Chinese Food - Hungry Again After 30 Minutes?

Ok, it's my blog.  I'm going to write what I want.  And I am not going to apologize.  So don't even ask.  And don't try to shame me.  I am a cradle Catholic.  I know shame.

That being said, let's talk about Chinese food.  I think I have a love affair with it.  It's true.  I'm pretty sure I am the only American who can go to China and gain weight.  So that's why I titled this post with an old stereotype.... eat all the Chinese food you want and you're hungry again in a half hour.

My personal experience with authentic Chinese food in places like Shanghai, Beijing and Suzhou is far different from what you find in the US and what you might expect in China.  First of all, drop all expectations.  1 - From what I could discover, they don't eat dog in China, at least not in any local restaurants that cater to the local residents and foreigners.  And I asked.  Maybe they used to, maybe all the dogs have been eaten, I don't know.  But for the time I was there, I was told, "we don't eat dog."  2 - If you eat good Chinese food, you won't go away hungry and you won't be hungry in 30 minutes.  Good Chinese cuisine is delicate, intricate, layered and unbelievable in the myriad of flavors they expose.  3 - There is some Chinese food you should never eat.

Sea cucumber is one such product (above).  Don't let the locals sway you with talk of how delicious it is.  (MEN! don't let them tell you how good it is for your virility.)  Don't believe them when they say it is a delicacy.  Though I guess in some provinces it is a delicacy.  But it does not suit the American palate.  Though it does not really have a strong flavor, the way it was served called up my gag reflex.  Served in a cool, yellow sauce of indeterminate substance, I grabbed my piece of sea cucumber with my chop sticks, brought it decisively up to my smiling lips, and just as I was about to sink my teeth into it, my Italian dining partner gagged a little to my right.  He had just "tasted" it.  How could I abort?  How could I return it to my plate without offending my host?  Couldn't be done.  I ate it.  And I too gagged.  Silently.  It's not the flavor, it's the consistency.  The cool temperature combined with the slightly fleshy, slightly pudding-like texture was so unexpected I couldn't process in my head that this was a food substance. 

Not to worry though.  There is SO MUCH good food in China.  No, there is really some yummy delicious authentic Chinese food.  Once you taste it, you may never eat Chinese food in America again.

This is not one of them though.  I saw this on one of the menus and had to take a picture of it.  It makes me think of a pygmy hippo coated in teriyaki bbq sauce swimming up through a lake of little bok choy bits.  Not appetizing, yet intriguing....

 Last on the list of things you shouldn't try while in China is this little scrumptious bit.  I don't remember what it was and I can't really define it, but when you bite into it, you will be reminded of the thrill of biting into a piece of steak or pork or chicken, expecting a delicious meat-like flavor and texture to be met instead with a chunk of gristle and fat.  Yes.  This one, is also a no-no.

So I started today's comments talking about the glorious splendors of the intricate flavors of Chinese cuisine and spent the entire time telling you about less than delicious foods.  And I'm sorry for that.  But, I have yet to find my photos of the good stuff (two moves across a state and then across the country) so I have to apologize (even tho I said at the beginning of this I would not apologize...)  So... stay tuned for Chinese food part two.  Once I find my photos, I will be back.  ciao!

Fly the Friendly Skies

Whether you fly the friendly skies (with United) or go with Delta, because "they're ready when you are", there is no denying that airline food has moved up the food chain since the 1970's.  (Airline trivia from 1970's:  In 1970, the Boeing 747 made it's first commercial passenger trip to London.  Some other time in the 1970's I took my first airline trip to Orlando, Florida and experienced airline food for the first time.  I believe it was a cheese sandwich of sorts, cut triangularly into halves, and wrapped in cellophane.)

United Airlines established the first kitchens for preparing airline food n 1936.  By 1958, it had grown to such importance that Pan Am and several European airlines got into a legal dispute over whether or not certain airline sandwiches constituted a meal.  (In case it wasn't decided correctly, let me go ahead an render a verdict:  no, they do not.)

Kulula Airlines, a S. African airline company, had the good sense to refrain from sharing food during the in-country flight.  I did have a refreshing Coke Light though.

And so I will leave you with images of what several airlines consider a meal on overseas flights.

This was a not so delightful pork, rice and greens meal from United.  It included a cold sweet potato salad (to the best of my ability to identify that food product), fruit, a days-old roll and a processed brownie.

