Making Time

I love going to antique markets. I have this fantasy that one day I'll find a rare treasure that's worth lots of money...dreaming I know, but that's ok. Without dreams we don't move forward. This beautiful French inspired clock is my latest find. It will be housed in my kitchen, not necessarily to give me the actual time, but to remind me of how time is ticking. Time waits for nothing. If there is something you've been dying to try..do it. If there's a soufflé you want to make...make it. If there's a hobby that you want to turn into a business...do it. Time does not stop and every minute of life should be lived doing what you love. You know I've always wanted a private chef to cook for me. I got my wish. Last night I enjoyed a wonderful Italian meal, with friends, cooked by a private chef. We ate an assortment Italian fare that included great Italian wines. I stuffed myself with ricotta laddened lasagna, spaghetti with mushroom wine sauce, bruschetta with prosciutto
..it goes on. The wine I clung to for the evening was San Giuseppe Estate Bottle Pinot Noir from Veneto, Italy. What a wonderful experience the chef was. Hey, I just had an epiphany. Life is about great experiences, and the only thing that should wait on time is a great vintage Bordeaux wine.

Wine:  San Giuseppe Estate Bottle Pinot Noir 2007 ~ Veneto

For a full review visit Vintage Cronicle

Spring Forward

The first day of spring brought the most perfect 73 degree and sunny weather one could ever hope for. Late morning rise gave way to lunch at my favorite restaurant, La Madeleine, with a dear friend, then home to watching the flowers bloom and an afternoon of sipping my favorite white grape variety Riesling. You know, part of living the wine life means, at times, you may have to endure sipping wine all afternoon just to get the nuances engrained in memory. Riesling, for me, is one of those memorable wines and at its best, from the best regions, can be unforgettable. Part of what makes Riesling so special is the fact that it’s a finicky hard to grow grape and conditions and winemaker expertise have to be just right in order for it to find and express itself. The Riesling grape is like most of us…. given the right conditions, the best that we have to offer comes out, giving way to the full expression of who we are…..Yep, today was a perfect day.

Wine: Joseph Handler Riesling (Pfalz) 2008

visit Vintage Chronicle for a full review

Saveur the moment

My beloved Gourmet magazine is forever gone, I have mourned it's passing and moved forward. Gourmet feed me with it's recipes and feed me with cultural experiences. Through Gourmet I learned the difference between northern Italian cuisine and southern Italian cuisine. It took me to a different part of the world each month. As by no means a replacement, I'm trying on a new magazine. I won't hold it against them that a year subscription is only 9 issues. Nonetheless, I'm going to give them a shot. Judging from the cover I will be taking many cultural food adventures with Saveur. Recipes will be tried and lovingly paired with great wine. I'm flipping through the pages and I can see already a recipe for Greek Fried Cheese...I'll pair that with Barbera...oh, and there's a recipe for Shrimp Ravioli with Spinach and Ginger.....Kabinett Riesling or Northern Rhone for that. I can foresee many food adventures coming. These recipes are not for the timid. I supposed I'm up for the challenge. Afterall, what's life without a little challenge:)

P.S. I've started a new wine review blog...check it out Vintage Chronicle

enjoy

What feeds the Soul

There are things and people in my life that just feed my soul. Things that when I have them or see them, just light me up on the inside...my boys....and when I say boys, my husband is in this pack. I am lovingly surrounded by three of them. That first cup of coffee in the morning feeds me. That first cup of Italian roast in the morning is truly necessary because no talking happens until after I have consumed it. The color orange feeds me. I surround myself with it, from the accents in my home to the notebooks I write in. A glass of a truly balanced wine feeds me. Albert Boxler Pinot Gris......there are no words. Rich dark chocolate anything is another, that goes without saying. Beautiful food and wine web sites feed me Native Food & Wine. Potatoes feed my soul...french fried, mashed, au gratin, you name it! I have an exclusive list, and things that feed your soul should be an exclusive list, because not everything you surround yourself with or consume feeds your core, and what feeds the soul is what makes life worth everything. You know what else feeds my soul?....mascarpone. Whether it's in cannoli form surrounded by a decadent shell or whether it's within something like this Mascarpone with Espresso recipe, which I made, by the way, during the Christmas holiday...and oh how it fed my soul!

wine pairing: pair this desert with your favorite Italian Moscato wine

enjoy