Wednesday, September 28, 2916
Joined friends last night for a wine dinner at Chianina, www.chianina.com, in Naples. Wines were provided by Blackbird Vineyards, www.blackbirdvineyards.com, . Sold out dinner tonight. Instead of 6 PM to 9 PM for reservations they opened it to 5 PM to 10 PM..
Noticed as I drove in the valet parking has gone from $4 to $6. Wonder if it was just for tonight. I pulled in right behind the owner, Michael Dene. I asked the attendant how Michael keeps the very shining grill of his Bentley so clean and sparkling. Found out that the grill on that very expensive Bentley is PLASTIC. Who would have thought.
We started out with a Tuna Arriveste, ahi, toasted brioche and squash. We were not too sure where the squash was or how to eat this little stack of items. Some decided to pick it up with their fingers like a sandwich and I tried the fork method. Not sure which one was the best idea. Flavors were excellent and it went well with the 2015 Arriviste Rose.
First course was a Branzino Dissonance, branzino, beets, brown butter. burgundy and spinach. Fish was very good, nice crispy skin. The beets were red and gold and cut in small cubes and laid out like a checkerboard. Nice presentation. But I was not thrilled with the wine. A 2015 Dissonance Sauvignon Blanc. Too New Zealand like for me. Decent pairing but I passed most of my wine to others.
Second course gave us Duck Arise, sliced duck, cooked perfectly, polenta two ways, roasted fennel, pomegranate sauce and mushrooms.. At this point into the dinner I was starting to fill. Ate two of their salted honey rolls with marscapone butter. I think that did me in but they were so good. Had two bites of the duck and had it boxed to go. A 2013 Arise (merlot, cab and cab franc) was poured. This wine to me was way to young. Needed time. Passed it along also to others.
The Third course consisted of Chianina Beef Rib Contrarian. Sliced rib eye beef, lobster cigar, potato puree and truffle froth.. Beef was good, Again I had two bites and had the staff add it to my take out box, After all there is dessert coming. Wine paired was a 2013 Contrarian (cab, cab franc and merlot) My favorite wine of the evening. I have had this wine before and liked it way back when.
A Cherry Tart (deconstructed) with taleggio gelato (good) and rosemary meringue was the dessert. I did manage to make room for this dish. A 2013 Illustration (merlot, cab franc and cab) was paired. It was ok but it again needed time.
A good dinner. Michael Polenske the owner of Blackbird was in attendance. Went around to each table a chatted awhile. One of my dining companion's was planning a trip up to the area next month so he got a personal invite. Wines were on the whole good but way to young to be drank now. Need to cellar. Price range was about $135 for the reds.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
495 Wine Varietals Tasted
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Was invited to a informal dinner at friends. They had a couple bottles of wine that had odd grapes in them and I brought two that I had not opened yet. Their two bottles gave me 3 more grapes and I officially added my bottles to the mix. I had counted the grapes but had not tasted them yet.
Good dinner "al fresco". Evening was perfect. Plus I now have 495 varietals tasted. My goal right now is 500 plus a few extra for good measure. I will then submit them to get my 500 certificate. There are a few people that have 600 Certificate and that will probably be my next endeavor.
Was invited to a informal dinner at friends. They had a couple bottles of wine that had odd grapes in them and I brought two that I had not opened yet. Their two bottles gave me 3 more grapes and I officially added my bottles to the mix. I had counted the grapes but had not tasted them yet.
Good dinner "al fresco". Evening was perfect. Plus I now have 495 varietals tasted. My goal right now is 500 plus a few extra for good measure. I will then submit them to get my 500 certificate. There are a few people that have 600 Certificate and that will probably be my next endeavor.
Oktoberfest Beer Dinner at Delius
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Had this dinner on my calendar for months. Showed up at 7:00 for 7:15 seating. Dave at Delius, www.deliusrestaurant.com, greeted me at said the dinner was Friday night. They had changed the date but only noted it on the reminder with the menu. Since I had the date already noted it was not something I was looking for change on. At least I was not the only one. There were 4 other people . So Dave sat us in the private cellar room. We had the same menu and beers that were served the night before.
