Wine-savvy

[bods1000]

btw, the tasting notes were made after several glasses of draft beer and a couple of Bombay Sapphire Martinis.

 

Methinks your tasting notes would read like a Bollywood script after those two Bombays, but you still did well hehehe...

 

Wine Depot has for its wine of the week Blackstone Pinot Noir from Monterey County, selling for about P600 from its usual P900. Has anybody had any experience with the wine? The discount smells good....

[boomouse]

Edited June 25, 2008 by boomouse

[Lipstick]

Author Laura Esquivel (ganda ng first name noh? ha ha ha) opens her book Like Water For Chocolate with an old Spanish adage that says "To the table or to bed; you must come when you are bid." I reckon that adage failed to include the context of wine in hand Just let me know where and when and I'll make time for it. Am just out on May 7 and 9 for a shoot in Taal. I have a tentative office dinner on May 8 but that should end early enough for me to follow.

 

I have been pretty sober for quite some time but allowed myself to be a lush a week ago at M Cafe --- lychee martini in hand and gorgeous gal pals in another while giggling like high school girls. Haha ang juvenile! But I gotta say, M Cafe has the best Lychee Martinis in the Metro! Ponticello has the good Coco Lychee ones.

 

Last drop of vino I had was... was ... lawrd, was eons ago. Be that as it may, it was a memorable drop given the humidity of that night. Had a bottle of that Kiwi Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay which was so refreshing with its fruity profile. It just felt like a melange of ripe melons and citrus (crisp crisp lime) bursting in my warm mouth, instantly soothing the searing skin on my cheeks (sa face hah hindi butt! ). Suddenly the intense ride I have always gotten from the reds disinterested me. In fact I have actually stayed away from dark drinks since then (that must expalin the Lychee Martini binge) which makes me wonder now if it at all reflects the shift in disposition I have taken in life. Preference for the simple, uncomplicated yet clear is apparent in a lot of the things I have been doing albeit fleeting and whimsical even. Hmn hmn hmn. I seem to have lost a lot of deep passion for many things, I seem to have lost the many reds in my being.

 

Haha yes this soliloquiy brought to you by my contemplating on the deeper meaning of that drop of white I had over a year ago. Funny what wine can do, it's like the life that flows through your veins. :lol: Old fat ugly hirsute woman rambling at midnight. I should get more sleep. *yawn*

 

Cheers my fave winos and looking forward to enjoying your company very soon. :*

[masi]

Methinks your tasting notes would read like a Bollywood script after those two Bombays, but you still did well hehehe...

 

Wine Depot has for its wine of the week Blackstone Pinot Noir from Monterey County, selling for about P600 from its usual P900. Has anybody had any experience with the wine? The discount smells good....

 

 

Blackstone Pinot is a staple in our humble abode just like NFA rice is for the hoarders este millers!!!!

 

Real value for money!!!! Since it's 30% cheaper, I'd better head over to Wine Depot in Greenhills Connecticut.

 

 

Haha!!!! I thought I was James Bond telling the bartender how to prepare the martini .... shaken not stirred and using the vermouth simply to prep the glass and not mixing it with the gin!!!!.

 

I recently found out that the ultimate martini is made by making ice using vermouth beforehand and shaking the gin with the ice vermouth!!!!

 

I plan to try this someday soon!

 

Maybe the eb will not be solely for wine but for shochu and martini as well!!!!

[masi]

let's go pare!

It's been like ages since we've seen each other! Storm and I usually bump into each other but you pare I have been raring to see again, and of course the ever mysterious Lips and the always gracious liberty...

I'd be available starting Friday, May 8 pare....

 

I was wondering about those vending machines at Cav, having never been there. Isn't the wine affected being in the receptacle or container or whatever, of the vending machine?

 

Nope, pare. the wine is "vended" (is there a such a word) from the bottle, which is in a glass enclosure. so you see the bottle when you order it.

 

it's a great place to quell your curiousity.

 

hope to see you soon

[boomouse]

Edited June 25, 2008 by boomouse

[masi]

Author Laura Esquivel (ganda ng first name noh? ha ha ha) opens her book Like Water For Chocolate with an old Spanish adage that says "To the table or to bed; you must come when you are bid." I reckon that adage failed to include the context of wine in hand Just let me know where and when and I'll make time for it. Am just out on May 7 and 9 for a shoot in Taal. I have a tentative office dinner on May 8 but that should end early enough for me to follow.

