Riesling to LOVE

I pity the fool who poo poos Riesling as Grandma’s wine, or “too sweet”. Perhaps they have tried every Riesling on the planet and can assume that they are Riesling experts all of a sudden. Dry, say it with me, DRY Rieslings are all over the place, but a lot of folks are too chicken to try ‘em. Well, dry Rieslings go great with chicken… and fish, lobster, Thai food, oysters, pork, ham, sausage, cured meats, cheese, lots of stuff. The Lengs and Cooter Riesling Watervale Clare Valley, South Australia is PHENOMENAL. What an awesome example of the greatness that is Riesling. Kaffir and Key lime, Meyer lemon, Gravenstein apple, Bartlett pear, and numerous other aromas that justify proper adjectives are evident in this wine. Unreal brightness and clarity match the equally sublime zesty acidity, enhancing the flavors of Blenheim kiwi, subtle Georgia peach, and Indian River grapefruit. I can’t say enough good things about this delicious white wine. It has the clean zip I love, the aromatics I crave, the length on the palate that makes me smile, and the complexity that keeps me coming back for more. To really get to know Riesling, is to LOVE it.
Don’t be chicken, try it!

a.ferguson

Dashwood Pinot Noir Marlborough, New Zealand
Thank goodness it hasn’t been all that long since we found a delicious Pinot under $20 that we can get excited about. A major publication totally missed the mark when rating this wine. They must have been asleep and unable to notice the classic deep ruby/ garnet color, the ripe cherry and soft spice aromatics, the distinct and perectly balanced acidity, and long soft finish. Tough luck for them, good fortune for us! Highly versatile, this Pinot will match salmon, chicken, beef, and whatever else is in front of you at the moment. We recommend finding wild caught Pacific salmon if you can…

a.ferguson

Bodega Catena Zapata Alamos Viognier Mendoza, Argentina
No oak, no malolactic fermentation, no B.S. No tutti fruity syrupy dreck. No chills, spills, or bellyaches in this beautiful example of one of earth’s most difficult white grapes to vinify. Viognier was the darling of France’s Northern Rhone valley for centuries, but now it is a little more abundant and easier to grow elsewhere, as in Argentina. Succulent, crisp, mouthwatering citrus, peach, apricot, and light floral spice character shines with a unique freshness. Awesome.

Keep 2 in the Door

Domaine du Tariquet Ugni Blanc Colombard Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne
Dare we say this is the perfect white for summer quaffing? Indeed! Wholly and purely refreshing, with lively citrusiness, hints of flowers, and a touch of tropicality. This is absolutely thirst quenching and satisfying. Goes down easy without being too light and acidic, or too goopey like some heavier wines. This is all day sipping wine to have at hand at all times. According to the winery, one should “always have a bottle in the fridge door, just in case.” We agree, but recommend at least two in the door.

What to pair with Fava Beans and Old Friends

I love the Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva so much I’d travel to Italy to buy it all. Mmm! Sangiovese based with a dollop of Canaiolo and Colorino for good measure, this is what Chianti is all about. Traditionally a small amount of white wine was required to be blended into all red Chianti. Although not a stipulation these days, Nozzole sticks with tradition by including 2% white wine from Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes, adding a refreshing brightness to the deep dark cherry, truffle, and black tea nuances. Two full years in huge Slovenian oak casks plus one more in the bottle is the aging regimen for this Tuscan specialty. Did someone say “Where’s the beef?”

Chard No Way?

Weary of the same aromas and flavors that have made Chardonnay seem so… common? It can get very tiresome with the usual routine. That’s why we agree with those rascally winemakers at Vinum Cellars. Their tongue in cheek titles for their wines reflect the playful attitude they keep. Chenin Blanc grapes appear to be the medium for them to create some of California’s most unique and delicious white wine. The fun and delicious Vinum Cellars Chenin Blanc “CNW” Cuvee Clarksburg, California is a shining example of just how new, different, and fun wines other than Chard can be. Crisp and clean, fresh apple and light floral aromas make this Chenin Blanc immensely easy to enjoy. Traditionally a grape from the Loire Valley in France, Chenin grows extremely well in California, especially in Clarksburg with it’s hot days and cool nights.
Skip the Chard and go with Chenin.CNW! Chard– NO– Way

