Wine For Novices

Fine & Rare Wine Tasting-May 9-Franklin, TN...

A Fine & Rare Wine Tasting
Friday, May 9
7pm

We will be tasting:

1992 Opus One
1980 Whitehall Lane Cabernet (Alexander Valley)
1990 Whitehall Lane Reserve Cabernet Napa
1990 Silver Oak Alexander Valley
1986 Cain "Five" Napa Red Table Wine
1988 Anselmi Amarone Re Cioto Della Valpolicella
1989 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Red Wine
1987 McDowell Syrah Mendocino
1991 Girard Napa Cabernet
1987 Carmenet Sonoma Red Wine

Also featuring gourmet tapas appetizers and a complimentary wine glass.

All proceeds benefit Creative Community, Inc. A 501c3 non-profit Artist Development Center.

$100. per person (RSVP & payment in advance)
Only  25 5 spaces left.

The evening will also feature original watercolors and a wine auction sponsored by Frugal McDoogal
For more Info E-mail me HERE.

For more great posts today on culture and the arts check out Watercooler Wednesday.

Why Not Wine In Tennessee?

Red White and Food is a campaign to allow Tennessee retail food stores the choice of selling wine to their customers.

Right now, 33 states allow wine sales in retail food stores.

Right now, Tennessee retail food stores can sell beer.

Right now, the big question is: Why not wine?

The primary supporter of Red White and Food is the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association.

They have a GREAT website HERE.

They have started a grassroots campaign and over 1,000 signing up as members of the Red White and Food campaign. If you live in Tennessee--SIGN UP NOW HERE.

They also have a great new blog HERE.

Tennessee is not one of the 33 states that allow wine sales in retail food stores.  It just doesn’t seem to make sense when you consider:

• Tennesseans who choose to drink wine want the convenience of purchasing it at retail food stores.
• Wine sales in retail food stores would benefit consumers by increasing competition.
• Retail food stores are already required by law to check the age of everyone purchasing alcohol and undergo annual training. Read the Responsible Vendor law (PDF).
• Consumers are being denied choice by Tennessee’s powerful liquor lobby that is focused on protecting its monopoly.
• Retail food stores will have the option not to sell wine if that is their choice.
• Wine is rarely a choice of underage drinkers.
• Wine sales in retail food stores are not linked to increased drunk driving.
• Wine and food are a natural combination.

Pears Laurenne ...

My daughter Lauren "cooked" up this new dessert and hmmmmmm, is it great or what? Yes!

Pears Laurenne

Cook Time: 35 Minutes
400 degrees
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
2 Pears
Sugar
Ground cinnamon
Inexpensive Merlot*
Balsamic vinegar glaze**

DIRECTIONS
In a clear, pyrex baking dish sprinkle sugar and cinnamon to cover bottom. Slice pears in half, lengthwise, place face down in dish. Pour wine over pears. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes or until fork tender.

SERVING SUGGESTION
Serve each half in a martini glass with two micro-scoops of vanilla ice cream. Add one fresh raspberry and one fresh blackberry. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar glaze and top with a fresh mint leaf. Tastes best served with champagne or same red wine you used with the pears.

*I usually use $8 Columbia Crest Merlot, Two Vines
**Strongly suggest Balsamic Vinegar Glaze from Williams Sonoma but you could also use a chocolate glaze.