Mar 12 – Dusted Valley & Boomtown wines

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Guy

My guest this week is Chad Johnson of Dusted Valley and Boomtown, two great Washington labels.  www.dustedvalley.com

dustedvalley logoChad Johnson is a little bit of what we call a “late bloomer.” After graduating from high school and subsequently being kicked out of college (twice), he headed out to California to live a vagabond lifestyle. Working in the hospitality industry, he gained an appreciation and then a passion for the wonders of food and wine. It soon became clear that it was time to wander to a university and get a degree. He returned to his Wisconsin roots, attended UW-Stout and studied Food Science and Chemistry. 10 years and four institutes of higher learning later, he finally graduated with 172 credits and a BS. While attending college he met and fell in love with his beautiful bride Janet. Chad subsequently worked in the bakery and pork industries specializing in quality control and research and development before shifting careers into sales for a Fortune 50 pharmaceutical firm.

Chad’s wife Janet brings home the bacon and is the only one left in corporate America. Janet, we feel your pain. They are also proud parents of the tasting room Schnoodles, Caesar and Cleo.

Dusted Valley was founded on the notion that when family pulls together the American Dream can turn into a living reality. Hey, we’re just a proud bunch of farm-raised Wisconsin Cheese-heads, and what goes well with cheese? You guessed it – wine. It’s all about the wine…

We don’t exactly remember when the idea of Dusted Valley came about. We’ve all had many inspiring experiences with wine and wonderful food, surrounded by incredible friends and family. We’re sure you can think of a few times that this fermented pleasure represented a little taste of heaven. Thus began the quest for the best fruit and estate vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley and beyond.

So, in 2003 the Braunel and Johnson families moved to Walla Walla and became the 52nd winery to “hang the shingle” and call Walla Walla Valley home. Today, our family is producing spectacular wines from its 4,000 case operation. We are vineyard focused and farm four diverse vineyards totaling nearly 100 acres in the Walla Walla Valley. In addition, Dusted Valley has begun a unique barrel project using extra-tight-grained Wisconsin Oak harvested from the very land we grew up around!

The Good Life Guy Wine of the Week:
It’s all about Dusted Valley and Boomtown

boomtown logo
Pickup some of each at Jacob Liquor on N. Rock Road and Join us!

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Mar 5 – History & Mystery of Wine

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Guy

This week I’ll be telling you all about a great event next Tuesday March 8th at the Airport Hilton.  It’s a night of Education, Sophistication & Celebration that benifits Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre and yours truly will be the wine host for the evening.  

Tuesday, March 8, Hilton Wichita Airport
“The History & Mystery of Wine Presentation” – 5:30 p.m.
Wines of Louis M. Martini Wine Dinner – 6:30 p.m.
Cost • $95 • Seating Limited
Learn more about this event and make reservations NOW!

dr engelFirst up is Dr. Elliot Engel with an interesting and fun look at the  History & Mystery of wine, the topic he will be presenting at the Hilton on March 8th.  Dr. Engel is a renowned author and lecturer who has thousands of fans world-wide who are professed lovers of literature, humor, and enlightening entertainment.  

In the second half Michael Martini, winemaker and proprietor of Louis Martini winery will be joining me to talk about this storied and historical family winery, the vineyards and wines he produces and the wines that will be served at the Orpheum event March 8th. 

Mike MartiniMike Martini grew up in his father and grandfather’s vineyards, learning first-hand what it takes to make world-class wines. When he wasn’t in school in rural St. Helena, he was working at the winery, or out riding horses. Today, St. Helena has grown up, and Mike rides a motorcycle, but he still gets up every day to make Cabernet Sauvignon that will make his family proud.  A graduate of the world-renowned winemaking program at U.C. Davis, Mike worked alongside his father before taking over the reins as winemaker in 1977. He continues to develop his own strong personal style, creating wines that are balanced, complex, and well-suited to accompany foods.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:

Louis M. Martini 2007 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
l martini alex cab label90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc from the Alexander Valley aged for 16 months in new and used French, American and Hungarian oak barrels with a mixture of medium and medium plus toasting levels to add flavor and complexity.    Dark ruby color with opulent aromas and flavors of dried cherries, tobacco, leather, cedar, and vanilla. The layers and intensity of flavors evolve into a plush, lingering finish with velvety tannins.

We’ll also be tasting and talking about the other Martini wines served at the event dinner March 8th, which include; the Sonoma, Napa and Monte Rosso Cabernets!

