Update!

Divas d'Vine is moving to a new blog. From now on all posting will be on Let's Talk Wine! So if you have this blog bookmarked, change to the new blog because after this, there will be no more posts here.

Lamb and Vegetable Sauce for Festive Pasta

Click the photo for the recipe and more photos!

The classic pairing for a lamb dish is a Bordeaux, and I think that would definitely work well with this dish. The wine that comes to mind is Chateau Beaulieu Bordeaux Comtes de Tastes. Made primarily from Merlot, the deep ruby/purple-tinged red displays sweet, elegant notes of blueberries, black cherries, cedar and spice box. Medium-bodied with surprising richness and purity as well as impressive equilibrium, this well-made Bordeaux Superieur can compete with some classified growths. If you're anything like me, your mouth is watering at the thought of this wonderful pairing!

Paella paired with Valsacro Rioja

Click the photo to take you to the recipe and more photos!

What better to go with Paella, a traditional Spanish dish, than a good, hearty Spanish red wine. The first one that springs to mind is Valsacro Rioja, a delicious blend of 70-year old Grenache, 28-year old Tempranillo & 25-year old Mazuelo. This is a serious, structured, backward effort displaying notes of lead pencil shavings, black cherries, cedar & licorice. It is a medium-bodied, attractive, elegant Rioja with moderately high tannin, excellent depth & fine purity as well as personality. Still tightly knit, it will benefit from another year or two of bottle age, and should last for a decade.

Arctic Char and Smoked Salmon Rillettes paired with Lemelson Pinot Noir Thea's Selection

Please click the photo to take you to the recipe!

One of the best wines paired with salmon (in my humble opinion) is Pinot Noir. The Lemelson Pinot Noir Thea's Selection is my choice to pair with Bea's recipe. This wine recently received a rating of 92 points from Wine Spectator: "Rich and aromatic. Not heavy, but packed with huckleberry, plum and an array of sweet spices that keep sailing through the long, beautifully formed finish. A complete wine that has style and grace."

Sound good? Try it, and let me know what you think ;-)

Kiwi, Grapefruit and Crab Salad paired with Santa Julia Torrontes

Please click the picture to take you to the recipe!

The ingredients in this colorful and gorgeous creation would work very well with Santa Julia Torrontes from Argentina. This lovely dry white wine has notes of rose, orange peel, white peaches, fruits salad, chamomile and other aromatic herbs that fill the nose. A fresh flavor and light body with flavors of green apple, ripe fruits like peaches and pears. A balanced wine with great fineness in aromas and flavors.

Sautéed Gnocchi with Tarragon Tomato Sauce paired with Carpineto Dogajolo

Click the photo to take you to the recipe and more photos!

Carpineto Dogajolo is a wonderful Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is deep garnet with violet reflections. Aromas of intense fruit, with hints of cherry, vanilla, coffee and spice. The palate is full, soft, complex and well-balanced. This wine will be a lovely match for the gnocchi!

November 6

Last night there were eight of us in attendance and we tried some really nice wines! First up was Joseph Phelps Le Mistral, a lovely blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouchet. Soft and delicate aromas of dark cherries that followed through on the palate. A little bit of spice rounded out the finish. Clearly it was the hit of the evening!

Next up was Heaven's Gate Barossa Shiraz. Australian Shiraz, and Barossa Valley in particular, have to be my most favorite wine. Inky-dark with aromas of tar and roasted fruits, this was my personal favorite of the evening (no surprise there). Full-bodied with a good, long finish, it was everything a Shiraz should be.

Last we tried BenMarco Malbec. Still quite young, this tannic treasure has some aging to do before it is perfect. Bold, dense and full-bodied, with a wonderful bouquet of roasted coffee beans. All this wine needed was a good thick steak to pair with it.

Next month, we're changing the venue for the Divas meeting. Instead of meeting at Blue Bamboo, we'll meet at my store (Southside Cellars) on December 9 for Laurel D'Agnillo's one woman exhibit entitled "Simple Reflections". So join us for wine, art and fun!

New, or rather, improved series!

Not long ago I made an attempt to do a once-a-week recipe with a wine pairing. That didn't last very long because I ran out of recipes and was too lazy to search for more. Well, I made a new contact on the website where I post my photos. She takes the most wonderful food photographs and has her own weblog called "La Tartine Gourmande" where she posts photos and recipes. Once a week (or more) I'll post one of her photos which will link to the recipe, and I'll suggest a wine pairing.

