SomethingGlorious

MP3: New Foals "Orient," G.e.R.M. remix

2010-05-02T14:04:10-05:00

Can't wait for the new Foals album, Total Life Forever, to be released digitally in the U.S. on May 11? Get a taste for what's to come with this brilliant G.e.R.M. remix of the first single "The Orient." Foals first album, Antidotes, was driving, pulsing and fast-moving, with energetic ups-and-downs, punchy drums and plucky guitars. "The Orient" shows the Oxford, U.K. band moving in a more introspective, mature direction.

Listen: The Orient

And when that teases you to the point you need more, check out snippets of the full album on Foals' website (click the album cover under the "music" page once your in the site to access songs).

MP3: New Kaiser Cartel "Ready to Go"

2010-04-27T12:41:28-05:00

Fans of the Kaiser Cartel can rejoice in the news the band is releasing a follow-up to their well-received debut, March Forth. The boy/girl harmonic/melodic duo of Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel will drop Secret Transit on June 8. The album was produced by Matt Hales, better known to music fans as Aqualung, so don't be surprised to hear his piano-driven poppy sound incorporated. If the first single, "Ready to Go," is any indication, this album should be a fun one for the summer. The email I just got said the album is "darker and more experimental," but this sounds pretty much the opposite. I guess we'll have to wait until June to hear the rest but for now, enjoy "Ready to Go."

MP3: Ready to Go

Beyond Earth Day: Great Wines for Sustainability

2010-04-23T09:00:00-05:00

We all want to do our part to help the planet (except maybe that guy who just tossed his McDonald's bag out his car window) by changing out lightbulbs, using non-toxic cleaning chemicals and eating more locally grown food. We don't just have to be good on Earth Day. Everyday should be Earth Day. And you can add drinking certain wine to your do-gooder checklist.

Many wineries from France to California to New Zealand have been growing grapes more sustainably and using organic or biodynamic methods to maintain their vineyards. If you're concerned about the food you put into your body, you'll likely appreciate that organic growers do not use pesticides and other harmful chemicals throughout the wine production process. Both organic and biodynamic growing allows for more natural elements to flourish. And while selecting a 100 percent organic wine may not be as easy as, say, finding a bottle produced with organic grapes, which only requires 70 percent of the grapes be organic, more and more are popping up.

Biodynamic agriculture, which follows the lunar cycle and was birthed in 1924 by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, has proven, well, fruitful, for many wineries around the world that have turned over their vineyards from traditional growing to biodynamic farming. It might sound hokey, but I've seen the proof and it's pretty impressive.

The following wines are great for toasting to your everyday Earth Day, so you can drink guilt-free--and get extra points if you clean up after the jerk who ate at McDonald's.

Beckmen Vineyards broke ground on its Purisima Mountain Vineyard in 1996 in Los Olivos, Calif., overlooking the Santa Ynez Valley outside Santa Barbara in a prime location for growing fantastic Rhone varietals. Ten years later, Beckmen began converting the 365-acre, 1275-foot-high hillside property for biodynamic farming—and they haven't turned back. What resulted is possibly some of the most robust, layered and balanced red wine to come out of California. Their latest two releases, the 2007 Block Six Syrah ($48) and the 2007 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Grenache ($48) are both pleasers with lots of personality, red fruit, spice and body. You can hold onto both for a number of years or drink now ... but be sure to decant to allow them to open.

Last year, I attended an intimate seminar in the private dining rooms at Spiaggia in Chicago by Alois Lageder, one of Italy's most respected and renowned producers from the northeast Alto Adige region. In 1996, the winery's low-energy-consumption building that houses the winemaking facilities was completed and since then they've worked toward using alternative energy sources, including radiant low temperature ceiling heating and solar collectors for hot water. Then, in 2004, Lageder began converting the 155 acres at his namesake vineyards when he realized how biodynamic farming could help improve grape yields. I saw firsthand the pictures of the dry soil prior to conversion and how full and rich the fields became once they let nature do what it does best. The result is some beautiful whites like Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Moscato and reds, like the indigenous Lagrein, which produces spicy, tannic wines with bold green pepper and blackberry notes. Look for their first fully biodynamically certified white, the 2008 Beta Delta Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio, a slightly dry sipper with hints of white cherry and pineapple.

Nicolas Feuillatte is France's No. 1 Champagne producer (No. 3 globally) and on April 13 I had the fortunate opportunity to join their winemaker, Jean-Pierre Vincent, at Japonais to taste through their five sparkling rose wines, which was a major treat. Often a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinor Meunier and Chardonnay, they ran from pale pink (the non-vintage rose) with soft watermelon and strawberry notes to deep velvety red (the Palmes d'Or rose 2003), offering gorgeous cherry and raspberry notes. While the grapes aren't produced organically, the winery has moved into a more sustainable way of doing business. Feuillatte uses 100 percent green energy and, between 2001-2008, reduced its electrical consumption by nine percent. They've also had a 72 percent reduction in using polypropylene packaging, opting instead to use cardboard and reusable metals.

New Zealand's Brancott Vineyards recently entered into a partnership with Blue Ocean Institute and its chef Barton Seaver to step up efforts toward helping sustain sealife and the oceans. Brancott, a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, has a stake in the preservation of ocean life as its wines, especially the balanced acidity and minerality of its Sauvignon Blancs, pair well with seafood, especially the oily and rich salmon. Brancott has reduced the use of chemical spraying in their vineyards, replacing it with biological means to deter pests, including the reintroduction of falcons (which had disappeared from their natural habitat decades earlier) on the property to drive away other birds that feed on ripening grapes.

And when you're looking for a decent sipper either for a party or one that can last you weeks after opening (yes, you read that correctly), have I got a wine for you. Bota Box wines are great for a number of reasons:

They come in six California varietals (Chard, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and old vine Zinfandel)
Each 3-liter box holds the equivalent of four wine bottles and cost $18.99 (at Binny's)
The box can be resealed with their innovative FlexTrap system, which keeps light and air from getting in
The packaging is 100 percent recyclable and is made from non-bleached recycled paper containing 100 percent post-consumer fiber. Their transport reduces greenhouse gas emissions because the packaging is 35 percent lighter than glass.

So whether you feel like you did your part on Earth Day or if you want to make a difference all year, pick up these wines and know you're making a difference—even if you're getting drunk in the process.

Bannos Rolling Back Prices to Celebrate Heaven on Seven's 30th

2010-04-12T10:00:00-05:00

Lunch in the Loop just got a little more affordable: To celebrate the 30th anniversary of his original Heaven on Seven restaurant on Wabash in Chicago, chef/owner Jimmy Bannos is rolling back the prices on all entrees at that spot to $7.95 in May. "I want to thank my customers for their loyal following for the last 30 years," Bannos said. "And in these [tough economic] times, I want to give them a little gift."

That little gift can add up to a whole lot of fantastic New Orleans-style grub. Dishes like the Mardi Gras jambalaya, the Southern fried Louisiana soft shell crab salad, Southern fried oyster po' boy and Bannos' favorites: the chicken andouille sausage gumbo, the etouffee and "any of the po' boys."

Bannos, a third-generation restaurateur who was inducted into the Chicago Chefs Hall of Fame in 2007, also now works alongside his son, Jimmy Jr. (the head chef at Bannos' new spot the Purple Pig) and his daughter works the front of the house at Wabash. "To have your son or daughter carry the torch or be interested in what you're doing ... it's fantastic."

And while Bannos is busy with his three Heaven on Seven locations and the uber-popular Purple Pig, this chef is far from slowing down. He said he has ideas "swirling in my head" to open a po' boy shop in a heavily trafficked walking area like DePaul. But for now, it's about the 30th anniversary of Wabash. Bannos plans to celebrate throughout the year with special dinners where he wants of fly up some of his famous New Orleans chef pals to help cook special dinners.

