Catholicism+Wine

Where's the Wine?

Every now and then I see that people have found my site by searching for wine. They must be thinking, "What about this site has much to do with wine? I'm thirsty, away with ye." And the truth is that I haven't had much wine lately. Ok, a few sips, since I've found out I was pregnant. But believe me, I miss it, especially during a nice meal. It's interesting that I don't miss white wines, which I usually like quite a lot (Chardonnay and Viognier being favorites), but I CRAVE red wines. Big ones: I miss Zinfandel, and Petite Syrah, and Syrah, and Cabernet. I had a bit of Bighorn Cellars 2001 Cabernet with lamb at Easter, and I was in heaven.

Even if I could enjoy wine all the time, there's a few other impediments to "keeping up" on the wine world that I've encountered.  I no longer work part-time at a winery- my back hurt so much from all of the standing that my concept of cheery customer service oxidized into vinegar faster than a jug of Franzia. I couldn't do lifting of cases anymore, nor quality check the wine (yes, you have to do that when you work in a winery). Pregnancy is a bit incompatible with that particular job, and I had recently found a teaching position closer to home anyway.  The second impediment is the fact that, when Mr. P and I go wine tasting now, he tastes the wine, I sniff a lot of it, and then I wander around looking at the retail stuff while he continues to taste. I get a kick out of the fact that I've become the spacy wandering wifey type, because those were the customers that always perplexed my at my own former winery job ("Are you going to taste, or aren't ya??").

So I don't know what newest of the new releases are out, though I did get a good start on tasting the 2005 vintages for Napa Valley reds before I got pregnant. And I loved them! I don't think you can go wrong with that year. Every red I've had (and they are still young), has been great. I am looking forward to partaking again of the '05's when they're a bit older, and doing more than sniffing them.

So if you've come looking for wine news, or tips, or wine writing that positively ferments with super-charged yeast- well, there's that "back" arrow button on your browser. Godspeed, and cheers!  For the rest of us- I suppose there is more to life than good wine.... right?

Thankful

I drove down to work yesterday, wondering, the whole time, whether I should just turn around and go back home! Silverado Trail was beginning to flood, and I had heard that parts of Highway 29 were beginning to flood. When I made it to work, I discovered that the tasting room ceiling was leaking, and that water was coming from some unknown source and gathering under the bar. At about 10:30 they sent me home, mainly because they were worried that I wouldn't be able to make it back up the valley before any roads closed. Mr. P's winery also closed, with the winery itself resembling a castle with a large moat.

All in all, the flooding wasn't as scary as it was a few years ago. And I am thankful for the rain, which, in California, we can always use! And Mr. P and I got to spend an unexpected day together which was nice. 

Please pray for any people who are having to evacuate, or who still do not have power.

In other, quite unrelated news, my sister is now engaged! No date set yet, and we were all quite suprised, since we were expecting the engagement to happen much later in the year. But there really is no time like the present, and I am happy for both my sister and my future brother-in-law. Prayers for them, too, if you don't mind!  And Cheers to the New Year-  it will be an exciting one, methinks.

My Early Christmas Present

For as long as I've had this blog, I've had a digital camera on my mental wishlist. The other options for downloading pictures just aren't as easy or economical, in the long run. Mr. P suprised me by giving me my Christmas present this week: a great Canon digital camera! So I've started trying the thing out. Look for a lot more "local color" type pictures. I will resist the temptation to post numerous pictures of Darius the Fluffyshanks.

I loved these Christmas lights, shining on a particularly cloudy day. 

December 20th

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: venit, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris et umbra mortis.

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel; that openest, and no man shuttests, and shuttest, and no man openeth: come and bring the prisoner out of the prison house, and him that sittest in darkness, and the shadow of death.

(Yes, the Nativity Scene continues to be placed in Lyman Park, next to the Police Station, in St. Helena. Something I am thankful for!)

Ahh, California...

Crazy-high mortgages and property taxes. Looney misanthropes. Unnecessary and maniacal leaf-blowing at early hours of the morning. The cult of celebrity and worship at the temple of physical perfection.

But if I didn't live in California, I wouldn't be able to be close to this:

and this:

I grew up in Colorado and Montana, so I know just how beautiful parts of the West can be. But sometimes, amidst all of the distracting circus-like political madness of the Golden State, we forget how beautiful a place it is- this, the most western of the Western World, but in more ways, the newest of the New World.

This is what Robert Louis Stevenson had to say regarding the natural beauty of the Bay Area and Napa Valley:

"For some way beyond Vallejo the railway led us through bald green pastures. On the west the rough highlands of Marin shut off the ocean; in the midst, in  long, straggling, gleaming arms, the bay died out among the grass; there were few trees and few enclosures; the sun shone wide over open uplands, the displumed hills stood clear against the sky. But by-and-by these hills began to draw nearer on either hand, and first thicket then wood began to clothe their sides; and soon we were away from all signs of the sea's neighbourhood, mounting an inland, irrigated valley. A great variety of oaks stood, now severally, now in a becoming grove, among the fields and vineyards...

This pleasant Napa Valley is, at its north end, blockaded by our mountain. There, at Calistoga, the railroad ceases, and the traveller who intends faring farther, to the Geysers or to the springs in Lake County, must cross the spurs of the mountain by stage. Thus, Mount Saint Helena is not only a summit, but a frontier; and, up to the time of writing, it has stayed the progress of the iron horse."

                                             --------------from The Silverado Squatters, 1883

Autumn among the vines

Ahhh! Now it is October. My favorite time of the year!  We had another evening of rain last night. I loved leaving the house this morning and smelling the earth and spicy smells of the plants. The fog is still swirling around the Mayacamas Mountains, and the trees and grapevines are beginning to change. Here are some pictures I "picked fresh" for you this morning. It's autumn!!

 

 

With the change in season comes change in eating and drinking habits as well. Less iced drinks; more spiced cider. Less chilled white wine; more full-bodied reds. Over the summer I found myself making more Asian and Mexican food at home. Now, as the weather cools, I've got a hankerin' for stews and roasted meats. Which brings me to my next subject: my favorite Fall cookbook!

I first discovered Taste of the Season through my craft club, which sometimes offers cookbooks. I purchased the book based on the reviews and some of the recipe ideas. Little did I know how many great fall and winter recipes this book contains! "Braised Chicken with Caramelized Onions and Wild Mushrooms," "Medallions of Pork with Apple, Prune and Apricot Sauce," "Winter Squash and Red Swiss Chard Risotto." Not to mention dessert: "Pumpkin Chocolate Bread Pudding," "Apple, Pear and Dried Cherry Almond Crisp." Are you hungry yet?

Yes, the recipes do take some work- this isn't a "30-minute" cookbook. But wow, is the time invested in preparation worth it! Make it your special occasion fall and winter cookbook- pull something out of it for Sunday dinner, or for your Anniversary.  Then pop open some wine, start up the fireplace, and enjoy the crisp fall evening!