Demons, Gods & Sake (Tipsy Sensei #4) Is Now Available

The Tipsy Sensei series continues in a new novel that is now available through Amazon as an Ebook. Demons, Gods & Sake is the 4th installment of the Tipsy Sensei series and the stakes for Nate Randall, a Sake expert from Boston, couldn't be higher. Later this month, Demons, Gods & Sake will also be published as a Trade Paperback and I hope to do some local signings. As soon as it is available as a paperback, I will let everyone know.

Though I recommend that you read the first three stories in the Tipsy Sensei story before reading this novel, it is not a necessity. It is a self-contained story, describing the main events of the prior three stories. Please also understand that you can read this novel even if you do not own a Kindle. You can download a Free App for your computer or smart phone that will allow you to read Kindle ebooks.

Here is a brief teaser about the contents of Demons, Gods & Sake:

To the Japanese, the number 4 is considered unlucky because it is sometimes pronounced shi, which is also the word for death. In Tipsy Sensei #4, there is much death and the entire world faces a dire threat.

Two months ago, Nate Randall, a Sake expert, received an enigmatic phone call warning him that an Oni, a Japanese demon, might be in Boston. After having previously encountered other supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore, Nate had little trouble believing that a demon could threaten Boston.

Now, his fears have come true. A formidable Oni is in Boston, seeking an ancient weapon of power and willing to kill anyone in its way. This weapon might be a legendary sword, the Doji-Giri Yasutsuna, once used to kill the great Oni Shuten-doji.

Nate faces other dangers too, as the Oni is not the only party seeking the weapon. A ruthless Yakuza clan is also involved. Nate soon finds himself being pursued by these enemies as he might possess the key to locating this magical artifact. Nate receives assistance from a mysterious ally, but can he be trusted? And what secrets is that ally concealing?

In his previous adventures, the stakes were on a relatively minor scale. This time, the fate of the world might depend on Nate's actions. Can Nate prevent his enemies from acquiring this powerful weapon? What will he have to sacrifice to prevent his enemies from winning?

The action spans the globe, from Boston to Japan, introducing new characters and bringing back others connected to previous stories in the Tipsy Sensei series. The stakes have never been higher, the action has never been more exciting, and the twists have never been more intriguing.

Check out this latest installment in the thrilling Tipsy Sensei urban fantasy series. While you read Tipsy Sensei #4, I'll be working on Nate's next supernatural adventure.

Cheese Tuesday at L'Espalier

"Cheese is milk made immortal."
--Spanish writer Ramón Gómez de la Serna (1888–1963), inventor of the greguería (surrealist aphorism)

Why is the "Donut Guy" making cheese in Vermont? I'll provide you an answer shortly.

In an informal poll on Twitter, I asked people if they would rather have a sweet dessert or a cheese plate. Overwhelmingly, people opted for the cheese! It is obvious that people, including myself, love cheese and want more of it. What are the good local restaurants which offer compelling cheese plates?

One top choice is L'Espalier, a restaurant which really needs no introduction and hosts numerous events including their montly Cheese Tuesday. This event features a three course dinner, paired with wines, ending with a cheese tasting. In addition, cheese is usually used in all of the dinner courses. Fromager and mâitre d’ Louis Risoli hosts the evening and sommelier Erich Schliebe discusses the wine pairings, both who do a fine job during the course of the evening.

Last week, I attended Cheese Tuesday, as a media guest, and the cheeses of Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery were showcased, the third time they have presented at the restaurant. L'Espalier and the Vermont Creamery have had a relationship extending back at least 20 years, and their butter has been on their tables for all that time. Maybe 40-50 people attended this cheese event, and we all sat in a private dining room. As expected, L'Espalier impressed with their quality food and impeccable service, and made sure the event was fun, not stuffy or pretentious. If you love cheese, then I strongly recommend you check out L'Espalier's Cheese Tuesdays.

Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery was founded in 1984 by Allison Hooper and Bob Reese. Allison spent time working on a goat farm in the Loire of France and that is where she learned how to make goat cheese. It is also the reason many of her cheeses now are very Loire in style. Vermont Creamery started out as a farmstead company, which meant they raised their own goats, but that is no longer the case and they now purchase their goat milk from a network of local farms.

In the 1980s, few local people knew much about goat cheese so it was an arduous effort to try to sell them. Most restaurant owners and chefs only wanted to carry French cheeses. Allison though persevered, bringing her basket of cheeses to many different restaurants. Once the chefs and owners tasted her cheeses, then they became believers and her business grew over time. Currently, though their main emphasis is goat cheese, they do make some cow milk cheeses as well. They are also in the process of purchasing a farm to use for educational purposes, to teach people what they do, to get people more in touch with nature, animals and such.

At the dinner, Karen Daseke, their Boston Sales Director, spoke about Vermont Creamery and later presented Joey Conner, the Aged Cheese Team Leader (pictured above). Joey started as a chef, trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and eventually noticed an ad in a local Vermont newspaper for a position as a manager of an aged cheese division. This intrigued him so he applied for the job and received it. Since then, he has immersed himself in the cheese making business, bringing plenty of passion. He has become affectionately known as the "Donut Guy," after the hardworking guy depicted in the old Dunkin' Donut commercials. It is also said that Joey brought the "wrinkles" back to their cheese, the wrinkled rind generally being a sign of aging.

Before dinner began, we were served fresh bread, focaccia and a cheddar cheese topped roll, with Vermont Creamery butter, which was lightly salted. Though I enjoyed both breads, the cheese rolls were superb, with a crusty layer of cheddar atop a light, airy roll. The servers continued to offer more bread throughout the course of the dinner. This is a restaurant that truly understands the allure of fresh bread, and as such, occupies a special place in my heart. I recently talked with a couple friends about this very issue, how so many restaurants have cut back on serving bread, which I think is a shame. A great bread can really enhance one's dining experience.

Our first course was an Apple Street Farm Beet Salad with quark, cranberries and walnuts. Quark is a soft farmhouse cheese, kind of a German version of cottage cheese, though it is smooth and creamy. It has a mild, creamy taste and it will make you wonder why you need lumpy cottage cheese. This was the fitst time I have tasted quark, but it certainly won't be the last. The rest of the salad was fresh with some tart apple slices and the walnuts added a nice texture as well. The salad was paired with a delicious NV Lucien Albrecht Brut Rose, Cremant d'Alsace, which was crisp and clean with delicious red fruit flavors and plenty of minerality.

