Cassoulet is a rich, slow-cooked casserole originating in the south of France, made with duck confit, sausage and beans. Served with good crusty bread and a good bottle of hearty wine Cassoulet is just about the finest warden against the cold dark night. There are as many versions of Cassoulet as there are French grandmothers and Chefs. Some include Lamb, pork shoulder or even partridge. Below I give you a basic version that comes very close to traditional. Lenny's Quick Cassoulet 4 ounces bacon, diced 1 cups chopped onion (3/4 lb)) 1/2 cup celery, diced 1/2 cup carrot, peeled diced 1 lb Sausage links, cooked and sliced 1 tsp finely chopped garlic 1 tsp thyme 1each bay leaf 1/4 tsp black pepper 1 (14-oz) can stewed tomatoes, chopped with juice 2 each confit duck legs* 1 14 ounce can white beans 2 cups beef broth 1 Tbl tomato paste 2 Tbl olive oil 1 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs 1/4 cup Parsley, chopped salt and pepper In a large pot render diced bacon 2. Add carrots, onion and celery cook until translucent 3. Add sliced sausage 4. Add herbs and season 5. Add tomatoes, beef broth and tomato paste 6. Add duck confit legs 7. Drain and rinse beans and add to pot 8. Cover and simmer for 1 hour9. Remove bones from cassoulet adjust seasoning if necessary. In a pan heat olive oil and toast bread crumbs. To serve portion out cassoulet and top with bread crumbs and chopped parsley. Serve with crusty bread and a hearty red wine. Cassoulet calls out for a hearty wine, say Cotes du Rhone, Madiran or Cahors. Malbec has been made famous in Argentina where it produces lovely fruit forward reds, in Cahors where the grape is called Cot the wines are a little more rustic. Cahors is a small AOC wine region located in southwest France (the land of Cassoulet). The AOC is only for red wines, which must be made from a minimum of 70% Malbec and up to 30% Merlot or Tannat. Cahors Malbec tend to be deeper in color, more structured and fuller bodied than their Argentine counterparts. Château Eugénie has been in the hands of the same family of winegrowers for generations. Their great great grandmother gave her name to the property. Chateau Eugenie Cahors Tradition ’13 (France) $9.99 btl / save $4 Like most Tradition wines in Cahors, this fruity and perfumed wine has been aged in stainless steel to keep the fruitiness. Blackberry flavors are cut with acidity and a tight tannic character. Drinking beautifully right now! With the weather the way it is I suggest putting on a pot, open a nice bottle of Cahors and don’t forget the bread.

