Food and Wine

Well, it has been some time since I have posted anything worthwhile so I guess it's worth the effort at this time. What is going on in the wine world and within my own kitchen? First thing is my wrist has been killing me since I played tennis six weeks ago in the Cayman Islands on vacation. Yeeeeoowwwww! I have done all of the remedies, i.e. rest, anti-inflammatories, wore a brace for immobility, lotsa wine, I've done it all and still not 100%. I plan on hitting some balls tonight to see where I am. After hitting, I plan on preparing my infamous Red Snapper Verrazano on the grille paired with a nice Viognier or one of GV's Portuguese whites if it makes it to my office today. I had his recently reviewed '05 Chat Pibarnon Bandol last night and it was wonderful. 95 points? NO, but low 90s for sure.

What else is going on in my feeble world. Caps lost, Wizards with the 2nd worst record in the NBA get the 5th pick in the lottery. Deservedly so. Any team who spends $100mil plus on a donkey like Arenas who will never play again deserves what they get. Nationals stink though I love them. Os stink and we all know about the headline-grabbing, incompetent Redskins so living in DC area is a disaster when it comes to sports.

Any new recipes? A friend just sent me a Mushroom Soup recipe that I need to try. Still awaiting the zucchini blossoms to come in season which should happen pretty soon. I plan on going to the Eastern Market this weekend to see if I can find some there or tomorrow in McLean.

That's about it. The G Man is going to be a Dad soon. The Vayniacs are awaiting with baited breath for the little, I'm betting, girl.

Cheers!

New Wines

Let's see, Wall Street is tanking though the Democratic de-stimulus bill was passed so the best thing to do in these times is either jump off a cliff or drink some good wine. My choice is for the latter and the latest find is a nice red blend called Clayhouse Adobe Red. Inexpensive (less than $15) yet quite enjoyable.

Tomorrow, Friday the 27th, I'm driving down to Washington & Lee to watch Randy's teams play some great tennis. I will spend the night Friday, watch some tennis and return Saturday evening. Since it will be indoors (low 40s temp) it will be alot of fun.

Not much else is going on for now except not one of my label designs for the Vayniac cab made the Top 5. I was pretty bummed about it since the ones that made the cut were, in my opinion, childish and immature but hey, I've been in this business all my life so what would I know?

Cheers!

Football Is Over . . .

. . . thank goodness though the Squealers won. Hatin' life right now. It was a poorly played game with a predictable though somewhat exciting ending. Looking forward to the Washington Capitals this season and hopefully Spring will be here soon so I can start playing tennis.

Not much else is going on in the world other than the poor economy and lack thereof of any cabinet appointee being able to pay their own income taxes! Is anyone vetting these people before they are nominated? And Obama was going to bring "respect" to the WH? You are not starting off so well my friend.

In my other life, i.e. Travian, we are getting close to end game plus I will be dualing on the restart with a very nice lady from Australia. It should be a lot of fun plus I'll get a little bit more sleep not having to worry about being attacked!

It's cold outside, hate it, though I tried to grille a few nights ago with little success.

One final note: I have ten entries in the Vayniac Cab wine label sweepstakes. I don't plan on winning though I hope to make a good showing. Gary will choose the finalists at the end of the February and then it will go to the Vayniac Nation to vote.

Inauguration Overload

Well, it's been some time since my last post so I need to catch up on a few things. One, the inauguration was yesterday and there were masses of people descending upon our fine city and thankfully that only happens every four years. Thank goodness it is finally over. But since this area is sooo "blue" there were even more of them this time. Needless to say, I'm one of the few who was not excited so I'll leave it at that and get onto more fun topics like wine and football.

Gary V reviewed some Canadian wines tonight which looked promising though the problem will be trying to procur any of them anytime soon. But, I will try.

The Super Bowl will take place on Feb. 1 in Tampa Bay between the Pittsburgh Stealers and the Arizona Carnals and again, I could care less (a debacle of a season for the NFL with bogus calls by the refs, unfair scheduling, etc) though it will be a typcial "David vs Goliath" contest. This time Goliath (Stealers) will slay the over-achieving, lucky Cards. Sorry. They don't belong there and this will confirm their mediocre record and not being able to win out of their own state. Yes, they beat Carolina but Carolina (Delhomme specifically) beat the Panthers. Final prediction: Steelers 37 Cards 10 and they get their 10 pts in garbage time.

That's about it. Hatin' life. Dow below 8k, lowest drop on any inauguration in history (what . . . no Obama splurge?) a boring SB to look forward to but I always have Gary V to enlighten and lift up my spirits. Thank goodness for that. Oh yes, the wine label contest for the Vayniac Cab? Alot of good entries so my work is cut out for me. Good luck to all.

Cheers!

Happy New Year!

Last night we celebrated New Year 2009 by attending VOLT restaurant in Frederick, MD with our friends Bruce & Mary. We were not overly impressed with the portions and the ambiance though the food was well presented by the roboton staff. The wine pairing for the first three courses (white) were right on but the Zin paired with the lamb was disjointed, hot and awkward.

Though we enjoyed ourselves with our company, I do not believe we will be making the trip back to VOLT. We are not into the nouveau cuisine. Our friend, Bruce, on the way home had to stop at McDonald's since he was still hungry. We should have joined him.

Here's to 2009 and a Colts Super Bowl victory. They are playing the Chargers this weekend in the first round of the playoffs.

GO COLTS!

Colts 10-4

Well, tonight the Colts can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Jags. This would be a great Christmas gift for me since it is just around the corner.

The little woman and I recently lost our Moms so this year has not been one to remember.

I'm still enjoying WLTV and being a Vayniac, work is going well, playing tennis and everyone in the family is healthy.

The plans for the holidays include: Channukah on Monday, Wednesday we travel to Salisbury for Christmas Eve and then returning to see friends on Christmas Day. New Year's Eve dinner will be at VOLT in Frederick, MD with dear friends.

In March, we are travelling to the Cayman Islands and staying with our friends, Gerry and Sandy. We plan on having a grand time. They are both wonderful people who enjoy good food and good wine. Plus, Gerry plays tennis so we are looking forward to the time away.

Off to cook dinner and get pumped for the Colts.

I believe it will be a Manning Bros Super Bowl.

Cheers!

Colts 6-4

Well, the Colts defeated the hapless Texans yesterday in a close one but I'll take it any way I can get it. Next week, it's off to San Diego vs LT. Hopefully, Bob Sanders is back in the lineup to stop their offensive attack. It should be a high scoring affair.

On the wine front, nothing new to report other than watching every episode of WLTV and kudos to the Jets for beating the Cheatin' Pats on Gary and Lizzie's anniversary!

I ordered the Thanksgiving Secret Pak so that should be fun and these wines will accompany my usual bottle of Flowers Pinot that my brother-in-law and I enjoy very much.

Go Colts!

P.S. On a very somber note, my mother-in-law passed last night after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She will be truly missed.

Cheers!