Food, Wine and Poetry ... a trifecta for the soul

SF Noir, an organization focused on arts and culture, is in it's 9th year celebrating Black History Month and this year's focus was all things culinary.  On the second night of SF Noir, I tasted wines from a select group of winemakers and listened to their stories.  Later, poets talked lyrically of their fierce and deep connection with food.  The food demons that cause us to over-indulge and the foods that take us to our most cherished moments with loved ones.  I listed to their stories with wine on the tongue and thought, what better way for a wine enthusiast to express their connection to the grape but to make poetry in a bottle.

Kendric Vineyards presented the '07 Shenandoah Valley Syrah.  The winemaker suggested that the hints of orange peel and rosemary in the wine may go well with hearty foods, and interestingly, paired perfectly with the roasted chicken with lemon he had for dinner.  Although when it came to pairing wines with food, he too is still learning and would be going to a class this weekend.  The gregarious owner of 19th Hole Wine talked about his big, bold 2007 Dry Creek Merlot going well with saucy meat dishes.  He's not only the owner but also a professional golfer.  I asked what he role he plays at the winery, and his response, "I'm everything!"  While tasting the Vinas 3 Pinot Noir, I asked the reps how the winemaker came up the name Row Eleven.  Within California, the winemaker examined all the vineyards and appellations, and decided the best rows were row 11.  Huh?  The wisdom of the ages was about to be passed down but no time, Poetri was about to hit the stage.

What does wine have to do with poetry?  Everything!  It's about chemistry, a particular mix, formula mixed with art. 

• A haiku is 17 syllables, 1st line 5, 2nd line 7, 3rd line 5.  
• Ed's Red 2007 AD is 46% Syrah, 39% Zin, 13% Petit Sirah, 4% Cab Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Add the artist's personal style, method of incubation, timing of delivery, presentation, and what results is a unique ryhme and rythm of taste, harmony, and emotion.

The poet Lynne Alicia Elman, a strict vegan, talked of her struggle to find balance between natural foods and enjoying food.  How many wine drinkers struggle between drinking what Wine Spectator rates highly and just drinking what you like, even if it is Two Buck Chuck.  The poet Josh Healey urges, "Just be consistent."  So if I'm a vegan, should I only limit myself to organic wines?  It seems so limiting.  The poet Kirya Traber talked of banishing eggplant from her life since adolensce.  Many years later, deciding to take a chance, she tried it again and her whole being opened up.  How many write-off a varietal or a particular winery because of one glass, one bottle?  How much would our world open up if we tried again?  I listened and watched as the poets welled up with emotion telling their intensely personal tales, and I was moved.

Before I poured myself a glass of purple Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha to write this post, I thought about my own poetic wine experiences.  Every time I see an ugly, moldy piece of funky blue cheese served on a cheese plate after dinner, my mind goes back to a fishing village in the south of France.  When I see a bottle of Bordeaux with a fancy label, I remember a foray into the French section of a ginormous wine shop, my friends and I, terrified and overwhelmed by all the choices with names we couldn't pronunce, the ridiculous price tags, and the epiphany that my goodness, there's a whole world of winemakers out there and this is just Bordeaux!  Or the time I bit into a dark chocolate truffle, a light dusting of bitter cocoa hiding the sweet, soft, substantial goodness within, the sip of old vine zinfandel that followed, and then opening my eyes and seeing my beloved.

When Sideways movie goers went to Santa Barbara, I went to Portland to search for the perfect Pinot Noir.  The disappointment weighed heavy on my mind the last day of the trip - I didn't find it.  Maybe Pinot Noir wasn't my favorite, maybe I just wasted my time, maybe I really didn't like wine at all.  I sat at the wine bar next to my hotel, one last flight before my flight.  What the hell, I had time to kill.  And then I tasted it.  The perfect Pinot Noir from little LaVelle Vineyards in Willamette Valley.  My whole self was enveloped in the richness of the juice!  I rejoiced in my adventure as the ruby nectar warmed its way to my heart, reveled in the satisfaction, and fell in love all over again.  I wanted to move to Portland.

What does poetry have to do with wine?  Everything! 

I hope that poetry fills your glass this weekend.
Salud!

It's Mardi Gras Cher

Yes my friends, it's Fat Tuesday and it's time to party!  So in the spirit of Mardi Gras (french for Fat Tuesday) my mind naturally turns to wine.  More specifically, what to pair with intense Cajun foods - all recommendations welcome!  Here are my thoughts:

Cabernet Sauvignon is my go to wine but for this occasion, I'll skip this typically heavy red in search for a better match.  Staying within the red family, I think a mellow Shiraz or an Oregon Pinot Noir would work quite nicely with the heat and sass of chicken & sausage gumbo or jambalaya - I'm craving non-greens after a week of vegetarianism.  If you don't feel like wine, an ice cold beer will work too!

