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Helping People Live the Paso Style, Events, Wine,
Food, Living
March 2007 |
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Upcoming Events:
Zinfandel
Wine Festival
ZINFANDEL: California's Heritage and a Paso Robles Tradition.
That's the theme of this year's event.
The
Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival is a 15 year tradition, rich in history.
Zinfandel history in Paso can be traced back to the 1870's
when Pierre Dallidet brought Zinfandel and Muscat grapes to the area from France
and Spain. The area really became known for Zinfandel after Andrew
York built the first production winery in the late 1880's. Zinfandel
became the predominate grape though the 1920's and 30's.
More
than 90 wineries will host an array of special events throughout the March
16-18th weekend. The Marquee event will be Saturday, March 17 with a
Grand Tasting and Auction at the Paso Robles Event Center.
www.pasowine.com/events/zinfandelfestival.php
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Quick Real Estate Facts:
(Calif) |
Median home price -
$559,640 |
Highest median home price
Santa Barbara So. Coast $1,150,000 |
Lowest median home price
High Desert $317,380 |
Mortgage rates - week ending 2/22:
-30-yr. fixed: 6.22%; Fees/points: 0.5%
-15-yr. fixed: 5.97%; Fees/points: 0.5%
-1-yr. adj: 5.49%; Fees/points: 0.7% |
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Wine Corner:
(Review of local Paso Wines)
Ever wanted
to own and operate a small, quaint, Wine and Gourmet Shop?
This could be your chance!
Fermentations
located in Cambria is just that kind of place and is the
Featured Property this month.
Fermentations has been described as:
"This kind of food and wine creativity may
well be the thing that sets FERMENTATIONS apart from other
wine retailers. The shop includes an eclectic array of fine
products [and gifts for the home]." KCBX
Public Radio.
So
if you love the idea of operating a great fine wine and
gourmet shop in the heart of Cambria,
Give me a call and we can discuss the possibilities.
Local
News:
(Local RE and Wine News)
Hotel Complex Approved. The Paso Robles
Planning Commission has given approval for a new upscale
hotel off of Theater Drive at Nutwood Circle. The
facility will be 120 rooms in the main complex and 20
additional cottage like rooms across the street for longer
term stay (up to 30 nights. Plans call for a very well
appointed facility in fine European style.
Highway 46
West and Highway 101 Interchange is moving forward.
Phase one which is the re-alignment of Theater Drive and
Vine Street is targeted for completion in 2009.
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Cooking Corner:
(Personal recipes and views on Cooking Paso Style)
March is Zinfandel
month and when I think of Zin I think of Chocolate. So I thought I'd
share my personal Mole Sauce. This is not your traditional Mexican Mole,
but has a strong French influence.
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1 cup finely chopped
carrots |
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1 cup finely chopped
Celery |
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1 cup finely chopped onion |
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6 oz Dark Chocolate |
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2 tbs Chipotle, chopped |
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1 Garlic Cluster,
finely chopped |
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Sweat carrots, celery,
onion, and garlic with butter in a covered sauce pan
until very tender and all moisture is released
(French Mirepoix). Transfer Mirepoix to a food
processor and add the chipotle peppers.
Process until the mixture is fully emulsified.
Transfer the mixture back to a sauce pan and
re-heat adding the chocolate. Allow to simmer
for a few minutes.
Use as a sauce over
roasted Pork or Chicken. Or anything as
desired. .
Enjoy
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Wine
Trivia:
(A little local or wine trivia)
White Zinfandel is
referred to as the 3rd largest varietal produced in the US.
Most know it's not a different grape, but the question
is what Napa winery created the wine style we know as White
Zinfandel today?
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a) |
Berringer |
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b) |
Meridian |
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c) |
Sutter Home |
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d) |
Charles Shaw
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(Please visit
http://www.pasostyleliving.com for the
answer) |
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Paso
Style Living Real Estate:
(Real
Estate market conditions in Paso Wine Country)
Nationally, new
home sales are down significantly, especially in the West. Existing home
sale prices are steady or up slightly. Locally, existing home sales are
still in a state of flux. Areas that had shown recovery last month
are down again this month. Some areas are up this month.
Additional homes on the market have increased Inventory levels.
There are lots of opportunities. Contact me if you are interesting
in buying or would like an honest assessment of your home's value.
(Single Family Homes, SFRSB)
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Area
(1/1/2007-1/31/2007) |
Avg Price |
Homes Available |
Sold/Pending |
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Atascadero |
$457,000 |
189 |
28 |
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Paso Robles |
$501,671 |
412 |
55 |
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Templeton |
$916,475 |
84 |
14 |
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All Paso Wine
Country |
$517,107 |
818 |
107 |
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Paso Wine Country
contains the following real estate areas (Paso Robles, Atascadero,
Templeton, San Miguel, Creston, Shandon, Santa Margarita, Bradley,
and Chalome) |
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Ron Johnson
Broker Associate, RealtorŪ
(805) 423-1902
www.pasostyleliving.com |
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