I've just unveiled my new "Drink Wine With Dinner" logo, which I'll use throughout my "DWWD" project. What do you think of it?

Hi, my friends ~ Can you believe it’s May already?

Since the beginning of the year, as you probably know, I’ve been working on my upcoming book, titled Drink Wine With Dinner ~ A 100th Birthday Tribute to Julia Child. And I’m loving every minute of it!

I'm escorting Julia Child to the dinner table at a gala San Francisco event in her honor.

The content of my book is so varied that I’m constantly shifting gears. (In a good way, of course!) At any given moment, I could be writing new details about my (foolproof) “5 Non-Rules” of Wine and Food Pairing” system, or collecting and editing the recipes and wine information that prominent chef/restaurateurs, winery principals and celebrities have contributed.

I might be in the kitchen, testing new dishes and wine combos, or at a wine event, interviewing winemakers and shooting photos and videos. And as each day winds down, I’m usually online, getting the word out via Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn (etc.) ~ or planning my massive global “Drink Wine With Dinner” party on August 15th (“Drink Wine With Dinner” Day!) for Julia’s 100th birthday. You get the idea…

Nothing I’ve ever done has been so rewarding, exciting or downright delightful. Best of all, I know that in my own way, I’m paying homage to my mentor. And thanks to hundreds of wonderful contacts in the food-and-wine world and in Social Media, I’m now able to help many, many others celebrate Julia’s milestone.

I’ve also been learning as much as I can about book authorship in the Internet age. In fact, I’ve just returned from a *fantastic* 5-day “Meet The Media” authors’ conference in New York. With publisher Steve Harrison at the helm, we were able to meet one-on-one with over 100 decision makers who assign articles and book guest appearances.

Siri holds the first of *many* delectable courses that we enjoyed together at Felidia in Manhattan. The flagship restaurant of renowned chef Lidia Bastianich, Felidia was one of Julia Child's favorites.

Other than messing up a knee and a rib (looong story), I had a great time (and, thankfully, great success) speaking with more than 50 producers of radio and TV talk shows, publishers of magazines and newspapers, and other media representatives.

(I was also able to spend lots of time with my wonderful daughter Siri, who lives in Brooklyn, and I’ll share our marvelous dinner at Felidia with you in a separate post. Meanwhile, I’ll let this photo (left) whet your appetite…)

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On the first day of the conference, media whiz Jess Todtfeld covered various “what-to-do-while-you’re-on-the-air” scenarios and strategies. A former TV producer, Jess zeroed in on what talk-show hosts and audiences are looking for, and how best to provide it.

After our practice exercises, he shot 5 short videos of each of us (with the iconic New York skyline as a backdrop) to use as promos. This one, which Jess dubbed “The Wine and Food Pairing Evangelist,” introduces my “5 Non-Rules of Wine and Food Pairing” system, which is a major feature of the book. Hope you enjoy it!

By the way ~ Most of the editors who want to publish articles about my “Drink Wine With Dinner” project, and producers who want me to appear as an on-air guest, are looking ahead to July or August ~ just before Julia Child’s birthday on August 15th ~ when the topic will be even more timely.

A few, though, are scheduling interviews now. I’ll keep you updated on these, and I’ll also let you know about new additions to my “family” of wine-and-food professionals who are contributing their content for Drink Wine With Dinner ~ A 100th Birthday Tribute to Julia Child.

As always,
Cheers, my friends ~
Rosina

PS ~ You can always check back here at http://RosinaWilson.com, or go to http://DrinkWineWithDinner.com, which brings you straight to this Category.

Thanks ~
Rosina

Related Posts

• WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter ~ January 2012 ~ Drink Wine With Dinner *Year*!!!
• WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter ~ March 2012 ~ Pinot galore, a trip to Alsace, and the (almost) endless birthday…
• WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter ~ February 2012 ~ Hearts and Flowers!
• *Great* News ~ August is Now “Drink Wine With Dinner” *Month*!!!

I'm at Navarro Vineyards in the idyllic Anderson Valley of Mendocino. See the sheep? Navarro's natural weed control!

Since I usually publish my WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter early in the month, it takes at least a week for some of my tasting adventures to appear here.

But that’s not a bad thing. Since what I share with you represents some of my best and tastiest experiences, I get to relive everything all over again while I’m writing each new issue.

Case(s) in point: Two wonderful wine events, both of which I look forward to each year, that just took place in February…

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ALSACE COMES TO THE ANDERSON VALLEY:

My trusty red Toyota 'vertible, parked outside the guest house at Handley Cellars. A wonderful place to stay! (The vineyard in the background is dormant for the winter.)

For the first of these, which celebrated “aromatic” white wines at the International Alsace Varietals Festival, the ‘vertible and I headed to the Anderson Valley of Mendocino.

Other than here, I rarely if ever get to taste such a wide array of these delicious, food-friendly beauties, which include Riesling, Muscat and Gewurztraminer. And there’s no better place on Earth to try dozens of examples, from cool-climate sites as scattered as New Zealand, France, Oregon, and here in Mendocino.