Le Corte “Solyss” Negroamaro Novoli, Apulia, Italia
100% Negroamaro grapes from the “heel of the boot”, Italy’s region of Puglia. This inky– black number possesses so much richness and finesse that we couldn’t believe it was aged for 6 months in stainless steel rather than expensive oak barrels! Made with the help of Austrailian hotshot Chris Ringland, this wine has amazing extract with deep dark berry, tea, and cherry aromas and flavors. An unexpected treat for the palate especially when paired with BBQ

Fresh and Clean

Culley Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand
Lemon zest, sweet pea blossom, mineral, and lime aromas with a wee hint of tropical fruit like guava and kiwi. Fantastic balance and a springlike freshness give this wine immediate appeal. The grapes come from the Yarrum Vineyard, in Brancott Valley. Picked in the cool morning to preserve the crispness that is so desirable in Sauvignon Blancs from the Northern end of the South Island of New Zealand. All stainless steel fermentation and bottled a quick three months after harvest. Snappy!

My Ultimate Favorite Kitchen Item

This is my new favorite thing in the kitchen! Ridiculously sharp and efficient, durable, and easy to handle.

Click on the image, you know you want to...

Learn why this is in my kitchen and should be in yours: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/Shu/index.cfm

IT’S TATERS!

Colcannon (Cal Ceannan)

3 pounds o’ potatoes, scrubbed and peeled
2 pounds o’ leeks, white parts, rinsed, chopped
2 sticks o’ butter
2 big bunches o’ kale, washed
1 1/2 cups milk, warm
1tsp fresh nutmeg (IMPORTANT)
Fresh pepper and sea salt to taste
OPTION: sauté the leeks with added diced bacon in step two...


Boil the taters and mash ‘em with a stick o’ butter, add 1/2 the nutmeg. Keep warm...
In a large saucepan, sauté the leeks in 2 tbsp butter and start adding the kale, a handful at a time, it will cook down to fit. Grind a lot of fresh black pepper in when you feel like it.
Relax, have a Guinness.
Combine everything you have now cooked together, stirring in milk and remaining butter. Don’t beat the mixture to death or it will turn into glue. Go easy and it should remain nice and light.
Another Guinness.
Add the rest of the nutmeg at the very end and you will realize why it makes the dish that much better.
Relax and have another Guinness.
Serve as a side instead of plain potatoes with a spice rubbed rib eye steak, DA's Perfect roast Chicken, or Lamb Loin Chops With Garlic, Cilantro, and Saffron.
Just relax...

Baa... Baa... Bonarda?

Crios de Susana Balbo Syrah/ Bonarda Mendoza, Argentina
Bonarda? What the…? The most widely planted grape in Argentina is usually blended with Nebbiolo or Barbera in Piedmont, Italy. It grows so darn well in Argentina that it can stand alone, or be blended. This Syrah, Bonarda blend is some serious grillin’ material. Fennel, earth, cocoa, faint herb, black cherry jam, spice box, blackberry, countless complex aromas and flavors and ginormous amounts of silky tannin make this a wine worth taking out the grill early and searing off an entire side o’ beef. Save the ribeye for us… Also perfect with Lamb Loin Chops With Garlic, Cilantro, and Saffron

a.ferguson

Lamb Loin Chops With Garlic, Cilantro, and Saffron

Pick out some rosy, well marbled lamb loin chops and season them with sea salt and pepper. In a large zip top bag, smash and peel as many cloves of garlic as you can handle. Add a teaspoon of good saffron*, a handful of roughly chopped cilantro, and a half cup or so of good olive oil. Let marinate at room temp for two hours, or all day, turning to coat chops often. Remove chops and sear in a hot skillet or grill about a minute or two per side. Serve on a bed of mixed greens with a side of mashed potatoes. A delicious meal to share on one plate, just use your fingers to eat the chops, way more romantic and fun when you share.

*check out http://www.saffron.com/, a WHOLE OUNCE of the finest saffron runs only $69, it’s the best deal and will last almost a year.

