More on the Brunello saga…

For the past two months some producers of Brunello di Montalcino, one of the premier wines in the world, have been investigated for blending their Brunello (100% Sangiovese-based wines) with Cabernet and Merlot. Amidst these allegations, the United States Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has stepped in to ensure that the wines that reach our dinner tables are the real thing. Decanter Magazine is reporting that imports of Brunello into the United States may be delayed beginning June 9, 2008.

From Decanter: “Francesco Marone Cinzano, president of the trade body, the Brunello Consorzio, said… ‘Starting on 9 June, the US will block all Brunello imports unless the wine is accompanied by laboratory analysis proving that the wine is pure Sangiovese.”

I understand regulations on producers to ensure that Brunello is in fact 100% Sangiovese, but is this level of control necessary? Is it really feasible to ask this of all 200 or so producers that export wines to the US? What do you think: has it gone too far, or is this an important step in preserving the tradition and integrity of one of the worlds most amazing wines?

Image: Taken in Montalcino of an Enoteca on one of the main roads into town.

Looking To Buy: Small goat farm somewhere near Baltimore, prefer at least 5 “fainting” goats

Have you ever tried to buy a small goat farm? It’s not the easiest thing to find online. Cows are one thing, but goats…whew. I can’t even find anything on Craigslist or Ebay! Oh, and the ones available aren’t even the right kind! So here’s my plea to you all- where are all the fainting goat farms?

As you may know, fainting goats (myotonic goats) have a neurological condition that causes their muscles to freeze for 10 seconds or so when they are startled. The result (seen above) is the goat becoming temporarily paralyzed (though not unconcious) regardless of whether they were running, standing or just walking about. Seems like a bizarre pet or animal to raise, know? Then you’re wondering why I am looking for a fainting goat farm?

Because in less than two weeks Kim will be having a milestone birthday (let’s call it her 21st) and her first birthday request came in: a fainting-goat farm. I was hoping the full kitchen, dining/bar area, backyard renovations were going to be sufficient…but she wants goats! I’m a lot easier to shop for, I just want 30 or so acres of vineyard area in Oregon or Northern California!

If anyone out there is looking to get rid of a small goat farm or a few fainting goats- let me know!

A Visit to Six of Baltimore’s Wine Bars

Cold weather, freezing rain, and snow have arrived in Baltimore. What better way to warm up, hang out with friends and meet new people than to grab a glass of wine at one of Baltimore’s many wine bars? Below is a list of some of the better wine bars in town, complete with contact information and a short review. Each of these establishments offers weekly specials, entertainment, and/or wine tasting events. See their respective websites for details.

Chesapeake Wine Company - Canton: www.chesapeakewine.com
2400 Boston St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410)-522-4556

With a giant wine bar situated right in the middle of the wine shop, Chesapeake wins the award for best layout of those listed below. It may well perhaps be the best overall wine bar in town. At Chesapeake, you can expect a well thought-out and reasonably priced wine selection and great customer service. You won’t find the traditional big-name California Cabernets or first growth Bordeaux’s, but what you will find is wine from small producers all over the world. Owner Mitchell Pressman does an excellent job of keeping a diverse portfolio on hand and is constantly updating their stock, always bringing in new and exciting boutique wines. The bar generally offers 15-20 wines by the glass on any given night with a few additional sparkling and dessert wines. The food menu is simple, but offers many tasty treats that go great with a glass of wine such as a cheese and olive plate or a thin-crust veggie pizza.

I’d recommend getting on their mailing list (see the website for details) as they have weekly tastings which usually run $25 as well as other great events. Try to attend one of the monthly performances by the “House Band” (typically on a Friday night) to check out owner Mitchell on bass. If you’re looking for an upbeat wine bar with great appetizers, selection and service, head over to Chesapeake!

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar- Inner Harbor: www.flemingssteakhouse.com
720 Aliceanna St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 332-1666

This premier steakhouse in the Harbor East area doubles as a wine bar. The food aside, this is the best place in town to find a glass of wine that will fit everyone’s unique tastes with 100 wines by the glass every night. The wine list and reserve wine list are both quite impressive, but don’t expect to find very many boutique wines and expect to pay premium pricing for many of their selections.

General Manager/Wine Manager Scott O’Dell is a great resource for wine recommendations to fit any palate or food pairing. If he’s not around the guys behind the bar are just as willing and able to help out. The appetizers are excellent (try the Chef’s Artisan Cheese and Charcuterie) and the Filet Mignon sandwich is the best in town. The most expensive wine bar on this list, Fleming’s is in a category of its own. Expect to rub shoulders with many affluent men and women, including many of Baltimore’s up-and-coming business professionals, as well as a few Orioles or Ravens.

