The Good Life

My first guest is Gail Simmons, known to millions by her role as a regular judge and critic on Bravo’s Emmy-nominated, hit contest reality series Top Chef.  Gail joined Food & Wine in 2004 and handles special projects for the magazine, acting as liaison between the marketing and editorial teams on magazine events and chef-related initiatives.  In that role, she is responsible for the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen; June 18-20 – The topic of todays show!

The Food & Wine Classic at Aspen is the nations premier wine and food event with emphasis on education through the many seminars and guided tastings.  Join me at this year’s event for some first class food, wine & fun. I’ll be broadcasting from Aspen, my 20th year of live coverage!
Tickets sell-out fast…Learn more and reserve today

In the second half I’ll be talking to rock star winemaker Jeff Runquist about his Sierra Foothills winery and award winning wines.  I had the pleasure of judging some of Jeff’s stellar wines at the Jerry Mead New World International Wine Competition (www.NWIWC.com) two weeks ago. 

NWIWC – NEW WORLD GRAND CHAMPION – BEST NEW WORLD RED WINE
Jeff Runquist Wines 2008 Barbera Amador County California

The 2008 Barbera has a medium purple color that is not as dark as in past years. Mature carmine hues belie the wine’s acidity. The aromas are of fully ripened red and black fruits; featuring, currants, plums, and boysenberries. The bouquet shows vanilla, hazelnut, and toast. On the palate this wine has juicy red fruit flavors along with a smoky/sweet oak component. In keeping with our ‘cellar style’ the tannins are round and supple. The finish is long and harmonious with lingering notes of toasted French oak. I especially enjoy Barbera with Mediterranean Cuisine that includes Feta cheese, capers, anchovies, or olives.

Varietal Composition: 100% Barbera
Oak Regime: 51% American Oak, 49% French Oak
700 Cases Produced

Get some today, it won’t last long;  www.jeffrunquistwines.com
Check out the Platinum 2008 Zinfandel Massoni Ranch Amador County too 🙂

Former Wichitan Michael Karl Witzel joins us for a chat about one of his most recent books;  Barbecue Road Trip: Recipes, Restaurants, & Pitmasters from America’s Great Barbecue Regions.

With its fervent aficionados, traditions, and wildly varying regional styles–each with its passionate advocates–barbecue is much more than a way of cooking meat: it’s a cultural ritual. A history as entertaining as it is informative, this book is the first to explore American barbecue’s regional roots. Nationally renowned food commentator Mike Witzel takes readers on an eye-opening (and mouth-watering) tour of the histories, techniques, culture, competitions, traditional side dishes, and classic hot spots associated with barbecue’s four major regionally based styles. With hundreds of photographs and illustrations, print ads, signage, and more, this account offers a rich picture of American barbecue in Texas, North Carolina, Memphis, and Kansas City (home to at least 100 barbecue restaurants and the world’s largest annual barbeque contest). Pork or beef, sweet or spicy, marinated or rubbed, basted or slathered in sauce, cooked slowly or seared, over coal or wood chips, here are the styles from which all American barbecue is derived, in all their rich flavor and folklore. For those who wish to do further research, the book provides a listing of top barbecue joints in all 50 states.

The Good Life Guy Wine of the Week:  A BIG fat BBQ friendly red wine!

This week I will be chatting with Donald Hall, one of the Founders of Patz & Hall about this great producer of Chardonnay and Pinot.

Established in 1988, Patz & Hall embodies the shared vision and collective expertise of four talented friends – Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses and Heather Patz. Together, this dedicated team of individuals has turned a desire to craft benchmark, single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs into one of California’s most celebrated artisan wineries.

Find any of these wines and let the party begin, great quality and splendid examples of some of the finest vineyards in California.   More info at www.patzhall.com

Later in the program I’ll be telling you all about the increased awarness of Riesling in general, the latest award winners and the Riesling Taste Profile a new label guide that will help consumers select a wine with the desired level of sweetness…finally! Learn more: www.drinkriesling.com

The Good Life Guy wine of the week:  2008 Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling
A great wine from Washington State that has the Taste Profile on the back!

The Washington grapes chosen for the Sweet Riesling are picked riper than the grapes for the dry Riesling. A small amount of yeast is used to encourage the fermentation to stick — or keep it from becoming completely dry. It’s fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks. Like the Dry Riesling, this is another no oak, no malolactic wine. To stop the fermentation the centrifuge is used, which separates the yeast and the wine… this concludes the fermentation. A good amount of carbon dioxide is left in the wine to create a lively feeling to the wine — although it’s not spritzy.

The resulting wine is moderately sweet and refreshingly low in alcohol — less than 9% — with flavors of pineapple and peach. The Sweet Riesling brings perfect balance to all fiery fare — especially Thai, Szechwan and Caribbean cuisine… or simply enjoy as an aperitif.

Get some at Jacob Liquor Exchange!  Rock and 29 St N. or West 21st and Tyler

“Not just any Port in a Storm”
Wednesday – February 24, 2010 – 7:45 p.m.
Hilton Wichita Airport Media Room – 2098 Airport Road, Wichita, Kansas
$35 cash or check at the door please.

7 Stellar Ports with “Port-able Munchies” and a little Port education to boot! 

You and your friends are invited for a little after-dinner fun with Good Life Guy.
Winter is a great time to sample some premium Port and learn a little about how it’s made, who’s making the best, and what the different types of Port bring to the table.
The Lineup*:

Montevina Zinfandel Port
Justin Obtuse Cabernet Port
Hardy’s Whiskers Blake Port
Dow’s Porto LBV 2003 Port
Grahams 10 Year Tawny Port
Fonseca 20 Year Tawny Port
Warre Vintage Port 2000 Port

This informal tasting will feature Non-Vintage, Late Bottle Vintage, and Vintage Port from some top producers. We’ll talk about Port in general, the different styles and why you should be enjoying this very special beverage any time of year.

Reservations made & confirmed by email only! 
Seating is limited and will fill fast
RSVP by Tuesday Feb 23 with names of all attendees
You must receive an email reply to be on the list – must be on the list to attend
If you must cancel, do so early so those on the Standby list can attend
Cash or Check at the door please

Port…it’s not just for breakfast anymore!  😉
*wines subject to change  

TiVo the Olympics and come have some fun.
Cheers,
Guy

Guy Bower
Host of The Good Life Radio Show
KNSS 1330AM – Saturday’s 9-10a.m.