Wine into Bottle

Look how much fun we're having with all these tools and gadgets! Coming soon to your mouth: Counoise, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Malbec, etc etc etc. You're welcome.

A Pretty Scene from the Back Yard

The sunshine is waning on our little Belmont corner. I horridly mentioned to a friend that I'd readily welcome the dreary rain of January, if only it meant there could be moments to catch my breath. It's bottling time at the winery as the busy harvest season approaches, and there's less and less room for contemplation and leisure. So what do drink? Liquor? Occasionally; we're not trying to drown our sorrows yet... Beer? Sure, a little Budweiser or delicious draught IPA to quench the thirst from time to time. But sometimes there can be unexpected moments of quiet serenity, gifted from a little sassy Chardonnay. A fleeting brain relaxant---don't think, just drink. And breath in your last few breaths of inappropriately-busy, over-stimulated, visitor-centric summer.

Simple Pleasures from the Italian Country

I've always longed for the Italian life, where everyone in the family gathers for boisterous summer days spent cooking, eating, and drinking together long into the night. There's an excess of comforting food, abundant sunshine, not a care in the world. The wine is free flowing; a product of years spent cultivating the backyard vineyard, syphoned into bottle only when it's time to drink. I tasted a bit of this idealist-life in a humble and simply quaffable Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.

Abruzzo's wine is a labor of love. Their simple Italian country wines, coming from a long history of poor culture, feel most comforting and romantic sipped from a tumbler, paired with a little nonchalance and carefree whimsy. The perfect wine to not demand attention at a high energy dinner party. Eric Asimov (Chief Wine Critic, NY Times) loves his on restaurant lists wherever he can find them: "I'm always happy when I find [Montepulciano d'Abruzzo] because I know it's gonna be a solid, dependable, moderately priced wine that is content in its role as a supporting player to food." Cherries, flowers, earth, and all things gulp worthy!

Bad Luck Monday

A looong day of racking at the winery?! Whew, exhausting! Somebody get me a good glass of wine, ASAP!

Sometimes, all you could ever want or need is a simple glass of red wine to refresh the soul. It's just my luck that when this is my utmost desire, it's the hardest thing to come by.

The first wine we opened was sad and flabby and cheap tasting; major flop! So the wine key squeaked it's way into bottle #2.

...and straight toward continued misfortune. What should've been a mouthwatering 1er Cru Fixin (old vine Pinot Noir) smelled of pungent, sweaty cardboard. Totally corked. *sad face*

Attempted beverage #3 smelled kinda funky... whoops! Somebody wiped the glasses with a stinky dish rag. Let's try a freshly polished Reidel---GAH, this Fronsac is completely over-the-hill. Seriously?! My quick glass of something delicious has turned into an absurd hunt through the cellar.

But then, redemption! Beautiful aromas of blue flowers, white pepper, and cherry liqueur instantly emanated from the fourth freshly popped bottle. Sweet, sultry reparations to my palate. Thank you Domaine Dupeuble for your revitalizing 2010 Beaujolais.

Now if only this could prevent the inevitable soreness I'll be feeling in the morning!

Hosting Family Vacation

It's not often we get to open a fabulous Bordeaux, and it's equally rare the sun will roast Portland to a crisp. This week we had excessive amounts of both vintage prestige wines (literally vintage; these bottles had all been on the earth longer than I have) and overpowering rays of heat. Maybe not the best combo, but, well, heck.

With our lovely visiting family in tow, we ate and drank our way through town, and toted fabulous bottles to some of our favorite eateries.  I'm very proud to say we tackled numerous beautiful bottles, glass pours and dishes. Including the infamous:

This city has completely spoiled me... For Beaker & Flask there was Bordeaux. After cocktails at Irving Street, it was Bordeaux round 2. Threw some saucy Italians into the mix for pairings at Nostrana, a couple local faves for the out-of-towners, and a bottle of Provence rosé for good measure. Staycations are the best!

. . .

Weekend's Bottle List & Perfect Pairs

1975 Château de Pez (Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux) + house cured salumi @ Irving Street Kitchen

1979 Château Montrose (St. Estephe)

1982 Château Phelan S (St. Estephe)

1985 Castello di Gabianno Ania (Tuscany) + tagliata aged flat iron steak @ Nostrana

1997 Sassetti (Brunello di Montalcino)

1998 Léoville Baton (Saint-Julien, Bordeaux) + smoked beef shortribs @ Beaker & Flask

1998 Les Forts de Latour (Paulliac, Bordeaux) + Liver Mousse @ Irving Street Kitchen

2008 Podere le Boncie Le Trame (Chianti Classico)

2010 Rex Hill Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)

2011 Rex Hill Pinot Gris (WV) + chicken-bacon-garlic pie @ Straight From NY Pizza

2011 Bélouvé Rosé (Côtes de Provence)