Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Wine Rules


As I was writing my last post, I went deep off on a tangent. Foolishly, I hit back space and erased my entire tirade about “rules”. I was recently informed that my postings were too long and I’m trying to tone it down in blogsville. I’ll try to keep this short and sweet, but I feel strongly on this topic, therefore I have quite a bit to say.

As a professionally trained chef, I do appreciate making the most of a wine by pairing it with the right food, to bring out its “flavor profile”. There is something to be said, about that an indescribable moment of harmony on your “palate” when a perfect combination comes about. Out of curiosity I goggled how to pair food and wine. 497,000 results come up. There are sites where you can ask an expert, guidelines, books, blogs; you name it. Everyone has something to say on this matter.

My opinion is contrary to popular belief. I am girl who’s not fond of rules. The Los Angeles Times, recently quoted, David Ready Jr, saying Murphy-Goode was trying to “demystify” wine through this social media experiment and make it more approachable to “people who might feel it’s out of their league”. I admire this endevour. Wine became approachable to me years ago, while working at a Wine Shop in London. My father was a wine enthusiast and I knew the basics. But, not nearly enough to be left alone in the shop. We had tastings every Saturday. Mostly, I think they kept me around because I had nice printing. My role on Saturday’s was to write the wines for the tasting, on the board outside and washing the wine glasses as needed. Since, I was not legal to work in the U.K. I was paid in pounds under the table; or in trade with wine. At the ripe young age of 21, I took trade. Often frantic about my choices and what was appropriate for dinner or a specific occasion; I drove the owners to tears. “Drink what you like” is what I was told. Okay? Really? Are you sure?

So, I did just that. For the rest of the summer I took home the wines I liked. I drank them when I wanted with whatever I wanted (most frequently with nothing at all). Slowly but surely, I mastered the varietals and regions that I liked. This in turn gave me the confidence to branch out with other varietals and regions. To this day, I often don’t follow the wine rules. I like white wine when it is hot or sunny. I prefer red when it’s cold or dark. I am curious and adventuresome by nature. I can’t control myself when I see a wine from Croatia, Lebanon or a place totally unlikely to grown grapes. I must try, no matter the food or situation at hand.

I bend my own weird, wine rules, when I find myself at a four star meal. But, for the most part, I believe you should drink what you like. It’s a good starting point. Follow the divine palate within you and the esoteric world of wine, will soon enough shine it’s divine light in you.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Wine + Ice Cream = A Match Made In Heaven







Wine + Ice Cream = A Match Made In Heaven

I hesitate to write this post, as I feel I am compromising my creativity. Another Saturday at Venice Beach Wines. But, if you are a foodie you will know that Truck Food is all the rage right now. Hot Dog Truck, Korean Truck, BBQ truck and now an Ice Cream Truck. Last Saturday, I spotted no less than 3 of these trucks on Abbott Kinney. Every blogger in the city had mentioned that the latest and greatest, Cool Haus, Ice Cream Sandwiches would be at my office latter in the day. Naturally, I had to go. I’m sure that Murphy-Goode would find me a more rounded blogger/reporter if were submitting content that related to places other than Venice Beach Wines(http://www.venicebeachwines.com/), however due to the colossal frenzy the old roach coach has created, I’ve deemed it worthy of a post. Why not? Nothing better than MORE wine with dessert! It’s not just for dinner anymore.

It’s unseasonably warm this Saturday. Venice is at its finest around the post-beach, pre-sunset hours. By the time the Cool Haus (http://www.eatcoolhaus.com/) truck arrives at Venice Beach Wines, people are anxiously pacing around. A kitschy truck, all done up with photos of famous post-modern buildings and architects parks in front. You choose an ice cream flavor and a cookie flavor, “building” your own ice cream sandwich. Or select one of their “pre-fab” flavors. The “building” process here is the shtick with the name and theme. Freya and Natasha are architects and foodies. Cleaver and creative, if you ask me.

I choose the oatmeal raisin cookie with cinnamon ice cream. It’s sundown-thirty now, which to me, means time for the bubbly. I decide on the Chateau Saint Pierre, from Provence. It has nothing to with my ice cream selection but, I have a thing about pink champagne (and yes, I drink tons of roses, blush wines – even the fauxpas “white zinfandel” with gusto) and this cheap but, cheerful glass is recession priced! I often don’t follow “wine rules” so it doesn’t bother me that this mostly floral wine is not a match for my sweet, and somewhat spicy ice cream delight. I’m just excited to be drinking champagne with me two favorite sweet treats. It’s the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Monday, June 8, 2009

A really Goode Job Pt.3



GRRR, just when you thought things were going well with the Murphy-Goode gig. . . my video is one of the top rated video’s on the "A Really Goode Job" micro-site, met the winemaker and had a phone interview with the recruiter. Game on!

It’s been three days, I haven’t showered, ate or let alone sleep. This social networking stuff is intense. The whole term “social” is completely lost on me? I haven’t had a conversation with a real person in days. I manage to make to make it around the corner to Venice Beach Wines by day to keep this Hunter S. Thompson existence alive and well by night. I need some sort of subsistence while building my “social-media dome”. My right hand is close to falling off. I write all day long. Search for a jobs, write cover letters, and blog, blog, blog. Jimmy Fallon has become my new best friend as I click through every one of my social media contacts asking them to vote on my video until the wee hours of the morning. It’s arduous work but, I happily click away. The goal is in sight. A photo of Christine, my mini cooper, in the vineyards of TEIRA Wines on Dry Creek Road(http://www.teirawines.com/)sits on my desk. Her little engine purrs when we explore the winding country roads of Sonoma. So does mine.

3am, I finally power down my computer. If only I could blog in my sleep.

The next morning the announcement comes. A message directly from Murphy-Goode Wines sits in my inbox. Great, right? Not so much. They’ve extend the application deadline. I’m not sure why? Are they not reading my blog? Have they not noticed the social media storm I have created about myself??? I think perhaps they’ve had too much wine. The best candidate is right here!