Thomas Jefferson on Wine

I’ve just started reading the book Thomas Jefferson on Wine.  Upon first impression it’s an easy read, unlike the technical wine books I’m used to where I have to decipher and engrain each line within my mental database.  No, this book is just my speed and, to my delight, it’s great to see that our forefathers had fabulous wine sense to go along with their common and ethical sense.  All of our forefathers were wine connoisseurs but Jefferson was the leader of forefather wine pack.   He traveled to vineyards and estates far and wide and reported back about his findings.  Quite ahead of his time, he was, on what constituted a fine wine and on wine business jargon like import strategies.  He sought out the best shippers to get his wine to him from Europe and beyond.  You know back then wine was shipped to you in barrels, and you couldn’t just call the wine maker and say, “could you send me a case of Chateau Lafite”, no you had to write the vineyard or chateau a letter stating what you wanted and then hope that wine connoisseur pirates didn't highjack your shipment.  I’m sure it happened many times and although times were rough back then, nothing got in the way or kept Jefferson from getting and talking about the virtues of fine wine.  I’m looking forward to visiting his vineyard estate, Monticello, next summer, but for now I must go and finish reading the book and I will report back…….by the way, to put a check mark on my case about the health virtues of wine…Jefferson lived to be 85 years old………….

I peeked in the back of the book.

 

enjoy

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A Perception of our Wine World

Terra Vineyards

I'm reading the book The Business of Wine - A Global Perspective, and upon reading the initial pages I've come to the conclusion that we Americans don't drink nearly as much wine with our meals as are European counterparts. In fact as far as consumption is concerned the Chinese are catching up to us and if we don't realize the enjoyment factor associated with wine soon, they will surpass us. In my dream world, I see an even keel where wine is concerned, where we all “get it”...wine with our meals with family and friend equals a better feeling people, which equals a better world, not a world where only a few of us sees the importance of this simple action. Perhaps it's the mindset in the US that needs to change, after all the number 1 and 2 countries, France and Italy, “got it” about 3000 years ago, in fact they started the concept. So why hasn't the US caught on? True we are young vineyard nation and our everyday living priories are different...we live to work, they work to live, we have 2 week vacations, they have mandatory 30 day vacations. They have bistros, we have fast food restaurants. We eat quick lunches in our cars, they have a 3 hour lunch at home and wine with that. Do I have to go on to fresh foods versus processed foods? There is no wrong or right here, the only thing needed is a slight shift in perception and to realize what's truly important in our individual lives.

To help with our perception I'd like to point out a few things to think about:

~ wine is a living breathing entity...ever changing and evolving in the bottle and in the wine glass after poured. Each sip brings on a new dimension.
~ wine is a place, meaning wine is representative of the land it comes from….the climate, the weather, the soil, the subsoil….is reflected throughout. Italian wines are distinctive, Greek wines are distinctive, and you can feel it when you taste it.

So the challenge here for us is to change how we see wine and mealtime. I had a wine last evening that I purchase and loved, it’s Rene Barbier Mediterranean Red (from the Cantalunya region of Spain). You can feel the mediterranean-ness of this wine that’s deep dark in depth of color (brought on by sunshine), that’s laddened with dark berry flavors and earth….it has backbone considering it’s young. Tempranillo and Merlot are meaty grapes, the blending to the two is an experience. I suppose that’s my point…wine is an experience, each sip should be treated a such, coupled that with a great meal….a whole new world opens up…..perception changed.

enjoy wine!

Living Mediterranean….

On Saturday my family and me had our first fall picnic, Mediterranean in style, equipped with pecorino cheese and white wine gelee.  I became a fan of pecorino cheese when I heard that it was a staple on the Mediterranean family table (Greece, southern Italy….).  And that this cheese, made of sheep’s milk, was part of this diet that contributes to health, vitality and longevity.  And here I thought living the easy going life along the Mediterranean Sea was the reason for the people of this region living beyond 100 years of age.  I suppose in part it is that, but I believe a number of factors;  the meals, rich with olive oil, olives and tomatoes, the wine, especially the red, and a relaxed state of being all contribute to their longevity.  I challenge myself each day with a personal agenda to live a more relaxed life, and if that involves great food and wine…so be it!    Here’s what was in my Mediterranean themed picnic basket; Spaghetti with Spicy Tomato Sauce, two bottles of Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2006 (beautifully balanced red with flavors of fruity red dark berries and spice, the grape is Grenache), a wedge of Pecorino cheese, slices of French sourdough bread and a jar of white wine gelee (to spread on top of the cheese).  The spaghetti took minutes to make.  There on other thing I took with me…any easy going attitude.

Have a fall picnic and……

enjoy

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Vessels of Simple Pleasure

Wine is my favorite beverage, I love its expression and it reaches its full expression when it has an opportunity to be housed and poured from a carafe.  I collect those.  I also collect vessels to house my other favorite beverage…coffee.  Yes, I collect coffee cups.  I love coffee cups and I love being able to wrap my hands around a cup and feel the warmth for its content and the smell its earthy aroma.  The reason I collect them is because every coffee cup has a personality, some are playful, some are elegant, some are antique-ish…..and at any given coffee time I could be feeling a certain way and will select a cup that reflects my mood at that time.  Like right now, I’m sipping French roast from my Starbuck’s coffee cup.  It’s big and bold, I’m feeling quite big and bold and adventurous right now.  It doesn’t take much please me, just the simple things in life.  By the way my coffee of choice this week is Eight O’ Clock Coffee French Roast.

enjoy

Sunday’s and Pleasure

Today I won’t be talking about wine.  Today is about the wonderfulness of Fall and the joy of Sunday mornings.  Fall Sunday mornings are always a special time with my family.  We have a great breakfast and recap our football Saturday (we had a lot to talk about, my son made 4 touchdowns……..I’m just saying!).   This Sunday added to the usual suspects of pancakes and French baked eggs were homemade chocolate croissants.  I was watching my favorite cooking personality last week, Nigella Lawson, effortlessly, as always, make a delectable breakfast that included chocolate croissants.  It was so effortless that I said to myself, “I could have figured that out!”  Puff pastry with dark chocolate rolled in the center became mine and my family’s pleasure on Sunday morning.  A total of 24 in all, devoured within a matter of minutes.  I barely got the picture taken. The croissants were such a simple thing and I bet years from now my boys will say…do remember that time you made chocolate croissants that were so good we ate them all in a matter of minutes?……..Simple pleasures create lasting memories.  Here’s the recipe so you can create your own Nigella Lawson’s Chocolate Croissants.  Pair it with a cup of your favorite French roast coffee.

enjoy

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