In the last issue I shared my recent interview with PBS Cooking Celebrity Lidia Bastianich. She made her first visit to Indianapolis a few weeks ago. In addition to talking about her cookbooks, her impressions of Indianapolis and her plans for her 65th birthday... we talked about her LATEST loves, Korean food and her family's wines.

"They pickle vegetables--that Kimchi thing. We do that in my homeland in Italy. Pickle beets and vegetables. SO as I study Korean food I think about what Italian ingredients I already know how to do , how I can use in dishes to add a new flavor, " said Lidia with a smile of someone who loves discovering new cuisines as well as preserving the recipes of her Italian heritage.

Lidia is passionate about her family's wines as well. The Bastianich wines are from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region where Lidia grew up.

She says they focus on preserving the grapes of the region and making food friendly blends from them. " I love our Vespa Bianco. It is blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Picolit". Picolit is a grape that is most often made into a dessert wine. So the added touch gives the crisp, fresh fruity white wine a hint of honeysuckle goodness. "The area is also known for its prosciutto, so a slice of prosciutto, maybe some figs, would be delicious with a glass of Vespa", says Lidia. The Bastianich wines also offer some red blends and straight varietals. "We are food people so our wines are meant to be enjoyed with food", said Lidia.

Everybody to the table is Lidia's motto when it comes to wine and food. So I asked, if someone has a special meal to plan and prepare, what dish would involve "everybody"?

She replied, "Hands on. Gnocchi. Italian potato filled pasta. Everyone rolls up the sleeves and digs in to the cooked mashed potatoes and flour and rolls and creates. Then a simple mushroom or game ragu. Perhaps someone in the group is a hunter and can contribute their venison or quail or rabbit. Fresh protein can be diced and chopped and sauteed in the aromatics...add a can of tomatoes because FRESH tomatoes are NOT in season and canned are just as good."

Red Gold Tomatoes in Elwood, Indiana is a GREAT source for canned tomatoes found at most every grocery and always delicious.

And the wine for this dish? "Aah, a lovely barbaresco or fruity primitivo," she said. Or one of the Bastianich wines which are just arriving in the Indianapolis market.

For more recipes, wines, and Lidia visit her websites www.lidiasitaly.com www.bastianich.com

Congratulations to Easley Winery. "Reggae Blush" recently took home a Double Gold medal AND the honor of being named The Best Blush wine of the 2013 Florida State Fair International Wine Competition. Easley's wines went glass to glass with bottles from 31 states and 6 foreign countries. Reggae Blush is made from the catawba grape which gives the semi-sweet pink wine aromas and flavors of grapefruit and citrus. Also garnering gold for the Indianapolis based winery: Reggae White and Kauffman's Posey White and Kauffman's 76 Brand. www.myreggaewine.com