Serge the Concierge

Spanish Wine Trio, Petit Grealo, Castillo de Almansa, La Cartura Priorat

Sometimes people make fun of me for storing empty bottles of wine.
I try some wines, life gets in the way and I did not have a chance to mention them, that's all.
Maybe there's something about holding the object (in that case a bottle) in your hands while trying to share what you liked about it.
Thursday is recycling day so I decided to do a little bit of clearing up with a Spanish wine trio.

Let's start with the Petit Grealo 2004 from Costers Del Segre (Sero Subzona Artesa) between Lleida and Tarragona in Catalonia.
A blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is rich, dark, mysterious and unoaked and since I got it for around $11 Bucks a steal.

Without giving it much thought, I grabbed the Castillo de Almansa 'Garnacha Tintorera' (2007) .

I believe it is 100% Garnacha Tintorera, a major grape in Almansa which Wines of Spain describes "as also known as Alicante, is so-called because it is the only variety, along with Alicante Bouché, which has coloured flesh (tintorera comes from the verb teñir = to dye). It is widely planted in Albacete, Alicante, Orense and Pontevedra."

No rosemary and parsley but hints of sage, a bit peppery which could please Zinfandel fans, a bit rough around the hedges.

Good with an unfussy, hearty meal (around $9).

Last red as in berries, Bodegas La Cartuja 2007 from Priorat in Southern Catalonia, another blend, this time of 50% Garnacha, 30% Mazuelo and equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Got this one for $12.

Slate soil, some elevation, climate not too dry, big wine at 15% alcohol.

Not sure which I like best, this Priorat which grows on you more slowly or the Petit Grealo, a bit jammier...

I noticed lately that there are a lots of good buys to be had if you look around.

I even got 2 bottles of a nice Priorat for $12 recently (half price).

The wine store told me that they got a sweet deal on it and wanted to share it with their customers, a sign of inventory trimming at some distributors maybe...

An illustrated review, Cooking Oishinbo, Perfect reminder for Everyday Harumi Contest, Part 3

Maybe I should but I was not familiar with Derik Badman work until today.

As we are midway through Part 3 of our Everyday Harumi Book Contest whose theme is Cooking and Manga I found out that Derik is offering an illustrated review of recipes found in the Oishinbo manga collection.

Most recent one (as I am writing) is Cooking with Oishinbo: Miso Soup (November 10) on Graphic Novel Review.

Why do this, here's the answer:

"All this week, our own Derik A. Badman (also of MadInkBeard.com fame) will be cooking food from the culinary manga series Oishinbo, as a sort of alternate means of reviewing the book. Previously: an overview of the entire meal. Today: Miso soup!"

I used the introductory drawing (should I call it cover page) as my illustration.

As you might notice, it happens to be a vegetarian recipe...

Gave me the idea to add a twist to the original theme of Everyday Harumi, Part 3.

If you want to send me an illustration like the one above (does not have to be a whole comic strip) of one of Harumi's recipe rather than share the title(s) of Cooking Mangas it would be nice too.

Submit your entry by e-mail to sls [at] njconcierges [dot] com

Deadline is Sunday, November 15, 2009 at Midnight (Eastern US).

The winner gets a signed copy of Everyday Harumi.

Grap your pen, your markers...

Bonne Chance!

Want a Google Wave Invite, Got 7, Send me a Picture of your Favorite Water Spot, Get 1

Realizing that I had a number of Google Wave Invites ready for the taking, I thought I should share them.

All you have to do is send me a picture of your favorite water spot.

Beach, Lake, Island, Surfers Paradise, your pick as long as it is your picture so we can share it.

I have only 7 Invites right now.

They will be given on a first come, first serve.

E-mail your 'water spot' picture (with name, location, web link if possible) to sls [at] njconcierges [dot] com

Bonne Chance!

P.S:  After this batch of invites runs out, I will announce if and when I get more

Rambling, Hiking, Rambler's Countryside Companion, Green Travel

Slowing down the pace, whether you travel by train versus  plane or decide to ride your bicycle or walk, to experience a neighborhood, a city or the countryside, you will get closer to things and breathe all that life surrounding you.

In modern days, the walking part is called hiking.

In the UK at least, another word still gets used, rambling.

It has a lasting quality with a dash of nostalgia attached to it as exemplified by The Rambler's Countryside Companion (March 09, Cassell Illustrated) by E. Mansell.

The book wants to shine light on a number of topics "from understanding the relevance of standing stones in Wiltshire to looking out for hop pickers in Kent, from ancient crosses in Northumbria to archery in Edinburgh, and from bridges in Monmouthshire to country rhymes from around the British Isles, this work is a collection of history, nature and a bygone age."

Planning walking trips around the UK, Books about Britain offers other books to guide you including A Rambling Fancy where Caroline Sanderson seeks out Jane Austen’s England for literature lovers and Walk Britain-Great Views which shares the "top 50 walking routes to Britain’s finest views" and is published by Ramblers a network of local groups celebrating the Art of Walking around the UK ('come rambling' illustration below from their site) .

They are celebrating their 75th anniversary in 2010.

Rambling around for Green Day # 101

Previously: Practically Green Sites, Sustainable Table and EcoTech Daily

No Cooking Skills Required, Chaource on Toasted Baguette, Berries and Rose Champage

Oh! I forgot to mention balsamic vinegar.

A French Online Store, Brittle - Champagne & Sparkling Wines (on their Facebook page, in French) shares interesting events as well as Recipes of the Week.

Their latest Recette (recipe) is Toasts au Chaource et Framboise (October 30, pictured below) which I am sharing.



No cooking skills required, just the following:

Start with Chaource (a cow milk cheese from the Aube, only 50% Fat)
Add Fresh Framboises (Raspberries)
Get a crisp baguette, toast it lightly
Slice it, spread a bit of Chaource
Pop a berry on top
Finish with a few drops of balsamic vinegar

Brittle suggests is as either an appetizer or a dessert.

Could be a nice party item as well.

As for wine pairing, they go all Champagne Rose with 5 picks including Laherte Frères Rosé de Saignée (100% Pinot Meunier) and Henri Billiot Rosé...

Get the Champagne, I will take care of the rest.

Munching in style