We started out with a Apple and Celery Confit with Belgium Endive and Chevre Salad and Apple Cider Vinaigrette. Nice clean , crisp dish with loads of flavor. The beer was a Schneider Weisse Hopfenweisse, Light beer, wheaty and paired well with the salad.
Second course is a Cambozola and Nutmeg Spaetzle (so good) with Mushrooms and Fine Herbs. My favorite dish of the night. The beer was a Flensburger Dunkel. Again the beer paired really well with the dish.
Next up was a Pretzel and Mustard Crusted Mahi-Mahi with Pickled Okra, Brussels Sprouts and Brown Butter Balsamic Drizzle. Great flavors and the beer was a Hofbrau Oktoberfest. A light wheat beer.
Main course is a a Caraway Braised Brisket, Caramelized Carrot Puree, Cipollini Onions, Seared Red Cabbage.. Good German flavors. Paired with a Weihenstephaner Doppelbock. My favorite beer of the night. Dark, chocolate, my kind. I am partial to Porters and Stouts so this was right in there.
Dessert was a mixed bag. Roasted Kabocha Squash and Pepita Bread (toasted). On the sweet side but not what I would pick for dessert. Maybe toast in the morning with butter. On top was a scoop of Bock Infused Cream Cheese Ice Cream. To die for.
A good dinner, nice dining companions. That is what life is about.
Had this dinner on my calendar for months. Showed up at 7:00 for 7:15 seating. Dave at Delius, www.deliusrestaurant.com, greeted me at said the dinner was Friday night. They had changed the date but only noted it on the reminder with the menu. Since I had the date already noted it was not something I was looking for change on. At least I was not the only one. There were 4 other people . So Dave sat us in the private cellar room. We had the same menu and beers that were served the night before.
We started out with a Apple and Celery Confit with Belgium Endive and Chevre Salad and Apple Cider Vinaigrette. Nice clean , crisp dish with loads of flavor. The beer was a Schneider Weisse Hopfenweisse, Light beer, wheaty and paired well with the salad.
Second course is a Cambozola and Nutmeg Spaetzle (so good) with Mushrooms and Fine Herbs. My favorite dish of the night. The beer was a Flensburger Dunkel. Again the beer paired really well with the dish.
Next up was a Pretzel and Mustard Crusted Mahi-Mahi with Pickled Okra, Brussels Sprouts and Brown Butter Balsamic Drizzle. Great flavors and the beer was a Hofbrau Oktoberfest. A light wheat beer.
Main course is a a Caraway Braised Brisket, Caramelized Carrot Puree, Cipollini Onions, Seared Red Cabbage.. Good German flavors. Paired with a Weihenstephaner Doppelbock. My favorite beer of the night. Dark, chocolate, my kind. I am partial to Porters and Stouts so this was right in there.
Dessert was a mixed bag. Roasted Kabocha Squash and Pepita Bread (toasted). On the sweet side but not what I would pick for dessert. Maybe toast in the morning with butter. On top was a scoop of Bock Infused Cream Cheese Ice Cream. To die for.
A good dinner, nice dining companions. That is what life is about.
Wine & Cheese at Total Wine
Thursday, September 22, 2016
9 of us attended a wine & cheese pairing at Total Wine in Huntington Beach . Don't have too many comments. Wines were decent, cheese also. But the person leading the seminar had no clue of what he was doing. Cheese's were cut in large chunks with no knives to make them smaller. So it was eitherr bite them or try to break a piece. Not the best way to handle it. I really wish they would bring back the person that was doing the seminars before It's really bad when I know more about the cheese, wine and regions that the clueless dude.