 

I have been pretty sober for quite some time but allowed myself to be a lush a week ago at M Cafe --- lychee martini in hand and gorgeous gal pals in another while giggling like high school girls. Haha ang juvenile! But I gotta say, M Cafe has the best Lychee Martinis in the Metro! Ponticello has the good Coco Lychee ones.

 

Last drop of vino I had was... was ... lawrd, was eons ago. Be that as it may, it was a memorable drop given the humidity of that night. Had a bottle of that Kiwi Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay which was so refreshing with its fruity profile. It just felt like a melange of ripe melons and citrus (crisp crisp lime) bursting in my warm mouth, instantly soothing the searing skin on my cheeks (sa face hah hindi butt! ). Suddenly the intense ride I have always gotten from the reds disinterested me. In fact I have actually stayed away from dark drinks since then (that must expalin the Lychee Martini binge) which makes me wonder now if it at all reflects the shift in disposition I have taken in life. Preference for the simple, uncomplicated yet clear is apparent in a lot of the things I have been doing albeit fleeting and whimsical even. Hmn hmn hmn. I seem to have lost a lot of deep passion for many things, I seem to have lost the many reds in my being.

 

Haha yes this soliloquiy brought to you by my contemplating on the deeper meaning of that drop of white I had over a year ago. Funny what wine can do, it's like the life that flows through your veins. :lol: Old fat ugly hirsute woman rambling at midnight. I should get more sleep. *yawn*

 

Cheers my fave winos and looking forward to enjoying your company very soon. :*

 

 

It's GREAT to read your posts again, Senorita Lips!

 

We'll keep you posted on how the eb would develop for next week.

 

See you soon!

[masi]

Game on the Shoju!

 

 

See you soon, pare!

[extrarice3]

I was wondering about those vending machines at Cav, having never been there. Isn't the wine affected being in the receptacle or container or whatever, of the vending machine?

 

Its somtething like this, with digital indicators and a slot for your card. But the ones on Cav has the inverted bottles on top.

[Spurt]

Its somtething like this, with digital indicators and a slot for your card. But the ones on Cav has the inverted bottles on top.

 

i just got back from FHA2008 and seen this vending machine, and have asked about it, like its displayed on a booth that sells espresso machines from italy, well, it preserves the wine not beyond 10 days i think but with a nitrogen spray or something. i thought la rose noire sells only frozen pastries.

[nikki999]

Try ko lang 'to!

Are there any wine drinkers here? Let's share naman dito...

Favorite wines.......favorite varietals (do you go for cabernet? merlot? shiraz? etc)...fave brands....opinions against the use of plastic stoppers vis-a-vis cork?

any wine bars you've been to here or abroad? fave food to go with wine?

 

 

Guys if you are into wines, perhaps you may want to check out my wine company. you can email me at granvinex@yahoo.com ive been in the wine industry for 10 years already, and we have wine tastings as well here and abroad. please let me know how can we be of service to you guys. Its realy great to find out that the number of wine enthusiasts are growing. thanks Rene Babilonia of Gran Vin Exchange, Inc. thanks Cheers!!!

[agxo3]

Author Laura Esquivel (ganda ng first name noh? ha ha ha) opens her book Like Water For Chocolate with an old Spanish adage that says "To the table or to bed; you must come when you are bid." I reckon that adage failed to include the context of wine in hand Just let me know where and when and I'll make time for it. Am just out on May 7 and 9 for a shoot in Taal. I have a tentative office dinner on May 8 but that should end early enough for me to follow.

 

I have been pretty sober for quite some time but allowed myself to be a lush a week ago at M Cafe --- lychee martini in hand and gorgeous gal pals in another while giggling like high school girls. Haha ang juvenile! But I gotta say, M Cafe has the best Lychee Martinis in the Metro! Ponticello has the good Coco Lychee ones.

 

Last drop of vino I had was... was ... lawrd, was eons ago. Be that as it may, it was a memorable drop given the humidity of that night. Had a bottle of that Kiwi Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay which was so refreshing with its fruity profile. It just felt like a melange of ripe melons and citrus (crisp crisp lime) bursting in my warm mouth, instantly soothing the searing skin on my cheeks (sa face hah hindi butt! ). Suddenly the intense ride I have always gotten from the reds disinterested me. In fact I have actually stayed away from dark drinks since then (that must expalin the Lychee Martini binge) which makes me wonder now if it at all reflects the shift in disposition I have taken in life. Preference for the simple, uncomplicated yet clear is apparent in a lot of the things I have been doing albeit fleeting and whimsical even. Hmn hmn hmn. I seem to have lost a lot of deep passion for many things, I seem to have lost the many reds in my being.

 

Haha yes this soliloquiy brought to you by my contemplating on the deeper meaning of that drop of white I had over a year ago. Funny what wine can do, it's like the life that flows through your veins. :lol: Old fat ugly hirsute woman rambling at midnight. I should get more sleep. *yawn*

 

Cheers my fave winos and looking forward to enjoying your company very soon. :*

 

Hola Lips!!!! Where've you been?

 

I was in Manila last November - but you were nowhere to be found!!! Had dinner wtih Storm and Mrs. Storm (and my loverly much-better-half, of course!).

 

I'l be in Taiwan week of May 12, but sad to say, I will NOT have time to stop by Manila unless I can get free the following weekend. My in-laws are here, and I think I heard the loverly Mrs. Agxo3 say theyr'e leaving the 17th, which is the same day I return from Taiwan........wouldn't do (politcally speaking) to miss their departure, y'know!

 

So when's the NEXT trip out that way? Maybe July???? I know, hot!, hot! hot! But good wine in a nice, cool, (air-conditioned) cafe goes a loooong way to relieving the heat, no?

 

In the mean time, I've been doing my bit to keep the global wine glut from getting worse......picked up my J wines last weekend. What a nice Cuvee 20! A non-vintage bubbly that gives the Froggy vintages a run for their money....floral, a tad yeasty in a nice bready way, nice citrusy crispness and a round fruitiness that begs for a nicely done foie gras! (OK, I'd settle for a nice Kumamoto oyster, but not to quibble.....) A bold, big Russian River zin. Tasted more like a Lodi rich, ripe, big zin with all the nuances of ripe, red berries and that hint of smoke that gives the Lodi zins their distinctive tang. And a lovely, smooth Robert Thomas vineyard pinot with all the raspberries you could ask for - and that tiny little whiff of something mysterious that hints of the barnyard and tells you IT'S A PINOT!

 

Dinner at the River Rock Casino (hey! don't knock it! I came out a HUGE $10 ahead after the coupons and 5 hours of video poker....). Lunch in Livermore with a really nice Caesar salad and crispy calamari, washed down with a Retzlaff chardonnay. A nice weekend, all in all.

 

And tonight (also last night), a Cameron Hughes lot 23. Look it up, they're on the Web.....not bad for a cheap wine! Tasted like at least $20 more than I paid for it! Loads of fruit, red berries, a hint of leather and smoke, soft tannins, a touch of apricot in the background as I've come to expect from Sonoma County cabs, a whiff of fennel (or was it anise?) finishing with some ripe currants.

[bods1000]

The machine is called a 'Cruover'. A way of dispensing vintage wine by the glass or carafé. When the wine is pumped out, the space it leaves is replaced with nitrogen which, because it is an inert gas, will prevent (or minimize) oxidation. I first saw this in a small French bistro in Hong Kong's Central District kitty corner from the trendy Lan Kwai Fong district called La Rose Noire. When the proprietor, the late Michel emeric installed it, it was much applauded by wine afficionados. Suddenly, waiting for your date in the bar was turned from nursing a Kir Royale to savouring a Grand Cru Chateau Margaux because you didn't have to buy the entire bottle.

 

Game ako sa EB but earlier than the 8th would be better for me. I've got Palawan under planning in that rough time frame.

 

thanks! Now I am a bit enlightened by this vending thingamajig.

As I understand also from masi's post, the wine is still in the bottle, ok. I wonder how long they keep for vending an opened bottle....

 

Is the La Rose Noire still open? I would be there Monday and would like to check it out (that also explains my May 8 availability...)

[bods1000]

Author Laura Esquivel (ganda ng first name noh? ha ha ha) opens her book Like Water For Chocolate with an old Spanish adage that says "To the table or to bed; you must come when you are bid." I reckon that adage failed to include the context of wine in hand Just let me know where and when and I'll make time for it. Am just out on May 7 and 9 for a shoot in Taal. I have a tentative office dinner on May 8 but that should end early enough for me to follow.

 

I have been pretty sober for quite some time but allowed myself to be a lush a week ago at M Cafe --- lychee martini in hand and gorgeous gal pals in another while giggling like high school girls. Haha ang juvenile! But I gotta say, M Cafe has the best Lychee Martinis in the Metro! Ponticello has the good Coco Lychee ones.

