Serge the Concierge

Going up North (Italy) Whites from Friuli-Venezia Giulia for Wine Blogging Wednesday

For Wine Blogging Wednesday #41, we will taste white wines from Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Northern Italy.
The theme was picked by Fork and Bottle.

This will take me out of my comfort zone which is good as I tend to lean towards reds as you have surely noticed.

Check back on January 16 and see what we come up with.

Previous WBW: La 'Petite Syrah' turns into 'Pets' Petite Sirah by Vinum Cellars for Wine Blogging Wednesday #40

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 

'Red, White and Drunk All Over' By Natalie McLean (Signed Copy)...New Prize for Menu for Hope 4

The more the merrier as they say.
Adam of Serious Eats was able to squeeze this late offering in the East Coast Line Up of Prizes for Menu for Hope 4.

Red, White and Drunk All Over, the second book by wine writer Natalie MacLean is not a bible or an encyclopedia for the oenophile distingué.
Natalie makes wine knowledge fun again.

You won't need to reach for the Alka Selzer while reading it. 

The Financial Times called Natalie MacLean 'a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson'.

She was kind enough to offer a signed copy of Red, White and Drunk All Over as a late addition to the line up of Menu for Hope 4 goodies.

Want it, the Prize Code is UE44. Now open your heart and your wallet, go to the Donation Page.

Every year, Bloggers from all over the world join together for this fundraising campaign benefiting the UN World Food Programme. In 2006, we raised close to $63000.
Help us reach higher!

Recent  wine bit:
La 'Petite Syrah' turns into 'Pets' Petite Sirah by Vinum Cellars for Wine Blogging Wednesday #40 

La 'Petite Syrah' turns into 'Pets' Petite Sirah by Vinum Cellars for Wine Blogging Wednesday #40

Syrah, Sirah...No my day is not going to the dogs.

For this Wine Blogging Wednesday #40 on Petite Sirah hosted by Sonadora(the Wannabe Wino), I wanted to keep it fun and unpretentious.

Rather than picking a $20 to $30 bottle, I went with the Pets (2005) from Vinum Cellars.
Big on the berries with an earthy, spicy finish and decent tannins, it is a good, decent wine, neither flashy nor pretentious.

Bonus points:
-As a dog owner I cannot help but appreciate that a percentage of the profits goes to the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the San Francisco SPCA .

You should be able to find it for about $15.

What was Wine Blogging Wednesday #39 about: Not a single wine, rather a 'Maison' Jacques Depagneux for Wine

Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 'Bois du Pied Redon' on Janis Robinson's White Wine Christmas List

As I mentioned last Saturday, Jancis Robinson this week shares her White Wine Picks for Christmas and the Holidays, the second selection (first installment was reds) in a four part series.

My recent piece Vincent, Simone and Wine...Mas de la Dame 'La Gourmande'  opened my eyes on white grapes (varietals) that were not on my radar such as Rolle so I could not help but notice one of Janis choices, a Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc.

This wine, Bois du Pied Redon (2006) besides the usual Rhone suspects Grenache Blanc and Roussanne uses Clairette and a grape new to me, Bourboulenc.

According to notes from Kobrand:

"Bourboulenc is an extremely old grape variety which is thought to have originated in Greece where it was known as the Asprokondoura. A late-ripening variety, it tends toward leanness and neutrality, but when picked at optimum maturity it retains high natural acidity and shows fresh citrus qualities with floral notes. On the sun-drenched, stony plateaus of the Mediterranean basin, the vine achieves a high degree of ripeness and corresponding degree of alcohol."

The only details I could find on the Bois du Pied Redon, Blanc  was on Marks and Spencer wine pages.
It is described as full yet rounded with peach, apricot and orchard flavors and a spicy finish.
This is a 'naked wine' (unoaked if you prefer), organic and made from handpicked grapes. Marks & Spencer rares it as 'suitable for vegetarians'. Some of their food pairing suggestions are Roasted Chicken, Vegetable Risotto or Thai Food.
It is bottled by Ogier Caves des Papes, clocks in at 13.5% alcohol and retails in the UK for 13.99 pounds which would translate into about $30 US, a small production, I almost forgot to mention the winemaker, Didier Couturier.

A Rose she mentions, Alphonse Mellot 'Sancerre Rose' (2006), does sound worth trying.
I am not sure it if her pick is the same as the Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Rosé La Moussière 2005  reviewed by The Wine Doctor.

This Loire Valley producer traces it roots in Sancerre all the way back to the early 16th Century.

All this makes me thirsty for a little tasting, is it too early?

Related: '60 Great Value Reds' for the Holidays: the Jancis Robinson Selection

Are Sonoma's water fountains filled with Pinot Noir? (via Fray)

If you settled in a wine growing area such as Sonoma,  you might be walking a thin line between having  an educated palate and becoming a sophisticated or sloppy drunk.

The character in Eric Spitznagel story on FRAY, illustrated by John Reddinger falls in the latter category.
Does not know his limits or when he passed them.

Here is an excerpt of Hobo Balls and other things that should not be compared to wine:

“This wine tastes like hobo balls,” I said, loud enough for the entire room to hear. Even as the words left my mouth, I knew that it was a horrible, horrible mistake. It’s not the sort of observation that a civilized person should make, and certainly not while partaking in a posh wine tasting. ¶ The other party guests just stared at me, too stunned to respond. I smiled and tried to laugh it off, saying something like, “Whoops, wrong crowd.” ¶ I hoped that my unfortunate remark would eventually be forgotten, but the damage was done. I’d crossed a line and there was no turning back. I had demonstrated, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I was a man unable to hold his liquor."

In it current incarnation, FRAY is a magazine of good writing, published online and in print quarterly under the loving care of Derek Powazek.

I think it is part of what the Just  Over 50 and Not Dead Yet crowd cares about.

I have seen my share of people behaving badly at the tail end of wine tastings.
Which proves that spitting is the right thing to do sometimes.

I do despise people who have a liquid meal and no money to tip.

Also on Wine and Bad Behavior: Do the Right Tip with a little Help from 'Dinner with a Tightwad'

La 'Petite Syrah' for Wine Blogging Wednesday #40, December 12

I have been so busy with various projects that I almost forget to check what would be in my glass for Wine Blogging Wednesday #40, the December 2007 edition.

Our host is Sonadora, the Wannabe Wino and she chose Petite Syrah.

Check back here on December 12 and see what my red red wine is.

Previous Wine Blogging Wednesday entry:
Not a single wine, rather a 'Maison' Jacques Depagneux for Wine Blogging Wednesday #39

'60 Great Value Reds' for the Holidays: the Jancis Robinson Selection

It might be one of these days when there are only 24 hours and you have 50 things to do.
You walk into a wine store either to grab a few bottles of good juice for your holiday party or bring some to some get together you are invited to, not wanting to show up empty handed.

Feeling a tad harried you walk into the wine store and are faced by a multitude of wines, most of whom you have never heard of.

I thought this Wine fit for a celebration by Jancis Robinson would help with its selection of 60 great value reds.

All prices are in British Pounds. To get the dollar price multiply by 2.1. Prices might be different though depending on shipping costs and other factors.
Her picks range from $12 to $63 so there is something for everyone.

On December 8, she will offer...60 great value whites.

Another option: Wine Gift Shopping Guide by Tony Cha (SF Chronicle) via Food Wine Travel.

My last wine piece: Sangiovese by another Name, Morellino di Scansano

Without Fados, Groval 'Touriga Nacional', Simply Red Wine

Wanting to expand my horizons and since this Groval, Touriga Nacional (2005) was in the under $10 category , I thought I should give it a chance.
Touriga Nacional is the best known of all the Portuguese varieties.

Coming from Beiras one of the 6 wine growing regions of Portugal, this Groval is produced by Caves Primavera in Aguedia.

Best way to describe it is as a great red table wine displaying good balance with soft tannins, a touch of spice and not anis but something similar, could not quite put my finger on the right word.

The Beiras Region is also a great place to visit with its combination of mountain and sea.
A must see city is Coimbra rich in history and located midway between Porto and Lisbon.

Learn more about Beiras and Portuguese wines on Vinogusto, a self described Guide to Wine and Oenotourism based in Brussels.

Additionally you might want to read In Portugal, a new stop on the global wine trail by Gisella Williams (IHT, New York Times).

Sante!

Previously from the Iberian Peninsula: Dao not Douro, Duque De Viseu Tinto (Red) 2002 for Wine Blogging Wednesday

Bear, Snake or Monkey...the Perfect Wine Pairings (via 'Word of Mouth')

I don't think that this theme will make it on the Wine Blogging Wednesday list but just in case, I wanted to mention this Bear Necessities piece by mystery writer Gwladys Fouché.

Wondering what the best pairing is for that polar bear steak, the people at Huset restaurant in Svalbard suggest a big bad Bordeaux.

As for Snake or Monkey, your guess is as good as mine.

Must see movie with your meal, Babette's Feast for its Turtle Soup.

Other food picks: From Alligator (Sub Sandwich) to Rabbit (Stew): New Orleans Summer Restaurant Guide