Tasting Styles at Sunset’s Savor the Central Coast

Eureka Burger team at Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Eureka Burger team at Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

 

Food and wine were not the only thing on tap at Sunset Magazine’s September “Savor the Central Coast” event in San Luis Obispo county near Paso Robles. “Tasting” styles were also on view, as attendees combined wearable fashion with fabrics that were light, flexible, and eye catching.

Even in the countryside, it pays to look good, especially while having fun!

(SAVOR the Central Coast food and wine festival is sponsored by Sunset Magazine and Visit San Luis Obispo County)

 

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Visitor from "Edible San Luis Obispo" magazine at Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Visitor from “Edible San Luis Obispo” magazine at Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Hosts at Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

Savor the Central Coast fashions (Courtesy of TasteTV)

 

5 Year Anniversary Party for Cuisine Noir Magazine

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TasteTV recently attended the 5th Year Anniversary Party for Cuisine Noir Magazine. The event took place at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco’s SoMA District, and hosted a bevy of food and wine purveyors, many of whom are helmed by African-American entrepreneurs.

Founded by V. Sheree Williams, Cuisine Noir is currently the only print and online culinary publication to focus specifically on the African-America market of foodies, creators, and celebrities.

At the event we discovered a number of new products and beverages, as well as reconnected with ones with which we were already familiar. The attendees were glamorous, and more importantly, having a great time.

 

(courtesy of TasteTV)

(courtesy of TasteTV)

(courtesy of TasteTV)

(courtesy of TasteTV)

Longevity Wines (courtesy of TasteTV)

Longevity Wines (courtesy of TasteTV)

Luv's Brownies (courtesy of TasteTV)

Luv’s Brownies (courtesy of TasteTV)

Cuisine Noir magazine co-founder Richard Parnell (courtesy of TasteTV)

Cuisine Noir magazine co-founder Richard Parnell (courtesy of TasteTV)

New Orlean's Bill and his famous cookies and potato salad (courtesy of TasteTV)

New Orlean’s Bill and his famous cookies and potato salad (courtesy of TasteTV)

Cartoon Art Museum (courtesy of TasteTV)

Cartoon Art Museum (courtesy of TasteTV)

Kristen of Marich Confections (courtesy of TasteTV)

Kristen of Marich Confections (courtesy of TasteTV)

Red Carpet at the Cartoon Art Museum (courtesy of TasteTV)

Red Carpet at the Cartoon Art Museum (courtesy of TasteTV)

House of Mandela Wines, part of Nelson Mandela's family business legacy (courtesy of TasteTV)

House of Mandela Wines, part of Nelson Mandela’s family business legacy (courtesy of TasteTV)

Food choices (courtesy of TasteTV)

Food choices (courtesy of TasteTV)

Ron Tanner (right) from NASFT (courtesy of TasteTV)

Ron Tanner (right) from NASFT (courtesy of TasteTV)

Winemakers from Longevity and Indigene (courtesy of TasteTV)

Winemakers from Longevity and Indigene (courtesy of TasteTV)

(courtesy of TasteTV)

(courtesy of TasteTV)

Tips for Drinking and Gifting Wine from the Expert

 

Thinking about the upcoming season for gifting? Think about wine, and specifically, think about the best way to gift (and drink) it.

Fortunately,  Paula Moulton, Sonoma wine expert, author, and contributor for Wine Enthusiast magazine, has a few tips that will help you select a great wine at any price point.

 

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Tips for Gifting Wine:
  1. Be Adventurous: Dare to be different and pick your wine based on the beauty of its label as long as it fits in with your price range. You may be surprised to learn that wine labels oftentimes reflect the personality of the wine in the bottle so perhaps your eye will be your trainer for the evening.
  2. Don’t Forget to Share: Wine is about sharing, so bring the gift of wine based on what you would pick to drink yourself.
  3. What About The Rules: Break the Rules! Your host/hostess is making pizza, but you only drink white wine and you’ve heard that red wine is traditionally paired with pizza. You might be surprised to learn that a full-bodied white and even a sparkling white or Champagne pair well with pizza.
  4. Don’t Forget to Learn: You want to branch out and try wine from other countries so research your host/hostess and bring a wine from the country of their origin.
  5. Remember the Seasons:Pick your wine based on the season. Is it winter and time for something hearty or is it summer and sizzling hot, pick your wine based on the weather?

 

Tips for Pairing Wine For The Holidays:

“In general, I pair wine using a simple technique that I learned from a famous sommelier in France. Wine pairing should be looked at like we look at couples. There are two types of couples in this world: There are the couples who are similar to one another and make each other whole almost like being one person and then there are the couples who are completely opposite and one would never put them together.”

Yet both couples work together and form a powerful bond…

  • Is this wine similar to the menu? Ex: A heavy beef stew with lots of pepper and bay leaves would have flavors similar to a peppery, earthy red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a spicy Pinot Noir. The bold aromas and flavors of the wine are similar to the strong and spicy ingredients in the stew.
  • Is this wine opposite from the menu? Ex: A creamy white sauce over pasta would pair well with a nice Sauvignon Blanc. Why?The acidity in the wine is opposite from the creamy, smooth sauce and actually subdues and balances both flavors.

 

 

 

Chocolate and Wine paired well at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival

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The 19th Annual Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival took place recently in Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, and the event did not lack for that key ingredient: chocolate! But it also included other interesting contributions, such as a fantastic assortment of California wines (and even beer).

In addition to the tasting, there were also presentations and activities, Ghirardelli Chocolate Earthquake Ice Cream Eating Contest, Chocolate School- “From Cocoa Bean to Chocolate Bar”, and Chef Demonstrations.

As always, a portion of the event’s proceeds were contributed to the non-profit, Project Open Hand. Project Open Hand, a local organization that provides meals to the homebound critically ill, senior citizens, and those living with HIV/AIDS. Last year, festival proceeds raised more than $90,000 for this cause.

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Spicy Vines

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Marich Chocolates

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Sharona’s Chocolate Shop

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Rainforest Cafe

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A chocolate message in a bottle? No…in a Govino wine glass

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GudFud Stuffed Marshmallows

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“Cupcake Wars” winner, Frost Cupcake Factory

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Festival Styles at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival

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What is the perfect style for tasting wine and chocolate at an outdoors event on the West Coast?

Apparently a subtle nod to the summer music concert tours is the appropriate outfit, as we discovered at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival, where festival style was the mode of the day.

 

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Sleek and stylish shirts from Torani

Sleek and stylish shirts from Torani

Modelo beer paired with Rick Bayless salsa

Modelo beer paired with Rick Bayless salsa

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LuckyRice Food and Fashion Accessories include Stunning Tattoos

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LuckyRice Festival – Tattoo art – photo by TasteTV

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LuckyRice Festival – photo by TasteTV

Great Asian culinary dishes and culture were not the only items on display at the annual LuckyRice Festival, which made its stop in San Francisco recently.

Fashion was also at the top of the list, and some of the most eye-catching accessories were signature tattoos.

In its fifth year, the annual LUCKYRICE Festival shines a spotlight on Asian culture through cuisine in the America. The organizers work with various culinary partners to bring the diverse worlds of Asian culinary culture to global-minded North American consumers.

The Festival currently tours to five national markets: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami.

 

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LuckyRice Festival – Tattoo art – photo by TasteTV

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LuckyRice Festival – Tattoo art – photo by TasteTV

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LuckyRice Festival – Tattoo art – photo by TasteTV

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LuckyRice Festival – Tattoo art – photo by TasteTV