Thursday, August 11, 2022

Dan Berger: Vino Alfresco

  Dining outside can be a treat, but it has a way of affecting how we enjoy our meals, which includes wine -- which I consider to be an extra course in the meal.


        In the waning days of summer, many people take to patios and other alfresco venues, which is one way to avoid turning on air conditioning and escape the confines of hot home environments.
        This, however, calls for a slight adjustment in the way wine typically is served, although some people do not realize the impact dining outside imposes on how we appreciate our wine. And not knowing this can create problems for some serious wine people.
        If you consider wine to simply be a beverage whose primary function is to be wet, then most of the following will have little impact on the way you dine outside. But wine lovers should appreciate some of these ideas.
        First is the fact that dining out-of-doors imposes different scents on our noses. These include things like trees (leaves), plants (jasmine!), pool chlorine, cut grass, automobile exhaust (diesel?!), ablaze charcoal briquettes, lighter fluid and neighbors' cigarettes.
        None of this is appealing when it comes to serving fine wine. I have several stories that apply here. Almost none ended up positively.
        For one thing, mature bottles of red wine are best served in environments where there is no extraneous aromatic impact. That includes serving them where no one is cooking aromatic dishes that intrude on the delicate nuances in mature red wines.
        Outside? Bad idea.
        For that reason, I suggest avoiding classic old wines, whether white or red, when dining outside. All the imposed smells listed above probably will invade the noses of those who care, ruining the experience.
        So, it is obvious that the selection of wine for outdoor dining must be carefully designed to deal with factors that don't play a role when inside a dining room. As a result, the following suggestions are proven to be best.
        Dry rose: The way pink wines are made these days, dozens are appealingly refreshing and cool brows when temperatures rise. They may be kept cool in ice buckets or fridges, they work with almost all foods, most including the best can be had for well under $20 a bottle, and they are festive -- which is what dining outside is all about.
        Gewurztraminer: The wildly spicy aromatics of this wonderful white grape are perfectly suited for all aromatic intrusions that may invade patios. It may be hard to find dry versions, but since patio food typically isn't complicated, a chilled glass of Gewurz is remarkably appealing.
        Lighter pinot noir: If you really need a red wine in your backyard, try to find one with alcohol levels about 13% or lower. I realize it's unlikely you'll find such a thing, so make your own. Simply take a higher alcohol pinot and add half an ice cube. Pinot noir usually has less astringency than other reds, and that's what you're seeking to go with hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob.
        Sauvignon blanc from New Zealand: If you're dining on the grass, this Kiwi wine will compete nicely with outdoor smells, may be kept cold, and appeals to almost everyone.


        Wine of the Week: 2021 Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough ($12) -- The aromas of lime, cut grass and grapefruit are paired with a soft entry and appealing acidity to make for an all-purpose white wine, easy to sip and fine with simple foods. Patio perfection.


        To find out more about Sonoma County resident Dan Berger and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com


COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dining on the grass? What Colleen Hoover book have you been reading Dan? Its a thousand degrees outside and that Matua shit is headache central. This guy has no clue.

Anonymous said...

The Spanish - who know about hot weather - have tinto de verano, literally "red wine of summer". It's half inexpensive red wine, and half a fizzy, low-sugar lemon soda (called gaseosa). On ice. Low enough alcohol content that you can drink it all night, refreshing acidity. Very much like sangria, but carbonated (boosting crispness) and without all the fruit flavors - just wine and lemon.

Anonymous said...

"...and without all the fruit flavors."

So - lemon is no longer a fruit. I learn so much from this blog ;-)



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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