Queers! #4: Great Wine Buys, Pumpkins Debunked and Surviving Thanksgiving!

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OK, it’s not quite turkey day yet, but we’ve got a Thanksgiving-related show for you anyway!  Nathan gives us some great wine pics from the Wine Enthusiast Magazine Top 100, Joe debunks pumpkin, Claudine raves about Mu Shu Grill and Libbie pairs turkey and wine!  And, what does Siri recommend for your pumpkin pie fix?

Notes and helpful links form this episode:

Libbie and Nathan recall their adventures at the recent Wine Stomp in Southern Arizona.  We can tell you that they didn’t win, but they at least tried!

Nathan talks to us about some great inexpensive wines from the Wine Enthusiast Magazine Top 100.

Joe gives us the low-down on pumpkin through the ages and why it has become such a craze these days, plus other Thanksgivings around the world.

Claudine dishes about her experience at Mu Shu Grill — she just can’t say enough good things about it!

Is it possible to pair some wines with the venerable turkey?  Libbie’s got the full glass of information on that one!  Plus, is it ok to get a bit tipsy and relaxed to make the holidays go over well?  And how to do it with class and style!

What’s up with the new developments at 7th Ave and McDowell?  Is it ok that they are putting in national chains just to redevelop the area?  We’d like to see otherwise, but at least they are re-using existing buildings.

And to round out, we highly recommend buying local and supporting your independent shops and restaurants this holiday season, it keeps our local economy headed in the right direction!

From all of your tipsy hosts at your favorite food and wine show…

Have a safe, indulgent and truly ‘happy’ Thanskgiving!

Joe, Claudine, Nathan and Libbie

Queers! #3: More wine, please!

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We were so busy trying to get as many details into this episode that we even forgot to introduce ourselves!  (Going around the room during our ‘Queers’ intro it’s Joe, Nathan, Claudine and Libbie — for those playing along at home).

Claudine and Libbie, along with their partners, took a trip to San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa that has both Nathan and Joe totally jealous and they give us the details of their adventures.  From walking the wrong way and down a hill in SF to their relaxing and wine-sampling travels in wine country, we get the entire divine tale.

Nathan tells us about the wonderful trip he took recently to the Harvest Festival in the wine country of the Verde Valley of Arizona and Joe mentions the fabulous weekend (which started off with a wine tasting) up in the Red Rocks of Sedona enjoying their Pride festivities.

Ever wanted to add something a little extra special to your dessert?  How about liquor-infused whipped cream?  Yes, there is such a thing!  (Joe heard about it, strangely enough, on the NSFW show on TWiT)

Joe gives his full review of Rum Bar and the Breadfruit in Downtown Phoenix.  Hint: order the scallops, they’re totally hot!

As we enter fall, what’s your favorite food of the season?  We share our own favorites and stories.

Shameless plugs for our co-hosts blogs:

Libbie (winedayatatime.com) | Nathan (winephx.com)

Queers! #2: Cheese is the Wine of Food

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On this edition of Queers! Eat, Drink and Be Fabulous…

Wine Focus:

Nathan introduces us to three great summer wines that can be had for $10.  (Get ‘em at Total Wine)

Libbie talks about the upcoming Grape Stomp and Festival at The Farm at South Mountain, that Arizona is now a bona-fide Wine Destination and that is is coming up on Harvest Season in Arizona Wine Country.

Food Focus:

Joe de-mystifies bacon and where it comes from, the bacon mania that has gripped the world, the question “is bacon better than sex?” and his favorite places to get your bacon fix!

Claudine discusses the newest trend in restaurants: iPads replacing menus!

Restaurant Reviews:

Joe talks about a little-known CenPho dive to get great food, awesome sandwiches and even a giant breakfast burrito:Cranberry Hills

Claudine shares her divine recent experience enjoying brunch at St. Francis.

Rumors / Gossip:

Anthony Bourdain vs Paula Deen! No, not celebrity deathmatch — but Anthony says Paula is the greatest threat to America!  Is she the Butter Terrorist??

