Hey Robert Skalli Pinot Noir, what are you doing here? Be careful.  We are living on the 7th floor… don’t jump!

Robert Skalli Pinot Noir: ” Hey man, relax. I am just enjoying the beautiful city of New York. Do you see over this big building Nico?  That is Central park where you run. I am just thinking about…”

But, why are you sitting there?

Robert Skalli Pinot Noir: “Well we worked well together today, so I’m relaxing.  Is there something scheduled for tonight? Do you have some lady bottles to introduce to me? ” (laughs) I miss my island of Corsica.”

I understand you are feeling alone sometimes. Let’s do something: we’ll go out, find you a good place, like a good wine bar and you will enjoy your night… Every night you will be in different hands, meet a lot of different people from all over the world and perhaps you will meet a cute lady!  You never know.  Anything is possible!

Robert Skalli Pinot Noir: “That’s cool, let’s do it!!! Watch out New York City.   I am here!!!!”

You never know where we might turn up New York.  Ask for us.  Look for us.

I will be pouring Fortant Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in New York City on February 27 and 28. 

Where?  I’ll be at the New York Wine Expo.

Time?  February 27 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  and February 28 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Members of the Wine Trade:  I’ll also be pouring March 1 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

I hope to see you there!

Nico

Bill Daley, wine writer for the Chicago Tribune, has written a nice column on Chateauneuf du Pape.  The link to the column is here.  Maison Bouachon Chateauneuf du Pape La Tiare du Pape is among his recommended wines.  

2005 Maison Bouachon La Tiare du Pape
This wine is a keeper; its sophisticated structure will let it age. Look for berry fruit with herbal undertones, a touch of spice and a lively minerality. The nose is of plums, cherry and earth. Serve with duck in cherry sauce or venison medallions.

If you want to explore wine and cheese pairings, I have the place for you in downtown Denver —  Cru !!

A wonderful wine bar, elegant and lush, which provides a variety of cozy and communal seating options from private booths to outside seating to a traditional wine bar. The wine surrounds you - from the floor-to-ceiling wine cellar to the label murals.

l like the formula.  You can choose through different “flights” : a composition of 3 glasses of wine.  I ordered the Flight #14: Cru World Tour (red wines) which included an Argentinian Malbec, a Spanish Sryah/Grenache blend and a Sonoma, CA, red.

I paired these 3 wines with a Western Europe plate of cheeses:

• Iberico: semi-hard artisan goat, cow & sheeps milk cheese with a sweet, smooth flavor
• Cabrales: spanish blue wrapped in grape leaves, made from cow’s milk
• Brie de Nagis: creamy, soft ripened cow’s milk from France

I really enjoyed this time at Cru and the best pairing was for me the Brie de Nagis with the Can Blau wine from Spain. It was a wonderful  blend of creamy, fruity and spicy sensations in my mouth. YumYum!!

The French Kiss or I should say the French kisses are one the best thing in the French culture.

Every time you meet someone you kiss her, even if you are meeting her for the first time! Is it not wonderful? However you have to know the amount of kiss you have to do.

In Bordeaux, for example, we do 2 kisses, one on each cheek. We usually start with a kiss on the right cheek and then the left cheek.  In Avignon and Chateauneuf-du-Pape they do 3 kisses and start by the left side. I am a bit confused sometimes when I come back to the Skalli winery in Chateauneuf -du-Pape. I do only 2 kisses instead of 3 or I start with the wrong side.  LOL.  But it is always a pleasure to do it. 

In some parts of France they do 4 kisses. Just imagine if you arrive at a party with a lot of girls and you have to do 4 kisses each time. Tooooo long.  By the time you finish kissing the girls, the party is already over. Some do only one kiss: too quick, no charm on it.  And, there are exceptions to the kiss.  Sometimes it is better not to kiss, especially if you do not appreciate the person.

Remember, if you meet a French guy, do not hesitate to kiss him or her. No stress, 2 kisses will be perfect and that will be more fun and convivial. So do it whenever you want ;)  If you need some inspiration you can always sip a Robert Skalli wine first!

Is not the kiss a wonderful thing?  Mmwah!