OMG!!! Ever had pork belly? No? Imagine bacon, but smoother and more silky, with a similar crusty, crispy edge. Chefs Beau MacMillan and Francois de Melogue made *lots* of people *very* happy!

This year, before the big “Alsace Varietals” tasting on Saturday, Food Network star chef Beau MacMillan did a tag-team cooking demo with Chef Francois de Melogue.

(Remember meeting Chef Francois, the in-house chef for Claudia Springs Winery, *here* last Spring, when he slow-cooked a whole pig in his outdoor Cuban oven?)

As it happens, Chef Francois was Chef Beau’s mentor, years ago, and the mutual respect between the two was wonderful to see!

They also *had a blast* cooking together. And the finished dish ~ a succulent, long-cooked pork belly, was not just just delectable on its own, but also a great partner to the featured wines.

Here’s a fun video slideshow with Chef Beau and Chef Francois. Naturally, it co-stars their luscious pork belly Enjoy!

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PINOT NOIR SUMMIT IN SAN FRANCISCO:

All last autumn, as I do just about every year, I helped judge several preliminary rounds of the annual “Pinot Noir Shootout” wine competition. Conducted by my friend Barbara Drady, “The Wine Evangelist,” these small-format tastings led up to an open-to-the-public wine event, the “Pinot Noir Summit.”

Barbara Drady (at right) ~ aka "The Wine Evangelist" ~ created this fantastic celebration of all things Pinot. She's with fellow wine judge and writer Laura Ness.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the event, a full-day celebration of all things Pinot. As you can see *here,* (Dec intro) we judges spent three months narrowing down the field of 460 entries to about 40 of our highest-scoring favorites.

At the Pinot Noir Summit, held at the San Francisco Hilton, the public gets to taste our pre-selected “Top 40.” The wine bottles are wrapped in aluminum foil with color-coded labels, so *all* the Summit attendees, including us judges, taste the wines completely blind.

The wine bottles are wrapped in aluminum foil and randomly color-coded ~ so we can taste them, and score them, "blind."

Each person then votes for one or more favorite wines. (There’s even a separate ballot that’s tallied according to the taster’s gender!)

After a choice of seminars (including one led by author Rex Pickett, of “Sideways” fame), and an interlude with oysters and sparkling Pinots, local TV newsman Spencer Christian led the Grand Awards Tasting and announced the winners (see below)…

Share a taste of the Pinot Noir Summit with me in this fun video slideshow. We’ll start with a brisk ferry ride into San Francisco, spend the day sniffing, swirling and sipping, then ferry back home after dark. (Don’t miss Jupiter, vivid Venus, and the slender crescent Moon, against the inky night sky, in the final pic…

And the winners are:

1st Place Female “Wine Lovers”: Sharp Cellars 2009 Keenan’s Cove Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
1st Place Female Judges: Gloria Ferrer 2008 Pinot Noir, Carneros
1st Place Male “Wine Lovers”: Barbed Oak Vineyard 2009 Zara’s Block Pinot Noir, Bennett Valley
1st Place Male Judges: Alysian 2008 Allen-Rochioli Blocks Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO… *ME* (AND LOTS OF FRIENDS!)

Sipping bubbly with fellow "birthday girls" Jodi and Christina.

As it happens, quite a few of my friends have Pisces birthdays, as I do. And since we span the entire “Pisces Month” from February 20th to March 19th… and we start celebrating beforehand and keep on celebrating afterwards… well, you get the idea!

Here are some highlights, from just a few of our festive get-togethers…

Siri joined me for my b’day ~ what a treat! She custom-made the elegant silver necklace (crocheted sterling chain) and the lovely top (soft, eco-friendly bamboo jersey that she dyed & patterned) just for Mom. Precious daughter! BTW, here's the link to her NY boutique ~ www.TreehouseBrooklyn.com.

A perfectly Piscean paella! Mussels, prawns, chicken and sausage, with orzo pasta (much easier) instead of rice. As for wine: I set out about a dozen bottles, including sparkling, dry rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Zinfandel and a couple of red blends. We all tasted and compared ~ and just about everything paired nicely!

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An all-Pisces potluck at my place ~ everyone brought an "ethnic" dish, with vino to match. Among my faves: Pad Thai (shown) with a slightly sweet rosé.

A wonderful Peruvian dinner at Tumi, near the UC Berkeley campus, with 2 other Pisceans. Mmmm plantains!

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Freshly shucked oysters from nearby Tomales Bay. In the glass? Bubbles, of course!

Amazing flourless chocolate cake, with coconut-cardamom cream and fresh raspberries. Luscious!

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Time to light the candles. (Is anybody counting!)

Incredibly delicious cake! (Hope there's enough for seconds...

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I wish all my fellow Pisceans (and everyone else, of course!), a very Happy Birthday in 2012. May your whole year be filled with joy, good health, and lots of great flavors!

