Pepi Winery
“A True California Original”

Since 1968 Pepi Winery has been producing white wines sourced from vineyards in California’s cool climate regions. I was delighted to receive a selection of their 2011 wines to review. I decided to prepare Emeril Lagasse’s Linguine with Seafood for this wine tasting event. The recipe calls for 1 cup dry white wine, so my first chore was to decide which of the four whites was the driest (in wine lingo dry means opposite of sweet.) Now, on to the wine line-up!

Emeril Lagasse
Linguine with Seafood

2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Sourced from vineyards in Clarksburg and Lake Country California there is an ever so slight grassy aroma along with delightful apple and pear essence. Flavors of citrus and stone fruit lead to a clean finish. The stainless steel is prominent in this dry, very quaff-able wine. This wine won as the best pairing with Emeril’s Linguine with Seafood. Alcohol 12.6%

2011 Pinot Grigio
Sourced from vineyards in Monterey and Sacramento Delta, the wine is almost crystal clear in the glass with essences of strawberries on the nose. The mouth-feel is semi sweet ~ think White Sangria ~ This wine would pair well with a Sunday Brunch menu of French Toast and Fruit Cocktail. Alcohol 13.0%

2011 Chenin Blanc – Viognier

When Chenin Blanc is done right, it can produce quality wines as is evident in its ancestral home in the Loire Valley of France. Unfortunately, Americans have witnessed Chenin Blanc being mass produced as jug wine. Let’s give this grape a break and see how it blends with the Viognier.
The grapes were sourced from vineyards in Clarksburg and Central Valley California. Using 66% Chenin Blanc and 34% Viognier; this wine has delightful floral honeysuckle aromas with sweet flavors of apricot and peach. This will pair well with a variety of salads and would be a good choice if you are just beginning to explore white wines.  Alcohol 12.4%

2011 Chardonnay

Sourced from vineyards in Arroyo Seco and Delta; fermented in stainless steel and aged in oak, this wine is not a typical overly-oaky-buttery California Chardonnay. Apple aromas with a sweet crème brulee flavor, this is a Chardonnay that Moscato lovers will enjoy. Pair this will spicy Asian dishes. Alcohol 13.4%

Leaving the best news for last, these wines are all priced at $10. Cheers!

Many thanks to Winemaker Mark Rasmussen, Pepi Winery and Balzac Communications for providing the wine.

Wente | Garnet | Hahn | Franciscan
For #WITS2012 Virtual Tasting

We’ve all heard of Vertical and Horizontal wine tastings, but have you ever participated in a Virtual wine tasting?

It’s where you taste actual wine and share your experience via Twitter with others drinking the same wine; wine lovers united around a laptop sipping and sharing wine-tweets! It is a lot of fun. 

The good folks at Wine Twits hosted an event a while back featuring four wines which I thought would be perfect to pair with Thanksgiving Dinner. These are readily available, priced perfectly and crowd tested. I hope you enjoy them!

2010 Wente
Morning Fog Chardonnay

Wente Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay Morning Fog | Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay

Very pale colors in the glass; with subtle lemon and pear aromas. Lemon vanilla pound cake flavors with a tiny bit of oak on the finish.  This wine was fermented in 50% French oak and 50% stainless steel; the oak doesn’t take over the fruit flavors of the wine, but gives it just enough to know you are drinking a California Chardonnay. Retails for $13 | Alcohol 13.5% |

Hahn Winery 2011 California Pinot Noir

Brilliant red in the glass with lavender powder aromas and flavors of dark cherry and candy essences. Aged in 33% new French oak and 67% neutral oak, it would pair well with grilled salmon as well as a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Retails $14 | Alcohol 14.5% |

Garnet 2010 Carneros
Pinot Noir

Garnet 2010 Carneros Pinot Noir

Translucent cherry red with a slight brown hue in the glass, gentle perfume aromas with a wisp of forest essence; dried strawberry flavors and a bright burst of cherry on the finish. Aged in neutral and new French oak, this is a very classy Pinot Noir and would be very welcome at the Thanksgiving table. Retails $20 | Alcohol 13.77%

