Dip & Sip

I have a passion for baking and whipped up some Cappuccino Chocolate Chip biscotti last week.  My friend and I finished dinner and we needed dessert so I went and found the remaining pieces of the goodies I’d baked.  As we were sitting there enjoying our red wine, as well, I said…try dipping it in there.  She looked at me for a second, went ahead with the suggestion and never turned back.

IMG_2724

Many people equate biscotti with coffee, but find the right wine and the right flavor of treat to dunk and you have an amazing match!  At this point in the night we were on my local ‘Two (or three) Buck Chuck’ since I can’t get Trader Joe’s wine because I live in MD.  I get Pepperwood Grove (Pinot Noir for this circumstance) for $4.44 down the street at Rodman’s.  Love it!

 

IMG_2719

IMG_2722

I work on savory biscotti, as well, that pairs nicely with a variety of white wines.  Give them a try, dip & sip away!

Italian Find

I will admit, I lean hard towards new world wines.  I have no problem with others but don’t seek them out.  Had some friends over recently who brought a nice Italian vino and wow, that is what reminded me I need to remember where wine started.  We enjoyed Savuto Odoardi, which is a blend of Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Nerello Cappuccio, Magliocco Canino and Sangiovese.  Just great tastes all around, and it didn’t even breathe much.  Looking online, retails for $13-$18, depending on where you live.

 

IMG_2682

IMG_2684

New California Pinot

Was checking out some wine tastings yesterday and had a (red) wine recommended to me that was not on the tasting menu.  As we got to talking about great grapes and new world wine (my favorite), the pourer/sampler/whatever you’d like to call them, recommended Meiomi Pinot Noir from California.  The grapes are from 3 regions in the state — Monterey, Santa Barbara and Sonoma.  Quite unique — definitely a light color (very Pinot), but was tough to nail down the flavors at first.  Got a bit a spice, then some light vanilla/candy, and a bit of fruit.  Also, a vintner who’s using screwtops, if that’s something that catches your attention.  Worth trying.  At the great store of Rodman’s in DC (a wine lover’s pitfall, among two others in the area) it was $16.

IMG_2673

IMG_2676

I passed!

In the fall I took the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) II wine course (which I posted about after each class) through the Capital Wine School.  We learned about wine, from start to finish, how to smell it, taste it, know it, rate it, x, y, z.  Then, there’s of course a test when you take a course.  This thing was hard.  I hadn’t studied for an exam for awhile (at least a non-open book one) and you would think studying about wine would be fun.  I didn’t get around to making flashcards, but was close (and some people did).  I studied for hours and it was a multiple choice test!  When all was said and done, I passed.  I have know successfully completed the WSET II Course.  Debating III…it’s pricey and apparently that test it even worse.  Multiple choice, essay and blind tasting.  But, we’ll see, it could be fun.  Taste on, my friends, taste on.

WSETCertificate

Wine Recap

Over the past month, I’ve had a nice spread of new wines that I’m finally getting around to posting about.  From red to white to bubbly, I love trying new happy grapes to add options to my wine rack.

#1 — Fire Road Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand. Citrus, apple, crisp, light, but still a nice weight to it.  Price seems to range from $10-$16/bottle (when looking online).

IMG_2589

#2 — Oakley Eighty-Two, California Red Wine.  Who makes this one?  One of my favorite vintners — Cline.  Nice red blend that’s a bit heavier (jammy) and can pair with about anything.  Great to have on hand to open and serve (or drink) whenever needed.  Price is about $10-$12/bottle.

IMG_2377

#3  — Diseno Old Vine Malbec, Argentina.  Fruit and spice can make a wine so nice.  Price is $8-$10.

IMG_2539

 

IMG_2540

#4 — Bleasdale Vineyards Sparkling Shiraz, Australia.  I seek out sparkling reds.  This one is better than some but a bit sweet.  Was drinking it on New Year’s Day, though, so very fun for the occasion.  Definitely worth trying.  Price is $16-$20.  Note, the picture in the link is different than the one below, they might have changed the bottle/label.

IMG_2530

#5 — Alvarez de Toledo Roble, Spain.  Just a nice red wine.  I was at a friend’s place for dinner and it was out and it was so nice.  Doing some searching looks like it’s about $8-$10 bottle.

Wente Chardonnay, Livermore Valley, California.  Some apple, some tropical fruit.  Aged in both barrels and stainless steel tanks it’s a very unique wine.  Definitely a Chard I’ll add to my list.  About $12-$14.

IMG_2562

#6 — Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz, Australia.  Berries, a hint of chocolate and smoke and a bit of pepper.  Very nice.  About $20-$25.

