Wine Wednesday, Summer Soave

It's hot! This time of year I find myself craving cold, refreshing white wines. I'm a big fan of big Italian reds, but I also like the crisp whites they produce. This one is a great find; Re Midas Soave.

Made from the grape Garganega, this wine smells lemony. It tastes fresh and citrusy as well, with lots of minerals and a touch of toast.

I had it with grilled chicken and veggies; it was perfect. But I could easily consume this one all by itself.

In the $10 range, it's worth buying a case for summer sipping. CHEERS!

Wine Wednesday, It's a Steel

I'll be the first to admit that Chardonnay is typically last on my list when it comes to picking a white wine for the night. However,  I'm  always open and constantly looking for ones that I can embrace.

I just so happened to find one from Louis Jadot that is perfect for summer in Southwest Florida; Steel Chardonnay. This white burgundy is not weighed down by oak. It is bright with a lot of minerals on the nose, and a lot of pineapple on the palate.

It's acidic, with fruity apples. I want to call it "spunky". The Steel is a steal in the $15 range

Best Beach Shack, Bien Rico

They may not look like much from the road, but the famous kioskos off of PR-3 in Luquillo, Puerto Rico, will surprise you with the quality and quantity of food. Some 60 stalls, mostly food, are lined up side by side; serving everything from vegetarian cuisine to fried Latin favorites. I was lured to kiosko #12 by the promise of a mouthwatering appetizer that included bacon and dates. Say no more.

#12 is also known as El Jefe Burger Shack. It appears to have taken over two spots, with a small bar and patio seating facing the beach. I sat at the bar and introduced myself to my new best friend for the day, Ivan.

Bacon wrapped dates

When I mentioned the dates he paused and said let me check.  There had been an unexpected and rather large party the night before which pillaged the kitchen and bar of a few staples. WHAT!!! I did a silent chant asking the restaurant Gods to accommodate my one request of the day, it worked.  The dates ($8.95) were not only wrapped in bacon but stuffed with an almond, drizzled with a balsamic reduction then sprinkled with blue cheese. I could not have been happier. The salt and the sweet, the crisp and the creamy, all came together beautifully.

Slider Trio

Since I was at a burger shack, I figured I should get one of those too but couldn't decide which to try. Thank God for the sampler. My mini stuffed burger sampler ($12.95) consisted of burgers stuffed with short ribs, short ribs and jalapeños and the third with chorizo.  Ivan warned me it could take a minute to get my food because everything is made to order; the meat ground fresh every day. The ribs were slow-cooked overnight in a 150 degree oven.

No one could tell me which burger was which when the plate arrived. Three different gentleman, I think the chef was one, shrugged and said it will be a great surprise for you. It was indeed.

Lemon Ginger Mojitos

The sliders had that nice char on the surface and moisture in the middle. Small bites are hard to get right and chef at El Jefe did. The plate was perfect with my glass of Tempranillo.

I watched Ivan skillfully make all kinds of rum cocktails including refreshing pitchers of Lemon Ginger Mojitos. He tasted each creation to make sure it was perfect before leaving the bar for a table. A beer is a natural thing to drink at the beach, however, I can't stand how quickly a brew looses its cool outside. At El Jefe, each individual beer was served in its own cozy ice bucker. Brilliant! If I drank a lot of beer, I would keep one of those mini buckets in my beach bag for these occasions. Maybe more bars will jump on the bucket bandwagon.

On to the next kioskos. Cheers.

Wine Wednesday, Steelhead Red

I'm working on a wine article about blends and came across this interesting one from the North Coast of California. The Steelhead Red consists mostly of Zinfandel but also Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah.

It was a little hot at first, lots of alcohol in this baby. But as it opened I got more dark berries, some cocoa and easy tannins. Another good BBQ wine in my opinion and an affordable one in the $15 range.

But perhaps best of all, you may just feel better when you drink this wine. Not because of the 14.2% alcohol content, but because a portion of the sales from each bottle helps to fund conservation efforts for the steelhead trout and coho salmon in Northern California. Cheers!

Wine Wednesday, Merlot

The last couple of Wine Wednesday selections have been about items new to me and  also the area in which I live. And while I usually just pick just one wine, today I've decided to pick one grape; two bottles.

I like to experiment so when I looked on my counter this week and saw two bottles of merlot (when I typically have none), I decided to try them side by side. I thought it would be especially fun since they appeared to be so different, at least geographically; one from Chile, the other from California.

First up was Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi. This was exactly what I expected from an entry level California merlot. It was juicy with lots of plums and some vanilla. The wine was smooth and went down the hatch easily. A good wine for your Memorial Day cookout, especially considering the price; in the $10 and under range.