Franciscan Estate ‘Magnificent’ Meritage

This red wine is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec. The Meritage label is only allowed if the wine is crafted with in the strict guidelines of the Meritage Alliance; making American wines in the traditional Bordeaux fashion. I encourage you to read more about it at their website. Winemaker Janet Myers crafted this complex wine; showing a very deep red color with intense smoked meats, tobacco barn and clove aromas. The flavors developed later in the decanter, suggesting you could lay this bottle down for another year or two to experience it in its full glory. Yet drinking now it’s a robust earthy wine which I would offer to those heading out to the firepit with cigars. Retails $50 | Alcohol 14.5%

Which wines will you be serving this Thanksgiving Holiday? I’d love to know if you tried something new!

Many thanks to the good folks at Wine Twits and wine makers Karl D. Wente, Hahn Estates, Garnet Vineyards, Janet Myers for providing the wine.

Edward Sellers Rose
Paso Robles, CA

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time that many take an active role to raise money and awareness for this disease. Pink has become its trademark color, so I would like to take this opportunity to raise a glass of wine in a toast of remembrance and thanks to all who have been touched by this disease and to those who have devoted their life’s work to treat patients and find cures.

Choose your favorite Rose wine, or pick from these 12 I’ve been sipping this year to toast your Hero!

1. Edward Sellers 2011 Rosé

Paso Robles, CA | 50% Grenache | 50% Syrah | 13.9% Alcohol | $20

2. Talbas Creek Vineyard 2011 Rosé

Paso Robles, CA | 58% Mourvèdre | 30% Grenache | 12% Gounoise | $14.5% Alcohol | $27

3. La Cabriole 2011 Cabernet De Saumur

Cabernet de Saumur, FR | Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon | $10

4. Bessert de Bellefon “Cuvée des Moines” Champagne Brut Rosé

Epernay, FR | Champagne Blend | 12.5% Alcohol | $40- $50

5. Chateau de Nage Costieres De Nimes 2010 Reserve

Costieres de Nimes, Fr | 60% Grenache Noir | 40% Syrah | $10

6. Domaine Guy Mousset Côtes du Rhone 2011

Côtes du Rhone, FR | Grenache & Syrah Blend | Alcohol N/A | $10

7. Thanksgiving Farm 2009 Rosé

Harwood, Maryland | 53% Merlot | 40% Cabernet Franc | 7% Cabernet Sauvignon | Alcohol 11.6% | $15

8. Argyle 2008 Brut Rosé

Dundee Hills, OR | 50% Pinot Menunier | 40% Pinot Noir | 10% Chardonnay | Alcohol 13.5% | $35 – $40

9. The Crusher 2011 Rosé of Pinot Noir

Clarksburg, CA | 100% Pinot Noir | Alcohol 13.6% | $18

10. Chateau Ballan Larquette 2009 Rosé

Bordeaux, FR | 45% Merlot | 40% Cabernet Sauvignon | 15% Cabernet Franc | Alcohol N/A | $16

11. Santa Julia Brut Rosé

Mendoza, Argentina | 100% Pinot Noir | Alcohol 12.5% | $13

12. Charity Case 2008 Rosé

Napa, CA | Made with a blend of donated juice from dedicated Napa Winemakers | Alcohol 14.1% | $12 | 100% of proceeds benefits charities in and around Napa County California

Which Rosé wines would you choose to toast your Hero? I would love to know.

Big House White Trio

That’s right, just because the calendar says it’s Fall is no reason to put away your whites! Readers of Wine Everyday already know about Big House wines. Their Red Box Wine won out many of our readers. Now is time to explore three of their white wines. The winery is a stones throw from the state penitentiary in Soledad, California and sources grapes from various vineyards throughout California to bring us these crowd pleasing wines.

