Yes, I know, Barton & Guestier is a well known negociant and theyhavee a pretty good track record for making nice wines. But I was not expecting HOW nice this particular Grolleau – Gamay rosé was. Wow!
Here is a bit more on the Grolleau grape if you are into that.
At the price, it is a good buy! I will be buying more!
Enjoy!
Hmmm … not to the beach itself, but do you stuff it in your trunk to use over the weekend?
If so, Amiel Stanek thinks you need a wake up call. Beach weekends are times to go simple. And going simple means planning. Planning means relying on expertise.
That is why you might want to read Amiel’s BA piece for planning some cool beach weekend bits.
Enjoy!
BTW, I will still bring the cocktail shaker and simple syrup for daiquiris!
If you have some spare cash burning a hole in your pocket, here is a list that might solve your problem. The fifty so called best restaurants in the US. None of them are cheap!
Go for it! And if you don’t bring your wife, you probably should not tell her about it either. That is the theme of this wonderfule episode of “The Good Life”, one of the best TV sitcomes of all time. It is the story of two neighboring couples living in a London suburb. One couple is committed to “sustainable living”. The other couple are social climbers. And yes, a restaurant does play a role in this episdoe in the wonderful ending. Enjoy!
What are heroic wines?
The slopes of Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, the volcanic islands of Lipari and Pantelleria are dotted with vineyards. The difficult terrain where the vines grow require truly heroic efforts from producers here. “You are completely at the mercy of Nature’s spontaneous and plodding rhythms. Every year, there is another challenge: the potential for cloudbursts, hail or drought; the onset of mold in the vineyard following rain; the hot sandy North African winds (sirocco); or the need to rebuild and replant a vineyard—by hand—on the steep terraces of the Etna volcano. To make wine in Sicily, you need the kind of stubborn passion to go on regardless of the obstacles. The rewards are absolutely worth it,”
And that is not all Sicily has to offer when it comes to wine. That could mean putting Sicily on your agenda for a wine tour.
I am in!
Daiquries, of course, are one of the cocktails that make summer, well … summer. And Ina Garten claims that her daiquiri is better than others.
Hmmm … it is worth a look see. BTW, if you do go look see, the video on how to roast chicken at the bottom of the interview will likely stimulate some thoughts about what’s for dinner!
Enjoy!
In a normal month of July, I would be tempted by the idea of making gin popsicles for sitting on the beach or lounging by the pool of a rich friend, while soaking up a few rays.
Not this summer here in Tartu! It is freezing! Just this morning, we had to give up our outdoor seats in the town square where we were sipping lattes. Too cold!
But if you find yourself in a warmer part of the world, and perhaps even in a part of the world where you can wear shorts without goose bumps appearing on your legs, here is the recipe!
Enjoy!
I go through a fair amount of white wine during the summer. Rose as well, but sitting on the deck on a sunny afternoon, a chilled bottle of white wine is great company.
If I am living high on the hog, I will go for a high-grade chablis. That chalky dry taste is unforgettable. And it will set you back a pretty penny. Bill Gates can bathe in the stuff, but not me.
You can also get amazing flavor out of some less expensive whites — and especially Rieslings. If you are riesling newbie, here is a post for you. One takeaway – riesling can be sweet or dry, depending on where and how it is made. I tend to like the sweeter ones. Why? Rieslings are usually very light. A bit of sweetness in a light wine is very seductive. But hey, that is just me!
