ROY CHOI AND MADELYN ALFANO TO RECEIVE AWARDS AT THE WESTERN FOODSERVICE & HOSPITALITY EXPO

August 19, 2019 by evebushman

LOS ANGELES, CA – The 2019 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo will present their annual Torch and Beacon Awards to two inspirational leaders in the industry on Center Stage during this large West Coast gathering for the food and beverage industry. The Beacon Award, recognizing an outstanding woman leader, will be presented to Madelyn Alfano, President & CEO of Maria’s Italian Kitchen. The Torch Award, honoring an outstanding chef and/or restaurateur will be presented to Roy Choi, co-founder of Kogi Korean BBQ and award winning New York Times Bestseller. The awards will be presented during the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Sunday, August 25 through Tuesday, August 27, 2019. For more information about the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo and details on the awards, visit www.westernfoodexpo.com.

“Congratulations to Roy and Madelyn for all they have achieved throughout their careers to bring them the recognition they deserve through these distinguished awards. We look forward to presenting this year’s Torch and Beacon Awards on Sunday and Monday afternoon on Center Stage,” said Tom Loughran, Vice President of the Clarion UX Food & Beverage Group. “Roy and Madelyn are both an inspiration to the culinary industry and join a distinguished dossier of other chefs and restaurant leaders who have a received both of these awards over the past five years including Danny Meyer, Geoffrey Zakarian, Curtis Stone, and others.”

The Torch Award, which symbolizes Illumination, Energy, Joy, Victory, Enlightenment, Hope and Education will be presented to Roy Choi on Sunday, August 25 at 3:30 pm on Center Stage by The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo and The California Restaurant Association. This prestigious award was created to honor outstanding chefs and/or restaurateurs who embody all those qualities and characteristics. Roy was chosen for his outstanding knowledge and leadership; philanthropic and community efforts; extraordinary talent and creativity; and his innovation and inspiration.

In 2008, Roy Choi and a crew of friends & family started what would be the beginning of the intersection between food, technology, culture, entrepreneurship, and long lines. That comet was called Kogi BBQ and it made a splash on the streets of LA, being the first to use Twitter and usher in a whole new generation of eaters and followers to what would be called America’s first viral restaurant by Newsweek. Roy was named Food & Wine Best New Chef 2010, TIME 100 Most Influential People in the World 2016, LA Times Restaurant of the Year 2017, and has an award winning New York Times Bestseller memoir called, L.A. Son: My Life, My City, My Food.

Roy resides in Los Angeles where he oversees Kogi BBQ, Chego!, A-Frame, Alibi Room, LocoL, and his first restaurant outside California called Best Friend at Park MGM, Las Vegas. Roy is co-producer on the movie Chef and executive producer/co-host on the subsequent, The Chef Show on Netflix. He is also executive producer and host of the socially conscious television show Broken Bread on KCET and Tastemade and is a highly recognized speaker at events and panels worldwide. For more info on previous Torch Award Winners, visit https://www.westernfoodexpo.com/torch-award-recipients.

The Beacon Award, which symbolizes a person that illuminates or inspires will be presented on Monday, August 26 at 3:30 pm to Madelyn Alfano on behalf of The Foodservice Council for Women and The Clarion UX Food and Beverage Group. Madelyn Alfano, President & CEO, Maria’s Italian Kitchen is one of California’s most successful restaurant owners who has truly served as a Beacon for the industry through her leadership, contributions, and inspiration.

In l985, she opened her first Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Sherman Oaks, Calif. With headquarters in Los Angeles and more than 500 employees, Maria’s Italian Kitchen is among the leading privately owned restaurant groups in the state. Today, there are 10 Maria’s Italian Kitchens, including the newest location in Oxnard. With every community Madelyn joins, she offers healthy, quality food with hospitable service in a casual yet elegant and friendly atmosphere.

In addition, she is an active professional, serving as a board member of both the Statewide California Restaurant Association and past president of its Los Angeles Chapter. She is past President of the Los Angeles Board of the National Association of Women Business Owners. A member of YPO since 2002 and recently elected as the International Network Food and Beverage chair, she is currently a panelist and member of the CNBC Small Business Council and sits on the Board of Advisors for the UCLA Anderson Business School Price center for Entrepreneurs.

