Monday, 7/14/08: Chefs and Wine Recap, Wines for Bastille Day, A few spots left for this weeks tasting!
Baltimore Chef and Wine Experience a Success: The 2008 Baltimore Chef and Wine Experience has come and passed. Dozens of food, wine and other related exhibits were on display for eating, tasting, reading and learning. Both national and local celebrities and chefs were on hand, as well as a couple Master Sommeliers, all sharing their recipes and experiences with those in attendance. The packed event was highlighted by talks given by television star and food writer and critic Ted Allen (my new close friend, see above!). I had a chance to meet Ted during the “VIP” tasting (which was crowded!)- a very down-to-earth, nice guy who definitely loves good food and wine. More on this event in the next few days while I recover my notes (from a husky mishap!) and put the pictures and film together.
What are you drinking this Bastille Day? French toast for breakfast with a French Roast coffee. French fries for lunch. Ladies walking around with French twists in there hair…what’s going on here? Ah! Today is Fête Nationale (”National Celebration”), the day on which the French celebrate the storming of the Bastille which took place on July 14, 1789. I hear it has something to do with the French independence or revolution or something. Whatever it is, it’s a great reason to open a French wine! So join me tonight in drinking a nice Bordeaux as we salute the republic of France!
A few spots left for this Sunday’s Wine Club Tasting- Sushi and Wine! So what are you waiting for? Go here to RSVP!
Breaking news: Sunday, July 20, 2008 - Foodandwineblog wine tasting- Sushi and Loire Valley Wines!
Title says it all. We’re capping the event at 12 people! For more details and to RSVP: http://foodandwineblog.com/forums/index.php?topic=158.0
April Wine Club Roundup: “Darker Than Blue Cafe” - and some good Zinfandel
On April 29, 2008 the foodandwineblog.com wine club met up to enjoy upscale yet traditional American cuisine and try our luck with some Zinfandel. We had a great turnout (including many newcomers) and ended up trying three sparkling wines (one Cava, two Prosecco), 8 Zinfandels, and one Petit Sirah (no notes taken!). The food was great as it always is at Darker Than Blue Cafe (read my review here). Huge thanks to Chef/co-owner Casey Jenkins and our server (Hassan) for keeping the food and waters coming! I highly recommend Darker Than Blue Cafe for a comfortable, laid back dinner of traditional American Cuisine. The serving sizes are more than generous (just ask anyone who ordered a roasted chicken or slow-cooked beef ribs!) and the restaurant is BYOB - it is it one of the best BYOB restaurants in the Baltimore area. If the blackened tilapia is on the menu…it’s a must try.
Great job by Krista and Eric (pictured here) in bringing the only Primitivo of the bunch and providing two of the top three wines (actually, great work Krista!). By popular vote, the top three Zins were:
- 2005 Rosa del Golfo Primitivo: smokey nose, dark fruits, but I thought it fell apart on the finish. We adhere to the rules of democracy though, so this was the overall winner! My rating: 84 pts, PV
- 2005 Ridge Three Rivers Zinfandel: A solid bottle from one of the best producers of Zinfandel in the world. Notes of dark fruit, chocolate and a touch of spice. My rating: 89 pts
- 2006 Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel Central Coast: Good concentrated fruit flavors but not jammy with nice acidity and a long finish. My rating: 88 pts
Wine Club Meet-up Tonight! Blues, Jazz, Great Food and Zinfandel
Just a reminder that tonight is the wine club meetup. We’re at full capacity for the event. I recommend car pooling if you can and as always, a cab is a great way to go- especially when we’re tasting 15 or so wines!
I look forward to seeing some of you tonight at 7:00 PM and the Darker Than Blue Cafe! If you need directions or have any questions, give me a call!
For those of you who aren’t joining us, there is a great Loire Valley tasting at the Chesapeake Wine Company tonight. The tasting begins at 7:00 PM and costs $25. The lineup for tonight:
- de Grenelle Chenin Blanc Brut NV - Saumur
- Yves Lambert Cabernet Franc/Sauvignon Cremant Brut Rose - Loire
- Dorices Muscadet ‘06 - Muscadet de Sevre et Maine
- Boulay Sauvignon Blanc ‘06 Clos de Beaujeu - Sancerre
- Boulay Sauvignon Blanc ‘06 Reserve de Comtesse - Sancerre
- Pinon Chenin Blanc ‘06 - Vouvray
- Pascal Lambert Cabernet Franc ‘05 Tradition Graves - Chinon
- Joguet Cabernet Franc ‘05 Les Varennes du Grand Clos - Chinon
