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Women Winemakers of California

Is there really a difference between the ways in which women and men approach winemaking? Some studies have shown that women have more taste buds than men. Or does all winemaking come down to talent and hard work, regardless of gender?

You be the judge, during the First Wednesday Wine Flight, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the (on the south side of the ). This month’s theme is Women Winemakers of California.

The pub and the sponsor the monthly wine flights. Each includes the tasting of four wines (paired with food), and “terrific deals” on the wines to take home.

Here are the monthly themes for the First Wednesday Wine Flights through February:

• Jan. 4 — Stock Your Cellar — A plethora of wines that you can try and buy in inventory reduction deals.
• Feb. 1 — Valentine Wines — In naming their wines, many winemakers are drawn to romantic clichés. And while this may be a bit kitschy, the romance seems to work for the world’s drink of love.

The cost is $10, and no reservations are needed. To reserve a table, purchase tickets in advance or schedule private tastings, call the Gunrock Pub, (530) 752-6262.

Dried tomatoes join campus products line

The “made at �������ϲ����Ͽ� Davis” label has been attached to a new product: dried tomatoes. They come from the university’s Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility, run by the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at �������ϲ����Ͽ� Davis.

The product originates in the ranch’s organic tomato crop, part of a centurylong study of sustainability at the 300-acre farm west of the main campus. The tomatoes have been sold off campus for years.

Two years ago, the ranch began supplying tomatoes to Dining Services, as it looked to expand its use of locally grown food — for good, fresh taste, of course, and to help offset the university’s carbon footprint.

Dining Services, which operates dining commons and other food outlets on the Davis campus, uses the tomatoes in Russell Ranch Roasted Tomato Sauce — which accompanies a variety of dishes, from pizza to polenta and ratatouille. The Coffee House and the �������ϲ����Ͽ� Davis Medical Center also are using Russell Ranch tomatoes.

This year, the Russell Ranch staff developed dried tomatoes in a limited quantity for sale to the public. The dried tomatoes are available at two bookstore locations (Memorial Union and downtown Davis), and on the bookstore's .

Russell Ranch Dried Tomatoes are priced at $4 for a 2.75-ounce bag and $12 for 9.75 ounces.

New treats in California Harvest Gift Boxes

California Harvest Gift Boxes from women’s crew will come with two new treats this year: olive oil and candied almonds.

Even with the addition, the price is the same: $36. Proceeds support the rowing team.

The wooden boxes (with the Aggie athletics logo etched on top) also come with chocolate, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, garlic, honey, almonds, dried fruit, organic raisins and organic popcorn.
Everything is from California, and many of the gourmet goodies are from local producers with �������ϲ����Ͽ� Davis connections.

The $36 price applies to boxes that you pick up in Davis. Or, for the same price, you can have the boxes delivered in Davis or Sacramento. The boxes can be mailed at additional cost.

For a California Harvest Gift Box order form, click (and download the PDF), or contact rowing coach Carissa Adams, (530) 867-1494 or cradams@ucdavis.edu. The rowing club can accommodate recharges, for departments wishing to buy the boxes for official �������ϲ����Ͽ� business purposes.