Until next time,
Cheers, my friends,
Rosina

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Related Posts

• “WineFoodBUZZ” Newsletter ~ Issue 2 ~ Feb/Mar 2011
• WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter~ Debut Issue~ January 2011
• WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter ~ January 2012 ~ Drink Wine With Dinner *Year*!!!
• Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival, Day 3 ~ Sunday Open House Parties!

Hi, my friends ~ and welcome back! I can’t believe it’s February already.

The "mini-garden" outside my front door. Freesias, daffodils, primroses, heather, pansies and my living mini-Xmas tree...

We’ve had a really *weird* winter, here in the Bay Area, with virtually no rain (in our typical “rainy season”) and *lots* of unseasonably warm days.

In fact, I’ve brought my laptop outside a few times, stretched out on a lounge chair in my bathing suit (!) and worked on my “Drink Wine With Dinner 2012″ project (read on…) in the sunshine. Feels like Southern California living, but in the ‘burbs of San Francisco. Once again ~ *really weird*!

Mourning doves "Jenny" and "Jack" return every year to nest outside my front door.

Remember “Jenny and The Bets”? Jenny, and her “baby daddy” Jack, are the mourning doves that have been nesting outside my front door every year since 2008. (“The Bets” are what we call the pairs of identical-looking baby doves that they keep producing…)

Jenny and Jack usually set up housekeeping in one of my hanging plants in March at the earliest. (Last year, for instance, their first pair of eggs hatched in April.)

This year, though, they showed up in January, bringing little twigs to line their nest. If they keep to last year’s schedule of two hatchlings per month from April through August, they may well top their 2011 total of 12 chicks. I’ll keep you posted with news and photos!

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“DRINK WINE WITH DINNER 2012″ ~ HUGE BIRTHDAY PARTY ~ NEW BOOK!

I’m *tremendously* excited about “Drink Wine With Dinner 2012.” It started last summer as a last-minute “let’s invent a holiday” brainstorm, when I launched “Drink Wine With Dinner” *Day* on August 15th to honor Julia Child’s 99th birthday.

On several occasions, I had the great privilege of assisting my mentor, Julia Child, at her book signings. Her fans adored her!

Of course, the upshot is that August 15 of *this* year would mark Julia’s 100th birthday. And so, I’ve not only declared 2012 “Drink Wine With Dinner” *Year*, I’ve also sketched out plans for a *huge* global birthday party!

In addition, I’ll be releasing a book, entitled Drink Wine With Dinner ~ A 100th Birthday Tribute to Julia Child, in late Spring. I’ll give you more updates ~ including news of electronic and audio versions, special menus and more ~ as the project unfolds…)

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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!
Wine-And-Food Pairings of the Month:

And now for some seasonal treats. Since it’s almost Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d offer a wine suggestion or two for some of my favorite indulgent foods…

Up close and personal with Ian and a local Dungeness crab, at my nearby market.

In my book, there’s nothing better than shellfish for romantic occasions such as Valentine’s Day.

Beyond the aphrodisiac powers that such denizens of the deep as oysters, shrimp, crab and lobster are reputed to possess, there’s lots of finger-licking, hands-on peeling, and all-around free-form deliciousness in savoring every last morsel.

I also love smoked fish ~ especially salmon ~ and it’s another great candidate for a special Valentine’s Day meal.

Naturally, Champagne and other sparkling wines make classic partners to specialty fish and shellfish of all sorts. Luxury on top of luxury. What could be more romantic than that!

A couple of 2-pound lobsters and a bottle of Philo Ridge Pinot Gris. Light, tangy and flavorful, the wine cuts through the richness of the lobster and gets your palate ready for the next bite...

Silky-textured smoked salmon with avocado and chopped red onion. Luscious on its own; even more so with some chilled rosé sparkling wine ~ such as this lovely Roederer Estate from Mendocino.

*Lots* of choices in the "bubbly" department! Whether they're from France, California, Italy, Spain, even Australia (!), they're often on sale for Valentine's Day!

Whether you splurge on a true Champagne from France, or choose a less-expensive option, a bottle of bubbly spells instant festivity ~ and instant romance!

I've used toothpicks to fasten pairs of shrimp into hearts for this Valentine's Day appetizer.

May you enjoy this romantic holiday with a very special someone ~ and very special food and wine. Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm with "super sommeliers" Christopher Sawyer and Randy Caparoso at the "ZAP" tasting in San Francisco. *Terrific* guys ~ *terrific* palates!

Every year, Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (aka ZAP) holds its January Grand Tasting in San Francisco.

Want to join me for an afternoon of Zin? (Bonus: With my handy-dandy Press Pass, I can even bring you into the VIP “Zin Zone” for the full-tilt, pour-it-yourself mega-tasting!)

Here are some photos from the event. For more about Zinfandel, plus a fun slideshow of the ZAP Grand Tasting, just *click here*…

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The ZAP Grand Tasting was held at a new location this year ~ South of Market in the Concourse Exhibition Center.

Volunteers in the "Zin Zone" stayed busy all day pulling corks for members of the press.

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As always, the place was absolutely *packed* with both tasters and winery booths, which were spread out around the perimeter of each room.

