swirl and savor

Root, An Original Take on Comfort Food

2012-01-23T10:32:00.000-06:00

The astounding number of new restaurants opening in this city is nothing short of amazing and makes for a long list of places to try when we have the time. Lunch with our friend Linda Smith last week gave me the perfect opportunity to check out one of her new favorites, "Root" in the warehouse district.We wanted to talk with them about the possibility of planning a wine dinner to showcase a great new lineup of Spanish wines that republic is bringing in this spring. Root's creatively fun menu, the totally hip decor and laid back attitude of owners and staff make this spot a a really exiting venue for a Swirl event.

Root is located on Julia Street in the warehouse district, where the space was most recently the home of "feast" but one I remember as the old True Brew Coffeehouse. Well you would never know it was either of those places as it looks and feels like Root has always rested comfortably in that space. Rested in that although the space has a modern and very cool, well thought out decor, there is a relaxed but confident feel about it that immediately puts you at ease. Lots of natural wood accented by bright green chairs and white leather stools creates a vibrant energy yet warmly comfortable.

We were there for lunch so I decided to order a glass of something cold and white to accompany the balmy January day. The menu is a nicely mixed presentation of old world and new, eclectic and familiar, offering options to easy bored wine geeks and more traditional drinkers. I chose the mixture of the two with the 2009 Supernatural Sauvignon Blanc from Zealand to keep me busy until we sampled some of the goodies in Linda's overachieving wine bag. There is also a really great looking cocktail menu, listing lots of original creations made with only the best artisan spirits, but it was lunch and I knew I had to get back to the shop and be coherent enough to finish up our new wine list in time for Wednesday Nite Flites...

On to the food. Trying to set yourself apart in a city that is so saturated with great eats can be a challenge. So these guys started with the menu where they divide things into their cleverly coined categories of “Socials,” “Beginnings,” “Middles,” Principals” and “Endings”. "Social" choices (all $8) included house made charcuterie and sausage, pâté and hog’s head-cheese, and more, accompanied by lots of deliciously pickled fruits and vegetables. We went for the Pate de Campagna, cut into thick chunks studded with pistachios and served with crispy flatbreads, it was a generous portion that could have been lunch on its own!

Potato Chip Crusted Gulf Fish Sandwich

After such a large starter we went right for the "Principals" with me ordering the Potato Chip Crusted Gulf Fish Sandwich ($12), a thick piece of perfectly fried lemon fish atop sauteed bitter green served on soft warm bread and accompanied by a plate full of fresh, deliciously dressed salad greens. The flavorful, moist fish was cooked to perfection with a nice crispy crust and was a great combination with the bitter greens and their mayo based sauce. Linda was in the mood for some red meat so she ordered the Root Burger ($14) on a soft brioche bun with bacon, caramelized onions and aged cheddar. I didn't try it as I was perfectly satisfied with my fish sandwich but it looked amazing and Linda looked pleased with her choice.

Meyer Lemon Trio

Dessert is always a must when Linda and I have lunch as we both have a serious sweet tooth. So for our "Endings" we ordered two which was a little overkill as the portions are gigantic. The Yorkie ($8) was a chocolate covered peppermint pattie with mint chocolate chip ice cream surrounded by coco puffs, all made in house (even the coco puffs), and served with a side of milk! But my favorite was the Meyer Lemon Trio ($8), lemon curd topped with coriander yogurt, lemon Pistachio ice cream sandwich and Meyer Lemon macaroons. Tart, tangy, sweet, creamy and crisp and wrapped up together in one big fabulous plate!

The bottom line: really creative take on traditional comfort food with killer atmosphere, a great wine list and original cocktails. I can't wait to go back and sit at the bar for a drink and to try some of their dinner options. And I'll keep you posted on that wine dinner because I personally can't wait to see what they come up with!

Root

(504) 252-9480
200 Julia Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Email: info@rootnola.com

Mon – Wed: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Thu – Fri: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sat: 5:00 pm – 2:00 am

This Week at Swirl Wine Bar + Market

2012-01-17T09:59:00.001-06:00

Happenings
What A Week!!
We're back into full, non-stop event mode this week, giving me a lot to focus on after our last minute loss to the 49ers on Saturday. So if you are looking to celebrate a great season, forget your troubles, drown your sorrows or just have a great time drinking some really special wine and eating a lot of great food, join us!

Nick Selby is kicking things off with our first Tuesday Tasting of 2012 as we sample 6 great French wines from the Peter Weygandt portfolio. Then onto Wednesday Nite Flites as we release our new wine bar menu and you can try a flite of any three wines on the list. Thursday is Real Wine Live, an amazing night as we've worked with our friends at Lirette Selections and Green Goddess to give you an opportunity to meet and taste with 5 natural winemakers from Italy and France while you sample Chef Chris DeBarr's culinary creations. We are so excited to have Chef Richard Papier back for our Friday Free For All! He served up delicious tapas to a packed house on Friday night and we can't wait to see what he comes up with for this week as we sample wines of the Pacific Northwest with Mike from Avenue.

So read on for the details and we hope you find something that interests you. And check out swirl and savor for recipes, what we're drinking now, travel notes and more...

Tuesday Tasting Event, The Wines of Peter Weygandt, January 17, 6-8pm
Many of you have asked that we bring back our Tuesday night tastings, and we are! Our Tuesday events are a special evening focusing on specific regions with an educational component in addition to drinking lots of really good wine. Nick Selby from Uncorked Wines will visit us this evening with a selection of French wines from the Peter Weygandt portfolio, including my wine of the moment, the fabulous 2009 Jean-Louis Tribouley Champ les Petayre. The tasting is $10 and reservations are recommended as space is limited. Check out our Facebook page on Tuesday to see what we'll be serving! Call 504.304.0635 to reserve your spot, we're booking up quickly...

Wednesday Nite Flites, January 18, 6-8pm
We'll be kicking off our new wine bar menu tonight and you can pick your own flite of any three wines on the list! Flites are $12-$15 for 3-2oz. pours of really great juice! No reservations required, just pull up a seat at the bar and get your boarding pass. Check out our Facebook page on Wednesday to see the new menu!

Real Wine Live, An Unforgettable Event with 5 "Authentic" Winemakers, Thursday January 19th, 6pm and 7:30pm
What if you could be in a room with some of the most revered natural winemakers in the world, having intimate conversations with them as you drink the wines they have so painstakingly produced while you taste food from one of New Orleans' most progressive chefs? We are pairing up with Lirette Selections and Chef Chris DeBarr of Green Goddess to bring you an unforgettable evening with producers represented by Louis/Dressner Selections. There will be 2 sessions offered at Green Goddess on Thursday, January 19th beginning at 6pm and costs $75 (tax & tip included) for a sampling of 15+ wines paired with a selection of foods by Chef DeBarr and a donation to a Joe Dressner charity. This event is limited 25 people per session and prepayment is required through reservations at Green Goddess. Call Scot Dagenhart of Green Goddess for more information and to reserve your spot, 504-444-7482. Check out my blog post Real Wine Live for winemaker list.

Friday Free For All, January 20, 6-8pm
Mike from Avenue Wines will be joining us this evening for a tasting of 4 wines from Washington and Oregon. And we are so excited to have Chef Richard Papier back on Friday nights! He served up delicious tapas to a packed house last Friday and we can't wait to see what he comes up with for this week. Check out our Facebook page on Friday to see what wines we'll be serving and Chef Richard's tapas menu!

Wednesday Nite Flites, January 25, 6-8pm
Flites are $12-$15 for 3-2oz. pours of really great juice! No reservations required, just pull up a seat at the bar and get your boarding pass. Check out our Facebook page on Wednesday to see what we'll be serving!

Friday Free For All with Antonio Molesini, January 27, 6-8pm
Antonio will be in the house this evening with his Italian charm, quirky humor and 4 wines from Piemonte producer Fontanafredda. As a special treat I've convinced him that we should serve the 2005 Fontana Fredda Barolo. Barolo on a Free Friday? Don't miss it! And Chef Richard will be serving up some delicious Italian themed small plates to pair with the wines. Check out our Facebook page on Friday to see what wines we'll be serving and Chef Richard's tapas menu!

Tuesday Tasting Event, January 31, 6-8pm
I know I said I was only going to hold our Tuesday events once a month, but when the opportunity was presented to hold a tasting with Baptiste Cuvelier, producer of our favorite Chilean wine ever, the 2009 Cuvelier Cuvee del Maule, I just couldn't turn it down. We'll select wines from both his Chilean and Argentinian winery, lineup and details TBA, but mark the date!

Mediterranean Wine & Cheese with St. James, Wednesday February 1, 6:30pm
Join us for our monthly cheese and wine pairing nights with Casey Foote from St. James Cheese. And tonight we'll have a special guest as Nick Selby from Uncorked joins us for a taste of the Mediterranean where we will feature wine and cheese Greece, Sicily, Spain, Southern France and more! These seated tastings are always a sell out, so if you are interested make your reservations quickly. $25, call 504.304.0635 for reservations, prepayment is required to hold your spot. This tasting is at Swirl.

Antonio's Italy, May 26-June 2
Sorry, this trip is full! Copies of our itinerary and pricing can be viewed here: Antonio's Italy

Swirl and Savor
Our wine and food blog...here are a few from the past 2 weeks, but there are lots more at swirlandsavor.

Recent Posts
Lemon and Garlic Roasted Potatoes
"Ah potatoes how we love these deliciously versitile tubulars! Roasted, boiled, pan fried, deep fried or grilled they are a great side for meats or chicken and are so simple to prepare. Growing up, my mother used to boil them and just add in parsley, lots of butter, salt and pepper..."

Wine of the Moment, 2009 Tribouley Champ les Petayre
"Nick Selby came in the other day with a knowing smile on his face, the sly smile he wears when he knows he has a wine bag full of palate pleasing goodies. He had just cause as the four wines, one from Austria and 3 from France, were all winners with each one ending up in the shop this past week. Three of the wines were from Peter Weygandt, a living legend in the world of French wine imports..."

Real Wine Live An Unforgettable Event with 5 "Authentic" Winemakers
In the words of the late Joe Dressner "...the only way to understand the personality of a wine is to get to know the personality who made the wine." And that's what we wanted to do; create an event where you can be in a room with some of the most revered natural winemakers in the world, having intimate conversations with them as you drink the wines they have so painstakingly produced while you taste food from one of New Orleans' most progressive chefs.

Cheers to You and a Happy New Year!
"As we prepare the shop and ourselves for the upcoming week of restocking, selecting bubbles for your New Year's celebrations and the dreaded counting of year end inventory, I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of you for your support over the past year."

Top Selling Bubblies of 2011
"If you've ever perused the bubbly table in the shop you know that we offer a wide selection of price points from many different countries. I've compiled a list of this years top sellers to help you make selections for your upcoming celebrations."

Global Mexican Cuisine at Canal St. Bistro
"...we've been twice before for breakfast and lunch, but this was our first go at dinner since Chef Guillermo Peters began serving on weekend nights. Both of our previous experiences were excellent; great, fresh, creative food at good prices in a pretty comfy spot on Canal Street not far from our house..."

Antonio's Italy, A Wine and Culinary Vacation in Tuscany
"Join Swirl Wine Bar & Market in May 2012 as Antonio Molesini, Italian Wine Specialist and native of Tuscany, takes us on a very special wine and cultural tour of his homeland. We’ll be living like locals, spending a week in a historic villa in Cortona and visiting Antonio’s favorite wineries, restaurants, hill towns and wine bars."

KT's Winter Warmer Chili
...comforting smoky, spicy smells drifted from the kitchen along with the rapidly clicking sound of a chopping knife in action. Kerry was making chili. I know if she is cooking the recipe is likely to include lots of peppers and a good amount of spicy heat, but there was another smell, a rich, almost caramel like sweetness in the air...

Hope to See You Soon!
Beth, Kerry, Michelle, Matt, Michael and Sangi

Swirl Wines
3143 Ponce de Leon Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
Tel: 504.304.0635 | E-mail: beth@swirlinthecity.com

COPYRIGHT 2010. Swirl Wines. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Garlic and Lemon Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

2012-01-08T19:10:00.001-06:00

Ah potatoes how we love these deliciously versitile tubulars! Roasted, boiled, pan fried, deep fried or grilled they are a great side for meats or chicken and are so simple to prepare. Growing up, my mother used to boil them and just add in parsley, lots of butter, salt and pepper. When she mixed the butter into the soft, fork tender potatoes they would take on the creamiest melt in your mouth texture and we would eat them by the plate full!

