“Queers!” #10: What happens in the vineyard, stays in the vineyard…

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On this tasty edition of “Queers!”, we raise our glasses to our newest official member of the clan, Meschelle Hornstein!  She has been a guest for several episodes and she decided to officially fill the 4th host spot that was Libbie Miller once held.  Speaking of Libbie, check out her recent presentation at Ignite Phoenix, all about her journey to becoming a Wino!

We’re super-excited to have Meschelle on-board, so let’s dive right into this edition of “Queers!”

Topics for this show:

Interview with Out in the Vineyard about the upcoming Gay Wine Weekend in California’s Sonoma Valley June 15-17.

Congrats to Meschelle for recently graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale!  She tell us all about her culinary school experience.

Claudine talks up Baratin, a new restaurant that just opened in Scottsdale from the culinary minds at FnB.

Joe chats about summer’s favorite food to keep you cool: ice cream!  Where did ice cream come from?  He relates some fun facts about this sweet treat and previews his upcoming review of Sweet Republic Ice Cream in Scottsdale.

Wines featured on this episode:

La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Imagery Estate Winery Dragonleaf Sirah

Nathan OUTloud #14: Gay Wine Weekend 2012

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The organizers of the Gay Wine Weekend, in Sonoma, California. Mark Vogler and Gary Saperstein join me to discuss wine, wine country and and being Out in the Vineyard. Mark and Gary have really out done themselves this year and it is only the second year for Gay Wine Weekend! Listen as they take you through all of the events of this incredible 3-day event. We also talk about the amazing wines we are drinking during the show from, Imagery Estate Wines, Benziger and Penfolds, all sponsors of Gay Wine Weekend.

Gay Wine Weekend kicks off Friday, June 15th, with a VIP Reception at the host hotel, El Dorado Hotel. Following the reception, there are three different winemakers dinners - two of which are already sold out.

The events continue on Saturday, with three different wine tours to choose from. Followed by the premier event of the weekend - The Twilight T-Dance at Atwood Ranch, under the stars and "Out in the Vineyard". Followed by "Apres-T" After Party at El Dorado Hotel.

The weekend wraps up on Sunday morning with the Big Gay Wine Auction and Recovery Brunch at  Ramekins's Culinary School & Inn, located just blocks from the town square of Sonoma. This will benefit Face to Face, Sonoma County AIDS Network.

For more details on Out's in the Vineyard's Gay Wine Weekend, visit www.outinthevineyard.com.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at comments@nathanoutloud.com. You can also call the Nathan OUTloud comment line at (209) 202-3688 (209.20.BeOUT)

Follow me on twitter at @nathanoutloud & join me on the Nathan OUTloud facebook fan page.

Come OUT | Be OUT | Live OUTloud™

The organizers of the Gay Wine Weekend, in Sonoma, California. Mark Vogler and Gary Saperstein join me to discuss wine, wine country and and being Out in the Vineyard. Mark and Gary have really out done themselves this year and it is only the second year for Gay Wine Weekend! Listen as they take you through all of the events of this incredible 3-day event. We also talk about the amazing wines we are drinking during the show from, Imagery Estate Wines, Benziger and Penfolds, all sponsors of Gay Wine Weekend.

Gay Wine Weekend kicks off Friday, June 15th, with a VIP Reception at the host hotel, El Dorado Hotel. Following the reception, there are three different winemakers dinners - two of which are already sold out.

The events continue on Saturday, with three different wine tours to choose from. Followed by the premier event of the weekend - The Twilight T-Dance at Atwood Ranch, under the stars and "Out in the Vineyard". Followed by "Apres-T" After Party at El Dorado Hotel.

The weekend wraps up on Sunday morning with the Big Gay Wine Auction and Recovery Brunch at  Ramekins's Culinary School & Inn, located just blocks from the town square of Sonoma. This will benefit Face to Face, Sonoma County AIDS Network.

For more details on Out's in the Vineyard's Gay Wine Weekend, visit www.outinthevineyard.com.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at comments@nathanoutloud.com. You can also call the Nathan OUTloud comment line at (209) 202-3688 (209.20.BeOUT)

Follow me on twitter at @nathanoutloud & join me on the Nathan OUTloud facebook fan page.

Come OUT | Be OUT | Live OUTloud™

Queers! #9: Gourmet Pride Festival Food Mashup!

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We’re sad to report that Libbie has retired her microphone and will only be joining us on ‘special occasions’.  No, it wasn’t personal, she still loves us!  On this edition of “Queers!”, special guest Meschelle Hornstein returns.  Oh my , could she become a regular?  Only time will tell.

As usual, we forgot to intro ourselves, but you’ll figure it out by the end of the show (or see our page info on QTalkAZ.com).

The wine featured on this episode is Four Bears USA Sean Minor 2010 Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County.  And it’s quite fruity and a perfect summer wine!  Thank you Nathan for supplying the vino!

