What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?
Welcome to my third, and last, Top Wines List. I have already posted my Top Ten Wines Under $15 and Top Ten Wines Over $15. It is now time for my Top Wines Over $50. This list only has nine entries as there were not enough worthy wines to complete ten entries. I have certainly tasted more than 9 delicious wines over $50, but that is expected from many of the high-end wines I tasted. For this list, I only added those which were especially fascinating.
Like the prior lists, this list includes wines that during the past year I have enjoyed very much and which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out for some particular reason above the other wines I tasted this past year.
This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I highly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers will also enjoy.
The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these value wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local area, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws.
1) 2009 Sadie Family Palladius ($60)
This is the second year in a row that my good friend Adam, of Wine Zag, has introduced me to a wine that made this list. The South African Palladius is a blend of eight white grapes, though the exact blend appears unclear. It likely includes Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Clairette Blanc and Palomino. As for the other two grapes, they might be Chardonnay, Semillon, Marsanne, or Verdelho. The concept behind this wine was that it should age well in the bottle, pair well with food, and reflect terroir. It succeeds well and this is a sublime wine, which dazzles with its complexity, flavors and structure. From an alluring nose to a compelling taste, this wine is sure to impress almost any wine lover. Savor plenty of acidity, a very long and satisfying finish and its round, full mouth feel. It possesses an intriguing melange of flavors including citrus, peach, honey, spices, herbs, and minerality. In fact, the more time you savor and reflect on the wine, the more subtle flavors which seem to surface in your mouth. This wine receives my highest recommendation.
2) 2005 Telmo Rodriguez Matallana ($145)
Terroir is very significant to Telmo as well. The Matallana is from the Ribera del Duero and less than 300 cases are produced annually. The grapes are grown biodynamically, a careful selection from eight plots of old vine. The grapes are crushed by foot and fermentation occurs in open wooden vats. What an amazing wine, a silky, elegant, and complex creation which seduces your palate with its deep melange of enticing flavors and very lengthy finish. It is the type of wine that shuts down your logical senses and tells you merely to savor and enjoy. A superb choice worth its high price.
3) 2008 Ferrer Bobet ($50) & 2005 Ferrer Bobet Seleccio Especial ($85)
A relatively new producer, which released its first wine in 2008, they impressed me with both of their Priorat wines. They currently use old vine Carignan and Garnacha, from organic farms, seeking to produce wines of elegance and finesse rather than the powerful, muscular wines you often find in this Spanish region. The 2008 Ferrer Bobet is made from 70% old vine Carignan and 30% Garnacha, fermented in small wooden and steel tanks and then aged in French oak for about 15 months. An elegant wine, with delicious black fruit and spice flavors, silky tannins and subtle floral notes. It has an intriguing complexity that will tantalize your palate, and its lengthy finish will satisfy even the most demanding of wine lovers. The 2008 Seleccio Especial is made from 100 year old Carignane with a tiny amount added of old vine Garnacha, and has been aged in French oak for about 18 months. It has a darker color, almost an opaque purple, and a deeper aroma. The black fruit flavors are more concentrated and its complexity shines forth, adding elements of earthiness, minerality, spice and floral notes. There is just so much going on in this wine, yet it too retains elegance and finesse. Both of these wines are highly recommended and this is a winery to watch in the near future.
4) 2005 Disznókő 5 Puttonyos Tokaji ($60)
Disznókő Winery, located in the Tokaj region of Hungary, was classified in 1772 as a first growth property, and currently consists of about 250 acres. The wines from this region are world renowned, especially their sweet wines, though they make dry wines too. This wine is a blend of 60% Furmint, 30% Harslevelu and 10% Zeta. Golden amber in color, it presents with a mild sweetness, balanced off by a fine acidity, and the flavors are intriguing, with notes of honey, almonds, apricots, and more. Seductive and elegant, it would also pair well with blue cheese or spicy Asian dishes. If you want a superb dessert wine, then look no further.
5) NV Barons de Rothschild Rosé Champagne ($125)
The famous Rothschild family has entered the Champagne realm and their offerings are quality. The Rosé is a blend of about 85% Chardonnay, from Côtes des Blancs crus, and 15% Pinot Noir, from Montagne de Reims. The blend includes 5-6% which is vinified as a red wine. This was a superb Rosé with a compelling aroma, subtle red fruit and citrus notes. On the palate, it was crisp, dry and elegant with flavors of red fruits, especially strawberry, and a little orange peel. Complex, a lengthy finish and an excellent balance. Food friendly, this is a hedonistic pleasure.
6) 2008 Barone Ricasoli Colledila Chianti Classico ($50-$60)
While in Chianti Classico, I tasted a number of high end wines, including some superb Super Tuscans, and two of their wines made this list. The Colledila is a single vineyard Sangiovese produced in a traditional style. This is only the second vintage of this wine, and Colledila is the name of the vineyard, a small, 7 hectare plot. Only about 14,000 bottles are produced annually. This was a stellar wine, elegant, complex and compelling. It has an intriguing melange of flavors, cherry, violets, spice, herbs and a little earthiness. Great acidity and a lengthy, satisfying finish. A perfect wine to accompany a fine meal, from pasta to beef. Highly recommended.
7) 2006 Isole e Olena Cepparello ($60-$70)
One of my favorite Chianti Classico wineries is Isole e Olena, and owner/wine maker Paolo die Marchi is a personable and intriguing man. His iconic Cepparello is a Super Tuscan, made from 100% Sangiovese, and I tasted through vintages 2006, 2007 and 2008. The 2006 most impressed me and the Cepparello generally benefits from aging. This wine had a medium red color with an alluring nose of cherry and spice. It seduces your palate with rich, lush flavors of vibrant fruit, spice, and licorice. It is incredibly smooth, with supple tannins, and is also well balanced with a lingering, hedonistic finish. Lots of subtle complexity in this wine, which shows much elegance and style. I cannot recommend the Cepparello enough.
8) 2005 Sine Qua Non "Atlantis Fe 203-1a,b,c" Syrah ($300+)
Sine Qua Non is a cult wine producer which is a favorite of Robert Parker and this specific wine received a score of 100 points. When I bought this wine, I was unaware of its score and found it at an excellent price. The wine is a blend of 93% Syrah, 5% Grenache & 2% Viognier and I thought that the wine might be big and powerful, a muscular beast that might throttle my palate. That was not the case. Instead, I encountered a silk-clad temptress, whose seductive wiles entranced me while her lush lips crushed against mine, inciting my own passions. Memories of that kiss lingered long and I craved for her touch once again. She was an elegant woman yet with the concentrated power and grace of a black panther. I wanted to explore all of her depths, to lose myself within her soft, smooth arms. This was an experience, more than just a taste of wine. Wow! Let me repeat. WOW!
Spain, with three wines, had the most spots on this list with Italy taking two, and Hungary, South Africa, France and California each with one spot. The list is also broken down into 1 Champagne, 1 White, 6 Red wines, and 1 Dessert Wine. Not all expensive wines are worth their high price but these are wines well worth the splurge. These are the type of wines that words often cannot do justice. These are wines to experience and savor, not to dissect and analyze.
If you have some of your own recommendations for wines over $50, please add them to the comments.
2012: Top Ten Wines Over $15
What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?
Welcome to my second Top Ten Wine List. Last Friday, I posted my Top Ten Wines Under $15, which I hope you enjoyed and found useful. Now it is time for my Top Ten Wines Over $15, though these wines also cost less than $50.
Like the prior list, it includes wines that during the past year I have enjoyed very much and which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out for some particular reason above the other wines I tasted this past year.
This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I highly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers will also enjoy.
The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local area, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws.
1) 2010 Tikal Natural Malbec ($20)
Produced by Ernesto Catena in Argentina, this wine is made from 100% Malbec, certified organic grapes, and the vineyard is moving toward becoming Biodynamic. The wine spent about a year in oak, mostly second-use French oak, with a small portion of American oak. With a dark purple color, the flavors of the wine burst into your mouth, a pleasant blend of ripe plum, dark cherry, intense spice and bits of mocha. The tannins are moderate, there is good acidity, and the finish is long and satisfying. A hearty fine that will pair well with hearty food, from Bolognese to short ribs.
2) 2006 Eder Raubern Single Vineyard Grüner Veltliner ($17-$20)
The Eder winery, in Austria, is small, possessing about 12 hectares of vineyards and produces only about 20,000 bottles annually. The Raubern is a single vineyard wine that thoroughly impressed me. The melange of flavors fascinated me with their complexity, with plenty of spice and floral notes, yet still with noticeable stone fruit components. Despite its age, this seemed still very fresh and it was a clear winner, sure to please any wine lover. An excellent value at this price point.
3) 2009 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir ($43.99)
In general, I enjoy Oregon Pinot Noirs and some are superb. This wine was a stunner, subtle and seductive as well as elegant and complex. The melange of flavors ranged from bright cherry to ripe plum, from cinnamon to black pepper. You need to slowly sip and savor this wine, to perceive all of the diverse flavors within. Well balanced, this wine provides an alluring finish that seems to caress your palate with silk, lingering long within your mouth. A killer wine, I highly recommend this one.
4) 2011 Prieure de Montezargues Tavel Rosé ($20)
This is one of my favorite French Rosé wines, and the 2011 is equally as good as the previous year. The Rosé is a blend of 8 grapes, including 55% Grenache (red & white), 30% Cinsault, 13% Clairette, and 2% Others (Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan & Bourboulanc). It is produced through pressing and underwent stainless steel fermentation and then a short term of aging on the lees. It was a pale pink color, crisp, dry and elegant. Delicious and complex tastes of cherry, strawberry, and grapefruit with a mineral backbone. You should drink this Rosé year round.
