Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 4, 2021

Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 4, 2021 7 Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 4, 2021 7 
The Chef Knows By Peter Dills 
HOLIDAY BUBBLES NEVER 
TOO EARLY 

Is it me or did we start Christmas Holiday 
early this year, I’ve already been to two 
parties and another for this weekend. 

Fiction is sometimes better told then fact. 
The wine industry is no exception. I am 
told German draft-dodger Jacob Schram 
made camp in Calistoga in 1860 looking for a place to plant his vines. One hundred sixty 
years later “Schramsberg" is producing some of my all time favorite sparkling wines to this 
very day. Is it good enough for me? It certainly was for Richard Nixon. In 1972, Barbara 
Walters hosted then-President Nixon and China’s premier Zhou Enlai with it, and Schramsberg 
sparkling wine has been served at state functions by every president (and yes, in 
the Dills household) since the mid-eighties. 


an important role in 
“bubbles” 
this writer. 
that 
the 
chardonnay - thus 
pinot noir and 15% 
from black”) is 85% 
(meaning 
tion. Blanc de Noir 
regional 
sition of grapes and 
de Noir is a compo-
Schramsberg 
vintage, although the 
all blends and can be 
Sparkling wines are 
Blanc 
combina“
white 
blend title -and 
is just fine with 
With any 
yeast plays 
the fermentation role of the wine's richness and body, making the wine crisp and low in 
tannins (The Monks found this out by accident). Many readers ask me about sparkling 
wine or champagne storage. I buy champagne to drink right away, but if you are able to 
purchase a six-pack to save a few dollars, that's fine. This Schramsberg, if stored properly, 
in a nice cool place bottle on it’s side, it will be good for years to come, but why let it sit all 
alone when it should be enjoyed? 

Yes, the holidays are here, and my research tells me that consumption of bubbles goes way 
up during the holidays. This is not a picnic sparkling wine - this is one of my favorites and 
I savor every zesty sip. Enjoy with a special friend, dinner, or a nice soft cheese. 

Closure: Corked 
Dills Score: 91 
Retail: $38 , Vons supermarket about $31. 
Each week I will give you my Dills Score. I have added points for value. I’m starting with a 
base of 50 points; I added 8 points for color, 8 points for aroma or “nose”, 8 points for taste, 
9 points for finish, and 8 points for my overall impression, which includes my value rating. 

2022
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY TAKES STEPS TO ADDRESS OMICRON 
VARIANT 
This past week, Public Health has been tracking the emergence and spread of Omicron, 
labeled a variant of concern by both the WHO and the CDC. Yesterday, the Los Ange-
les County Department of Public Health (Public Health) received confirmation of its first 
case of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with the new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). 
The individual returned to Los Angeles County after travel to South Africa via London on 
11/22/2021. This infection is most likely travel-related. 
Getting vaccinated or boosted remains critical as holiday traveling and gatherings begin. 
The vaccines are effective against the Delta variant and earlier strains of the virus, which 
allows us to remain hopeful that the approved vaccines will also provide some protection 
against Omicron. All residents across LA County should continue adhering to the masking 
requirements and wear a mask when indoors or at large outdoor mega events - regardless 
of vaccination status. Individuals should also wear a mask when at any crowded indoor or 
outdoor events. 
Testing is an important tool in early detection of infection to reduce spread and Public 
Health encourages residents who have traveled for the holidays to get tested if they trav-
eled internationally or to locations in this country with high transmission rates. Beginning 
today, international travelers arriving at the LAX international terminal are being offered 
free rapid COVID-19 tests and information on federal recommendations for quarantining 
and testing. 
Residents should also get tested if they participated at gatherings and events with large 
numbers of people, some of which may be unvaccinated. Residents are reminded that they 
are legally required to be isolated if they have a positive COVID test result and that vaccinat-
ed close contacts with symptoms and unvaccinated close contacts need to be quarantined. 
“I send my heartfelt condolences to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one to CO-
VID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “As we enter 
winter and face the Omicron variant, using what we have learned over the past 2 years will 
make a big difference for friends and families preparing to gather for the holidays and those 
most at-risk. We are grateful to our partners for the encouraging trends, as at least 80% of 
people experiencing homelessness have received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna 
vaccine, and appreciate the continued efforts to improve coverage.” 
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and are recommended for everyone 5 years old 
and older to help protect against COVID-19. Vaccinations are always free and open to eli-
gible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Appointments are not needed 
at all Public Health vaccination sites and many community sites where first, second, and 
third doses are available. 
COVID 19 ONE YEAR LATER: 
WHERE WE ARE NOW 12/03/21 VERSUS (THEN-12/04/20) 
Cases/Deaths are still occuring especially among the unvaccinated. 
Location Cases 2021 (2020) Deaths % Vaccinations 
LA County 1,530,526 (430,583) 27,208 (7,842) 82.2% 
Seniors 95.7% 
Arcadia 3,538 (877) 149 ( 40) 85.3% 
Altadena 4,254 (1116) 81 (21) 81.2% 
Bradbury 42 ( 27) 0 ( 0) 68.6% 
Duarte 2,850 (857) 101 (37) 82.5% 
Monrovia 4,182 (1189) 86 (41) 80.4% 
Pasadena 13,833 (3875) 364 (135) 84.8% 
Sierra Madre 691 ( 141) 13 ( 4) 85.5% 
So.Pasadena 1,791 (451) 49 ( 27) 89.1% 
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 
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