A Chenin Economy
Umm. Bubbles and More Bubbles, and some Chenin. And Chenin Bubbles. And bad economy…for the wine & food folks.
So. It has occurred to me that wine blogging is at a sort of pause. Many wine bloggers have decreased the frequency of their posts. Or it just seems that way because of winter’s monotony. But even considering this, I am concerned for the state of the biz. The wine and food biz. This economic crisis hoo-hah is pummeling the groundlings of the biz. After the unfortunate layoffs of some of my great friends, and grate tasters, that I worked with in Chicago, and a sad layoff at CSW, I learned that even more of my Chicagoan friends have gotten busted out of the trade. Even the chef at the yummster Uncommon Ground (on Devon) was let go. I foresee more talent getting ousted soon. And it’s a ton of youngsters and people who have just began their climb up the corporate ladder. It stinks.
I haven’t lost a job, but I need some more employment to keep things, uh, interesting.
Instead of watching the entire first season of Project Runway Canada. I love it, but mainly I love Iman. In this ep. she chooses which dress she'll wear to Toronto Fashion Week. I love the Transylvanian.
Caves de Grenelle Saumur Brut “Grande Cuvee” NV ($12)
Chenin/Chard 26 months aging. So I got this for cheap. It retails at about $16 or so, and still is killer. With 2 years en triage I’d have guessed this bubbly may have had more yeasty/bready tones—not the case. I’m learning that chenin-containing or Loire bubbles don’t take to those aromas as easily as classic Champagne does. Needless to say, this wine was full of harmony and charm. Very green/gold in the glass notes of quince, lemon-lemon, tart yellow apple, and quinine, very nice body and very persistent, yet not-too-fine bead. This could use lots of time to hang out in the bottle. Also, was much better on day two. Mmm. This was had on NYE with Brussels sprouts, sweet potato chips, and buffalo burgers. It worked!
Bordelet Poire Authentique (2006) ($16)
Yum. Tastes sweet, but isn’t. Perfect with blue. Cheese, that is. I need more of this. Eric Bordelet is awesome.
Larmandier-Bernier Brut Tradition (Vertus) NV ($40)
Rockin! Full, round, with a little more red-fruit (I thought even red apple) than their BdB. A fantastic NV, but their BdB is worth every extra penny.
The next wine disappointed, but usually does quite the opposite. Very much like MTV's The Real World which used to be about putting together different people and watching them work out their insecurities, expand their minds, and work together. Now it's about hot tubs, booze, and abs. The new season has some of both, and it may impress with very interesting and diverse cast members. A seed of doubt came to my mind when the "this season on The Real World" was a 50 second forecast of screaming, punching, and smashing things. Also, what ever happened to the cast members having a job together? It all went downhill after New Orleans, which was an amazing season. Right up there with SF, Miami, and Seattle. Anyway, I watched it, and may keep watching:
Francois Chidaine 2005 Montlouis “Les Tuffeaux” ($22)
Um, this was corked a little and reduced a little or something. I (usually) LOVE THIS WINE. I’ve had several bottles of this and it has always satisfied my taste for uber-good demi-sec chenin. WTF? You could even taste the yumminess underneath. My drinking companions didn’t complain about it, but I was upset and pouty.
Marchesae Leopoldo Monferrato Rosso 2003 ($25)
Piedmontese Pinot Noir (100%). Light ruby, transparent, very very very perfumed. Better than the sample I smelled a month ago. I thought it was pinot noir through and through, with that licorice and rose aroma I get in a lot of piedmontese Nebbiolo. Mmm. Maybe more Gattinara than Barolo, but, hey, good stuff! If you see this, grab one. Surprise a PN-loving friend.
And I got Lady GaGa tix! !!!
And I spent two hours yesterday corking sparkling wine.
Hic.
So. It has occurred to me that wine blogging is at a sort of pause. Many wine bloggers have decreased the frequency of their posts. Or it just seems that way because of winter’s monotony. But even considering this, I am concerned for the state of the biz. The wine and food biz. This economic crisis hoo-hah is pummeling the groundlings of the biz. After the unfortunate layoffs of some of my great friends, and grate tasters, that I worked with in Chicago, and a sad layoff at CSW, I learned that even more of my Chicagoan friends have gotten busted out of the trade. Even the chef at the yummster Uncommon Ground (on Devon) was let go. I foresee more talent getting ousted soon. And it’s a ton of youngsters and people who have just began their climb up the corporate ladder. It stinks.
I haven’t lost a job, but I need some more employment to keep things, uh, interesting.
Instead of watching the entire first season of Project Runway Canada. I love it, but mainly I love Iman. In this ep. she chooses which dress she'll wear to Toronto Fashion Week. I love the Transylvanian.
Caves de Grenelle Saumur Brut “Grande Cuvee” NV ($12)
Chenin/Chard 26 months aging. So I got this for cheap. It retails at about $16 or so, and still is killer. With 2 years en triage I’d have guessed this bubbly may have had more yeasty/bready tones—not the case. I’m learning that chenin-containing or Loire bubbles don’t take to those aromas as easily as classic Champagne does. Needless to say, this wine was full of harmony and charm. Very green/gold in the glass notes of quince, lemon-lemon, tart yellow apple, and quinine, very nice body and very persistent, yet not-too-fine bead. This could use lots of time to hang out in the bottle. Also, was much better on day two. Mmm. This was had on NYE with Brussels sprouts, sweet potato chips, and buffalo burgers. It worked!
Bordelet Poire Authentique (2006) ($16)
Yum. Tastes sweet, but isn’t. Perfect with blue. Cheese, that is. I need more of this. Eric Bordelet is awesome.
Larmandier-Bernier Brut Tradition (Vertus) NV ($40)
Rockin! Full, round, with a little more red-fruit (I thought even red apple) than their BdB. A fantastic NV, but their BdB is worth every extra penny.
The next wine disappointed, but usually does quite the opposite. Very much like MTV's The Real World which used to be about putting together different people and watching them work out their insecurities, expand their minds, and work together. Now it's about hot tubs, booze, and abs. The new season has some of both, and it may impress with very interesting and diverse cast members. A seed of doubt came to my mind when the "this season on The Real World" was a 50 second forecast of screaming, punching, and smashing things. Also, what ever happened to the cast members having a job together? It all went downhill after New Orleans, which was an amazing season. Right up there with SF, Miami, and Seattle. Anyway, I watched it, and may keep watching:
Francois Chidaine 2005 Montlouis “Les Tuffeaux” ($22)
Um, this was corked a little and reduced a little or something. I (usually) LOVE THIS WINE. I’ve had several bottles of this and it has always satisfied my taste for uber-good demi-sec chenin. WTF? You could even taste the yumminess underneath. My drinking companions didn’t complain about it, but I was upset and pouty.
Marchesae Leopoldo Monferrato Rosso 2003 ($25)
Piedmontese Pinot Noir (100%). Light ruby, transparent, very very very perfumed. Better than the sample I smelled a month ago. I thought it was pinot noir through and through, with that licorice and rose aroma I get in a lot of piedmontese Nebbiolo. Mmm. Maybe more Gattinara than Barolo, but, hey, good stuff! If you see this, grab one. Surprise a PN-loving friend.
And I got Lady GaGa tix! !!!
And I spent two hours yesterday corking sparkling wine.
Hic.
posted by Marty at 11:58 AM
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