5) 2008 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia ($35-$45)
One of my favorite wines from my Chianti Classico trip, the Rancia is made from 100% Sangiovese, all from a single vineyard named Rancia. That vineyard derives its name from a historic farm that once was a Benedictine monastery. The wine was barrel aged for 16-18 months in new and one year old 225-liter oak barrels and then spent an additional 6-8 months aging in the bottle. The Rancia possessed an alluring smell, a melange of wonderful aromas that beckoned to me like a siren. It was a traditional style, with a delightful earthy component, and a compelling taste of black cherry, blueberry, violets, spice, and hints of leather. It was elegant and intriguing, with a lengthy, satisfying finish. Just a superb wine.
6) 2011 Halter Ranch Cotes de Paso Blanc ($24)
Paso Robles seems to be a great region for Rhône grapes and this Halter Ranch wine is an enticing Southern Rhône blend of 33% Grenache, 26% Roussanne, 20% Picpoul Blanc, 12% Marsanne, and 9% Viognier. It was fermented in French oak, stirred twice a week to mix in the lees, and doesn't undergo malolactic fermentation. The aroma was spectacular, a complex and harmonious melange of floral, fruit and herb notes, all of which also came out on the palate. Peaches, lemons, melons, white flowers, minerality and so much more. Well balanced, complex, a lengthy and satisfying finish, and excellent acidity. A highly recommended wine.
7) 2004 Rodano Viacosta Chianti Classico Riserva ($30)
This is another winner from Chianti Classico. The winery produces traditional style Chianti Classico and I was impressed with all of their wines I tasted. The Viacosta was a stand out, made from 100% Sangiovese that was aged for about 24 months, 60% in French oak and 20% of that is new. It had an alluring aroma and on the palate it was stunning. Complex, elegant, rustic, spicy, and with a lengthy and pleasing finish. A great food wine, this should be in your wine cellar.
8) 2011 Blomidon Estate Winery Rosé ($15.99)
Several years ago, I toured some of the wineries of Nova Scotia but plenty more have sprung up since that time. One of those new ones is Blomidon Estate Winery, which is committed to producing wines using only Nova Scotia grown grapes. Their 2011 Rosé is a blend of three hybrids: New York Muscat, L’Acadie Blanc and Baco Noir. It was crisp, dry, and clean with subtle strawberry and watermelon flavors and hints of floral notes. It was far more Provence style than California, and paired very well with a variety of foods. You never would have known this was made from hybrids. In a blind tasting, you might assume this was a French Rosé.
9) 2010 Planeta Carricante ($36)
Sicily possesses a number of indigenous grapes including Carricante, a white grape thought to extend back to the 9th century and is primarily found in the Etna region. It is a late maturing grape, thrives in high altitudes and has a high acidity which allows it to age well. This wine was made from 100% Carricante and remains on the lees until the February after harvest when it is then bottled. It had a light gold color with an exciting aroma of apples and floral notes. On the palate, it was crisp, clean and complex with a dominant steely minerality and subtle fruit flavors, including pear and green apple. A lengthy and satisfying finish, this would be an excellent seafood wine and it should age very well too. I heartily recommend it.
10) 2010 Joel Gott Alakai ($24)
This California red wine blend is comprised of 77% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre, and 2% Petite Sirah. It had an alluring nose, great fruit and hints of spice and was compelling on the palate. Complex, with a delicious melange of reds fruits and spice, with hints of earthiness. It was more on the lighter side with smooth tannins and a lengthy, pleasing finish. An excellent food wine, or something you can savor on its own. Just plain delicious
This is always my toughest list to compile because there are numerous other excellent wines which I could have added. I had to ponder long over which wines to actually add to this list. Like my previous list, no single country dominated though Italy once again occupied three spots, due to my trip to Chianti Classico. California took two spots while Argentina, Austria, Oregon, France, and Nova Scotia each took one spot. The list is also broken down into 2 Rosé, 3 Whites and 5 Red wines. Half of the wines on the list also cost less than $25.
I have plenty of other recommendations for wines at this price point on my blog. There are top notch wines from countries all over the world, made from an incredibly diverse selection of grapes and you can still find plenty of values too. My advice is that you seek out wines outside of your comfort zone. Explore the multitude of diversity in the wonderful world of wine. Taste and try anything new, unique or potentially interesting. I am sure your search will lead to new favorites.
If you have some of your own recommendations for wines that are over $15 but under $50, please add them to the comments.
Welcome to my second Top Ten Wine List. Last Friday, I posted my Top Ten Wines Under $15, which I hope you enjoyed and found useful. Now it is time for my Top Ten Wines Over $15, though these wines also cost less than $50.
Like the prior list, it includes wines that during the past year I have enjoyed very much and which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out for some particular reason above the other wines I tasted this past year.
This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I highly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers will also enjoy.
The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local area, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws.
1) 2010 Tikal Natural Malbec ($20)
Produced by Ernesto Catena in Argentina, this wine is made from 100% Malbec, certified organic grapes, and the vineyard is moving toward becoming Biodynamic. The wine spent about a year in oak, mostly second-use French oak, with a small portion of American oak. With a dark purple color, the flavors of the wine burst into your mouth, a pleasant blend of ripe plum, dark cherry, intense spice and bits of mocha. The tannins are moderate, there is good acidity, and the finish is long and satisfying. A hearty fine that will pair well with hearty food, from Bolognese to short ribs.
2) 2006 Eder Raubern Single Vineyard Grüner Veltliner ($17-$20)
The Eder winery, in Austria, is small, possessing about 12 hectares of vineyards and produces only about 20,000 bottles annually. The Raubern is a single vineyard wine that thoroughly impressed me. The melange of flavors fascinated me with their complexity, with plenty of spice and floral notes, yet still with noticeable stone fruit components. Despite its age, this seemed still very fresh and it was a clear winner, sure to please any wine lover. An excellent value at this price point.
3) 2009 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir ($43.99)
In general, I enjoy Oregon Pinot Noirs and some are superb. This wine was a stunner, subtle and seductive as well as elegant and complex. The melange of flavors ranged from bright cherry to ripe plum, from cinnamon to black pepper. You need to slowly sip and savor this wine, to perceive all of the diverse flavors within. Well balanced, this wine provides an alluring finish that seems to caress your palate with silk, lingering long within your mouth. A killer wine, I highly recommend this one.
4) 2011 Prieure de Montezargues Tavel Rosé ($20)
This is one of my favorite French Rosé wines, and the 2011 is equally as good as the previous year. The Rosé is a blend of 8 grapes, including 55% Grenache (red & white), 30% Cinsault, 13% Clairette, and 2% Others (Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan & Bourboulanc). It is produced through pressing and underwent stainless steel fermentation and then a short term of aging on the lees. It was a pale pink color, crisp, dry and elegant. Delicious and complex tastes of cherry, strawberry, and grapefruit with a mineral backbone. You should drink this Rosé year round.
5) 2008 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia ($35-$45)
One of my favorite wines from my Chianti Classico trip, the Rancia is made from 100% Sangiovese, all from a single vineyard named Rancia. That vineyard derives its name from a historic farm that once was a Benedictine monastery. The wine was barrel aged for 16-18 months in new and one year old 225-liter oak barrels and then spent an additional 6-8 months aging in the bottle. The Rancia possessed an alluring smell, a melange of wonderful aromas that beckoned to me like a siren. It was a traditional style, with a delightful earthy component, and a compelling taste of black cherry, blueberry, violets, spice, and hints of leather. It was elegant and intriguing, with a lengthy, satisfying finish. Just a superb wine.
6) 2011 Halter Ranch Cotes de Paso Blanc ($24)
Paso Robles seems to be a great region for Rhône grapes and this Halter Ranch wine is an enticing Southern Rhône blend of 33% Grenache, 26% Roussanne, 20% Picpoul Blanc, 12% Marsanne, and 9% Viognier. It was fermented in French oak, stirred twice a week to mix in the lees, and doesn't undergo malolactic fermentation. The aroma was spectacular, a complex and harmonious melange of floral, fruit and herb notes, all of which also came out on the palate. Peaches, lemons, melons, white flowers, minerality and so much more. Well balanced, complex, a lengthy and satisfying finish, and excellent acidity. A highly recommended wine.
7) 2004 Rodano Viacosta Chianti Classico Riserva ($30)
This is another winner from Chianti Classico. The winery produces traditional style Chianti Classico and I was impressed with all of their wines I tasted. The Viacosta was a stand out, made from 100% Sangiovese that was aged for about 24 months, 60% in French oak and 20% of that is new. It had an alluring aroma and on the palate it was stunning. Complex, elegant, rustic, spicy, and with a lengthy and pleasing finish. A great food wine, this should be in your wine cellar.
8) 2011 Blomidon Estate Winery Rosé ($15.99)
Several years ago, I toured some of the wineries of Nova Scotia but plenty more have sprung up since that time. One of those new ones is Blomidon Estate Winery, which is committed to producing wines using only Nova Scotia grown grapes. Their 2011 Rosé is a blend of three hybrids: New York Muscat, L’Acadie Blanc and Baco Noir. It was crisp, dry, and clean with subtle strawberry and watermelon flavors and hints of floral notes. It was far more Provence style than California, and paired very well with a variety of foods. You never would have known this was made from hybrids. In a blind tasting, you might assume this was a French Rosé.
9) 2010 Planeta Carricante ($36)
Sicily possesses a number of indigenous grapes including Carricante, a white grape thought to extend back to the 9th century and is primarily found in the Etna region. It is a late maturing grape, thrives in high altitudes and has a high acidity which allows it to age well. This wine was made from 100% Carricante and remains on the lees until the February after harvest when it is then bottled. It had a light gold color with an exciting aroma of apples and floral notes. On the palate, it was crisp, clean and complex with a dominant steely minerality and subtle fruit flavors, including pear and green apple. A lengthy and satisfying finish, this would be an excellent seafood wine and it should age very well too. I heartily recommend it.
