Petrus Wine or a Perfectly Prepared Steak-What’s Your Pick?

You have budgeted $100.00 for a perfectly prepared steak at the new "in" restaurant. After a thirty minute wait you are finally seated and presented with the wine list as well as the menu. You begin perusing the wines by the glass and notice a 2000 Petrus by the glass for $85.00. All of the sudden your body begins to quiver. Petrus, Petrus, Petrus…………..you almost begin to hum. All of your wine life you have dreamed for the opportunity to taste let alone drink a wine of this acclaim.

You reach into your pocket to gently fiddle with that $100.00 bill you brought to cover your entire meal. One glass of wine, a perfectly prepared 8oz. filet, steamed spinach, cup of coffee and the required gratuity for your server. What should you do? Order the glass of wine at the bargain price of $85.00 with a little left for the tip or the meal you had originally intended to enjoy?

All of the sudden you break into a cold sweat. Your head is spinning and you feel so confused. Petrus or filet? If you were in that position what would you do? The wine of a lifetime at an extremely reasonable price or follow through with the meal you had planned on?

In a New York minute I know what I would chose, what about you?

I sure would enjoy hearing what any of you out there would do.

And by the way, how about restaurants and wine bars offering at least one "out of this world wine" by the glass.

Wishing your apron ends up with a lovely Petrus stain.

XXOO

Mrs. Reed

David Letterman Receives The Two Buck Chuck Award!

The obvious fall out from the recent David Letterman scandal is the negative light it sheds on women. You know, the young woman who sells her soul by sleeping with the boss to achieve success in the workplace. Yes, a very sad scenario that should not continue to be a part of a young women's career reality. This is the obvious but the subtlety is the negative reflection that this behavior has on men.

David Letterman with his sleazy behavior perpetuates the portrayal of the lecherous boss who manipulates the young ingénue into compromising herself for career advancements. Letterman places a distasteful face on all men. It is really a shame that a man who has risen the ranks through hard work and talent displays such poor judgment by having affairs with his young staffers.

And then, to go on national television after he is forced to reveal his transgressions and make jokes about such a serious subject is reprehensible. Letterman, who uses his monologue every night to ridicule the likes of Bill Clinton, Mark Sanford and Elliot Spitzer, honestly should know better. He obviously has never really listened to the jokes his staff writes for him to recite every night. Maybe, if he had really paid attention it may have occurred to him that he actually heads the list of "succesful men behaving badly."

I have two sons, Wally and Beaver. They know better then to take advantage of young women. Their father, Dr, Alex, played an important part in displaying excellent role modeling regarding the respect of women. First of all Dr. Alex was terrified of his own mother and secondly he knows where my rolling pin would end up if he ever behaved like that late night talk show host.

I am sure that Letterman will make sure his son goes to all the best private schools money can buy. But, a little tip for you David, your son's real education comes from the role modeling you present him. You are his number one instructor. He will learn from your behavior. I hope you don't find it acceptable when he does something wrong that instead of making a sincere apology he makes jokes about it. How will you feel when and if he is in a position of responsibility, and choses to abuse the trust of his supporters?

No, you are not an elected official like the other sleazes I mentioned but you are and should be a role model on a basic level. We let you into our homes and you violated our trust. Now, stand up and be a "real man" by taking an honest and sincere responsibility for your actions. Your audience, your staff and males all over this country, including your son, need you to turn your bad behavior into a learning and teaching opportunity.

For being 100% tasteless in everyway, David Letterman, you are the first recipient of the Two Buck Chuck Award! (No Dave, I didn't mean the Two Buck Chick Award)

Wishing you learn how to tie your apron properly.

Mrs. Reed

Compost and Wine-A Perfect Pairing!

Last weekend Dr. Alex and I received an email from our city councilman. He was requesting residents from "Anywhere" to attend a meeting regarding a compost center that had recently been established adjacent to our neighborhood. This new compost facility has been emitting a very strong and unpleasant stink that was, on occasion, penetrating our rose lined streets. Congressman X who represents our area would be conducting a question and answer session, pertaining to this subject, as well as other relevant issues.