Following the award presentation, Madelyn Alfano will sit as a panelist on the Foodservice Council for Women. For more information about the Beacon Award, and past recipients, visit https://www.westernfoodexpo.com/Beacon-Award.

The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, sponsored by the California Restaurant Association (www.calrest.org), will provide industry professionals access to the hottest menu trends, state of the art design and decor, a renowned education program, several culinary demonstrations, and 450+ of the leading vendors and purveyors dedicated to serving the restaurant & foodservice community. For more information, visit www.westernfoodexpo.com

The trade show and conference will be co-located with Healthy Food Expo West, bringing attendees access to the latest healthy products from organic, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-safe to hormone-free, non-GMO, plant-based, low-sodium, low-fat, and Coffee Fest, the business-to-business specialty coffee & tea destination for access to new products, education and trends.

The three trade shows are owned and managed by Clarion UX (www.clarionux.com), which produces 37 events across 13 sectors of both trade and consumer events. Clarion UX, which is the U.S. division of Clarion Events, UK, and backed by The Blackstone Group has become one of the fastest growing event companies in the U.S. with aggressive growth through both acquisition and launch. Clarion acquired PennWell in early 2018, bringing 4 Tradeshow 200 events into the U.S. portfolio and super-charging the already rapid growth. Clarion UX has offices in Trumbull, CT; Kennesaw, GA; Boca Raton, FL; Tacoma, WA, and Fairlawn, NJ.

2019 San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Awards Announced

August 3, 2019 by evebushman

PASO ROBLES, CA – The San Luis Obispo County wine industry annually comes together to honor members of the local wine community. These awards recognize dedication, stewardship, innovation and leadership demonstrated in the San Luis Obispo County wine community. The 2019 San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Awards go to – Winegrape Grower of the Year, Paul Hoover, Still Waters Vineyards; Winemaker of the Year, Justin Smith, Saxum Vineyards; and Wine Industry Person of the Year (posthumously), Scott Welcher, Opolo Vineyards.

The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance in partnership with the San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association, the Independent Grape Growers of the Paso Robles Area, The Vineyard Team, and past award recipients worked together to identify the 2019 winners. The honorees are evaluated on their leadership and accomplishments in California’s third largest wine region, San Luis Obispo County.

“Each year the San Luis Obispo County wine community looks forward to the Mid-State Fair as a time we can recognize the leadership, hard work, and dedication of those who have helped bring worldwide recognition for our region’s wines,” said Joel Peterson, Executive Director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. “We are excited to celebrate these passionate individuals with their friends, family, and colleagues, and honor the mark they’ve left on our wine community with their quest for quality in the vineyard and winery.”

The San Luis Obispo County Wine Community celebrated this year’s award winners at a special event on July 19 at the California Mid-State Fair within the Mission Square.

Links to bios:

Winegrape Grower of the Year – Paul Hoover, Still Waters Vineyards

Winemaker of the Year — Justin Smith, Saxum Vineyards

Wine Industry Person of the Year (posthumously) – Scott Welcher, Opolo Vineyards

ABOUT PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance represents wineries, growers and businesses in Paso Robles Wine Country. Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles Wine Country is California’s third largest wine region. It encompasses more than 40,000 vineyard acres and 200 wineries. For more information, visit www.pasowine.com. Social – #pasowine, @pasorobleswine (Twitter and Facebook), @Pasowine (Instagram)

Winners of 2019 Experience Rosé Competition Announced + The Great Rosé Pairing for Summer on June 22

June 8, 2019 by evebushman

Photo: Experience Rose Facebook page

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Debra Del Fiorentino, Founder of Wine Competitions Management & Productions, in conjunction with Craig Palmer and Allen Habel, co-founders of Experience Rosé (formerly Rosé Today), are pleased to announce the results from Experience Rosé: The 2019 Competition, held at Soda Rock Winery in Healdsburg, California on Wednesday, May 1. Directed by globally-renowned wine expert and educator Del Fiorentino, Experience Rosé: The 2019 Competition drew just under 400 entries of domestic and international rosé wines, making it the largest wine competition dedicated to Rosé in the Unites States. The public’s first opportunity to sample some of these award-winning wines in one festival-setting will be on Saturday, June 22, at The Great Rosé Infusion of Summer event, to be held at Soda Rock Winery.