Dane Cellars

After over two decades working in the wine industry, winemaker Bart Hansen founded Dane Cellars in 2007. Named after his son who was born the same year, Bart brought his experience from working for such world renown wineries as Kenwood Vineyards, Benziger Family Winery and Imagery Estate Wines. Drawing from this experience, Dane Cellars produces two Cabernet Sauvignon wines, a Zinfendel and a Chenin Blanc. I recently tasted the Clarksberg Chenin Blanc and the Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

The thing with Bart Hansen's wine is, as the old adage goes - he's so good, he makes it look/taste so easy. In a world where words like big and robust are what winemakers strive for to please critics, I often feel the finesse and careful balance that must go into producing wine is over looked. It is clear with both of these wines that great care goes into producing quality wines, focused on using quality fruit, all while making them very approachable, not only in price, but also in style - these wines are very food friendly and easy to drink.

As Bart recently said in a blog post of his own:

I was asked, why Chenin Blanc? My first thought was the sarcastic answer, why not Chenin Blanc? But then I thought about it. When I first started in the wine business Chenin Blanc was planted throughout the north coast. But as the popularity of Chardonnay and other varieties grew the acres in Sonoma and Napa started to shrink and so did the amount of wineries producing Chenin. There are very limited plantings in Sonoma/Napa these days, also Monterey, Mendocino, & Santa Barbara counties. We produced a Dry Chenin Blanc when I worked at Kenwood Vineyards, and it was a great wine but like so many other producers Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay were dominating the white wine market. So the Chenin Blanc that we received was used as a blending grape in the Vintage White Table wine. So when we started our winery it was a chance to make a wine I enjoyed drinking and to try to pay it the respect that I think it deserves.

I can honestly say that with this wine, he has paid Chenin Blanc a tramendous amount of respect. The crisp nose, that bursts with great citrus fruit is just the beginning. Upon tasting this wine, refreshing tropical fruits dominate the taste. There is a perfect balance of acidity and a smooth finish that leaves your taste-buds wanting more. At $15 a bottle, this is a summer white I could drink everyday.

Rating: A

Upon pouring the 2007 Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon I was impressed by the very nice, deep fruit on the nose, but it was when I took the first taste that I realized that Bart Hansen truly knows what he is doing. Despite the deep, rich texture, the beautiful fruit, the balanced toast with a hint of spice - there is a simplicity to this wine. I had to take another sip to make sure I tasted it correctly. I am actually not sure simplicity is the right word, because there is all the complexity in structure and flavor that should be there in a Cab, but it just all comes together in a way that really speaks to this winemakers talent and appreciation for the winemaking process.

I could easily see this $24 bottle of wine stand up next to wines twice the price. Check out Dane Cellars website to purchase this, and Bart Hansen's other wines.

Rating: A

(These wines were generously provided by Dane Cellars as tasting samples.)

Andrew Murray Vineyards

To say that Andrew Murray strives for perfection in each of his wines might be a bit of an understatement. In tasting his 2010 RGB, 2008 Espérance and 2009 Watch Hill Vineyard Syrah, I was very impressed with the consistency in balance and obvious craftsmanship by whom Food & Wine Magazine named "Taste Maker of the Year" and described him as, "One of the most fearsome talents in food and wine."

The 2010 RBG is a wine inspired by an early visit that Andrew made to the Rhone Valley. Andrew was tasting a white Chateauneuf-du-Pape and got very excited when he realized the wine smelled like "Juicy Fruit". He has been chasing that aroma for over 10 years and he feels that he has finally achieved it. I would have to say I agree.

This blend is 50% Roussanne and 50% Grenache Blanc, both from the Camp 4 Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. Upon pouring this wine into my glass and taking a smell, I was surprised and excited by the "Juicy Fruit" aroma, which blended perfectly with some light floral notes and a bit of honey. Such a great and refreshing smell for a hot Arizona summer night.

With the first taste, a very crisp and balanced, as well as fruit forward first impression consisting of a bit of pear with a bit of that honey from the nose. The body and structure were very impressive for a white wine and the finish lingered with a pleasant balance that was consistent through each step of tasting this wine.

At $25 a bottle, only 200 cases of this wine were produced. This wine is a perfect summer wine and paired beautifully with the cheese board and fruit that we started the night off with. It is available online at Andrew Murray Vineyards' website or in the Los Olivos, CA tasting room.

Rating: A

The 2008 Espérance is a true Rhone style GSM blend. Consisting of 60% Grenache Noir, 25% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre and at $30 a bottle, 400 cases of this Central Coast wine were produced. As the name of this wine states, Espérance translates into Hope from French, Andrew Murray "hopes" to inspire your senses, as his were over a decade ago on his visit to Southern France.

