Judith Henderson’s Wine & Country Living

Smart is the new America; have you heard this? The saying refers to today's saving and spending practices across the US and in particular, our spending at the supermarket.

As far as smart buying of foodstuffs, I watch my pennies carefully. I know cheap food is not always a good buy, in fact most commercial food lacks flavor and nutritional value. Upgrading our food and beverage purchases to the higher standard in clean organic whole foods may cost more - as much as twenty cents on the dollar - but the higher standard is considered the best buy in flavor and nutritional value.

You might join the fastest growing statistic in America - the "whole foods consumer" - earning more bang for your buck. Becoming a whole foods consumer IS today's best buy. Regarding the greening of your existing pantry, operative words come to mind: "don't worry, be happy!" Simply do a little at a time, use all foods on-hand as planned and slowly replace foods as needed with the higher standard in whole foods.

Napa Winemaker and marketing guru, Charles Bieler of Three Thieves Wines, recently teamed with Walla Walla's Charles Smith Wines to produce a reasonably priced line of quality wines under the label: Charles and Charles Wines. Curious, I went for a taste at the Smith tasting room: Spokane Street, Walla Walla, 509-526-530.

The Charles and Charles 2011 Red, is a blended wine: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Syrah. Tasting notes be- gin with nose buried in the glass. A profusion of violets opens the senses. At first sip, a wide swoosh of ripe blackberries floods the mouth wrapped in ribbons of cassis, tickling the tongue in cedar box tannins. At just $11.95 a bottle, this wine is a smart buy, pairing well with lean, reasonably-priced pork cuts smothered in a spicy maple sugar mop sauce.

With the outrageous style of local scallywag Charles Smith and the marketing genius of Napa's Charles Bieler, who knows what's in store on future collaborations? Today, Smith is busy planning this spring's Thursday BBQ held at the downtown tasting room and handling activities at his Anchor Bar in Waitsburg. Bieler recently partnered with Newman's Own food line, producing a new sustainable packaging for wines in lightweight, eco-friendly, re-sealable boxes - a new idea for winemakers with second-label wines.

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

Icy Hot Mop Sauce

1-cup ketchup

½-cup maple syrup

1-cup brown sugar

1-cup apple juice

1/4-teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/8-teaspoon crushed fennel seed

Zest of 1-lemon

In a sauce pan over medium heat, whisk all ingredients to reduce by half. Cool to room temperature. Brush over meats and grilled vegetables as foods come off the grill. Serve a cold rice & cut seasonal fruit salad paired with the Charles and Charles 2011 Red wine.

Questions for Judith: www.chefjudithhenderson.com