After a busy couple of months in 2010, I deserved to treat myself to celebrate a great and accomplished ending of 2009 and a good and busy 2010. Well I went to my favorite hide-out, the Ritz Carlton and with my feast, which I couldn't enjoy due to my exhaustion, I sipped a new surprise. The Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir is nothing but a true delight.
The name Meiomi (pronounced May-OH-mee) means “coast” in the language of the native Wappo tribe, and best symbolizes the origin of this Pinot Noir. Grapes for Meiomi are grown in the vast Sonoma Coast appellation, stretching along the California coast north from Mendocino County down south to Marin County. The Belle Glos wines come from Joseph Wagner, who chose the name Belle Glos (pronounced BELL GLOSS), to honor his grandmother, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner, a co-founder of Caymus Vineyards. Need I say more! You know the history, you know that you won't be disappointed.
This wine has a bright crimson color and a cream nose that takes you to another place. This is a complex, multilayered palate-pleasing wine to the after the finish that keeps you wanting more. The complex brown spices and a slight smokiness are sweetened by ripe dark fruit that enlivens the aroma and palate. This beautifully balanced texture and soft, supple tannins lead on to a luxurious finish that is great with port, cheese, or just sipping.
I had a wonderful pork chop with marinated mushrooms, mashed potatoes, parmesean and spinach risotto balls, and selected cheeses and antipasto. When I say perfect, that is what I mean. While the bottle was $62 at the Ritz Carlton, you can find it for $33 elsewhere.
Whatever you want it to be for you, it can be...and it is. Salut!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Sipping Sommelier Adding Pairs to Cookbook
Well, my book is not complete but I had the distinct opportunity to be published with my wonderful pastry chef, Chef Dana, better known as Sugar Daddy.
His book Sweet and Savory Union will be released by May 2010. It is a one-stop shop for your sweet and savory needs complete with beverage pairings from yours truly. The recipes are wonderfully different than anything you have ever seen before. All of the recipes are complimentary to other items in the cookbook so you only need that one book!
You can order your advanced copy now and have a sweet and savory day!
His book Sweet and Savory Union will be released by May 2010. It is a one-stop shop for your sweet and savory needs complete with beverage pairings from yours truly. The recipes are wonderfully different than anything you have ever seen before. All of the recipes are complimentary to other items in the cookbook so you only need that one book!
You can order your advanced copy now and have a sweet and savory day!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Valentine's Day Sustainable Sips
Sustainable sips were in place today for the betterment of the environment and my own enjoyment. Sustainable and organically farmed and grown wines are becoming more available and much more appetizing than they were in past years. There are certified organic wines and sustainable and organic farmed wines that are not certified but are very stringent in their methods and procedures all the same. I may change to consuming sustainable wines only.
I spent my Saturday before Valentine's Day getting beautiful in my salon, then on to my spa which is conveniently located a short walk from my favorite wine store, where I walked past mounds of snow with flip flops to preserve my pedicure treat to taste some of the most delectable wines under $15 that I have tasted in a while. Whew!
My day was extra special because Max Evans was presiding over the tasting and he was one of the most welcoming people that has watched me grow. So coupled with the fact that I haven't seen him in a while, the day was extra special.
My tasting experience graced the regions of Southern France and Northern Italy with some new favorites to a familiar winery but a different grape. So there was a 2007 di Lenardo Chardonnay which was delightful enough for me to buy. Nestled in the Provencal hills of the Cotes de Luberon region, it was rich, more complex than I expected, and had hints of coconut which was a new one for me and some apple pie, which is always great. The flavor was great for sipping or with food.
Another great group of wines are from Chapoutier from the Roussillon region and the layers of flavors are nothing less than surprising and pleasantly welcome. Chaptoutier Bila-Haut Cotes Du Roussillon 2008 and Chapoutier Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem 2007 were part of the group at $11.98 and 21.98 respectively.
Then there was 2008 Le Paradou Rouge Luberon from 40-50 year old vines in the Luberon mountains, sustainably farmed and harvested by hand and the land plowed by mules. Granache and Syrah make this wine a delightful addiction with its black raspberry and smokey, meaty notes balanced with earth. It could not have been concocted any better. Can you say $10.98? Say it, believe it, accept it, and sip all weekend long.
Moving to another great maker, Cartlidge & Browne, the 2005 Rabid Red was a pleasant surprise and quite the value. $9.98 for a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Sirah, touched with a little Merlot and Syrah. You get fruitful, mouthy, robust, dark, rich, raspberry, cherry, mocha, spicy oak...and you can drink it best over the next 18-24 months! Wow!
All of these wines would be great with chocolate, winter, romance, cheese, or all alone. Versatile and able to handle whatever you plan for them. They are the perfect date.
I spent my Saturday before Valentine's Day getting beautiful in my salon, then on to my spa which is conveniently located a short walk from my favorite wine store, where I walked past mounds of snow with flip flops to preserve my pedicure treat to taste some of the most delectable wines under $15 that I have tasted in a while. Whew!
My day was extra special because Max Evans was presiding over the tasting and he was one of the most welcoming people that has watched me grow. So coupled with the fact that I haven't seen him in a while, the day was extra special.
My tasting experience graced the regions of Southern France and Northern Italy with some new favorites to a familiar winery but a different grape. So there was a 2007 di Lenardo Chardonnay which was delightful enough for me to buy. Nestled in the Provencal hills of the Cotes de Luberon region, it was rich, more complex than I expected, and had hints of coconut which was a new one for me and some apple pie, which is always great. The flavor was great for sipping or with food.
Another great group of wines are from Chapoutier from the Roussillon region and the layers of flavors are nothing less than surprising and pleasantly welcome. Chaptoutier Bila-Haut Cotes Du Roussillon 2008 and Chapoutier Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem 2007 were part of the group at $11.98 and 21.98 respectively.
Then there was 2008 Le Paradou Rouge Luberon from 40-50 year old vines in the Luberon mountains, sustainably farmed and harvested by hand and the land plowed by mules. Granache and Syrah make this wine a delightful addiction with its black raspberry and smokey, meaty notes balanced with earth. It could not have been concocted any better. Can you say $10.98? Say it, believe it, accept it, and sip all weekend long.
Moving to another great maker, Cartlidge & Browne, the 2005 Rabid Red was a pleasant surprise and quite the value. $9.98 for a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Sirah, touched with a little Merlot and Syrah. You get fruitful, mouthy, robust, dark, rich, raspberry, cherry, mocha, spicy oak...and you can drink it best over the next 18-24 months! Wow!
All of these wines would be great with chocolate, winter, romance, cheese, or all alone. Versatile and able to handle whatever you plan for them. They are the perfect date.
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