The second course was Pappardelle with roasted butternut squash, duck confit, creme fraiche and fromage blanc. The perfectly cooked pasta served as a fine palette for the combination of creamy cheese, earthy duck and sweet squash. The pairing was the intriguing 2007 Movia Veliko Bianco, a blend of 70% Ribolla Gialla, the rest being Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. The wine maker is very noninterventionist, adding no sulfur, and relying often on the lunar calendar. Plenty of acidity, with a fascinating blend of lychee, pineapple and dried fruit flavors. Not a typical white wine, and that is a good thing.

The Roasted Loin of Lamb was superb, tender and flavorful, and was accompanied by a sausage stuffed Apple Street Farm pepper and some feta cheese. The spicy sausage went well inside the crisp pepper while the feta, mixed with chopped olives and lime, was compelling, a pleasant crunchiness emhancing its creaminess. An excellent course! This was paired with the 2010 Amadieu Romane Machotte, Gigondas, a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. A fine Rhone wine, with nice cherry and spice flavors, as well as a bit of an earthiness. It is a more subtle wine with a lengthy and satisfying finish, a very good choice for the lamb.

The final course, the pièce de résistance, was a Cheese Sampler with five cheeses from Vermont Creamery, including Creamy Goat Cheese, Cremont, Bijoux, Coupole, and Bonne Bouche. The Creamy Goat Cheese, a fresh cheese, was combined with honey and black pepper and was quite enticing, a nice combination of sweet, creaminess and a bit of a spicy kick from the pepper. The other four cheeses were all aged cheeses, with only the Cremont being a mixed milk cheese, made from both cow and goat milks. All four were compelling, creamy cheeses, each with their own unique character, which any cheese lover would enjoy. Vermont Creamery impresses with their cheese and butter products. The cheeses were paired with gthe 2010 Boulay Clos De Beaujeu Sancerre, a crisp, dry with notes of lemons, grapefruit and minerality.

It certainly was not a stuffy evening, especially as they ended the dinner with a rousing song, Cow-Goat-Sheep, which is sung to the tune of Do-Re-Mi from The Sound of Music. Their upcoming Cheese Tuesday dinners will be on November 27, French Favorites, and December 18, An Italian Holiday. The cost is $85 per person, which includes a four course dinner with wine pairings, and I feel it is a good value based on the quality of the food and wine, as well as the fun experience itself. Call L’Espalier at 617-262-3023 to make reservations for the upcoming Cheese events.

Wines Of the Southern Hemisphere: The Complete Guide

It is now autumn, with a brisk chill to the air, and the winter season will arrive in a couple months. We often don't think about the fact that in the Southern Hemisphere it is now spring, and they are looking forward to summer in a couple months. Near the end of our winter, grape harvest will begin in countries like Argentina and South Africa. How much do you know about the wine regions of the Southern Hemisphere?

You can learn more about these regions in a newly released book, Wines of the Southern Hemisphere: The Complete Guide, written by Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, the World Wine Guys (Sterling Epicure, October 2012, $24.95). It is a 580 page hardcover book, broken down into seven chapters, each covering a different wine producing country. DeSimone and Jenssen are wine, spirits, food and travel writers and are the Entertaining & Lifestyle Contributing Editors for Wine Enthusiast Magazine. They have also written for numerous other magazines and previously published The Fire Island Cookbook.

Their book covers seven countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and Uruguay. Each chapter is broken down into five sections: a History & Overview, Major Grape Varieties, Wine Regions, Recipes and In Their Own Words. The greatest bulk of the book consists of information about the wineries of these regions. Australia and New Zealand have the longest chapters, each over 100 pages. It is great to see coverage of Brazil and Uruguay, two countries which seem to rarely be addressed anywhere else. 

This book is primarily geared toward the novice wine lover, providing more of a general overview rather than a comprehensive and detailed exploration of these regions. A more advanced wine lover may want much more detail than is provided in sections like the brief History & Overview. Personally, I would have liked to see a more extensive exploration of the history of these countries. The Major Grape Varieties is useful, though I would have also liked to see some information on the lesser known grapes too, to see which new grapes may be up and coming.

The Wine Regions section, the largest part of each chapter, discusses each country's wine regions and then lists many wineries in those various regions, providing basic information about the wineries with a few tasting notes of their wines. This is more of a starting point about these wineries, a sampling that might intrigue you to seek more information elsewhere.    

It is the other two sections of each chapter which most intrigued me. Each chapter contains one to four Recipes, usually provided by the wineries, and often represent regional specialties. For example, you will find a recipe for Familia Zuccardi's Argentine Empanadas. I have visited the Zuccardi winery and greatly enjoyed their empanadas, so it was cool to see this recipe in this book. As another example, you will find a recipe for the Pisco Sour cocktail in the Chile chapter, another item I enjoyed while visiting Chile. From Bellingham Braai Pie (South Africa) to Waipara Lamb Chops (New Zealand), there is much to entice the food lover in this section.

The final section of each chapter is In Their Own Words, a series of interviews with wine personalities from each region. You will find fascinating interviews with people such as Laura Catena of Argentina (winemaker/owner of Catena Zapata), to Philip Van Zyl of South Africa (editor of Platter's Guide). This section will appeal to wine lovers of all levels, providing intriguing insights into the wine industry of each country. These interviews captivated my attention and I am sure other wine lovers, from novices to advanced, will also find much of interest and value.

At $24.95, this hefty book offers an excellent value as an introduction to the wine regions of the Southern Hemisphere. Though primarily for novice wine lovers, there are sections, like Recipes and In Their Own Words, which will appeal to more advanced wine lovers too. The chapters on Brazil and Uruguay also provide much needed information on these countries, information which is tough to find in other wine books. With the holiday season, consider this book as a gift for your wine lover friends.

Rant: Please, Please Please--Don't Drink & Drive

It is a very simple rule. If you have had too much alcohol to drink, don't drive. Any questions?

Every year, this is probably my most important Rant. It is an absolutely vital issue for everyone who enjoys alcohol of any type, from wine to beer, from Scotch to cocktails. As the holiday season is approaching, this is an especially dangerous period as some people have a tendency over indulge, to drink too much at parties and gatherings. There is nothing wrong with that, and they can drink as much as they desire, as long as they give up their keys and do not drive.

As I said before, "If there is any question, no matter how small, whether you are too intoxicated to drive, then don't. If your family or friends think you have had too much to drink, don't drive. Just don't. It is not worth the risk by any calculation." It is much better to err on the side of caution. If you have any doubt, don't drive.

Rationally, we all know the dangers of drinking and driving. We endanger our own lives as well as the lives of others. Every year, the news reports about terrible auto accidents, some with fatalities, that occur because a driver was intoxicated. Families are torn apart, lives are ruined, and much more. Why don't we learn from all these incidents? Even if you don't get in an accident, you might get arrested for drunk driving, with all the attendant high costs. You might even end up in jail.

