SUMMER SIPPING: Greek Wine

I was not a big fan of Greek wine until I tried this one. Santorini from Santo Wines is 100% Assyrtiko, which has a lightly citrus quality, balanced by dry, mineral tones. Imagine a wine as beautiful as the island it comes from. Around $20 a bottle.

SUMMER SIPPING: Organic Prosecco

Start summer off without any chemicals in your wine. Pizzolato Fields Prosecco is made from handpicked 100% certified organic Prosecco Grapes. Dry, crisp and refreshing, with some honey and citrus notes, it costs a mere $13.99 a bottle. The wine is imported by Natural Merchants Selections who select superior wines from Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, France, Greece and Portugal, which are grown in unique organic terroirs. Check out their other selections at the website.

Portuguese Wine Tasting: 5 men from Douro

Douro, an area known for port, has five families that are intent on making a splash with their wines. The Douro Boys came to Manhattan armed with their selections, spawned in the scenic terraced vineyards that tower over the Douro river. Old fashioned foot maceration is still in use for creating some of the wines, the preferred method for releasing the juices without smashing the pits. The tasting was quite educational, see the details below.

QUINTA DO CRASTO

I liked nearly all of the wines from this winemaker. Winemaker Miguel Roquette is holding my top taste of the event, Vinha Maria Teresa Quinta do Crasto 2009, one of only 90 bottles produced. It’s available in select restaurants around the city. If you see it on a menu, get it! Also worth mentioning, Quinto do Crasto Touriga Nacional (very soft, complex, deep) and Quinto do Crasto Reserva Old Vines 2009 (elegant).  There was also a very nice white on the scene, very sparkly, with a lot of bounce, Crasto 2010.

QUINTA DO VALE DONA MARIA

Winemaker Cristiano Van Zeller seen behind one of my faves: the Casa de Casal de Loivos 2009, which I described as, “super sweet nose, smooth, even, light, elegant, soft,” and similarly, the Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro 2008, from the same vineyard.

NIEPOORT VINHOS

My favorite port of the tasting also had a super cool package. Porto Niepoort Vintage 2009. Very complex, very syrup-y. Charme 09 was one of the wines created by stomping. Complex, nice to drink, soft and round.

QUINTA DO VALLADO

Another fantastic port: More caramel than berry, clean, high-level, sophisicated. Vallado Adelaide Vintage Port 2009.

QUINTA DO VALE MEÃO

Super sweet, with a strong alcoholic feeling, my second favorite of the ports. Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Porto 2008.

5th Annual New York Wine Expo: GO!

Here’s your chance to speak directly with your favorite wine makers and discover this year’s trends. The 5th Annual New York Wine Expo presents 170 wineries from around the globe, so you can sample offerings from local wineries and offbeat varietals that you’ll be adding to your regular repertoire.

I talked to Mark Oldham, author of Brave New World of Wine, and judge on The Winemakers, a PBS reality show featuring a competition between winemakers. You can meet him at the expo where he will be doing a seminar on the wines of the Rhône Valley. He gave me some advice on  tackling the show.

HHNYC: There’s a lot of wine being poured at this event. What’s the best way to do the show?
MO: This show provides you with a risk-free environment to experiment, so, as in my book, I encourage people to try some wines they are unfamiliar with. Or, pick 2 or 3 regions you love from the grand list. It might sound corny, but I usually carry some crackers in my pocket to reset my palate, in case I am not near any food.  

HHNYC: Which wine areas should we watch now?
MO: Greece, despite their economic troubles, will be well represented at the show. Their small producers continue to make wonderful wines and offer better values. Instead of your usual white, get a taste of Moschofilero or Assyrtiko. Showing up with a bottle of this at your next gathering will definitely impress your friends. (hhnyc: Check this website to learn more about Greek varietals.)
—Over the past 10 years the Finger Lakes have been steadily improving the quality of their wines. If you like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or Pinot Grigio, you should try the wines from there. Red wine lovers should get a taste of the Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon. (hhnyc: Check this article from the NY Times at this link to learn more.)
—Brazil will also be bringing some wines to the show. Like Argentina, they have a long wine making traditions. Go for the sparkling wines, or the Malbec.  (hhnyc: for more info click here)
—For another great value, and to taste wines with lots of flavor, sign up for my seminar covering the Rhone Valley. Since the area is warmer than Burgundy or Bordeaux, the wines have spicy, rich, “roasted fruit” flavors.