10) 2010 Joel Gott Alakai ($24)
This California red wine blend is comprised of 77% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre, and 2% Petite Sirah. It had an alluring nose, great fruit and hints of spice and was compelling on the palate. Complex, with a delicious melange of reds fruits and spice, with hints of earthiness. It was more on the lighter side with smooth tannins and a lengthy, pleasing finish. An excellent food wine, or something you can savor on its own. Just plain delicious
This is always my toughest list to compile because there are numerous other excellent wines which I could have added. I had to ponder long over which wines to actually add to this list. Like my previous list, no single country dominated though Italy once again occupied three spots, due to my trip to Chianti Classico. California took two spots while Argentina, Austria, Oregon, France, and Nova Scotia each took one spot. The list is also broken down into 2 Rosé, 3 Whites and 5 Red wines. Half of the wines on the list also cost less than $25.
I have plenty of other recommendations for wines at this price point on my blog. There are top notch wines from countries all over the world, made from an incredibly diverse selection of grapes and you can still find plenty of values too. My advice is that you seek out wines outside of your comfort zone. Explore the multitude of diversity in the wonderful world of wine. Taste and try anything new, unique or potentially interesting. I am sure your search will lead to new favorites.
If you have some of your own recommendations for wines that are over $15 but under $50, please add them to the comments.
2012: Top Ten Wines Under $15
What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?
The start of a new year approaches and it is time to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor many pleasant memories. As 2012 winds down, many in the media will publish their own lists of the best and worst of the past year, everything from books to movies to music. As I find some value in such lists, I will post some of my own Favorite Lists for 2012, covering food, wine, sake and spirits, over the next few weeks. These lists should provide a comprehensive summary of the favorite items I have encountered this past year, allowing my readers to more readily locate such gems, the best of my recommendations.
My first Favorites List of 2012 is my Top Ten Wines Under $15. In actuality, I have listed twelve wines, pairing a couple together from the same producer. This list includes wines that during the past year I have enjoyed very much and which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out, for some particular reason, above the other wines at this price point that I have tasted this past year.
This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I strongly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers would also enjoy.
The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these value wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local area, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws.
1) 2010 Adega Condes de Albarei Salneval Albarino ($11.99)
This Spanish white wine was produced by the Adega Condes de Albarei winery, a cooperative of 362 grower/owners equipped with advanced winery technology. I love Albarino and this wine was crisp and clean with a delightful and dominant melange of peach, pear and melon. There was also a subtle minerality with hints of honey and spice. A more voluptuous wine, this can be enjoyed on its own or paired with food, maybe something spicy. An excellent value.
2) 2005 Sella & Mosca Terre Rare Carignano del Sulcis Riserva ($14.99)
At a major wine event, with hundreds of wines, this was one of my overall favorite wines, especially at this price point. This Italian wine is made from 100% Carignan and aged for three years in French barriques. It is a stunning, complex and interesting wine. Spicy and bold, with delicious black fruit flavors, vanilla, a silky mouthfeel and hints of earthiness. Would love to drink this with pork, venison or lamb. An amazing value.
3) 2011 Calamares Vinho Verde ($7-$8)
Yes, it is named after squid and there is even a picture of a squid on the label. It might be easy to dismiss this wine as a gimmick but it is not. This Portuguese white wine is a blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Trajudura and 30% Loureiro with a low alcohol content of 9%. This is an easy quaffer, a wine to drink and enjoy, without any need to think about it. Slightly effervescent, it has plenty of acidity and flavors of grapefruit and lemon, with some mild mineral notes. For under $10, this is a very good choice.
4) 2009 L.A. Cetto Chenin Blanc ($10-$12) and 2010 L.A. Cetto Chardonnay ($10-$12)
L.A. Cetto is a winery in the Baja region of Mexico. Mexican wine you might ask? I haven't tasted many Mexican wines but this winery is doing a great job, especially at this price point and is well worth seeking out. The 2009 Chenin Blanc is made from 100% Chenin Blanc, sees no oak and is crisp and fresh, with delicious fruit flavors of melon, pear and peach and hints of herbs on the finish. The 2010 L.A. Cetto Chardonnay is produced from 100% Chardonnay, sees no oak and is also crisp and clean with delicious flavors of apple, pear, lemon & guava, with a touch of minerality. Both wines have more complexity and character than many similarly priced wines. I will be seeking more Mexican wines.
5) 2010 Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico ($15)
While gorging myself on five courses of beef from an amazing restaurant in Tuscany, I tasted an assortment of Chianti Classico wines. Out of that group, the Querceto stood out, pairing so well with the beef tartare and steaks. The Querceto, made from primarily Sangiovese, is a silky smooth and elegant wine with nice red fruit flavors and a hint of earthiness. It showcases the best of Tuscany at this price point and it would be best served with food.
6) 2011 Elisabetta Geppetti Fattoria Le Pupille ($13-$15)
This Italian red, from the Morellino Di Scansano DOCG, is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Malvasia Nera and it sees no oak. It is fresh, fruity, rustic and with hints of spice. A very easy drinking, it has a nice character, good complexity and is simply quite delicious. It can be drank on its own or paired with food, such as a wild boar ragu.
7) 2011 Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage Rosé ($12),
This South African Rosé is from a winery that produces some of the best Pinotage in the world. The Rosé is produced from 100% Pinotage and if you tasted this blind, you probably would never guess it was Pinotage. It is an easy drinking Rosé with tasty red fruit flavors, especially raspberry and cherry, some minerality as well as excellent acidity. It is more Old World than New, with plenty of character and a satisfying finish. It is the type of wine that I could easily drink all day. It is an excellent food wine as well as enjoyable on its own. Highly recommended.
8) Cave Messias 2003 LBV Port (about $15)
The Cave Messias produces an assortment of Portuguese wines from Dão, Bairrada, Douro, Vinho Verde, Beiras, Terras do Sado and Vinho do Porto. Their 2003 LBV Port is a great value, presenting nice complexity, plenty of delicious red fruit flavors and some intriguing spice notes. It was silky smooth and presented a lengthy and satisfying finish. Might be hard to find a better LBV Port at this price point.
9) 2010 Biohof Pratsch Gruner Veltliner ($13) & 2009 Biohof Pratsch Zweigelt ($13)
Austrian wines, both red and white, have much to offer and the Biohof Pratsch, an organically certified winery produces some great value wines. Both of these wines are produced in one-liter bottles, which is 1/3 larger than a usual wine bottle, and cost only $13, which would be equivalent to about $9.30 for a regular 750ml bottle. What a bargain! The Gruner is crisp and dry with bright citrus flavors and hints of spice. A very refreshing wine that would be excellent with food or just as a summer sipper. The Zweigelt is light bodied and smooth with plenty of tasty red fruit flavors. Another easy drinking and flavorful wine. Both are strongly recommended.
10) 2010 Vera de Estenas P.G. Bobal ($13)
This Spanish winery is located in the D.O. of Utiel-Requena and is the oldest winery in that region. The wine is produced from 100% Bobal, an indigenous grape, and spent a few months in oak. It is light bodied with delicious red fruit flavors complemented by a subtle earthiness and hints of spice. I was really amazed at its quality and complexity at this price point and it is a wine I highly recommend.
Once again, there are no U.S. wines on the list. I often find it more difficult to find compelling domestic wines for under $15, especially from California. They exist but I find them much less common than value imported wines. Six different countries made this list and no single country really dominated, though Italy had the most wines on the list with three, partially due to my trip to Chianti Classico last spring. Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Austria all had two wines on the list and South Africa had one. The list is also broken down into 1 Rosé, 5 Whites, 5 Red and 1 Fortified wines.
You will find many excellent value wines from Portugal, including a fair share under $10. Spain has some very good values too, though it seems you need to look a bit harder now than you once did. Austria remains an overlooked region with some excellent values which you should consider. Mexico was the big surprise this year and I need to seek more of their wines out. You can find value wines all over the world, in every region, though some regions provide a greater range and diversity of value wines.
I have other recommendations for wines under $15 on my blog and you just have to search for them. There remain many good buys available in this price range, wines which exceed much of the common plonk out there. It is important to remember that though wine stores sell plenty of wines in this price range, not all of them are of equal value. Wines in this price range do not have to be one-dimensional wines that all taste the same. You can find wines of character and complexity, though you might need to spend a little more time seeking them out.
Wine blogs can help you in that regard, pointing out wines that you might not otherwise know about. Tasting the wines before you buy them is another way to find such values. Or simply ask your trusted wine store owner for advice and suggestions.
If you have some of your own recommendations for excellent wines under $15, please add them to the comments.
The start of a new year approaches and it is time to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor many pleasant memories. As 2012 winds down, many in the media will publish their own lists of the best and worst of the past year, everything from books to movies to music. As I find some value in such lists, I will post some of my own Favorite Lists for 2012, covering food, wine, sake and spirits, over the next few weeks. These lists should provide a comprehensive summary of the favorite items I have encountered this past year, allowing my readers to more readily locate such gems, the best of my recommendations.
My first Favorites List of 2012 is my Top Ten Wines Under $15. In actuality, I have listed twelve wines, pairing a couple together from the same producer. This list includes wines that during the past year I have enjoyed very much and which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out, for some particular reason, above the other wines at this price point that I have tasted this past year.
This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I strongly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers would also enjoy.
The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these value wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local area, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws.
1) 2010 Adega Condes de Albarei Salneval Albarino ($11.99)
This Spanish white wine was produced by the Adega Condes de Albarei winery, a cooperative of 362 grower/owners equipped with advanced winery technology. I love Albarino and this wine was crisp and clean with a delightful and dominant melange of peach, pear and melon. There was also a subtle minerality with hints of honey and spice. A more voluptuous wine, this can be enjoyed on its own or paired with food, maybe something spicy. An excellent value.
2) 2005 Sella & Mosca Terre Rare Carignano del Sulcis Riserva ($14.99)
At a major wine event, with hundreds of wines, this was one of my overall favorite wines, especially at this price point. This Italian wine is made from 100% Carignan and aged for three years in French barriques. It is a stunning, complex and interesting wine. Spicy and bold, with delicious black fruit flavors, vanilla, a silky mouthfeel and hints of earthiness. Would love to drink this with pork, venison or lamb. An amazing value.
