JANUARY | 2012
celebratingwineweddingsart&cuisine
southern california wine country
MUST
(from the Latin, vinum mustum,
“young wine”).
Freshly pressed grape juice containing the skins, seeds and stems of the fruit.
The first step in winemaking. This is wine with all its potential before it.
|[ART OF THE COCKTAIL]|
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THE NEGRONI Here at the MÚST studio, the staff is passionista about "Anything-Anthony-Bourdain." His books, seminars, television shows, outlook on life ... you name it. The gentleman defines a-t-t-i-t-u-d-e and we revel in it! On a recent show, Tony was sitting at a table outside a bistro in Rome and - having lost the will to live courtesy of local-fare gluttony - was in need of a digestive to settle his stomach. In meeting this challenge, he introduced us to the Negroni. As we've since come to learn, the cocktail has a disparate following, having stirred the animal spirits of - among others - Orson Welles, Tennessee Williams and James Bond. (Shaken, not stirred). |
According to legend, the Negroni originated in Italy around the dawning of the 1900's. Apparently one Count Negroni requested that the village publican inject some ardor into his favorite cocktail, the Americano. (Campari, sweet vermouth and seltzer). Suffering from no lack of imagination, the bartender tossed the soda and substituted it with a healthy dollop of gin.(!) Voilà, the Negroni.
While in Rome, Orson Welles discovered the drink and reported, "The bitters are good for you, the gin is bad for you, they balance each other."
Our initial response to Mr. Bourdain's description of the cocktail's contents was one of alarm and fear. Against our better judgment, we combined equal parts of Bombay Sapphire gin, Campari bitters and Martini sweet vermouth. In the interest of full-disclosure, Campari is feloniously bitter and, upon tasting, you may need a moment to make amends with your tongue before the next sip. Fortunately, the sweet vermouth tempers the bitterness of the Campari and the gin ... well, - not to put too fine a point on it - the gin gives the drink some manhood. We personalized our recipe with a squeeze of Valencia orange from our neighbor's citrus grove, plus a slice of blood orange perched on the side of the glass.
On first taste, you'll laugh out loud. While not subtle, the brew is seductive to the point it tastes like a morals charge. This is a concoction for grown-ups and grown-ups are dangerous characters, prone to howling at the moon. All send-ups aside, though, the Negroni is def marv!
Over the course of our annual Christmas Vacation, circa 2011, we waded into the cocktail waters and lost track of how many of these softly-addictive, wicked characters we concocted. Thank you, Anthony Bourdain. We handily approve the Negroni and know MÚST readers will, as well!
MÚST Web Log
Blogging the Wine, Weddings, Art & Cuisine of Southern California Wine Country.
And Beyond.
|[WE GET LETTERS]|
"Thanks for the mention & support - I'm grateful for the encouragement. I'm glad I made the 'nice guy' list!" Emily.
"Terrific! So exciting to have a portrait published [in MÚST]. You've just started my week on a HIGH NOTE! Thank you so much!" Pam.
"I enjoy your articles very much and would love to work together on food / wine events." Sara.
photo by randy green
rk green studios
"... Thank you, [MÚST]. Excellent read, as always. I
laughed my way through the "getting the bird in wine country" article.
I guess we've all been there! I'm attaching an image of a couple and their
horse. According to my neighbor who rides posse for
the Riverside Sheriff's Department, horse trails are now in place connecting all
the Wineries! Hope to see you soon." Randy.
"Wonderful, as usual! Thank you for a little bit of fun in my email box -- Keep up the great work!" Pam.
