The other day I received a promotional email from Bare Escentuals asking for “Mom & Me” stories to be shared on Facebook. It was evening and I was busy with the normal routine of things, but I sent a quick message to my three sisters with my instant reaction. I was encouraged by each of them to share. So in honor of Mother’s Day, here is the brief note on my mother, who is one of the most amazing women I know.

I thought about writing about how my mom hardly ever does her makeup and still looks amazing, how she taught me that we are most beautiful when we are active and happy outdoors, that beauty comes from inside–and not being too fat–and that working in the mud is good for your calves, glutes, and your skin.

I love my mom!

As I look forward to spending some quality time with my mother tomorrow, I hope all of you have a chance to reflect on your own stories. Feel free to share them here, and enjoy reminiscing.

Valentine’s Day gets mixed reviews every year. Some of my friends hate it. Some say it is their favorite holiday. I land somewhere in the middle. Overly commercialized “moments” have never drawn me in, and yet it is fun to get a box of homemade sugar cookies and scribbled cards from my niece and nephew, and somehow rewarding to have my partner call me from work gushing about the beautiful flowers that were just delivered. The question is, am I selling out if I participate? Am I giving in to the commercial machine? Perhaps I can take a step back and think about outcomes this year.

The kids love giving gifts, writing cards, and are so proud of what they are able to present. Would I ever want to take that away from them or devalue it?

All weekend I have seen couples being kind, thoughtful, romantic, and downright cute with each other. I’m not talking about excessive PDA. I mean there has been a spirit of gentleness and caring for the most part. Do I wish to mock a holiday that has brought more of this attitude to the surface?

And finally, we get to break out the bubbly. I’ve been holding on to a couple nice bottles and this weekend has provided an excellent opportunity to pop those tops and enjoy. The day is starting out with brunch at TMacs (T. Maccarone’s), which will include delicious beverages. The rest of the activities for the day (finishing a finance paper and a PowerPoint presentation) will require a celebratory drink when completed. And I believe that there is a nice line-up of classic films tonight for which the only appropriate drinks would be Champagne or martinis.

Here is hoping you have a beautiful Sunday, regardless of your feelings about Valentine’s Day. And remember how fun it can be to add some bubbly to a Sunday morning. I think we will start off with a little Riondo Prosecco, maybe the Pink Prosecco, and we will go from there.

It was the eve before Christmas
and all through the house
I couldn’t find what I wanted…

So I grabbed a bottle of Otis Kenyon 2006 Riesling and headed out the back door to sit on my carefully carved (though very humble) throne.

Such are the joys of winter.

The riesling being a cold climate grape, I felt it only appropriate to savor it in the coldest of winters I have yet to experience in Walla Walla. Apples, peaches, a slight hint of diesel. Citrus and sweetness, well balanced to the end. These things all speak of this region. Not that things in this part of the state are always in perfect balance, but the smells and tastes are familiar, surprisingly recognizable.

Rieslings do wonderfully well in Washington, and more than most varietals, they are a true testament to place. As I love to make a study of the language of place, I also love terroir. A possibly overused term, but when used with proper intent, so powerful, potent, and concise.

So this is Christmas. And as I look forward to the sparkling wines of New Year’s Eve celebrations, I now enjoy a wine that speaks volumes of place. Riesling. (Too bad Otis Kenyon only made 18 cases of this particular riesling.)

From the ice throne in Walla Walla, Happy Holidays to all. May all your merriment this season remind you of the places you hold most dear to your heart. May your palate guide you to great joy.

As you may have read, I’m a great fan of the Balboa Candy Mountain Sangiovese. I bought all I could find. And in an uncharacteristically generous holiday spirit, I took some to our office Christmas party. Of course, surrounded in this community by winemakers and wine lovers, there was quite a collection of bottles on the counter already.