9 of us attended a wine & cheese pairing at Total Wine in Huntington Beach . Don't have too many comments. Wines were decent, cheese also. But the person leading the seminar had no clue of what he was doing. Cheese's were cut in large chunks with no knives to make them smaller. So it was eitherr bite them or try to break a piece. Not the best way to handle it. I really wish they would bring back the person that was doing the seminars before It's really bad when I know more about the cheese, wine and regions that the clueless dude.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Dim Sum with a Couple of The Boys
Monday, September 19, 2016
Thought it might be only Henry and I today. Seems everyone is not in good shape lately. Terry is still in the hospital. Steve is not feeling well, A couple of others had issues. So it was nice to see CJ at the table. He has been on the sicky side lately also. He did not drink anything and ate very little.
Henry brought a 2013 Michael Davis, Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon and I opened at 2010 AP Vin, Rosellas, Pinot Noir.
Food was are normal selections. Nothing new. Hope we get a healthy group next month. I am craving a lot fs seafood.
Thought it might be only Henry and I today. Seems everyone is not in good shape lately. Terry is still in the hospital. Steve is not feeling well, A couple of others had issues. So it was nice to see CJ at the table. He has been on the sicky side lately also. He did not drink anything and ate very little.
Henry brought a 2013 Michael Davis, Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon and I opened at 2010 AP Vin, Rosellas, Pinot Noir.
Food was are normal selections. Nothing new. Hope we get a healthy group next month. I am craving a lot fs seafood.
Stan's Cellar Cleaning
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Time to clean out the cellar again. Stan does this once in awhile to pare down the numerous bottles of wine he has. I did not keep track of anything. But the majority of the wines were in the 1990's and only a few were over the hill. I am sure that after I left he brought out a few more bottles. That is how he does things.
It was good to see Phil again. He was heading back to France later in the week. Need to visit him someday. He lives in a cave near the Loire. Charles showed up. He has been missing for awhile. Seems his son was in an accident and Charles has been taking care of him.
Turned out to be a nice day and a small group. My preference these days.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Dinner at The Playground with Paul Wasserman
Wednesday, September 14, 2016.
Sold out dinner again at the 2.0 room at the Playground . www.playgrounddtsa.com,.
Paul Wasserman was in attendance. His mother writes a column for the New York Times and is a large importer of wines from Burgundy.
As always the food was top notch and different. 13 plates and 6 wines.
We started out with glasses of NV Parigot, Cremant de Bourgone de Rose. 100% Pinot to whet the appetite.
A 2011 Don Patrick Charlin, Rousette du Bugey Montagnieu, Savoie, Altesse was poured.
I really liked this wine and it paired perfectly with the housemade grilled whole wheat flatbread. Accompanied by Broccolini Sofritto over Broccolini. A cappacio of Conserva Artichokes, Salsa Verde with Red Fresno Chile's and a Conserva of Shellfish, Preserved Lemon and Chile Flake. These were all clean your plate dishes. Flavors were great and you kept going back for more.
Third wine was a 2012 Sylvian Patialle, Marsannay Blanc. Made from a pink chardonnay grape. Another one to add to my list. The 3 dishes served with this wine were a Ocean Trout Tatare, Nicoise Olives, Tomato Concussed, Candied Lemon Zest and handmade Purple Potato Chips. A Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Garlic Buratta (housemade). Needless to say I was happy. I even ate the tomatoes. And the third dish of this trio was Lobster, Vanilla Butter and Corn. Some of the best corn I have eaten. Lobster was sweet and tender and there were large pieces in the dish. You knew you were eating Lobster. The Vanilla Butter was unusual but very good and gave a very different take to flavored butter.
Next trio of dishes consisted of Beet salad (fabulous beets) with Faro, Brown Butter Honey Vin, Fennel, Pistachios and Orange. A Charred and Braised Escarol with White Beans. I absolutely loved this dish. So good. Followed by Fingerling Potatoes with Chorizo and Smoked Egg Vin. Wine paired was a 2012 Sylvian Patialle, Marsannay 'Les Longeroies" Pinot Noir. Very light Pinot. Very French
Fifth wine was a 2014 Jean-Baptiste Souillard, Crozes-Hermitage "Les Habrards" Syrah . Bigger wine that the Pinot and paired beautifully with the Mole with Masa Gnocchi, Coppa di Testa, TMG. Mushrooms with Fried Shallot Cream, Caper Raisins in Puree and Crispy Garlic. Another dish you could wipe you plate for. Accompanied by a slice of Wagu Rib Eye cooked perfectly.
A palate cleanser of Lychee Sorbet, Strawberries and Lime Zest was welcomed before dessert
Dessert consisted of Membrillo, Manchego, Candied Pecans, Love Cake, Hazelnut Gelato and Poached Sultanas.. The wine was a Caves Jean Bourdy "Galant des Abbesses". A Pinot based wine. Not too sweet and a good pairing
Beautiful dinner tonight. Unbelievable food. Worth every dime I paid for it.
Sold out dinner again at the 2.0 room at the Playground . www.playgrounddtsa.com,.
Paul Wasserman was in attendance. His mother writes a column for the New York Times and is a large importer of wines from Burgundy.
As always the food was top notch and different. 13 plates and 6 wines.
We started out with glasses of NV Parigot, Cremant de Bourgone de Rose. 100% Pinot to whet the appetite.
A 2011 Don Patrick Charlin, Rousette du Bugey Montagnieu, Savoie, Altesse was poured.
I really liked this wine and it paired perfectly with the housemade grilled whole wheat flatbread. Accompanied by Broccolini Sofritto over Broccolini. A cappacio of Conserva Artichokes, Salsa Verde with Red Fresno Chile's and a Conserva of Shellfish, Preserved Lemon and Chile Flake. These were all clean your plate dishes. Flavors were great and you kept going back for more.
Third wine was a 2012 Sylvian Patialle, Marsannay Blanc. Made from a pink chardonnay grape. Another one to add to my list. The 3 dishes served with this wine were a Ocean Trout Tatare, Nicoise Olives, Tomato Concussed, Candied Lemon Zest and handmade Purple Potato Chips. A Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Garlic Buratta (housemade). Needless to say I was happy. I even ate the tomatoes. And the third dish of this trio was Lobster, Vanilla Butter and Corn. Some of the best corn I have eaten. Lobster was sweet and tender and there were large pieces in the dish. You knew you were eating Lobster. The Vanilla Butter was unusual but very good and gave a very different take to flavored butter.
Next trio of dishes consisted of Beet salad (fabulous beets) with Faro, Brown Butter Honey Vin, Fennel, Pistachios and Orange. A Charred and Braised Escarol with White Beans. I absolutely loved this dish. So good. Followed by Fingerling Potatoes with Chorizo and Smoked Egg Vin. Wine paired was a 2012 Sylvian Patialle, Marsannay 'Les Longeroies" Pinot Noir. Very light Pinot. Very French
Fifth wine was a 2014 Jean-Baptiste Souillard, Crozes-Hermitage "Les Habrards" Syrah . Bigger wine that the Pinot and paired beautifully with the Mole with Masa Gnocchi, Coppa di Testa, TMG. Mushrooms with Fried Shallot Cream, Caper Raisins in Puree and Crispy Garlic. Another dish you could wipe you plate for. Accompanied by a slice of Wagu Rib Eye cooked perfectly.
A palate cleanser of Lychee Sorbet, Strawberries and Lime Zest was welcomed before dessert
Dessert consisted of Membrillo, Manchego, Candied Pecans, Love Cake, Hazelnut Gelato and Poached Sultanas.. The wine was a Caves Jean Bourdy "Galant des Abbesses". A Pinot based wine. Not too sweet and a good pairing
Beautiful dinner tonight. Unbelievable food. Worth every dime I paid for it.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Highlands Wine Tasting
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Seven of us invited tonight for a private tasting of Highlands wines, www.highlandswinery.com, .
This is a small production winery in Napa with a total case production of 1,500 cases. Their website gives a detailed story on how the winery started and the people involved. Interesting reading. Winery began in 2001.
We had 5 wines available to taste. Started with a 2013 Merlot, Cofrin (?) vineyards. 14.2% alcohol. Good Merlot and I am not a Merlot fan. This I would drink.