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Feb 26 – Pre-empted This Week

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Guy

DANG!  No show this week, but I’ll be back with more food, wine and fun in March 🙂

Tune in to KNSS 1330 for Live WSU Shocker Basketball coverage

The Good Life Wine of the Week;
2008 Sebastiani Unoaked Chardonnay

sebastiani chardThis wine has a beautiful light golden color. The 2008 version shows clove-like spice, green apple and minerality, true to the Chardonnay varietal. Although not overly rich, it has more complexity and texture than most unoaked versions thanks to low yielding Chardonnay vines grown in Russian River Valley. Enjoy with your favorite appetizers at the start of the meal or with sautéed white fish and shrimp salads!  Critical acclaim: “Pale gold hue. Forward aromas of orange blossom and banana peel. Creamy flavors of peach and vanilla with a crisp, lively edge of orange zest. Lengthy, well-structured finish with a defined mineral influence.”  90 Points – The Wine News

Click here to see Guy’s video review

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Feb 19 – This Week’s Show

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Guy

Come join me at the Woman’s Fair Friday for the Ladies Night wine tasting and Saturday from Noon-1:00 p.m. for the LIVE broadcast

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Friday February 18, 5:30 p.m. – I’ll be doing a Wine Seminar and Tasting at the cooking stage.  It’s titled “Hard to pronounce, Easy to Love – Unusual grapes that make great wine!”  I’ll tell you all about 5 great global new-world wines and we’ll taste them together.  The wines to be tasted:
 

  • NV LaMarca Prosecco – Italy
  • 2009 Höpler Grüner Veltliner – Austria 
  • 2009 Yasa Old Vines Macabeo – Calatayud Spain
  • 2009 Gysler Silvaner Halbtrocken – Rheingau/Rheinhessen  Germany
  • 2009 Fetzer Gewürztraminer – California

This tasting is FREE with the cost of your admission.  All wines served are available at Jacob Liquor Exchange, Rock & 29th St., Some are available by the glass at Century-II throughout the weekend!

Layout 1Saturday’s LIVE broadcast from the KNSS booth will feature many of the food related vendors and what they will be doing at this years Women’s Fair. I’ll be talking to Chris Brown about all the festivities going on this weekend and to some of the chefs who will be doing cooking demostartions at the cooking stage.

Good LIfe Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Something special for the Women’s Fair 🙂

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Feb 12 – Mr. Sunday’s Soups, FOODILY.com, Elicio Grenache/Merlot

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Guy

My guest this week is Lorraine Wallace with her new book Mr. Sunday’s Soup

mr-sundays-soup-bookcover-1Known to millions as the anchor of Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace-“Mr. Sunday”-is one of the most popular news show hosts in the country. After a long day on air, Chris would often arrive home hungry and delight at the sight of a big pot of his wife Lorraine’s soup on the burner. Lorraine may not be a professional cook, but you wouldn’t know it from her soups!  In fact, her soups were so good that Chris couldn’t help but rave about them on-air. Before long, the show’s fans were begging him to share his wife’s wonderful recipes. Now, in Mr. Sunday’s Soups, Lorraine Wallace shares a wide variety of soups that are sure to please.

  • Includes 78 recipes and 40 beautiful full-color photographs
  • With recipes such as Tortellini Meatball, Cuban Black Bean, and many more
  • The perfect cookbook for fans of Fox News Sunday and great soups in general
  • Features a Foreword by Chris Wallace.  www.mrssunday.com

Perfect as comfort food at the end of a long day at the office or the studio, these satisfying soups offer simple, wholesome solutions to the dinner doldrums. 
Get your copy today!

iblogforfood_125In the second half I’ll tell you about a nifty new web site that provides a one-stop search for recipes from all over the web.  “Food I Love You” or FOODILY is destined to be a favorite for any who likes to cook and try new and creative recipes.  Check it out at www.foodily.com

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week: From France…
Elicio Grenache & Merlot Vin de Pays de Mediteranée 2009

elicio-vrsmallThis wine is made from a careful selection of young vines growing on chalky and clay soils in the Southeast of the Rhone Valley. Aged in concrete tanks 8 months with temperature controlled fermentation. This fulfilling wine evokes the warm and fruity flavors of its sunny region. A young wine, packed with fresh notes of cherry,strawberry, and raspberry wrapped up in a tornado of intense flavors and soft white and black spices. Round, very fruit forward, this extreme value wine can be enjoyed with your everyday meals or by itself.
A 50/50 blend of Grenache & Merlot – Elicio, simply delicious!

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