I just finished one of my many trips annually to Sonoma and Napa wineries. Wine is a touchy subject with me because of what happened with the Monkey Bay people in New Zealand when I was there in 2006. But I digress; more on that business deal later.
Anyway, what a pleasure it was to meet Laurie Claudon of the fabulous Clark-Claudon winery here. I've opened Clark-Claudon wines on more than one midnight raid to Gibster's wine cellar. Well, with my irresistible monkey charm in full force, I think I made a very big impression on Laurie. We had lunch, tasted some fine wines, and toured her vineyard. Thanks, Laurie.And yesterday, I finally met Bill Williamson at the Williamson tasting room in Healdsburg. And dear readers, you think I'm a character! This guy is great. He knows how to pair food and wine like nobody I've seen except, perhaps, Jacques Pepin. I had great doubts about Jacques when he worked as a sous-chef for me in Paris. He's done okay, I guess.
