Quote of the Day

"It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend, one's present or future thirst, the excellence of wine, or any other reason." 


Latin Proverb

Malbec Blues

During a trip to Argentina, I developed a fondness for Malbec. The peppery taste complemented so many Argentinian foods especially the wonderfully seasoned beef served in their restaurants. Now known as an Argentine varietal, Malbec is one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine. It is becoming increasingly common in U.S. wine stores but during my visit, the exchange rate was so favorable, I wanted to buy the whole store. To give you an idea, the prices in the photo are in Argentine Pesos. The exchange rate for 7 Pesos equals about $1.75 US. Can you spell "sea container?" Unfortunately, I only managed about 3 bottles in my suitcase.

Sadly, this was a business trip with no opportunity to visit the growing areas for these wonderful grapes. Perhaps in another life.

Favorite Napa Valley Winery

People often ask me if I have a favorite Napa Valley winery. I have quite a few that are "must visits" for anyone on their first tour. But, one of my favorites is V. Sattui in St. Helena. I like the winery for several reasons. First, the wine is only available for purchase at the winery. My thought is, "Why visit a winery whose wine you have tasted on numerous occasions and can buy at any large wine store?" Second, V. Sattui has a wonderful gourmet deli and picnic area. It is one of the few in Napa Valley with that distinction. It is also up Highway 29 far enough to warrant a rest after visiting a few other wineries. There are better wines to be had in the valley but, if you are like me, the experience enhances the flavor of the wine. Plan on this place being really busy and be willing to fight for a picnic spot (bring a blanket because there is lots of grass). It's busy for a reason!

Burgers Here and There

My daughter sent me a link to this site authored by the daughter of another dad who could be more adventurous in his culinary experiences. Burgers Here and There is a project to illustrate the flavors and possibilities of the "burger" one country at a time....All 192 countries. This is a very creative and ambitious project, especially since USA is so far at the other end of the alphabet!

Leelanau Peninsula Taste the Passion 2011

After a really busy January - February, it's  time to catch up on the world of Sipping and Savoring. One big event I attended in February was the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association's Taste the Passion celebration on February 5 & 6. As is the case with all LP Wine events, the weekend was a pure joy. LP Wines spokesperson, Andy McFarlane was kind enough to invite me to photograph the weekend's events. The photos are posted at:

LP Wines Taste the Passion 2011

My wife and I visited 17 wineries on during the weekend and sampled wonderful Leelanau Peninsula wines and food pairings. Each winery had a small plate of food accompanied by a wine pairing. Guests were also encouraged to sample other wines provided by the wineries. Our trips to the Leelanau Peninsula continue to be our favorites because of the wine, hospitality, and relaxed pace.

Best Hamburger in Minnesota - So Far

When I visit any city, I am always interested in the "burger scene." On a recent trip to Minneapolis, I tried burgers at two popular establishments, The Uptown Cafeteria and Burger Jones. In terms of pure variety and quality, Burger Jones won hands down. That shouldn't be too much of a surprise. When you you have "burger" in your name, the product better be good! The restaurant offers a variety of burger toppings. I opted for the Cheeseburger Jones special which included a burger with cheddar cheese accompanied by maple bacon sweet potato fries and August Schell Brewing Company's Grain Belt Nordeast beer. An outstanding combination. The burger was perfectly cooked, the fries were great and the beer refreshing.

Burger Jones is a fun place to go and all burger palates are welcome. My brother-in-law ordered the White Trash Burger which consisted of a 7 oz burger patty topped with chicken fried bacon, Velveeta cheese, and cheese curds. Definitely a more tasty option than injecting the cholesterol directly into your veins.

One of the restaurant's fan favorites is the the Tri-Fry Tower which consists of a combo of regular fries, the maple bacon sweet potato fries, and parmesan waffle fries. Outstanding for a group sharing experience. Next time for me will be deep fried cheese curds. Just have to try it for research purposes.

Burger Jones is located on Lake Street in Minneapolis. Try it!

Fenn Valley Winery Annual Chili Cookoff 2011

On January 22nd, Fenn Valley Winery in Fennville, MI held its annual Chili Cookoff and Wine Lovers Pot Luck. The snowy weather kept many people away but a bit of Michigan snow couldn't keep hundreds of people from attending this annual event. I'm not sure of the exact number but I believe it was over 300. About 70 chili contestants vied for the title of chili in four categories; 4 legs (beef and pork), two legs (turkey and chicken), no legs (vegetarian) and exotic (pick your animal). Fenn Valley wines were generously poured for patron and provided a perfect accompaniment for the chili. Non-chili contestants brought a dish to pass as their "entry fee." Music by Natchez Trace was terrific. This was our third time at this event and it continues to be one of the more interesting and enjoyable ones on our calendar.

Fenn Valley 42 Ice Wine

Fenn Valley's 42 Ice Wine is one of my favorite dessert wines. It is silky sweet and a real guest pleaser. At only $15 a bottle, it's also easy on the wallet and one of the best values in Michigan dessert wine. Whether it is a special event or just an opportunity to share something really good with a few friends, 42 can't be beat.

