So Cal Wine Away

Last weekend, found me trekking back to LA and Ontario CA for the first time since March '08 and although it rained nearly every one of my three days there, there was no shortage of wine, food and great camaraderie.

It all began with getting together with my Port loving friend Andy V. who had planned a wonderful offline at Zucca restaurant. From the Hudson Valley Foie Gras to the Beef Tenderloin, all six courses were really solid. We not only had a plethora of Ports but some fine German Riesling and excellent reds to go along with the meal too.

A few standouts from the evening:

 • Getting to see some familiar faces (a few from FTLOP too) Marc Jackson, Alex Rodriguez, Heather Hathwell, Frank Tota, Cris Whetstone and more

 • Table wines of note … favorites were Broadbent Vinho Verde, 2004 Niepoort Charme (wow!), a Magnum of 2006 Quinta do Crasto Vinha Velha Reserva, 2004 Quinta do Vale Dona Maria and a beautiful 2005 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese. The br...