About 17,000 people are arrested for drunk driving in Massachusetts each year. That is a huge figure, showing that far too many people still don't understand that they should not drink and drive. How difficult is it to understand? DON'T DRINK & DRIVE! I am sure drunk driving incidents in other states are just as significant.

Each time you drink and drive, you endanger yourself, your passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and people in other vehicles. Let someone else drive you, whether it be a friend or family. Take a taxi or public transportation. Leave your car where it is parked as you can always pick it up the next day. You have plenty of options so there is absolutely no reason to drink and drive. Be responsible.

I don't want to lose any family or friends this year due to a drunk driving accident. So please just don't!

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently. **********************************************************
1) Beginning Saturday, October 27, The Wine ConneXtion, in North Andover, will celebrate its 3rd Anniversary with the “Big Three” complimentary tasting series featuring the “Third Annual Fall Grand Tasting,” “Magnificent Meritages” and “90 Points and Above.”

On Saturday, October 27 from 12pm-5pm, the Wine ConneXtion will kick-off the series with its “Third Annual Fall Grand Tasting.” Guests are invited to taste a wide selection of new wines while perusing more than 50 exclusive, hand-selected bottles from all over the world as they enjoy culinary treats from Chama Grill.

Guests are then invited on Saturday, November 3, from 1pm-5pm, to expand their wine knowledge with a tasting dedicated to “Magnificent Meritages.” Guests will learn about the elusive category of exceptional American wines blended in the Bordeaux tradition. These wines go through a rigorous screening process just to be awarded the name Meritage and are a treat to taste.

Finally, on Saturday, November 10, from 1pm-5pm, guests are invited to a tasting worth the wait as they sip and sample some of the industry’s highest rated wines at “90 Points and Above.”

2) On November 14, at 6:30pm,  Legal Sea Foods will team up with Catena Zapata’s Export Director, Pablo Piccolo, to host a four-plus-course wine dinner at the Park Square location. Each course will feature Legal Sea Foods’ cuisine complemented by wines from this Argentinean vineyard. Guests will indulge in the following at Legal Sea Foods’ striking 10,000 bottle Park Square wine cellar:

HORS D’OEUVRES
Wild Salmon Napoleon,* Dill Crème Fraîche, Toast Points
Fresh Shucked Oysters,* Chimichurri Vinaigrette
Hickory Wood Grilled Provolone, Grilled Crostini
Alma Negra Rosé of Cabernet, Vista Flores, 2011
FIRST COURSE
Diver Scallops Carpaccio (Mixed Field Greens, Apple-Citrus Vinaigrette)
Tilia Torrontes, Cafayete, 2011
SECOND COURSE
Mezquite-Grilled King Salmon (Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto Cake, Béarnaise Butter Sauce) Catena Alta Chardonnay, Mendoza, 2010
THIRD COURSE
Braised Short Ribs (Black Truffle Mashed Potato, Braised Red Chard)
Catena Alta Malbec, Mendoza, 2009
Catena Zapata “Adrianna Vineyard,” Mendoza, 2007
CHEESE COURSE
Vermont Ayr, Great Hill Blue, Bijou (Mission Fig Compote, Wood Grilled Francese Bread)
Catena “Vista Flores” Malbec, Mendoza, 2010

Cost: $85 per person (excludes tax and gratuity)
Reservations required by calling: 617-530-9397

3)  Erich Schliebe, L’Espalier’s beverage director, is joined by the 12th generation of the famed Trimbach family, Jean Trimbach. For almost four centuries, the Trimbach Family has been promoting the region of Alsace and its history, focusing on its exceptional terroirs and fine wines, with their estate based in Ribeauvillé, Alsace, France. This iconic winery boasts superb vineyards and outstanding wines that are admired and enjoyed throughout the wine-drinking world.

On October 31, at 7pm, Instead of trick-or-treating this Halloween, L’Espalier offers guests a more refined option of tasting the night away at its Trimbach Wine Dinner. Join Erich Schliebe and Jean Trimbach for an elaborate Wine Dinner. Enjoy Chef Frank McClelland’s six-course French meal paired with wines from the Trimbach estate, including:

MENU (Subject to chance. Costumes are optional.)

First Course
2010 Trimbach Riesling
Fluke cru with citrus and soy
Second Course
2001 Trimbach "Cuvee Frederic Emile 375th Anniversary" Riesling
Butter poached Casco Bay lobster with sugar pumpkin mousse, Maine mussels, and red curry puree
Third Course
2005 Trimbach "Reserve Personnelle" Pinot Gris
Hudson Valley foie gras "royale" with caramelized native pear, quince gelee, and fruit and nut toast
Fourth Course
2005 Trimbach "Signeurs De Ribeaupierre" Gewurtztraminer
Pan roasted squab with Black Mission Fig, ASF Bacon, and Brussels Sprout Leaves
Grand Fromage
2000 Trimbach "Vendage Tardive" Pinot Gris
Grand Dessert Tasting
Coffee & Teas, Petits Fours

The event is $145 per person. Reservations are required. For reservations, please call L’Espalier at (617) 262- 3023.

4) Boston magazine’s 3rd Annual Taste event, held at the Mandarin Oriental, offers a spectacular evening of culinary assortments from 18 of the hottest restaurants in Boston and Cambridge. Taste attendees will have the chance to savor delectable bites from some of the city’s most esteemed chefs, sip creative cocktails from top mixologists and socialize among fellow foodies. A portion of the proceeds from the delicious dining event will benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank.

Chefs from 18 participating restaurants, including: 80 Thoreau, Alma Nove, Artisan Bistro, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Ducali, il Casale Cucina Italiana, Journeyman, L’Espalier, Local 149, Mandarin Oriental, Neptune Oyster, Post 390, Sel de la Terre, Shanti, Smith & Wollensky, Trade, Tremont 647 and Tres Gatos. Additional participants include mixologists Chris Olds of Park and Josh Taylor of Westbridge.

When: Monday, November 12. VIP from 6pm-7pm, General Admission, 7pm–9pm

To purchase tickets visit, http://www.bostonmagazine.com/taste/index.html.

The Melting Pot: New Fondue

Some food traditions seem to get lost in the past, yet they can be quite fascinating and some may even be worth reviving. For example, there is an old tradition involving cheese fondue. Diners commonly dipped, at the end of long forks, cubes of bread into the melted cheese. If a man's bread fell off his fork into the fondue, then he had to buy a round of drinks for everyone else at the table. If a woman's bread fell off her fork, she had to kiss every man at the table. Reviving this tradition might help promote fondue.