The show is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center from March 2nd to the 4th (trade only on Sunday, March 4). For tickets, visit NewYorkWineExpo.com or call 800-544-1660.

hip HAPPENINGS: New talent at Michael’s Restaurant

If you are in midtown admiring the windows on Fifth Avenue this holiday season, do stop in at Michael’s, whose menu and bar has gone through a complete overhaul. At the bar you will be treated to Michael Flannery’s repertoire of cocktails. My favorite, Eve’s Temptation, is a mix of Louis Royer VSOP Force 53 Cognac, Marie Brizard Curacao liqueur, Benedictine, fresh lemon juice, and an apple cider reduction (see photo). If you are in the mood for a great glass of red wine, I highly recommend The Malibu Vineyard 2008 Pinot Noir, which is one of the nicest sips I have had lately that is available by the glass (remarkably, it is actually grown in owner Michael McCarty’s backyard in California). There are some interesting bar bites, such as spicy Korean tacos, and a crispy oyster trio, if you get hungry. Then, if these bites inspire you to order dinner, you can explore Chef Kyung Up Lim’s full menu, which adds a fine touch to classic dishes. For appetizers, try the Roasted Heirloom Carrot Salad, or comforting Veal Sweetbread served with creamed spinach. A fantastic choice for the entree—the Grilled Mediterranean Branzino (photo) served with forbidden black rice, haricots verts, pesto, and a cabernet sauce. See more photos from our dinner at this link.

Veritas: Magnum Bottle Openings

Every second Monday, Veritas will be opening a special magnum from the wine cellar of Park B. Smith to be served by the glass. I went a few weeks back with my friend Jude, and unfortunately, the bottle had only one little sip left—which we got to taste, and agreed it was totally out-of-this-world. I swore I would get to the restaurant earlier the next time. (we got there around 9:30) Here's the lineup:

November 7th: Pegau 'Cuvée Réservée' 2000


November 21st: Janasse 'Chaupin' 2000

December 5th: Clos des Papes 2001


December 19th: Bois de Boursan 'Cuvee des Félix' 2000

Benefit: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais

The midnight unveiling of Beaujolais Nouveau's latest vintage comes with great fanfare. This year’s label was created by a multi-media artist Kaves, a Brooklyn native, whose inspiration was 80s-style grafitti. The bottles will arrive in a classic Cadillac also outfitted in graffiti. See Art Contest winners, dance and drink the night away. A $25 suggested donation will benefits City Meals on Wheels. Get your tickets at this link.
where: Stage 37, 508 West 37th st between 10/11
when: Nov 16^th from 10pm – 1:30am

how to host a wine tasting

Get your wine aficionado friends together to savor the notes of the latest natural, biodynamic and organic wines.

get guests involved
Each person should do a little research and arrive knowing a little bit about the terroir, vineyard, etc. Try these guidelines:
• single grape / in a certain price range: The same grape from different areas can vary widely in taste.
• single grape / money is no object: Taste the difference between an expensive bottle and a one that doesn’t break the bank. When I was doing a 10-week wine course with a known sommelier, he would sometimes sneak an inexpensive wine into the tasting, which often turned out to be the favorite.
• one country or region / bring your favorite bottle: Learn more about what your friends enjoy, and why. Narrow the choice to either white, red, rose, or sparkling.
• bring something unusual: Find a sparkling red, something from a country not known for making wine, a blend of 4 or more grapes, or a limited edition.

use your senses
I love the idea of doing blind tastings. Cover each bottle in a pretty sack, or decant the wine in wide pitchers, ceramic jugs, or, of course, decanters designed to do the job.

take note!
My wine tasting note cards include a list of “hints” that will help you describe what you are tasting. Download them here (click on cards above to enlarge) and print them out to use at your next tasting.

wine recommendations
from Chile: At an organic tasting, I came across these three winners. Aresti: 2010 Equilibrio Sauvignon Blanc, Curico Valley. Miguel Torres: 2010 Las Mulas Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley. Matetic: 2009 Corralillo Chardonnay, San Antonio Valley. 

from South Africa: Reyneke produces all their wines organically and biodynamically. A triple treat: the 2007 Reserve Red, Shiraz/Cab; the 2009 Capstone Stellenbosch, Shiraz/Cab/Merlot; and the 2007 Cornerstone, Cab/Merlot/Shiraz. Chenin Blancs are delightfully light: Fleur du Cap 2009; Raats 2010 Original Chenin; and the 2009 Mulderbosch.

from Austria: The exciting white: Grüner Veltliner. Try the Loimer 2010 Kamptal; Wimmer-Czerny 2010 Fumberg, Wagram; Nikolaihof Wachau 2008 Im Weingebirge; also great: Ploder-Rosenberg 2008 Eruption Kraft Aus der Erde Chardonnay and the 2010 Linea Sauvignon Blanc; Wieninger 2008 Gemischter Satz Nussberg Alte Reben.

from France: Bila-Haut 2009 Blanc Côtes du Roussillon. This wine stands out with its lovely citrus aromas and smoky notes.

mixed bag: At a recent natural wine tasting hosted by W. R. Tish, founder of nywinesalon.com, I got to taste a wide variety of natural wines. (If you live in NYC you should attend one of his tastings, which are casual, entertaining, yet highly informative.) My favorites: the Montesecondo 2007 Chianti Classico, and the Bucklin 2008 Bambino Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel. Tish’s favorite organic producers include Leflaive in Burgundy, M. Chapoutier in the Rhone, Brick House in Oregon, Alvaro Palacios in Spain and Benziger, Coturri and Robert Sinskey in California.

it’s only natural 
For more help in picking wine, get a copy of Alice Feiring’s entertaining new book Naked Wine: Letting Grapes Do What Comes Naturally. Alice Feiring is an award-winning food and wine journalist whose latest passion is finding wines without any of the 200 government-approved additives (which can include animal proteins, oak chips, sulfurs, preservatives, and Mega Purple—a brand of concentrated wine color). She’s tasted wine around the globe, and believes in “Just grape. Nothing added, nothing taken away.” Read excerpts from the book at alicefeiring.com. Alice recommends: 2009 Coturri Testa Vineyard Carignane: Rich, meaty and delicious, from an icon of American natural winemaking. 2008 Bodegas Carballo La Palma Listan Blanco. A silky and savory wine from the volcanic soils of the Canary Islands. A touch of high toned aroma, just the safe side of cider. 2010 Puzelat, Le Telquel. Gamay is one of the most underrated grapes in the world, and this earthy expression is delicious. 2009 Arnot-Roberts Green Island Vineyard Chardonnay, North Coast, USA. Bored with California chardonnay? Try an edgy one from cool California climate and little manipulation.
This article first appeared in the November December 2011 issue of Organic Spa Magazine. 

Puro Chile: Divine Wine Store

I was invited to an organic wine tasting at Puro Chile, and was delighted to discover New York’s first exclusively Chilean wine store on the corner of Grand and Centre Streets. The space was exquisitely designed, beautifully showcasing Chile’s eco-friendly wines on stainless steel shelves (photo left) and a sexy entry area/lounge (photo right). It was quite an elegant event, with exceptional food and wines. Chef Liz Caskey of Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences hosted the tasting, and demo’d a recipe for Tuna Ceviche. Her company specializes in tours to Latin America. I loved how it was served in little bowls, which tipped into your mouth allowing the bites of fish to slide in. Summer and ceviche go hand in hand, I highly recommend put this on the menu at your next get together. But, of course, first run down to the store and get some wines to accompany! See this link for more details and photos from the tasting.

