Food & Wine — Zinfandel

    Take advantage of dates produced right here in Southern California. This is a perfect appetizer for any occasion with its sweet and salty flavors. Pair it with your favorite Zinfandel or white wine. You’ll be invited back to any party.  To Make Ahead: the dates can be assembled and refrigerated for up to a day before baking. Drizzle with honey just before baking, then bake as directed.    Ingredients: 6 ounces creamy goat cheese 24 plump Medjool dates  12 slices thinly sliced bacon, cut in half 1/3 cup honey  1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or fresh chopped green onions ...

True barbecue connoisseurs battle at the pit for the best in meat. We aim to provide you with a general wine pairing to barbecue.  Barbecue, much like wine, comes in many different regional variations with unique combinations of styles and methods. Both take a great deal of preparation and waiting time, but the end result is worth the wait. When pigs first came to the Americas with the Spanish explorers, they became a widely used ingredient, mostly in barbecue. The origins of American barbecue date back to colonial times in 1697, first published in the writings of a 17th-century explorer,...

Living in Southern California comes with so many perks; gorgeous consistent weather, stunning outdoor environs and a condensed and diverse disarrangement of culinary adventures. This week we choose to focus on one of our favorite culinary niches, the fish taco!If there has even been a great time to be a taco lover, it is now. It seems that with the up-rise in culinary diversity and the increase of small and mobile eateries, the modern taco is breaking all the rules of tradition. The Kogi Truck being the most famed fusion tacos at the moment. Even within the niche of fish...

Did you know dark chocolate and wine both contain polyphenols, which provides health benefits? These luxurious and lavishly cocoa powder dusted truffles make a delightful addition to any dessert table or celebration.  We used a Zinfandel for this recipe but any red wine will do. Pair this bittersweet chocolate with a wine that has ample intensity such as a Zinfandel or Syrah.  Yields 18 1 1/2 inch trufflesIngredients: 7 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 3 tablespoons dry red wine 1/4 teaspoon instant espresso 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup Cocoa powder for rolling Instructions: Line...