Napa Valley: A beautiful place to call home

Napa Valley is considered by many to be one of the top wine destinations in the United States. For true connoisseurs of fermented grape beverages, the idea of living in the area may be a dream come true. After finding a house in the area and purchasing home insurance, California-transplants can experience the true Napa Valley.

Napa Valley is more than just a popular tourist spot. It is the host of a rich culture well known in California. Instead of boasting the typical sun and surf the Golden State is known for, Napa has a flavor all its own. More than just grapes are grown in the fields. The area is filled with a variety of agricultural farms. Popular crops include mustard, beans, peas and wildflowers which are often used to improve the soil between vine plantings.
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Great Cabernet: Chile’s Grail

Great-CabernetChile is a thermometer of a country, 2,650 miles long and averaging only 110 miles wide. At the bottom is frozen Antarctica; at the top, the world’s driest desert. Santiago lies right in the comfort zone, with warm summers and mild winters, cooler than Napa Valley but drier than Bordeaux. Serious wine vineyards begin just north of the city, and stretch 150 miles down the Central Valley, south to the town of Talca.
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Wine tour Napa Valley

Napa Valley is home to over 200 wineries-many offering tours, tastings, and a chance to bask in the leisurely ambiance of the Wine Country. With a heritage of grape growing and wine making that spans over 150 years, the history of winemaking in Napa Valley is the history of Napa Valley. Located just over an hour north of San Francisco, Napa Valley consists of six towns: Napa, Yountville, Oakville/Rutherford, St. Helena, Calistoga, and Lake Berryessa. Together, they create a getaway destination beyond compare with lush, rolling hills, rows of manicured vineyards lining the valley floor and hillsides, rock palisades, beautiful lakes, and meandering streams-all the natural beauty one could ask for. For more information, contact the Napa Valley Conference & Visitors Bureau, 1310 Napa Town Center, Napa, CA 94559, Tel (707) 226-7459.

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’97 MERLOT NAPA VALLEY

3winesMade exclusively from grapes grown on Lewelling’s family vineyard at the foot of Spring Mountain in St. Helena, this elegant 100% Merlot offers inviting aromas of ripe berry and plum followed by luscious blackberry flavors and a hint of mint.

Twenty-two months of barrel aging in French oak kelps create the creamy texture and velevty smooth finish that will invite you back for continued pleasure and enjoyment.
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1999 Chardonnay The Sculptor Reserve

VINTAGE: 1999

APPELLATION: Napa Valley

COMPOSITION: 100% Chardonnay

WINEMAKING: The wine was 100% barrel fermented (80% new French oak) and aged on the lees for 8 months.
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1999 Pinot Noir Yountville, Napa Valley

1999-pinot-noir-yountville-napa-valleyVINTAGE: 2000

APPELLATION: Yountville, Napa Valley

COMPOSITION: 100% Pinot Noir

WINEMAKING: Small hand punched lots aged 14 months in French Oak barrels (80% new).
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1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

1999-cabernet-sauvignon-reserveVINTAGE: 1999

APPELLATION: Napa Valley

COMPOSITION: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc.

WINEMAKING: Punch cap fermented in one ton bins. Each lot was separately aged in French oak barrels for twenty-six months. The wines were racked only once at blending, just prior to bottling. The wine is unfined.
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Origin of wine varieties (Part 2)

origin-of-wine-varieties2Germany
It is known for its white wines since Roman times. To the extent that the vineyards of Johannisberg, Steinberg is back to 1106 and 1131.
The German wines of the Rhine region, are renowned for their finesse, their bouquet.

Italy
It is known for being the second largest wine producer in Europe. Several Italian wineries are renowned for the quality of their wines, however, are not rivals of the French and German wines.
Within the recognized strong wines, is the production of Marsala in Sicily.
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Beef Braised in St. Clement Cabernet

st-clement-cabernet

  • Vegetable Oil
  • 1 – 4 lb. chuck roast
  • 1 T butter
  • 3 T chopped yellow onion
  • 2 T chopped carrot
  • 2 T chopped celery
  • 1-1/4 c. St. Clement Cabernet
  • 1 c. beef broth or bouillon
  • 1-1/2 T chopped Italian tomatoes
  • Pinch of thyme
  • 1/8 tsp. marjoram
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

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Nana Susanna’s Rich Ragout

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups red onion, diced fine
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 1 pound ground veal
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 Tbl red pepper flakes
  • 1 bottle 1995 St. Clement Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2 Tbl garlic, minced
  • 1 large can Pomi chopped tomatoes, plus
  • 8 fresh Roma tomatoes, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups water (optional)

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