TUNA CEVICHE WITH COCONUT MILK AND “CARICAS” (Chilean Papayas)
1 1/2 pounds sashimi-grade fresh tuna
1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 can (14 oz) unsweetened coconut milk
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1/2 minced red onion (or shallot)
sea salt and black pepper
1-2 Chilean papayas (carica), finely chopped
4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Red chili or sweet red pepper, slivered for garnish (optional)

Cut the tuna into 1/4-inch cubes.

In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and lime juice, until sugar is disolved. Add the coconut milk, ginger, and red onion. Toss in the tuna to coat, season with salt and pepper. Let stand for 30 minutes for flavors to meld. Fold in Chilean papaya. For cocktail parties, serve in Chinese porcelain spoons. Garnish with cilantro, and chili, if using.

Serves 4 as an appetizer, 16-20 as spoon “bites”. Serve with either a Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.

Wines of Israel: Don’t Pass them Over!

I went to a tasting back in November, and got to sample lots of very nice wines from Israel. I thought it would be a good time to mention some to bring along to your Passover seder, or, make up any excuse to celebrate with these fine selections. Barkan wines come from the Galilee region. The Altitude series are 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, whose labels refer to the actual altitude in which the grapes are grown. The +720 [meters above sea level] 2007 was good, but one you might want to hold onto till next year. A really superior choice, and my favorite of the entire tasting was the 2007 Barkan Reserve +624. Both cost around $40 a bottle. For a nice everyday, soft red, around $12 a bottle, go for the Barkan Classic Merlot-Argaman 2009, and you will not regret it! In the VEGAN category: I loved the 2007 Carmel Mediterranean, a mix of 5 grape varieties from the Shomron region. My tasting notes: like a fine Pinot Noir, feminine, soft, elegant; around $60 a bottle. My second favorite, especially for its bottle design, was the Carmel Appellation Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2006 from Upper Galilee Region, which goes for around $27 a bottle. Dalton Winery is working on getting organic certification. 2009 Fume Blanc was a mix of 95% Sauvignon Blanc with 5% Viognier. A nice, light, summery taste, from the Upper Galilee region, great buy for $15 a bottle. The 2009 Estate Shiraz was a blend of 4 grapes, which gave it a deep berry, full flavor yet still light in the mouth with a peppery finish. Not bad for $18 a bottle. The 2009 Shiraz Reserve was at the top of the price range ($30) and the most elegant choice, very earthy, with its combination of 96% Shiraz and 4% Viognier, also from the Upper Galilee region. 

A Taste of Asia NYC Style: Ember, Mono + Mono, Double Crown, Danji

As fate would have it, I recently have had the continuing pleasure of experiencing high-end Asian cuisine all over town. I had a fabulous time attending the opening of Ember, Todd English and Ian Chalermkittichai’s new BBQ venture in Hell’s Kitchen (photo bottom right). Chicken Lollipops, Whole Roasted Suckling Pig with Hoisin and Ginger Glaze, and Prawns on Fried Rice were just some of the offerings. I am so looking forward to returning for dinner (after my cleanse is over, that is!). See pictures of the space, cocktails, and food here.•• At a tasting for Terra Andina Chilean wines, I learned that perfect pairings can work even with inexpensive wines. Treating yourself to a bottle with your take-out will totally elevate the experience. At Mono + Mono, we tried the extra spicy chicken wings (photo, bottom left), which were extra fabulous with the 2009 Terra Andina Carmenere Reserva ($12.99). See more of the pairings and bites we tasted at this link. •• Double Crown proved to be doubly-delicious, with Chef Brad Farmerie’s specialties, including the Roast Pork Belly accompanied by crispy daikon cake and chili sambal-clementine dressing, seen in the photo top right. It’s no wonder he won the honor of producing the“top pig” at Cochon 555 in the Chelsea Piers. Cocktails were quite inventive—see more photos of the night here. •• Just when I thought I had enough, I came across the newly expanded menu at Danji, also in Hell’s Kitchen. Chef Hooni Kim’s new spot specializes in small plates with his take on traditional and modern Korean cusine. Photo top left show the Bulgogi Filet Mignon Sliders with Spicy Pickled Cucumber and Scallion Salsa. Stay tuned for my upcoming visit.

