Thursday, April 29, 2010

Kermit Lynch - Gary V's interview & the Spring Sampler

So I'm checking out my Facebook feed this morning and I was THRILLED to see that Gary V just posted his interview with Kermit Lynch (click here) - the man, the legend, the down to earth wine importer and Berkeley jewel.  It's a bit of a cliff-hanger so stay tuned for part deaux.

Now I know I'm biased with anything showcasing my favorite city, but Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant is truly a stop to make if you're in the Berkeley hood, particularly if you're into French wines.  They have an ahh-mazing selection and it's truly difficult not to salivate as you walk through the aisles -- Cote du Rhone, both halves of the Cote D'Or, Cru Beaujolais, Alsace, Languedoc-Roussillon, the Loire Valley, and a little bit of Bordeaux.  And, they have their own parking lot, which is truly a plus in Berkeley as you won't have the %!#~$! meter maids to contend with.

I recently bought their Spring Sampler - a case that was predominantly filled with French wines from a variety of regions for $157 - or roughly $13/bottle!  A great deal if you want to sample France in a safe way ... that is get some good to very good wines at a great price, even if you're not familiar with producers or regions.  This case includes a very tasty and hard to find wine from Corsica, the Patrimonio Blanc from Yves Leccia.  Of all the whites, this was a personal favorite & a crowd pleaser - a well balanced and lively wine with fragrant floral & yellow fruit aromas made from Vermentino, a grape varietal that I had not tried before.  The case also comes with suggested recipes from Mark Congero and his wife, both alumni of Chez Panisse, using all the wonderful fruits and vegetables currently in season.

I shared the case with some friends and am sad to see an empty box.  Good thing I also got a bottle of Chateau Aney & Chateaunuf du Pape - both have T-bone written all over it for the upcoming weekend.

Bon Appetit

P.S. I hear Kermit is making a trip to Sicily soon!  Can't wait to see what he brings back.

P.P.S  Click here for Part 2 and here for Part 3 of the interview

Monday, April 26, 2010

Saber champagne in style!

Master Sommelier, Catherine Fallis, demonstrates how to saber a bottle of champagne safely and with style.  Donning a pair of chic sunglasses for eye protection and a pair of long, python-patterned gloves to protect her hands, she drives home the point, safety first. 

If a bottle of champagne is not chilled to the core, any amount of time spent in warmer conditions, like going from a chiller to a warm, sunny patio, will increase the CO2 pressure from within and potentially shoot the cork out as soon as the cage is removed.  It’s best to keep the bottle chilled with minimal movement until you’re ready to drink.


With the flair of a seasoned professional, Catherine holds the bottle at a 45% degree angle and with her champagne saber, slices upward to not only pop the cork but to separate the lip from the neck.  y Voila! Thrill your audience as you pour a bit bubbly.

And exactly what kind of bubbly did she have for us?  A 2000 A.R. Lenoble Champagne Blanc de Noirs.  A white made from black grapes with, as Catherine puts it, "a bouquet so alluring, if it were a woman, you'd follow it!"

Until next time,
Salud!

Friday, April 9, 2010

SF Vintner's Market

Warm weekends and farmer's markets seem to go hand in hand, but don't you wish they had wine available for purchase?  Well that's just what you'll find at Fort Mason this weekend during the San Francisco Vintner's Market on Saturday and Sunday, April 10 and 11.

A $30 entrance fee will get you access to domestic wine regions like Napa, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara to various international imports.  At a multitude of price points, you'll find your favorite wines, new releases, and treasures for the cellar.  Better still, sample from over 200 wineries and buy a bottle, or four, to take home with you.

Got a question about a particular favorite? Folks from the winery will be on hand to answer questions.  Don't have time to head to the wine country to visit small, artisan wineries?  No worries, they're all at Fort Mason this weekend!  Got a small budget and looking for a really nice bottle of wine but not sure what to get?  Experiment and sample from a ginormous wine selection!

Special guests will also be in attendance: Jean Charles Boisset, named 2008 Innovator of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and owner of JCB and DeLoach Vineyards; Craig MacLean, Master Winemaker for JAQK Cellars; Chef Mattin Noblia of Iluna Basque; and wine country artist Ann Rea, are some of the highlights.

So come on out this weekend and enjoy this unique experience.  Save time by purchasing your tickets in advance at http://sfvintnersmarket.eventbrite.com


When you need to take a break between tastings, step outside and watch the sailboats play between Alcatraz and Angel Island on our beloved city by the bay.

Until next time,
Salud!

(as published on Examiner.com)

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Interesting food & wine pairings

I love pairing food and wine!  There are endless combinations that open up so many ways to be creative and experimental.


Here's this week's lineup:

On my left:
White-bean puree
Szechuan shrimp (Szechuan being ridiculously hard to spell)
Fresh asparagus (currently in season!)
Smoked salmon
Olive & anchovy tapenade
Milk-chocolate

On my right: 
2008 Le Bonheur Sauvignon Blanc Stellenbosch, South Africa
2007 Domaine Pichot Vouvray Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette
2007 Vine Cliff Chardonnay Los Carneros
2006 Joseph Roty Pinot Noir Marsannay
2006 Pesquera Temperanillo Ribera del Duero Crianza
NV Paraiso Souzao Port Santa Lucia Highlands


Results:
  • The white-bean puree went with everything except the Port ... David & Goliath kinda thing.
  • The smoked salmon paired well with the Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay but ended up fighting with the other wines.
  • The spiciness of the shrimp was best highlighted by the Vouvray and surprisingly, held up against the Port.  The sweetness of the sauce was a bitter match against the Chard and Pinot.
  • The asparagus played nice with the tannins in the Pinot & Temperanillo but was horrible with the Port.
  • The port so toned down the olive/anchovy funky of the tapenade that I ended up liking it.
  • Say yes to chocolate and white wine!  The tart Sauvignon Blanc was a nice complement and the Vouvray in particular is a favorite. 
It's amazing how wine can change and elevate a dish.  More pairings please!

Master Sommelier, Catherine Fallis, recommends pairing iced Vodka with caviar, a Guinness stout with oysters, and Hungarian Tokaji Aszu with foie gras.  Sounds like the stuff epicurean epiphanies are made of.

Until next time,
Salud!