Archive for February, 2009

Wine Tasting Volume 1

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

NORTH BEACH SUN FALL 2005

The Wine Guy – Leonard G. Logan, Jr.
WINE TASTING
A primer Volume 1
This issue of The North Beach Sun features an article on wine tasting at various locations on the Outer Banks. Thus, this is probably an appropriate time to discuss “wine tasting” – not throwing back wine shooters, and not listening to some overblown idea of what a wine tastes like – but a tasting that can begin a lifetime of learning.

I begin all of our wine seminars at Elizabeth’s with an admonition and promise – that wine tasting is one of the great courses you can take because “you are the professor and you grade the papers.” Your palate controls and no one should tell you whether you like or should like a wine. The best advice is to ignore all ratings or write-ups about a wine, simply approach wine tasting as a food tasting – After all wine is food.

It is impossible to include all aspects of tasting in a single issue – so this column will be continued next issue.

There are three essential and different steps to tasting wines. Wine tasting is your evaluation of a wine’s appearance, smell and taste.

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Wine, Myths, and Legends

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

“You should only drink white wine with fish”

Not true. The concept of drinking white wine with fish began as a food pairing with oily fish. The sharp acidity of some white wines were a perfect match with the fish instead of using lemon juice to cut the oil. Now, remember, there are three ingredients that tend to kill the taste of wine and result in a yuckie food pairing – these are vinegar, salt and lemon. Accordingly, don’t use lemon (if provided by a restaurant) with your fish if you are drinking a crisp white wine as an accompanying beverage.

Innumerable dinners have discovered the joy of drinking red wine with fish.  A Pinot Noir or a French red burgundy accompanies our seared tuna. We prepare the best sushi grade tuna and serve it with a soy ginger beurre blanc. There are no magic hard and fast rules – if you like it go with it.

“Wine is for special occasions.”
True – but wine is merely a food and shouldn’t be limited to an occasional drinking. Wine consumption has taken on a certain snobbism in some places which is unfortunate. Folks, it is food – it is grape juice albeit a really good grape juice. It is made to be enjoyed with food in the company of lovers and friends. Accordingly, it may be consumed at most meals and enjoyed at gatherings. New studies are being released almost weekly touting the health benefits of reasonable wine consumption.

“Champagne is only for special occasions.”
I defer to Madame Bollinger who responded when asked if she drank Champagne:

“I only drink Champagne when I’m happy, and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I triffle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.”

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Wine Notes & Quotes

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

It is a glorious day and I am in love with life.  We often say we “love” – our car, our house, our yard, our boat, our friends, sometimes our job, but love is a word that has been used and misused for centuries. When we use the word for our children it is all encompassing. When it is used to describe our feelings for another it recaptures emotions we feel – a glorious chemistry that we wished we could bottle. In essence – that is the basis for this column. Love in a bottle or love shared.

Fine wine is usually made by a wine maker who is passionate about his or her work utilizing grapes grown with loving care. Wine should be enjoyed with another. It tastes best if you share it with friends or someone you love.

Recently, at a wine seminar I was conducting I was asked the typical question: “What is your favorite wine? ” I always had the answer for a white wine – Joseph Drouhin Le Montrachet Marquis de la Guiche 1985, but this wine is all gone and after that almost any vintage of Le Montrachet will do as a favorite. I am also extremely fond of  Corton Charlemagne)  For my red wine response I used to respond -” Quintessa, a Napa Valley Meritage” Then I tasted Clark-Claudon made by friends of mine. This  may be, for me, the perfect red wine. It is the embodiment of “love in a bottle” and must be shared with friends or a loved one. Come by Elizabeth’s and taste this incredible wine. We are the only restaurant and wine shop in the world to offer it by the glass. Clark-Claudon is the wine I drank after an “H” storm  blew through town. Before the storm’s arrival I had a glass of Krug Champagne and then copious quantities of our “House” Champagne- Perrier- Jouet.

Am I alone in my love of wine? I don’t think so. There have been songs and quotes about wine throughout history. (more…)

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California Wine Country

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

california_wine_country

It is early morning.
The fog creeps across the vineyards
Kissing and caressing the grapes
Growing in perfect splendor
Soon to give up their richness
In the crush – to make wine.

The Winemaker stands attentive
As a father at a child’s recital
As his wine is sipped -
His child.

Everyone should experience this love -
A love of the grape,
A love of the earth,
A love of wine making.

Surely this is God’s Nectar.

L. Logan, 1998, California Wine Country

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Valentine’s Day 2009

Saturday, February 7th, 2009

We’ve prepared a special menu for Valentine’s day this year.  Join us for dinner with someone special.  View our Valentine’s Dinner Wine Menu. and make your reservations by calling (252) 261-6145.

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