Bad Wine Pairings

I admit, I don't really invest much time into figuring out food and wine pairings if only because I like to drink my wine and eat my food but invariably if done together it wrecks them both. I'm a purist. Some people though are master chemists - forever looking for the strangest combination of food and alcohol just to see if they can.

The author of this article is reading a new book "Food Pairings for 24,000 Wines of the World”. I couldn't find it anywhere on the internet... Google failed me. The author's complaint though was that "It neglected to inform wine lovers of the worst wine and food pairings."

From Cake and Champagne to Chocolate and red wine... read the full article from the Napa Valley Register here.

Japanese Beer Guide

Did you know that Japanese beer does not just include Soporo? I know that as a Sushi enthusiast that's about as far as my beer-from-Japan knowledge goes. Japan beer's are not your average kind of beers they have literally dozens (DOZENS - gasp) of brands to choose from.

If you are going to Japan or heading to a gourmet or specialty supermarket and are looking for a different kind of beer, read this article from Associated Content here.

Win Your Wife's Weight in Beer

Yep. Women rejoice in this ancient and noble sport as "real" athletes sling their wives over the shoulders and race through a land and water obstacle course. The winner receives their wife's weight in beer. Yep. Thank you Finland for this cultural awakening. Check out YouTube for versions from across the world...

Martha Stewart Wine

Cost Plus World Market is one of my favorite stores to buy wine. Their selection is funky and inexpensive and I get great wines here, better than even my local BevMo! But this email kinda startled me... where have I been that I missed the release of Martha Stewart's own wine?

So the marketing line is, "If there's one person who knows how to entertain, it's Martha Stewart. And she's serving up great taste once again with her new line of vintage wines. Crafted by a premium Sonoma winery, these afforable sips please the palate and the pocketbook.... host a wine-tasting party Martha style!"

The wine geek in me asks why not an East Coast vineyard where some great wines are being released since that's where she hails from? Then I realize the economy of scale and there are simply larger vineyards out here.

The wine snob in me (yes, the one who Loves great French wines that I pick up for $5) says really? Martha Stewart wine? Does celebrity wine do well? Paul Newman has one on the shelves too but it doesn't out sell his dressings. I do like Martha Stewart a lot and respect her culinary skills so perhaps it has a chance?

The cheapskate in me loves the sale price of $4. Tempting enough to try a bottle? Possibly. And I love that a woman has her own label. Something still is holding me back though... are you going to buy some?

Biodynamic Wine

As we move towards an age where "green", "organic" and "biodynamic" are becoming the norm rather than the exception I find it refreshing to see articles that don't just get in line with the trends. Biodynamic wine making and organic wine growing is highly controversial. Wine growers have a singular crop so there is a higher chance of contaminants, pests and diseases to settle on the "farm" so to speak. Successful organics rotate their crops around to diversify the soil and minimize exactly the types of things that come with a one-crop growth. There are also certain wines that are just simply made with certain chemicals that start the chemical reaction that creates wine.

Case in point, even here in the Temecula Valley, we have one wine grower who has turned their farm organic. Several years ago we had a nice little bug raze through and destroy our grapes. The entire valley worked to rebuild and eradicate the threat. Guess who has invited it back? Yep, the organic guy. Now the valley is being threatened again. Perhaps there is a happy medium that wine makers and growers need to aim for with exceptions to every rule.

I have had some truly spectacular biodynamic wines and I am a big fan of organic farming. Please take a few minutes to read a great article at Vinography and make sure you scroll down to read the comments as well - they are enlightening indeed. Thank you again Alder for your intelligent post on a controversial topic. To my readers, his blog is one I would highly recommend subscribing to.

Current Economics of Wine

I'm so tired of reading about the current state of the economy and the gloom and doom of it all - aren't you? However I must admit that when it comes to wine and alcohol, there is a rather amazing dichotomy happening. Sales are up but profits are down worldwide. Weird?

Here's the thing, in a down market, alcohol sales always go up. I have read article after article about how alcohol sales in restaurants are at an all time high (see Food and Wine). The funny thing is, the industry is still complaining.

Case in point, The Press Democrat published an article about tourism being down in Napa Valley and yet they barely mention that sales have gone up because more people are "day tripping" to the area.

New World Wine has a great article on the wine industry in India (I recommend reading it) but the underlying message is that indeed wine prices there have dropped 50% and many places include a buy one get one free bottles of wine (which alone is a reason to travel there).

A Passionate Foodie states that Sake exports from Japan have doubled!

But the best two most telling articles are about New Zealand's wine exports. NewstalkZB states "Wine exports increased 24 percent to $992 million with the number of wineries lifting 58 to 643. Domestic sales of New Zealand wine grew 29 percent to 60 million litres... However, Stuart Smith, chairman of New Zealand Winegrowers, says the industry faces lower profits this year". Decanter.com goes on to say "Some unmistakeable warning signs emerged this year. Despite sales volumes benefitting from increased supplies from the 2008 vintage, those increased supplies also delivered increased competition and downward price pressure."

In a nut shell, we're drinking more but expect bulk discounts. I like this trend a lot!

National Rum Day!

I can't believe I missed National Rum Day August 16!!! So what else is a girl to do but make up for it this weekend and drink a Captain and Diet, my drink of choice most of the time. That said, I'm sending you to two sites today.

The first site is The Passionate Foodie, a favorite blog of mine where National Rum day is better described. You'll find a lot of great articles there in general but there is a rum recipe worth noting.

The second site is TheBar.com. It's one of my favorite sites ever and has all kinds of drink recipes, including a Captain Morgan Long Island Ice Tea... yum.

Real Women Drink Coffee: Starbucks Looses Taste Test

That's right - I sort of saw it coming but didn't really expect to have confirmation: Starbucks just lost in a taste test against, gasp, McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts. The taste wasn't blind but they did compare the taste, consistency, presentation and process (how it was brewed) and rated the drinks on a scale of 1-60. 60 being the best.

You'll be glad to note that non of the coffees rated more than about 34 which means that either the rating system needs revision or the judges are just stingy. Either way they tasted black coffee and a cappuccino from each of the three competitors. Here is how they all rated:

Starbucks Black Coffee = 19.6
McDonald's Black Coffee = 19.6
Dunkin' Donuts Black Coffee = 23.8

Starbucks Cappuccino = 32.6
McDonald's Cappuccino = 33.5
Dunkin' Donuts Cappuccino = 31.3

I admit it, I don't necessarily go to Starbucks for the coffee. I meet friends and conduct work meetings there. It's like a daytime bar - somewhere to meet and greet. And I must not give a toot that the coffee at the gas station probably rates higher than all three of the places reviewed because there's not much on this earth that would prompt me to order a cappuccino at McDonald's or Dunkin' Donuts. Sorry. I just can't do it.

Read the judges full opinions at Slate.com here.

Real Women Drink Beer: 45 Million Year Old Yeast

I have a lot of random articles come across my screen but this one made me stop and read. It seems that the 1980's did bring some useful information that we can use today - namely instead of using the yeast found in ancient amber for let's say, cloning dinosaurs, we're now using it to make beer! Way better experiment!

The full story about the yeast process (for those inclined to know) can be found at Switched.com here. Or to go straight to the source, Fossil Fuels Brewing Co here. The only problem is I have no idea if it is actually being sold or not but I am interested in giving it a taste. If you've tried it I'd love to hear your comments.

Real Women Drink Beer: Woman Converts to Beer

I say it all the time to women who claim to not like beer, "You just haven't had good beer". Any woman who things the best beer is Corona and the worst is Guinness hasn't had some lovely chocolaty goodness of a beer. That said, women who drink wine should really appreciate it all the more.

Example: Enter Zoe Strimple. She writes personally what most women think about beer, "Beer has never struck me as nice. It is tinny, fumey, heavy and a sorry last resort when the wine’s run out. It is the drink of choice for football fans and old men with beer bellies and dubious attitudes towards work and women. And, admittedly, pretty much ever bloke I know, from gentleman to hooligan. Where on earth would I – a female food-loving wine drinker and a snob to boot – fit into the world of beer? Nowhere."

