Judith Henderson’s Wine & Country Living

Today I drove out to Basel Cellars Estate Winery, Walla Walla. I was playing Private Chef to a customer who I prepare weekday dinners for and I wanted a good Claret red wine to pair with one of their weekly dinner choices. I know Basel Cellars has the best Claret in the valley and I love the picturesque drive out to this winery.

Out along Old Milton Highway, the Basel Estate Winery and guest facility is housed in a two-story American Log Lodge, reminiscent of the Mt. Hood Timberline Lodge -- rustic but elegant. Everywhere you walk is slate and natural stone masonry patios and stairwells lined in effervescent evergreen and the Blue Mountains hang suspended in the sky.

By reservation, guests of Basel Cellars Estate use the lodge swimming pool, pool house and a second tasting room with banquet facility. I have personally catered several large events on this property and highly recommend it for outdoor weddings and private company seminars.

At just $20 a bottle, you cannot go wrong with the Basel Claret, a blend of the quintessential red wines; Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot, pairing well with Garlic-Peppered Roast Pork, Crepes Suzette or Chicken Cumberland.

Nose deep into the glass, this wine's bouquet quaffs in gingerbread spice. At first sip, a swoosh of chopped ripe cherries floods the mouth, followed mid-palate with macerated forest raspberries, tongue wrapped in pounded bay laurel and green tea leaves.

Basel Winemaker, Justin Basel, because you have the sensitivity to maintain and to improved on the original recipes at Basel Cellars, yours truly, Judith Henderson of Wine and Country living, gives you 98 points for the '07 Basel Claret. Congratulations Justin and team! 509-522-0200.

Until next week readers, "Eat Art Drink Imagination!"

Cumberland Sauce

Makes 1 ½-Cups

1-cup cherry jelly

6-ounces frozen orange juice concentrate

4-tablespoons dry sherry

1-teaspoon dry mustard

1/8-teaspoon minced fresh ginger

1/6-teaspoon red pepper flakes

Simmer all until smooth. Drizzle over braised lemon chicken, stir-fried chard and mashed winter squash. Pair with the incomparable '07 Basel Cellars Claret.

Judith's new cookbook, Wine and Country Living Cookbook, available for sale/distribution: 509-502- 8748