Yesterday we picked up a cooler full of freshly cut farm raised, grass feed beef we get from our friend Candice's family farm and were dying to grill a few of the t-bone steaks. These potatoes were the perfect compliment to our Tuscan style steak and local fresh greens salad.

And to drink? We've become infatuated with pairing of Barolo and steak and we have some half bottles of the 2005 Camarone at the shop... I decanted it an hour before we ate was surprised at how well it drank for such a young wine.

INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds sliced fingerling potatoes sweet potatoes mixed
5 cloves garlic, crushed and finely minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh leaf thyme
1/2 teaspoon pepperoncino
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATION: Heat oven to 450°. Grease a large shallow baking dish with olive oil or spray with olive oil spray. Scrub potatoes and cut large ones in half. In a large bowl, combine the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, pepper, pepperoncino and cayenne. Toss potatoes with the garlic and oil mixture. Arrange the coated potatoes in a single layer in the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Serves 4.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wine of the Moment Jean-Louis Tribouley Champ del Petayre

2012-01-08T13:01:00.000-06:00

Wine of the Moment 

def. a fleetingly fanciful beverage of fermented grape juice characterized by compelling drinkability

Nick Selby came in the other day with a knowing smile on his face, the sly smile he wears when he knows he has a wine bag full of palate pleasing goodies. He had just cause as the four wines, one from Austria and 3 from France, were all winners with each one ending up in the shop this past week. Three of the wines were from Peter Weygandt, a living legend in the world of French wine imports whose logo is instantaneously stamp of quality on the back of a label. Peter seeks out small, undiscovered artisans that produce complex, intriguing high quality wine by focusing on low yields, natural methods of viticulture, and minimal intervention in the winery and bottling. One of the beautiful things about the Weygandt portfolio is the number of great wines under $20 like the easy drinking 2009 Chateau Baulery ($13.99) from the Languedoc and the earthier more structured 2009 Fontenille Cotes du Luberon ($14.99), two of the wines we featured in our Friday tasting last week. But on that particular day it was the rich and spicy 2009 Jean-Louis Tribouley Champ del Petayre that really got my attention.

Tribouley with his ancient Grenache vines.

I've been a fan of the Tribouley wines ever since Nick brought me the "Orchis" a few years ago when it was still on the shelves at a ridiculous retail price of under $20. Located in the Rousillon area of Southwest France, Tribouley is a master a producing lush, velvety wines from his 30 acres of biodynamically farmed vineyards. He is a purist in his approach; plowing is done by mule, his low yield vines never see chemical fertilizers or pesticides, all harvesting is done by hand, only natural yeasts are used, little or no sulfites added and his wines are bottled unfiltered. He is best known for his rich Grenaches, elegant Carignans and complex blends but in 2008 he produced 50 cases of his first vintage of the Champ del Petayre 100% Syrah. Even in an average year like 08, the wine was a show stopper. Now here we are with the second bottling from the extraordinary 2009 vintage with a total of 3 cases allocated to the state of Louisiana, and because Nick loves us and we love our customers, we will pop a bottle or two of this wine in our upcoming Wegandt tasting on Tuesday, January 17. We will have one case for the store and I won't sell any til the night of the tasting, I promise!!

Weygandt is a guaranteed symbol of quality

"We work to produce a sincere wine, respecting the vintage and the terroir. I think that the extraordinary quality of a wine comes from its diversity and from our ability to understand a little bit more every year without trying to master everything." - Jean-Louis Tribouley

2009 Jean Louis Tribouley Champ del Petayre - Inky deep purple in the glass with a rich full nose of dark fruit with cinnamon and clove. On the palate is has a velvety almost creamy texture coating your mouth with black raspberries, blackberries and plums plus notes of licorice and burnt sugar. The finish is full and long and makes you want to keep coming back for more...$29.99

Real Wine Live, An Unforgettable Event with 5 "Authentic" Winemakers

2012-01-01T17:58:00.001-06:00


Tasting natural wine on the Etna in Sicily

Natural wine, real wine, authentic wine; no matter what you call it, it is different. And it is different in a way that is very hard to explain to people who have had little or no exposure to it. There is no codification or standardization of practices to help define natural wine but more an ideology that is based on, in very simplistic terms, a commitment to minimum intervention in all aspects of grape growing and winemaking that leads to producing wines with a sense of place that are true to their varietal character.

A symbol of quality and promise of something intriguing...

Fortunately, due to being in this business and my personal passion, I've had exposure to natural wines through meeting and tasting with winemakers who are advocates of the practice as well as sampling wines with our wholesalers who feature wines in the category. The most prominent portfolio being Louis Dressner Selections, formed in 1988 by the recently deceased Joe Dressner and his wife, Denyse Louis, that specializes in wines from France and Italy that they variously termed real, natural, authentic or heirloom. Represented in New Orleans by our friends at Lirette Selections, the portfolio features extraordinary French producers like Jean-Paul Brun in Beaujolais; Marc Ollivier, Thierry Puzelat and Clos Roche Blanche in the Loire Valley; Pierre Overnoy in the Jura; Eric Texier in the Rhône; and, more recently, Radikon, Elizabetta Foradori, Arianna Occhipinti and Alberto Tedeschi in Italy to name a few.

Renato De Bartoli explaining the aging process of Marsala

But what about people who aren't in the business, who don't have regular exposure to these off the radar wines? Because in the words of the late Joe Dressner "...the only way to understand the personality of a wine is to get to know the personality who made the wine." And that's what we wanted to do; create an event where you can be in a room with some of the most revered natural winemakers in the world, having intimate conversations with them as you drink the wines they have so painstakingly produced while you taste food from one of New Orleans' most progressive chefs. We are pairing up with Lirette Selections and Chef Chris DeBarr of Green Goddess to bring you an unforgettable evening with producers represented by Louis/Dressner Selections. Meet and taste with Arianna Occhipinti and Sebastiano de Bartoli of Sicily, Eric Texier of the Rhone Valley, Jean-Paul Brun of Beaujolais and Luca Roagna from Piemonte as we celebrate natural wine making at its absolute best. This is a rare opportunity to taste with some really special people and I personally can't wait!

Preparing the clay amphorae for aging

There will be 2 sessions offered at Green Goddess on Thursday, January 19th beginning at 6pm and costs $75 (tax & tip included) for a sampling of 15+ wines paired with a selection of foods by Chef DeBarr and a donation to a Joe Dressner charity. Participants will be divided into groups of 5-6 people who will spend 15-20 minutes with each winemaker tasting and learning about the wines before rotating to the next winemaker station. This event is limited 25 people per session and prepayment is required through reservations at Green Goddess. Call for more information and to reserve your spot, 504-301-3347.

Top Selling Bubblies of 2011

2011-12-30T09:11:00.000-06:00

If you've ever perused the bubbly table in the shop you know that we offer a wide selection of price points from many different countries. I've compiled a list of this years top sellers to help you make selections for your upcoming celebrations.

Purchasing 3 bottles or more of any of our delicious sparkling wines will get you the discounted price and the deal is good for 12/30 and 12/31.

Friday, 12/30 hours: 11-9pm. Saturday 12/31 hours 11-7ish...

Here's a list of our best sellers, but we have many more delicious sparklers in stock...

1. Avissi Prosecco - This Extra Dry Prosecco is light straw colored wine with aromas of white flowers and apricots and an avalanche of exuberant bubbles tumbling in the glass. (The name “Avissi” comes from the fizzy sound the bubbles make as they rise in the flute.) $13.99 reg/ $10.99 super discount!!

2. Graham Beck Sparkling Rose (South Africa) - Watermelon pink color with a hint of silver. Nose offers aromas of yeast, and raspberries.Tiny dispersed bubbles, with a creamy mousse. Fruity, yet dry with crisp acidity. Flavors of raspberries, cherries, with a slight mineral notes. $19.99 reg/$17.99 discount

3. Segura Viudas Brut Reserve (Spain) The gentle sparkle of this wine carries scents of honeyed apple and red-apple skin. It’s fragrant and clean, and lasts on fruit, a rich style with balance. 90 Points Wine & Spirits $9.99 reg/$8.99 discount

4. Schrambserg Blanc de Blanc (California) - Made from 100% Chardonnay grown mostly in Napa and Sonoma counties, this charming bubbly is one of the best blanc de blancs on the market. It's rich and honeyed and feels so good in the mouth, carrying flavors of oranges, sweet limes, Meyer lemons, vanilla and toasty bread. 94 Points WE, 91 Points WS - $28.99 reg/ $25.99 discount

5. Gosset Brut Excellence (France) - Refined and creamy, with delicate acidity that finds fine balance with the layers of poached apple and pear, lemon cake, ground ginger, smoke and almond cream flavors. Very elegant. 92 Points Wine Spectator - $49.99 reg/ $44.99 discount

6. Laetitia Sparkling Brut (California) - Zesty citrus aromas with hints of lemon curd and minerals. Rich honeydew melon flavors with tart apple and apricot notes. Great acids with a nice minerality, a stunner from California! $20.99 reg/ $18.99 discount

7. Monmoussea Brut Etoile (France) - Light golden color. tiny long-lasting bubbles. A full and frothy up front, with almond, fig and pears flavors, and a soft elegant finish. $11.50 reg / $10.35 discount

8. Francois Montand Sparkling Brut Blanc de Blancs (France) - A fabulous deal from South West France, an affordable bubbly that tastes of freshly baked bread, Golden Delicious apples and Meyer lemons. $16.50 reg/ $14.85 discount

9. Ca de Medici Sparkling Lambrusco (Italy) - Deep raspberry aromatics dominate the nose and are backed by a sweet suggestion of candied plum and dusty stone. The palate is a velvety expression of raspberry and plum flavors with zesty, but not sharp, acidity. $12.99 reg/ $11.69 discount

10. Charles Heidseick Brut Reserve (France) - A great wine, much more than only a Champagne, this is impressively rich and ripe, with crisp yellow fruits, spices and layers of toast. It’s in an opulent style that is round but also very focused on tight layers of fruit, minerality and final vivid acidity. 93 Points Wine Spectator - $49.99 reg/ $44.99 discount

Cheers to You and a Happy New Year!

2011-12-26T09:11:00.000-06:00

As we prepare the shop and ourselves for the upcoming week of restocking, selecting bubbles for your New Year's celebrations and the dreaded counting of year end inventory, I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of you for your support over the past year.

We know you have many places to shop for wine in New Orleans and options seem to be increasing rapidly. Grocery store chains are beginning to realize that New Orleanians are looking for something other than Yellow Tail and Sutter Home and many energetic entrepreneurs are jumping headfirst into opening small neighborhood retail shops. We understand how easy it could be to fill your grocery cart with wines while you shop or just pop into the closest place with easy parking.

So for those of you who still enjoy the thrill of discovering a new producer or obscure variety, selected by people who truly care about the products we stock or who like to hear the story behind a particular wine on our shelves or who just like hanging out in the shop enjoying a glass with friends, we thank you. We thank you for trusting us to make your selections, for sharing your company and for supporting us through the years. And for those of you who haven't been in the shop in a while for some reason or another, come by. You'll always get the same warm greeting, thoughtful help and quality wine whether you are spending $10 or $100.

Cheers to you, and here's hoping you have the happiest year of your life ahead!

This Week at Swirl Wine Bar & Market

2011-12-12T10:19:00.001-06:00

photo by nola defender

Happenings

Shopping on Ponce Just Got Better!
Everyone coming in to the store is just buzzing about our new next door neighbor, Maple Street Books. Holding their official opening this past weekend with a reading and book signing by Catherine Campanella, author of New Orleans City Parks, they have turned a vacant residential condo into a beautifully inviting book shop. Their friendly staff and great vibe are a wonderful addition to our neighborhood and we couldn't have dreamt of a better use for that space.
We ran a little special with them last weekend that rewarded you with discounts for shopping at both of our stores, and I'm already thinking about different wine, cheese and book combinations, so keep an out for more deals!

5 Great Gift Ideas Featuring Local Merchants

Speaking of shopping, if you are looking to keep it local, Ponce de Leon Street has a lot to offer! Here are a few gift ideas featuring your Faubourg St. John Merchants:

1. Cafe Degas' Cookbook celebrates the 25 year old restaurant's food and history and contains one of my favorite dishes, their French Onion Soup. Let us pick out a nice bottle of French wine and package them together for a great gift! Buy the book at the restaurant and stop then stop at Swirl and have a glass of wine while we find the perfect bottle!

