Judith Henderson’s Wine & Country Living

You've heard the term GMO in relation to seed and our immediate food chain, but what does GMO stand for? "Genetically Modified Organisms, whose ge- netic material has been altered."

I recently attended an agricultural symposium covering a ten year study on GMO's and its effects on humans, pets, livestock, wheat, food grown and water. Clearly, the GMO issue is based on all living things of the earth, yet today, infor- mation has not been made available to the public, until now. The unmentionable issue of Monsanto purging the world of its natural resources is going to change in the coming year as the unscrupulous corporation and its political aspirations is revealed. Political? Yes, it's the last piece of the whole food puzzle.

After leaving the symposium, it occurred to me that GMO's and the packaging of foods in petroleum wraps and formaldehyde soaked cardboard is the last frontier in our existing organic whole food movement. The job ahead to change these things promises to be horrific.

Of course, being well informed is best when it comes to important issues. There's a free DVD on the subject of GMO's titled: "Genetic Roulette," made available at: www.geneticroulettemovie.com. After watching this DVD, you will be able to determine for yourself about the critical issue rocking today's food chain. Also, a popular self-help group, "Holistic Mom's Inc.," can be found on-line. This infor- mational group offers support on issues from feeding our children to better buying practices. In closing, I would like to offer this thought; we have the right not to eat GMO's and we don't have to accept using GMO's in our foods, seeds, land, animals, the water we drink and the air that we breath. As a people, our strength lies in our buying practices. Read your labels and buy nothing with GMO's.

On a softer note, one of the more delicious new wines from Walla Walla is Buty Winery's 2011 Semillon Sauvignon Muscadelle, and here's why. Nose buried deep in the glass, a profusion of floral aromatics opens the senses. With first sip, a giant swoosh of creamy orange bar coats the cheeks, leaving a puddle of crisp citrus zest on the tongue for a spiny finish.

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

Lemon Curry Drizzle Dressing

¾-cup olive oil

2-teaspoons curry powder

1-tablespoon minced garlic

1-teaspoon salt

Juice of 1-lemon

Whisk all to blend well. Re-whisk at service. Drizzle dressing over cut citrus fruits and wild green salad paired with the Buty 2011 Semillon Sauvignon Muscadelle wine.

Hear Judith's food and wine commentary and Feast menu: chefjudithhenderson.com.