Tell God you tried something new???

Posted on July 12, 2013 by storiesbygary
Oliver

Oliver

This morning while at the local Vet’s with my new puppy, Oliver..a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, 18 months old, I had a great discussion with my vet Martin Bennett. We got into a conversation about getting so involved in things like horses and cattle that we never got to experience more things out there in the world. I started telling him about how I had changed that over the past few years, from corporate / ranching life to Travel Writer / Photographer. As I told him of my upcoming adventure, he told me of his desire to just make a change, for he and his wife, and that I was an inspiration to him. He planned to have a serious discussion with his wife this evening.

So many people during my life have told me that if they had the chance to do it all over again, they would do things differently. I honestly don’t think that I would change a thing. I believe that the changes I have made of late will fulfill the desires I have had over the years to do new things with new adventures.

Your never to old to jump from a plane or into the sea below

Your never to old to jump from a plane or into the sea below

The fact is that most of us have the opportunity to experience new things, if we really want to. It’s really only up to us. So that sky diving experience may be scary, but if you want to do it, what’s the worst that can happen, you crash and burn. At least you can tell God you tried something new!

And so off I go, to possibly make one of the largest changes in my life since touching down in my first “hot LZ” in North Vietnam. I’m looking at relocating to another country.

Where I'm staying

Where I’m staying

This August my Nikon, MacBook and Scuba Gear will be taking off for a couple weeks in Belize. The reason, to investigate life as an Expat, and try to decide if this life, specifically in Belize would sit well with my new lifestyle, as well as that of my wife Marsha.

Me diving with giant Manta's

Me diving with giant Manta’s

After many months of research, reading reviews and travel blogs and visiting every website on Belize that I could find, I made my choices for where I would visit and live  in this country while there. Now everyone I know that has been there, friends as well as my personal physician told me that Ambergris Caye, an island was the only place to visit. That’s because that’s where the “action” is, the beach resorts, bars, restaurants, and the population of visitors.

But wait! Like I said, I was looking at the possibility of living there full time. I have already lived in San Diego, the king of all vacation destinations, and I know what thats like. Did I truly want to re-visit that bullshit again? Then I learned that the population was the size of my little town in Oregon where I live now, for the whole country of Belize. That’s not so bad me thinks. And tourists are seasonal too.

So my decision was to spend a little over a week on Ambergris Caye, at of course a high dollar beachfront resort, but wait..it’s off season so rates not so bad. I’m also getting a break and some extras because I am also there on potential assignment for an article or two in International Living Magazine, including my photographs. Oh the life of a travel professional.

Home being built at Sanctuary

Home being built at Sanctuary

What I haven’t talked about is that we will first be in the southern part of Belize, Placencia for four days as guests of a new mega Expat Community, Sanctuary Belize. This community is in it’s early stages, with homes just being started. Over 500 lots have been sold this year, and I have a deposit on one with ocean view myself. They have finished construction of a major harbor and marina, with plans for an Equestrian Heaven for my horses, an everything you would want in a tropical heaven retirement community.

Wouldn't you want to see this every morning?

Wouldn’t you want to see this every morning?

So like I said, I’m taking a real good look at living the rest of my life in this paradise they call Belize.

Where is your “Dream Retirement Paradise”.

Happy Trails,

Gary

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Got Crabs???

Posted on July 10, 2013 by storiesbygary

There’s just something about All You Can Eat Crab on a hot afternoon, when they are serving chilled Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, two of my most appreciated white wines to accompany this scrumptious delight. This past weekend I had the pleasure as I have for the past seven or more years to attend just such an affair at Melrose Vineyards in Roseburg, Oregon.

St Francis Sauvignon Blanc

St Francis Sauvignon Blanc

Location, Location, Location. That’s what it’s all about. Their event center is an outside / inside without walls, shaded and park like location. It’s no wonder that so many young couples choose their winery for the weddings. With a meandering stream running along the backside, and vineyards surrounding the event center, as well as the very old barn, converted into a tasting room, what can I say, just frickin great.

