October 04, 2005
Inycon Merlot
Time: So, it isn't summer anymore.
Place: Nel Centro
Accompaniments: Slow cooked spinach with a buttery garlic sauce (or garlicy butter sauce as it was), green salad, scrambled eggs with pancetta.
Though the label claims it to be a merlot, I do have some hesitation in that respect. It just may be a merlot but it is a youngin'. Of the 2004 vintage, I'd give it another 3 years to hit perfection. Not that there isn't anything wrong with a novello but if you are expecting a full blown merlot, I'd wait a bit before the decanting. Locally produced merlot are rare. This is produced in Menfi which is near Agrigento (you know, the valley of the temples place).
First impressions: The bouquet precedes the actual tasting of it. Nice, young and alive on the tongue with a heavy honey hit right before it disappears. Strawberry and a bit of stone included.
Last impressions: A two bottle minimum with plenty of water along.
Cost: 3.00 euros
URL: http://www.cantinesettesoli.it/inglese/
Posted by zib at 10:53 PM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2005
Malesan Bordeaux
Time: Another hot sultry wet even though there is a Scirocco a blowin still too damn wet Sicilian night (oh gawd aren't they all, a bit earlier)
Place: The Studio
Accompaniments: Post dinner digital indulgence. Zappa, Velvet and Iggy Pop.
Malesan Malesan, solid, just there for your imbuing pleasure. And a pleasure it is. This is meeting a Strong Man and that woman behind him ;) Be prepared.
First impressions: Strong, elusive (Clooney-esque), where did it go? Merlot is thy father. Is that chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate she says, vanilla he says.
Last impressions: Sometimes being "nuanced" is a Good Thing .
Cost: 4.50 euros
URL: http://malesan.com
Posted by zib at 12:30 AM | Comments (0)
Portuguese
Time: Another hot sultry Sicilian night (namely 2 nights ago)
Place: The Terrazza
Accompaniments: Mixed greens with iceberg, radicchio, pomodori, green olives, topped with fat slices of Israeli avocado, Rambol (delicious herbed French creamy cheese) and Ritz (yeah we got'em here) on the side.
A fine (well, not fine fine but damn good Rosato [rose'] table wine) One you should be able to find on any grocer's shelf. A standard, like Lanciers but with less bubbles for those who find Lanciers way too damn bubbly (hey sometimes bubbles are good). Simple, good, chill it and enjoy. Perfect with salads or fruit. Great choice for shrimp, lobster or crab.
First impressions: OOh nice a Portuguese that is sneeeeeeeeaky. I like it! Kitschy label says he.
Last impressions: Don't you think they should make bigger bottles? Hey, have the splodeys hit there? We gotta visit (but first we gotta Fala Tatau! !
Cost: can't remember under 5 euros to be sure.
URL: n/a
Posted by zib at 12:08 AM | Comments (0)
July 16, 2005
Lindemans "Cawarra" Shiraz cabernet
Time: Typically hot sultry Sicilian night (The Best for Vinhos!, get it Vin-hos..oh never mind)
Place: The Terrazza
Accompaniments: Mixed greens with rucola, radicchio, romana, herbed Greek feta and a bit of tadziki (you know, the Greek sauce from Tadzikistan :-), grilled cow and aqua minerale liscia.
From Southeastern Australia to our grocer's doorstep. Picked up in the imports section of the wine aisle at the local supermarket earlier today after a day at the beach. First bottle was a rather forgettable Chilean merlot that does not warrant it's own entry. Second bottle opened as the half moon rose was a shiraz that claimed to be a cabernet. I know a Shiraz when I imbue one, and it isn't a cabernet. After first pour while waiting for the freshly released to breathe a glance at the label was in order.
The Lindemans Cawarra range, named after the original homestead of Dr. Henry Lindeman, is made with the modern lifestyle in mind.
Varietally expressive wines are crafted in an easy-drinking, contemporary style that deliviers maximum enjoyment in any social occasion.
While waiting for this to decant I had to wonder, who the hell says "varietally" or writes it on a wine lable expecting consumers to understand. Then, I understood, it was one of those words. I am still rather ambivalent about the "modern lifestyle" part unless it was referring to the horrid plastic cork producers have started to use. Does it refer to an alternative lifestyle? Modern meaning the URL is included? Who knows.
First impressions: Wham Bam I'm Shiraz Ma'am! Hear me roar. Immediately shadowed by the smoothest soothing cab you've ever had the pleasure to meet. Undeniable berry tones laugh and promise to be a fine balance to a well aged brie if not tuna steak. More please!
Last impressions: Damn, we should have gotten another bottle!
Cost: 3.50 euros
URL: www.lindemans.com.au, the cabernet (.pdf).
Posted by zib at 11:45 PM | Comments (2)
Who by wine... intro
[ed- This is a new column by Wendy a.k.a. "zib" and who could do it better? Her theory is best local grapes never get overseas and she may be right unless the times are 'a changing finally for good and as much as we dislike boundaries of any sorts expect the best we can hand our hands on and kiss the night away. Reviews are on their way. - lck]
In the medieval times there was the dreaded Punishment by Wine Funnel which oddly enough, I've paid for many times, though it was tequila, same concept.
In the past year the wine market here in Sicily (frankly can't speak for other bergs since we're not there but here) has seen a major influx of inexpensive imported wines. From the four corners baby! Most every one of those corners showing up but the States. Well okay, I confess, we have Sutter Homes lurking on the shelves in the "imports" section but Puhleeze we won't talk about them mkay? Good.
So we'll - okay I, with the concurrence of The Man (tha'd be lck) will be posting thoughts on the Vino of the Day, most likely a weekly thing unless it's vacation then maybe it will be of The Day. If you, gentile and or gentle readers have a wine you'd like to tell us about, feel free to hit the contact page and do so. On Who by Wine contributions: Please note: if you know what the hell you're talking about I don't want to hear it. I want the basics; Vino, Time (you were imbuing), Place (it's a known fact, location location location means something), Accompaniments (self explanatory), then Your Spiel about The Wine, where you picked it up and how much it cost in whatever currency you're familiar with) and producer/distrubutor's website if applicable. Yes, this means you may actually have to read the back label (sometimes those are rather amusing).
Yes, I abuse the ()s and capitalize randomly (to some). Bacchus forgives all (typos too).
Posted by zib at 10:22 PM | Comments (0)
