Thank goodness the weeks of February seemed to slip by a lot faster than originally anticipated.  With the onslaught of more snow, more cold weather – I have learned the only thing that keeps the cold away in the great state of Minnesota, is WINE.  Plus, the more you work, the more time dissolves just that much quicker.  Mix work AND wine together – zoom!  The month of February, already behind me.  Spring, here I come! 

Time was spent the week of Valentine’s Day teaching a few classes at Cooks of Crocus Hill, speaking at two wine dinners, orchestrating two private events and fulfilling one media showing.  All of great fun and all, as it turns out, is great info for recapping.  So with that – I begin with one of my favorites of February’s Valentine week – a class that I taught with Chef Mike Shannon and the Star Tribune’s Wine Guy,  Bill Ward.

A class with a theme that I had been sitting on for almost four years – Men are from Bordeaux and Women are from Burgundy.  Taught under the assumption and the realization, from a sommelier’s perspective, that NOT ALL FOLKS TASTE EQUALLY.  Or at least, don’t describe what they taste ‘equally’. 

I have always listened intently as women describe wine and men of the same – night after night – class after class.  From a male perspective, the wines are always described from an ‘end’ result.  From a female’s, a more ’round about’ description.  The feminine side with sometimes, more compassion for the grapes – an understanding of the smells around them and a feeling attached to the taste of the wine itself.  Not to say, sorry guys, that you ALL zoom to that ‘quickie’ standpoint when it comes to vino – but you get what I’m saying, right?  It sort of lies under the ‘why do women wear lingerie’ idea.  After all, you’re looking for the ‘end’ result here as well, aren’t you?  Guys are more apt to say within the first minute either ‘I like it’ or ‘I don’t like it’ when it comes to wine – and women, sort of have to dance around the subject for a minute or two -observing, sensing, perceiving, then giving their two cents. 

With this in mind – I asked my good friend, Bill Ward, to teach this male vs. female perspective with me  in our Valentine’s Day class ‘Men are from Bordeaux and Women are from Burgundy’.  The title stemming from the idea that men are strong with intent – reaching for a good, bull-like wine that will ‘shock their existance’ (IE: most folks perception of Bordeaux) and women, poetically describing every nuance of a scenario from scent to sensation (IE: the perfect description of a wine from Burgundy). 

The stage was set with 9 (yes, I said it…9!) blind wines, 40 blind folds, one spectacular chef with a menu that rocked the room, and 9 blind jars filled with items that were ideally linked to the smells that would come of the wines poured.  From feminine smells to more masculine – the items ranged from dirt and raw peppercorns to  honey and rose petals.  As each course was sat, wines were poured to link the softer more elegant sides to the dishes to wines that brought out the more structured pieces of each dish. 

Course after course – with wines lined up like Paso Robles Syrah vs. an Italian Dolcetto, Burgundian Pinot Noir vs. Cabernet from the left bank of Bordeaux, to Napa Zinfandel vs. Alsatian Pinot Gris – the room oohhed and aaahhed with excitement.  Each person of each couple giving his/her reasoning behind the ‘perfectly paired’ wines.  And with Valentine’s Day at hand, the room quickly left any sort of ordinance behind it – louder with each pour, with the sounds of happy, well-fed folk. 

While the food paired and the wines poured were certainly a hi-lite course after course – there were many things throughout the night that peaked my interest with this experiment. 

1.  With my first pour – I had the men blindfold the women.  I then poured a dry, boutiquey Napa rosé from Hendry Vineyards.  Made from Caberent, Cabernet Franc and Primitivo – the wine was flinty dry, with hints of crushed strawberry and zippy pepper.  I asked the women to describe first what they smelled, tasted and felt.  Words like: fresh, crisp, acidic and lively came from the women.  After their descripts, I asked the men (knowing that they had also tasted the wine, but could see it) to describe this wine to the women as if they were ‘selling’ it to them but with words that correctly described the wine at the same time.  The men said words like:  girly, sweet, foo-foo and lushy. 

Case in point… the men made assumptions, describing this what they saw as a ‘girly’ package with words like ‘sweet’ when in fact, the wine was bone dry, peppery and no where close to ‘girly’.  Yet, the women were right on with their descriptions – of crisp, refreshing and peppery. 

2.  Second wine, the same scenario was presented.  Women blindfolded their partners, the wine was poured and the men used words to describe while the women were asked to ‘sell’ it.  The men said:  sparkling, dry and Champagne.  The women described it with floral notes, creamy sensations and round fruit.  The wine poured:  A dry Prosecco made with Prosecco and Pinot Noir – again a pink, but this time with a sort of life saver center, definitely floral BUT dry and it was NOT Champagne. 