Yep! It's Crab

Yep! It’s Crab

Now I will tell you that the crab is fresh, cold, and plentiful, and this event happens only once a year in July, so if your mouth is watering, hold that thought but keep the dates. If you are visiting the Pacific Northwest, you just might want to plan to visit this gem in the Douglas County wine region.

Now for that wine. Over time I have watched and sipped my way around the Melrose Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, and all of a sudden last year I saw a tremendous difference in the aroma and flavor coming from my glass. Can it be that when owner Wayne Parker sent his son Cody over to New Zealand to learn about making this wine, that he took good notes? I say he did. This Sauvignon Blanc will rival any New Zealand wine, being elegant, fresh, crisp, fruity, with a hint of white pepper.

That's what I'm talkin about!

That’s what I’m talkin about!

http://www.melrosevineyards.com

So get out and enjoy the weather, the wine and the good company in the world of wine.

Clink Clink,

 

Gary

 

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A Visit to the “Red Planet” for a Winery Music Event

Posted on July 3, 2013 by storiesbygary

If you follow my blogs you know that I am a huge proponent of supporting your local wineries, not only for their wines but also for the events they sponsor and have at their wineries. I travel throughout the Pacific Northwest to attend as many of these as I can, and always find it difficult to attend all that I would wish to. Recently I had the extreme pleasure of re-visiting one of my favorite wineries, as well as the couple that own it.

Music at Marsh Anne Landing Winery

Music at Marsh Anne Landing Winery

Marsh Anne Landing in Oakland, Oregon was opened by Greg and Fran Cramer in the late 1990’s, and today produces some of the finest Syrah and Rhone style wines I have tasted. During the past few years Greg has begun bottling one of my most favorite, if not the favorite un-oaked, stainless steel Chardonnay. It is no joke when I tell Greg that he needs to produce more, because when I run low in my wine cellar, my wife is not happy.

Now on to the event. The Cramer’s host musical events throughout the year, from classical, jazz, blues to an evening with “The King” Elvis himself. When the Cramer’s had their tasting room, event center, art gallery designed and built, it was done for its acoustics.

Awesome Sax Player

Awesome Sax Player

The event I attended on June 30th was performed by well known classical guitarist Craig Einhorn, accompanied by saxophone and bass guitar. Although classically trained, he is influenced by spending time in Argentina, and it was quite enjoyable. It’s not a large venue, as we comfortably seated about thirty attendees, each enjoying the mesmerizing sounds that these artists produced. We all of course accompanied the music with sips from our favorite Marsh Anne Landing wine. Before the event the Cramer’s produced a lovely spread of appetizers, including my favorite, shrimp and cocktail sauce. During the first break another offering of desserts, with again one of my all-time favorites, chocolate covered strawberries. Yummy!

I just can’t think of a much more enjoyable way to spend a hot summer afternoon, than in the company of such appreciative people, listening to fantastic artists, in air conditioning, sipping a spectacular chilled Chardonnay. There’s also a lot to be said to supporting a couple with a dream, to bring the classical arts of music to the Douglas County, Southern Oregon, country folk.

Guitarist Craig Einhorn

Guitarist Craig Einhorn

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, or ever find yourself traveling here, on the I-5 corridor of Oregon,  you should make a stop at this excellent winery. Visit them on line for wine or a good time, and their music event schedule. http://www.marshannelanding.com.

Please remember that these wineries don’t put on these events for money, but for the love of the arts and their wine sipping friends.

Cheers,

Gary

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It’s easy to sit on your ass and wait for a handout

Posted on June 26, 2013 by storiesbygary

It’s easy to sit on your ass and wait for a handout, or for some employer to discover you, or for your “Big Break” to fall in your lap. However, rarely does something like that happen, especially to me. My whole life I have made things happen, taken chances, gone out on a limb one might say.

