Irish Sippers on The Steve Cochran Show

If you are listening to WGN right now, thanks for tuning in! Here’s the Irish Cider that we are sipping from Magner’s.

If you’re not a beer person and you want to drink something “Irish” on the 17th, this may be for you. Cider comes in a variety of styles: sweet, dry, sparkling, still, etc. This is a drier, still cider that goes especially well with roast pork dishes.

If you’re looking to take an upcoming class, check out my Wines of South America class at The Discovery Center - April 10th at 6pm. We’ll have tasty treats from Chile and Argentina!

Oh, and you should definitely check out my buddy Sean’s site: BeverageExperts. Its filled with info on every boozey treat you can imagine.

A Restaurant Week visit to Primehouse

My girlfriends and I settled in to a cozy and dimly lit booth to indulge in Primehouse’s special restaurant week menu. Several participating restaurants have offered only the cheapest or most mundane offerings from their regular selections, but Primehouse’s choices for the week were exciting and definitely in the spirit of Restaurant Week. For my first course, I pounced on the shellfish appetizer which featured two very large chilled shrimp and two tasty raw oysters with a variety of sauces. My pals tried the rich lobster bisque and a fun arugula salad with truffle smoked tomatoes. While there was a shrimp entrée offered, why would anyone even consider chowing on anything but steak at this beef emporium? On our server’s suggestion, we all settled on the petite bone in filet with tempura green beans and basil whipped potatoes.

 

The steaks were not the ginormous slabs of cow that Chicago is known for, but actually the perfect portion size for my friends and certainly worth the price. Mine was quite tender and more flavorful than I expected – probably from the marbling surrounding the bone.

Diners were not offered a choice of desserts, but the festive trio of cheesecake lollipop, mini milkshake, and dark chocolate cake did not disappoint. However, two of my buddies thought their cake was a touch on the dry side.

 

I have eaten at Primehouse before and I was quite familiar with the wine list before we arrived. As Restaurant Week is supposed to inspire folks to try nicer spots in the city for a reduced price, I warned my fellow diners that our booze bill could easily be the undoing of a “value” meal. As the resident Winediva, I selected one of the most inexpensive whites on the list to start – a Bastianich Tocai Friuliano 2006 for $36. Since there were four of us, a second bottle was certainly in order so I chose, again, one of the least expensive Cabernet Sauvignons- Laurel Glen Counterpoint Sonoma Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 at $70.  Now the Laurel Glen is a personal favorite and well worth $70, but had there been more interesting options at $45- $55, I probably would have chosen something cheaper. So, add a wine bill of over $100 to our tab, along with tax and a generous, well-deserved gratuity; each of us ponied up about $80. Not exactly a bargain night out for a Monday, but then again, gals in my posse aren’t cheap dates. Overall, the food was terrific and the service spectacular while we laughed and toasted our inability to take proper advantage of a great deal.

More diva than wine, catch my new show at The Theatre Building this weekend only!

As many of you know, sometimes people pay me to act. Here’s info for any of you who might like to attend the final weekend of performances.

Drinkin with Dean on WGN radio today - No excuse for bad bubbly

Hi there! You’re probably listening to me chatting with Dean Richard’s right now, so let me first say “thanks for tuning in”.

This is the bubbly we’re sipping today and its pretty widely available at fine wine stores. Yes, its a bit cumbersome to pronounce, so here’s a phoenetic spelling that should keep you from sounding like a total yahoo at your local wine shop.

Nicolas Feuillatte (foo-YAHT) Brut NV

The Rose is a bit more cash, but even more lovely. If you really want to splurge, try the Palm d’Or.

 If the real deal French Champagne just isn’t in the cards for your NYE, no worries. There’s lots of great deals on bubbly out there.

I noticed Binny’s has a sale on two of my favorites, Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV for $22 (actually real deal French stuff!) and Roederer Estate Brut NV from California for $18.

Otherwise look for great Proseccos from Italy like Bisson, Nino Franco, and Mionetto. Or try the Spanish version of bubbly called Cava. Plenty of stunning Cava’s for cheap like Jane Ventura and Segura Viudas Heredad.

