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Fernet & friends
- Thread starter Levi Dalton
- Start date
Levi Dalton
Levi Dalton
originally posted by Rahsaan:
Here's our chance!
Well, you know where she'll be this Saturday. In case you are fernet dispos.
Good opportunity to meet Joe, as well.
There are never enough Joe folk around.
Nobody really likes a mime anyway.originally posted by Levi Dalton:
Celebrity Lurkers to be drinking Fernet this Saturday!
[Communique]
The Ordre des Hospitaliers Fernet today proclaimed to all who would know that Lurk d'Celebrites Lee Campbell and Joe Salamone would be present for the Bitter Games to held this Saturday, October 3rd in the Year 2009. His Eminence the Grand Master and Blessed Gerard Menta has extended to these two worthies invititations of Bitter Writ, and they have so accepted. Sayeth the Friar Raymond du Puy du China "let them speak and be heard amongst the Fernets, that they should not be mimes only, but convey joy and merriment to all gathered there for the purpose of sharing a cup. Their names will henceforth be counted amongst the Commanderies d'Amari." And so will many a cup be lifted this Saturday.
Levi Dalton
Levi Dalton
originally posted by SFJoe:
Nobody really likes a mime anyway.
Oh, yes?
And here I was thinking they were the Children of Paradise.
Mimes had their day, but they have had nothing new to say for decades.originally posted by Levi Dalton:
And here I was thinking they were the Children of Paradise.
Levi Dalton
Levi Dalton
originally posted by SFJoe:
Mimes had their day, but they have had nothing new to say for decades.originally posted by Levi Dalton:
And here I was thinking they were the Children of Paradise.
Hmm. Not a big enough part of The Conversation...
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
originally posted by SFJoe:
Mimes had their day, but they have had nothing new to say for decades.originally posted by Levi Dalton:
And here I was thinking they were the Children of Paradise.
Hmm. Not a big enough part of The Conversation...
Now that is a movie I have seen. Fantastic.
Did you ever answer my Fiorano white question on another thread.
Levi Dalton
Levi Dalton
Did you ever answer my Fiorano white question on another thread.
I really wasn't sure what you were asking, to be honest.
You said there were two '94 white bottlings. I couldn't tell if you meant there was a Bianco (Malvasia di Candia) and a Semillon, both from '94, or there were two different botte being offered (both Bianco, perhaps? both Semillon?). My experience is that late '80s is the sweet spot for the Bianco, and early '90s for the Semillon (but then I have never tried something from the '60s, so who knows?). '88 Bianco and '92 Semillon in particular stick out in my memory. But I would have to check my notes for botte numbers.
They used to be less than $100/btl retail. Now that is probably the normal rate, although not what I would call the "bargain" rate. The distributor in NY seems to have pretty much sold through their stock at this point.
I have a few left at the restaurant, both Bianco and Semillon.
In other words, tell me what you want to know in particular and I will look through the notes and see if I can answer your question with a specific.
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
Did you ever answer my Fiorano white question on another thread.
I really wasn't sure what you were asking, to be honest.
You said there were two '94 white bottlings. I couldn't tell if you meant there was a Bianco (Malvasia di Candia) and a Semillon, both from '94, or there were two different botte being offered (both Bianco, perhaps? both Semillon?). My experience is that late '80s is the sweet spot for the Bianco, and early '90s for the Semillon (but then I have never tried something from the '60s, so who knows?). '88 Bianco and '92 Semillon in particular stick out in my memory. But I would have to check my notes for botte numbers.
They used to be less than $100/btl retail. Now that is probably the normal rate, although not what I would call the "bargain" rate. The distributor in NY seems to have pretty much sold through their stock at this point.
I have a few left at the restaurant, both Bianco and Semillon.
In other words, tell me what you want to know in particular and I will look through the notes and see if I can answer your question with a specific.
The wines available to me seem to be 1994 Semillon and 1994 Bianco.
I was interested in your sense of the relative interest these wines may hold generally (or specifically for me insofar as you know my inclinations), factoring in the cost.
I was also unsure of the varieties of grape in the Bianco.
Levi Dalton
Levi Dalton
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
Did you ever answer my Fiorano white question on another thread.
I really wasn't sure what you were asking, to be honest.
You said there were two '94 white bottlings. I couldn't tell if you meant there was a Bianco (Malvasia di Candia) and a Semillon, both from '94, or there were two different botte being offered (both Bianco, perhaps? both Semillon?). My experience is that late '80s is the sweet spot for the Bianco, and early '90s for the Semillon (but then I have never tried something from the '60s, so who knows?). '88 Bianco and '92 Semillon in particular stick out in my memory. But I would have to check my notes for botte numbers.
They used to be less than $100/btl retail. Now that is probably the normal rate, although not what I would call the "bargain" rate. The distributor in NY seems to have pretty much sold through their stock at this point.
I have a few left at the restaurant, both Bianco and Semillon.
In other words, tell me what you want to know in particular and I will look through the notes and see if I can answer your question with a specific.
The wines available to me seem to be 1994 Semillon and 1994 Bianco.
I was interested in your sense of the relative interest these wines may hold generally (or specifically for me insofar as you know my inclinations), factoring in the cost.
