wine whine

I am still just getting used to the idea of putting my thoughts about wine out there in such an informal way. So although I write my column for Berkshire Homestyle magazine every month, I have hesitated writing my blog. I have tasted so many nice wines since I last posted something, any of which could have been described here; and I have read some good and some lousy articles about wine which could have been discussed here, but...
So, I will try to give a bit more thought to giving a bit more time to this blog. I would like to mention the cooking class at Cafe Adam in Great Barrington, which is coming up; and I think a short discussion of Beaujoulais is also in order. So perhaps in the next post I can deal with one of these issues.
As I am writing this, I am putting off working on my column for Berkshire Homestyle for November about wine for Thanksgiving. As you will see the question of which wine on that particular Thursday is not too easily answered.
Also in the last column Madiran in the Southwest of FFrance was written Madrian throughout the article. This was my fault. Never-the-less if you are in the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, or Western Mass, do pick up a copy and learn a bit about an interesting wine region.

Domaine Puydeval

I know it has been a while since I appeared, but here I am again. I am reporting because I just had a few glasses of Domaine Puydeval from the Languedoc in souther France with mutton shanks of all things. The mutton shanks which I prepared where delicious if not quite tender enough, even after 3 hours. They were pretty rich, braised in white wine with tomatoes, black olives, two heads of garlic and a couple of anchovies. So I opened a bottle of Domaine Puydeval 2005, which I had picked up while on Long Island. I had never had the wine before. It was great. At 60% Cab. Franc; 30% Syrah and 10% Merlot it was not overripe. It matched well against the rich food without being overpowered. It wasn't a huge wine which would have been too much along side such a rich dish. Instead it was almost refreshing with good ripeness and nice tannins. It is imported by Hand Picked Selections. I'll buy it again.

First Shot

Okay, this is my first go, my first shot.
This is a blog about wine, and food, but mostly about wine. I have been in the wine business in one capacity or another for the last 18 years, and I have decided to mouth off a bit. The occcasion is the wine list I have put together at Cafe Adam for Adam Zieminski, chef and owner of Cafe Adam. From the begining over a year ago, when I went in to eat there, and a week or so later when went into sell him wine, I was impressed by his cooking and his interest in wine. So he bought wine and we talked and after a while we agreed that in addition to his killer cuisine we could put together a killer wine list. That's what we have just done. Within a week Adam will unveil a new wine list. I t will have great and interesting and exotic wines from all over the world available by thye glass or by the bottle for reasonable prices.
The wines have been selected for general quality as well as food friendliness and value. After all, we could all call up the local distributor and buy a bunch of high end CA Cabernets and grin big fat grins; but that's not what is really interesting. There is a world of wine out there, and there are wines that go great with certain foods, or foods which are enhanced by certain wines. Put anther way, as much as I love steak I don't want it every night. I Want chicken some night, and I want it prepared in different ways. Same with fish or Pasta and so on.
So quality along with variety. Interesting wines to discover from regions you might never have heard of, along with Burgundies and Borolos and CA Syrahs.
okay, I got it out. I hope the next posting has more more facts and a bit less bluster, but its a start.