3) 2011 Calamares Vinho Verde ($7-$8)
Yes, it is named after squid and there is even a picture of a squid on the label. It might be easy to dismiss this wine as a gimmick but it is not. This Portuguese white wine is a blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Trajudura and 30% Loureiro with a low alcohol content of 9%. This is an easy quaffer, a wine to drink and enjoy, without any need to think about it. Slightly effervescent, it has plenty of acidity and flavors of grapefruit and lemon, with some mild mineral notes. For under $10, this is a very good choice.
4) 2009 L.A. Cetto Chenin Blanc ($10-$12) and 2010 L.A. Cetto Chardonnay ($10-$12)
L.A. Cetto is a winery in the Baja region of Mexico. Mexican wine you might ask? I haven't tasted many Mexican wines but this winery is doing a great job, especially at this price point and is well worth seeking out. The 2009 Chenin Blanc is made from 100% Chenin Blanc, sees no oak and is crisp and fresh, with delicious fruit flavors of melon, pear and peach and hints of herbs on the finish. The 2010 L.A. Cetto Chardonnay is produced from 100% Chardonnay, sees no oak and is also crisp and clean with delicious flavors of apple, pear, lemon & guava, with a touch of minerality. Both wines have more complexity and character than many similarly priced wines. I will be seeking more Mexican wines.
5) 2010 Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico ($15)
While gorging myself on five courses of beef from an amazing restaurant in Tuscany, I tasted an assortment of Chianti Classico wines. Out of that group, the Querceto stood out, pairing so well with the beef tartare and steaks. The Querceto, made from primarily Sangiovese, is a silky smooth and elegant wine with nice red fruit flavors and a hint of earthiness. It showcases the best of Tuscany at this price point and it would be best served with food.
6) 2011 Elisabetta Geppetti Fattoria Le Pupille ($13-$15)
This Italian red, from the Morellino Di Scansano DOCG, is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Malvasia Nera and it sees no oak. It is fresh, fruity, rustic and with hints of spice. A very easy drinking, it has a nice character, good complexity and is simply quite delicious. It can be drank on its own or paired with food, such as a wild boar ragu.
7) 2011 Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage Rosé ($12),
This South African Rosé is from a winery that produces some of the best Pinotage in the world. The Rosé is produced from 100% Pinotage and if you tasted this blind, you probably would never guess it was Pinotage. It is an easy drinking Rosé with tasty red fruit flavors, especially raspberry and cherry, some minerality as well as excellent acidity. It is more Old World than New, with plenty of character and a satisfying finish. It is the type of wine that I could easily drink all day. It is an excellent food wine as well as enjoyable on its own. Highly recommended.
8) Cave Messias 2003 LBV Port (about $15)
The Cave Messias produces an assortment of Portuguese wines from Dão, Bairrada, Douro, Vinho Verde, Beiras, Terras do Sado and Vinho do Porto. Their 2003 LBV Port is a great value, presenting nice complexity, plenty of delicious red fruit flavors and some intriguing spice notes. It was silky smooth and presented a lengthy and satisfying finish. Might be hard to find a better LBV Port at this price point.
9) 2010 Biohof Pratsch Gruner Veltliner ($13) & 2009 Biohof Pratsch Zweigelt ($13)
Austrian wines, both red and white, have much to offer and the Biohof Pratsch, an organically certified winery produces some great value wines. Both of these wines are produced in one-liter bottles, which is 1/3 larger than a usual wine bottle, and cost only $13, which would be equivalent to about $9.30 for a regular 750ml bottle. What a bargain! The Gruner is crisp and dry with bright citrus flavors and hints of spice. A very refreshing wine that would be excellent with food or just as a summer sipper. The Zweigelt is light bodied and smooth with plenty of tasty red fruit flavors. Another easy drinking and flavorful wine. Both are strongly recommended.
10) 2010 Vera de Estenas P.G. Bobal ($13)
This Spanish winery is located in the D.O. of Utiel-Requena and is the oldest winery in that region. The wine is produced from 100% Bobal, an indigenous grape, and spent a few months in oak. It is light bodied with delicious red fruit flavors complemented by a subtle earthiness and hints of spice. I was really amazed at its quality and complexity at this price point and it is a wine I highly recommend.
Once again, there are no U.S. wines on the list. I often find it more difficult to find compelling domestic wines for under $15, especially from California. They exist but I find them much less common than value imported wines. Six different countries made this list and no single country really dominated, though Italy had the most wines on the list with three, partially due to my trip to Chianti Classico last spring. Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Austria all had two wines on the list and South Africa had one. The list is also broken down into 1 Rosé, 5 Whites, 5 Red and 1 Fortified wines.
You will find many excellent value wines from Portugal, including a fair share under $10. Spain has some very good values too, though it seems you need to look a bit harder now than you once did. Austria remains an overlooked region with some excellent values which you should consider. Mexico was the big surprise this year and I need to seek more of their wines out. You can find value wines all over the world, in every region, though some regions provide a greater range and diversity of value wines.
I have other recommendations for wines under $15 on my blog and you just have to search for them. There remain many good buys available in this price range, wines which exceed much of the common plonk out there. It is important to remember that though wine stores sell plenty of wines in this price range, not all of them are of equal value. Wines in this price range do not have to be one-dimensional wines that all taste the same. You can find wines of character and complexity, though you might need to spend a little more time seeking them out.
Wine blogs can help you in that regard, pointing out wines that you might not otherwise know about. Tasting the wines before you buy them is another way to find such values. Or simply ask your trusted wine store owner for advice and suggestions.
If you have some of your own recommendations for excellent wines under $15, please add them to the comments.
Thursday Sips & Nibbles
I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently.
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1) Chef Matt Louis, owner of Moxy in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, introduces the new Fab Five, a new five course tasting menu highlighting the restaurant's most popular dishes to date. It is designed to help a guest visiting Moxy for the first time, and quite possibly, experiencing true tapas for the first time. Louis has found "it can be intimidating for guests to order multiple dishes, so we are bridging the gap for them and making some choices that we think they will find delicious and make the whole experience relaxing and fun." Louis observes "most diners are still finding their comfort zone with tapas dining. They worry did I order too much, too little, what is just right?"
Louis is taking away any intimidation factor by selecting the restaurant's favorite dishes, sometimes combining a few into one, so that guests don't miss out on a few favorites. For example, "instead of a clam course, pork belly course and short rib course, we have created one course bringing those ingredients together in a tapas tasting of local land and sea."
The Fab Five is available 7 nights a week and costs $29.95 per person with an optional cocktail & wine pairing for $20.
Sample Fab Five Menu
1
grilled apples & pears
vermont chèvre, caramelized onion, crispy kale, sunflower-pumpkin seed granola
nv farnum hill extra dry cider, lebanon, nh
2
tapas tasting of local land & sea
fried clams, apple cider lacquered pork belly, beef short rib marmalade
nv gruet blanc de noir brut, new mexico
3
roasted cauliflower & brussel sprout leaves, sugar pumpkin puree,crispy sunchokes
throwback brewery "dippity do" american brown ale, north hampton, nh
4
roasted monkfish, sunflower-arugula "pesto", tempura red onion, seared maine cherry tomatoes
2011 adelsheim pinot gris, willamette valley, or
-or-
johnny cake community, cornmeal pancakes, brown sugared pork shoulder, house sauces, crispy onion, pickled cucumbers
2009 artesa elements, napa valley, ca
-or-
misty knoll farms pan-seared chicken thighs, crème fraiche, pickled ginger, cilantro, lettuce for wraps
2010 cortijo rioja, spain
5
new england dessert sampler, whoopie pie slider with chocolate dipping sauce & indian pudding with sweetened cream
broadbent madeira, 10 year malmsey, portugal
Check out my previous review of Moxy. It is an excellent restaurant and this Fab Five is a great way to experience the diversity and quality of the restaurant.
2) What if the Mayans were right? What if the world really does end on Dec. 21st? The Painted Burro is throwing an “End of Times” party on December 21, from 5pm-1am, where guests can enjoy the last luxuries on the Earth’s final day with Chef/Owner Joe Cassinelli and Executive Chef Danny Bua, Jr.’s Latin flavor menu and cocktails. The menu will be jam packed with the Painted Burro’s playful twists on classic dishes where local and seasonal ingredients take center stage as well as some traditional Mayan dishes and Mayan drinks. Mayans are known as the first people to eat chocolate and they also incorporated it into traditional drinks so it will play prominently on the menu.
There will also be games like Mexican Bingo as well as a “confession” box where guests can write their last sins on paper and place them into a box that will exonerate them before the end of the world. There will be a communal countdown to midnight with the entire restaurant and a toast if we make it to December 22nd.
In addition to their Mayan food and cocktails, the Painted Burro will also have their handcrafted margaritas (100% agave tequila, combier & lime to showcase the pure flavors of tequila), wide variety of Mexican beers, and other themed cocktails.
Reservations are welcome by calling 617-776-0005 or booking on OpenTable. There is no cover charge for this party.
3) Legal Harborside is gearing up for the holiday season at Liberty Wharf. From December 2nd through Christmas Day, the second floor at Legal Harborside will serve a “Feast of the Seven Fishes” tasting menu featuring seven courses from the best of the sea.
Legal Harborside’s menu will be presented as follows:
--Merry Oysters (smoked foam, pickled quince mignonette)
--Stone Crab Claws (aleppo pepper kaffir lime romesco)
--Pan Seared Scallop (jasmine-wild mushroom consommé, drunken maitake, bonito flake)
--Butter Poached Lobster (ramen noodle, black miso broth, fresno, cilantro)
--Sautéed Sablefish (burnt flour gnocchi, pickled radish, brussels sprout leaves, celeriac-sherry emulsion)
--Prosciutto Wrapped Monkfish (porcini, savoy cabbage, lobster coral)
--Slow Roasted Arctic Char (leek spätzle, heirloom root vegetable, truffle-parsnip nag)
Cost: $75 per person
4) Olé Mexican Grill is bringing a Mexican holiday tradition to its Cambridge location with the Hot Ponche Cocktail, a traditional punch packed with fruit and served with rum or brandy. The base of the cocktail is piloncillo, a dark brown unrefined cane sugar, mixed with water and cinnamon sticks, and finished with winter fruits like apples, pears, prunes and guavas, which round out the flavors of the punch with tangy, citrus notes.
