Rich, Ripe, Juicy Zinfandel

Zinfandel has been a cornerstone of California winemaking since the 1850s when it was planted by immigrants who came looking for gold. Since it's time for your Labor Day barbecue, it's a good time to take a look at this quintessential California wine.

Zinfandel makes a deep purple wine with big, bold flavors of blackberry jam, raspberry, strawberry and plum with spices like black pepper and cinnamon.

Its a classic wine to pair with barbecue!

Carmina Burrata

Burrata (Boor-RAH-tah) is a silky, creamy, fresh cheese originating from the Puglia area of Italy.

Burrata was originally made from water buffalo milk, but today it is usually made from pasteurized cow's milk.

The soft, elastic exterior is white and glossy, and the pure white interior is creamy and soft. It has a buttery texture and a fresh, milky flavor.

Burrata is Italian for buttery, which is a perfect description of the texture of this cheese's interior.

If you are a fan of creamy cheese, then you are going to love burrata!

Be a Weizen-heimer!

 

Map of Germany by David Liuzzo

Hefeweizen (HEH-feh-vite-zen) is just one of several types of German weissbier. Weissbier is a German beer brewed with malted wheat in additon to malted barley.

Weizen is German for wheat, and refers to the Bavarian (Southern Germany) style of Weissbier.

Hefe is German for yeast, and refers to the beer being unfiltered and cloudy.

Hefeweizen (which we now know means yeast wheat) is by far the most popular form of wheat beer.

The riddle of Rioja

Rioja is Spain's most recognizeable wine region, and the Tempranillo grape plays a major component in the wines that come from Rioja.

Tempranillo (Tem-Pra-KNEE-yo) is Spain's most common red grape, where it goes by a number of names depending on where it's planted and where the wine is made. To keep things simple, this post will focus on the Rioja region of Spain, where the grape is called Tempranillo.

Humboldt Fog: an Iconic American Original

America's most original, recognizable artisan cheese was first made by a woman who was raising goats to provide milk for her children.

Humboldt Fog is Cypress Grove Chevre's signature cheese, named for the dense local ocean fog that rolls into Arcata, California from the Humboldt Bay.

This iconic artisan cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk and is aged about a month. It's won a whole slew of awards in major cheese competitions.

Sauvignon Blanc: a variety of styles!

Sauvignon Blanc (SAW veen yon BLAHNK) is a white grape that, more than almost any other grape variety, directly reflects it's growing climate in the wine it produces.

Sauvignon Blanc is a high acid wine, mouthwatering and an excellent companion to food, and a very aromatic wine. It's flavor varies wildly, depending on the climate where the grapes were grown.
 

When picking out a Sauvingnon Blanc, it pays to match the flavor qualities you desire to a particular wine region to look for.

Bock Basics

Bock is German for male goat, a prancing symbol of spring fertility, and Bock beer is a malty German beer style, usually dark, which is brewed in the winter to be drunk in the spring.

It is now springtime. I think you know what to do.