Relearn Your ABCs

ABC… anything but Chardonnay. We’ll that might have been true when new French oak barrels were more affordable, but now they cost more than $1000 each! Savvy winemakers like Hugh Chappelle at Lynmar Winery only put Chardonnay in some new barrels and some that are 1 and 2 years old. This way the true character of Chardonnay can shine through, uninhibited by too much oak aromas and flavors. Working with Hugh when he was winemaker at Flowers Winery for the 2002 vintage, I learned a couple of things about how Chardonnay should be treated. With care, first and foremost. The grapes have to be cool… picked early in the morning, then hand sorted to get only the best grapes into the press, and then the juice is gently moved into the winery tanks to settle. Certain barrel regimen should be chosen: how many new, how many older, and which kind of barrels to use. If I remember right, Hugh likes Francois Freres mediums and Louis Latour’s house blend, and only uses 20 to 40 percent of them that are new. He would have me smell each barrel before I dared put any wine into it. I noticed some had a cinnamon quality, others vanilla, others tea and floral aromas. Each barrel of Chardonnay would be tucked into the winery and stored. I stirred the lees in each and every one of them at one point or another while at Flowers Winery in 2002 countless times over, encouraging the citrusy, floral aromas to emerge. Now that Hugh is at Lynmar Winery, and tasting his utterly stunning Lynmar Chardonnay Russian River, I can see that Hugh still has the magic touch with Chard. Citrusy and leesy, floral and crisp in the nose, rich, yet delicate on the palate. It’s one of the best, and why I love Chardonnay. Cheers, Hugh!

a.ferguson

Top Pick for Everyday

Dow Vale do Bonfim Duoro Reserva Duoro, Portugal
Such finesse and graceful balance is rarely found in affordable wines these days. The port producer Dow has made a dry red that fits the description. The Vale do Bonfim is gorgeously proportioned, refined, and elegant. Upon tasting this wine, we couldn’t believe the sheer beauty of this blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Barroca. Crushed red berries, deep cherry, a touch of warm spice, and harmonious acidity make this nectar nearly perfect for any meal or occasion.

Tres Barcos Toro, Spain
What a treat! This Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) wine has early accessibility AND the ability to age very well. Dried cherry and spiced plum aromas fill the glass and are echoed throughout the flavor profile. Deep berry characteristics are well balanced by a lower, yet fresh acidity that prepares the taster for yet another sip. Pork roast, sausage and rice dishes, charcuterie, pates, and other rustic peasant fare goes great with the wines of Toro. Rustic, soft, easy drinking red.

Bodega Lurton Pinot Gris Valle de Uco, Argentina
Fresh and lively aromas of lime blossom and white peach follow though onto the palate and balance harmoniously with clean, crisp apple and lemon flavors. The finish delivers refreshing acidity, which makes it work with almost any meal. It has just enough richness to stand on it’s own as well. A little for the chef, a little for the dish, no? Another Argentine treasure to savor. When you taste this, and notice the price, you’ll want more. Italian Pinot Grigio fans, step up and check this out.

Pretty Wine

Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon
They say, “It’s Will-AM-ette, dammit!” in Oregon, and dammit this Pinot Gris is soooooooooo good. This wine has been so consistently refreshing and wonderful year in and year out, it deserves a place in everyone’s refrigerator. Not a wimpy, thin, tart, grapefruity pinot grigio. Although the same grape, it shares little with some of it’s Italian counterpart’s… um… boring– ness. Pinot Gris from the Northwest US is serious white wine, and extremely easy to drink at the same time. It won’t confuse and befuddle the standard Pinot Grigio drinker, and won’t disappoint anyone else either. This one brings crispy, citrusy, floral richness with a tiny hint of gentle spice to the party. Chill, serve, and repeat...

a.ferguson

Don't Misjudge Beaujolais

I love Cru Beaujolais because it is affordable, delectable, and food– friendly, albeit misunderstood.
Gamay is the grape of Beaujolais in many of its forms; Cru, Villages, and Nouveau. Cru Beaujolais is closer to ripe Pinot Noir than its pedestrian counterpart Beaujolais Nouveau. Nouveau is picked, fermented, and simply bottled. Normally, Crus get an extended stay in oak barrels to achieve more rounded flavors and less tutti fruity aromas. It becomes a wine of elegance that is more suitable for sipping than mere gulping. The 10 Crus of Beaujolais exist within the southernmost end of Burgundy in the department of Beaujolais. This amalgamation of hilly vineyards bring refinement and drinking pleasure to the otherwise insipid sea of what has become “nouveau”.
Traditional methods of winemaking in Beaujolais include carbonic maceration: using uncrushed whole bunches of grapes causes a more gentle fermentation, preserving the freshness and easy drinkability inherent in Gamay grapes.
Of the ten Crus, my favorites are… all of them! Moulin A Vent, Brouilly, Cotes du Brouilly, St. Amour, Julienas, Chiroubles, Morgon, Fleurie, Regnie, and Chenas each have individual characteristics. Soil type has a lot to do with it, as does how much sun the grapes get in each particular area. I recommend a step up from the obligatory bottle of Nouveau to bring to dinner. Treat yourself to some “Cru Beauj.” I will, that’s for sure!

More Eddie Vedder

Cline Mourvedre “Ancient Vines” Contra Costa, California
Blackberry pie, crushed red fruit, sweet earth, and almost meaty, forest– like scents and flavors beckon the taster to drink this wonderful libation. This is the perfect red for “cheffing” about the kitchen. Keeping the cook well lubricated with great wine ensures creative and passionately crafted meals. (Say “moo– ved” or just call it Mataro, it’s other name.) Similar to Syrah (Shiraz), and Grenache in style, but still unique.

Tamar Ridge Pinot Noir “Devils Corner” Tasmania, Australia
Classic Pinot Noir characteristics of bing cherry and subtle spice aromas abound in a delicate and elegant framework of fruit and balanced acidity . Deep red color and luscious juicy flavors make this visually AND texturally very pleasing to sip. A real treat for Pinot Noir fans. Bacon, salmon, turkey, ham, cranberries, yams, anything will match this wine beautifully.

So Good it's Scary

Klinker Brick Winery “Old Ghost” Zinfandel, Lodi, California
One type of red wine that really gets me in the mood for cooking low and slow on the stove or grill is Zinfandel. The quintessential California red has so much to offer, but is widely misunderstood. Sure it has gobs of fruity ripeness, but it can also have charm and delicacy. The Old ghost Zin has it all! It is broodingly dark and so purply– red it’s almost black. The aromas of oriental spice, blackberry, subtle pepper and rich vanilla oak are eerily complex and integrated. Flavors emerge layer after layer in dense, soft waves of ripe tannin and plush acidity. I recommend grilled chicken with apples, braising short ribs with Chinese 5 spice, smoky Texas barbeque, a Moroccan tagine, or even a grilled pizza with mushrooms and gorgonzola with this one… or even a burger!

Willowglen Petite Sirah S.E. Australia
Burly, chewy, and packed with inky dark fruit. Impossible amounts of stuffing, bursting at the seams with gutsy ripeness and full– bodied heft. This wine delivers massive appeal for the money as well as Petite Sirah’s characteristic meaty blackberry, peppery spice. A steal!

Te Awa Merlot Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Whoa! Delicious Merlot… from New Zealand?! You betcha. This kind of quality to price ratio is hard to find these days. Rich plummy fruit in a spice box package. Depth, complexity, soft tannin, balanced acidity, and ripe flavors, AND its affordable! Who’d a thunk it? Perfect for late season grilling or indoor broiling. Try it with sausage, duck, or even a simple roast chicken, you’ll be very pleased with the results.

a.ferguson

Inama Soave Classico, Veneto Italy
Crisp Gravenstein apple, white tea, and light citrus zest aromas pair with cool, polished, mouthwatering acidity. We love this wine with crustaceans, grilled fish and poultry. Simply grilled veggies and bruschetta are another good match. Lip-smacking good, clean and crisp, not the austere style of Soave that flooded the markets in the late 1970’s and 80’s. One of the best white wines... ever, at any price, for our money.

a.ferguson

Andrew's Pick

The Bodegas Vistalba “Corte B” Tinto Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza, Argentina from Carlos Pulenta is black as ink! This blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, and Merlot captures the soul of what red wine should be. Rich and burly, with a softer edge and a real presence on the palate. This number lets you know it’s red, big, and incredible to drink. With some age or a bit of time exposed to air, whether in a glass or in a decanter, this wine continues to expand and open, revealing more and more complexities and polished finesse. Heaps and heaps of cassis, blackberry, and cherry flavors are balanced by savory notes of fennel, fines herbes, and cocoa. Huge wine for the price. Age-worthy AND approachable: drink it tonight or in 10 years, either way it’s YUMMY!

a.ferguson

What Pinot to Pick to Pair with Poultry?

