With fifty eight wineries showing the best products of fourteen regions of Italy it can be said that Slow Wine 2016 was a huge success.
It all took place on Wednesday at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood.
Slow Food has become a huge success in one decade so it followed that wine, as an agricultural product, could follow.  Since a large majority of wineries are family owned and operated in Italy it was a perfect fit to join the concepts of Slow Food which include the idea of returning to heritage foods, customs and recipes.
Italy has as large number of native varietals and many of the vineyards are still planted with grapes that have produced wine for centuries.
The Slow Wine tasting included wineries from the far north, Piedmont and Lombardy, to the south in Puglia and Sicily.
For us it was the ideal way to taste some of the native varietals such as Nero d'Avola in Sicily and Aglianico del Vulture grapes from Puglia.
All the wineries present are devoted to the Slow Wine concepts, many with their DOC ratings.
Adding to the scene Wednesday at Taglyan Complex  were classic Italian cold meats,  cheeses and breads served to accompany the excellent wines.

With the slogan "Proudly Anchored in the community for 50 years" the Admiral Risty Restaurant located in Rancho Palos Verdes opened a year long celebration with a luncheon for local political leaders as well as loyal patrons and members of the media.
We attended with three other members of the Southern California Restaurant Writers.
The Admiral Risty can credit its long longevity to a combination of a breath-taking location, the outstanding quality of the food and service staff and the way it has kept up with the times over decades.
The restaurant has received a five star rating from the Southern California Restaurant Writers as long as most members can remember.
The official festivities at the luncheon included the presentation of proclamation's from the city as well as one from Governor Jerry Brown.  Representatives of both state and national restaurant associations were on hand as well.
The 50th anniversary celebration started on January 17 and will continue until Saturday December 31, 2016.  There will be weekly winners earning a $50 gift certificate.  Also there will be free desserts for couples celebrating a 50th anniversary or birthday.
The Admiral Risky, as it continues in its 50th year, is located at 31250 Palos Verdes Drive West at Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes.  The restaurant is open for dinner seven nights a week from 5 p.m. with a Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..  For reservations call 310 377-0050.

Last evening we were among the guests who attended a reception held at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills hosted by the Los Cabos Tourist Board.
Los Cabos continues to improve and expand its lodging and activities taking full advantage of its ideal location  where the Sea of Cortes meets the Pacific Ocean.
With its ideal climate, beaches and luxury accommodations it offers something for everyone.
We chatted briefly with Luis Palacios, Director Commercial for the Tourist Board who told of expansion of existing hotels and new methods of exploration for the surrounding region.
It was also an opportunity for us to recall some of our own adventures at Los Cabos.  One trip my sons and I rented a car and starting at La Paz circled the entire lower portion of Baja Peninsula as well as a memorable stay at San Jose del Cabo.
Mostly recently  our visits have been as stopovers on cruises to Mexico aboard Carnival.
Cocktails, appetizers and seafood tacos were to be enjoyed as we met  managers of some of the leading Cabo hotels who were present at the event.
Managing Director Ruben Reachi of the Tourist Board told how new records are being set each year on the number of visitors to the resort.