Rosé 2010

HOWDY!!! It's been a while.

Well, up until last year, I used to say Domaine Tempier Rosé was the best of Rosés. I had the chance of tasting the 2010 Tempier... very good! Very nectarine-y... and I looove nectarine. But it wasn't the slamming good cantaloupey goodness of the 09. What's with that?!!

Having tasted more Rosés than I can count... this year, my favorite seems to be the 2010 Clos Marie Pic St. Loup... from the friggin' Languedoc! The Fontana of France. I had to keep my wine snobbery in check, especially since this Languedoc wine beat out a Bandol Rosé... and cost twice as less. Amazing wine this is, limpid, refreshing, lots of cantaloupe and delicate all-round. Amazing. $17, and I got it at The Wine Country. I'm going back tomorrow to pick up as much as I can.

Second fave was the Commanderie Peyrassol. From Provence. Yaaaayyyy! Delicate, light, melon fruits running around. All too delightful. $21.

Third this year (in my books, anyway) was Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé. Still beautiful, awesome. With a delicate freshness, and spurts of nectarine. Very good stuff. The price tag might push off a few: $32. For the hardcore Rosé lover.

TIED for 3rd place is: the Ameztoi Rubentis Txakolina (all of these are 2010, by the way). There's a bit of Cherry Jolly Rancher in this one (but dry), and a bit spritzy (it's supposed to be that way). Ever so refreshing. I love this wine and am intending on buying a case. $17. If you want to impress a wine geek, bring this wine.

OK, so I had 3 ties for Third place, the last (but not least) is the Schloss Schonborn "Pink" Rosé, made of Pinot Noir. Think of watermelon juice, but dry. So very good. $16. I've already bought a few of these.

Ahhh! Good summer sipping. Cheers!!

Crank Dat! Doughboy

Top Chef Korean Challenge! Go Korea!

A great time had by all for the Top Chef Korean Challenge, held in gorgeous San Diego.

Some highlights right now... more pictures and words coming soon!







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An Eastern Winter

Last week was very eventful for my friend Chef Anahita Naderi, as she put out an exquisite meal for those of us lucky to be at her Pop-Up Restaurant, which she aptly named, "Hidden Dinner".

Chef Anahita and her assistants had to improvise and turn a break room into a professional kitchen to create this delicious and visually appealing meal. My table mates were Aimee and Scott, a lovely couple whom I sat with for this special dinner. We were allowed to bring our own wine or beer, so I brought the Claude Carre et Fils Champagne... Light yellow with persistent bubbles, a nose of marzipan and dough, and taste of lemon curd, ginger, very crisp and citrusy.



The evening started with farfar, a dish I was not familiar with, but easily came to love. Crunchy, with pink, green and yellow rice bent into whimsical shapes. It was served with honey and Pop Rocks Candy. There was a "Snap, Krackle, Pop!" with the emphasis on Pop! Pop Rocks and Champagne? Who knew that could be so good! The course was also served with a Spiced Chai Tea shooter... warm and soothing.



The next course was a crispy potato latke, smoked salmon, chilled Creme Fraiche served with a dab of caviar on the top. The crunch, soft latke meshed with the salmon and savory Creme Fraiche. The caviar gave it an extra "Pop" at the end. Wonderful.




Why, HELLO Darling!



From there, we had a waffle with date spread, and on it sat a lovely Tamarind Shrimp... served with a side sip of Coconut Curry Soup. This all interwove.. the brine from the shrimp, the sweetness of the date, the comforting waffle and the savory curry soup.

Next...



Cold Beef Noodle Salad. I think this dish was overlooked by many because it was served in such a simple manner. But it was incredibly delicious and I could have just had that all night. Simply presented... yes, but with great flavor and texture.

The entree:


Seared Duck Breast with Pomegranate Walnut Emulsion, and (get this!) Savory Saffron Krispies. OMG... the Saffron Rice Krispies were heavenly. Again, more of the "Pop" in your mouth sensation, but the flavor of the saffron was very refined. So very good. To put such a sophisticated flavor profile on Rice Krispies was profound and totally unexpected.


Just when you thought it couldn't get better...



Almond Cake with Marscapone, and Beet Ice Cream. WHAT?? Beet Ice Cream? Amazing.

The almond cake was like eating marzipan straight from the tube, and with a flaky crust. Anahita got the recipe for the Beet Ice Cream from Thomas Keller of The French Laundry. Instant love.

And to think I have absolutely hated beets for most of my life (until this year). But never would guess Beet Ice Cream to be the end of this meal.

A great dinner made by a good friend, and made other friends on the way. So good!

Terry Theise! Go!! Go check him out!!

http://www.wineberserkers.com/viewforum.php?f=23

Legendary importer, hero to the modern wine world, and bon vivant Terry Theise is a guest for a couple more days on WineBerserkers. This is the man who helped forge the grower Champagne movement, and responsible for bringing some great wines to the US. He's on the board and answering any questions from anyone. Intellectual questions, silly questions. All of them. A lot to learn from him, and he is so gracious. Most excellent!

NYC!!!!

Going to NYC next week. So excited!!

Things to do include: hanging out with my wine nut friends from WineBerserkers.

See my friend, Melissa

Going to Ess-A-Bagel for my everything bagel with butter. I will attempt to go here every single day i'm in The City.

Hit Lotus of Siam

Get a Pastrami at Katz's

Hopefully make it to WHISKEYFEST! on the 9th in NYC.

Tons of stuff to see and do there. As always, there's not enough time.

EXCITED!!!!

Junior Johnson - Moonshine Runner

Junior Johnson will be visiting Hi-Time on Monday, October 4th. I have a newly found admiration for him based on the following vids. Total rebel!

and more...

Ok. Now wine. It is hot. I mean, freaking HOT!!! But a perfect time to uncork a lovely Chablis. Had the 2007 Louis Michel & Fils Montee de Tonnerre Chablis yesterday. Clear, light yellow in the glass. Taste: Ground-up sea shells. That's the best way for me to describe it. Clean, minerally, a racy streak of acidity. A beautiful wine. 100% Chardonnay.

Also had the pleasure of trying: 2007 Robert Chevillion Nuits St. George. Still just a baby. Clear, dark ruby in the glass. Iron? Raspberries, violets, with some earthiness to it. Good acidity. Absolutely lovely and would like to see how this wine tastes, over the years.

Tomorrow, I am visiting my friend Roberto who works at a shop in Santa Monica called Wine Expo. Followed by a bartenders competition and a rum meeting in LA, if I last that long.

Cheers! Make granita, and keep cool kiddos!

V