Moving on to S. Africa.... I appreciate that Delta incorporates food that appeals to the locals of the destination.  This meal included a warm pocket filled with some sketchy, but spicy meat product, cold couscous salad, fruit, water and a Milano cookie from Pepperidge Farms.  I made the mistake of eating the meat pocket.  The guts included curried potatoes and meat, with a strong serving of garlic.  Lived with it all day.  The couscous was very good.  I believe it included guava, which is a favorite fruit for many S. Africans.

Delta served this curried chicken dish on the return flight from Johannesburg, S. Africa to Atlanta, GA.  It was one of the few times I saw vegetables in  meal for more than a week!  The meal included grilled squash (which wasn't bad, considering), a semi-mash of curried chicken and rice, a salad consisting of two pieces of lettuce, two slices of cuke, and couple of shredded carrots.  You can also see the brownie and roll.  Have to admit, couldn't touch that brownie.

And yet, one more delightfully overcooked mash of food products from Delta.  This was from a flight to Germany, and included a chicken and rice product, hard roll, salad, and for a change of pace a blondie instead of a brownie.  The Sudoku was a "bonus".

How Much Wine is That?

One standard acre of grapevines

= between 700 and 1,300 vines

Will produce about 5 tons of grapes

=3,985 bottles of wine

=797 gallons of wine

=15,940 glasses of wine

=13.5 barrels of wine

 

One barrel of wine

=1,180 glasses of wine

=24.6 cases of wine

 

One Case of Wine

=30 pounds of grapes

=48 glasses of wine

=12 bottles of wine

 

One bottle of wine

=2.4 pounds of grapes

=4 glasses of wine

=4 happy people

In A Malbec Kind of Mood

The Malbec grape originated in France, but Argentinian Malbec wines are quickly coming to the red wine forefront.  At dinner a few weeks ago, my host ordered a bottle of Malbec, and I tried it for the first time.  It reminds me of Merlot, but it is much more intense, complex and full of flavor.

I gave up Merlot several years ago. The ones I tried had become too sweet, too mellow, too bland and too uninteresting.  I still think Merlot make for an easy introduction to red wine for the novice winedrinker, but overall I've not found one with the rich complexity of a Cabernet or (now) a Malbec.

Tonight's wine comes from the vineyards of Finca La Celia, a Mendoza winery that has been around since 1890.  Though I didn't know that little tidbit when I bought the wine, that's got to count for something right?  Longevity in the wine business generally means quality (unless it means really, really cheap).  At any rate, what really convinced me to try this particular wine was the "Oak Aged" note on the front of the label. 

In France, the Malbec grape has gone into somewhat of a decline.  Even though it is one of only 5 grape varieties that can be blended to make Bordeaux, its susceptability to various blights and a killing frost in the 1950's really set it into the background, behind Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes which are hardier varietals.  Argentina embraced the Malbec grape.  Many Argentinian vineyards from a planting or two taken from France.  Now, it has practically become the national grape of Argentina.  Argentina's highest caliber Malbecs come from the high altitude Mendoza region, which coincidentally, is where Finca La Celia winery is located.

The Malbec grape produces a deep red wine.  The La Finca 2011 is so richly red, that if you hold up a glass to the light, you will not be able to see through it.  When you get to that last tablespoon of a sip, hold it to the light  and you will be rewarded with a beautiful, deep ruby shine.  But then, you should go ahead and enjoy that last sip.

The La Finca greets you with an intensely spicy vanilla aroma. The secondary smell you'll get is a rich, black currant, making for a delightful combination on the nose.  On your first sip, you'll experience a lovely smooth ripe fruit on the palate, with a warm finish.  The tannins are silky, not harsh, and combine with the oakiness for a nice, subtle richness that is delicate at the same time.

Locally, this can only be found at Trader Joe's, so you may not find it in even your best grocer's wine shop.  It's modestly priced, and I would recommend for any meat or red sauce pasta dish.  It would also be nice for sipping around the patio with friends, on a cool evening.

