Swinging into Spring at Bing's

Winewomen and friends filled Bing Crosby's banquet room last week on the first day of spring. Tables sparkled with rosy reflections cast by rays of late daylight that shone upon our aperitif – 2009 Mulderbosch rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon. The pretty South African rosé was watermelon-fresh with cherries and fresh strawberry on the palate and light spice on the finish. We were off to a lovely start.

Lisa Wherry introduced the evening's wines from The Estates Group and Cape Classics. She held up an article in the latest issue of Wine Spectator about groups and vintners who foster social justice programs in South Africa's wine industry. Next, James Martinez cued us in about Stroke Recovery Center, our March charity. Families tell us about the remarkable work they do for clients living with the aftereffects of stroke. Thank you, all.

Appetizers arrived along with Indaba 2009 Chenin Blanc to give us a taste of South Africa's most widely planted wine grape. Despite being under-chilled, we could still enjoy the lemon-scented, stone-fruited delight from the Western Cape. That made two wines already checked off on our order list.

A pause in the dining action gave the happy-footed party crowd time to break into full swing on the dance floor. Lady in Red danced with obvious joy, all poised in lock step with her sinewy partner. Didn't she look fabulous?

Bing's staff made a grand entrance as they hoisted platters of massive half-chickens that quieted a few tables. Hmm, the salmon and short ribs folks wondered, what's up with that? No worries – the salmon and shorties were big in rich flavors that satisfied just right. Meats paired well with medium-bodied 2007 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon, the best-selling South African cab in the United States, juiced by a small amount of Syrah and Petit Verdot.

Our server, who nearly swooned as she described Bing's crème brulee, swayed even suckers for red wines with chocolate desserts. One bite and we understood. Its creamy texture was divine. A firmer-than-expected taste of the ultra-rich chocolate decadence mousse proved a chocolate-lover's dream. It too paired quite well with 2009 Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz, which we found pleasantly jammy, rather than truly sweet.

The room was half-full when our dining group headed home. From the looks of it, the other half was still jumpin' on the dance floor. Happy Spring to all!

South African Wine Safari

Salud, salute, jabula! Jabula? Winewomen chorused the Zulu word for rejoice at our South African wine tasting safari this week as Jeremy Wilkinson of 4WinesPlusMore gave us a tour of his native land's wine country.


We were blessed by another splendid desert evening, this time at Miramonte's outdoor piazza with roaring fireplace to keep us warm. Chef Robert Nyerick prepared five separate appetizers paired to each wine, all hits.

Jeremy started us off with Cape Rock 2007 Sauvignon Blanc from the inland Robertson appellation. Refreshing and racy, we enjoyed its lime and grassy flavors with herbed goat cheese crostini.

Next came Chef's shrimp and salmon mousse brochette with a Western Cape 2008 Chardonnay from Heron's Nest. With only a gentle touch of oak, the food-friendly white showed fresh fruit flavors and medium body. Some of us caught a whiff of Riesling-like petrol, for even more interest.

Chef called the next pairing a no-brainer – we suppose so, if you're a chef. To us it was perfection: duck breast with raspberry and fig reduction served with Clos Malverne 2007 Reserve Pinotage. A cross between the Pinot Noir grape and Cinsaut, Pinotage is a South African original with flavors and aromas all its own. We enjoyed this Stellenbosch gold-medalist's lovely color, earthy fruit and soft tannins.

Also from the Stellenbosch appellation, Wolverine Creek 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon proved a treat. Flavors of blackberry fruit gave way to a long, minerally finish. Each bottle is numbered – how special is that?

For a finale, bites of pumpkin-spiced cheesecake arrived with Cape Rock 2007 Special Late Harvest Gewürztraminer. Ladies deep-sniffed its rosy perfume and savored its honeyed spice flavors. We spotted dessert wine converts among men and women alike.

By evening's end, Jeremy's sign-up sheet was filling up with wine orders and contacts of those interested in joining him on a South African wine tour. Thanks to 4WinesPlusMore for a guided wine tasting of this exotic quintet. Who knew a geography lesson could be this much fun? And thanks to all of you who will remember those served by Martha's Village and Kitchen this season. Jabula!

Thanks for Stopping By

Thanks to all Coachella Valley women, visitors and yes, more than a few brave men who stopped by our booth at the 2009 Desert Woman's Show this weekend!

We were thrilled to hear how much you've enjoyed our events and to let you in on all we do in fun, learning and charity with WinewomenPSP. In case you missed us, here's a look at our booth with goodies and Kathleen, our hard-working President who endeavors to make all our events unfold seamlessly with pizazz and pop. Click on the image to also get a closer look at our logo aerators, custom wine charms and fabulous welcome necklace.

Lip-smacking details about our Miramonte South African wine tasting safari are now posted on our Web site, too. Don't let the party leave without you - hurray and grab your reservations today by calling 760.799.7076.