IMG_2587

IMG_2588

Spanish Food, Good Taste, Nice Price

There always seem to be new places opening in this area and it’s fun to actually check them out.  There is this new one in Bethesda, MD (part of a franchise) who’s name is tough to figure out based on the font but after discussion, wine, food, more wine and deep thoughts, we find out the official name is 100 Montaditos.  And what is this place?  Deep research tells you “100 Montaditos was founded in 2000, near the Spanish southern city of Huelva. Recreating the atmosphere of a traditional 19th century Spanish tavern, the restaurant specialized in montaditos, crunchy Spanish rolls baked to order and jam-packed with traditional ingredients as Serrano ham, Spanish tortilla, chorizo sausage and Manchego cheese.”

They have a huge menu of bite size food (basically little sandwiches) with great meats and cheeses.  They are all about $1-$3!  They also have some options for salad and meat plates.  My friend and I split a Spanish Gourmet platter of Serrano, Chorizo, Salami, Manchego, arugula and great bread.  It was $9 for more than enough goods.

IMG_2532

For wines, she had some nice white for $4/glass.  I started with sangria — there are several options of basically wine and soda.  They are $3!  After that I opted for (straight) red wine for a whopping $4/glass.  Very nice house selections.

IMG_2533We sat at the bar so had service right there.  Otherwise you walk in, order at the counter, get a number, then they deliver your food to your table.  But a waiter continues to come to your table to see if you need anything.  Nice casual place.  Affordable, tasty, can be quick, or you can stay awhile.

Give Me a Fiver

Who’s not always looking for a bargain, and a good tasting one at that?  Just saw this great article/blog on epicurious.com about value wines under $5.  Will definitely add these to my notes.  Never hurts to have them around.

Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw (aka Two Buck Chuck)
Trader Joe’s Coastal
Whole Foods Three Wishes
Walmart Oak Leaf
ALDI’S Winking Owl

6a00d83451cb0369e201a51086faa0970c-450wiSource:  epicurious.com

Somm

20131223-161423.jpg

While on a flight today I had the chance to check out a movie I hadn’t heard of, on a topic I love – wine! The name — Somm.

It’s about four sommeliers who attempt to pass the (prestigious) Master Sommelier exam, a test with one of the lowest pass rates in the world. The movie’s about 90 minutes and goes through their lives while they study for the test and highlights other somms (that’s what they are, don’t use that multi-syllabic word, it’s old-school in their world).

After taking the WSET course it was so fun/interesting to watch this and understand a tiny bit what they were going through. Apparently some people take this test many times and don’t pass. There are very few Master Sommeliers in the world.

Totally check out this movie of you have 90 minutes to spare.

Cheers to the MS and happy holidays!

Stove-Top Smoked Salmon

Last night I got to enjoy a wonderful dinner of smoked salmon…done on the stove via stove-top smoker.  It was amazing.  All I had to do was provide wine.  Easy!

For the main dish, you just need put some smoking chips in the bottom of the smoker then cover them with foil.

IMG_2450

IMG_2448

Season the fish with spices of choice (tarragon, S&P were used), then close the smoker.

IMG_2454

IMG_2455

You cook/smoke the salmon for about 25 minutes (this was 1/2lb+) — you start it at medium-high heat to get the chips smoking, leaving the back end of the smoker open, then keep it going at medium heat until cooked through.

IMG_2460

Carefully remove the lid (hot pads!) and heaven has arrived!

IMG_2464

We also prepared some pan-seared asparagus seasoned with rosemary and garlic salt.

IMG_2463

The final product was the fish, asparagus, dolmas, olives, marinated mushrooms and wonderful Penner-Ash Pinot Noir.  Not a bad dinner at all.

IMG_2467

 

Holiday Lunch

Today called for a holiday lunch, which also meant I got to check out a new (to me) location in DC.  Had a nice 3-course meal at Decanter at St. Regis with some colleagues.

IMG_2426

We started with delicious focaccia and a mesclun salad.  Under all the lettuce was an amazing tapenade.  Heaven for olive lovers!

IMG_2427

IMG_2428

For the main course I opted for the scallops.  Pan seared with both a chickpea puree (can we say hummus?) and chickpeas, along with great seasoning.  Very nice portion size, too!

IMG_2436

Though white would have paired a bit better with the scallops, I went for some Malbec.  The waiter said this stuff was great and I couldn’t turn it down.  The rest of the table was drinking beer or white so I had to take one for the (red) team.  I enjoyed some Siete Fincas from Argentina.  Medium body, smooth, fruity.

IMG_2429

The other food options were a steak or pasta.  They were both inhaled/enjoyed quite a bit.

IMG_2435

IMG_2433

The meal closed with a nice dessert of 3 sorbets — lemon, raspberry, lime, with a little meringue on top.  Perfect ending.

IMG_2439

I would be interested in checking this place out for dinner, as well.  Delicious food, excellent service, nice atmosphere.  Might just add it to my list.