Full Disclosure: I have been a vegetarian for fifteen years
Some people write letters to the editor when they read a story they don’t like. And some of those people anxiously open up the paper for days hoping to see their brilliance in newsprint. And then when they don’t, they pull up their blog and write a post.
So consider this a preemptive move on my part in response to the New York Times Dining section cover story today, “Don’t Tell the Kids.”
To quote: “Some may feel squeamish about eating it, but rabbit has a fan base that is growing as cooks discover how good the meat tastes.”
Oh yeah, well, how do those chefs or super fans know that cat doesn’t taste amazing, sauteed in a little white wine & garlic, or that a beagle’s hind quarters fry up just right in vegetable oil and served with hush puppies (irony for effect) make the perfect companion to a hearty Zinfandel?
By framing this story with a cute title then jumping right in to a group of Brooklyn hipsters (does anyone else wish the whole borough would be taken back – preferably with force - by the poor immigrants that founded it?) with their carving knives in “Abercrombie & Fitch bags” and catch phrase desires for small, family farming, the article tries hard to foster debate.
But what they really want to say is, rabbit tastes good. So what?
Don’t tell the children. Why? Will their crying drown out the moans of culinary ecstasy? Will their incessant questions about eating a cute, furry creature add just a dash of buzzkill to the roadkill?
I’ll ask my first question again. If rabbit’s are fair game (pun intended) why not cats and dogs? Some cultures eat them while the average American identifies them as savages. And you can’t tell me it won’t taste as good as Filet Mignon. You don’t know. How about whipping up a bowl of Hamster nuggets for that next dinner party? It might be sublime.
(Jumping down off soapbox)
Truth is, I’m a hypocritical vegetarian. My kids eat meat, my dog and cat eat meat and I’ve often joked that the cuter the animal the more likely my wife will eat it. I’ve previously looked down on those who made their children into mini-me’s, mirroring their habits and politics like the little sponges they can be. But now, I’m beginning to appreciate the mindset of Jonathan Safran Foer even more. Parenthood changed his view on how his children should be fed. They’re pretty young so perhaps he’s not showing them the picture or reading them the piece in the Times today. But I think I’m going to show it to mine.
For in the immortal words of Elmer Fudd, if it’s “Wabbit Season” it may be time for me to make like Bugs.
“Of course you realize this means war.”
Tags: Musings
I just finished a week trying some Loire Valley wines with fellow members of the wine board WineBerserkers.com. This was a virtual tasting. Board members around the country tried their Loire Valley wines during a one week period and wrote about them online.
If you want to increase your odds of buying wines that you will enjoy, get to know your local retailer and let them get to know you. Once he knows your tastes and budget, he should be able to help you navigate your options. If not, find another retailer. I didn't know much about Loire Valley wines and had to go shopping to be able to participate in the tasting. On the recommendation of a staff member at Paul Marcus Wines (Oakland), I bought a Cab Franc (my 83 points), a "dry" Chenin Blanc (flawed), a Sauvignon Blanc (my 78 pts), and a sparkling wine -- a very generalized sampling of the wines of the Loire. I'd never shopped at Paul Marcus so as a result, the staffer, who wanted to be helpful, didn't know me and was just guessing on what I might like. Unfortunately, his guesses didn't pan out.
Here is the third tasting note:
2007 Domaine Deletang Montlouis-sur-Loire Sec Les Batisses - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Montlouis-sur-Loire (2/25/2010) Lemon furniture polish and watermelon bubblegum. Also a bit maderized. I originally panned this wine with a below average score but have thought more about that oxidation. Perhaps a damaged bottle. NR (flawed)
Posted from CellarTracker on GrapeStories.com
To say the Loire wines did not immediately sweep me off my feet would be an understatement. However, since they are relatively inexpensive, we can afford another date. I'll need to retry the Cab Franc (2004 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny) as apparently I didn't give it enough air and it needed more cellar time. I was also expecting a bigger wine with more robust flavors. Apparently that was a false expectation. It would have been helpful if that salesman had made some serving recommendations along with the wine recommendations.
While Loire Valley wines are, in my opinion, under-the-radar of the general U.S. wine drinking public, they are popular and considered distinctive and a good value by wine enthusiasts. I won't write them off as I am apparently missing something with this very limited exploration. As with any new wine region, the advice is to keep drinking. I still have to try that sparkler. I've got my fingers crossed.
Tags: Lifestyle
Similar quality, but I only paid 12 bucks for the Carménère retail and paid $50 for the Cab off a restaurant wine list. BYOB is my friend.