I love this time of year. Although the changing of the seasons can seem a little schizophrenic. 80 degrees one day; raining and overcast the next. But this is harvest time, the final bounty of summer. True, it can be hard to plan for dinner just because of the bounty. Here is a dish that is ideal for the cooling weather. Truffle Mushroom Risotto. Made with sautéed mushrooms and spiked with truffle and porcini this is a rich creamy side dish or Primo for an elegant dinner. I always make a little extra so I can have it for lunch the next day. One of things I really like about this dish is that it pairs well with an array of wines. It plays well with nice Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay when served as a starter but also holds its own alongside fuller bodied reds. The earthiness of the mushrooms and the added umami of the Grana Padano make for a perfect match to a rustic styled Sangiovese. I am a big fan of Sangiovese and I think that Chianti doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Sangiovese and Chianti in particular, is a food loving wine. Italians drink wine with food and make wine to go with food; every meal; every day. So there is a lot of really great Italian wine that you can afford to drink every day. You can get yourself a great Chianti for not a lot of money. Take for example the Collazzi I Bastioni Chianti Classico 2013, a wine that Antonio Galloni called, “… a jewel of a wine from the Frescobaldi family.” The Frescobaldi are a prominent Florentine noble family that have been involved in the political, sociological, and economic history of Tuscany since the Middle Ages. Collazzi I Bastioni Chianti Classico 2013 $14.99 “The 2013 Chianti Classico I Bastioni is terrific. Bright red berry, rose petal, mint and anise are some of the signatures in a refined Chianti Classico that exemplifies the style of wine that is typical of the northern reaches of the appellation. The 2012 also shows the potential at Collazzi, which appears to be considerable. Merlot and Malvasia Nera round out the blend.” 92 points Antonio Galloni, Vinous If you are planning on serving this dish with something more robust like Brasato or Bistecca Fiorentina you could step up to a “Super Tuscan”. These are wines made with international varietals like Cabernet. These wines make for a great conciliation between old world and new. If you are entertaining people who are familiar with Napa than Siena, this makes for great compromise. I have favorite go to "Super" – Montepeloso A Quo. This wine is a balance of Cabernet, Montepulciano and Sangiovese with a little Alicante Bouschet from one of Tuscany's most exciting winemakers. Quietly over the past decade, Montepeloso's Fabio Chiarelotto has emerged as one of the towering winemakers of the Tuscan coast. His windy site sits above the famed Tua Rita estate in Suvereto, producing red wines that are among the region's most refined. When he purchased Montepeloso in 1998, it was already well on its way to international stardom. Chiarelotto could have rested on that reputation, but he felt that as the vines and been planted and trained, the site would never reach its full potential. And so he spent years reshaping the vineyards. For eight long years, Chiarelotto painstakingly reshaped the estate's vineyards. With each vintage, he experimented with blends and techniques that would harness the latent power provided by the terroir, but temper it so that the terroir could fully express itself. Looking back, he made the right decision, as today Montepeloso has few rivals on the Tuscan coast for producing wines of riveting complexity and great elegance. Proprietor Fabio Chiarelotto succeeded in capturing the best elements of these sites while also shaping his wines with a level of finesse that is remarkable. Montepeloso A Quo Rosso 2013 $16.99 “The 2013 A Quo is a robust red blend based primarily on Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. The quality of the primary fruit is succulent, plump and rich. So are the background aromas of cinnamon, vanilla bean and toasted almond. This was a good vintage across Tuscany. The finish is exceedingly rich and supple with firmly yielding tannins.” 92 Pts Wine Advocate So no matter if you how you serve this Truffle Mushroom Risotto there is a wine out there for your mood, company or menu. Truffled Mushroom Risotto ________________________________________ Ingredients: 2 cups Water, or more if needed 1 ounce dried Porcini mushrooms 2 tablespoon olive oil 1 small Onion, Diced 2 cups Arborio Rice 2 cloves Garlic, minced or pressed 1 Dried Whole Bay Leaf 2 cups Chicken Stock 1 sprig Fresh Thyme, finely chopped Ground White Pepper, to taste Salt, to taste 1 truffle finely grated 4 ounces Crimini mushrooms, or combination of seasonal mushrooms 2 tablespoons Butter 2 ounces Marsala 2 scallions sliced Grada Padano Cheese, finely grated (about 1 cup) 1⁄2 cup Heavy Cream 2 tablespoons Flat Leaf Parsley, Chopped fine

1. Combine 2 cups water and dried porcini mushroom in a small sauce pan and simmer to reconstitute.
2. In a large pan sweat onions in olive oil add Arborio stir to coat with olive oil
3. In small batches add chicken stock adding just enough to cover the rice.
4. Add garlic, bay leaf, thyme, salt and white pepper
5. Using a microplane finely grate truffle into rice.
6. Strain porcini and reserve the liquid. Finely dice the porcini and add to risotto.
7. Slowly cook risotto over medium heat adding stock and reserved porcini water. Cook until rice is al dente, cooked to be firm to the bite. Add more water if necessary.
8. Add cream and continue to stir remove from heat add about 1 cup of Grana Padano and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning if needed.
9. Garniture: sauté fresh mushrooms in butter until brown and soft, deglaze with Marsala and add fresh scallions set aside.
10. To serve garnish with mushrooms and serve with extra Grana Padano