The gatekeeper teased me, pretending I didn't have the right press credentials to get into the private "Zin Zone." I quipped right back: "Press? Where do I press?"

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Hope you’ve had fun enjoying a taste of Bay Area mid-winter wine tasting with me. I’ve certainly enjoyed sharing it with you ~ see you here again soon!

Cheers, my friends ~
Rosina

PS ~ Did you enjoy this issue of WineFoodBUZZ? Want a free subscription???

Great! Just click *here* and fill in your name and email. You’ll also find out about my upcoming free wine eBook, my free, interactive “Tasting Tribe” Forum, and lots more. I look forward to staying connected!

All best, always ~
Rosina

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• WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter ~ January 2012 ~ Drink Wine With Dinner *Year*!!!
• The “Drink Wine With Dinner” Project “Meets The Media” in New York!
• R“BUZZbits” ~ “Valentine Prawn Hearts” and Bubbly!
• WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter ~ March 2012 ~ Pinot galore, a trip to Alsace, and the (almost) endless birthday…

If Champagne is festive, and Chardonnay is ubiquitous, and Pinot Noir is exotic, then Zinfandel is… well, quirky.

"Zinfandel Advocates and Producers" ~ aka ZAP ~ puts on its annual "Grand Tasting" every January in San Francisco.

First of all, unlike other major wine varietals such as Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese, Zin’s ancestry ~ until recent DNA research pinned it down as the Croatian grape, Plavac Mali ~ was completely unknown.

Even the *appearance* of an old Zinfandel vineyard is quirky. Rather than clinging to wires and trellises, “head-pruned” Zin vines stand alone to brave the elements.

Using an arcane yet accurate theater reference, author David Darlington ~ in his book, Zin: The History And Mystery Of Zinfandel ~ describes the vines as looking like “a collection of fright wigs.”

This recently pruned section of an old Zin vineyard in the Dry Creek area of Sonoma really *does* look like fright wigs! (The pile of red leaves in front is the prunings; the vines in the background are yet to be pruned.)

Zinfandel’s sheer gutsiness doesn’t hurt, either: It’s one of the biggest, brawniest, most mouth-filling wines out there. Its alcohol level often measures more than 15%, and sometimes even tops 17%. What’s more, Zinfandel producers brag about these features, and reinforce the wine’s offbeat reputation, with whimsical names and slogans. (See video, below!) And naturally, its legions of devoted fans just can’t get enough.

At the table, Zinfandel marries well with an incredibly wide range of hard-to-pair foods ~ from spicy chili to BBQ ribs to dense, flourless chocolate cake. It’s also one of the best choices around for everyday fare such as pizza, burgers, mac ‘n’ cheese, and pasta with meaty tomato sauce.

It’s no surprise, then, that Zinfandel should have an organization of its own. Its official name is Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (of course it’s better known as ZAP, as you can see on the barrel, above) and it puts on a huge annual celebration in San Francisco every January.

Here’s a fun video slideshow that will bring you right into the heart of the Grand Tasting ~ even the exclusive, media-only “Zin Zone.”

I hope you’ve enjoyed our virtual Zinfandel tasting. And I hope you’re inspired to bring home a few bottles, try them with various foods, and perhaps find some new favorite food-and-wine pairings.

Until next time, my friends ~
Cheers,
Rosina

Related Posts

• WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter ~ January 2012 ~ Drink Wine With Dinner *Year*!!!
• *Great* News ~ August is Now “Drink Wine With Dinner” *Month*!!!
• Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival, Day 3 ~ Sunday Open House Parties!
• Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival ~ Day 1: Friday

Jack, the head meatcutter at my nearby market, grinds some lean lamb for my meatballs.

Although the wild merrymaking of Twelfth Night (January 5/6) dates back many centuries, and still marks a time of feasting in Europe and beyond, most Americans only know it through the “Twelve Days of Christmas” holiday song.

That’s too bad ~ because it’s a great reason to party! (And the song might as well fit into it…)

I’ve been going to an annual Twelfth Night bash for about a dozen years now. After some wine and apps, we divide into teams to act out the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song.

Here’s the twist, though. In advance, each team chooses one of the 12 numbers, and comes up with a phrase that (sort of) rhymes with the original. (Bad puns are usually involved…)

For instance, my team opted for #6, which is normally followed by “…geese a-laying.” But we, well, dug up some crepe pans, made some laurel wreaths for our hair, cooked a few Greek(ish) dishes and went with… “Six Greeks Flambéing” (!?!)

We're all in our Greek-themed costumes, ready for the Twelve Days of Christmas song. (We're "Six Greeks Flambéing"...)

Thankfully, the food was better than the wordplay. And everything we brought disappeared, almost as soon as we set it on the fully laden table.

My contribution to the feast was a hearty appetizer recipe of lamb meatballs, pan-roasted rosemary potatoes, and a yogurt dip/sauce with red onions and mint.

Check out the video slideshow below for the meatball recipe, step by step. We’ll even start at the meat counter, where my friendly (and *very* obliging) neighborhood butcher trims and grinds the lamb…

Hope you’ve enjoyed our Twelfth Night celebration, and my Greek-Style Lamb Meatballs recipe. Be sure to come back soon for lots more festivities.

