Sips & Nibbles...
Morsels of information about food and wine
The new SLO Agriculture & Wine Plaza is opening soon at the California Mid-State Fair, which starts July 22. The Plaza will feature a 1,600-square-foot demonstration kitchen serving up to 1,000 people. Cooking shows are planned for all 13 nights of the fair. The kitchen is also available all year for food and wine events.
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Shop and sip at the same time! Albertson's grocery store in Atascadero will soon become only the second one in California to offer local-wine tastings, on Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. Their other wine-serving location is in Paso Robles. Albertson's has one of the best wine selections around, including a large number of local wines and an international selection. Buy six bottles of any kind and you get a 10% discount.
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Pinot Blanc fans, the grapevine reports that the wonderful Bien Nacido Vineyards in Santa Barbara is replanting their Pinot Blanc vines with Pinot Noir. Fortunately,Castoro Cellars still has their "dam fine" 07 Pinot Blanc in stock, but you better hurry.
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Interested in a new chocolate sensation? Wrap your tongue around some Vosges Haut Chocolat, available at gifts shops such as Sylvester Wineries'. Vosges no. 1 favorite is Mo's Bacon Bar, a melange of salty, sweet and savory flavors in dark chocolate, a creamy mouthfeel and just the right amount of crunch. We also liked Barcelona Bar with bits of hickory smoked almond in milk chocolate. Didn't care for the Oaxaca Bar, which is slightly hot, not very sweet, and a little pastey -- probably closer to what the Mayans experienced, if you're looking for authenticity.
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For a Down Under experience in Paso, check out newcomer Croad Vineyards with its lovely mission-style tasting room and expansive vineyard views of Templeton Gap wine country. The New Zeland roots of its owners is evident with the signage: Aussies Beware! The wine is more old-world oriented though, with Zinfandel, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Petite Sirah offered. A little off the beaten path but worth the effort. Get directions at 805-226-9899 or http://www.croadvineyards.com/.
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A bottle of 07 Pinot Noir from new FS Cellars landed unexpectedly in my kitchen the other day. I love it when that happens! It was bolder and more Cab-like than a traditional Pinot Noir, a trend which seems to be growing. According to their Web site, the $40-a -bottle wine was created from grapes that were hand-selected in the vineyard, with a resulting limited production of 50 cases. Their Web site also makes recommendations for food pairings. Maybe they'll post their recipe for bar-be-qued lemon chicken soon. Check it out at http://www.fscellars.com/our_wines