“Our judging is committed to the highest standards of competition,” explains Debra Del Fiorentino, who attracts a world-class panel of judges for the Competition. “The Experience Rosé judging seeks the very best in dry, a little sweet and sparkling styles that pair quality winemaking with the passion for rosé and its infinite possibilities.”

Experience Rosé is one of only a handful of U.S. competitions exclusively focused on identifying excellence in rosé wine, domestic and international, all styles. Due to the increased number of this year’s entries, the competition is now considered the largest rosé competition being held in the U.S. “This put a real feather in our cap,” states Del Fiorentino. “The art of creating great Rosé wines has fast-tracked within the industry as illustrated with more than 27% more entries than last year. We couldn’t be more delighted.”

The esteemed panel of judges awarded five Best of Show awards, nine Best of Class designations, 22 double gold and 61 gold medals.

Top honors and Best of Show went to the Balletto Vineyards 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, estate grown, bottled and produced. Described as a domestic dry rosé with tasting notes of cantaloupe, sun warmed strawberries, raspberries and rose petals, the wine garnered 94 points.

Other Best of Class winners include:

· Best of Show and Best of Class Domestic Dry: Balletto Vineyards, Rosé of Pinot Noir 2018
· Best of Class and Double Gold
o Domestic Sparkling: J Vineyards Brut Rosé
o Domestic Sweet: Jolee Wines, Rosé Jolee
o International Dry: Le Grand Courtage, Trés Chic Rosé
o International Sparkling: Risata Wines, Sparkling Rosé
· Best of Class and Double Gold
o Soda Rock Winery Rosé
o Hungry Hawk Vineyards Rosé
o Le Grand Noir Rosé
o Balverne, Rosé of Pinot Noir Reserve
· Best Domestic Cider, Gold: Urban Tree Rosé

Results were announced at an intimate gathering held at Soda Rock Winery on Thursday, May 2, following the judging. About 10 wineries, all Competition gold-and-above medal winners, poured and convened with a select group of industry influencers, media, and event sponsors and producers.

To view a complete list of 2019 winners, visit https://www.winecompetitions.com/experiencerose or http://rosewinetoday.com/2019-competition/.

Gold-and-above winners in the competition are invited to showcase their wines in The Great Rosé Infusion of Summer, to be held Saturday, June 16 at Soda Rock Winery in Healdsburg.

The Soda Rock event begins at 11 a.m. with an extraordinary Experience exclusively for VIP guests, titled “Rosé Without Cliché.” Thomas DeBiase (Idlewild Wines) will host a panel of distinctive winemakers pouring signature rosés that forever assert the commanding authenticity and captivating individuality rose’ can bring. Winemakers pouring and presenting their wines include Jeff Runquist (Jeff Runquist Wines, Amador), Antoine Favero (Wilson Artisan Wines, Sonoma and Mendocino), and Rick Moshin (Moshin Vineyards, Sonoma).

During the public event, from noon to 4 p.m., guests can expect to taste more than two dozen different rosés, in spaciously set-out themed tasting areas on the picturesque and historic grounds of Soda Rock Winery. Tasting areas are designed to illustrate how readily rosé pairs with so many different cuisines, and guest chefs will be on hand presenting delicious bites. French-trained chef Marc-Henri Jean-Baptiste (Mason Porcella) will serve elegant charcuterie offerings; Melissa Yanc, Healdsburg’s wildly acclaimed artisan baker, brings a tantalizing array of her mouth-watering artisan breads from her Quail and Condor; and Brian Bank will be showcasing his popular new BBQ hot spot in Fairfax, Way Station. By popular demand, Steel Jam has been invited back to fill the event with the exuberance of steel drum.

“There is a burgeoning appetite for all things rosé,” states Experience Rosé Founder and Co-Producer Craig Palmer. “Our goal is to showcase excellence, and the Competition sets that standard. This year we evaluated not only the best in rosé wines, but in rosé-infused spirits, beers and ciders. This is a first-of-its-kind idea for a public event.”

Early bird tickets are available now at experiencerose.com. VIP: $125; General Admission: $85; Designated Driver: $45. Tickets for The Great Rosé Pairing for Summer can be purchased by visiting www.experiencerose.com. For information about other Experience Rosé event, please visit www.experiencerose.com. Like Experience Rosé on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/experiencerosewine/.