Dr. Alex and I decided it may be worth our time to find out what the plan to remedy the decaying bouquet in "Anywhere" issue would be. The meeting was packed with a sea of pale faced angry looking people. Dr. Alex and I both were amazed at the attendance on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. We both thought the compost had really motivated the local citizens to express their concerns.

After we all took part in the pledge of allegiance, Congressman X introduced himself and then opened the floor to questions from the audience. The questions were straight from an episode of the Glen Beck show. Honestly, it is as if Glen Beck had scripted all the diatribe and questions from the participants. You know the drill, "how do we combat the indoctrination"? There were lots of comments and questions regarding taxes, abortion, health care, education. The majority of the audience all seemed to be opposed to the issues that I mentioned.

The congressman (who is basically a Libertarian) seemed to side step the controversial questions. Strategically, to keep the audience on his side Congressman X threw out Barney Frank's name periodically. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised to see this politician on the next season of Dancing with the Stars, since his Texas Two Step was pretty darn good.

Finally, after what seemed an interminable amount of time someone asked about the horrible smell that was permeating our tranquil, little, hamlet. Congressman X said he was going to attend a meeting about it in a couple of weeks. That concluded the discussion of what we incorrectly thought was the reason for the meeting in the first place.

We couldn't get out of the meeting hall quicker. We actually felt like we had just been in another planet. It wasn't that we did not understand that there our people out there that think this way. What was chilling was experiencing it with this amount of people all in one large room. There was an under and open current of distain and resentment that felt very uncomfortable.

Anyway, after leaving behind some very unbalance and strange terroir, Dr. Alex and I decided we needed to experience a much more balanced terroir. A wonderful bottle of wine from one of Thomas Jefferson's favorite countries, France, was just what Dr. Alex prescribed to neutralize the new "stink" that was now lingering in our minds.

Along the way home we stopped to purchase some amazing Epoisses de Bourgogne cheese and a freshly made baguette. On our arrival home we gave White Fang and quick "hello handsome" greeting and then pulled from our wine closet a bottle of 2006 Domaine Des Comtes Lafon, Volnay. Oh yes, Dr. Alex made an excellent diagnosis on how to decontaminate us from the lingering ills we were feeling from the day's earlier experiences.

The Volnay offered; red cherries, dried fruit and a lovely leathery bouquet. The palate is so elegant with some tart fruit and perfect balance of acid and tannins. Throw in the rustic and pungent Epoisses cheese, freshly baked baguette, a glass of perfect Pinot Noir wine and our day was magically altered from Glen Beck to Thomas Jefferson.

See, life can be good even living close to a compost center.

2006 Domaine Des Comtes Lafon, Volnay-approx. $78.00-5 aprons.

Wishing your apron smells as fresh as newly picked daisies.

XXOO

Mrs. Reed

Frank Bruni-Born Round-Book Review-Saved by a glass of Chenin Blanc

I know that I have neglected my blogging obligations for a while but, (yes, here is my excuse) I have been so busy lately that I simply have not made the time. Well, at least it was a truthful excuse. I didn't blame White Fang for eating my laptop or Dr. Alex for all the distractions he presents. I have just been very busy juggling the day to day responsibilities that can so easily consume my time.

I don't know if I ever mentioned that when I drive I enjoy listening to audio books. They are so much more fun than-talk radio. With audio books there is none of that screaming, screeching and proselytizing that you get when you listen to those idiots on talk radio.

I recently finished Frank Bruni's book; Born Round. What a colossal disappointment this book turned out to be. Frank Bruni does a fine job narrating his own story. He seems to be a very intelligent man with a somewhat entertaining writing style. But, the book turns out to be a personal diary of his struggles with food that falls flat as the story proceeds. I guess, because of his job as restaurant reviewer for The New York Times, I thought he would be sharing his love affair with food and the excitement of reviewing restaurants in the "Restaurant Capital of the World."

Instead of reviews of great eateries, such as Le Bernadin and Babbo, the listener is subjected to a barrage of binging, purging, pills, diets, scale avoidance and food depression. In the end, after seemingly endless chapters of new diets, Frank finds out about the great hidden secret of "moderation." Oh my, what a crazy concept: eat and exercise in moderation and your weight will remain stable!