Pinot BLANC...
Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc Sonoma County, CA
ANY Pinot will match with the Roasted Corn Sauce with Rosemary for Chicken and Fish , but this Pinot Blanc works magical wonders with the sauce. Imagine a wine similar to chardonnay without all the things you hate about chard? That’s Pinot Blanc by nature. This particular one is without the clumsy oakiness or goopy butteriness that make other whites so darn… heavy. Clean citrus and apple with a slightly warm spice aromas aren't intrusive but inviting. Pleasant acidity give this wine elegant freshness and a natural affinity for food. After a taste of your meal, this wine wraps itself around the flavors in your mouth and compliments them as if it were the perfect seasoning for the dish. That is the fundamental core of pairing food and wine that heightens the experience of merely eating dinner. This Pinot Blanc makes Roasted Corn Sauce with Rosemary for Chicken and Fish even BETTER. Tasty on it’s own, too!

a.ferguson

DA's Perfect roast Chicken

The chicken needs flavor before roasting so:
Place chicken in a large bowl and add 3 bay leaves, 1/4 cup cracked black pepper, 1/2 cup salt (don't worry),1 cup white wine, and 2 tbsp honey, cover with warm water to dizzolve salt. Set aside for 2– 3 hours or refrigerate overnight.

Remove chicken and stuff with lots of fresh whole rosemary, 3 lemon halves, and a whole head of garlic.
Don’t preheat the oven! Put the chicken in at about 375º and pour yourself some Pinot.

Then make a sauce.

When the skin is a crispy deep golden brown and the internal temp is about 150º, take the bird out and let her rest for 10 or 15 min.
Drizzle with olive or truffle oil, a squeeze of lemon, and grind some fresh pepper on it. Carve the bird and spoon the warm sauce over each serving.
Serve with garlic mashed potatoes, crusty bread, and a hearty green like calo nero or broccoli rabe.
Have more Pinot and enjoy!

a.ferguson

Roasted Corn Sauce with Rosemary for Chicken and Fish

Roasted Corn Sauce with Rosemary for Chicken and Fish
This is quick, simple, and delicious.
Saute 1 tsp butter and 1 tsp olive oil with half a package of frozen corn, and 1/4 cup minced shallots until corn turns a light golden brown. Then add 1/4 cup of white wine, fresh rosemary leaves, salt and pepper to taste, the rest of the package of corn, and another tsp butter. Let thicken slightly and serve over Roast chicken, or fish like salmon or halibut.
Drizzle with olive or truffle oil if you have it.

Fresh corn kernels work best, especially with sauteed, golden brown wild mushrooms, sliced...
This is hard to mess up, so adapt it to your needs.

a.ferguson

What to Drink Tonight

2006 Maryhill Winery Winemakers Blend Red Wine Columbia Valley, Washington
Richly drinkable red with something for everyone. Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc, blended without a seam or thread missing. Delicious cocoa, plum, classic cassis, oriental spice, and tons of enticing aromas. Great fruit, tannin, and acid balance. We tasted this wine and were immediately turned on to what Washington State has to offer, and with an affordable price tag. Steaks, chops, roasts, cheese, burgers, lamb, duck, goose, squab, quail, duck, colcannon, nothing. It all goes fantastically well with this.
Yes, it pairs with a spice rubbed ribeye.

