Manoavino Taste!

May We Take a Moment to Applaud

My mentor, friend, source of endless inspiration and learned guide.

As I pour over this book, yes literally, the excitement builds. Having learned so much of the advanced art of cocktail creation, from Warren Bobrow's previous two books.  I am beside myself with delight.

So here we go.

A Taste of Umbria

Well sorry New Jersey, we have bid you a fond adieu.  Mano a Vino began in Montclair, NJ and we had a lot of fun there. Our wine coverage tried to keep to wines you could buy in New Jersey. But we have moved north across the Hudson River to the glorious area called the Hudson Highlands. We will still be reporting from there but mostly from hudsonvalleypleasures.com and newyorkcorkreport.com 

While we have you let me share a pairing of Barberani Polago Red.

Forget the Toasts, Ditch the Flute Glasses, Just Drink Champagne!

 

Until now, when I thought of Moet & Chandon Champagne, images of four star restaurants came to mind, weddings that appear in the NY Times, or a lavish New Year's Eve in Monaco, all good, but I now know that this view was missing the many, the boundless, occasions there are to enjoy this fabulous wine. 

To prove the point Elise Losfelt,the charming, well spoken, exquisitely French, winemaker and oenologist for Moet & Chandon, took her champagne manifesto to the streets.  Do read on.

More Spring Wines - Muller Thurgau - Kettmeir Winery

 

What comes to mind when you think about wines for spring dining? Bright, young, light lively? How about white peach and wild flowers, soft effervescence, crisp structure. Vivid, alive, blossoming.

The Wine: Müller Thurgau Alto Adige D.O.C. Kettmeir 

The Food: Pasta at lunch then dinner of a roasted root vegetable tarte tatin

The Place:  Casa Gialla, Hudson Valley

Dining Alone? Have Some Good Wine

Got this bottle from a friend in the PR end of wine and agreed to give it a try. I love wines from "Sud-Oeust" especially after learning so much about them a couple years ago at a FI:AF event. Vive Le Sud-Ouest 

Diana was out for the evening at a meeting in New York City so I decided to make myself a nice dinner for one and try this wine. 

The Wine: Tariquet Classic Côtes de Gascogne $

The Food: Classic French Frissee Salad, Florence Tyler Roasted Chicken

The Place: On the Hudson River in Garrison NY dreaming of the South of France. 

Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc with Good Friends

When it comes to a dinner with friends you want to serve a wine with real appeal, Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc is just such a wine.

You've probably tasted many wines of this grape but I've found none that are quite as friendly, approachable, and appealing as those from South Africa.

The Wine:  Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2012

The Food: Recipes by Miles Thompson, SHED Restaurant, Healdsburg, California

The Place: Our new home in Garrison NY with friends from nearby Cold Spring  

Mano a Vino, a New Beginning in a New Home in the Hudson Valley - Casa Gialla

Ciao,

For twenty seven years we lived, raised a family, enjoyed many wonderful moments, and consumed much wine in Montclair, NJ.

We've moved, to a new home in Garrison, NY, we call it Casa Gialla, Yellow House. 

Visit our New Blog www.HudsonValleyPleasures.Com

Santa Rita Triple C - Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère

Here is our second, really our third, exploration of the well crafted wines of the Santa Rita estate. Strolling up from the easy everyday pleasure of their “120” line, through the Gran Reserva, into the premium and ultra premium wines they produce.

The Wine: “Triple C” - Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère

The Food: A Turkish feast with friends

The Place: Cinar Turkish Kitchen, in Cliffside Park, but we felt like we were in Istanbul. And of course the glorious Maipo Valley.