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Es?kia Mphahlele Tributes Since Es?kia Mphahlele?s death last week, a befittingly large number of tributes to the giant of letters have appeared alongside the standard news pieces and obituaries. (more?)
Jozi Spoken Word Festival 2008 - 13 to 16 August Spoken Word Festival 2008 - 13 to 16 August August 11th, 2008 by Allan Botsotso Publishing, the Goethe-Institut, Exclusive Books, Sounds of Edutainment and the Wits Writing Centre present the much-anticipated Jozi Spoken WordFest 2008 at Wits University in Braamfontein this week.
Stick! Janet van Eeden on Behind Every Successful Man What to do, what to do? On reading the opening lines of Janet van Eeden?s review of Zukiswa Wanner?s second novel, Behind Every Successful Man, I was ready to file it with the carrots. But reading on, I wondered if the reviewer wasn?t damning with faint praise. Actually, I couldn?t quite detect any praise, faint or otherwise: no comments on the style, the quality of the writing, nor reflections on the literary devices in the author?s toolbox. And a wallop comes at the end, with a dig that rai
Stick! Janet van Eeden on Behind Every Successful Man Janet van Eeden on Behind Every Successful Man August 5th, 2008 by Liesl What to do, what to do? On reading the opening lines of Janet van Eeden?s review of Zukiswa Wanner?s second novel, Behind Every Successful Man, I was ready to file it with the carrots. But reading on, I wondered if the reviewer wasn?t damning with faint praise. Actually, I couldn?t quite detect any praise, faint or otherwise: no comments on the style, the quality of the writing, nor reflections on the literary de
Two Touchy Takes on ?un-African? SA Lit from Laurice Taitz Irked by folks who grumble that there is nothing to do in Joburg, Laurice Taitz decided to set them straight. She certainly has plenty to say right now, and talking books is high on her list. Two recent blog posts alight on a debate that South African readers and writers are currently discussing in numbers. Or that is my personal experience at least, engaging with writers and editors as I sally around the country meeting bookish folks. But both arguments sound a little grumpy and I don?t enti
Two Touchy Takes on ?un-African? SA Lit from Laurice Taitz Touchy Takes on ?un-African? SA Lit from Laurice Taitz August 5th, 2008 by Liesl Irked by folks who grumble that there is nothing to do in Joburg, Laurice Taitz decided to set them straight. She certainly has plenty to say right now, and talking books is high on her list. Two recent blog posts alight on a debate that South African readers and writers are currently discussing in numbers. Or that is my personal experience at least, engaging with writers and editors as I sally around the co
Meet Zukiswa Wanner and Niq Mhlongo at Boekehuis Boekehuis invites you to what promises to be a fun and insightful conversation between novelists Zukiswa Wanner and Niq Mhlongo about Mhlongo?s Sunday Times Fiction Prize-shortlisted second novel, After Tears. Both writers have just returned from the inaugural Pan African Literary Forum in Ghana. Wanner?s own second novel, Behind Every Successful Man, has just been published by Kwela. (more?)
Meet Zukiswa Wanner and Niq Mhlongo at Boekehuis Zukiswa Wanner and Niq Mhlongo at Boekehuis July 22nd, 2008 by Ronel S Boekehuis invites you to what promises to be a fun and insightful conversation between novelists Zukiswa Wanner and Niq Mhlongo about Mhlongo?s Sunday Times Fiction Prize-shortlisted second novel, After Tears. Both writers have just returned from the inaugural Pan African Literary Forum in Ghana. Wanner?s own second novel, Behind Every Successful Man, has just been published by Kwela.
Summary! Maureen Isaacson on Niq Mhlongo Maureen Isaacson on Niq Mhlongo July 11th, 2008 by Ben - Editor Is it a book review? Is it an interview? Is it, to borrow from Alex Smith, a composite wonder-beast of literary journalism? Who knows? We?ll call Maureen Isaacson?s sidle up to Niq Mhlongo?s After Tears a - summary. Albeit a useful summary, as Isaacson delves into Mhlongo?s first novel, Dog Eat Dog, by way of turning the lens slowly ?round to the second:
Two Big African Lit Fests Coming Up Big African Lit Fests Coming Up June 26th, 2008 by Ben - Editor Alert! In the South we?ve had ours - the Time of the Writer, the Franschhoek Literary Festival, the Cape Town Book Fair - and now it?s the turn of East and West Africa to enjoy a literary jamboree or two. Ghana and Kenya step into the breach in the coming months with the Pan African Literary Forum (PALF) and the Kwani Litfest, respectively. The former, which runs from 3 to 18 July, is the first of its kind, and has already b
The Xenophibia tag On the 2nd of July a bunch of South African writers, including myself are going to the inaurguration of the Pan African Literarary Forum in Ghana. Ta to the Department of Arts and Culture for sponsoring the trip until the 18th of July. Before the regrettable and recent ugly scenes of the attack on foreign nationals by some South Africans, i was looking forward to this trip with great interest. Firstly, it is my first trip to the West African country, and Ghana has a great historical significanc
After Tears by Niq Mhlongo After Tears Author: Niq Mhlongo Format: Softcover Description: Witty, amusing yet rooted in the gritting reality that is Soweto, Mhlongo reminds us yet again why he has been dubbed the writer of the kwaito generation. After Tears is a must-read for anyone seeking escape from the tedium of television. ? Zukiswa Wanner, author of The Madams. "After Tears is a uniquely South African story, told in a fast, hip and happening style that is synonymous with Soweto where the author's witty, dodgy, p
CTBF Snapshot: Talking About their Generations Snapshot: Talking About their Generations June 14th, 2008 by Ben - Editor The consensus reached at the ?Writing for your peers? event at the NB/Via Afrika stand, Cape Town Book Fair, was eloquently encapsulated by panellist Niq Mhlongo (After Tears), who sat down with Willem Anker (Siegfired), Zukiswa Wanner (Behind Every Successful Man), Thembelani Ngenelwa (The Day I Died) and your humble correspondent to talk generations this morning. Responding to the question, ?Is there anything tha
NB Programme at the 2008 Cape Town Book Fair Programme at the 2008 Cape Town Book Fair June 12th, 2008 by Ronel S Don?t miss NB?s exciting line up of South African authors and literary journalists at the Cape Town Book Fair - talking about a range of relevant and challenging topics!
A purse of kisses (#41 Niq Mhlongo) purse of kisses (#41 Niq Mhlongo) June 5th, 2008 by Alex In high school, due to my frequently-voiced suspicion of the bondage of marriage and my absolute disinterest in millionaires, the Matric class bet that in life-after-school I would be ?mostly likely to divorce a millionaire?, not exactly an auspicious title. It doesn?t quite have the same ring as ?most likely to win the Sunday Times Fiction Prize?. This year I think that propitious title belongs to Niq Mhlongo, and so not straying too
2008 Sunday Times Literary Awards Shortlists Sunday Times Literary Awards Shortlists June 4th, 2008 by Ben - Editor Alert! Only eight books - out of a total of seventy-two longlisted titles - made the 2008 Sunday Times Literary Awards shortlists. Here they are, in alphabetical order by the author?s surname:
A Carrot! An Interview! The Wading! Carrot! An Interview! The Wading! May 13th, 2008 by Sophy This week, the Witness seems to be dedicating itself to Tom Eaton at the hands of Matthew le Cordeur. Le Cordeur writes a review of Eaton?s latest literary endeavour, The Wading, titled ?Beautiful but indulgent writing? - which puts one on the forked path of choice between Carrot and Stick. Fear not! For the review proves a definite carrot, munched as ?Eaton simply lets the days and nights flow into each other without a word spoken.
Three Writers Writing What They Like Percy Zvomuya recently had the pleasure of conducting a writerly exchange with three emerging writers. He explored the notions of ?authors? rights and responsibilities? with Niq Mhlongo (After Tears), Zukiswa Wanner (The Madams) and Siphiwo Mahala (When a Man Cries). The trio looked some of the issues that the public seems to demand writers tackle, and ways to explore them through the lenses of race, HIV/Aids, and post-1994 transformation. Will everyone be happy with the ideas put in play
2008 Via Afrika and Jan Rabie Prize Shortlists Alert! The 2008 Via Afrika and Jan Rabie literary prize shortlists have been announced - and two BOOK SA bloggers are in contention! Congrats to Andrew Feinstein and SA Partridge for their respective nominations. The Via Afrika awards are in-house prizes for books published by the Via Afrika group; the Jan Rabie/Rapport prize is open to books from all publishers of ?innovative Afrikaans literature? (and was won by Johan Engelbrecht for Kaffertjie last year).
2008 Exclusive Books Homebru List Alert! Exclusive Books launched its 2008 Homebru promotion yesterday - and two BOOK SA bloggers? books made the list of twenty-five titles that will now be specially featured in EB stores everywhere. Congratulations to André Brink (Ander Lewens) and Mike Nicol (Payback) for getting the nod! Overall, SA Lit fared quite well this year, with only a few cookbooks and the like in the mix. We?ve given the complete 2008 EB Homebru list, in the order supplied by the chain, at the bottom of this po
Bendigo and Grampians, Victoria, Australia. Shiraz. 14%. Screwcap. Source: cellar, approx $A20 on release.
Thankfully I have two bottles left. These were bought at a time when my patience was greater and until tonight they have remained undisturbed and untested*.
Vibrant and deep purple, this is hedonistic and satisfying. Blue and blackberry with a note of bay leaf and malt. Succulent, raisin filled and chocolate stained. The concentration and spectrum of flavours is pleasing and notable, though importantly there is a sour, juicy edge to add emphasis and line.
Very good - excellent. 93. Now - 2018.
* At least I thought they had been untested. . . Looking at my list of wines, I now see that I tried a bottle in January 2007, when I was on holidays. . .
This is a %50 percent Garnacha %50 Carinena Right of the bat I got and abnormal amount of chocolate and I have to say I liked it! I also get a bit of Jerky, and lots of cherry and plums( I think more plum) its got a bit of strong alcohol on the nose, it quite yummy, and runs in around $20 a bottle, I would say its is well worth it.
This is the kind of cross diversification I can relate to! Kerin O'Keefe (decanter.com) writes:
Italian coffee giant Illy has just acquired the 90ha Mastrojanni estate? in the Montalcino hamlet of Castelnuovo dell'Abate.
Founded in 1975 by Gabriele and Antonio Mastrojanni, the estate has 24 ha under vine and an overall production of 80,000 bottles a year.
Until now Mastrojanni has been a family-owned firm?, and is known for its classic Brunellos, particularly its single vineyard? Brunello, Schiena d'Asino.
Managing Director and winemaker? Andrea Machetti, who is to remain in charge of day-to-day operations under Illy, has been with Mastrojanni since 1992.
'The Illy family members obviously love wine and are known for their good taste?. Though they will make some investments in the business, the house style? won't change and we will continue to focus on making outstanding Brunello from Sangiovese,' Machetti told decanter.com.
The Illy family, based in Trieste, which bought controlling shares in chocolate? company Domori in 2006 as well as in French tea firm Dammann Frères in 2007, is not new to the wine business.
Francesco Illy, one of the four grandchildren of the firm's founder, already owns a young estate in Montalcino, Podere Le Ripi. Riccardo Illy, president of the holding group said, 'Everyone in my family has a passion for wine, and with this acquisition, we have realised one of our dreams.'
Dulka is one of the most famous wine producing families in the town of Sremski Karlovci, near Novi Sad in Vojvodina. They produce wine since 1920 and have won a handful of awards at the Novi Sad agricultural fair throughout the years. Apart from producing wine, this familiy also produces bermet and brandies of highest qualities.
They have just recently started growing Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2005 is their second vintage. However, this wine is quite rich in both aroma and taste, much richer and deeper than other pure Cabernets around. The color is dark ruby red, the nose rich, so reminiscent of forests and the flavours are those of forest fruit and chocolate. It’s a good wine, can be enjoyed on it’s own.
Thailand has a much greater wine presence than India. This shouldn't surprise anyone that has visited both countries. Thailand in general is a very modern country, at least around Bangkok and the seaside communities. India is a country struggling to move into the 21st century.
Tourism is a huge driving force in this modernity, and in the proliferation of wine. The Thai locals may not be buying up the $20 bottles of Australian and Chilean wines in the grocery stores, but the European and North American visitors certainly are.
A dozen years ago, after my visit to China, I remarked that one of the things that had to happen before wine was well received in Asia was to start adopting screw tops. This was before the current craze. Many wines now do sport screw tops, in no small measure because the technology of closures has greatly improved.
I bring this up because it is not just the locals that don't own cork screws. Tourists may not have them either. I overheard a couple in a posh wine store asking for bottles with twist offs because they had no way to remove a cork.
There are many reasons to adopt screw tops, chief among them being the danger of cork taint. This interchange points out the most practical of all reasons for screw tops. Ease of use. Keep it Simple Stupid applies everywhere, especially when it comes to packaging and marketing. Make it easy for people to open wine, and you make it easier for them to buy it.
Thailand has a laid back attitude that is perfect for wine lovers, assuming they have a way to get to their favorite quaff. Personally I never travel anywhere without a corkscrew (and a few backups) but for the more occasional wine lover, being able to twist and enjoy is a pleasure.
The clever people over at Google have identified an apparently growing problem of emailing while intoxicated (EWI) and have taken steps to prevent it. The new “Mail Goggles” feature of their free email service challenges the user to 5 math problems before sending an email after hours. The user is in full control of which hours they want to designate and you don’t have to opt-in to this unique service. This should cut down on those drunk emails that seem like a good idea at the time but usually aren’t.
Although it will likely not catch drunk mathematicians, others who have a problem in this area will be well served. You know who you are
Yesterday afternoon I felt a large disturbance in the wine blogging force, as if millions of keyboards were clacking away, then were silenced. Fortunately all is not doom and gloom since I was soon notified by Gary Walsh of Winorama fame that he had teamed up with Campbell Mattison of The Wine Front to form what is likely to be the most frequently updated wine review site in Australia.
While it is sad to see what was a brilliant free resource in Winorama being placed on the back burner, no doubt the $40 per annum subscription fee to The Wine Front is now even better value.
Good luck GW as you join the dark side of professional reviewers!
This is the classic book 'The Art and Science of Cooking with Cannabis' by Adam Gottlieb. It features the main points of the book concerning the cooking of cannabis, some funny quotations and almost all the recipes converted to European measurement units.... This is one of the funniest/educational books I've read recently. And damn all this cooking and stuff is awesome, if your not nibble the candy you are making to much. ....The effects here will be less pronounced during the initial stages than those from smoking. But as the minutes progress, the "hash eater's" high may become far more overwhelming than anything that the smoker has ever experienced. This may be furthered by the fact that the eater does not get the same immediate signals which tell the smoker that he has had enough. So when he finally comes on, he may really come on-and still keep coming on."
"For any and all the above reasons, ingested cannabis is often more hallucinogenic than the smoke."
"One may eat ten times too much and still be eating more before the first effects of the high have even arrived. If he does so, he may eventually lose consciousness for anywhere from 12 to 48 hours, depending upon how much was taken.....
This Barossa black cherry hue to the rim with big fruity bouquet of spicy, sweet dark fruit.
Palate has silky tannins with sweeter palate with loads of fruit. Just another $10 price point Shiraz.
[07/23/2006, 04:23]
An Argentine glacier moves back There is in danger the productive region that Argentina and Chile share
A glacier of Argentina, the Upsala, in the southern province of Santa Cruz, moved back almost 13,5 kilometres between 1928 and last year, according to analysis of organizations that study the environment. In 20 years there would be serious problems for the production.
For graficar the process of deterioration of the mass of ice, a photo took from the same place of the one that was taken an image of the glacier in 1928. To simple sight is observed that most of the ice already is not.
The scientists who study the phenomenon of the melting it attribute to the increase of the temperature average of the planet, due to the use of fossil fuels as the petrol and other derivatives of the petrol.
The organizations environmentalists claim Argentina and Chile that political decisions take, since the melting does not affect only the Upsala, but all the big glaciers of the south of the continent.
Also they demand that countries like The United States and Russia, they sign and put into practice Kyoto's Protocol, which almost 120 countries resolved in 1997 to reduce the emission of the gases that raise the temperature of the planet.
These organizations that study the environment demonstrated besides the fact that in some zones of the mountain chain of the Andes, in the frontier zone between Chile and Argentina, also the volume of the glaciers is diminishing. According to experts of the United Nations, if measurements are not taken to reduce the global warming, the glaciers will disappear in 20 years, which will provoke big problems for the productive activities.
Source: Simbolo. Net (# 52) Buenos Aires - Argentina
We found a semi precious gem in the middle of Budapest. Onyx Restaurant not only served us a meal on a par with any we have ever had, they managed to do it at a cost that was surprising affordable, amidst a city that is surprisingly not.
Located just a few steps away from the tourist trap district of the Vaci strolling mall, the Onyx is a blend of old and new both in decor and cuisine. Contrasting the staid furnishings a group of LCD monitors displayed vibrant and ever changing abstract images, sort of like a soft focus fractal. I found the effect soothing and a perfect counterpoint to the near stuffy ambiance.
