Someone’s In the Kitchen with Daddy

I heard a quick snippet on the radio (NPR)…

Good news for anyone living next door to cannibals,… a study was done, and apparently we (humans – specifically Americans – I gather) are unfit for human consuption (according to the federal guidelines).

I’m not surprised – looking at a cross section of the population, but what does that tell us about the food we’re eating? Worse than the garbage we’re giving to the pigs I’d wager.

Another food scandal in China – someone’s being a very naughy baozi

Shopping and eating locally – it’s a good thing, but scrounging for foodstuffs – and by foodstuffs, I mean dirty cardboard boxes – off the street is… (words fail me at how wrong this is).

“It fools the average person,” says the bun maker, whose face was not shown. “I don’t eat them myself.”

May karma take any and everyone intentionally profiting at the expense of the welfare of their fellow man, and give them their “just desserts”.

I decree an eternal diet – continuously munching cardboard boxes washed down with various chemicals and toxins… nothing better or worse than what’s been knowingly sold to his friends and neighbors.

…and I pray that the worlds Olympians brown bag it in 2008.

Our count up to 100 (into the Wine Century club) just took a bit bump this past weekend. Thanks to a Spanish themed wine tasting and dinner party.

I’m so happy I’ve taken on the challenge. We’ve discovered so many interesting varieties not typically found at the local market, some that we like so much more than the standard supermarket fare. (Granted there is great variety in Cabernets of the world, as well as the Pinots….) But you can’t just run out for a Baco Noir, Malbec or Semillion now can you? (Well… not at any of my local supermarkets you can’t.)

The current tally (of grape varieties enjoyed in wine):

1. Baco Noir – Red Cat, Hazlitt 1852, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY
2. Bonarda 2004 Atipax, Tupungato Reserva, Malbec blend, Mendoza, Argentina (91 Points)
3. Cabernet Franc – Atwater, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY
4. Cabernet Sauvignon – used to dislike oaky ones, now finding several I like (TTV)
5. Catawba – Red Cat, Hazlitt 1852, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY
6. Cayuga – Atwater, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY
7. Chancellor – Atwater, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY
8. Chelois – Atwater, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY
9. Cinsaut
10. Corvina
11. Gamay – Beaujolias, Nouveau et al — great nouveau in late 90’s
12. Gewürztraminer – Castel Grisch, Fingerlakes NY, et al.
13. Grenache/Garnacha – Le Vielle Ferme red blend, & 2005 Rojo Granrojo (Grenache Noir)
14. Malbec – 2004 Atipax, Tupungato Reserva, Malbec blend, Mendoza, Argentina (91 Points)
15. Maréchal Foch – Atwater, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY
16. Merlot – 2003 Lomas de Los Andes, Colchagua Valley Merlot, Chile (90 Points)
17. Molinara
18. Moscato Bianco – 2005 Meda Margherita, Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy (90 Points)
19. Mourvèdre
20. Niagara – Finger Lakes NY, Flag Hill NH
21. Petite Sirah
22. Pinot Blanc – 2003 Louis Reffelingen, Pinot Blanc (90 Points)
23. Pinot Gris – Gris at Sterling (Napa) Grigio elsewhere
24. Pinot Noir – Calif, French, etc – 2005 Landmark, Grand Detour Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California (92 Points) & Kindred Wines 2005 Amber Ridge
25. Riesling
26. Rondinella
27. Rose of Isabelle – Goose Watch, Fingerlakes (Cayuga), NY
28. Sauvignon Blanc
29. Semillon – 2002 Vina Alamosa, Premium Late Harvest Semill
30. Seyval Blanc – Atwater, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY
31. Syrah/Shiraz
32. Tempranillo – 2004 Bodegas Altizia, Tierra de Vientos, Barrel Aged Tempranillo, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, La Mancha, Spain (90 Points)
33. Torrontés – 2004 Moon Sun, Cafayate Valley Torrontés, Argentina (90 Points)
34. Verdejo – 2004 Señorio de Garci Grande, Rueda, Spain (90 Points)
35. Vidal – Atwater, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY – also as ice wine
36. Vignoles – Atwater, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY
37. Villard Blanc – Atwater, Fingerlakes (Seneca), NY
38. Viognier – 2004 Stone Home Ranch, Viognier, California (90 Points)
39. Viura – 2004 Señorio de Garci Grande, Rueda, Spain (90 Points)
40. Zinfandel/Primitivo

Some varieties I have tried several different wines, others just the one. Surprisingly there are good and bad (and fantastic) wines to be had that would otherwise seem to be the same. There are more I’ve tried when in France and California (Napa and Sonoma), but this was before I was keeping track, and the memory is a little spotty (I am a parent afterall). So, while I think I’ve had a Sangiovese, Muscat, Concord, and Trebbiano, I can neither confirm nor deny… so off the list they’ll stay until the time comes I can enjoy them (again?)