Two Zinfandel's were next. Both I liked but the 2012 was a bit softer than the 2013 probably because of the year difference but there was a big difference in the fruit also. The 13 was 14.9% and the 12 was 15 %. The 12 had a bit more pepper and spice on the palate.We all agreed that the 2012 was the bottle of choice. Interesting that they use "Burgundian Yeast" in these wines. 18 months in new and used French Oak barrels.
A 2009 Laird Vineyard Cabernet and a 2007 Laird Vineyard Cabernet were up next. Nice balance, good dark fruits, hints of chocolate and mint. The 2009 was the winner in this pair.
I will probably order a few Zinfandel's. I did like them that much. Merlot is not a favorite, If someone buys it I will drink it but not purchase myself. The cabs are to me overpriced because I am not a cab drinker. I would pay that for a Pinot.
Good tasting, good nibblies and good people to share it with.
Seven of us invited tonight for a private tasting of Highlands wines, www.highlandswinery.com, .
This is a small production winery in Napa with a total case production of 1,500 cases. Their website gives a detailed story on how the winery started and the people involved. Interesting reading. Winery began in 2001.
We had 5 wines available to taste. Started with a 2013 Merlot, Cofrin (?) vineyards. 14.2% alcohol. Good Merlot and I am not a Merlot fan. This I would drink.
Two Zinfandel's were next. Both I liked but the 2012 was a bit softer than the 2013 probably because of the year difference but there was a big difference in the fruit also. The 13 was 14.9% and the 12 was 15 %. The 12 had a bit more pepper and spice on the palate.We all agreed that the 2012 was the bottle of choice. Interesting that they use "Burgundian Yeast" in these wines. 18 months in new and used French Oak barrels.
A 2009 Laird Vineyard Cabernet and a 2007 Laird Vineyard Cabernet were up next. Nice balance, good dark fruits, hints of chocolate and mint. The 2009 was the winner in this pair.
I will probably order a few Zinfandel's. I did like them that much. Merlot is not a favorite, If someone buys it I will drink it but not purchase myself. The cabs are to me overpriced because I am not a cab drinker. I would pay that for a Pinot.
Good tasting, good nibblies and good people to share it with.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Fuego is Margie's September Dinner Locale
Saturday, September 10, 2016
11 of us tonight at Fuego at the Maya Hotel on the bay in Long Beach. Beautiful night, perfect weather for dinning al'fresco.
We had several choices an on the first course I took the Fuego salad which was very good. It consisted of baby greens, chili dusted pecans (good), goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes, cilantro (boo), fuji apples and a creamy chipolte dressing. Other choice was Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup. Everyone raved about the soup. I knew if I had ordered the soup that I would not be able to eat anything else.
Main course I choose the Quinoa which was made with Sauteed Garlic Spinach (looked more like Kale to me) woodland mushrooms, summer squash (tasted more like butternut or acorn) corn relish and broiled paneer cheese (which I took for Tofu). Good flavors and not heavy.
Other main choices were Chicken, Flank Steak Rioja and Salmon. All I have had before.
Dessert I choose the Kahlua Chocolate Cake with Expresso powder and Nutella Ganache, Decadent. I may have been better off with the Coconut Flan but chocolate beckons me.
Wines were interesting. Several I think were too big and over powering for the food we were having .
I brought a 2010 Sinor-LaValle, Aubaine Vineyard Pinot Noir and was quite happy with it. A 2010 Huber Pinot Noir was the hit. I did try and like a 2015 Juilette La Sangliere Rose, NC Cava, a Lando Russian River Pinot Noir and a 2014 Siete Fincas, Mendoza, Argentina, Torrentes.
Even though we were having "South American" food I think the Malbecs and Sangiovese were not compatible with the menu. I tried a couple other of the wines but they were not to my taste and one of them was way over the hill - it was a dumper.
Another good dinner arranged by Margie for us. It takes a lot of work and coordination to do these dinners. I for one appreciate the effort it takes. Unless you have done something similar you have no idea what it takes.
11 of us tonight at Fuego at the Maya Hotel on the bay in Long Beach. Beautiful night, perfect weather for dinning al'fresco.
