Sunday, January 27, 2013
Our monthly wine tasting was held today. The theme was Argentinian wines. All the wines brought were good but none stood out as great. Nothing to complain about but nothing that stood out as great.
The tri tip served was excellent. Went well with the red wines. The hostess made a lot of Empanadas which were very good. We did not need an main dish after eating those.
Good conversation with some people I had not seen in awhile
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Wine , cheese and ribs
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Drove up the coast though the thick fog to Belmont Shore to the Venissimo Cheese store. I have heard of the establishment and had tasted cheeses from here but had never set foot in the door. After the shop closed for the days business they set up a large table in the front that took up the entire area. 11 of us sat down for this tasting. There was an assortment of crackers, bread, salami, nuts, fruit etc for us to nibble on. Margie and I donated the wines for this event. The store charged us $20 per person and we got to take a cheese knife home with us. A real bargain evening for everyone.
Six cheese's with wine pairings were on the menu. All the cheeses were excellent and the wines were good. All of the pairings were fantastic except one which was very good but just a notch below the others. But I would take it any day.
Caprichio Cabra (spanish goat) , creamy with a hint of blue. Wine was a Paul Goerge Blanc de Blanc Premium Crut Brut Champagne.
Ewephoria (dutch sheep), a gouda style cheese paired with a NV Noviate Jesuit California Dry Sherry. This wine had to be a least 20 years old.
Old Croc (australian white cheddar). Paired with a 2006 Meeker Petit Syrah.
Tilster (german cow) , creamy & nutty. Wine was a Halter Ranch 2011 Rose (grenanche, syrah, mouverdre & picpoul blanc). This was the pairing that was not quite. But a really good pairing as far as I am concerned.
Ami Chambertain(french cow) bacony flavor. The wine that was paired was back up and I did not get it on my list. I am sure that when Margie reads this she will let me know and I can edit the post.
Moody Blue (american cow) smoky, Would be excellent on any meat. Paired with a 2001 Baker & Brain Gruner Vetliner. (yes that is BRAIN)
A great tasting and well worth the trip to go back. They had at least 100 cheeses in their cases. Most I had never heard of. I did buy five cheese in the afternoon when I took my wine down the store early. The five cheeses were quarter pound pieces and came to $42. Not cheap but well worth the price. They were all cheeses I had never heard of and I am willing to try. I am always open to trying new things. If I don't like it I don't have to finish it nor do I have to buy it again. When I think of all the good things I ended up tasting and liking I am so glad I did try them.
After the cheese tasting we headed over the bridge to Naples and the Naples Rib Company. The restaurant charged us a flat $40 corkage so that worked out to about $3 per person.
I ordered the "smaller senior" portion of the ribs I was so full from the tasting that I could have forgotten the dinner.
I brought a 2006 Huber Charlottes Reserve Dornfleder which I felt went well with the meat.
Other wines brought to the table:
2003 Chateau St. Pierre Saint Julian, Bordeaux
2009 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel
2007 Turley Howell Mtn, Cedarman, Zinfandel
2009 Brauhaus Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon
2011 Macchia Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel
2008 Dunham Columbia Valley Syrah
NV Perrier Joulet Grand Brut Champagne
2006 Green & Red, Tip Top, Zinfandel
2010 Merry Edwards Russian River, Olivet Lane, Chardonnay
2005 William Selyem Russian River, Forchini Vineyards, Zinfandel
A great evening, fantastic cheeses, good wine and a great group of people to hang with. It could not be better.
Drove up the coast though the thick fog to Belmont Shore to the Venissimo Cheese store. I have heard of the establishment and had tasted cheeses from here but had never set foot in the door. After the shop closed for the days business they set up a large table in the front that took up the entire area. 11 of us sat down for this tasting. There was an assortment of crackers, bread, salami, nuts, fruit etc for us to nibble on. Margie and I donated the wines for this event. The store charged us $20 per person and we got to take a cheese knife home with us. A real bargain evening for everyone.
Six cheese's with wine pairings were on the menu. All the cheeses were excellent and the wines were good. All of the pairings were fantastic except one which was very good but just a notch below the others. But I would take it any day.
Caprichio Cabra (spanish goat) , creamy with a hint of blue. Wine was a Paul Goerge Blanc de Blanc Premium Crut Brut Champagne.