Even better, why not subscribe to my (free) WineFoodBUZZ newsletter?

Just go to the handy “Sign Up Now” box, upper right, and fill in your name and email address to get each new issue.

You’ll also become a member of my fun, interactive, (also free) Tasting Tribe.

Plus, you’ll be one of the first to hear about exciting new projects such as my upcoming (free) wine eBook, which is due in March.

Until next time,
Cheers, my friends ~
Rosina

Related Posts

• WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter ~ January 2012 ~ Drink Wine With Dinner *Year*!!!
• “WineFoodBUZZ” Newsletter ~ January 2011 ~ Part 3
• WineFoodBUZZ Newsletter~ Debut Issue~ January 2011
• The “Drink Wine With Dinner” Project “Meets The Media” in New York!

In the early 2000s, I had the great honor of escorting Julia Child to her table at a gala winemaker dinner in San Francisco. Though she walked with a cane, her wit and good cheer were as nimble as ever.

Happy New Year, my friends ~ a bit belated, but thoroughly heartfelt. What an incredibly wild ride since our last WineFoodBUZZ meetup! Lots of Wine Country adventures, some very special tastings and judgings, and of course, plenty of flavorful wine and food along the way…

As always, I’ll share a few recent highlights with you here in WineFoodBUZZ. But first…

THE BIG NEWS!

If you’ve been following my RosinaWilson.com blog, you’ll know that I invented a holiday last summer. To honor (what would have been) Julia Child’s 99th birthday on August 15th, 2011, I launched “Drink Wine With Dinner Day” (just click to see how it all began), with wonderfully generous support from the Academy of Wine Communications.

I didn’t really expect much. But guess what happened? “Drink Wine with Dinner Day” (click and scroll down to read the press release) generated so much buzz in the media (even the Wall Street Journal!) that I declared all of August “Drink Wine With Dinner *Month*”! (Click for details of what happened next)…

Before I knew it, wineries started contacting me with recipes and wine pairings, and voila ~ the “Drink Wine with Dinner” movement took on a life of its own…

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I also had the honor, during the 1990s, of assisting Julia Child at several of her book signings: at the California Culinary Academy, where I was teaching, and at the Monterey Wine Festival.

Now that the New Year has started ~ and Julia Child would be turning *100* (!!!) in August ~ I’ve taken the obvious next step.

Get ready for 12 months of tasty celebrations ~ because *2012* is now ”Drink Wine With Dinner *Year*”!

I’ll offer *lots* of food-and-wine suggestions, though you’re free to celebrate any way you want. In fact, I view the “Drink Wine With Dinner” phenomenon as a huge, global “flash mob” ~ where, on the same day(s), people throughout the world enjoy wine with dinner (or any other meal, for that matter!) at home, in restaurants, and in any way they can dream up!

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IT’S A PARTY ~ *YOU’RE* INVITED!!!

I’ll make it as easy and fun as possible for *you* to join the festivities. In fact, to gear up for “Drink Wine With Dinner” Day on August 15th, I’ll start posting something special for you here on RosinaWilson.com, on the 15th of *every* month.

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“DRINK WINE WITH (NOT JUST) DINNER”!

On a relaxed, post-New Year morning, I enjoy a "Drink Wine With Dinner" *brunch.* Scrambled duck eggs with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, cilantro and hot sauce, with pumpkin flatbread. In the glass: Foursight Pinot Noir, from the Anderson Valley of Mendocino. *Delicious* together!

You’ll find easy recipes, with wine suggestions. Reports on special winery events, and wine-themed dinners at restaurants. Maybe some romantic Champagne/ sparkling-wine pairings for Valentine’s Day, then maybe wine instead of green beer (!) with corned beef and cabbage on St. Pat’s, and so on…

I’ll keep you posted. Even better, I want to include *your* ideas! So, if you haven’t yet joined my fun, interactive (and free) Tasting Tribe, where we share recipes, wine pairings, restaurant favorites, etc. ~  just fill in your name and email in the handy box at right.

You’ll also receive a (free) subscription to my WineFoodBUZZ newsletter, and a copy of my (free) wine eBook, due in March.

Let’s go *really big* with “Drink Wine With Dinner” in 2012. It’s a fine tribute to Julia Child, it’s fun for everyone, and it’s a true win-win all around!

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And now , the promised *HIGHLIGHTS from 2011*. Then scroll down for January’s tasty ”Wine and Food Pairing of the Month.”

Enjoy!

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BOTTLING NAPA VALLEY CABERNET:

I'm watching the action on a mobile bottling line. It's a great setup, in the back of a truck that can go from winery to winery. Great system for smaller operations.

I'm at the end of the bottling line, where the bottles get filled, corked, capped, and boxed. A crew of 6 or so can take care of the whole process, quickly and efficiently.

I love seeing the inner workings of the whole winemaking process. So, one morning, I hung out with the crew of a bottling truck at Tudal, a premium Napa Valley winery. It was positively hypnotic to watch the step-by-step machinery!

