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All Posts Tagged With "Wine Country"

Mother’s Day Wine Country Weekend — better than brunch

Mothers Day Brunch in Wine Country
Still wondering what to do for Mother’s Day? If you want to make Mom feel special, there’s still time to plan a Mother’s Day wine country weekend. Get away from the people-packed city and experience the slower pace of Sonoma and Napa where springtime is in full bloom.  Mother’s Day in wine country This is the year to surprise the mother in your life with a wine country getaway. Chances …

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Sommelier — much more than a wine steward

Sommelier
Wine geeks share a language of their own. What exactly does it mean when a wine expert describes a wine as crunchy, chunky, or chewy? Okay, you know what chewy means, but … chewy wine? Instead of trying to decipher the qualities of a wine that is muscular or tight, leave it to the sommelier. What is a sommelier? Dictionaries describe a sommelier (pronounced suh MUL yay) as a wine steward, but the job …

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Passport Weekend Countdown — your ticket to Wine Country

Passport Weekend in Wine Country
The annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley is a weekend wine extravaganza. And it’s coming up Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28. Wineries go all out for Passport Weekend, now in its 30th year. If you love wine, you need to know about this favorite wine event. Passport Weekend 101 This casual, upscale weekend is about immersing yourself in the good life of Sonoma Wine Country. There are hundreds …

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Cook Up Some Fun — Wine Country Cooking Classes

Cooking Class in Wine Country
Last month family members gathered from across the state to celebrate my mother’s 80thbirthday. We decided early on to rent a vacation homein Sonoma/Napa Wine Country. But what to do on her special day with a group of people aged 20 through 80 with interests as diverse as skydiving and crocheting? We landed on the idea of a cooking class. The epicurean adventure turned out to be ideal— a way to …

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Sonoma Barrel Tasting 2019 — enjoy a wine tasting adventure!

Barrels of wine
Don’t miss Wine Road’s 2019 Barrel Tasting event in Sonoma County. This is your chance to sample wines from the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys. But this isn’t like your typical wine tasting experience. Barrel tasting happens only once a year Each spring, the grapes that were harvested the prior year, usually late summer through fall, are ready for sampling. Winemakers regularly taste test their barrels during the …

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Cabernet Sauvignon – the perfect winter wine

Wine and a good book in front of the fire.
When it’s chilly outside, wine drinkers tend to gravitate toward reds. And Cabernet Sauvignon places first among winter wine. That’s not to say you can’t enjoy whites or some bubbly in winter, but red wine simply has more appeal this time of year. Why?   What is it about red wine in winter? Winter reds warm us up. They’re served at warmer temperatures, which brings out the fuller flavor of …

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Don’t Miss This Gastronomical Adventure — plan now for Sonoma County’s restaurant week

Every year in early March, restaurants in Sonoma County invite you to join in a culinary experience, one you don’t want to miss. So mark your calendars and book your vacation home rental now for the 10th Annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week, March 2 — March 10, 2019. More than 120 eateries will be participating this year, from Petaluma to Geyserville. Savvy food lovers know to take advantage of this …

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3 Tips for Great Holiday Food and Wine Pairings – a sommelier shares his secrets

Christmas Food and Wine Pairings
What are the best food and wine pairings for the holiday season? Whether you’re planning on visiting friends and family or nestling in at home this winter — here are a few rules of thumb and classic pairings to make sure your dinners don’t disappoint. 1.  In cold weather, go for the bold wines in your cellar. Cold weather calls for a hearty meal — a creamy soup, a rich …

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Wine Country – a foodie’s paradise

Wine country is a foodie's paradise.
Wine Country — a foodie’s paradise Did you know that foodies are everywhere? A foodie is a crossbreed. You can be a jock, an artist, or a go-getter and, at the same time, appreciate good food and drink. Almost everyone likes to sample and compare culinary experiences. In fact, that’s exactly what entices so many to visit Sonoma and Napa Wine Country. Culinary tourism is defined as the pursuit of …

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