The Wine Contessa: SUMMERTIME…AND THE LIVING IS EASY WITH GREAT FOOD AND WINE!!!

THE BEAUTY AND TRANQUILITY OF THE SEA, PERFECT FOR A GLASS OF ROSE!

Well, it's officially Summer….and everyone is trying to create a memorable time whether it's at the sea shore or by the lake, the sun and fun beckons us to get out there and enjoy!! I for one am blessed to live near a beautiful lake as well as the shores of Malibu and Santa Barbara…tough life but somebody has to do it…hahaha..

A bottle of wine and a nap…The perfect setting

Having spent the 4th of July in Santa Barbara's wine country, I can't help but notice a wonderful trend towards a wine weekend getaway for our nation's Birthday…here's to the Red, White, and Rose…Cheers!!

At the base of the Foxen Canyon Trail is the fabulous ANDREW MURRAY VINEYARDS…they specialize in wonderful Rhone style wines…Decisions, Decisions, they are all Great, I'll have one of each…

A SPLENDID LIGHT SHOW ON THE 4TH

THE WINE CONTESSA AND ANDREW MURRAY ONE OF MY FAVORITE WINEMAKERS...

Out doing field work in at Andrew Murray Vineyards….

CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES

These are the Wines of Summer, light & crisp, with a wonderful minerality! Fabulous with all the great, fresh salads and grilled fare! I for one have sampled all of these delicious additions to Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blanc….the new winemakers are pushing the boundaries and giving us more and more choices instead of "the same old, same old!!" Bravo to them, like the Granache Blanc/ Rousanne blends…Outstanding…Don't get me wrong I still love a great Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris respectfully, but it's nice to have these "new kids on the block"….Daytime outings and picnic's always scream for lighter wines but I'm a die hard even in the summer at night, I want my RED WINE!!!! A good alternative from the heavier reds is the GMS blends which are Grenache, Mouverdre and Syrah, full bodied yet bright on the palate! Also don't forget our Red cousins from Spain the awesome Tempranillo and Rioja's for their distinctive and refreshing tastes..Take advantage of the bounty of summer foods in the stores to make some really easy and memorable meals! Heirloom tomatoes at their peak as well as fresh figs, melons, stone fruits and bright and delicious berries!! YUMMY…Don't forget to pair these glorious fruits with fresh goat cheese or gorgonzola, always an easy and wonderful appetizer or dessert..And by all means use that Grill…fresh sweet corn is even sweeter, no butter needed and any fresh vegetable becomes caramelized and tasty when grilled…use a grill pan that fits rich over the racks, this will keep everything perfectly together and give you easy sautéing ability!