There goes the job!

There goes the job!

Not that long ago, well OK, three years ago, when I realized my profession as a Real Estate Broker was entering the Crapper Zone, I could have sat around like all those sad  realtors of the world, paying fee’s and waiting for the phone to ring. Today they are either not realtors anymore, dead, or still waiting for the ring.

I decided to make a change in my life and get into something cool, the wine business. I almost had my pastures planted in Tempranillo grapes by one of the local successful wineries, but decided at the last fart to can that idea. Hell, I would be married to the land and never search out my dreams. Instead after much research and planning, I decided to become an e-Commerce businessman, by developing an on-line website for Oregon wines.

Lets grow Tempranillo!

Lets grow Tempranillo!

On my site I would offer select wines from area wineries, with extensive descriptions of their wines, wineries, events, etc. A wine blog was also in the making, and as I started creating partnerships with many week known wineries here in Oregon, I would IMO add their finest wines to the website. Tis business model opened many doors for me, and I started attending major wine events around the United States, and writing about them for my blogs. Then I started getting requests to write articles for other blogs and then magazines, both print as well as on-line magazines.

Before long, I found my wine gig had segwayed into a Freelance Writing gig.

keyboardmouse

Funny how things can morph themselves if you put some time and money into them. Within a short time, I found myself writing more and more articles for the travel industry, not just because I travel quite a bit, but also because I could write about travel and wine. Before long I found myself being contacted to write on just about anything, from surfing in Sumatra, Scuba Diving in Hawaii, Fly Fishing in New Zealand to renting an exotic Lamborghini in Europe.

Yes..I have surfed, dived, fly fished, and owned a Porsche, so the background was there.

UuuuLaLa! Sweet looking Porsche!

UuuuLaLa! Sweet looking Porsche!

I guess my moral to this story is that if you want to, you can take your past, present and dreams, and use them to create a brand new you. You may not make a fortune, at least not right away, but you can earn a living if you don’t sit on your ass and wait for it to arrive. I have re-invented myself at least fifteen times so far. I know for a fact that I would have been successful had I planted those grapes, but not as happy as I am right now.

So find your passion, dreams, and future because they are out there, waiting for you.

So endeth the lesson for the day,

Gary

PS- Here’s a link to the wine site, just to prove my point

http://www.awinetodiefor.com

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When I die, I will come back as a puppy!

Posted on June 21, 2013 by storiesbygary

Father’s Day 2013 found me in one of my happy places, of which I have many. This year, it was on one of my favorite golf courses, in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. My wife who is a regular golf partner, long term, as well as one of my early instructors, took me here for the day. However, we weren’t alone, as our newest edition to the family, Oliver tagged along.

Oliver enjoying the golf course with his Dad

Oliver enjoying the golf course with his Dad

I’m not sure just how many golfers would consider taking a dog golfing, never mind one only 12 weeks old, but we did. After all, Oliver is to be my travel dog, anywhere on the planet, so every experience is a good one for both of us.

So there we are, loading our clubs into the cart, and trying to find a good place to attach the flexible travel crate containing Oliver. We finally decide on the basket behind our heads, supported by our golf bags. Sweet. As we drove out to the first t-box, I heard little noises coming from the crate, and was thrilled to see the little guy looking around all excited.

Ahhhh..lunch arrives

Ahhhh..lunch arrives

Each time I exited the cart on my way to the white pins with my driver, I could see Oliver watching intently. He really seemed fascinated. I’m thinking that bringing this little guy with me was the right thing to do, not only for him, but myself as well. You see, if you own a dog, you know how they can relax you. This puppy totally relaxes me, so between every shot and I held him and talked to him, there was an effect which transferred to my clubs.

