Not just coffee

Archive for category wine

Love is in the Air: One Month Warning

Jan 14

Posted by admin in chocolate, coffee, wine

At least merchants who believe in fairy tales have their windows and aisles all gussied up for an event that is four weeks from today. OK, don’t panic. The all-American lovefest, commonly known as Valentine’s Day, has become a major marketing opportunity for retail, grocers, and restaurants. Also anybody else you can think of, like those little Girl Scouts who are already out hawking their yummy cookies.

Besides the giant heart-shaped boxes of candy, this is the year you might consider designing your own specialized candy bar for your love. The German company Chocri has figured out that Americans, too, have a sweet tooth and are offering us the opportunity to personalize a chocolate gift with Fair Trade, organic, Belgium chocolate. This has real possibilities, especially the Marzipan rose!marzipan

There’s also time to go the personalized M&M route, and the almost limitless array of other candies already dolled up in special V-Day boxes. Sweet choices.

Besides chocolate, which I have few complaints about unless it is milk chocolate rather than higher concentrations of cocoa, there are other wonderful food and beverage options. How about coffee or tea? Plenty of those already packaged up and ready to go. Don’t forget wine–so many choices. So many winning opportunities: Maybe this is the time of the year to think of a wine club, a lovely possibility!

Or just purchase a special wine for the final touch to a beautiful evening. How about a Late Harvest Riesling or a true Ice Wine to warm your spirit.

So many wonderful food choices for a special Valentine’s Day.

Tags: ,

No Comments

An Excuse To Celebrate: Beaujolais Nouveau

Nov 18

Posted by admin in Pairings, news, wine

Most every wine writer worth his glass will say skip tomorrow’s marketing jubilee: Beaujolais Nouveau C’est Arrive. They say, avoid the hype and spend your beverage dollars on wonderful bottles of Beaujolais that lend themselves to any meal year-round.

The traditional 3rd Thursday of November Beaujolais Nouveau event has become an opportunity for liquor stores and restaurants to celebrate with a pour, special pairings, and the hope that this year’s young crop may be better than in some previous years. Always dicey but for those who can’t imagine skipping a toast, a pour, or a traditional event, then tomorrow is your day.

By French law and now anticipated tradition, the young, fruity, light wine of the Gamay grape cannot be poured until 12:01 AM on that 3rd Thursday of the month, or exactly one week before the great food holiday, Thanksgiving. One of the big names in the Beaujolais region is Georges Duboeuf, and his Nouveau label has become as pervasive as this mini-celebration. For true traditionalists, his best Beaujolais Nouveau years have ended in the 9’s so get ready to enjoy the 2009.

Stores will be ready for tastings tomorrow. Then you can decide how much of a traditionalist you are.

If you’re thinking of a restaurant to try the wine or to celebrate its annual release, then consider one of the many French restaurants that participate in such an event. (Mon Ami Gabi is one national company that has plans for the evening, and some locations have decided to turn the “Day” into a week of festivities).

If you’re in Washington, DC and you’ve always wanted to visit The French Embassy, this might be your perfect excuse. Tickets are necessary, but it is a fun way to feel transported to France for an evening of wine and food in a beautiful setting. Check with your local French-beaujolaisNouveauCelebratioAmerican Chamber of Commerce for events in your city.

A Votre Sante; Cheers.

Tags: ,

No Comments

My Personal (Whine) Wine List

Nov 8

Posted by admin in dining out, wine

winecartWith all the talk about dining out dos and don’ts, it’s time to think about our beverages, especially wine. In general, I think wine by the glass programs are a direct line to a restaurant’s bottom line. Restaurants make so much money on a single pour that you need to ask yourself a few questions:

–Can you order a bottle and take the unfinished amount home? That’s an option in more and more states so why pay $10 for a glass when the bottle costs $36? You may want more than one glass, but not the whole bottle. Keep the cork and ask them to pack it up. You’ll enjoy another glass tomorrow or even the next day.

–What do you know about the storage of the opened bottles that they use for the wine by the glass program? How many days ago did they open that bottle?

–The big question: You asked for Brand X Cab, are you that wine savvy that you know you are not getting Brand Y? When the restaurant does the pour at the table, you, of course, are secure with the concept, but that is more the exception than the standard. BTW, it’s a lovely process that more restaurants should adopt!

Now you’ve decided to order a bottle, and the list of issues becomes even more precious:

After the bottle has been presented, try your selection from the smidgen that was poured. Important word in that sentence: smidgen. If you give the OK, stop the server from pouring half glasses for everyone at the table. That’s too much wine. No one can swirl, and the wine cannot open. It also feels like an unpleasant push from the server showing you that the bottle is gone. Want another? Seriously.

