I don't like secrets. When I find something great, I like to share it. That - and sometimes people ask me about stuff. This is my list.
Wines:
Clos Du Bois Merlot - a standard, never disappoints
14 Hands Hot to Trot - a red blend smooth and inexpensive
Naked Winery Diva Sangiovese - chill it a few degrees and drink it on the deck watching a summer sunset, you can't go wrong. It's a bit expensive but worth it for a special treat.
Canoe Ridge 2012 Merlot - love it! Reasonably priced and goes great with halibut. I know reds are suppose to pair with red meat and white wines pair with light meat but white wine gives me a headache - so this is my favorite fish wine.
Stuff:
Vinturi Wine Aerator for reds - it's amazing what this can do for a glass of wine! It "enhances the flavor, bouquet, and finish of any wine" and that is no exaggeration. It can turn a $10 bottle of wine into a $60-80 bottle of wine.
Sorel Caribou Boots - if you live in snow, these are a must. They are expensive. They keep my feet warm and dry. They have lasted more than twenty years and are still going strong. Worth every penny. Seriously. Go buy a pair.
Sonos Wireless Speakers - also expensive and worth every penny. Beats Bose hands down. Beats EVERYTHING hands down. Come visit and take a listen.
iStuff - I love my iPad and iPhone. I love them more after using Windows 8 and the Samsung Galaxy 3 Tablet. I didn't start out an Apple girl. They won me over. There's a lot to be said in that statement alone.
Panasonic Lumix Camera - best point and shoot camera I've ever used. I don't pretend to have used hundreds but I do like looking at photos and this one makes taking great photos easy.
Adobe Photoshop Elements - a perfect companion for both iPhone snapshots and photos from my point and shoot camera to make scrapbooks. I use MixBook.com to print the books and I have never been disappointed. They usually have 40-50% off specials so it's worth giving them your email address.
Food Items:
Black Truffle Salt - it turns anything on the table into a gourmet treat. I sprinkle it on cold green beans straight out of the can and melt with every bite. No lie.
Places:
Naked Winery Tasting Rooms - there is one in Bend and one in Hood River. The have equally appealing but different ambiances. Naked's mission statement is to reduce the divorce rate in half by encouraging couples to share a glass of wine every night. This place is HOT. You want to ignite a spark or warm up an old flame? Bring them here for some wine tasting and dare them to read the back of the bottles aloud. It's an easy going, friendly place to catch up with friends, too. Their staff is second only to our own and just as endearing.
Red Martini Bar - downtown Redmond, Oregon. Intimate, friendly, great service and the most amazing food Central Oregon has to offer. Small plates have never been so satisfying. The martini combinations range from classic to creative and I have never been disappointed.
Oishi Sushi - best sushi in Central Oregon topped only by Portland's Bamboo Sushi but at half the price. This place knows their fish. We are lucky to have them here.
Jackson Hole's Historic Wort Hotel - you had me at Jackson. Luxurious, upscale, across from the town square and within walking distance of everything downtown AND the historic Silver Dollar Bar is located on the bottom floor -- IN the hotel -- with shuttle service provided to Teton Village and Jackson Hole Skiing. Worth every cent. Save up and do Jackson right. I'd share the history, but seriously, they had me at Jackson. Everything past that felt like a dream.
Portland's Salt and Straw Ice Cream - Holy Catfish, Batman! Best ice cream EVER. Period.