Chinese Food, Beijiing Style

Having recently returned from a business trip to Beijing, China, I thought I would share some photos with you.  Before I took off from my home airport in Cincinnati, one of the things on my mind was the food (imagine that!).  I've always wondered if the ethnic food we eat in the U.S. bears any resemblance to the home food of various countries.  Do Germans eat schnitzle?  Do Italians eat pizza?  Do Chinese people order Chinese food for takeout that comes in little fold-up boxes?  Do Mexicans really eat burritos as big as a chihauhau when they're in Mexico City, or is that something Chipotle made up just for us Americans?

I was about to get my first taste of "real" Chinese food, and I have to admit, I was pretty excited.  I know I like Hunan Chicken from the House of Hunan (down the street).  Would Beijing's Szechuan Chicken resemble the Szechuan Chicken I order from Pad Thai?  Real Chinese food - can't wait!  (I thought).

So this was my introduction to "real" Chinese food.  Delta Airlines' version.  The transcontinental menu they handed out on takeoff offered "American" and "Chinese" meals.  I thought I'd get a jump on the real Chinese food, so I ordered the Chinese dinner.  This pitiful meal is what arrived.  Romaine lettuce served with a slightly gingery dressing, whole wheat roll (not Chinese), fresh fruit (none native to China) and a delightfully disarming entree of rice, carrots, green beans and barbecue pork.  Ok, calling this a Chinese meal was a bit of a stretch, even for Delta Airlines.  I think if they had tv dinners in China, this would be it.  The Chinese fortune cookie was a nice touch though.

Nonetheless, I ate it.  And I was on my way to China.

Fox Run Winery - A Finger Lakes Beauty

The winery that is now Fox Run began its life as a dairy farm in Penn Yan, NY.  Just 55 acres, it sits high above the western side of Seneca Lake on Torrey Ridge.  The Finger Lakes Region has supplied decent American wines for more than 150 years.  In this region, French-American hybrids have been grown, tested, and re-planted for their hardiness in the relatively chilly climate.  Historically, the Finger Lakes wines have been sweeter than you might find from the west coast or Oregon.  The owners of Fox Run were determined to put Finger Lakes on the map with finer wines.  They planted their first non-hybrid European grapes in 1984, believing they could develop fine reds and whites from the region.

I had tasted their cabernet sauvignon with dinner the night before at a local restaurant.  We put them on our list of must-see wineries on our tour of the Finger Lakes.  They were our last stop the following afternoon.

Since we had already tried (and loved) their Cabernet, we decided to try their Reserve Chardonnay (2008). We were not disappointed.  We each purchased a glass of their wine and even though their little cafe had closed, I asked for a cheese and cracker tray and they happily obliged.  We then headed outside to their deck, overlooking Seneca Lake.  Though there's a little 2-lane road bisecting the land between the winery and the lake, it did not dimish the view or the experience.  It was one of those warm, early-autumn afternoons where the temperatures were in the high 70's.  We don't get too many of those in that part of the country and we were determined to savor the afternoon sunlight.

 

The grapes for this wine were sourced from the oldest vineyard on the property. 

One-half hour in the fridge brought the bottle to a perfect temperature.  Pale gold in color, my first impression in the glass is a really bold pear fragrance.  As I gave my glass a couple of stiff swirls, a clean fresh bouquet of mineral flowed out. The finish is long and very smooth, almost a buttery finish. But not quite butter, maybe even more of a butterscotch quality.  And at the very end, a hint of cranberry.

Fox Run Vineyard wines have limited distribution.  They are sold through some restaurants and liquor stores throughout NY, FL, NJ and a few other east coast locations.  If you are in the Finger Lakes region, I would recommend you put Fox Run on your list of must-see.

Baltimore - Not So Crabby!

http://www.the-wine-market.com/winebar.html

The Wine Market in Baltimore, Maryland is a new favorite! It is a combination wine bar, restaurant and wine shop, all under one roof. Located just off the inner harbor, it's a nice respite from the touristy spots that most people are famiiar with.

Had a lovely dinner there mid-week with friends and was absolutely amazed by the quality of the food and wine selections. They say they have more than 30 wines available by the glass and 900 wines in their wine shop. For a $9 corkage fee, you could buy a nice wine from the shop at a very reasonable price to complement your dinner.

While we waited for our friends to arrive, I started with their recommended "Red of the Moment", a 2008 Carmeniere fromVina Von Siebenthal Winery. I had recently tasted a Carmeniere for the first time, and was anxious to try another sample to compare the experience. I was not disappointed by this lovely red from Aconcagua, Chile.

