Posts Written OnJanuary 2006

The Culinary Fool and Her Foolish Super Bowl Bet

(picture borrowed from ESPN.com) As you may have noticed yesterday, I presented a challenge to Seattle-area food bloggers as my hometown Pittsburgh Steelers take on teal-clad Seattle Seahawks in this years Super Bowl. Well, the mind behind the Culinary Fool has accepted the challenge. What’s on the line? When the Steelers win, she has to send me one of her last bottles of Matthew Cellars 2001 Columbia Valley Red. If by some miracle the Seahawks win (and then go ice skating with the devil), I’ll have to part with my last bottle of Martha Clara Vineyards 6025. Think of it…

Are Any Seattle Food Bloggers Die Hard Seahawks Fans?

Every year, the mayors of the two Super Bowl participant cities make a wager on the game…usually special items that are only available or that are particularly good in each city. Well, it’s time to bring that spirit to Super Bowl XL. I’m willing to play the part of Pittsburgh representative…any Seattle bloggers interested in a little friendly wager? Of course there are a ton of Seattle food bloggers…some of you are among my favorites. But, Kate is a native Pittsburgher…so I know she isn’t going to bet against the black and gold. Any takers?

Best Wine Blog of 2005 — Vinography

For the second straight year, Alder Yarrow, the founder of Vinography, has won the award for the Best Blog on Wine, Beer or Spirits. Congratulations to Alder, yet again! It would appear that the only way any of the rest of us will ever win this competition is to put a hit out on Alder. Unfortunately, his blog is so good and he’s such a good guy, it’s hard to hate him 🙂 It was an honor just to be nominated…as it appears that’s all any of us can shoot for until Alder hangs up his keyboard. And let’s not…

Go Steelers — Heading to the Super Bowl

Much to my joy, I spent yesterday afternoon with good food (Nena makes great pizza), good drink (IC Light of course with some Belgian-style ale provided by my buddy Ginz) and great friends (even if most of them are Jets fans)…all while watching the Steelers put a hurting on the Broncos. Jake "the Fake" Plummer regressed back to his Arizona Cardinals days just long enough for us to win and make it to the Super Bowl. I couldn’t be happier. In fact, I’m sure Nena is beyond tired of hearing me say "We’re in the Super Bowl. We’re in the…

Long Island Wine Country Winter Festival — February 2006

Until last weekend it wasn’t obvious, but winter is upon us. And while most of the farm stands are boarded up for the season, just about all of Long Island’s East End wineries, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants remain open. Believe it or not, this is one of the best times to visit Long Island wine country. The summer crowds are a memory, the rush of harvest season is over and the 2005 vintage is resting comfortably in barrels and bottles before release. Tasting room staff can spend more time with you, it’s easier to get a reservation at the…

Steelers vs. Broncos for the AFC Championship

This post has absolutely nothing to do with food or wine — at least not directly — but I’ve been far too silent as my beloved Steelers march on in the NFL playoffs. Heading into the playoffs, I was luke-warmly confident, despite my often blind faith in the black and gold. We had a great year (yes, I always speak as if I’m on the team) but there were some missteps along the way…and there are some damn good teams in the AFC. But, after watching them demoralize the Cincy Bungles (sorry Jens, and that wasn’t a dirty hit) and…

Salmon Run 2002 Meritage (Finger Lakes)

Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars is one of the best-known wineries in New York’s Finger Lakes region — mostly because their rieslings are top notch and among the best (if not they best) produced in the U.S. Salmon Run is Dr. Frank’s second label and the bottlings top out at about $13 per bottle, making them among the best every day drinking values I’ve encountered. This Salmon Run 2002 Meritage ($13) is a blend of merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon, and while I couldn’t dig up any information on where the grapes came from, listing "New York" on…

New Blog: Walk the Wine

As Tom mentions, the number of new wine blogs is "daunting." It’s seemingly impossible for me to add any new blogs to my list of usual reads. But, on his suggestion I clicked on over to Walk the Wine. It’s going to work it’s way into my regular reading routine. Plus, JD is just across the Long Island Sound from me in CT and has links to the Connecticut Wine Trail. Perhaps we’ll do some tasting together one day after a short ferry ride. So go over and see what JD has going on…and add him to your must-read list.…

Wine Blogging Wednesday #18 Announced

Today, the good doctor himself, Dr. Vino, has announced Wine Blogging Wednesday #18. And, he’s decided to take us in a slightly different direction. Instead of asking us to seek out a particular wine, which could have led us down the path of pink Champagne or some other Valentine’s Day cliche, he’s tasked us with writing about one of our favorite wine shops…a wine shop that feels the love. Of course, for those of us you that just need to drink for WBW, he’s also added a bonus round: review a bottle of value wine that a member of the…