Amazing (but useless) Fun Fact

Today we attended the Wine Yakima Valley semi-annual meeting. Lots of intersting things coming into the fold for next year. There was also a quick social media presentation put together by WYV's marketing partners at MWW Group (good job Katie!).

I came back from the meeting with some interesting ideas and facts. Somewhere between the end of that meeting and right now I stumbled upon this utterly facsinating but completely useless fun fact answering the question "if you printed twitter..."

I know I am sort of dorky but I found it interesting and at a minimum you can entertain your friends at the next cocktail party.

http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/news/if-you-printed-twitter/

Use the link as I cannot out why once I publish the image half of it is cut off.


Infographic by Cartridge Save

I find this article on world of booze in the year to come to be rather entertaining (even if written by a Canadian). I specifically like the "family" restaurants with sommeliers. Enjoy!


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/new-year/a-tipplers-predictions-and-wishes-for-2010/article1414507/

P.S. This picture has nothing to do with the link. I just really like it. Thanks Mom for the great picture of the new (relatively) wine.

Recipe from South of the Border

So while in Mexico I managed to sneak in a little fishing time. Had a great time and came away with one Dorado (aka Mahi-mahi or dolphin fish). For vanity's sake it is pictured here. We made it for dinner that night as follows in this really easy super delicious recipe we lifted from the our fishing guide. We paired it with a Mexican Sauvignon Blanc (although TMW Riesling would work better :) and it worked swimmingly.

Ingredients:

Mahi-mahi steaks (roughly 6 to 8 ounce steaks-ours were roughly 3/4 inches thick) or one bigger filet if you like

1/2 cup olive oil

Juice of 3 small limes

1 cup chopped cilantro

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix oil, lime juice, cilantro and salt and pepper together in a small bowl with a whisk. Brush mixture onto the fish about 15 minutes prior to adding to the grill (the lime juice will start to cook the fish if done much longer). Use about 2/3 of the mixture so you can add some while grilling as well.

Pre-heat the grill on high. Place fish on grill skin side down. Turn heat down to medium low. Baste fish once or twice during the grilling process using all of the remaining goodness. Do not turn over fish during cooking. Cooking time roughly 15 minutes for medium.

A friend threw together a pineapple, tomato and jalapeno salsa to go with it and we served it over rice. Try what you will and let us know what works.

Enjoy!

Vacay BayBay

Christmas was great and we hope yours was as well. It is great to get a little RR over the holiday. Matt is in Wyoming visiting Abbey's Grandma and I am Mexico with Erin (short stick Matt?). Warm and sunny! Went on a taco tour last night having one taco at each of the make shift stands that set up shop in the evenings here in Guadalajara. Lots of fun but the jury is still out as to which stand reigns supreme. We will have to try again tonight.

Have yet to consume any wine since arriving but the Indio and Corona Obscura (dark Corona they NEED to import in the states) are drinking fantastc.

This picture is from the the old entry gate to town of Zapopan (suburb of GDL).

Coopering

We get a lot of questions about how wine barrels are made (coopered in barrel lingo). This is the best video I could find on the process.


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Done at last!!!

Harvest is now officially done (one ton of late harvest Riesling on Saturday hardly counts) now that Matt has all of the 2009s put to barrel. Finally, it is over!!! All in all 2009 was another great year. We skirted the frost and quality was great. I have never seen Matt as pleased with a vintage this early which I think is a good thing. I am excited to see how the 2009s progress and mature over the next couple of years.

We are getting ready to bottle the remainder of the 2007s and 2008 Lemberger and the super secret surprise to be announced in early spring.

The tasting room is closed and all is good on the wine farm. If you are in the area and thirsty we are generally around so swing by. We will gladly pour you a taste despite our official closed sign.

Happy Holidays!!!

I am Impressed

This is really pretty cool. I guess I will no longer have to break off the neck in those "no cork screw present" emergencies that happen from time to time.