It's rich red color was enhanced by the scent of coffee and cedar. On the palate you could taste hazelnut, coffee and a hint of blackberries, with a slightly spicy finish. Very nice and priced to please!

My friend and I ordered the three-course Prix Fixe dinner. For $33, we had a delicious appetizer, entree and dessert, each paired with the perfect wine. I started with a simple salad of mesclun greens and carmelized walnuts. This was paired with probably one of the best whites I've enjoyed in a long time. It was served pefectly chilled to enhance the crisp flavor of sweet pears. It was neither too sweet nor too dry, and it complemented the salad quite well. It was literally like drinking liquid pears. Perfect for a warm summer evening, but it was also quite delicious with the salad.

The Prix Fixe dinner has been raised to $35.11 since I was there last, but the meal is worth every cent.  Go and experience it for yourself!

Photos and Thoughts from a Recent Trip To Michigan

"Drink wine, and you will sleep well. Sleep, and you will not sin. Avoid sin, and you will be saved. Ergo, drink wine and be saved." - Medieval German saying   Sounds good to me.  I never excelled at these types of logical statements, so I'll just take those old Germans' word for it.

Russ' Restaurant, serving delightful, home-style meals at modest prices in Muskegon, MI.

Reuben Sandwich Soup - how could I resist?  Needed a touch of sauerkraut to meet true perfection, but was pretty good.

I know, a Southwest Cobb Salad in Michigan?  But look at those colors!  Everything was crisp and fresh and the salad dressing was homemade.

Top the day's meal off with homemade cherry pie, from one of the thousands of roadside stands proclaiming: Washed Cherries!  This was undeniably the best cherry pie I've ever eaten, all cherry, very little gelatin filler.  The crust was sublime.

One of the roadside stands offered free tastings of their first batch of their estate wine:  Cheeky Cherry Wine.  After a sip of this slightly sweet, cherry wine, I decided to indulge in a bottle.  It's the first non-grape wine I've tasted and I have to say, they might be off to a good start!

Happy Father's Day

Much happiness and admiration to those men (and some women) who fathered, and were truly fathers to, children.  If you're not a fan of wine or food, I would recommend this on a nice, hot Father's Day evening.

Don't be Afraid to Order House Favorite

We were looking for a place to meet friends with teens for dinner.  Something that was not too fancy, not too expensive, and not too hard to find.  We found it at D'Agnese's Trattoria and Cafe on White Pond, in Akron, OH.  The physical location has housed various restaurants over the past ten years or so, including Jasper's AM, a mediocre Mexican restaurant, and at least one other, the name of it long forgotten - all closed and re-opened now under new ownership and new name.  D'Agnese's Trattoria is a sister restaurant to the Tomato Grill in Hudson, the Bistro in Bath, and Nina's in Broadview Heights.  The Bistro has never let me down with the quality of food they offer, so we suggested D'Agnese's to friends, sight unseen, wine untasted. 

The last time we were at this location, it was a really bad Mexican restaurant (sorry, not just medicre, but really bad).  Everything was oversalted, and the only way their food was made edible was by the consumption of mass quantities of beer or margaritas.  It featured the typical pseudo-Mexican decorations that Americans have come to expect:  Sombreros and serapes on the wall (like any self-respecting Mexcian would do that with their clothes.  Do American-style restaurants hang Ralph Lauren clothes or Calvin Klein underwear on the walls?  Of course not.  Yet, for some reason, Mexican garb has become wall decorations in US-Mexican restaurants.  But I digress.)

Everything about D'Agnese's has been overhauled, beginning with the exterior signage, and extending into the interior room arrangement, bar set-up and decor.  With its casual yet upscale atmosphere, this restaurant, at first glance, appeared to be the right choice for our group.

 There's even an outdoor patio for dining and imbibing, though it was too warm for our party to consider it that eveing.

Inside, the layout was welcoming: bar and lounge area to the right, with ample tables, but physically separated from the main dining room; main dining room to the left, suitably and dimly lit, lovely for an evening with new friends and our soon-to-graduate teens.

Having previewed the menu online, I already knew what I wanted to order.  I just had to wait for our waiter to go through the evening specials so that I might not appear too eager or rude around my guests.