2. Lux Salon has a great selection of gifts and products as well as excellent services. Many patrons come to Swirl for cheese plates and wine to take to the salon while receiving services. Ask at either shop about our "Spoil Yourself" gift certificates from both places that are a win, win, win!

3. Swirl's "Local Gifts with Heart and Soul" take shopping local to a new level! Bottles of wine made by passionate New Orleanians, accompanied by holiday ornaments handcrafted by local artists with contributions to area non-profits, these unique packages perfect for those looking to do something meaningful with their holiday gift giving. And we have lots of other great handmade gifts by local artists, many accessories for the wine drinker in your life as well and beautiful gold carriers and boxes for you wine selections. Click here for more photos and info on the packages, Heart and Soul

4. Maple Street Books has lots to offer in terms of books by local authors. Pick up the New Orleans City Park book and combine it with one of our Getaway insulated wine bags complete with corkscrew and a favorite bottle to inspire a picnic in our local jewel of a park!

5. FSJ Merchants - Give a "Day on Ponce de Leon" with certificates from your favorite merchants! If you include us and at least 2 other merchants, we'll give you an organza gift bag to put your gift certificates in for festive packaging!

Facebook Specials
Swirl Facebook Fans should keep an eye out for limited run specials we'll be posting on our page. Our FBE (Facebook Exclusive) post that will run this week will feature a free glass of wine at the bar with the purchase of a cheese plate. The first 10 fans who say "I want one" on our page the day of the special will receive the FBE the day of the post. So keep an eye out for my post sometime this week with our first special. If you have a facebook account you can become a fan here: Swirl Facebook Page

This Week on Swirl and Savor
Global Mexican Cuisine at Canal Street Bistro "...we've been twice before for breakfast and lunch, but this was our first go at dinner since Chef Guillermo Peters began serving on weekend nights. Both of our previous experiences were excellent; great, fresh, creative food at good prices in a pretty comfy spot on Canal Street not far from our house..." Click here for the post, Canal Street Bistro

Friday Free For All! December 16, 6-8pm
Josh Prados will join us tonight with 4 great wines from his portfolio. Check out our Facebook page on Friday to see what we'll be serving!

Antonio's Italy
We had so much fun on our tour of Tuscany, we've booked another....May 26-June 2, 2012. Only 1 more suite is available so if you are considering this trip it's time to book! Copies of our itinerary and pricing can be viewed here: Antonio's Italy

Upcoming EventsHoliday Yappy Hour at Fetch! Tuesday, December 13, 6-8pm
More details soon, but I heard rumors about Santa pictures with your pooch!

Wednesday December 14 - Sorry No Flites Tonight!
We'll be prepping for a private after hours party, but the store is open until 8pm!

Friday Free For All! December 16, 6-8pm
Josh Prados will join us tonight with 4 great wines from his portfolio...Check out our Facebook page on Friday to see what we'll be serving!

Festive Holiday Flite, December 21, 6-8pm
Join us for a flite of 3 great wines while you finish up your holiday shopping! You can check out our Facebook page on Wednesday to see what we'll be serving! Flites are 2 oz pours of 3 really nice wines and are $12-$15. Cheese plates and charcuterie plates will also be available. No reservations needed, just pull up a seat at the bar and pick up your boarding pass!

Friday Free For All! December 23, 6-8pm
We'll be pouring some great holiday selections tonight featuring 4 great wines...Check out our Facebook page on Friday to see what we'll be serving!

Saturday December 24, Closing at 3pm

Sunday, December 25 and Monday, December 26, Closed

Wednesday Nite Flites, December 28, 6-8pm
You guessed it, we'll be pouring flites of our favorite bubblies to bring in the New Year! You can check out our Facebook page on Wednesday to see what we'll be serving! Flites are 2 oz pours of 3 really nice wines and are $12-$15. Cheese plates and charcuterie plates will also be available. No reservations needed, just pull up a seat at the bar and pick up your boarding pass!

Friday Free For All, December 30th, 6-8pm
Join Greg Knaps from Lirette Selections with 4 wines from one of our favorite all around California producers, Lioco. This is going to be a great lineup! Something tells me we might throw in a bubbly for fun too...Check out our Facebook page on Friday to see what we'll be serving!

Saturday December 31, Closing at 3pm

Sunday, January 1 and Monday, January 2, Closed

Tuesday January 3, resume normal hours

Hope to See You Soon!
Beth, Kerry, Michelle, Matt, Michael and Sangi

Swirl Wine Bar & Market
3143 Ponce de Leon Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
504.304.0635

Global Mexican Cuisine at Canal Street Bistro

2011-12-11T22:57:00.001-06:00

eco cafe/canal st. bistro, 3903 canal st. 70119

Our plan on Saturday night was to head down to the Bywater to see our friend Fatma at Fatoush for some of that local, grass fed, delicious lamb they serve but our friend Phil called with a plea to join him at Canal Street Bistro/Eco Cafe (I'm still not really sure what the dual name is about...). We've been twice before for breakfast and lunch, but this was our first go at dinner since Chef Guillermo Peters began serving on weekend nights. Both of our previous experiences were excellent; great, fresh, creative food at good prices in a pretty comfy spot on Canal Street not far from our house. So we decided to meet Phil, a regular at the place, and see if deserved all of the hype he'd been giving it.

We've been fans of Chef Guillermo for years, back before Katrina when he was in a stripmall in Kenner turning out the best Mexican food in the New Orleans area. Cheap, fresh, delicious food in a funky atmosphere, the salsa bar alone at Taqueros made it worth the trip. In 2004 his hugely ambitious plan to open a two floor restaurant in the city brought him to St. Charles Avenue where Taqueros Coyoacan just never seemed to take off despite his talent in the kitchen. So we were happy to see his name come up in association with this small, nicely renovated spot in an old house on Canal Street. What an asset to the neighborhood!

First off, I do really like the atmosphere in the place, comfortable, laid back, casual, but elegant with white tablecloths and nice lighting. We came in jeans, but there were groups of people more appropriately dressed for a Saturday night out and neither of us looked out of place. So we like the vibe, we're fans of the chef, we've had two good experiences previously, needless to say we were pretty excited about what the evening would bring, but...we got off to a bad start when we asked about the price of a corkage fee for the one bottle of wine we had brought. We were told by the host that Chef Guillermo personally chooses the wines on the list to accompany his food and does not allow guests to bring their own wines...period, end of discussion...ugh! Ok, so I look at the list (the wine list online is not current) to see what Chef feels is worthy of his culinary efforts and I see the word Estancia multiple times accompanied by the words chardonnay, merlot, cabernet, pinot noir...there were at least 6-7 different Estancia wines on the list accompanied by a few other California wines and a few Spanish wines. And even though the Spanish wines were decent, I was so turned off by the response to my corkage question and the makeup of the majority of the list that chef was so convinced matched the quality of his food, I couldn't even order any wine. So we reluctantly decided on cocktails and the satsuma margaritas were nice and priced well at $7.50.

satsuma margarita

On to the food, we ordered quite a few of the small plates that are priced $6-$18. The large plates ranged from $22 to $34 and since our original plan was the totally affordable Fatoush, I couldn't mentally make the move into fine dining price mode. Guacamole with tostados was a decent size serving, but at $9 it should have been; shrimp chipotle $9, was 4 gulf shrimp sauteed with red onions and chipotle chiles, served with tostadas and cotija cheese and was just short of being over cooked, but had a nice spicy, sweetness to it; tequila shrimp $9, was 3 gulf shrimp sauteed in a delightful creamy, tangy tequila chipotle sauce that made you want to dip anything you could find onto the plate; esquites $6, featured corn kernels sauteed with red onions, cilantro, jalpeños and a splash of lime juice, served with again with tostadas. By this point we had been over served with tostados and I was starting to feel like they loaded them on the plate to help make up for the small portions of their "small plates". We also ordered one of the specials which was grilled cojita cheese served atop a bright red slightly sweet piquillo coulis and scattered with capers; nice texture and good combination of salty/sweet with the piquillo sauce and the capers.

esquites

grilled cotija cheese

Kerry and I ordered the petite chipotle steak $18, that was a petite filet, grilled and served over an open faced quesadilla, topped with chipotle tomato sauce and queso fresco. The rare meat was fabulously cooked to perfection and would have been an excellent match for the 2007 Cuvelier Coleccion Malbec blend from Argentina that was in my wine bag. Though delicious and cut it-with-a-fork tender, it was a bit overwhelmed by the sauce and the quesadilla underneath got soggy, giving the dish a bit of doughy finish.

petite chipotle steak

Phil ordered one of Guillermo's signature dishes that we've seen different versions of on a few of his menus, the diver scallops $28, poached in olive oil, served over rice and topped with poblano cream sauce. Again, perfectly cooked, slightly translucent with a firm texture, they had a wonderful sweetness that paired beautifully with the poblano cream sauce. He has mastered this dish many times over and it shows.

So overall impressions: good, creative food but a little on the pricey side for the portion size; nice, cozy comfortable atmosphere with attentive service but a disappointing sub par wine list that doesn't anywhere near live up to quality of his food. And the attitude about not being able to bring a bottle for a corkage fee? I'm not sure we'll be back for dinner, but lunch and breakfast rate high on our list.

KT's Winter Warmer Chili

2011-12-05T07:01:00.000-06:00

It was one of those cold dark nights last week that I actually left the shop before 7pm. As I opened the front door to Sangi's goofy dog greeting, comforting smoky, spicy smells drifted from the kitchen along with the rapidly clicking sound of a chopping knife in action. Kerry was making chili. I know if she is cooking the recipe is likely to include lots of peppers and a good amount of spicy heat, but there was another smell, a rich, almost caramel like sweetness in the air...ahh she had added one of her other favorite things in life to the recipe, a good dark beer.

So we settled down with our delicious bowls of chili and cold bottles of Sierra Nevada beer while Harley the cat and Sangi made their cozy beds beside us to watch a little television. There's nothing like a bowl of spicy chili in the winter to warm your soul...

Ingredients
    3-4 slices applewood or hickory smoked bacon, cut in pieces
    6-8 cloves garlic, chopped
    1 medium onion, chopped
    1 small green bell pepper, chopped
    1 small anaheim or poblano pepper, chopped
    (combined about 1 cup peppers)
    1 pound lean ground beef
    1 pound ground pork
    1 tbl. ground cumin
    1 tbl. ground coriander
    1 tbl. ground ancho chile
    1 tbl. smoked paprika
    2 tsp. dried oregano
    1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
    ½ tsp salt (add more to taste later if needed)
    3 tbl. chopped chipotle chiles in ancho sauce
    2 tbl. apple cider vinegar
    Ground cayenne pepper to taste
    1 bottle (12 oz.) stout or porter beer
    1 to 1-1/2 c. water
    1 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes
    1 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
    Shredded cheddar, for garnish
    Sliced scallions, for garnish

Directions
In large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until lightly crisp, remove & set aside when browned. To the bacon fat add onions and peppers and sauté until nearly wilted then add garlic.

While onions etc are cooking, in a separate pan brown the meat in a tablespoon of oil with a little salt and pepper briefly in a couple of batches and set aside. Finely chop enough of the bacon to get a heaping tablespoon.

When onions etc are done, add the meat to the Dutch oven, stir well. Now add chopped bacon, cumin, coriander, ancho chile, oregano, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Cook for about 5 minutes over med. heat, stirring frequently. Now add crushed tomatoes, chipotle chiles, beer, and enough water to get desired consistency. Mix well, cover and simmer on low heat for 15 mins.

Add pinto beans and vinegar. If needed add a little more water. Mix well, cover and simmer on low heat for 30 mins. – stir a few times.

Taste for seasoning and add salt if needed and a sprinkling of cayenne pepper if more heat desired. Serve in small bowls with shredded cheese and sliced scallions.

Makes about 6 servings.

Local Gifts with Heart and Soul

2011-12-04T08:05:00.000-06:00

This holiday season Swirl Wine Bar & Market has taken "shopping local" to new level. Bottles of wine made by passionate New Orleanians, accompanied by holiday ornaments handcrafted by local artists with contributions to area non-profits, these unique packages perfect for those looking to do something meaningful with their holiday gift giving.