|[THEY SHOOT WEDDINGS, DON'T THEY?]|
wine ceremony wilson creek winery
dan pettus photography
dan pettus myra pettus shannon edmonds
|[WINE
LABEL OF THE MONTH]|
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THE BLONDE BOMBSHELL Not wanting to start-out the New Year on too serious a note ... with tongue firmly planted in cheek, we're going to let the wine label do the talking. To wit: "The Blonde Bombshell, A Blonde Production directed by Jeff Booth. Made entirely on location in California." "The Blonde Bombshell is ready to grace you with her splendor. Try as you might, you'll find it nearly impossible to resist her fruity, floral aromas and flavors. The quality grapes coursing through her veins give a luscious, nectar-like mouth-feel and smooth enchanting finish. Give in to her allure. |
THE BLONDE BOMBSHELL
$9.99 12.5%
TOTAL BEVERAGE SOLUTIONS
Rutherford, California
MAJOR MARKET
Fallbrook, California
old town temecula (foreground)
temecula valley
photo by michael cartwright
|[HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE]|
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STATE OF GRACE At the risk of coming across as off-center, we've always had a thing about cemeteries. In a sense, they're cast in the same mold as churches. Although we consider ourselves more spiritual than religious, we still occasionally like to sneak into a church on a quiet, mid-week afternoon. Regardless of your or the church's beliefs, they're a place of peace. The lighting is agreeably dim, the atmosphere is hushed, the incense is heady, the vibe is serene. Cemeteries are kindred spirits. They're outdoors, at home in nature, old-growth trees bathe the grounds in oxygen, birds sing. Islands of quietude.
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When we lived on the Hawaiian island of Lana'i, it didn't take long to note there appeared to be no cemetery. We snooped, we pried, we questioned, until our friends started freaking out. "Come off it! Who cares whether or not there's a cemetery?!" Well, excuuuse me! No one dies here? That's preposterous by any metric. At the risk of distancing ourselves from reality, Hawaii may be paradise, but it's not Brigadoon. We're fairly certain, if history is any gauge, the local citizens sooner or later test the argument that none of us are immortal.
We pressed-on until finally locating the hidden-away cemetery and it was predictably the most serene spot on the island. Without fanfare, the Kama'aina (locals) kept the spot well-tended, orchids grew between the graves and there was a palpable sense of history, with headstones dating back to the 19th century.
Fast forward to 21st century Wine Country. Where's the cemetery? Doesn't anyone die here? We've read about the health benefits of wine, but immortality remains to be seen. This time around, though, we decided to bide our time and keep the cemetery quest under wraps, not wanting to whip our Temecula Valley friends into a frenzy. John Lennon wrote, "Life is what happens while you're making other plans." With that in mind, we were out on a photo shoot one afternoon, trying to find a high spot on the east side of I-15 where we could shoot westward across the freeway to capture Temecula's monumental new Civic Center in Old Town. And darned if we didn't stumble across the Temecula cemetery. It's been there since 1884 and it only took us 8 years to find it. And as might be foreseen, even while surrounded by housing and a freeway, it's a picture of seclusion and serenity. |
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|[IN FURTHER WINE COUNTRY NEWS]|
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THE GRAND TRADITION GOURMET COOKING DEMONSTRATION Our friends at the Grand Tradition are suggesting that if the Holiday Season (Thanksgiving - New Years) is leaving you a bit weary of "Holiday Food," a fun and tasty alternative is to join them - and Trupiano's Italian Bistro and Fallbrook Winery - for an Italian Cooking Demonstration, Dinner and Wine Pairing. |
On personal reflection, writing about the Grand Tradition brings back fond memories. The MÚST staff moved to Fallbrook 11 years ago and within our first year of living in the Village, we became acquainted with the McDougal family, owners of the Grand Tradition. Over the years, we worked with Don McDougal on the Fallbrook Village Association Board, the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce Board, the Fallbrook Visitors Bureau Board and the Fallbrook Fantasy Wedding, to name a few.
On a related note, almost exactly a year ago to date, we attended a media event at Keyways Winery in Temecula Valley, organized by Wine Country writer, Linda Kissam. Among the speakers that evening was Keyways' Winemaker, David Raffaele. Over the course of his talk, Mr. Raffaele related that during his college-level wine studies, the viticulture courses he attended at San Diego's Mira Costa College were largely populated by former Fallbrook avocado growers. (In addition to being celebrated as an artist colony, Fallbrook's also renowned for being "The Avocado Capitol of the World." If you eat guacamole during the Super Bowl, the avocados are courtesy of Fallbrook).
Mr. Raffaele explained that, due to current agriculture water restrictions, many Fallbrook growers are changing-out their avocado groves for vineyards, as the grape vines' water requirements are much lower than those of avocado trees. Due to the needs of winemakers in nearby Temecula Valley Wine Country, there is a ready and willing market for grapes from Fallbrook vineyards.
