The Good Doctor L

Does Riesling ever taste as good as it does on a warm, early spring day with the sun shining? I can certainly drink it year round, and I do, but everything seems to come together in the early spring.

The latest one is the 2012 vintage of the Loosen Brothers Dr. L Mosel Riesling.  There are fresh and fruity aromas, a crisp and clean taste with tons of super fresh apples, and a god bit of savoriness on the finish.  It's hard to think there is anyone that wouldn't be happy with this wine. 

Dinner was a pork loin that was butterflied and seasoned inside with salt, white pepper, red pepper flakes, olive oil and fresh sage, thyme and rosemary.  The loin was tied back into a cylinder, seared quickly in a hot pan and then slowly roasted in a low temperature oven.  It was finished with a pan sauce of reduced chicken stock, sweet vermouth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and sour cream - rather like a Stroganoff sauce.

The asparagus, while not being overly wine friendly, was the first local stalks of the season.  

Loosen Brother Dr. L Riesling.  8.5% alcohol and $13.  A true bargain.

2010 Erath Pinot Noir

"Writing in my sixty-fourth year, I can truthfully say that since I reached the age of discretion I have consistently drunk more than most people would say is good for me. Nor did I regret it. Wine has been for me a firm friend and a wise counselor. Often...wine has shown me matters in their true perspective, and has, as though by the touch of a magic wand, reduced great disasters to small inconveniences. Wine has lit up for me the pages of literature, and revealed in life romance lurking in the commonplace. Wine has made me bold but not foolish; has induced me to say silly things but not to do them."
- Duff Cooper, "Old Men Forget"

The 2010 Erath Pinot Noir from Oregon is easy to love.  Fresh red fruit and a sense of earth pour out of the glass when swirling it.  Lip smacking cherry flavors and that sense of earth are in the flavors and there is just enough tannin and acid to bring the whole thing together nicely.  More savory than sweet.  A small tri tip done on the grill with minimal seasoning and some fresh pasta in a brown butter and sage sauce made thing even better.

2010 Erath Pinot Noir, Oregon.  $20 and 13% alcohol.

Blue Jays and Cardinals

No, this post has nothing to do with American Baseball and an inter-league series.  The local birds are out in full force now that spring is totally here.  There's also a new camera lens to play with. 

Clos Normand Cider

There are more and more ciders appearing on store shelves in this area, and that's a good thing.  The latest one I've tried was the Clos Normand Brut.  It was a beautiful golden color and had a moderate aroma of apples and a good amount of bubbles in the glass.  The lack of a strong aroma made me suspect a bit, but the taste was pure, refined apple.  Crisp without being tart and mellow without being flat.  It was a good choice for a Kentucky Derby party with pork ribs.  It definitely stood up to the flavors in the ribs and was simple and good.

Clos Normand Brut Cider.  4% alcohol and $4 for a 750 ml bottle.  Good buy.

A Glass of Rose'

What is the definition of good wine?  It should start and end with a smile......William Sokolin

Rhinegeist Cougar

Like many areas in the U.S. this area of southwest Ohio is exploding with craft breweries. Cincinnati is no exception but it is simply reviving its past traditions of German immigrants and beer making. 

One of my favorites is the Rhinegeist Brewery, which translates to ghost of the Rhine.   This is a new brewery and until very recently their beer was only available in the Cincinnati area, though they have now expanded north to Dayton.  It's a fun place to visit. There are two beers available in cans and the rest of their output is kegs only.

My favorite of the two canned beers is Cougar, a blonde ale.  It has some malty sweet notes but on the whole is very citrus like and only 4.8% alcohol.  It's a good  good summer beer with freshness and lightness. It's also rather tasty with clams and crabs.

I also like one of the beers only available at the brewery.  Uncle is a British mild beer with only 3.8% alcohol.  It's has more malt flavors but is still on the lighter side. 

Old Faithful

The first of the 2013 rose wines showed up during a quick trip to the market yesterday, and it was more than true to form in taste and price.  The wine was the 2013 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Cotes du Rhone Rose.

Yesterday I spent a considerable amount of time cutting down and digging out the eight year old lavender plant in front, the one that attracted all the bees and hummingbirds.  The severe winter here was not kind to it and after a month of waiting it showed no signs of life so it was removed and a small replacement put in place.  The entire process made me hungry.

Dinner consisted of chicken leg quarters seasoned with herbs de Provence and done over indirect heat on the grill.  What was different was that I cut up some of the thicker branches of the dead lavender plant and threw a bare few of them on the grill to create some smoke.  The resulting smoke certainly drew the interest of the neighbors because of the  smell.  It imparted a floral and earthy quality to the chicken pieces and because there were only a few chunks on the coals it didn't overwhelm the meat.  Good experiment and I saved some of the lavender pieces for future use.

The wine was a pale pink color with aromas of fresh strawberries and peaches.  The first sip was fruit forward but the wine quickly dried into a savory and earthy profile.  It was perfect for sipping throughout the evening and a great match with the chicken.  Year after year this wine remains consistent, though this year seems a bit drier and I liked it very much.  A terrific bargain.

2013 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Cotes du Rhone Rose.  13% alcohol and $10.