Beets were on the menu and I love beets, so I knew beets were going to be a part of tonight's meal. They offered a roasted beet salad, which featured crispy fresh mesculin greens, carmelized walnuts, squash, roasted and sliced beets, goat cheese and a sweet balsamic vinagrette.  The ingredients were more appropriate for a fall salad, but I was determined to have my beets!  When the salad arrived, I was really shocked by the size of  the salad.  I expected it to come on a salad plate.  Instead, it filled an entire dinner plate.  This might make enjoying my dinner a little more difficult.

I have to admit, every morsel was absolutely scrumptious, and I can't believe I ate the whole thing.  But I did.

Crusty and warm Italian bread was served, right before the entrees arrived.  And yes, I had ordered the house favorite.  Sometimes you'll go places and the house favorite is some bizarre or goofy mish-mash of foods that you might usually love individually, but some chef decides to mix them all together and call them the "special", so I'm not always a fan of a restaurant's specialty.  Then other times, you just have to try the specialty anyway.  In this case, the Chicken D'Agnese was really Chicken Piccata with artichoke hearts and tomatoes thrown in for good measure.

This too was a feast for the palate. The chicken had been pan-seared and sauteed to a crispy yet succulent finish, with browned edges and a white interior.  After plating the chicken, the chef arranged wilted arugula, artichoke hearts, tomatoes and capers on top, then brought all the flavors together by topping it all with their delicious signature lemon butter sauce.   Heavy sigh.  The aroma of butter and lemon and garlic and tomato wafted upwards from my plate, begging me to cut in and enjoy every morsel.  The meal was truly large enough for two after that immense salad, so I couldn't finish it all - though every fiber of my taste buds begged me to take just one more bite.

Every entree at D'Agnese's is accompanied by their homemade pasta and tomato sauce.  Truthfully, I didn't touch it that evening.  The salad, bread and entree was more than enough to fill my tummy.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed every entree that was delivered.  Six people agreed their food was extremely well done, and possibly some of the best Italian fare in the area.  Best of all, the prices are amazingly competitive.  Their entrees were prices consistent with a Macaroni Grille or an Olive Garden, but the quality of food was far above any chain food you'll find.  Their menu is extensive and D'Agnese has something to offer everyone. It's a perfect spot for any business or social occasion! Ciao!

New Blog to Consider

I've been following this never-met, internet friend on Twitter for many months now and finally found my way over to his blog. Check it out - My Vinespot.  It's written by a guy in Northern Virginia who has to work for a living during the day (not unlike me) but enjoys and appreciates wine by night, sharing his findings with friends like you and I.
(I don't want to sound needy, but if you like his blog better than mine, I just don't want to know.  And please don't leave me for him.  I'm just asking you to take a peek at his blog.  And please share mine with your friends early and often.)
Ciao!

Philadelphia Cheese Steak - Finding Meaty Bliss Outside of the City of Brotherly Love

The classic Philly Cheesesteak sandwich includes succulent roast beef shaved thin, served with grilled onions and slightly melted American cheese on a squishy soft hoagie bun.  Can this delight be recreated outside of Philadelphia, or is it destined to remain a local favorite?

Later today, I'll head over to grand opening of Eddie's Famous Cheesesteak and Grille in Merriman Valley.  I want to taste his Cheesesteak sandwich and "boardwalk" style, hand-cut fries.  I'll let you know if it lives up to the hype.  Til then, just stare longingly at the image above and imagine the smell of a delightful roast beef sandwich right up to the point it reaches your lips.  Yum!

Wine in Chains

The title is WINE IN CHAINS, not WOMEN in CHAINS. Who put that picture there?

Many travelers (or stay-in-town eaters, for that matter) tend to fall into one of several categories: when they travel out of town, they will only eat at chains with which they are familiar, thinking that way at least they'll know what quality to expect. Others will only eat in the hotel where they stay (this is generally the worst choice known to civilized humankind). There's the slightly adventurous, who will reach for their Blackberry, click on their "Yelp" ap, and type in "local restaurants", to see what others have thought about their dining destinations. And then there's the slightly more adventurous who will eat at any diner, restaurant or dive that looks interesting and has a lot of cars in the parking lot. My style tends to fall into the last two categories, and I have to tell you, I've rarely been disappointed.

