Friday, February 26, 2021

Lockdown...What Lockdown?

Lockdown still very much in force...the Gastronomie are hoping Easter will be a date to get things going again.                                     

My good friend Karl Hodapp...Rebstock...Gasthof/Restaurant in Waldulm...has not been sitting around doing nothing. He has his vineyards...and he has his 'Brennerei'...Distillery.

Evenings he has free of course...so I was there for two days. Spent the daytime walking, listening to music and reading. Just relaxing from the day job.
I arrived midday...and where was he?...in the Brennerei with son Basti.
Basti ist 13...been driving a tractor for 20 years.  

I unpacked and took the walk high up to Karl's best plot...Russhalde...naked of course at this time of year...but all prepared for the coming months.
                                  

Karl no longer sends his grapes to the local Co-Op.
Andreas Männle in Durbach has the recent vintage. We hope for great things.
Walking back down...the smoke from the Brennerei confirmed what Karl was doing.                                     

That evening we were just the two of us...as Basti was with his grandparents.
Karl's lady Laura had prepared a dish already in the oven.

I had bought along all the wines for the two days...and this evening the first was a recent favourite. I have been trying a few White Burgundies recently.
Marc Colin Chassagne Montrachet Les Cailleretes 2015
Burgundy
France

It costs € 80,-- which for top wines from this area...is fairly reasonable!
This is already quite open and forward. Lightly toasted, lemon tart, hazelnut aromas. Lemon and citrus notes. Light on it's feet with a gentle creamy texture and a fine finish.
Points 18                     

Hirtzberger Honivogl Grüner Veltliner 1994
Wachau
Austria

The second wine had my name on a white label on the top...in Karl's handwriting. He asked why...then remembered that the wine had already paid a visit to Waldulm a few years before...not been touched...and had been transported back to my cellar                                    

I had brought along my Butler's Friend...as I expected that the cork would not freely leave it's partner. Clever Barry...but it was not fooled...the Butler got fired...and Karl left and returned with a decanter. Pushing the cork into the bottle as we poured...the medium dark yellow liquid flowed into it's temporary home.
Wonderful nose...Grüner Veltliner extra class. Flavours threw up spices and loads of nuance. Still amazingly young. A real experience.
Points 18.5

A good night's sleep...breakfast I bought at the local cafe and ate in the car.
Off to Achern...first Cafe Glatt...to pick up some chocolates that my wife likes.
Then to the local Supermarket to buy for the evening meal. I was cooking. Me...cooking for a top Chef!

Bought some Sushi from the Supermarket and sat out on my balcony...the sun was pleasant. Had a nap...then up to Karl's apartment. I had the key...so did not have to trouble him...happily burning fruit a hundred metres away.
I was going to prepare a Thai-Style curry...WITH PULPO.
I had wanted the arms only...but at the Supermarket...without my glasses...(can't see with them wearing a mask) ...and standing a few metres from the display... I had pointed to some Pulpo. It was not until I arrived back and opened up the package...that I saw it was not cooked. You have to laugh...and it went into the Bio-bin. I did tell Karl to empty it in the evening! I had enough other items...so it was a Vegetable Curry.

Basti was with us this evening and kindly gave the thumbs up to my food.
Karl ate 3 portions! I rest my case!
The Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2018 was enjoyed with the Curry.
                                    

Two 25 year old French ladies (reds are male, whites are female)...were to be tasted tonight.
The Corovin was the tool to be used to extract the liquid.

Ampeau Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes 1996
Burgundy
France

Golden colour...nose flinty....apples and vanilla. Buttery...still some oak. Flavours of burnt walnuts and caramel.
Points 17.5

Ampeau Meursault Charmes 1996
Burgundy
France

Coravin pressed down...OK...for the first glasses. Next time...Coravin pressed down...cork went down.
Gold colour...nuttiness...toasted ok...but not harmonius. We concentrated on the sister. Karl said he would try it again next day. He did...and the day after that...it just went on improving. So my points really do not do it justice.
Points 17....Karl marked it 94/100 after 2 days. Lucky guy!

Again...a great evening.

Next morning...breakfast in the car...the Autobahn was empty on a Saturday...and I was home in 90 Minutes. Porsche Cayenne...had it 10 years now...still wonderful!
                                       


Unpacked...prepared lunch...sun was shining
                                    
Had my Havana Cigar ready...doorbell rang.