2011 Big House White Wine  Over eleven white varieties make up this special blend, beautiful aromas that remind me of a bridal bouquet and honeysuckle breezes. Flavors of tropical fruits, peaches are refreshing with a hint of sweetness on the finish. I paired this with a fruit platter of cantaloupe and strawberries which was outstanding. It would also pair nicely with powered sugar pastries for a Sunday Brunch.

Big House
2011 The Birdman Pinot Grigio

2011 The Birdman Pinot Grigio  With aromas of grapefruit and apricot folding into flavors of the same with a touch of acidity and a crisp refreshing finish. This wine is sturdy enough to stand up to a meal; try shrimp scampi or grilled chicken.

Big House
2011 Unchained Naked Chardonnay

2011 Unchained Naked Chardonnay  If you are looking for a Chardonnay that was spared a fermentation sentence in heavy oak, here is one for you to try. A combination of stainless steel tanks and neutral oak barrels give this Chardonnay a soft yellow color; flavors of lemon rind with a dry ashy finish. Pair this with grilled fish or wood fired pizza.

The values in Big House Wines are remarkable; they’re also available in 3 liter box version which is a great choice for large parties.  Have you tried any Big House Wines? Share with me your favorite and I’ll tell you mine!

Thank you to  Folsom and Associates , Winemaker/Warden Georgetta Dane and Big House  for providing the wine.

USNA March On
Meadowlands, NJ
October 23, 2010 Navy v. Notre Dame

Fall, the most wonderful season of all; crisp cool air, sunshine and football. I was raised on football, The New York Football Giants to be specific.  My father began taking my siblings and me to games in the early 60’s and we’ve been going ever since. But, now that I live in Annapolis, Maryland we cheer for our home team; The United Sates Naval Academy. My family’s naval roots run deep; my father, uncles, cousins and in-laws have served in the Navy, which makes cheering for the USNA football team all that more special. Tailgating at Navy games involves both pre and post game menus. Since the Midshipman march on to the field in formation, they miss out on the pre-game festivities in the parking lot. After the game though ~ watch out! Hundreds of Midshipmen invade the parking lot looking for a meal, so you better be ready with some really great food. I think we’ve done a particularly good job at our tailgates, because we still have former Midshipman, now Naval and Marine Officers, make their way back to town for a tailgate or two each season.

Now on to the Wine and Food!

To choose wine for an event where everyone is bringing a different dish is challenging. There are folks that no matter what food you serve, will only drink sweet whites, and others that only gravitate to dry reds, be prepared and bring some of each.  I was fortunate to get a sneak peak at some of the dishes featured in today’s Sunday Supper line up, they are magnificent and are well deserving of some special wine. And, please don’t forget to sample the Bloody Marys and cocktails that, along with some beer, truly round out a tailgate!

 White Wines

2010 Roland Lavantureux
Petit Chablis
100% Chardonnay

For the creamy dishes and dips:   Roland Lavantureux 2010 Petit Chablis  I know, you are saying ‘what? that’s too fancy a wine for a tailgate!’ I say ‘If you think you want an unoaked Chardonnay, choose a Chablis!’ This wine, imported by Kermit Lynch, is a very affordable and utterly quaffable wine with orange blossom aromas and a crisp clean finish, this wine is excellent and a great value around $20 | 750 ml | 100% Chardonnay | stainless steel fermentation.

2011 Big House
White Wine

For the spicy dishes and for those folks that require a bit of sweetness in their wines:   2011 Big House ‘White Wine’, a blend of over 10 California white varieties, this wine has aromas of floral and fresh linen breezes, honey suckle flavors, with a slightly sweet and refreshing finish. Priced at $10 | 750 ml | really, you can’t go wrong. And, if your tailgate starts at the wee hours of the morning (as ours sometimes have) this is a great breakfast wine for pastries and fruit platters.