Over five years ago, I had my first dining experience at The Melting Pot in Bedford-Burlington, one of the few local restaurants where you can experience fondue. I enjoyed my dinners at The Melting Pot and have returned a number of times over the past years. I like the idea of fondue, and feel it can be both fun and intimate. Nestled in the Lover's Lane section, a couple gains a measure of privacy and sharing fondue is quite an intimate act. Larger groups can have plenty of fun with fondue and I once attended a friend's birthday party there. The Melting Pot is a restaurant I have long recommended and continue to do so.

Recently, I was invited to The Melting Pot as a media guest to check out a few of their new menu items, and once again I had a delicious and intimate dinner, sitting in the Lover's Lane section.  

We began with the Bacon & Brie Cheese Fondue, which is made from baby Brie, Gruyere, Emmenthaler, white wine, applewood smoked bacon, chopped onions, mustard, and cracked black pepper. The smoky bacon aromas are prominent as the fondue is prepared in front of you. That bacon flavor also came out in the taste, combining with the savory cheese elements. A potent combination. Though I like dipping bread into the cheese, I especially enjoy the chunks of green apple, which have a nice crispness and a certain tartness. This is a fine, new addition to their cheese fondue selections.

The Strawberry Almond Salad is another new addition, with sliced strawberries, honey roasted sliced almonds, crumbled feta, and greens topped by a Raspberry Black Walnut Vinaigrette. A good combination of fresh flavors and textures.

Going a little old school, I chose the Wisconsin Wedge, an iceberg wedge with Roma tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon and a large chunk of Emmi Roth Kase Gorgonzola. Rather than the usual dressing, I opted instead for the Burgundy Shallot warm salad dressing. I loved the dressing, with its rich flavors, and it went well with the salad ingredients. Plus, the hunk of sharp Gorgonzola was very pleasing.

The restaurant has started a new program, Fondue-for-U, where each diner can select their own entree by choosing 3 items from a 14 choice list. At $19 per person, this is now the least expensive entree option on the menu. Plus, if you get a salad with your entree, it only costs an additional $6, which is a $2 savings off the usual salad price. As there were two of us, we each chose three different items, planning to share. We ended up with filet mignon, shrimp, chicken, BBQ pork tenderloin, Andouille sausage, and duck breast. We also selected the Bourguignonne cooking style, hot oil to cook our food. In addition, you receive two batters, sesame seed and tempura, with six sauces, including Gorgonzola Port, Teriyaki, Sweet & Sour, Green Goddess, Spicy Cocktail, and Curry.

This was actually my first time ordering this cooking style and I enjoyed dipping some of the meats, like the duck and chicken, in the different batters, creating a nice coating. The meats were generally tender and flavorful, and my favorite sauce was the creamy Gorgonzola Port. We had plenty to eat and I like the concept of getting to personalize your entree choices. Plus, it is even cheaper than the other entrees.

We had just enough room for dessert. Another new addition is the White Chocolate Creme Brulee, which is lit on fire table side. Even if you are not usually a fan of white chocolate, you will likely enjoy this tasty dessert fondue. The caramelized sugars atop the fondue added a crunchy element, which I especially enjoyed with the fruit. You also have plenty of other sweets to dip, from marshmallows to cheesecake. It was a fine way to end our dinner.

The Melting Pot has remained consistent over the years and you should check out their new fondue menu. I know some people are reluctant to visit The Melting Pot because they believe it is too expensive. That is a misconception and breaking down the costs shows it is much more reasonably priced than many realize. Two people can enjoy a 4 Course meal for a total of $82-$96. How many other places can two people go and get a 4 course meal for under $100?

If you don't want 4 courses, you can order as few as you like, even just a Dessert fondue. The Cheese fondue ($17) and Dessert fondues ($19) are intended for 2 people to share, so the price per person is only $8.50 and $9.50, which is similar, if not less expensive, than what Appetizers and Desserts cost at many other places. And with the new Fondue-for-U, your entree only costs $19 per person. So give The Melting Pot a try.

East Cambridge Rib Fest: The Winners

"It's a simple question Doctor, would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs?"
--Will Ferrell

Yes, yes I would. And on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, it seemed as if part of Cambridge was made of ribs too and I certainly ate my way through it. In total, I sampled 20 different ribs, which is a great and tasty way to spend any day. I would have tasted 21 ribs, but unfortunately one restaurant ran out of ribs early.

This past Sunday, the East Cambridge Business Association (ECBA) presented the annual “Smoke This” Rib Fest 2012, pitting the chefs and pit masters of twenty-one restaurants and establishments against each other in a culinary showdown to determine who made the Best Ribs. Chef Tony Maws, of Craigie on Main, Kenji Alt, the Chief Creative Officer of Serious Eats, and Dave Andelman, of The Phantom Gourmet, were the celebrity judges of this event. There was a second level of judging as well, three local bloggers, including Erica of In and Around Town, William of The Boston Foodie and myself. In addition, the public had an opportunity to vote for their favorite ribs.

The twenty-one participating restaurants and establishments included: Abigails, ARTBAR, Atwoods, Bambara, Catalyst, Champions, CRLS Students, East By Northeast, East Side Bar & Grille, Filarmonica Santo Antonio, Lizzy's, Lord Hobo, Midwest Grill, New Deal Fish Market, Ole Mexican Grill, PF Changs, Portugalia, Redbones, Trina's, Tupelo, and West Bridge.

The event brought out lots of people, and later in the afternoon there were several long lines at some of the more popular tables. At times, the air filled with smoke and ash from all the grills, and when I went home, my shirt even smelled of that smoke. I was pleased that there were numerous tables and chairs set up along the street so you could sit and eat your ribs. Some of the ribs were expectantly messy so trying to eat them while standing up would not be the easiest. I am sure the fest went through tons of napkins, despite plenty of people licking the rib sauce off their fingers.

Unfortunately, no wine was available at the Rib Fest as they chose to concentrate on beer, which was certainly popular, including Pretty Things Beer, Cambridge Brewing Co. and Portico Brewing Co. But a hearty red wine would have pleased me, or even an umami-rich Sake.

There was music by Hayride and The Atwood’s Monday Night Bluegrass Band. Fiddles and banjos adding to the festive atmosphere.

In addition, there were cooking demonstrations, brought by the good people of How2Heroes,

For $3, you could take a spin on the Wheel of Chance and everyone was guaranteed to win a prize. I took a spin and won a $25 gift certificate to the New England Aquarium.

Of course, the main attraction at the fest were the ribs.

When you think of ribs, what first comes to mind? Southern style ribs, such as Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, Carolina, Texas and more. Though the definitions can be a bit vague, you can generally separate the styles into two basic schools: wet and dry, dependent on whether the ribs are slathered in a sauce or prepared with a dry rub. The nature of the sauce varies, whether thick, thin, sweet, spicy or a combination of sweet & spicy. In addition, the cut, size of the ribs and which bones are removed makes a difference. We cannot forget Asian style ribs either though, and I mean more than the ordinary spare ribs you find at basic Chinese restaurants. Tea smoked, five spice, Thai style and so much more. At the Rib Fest, you got to experience a myriad of styles and preparations.