A Gift From the Heart

The 2008 Moises Vieux Carre Pinot Noir is made by local doc James Moises, with 2008 representing one of the finest vintages Oregon has ever seen. As a tribute to his native New Orleans, James has named this combination of two of his favorite vineyards "Vieux Carre" and only produced 100 cases. Add a handcrafted wood and glass ornament featuring our treasured fleur de lis from our friends David Porretto and Paulette Lizano plus a donation to Steve Gleason's Initiative Foundation that supports ALS research and give a gift from the heart.$65

A Gift with Soul

The 2009 Vending Machine Wines Double Shotgun is a tribute to the New Orleans architectural icon, the double shotgun house, made by local wine producers Monica Bourgeois and Neil Gernon, from some of the top vineyards in California. With only 150 cases produced, this blend of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot with its shotgun house label by artist Grant Schexnider is unique on its own, but when you combine it with a handcrafted wooden shotgun house ornament by Shaun Aleman and a contribution to the Preservation Resource Center, you have a truly special gift with New Orleans' soul. $60

Decadent and Delicious Meyer Lemon & Cardamom Ice Cream

2011-11-27T08:21:00.000-06:00

Ever since my post, When Life Gives You Lemons, I've been dreaming about making the Meyer Lemon & Cardamom Ice Cream recipe. So our dinner invite from a few of our friends tonight provided me the perfect excuse to try my hand at making ice cream, because with as much as Kerry and I cook, neither of us have ever made it! But I have a feeling it is going to become a very dangerous item in our cooking repertoire! And being that we only have a few Meyer lemons left on our tree, it was time to act!

We went to the farmer's market in the morning where I picked up fresh eggs and locally made whipping cream by the Rocking R Dairy. We stopped at the new Rouses in the Warehouse District for Rock Salt for the ice cream maker and I had organic, unbleached sugar in the pantry with lots of cardamom pods from our Indian cooking. Exotic and highly aromatic, cardamom is one of my absolute favorite spices. It originated in southern India (no wonder I love it so much!) and is used commonly in both savory and sweet dishes like curry powders and chai tea.

Kerry picked me 3 big lemons while I read the directions from the ice cream maker, given to us by our friend Mary. I was ready!

This recipe is from the LA Times and besides the few adaptations I made, I found it to be pretty spot on. But beware, there is nothing light about this. It is rich, creamy, tart, tangy and sweet all at the same time with that hint of cardamom under all of that delicious lemon flavor. It made enough for me to pack a quart container to take to dinner, and a half pint that I took to the shop for Mike and Michelle to try.

Servings: 8

*3-5 Meyer lemons
*1 tablespoon cardamom pods, seeds removed and husks discarded, then lightly crush the seeds with a mortar & pestle
*1 cup half-and-half
*1 cup sugar
*1/2 vanilla bean or 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
*6 large egg yolks
*3 cups whipping cream

1. Peel 1 lemon with a vegetable peeler, taking care not to cut into the bitter white pith. Place the peel in a nonreactive medium saucepan with the crushed cardamom, half-and-half and sugar. Scrape the vanilla pod seeds into the pan and drop in the pod. Heat over high heat to just under a boil. Remove from the heat, and allow to steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks, and then pour in some of the hot half-and-half mixture, stirring constantly. Pour the mixture back into the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it coats the back of a wooden spoon, 4 to 5 minutes.

3. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a bowl. Finely grate the zest of 2 lemons and add it to the mixture. Allow to stand for 10 minutes.

4. Add the cream to the mixture. Juice 3-5 lemons and add the juice (you should have about three-fourths cup) to the cream mixture. Give it all a quick mix with a spoon, cover with plastic wrap and chill thoroughly in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.

5. Freeze in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. (Makes 1 quart.)

2011 Thanksgiving Hit List

2011-11-21T07:16:00.000-06:00

Those of you who shop with us know that we just love food and wine pairing so helping to make your selections for holiday meals is a real treat. What should you drink with all of those sides and mounds of turkey? There are so many answers to that question that sometimes the best choice would be to open a bubbly, white, red and rose, put them on the table and let people chose for themselves because it’s all about personal preference!

Every year I give a few pairing tips with recommendations from our selection. To spice things up a bit this year I've asked everyone on staff to make their personal picks. We’ve chosen traditional and some more adventurous options at different price points so there is something for palate and every wallet. Each of the wines will have a tag with that silly turkey photo above and if you purchase any four of these wines for your celebration, we’ll give you a 10% discount. And we’ll be featuring 3 of these wines in our Wednesday Nite Flites so come in and try a few to see if they'll suit your menu!

1. For the wide array of flavors on the Thanksgiving table, sparkling wines are a no-brainer. Bright acidity, fruit and yeasty undertones make bubbly extremely food-friendly. Especially good are Brut Rosé and Blanc de Noir, which can take you from the lox or chevre hors d'oeuvre to the vinaigrette salad right through the turkey and potatoes and onto the pie. The Pinot Noir grapes in these wines provide body, some tannin for texture, red-fruit character, complexity and acid balance. And in general, the bubbles from natural carbonation from the yeast, in concert with the wine's acidity, help cleanse the palate for the next course.

Our Picks: Beth: Laetitia Sparkling Rose, $24.50; Mike: Nicolas Feuillate Champagne, $34.99; Matt: Segura Viudus Reserve Cava, $9.99; Kerry: Gosset Brut Excellence, $49.99; Michelle: Basca Cava, $17.99

White wines with lively fruit and acidity and little to no oak are also versatile. With its aromas and flavors of citrus, apple and pear and zippy acidity plus herbal notes, Sauvignon Blanc pairs with everything from butternut-squash soup to green salad to turkey with a dressing made of briny oysters and herbs. Even notoriously tough-to-pair Brussels sprouts will sing with Sauvignon Blanc. Alsatian and German whites like Rieslings, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris with their tropical fruit, citrus, green-apple, pear and mineral notes combined with thirst quenching acidity, work with almost any Thanksgiving dish except the cranberry sauce.

Our Pick: Mike: 2009 August Kessler R Kabinett Riesling, $14.50; Matt: 2009 Vending Machine Winery Loula's Revenge, $25.99; Beth/Michelle: 2009 Királyudvar Tokaji Furmint Sec, $19.99; Kerry: Chehalem Chemistry, $14.50

Serious dry rosés made from Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah or Mourvedre grapes or blended proprietary rosés have acidity to balance the citrus, red and stone fruits and usually sport structure and a long finish but light tannins.

Our Pick: Mike/Michelle: 2010 Taburno Aglianico Rosato, $14.99; Matt: 2010 Codici Rosato, $11.99; Beth/Kerry: 2010 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Rose, $19.99;

Fruity reds like Beaujolais are a favorite "go-to" pick for Thanksgiving. They bring soft, easy drinking affordability to the table that's perfect for the cornucopia of flavors and large group setting that Thanksgiving entails. With their bright fruit flavors, they can perk up the milder dishes and enough have structure to hold their own with the more robust courses made with sausage and herbs. As an alternative, a good Dolcetto or lighter style Barbera can offer similar characteristics and are real crowd pleasers.

Our Pick: Mike: 2007 Cascina Delle Rose Dolcetto, $16.99; Matt: 2009 Santo Cristo Garnacha, $9.99; Michelle 2010 Pierre Chermette Beaujolais, $15.99; Beth: 2009 Centonze Frappato, $15.99; Kerry: 2009 Palacios Petalos, $22.99

Syrah and Zinfandel have the spice, dark fruit and berries to bring out the best in cranberry sauces as long as the wine has soft tannins and ripe, forward fruit and the sauce is balanced -- moderately tart and not too sweet. An alternative could be some of the spicy reds from Southern Italy.

Our Picks: Mike/Beth: 2009 CS Cellars Vindetta, $19.99; Matt: 2006 Cellar Masroig Sycar, $21.50; Michelle: 2009 Marietta Sonoma County Zinfandel; Kerry: 2007 Constant-Duquesnoy Vinsobres $20.99

The most popular single wine to choose for Thanksgiving is Pinot Noir. This versatile varietal has tangy red fruit of strawberry and cherry, with nice acidity to balance and low levels of tannin. With elegance and a touch of earthiness to lend complexity, Pinot Noir will subtly support most things on the Thanksgiving table without overpowering them. Cranberry sauce and dessert are exceptions again, with the sauce too tart and the dessert too sweet. Something a little more adventurous, but with a similar profile could be an Etna Rosso or a Sicilian Cerasuolo.

Our Pick: Mike: 2009 Dominio IV Love Lies Bleeding, $22.99; Matt: 2009 Apaltagua Pinot Noir, $10.50; Michelle: 2009 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir, $14.50; Beth: 2008 Moises Holmes Hill Pinot Noir, $36.99; Kerry: 2010 Terre Nere Etna Rosso, $18.50

So there you have it! But remember the most important thing is to drink wines that make you happy with people that make you smile, because that is what it's all about!

Ricotta Gnocchi with Sherried Mushroom Sauce

2011-11-21T05:48:00.000-06:00

I've always liked gnocchi, but never loved gnocchi until I had it at La Grotta, just off of the main piazza in Cortona, Italy. The reason for my change of heart I'm sure has something to do with the fact that I was in a great little trattoria in one of my favorite hill towns with a very special group of people, but it also had to do with the style of gnocchi served at the table.

Tuscan Gnudi Gnocchi (photo from DaVinci Cookbook

People are most familiar with the more dense, chewy gnocchi made with russet potatoes. But the term gnocchi comes from the word gnocco (pronounced neeocco) which means dumpling, and they can be made many ways. Because just like most of Italian cooking, these delicious lumps do not just vary from region to region, but from household to household as well, depending upon what is available. Besides the popular potato gnocchi there is the “semolina gnocchi” from Rome, topped with cheese and baked, gnocchi di panne from Friuli that is made with bread crumbs, and the gnoochi gnudi from Tuscany made from ricotta cheese and spinach.

Semolina Gnocchi (photo from lindaraxa)

It is this Tuscan style gnudi that made me fall in love with gnoochi. Soft, fluffy and light as air these creamy pillows are usually served in Tuscany with simple tomato sauce and are just heaven on a fork. I've been inspired to have a go at making them, but decided to start with an even simpler version of gnudi that is made with just ricotta, flour, eggs and cheese.

The key to making these gnoochi successfully to me is good ricotta cheese. We are fortunate that our friends over at St. James Cheese carry handmade ricotta from Caseficio Gioia in California by Vito Girardi, a third generation cheese maker from Puglia whose grandfather was one of the first makers of burrata. Ricotta is a simple fresh cheese, but flavorful and adaptable to many savory and sweet recipes. I just love the richness of this, it's the real deal! Pure white, a little nutty, slightly sweet with a fluffy, dry texture. Trust me, you will never go back to the store brands. But call St. James before you go over, they don't always have it on hand.

The first step in this recipe starts the day before because even with this dry style of ricotta, you need to drain any excess water out of it over night. This is especially important if you are using the more common store bought brand. It is simple, just line a strainer with a coffee filter, put the cheese in the filter, set the strainer over a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Ok, so you've drained your ricotta overnight and are ready to make some Gnudi Gnoochi! The best is to make these just before you are going to eat them

The gnocchi (from Lidia Bastianich):
*1 1/2 pounds fresh ricotta cheese or 3 cups packed whole-milk ricotta cheese drained overnight
*1 3/4 teaspoons salt, plus more for the pasta water
*2 large eggs
*1/2 cup freshly grated Piave cheese (the recipe calls for Parmigiano-Reggiano, but we always have piave at the shop...)
*1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, preferably freshly grated
*1-2 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed, plus more for forming the gnocchi (I know this sounds a little vague, but the amount of flour will depend greatly on dryness of the ricotta)

1. Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil in an 8-quart pot over high heat.

2. Turn the drained ricotta into mixing bowl. Beat the eggs and 1 teaspoon salt
in a separate bowl until foamy. Stir the eggs, 1/2 cup grated cheese, pepper, and nutmeg into the ricotta with a wooden spoon or spatula until thoroughly blended.

3. Add 1/2 cup of flour to the bowl and stir. Continue to add flour (a little at a time) until the dough comes together (will be fairly sticky). Using a spoon, scoop a small bit of dough (about 1 teaspoon) and drop it into the boiling water. If the gnocchi holds it’s shape, then you have added just the right amount of flour. If you see bits shedding off of the gnocchi, then you need to add more flour to the dough. Stir in a bit more flour and repeat the testing process above till your gnocchi holds together.

4. Flour your hands, the work surface, and the dough lightly, as necessary, to prevent the dough from sticking. Divide the dough into six approximately equal pieces. Roll one of the dough pieces out with a back-and-forth movement of your palms and fingers to a rope about 1/2 inch wide.

