Food & Spirits: Just as Japanese sushi has taken over food culture in America, Japanese cocktails are poised to do the same. Spirits expert Yuri Kato has just released Japanese Cocktails: Mixed Drinks with Saké, Shochu, Whisky, and More, an exploration of the history and culture of Japanese cocktails.
"It is a privilege to share my love of Japanese culture and spirits with others," says Kato. "Japanese Cocktails has been a wonderful experience and I hope that all connoisseurs of fine food and drink will find much to enjoy between its covers."
Wineries in California: When Canadian businessman Cliff Lede (LAY-dee) first happened upon the site of his future 60-acre vineyard in the northern part of the Stags Leap District in 2002, he was delighted to find some of his favorite Bordeaux vines already planted. Gazing at the rows of hearty Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, he saw his opportunity to take Bordeaux varietals to a whole new level.
Cliff formed a seasoned winemaking team, consisting of Vineyard Manager David Abreu, Winemaker Michelle Edwards, and Winemaking Consultant Michel Rolland. By the 2005 harvest, a new state-of-the-art winery was in working order, complete with an expanded 25,000 square feet of caves, three-stage hand-sorting system, and unique truncated tanks designed to create a higher skin-to-juice ratio for deeper color and greater concentration.
Food & Spirits: S. Pellegrino's best restaurants in the world list has been released and there are few surprising changes to the list.
While Thomas Keller was the highest ranked American on the list, it wasn't for his flagship French Laundry, rather it was for Per Se, which came in at #6. In fact, the French Laundry dropped from its 2008 ranking of #5 all the way down to #12 this year.
Another surprise was the lack of Gordon Ramsay establishments on the list.
Wineries in California: Inspired by the travels of wine lovers Bob and Patty Brower, Château Julien Wine Estate was born in 1982. The splendid winery building was fashioned after a real French château and built close to the road to make it easily accessible to guests.
Today, Château Julien Wine Estate is at the top of every wine tourer’s list in Carmel Valley. Beyond beauty, the grounds exude a feeling of gracious hospitality. Open daily for drop-in tastings, the château’s Great Hall is filled with light from its towering hand-blown stained glass window. There is no tasting bar, but rather an elegant 18-foot antique mahogany table where guests sample the wines. Sometimes this magnificent piece is removed and the Great Hall is dressed for a wedding or other intimate affair. A private dining room, conservatory, wine cellar, and a beautiful cobblestoned courtyard are also available for events, which have a reputation for running seamlessly.
Food & Spirits: Unlike many other types of tequila, Partida Tequila is made with a process that adheres strictly to very high standards. The result is a finished product more similar to a fine cognac than your stereotypical tequila blend.
Partida Tequila is an organic, estate grown, 100 percent blue agave spirit from Mexico's Tequila region. The Partida Tequila family of products includes Blanco (not aged), Reposoda (aged six months) and Anejo (aged 18 months). At the highest end of Partida's premium tequila line is Elegante® Extra Añejo Tequila, a tequila that is aged in American oak barrels for no less than 36 months and up to as many as 40.
Food & Spirits: Fang bangers can get a real life taste of the popular premium station True Blood series by grabbing a bottle of Tru Blood Beverage.
Bottled just like its onscreen counterpart, with logo and blood type, Tru Blood is described as, "Uniquely carbonated, slightly tart, lightly sweet blood orange drink."
"The success of True Blood has created a terrific opportunity to develop a great tasting, refreshing and enlivening drink," said Omni Consumer Products founder Pete Hottelet. "We're thrilled to represent the True Blood brand in this category."
Wineries in California: Home to more than 80 different varieties of camellias and birthplace to a distinctive wine label, Camellia Inn embodies the beauty and classic elegance of its namesake flower. The charming 1869 Italianate Victorian bed and breakfast offers nine guest rooms that blend authentic vintage décor with modern-day luxury.
Each room is thoughtfully appointed with unique antiques, canopy beds, exquisite architectural details, and fireplaces, as well as contemporary amenities such as whirlpool tubs, indulgent fine linens, and wireless high-speed Internet. Rich with history, the inn is owned today by Ray Lewand and his daughter Lucy.
Wineries in California: Located on a picturesque stretch of the Silverado Trail, Black Stallion Winery recalls the rustic charm of early California. The winery is situated on the grounds of a historic equestrian center, which underwent extensive renovation. Black Stallion Winery is one of Napa’s newest, having just opened its massive wooden doors to the public in the summer of 2007.
The inspiration for Black Stallion Winery’s name came from the fabled history of the area that surrounds it. Horse and cattle ranching dominated the region around the Silverado Trail throughout the 1800s. During the 1900s, most of the open land was converted to vineyards. More than 50 years ago, the Silverado Horseman’s Center—a sprawling 32-acre equestrian center—was located on the winery grounds. The original facilities housed an indoor riding track and an outdoor arena that seated 3,000 spectators. The property also included a half-mile race track, recreation buildings, a private paddock, riding trails, and a stallion-breeding facility. The indoor riding track featured 36 horse stalls and a grandstand for training, boarding, and riding events. Remnants of the original horse stalls are still visible on the stone walls of the facility, which has been retrofitted to house the winery’s production operations.
Food & Spirits: It's a new year, and that means we the people get to experience new food. The Food Channel put together a list of 10 predictions as to what will be hot this year.
Here is a brief rundown:
1. "Keeping it Real" As the economic downturn carries on, the Food Channel predicts that home cooks will stock the basics, and less unusual luxury ingredients.