The celebrity judges selected Bambara as the First Place winner of the Rib Fest. They also awarded Second Place to Tupelo and Third Place to the Cambridge Rindge & Latin School. The public had some different choices, awarding First Place to East Side Bar & Grill, Second Place to ArtBar and Third Place to Champions Sports Bar. It is very interesting that the celebrity judges and the public did not choose any of the same winners. That shows how tastes can vary significantly.

My own choices for the Top Three Ribs are more in line with the public voting. Before announcing those choices, I want to congratulate all of the entrants for their rib dishes. Judging was not easy because there were plenty of ribs which I enjoyed, each with their own unique attributes. Though I will list my Top Three choices, I will also give a couple Honorable Mentions to other ribs which deserve recognition.

Third Place is awarded to Abigail's Restaurant. This was the toughest Place to decide as there were several worthy candidates. Abigail's ribs were Memphis style, a dry rub, with a Kansas City style sauce. the ribs were tender and meaty, with an excellent melange of spices in the rub. I got a side of their house sauce for dipping and found it also to be delicious, with a spicy backbone. These are the type of ribs that you can easily devour a dozen or more.

Second Place is awarded to East Side Bar & Grill. They certainly looked very professional, with their huge grill, and it is easy to understand why their ribs are so popular with the public. They called their pork ribs "Texaschusetts" style, a blend of a Massachusetts barbecue sauce with Texas spices on the ribs. This is one of those "wow" ribs which should impress most people. Meaty, tender, and grilled perfectly with a great depth of flavor, both sweet and spicy. You'll want to order a complete rack of these ribs to satisfy your inner carnivore.

Drum roll, please.....

First Place is awarded to Champions Sports Bar! These ribs had a Kansas City dry rub, were cooked over apple, hickory and cherry woods, and had a glaze that included apples and brown sugar. The moist, tender meat slid off the bone and the taste impressed with its complexity and melange of compelling flavors, both sweet and spicy. The sauce accented the ribs without overwhelming it. This was another clear "wow" dish and I was tempted to remain at their table and devour several more of these ribs. Kudos for such amazing ribs!

I want to give Honorable Mention to the New Deal Fish Market for their incredible barbecue sauce. Their southwest style ribs were generously slathered with an Italian chestnut honey-based sauce. This umami-rich, earthy sauce possessed an intriguing flavor. I recently got to taste some chestnut honey and loved its earthiness, and believe it worked great in this sauce.

I also want to give Honorable Mention to the ArtBar. Their Spiced Lemon Confit Marinade Baby Back Ribs had one of the best presentations, with greens and focaccia bread. It also possessed one of the most subtle and unique flavors of all the ribs. After the big, bold flavors of many of the ribs, these were certainly a major change. ArtBar also offered a free taste of a new soda their bartender, Elizabeth, created: a combination of pomegranate juice, lime and black pepper. Such a bold, peppery flavor with nice fruity undertones.

Congratulations to all the winners! I can't wait for next year's Rib Fest.

Rant: Don't Buy The Same Old Cheap Wines

With the holiday season approaching, many people will stock up on wine to serve their guests at various holiday parties and celebrations. Often, because they are buying bottles in bulk, their primary concern is price. They generally want to purchase wine that costs $10 per bottle or less. That may mean they end up stocking up on brands like Yellow Tail and Estrella. I see a similar thing with people who bring a bottle of wine to a holiday party. They don't want to spend too much money and thus often bring those same brands.

Though those might be drinkable, they are not likely to impress your guests. Guests will drink them but no one will remember them after the party. I certainly would rather not drink them at a holiday party. My objection is not because of their price but rather that they are uninspiring.

Your guests want to drink better, more interesting, wines than these. When I attend my holiday parties, plenty of the guests seek me out specifically to find out what wines I brought. They know that I am likely to bring something delicious and compelling. My wines will be the first ones they drink and the Yellow Tail and Estrella is what they will drink once my wines are gone. What all these guests may not realize, is that many of the wines I bring are great value wines.    

Wouldn't you prefer to purchase inexpensive wine that will also impress your family, friends and other guests? That is definitely possible and is not too difficult to do. You have two primary options to locate such wines.

First, seek out one of the better discount wine stores. These places often carry a good selection of wines costing $10 or under, much more than you will find at a regular wine store. You can find plenty of variety in these inexpensive wines, whites and reds, domestic and imported. You will find wines comparable in price to Yellow Tail but which offer much more character, complexity and taste. They offer a much better value, and still at a low price point.

As one example, I would highly recommend Bin Ends in Braintree. On my last trip there, I bought over 20 different wines, all costing $10 or less. It was an excellent and diverse selection and I have yet to drink one of those wines which was not pleasing. Another example is the Wine Connextion in North Andover, where I attended an event last night. Roughly one-third of their wines cost under $10 and though that includes some major brands, there are plenty of much more interesting wines too.

Second, if you shop at a regular wine store, you still have options though it probably would be best to ask a wine store employee to help you find their value wines that cost $10 or less. They can identify those wines which will be more interesting and delicious than the usual Yellow Tail and Estrella wines. You should also remember that most wine stores offer a discount for bulk purchases, sometimes as few as 6 wines, which is another way to save money on your purchases.

But if for some reason you can't ask a store employee for some recommendations, then my best advice for selecting a good wine that is $10 or under, is to buy a Portuguese wine. At this time, I think some of the greatest value wines are coming out of Portugal, especially at the price point. Chances are that if you purchase a Portuguese wine costing $10 or less, you will find a delicious and interesting wine. And there are plenty of Portuguese wines available in that price range. There is no other wine region where you can find as many good wines at that price point. At the Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet in Melrose, the wine store where I work part time, I often recommend Portuguese wines to people seeking great values.

So this holiday season, don't buy the same old cheap wines. It won't take much effort to select some better choices, and still very inexpensively. In the end, you will impress your guests and make your holiday party more memorable.

A Preview of the Boston Wine Expo

Though the Boston Wine Expo won't be held until mid-February 2013, I recently attended a special Blogger preview event at the Action Kitchen of the Seaport. It was my first time at the Action Kitchen and it is an excellent spot for food and wine events. Numerous wines were poured and there were several different dishes for us to snack upon. The Expo is making a concerted effort this year to reach out much more through social media as well as to work with local bloggers.