Very opposite of a wine that would represent the region of Champagne. 

Case in point…the men wanted results, right now!  It’s bubbly so it must be a Champagne, right?  Wrong!  The women gave the wine character, description and length.  The men were more interested in the answer than the overall descriptors of the wine.  Fancy how that happened?!

The night went on with more scenarios of the same.  Soon after our first wines, we started describing each blind wine with ‘personalities’.  For instance, if the wine were a movie star who would it represent and why?  The Burgundian Pinot Noir was described as Susan Sarandon and the Bordeaux, Sean Connery.  Again, funny how that happened.  Soft and feminine vs.  structured and distinct. 

Overall, the evening – a HUGE success.  Folks wouldn’t leave by class end they were having so much fun!  Another Chef and Sommelier inspired Cooks of Crocus Hill class hit with a home run… all from the idea of how each of us perceive a wine’s color, smell and sensation.  Outstanding!  Certainly a class I will never forget.  And so good, that it might just have to be replayed again sometime…after all, I still have the blindfolds.  And for those of you who ‘slipped’ away with your blindfolds, I hope you had fun!

Thanks to all who made it a ridiculously fun experience!

Listen to the audio from Leslee’s segment on the Michele Tafoya Show w/ John Hines on WCCO Radio.

Talking wines for Valentine’s Day – what wines go with the kind of date you’re about to have… Super fun!

2-14 Leslee Miller on wine by ryanl

Fabulous Tips for a Perfectly Paired Valentine’s Day

A Perfect bottle of Pink Bubbly to pair to a hot drawn bath ~ Try Nicolas Feuillatte’s Brut Rosé Champagne (approx $50) Toasted, yeasty and aromatic with supple strawberries

A Fabulous bottle of Pinot Noir to pair to a home cooked dinner ~ Try Chamisal ‘Califa’ Pinot Noir, Edna Valley (approx $60) Rich, silky and absolutely divine

A Delightfully, complex bottle of Italian Cabernet to pair to a rich and engaging, meaningful conversation ~ Try Monsanto ‘Nemo’ Cabernet, Tuscany (approx $60) Concentrated, structured and abundantly complex

A Flirty, yet luxurious bottle of American Chardonnay to pair to a conversation you’d like to take a ‘little further’ ~ Try Kistler ‘Les Noisetiers’ Chardonnay, Russian River (approx $60)  Creamy, full and over the top with ripe, tropical fruit

A Stout, yet sexy bottle of Zinfandel to pair to dark chocolate dipped strawberries ~ Try Rosenblum ‘Rockpile Road’ Zinfandel, Sonoma (approx $40) Chocolaty, spiced and full of sinful vanilla

An Unambiguous, yet alluring bottle of Tequila to Seal the Deal! ~ Try Don Julio Tequila Blanco (approx $50) Silky, smooth and compelling

A great start to a Sexy holiday ~ Salut!

As you know, I’m all about wine – I drink it, dream it, teach it, taste it, pair it and write it.  However, as a sommelier, I’m reminded that basically ‘All things Wet’ (in the way of beverages)  fall into my area of expertise.  This includes spirit, beer, tea, coffee and sake.  A lot to cover, right?  At the same time, there’s probably one in that grouping that really does act as a perfect substitute when I’ve had too much wine.  And that is…BEER.

To be honest, sommeliers don’t drink only wine ALL of the time.  I find that the best  do tend to slip in a good beer every once in a while.  Especially when the palate feels a little parched after a long nite’s work.  And for my palate, there’s nothing better than snuggling up to a fresh, hoppy beer.  In turn, makes me a huge fan of IPAs (India Pale Ales).  In fact, last nite after a long day of teaching, toting and tasting, the Surly Abrasive, with its notes of fresh apricot, mango and orange blossom, seem to come perfectly to the rescue.  The MN local, Surly Abrasive, a double oat IPA, reminded me of spring with its gorgeously lifted aromas. Like water in a desert, it was delicious! 

Of course, there are many ‘hopped’ beauties to enjoy – however, Surly seems to always lay present in our fridge.  Another ‘reach for’ when I’m feeling like I need a change of pace, the Lagunitas IPA.  A great stand by for me.  Fresh, lite and aromatic as well.  I love these beers in the spring time, but they sure do serve me well in the dead of the winter, reminding me that I won’t be trapped in this Tundric Ice Bowl forever, and that spring is somewhere in sight, right?

And, as I sat down this morning to write my blog – I was reminded of more delicious beer when I read  my new pal, Pat Fahey’s,  post on his new blog called:  ‘I like Beer!’  Launching his works for the very first time this week, he connects his favorite beers and aligns them with what he’s called, ‘Dessert Week’.  I suppose a tribute to Valentine’s Day, of course. 

