What are you eating and drinking tonight?

Dr Hotdog · Post by **Dr Hotdog** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:28 pm

After watching Sideways a few times it pains me greatly that one of my favourite wines is a Chilean Merlot!

Madrigal · Post by **Madrigal** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:39 pm

Cider but thats becaus there is nothing else but milk in the fridge!

William the White · Post by **William the White** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:43 pm

Dr Hotdog wrote:After watching Sideways a few times it pains me greatly that one of my favourite wines is a Chilean Merlot!

you can't bring yourself to a bottle of pinot noir? Mmmm... nice

TANGODANCER · Post by **TANGODANCER** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:13 pm

William the White wrote:
TANGODANCER wrote:I've admitted several times to being somewhat uneducated on wines. I also prefer white to red and a sweeter palate than a dry one. However....since we're having roast beef tonight (and so as not to get excommunicated) I decided to raid our wine supply (yes, we have a somewhat limited one) and tried a "Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet,2005 vintage". Now, admitting most of that is Chinese in my limited knowlege, I didn't find it too bad. Can't even remember getting it in truth. Just thought I'd say like.
Tango takes a step from barbarism... about time n all

That sounds a pretty good red to have with roast beef... No idea if the year is any good - and I'm not a big fan of a lot of Oz wines (tho think reds better than white by and large - and kiwi whites better than red - it's a generalisation, there'll be plenty of exceptions)...

Jacob's Creek a big business but not a bad one... nor a good... decent, i reckon...

Well, WTW, all said I'm afraid it's white over red for me. Twas okay, but I'd be just as happy, no, happier, with Valdepena white, or even a basic Hock or Reisling. Then again, I'm pretty basic myself.

Lord Kangana · Post by **Lord Kangana** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:19 pm

Amazing factlet(s) about Merlot.

Because of its easy drinking nature, its credited with the 80's and 90's boom in wine sales when a doctor (and you've gotta think he owned a vineyard) claimed red wine was good for you. Its therefore seen as a bit passe, a little bit "safe" and uninspiring.It also has very little potential for aging, so isn't seen as a grand grape, but as a filler....

And yet in a small corner of Aquitane on a clayey plateau there lies a little chateau that produces some of (if not the) most expensive and long lived wines in the world. Using pretty much 100% Merlot. Chateau Petrus. Google it and feel your eyes water as you read the prices.

William the White · Post by **William the White** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:22 pm

TANGODANCER wrote:
William the White wrote:
TANGODANCER wrote:I've admitted several times to being somewhat uneducated on wines. I also prefer white to red and a sweeter palate than a dry one. However....since we're having roast beef tonight (and so as not to get excommunicated) I decided to raid our wine supply (yes, we have a somewhat limited one) and tried a "Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet,2005 vintage". Now, admitting most of that is Chinese in my limited knowlege, I didn't find it too bad. Can't even remember getting it in truth. Just thought I'd say like.
Tango takes a step from barbarism... about time n all

That sounds a pretty good red to have with roast beef... No idea if the year is any good - and I'm not a big fan of a lot of Oz wines (tho think reds better than white by and large - and kiwi whites better than red - it's a generalisation, there'll be plenty of exceptions)...

Jacob's Creek a big business but not a bad one... nor a good... decent, i reckon...
Well, WTW, all said I'm afraid it's white over red for me. Twas okay, but I'd be just as happy, no, happier, with Valdepena white, or even a basic Hock or Reisling. Then again, I'm pretty basic myself.

Look, with food and drink, match it whichever way gives you pleasure...

(total soddin barbarian he continues to think, secretly, not lettin anyone know)

boltonboris · Post by **boltonboris** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:45 pm

Bruce Rioja wrote:
boltonboris wrote:Went to Milan in Worsley last night, hadn't been for ages as it was pretty damn poor although its reputation says otherwise. But new owners meant I gave it the benefit of the doubt and it was also my best mates birthday celebrations.

It's still sh*t. Unfortunately all the other local establishments couldn't fit us all in
Ah. Now then, I've seen this place go from bloody superb to basically shit. I stopped going.
I'd heard that it had improved under new ownership. Is this incorrect?
I haven't risked it recently. Why would I when I can walk to Puccini's?

Also, mate. What was the name of the place in Walkden that you told me about?

It's not improved really. Maybe I ordered the wrong food, I'm not sure, but it was bland, rushed and little care was taken with presentation. Salad tasted like it had been sat in the carpark for 3 days in it's tesco bag.... Service was poor too, they were phoning my friend all Saturday telling him he had to pre-order despite none of the atendees being at home tom check the menu, apparantly they were catering for 200 to which my pal replied "If you can't handle it, don't accept booking" Completely fair enough. Got there bang on time (7.30pm) and had to wait 25 minutes for the table we'd pre-booked to become ready (It hadn't been set...... IN A RESTAURANT!). Finally after the food came we ordered drinks, I ordered a bottle of Sancerre for 3 of us (cracking tipple in fairness) along with 3 extra glasses as we wanted water too, I was given a look of bemusement and then a sarcastic "How many glasses do you want? Chuckle chuckle" to which I replied "as many as we ask for probably". Anyway he brought over the wine.. Didn't open it and walked off. Asked him 3 times to open it. Not like it's part of his job or anything..

Steer clear of the 'spicy' fish cakes

Stay at Puccini's.. You won't do better

And the place in Walkden is Grenache mate

Bruce Rioja · Post by **Bruce Rioja** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:41 pm

boltonboris wrote:Stay at Puccini's.. You won't do better

And the place in Walkden is Grenache mate

Cheers, Fella.

thebish · Post by **thebish** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 10:21 pm

anyone scoffed one of these babies tonight???

Bruce Rioja · Post by **Bruce Rioja** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 10:42 pm

thebish wrote:anyone scoffed one of these babies tonight???

Not tonight, I just couldn't be arsed when I got home. I have one in the fridge though so possibly Wednesday. Oh, and I've no Glayva, which is very poor form indeed. What about you, thebish? Have you stabbed one?

Gooner Girl · Post by **Gooner Girl** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:05 pm

thebish wrote:anyone scoffed one of these babies tonight???

Yes and it was actually way tastier then it looks. Went round to some scottish friends for dinner - we had the haggis, kilts, poems and even a quiz on scotland.

thebish · Post by **thebish** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:21 pm

Bruce Rioja wrote:
thebish wrote:anyone scoffed one of these babies tonight???
Not tonight, I just couldn't be arsed when I got home. I have one in the fridge though so possibly Wednesday. Oh, and I've no Glayva, which is very poor form indeed. What about you, thebish? Have you stabbed one?

not this year Brucie - but I have, in the past, l been granted the high honour (as a sassenach) to present the "Toast to the Lassies" at the big Civic Burns night Supper.... that invloved much Burns research and learning of the poetry on my part!

I'm a vegetarian though - so, no haggis in the fridge!

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's my arm.

General Mannerheim · Post by **General Mannerheim** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:03 am

Yes and it was actually way tastier then it looks. Went round to some scottish friends for dinner - we had the haggis, kilts, poems and even a quiz on scotland

waited years to find a use for this...

Bruce Rioja · Post by **Bruce Rioja** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:49 am

thebish wrote:I'm a vegetarian though - so, no haggis in the fridge!

I did notice that they do now do a vegetarian haggis, although I'd imagine that we'd be sailing perilously close to alcohol-free beer territory there in terms of WTF?

thebish · Post by **thebish** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:56 am

Bruce Rioja wrote:
thebish wrote:I'm a vegetarian though - so, no haggis in the fridge!
I did notice that they do now do a vegetarian haggis, although I'd imagine that we'd be sailing perilously close to alcohol-free beer territory there in terms of WTF?

indeed!!

'tis surely true (as someone once said) that most Scottish cuisine was the result of a dare!

William the White · Post by **William the White** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:56 pm

A Portuguese evening - set meal, four choices each course, and really, really looking forward to it...

My choice...

Sardines
Pork with peppers and olives
Creme Caramel.

Portuguese wine - one of the most truly underrated wine nations. Hope the Red is Dao or Douro. The white Alentejano. And no feckin Mateus Rose.

£19.90.

At Ciao Napoli in Mawdsley St. (I know - it's Italian really, but there's a Portuguese Manager who treats himself to a taste of home a few times a year)

Bruce Rioja · Post by **Bruce Rioja** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:34 pm

William the White wrote:A Portuguese evening - set meal, four choices each course, and really, really looking forward to it...

My choice...

Sardines
Pork with peppers and olives
Creme Caramel.

Portuguese wine - one of the most truly underrated wine nations. Hope the Red is Dao or Douro. The white Alentejano. And no feckin Mateus Rose.

£19.90.

At Ciao Napoli in Mawdsley St. (I know - it's Italian really, but there's a Portuguese Manager who treats himself to a taste of home a few times a year)

Firstly - I couldn't agree more regarding the wine. I'm yet to have a bottle of Portuguese red that I haven't found to be anything other than superb. The problem is though that you (or rather, I) can't seem to get it over here. My theory is that they don't make enough to supply much beyond their domestic market. That's with the noticable exception of anything that turns out shite which they bottle up as aformentioned feckin Mateus Rose and ship over here. (Someone must drink it or they wouldn't keep sending it, but who?

)

Secondly, how did you land a tipped wink for the evening?

Lord Kangana · Post by **Lord Kangana** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:43 pm

Its all about money Bruce. Not the Portuguese side of the bargain. The supermarkets mostly have a grip on the food and drink suppliers coming in now. So we get to eat and drink what gives them a good mark-up, not what we necessarily want.

Bruce Rioja · Post by **Bruce Rioja** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:52 pm

Lord Kangana wrote:Its all about money Bruce. Not the Portuguese side of the bargain. The supermarkets mostly have a grip on the food and drink suppliers coming in now. So we get to eat and drink what gives them a good mark-up, not what we necessarily want.

Oh absolutely, LK, but supermarkets aren't they only routes into UK markets, especially for non mass-market sku's. I'd have thought that there must be a fair few more specialist outlets, or even the smaller high-end supermarkets, eg. Booths, but I still seem to struggle.

Lord Kangana · Post by **Lord Kangana** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:58 pm

I tend to buy a few mixed cases a year off Wiatrose. Selection and quality as good as Booths. They have quite a few:

http://www.waitrosewine.com/Shopping/Pr ... 3aPortugal

Obviously, minimum 12 bottles (though you can mix and match)

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