Fenn Valley Vineyard & Wine Cellar is located in Fennville, MI just south of Holland. The winery hosts a number of terrific wine themed events throughout the year. Next up is their annual Chili Cook Off on January 22, 2011. Hundreds take part in this cook off/wine lovers pot luck. See their web site for details.

Summing Up the Year in Wine Tasting

During 2010, I visited nearly 50 wineries and tasting rooms. There was definitely more good than disappointment. The majority were in Michigan and California with some nice surprises in Indiana. Each winery and region has its specialties and unique character. That merits a comment. Michael Schafer, aka The Wine Counselor, told seminar guests at the 2010 Grand Rapids Wine & Food Festival that when you visit a region you should order and learn to appreciate what it is the wineries are trying to do and not hold unrealistic expectations. For instance, the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas of Michigan are producing terrific whites and dessert wines. Many wineries in that area are trying hard to produce reds despite less than ideal climate. Many are now succeeding so give them credit. But don't be disappointed if you are a big red drinker and don't find something to your liking. Try the whites and learn to appreciate them. Michael suggested to do otherwise would be like going to a restaurant in Italy and ordering a Bordeaux. They would run you out of the place! The folks in northern Michigan are a lot more friendly! Again, order and appreciate the wine of the region.

What does 2011 hold? Well, first up will be taking part in the Leelanau Peninsula Vintner's Association's Taste the Passion event on February 5 & 6. I would also like to get to as many Michigan wineries I haven't yet visited. I expect there are about 25 more to go. I also want to revisit Santa Barbara's wine country in April. Hopefully, there will be a summer weekend trip to the Niagara Region in Ontario. I absolutely want to attend the 4th Grand Rapids Wine & Food Festival in November. Hopefully, there will be many impromptu events in between. That's the plan. A great 2011 ahead.

Gourmet Dinner-Sleigh Ride-Elk Viewing Experience at Thunder Bay Resort

Our family enjoyed a terrific experience on December 28th at Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman, Michigan. Hilmman is located about 20 miles from Alpena and the Lake Huron shore. Our adventure began with a horse drawn sleigh ride through the woods to a large log cabin. There, we were treated to a gourmet dinner and wine tasting. During dinner, owner Jack Matthias provided guests with some fascinating information about the elk herd located on the resort property and the challenges over the years as he has worked to maintain this unique visitor experience.

Dinner consisted of 5 courses. The first course was a shrimp cocktail and an apple torte. Next up was a hearty chicken noodle soup. The Thunder Bay Salad, a sweet mix of cabbage made up the third course. Then came the main entree, a crown roast of pork done to perfection and served with


Michigan red potatoes. Finally, the dessert, a white chocolate mousse filled pizzelle topped with raspberry & white chocolate topping. Wine from Stoney Acres Winery in Alpena was provided liberally throughout the meal and paired to match the courses. All warm dishes were cooked on a wood stove by resort co-owner Jan Matthias. Dinner was marvelous and she obviously has the system mastered to provide consistent results.






Then it was back on the sleigh to view the elk. Although the herd, which numbers about 75, is in captivity, its range is substantial due to the large amount of property owned by the resort. We were able to get an up-close view of several cows and their young out in the open as well as several bucks kept behind fencing for our protection. The sleigh drivers provided ample time for guests to photograph these magnificent animals. It was truly a unique family experience!

More photos are available in the Thunder Bay Resort Set on my Flickr site.

Christmas Day Dinner - Beef Wellington and Circa's 2007 Requisite

This was my first attempt at individual Beef Wellington using an almost fail safe recipe provided by my friend Tom and modified slightly from the Emeril Lagasse recipe on Food TV's web site. The tenderloins were a bit bigger than normal causing me to use double the puff pastry called for in the recipe. No problem with that. The masterpieces were cooked to a a perfect 140 degrees F and accompanied by grilled asparagus marinated with fresh orange juice and zest, olive oil, salt and pepper. Throw in some seasoned Michigan red potatoes and it was food heaven.

Our wine accompaniment was Circa Winery's 2007 Requisite. It paired really well and was a joy to share with family. Circa is located on Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula and is among our favorites to visit on frequent trips to the area.

This may be the first of what becomes a long holiday tradition of dining.

Favorite Bed & Breakfast in the Northeast - Willard Street Inn Bed and Breakfast

My wife and and I like to mix up our overnight stays with hotels and bed & breakfast inns. So fat, my favorite one in the Northeast is The Willard Street Inn in Burlington, VT. The Victorian mansion is comfortable and quiet but what I remember most are the breakfasts. We stayed there 3 days and had wonderful breakfast offerings each morning. The photo shows my choice on Day 1 - Scrambled eggs with tomato, spinach and feta served with toasted baguette and Vermont maple cured bacon. Yum!!

