POST CARD FROM NAPA

SUMMER IN NAPA

     Napa's seasonal transition between Spring and Summer is seamless.  The gorgeous warm days of late Spring smoothly morph into the gorgeous warm days of early Summer.  The pleasures of longer, warmer days attract vacationers anxious and eager to immerse themselves into a state of relaxed bliss.  The living is easy.

     At home in my cabin by the pool the windows and doors are open all Summer long for the gentle breezes and the floral aromas they carry.  I am usually planning a party, attending one, or remembering one from the night before.  Informal gatherings with old and new friends, dining al fresco, telling stories, and enjoying the sensuous liquid fruit of Mother Nature are the order of the evenings.

     One such party took place at my sister Kathleen's home in Yountville recently.  The guest of honor was Franco, Kathleen's friend from Italy.  Since Kathleen has spent considerable time in Italy she can speak it and cook it.  Meals in Italy are multi-course feasts and Kathleen's culinary creations are works of art.  It was a balmy evening so the table was set outside on the deck beneath the oak trees.  The first course, or antipasta, were tasty bites from heaven.  Sweet orange melon slices wrapped in prosciutto, freshly picked bing cherries, mushroom pizza slices, pita bread wedges with spinach and artichoke dips, olives stuffed with garlic, thin roast beef slices, cheeses, and salami rounded out the first course.

     One of our friends brought a French Pinot Noir, which was delightful.  Some of us were enjoying the Napa Valley options of Far Niente Cabernet, Laird Family Syrah, and Paul Hobbs Merlot.  The Pinot Grigio, also from Laird, was wonderful with the prosciutto-melon wrap.

     The second (segundi) wave of food from Kathleen's kitchen was a tsunami of roasted chickens, pasta, green salad with homegrown heirloom tomatoes, and oven roasted red potatoes with rosemary.  The red wines were remarkably well suited.  The conversation was lively and the laughter was audible happiness.

     Dessert was decadently sinful.   A mound of vanilla bean gelato was dressed in an abundance of freshly picked blackberries from my friends Calistoga home.  The berries were unquestionably the sweetest I have ever tasted.  Flavors were bursting in my mouth.   Luckily some Syrah was left over to enjoy with dessert.

     Once the sun sank beneath the western hills it turned slightly chilly, and we pulled on cozy sweatshirts and huddled closer as the coffee was poured.  I held my mug in two hands as a feeling of deja vu carried me for a while.

     The fourth of July is the holiday in America most closely associated with Summer.  Parades, ball games, picnics, barbeques and fireworks have been enculturated over the years.  During the holiday weekend I attended a San Francisco Giant baseball game and sat in the fourth row from the field, behind home plate.  I have a friend who trades baseball tickets for wine, which is a win-win deal for me.

     After the game my brother had family and friends over for barbequed hot dogs and hamburgers.  Watermelon is another holiday tradition, and we enjoyed it for dessert.  Beer and soda water were the beverages of choice for the meal, although there was a nice Regusci Zinfandel that seemed almost patriotic along with the juicy burger.  Here's to the endless summer!