Servers: Do not empty the bottle on the 1st pass. Show elegance with your pour; let the wine demonstrate its elegance. If you are uncomfortable pouring and are not steady, use the napkin around the bottle approach: It is a better solution than a tablecloth filled with wine spills.

If it’s a red, make sure it is not too hot. If it is, then it will need a few minutes in an ice bucket.

Restaurants: Reds should not be stored and served warm; hot. Recall phrase: Cellar Temperature. That goes for whites, too. Often they are served too cold and need to warm up before any tastes evolve.

It is OK for a guest to say, we can pour. Servers: Do not respond with the alien look that says how dare you! Diners if you prefer take charge of the wine experience. It is not difficult and it helps you pace the meal rather than discover that the wine has been emptied before the entrees arrive. Not every table wants to order multiple bottles. Wine should not be gulped, but sipped and enjoyed.

Many people say the wine glass does not matter. Sorry, I believe it does. A red likes to open up and that is difficult in a tight rimmed glass best used for a white. Basic, all-purpose wine glasses only work when the wine list consists of a few items classified as red or white. When a list has names, country of origin, and vintages those facts deserve a better glass. Do not buy a thick-rimmed glass, it is hard to get the taste over the edge.

A delicate glass, a sweet pour; an enjoyable evening.

Now on to pairing.

Tags: ,

No Comments

What? Another Wine Club?

Oct 5

Posted by admin in lifestyle, news, wine

Wait, they’re multiplying. Wine clubs are everywhere. Right in the midst of the biggest slow-down in high-end wine purchasing, clubs are sprouting out from every food-related organization or every media outlet. Everybody wants a piece of the action.

The message seems to be: You don’t buy the newspaper, but why not join the Wine Club? The Wall Street Journal, with its popular wine columnists, has always been a newspaper leader in wine news. They may even be credited with starting the media wine club frenzy. Followed quickly by programs from The Washington Post, The New York Times, and USA Today.

Airlines have had numerous wine club promotions over the years, and not to be ignored the latest entrant, as of this posting, is the Zagat family of guides. So many clubs; so many options, but why? Price?

Remember the old days when you’d visit a winery, fall in love with its wines, and decide to take advantage of the member-only specials, often including pre-release bottles. That concept is still very much alive but receiving a lot of competition for wine dollars. These new non-vineyard based clubs unite many wineries you’ve never heard of  with companies solving the selection process. How daring are you? Do you want the reds from XYZ or do you want to be a member of a winery you fell in love with?

That’s the decision-maker.

Wine is a memory. A wine purchase should transport you back to where you first tasted it. Remember that romantic field  in Provence! If you do, that is a cherished memory you try to duplicate with each pour from a Cotes du Rhone. How about the mustard-fields of Napa and the fine dining experience at Etoile at Domaine Chandonchandonlounge-image, then that is your sparkling club. Don’t forget the European style of a Virginia winner, Barboursville. Sipping an Octagon anywhere else may not be as satisfying as it was in the beautiful tasting room or in the restaurant Palladio, but it is a spectacular wine that quickly fills the glass with a wonderful memory.

Membership has its advantages, and in the wine world, it’s nice to know what you’ll get. Wait, Borders, the bookstore people, just announced a wine club!

So many glasses to fill; so many clubs. Drink what you like or be an adventurer into the tasting unknown.

Take your pick or trust your memory.

Tags: ,

1 Comment

It’s Wine Festival Time

Sep 5

Posted by admin in Pairings, lifestyle, news, wine

winehorseNo matter in which part of the country you live or visit, there’s bound to be some wine action this Fall. This is a wonderful time of the year to learn about wine, visit the vineyards, and watch the harvest. Some wineries even let you participate in the action.

Here is a mini roundup of possibilities: You know I’m partial (see prior blog entries on wine) to many of the fine wines coming from Virginia. Yes, October is Wine Month, but you can get a jump on the action right now, in September. Let’s start with an interesting combination: Polo, yes, a polo match, accompanied by wine tasting and gourmet food: A true Trifecta. Next weekend is the 24th Annual Commonwealth Cup which pits the best Virginia Polo Players with their British counterparts at the site of the Wine Festival of the Plains, all an easy trip from Washington, DC.

If you want to taste a larger number of wines and later visit the wineries, you might try the following weekend’s event at Bull Run Park: The 34th Virginia Wine Festival which features wine seminars, wine and food pairing demos, and representation from over 50 wineries. This program is part of the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association which recently held the 5th Annual award competition with entries from the 17 states eligible to participate. The Best of Show was awarded to a Semi-Dry Riesling from Chateau Lafayette in Reneau, New York.

