who's come out with a new cookbook, Ghetto Gourmet. - Boston Globe
Starbucks has raised its coffee prices in the Windy City. - Chicago Tribune
Complementary wine pairings for every Thanksgiving dish. - San Francisco Chronicle
If you have to reach for frozen pie shells, which brands are the best bets? - Washington Post
French legend Pierre Gagnaire is gearing up for Twist, his first restaurant in the US. - New York Times

Noteworthy Nibbles - Nov. 17-24, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:07 -0800

Aside from gearing up for Thanksgiving, what's keeping you busy this week? Nothing? Then consider making the most of your time. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the (nonham) daiquiri, join in on the world's first bacon-themed endurance event, chow down on all of Nola's best po-boys or check out some amazingly designed dining-room tables.

If you're looking to retreat before the big food and family extravaganza next week, then take part in an exclusive offering at the Fairmont's Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, where you'll enjoy a special winery visit with bubbly blending sessions, expertly crafted cocktails, and exquisite local cuisine.

What food events are you attending? Let us know in the comments below.

Piedmont Triad, NC: Triad Restaurant Week - Nov. 13-22
San Diego, CA: San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival - Nov. 18-22
San Francisco, CA: Dining by Design - Nov. 18-19
Seattle, WA: J&D's Bacathalon - Nov. 19
New Orleans, LA: Happy Birthday, Mr. Daiquiri - Nov. 19
New York, NY: Food, Inc. Screening and Discussion - Nov. 19
Denver, CO: Celebrity Chef Tour fete. Lachlan Patterson - Nov. 19
Sonoma, CA: Girl's Bubbly Getaway Weekend at the Fairmont Sonoma - Nov. 20-22
New Orleans, LA: New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Festival - Nov. 22
San Francisco, CA: Malvira Winery Piemonte Harvest Dinner - Nov. 22

In the know about a fabulous event? Spread the word in our Noteworthy Nibbles group in the YumSugar Community!

Happy Hour: 2005 Bad Boy Bordeaux

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:15:02 -0800

When I first received this bottle of Bordeaux in the mail, its Bad Boy name and whimsical label, which features a black sheep and an arrow labeled "garage," meant little to me. But after doing some research, I discovered the whole thing makes quite a bit of sense.

The inky red wine, which is 95 percent Merlot and 5 percent Cabernet Franc, hails from the famous French region of Bordeaux, which is known for its style of highly tannic, collectible wines. But this bottle is different: It's the venture of Jean-Luc Thunevin, a leader in what's known as the garage wine movement, an effort that's focused on developing bolder, fruitier Bordeaux wines that can be enjoyed right away.

Wine critic Robert Parker deemed Bordeaux's black sheep, Thunevin, a "bad boy," which explains how the wine's name came to be. It may be a silly name, but the wine is satiny, with earthy plum notes, and the subtlest hint of smoke. And, at $17.50, it's priced rather affordably. Are you familiar with this wine and Bordeaux's garage wine movement?

Care to share a recent wine experience with the rest of us? Post your tasting notes in our Wine Cellar! If you are new to the YumSugar Community, here's a detailed guide to posting to groups.

Food Section Sampler - Nov. 11, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:01 -0800

The sandwich chains of today are threatening the New Orleans tradition that is the po-boy. - New York Times
Kraft has officially launched a hostile bid to take over Cadbury. - Chicago Tribune
Putting frozen green bean brands to the test. - San Francisco Chronicle
A mixed case of peppery syrah makes for an ideal holiday gift. - Wall Street Journal
Is a Bon Appétit TV show in the works? - Los Angeles Times
Five essential kitchen tools to have on hand every Thanksgiving. - Washington Post
Dining at the restaurant where Julia Child had her first encounter with French cuisine. - Boston Globe

Source: Flickr User chadly

Noteworthy Nibbles - Nov. 10-17, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:58 -0800

As if on cue to celebrate the upcoming holiday season, this weekend is packed with loads of wine and spirits soirées. Whether you're in San Antonio or Chicago, Pittsburgh or Portland, there's a glass for you that's waiting to be raised. Homebrewers and beerpub regulars alike will appreciate America's largest international beer fest in Providence, RI. Looking to find the ideal sparkler to go with your holiday feast? If you're a New Yorker, then you're in luck.

Where will you find yourself celebrating this weekend? Drop us a line in the comments below!

Kona, HI: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival - Nov. 6-15
San Antonio, TX: New World Wine & Food Festival - Nov. 8-15
San Francisco, CA: Food For Thought: Eat Out For Education - Nov. 11
New York, NY: Tour de Champagne - Nov. 12
Denver, CO: Denver International Wine Festival - Nov. 12-13
Milwaukee, WI: Lombardi Food & Wine Experience - Nov. 12-14
Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh Whiskey and Fine Spirits Festival - Nov. 13
Chicago, IL: Pinot Days Chicago - Nov. 13-14
Providence, RI: Great International Beer Festival - Nov. 14
Portland, OR: Northwest Food & Wine Festival - Nov. 14
Orlando, FL: Orlando Food & Wine Fest - Nov. 14-15

Stemless Wine Glasses: Love Them or Hate Them?

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:00:48 -0800

In recent years, stemless wine glasses have really seemed to gain traction in the marketplace, and the leading stemless wine glass maker, Riedel, even releases limited-edition versions of its wildly popular stemless styles.

But yesterday, San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauer questioned the functionality of stemless wine glasses, pointing out that wine poured in stemless wine glasses measured three degrees warmer than the same wine poured in a stemmed glass - a significant difference in temperature when it comes to the enjoyment of wine.

7-Eleven's Newest Plug? Wine

YumSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:39 -0800

Two Buck Chuck better watch its back - it's about to face some stiff competition. On Tuesday, 7-Eleven announced its plans to release value wines in the United States and Japan.

7-Eleven will launch two proprietary California wines - a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon - to roughly 15,000 outlets under the Yosemite Road label. They will each retail for $3.99.

The Chardonnay is described as having notes of apricot and peach, while the Cabernet will have "juicy plum overtones." So if you're missing your favorite stone fruits from Summer, perhaps it's about time to reach for some Yosemite Road wine. Would you fork over $4 for convenience-store vino?

Food Section Sampler - Nov. 4, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:30:07 -0800

Isaac Mizrahi is now hawking plaid cheesecakes for QVC. - Women's Wear Daily
Did Gourmet magazine die by trying too hard to be all things to all people? - Los Angeles Times
One Brooklynite re-creates the famed St. Louis gooey butter cake. - New York Times
The economy hasn't quelled America's appetite for luxury foods. - San Francisco Chronicle
The science behind how gelatin works. - Boston Globe
Look forward to enjoying new cocktail classics. - Washington Post
Restaurants have a new way to cut back: Re-creating recipes to conserve on ingredients. - Wall Street Journal