This week I'll start off with Potato and Celeriac Gratin:

This dish, to me, begs for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Babich makes a wonderful crisp and citrusy Sauvignon Blanc that's not too over-the-top grapefruity. It's a fresh and lively white whose 2005 vintage was on the Top 100 Wines in Wine Spectator. With its wonderful herbal characteristics and acidity, it will be a perfect match for this recipe.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Got Bread?

Great Harvest Bread Company opened just a few short weeks ago, conveniently located at University and San Jose Blvd. They have everyday breads (Honey Whole Wheat, Harvest White) and daily specials with names like: Dakota, Apple Scrapple, Cheddar Garlic, Cinnamon Swirl, High 5 Fiber, Cinnamon Chip, Cracked Pepper Parmy, Hearty Caraway Rye and Challah. And if you have a sweet tooth, try a Berry Cream Cheese or Cinnamon Cream Cheese Scone, a Pumpkin or Berry Oatbran Muffin or Batter Bread. More photos of the store can be seen here.

Their store hours are Tuesday - Friday 7am - 6pm and Saturday 8am - 5:30pm. Phone number is 73-BREAD.

What are you waiting for? Go!

Don't lose your head trying to find a good bottle of wine!

Let Tom & I help you find that perfect bottle. Whether it be an inexpensive everyday bottle or something to celebrate a special occasion, we have the wine to suit your taste AND budget!

"Fun With Corks" Notecards

Some of you may know about the series of cork photos that I'd taken several months ago and posted to my Flickr site. The photos were so popular that I decided to have notecards made of my favorite four:

"Intimidation"


"Scene of the Crime"


"Corkhenge"


"There Goes the Neighborhood"


All of the cards are printed on high-quality card stock and are blank inside so you can add your own message. There are 12 cards per box (3 each of 4) and are available at our store. With Christmas just around the corner, why not get a box or two for your wine-drinking friends?

We're Hostages to our Hormones...

...and now there's a way that our significant others can help. Just have them follow the safer route to these dangerous scenarios:

Dangerous: What's for dinner?
Safer: Can I help you with dinner?
Safest: Where would you like to go for dinner?
Ultra Safe: Here, have some wine.

Dangerous: Are you wearing that?
Safer: Wow, you sure look good in brown!
Safest: WOW! Look at you!
Ultra Safe: Here, have some wine.

Dangerous: What are you so worked up about?
Safer: Could we be overreacting?
Safest: Here's my paycheck.
Ultra Safe: Here, have some wine.

Dangerous: Should you be eating that?
Safer: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
Safest: Can I get you a piece of chocolate with that?
Ultra Safe: Here, have some wine.

Dangerous: What did you DO all day?
Safer: I hope you didn't over-do it today.
Safest: I've always loved you in that robe.
Ultra Safe: Here, have some more wine.

So grab a bottle of wine (or two, or three) and free yourself from your hostage situation ;-)

If you knew sushi like I know sushi...

...then you'd high-tail it on over to Blue Bamboo and get a roll or two. And while you're at it, order a glass of wine to go with it!

If you would be so kind...

I have submitted the above photo to JPG Magazine in hopes that it will be published. You can vote for it here. You will need to create an account to vote, but I hope that won't dissuade you. I would be ever so appreciative :-D

A Wine Truly Fit For a Diva

Esszencia; originally the dessert wine of the Hungarian Royalty, then only available to members of the high communist party. Now available to those lucky enough to find one. A limited number of bottles are made since it takes around 10 years to make. Yes, I said 10 years! Esszencia is the most precious liquid obtained from Aszú grapes. Prior to making the Aszú wine, harvested berries picked individually from the bunch are stored in wooden casks, with a false bottom made up of loose-fitting slats. 'Essence' or juice, pressed out by the weight of the grapes, is collected and then matured in Gönci casks or demi-johns. With such a high sugar content, Tokaji Esszencia ferments very slowly to about 3-4% alcohol and is a great rarity - a phenomenal nectar rather than a true wine. Due to its intensity it will mature for decades in cask and bottle before it reaches its peak.

Now who could say no to that?

October 2

There were nine of us in attendance this time. Not a bad crowd at all. We tasted three wines this time. We started out with Jean-Luc Columbo Rose de Cote de Bleue, a delightfully dry rose from France. A blend of Syrah, Mourvedre and Counoise, it was a fresh rose with herbal characteristics. Aromas and flavors of strawberries, with a medium-body and a clean finish. This rose would be great for picnics!

Next up was Wirra Wirra Shiraz RSW, a HUGE Aussie offering from McLaren Vale. It was a dense purple wine with aromas of blackberries and licorice. Rich, full-bodied and decadent, this lovely Shiraz will keep for at least another 7 - 10 years.

Our last wine was a dessert wine from New York: Warm Lake Estate Pinot Noir Glace Noir. The color was similar to a tawny port, but the similarity stopped there. Lovely aromas and flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg with hints of hazelnut made this dessert wine a hit!

Next month's meeting is November 6. That gives me plenty of time to find two new premium beauties! Until then, ladies...

September 5

September's meeting was a little smaller and more intimate. The ladies in attendance had no problem with that. It meant more wine for them! And both wines were fantastic. We started out with Sadler-Wells Pinot Noir from Sonoma County in California. It was the perfect Pinot: aromatically complex with notes of dark cherry, violets and blackberries. Dense fruit flavors and harmonious acidity gave balance to this delicious red.

Next up was Valsacro Rioja, a bold and full-bodied Spanish beauty made from the old vines of Grenache, Tempranillo and Mazuelo. It was a serious, structured effort which displayed notes of pencil shavings, black cherries, cedar and licorice. Elegance, depth and personality were the keywords here. This is a wine that has the character to last for at least a decade.

Next month's meeting will be October 2. Among the wines we'll taste, we'll be trying a rose wine. You know...that pink wine that's not white zinfandel. Roses have been getting a bad reputation among wine drinkers, and I hope to show that there are some really delicious pinks that are not sweet and should hopefully increase awareness of this wonderful wine! Until then, ladies...

August 7

HOLY COW! What fun we had last night. What an enthusiastic group! Several new ladies joined us last night and got to try some wonderful wines. Normally we only have 2 wines on the list, but our store is running a special right now on some terrific Spanish wines and I had to include them in the lineup.

First up was Oliver Conti Blanco from Spain. Rated 90 points from Robert Parker, it's a blend of 70% gewurztraminer and 30% sauvignon blanc. What a nose on this wine! I got hints of coriander and Asian spices, with strong citrus notes (tangerine?) on the palate. A unique and interesting white, for sure.

Next on the list was 1707 Chardonnay from Spain. Exhibited plenty of creamy oak intermixed with honeysuckle, orange & tangerine notes. It is a good, competent, straightforward Chardonnay. An excellent value.

Then we tried Donnafugata Chiaranda from Italy. WOW! This was a blend of 50% Chardonnay & 50% Ansonica (aka Insolia). A wine with personality & elegance, it combined power & prestige. Aromas of ripe yellow fruit, especially apples, & notes of peaches & vanilla. The flavor was round & mouth-filling. An imposing structure showing a perfect balance of acidity & taste.

Next was onto the reds with 1707 Cab Merlot Syrah from Spain to start us off. Deep ruby/purple-colored with a classic black currant, licorice, herb & sweet oak-scented nose, this ripe, medium to full-bodied, luscious red is ideal for drinking over the next several years. Another excellent value.

Falset-Marca Etim, another Spanish red, was up next. This blend of Grenache, Carignan, Tempranillo & Syrah had a full violet color, with aromas of spicy red fruits & hints of vanilla. The palate offered a broad range of well-balanced flavors & sweet tannins.

We tried another Spanish red, Valle de Salinas Crianza, next which received a rating of 89 points from Robert Parker. This one was one of my favorites! Fashioned from old vine Mourvedre blended with small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah. It offered deep plum/ruby color along with a rich, sumptuous bouquet of cedar, black currants, earth & toasty characteristics. Excellent ripeness, medium to full body, surprising complexity as well as persistence on the palate, and no hard edges.

Last, but certainly not least, was Donnafugata Tancredi from Italy. A blend of Nero d'Avola and Cabernet, two varietals which fused together quite nicely! The Cabernet gave it a touch of mint, enriching its substantial supply of scents. Notes of licorice, cacao, cherries & bilberries against a sweetish background. The flavors were well-structured, full, absorbing & remarkably persistent.

All in all, the wines were very well-received. Also well-received was Dennis' cuisine (as usual!) Last month I congratulated Dennis on his one year in business. This month more congratulations are in order. His restaurant, Blue Bamboo was selected as one of the Top 25 Restaurants in Northeast Florida by Jacksonville Magazine! What an accomplishment for a restaurant that has only been open a year! It's a testament to Dennis' talent as a chef and his personality. Way to go, Dennis!

Until next month, ladies...

July 10

New Zealand and Australia were featured at the July Divas meeting. We started off with Felton Road Chardonnay from New Zealand. Bright, crisp and refreshing, it was not overly oaked like your typical California Chardonnay. Limited use of oak produced a more rich and concentrated wine, with emphasis on minerality and complexity rather than tropical fruit. This beautiful Burgundian-like Chardonnay received a rating of 88 from Wine Spectator and 90 from Wine Enthusiast. A wine with definite cellaring potential, but who'd want to wait? It's delicious now!

Next up was Kangarilla Road Shiraz Viognier from Australia. WOW! What a beauty this was! Big and bold, it was a wine that demanded attention, and received it. Wine Spectator gave this wine 92 points, stating "Kangarilla Road offers very realistic prices for the quality of their wines. Blend of 92% Shiraz & 8% Viognier, this black-colored effort has a rich bouquet of pain grille interwoven with exotic spices, lychee nuts, violets, blackberries & cassis soars from the glass of this fragrant, nearly ostentatious wine. In the mouth, there is dazzling ripeness, superb purity, an opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel & a long, heady finish. This terrific Shiraz gracefully carries its 15% alcohol beneath layers of fruit and glycerin." Clearly this wine was the hit of the evening and rightfully so. I'm very fond of Australian wines, Shiraz in particular. This one could very well be my new favorite :-)

And Dennis, ever the consummate host, donated a bottle of Geografico Chianti Classico to our group to enjoy. Abundant ripe fruit, fine balance, supple tannins and immediate drinkability are the constants in this Chianti Classico. The berry-cherry & spice flavors and citrusy acids fold easily into the silky mouthfeel and the fine tannins extend the smooth finish. It was a delicious red wine that paired well with the appetizers we devoured!

Speaking of Dennis, I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his restaurant Blue Bamboo's one year in business! In this past year, he received a wonderful review from the Florida Times-Union and was the focus of a great article in Water's Edge. I even did a photo essay on him and his restaurant for a website I belong to. Thank you for hosting our previous meetings, Dennis, and we look forward to all the future meetings there :-D

May 8

Another fun meeting, another set of wonderful wines. This time we tasted wine from Spain and Australia.We started off with Oliver Conti Tinto 1999 from Spain. It was a luscious Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Cabernet Franc. Robert Parker rated it 90 points, stating "it boasts a dense opaque purple color as well as aromas of blueberry liqueur, crushed stones, acacia flowers & a hint of wood. An impeccably made, tightly knit, medium-bodied red that comes across as a hybrid version of a Bordeaux & a mountain-styled California Cabernet Sauvignon. Savory & rich, but playing it close to the vest." Quite delicious! And I'm not the only one who thought so :-)

Next up was Wirra Wirra Cabernet Sauvignon The Angelus 1998. This wonderful, rich Cab is soon to be gone forever, as it's no longer going to be available in the US, only in Australia. It was intensely fragrant, with hints of mint, cedary French oak & berry-fruit bouquet with the tobacco/cigar box typicity of French oak. Generously concentrated & spicy, with black currant & Dawson plum aromas. Complex, lingering, ripe fruit with excellent length & balance. Intense black fruit flavors, integrated smoky oak with a long intense finish. This was a BIG Cab!

Next month we meet June 5. I'm not sure what we'll be trying, but rest assured they'll be good. Who knows? Tom & I might find something incredible on our vacation to California later this month that we'll just have to share ;-)

April 10

This month's meeting was somewhat smaller, much to the delight of those attending since they got more wine in their glass ;-) And what they got in their glass was wonderful (as usual). First up was Willakenzie Pinot Noir Pierre Leon 2000 from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Robert Parker rated it 87 points, Wine Spectator gave it 88 points. Personally, I think it deserved better, but you know what they say about opinions. This lovely red wine had that beautiful smoky, cherry Pinot nose that I love so much about Oregon Pinots. It was rustic, earthy, spicy and meaty...just the way I like Pinot Noirs! Everyone else liked it, too. I had Dennis' Chicken Curry Soup along with it, which was quite spicy as well, and the Pinot was a perfect accompaniment to it. It was as if the wine was an extension of the soup. YUMMY!!

Next up was The Willows Shiraz 2002 from the Barossa Valley in Australia. Any of you who know me, know that I am nuts over a good Barossa Shiraz, and this one was exceptional! Robert Parker rated it a hefty 93 points stating it is a "Big, explosively rich effort offering an inky/ruby/purple color with loads of charcoal-infused cassis flavors, lush, concentrated opulence, abundant fruit & surprising moderate alcohol for such a flavorful, rich Barossa Shiraz". Mr. Parker, I couldn't have put it better myself!