If you’ve got to have something uber-cheap for your drunk pals to swig at midnight, here are a few options that don’t scream “Cheap Crap!” by the label. the stuff from the bottom shelf at da Jewels will be the death of you. Best plan ahead with one of these cheap and cheerful bubblies by the case. These range from $7-10 a bottle.

Cristalino Brut NV (Spain)

Paul Cheneau Brut NV (Spain)

Charles de Fere Blanc de Blancs NV (France)

Francois Montand Brut NV (France)

Veuve de Vernay Brut NV (France)

So there’s no excuse for bad bubbly this year, do you hear me? Do you?!

Go out and buy yourself some respectable sparkling wines right now. I promise you will thank me on the 1st.

The Wines I had on Steve’s show yesterday

Lots of folks are calling and asking for the names of the wines we drank and/or talked about on WGN radio last night. So…

Matanzas Creek Merlot 2004 (Sonoma, CA)

 

 

Achaval-Ferrer Quimera 2005 (Mendoza, Argentina)

 

 

I think I also mentioned the following during listener q & a…it all goes so fast!

Laurel Glen Reds 2005/2006 (Lodi, CA)

Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, CA)

Champalou Vouvray (Loire Valley, France)

Wine gifts - mostly what NOT to buy

 I think I have more suggestions on “what NOT to buy” than anything.

Wine is always a thoughtful hostess gift, just don’t expect the host to open it that evening. The wine you brought may not go with the menu your host has planned or they may want to save it for another occasion.

I think the safest gift is a nice bottle of NV Brut french Champagne. Everyone needs that this time of year.

Another decent gift is wine and stemware carriers. Folks like me are always lugging bottles to friends houses, BYOB joints and events. Even though I have two of these things, I can always use another one that may be a different size or color. Its like a purse or a briefcase for folks in the wine biz and other officianados. IWA is a good spot to try for these.

If you’re wine loving pal is new to wine, a subscription to The Wine Spectator or The Wine Advocate is a nice idea. However, if they are hard core wine nerds, they may scoff at or disdain these publications.

Likewise with glassware and decanters. If your pal is a new-ish cork dork, Riedel glassware or a nice decanter is great. Old school wine fans are very particular about these things and will only want the partcular “make and model” of glassware and such that fits their table setting.

The best thing for a hard core wine nerd, is to find out where he buys his wine and ask the employees there for a suggestion. They more than likely know the person and their taste and can find something in your budget. A lot of these folks belong to tasting groups - if you know someone in their group - ask them as well.

I think the worst wine gift in the world is wine tchotke - T-shirts and hats and crap with stupid wine sayings like “Life is a Cabernet”. Avoid these at all costs. They are totally stupid and make the giver look like a moron. Would you wear a T-shirt with some lame-ass bumper sticker slogan like “Drink No Noir, Pinot Noir”? If so, ask a friend to smack you upside the head with a magnum of something until you change your mind. Please.

Of course, the BEST gift is a private tasting and lively lesson from The Winediva! I do gift certificates and can send them to you asap. Even in a PDF via email if we have to. Perfect for last minute shoppers who want to look like they’ve been extremely thoughtful. Just send me an email at winedivaent@msn.com and I’ll get you the info. No need to have a specific date or theme in mind just yet, we can do that in the new year. Plus, chances are you’ll get invited to the party. Its a total win-win.

Happy Holidays!
 

Winediva at the Discovery Center this Friday

In a last minute arrangement, I’m going to be teaching some classes at The Discovery Center starting….THIS FRIDAY. Holy cow! So come take my super fun, no snobs allowed, wine basics class Friday at 7pm and get your wine on before you hit the town. Register at the Discovery Center website or call 773-348-8120. $65. Cash or check please.

The class description is something like: Welcome to Wine

 Learn to swirl, sniff, and sip like a pro! Taste the six “noble” grapes of the world and discover what all the fuss is about. Gain command of basic wine vocabulary and tasting technique. Bring all your questions about wine and food pairing, storage, sulfites, or any other vexing wine dilemma.

