UNIQUE WINE AND FOOD EXPERIENCES
"Wine is the pleasantest subject in the world to discuss. All its
associations are with occasions when people are at their best; with
relaxation, contentment, leisurely meals and the free flow of ideas."
Hugh Johnson
Virtual Food and Wine in California's Wine Country
For the lover of gourmet food and fine wine, Northern California is like a dream come true. I regularly check virtual California's food and wine websites to stay au courant.I like Wine Zone, particularly Vino. This site has great links to recipes from the wine country. See also the Internet Epicurean and Wines on the Inernet. All of these sites have much to explore for wine and food lovers.
The Wine Spectator combines both wine and food information, and I particularly like Harvey Steiman and his wine menus. These three sites also offer searchable databases for their ratings of wines.
Jerry Mead and his wine columns can be found at Wines on the Inernet. If you have not found Mildred Howie yet, check her out at Wines on the Inernet and at Wine Zone. She writes great columns about wine and food.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat now has website, which features a section called The Sonoma Traveler, an excellent source of information about the Sonoma County wine regions. You can also find Jeff Cox and his Sonoma restaurant reviews at this site.
Those of you who like to cook and are interested in nonvocational and vacation cooking programs should look over the opportunities in the Shaw Guides (no relation - unfortunately!). There are some terrific short-courses listed for Tante Marie and the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco and Napa College, to name just a few.
I also recommend the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology home page for both practical and technical information about winemaking and the latest in wine research. Tell them I sent you if you visit.
Jesse D. Shaw
President
J. Shaw & Company