Making New Friends

Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic spring-loaded our Spring Fling at Centre Court Restaurant with plenty of energy and laughter. Those lovely ladies came early, stayed late and made every minute in between a party.

All elements that make being part of Winewomenpsp so rewarding were there: A world-class venue in La Quinta Resort and Spa, nature's dramatic mountain backdrop, inventive cuisine and unexpected wine pairings. Layer that with interesting people to meet, friendly conversation and a charity that awards scholarships to ladies who graduate from our local high schools and you can bet it was a rousing night.

Tasty courtside hors d'oeuvres tipped us off to the treats that lie ahead. To stave away thirst, we kept Creative Wine International's cheerful Phil Molnar busy pouring food-friendly 2006 Godwin Floral Clone Russian River Chardonnay. Inside the tennis-decorated restaurant awaited light and refreshing chilled white heirloom tomato consommé with cucumber relish paired to Pushback Sauvignon Blanc. Newbie 30-year-old Napa winemaker Nick Floulis blends a small amount of Semillon to his first-release wine for added body, floral notes and versatility with food.

After the grilled shrimp course came the crowd-pleaser: Fork-tender braised short ribs served with Mettler Epicenter Old Vine Zinfandel. The unzinny zin lacked the one-dimensional raisiny flavors that make some zins unpalatable with many foods or too assertive to sip alone. Instead, we found the Epicenter rich with ripe berry fruit, espresso backflavors and balanced tannins. Straight outta Lodi, the 2006 Epicenter snagged silver medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition – thanks for serving up an award-winner, Phil.

We probably did enough swooning over Sauternes in our last post. Thanks to Kathleen, CVAP, Ed, Phil, Michelle and all who made this a special event. If you missed it, book your lunch reservation at Centre Court and call Dan at Dan's Wine Shop in Palm Desert at 760.674.0305 to find out if he salvaged any Godwin chard or Mettler Epicenter zin we didn't polish off.

Game, Set, Match at Centre Court

Chatter and giggles filled the room at La Quinta Resort's Centre Court Restaurant Saturday night. Our Spring Fling of culinary delights and home-run wine pairings was coming to a close. As plates of warm tart tatin arrived to sway us into sweet indulgence, our resort hosts treated Winewomenpsp to one last surprise: 1975 Château de Malle Sauternes.

Regardless of your taste in wine and spirits, uncorking a 1975 Sauternes warrants a moment of silence. The liquid gold was sunny in the glass and rich on the palate. Full-bodied flavors of spiced honey, almond and apricot ushered in a long finish with just-right sweetness and texture. The wine's arrival seemed to quiet the room just enough for us to say our goodbyes with plenty of hugs and smiles to go around.

Bordeaux is home to the great French dessert wine known as Sauternes. The blend's sweetness and viscous mouth feel develops from a seemingly unappetizing natural process known as "noble rot." White Bordeaux grapes Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle stay on the vine until they are infected by Botrytis cinerea, a fungus that eventually makes the grapes contract or shrivel, which concentrates flavors. Once perfectly rôti, grapes are picked and their juices vinified, blended and aged to become Sauternes.

Ordinarily we wouldn't recap an event by starting with the end but in this case, the finale deserved top billing. We promise to tell you about Centre Court's other pleasures next time. For now, thanks to our hosts for sharing an over-the-top finishing touch – Chateau de Malle 1975 Sauternes. Merci.

Hollywood & Vines

Going back a few months, it turns out our January event at Louise's Pantry was another score for Winewomenpsp. One of the wines we tasted was FOUR, a premium Cabernet Sauvignon served in an eco-friendly tube. The upscale package (we won't call it a box) holds 3 liters of wine, or the equivalent of four 750ml bottles. A few of you ordered some to take home and enjoy with family and friends.

Share this tidbit of news with them: FOUR was the exclusive red wine served in the VIP Celebrity Lounge at the Global Green pre-Oscars party in Hollywood on February 19. Co-hosts for that event included Leonardo DiCaprio, Penelope Cruz, Kate Bosworth and other A-listers. We hear Sheryl Crow performed in support of Global Green's Schools initiative. Cool - and we got to taste that wine a month before they did!

Our same friends at Creative Wines International who introduced us (and the stars) to FOUR will also be pairing our wines to the delicious menu that awaits us at our April 18 event at La Quinta Resort and Club's Centre Court Restaurant. They have an intriguing portfolio of boutique California wines that are sure to surprise and delight. Make your reservations now: Call Kathleen at 760.799.7076 or download/share the flyer from our Web site. Our April designated charity is Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic. Come out to support them and all the good they do raising scholarship money for local young ladies who graduate from our public high schools.

See you at Centre Court!