Wine & Country Living

This week is all about making sure the family pets' winter beds are lined correctly for those long winter naps. They make me laugh; sprawled out in front of the fire like a couple of limp furry pencils.

I bought a set of cedar-chip stuffed cushions and my kitties love their newly appointed digs. I also replaced the heating element in the outdoor water bowl for the two "terrorists," who live in the neighborhood, who stop for a slurp on their evening run. Even though they scare the pudding out of the cats, what's not to love about two friendly, floppy-eared labradors named Coco and Pretzel?

I tasted wine this weekend at Fort Walla Walla Cellars in downtown Wally. I've always loved winemakers Jim Moyer and Cliff Kontos' Merlot wine. But this tasting, I was looking for something royal yet robust, and their '07 Cabernet Sauvignon with that little flick of Cabernet Franc irresistible.

For this 19-month cooperage with first swirl and sniff, you are transported to a freshly plowed beet field, no kidding! Cheeks, brushed in plumy soft tannins compliment a perfect berry set. Grapes from Pepper Bridge, Les Collins and St. Clare Vineyards, gives you the security in knowing these two winemakers will go out on the vine, using only the finest in hand-picked grapes for their wines. Complex and double yeasted; the Plum Fairy has nothing over the Fort Walla Walla '07 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Because Jim and Cliff of Fort Walla Walla Cellars take the task to heart in choosing only the best grapes for their wines, yours truly, Judith Henderson of Wine and Country Living gladly gives you a whopping 98 points for the '07 Cabernet Sauvignon. Congratulations Jim and Cliff! 509-520-1095. Until next week: "Eat Art Drink Imagination!"

Port and Prune Reduction

Makes About 1 Cup

1-cup pitted prunes rough cut

1/4-cup port wine

½-cup honey

1-bay leaf

1-cinnamon stick

1-teaspoon gram masala

In a sauce pot over medium high heat, simmer fall ingredients or 35 minutes or until reduced by half, thick and glossy. Remove bay leaf and cinnamon stick; cool and serve reduction swiped with roast pork and a bottle of '07 Fort Walla Walla Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon.

Judith's new cookbook, "Wine and Country Living Cookbook" on sale: www.chefjudithhenderson.com.