The center of the event was a speech by Jim Carmody, the Boston Seaport World Trade Center General Manager, who discussed the function of the Expo as well as referencing the changes coming next year. Near the start of his speech, he summed up the primary purpose of the Expo: commerce. As they say, it is all about the Benjamins. It is about wineries finding local distributors, distributors finding retailers and restaurants, and wineries trying to raise their brand recognition with consumer. Anyone showcasing their products at the Expo is seeking to make money, to expand their business. This is nothing new or surprising, but it was refreshing to hear.

At the Expo, there should be over 200 wineries from more than 15 countries. The Expo is upgrading the quality of their souvenir glasses and will allow for wine sales on site. The Grand Cru Lounge will include food created by local chefs and there will be a special Social Media Lounge. For added business, they will now provide small rooms where wineries and distributors or distributors and retailers can meet to discuss business.

The prior, restrictive conditions on bloggers obtaining media passes for the Expo will be loosened, though we don't know at this point exactly what changes will be made. But their goal appears to be to allow a greater number of bloggers to attend the Expo. I think it is very important for bloggers to be able to attend the trade hours of the Expo, so they can taste wines during the quieter time of the Expo, before the public descends upon the Expo. It is far more difficult to properly taste and review wines once the public enters the hall and crowds the tables.

Bloggers can help promote commerce. Their wine reviews will live on long after the Expo is over, once the public returns home from their wine tasting weekend. The reviews can be used as selling points by wineries, distributors and retailers. When the public conducts online searches, they can read about the wines and gain a sense of whether they want to buy them or not. The regular readership of these blogs look forward to such posts, to obtain recommendations. Bloggers will talk about these wines through social media channels, from Facebook to Twitter. It may not be an easily measurable area, but there is no denying bloggers can have a significant impact on commerce.

One aspect of the Expo not to forget is their charitable contributions. Since the event's inception, they have raised over $1.4 million, which was distributed by the Boston Guild of Oenophilists, Inc. to over 27 charitable entities. Always good to see such charitable contributions.

Personally, I would like to see more Sake at the Expo. It is still a rarity there, and it not available every year. The Sake category would benefit greatly from large numbers of consumers having the opportunity to taste some quality Sake. Many people would enjoy Sake, if they only took a chance to taste it. They often have misconceptions about Sake, thinking that it is always served hot, and they need to learn the truth. Thus, having chilled, premium Sake available for tasting will help distributors and retailers sell much more Sake.

More information about the Boston Wine Expo will be coming, and if I learn anything more of significance, I will be sure to update my readers.

Of the wines I tasted at the preview event, one especially stood out me and it is worthy of a strong recommendation. The 2010 Joel Gott Alakai ($24) is a California red wine blend, comprised of 77% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre, and 2% Petite Sirah. It had an alluring nose, great fruit and hints of spice and was compelling on the palate. Complex, with a delicious melange of reds fruits and spice, with hints of earthiness. It was more on the lighter side with smooth tannins and a lengthy, pleasing finish. An excellent food wine, or something you can savor on its own. Just plain delicious.

Culinary Creativity: Chef Matt Louis

Chef Matt Louis, Chef/Owner of Moxy in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a native of NH and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. Matt worked under Chef Thomas Keller at The French Laundry and also headed with the team to open Per Se in New York City. Of this experience, Matt says, “Every day was an education, and I didn’t want to miss any of it. Working for arguably the most influential American born chef in history was an amazing experience.” Matt eventually left NYC and became a culinary instructor at Southern New Hampshire University, later working at Wentworth by the Sea Hotel and Spa. It was then that he met Portsmouth-area restaurateur Jay McSharry and the two discussed the idea of opening a restaurant in Portsmouth.

Prior to opening Moxy, Matt embarked on a series of stages at top restaurants including Noma, Momofuku KO, Torrisi, and Eleven Madison. At Moxy, Matt brings together his appreciation for and commitment to local product, and a desire to make it fun and approachable with food and service at the highest level of quality. Matt says, “Modern American tapas just means really great locally sourced food meant for sharing." I was very impressed with Moxy, with its chef, philosophy, drinks program and food,  and you can check out my rave review. As I have said before, it is well worth the drive to Portsmouth and I look forward to my next trip up north.

(Check out my Introduction to the Culinary Creativity series.)

Now onto the interview--

How important is culinary creativity to you? Why is it important?
Every dish we do has a purpose, we never just have a dish hit the menu without a reason. Creativity comes in many forms, but for me, it is more about finding purpose, identity and reason...then making sure everything follows that common thread with your own voice.

What are your most significant inspirations for your culinary creativity? What makes those matters so inspiring?
Inspirations come from everywhere...most important and significant are ones I have seen at Torrisi in NYC as well as David Chang's restaurants...not so much what they were doing in terms of actual dishes...but that they had foudn their voice, found their purpose and stick to it.

Where do you get your ideas for new recipes/dishes?
Our dishes come from 3 sources: 1) history and culture of our area 2) our own twists on iconic tapas dishes 3) what the local farmers are growing. Everything fits into at least one of these categories, if not more than one.

What is your process of creating a new recipe or dish?
Start with one of the above 3 listed criteria and let it evolve into something that makes sense for our restaurant...it could be an ingredient that has become available, or a historical or cultural significant dish that we than evolve into our own.

Do other members of your staff assist with creating ideas for new recipes/dishes?
Constant, and always.

How do you test new recipes/dishes?
Some we do tests, other we just go with....really depends on the nature of that specific dish.

What is the most difficult part of culinary creativity?
You must be highly organized in your operation to allow the time needed to really think, this, coupled with the balance of also trying to maintain a viable business at the same time is the biggest balancing act.

Do you ever experience "writer's block," an inability to be creative, and if so, how do you deal with it? 
It is difficult to continue to push the mental part of what we do when we are really deep in the day to day...it almost has to happen away from the day to day operation...too much going on, too many distractions, and too much to tend to.

Relate an unusual or interesting anecdote about the creation of one of your dishes. 
Hmmm....the fact that we serve burgers...I had no intention on opening a restaurant that serves burgers. However, when the identity became clear that this was going to be a modern American tapas restaurant and all items would stem from that...a huge part of tapas menu is bocadillos (small sandwiches)...traditionally Spanish in approach, we needed to look at how to make this American...the most iconic American sandwich...the burger. We had no choice. We did not want to jump on the "slider" bandwagon, nor did we simply want to serve a burger to please the masses...but when looked at it from the way we got there...it had to happen. I wish the whole "slider" thing never happened...we would have still come to the same conclusion about serving our mini burgers regardless, because it made sense with the thought process of how we got there...it just also happened to be one of the most overplayed items in restaurants...but again, we had no choice, the identity, concept, and reason told us we had to.