We had several choices an on the first course I took the Fuego salad which was very good. It consisted of baby greens, chili dusted pecans (good), goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes, cilantro (boo), fuji apples and a creamy chipolte dressing. Other choice was Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup. Everyone raved about the soup. I knew if I had ordered the soup that I would not be able to eat anything else.
Main course I choose the Quinoa which was made with Sauteed Garlic Spinach (looked more like Kale to me) woodland mushrooms, summer squash (tasted more like butternut or acorn) corn relish and broiled paneer cheese (which I took for Tofu). Good flavors and not heavy.
Other main choices were Chicken, Flank Steak Rioja and Salmon. All I have had before.
Dessert I choose the Kahlua Chocolate Cake with Expresso powder and Nutella Ganache, Decadent. I may have been better off with the Coconut Flan but chocolate beckons me.
Wines were interesting. Several I think were too big and over powering for the food we were having .
I brought a 2010 Sinor-LaValle, Aubaine Vineyard Pinot Noir and was quite happy with it. A 2010 Huber Pinot Noir was the hit. I did try and like a 2015 Juilette La Sangliere Rose, NC Cava, a Lando Russian River Pinot Noir and a 2014 Siete Fincas, Mendoza, Argentina, Torrentes.
Even though we were having "South American" food I think the Malbecs and Sangiovese were not compatible with the menu. I tried a couple other of the wines but they were not to my taste and one of them was way over the hill - it was a dumper.
Another good dinner arranged by Margie for us. It takes a lot of work and coordination to do these dinners. I for one appreciate the effort it takes. Unless you have done something similar you have no idea what it takes.
Pizza and Wine
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Joined about 30 other people and feasted on at least 9 to 11 different pizzas. I tasted 4 of them and went with the exotic combinations,. Like, shrimp, artichoke, etc. Great flavors. My only disappointment was by time the pizzas arrived (not by a pizza delivery company) they were not hot anymore. Since they weren't in a "hot box" they cooled considerably. It is my personal taste but room temperature pizza does not do it for me. The crust always gets dry and tough for me. But it did not seem to bother most everyone else. Most of the pizza was gone quickly.
A lot of wine tonight, some much older which was a treat to taste them. A few were over the hill but it was an experience to try. I brought a 2010 Loring, Garys Vineyard, Pinot Noir. It was drinking really well. I am a fan of Gary's Vineyard, no matter who makes it.
Was talking with a man at the gathering and he happened to mention a person by name. I asked if this person's father had been a judge and he said yes. I informed him that I used to babysit the children on the man who became a judge when he was going to law school and working a night job to put himself through school. Small world. That was way before student loans and Pel grants. That is why those generations had no school debt. Maybe it took them longer to get their degree but they were debt free.
This man I was talking with also is a winemaker with a very small production. We will be having a private tasting soon to see what he has to offer.
Joined about 30 other people and feasted on at least 9 to 11 different pizzas. I tasted 4 of them and went with the exotic combinations,. Like, shrimp, artichoke, etc. Great flavors. My only disappointment was by time the pizzas arrived (not by a pizza delivery company) they were not hot anymore. Since they weren't in a "hot box" they cooled considerably. It is my personal taste but room temperature pizza does not do it for me. The crust always gets dry and tough for me. But it did not seem to bother most everyone else. Most of the pizza was gone quickly.
A lot of wine tonight, some much older which was a treat to taste them. A few were over the hill but it was an experience to try. I brought a 2010 Loring, Garys Vineyard, Pinot Noir. It was drinking really well. I am a fan of Gary's Vineyard, no matter who makes it.
Was talking with a man at the gathering and he happened to mention a person by name. I asked if this person's father had been a judge and he said yes. I informed him that I used to babysit the children on the man who became a judge when he was going to law school and working a night job to put himself through school. Small world. That was way before student loans and Pel grants. That is why those generations had no school debt. Maybe it took them longer to get their degree but they were debt free.
This man I was talking with also is a winemaker with a very small production. We will be having a private tasting soon to see what he has to offer.
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