Elevated Austrian at Seasonal Restaurant

It was already feeling like the Alps due to the high snowbanks everywhere, so I thought it would be a good time to try Seasonal on 58th Street. I was intrigued by the Michelin Star, and had enjoyed the Austrian delights at Edi and the Wolf, the chef team’s casual wine bar in the East Village. Wolfgang Ban and Eduard Frauneder have taken the flavors from their favorite dishes in Austria and come up with thoroughly sophisticated and modern versions, incorporating some very contemporary techniques and delightful surprises. The room has a toned down, minimalist decor, providing a serene setting for the inventive, exquisite dishes. Go to this link to see photos of our dinner and the space. Photo here shows the smoked mackerel appetizer that was truly out of this world.

Latest Releases from Bordeaux

The Soirée des Grands Crus triumphed despite having to compete with the aftermath of the snow storm. It was definitely 4 hours of pure decadence, with 29 wines to taste, chocolates from Francois Payard, and lovely little bites of food. The blind tasting competition had 9 winners taking home double magnums of the really good stuff. See photos of the event and my wine picks here.

Test your WINE knowledge

The Juice, the newsletter from LocalWineEvents.com will be featuring a wine quiz every week. Wine expert Kevin Zraly will be brain-teasing your knowledge on all aspects of wine making and history. Here’s how it works: Clicking on a question brings you to a multiple choice response area, then clicking on a response let’s you immediately know if you were correct. For instance: Where are some of the oldest vineyards in France? A. Burgundy B. Bordeaux C. Rhone Valley D. Loire Valley E. Champagne. My answer of Burgundy was incorrect...head to the site to see how you do!

September 24 & 25 in the Hamptons: Harvest East End

In two weeks, a celebration of the fall season is taking place on the East End of Long Island. The best wineries, farms, chefs and restaurants combine to showcase the best of the harvest with wine tastings, classes in wine appreciation, plus private chef dinners hosted in exclusive Hampton homes. Harvest East End's Gala Dinner has sold out, but you can still place a bid online for half barrels and special lots of wine. Go to the website to buy tickets and see the schedule of events. Best of all, proceeds benefit East End Hospice and the Peconic Land Trust, which preserves Long Island’s working farms. PS: Logo and all festival graphics, by yours truly.

Gourmet LATINO this weekend!

It was a difficult decision, choosing between all of the incredible offerings of the The Gourmet Latino Festival, but if you haven’t made plans for the weekend yet, there are still some tickets left to attend. Visit the website to see the full schedule of events, which pair top chefs, mixologists and tastemasters in a fantastic array of events. I can’t wait to see what Chef Natalia Machado (Industria Argentina and Azul Bistro) and Sommelier Ivan Ruiz, will pair up in regional flavors of empanadas. The photo shows her Mollejas al Verdeo: crispy veal sweetbreads, potato confit, spring onion and torrontes sauce attached to a chunk of pineapple. Plus on Sunday, “Iron Chef” Jose Garces, will be preparing dishes from Ecuador, paired with cocktails by Andy Seymour, Julie Reiner, Jim Meehan and Joaquin Simo. Hope to see you there! 