Experience Rosé is proud to thank its Presenting Sponsor, Bank of Marin, and Hosting Sponsors: Soda Rock Winery, Jeff Runquist Wines, Spirited, and Wine Competitions Management.

About Wine Competitions Management & Production (WCPM) and Libations Logistics
Based in Santa Rosa, Calif., WCM&P is an independently owned and operated adult beverage competition company with a uniquely designed portfolio to appeal to a niche market based on its regional or otherwise defined style of judging. Its wine competitions include the prestigious world-renowned Sunset International Wine Competition, The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, Harvest Challenge, West Coast Wine Competition, International Eastern Wine Competition, East Meets West, International Women’s Wine Competition, and the Craft Distillers Spirits Competition. It also operates the Mendocino Cider Competition and manages Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition. See website at www.winecompetitions.com.

About Soda Rock Winery
Nestled in Sonoma County’s scenic Alexander Valley, Soda Rock Winery offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy an eclectic mix of wine-country experiences. Sip a delicious array of wines with a focus on Bordeaux varietals. View the splendid surroundings and appreciate the historical buildings that have been beautifully restored using green building and recycling practices. Soda Rock is the original site of the Alexander Valley general store and post office, and was once the central hub of activity for the valley. Historic records provide evidence of the first bonded winery on this property in 1880. With a large line-up of Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux varietals, Soda Rock wines are big and bold, just like its historic past.

Best Wine of the World 2018 Competition’s Winners have been selected – the Best Wine in the World is Masseto 2009

May 16, 2019 by evebushman

BWW-The Best Wine of the World-competition is by far the toughest wine competition on this planet. Unlike any other industry competition, only 1% of the wines involved will be awarded.

HELSINKI/PRNewswire/ — The BWW 2018 competition was held in the world’s largest wine information service – tastingbook.com. 18,477 wines received in total 2,354,989 votes from 416,000 wine professionals and wine lovers from 116 countries during the three months voting period.

After the voting period, only 100 most voted wines in seven different categories remained in the Finals, organized in January 2019. The seven main categories included red wine, white wine, rose wine, sparkling wine, fortified wine, champagne and Wine Critic.

In the Finals the wines were evaluated and ranked two different times as blind by the panels of Tasting Book Professionals (selected Judges from over 7000 Pros: Wine writes, bloggers, MW’s. Wine makers etc.)

The six main wine categories included red wine, white wine, rose wine, sparkling wine, fortified wine and champagne categories. Under each category, the best wines were also awarded according to price level and country categories.

The Title above all categories – The Best Wine of the World 2018 – was awarded to the wine that won the highest scores in the Finals.

In BWW Competition 2018, the Best Wine of the World -title was awarded to the Masseto 2009, Tuscany, Italy.

The Best White Wine of the World -title was awarded to the Joseph Drouhin Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche 2010, Burgundy, France

“It is without saying that winning the Trophy of Best White Wine of the World is an immense satisfaction. We, as a Team, feel very honoured and would like to thank the wine professionals for their vote. The relationship between our two families, Laguiche and Drouhin, goes back to 1947. Complex, refined, elegant with exceptional flavours and texture the Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche is truly an iconic wine showing the unique soul of its soil.” – Veronique Boss Drouhin

Other Winners of the main categories are:

Best Winery of the World: Winner: Niepoort

Best Champagne of the World: Winner: Dom Perignon 2002, Champagne, France

Best Wine Critic of the World: Winner: Jancis Robinson

Best Red Wine of the World: Winner: Masseto 2009

Best Champagne of the World: Winner: Dom Pérignon Rosé 2006

Best Sparkling Wine of the World: Winner: Brundlmayer Brut Rosé

Best Rosé Wine of the World: Winner: Château de la Soujeole Malepère 2017

Best Sweet Wine of the World: Winner: Château d’ Yquem 2009

Best Port Wine of the World: Winner: Niepoort Vintage Port 2015

Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wine of the World: Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Best Merlot Wine of the World: Petrus 2011

Best Pinot Noir Wine of the World: Armand Rousseau Chambertin 2009

Other 150 winners and prizes can be found at www.tastingbook.com

BWW is the largest wine competition in the world, whether measured by the number of wines, the number of consumers involved or the judges taking part.