On the other hand, I do be loving some of that spicy seafood so I'm thinking a cool Riesling to go along with a grilled Cajun catfish or a rich dish of shrimp creole.  I only had a Viognier once but I think the flavor profile would work here as well.

No meal is complete without desert - enter the sweet and colorful King Cake, traditionally served the day after Mardi Gras.  I'm going to try Chef Emeril Lagasse's recipe.  Back in the day, a gold bean was hidden in the cake and the lady who found it was deemed Queen of the Ball.  Can you just picture proper ladies of the court tearing that sucker up searching for the coveted bean?  Pair with something bubbly fo sho!  A prosecco or cava sounds good, maybe even a Moscato d'Asti tho the challenge will be finding one that's not too sweet.  Alternatively, nothing balances out a sweet coffee-cake type desert like a demitasse of espresso.

To follow the full tradition means that I only have till the last hour of Mardi Gras before I have to give up all this decadence until Easter.  Hmmm, I don't like the sound of that ... maybe I'll just work on dancing it all off till then.  Beads anyone?

Till next time Cher,
Salud!

I found my bliss

After a magical week of yoga in Tulum, Mexico I come back strong, open and blissfully at peace.  Twice a day, I made my way to the shala to practice with my new friends and I found the restrictions and stresses of "civilization" melting away.

The organic spirit was equally present in the food we ate.  Much to my pleasant surprise, I acclimated quite well to meals of salads, veggie stir-fry, fruits, tofu, and lentils.  I thought the carnivore in me would protest after the first day but it's often delightful what happens when I open my palate to new experiences.  Except for chickpeas ... I tried to like them but alas, I'm still not a fan.

After restorative yoga in the evenings, I looked forward to ending my meals with a glass of red wine.  While the selection was few in the modest town of Tulum, I found it interesting that many of the wines I came across were Chilean, with labels I haven't seen in the US.  More often than not, I find Chilean wines to be fairly light, both in taste and in body; therefore, a very pleasant compliment to vegetarian based meals.  Even with the South American varietals, I still prefer Cab Sav over Merlot.  That's all I got by way of tasting notes - anything more in a place where sand covers the floor and everyone comes in barefoot seemed a bit obnoxious.

Now, I love me a good tequilla but when the group ventured into the big town of Playa del Carmen, I took a wine bar break to try a couple of Mexican wines.  The first was Nebbiolo Reserva Privada, Valle de Guadalupe - very dark in color and tastes of warm earth and wood; clean finish, the taste almost dissipates upon swallowing - good drinking wine for balmy evenings.  The second was a Duetto - a full-bodied blend of 60% Tempranillo and 40% Cab Sav that tasted of vanilla and was slightly fruity.  Duetto is produced by Bodegas de Santo Tomas, the oldest winery in Mexico, who has partnered with non other than Wente Vineyards in Livermore!  I go kayaking in Livermore fairly often so perhaps a stopover at Wente to find out more about this partnership is in order.  Both the Nebbiolo and Duetto come from the northern part of the Baja peninsula known as Ruta del Vino, where the temperate climate is conducive to producing over 90% of Mexico's grapes.  Leave it to the Jesuit priests and missionaries of the 1700's to find perfect land parcels for wine growing.  I found all this new information absolutely fascinating.

At the airport, reluctantly waiting for my flight home, I came across two products from Carmelita Industria Casera.  The first was Rompope, a Mexican eggnog that's better than, well, eggnog.  I've been drinking it with my coffee and it's outa sight with a shot of brandy!  The next is Cajeta, a sweet Caramel indulgence made from goat's milk.  Once I learn how to make a dulce de leche desert I forsee anyone who partakes to be putty in my hands.

Opening the spirit and the palate to new tastes and experiences continues to be a wondrous adventure.

Until next time,
Salud!

A pair of lovelies just spoke to me

Browsing my wine merchant's cellar has never been so fun!  Two bottles in particular really grabbed me this week.

The first was the 2006 Elyse Couzins from Napa Valley.  Thank goodness it came in half size because I drank it by myself ... is that bad?  Anyway, this Zinfandel/Primitivo blend just spoke to me as I perused the shelf and I'm so glad I listened!  Blackberries and mocha emanated from the glass filled with red mahogany.  Upon the first sip, my palate was flooded with velvet waves of peppery goodness.