Another big thing to celebrate is that when the building that houses Heaven on Seven went condo, Bannos bough the space, so he doesn't have to worry about losing his lease anytime soon. "The legacy will continue ... I feel it's going to be there a minimum of another 30 years. Shit, I'll be 80—I ain't going anywhere!"

LOLLA 2010: Gaga, Strokes, Arcade Fire, Devo, Mavis Staples, Erykah Badu, Phoenix, MGMT, XX, Hot Chip, Jimmy Cliff...

2010-04-05T22:39:44-05:00

And here it is folks. Lollapalooza's 2010 Lineup. Grant Park, Chicago. August 6-8. Get your tix now:

Soundgarden, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, the Strokes, Phoenix, Social Distortion, MGMT, Jimmy Cliff, Hot Chip, the Black Keys, the National, Spoon, Devo, Cypress Hill, Cut Copy, the New Pornographers, Erykah Badu, Slightly Stoopid, Grizzly Bear, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, Wolfmother, Yeasayer, X Japan, MUTEMATH, Metric, Dirty Projectors, AFI, Mavis Staples, Matt & Kim, the xx, Drive-By Truckers, Blues TravelerEdward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, the Temper Trap, Jamie Lidell, Frightened Rabbit, F Buttons, Deer Tick, Blitzen Trapper, Stars, Raphael Saadiq, the Cribs, Minus the Bear, Switchfoot, the Walkmen, Mumford & Sons, Wild Beasts, Rogue Wave, Los Amigos Invisibles, the Big Pink, the Dodos, Hockey, Cymbals Eat Guitars, B.o.B, Dawes, Warpaint, the Antlers, the Soft Pack, Rebelution, Balkan Beat Box.

Wavves, American Bang, the Ike Reilly Assassination, Company of Thieves, Nneka, Harlem, the Constellations, Miniature Tigers, Mimicking Birds, the Kissaway Trail, HEALTH, Javelin, the Morning Benders, Foxy Shazam, Violent Soho, Royal Bangs, NEON TREES, Freelance Whales, Semi Precious Weapons, Dan Black, The Band of Heathens, Dragonette, My Dear Disco, Shawn Fisher, Neon Hitch, Skybox, The Ettes, Jukebox the Ghost, These United States, MyNameIsJohnMichael.

2ManyDJs, Empire of the Sun, Digitalism, Perry Farrell, Tiga, Felix da Housecat, Rusko, Erol Alkan, Kaskade, Flosstradamus, Wolfgang Gartner, Joachim Garraud, Mexican Institute of Sound, Caspa, Peanut Butter Wolf, Dirty South, NERVO, Cut Copy (DJ Set), Beats Antique, Steve Porter, Didi Gutman of Brazilian Girls, Ancient Astronauts, Ana Sia, Team Bayside High, Dani Deahl, FreeSol, DJ Mel, BBU Vonnegutt, Only Children, Lance Herbstrong.

Longman & Eagle Brunch Debuting New Cocktails

2010-04-01T09:37:34-05:00

While it's no surprise that hot Logan Square spot Longman & Eagle will debut brunch this Easter Sunday starting at 10 a.m., with incredibly sounding dishes like house-smoked salmon with creme fraiche; sunny side duck egg with duck confit; omelet of morel mushrooms; smoked catfish cakes and waffles with plum compote (all courtesy of that crafty chef Jared Wentworth), the other good news is they'll roll out some delicious cocktails to pair with the rustic fare.

L&E is known for its extensive whiskey and bourbon list as well as having a sweet craft beer selection (I enjoyed an Allagash White last night), for brunch they're introducing a trio of Bloody Marys: The Larry, The Mary and The Maria, with whiskey, vodka and tequila, respectively. They'll be rimmed with house-crafted bacon salt to add an extra little savory zing to each sip. Plus, they're offering an "adult" Horchata, a play on the Mexican cinnamon rice milk, but this will include Sailor Jerry's spiced rum.

It should be a good Easter indeed.

[*note: image used just to whet your palate; not the actual Longman Bloody Mary lineup.]

Can You Taste the Blood in Your Mouth?

2010-03-31T12:50:14-05:00

There's gonna be even more sexiness on True Blood this season. Is there a VILF in your future?

Fun with Words ... Really?

2010-03-29T19:25:41-05:00

"What 6 letter word beginning with S would be the same if it started with Th." This is the question posed by Will Shortz on Sunday on Weekend Edition on NPR. We are sitting at Passover Seder with my entire family trying to figure this out and are hitting a dead end. There are clues online about bagels and food and that kids would like it. Anyone have any ideas?

Remember When Music Was Exciting?

2010-03-26T17:32:03-05:00

I was listening to Bloc Party's "Helicopter" a few minutes ago and was immediately drawn back to early 2005 when music was more pure. When the Internet still allowed for musical darlings to rise above the shit and become discovered. When bands like Bloc Party and Arcade Fire and Arctic Monkeys and Lily Allen and Clap Your Hands and Annie were actually discovered. And the music was exciting. So much so that people who were tied in to music burbling up on the Internet knew where to tune in to hear the really exciting new music.

Then things got crazy. MySpace exploded. And every band vied for our attention. To the point that there was no longer a filter. Then everything became indie rock. There were no lines drawn, just blurred. The most obscure bands that could play the Pitchfork fest were raised up so fast that before they could ever cross over and become uncool they were already pushed aside. There's only so much weight that indie cred can hold. There's only so much plaid and so many ironic haircuts out there to maintain a scene. In 2005, music was fresh. It was the second calling of the new wave. White Stripes and the Strokes paved the way. This second-second wave built up an incredible base. They brought us into this new space. And then it became overcrowded.

Now, in 2010, we're at a crossroads. We're ready and open for the next vibe. I didn't go to SXSW this year and was told that I missed nothing. There were no standouts. Nothing was exciting. It's time for music to break out and get creative again. Is it that there's nothing to motivate behind? Yes there are wars but do they really affect us on a daily basis? Yes, gay rights should be a non-issue but is that going to motivate politically charged rock? No. We need someone to be bold, to make waves. Don't be derivative. Be original. Do something that knocks us on our asses. Surprise us. Because most other things are just really damn boring. I want to be excited. Excite me!

Details Names Paul Kahan's Salsa Best in U.S.

2010-03-25T08:14:26-05:00

Details magazine's April issue names Paul Kahan's Salsa Verde, which he serves at his Wicker Park hot spot, Big Star. Best of all, Details shares the recipe so you can make it at home. Feeling like adding a little heat to your day? Start with some serrano chiles.

Paul Kahan's Salsa Verde recipe: (after the jump)

Ingredients

5 tomatillos, husked and rinsed well
4 serrano chiles, stemmed
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1½ teaspoon fresh lime juice
½ teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon coarse salt
2 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion

Preparation

Put the tomatillos, chiles, and garlic in a saucepan and cover with water.
Bring to a steady simmer over medium heat and cook until the tomatillos are tender (about 15 minutes).
Drain, place the mixture in a blender, and blend to a slightly chunky consistency.
Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the blended sauce and simmer until it has thickened slightly (about 5 minutes).
Bring to room temperature and add the lime juice and salt.
Stir in three quarters of the cilantro and red onion and use the remainder as garnish.

2004 Chateau de Rhodes Gaillac—a Rustic Red

2010-03-25T08:03:32-05:00

Last night I dug into my wine fridge and grabbed a bottle I've been intrigued by for some time but kept overlooking when I'd want to open something. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact I didn't really know much—if anything—about it. While I love Rhone varietals, and rich Pinot from Burgundy, have tinkered with Bordeaux blends, and have even spent some time exploring the vastness of the Gamay grape from Beaujolais and the Loire Valley, I am on a never-ending quest to learn about French wines. There are a number of appellations within regions that produce many varieties of wine. And this one, the Chateau de Rhodes, is no exception. It hails from the Gaillac wine growing region in southwest France, which was first cultivated back in Roman times and was then known for producing exceptional sparkling wines. These days, Gaillac produces both reds and whites and some grapes are pretty obscure.