Tarte Flambe/Flammekueche

On a trip to Germany and France's Alsace region, I tried a local pub food favorite. In Germany, it's called Flammekueche and in France it's called Tarte Flambe. It tasted the same in both countries (I felt an obligation to do the necessary research). Whatever the name, it's basically a pizza crust topped with creme freche, onions and bacon. I've tried to replicate the dish back here in the States with no luck. Evidently, there is something to do with a very hot oven, good beer, and years of experience that makes it better. Maybe that is just as well. It gives me something to remember and long for in future travels.

Merry Christmas Wine Lovers

We should remember the real reason for the Christmas season, the birth of Jesus. But, as a wine lover, I also know there are many Biblical references to wine and Jesus. This holiday wine message behind the tasting bar at Ciccone Vineyard in Sutton's Bay on  Michigan's Leenanau Peninsula expresses my sentiments. Drink Up!

Best Hamburger in Michigan - So Far

One of my favorite places to visit is the Traverse City area of Michigan for its beauty, excellent wines, and its food. So, it's no surprise that I would seek out a place for a good Hamburger. As luck would have it, Boone's Prime Time Pub in Sutton's Bay, MI serves up one of the best Hamburgers I have had the pleasure of sinking my teeth into. On this occasion, it was the Western Burger, a layered masterpiece of freshly ground meat, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, bacon, and a sweet onion ring. Astonishingly good! Perfect after a "strenuous" day of wine tasting on the Leelanau Peninsula.

Favorite Omelette - Victorian House, Santa Monica CA

Hands down, my favorite omelette can be found at the Farmers' Market in Santa Monica, California . The omelettes are prepared by The Victorian House, a restaurant adjacent to the market. Diners can choose from among a host of fixings and have the breakfast meal prepared before their eyes (and watering mouth). Served up with a side of seasoned potatoes and it's pure heaven on a warm Sunday morning.

Favorite Place for Breakfast - Chicago

Featured on Food Network's Best Things I Ever Ate's Wake Up Call episode (Ted Allen's favorite) and on one of Rachel Ray's shows, Ann Sather is a highly rated breakfast spot in Chicago.  It is probably most famous for its cinnamon rolls. As a warm up for the main breakfast course, diners are treated to not one, but two, of these delicious treats! Come hungry as I always do. As the place mat indicates, visit them at annsather.com

Leelanau Peninsula Toast the Season 2010

I'm catching up a bit on my postings to this recently refurbished wine and food blog with a photo and commentary on the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association's Toast the Season event. My wife and I took part in the November 6 & 7 weekend and it was just delightful (as are all the LP Wines events). We visited 17 wineries on the weekend, tasted many wonderful wines and food pairings, and met some of the wonderful people staffing the wineries. The photo accompanying this posting is from Tandem Ciders. Some might not consider it a winery in the truest sense but, to me, if you are fermenting fruit and putting in into a bottle, that's close enough. What was more memorable about the weekend is why we keep coming back to the Leelanau Peninsula. Of course there is the wine (and in this case Smacintosh Hard Cider). But but the friendliness of the winemakers and their staff makes the whole experience of visiting this area all the more enjoyable. The photo says it all. Enjoy the hospitality of northern lower Michigan and drink up!

See the full photo set from this event on my Flickr site.

Best Steak in the Northeast - So Far, Sarducci's in Montpelier VT

Easily, one the best steak I've had in the Northeast is at Sarducci's in Montpelier, Vermont. It was a sirloin topped with gorgonzola and mushrooms. The sirloin was accompanied by organic locally grown vegetables and garlic mashed with a buttery gravy. A similar strip steak is on the current menu. Try this place. It appears everything on the menu is wonderful!

A Sunday Drive to Blue Water Winery

The notion of a Sunday drive has escaped me for what probably amounts to several years. There has always been something more "productive" to do around the house or just a routine of doing some shopping. Fortunately, I broke the habit about a year ago by taking a leisurely Sunday drive with my wife to the East Michigan shoreline. Our primary destination was the Blue Water Winery, which we had read about in our local newspaper. Although it is a recent start-up, only in its second season of production, the experience was a total delight. The owners, Steve and Connie, were the perfect hosts. Steve gave us an informative 30 minute tour of the vineyards and production area. Connie then served us 5 tastings of their wine in a cozy makeshift tasting area that serves as the crush pad during weekdays. The serving area consisted of two oak wine barrels and a barn wood bar top but that was all that was needed. Their gracious hospitality extended to plates of cheddar cheese and crackers and leftover chocolates from Halloween the night before (no doubt a seasonal benefit). The wines were delightful and the experience made even better by the crisp fall air and the semi-private time we spent with the hosts. We purchased two bottles at $14 each - a Pinot Gris and slightly sweet red called Sunrise Coast.

The Blue Water Winery can be found at 7131 Holverson Road in Carsonville, Michigan and on the web at bluewaterwinery.com

We followed our tasting experience with a gourmet pizza at Smackwater Jacks in Lexington, Michigan about 7 miles south of the winery. We then proceeded to take the long way home, meandering through pastoral farmlands as the sunset created that beautiful warm glow on red barns and field corn stalks yet unharvested. The day was a complete delight. The Sunday drive is back on my regular agenda.