I could easily drink this alone but choose to pair it with a dinner of warm bread and brie. The wine might be a touch too strong for the creamy, French brie but it was quite enjoyable nonetheless.  A couple of ounces was left for Wine Wednesday and this pretty, little lovely matured as I danced to a duet by Shakira and Alejandro Sanz, "Te Lo Agradezco, Pero No."  Have you heard it?  No?  You must!  Doesn't matter if you speak Spanish, some things just don't need translation.  A layer of coffee on the nose and on the palate manifested on day two - I'm a caffeine addict so I like that.  I read more...will absolutely buy this again only the winery doesn't sell it anymore and my wine merchant just has a limited amount.  Sure!  Lure me in, make me want you and then disappear!  Ah well, hunting for little gems like this is half the fun.

The next was today's beautiful, purple Malbec from Mendoza - a 2005 Zolo Reserve.  The smell reminds me of walking in the forest just after a light rain. The wood comes out even more when sipping along with an alluring smoky quality. After the first glass I needed some food so I paired this dry lovely with a tomato-based dish of sausage and peppers, which in turn brought out the wine's spice mid-palate and then onto a soft, lingering finish.  Each sip got smoother and smoother as Diana Krall crooned "Besame Mucho." Vacation and a bathing suit are just days away but oh yes, may I please have another!

As mentioned, I'll be on vacation next week so things will be rather quiet on the Wine Gal front.  I may develop a nervous tick being away from technology for so long.  Think I'll stash a bottle of wine in the ole suitcase ... you know, for medicinal purposes.

By the by, after listening to Vino 2010 via live streaming this morning, I feel compelled to be more transparent.  No opinions bought here, just a gal sharing my one-cent take on vino as my palate, education and entrepreneurship evolves.  Thank you so much for reading, I really do appreciate it!

Until next time,
Salud!

ZAP 2010 - The Grand Zinfandel Tasting Event

If you love Zins and want to broaden your palate with new and interesting choices, then this is the event for you!  The mac daddy of Zinfandel tastings is big, zany, a bit overwhelming and a whole lot of fun!  

There were over 200 wineries split between two giant warehouses loosely organized in alphabetical order. Within you'll find water, loaves of bread to tote around and various cheese stations to help cleanse your palate. Step outside to get some air and watch the sailboats play around Alcatraz.

I recommend arriving as early as possible because by 3pm it gets crowded, loud and lines form at popular wineries. Sort of like a Friday night in the reception area of the most popular restaurant in town.  I also recommend going out of your Zin comfort zone and experiment - try some you've never heard of, talk to the winemakers (many of whom are doing the pouring), and talk to other tasters - you may just walk away with a fantastic gem.

My favorite barrel sample of the day was from Chatom Vineyards 2008.  Definitely fruit forward with low tannin levels. The expected release will be around 2011 or early 2012 - delicious, I'm a big fan!  I also ran into the very cool Hardy Wallace of Murphy Goode who poured us a bit of the crowd-pleasing, dry and earthy '07 Liar's Dice from Sonoma, but my palate favored the garnet colored, strong tannin '06 Snake Eyes from Alexander Valley; maybe that's because I've always wanted to dominate on Craps. 

 

Mine?  Scott Harvey's 2007 Vineyard 1869 from Amador County made from 140-year old vines in the oldest documented vineyard in the US.  Lightly floral nose; velvety smooth on the palate with notes of coffee; and a nice, long, silky finish - loved it!

I was fairly diligent in pouring out as much as possible - just a taste or two before pouring out the rest so I could last through the afternoon.  I ended up tasting about 30 different wines, but couldn't bring myself to pour out the following standouts: 

• 2007 Lodi from Deep Purple Winery in Napa. Light, easy drinking. One of my favs, probably because it paired perfectly with their wine infused brownies!
• 2007 Fiddletown from Rombauer in St. Helena - a crowd favorite. Dark berries. Come holla at ya momma, this is a nice, fat zin.
• 2006 Dry Creek Valley from Artezin Wines in Napa. Fruit-forward, spicy, elegant, well-balanced, luxurious finish

The fun find of the day goes to Bota Box and their 2008 Old Vine from Mendocino. Wine in a box, but it was good, really! A little spicy, a little sweet (jammy), low tannin. Paired well with those little green squares of chocolate. The box is 100% recyclable, holds 4 bottles of wine and will last 45 days - perfect for camping trips!  

Check-out the Facebook ZAP album for other wineries visited.  Next year is going to be ZAP's 20th birthday and it is going to be a great party!  Grab a friend and plan to have a wonderful, zany time! 

Till next time,


Salud!



Special thanks to John Cesano for the tickets.