Those were the two that I brought to the table. Jenny, who works part time for me, brought one of her favorites, Travaglini Gottinara 2000 from Italy. This was a delicious, rustic, earthy & distinctly Italian red that paired very well with the Corn Fritters that followed the soup I had earlier. The Shiraz would have overpowered the fritters, but the Italian red was a perfect match. Thanks, Jenny!

Next month's meeting is Monday, May 8th. Until then, ladies...

March 20

WOW! What a turnout for the first anniversary of Divas d'Vine. It's hard to believe the group has been around for a whole year! We've tasted some wonderful wines in that time. Last night I volunteered Crystal to talk about the wines & pour the samples. She's so good at it, especially since they are in her company's portfolio.

First up was Neyers Chardonnay from the Carneros region of California. This was a wonderful example of a California Chardonnay. Delicately balanced with fruit & oak. Tropical fruits & buttery peaches filled the palate. Fresh & lively, with good acidity. It was quite yummy!

Next was Cain Concept from Napa. We've carried this wine in our store since we've been open, and it's been very popular, but I've never had the opportunity to try it...until now. It was big & bold, ripe & plummy. A delicious blend of Napa varietals that would be a great addition to any collector's cellar.

Last up was my favorite of the evening, Bodegas Toro Albala Pedro Ximenez Don PX Gran Reserva, 1971 vintage. You immediately notice the intense molasses-like appearance. Give it a little swirl & the glass is coated with a gorgeous amber color. There were aromas of cinnamon, caramel & hazelnuts. The palate was rich & luxurious with nutty, spicy flavors. This decadent dessert wine was the perfect accompaniment to the Chocolate Peanut Butter 6 Layer cake that Dia made for us.

Not to be left out was Dennis' awesome appetizers: Carribean Jerk Wontons, Sushi & a Mixed Green Salad. He & his staff treat us so well at his restaurant, really makes us feel like true Divas!

Until next month, ladies...

February 13

Not as big a crowd as last month, but still fun. We tasted two wines from August Briggs winery in Napa. The first was their Pinot Noir and it was wonderful! Black berry & cherry fruit aromas combined with sweet vanilla, finishing with a full mouth and lasting flavor. The structure was very well defined.

Next we tried the Zinfandel. A ripe, juicy, zesty style, with rich blackberry, floral and raspberry scents. Well-focused, with vibrant acidity, gaining richness and filling out on the palate.

Normally at these meetings we order our appetizers from the menu. This time we just had Dennis surprise us, and he definitely did not disappoint! First he brought out a Crab Rangoon on a bed of Asian Pear Salad. Talk about yummy! Next he brought out a "Roll Sampler"; an Avacado Roll and Spring Roll and a side of mixed greens with Sweet Chile dressing. Then we were in heaven over his Caramel Creme Brulee. WOW. And, if that wasn't enough, I treated everyone to a Chocolate Fountain. After all, it was almost Valentine's Day ;-)

Next month is the Divas' one year anniversary! Has it already been a year? Time truly flies when you are having fun! I look forward to many more meetings this coming year and sampling some fabulous wines with some fabulous Divas! See you next month, ladies!

January 24

Last night was another successful tasting. Several new members signed up. Thanks, ladies! As usual, the wines were wonderful! We started off with Starry Night Old Vine Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch from the Russian River Valley in California. This beautiful red had aromas of dark cherries, spices, raspberries with subtle hints of licorice and white pepper. The palate was full and jammy, just the way I like Zinfandels! When the distributor rep came by a couple weeks ago for Tom & I to try the wine, I knew this was one for the Divas. Everyone agreed it was delicious :-)

Next up was Dominio de Tares Bembibre from the Bierzo region of Spain. Made from the Mencia grape, which is Spain's version of Cabernet Franc, this dark ruby wine was truly exotic. Aromas of toast, coffee and hints of tobacco suggested it was a rich and elegant wine. It did not disappoint! This was a well-balanced wine with a lot of oomph! Definitely another winner.

I brought a bonus wine that we received in our store on special, Louis M Martini Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley in California. Although it didn't have the premium price of the two previous wines, it definitely had the taste. Rich & luscious with aromas of cassis and sweet herbs. The palate showed dark fruits with a firm backbone and a finish that left you wanting more.

Next month's meeting is February 13. Just in time for Valentine's Day, I'll have a treat for all the Divas that show up. What will it be? You'll have to wait till then...