The Wine Tasting and Book Signing event at the Standard Diner in Albuquerque went off as re-scheduled on November 2. Chef Darren McHale did a masterful job of creating foods to go with my October wines of the month. Louis French did a great job or organizing the event.  I described the wines in the October newsletter, but I'm reprising them here with the paired foods.
     The Milagro 2006 Chardonnay went perfectly with the salmon first course. Chef Darren prepares the salmon the previous day with his own special seasoning. I didn't dare ask about this, the last person that tried to find out hasn't been seen since.  The second course was a duck comfit tart with caramelized onion. I was unable to obtain the La Chiripada 2007 Viognier for the dinner, but the La Chiripada Reserve Riesling paired even better. The filet of beef third course went well with the Corrales Winery 2005 Sangiovese, and the chocolate-based dessert was matched by the Luna Rossa 2004 Nini Blend. I was unable to get the Luna Rossa Barbera, but the Nini blend of Italian grape varieties more than made up for it.
     All the wines and food were extremely well received. More than one participant commented on the fact that it was the best $35 value they've ever had. Did I mention that this event included a copy of my wine guide, Wines of Enchantment, personally signed by yours truly? How could you go wrong? Stay tuned for our next event - should be in 1Q of 2009. This is one Albuquerque restaurant you owe it to yourself to check out. Visit the website.

In late October, I had also been invited to a wine dinner at the Old House restaurant in the Eldorado Hotel, Santa Fe as a guest of Sheri Mann, a friend and new business associate who publicizes this event. If there was ever a chance of ennui settling in after so many wine dinners - trust me, there wasn't - this dinner would have dispelled the clouds of boredom like a hot sun over morning fog. Whoa, as Keanu Reeves has said in the past.
     If I even thought of reprising the list of wines and courses at this magnificent dinner you would think yourself ill-used. (Oh-oh, the dialog from A Christmas Carol is creeping back into my writing again.) If there is a better wine dinner in Santa Fe - no, that's just not possible - this is the primo wine dinner for all you wine lovers. The Old House is also the most awarded restaurant in Santa Fe, and considering the competition that says a lot.  Check them out . Call 505-988-4455 to find out about the next wine dinner. And if you dare, check out my wine blog on this event, which will appear on November 21. Salut!