At our recent annual Tomato Tasting we found ourselves long on a few items – French bread, fresh figs and pears. We had also just discovered a great local cheese called Flower Power; a fresh lactic cow cheese speckled with bee pollen. This was the result – a big hit! INGREDIENTS: 1 baguette 12 fresh […]
Fall Fig Bruschetta Read More »
The harvest of 2016 is officially on; and we have already brought in this year’s Pinot Gris, Rose of Pinot Noir, and the first batch of Chardonnay. The skies are blue, the temperatures moderate, with no rain forecast for the foreseeable future. The crop looks like it will be larger than last year’s, and the
Harvest 2016 Bring It On Read More »
I recently had the good fortune of being a judge in the restaurant competition at this year’s Sonoma County Harvest Fair. Perhaps the most interesting flavor I encountered was aji amarillo sauce, a spicy but not incendiary sauce which topped a Peruvian empanada. The sauce works well on most grilled meats, and is terrific paired
Aji Amarillo Sauce Read More »
I am currently on a Korean barbeque jag, and this spicy sauce is an integral part of the experience. Plus, you can use it on most grilled meats. A stand-up wine like our Alexander Valley Merlot or a well-chilled glass of Rose of Pinot Noir would complete the experience. INGREDIENTS: ½ cup sliced scallions 3
While the world awaits festivities to begin in Rio this week, the wine world is getting ready for Harvest 2016. The first grapes were picked last week for sparkling wine, and we at Taft Street will soon finish bottling and begin preparations for an earlier than usual harvest. Indications are the crop looks healthy and
Let The Games (And Harvest) Begin! Read More »
The longer than usual 4th of July weekend has just passed and it’s back to summer mode in the Russian River Valley. A heat wave has been replaced by relatively cool temperatures and vineyards appear to be healthy and hearty. There are indications that an early harvest may be in the offing, but we’ll have
We usually have a crowd around the place on 4th of July weekend, and with a variety of fruits at the height of their season, it’s a no-brainer to whip up a few pies. We use apples, berries, apricots and peaches. INGREDIENTS: 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (see below) 1 cup sour cream ¾
4th of July Fruit Pie Read More »
Summer means casual, and falafels fit the bill. There is no need to buy pre-mixed ingredients when everything you need is readily available. A couple of falafels in pita bread washed down with a glass of Taft Street Sauvignon Blanc or Rose of Pinot Noir is casual living at its finest. INGREDIENTS: 2 14 ounce cans
The hills have turned their summer gold, the temperatures have cranked up a notch, the Tasting Room crowds have increased, the bocce court is in use – summer is back and we are ready! Early indications from the vineyards provide optimism for this year’s harvest. The fruit set is large and healthy, and little mildew
Summer in Wine Country Read More »
The sun is shining (for now), the air is thick with pollens and other microgametophytes, the hillsides are still green, vineyards are in flower, tourists have brought their bicycles, baseball season is well underway, and the Warriors continue their winning ways. It must be springtime! At Taft Street we too have taken everything up a
May the Season Begin Read More »