2007 Viña Ventisquero Carménère Root:1 [The Original Ungrafted] - Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley (2/18/2010)
Aromas of baked fruit, pepper, and violets but rather simple sour cherry flavors in the mouth. Still, quite pleasant and recommended at $11.99 retail. (84 pts.)
2007 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley (2/14/2010)
Expressive cassis and tobacco flavors backed up by a healthy dose of sweet new oak, however it finishes very short and thin. Disappointing given the vintage. (82 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker on GrapeStories.com
Tags: Lifestyle
People seem to have strong opinions and/or pre-conceived notions about Texas and its people. But, for those of you who’ve never been, let me set the record straight…
Texas is awesome. And not just Austin. I spent the last week going from Houston to San Antonio to Austin to Dallas and to Fort Worth. If there’s one thing Texans know how to do – it’s eat and drink!
Houston, the fourth largest city in the country, is a force to be reckoned with. With a population of over 2.2 million people, and a really busy airport, Houston was named one of the most progressive cities for Asian-fusion. The Houston Rodeo itself is the single largest volunteer organization – with over 22,000 volunteers participating each year. I spent the better part of Sunday pouring our Reserve Class Champion Wine – 2008 Pinot Gris – at the rodeo while sampling food from some of the 90 restaurants that were there. Too bad I forgot my boots… I could’ve had ‘em shined.
On Monday, I got to visit some amazing restaurants and pick up some locally-made hot sauce at Central Market, where they carry the whole Anne Amie line up! Some of my favorite stops were Yelapa, Suhi Raku, and Trulucks. Did you know that Florida Stone Crabs can grow their claws back?!?!
On my first visit to San Antonio, I got to see the Alamo! And I had an incredible lunch at Zinc, where they have our Amrita by the glass. At Joe Saglimbeni’s I found my wine geek matches! They have such an incredibly vast and well-chosen selection of wines..
Austin, as everyone knows, is an amazing city. In Austin, we visited Central Market, Aquarelle, Royal Blue Grocery, and Cru Wine Bar, amongst others. I had an awesome dinner at Buenos Aires Cafe – too bad their list is all Spanish and South American… Our Amrita would go so well with the gnocchi.
In Dallas, we went all over – to Whole Foods (where they’re featuring our Cuvee A Pinot Noir), Restaurant AVA (where they have our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir & Riesling), and Winetastic. For dinner, we went to The Grape on a recommendation from Club Members Charlie & Louanne Eldemire. What a great place! If you’re in the area, you have to check it out.
And last, but certainly not least, I got to trollop around Forth worth, checking out places like the new Elerbe Fine Foods. Ellerbe’s is all about fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, and their food is delicious! We stopped by Gran Cru wine shop, and ended at one of our favorites – Grace.
After a long week of hopping town to town, I was ready to be back home. There’s so much going on at the winery right now that I just didn’t want to miss out on. Bottling is next week – the 2009 whites will soon be ready! And our remodeling is coming along so fast! And so I said goodbye to Texas. Until next time!
People seem to have strong opinions and/or pre-conceived notions about Texas and its people. But, for those of you who’ve never been, let me set the record straight…
Texas is awesome. And not just Austin. I spent the last week going from Houston to San Antonio to Austin to Dallas and to Fort Worth. If there’s one thing Texans know how to do – it’s eat and drink!
Houston, the fourth largest city in the country, is a force to be reckoned with. With a population of over 2.2 million people, and a really busy airport, Houston was named one of the most progressive cities for Asian-fusion. The Houston Rodeo itself is the single largest volunteer organization – with over 22,000 volunteers participating each year. I spent the better part of Sunday pouring our Reserve Class Champion Wine – 2008 Pinot Gris – at the rodeo while sampling food from some of the 90 restaurants that were there. Too bad I forgot my boots… I could’ve had ‘em shined.
On Monday, I got to visit some amazing restaurants and pick up some locally-made hot sauce at Central Market, where they carry the whole Anne Amie line up! Some of my favorite stops were Yelapa, Suhi Raku, and Trulucks. Did you know that Florida Stone Crabs can grow their claws back?!?!
On my first visit to San Antonio, I got to see the Alamo! And I had an incredible lunch at Zinc, where they have our Amrita by the glass. At Joe Saglimbeni’s I found my wine geek matches! They have such an incredibly vast and well-chosen selection of wines..
Austin, as everyone knows, is an amazing city. In Austin, we visited Central Market, Aquarelle, Royal Blue Grocery, and Cru Wine Bar, amongst others. I had an awesome dinner at Buenos Aires Cafe – too bad their list is all Spanish and South American… Our Amrita would go so well with the gnocchi.
