Have you ever eaten a 15 pound lobster? If not, your time to do so may be very limited.
The Boston Globe published an article yesterday noting that new fishing regulations will soon limit the size of lobsters that fisherman can harvest. Well, these rules only apply to Massachusetts waters so you might be able to still find large lobsters from other states.
The article also dispels the myth that large lobsters are tough to eat.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Two BBQ Wines
'Tis the Season for BBQ...
Though a nice, chilled Rose is excellent in the summer sun, you sometimes need a heartier wine to pair with your BBQ foods. I went to a good friend's house yesterday for a BBQ (though there was not much sun) and brought a couple of wines I felt would go well. Also brought a large jug of home-made Sangria which was a big hit.
The first wine was the 2002 Bogle Vineyards Phantom ($20). This wine is a blend of 56% Petite Sirah, 41% Old Vine Zinfandel, and 3% Old Vine Mourvedre. This is a very bold and powerful wine. It is inky dark with very lush dark fruits and lots of spice. It is very full bodied and fills your mouth with its silky flavors which linger and linger. You definitely need some hearty food to accompany this wine and BBQ ribs certainly filled that slot. This wine was well received by my friends and I heartily recommend it as a Drink & Buy.
The second wine was the 2005 Mollydooker "The Boxer" Shiraz ($25). This wine is made by the famed Sarah & Sparky Marquis who also contributed to the making of Marquis Philips wines (some of my favorites Australian Shiraz). The Boxer has received some incredible press. Robert Parker gave it 95 points and the Wine Spectator placed it on their list of the Top Wines of 2006. But does it live up to the hype?
I bought the wine originally because of the winemakers connection to Marquis Philips. I knew how much I loved those wines. So, at yesterday's BBQ, I opened a bottle. Like the Phantom, this was another very dark wine. It was also full bodied, silky smooth with an abudance of dark fruits and spices. It is a very well balanced wine that definitely pleases the palate. It has much character and is the epitome of what a good Shiraz should be. With cheeseburgers it paired well. Probably any type of beef would go well with it. It is a bold wine though so you need bolder foods for it. Another hearty Drink & Buy.
Though a nice, chilled Rose is excellent in the summer sun, you sometimes need a heartier wine to pair with your BBQ foods. I went to a good friend's house yesterday for a BBQ (though there was not much sun) and brought a couple of wines I felt would go well. Also brought a large jug of home-made Sangria which was a big hit.
The first wine was the 2002 Bogle Vineyards Phantom ($20). This wine is a blend of 56% Petite Sirah, 41% Old Vine Zinfandel, and 3% Old Vine Mourvedre. This is a very bold and powerful wine. It is inky dark with very lush dark fruits and lots of spice. It is very full bodied and fills your mouth with its silky flavors which linger and linger. You definitely need some hearty food to accompany this wine and BBQ ribs certainly filled that slot. This wine was well received by my friends and I heartily recommend it as a Drink & Buy.
The second wine was the 2005 Mollydooker "The Boxer" Shiraz ($25). This wine is made by the famed Sarah & Sparky Marquis who also contributed to the making of Marquis Philips wines (some of my favorites Australian Shiraz). The Boxer has received some incredible press. Robert Parker gave it 95 points and the Wine Spectator placed it on their list of the Top Wines of 2006. But does it live up to the hype?
I bought the wine originally because of the winemakers connection to Marquis Philips. I knew how much I loved those wines. So, at yesterday's BBQ, I opened a bottle. Like the Phantom, this was another very dark wine. It was also full bodied, silky smooth with an abudance of dark fruits and spices. It is a very well balanced wine that definitely pleases the palate. It has much character and is the epitome of what a good Shiraz should be. With cheeseburgers it paired well. Probably any type of beef would go well with it. It is a bold wine though so you need bolder foods for it. Another hearty Drink & Buy.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
NV Frey Natural Red
Frey Vineyards is located in Mendocino County in California and makes Organic and Biodynamic wines. It is the oldest Organic winery in the U.S. They make a diverse portfolio of wines and I tasted one of them recently.The NV Frey Natural Red ($9) is a blend of Carignane, Zinfandel, and Syrah. It is probably their most inexpensive wine. This wine actually impressed me. It has a nice fruit aroma, and then on the palate opens up with lush fruits and smoky spices. There are blackberries and raspberries, as well as even a touch of bacon. But, it is a well balanced wine where the flavors mesh well. It is smooth, east drinking and has a decently long finish. This would certainly be a great BBQ wine or just an everyday wine.
If their lowest end wine is this good, then I certainly will seek out their other wines. This is a definite Drink & Buy, and an excellent wine under $10! Seek this one out.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Ratatouille: The Movie
Two hours lost in Paris watching a Rat who wants to be a Chef! What a wondrous experience. Such a special pleasure for a foodie.
I watched "Ratatouille," the new Pixar/Disney animated film and thought it was a marvel. This is a movie that will definitely appeal to an adult audience, especially food lovers. The animation is excellent but then Pixar continually excels in that area. Each movie they create seems more real than the one before. The story is very good, the characters are well developed and there is much to laugh at. It lacks the silliness of Shrek. It is a more sophisticated humor though children should enjoy it as well. And the film has a very positive message.
The film has some excellent lines about food including how it can give a transcendent feeling. It is a film that I will definitely watch multiple times, savoring each additional viewing.
I highly recommend this film to all, especially fellow foodies.
I watched "Ratatouille," the new Pixar/Disney animated film and thought it was a marvel. This is a movie that will definitely appeal to an adult audience, especially food lovers. The animation is excellent but then Pixar continually excels in that area. Each movie they create seems more real than the one before. The story is very good, the characters are well developed and there is much to laugh at. It lacks the silliness of Shrek. It is a more sophisticated humor though children should enjoy it as well. And the film has a very positive message.
The film has some excellent lines about food including how it can give a transcendent feeling. It is a film that I will definitely watch multiple times, savoring each additional viewing.
I highly recommend this film to all, especially fellow foodies.
2004 Le Galantin
I am a big fan of the Mourvedre varietal and I feel that the Bandol region of France makes some excellent wines from this grape. I recently tasted the 2004 Le Galantin ($20) from the Bandol region. This wine is about 70-75% Mourvedre with percentages of Grenache and Cinsault. I was not impressed with this wine. It is full bodied with a strong earthiness that seems to overshadow the dark berry flavors. The finish was medium lengthy but not really satisfying as their was a tinge of bitterness. I did let this sit out for a time to see if it would mellow but a few hours did not change anything. I then tried it with some steak which helped the situation but it still did not elevate this to a good wine. At $20, I would rather spend another $5-10 and get a much better Bandol wine. This is a no Drink, no Buy.
Instead of this Bandol wine, look for Domaine Tempier!
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