However, in an effort to expand her palette, she delves into the world of beer, "In fact, beer is every bit a woman’s drink, and has been for centuries. The surname Brewster means female brewer – in medieval times brewers were exclusively women. And, since women have the lion’s share of the world’s top noses and palates, there are a good number of women high up in the brewing world – the head brewers at Marston’s and Harviestoun are women, as is the head of quality control at Fuller’s.

But I knew nothing except that I hate Stella, Fosters and Carling and prefer Corona. Cole’s first question feels like a lifeline: what kind of wine do I like?"

And she has been converted. Please take a moment to read about how one wine drinking snob has a new take on beer at The City AM here.

Real Women Drink Beer: Mini Kegs from Miller

Miller beer is coming out with what they call a "home draft", which is nothing more than a recyclable keg for your fridge. It's more expensive than bottled beer but is designed for the drinker who prefers the fresh from the tap taste. I can't say I'm all that interested. Are you?

Read the full article at Dowd's Brew Notebook here.

Real Women Drink Wine: The Death of Oak

Long live the death of Oak in California!!! Or at least I can only hope for the characteristic oak bombs so long identified with many California wines are on the decline. Can I actually buy a California Chardonnay without fear that it will be like chewing on a log?

Ok a little harsh and some of my wine friends really love the woodsy flavor that oak imparts. It's just not my first palette choice. Or my second. I prefer it over a corked wine for sure.

Asiminov, guru wine writer, is predicting the demise not because it's no longer fashionable but because of financial reasons - new oak barrels don't come cheap. Even wineries feel the financial strains of the economy and are looking for new ways to cut back. Buying new barrels and putting a spin on their marketing (like labeling their bottles as "Naked") and using bottles that are lighter to economize on the price of the glass and shipping (and calling it more green) are two of the major trends we're seeing California wines cut back.

It's not a bad thing right way in my mind and I'm sure there will still be plenty of oak bombs left for those who prefer them, it will just be nice to have more than one flavor profile to choose from. Thank you economy...

Read the full article at Decanter here.

Real Women Drink Beer: 64 Calories of Yuck

I try a lot of different types of beer but I try not to give bad reviews. I will just move on to something I like better - keep the karma clear right? I really need to make an exception here though.

My husband and I usually keep a 12 pack of cheap beer in the fridge for sipping on at the end of a hot day. I figured when I was in the store I would pick up some MGD, a good standby beer that quenches just fine. I picked up by accident their new MGD 64 - their new low cal beer with the great commercials. Honestly , I'm not that concerned with my caloric intake from beer. Most of the average American lagers are a little above 100 calories a bottle (Bud Light is 110 calories), less than a soda and better for you :) The good rich beers that I love I don't drink every day so it's like having an occasional desert after dinner, a treat.

I am however concerned with taste.

This sad excuse for a beer wasn't worth even the 64 calories it added to my waist. I was actually cursing the wasted calories every time I took a sip. It tastes like seltzer water that someone soaked some hops in.

If you're watching your weight and figure this is a great "diet" beer just stop the madness. Eat a few less pretzels and drink a beer that tastes good and leave MGD64 at the store.

Real Women Drink Wine: New Gen of Liquor Store Hold Ups

So there is a new generation of liquor store hold ups. No longer the kerchief over the face with a gun asking for cash and cigarettes, thieves are getting smart. Or are they? Fully unarmed and unmasked, three individuals walk into a wine shop, steal a $24,000 bottle of wine (which by the way was NOT locked up - duh) and walk out. Really?

The best part of the article is when the shop owned suggests that most likely the thieves won't appreciate the bottle but will sell it on ebay. I'm pretty sure that walking in for 4 specific bottles of wine was planned out and researched, not something someone without wine knowledge would randomly do. The idea of selling it on ebay though is classic. Talk about wine and technology!

Read the full article on SkyNews here.