I had one of the best golf games I have had in a whole lot of years. A miracle for sure, after a few holes, my drives straightened out, increased distance by at least 70 yards, and I felt 20 years younger, like I used to play at Torrey Pines in Del Mar. That good.

photo-24

 

Oh, wait a minute. There is also one more factor, my wife. As usual, she saw some things in my stance at address of the little white ball to, and I made corrections based on her advice. Just in case she reads this, I want to give her the credit she deserves, so next year, maybe she will again take me golfing on the day.

Oliver watching over me, making sure I don't lie about my scorecard

Oliver watching over me, making sure I don’t lie about my scorecard

All in all, a delightful day on the course, followed by awesome steaks on the Traeger and a superior bottle of wine. I can hardly wait for next year..well actually I can.

Cheers all, hope your day was at least as much fun,

Gary

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Not asking you to support your local gunfighter!

Posted on June 18, 2013 by storiesbygary

With the arrival of great weather, something well appreciated here in Southern Oregon nearing the beginning of summer months, brings a slew of wine events to Oregon also. Not that I’m complaining, but I really have to make some heavy decisions as to which event I will attend this year, and which I can’t. Such a hard decision I assure you.

Wine Tasting at Abacela Winery

Wine Tasting at Abacela Winery

I’m firmly aware of this task as I sit here at my desk this morning, ready to confirm my attendance at the Melrose Vineyards Wine Club Appreciation Cookout this Saturday evening. Sounds superb doesn’t it? as it should. I really do my best to attend all the events at Melrose Vineyards, one of our local wineries, and also very good friends of mine. Their events are most excellent, and as for being Wine Club Members, they really take care of you. If you live in a winery area, you owe it to yourself to join a winery or ten, because their events are always well worth it.

I anticipate an excellent meal prepared by my good friend and owner, Wayne Parker, who not only owns and puts his blood sweat and tears into the wine business, but also is a damn fine cook too! On the agenda for us Wine Club Members is two different style pork ribs served with all the fixings. The wine will flow, and as always, theres a selection of hops available for those not into fine wine, but rather working on the ol’ beer gut.

Cody Parker, Melrose Vineyard Winemaker's "evil professors lab"

Cody Parker, Melrose Vineyard Winemaker’s “evil professors lab”

This is one of the finest wineries for entertainment in Southern Oregon, IMO of course. Coming up on July 7th for instance is just about the best all you can eat Crab Fest held there every year. Great wine, great fresh dungeness crab and great friends, hey! what else is there.

Now I’m not saying they are the only game in town, not by a long shot. Quite a few wineries in Douglas County offer events for holidays as well as for their wine club members. Abacela Vineyards and Winery is another most excellent winery with events that will blow you away, and their wines are the cats meow.  Henry’s Winery is not only one of the oldest wineries in Oregon, but produces fine wine and a great time.

A Melrose Vineyard event for Wine Club members

A Melrose Vineyard event for Wine Club members

So I’m not asking you to support your local gunfighter, but I am asking that you support your local wineries. There’s nothing quite like home grown, U.S. products, and not many make you feel as good as wines produced in this great country of ours.

What a lead in for the 4th ? 🙂

Cheers all,

Gary

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You will see the endless possibilities

Posted on June 11, 2013 by storiesbygary

Anyone who has experienced opening day fishing knows the feeling of not being able to sleep in anticipation of what morning brings. It seemed as though I had slept only an hour or two when I awoke at 6 AM in my log home in Montana, rented via VRBO. As I rushed downstairs to make a pot of coffee I was thinking to myself, was the day ahead on the Bitterroot River with guide Kurt Long of Grizzly Hackle Guides to be the greatest?

They fish from rubber rafts!

They fish from rubber rafts!

Kurt was recommended to me by my fishing guide and friend in Bend Oregon Damien Nurre. He told me that Kurt was the best in all Montana, and just a crazy guy, which fits the description of most fishing guides I have experienced. As the day progressed, I found that Damien was correct, on both counts. Kurt Long who guides for the Grizzly Hackle in Missoula is the guy you want if you want to fly fish the famous waters of the area. I have made a friend for life.