I've tried a few of the Casillero del Diablo wines but never the Merlot. This one comes from Chile and I could immediately taste a difference. While still full of lush dark fruit, this one was more herbal, a common characteristic of Chilean wines. I also tasted some cocoa. There was a bit more structure and it costs a few more dollars; but only a few. Another good choice for holiday grilling!

Both wines are good values and easy to find. Perhaps you have done similar experiments? Let me know! Cheers!

Tequila For Dinner

I've been to countless wine dinners, a rum dinner but never a tequila dinner; that is until last week at Agave Southwestern Grill in Naples, FL. The restaurant recently upgraded and updated the regular menu but I knew on this night we were in for an extra special treat from the kitchen.

We had four courses of food and different 1800 Tequilas. The tequilas were poured on their own, in addition, they were mixed into  specialty mini-margaritas.

The first course set the bar pretty high; butter-poached lobster over a roasted mushroom and gulf shrimp crepe. It was paired with 1800 Blanco, the youngest spirit of the night. The blanco was also mixed in to a refreshing lemon rosemary tart-rita. On it's own it added spice to the dish and in the margarita it cut through the heavy butter for a near seamless combination.

Next up, a pan-searted yellow tail on top of spiced sweet potato sticks, a chipotle-corn nage and avocado tomatillo relish. The 1800 Reposado was richer with a bit of a butterscotch on the palate. It was also mixed into a ginger pear margarita that was not as sweet as I was expecting. The combination worked well.

Third course was braised short ribs with roasted root vegetables, whipped boniatos and chile negro. I could taste more oak and vanilla in the 1800 Anejo. The aged spirit was also mixed into a pomegranate sage margarita. I liked the spicy tequila with the sweet roots and the sage was a great companion to the tender meat.

The last pairing was my least favorite; margarita cheesecake with orange-lime marmalade and lime dust. The dessert itself was outstanding, but I did not like it paired with the 1971 Cream tequila and the berry cobblerita. The cream tequila on it's own reminded me of a Baileys; try it for something different. However, when mixed in the cocktail it separated and tasted like bubble gum. Hey three smashes out of four ain't bad!

Agave often has tequila dinners, so check their website or call the restaurant for upcoming dates. You can even plan your own. This particular night was a special event put on by Impact Initiative as a fund raiser for the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. I think I can speak for all of the ladies in attendance when I say we had one heck of a festive, fun time while raising money for a great cause!

Wine Wednesday, Casarena

When the words "wine" and "Argentina" are mentioned in the same sentence, typically the next thing that pops into my head is "Malbec".  Just because Malbec is the signature grape ot the South American country doesn't mean it's the only one grown, and certainly not the only one done well.

My Wine Wednesday feature is a reserve Cabernet Ssuvignon from Casarena; another wine that is new to Southwest Florida. I sat down with Martin Perez Cambet, Commercial Manager for Casarena, at Bistro 41 yesterday. We began tasting the winery's entry level, 505 label. I would order ANY of these wines without hesitation, including the Chardonnay. They are amazing values in the $10 range. Next up were the Estate wines, also phenomenal values in the $15-$20 range.

But the big dawg was this lovely Reserva. It smelled a bit like raisins and I could tell the alcohol content was high, about 15%. The grapes come from old vines, with lots of sun exposure. The result is a wine that is ripe, with strong tannins, herbs, spice, dark chocolate and dark fruit. Its structure and elegance far surpasses the price tag; in the $25 range.

While tasting it, Cambet said it felt like the sun of Mendoza in a glass. Having been there, I couldn't agree more.  Cheers!

Wine Wednesday, Friulano

It's Wine Wednesday! WOW have I had some great wines this week, not to brag, but what the hell: Kistler Cuvee Elizabeth, 2002 Nickel & Nickel Carpenter Vineyard,  2005 Nickel & Nickel Dragonfly Vineyard, 2007 Zenato Amarone del Valpolicella, Veuve Clicquot, 2006 Swanson Rosato and a 2010 Casa Nuestra Rosado to name a few. Thanks to my friends; Jonathan, Ali, Frank and Angie. I could not just pick one for Wine Wednesday, especially since it would be hard to find all but one of them.

That being said I was recently turned on to a fabulous Italian white grape called Friulano. It's indigenous to the Friuli region in northeast Italy. The Livio Felluga Friulano surprised me with it's elegance and depth of flavors. It's in the $30 range, retail.

It has flavors of nuts and apricots with a spicy finish. There is a good balance of acidity and it went well with a basic meat and cheese tray that my friend was serving. A unique wine, good with food or on its own. As my friend "French Tony" said while sipping, "ooooooo, ees beautiful, no?" Me, "Yes! Yes! and YES!"

Wine Wednesday, Tariquet

This is the time of year where I can't take time off from work physically. But mentally, I took a road trip this week to a nearby place called France; you may've heard of it?

