I love the couple that write the wine column for The Wall Street Journal: Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher. They're always interesting, always informative, and - when they're writing about wines I'm familiar with - I invariably agree with them. Just makes me feel so smart!
Last weekend they wrote about rose' wine (darn, wish I had the proper accent key!) Now, let me say upfront - I'm a big fan of rose'. But when I picked up a number of bottles for a party last summer, my wine shopping friend made a big, ugly face and said, "Ewwh, you're buying White Zinfandel? How could you?"
Aye yi yi - rose' is NOT White Zinfandel - not by a LONG shot. White zin reminds me of the Reunite stuff we bought in college (yeah, I'm dating myself.) And, of course, one of the reasons we all liked it was that it was slightly sweet - very easy on tongues that weren't all that familiar with the grape.
But rose' - whole other story. One of the most famous rose' producing areas is Provence - and they make a wine that is dry, but very smooth - imminently quaffable - great for warm weather.
My favorite rose' from Provence is Domaine Fontanyl. It has the loveliest pale salmon color and comes in, what I think is, one of the most eye-catching bottles - all gentle curves. The first time I saw it I thought it looked like a woman's figure - really striking. And it's not expensive: about $15 a bottle.
My goal this summer is to try more rose' wine. I haven't had the opportunity to try nearly enough; in part because many wine shops (even the large ones) have a limited collection. There's still a distinct lack of education about rose' in the US. Too many people react like my shopping companion: with a turned up nose and sneer.
But try it - if you like fresh and dry - I bet you'll fall for rose'.
And starting tomorrow: the Auction Napa Valley in St. Helena. If you're going to be there, I'm so very jealous. And if you haven't been - this is a weekend of parties, fun and big bids!
You can bid absentee, for both the live auction and the "barrel auction" lots for cases of wine. For all the details, go to napavintners.com
Hm, me thinks it's time to restock the wine fridge!
(Photo from AllPosters.com)
I know what you're thinking, "She's making this up! No way is there a Drink Wine Day." But it's true; and I'm just a surprised as you are!
I was flipping through an issue of Gourmet Retailer magazine, and there it was, right on the calendar: Wednesday, February 18 - Drink Wine Day.
Now, I think this is a wonderful idea. Although I must say, no one I know (and certainly not me) needs a designated day to enjoy the grape. But what a good reason to celebrate the pleasure, and health benefits of drinking wine. (See Ah, The Joys of Wine)
But I'm often asked, "What is your favorite wine?" Hm, I never know quite how to answer because it depends on so many variables: the food I'm eating (or not) the time of day, the time of year, the weather, the country I'm in, the state of the economy... see what I mean?
So here's my answer in very broad strokes: if I'm drinking white, I usually prefer sauvignon blanc - very dry, no fruity notes. Just minerals, some grassiness or citrus, but no floral/perfumey bouquets. If I have Chardonnay, it's usually French, as they don't oak their Chards like wine makers do here. Although, I hear the California wineries are getting away from the heavy oaking. Hallelujah! Who wants to drink a bottle of wine that's reminiscent of wood?
If I'm drinking red, I have a distinct fondness for Burgundies. When I was talking to a French friend about this particular preference (he was a Bordeaux man, of course) his response was illuminating, "Ah, the
burgundy is a more feminine wine, while the Bordeaux is more masculine." Well, there you have it - I'm female, so I guess that's it!
There are a number of wines I love from Italy - Brunellos, Chiantis, etc. but I must confess, some of the best Italian wine I've had was in Italy. In other words, wine from little producers that you can't ever hope to buy here in the States.
And then one of my all time favorite wines, happens to be one I rarely drink because of the *&%# high prices! And that is the "King of White Wines" - Montrachet. Ah, liquid silk! I am particularly fond of the Chassagne-Montrachet, but I won't split hairs on this one - they're just so divine!
So, you have my answer. Now, go forth and celebrate Drink Wine Day. (I think I have one glass left of a lovely, dry Provencal rose in the fridge. Hm, not quite 5 yet?)
You know how much I love the Pierre Peters - a lovely, small grower Champagne.
Well, I've got another one for you, just in case you haven't bought your Valentine's bottle(s) yet. It's another small grower (the quality is just SO good from these producers) and the price is not exorbitant.
The Champagne: P. Louis Martin, BOUZY, Brut. A lovely Grand Cru, the Louis Martin goes for about $60 a bottle. And it's well worth every penny.
The best way I can describe it (don't read this if you're a wine snob) is soft - soft and flavorful. Some bubblies have quite a bite; but this one has a much easier mouth feel. In fact, the bite is what puts some folks off Champagne; so this one would be a great pick for those who aren't so sure if they really like the bubbly or not.
So, here's to Valentine's - and those oh, so clever French - and their marvelous drink. CHEERS!
Well, wonders never cease! You all know I'm a big fan of Tim Hanni - chef, "sensory guru," Master of Wine. (See More Wine and The Wine "AntiSnob" Revisited.)