During the holidays in Mexico, a pot of ponche is always kept hot on the stove and ready for guests, and at Olé it’s no exception. For $8.00, guests can warm up and relax with a hot cup of the delicious and fruity concoction. For those who want to brew their own at home, Ole has shared its original recipe below.
Recipe (Serves 4)
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
15 guavas
1 cup raisins
2 cups prunes
300 grams of tamarind
6 pieces of sugar cane
4 apples
4 pears
6 pieces of Mexican cinnamon (15 cm)
Piloncillo (Mexican cane sugar)
30 cups of water
Directions: Chop the fruit and let it boil with all the ingredients (except alcohol) for around 30 minutes or until the fruit is cooked. Serve with rum or brandy.
5) Chefs Brian Poe and Shawn Russell are getting ready to heat things up in the kitchen at Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake. This winter, take a trip south of the border with new offerings and they have also refreshed their beverage program to bring forth some winter time mixing and shaking.
New appetizers include: Hoppy Beef Empanadas (flaky empanadas stuffed with cinnamon, jalapeño, Tettnang Hop braised beef, Centennial Hop cheese sauce, purple cabbage - $12.95); Taquitos (Fresno chili and beer-braised beef short rib, pepperjack cheese, cilantro slaw, spicy mole, sofrito ranch - $12.95); and, Chipotle Wings (smoked jalapeño rubbed, celery poblano and blue cheese sauce - $10.95). There are eight taco offerings with newcomers like: Antelope Tacos (duck fat infused ground antelope, jalapeño bacon ranch, Chihuahua cheese, smoked Fresno chilies, fried corn tortillas, salsa fresca, dressed greens - $13.95); Spicy Shrimp Tacos (Latin rubbed jumbo shrimp, lime cilantro slaw, spiced roasted pepitas, mango moho, orange jalapeño salsa - $14.95); and, Grilled Lamb Tip Tacos (rubbed with cilantro, chilies and Poe-co Loco seasoning, cucumber, tomatillo and red onion salsa, lamb chopper cheese, corn tortillas - $14.75).
For soups, sandwiches and entrees, winter preparations include: a bowl of Baked Potato Soup (roasted Yukon Golds, Applewood bacon, jalapeños, Chihuahua cheese, cilantro, chive sour cream - $10.95); Latin Catfish Sandwich (Latin spiced Delta catfish, lime cilantro aioli, lettuce, tomato, ciabatta - $14.50); Grilled Portobello Pita (jalapeño marinated Portobello mushrooms, dressed Romaine salsa fresca, roasted garlic and shallot aioli - $11.95); Citrus Grilled Chicken Sandwich (peppercorn, lemon and jalapeño chicken, arugula, chickpea and jalapeño mayo, salsa fresca, ciabatta - $14.25); Chef Shawn’s Enchiladas (chili garlic braised chicken, corn tortillas, spicy tomato chili sauce, melted Oaxaca cheese, shrimp, chorizo, black beans and basmati rice - $17.95); and, Sweet & Spicy Beef Rib (one pound stout braised beef rib, Anaheim chili grit cakes, red pepper roasted asparagus - $24.95).
Rotating seasonal drafts include selections such as: Avery Joe’s Pils ($6.50); Brooklyn Octoberfest ($6.50); Blatant Session Ale ($6.50); Northcoast Redseal Ale ($6.50); and, a half-liter Weihenstephaner Heffe ($7.00). The mixologists will now shake up the following: Cranberry Jalapeño Margarita (Patrón Anejo, muddle jalapeños and cranberries, Drambuie, homemade mix - $12); Harvest Margarita (Cuervo Gold, Dr. McGillicuddy’s Apple Schnapps, fresh apple, champagne, cider mix - $8); Texas Toddy (Deep Eddy Tea Vodka, Peach Schnapps, mint, lemon, cloves, hot water - $7); Royal Sour (Crown Royal, Goji Berry Liqueur, fresh made sour mix, brandied cherries - $11); and, The Bostonian (Espolon Silver, Citronage, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, prosecco float - $10).
For those really looking to take in some heat, Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake will continue with their waiver-required Ghost Chili Challenge (Espolon Reposado infused with ghost chilies, blood orange juice, homemade mix - $16).
6) Now you can do good and eat well by dining at some of the Boston area’s most celebrated restaurants during the 31st annual Super Hunger Brunch. With a growing list of more than fifteen restaurants, diners can choose sweet and savory dishes from menus designed especially for the Super Hunger Brunch. Prices are set at $25, $35 and $50 per person. This holiday season, give the gift of brunch to the foodies on your list while helping to end hunger in eastern Massachusetts. For more information and to purchase gift certificates visit gbfb.org/SuperHungerBrunch. To view menus and make reservations visit the websites of participating restaurants beginning January 2.
According to Catherine D’Amato, President and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank, chefs, restaurateurs and purveyors are among her organization’s most compassionate and consistent benefactors. “The food community has always supported our efforts to feed those in need in eastern Massachusetts. We are so grateful for their time, their talents and their generosity.” In 2012, over 1,600 people took part in this important fundraising effort that raised more than $67,000.
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. GBFB distributes nearly 41 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to 550 member hunger-relief agencies and more than 30 direct service programs throughout eastern Massachusetts in a dedicated partnership to end hunger in our region. This provides meals for as many as 545,000 people a year. GBFB is a member of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network.
Participating restaurants include:
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1) Chef Matt Louis, owner of Moxy in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, introduces the new Fab Five, a new five course tasting menu highlighting the restaurant's most popular dishes to date. It is designed to help a guest visiting Moxy for the first time, and quite possibly, experiencing true tapas for the first time. Louis has found "it can be intimidating for guests to order multiple dishes, so we are bridging the gap for them and making some choices that we think they will find delicious and make the whole experience relaxing and fun." Louis observes "most diners are still finding their comfort zone with tapas dining. They worry did I order too much, too little, what is just right?"
Louis is taking away any intimidation factor by selecting the restaurant's favorite dishes, sometimes combining a few into one, so that guests don't miss out on a few favorites. For example, "instead of a clam course, pork belly course and short rib course, we have created one course bringing those ingredients together in a tapas tasting of local land and sea."
The Fab Five is available 7 nights a week and costs $29.95 per person with an optional cocktail & wine pairing for $20.
Sample Fab Five Menu
1
grilled apples & pears
vermont chèvre, caramelized onion, crispy kale, sunflower-pumpkin seed granola
nv farnum hill extra dry cider, lebanon, nh
2
tapas tasting of local land & sea
fried clams, apple cider lacquered pork belly, beef short rib marmalade
nv gruet blanc de noir brut, new mexico
3
roasted cauliflower & brussel sprout leaves, sugar pumpkin puree,crispy sunchokes
throwback brewery "dippity do" american brown ale, north hampton, nh
4
roasted monkfish, sunflower-arugula "pesto", tempura red onion, seared maine cherry tomatoes
2011 adelsheim pinot gris, willamette valley, or
-or-
johnny cake community, cornmeal pancakes, brown sugared pork shoulder, house sauces, crispy onion, pickled cucumbers
2009 artesa elements, napa valley, ca
-or-
misty knoll farms pan-seared chicken thighs, crème fraiche, pickled ginger, cilantro, lettuce for wraps
2010 cortijo rioja, spain
5
new england dessert sampler, whoopie pie slider with chocolate dipping sauce & indian pudding with sweetened cream
broadbent madeira, 10 year malmsey, portugal
Check out my previous review of Moxy. It is an excellent restaurant and this Fab Five is a great way to experience the diversity and quality of the restaurant.
2) What if the Mayans were right? What if the world really does end on Dec. 21st? The Painted Burro is throwing an “End of Times” party on December 21, from 5pm-1am, where guests can enjoy the last luxuries on the Earth’s final day with Chef/Owner Joe Cassinelli and Executive Chef Danny Bua, Jr.’s Latin flavor menu and cocktails. The menu will be jam packed with the Painted Burro’s playful twists on classic dishes where local and seasonal ingredients take center stage as well as some traditional Mayan dishes and Mayan drinks. Mayans are known as the first people to eat chocolate and they also incorporated it into traditional drinks so it will play prominently on the menu.
There will also be games like Mexican Bingo as well as a “confession” box where guests can write their last sins on paper and place them into a box that will exonerate them before the end of the world. There will be a communal countdown to midnight with the entire restaurant and a toast if we make it to December 22nd.
In addition to their Mayan food and cocktails, the Painted Burro will also have their handcrafted margaritas (100% agave tequila, combier & lime to showcase the pure flavors of tequila), wide variety of Mexican beers, and other themed cocktails.
Reservations are welcome by calling 617-776-0005 or booking on OpenTable. There is no cover charge for this party.
3) Legal Harborside is gearing up for the holiday season at Liberty Wharf. From December 2nd through Christmas Day, the second floor at Legal Harborside will serve a “Feast of the Seven Fishes” tasting menu featuring seven courses from the best of the sea.
Legal Harborside’s menu will be presented as follows:
--Merry Oysters (smoked foam, pickled quince mignonette)
--Stone Crab Claws (aleppo pepper kaffir lime romesco)
--Pan Seared Scallop (jasmine-wild mushroom consommé, drunken maitake, bonito flake)
--Butter Poached Lobster (ramen noodle, black miso broth, fresno, cilantro)
--Sautéed Sablefish (burnt flour gnocchi, pickled radish, brussels sprout leaves, celeriac-sherry emulsion)
--Prosciutto Wrapped Monkfish (porcini, savoy cabbage, lobster coral)
--Slow Roasted Arctic Char (leek spätzle, heirloom root vegetable, truffle-parsnip nag)
Cost: $75 per person
4) Olé Mexican Grill is bringing a Mexican holiday tradition to its Cambridge location with the Hot Ponche Cocktail, a traditional punch packed with fruit and served with rum or brandy. The base of the cocktail is piloncillo, a dark brown unrefined cane sugar, mixed with water and cinnamon sticks, and finished with winter fruits like apples, pears, prunes and guavas, which round out the flavors of the punch with tangy, citrus notes.