lenny@esquin.com @Chef_Lenny

It's time to grab that few weeks of summer. This time of year I am grilling almost every night! There are lots of ways to grill that are quick, easy and delicious. Perfect dish for a casual dinner on a warm summer night. Pork chops love the sweet and tangy of the Peaches and Balsamic and the touch basil adds just a bit of herbal freshness. Paired with a chilled bottle of Chardonnay or Rose and you have a quick yet elegant dish for a Tuesday night for two or for company on the weekend. I love this with a full bodied Rose like Seth's Upside Down Nebbiolo Rosé -whole cluster pressed and aged on the lees for 3 months. Picked at 22 brix, this wine is beautifully distinct with bright fruit and a subtle minerality. "The one thing we might love more than a chilled glass of rose on a hot summer day, would be rescue animals! If you follow us on Instagram then you know we love our rescue pup Turk. The only thing that makes rosé taste better, is knowing you're helping save animals while drinking it! " #AdoptDontShop 20% of the proceeds go to support various rescue organizations. #RESCUErosé Grilled Pork Chops with Grilled Peaches and Balsamic Vinegar ________________________________________ For the pork chops: 2 (1-inch-thick) bone-in pork rib chops 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 teaspoons olive oil For the Peaches 2 peaches, sliced in half 1 tablespoon Olive oil 2 teaspoons Honey Salt and pepper Fresh basil 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 1. Season pork chops and let come to room temperature while grill heats up to medium high. 2. In a bowl, combine the peaches, honey and olive oil. Season with pepper and toss to coat evenly. 3. Place chops on the hottest part of grill for 2 – 3 minutes until you have a nice scoring. Turn and move to a cooler part of grill cook for another 3 – 4 minutes depending on thickness of chop, until cooked through but not dry. 4. Prepare a medium-hot fire in a grill, or preheat a cast-iron grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes. 5. Place the peaches over direct heat and sear, until you have a nice color. Chop the peaches into smaller pieces. 6. Transfer the chops to a platter and top with peaches and basil drizzle with balsamic and serve.

“Last chance on local Asparagus” the sign and the fruit stand read. so just grabbed a bunch, I can always use a bunch of asparagus – as a side, in a salad, as an appetizer with coddled eggs and prosciutto. It’s asparagus. But just having returned from Yakima I decided to try my hand at a local favorite – Asparagus Tamales. Asparagus tamales have been made famous by Los Hernandez tamale shop in Union Gap, Yakima County. Owner Felipe Hernandez has become a local legend and international celebrity for his family’s tamales. He has been running the modest little shop for over 25 years and started making the Asparagus Tamales on a whim one night with some leftover masa. The secret ingredient he says is Pepper jack cheese. So below I have my own take on asparagus Tamales. I add some fresh chile verde to give it a little kick. Any wine professional will tell you that pairing to a asparagus is tricky, but the secret is to have a wine with enough acidity to handle the chemical mercaptan that give asparagus it’s unique flavor (and experience). Then there is the chile verde you have be wary of even a little spice so a little hint of sweetness is a great help. Pinot Gris to the rescue! 2016 Ross Andrew Celilo Vineyard Pinot Gris $15.99 Made from a Pinot Gris block planted in 1975 in Celilo Vineyard, a prized high-elevation site in Columbia Gorge near the town of Underwood, WA. It is arguably one of the greatest white grape sites in Washington with its cool climate, wonderfully mineral rich soil and high winds that move the 50" of annual rainfall off the canopy. The aromatics and palate of this wine really showcase what vine age can do to a wine. Asian pear, white flowers and nectarine. The palate is vibrant and crisp with a touch of minerals on the finish. A perfect food wine. especially tricky foods. Ross got his start as a Sommelier at Canlis under MS Rob Bigelow and learned winemaking at the right hand of the Master, of Wine Bob Betz. Ross’s style is reminiscent of Betz, being both polished and complex. He went on to make the highest scoring Cabernet ever from Wine Spectator. Saturday August 12 we will be tasting his latest releases including his Celilo Pinot Gris, Boushey Syrah and his award winning Red Mountain Cabernet. Cheers! Lenny Asparagus Tamales ________________________________________ 18-ounce package dried corn husks 1 1/2 cups lard (or vegetable shortening), slightly softened 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon chile powder 3 1/2 cups dried masa harina 2 1/4 cups hot water 1 to 1 1/2cups chicken broth 1 bunch Asparagus, blanched 8 ounces pepper jack cheese 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ large yellow onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 cup chicken stock or water 3 each poblano Chile peppers, seeded and chopped 1 each jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped 1 pound Tomatillos, husks removed 1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped 1. Separate husks and submerge in hot water place a plate on top to keep submerged. Bring to simmer and let stand for at least an hour. 2. Grill or roast peppers and tomatillos until blistered and a little charred. Place into plastic bag and let cool. In a large sauté pan heat olive oil and Sauté onions and garlic until soft add salt and cumin. Add chicken stock and reduce to simmer, set aside. Peel cooled peppers and tomatillos and place in bowl of food processor or blender. Add cooled onion mixture and cilantro then puree until well combined. 3. For Masa: In a large bowl combine salt, baking powder, chile powder, Harina flour and hot water. Adding chicken stock a little a time work dough until light and fluffy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover and let rest. 4. Set up steamer: in a large stock pot place a collapsible steamer basket, add an inch or so of water. 5. To make tamales: separate out the largest and most pliable husks, at least 6 inches across on the wider end and 6 inches long. Spoon a couple of tablespoons of masa onto a husk, spread with a spatula out to the edges of each side save for the narrow top. Spoon a teaspoon of verde sauce onto center of masa add a couple of blanched asparagus, top with pepper jack cheese. Roll up the tamale and fold the bottom up. Place in steamer folded side down. Layer the finished tamales in the same fashion open end up. Watch carefully that all the water doesn’t boil away and, to keep the steam steady, pour boiling water into the pot when more is necessary. Tamales are done when the husk peels away from the masa easily. Let tamales stand in the steamer off the heat for a few minutes to firm up.