The end of the meat fast

I chose to have my first meaty entree at 10 Downing, and am not regretting a thing! Though I did learn a lot about alternatives over the past couple of months, I thought it was time to start enjoying top quality, consciously farm-raised specimens. Chef Jonnatan Leiva is bringing in top quality meat from Lydia Ratcliff, who runs Lovejoy Brook Farm, the last working farm still in operation in Andover, Vermont. Seen here is the Lamb Burger, new on the Spring menu. See more photos from the meal here.

the greening of NYC

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I ordered a ‘green’ wine—organic, that is—with my lunch at Print, located in the Ink 48 Hotel. I found out that all the offerings on their wine list are either organic or biodynamic. Impressive. They even have a selection of organic beers, like Samuel Smith’s Organic Lager, from Tadcaster, England and Pinkus Pils Pilsner, from Münster, Germany, to name a few. The bar featured cocktails, whose names tie into the fact that this hotel used to be a printing house. How could you not be curious about something called White Out (Tanqueray Ten Gin, Cointreau, Lemon Juice, Tarragon) or Scotch Tape (Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch, Ginger Juice, Fresh Lemon and Lime)? I suggest a stop here next time you are at the Javits. The menu features locally-sourced ingredients from upstate New York. A rooftop bar called Press opens in approximately two weeks. See more photos of my lunch with Francine, and enjoy my other St. Patrick’s Day day sightings taken at midday, before the chaos ensued.

Dijon, not just for mustard

This week, the French city of Dijon led a week-long celebration of its culinary delights. Nine chefs and sommeliers arrived with tasty recipes and excellent wine, creme de cassis, and even a saffron-infused gin. I had to give up my meat-free plan for the day to enjoy the pate, duck, chicken, and beef on hand. I have no regrets. See more pictures of the event here, and be sure to check out the exhibit at the Met, The Mourners: Medieval Tomb Sculptures From The Court Of Burgundy. In addition to eating and drinking well, here are some compelling reasons to visit Dijon:
—In 2009, for the second year in a row, L’Entreprise magazine named Dijon the most attractive city in France.
—Dijon encompasses more than 1,700 acres of parks and gardens. Focused on low-impact transportation, Dijon offers citizens free bicycles to get around, as well as natural gas-powered buses, an electric mini-bus, and a soon-to-be-built tram.
—Dijon is located in the heart of Burgundy whose wine heritage dates back to medieval times. The tiny vineyards of Burgundy produce some of the worlds most highly refined, appreciated and elite wines.
—Dijon’s architecture includes houses that were constructed by the city’s most powerful families from the 15th Century until the time of the French Revolution.

dine out diet, week three

Has it only been three weeks? Somehow, it feels much longer. On Tuesday, I attended the Goats do Roam South African wine tasting at Braai, in the west 50s, and met the sincere and likeable Charles Back, the winemaker (see more photos here). I am excited to announce I have found my new inexpensive, but really good, easy drinking wine. Whether in Rose, White or Red, they were all splendid, and sell for under $10 a bottle. Yes! At the tasting we also sampled some South African tapas. Photo left shows a Peppardew stufffed with goat cheese, which came from the vineyards’ very own goats (hence the wine’s name). The small pepper, about the size of a cherry tomato, was extremely tangy, tasted like it was pickled. Diane, Charles Back’s wife, explained that these native South African peppers naturally taste that way, and were matched with the Rose. With the White wine, we recieved a selection of tapas. Braii’d Brie, under the orange triangle, was set on greens and had an orange-honey sauce. Pan-seared baby prawns came with a blue cheese sambal. Bite-sized samosas are to the right of the prawn. Way in the back is a Biltong Bruschetta, made with dried, salted beef and stewed tomato sauce. Due to my no-meat pledge, I had to pass on this, but did share what I could not partake. I did try a Chicken Liver, though, which was quite good (seen in bread basket). Does a liver count as cheating? I say, no! Friday night was my best restaurant pick of the three weeks. I had been meaning to check out Giano, in the east village, since it opened. The food was excellent, as was the amount of attention we received from owner Matteo. The generous mound of Arugula Salad with apple, orange, fennel and walnuts in the lightest citrus dressing was the perfect start. The Salmon had a delicious sauce made with Sambuca, tarragon, and splash of orange juice, which really transformed the dish. The plain spinach accompaniment was a perfect foil for the richness of the fish. See more photos of the space, and what my friends ate here. Delicioso!