Judith Henderson’s Wine & Country Living

Spring has sprung and for those of you with a "honey-do" list and can't seem to find vintage door knobs, period kitchen tiles and brass hinges; you might try Habitat for Humanity ReStore, one of 500-plus salvage and resale shops nationwide that benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Speaking of renewable lifestyles; I recently read actor/green living activist, Ed Begley's, "Guide to Sustainable Living." Ed has got it down in this book, suggesting several ways to address our own carbon footprint with ideas on how to capture and store power for home and outdoor structures, using inexpensive materials found at our local hardware store. True to the crux of this column, the Sulei Cellars of Walla Walla has produced an affordable red wine; the 2009 Sulei Roller Girl Jammer Red wine at just $19 a bottle.

Tanya Woodley, winemaker/partner at Sulei, is a graduate of Walla Walla Community College, Enology and Viticulture program and one of the late Stan Clark's students. After apprenticing at Whitman Cellars, Tanya and business partner Elaine Jomwe, opened Sulei Cellars.

Tanya said she makes wine with minimal intervention and this wine-making technique shows in the rich, well structured Roller Girl Red; 69 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 percent Cab Franc, 11 percent Merlot.

While recently visiting Sulei Cellars, I bellied-up to the bar and tasted the Roller Girl blended wine. At first swirl you see Woodley's signature garnet hue and the Roller Girl wine's long legs. Nose buried deep in the glass, a high palate of crushed cherry merlot wafts the senses, marinating the cheeks in cedar box tannins, tongue swathed in the irresistible cab franc lipstick smear, ending in a dollop of caramel velocity.

Tanya, because you and Elaine are the kind of passionate roller girls who support music in schools and make utterly delicious affordable red wines, yours truly, Judith Henderson, gives you 98 points of wine perfection for the '09 Roller Girl Jammer Red Wine! Congratulations to you and team Sulei.

Readers, until next week, "Eat Art Drink Imagination!"

Nutty Tofu Spread

1.5 cups firm tofu drained well

6 tablespoons nutty peanut butter

1 tablespon local honey

2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

In a food processor blend all until smooth. Serve with crackers and a bottle of Sulei 2009 Roller Girl Jammer Red Wine. Hear Judith's Seasonal Food and Wine Commentary at: www.chefjudithhenderson.com