Happy New Years Eve!

I'm in New York and it is alive and jumpin'. Last night on New Years Eve Eve we decided to hit the town and check out a new place with an old name in Harlem at 310 Lennox Ave. also known as Malcolm X Blvd.  We were lucky to get a 10pm reservation for dinner at the Red Rooster owned by renowned Chef Marcus Samuelsson. The Red Rooster was a Harlem icon. The new restaurant was named after the legendary Harlem speakeasy that was located at 138th Street and 7th Avenue, where neighborhood folk, jazz greats, authors, politicians and some of the most noteworthy figures of the 20th Century – such as Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Nat King Cole and James Baldwin would gather for conversation, drinks and music. This is just what we did. The comfort food cuisine 'Marcus style' was exquisite, the wine list divine but with New York prices and the DJ in the lounge downstairs kept our fingers popping and heads bobbing to the beat till 2am.  We did not end there, we took a 2 block stroll down Malcolm X Blvd and stopped in the legendary Lennox Lounge for a night cap and some jazz.  On the way home to Brooklyn, the air was warm and the lights bright as we leisurely drove down the FDR.  Just what you would expect to do in New York on the hottest weekend of the year.

Now it is time for you to get ready for tonight. Whether you are hosting your own party or going to friends you will need a good bottle of sparkling to pop tonight at midnight. There are so many choices so here are few of my favorites.

TIP

Sparkling wine is hard to open but here's a trick to help you look like a professional.  Don't try to pull the cork out with brut force.  Get a good grip on the cork, hold the bottle very still by holding the punt (the indentation on the bottom of the bottle), and turn the cork counter clockwise slowly.  The cork will easily turn and make little or no sound as it slides from the bottle.  I hope you noticed that I did not call our wine Champagne because you can only refer to sparkling wine as Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region of France.  But most sparkling wines are made with the Champagne method.  So don't be alarmed.

TREAT
I love Sparkling wine. It is so versatile.  You can serve it before, during or after a meal.  It pairs with almost everything.  My favorites are from different parts of the globe.  Here are a few.

• Domaine Chandon - Sparkling wine from California. Owned by Moet, Chandon makes a great Brut styled sparkling wine that you might mistake for Champagne.  Around $25.
• Nicholas Feuillatte - Champagne from France.  This beautiful Brut style wine has lots of bubbles and is extremely smooth.  Very affordable for the quality. Around $40.
• Riondo - This is sparkling wine from Italy called Prosecco. Made Brut style, the Prosecco grapes give this great option a little more sweetness.  It is full of bubbles, smooth, and easy to drink.  A real crowd pleaser.  Around $15.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and have a prosperous 2012!

Favorite Things!

Katherine's Table

Many of you know I am the founder of Divas Uncorked, the oldest female wine group in the U.S.  We have been meeting monthly since 1998 and our wine tastings are very exciting, educational and personally fulfilling. This month, Diva Katherine Kennedy hosted our annual 'Favorite Things" dinner. Copied from Oprah, in December our group gives each other a gift of something we individually love. There is a minimum cost but the sky is the limit. The other treats from Katherine's tasting is the wine and food but my special experience is her table top.  Each year it gets better an better. Her theme this year was really beautiful and eye opening. She always uses her beautiful Nutcrackers and this year we dinned with famous leaders from around the world and enjoyed "CHEAP WINES RATED GOOD".  All the wines came from Trader Joe and most of the wines you will find at this store chain are only sold by them. The prices ranged from $4.99 to $13.99.

TIP 

Hawk Crest by Stag's Leap

Never turn your nose up at inexpensive wines. How do you check out cheap wines? Check out well known producers. Many of them create second labels that are really great from excess wine juice. Caymus, Duckhorn and Stag's Leap to name a few. 

Second Label Standouts

TREAT

Albero White Sparkling from Spain reminded me of Prosecco from Italy. Produced by Spain's oldest estate bottled winery this sparkling is crisp, rich and creamy and velvety on the palate. Sweet fruit and balanced acidity with a rich pear like quality. Great for large events entertaining young or mature palates.  Only $4.99 a bottle.  It won't last long.

DEAR OLIVIA

Sunday was another day of learning and discovery in my world of wine. A small crowd with big wine exposure.  When someone opens up their personal stash, boy can you get a fantastic burst of grapes.  The group gathered today to listen and support "Dear Olivia", a compellation of dance, video and music theater created to take you on a journey of women and their desire to hold onto the little girl in them from birth to death.  The new adventure is the brain child of Linda Cline and Joan Block wife of Sandy Block, MW of Legal Seafoods. The show will open in the Boston area on April 27, 2012.  Watch for more information about this body of works on my blog early next year.

Now let me tell you about the wine.  There were about 15 vintages on display.  From 2010 back to 1977.  We traveled through France, Italy, New Zealand and the U.S.  Well known names like Patz and Hall and Chateau Canon.  Great appellations like Bordeaux, Paulliac and Montepulciano.  I wish I had a "flavorgraphic" [sic] memory to describe them all but I can only remember the stand outs from today.  Here are my tips and treats for this week.

TIPS

Etiquette for a private wine tasting of someone’s personal collection.  Remember, you are a guest.

• It is ok to swirl, smell and swallow. NEVER Spit!
• Take small tasting pours just in case you don't like the wine.
• Avoid over consuming.
• Never rinse your glass with water.
• Cleanse your palette between white and red.

Watch for this new invention!  A revolutionary gadget that will allow you to drink a glass of wine from your favorite bottle without opening it and it won't EVER spoil!  Expected release in 2012 for the holidays. Too good to be true...

TREATS

My favorite wines were at extreme ends of the spectrum.

2010 Patz and Hall Pinot Noir from California - This full flavored vintage had bursts of big berries.  It was velvety and balanced.  It wasn't too spicy but it had a nice long finish that left your palate a little warm.  I definitely wanted more.  Extremely drinkable now.  Worth every penny.

1982 Cabernet Sauvignon Blend from Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste in the Paulliac appellation of France - This wine aged very well.  It had soft tannins, lots of blackberry fruit flavor with a little chocolate on the finish.  Stinky on the nose but this gave it lots of character.  It was harmony on the palate with the sharp cheddar cheese. I could have consumed the whole bottle by myself. Priceless.