In Dallas, we went all over – to Whole Foods (where they’re featuring our Cuvee A Pinot Noir), Restaurant AVA (where they have our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir & Riesling), and Winetastic. For dinner, we went to The Grape on a recommendation from Club Members Charlie & Louanne Eldemire. What a great place! If you’re in the area, you have to check it out.
And last, but certainly not least, I got to trollop around Forth worth, checking out places like the new Elerbe Fine Foods. Ellerbe’s is all about fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, and their food is delicious! We stopped by Gran Cru wine shop, and ended at one of our favorites – Grace.
After a long week of hopping town to town, I was ready to be back home. There’s so much going on at the winery right now that I just didn’t want to miss out on. Bottling is next week – the 2009 whites will soon be ready! And our remodeling is coming along so fast! And so I said goodbye to Texas. Until next time!
2002 Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (2/24/2010)
Generally, folks love the 2002 vintage from Napa. I love them too - they are big, fruity, rich, and fun. I've often called our own 2002 "our party wine." 02 Napa Cabs are loud music and colorful balloons. (And no small amount of alcohol.) The 2002 Cab from Round Pond fits right in with its peers: massive raspberry, currant, campfire, molasses, and vanilla. The thing holding this wine back - and what has held many Cabs from this vintage back - is a lack of developed, secondary, earthy flavors that can round out a wine and make it special. It's always hoped that these flavors will develop with time but at least with the 2002 Round Pond, I don't immediately perceive the necessary structure to develop further. (88 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
Part of a Wineberserkers.com 2002 Cali Cab Virtual Tasting
Round Pond just completed construction on a beautiful winery a couple of years back. The architecture and wines are worth a visit when you are in Napa. Their tastings (by appointment only, I believe) are paired with little nibbles in a very comfortable, sit-down setting.
Tags: Lifestyle
2004 Azienda Agricola Vignalta Colli Euganei Gemola I'm actually quite surprised that this note is the first tasting note on CellarTracker - this is a very nice wine. Ripe dark fruit, tobacco and milk chocolate, with a decent finish, but narrow mid-palate. 70% Merlot / 30% Cabernet Franc gives it the lush qualities of a Merlot, with the intensity of a Cab Franc. Very nice and well balanced combination. The only downside is that we had it paired with Osso Buco and there wasn't enough acidity to cut through the richness of the meal - for me, this is a wine best enjoyed on its own. My rating: 91
2006 Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa
Plum, Cherries, Dr. Pepper, vanilla and stone. Quite nice, but wanted a little more acidity as it drank just a tad rich for my taste. Good balance and a mid-length finish. Felt a little pricey to me at $30, so not sure I would buy again. My rating: 88
1998 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered Reserve Napa Valley
Haven't had a Mondavi in a very long time and then picked up a case through the Constellation Brands Friends and Family at a great discount - so glad I did. But, it was a risk. The 2008 CA Cab vintage was rated as the lowest, at an 84, in the last 25 years. The best I can say is that somehow this wine snuck through and has aged nicely. Dark cherry, blood orange, vanilla and herbs, with a good up-front, mellow mid-palate, then a nice lingering finish. The tannins have settled down considerably on this, but, even at 12 years old, it still could stand some time to get better. Wine Spectator gave this an 87 at time of release. My rating: 91
2008 Allegrini Valpolicella
Picked this up as a bottle to use in an Osso Buco recipe and held a little aside for the cook. Tart cherries, pomegranate, herbs and earth, with really high acidity - should pair pretty well with the meat. My rating: 87
2007 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Ten
This is the lowest score I've given a Sea Smoke Pinot. Not too low at a 90, but there's something missing for me about Sea Smoke the last few vintages. I don't know if it's the new(er) winemaker or what, but Sea Smoke used to blow me away...incredible tasting experiences with particularly the Botellas and Tens (not as big a fan of the Southings). So, relatively speaking the 2007 Ten is not my favorite relative to other Sea Smokes. But, against other Pinot Noir, this is still very nice. A bit young and rambunctious still, but a nice blend of dark cherries, lavender and blood orange with a hint of smoke. Incredible acidity on this wine, especially for a California Pinot Noir. My rating: 90
2008 Vinos de Terrunos Navarra Siete 7 Medium bodied wine with lots of red, tart fruit, dusty earth and barnyard - sort of a musty hay smell. Fun to experiment with, but not something I would buy again. My rating: 84
2007 Winzer Krems Grüner Veltliner Sandgrube 13
Very solid Grüner for $7. Green fruit, very dry, good acidity. I bought a case because of the price and I will be drinking more of this when the sun is out, I have the wine in a cooler full of ice (this one's best very cold) and shellfish steaming on the grill... My rating: 86