And while WINE is probably one of THE most purchased beverages for the upcoming holiday, I like that he’s taken himself out on a limb connecting many of the richer, heavier, sweeter beers in the world to this Sweethearts holiday. 

Today he hi-lites one of my FAVORITE beers, Lindemans Framboise Lambic - Check it out!

A great accoutrement to a raspberry cheesecake, a rich cobbler or even chocolate dipped strawberries.  Looks gorgeous in a wine glass and a great substitute for wine at the end of your meal.  A great reminder that we ALL need to step outside of our usual ‘drinking’ box every once in a while.  Enjoy!

Looking to find a few fun things to do for the remainder of the winter and into the spring? 

Named some of the Twin Cities ‘Most popular things to do for Singles, Couple and even Families’ (sorry, adults only!) 

Shake a tail feather and get on it, these classes sell out fast!

Check out a number of Fun Classes here through May…

Shouldn’t say, ‘I told ya so’…but,  ’I TOLD YOU SO!’

The Packers rallied it up, ARodg took the Green and the Gold to the end zone and that’s one fat Super Bowl Title under our belts! 

While the anticipation was high for yesterday’s game, there were many hi-lites to the day other than just winning.  With a couple of really great wines consumed, a strange twist on Bloody Marys and one rockin’ Pulled Pork Sandwich Platter - the day was a success.

Of course game day, especially the SuperBowl, is rarely a success without making a killer Bloody Mary to start your pre-game celebration.  Not to mention, my hubby grillin’ up one of my favorite Bloody Mary pairings – a big, juicy Johnsonville brat to accompany my morning treat. 

Using one of my favorite Bloody Mary mixes, Mr. & Mrs. T’s ‘Bold and Spicy’, I reached into the liquor cabinet for a nice vodka.  Not looking entirely at the label I went to preparing the glasses with celery salt, sliced pickles, limes and jalapeno juice.  After adding my shot of vodka, I topped up with Mr. & Mrs. T’s.  Incidentally, one of my favorite tomato based juices.  I drink it constantly on plane trips, without the vodka most times, as it’s one zippy breakfast treat.  While others would disagree as to their favorite Bloody mix, I’m a fan.  One of the Midwest’s most popular bases for mixing – Zing Zang.  Another good one, but I’m down for the full flavored couple. 

Salivating with antipation, I reached for my first taste…’Ew!’  Turning to peak at the bottle of vodka… UGH!  Huckleberry based vodka!!  I waited to see what the rest of the crew would do before I announced my mistake.  My husband yelled, ‘Did you put blueberry vodka in this bloody?!’  Of course, proud of his palate for the recognition, I acknoweleged and started over.  Needless to say, the rest of the day’s culinary concoctions, were better prepared.

The goodies that following the morning match up went from Grilled Jalapeno Poppers Wrapped in Bacon, Homemade Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip, Creamy Cream-cheese Spinach Dip, to an Artisanal Cheese Board.  All delightful, yet…the wine was calling from the cellar ~ ‘Drink Me Please!’ 

With so many ‘non-traditional’ items to pair to, I decided to give you a quick 3 minute vid on what I actually paired to this Midwestern Smörgåsbord. 

Check it out – In HD!

Tomorrow is Game Day folks!

That’s right, your favorite Green & Gold Team is here to take the title.

 So with just under 24 hours to prepare, I set out to whip up a few of my favorite football favorites to prep ahead time for tomorrow’s celebration.
While I certainly do not declare myself a cook, I do admit to making a pretty mean Pulled Pork Sandwich.

Here, in just 4 minutes, I’ll shoot you my favorites with a couple of Perfect Wine Pairings to boot ~ In HD!

Looking for a few good wines for your upcoming Valentine’s Day dinner? 

Why not head into the Tuscan section?  Here, the grape Sangiovese is KING and my golly, it’s a beauty. 

Instead of always reaching for those American Cabernets to suit your celebration, head into the unknown.  Tuscany, an amazing region full of diversity.  While Sangiovese, yes, is the main grape of this wine region – remember that from slopeside to slopeside – the grape takes on ‘stylistically’ always a different persona.  Of course, this where the Super Tuscans take shape as Sangiovese is blended with a few of those delicious French grapes Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah to fatten it up.

Here – I review almost 10 wines from the region of Tuscany.  Moving from the north to the south of Tuscany, stylistically I show you WHY I truly HEART these wines, unveil a few of my favorite producers and chat structure when it comes to comparing wines at their pricepoints.  

Tour Chianti Classico, Bolgheri, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and more. 

Grab a glass of vino, snuggle in, sit back and relax as you take this quick trip to Tuscany, Italy with me.