After I finished listening to this book, I passed it on to Dr. Alex. He lasted with this audio book for about thirty minutes and left it for me with a note that read, "I believe there are laws about listening to purging while driving. Thanks but no thanks, I'll take Sean Hannity over this dribble." After receiving that comment from Dr. Alex I stuffed that book away for the next Goodwill collection day.

Now, I invite you to pour yourself a wonderful wine from the Loire Valley. I have been trying wines from regions that might be on my upcoming wine test. Recently, I enjoyed a 2006 Chateau Pierre-Bise, Savennieres Roche aux Moines. Lovely golden color, hints of baked apple and honey, with a tinge of lanolin on the palate. I happen to love Chenin Blanc and this wine is a very nice representative of a Chenin Blanc from this region. At approximately $28.00 and 14% alcohol, you can have a wonderful wine experience, with or without a meal.

2006 Chateau Pierre-Bise, Savennieres Roche aux Moines-approx. $28.00
4 aprons.

Have yourself a sunny apron day.

XXOO

Mrs. Reed

Wine Blog Envy-Biscotti and Vin Santo

Since I am new to this whole blogosphere world I spend sometime reading other wine blogs. What has struck me as interesting is all the envy I am finding out there. For instance last week I read one wine blogger that announced on his posting that it had just been determined by the authorities that be (some blog organization named Alawine.com) his blog was now the number one ranked blog out in the wine blogosphere. There were the usual congrats, questions from others regarding how they could rise to his success, some put downs of other highly ranked blogs and then to my surprise bloggers that openly expressed envy. Some of the envy was even bitter with one blogger stating you never comment on my blog so I'm not ever commenting on your blog again.

This behavior reminded me of both naked male athletes in the shower room taking sneaking glimpses of each other to see who reigned supreme and little children saying you wouldn't let me play with your new truck now hands off mine. Wow, the blatant blogging envy really took me by surprise.

Maybe, it is because there is so much anonymity to writing on a blog and not enough face to face that people feel comfortable dissing each other. Since, I am far from a wine expert or really an expert on anything, it all makes me a little squeamish but I am determined to continue this thing I started.

My goal is to try to share and yes, even inform the readers out there who like myself loves and appreciates wine but is not necessarily that worried about all the technicalities. You know, whether I enjoyed a wine, some sort of description of the wine without all of the endless details of blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, anyway you get the idea.

I would like to be able to suggest other blogs (no blog envy here), wines and just plain ordinary enjoyment of relationships, family and everyday life with a sense of humor, some fiction and even some truth.

Ok, lets celebrate with a recipe of Biscotti that I recently made and shipped to my darling, daughter-in-law, Mary Alice.

Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Recipe from Giada Di Laurentis (Food Network)

Makes 2 dozen Preheat oven to 350

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tspn baking powder
1/4 tspn salt
3/4 cup sugar (white granulated)
1 stick room temp unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1 tspn ground anise seed (optional or put in less if you wish) good for digestion
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Line a heavy large baking sheet w/ parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking powder
and salt in a medium bowl to blend. (That is really like sifting it all together, breaking
up and clumps). Using an electric mixer beat the sugar and butter to blend. Beat in the
eggs one at a time. Add the flour mixture and beat until blended. (The batter is quite
thick). Add the ground anise and chocolate chips. (If you don't have a mixer, you can
use your strong arms and beat with a whisk and then a wooden spoon. Remember electric
mixers are a newer phenomenon and people have been making biscotti for years).

Form the dough (flour the board and your hands because it can be sticky. I refrigerate the batter for about 15 min.)
into a 16 inch long and 3-inch wide log. Transfer the log to the baking sheet and bake for approx 30 minutes
or until light golden brown. Important-cool 30 minutes.

Place log on cutting board and using a serrated knife cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2-3/4 inch
slices. Arrange the cookies cut side down on the baking sheet. Bake the cookies until pale golden
about 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool completely.

If you like add some chopped pecans or walnuts when you add the chocolate chips

Now to really enhance the biscotti open a bottle of 2000 Castello Di Ama, Vin Santo and enjoy the honey, almond and dried fruit notes that will complete your entire biscotti experience.

2000 Castello Di Ama Vin Santo-4 aprons-approx $28.00

Wishing you an apron filled with yummy biscotti and glorious Vin Santo to get your day started. Remember envy is just a waste of time and poorly directed energy.

XXOO

Mrs. Reed

Wine Blogging Wednesday Reviews on Pinot Noir not from Napa

Have you ever heard the expression, "If the tree falls in the middle of the forest does it make a sound"? My answer to that age old question is the tree falling generates a vibration that can be noticed even if the actual fall is not heard. I know this is all a bit twisted but my point is in the title to my post.

I am using this very nonsensical title, so hopefully readers out in the blogosphere will hear my vibration. You see, I read that there are certain words that are used a lot in search engines. The most often wine blogging words are right up there. Yes, keep looking, in the title. This is actually all on the up and up, since the only untruthful word I am using is "Wednesday". I am actually composing this post on Friday, but such a small transgression to get my blog noticed.

Here is the review on a Pinot Noir not from Napa. In fact, it is from Burgundy and this wonderful wine is…drum roll… 2006 Chateau de Puligny Montrachet, Monthelie. Really, what a lovely compelling nose that keeps you going back for gentle whiffs of cherries, violets and even a tad of boiled beets. The palate offers some soft tannins, well balanced acidity, with hints of subtle cherries. The finish is somewhat moderate, not particularly lingering but still enough to remind you to take another sip.

2006 Chateau de Puligny Montrachet, Monthelie-3 ½ aprons-approx $30.00

As promised, I have now delivered to you a post consisting of; wine blogging, (not on Wednesday), including reviews on Pinot Noir that are not from Napa. See, I provided truth in advertising. Will my vibrations be heard in this forest? That, my fellow Blogsters, will be up to you.

Mrs. Reed would certainly appreciate some comments. Good, bad or indifferent, just let me know you hear something from the forest.

Wishing you an apron filled with bottles of Pinot Noir from Burgundy and even Napa.

XXOO

Mrs. Reed

The Finger Lakes Wine Region-One Day Trip

Yesterday I received an SOS from my dear daughter-in-law Mary Alice. The note stated: Mrs. Reed, Wally and I will be going in October to Rochester, New York for the wedding of our close friend, Bill McKay (character Robert Redford played in the movie The Candidate. Only this Bill McKay is conservative). While we are in Rochester we would like to visit the Finger Lakes Region for wine tasting. Please advise; concerning wineries that would be worth our time to stop at. The note was signed your adoring and adorable daughter-in-law, Mary Alice.

When Mary Alice makes a request I snap to it immediately. Since I have never personally visited this region let alone any of the wineries I assembled my information through other blogs or previously obtained information regarding the wineries of this region.

Over the years I have read many wonderful comments about Dr. Frank Konstantin and his highly respected Rieslings and Rkatsiteli. Dr Frank is legendary and I would make this winery a priority above all the others because of his well known reputation. Dr. Frank Konstantin is now deceased but my understanding is that his son took over the winery when he retired.

I checked out Eric Asimov's
blog, The Pour for more info about the wineries he and his blog followers suggested.

Here are some of their recommendations:

Shinn Estate-known for their Merlots

Paumanok-Lots of excellent reviews on their Chenin Blanc, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon

Lenz-Highly respected Merlot

Someone also mentioned a blog called: Lenndevours-A New York Cork Report. It may be worth while to peruse this site.

I also found, fingerlakesweekendwinoblogspot.com, this site may be helpful.

Wolffer Estate appears to be a beautiful place to stop by to try their Chardonnay and Merlot.

If you and Wally find you have consumed enough wine, stop by The Corning Museum to view the excitement of glass blowing.

It should be gorgeous in The Finger Lakes with the Fall Foliage in full bloom.

Please wear your apron and fill the pockets with some of the fabulous wines you will be enjoying.

XXOO

Mrs. Reed