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently. **********************************************************
1) AKA Bistro, one of my favorite suburban restaurants, should soon have a full liquor license and will start serving a variety of cocktails.At a public hearing on October 1, their application for a full liquor license was approved so now it heads to the Alcoholic Beverage Comission where it hopefully will also be approved. They are planning to create some Lincoln-themed cocktails including: The 1754 (kaffir lime infused vodka, cucumber, sour mix) and The Sandy Pond (gin, green tea, honey, orange juice). Good luck to them!

2) On Saturday, November 3, from 12pm-2pm, the Seaport will host an interactive cooking class for the holidays. Class attendees will work alongside Seaport’s chefs in the interactive Action Kitchen to create Thanksgiving specialties and side dishes while enjoying tasty bites and beverages. Menu items to include: Sherried Green Beans with Wild Mushrooms, Classic Sweet Potato Casserole,  Traditional Cornbread Dressing,  Fresh Cranberry Relish and the Perfect Gravy. Seaport Beverage Manager Eric Loring will be on-hand to speak to pairing the perfect wines with your holiday meal.

Ticket prices for “Creating a Holiday Meal to Impress Your Guests” are: $75 for one guest or $125 for a couple. Admission includes complimentary self-parking in the Seaport Garage as well as side dishes and recipes to go.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite. 

3) Doug Bates, President, Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, has announced the dates for Restaurant Week Portsmouth & The Seacoast: November 8-17. The bi-annual culinary event has 49 locally owned restaurants already signed on to participate with special menus and deals. The restaurants and chefs are planning to celebrate the area's seasonal bounty. At each restaurant, a three course lunch will $16.95 while a three course dinner costs $29.95.

I have mixed feelings about these myriad restaurant weeks, as they often times don't offer a stellar experience or food. You have to be really choosy about where you go, as the true gems are not easily found. But some of these newer restaurants weeks lack some of the issues that plague the longer running events, like Boston Restaurant Week. Portsmouth is an up and coming culinary destination, and reminds me in some ways of Portland, Maine. Portsmouth is attracting some very talented culinary talent and it is well worth checking out, so this Restaurant Week gives people a less expensive opportunity to check out the offerings.

My top recommendation for Portsmouth is Moxy, which I recently gave a stellar review. Their Restaurant Week menu is not yet online, but I suspect their offerings will be quite compelling.

4) On Tuesday, October 30, at 6:30pm, haunted happenings will take over Legal Sea Foods. In honor of Halloween, Legal Sea Foods will host a spooktacular “Legal Holiday” a night early in Park Square’s 10,000 bottle wine cellar. The evening will feature small plates and Halloween-themed sips:

FIRST COURSE
Maryland Crab Bisque (Old Bay & curried brioche croutons)
Craggy Range "Fletcher Family" Riesling
SECOND COURSE
Braised Beef Short Ribs (creamy polenta, chanterelle mushroom ragout)
Terlato "Devil's Peak" Meritage Style Blend
THIRD COURSE
Belgian Chocolate Bread Pudding (Chambord cherry compote, chocolate shavings)
Death by Chocolate Martini

Cost: $40 per person (includes tax and gratuity)
Reservation required by calling: 617-426-4444

5) Chef Vittorio Ettore, Chef/Owner of A Tavola, is pleased to announce that Chef Daniel Noonan has recently been appointed as Chef de Cuisine. Chef Daniel Noonan comes to A Tavola from Hamersley’s Bistro, where he worked for over 11 years and was most recently Sous Chef. He strives to emulate Gordon Hamersley’s work ethic and inspiring dedication. As a Chef, Noonan’s top priorities are delivering a great product at a fair price in a timely manner as well as creating two-way communication platforms with his staff and customers. Noonan also admits the three ingredients he could not live without are thyme, olive oil and love. And maybe salt.

Continuing the monthly A Taste of Italy tour at A Tavola, Noonan and Ettore have worked together to create an exclusive menu throughout the month of October. This menu will focus on the Lazio region and the simple pasta and roasted meat dishes that dominate tables throughout Central Italy.

Menu
--Caccio e Pepe (Thick Spaghetti with Roman Pecorino and Black Pepper)
--Agnello alla Romana (John Crow Farm Lamb and Roman Style Fava Beans with Mint, Sage and Fennel)
--Castagnaccio (Chestnut Tart with Pine Nuts and Raisins)

The pre fixe Tuscany menu is $45 per person, with regional wine pairing for an additional $20.
Reservations are welcome by calling 781.729.1040

6) BostonChefs.com is throwing its annual autumn fundraiser on Monday, November 12 at Regattabar from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. Now in its ninth year, Flavors of Fall--co-sponsored by City Square Associates, The Charles Hotel and Cambridge Savings Bank--brings together a dozen of the area's top restaurants in support of a local charity.

This year's beneficiary, The Possible Project, utilizes entrepreneurship to inspire young people who have untapped potential, empowering them with the skills required to achieve enduring personal and professional success--skills like leadership, professionalism, self-confidence, teamwork, and resilience. The Cambridge-based after school program enables high school students to start and run their own businesses, participate in a collaborative work experience, and receive individualized advising on their post-high school pathways.

Returning Cantabrigian restaurants--Rialto, Russell House Tavern, The Blue Room, Bergamot, Garden at the Cellar, Harvest, Henrietta's Table, Sandrine's and UpStairs on the Square--will be showcasing their tasty wares alongside Flavors newcomers like Amelia's Trattoria and recent neighborhood additions Belly and West Bridge. And because hungry do-gooders are bound to get thirsty as well, Brooklyn Beer, Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., Noir Bar and Native Waters will be onsite serving their beer, wine, cocktails and water.

Tickets are available online right now, and the $65 per person ticket price--all of which goes to support the good work of The Possible Project--includes all food and beverages, not to mention a side of jazz courtesy of the Rollo Tomasi Quartet. And once again, J.P Licks will be on hand with their flavorful ice creams and coffees to make sure that you end the night on a sweet note.

Since the first Flavors event in 2004, over $75,000 have been been raised for a wide range of Cambridge-based community organizations. Past beneficiaries have included Tutoring Plus, Community Art Center, Second Chances, CitySprouts, CycleKids, CLSACC, On the Rise, and Project Playgroup. Go to the Flavors of Fall Hall of Fame to learn how these groups are enriching the lives of our neighbors in Cambridge and beyond.

Planeta Wines: Indigenous Treasures of Sicily

Carricante, Frappato, Grecanico, Nera d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese. Bring on those indigenous Italian grapes and let me taste their uniqueness. You can find Cabernet Sauvignon almost anywhere in the world, but these grapes are almost exclusively found in Italy. Thus, when I received a media invite to a luncheon with Alessio Planeta of Planeta Wines in Sicily, to taste wines made from some of these indigenous grapes, I was eager to attend.

