So Much Wine, So Little Time

It's amazing how much you can learn even from a work of fiction.  Fiction can portray reality in such a way that we can identify with it.  Recently, I read a book called the Cookbook Collector, where the author, Allegra Goodman, intersperses facts and knowledge within her narrative.  I really enjoyed it, because it interweaves two subjects I'm passionate about: cooking and the dot com world.  Both are fascinating and exciting worlds to me.

This book was not so much about cooking, although there was some cooking going on.  No recipes were posted as in the novels of culinary mystery writer, Diane Mott Davidson, yet I could still drool over what was being served.  The book, in part, is about an enviable cookbook collection.

What I found most interesting, however, were the wines that were consumed in the book.  The mention of the names made me want to know more.  My subsequent search was quite an education. I had never heard of some of them which caused me to look up those particular wines at their websites.   

In the book the descriptions sound luscious. For example, the  glass of "deep almond hued" Chateau Montelena Chardonnay the character drank was too "buttery". The 1970 Chateau Latour was "...never overpowering, too genteel to call attention to itself..."  The 1975 Chateau Petrus was "more flamboyant, flashier, riper, ravishing the tongue."  In the Heitz, the flavor was "creamy..smooth and silky..meltingly soft...  I wanted to rush out and try all of them.

Needless to say, I didn't.  Just looking at the websites and reading about the vineyards and the grapes made for quite an adventure.  There is much to look forward to trying. Wine making is fascinating and wine tasting is way too much fun.  Nope, I take that back, it is not too much at all. It's enjoyable.  My one trip to Napa with my daughter including our visit to a few of  vineyards is one of the highlights of my life.  What fun!  (Yes, we had a designated driver.) 

So the research into these wines mentioned in that novel let me know I still have lots more tasting to do.  Ahhh!  So much wine, so little time. I'll do my best.  Yum. Yum!

Is Summer Really Over?

Summer is my favorite time of year.  My winter and ski-loving friends and family think I'm completely nuts.  Hot though it may get, and it does get really hot here on the east coast,  the heat doesn't deter me from enjoying this season more than any other.  It means freedom to be outside, not cooped up in a house or apartment with air conditioning-looking outside at the world instead of being out in it. (Not that I am opposed to air-conditioning.)  It means vacation even when I'm not strictly "on vacation."

Summer always takes me back to a time of total irresponsibility-no school, no homework, swimming, fun, picnics, family gatherings, not having to be serious about anything.  It was a time of dreaming, making big plans and envisioning a great future. (Gosh, I didn't know squirrels made so much noise. Just looked out in the backyard to see two squirrels in two different trees making loud noises at each other and a neighbor's cat rolling on her back in the sun having great fun!)

Even cooking is different in the summer.  I'm not a "griller" myself, however, I love the taste and smell of foods cooked on the grill.  There's nothing so tasty and delicious as fresh veggies and chicken breasts lined with beautiful artistic grill marks.  Then there's the variety of salads.  You can make a salad out of anything: fried chicken, fish, lemons, figs, bright colorful vegetables of all kinds, grilled spring lamb or beef--just anything!


Even now, despite the responsibilities of a "grown-up" with a demanding daily life, jobs, family, children, grandchildren, cooking, blogging, reading, there is no time like the summer.  I just love it!  Longer days, lighter food, icy drinks, picnics and barbecues with family and friends, frosty beers and paler wines give me that feeling I used to have.  Thankfully, that feeling of joy, carefree freedom and dreaming comes every year.


Now it's back to cooler weather and different foods, wines and ways of cooking.  Though I must say, I'm fortunate, being here with my daughter, who has a gas grill in the backyard.  Even without power during Irene, we could cook breakfast on the grill, including toast!

So, even though I love the good old summertime, I enjoy the relief of the cooler temperatures and colors of fall.  However, I'm already looking forward to next summer's vacation.