With the body and structure of the Grenache very evident, as well as providing the fruit forwardness of that grape, the Syrah adds a bit of spice, both on the nose and in the mouth, as well as providing the body and finish that the Syrah is known for. The Mourvedre steps in to provide a very nice floral note that rounds out this very balanced and incredibly food friendly wine.

When I first opened this bottle, I poured and tasted a bit too early and the wine was a touch hot on the nose and finish, so I decanted it and set it aside for about an hour and this wine opened up into a truly complex wine. This wine was clearly my favorite of the three I tasted. Andrew has created a masterpiece with this wine.

Rating: A+

The 2009 Syrah, Watch Hill Vineyard comes from the cool Los Alamos Valley, which allows the grapes to reach a nice maturity level that is evident in this full-bodied, yet not over powering, Syrah. I must admit, I am not a big fan of overly peppery, big Syrah wines. While the characteristics of a Syrah were clearly there in this wine, the balance and complexity set this wine apart.

The nose is bursting with deep red fruits, a touch of spice, some smoky oak and a hint of gun powder. I couldn't stop smelling this wine! The taste delivers on each of the aspects of the aroma, but add to that a very delicate floral note, provided by the 5% Viognier that was added to this vintage. The finish doesn't disappoint on this wine either and it left me longing for a big smokey rack of bar-b-que ribs to really pull out all of the complexity that this wine has to offer.

Although this was probably my least favorite of the three wines, that isn't saying I would not drink it again. It is coming with me to the next big summer bar-b-que I go to. At $36 a bottle, only 212 cases were produced.

Rating: B+

This sampling of Andrew Murray's wines made it clear as to why Robert Parker, Jr. called Andrew, "One of the shining stars in the Santa Barbara Firmament", and his wines "a breath of fresh air given their exceptionally high quality and realistic prices."

(These wines were generously provided by Andrew Murray Vineyards as tasting samples.)

Queers! Eat, Drink and Be Fabulous! #1: Arizona Wines

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We’re introducing ourselves as friends who have come together to share our shared passions for food and wine with our listeners.  We’re trying to convey our interests and loves by just being casual about it, we’re not professional critics — just foodies!

Libbie starts us off, talking a bit about wines produced locally here in Arizona.  The three main growing areas are Sonoita, Wilcox and the Verde Valley.  Libbie and Claudine share about their recent trip to the northern Arizona wine country.  And speaking of Arizona wines, FnB Restaurant in Scottsdale only features Arizona wines.  FnB is an absolutely incredible culinary experience, if you haven’t made it over there yet, you’ve gotta go!

Nathan recalls his recent trip to the first ever Gay Wine Weekend in Sonoma, California.  We sum it up as “Drink with a Purpose”, as it benefitted both Face to Face – Somona County AIDS Network and the Sonoma Community Center.  It was a truly magical event that should become a wonderful tradition for years to come.

Claudine starts off our segment about de-mystifying foods.  And this time, it’s dairy — specifically, eggs!  Cage-free?  Do the chickens all hang out and have egg-laying parties?  What’s the difference between organic and non-organic?  You’ll be egg-ceptionally knowledgeable after this episode!

Joe gives his review of recent visit to the new Black Chile Mexican Grill at Biltmore Fashion Park.  Looks like it’s a chain, but evidently not.  What’s was his rating?  Listen and find out!

If you have a great wine or a wonderful restaurant that you’d love us to check out and talk about, just drop us an email!  Or even better, leave us a voicemail!  (440) 84-QTALK (78255)

Featured wine on this episode: Dos Cabezas ‘Pink’

Other helpful links mentioned on the show:

AZ Wine Grower’s Association

Bonne Lait in Cottonwood

Nathan’s Blog

Libbie’s Blog

Gay Wine Weekend 2011

Let me just start by saying that Gary Saperstein and Mark Vogler know how to put on a world-class event and Out in the Vineyard's Gay Wine Weekend is bound to be the "can't miss" annual event for the LGBT community in California Wine Country.


