15 April 2026 2022 BACA Home Base Zinfandel

2022 BACA Home Base Zinfandel

April 15, 2026 By Leave a Comment

I had the opportunity to sample this delicious, lush Zinfandel at the Hall Napa Valley tasting room in Palm Springs recently. The 2022 BACA Home Base Zinfandel is  a great example of Dry Creek Zinfandel with big, bold dark berry flavors and a rich mouthful. Just a delicious wine even better a few hours after uncorking.

This California Zinfandel would pair beautifully with anything coming off the grill, but especially with ribs, lamb or pork chops and BBQ chicken.

Producer: BACA

Color in the glass: Dark inky red

Aromas: Cherry, dark ripe berry with some spiced notes

Taste: Ripe juicy berry, chocolate-covered cherries, rich, full bodied with a medium-long finish   

Price: $28.99

Grape(s): 98% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah

Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA

Cheers, Veronique

11 April 2026 Pork Tenderloin with Dijon Mustard Cream Sauce

Pork Tenderloin with Dijon Mustard Cream Sauce

April 11, 2026 By Leave a Comment

We live in North Caroline where pork is king. There’s just beautiful pork here and every cut looks better than the next, so I’ve been switching our beef-heavy diet to pork since moving here. As such, I’m always experimenting with different recipes, and this one is a sure winner. I love how easy it is […]

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8 April 2026 2023 Heart & Hands Dry Riesling

2023 Heart & Hands Dry Riesling

April 8, 2026 By Leave a Comment

I’ve had a love affair with Finger Lakes wines for many years and a favorite producer is Heart & Hands Wine Company, located in Union Springs, NY, on the east side of Cayuga Lake. The boutique winery produces stellar estate-grown, Burgundy-style Pinot Noirs and excellent Rieslings. Here are additional posts I’ve written about Heart & […]

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1 April 2026 2022 Evolution Big Time Red

2022 Evolution Big Time Red

April 1, 2026 By Leave a Comment

I was excited to see this delicious and affordable red wine at Total Wine & More recently. It’s great to have on hand for summer grilling season and pairs beautifully with many things like grilled pork chops, ribs, skirt steak, pizza and even grilled chicken wings. It’s by Evolution Wine which is a label of […]

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31 March 2026 Dijon Maple Green Beans

Dijon Maple Green Beans

March 31, 2026 By Leave a Comment

One of my favorite vegetable side dishes is Dijon Maple Green Beans. This dish can be prepared in minutes, especially if you use microwaveable greens beans, which saves the step of boiling the beans. The combination of tangy Dijon mustard and sweet maple complement each other nicely and create a delicious coating for the green […]

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27 December 2025 Best Dishes 2025

Best Dishes 2025

December 27, 2025 By

In 2025, I spent 105 nights on the road for work — a significant reduction from 146 nights the previous year. Despite traveling less, I enjoyed memorable meals at exceptional restaurants across the U.S. and abroad. As is true of past lists, the 2025 Best Dishes list entails a combination of fine dining and casual […]

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23 October 2025 Smoked Creamy Tomato Bisque

Smoked Creamy Tomato Bisque

October 23, 2025 By

There’s something magical about combining smoke and soup. On a slightly chilly Sunday, I decided to fire up my Recteq pellet smoker and experiment with smoked tomatoes, red bell peppers, and onions. The result? A creamy tomato bisque that’s rich, comforting, and layered with flavor. Why Smoke Your Veggies? Smoking vegetables adds depth and complexity […]

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Spicy Strawberry Frozen Margarita

October 17, 2025 By

What’s better than a cold drink on a hot day while sitting by the pool? I recently bought strawberries from the farmers’ market that I’d frozen, so decided to use some up for frozen strawberry margaritas with a spicy rim on the glasses. Ingredients: Directions: Serves 2 generous margaritas or 3 smaller ones. 🍸 Pro […]

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Top 10 Cookie Recipes on Food and Wine Chickie

October 16, 2025 By

🍪 Cookie Lovers, Rejoice!Food & Wine Chickie has rolled out a mouthwatering lineup of cookie recipes that’ll make your baking sheets beg for action. Whether you’re craving a timeless chocolate chip or something with a festive twist, there’s a treat here for every mood and moment. Here are some of the top picks:Kitchen Sink Cookies […]

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Easy Bruschetta Dip

September 13, 2025 By

I recently had this tasty starter at a friend’s home (thanks Lorelei) and added it to my repertoire as it’s delicious and simple to make. It’s truly the easiest little appetizer you can make yet, it garnered so many kudos at a recent outdoor pool party at my home. It can be prepared in advance […]

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