Grand Cru - Belvedere Square: www.grandcrubaltimore.com/
527 E. Belvedere Ave
Baltimore, MD 21212
(410) 464-1944

Situated comfortably in the Belvedere Square shopping area, Grand Cru doubles as a wine bar and wine shop. Overall there are only around 300 wines, but the selections are well thought-out and generally boast great values from all over the world. If the good values and great service aren’t enough to get you to stop by for a glass of wine, then consider this: Grand Cru is a part of a group of shops and markets in the square which feature outstanding sushi, great artisanal breads and meats, sandwiches, fresh fruit and even a coffee shop with great pastries. You can pick up a sandwich from the deli and take it with you to Grand Cru to enjoy it with a glass of wine! Check Grand Cru out on a Friday night in the summer when there’s live music and a party going on in the parking lot of the square or for a free tasting between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM on a Saturday.

Metropolitan Coffee House and Wine Bar: www.metrobalto.com
902 South Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 576-8692

The Metropolitan has a good feel to it. Opened in 2004, this coffee house, wine bar, and full restaurant has enough food and drink choices to keep you coming back at all hours of the day or night. Great breakfasts, good espresso and coffee, and one of the best Bloody Maries in town, make the Metropolitan a great place for a Sunday brunch. As a wine bar, the Metropolitan is good, but not great. The wine list would benefit from more diversity and on two recent visits, wines ordered from the menu were not in stock. You can expect to meet many interesting people at the small (12 person) bar downstairs, or the very spacious bar upstairs which is well laid out and a great place to unwind after a long day.

As a restaurant, the Metropolitan offers an extensive menu with a lot of typical dishes (crab cakes, steaks, etc.) and some great homemade classics. You can’t go wrong with the meatloaf, but on two occasions steaks that were ordered medium-rare came out more than well. A great option for a bite to eat with your wine may be one of the many sandwiches on the menu which have always been very good. Service has always been friendly but don’t expect expert food and wine pairing advice. Check their website for details on food and drink specials, as well as events (such as Thursday night beer tastings or info on their New Years Celebration).

The Wine Market - Locust Point: www.the-wine-market.com
921 East Fort Ave
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 244-6166

Entering The Wine Market from the main parking area, you walk in to a small but well-organized wine shop. A few coolers on the right offer the usual suspects of beer, sparkling wines and a few cheese selections. As you move to the middle of the store you’ll find a shelf of bargain wines where it’s possible to find a very good wine for under $12. On the main rack in the middle of the shop are selections from around the world while the US inventory and spirits are on the wall to your left. Overall there is a good diversity in selections of wine, but as one might expect with the premier wine shop located near the luxe Federal Hill neighborhood, many of the selections are well overpriced.

Moving through the shop, you’ll find your way to the wine bar and restaurant area. Between 5-7 PM Monday through Thursday the bar will be crowded with young professionals taking advantage of one of Baltimore’s best “Happy Hours,” which features $3 wine, sangria, and appetizers all being served by Kelly, one of the best bartenders in town. Overall the service at the bar and restaurant is among the best in town, which cannot be said for the service in their wine shop (don’t expect a “hello” or “goodbye” when coming or going!). On the weekends the restaurant is filled with people excited to taste the outstanding creations of executive chef Christitan de Lutis: a few of my favorites are the Mac and Aged Cheddar Cheese (creamy and delicious), the Lamb Burger (perfectly seasoned), and the Braised Bison Ribs (tender is an understatement). Selections by the glass are generally between $4 and $10, with the option of a flight of 3 wines (3 oz pours) as well. You can grab a bottle from the shop and have it at the bar for a small corkage fee, or, after a few drinks at the bar, take a bottle home with you at 15% off.

Ze Mean Bean Café www.zemeanbean.com
1739 Fleet Street
Fells Point, MD 21231
(410) 675-5999

Opened in July of 1995, this “Eastern European Café” doubles as a full service restaurant. Ze Mean Bean, located in Fells Point, offers a good place to meet up with friends and have a glass (or two) of wine. The selection is good, with about 100 wines by the bottle and 6 white and 6 red wines by the glass, all offered at a generally fair price. Overall the servers and staff are very friendly and quick to refill your water and bring out your drinks, but don’t expect to get a great wine recommendation or to find out much about what you’re drinking.
As far as eats go, there are a lot of many interesting appetizers (try the “Slavic Sampler” to get the best of all worlds and pair it with a Riesling or Chardonnay) as well as quite an eclectic dinner menu. For a main entree, try the Hungarian Goulash or Pierogies for a quick warm-up on a cold winter’s night. Expect to spend about $25 a person for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. Check their website out (www.zemeanbean.com) for a calendar of live jazz music and other special events. The menu is seasonal and new specials are constantly being created, so you’re sure to find something new and exciting each time you visit.

Wine in the pool

A Japanese Spa is turning water into wine. Well, not exactly “turning”, more like “emptying water, refilling with wine”, but you get the point. At Hakone Yunessun spa, guests are invited to spend time in a swimming pool filled with Beaujolais Nouveau.

For $30, the spa is giving its customers a taste of French culture by allowing them to imserse themselves in the French red wine. Many people have flocked to the spa to enjoy a once the once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t say that I’ve ever considered bathing in wine, but it might be fun to do just once! Maybe just a bathtub full of a nice, 25 year old first growth Bordeaux…think of it as a giant decanter!

On a side note, the number one importer of Beaujolais Nouveau , Japan, is increasingly becoming a major importer is all types of premier wines.