I don't have to be a meterologist to know that the cooler fall and winter season is upon us. Here in North Florida, we have been very fortunate and the weather been staying nice and warm thus far but that is changomg this weekend here as well.
Anyways, I am certainly not here to share weather updates with you, but rather the impact this seasonal change will and should have on our eating and drinking habits. Most people already are done with the summer salads that had nice citrusy vinaigrettes over crisp lettuce et cetera and are scrolling right passed that section looking for a heartier dish. It is the time of year where butternut squash and pumpkin
Beaujolais Nouveau | No Reservations
I received an e-mail from one of our wine distributors who calls for a "No Nouveau" campaign this fall.
My first thoughts were, WOW, I hope that he doesn't have a wine maker in his portfolio that actually produces one. My second thought was, WOW, somebody really doesn't like Beaujolais Nouveau. This supposedly easy drinking, refreshing newly pressed grape juice from Beaujolais. mmmmhhh, I took a moment and thought, he has a point if he refers to the poor and undrinkable Nouveau, we get shipped here into the US in the last 5-7 years (might be even a bit longer than that).
How that one month occurrence a year and with that the push for this red wine especially in wine stores and grocery stores, destroys the reputation for an entire wine region, as most US consumers don't know any other wines from that beautiful wine region called Beaujolais. And with such quality
My first thoughts were, WOW, I hope that he doesn't have a wine maker in his portfolio that actually produces one. My second thought was, WOW, somebody really doesn't like Beaujolais Nouveau. This supposedly easy drinking, refreshing newly pressed grape juice from Beaujolais. mmmmhhh, I took a moment and thought, he has a point if he refers to the poor and undrinkable Nouveau, we get shipped here into the US in the last 5-7 years (might be even a bit longer than that).
How that one month occurrence a year and with that the push for this red wine especially in wine stores and grocery stores, destroys the reputation for an entire wine region, as most US consumers don't know any other wines from that beautiful wine region called Beaujolais. And with such quality
Food Wines | Who is the Driver?
I had the great opportunity to attend a very interesting wine training this past week. And besides the fact that it started with pouring the sample wines as early as 6am for all of the attendees, it was GREAT.
The training was for our staff from various departments within our company and was all about Wine, Wine, Food and Wine and the comfort to sell the EXPERIENCE!
The training was conducted by the Constellation Academy of Wine and the trainer was no less than Luis Torres, a Master of Wine!
First training session was to learn more about the Super Palate! Super Palate?
I could tell that the attendees thought "I am going to hear more about wine descriptors such as wet stone, barnyard, hint of extra ripe Meyer lemons, moist Forrest floors et cetera! So, they got really excited when this wasn't the case. They will not be sitting in a boring class learning about different soils, sun exposure and other great things they may never need in life instead they will actually learn the basics about wine and what is likely important to use when selling/describing a wine to a guest. So instead of stating that the wine has "oaky" notes or is acidic, they would describe the wine as juicy (from the acid) and share that the wine has notes of Coffee or Chocolate (characteristics that develop during the oak aging) et cetera. Cool Stuff for the waitstaff and great to help the guest make up his/her mind for what they might want to order a glass or bottle of.
The rest and majority of the class was then committed to identify
The training was for our staff from various departments within our company and was all about Wine, Wine, Food and Wine and the comfort to sell the EXPERIENCE!
The training was conducted by the Constellation Academy of Wine and the trainer was no less than Luis Torres, a Master of Wine!
First training session was to learn more about the Super Palate! Super Palate?
I could tell that the attendees thought "I am going to hear more about wine descriptors such as wet stone, barnyard, hint of extra ripe Meyer lemons, moist Forrest floors et cetera! So, they got really excited when this wasn't the case. They will not be sitting in a boring class learning about different soils, sun exposure and other great things they may never need in life instead they will actually learn the basics about wine and what is likely important to use when selling/describing a wine to a guest. So instead of stating that the wine has "oaky" notes or is acidic, they would describe the wine as juicy (from the acid) and share that the wine has notes of Coffee or Chocolate (characteristics that develop during the oak aging) et cetera. Cool Stuff for the waitstaff and great to help the guest make up his/her mind for what they might want to order a glass or bottle of.