 

Last drop of vino I had was... was ... lawrd, was eons ago. Be that as it may, it was a memorable drop given the humidity of that night. Had a bottle of that Kiwi Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay which was so refreshing with its fruity profile. It just felt like a melange of ripe melons and citrus (crisp crisp lime) bursting in my warm mouth, instantly soothing the searing skin on my cheeks (sa face hah hindi butt! ). Suddenly the intense ride I have always gotten from the reds disinterested me. In fact I have actually stayed away from dark drinks since then (that must expalin the Lychee Martini binge) which makes me wonder now if it at all reflects the shift in disposition I have taken in life. Preference for the simple, uncomplicated yet clear is apparent in a lot of the things I have been doing albeit fleeting and whimsical even. Hmn hmn hmn. I seem to have lost a lot of deep passion for many things, I seem to have lost the many reds in my being.

 

Haha yes this soliloquiy brought to you by my contemplating on the deeper meaning of that drop of white I had over a year ago. Funny what wine can do, it's like the life that flows through your veins. :lol: Old fat ugly hirsute woman rambling at midnight. I should get more sleep. *yawn*

 

Cheers my fave winos and looking forward to enjoying your company very soon. :*

 

your posts always appear like some welcome drizzle on a hot day.

Thanks for posting again, and again your post is excellent and could have shamed Laura Esquivel herself but I still do think you have to keep a balance of color and lightness in your life, just to bring back that vintage LIpstick again

Edited May 1, 2008 by bods1000

[bods1000]

Blackstone Pinot is a staple in our humble abode just like NFA rice is for the hoarders este millers!!!!

 

Real value for money!!!! Since it's 30% cheaper, I'd better head over to Wine Depot in Greenhills Connecticut.

 

 

Haha!!!! I thought I was James Bond telling the bartender how to prepare the martini .... shaken not stirred and using the vermouth simply to prep the glass and not mixing it with the gin!!!!.

 

I recently found out that the ultimate martini is made by making ice using vermouth beforehand and shaking the gin with the ice vermouth!!!!

 

I plan to try this someday soon!

 

Maybe the eb will not be solely for wine but for shochu and martini as well!!!!

 

gotta go by your recommendation, Mr. Bond!

only problem is lumayo na yung Wine Depot sa amin hehehe...

[idunno]

thanks! Now I am a bit enlightened by this vending thingamajig.

As I understand also from masi's post, the wine is still in the bottle, ok. I wonder how long they keep for vending an opened bottle....

 

Is the La Rose Noire still open? I would be there Monday and would like to check it out (that also explains my May 8 availability...)

 

Hello wine drinkers! I was also intrigued by that vending machine and visited CAV. Opted to open a full bottle though... They have an impressive collection. Lots of first growth Bordeaux (Ch Margaux, Ch Pomerol, etc.), first class Burdundy (DRC), and they also have Screaming Eagle! You'll certainly scream at the prices!!

 

They have some mid-end wines, though these are the same wines carried by Philippine retailers. We opened a Chianti Classico (forgot the name) but it got cork taint. We returned it but the second bottle and it still has cork taint. Hayyy... Screw cap na lang... So we got the Katnook Founder's Block Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra, Australia. Priced at P1000, they charge you an additional P300 and an additional 10% service charge. I thought it was a good value fruit-forward Cab. A few days later, I saw this same wine at Rustan supermarket priced at only P700+!

 

CAV does have a nice chic ambiance; they also have good glassware to go with your wine. The waiters though are not knowledgeable at all about their food and their wine. Surprisingly they open a lot of Ch Margaux as you can see the empty bottles. According to them, its the drink of choice of those greedy politicos...

[idunno]

Guys if you are into wines, perhaps you may want to check out my wine company. you can email me at granvinex@yahoo.com ive been in the wine industry for 10 years already, and we have wine tastings as well here and abroad. please let me know how can we be of service to you guys. Its realy great to find out that the number of wine enthusiasts are growing. thanks Rene Babilonia of Gran Vin Exchange, Inc. thanks Cheers!!!

 

Hi nikki, what wines do you carry?

[bods1000]

Hello wine drinkers! I was also intrigued by that vending machine and visited CAV. Opted to open a full bottle though... They have an impressive collection. Lots of first growth Bordeaux (Ch Margaux, Ch Pomerol, etc.), first class Burdundy (DRC), and they also have Screaming Eagle! You'll certainly scream at the prices!!

 

They have some mid-end wines, though these are the same wines carried by Philippine retailers. We opened a Chianti Classico (forgot the name) but it got cork taint. We returned it but the second bottle and it still has cork taint. Hayyy... Screw cap na lang... So we got the Katnook Founder's Block Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra, Australia. Priced at P1000, they charge you an additional P300 and an additional 10% service charge. I thought it was a good value fruit-forward Cab. A few days later, I saw this same wine at Rustan supermarket priced at only P700+!

