Liza's Pinot Summit Favorites

Lazy Creek

 Last Saturday's Pinot Summit put on by the wonderful Barbara Drady at Affairs of the Vine was a wine filled delight.  Starting around 1:30, we reported to the FiDi Hilton and were swept away by an assortment of Pinot.  Pinot Noir can be difficult, but when done well, is amazing.  And done well can mean so many different styles from restrained, chiseled Burgundian to florid, nearly Zinlike.  There is a Pinot for everyone.  Tasting blind throws a cool angle in as well.  With no label, place or producer visible, it really is about one's perception of the glass in front of you.  I always find something new to love.  This year, there was a lot to love.
I had a tie for my number one spot and voted accordingly.  So in Alphabetical order:

'09 Lazy Creek Vineyards, Estate Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California, USA. ($42) This wine was a bright garnet with aromas of cherry and a drop of vanilla.  It had a nice acidity and a sensation of balanced deliciousness.  I physically had trouble spitting it out because it was so tasty.  They are in the process of updating the tasting room, which is in Philo.  It sounds like a place I would definitely like to visit to try the other varieties of wine that they produce.  If the Pinot is any indication, there are treats out there to find.

Deb Mayo, our Pinot Hero!

'09 Petite Abeille, Petite Abeille Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California USA ($35).  This wine had a seductive color, clear garnet with coppery hints. It has that delicious, RRV Pinot perfumey cherry with spiced vanilla.  Flavors to match with a nice acidity and a lovely cherry kissed lingering finish.  We got to chat a little with Deb Mayo who grows the grapes and makes the wine.  She uses four clones to grow the fruit that shapes her final product; Calera, Pommard, Swan 828  I found her fun and informative and will certainly be  on the lookout for this wonderful wine.

More later on some additional favortites as well as a breakdown of the top vote getters in the other categories.

Sideways - The Stage Play and more with Rex Pickett

So much fun at Saturday's 10th Annual Pinot Summit, put on by Affairs of the Vine.  Blind tasting 40 Pinots, a sparkling wine reception and then a Grand tasting?  We tried a lot of fun things and expanded our reach by dividing and conquering.  But luckily, I talked BrixChick Heidi into coming to the same seminar where we were entertained by "Sideways" author, Rex Pickett  as well as the Pinot stylings of Leucadia and Kenneth Volk.  Pinot, literature and hollywood dish?  We were in heaven.  

I have only ever seen the movie, which has one of my all time favorite scenes, which I quoted here    Speaking with Rex, I discovered that scene evolved out of the film making process and as a result of a note from Alexander Payne.  Now, I love Mr. Payne's work, but am a little cranky with him, since he is the cork holding back our enjoyment of a Sideways sequel.  So you could say he is cork blocking our movie enjoyment of more fun with Miles and Jack.  Well, you could say something else, but I will say "cork" blocking.  Facebook write-in campaign! Free Miles and Jack!  Try Merlot! Merlot?  Yes.  Rex is also coming out with a wine, of all things a Merlot aptly named "Apostate".  Heretical as that may be, since he partnered with the wonderful folks at Sunstone,  I am sure it will be tasty!

 Rex shared many anecdotes about his life and how his work draws on dark places in his journey to bring us his wonderful stories.  All we could say was , "More please!"  Luckily, he will be at WBC12, where I plan to get a copy of Vertical autographed.  And  "Sideways" the stage play will be opening up end of April driving distance at the Ruskin Group Theater in Santa Monica.  I feel a BrixChicks road trip coming on!  See you there!

PS: Heidi and I still manged to get a taste of some wonderful Oregon Pinot that had been poured at a different workshop:

Straw - Carnival food in SF

Let me start with this: Deep fried candy.

For one of our monthly dinners, Luscious Lush Thea and I hit Straw SF.  I had driven by this Hayes Valley restaurant so many times and been enticed by the Tilt-a-whirl booth in the window and the fun vibe.  The menu was a lock when I discovered they had all kinds of winter should-be-forbidden comfort food and it seemed like the perfect atmosphere to catch up and shake off the winter/work/boy/insert-your-personal-challenge-here blues.  We had an awesome time!  The service was impeccable with our fun waiter answering our sometimes technical questions thoroughly while he still managed to make us,  as well as his other 10 tables, feel cared for.  The Mac and cheese was delicious, with creamy smoky cheesy goodness and a special ingredient: Bacon!  The Tots were elevated by the addition of blackberry BBQ sauce.  And we were encouraged to play with our food.  Notice the blackberry coulis/chipotle bbq sauce eyeliner, delicious cole slaw earring and the crisp house made potato chip fright wig above?  That was all that was left when the pulled pork sandwich arrived.  Yum!  We made sure to save room for the Oklahoma: a selection of fried candy bars.  Served hot from the fryer, we had the best time trying to bite and guess the variety (Milky way? Twix?) Our favorites were Rolos and Snickers.  Surprisingly delightful!  And the hit of the night was the Cotton Candy cocktail.  This innovative drink mixed infused Sabe vodka with a champagne that was brought separately  and poured tableside over cotton candy that filled martini glasses.  It immediately melted down into a Blue Hawaii blue sweet libation.  No picture?  It was too intriguing and vanished before we could photograph.  Just one more reason to return, which I am sure we will!
Straw is located at 203 Octavia Boulevard
Monday-Friday 11am-2pm  and 5-10pm
Saturday 10am-3pm and 5-10pm
Sunday 10am-3pm and 5-9pm