How about the Finger Lakes? Autumn leaves are already falling, and you have a multitude of wine trails to capture your attention. You can start with a trip to the International Winery of the Year winner (Chateau Lafayette) , and maybe have time to sample some of its neighbors as part of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail with over 30 wineries in close proximity. These areas become incredibly crowded on weekends, and a number of the wineries are offering mid-week bottle discounts. This may be a perfect excuse for a less crowded break.

Midwesterners complain they get ignored in these type of articles. Not so. Here’s a chance to do a shout-out to the Shawnee Wine Trail with 12 wineries in southern Illinois. Many are participating in Labor Day weekend activities, but the rest of the month holds promise for quieter tastings and more in-depth discussions.

Of course, there’s Napa and Sonoma, Oregon and Washington, and all the states in between that host wine festivals as this has become big business throughout the country. Consider this preview as a small pour, a sample of what’s to come as the Fall season has just begun. We have plenty of time to enjoy Nature’s bounty.

Raise your glasses.

Tags:

No Comments

Taking the Virginia Wine Trail

Aug 23

Posted by admin in lifestyle, wine

vineyard
Everybody’s heard of Napa and Sonoma and the myriad of wine tasting possibilities. Some have even ventured into Washington State and the Walla Walla region or explored the wealth of Pinot Noir in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, but there’s more. There are wine-making operations now in almost every state. New York State’s pride is along the Finger Lakes, but the mid-Atlantic part of the East Coast, aka, Virginia has become the newest contender in swooping up the accolades. Neighboring state Maryland wants a little bit of the action and has just inaugurated its first wine trail. They are still in their infancy in capturing the essence of terroir.

With over 140 wineries in the state, it is no small undertaking to experience Virginia wine. It seems as if each part of Virginia has its own wine trail. In the Charlottesville region you have the Monticello Wine Trail (quick history lesson: Thomas Jefferson’s  residence, Monticello), and further north closer to Washington, DC is Loudoun County which has identified itself with the entire metropolitan area in calling itself  DC Wine Country. Many well known wine writers have seemed surprised by the bounty of sophistication. One has even taken the premise of the movie “Bottle Shock“and applied the principle to Virginia with that state beating out California. That’s how good the product is and how superb some of the wines are.

Hardly a national or regional competition gets judged without awarding golds to the stalwarts of the Virginia wine trade. Barboursville Vineyards continues to take home top honors in a variety of categories with its highly touted Octagon earning impressive results it seems wherever it is tasted. Chrysalis Vineyards in the Middleburg area has garnered attention for its commitment to the Norton grape, Virginia’s native grape. When we say Governor’s Cup award winners in Virginia we are talking about some serious, stiff competition.

So many fine wines. Virginia has mastered the art of wine tourism and some of the wineries have captured the national attention they deserve.

Take a trail; Experience wine-making on the East Coast.

Tags:

2 Comments

A Cotes du Rhone Celebration

Jul 8

Posted by admin in Pairings, dining out, wine

Bastille Day has turned into a two-week celebration with the help of  the Rhone Valley Wine Council and their partner, Maitres Cuisiniers de France, the Master Chefs of France. “Two Countries, Two Holidays, Two Weeks of French Culinary Delights” aptly describes the special chef menus: 3-courses, $30 prix fixe. “Celebrate Summer the French Way” continues until July 18th at a significant number of restaurants throughout the country.

French chefs view this as an opportunity to highlight the versatility of the Cotes du Rhones, the reds, whites, and roses, and show how they pair perfectly with the seasonal ingredients that highlight any French meal. The website has a complete list of participating restaurants. Check for the individual menus as many of the chefs plan separate menus for each week.

As for the Cotes du Rhones, there are over 6,000 wine grape growers in the Rhone River region between Lyon and Avignon. One should have little problem finding his favorite Rhone wine for everyday drinking at home, too. They pair wonderfully with so many summer dishes.

The promotion is a perfect excuse to Dine Out, Enjoy Summer, and Celebrate French cuisine.

Then take your new French recipe food and wine guide (a present from the participating restaurants) and create perfectly paired French-style meals, regardless of the season.267thm

Bonne Chance.

Tags: , ,

No Comments

A Perfect Triple Play: Wine, Food, and the Countryside

Jul 6

Posted by admin in Pairings, news, wine

The weather’s supposed to be grand on the East Coast this coming weekend–how about a little travel for an event that promises to fulfill your wine and food desires? Bluemont, Virginia, about an hour from the metropolitan Washington, DC area, a short drive from Leesburg or Winchester, Virginia, and near enough for a good outing is hosting the 1st annual DC’s Wine Country Food & Wine Festival at historic Whitehall Manor, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.festival-poster_small

So many good options here: 20 different Virginia wineries pouring their specialties, a summer buffet dinner in the Manor House, wine tasting seminars (led by Virginia’s sommelier ambassador, Mary Watson), glass blowing demonstrations, and the opportunity to meet regional artisans. The adult-only evening events (July 10-12) provide a perfect excuse for daytime regional travel culminating in the creative festival environment. If you want to turn it into a weekend and skip the after-sipping driving ritual, then take advantage of the special lodging/transportation package with nearby Lansdowne Resort.