Big Box Booze Battle in the South Loop

Wine geeks in the South Loop have two new spots to shop in the hood. Binny’s Beverage Depot and Sam’s Wine and Spirits have both opened giant new stores on Roosevelt in the South Loop. The new Sam’s features a wine and cheese bar and fine wine room, with two floors of wine and spirit selections in a landmark building circa 1928. Binny’s new location, less than a mile west, is simply gigantic. In what looks like even more floor space than the Lincoln Park Sam’s location, Binny’s South Loop has a tasting room with over 100 wines and 16 beers to sample, a rare wine cellar, walk in humidor, and special section of their gourmet market dedicated to chocolate. Both stores have Grand Opening events scheduled for the week.

back from Argentina…blogs to resume

I’m still recovering from jetlag, but I have tons of notes and pics to share from my two weeks in Argentina. If you are contemplating any kind of international travel in the near future, I highly recommend the Mendoza wine region. Not only is the wine fantastic and the food stellar, its one of the only places in the world where the dollar is strong. With the Argentine peso at 3.13 to the dollar, you can enjoy quite a bit of luxury for cheap! Stay tuned for my wine/travelogue…

The Annual Wine & Halloween Candy Match Up - Steve Cochran Show 07

Hellllooooooooooo! (please imagine in a spooky voice)

Back by popular demand, I have created another wine n candy pairing challenge! Yes indeed, you can count on me to suggest things to drink after the kids are finally down from their sugar rush and zonked in their beds. Follow these three steps to play along at home.

First: Once the kids are asleep, strike quickly and snag the premium candy from their bags and plastic pumpkins. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey’s Minatures, “Fun Size” real candy bars…stuff like that. (Leave the Smarties - even your kids won’t eat those. Who hands that crap out anyway? Lame.) It should be noted that some children do keep track of their loot in great detail. If your kid has an excel spreadsheet detailing their haul, you will have to alter that too. Can’t be too careful.

Second: Select one or two or eight of the wines mentioned below. You will need to purchase them ahead of time, so swing by the wine store on your way home from the Mega Mart when your getting candy for the neighborhood. You’ll be glad you did.

Third: Pour yourself a sample of wine and taste with the recommended candy treats or anything else you could weasel from the little ones’ stash. Relax and enjoy. You deserve it. After all, you created a Sponge Bob costume from foam rubber and an old swim suit. Note to self: try to sell the tyke on “ghost” next year.

The Wines:

Marenco Scrapona Moscato d’Asti 2006: light, slightly fizzy, and very floral. Very refreshing.

Beringer Nightingale 2004: A Sauternes-style white made from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Quite rich with aromas of peaches, apricots, and vanilla.

Banfi Rosa Regale 2005: A sparkling, lightly sweet red that smells of cranberry juice cocktail in a good way.

Graham’s 6 Grape Ruby Port NV: Thick and rich sweet red with lots of rasiny, cherry Jolly Rancher-type goodness.

Quinta do Noval 10 year Tawny Port: Viscous and sweet with aromas of nuts, caramel, and maple syrup.

The Candy:

Twizzlers Cherry Bites

Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures (note higher chocolate to peanut butter ratio than standard size)

Turtles (Chocolate, pecan, & caramel)

Chocolate covered raisins

For those of you keeping score, I switched up the control groups quite a bit from last year, but the tasters remained the same. Me and my husband Marc.

The following were the best match ups as voted on by our very scientific committee of two:

Twizzlers cherry bites and Moscato : NEVER would have guessed this. The bubbles and acidity actuallu cut through the plastic-y texture and make the cherry flavor more intense.

Tawny port and Reeses: A repeat of last year. The tawny port really highlights the nutty flavor and sends up the hint of salt. One note, this pairing definitely worked even better with the standard size cup vs. the mini. More peanut butter filling to play with.

Graham’s Port and Chocolate Covered Raisins: The port made the raisins taste more…raisiny. However, the low quality chocolate was accentuated. Best to look for an upscale version of this treat. Perhaps even dark chocolate.

Truffles and ? Sadly, NOTHING went well with the truffles and several selections were downright nasty. Usually, you need a dessert wine to be sweeter than your dessert and its tough to find anything that’s sweeter than a milk chocolate/caramel combo. Live and learn.

So…enjoy your Halloween with some boozey treats and candy. Maybe even toss a little Amaretto or Bailey’s in your coffee. Go nuts. Before you know it, your kids will be asking for the keys to the car and you’ll need something much stronger. I suggest Bourbon.