Judith Henderson’s Wine & Country Living

I f you only get one love in your life then the San Francisco bay area might just be mine. This year's visit was no exception. As if something so innate as a new word phrasing could through me off, it seems the younger bay area generation needs a lesson in geography and transparent lifestyles.

Geographically speaking, Santa Clara County runs north along the Peninsula from Mountain View to the southern tip of Morgan Hill and does not cross over into San Mateo and San Francisco Counties. Yet, in one breath, bay area broad- casters include Silicon Valley into San Francisco programs as if there has never been an 80 mile difference between Santa Clara Valley and the city; go figure?

In 1965, San Francisco Songwriter Marty Balin of the Jefferson Airplane wrote and recorded "Plastic Fantastic Lover." The tune depicts the unflattering view of people who live a cold transparent life and who express phony emotions. While Marty's song is considered a classic '60's tune, its stinging lyrics remain current today, teaching a younger generation to beware of this human flaw.

I grew up on a stone-free fruit farm in Santa Clara Valley. As a college student, I recall my father, uncles and grandfa- ther jealously protecting our land from the plastic fantastic developers stealing our dreams with their big technological ideas; replacing rows of apricot trees for computer campuses. There's a lesson in this young blood, something about being true to your school, loyalty and proudly being able to return to where you were born and raised.

I drove up onto Skyline Road and visited Thomas Fogarty Winery. I was greeted by winemaker Michael Martella, who introduced the Fogarty 2009 Estate Chardonnay: $50 in the tasting room and recently earning 98 points from Wine Spec- ter Magazine.

From America's first mountain AVA, this Santa Cruz Mountain cluster-pressed chardonnay, aged 18-months in oak, shows beautifully in bright mountain fruits: apple and pear. With first sip, a lilting ambrosia crosses the tongue with more cut and finesse than most medium bodied Chardon- nay's. Splashed in minerality, the Fogarty 2009 Estate Char- donnay finishes in a brilliant long lasting spine.

Winery owner Doctor Fogarty is a professor at Stanford and heart surgeon at Stanford Hospital. He is a beloved fig- ure among mountain vintners and speaks his mind: "Wine should be known as a health food rather than for its alcoholic properties!"

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

Sweet Chardonnay Onions

1-tablespoon olive oil

1-tablespoon butter

4-cups chopped sweet onions

1/2-teaspoon thyme

½-cup chardonnay wine

½-cup local honey

In sauté pan, melt oils and add remaining ingredients; sauté to caramelize. Dribble over mashed potatoes and wild fish filet, paired with the Forgarty 2009 Chardonnay.

For questions, contact info@chefjduithhenderson.com.