THE FRIDAY MARTINI

It's FRIDAY - time for a mother Friday Martini!

Today's libation is from Kendall's Brasserie at the Los Angeles Music Center.

Chopin (vodka), of course.

From the upcoming book Chasing Martinis

WINE REGIONS - MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Of all the emerging wine regions in the United States - and there are vineyards now in all 50 states - perhaps none is attracting as much attention and excitement as Virginia's long history and current success as a wine region.

According to lore, Thomas Jefferson first planted wines on his Monticello estate some two hundred fifty years ago. And while the climate isn't perfect - some would say it's too cold during the winter - the cool and moist air give rise to excellent grapes year after year. Today's Virginia boasts hundreds of wineries with truly excellent wines, across a number of sub-regions. Everything from large bottling producers to Mom and Pop operations.

Wine tasting is becoming a major industry, and most of the wineries now have tasting rooms and love sharing their stories.

The tasting below is at one of my favorite wineries, Naked Mountain.

WINE REGIONS - THE LOIRE VALLEY

France boasts perhaps the best wine regions in the world. Certainly no educated wine connoisseur would dispute the importance of Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Champagne region to the global wine culture. Although there are equally fantastic wines produced in other countries (Italy, California, Australia), France is both the epicenter and the cultural touchstone of the wine industry.

But like those other storied locales, France's wine reputation is earned in more than just the well-known, well traveled areas. 

The Loire Valley, a third of the way between Paris and the city of Bordeaux, is one such region.

Boasting world-class varietals such as Vouvray and Sancerre, Loire, which meanders along the western side of the country, paralleling the path of the Loire River, boasts more than 85 appellations and numerous quality producers.

Our visit included overnight accommodations in the beautiful little town of Chenonceaux, not too far from Vouvray's storied vineyards. The town is home to the famous and beautiful Chateau Chenonceau. Not to be outdone, the outskirts of Chenonceaux feature large, peaceful vineyards with more of an eye towards production than tourism.

And in one field, a cat watches a visitor during the early morning hours. (upper right)

Being a French cat, it says nothing and silently moves on when it decides the visitor is not very interesting.

WINE REGIONS - NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

Easily the pre-eminent American wine region, the Napa Valley is indeed a world-class producer of fine wines. It has a well-deserved reputation for serving up some of the best vintages in both red and white varietals, and is famous for besting France's most impressive producers in the notorious Judgment of Paris in 1976.

Although the western side of the Valley, along Highway 29, is the most popular, populated and therefore heavily trafficked by tourists, the eastern side, known as the Silverado Trail, boasts many excellent vineyards without as much in the way of traveling crowds. 

When we visit, it is the Silverado Trail which provides the greatest pleasure and relaxation, but for a full experience I would spend a minimum of two days traversing both sides of the valley floor.

WINE REGIONS - HUNTER VALLEY, AUSTRALIA

The Hunter Valley is one of Australia's more prominent wine regions, boasting more than a hundred wineries with more than 11,000 acres planted.

Prime varietals are Shiraz and Chardonnay (of course) as well as Semillon, Cab Sauvignon and Verdelho.  The wines range from younger daily drinking wines to world-class fortified and whites. The nearness of Sydney means it's one of the more easily accessed wine regions for touring.