After food tasting our way along tree shaded Claremont village, the thirsty travelers from the International Food & 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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