But today's post is about wines from some well-known chains. Taking some info from February's Food and Wine, and some from my own experience, here are some suggestions:P. F. Chang's is a semi-high-end Chinese joint. I went to my first P. F. Chang's in Phoenix, Arizona many years ago on a date. Have to admit, I was under-impressed by the quality. The portions were ridiculously huge, and the prices were high (especially compared to the mom-and-pop Chinese restaurants found locally). Nonetheless, when they opened shop in my town, I tried them again. Still I find them over-priced, over-salted, and some items a little oily, but they've got a couple of decent wines. Their best red is a nice Pinot Noir from New Zealand. It's the 2009 Boulder Bank and is priced at $38/bottle, locally. I'm not much for reds from down under, but this one has aromatic herbal notes that brighten the fruit. Their best white is the Fillaboa Albarino ($33). It's a Spanish wine, produced in the Galicia region. Very focused and zesty. I'm going to try more Spanish whites this spring and summer.

Ah yes, Legal Seafoods. Gotta go there when you're in town, right? It's legit! It's local! No, it's a high-priced, touristy chain. I admit, the food is good. But I would not recommend it unless someone else is treating you. The wines: Red is the 2008 Ridge East Bench Zinfandel for $39 (see, told you they were a little steep.) Time spent in American oak barrels gives this juicy red a soft spicy bite. Their best white is the 2009 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc ($38). This is truly one of the best Sauvignon Blanc's you'll find out of New Zealand. Crisp, focused, liquid nectar.

Go for the steak, not the ambience. Locally, our Capital Grille is generally quite noisy, starting early and going all night. But the food is delish and the wait staff is usually delightful. Their best red is also a big red. The 200 WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir, at $64/bottle, is a little rich, but so is the wine. It's a structured yet earthy Pinot big enough to complement any steak, and it's vinted in Oregon, one of my favorite wine-producing states. Their white is a little cheaper, at $28/bottle, but is just as good. The 2009 Tilia Torrontes from Argentina is floral and lively. You will love it.

Olive Garden, because when you're here, you're family. Right, whatever. My family has never charged me for a glass of wine. Ever. Olive Garden is a decent family restaurant, a good place to teach your kids about table manners and why you should always chew food with your mouth closed. Olive Garden has really stepped up their game with their Italian wine offernings. I generally drink their house red, which is ok. But if you're there with friends instead of small children, may I recommend you try their 2008 Feudo Arancio Nero d'Avola? At $24/bottle, you'll get a taste of Sicily's warm climate with a lovely, spicy depth. Prefer a white? Choose the 2009 Mandra Rossa Fiano for just $24. Western Sicily is the source for this citrusy, unoaked white wine.

I'm only going to say this once. Go to Macaroni Grille for the bread. Stay for the food and "honors" wine. Disregard Patric, who'll be your waiter tonight and write his name on your paper table cloth in three shades of crayon, upside down and backwards. Just get that part out of your head. Go with a bunch of friends, order a lovely meal and the house wine. Take it from there - you just can't go wrong with the Macaroni Grill.

5 Easy Ways to Simplify Your Life - with Wine

Came across these great, but simple, ideas in my latest issue of Food and Wine magazine. Thought I'd share them with you, so you too can simplify your wine life.

1 - Who hasn't gone to a fancy restaurant, then spent 20 minutes trying to figure out which wine will work best for the group? I'm glad to see that Food and Wine is spreading the word! I figured this out for myself just a few weeks ago and give it two thumbs up! Look for the winelist online before you leave for the restaurant. That way, you'll already know what they offer, and you can quickly come up with some suggestions for your table. Saves time and aggravation.

2 - Buy wine sealed with a screw cap! Yes! Why? Screw caps are not just for Boones' Farm anymore! More wineries are making decent wines available with a screw cap. Once opened, they seal better than cork and will last just a little bit longer (though not in my house.) Recommend the Nautilus Estate Sauvignon Blanc, a lovely New Zealand white with a light grapefruit scent($17 retail).

3 - Vintage, schmintage! Don't worry about good or bad vintages. Instead, take the time to develop your own selection of favorite wine producers. (Of course you can refer to my blog for suggestions on which wines to try, but keep a list of your own favorites.) Look for the wineries that make excellent wines year after year.

4 - Find an affordable wine you like, buy it by the case and make it your house wine. I've done this in the past, and continue to do it, but I never made the connection between "affordable wine I like" and making it my "house wine". I like that idea! In addition to always having a good wine available, you'll save money when you buy it by the case. Locally, our wine shops and grocery stores offer a 10% discount whenever you buy a case of wine (mix or match).

5 - GET RID OF THE ANNOYING CORKSCREW WITH THE WING-LIKE ARMS AND WOBBLY SCREW! (OOPS, sorry, was I yelling?) It takes up too much space in your kitchen drawer. It's always a little bit of a pain to use, and it's sooooo 1997.

We picked up a corkscrew like this waiter's corkscrew at one of the wineries we visited. It was highly recommended by the owner. After more than three years of heavy use, it has yet to develop any wobbly bits. It's easy to use, and includes a foil cutter. Fast, efficient and takes up little drawer space. You will love it.

What! No More Whitman Winery?

This is a cheap blog post - mostly written by others. But this link was sent to me by a friend and I felt I had to post it. My family name is Whitman and I've visited this winerey:

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/01/29/1346455/bank-takes-back-closes-whitman.html#

Here's what I wrote about my previous experience with Whitman Winery:

http://wineinthyme.blogspot.com/2010/05/stuff-you-find-in-wine-bottles.html

Portobello's - Downtown Disney, Florida

Portobello sells itself as a rustic Italian restaurant, "born in the bounty and harvest of the Italian Countryside. They consider the restaurant an "Old World" type of venue, but truly, the white tablecloths are the only nod to Old World Italy. The Portobello restaurant in Downtown Disney, Orlando, Florida is typical of many of the Disney restaurants - it's big, it's designed to feed a lot of people and get them out the door, and it's loud.

It is set apart from other more "family-friendly" restaurants on Disney property, by their wine list and their menu. Though there are food items for the shorter folks, this is clearly a restaurant for the adults.

The Portobello's staff was a little short-handed the night some friends and I stopped by, so the service was slightly slow and surly. The food was worth the wait! We started with fresh Italian bread served with a roasted garlic bulb and olive oil. I ordered a Raymond Cabernet, 2007 vintage from Raymond Vineyards in Napa Valley. (Actually I ordered it from the waiter, but at some point it came from the Raymond Vineyards.) Earlier vintages of their Cabernet range in price from $85 - $180 per bottle. For a mid-range priced "house wine", I found this Cabernet to have a nice balance of powerful Cabernet juiciness and spicy complexity. It would make a lovely gift for someone who appreciates a hearty, yet delicate red. The Portobello house salad is a simple plate of locally grown mixed greens and a typical vinaigrette dressing. Garlic slightly overpowered the overall flavor.

Tonight's entree was an enticing skewer of shrimp, keeping company with a plate of polenta and a buttery white wine sauce. A light hint of lemon ran through the wine sauce. In a nod to the wintery weather, the chef included squash in the polenta. It was the perfect combination for a chilly evening in Orlando.

Try Some Holiday Cheer!

Enjoyed this pretty party drink for the first time last night, at a Hiram College reception. Simple and delicious, this lovely light drink is sure to be a hit at your next holiday party.
Mix 1 part cranberry juice and 2 parts champagne, toss in a maraschino cherry and you have this tasty and sparkly drink called "Holiday Cheer". Try it! It's sure to be a seasonal favorite with all your friends. Holiday Cheer, it's simply delicious!

Just One of Those Days

December.... cold weather, snow, special weekend get-togethers with friends and family. The holiday season is in full swing, and you may be expecting some festive, holiday-y wine information. And, it will be forthcoming, I promise. Just not today. Instead I offer thoughts, photos, comments, and holiday-appropriate toasts from other people who seem tohave enjoyed drinking wine. " May our wine tonight brighten our minds and strengthen our resolutions!" (recommended for New Year's Eve, or anytime you're thinking about the future and any changes in store...)

" Pour deep the rosy wine and drink a toast with me. Here's to three: wine, thee and cameraderie."

May we always have old wines, old friends and young cares.

"Here's to cold nights, warm friends, and a good drink to give them."

"I made wine out of raisins so I wouldn't have to wait for it to age." Stephen Wright

Here's to friendship, the wine of life. Let's drink of it, and to it."

Happy Holidays one and all.