Also speaking of summer, since we have seemed to skip spring once again, it’s time to talk citrus.  Joe explains where citrus came from, what you can really do with a lemon and what comes to our minds with we think of that yellow tangy fruit!

Claudine talks to us about the Fry Bread House, a hole-in-the-wall place that was nominated for a James Beard Award!  Quite a variety of, well, fry bread choices on the menu that should appeal to just about anyone–even our vegan guest Meschelle!

Nathan talks to us about his recent experience on the Big Gay Wine Train in Napa Valley and the upcoming Gay Wine Weekend in June.  For detailed info and a great interview with the event producers, check out this archived episode of Queers!

And to wrap it up, it’s Pride Season!  Phoenix Pride is this weekend and we hope to see all of you at our booth!!  Come enter to win a Lytro camera, but most of all, just come and hang out with us and check out some of our live video broadcasts that we’ll do from Pride!  We’ve got a parade entry and live commentary and, way too much going on.  Check our Facebook pages and the QTalk AZ home page for more details!

BUT, how can you make ‘pride festival’ food fabulous?  Can the non-gourmet be turned gourmet?  And yes, oh dear, we’ve got an answer to that very question!

Shoot us an email at queers@qtalkaz.com to suggest show topics, new dives that we should check out, wine you enjoy or just give us a shout-out!  Or you can leave us a voicemail at (888) 791-9294.

See you at Phoenix Pride!

Queers! #8: Size matters, after all...

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(Please note, there are some audio issues/annoying static in this episode during our ‘outburst moments’.  Ah, the wonderful combination of new recording equipment and a rowdy cast of characters!  But, we’ve got the problem solved for future shows.)

On this wild and crazy “Queers!”, accents break out in an around-the-world culinary tour, we talk with Joe Wilson, owner of our beloved Ticoz, Nathan dishes on wine glasses, Joe shares grilled-cheese-throwdownbites, Libbie pours on wines from far, far away and Claudine takes on a trip to Province!  Plus, we welcome our special guest Meschelle Hornstein fromSt. Francis–all this and a whole lot more on this episode of Queers!

Guest Meschelle Hornstein

Find Queers! on Facebookand follow the ‘Fab Four’ on Twitter:

@Nidocamen (Joe), @hollygolightly_ (Claudine), @winephx (Nathan) and oops, Libbie’s twitter account flew away!

Queers! #7: Love, equality and…sniff, sniff…is that a campfire I taste?

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That celebrated (or dreaded depending on your Facebook status), heart-shaped holiday is upon us, so listen in to hear which Valley venues made our best and worst list. What would you do if someone took you to the gay Denny’s to celebrate your love?  We even ask Siri for her recommendations!  And, for those of us who love Arizona, we can’t forget that Valentine’s Day this year marks the  Arizona Centennial — yep, we’re an even 100 years old!

The news coming out of Washington State gave the EDBF crew reason to raise a glass or two and toast to marriage equality. Our festive choice? Charles Smith Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon 08 is a delicious bottle from winemaker and Sammy Hagar’s doppleganger, Charles Smith. 

This month’s episode features a special guest, Derek Bryant, who is a visiting chef and micro brew aficionado from Albuquerque, New Mexico. In honor of the exciting news coming from the northwest, Derek brought us a selection of Washington State brews from Leavenworth Biers and Scuttlebutt Brewing Company, to butch up our beverage choices. Also, listen closely as he describes his latest creation, Bacon Cupcakes.

We thought that Libbie being under the weather would dampen the humor on the show, but as it turns out, she issues more one-liners and random outbursts that keep the whole group in stitches!

A great big special thanks to our new neighbors, Cactus Candy, for sending over a sample of a hometown favorite and a wonderful alternative to chocolates for your sweetie.

The troop rounds off the tasting with some Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale, yup, it is as interesting as it sounds. Tune in to hear the reactions, good, bad and ugly. Beer, it’s back to being for breakfast again.

The Big Gay Wine Train Returns!

Our friends at Out in the Vineyard are at it again! After a hugely successful first year of the Big Gay Wine Train, plans for the 2nd Annual Event have been announced. With last year's event selling out within days of being announced, this year the train is going to be much bigger, but is still bound to sell out so get your tickets now!

Some of the details from Out in the Vineyard:

Climb aboard The BIG GAY Train for a truly unique culinary and wine adventure with 4 of Wine Country's most exciting gay winemakers and winery owners!

The Big Gay Train 2011 sold out in DAYS! Don't miss this unique LGBT winemaker event of the year!

Saturday, March 31st at 6:30pm The Big Gay Train pulls out of the station for the second annual gay winemaker adventure!

Featuring:

Navarro Vineyards has been growing grapes sustainably and bottling wine in Mendocino's Anderson Valley since 1974. For almost 40 years Navarro Vineyards has produced wines that have received numerous accolades in wine books & magazines and wine competitions. You won't find Navarro wines in stores as they prefer to sell their hand-crafted wines directly to the people who enjoy them.

