It’s hard to believe that harvest is coming to an end in both France and the United States. The rain has started to fall in the Napa Valley. It seems like just yesterday that the valley was ablaze with summer heat. Not only was it hot in the United States, the South of France is comparably warm. I’m Tina Cao, part of Team Skalli, and while Nicolas has been discovering America, I got a peek into life in the South France this past summer. I was just going through my photos from this summer and found some great photos from my trip to Nicolas’s home turf: Bordeaux! Here is the first of several entries of my trip to VinExpo and the South of France (home to Les Vins Skalli!)
If you love wine and design, VinExpo is a living dream.
Every other year, the French port city of Bordeaux plays host to the international wine expo, VinExpo. Wine and spirit producers from around the world construct ‘salons’ inside the expansive ‘Parc des Expositions’ just outside of downtown Bordeaux.
This is my first trip to VinExpo and here is my daily journal:
Day 1) I wake up Sunday morning to catch a flight from San Francisco to Paris. Because I live 1.5 hours away from the airport, I had to wake up at 330a for a 730 flight (taking into consideration the 2 hour pre-arrival now allotted for intl travel). Being a Sunday, I did not think that air travel would be busy but I was completely wrong as the security line spiraled around the ropes without the TSA in sight until I was at least five rows away. Safety comes first so I don’t mind the wait but operating on little sleep makes a gal cranky.
My flight to Paris, with one stop over, lasted about 14 hours. Upon arrival in the City of Lights, I had 2 hours until I had to catch the TGV (Train Grand Vitesse or “Speed Train”) to Bordeaux. The train ride to Bordeaux was another 4 hours. I usually close my eyes to try to sleep but a half sleep in an upright position is not the same as full slumber in a bed. Nevertheless, upon arrival in Bordeaux, I manage to haul my oversized, overweight luggage off the train and onto stairs, because I failed to find the escalator, to find the VinExpo shuttle.
The shuttle runs every hour and because my train arrived at 1:05p had to wait 55 minutes for the next shuttle. That was perfect because I had to change out of my travel uniform of cargo pants and a vintage concert tee shirt (a 2005 souvenir from Coachella) into something suitable for a wine expo that attracts buyers from all over the world. I walk around the train station for a changing spot and notice a nice corner behind a billboard. Yes, I was going to change in public because I was that desperate. However, I came to my senses and opted for something more demure. Fifty centimes later, I found myself in a bathroom stall that is probably the size of an elementary school bathroom stall. With my luggage crammed beside me, I wiggle into my shirtdress. Voila! I hop onto the shuttle. Hair is brushed and makeup is applied in the bus–I’m VinExpo ready. Okay, not yet because I still have on my Crocs. I love to travel with my turquoise blue Crocs clogs. Okay, they’re not so pretty and some may think they’re only for kids 2 and under but they’re so comfy that I don’t care what people think. A quick shoe change in front of the Pavilion and it’s show time. Considering I had been awake for 19 hours, people are surprised that I’m functioning normally and look halfway alive when I finally at the Skalli Family Wines stand. I’m happy to find some friendly faces with St. Superians Michaela and Emma as well as Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) staff. At the NVV stand, I find Napa Valley doyenne, Margrit Mondavi, drawing a crowd. Off to work! At the end of the day, the NVV decided to bring a little of the USA to Bordeaux with a true cowboy party. Complete with line dancing and a bleu, blanc et rouge BBQ, my first night in Bordeaux ended with an American hoedown. Fun? Absolument!

Day 2) Having slept 5 hours after being awake for about 36, I was surprisingly not feeling any jet lag. I’m a pretty good traveler but amazed even myself that my eyes were not blood shot nor my temper through the roof. The expo starts at 830a and lasts until 7p everyday. In addition to tastings, VinExpo is also host to seminars conducted by world experts. Today, I attended a presentation by the US based Wine Market Council (of which Michaela happens to be a director).

