Florida Jim
Florida Jim
Just a couple hours south of Nashville by jet lays the west coast of Florida and our winter home. This past weekend we welcomed 65-78 degree temperatures, clear skies, light winds and Music City residents, B-wood and Trinka.
After settling in, we headed for First Friday, a street fair in the Gulfport, FL, area where we live which was very well attended to the point, in fact, that we couldnt get a table at any of the nicer bistros in the area. So, a quick walk about the quaint neighborhood and an exit back to our place for Dianes gnocchi with radicchio and gorgonzola sauce. A bottle of the 2006 Nnan, Torrentes was a hit as a starter with a very expansive nose and a grapefruit, floral delivery that was fresh and bright. With the food with tried the 2005 Pieropan, Calvarino and the 2007 Edmunds St. John, Bone Jolly Gamay, both of which were good accompaniment. I have already gone on at length about the Calvarino and it was, again, worthy - as was the Gamay; so fruit forward and fresh.
The next day we grabbed breakfast at our local diner and then were off to the local farmers market which really is more music/art fair mixed with farmers market and on warm Saturday morning, very active and entertaining.
Then back to the ranch for a respite and then John and I visited a neighborhood wine store for a tasting. The store supplies six wines for all and then some of us with cellars bring in bottles in bags so that we can embarrass ourselves tasting them blind. I took a 2004 Tissot, Traminer and I dare say was a hit with everyone nothing cloying or viscous but rather focused and intense. Probably my favorite wine made with that grape.
Back home for a nap and then a walk while Diane made stuffed duck breast with fennel/mushroom salad and other sides. Madam can cook!
Along with, we opened a bottle of the 2006 Overnoy, Arbois Pupillin which is just about the most sublime rendition of poulsard Ive had and also the 2003 Giacosa, Nebbiolo dAlba Valmaggiore. The 2003 NdA was pretty modern feeling on release but it has calmed and become more of what one expects from this producer and is a wine I actually prefer to many of the Barbarescos I have tasted from Giacosa.
After dinner our guests introduced me to the joys of Cragganmore, 12 yr. old Scotch and I am both vexed and pleased to find that it is about $50/bottle a wonderful spirit that I cant afford all that often perfect.
Sunday we lazed through the morning and dined on scrambled eggs with salad and crusty bread for a late breakfast. Then all the football games started so for the afternoon Diane put out marinated olives, white bean puree with EVOO, bruschetta with tomato and basil topping, mild cappa cola, and other munchables. I opened a 2007 Edmunds St. John, Heart of Gold and we spent the afternoon intermittently watching the games, reading, walking, napping and sipping this lovely vermentino/grenache blanc blend.
Our evening meal was at a restaurant not far from our house where one can sit outside, listen to Italian popular music and eat well-prepared Mediterranean food. A bottle of the house Valpolicella was adequate and we wandered out into the night amid trees full of lights and warm breezes.
Monday it was pack, eat at the diner and head to the airport. They must go home to 40 degree (highs) and we, well, you know - its shorts and light shirts these days down here.
Happy new year to us all.
Best, Jim
After settling in, we headed for First Friday, a street fair in the Gulfport, FL, area where we live which was very well attended to the point, in fact, that we couldnt get a table at any of the nicer bistros in the area. So, a quick walk about the quaint neighborhood and an exit back to our place for Dianes gnocchi with radicchio and gorgonzola sauce. A bottle of the 2006 Nnan, Torrentes was a hit as a starter with a very expansive nose and a grapefruit, floral delivery that was fresh and bright. With the food with tried the 2005 Pieropan, Calvarino and the 2007 Edmunds St. John, Bone Jolly Gamay, both of which were good accompaniment. I have already gone on at length about the Calvarino and it was, again, worthy - as was the Gamay; so fruit forward and fresh.
The next day we grabbed breakfast at our local diner and then were off to the local farmers market which really is more music/art fair mixed with farmers market and on warm Saturday morning, very active and entertaining.
Then back to the ranch for a respite and then John and I visited a neighborhood wine store for a tasting. The store supplies six wines for all and then some of us with cellars bring in bottles in bags so that we can embarrass ourselves tasting them blind. I took a 2004 Tissot, Traminer and I dare say was a hit with everyone nothing cloying or viscous but rather focused and intense. Probably my favorite wine made with that grape.
Back home for a nap and then a walk while Diane made stuffed duck breast with fennel/mushroom salad and other sides. Madam can cook!
Along with, we opened a bottle of the 2006 Overnoy, Arbois Pupillin which is just about the most sublime rendition of poulsard Ive had and also the 2003 Giacosa, Nebbiolo dAlba Valmaggiore. The 2003 NdA was pretty modern feeling on release but it has calmed and become more of what one expects from this producer and is a wine I actually prefer to many of the Barbarescos I have tasted from Giacosa.
After dinner our guests introduced me to the joys of Cragganmore, 12 yr. old Scotch and I am both vexed and pleased to find that it is about $50/bottle a wonderful spirit that I cant afford all that often perfect.
Sunday we lazed through the morning and dined on scrambled eggs with salad and crusty bread for a late breakfast. Then all the football games started so for the afternoon Diane put out marinated olives, white bean puree with EVOO, bruschetta with tomato and basil topping, mild cappa cola, and other munchables. I opened a 2007 Edmunds St. John, Heart of Gold and we spent the afternoon intermittently watching the games, reading, walking, napping and sipping this lovely vermentino/grenache blanc blend.
Our evening meal was at a restaurant not far from our house where one can sit outside, listen to Italian popular music and eat well-prepared Mediterranean food. A bottle of the house Valpolicella was adequate and we wandered out into the night amid trees full of lights and warm breezes.
Monday it was pack, eat at the diner and head to the airport. They must go home to 40 degree (highs) and we, well, you know - its shorts and light shirts these days down here.
Happy new year to us all.
Best, Jim