I recently ventured up to Red Mountain to taste some wines, walk some vineyards and see old friends. There are few places in Washington that produce better wine, some say, some of the best in the world. But, for me it's the people. The Williams' family, the Holmes', the Hedges', the Hightower's, the Frichette's, the Pearson's - Red Mountain is the smallest AVA in the state and it feels more like a neighborhood than an appellation. If Red Mountain had football team Charlie Hoppes would be the head coach. He is the sergeant at arms, the baby whisperer, Charlie Hoppes is the Wine Boss. Charlie Hoppes is one of the most respected winemakers in Washington State. A Yakima Valley native with a degree from UC Davis he got his start in 1988 working with Mike Januik at Snoqualmie Winery and followed him to Chateau Ste. Michelle in 1990 becoming the head red wine maker until 1999. After stints at Waterbrook in Walla Walla and Three Rivers he started his own winery Fidelitas. In 2007 he purchased his first 3 acres on Red Mountain and built a tasting room. Did I mention that he has a degree in economics? Instead of taking up prime vineyard land on Red Mt he has a 30,000 sq ft production facility in nearby Richland - "Wine Boss". There he produces his wines plus makes wine for a half dozen clients. The tasting room on Red Mountain has a beautiful panoramic view of the valley. I first visited Charlie and the tasting room shortly after it was built. Tasting the wines with the "Wine Boss" himself and eating some of the best tacos I have ever had is one of my fondest memories. Charlie is one of the most generous, easy going and intelligent people working in the Washington wine industry. 2017 marks his 30th vintage, and in that time he has made quite a name for himself including being named Seattle Magazines Winemaker of the Year in 2013. His wine continue to garner high ratings from press - his 2012 Ciel du Cheval Cab rated 94 from Parker and the 2013 Quintessence was ranked #4 in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine Top 100. Recently 6 of his 2014 releases received 93 -95 pt scores from the Wine Advocate! Did I mention every time I go to Red Mountain I end of having tacos? Just thinking about Red Mountain makes me crave Tacos. So today I give you my simplified recipe for Tacos Al pastor. Paired with some of Charlie Red Mountain Malbec and you have winner! FIDELITAS MALBEC RED MOUNTAIN 2014 Tacos al Pastor ________________________________________ *****Marinade 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano 1 teaspoon dried ground cumin seed 3 chipotle peppers, packed in adobo sauce, plus 2 tablespoon adobo sauce 3 tablespoons chili powder 1 Tablespoon Paprika 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar 3 whole cloves garlic 2 Tablespoons kosher salt 2 teaspoons sugar ½ cup pineapple juice from canned pineapple ½ cup water 3 pounds boneless Pork Shoulder To Finish and Serve: 1 14 ounce canned pineapple diced 20 small flour or Corn tortillas, heated and kept warm 1 medium red onion, finely diced (about 1 cup) 1/2 cup finely minced fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems 4 ounce Cotijo cheese 1 cup Pico de Gallo, salsa 3 to 4 limes, cut into 8 wedges each for serving 1. In bowl of blender combine the ingredients for the marinade. Puree until smooth about 3 minutes. 2. Cut Pork roast into 4 or 5 large pieces toss with marinade. Place into large roasting pan or Rondeau and cover. 3. Place into 275 degrees oven and roast for 4 hours. 4. Remove and let cool. When cool use two forks to pull pork apart. Stir to combine. 5. Serve meat and garnishes immediately with warmed tortillas, pineapple, onions, cilantro, salsa, cotijo, and lime wedges. Meat will be very moist and should be packed into double-stacked tortillas for serving

