A Wine & Food Pairing Adventure with Hannah Nicole Vineyards

Brentwood-based Hannah Nicole Winery has demonstrated that when it comes to wine and food pairing, owners Neil and Glenda Cohn and their talented staff set a whole new standard, impressing even those widely traveled in the gourmet realm. During the first of a series of elegantly orchestrated wine and food pairing dinners, the winery glittered on Thursday, January 27, offering a sensory journey of amazing tastes, flavors and textures.

Upon arrival, guests were presented with an array of Gourmet Artisanal Cheeses and a glass of the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, a wine with lingering oak and honey aromas and a finish laced with honeydew, apricot and lemon. The beautifully decorated tables and soft lighting created a gracious ambience, reflective of Glenda's artistic sensibilities.

As the meal began, operations manager and food/wine expert Mark Enlow acted as “master of ceremonies” to introduce each course and the accompanying wine, highlighting the diverse flavor nuances the carefully selected combinations would offer. Hannah Nicole winemaker John Sotelo and Neil Cohn also offered comments and insights into how the chosen wines were crafted to acquire their characteristics─a special treat for wine enthusiasts.

The first course of Fresh Dungeness Crab Cake and Roasted Prawns with Winter Greens was notable in the freshness of the seafood and the delicacy of flavor, with the prawns being especially succulent. The light, golden crab cakes “simply melted in your mouth,” as one guest noted. The 2009 Viognier, crisp and rich with tropical notes and hints of toasted peach, apricot, pear and allspice was a sumptuous pairing choice here.

The second course of Wild Mushroom Risotto Cake crowned with Swordfish was another stand out, not only because the generous cut of swordfish was incredably tender and juicy, but also because it was served with one of Hannah Nicole’s most celebrated wines─the Gold Medal winning 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Magnum, redolent with pepper and plum with notions of toasted walnuts and leather.

The third course was a sculpture of mouthwatering Habanero Braised Short Ribs poised atop a mélange of creamy parsnips and Brussels sprouts. The rich, tender meat with a slight spicy kick was dramatically complemented by its partner, the 2007 Petit Verdot Reserve─a gloriously penetrating wine with layers of anise, sweet wild berries and smoked meat, finished with aromas of vanilla, oak and leather.

The chefs personally helped introduce the finale─a Cracked Earth Chocolate Flourless Torte with Raspberry Puree and Crème Anglaise. This decadent treat was paired with barrel samples of the 2009 Zinfandel─lusciously satisfying with elements of jam, eucalyptus, pepper and anise and a gloss of vanilla.

Guests were elated to know that these sumptuous wine pairing dinners─which merge culinary creativity with the warmth and gracious spirit that has long characterized this innovative winery─will be offered monthly, each with unique themes, generously portioned “food art,” and wines as only Hannah Nicole can offer. Bravo!

“The Best of Contra Costa” A Gold Medal Wine & Food Event

Congratulations to all Contra Costa County wineries that proudly took medals home from the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Now find out why! Experience the rare chance to taste these award winning wines—all at one time and in one place. This is not to be missed! Note details:

Saturday February 12th
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Brentwood’s Co. Co. County Wine Company
633 First Street
Brentwood, CA 94513
(925) 634-WINE (9463)

Event $20.00 per person/$15.00 for *Club Members

Featuring wines from Contra Costa Award winning vintners! Come taste what is recognized as some of the best wine in California. Each vintner will be pouring a selection of three of the award winners, as follows:

Bloomfield Vineyards
www.bloomfieldvineyards.com

Best of Class
2008 Pinot Noir

Silver Medal
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Devil’s Daughter

Bronze Medal
2009 Chardonnay
2009 Pinot Grigio
2009 Viognier

Hannah Nicole Vineyards & Winery
www.hnvwines.com

Gold Medal
2009 Le Melange Blanc

Silver Medal
2009 Meritage Red Wine
2009 Viognier
2009 Viognier Reserve
2009 Chardonnay

Bronze Medal
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 Zinfandel
2007 Merlot
2007 Petit Verdot Reserve
2007 Merlot Reserve
Mt. Diablo Syrah Reserve
2009 Le Melange Rose

Tamayo Family Vineyards
www.tamayofamilyvineyards.com

Gold Medal
2009 Malbec

Silver Medal
2009 Viognier
2008 Cana J. Jaden Port

Bronze Medal
2007 Cana Proprietary Red

Parkmon Vineyards
www.parkmon.com

Gold Medal
2008 Sangiovese

Silver Medal
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Bronze Medal
2008 Debbie’s Cuvee
2009 Shari’s Rosé

Shadowbrook Winery
www.shadowbrookwinery.com

Gold Medal
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 Jon Rae
2008 Encore

Silver Medal
2008 Syrah
2008 Zinfandel
2009 Rosé

Tamayo Vineyards Wins Big – Does Contra Costa County Proud

The results are in! On January 7th, 2011, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition – justly referred to as the “Largest Competition of American Wines in the World”– concluded the annual week of judging in Sonoma County, California. Wines were awarded as Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Double Gold, Best of Class Awards for each of the wine judging categories, and the prestigious Sweepstake Awards for the top Sparkling, White, Pink, Red, & Dessert/Specialty wines.

Tamayo Family Vineyards brought great honor to Contra Costa County with not one or two but four award winners in this prestigious annual competition:

Tamayo’s Ryland’s Block 2009 Malbec with its rich fruit, silky tannins, earthy warmth and spicy, exotic finish won a coveted Gold Medal.

Tamayo’s 2009 Bailey Viognier with aromatics of wild honeysuckle and pears received a Silver Medal.

Tamayo’s 2008 Estate Grown J. Jaden Red Dessert Wine–rich and lush with delicious notes of candied fruit and English Toffee–was honored with a Silver Medal.

The CANA Proprietary Estate Blend 2007, which deliciously combines 8 European varietals, took a Bronze Medal.

And if this weren’t exciting enough, Tamayo is offering the entire array of these fabulous award winning wines at up to 40% off and up to 70% off UPS Ground Shipping. Cin Cin!

Tamayo Family Vineyards/Cana Wine
2155 Elkins Way, Suite C
Brentwood, CA 94513
Phone (925) 513-VINE (8463)
Fax (925) 513-9182
http://www.tamayofamilyvineyards.com/Our-Wines/Current-Specials