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JUDGING AT THE IWWC:

One of the downright *coolest* things I did in 2011 was to serve on the all-female judging team for the International Women’s Wine Competition, headed by Debra Del Fiorentino. We even had a category for wines made by women!

My wine-judging buddy, Debra Del Fiorentino, is in charge of the International Women's Wine Competition. Great gal; great event!

An all-female array of wine judges evaluates "the best of the best" in the final "Sweepstakes" round.

Here's a typical setup for a "flight" (grouping) of wines to be judged. Each judge on our "panel" of 3 has exactly the same flight to evaluate.

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SIRI AND I TAKE MENDOCINO:

Closest to my heart ~ my wonderful daughter Siri and I enjoyed a deliciously indulgent weekend on the rugged Mendocino coast. (Highlights? Seafood at Mendo Bistro, beachcombing at low tide, and the dahlia display ~ see the slideshow below ~ at the Botanical Gardens.)

Siri and I feasted on oysters in the Mendocino coastal town of Ft. Bragg. We ordered the tasty little bivalves two nights running, and relished every sweet, silken-textured morsel!

Chef Nicholas Petti's wine program at Mendo Bistro lets you sample wines by the half-glass, as well as by the glass and bottle. Great way to explore food-and-wine flavor matches!

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At the end of our stay, Siri and I walked off a few of our calories at the Mendocino Botanical Garden, which offers fantastic views of the Pacific.

We were fortunate enough to find the dahlia garden in full bloom, with colors ranging from pastel yellow, peach and pink to vivid neon shades of red, magenta, orange, purple and more. Click on the slideshow below ~ you’ll just about hear the bees buzzing ~ and see all the beauty for yourself. Then check out our breathtaking view from the ocean’s edge…

Siri and I stand on the bluffs at the Botanical Garden. It's a great vantage point to look for migrating whales.

We enjoyed scanning the rocky shoreline from the edge of the cliff. Even from such a height, those waves are *intense*!!!

Ocean view from our Beachcomber Motel balcony. *Outrageous* (and outrageously beautiful) waves that day!

Craggy rock formations and rough surf are par for the course on the Mendocino Coast.

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JANUARY’S “DRINK WINE WITH DINNER *YEAR*” PAIRING OF THE MONTH:
MEAT-LOVERS’ STEW ON PENNE PASTA
WINE SUGGESTION ~ ZINFANDEL

The big, bold, punchy style of Zinfandel pairs really well with meaty, full-flavored stews, pasta sauces, pizzas, and lots more...

As promised, I’m kicking off 2012 with a wonderful winter wine-and-food pairing. It’s a hearty, meaty pasta dish served with Zinfandel, one of my all-time favorite red wine varietals.

Since January is all but officially Zinfandel Month around here, thanks mostly to the ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) events in San Francisco, I’m starting things off today, for January 15th, with a hearty recipe I recently put together to go with a big, bold Zin.

I crafted this warming, long-braised wintry dish to pair well with Zinfandel, one of my favorite red varietals.

Along with the lamb shanks, beef marrow bones, pork ribs and fennel sausages, the dish develops deep, rich flavor from red wine, tomatoes, and lots of caramelized onions and garlic, plus cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, cardamom seeds, and my secret “flavor amper-upper”: porcini bouillon cubes. (My wonderful daughter Siri sends ‘em to me from her friendly local Italian market in New York.)

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As always, my friends, I wish you good health and great flavors ~

Cheers!
Rosina

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Deep, dark, dense chocolate mousse. One of my all-time fave desserts ~ and Chez Panisse makes a beauty!

A few days ago, I celebrated the 40th anniversary of Berkeley’s world-famous Chez Panisse with some gal pals. (Salad with baked goat cheese, duck cassoulet, and chocolate mousse. Luscious!)

Founded by “California Cuisine” pioneer Alice Waters in 1971, the landmark restaurant showcases fresh, seasonal raw materials, treated gently to let their pure, natural flavors shine. Sounds simple, but it takes some doing, requiring top-quality ingredients from a network of farmers and purveyors.

The dinner-only downstairs restaurant features ever-changing prix-fixe (fixed-price) menus. Upstairs, the more casual Café serves lunch as well, with plenty of a la carte selections in addition to a daily three-course prix-fixe.

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Chez Panisse in Berkeley ~ known as "the birthplace of California Cuisine" ~ celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2011. As good, and as innovative, as ever!

Three different starters. I loved the tangy baked goat cheese, with its crumb crust. Wonderful contrast of smooth and crunchy textures!

My cassoulet-style duck with beans was tender, succulent, and deeply flavored from long cooking.

Perfectly cooked ravioli and tender, crisp-crusted fish. And the greens tasted as if they'd been picked just minutes earlier.

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After lunch, I wandered around with my camera, snapping shots of the decor and the chefs at work. Then I ventured downstairs to the kitchen, where the brigade of dinner chefs invited me to come in and look around…

Vivid green olives on gracefully curving branches.

