A wine blogger’s weekend

March 6, 2010

Flower on my terrace garden in Bangkok

Finally, the weekend has arrived. I am stuffed today: boy what a week that was. I have not produced a single blog entry, which has not happened for a long time in my three years as a wine and food blogger. I thought of myself as having developed the discipline and technique of writing and uploading a piece every two/three days. I was always full of stories, which waited in my head to be written down. But not this week, this week my tank was empty. During the last week I felt chased. Not even the few bottles of wine I drank with my meals could relight my desire to write a blog entry. But today is Saturday, the sun is shining and my terrace is laughing at me.

Of course I have a few draft stories on my computer, but most of them require some further research, and somehow one has to be in the right state of mind to write them up and load them on. And the prospects for having enough time are not too good. Next week I am off to Vietnam and Cambodia. After that I have some intensive workshops in Thailand. The two-week holiday for Songkran, the water festival of the Thais, I will spend on my vineyard in Glenburn, Victoria. I will be busy doing post-harvest stuff, working the land on my new tractor, celebrating with family and friends, therefore, no time for writing. And after that I am off to Germany for 10 days meetings and consultations. March and April will be two lean months as far as blogging is concerned, I guess. And sure enough, this will give me a vast cornucopia to draw on, and the energy to regale you with stories from the vineyard.

I hope you stay tuned and continue to visit the “Man from Mosel River”. Cheers!

2 Comments | wine | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver

Sushi on the Ginza

January 30, 2010

I had arrived the very morning from Bangkok. Nonetheless, my colleague Walter and I, we went for a stroll and checked out Tokyo’s main shopping district, the Ginza.

Interesting building near Ginza Street

Many well stocked wine shops in Japan

Of course we also needed food, and Sushi was our preferred choice. Wine and drink was secondary those days, despite the many wine shops I discovered during our stay. I should not have wine worth writing about. We also stayed away from Sake it turned out later. Well, Sake next time.

But small Sushi eateries were all over the place. Below “our” place, a tiny shop where we ended up just by accident.

Small Sushi restaurants on Ginza

Fine food of our choice: Sushi

The customers and the staff of the place were truly charming. We could not resist and ordered some Sushi, just Sushi. It was wonderful food. Two wide eyed foreigners utterly satisfied; Japan here we were.

Leave a Comment » | food | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver

My life as a “food and wine” blogger

December 19, 2009

When a couple of weeks ago I read on Wannabe Wino that she (Sonadora, but she does not provide her real name) had completed her third year as a blogger, I was reminded that my own three-year-anniversary was approaching fast (at the end of December).

Sonadora has completed her third anniversary with a record of 1076 posts in 1096 days, I thought how wonderful. But it made me also think about my own up-coming three year anniversary.

I then also counted. At that time I thought that even if I were very industrious for the rest of the month, I will not surpass 400 blog entries. Now I am only nine more entries to go. This (the 400 in 1096 days) makes an average of 2.6 days for one entry. I think that’s not bad for someone who has a demanding day job, lots of travel to do, a family, and consequently only evenings for preparing his entries.

However, when I read through my various entries I somehow feel that my life seems to be rather repetitive. So far I did not run out of stories but the stories are very much shaped by the way I live, whom I know, whom I meet and where I go, my habits so to say. How can that be interesting for a stranger.

My statistics look good, the general trend is still pointing upwards. But I am contemplating about stopping my blog altogether. I ask myself why I am still doing it? What are my motives? Should I not spend my precious time doing something else, engage in some physical exercise for instance instead of sitting behind a laptop at night (after I sat behind a desk top for 8-10 hours at work).

So why do I blog? Well, it provides a framework for storytelling. After all we humans love the narrative. Moreover, I disciplines myself. I have to write and keep writing, writing and collecting, and researching of course. I usually make some sort of “investigation”, check out websites and thereby learn a great deal about food and wine and the people who’s passion this is. Yeah, I learn a lot.

Another benefit is “staying in touch”. Living in foreign lands makes it difficult to stay in touch with family and friends. By updating my blog, people can learn about my movements, my thoughts and my life. And I do not to have write letter.

So do I want to miss this? I don’t know. Have to embark on some more introspection, I guess.
Have a good weekend folks. Cheers

3 Comments | culture | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver

How to open a bottle of wine

November 26, 2009

This is another technique to open a bottle of wine (and not breaking off the neck) if you are not in possession of a proper bottle opener.

Please do not mind the French.
The clip is self-explanatory, in fact amazing. It shows “where there is a will…….”.

Cheers

Leave a Comment » | culture | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver

On the nose

November 20, 2009

This is the most beautiful time in Bangkok. For about 6 to 8 weeks we will have very pleasant temperatures. Since I walk to the office, a luxury in Asia, this matters quite a bit. These days I can enjoy every step on my 20 minutes walk to work.

