By: William Allen

As the Wine Country summer begins its transition into fall and harvest , it’s fun to reflect on the bounty of culinary delights Sonoma County produces, of course paired with our world class wines.

The moderate weather hasn’t been what we’d like for grape growing, but it did make it easy for us to sit out and enjoy the moderate 80’s temperatures, while attending the many events throughout the county. What better way to spend a Sunday sitting on the lawn at a winery, with live music, a blanket in the warm sunshine, a glass of wine and a picnic.

Simple Hedonisms has been an avid attendee of Sonoma County summer events, and was delighted to end the season with the final concert of the Rodney Strong Summer Concert Series, featuring none other than Chris Isaak.

The event features a variety of wine by the glass, and various food offerings. I set out to explore and pair the two.

A crisp Sauvignon Blanc is a great way to start as an aperitif, aka  a ‘warm up.’ The Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc is a classic example of the varietal; floral, great notes of citrus, grassiness, and minerality. It went down solo happily, then accompanied with mild cheese, like Sonoma Jack. It also paired well later with the light meal served for the press, the acidity matched nicely with the astringency of the fresh cole slaw, and the corn salad.

I love to pair multiple wines with a meal, and couldn’t resist pairing the Davis Bynum Russian River Valley Chardonnay with the salmon. Its tropical notes, and dense mouth feel paired nicely, accenting the richness of the salmon.

I am a sucker for summer BBQ, and couldn’t resist buying a grilled tri-tip sandwich to nibble on. Pairing wine with this was an easy decision, the Rodney Strong Zinfandel . The spicy undertones and big red fruit was made for the richness of the grilled meat and the smoky sweet BBQ sauce.

Well fed and ‘watered’ it was time to enjoy the showmanship of Chris Isaak, who didn’t disappoint. Chris and his colorful pink suit and sequins, comical interaction with the audience, and of course his great voice, delighted the crowd. What wine did I choose to ‘pair’ with musical entertainment? The silky Davis Bynum Pinot Noir was the perfect accompaniment while Chris and his band gave a stellar performance; co-incidentally ending a 3 month world tour that night, making it even more memorable.

It was a picture perfect Sonoma afternoon; surrounded by picturesque vineyards, friendly Sonoma residents basking in the sun and fabulous hospitality and wine of Rodney Strong. I’ll keep the memory fondly in my mind’s eye until the Summer 2011 Concert Series begins!

William Allen is the creator/editor of Simple Hedonisms, a popular blog focusing on wine country lifestyle centered in Sonoma County. William resides in Windsor, and is a vocal advocate for Sonoma County and has been a passionate, educated wine consumer for 20 years. He writes regularly for the Sonoma appellations.

It’s not just a winter-time cliché…

After a summer of fog and very cool days, last week, Sonoma County saw a couple days with temperatures over 100 degrees. All of a sudden, right afterward, it cooled down dramatically and misty fog was again the rule of the morning.

It’s been a challenge for the wine-grape growers this year for sure.  Here’s a article in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat covering the affects of very cool temperatures with those two hot days stuck in the middle. 

Also feeling the affect are the farmer’s markets around the area.  What’s ripe?  What will be available at the markets?  Below is a quick look at what it means to Jeff & Susan Mall, owners of Zin Restaurant & Wine Bar in Healdsburg and Eastside Farms just down the road a bit, where they grow nearly all of what’s needed for the restaurant. They also sell produce at the Windsor Farmers Market. 

Heat = sweet for fruit and more intense flavors for tomatoes.

The hot weather is pushing the plants to finally produce and develop the flavors we have been waiting all summer to experience. The cucumbers are full size vs. stunted; we are picking box loads of ripe tomatoes vs. just a few. Our peppers are starting to turn colors, but we have a few more weeks until they turn red.

The melons still on the vine have started to split and spill their seeds in the extreme heat. They prefer gradual heat instead of 85 degrees one day and 109 the next. Those that haven’t split open are going to be SWEET!

If you are growing zucchini, stand back! It will grow before your very eyes!  

This intense heat is great for almost all summer produce. Those of us that have been nursing our chard and collard greens along, traditionally cooler weather crops, might lose them after this heat wave…or have stronger, more vibrant leaves!

All bets are off in this fluctuating weather pattern!

Susan and Jeff forwarded this info right in the midst of last week’s heat.  This week looks to be close to normal, with some high 80s and mid 90s for the next few days. This is the type of summer that’s good for grapes AND our fruits and vegetables. See you at the market!