Autumn fruit in a wide copper bowl. Chez Panisse is a pioneer of "ingredients as art"...

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Okay, I’m hungry now. Gotta go put something together for my *own* dinner!

See you soon, my friends ~
As always,

Cheers,
Rosina

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Earlier this month, I enjoyed a delightfully long visit with my wonderful daughter Siri, complete with a trek to the rugged Mendocino coast.

Siri and I feasted on oysters in the Mendocino coastal town of Ft. Bragg.

We ordered oysters two nights running, and relished every sweet, silken-textured morsel!

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I had “won” a “Mendocino Getaway” in the “silent auction” at the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival. The package included a two-night stay at my favorite beachfront hideout, the Beachcomber Motel in the town of Ft. Bragg, plus dinners for two at a couple of restaurants that Siri and I both already knew and loved.

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Siri and I find new adventures and new flavors each time we visit. The terrific places to eat here include a tiny sushi spot called Taka’s Grill, the *very* aptly named HomeStyle Cafe, and the North Coast Brewing Company, which serves a full menu along with a wide range of their own excellent brews.

Wonderful, spicy shrimp ceviche at North Coast Brewing Company.

Tasty pub fare and brews, plus a wine list if beer isn't your thing.

Perfect, succulent oysters. Need I say more?

Try as many brews as you like, in 4-ounce sample glasses.

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Our favorite restaurant here, though, is a busy place called Mendo Bistro. Chef Nicholas Petti, who owns this popular hangout with his wife, Jaime Parsons, was a superstar student in the “Wine and Food Pairing” course that I taught at the California Culinary Academy ~ and fittingly, to match his eclectic menu, he’s put together a really excellent Mendocino County wine list.

Siri and I start our feast at Mendo Bistro with some fine bubbly from nearby Roederer Estate.

Chef Nicholas’s wine program lets you sample wines by the half-glass, as well as by the glass and bottle. Great way to explore flavor matches!

Oysters again (!), plus Chef Nicholas's award-winning seafood cakes and a salad with grilled local peaches. Wonderful starters!

A flavorful slab of grilled salmon and a plate of ribs ~ *great* with Handley Cellars Anderson Valley Pinot Noir!

Dinner at Mendo Bistro isn't complete without a Chocolate Volcano. Gooey, molten center ~ *so* decadent!

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Of course, to work off all this indulgence, Siri and I needed to do some heavy-duty walking. Though the skies were mostly overcast, we managed some good beach hikes, plus a full circuit through the gorgeous Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

We had heard about the incredible dahlia garden, and we were fortunate enough to find it in full bloom. Colors ranged from pale yellow, peach and pink to impossibly vivid shades of red, magenta, orange, purple and more.

Just click below for a video slideshow of the stunning dahlia display ~ you’ll just about hear the bees buzzing. Enjoy!

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Hope you’ve enjoyed “taking Mendocino” with Siri and me, and sharing all the terrific food, wine and fun with us.

As always, my friends, I send my warmest wishes ~

Cheers,
Rosina

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Wine and food lovers ~ rejoice! “Drink Wine With Dinner” Day generated such *incredible* buzz that we’re keeping the celebration rolling along, worldwide, *through the end of August.*

That’s right ~ it’s now “Drink Wine With Dinner” *Month* ~ and there’s still plenty of time for you to get in on the action. (See below for ideas.)

"Drink Wine With Dinner" Day, August 15th, generated so much buzz that we've turned all of August into "Drink Wine With Dinner *Month*!

Now, about the amazing buzz: As of today, an online search of DrinkWineWithDinner brings you straight to *Page 1 of Google.* The first *several* pages of Google, in fact, are *crammed* with media articles, blog posts, and comments from wine-loving individuals about our new holiday.

Online magazines such as 7X7SF, in San Francisco; the food ‘zine iSanté; even the Wall Street Journal (!) all picked up on “Drink Wine With Dinner” Day. (Just click to read the articles.)

Ian White, of San Francisco's 7x7SF Magazine, wrote a terrific article about "Drink Wine With Dinner" Day.

And much to my delight, wineries from all over California have joined the fun too, sending me stories, photos and recipes for their own “DWWD” festivities. You’ll find a post for each one, here on my RosinaWilson.com blog ~

Gioia Wine ~ Teri Love’s “Kitchen Sink Salad”
Sierra Vista Winery ~ “BBQ Pork Tenderloin”
Peju Winery ~ “Spanish-style Sautéed Shrimp”
Spelletich Family Cellars ~ “Pan-seared Duck Breasts”
More to come…

What a wonderful article by Amanda Cook, in iSante online magazine, about "Drink Wine With Dinner" Day!

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Meanwhile, here’s a look at some of the top blog writeups for “DWWD”:

Chef Alisa McPheron, "The Cheesecake Queen," blogged about "Drink Wine With Dinner Day."

* Chef Alisa McPheron (ChefAlisa.com) calls “Drink Wine With Dinner” Day “…a perfect chance to practice one of the KEY ingredients of the Culinary Art of Happiness ~ it’s being able to slow down, relax, and share a meal with your family and friends. It’s a chance to engage in conversation, enjoy the company and enjoy the moment.”

