Foodie Friends 60506
For Those Foodie Friends of Ours
By Tom Luther
Foodie Editor
A taste of Marin County Pinot Noirs to benefit MALT
Do you know about Marin County’s wineries? You have an opportunity to taste Marin Pinot Noir wines on Friday & Saturday, June 9 & 10, from 5-8 PM (with complimentary valet parking) at the oldest winery in Marin County, Escalle Winery. The event will benefit the non-profit Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT). The event will showcase Marin’s newest breed of boutique Pinot Noirs. Escalle was established in 1881 at 771 Magnolia Avenue near downtown Larkspur but no longer produces wine and is rarely open to the public. A complimentary private tasting for credentialed media & trade between 3-5 PM will precede the fundraising celebration.
Marin winegrower Jonathan Pey of Pey-Marin Vineyards noted, “Last year’s event was so well attended that we added an additioanl day to allow more Pinot enthusiasts to enjoy Marin’s wine & food bounty and to support a cause that is critical to Marin County - its agricultural viability.”
The limited production Marin County Pinot Noirs, carefully crafted in the chilly, remote coastal vineyards of western Marin County include marquee names and some of America’s most promising new faces: Corda Winery, Dutton-Goldfield, Pey-Marin Vineyards, Pt. Reyes Vineyard, Stubbs Vineyard, Sean Thackrey and Vision Cellars.
This collaborative effort of Marin winegrowers, North Coast Grape Growers and this leading non-profit organization will also feature a variety of artisan cheeses & other delicious foods – all grown on the family farms of Marin County. Tickets for the fundraiser must be purchased in advance from MALT at www.malt.org or 415.663.1158 ($40 per person, $30 for MALT members) and may be tax deductible. Trade and credentialed media should RSVP to Jonathan Pey at 415.455.9463 or info@marinwines.com
The 30th anniversary of the wine tasting that shook the world of wine
The 30th anniversary of the most famous wine tasting in history, the “Judgment of Paris,” was simultaneously and jubilantly recreated today at COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts and Berry Bros. & Rudd, in association with Steven Spurrier—wine writer, author and creator of the original event.
The Tasting that Changed the Wine World: “The Judgment of Paris” 30th Anniversary brought together two panels of wine aficionados—one at COPIA in California’s renowned Napa Valley, the other at Berry Bros. & Rudd in London. The results from the recreation of the original Judgment of Paris tasting proved that California wines have the ability to age as well as their French counterparts, scoring Ridge California Cabernet Sauvignon 1971 as the unanimous choice for both the US and UK panelists. In addition, the top five scoring wines in the recreation were all from California, with Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 ranking second (winner of the 1976 Judgment of Paris), Heitz Martha’s Vineyard 1970 and Mayacamas 1971 tied for third, and Clos du Val 1972 rounding out the top five.
“It’s absolutely wonderful that California wines have shown that they can age as well as Bordeaux wines,” says Steven Spurrier, who put on the original tasting in honor of the bicentennial of the American Revolution. “Today’s event was most amazing—the link between California and UK has been extraordinary and uplifting.”
“It really felt like a celebration,” says Peter Marks MW, Copia Director of Wines and an official panelist for today’s tasting. “It’s well known that French wines have stood the test of time for centuries, and it’s wonderful to confirm that California wines have the ability to age gracefully, as well.”
At Copia the nine California panelists included Dan Berger, Anthony Dias Blue, Stephen Brook, Wilfred Jaeger, Peter Marks MW, Paul Roberts MS, Andrea Immer Robinson MS, Jean-Michel Valette MW and Christian Vanneque, one of the original judges from the 1976 tasting. Patricia Gastaud-Gallagher served as the USA Panel Chair. Special guest George Taber, author of ‘Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the 1976 Paris Tasting that Revolutionized Wine’, was also in attendance.