5. Cut the roll crosswise into 1/2-inch lengths. Repeat with the remaining dough. Dust the cut gnocchi lightly with flour and toss them gently to separate. Let them stand while preparing the sauce.

*At this point you can freeze some of the gnocchi. I used half for the recipe and froze the rest for later! When you are ready to use the frozen gnocchi, you don't need to thaw them, just put them right in the boiling water.

The mushroom sauce:

*2 tablespoons butter
*2 tablespoons olive oil
*12 oz. shiitake mushrooms, cleaned, stemmed and sliced
*1/2 cup sliced shallots
*1 1/2 cup chicken stock
*1/4 cup good quality sherry
*1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
*2 tablespoons heavy cream
*Kosher salt
*Freshly ground black pepper
*3 cups coarsely chopped arugula
*Grated Piave cheese

1. Warm butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook just until the butter begins to brown (about 2 minutes).

2. Add sliced shiitakes and shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown (about 10 minutes). Add stock, sherry and sage, stirring to combine. Simmer until liquid is slightly reduced (about 6 – 8 minutes). Stir in heavy cream, then season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Reduce heat to low to keep sauce warm while gnocchi are cooking.

3. Working in small batches (about 10 gnocchi at a time depending on size), drop gnocchi into the boiling, salted water. When the gnocchi rise to the surface, scoop out with a slotted spoon and add to the skillet with the mushroom sauce. Repeat until all gnocchi are cooked.

4. Return heat to medium, add chopped arugula and toss. Cook until arugula is wilted and everything is nicely heated through (about 1 minute). Finish with a healthy dusting of freshly grated Piave cheese.

This Week at Swirl Wine Bar & Market

2011-11-14T09:21:00.001-06:00

Happenings

Our Annual Bubbles Tasting Just Got Better...
Although I really enjoy each and every event we put on in the shop, there is something very special and festive about our annual Beautiful Bubbles tasting. Lover of all things bubbly, Fine Wine Specialist Linda Smith of Republic National, joins us each year to celebrate the holiday season with a tasting of international wines. We sip bubblies from California, France and Italy (of course!), getting more and more giddy with each glass of effervescent bliss. It is truly a special event, and this year we've made it even better by adding one of our other most favorite things in the world, cheese!

Who better to invite to present the cheeses than our friends over at St. James? Casey Foote will be joining us as we pair 5 cheeses from across the globe with our favorite bubblies. This is a perfect time to find that special bottle and delicious cheese to serve for the holidays, pick up a unique gift for the bubbly lover in your life or just enjoy a festive evening out.

The event is Thursday, November 17 from 6:30 to 8pm. This is a seated tasting and limited to 20 people and we do have spots available, but they are going fast! Call us at 504.304.0635 for a reservation, prepayment is required to hold your spot! $25

Upcoming Events

Wednesday Nite Flites, November 16, 6-8pm

This week we'll be popping some exciting bottles from little know regions in Europe and hopefully wake up your palates with new sensations! Spain, Italy and France will be represented with wines from Montefalco, Bierzo and Saint Bris. Check out our Facebook page on Wednesday to see what we'll be serving! We don't take reservations for the flites, it is a first come, first serve basis, so just pull up a seat at the bar and pick up your boarding pass! The flite is $12-$15, cheese plates ($12) and charcuterie plates ($10) will be available as well.

Annual Beautiful Bubbles with Linda Smith plus St. James Cheese, November 17, 6:30 to 8pm
5 delicious bubblies from around the world paired with our favorite cheeses. Casey Foote from St. James will present the cheeses and Linda Smith from Republic will present the bubbles. Limited to 20 people, $25, reservations required, call 304.0635. This event is at Swirl.

Friday Free for All, November 18, 6-8pm
David Sobiesk joins us tonight with some great selections from Spain! No reservations required! Check out our Facebook page on Friday to see what we'll be serving!

Wednesday Night Flites, Festive Holiday Wines, November 23th, 6-8pm
Wines are TBA, but I'm secretly hoping for an Amarone...I'll keep you posted!

Closed Thanksgiving, Thursday November 24th

Friday Free for All, November 25, 6-8pm
Join us for our regularly scheduled tasting of 4 free wines! No reservations required! Check out our Facebook page on Friday to see what we'll be serving!

Wednesday Night Flites, Special Guest Antonio Molesini, November 30th, 6-8pm
Wines are TBA, but I'm secretly hoping for an Amarone...I'll keep you posted!

Merci Beaucoup! 2009 Moises "Mes Amis" Pinot Noir Release, December 1, 6:30 to 8pm
Join James Moises and friends as they pour bottles of his newly released Oregon Pinot Noir that has a special New Orleans story. Click here for more info, Mes Amis

An Evening in Bordeaux with Yvon Mau Imports, Tuesday December 6, 6-8pm
Join Warren Helman for this special tasting of Chateau wines from one of the world’s most famous regions. Warren spends a lot of time in Bordeaux seeking out surprising bargains on top quality reds and whites and he'll be sharing first hand knowledge about vintages and producers. $12, reservations are required, call 304.0635.

Creminelli Salami, Italian Wine & Cheese, December 8th, 6:30-8pm
Join Cristiano Creminelli, a premier producer of artisan cured meats at St. James Cheese for a unique night of pairing wine with cheese and the Creminelli products. This is a don't miss event for all of you hard core carnivores! Antonio may not be able to attend because of the date change, if so I will present the wines using my best Italian accent :) This event is at St. James, call 899-4737 for pricing and reservations.

Antonio's Italy

We had so much fun on our tour of Tuscany, we're working on another....May 26-June 2, 2012. Copies of our itinerary and pricing can be viewed here: Antonio's Italy

Swirl and Savor
Our wine and food blog...here are a few from the past 2 weeks, but there are lots more at swirlandsavor.
This Week
Merci Beaucoup, 2009 Moises Mes Amis Release!
"It was March of 2003, and local doc James Moises had just one week to turn his newly acquired 10 acres of land into a vineyard. The eternal optimist, he didn't think twice about trying to handle the back breaking task with just two other guys, but luckily his friends back home thought better. So they came to Oregon, eight New Orleanians who didn't know a thing about planting a vineyard, but wanted to help their friend accomplish his dream..." Click here for the post, Mes Amis

Antonio's Italy, A Wine and Culinary Vacation in Tuscany

"Join Swirl Wine Bar & Market in May 2012 as Antonio Molesini, Italian Wine Specialist and native of Tuscany, takes us on a very special wine and cultural tour of his homeland. We’ll be living like locals, spending a week in a historic villa in Cortona and visiting Antonio’s favorite wineries, restaurants, hill towns and wine bars." Click here for the itinerary and pricing: Antonio's Italy

Fatma and Fatoush
"I received an email from our friend Fatma the other day letting us know that her new restaurant, Fatoush in the New Orleans Healing Center, was now quietly serving a full menu. We were in the neighborhood delivering some wine for a wedding Saturday afternoon, so we decided to stop by and check out the progress." Click here for the post: Fatma & Fatoush

Sundays are the Best

"I cherish my Sundays, especially in the "winter" here in New Orleans. It's the only day that neither of us walk into the shop to do anything unless we absolutely have to, or if we need wine... So tonight is a good night, I've spent the day writing, reading, taking a ride on the very windy lakefront and now Kerry is in the kitchen putting together a fabulous roasted beet salad..." click here for the post: Sundays

Last Week

When Life Gives you Lemons
"A few years ago Kerry and I decided to take advantage of our subtropical climate and plant a few citrus trees. Our tiny yard doesn't allow for much so we planted an orange tree in the front yard, a key lime tree in a pot on the front steps and a meyer lemon in the back. We have about 30 big, beautiful and incredibly juicy lemons that are, of course, all ready to be picked." Click here for the post: Lemons

Savory Pumpkin Ravioli

"I managed to get out of town for a few days this weekend and took a quick trip to visit my family in Pennsylvania. The cool fall weather and changing leaves have been a refreshing change from the still way to hot temperatures in New Orleans! I always like to cook something special when I'm here and the abundance of autumn veggies and gourds inspired me to make homemade Pumpkin Ravioli." Click here for the recipe, Pumpkin Ravioli

Hope to See You Soon!
Beth, Kerry, Michelle, Matt, Michael and Sangi

Merci Beaucoup! 2009 Moises Mes Amis Pinot Noir Release

2011-11-13T16:55:00.000-06:00

It was March of 2003, and local doc James Moises had just one week to turn his newly acquired 10 acres of land into a vineyard. The eternal optimist, he didn't think twice about trying to handle the back breaking task with just two other guys, but luckily his friends back home thought better. So they came to Oregon, eight New Orleanians who didn't know a thing about planting a vineyard, but wanted to help their friend accomplish his dream. In the cold pouring rain they worked to mark the rows, pound the posts, drill the holes and plant the vines. They worked from sun up to sun down in mud up to their knees and they accomplished their goal: 10,000 vines in the ground in one week. Pretty serious business for a bunch of amateurs!

In the fall of 2009 James was able to harvest the vineyard for the first time and he named the bottling "Mes Amis" as a tribute to those who put their lives on hold for a week to help a friend. And now after two years of bottle and oak aging, he's ready to let his friends and you, literally taste the fruits of their labor and try his 2009 Moises Mes Amis.

Come to Swirl on December 1st to hear the story, meet the friends who were there when it all started, and of course taste the wine! We'll be pouring lots of Mes Amis for free from 6:00 to 7:30, and all of James' other Pinots, including the fabulous 2008 releases will be available at the bar for $9 a glass. If you've ever been to one of James' release parties at Swirl, you know your glass is never empty and the store is always full...

Sundays are the Best

2011-11-06T22:14:00.000-06:00

I cherish my Sundays, especially in the "winter" here in New Orleans. It's the only day that neither of us walk into the shop to do anything unless we absolutely have to, or if we need wine...

So tonight is a good night, I've spent the day writing, reading, taking a ride on the very windy lakefront and now Kerry is in the kitchen putting together a fabulous roasted beet salad. I'm about to saute some sweet potatoes from the farmers market in butter and fresh sage from the garden. Madeleine Peyroux is singing softly in the living room, the front door is open, sending in a wonderful breeze and the sound of the chimes on the front porch. There's a bottle of 1998 Manzoni Barolo Vigna d'la Roul breathing on the table and a few steaks that are ready to go on the grill. Harley the cat is contently watching all of the goings on from his perch on the sofa, while Sangi patiently waits in the kitchen knowing that steak means good things for good dogs.

And I have to say that at this moment, on this particular Sunday, life feels pretty damn wonderful. I hope you all are enjoying yours...

Kerry's Roasted Beet Salad
Take 2 large golden beets and roast in the oven at 375 degrees for about an hour, or until soft. Peel off the outer skin and cut in half. Thinly slice the beet halves and set aside. Take a couple of handfuls of really fresh mixed greens and lay them over a platter, place the slices of beets over the greens. Slice up 1/2 of a vidala onion and sprinkle over the beets and then cover with fresh micro greens. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper and then drizzle a little white wine vinegar followed by really good quality olive oil and top off with small bits of fresh goats cheese, and enjoy your Sunday salad!

Antonio's Italy, Wine and Culinary Vacations, Itinerary May 2012

2011-11-06T16:12:00.001-06:00

Antonio’s Italy

May 26-June 2, 2012

Join Swirl Wine Bar & Market in May 2012 as Antonio Molesini, Italian Wine Specialist and native of Tuscany, takes us on a very special wine and cultural tour of his homeland. We’ll be living like locals, spending a week in a historic villa in Cortona and visiting Antonio’s favorite wineries, restaurants, hill towns and wine bars. With its centralized location, Cortona is the perfect base from which to explore both Umbria and Tuscany, allowing easy access to Orvieto, Montepulciano, Chianti, San Gimignano, Florence, Lake Trasimeno and more.

Accommodations: Our home for the next week is the beautifully restored Casa Berrittini, located just inside the ancient city walls of Cortona. This 14th century house has been lovingly refurbished over several years by the owner, in the traditional Tuscan style, but with modern conveniences. Villa Berrittini is wonderfully situated within this medieval city and offers incredible views, a beautiful garden and four suites with a separate sitting area, queen size bed and private bath. Common areas include a large kitchen and living room areas as well as full use of the majestic gardens.

Cortona: The medieval hill town of Cortona offers many options to the adventurous traveler. Tour frescoed churches from the 13th century; explore the original city walls; see an art exhibit in the 16th century fortress. You can also visit the local museums and libraries, tiptoe around ancient monasteries and Etruscan tombs dating back to the second century B.C. Dine on the best Tuscan dishes as you look out on an historic palazzo or hike out to the beautiful countryside. As for shopping, you'll find local handicrafts, antiques, and of course local wines and olive oils that simply outdo anything you've ever tasted!

Day One: Saturday, May 26th - We meet in the medieval city of Cortona. The Villa is located with in the ancient city walls and gives us easy walking access to the town center. Today we’ll get settled in, have lunch at a little enoteca, explore our surroundings, relax with a little Prosecco in the beautiful gardens before we walk to dinner at La Logetta.

Ristorante La Loggetta is wonderfully located in a 13th century building overlooking the main piazza of Cortona. We’ll sit outside on the terrace where we’ll be spoiled with delicious and innovative takes on traditional Tuscan cuisine while we watch the goings on in the piazza below.

Day Two: Sunday, May 27th – Exploring Cortona. Cortona is a small charming town enclosed by stone walls that dates back to Etruscan and Roman times. Sitting high on a hill top in the typical medieval fashion, this dominant position over the valley offers a spectacular view from all over the town of the surrounding region and even Lake Trasimeno. Its narrow winding streets are lined with excellent wine bars, shops and trattorie, making it a great place to just hang out. After breakfast we’ll do a walking tour of the ancient churches and monasteries, viewing beautiful works by Pietro di Cortona, Luca Signorelli, Fra Angelico and many other famous Renaissance artists. We’ll have a picnic on the beautiful grounds of the Basilica di Santa Margherita, eat a light lunch and give you time to explore on your own before dinner at the villa. Homemade Lasagna, lovingly made by a local “nonna”, is on the menu tonight, with fresh pasta and baked to perfection, as well as antipasti of local cured meats and cheeses, insalata and of course some delicious regional wine.

Day Three: Monday, May 28th - After breakfast this morning we’ll travel by car to one of the most treasured wine areas of Tuscany, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. We’ll spend the early part of the day touring the vineyards of Poliziano. Vintage after vintage, this family-owned property near the charming hilltop village of Montepulciano sets the quality standard in this historic region. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano was one of Italy’s first DOCG-designated wines, and continues to command a place among the country’s most celebrated reds. Our visit to Poliziano includes a tour the vineyards, the winemaking facilities and aging cellar, followed by a tasting of their range of wines and lunch of regional foods at the winery.

After lunch we’ll pass some leisurely time in the village of Montepulciano, without doubt one of the most beautiful medieval towns of Tuscany. Resting at 600 meters above sea level protected by still impressively intact walls, Montepulciano is known for its noble Renaissance town houses and for the elegant architecture of its churches. Montepulciano has more enoteche and cantine (wine cellars) than you can shake a wine bottle at, most offering the chance to sample local products: pecorino cheese, salami, honey, olive oil, and, of course, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Many shops also let you descend into their cantine, often a linked maze of basements, underground tunnels that once connected the palaces, and older grottoes carved into the tufa of the mountain. Afterwards we’ll head back to the villa, drink a glass of wine in the gardens and walk to dinner at La Bucaccia in the center of town.

Located in the restored wine cellar of a 13th century palazzo, Ristorante La Bucaccia is owned and operated by Romano Magi and his wife, Agostina. Together, the Magi family creates a dining experience that is the perfect expression of Tuscan culinary traditions from the region, and we’re hoping tonight we’ll get to try Agostina’s famous Chestnut Ravioli and Romano’s house made mozzarella!

Day Four: Tuesday, May 29th – Our base in Cortona makes the region of Umbria just a short distance and today we will spend the day in the medieval city of Orvieto. Few places in Italy are more dramatically situated than this Umbrian town, which sits atop a cliff of red volcanic rock. A stronghold in Etruscan times, sacked by the Romans, reborn in the Middle Ages, Orvieto has one of the most beautiful duomos in Italy, ancient churches and towers, as well as a maze of quarries, tunnels and tufo cellars.

Orvieto is also a wine-producing town, bursting with wine bars and fine food shops. It is one of the main centers of Italy’s Slow Food movement – and the headquarters of Cittàslow, the Slow Cities movement which celebrates the concept to “leisurely living”. So we will take our time, sit in the piazza enjoying Panini washed down with the local wine and have time to peruse the shops, churches, and hopefully the Etruscan tombs. Time permitting we’ll drive over to Lake Trasimeno, known historically as "the lake of Perugia", the largest lake in peninsular Italy. We’ll stop in the lively town of Passignano, taking in the sights and relax in a café overlooking the lake while we indulge in a little gelato or a refreshing apertivo.

Dinner tonight will be a real treat as our friends at Trattoria Dardano will prepare a local favorite, beef steaks from the local Chianina cattle. Thought to be one of the oldest breeds of cattle in existence, Paolo will grill this delicious meat in the famous style, Bistecca Fiorentina, the epitome of the rustic simplicity of Tuscan cuisine.

Day 5: Wednesday May 30th – Today we’ll immerse ourselves in one of the most famous wine producing regions of the world, Chianti Classico. Here, the olive groves, cypress trees, farm houses and miles and miles of vineyards, create an amazing landscape for us to explore. The village of Volpaia sits on a hilltop just north of the town of Radda in Chianti, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. Built in the 11th century as a fortified village on the Florence-Siena border, the medieval layout and buildings within the village are still intact, making Volpaia one of the best-preserved villages of its period. Two thirds of the village is owned by famed producer Castello di Volpaia, a winery fully devoted to organic farming who produces olive oil, vinegar and wine, with a focus on Chianti Classico.

We’ll tour the vineyards, the winemaking facilities and aging cellar, and for lunch afterwards we’ll dine on our local fare and taste wines from the Maremma estate, Prelius, as well as the Chiantis and Super Tuscans of Castello di Volpaia.

If there is time we will stop in one of the many beautiful hill towns on our way home to take in the views and walk the ancient streets. Dinner tonight will be at the villa where we’ll feast on delicious hand made ravioli from our favorite Cortonese nonna!

Day Six: Thursday, May 31 - After an early breakfast this morning we’ll head west to sample some of Tuscany’s most famous white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano. And when it comes to producing this stellar quality white wine in Tuscany, the Teruzzi & Puthod estate stands heads and shoulders above the rest. This pioneering producer helped to usher this region’s historic Vernaccia di San Gimignano wines into modern times, and today is the indisputable benchmark against which all other Vernaccia wines are judged.

Designated Italy’s very first DOC wine in 1966 and later elevated to DOCG status, Vernaccia di San Gimignano holds an illustrious place in the history of Tuscany’s iconic white wines. The medieval town of San Gimignano in the province of Siena is one of Italy’s oldest winemaking sites, and the fame of the Vernaccia-based wines that originate in its hillsides is nearly as ancient as the city itself. And while they are famous for their white wines, Teruzzi e Puthod also produces a line of reds that are not exported to the United States that we will have the opportunity to taste on our tour. We’ll tour, taste and eat a light lunch at the winery before we head into the historic town of San Gimignano.

San Gimignano, known as the City of Beautiful Towers, is a classic medieval walled hill town in Tuscany, Italy. Its 14 surviving medieval towers create a beautiful skyline visible from the surrounding countryside. Originally there were 72 towers, some as tall as 50 meters, built by patrician families to demonstrate their wealth and power. We’ll stroll the narrow streets of San Gimignano, see the spectacular frescos in the Duomo, climb La Rognosa, the tower of City hall, visit specialty food shops, check out the local pottery and crafts and have an espresso in a little café before heading back to Cortona.

Tonight we’ll pick up pizza from one of Cortona’s local pizzerias, and have dinner in the garden with some insalata, antipasto and of course, vino!

Day Seven: Friday, June 1 - Today you will have the option to go by train to Florence with Antonio on one of his infamous shopping trips, schedule museum tours or spend a leisurely day relaxing in Cortona. Antonio loves to shop and visit the merchants on the Ponte Vecchio, the outdoor markets and main shopping thoroughfares in one of the most fashionable cities in the world. Or if you would like, we can arrange for you to visit Florence’s incredible museums on your own and we will all meet at the train station in the afternoon to return to Cortona together.

For those who choose not to go to Florence, you can spend a relaxing last day in the tranquility of Cortona, visiting the local merchants on the Via Nazionale to do you last minute shopping before our farewell dinner at La Grotta. La Grotta is a charming ristorante tucked away in a little piazzetta (little piazza) off the main Piazza Repubblica in the center of Cortona. Famous for their hand made pasta dishes, this multi coursed feast of local Cortonese specialties will be an excellent end to our culinary travels!

Day Eight: Saturday, June 2nd - We sadly say “Arrividerci” to Cortona this morning and take you to the train so you can get to you next destination.

Trip Cost: $2650/person for double occupancy (single occupancy is not available), not including airfare. A $750 check deposit and completed registration form are required to secure your reservation. Travelers from our previous trip to Tuscany will have priority in booking and will have until 11/21/2011 to respond. All other booking can begin as of 11/22 and spots are secured with deposit check and reservation form. For a registration form or information, please contact me at beth@swirlinthecity.com or call me at 504.304.0635.

Important Information:

-The villa has 4 double occupancy suites therefore we can accept up to 8 travelers maximum.
-Casa Berittinni is a historically restored 14th century villa that does not have air conditioning or an elevator.
-Due to the nature of the trip, you must be 21 or older to register.
-At times the trip will involve strenuous walking on steep hill town roads that are not accessible by car. Please make us aware of any physical limitations you may have.

Fatma and Fatoush

2011-11-06T13:13:00.001-06:00

I received an email from our friend Fatma the other day letting us know that her new restaurant, Fatoush in the New Orleans Healing Center, was now quietly serving a full menu. We were in the neighborhood delivering some wine for a wedding Saturday afternoon, so we decided to stop by and check out the progress.

As we enter the restaurant from the Healing Center, we literally run into Fatma. Dressed in a skirt, wedge heeled boots, stripped blouse and a lacy neck scarf, she is charging out of the kitchen, cordless power drill in hand assisting with the installation of the speakers for the newly installed sound system. She hands the drill over to the guys, greets us with hugs and kisses, grabs a few menus and brings us to a table in the newly opened dining room. Ah the ever changing hats of a restaurateur! But she actually had time to visit with us a while so we were able to chat a bit about her latest project.

Having been on the New Orleans restaurant scene for almost 25 years, Fatma actually came out of retirement specifically because of the Healing Center. The concept of the healing center was developed post Katrina as a new model for community centers, "specially created to help, heal, and empower surrounding neighborhoods on a civic, social, economic, environmental, intellectual, and spiritual level". The developers have taken an abandoned eye sore and turned it into an artful, brightly colored and nicely landscaped complex that houses a holistic blend of businesses and services all meant to feed the body, mind and soul. The well designed space gives you easy access to a cooperative grocery, street university, fitness center, book store, yoga studio, green business incubator, healing arts collective, performance hall, interfaith center, and Fatma's restaurant, Fatoush.

Dining room at Fatoush

Chef in the open kitchen

Our original intention was to have a cup of coffee and a piece of their delicious homemade baklava, but after talking with Fatma about the menu, we decided to try a few small bites. A really nice mix of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Turkish dishes, there is a lot to choose from at really affordable prices. The most expensive item on the list is the grilled lamb chops at $15.99, and considering the quality of ingredients they are using, this place is a truly a bargain. Focused on using local and organic products, they also use free range chicken and meats that are Kosher, Halal Cut, and grass fed from the Gonsoulin Farm in New Iberia.

Lahmacun

They have a Turkish chef, Hakki Erce, so we wanted to try some of the traditional dishes ordering the Lahmacun and Imama Bayildi. To drink we decided on Turkish black tea that comes from Fatma's mother's tea farm in Turkey, which by the way is complimentary and you can drink it free all day long if you so desire. They first send their fresh, warm, organic house made pita bread accompanied by a deliciously rich dip of sundried tomatoes, kalamta olives, sumac and olive oil. Again a complimentary item with your meal, I promise that once you taste it you will devour every last bite of it before your next item arrives. Next up for us was the Lahmacun ($3.50), a sort of Turkish flat bread topped with freshly ground, spiced beef and lamb which you fold and put in red onion, parsley and sliced tomatoes. House made flat bread and fresh ingredients made this a simple but really tasty, healthy dish.

Imama Bayildi

The Imama Bayildi ($4.99) arrived as we were finishing the flat bread and was a beautiful slice of pan fried eggplant topped with a mix of sauteed onion, tomato and garlic accompanied by rice and fresh lettuce and tomato. A sort of Turkish take on caponata, the eggplant was perfect fork cutting texture and the flavors of the topping, balanced and again prepared with all fresh ingredients.

Turkish tea and baklava

Well I still had that bakalava on my mind and even with as full as I was beginning to feel, we got our tea refilled and put in an order. An order ($4.95) happens to be three pieces of the best melt in your mouth homemade pastry, nuts and honeyed syrup you've ever tasted, so beware because you will be licking your fingers and your plate before it's all over....We can't wait to come back for a full dinner and try those lamb chops!

The New Orleans Healing Center

We find the whole scene refreshing, from the healthy food at Fatoush, the organic food market, the services and other business just give this place a really welcoming vibe. If you haven't been yet, you need to check out the New Orleans Healing Center. And Fatoush is a must for those who like healthy food, prepared fresh with local ingredients and the best of intentions!

Fatma & Bob

Great job Fatma, you've done it again! And yes, we are already talking about a wine dinner....

When Life Gives You Lemons...

2011-10-30T19:19:00.000-05:00

A few years ago Kerry and I decided to take advantage of our subtropical climate and plant a few citrus trees. Our tiny yard doesn't allow for much so we planted an orange tree in the front yard, a key lime tree in a pot on the front steps and a meyer lemon in the back. Well the orange tree has been struggling since day one, too much wind, fighting with the grass for nutrients, sadly we may have to take it up soon. The key lime has given us enough to make some great Sunday night cocktails but it is the Meyer lemon tree that has really thrived this season. We have about 30 big, beautiful and incredibly juicy lemons that are, of course, all ready to be picked.

Meyers are different than regular lemons. They were identified in 1908 by Frank Meyer and are thought to be a cross regular lemon and a Chinese mandarin. They are more round, have a beautiful smooth but thin, deep yellowy colored skin with a slightly orange tint. Meyers have a wonderful tangy aroma and are sweeter and less acidic than the standard lemon give you twice as much juice.

So in wondering what to do with all of these lemons, I found this great post from the LA Times on 100 Things to do with Meyer Lemons. And while many of the recipes are tempting, the one I may do first is the Meyer Lemon and Cardamon Ice Cream...anyone have an ice cream maker I can borrow?

This Week at Swirl Wine Bar & Market

2011-10-24T09:35:00.000-05:00

Happenings
Meet Winemaker Matt Wenk, Two Hands Winery
While our Friday Free For All tastings of 4 free wines still draw the biggest crowds, our Wednesday Nite Flites give me a good excuse to open up some really special, higher end wines. Last week it was producer Orin Swift's new wine "Abstract", there was also that beautiful 1997 Manzoni Barolo a few weeks back and this week we are really excited to have winemaker Matt Wenk from Two Hands Wines in Australia pouring a few of his gorgeous new releases including his picture series Cabernet and Shiraz both of which retail for around $30

The press on this winery alone makes this tasting worth checking out. Wine Spectator's Top 100 for 2010 picked the Two Hands Bella's Garden as their #2 wine and awarded it 94 points. Two Hands gets consistent 90+ reviews from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, James Halliday's Wine Companion, Wine Spectator and the UK Decanter magazine for the entire lineup of wines and we want to see if they live up to all of the hype! We haven't picked the third wine yet for the tasting as we're waiting to see the others that are to arrive this week. Winemaker Matt Wenk will be signing bottles (think great, early holiday gifts...) and talking about the wines. You can check out a video here with Matt on Winemaking at Two Hands Winery. We don't take reservations for the flites, it is a first come, first serve basis, so just pull up a seat at the bar and pick up your boarding pass! The flite is $12, cheese plates ($12) and charcuterie plates ($10) will be available as well.

*Up next week: Antonio Molesini with some "super" wines from his native Tuscany!

Halloween Festivities in the Neighborhood
Faubourg St. John is hopping this weekend with Halloween events!-Friday Free For All Wine Tasting, 6-8pm. Wear a costume, we'll enter you into a drawing to win a $25 Swirl gift certificate! Drawing will be at 7:30, must be present to win! Plus closing night of Mitchell Long's show and taste 4 great wines for free!-Voodoo Music Experience in City Park, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
-Spooky Saturday at Swirl: Wear a costume and buy one get one free at the bar on your first drink!
-Voodoo on the Bayou: Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association's annual Halloween bash at the Pitot House on the Bayou. The event will feature live music by “Los Po-Boy-Citos” (winners of the 2011 Big Easy Award for Best Latin Band), open bar, food from some of New Orleans most beloved restaurants including Café Degas, Santa Fe, Nonna Mia and Angelo Brocato’s. Buy your tickets at Swirl, $40 each!
Wednesday Nite Flites, October 26, 6-8pm
We are really excited to have winemaker Matt Wenk from Two Hands Wines in Australia pouring a few of his gorgeous new releases including his picture series Cabernet and Shiraz both of which retail for around $30. We haven't picked the third wine yet for the tasting as we're waiting to see if a few others arrive this week as planned. Winemaker Matt Wenk will be signing bottles (think great, early holiday gifts...) and talking about the wines. We don't take reservations for the flites, it is a first come, first serve basis, so just pull up a seat at the bar and pick up your boarding pass! The flite is $12, cheese plates ($12) and charcuterie plates ($10) will be available as well.

Friday Free for All, October 28, 6-8pm
Wear a costume, we'll enter you into a drawing to win a $25 Swirl gift certificate! Drawing will be at 7:30, must be present to win! Plus closing night of Mitchell Long's show and taste 4 great wines for free!

Spooky Saturday at Swirl October 29, All Day!
Wear a costume and buy one get one free at the bar on your first drink!

Antonio's Italy
We had so much fun on our tour of Tuscany, we're working on another....May 26-June 2, 2012. I'll be releasing our itinerary in early November! Our trips are an intimate, one of a kind experience where we take 8 people on a wine and food "vacation" in Tuscany with Italian Wine Specialist Antonio Molesini. Previous trip participants get first pick on those 8 spots, so I'll keep you posted on pricing and availability!

Swirl and Savor
Our wine and food blog...here are a few from the past 2 weeks, but there are lots more at swirlandsavor.

New Posts
Savory Pumpkin Ravioli
"I managed to get out of town for a few days this weekend and took a quick trip to visit my family in Pennsylvania. The cool fall weather and changing leaves have been a refreshing change from the still way to hot temperatures in New Orleans! I always like to cook something special when I'm here and the abundance of autumn veggies and gourds inspiried me to make homemade Pumpkin Ravioli." Click here for the recipe, Pumpkin Ravioli

Antipasti for Nic's Birthday

"Our friend Nicole celebrated a birthday yesterday and we were lucky enough to be invited to dinner. Other friends in from Atlanta were doing the cooking, so I offered to bring some appetizers and of course, the wine. We've been eating so much Indian food lately, I was happy to dive back into Italy and do some real traditional bites. All of these are simple and take little preparation but pack a lot of flavor. The key, as in all good cooking but especially Italian, is fresh, good quality ingredients." Click here for my post on Antipasti

Finding Diamonds in the Rough
"While I do love tasting wine with our wholesalers, importers and winery reps, it is not as romantic as everyone thinks when they come in and see us gathered around the bar or the back table with open wine bottles and half filled glasses, envisioning my day spent doing nothing but sipping wine and lazily sharing stories with others fortunate enough to be in this industry. It's work; I stop what I'm doing, dirty lots of glasses that we then have to clean, make small talk with people I'd sometimes rather not and occasionally taste bad or mediocre wine often with silly, kitschy labels that oh so obviously don't belong in our store..." Click here for my post on Diamonds in the Rough
Perfect Picnic Picks in Faubourg St. John
"While it's not quite as cool as we'd like it to be yet, we have gotten a little break from the sweltering heat of the summer. With that ever so slight breath of fall weather comes the perfect time to have a picnic. And we just happen to live and work in a neighborhood that has great little spots to pull out the blanket, pop open your favorite bottle, add a little cheese and salami and you are set!" Click here to read my post Perfect Picnic Picks

Older PostsThe Savory and Exotic Cuisine of Southern India
"A friend of mine remarked the other day that I must be too busy to cook lately since I've not been posting any recipes. Ah not true I said, we've just been delving into my other favorite cuisine in the last few weeks, Indian. I fell in love with Indian cooking when my niece Rika joined our family about 10 years ago. As much as I love Mediterranean style food, the exotic spices of India offer something refreshingly different." You can view the full post here, Southern India.
Vegetable Sambar
"We absolutely love this dish and eat it at least twice a week right now. Delicously healthy and exotically spiced, I could probably eat it every day and not get tired of it...Sambar is type of Indian stew made with vegetables, dahl (legumes) and sambar spice powder. Making this recipe will require a trip to the International Market in Metairie or any store that specializes in Indian spices and products." Click here for the recipe, Vegetable Sambar

The Intriguing, Complex and Delicious Wines of Antonio Caggiano
"My first introduction to the wines of Caggiano was in the fabulous "Ristorante Il Ritrovo" in the little hilltop town of Montepertuso overlooking Positano and the Bay of Salerno. The restaurant was recommended by Chiara, the owner of our villa, as well as the Slow Food Guide to places to eat in Italy. Chiara's brother Francesco oversees the wine program at the restaurant and during our recent visit, chose the wines for our dinner. All of his selections were fantastic, but the wine that really stood our for me was the 2010 Caggiano Bechar Fiano di Avellino. All I could think of was how I was going to get this wine in the store so that I could enjoy it on a regular basis and of course share it with our customers!" Click here for the full post, Caggiano.
Pasta with Fresh Lemon, Cream and Chanterelles
I saw a recipe in Lidia Bastianich's cookbook and have just been waiting for the right opportunity to make it. Hers uses lemon juice and zest with rich heavy cream with a fresh tagliatelle pasta. But when I was shopping at the Hollygrove Market yesterday I got one of the few remaining bags freshly foraged chanterelles and decided they would be perfect addition to her recipe..." Click here for Chanterelles

Hope to See You Soon!
Beth, Kerry, Michelle, Matt, Michael and Sangi

Swirl Wine Bar & Market
3143 Ponce de Leon Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
504.304.0635

Savory Pumpkin Ravioli in Sage and Butter

2011-10-17T08:26:00.000-05:00

I managed to get out of town for a few days this weekend and took a quick trip to visit my family in Pennsylvania. The cool fall weather and changing leaves have been a refreshing change from the still way to hot temperatures in New Orleans! I always like to cook something special when I'm here and the abundance of autumn veggies and gourds inspired me to make homemade Pumpkin Ravioli. My sous chef Rika and I spent the afternoon on Sunday making fresh pasta and while they weren't too sure about pumpkin and sage together, the meal was a hit even with the most picky eaters.

My standard fresh pasta recipe is Lidia Bastianich's from her book Lidia's Italian Table. It is simple, delicate and comes out perfect every time I've made it. I use my Kitchen Aid Mixer or the initial blending and then add the pasta roller attachments when it is time to roll it out. When possible, I like to use farm fresh eggs (the fresher the better) that we buy at the Crescent City Farmer's Market. Click here for my step by step instructions for making fresh pasta, Pasta all'Uovo, Basic Egg Pasta.

Once you have gotten to the point in the dough recipe where you "Roll the dough into a smooth ball. Place the dough in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for at least 1 hour at room temperature, or up to 1 day in the refrigerator, before rolling and shaping the pasta. If the dough has been refrigerated, let it stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour before rolling and shaping.", you can now make the filling while the dough is resting.

Makes 6 generous servings

For the filling:
    16 oz. ricotta cheese (about 2 cups)
    16 oz. pumpkin puree
    1 egg
    1 teaspoon Kosher salt
    Freshly grated nutmeg

For the sauce (to dress about 1/3 of the ravioli):
    1 stick unsalted butter
    20 sage leaves (plus additional for garnish, if desired)
    Handful Almond Slivers
   1/4 cup pine nuts
    Kosher salt
    Parmesan shavings

While the pasta dough rests, combine the ricotta, pumpkin, egg, Kosher salt, and some freshly ground nutmeg in a mixing bowl. Set aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicon mat and lightly flour.

Once the dough has rested, use a pasta machine to roll the pasta out into thin, wide sheets. I did not have my ravioli mold with me, so we used a juice glass for round ravioli. I like to lightly mark the pasta sheets with the glass before I spoon on the filling. Place spoons of the filling in the circles on the dough, and using a small brush, lightly dampen the edges with water to help seal. Top with another sheet of pasta dough. Using the glass, press down through both sheets to cut, pinch the edges with your fingers, dust with flour and place on the baking sheet. At this point you can cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to a day before you do the final steps.