a.ferguson

Put This in your Glass and Drink It

Bodega Del Desierto La Pampa 25/5 Sauvignon Blanc Alto Valle Del Rio Colorado.
Sure it’s a mouthful to say, and also a delicious mouthful of wine to sip! Just call it the 25/5 Sauv Blanc, it is easier to remember. So delightfully refreshing and squeaky clean with it’s delicate floral, stone fruit, and mineral laden aromas, though not overtly intense. Bright acidity and a luscious, mouthwatering finish make this perfect for sipping alone, with fruit and cheeses, seafood, simply roasted or grilled chicken or whatever is on the menu. Makes a great beverage before the meal while waiting for the grill to heat up, or waiting for guests to arrive. Almost a cross between the best of New Zealand and California, with snappy acid and plenty of fruit to balance it out. Oh, and having California’s very own Paul Hobbs as consulting winemaker doesn’t hurt! So if you find yourself driving down the western edge of the desert route to Patagonia, stop in at the town known as 25 de Mayo (the 25th of May) in Puelén, La Pampa, Argentina. You’ll be thirsty by then.
In the meantime, uncover the grill, wipe down the lawn chairs, string up the hammock, take a break, and have a glass of this...

a.ferguson

One for the Cellar

El Regajal Selleción Especial Vinos de Madrid, Spain
Elegant and bright berry and cherry aromatics give way to supple and silky, mouthfilling, juicy tannins. Tempranillo provides a firm base with hints of rose petal amongst the red fruit flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon lends elegant heft, with it’s contribution of soft currant and lush texture. Merlot and Syrah add the telltale hints of plum, spice, and faint black pepperiness. Heck of a wine, and exotic. Balanced acidity and ample fruit to drink tonight, or cellar for ten years or more provided it’s in a cool cellar. New world Spanish red with old world charm and elegance. Ripeness and finesse all in one? You Betcha!
And the label looks cool...

a.ferguson

Missing Mollydooker?

2006 Marquis Phillips Shiraz Southeastern Australia
Chris Ringland took over as winemaker from Sarah and Sparky Marquis without messing with the EXTREMELY high quality of fruit, now sourced entirely from Mclaren Vale. 92 parker points and 100% full on delicious Shiraz. We think that this brooding, black raspberry, almost chambourd– like scented, spice inflected, juice injected, vinous projectile, is utterly gratuitously fruity and fun to drink! Never fear, there’s plenty of silky tannin, and balanced acidity here to carry all the thrill packed into this Aussie gem! Another underpriced, killer value.

a.ferguson

White Wine for Sipping and Grilling

Dutch Bill Creek Chardonnay Sonoma County, California
Another stunning wine from one of the best growing regions for Chardonnay, Sonoma County. The Heintz family grows some of the most sought after, and therefore expensive, Chardonnay fruit in California. How this delicious wine came to the shelf at under $40, we might never understand, but who are we to argue. Crisp apple, chamomile, ginger, lemon zest, this has everything one could ever want in a chardonnay, without too much. Utterly delectable and balanced, crisp and lively.

a.ferguson

Killer Cabernet

Holy cow. Killer California Cabernet Sauvignon like this one, at this price, is a dream you say? Wake up and smell the crushed berry blossoms, ripe currant, bergamot, mocha spice, and blackberry goodness! One could just smell this wine all day and almost forget to sip it. It’s soooo aromatic and tasty! We think the Wall Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon California is just the ticket to satisfy the under $20 Cabernet lust we all share. Did someone say ribeye? Yes we have an obsession with big red wines and juicy steaks, is that such a big deal?

a.ferguson

White Wine for Scallops and Such

Any white in this blog would be delicious with scallops, but the Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina Sannio, Italia might be an absolutely perfect match with the above recipe. Brilliantly clean and fresh aromas and flavors of subtle spring flowers, hints of tropical fruit, zingy twists of citrus peel, lemons, and faint herbs abound in this crisp libation. We can’t seem to get enough of wines like this! Certain to tickle one’s taste buds, a cool glass of Falanghina really cannot be beat when paired with lighter fare such as scallops. One of the great things about many Italian whites is that they can hold their own with challenging pairings like vinaigrettes, asparagus, artichokes, and bitter greens.

a.ferguson

Sea Scallop Recipe

Served on a light bed of chopped spring greens.
1 lb package Bomster’s Scallops, thawed, rinsed and cleaned, and patted dry with paper towel
2 tbls extra virgin olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, smashed
1/2 cup white wine
1 1/2 sticks of butter (NO CREAM!!!)
1 vanilla bean, pod and all, split and scraped OR 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp saffron threads
Sea salt to taste