This walk is also a good training for the nose. Yes, you red right, the nose. You agree with me that the nose is a very important organ for any wine connoisseur. The first thing you do when tasting a wine is swirrling the wine. Your nose trys to catch the fragrances emitted by the liquid. Most of our noses need regular training. Well, let me come back to my walk to the office.

If I could only close my eyes when walking (too dangerous though) it would be even more striking. Taking the nose on a walk in Asia is quite an adventure, one might think. That’s true. However, my morning walk takes me along two busy Sois (Thai for street): Thonglor and Ekkamai and Soi 10 which connects the two.

The nose in action

This means that about 80% of the route is boring for my nose, just the fumes of the passing vehicles, some petrol notes maybe, mostly tar and lots of dust. In the evening I have started to wear a mask because it is just too tedious walking along the traffic jam. But that is very different in the mornings (I am an early bird). So the remaining 20% of the way are interesting; half of it pleasant, half of it not so pleasant.

First highlight is the Chinese chicken restaurant with two large pots on the gas stove full of chicken meat bubbling in the water with, I guess, “Sichuan spices”. Then I pass by walls and large gardens tucked behind them. During this time of the year not many plants are flowering but still my nose is on high alert sniffing for the scent of jasmin or other blossoms.

Just before I turn around the corner, I greet the “barbecue” man, roasting various types of meats, some on skewers, sausages, chicken wings and so on, on his mobile cart as breakfast for the passers-by. Here my nose catches notes of charcoal, burning fat and skin, the smell of freshly cooked meat.

Around the corner is the next highlight, the Chinese noodle shop, warm smells of steam engulf my olfactory organ, freshly hacked herbs add corriander fragrances. One lady sells fresh fruit and vegetables as well as freshly baked sweets for the casual wanderer. If my nose is lucky it can capture a fragrance of tropical notes and the aura of fresh bread.

But before I come to the the dim sum place, usually still closed when I pass by, though the trays under steam, I have to pass three locations where the garbage of night clubs and restaurants is kept on the pavement before it is collected in the morning. Here the nose finds aromas of decomposing organic matter which is a sweet-sour smell. This is sometimes a challenge.

The worst places are those where dogshit, many urbanites keep small dogs as pets, accumulates. The Thais being very tidy people sweep the walkways daily. As a consequence the danger to step into dogshit is not that big. However, the pungent and acrid smell of canine turds is another challenge for my nose. The odour is very strong even if the source of it has long disappeared from the scene.

The last stretch is lined with beauty salons (there are so many), which from time to time let a fargrance of lavender escape from the parlour. An executive “supercars” dealer, night clubs (zillions), bus stops and a computer laboratory complete the row of building I have to pass. Finally, comes the dim sum place but only on my way home will my nose be in the position to indulge in the aromas of the fine dumplings.

Nose training, I recommend it. From time to time close your eyes and trust your olfactory organ, and enjoy, as we say in Asia. Cheers folks. I am off to a drink, red wine, I suppose. Have a good weekend and a nice smell.

2 Comments | general | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver

Paolo Scavino – Barolo 2004 at Casa D’Oro, Kempinski Hotel, Jakarta

November 7, 2009

PaoloScavino

Unfortunately, the circumstances prevented me from writing a proper restaurant review of Casa D’Oro, an Italian restaurant at the Hotel Indonesia Kempinski in Jakarta. I have to go back, eat there and write a proper review. A friend of mine says it’s the best Italian gourmet dining in Jakarta. It’s chef de cuisine, Francesco Greco, is a well accomplished master of fine cooking being just awarded the “Best Chef of 2009 in Shanghai” award.

But I can write about the wine, we had with our quick dinner. I selected a ‘2004 Barolo’ by Paolo Scavino, from Piedmont, Italy and one of the best producers of Barolo in the world. Made from Nebbiolo grapes grown in the cool climate of the Piemontese hills at the foot of the Alps, this wine has a deep red colour and is characterized by an elegant nose. Dried roses, cherries, and plums can be tasted together with herbs and dusty vanilla notes. The long finish is very impressive. The wine is of medium-body, very smooth and very well balanced. Wine experts award it 91-92 Parker points. I thoroughly enjoyed this wine.

I am so happy that I had spotted this wonderful wine on the extensive wine list of the hotel. I can only highly recommend it. Moreover, the wine was very reasonably prized.

Comments Off on Paolo Scavino – Barolo 2004 at Casa D’Oro, Kempinski Hotel, Jakarta | wine | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver

Also the foxes like sweet grapes

October 4, 2009

Fuchs00

Ripe Riesling grapes, Herrenberg in Schoden/Saar

Right now it is vintage time in Germany and along the Mosel and the Saar one can admire ripening grapes. What a beautiful picture.

