Celebrating Summer Solstice!

There's something about Summer that makes everyone happy - full of energy! Grapes growing, flowers blooming, the sun is up longer. As the longest day of the year, my fiancée and I found the perfect wine - it was as bright and vibrant as the day - the Flowers 2007 Chardonnay. Its golden hues glimmered to the sunset, flavours of vanilla and honeysuckle lingered through light apricot tones. Super yummy with the ginger spiced button mushrooms, tandoori and tinga chicken and roasted sprouts. People admire flowers for their beauty, and life when it is bright, as with this wine, which reminds me of a really cool new cliché I came across today - whether the glass is half empty or half full, there is clearly more room for wine!

Bouquets to Art 2009

It is a beautiful Monday evening, and after a full day of hiking, jogging, and spa treatment, I'm ready to celebrate the start of Spring! Tonight's party is at the de Young museum and as I enter through the museum's arched entrance, I turn around for a brief last look at the pink hued sky.

Spring is a time of renewal when the sun begins to shine more, the flowers start blooming, and at the de Young museum, artists find inspiration at Bouquets to Art! Bouquets to Art, an annual fundraiser benefiting San Francisco Fine Arts museums, exhibits floral artwork of over 100 arrangements of classic and exotic flowers. Opening night is the most grand; the art is celebrated with sultry sounds of live jazz, gourmet cuisine, and a full bar! 

Upon checking in, I am welcomed with a glass of Ledgewood Creek Chardonnay, a golden chardonnay displaying refreshing notes of pear, apricots, and almond. Perfect with the sushi, smoked salmon and prawn cocktail appetizers served in the foyer. 

In the main dining room, Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers is seducing the crowd with jazzy tunes. Stations of Crab appetizers, Osso Bucco, Coq au Vin, Lamb rack and Beef tenderloin are spread around white bouquet centre pieces. The meaty dishes are well paired with the evening's red wine, Ledgewood Creek Merlot. Medium-bodied, with flavours of plum, dark raspberry, and a slight tobacco finish, it had just the right acidity to go with food.

I'll admit that my drink of choice this evening is the classic Cosmo. Perhaps it's the bartender's skill, mixing just the right portions of vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Or perhaps it's the hue of pink. Tonight, after all, is a celebration of visual delights!