Here are a couple of thoughts: For Cabernet Sauvignon: Ch. Souverain from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma for around $15 or Wild Horse from Paso Robles for $13.99. For a blend (Merlot/Cab): Lyeth Meritage at $12.99. For a Pinot Noir

Monterey 6th Course -Lambs-head soup w/buttered breadcrumbs -Like French Onion Soup, only much more flavorful; vegetables had perfect amount. of crunchiness left; breadcrumbs good compliment -Merlot from NZ 7th Course -Lamb chop...

of their Zins, a Cab and a Merlot. What I would love to have the opportunity to do is sample, just before blending and then taste along with the person doing the cuvée, listening to him, or her, tell me exactly what they were...

I don’t know where you’re located, so I’m not sure all of these will be available, but here are a few options. The most typical California wines are Zinfandels, Cabernets, Chardonnays and increasingly Merlot,...

Just got back from three days in SB County wine country. If you can stretch a bit, I highly recommend Palima Pinot Gris (06) and Stolpman Limestone Hill (04)—a red blend of 85% Cab, 10% Merlot, 5%Malbec. Both are terrific...

Out in Monterey Park for Dim Sum and make my usual stop @ the Wing Hop Fung to try and bump up my VIP points so that someday, Buddha willing, I’ll be able to get a Chinese calendar or some cool chachke . I wander into the...

with champagne vinaigrette A Belgian waffle made with fresh whipped cream and pear marmalade. A poached pear and cream cheese tart served with pear marmalade Pear Crème Brulee Pear Merlot sorbet (the dolce de leche sorbet sounded...

in Monterey, California. We started with the bottle of Le Sophiste, a Marsanne and Rousanne blend from Bonny Doon winery. It went well with the food and I enjoyed its minerality and its structure. It was so good that we finished...

Meat & Potatoes – Zanut Brjac Merlot, 1999Cheeses – Weingut Rosenhof Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese, 2001Sweets – Banyuls Domaine du Mas Blanc, 1969 After reveling in the peaceful setting, we were asked if there were any...

. Chalone Monterey Pinot Noir can be found for around $13 - $14. A little lesser wine but still passable is Pepperwood PN, which will be less than $10. All of these wines are generally mass market offerings that are reasonably...

of butter and olive oil. Add roasted, peeled, chopped green chiles (you can use canned for this recipe), continue to cook until everything is just tender. Add grated Monterey jack or cheddar cheese, salt & pepper to taste. There...

I would check out these dry creek wineries. Mazzoco-great Chardonnay Preston-Rhone style wines (great place to have a picnic) Rochioli-Fabulous Sauvignon Blanc Lambert Bridge-Merlot Pezzi King- and my all time favorite! J Winery...

Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It will have a more acidity and structure than a Calif. wine. At the same time, this was a very ripe year and there should be plenty of explosive fruit here too. The highly regarded...

Sunstone is great as well. Nice merlots and chardonnays ( and I’m not much a fan of merlot). Kid friendly too. I saw a few babies in strollers out in the courtyard playing with what seemed to be a Nanny as the parents were...

The Brown Cow yogurt is also available in 4x4.3oz for $1.49 at Monterey Hwy SJ. Same price for similar size Stonyfield Farm. I also got a couple 33oz jars of Gertie’s artichoke tapenade for $3.99 each. I think it’s...