Serge the Concierge

White / Orange Rkatsiteli 'Lagvini', Organic Kveri Wine from Kakheti, Vegan and Vegetarian Friendly

Not content with managing a slew of projects from TV Show to Raw Fair (organic wine festival in London), master of wine Isabelle Legeron also known as That Crazy French Woman in past few months launched Lagvini, an organic Kveri wine made with organic Rkatsiteli grapes in Kakheti, eastern Georgia.

This white/orange wine is a collaboration between Isabelle and Eko Glonti.

Press release describes Rkasiteli 'Lagvini' as "a natural, orange wine, fermented and aged in a kvevri - traditional, Georgian clay pots buried deep underground. This ancient winemaking method, from 6000 BC, is the oldest in the world."

It is vegan and vegetarian friendly.

The Lagvaniri joint venture also offers a red wine, 2011 Saperavi "Gvino" (100% Saperavi)

Both wines are available through Dynamic Wines in the UK.

Chocolate Chicken Takes A Bath, Poule Mouillee from A La Mere de Famille, Paris

Would you trade a bagful of Peeps and other generic Easter candies for a chocolate chicken that takes a bath.

If you don't mind a late delivery, A La Mere de Famille, a unique Paris shop founded in 1761 has that very chocolate chicken in store with La Poule Mouillee, created by Julien Merceron for their Easter 2013 collection.

Not sure if 'label bleu' (blue label) is available only at Colette a store with more than fashion on its mind.

A giant version of the Poule Mouillee was in full display in Colette's window prior to an Easter egg hunt that A la Mere de Famille and Colette co-organized.

It took place in Jardin des Tuileries, in the afternoon of Wednesday, March 27.

(* Image of Poule Mouillee from A la Mere de Famille photo album on Facebook page)

Kerner, Lagrein, 20 Alto Adige Wineries April Visit to Denver, Washington D.C and New York, No Hay Bath

20 something Alto Adige wineries come to Denver (Monday 22), Washington D.C (Wednesday 24) and finally New York (Thursday 25) in April for Alto Adige Wines 'Discover Italian Wines at Their Peak' Grand Tasting Tour 2013.

Since it is a trade and media only event, it takes place in the afternoon. It remains to be seen whether my concierge work schedule will allow me to attend.

Winery Line Up in New York is:

Abbazia di Novacella
Cantina Andriano
Bolzano Winery
Cantina Valle Isarco
Kaltern Caldaro
Castelfeder
Colterenzio
Cortaccia Winery
Elena Walch
Erste + Neue
Franz Haas Winery
Lahnhof
Tenuta Lentsch
Manincor
Nals Margreid
Castel Sallegg
Cantina Produttori
San Michele Appiano
St. Pauls Winery
Cantina Terlano
Tiefenbrunner
Tramin
Viticoltori Alto Adige
Peter Zemmer

I don't think a hay bath is part of the offerings.

I have to thank Ines Giovanett of Castelfeder, one of the wineries present, for sending me invitation to attend.

Among Castelfeder white wines is Kerner Lahn, 100 % Kerner (a cross between Trollinger and Riesling) produced in South Tyrol since 1970's.

If you are a red wine drinker, have you tried a Lagrein?

If I can make it to New York tasting, I will be happy to see Elena Walch and Peter Zemmer again.

Goldbely brings Lou Malnati's Chicago Deep Dish Pizza and Comeaux Louisiana Boudin to your Door

New York based startup Goldbely only ambition is to bring local American food stars to our door.

If you crave Lou Maltani's Deep Dish Pizza which was part of our Chicago 10 do's and don'ts,  Fra'Mani handcrafted Salumi straight from Republic of Berkeley, Boudin by Comeaux from Louisiana (not Lyon) or Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream from Columbus, Ohio whose recipe for Sweet Corn and Black Raspberry Ice Cream we shared back in July 2011, visit Goldbely.

Some items come with free shipping.

Giving credit where it's due I discovered Goldbely via GOOD...

(* Image above from Goldbely Facebook page)

Besides Dressing like a Banana, What Can You Do in March? Equal Exchange Banana Month

Looking for greener ways to celebrate Easter from jelly beans (don't choke on them) made without high fructose corn syrup to organic-fair trade (and sensibly packaged) chocolates and ended up slipping on a banana...sort of...

Visiting Equal Exchange for their latest chocolate news, i found out that they also sell bananas from El Guabo in Ecuador and Cepibo in Peru.

They declared March Equal Exchange Banana Month and explain why in All bananas are not created equal by Jessica Jones-Hughes. 

Besides dressing like a banana, an easy thing to do is read The True Cost of Bananas (Small Farmers, Big Change...June 7, 2011) by Phillis Robinson and get a bit more knowledge on the topic.

Slipping on bananas, sort of for Green Day # 246

Previously: Tempted by Hairy Surface of Borage Leaves, A Feast of Weeds will be Pure Delight

Vegan Faux Leather Mustache Like Luggage Tags Add Distinction to Your Travel

Even men who don't sport a goatee, moustache or beard will be pleased with Mustache Like Luggage Tags brought to us by Kikkerland Design.

They add distinction to your travel and will make your luggage easy to spot on the airport baggage carousel.

Being vegan and faux leather will be a plus for vegetarians and vegans alike.

Its $8 price tag makes it a great small gift.

I originally discovered it via ModCloth who also sells it, for $9.99.

Mere Poule and its Baby Chicks, Pierre Marcolini 'Easter 2013' Edible Treats

La mere poule...

...And its baby chicks from Pierre Marcolini Easter 2013 collection of edible treats

Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini also created a reproduction of a bell of Notre Dame La Cloche Maurice to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the cathedral.

Millefleurs and Chestnut Honey Jars from Gers, Captured on Marche, Place du Capitole

I think it was on Saturday morning.

One day before heading to Paris, I captured these Millefleurs and Chestnut Honey Jars from Gers sold by their producer.

It was organic marche day on Place du Capitole in Toulouse, early September 2012.

Honey from apiculteur Olivier Chapelle, 32380, Saint Creac.

Long March to Earth Hour, Standby Lights are Evil, Joe Stephenson Kim Jong iL Red Dot Poster

All of us, myself included, tend to leave chargers plugged in (even if they are not charging anything) or worse keep our electronics on even when we are not using them.

Turn them off is the message Joe Stephenson wants to convey with his Kim Jong iL red dot poster, Standy Lights Are Evil.

Standby Lights Are Evil was the March 8 offering in Do the Green Thing long march to Earth Hour on March 23, 2013.

Not on standby for Green Day # 244

Previously: Cut Carbon Footprint, Eat Seasonal, In March, Green Cabbage Cauliflower, Leeks

Squeezing New York Wine Expo and its Italian Pavilion in my Friday Schedule, March 1st

When late invitation to check Italian Pavilion at New York Wine Expo 2013 (March 1-3) landed in my email box arrived, first thing I checked before considering attending was the hours.

Thankfully hours on opening day are 6 to 10 PM so my work schedule will not prevent me to be there.

I might even be able to squeeze a couple interview in my evening.

6th annual New York Wine Expo takes place at Javits Center and is opened to general public.

I mentioned that Chablis Mustard by Maille will be served on Tap during event in prior story.