The rest and majority of the class was then committed to identify
Labor Day | Patio and Beach Sippers
After my one year in Spain or more specific the Canary
Islands, I am back in the US, back in Florida!
And let me tell you, I am happy about it! There is always more to find in a European
Country of Origin than here, but the challenge is, it is only that. In Spain, most of your wine stores carry
nothing but Spanish wines - Which is great and fully understandable, but
frustrating when looking for a nice French Burgundy or Aussie Shiraz!
Anyways, back at full swing, I wanted to make sure that I
don’t miss out giving a couple of tips for some nice patio sippers for these hot few days (at least here in Florida).
One style of wine that is coming more and more to the forefront in wine
stores and restaurant wine lists alike, are the stainless steel fermented
Chardonnay’s from California. The wines
remain with a lot more of their fruit characteristics, a higher acidity which
makes them great for small bites, spicy foods or just to sit outside and sip
away a chilled glass of wine on the patio. Lincourt does a Steel Chardonnay from
the Santa Rita Hills,
Champions League Finals | Bavarian Style
I am sure that not everybody will watch the Champions League Final in Wembley tonight, but worldwide over 300 million people will watch this game live on television! Just as a point of reference, the American Super Bowl had 113 million worldwide, watching the game.
Anyways, while I am not going to suggest any wines whatsoever in today's blog, I will share with you what you should be drinking and/or eating tonight before or while watching the CL Final.
Bavarian Weisswurst with German Pretzels ( the big ones) and drink a Franziskaner Hefeweizen with that! Of course if you happen to be a Dortmund fan, that properly wouldn't be your choice and you already used the back arrow button on your browser.
I have been enjoying this traditional Bavarian meal before every Champions League game with my family and thus far, FC Bayern München has always won, so you can guess what's for dinner tonight.
You are right, so as they say, Pack Ma's! Mia San Mia.
Prost und Guten Appetit
And if you need some music to go along, listen to the "Stern des Südens" Team song.
Song: Stern des Südens
Anyways, while I am not going to suggest any wines whatsoever in today's blog, I will share with you what you should be drinking and/or eating tonight before or while watching the CL Final.
Bavarian Weisswurst with German Pretzels ( the big ones) and drink a Franziskaner Hefeweizen with that! Of course if you happen to be a Dortmund fan, that properly wouldn't be your choice and you already used the back arrow button on your browser.
I have been enjoying this traditional Bavarian meal before every Champions League game with my family and thus far, FC Bayern München has always won, so you can guess what's for dinner tonight.
You are right, so as they say, Pack Ma's! Mia San Mia.
Prost und Guten Appetit
And if you need some music to go along, listen to the "Stern des Südens" Team song.
Song: Stern des Südens
Memorial Day | BBQ
Who isn't looking forward to Memorial Day weekend to start? Most of us already have their vision of how they spend their afternoons in the backyard, grilling, drinking and spending quality time with friends and family. But what will you be throwing on the grill? And what will you be drinking?
If the weather is nice, most of us are likely to enjoy a few beers while grilling, but then what?
BBQ ribs and beer? Sure, there is nothing wrong as long as you drink a nice micro brew,
If the weather is nice, most of us are likely to enjoy a few beers while grilling, but then what?
BBQ ribs and beer? Sure, there is nothing wrong as long as you drink a nice micro brew,
Pinot Noir | Edition Spain
It is save to say, that I had my fair share of Pinot Noir, from really good to bad, from regions where I where everybody knows that Pinot Noir is king to regions where I didn't know Pinot was grown and/or could make a good wine.
Such a region is Navarra in Spain. Located in the north east, near the border to France and the Pyrenees Mountains, is this great wine region where wine is being made since the 2nd century BC by the ancient Romans. Pinot Noir is certainly a minority player
Such a region is Navarra in Spain. Located in the north east, near the border to France and the Pyrenees Mountains, is this great wine region where wine is being made since the 2nd century BC by the ancient Romans. Pinot Noir is certainly a minority player
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