Ewephoria (dutch sheep), a gouda style cheese paired with a NV Noviate Jesuit California Dry Sherry. This wine had to be a least 20 years old.
Old Croc (australian white cheddar). Paired with a 2006 Meeker Petit Syrah.
Tilster (german cow) , creamy & nutty. Wine was a Halter Ranch 2011 Rose (grenanche, syrah, mouverdre & picpoul blanc). This was the pairing that was not quite. But a really good pairing as far as I am concerned.
Ami Chambertain(french cow) bacony flavor. The wine that was paired was back up and I did not get it on my list. I am sure that when Margie reads this she will let me know and I can edit the post.
Moody Blue (american cow) smoky, Would be excellent on any meat. Paired with a 2001 Baker & Brain Gruner Vetliner. (yes that is BRAIN)
A great tasting and well worth the trip to go back. They had at least 100 cheeses in their cases. Most I had never heard of. I did buy five cheese in the afternoon when I took my wine down the store early. The five cheeses were quarter pound pieces and came to $42. Not cheap but well worth the price. They were all cheeses I had never heard of and I am willing to try. I am always open to trying new things. If I don't like it I don't have to finish it nor do I have to buy it again. When I think of all the good things I ended up tasting and liking I am so glad I did try them.
After the cheese tasting we headed over the bridge to Naples and the Naples Rib Company. The restaurant charged us a flat $40 corkage so that worked out to about $3 per person.
I ordered the "smaller senior" portion of the ribs I was so full from the tasting that I could have forgotten the dinner.
I brought a 2006 Huber Charlottes Reserve Dornfleder which I felt went well with the meat.
Other wines brought to the table:
2003 Chateau St. Pierre Saint Julian, Bordeaux
2009 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel
2007 Turley Howell Mtn, Cedarman, Zinfandel
2009 Brauhaus Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon
2011 Macchia Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel
2008 Dunham Columbia Valley Syrah
NV Perrier Joulet Grand Brut Champagne
2006 Green & Red, Tip Top, Zinfandel
2010 Merry Edwards Russian River, Olivet Lane, Chardonnay
2005 William Selyem Russian River, Forchini Vineyards, Zinfandel
A great evening, fantastic cheeses, good wine and a great group of people to hang with. It could not be better.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
New Year & The Seafood Palace
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
One of our favorites. 7 of us gathered around the lazy susan this evening. Terry was under the weather so he did not make it.
We started off with the Salt & Pepper Calamari and the fried Tofu for Margie. Calamari was excellent. I did not taste the Tofu but it is always good. Told Margie she could have my piece because there were some more seafood dishes coming up.
Next was the Spicy Sour Soup. Always good and since it was really cold (at least to us in So Cal) it hit the spot.
Peking Duck appeared. Bob ended up taking the head home. It was cooked dry so he thought it would be interesting to have it hang around his house for awhile.
Next up was a really good dish. Scallops with the Chef's Sauce. Slightly sweet and caramelized. Made a great mouthful. Its really too bad Margie did not try this dish. She said she could smell the scallop. But it was sweet and exceptionally good.
Shrimp with Chinese Broccoli, Sauteed Pea Shoots with Garlic and Beef with Chives rounded out the meal. The Pea Shoots were exceptional tonight.
Our wines went all over the place tonight. I brought a 2005 AP Vin Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir and the 011 Castellani Vernaccia Di San Gimignano that I had bought Tuesday night at the dinner at Finbar's.
CJ brought a 2000 Battaglini Twin Pines Ranch, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir which was excellent.
2006 Huber, Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir, 2007 Lachini Cuvee Giselle, Chehlam Mtns., Pinot Noir, Carmody McKinght, Art of The Vineyard, red blend, 2012 Artiste Skyline, blend and a NV Saint Chament, Blanc de Blanc Champagne made the balance of the wines.
The Champagne was excellent. Margie usually does a good job on her bubblies.
Another good dinner with good friends and good wines. Doesn't get much better. Now if the weather would just warm up a little.
One of our favorites. 7 of us gathered around the lazy susan this evening. Terry was under the weather so he did not make it.
We started off with the Salt & Pepper Calamari and the fried Tofu for Margie. Calamari was excellent. I did not taste the Tofu but it is always good. Told Margie she could have my piece because there were some more seafood dishes coming up.
