Wine Meets The World of Interior Design & Wine Review: Morro Bay Split Oak Estates 2009 California " Sur Lie" Sauvignon Blanc

Bernhardt Tuscan Villa Dining Room

I've always felt that world of interior design and wine are intertwined. For those of us who are oenophiles (wine lovers), to those who just like sipping sparkling cider out of a flute, just because it makes you feel part of the world of wine.  I like to keep a bottle or two of sparkling cider, for my guest who don't drink wine. My guest are always made to feel welcome in my home!

Interior design is not just pretty photos in home magazines, it is how you create spaces for you, your family and friends to actually live in, and enjoy. That concept can mean so many things for so many people. For me, it is all about comfort, and a bit of elegance. I call my style "relaxed elegance."  I like leather on sofas and chairs in public spaces, and on dining room chairs. If something spills, you can quickly wipe it off! That is why I love the chairs in the above photo, just wipe off spills or food debris. Leather can take daily living, and children quite well.

This is my Italian inspired china by Lenox.

Glass Grape Clusters  by Wisteria http://www.wisteria.com/Glass-Grape-Clusters-Chardonnay-New/productinfo/W6660/

 On leather sofas, you can add color, texture and a little sparkle by adding pillows. I got some pillows that have somewhat of a burlap texture with gold painted leaves, and some pillows with a golden shimmer at Target. So, a little shimmer can be had on a small budget!  I'm in love with Tuscan and French inspired home goods. There is something to be said about European design, they tend to blend elegance with practicality.

 A chip on something, only adds character. If it bothers you, then get a furniture pen and cover it up! I love spaces that are not "perfect." We, as human beings are also flawed; but our flaws, if they are not self destructive or a danger others, are what makes us who we are! So, my home does not look like a perfect picture from a magazine, but when it is all cleaned up, it looks like me; a lady from New Orleans.

 I have the Fleur de Lis symbols in objects de' art in my kitchen. The symbol is etched in a few of my white wine glasses,two small urn candle holders, two door stoppers, and dinnerware. So New Orleans is represented in my home.

Ballard Designs http://www.ballarddesigns.com/set-of-4-fleur-de-lis-glassware/10065

Outdoor Wine Decor: The Jewelry for the Exterior of a Wine Lovers Home

http://www.doorknockersandbells.com/grape_doorbell_cover.aspx

This one looks similar to the one I have, but alas it is not available anymore!

I have a doorbell cover, that looks like a bunch of grapes. It has an aged bronze finish and I love it! I got it from Napa Style http://www.napastyle.com about three or four years ago from their catalog; but I have not seen it in a while. I really like some of the Tuscan inspired items and home accessories on their website. 

Check out my piece on At Home In Arkansas http://www.athomearkansas.com/blog/dine-wine-and-more

Look at these beautiful Romanza glasses from Cobblestone & Vine http://www.cobblestoneandvine.com

I could imagine them on the Tuscan Villa Dining Room table in my dining room, the all purpose wine glass, which is the second glass to your left would filled with Morro Bay Split Oak Estates 2009 California "Sur Lie" Sauvignon Blanc. http://www.pasternakwine.com

Wine Review

This wine wine is a light straw color. The nose has aromas of notes of grapefruit, citrus, and hints of grass. The palate mirrors the nose with those citrus notes, along with flavors of melon, gooseberry and a slight hint of apricot. There are notes of minerality on the palate, and this wine has a nice level of acidity. The finish has notes of lemon. I would pair this wine fresh goat cheese, seafood,chicken, and the bruschetta that I created, that the recipe or method of cooking is noted below. Note: This wine was a sample provided by Pasternak Wine Imports.

Lorrie's Fig Goat Cheese Prosciutto Bruschetta

Note: Forgive me, I usually do recipes in a recipe format, but I was a bit lazy today (flaws)!

I created a bruschetta with 10 slices of baguette, brushed with extra virgin olive oil. I put them on a cookie sheet, in a 350 degree pre-heated oven, and let them bake for about 5 minutes. Remove them from oven, but keep the oven on.  I then added a light spread of fig preserves on each slice of baguette, added fresh goat cheese to each piece , (*Note:  Reduce Balsamic Vinegar before you get started, so it will have had a chance to cool down) then I drizzled a bit of balsamic vinegar on each piece of bruschetta, that I reduced in a small pot for about 4 minutes to thicken it, then add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to each  piece of bruschetta. The finishing touch is to cut two thinly sliced pieces of prosciutto into ten pieces, and top each piece of bruschetta with the prosciutto and brush each one with extra virgin olive oil, and return bruschetta to the oven for another 5 minutes or so until the prosciutto begins to slightly crisp.  This was a great pairing. Try it and let me know what you think!