BWW warmly welcomes all vineyards to enter their wine for the 2019 competition.

Registration is the easiest, fastest, and most affordable in the business. Register at www.bwwcompetition.com.

SOURCE Tastingbook

Wine Store Earns 1st Place Blue Ribbon

May 1, 2019 by evebushman

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (PRWEB) – TopConsumerReviews.com has awarded their highest ranking to Wired for Wine, an industry leader among Wine Stores.

Finding the perfect wine to pair with a meal or an occasion has never been easier. There’s no need for wine enthusiasts to spend their time at a local liquor store when the world’s best selection is available through online Wine Stores. Most of these retailers go to great lengths to ensure that the wine they offer is carefully selected from top producers, accurately described to for the best pairings, and competitively priced. Whether shopping for themselves or as a gift for a special someone, wine lovers will appreciate the convenience and quality of using an online Wine Store for their purchase.

“Wired for Wine excels when it comes to domestic and international wines for every occasion,” according to Brian Dolezal of TopConsumerReviews.com, LLC. “Every wine they offer has been individually selected for quality and flavor, and they even offer award-winning varieties honored by industry experts like Wine Spectator. When it comes to price, Wired for Wine can’t be beat – especially with their Best Price Guarantee that will match any US-based Wine Store’s pricing. Wired for Wine carries a wide range of extras as well, from corkscrews to wine glasses and much more. Finally, no other online Wine Store can compare with Wired for Wine’s return policy: 30 days, for any reason. For all of these reasons, Wired for Wine earns our first-place rating among online Wine Stores in 2019.”

To find out more about Wired for Wine and other Wine Stores, including reviews and comparison rankings, please visit the Wine Stores category of TopConsumerReviews.com at https://www.topconsumerreviews.com/wine/.

About Wired for Wine
In business since 2009, Wired for Wine does things a little differently than the rest. As self-proclaimed foodies, the store’s creators focus on only selling a few acclaimed wines, well-curated and discounted, and (almost) always paired with a great meal. Almost all Wired for Wine clients get free shipping because they keep the threshold required for free shipping very low.

About TopConsumerReviews.com
TopConsumerReviews.com, LLC is a leading provider of reviews and rankings for thousands of consumer products and services. From Wine Stores to Cheese Clubs and Gift Baskets, TopConsumerReviews.com delivers in-depth product evaluations in order to make purchasing decisions easier.

WINERIES OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDAL RECOGNITION

March 25, 2019 by evebushman

MORGAN HILL —The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley are ramping up to compete in multiple competitions after their best year yet.

Santa Clara wineries were recognized for their collection of quality wines in 2018, participating in the SF Chronicle Wine Competition, Orange County’s Commercial Wine Competition, the California State Fair, Tasters Guild, Beverage Tasting Institute, the Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition, the Monterey International Wine Competition, the Sunset International Wine Competition and Rose Today’s competition.

The valley walked away from 2018 with more awards to add to its repertoire. The highlights for the year included Alara Cellars, who took home Best of Show, Best White Wine, Best of Class and a Double Gold for their 2017 Grenache Blanc. Sarah’s Vineyard received Top Pinot of 2018 by Wine Spectacular for its Pinot Noir.

Collectively, the wineries racked up 12 Double Gold Medals, 33 Gold Medals, 57 Silver Medals and 44 Bronze Medals.

As for Wine Enthusiast ratings, there were more than 25 entries that scored over 90 points and two entries that scored 95 points or more.

“All 32 wineries, big or small, have proven to other wine regions statewide and internationally that the Santa Clara Valley is one to watch. We saw 2018 finish strong, which sets the bar high for 2019 and with the medals announced for the recent SF Chronicle Wine Competition, 2019 is starting off right.” says Stacy Giannini, Director of Marketing for the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley. “The wineries took home 3 Double Gold Medals, 10 Gold Medals, 47 Silver Medals and 14 Bronze Medals.”

The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley is an association representing member wineries that grow and produce wines in one of the oldest wine producing regions of California.

With the first plantings at the Santa Clara Mission in 1798, the region of Santa Clara Valley represents one of the oldest growing traditions in the country. The Santa Clara Valley is now home to over three dozen wineries, of every size and shape, from long-established family operations to relatively small newcomers. On March 28, 1989, the Santa Clara Valley received AVA status; prior to this the region’s wines were typically labeled ‘Central Coast’ or ‘Santa Clara County’.

