In a curious twist of linguistic fate, some decidedly frightening-sounding statements have been lately transformed into vehicles of praise. Mostly refashioned, as far as I can tell, by loquacious members of the surfer/skater culture prevalent in California, the phrases run the gamut of topics and references, but given the time of year I've singled out two that undoubtedly invoke Halloween.

A sampling:

"These [insert noun in the plural form] are scary good!"
Translation: These [things] are delicious.

"That [insert noun] was wicked bad." Translation: That [thing] was very cool/extremely impressive. (Note: True to the ironic spirit of this group, the use of two negative descriptors - "wicked" and "bad" - in this one makes it all that much more complimentary.

And so, to borrow a page from this verbally adventuresome sub-culture, I'd like to say that the following sweet wines are scary good, and that serving them on Halloween this year would be wicked bad of you.

Continue reading my latest article at WineCountry.com

Posted by Courtney at 11:07 PM • Comments (0)

Coming to you from sunny AZ, where I've just wrapped a TV segment and am literally running out the door to a signing put on by Phoenix's Changing Hands book store, Publishers Weekly's 2007 Bookseller of the Year! I love this very cute graphic they made to promote tonight's event. Nice! Also, I was amused to see several southwest stereotypes in full swing at my earlier TV interview, where just before I went on air to talk about Thanksgiving wines they had a gal with a petrified rattlesnake followed by an older gentleman showing his collection of pottery and paintings of the southwest landscape. I mean, how do you not love that?!

So far the only drawback to AZ is that my room service lunch came with a glass of stale wine. It will always smack of inappropriate to pull a "do you know who I am??", but have to admit that at that moment it crossed my mind. Have traveled too far to drink bad wine!! Still, I'm having fun.

More later, and thanks for checking in.

Posted by Courtney at 04:35 PM • Comments (0)

Fresh back from NYC, must say I'm exhausted but WOW - what a trip! Thanks to everyone who came out to support the book at the fab party at Hollywould in NoLiTa - it was an incredible night. More pics coming soon, but for now, here's a pic of me with some of my best gal pals from UCLA undergrad - was amazing to have you all there!!

Cheers, CC

Posted by Courtney at 10:32 PM • Comments (0)

Please excuse this ridiculously brief entry, but I've just touched down in NYC and am in a flurry of activity getting ready for a little soiree I'm throwing here tomorrow night. The first two "legs" of the tour were a lot of fun, and saw me in five cities inside five days, wow I can barely believe it. I'm now willing a cold to stay at bay so I can be fresh for the remaining stops, and also for a segment on Martha Stewart Radio this Friday morning. The Sirius station is available all over and past guests on the morning show have included Cynthia Rowley, Kate Spade and Chef Mario Batali. Not bad company - should be fun!

Read on for a more detailed description of the show, and hope you'll tune in!

And - check out this pic of me with a bunch of cute gals at my Sonoma County release party! More pics coming soon.

Martha Stewart’s Morning Living with Kim Fernandez & Betsy Karetnick
Monday - Friday 7 am - 11 am ET (LIVE)

Description: Sharing the Good Things everyday on “Morning Living” on Martha Stewart Living Radio. “Morning Living” with Kim Fernandez and Betsy Karetnick kicks off Martha Stewart Living Radio programming each and every weekday morning, with the nation's most noted chefs, lively celebrity interviews and top-notch expert advice on living well. There's no better way to start your day!

Recent Guests: Cynthia Rowley, Kate Spade, Chef Mario Batali, Chef Lidia Bastianich, Chef Paul Prudhomme, Chef Zarela Martinez, Barbara Kafka (James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award 2007,) Master Chef Andre Soltner, Michael Lomonaco, Patricia Volk, Barbara Damrosch, Eliot Coleman, Graham Rice, Preston Bailey, and Jane Seymour.

Posted by Courtney at 05:50 AM • Comments (1)

Armed with two delicious-sounding audio books (literally, one's about cooking school adventures in Paris) and several plum outfits, I'm heading out today on the first leg of my book tour. I'll be hitting up San Diego on Tuesday for a radio spot on the local NPR syndicate (I'll try to update the blog tonight with more info on channel & time) and a book party that night at Jonathan's in La Jolla. Wednesday I'll be signing at Borders in LA's Westwood area, then hosting a private bash the next night. If you're down south, I'd love to see you! Cheers, CC

Illustration by Donna Mehalko, as seen in my book, Hip Tastes: The Fresh Guide to Wine

Posted by Courtney at 12:19 AM • Comments (0)

Okay, okay, so this is NOT Jude Law, but my new pal Sharif looks so much like the actor I couldn't resist. And, as an amusing aside, I actually HAVE had a tete-a-tete with Jude Law once upon a time at a small Malibu bash, although I doubt he remembers me (sigh). But back to this pic - last night Sharif came along with some friends to keep me company (and eat my leftovers) as I tasted through the entire menu at a SF resto where I'll be giving the wine list a face lift in the upcoming months. More on that later, as the list comes to fruition. For now, cheers, and thanks for being a good sport, Sharif!

Posted by Courtney at 06:10 PM • Comments (0)

Here's a shot from my book launch fete last night here in San Francisco. Thanks to the well-wishers who came out to say hello and support the book. My hangover is an unfortunate "bonus" from the party, but other than that it was a total blast. I'm pictured here with Caille Milner, another book author and Glamour magazine's new political blogger. Plus, she's got great style.

And now, it's time for a midday drink to stave the intensity of my hangover. Cheers to that.

photo: John Curley

Posted by Courtney at 12:09 PM • Comments (0)

After tons of anticipation, long hours and many lattes, the big day has finally arrived - today is the national launch of my book, Hip Tastes: The Fresh Guide to Wine! Inspired by the stylish and sometimes irreverent wine parties I've thrown over the past two years, the book brings the spirit of HIP TASTES Events to hip tasters all across the land.

Visit the brand new site dedicated to the book, hiptastesbook.com, to read early buzz (including a fab first review in the San Francisco Chronicle!), testimonials, retailer and book tour info, and to check out the fab "look inside the book" feature.

PS And, perhaps most importantly, please help me spread the word by sharing the news with friends, family members, coworkers, neighbors, social networks and whomever else you think would like to learn more about the good stuff, in style.

Cheers! CC ;)

Posted by Courtney at 12:32 AM • Comments (0)