This is a good weekend to plan ahead as reservations are necessary for general admission, dinner, and picnic boxes.

Take advantage of this reasonably priced festival with so many food and wine options.

You’ll understand why Virginia is For Lovers!

Tags: ,

2 Comments

Bon Appetit: Yes, It’s Bastille Time

Jul 5

Posted by admin in dining out, news, wine

skate1July has become a truly delicious month with all the specialty foods being celebrated, America’s birthday festivities on the 4th, followed by numerous summer restaurant week promotions, and now coming up on the 14th, France’s National Holiday, Bastille Day. Many restaurants have turned a single day of festivities into a week-long event–anything to encourage dining out. Here’s your opportunity celebrate French food and wine and take advantage of specially priced promotions and have a great time!

If you happen to be in Washington, DC, then you might want to consider celebrating Bastille Day at the French Embassy with an evening of fun on Saturday, July 11th. Don’t worry there will plenty of opportunities to EAT CAKE and other sweets. Boston and Chicago partner with their French consulates for some Bastille fun–that in itself sounds like a party–let’s storm them.

A number of French restaurants throughout the country have special $17.89 menus to celebrate 1789, the year of French liberation. In Portland, OR,  The Heathman Restaurant and Bar has an impressive list of entrees for $17.89. Lettuce Entertain You’s Mon Ami Gabi, a classic neighborhood French bistro, has a special Bastille Day menu from the 9th-15th at its five locations (Washington, DC area, Chicago, and Las Vegas).

If you’re looking for an excuse to head out of San Francisco into Napa, then Bistro Jeanty, Auberge du Soleil, and etoile at Domaine Chandon all have Bastille Day menus.

If you enjoy dining at a bistro, find out what they have planned. If they have nothing on the books, it’s still early enough to convince them to get into the spirit and at least offer you a Cotes du Rhone to help you celebrate.

I like mine just a bit chilled.

Any excuse to celebrate!

Tags: ,

No Comments

Victory for This War

Jun 9

Posted by admin in coffee, food, grocer, life, wine

clubPackThe concept has come full circle, and a Mighty Circle it is! Remember when grocers scoffed at big box retailers/markets and said who needs a case of this or 15 rolls of toilet paper? Well, take a look around you, the case mentality has come to the grocer’s aisles and seems to have found a permanent home.

Grocers are saying “two can play this game.” Their logic is quite simple: Eliminate the big box discounters by playing their game of offering case value. Whatever it gets called, and commonly it seems to be “club pack/pak”, the consumer benefits handsomely from this type of turnaround. For those who want to limit their shopping trips (yes, gas is climbing way up there, again), they can postpone trips to the big discounters and use the same mentality to stock up at the grocers. At least that’s what grocers believe!

Most of the national brands have entered the coupon fray-field by doubling and tripling cents off, something not available at big boxers. The big guys like Costco understand the value of coupons and send out whole books of discounts, good for an approximate 4-week period. Some, like Sam’s Club, publish welcome ads in the newspapers (assuming people still buy newspapers) in the hopes of welcoming new members. 

Grocers, on the other hand, combine all the concepts to demonstrate the modern definition of one-stop shopping. The competition is good for all of us. Look at Wegmans, as you recall my favorite grocer. They now aggressively market savings with club packs, a sizable list of wines under $10, and price-cutting that does the math for you. (As in, if a two-pound bag of onions costs $1.69, that’s .85 a pound. Then the calorie info: 60 calories a cup and a large onion is 3 cups). Maybe they’ll find someone to accompany you down the aisles, and then you won’t have to think at all! 

They have large comparison shopping boards at the entrance and throughout the store that list 4-5 products and show how Wegmans beats the competition. Their newest strategy is the $6 meal–one entree and two sides–as in bbq chicken breast with roasted red potatoes and harvest vegetables, or…many options.

Some of the local farmers are starting to bring their product to market, and Wegmans has inked a number of deals. Locavores unite: It’s a shopping possibility.

All of this to convince us that we can live at one store; one that has morphed into a combo: Great retailer, smart discounter, great service and product, and a big boxer.

This is a match we win.

Tags: , , , ,

1 Comment