California Living ® TV shares over a decade of food and wine pairing secrets plus expert entertaining hacks in new 3 part series.

In Part 1 of California Living ® TV’s 3 Part Food & Wine Pairing Series, you’ll get the inside look at the secrets to Napa Valley food and wine pairing.

One thing is for certain, a decade can bring a great deal of change.  And in the last 13 years since California Living ® TV aired it’s first show on broadcast television, we’ve seen many trends come and go.  A lot.

Yet, one thing will never change:

Great food and wine parings.

In the TV production biz, when content is still relevant years later – we call it “evergreen”.  Producing evergreen television content in this ever changing world can be a lofty goal.  And we’re humbled to say, much of what California Living ® TV has produced and aired over the years is still as relevant today as it was the day it was filmed.

That brings us to what we are sharing with you here.  The Napa Valley food and wine pairing segment at the Trinchero Family Estates Sutter Home Inn below – aired in our first California Living® TV show in November of 2005:

13 years later, these food & wine pairing secrets are as fresh and relevant as the first time we shared them with the public.  And the best part is, California Living ® TV’s collection of food & wine pairing secrets and easy entertaining tips will have you “surviving” AND enjoying every minute of the holiday season – stress free.

California Living ® TV Holiday Food & Wine Pairing & Entertaining Guide (Part 1):

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  California Living® TV Entertaining Tip: Plan Ahead!

  Culinary experts interviewed on California Living ® TV all agree, the best way to “survive” holiday entertaining and get the most enjoyment out of every minute – is to “plan ahead”.

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  California Living ® TV Entertaining Tip: Plan a menu with dishes that can be made ahead.

  Take a look at your menu and decide what can be made ahead of time. Many sauces and gravies can be made days ahead and freeze well.  Recipes such as the Napa Valley Crab Cakes featured in the video above, can be made ahead as well.  Planning ahead gives you the ability to prepare and even cook over a few days. Cooking a few of your dishes ahead of time will give you more time to relax and enjoy time with your guests. Isn’t it time to say goodbye to working in the kitchen all day?

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  California Living ® TV Entertaining Tip: Have a few bottles of wine on the table for easy refills.

  Entertaining Tip: When setting your holiday table top, be sure to add a few open bottles of wine for your guests to be able to refill their wine glasses on their own without having to get up. This entertaining tip will set the stage to enjoy a relaxing holiday meal.

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  California Living ® TV food & wine pairing secret: Pair wines and foods sourced from the same region.

  Wine & Food Paring Secret: It has been said that “The best food & wine parings are created by wines made from grapes and food sourced from the same region”. Use this “same region” concept to create fool-proof food & wine parings for your next party.

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  California Living ® TV Food & Wine Pairing Tip: Pair wine and food with the same flavor intensities.

  Another pro food & wine pairing tip is to pair wine and food similar flavor intensities. For example, pair bold flavors like blue cheese with richer wines, and mild cheeses like goat and brie with milder whites.

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  California Living® host Aprilanne Hurley shares secrets to food and wine pairing.

  While Winery Chef Jeffrey Starr tells Hurley “there is no such thing as a bad food and wine pairing if you like it,” when it comes to “fool-proof” food and wine pairing, Star does offer one easy rule to follow to create great food and wine pairings: Either pair “opposing taste profiles,” or have the food and wine mimic or “mirror” a particular flavor or taste sensation. For instance:

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  California Living ® shares over a decade of expert secrets to food and wine pairing.

  Pair sweet and/or fruity dishes with a sweet or fruity “dessert” wine.

• Pair rich, bold flavor foods such as lamb and beef with deep rich cabs, burgundy and merlots.

• Pair lighter flavored fair such as fish, chicken and vegetables with crisp, white wines.

• When in doubt, experts often say Pinot can go with both your lighter fare like fish as well as richer dishes such as beef.

Special thanks to Sutter Homes Inn Winery Chef Jeffrey Star who graciously shared his is secrets to food and wine pairing and entertaining with ease.  And cheers to creating delicious and memorable food and wine pairings this season…and for years to come.

Oh, and if you’ll be “home for the holidays,” upcoming installments in the California Living ® TV Holiday Food and Wine Paring & Entertaining Guide Series have you covered with:

• DIY Hollywood inspired holiday table-top design secrets with everyday items.

• California Living ® TV videos featuring holiday food and wine pairing menu ideas and recipes.

• Party Girl Diet approved holiday recipes to feed a crowd this holiday season.

About California Living ® TV host Aprilanne Hurley:

California Living ® TV host Aprilanne Hurley’s media credits include live TV appearances on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and CNN Headline News to share recipes, workout techniques and healthy, sustainable lifestyle tips from her book the Party Girl Diet.

For over a decade, Hurley shares her passion for food, wine, home design, travel and healthy living through California Living ® TV specials and videos spotlighting what makes California life like no other.

PS: If you find yourself searching for the perfect gift for the person who has everything – check out California Living ® TV host Aprilanne Hurley’s all-time favorite holiday gift that “gives back” to the community: The Marine Mammal Center’s Adopt-A-Seal® Program – offering the perfect “feel good” gift for everyone on your list.