Seminars are located across the lake and to get there, you have to traverse the ‘floating’ bridge.
Yes, it truly is floating as it gently rocks under my feet as I’m walking across. The bridge is bright orange, a color reminiscent of Hermes’ signature hue. Hermes, is, in fact, present at VinExpo. They have a booth selling accessories just in case I needed something to feel a little more French. I would have loved a chic scarf but I preferred to spend my euros on macarons and a variety of other sweets as my French indulgence. I think the travel finally caught up to me as I skipped dinner (always a late one) to go to bed at 830p and solid sleep until 6am.

Want to make something great this weekend?
Ingredients:

2 big tomatoes, 1 large eggplant, 2 lbs grouded beef, 1 chopped onion, 1 egg, herbs (oregano, parsley, salt and fresh pepper) and some cheddar cheese.

I do not now how is the weather around the US but for my friends at St. Supery winery in the Napa Valley, it is raining After work, I love to relax. And how do I do that: cooking!!! I had this bottle of Maison Bouachon Gigondas 2005 opened from earlier tastings in the day so I thought about what I could make with it.

I started from the red wine, a Gigondas; Rhone valley wine with a majority of old grenache (70 years old), and some Syrah (30 years old). The question was: “what could I pair with this powerful wine with notes of black cherry, pepper and garrigue (thyme, oregano, rosemary) finishing with chocolate and toasted flavors?”

Well I thought the beef could be a good idea, but I also like vegetables. However vegetables by themself could not be good, because the wine will over power the dish. However the beef and some other flavors in the vegetables will be excellent. Let’s start the recipe:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut eggplant in half, lengthwise; scoop out centers, leaving 1/2 inch walls. Do the same with the tomatoes–cutting just the top and removing the inside.

In a large pot, put the fresh ground beef and mix with the chopped onion, herbs. Add salt and pepper and then the egg. Fill each eggplant and tomato with the meat. Stuff, sprinkle with cheese and let’s bake 45-50 minutes. When it is done, serve it with the glass of Gigondas and…… OMG YUM YUM

I had the opportunity to participate in the half marathon in New York’s Central Park last weekend and it was such a great experience. I ran the 13.1 miles in 1:42:23 which was very good considering I did not prepare for it.

The run started at 9:00 am. My suffering lasted just under two hours. What happened after?? Running took a lot of energy out of me so I was famished!! Time for steak with a great glass of wine. A beautiful Robert Skalli Cabernet Sauvignon from the South of France which just got 86 points from the Wine Enthusiast.

The half marathon was excellent, but what about a real one??? New York??? Not yet, but what about the Marathon du Medoc!!! Medoc is one of the most famous appelations in Bordeaux.

Let’s imagine a run in the middle of the vineyard with the possibility to make a “pit stop” along the road. Four words describe very well this marathon: health, sport, conviviality and fun! Do you want some proof? Look at the photos…

Sounds fun, no? It is a real marathon; some of the runners finish the race in record time. However, although it is a real race, it is also special and very unique. The majority of the participants run the marathon while enjoying the pleasures of wine and food. Along the road, the Chateau opens their doors and let you discover part of their secrets.

Only 8,500 people can participate every year, why not you…

If I told you I cooked the best dish I ever since I have been here in the US, would you believe me? First let me show you the result (it’s pretty too, non?):

and now the recipe!! In order to add more flavor I used wholegrain mustard. I also prepared some carrots and green beans which was an excellent accompaniment to the lamb.

What wine did I pair with the dish? A Cabernet Sauvignon, but not a blend; a pure cabernet sauvignon–Robert Skalli Cabernet Sauvignon from the South of France. On one side I had the fruits of the wine and on the other side I had the spices of my dish. YUMIIIII! My Robert Skalli Cabernet Sauvignon had enough character to support the dish; it was so delicious.

Any other idea of wine pairing with this roasted rack of Lamb?