Apr 2 – Sriracha Cookbook, NWIWC, Cht Julien Pinot Gris

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Guy

SrirachaMy first guest is chef/author Randy Clemenswith his new cookbook devoted to Sriracha, the underground king of condiments, filled with 50 unique recipes that highlight the bold, savory punch of this addictively spicy chili sauce.

Named Bon Appétit’s Ingredient of the Year in 2010, Sriracha is one of the few ingredients adored by adventurous cooks of all stripes—from star chefs like Jean-Georges Vongerichten to college freshmen—who appreciate its vibrant, versatile balance of ketchup-like sweetness, garlicky pungency, and just the right amount of spice. Sriracha adds depth and an intriguing twist to recipes such as Honey-Sriracha Glazed Buffalo Wings, Bacon-Sriracha Cornbread, and the fiery, but refreshing, Srirachelada. Whether they’re die-hard fans or have recently discovered the revered “rooster sauce,” readers will love learning the backstory to their favorite condiment and incorporating Sriracha into their cooking repertoire as more than just a tableside squeeze.   Get a copy now!  Buy The Sriracha Cookbook on Amazon 

nwiwclogoThen it’s all about The 2011 Jerry Mead
New World International Wine Competition.

Wine maker extraordinare and fellow judge at NWIWC Scott Harvey joins me to talk about this years judging, highlight some of the winners available locally and talk about Jurie judged wine competitions in general. www.nwiwc.com

We’ll finish up with Chateau Julien proprietor Bobby Brower.  Bobby and I will tell you all about his visit to Wichita for the Midwest Winefest, the dinner at the Gas Lamp Grille and the wines from Cht Julien.

cht julien pgrigioGood Life Guy’s Wine of the Week: 
2009 Chateau Julien Barrel Aged Pinot Grigio
A nice crisp acidity complements fresh aromas of honeydew melon, peaches and green apple. This lighter style wine holds a full mouth feel texture and soft lingering finish.

www.chateaujulien.com

Check out this video with Chateau Julien’s Bobby & Robert Brower

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Mar 26 – Terry Theise; The Man, The Myth, The Legend!

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Guy

My guest this week is James Beard award winning importer, and now author Terry Theise.

Terry Theise photoThe Man, the Myth, the Legend! If it is true that the road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom, Terry Theise has been there and back. A brief perusal of his writing makes it quickly apparent that the man has no reservations about conveying his thoughts and feelings on wine, life, sex, philosophy and general cosmology. In Terry’s world, it’s all inter-related.

reading betwn winesTerry is responsible for bringing some of the finest wines available from; Germany, Austria and the Champage region of France – to wine drinkers in America.  And now with his new book “Reading Between the Wines” he is bringing his wit and wine views to wine consumers everywhere.  Long known for his top-notch portfolio and his illustrious writing, Terry now offers this opinionated, idiosyncratic, and beautifully written testament to wine. What constitutes beauty in wine, and how do we appreciate it? What role does wine play in a soulful, sensual life? Can wines of place survive in a world of globalized styles and 100-point scoring systems? In his highly approachable style, Theise describes how wine can be a portal to aesthetic, emotional, even mystical experience–and he frankly asserts that these experiences are most likely to be inspired by wines from artisan producers. Along the way, Theise tells us a little about how he got where he is today, explores the meaning of wine in the lives of vintners he has known, and praises particular grape varieties. Reading between the Wines is a passionate tribute to wine–and to what it can say to us once we learn to listen!

The Theise Manifesto:
Beauty is more important than impact.
Harmony is more important than intensity.
The whole of any wine must always be more than the sum of its parts.
Distinctiveness is more important than conventional prettiness.
Soul is more important than anything, and soul is expressed as a trinity of family, soil, and artisanality.

The entire show is devoted to Terry, the book and WINE…an hour wasn’t enough. 

Good Life Guy’s Wines of the Week:
Three great products imported by Michael Skurnik wines from the portfolio of Terry Thiese

  • NV Pierre Peters Grower Champagne-Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
  • 2008 Hirsch #1 Gruner Veltliner
  • 2007 Selbach-Oster Zeltlinger Sonnenuhr, Riesling Kabinett

Learn more about Terry, checkout his blog and many articles, and discover the above wines and more.

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Mar 19 – Home Design & Justin Vineyards

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Guy

My first guest is renowned designer Stephen Saint-Onge.  Stephen has a very real sense of what everyday families want and need from their homes. As a father, husband, and homeowner, he knows that a home needs to do more than look nice to function for a family.

noplacelikehomeMixing traditional American style with modern comfort and convenience, No Place Like Home walks you through Stephen’s tried-and-true process for finding design inspiration in unconventional places—like films that may spark an idea or conversation about a style that you’re drawn to—and guiding you to build a personal “Look Book” that helps you define your unique wants and needs. Drawn from his varied experiences from the many room makeovers he’s done on television and in magazines, as well as the work he’s done with private clients in their real-life homes, his hands-on design knowledge and time-saving tips empower anyone to live by his credo that “good home design has the power to change lives.”

More than just beautiful photographs, No Place Like Home is a useful tool for anyone looking for creative direction on making a home truly livable and inviting. The first section helps you approach design by defining your style and determining your goals and budget; introduces creative tools and tricks that can have a big impact on a room; and educates you on various materials, furnishings, and accessories. The second section walks you through each room of the home, revealing secrets that Stephen has discovered in working with hundreds of families through the years. It includes not just living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, but also home offices, kids’ rooms, and multipurpose spaces.

Full of creative advice, design tips, and renovation ideas, No Place Like Home shows real families how to create beautiful spaces that work in the real world.

Then it’s Master Somielier Joe Spellman representing Justin Vineyards and Winery.  Justin is one of the wineries that will be featured at this years Midwest Winefest AIWF winemaker dinners.  See the menu and learn more at; www.midwestwinefest.com

justin bottles

JUSTIN Winery is a family owned and operated winery making estate grown and produced wines. The property was founded in 1981 by Justin and Deborah Baldwin when they planted their 160 acre property to the major Bordeaux varietals and created their Estate vineyard.

The winery is located in the Paso Robles appellation of California’s Central Coast. The region’s first grapes were planted in 1779 by Franciscan missionaries and today are home to the third highest concentration of wineries in the United States.

Their desire is to make world class wines that reflect the unique soils and climate of their California Central Coast property. Emphasis is placed on making Bordeaux-style blends and single varietals, combining Old World tradition with New World techniques.

Justin Mission Statement: “To belong in the company of the finest wines in the world.”

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:  The Wines of Justin

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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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