During the holidays in Mexico, a pot of ponche is always kept hot on the stove and ready for guests, and at Olé it’s no exception. For $8.00, guests can warm up and relax with a hot cup of the delicious and fruity concoction. For those who want to brew their own at home, Ole has shared its original recipe below.
Recipe (Serves 4)
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
15 guavas
1 cup raisins
2 cups prunes
300 grams of tamarind
6 pieces of sugar cane
4 apples
4 pears
6 pieces of Mexican cinnamon (15 cm)
Piloncillo (Mexican cane sugar)
30 cups of water
Directions: Chop the fruit and let it boil with all the ingredients (except alcohol) for around 30 minutes or until the fruit is cooked. Serve with rum or brandy.
5) Chefs Brian Poe and Shawn Russell are getting ready to heat things up in the kitchen at Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake. This winter, take a trip south of the border with new offerings and they have also refreshed their beverage program to bring forth some winter time mixing and shaking.
New appetizers include: Hoppy Beef Empanadas (flaky empanadas stuffed with cinnamon, jalapeño, Tettnang Hop braised beef, Centennial Hop cheese sauce, purple cabbage - $12.95); Taquitos (Fresno chili and beer-braised beef short rib, pepperjack cheese, cilantro slaw, spicy mole, sofrito ranch - $12.95); and, Chipotle Wings (smoked jalapeño rubbed, celery poblano and blue cheese sauce - $10.95). There are eight taco offerings with newcomers like: Antelope Tacos (duck fat infused ground antelope, jalapeño bacon ranch, Chihuahua cheese, smoked Fresno chilies, fried corn tortillas, salsa fresca, dressed greens - $13.95); Spicy Shrimp Tacos (Latin rubbed jumbo shrimp, lime cilantro slaw, spiced roasted pepitas, mango moho, orange jalapeño salsa - $14.95); and, Grilled Lamb Tip Tacos (rubbed with cilantro, chilies and Poe-co Loco seasoning, cucumber, tomatillo and red onion salsa, lamb chopper cheese, corn tortillas - $14.75).
For soups, sandwiches and entrees, winter preparations include: a bowl of Baked Potato Soup (roasted Yukon Golds, Applewood bacon, jalapeños, Chihuahua cheese, cilantro, chive sour cream - $10.95); Latin Catfish Sandwich (Latin spiced Delta catfish, lime cilantro aioli, lettuce, tomato, ciabatta - $14.50); Grilled Portobello Pita (jalapeño marinated Portobello mushrooms, dressed Romaine salsa fresca, roasted garlic and shallot aioli - $11.95); Citrus Grilled Chicken Sandwich (peppercorn, lemon and jalapeño chicken, arugula, chickpea and jalapeño mayo, salsa fresca, ciabatta - $14.25); Chef Shawn’s Enchiladas (chili garlic braised chicken, corn tortillas, spicy tomato chili sauce, melted Oaxaca cheese, shrimp, chorizo, black beans and basmati rice - $17.95); and, Sweet & Spicy Beef Rib (one pound stout braised beef rib, Anaheim chili grit cakes, red pepper roasted asparagus - $24.95).
Rotating seasonal drafts include selections such as: Avery Joe’s Pils ($6.50); Brooklyn Octoberfest ($6.50); Blatant Session Ale ($6.50); Northcoast Redseal Ale ($6.50); and, a half-liter Weihenstephaner Heffe ($7.00). The mixologists will now shake up the following: Cranberry Jalapeño Margarita (Patrón Anejo, muddle jalapeños and cranberries, Drambuie, homemade mix - $12); Harvest Margarita (Cuervo Gold, Dr. McGillicuddy’s Apple Schnapps, fresh apple, champagne, cider mix - $8); Texas Toddy (Deep Eddy Tea Vodka, Peach Schnapps, mint, lemon, cloves, hot water - $7); Royal Sour (Crown Royal, Goji Berry Liqueur, fresh made sour mix, brandied cherries - $11); and, The Bostonian (Espolon Silver, Citronage, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, prosecco float - $10).
For those really looking to take in some heat, Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake will continue with their waiver-required Ghost Chili Challenge (Espolon Reposado infused with ghost chilies, blood orange juice, homemade mix - $16).
6) Now you can do good and eat well by dining at some of the Boston area’s most celebrated restaurants during the 31st annual Super Hunger Brunch. With a growing list of more than fifteen restaurants, diners can choose sweet and savory dishes from menus designed especially for the Super Hunger Brunch. Prices are set at $25, $35 and $50 per person. This holiday season, give the gift of brunch to the foodies on your list while helping to end hunger in eastern Massachusetts. For more information and to purchase gift certificates visit gbfb.org/SuperHungerBrunch. To view menus and make reservations visit the websites of participating restaurants beginning January 2.
According to Catherine D’Amato, President and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank, chefs, restaurateurs and purveyors are among her organization’s most compassionate and consistent benefactors. “The food community has always supported our efforts to feed those in need in eastern Massachusetts. We are so grateful for their time, their talents and their generosity.” In 2012, over 1,600 people took part in this important fundraising effort that raised more than $67,000.
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. GBFB distributes nearly 41 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to 550 member hunger-relief agencies and more than 30 direct service programs throughout eastern Massachusetts in a dedicated partnership to end hunger in our region. This provides meals for as many as 545,000 people a year. GBFB is a member of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network.
Participating restaurants include:
· La Morra
· North 26
· Rialto
Sips & Nibbles: New Year's Eve
I am back with a special New Year's Eve edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently. If you are seeking a place to celebrate, why not consider these places.
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1) Legal Harborside will celebrate New Year’s Eve under the stars at Liberty Wharf this year. At this celebration bidding adieu to 2012 and welcoming 2013, revelers will enjoy the winter scene – complete with Legal Harborside’s copper-clad fireplace – and will eat, drink and be merry with a bird’s eye view of First Night’s midnight fireworks over Boston Harbor.
In addition to being supplied with festive noisemakers and hats, tickets to this sky-high soiree include live music and a midnight toast with Gosset "Excellence" Brut NV bubbly. Legal Harborside will also offer table reservations to this year-end celebration.
When: December 31st from 9:30pm – 1:30am
Cost: Individual tickets: $45 per person; Reserved couch/table: $400 per group (up to six people)
More Info: Tickets and tables may be reserved online. Tickets purchased are non-refundable and have no cash value. Limited tickets and table reservations are available. Access to the event will only be granted to guests with a ticket receipt and 21+ ID. Guests may order food a la carte from Legal Harborside’s full menu up until 12am.
2) Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar's tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve for a long weekend continues. Start the festive evening with a holiday cocktail or featured bubbly and then indulge in the New Year’s menu.
Drink Options:
--Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut ($12 by the glass, $100 magnum bottle) - Raise a toast to celebrate the New Year with “a wonderfully drinkable sparkling wine that appeals immediately for its balanced texture and rich flavors," Wine Enthusiast.
--Haute Holiday ($10.95) & Merry Mint Spice ($11.95): Ladies will enjoy Fleming’s Haute Holiday created by wine director Maeve Pesquera expressly for the season. Quay Elysim (a Muscat dessert wine), Germain Elderflower Liqueur and Mionetto Prosecco are presented in a champagne flute garnished with a Luxardo cherry. For the gentlemen, Merry Mint Spice mixes Gentleman Jack with Domaine de Canton and POM juice with aromatic muddled mint leaves and simple syrup, shaken and served on the rocks.
Culinary Options:
New Year’s Nights Celebration Menu offers three luxe entrées which all include a special shrimp appetizer. Fleming’s a la carte menu will also be served.
Shrimp appetizer included with entrées: Poached Gulf Shrimp over Southern-Style Goat Cheese Grits - celery root slaw, extra virgin olive oil drizzle
Entrées:
--Delmonico Steak with Blue Crab & Gruyère Glassage - shaved black truffles, served with bacon-wrapped braised leeks and balsamic reduction ($74.95)
--Filet Mignon & Lobster-Brioche Bread Pudding - on roasted asparagus, lemon beurre blanc and lobster reduction sauces, black truffle shavings ($69.95)
--Lobster Tail with Mac & Cheese - one pound east coast lobster tail, split and roasted with champagne, sage and lemon butter, served with Italian bacon mac & cheese ($79.00)
Dessert
--Chocolate Budino - rich chocolate tartlet, chevre-salted whipped cream, and cocoa nibs ($9.95)
When: December 28th – 31st beginning at 4pm
Make Reservations by calling 617-292-0808
3) The Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro is hosting a special New Year’s Eve Dinner featuring a multicourse, prix-fixe menu and an optional wine pairing. Guests can choose to dine early, leaving time to enjoy the festivities and see the beautiful ice sculptures in Boston Common located just steps from the Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro, or guests can ring in the New Year by dining later in the evening while watching the clock tick down as the champagne starts to flow. Reservations are required and can be booked early by calling 617-723-7575.
WHEN: Monday, December 31st, 2012 from 5:30PM to 11PM.
