Lifestyle

Traditionally, La Paulée is a Burgundian celebration held at the end of the grape harvest. So, hosting "La Paulée", which comes from the French word for sauté pan, poile, during the Santa Barbara Celebration of Harvest Festival, was fitting.....and lots of fun. To kick off the Celebration of Harvest weekend, La Paulée was hosted on Friday night. In addition to a ticket to the event, the only other requirement is to bring a bottle of wine with you. This BYO event does not mean that you grab the first bottle you find or run to the supermarket on your way. What you want to do is look into your collection of wines and bring something that you are proud to share. Santa Barbara Cebration of Harvest Fesitval La Paulee
24 October, 2014
Understanding wine is a challenge. No matter how little or how much you know, it is a never-ending process of learning and a very humbling experience. But no matter how much or how little you know, here are a few tips for when you're out wine tasting. Whether in a winery tasting room or at a wine event, here are a few things wine professionals don't love to be asked. What's your favorite wine? So many wines to choose from This is like asking a parent who is their favorite child? Or it's like asking what is your favorite food? Is there one thing you like to eat ALL the time? Probably not. There is a time and place for everything. And, this applies to wine as well. It all depends on the season, the weather, your mood, the food, the time of day.....SO many different variables go into choosing a wine for the moment.
22 October, 2014
Remember the candy of your childhood? Fun dips, Tootsie rolls, Starburst and more? Who doesn't love sugar? I know I do!  After all, isn't candy magic? Candy is Magic The issue with most of the candy of our childhood is that it is processed and has a lot of preservatives: artificial colors, waxes, sweeteners and fake flavors  But, you still want that sugar rush, don't you? Then try Quin Candy!
13 October, 2014
There are a lot of cultural clashes throughout the world but four young chefs are proving that food is something that unites us. Meet four friends (two couples) who are from different places in the world - Gil Elad (Israel), Ayako Ota (Japan), Laura Eyrin (New Caledonia) and Arnaud Lahaut (France/Vietnam) - who work in synergy to create amazing flavors. Miles Restaurant Ayako Ota, Gil Ehad, Arnaud Lahaut (Laura Eyrin not pictured) These four chefs, who are all in their thirties, met at culinary school in Paris. After going separate ways and working in fine dining kitchens around the world, they came to Bordeaux to open their own restaurant, Miles. The name refers to the international unit of length.....which also ties back to their international roots. 
25 September, 2014
We hear stories of biodynamic producers planting cow horns and running naked through the vineyards. But, biodynamics are based on the spiritual/practical philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. It is a controversial topic among winemakers. Many are skeptical about the practice while others embrace it. One of the most well-known biodynamic winemakers from the Loire Valley in France is Nicolas Joly of Vignoble de la Coulée de Serrant. He is known as the father of biodynamic wine making and as a passionate environmentalist, at 69 years of age, Joly travels, writes and speaks about his beliefs. Nicolas Joly While on a press trip to the Loire Valley, we were scheduled to visit Coulée de Serrant and to our great surprise, Nicolas Joly was there to greet us when we arrived. We spent the next three hours walking through the vineyards, tasting his wines and listening to him wax poetic about his grapes.
23 September, 2014
As a wine lover, visiting wine regions around the world is a great way to see many places and experience cultures. One of the spots on my list that I can check off is the Loire Valley in France. Located in Central France, along the Loire River, the Loire Valley is also known as the "Cradle of the French" and the "Garden of France." From Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume on one end to the Muscadet region on the Atlantic coast, the region produces predominantly white wine from the Chenin blanc, Sauvignon blanc and Melon de Bourgogne grapes. It is also the second largest sparkling wine producer in France, after Champagne. Loire Valley wines are known for their fruitiness and fresh, crisp flavors. Here's a recap of one day as we traveled east from Angers to Nantes.
22 September, 2014
The image in my head of Bordeaux was stuffy, snooty and uptight. I would think of the cost of First Growth Bordeaux and the pretense of collectors I have met over the years. But, when I stepped foot in Bordeaux, it was not at all what I expected. Bordeaux Bordeaux is a vibrant, exciting city thanks to their long-standing center-right mayor (and former prime minister) Alain Juppé who started a massive regeneration program in 1995. He opened up the riverfront, made the city center pedestrian friendly, cleaned up the old buildings and installed a hi-tech tram system. Today Bordeaux is not only the largest urban world heritage site but has been ranked as France's second favorite city after Paris.
18 September, 2014

Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer so what better way to end the summer with a final food and wine event, L.A. Times...

12 September, 2014
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