Next was the Spicy Sour Soup. Always good and since it was really cold (at least to us in So Cal) it hit the spot.
Peking Duck appeared. Bob ended up taking the head home. It was cooked dry so he thought it would be interesting to have it hang around his house for awhile.
Next up was a really good dish. Scallops with the Chef's Sauce. Slightly sweet and caramelized. Made a great mouthful. Its really too bad Margie did not try this dish. She said she could smell the scallop. But it was sweet and exceptionally good.
Shrimp with Chinese Broccoli, Sauteed Pea Shoots with Garlic and Beef with Chives rounded out the meal. The Pea Shoots were exceptional tonight.
Our wines went all over the place tonight. I brought a 2005 AP Vin Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir and the 011 Castellani Vernaccia Di San Gimignano that I had bought Tuesday night at the dinner at Finbar's.
CJ brought a 2000 Battaglini Twin Pines Ranch, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir which was excellent.
2006 Huber, Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir, 2007 Lachini Cuvee Giselle, Chehlam Mtns., Pinot Noir, Carmody McKinght, Art of The Vineyard, red blend, 2012 Artiste Skyline, blend and a NV Saint Chament, Blanc de Blanc Champagne made the balance of the wines.
The Champagne was excellent. Margie usually does a good job on her bubblies.
Another good dinner with good friends and good wines. Doesn't get much better. Now if the weather would just warm up a little.
Finbars' & Italian Wine Dinner
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Susan, the rep for the Italian wine importer kept after me to sign up for this wine dinner. It was inexpensive enough and a decent selection of wines. Finbars is an OK restaurant. Nothing outstanding but really nothing negative either. And is was fairly close to home.
Appetizer: Shrimp Pesto Castllemare - grilled shrimp with pesto, fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomato, roasted peppers, pine nuts and basil. Everything was good except the tomatoes. Hot house, no color, no flavor. The wine served was a 2010 Castellani Vernaccia Di San Gimignano. I first came across this wine in Italy a few years back.
First Course: Tricolor Al Greco Tropical - baby field greens, papaya, golden raisins, candied walnuts, beets, red onion, feta cheese with a raspberry cider vinaigrette. It is a salad. Decent enough. Wine paired was the Vernaccia.
Second Course: Stuffed Shells Brookalena - pasta shells filled sausage, ricotta & parmagiana reggiano cheeses and fresh spinach. Filling was good. Some edges of the shells were hard from being exposed with no cheese or sauce on them. Wine was a 2010 Casal Moro Rosso Del Veneto. My second least favorite wine of the evening. Went ok with the food but that was it. Just OK.
Main Course: I selected the Petite Filet Mignon with Madeira Mushroom Sauce, Scallion Red Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Fresh Green Beans & Carrots. The other choice was a Salmon dish.
Paired with a 2008 Barbera Fermo Torti. I also got them to pour me the wine they paired with the Salmon. A 2009 Morellino Di Scansano Tomaiolo. I preferred the Barbera. Better wine.
Dessert was "Assorted Mini Pastries of Cannoli, Tiramisu & Eclairs". From the description I thought we were going to be served a plate with one of each. No - we had our choice of one. Very deceptive in their menu wording. The wine was the worst of the evening. A 2010 Casaleggio Sparkling. Horrible. Most people did not take more than a taste of it.
It was festival seating and I was lucky enough to get a good group ay my table. Dinner was OK. Wines were OK. But I did buy a couple of bottles of the Vernaccia and of the Barbera.
Susan, the rep for the Italian wine importer kept after me to sign up for this wine dinner. It was inexpensive enough and a decent selection of wines. Finbars is an OK restaurant. Nothing outstanding but really nothing negative either. And is was fairly close to home.
Appetizer: Shrimp Pesto Castllemare - grilled shrimp with pesto, fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomato, roasted peppers, pine nuts and basil. Everything was good except the tomatoes. Hot house, no color, no flavor. The wine served was a 2010 Castellani Vernaccia Di San Gimignano. I first came across this wine in Italy a few years back.
First Course: Tricolor Al Greco Tropical - baby field greens, papaya, golden raisins, candied walnuts, beets, red onion, feta cheese with a raspberry cider vinaigrette. It is a salad. Decent enough. Wine paired was the Vernaccia.
