Archive January 26, 2007

Let’s Get Happy

It’s almost the end of January, and I’m still coming up with resolutions for myself (like the 50 I still have aren’t enough!). My favorite resolution is to provide you, my fabulous readers, with new and exciting ways to enjoy wine. So I’ve decided that the last Friday of every month, I'll provide you with a Do-It-Yourself Home Happy Hour kit. I'll recommend something fabulous to sip and a scrumptious easy appetizer you can make yourself.

You’re not a cook? Not a problem. If I can do this, anyone can. And, what is the worst that can happen? On the off chance your dish flops, you’ve still got the wine. So throw away the stale pretzels you’ve been serving to your friends, and give this a try! I promise you’ll love it. And if you don’t, I’ll eat it. Just don’t run out of wine.

Drink these:
2004 Estate Eberle Cabernet Sauvignon: This Cabernet is amazingly smooth and soft with mellow tannins. You may taste black currant, cherry and a touch of mocha. It’s a wine that is fantastic alone but pairs well with lots of foods. ($28-32)

2005 Estate Eberle Chardonnay: This wine is like a cool breeze on a spring day. It’s crisp, light and has just a hint of tropical fruits, green apple and oak. The freshness will enhance just about any light dish. This Chardonnay is very drinkable, especially for the price. ($14-18)

Serve this:
Herb Coated Baked Goat Cheese
1 - Baguette sliced
3 - Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 - Tbsp finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 - tsp finely chopped fresh thyme
2 - tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
salt & fresh ground black pepper
1 - log soft fresh goat cheese

Chop up all the fresh herbs as fine as you can or dump them into a food processor. Place the goat cheese log in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Then coat with the herbs. Sprinkle with salt & pepper and place into a 375 degree oven for 15 minutes. Remove and drizzle a little more extra virgin olive oil and serve with the sliced Baguette. You can garnish with some of the leftover fresh herbs!

Either of these Eberle wines (my favorite Paso Robles vineyard) will pair perfectly with your fabulous hot appetizer. So there you have it: your very own Home Happy Hour is set. My job here is done! Let me know how it turns out.

Cheers!

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