Mano a Vino - Eat, Drink, Write - Great Wine, Food, Beer and Places

A fabulous Italian white wine Myrto by Elisabetta Foradori from Amanti Vino enjoyed at Raymond's Montclair

Elisabetta Foradori is one of Italy’s top “superstar” wine-makers. I am a huge fan of her wines, especially her Teroldego.  So I was very excited to see this one in the fridge at Amanti Vino on my way to a birthday dinner.

My son Pierce just turned 17 and he chose one of his favorite, and one of our favorite restaurants, Raymond's in Montclair. Dinner was great and this wine was amazing. Pierce has a very discriminating palate for his age and knows great food. Plus we always run into friends at Raymond's which of course is one of the most popular restaurants in Montclair.

Let me tell you more about this wine.

Hesketh Shiraz 2006 Usual Suspects

Here is a really exceptional Australian Shiraz that you can find for under $20.00.

I love the names and labels the Aussie's come up with for their wines.

I didn't pick this just because it shares a name with one of my favorite movies Usual Suspects but I bet that Keyser Söze would like this wine and if you have seen the movie you know that we like to keep Keyser happy.

The wine is described as "meaty, lush Shiraz with exceptional balance and flavor.Scrumptious with washed rind cheeses. "

Casamatta Bianco by Bibi Graetz picked up on the way to dinner at Ah'Pizz

It is a Tuesday night, Diana is off playing Mah Jong with her girlfriends, so Pierce and I are as she says "On Your Own" for dinner. Hmm, have not been to Ah'Pizz in awhile and Pierce has not been there yet. The things you miss when you are off on Summer adventures.

So what to drink, rushing from work, a quick pit stop at Angelbecks delivered this tasty Vino Bianco from Tuscany.  100% Vermentino, a perfect little $10 wine. Crafted at the hands of applauded wine maker Bibi Graetz, a very worthy wine.  

A wildly delicious Asian Bloody Mary recipe I dreamed up

As cocktails go the Bloody Mary has the greatest potential of being very boring. On the other hand it can be a wonderful palate for creative cocktail creation.

The drink has a very interesting story History of the Bloody Mary and I have tasted and made many variations, but here is one that I think is completely original.

I was asked to make the drink for a breakfast party and was doing my usual mix, but it was just not exciting enough so I looked around my kitchen for something different.

As I gazed upon the array of international condiments that fill my refrigerator something popped out and became the secret ingredient that made this Bloody Mary a hit.

Santa Martina Rosso Tuscano - Great Everyday Red Wine from Tuscany

You know I am always on the look out for great cheap wines. And here is one I really dig.

It is made in one of my favorite Italian areas, Grievi in Chianti. We stayed there in a ancient stone farm house on a vacation to Italy some years ago.   

This wine is an impressive blend of old and new wine making styles. Triple the price and call it a "Super Tuscan." It is not from a particular vineyard but rather "carefully blended and bottled by Folonari family, owners of the exulted Nozzole and Cabreo labels.