The weather was warm and dry when I accompanied my friend Heinz on a morning hunt in Schoden, Saar. We sat on a raised hide from about 5:30 until 8 in the morning. We watched two red deer does with their young ones making their way through the meadow. Later we went through the hunting territory and checked out a couple of places.

Fuchs1

I found the above turd of a red fox. Obviously the beast loves what humans love: the juicy fresh and sweet grapes. Also other wild animals love to nibble from the vines, especially red deer and wild pigs. They can be a quite a nuisance.

Autumn is just such a beautiful time in Germany. I will share more with you soon. Watch my blog entries.

Leave a Comment » | general | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver

The sky is the limit

September 30, 2009

Sky1

It was at a Sunday afternoon, I had one hour for myself before our official meeting was about to start and I decided to have a glass of wine in Vapiano in Mittelstrasse which is near Friedrichstrasse in the centre of Berlin.

Vapiano is a worldwide operating chain restaurant in an Italian style, but at times I like to go there. The standardization means that you know in advance what you are getting.

Sky2

I went through the wine list and choose the Gavi (6 Euro/glass) which was nice but I should have odered the most expensive wine on the list, the Riesling (8.5 Euro).

GAVI »ORO« GAVI DOCG
La Scolca, Piemont, Italy.
fine, elegant, harmonious and fresh.

GEHEIMRAT »J« RIESLING, SPÄTLESE, TROCKEN
Weingüter Wegeler, Rheingau, Germany.
According to ‘Fine Wine Review’, of the USA, this Riesling is the best Spaetlese in Germany and award winner of the German Riesling competition.

I sat in the “garden” (or better: the yard) of Vapiano and enjoyed my glass of wine in the hope that I was not to be disappointed when later that day the election results would come in. What a splendid hours that was.

Leave a Comment » | general, wine | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver

Restaurant review: Libertine, Melbourne

August 30, 2009

Libertine00

The town

When on vacation on the farm (Two Hills Vineyard), we hardly visit the big town, i.e. Melbourne, just about an hour and a half south of Glenburn. This time the girls needed new passports and therefore also new visa, and Margit also needed to get one. Therefore we had to collect the items but planned to combine it with meeting old friends over a pleasurable lunch in town. The Thai consulate people are the friendliest on earth and were very helpful. We were in a joyous mood. The girls took zillions of pictures from the car: when country folks visit town!

Libertine0

After our business was completed we made our way to North Melbourne. Libertine, the French restaurant, where I had indulged in wonderful French cuisine earlier this year, was our object of desire. It is easy to find. Just drive along Victoria Street until you reach the house number 500. If you get to Errol Street you have just passed it. Find a parking and walk.

Libertine2

The diners (Helen, Tony, Lucy, Charlotte, me, Margit and Joe)

We arrived ahead of time and took a stroll through the neighbourhood with its many restaurants and small local shops. Margit insisted on buying some cigars for me. Good ones are hard to find in the country side.

Our friends – Tony, Helen and Joe – had already assembled when we finally made it to Libertine. What a great reunion over an excellent meal and some good wine awaited us here.

I like the Libertine menu since it allows you to combine your preferences. It was a bit hard for the girls, though. We usually have Italian and Asian food at home, and therefore most of the dishes on offer were rather very unusual; “raffine” as the French might say, more elaborate might describe it as well.

Libertine had joined the recent campaign for the promotion of Victorian agricultural product: “Put Victoria on your table”. All the ingredients for the various dishes cam from the state of Victoria. As a person believing in free trade and global markets, this type of promotion is not my favourite one.

Libertine1

I find that Libertine’s two- and three course-meals are moderately priced. If you dine out in the Yarra Valley, for instance, you have to fork out much more for a comparable meal than here in the middle of town.

Libertinewine

The great surprise was that there was no French wine coming with the meal (all ingredients Victorian of course so how could there be French wine?). Instead, the wines came from the Yarra Valley. We were delighted to see two Yering Farm Wines, the ‘2008 Run Rabbit Run Sauvignon Blanc’ and the ‘2004 Foxtrot Cabernet’ made by Alan Johns, who coincidentally also makes our Two Hills wines. Both wines were a good choice for this kind of cuisine. The SB was fruity and crisp, the Cabernet round and well balanced.

Libertine3

Some of us had the Port Arlington mussels…

Libertine5

…followed by the “Marmite Dieppoise” with Port Phillip Bay scallops.

Libertine6

Others choose the beef which came from Gippsland (apologies for the bad photo above).

Libertine7

Joe went a la carte and ordered the hare. Libertine is famous for the quality of its game.

Libertine8

The girls ordered a la carte as well and went for assorted fish.