Morning coffee on the deck before our day of fishing

Morning coffee on the deck before our day of fishing

Now back to the story. My wife Marsha and I packed up our fishing gear, and our ten week old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Oliver, and left the cabin we had rented on the Rock Creek. We arrived at 9 AM at the Hackle where we met Kurt. First expression..not impressed. Here’s my guide, in flip flops, old shorts and shirt, and shades to cover the red eye I’m sure was beneath. Oh well, time would tell I guess. Then I remembered my guide of 15 years in Alaska on the Kenai River, Kyle. I usually have to wake him up in his old trailer and feed him coffee to nudge him back to reality from the bars the night before. But my fishing is always excellent with Kyle, because he’s the best on the river.

We're going fishing in what?

We’re going fishing in what?

So off we go to load our gear into the drift boat, when what to my dismay, I find we will be fishing in a smaller rubber raft fishing boat. Crap! what will we do with all our gear, and then there’s Oliver in his special kennel. As we begin situating everything, Kurt assures we will be fine, and then he spots my gear, and comments on how usually clients have not so good equipment. He admires my Orvis and custom RL Winston rods, and I begin to feel a successful day ahead.

 

When we get to the Bitterroot River to launch and start our day, I watch as Kurt secures Oliver’s travel kennel to the seat next to him. He tells us not to worry, he will take good care of the little guy. For the next nine hours we traveled a good portion of the Bitterroot, catching an abundance of trout, some excellent in size. Of course, as responsible fly fishermen and woman, we always catch and release.

One of the beauties we caught

One of the beauties we caught

The moral of this story is that everyone needs to go out and do something in nature, see the beauty, and live life. You may not be a fly fisherman or woman, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Guides work with you and gracefully show you how to catch fish, and you don’t even have to handle them, he or she will. The fact is  that my wife Marsha only fly fished once before and that was with Kyle once in Alaska, but by te end of this day, she was casting like an expert..almost.

So get out there, explore the opportunities, try scuba diving, skiing, surfing, fishing, or any activity that you have never done before. You will see the endless possibilities.

And yes, at the end of the day, this was our reward.

An end to a perfect day on the river

An end to a perfect day on the river

Clink Clink,

Gary

Posted in Cavalier King Charles, dogs, fly fishing, Montana, travel, travel with dogs, Uncategorized, wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fish On! A week on the famous trout waters of Montana!

Posted on June 4, 2013 by storiesbygary

My travel adventures have just taken a whole new dimension, with the addition of my newest travel companion, Oliver. Oliver is a 10 week old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who will be traveling with me on my adventures around the globe. A few days ago I started a trip which will take Oliver and I to 7 states in the West.

Oliver, just 5 weeks old

Oliver, just 5 weeks old

We started with 2 days in Portland Oregon, traveling from there to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho for a night before continuing on to a main destination, Missoula, Montana. Oliver was very interested in historic and spectacular sights, like the Manolla Falls along the Columbia Gorge Highway.

The Falls

The Falls

After leaving the state of Washington we arrived in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and spent the evening there. In the morning, with excitement on the tip of our imagination, we proceeded on to Montana. Our destination there was just outside of Missoula on a world famous trout fly fishing stream, Rock Creek. We had rented a private log home overlooking the river. This would be a great place to catch up on some of my writing, as well as my fly fishing.

Arriving at our destination I was ecstatic at the beauty of the area. As I drove along the river to the cabin located 12 miles off the highway along the river, I found distractions galore. At thirty miles an hour, it was quite easy to look at possible fishing spots, while being told to keep my eyes on the road by my wife.

Our Log Home on the Rock Creek, MT

Our Log Home on the Rock Creek, MT

After a quick examine of the log home in all our excitement, we finally got the car unpacked and proceeded to the upper deck for a glass of one of our favorite wines, a St. Francis Sauvignon Blanc that I had in the cooler. How fitting a way to start this 2 week adventure, but with a cool summertime wine, in 70 degree sunshine, on a beautiful river.