Red Wines

2011 Innocent Bystander
Pinot Noir
Victoria, Australia

For the chicken dishes and sandwich platters:   Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir, Victoria Australia, a remarkably affordable, well made Pinot Noir. Bright cherry fruit throughout with spice flavors that last through the finish. A great entry level Pinot Noir and priced around $15 | 750 ml | will satisfy the red wine lovers who don’t want to go too dry.

2006 Small Gully Wines
The Formula Robert’s Shiraz
Adelaine Plains, Australia

For the sloppy joes, bowls of chili and charred grilled meats that can stand up to a stronger red:   2006 Small Gully Wines ‘The Formula’ Robert’s Shiraz, Adelaide Plains, Australia. Strong aromas of tobacco and chocolate lead to a mouthful of juicy red fruits and spice on the finish. This is a crowd pleasing Aussie Shiraz that is both food friendly and great to sip on its own. I stumbled upon this at my local wine shop for $15 | 750 ml |

2006 Cosentino Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa, California

For those that head straight to the dessert table: 2006 Cosentino Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa County, CA. I got a sneak peak at the Peanut Butter-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies by Chocolate Moosey and one of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon immediately popped into my head. Dark fruit, pencil shavings and tobacco elements throughout, with sturdy tannins and a sexy finish. I love this wine with chocolate! 2006 vintage  retails $40 | 750 ml | I paid under $20

Warre’s Bottled-Matured LBV Port, Portugal. Late Bottled Vintage ports are a more affordable alternative to Vintage ports, priced around $20 and ready to drink, they pair very nicely with nuts, cheese platters, bonfires and cigars.

The Lineup 

Pre Game Warm-ups:

• Sausage Balls by My Catholic Kitchen
• Edamame Hummus by Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Slow Cooker Rueben Dip by The Meltaways
• Buffalo Wing Hummus by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Smokey Guacamole with Bacon by Family Spice
• Pepperoni & Mozzarella Pull Apart by In the Kitchen with KP
• Boneless Honey BBQ Chicken Wings by Juanita’s Cocina
• Candied Pecans by From Fast Food to Fresh Food
• Crispy Coconut Chicken Strips with Sweet Chili Sauce by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
• Swabian Mini Meatballs (Schwaebische Mini Fleischkuechle) by Galactosemia in PDX
• Joe Montana’s Touchdown Guacamole by Noshing with the Nolands
• Cheddar Cheese Jalapeno Bites by Mama.Mommy.Mom.
• Hot & Spicy Popcorn Chicken by My Trials in the Kitchen
• Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites by Family Foodie
• Soft Pretzels with Spicy Beer Cheese Sauce by girlichef
• Game Day Loaded Nachos by The Messy Baker
• Buffalo Chicken Dip by Home Cooking Memories
• Southwestern Spring Rolls by Supper for a Steal
• Pepperoni Pizza Puffs by Comfy Cuisine
• Roasted Garlic Bacon Dip with Easy Homemade Tortilla Chips by Daily Dish Recipes
• Beer Battered Spiced Sweet Potato Lentil Fritters by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Indian Spiced Chicken Meatballs by Soni’s Food for Thought
• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers by Real Best Recipe

On the Sidelines:

• Anne’s Best Potato Salad with Bacon and Peas by Webicurean
• Simple Roasted Purple Potatoes by Ruffles and Truffles
• Spicy BBQ Baked Beans by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Papa’s Potato Salad & Baked Beans by Kwistin’s Favorites

Main Events:

• Gluten Free Breakfast Sandwich by Cooking Underwriter
• Pollo Adobado con Papas (Adobo Chicken with Potatoes) by La Cocina de Leslie
• Poor Man’s Burrito by Shockingly Delicious
• Ham and Mushroom Handpies by Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Individual Muffuletta Sandwiches by Magnolia Days
• Far East Steak Salad by Diabetic Foodie
• Italian Sloppy Joes by The Weekend Gourmet
• Hot Chicken Chili by Momma’s Meals
• Louisiana Sloppy Joes by Sustainable Dad
• Hawaiian Chicken Wraps by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Grandpa Sal’s Sausage and Peppers by Daddy Knows Less
• Fancy Filet Chili by I Run for Wine
• Homemade Italian Sausage by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
• Jalapeno Crockpot Chili by Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Flavorful Fall Marinade by Midlife Road Trip
• Moose Chili by Mrs. Mama Hen

