Jean Louis Chave Saint-Joseph "Celeste" 2007, with Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

OK, so tonight's dinner isn't all that spectacular, but it did go nicely with the Wine.  Tonight's wine I got from my Wine of the Month Club at Amanti Vino in Montclair, New Jersey.  It was one of August's selections.  OK, so I'm a little behind (guess I'm not drinking enough ~ I'll have to do something about that). 

Anyway, my recipe's not that exciting.  Just made spaghetti out of a box, heated up a few minced garlic cloves (usually more than my recipe would call for), with some EVOO (1/2 cup), salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes.  When the spaghetti (1 lb.) is done cooking, I'll reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta (starchy) water.  Mix the garlic, EVOO, salt, pepper flakes, pasta and reserved water together.  Chuck in some parsley and zest a lemon.  You're good to go. 

Ok, now onto the good stuff... 

Jean Louis Chave Saint - Joseph "Celeste" 2007.  This is 100% Roussane.  This one's new for me.  Generally it's blended with Marsanne (again, nothing I've had before, but I look forward to tasting this blend one day).  So, this Roussane is a full-bodied white, but I do like it.  I only say it like that because Chardonnay is also a full-bodied white, and often, I don't like that.  I usually like my whites a little lighter.  However, it's usually the oakiness that I don't care for in many Chardonnay's.  But, this is full-bodied, full of it's own flavor~not the 'flavor' of oak.  I liked it with the dinner because it complimented the citrus with some citrus notes of it's own.  I'd bet it would go nicely with some chicken or pork.  I love chicken breast sprinkled with some of that Montreal Chicken Seasoning. 

The Roussane is from the Northern Rhone Region.  I would compare it somewhat to a Viognier, which I often enjoy. 

So, tonight I had a nice glass poured for myself, and then my younger son decided I needed more.  He's a little heavy on the pouring!  I can't kick these hiccups.  I have to go work on that.

In Vino Veritas!

An Introduction

So, as it says in my "About Me" section, I was previously a consultant with The Traveling Vineyard.  Before I did that, I drank Pinot Grigio.  I drank it with everything ~ even steak.  It never bothered me.  And, to this day, I still say ~ "Eat what you like, Drink what you like".  The fact is if it doesn't bother you, who cares!!

Anyway, once I started working and doing in-home wine tastings, all this turned around.  I actually started liking red wine.  Couldn't believe it myself!!  The more tastings I did, the more I realized how much there really is out there.  It can be quite overwhelming.  The same wine from different places can be so incredibly different. 

I don't think I'm here to teach anybody anything different than what they may already know.  But, I thought it would be fun to have a place to share my experiences, the wines I taste, and share some recipes that I try out.  I hope you enjoy!

In Vino Veritas!