What are the favorite wines out there? I went to the source…..my girlfriends! When you know your friends’ palettes, you’ll be well stocked for the next time  you go to their house or they come to your house! I like to update this list, periodically. Here’s the results:

• St. Supery Meritage
• Stags Leap
• Calistoga
• Mazzei Philip Cabernet
• Big Red Monster
• Jordan Russian River Valley
• Kono Sauvignon Blanc
• Faust Wines
• Joel Gott Cabernet
• Faust Wines
• Lesse Fitch Cabernet
• Rombauer
• Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
• Silver Oak
• Sterling
• Apothic
• Honig
• Pascual Toso Malbec
• 2016 Padrillos Malbec
• Sean Minor
• Earthquake Red Zinfandel
• Saldo Red Zinfandel
• Far Niente

Typically, I don’t believe in wine pairings with food. I mix whites and reds with different meats sometimes. However, I always like white wine with sushi. I always like red wine with…..I always like red wine! With everything!  Here’s some good info about wine pairings, though.

http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/15-rules-great-wine-and-food-pairings/7

Gina’s easy bruschetta  to serve with wine:

make your own crostinis or buy them. If you make them, slice a baguette or buy crostinis and brush butter, olive oil, garlic and chives or your favorite herb and sea salt. Bake until golden.

mix Harissa Salsa from Trader Joe’s with Bruschetta toppings like Red Pepper Salsa, Artichoke and Olive Tapenade salsas.

Salud!