Overtime:

• Peanut Butter-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies by Chocolate Moosey
• Streusel Topped Pumpkin Bread by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Zucchini Cupcakes by In the Kitchen with Audrey
• Oven-Baked Churros by Small Wallet Big Appetite
• Swirl Nutella Cupcakes by Basic N Delicious
• Peanut Butter and Pretzel Truffles by Gotta Get Baked

From the Cooler:

• Sparkling Tropical Lemonade by Dinners. Dishes, and Desserts
• Strawberry Horchata by Damn Delicious
• MVP Bloody Mary Bar by An Appealing Plan
• Bloody Mary Gazpacho by 30aeats

Wine Pairings by yours truly:  Wine Everyday

Many thanks to Lane Richeson www.SupperForASteal.com for hosting today’s Sunday Supper! Join us on September 9th as we share our favorite tailgate recipes and tips. Hop on twitter at 7pm EST for the live #SundaySupper chat.

Wine clubs are a great way to dive into the world of wine; getting new and exciting wines delivered straight to your door is like having Christmas all year round! Today Schlossadler is making it easier for you because they are offering readers of Wine Everyday free shipping with your club membership! Use code FFSS1 and tell them Wine Everyday sent you!!

They also have graciously presented nine talented Sunday Supper Bloggers with their Labor Day Wine Club selection to taste and share with you.  Don’t you just love when your guests bring you wine?! Wine Everyday was delighted to have been offered the opportunity to share these exceptional wines with you!

2006 H.O. Becker
Kerner Auslese
Rheinhessen, Germany

2006  H.O. Becker, Kerner Auslese, Rheinhessen, Germany  The red bottle may throw you off a bit, this is not a rosè, but a white Kerner Auslese. The grape is a cross between the Riesling and the Trollinger, bred by August Herold in 1929 and named after the poet Justinus Kerner.  Honey straw in color with essence of lychee, that beautiful scent reminiscent of Gewürztraminer, slightly sweet flavors of pear and melon with a crisp and refreshing finish. The light sweetness of the wine lends itself as a good choice for an aperitif, but I paired mine with Almond Butter cookies lightly dusted with powdered sugar and a selection of Raspberry stuffed Butter Cookies. If you plan to serve this with a salad entrée, I would suggest the Pear and Stilton Salad from Magnolia Days (one of my all time favorite salads!) | Alcohol 10.0% | 100% Kerner Auslese | under $20 with case and club discounts | synthetic cork closure |

2010 Ernst Holler
Blaufrankisch
Burgenland, Austria

2010  “Elfenhof” by Ernst Holler, Blaufränkisch, Burgenland, Austria  The Blaufränkisch grape is known in the USA as Lemberger; grown in cool weather climates like Washington State and The Finger Lakes Region of New York. A very popular red wine in Austria, its DNA heritage links to Pinot Noir making for a food friendly wine.  In the glass: brownish-red in color with aromas of bramble and dried thyme lead to flavors of dried fruits like strawberry with hints of tarragon. The finish is smooth.  I paired this wine with Smoked Corned Beef Paninis; smoked and prepared by my husband @BeerWineFood. | Alcohol 12.5% | 100% Blaufränkisch | about $18 with case and club discounts | screw cap closure |

2010 Kotuku Winery
Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, New Zeland

2010 Kotuku Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand Beautifully light in color with zesty lime rind and pear aromas and flavors. If you shy away from NZ Sauvignon Blancs for their tendency to be overly grassy, you can be guaranteed you won’t find that in this SB. The wine has a very zesty finish and its mild acidity makes it a great choice for the dinner table. I paired this with my own special dish (yes I sometimes cook!) | Alcohol 13.5% | 100% Sauvignon Blanc | under $15 with club and case discounts | screw cap closure