The First Annual Gay Wine Weekend was held June 17-19 in Sonoma. The weather, the events and the setting couldn't have been more perfect! Over 300 people attended the various events, starting with the VIP Reception at MacArthur Place on Friday evening. Not only were there three great wineries pouring at this event - Poem Cellars (whose Cab Franc was among my favorites of the whole trip - more on that in a future post), Highway 12 and Westwood - there were also tasty hors d'oeuvres and cocktails provided for those in attendance. As we left the event we were also handed a fun schwag bag that had items from the various sponsors. After the reception, "An Evening of Gay Comedy" was held to benefit the Sonoma Community Center, headlined by the very funny Judy Tenuta and featuring four other comedians, the evening was filled with laughs and helped raise much needed funds for a very worthy cause.


Saturday was all about wine tasting. Many of the participating wineries were offering tasting and wine specials, so we headed out to take advantage of those! Our day began as every day should, with bubbles! Gloria Ferrer was offering complimentary tastings to Gay Wine Weekend All-Access VIP ticket holders. The grounds, views and winery are spectacular. We sat on the outdoor patio and enjoyed three different sparkling wines. Our group's favorite was the 2002 Royal Cuvee, which for $32/bottle, it is a very solid sparkling wine. This 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay bubbly has received critical acclaim, as well as five Gold Medals at various wine competitions across the country.


After enjoying the patio and bubbles at Gloria Ferrer, we headed to the much anticipated and highly recommended "Mountain Top Tour" at Kunde. Although they weren't a participating winery, we were told it was a can't miss, with views of the Sonoma Valley that are second to none. More on Kunde in a future post.

After two great tastings and the tour of Kunde, it was time to stop by one of Sonoma's most beloved restaurants, the girl & the fig. Opened in 1997 by Sondra Bernstein, the girl & the fig is a must for anyone visiting Sonoma. Located in the historic Sonoma Square, it is the perfect lunch or dinner spot. The rustic French inspired menu has something for everyone and the freshness and quality of the food is truly something special.

With just a few hours to go before the Twilight T-Dance, we were able to do two more tastings, first we hit Ledson - beautiful location, not my favorite wines or tasting room experience - then we finished the day at Imagery Estate Winery. Imagery was a participating winery and provided free tastings. The tasting room walls are lined with the original works of art that are used on each of their bottles of wine, which provides for a very unique experience, as well as beautiful bottles of wine that not only contain great wine, but actual pieces of art. My favorite wine was the Dragonsleaf Syrah, which as the tasting notes accurately describe, is full of:

"dark, rich flavors of blackberry and raspberry with a rustic, spicy tobacco finish. Soft tannins slowly unveil an earthy quality, reminiscent of a redwood forest floor, while toasty oak essence wraps around all the flavors for a savory, evenly packaged wine."

Imagery was a great way to finish the day of tasting and I look forward to opening that bottle of Dragonsleaf Syrah soon.


It was then time to head to the spectacular Atwood Ranch for the Twilight T-Dance. To say that this venue is gorgeous, doesn't do it justice. The evening began with a VIP reception on a beautiful patio, with wines being poured by Sojourn Cellars and Audelssa - my favorite of the bunch was the Sojourn Cellars Spring Mountain Cab - hoping to get some soon, so I can write more about it.


Following the reception, everyone was ushered down to the barn for an evening of wine, food and dancing. Wine was being poured by a dozen different participating wineries and to pick a favorite out of the bunch would be nearly impossible. The very generous support of Benzinger Family Winery, Imagery Estate Winery, Eric Ross, Deerfield Ranch Winery, Muscardini Cellars, Enkidu, Loxton, B Wise Vineyards and Keating Wines at the T-Dance, made for a very fun night with some really great wines. Additionally, the food truck round-up provided options to fit everyone's taste and some great grub!

Despite all of the great food, wine and being able to spend time with friends and make new friends, the highlight of the evening for many was the spectacular sunset. It couldn't have been more perfect and many joked that those putting on the event did quite an amazing job staging the sunset for the event.


The Big Gay Brunch and Wine Auction on Sunday morning closed out the weekend with a bang. Hosted by El Dorado Kitchen, the event was filled with Mimosas, Bloody Mary's and laughs, as the 60 or so people in attendance bid feverishly over several wine lots and a wine country experience, with all proceeds benefiting Face to Face, Sonoma County AIDS Network.

To say the weekend was a smashing success is an understatement. And to think this is just the beginning of what Mark & Gary have in mind for what future Out in the Vineyard events will look like, I am already anxiously awaiting June 2012.

Additional Gay Wine Weekend coverage:
Gay Wine Weekend draws 350-400 to Sonoma Valley
Big Gay Brunch & Wine Auction