IN GOOD TASTE
vcreporter.com
Romance in the glass by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer I nshaffer@timespublications.com
surf report
Far Niente’s famous Dolce dessert wine, known as “liquid gold” in the industry and available at Ventura Wine Co. for $73.
V
sponsored by
Surfer John Gianelli Photo by Robert Chapman
Tide Table ♦ Feb.10 - Feb. 16 Sunrise 6:45 a.m. • Sunset 5:37 p.m.
HIGH TIDE AM HT PM Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed
----12:19 12:59 1:43 2:36 3:38
5.4 5.9 4.47 4.45 4.40 4.36 4.38
10:23 11:08 11:55 12:53 2:23 5:13 7:20
HT 5.85 5.10 4.24 3.39 2.68 2.46 2.77
LOW TIDE AM HT PM 4:26 5:17 6:14 7:22 8:52 10:39 12:00
1.36 1.40 1.49 1.57 1.53 1.24 .77
5:21 5:56 6:29 7:01 7:33 8:18 9:58
HT -0.86 -0.20 .51 1.23 1.88 2.42 2.77
Surf Report: New small Northwest swell is due Friday 2/11 and into the weekend. Lots of windswell on tap for next week with offshore flow.
Shopvss.com Free shipping with a $30 purchase, use code: freeship$30
88 e. thompson blvd. ventura 805-643-1062 venturasurfshop.com 20 —
— February 10, 2022
alentine’s Day is just around the corner, and restaurants across the county have their prix fixe menus printed, their special offerings lined up, and dozens of reservations on the books for Monday, Feb. 14 (or earlier — many are treating the entire weekend as an opportunity for romantic dining). There are some delicious options out there, so if a night on the town is your thing, you will surely find something to impress that special someone. But if you’d rather cozy up at home, you might want to uncork a nice bottle of wine to celebrate the occasion. Ventura County boasts several locally owned wine shops whose proprietors are known for their discerning tastes and exten-
sive selection. Many work with boutique wineries and enjoy access to exceptional, small-batch wines that you may not find elsewhere. And you can bet that all of them have some great recommendations! The Ventura County Reporter spoke with a few local wine experts about pouring out some love on Valentine’s Day. Point de Chêne Wine and Beer 108B N. Signal St., Ojai 805-272-8685 pointdechene.com Bob Huey, owner of Point de Chêne in Ojai, thinks of his offerings
For exceptional flavor, great versatility and solid value, try the Gurrieri Nero D’Avola, sold by Ojai’s Point de Chêne.
as a “bespoke collection,” and he searches the globe for family-owned and naturally farmed wines. One of his favorite pours for Valentine’s Day is a true French champagne from Paul Laurent ($40), made from pinot noir grapes. “It’s dry,” he explains, “and has those pinot flavors: lighter berries like raspberries and a bit of chalkiness. It finishes dry.” An Italian red he’s really excited about right now is the 2019 Nero d’Avola from Sicily’s Gurrieri ($24), which, in addition to being delicious, is also certified organic. “Nero d’Avola is one of the signature grapes of Sicily,” says Huey. “It’s got a medium body and good acidity . . . It has some velvety red fruit flavors — dark berry fruit, some dark cherry — and a bit of minerality. You can even put a slight chill on it.” In addition to its taste, Huey likes the versatility of this Sicilian red, which can pair well with everything