 

CAV does have a nice chic ambiance; they also have good glassware to go with your wine. The waiters though are not knowledgeable at all about their food and their wine. Surprisingly they open a lot of Ch Margaux as you can see the empty bottles. According to them, its the drink of choice of those greedy politicos...

 

Restos do charge 25% to 50% more than their purchase price from the distributors. Supermarkets usually have a markup of just 12 to 15%.

 

Now I wouldn't want to share space or rub elbows with those of the reptilian species, knowing as they might bite or snap at any of my body part. So I guess I'd stay at least 50 meters away from Cav for the meantime hehehe...

[masi]

Restos do charge 25% to 50% more than their purchase price from the distributors. Supermarkets usually have a markup of just 12 to 15%.

 

Now I wouldn't want to share space or rub elbows with those of the reptilian species, knowing as they might bite or snap at any of my body part. So I guess I'd stay at least 50 meters away from Cav for the meantime hehehe...

Edited May 2, 2008 by masi

[masi]

Restos do charge 25% to 50% more than their purchase price from the distributors. Supermarkets usually have a markup of just 12 to 15%.

 

Now I wouldn't want to share space or rub elbows with those of the reptilian species, knowing as they might bite or snap at any of my body part. So I guess I'd stay at least 50 meters away from Cav for the meantime hehehe...

 

That's the reason I don't buy a bottle of wine in a restaurant but negotiate with the restaurant to waive the corkage fee of the bottle I'm bringing in. I usually call in advance telling them the number of service and what I plan to order. I make sure that my bill is considerable enough to waive the corkage fee or I bring the business elsewhere.

 

 

As for the politicos who drink Chateau Margaux and all the high end stuff. I'm sure these guys don't know a hint of what they're drink but just that "it's expensvie!"

 

Make these politicos know that whatever they're drinking... we're paying in taxes!!!!

Edited May 2, 2008 by masi

[boomouse]

Edited June 25, 2008 by boomouse

[boomouse]

Edited June 25, 2008 by boomouse

[Spurt]

hi guys, there's a wine tasting event in makati -- at "the wine club" greenbelt radisson legapi village on thursday, 6-9 pm

[masi]

A long night....

 

Just finished an eb with the regular winos..... bods, lipstick, boomouse, storm and the missus (doc and the missus) , liberty and yours truly!!!!

 

amidst the sushi, maki, ribs, beans and coleslaw and a variety of bar mix, we had a terrific night of serious and not so serious conversation.

 

accompanying us throughout the evening were :

 

Fiddlehead Cellars 2004 Santa Rita Hills Seven Twenty Eight Estate Pinot Noir "Fiddlestix" (in between martinis ala 007)

 

Casillero del Diablo 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Villa Teresa Vino Spumante Brut Prosecco (c/o boomouse)

 

 

In true and steadfast tradition of Wine Savvy EBs the night was filled with great wines, food and exquisite company.....

 

errrr.... agxo..... agxo..... where art thou?

Edited May 9, 2008 by masi

[agxo3]

A long night....

 

Just finished an eb with the regular winos..... bods, lipstick, boomouse, storm and the missus (doc and the missus) , liberty and yours truly!!!!

 

amidst the sushi, maki, ribs, beans and coleslaw and a variety of bar mix, we had a terrific night of serious and not so serious conversation.

 

accompanying us throughout the evening were :

 

Fiddlehead Cellars 2004 Santa Rita Hills Seven Twenty Eight Estate Pinot Noir "Fiddlestix" (in between martinis ala 007)

 

Casillero del Diablo 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Villa Teresa Vino Spumante Brut Prosecco (c/o boomouse)

 

 

In true and steadfast tradition of Wine Savvy EBs the night was filled with great wines, food and exquisite company.....

 

errrr.... agxo..... agxo..... where art thou?

 

What???? An EB without me??? Heresy!!!! Oh, wait! I was here drinking a Savannah-Chanelle 03 Syrah! Whih was very nice.

 

Good to see you all had a good time! I'll be in Taiwan next week but because my in-laws are visiting right now, and they fly back to the Philippines on the 19th, I don't get to swing by and play. :grr:

 

But maybe later in the year......there's another trip lanned for June or July that I might turn into a little mini-vacation. If I do that I'll check in a bag and bring a bottle of something red and Californian.