So, I was fascinated by a message Mr. Hanni sent me - about some culinary and wine experts joining
together to renounce wine and food pairing. Mercy!
Here's the story: Tim has been joined by a number of food and wine experts, including Chefs Sarah Scott and John Ash, the "Everyday Wine Guy" - Scott Carpenter, to disprove widely accepted tenets of food and wine pairing, including the universally known and accepted red wine with red meat, white wine with fish.
In Mr. Hanni's own words: Wine and food matching has become a tyranny of the minority. For the most part it is a well-intentioned group of aficionados and industry professionals sharing and promoting their personal preferences.
Our efforts to try to provide rules and guidelines rationalizing why 'this wine goes best with this food' have proven to be misguided, contradictory and confusing to a vast majority of wine consumers.
While we acknowledge and respect that many people are passionate about finding the perfect wine to pair with very specific dishes, or vice versa, our twenty years of investigation into the subject show that the processes and outcomes are completely personal, imaginary and random.
So in this vein, Tim's company - The Napa Seasoning Company - has created a food seasoning - Vignon - which will flavor balance the food, and you can enjoy the wines you love the most with whatever food you choose to eat.
Now, I'm shilling for them here (and no, I don't have a stake in the product or the company - rats!) but I just find it so extraordinary and interesting that I'm doing it anyway! According to the website, Vignon is a delicious blend of sea salt and all natural ingredients like lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, Shitake mushroom powder, butter flavor and soy sauce; a rich, subtle multi-purpose seasoning that you can use any time you would normally use salt.
And it balances the food flavors
while eliminating unpleasant wine and food interactions to enhance your
entire dining experience.
Full disclosure: no, I haven't tried it yet. But I will. And if you already have, I'd love to hear from you. (Hm... I wonder if this means I now have to go in and rewrite parts of my Pages on Entertaining.)
PS - I would be remiss if I didn't mention the co-founder of The Napa Seasoing Company - John Stallcup. And with a resume that includes The Wine Group and Lawry's Foods, a fab new seasoning for wine and food sounds just right.
OK - shilling over. Go forth and drink lots of fabulous wine - eat glorious food - and enjoy life!
** And soon, we'll be carrying the glorious wine stems again, from the exclusive Alan Lee Collection. And at new, low prices! What could be better - fine wines/spirits in gorgeous glasses?
In a previous Entertaining page (Entertaining - TIP 4) I talked about the delicious wine - Lillet - from the Bordeaux region in France. 
Lillet Blanc is one of my all time favorite aperitifs. It's light, refreshing and a terrific "fall back" drink.
I never really hear others talking about Lillet (or see them drinking it for that matter), so I was surprised and delighted to see this Lillet recipe in the Washington Post yesterday. The drink is called the Hoopla, and the recipe was adapted from The Savoy Cocktail Book.
So for your summer pleasure: The Hoopla
Ice
3/4 oz. cognac
3/4 oz. Lillet Blanc
3/4 oz. Cointreau
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice, add the cognac, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau and lemon juice. Shake vigorously then strain into a cocktail glass.
Note: be sure and use Lillet Blanc, and not the Lillet Rouge which is much too sweet.
And don't forget a lovely glass to hold this cocktail. Hm... perhaps a hand-painted beauty from our collection:
We were too late to get in on all the fun happening this Saturday at the 8th Annual Vineyard to Vintner celebration in the Stags' Leap District of Napa Valley. So why the post? So you can mark your calendars
(along with us) for next years' event!
What is the Vineyard to Vintner event? Well this Saturday, April 26, the fourteen wineries in the Stags' Leap District winegrowers' association open their doors and welcome lovers of the rich and refined cabernet sauvignon grape to "On the Trail of World-Class Cabernet." The festivities include a private morning seminar, wine tastings (with special food pairings not available to the public), tours of the cellars, and also exclusive access to the vintners and winemakers. And if that weren't enough, the evening ends with a seated dinner hosted by the vintners. Heavenly!
Yes, all events for this Saturday are sold out; and we're told there's a rather lengthy waiting list of those hoping for drop-outs. But - there's always next year! So make a note on your 2009 calendar, and note the Stags' Leap website. We certainly are!
This is a totally cool event going on for all you lovers of fine wines - fines spirits - and fine food!
This Thursday, April 17, the event is happening in Atlanta.
For all of you in and around the Chicago area, it's taking place Thursday, May 1.
And for everyone in the NYC area, it's scheduled for Monday, May 19.
The "Toast Of The Town" is considered one of the premier wine and restaurant tasting events in the country. They serve over 500 wines and spirits, which are paired with culinary delights from the top local metropolitan restaurants.
Tickets can be ordered by phone at 1-800-847-5949.
If you love good food - and great wine - and you're lucky enough to be in one of these cities on the associated dates - don't miss out!
