As I noted in last year’s field report from Paso Robles, winos do not live by wine alone, much as they may try to. One of the great pleasures of visiting California wine country these days is the abundance of high-quality dining choices that have appeared in the last decade. Sonoma County has always offered a handful of good choices for casual dining but had lagged behind neighboring Napa Valley when it came to more serious cuisine. No more. READ MORE »
Following the Sturm und Drang of the 2008 vintage (spring frosts, drought, heat spikes in the summer and epic wildfires, not to mention a minuscule crop), growers and winemakers on California’s north coast were overjoyed to close the book on the year. Their hopes for relief from the 2009 vintage have mostly been realized, especially on the quality front. A mostly moderate growing season went smoothly, aside from some late summer heat spikes, which are pretty routine here anyway. A cool spell set in at the beginning of September that allowed for extended harvesting well into October, ensuring an abundance of complex, energetic wines that should drink well both young and old. READ MORE »
I just returned from a visit to some of Chile’s hottest (figuratively) and coolest (literally) wine-growing regions and also had the chance to quickly check in on the food and wine scene in the capital city, Santiago. Since my first trip to Chile, in 2007, fine-dining and wine options have grown exponentially, thanks no doubt to a lively economy and a rapidly emerging middle and upper class. This is great news for gourmands looking for something more than a spot with a traditional vibe. The most exciting restaurants serve a modern take on traditional South American cuisine, using Chile’s remarkable range of produce and seafood to great advantage; they also offer an impressive selection of wines from the country’s best producers to go with it, and aside from the upper-end icon wines, prices are extremely reasonable. READ MORE »
Paso Robles has been attracting a growing number of wine tourists in recent years but still retains much of its rustic appeal and casual air, especially compared to Napa Valley, and, lately, Sonoma. There are still plenty of low-key, unpretentious motels with serviceable rooms at prices that seem downright cheap, but there are also more luxurious digs available now, at rates that ceased to exist in the Napa Valley a decade ago. Even more encouraging, at least for food-loving winos, is the upsurge of top-notch restaurants in the area, some of them turning out food at a level you’d expect to find up in Yountville or St. Helena, and in equally striking settings. READ MORE »
