Minnesota Long Goodbye

I have both witnessed and been a participant in this indigenous tradition.

It all starts in your hosts’ home as you stand up to leave. The current topic of conversation continues unabated as you start walking. Then, like an episode of the Twilight Zone, everyone flows toward the door at the rate of a melting glacier, before global warming.

As your hand grasps the door handle to indicate your imminent departure, your body straddles both the inner and outer dimensions. Here, depending on the temperature outside or the current population of biting insects, you may hover for mere minutes or start discussing the most favorite topic of Minnesotans, the weather.

Reaching your car with your hosts’ trailing behind, you open the door and stand near your seat, looking around to comment on any outdoor improvements you might have missed upon your arrival. Be wary of your hosts’ invitation to take you on a tour of their latest project at this point, as you may miss your flight or be dodging deer while driving in the dark.

By now you ease into the car and close the door. But everyone is still talking so you roll down your window for any last minute news or directions. This portion of the farewell can be as lengthy as everything you have already experienced.

After the leftovers or goodies are handed through the window for your drive home and calendars are consulted for your next visit, you head down the drive, turning to wave until your hosts’ are no longer visible.

When you get home, have a nightcap, you deserve it!

Maggie

Seventeen years of food, litter and vet bills = major $$$

Seventeen years of keen curiosity, comforting purrs, soft furry rubs and unconditional love…… priceless.

Do You Believe In Magic?

The genie living in wine bottles is sometimes able to grant three wishes for the wine maker, wine critic and wine consumer. These are magic bottles.

Since most of us are unable to afford Premier Grand Cru Bordeaux or Burgundy wines, we should also trust our own palates and wine preferences. I believe this is the problem with the current wine marketing. We shop with our Wine Spectator Best Buy list or the latest Robert Parker picks but forget that although they may have tasted more wine than we have, what we like is what is most important.

TV ads, fanciful labels and shelf notes further prod us into peer pressure purchases. Your dollars are the best way to make changes to this system. Step out of your comfort zone, embrace the unfamiliar and try lots of different wines. Then, you will know what characteristics you like in both reds and whites. Armed with this knowledge, you can weed through the reviews, tackle a restaurant wine list or ask a competent merchant to steer you to new wines.

Climb out of your rut and hunt for your own magic bottle.

Analyze This!

"Stop and smell the roses"

"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans"

"He who hesitates is lost."

"Time flies."



We have heard these quotations and cliches all our lives. But, the older I get, I have noticed that the days, weeks and months really do seem to be winning the race. Stopping to analyze this would take up more precious time. Instead, I'll write about a wine that should be savored and not dissected.


I recently had my first Torrontes from the Pannotia Vineyards in Argentina and felt it was more than a glass of wine, it was an experience. It's intense aromas are similar to Viognier, with hints of peach, apricot, rose, and litchi. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity with fruit flavors that keep you coming back for another sip and plenty of body for a wine that shows such delicate aromas and flavors. Fruity, floral and yet still quite dry, this wine has to be tasted to be believed. Best enjoyed in its youth either by itself, or as a wonderful partner with seafood or spicy Thai food.


Save the analysis for the couch.

Wimpy Wine?

The character Wimpy in the Popeye cartoons had the motto, "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." So, my question is, what is a purchase that gives you not only instant gratification but that you would also go out on that financial limb to obtain?

Lately, my wine hobby has had an impact on our finances. After searching for the best storage options, we purchased a dual control 100 bottle wine cellar. It was a major investment and so is the desire to fill it to capacity. (After all, it will run more efficiently.)

But, wine is not as wimpy as we have been lead to believe. Most consumers don't have optimal conditions to store our stash or save a partially consumed bottle. There are many gadgets on the market and some are worth your dollars. But if you buy wine to enjoy within the next few months, most wine will handle whatever you can dish out.

If you don't think you can drink a bottle that has been left in your trunk during a summer heat wave, guess again. Just watch this current episode of WLTV at the link listed below.

http://tv.winelibrary.com/2007/07/10/wine-temperature-time-episode-273/


And if you believe that you have to vacu-seal a partial bottle to enjoy it to it's full potential, watch this link for a enlightening experiment.

http://tv.winelibrary.com/2007/04/18/4-ways-to-try-1-wine-with-gary-vaynerchuk-episode-219/

So, don't sweat it, wine can take it.

Fireworks

Don't forget to add the sound of a "popping" cork to your fourth of July celebration.

Concentrate

Do you cook with wine? If you make sauces to drizzle over your entrees, try adding a wine you would normally enjoy in your glass to your pan. The alcohol will cook off, leaving the concentrated flavor of the wine.

Dry white wines are best used with poultry, veal, and fish.

Beurre Blanc Sauces
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadet

Reduction Sauces and Pan Sauces
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay

Poaching, Steaming, Sautéing, Stir-Frying
Pouilly Fume
Chenin Blanc

Light to Medium Red Wines- for Sautéing, Stir-Frying, Pan Sauces, Pasta, and Brown Sauces
Chianti
Merlot
Zinfandel
Rioja
Madeira
Port

Medium to Full-Bodied Red Wines - are primarily used with red meats, stews, pasta sauces, and roasts. Use for sautéing, pan-frying, roasting, braising, broiling, grilling, pasta sauces, and barbecue sauces
Madeira
Port
Pinot Noir
Merlot
Cabarnet Sauvignon

Asian Wines - used for sauce making, stir-frying, soups, broths, pan-sauces, and grilling Generally sweet and non-acidic compared to most other white wines.
Rice Wines
Mirin
Sake

Sherry-An excellent substitute when Rice Wines are unavailable.

Try cooking with wine today!