Ithier Bouchard from Domaine du Tariquet arrived in Florida at 1am, by 2pm I was sampling his crisp whites and unique Bas-Armagnac, with my friends at The Twisted Vine Bistro in Downtown Fort Myers.

Tariquet is a family owned vineyard in Gascony, in south-west France. For Wine Wednesday I've picked their entry level, flagship wine: 2012 Domaine du Tariquet Classic.

This wine consistently wins awards for it's unique blend and great value; in the $10 range for retail. The 2012 is mostly Ugni Blanc and Colombard,  mixed with a bit of Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng. The result is a fresh, grassy wine with crisp citrus and juicy tropical fruits. Another great summer find.

A number of restaurants are pouring Tariquets other wines, but Bistro 41 at the Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers and the Wine Merchant in Naples currently have this blend. You wont be disappointed. Bouchard talks more about the wine here:

Great Times With Pizza and Wines

Last night I attended my second annual pizza and wine pairing at Grimaldi's Pizzeria at the Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers, FL. The pizza is still as phenominal as last year but the wine list has changed significantly. General Manager Scott Flinn says now I have 50 to choose from; most are available by the glass and half carafe as well as by the bottle.

We started the evening with a crisp, grapefruit filled Girard Sauvignon Blanc ($35) and a Mediterranean Salad. The salty olives and feta, along with the vinegar in the dressing, tamed the acidity in the wine. It was one of my favorite pairings of the night. Perfect for the hot Summer months ahead.

Next up, the star; the pizzas. Flinn began with one of his favorites; roasted red pepper, sausage and ricotta. The ricotta was fresh and creamy, the sausage good and spicy and the roasted red peppers added just the right, sweet touch. As I was looking at the wine list I noticed a bottle that used to be one of my favorites; Caymus Conundrum ($35). After asking Flinn how it was drinking, he said, "You're about to find out." Over the years, the blend has seem to evolve into something sweeter than I prefer and sweeter than what I originally remembered. Maybe I'm the one who has changed, not the wine. Regardless, it was creamy; full of perfume and thick apricot flavors. It was fantastic with the white pizza.


I pointed out another wine on the list; a fun, syrah based blend called Troublemaker ($39). Flinn shook his head and said, "Well you've guessed the next two. Lets see if you can figure out what I'm pouring for dessert." Back to that challenge in a minute. The Troublemaker was peppery but juicy and it was served with pizza #2; meatball, ham, Kalamata olives and a tangy red sauce. We experimented a bit with the olives; they brought out flavors of cocoa in the wine.

Grimaldi's has seasonal cheesecakes and this is the last week for the Baileys in an Oreo crust.. My task was to guess the wine Flinn would pair with this. The pressure was on. I scanned the blends first, then the cabs, the merlots, no, no no. I kept going back to the "Baby Amarone" Palazzo Della Torre ($39). BINGO!!! I earned my pizza and wine stripes!

The made-from-scratch cheesecake was creamy and rich, one of my dining dates called it "the money dish". The wine was not as rich and full of raisins as a "grown up" amarone. It was easy to drink. The dessert brought out the characteristics of cherry and almonds in the wine. Another great combination! Good job Scott!

The new round of seasonal cheesecakes includes Blueberry Cobbler and Strawberry, $5 a slice.

Another summer special beginning in June, "Tasting Tuesday". All bottles and glasses of wines at Grimaldi's (other than house and Sangria) are half-price. The famous pizzeria is continuing expansion projects nationwide. If there is not one near you, look for one while traveling this Summer and treat yourself to some amazing, authentic New York pizza, impressive wine and for sure, a great time.

 

Rare Find-Good Wine

I went to The Twisted Vine Bistro in downtown Fort Myers, FL, for a late lunch yesterday. And also to taste some new wine with owners Steve and Denise Hollister. Steve couldn't wait to share his latest acquisition, Allamand Cuvee Saint Jeannet. 

He explained that Saint Jeannet is a French grape that was thought to have been completely eradicated. That is until the owners of Allamand found it growing on a hillside of their property in Mendoza, Argentina. They had the strange grape with thick skin genetically tested to determine its origin.

There aren't many vines but vintners harvest what they can and in this case, blended it 50/50 with Chardonnay from 90 year-old vines. The result is a fresh and creamy blend, with some spice on the finish. I could pick out the rich Chardonnay immediately but it did not overpower the citrus and tropical fruits in the Saint Jeannet. OK for sipping in this hot weather but I liked it best with food.

After the wine rep told Steve there were only three cases in Florida, he said, "I'll take them all (waving his hands in the air)." The shipment should be in next week. As of yesterday he had planned to serve it by the glass and the bottle, $12/$48.

If you like to try different, unique and hard to get wines, you have to stop by and try this one a go, before I drink it all!