All three wines were exceptional and stellar varietal examples. To see more food and wine pairings and other fabulous recipes, visit these sites:

• A Midsummer’s Picnic w/ Wine by GirliChef
• Shrimp Scampi with Homemade Garlic Toast by Big Bears Wife
• Jerk Turkey Burgers with Mango Slaw by ENOFYLZ
• Wine & Dine with Schlossadler International Wine Club by Wine Everyday
• Elegant Pot Roast by Daily Dish Recipes
• Chicken with Feta and Sundried Tomatoes + Apple Crisp by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Shepherd’s Pie with Red Wine Mushroom Gravy by Juanita’s Cocina
• Pork Piccatta by Family Foodie
• Shrimp Skagen Salad in Avocado Halves by Tora’s Real Food

But the fabulous recipes don’t stop there; here are more amazing recipes to pair with these fabulous wines:

• Shrimp Salad With Lemon Tarragon Dressing by Magnolia Days
• Red, White and Cordon Bleu by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Peppercorn Steak by Doggie At The Dinner Table
• Chicken Florentine by There and Back
• Penne Rigate with a White Ragu Sauce by Momma’s Meals
• Moules a la Provencale by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen 
• Delicious BBQ Ribs by Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
• Chicken and Mushroom Chicken Piccata by Small Wallet Big Appetite
• Ginger Roast Chicken with Red Wine Plum Sauce by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Beef Stroganoff  by From Fast Food to Fresh Food
• Strawberry-Pink Champagne Sorbet by  The Messy Baker Blog
• Italian Style Baby Back Ribs by Cooking Underwriter 
• Muscat and Raspberry Cake by Happy Baking Days
• Pretty in Pink Champagne Macaroons  by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
• Late Harvest Citrus Cake by Vintage Kitchen Note

Wine Pairings for all of today’s dishes  by  ENOFYLZ

Join us at 7pm ET for our #SundaySupper Chat with @schlossiwines.

Many thanks to Hans Fritsch and his team at Schlossadler for the wine.

2009 Cuvee Alexandre Chardonnay
Atalayas Vineyard | Casablanca Valley

The Vineyard Atalayas Vineyard is located in the Casablanca Valley about a ninety minute drive west of Santiago. Here, the Pacific Ocean is cooled by Antarctica currents, keeping the vineyards cool at night but warming up by midday. These climate conditions provide the grapes a long growing season and a slow ripening process. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir flourish in this valley. All of Atalayas Vineyard is under Organic and Biodynamic agriculture management.

The Wine 2009 Cuvée Alexandre Chardonnay Aromas of spices and lime, with subtle oak and herb flavors, along with rich pear and lime rind, give way to a long finish. The wine is elegant, medium bodied and nicely balanced; medium acidity makes this an exceptional wine to pair with seasoned fish and chicken dishes. The wine was aged 68% in French oak, the balance aged in stainless steel tanks. The modest amount of oak helps keep it from overpowering the lovely vibrant fruit and spice in the wine. | 100% Chardonnay | Organic and Biodynamic Vineyard Management | Hand Harvested | under $20

Herb Crusted Salmon with
Quinoa Estacional

The Pairing  The Chefs at Lapostolle Residence selected this menu and graciously shared it with me. I was honored to be given this special opportunity, and prepared it exactly as instructed with remarkable results. The pairing with the 2009 Chardonnay was spectacular; the herb encrusted salmon brought out the spice and herbal notes in the wine while the creamy Quinona was not overpowered by the oak presence, yet enhanced by it. The meals at Lapostolle Residence are prepared with ingredients sourced from their organic gardens or from local purveyors, I honored that philosophy by using vegetables grown at my friends family farm here in Maryland.

The Residence A wine experience is always enhanced by a visit to the winery and vineyards. Taking a look at what Lapostolle has to offer it looks like they have raised the bar on the vineyard experience! Relais & Chateaux Lapostolle Residence is a premiere luxury vacation experience in Chile. The video captures the stunning architecture which is respectfully incorporated in the breathtaking landscape. Here is a link to the video, watch it then tell me when you are packing your bags!