The Balboa was soon finished off, but there were more joys in the evening than I thought possible. A taste of the 2006 Va Piano Cabernet Sauvignon. Justin Wylie (owner/winemaker) hand delivered a bottle and stuck around for a few moments to chat. I look forward to trying this wine in 2010. This is one that is set up to age beautifully, so keep a few bottles around. Don’t sip it all down right now.

Several California reds were sampled. Of these the Lucas & Lewellen 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon from Santa Barbara County was the hit of the party. I actually overheard one of the doctors say it might be his favorite wine… ever. So props to Stacy from American Winery who brought the California wines.

The last of the reds opened was a Colvin 2002 Allegresse. The last bottle. Elegant nose, rich and full mouthfeel with some coffee, lots of berries and just enough spice. Good finish. Since Colvin Vineyards closed its doors there won’t be any more of this beautiful blend. It will be missed.

So the party went well, a good time was had by all, and we look forward to Christmas and the New Year. In the meantime, we’ll keep trying new wines… and sharing.

I’ve little by little become a fan of Rieslings. Haven’t always been, but now I’d swear by them. Especially Washington Rieslings! It seems, in this area, Washington seriously pounds the competition.

On this holiday I wanted to extend the invitation to check out a couple of my favorites.

Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling (2006 or the 2007!)

This is a delightful, minerally, spectacular example of a Washington State Riesling. I adore it and keep on hand several bottles for dinners on the patio, drinks with friends, gifts, and for the occasionally necessary personal affirmation that girls ROCK!

Another outstanding case in point of girl power is the DaMa 2006 Riesling.

Delicious, proper Riesling, with another label showing the joys of being female. As winery notes say, it has “bright acidity”. Bright, smart, and fun. It is an experience. (Check out our tasting notes.)

If these wines could talk… and they do… they’d say: Hell, yes, I’m a girl. And I can kick ass just as easily in a halter-dress as I can in my kung fu gear. So brace yourselves, people. Life is meant to be enjoyed, lived in fullness, and everyone deserves some pampering along with their empowerment.

While we celebrate “Independence Day” let’s enjoy being women (and men, take this opportunity to enjoy, appreciate, and celebrate the good women in your lives). I am proud to be a girl, a kick ass girl. And I am thrilled to have these wines in my life.

Happy 4th of July!

Walla Walla is preparing for the annual winter barrel tasting which always falls on the first full weekend in December. This year, the festivities actually begin on Thursday, November 27 with the the second annual Winemaker’s Fête at the Marcus Whitman Hotel. The following wineries are hosting tables at the event: Canoe Ridge Vineyard, Dama Wines, Dunham Cellars, Forgeron Cellars, JLC Winery, L’Ecole No 41, Long Shadows Vintners, Mannina Cellars, Nicholas Cole Cellars, Northstar Winery, Otis Kenyon Wines, Pepper Bridge Winery, Reininger Winery, Russell Creek Winery, Spring Valley Vineyard, SYZYGY, Three Rivers Winery, Trio Vintners, Whitman Cellars, and Woodward Canyon Winery.

Online sales of tickets have ended, but you may still be able to get tickets by calling the office directly at 509-526-3117. Looks like a mouthwatering menu is planned. Chef Bear has pulled out all the stops.

Most of the participating wineries are open for tasting from Thursday through Sunday. The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance has provided a printable information sheet listing details for the wineries including hours and tasting fees if any.

This is a busy and crowded weekend in Walla Walla, so come prepared for a different pace than is normal for this small town in wine country. Everything is cranked up a notch. Please make sure you have made dining reservations as most downtown restaurants are booked a year in advance for this weekend.

Note to locals: Don’t expect to just walk in and sit down like you may be used to. This weekend you may have to wait your turn. And that’s okay. It can help us to appreciate the slower pace we usually move in, and it can show us what we are capable of as a community.

Have you seen the trees on Main Street? They are lit for winter, and thanks to the hard work of some local businesses and the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation (especially the fabulous Jennifer Northam) the lights will be up year-round. I think they look lovely. It is details like the lights that remind me why Walla Walla won Best Main Street award some time back. (I love being charmed by my own town.)

For those visiting to taste wine, the earlier you begin on Friday, the less crowded it will be. Saturday will be the busiest. Sunday morning wineries and tasting rooms will be busy putting together last minute orders, the decisions finally made before people head home.

Look back over my How to Survive Wine Tasting series for more hints: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. But here are a few pointers.

Please also note that Saturday, December 1 there is a Holiday Farmers Market on Main and Fourth from 9am – 1pm. Victorian Christmas Jubilee is from 1:30-5:30 at Kirkman House Museum. “Welcome the holiday season with music, stories and sweet treats with Saint Nicholas.” And Macy’s 12th annual Parade of Lights is Saturday at 6pm. The parade travels down Alder from Palouse to Fifth and back up Main. The Library and Verve will be open for viewing the parade.

Sunday, December 2 at 7pm at Cordiner Hall, Whitman college hosts the Feast of Carols. You can pick up a FREE ticket to the concert at Earthlight Books, Union-Bulletin, Whitman College Book Store or Hot Poop.

Happy planning and I wish everyone a safe and fun weekend.

Last weekend I went to a friend’s house for dinner. As final preparations were being made in the kitchen, she asked me to run out to the garage and fetch some grape juice. I half expected to find a large bottle of Welch’s on the shelf next to her Martinelli’s stash. Much to my joy, I found a case of homemade grape juice in those good ol’ Mason jars that remind me of canning with my mom. Just the sight of those jars on the shelf brought back memories of steamy late-summer kitchens full of fruit: peaches, apricots, plums, tomatoes, and more. Sugar-water poured over the fruit releasing lively aromas. The feel of the pectin we’d place on top of preserves. We would sweat for hours in the kitchen knowing that in the winter we could open the pantry to treat ourselves with this fruit. That anticipation kept me working through the heat. Standing in my friend’s garage, seeing my breath in the December air, I couldn’t wait for the familiar “pwop” of the jar being opened.

Most bottles I plan on opening over the holidays are shaped a little differently than those Mason jars, but the contents still connote rich memories. Crush, barrels, bottling. Walks in the vineyards. The first bottle shared in that backstreet Paris bistro. Even fondue, a Christmas Eve family tradition.

So what bottles do I want to open? I’ve been saving a few.

For those who love soup, you may be under the impression that wine should not accompany soup. I say bollocks to that. I found a wonderful recipe for winter squash soup that, along with an escarole, fennel, and oak-leaf salad, paired beautifully with the 2004 Ash Hollow Cabernet Franc Rosé. Unfortunately, Ash Hollow’s rosé is sold out. But I’m sure you could find another suitable rosé. It’s a great way to drink up that bottle you thought might have to be stored until next summer. And the soup and salad make a nice light dinner to share with friends or as you plot your Christmas shopping strategies.

Either as a gift, or to enjoy with loved ones, wine helps to warm the winter season. And Walla Walla has some beauties. Some of my favorites for frosty nights with Christmas lights are big reds. Dunham Cellars has an excellent 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon VIII ($45) that sits near the top of my list. If you can get your hands on it, open a bottle of the 2003 Bunchgrass Founder’s Blend ($28). And I’m partial to the 2004 Syzygy Syrah ($28) at the moment; well-rounded big wine with a rich finish.

For whites I suggest the 2005 Ash Hollow Somanna ($20). A 50/50 blend of Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, it’s a lively white that pairs well with food and is acidic enough to stand up well to the rich holiday flavors. For those who want to give a bit more, Dunham also has a wonderful 2005 Shirley Mays Chardonnay ($35). Part of the proceeds from this wine are donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Good wine. Good cause.

Enjoy the season. Enjoy the memories. Enjoy the wine. I know I will.

Cheers!