COST: $77 per person. Optional supplement course for two for an additional $20 per person and optional three course wine pairing for an additional $29 per person. A 20% Gratuity Will Automatically Be Added To Your Bill
New Year’s Eve Prix-Fixe Menu
Amuse Bouche
--Pat and Barbara Woodbury’s Wellfleet Oyster (Smoked Ikura Roe)
Appetizers
--Scituate Lobster Bisque (Black Garlic Ink, Tarragon)
--Nantucket Bay Scallop Ceviche (Baby Gem Lettuce, Fennel, Cranberry Vinaigrette)
--Boston Lettuce Salad (Grapefruit and Orange Segments, Jeweled Pomegranate, Rosemary Vinaigrette)
--Duck Leg Confit (Mustard Leaf and Wild Mushroom Panzanella, Fresh Local Cheese)
--Country Style Terrine (Seasonal and Traditional Accompaniments)
--Wild Mushroom Risotto (Oyster and Maitake Mushrooms, Parmesan)
Supplement Course for Two (For An Additional $20)
Foie Gras Torchon (Anadama Toast, Pear and Chestnut Jam)
Main Courses
--Painted Hills Sirloin Steak (Jerusalem Artichoke Confit, Root Vegetable Gratin, Red Wine Bone Marrow Jus)
--Scituate Lobster (Poached in Saffron and Butter, Potato Purée, Celery and Bay Flan)
--Gnocchi Parisienne (Braised Free Range Chicken, Pumpkin, Sage Ricotta, Brussels Sprout Leaves)
--American Red Snapper (Warm Farro Salad with Pumpkin, Pickled Honey Mussels, Coriander Beurre Rouge)
--Sorghum and Olive Oil Roasted Delicata Squash (Crimson Lentils, Pistachio, Black Truffle Vinaigrette) --Round the Bend Lamb Loin (Braised Winter Greens with Mint, New Potato, Roasting Jus)
Desserts or Cheese
--Warm Chocolate Cake (Earl Grey Ice Cream, Candied Walnuts)
--Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée (Gingersnap Cookie)
--Buttermilk Panna Cotta (Chocolate Crumb, Honey Anglaise, Raspberry Preserve)
--Maggie’s Reserve Cow’s Milk Cheese, Williamstown, MA (Jewish Rye, Pickled Mouse Melon, Kiev Raspberry Jam)
4) This New Year’s Eve, Towne Stove and Spirits will say goodbye to 2012 with a lively Gatsby-themed cocktail party that lets guests relive the magic and mystique of the roaring ‘20s. Featuring a midnight champagne toast and classic hors d’oeuvres prepared by Culinary Director Lydia Shire and Executive Chef Mario Capone, revelers will experience the splendor of a near century-old style in Towne’s upstairs dining and lounge areas, Uptowne and the Back Bay Room, where live music will entertain the dapper gentlemen and flapper girls decked out in their best Prohibition-era attire.
WHEN: Monday, December 31st from 9pm – 2am
COST: $80 per person
MORE INFO: 1920s Gatsby-esque semi-formal attire is required. Event tickets are available online. For VIP tables, please email: kritter@towneboston.com.
**********************************************************
1) Legal Harborside will celebrate New Year’s Eve under the stars at Liberty Wharf this year. At this celebration bidding adieu to 2012 and welcoming 2013, revelers will enjoy the winter scene – complete with Legal Harborside’s copper-clad fireplace – and will eat, drink and be merry with a bird’s eye view of First Night’s midnight fireworks over Boston Harbor.
In addition to being supplied with festive noisemakers and hats, tickets to this sky-high soiree include live music and a midnight toast with Gosset "Excellence" Brut NV bubbly. Legal Harborside will also offer table reservations to this year-end celebration.
When: December 31st from 9:30pm – 1:30am
Cost: Individual tickets: $45 per person; Reserved couch/table: $400 per group (up to six people)
More Info: Tickets and tables may be reserved online. Tickets purchased are non-refundable and have no cash value. Limited tickets and table reservations are available. Access to the event will only be granted to guests with a ticket receipt and 21+ ID. Guests may order food a la carte from Legal Harborside’s full menu up until 12am.
2) Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar's tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve for a long weekend continues. Start the festive evening with a holiday cocktail or featured bubbly and then indulge in the New Year’s menu.
Drink Options:
--Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut ($12 by the glass, $100 magnum bottle) - Raise a toast to celebrate the New Year with “a wonderfully drinkable sparkling wine that appeals immediately for its balanced texture and rich flavors," Wine Enthusiast.
--Haute Holiday ($10.95) & Merry Mint Spice ($11.95): Ladies will enjoy Fleming’s Haute Holiday created by wine director Maeve Pesquera expressly for the season. Quay Elysim (a Muscat dessert wine), Germain Elderflower Liqueur and Mionetto Prosecco are presented in a champagne flute garnished with a Luxardo cherry. For the gentlemen, Merry Mint Spice mixes Gentleman Jack with Domaine de Canton and POM juice with aromatic muddled mint leaves and simple syrup, shaken and served on the rocks.
Culinary Options:
New Year’s Nights Celebration Menu offers three luxe entrées which all include a special shrimp appetizer. Fleming’s a la carte menu will also be served.
Shrimp appetizer included with entrées: Poached Gulf Shrimp over Southern-Style Goat Cheese Grits - celery root slaw, extra virgin olive oil drizzle
Entrées:
--Delmonico Steak with Blue Crab & Gruyère Glassage - shaved black truffles, served with bacon-wrapped braised leeks and balsamic reduction ($74.95)
--Filet Mignon & Lobster-Brioche Bread Pudding - on roasted asparagus, lemon beurre blanc and lobster reduction sauces, black truffle shavings ($69.95)
--Lobster Tail with Mac & Cheese - one pound east coast lobster tail, split and roasted with champagne, sage and lemon butter, served with Italian bacon mac & cheese ($79.00)
Dessert
--Chocolate Budino - rich chocolate tartlet, chevre-salted whipped cream, and cocoa nibs ($9.95)
When: December 28th – 31st beginning at 4pm
Make Reservations by calling 617-292-0808
3) The Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro is hosting a special New Year’s Eve Dinner featuring a multicourse, prix-fixe menu and an optional wine pairing. Guests can choose to dine early, leaving time to enjoy the festivities and see the beautiful ice sculptures in Boston Common located just steps from the Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro, or guests can ring in the New Year by dining later in the evening while watching the clock tick down as the champagne starts to flow. Reservations are required and can be booked early by calling 617-723-7575.
WHEN: Monday, December 31st, 2012 from 5:30PM to 11PM.
COST: $77 per person. Optional supplement course for two for an additional $20 per person and optional three course wine pairing for an additional $29 per person. A 20% Gratuity Will Automatically Be Added To Your Bill
New Year’s Eve Prix-Fixe Menu
Amuse Bouche
--Pat and Barbara Woodbury’s Wellfleet Oyster (Smoked Ikura Roe)
Appetizers
--Scituate Lobster Bisque (Black Garlic Ink, Tarragon)
--Nantucket Bay Scallop Ceviche (Baby Gem Lettuce, Fennel, Cranberry Vinaigrette)
--Boston Lettuce Salad (Grapefruit and Orange Segments, Jeweled Pomegranate, Rosemary Vinaigrette)
--Duck Leg Confit (Mustard Leaf and Wild Mushroom Panzanella, Fresh Local Cheese)
--Country Style Terrine (Seasonal and Traditional Accompaniments)
--Wild Mushroom Risotto (Oyster and Maitake Mushrooms, Parmesan)
Supplement Course for Two (For An Additional $20)
Foie Gras Torchon (Anadama Toast, Pear and Chestnut Jam)
Main Courses
--Painted Hills Sirloin Steak (Jerusalem Artichoke Confit, Root Vegetable Gratin, Red Wine Bone Marrow Jus)
--Scituate Lobster (Poached in Saffron and Butter, Potato Purée, Celery and Bay Flan)
--Gnocchi Parisienne (Braised Free Range Chicken, Pumpkin, Sage Ricotta, Brussels Sprout Leaves)
--American Red Snapper (Warm Farro Salad with Pumpkin, Pickled Honey Mussels, Coriander Beurre Rouge)
--Sorghum and Olive Oil Roasted Delicata Squash (Crimson Lentils, Pistachio, Black Truffle Vinaigrette) --Round the Bend Lamb Loin (Braised Winter Greens with Mint, New Potato, Roasting Jus)
Desserts or Cheese
--Warm Chocolate Cake (Earl Grey Ice Cream, Candied Walnuts)
--Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée (Gingersnap Cookie)
--Buttermilk Panna Cotta (Chocolate Crumb, Honey Anglaise, Raspberry Preserve)
--Maggie’s Reserve Cow’s Milk Cheese, Williamstown, MA (Jewish Rye, Pickled Mouse Melon, Kiev Raspberry Jam)
4) This New Year’s Eve, Towne Stove and Spirits will say goodbye to 2012 with a lively Gatsby-themed cocktail party that lets guests relive the magic and mystique of the roaring ‘20s. Featuring a midnight champagne toast and classic hors d’oeuvres prepared by Culinary Director Lydia Shire and Executive Chef Mario Capone, revelers will experience the splendor of a near century-old style in Towne’s upstairs dining and lounge areas, Uptowne and the Back Bay Room, where live music will entertain the dapper gentlemen and flapper girls decked out in their best Prohibition-era attire.
WHEN: Monday, December 31st from 9pm – 2am
COST: $80 per person
MORE INFO: 1920s Gatsby-esque semi-formal attire is required. Event tickets are available online. For VIP tables, please email: kritter@towneboston.com.
Signing Event For Demons, Gods & Sake: Dec.16
As I previously mentioned, my new novel, Demons, Gods & Sake is now available as a Trade Paperback through Amazon. The Trade Paperback is 252 pages long and sells for $14.95. This novel is the fourth installment of the Tipsy Sensei series, the adventures of Nate Randall, a Sake Expert from Boston. The novel is also available as an Ebook and the prior three Tipsy Sensei short stories are available as Ebooks too.
Demons, Gods and Sake can now be found at two bookstores, The Book Oasis in Stoneham and Bestsellers Cafe in Medford, as AKA Bistro restaurant in Lincoln. I am hoping to make it available in a few other local and independent book stores in the near future. If any restaurants, book stores or other businesses would like to stock my new novel and/or do a book signing, please contact me.
