Tiny Bubbles

Written by admin on July 22, 2009. Posted in Eat & Drink, The Penniless Epicure

Whether it’s an overpriced bottle of Louis Roederer’s Cristal Champagne being held aloft in some Manhattan club, or just a humble bottle of Prosecco being mixed with peach nectar on a lazy Sunday morning, sparkling wine the world over has a special meaning. It has always signified celebration in one way or another, and rightfully
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Northern Stars

Written by admin on July 16, 2009. Posted in Eat & Drink, The Penniless Epicure

“I’m sorry,” sneered the woman as she peered over her glasses at me, “where did you say this Chardonnay was from?” “It’s from New York State, ma’am.” “But where?” she hissed. “Where in New York State?” I breathed deep and swallowed hard
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The Barbecue Trap

Written by admin on July 8, 2009. Posted in Eat & Drink, The Penniless Epicure

Kansas City is known for many things, but to me, the most important is barbecue. While there is always debate about who the true king of the smoker is, my loyalty lies with Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue. There is a problem, though. After I sidle through the cafeteria-style line to the register with my burnt ends
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Youth Is King

Written by admin on June 24, 2009. Posted in Eat & Drink, The Penniless Epicure

“It’s the most amazing wine I’ve ever had,” my friend said as he led me to his kitchen. “I drank it the entire time I was in Spain and have been saving a bottle since I went there.” “When was that trip?” I asked, fearing what I already knew what was coming. “Seven years ago.
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Wine 101

Written by admin on June 17, 2009. Posted in Eat & Drink, The Penniless Epicure

“I’m really enjoying your wine column every week,” my father-in-law, Mr. W, confided over the phone, “but I just have one question.” I braced myself. “Sure,” I said, “Anything.” “You know when you’re talking about how a red wine will smell like cherries,” Mr. W continued, “or a white wine will taste like vanilla or
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Take a Rosé Vacation

Written by admin on June 11, 2009. Posted in Eat & Drink, The Penniless Epicure

It’s officially summer, and for me that means it’s officially rosé season. Because nothing breaks the heat quite like a chilled bottle of dry rosé. Living paycheck to paycheck, I look at these special wines as mini summer-vacations-in-a-bottle. There are those that still think of sugary Jolly Rancher-like flavors when they see a pink wine.
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Decant, Swirl, Sniff, Repeat

Written by admin on June 5, 2009. Posted in Eat & Drink, The Penniless Epicure

You’re sitting across from your boss (who fancies himself a bit of a wine geek) at dinner. The sommelier presents the bottle, then asks if he’d like it decanted. Your boss replies with an ardent affirmative, and the sommelier carefully pours the entire bottle into a decanter. Once transferred to its new vessel, the sommelier
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Casual Fridays, South African Style

Written by admin on May 21, 2009. Posted in Eat & Drink, The Penniless Epicure

Is it 1 p.m. yet? Kick back and pop open a good Pinotage Temping is a hellish job with few rewards and little pay. It’s definitely worse than working in the food service industry, because at least there you get a free meal. Back in the early 2000s, I took a “long-term” job running the
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Fahrenheit 411

Written by admin on May 14, 2009. Posted in The Penniless Epicure

I was walking a bottle of my restaurant’s excellent Willamette Valley Pinot Noir to table seven when I realized, mid-stride, how warm the bottle felt in my palm. Before I had a chance to turn back, however, the table saw me. I was locked in and had to present it
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SHERRY, BABY

Written by admin on May 11, 2009. Posted in Eat & Drink, The Penniless Epicure

My wife and I honeymooned in the south of Spain. It was a compromise. She wanted the beach. I wanted Europe. So we went to a European beach. My secret plan the whole time, however, was to get down to the area of Spain where sherry is made. Sherry is, in my humble opinion, the
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