St Francis Sauvignon Blanc

St Francis Sauvignon Blanc

As the afternoon progressed, Rock Creek beckoned me and alas, I gave into it’s enticement and grabbed my custom R.L. Winston fly rod and an assortment of trout flies, and headed into it’s arms.

Gary Fly Fishing on Rock Creek, Montana

Gary Fly Fishing on Rock Creek, Montana

Although I didn’t catch (or release) and trout my first afternoon, the next day was a whole different story. Stay tuned for my next blog, a day on the Bitterroot River with probably the best guide in Montana.

Fish On!

Gary

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Gary’s quick guide to wine and food pairing..

Posted on May 21, 2013 by storiesbygary

photo

Choices in the Sparkling Wine section

This is an easy selection, as in my opinion sparkling wine and Champagne pairs with just about every meal. My favorite is fresh shrimp with a nice hot cocktail sauce, on a upper level deck overlooking a sunset on a beautiful beach.. with the keeper of my heart.

Your only real decisions is price, and if you are choosing blush or not.

Champagne and Sparkling's Oh My!

Champagne and Sparkling’s
Oh My!

Choices in the Red Wine section 

Cabernet Sauvignon: This full-bodied red is most often paired with red meat, steaks to be more specific, and lets face it, a great cabernet is heaven with that slab of Prime Rib. However, it will also pair quite well with any beef, goose, duck, lamb, pheasant, or even a roast chicken. And, lets not forget to grace the table with a great Cabernet Sauvignon with that red pasta dish too.

 

Syrah: This big, bold stick to your teeth red also pairs well with beef steaks, roasts, brisket, venison, lamb.

 

Tempranillo: Most usually associated with Spain, but over the past few years produced in the U.S. primarily in Oregon, this lovely medium bodied red brings smiles to every table. Serve it with a cheese dish like Manchego as an appetizer, or with any lamb, veal, red pasta, or veal dish, or even with a marinated beef dish like strips on the barbeque.

It's a tough job, but damn ! somebody has choose !

It’s a tough job, but damn ! somebody has choose !

 

Zinfandel: A full-bodied wine developed in Europe, but perfected in Northern California, specifically the Sonoma County. When you hear the term “jammy” this is the wine they are talking about, giving you that juicy mouth and lots of flavor. It’s also the wine that keeps you serious, because a smile just might reveal purple teeth.

Serve this beauty with almost any barbeque meats, especially those ribs, and it will even boost the flavor scheme of you basic hamburger, pork chops and ribs, chicken and lamb. By now you can see that any excuse can bring a bottle of this red to your table, from Mexican dishes, spicy food to even pizza night.

 

Merlot: This is a wine that works well with or without food, but with food excels your taste buds. It doesn’t pack the punch that Cabernet Sauvignon has with tannin, yet works well with many meat dishes too. This medium bodied softer red complements any lamb dish and not being as heavy will pair smoothly with wild game dishes. You might not think of it, but this wine will pair well with spicy dishes, like Thai or Mexican, Red Sauce Pasta dishes, ribs, duck, pork and chicken and turkey. Get the picture yet? It will pair with almost anything.

 

Malbec:  The featured wine of Argentina, and the Mendoza Region this big powerhouse red exhibits the jammy palate, and brings all your senses to the party. As far as pairing with food, lets start with the classic barbeque chicken with lots of sauce, divine. If you are in Spain, or love the foods, then prepare some fresh empanadas with this wine. Prepare you steaks, chicken or pork dishes, and serve Malbec with it and become a star.

Sangiovese: This is a medium bodied red with some good tannin to it, and therefore pairs quite well with beef dishes, red pasta dishes, chicken and duck. If you are serving as a snack or before dinner, it will complement goat, chevre and brie cheeses.

