August 2009


From Nicolas31 Aug 2009 04:06 pm

Ingredients:

2 lbs Salmon filets, 12 oz cherry tomatoes, 12 oz carrots, fresh chives oregano and thyme, 1 lemon, 2 chopped shallots, salt and fresh pepper.

ready to go to the oven

 

Let’s start by preheating the oven at 400 degrees. Place the Salmon filet on a baking sheet then sprinkle it with some salt, fresh pepper and olive oil. On the top of the salmon filet, just add chives.

By now, the oven should be pre-heated and at the right temperature. Here we go; bake the Salmon for about 25 minutes.

Shallots, tomatoes, fresh herbs

During this 25 minutes let’s prepare the tomatoes and carrots. In a pot, press the lemon to get the juice, add the oregano, thyme, shallots, salt, fresh pepper and little bit of olive oil. Warm it a little bit and then put your cherry tomatoes on the pot and let them cook just few minutes in the sauce. In the same time you prepare the carrots; actually, I just boiled them–I like them like this. :)

Try to get your tomatoes and carrots done in the same time as the salmon. Put the salmon on a plate, pick up the tomatoes and carrots and do the same. Then you will finish the dish by adding some sauce on the top of the filet.
My recommendation for this baked salmon will be a Pinot Noir. I really looove this pairing YUM! I even enjoy a glass of it when I cook ;) What about a Robert Skalli Pinot Noir from the South of France? Excellent choice, the Pinot Noir will bring some nice flavors and will definitely complete the dish perfectly. Red wine with fish? Absolutely. Pinot noir is delicate and the fish is fatty so there is enough structure to compliment each other. Delicious! Enjoy while the tomato season is in full swing.

From Nicolas25 Aug 2009 05:56 pm

Laurent, the Skalli winemaker, did not tell us everything last time.

Ladies and gentlemen, older and younger, connoisseur or neophyte, I would like to introduce you to the vintage overview of Languedoc and Provence region:

  • Languedoc

Climate: The 2008-2009 winter was cold and wet so it was very good for our water reserves and the weather was good for a normal budbreak. The spring was cool and quite wet which brought a slight worry of disease on the vines. Since the end of May, the weather was very dry and hot, which is very helpful for the health of the vineyard.

 

-

Vineyard: After quite a normal budbreak, the growth was very intense because of increased water availability. There was some concern in managing the vineyard because there was some wind damage in various areas of the vineyard. The flowering season happened in good conditions. Luckily, the ecophysiologic disorders we witnessed last year (poor pollination) won’t happen this vintage. The vigour is moderate to high depending upon the areas/varietals and the foliar surface very important due to the water availability. The vineyard still needs the usual summer showers to achieve accomplished ripeness. The vineyard is healthy in general and the estimated yield average to average+”

  • Provence

“Climate: Identical as the Languedoc region

-
Now you have a large and complete overview concerning the 2009 vintage in the South of France.
Thanks again Laurent, you rock!!!!
From Nicolas21 Aug 2009 01:56 pm

Our winemaker in the South of France, Laurent Sauvage, sent me a vintage overview last month!!! “(Grape)Juicy news directly from France”.

Just to remind you, the Skalli family is the flagship family of Southern French wines: Rhone Valley, Languedoc, Corsica and Provence (map below)

Laurent, what is the situation in the Rhone Valley and Corsica???

  • Rhone Valley: 

Climate : The winter 2008-2009 was cold and wet so very good for water resource regeneration and good for having a normal budbreak. The spring was cool and quite dry which avoided any potential disease in the vineyard. Since the end of May, the weather has been very dry and hot, which is very helpful for the vineyard’s health and beginning of veraison.

-

Vineyard : After a normal budbreak, the growth was moderate because of the water availability and cool temperature. The flowering season occurred with abnormal conditions which has caused irregular pollination with some of the Grenache. The vigour is moderate. The vineyard still needs the usual summer showers to achieve accomplished ripeness. The vineyard generally healthy and the estimated yield will be average.”

  • And what about Corsica?

Climate: Identical as the Rhone Valley 

Vineyard: After a quite normal budbreak, the growth was moderate because of the water availability and cool temperature. The flowering season happened in good conditions so the ecophysiologic disorders we’ve seen last year (uneven pollination) won’t disturb this vintage. The vigour is moderate to high depending upon the areas/varietals. The vineyard still needs the usual summer showers to achieve accomplished ripeness. The vineyard is healthy in general and the estimated yield is average to average+.

 

Thanks a lot Laurent for all this complete vineyard report and I wish you all the best for the harvest!! ;)

Wine bloggers and lovers, my friends, I have more for you…. the Languedoc and the Provence.. next post
Nico  

 

 

 

 

 

From Nicolas11 Aug 2009 01:02 pm

 

Thursday August 13th - 4:00 to 6:00 pm

 

I will be pouring samples of Fortant de France Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 at The Wine Cellar, located in Cinnaminson, NJ.

No cost for the tasting, so come to see me ;)  The Fortant Cab is the ideal pairing for your barbecue, it will become your everyday wine!!!

The Wine Cellar
2129 Branch Pike
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077-3243 

 

Phone: 856-829-1301
Fax: 856-829-0171

From Nicolas03 Aug 2009 11:32 am

Hey! The Winemakers Season II is on its way!!!! Thanks to PBS, 16 men and women will compete for a chance to create and launch their own wine label nationwide.

Where will the TV Show take place? In France! More specifically, in the Rhone Valley baby! ;)

Who has never had a dream to become a winemaker? Come on!!! The dream can come true and it is now time for the auditions.

What about Mister Corey Nyman? A guy with a real passion for wine–what’s even better is that he has an exceptional personality. 

My family has a winery in France; I grew up watching my dad making wine and it was sooo amazing. Everytime I watch the video of Corey, I just think, “This guy will make a very good winemaker.” He definitely convinced me with his video. You are my favorite Corey and hope you will join the 16 finalists!!!! Watch and share the video…Everyone, please vote for COREY!!!!!