The Recipes

Many thanks to the Winemakers and Chefs at Lapostolle for providing the wine and the recipes, and to Ana Calle at Truth Be Told for the introduction.

2006 Chateau Cameron Sauterne
Creme Brule

I grew up watching The French Chef along side my mother who made many of Julia’s dishes, with mixed successes.  To honor Julia, and bring back memories of cooking with my mom,  I have decided to join the food bloggers and actually cook this week! I decided to prepare her Crème Brûlée from the book Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home. I’ve been making Crème Brûlée for years, but this is the first time I’m trying my hand at this recipe. I’m pairing it with 2006 Chateau Cameron Sauterne 100% Semillon | 14% alcohol | concentrated caramelized pear and almond flavors with a mildly sweet finish.  The wine pairs nicely with the caramelized sugar coating and the hint of fresh orange and vanilla in the custard.

Crème Brûlèe

“I think every woman should have a blowtorch” – Julia Child

This weeks line up from the #SundaySupper club is absolutely stunning! Please join us in making your favorite Julia Child dish and visit ENOFLY wine blog where Martin Redmond is meticulously pairing these scrumptious dishes.

Bon Appetit!

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Sides

Desserts

 Wine Pairings by: Martin Redmond Relishing Food and Wine; Thanks to Julia Child!

To learn more about the #SundaySupper movement, visit Family Foodie.
Follow along Sunday August 5th at 7pm Eastern for the #SundaySupper #CookforJulia Twitter Chat!

A Taste Adventure
Pinot Noir 6 Flight

Here is how it works, select your varietal and you’ll receive a flight of 6-1.7oz bottles of wine complete with winery profile and tasting notes. You taste the wines, pick your favorite, go on-line and order. Basic kits start at $19.95 . Some tasting kits called ”super-flights” include 2 pre-paid bottles! You can also order a ‘by the glass’ kit of 3.4oz bottles so you can enjoy a glass whenever you want without committing to opening an entire bottle. This was such a fun way to taste and explore some new-to-me wines!

My Super Flight was “A taste adventure Pinot Noir 6”

Bargetto ’09 Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains, CA Perfume nose with flavors of berry and dried strawberries. Nice acidity with a dry finish. Needed about 20 minutes to open up, I would decant if pouring from a full bottle. Alcohol 14.1% | $24.95 750ml |

Paul Dolan ’08 Pinot Noir Mendocino County, CA Earthy aromas, light bodied, cherry licorice flavors with a vanilla essence. Finish is not long but ample and smooth. Alcohol 14.5% | $22.99 750 ml |

Carrick ’09 ‘Unravelled’ Pinot Noir Central Otago, New Zealand Deep in color, beautiful perfume aromas with some spice, chocolate and balckcherry flavors. Alcohol 14%  | $29.95 750ml |

Laetitia ’09 Pinot Noir Arroyo Grande Valley, CA Deep red in color with earthy nuances on the nose, cola flavors and creamy finish. Alcohol 14.1% | $24.95 750 ml |

Schug ’09 Pinot Noir Carneros, CA Gem like in the glass, with spellbinding aromas of Pinot Noir perfume essence, with currant, strawberry and spice flavors and a silky finish. A very elegant wine. Alcohol 14% | $23.95 750 ml |

Sequana ’09 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands, CA  Bursting with aromas of fruits this wine held me captive before the first sip, luscious cherry flavors with some earthiness and an elegant finish. A spectacular varietal example. Alcohol 13.9% | $29.95 750 ml |

If you are on my gift list this year for a ham or a fruit cake you can breathe a sigh of relief because you’ll be getting one of these flights instead! Let me know which flight you would select!

Many thanks to the team at TastingRoom.com for providing the wine. Visit them on the web at www.tastingroom.com   Facebook    Twitter @TastingRoomCom  YouTube

Merrell Outdoor Lifestyle
Giveaway!