 

Grenache: You will discover that this wine is full-bodied, yet soft and can be powerful at times. It pairs well with many Bistro dishes, Portuguese and Spanish dishes, or with most barbequed meats.

 

Gamay: Pair this wine with ham, chicken or duck, pork roast, or for the English Nobleman out there, maybe a shepherds pie.

 

Choices in the White Wine section 

Chardonnay: A very popular white wine, and choice of many connoisseurs as well as the novice, the food choices are many, however with the influx of un-oaked Chardonnay created in stainless steel vats, there are more choices even. The wines that present that buttery oaky flavor to the palate pair oh so well with shellfish draped in butter, or roast chicken, lobster, sea bass or any white meat dish prepared with crème sauce. However the clean crisp and refreshing palate received with a un-oaked Chardonnay pairs oh so well with many shrimp dishes, and lets not forget fresh halibut.

 

Viognier: This wine will dance on your palate with a full bodies yet low acid presentation, that will complement creamy dishes, Asian flavors, and the richness of shellfish, especially lobster, scallops and Dungeness crab, fresh of course.

 

Riesling: When you think of Riesling, you must visualize a wine that can pair with almost anything, or nothing at all. It’s light fruit, mineral and acidity merge on your palate, and you fall in love with the wine with every taste. Sip this wonderful wine with Sushi, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, veal, pork or especially fresh crab

Smoked Turkey and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Smoked Turkey and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

 

Sauvignon Blanc: Exhibiting different flavor patterns when tasting this wine created in Europe, the United States or New Zealand, interesting enough, they will all pair quite well with the same basic food choices. As a pleasant crisp white wine, you can well expect it to pair with white fish and shellfish like oysters, and it does. However, don’t neglect your lamb, pork or chicken on the grill, because this varietal will make it pop. Another pairing not usually thought of is pairing Sauvignon Blanc with crème pastas and maybe a herbed risotto.

 

Gewürztraminer: Not only is this wine a mouthful to pronounce, it is a full-bodied wine on you palate also. Most often thought of when one thinks of spicy Asian dishes, this wine also pairs quite well in the curry dishes with chicken, scallops and shrimp. If you decide to fire up the smoker and prepare a “beer can chicken” then this is your wine. Other pairings that work quite well, smoked salmon, sushi, lobster, and any roasted game bird.

 

 

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Busted! There I am, drinking at the bar again!

Posted on May 20, 2013 by storiesbygary
Who is that guy without a glass down there? ;-))

Who is that guy without a glass down there? ;-))

As a travel and wine writer, my destinations can involve wine events and various interesting facts and attractions in the area as well as restaurant reviews. Often my articles are just on the travel location with nothing to do with wine, although I have to admit, I can usually incorporate wine into them. Most often I take hundreds of photo’s for use with the article or future articles as the case arrives. My goal is to always include the human element in my articles, especially with photos to complement the article itself.

Stardate 2013, a text comes beeping into my handheld communicator, with a picture from one of those paper communicators called a magazine from years ago. Behold, theres a photo of a beverage tasting room, appears alcoholic along with energy consumption units, and holy pelicans! there I am at the consumption table, with my wife ordering a glass of dark red pleasure juice called Pinot Noir!

The publication is Discover Yamhill Valley, featuring Wine, Dine,Travel and Events in the Willamette Valley Wine Country. The piece was an article by an Oregon Wine Press writer, about how what to wear, how to taste, and general “rules” about visiting wineries in general. The publication itself is an excellent guide for the area, covering all events, where to go, what to see, and where to stay.

I’m kind of honored to have my photo in this publication because its an annual thing, even though my name isn’t mentioned, I know who I am. For my readers, I’m the only sipper without a glass, yet. As memory has it, that was taken care of in short order, and lasted quite a while.

To get your own copy of this most excellent guide, contact the McMinnville Oregon Chamber of Commerce, or call 800-472-1198

Cheers all,

Gary

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