The story of wine in Portugal is at its heart a paradox: home to some of the world's oldest greatest and best known wines, yet years of poor political leadership and oceans of plonk wine have all but destroyed the once great reputation. Portugal has a history of winemaking that goes back thousands of years. Long before the Romans and Moors came through the native people of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula were making wine with indigenous grapes. During the Age of Discovery Portugal became a major world power, with Prince Henry the Navigator, sending his armada around the globe. Most famous for Porto, the fortified wine of the Douro, Portugal has some of the oldest recognized wines in the world. The wines of Portugal were famous throughout the world, Madeira was favorite of the young American colonies, and was even used to toast the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With the decline of colonial power the wine industry in Portugal fell on hard times. During the 20th century the wine industry was hit with the double blow of fascist dictatorship and cheap jug wine (Mateus and Lancers). In 1974, "The Carnation Revolution" put an end to 5 decades of dictatorship and in 1986 Portugal entered the European Union. With membership came foreign investment and complete overhaul of the wine industry. Today, Portugal represents one of the Best Value wine producing regions in the world. The combination of ancient wine growing traditions and modern technology means that you can buy a wine with outstanding pedigree made from ancient vines for a relative bargain. The Prazo de Roriz is a great example of what I am talking about. Crafted by Prats & Symington family, Port producers since 1882, and Bruno Prats, former owner of the famed Chateau Cos d'Estournel. The wine demonstrates the incredible potential of combining winemaking expertise from the Douro Valley and Bordeaux, two of the world's best wine regions. QUINTA DE RORIZ "PRAZO DE RORIZ" DOURO 2015 $14.99 The 2015 Prazo de Roriz is a roughly equal blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Barroca, with small bits of Tinta Roriz and Tinta Amarela, aged for six months in used French oak. This is typically a good value. This might be my favorite in some time. There isn't a lot of concentration in the mid palate and it isn't the type of wine you want to age for 20 years. It's not $50, either. It's a very nice bargain with many virtues. The fruit here is just gorgeous, vivid, pure and clean. The structure lifts it and delivers it beautifully to the palate. The texture is silky and the finish is just a bit tight. Overall, it is hard to lean up more on this since it doesn't have a lot of upside potential, but if you drink it over the next few years, you might like it even better than the score would suggest. It's summer so I am grilling everything. A wine like the Prazo beckons for grilled meat. The traditional dish of Costelas Vinho d'alhos, roasted spare ribs, transfers well to the American barbecue grill. Churrasco Style Pork Ribs (Costelas Vinho d'alhos) ________________________________________ 4 - 6 pounds meaty pork spare ribs Marinade: 3 Tablespoons piri-piri sauce 6 cloves garlic, minced 2 Tablespoons Soy 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup orange Juice and zest ¼ cup lime juiced ¼ lemon juiced 1 cup onion, minced 2 teaspoons oregano ½ cup Red wine 1/2 cup olive oil Salt and pepper More oil for grill 1. Prep the ribs by removing any meat or fat that dangles from the bone side. Also trim any tough sinew (silver skin) on the meaty side. Remove the membrane on the bone side of the ribs. Cut into 3 bone segments. 2. Combine all ingredients for the marinade in the bowl of a blender and puree until well combined. Reserve a cup for basting. 3. Place prepared ribs in large container or Ziploc bag and cover with marinade. Marinate for 2 hours. 4. Prepare charcoal for grill and move coals to one side, you can put an aluminum pan on one side to catch drippings. 5. When grill is 250 degrees place ribs opposite side of the coals for indirect heat. Cook turning every 30 minutes for 3 hours. Brushing with marinade occasionally. If necessary add a few more coals to the fire. 6. Wrap ribs in foil and Cook for 1 or more hours until ribs pull away from meat. 7. For Oven: reheat the oven to 350 or 325 degrees F. according to the method of cooking. 8. To roast, reserve the marinade and place the pork in a roasting pan and cook at 350 degrees F. for about two hours, not more. Baste periodically with the marinade. 9. Serve with Potatoes, a big salad and a nice big red.

