Fun in Huerth ... Kolsch and Barolo?!

I've been spending a fair amount of time in Germany during the past months.  Sometimes I stay in Cologne, and sometimes I stay closer to the office, in Huerth.

                                  There are a few random restaurants within walking distance to the hotel where we stay.  While Huerth is not the most interesting or awesome place, the old village does have a bit of quaint charm to it.  One of my favorite Kolsch houses can be found in old Huerth, breaming with locals and personality!


It is also possible to get a decent Italian meal (I had the fresh Branzino, served whole ... delicious!), along with some lovely wines.  We ordered a 2003 Barolo, made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes.  With hints of vanilla, toasty wood, and even a whiff of tar (?!), the Terre Antiche Barolo was full-bodied and dry, with balanced tannins.  I noted ripe / stewed dark berries and spice on the lingering palate.

Prost!

2009 Hall Cabernet: A Special Wine

I felt like opening a somewhat special bottle from the cellar today ... perhaps a bit of celebration!  I pulled a bottle of 2009 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon from the cellar. Hall wines are pretty easy to find, and consistently excellent.

This Napa Valley Cab is rich, decadent, and packed with dark fruits, coffee, and toffee.  It is unbelievably complex, yet smooth with an evolving finish.  I trust the Hall brand for consistently-excellent products.  Pair this wine with grilled or roasted red meat; I enjoyed mine with a filet mignon grilled medium rare.

Bon apetit.

My Sunday Adventure: Excellent Beer + Excellent Company

I don't have much time, but I just need to say that Selinsgrove Brewing has made my day.

Wow, they make great beer.  Malt fans and hop fans can all get what they are looking for at this awesome micro brewery in central PA.  They need a bit of help on the marketing side, as their beer menu and offerings are confusing ... (contact me for details, SBC!).

I had the delicious Beligian Tripel (true-to-form and classic), followed by their Baltic Porter: sweet, robust, and toffee-laden.  YUM.

The brewer gave Ryan a cutting of a hop plant for us to start in the garden.  He is SUCH an asset to the company!

Besides that, we had amazing company.  You know who you are ... love you.  Cheers, all.

Economy Class Wine Just Got Better ... Cheers, United.

Economy class just got a whole lot better, from a wine quality perspective.  Thanks (and kind of "no thanks"), United!  It is with mixed feelings that I write this post.  As of this year, United now charges for wine on international coach flights.  Sad, United.  I've been traveling a lot internationally, so I am especially aware of this subject!

Anyway, my bitterness decreased when I took a flight that carries premium selection ... What a difference! Kudos, United.  Ok, so I am not "special", but I will pay for decent beverages.  Thanks.

The Meiomi Pinot Noir is a quaffable combination of Pinot grapes from 3 California regions: Sonoma ... bright fruits and berries, Santa Barbara ... bit of spice, and Monterey ... depth and texture.  Young, yet enjoyable. While it doesn't match business or first class selections, there is a degree of quality to this selection.

Cheers to the most decent economy class wine I've had in a long time.  Thanks, United Airlines, for the choice.