The majority of this wine is Syrah (55 percent) while 33 percent comes from a regional grape called Braucol. I looked it up and it's known by a few names, including Fer, which is the French word for iron. Apparently when used as a grape, Fer (or Braucol) refers to the hardness of the vine and winemakers use this grape to add richer color and a more robust flavor. The last bit (just 12 percent) comes from Cabernet Franc, and when that finally shows up, you know it arrived.

When I first opened the bottle, it was light and fruity on the nose with a hint of cinnamon or clove. There was definitely some spice to it, maybe even some white pepper. It poured a dark garnet so I anticipated a heavy rich wine. At first, the spiced cherry was really apparent and the tannins were light. But the wine was really well balanced and had a soft finish. Then I let it sit in the glass for a while. Man, did it change. The dark berries became more pronounced and there was more earth on the finish. Then the Cab Franc decided to say hello. The herbaceousness and green pepper dominated and the tannins more pronounced. The wine became so much more complex and rustic and definitely could have benefited from food, even some hearty cheese.

This bottle exemplifies why I love wine. You think it's one thing but then the layers start peeling off and you see just how involved it can be. I wouldn't necessarily reach for the Chateau de Rhodes everyday (although it's pretty affordable at around $15, give or take a few bucks), but when preparing roasted chicken or grilled meats, it's definitely one for the decanter.

Michael David Winery 2007 6th Sense Syrah

2010-03-17T00:07:36-05:00

Michael David Winery sure has an interesting sense of humor. Many of their wines are named for sins, intuition and other things of higher power. But what strikes me is that while they are attempting to be cute while injecting humor into their winemaking and marketing process, to me it just seems a little odd. Fortunately for them, a lot of their wines, which hail from Lodi, Calif., are pretty damn tasty.

Last night, we popped open a bottle of the 7 Heavenly Chards, which I liked, but didn't love. Its nose had a slight eucalyptus scent and the palate had balanced acid with some pineapple. But something about it reminded me of the chicklet I'd get from the dry cleaner when I'd go with my mom when I was about six years old. I don't know why but as soon as I smelled and tasted it, that random sensory memory came flying out at me. We drank it with some spicy seafood stir fry (the wild caught shrimp were super crisp and the sea scallops had a nice sweet essence) and the wine worked fine. Like I said, I wasn't bowled over by it.

Tonight, however, the 6th Sense Syrah really impressed me. At first, for about 30 seconds, the nose didn't tell a good story. But then it opened up quickly and some really nice blackberry, cherry and spice came up from the glass. The dark and inky wine shows the richness of the Lodi Appellation. It's silky and velvety with nice earth, smoke and jam on the palate that intermingles with deep, dark berries—and for about $17, it's a great buy. But again, going back to the oddness that Michael David uses to separate themselves from the pack, there's a poem on the bottle recounting the six senses with this being the last line: "I sense with my mind, a thought so unkind, I’m trapped six feet under in a bottle of wine." What? Are there dead people buried under the vines? I really hope the grapes aren't being fertilized with old family members who used to farm the land ... but I'm sure I'm reading too deeply into this. Like I said, good thing their wines have some spunk!

Napa Cellars 2007 Merlot: Spice, Cherry, Berries Oh My!

2010-03-11T20:03:44-06:00

I just poured a glass of the Napa Cellars 2007 Merlot. I never know what to expect with Merlot, since it's a grape I fell out of love with when I started really exploring wine about five years ago. But Merlot has definitely been making a comeback and this wine, with grapes generally grown in the cooler southern part of Napa, has a lot going on. When I first poured it, I got scents of spiced cherry, menthol and vanilla. There was something about it that reminded me of wintertime and the holidays, almost like someone was brewing up a batch of mulled wine in my glass. When I tasted it, it kept going. The finish on this medium tannic wine was long and robust. I captured cherry and blueberry with clove, spice and some bark (for as weird as that sounds; there was just something really natural and earthy about it). It's a wine that would do well with food, something with interesting spices, maybe Asian or Greek, but definitely pizza and pasta. And speaking of which, I'm off to pop a 'za in the oven to go with this bad boy. If you find this wine nearby (oddly, the winery's website is still selling the '06 even though this was released in November), it should sell for around $22, which for a 2007 Napa Merlot, is a pretty damn good price.

La Posta Cocina: Fantastic Malbec

2010-02-13T10:56:01-06:00

The other night we had dinner with friends at Nightwood through an offer from my iPhone app foodie. Nightwood, in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, is the newest offering from the owners behind Lula Cafe, one of the city's most celebrated independent spots.

Nightwood, like a number of other top restaurants partnered with foodie, offers unique specials you can only get through the app. This night, we took advantage of the fantastic make-your-own, three-course prix-fixe meal for just $35. Nightwood has a menu featuring seasonal ingredients and strives to work with as many local producers as possible to get their produce and meats. Because we ordered various items (beef stew, whole trout, roasted chicken) we wanted a red wine that was balanced and could possibly complement everyone's meal. We landed on a perfect bottle: La Posta Cocina 2007 Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina.

This Malbec/Syrah/Bonarda blend was smoky with plum and dark berry notes. It's complex and sophisticated. And really well balanced. Best of all its a great value; it was $35 on the list at Nightwood so I can only imagine how cheap this winner is at retail. I'm definitely going to seek this one out.

UPDATE: I did a quick search and found that Chicago wine superstore Binny's has the 2008 for $13.99.

What to Drink for the Globes? La Crema Pinot!

2010-01-17T20:37:34-06:00

We were about to sit down and watch the Golden Globes. I wanted to pick something that matched the cosmopolitan yet humorous and lighthearted glamour that is the Globes and grabbed the 2008 La Crema Pinot from the Sonoma Coast. It's a tasty treat, light and easy with lots of sweet cherry, complex layers and a hint of spice. Ok i'm gonna go watch and drink and post more later.

This Winter Stay Warm with Big California Reds

2010-01-17T15:41:13-06:00

In late 1999, I moved to San Francisco to be with my partner, but also to fulfill a dream of living in California. It was everything I thought it could be and more and it was in SF that I was truly exposed to incredibly fresh produce and food prepared with sustainable ingredients. Most of all, however, it was where I began my love for delicious wine and the start of my wine education.

For various reasons, in 2003 we left our Northern California paradise and moved back to Chicago. Don't get me wrong, I love Chicago (it is my hometown), but I despise winter and being bitterly cold. I ask myself (and pretty much anyone who will listen) why I ever left California. I really don't know the answer, but at least each year as the temps drops to unbearable points, I can at least take solace knowing that I can open bottle after bottle of big, warm, jammy California red wine to snuggle up with and keep me warm.

Below are some of my favorites and others I've discovered in the last few months. Many are available locally, but others you may have to search around online or visit the winery's website. Either way, it'll be worth the hunt.

Let's start with something a little local. D&S 2006 Proprietary Red is produced by the guys behind Bin 36 restaurant--Dan Sachs and Brian Duncan, hence the D&S. Yes, there is a line of Bin 36 wines, but this one is pretty special. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot and Merlot is intricate and layered and reveals itself the longer it's open. It starts off with subtle fruit and soft tannins with blueberry and violet notes. The longer it breathes, the jammier it gets. Raisin, leather and darker red fruit come through. It's great bottle to pair with red meats, chicken and even pasta in red sauce and is available at Bin 36 for $26.95 or at select Whole Foods.

Coincidentally, I met Camille Grigsby-Rocca, the scion of the Rocca Family Vineyards, at Bin 36 for lunch last September to taste through a couple of her family's cult Napa wines. These award-winners really blew my mind. The Cab was big, bold and aggressive (in a good way), while the 2005 Syrah snuggled up next to me and won me over. The cherry and plum notes combined with a good amount of spice showed this wine's personality: a well-rounded beauty that goes great with a variety of food. And I recently opened their 2006 Bad Boy Red, a blend of Cab (54 percent), Cab Franc (34 percent) and Petite Verdot (12 percent). This wine is tannic yet velvety, lush and jammy and showcases blueberry, raspberry, cherry and earth. And at $32, this Bordeaux blend is worth the shipping cost as the wines are currently unavailable in Chicago, but you can order directly through their website.

While I've had the bottle for quite some time, I just opened the 2004 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon. Being a Napa Cab, I had preconceived ideas that it would be huge, leathery and herbaceous and leave me with a sinus headache. Boy, was I wrong. It was complex and showed different sides to its personality, which was almost schizophrenic. It first showed blueberry, vanilla and cherry note, medium-bodied tannins with a long finish and round mouthfeel. As it opened, it became more elegantly tannic with licorice and smoke. I know I should've been drinking it with a filet or lamb chops, but I had it with chocolate cookies and it was a perfect match. Look for it at steakhouses and select Whole Foods for around $30.

Napa isn't just known for its Cabs. I'm a huge fan of Zinfandel (Joel Gott is one of my favorites) and in early 2009 when I was first really getting into Twitter, someone I follow mentioned Brown Estate Vineyards and that it was one of his favorites. I jumped on that and got myself a few bottles, and I'm thrilled I did. Their 2008 Zinfandel was one of the best bottles I had last year, hands down. Big and sassy. Bold and jammy. Tons of dark fruit (blueberry, blackberry, red plum), spice (cinnamon, clove), pencil lead, some earth, violet and more round out this already well-rounded Zin that keeps on going in your mouth long after it's gone down your throat. It's great with a variety of food (gamey meats, pepperoni pizza, pasta with a bold ragout) or a roaring fire. Get it at Randolph Wine Cellars for $39.99

Popping over to Sonoma, another winery known for its Zin is the 100 percent biodynamic and organic Quivira Vineyards. In late October they released two 2007 Zins (Dry Creek Valley for $20 and Wine Creek Ranch/Dry Creek Valley for $34--the grapes are sourced from different vineyards). The 2007 vintage from California is pretty much a guaranteed good bottle, especially from Napa and Sonoma. Fantastic growing conditions, including a much cooler-than-normal summer, allowed for the grapes to ripen without overpowering heat. Many vineyards produced really well-balanced wine that should mature nicely. Quivira is no exception. Their 2007 Petite Sirah is also worth noting. This wine is pretty big but loaded with bold fruit and jam. It has medium tannins so it's not unthinkable to drink it without food. But you could grill up a peppercorn-crusted steak or lamb rubbed with exotic spices and have a great meal. You can hold onto this wine for a few years, but you don't have to. Get the 2007 Zinfandel at Gene's Sausage Shop (in Lincoln Square) for $18.99. The Petite Sirah ($26) and others can be purchased at Quivira's online shop.

Frank Family Vineyards, has become a leader in Napa and for good reason. They produce some beautiful award-winning sparkling wine and Cab; personally, I really got into the 2007 Zinfandel (a blend of 84 percent Zinfandel, 9 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 7 percent Petite Sirah). It was dark purple and lush with violet and blackberry notes and you could smell the spice. It nicely blends blueberry and sweet black cherry with vanilla and chocolate (kind of sounds like a great sundae!). It was smooth and velvety and goes well with meats, chocolate cake and even hearty Chinese food, which is what I had while drinking it. Grab the Zin at Binny's for $32.99

Some people may not think of Pinot Noir as big and warm, but this finicky grape has quite a range. Just look at what's coming out of Pali Wine Co. This cooperative started by a group of Pinot-loving friends is a Santa Barbara County-based winery that sources its grapes from up-and-down the West Coast. They have more affordable wines around $19 and some bigger, more cult-like wines around $50 and they're all amazing. I tasted through about seven or eight throughout 2009 and there wasn't a wine in the bunch I didn't love. I shared a bottle with friends (including the always fun and informative sommeliers Alpana Singh and Belinda Chang) at a small dinner party and Chang was thrilled we had it. Whether you go with the 2007 Huntington Santa Barbara, 2008 Riviera Sonoma Coast, the 2007 Durell Vineyard or others, you'll always get some beautiful cherry, raspberry, chocolate, cinnamon and more. Always great to serve with pork dishes. It's difficult to find Pali wines at retail outside of California and Nevada, but you can pick up some bottles online at Snooth or through the Pali website.

My final wine was a big surprise to me. With all the hype surrounding it, I thought it'd be more trendy than tasty. When you have Napa Valley Cabernet, you have to sometimes be skeptical, but the Chateau Montelena 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon really, really impressed me. This winery, along with Stags Leap, helped put Napa Valley on the worldwide wine map back in the '70s. I was expecting massive tannins and it was softer at the start and never grew too earthy or acidic. It nicely blended blackberry with spice, some licorice and a bit of mint and got jammier and rounder as it opened. It's available in many locations, but Binny's has it for $39.99.

Who says winter has to be miserable? With a great bottle of red, you can hibernate for the season in front of a fire and never have to be cold again.

Respecting Marriage: My Advocate.com Commentary

2009-10-06T10:43:30-05:00

Yesterday, an article I wrote for Advocate.com, the leading LGBT news magazine, discussing why at this point in time it's ridiculous for people to see treat gays as second-class citizens. The following is an excerpt and you can read the rest of the article by clicking the link below.

Respecting Marriage

With the introduction of the Respect for Marriage Act, gay and lesbian couples moved one step closer to marriage equality in America. The big question: Will that be enough to really effect change in places where gays are still ostracized and treated as second-class citizens?

The bill, introduced in the U.S. House on September 15 by Democratic representatives Jerrold Nadler of New York, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Jared Polis of Colorado, seeks to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, signed into law in 1996 by President Bill Clinton. In an interesting twist, Clinton is a major backer of the new bill, saying, "Throughout my life I have opposed discrimination of any kind. When the Defense of Marriage Act was passed, gay couples could not marry anywhere in the United States or the world for that matter. Thirteen years later, the fabric of our country has changed, and so should this policy."

To read the full commentary, head to Advocate.com.

Hearty Boys' new spot Hearty to feature upscale comfort food, classic cocktails

2009-09-30T16:14:29-05:00

The Hearty Boys just keep on surprising us, don't they? Earlier this year, the original winners of "The Search for the Next Food Network Star" started serving brunch in their catering/HBTV studio space in Lakeview. Now they're taking things up a notch by opening their new restaurant, Hearty, in the same space, at 3819 N. Broadway. The menu promises to showcase upscale comfort food where they'll reintroduce dishes they grew up with, but adding a modern twist.

SomethingGlorious spoke Hearty Boy Steve McDonagh, who said he initially had reservations about opening another restaurant, but after seeing the popularity of their Sunday brunch and realized the the dearth of restaurants on that stretch of Broadway, they decided to give it a go. And go they will: their new website, featuring the new menu. just went live.

McDonagh, along with his life-and-business partner (and chef) Dan Smith , will close the space Oct. 21 and reopen for business following a bit of redecorating on Nov. 4.

Look for Smith's take on deviled eggs (a trio of deviled eggs, one each filled with curry, pesto and beets); pork and beans (Great Northern beans with pork belly and pork cheeks); surf and turf (hanger steak with batter-fried oysters served with a housemade BBQ sauce); "Campfire fish" (fresh market fish cooked and served in foil with vegetables and herb butter prepared over hot coals); lobster pot pie (does this really need an explanation?!); tuna casserole (deconstructed with seared ahi, egg noodles, light saffron cream, sauteed wild mushrooms, sweet pea puree) and a twist on the BLT morphing it into the P.A.T. (pancetta, arugula and marinated tomato on grilled sourdough). Smith will introduce a pudding flight on the dessert list: arborio rice, butterscotch and Indian pudding (corn meal with cinnamon and allspice), which is popular in New England. Price per plate will range from about $17 to $23.

Meanwhile, McDonagh has long had an affinity for classic cocktails and wanted to do them long ago before the big trend hit (you can read about his cocktails in their cookbook, "Talk With Your Mouth Full"). He's searching far and wide to find new and interesting drinks to feature alongside their all-American wine list, which includes West Coast wines as well as from obscure spots like Georgia, North Carolina, Connecticut and Texas, like Llano Estacado port. Cocktails will include the East India (Grand Marnier, orange bitters and pomegranate liqueur sourced from Thatcher's Organic in Michigan), the Cel-Ray Mary (Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray soda, Aquavit, muddled grape tomatoes, green pepper and spices) and the Off White Russian (Veev acai spirit, heavy cream and Chicago's own Koval organic rose hip liqueur).

The Boys will host one final preview dinner on Oct.7 from 5-10 pm. Cost is $35 for a three-course prix-fixe meal, where you get to choose your app, entree and dessert from a variety of new menu items (drinks are additional cost). You can make reservations by calling 773-868-9866.

[photo courtesy of Andreas Larsson for ChicagoBusiness.com]

Chicago Gourmet Chefs Dish on Tastings to Preview Event

2009-09-23T21:48:32-05:00

With Chicago Gourmet coming up this weekend, local foodies are all a-twitter about the impending gastronomic event. Last year, the site flowed with plenty of wine from around the world, but the food was surprisingly scarce. The focus was misdirected and lots of attendees ended up getting pretty hammered without any food to soak up the wine.

This year's event, taking place in Millennium Park Saturday and Sunday, already seems to be shaping up to rival some of the country's top food and wine weekends, including Aspen's Food & Wine Classic and the South Beach Food & Wine Festival. With nearly every major Chicago chef represented, it seems like it's going to be a culinary orgy.

The park will be set up with various tents serving as tasting stations, where chefs will do cooking demonstrations as well as hand out samples to the salivating public. There will be things happening all over

the park, including Pritzker Pavilion, Gourmet Pavilions and various tents set up to represent disparate cuisines and cooking styles and themes, including Mediterranean, Asian, French, seafood, stockyard, gastropub, Latin, regional American and dessert.

As for wine, it should flow as freely as last year with bottles being poured by vintners from around the world. In an interesting twist, it looks like spirits will also be represented. Thank god the food offerings look to be plenty as the last thing we need is a bunch of wasted Chicagoans tossing their cookies all over Millennium Park.

While we'd love to share what every chef will serve this weekend, we just don't want to ruin all the surprises. SomethingGlorious caught up with some of our favorites, who spilled the beans on what festival goers can look forward to eating. And if you haven't yet bought tickets, you still have time. Tickets range from $150 for a single day or $250 for the weekend pass. If you want in on the Grand Cru wine tastings, that'll run you another $175. It's a pretty steep price, but you get access to the city's best food and personal interaction with the chefs—not to mention all the open-bar booze you can drink.

Here's a bit of what you can expect to eat:

Graham Elliot Bowles of his namesake restaurant will serve an amuse bouche version of the corn bisque they serve in the restaurant. The bisque will be replaced with corn panna cotta with garlic cream, chipotle jam, corn nuts and micro cilantro.

Shawn McClain of Spring, Custom House and Green Zebra, will introduce fall with roasted autumn squash tabbouleh with roasted apples, grilled shrimp and citrus-cider vinaigrette. The ingredients are sourced locally from Seedling and Nichols farms.

Stephanie Izard, of the soon-to-open Drunken Goat, is whipping up a smoked chicken salad with pumpkin vinaigrette, also to ring in the fall. A big supporter of local farms, Steph is sourcing corn from Nichols Farm and apples from Seedling Farm. She'll be sharing tent space with Bowles and Sepia's head chef, Andrew Zimmerman.

If you're looking for a little Spanish flavor, make sure you visit Randy Zweiban. The Province chef is preparing a Green City Market vegetable salad with lavender honey chicken and an orange mojo sauce. Be sure to catch his late Saturday afternoon demo where he'll discuss the many uses of mojo.

Piccolo Sogno's Tony Priolo, who will be hanging next to his buddy Dirk Flanigan from the Gage in Pritzker Pavilion (he'll also have his own spot in the Mediterranean tent), will have two dishes: cappellacci di zucca (pasta traditionally stuffed with sweet pumpkin, Parmesan and spices and topped with sage butter) and a local squash (from Green Acres) and walnut-stuffed ravioli with butter and sage.

You won't see his ever-changing chalkboard menu, but the Bristol's Chris Pandel will serve up heirloom tamato panzanella in the gastropub area.

When he's not signing copies of his new book, True Italian Pasta Dishes, Quartino's John Coletta will be busy doing two cooking demonstrations: a fonduta a la valvostana (a fontina cheese fondue) and asparagi in salsa (white or green asparagus with egg sauce, capers, XVOO and more). He's also sampling out homemade longzino, a cured pork loin.

And Radhika Desai, formerly of Between Boutique Cafe, will partner up with RL's Ryan Pitts and Supreme Lobster to prepare a Lake Superior white fish cake with chorizo, pickeld baby cucumbers and saffron aioli

Norwegian Pop Princess Annie to Return with More Electropop Magic

2009-09-18T11:17:36-05:00

Some things are worth the wait and that officially includes the very-long-awaited sophomore album from Annie, who took the indie pop world by storm in 2005 with her debut, Anniemal.

The new album, Don't Stop, picks up where the first left off, but shows the Norwegian singer/DJ's musical growth. Annie has been working on the album for three years, picking up new sounds and influences along the way. She again works with collaborators Timo Kaukolampi and Richard X but also taps producer Paul Epworth (Bloc Party, Primal Scream) and Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos. SomethingGlorious got the advance and can't stop listening.

The songs, like "Songs Remind Me of You," "Hey Annie" and "I Don't Like Your Band," have enough commercial appeal to crossover to a larger audience but still have that indy edge that first engendered the most skeptical hipsters and music critics to swoon at her vibrant, lovable songs off Anniemal, including "Heartbeat" and "The Greatest Hit," which sampled Madonna's "Everybody." This collection is undeniably catchy with Annie's breathy vocals, big dance hooks, melancholy French pop in the vein of Serge Gainsbourg and a whole pack of '80s-influenced bubblegum.There are influences of Kylie, Daft Punk, the Go Team and, dare I say, Paula Abdul.

The album isn't out in the U.S. until Nov. 17, but as SomethingGlorious gets access to MP3s, I'll post them. In the meantime, check out this video for the hot, club-ready track "Songs Remind Me of You."

Paul Kahan's Honky Tonk Tacos

2009-09-16T19:23:51-05:00

Whenever the team behind avec and Blackbird kick off a new project, the rumors swirl. Last fall, news broke that the guys—Donnie Madia, Paul Kahan and Eduard Seitan, along with Terry Alexander and Peter Garfield of the Violet Hour—took over the legendary and much-loved Pontiac space in Bucktown. Construction and renovations soon followed and while many hoped the sprawling front patio would emerge for summer, the rehab work is still going on, but is progressing at a steady clip. And the wait is almost over.

Recently, Time Out Chicago revealed that the still-unnamed spot will focus on tacos. SomethingGlorious just discovered that this new space, which is on target to open in late October barring any issues, will primarily be a bar with a walk-up taqueria (no exterior door, just a window) and will feature about 10 items on the menu, according to Executive Chef Paul Kahan. Kahan, who embarks on a SoCal "research and development" trip this week, said that he was inspired when he "ate something and loved it." The food will focus on al pastor tacos, much in the vein of Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Super Rica Taqueria, of which Kahan is a big fan and says has the best tacos he's ever eaten. While Kahan will pull inspiration from his time working alongside Rick Bayless at Frontera Grill, he wants to experiment with "fun food that tastes good," like eventually having fried chicken and mole—which is something I can definitely get down with.

The overall concept will take people back to Bakersfield, Calif., in the 1950s where people like Merle Haggard and Buck Ownes birthed honky tonk music, where migrant Mexican workers inspired food and where you could get a good, cold beer for $1. The space will have a square center bar and a number of booths, and while the bar will serve vodka, gin and run (only one of each, and I'm happy to report the vodka of choice is Tito's from Austin, Texas), the spirits program, curated by Violet Hour manager Michael Ruble, will focus primarily on tequila, beer and hard-to-find, lesser-known American whiskey (bourbon, rye, etc). Beers will be cheap and will come in both seven- and 12-ounce draft pours, so people can get a quick beer and taco or tostada (maybe even a shot of whiskey) for about $10.

Think the crowds at avec and Publican are crazy? Wait till this joint opens this fall. This will likely become the new hipster Mecca, but instead of it being only a summer spot, the interior allows for hanging throughout the winter. Rack 'em up, boys.

Dining and Drinking with Gaja

2009-09-01T22:50:00-05:00

I recently had the pleasure of having lunch with Gaia Gaja, daughter and heir to the famed Gaja Wines estate founded in 1859 in Barbaresco, Italy. Gaja wines are first rate and are considered some of the best Barbaresco in the world, consistently rating above 90 points (usually more than 93) from Robert Parker and the Wine Spectator. After tasting a few of their newest releases with Gaia at NoMI restaurant at the Park Hyatt in Chicago, I understand why. Gaia was in the U.S. meeting with various people in the wine trade to help keep the Gaja name flowing. She was a wonderful hostess—engaging, entertaining, funny and incredibly knowledgeable about her family's history and wine.

This wasn't my introduction to Gaja, mind you. I've known about and have had some of their wines in the past. But getting to taste these during a one-on-one lunch with a member of the family was a real treat. Gaia, one of three children to Angelo Gaja (the current owner and innovator), is a fifth-generation wine producer of her family's treasured wines. During a lunch overlooking Chicago and Lake Michigan, Gaia and I tasted through the 2005 Barbaresco, 2004 Rennina and 2004 Sugarille, the last two both from the Gaja's estate in Montalcino, Pieve Santa Restituta. Angelo Gaja acquired this estate, named for the small church located in the heart of the estate, in 1994 to help grow the Gaja name throughout Italy. By adding these two Brunello di Montalcino wines (both 100 percent Sangiovese), they now have bragging rights to even more of the best wines coming from Italy.

The Barbaresco, the flagship of the Gaja portfolio, is produced from Nebbiolo grapes sourced from 14 vineyards on the Gaja Estate in Piedmont, specifically in Barbaresco and Treiso. It was light and elegant with prune notes up front. As it enters the mouth, you can feel it progress as it rolls back across your tongue. At first, its tannins were not as pronounced, but grew as the wine was open. The long. layered finish was filled with raisin and raspberry notes (and maybe even some pine) and paired, surprisingly, beautifully with our apps: shiro maguro sashimi and beet salad with arugula and goat cheese. Nebbiolo does not overpower food, but rather reflects and partners with it. Such was the case with the tuna and goat cheese. Each time I had either in my mouth and took a sip, I was happily surprised with how interesting the wine tasted and brought out the flavors of the food.

Since I was having Brunello next, I knew I had to have something that could hold up against the wine. Fortunately NoMI has a flat iron steak sandwich on the menu. It's topped with a chimichuri sauce and accompanied by goat cheese and piquillo peppers. This combination of flavors on the plate were a good test to see what the Brunello would do. It didn't disappoint. The Rennina is blended from three vineyards on the estate. It was gentle and easy to drink with bold cherry, spice and clove notes to help maintain the chimichuri, and it was velvety making it easy and pleasurable to drink. The Sugarille on the other hand, was bigger, bolder and more tannic with flavors of dark purple fruit like plums, but also gave off notes of soft violets and some tobacco. This is a wine could stand to be cellared for about five years to become more expressive over time and the '04 vintage is one to seek out. That said, it's too bad Gaia didn't send me home with a bottle to store!

Salute! Raise a Glass to Italian Wines

2009-08-10T12:09:14-05:00

When many people think of Italian wine they think of Chianti Classico, but truth is, there are about 1,500 grape varieties in Italy--more than any other wine growing area in the world. Some, like Sangiovese (the grape grown in Chianti, which is a region and not a grape), Nebbiolo or Primitivo, are widespread and well known. Others are grown in small batches and produced by mom-and-pop growers who may only make enough wine for themselves and their friends and family.

Learning about Italian wines can be a heady undertaking, but if you grasp the basics, much of what you need to know falls into place. Many of the wines are named for regions or towns where they are produced, like Brunello di Montalcino (which is made of Sangiovese Grosso and grown in Montalcino in Tuscany) or Barbaresco (which comes from the Nebbiolo grape but is produced in the town or Barbaresco in the Piemonte region).

One way to dive into Italian wine is to drink a whole bunch of it. But to have some fun, I thought it could be interesting to compare some Italian wines to others you might be familiar with. I don't mean these are an exact match, but are similar in style and body and give you an idea of what to look for based on what you already like to drink.

If you like a meritage, check out Super Tuscans, which are often blended with Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and other Bordeaux-style grapes (like a meritage). These wines were first produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s after winemakers created wines that didn't fit within the DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) or DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) classifications set forth by the Italian wine governance. One winemaker in particular, Piero Antinori, whose family has been producing wine in Tuscany since the 1300s, created the first truly robust Super Tuscan in 1971. This was Tignanello (available at Binny's), and today is considered to be one of the best wines produced in Italy, if not the world. Since then, Super Tuscans, once considered mere table wines, have gained much respect around the world.

For something more affordable, grab a bottle of 2006 Aia Vecchia "Lagone" Rosso di Toscana at Sam's Wines & Spirits. From the Bolgheri area of Tuscany, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese combines flavors of berries, raisin, earth and herbs with a long finish. It went great with pizza but can work with various meats.

Syrah, or Shiraz, has grown in popularity, especially through Australian wines. If you like these medium-bodied sippers that offer robust berry and sometimes chocolate notes, pick up a bottle of Nero d'Avola or Negroamaro. Nero d'Avola, which means the "black grape of Avola," loves hot, arid climates and thrives in Sicily. It produces big, rich reds and goes well with lamb and beef. Negroamaro is also a dark, deep-colored grape producing hearty, earthy wines and grows primarily in Puglia, the "heel" of Italy's boot, where it is also hot and dry, especially in summer. It's often blended with Sangiovese or Malvasia Nera to add more fruit and aromatics. Binny's has the 2006 Ajello Majus Nero d'Avola, a bright and juicy wine with raspberry notes and a hint of spice, for $10.99. A kick ass blend that has 40 percent Negroamaro comes from Tormaresca. The Neprica, at Binny's for $8.99</a>, which also includes Primitivo and Cab, beautifully combines berries with chocolate and hints of fennel seed. It's a perfect wine for a light pasta with sausage.

One of my favorite grapes is Zinfandel and it was no surprise that when I was introduced to the "Mother Zin" a number of years ago, I fell in love with Primitivo. This is said to be the ancestor of modern California Zinfandel and it shows, especially in many of the old vines that produce some of the best wine in Italy. It's underrated and you can get some great deals on Primitivo, which offers up an explosion of blackberry, blueberry, spices and more. The Li Veli "Orion" Salentino Primitivo from Puglia has cherry and clove notes on the nose with a medium body, soft tannins and really obvious blackberry on the tongue; and it got bigger the more it was open. Grab it online at Snooth for $11.29.

Dolcetto is a good substitute for Pinot Noir, especially when you're looking for something that you can have with a light pasta lunch or an easy drinking wine on a warm summer evening. The name means "little sweet one," but many of the wines tend to be somewhat drier with noticeable tannins. This wine hails from the Piemonte region (usually from the town of Alba) and is often used as a typical table wine. Dolcettos produce nice cherry flavors with an earthy finish. Want a steal? For $9.99, pick up the Boroli Madonna di Como Dolcetto, a well-rounded beautiful wine that can drink now or after a couple years of storage and offers blackberry and spice with violet notes balanced with nice tannins and acid.

When you're looking for white wines, a great place to start your exploration is near the Alps in the Friuli and Trentino-Alto Adige regions in the northeast corner of Italy. Due to its proximity to the mountains, this area has a climate that allows the grapes to remain on the vines for a healthy growing season, with warmer days and cool nights. The area produces beautiful wines that run the gamut from crisp and floral to peachy to nutty to rounded and buttery, coming from a variety of grapes, including Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Ribolla Gialla, Verduzzo and Pinot Grigio. Grab a bottle of 2007 Marco Felluga Collio Mollamatta Bianco, a golden yellow blend of Tocai Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Pinot Bianco showcasing citrus, banana and guava notes. It's at Wine Discount Center in Chicago for $17.99

Who doesn't love Champagne? If you're looking for a more affordable alternative that you can drink daily (because everyday is worth celebrating, right?!), try Prosecco. These wines, made from prosecco grapes, generally come from the Veneto region in the northeast part of Italy. These are generally crisp wines with nice floral notes and hints of apple or white peach and should be drunk young because they can go bad in the bottle if kept too long. These crisp and dry sparklers go really well with a variety of cheeses. Grab the Adami "Dei Casel" for $16.99 from K&L Wines.

Think that's enough for the first lesson? Good. No go out and drink.

Irony 2006 Monterey Pinot Noir

2009-07-14T20:47:57-05:00

So today being Bastille Day I wanted to do something to honor the storming of the Parisian fortress that was a major turning point in the French revolution in 1790. I had planned to crack open a bottle of French wine, but when I was going through my wine, I grabbed a bottle of Pinot Noir, a delicious Burgundian grape. But in a weird twist (ok, it really wasn't that weird) the bottle I grabbed was from Monterey County in California. Maybe call it ironic?

The Irony 2006 Monterey Pinot Noir may not be from France but it definitely is working to help celebrate the holiday. After sticking it in the fridge for about 20 minutes to bring its temperature down a bit, it took a few minutes to open and when it did, its cherry and raspberry nose was ready to go. This lighter wine is bright, silky and has a long finish with some cherry and chocolate notes. There's a bit of tannin on the tongue, but when paired with some non-smoked gouda on a buttery cracker, it softened up and everything worked really well together.

My partner is grilling homemade turkey burgers mixed with bacon, spinach, onions—and at this point, some sort of surprise. I tried to get it out of him for the purpose of this post, but he wouldn't give it up. Sometimes chefs can be finicky that way. But back to the wine.

I wasn't really too familiar with Irony until I got a couple of bottles a few weeks ago, and I'm really glad they showed up. The winery was started by brothers Chris and Jay Indelicato, whose grandfather planted vineyards back in 1924. The guys grew up working harvest, but their lives took them in a different direction when they got older, until they came back together to launch Irony. This Pinot was sourced from three different vineyards in Monterey: Arroyo Seco, San Lucas and San Bernabe. The grapes went through primary and then malolactic fermentation before being bottled in oak to age for eight months; the wine was then blended to create this vintage.

Check out the Irony website to find out where you can pick up their wine in your area. The suggested retail price is around $16 and, when compared with some French Pinots, it's a steal. This wine can hold its own against some Burgundian wines I've had. I'm looking forward to seeing how it pairs with this turkey burger surprise.

Vive La France!

[Update: the "surprise" was brie baked into the turkey burger. How do you like that? A little French surprise inside my dinner. And the wine was awesome.]

Understanding German Riesling: It's Not All Sweet

2009-07-08T00:16:09-05:00

Riesling is possibly the most misunderstood grape varietal in the wine world, especially when it comes to American palates. Ask your average wine drinker in the U.S. what they think of Riesling and they'll undoubtedly say it's sweet. In many instances they're right. But Riesling runs the gamut from super sweet dessert wines to bone dry bottles that you could even pair with a steak. Riesling, which can show peach, apple and pear notes, pairs with a variety of food from soft cheeses, pork and fish or sushi to spicy Thai dishes and Indian curries and more.

In May, I had a great opportunity to take a trip sponsored by the German Wine Institute to visit German wine-growing regions. Germany has 13 distinct growing regions, with most centered around or near the Rhine river. We spent four full days hitting three of those regions--Rheinhessen, Pfalz and Mosel--and learning all about the diversity of the Riesling grape, and let me tell you, it's diverse. Riesling, like most German wines, are classified by a number of things. With Riesling, the wine can be a kabinett (a more basic wine that tends to be drier), spatlese ("late harvest," and is sweeter), auslese ("select harvest," and even sweeter) and on to beerenauslese (a late harvest dessert wine that tends to be a bit more syrupy and sweet). The quality of the wine and whether it's trocken (dry) or suess (sweet) all depends on where it's grown and how long the grapes remain on the vine. And one of the more impressive qualities of the vineyards, at least in the Mosel region, is that many reside on very steep slopes, giving the grapes better access to sun, wind and other elements that help the them grow and produce more robust, juicy fruit.

Although I tried and enjoyed many different types of Riesling, even some Pinot Noir (locally called Spätburgunder) in the three areas, I most enjoyed the wines from the Mosel (you may recognize the former official name of the region as Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, as is printed on many classic German wine bottles). The Mosel is a colder region (where the Pflaz is the warmest and therefore is more accommodating for red wine) and therefore produces very crisp wines with pronounced acidity and brightness.

All in all, I tasted dozens of wines over the course of the trip from wineries including Gysler (a totally biodynamic winery with a beautiful, modern tasting room and is part of the "Message in a Bottle" association of young wine growers), Fitz-Ritter (Oprah loves their Gewürztraminer, which can be found in Chicago at Bin 36 and Randolph Wine Cellars); Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt (owned by the super classy Annegret Reh-Gartner, who produces award-winning and high-scoring wines that are sold in 25 countries worldwide) and Schloss Lieser, which was possibly my favorite of all. Schloss Lieser winery was in disrepair in 1992, but after four years, owner Thomas Haag brought it back to life and now his wines generally get rated between 88 to 98 points by Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate.

One of the biggest disappointments about German wine is that more Americans don't understand and appreciate it. When I went seeking it out around town, I found most wine shops have small selections, pointing to a theory that I think most people don't realize that Riesling is more than a sweet dessert wine. Ask for the wines above at your favorite shops or check out Truly Fine Wine, a San Diego-based store (with a comprehensive website) that sells only limited-production German wine from micro vintners.

In addition to the wines mentioned above, here are a few more to check out.

Gysler 2006 Weinheimer Riesling Kabinett ($16.99 at Sam's Wines & Spirits). I had the 2008 while at the winery in the Rheinhessen and really enjoyed it, with its touch of sweetness, citrus notes and high acidity. This is a great wine for fresh seafood. If you want a real treat, seek out the Gysler 2005 Huxelbrebe, a beerenauslese dessert wine that sells for $41.99, but when its chilled viscous honey notes slink down your throat after a great meal, you'll be happy you spent the money.

Max Ferd. Richter 2007 Mulheimer Sonnenlay Riesling "Zeppelin" ($16.99 at Sam's). This winery is one of the older and more respected in the Mosel. All the wines are fermented in oak barrels and are all estate bottled. This wine features a 1920s art deco label and is a creamy yet sweet wine with gorgeous peach, apple and honey notes. According to winemaker Dirk Richter, it's his best-selling wine in the U.S. market. He also says, "A glass of Riesling a day keeps the doctor away." Who can argue with that?

Zilliken Estate 2007 "Butterfly" Riesling ($16.99 at Wine Discount Center). This is another great example of a Mosel wine: crisp and dry, lots of nice peach notes and a whole bunch of acid and minerals from the slate where the vines grow. This is a great wine to have with any spicy food since the acid will help reduce the heat from overpowering your mouth.

Clos de la Siete: A Nontraditional Malbec

2009-05-12T17:19:46-05:00

There's no question that Malbec has quickly become a favorite grape of American wine drinkers. The wine these Argentine grapes produce tends to be supple and rounded with soft tannins, allowing it to be drunk alone or with food.

I recently discovered a fantastic wine from Campo Vista Flores (just south of Mendoza, Argentina) that really knocked my socks off. The 2007 Clos de la Siete is predominantly Malbec (48%) but introduces a few other varietals to give it a real punch. The wine came to life by a group of seven Bordeaux winemakers (led by noted wine consultant Michel Rolland) who decided they wouldn't just do a Malbec. So they planted Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as well and the result is a great bottle.

The wine is, to put it simply, big and bold. The tannins hit your palate just at the right place and leave a hint of earth as the wine goes down. But its dark and ruby hues make way for wonderful blackberry, currant, violet and cherry notes that you'll want to go back to again and again.

Buy it online now for $13.95.

Live Review: Coldplay @ United Center 7/23/08

2008-07-24T16:00:14-05:00

The Brit Boys are Big But Are They Getting Bored?

The reviews from Coldplay's current North American tour have been mixed — by both critics and fans. People who attended the band's Viva La Vida July 22 tour stop in Chicago said the sound was amazing and that it was one of the best live shows they'd ever seen. Expectations were high for last night's show, and the sold-out crowd screamed every time Chris Martin said anything into the mic — even when being goofy and cheeky while saying some canned lines he likely says at every show.

The band came out strong, walking out to the instrumental "Life in Technicolor" and then launching into a rousing version of "Violet Hill," which led to "Clocks," where the band and audience were swathed in red light and penetrated with multi-colored lasers. They played possibly every track off the new album — "Strawberry Swing" was a personal highlight — but where were the songs from the first three releases? For a show that ran nearly two hours, the band played more of a blend of greatest hits: "Yellow," "In My Place," "Fix You" (which, in true Coldplay grandiose style, was layered and beautiful), "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face" (a cool remix version that was played on a small stage that jutted out into the crowd), "The Scientist" and "Politik," which again proved the band can fill a stadium with their now larger-than-life presence. A high point came when Martin announced they were filming a video for "Lost," which the band ran through twice — apparently something they did last night as well. The second run through was definitely tighter and more on point.

However, it would've been nice to hear more of a blend from all four albums (where the hell was "Talk" and "Everything's Not Lost"?) and at some points, it felt like Coldplay was phoning in the performance. "Speed of Sound" didn't have the energy of shows past. At times, Guy Berrymore — who couldn't be bothered for some reason to return to the stage for the surprise encore of "Green Eyes," despite Martin calling out for his longtime mate and carrying on anyway — looked like he'd rather be elsewhere. Same with Jonny Buckland. If Will Champion hadn't been such a rhythmic bruiser on the drum kit, he too, may have wanted to meet up with friends at a bar instead of being on stage. To that end, the nice thing about Coldplay is that, for the most part, they seem like they enjoy each others' company and like playing with each other — not an easy task for a major act on a worldwide tour. And this isn't to say the show wasn't fun, because it was. And they sounded great. But it would've been nice to hear them sound great on a wider variety of tunes. Hopefully they'll mix it up for the rest of the tour.

Band to Watch: Sunfold; Check out new MP3

2008-07-16T17:06:19-05:00

If you want to round out your summer with some sweet, golden "wish I grew up in the '70s" tunes, pay attention to Sunfold. This North Carolina band, fronted by the not-even-legal-to-drink Kenny Florence and backed by members of Annuals, is set to release its debut, Toy Tugboats, on July 22. If the rest of the album is as catchy as this single, "Sara the American Winter," it's going to help keep things warm around these parts well into the fall.

Live Review: George Michael @ United Center, 7/9/08

2008-07-10T16:57:24-05:00

The '80s pop star proves he's still got it during this "farewell" tour

[Photos courtesy of Barry Brecheisen]

It only took 17 years, but George Michael finally returned to the big stage last night in Chicago -- and what a stage it was. Looking like a massive cascading waterfall, the multi-story-high LED backdrop—replete with light shows and now-vintage videos—flowed down to serve as Michael's stage and dance floor. The iconic '80s pop singer who has had more notoriety in the last decade for his sex scandals and drug busts put on a two-set, two-plus-hour show to a nearly sold-out United Center. Word has it that the previous show in Minneapolis only saw a half-full arena Michael allegedly played a half-assed show. Not the case in Chicago. He honestly seemed thrilled to be here and the crowd made him feel right at home.

Opening the show with a recording of "Waiting (reprise)" Michael then sauntered on stage through doors that opened in the LED and launched into the upbeat and dancy "Fast Love," setting the vibe for the rest of the show. Throughout the first set, he plucked hits from throughout his career, including two from the Wham! era: "I'm Your Man" and the energetic and solid "Everything She Wants." The crowd got down with "Father Figure" and "Too Funky," which was accompanied by the video featuring a pre-talk show Tyra looking gorgeous and young. He closed the set with "Star People" and announced he'd be back in 20 minutes.

Despite what the tabloids may have said about Michael throughout the years, there's no denying he possesses one of the greatest voices of our generation. The man has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, has earned a number of Grammy awards and has packed stadiums and arenas from London to Los Angeles. His voice may not be as pristine as it once was, but Michael can still hit the high notes, still deliver the soul and still dance like he's having the time of his life.

That energy continued into the second set, which kicked off with a crowd-singing "Faith." It was somewhat surprising that he didn't play guitar but who's to say he actually played it in the late'-80s video or just danced with it? The sexy burlesque star Dita Von Teese filmed a video to accompany Michael's sultry remake of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good," which he introduced by saying, the song "describes my present state of mind." His cover of the Police's "Roxanne" was a little flat -- it would've been better to hear "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," which he dueted with Elton John at Live Aid in 1985, but released as a single in 1991.

Before he could leave the stage, Michael kicked things up a notch—as if everything up to that point wasn't good enough. After commenting on how great it was to be living today where a man could marry a man or a woman could marry a woman, he dedicated "Amazing" to his partner, Kenny Goss. Then, to introduce "Flawless," he said, "This is probably the gayest album I ever made." And then he left the stage but quickly returned wearing a gayed-up police uniform for "Outside," the song he wrote in response to his bathroom "entrapment" in Los Angeles in 1998.

Michael treated the crowd to two encores: the first featured the beautiful but somewhat boring "Different Corner" and the rousing "Careless Whisper," but interestingly didn't include either "Cowboys and Angels" or "Praying for Time." The second, he came back and asked the crowd if we had enough energy for one more and asked what we wanted to hear. In unison, the crowd screamed "Freedom." And with that, he capped off an amazing concert, which was staged as a "thank you" to his fans for sticking by him for 25 years; he's said this is his last full-scale tour. Michael, with his trademark perma-scruff and sunglasses, gave fans what they came for and it would be a shock if anyone–the gays, the girls or the straight guys they brought–left disappointed.

For the full set list, click here.

MP3 -- Bigelf "Money, It's Pure Evil"

2008-07-02T14:18:22-05:00

When this song came across my desk (OK, my IM) about an hour ago, I couldn't believe the enormity of it. It sounds like it was made for a major arena circa 1977. L.A.'s Bigelf will drop their new album, Cheat the Gallows, Aug. 12 on Custard Records (Linda Perry's label). Check out "Money, It's Pure Evil" and listen for influences from the Beatles, Bowie, Pink Floyd — and even Lenny Kravitz (when he was still making good music). This album could be a big surprise this year — but I'm solely basing that on this one song (the tracks from their last album, which you can hear on MySpace, are decidedly heavier and darker a la Sabbath. Who knows, it could suck, but at least this song is cool). Apparently Alicia Keys is a fan. Random.