During the summer months I cook almost every meal outside. When I have time I Barbecue but many nights it is easy to fire up the grill for dinner. Salmon, Chicken, pork all work well, and there is something spectacular about grilled vegetables. Asparagus is so simple and quick I grill them up almost every chance I get. And then there is steak. Around the globe, for as long as we have been around we have cooked over an open fire. If there is one thing quintessential dish that seems the grill was invented for is steak. There are many variations of the dish as there are languages on the planet. In Italy it is customary to serve a grilled steak simply with just salt and pepper and maybe a squeeze of lemon, alla Fiorentina. The simplicity of the dish is characteristically Italian so use the best ingredients for the greatest results Here is my simple version that cooks quickly and makes quite an impression. Grilled T-Bone with Lemon and Parsley Serves 2 Ingredients: 2 ea 1 lb (1 ½” – 2” thick) T-Bone ¼ Cup Olive Oil, plus more for serving Sea Salt Black Pepper, freshly ground Rosemary sprigs *** For Serving Lemon wedges 2 Cups Arugula Roasted Potatoes 2 lb Asparagus 1. In a bowl large enough for steak place rosemary and steak and drizzle with olive oil. Let the steak rest outside the refrigerator for at least an hour before cooking. 2. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for direct grilling over high heat (450 -500). 3. Using tongs, lay steak over the hottest part of the fire, cook 2 - 5- 7 minutes. Turn the steak and sprinkle with salt. Cook on the second side until browned, 2 - 3 minutes more. 4. Remove the steaks to a carving board and let rest for at least 5 minutes before carving. 5. Cut the steaks away from the bone and carve into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange the meat on warmed plates season with salt and pepper. 6. Garnish with lemon wedges and arugula 7. Have more sea salt and pepper available at the table 8. Serve with Roasted Potatoes and grilled asparagus Now in Florence they would have drink a nice Chianti or Brunello. But I like go even lighter in the summer, and a perfect summer red is Barbera. Barbera has ancient origins, the first documented mention of the grape is in 1798, in a letter by Count Giuseppe Nuvolone-Pergamo of Scandaluzzo, deputy director of the Società Agraria di Torino (Agrarian Society of Turin). Barbera-based wines were well regarded even then, for their rustic yet generous character. Barbera wines are esteemed for their deep color, low tannins and high levels of acidity. When young they offer fresh flavors of cherries, blueberries and raspberries. Relatively rich, bold and flavorful, the most powerful examples might just be compared to Barolo or Barbaresco. Barbera is a great summertime wine. Serve it slightly chilled and it makes a great afternoon supper wine, especially on a hot day. One of our favorite producers is Renatto Ratti. Founded in 1965 about Renato himself and now his nephew Massimo runs the operation. The original winery was built in an old abbey located halfway up the hill in the valley of Barolo. Here buttressed by steep slopes lined by orderly vineyards, lies a precious jewel from the 15th century: the Abbey of Annunziata. From the 100 acres of vineyards, the Renato Ratti winery produces Barolo, Nebbiolo d'Alba, Barbera d'Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba.

Come Taste the Wine of Oregon’s Yamhill-Carlton AVA!

