Friday, August 25, 2006

Lovely Margaux & Grenoblegraffiti

Fun Stuff:

Grenoble, France is an interesting city. The size, population, and I suppose the location of the city make it a bit special. On a normal day when I am out and about, it seems a densely populated young and vibrant city. Then, when the average Friday night rolls around it becomes apparent how small the city really is. There is not much going on “after hours”. With that said, the says and pace are just right for me. I love the markets, the lazey Sundays (because there is nothing open), and the view is straight out of a postcard... We do, however, have a nicely tucked away, I might even say hidden, bit of graffiti.

There is an area along the river, the Isere, that has a half-mile-long wall of graffiti. I saw it the first time I went running there. Thanks to my friend Steve for suggesting the run.

I wonder if this is a designated legal zone for painting, because I have seen artisits down there at mid day with out a care in the world. I was running at the time, or I would have stopped to ask.

I hope to show a few pictures of the art from time to time, and I will start with the ones below. The majority of the art is writing, something like what you can see in the first picture. As you might expect, some is good or even great, and some is not so good. I will show some of the pieces that I find interesting.





Wine Stuff:

I really do love Margaux. There are many vineyards and wine makers in the appellation, but it is definitely my favorite in Bordeaux, and probably my favorite appellation in France for red wine. In fact, Margaux makes red wine wlmost exclusively.

I am drinking a 2001 Chateau Paveil de Luze Margaux right now. Though this is not a fine example of the appellation, it is not bad for 5 euros.

Most of Bordeaux makes wine from the same grapes, and Margaux is no exception. They use cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and maybe some petit verdot. These are pretty much the same as the Semillion I talked about earlier, but Margaux produces a very different wine.



I love Margaux because of the soft, intricate, and seamlessly blended flavors as well as the full and round texture of the wines. The thing that makes Margaux preferable among all the Bordeaux wines is the subtle and intricate mingling of flavors and aromas.

I think I have probably mumbled on enough about my love of these wines, but , let me say a couple parting words.
-Doesn't go with spicy food
-Good with or without food
-Expect to pay for a good one (don't skimp, treat yourself)
-Yummy yummy yummy.

happy drinking,
-PMo

Monday, August 14, 2006

Big Metal Balls and Saint-Emilion

Fun Stuff:

I have taken up playing a game that some might call an old man game. The more I think about it, however, the more it seems to fit me. The game of pétanque is an old man game that oddly made it into the olymics. It is no stranger than curling. though.

Pétanque is a lot like bocce another uncommon game in the U.S. You play with cool looking heavy metal balls and you try to throw/role them close to a little wood/plastic ball called the jack. It is as simple as that.

The cool parts about the game are the balls, because they are heavy and metal, and the fact that playing pétanque and drinking go hand in hand.



The last time I played, I lost the actual game, but I won the... drinking.

Wine Stuff:

The wine I am drinking now deserves a proper wine snob review, but if that is what you want, google it. I usually drink a bit before I even start writing thus ensuring a non-technical write-up. So, on with it.

I am drinking a 2002 Chateau Pontet-Clauzer Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.



Wanna Drink?!?: This wine is yummy to say the least. Though I am presently drinking it by itself, I think it is best enjoyed with food. St-Emilion, in general, is highly respected stuff that is designed to hold on to and taste at peak moments during it's maturation. The city of Saint-Emilion is located in Bordeaux, and the growing region around the city is one of the four major regions that make up Bordeaux.

In case you want to know what you are drinking when you drink St-Emilion, or any other Bordeaux for that matter, the wine maker usually does not release the percentages of each blend. The grapes they commonly use, however, are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon to a lesser degree.

Keeping the ratios secret is their way of holding onto their special recipe. Sometimes I think they forget that they also grow the grapes there. The fact that the rest of us do not grow Bordeaux grapes is pretty good protection against duplicating their wines.

Wanna Eat?!?: This stuff is good with beaf, grilled or otherwise. It would also be nice with duck, but I would avoid less robust bird like chicken and turkey. A sweet sauce on duck might compliment the dryness of the wine perfectly. Then again, I might have just pulled that out of my butt.

happy drinking,
-PMo

Sunday, August 13, 2006

1st Vacation and Box wine

Fun Stuff:

I know I suck! You don't have to tell me... Geez!

I know how long it has been since I have written anything here. I really hope to write more regularly in the future. I have many excuses I am sure you don't care to hear, so on with the show. There is a lot of news, so I will break it slowly over time, giving me greater reason to write more often.

The image bellow is a cute picture of my critters. Gertie has discovered the joy of playing with socks, and she also likes to use the socks as a hobo scarf when she is not playing tug-o-war.



Claud and I went to Nice last weekend with some friends. It was great! The weather here in Grenoble had turned ugly, so we got out just in time. I have no pictures yet, but they will come soon. We also took a day trip to Monaco (Monte Carlo).. It is actually only about 30 minutes away by the slow scenic coastal highway. It was cool to see all the Ferrari's and amazing boats. I don't think I will plan to move there until I win the lottery.

Work is going well. I work a lot, but I like it, so no problems there.

Claud and I are both in French lessons. We make some effort to speak French at home, so the language is coming along well. We should be well prepared for when all the U.S. Friends and family visit.

BTW: “Deja vu” literally means “already saw”. More French lessons later ;)

Wine Stuff:

I have a good wine story, or at least a little humorous.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I enjoy acting the wine snob a bit. Well I recently decided that you cannot be a full fledged wine snob, i.e. Someone who makes fun of all easy drinking cheap wines that come in boxes, jugs, and in flavors like pink, without trying some of those things.

So...

I bought some box wine. I don't know if it is the same here versus the U.S., but I am a convert when it comes to everyday table wine. Being a wine snob, I know that most wine is not designed to age, so why not buy table wine that defies age? I bought a Sauvignon blanc and a Rose pictured below. All the box wine I have found here is also available by the bottle, so the box just seems to be a way for the vineyard/producer to save some money and help out consumers... with their habit.



My fave so far is the Sauvignon Blanc shown in the picture. It is quite good, and since it resides in a bag-in-a-box, it does not change over time. The average box in France contains 3 liters at a price of something like 3 to 7 dollars per liter. That is a deal especially when you drink as often as I do.

Finally, that image above, of the two boxes in my fridge, represents 8 bottles of wine at a total cost of $20. Not bad.

happy drinking,
-PMo