Diebolt-Vallois 2002 Blanc de Blanc

Domaine Du Pere Pape 2003 La Crau de Ma Mere Chateauneuf du Pape – WC score: 92

Purchased by Dan H and Hillary

Runners up:

Domaine de Montvac 2005 Vacqueyras Blanc – WC score: 90 – brought by Dan H

Domaine Richaud 2005 Cotes du Rhone Villages “l Ebrescade” – WC score: 90 – brought by Nicole and Dan B

There must be something better to do with Beaujolais Nouveau. Unless it’s Gorges DeBouf, in which case bathing japanese children in it might be the best option.

As you all know, I just came back from a fantastic trip to Peru. Along the way I got to try some of the local booze including Cusqueña beer, Tacama wine, and the popular cocktail Pisco Sour.

When I got back, I looked up the Tacama winery and found that it’s in the Valley of Ica, which if I understand correctly, is right around where the recent earthquake hit hardest. Yikes. I’ve enjoyed pretty much all the South American wines I’ve tasted (my dad’s always pushing the Concha Y Toro ever since a skiing trip to Chile), and Tacama was no exception. They can be a little, I dunno, acidic? Sort of a strong, bitter aftertaste.

Pisco was totally new to me, a clear booze that I guess is something like vodka. I found a great write up about it on Wine Library’s website.

The standard Pisco Sour in Peru is the version served with frothy egg whites. Here’s a recipe:

2 oz pisco brandy
1 oz lime juice
1/4 oz simple syrup
1/2 egg white
1 dash bitters
Shake ingredients vigorously with ice. Strain into a champagne flute, and add the bitters as an aromatic garnish.

I wonder what the recommended wine pairings would be for some of the Peruvian dishes I enjoyed?

I’m still working on the wineo database, which is getting closer to an unveiling state. I’ll let everyone know when it’s ready for mass consumption.

Dan