Sept 18 – Capitol Hill Cooks & Jordan Winery

First up is Linda Bauer, author of “Capitol Hill Cooks – Recipes from the White House, Congress and all the past Presidents”
capitol hill cooksWith love of great cuisine and the bounty of our nation evident throughout this book, Capitol Hill Cooks contains recipes from members of Congress, as well as every president from George Washington (Cranberry Pudding) to Abraham Lincoln (Mary Todd Lincoln’s Vanilla Almond Cake) to Barack Obama (The Obama Family’s Linguini). Taste Vice President Biden’s Kahlua Chocolate Fudge Cake, Senator Charles Grassley’s Bacon and Bean Chowder, or Senator Scott Brown’s Italian Soup, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s Minnesota Rhubarb Dessert or Congressman Ron Paul’s Texas Sweeties…and hundreds more. Many contributors to this book even include notes about their ethnic backgrounds, favorite indigenous foods, and fond memories of meals shared with others.

Then it’s out to California and The Alexander Valley for a chat with John Jordan CEO of Jordan Winery.

Founded in 1972, Jordan Vineyard & Winery has been dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and hospitality since its founding by Tom and Sally Jordan.  Under the guidance of their son, John, Jordan continues to elevate its pursuit of excellence in every aspect of the business, striving to place in balance the complexities of winegrowing, the artistry of the cellar and the joys of the table.

Always one of my favorites since first doing a live broadcast from Jordan in 1989 with winemaker Rob Davis.  Rob has been making wine at Jordan since the first vintage and has the rare distinction of  overseeing 35 harvests at the same winery.  This French Chateau seems like it was airlifted in and set down on some of the finest grape growing acerage in California.   I look forward to talking to John and catching up and sharing with you all the changes and progress at Jordan Vineyard and Winery.

Good Life Guy’s Wines of the Week:
Jordan-Chardonnay-07-front-label-low  Jordan-Cabernet-06-front-label-thumb

2007 Jordan Russian river Chardonnay
2006 Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet

Video Wine of The Week

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sept 11 – Mindi Abair & Over The Edge Pinot Noir

mindi abairA little different Good Life this week as I’ll be talking to one of my favorite Smooth Jazz sax players, Mindi Abair.  Mindi has an interesting background in music and is one of the hardest working musicians around.  If you caught her and the band this spring at Bradley Fair outdoor concert series you know what I mean. 

Saxophonist/Singer/Songwriter Mindi Abair has not only set sonic trends, but has broken all the boundaries as she continues to define the less traditional future of jazz. Her own brand of pop meets jazz adds a refreshingly unique voice to an exciting new generation of crossover artists who are, like her, powerful instrumentalists as well as thought-provoking singer/songwriters. This Florida raised, Los Angeles-based performer’s unique hybrid sound ….a mix of cool vulnerability and utter conviction …have brought her to the top of her game. She tours with her own band to sold out audiences worldwide, hosts a popular nationally syndicated radio show “Chill With Mindi Abair”, and the list of artists she has toured or recorded with are a testament to her talent. They include the Backstreet Boys, Duran Duran, Mandy Moore, Josh Groban, Adam Sandler, Keb’ Mo’, Lalah Hathaway, Lee Ritenour, Teena Marie, John Tesh, Bobby Lyle, Jonathan Butler, Peter White and Rick Braun.   Learn more about at www.mindiabairlcom

We’ll be playing a few of my favorites from several of Mindi’s albums!

In the second half I’ll be telling you all about several fun events happening Saturday and in the near future:
* Green Acres Market “17th Annual Tasting Fair” – Today 11-3:00 p.m.
*”Isle of Iguana – Zoobilee 2010″ – Tonight 6-midnight
*”Old Cowtown Wine Mosey” Sunday Sept 12 5-8:00 p.m.
* Watermark books hosting of author Jeannette Walls reading & signing at the Orpheum, Sept. 15, 7:00 p.m.

Then it’s Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2009 Over The Edge Pinot Noir – Martinborough New Zealand
over the edge pinot noir 09100% Martinborough Pinot Noir, grown on the alluvial gravel terraces for which the district has become famous.

The season was exceptionally warm allowing high quality, fully ripe fruit to be harvested early with brilliant ripe cherry/plum flavours. A full-bodied style with great backbone and a long lingering finish. An immediately accessible wine, which will improve over the next 2 years. Enjoy with full flavoured fish dishes, lamb or vegetarian dishes.

