Serge the Concierge

Passion for Piedmont marks my Return to Wine Blogging Wednesday

My almost neighbor David McDuff just announced the theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday #54.

I could not resist his call to share in the Passion for Piedmont which is what it will be all about.

Tuscany might be the most romanticized wine region yet the northern Italian region of Piedmont has a lot to offer with 46 DOC appelations.

David reminds us that  "while there are some fine white wines made in the region – from Gavi di Gavi to Roero Arneis to Moscato d’Asti – there’s no denying that Piedmont is red wine country. The Nebbiolo-based wines of Barolo and Barbaresco may steal the thunder. But it’s the wines made from Piedmont’s other two primary varieties – Barbera and Dolcetto – that appear most often on the Piedmontese table. Less common regional specialties like Freisa, Grignolino and Brachetto add local color and help to make Piedmont one of Italy’s most diverse wine zones."

I have not participated in Wine Blogging Wednesday in a while so this will mark my return.

Be on the lookout for my catch from Piedmont on February 18, 2009.

Recent wine bit: Spice up your Meal with Domaine Mas du Bouquet Vacqueyras 06, a Red with Integrity

Fifty Percent More Raised...The Close to Final Tally for Menu for Hope 4

With Menu for Hope 4 extended through the week-end, it looks as of now that we pretty much managed to raise Fifty Percent More than last year.

The current tally stands at $89,481.00.

What matters more than the money is the fact that as a result we will be able to help more people who benefit from the UN World Food Programme.

Merci beaucoup!

Up North, No Bacon...Some Canadian Prizes for Menu for Hope 4

Since the deadline for your bids on Prizes offered for this 2007 edition of Menu for Hope was extended to Monday, December 24th (9 AM), let me highlight a couple of the Goodies offered by the Canadian contingent.

 The Domestic Goddess coordinated the effort up North.

Catherine Jheon of Food for Thought (Canada) offered a selection of no less than 13 cookbooks (Prize Code: CA 01).

Anthony at An endless banquet went the spice route. No Pain d'Epice but a all spice package including "La Cuisine et le gout des epices" (Trecarre 2007), featuring recipes spanning the Spice Route from Indonesia to Andalusia and beyond.
Since it is written in French you brush up on 2 topics for the price of 1 (Prize Code: CA 05).

Interested by any of these, head over to the Donation Page and chip in.

Related: Don't Stop til you get enough...Menu for Hope 4 extended until Monday 9AM

Don't Stop til you get enough...Menu for Hope 4 extended until Monday 9AM

By popular demand, our friend Pim decided to Extend Menu for Hope 4 throughout the week-end.

The dance will stop at 9 AM (US, Eastern Time) on Monday, December 24.

At this time we have raised $86,331.00.

In case you missed my previous posts, Menu for Hope is a yearly fundraiser involving bloggers the world over and benefiting the UN World Food Programme.

Find All my Prizes on companion site Food Wine Travel.

I mentioned Some Great Wine Treats by Vinography.

Feel like spending some time in Italy, check this Cooking Class in Umbria.

Cannot make it to Europe get a Taste of Sweden delivered to your door.

Going down under Attica in Melbourne or Zuup in Kuala Lumpur are within reach.

Your own private Episode of Wine Library TV, Dinner with Eric Asimov...Wine and Menu for Hope

Shame on me! I realized on this very last day of Menu for Hope 4 that I had not mentioned any wine prizes. In case you missed my previous posts, Menu for Hope is a yearly fundraiser involving bloggers the world over and benefiting the UN World Food Programme.

At this time 10:17 AM (December 21st) we already raised $66,805.00.

If you are something of a wine groupie, Alder of Vinography has only amazing prizes starting with Your own, Private, LIVE Episode of Wine Library TV (good for Continental US only, Prize Code: WB 01).

Have dinner and wine obviously with Eric Asimov of the New York Times (in New York City, Prize Code: WB 02).

Dedicated to greener pastures and products, 6 bottles of 2004 Quixote Petite Sirah from the Stags' Leap Ranch organic vineyard and Quixote Winery sounds great (Prize Code: WB 08).

Want to get your hands dirty, spend a day in the vineyards of La Gramiere, in Castillon du Gard (southern France)with owners Amy and Matt. They grow grenache, syrah and mourvedre...Be ready for bruised fingers and an achy back but the experience is invaluable...(Prize Code: WB 15).

There are many more but I will stop here before I put you to sleep.

If you want to hedge your bets, read the Menu for Hope Tip Shit by Pim and/or head over to the Donation Page and place your bid.

Related stories: La 'Petite Syrah' turns into 'Pets' Petite Sirah by Vinum Cellars for Wine Blogging Wednesday #40 and Vincent, Simone and Wine...Mas de la Dame 'La Gourmande' 2004 

What's happening...No Bids for Edible Chocolate Box Yet...Swing into action! Menu for Hope 4

What's Happening?

Adam of Serious Eats listed the Best Bets to Win amongst the East Coast prizes for Menu for Hope 4.

I was amazed to see that neither the wonderful Valentine's Day Edible Chocolate Box ($65 value, Prize Code UE 32), nor the 2 Berkshire Bark Chocolate Bars Pack ($28 Value, Prize Code UE 34 and UE 35) or the wine guide book Red White and Drunk all Over ($25 value, signed copy, Prize Code UE 44), had received a bid as of yesterday.

The good thing is that if you jump into action right now, your odds of winning one or all of them are great.
Tis' the season for giving!
So make your choice, open your heart and your wallet and go straight to the Donation Page to place your bid.

Menu for Hope 4 is a Fundraising effort benefiting the UN World Food Programme. This yearly event brings together bloggers the world over.

Related piece: Perfect Storm is Forming for World's Hungry...Help with 'Menu for Hope'

A Taste of Sweden, from Stockholm with Love for Menu for Hope 4

I often mention events, food, wine and travel tips in the UK, France, Italy and Spain but rarely venture further north.

With Menu for Hope 4, I have a great opportunity to correct that thanks to the A Taste of Sweden Prize nicely offered by Anne's Food in Stockholm.
It includes a cookbook, Very Swedish (our illustration), Swedish candy and a handmade heart-shaped potholder amongst other things. Check Anne's story for the full details.

Hooked, the Prize Number is EU34. Ready to open your heart and your wallet, go straight to the Donation Page.

My Prizes: From 'Red White and Drunk' to 'Woodstock Buddha'...All my Menu for Hope Prizes

Related: Handmade Bikes, made in Copenhagen

Cooking Class in Umbria anyone? Menu for Hope 4...In Europe

You like to cook and travel and your schedule is flexible, time to check some of the Incroyables Prizes from Europe brought to the Menu for Hope table.

Judith Greenwood of Think on It (the philosopher on the Umbrian farm) offers a`Cooking Class at her school in Umbria or at the winner's place if they happen to be in an accessible part of central Italy

If you choose the class in her digs, she will take you to the market, help you know how to pick the best produce and ingredients and then convert that into a memorable Italian dish.

Prize Code is EU19, Get in on the Prize for as little as $10 by visiting the Donation Page for Menu for Hope 4.

Related: From 'Red White and Drunk' to 'Woodstock Buddha'...All my Menu for Hope Prizes

Perfect Storm is Forming for World's Hungry...Help with 'Menu for Hope'

Because of soaring prices for food "In an "unforeseen and unprecedented" shift, the world food supply is dwindling rapidly" states Jacques Diouf, head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Global food supply is dwindling rapidly by Elisabeth Rosenthal (International Herald Tribune).

This makes Menu for Hope 4, a fundraising effort involving bloggers the world over even  more relevant.

You can get involved for as little as $10.

The do gooding might even net you some great prizes including as you can find out on Food Wine Travel those by yours truly.

Find out how our modest effort helps as showcased by World Food Programme.

The New York Times also mentions Menu for Hope in So Little Time, So Many Charities to Feed, another seven degrees of separation with Kevin Bacon story.

For a wider look at what prizes are offered visit Chez Pim who started it all.

Decided to open your heart and your wallet, go straight to the First Giving Menu for Hope donation page.

Merci, Thank You, Danke Schon, Grazie, Muchas Gracias

Our 6 Prizes for Menu for Hope 4...The Shortlist on Food Wine Travel

Short on time, want a quick rundown of our 6 prizes for Menu for Hope 4, check the shortlist From 'Red White and Drunk' to 'Woodstock Buddha' on Food Wine Travel, our junior site sharing brief news.

What is Menu for Hope about:
Bloggers from all over the world join together from December 10 to December 21st and raise funds for the UN World Food Programme.