June 27th, 2017 | 6 to 8pm The Metropolist 2931 1st Avenue South A Seattle, WA 98134

$30 (in advance with Eventbrite here>>) $35.00 (at the door ~ cash only)

The Yamhill-Carlton American Viticultural Area, home of many Oregon wine industry pioneers and the oldest soils in the Willamette Valley, is coming to Seattle! Join 12 wineries for a memorable tasting experience on June 27th from 6-8pm. The producers will be pouring wine all exclusively made from Y-C AVA fruit, concentrating on Pinot Noir, as well as a small selection of other varietals. This is a great opportunity to taste Oregon wines without traveling hundreds of miles. Learn firsthand about Oregon’s geology and climate and what makes the wine so alluring, complex and age worthy. While you sip, enjoy delectable bites that complement these world-class wines. This is a unique opportunity, as many of these wines are not for sale in Washington state. If you like what you taste at the event & want these wines in your own cellar, Esquin Wine & Spirits will be taking wine orders!

Participating Yamhill-Carton AVA Wineries:

Carlton Hill Wines

Elk Cove Vineyards

Fairsing Vineyards

Ghost Hill Cellars

JL Kiff Vineyard

Ken Wright Cellars

Lenne Estate

Marshall Davis

Monks Gate

Saffron Fields

Stag Hollow

Many of you have been asking about the La Caja China roaster, stacked with an assortment of Friulian delights, on our entry way carpet. We've brought in a pig roasting box emblazoned with Scarpetta Wines and we can't wait to share the excitement with you! Scarpetta Wines was started by Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Patterson. Bobby is a Master Sommelier and James Beard Award Winner. Lachlan is an award winning chef. Together, they own Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Co. which was nominated this year for Outstanding Restaurant in America. Accolades aside, these guys know what they are doing and they're doing it right. They bring the countryside of Friuli to every glass and plate they present. With an obsession with Friuli, Bobby and Lachlan have been blazing their way through the states. And, we have some of their Scarpetta Wines in our store to celebrate! Join as we serve Porchetta Panini along with Scarpetta Wines at our Scarpetta Pig Roast event on Saturday, June 3rd, 2-PM. We hope to see you there! Grazie!

Okay, I start to really miss California when it snows in the passes in May, and the rain never ceases. Yes, I am a California native, albeit I have lived in Seattle for over 32 years, so that has to count for something, right? Oh, I do have certain California kid peccadillos. Like when my northern brethren claim indisputable expertise on Mexican food, or when I find myself defending a fondness for Zinfandel or a certain style of California Chardonnay. Take for example a new Chard we just found. The Californian Vintager Chardonnay Knights Valley 2012 $14.99 This is an elegant barrel aged chard produced from hand harvested grapes in the legendary Knight Valley AVA, home to winemakers like Peter Michael. Coastal fog and conifer trees create a special cool climate that gives the resulting win a balance of fruit and fresh acidity. Full bodied, yet balanced with well integrated oak and a long seductive finish. Honey crisp apple, blood orange and just a touch of vanilla give this wine all that classic Northern California Chardonnay appeal. Only 748 cases of this wine were produced by winemaker Sam Jennings, The Vintager Chardonnay is true small production wine. Yes, and there are certain dishes that pair perfectly with that certain style of Cali Chard - Smoked Chicken Salad, grilled Salmon, Lobster. This wine would be perfect just sitting on a sunny deck with some friends, but this also would be awesome with my Crab tostadas! Recipe below Join us and taste this extraordinary Chardonnay, Saturday May 20th, at Esquin 2 pm to 5 pm! xo Lenny

Crab Tostadas with Sriracha Guacamole

1 (16 ounce) package tostadas ( or fresh made) 16 ounces Dungeness crab 1 lime, juiced 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper ***** Garnish 2 tomatoes, seeded and diced 1 red pepper, finely diced 1 jalapeno, finely diced 1⁄2 medium onion, finely chopped ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped *****Guacamole 3 Haas avocados, halved, seeded and peeled 1 lime, juiced 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon Sriracha 1/2 medium onion, diced 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoon sour cream

1. You can fry your own tortilla but store bought are just fine
2. In a large bowl, pull crab apart and check for any shell pieces. Combine lime juice and olive oil and dress crab with dressing and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. In another bowl combine diced tomatoes, diced peppers, onions and cilantro.
4. In bowl of food processor combine all ingredients and pulse until well comined.
5. Spread 1 tablespoon Guacamole on tostada top with 1 ounce of crab meat and garnish with pepper mixture

Crab Tostadas with Sriracha Guacamole Printable Recipe