Package...bottles of wine...does it never end?
                                    





Monday, February 15, 2021

Ott not too hot

Sunday evening...and after a hard day at the Snooker table I needed something quick and easy. I love Gnocchis and the Gorgonzola sauce with some added walnuts was quite delicious.

The white had been opened a few days...as I find the Ott wines need airing

Ott Rosenberg Grüner Veltliner 2018
Wagram
Austria

Rich concentration is the overall short version.
Rich peach mixed with buttery smoky undertones.

Round, lush and intense on the densely textured palate, this is a full-bodied, rich and and powerful Veltliner. Generally I am fan of the Winemaker....but found this a touch too much.

Points 17

 

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Buses from Australia

Strange world of wine...this was not planned...and I do not have many Aussie wines. Like buses....two come along at the same time after waiting ages.
Well..ages it has not been as my opening wine since I relaunched...was Grosset Polish River Riesling 2018.

A Thai Green Curry asked for a Riesling...not too dry.

Grosset Springvale Riesling 2018
Clare Valley
South Australia
Australia

This is not bone dry like the Polish Hill...
just on the verge of being off-dry.
Nose shows touch of petrol....I am a fan already...
limes, plenty of citrus zest as well as fresh cut pear and green apple.
A zingy lime acidity and full fruits across the palate and a long finish of honey and chalk.
Very juicy, flavors that envelope the mouth and acidity that gets the mouth watering. Delicious...and PERFECT with Thai Curry.
Points 17

Next day...I decided on Iberico Pork Chops. Spanish pigs lead a happy life....certainly those I have come to love. Marinate in olive oil with Thyme, Rosemary and Garlic. Hot pan...two minutes per side...heat down...then 4 minutes each side...add some butter...and serve.

A red would be a match...but a Chardonnay of class would be no hardship...price € 60,--
Vasse Felix Chardonnay Heytesbury 2017

Margaret River

Australia
Pale yellow colour...aromas of smoke, incense, lemon peel, lime juice, honeysuckle, butter, vanilla, walnut.

Steely with medium body and mouthwatering acidity, tastes of lemon peel, lime zest, grapefruit, clementine, yellow apples, flinty.

Leaves you wanting more.

Great balance with lovely crisp acidity keeping the wine vibrant and fine.

Points 18


 

Monday, February 08, 2021

Serious Rosé

Rosé wines are not for serious wine drinkers.!!! That is what you will hear from the majority of serious wine drinkers.To be honest...I would never order a Rosé wine in a restaurant...and can't remember making up a mixed case with the pink stuff. The problem may be that some are beefed up whites and the others watered down reds.
Robert, friend and wine merchant...paid a visit and we shared a few glasses of white.
As a present...he gave me a half bottle...and a few days later..I risked it!

The food was a favourite...Lamb Filets...with some Dauphinoise Potatoes and very fresh Mushrooms.


Mint sauce...very English. Very delicious. I still can't convince the Germans to try it...they all expect something like a Peppermint tea!


Château de Pibarnon Rosé 2018
Bandol
France

Intense salmon color. Nose of apricot core, tangerine, fresh pineapple, licorice...even a trace of mild whiskey. Palate of citrus and stone fruit with well balanced bitters and acids.
Points 16


Friday, February 05, 2021

The Butcher from the Pfalz

Uli Metzger took over the reins at this property in 2010 from his father and has invested intensively....not only in vats and barrels...but in the marketing. Of course...with a name like Metzger (Butcher) the oportunities were there. His reds are worth searching for...with names 'Prago', 'Arthos' and 'Melandor' added to the labels.
I was shopping in my new favourite Supermarket...and they have a massive wine selection. Not that I ever buy from large chains...but this Edeka Scheck-In has a really good selection...so as I filled my trolley with plenty of food goodies...I also slipped in this white.
                                   


Metzger St. Stephan Chardonnay Reserve 2018
Pfalz
Germany

Light yellow in colour...gentle aromas of lime and lemon...yellow apples...which crossed over to the palate. Medium acidity and trace of oak. Well balanced...and good value at Euros 20,—

Points 15