Lebanese, Please

By now, I've preached my most fundamental tasting mantra, "drink what you like," enough times to put an om-chanting yogi to shame.  However, in times when I'm exploring an unfamiliar wine region, "pair like with like" and matching a wine with its country of origin is a great gateway to something new.

A recent dinner brought my friend and I to Almayass, a Lebanese/Armenian restaurant with branches across the the Middle East.  I'm not very familiar with Lebanese wines but this seemed like an opportune time to give one a go.

Ksara Blanc de Blancs, Sauvignon Blanc. Semillion, Chardonnay blend, Bekaa Valley, 2011

(head shot)

 The first thing that struck me about this wine was the fluted bottle.  Based on presentation alone, I wondered if this wine would resemble a Riesling, which is traditionally bottled in this shape.

(full body shot)

Riesling?  Not quite. Instead, this medium-bodied white had a honeysuckle, floral and almost honeycomb-like nose, balanced by some tropical fruit.  Very faint but still present was a bit of minerality, most likely due to the soils in the vineyard, a nice counterbalance to the luscious topnotes.

On the palate, much of what came through on the nose also appeared, but there was an unctuousness that I found very appealing, while still being rather elegant. I really dug this weird vino.

Hummus, let me introduce you to your new friend...

It's Rose Season!

What's in the box?

You could say it's part of my spring cleaning.  However, I'm not going through my closets and packing up snow boots (who in Manhattan has enough closet space to do a full swap-out anyway?); I'm making room in the wine fridge for.....

ROSE!!!!

These gems are Proprieta Sperino Rosa del Rosa, Piedmont, 2012 ($21). Last year, while sitting on the patio during a girls' reunion weekend, we opened up a bottle of the 2011 amidst the chatter of memories and recollections. Literally, I stopped talking for a good few minutes as I was so beguiled by my glass.  This nebbiolo-dominant rose was stunning; round and juicy but still crisp and refreshing.  Last week, when Moore Brothers Wine Company sent the email announcing the newest vintage had arrived, I rushed over and secured myself two bottles. 

More and more, I find with a great wine there is often a great story attached to it; it's as if the passion and courage are infused in the bottle.  This wine is no exception.  According to Moore Brothers, the winemaker, Paolo De Marchi, produced award-winning wines down in Chianti Classico; however, his ultimate desire was to restore his great, great uncle's vineyard in Piedmont, which had been abandoned since 1952.  Ten years ago, Paolo and his son went to work revitalizing the vineyard and implementing traditional winemaking methods from the region.  To date, they are now producing some gorgeous wines and creating a mini-reinassance in the region.

 I can't wait to open them and share some tasting notes with you.  (I know, you're waiting with baited breath). So, who's going to join me and have a glass? 

Wine, Mind and Body: Sonicare Toothbrush

This is the first post in the "Wine, Mind and Body" series.  In this column, I'll be exploring other aspects of wine and how they affect your appearance, health and overall well-being.  

I am truly, madly and deeply in love with my Sonicare toothbrush.

I am not shilling, I am not getting paid to endorse this toothbrush, I just believe it is one of the things in life that makes my day, and my appearance, a little better.

One of the perils of red wine is its stain-producing properties.  I know I'm not the only one who's come home after a few glasses with a purple tongue and raisin teeth (which is even more frightening when you're rather tipsy and examining the damage in the mirror).  What's a wine drinker to do?

First, STEP AWAY FROM THE TOOTHBRUSH; trust me, we'll get there soon enough.  Instead, go to the kitchen and drink water.  Copious amounts of water.  Not only will it hydrate you and help prevent a hangover, it neutralizes the acid in the wine that's bumping n' grinding on your enamel.  If you brush your teeth too soon, you are just drilling the acid, grape pigments and tannins even deeper into the enamel and causing further damage.

Next, try to wait a little bit, ideally about half and hour, before hitting the toothbrush, to let the acid neutralize.  Ever shop online while tipsy?  It's quite a fun way to pass the time and a pleasant surprise when that package comes that you forgot about.

Finally, into the bathroom and onto the Sonicare.  I've found it does a magnificent job of removing a lot of the wine coloring from my teeth after one go.  I love the different levels of intensity (do I feel like whitening today?  Deep cleaning? Caring for my gums?) as well as the 30 second timer so I know to move onto the next quadrant of my mouth. Plus, I love the super fresh and tingly feeling I get after using it.  My only tip?  Put it in your mouth before turning it on: I learned the hard way after too many globs of toothpaste went airborne.

I've noticed a remarkable difference in wine stain removal with this brush versus anything else I've ever tried.  This brush is essential for wine drinkers and I strongly recommend it to anyone.

I feel pretty, oh so pretty....