Food and Wine

South Africa produces much of the world’s white wine, including versatile chenin blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

South African Chenin Blanc captivates as an alternative white wine

Country’s Coastal Region a primary source of the varietal into the future

South Africa produces much of the world’s white wine, including versatile chenin blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Saul contemplates a “Medieval Times” show during his visit to the picturesque winery Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga. (Courtesy photo)

To taste or not to taste: Winery visit during a pandemic

A pleasant cheat day at Castello di Amorosa in Napa Valley

Saul contemplates a “Medieval Times” show during his visit to the picturesque winery Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga. (Courtesy photo)
Tracey and Mitch Hawkins of Hawk and Horse Vineyards pose with a Scottish Highlands cow. (Courtesy Rocco Ceselin)

Biodynamic Hawk and Horse Vineyards serves up a trio of fine vintages

Bordeaux-style wines come from Lake County

Tracey and Mitch Hawkins of Hawk and Horse Vineyards pose with a Scottish Highlands cow. (Courtesy Rocco Ceselin)
People were out and about, not social distancing, during SF Pride last week. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Coronavirus does not take holidays off, but mistakes happen

I seemingly forgot the potential severity of being around strangers

People were out and about, not social distancing, during SF Pride last week. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Jessie Ware, finding success with her podcast “Table Manners,” enjoyed returning to music with her new solo album. (Courtesy Carlijn Jacobs)

Jessie Ware asks ‘What’s Your Pleasure?’

Pop singer has fun making music, talking about food

Jessie Ware, finding success with her podcast “Table Manners,” enjoyed returning to music with her new solo album. (Courtesy Carlijn Jacobs)
Winemaker Isabel Galindo led a tour of Las Moradas de San Martin in Spain. (Courtesy photo)

Winemaker Isabel Galindo showcases garnacha from Madrid

Las Moradas de San Martin began making fine wine in 1999

Winemaker Isabel Galindo led a tour of Las Moradas de San Martin in Spain. (Courtesy photo)
Trapiche Winemaker Daniel Pi (Courtesy photo)

Malbec finds a home in Argentina

The roots of malbec are the Bordeaux region in southwest France where it is among the “big six” permitted red grapes.

Trapiche Winemaker Daniel Pi (Courtesy photo)
A mural by Nicole Hayden graces the exterior of Moby Dick. (Courtesy Topher Olson)

Keeping spirits up in a time of international crisis

Since beginning this column, I’ve joked a lot about how much my…

A mural by Nicole Hayden graces the exterior of Moby Dick. (Courtesy Topher Olson)
Aunt Charlie’s Lounge is a one-of-a-kind Tenderloin dive with great community spirit. (Courtesy Marissa Patrice Leitman)

Bar patrons answer call to save Aunt Charlie’s

Fans of Tenderloin drag queen haven and neighborhood spot quickly donate

Aunt Charlie’s Lounge is a one-of-a-kind Tenderloin dive with great community spirit. (Courtesy Marissa Patrice Leitman)
Nicole Hitchcock, head winemaker at J Vineyards, sings praises of Sonoma County soil for grape growing. (Courtesy photo)

On The Vine: J Vineyards celebrates the marriage of wine and cheese

Russian River Valley vintner, chef present, promote pleasant pairings

Nicole Hitchcock, head winemaker at J Vineyards, sings praises of Sonoma County soil for grape growing. (Courtesy photo)
The Stud, The City’s historic gay bar at Ninth and Harrison streets, is another casuality of the coronavirus pandemic. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

When should bars reopen?

San Francisco residents weigh in

The Stud, The City’s historic gay bar at Ninth and Harrison streets, is another casuality of the coronavirus pandemic. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Glera grapes provide the basis for the notable prosecco from Northern Italy vineyards near Valdobbiadene and Conegliano. (Courtesy photo)

Fine prosecco from Northern Italy

Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG sets high standards for sparklers

Glera grapes provide the basis for the notable prosecco from Northern Italy vineyards near Valdobbiadene and Conegliano. (Courtesy photo)
“The biggest hurdle is our rent. As long as our landlord continues to work with us, that will make all the difference,” said Lisa Merrall, owner of Fireside. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

What four Bay Area bar owners say about the future amid COVID-19

Bartenders share their thoughts on the outlook for their venues in the months ahead.

“The biggest hurdle is our rent. As long as our landlord continues to work with us, that will make all the difference,” said Lisa Merrall, owner of Fireside. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)
H.P. Mendoza’s San Francisco-set “Fruit Fly” closes CAAMFest Online: Heritage at Home on May 22. (Courtesy CAAMFest)

Jam-packed Asian Pacific American Heritage Month goes online

Share culture in books, food, films, fine art, music, panels

H.P. Mendoza’s San Francisco-set “Fruit Fly” closes CAAMFest Online: Heritage at Home on May 22. (Courtesy CAAMFest)
Kristin Houk, owner of Tato, delivering produce to Mother Brown’s, a local shelter in Bayview. Monday through Friday I pick up produce from the SF Market that is generously donated via a food recovery program. (Courtesy photo)

SF restaurants turn to helping others during coronavirus crisis

Local chefs survive pandemic by cooking for people in need aided by angel investor Twitch CEO Emmett Shear

Kristin Houk, owner of Tato, delivering produce to Mother Brown’s, a local shelter in Bayview. Monday through Friday I pick up produce from the SF Market that is generously donated via a food recovery program. (Courtesy photo)
Winemaker Michael Eddy said that to survive prohibition, Louis Martini winery established a company that supplied concentrated grape juice for home winemaking. (Courtesy photo)

Three legendary Napa Valley winemakers gather to discuss trends, sample wines

The trio oversees winemaking at iconic Napa Valley vineyards that have been producing wines for over a century

Winemaker Michael Eddy said that to survive prohibition, Louis Martini winery established a company that supplied concentrated grape juice for home winemaking. (Courtesy photo)
Pinky up. Courtesy photo/Vanessa Vasquez of The Detour

Pride cocktails: a recipe collection garnished with rainbows, grief, and joy

Here are some Pride-themed cocktails I asked friends in nightlife to mix up for me

Pinky up. Courtesy photo/Vanessa Vasquez of The Detour
Fiorella, Bi-Rite team up to provide free meals to essential workers

Fiorella, Bi-Rite team up to provide free meals to essential workers

Health care, grocery store and restaurant employees eligible for program

Fiorella, Bi-Rite team up to provide free meals to essential workers
The vines at the Regaleali Estate, where wine has been produced since the mid-19th century. (Courtesy photo)

Tenuta Regaleali shares a glimpse of ancient grapes grown in the Sicilian countryside

Having recently acquired some new releases of rare varietals, I used a day of sequestering to discover more about the grapes

The vines at the Regaleali Estate, where wine has been produced since the mid-19th century. (Courtesy photo)
What’s better than a tacky wine tasting party of drug store vintages? (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Drugstore Vintages: A tasting of memorable corner shop wines

Yes, okay? I buy tacky wine.

What’s better than a tacky wine tasting party of drug store vintages? (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)