http://www.just-drinks.com/article.aspx?id=93216&lk=alrt3&amd=3076

It's out of this world. For dessert, there's green tea and red bean fried ice cream ($3.50). Fuji offers a pleasant dining room or carryout services. The owners are delightful, the flavors are bright and fresh and the prices are right. There may be a language barrier but pointing to pictured menu items works. Barring that, there's usually an English-speaking server who'll get you through. Keep in mind that the restaurant closes at 3 p.m. and reopens at 4:30 p.m. for dinner. Hours for lunch are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Dinner is 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, until 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 9:30 p.m. Sundays.Cuisine: JapaneseReservations: NoSmoking: NoKids menu: NoPrice: $$Bar: NoTip: The lunch box, available between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., is a deal for $5.50.Gamba Ristorante455 E.


Read More

Challenges ahead for Southern Hemisphere wine producers

While Australia's woes have attracted most media attention, all the wine-producing countries of the Southern Hemisphere face challenges in the year ahead, according to a recently published report from just-drinks. Ben Cooper reports. For the wine-producing countries of the Southern Hemisphere, the coming year looks set to present some significant though differing challenges, asserts a new report from just-drinks.According to the just-drinks report, Southern Hemisphere grape supply and wine production - forecasts to 2013, 2008 finds wine production in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Chile in a marked state of flux. Epitomising the "feast or famine" nature which sometimes besets agricultural commodities, 2008 sees Australia move from its much-publicised grape glut to a state of balance.


Read More

Next OFM: December 5

Michel Rolland has transformed the world's wine market, wooing producers with hot science and entrepreneurial energy. But in a controversial new film, Mondovino, critics accuse him of betraying his native traditions and sacrificing individuality to the tastes of the mass market. Is he dumbing down? John Carlin meets the genie of the bottle. .


Read More

WVV Makes Strategic Move

WILSONVILLE, Ore. - (Business Wire) In a unique strategic move, Oregon’s leading winery has moved some of its offices from the winery to the building owned by the Oregon Restaurant Association (ORA). The new Willamette Valley Vineyards (WVV) offices are also across the hall from the Northwest Grocer’s Association headquarters.

WVV Founder & President Jim Bernau said the two business associations represent more than 90 percent of all fine wine sales in Oregon. He added that the move was made to further the ties between industry partners, but also to reduce the carbon footprint of the winery.

"The ORA and NWGA are among the most effective business associations in the country," Bernau noted. "I have enjoyed my work with them over these past 25 years and I look forward to strengthening our industries, employment and charities."

Bernau was named the ORA’s "Purveyor of the Year" last year.


Read More

Britain's alcohol problem: Our green and drunken land

But if the health prognosis was worrying Ms Withers, 67, she wasn't letting it show. "We were talking about cutting down this morning, but I said 'Why? We're nearly dead anyway'."

Her show of defiance was greeted with a roar of approval from fellow customers whiling away the early afternoon in this timber-beamed 14th-century coaching inn. "I'm cutting down," says the pub manager, Danny O'Leary, to more laughter. "I've given up drinking between drinks."

It is estimated the 26.4 per cent of people in Runnymede – one in four of the local population – are consuming alcohol in a hazardous fashion. The area ranked alongside other gin and Jag hot spots such as Harrogate inYorkshire, Surrey Heath and Guildford at the top of the table. The team of researchers found that while regular "everyday" drinkers predominated in wealthy areas, it was people in the industrial cities and towns of the North-west – Manchester, Liverpool and Rochdale – who were doing themselves most harm.


Read More

Gemmel Restaurant and California Taste Fine Wine Host . Organic/Biodynamic Wine and Vegan Dinner Pairing

Organic/Biodynamic Wine and Vegan Dinner Pairing 07/03/2008 20:07:00 Business Wire To celebrate a new season, a dinner event featuring organic and biodynamic wines paired with a five course vegetarian meal will be hosted by Gemmel Restaurant, and California Taste Fine Wine.
The "Spring Bounty" dinner will be held Thursday, March 27th at 6:30 pm at Gemmel Restaurant, 34471 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629.
The vegan menu, prepared by Michelin chef Bryon Gemmel, consists of fresh and natural appetizers, salads, entrees and the chef s signature dessert.
The dinner will be paired with biodynamic and organic wines selected by Ken Spears, owner of California Taste Fine Wine.
"Certified biodynamic and organic grapes are grown in self-sustaining vineyards making the terroir or soil alive, active and robust, which becomes evident in the flavor of the wines," according to Spears.

Read More

Spirited keepsakes: Lake of the Ozarks souvenir label dresses up classic European table wine Moselland

LAKE OF THE OZARKS - The aerial view of Bagnell Dam glows on the inside of the bottle. It depicts one of the most recognizable landmarks at the lake and wine specialist Bill Van Pool says he plans to expand the line.Moselland Landmark Series has become a hit since it landed on store shelves. Although the first bottle depicted the St. Louis Arch at sunset, Van Pool said he wanted to come up with a souvenir for customers desiring to take a bit of Lake of the Ozarks home with them.Van Pool, who works in the Osage Beach Hy-Vee wine and spirits department, turned to an artist in Germany to make a label from a picture of Bagnell Dam he had submitted.

.


Read More