Wherefrom came all these carefully fermented fruits: Red raspberries paired harmoniously with black, Michigan cherries married to Montmorency, a whole boggy family of cranberries? Why, from the early morning harvest whilst the single village tourist was still aslumber! The day blurs and the setting heat of the sun gives way to the final lulls of…
Wine review : Freemark Abbey “Josephine” (2012, St. Helena, Napa Valley, California)
Serve well chilled for the fullest visual-sensual experience. Aromas fill the glass like chilled saltwater sea-licked morning fogs that sleepily yet gracefully lift with the first rays of sunlight from the vineyard immediately post-harvest – where an abundance of ground-trodden grapes, having been all too hastily removed from the vines and having slipped from the…
Wine review: Concha Y Toro “Frontera / After Dark” Chardonnay (2018, Central Valley, Chile)
Crisp, light, and restorative. Flavor disappears quickly but leaves a modestly bright, clean mouth feel. Simple aromatic profile, nothing mysterious – just a decent foundation: Steel, citrus pith, and colorful Autumnal oak leaves that have just left the trees. Superb value as a secondary wine to bring along to a summer picnic, to serve to…
Wine Review: Bernard Latour and Fils Domaine de l’Espigouette Vieilles Vignes (Côtes du Rhône, 2016)
First, you enter a garden. And from there, you enter a florist. But then suddenly, all the flowers give way to a laundromat (of high-end distinction surely!), or perhaps a spa that caters to bridal parties, where the Bride-to-Be insisted that all her treatments should be scented with violets, lavender, and every other purple-hued flower…
Recipe – Dessert: Tiramisu (Italy)
Two very highly regarded Italian restaurants near me, Trattoria Stella and Pepe Nero, both make a wonderful “classic” tiramisu. This dessert could be described as Italian Heaven in the mouth. I would order it often, especially if I had the perfect excuse with me – someone willing to share it. But then: Having walked by containers…
Recipe: Tiramisu Custard Ice Cream (Italy / USA)
This recipe began as a happy accident. I was making tiramisu and had some ingredients left over. I threw everything into a bowl, along with an extra egg or two, then mixed and mixed. After concluding that it was too liquidy to be of any immediate use, I tossed it into the freezer and went…
Review – White Wine: 2011 Missing Spire Riesling, Michigan USA
The bottle. Photo taken within the same historic building from whence the Missing Spire came. Real history. Poetically written true tale. The back bottle’s story, showing the historic asylum, which has since been converted into shops, offices, and residential condominiums and apartments. Mildly effervescent like upon sipping. Cools and soothing stimulation to the throat like…
Review – Sake: Divine Droplets, Japan
Who isn’t attracted to gold writing, especially in the elegant fashion of calligraphy brushes? Best enjoyed “on a sunny spring or summer day with blossoms on the trees.” – M.A.L. Fuller thicker taste, sweeter and richer upon first sip with a stronger alcoholic sensation than another of comparable ABV. Mildly fruity, subtly honey-floral. Mild yeasty-wheat…
Review – Red Wine: 2002 Damianitza Uniqato (унukamo) Melnik, Damianitza (Дамянuца), Bulgaria
An aged bottle, having traveled to numerous destinations further adding to its rustic character, is deserving of a very good occasion to be consumed. Alas, a cellar / basement / cool temperatures are presently lacking, so even our very good wines must all be consumed in short order. Shown here in the art studio. Lush…
Review – White Wine: 2006 Philippe Bornard Savagnin les Chassagnes Ouillé, Côtes du Jura, France
A so-called “yellow wine”, pale wildflower yellow in the cup, like some white wines. A perfect pair to an antique couch upholstered with pale yellow floral embroidery (like the one in the background), preferably in a very sunny open-air conservatory or screened-in porch (which this isn’t). Smells of soft Bourbon vanilla wafting from a freshly…
Culinary Poetry 