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Beau Carufel of "Beau's Barrel Room" contrasts the different attitudes toward wine in the USA and Europe.

* Beau Carufel (BeausBarrelRoom.com) remarks, “Many people out there, probably about 220 million of them, do not in fact drink wine with dinner very often. Sure, wine is a natural and even essential part of a meal in France, Italy, Spain, and indeed all over the world. Perhaps our misguided societal approach to alcohol has kept us the “Coca-Cola nation”, but change could still happen.”

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Gwendolyn Alley, "The Wine Predator," raises a glass for "Drink Wine With Dinner" Day.

* Gwendolyn Alley (WinePredator.com) gives some mouthwatering descriptions of the grilled, blue-cheese-laden burgers she planned to enjoy with a Zin from Paso Robles ~ “classic Zinfandel full of brambly fruit character going on ~ lots of blackberry on the nose, some raspberry, a little rose petal, and it explodes with sweet fruit on the palate with a nice berry and caramel finish.”

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What great comments! And it touches me very deeply that so many others feel this passionately about wine, food, Julia Child, and “Drink Wine With Dinner” Day.

Would *you* like to take advantage of the remaining days of August, and put together something of your own for “Drink Wine With Dinner” Month? It couldn’t be simpler. All you need are food, wine and people to enjoy them ~ just click *here* for some easy suggestions.

And would you like to help spread the word about “Drink Wine With Dinner” Month (now, and as we gear up for Julia Child’s 100th birthday *next* August)? There are several easy things you can do.

* You can tweet about it, using the #DrinkWineWithDinner hashtag.
* You can mention “Drink Wine With Dinner” on your Facebook page and/or blog ~ especially if you do a “DWWD” dinner of your own.
* You can “Like” my “DrinkWineWithDinner” Facebook Page.
* You can subscribe to my blog, so that I can keep you up to date on the latest “DWWD” doings. (You’ll also receive my *free* wine eBook, coming this fall.)
* You can check out my YouTube channel, where I post my recipe how-to videos, my Wine Country adventures, and lots more.

I look forward to staying in touch, and to hearing about *your* ideas for “Drink Wine With Dinner”!

As always,
Cheers, my friends ~
Rosina

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Ever since I started putting the word out about celebrating “Drink Wine With Dinner” Day on Julia Child’s birthday, I’ve been hearing from wine lovers far and wide about their plans for joining the fun.

I'm escorting Julia Child, the guest of honor, to her table at a winemaker dinner in San Francisco (early 2000s).

It was no surprise, then ~ given that I live within 20 minutes of both the Napa/ Sonoma Wine Country and the culinary mecca of San Francisco ~ that many of the people who contacted me would be right here in my own backyard.

Among the first to get in touch was a very neat gal named Liza, from the Oakland area across from San Francisco. She regularly gets together with a group of friends, enjoys fun eats and drinks, and blogs about it.

Here’s how Liza describes her crew: “We’re girls of a certain age with a sense of adventure, a passion for wine, a vibrant curiosity to learn more and a drive to exchange ideas, share tips and find out what you have to say about how wine flavors your experience.” (My kind of group, Liza!)

The BrixChicks ~ ...so many wines ...so little time. They enjoyed a Julia Child-themed food and wine pairing for "Drink Wine With Dinner" Day.

They’ve dubbed themselves the “BrixChicks” (just click for their BrixChicks.com site). (“Brix,” by the way, is a wine term that refers to the sweetness level of grapes on the vine, which helps determine the timing of harvest.) Their tag line reads  ”…so many wines …so little time,” and their style is totally tongue-in-cheek.

As it turned out, Liza and her “BrixChicks” cohorts, Xandria, Janesta and “Terroiriste”(!), had already intended to celebrate Julia Child’s birthday before ever hearing about “Drink Wine With Dinner” Day. Talk about synchronicity!

The basic ingredients for Julia Child's creamy Potato-Leek Soup recipe. Excellent food and wine pairing with a bottle of crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Their plan involved building a multi-course dinner around Julia’s recipes, including Potato-Leek Soup and Boeuf Bourguignon, with wines to match. Shopping for ingredients meant a “safari” to Trader Joe’s. A moderately priced chain store, “TJ’s” offers lots of high-quality edibles (including pre-packaged Boeuf Bourguignon) and a very decent wine department.

Sounds like a wonderful way to honor Julia on her 99th birthday. And it’s a great way to celebrate the very first “Drink Wine With Dinner” Day, too!

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Pre-packaged Boeuf Bourguignon from Trader Joe's, with California Pinot Noir. Another great food and wine pairing ~ the Burgundy wine that's traditionally in this dish, and also is served with it, is made from the Pinot Noir grape.

I hope that you too were able to celebrate Julia’s birthday, and “Drink Wine With Dinner” Day, with people, food and wine you thoroughly enjoy. Come back tomorrow for more “DW2D2″ wine-and-food news, including a *very* special announcement…

Until then,
Cheers, my friends ~
Rosina

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