Summer Wine and Charity

The Long Beach Grand Cru is an international wine competition and public culinary experience to benefit the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. Located at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach the Grand Cru Wine Competition has grown in size and prestige attracting wineries from around the world. It has gone from a one-day competition to two days. The public wine tasting and culinary event in August attracts over 1,200 guests. There are over 35 local restaurants who participate in the public tasting offering tasty morsels to accompany the competition wines. Marc and I were thrilled to be able to donate a wine gift basket to the auction that included a FREE wine tasting party from Wine Shop At Home, 2 bottles of Wine Shop At Home Wine, a barrel cork cage, a Fleur de lis bottle stopper, winery toggle and wine sayings tote bag valued at over $200.00. In addition to all of the auction items available, Rex Pickett, author of "Sideways" was on hand to sign copies of his new book "Vertical". Book review coming soon... Marc and I enjoyed tasting the food from local restaurants. It was a fun evening.

There was so much going on during the summer it was impossible to keep up with the blog. Marc and I took a weekend trip to Paso Robles and had an amazing wine dinner at Denner. With the exception of the rabbit course that I did not try. Having had a pet rabbit when I was younger that is something that is absolutely not on the menu for me. That said, we enjoy the wines from Denner and have talked about them before in a previous post. We visited several new wineries on this trip and was thrilled to go to the new Herman Story tasting room. As most people know my favorite wines up until now have been Pinot Noir. I think that my tastes are evolving as I am having a love affair with Grenache. There are a few wines that every time I drink them I say, wow, I love this wine. Herman Story is one of those. The Herman Story website isn't fancy and neither is the tasting room. In fact, if you catch Winemaker Russel P From at the right time, you might see him pulling out a Coor's Light and he may even offer you one. That said, let me tell you about two of his wines that I adore. First, there is NUTS & BOLTS, a 2009 Syrah that is deep and rich in flavor. A big mouthful of dark fruit, plum, and maybe a little campfire(not that I would know anything about camping)... but there is a smokiness to it! I like the ON THE ROAD Grenache even better. This 2009 from Larner Vineyards is a party in your mouth. Think dark chocolate covered cherries and creamy coffee and maybe a little bacon? If you can keep this wine around for a few years, it may be even better but I doubt we will be able to hold on to ours that long. Needless to say, if you are in Paso, you must go to Herman Story. You will not be disappointed. Cheers!

LA Wine Accessories Launches Website

Every time I go wine tasting I also go shopping. I love finding those one of a kind items that you can't get anywhere but wine country. Almost every tasting room offers accessories or gifts. Most of the time you will see cookbooks, oil and vinegar in wonderful and unusual flavors, chocolate, specialty condiments, T-shirts with the winery's name and logo... but if you want something really special for yourself or as a gift for a wine loving spouse or friend, check out LA Wine Accessories. Our new online store, http://www.lawineaccessories.com/ specializing in Fleur de lis designs, offers unique wine accessories and gifts at a very reasonable price. You won't find every wine gadget ever made but you will find something for the connoisseur and the novice alike. The Cork cages have become very popular. These are a perfect way to save those favorite wine memories. Want to add a little bling to your bottle? Our winery toggles are beautiful and creative bottle jewelry with six removable wine/martini glass charms. We are proud to say these are made in America of good old fashioned English pewter. If you are like me and you can't have enough candles in your home... You will have to have the wine bottle candelabra for your dinner table or bar. If you love to entertain, you will love the elegant products from Lunares. Lunares products are made from a proprietary metal alloy that will never tarnish, chip, peel or crack. The Artist Palette with the paintbrush shaped knife is a sophisticated way to serve an assortment of cheeses or appetizers. This much featured piece is a favorite of museums and press and is available in two sizes.



I happen to have a love of all things Fleur de lis, in French, Fleur means flower, and lis means lily. This decorative design is not only artistic but symbolic. Used on European flags and coats of arms for centuries it is most associated with the french monarchy although it still continues to appear in the arms of the King of Spain and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. It is also the ancient emblem of the city of Florence, and of the Swiss municipality of Schlieren. I have gathered some wine related products with this beautiful design and I hope you will want to display them in your home as much as I do in mine.


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Cheers!