Second Course: Stuffed Shells Brookalena - pasta shells filled sausage, ricotta & parmagiana reggiano cheeses and fresh spinach. Filling was good. Some edges of the shells were hard from being exposed with no cheese or sauce on them. Wine was a 2010 Casal Moro Rosso Del Veneto. My second least favorite wine of the evening. Went ok with the food but that was it. Just OK.
Main Course: I selected the Petite Filet Mignon with Madeira Mushroom Sauce, Scallion Red Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Fresh Green Beans & Carrots. The other choice was a Salmon dish.
Paired with a 2008 Barbera Fermo Torti. I also got them to pour me the wine they paired with the Salmon. A 2009 Morellino Di Scansano Tomaiolo. I preferred the Barbera. Better wine.
Dessert was "Assorted Mini Pastries of Cannoli, Tiramisu & Eclairs". From the description I thought we were going to be served a plate with one of each. No - we had our choice of one. Very deceptive in their menu wording. The wine was the worst of the evening. A 2010 Casaleggio Sparkling. Horrible. Most people did not take more than a taste of it.
It was festival seating and I was lucky enough to get a good group ay my table. Dinner was OK. Wines were OK. But I did buy a couple of bottles of the Vernaccia and of the Barbera.
Himalayn to Start The Year Off
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Marc & Edie had not been to the Himalayan in quite awhile. So off we went. This place is really a favorite of mine. Good food, full of flavor and if I order mild I can handle it.
We started off with the Somosa's. Best around. Garlic Chicken, Shrimp Masala, Chicken Vindaloo, Lamb Saag, Malai Kofta, Aloo Gobi and Garlic Naan. A nice assortment of dishes. Alto I was suprised that Terry did not oder the Lamb Chops.
Wines were quite the assortment. My favorites were the 2005 Chateau Mayne Guyon, Cotes de Blaye, Grand Cru Bordeaux that CJ brought and my 2009 Archery Summit Pinot Noir. I also brought a NV Robert Moncuit Grand Cru Brut Champagne. This bubbly is turning out to be a real favorite of mine.
Rounding out the selection was 2005 IO Syrah, 2009 Torettis Inocencio Pinot Noir, 2010 Coppola Directors Claret and 2009 Anthill Abbell Harriz Pinot Noir.
Marc & Edie had not been to the Himalayan in quite awhile. So off we went. This place is really a favorite of mine. Good food, full of flavor and if I order mild I can handle it.
We started off with the Somosa's. Best around. Garlic Chicken, Shrimp Masala, Chicken Vindaloo, Lamb Saag, Malai Kofta, Aloo Gobi and Garlic Naan. A nice assortment of dishes. Alto I was suprised that Terry did not oder the Lamb Chops.
Wines were quite the assortment. My favorites were the 2005 Chateau Mayne Guyon, Cotes de Blaye, Grand Cru Bordeaux that CJ brought and my 2009 Archery Summit Pinot Noir. I also brought a NV Robert Moncuit Grand Cru Brut Champagne. This bubbly is turning out to be a real favorite of mine.
Rounding out the selection was 2005 IO Syrah, 2009 Torettis Inocencio Pinot Noir, 2010 Coppola Directors Claret and 2009 Anthill Abbell Harriz Pinot Noir.
Dinner in The Cellar at Delius
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Dinner in the wine cellar at Delius tonight with friends. 10 courses sounds like at lot and it is in spite of small servings. You are stuffed at the end of dinner.
Started off with a plate of Charcutere cheese, salamis, crackers, bread etc.
Poached Shrimp
Salad of winter greens, pistachios, blueberrys and bleu cheese
Forest Mushroom soup
Terrine of Pheasant, cherry & onion confit
Seared duck breast with Shimeji mushrooms
Mango Sorbet
Pepper encrusted filet mignon
Fruit & cheese
Bittersweet chocolate tart with white chocolate mousseline
We ordered a bottle of Domaine A'Dair Chablis which was very good with the first two courses.
Next was a bottle of Taz Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir. This also was good. I do like the Fiddlestix Vineyards. They always produce good grapes. Finished with a Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon.
I was very partial to the soup and the Pheasant terrine. As usual I had to take the two main courses home. The older I get the faster I seem to "fill up" at dinner.
Delius was decorated for the holidays. Atmosphere was nice. Good company, good wines and good food. Made for a nice ending to the year.