I was also unsure of the varieties of grape in the Bianco.
Ok. My misunderstanding basically stemmed from my assumption that you had already been there and done that. The best resource you can find in print on the subject is an article Eric Asimov wrote for the Times several years ago. I would recommend it to you. A search of the nytimes.com website will turn it up in a jiff.
A few years ago I myself was recommended to an '88 Bianco by a friend when they first hit the NYC scene, and was astonished by it. After being further intrigued by Mr. Asimov's article, I held a dinner with a bunch of local folks a few years back where we split a mixed case, and worked through 6 different Semillon and 6 different Bianco bottlings. I posted a long writeup about that dinner on Therapy some time ago. I suppose that writeup is now lost.
Sometimes there are multiple Botte bottlings from the same year and variety. The Bianco is made from Malvasia di Candia.
My personal feeling is that the wines are amongst the most splendid and amazing white wines ever to originate from Italy in our time, and I am lucky that I have been able to serve several of them in restaurants I have worked in. Fiorano in white has been a constant on lists that I have put together for the last 6 years or so.
That being said, individual bottles do not always sweep one away, and there are times when they can be drinking funky. If you were to think about the inconsistency of Pepe reds, this would be analogous.
Also, the time when you could easily get a mixed case of whites in this country seems to have past. And the bottles are more expensive now than they were.
Fiorano is no longer produced. What there is, there is, and that is it.
The Semillon is the more exotic of the two offerings. And tends to impress more at first sip. The Bianco is more white burgundy or chenin like, and plays it a little closer to the vest. I generally prefer the Bianco when it is great over the Semillon when it is great, and I think the Bianco is the more congenial at the table, but that is just my opinion.
I'll see if I can find my notes about the dinner and get back to you.
As I said, I have some at the restaurant, if you find yourself in town.
I finally tasted one a couple of months ago courtesy of Mr. Fork and Bottle.
Despite being told it was middle of the road for Fiorano I thought it was outstanding.
1992 Fiorano Semillon Botte 46 (Vino da Tavola)
Simply fantastic. So elegant, and yet deceptively rich. Smoky, honeyed, mineral, occasional hints of yellow fruit, pineapple. Great persistence. One of the best whites I've had from Italy, and certainly one of my favorite semillons ever tasted.
Really wish I'd bought one of those mixed cases from IWM a few years back when they were high $60s a bottle.
Despite being told it was middle of the road for Fiorano I thought it was outstanding.
1992 Fiorano Semillon Botte 46 (Vino da Tavola)
Simply fantastic. So elegant, and yet deceptively rich. Smoky, honeyed, mineral, occasional hints of yellow fruit, pineapple. Great persistence. One of the best whites I've had from Italy, and certainly one of my favorite semillons ever tasted.
Really wish I'd bought one of those mixed cases from IWM a few years back when they were high $60s a bottle.
Levi Dalton
Levi Dalton
I spoke with Prince Boncompagni Ludovisi today during a seance, and he told me would be at the Fernet tasting this Saturday!!
Apparently, the reason for the falling out between the Prince and his son-in-law was Piero's disdain for Fernet. Seriously. The Prince loves Fernet!
Apparently, the reason for the falling out between the Prince and his son-in-law was Piero's disdain for Fernet. Seriously. The Prince loves Fernet!
Levi Dalton
Levi Dalton
And so it was that 18 Fernet Champions met on the very autumnal, very rainy day of October 3rd. And Lee Campbell brought chocolates for everyone! A very kind gesture.
Did you folks know Fratelli Branca, of Fernet Branca fame, once had a distillery in Tribeca? And that in fact that same distillery opened during Prohibition? It seems that Fernet Branca was readily available in Italian markets during Prohibition, marketed as a medicinal remedy.
Did you know that the term Fernet loosely translates as "clean iron," and was meant to imply clean distillery conditions at a time when amari production was largely a cottage industry?
Of the group, different folks liked this or that Fernet. I have to say, Branca is wonderful, but the S. Maria al Monte Nicola Vignale was showing quite well also.
Who will be there on October 10th for the Chinati Family Reunion?
Did you folks know Fratelli Branca, of Fernet Branca fame, once had a distillery in Tribeca? And that in fact that same distillery opened during Prohibition? It seems that Fernet Branca was readily available in Italian markets during Prohibition, marketed as a medicinal remedy.
Did you know that the term Fernet loosely translates as "clean iron," and was meant to imply clean distillery conditions at a time when amari production was largely a cottage industry?
Of the group, different folks liked this or that Fernet. I have to say, Branca is wonderful, but the S. Maria al Monte Nicola Vignale was showing quite well also.
Who will be there on October 10th for the Chinati Family Reunion?
originally posted by maureen:
I trust you've read "Cooking with Fernet Branca" a hysterically funny book in which Fernet plays a leading role.
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www.amazon.com
Great campy romp.
I loved the line 'Under a Tuscan's Son' and the Jack Russell recipe.
Levi Dalton
Levi Dalton
originally posted by maureen:
I trust you've read "Cooking with Fernet Branca" a hysterically funny book in which Fernet plays a leading role.
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www.amazon.com
Lee Campbell told me about it!
I've been waiting for the companion book Smoking with Fernet Branca to come out. Seems like forever now.