The pine nuts and almonds are a garnish and need to be roasted/toasted until they darken slightly, be careful not to burn them. Once you've done this, grind about 2/3 of the mixture, leaving the other third whole, combine the two and set aside until you're ready to garnish.

To prepare the ravioli, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil for about 5 minutes, in batches, pushing the ravioli back down into the boiling water with a wooden spoon as it floats to the top. Drain the ravioli and set aside.

Meanwhile, brown the butter in a large skillet. Add the sage and cook for a few extra minutes. Transfer the ravioli to the pan and toss gently in the sauce. Serve immediately topped with the nut mixture and some shaved Parmesan cheese.

Perfect Picnic Picks in Faubourg St. John

2011-10-10T10:40:00.000-05:00

While it's not quite as cool as we'd like it to be yet, we have gotten a little break from the sweltering heat of the summer. With that ever so slight breath of fall weather comes the perfect time to have a picnic. And we just happen to live and work in a neighborhood that has great little spots to pull out the blanket, pop open your favorite bottle, add a little cheese and salami and you are set!

Fortier Park

My favorite spots include the tables in Fortier Park (across the street from the shop). The tables double as chess boards so you can play a leisurely game while you sip on some wine.

Banks of Bayou St. John

Bayou Saint John has many wide green spaces to throw down a blanket but I particularly like the spot by the Cabrini walking bridge under the big oak tree.

City Park offers so many secluded, hidden nooks or more populated spaces for great people watching. I personally love the area under the old, sprawling oak tree with the huge wind chimes near the big lake. The sounds coming from those giant chimes automatically put you in a serene, relaxed state while having lots to occupy the rest of your senses as you can watch the boats on the lake and walkers on the path or feed the ducks some of your bread.

And of course we have everything you need at the shop for you outing. Perfect sparkling picnic wines like the Avissi Prosecco ($14.99) or Ca de Medici Lambrusco ($12.99) go great with cheese and are a festive, inexpensive way to start your feast. Refreshing palate cleansing whites like the 2010 Frisk Prickly Dry Riesling ($9.99) the 2010 Domaine Pichot Vouvray ($17.50) or the 2010 Taburno Falanghina ($17.99) are a joy with cheese and antipasti and just plain fun to drink. Lighter style reds like the 2010 Terre Nere Etna Rosso ($18.50), the 2010 Pierre Chermette Beaujolais ($15.99) or the 2009 Tilia Bonarda ($9.99) have enough fruit and weight to accompany both your meats and cheeses.

Now onto the what you can fill that picnic basket with...a nice rotating selection of artisan cheese from St. James Cheese are freshly restocked weekly. Our best sellers include the triple cream wonder Brillat Savarin, the nutty almost butterscotchy Prima Donna Aged Gouda, the crumbly, tangy goats milk Miticana, the semi-soft, buttery Appalachian and of course the ever popular sheeps milk Manchego. We usually hand select 12-15 cheeses per week to fill the cooler and sample on our cheese plates at the bar.

Cured meats like Columbus Cacciatore Salami, Palacios Chorizo, Creminelli Sopresatta or maybe you'd like to try the new to-die-for house made duck pastrami from St. James or their house made country style pate? And since pate is not complete with cornichon, we have those and a selection of olives, pesto, crackers and fresh Boulangerie breads Thursday-Saturday. And we are crossing our fingers that very soon Cheryl Scripter will have her new location of Bittersweet Confections up and running so we can restock our chocolates.

So what are you waiting for? Come over pick up your picnic accouterments, grab a blanket and enjoy this weather while we can! Need a few cups or napkins? Want to pair a specific wine and cheese? Just ask, we'll do whatever we can to help you have the perfect picnic!

Antipasti for Nic's Birthday

2011-10-09T18:28:00.000-05:00

Our friend Nicole celebrated a birthday yesterday and we were lucky enough to be invited to dinner. Other friends in from Atlanta were doing the cooking, so I offered to bring some appetizers and of course, the wine.

We've been eating so much Indian food lately, I was happy to dive back into Italy and do some real traditional bites. All of these are simple and take little preparation but pack a lot of flavor. The key, as in all good cooking but especially Italian, is fresh, good quality ingredients.


Fichi con Formaggio e Speck

The first was Fichi con Formaggio e Speck (figs with cheese and speck). Speck is a smoked, cured meat from the Alto Adige region of Italy that looks similar to prosciutto as it is from the same cut of meat, the hind leg of the pig. To make speck, a boned pork leg is cured in salt, and spices like laurel and juniper, then intermittently slow-smoked, using pine or juniper wood for several months. I get it from St. James Cheese, but I'm sure Whole Foods probably carries it as well. If you can't find it, you can substitute Prosciutto, but be sure it is freshly sliced.

Take fresh figs and slice in half length wise. Add a small spoonful of a fresh goats cheese, I used one of the Cypress Grove Chevre from the shop, a sprinkle of chopped, fresh rosemary, a dollop of honey and short piece of speck (about a third of a slice) scrunched up and sat atop the cheese. A wonderful bite of salty, sweet, creamy deliciousness, I served these with the Avissi Prosecco for a nice little starter...

Foglie di Limone alla Griglia con Mozzarella - Da Adoflo, Positano

Next up was our first attempt at recreating one of our favorite appetizers from our trip to the Amalfi Coast. Due to the abundance of lemon trees and the fact that Campania is THE home of the Mozzarella di Bufala DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta, or Protected Designation of Origin), Foglie di Limone alla Griglia con Mozzarella (Grilled Lemon Leaves with Mozzarella) is on the menu of almost every restaurant in the region, but really never seen elsewhere in Italy or anywhere for that matter.

As simple as this is, the key is fresh lemon leaves and good quality mozzarella. When grilled for a quick 30 seconds, give or take a few, the lemon leaves impart the most delicious citrus flavor to the mozzarella. But the older the leaves, the less flavor you are going to get. We have a Meyer Lemon tree in the backyard so I picked a handful of the biggest leaves I could find just an hour or so before we would use them.


Hand tossed mozzarella and fresh lemon leaves

I got some really nice hand tossed mozzarella from Whole Foods that was not as good as the buffalo version, but the fact than it was handmade gave it a really nice flavor. The cheap, stringy, everyday mozzarella you buy in the grocery will just not give you the same outcome. Again, the food you make is only as good as your ingredients...


our first attempt, there will be many more!

All you do is cut about 1/4" thick slices of mozzarella, place it on a lemon leaves, and then put over indirect heat on a grill using a grill pan to place the leaves in. It literally takes about 30 seconds for the cheese to start melting. But be careful, our fire was too hot and our first attempt, while still tasted delicious, did not get to spend enough time on the fire. Guess I'll just need to practice this one more...

San Marzano tomatoes from the garden in Positano.

We also needed the grill for our Bruschetta al Pomidoro (Tomato Bruschetta), another staple on the Amalfi coast since Campania is also the DOP of San Marzano tomatoes. You know, those delicious, deeply flavored plum tomatoes that we are only fortunate enough to get in cans. But a quick lesson on bruschetta; it is pronounced bru-SKE-ta and bruschetta refers to the bread, not the topping. The best bread for bruschetta is a stale, dense loaf like a sour dough or country style bread. The bread is cut into slices, grilled, and brushed with good quality olive oil then rubbed with fresh garlic cloves. There are many recipes you can make to top your bruschetta, but the pomidoro is a classic.

To make the topping:
-4 medium sized ripe tomatoes cut into 1/4" dice
-2 cloves of garlic minced
-10 fresh basil leaves torn into small pieces
-1/2 to 1 teaspoon coarse salt
-few turns of the pepper grinder
-a pinch or two of peperoncino
-2 tablespoons of good quality extra virgin olive oil

For the bruschetta:
-12 slices of dense, stale bread, no more than 1" thick, and about 3-4" long
-olive oil
-1 clove of garlic cut in half

Mix the topping ingredients, stir to combine and set aside. Using indirect heat on a grill (again ours was a bit too hot...) quickly toast the bread slices until the edges get slightly dark. Remove from heat, brush on some olive oil and rub with the clove of garlic. Add the topping and consume immediately!

I served the lemon leaves and bruschetta side by side and poured the perfect wine, the Caggiano Devon Greco di Tufo. An unbelievable wine that brought our all the best flavors of the dishes!

Now the Atlanta cooks were at the grill and in the kitchen, making a fabulous beef tenderloin, gorgeous salad of avocado, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, rosemary roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus. We brought the 1997 Manzoni San Stefano Barolo to have with the meat, and they were about as perfect together as a pairing could be!

We ate like Italians, slowly, taking time to savor each delicious bite of food, sip of gorgeous wine and enjoy each other's company. A truly delightful evening, thank you Nic for inviting us to celebrate your birthday!

Finding Diamonds in the Rough

2011-10-07T09:49:00.003-05:00

While I do love tasting wine with our wholesalers, importers and winery reps, it is not as romantic as everyone thinks when they come in and see us gathered around the bar or the back table with open wine bottles and half filled glasses, envisioning my day spent doing nothing but sipping wine and lazily sharing stories with others fortunate enough to be in this industry...

It's work; I stop what I'm doing, dirty lots of glasses that we then have to clean, make small talk with people I'd sometimes rather not and occasionally taste bad or mediocre wine often with silly, kitschy labels that oh so obviously don't belong in our store. And then there is the very unromantic but necessary spitting of every sip of wine I drink (well almost every...) because to do this job well, you have to keep your palate clean and your brain clear so you don't make some stupid decision to buy too much of a not so great wine.


Tasting Dumangin Rose required cheese...

But there are many wholesalers that come in who are a joy to taste with; who know what I like at the price points I want and who are excited about the wine in their portfolios. Of course it's the European stuff that makes me happy with wines from Italy being at the top of the list. Obscure varieties always pique my curiosity and wacky winemakers who use a non traditional approach to their craft, ah this is when my job is fun! But unfortunately those are not the norm...

So what am I looking for in those sometimes 40 plus wines that I taste in a day? The first thing I taste for is balance; Is there too much fruit or not enough? Is the wine soft and elegant or just flabby with not enough structure? Is the acid present but not overpowering? Is the oak in check or overwhelming the fruit? Is the alcohol level noticeable on my nose and palate or well integrated? After I quickly assess all of those things in few sips that I then spit out into the bucket, I want to know the price. What is the quality to price ratio in my terms? Is it in the grocery stores or limited to fine wine shops and restaurants? If it fits into all of my criteria, then I need to see if I have a spot on the shelves for it now or should I pick it up later? And most importantly, is it a wine I could drink on any given day, because if it is not good enough for me, I'm not going to sell it to you. Period.

Out of all the wines I taste in a week, which usually ranges between 50-100, probably only about 5-10 will actually make it on to our shelves one day. I use the same process when buying a $5 wine as I do a $50 bottle and feel good about everything that comes into the store, from the cheap and tasty rack to the indulge section and all the bottles in between.

So all of this is leading to finding a diamond in the rough yesterday when tasting with Linda from Republic and Holly from Hess Selections. While the Hess wines are not something I carry, not so much from a quality standpoint but due to their obvious presence in grocery stores, they also represent some other products from South America and South Africa that I tasted. The standout was the Glen Carlou Chardonnay from Paarl, South Africa. At a whopping retail price of $14.99, this wine is a steal for those who like oak, but find many Californian Chards too over the top. A very balanced wine, with nice acidity, the perfect amount of French oak, beautiful fruit yet elegant on the palate, this wine will be in soon, (not enough room on the shelves this week) and is something I could and will drink any day of the week. Lovely!

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Review, 89 points: 2010 Glen Carlou Chardonnay - Entirely fermented in barrel with 30% new oak, the 2010 Chardonnay has an attractive nose of beeswax, honeysuckle and apple-blossom that carries the oak well. The palate is medium-bodied with fine waxy texture, good acidity with a light, elegant, caramel-tinged finish. This is good value South African Chardonnay. Drink now-2018+

Established in 1985, Glen Carlou is one of Paarl’s most familiar names and has been part of Hess Family Estates since 2003.Winemaker Arco Laarman oversees a portfolio that ranges from the entry-level “Tortoise Hill” range to Prestige single-vineyard releases. There is certainly consistency here and even their top-level wines are reasonably priced.