Perlis Picks The Spinster Sisters and The Astro

February 16, 2019 by Michael Perlis

Santa Rosa in Sonoma County is very diverse. There are many high end hotels and restaurants if you are looking for that but there are other options as well.

In what is known as the SOFA arts district are two places you should know about. The area is known as SOFA because it is South of A Street and actually has an annual sofa parade during its Winterblast street festival.

Acclaimed Chef Liza Hinman took a big chance when she opened The Spinster Sisters restaurant in 2012 in the under-served SOFA area. But the risk has clearly paid off with the restaurant’s popularity and accolades, most recently being awarded Best Restaurant in 2017 by the North Bay Bohemian. Being lauded by others as well (such as Michelin, SF Weekly, Eater and Wine Enthusiast) are just additional examples of the kudos they have received, serving Liza’s continually evolving menu featuring local products.

Truly, upon entering this restaurant, you know immediately that you wish it was in your neighborhood. A lot of adventurously prepared small plates (like smoked trout dip, pork belly sliders, steamed mussel mouclade, among many others) were keeping a large crowd in a family atmosphere very happy. The very fairly priced wine list is intriguing as well, with a nice selection of local wines combined with other California and international choices. The by-the-glass list includes some wines on tap, which adds to the fun. Oh, and they are open for breakfast and lunch too. Check out their website for more info on the menus and wine selections.

Liza’s continuing commitment to the area’s development is evident in her recent acquisition and remodeling (along with her partners from The Spinster Sisters) of The Astro Motel, which is walking distance from the restaurant. Admittedly, this was another risk on her part, as the property had long been considered a blight to the area. But Liza and her team have transformed the Astro.

The Astro has 34 rooms, of which two are Doubles and two are King Suites. The rest have Queen size beds in them. Built in the early 60s, it used to look like a pretty standard “motor hotel” with rooms in a U-shaped layout with a parking lot in the middle. That parking lot is mostly gone, replaced by landscaping and an edible garden. A short walk to offsite parking picks up the overflow. Each room has its own colorful and eclectic furnishings designed by local artists and craftspeople. And all these mid-century original items are for sale.

The Astro actually opened earlier than planned, as FEMA approval granted after the fires in late 2017 for them to house displaced survivors at no cost to them, again just showing commitment to the area.

The downstairs lounge area currently serves breakfast with coffee from Flying Goat and pastries from Criminal Bakery. The lounge is a roomy place to wind down and use the free WiFi to go through emails at the end of a day of sightseeing. The plan is to expand the offerings to include wine tasting from local producers.

The Astro is a fun place to stay. There are plenty of things to do in the area as well. One of the investors is Giro d’Italia champion Andy Hampsten and the motel rents Shinola Bikes to its guests. Also, per the website: “It’s the only place in Sonoma County where, within a five-minute walk, travelers can gaze at contemporary art or used cars, see an avant-garde theater ensemble or a team of bocce players, get a tattoo or a tintype portrait, and a taste of the some of the finest wine, beer and produce in Northern California.” Besides, you’re right in the middle of Sonoma County.

It wouldn’t be right to close this article without a big thank you to The Astro General Manager Lisa Robbins and her staff. They are a gracious group and went out of their way to take excellent care of us.

The Spinster Sisters

401 S A St, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

The Astro

323 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

https://theastro.com/

http://thespinstersisters.com/

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com

Spain’s Greatest Destination Winery? Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine Part One

February 15, 2019 by evebushman

Try to imagine: an award-winning winery, hotel and restaurant – all built into a restored 12^th century abbey in Spain. A small group of wine writers were tasked with that very thing a couple of weeks ago. And between a stellar wine and food pairing luncheon with Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine GM Enrique Valero Quintana and Tesse restaurant partner Jordan Ogron, it was accomplished, and then some. Let me give you Part One of your taste now:

Enrique Valero-Abadía Retuerta CEO – Chapter room

With just a slice of a view of Sunset Blvd., surrounded by rows and rows of bottles of fine wine, ornate decanters, a tantalizing menu and centered on a dining table set with multiple wine glasses, we had the perfect backdrop at Tesse.