Saute shallots in a saucepan in 1 tbl olive oil, until translucent. Add wine and reduce until thickened, adding saffron towards the end to infuse color and aroma, and finally the vanilla.
Add all but 1 tsp butter and whisk lightly until smooth and creamy, DON’T cook it, melt it on low lest it separate. Remove garlic clove and vanilla bean pod if used.
While reducing, heat a sauté pan with 1 tsp butter and 1 tsp olive oil and when hot add scallops face down. Cook over medium high heat until a golden brown crust is formed on the bottoms, and they are easily removed from the pan, and just cooked through.
Scatter chopped spring greens lightly over a white plate and arrange 3 or 5 scallops per. Make sure your sauce is thick and warm and DRIZZLE over and around the scallops sparingly. (Use a spoon for control.) Don’t be afraid to garnish with a few saffron threads. A few drops of white truffle oil wouldn’t hurt, either.

Bomster’s
Stonington Seafood Harvesters
Town Dock, Stonington Borough
Stonington, CT 06378
(888)-486-8404

a.ferguson

Pinot Envy

Everyone is jealous about everyone else’s Pinot. Some like it Noir, some Blanc, some Gris. Some like it thicker, some thin. Often people will argue about size, others will say it’s about style. I say everyone’s right about Pinot, because it’s all about which Pinot fits a person best, with whom one shares the Pinot, and what’s on the menu for the evening.
Pinot Noir, food friendly Pinot Blanc, and that little tart Pinot Grigio all have their seductive sides. One Pinot Noir in my little black book comes from California, way, way out and up the Sonoma Coast. It not a big wine, but styled and crafted in an elegant and voluptuous frame. It’s come hither aromas of Bing cherry jam, warm Asian spices, subtle jasmine or Earl Grey tea, and seductively subtle hints of French oak marry well with balanced acidity and perfect body to produce a mouthfeel as smooth as silk. Did I mention that I love this wine?
It’s the Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, Fort Ross Vineyard and it is so beautifully delicious that you’ll fall in love with it too. Snuggle up with a glass of this Pinot with your sweet one. Pairs well with fireplaces, thick rugs, and roast chicken with rosemary and roasted corn sauce.

a.ferguson

Wine Suggestions

I may have tasted thousands and thousands of wines in my time, but there is no way I can guess what tastes good to another person. Wine is suggestive. I have to get to know all of your individual tastes to focus on what you like to drink. I might like wines that others don’t, and that’s fine, it doesn’t make anyone “wrong”.
Having tasted so much stuff, it’s easier for me to zero in on wines that you MIGHT like. Sometimes I get it the first time, sometimes it takes a few tries.
It’s up to you to express your vinous likes and dislikes to me, not the other way around. I already know what I like, it’s up to you to tell me what you are looking for. I am here to facilitate not dictate. My wine preferences and tastes are guides, not gospel, for not everyone agrees.
Wine publications and critics may give their opinion in the form of ratings and/ or reviews. My opinion comes in the form of recommendations based on what I might know about the buyer and what they tell me regarding their wine wants and needs.
I do enjoy having people try different wines that they might not usually pick for themselves.
I think there is a place for every wine that celebrates the different tastes of every person. If one wine was truly better than another, there would be only one wine, and that would bore me to tears.
Come and share your preferences with me, I will try and learn what YOU like and suggest wines accordingly.
Remember if it tastes good, it IS good. Only you know what tastes good to you... I can only guess.

a.ferguson

Amazing Italian Red Wine Value

Poggio alle Querce “Il Guado” Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

Located across the road from Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia in Tuscany's famed Bolgheri region, Il Guado is made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, and exibits such qualities as only those from this region can express: power, finesse, grace, longevity, and a fantastic nose complete with hints of truffle, blackberry, sage, dried cherry, cedar, cassis, spice box, plum cake, whiffs of vanilla bean, and a split personality between sweet and savoury notes that keeps unfolding in waves of chocolate and coffee. Massive amounts of extract and silky tannin, this has fruit to back it up, yet will last effortlessly for a decade or more! We are guessing (betting) that the big publications discover this one soon. Once that happens, prices skyrocket and availability plummets.
Get on it, quick!

a.ferguson