Wine tasting
October 11, 2009
There are two basic approaches to tasting wine.
Anne Noble, emeritus Oenology professor from the University of California, is credited with the contribution of the `aroma wheel`, in 1990.
She patented a consensual terminology to define the scents identifiable in a wine. Texture and `mouth feel` were not included in the pie chart.
The wheel brakes down wine aromas into 12 categories, which in turn break down even deeper into several sub categories.
Chemical – Includes aromas like sulfur and petroleum
Pungent – Aromas like alcohol
Oxidized – Aromas like acetaldehyde
Microbiological – Aromas like yeast and lactic acid
Floral – Aromas like Pelargonium geraniums and linalool
Spicy – Aromas like licorice and anise
Fruity – Aromas like blackcurrant and apricot
Vegetative – Aromas like eucalyptus and artichoke
Nutty – Aromas like walnut and hazelnut
Caramelized – Aromas like butterscotch and molasses
Woody – Aromas often imparted by oak like vanilla and coffee
Earthy – Aromas such as mushroom and mildew
Up untill Noble, several wine glossaries would compete in equal terms to introduce the uninitiated into the lingua franca of the vino.
To me, the fun thing about wine, and that what actually differentiates wine from beer (which I drink much more casually and not to mention way more often), is the whole process of de-constructing the clues.
I cant go deeper than the first or the first two scents in my glass. I mean the ones on the surface. But Thats the beauty of wine! Its sampling is in fact available to all! Regardless of expertise, sensibility… on any social occasion, drinking wine, people are prone (even expected), at one point or the other, to comment on the wine they hold in their hands. A food dish is different, there s never a big surprise. For food the eyes almost always screen and the brain breakes the code before the actual tasting, even the best disguised design dish.
True, that in wine there are hints too: color, smell, the label, but those often work more like a trap, at least to the non-expert. Actually those relate more to the second approach to wine tasting (that i mention at the beginning)
So, in other words, wine tasting, comes down to a conversation topic with great potential. We talk about ou ability to code braking. I think the juvenile equivalent is to join a bunch of children with building blocks.
Taste is a quint essential human sense. And tanins and grapes are as old as civilization. Maybe the correlation between the significance of survival through the senses, symbolized on the grapes, as represented in major part of classic literature, the wine comes out as a synthesis between the devine and the profane.
Because wine is a celebration of the evolution of our senses through the taste buds, Its important that such experience had been made simpler to translate better, more often and by more people. Therefore my sincere recognition to Dr. Anne Noble!
A bit more complex is the second way of categorizing wine. This one outside the scope of the `aroma wheel`. Its not as intuitive as the first. While possibly also accessible to the uninitiated (I’m out for sure), this second approach to wine is less objective and surely poses a bigger challenge to terminology benchmarking.
While probably the aroma tasting is more linked to chemistry, this second part is probably more biology oriented.
Where wine (a liquid) can be labeled as `dry`, tactile reporting from the inner mouththis regards what Clinton MacSherry called
This part of the wine sampling is more technical and often left to the experts in the labs (its about what the mouth feels and not what it tastes).
An example of what is addressed in this area is Acidity, sensed mostly in the front part of the mouth, tip and sides of the tongue, and Tannins that act on the back of the cheeks, gum and front of the throat, with a dry quality like a heavily steeped tea
The balance between acidity and tannins relative to flavor components determines its degree of astringency. The ideal is the perfect equilibrium, the combination is often said to give wine its backbone.
Mladeze 13
October 8, 2009
Prague 6: Drinopol. My place! May 2005 to March 2006.
I remember snatching a Martini poster from “Hunny Bunny” at Prague 4 (Vysehrad), use it to decorate my bedroom.
In the cold winter days my clothes hanging up to dry outside would freeze to stone. I d wash them almost 40 minutes away, at a backpackers laundromat, after riding one tram and one subway, located down at Namesti Miru.
The neighbourhood supermarket sold monte velho wine, from my home land, Portugal, which I bought once to pay a visit to Chris, my old cockney colleague from Honeywell, living next to Saska Arena.
I used to jogg around the neighbourhood Hospital, which i later found out was where my beautifull colleague Dasa’s Husband worked as an orthopeadic MD, only on the day i took my brother, visiting me, in after he broke his arm playing soccer on our traditional games on thursdays.
My tv set only played 2 channells, and the first time I tuned in was on christmas day 2005, almost 7 months after my arrival.
My german flatmate cooked very thin chinese rice noodles on the stove. He provided one cd playing stereo from his place back in Dusseldorf that i tuned to play the BBC radio.
Other references on the main street included smokey hospodas selling cheap beer night in, a good restaurant selling a top 1 gulash, served in a bread carved shaped like a bowl, the famous red tram to Bila Hora with its old fashioned bell ringer.