In other words, thanks to Fallbrook Winery, Orizaba Winery and the Vineyard at 1924, among others, Fallbrook is becoming a player in the Southern California Wine Country.
We encourage all MÚST readers to get in on the ground floor of this budding movement by celebrating with the Grand Tradition at their inaugural wine pairing event.
THE GRAND TRADITION
1602 South Mission Road
Fallbrook, California 92088
760 | 728 6466
gena@grandtradition.com
www.grandtradition.com
|[SIGN OF THE TIMES]|
photographed in temecula valley
photo by múst
[editor's note: good luck in wine country with that taboo!]
|[THIS JUST IN]|
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IFWTWA 2012 Scholarship Awards Competition We were pleased to hear from the great writers at the IFWTWA, announcing their 2012 Scholarship Awards Competition. |
The organization is proud to have this program for recognizing excellence in journalism for professional and emerging food, wine and travel journalists. (Think: writers traveling to Southern California Wine Country to spread the word about its fine wine and cuisine).
The competition is now officially open and the group is accepting applications in two categories: 1). Professional Journalists. 2). Emerging Writers. The deadline for entry is August 1, 2012 and entry instructions can be found on the IFWTWA website below.
(Now, if they'd just turn one of their writers loose on that moniker. Try saying "IFWTWA" 3 times quickly).
IFWTWA
International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association
Contact: Allen Cox
allen@ifwtwa.org
www.ifwtwa.org
|[BLAST IT!]|
Want to have some fun? Like, twice the fun? First off, visit MÚST-pal Robert Sommers' blog - Blue Heron Blast. Mr. Sommers writes about life as he sees it - our so-called collective life - on an intellectual plane elevated slightly above what most of us are accustomed to. Besides owning an art gallery - Blue Heron Gallery on Main Street in the Historic District of Fallbrook - the gentleman observes the human condition with a laser-sharp vision, accompanied by a matching wit, all the while taking no prisoners. Additionally, he's a crack photographer, not to mention he scours the Internet for music videos the rest of us have missed.
Twice the fun? On Blue Heron Blast, Mr. Sommers recently posted a YouTube video of the Beach Boys singing a cappella. "God Only Knows," "The Sloop John B," "Wouldn't It Be Nice." In case any MÚST readers missed this the first time around, we wanted to share. Brian Wilson's vocal arrangements and the lads' harmonies set the bar.
The Beach Boys plan to tour during Summer 2012 - for the first time in decades - and this nostalgic video is a great way to get your head set for the event.
oak mountain winery (lower left)
surrounded by winter vineyards
de portola wine trail temecula valley
photo by michael cartwright
|[AND FINALLY]|
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MURRIETA CATERER KICKS 'CUPCAKE WARS' BOOTY! It seems everyone in Temecula Valley has a soft spot for Corie Maue. Corie Maue? We can't explain her to our readers by her day job, which we've never quite grasped, but what we can account for is her prolific - and most excellent! - writing and photography spotlighting Temecula Valley Wine Country. On a recent video filmed at Thornton Winery, we were introduced to Corie's SIL, Andrea Maue, who cracked us up while professing, "My brother married Corie. If he hadn't, I would have married her myself!" |
O.K., enough about Ms. C, on to Andrea. The Murrieta caterer / baker-supreme recently walked off with the honors on Food Network's reality show, "Cupcake Wars." Ms. Maue came out ahead of three other bakers to snag not only First Prize bragging rights, but $10-Large - The $10,000 first prize!
On winning the Cupcake Wars, the owner of Temecula Valley's Ava James Catering shared her winning strategy: "You get used to the scramble." (We have no idea what that means, but it sounds aggressively cool!).
MÚST recommends you check out Ms. Maue for your next catering needs. Talk with her about cupcakes for dessert - of course - plus take a chance and see if she'll throw in her SIL, Corie, for good measure!
original article written by
Jennifer Kabbany
for
The North County Times
www.nctimes.com
|[PHOTO FINISH]
wild grape vine
fallbrook
photo by michael cartwright
VENUES & VENDORS
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