The event was held at Legal Harborside, which I had not previously visited, and it is an impressively designed restaurant. Three stories, lots of glass and the back looks out on the harbor, which can be a stunning view dependent on the weather. The first floor is intended to be more casual while the second floor is more elegant, and the third floor is a year round deck lounge.

On the second floor, there is a large and clean open kitchen. I do love open kitchens.

The dining room on the second floor is elegant, with great windows so that you can benefit from the view of the water. A nice place for a romantic date, a business meeting, or a gathering of friends.

On the second floor, there is also an outside deck area, which would be a perfect place for dining during the summer. It is here where we began our exploration of the wines of Planeta, which owns six wineries in Sicily.

Planeta Wines is less than 20 years old, having been founded in 1995 by three cousins: Alessio, Francesca and Santi Planeta. They now own 6 distinct wine estates, totaling about 390 hectares of vineyards, across Sicily, including Ulmo at Sambuca di Sicilia, Dispensa at Menfi, Dorilli at Vittoria, Buonivini at Noto, Sciara Nuova on Etna at Castiglione di Sicilia, and La Baronia at Capo Milazzo. They are  devoted to environmental sustainability, and continue to work at making their wineries as environmentally friendly as possible. The reason they do so is: "Because the land and the environment are a collective benefit as well as the company’s heritage, and it is a duty to make every effort to preserve it.".

Alessio Planeta, pictured above, was personable and down to earth, obviously passionate about wine and Sicily. He is the the Chief Winemaker at Planeta, and has also been working to identify unique terroirs in Sicily. Interestingly, the harvest in Sicily can take about 3 months, especially as the Carricante often won't get picked until the later part of October. Though Sicily is well known for its red wines, Alessio feels that white wines do very well too, and based on what we tasted, I would wholeheartedly agree with him.

Though Sicily has intriguing indigenous grapes, and Planeta produces wines from many of them, they have also introduced some international grapes as well, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. They believe that wineries worldwide are often judged based on wines made from such grapes, as well as the fact that consumers are far more willing to purchase wines made from those grapes rather than some exotic Italian grapes. It is much easier to sell a Chardonnay than a Carricante. I understand their reasoning, but for me, it is those indigenous grapes which I find the most compelling. It is the indigenous grapes to me which often seem to best reflect the terroir.

As we mingled on the outside patio, we got to sample the NV Etna Brut, which is produced from 100% Carricante from the Mount Etna region. Carricante, also known as Catanese Bianco, is a white grape thought to extend back to the 9th century and is primarily found in the Etna region. It is a late maturing grape, thrives in high altitudes and has a high acidity which allows it to age well. Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe, and the third largest in the world. Its black lava sands contain a rich mineral content, which tends to produce wines that show strong mineral notes. The Carricante vineyard consists of 16 hectares, located at an altitude of about 870 meters.

This is the first vintage of this Brut, only 6000 bottles were produced and it is not yet available in the U.S. It remains on the lees for at least 12 months before disgorgement and has an alcohol content of 12.5%. This was a delicious sparkling wine, crisp and clean with flavors of green apple, lemon and a thread of minerality. A fine apertif, it would pair well with a variety of foods as well, from seafood to cheese. Though it isn't available here yet, it was educational to experience the potential of the indigenous Carricante. As I believe this was the first time I had ever tasted a wine made from this grape, I was impressed.

My education on the Carricante continued, as I got to taste a still wine as well. As we watched a short video about Planeta, with gorgeous imagery of Sicily, we sampled the 2010 Carricante ($36), a white, still wine also made from 100% Carricante. It remains on the lees until the February after harvest when it is then bottled. It has a light gold color with an exciting aroma of apples and floral notes. On the palate, it was crisp, clean and complex with a dominant steely minerality and subtle fruit flavors, including pear and green apple. A lengthy and satisfying finish, this would be an excellent seafood wine and it should age very well too. Another stunning wine, I would heartily recommend it.

It was then time to sit for lunch and the first course was a delicious Ricotta Gnocchi with truffle and squash. There was a delectable creaminess, enhanced by the earthiness of the truffles, and it was paired with two wines, a 1998 Chardonnay and the 2010 Cometa. The 14 year old Chardonnay still possessed a good amount of life, and was enjoyable, but still could have been produced almost anywhere. I was more interested in the 2010 Cometa ($43), which is made 100% Fiano and sees no oak. The Cometa was aromatic with an intriguing taste, a complex blend of more tropical fruits, a touch of honey and a backbone of minerality. It paired well with the dish, and though pricey, should appeal to a wine lover seeking something more unique.

As we savored a superb and creamy Lobster Soup with a puff pastry, we enjoyed two wines, different vintages, 2004 and 2010, of the Cerasuolo di Vittoria, which is a blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato. The 2004 was an amazing wine, with its enticing aroma of dark berries and earthy notes that led to its seductive and complex flavors. Black and blue fruits, minerality, hints of herbs and other tantalizing yet elusive flavors that flitted back and forth in my mouth. Smooth, with nice acidity, the finish was lengthy and satisfying. My highest recommendation, especially considering the price of the latest vintage. The 2010 ($23) is a bigger wine, with stronger tannins, and doesn't seem as complex. It was still tasty, with more red fruit flavors, but I think the wine might benefit from a bit of aging. If it ultimately becomes like the 2004, it will be a killer wine.

With a course of Roasted Sablefish, we drank two different vintages, 2005 and 2007, of the Santa Cecilia, produced from 100% Nero d'Avola. This wine generally sees 12 months aging in French Allier oak, 2nd and 3rd use. The 2005 was excellent, with a spicy aroma and a light, easy drinking style despite its complexity. Delicious red fruits, spice accents and mild tannins. The 2007 ($43) is a bigger wine though not a powerhouse. A similar flavor profile, though with brighter, bolder elements. I would love to drink these wines with a hearty pasta dish. Another strong recommendation.

The Roasted Beef Tenderloin with blue cheese, pureed potatoes, and port wine sauce was superb, a tender, flavorful slice of beef with an addictive sauce. The two wines with this course were the 2004 and 2006 Burdese, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. These wines did nothing for me, and I felt they had too much of a green pepper/vegetal taste for my own preferences, though others seemed to enjoy them.

For dessert, the Mocha Macadamia Mousse Cake was rich, chocolaty and sweet, as well as beautifully presented. The 2010 Nerello, from Mount Etna, was produced from 100% Nerello Mascalese and aged in oak barriques for 8-10 months. This is its first vintage and it possessed a very light red color with a strong cherry aroma. On the palate, it was light, lively and elegant, with touches of cherry and spice. A fine ending to the dinner, and it did pair well with the chocolate.