It was an amazing experience, and I d never trade this stalinist kommunalka flat for any other place elsewhere.
My first day, I remember `stalking` my flatmate to the University to watch an ice hockey international game on plasma against Canada for the world cup. My last day I left the house stung by a rough farewell party from my friends the previous night, draging myself to catch the first taxi to the airport, with a black eye from a drinking fight, a couple of stiches, cell phone battery dead, unable to catch any transportation to the airport while my time was running out and so were my last minutes in Czech..
Relativity by M. C. Escher
October 5, 2009
In the world of Relativity, there are actually three sources of gravity, each being orthogonal to the two others (in Wikipedia)
In the Futurama episode “I, Roommate“, Fry and Bender go apartment-hunting and visit a room that resembles the lithograph. Fry claims that he does not want to pay for a dimension he isn’t going to use; Bender then trips down one of the stairs and continues to fall (in Wikipedia)
Escher greatest expression came from his intuitive and visual concept of mathmatics, although he never had any formal training on that subject. He explored the infinity. Created images right out of his mind instead of directly from observation (surrealism). he re-invented tessellation (mosaic or tilling) by using this techinque on his art (plane figures filling the plane without gaps).
He wrote his first paper in 1936, called Regular Division of the Plane with Asymmetric Congruent Polygons, which detailed his mathematical approach to artwork creation. Escher developed a system of categorizing combinations of shape, color and symmetrical properties.
(Wikipedia)
In Metamorphosis I, he transformed convex polygons into regular patterns in a plane to form a human motif. This effect symbolizes his change of interest from landscape and nature to regular division of a plane
Escher uses in The “Waterfall” the “bi dimensional” Penrose Triangle (“impossibility in its purest form” – Mathmatician Roger Penrose). Waterfall depicts a watercourse that flows in a zigzag along the long sides of two elongated Penrose triangles, so that it ends up two stories higher than it began
Ascending and Descending (1960).
Escher: ‘recalcitrant individuals refuse, for the time being, to take part in the exercise of treading the stairs. They have no use for it at all, but no doubt, sooner or later they will be brought to see the error of their non-conformity.’
“Convex and Concave” (1955)
One can view these features as concave by viewing the image upside-down.
Note that all additional elements and decoration on the left are consistent with a viewpoint from above, while those on the right with a viewpoint from below: hiding half the image makes it very easy to switch between convex and concave. (in Wikipedia)
“Still Life and Street” (1937)
Atrani, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Bits of Bruges
October 4, 2009
“De Garre” (Triple de Garre),
The name alone makes you dream of a long distant port of the hanseatic league, covered in fog on a winter dusk.
Its one of the best bars in Brugge (not that there are many there)
Good times! Been there less then 6 times but thats because no one knows about it!!
I found a review posted by someone at boo.com
anonymous says:
“ I wouldn’t have found it if I hadn’t seen 2 men emerge from the small arch in the stone wall, but an incredible place. It will take you back in time and Yes, that house beer is strong. That and their special peach beer are the best I’ve ever tasted. They brought small chunks of cheese and it’s a… it’s a place to linger. I recommend going upstairs, but just know, you’ve got to get back down the steep, narrow stairway .
The eatery
Now, life in Bruges is definitely not night oriented. This is a UNESCO world heritage city, full of renaissance architecture and beautiful channels that earn it the nickname `the Venice of the North of Europe`.
Bars close at 12 o ‘clock and afterwards thats it! sleep-bound to the tourists and locals and dormitory resistance vigils to the College of Europe students. Add that to the fact that flemish and dutch have the strongest beers around and you will begin to understand the importance of notching before hitting the valley of the sheets.
Most of my nights out weren’t complete without having a medium or large pack of `frites` (fries). The fries were not invented by the french, but by the belgiums instead. Frites are a delicacy all over belgium, especially the flemish side of the border. As far as I know there was only one trailer that sold them at night in Bruges. This one was located in the Markt (the big square), against the walls of the city hall, in the corner with Wollestraat.
Many nights I went there, The specificity of these frites is the many sauces to chose from go with them. (paid individually). My favorite was sauce tartar even because the menu is almost always in flemish and I couldnt even spell or say most of the sauces names.
This trailer was cheap for most prices in Belgium and saved my from hunger many times.
Quick Hamburguers
Another saving grace when the hunger stroke in those many battles against studying in your room or simply coming back from a rugby practice at night several km away by train, was `quick`.
Quick is a fast food chain, sort of like McDonalds, but limited to a few countries in the Benelux area and this one in particular with a better view (right off the main square- how they convinced the authorities to open in such a priviledged zone, evades my comprehension).
