After food tasting our way along tree shaded Claremont village, the thirsty travelers from the International Food &Â Wine Travel Writers Association were in for a cool treat. We were tired and warm when popping into historic Packing House Wines for an unforgettable tasting. Calm ambiance and a genial host welcomed us during busy restaurant week in Claremont (7/10-19) .
Packing House – Photo courtesy of Tom Plant tom@winormous.com
Sal was the ideal wine guide. He didn’t try to describe each wine, but let our taste buds do the choosing. Show, don’t tell. We learned this as writers.
I was transported back to my summer days working in a small Spanish vineyard, and my first taste of sparkling Spanish cava. The crisp Segura Viudas is as delicious to me than many French sparkling wines, I detected subtle scents of floral notes.
Segura Viudas Cava – Photo Brenda C. Hill
Then, I rushed to buy it before it was gone. Sal’s wines are top values because he purchases in bulk. When I return to the Packing House, I will fill my car trunk with cases of Cava and Turley, my all time favorite Zin. I have searched the country for Turley, and here it is, as wild berry rich as I remember, and just around the corner at Packing House Wine Merchants.
Historic Packing House – Photo by Tom Plant
If hungry the small bites pair perfectly. Try the creamy Brie, aged
Irish Dubliner, or Humbolt Fog goat with pears and almonds. When I am driving to Napa, Temecula or Santa Barbara, I will first stop at the Packing House – and most likely stay in Claremont.
Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where And What in the World
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Author: Brenda Hill
As a longtime food writer for Where Magazine New York City, Brenda Hill, along with her writing partner, Maralyn Hill (no relation), writes and publishes books about chefs, food and international travel. They co-authored "Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel" and joined French Master Chef Herve Laurent in writing "Cooking Secrets: The Why and How" Brenda has been active in the California Writer's Club, IFWTWA, and the Santa Barbara's Writers Conference. Brenda Hill and her partner Maralyn Hill conduct marketing and writing seminars. Maralyn and I will be heading back to Rancho La Puerta in July to give our presentation on writing and marketing your book, as well as bringing back some freshly picked off the farm nutritious and tasty recipes.
