Wine and Cheese (the pairing guide of wine and cheese)

Cheese, Wine

Ardrahan, Pinot Noit, Chianti, Sangiovese
Asiago, Bardolino
Azeitao, Tempranillo
Banon, Chenin Blanc, Bordeaux
Bel Paese, Chardonnay
Baby Swiss, Asti Spumanti
Blue Tawny Port, Madeira, Sherry
BlueCastello, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
Boursin, Gewürztraminer
Brick, Chardonnay
Brie, Champagne, Sweet Sherry, Merlot
Bucheron, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Camembert ,Cabernet, Chenin Blanc
Cheddar,mild Champagne, Chardonnay
Cheddar, sharp Cabernet, Rioja, Sauvignon Blanc
Cream Cheese, White Zinfandel
Crème fraiche, Dessert wine
Fresh Mozzarella, Light Reds, Whites
Garrotxa Merlot, Gewürztraminer
Goat Cheese, Sancerre, Vouvray
Gorgonzola, Sauternes - Bordeaux
Gouda Riesling, Champagne

Don't drink this wine with this food

White wine should only be paired up with fish and seafood (light food).

Red wine should be paired with meat dishes.

In other words don't drink white wine with a meat dish, they don't compliment one another very well.

Top Restaurants in the East Bay

The Top 10

Eccolo
Website
1820 Fourth St, Berkeley, CA Chez Panisse alum branches out on his own, bringing Italian rusticity to Fourth Street's main drag.

Amber Bistro
500 Hartz Ave, Danville, CA Executive Chef Jerry Gomez blends Japanese, Thai and other Asian flavors at this hip dining destination.

Pearl Oyster Bar & Restaurant
5634 College Ave, Oakland, CA Rockridge seafood spot serves up small plates and delicate flavors.

Va de Vi
1511 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA Asian- and European-inspired small-plate dining comes to Walnut Creek.

Bendean
1647 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA Bustling Solano Avenue spot offers Cal-Mediteranean fare in a slick setting.

Albany Bistro
1403 Solano Ave, Albany, CA Creative presentations at this East-West fusion restaurant draw local neighborhood crowds.

Ristorante Amoroma
360 Park St, Moraga, CA Chefs prepare a seasonal menu of traditional homemade pastas and meat entrees at this elegant restaurant.

House Of Chicken N Waffles
444 Embarcadero W, Oakland, CA Hipsters and soul-food junkies get their late-night fix of crispy fried chicken and syrup-slathered waffles at this homey diner.

Gioia Pizzeria
1586 Hopkins St, Berkeley, CA Gourmet toppings and thin crusts will please both adventuresome California pizza aficionados and NY slice fans.

Sahnmaru Korean BBQ
4315 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA "Seoul food" hot spot offers stews, barbecue and hard-to-find Korean specialties.

Do's! Quick+Easy+CHEAP+Healthy Meals

Lunchtime: 10 Great Ways to Eat Well Every Day

1. Chicken salad, tuna salad and turkey salad! Enjoy on a bed of lettuce with other fresh veggies or as a sandwich on low-carb bread.
2. Quesadillas! Fill low-carb tortillas with meats, vegetables and cheese. 3. Sandwiches! Stuff a low-carb tortilla or low-carb bread with avocado slices, chicken, sprouts and other veggies and protein.
4. Leftovers! Leftovers are great for both lunch and dinner. If you make a roast chicken the night before, you can use the meat as a base for either a salad or sandwich.
5. Ready-to-drink shakes or handy snack bars! Supplement these Atkins products with a piece of cheese or fresh vegetables. If you have moved beyond Induction, you can supplement with a some berries or a handful of nuts as well.

6. Caesar salad, Cobb salad, chef salad! Any salad that contains proteins (cheese or luncheon meat made without nitrates) and low-carb dressing is a healthy option.
7. Omelets! If you haven't had eggs for breakfast, an omelet loaded with meat and vegetables makes a good lunch.
8. Burger...no bun! You can make a quick run for your favorite fast food restaurant. Order a bun-less burger and a side salad.
9. Miso soup and sashimi! If you're going Japanese, fresh fish is an excellent selection. However, pass on the sushi rolls made with rice.
10. Steak, lobster...dinner for lunch! Treat yourself. A juicy steak or a chicken breast with a side of veggies is more than suitable and a great way to beat lunchtime boredom.

Wine DOs And DON'Ts...

Here are some informative "Wine Don'ts" adapted from the Complete Idiot's Guide to Wine, which is another good read and wine resource book! (The notes in the parentheses are ours.)

* Wine DOs and DON'Ts Don't store wine in hot places or in the sunlight.
* Don't keep wine in the trunk of your car.
* Don't store your wine standing up (keep the cork moist).
* Don't fill a wineglass more than halfway (so you can swirl it).
* Don't serve wine in new, unwashed glasses.
* Don't pop the champagne cork. Slowly twist it and pull it off.
* Don't serve a white wine too cold, or reds too warm.
* Don't buy wine from the store window.
* Don't give too much attention to wine snobs.
* Don't assume a vintage date means good quality (unless it says Wilson Creek).
* Don't assume a cork in a bottle is a sign of good quality.
* Don't fail to ask when you don't understand wine terminology.
* Don't take the 100-point rating system too seriously.
* Don't assume all Napa wines are superior. (Notice the many awards Temecula wineries have won)
* Don't assume the words "reserve" or "classic" on a U.S. wine label have any significance. (note: except Wilson Creek wines of course)
* Don't assume all bottle-aged wine in a single case will be of the same quality.
* Don't accept a faulty wine in a restaurant.
* Don't accept a bottle in a restaurant that hasn't been opened at your table.
* Always assume that Wilson Creek wines are far superior in quality (we added this one... just seeing if you're paying attention!)

http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/Wine-101/Wine-DOs-and-DONTS.aspx

Food and Wine

This week the blog will be all about delicious food with the proper glass of wine. Please feel free to comment and make suggestions.