As we took our seats Quintana started to tell us about the unique abbey turned destination winery in the Duero Valley, and we quickly learned why the property deserved attention:

Award winning winery.
Spain’s leading hotel.
Michelin-star Restaurant.
Restored Medieval Abbey, built 1146.
1730 acres.
All surrounded by streams, woods and wildlife.
Wines have scored in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list for three consecutive years.
210 hectares under vine, 70% of which is Tempranillo, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
LeDomaine’s score in the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards was 99.52, ranking it #1 on the list of the Top Hotels in Spain and Portugal – and #2 in Europe. This was a five star hotel.
Quintana said that the location by the River Duero “gives us a unique soil and climate” and “the human factor” adds to the allure.
This is the “rebirth of a historical vineyard” as wines were produced on the estate centuries ago.
The “building is something unique” in Spain.
Their “Spa Sommelier” recommends a wine that depends on the treatments you decide to have. And this is the first in the world.
Their purple “wine salt” is an “old formula” that was discovered when a ship traveled from Britain to Spain, carrying both wine and salt which were “accidentally blended.”
When we sampled the wines we would “feel the soul of what happened there for nine centuries.”
All rooms face the vineyards.
They “restored what they inherited.”
In 2014 the Queen of Spain gave them the best restoration award.
“We blend the natural environment, the historic (building) with the human factor…the people that work here and (treat) clients as guests.” These employees are the “apostles of the project.”

Shall we visit? Only two hours from Madrid…here’s a short You Tube video to complete your virtual tour and here are the photos from our luncheon.

For my review of the wines and the luncheon please return to this website on 2/22.

Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine Hotel, Winery, Refectorio and Santuario Spa

Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine opened as a luxury hotel in 2012 after an award-winning restoration of the ancient abbey. Located in Sardón de Duero, the wine country north of Madrid, it is widely acclaimed as the finest luxury hotel in Spain.

Abadía Retuerta Winery boasts 54 vine plots each with very distinct characteristics, each analyzed, controlled, worked, vinified and tasted separately. Each terroir is planted with a single varietal or grape variety, either Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot or Petit Verdot. It is among the most advanced wineries in Europe combining ancient wine-making traditions with cutting-edge technology.

Refectorio is a sanctuary of haute cuisine, located in the abbey’s original refectory where the monks ate their meals, boasting One Michelin Star. Executive Chef Marc Segarra’s delectable dishes are served under a vaulted Gothic ceiling and a 17th-century fresco of The Last Supper.

The nurturing and innovative sanctuary of holistic healing and wellness features 10,000-sq.-ft. of ultra-luxurious facilities, a ground-breaking “fusion wine” oenotherapy spa concept based on a blind tasting of wines, a signature treatment menu, Spain’s first ‘Spa Sommeliers’ who guide guests on their wellness journey, and the highest level of individualization and guest service including Spa Butlers who welcome guests and assist at every step of their spa experience.

Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine

www.ledomaine.es

reservations@ledomaine.es

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

From a Wine Student and Wine Writer: So Long to Piero Selvaggio and Valentino

January 18, 2019 by evebushman

By the time this article runs Valentino Santa Monica will have shuttered after over 40 years in the same location. The cellar, a Wine Spectator Award winner for many decades, will have been completely depleted via sales and/or being moved to a new restaurant in Newport Beach. The longtime owner, Piero Selvaggio, will have moved out too, soon to be found in Newport Beach with his wine and new restaurant, Louie’s by the Bay. (Read more about the move here in this August 2018 article in the LA Times.)

Piero lecturing at the Skirball

While people knew the restaurant for the wine, cuisine, location, Piero and his staff – I knew it for at least two completely different things. Over the years I was able to attend at least three classes that Piero lent his expertise to and enjoyed a few special occasion press dinners as well. Every one left its mark on me.

The most recent class I attended with Piero was a presentation by Planeta Winery focusing on the Nero d’Avola grape that is cultivated in Sicily. Piero shared his own experience growing up in Sicily before coming to the states and entering the restaurant business. After the class I was lucky enough to sit beside him for lunch. When the waiter brought over a plain green salad with nothing but a yummy dressing I took to the cheese and charcuterie that had also been served and “dressed up” my salad a bit more. Piero, watching me a bit, asked for the tray of goodies so he could do the same. I was tickled.