Bjornstad Cellars limited wines are vineyard designations, originating from within the appellations of the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley and Sonoma Mountain. These celebrated vineyards came to be because of their unique blend of location, environmental influence and the people that passionately tend them.

With over a century of winemaking experience in Sonoma, Sebastiani Vineyards focuses on crafting small lots of super-premium wines from Sonoma County.

Partners Joey Wolosz, Jeff Durham and Scott Tracy started Gentleman Farmer to create wine for the table, wine that can be paired with food. With this goal in mind, the partners hired up-and-coming talented winemaker Jason Moore (Modus Operandi, Troubadour), who was inspired by their vision and focus on crafting blends of quality and value.

Gentleman Farmer wines are meant to be shared when people celebrate their lives.

"Take The GAY Train" for an extraordinary evening to celebrate OUR Wine Country with the winemakers in the family.

Tickets: $160 Gourmet Express Car / $175 VIP Vista Dome Car

Tickets by phone. Call Napa Valley Wine Train at 800-427-4124 and ask for THE BIG GAY TRAIN!!

If you plan on staying in the area for the weekend, be sure to check out the host hotel - The Chablis Inn. The Chablis is offering an amazing Big Gay Discount for the weekend with rooms from only $99 a night! Visit www.chablisinn.com or call 707-257-1944 for more details.

Also, check out an interview with one of the organizers of the event, Mark Vogler on the latest episode of "Queers! Eat, Drink & Be Fabulous!" on QTalkAZ for all of the details you need to make this can't miss event in the Napa Valley.

 

Queers! #6: Street Eats Food Truck Festival, Big Gay Wine Train and more!

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The word of this episode: Jamburrito!!

Your favorite food and wine show is back with an episode full of culinary and vineyard-y goodness!

Coming up THIS SATURDAY in our own backyard, 30+ food trucks descend on Salt River Fields at Talking Stick for the 1st Annual Street Eats Food Truck Festival, presented by New Times!  Food trucks have become a gourmet phenomenon over the past few years, not to mention being helped by Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race” hosted by Tyler Florence.  And speaking of Tyler, he’ll be making a special guest appearance at the Food Truck Festival on Saturday.  Aaron Studebaker from Salt River Fields gave us an awesome interview and talks about how the event came to be and gives us the inside scoop on what’s planned for this massive event.  And, you can WIN TICKETS to the event by answering the trivia question on the show and e-mailing us the answer–first person to email with the right answer wins!  A big thank you to Ronnie at New Times for getting us the tickets to give-away on our various shows!

Nathan brings us a great interview with Mark Vogler from Out in the Vineyard about the upcoming The Big Gay Train that is calling ‘All Board!’ in March!  They invite you to join them for their exclusive ALL GAY Winemaker Dinner aboard the world famous Napa Valley Wine Train!  The event officially goes on Saturday, March 31: Enjoy an elegant, perfectly paired, five-course dinner in old world luxury, from Acclaimed Chef Kelly Macdonald.  Looking for more wine-related gay fun?  Check out their Gay Wine Weekend, June 15-17 in Sonoma Valley.

Claudine tells about the amazing experience that she had when she recently checked out Rice Paper, a relatively new Vietnamese restaurant in Central Phoenix.  This new gem has amazing Pho and also specializes in their rolls, which are made with a very thin wrapper (hence the Rice Paper name) which makes them somewhere in-between an egg roll and traditional sushi rolls.  Definitely put it on your list!

Joe dishes about how he just came back from stuffing himself silly at Girl Meets Fork’s Pancake Quest 2012 — an ultimate showdown of eight local chefs vying for the honor of the best pancake in town.  I especially liked those from Orange Table, Smart Kitchen and Elemental Sugar.  If you’re curious about their pancakes from those three, here they are: Buttermilk pancake with fresh ricotta and prosciutto, Meyer lemon butter, ground cherry maple syrup; cream cheese-infused, reduced port wine pancake with fresh raspberry coolie; and grain-free, gluten-free pancake with mesquite flour, pochi berry with chai-infused butter. The event was hosted by Perk Eatery, who put out some pretty amazing spiced sweet potato pancakes with a praline bacon crumble and whiskey bourbon sauce.  An incredible event, to be sure!

Girl Meets Fork is run by foodie and PR gal Susie Timm and is a boutique marketing firm for the restaurant and specialty food industries.  She blogs on her site about food and loves to organize food-related events.  Check out her next event: The 2nd Annual Grilled Cheese Throwdown February 26 at the Hotel Valley Ho.

Last but not least!  Check out this month’s Places, Spaces and Faces Community Dinner on Saturday, January 21st from 6-9pm, at Kitchen Sink Studios in Downtown Phoenix.  PSF is a giant community ‘potluck’ dinner and features a different theme every month and brings the community together for a totally fun night!  Meet new people and discover foods and recipes that you may have never heard of!  Click this link for the official Facebook event.

Wine that we’re drinking on this episode: Callaghan Vineyards Grenache