Judith Henderson’s Wine & Country Living

The group No Kids Hungry was formed by a group of Hollywood actors who got tired of money and donations being misappropriated and not getting to the people they were intended for. Today, the group goes so far as to deliver the foods and money themselves. For small well worth affiliations like this, use your Google bar and type: "food donation groups."

Speaking of starving mammals; today, I delivered a 20-pound bag of cat food to the Walla Walla SPCA, one of my yearly donations to those who cannot speak for themselves. I love this donation and find the folks who run the shelter are kind-hearted and very thankful. If you find the shelter not open when you go to donate, they do have a barrel just outside the gate, but here's the shelter's number in case you feel people might not be fair with your donation: 509-525-2452.

While in Walla Walla, drive into downtown Walla Walla and stop in at the Sinclair Estates Winery on Main Street for a little tasting.

Winemaker, Amy Alvarez-Wampfler has a luxurious Sinclair Estates '09 Chardonnay, at just $28 bottle that is simply scrumptious.

The Sinclair Columbia Valley Chardonnay is nosey, rippling in tropical crushed lychee and dried-pineapple nuances. At first sip, a broad swath of Fuji apple sits mid palate, drizzled in farm fresh cream wrapped around a tongue of butterscotch candies.

This aged Chardonnay is mellow. Amy tells me she stirred her recipe everyday for 10 months before barreling in 100 percent new French oak, contributing to the creaminess of this Walla Walla wine. Sinclair tasting room: 509-876-4300.

Amy, because you took the time to pamper your hand-stirred Sinclair Estate '09 Chardonnay, yours truly, Judith Henderson, of Wine and Country Living, gives 98 points for wine perfection! Congratulations Amy and team.

Until next week, "Eat Art Drink Imagination!"

Butterscotch Apples

4-tablespoons butter

4-tablespoons local honey

½-cup sugar

4-apples peeled and sliced

Method:

Melt butter, honey, sugar and apples; cook for

6-minutes and serve with farm fresh cream and a bottle

of '09 Sinclair Estates Chardonnay.

Chef Judith Henderson's Wine and Country Cookbook, available for sale and distribution: 509-520-8748.