To thank our readers, they have selected ten bloggers to offer a giveaway of one of their products. I am happy to let you know that Wine Everyday was selected to offer my readers a chance to win this pair of beautiful boots! These look like the perfect boots to wear to a Fall Wine Festival!

Grape Stomp Competition
at Sugarloaf Mountain Winery

My family’s favorite outdoor activities revolve around football tailgates and wine festivals. You can guess which is my favorite! From the time my daughter was about 2 we started bringing her to outdoor food and wine festivals. We live in the Mid-Atlantic region near the Chesapeake Bay, while not California wine-country, there are still plenty of wineries on the East Coast to visit and generally there is something going on every weekend.

Family friendly wine events are a great way to get the kids outdoors to have fun and to relax. So much of our schedule is rush-rush-rush; we sometimes forget to schedule some relaxation time into the week. Sitting back with a glass of wine, listening to music, the kids enjoying face painting, magic shows and grape-stomping are my idea of family relaxation. And, living in the Chesapeake Bay region, there are always crab cakes being served for dinner. This is my favorite way to spend a Sunday with my family.  As the years have passed and now that my daughter is all grown up and living on her own, I’m passing on and sharing our tradition with my sister and her family. They live along the Maryland wine trail as well and her boys have become champions at the grape-stomp competitions!

To view up coming wine events in the Mid-Atlantic region visit Maryland Wine and who knows, you may bump into me at one of these events!

Please share with me what you and your family do to celebrate the outdoors, comment below (be sure to leave your twitter handle in your comment so you can be entered!) and join in on Twitter for our #SundaySupper chat at 7pm (Eastern) to be eligible to win!

Increase your chances of winning by visiting the other nine food bloggers who are participating in the contest. Each giving away a different Merrell gift.

• Blueberry Muffins by Magnolia Days 
•  ‎Korean Ribs – Alaska Camping Edition with MrsMamaHen
•  Fresh Corn on the Cob by In the Kitchen with Audrey
• Hearts of Palm Salad with Avocado by Basic n Delicious
• Shallot BBQ Shredded Beef by Juanita’s Cocina
•  Taking #SundaySupper Outdoors With a Fun Picnic…Featuring Spicy Pinto and Black Bean Salad with Roasted Corn and Avocado by The Weekend Gourmet 
• On Top of Our Game with Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars by The Watering Mouth 
•  Chicken & Dumplings Around the Campfire by Daily Dish Recipes 
•  Wine & Food Festivals; a lifestyle the whole family can enjoy! by Wine Everyday
• Outdoor Grilling Filipino Rice Cakes in Coconut & Banana Leaves by The Queen’s Notebook

The inspiration continues with more recipes and wine pairings by Martin Redmond at ENOFLYZ wineblog:

• Embracing Old Family Traditions while Creating New Ones ~ Enchiladas de Chile y Ajo by Girlichef 
• The Embassy´s Nut Crescents by Vintage Kitchen Notes
•  Chicken Curry Pie by Small Wallet Big Appetite
• Prosecco Sangria by Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
• Bringing #SundaySupper to All by Doggie at the Dinner Table 
• Honey Mustard Baked Beans by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• S’mores Brownies: Desserts Make #SundaySupper by Mama Mommy Mom 
• Tandoori Salmon Rolled in Whole Wheat Couscous by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz 
• Whole Wheat Macaroni with Spinach Pecan Pesto-Enjoying  by Soni’s Food for Thought 
• Southwestern Chicken Wraps Fam Friends Food 
• Ahi Tuna Salad Family Style Family Foodie
• Wines For The Foods That Move You ENOFYLZ

Many thanks to the good folks at  Merrell  www.merrell.com for giving us the opportunity to share our stories. Visit them on twitter at @merrelloutside and Facebook www.facebook.com/merrell

To learn more about the Sunday Supper movement visit Family Foodie.