On December 16, from 3pm-4:30pm, I will be signing my novel at Bestsellers Cafe in Medford. So come on down, meet me and pick up a copy of my book. I will be answering questions about my book as well as any Sake questions people have. Pick up a copy for yourself or get one for a holiday gift for the book lovers in your life. Next year, on February 2, from 2pm-3:30pm, I will be doing a larger author event at Bestsellers Care, and we might even get to drink some Sake too.
Hope you see you at my book signing!
Rant: Beauty, Wine & Food
"It is the beauty of the thing that is important to me."
--Bernard Portet
"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."
--Confucius
The concept of beauty is universal. There is not a single human culture which does not possess a concept of beauty, though their definition of what actually constitutes beauty can vary widely. Beauty is about far more than how a person or object looks, extending deep into their personality and inner nature. It also extends to all our activities, to each and every item you can consider. It is an integral aspect of everything in our lives, even though we might not think about it all, or even most, of the time. In the end, beauty boils down to cherishing what we find to be aesthetically pleasing.
"Beauty, of whatever kind, invariably excites the human soul to tears."
--Edgar Allan Poe
Despite its significance, an appreciation for beauty does not seem to get sufficient coverage in discussions of food and wine. We must not underestimate or forget its importance and relevance in these arenas. To be clear, I am referring to beauty in all its aspects, not solely the visual, which can touch all of our senses. In addition, I am not referring to any particular and limited definition of beauty but merely the general aesthetic concept which encompasses all of the diverse definitions. We need to embrace beauty, to understand it, to praise it, to savor it, to share it, and more.
"Beauty in things lies in the mind which contemplates them."
--David Hume
Who are some people who seem to exemplify this love of aesthetics, whose work reflects this passion for all that is beautiful? Let me provide several examples, many of whom I have met and experienced their infatuation with the nature of beauty.
Like Bernard Portet, Ernesto Catena, the owner and winemaker at Alma Negra winery in Argentina, is also driven by the concept and philosophy of beauty. Ernesto seems to possess a more Japanese-style aesthetic and it influences his life, including the creation of his winery. An appreciation of beauty is one of his primary motivations and his passion for such beauty is infectious. He relishes the beauty of nature, of simplicity and balance. It was his love of aesthetics which led him to embracing Biodynamics, as he felt it coincided with his aesthetic philosophy.
"What voice might we lend to illuminate wine’s strange beauty?"
--Randall Grahm
One example that I have not met is Terry Theise, wine importer and author of a fascinating book, Reading Between the Wines. It is clear from reading this book, which contains many beautiful phrases and sentences that showcase the aesthetics of language, that Terry is a devotee of beauty. Even if you don't agree with all of the strong opinions of Thiese, you will be drawn into his writing by the sheer beauty and poetry of his words. It is such a pleasure to read a book such as this one. Randall Grahm, wine maker and author, is another whose writings reflect well the beauty of language. Randall is keenly aware of the importance of aesthetics and it seems to be a guiding principle of his life as well.
"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."
--Rachel Carson
Fred Minnick, a friend of mine, is an accomplished photographer, often concentrating on wine and food related pictures. Anyone can take a photo of what is commonly considered a beautiful image. But a professional photographer, with a true sense of aesthetics, can draw out the beauty of any subject, whether living or inanimate. Even the most grotesque of subjects can be transformed into a beauty through a skilled photographer's eye. When you look through Fred's portfolio, his skill at finding the beauty in all his subjects is more than evident. David Dadekian, another friend of mine, is also a food photographer who grasps the concept of aesthetics and whose photography excels for that reason. Such excellence is more than a skill and must derive from a true passion for beauty.
"Beauty awakens the soul to act."
--Dante Alighieri
The best of writers fully understand the beauty of language, how a special turn of phrase can elevate a story to another level of aesthetic appreciation. It is not an easy skill, but one honed over time and with experience. A wine bottle may possess a plain or even ugly label, yet the wine within might be indescribably beautiful, a sublime sensory pleasure. That can work in reverse though, that a wine with a beautiful and compelling label may contain a less than appealing wine. A plate of food which is presented beautifully will often seem to taste better than a messy looking plate. It is often said we eat through our eyes, and there is some truth to that. We cannot forget are other senses too, from smell to touch, all of which impact our aesthetic feelings.
"Beauty is worse than wine, it intoxicates both the holder and beholder."
--Aldous Huxley
There is no endeavor where beauty does not play some role and we should endeavor to cherish beauty where ever we encounter it. To that end, I call on all food and wine writers to embrace the beauty in what they experience as well as how they present themselves. Let your writing and photography highlight beauty while you also attempt to make your words and pictures beautiful in their own right. Eaters and drinkers, don't just swallow and guzzle, but take time to appreciate the beauty of what is on your plate and in your glass. Take time to allow your senses to properly savor every bite and sip. Beauty elevates our experiences so we should be eager to seek it out.
"'Beauty is truth, truth beauty, - that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
--John Keats
Who do you know whom possesses a strong passion for aesthetics, who is a true lover of beauty? How do they express this passion? Writing, photography, art? What are your own experiences with beauty?
--Bernard Portet
Once again, I encountered someone with a deep appreciation for beauty, this time at a lunch with Bernard Portet, the former wine maker of Clos du Val and current wine maker for Polaris Wines. With forty years of experience in wine making, Bernard has had ample time to hone his philosophy, yet much of what he believes remains consistent to what his father once taught him. For Bernard, beauty is an essential element in wine making and his words struck my soul, touching upon one of my own strong beliefs. I thought it was time to once again raise this issue, to spread a passion for aesthetic pleasure.
"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."
--Confucius
The concept of beauty is universal. There is not a single human culture which does not possess a concept of beauty, though their definition of what actually constitutes beauty can vary widely. Beauty is about far more than how a person or object looks, extending deep into their personality and inner nature. It also extends to all our activities, to each and every item you can consider. It is an integral aspect of everything in our lives, even though we might not think about it all, or even most, of the time. In the end, beauty boils down to cherishing what we find to be aesthetically pleasing.
"Beauty, of whatever kind, invariably excites the human soul to tears."
--Edgar Allan Poe
Despite its significance, an appreciation for beauty does not seem to get sufficient coverage in discussions of food and wine. We must not underestimate or forget its importance and relevance in these arenas. To be clear, I am referring to beauty in all its aspects, not solely the visual, which can touch all of our senses. In addition, I am not referring to any particular and limited definition of beauty but merely the general aesthetic concept which encompasses all of the diverse definitions. We need to embrace beauty, to understand it, to praise it, to savor it, to share it, and more.
"Beauty in things lies in the mind which contemplates them."
--David Hume
Who are some people who seem to exemplify this love of aesthetics, whose work reflects this passion for all that is beautiful? Let me provide several examples, many of whom I have met and experienced their infatuation with the nature of beauty.
Like Bernard Portet, Ernesto Catena, the owner and winemaker at Alma Negra winery in Argentina, is also driven by the concept and philosophy of beauty. Ernesto seems to possess a more Japanese-style aesthetic and it influences his life, including the creation of his winery. An appreciation of beauty is one of his primary motivations and his passion for such beauty is infectious. He relishes the beauty of nature, of simplicity and balance. It was his love of aesthetics which led him to embracing Biodynamics, as he felt it coincided with his aesthetic philosophy.
"What voice might we lend to illuminate wine’s strange beauty?"
--Randall Grahm
One example that I have not met is Terry Theise, wine importer and author of a fascinating book, Reading Between the Wines. It is clear from reading this book, which contains many beautiful phrases and sentences that showcase the aesthetics of language, that Terry is a devotee of beauty. Even if you don't agree with all of the strong opinions of Thiese, you will be drawn into his writing by the sheer beauty and poetry of his words. It is such a pleasure to read a book such as this one. Randall Grahm, wine maker and author, is another whose writings reflect well the beauty of language. Randall is keenly aware of the importance of aesthetics and it seems to be a guiding principle of his life as well.
"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."
--Rachel Carson
Fred Minnick, a friend of mine, is an accomplished photographer, often concentrating on wine and food related pictures. Anyone can take a photo of what is commonly considered a beautiful image. But a professional photographer, with a true sense of aesthetics, can draw out the beauty of any subject, whether living or inanimate. Even the most grotesque of subjects can be transformed into a beauty through a skilled photographer's eye. When you look through Fred's portfolio, his skill at finding the beauty in all his subjects is more than evident. David Dadekian, another friend of mine, is also a food photographer who grasps the concept of aesthetics and whose photography excels for that reason. Such excellence is more than a skill and must derive from a true passion for beauty.
"Beauty awakens the soul to act."
--Dante Alighieri
The best of writers fully understand the beauty of language, how a special turn of phrase can elevate a story to another level of aesthetic appreciation. It is not an easy skill, but one honed over time and with experience. A wine bottle may possess a plain or even ugly label, yet the wine within might be indescribably beautiful, a sublime sensory pleasure. That can work in reverse though, that a wine with a beautiful and compelling label may contain a less than appealing wine. A plate of food which is presented beautifully will often seem to taste better than a messy looking plate. It is often said we eat through our eyes, and there is some truth to that. We cannot forget are other senses too, from smell to touch, all of which impact our aesthetic feelings.
"Beauty is worse than wine, it intoxicates both the holder and beholder."
--Aldous Huxley
There is no endeavor where beauty does not play some role and we should endeavor to cherish beauty where ever we encounter it. To that end, I call on all food and wine writers to embrace the beauty in what they experience as well as how they present themselves. Let your writing and photography highlight beauty while you also attempt to make your words and pictures beautiful in their own right. Eaters and drinkers, don't just swallow and guzzle, but take time to appreciate the beauty of what is on your plate and in your glass. Take time to allow your senses to properly savor every bite and sip. Beauty elevates our experiences so we should be eager to seek it out.
"'Beauty is truth, truth beauty, - that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
--John Keats
Who do you know whom possesses a strong passion for aesthetics, who is a true lover of beauty? How do they express this passion? Writing, photography, art? What are your own experiences with beauty?
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