Archive for August 12th, 2008
August 2008
Wine of the month for August is appropriately timed with the annual release of this wine which is normally during August. It is Bogle Phantom, a red blend produced by Bogle Vineyards of Clarksburg California. Most of you are probably familiar with the Bogle Vineyards line of wines, they make a wide variety of wines that are usually readily available, but the Phantom is a bit harder to locate on the shelf. Bogle makes Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, as well as a port in addition to this month’s feature “Phantom”. I love the name as much as I love the wine, it’s mysterious and exciting at the same time. I am currently drinking the 2004 vintage, although I still have a few bottles of the 2003 vintage in my cellar as I put away at least one case per year to enjoy at a later date. We do this because once Phantom is gone, it is gone until next year. The 2004 vintage is comprised of 54% Petite Sirah, 43% Old Vine Zinfandel, and 3% Old Vine Mourvedre. The wine is deep ruby red with lots of fruit forward taste, while finishing with a perfect jammy spicy blend of flavor that is outstanding. The label says it is a deep ruby apparition that personifies the true spirit of the Bogle.. I could not agree more! For those of you that don’t know a Bogle is defined as A Goblin; a specter; a phantom; a bogy, boggart or bugbear. Watch for the latest release that we are so anxiously awaiting and pick up a bottle, you won’t be sorry!
Published by admin on August 12th, 2008 | Filed under Wine of the Month | Comment now »Grilled Corn on the Cob
Yes…I know I have been slacking off this summer with our BBQ page. It has just been such a great and busy summer, I have not had much time. Well, let me give you a quick and easy trick for corn on the cob which in most of the U.S. is now at in it’s peak season.
Go to your local farm market and get some fresh ears of corn. You can grill just a few or a few dozen depending on your need. To prepare the corn cut off the bottom stem and the pointed tip so your ears have flat ends. Remove any loose outer leaves, do not strip the corn. Fill a large pan, big enough to cover the ears of corn, with cold water and allow the corn to soak for 15-20 minutes. Heat up the grill to medium temp and cook the ears turning frequently. We also use a spray bottle and mist the corn each time we turn it. Cook for about a half hour removing any loose or burnt leaves as they cook. Do not allow the corn to burn too much or catch fire. Remove when cooked, strip the ears and add your favorite spice, butter, salt, pepper or eat plain if you like.
Just a quick and easy way to cook a favorite summer staple while keeping the outdoor grilling going.
Just wine
I was thinking today while I was shopping around on my lunch break just how big the wine market has become in the last few years and I don’t mean just wine. We all know the wine market itself is huge and the vast selection of wines there are to choose from when visiting the local liquor store, but I am talking about the wine related items. I am truly amazed. Years ago if there was one type of wine cooler at the store, maybe a 12 bottle cooler that was a lot, now you have 30, 40, 50 bottles with dual zone cooling readily available. Yes, larger units can be purchased too, just not at every retail store where the smaller versions are available. And what about the variety of corkscrews? Today I saw a vertical opener? Never saw that one before. And the decor too, just about everything from artwork to dishtowels, rugs, clothes, you name it, you can find it. Another item that has become huge are the cocktail napkins. A favorite of mine, I like to find a new wine design I haven’t purchased before to use at the bar in my wine cellar. It’s a quirky, but fun habit and fairly inexpensive too. So, next time you are at your local home store, stop and take note of just how much wine related stuff is out there.
Published by admin on August 12th, 2008 | Filed under Wine Babble | Comment now »