I’ve lived in Atlanta for 14 years, and in all of those years it’s never snowed on Christmas Day. It was the most beautiful snowfall I have ever seen, slow with a gradual accumulation leading to a picturesque scene….just perfect. For this coming year and beyond may your life unfold with a gradual accumulation leading to the most perfect picturesque scene…… Happy New Year!
What a small and wondrous world it is when you can come across a concept that makes you say…nice! That’s what I thought when I met the founder and publisher, Ian Lawrence, of this uniquely luscious magazine that combines golf and fashion with the message of living life to the fullest…..The 19th Hole. The last time I golfed was some years ago and that wasn’t on a golf course, I was at a driving range. I remember being completely frustrated and non-understanding of why I couldn’t or should I say, why it was to difficult to hit that little ball. I have much respect for participants in the golf world and an even more enlightened view after perusing this magazine. I will tell you, right now all I want to do is go out and get new golf ensemble and try again. This is not to say that over the years I have not been to a golf course; I have, not as a player, but as a spectator. In fact I love golf courses…the greens…the clubhouses….the total atmosphere! I do have one thing that I would change at a few golf clubs I’ve been to and that is their wine lists. As a far off dream of mine, within the golf world, it would be nice to see first growth Bordeaux, second growth Bordeaux or even second label of second growth Bordeaux, being served by the glass. Such ambiance deserves its patrons to be served Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines from the finest appellations this world has. The trend has already started in Europe and in parts of Asia….why not with our golf clubs. I can spear-head the effort, I don’t mind….I’ll report back. In the mean time in honor of this elegant magazine I’d like to recommend and equally elegant wine to have while watching a golf tournament; Dirler Grand Cru(Alsace France) Kessler Riesling (any vintage but 2001 was my favorite). This wine is packed with floral, stone fruit, and mineral elegance both on the nose and on the palate. Perfect for sipping and watching. And bravo to The 19th Hole ~ Golf (plus) Fashion (plus) Lifestyle (period) for reminding us that simplicity comes in all forms.
enjoy
Wine being the social magnet it is, has been at the center of intellectual conversations, family and friend get-togethers, as well as celebrations that include simple to elaborate foods for at least 3000 years. Vines grown or cultivated to produce specific wines date back 5000 years. In fact, wine was there when social networking was born during Roman times, and one would imagine wines were there when trades and important business agreements were made. So wine has been at the helm of all that is important to everyday life further expounded with the discovery of Champagne. With this in mind it would behoove us to take stock in the significance of wine and its role in being apart of everyday celebrations from Hanukkah to Christmas to getting a new job to starting a new business venture. Here are some wine suggestions for everyday celebrations:
New job: Italian Prosecco - it’s citrusy, fruity, and bubbly and with it’s low alcohol content you can celebrate all evening without missing your first day of work
Everyday dinners: for dry whites white Burgundy (chardonnay) and white Bordeaux (sauvignon blanc- semillon) go well with lighter meats and sauces. For dry reds -
Chianti or red Burgundy (pinot noir) or even a red from Sardinia Italy (Grenache). These reds are not overpowering and have the light tannic backbone to support not so light everyday dinners.
Birth of a child: pick any wine that is from a region that produces wines that will age 21 years; St. Estephe (red Bordeaux- merlot predominant), Pommard (red Burgundy-pinot noir), Brunello di Montalcino (Italian red-Nebbiolo). Red wines are best here because of the tannin coupled with alcohol. These need time, as well as all of its components, to meld together to become deliciously balanced by the time the child is legally old enough to drink it in 21 years. There is one white to speak of and that is Sauternes (sweet white - semillons - sauvignon blanc). The sugar and acidity within this wine provides the ingredients needed to age and meld over time.
New Business Venture: new ventures are exhilarating and require wines that are exciting and memorable. Riesling (Alsace) is elegant and refreshingly fruity, Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) is zippy and fruity, Vouvray (chenin blanc) is another elegant fruity wine. All of these wines are white and have loads of acidity which makes them completely food (especially finger food) friendly.
The wine world has so much variety to offer and what’s really important to remember is that everyday life is a celebration and wine enhances that experience.
enjoy
Now that Thanksgiving is over I can focus on Christmas. Christmas for us is not about presents (we get those year round) it’s about eating and not just eating, but a feasting celebration of foods from around the world. How else can I teach my boys about other cultures (other than going to various countries) than through food. Over the years we’ve visited France with a Parisian style fare, then there was Germany (sausages galore). One year it was northern Italy, I made Italian styled short ribs. This year I’m feeling a bit rustic. I think I’m going with Provence for this years Christmas meal. Provence cuisine has an eclectic mixture of Mediterranean-French dishes. For this endeavor I’ll put together recipes from my Patricia Wells “The Provence Cookbook”. Her Guinea Hen Stuffed with Olives, Rosemary, Fennel, and Olive Leaves looks interesting. The Tuna Fillet with Meyer Lemons looks good also. I’m going to have fun with this! There’s also a recipe for Raspberry Sorbet. Yes, this Christmas will be magical. I’ll keep you posted.
enjoy