They re not quick preparing your food, but it sure paid off.
Theres an Irish Pub, located right on the back of the Markt, that we used to go a lot. I fact one of the national college parties, those organized by groups of nationals in the college to celebrate their country’s traditions and values and present them to the colleagues, took place there.
If I remember well, it was kind of a sports bar, I have a vague recollection.. I keep two single individual pieces of photo memory from that place: one was on my way there with a greek coleague of mine, that got married recently, on our way to a study party with optional beer..The other one was on my way to the bathroom, looking up my shoulder and seeing a bunch of british tourists at one of those so typical football/rugby soirees they put together in Belgium and worldwide. Stella was the patron there.
Tour Del Gelato
October 2, 2009
This is a challenge launched by a bloger
We copy her url to our blog and send her a link with info on our favorite gelati parlour in the world. The goal is to determine which gelati maker is actually the best. Im not yet sure who gets to vote..
My point is i propose to offer a comlptely different `candidate`. This one made history and has the papers to prove it!
I lived in Rome, Italy and traveled all around the country for a year. I also live in the US currently. It is said these two countries, even because of their close affiliation, make and made the best gelati in thw world..
Regardless, the best gelati house ever to exist is in Portugal, not far away from where I used to live actually.
Thats right! Funny as it might sound, sometimes things are not as they seem..
I used the web site biography to copy and translate in a free way to illustrate some of the most important moments in this Gelati making Dinasty, who ended up in my home country by chance of destiny. This way I hope to enhance its name by showing enough material to faithfully display the historic moments that made this parlour what I say it is.
“CASA SANTINI“
Attilio Santini Mosena, born in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Udine, son of Arcangelo Santini and Maria Mosena. His ancestors originally from the Dolomites, north of Venice. Gelato factoring tradition in the family starts with his Great-great Grandfather, who owned a gelato parlour in Viena of Austria with brevetto issued by the imperial house, given buy the Emperor Francis Joseph. His father too, in Italy, will be awarded a brevetto from king Vittorio Emanuelle.
1917/18 Attilio leaves Italy with his father and in 1922 settles in Metz, France wher he meets one of the Romanov (Russian Imperial family) members.
In 1937returns to Italy working at the Sommariva Gellataria in Milano.
in 1938 opens a Gellataria in S. Sebastian, Spain.
in 1940 moves to Barcelona, calle Vergara, opening Gellataria Capri, which will shut down over the competition with Frigo.
| Letter of Recommendation from Gelatti Sommariva of Milano, where Attilio Santini worked in 1937 |
| Detail of one of his guest books. |
In 1944 Santini moves to Valencia, opening Café Santpol, where he will meet his wife Isabel Catalan Saez. He will also meet the Portuguese Consul João Moraes, who will challenge Santini to relocate to Portugal .
| Attilio Santini in the 1940’s, picture taken in Valência. |
| Social card of the Portuguese consul daughter, who invited Santini to relocate to Portugal. |
| Letter of Recommendation from the Milk Industry of Valencia, dated from 1946. |
Libretto of the Concerto performed by the Symphonic Orchestra of Madrid, in December 1948 at the Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon, under the direction of Maestro Pierino Gamba, with special dedication to Santini
August 26 1949, Santini moves to Praia do Tamariz in Estoril, with Gelataria Santini, giving away all gelatti at inauguration. Family Santini lived upstairs from the parlour, making their home available during several occasions to serve as dressing room to the Royal Family members who at the time would come to the beach.
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Innaugural day log book; Casa Santini at Tamariz, Estoril
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Mrs and Mr. Santini in 1950 at their parlour in Tamariz |
| Italian newspaper clip reporting about
Princess Maria Gabriela de Saboia at Gelataria do Tamariz, in company of the Santini’s daughter
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Holiday Card in retribution to Santini’s, dated January 2nd 1951,from king Umberto II de Itália, with an illustration of the Templeof Diana in Évora on the cover.
