Taster's Delight...

Hubby and I took advantage of a professional conference in Napa

to get away and spend a great weekend being foodies

for our 6th Anniversary.

I, of course, took pictures and am sharing all of

the wines that we enjoyed...

Not just to share with you... because they were YUMMY

and I highly recommend them,

but also so that next time we are in Napa, 

we can stop and visit the wineries,

and I'll already have a list... 

and, now, so will you...

To begin:

We celebrated our anniversary dinner at

Napa Valley Bistro

From the minute we walked in, we were treated like family.

We toasted with a Domaine Carneros Brut to start

which paired well with the 

Bosc Pear and Brie Cheese Flatbread we were served.

We both opted for the specials, and I took advantage

of the special occasion and ordered the ribeye...

Moist, tender, covered in mushrooms, a luscious deglaze sauce

and these blue cheese layered potatoes (mandolin cut a la Lutece) which were

so good... 

I paired my steak with a Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon,

and hubby paired his seafood delight with a Meiomi Pinot Noir.

The dessert wine was a Merryvale Antigua Muscat which I enjoyed

with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream.

On our way home, we stopped at

Rustic located at the Coppola Winery.

Hubby had the Chicken Mattone which 

he paired with a Director's Cut Pinot Noir...

And, I had the Gateau de Pommes which

I paired with a Reserve Viogner...

Of course, I didn't mention breakfast...

This delicious chicken and waffles from

Napa Valley Biscuits

can only be paired with their

Death-by-Chocolate milk served in a Mason Jar...

OMG...!

There went all my allowed cheating for the month...!

Bon Appetit!

Day 20 - Felt Good on My Lips

Since we moved to NorCal, we've spent a lot of time in the Wine Country.

We're only about 3 1/2 hours north of Sonoma County,

and from there it's a short drive to Napa.

We became members of the Coppola Winery

and have been getting wine shipments.

It gives us an opportunity to try new wines

and learn to refine our palate.

Of course, we've also gotten familiar with a lot of other wineries

in the Napa Valley...

My husband and I have had several discussions about the price of wines.

He's asked how could one wine possibly be worth

more than another of a similar vintage.

Is it the label?  

Is the taste really that different between 

a $100 bottle and a $20 bottle.

Then I tried these...

We had a wine and mushroom party at our home

a couple of weeks ago, and one of my guests who is a 

wine aficionado, brought these to share.

The one on the left was a red, 

very "loamy" with currant undertones.

The one on the right was a white,

deep yellow in color and sweet like a brandy.

Both tasted as good and amazing as could be

for about ...um... a $$$ a bottle.

My husband tasted them too...

and he agreed,

there really is a difference...

And, you have to taste a lot of different bottles

to appreciate it... 

 No fear, this is the collection after the party...

and, a good time was had by all...!