At a recent fund raising dinner that I attended I was swirling a glass of a quite mediocre pinot noir in a futile effort to bring the wine to some semblance of drinkability. A young lady drinking a rather neon bright red concoction of alcohol asked me why I was swirling the glass of wine.
I replied to her that I was volatizing the esters.
Apparently this is illegal in the state of domicile in this great country from which this particular young lady originated. Or so it seemed to me when the rather large, rather short tempered, rather protective, rather unhappy behemoth who was accompanying the damsel quickly made his introduction to me.
What did you just say to her? He asked in somewhat less than a civil tone. The can of Old Milwaukee he was holding was a definitive clue that I was not currently communicating with a member of Les Amis du Vin.
In a somewhat hesitant voice I again advised that I was volatizing my esters.
How the heck was I to know that her name was Esther? Who names their daughter Esther anymore?
And, in retrospect, I can, with a certain degree of unnecessary remorse, concede that volatizing can, after 10 or 12 Old Milwaukee’s perhaps sound like something else.
The moral of this story: be aware of where you are, who you are with, who you are speaking to and perhaps how big their companion is before you utter that fateful phrase, volatizing your esters, in public.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Snow, ice and freezing rain. . . .
The weather in the Northeastern part of the U. S. thus far this winter has been a dream come true for the Florida Board of Tourism.
For the majority of folks in the ice belt, however, a temporary escape from the clutches of Old Man Winter is not in their plans.
So, after cleaning snow and ice off the car (for the second time in the day) as one starts the ride home from work one’s thoughts turn to a meal and a wine for a winter work night.
Grandmom Julie’s Old World Pasta & Peas is an excellent and easy meal for such a wintry eve.
With this cold weather recipe we have two “weekday wines” and one “weekend wine” from Tuscany to recommend.
The 2006 Piccini Chianti DOCG is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% Ciliegiolo from wine maker Antonella Conti. The Piccini family has owned this estate located near the town of Castellina in the Chianti Classico zone since 1882. The family has been a leading advocate of the Sangiovese varietal.
The 2006 Piccini Chianti DOCG is priced at $9 per bottle and is widely available. You will get consistent tasting results from vintage to vintage from this producer at a very affordable price level.
The medium rustic red color is typical of what you expect from Chianti. A fruit forward aroma is headlined by black cherries. The palate is fresh with firm tannins that make this a very easy drinking wine with our Old World Pasta & Peas.
Castello di Gabbiano is located in San Casciano Val di Pesa in the Chianti Classico zone. The 2006 Gabbiano Chianti DOCG is primarily Sangiovese with small amounts of Trebbiano, Canaiolo and Malvasia blended with the Sangiovese.
This wine can be found for $8 at many wine stores. Again, our tasting results have been reliable from vintage to vintage.
The color is ruby red with blackberry and cherry fruit flavors. The bouquet is slightly fruity with a hint of pepper. Tannins are firm and the wine is a nice match with our Old World Pasta & Peas recipe or, should you make the decision to pick up dinner on the ride home, a pizza with extra cheese and mushrooms.
For a weekend dinner with friends featuring Grandmom Julie’s Old World Pasta & Peas we recommend the 2006 Chianti Classico DOCG from Castello di Bossi.
The 2006 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese.
Castello di Bossi is located in the town of Castelnuovo Berardenga and is owned by the Bacci family who has revived this estate to its former glories.
This wine runs $16 a bottle. Availability is very good. The Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico has proven to be of high quality at a very reasonable price for the past four vintages tasted.
The 2006 Castello di Bossi is a darker ruby color. The bouquet is a blend of dark cherries, a hint of raspberry and a bit of an oak. There is a nice balance between tannins and the smoothness of the wine.
This wine would be a good buy at $30 a bottle much less at $16 a bottle.
Below is Grandmom Julie’s recipe for Old World Pasta & Peas to warm you up on a cold winter night.
Enjoy!
Grandmom Julie’s Old World Pasta & Peas
Ingredients
2 Tblsp Olive Oil
2 Cloves Garlic, chopped fine
2 Tblsp Onion, chopped fine
1 28 oz Can Crushed Tomatoes
Salt/Pepper to taste
Basil/Parsley to taste
1 Lb Thick Pasta, broken into 2” pieces (Perciatelli)
16 oz Frozen Peas
Heat 1 Tblsp olive oil & add 1 clove garlic & 1 Tblsp onion. Sauté until garlic & onion are golden brown.
In the meantime, heat tomatoes, basil, parsley, salt & pepper over medium heat until boiling; lower temperature & simmer. Add peas, continue to simmer for 10 minutes. When garlic & onion are ready, add to tomato mixture & continue to simmer.
Heat the other tablespoon of olive oil & add the other clove of garlic & other tablespoon of onion until golden brown.
In the meantime, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Add olive oil, garlic & onion to boiling water & then add broken pasta. Cook pasta according to directions. However, when draining pasta, reserve salted water.
Add pasta to tomato mixture along with at least 3 cups of pasta water & continue to simmer for another 15 minutes. If necessary, add more pasta water. Consistency should be in between a soup & a stew.
Garnish with grated Parmesan or Locatelli Roman Cheese.
Serve with crusty Italian Bread.
For the majority of folks in the ice belt, however, a temporary escape from the clutches of Old Man Winter is not in their plans.
So, after cleaning snow and ice off the car (for the second time in the day) as one starts the ride home from work one’s thoughts turn to a meal and a wine for a winter work night.
Grandmom Julie’s Old World Pasta & Peas is an excellent and easy meal for such a wintry eve.
With this cold weather recipe we have two “weekday wines” and one “weekend wine” from Tuscany to recommend.
The 2006 Piccini Chianti DOCG is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% Ciliegiolo from wine maker Antonella Conti. The Piccini family has owned this estate located near the town of Castellina in the Chianti Classico zone since 1882. The family has been a leading advocate of the Sangiovese varietal.
The 2006 Piccini Chianti DOCG is priced at $9 per bottle and is widely available. You will get consistent tasting results from vintage to vintage from this producer at a very affordable price level.
The medium rustic red color is typical of what you expect from Chianti. A fruit forward aroma is headlined by black cherries. The palate is fresh with firm tannins that make this a very easy drinking wine with our Old World Pasta & Peas.
Castello di Gabbiano is located in San Casciano Val di Pesa in the Chianti Classico zone. The 2006 Gabbiano Chianti DOCG is primarily Sangiovese with small amounts of Trebbiano, Canaiolo and Malvasia blended with the Sangiovese.
This wine can be found for $8 at many wine stores. Again, our tasting results have been reliable from vintage to vintage.
The color is ruby red with blackberry and cherry fruit flavors. The bouquet is slightly fruity with a hint of pepper. Tannins are firm and the wine is a nice match with our Old World Pasta & Peas recipe or, should you make the decision to pick up dinner on the ride home, a pizza with extra cheese and mushrooms.
For a weekend dinner with friends featuring Grandmom Julie’s Old World Pasta & Peas we recommend the 2006 Chianti Classico DOCG from Castello di Bossi.
The 2006 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese.
Castello di Bossi is located in the town of Castelnuovo Berardenga and is owned by the Bacci family who has revived this estate to its former glories.
This wine runs $16 a bottle. Availability is very good. The Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico has proven to be of high quality at a very reasonable price for the past four vintages tasted.
The 2006 Castello di Bossi is a darker ruby color. The bouquet is a blend of dark cherries, a hint of raspberry and a bit of an oak. There is a nice balance between tannins and the smoothness of the wine.
This wine would be a good buy at $30 a bottle much less at $16 a bottle.
Below is Grandmom Julie’s recipe for Old World Pasta & Peas to warm you up on a cold winter night.
Enjoy!
Grandmom Julie’s Old World Pasta & Peas
Ingredients
2 Tblsp Olive Oil
2 Cloves Garlic, chopped fine
2 Tblsp Onion, chopped fine
1 28 oz Can Crushed Tomatoes
Salt/Pepper to taste
Basil/Parsley to taste
1 Lb Thick Pasta, broken into 2” pieces (Perciatelli)
16 oz Frozen Peas
Heat 1 Tblsp olive oil & add 1 clove garlic & 1 Tblsp onion. Sauté until garlic & onion are golden brown.
In the meantime, heat tomatoes, basil, parsley, salt & pepper over medium heat until boiling; lower temperature & simmer. Add peas, continue to simmer for 10 minutes. When garlic & onion are ready, add to tomato mixture & continue to simmer.
Heat the other tablespoon of olive oil & add the other clove of garlic & other tablespoon of onion until golden brown.
In the meantime, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Add olive oil, garlic & onion to boiling water & then add broken pasta. Cook pasta according to directions. However, when draining pasta, reserve salted water.
Add pasta to tomato mixture along with at least 3 cups of pasta water & continue to simmer for another 15 minutes. If necessary, add more pasta water. Consistency should be in between a soup & a stew.
Garnish with grated Parmesan or Locatelli Roman Cheese.
Serve with crusty Italian Bread.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Weekday, Weekend & Occasion Wines
An archeological expedition in southern Armenia has recently uncovered the oldest known wine-making tools. The artifacts which include a wine press are 6,000 years old and were used to make a red wine.
It appears that the wine was made to be drunk as a part of mourning ritual.
There is no truth to the rumor that scrolls found near the wine press contained mixed numerical ratings and reviews of the wine that was produced.
So, here we are, 6,000 years later and wine is still a vital part of our daily lives.
We will categorize our wine recommendations into weekday, weekend and special occasion wines with an occasional foray in to cellar selections.
Weekday wines will be those wines that are meant to be drunk with your weeknight / work night meal and cost $7 to $15 per bottle. These wines are thought of as cost effective, enjoyable, complimentary wines to your weeknight meal.
Weekend wines are those wines that you enjoy during your more complex dinner menu enjoyed with friends over a time casual period. These wines will cost in the $12 to $25 per bottle price range and can be “noticed” and “commented upon” during your meal.
Special occasion wines are those reserved for holiday meals, birthday dinners, anniversaries, and so on. Our price range for these selections can extend up to $75 per bottle.
Cellar selections are those wines which may not be quite ready to enjoy upon release and can be called upon to be special occasion wines in the future.
It appears that the wine was made to be drunk as a part of mourning ritual.
There is no truth to the rumor that scrolls found near the wine press contained mixed numerical ratings and reviews of the wine that was produced.
So, here we are, 6,000 years later and wine is still a vital part of our daily lives.
We will categorize our wine recommendations into weekday, weekend and special occasion wines with an occasional foray in to cellar selections.
Weekday wines will be those wines that are meant to be drunk with your weeknight / work night meal and cost $7 to $15 per bottle. These wines are thought of as cost effective, enjoyable, complimentary wines to your weeknight meal.
Weekend wines are those wines that you enjoy during your more complex dinner menu enjoyed with friends over a time casual period. These wines will cost in the $12 to $25 per bottle price range and can be “noticed” and “commented upon” during your meal.
Special occasion wines are those reserved for holiday meals, birthday dinners, anniversaries, and so on. Our price range for these selections can extend up to $75 per bottle.
Cellar selections are those wines which may not be quite ready to enjoy upon release and can be called upon to be special occasion wines in the future.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Welcome
“It’s the economy stupid” is a phrase expounded by political pundits before during and after each election in recent times.
It is also a phrase that those involved in every level of the wine industry are all too familiar with since the recent (do not call it a depression) economic downturn has impacted the U S and the rest of our world’s economies.
The good news for wine drinkers in these troubled economic times is that a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon previously priced at $150 can now be had for $75.
The bad news for wine drinkers is that many of us still have considerable consternation at the thought of spending $75 for a bottle of any type of wine much less a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. That is not to say that I have not in the past without pause spent $75 or more for a wine that I thought merited that price.
That was in the good old days, way back in 2007 and 2006 when the economy was bullish and bright.
Now in 2011 the average wine consumer is likely to continue the buying trend that crystallized in 2010. Price points for this class of consumers appear to be settling in to the $10 to $18 per bottle range with a few forays in to the $20 to $25 range for the ubiquitous special occasion bottle of wine.
What we will do with our initial postings is to present our readers with a selection of wines that we feel offer the best value within various price ranges.
We will not initially place numerical ratings on the wines that we discuss nor will we attempt to give you a migraine with pedantic and / or erudite descriptions of the wines.
We will also try to match the wines to the seasons of the year and we will also occasionally offer some suggestions on food pairings that we have enjoyed with the wine that we are discussing.
Your feedback is welcomed and appreciated.
We look forward to sharing the wonderfully interesting and varied world of wine with you.
It is also a phrase that those involved in every level of the wine industry are all too familiar with since the recent (do not call it a depression) economic downturn has impacted the U S and the rest of our world’s economies.
The good news for wine drinkers in these troubled economic times is that a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon previously priced at $150 can now be had for $75.
The bad news for wine drinkers is that many of us still have considerable consternation at the thought of spending $75 for a bottle of any type of wine much less a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. That is not to say that I have not in the past without pause spent $75 or more for a wine that I thought merited that price.
That was in the good old days, way back in 2007 and 2006 when the economy was bullish and bright.
Now in 2011 the average wine consumer is likely to continue the buying trend that crystallized in 2010. Price points for this class of consumers appear to be settling in to the $10 to $18 per bottle range with a few forays in to the $20 to $25 range for the ubiquitous special occasion bottle of wine.
What we will do with our initial postings is to present our readers with a selection of wines that we feel offer the best value within various price ranges.
We will not initially place numerical ratings on the wines that we discuss nor will we attempt to give you a migraine with pedantic and / or erudite descriptions of the wines.
We will also try to match the wines to the seasons of the year and we will also occasionally offer some suggestions on food pairings that we have enjoyed with the wine that we are discussing.
Your feedback is welcomed and appreciated.
We look forward to sharing the wonderfully interesting and varied world of wine with you.
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