The service was white gloved and attentive, and the staff was knowledgeable and more than eager to share their passion for their craft. I was especially delighted by the wide variety of remarkable local wines available by the glass. As always wine details are saved for readers of the newsletter .
You on the other hand get a look at the seven courses we delighted in.
Leg of Veal Carpaccio with Foie Gras on a Roast Red Bell dressing A savory treat for foie gras. The flavors were great, although the carpaccio was a bit tough. It was thankfully chopped into strips making it easier to enjoy.
Hungarian Grey Cow Goulash Consomme A delightful twist on the ubiquitous Goulash Soup of Budapest. Fragrant and perfectly spiced.
Salmon Steak with Jelly, Sweet Potato Cakes with Puy Lentils, and a Cannoli stuffed with Sugar Peas and Radish Curry with Bean chips
Visually stunning, so much so that I am adding a rare photograph. Each of these tastes are completely different from the other, but moving from one to the next was an exploration in flavors.
Elderberry Sorbet Sweet, but not too. The ideal refreshment.
Roast Suckling Pig, with Chitterling Ravioli and Beets with Parsley Root Froth and Mini Black Pudding on Leek Bed Like most Americans Black Pudding (also known as blood sausage) is not a taste I am used to. None the less it was rich and flavorful and went well with the tenderloin and cheek of roast pork. The ravioli and beets gave a respite from the rest of the rich flavors.
Goat Cheese with a Pistachio crust and Dried Sour Cherry Jam This local goat cheese was as smooth and creamy as any I ever had. It was quite remarkable and perfect after the rich pork dish.
Tainori Chocolate Cake with a taste of 1995 Royal Tokaji Aszu Essencia Royal Tokaji Essencia is the wine made just from the dried botrysized grapes and is one of the most rare and understandably expensive wines in the world. It is no wonder then that they literally give you a single spoonful of this luscious quaff to accompany the sinfully delicious chocolate cake.
In a city where a continental breakfast start at $20 and goes way up, this 7 course delight, complete with wines that I chose to match ran us only $150 a person. There are few restaurants or experiences I have ever more heartfelty recommended than the Onyx in Budapest.
by Martin Field Long-time readers will be shocked to hear that your humble correspondent has been off the grog for a few weeks. Doctor?s orders, following a nasty but necessary ?routine? operation visited often enough upon ageing geezers. Seems that up to a month?s healing is required, and alcohol, which can dilate blood vessels, may hinder this. Not that I felt much like booze, or food for that matter for a couple of weeks. No doubt due to trauma and the ongoing aftermath of a generous intrathecal dose of dope that left me temporarily legless. Where was I?
With the worldwide financial crisis in full swing, it’s a time a lot of wine lovers will be looking to dial back their wine budgets a bit. From my informal polling on Twitter, most are drinking the same amount of wine but less expensive selections are gaining in popularity.
With that in mind, I’m launching a new feature I’m calling “Wines For Recessionary Times.”
That doesn’t always mean cheap wines but we will start there and explore the most extreme values in all price tiers. I’m talking about the $10 wines that give $25 wines a run for their money. Also those $30 wines that make you shake your head and wonder what they were thinking charging $75 a bottle for a similar wine. Or those auction finds that you want to keep to yourself so you can buy more before they are sold out. And wines you can buy for less than $50 A CASE.
So stay tuned as I look for wines that you would guess are 2 or 3 times more expensive than they actually are. This should be a fun project but let’s hope it’s short lived and not necessary this time next year.
*What an unusual mix in terms of the international producers you represent?why Argentina, New Zealand and Japan?
- Not really if you consider that Argentina and Japan (Ginjo sake), and to some extent New Zealand, share the same common elements?there are great wines and sake being produced by highly talented winemakers and tojis (master brewers), and they are not getting recognized yet. The quality is already in the bottle?so why should these sell less or get less respect than wine from more obvious regions? We always say that we are really a ?national education company? since we usually explain more than we sell. Our job is to get people to taste these wines and premium sake, and the stuff inside the bottles takes care of the rest. At the heart of this idea is also the notion that in the end, it?s the people you work with who make the difference between mediocre and ?wow!?. We have been lucky, fortunate, and smart (maybe a little of each) to meet and represent some of the top talent in these regions:
Susana Balbo?Crios de Susana Balbo, Susana Balbo signature wines, Nosotros (with Pedro below)
Pedro Marchevsky ? BenMarco
Pepe Galante & Mariano di Paola ? mapema
Luis Reginato ? Luca, Tikal, La Posta
Roberto de la Mota - Mendel
Jose & Pepe Reginato ? Reginato sparkling wines
Guy Davis ? Davis Family Vineyards (Russian River, CA) and Gusto (NZ SB)
13 Master Brewers from all over Japan?each as talented as anyone we have met.
*As someone who deals so closely with Argentine producers, what types of obstacles, limitations and concerns have any of them expressed to you in terms of being able to export and promote their products abroad?
- Well, I want to stay out of trouble here since I travel to Argentina a lot, but let me just say that the Argentine government has historically been more of a hindrance than a help for wine exports. As an example, and hard to believe, they actually tax EXPORTS! Perhaps the bigger obstacle for Argentine wineries is that the economic and political situation is relatively unstable, and when you are in an industry that measures commitment and success over a decade or longer due to capital investment requirements, it is hard to deal with a system that usually looks out only 2-3 years at a time.
*In your eyes, what sets apart these Argentine producers you represent? What do their wines bring to the table of American wine consumers that large-yield, often conglomerate-backed wines simply cannot?
- I alluded to this a bit above when talking about who we represent and why. I think there are three main things that set our producers apart:
1) Our wineries are owned by and have Argentine winemakers who have lived in this unique climate and region for their entire lives. For us, that means that the wines that they make TASTE like Argentine wines, not like some random wine from somewhere in the world. And as talented as some of the flying/foreign winemakers are who are working in Mendoza, I have yet to taste a wine from them that thrills me the way our producers? wines do at the dinner table. And I taste everything from down there.
2) As good as they already are, they are still always trying to learn how to improve their wines, and in today?s wine world, that?s the only way you stay on top. It shows.
3) Obsessive attention to detail seems like an abused phrase, but in winemaking it is crucial and not as common as you would think. Our winemakers are also our close friends and in Argentina that is taken pretty seriously. They make sure that every step is done with the utmost care because they would never want to look their friends in the eye and say, ?uhh..I?m sorry but this wine is just ok because we weren?t really paying close attention when we made it.? Large wineries may be able to solve #1 above, but #2 and #3 are far harder to come by, and that?s probably as true in the US as it is in Argentina.
*Looking ahead?are there any regions Vine Connections is looking to expand its portfolio toward, and why?
- We made a strategic decision a few years ago that we would remain specialists in Argentine wine and Japanese sake. Some importers have gone in the opposite direction and are happy to sell one of everything from anywhere, but we?re just not built that way as people. We started as leaders in both of these categories and we feel the only way to stay out in front is to specialize. That?s why we spend almost a month per year in Mendoza and visit Japan for at least 2 weeks every year. It?s our own ?attention to detail? mantra, and we try to stick to it so that we can look our customers in they eye and say every time, ?This is really great Argentine wine and Ginjo sake?. Every time.
- Fortunately, we won?t be bored since there still plenty of regions and microclimates still left to discover in Argentina.
*Given the nature of the market here in the United States, what advice would you give to consumers who would like be aware of, as well as actually see, a dramatic increase in availability of premium Argentine wines such as those crafted by your producers?
- American consumers have helped their own cause a lot already by being very open to trying wines like Malbec, Bonarda, and Torrontes. I think they will help themselves even further by continuing to experiment with wines at many different prices, not just the ?great values? under $15. Nick and I firmly believe that well-made Argentine wines offer incredible value and over-deliver at all price points. A $12 wine is worth more like $16, and a $30 wine is worth more like $40 when compared to other wine regions of the world. And, of course, you can support quality-focused companies like Vine Connections by paying attention to the importer name or logo (like our compass) that appear on every bottle. As with other wine regions, a good wine importer can be your best friend when you haven?t tried a particular wine yet and would like some assurance that you are going to enjoy it?especially when spending more than $15 or so.
Dave Sclarow has been spotted in recent weeks at the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene, toting a homemade brick-and-concrete pizza oven mounted on a boat trailer.
Researchers from the University of Michigan mixed a powder made from green, red and black grapes and added it to food eaten by rats engineered to have high blood pressure.
Every year Wine & Spirits magazine hosts a simply fabulous event at which regular old people (read: those not necessarily carrying the title of sommelier, wine director, wine writer or wine retailer) can taste the spoils of some of the best wines recognized that year by the magazine. It's called the Top 100 Tasting - named for the magazine's list of fav wines ranked all year - and this year the banner event looks to be as fabulous as usual. Even better, it's right around the corner:
I wish I could tell you I'm free of cancer. I wish I wasn't starting more chemo tomorrow. I wish I wasn't afraid of the side effects. I wish I didn't have to see the fear in my children's eyes. I wish I didn't have to hear my son say 'I feel so helpless'. I wish Bryan didn't have to cook dinner 'cos I know he doesn't enjoy cooking. I wish I had an appetite. I wish I didn't have to cancel lunch in Sydney with Fatemeh. I wish I'd been able to swim in the ocean with my sister last week when she visited. I wish I didn't know words like Folfox and Avastin. I wish I didn't know my CEA. I wish I didn't have blood tests every week. I wish I didn't have to press the button in the elevator marked Oncology. I wish I could beat the cancer. I wish I didn't think about my children's future which may not include me. I wish Bryan and I will grow very old together. I wish the will to live was enough to overcome my genetics. I wish I will have the energy to continue blogging. I wish you will understand when I am too sick to reply to your comments and emails. I wish you will understand when I visit your blog and don't leave a comment. I wish one day I could tell you I'm free of cancer.
Thanks to Maryam for helping me find a way to tell you my wishes.
As a spokesperson for the Wine Market Council I'm occasionally interviewed on all sorts of subjects, and this fall the queries turned - no doubt unsurprisingly - to the upcoming election. That's right, upcoming as in TOMORROW!!! (Sheesh, I've got to admit I'm pretty stressed about tomorrow, and am in fact contemplating something pretty dramatic if Obama doesn't get elected. Like maybe drowning my sorrows in oceans of White Zin.) No matter what tomorrow's outcome, you can get the goods on my election night food and wine suggestions in the article "Election Party Food and Wine" at SheKnows.com. It includes some interesting tidbits on wines Republicans prefer versus those Dems gravitate towards, along with pairings to spice up your election night viewing party. So even if the *%&! hits the fan come winner- (or loser-) time, at least you'll be well plied. Cheers to that.
A few wines earlier this week at Atelier in Newtown.
Vilmart C?ur de Cuvée 1997. Light straw colour with a fine bead. Lemon, pear, brine and earth on the nose. There is subtle fruit sweetness balanced with excellent acidity on the palate. Long and intense, this is an excellent wine and one of the better 97s I’ve tasted. 92/100
Domaine Servin Les Blanchots 2000 Corked. NR/100
Louis Michel et Fils Grenouilles 2000. Behind the huge amount of sulfur was pear, marmalade and peaches. The palate is medium weight but very simple. 84/100
Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne 1999. Nutty, pineapple, tropical fruit, lemon rind and subtle oak aromas. A ripe, expansive palate without being too overbearing. Acid is good enough to focus the palate. Long length. 91/100
Marquis d’Angerville Clos des Ducs 1999. Earth, cherry, blood and chocolate aromas on the nose. Firm palate, with some sweet fruit in the background, the acid structure is a highlight. Powerful and very impressive. Starting to come around to drinking well. 92/100
Sylvie Esmonin Clos St. Jacques 2001 Rich, lifted nose of raspberry, cherry and a touch of earth and chocolate. The palate is more restrained than the nose but is still tightly wound and full of power. Good potential to improve from here. 91/100
Château de Beaucastel rouge 1990 A lot of complexity on the nose with smoke and smoked meats, cherry, spice, cedar and a fair bit of funky brett. Good intensity to the palate, but the brett affects the length of the finish. I would have rated this 2-3 points higher if the brett hadn’t affected the palate so much. 92/100
Dalla Valle Maya (Napa) 2000 Bold nose, with blueberry, chocolate, vanilla, autumn leaves and grassy characters from the Cabernet Franc. Very intense and youthful on the palate with good length and the ripeness is never out of balance. Primary, but surprisingly approachable and I think it will be at its best over the next 5 years. 93/100
Dr. Loosen Ürziger Wurzgarten Auslese 1995 Lemon, spice, floral notes and light honey aromas comprise the nose. The palate is excellent with light sweetness and refreshing acidity. Great balance and lingering length. 89/100
Claude Cazals Clos Cazals 1997. Green apple, honey and pear on the nose. The palate is awkward, it is almost both bitterly acidic and broad at the same time. Good, but I had this two and a half years ago and much preferred it then. 87/100
Tecnorati
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As a spokesperson for the