As I’ve aged
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fbTrQKFFzQ
Category Archives: Terroir
Just Right
This is the one of the most popular Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines from a very popular vintner.
Medium-bodied with bright red fruits, earthy and savoury. Fresh acidity and well-integrated tannins.
Plenty of personality here, with a creamy finish.
MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO – TOLLO COLLE SECCO RUBINO
$17.99
13.5% Alcohol
UPC 08002001047086
For days like these
Made from Barbera, Syrah and Muscat Blac to give a slight salmony colour.
Some might say jammy in flavour. It has a similar complexity to Pomegranate Molasses. One side of your head says slightly sweet, and the other says tart.
It is a great wine for sitting on the deck or patio with friends and sipping away the sunset. If you are going to add food – what about a light chicken salad or a cheese plate?
CALIFORNIA ROSE – JOSH CELLARS 2019
$19.99
12.5% Alcohol
UPC: 00031259001043
Charting Culture
Somewhat Eurocentric
Mislabeled
Definitely NOT evil flowers as the label indicates.
These belong on the list of The Wines of Summer.
Plunk me down in this chunk of South Western France. and let me wander. I think we would do just fine weaving our way from vineyard to vineyard enjoying the wines of summer.
A little of this, a bit more of that, and lots of this – mix and match that go with tapas, cheeses, or even roasted poultry. Colombard, Ugni Blanc (known as Trebbiano in Italy), and Gros Manseng, along with international varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Because they are high in acidity and have relatively neutral flavors, Colombard and Ugni Blanc are often distilled to make brandy in South West France.
I suggest that you serve the white a little colder than other whites.
COTES DE GASCOGNE – LES FLEURS DU MAL
$16.99
11.5% alcohol
UPC: 08717545260081
And then we experimented with berry fragrances and a clean, well-balanced finish.
20 to 40 year old vines in the Languedoc / Roussillon region.
The wine worked really well with grilled pork tenderloin rings (salsa of apple, purple onion, and mushrooms)Great refresher in the heat.
CEVENNES ROSE – LES FLEURS DU MAL
$15.99
13% alcohol
UPC: 03495864011212
Never underestimate Kindness and Compassion
The Torments of Alexis Zorbas
The character of Zorba the Greek in the book is richer than the movie even though Anthony Quinn is a remarkable Zorba!
Zorba can be charming, but also pretty damn irritating; sometimes chivalrous. His contagious spirit will catch you off guard.
Zorba is not just a Greek, he is a man of the world, because it’s a true look at the human spirit. Life lessons from a man and his demons.
If you want to be “Boss” go to mainland Greece, if you want to be like “Zorba”, go to Kriti.
It’s not a book to read just once. If you read this and it doesn’t change your life you should read it again and pay more attention.
Reset your mind, widen your perspective. it’s as relevant today as when it was written in 1946.
There are two excellent translations. I prefer the earliest by Carl Wildman (1953) for it’s capture of the ‘sentiment’. The second, in 2014 is also excellent by Peter Bien. It is a very faithful rendition of the ‘language’
Quotes:
Every man has his folly, but the greatest folly of all, in my view, is not to have one.
“When you’ve made up your mind, no use lagging behind, go ahead and no relenting,
Let your youth have free reign, it won’t come again, so be bold and no repenting.
I realized that meals, too, are a spiritual service and that meat, bread, and wine are the raw materials from which spirit is formed.
An ardent desire to go took possession of me once more. Not because I wanted to leave – I was quite all right on this Cretan coast, and felt happy and free there and I needed nothing – but because I have always been consumed with one desire; to touch and see as much as possible of the earth and the sea before I die.
Leave your books alone. Aren’t you ashamed? Man is a wild beast, and wild beasts don’t read.
Zorba the Greek, Nikos Kanzantzakis, 1946,
A perfect representation
Just like the friends that brought it – gentle, bright, and well balanced.
From one of the most innovative producers in Burgundy, this chardonnay is easy to drink and disappears quickly. The valley near the Ardeche River with clay and limestone-based soils was chosen as the ideal location to produce a top-quality Chardonnay wine.
ARDECHE CHARDONNAY – LOUIS LATOUR
$18.99
13% alcohol
UPC: 0356692100010
High Anticipation
A grape we have had only once before by itself. Vermentino. The colour is bright and a very expressive nose. The tase is rounded with afruity undertone.
It’s very refreshing. Medium bodied and a medium to low sweetness.
Next trip to the government or private dairy will include a look for more of this grape.
PAYS D’OC VERMENTINO – PAUL MAS ALLNATT 2019
$19.99
13% alcohol
UPC: 03760040436159
Essentials
What’s in the larder, or pantry or storage cupboard, that you consider extras for the essentials in your kitchen?
Coffee. If there’s no coffee, I’ll have to resort to wodka or tee-keel-ya for attitude adjustment.
Flour – Top Quality – European
Raisins – in all colours.
Olive Oil – especially from Crete – to go with the Avocado Oil.
Lemon and Lime Juices, from the Middle East, for the times that I don’t have fresh. So much more flavour than the ones bottled here.
“Roger’s” Tea – red bag, Best Tea Blends, from the Quality Tea Company.
Honey – Prefer No 1 Blend from Greek/Turkey northern border.
Egg Pasta – Colourful .. for fun
Bam Dates that go with string figs. Great for stuffing chicken breasts or thighs
Crunchy Granola – make your own or stock up on the best locally made.
Phyllo in the freezer. You never know when you want to make spinach or cheese pies, or strudels.
Ouzo from Mytilene (the capitol of Lesbos Greece). But a much better alternative is Raki.
The Condiment Queen always wants Jellies, Chutneys and Jams (often from Symphony Vineyard)
Pomegranate Molasses – works so well with so many things. Grilled Chicken. On Frozen Yogurt for dessert.
Cheeses .. always have a spot reserved in your fridge. To pair with charcuterie and/or wine.
Feta – top a salad, made cheese pies
Pistachios. So good for you. Right up there with Pine Nuts for flavour and nutrition.
Viennese Wafers – perfect little snack for any time of the day after any meal.
