6
February
2008
We arrived in Southern France last Friday and we’ve been visiting some interesting cities. On Sunday we spent some time in Nimes which has a huge Roman arena. It is supposedly the best preserved of all the Roman arenas. They still have bull fights there now. After our touring the city we went into one of those open air bistros and I ordered the special of the day: Taureau. It actually was very good and tasted alot like steak (maybe close to Omaha steaks) but it was “Bull”. There was a local merlot that they recommended and that went down very well too. Our next trip will be to Arles where they are known for “donkey”. I may have to pass on that.
Bernie Duhaime
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20
January
2008
With all the makings of a Hallmark holiday, Open that Bottle Night “OTBN” is fast becoming one of my favorites. The 1998 brainchild of the Wall Street Journal’s wine editors, Dorothy Gaither and John Brecher, OTBN is based their premise that; “All of us, no matter how big or small our wine collections, have that single bottle of wine that is so special that we simply can’t bear to open it. Maybe it’s from Grandpa’s cellar or a trip to Italy or a wedding. We’re always going to open it on a special occasion, but no occasion is ever special enough. So it sits. And sits.” I think we can all see the brilliance of Dorothy and John’s baby.
OTBN is “officially” the last Saturday in February, but I’ll take some wriggle room and work it in when I can. I’ll open that bottle and give it a whirl.
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9
January
2008
As Ben Franklin said: In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.
In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E. coli) – bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of poop.
However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.
Remember: Water = Poop, Wine = Health
Therefore, it’s better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit.
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information: I’m doing it as a public service.
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27
December
2007
A NPR morning show was talking about wineries in the 50 sates of the US. Really? Even in Alaska or North Dakota ? Well as I am listening, I am finding out that the word “Wine” is getting used for every low alcoholic fruits beverage you can find. Blueberries, pineapples, plums, …
Now the question is: Can we use the word “wine” for any type flavored low alcoholic beverage ?
Well, I am totaly against it. People who are calling themselves Wine Makers and are just actually adding alcohol to an apple juice should not have the right to call it Wine. Call it with a different name!!!
The abuse is getting more and more ridiculous. Real “grapes” winemakers should petition and request that the word “wine” be used only with Grapes. It is time to separate Napkins from Cloth! It was possible to differenciate the branding of Champagne made in the Champagne region in France from every others sparkling wines on earth. Napa Wine Appelation got the name protection from the name abuse from wineries in Europe. Why not do it with the word “wine” used only with Grapes?
For the rest: just call it ALCOHOLIC JUICE.
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12
December
2007
The other night we attended the latest iteration of the Christmas cookie exchange, the Christmas Wine Exchange. Everyone brought a wine to open and share and a second, to blind “exchange”. In addition to the wine (please keep it under $20), it was suggested that you bring along a wine-friendly appetizer. Brilliant!!!
It was billed as the First Annual Christmas Wine Exchange. I hope its the first of many.
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2
December
2007
There are 23 shopping days til Christmas. Plenty of time, I keep telling myself. It really doesn’t matter that 99% of my shopping is for people half a continent away. UPS and FedEx are more than happy to ensure that the gifts arrive in time. On the plus side I have most of the gifts picked out, bought and hopefully on their way. On the down side I still have a couple that need to be addressed.
I just pulled the trigger on a wine cooler. Not a big one. I’d have to hit the Powerball to be able to afford the super spectacular Eurocave. No, I went with the modest 12 bottle Haier. Its not overwhelmingly large and in fact, its compact footprint is perfect for a kitchen counter. There are several on the market, and all review well. I’d link to a retailer, but a quick Google will supply more than a few on-line retailers, many offering free shipping. You can’t beat that!
We’ve had two 30 bottle Haier coolers for years. One is dedicated to whites, so I have it set at 50 and the other, filled with reds is 60. They are terrific. Wine, chilled to the perfect temperature at you fingertips. Now if I could only solve the problem of keeping them filled.
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22
November
2007
Here we are again. Thanksgiving, arguably the feast of the year. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potato and a vegetable that I will only pick at. Yes, the best of times.
Picking the wine…problem. I’ve heard and read nearly every grape/blend with the possible exception of Barolo nominated for the best Thanksgiving choice. If you think I’m kidding, check out Natalie MacLean’s fantastic “Food and Wine Matcher” . Then go to the drop down menu and have some fun. OK, it’s not the worst of times, but…
I love wine. I love wine with food. However, Thanksgiving presents a dilemma. Do you choose a wine that pairs with the bird, the gravy or the stuffing? Are they mutually exclusive? The bird is not blessed with a strong flavor. A bold wine will certainly overpower it. Then should you choose a light bodied? The stuffing and the gravy will overpower the wine. Perhaps a nice medium bodied red. Yes, I think that’s what we’ll go with this year. A 2005 Chateau La Pierre Levee from the Cotes de Castillion. Yes, it will be tight, but 30 minutes of decanting should do it.
What was your choice???
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