Libertine4

For the ones of us who did not have to drive, the Yering Farm Wines, were like a dessert. But we had some sweets afterwards just that I did not take any photos. The time was running faster than usual (that’s how it is with good friends and good food). We enjoyed the atmosphere, the warm hospitality and the friendly staff at Libertine as long as we could but finally had to part company and say good bye to our friends.

Until we meet again, maybe at Libertine (very likely indeed). In a rather joyous mood we returned to the vineyard in Glenburn.

The casual visitor to Melbourne, however, should not waste time searching for a good place to eat excellent food. Just go to Libertine, and you’ll be right mate.

Address:
Libertine‎
500 Victoria St, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia‎ – (03) 9329 5228‎
Rated 4.1 out of 5.0 16 reviews

1 Comment | Restaurant Review | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver

The good life – country living in Glenburn

July 25, 2009

We are having such a wonderful time in Glenburn, on our small vineyard cum farm. One of the highlights are the meals with friends and family. Ken Mountain, our neighbour and friend (we bought our land from him 15 years ago) invited us and Michael and Helen for a country dinner in his Adjinbilly home in Glenburn, just a stone through from Two Hills Vineyard.

CountryMeals1

vltr.: Lucy, Charlotte, Margit, Michael, Helen and Ken

We had a wonderful time and great food. Winter is ideal for any kind of roasts. In this case it was lamb and the “usual” vegetables: potatoes, parsnips, broccoli, carrots and onions. The fireplace provided warmth and heat, and the cosy atmosphere of a country home.

CountryMeals3

Ken does not drink red wines, only whites. So he had Giessen Sauvignon Blanc. For us, he choose a Shiraz. Ken selected a ‘2006 Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz’. This is a beautiful wine, with fine tannins, lots of fruit (mainly blackberry) and a spicy character.

The Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz was a great choice and it went very well with the hearty country food, Ken had cooked for us.

CountryMeals2

The next day we had Brett, Eve and Shea for lunch up the vineyard. Michael and Helen were also there. Family complete, so to say. Margit had cooked ‘Ossobucco’. The recipe came from Francine Segan’s book “Opera Lover’s Cookbook”, which is a magnificent book.

CountryMeals4

The dinner table is set and various “anitpasti” are ready for consumption

CountryMeals5

Shea, Eve, Brett, Margit and Michael

CountryMeals6

The ‘ossobucco’

CountryMeals7

Also dessert was provided: chocolate mousse, strawberries and cream

The entrées were consumed with a ‘2007 Windy Peak Cabernet Rosé’ by De Bortoli, a ‘2005 Murrindindi Family Reserve Chardonnay’, and a ‘2007 Allira Sauvignon Blanc’ by Elgo Estate Winery (they are not yet members of our Upper Goulburn Winegrowers Association).

This time we drank with the main course various vintages of Two Hills Vineyard Merlot wines and a bottle of Brett’s home made Cabernet Sauvignon. The lunch lasted until about 10 p.m. (nobody wanted to go home) and I did not count the bottles consumed, but for sure we all loved the company, the atmosphere and of course the Two Hills wines.

Recipe
The recipe for the “Ossobucco” can be found on page 105 of Francine Segan’s “Opera Lover’s Cookbook”. You need the following ingredients:

– 4 to 6 (or more) bone-in veal shanks (about 3-4 cm thick)
– salt and freshly milled black pepper, two bay leaves
– all purpose flour
– 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
– 2 small carrots, one stalk of celery and one large onion, all finely minced
– garlic (as much as you like but a minimum of 5, also finely minced)
– marjoram, either dried or fresh
– 1/4 cup of white wine
– 3/4 cup best-quality beef stock
– 8-9 tomatoes, peeled and halved
– lemon juice
– one or two anchovy fillets, finely mashed
– fresh rosemary leaves

The oven should be pre-heated to 180 degrees Celsius. The shanks should dreadged in flour and seasoned with salt and pepper. Sear the shanks in a casserole with medium heat filled with olive oil until browned. Remove them after 2 to 3 minutes and let them rest. Then prepare the sauce.

Add the minced vegetables to the above casserole and cook them in medium heat for about 6 minutes until tender. Add the garlic, and the other herbs for about one minute. Then add the wine and simmer for a couple of minutes. Now you add the stock and bring it to a boil, then remove it from the fire.

Put the shanks in a large casserole in one layer, top with the sauce and the tomatoes, cover and bake. After about 2 hours you add some more tomatoes and cook for another 30 minutes. Turn the shanks during the cooking regularly after about 30 minutes. You can serve rice or potatoes with the beef shanks as well as green vegetables. It’s a great traditional Milanese dish. What a wonderful hearty-rustic dish this is. Enjoy

Leave a Comment » | vineyards | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »