Tuesday, February 19, 2008

February and the Weather is Fine-Global Warming?

I love February in Sonoma County! Pretty much every year we have one gorgeous week-no rain, temps in the high 60's, low 70's, flowers start to bloom- false spring. I look forward to this break and try to make the most of it. Trips to the ocean, picnics, dust off the barbeque and I break out the Rose', not that I ever put it away........

This was President's weekend, so there was one extra day to revel in the weather. Saturday was fresh oysters from Hog Island Oyster Company paired with a fig cake and 2005 Coral Mustang Rose' as well as an Elizabeth Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. The Rose' was a great match with the Kumomoto oysters-fruity vs salty- and the Sauv Blanc went better with the more 'steely' Freshwaters.

Yesterday was more Rose' paired up with my famous clam chowder- again the fruity and salty, along with some of the crispness balancing the creaminess of the soup. I also tried a Saint Gregory Pinot Blanc with the soup. This fruity, slightly creamy wine was almost too light to balance with the soup, but it went quite well with the oysters that we set aside from the day before- that doesn't happen very often!

Speaking of the incredible weather, this weekend was the 2nd Climate Change and Wine Conference - http://www.climatechangeandwine.com/eng/index.php

Catavino, one of my favorite sites has been there and reporting back 'live'- please take a look-http://www.catavino.net/
They are doing an incredible job of reporting! There are a few other blogs out there reporting as well-some interesting comments that I will comment on later in the week.

It is also time to vote for your favorite blog : http://fermentation.typepad.com/fermentation/2008/02/about-the-ameri.html
There are some great bloggers out there, many that I have 'met' through blog sites like Twitter and Wine Sense. I hope next year to be in the running!

Unitl next week, cheers to good food, good wine, and good friends- the Mustang Winemaker

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, yes, don't you LOVE the February break? Sigh, it's over now and the much-needed rain is back, but I sure reveled in the last few weeks.

Climate change paper in the next issue -- we 'scooped' the conference this year! That Don is amazing.

TLV

Anonymous said...

I knew your name sounded familiar. We just recently had a bottle of your tempranillo (bought at the Healdsburg Wine Shop) and loved it! Thanks for stopping by Swirling Notions . . . good to see you there.

Anonymous said...

You know I never thought of pairing rose with clam chowder but I can see how the fruit and salt characters could play off each other for an interesting pairing. Thanks for the tip.

The Mustang Winemaker said...

@noble pig- love your site!
I do like to try to try some 'odd' pairings- try to shake it up a little.
Do you mind if I put a link to your blog on mine?

The Mustang Winemaker

The Mustang Winemaker said...

@swirlingnotions
My mouth is watering looking at your site today- will have to get on the braisy train!

The Mustang Winemaker

Anonymous said...

HI!

I came back to this older post to get the links to the climate change index and I see you sent me a message with a question and I never knew it was there! So sorry and rude of me. So yes please add me to your roll and I am doing the same and enjoying your site more than ever! Thank you!

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