DRINK WINE and LEARN

Nine Cases Wine Bar East Village. What a gem! First a clean, crisp Grechetto with beautiful hummus. Then a savory, smooth Vacqueras with blue cheese gnocchi. Then an invigorating Insolia from Sicily all served in an unassuming yet elegant space with friendly knowledgeable people all around. Find it.

Italian Dinner at Pink Ivy in Hopkins, MN. Chef Michael Shaughnessy and Wine Expert Nikki Erpelding put a delicious and informative show together.
1. Scallops and tender octopus w fried sunchokes paired beautifully with the Bindo (named after for Mayor of Orvieto) White blend that was crisp and smooth
2. Classic Roman Amatriciana Rigatoni with classic smoky, dark fruited Montepulciano
3. Inventive grilled carrots w salsa verde and Calabrian chiles paired with dry, light bodied Nerello Mascalese
4. Beef carpaccio w bone marrow aioli and 24 mo aged Parmesan paired with refreshingly bright fruited Prosecco Rose
5. Chocolate Hazelnut Zuccotto , filled with/espresso cream Amaretto, chocolate mousse on a praline wafer. Totally decadent and scrumptious ( see menu in final frame)

A fun post. Brunello with a sandwich. But not just any sandwich. Prosciutto, mozzarella, roasted peppers and fresh pesto on fresh bread. No regrets

Here is the Cuna de Tierra Syrah 2022. It is bold and expressive just like Judith Hill’s performance at halftime as pictured in the previous post

Here are the Cuna de Tierra wines I was talking about in the previous post. It’s an impressive vineyard even in February. And the finished wines are also impressive. The Cuna Tierra Blanco is a smooth Bordeaux like Semillon/Sauv blend that paired with the dynamite Shrimp Aguachile, and the Pago de Tierra Red Blend was divine with the Tenderloin entree. And don’t sleep on that complex intriguing Syrah I was very happy

Cuna de Tierra Winery near San Miguel de Allende is a seriously beautiful place. And the wine is too. Pictured is the Camarones Aguachile paired with a Semillon/Sauv Blanc blend and the Filets of Beef w/ pumpkin seed sauce paired with their Pago de Vega Bordeaux Blend. Winemaker Juan Manchon is doing some fine work here. The Syrah is complex and exciting. The Cuna de Tierra Tinto Cab blend is rich. The Verdejo pairs very well with local seafood. The Malbec and Nebbiolo were fruity/dry and eminently drinkable as was the Torres de Tierra blend with includes some Tempranillo

In San Miguel de Allende seek out this tiny new restaurant “Clandestine” for exceptional food i.e. shrimp and mushroom risotto, fresh tuna tostadas and more with ideal pairings of wine including an award winning zero dosage sparkling presented by the very knowledgeable Alex (pictured)

Calixa Syrah from Monte Xanic, a fine Mexican winemaker. The well cooked octopus in a great mole sauce at CUNA was very flavorful but the Calixa Syrah matched it with elegant ripe fruit and a touch of pepper. Bravo everyone involved! teacher

This is Alinea M in Big Sky Montana. Cozy, subdued glamour describes the setting. Upbeat, attentive and well informed describes the service. The description on the 14 pictures describes the rest. Except for the really superb pomegranate sorbet that got gobbled before it could be photographed

2024 Sauvignon Blanc from Loire with herb and spice crusted Atlantic Salmon, sautéed spinach w goat cheese and brown rice cooked with onion, carrots and broth. This cool, dry, stony lemony expression of classic white wine paired so well. The subtle yet complex flavors did not outshine or succumb to the multiple flavor nuance in the food #