Wine Wednesday, New from New Zealand

I thought Wine Wednesday would never get here! Last week, I got a call from Heather, one of my favorite wine reps, who began the conversation like this, "I know it's not Wednesday, but  you HAVE to meet this guy I'm driving around today and you HAVE to taste his wine."

Me, "Twist my arm, OK."

Jason Yank, Managing Director of Astrolabe Wines, had just arrived from New Zealand. Because of a tight travel schedule, I could not get him into the studio but gladly connected at Cru in Fort Myers for a tasting and a quick interview.

This wine is not only new to the Southwest Florida Market, but new to the entire state. It was hard to pick which of three I tasted to feature for Wine Wednesday. But I finally decided on Astrolabe's flagship, Sauvignon Blanc. It smelled grassy and fresh. One of the first things I tasted was jalapenos! Then some peach and passion fruit, YUM! The fruit and acidity were nicely balanced. It's a great warm weather wine that I envision drinking with a fish dish, containing some combination of cilantro and onions.

Yank also brought along a phenomenal Pinot Gris and a Pinot Noir; both now available in Florida. Some of the places they are being poured include Sweet Melissa's, Sunshine Cafe, Cibo, Twisted Vine Bistro, Bistro 41, Decanted and the Island Store. Yank talks about all three here:

Wine Wednesday, Achaval Ferrer

Malbec World Day is FINALLY here! A celebration of Argentina's most famous grape and one that has been taking the world by storm. I have been featuring Malbec's all month for Wine Wednesday and I can tell you it hasn't sucked one bit!

I was in Mendoza in December, drinking Malbec until my teeth and tongue were permanently stained. I was looking forward to visiting every winery on my itinerary, especially Achaval Ferrer. Wine Spectator Magazine had just named the 2010 Finca Bella Vista, one of the Top Ten Wines of the World! We drank it from the bottle, from the barrel and it was fantastic. However, for Wine Wednesday I've chosen their signature Malbec Mendoza. It's easier to get your hands on and more affordable; in the $20 range.

This is a big wine for the price tag with layers of spice, raspberry and dark fruit; a little earthy with a perfume finish. Here's a little more from the studio with the crappy lighting! Happy Wine Wednesday and Happy Malbec World Day! Whats in YOUR glass??? CHEERS!!

Southwestern Sizzle

Agave Southwestern Grill in Naples, FL has done a little Spring Cleaning....both with the inside decor and the menu. I recently stopped in to sample some of the new fare and was so disappointed, disappointed that I didn't have room to eat more!!! We started with the table-side guacamole service, giving our input as to how much of each ingredient we wanted; so of course, it was made just right.

Agave not only serves the traditional corn tortilla chips with the guac but new flour tortilla crisps that not only hold up nicely to the thick dip, but also taste good on their own.

The ostrich appetizers is now served with a crispy yucca chicharron cake and guava-lime butter ($15); scrumptious. However, our favorite new appetizer has to be the ancho seared tuna in a chili lime vinaigrette, served with a jicama mango slaw ($14). It was light and fresh, with a bit of sweet and hint of heat; a nice balance. This can also be ordered as a main course.


The new crispy braised pork belly was one of our picks for a main course ($28). It was served with a yucca bacon hash that I could eat all day, every day. The Carolina slaw was a nice acidic accompaniment for that fatty meat that was perfectly crisp on the outside; just a tiny bit dry inside, but overall a great dish.

For sides, we tried the new sauteed spinach and roasted mushrooms, and southwestern fries, dusted with the chimmichurri rub. Neither was over-sized, both were deemed to be keepers.



Speaking of chimmichurri, I think my favorite entree of the night was the new chicken chimmichurri ($23). The grilled breast was served with a red chimmichurri rice and mushrooms in an adobo cream sauce. The chicken was juicy and the sauce was addicting. I was so glad there was some rice and mushrooms left over. It was fabulous with eggs for breakfast the next morning.

Of course one of the coolest things about Agave is the tequila selection, more than 200 choices. They offer flights of their specialty margaritas and flights of tequila; both vertical and horizontal. I picked the vertical flight of Don Julio; starting from the lower end blanco and graduating to the more complex extra anejo. If you are a tequila novice, the flights are a great way to get a better understanding and appreciation of this lively spirit.

Wine Wednesday, Trivento

It's Wine Wednesday and I'm continuing the Malbec Madness theme. April 17th has been declared Malbec World Day. However, since I don't like to wait for things like this, I started celebrating LAST Wednesday.

Today's selection is the 2011 Trivento, Amado Sur Malbec. I smelled the fruit as soon as I poured this one. It's got a little Bonarda and Syrah to make this a nice full glass of goodness. I think I'll call my friends at Ford's Garage and see if they can deliver my namesake burger to have with this one! I can taste it now. I was in Mendoza in December but did not visit this property. Here's a little more on this food friendly bottle, from the studio with crappy lighting...haha: