After a (luscious) stint at Godiva- I've got chocolate on the mind...

MBA residency week: Godiva. How suitable a company to study. (Remember "Tea Time with Tara: Tales from the Midlands"?) I spent some serious time in central England, where Lady Godiva did her famous (naked) ride through Coventry. What an activist she was! And thus, the Draps family capitalized on the whole scenario and created quite a brand.

Anyway, if there is anything about Godiva (or the chocolate industry, in general) that you would like to understand, please reach out!

Since some people enjoy chocolate and wine, I thought it was a fitting time to blog on this distinct pairing. First off, not everyone thinks this combo is a good idea. I, as always with wine (and food!), remain opened to the experience, and willing to explore a multitude of facets. :)

The easiest pairing is a high-alcohol, dessert-y type...like port or madeira (Portugal!!!). I fully support this match, and have tried varying differentiations...like dark vs. milk chocolate, and tawny (Australian, preferably!) vs. traditional port (Fonseca "Bin No. 27" Porto). All-in-all, it works. For specific brands, touch base and I will give you ideas.

Next, I tired a younger (2008) Cabernet from my collection: Vigilance, from Sonoma (~$20), with a Godiva dark truffle. The melty center of the chocolate with the lovely dark cherry influences of the wine were LUSCIOUS (yes! i used this word TWICE in this blog already!!!). Also, this reminds me that I must blog on Vigilance on its own sometime! A sustainable and lovely wine maker deserves its own blog. :)

Finally, something completely different: an oaked Chardonnay, from Copa Estates (<$10 on Chairman's Selection!)..surprising cheap at PLCB shops, but quite tasty! They oak it gracefully, without making it reprehensibly over-the-top. I tried it with the far-from-obvious pairing of Godiva caramel milk chocolate (yes! I was feeling slightly adventurous!). Wow. I think I would get opposing viewpoints on this, but for these taste buds, the caramel qualities from the oakiness in the wine were a gorgeous complement to the caramel chocolate "creation" (as defined by Godiva!).

My conclusion, you ask? Try stuff! And if you need a suggestion, email me! If you have feedback, email me with results or ideas. I love this stuff, if you didn't notice.

Next: catching up on blogs I should have posted a while ago. AND...Michelle wants to make cheese. So, wine and cheese pairings shall ensue. Also, with cheese (and watermelon, and brussel sprouts...though not all together at once!)being my favorite food(s), things are sure to get creative!

Celebration. A Beer Blog!

Term 3 finished- and I thought it couldn't get crazier after Term 2. HA. I know now that I was quite disillusioned. With more team member uncertainty, an INSANE workload, career changes, plus "normal" life...it has been one heck of a 9 weeks!

We turned in our massive 113 page project yesterday, and I headed directly to the city to meet friends and celebrate. No wine was consumed upon which to blog, but some VERY high caliber beers were enjoyed.

I started with Russian River Damnation (don't be frightened by the pic!): a delicious and traditional Belgian strong ale...one of my favorite types for any time of year, especially cool spring days. (Also seems that its name is quite representative of my life at the moment! j/k....maybe!)

Next, I moved to my favorite genre of brews...Russian imperial stout! Victory's Storm King hit the spot! A great beer to sip and savor...packing in TONS of hoppiness, balanced with toasty malts. Thank goodness they poured a small glass- at over 9% ABV, it certainly packs a punch!

Onward to Eulogy for dinner! This was one of our favorite hangouts when we lived in the city, and we always love to go back for some good food and Belgian brew. I tried one of Ryan's favorite traditional tripels: Tripel Karmeliet, from Brouwerij Bosteels (try saying THAT 3 times fast!). It was everything a lovely Belgian tripel should be...spicy, sweet, coriander, cloves. YUM.

Afterwards, we headed to The Cars show with M&C. The band was fabulous live and reunited. Rock on guys...and CHEERS!
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Next up...all this talk of Godiva calls for a wine and chocolate tasting...don't you think?!!!!

Layer Cake Malbec

The first time I had this wine was a few years back, when I was gifted a bottle for my birthday! Suitable, with such a name.

It is rich, exotic, and happens to be commonly found! It is bigger-bodied than your average Malbec, with jammy and oak-y characters.

Well, the other night, our dining companion at a local BYOB pulled out a bottle of Layer Cake. I was excited to try it again after a few years! In the $15-$20 range, it won't break the bank; it satisfies those who seek a fruit bomb, with enough depth and interesting qualities to keep my attention!

Enjoy.

Five Years Ago, a Blushing Bride...Now, Anticipating the Chateauneuf-du-Pape...

Today is May 5th, 2011. Tomorrow is May 6th, 2011. This means that five years ago, we tied the knot. We were also given what I consider to be one fabulous wedding gift back on that gorgeous day in May (Steve, you are a rockstar!)...

THREE lovely bottles of wine: the first for our 1 year anniversary (enjoyed over BYOB dinner in Philly!); the second for our 5th anniversary (to be enjoyed over BYOB dinner tomorrow night!!); and the third, collecting cobwebs in my cellar for 5 MORE years, to be enjoyed in 2016 (holy crap that seems bizarre!).

So, I have been anxiously awaiting the five year bottle...this 2003 Chateauneuf-du-Pape...gorgeous Red Rhone wine. This region is just alongside the area towards the south of France, where I studied many years back. One well-known town in the region is Avignon. I anticipate a Grenache/Syrah type blend, since this region is known for those, and other less-common varietals (Cinsault, etc).

We're going to a French place we haven't tried before in Kennett Square. Details to follow!!