At Berry Bros. & Rudd, the pre-eminent European contingent included France’s Michel Bettane, Britain’s Michael Broadbent MW, Michel Dovaz, Hugh Johnson, Matthew Jukes, Jane MacQuitty, Jasper Morris MW, Jancis Robinson OBE MW and Brian St. Pierre at Berry Bros. & Rudd. Steven Spurrier served as the UK Panel Chair.
The panelists simultaneously swirled, sniffed, sipped and spat their way through a blind tasting of the original reds sampled at the legendary tasting in Paris, then worked their way through a comparative tasting of younger vintages of red and white wines from the same and similar estates.
The Real Dirt on Farmer John (the movie)
My Slow Foodie friend Gibson Thomas tells me that there is a must see foodie movie out called ‘The Real Dirt on Farmer John.’ This is an epic tale of a maverick Midwestern farmer who is an outcast in his community. Farmer John bravely stands amidst a failing economy, vicious rumors, and violence. By melding the traditions of family farming with the power of art and free expression, this powerful story of transformation and renewal heralds a resurrection of farming in America. Screenings nightly at 7:15 and 9:35 pm Please join Farmer John in person for post-screening Q & A and book signing for these special screenings of the 20-time award-winning documentary Monday, June 5th – Tuesday, June 6th, at the Red Vic Movie House on Haight St. in San Francisco.
Here are what some of the notable film critics say in their reviews: “3.5 out of 4 stars. A loving, moving, inspiring, quirky documentary,” Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times; "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" examines 50-odd years in the life of its eponymous subject -- a most compelling character. Suffused with a soulful optimism as vast as the fruited plains,” Scott Foundas, Variety; “One of the Top Ten Films of the Year. As funny, heart stirring and hopeful in turns as any fictional feature.” Shawn Levy, The Oregonian. “HHHH Lives up to the salaciousness of its title, packing ‘60s radicalism, free love and suspicions of Satanic worship (seriously) into its plight-of-the-working-man narrative… feels natural, yet surprises at every turn,” Adam Nayman, Toronto Eye Weekly. “HHHH An inspiring resurrection story,” Stefan Gruenwedel, SFStation.com. “A beguiling combination of agrarian ode and the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.” J.R. Jones, Chicago Reader. "I loved this outrageous film! Engaging, moving and highly entertaining,” Audrey Philpot, Malibu Chronicle. “An inexplicably compelling portrait of a low-key Midwestern eccentric. It may not sound like much, but the film’s oddball charm can melt a die-hard hippie-haters heart,” Cliff Doerksen, Time Out (Chicago). “HHHH An enjoyable look at an unconventional American,” Walter Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle. “Full of curious triumphs and outlandish redemptions,” Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune. “A touching, humorous portrait of an eccentric farmer…giddy, heartfelt work,” Ray Pride, New City. “A film rich with sadness, joy and a renewed love of life,” Joshua Tanzer, OffOffOff.com. “Unbelievably special…a real and gripping story with insight and humor,” Al Gore, former Vice-President. “A Charming, wonderful and important movie,” Alice Waters, Chef and Advocate. “I love this film and have found myself talking about it almost daily since I saw it. Farmer John is a compelling and complex character whose story will open your heart, break it, and then fill it with a redemptive vision. Along the way, you’ll get an education about the joys and curses of farm life and the issues farmers are grappling with,” Nina Utne, Utne Reader. “The film evolves into a deeply moving metaphor for the struggles of an entire generation. His triumphant story is essential for all us city folk who have found ourselves despairing for the earth and what has seemed like our inevitable alienation from it.” Mark Achbar, director, The Corporation
Awards And Honors: International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA) – Third Place in Audience Award (out of 165 films). Slow Food on Film – Golden Snail Jury Award. San Francisco International Film Festival – Golden Gate Jury Award
Slamdance Film Festival – Audience Award. Newport International Film Festival – Grand Jury Award. Chicago Int'l Documentary Festival – Audience Award Nashville Film Festival – Grand Jury Award Nashville Film Festival – Reel Current Award (selected by Al Gore) Santa Cruz Film Festival – Festival Director’s Award
Wisconsin Film Festival – Grand Jury Award.
I’ll see you foodies there.