Wine Dinner this Saturday -- what to make, what to make?

So I'm looking through my Bon Appetit, my Cooking Light and my recipe books trying to find that perfect meal to compliment the perfect wine. I am part of a "wine dinner" group that started a couple of years ago when Emily's husband, Allan, bought her a bottle of Ggrich Hills Zinfandel. It was supposed to be absolutely delicious! Well, how was I going to find out if I didn't get a chance to taste it so, voila, "let's have a dinner where we each bring a bottle of Zinfandel," I suggested....and two years later, we're still comparing and talking about wine. We've blind tasted Pinot Noir (old and new world style), Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and a few others -- and, of course, we always start the evening with a sparkling -- champagne, prosecco, cava -- and end the evening with a dessert wine -- port, late harvest semillon, sauterne. I'm hosting Saturday, which means I make the main course while others bring appetizers, salad, dessert. Any ideas out there using all the fresh ingredients that are available now? If I choose your recipe, you get a bottle of wine for my thank you! I'm waiting......and, by the way, Emily's Zin won the blind tasting -- good job Allan!

News from the Vine

What a fun day we had on Saturday the 4th. A group of us went to J.K. Carriere to meet with the winemaker, Jim Prosser, and what was supposed to be a one hour meet-and-greet, turned into a 2+ hour indepth discussion, wine tasting and tastes from wine aging ever-so gracefully in barrels -- showcasing Anderson, Shea and Temperance Hill Vineyards. What a treat! And if you haven't been to the French Bear in Newberg, don't delay. We had a real treat from their lovely menu of quiches, sandwiches, salads, soups, and a nice, affordable wine list. Oh yes, did I mention the desserts?? We finished our Saturday together in Carlton at the Walk in the Park -- a fund raiser for Salud!, providing low-cost medical and dental coverage for migrant farm workers in the area. The weather was perfect for wine tasting and I believe a good time was had by all. Keep your eyes and ears open for the next event -- likely to be in October. I'm looking for the unusual and the tasty!