2007 Cayuse Cabernet Sauvignon Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard I have to start by saying that I am a huge fan of cayuse wines, but I will admit that they're not for everyone, both in taste and price. Widowmaker is no exception. Very interesting wine - meaty, salty, dirty wine. actually, amazing how salty this wine tastes. But, make no mistake, this is a good wine, with exceptional balance (especially for how young it is) and a long, lingering finish. another great wine from cayuse. And, if you're a fan of westerns, you really can't beat the label. My rating: 91
2007 Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer Reserve
Peach, apricot and honey - well balanced white, but way too sweet for my taste. My rating: 85
2006 Orogeny Pinot Noir Redding Ranch
Interesting Pinot Noir. I've tried three of these bottles now and each one is a little different. So, am commenting on the most recent bottle. Mellow fruit, smoke and cured meats - it's kind of like they took a pretty nice mid-fruit wine and left it out at the campfire overnight. Interesting. Will have to see if the other 9 bottles from my case are similar. Still, not bad and I am a big fan of Orogeny Pinot's. My rating: 87
All tasting notes first published on Grape Stories (formerly CellarTracker)
Tags: Alsace, Cabernet Franc, california, Gewurztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, italy, pinot noir, Ratings 80-84, Ratings 85-89, Ratings 90-94, red wine, Valpolicella, white wine
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| Martha Stewart, Norma Ratcliffe & Zelma Long |
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| Inspecting the Warwick Wedding Cup |
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| The view from the Warwick Penthouse in the Vineyards |
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| Martha, Norma & Mike Ratcliffe |
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| Martha Stewart & Mike drink from the Wedding Cup |
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| What a beautifull day in Stellenbosch |
Tags: martha stewart zelma vilafonte warwick penthouse norma Ratcliffe
There’s an old Hollywood adage, famously coined by screenwriter William Goldman that when it comes to predicting which movies will succeed and which will fail, “Nobody Knows Anything.” To wit: Columbia Pictures passed on the chance to produce “Star Wars”, leaving the plucky sci-fi movie to Fox, thereby losing out on billions of dollars in revenue. They did however say yes to “Close Encounters” which earned them about the same amount of money (at the time) while it was 20th Century Fox that said no to Spielberg’s masterpiece.
Even more telling is that in asking studio executives of the era about their choices, they commented that if they’d said “yes” to everything they said “no” to and vice versa, they’d have pretty much ended up in the same place. Put another way you can’t over or under-estimate the public when it comes to what they like. They just do.
This proved to be true the other night at a dinner party where we did a blind tasting of various wines. Now I’ve been an advocate of blind tastings many times before and while part of me still believes it’s the only fair way to gauge a wine, I’m now second guessing that in favor of Mr. Goldman’s assessment. That when it comes to the evaluation of any subjective thing, the only person who does know anything is you.
There’s no need to get into the details of the tasting but I will tell you that the wine I brought – I wine I was a fan of and still am - a Pinot from New Zealand called, Latitude 41 scored the lowest of seven wines (I had it as my third worse) or that a 2007 CA Cab from Jam Cellars was far and away everyone’s favorite.
What really struck me was that in looking at the scores of the individual wines, the loser I brought was scored (on the ubiquitous 100 pt. scale) by one person as 100 and by another as 1. Holy swing, Batman!
And it was then and there, in a suburban kitchen, that I realized all this hand-wringing over scores/reviews of anything that isn’t decided by a clock or a scoreboard is a wasted exercise; whether you are trying to evaluate a wine, a building by I.M. Pei or a Hollywood movie, nobody does know anything. And anyone who leaves their own choices to someone else is missing out on one of the true pleasures of freedom, the ability to do so for oneself. I know too many people who won’t buy a wine that scores under a 90 (and I bet you do too) or takes the word of (fill in wine reviewer’s name here) as gospel.
I now realize, more than ever, the best wines in the world, the ones that get my 100 points, are the ones I like. And that makes any number of wines I drink better than anything you drink no matter what’s on the label, who scored it or what its provenance.
The Founders envisioned a world of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So from now on I suggest you embrace the things you like, be it a no name $6.00 wine from Slovenia or a nonsensical movie set in 2154 where science has made it possible to telekinetically leap into the body of a blue alien but the weapon of choice is still a bullet.
At the end of the day, no one knows anything but you.
Tags: Musings, Wine Tasting Experiences