2. "Experimentation Nation" Another result of the economy is that fine dining isn't what used to be. Rather than sitting down at private tables in high-end restaurants, the dining concept is in flux. This new wave of eating out includes food trucks serving up sushi and cupcakes in LA to gastropubs, fusion dining, shareables,and communal tables.
3. "More in Store" Name brands aren't what they used to be and generics are coming up and taking over. Stores are also upscaling their takeout and deli selections, offering gourmet options and better ingredients.
Wineries in California: From its gracious grounds to its ever-evolving collection of Central Coast wines, Bridlewood Estate Winery is not to be missed.
Bridlewood crafts a range of premium wines that reflect the kaleidoscope of flavors found in dozens of Central Coast vineyards from Santa Barbara to Monterey. Winemaker David Hopkins spends a great deal of time touring the vineyards from region to region, searching for grapes that will give him unique flavors in the glass. “It’s a vintage year every year in California,” David says. “Just not in every vineyard.” By sourcing from distinctive vineyards, David can work with multiple flavors, aromas, and textures to deliver a specific flavor profile. He draws on several dozen different vineyards cared for by like-minded grape growers. “I blend for character and balance,” he says. He melds different vineyard lots to coax the best flavors into his Syrah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Pinot Noir. The result is a collection of wines that are generous of fruit and seamlessly integrated—balanced wines that speak to the flavors of the Central Coast.
Food & Spirits: DIAKA(TM) Vodka, an acronym for "diamond vodka," is the world's most expensive vodka, created for luxury connoisseurs around the world.
Rudy N. Vogel, CEO and Founder of TransBorder Marketing, Inc. announced the launch of the high-class vodka, introducing The Platinum Standard(TM) to the luxury spirits marketplace.
Vogel said, "We are poised to take the ultra premium vodka category to a new level of taste and sophistication. DIAKA(TM) is part of this new Platinum Standard at the top of the category. Vodka constitutes the largest segment of the U.S. liquor market, and high-end vodka continues to grow at a blistering pace."
Wineries in California: It has been nearly 10 years since Glenn Bianchi purchased 40 acres on the east side of Paso Robles and founded Bianchi Winery. A resident of Orange County, Glenn admired the region’s wines and believed that Paso Robles’ potential was well worth the commute. He wasted no time putting down roots and completed building his state-of-the-art winery in 2004.
Glenn built the winery’s delightful hospitality center on a slight rise to celebrate its commanding westward view across miles of vineyards. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame this breathtaking vista, as well as the winery’s serene waterfall-fed koi lake that sits adjacent to the tasting room’s terrace. The tasting room is an architectural joy, with contemporary lighting, rustic stonework, and modern wood beams. It is warmed by an inviting fireplace in winter and cooled by soft lake breezes in warmer months. This is exactly what Glenn had hoped for when he broke ground: to provide guests a great sensory experience, even before they had a chance to taste the wines.
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Food & Spirits: Just as Japanese sushi has taken over food culture in America, Japanese cocktails are poised to do the same. Spirits expert Yuri Kato has just released Japanese Cocktails: Mixed Drinks with Saké, Shochu, Whisky, and More, an exploration of the history and culture of Japanese cocktails.
Wineries in California: When Canadian businessman Cliff Lede (LAY-dee) first happened upon the site of his future 60-acre vineyard in the northern part of the Stags Leap District in 2002, he was delighted to find some of his favorite Bordeaux vines already planted. Gazing at the rows of hearty Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, he saw his opportunity to take Bordeaux varietals to a whole new level. 
Food & Spirits: S. Pellegrino's best restaurants in the world list has been released and there are few surprising changes to the list.
Wineries in California: Inspired by the travels of wine lovers Bob and Patty Brower, Château Julien Wine Estate was born in 1982. The splendid winery building was fashioned after a real French château and built close to the road to make it easily accessible to guests. 
Food & Spirits: Unlike many other types of tequila, Partida Tequila is made with a process that adheres strictly to very high standards. The result is a finished product more similar to a fine cognac than your stereotypical tequila blend.
Food & Spirits: Fang bangers can get a real life taste of the popular premium station True Blood series by grabbing a bottle of 
Wineries in California: Home to more than 80 different varieties of camellias and birthplace to a distinctive wine label, Camellia Inn embodies the beauty and classic elegance of its namesake flower. The charming 1869 Italianate Victorian bed and breakfast offers nine guest rooms that blend authentic vintage décor with modern-day luxury. 
Wineries in California: Located on a picturesque stretch of the Silverado Trail, Black Stallion Winery recalls the rustic charm of early California. The winery is situated on the grounds of a historic equestrian center, which underwent extensive renovation. Black Stallion Winery is one of Napa’s newest, having just opened its massive wooden doors to the public in the summer of 2007. 
Food & Spirits: It's a new year, and that means we the people get to experience new food. 
Wineries in California: From its gracious grounds to its ever-evolving collection of Central Coast wines, Bridlewood Estate Winery is not to be missed. 
Food & Spirits: DIAKA(TM) Vodka, an acronym for "diamond vodka," is the world's most expensive vodka, created for luxury connoisseurs around the world.
Wineries in California: It has been nearly 10 years since Glenn Bianchi purchased 40 acres on the east side of Paso Robles and founded Bianchi Winery. A resident of Orange County, Glenn admired the region’s wines and believed that Paso Robles’ potential was well worth the commute. He wasted no time putting down roots and completed building his state-of-the-art winery in 2004. 
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