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Best of the cheese |
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- Silverstone's previous recommendations |
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- to accompany this month's white wine. Mirabo with Creme Fraiche Produced by Kaserei Champignon, Bavaria, superior cow's milk is blended with creme fraiche and allowed to develop a bloomy rind. The result is a double cream, soft-ripened (brie-like) delicacy. Serve this cheese with strawberries, raspberries or other fruits; or slice it and layer with apricot preserves, or whichever preserves you enjoy. Note: Be sure to buy your cheese from the "fresh cheese" counter, and have it cut fresh in the store. Also avoid buying more than you need for a couple of days, since the freshness deteriorates after long term storage in the fridge. Cheese research and selection by Phillip Silverstone and Scott Selkowitz of International Food Distributors Inc. Cheese questions?: ifd@netcarrier.com |
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These Two Blondes have More Fun! |
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March 2001 |
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My favorite films have been set in Venice: Don't Look Now, Death In Venice, A Little Romance, Who's killing The Great Chefs Of Europe, and the list goes on. Venice is of course one of the most romantic cities in the world, and captures the imagination of film directors and newlyweds. Venice also serves the best pizza and ice cream I've ever eaten and the wines from it's region are admirably less macho than their relatives in other parts of Italy. I remember the first time I drove from Venice to the heart of the Veneto region to it's north. My driving companion insisted that he knew where we were going and would I please put the pedal to the metal since we were seriously late for our 9 am meeting. As the speedometer passed the kilometer equivalent of 120 miles per hour we easily put 60 miles behind us, when my wine world chum said those dreaded words: "Ah! It appears I had the map upside down!" as we obliviously hurtled south. After making an illegal turn, |
thumping my co-pilot on the head and taking the speedometer to uncharted territory, we eventually arrived at our destination to sample the wines of the region. A little rattled, disheveled and not in the best of temperaments, a few glasses of the local wines soon erased the annoying journey from memory. I have always enjoyed the wine region located almost at the thigh of Italy, where the wines are light, amusing, jolly and deliciously fruity. These are the wine world equivalent of a blond twenty something driving across the alps in a bright red Ferrari convertible. Attractive, carefree, ready for excitement with life just breezing by. These two particular blondes have names: The first is Marega Pinot Grigio 1999. Although Grigio means gray, this wine doesn't have a spot of gray on it. Gray is dull, this wine |
has sparkling eyes, and a gorgeous smile, with an almost impish grin. The Marega Estate sits on the border of Italy and the former Yugoslavia, in the growing district of Collio, known for producing some of Italy's finest white wines. Collio wines are understated, subtle and most definitely food friendly. They offer a pleasant alternative to the more aggressive "in your face" white wines flooding the market. Brothers Livio and Giorgio Marega now hold the reins of the family firm. The brothers Marega late harvest their grapes in order to capture and concentrate the varietal character and fruit flavors of each grape variety they produce. The wine is soft and sensual, yet offers a big mouthful of fruit with a strong nutty, almond like flavor. A good friend to have on hand to liven up the party. |
Marega Pinot Grigio 1999 has an annual production of 1,100 cases and is aged in stainless steel. The wine is at it's most complex about 2 years after the vintage date. It costs $12.69 or thereabouts. The other "blonde" is Moletto Pinot Grigio 1999. Azienda Agricola Moletto is an estate owned by the Stival family in the province of Treviso. Commendatore Mario Stival and his sons Mauro and Giovanni have created this deliciously exciting, Pinot Grigio. Light enough for a pre dinner tete-a-tete or to accompany more delicate dishes (promise no puns intended), the wine is fresh, fruity, crisp and definitely a "2 glass wine". It costs about $9.99 Double Cheers, or perhaps, Menage a Cheers! Both of these wines are perfect accompaniments to: Rich soups; Veal; Chicken; Rice dishes with light meat.
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Best of the Two Blondes |
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- Silverstone's previous recommendations |
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