The Wine Whisperer's Wine Pick of the Week 2.23.08

The Wine Whisperer travels outside the Central Coast to find this Ursa major Merlot 2004, from El Dorado County.
This fine Merlot is just the ticket for you Merlot lovers out there – and I know you’re still out there. And this one will impress anyone who loves good wine. Rich and lusciously ripe, this beautifully balanced red offers big blackberry and briary berry aromas and flavors highlighted with spice notes.

It’s perfectly ripe but doesn’t go over the top to raisin flavor land... and the delightful finish lingers long on your tongue. Made by husband and wife winemakers, Greg Stokes and Deborah Elissagaray, who are produce consistently impressive wines. It’s quite delicious on its own and yet complements lamb chops, grilled steak or a great hamburger. I spotted it at Spencer’s Markets for just $15.00. Here about it in the Wine Whisperer's own words just click on the radio or his portrait.

Mean Mister Mustard

Jim, a caller to our radio show, was raving about this award winning stone ground mustard and several listeners have been asking about it .... so here's the story.

Boetje's Mustard Wins International Competition
Posted online: February 22, 2008 4:00 PM

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. -- Boetje's Dutch Style Stone Ground Mustard, made by Boetje Foods Inc., Rock Island, won the gold medal for best coarse-grained mustard during a recent 2008 worldwide mustard competition.

More than 400 mustards from seven countries were entered in 19 categories.
Countries represented were Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and the U.S. The competition was part of the 15th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival.

Award winners will get medals at a March 14 event at the Black Stallion Winery in Napa. The event is called "The Awards -- A Spicy Soiree."

I know you can order it from the famous Mount Horeb Mustard Museum.

The Wine Whisperer's Winning Wine of the Week

This week, dear listeners, I've discovered a great buy from Wolff Vineyards in the Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo, CA. This 2006 Chardonnay is grown on the oldest Chardonnay vines in this unique valley.

This wine offers offers a pretty array of spice, sweet pears and apples that are nicely balanced with Meyer lemon notes. A good choice as an apertif or a dinner with petrale sole in a beurre blanc sauce or shellfish with drawn butter.

A click on the old radio and you'll hear the Wine Whisperer in his own words.

The McPhee's Grill-Grapevine Radio Wine Food Pairing Dinner

On Wednesday, February 13th at 6:15pm, 5 lucky (and wine wise) listeners and their significant others joined Grapevine Radio hosts, Kathy Marcks Hardesty and Cliff Stepp, for an amazing five-course dinner at McPhee's Grill in Templeton, California.
Each week, for five weeks, the first caller to pick the correct wine to be paired with each course (from a multiple choice of three) won a seat at the table.
Chef Ian McPhee, as proclaimed by everyone at the table, produced an stunning gourmet experience. And we're talking some long time Ian fans here (22 years plus).
Although the type of wine to be paired was chosen in advance, our gracious host, Chef McPhee, picked the specific bottle. The women swooned, the men smacked their lips and photographed the labels to aid our memories. By dessert the Chef was receiving a standing ovation.
The emails from our guests consisted of primarily one word reviews: "Amazing." "Awesome." "Unforgettable." "Wow."
Many thanks to one of our sponsors, The Wine Wrangler, who transported us all safely there and back.
It was great to see Chef Ian McPhee literally blow the minds of two food and wine reviewers and many of his longtime fans who were all part of this special evening.
*Group photo above by winner and Led Zep fan, Scott Beer.

Wine Whisperer's Valentine Tip

Check out what hot wine buy the Wine Whisperer is recommending for Valentine's Day. Always weird, but always tasty.

Click on the Wine Whisperer Valentine to hear for yourself.

A Big Music Harvest in Wine Country

Check out this new record label called Harvest Road Music that is devoted to "the sounds of wine country." The first CD in the series is titled, "Uncorked." It's a compilation that contains national and local artists.

Nationally known producer Randy Rigby is involved and this CD features the debut of up and comer, Nataly Lola.

One of my buddies, an occasional Cliffnotes member and a well known studio guitarist who resides in Morro Bay, Jimi Macon performs a track entitled, "Vine Time."

More info at: www.HarvestRoadMusic.com