A few years earlier I had attended a lecture via Tasting Panel Magazine where Piero was part of a panel discussion and presentation at the Skirball on the wines of Calabria. Once again I was amazed by the amount of knowledge this restaurateur had under his belt and vowed to never underestimate the amount of knowledge, and sweat, that goes into running a restaurant for so many years.

The very last meeting I attended where Piero hosted was at Valentino and discussed the sticky wicket of the how and why of corkage policies. As I listened to somms and restaurant owners lament the demise of their business due to corkage policies that were demanded by customers, I was charmed by Piero who never once criticized a guest. A real gentleman.

There were also a few press dinners I attended courtesy of Piero. We were “guests of the Briziarelli estate” for the multi-course dinner, which was fabulous. LOTS of photos in this link. I remember a slight lull in the evening and I was able to get Piero to take a few minutes to show me his famed wine cellar. Hall after hall, room after room, up a staircase to a larger room, and finally opening up into the private cellar dining room. I had literally died and gone to wine writer heaven that night.

Another dinner heralded in the latest Brunello di Montalcino 2010 vintage, again in a multi course menu, only to be interrupted…by the blare of a horn? It was famous Italian butcher Dario Cecchini from Panzano, Chianti! And why Valentino for this special dinner? “Valentino was ONE of only 26 restaurants to toast the Brunello 2010 as only 26 were awarded the Leccio d’Oro prize; the restaurant was also one of the first to receive this prestigious award in 1995 – and the first outside of Italy.” Part one on this story is linked above, this is the link for Part two.

The most memorable dinner for me had to be the Prosciutto di Parma event. A group of press were invited into that private cellar dining room, after appetizers on the second story patio and then after a demonstration and lesson with Francesco Lupo we sat and enjoyed dish after dish created by Chef Nico Chessa. My mouth waters to this day when I reminisce about that dinner.

Okay, only now, after having written all this out, I can say goodbye to Valentino and all that Piero gave to us. I will be forever grateful for his gracious press invitations and the wealth of education I gained from it all. Can you say the same about any restaurateur you have known?

Food Blogger Shares 10 Best Practices for Following a Recipe

January 17, 2019 by evebushman

PHOENIX (PRWEB) – In theory, recipes are supposed to be simple and straightforward ways to turn raw ingredients into delicious dishes. Unfortunately, many cooks — especially folks who are new to the culinary arts — discover that there is much more to recipes that meets the eye, because instead of something delectable they wind up with something disappointing; or in some cases, disastrous.

The good news is that award-winning food blog GiangisKitchen.com has just published an easy-to-read article with 10 best practices for following a recipe. Just some of the practical wisdom courtesy of Giangi Townsend, food maven and founder of the globally-popular blog, includes:

Before starting any recipe, read it twice from beginning to end.
Understand that cooking times are soft suggestions, not hard rules.
Head to YouTube to learn how to dice, chop and julienne like a pro.
Understand the different ways to measure liquids vs. solids.

In addition to these and several other best practices, the article also provides advice on replacing ingredients without ruining recipes, such as swapping breadcrumbs with panko, white pepper with black pepper, and more.

There is also a bonus tip on presentation that can make all the difference between a meal that is worthy of remembering fondly, and one that is destined to be quickly forgotten. Writes Giangi: “Remember to serve your dishes in beautiful plates! Personally, I really like white plates as makes the food stand out more…Portion and shape are also important. After all, we don’t just eat with our mouth and stomach — we also eat with our eyes. A fantastic presentation is much more inviting.”

The full article is available on the GiangisKitchen.com blog at: https://www.giangiskitchen.com/10-best-practices-for-following-a-recipe. Access is free, and no sign-up is required. The recently re-designed website also features original recipes, money-saving offers and coupons, and is optimized for all screens including tablets and smartphones.

For additional information on GiangisKitchen.com, including advertising, marketing and media inquiries, email giangi(at)giangiskitchen(dot)com or visit http://www.giangiskitchen.com.

Facebook users can also follow Giangi’s Kitchen by visiting https://www.facebook.com/giangiskitchen.

About GiangisKitchen.com

GiangisKitchen.com is a popular blog that features simple, delicious, elegant and nutritious recipes, which are primarily geared towards working moms, dads, grandparents, and everyone else with a desire to prepare a great evening meal for their family in just 30-45 minutes.