Ruth Kalinka Designs

Have you chilled your Chardonnay for tomorrow’s 24 hour world wide wine tasting?

I’m not a Chardonnay fan, but I’m excited about this tasting because a fellow Sauvignon Blanc/Pinot Noir lover helped me select a budget-friendly Chardonnay I might like, and from a winery that impressed me recently with their Reserve Syrah.

Tomorrow, I’ll be tasting Columbia Crest’s Two Vines Chardonnay 2007, most likely paired with pasta and a mushroom cream sauce. That’s a pretty standard pairing for Chardonnay, but I also love pairing mushrooms and white wine, so I hope it gives the Chardonnay a chance!

The Winemaker’s Tasting Notes sure sound promising:

“This Chardonnay offers fruit-forward apple aromas with hints of spice and honey. Rich flavors reminiscent of apple pie and cinnamon end with a pleasant note of toasted marshmallow. Vibrant Washington fruit characters, with fresh acidity marry beautifully with toasty oak nuances.”

– Ray Einberger, Winemaker

What are you tasting and how are you pairing? Do you have a favorite Chardonnay? What other wines do you love?

Leave a comment and please do say hi on twitter during the tasting!

Photo and tasting notes courtesy of Columbia Crest. Read more about how this wine was made.

My friend Adria Richards and I recently discussed my goals and she posted this awesome video endorsement.

As Adria mentioned, I am looking to play a greater role in the conversations and strategy surrounding your brand and to get involved with what people are saying about your products and services. Particularly in the wine and food industry.

3 roles I am eager to play in your next project:

1. Conversationalist (What are people saying about your brand online? How can you engage in the conversation?)
2. Conference Evangelist (How do you connect at conferences and trade shows? Who’s out there talking about you?)
3. Design and Content Strategist (What are your words and visuals actually saying about you? What do you want them to say?)

I am detail-oriented, LOVE people, and love sharing everything I discover about wine and food! Currently on the East Coast (US), I can work with you anywhere (gotta love technology!) and am open to relocation and new adventures.

Who do you know? How can I help?!?

Apple Strawberry Fruit Salad

L’Shana Tova! Wishing you all a sweet new year!

I love celebrating new beginnings, hope, and possibility. This holiday speaks to me of mindfulness and transformation as we leave the past behind and move forward with new intentions. As crisp cool temperatures replace summer heat waves and students begin a new school year, fall always feels like a good time for a fresh start.

Apples and honey are traditional Rosh Hashanah symbols for a sweet new year. While they are tasty together, I like getting creative with my fruit salads. This holiday is no exception!

The measurements below produced about 8 cups of salad. Please experiment with more or less of each ingredient to taste. (You might even add cinnamon or lemon!)

Ingredients

• apples (4 medium – tart crisp varieties – I used 2 Granny Smith, 1 Gala, 1 Fuji)
• strawberries (1 pound, about 20 medium berries)
• fresh basil (~6-8 large leaves – I used basil I’d dried, but fresh is prettier and more flavorful)
• fresh ginger (I used 1/4 teaspoon dried, but would prefer ~1/2 teaspoon fresh)
• honey (5 Tablespoons)

Instructions

1. Slice strawberries into serving bowl.
2. Cut basil over strawberries. Cutting tip: lay the clean leaves flat on top of each other, roll the stack of leaves into a tube, and snip first lengthwise and then crosswise to create small pieces that will blend into your salad. (If using dried, tear dried leaves and then rub vigorously between hands.)
3. Add dried ginger OR chop fresh ginger into ~1 mm cubes. (I don’t bother peeling ginger; washing is enough.)
4. Add honey and mix ingredients together gently with a wooden spoon.
5. Peel apples. Cut into ~1/4 inch slices and cut slices in half lengthwise. Stir apples into mixture to coat with the strawberry-honey-basil-ginger glaze.

Enjoy!