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| Cover of the italian Magazine Época,
with the PrincessMaria Beatriz de Saboia picture eating a gelato at Gelataria Santini
|
1955, February, 12
Caters the gelatti to the
wedding party of Princess
Maria Pia de Saboia, taking
place at Hotel Palácio
Thank you note from the Princess Maria Piade Saboia and Alexandre of Yugoslavia,with an allusive medal
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|
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Greeting Card from Umberto II de Itália, de 1957,with a picture of his seasonal house in Cascais Vila Itália |
| Princess Maria Gabriela de
Saboiawith Isabel Saez at the Gelataria |
| Greeting Card from
12/27/1961 sent byApostolic Nuncio in Lisboa to the Santini Family
|
| Santini’s with King of Spain
Juan Carlos who they dearly called Juanito |
| Casal Santini at the wedding
of Infanta Pilar de Borbón in Hotel Estoril Sol |
| Santini Menu July 21st
1964 served at Vila Itália, seasonal residency of the royal family of Italy |
| King Juan Carlos, Reyna Sofia
Infanta Margarida, Gelataria at Av. Valbom, Cascais (rellocated 09/08/1971) |
| Santini with the Brevetto
awarded by Umberto II de Itália 12/31/1972 as the caterer of the Royal House of Italy |
| King Umberto II de Itália
and his daugher Maria Pia with Isabel Saez, in gelataria at Av.Valbom, Cascais |
| Attilio is offered medal
of meritby thecity council of Cascais. June 7th 1994 |
| Sketch of a Biography.
Attilio dies 08/03/1995 at 88. |
| Condolences from
the Dukes of Soria |
| Santini Fuertes
current owners |
Sanduiche-iche (legendado)
October 1, 2009
My Favorite Weiss Beers
October 1, 2009
Types of beer
According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Weiss Beers is a a special brew (Weissbier; “white beer”) which is made from malted wheat.
1- Erdinger 
date back to 1886. Year of the wheat beer brewery in Erding. Franz Brombach, bought the brewery in 1935 and re-named it Erdinger Weissbräu on December 27, 1949.
The Most recent variety is ERDINGER Urweisse, is a rustic weissbier with a pronounced yeast flavor, traditional weissbier aroma and attractive dark golden color.
2- Schofferhofer Kristallweizen
Im going to pass a transcript from Samuel, from Sidney Australia, as I happen to simply admire his insights on beer.
Flavour is fairly sweet, but with a slightly tart edge, more of the fruit with grape tannins and kiwifruit flavours joining the mix. Slight acerbidity from carbonation and a nice weizeny finish without very much potency: a slight spice, bit of a sizzle, but no oomph behind it, lacks the mojo of a hefe. Dominating flavour is sour, with a green apple acidity to it, and it’s not well backed by a slightly watery feel that lacks depth and body.
| The Purity Law (link in Franziskaner Official Page)In 1516 Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria issued the Purity Law, the oldest foodstuff regulation still in effect today. Beer can only be brewed from malt, hops and water. Franziskaner weiss beers are brewed in strict adherence to the Purity Law.Take a look at the original Purity Law Decree, ready to download. |
The name of Franziskaner can be traced back to the oldest privately-owned brewery in Munich. It was founded in 1363 in the heart of town by a brewer named Seidel Vaterstetter. Being located next to a Franciscan monastery, it took on the name by which it is known today: Franziskaner.
erdinger
Schofferhofer Kristallweizen
Franziskaner
Oude Zak
September 30, 2009
My old `fire place` room..2001-2002 (the three windows on the bottom left). I wonder if Apu is still selling hoogarden Gran Cru??
Toddler Online Educational Toys
September 30, 2009
Like most, I get my sons toys from the web. If I have an idea of what Im looking for, I browse and get the best deals from nexttag.com or the best reviews from epinion.com. Then I confortably lay back and proceed to purchase them. Its easy, cheaper, faster.
Amuse Toy store, at Fells Points and Greenspring Avenue, is probably the best I found so far
GROWING TREE TOYS
GROWING TREE TOYS
GROWING TREE TOYS
October Calendar for Children
September 30, 2009
I have been researching a few local events to attend to together with my son during this month of October.
Usually we stick pretty much to what we planned to do in advance.
OktoberFest, a traditional Bavarian Celebration, marking the end of the crops, exported overseas and suburbs, and while focusing mainly on weiss beer feasting, simultaneously offers a children friendly side. Or, because its such a grown ups event, there usually are other parallel Fall events. This traditional especially proliferates in northern hemisphere christian countries.
I have several choices for this weekend, ill share a few here:
Chocolate Fest at the Lexington market, (27Th Annual) downtown, including sampling chocolates and a magic show all FREE. The later on October the 3rd at 11 am and 2 pm.
Experiment With and Explore Clay Baltimore ClayWorks- Events and Workshops-open to all ages with pre registration.- Satuarday, October the 3rd 3-5pm
Sugarloaf- Timonium Fairgroundsspeed painting and craftsmanship, including story telling at 11h, 12h, 2h and 3 pm; free <12 and parking )October 2-4)
Chesapeake Children Museum – touch-a-truck Octo 3rd, 1-4pm, $10 per child
Generacion Y
Futuro Presente
Hitchens- political opinion maker
Jose Pacheco Pereira
Dinesh D'Souza Christianity and Politics
Seed Newsvine
Oude Zak 000 