Video Wine of the Week

Posted in Other | Leave a comment

Sept 4 – Chef Paul Yellin and “Infusion”

This week I’ll be talking to Chef Paul Yellin about his culinary career, Rum, Barbados and his cookbook…

InfusionRaised in Barbados, Paul Yellin is a highly acclaimed chef and author of the popular rum cookbook Infusion! Spirited Cooking with Paul Yellin a work sponsored by Mount Gay Rum to celebrate their 300th anniversary. Published and released in 2003, the book is in its 3rd printing. A fixture among Caribbean culinary professionals, He has been busy for the last few years traveling and working in metropolitan areas and hotspots of the world including opening restaurants in Berlin, New York, Barbados & Jamaica, Executive chef at a resort in St. Lucia featured in Bon Appetite Magazine as well as stints in London ,Paris and Toronto and high – end catering in Washington D.C.

Chef Paul has made a name for himself as The Rhum Chef – the corporate chef for Mount Gay Rum, travelling thru the regional caribbean as well as international cities representing not only the rum brand, but also caribbean culture and cusine with a traditional and classic twist – doing cooking demos, cooking classes and rum tastings – his goal is to be the new face of Rum as the sprirt returns to favorable popularity.

Good Life Guy Wine of the Week:
Some new wines from Chile!

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Aug 28 – Chef Jacques Haeringer

chez francoisToday’s show is all about Warm Weather and Cool recipes for an end of summer romantic feast with Chef Jacques Haeringer of L’Auberge Chez Francois.   Jacques restaurant, is situated on six scenic acres in the lush green hills of Northern Virgina.  The restaurant features intimate dining rooms and an exquisite outdoor garden. Creating a romantic atmosphere among the towering trees and rolling hills of Virginia, L’Auberge Chez Francois brings the Alsatian countryside to America.

Chef Jacques is the author of several cookbooks and has a bunch of great instructional videos on  youtube, check them out at www.chefjacques.com

The Good Life Guy Wine of The Week:
2008 Domaine Paul Blanck Gewurztraminer from Alsace
paul blanck gwrzCharacteristic lychee fruit aromas on the nose, with hints of dried pear and apricots.  Big, well-balanced, and slightly spicy on the Palate, ending with a long, lingering finish.

Video Wine of the Week

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

August 21 – Age Gets Better With Wine

This show will be very interesting for those of us who love wine!
My guest is Dr. Richard Baxter, author of “Age Gets Better With Wine.”

Age-Gets-Better-With-Wine-ThumbCan drinking red wine save your life? Scientific breakthroughs within the past several years suggest that it may not be an unreasonable question. Red wine s miracle molecule, resveratrol, has been proven to extend life dramatically in experimental animals, and in the short time since the first edition of Age Gets Better with Wine it has practically become a household word. But resveratrol is only one of a family of compounds called polyphenols that may hold the key to preventing Alzheimer s disease, heart disease, and everything from cancer to the common cold. With new discoveries come new controversies though; Age Gets Better with Wine explores the question of whether the benefits of healthy drinking can be put into a pill, and delves into the science behind the secret to living longer and living better with wine. Dr. Baxter is a well-known plastic surgeon in the Seattle area. He has been interested in the topic of wine and anti-aging for several years and lectured extensively on wine and health. He is a Medical Director for Healthy Aging magazine for physicians, and has published original research on resveratrol and the anti-aging properties of wine.

Not only is it accurate, but extremely well said. The book is a gem” – R. Curtis Ellison, M.D. Professor of Medicine & Public Health at Boston University Medical School”
 
  
Come see Good Life Guy at Johnson’s Garden Center on North Woodlawn between 2-3:00 p.m. today for a Chilefest kickoff seminar about cooking with Green Chiles and the adult beverages that compliment Hatch Green Chile.  Samples of food, wine and beer available for FREE!!!
    
lonko_malbecrsvThe Good Life Guy Wine of The Week: 
A Killer Red wine for your health!
2006 Lonko Malbec Reserva, Patagonia, Argentina
The 2006 Malbec Reserva is purple/black in color with a bouquet of black cherry, blackberry, and mineral. On the palate it is a bit austere revealing an intellectual personality and enough structure to evolve for 3-4 years. It may offer a bit more pleasure with further cellaring and should be at its best from 2012 to 2020.” – Wine Advocate (Dec. 08), 89+ pts
 
Learn more about this wine, imported by Kysela Pere et Fils Ltd. by clicking here
 
Pick up a bottle at Jacob Liquor Exchange on North Rock Road and check out all the new South American wines that have just arrived!
 
Posted in Other | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment