Wednesday, October 31, 2007

2005 Trapiste Pinot Noir

Well behind in posts due to intense social schedule. This mysterious wine accompanied some beef ribs and followed a Yellow Tail Merlot. There was a "different" taste involved although the wine's body was relatively light and refreshing. Eventually fell asleep and spilled some on the "Atlanta" T-shirt. That sort of vino. After all it was Halloween.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

2007 Sebeka Sauvignon Blanc

From the Western Cape of South Africa. Served very cold, this fantastic wine marked the return of the team from Alverstoke. A strong buy recommendation, especially if someone else is picking up the tab!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

2005 L'An Tica Fattoria Opera Taurasi

Proud at first to show off the Amici Miei in Bru, I grandly ordered the Mastrobearidino -- Salvatore replied with a no available, but suggested something close for our plates of vongole. The L'Antica. A very nice wine with a subtle light flavor. We were able to expound on improvements brought about by Guns and Roses to B.Dylan's (known for some reason in the UK as baggy face or britches or something like that) music. All was d'accord. Then came l'addition which nearly knocked us off the chairs. We failed to notice that some mobile Italian wine merchanto had obviously swept through Bru and made some targeted sales for we confronted two bottles worth at 68€ apiece. Holy smololie! With tales tucked we drifted out into the cool night to greet our cabbie.

Monday, October 15, 2007

2005 La Caplana Barbera d. Asti

At the il Baronetto north of Brussels we found this refreshing red. An adequate accompaniment to a delicious plate of vongole followed by some fine veal fiorentina. La Caplana showed up on the bill, however, as Divers Boissons (various drinks) implying a more diversified pedigree. Good to know that Guido Natalino was involved. Some research indicated ..."The legend tells that Garibaldi drank their wine"... At 20€ per we managed two bottles over the course of the evening inspiring a finish up visit to the H.I. bar and consequently making the morning a bit of a rough slog to Bat Z. The waiter was kind enough to write Peruscom on the name slip. All seemed light and controlled. But as we stood at the door awaiting the taxi, an intense argument broke out about the source region among the assembled wait staff. Some advised that this came from Napoli, others from Sicily, and still a third voice pressed the Piedmont. Fortunately the cab arrived just as the squaring off began accompanied by some professional gesticulating.

Monday, October 08, 2007

2006 Nobilis Vinho Verde

ADB bought out the last few bottles at Total Wine. A light, effervescent offering that seemed to win the favor of Teeth and Keena and accordingly is awarded wine of the month honors for the R&B. Almost like a wine cooler, the Nobilis surfed though a wonderful sailing day to Willoughby Spit and back, kept us off the sand and survived the Keeth droopy bottom stories. Just how much more can you ask of a young, green wine?

Sunday, October 07, 2007

2005 Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

Subject to a bit of contretemps at the Zinc Brasserie, we finally agreed this was a fine summer wine. Effervescent and light. Our brash complaint about the room temperature wine service was eventually answered via a little tip from the sommelier: adding a salt shaker's worth to the ice bucket and inverting the bottle for a rapid cool down. Once at the right temp, the CG stood up through a wide variety of entrees. This brought on a reflection on improvements to Cascais and Monte Estoril and the girls discussion of clothes procurement (ooohhh). After bidding a fond farewell to Princess La, we dusted off to Total Wine and purchased a few more vinho verdes for tomorrows sailing extravaganza. The tension increases: which one will end up as the R&B OddatSea Wine of the Month!!!

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

2005 Masi Vallpolicella Bonacosto

A real naz little wine. Served by the glass at Stella's Gourmet Pizzeria. The Masi was drinkable if non-spectacular against the wild mushroom pizza and the greek salad. Bid at $8.99 a bottle on the net, I feel a little cheated at $6.00 a glass!