August 4, 2004
August Potpourri: Harvest, Paradise, Wine & HealthHarvest update
Grower Peter Cargasacchi told me that everything was ahead of schedule throughout the state because of the heat, but "there's been a cooling down in June and early July."
"It been relatively cool, so ripening has slowed down," Peter added. Even temperatures without spikes of heat are perfect conditions.
A slice of Paradise in Santa Barbara!
I recently had a craving for the Paradise Cafe's black bean soup, a teriyaki burger and shoestring potatoes. Since the mid 1980s, the Paradise has always been one of my favorite places to eat and drink. I worked across the street from the restaurant, so the Paradise was always a lunch hangout and Friday afternoon watering hole when you wanted a good marguerita. I have known Randy Rowse, the owner, since he was a manager at Chuck's of Hawaii in Santa Barbara.
Randy's wine list never ceases to amaze me. I picked up the latest list on my last visit. You "ll find 15 wines by the glass, domestic and foreign, all a great value. The "reserve" pinot noirs, mostly Santa Barbara County, range from $44 to $70, from producers like Au Bon Climat, Talley, Whitcraft, Foxen, Longoria, Loring, Silver, Stephen Ross, Flowers and Rochioli!
There's a great syrah selection too! Producers like Qupe, Ojai Vineyard, Jaffurs, Tensley, Kunin, Alban "Reva" and Tablas Creek.
The food's hard to beat. The wine list doesn't get any better, and the margueritas are to die for. Check it out. The Paradise Cafe is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 702 Anacapa Street.
Red wine and health-a personal testimony.
One year ago this week I had one of those birthdays that ends with a zero. I decided it was time to think about getting health insurance. I was one of those people who was "rolling the dice," not having health insurance. I procrastinated a bit, but finally got a major medical policy last December.
The last physical I had taken was back in 1986. The thing I remember about that physical was the high cholesterol. It was through the roof!
To finally get a health insurance policy. I had to get another physical. Getting a physical is one of those things I really dread. I've been told it's very much a "guy thing." To my surprise and elation, my cholesterol, the HDL and LDL, were letter perfect. I attribute the "good numbers " to two factors. I had quit smoking in 1992, and I consume red wine as part of a daily regimen with food, and have since the 1990s.
A good friend who is an accomplished winemaker, and frequently quoted in this column, couldn't believe my cholesterol numbers when I told him. He said, "Bob, I know what you eat, and my cholesterol with taking Lipitor is still in the 200s."
I would attribute my numbers to the red wine I drink. I can only suggest you talk to your physician about moderate consumption of wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages.
Bon appetit!
Wine lover and Santa Maria Times Wine columnist, Bob Senn, lives in the bucolic Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