Dinner in the wine cellar at Delius tonight with friends. 10 courses sounds like at lot and it is in spite of small servings. You are stuffed at the end of dinner.
Started off with a plate of Charcutere cheese, salamis, crackers, bread etc.
Poached Shrimp
Salad of winter greens, pistachios, blueberrys and bleu cheese
Forest Mushroom soup
Terrine of Pheasant, cherry & onion confit
Seared duck breast with Shimeji mushrooms
Mango Sorbet
Pepper encrusted filet mignon
Fruit & cheese
Bittersweet chocolate tart with white chocolate mousseline
We ordered a bottle of Domaine A'Dair Chablis which was very good with the first two courses.
Next was a bottle of Taz Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir. This also was good. I do like the Fiddlestix Vineyards. They always produce good grapes. Finished with a Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon.
I was very partial to the soup and the Pheasant terrine. As usual I had to take the two main courses home. The older I get the faster I seem to "fill up" at dinner.
Delius was decorated for the holidays. Atmosphere was nice. Good company, good wines and good food. Made for a nice ending to the year.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Seal Beach Winery & Francos
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Met at a small winery tasting room, Seal Beach Winery, in the Los Alamitos area. 11 of us sat in the barrel room and had a great tasting. The winemaker, Mike, was very informative. Of the 5 we tasted all were good but not great. They put out a nice spread of appetizers for us and everything was decorated for Christmas. I plan on going back some weekend soon and taste some more on their list. May change my mind about the quality.
Next we headed down the street to Franco's. Our favorite Italian restaurant. We had no need for appetizers as we already had some ,so right to dinner we went. Almost everyone had the butternut squash soup which was excellent. I ordered the fillet which was cooked perfectly.
Margie had arranged for everyone to bring a bottle of wine for a gift exchange. She also handed out "favors" which turned out to be a soap shaped and decorated like a chocolate Christmas tree and "champaagne" lip balm. A nice touch to end the evening.
A big selection of wines are spread across the table.
NV J. Lorenza Champagne,
NV Pommery Champagne
2006 Il Falcon Riserva red blend
2006 Mocali Brunello di Montalcino - excellent
2010 Macchia Amorous. Lodi, Sangiovese
2009 Frescobladi Castiglioni Chianti
2008 Gattavecchi Vino, Nobile di Montepulciano
2010 Palmima Tocai Friulano
1982 Ricon Famoso
2000 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 La Castellina Riserva, Squarclalupi, Chiantio Classico
2011 Colle Solato Umbria Ind:ozione Gergrofica Tipica Blend
NV. Windsor Port. This wine was at least 30 years old and was excellent. Someone gave this to me several years ago and they had had it for a least 20 years or more.
Met at a small winery tasting room, Seal Beach Winery, in the Los Alamitos area. 11 of us sat in the barrel room and had a great tasting. The winemaker, Mike, was very informative. Of the 5 we tasted all were good but not great. They put out a nice spread of appetizers for us and everything was decorated for Christmas. I plan on going back some weekend soon and taste some more on their list. May change my mind about the quality.
Next we headed down the street to Franco's. Our favorite Italian restaurant. We had no need for appetizers as we already had some ,so right to dinner we went. Almost everyone had the butternut squash soup which was excellent. I ordered the fillet which was cooked perfectly.
Margie had arranged for everyone to bring a bottle of wine for a gift exchange. She also handed out "favors" which turned out to be a soap shaped and decorated like a chocolate Christmas tree and "champaagne" lip balm. A nice touch to end the evening.
A big selection of wines are spread across the table.
NV J. Lorenza Champagne,
NV Pommery Champagne
2006 Il Falcon Riserva red blend
2006 Mocali Brunello di Montalcino - excellent
2010 Macchia Amorous. Lodi, Sangiovese
2009 Frescobladi Castiglioni Chianti
2008 Gattavecchi Vino, Nobile di Montepulciano
2010 Palmima Tocai Friulano
1982 Ricon Famoso
2000 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 La Castellina Riserva, Squarclalupi, Chiantio Classico
2011 Colle Solato Umbria Ind:ozione Gergrofica Tipica Blend
NV. Windsor Port. This wine was at least 30 years old and was excellent. Someone gave this to me several years ago and they had had it for a least 20 years or more.
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