Luscious Libations and Culinary Treats

RESERVE & NEW RELEASE TASTING















One of my favorite things about the two Reserve and New Release Tastings that I've attended at The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival (besides, of course, the fantastic wine and cocktails) is the varying milieu. Last year's was a blast on a boat, and this year topped it at the Air and Space Museum.

Opened in 1963, the San Diego Air & Space Museum is one of the premier aerospace museums in the country. It not only houses heirloom relics of aviation, but it's got an interesting history of its own which includes a devastating fire shortly before the museum was to move to its present location, and the amazing efforts of the community to rebuild it.

It was our pleasure to sip wine and cocktails while meandering through the history of air travel. Over a hundred wine and cocktail vendors poured their wares while gorgeous antique planes loomed overhead, and the ambiance couldn't have been more pleasant.

Though I'm typically more of a wine enthusiast, the cocktails and hard liquors held more allure for me that evening. Perhaps because earlier in the day we'd attended three classes which all featured wine prominently. Of course, that's not to say I ignored them completely at the museum! Here are some favorites from the event:

St. Petersburg Vodka is one of the cleanest vodkas I've ever tasted. Dangerously so. Almost too easy to drink.

Anchor Distilling Company had a lot of different spirits that they were showcasing and making cocktails with. I can't remember exactly which we tried, but I was quite impressed with all of them, so check out their products and try out your favorites as made by them!

Fox Barrel was showcasing some of their flavored pear ciders, including Rhubarb & Elderberry and Ginger & Blackcurrant. They make a wicked good cider.

A St. Germain cocktail is always a pleasure.

Twin Pomegranates Wine is the pomegranatiest wine ever. If you love pomegranates, you can't go wrong. It is tart, tangy and tastes JUST like the fruit. If you like pomegranate but not as a super-strong flavor, the effervescent one is a bit milder and still delicious.

The chocolate/port pairings courtesy of Chuao Chocolatier and the Center for Wine Origins were hard to get enough of. The chocolates also went awfully well with Corrido Tequila!



Bouchaine's 2010 Bouche d'Or Chardonnay is a lovely dessert wine. Sweet without being syrupy, this dessert wine is light and unique.

The Silent Auction that evening benefits AIWF.

GRAND TASTING EVENT

The next day was the Grand Tasting Event. Embarcadero Park, behind Seaport Village, is filled with tents serving all manner of food and drinks from the San Diego area and beyond.


Press and VIP ticket holders get to enter an hour earlier (11AM) than the general admission holders which is great because, although there are still a few short lines, it is still possible to walk around comfortably. Shortly, that luxury will be nonexistent as throngs of people make their way in, and longer lines snake through the walkways.

Although you'll be shoulder to shoulder with people, the mirthful mood makes it all okay, and there are plenty of booth-free areas on the grass where you can get away from the crowds.

I'm sorry to say that following the copious amounts of alcohol from the night (and day) before, it was impossible to enjoy the many wine and spirits booths at Saturday's event. The bright side to that, however, is that I had more time and calories to spend on exploring the food.

Truth be told, I seem to recall the food being more to my liking overall last year ("Maybe because you were drinking last year," quipped my sister), but there were still some fabulously tasty bites to be had.


My absolutely favorite thing there was the giant scallop prepared by Jake's Del Mar. It was cooked to unadulterated perfection. The scallops were sweet and succulent, and my mouth is watering just remembering those flavors.

Buster's Beach House provided us with scrumptious ahi poke served in a crispy wonton shell with avocado and seaweed salad.

Truluck's was handing out some succulent crab legs with an excellent dipping sauce. I guess the seafood was my favorite this year.


The Chef of the Fest winner was Chef Daniel Barron of Blue Point Coastal Cuisine. I'm not sure where he was hiding, because the winning dish of Crispy Laughing Bird shrimp with curry-glazed sous vide pork belly, cauliflower polenta, and roasted ginger and kaffir lime air sounds delightful, but I don't remember coming across it. I guess you really can't get through it all.

I also really enjoyed Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese, and Sweet Cheeks Baking Company, winners of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, provided some delectable desserts.

With its lovely views of the water and the city, and tantalizing culinary delights, the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival once again made me a happy camper.