Adventures in Life: December 2008

Friday, December 12, 2008

We are counting down the days until we can come home to celebrate Christmas with all of you!! It's almost time! See everyone on the 23rd!!!

Family picture by the tree!

Family pic (Maddi apparently was not in the mood).

Christmas Tree 2008..

Okatie Christmas Tree Farm

Wine Blog..Since we cannot share our favorite bottles in person...Please add new finds. Cheers!!!

2008 Cono Sur, Maipo Valley Chile: 20 Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon: I don't know if teenage girls still use the phrase OMG but it would fit nicely here. If you are into big and bold wine (I am!!!) this wine will be your best friend. Sill young with drying tannins. Tons of deep, rich, dark fruit. I have never had one of those expensive wines with a finish much past 30 seconds but this one has it. I suspect we will still be enjoying this wine for a couple decades to come. By the way...about $25 bucks. Find it and try it!
2010 Elsa Bianchi Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina: An excellent varietal example of a torrontes. If you haven't tried one do so quickly. Bright fruit, apples, green melon, peach on the nose. Floral notes in the mouth with a touch of pepperiness...we had this with some humitas (fresh corn tamales). So good!
2008 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet: step up from everyday Robert Mondavi, dark velvet color, blackberry, black plum, mild tannins, probably best within the next 5 years, great with lean beef although we had this with braised short ribs and polenta and it was fantastic
2010 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc; Marlborough, New Zealand: Another great example of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc...they don't make them like this anywhere else in the world. The 2010 was not as good as the 2009 but fresh green nose, lime, grapefruit, green grass, hay, the works for a sauv blanc are all there.
2007 Les Meysonniers Corzes-Hermitage, Norhtern Rhone: 100% Syrah from the Rhone Valley, velvet purple, dark fruit forward--plum, cherry, blackberry, earthy richness, we enjoyed this with braised beef courtesy of Julia Childs--try it
2007 Stags Leap Petit Syrah: dark violet color, blackberry, plum, rasberry, tobacco, soft tannins--drank this with rack of lamb--awesome
2009 Alamos Malbec, Argentina: WS best under $20 in 2010, this bottle is awesome, dark but bright fruit, low tannins, in a word--balanced, a steal for the price, drink this with some chicken tacos or enchiladas, roast chicken, hell, as one writer put it, stop trying to pair wine with food and just start drinking
2007 King Estate Domaine Pinot Noir: expensive but worth the price tag, truffle, damp earth, dark fruit, great acidity, cannot say enough about this bottle--we shared this for our 5th anniversary
2008 Gustave Lorenze Pinot Noir-Alsace: rare red from Alcase, light pinot noir, light cherry color with lots of translucency, high acidity, tasted with olive tempenade and croustini
2007 Francois Bailey Sancerre: musty hay bouquet, grass, melon, floral, Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc
2008 McWilliam's Shiraz: from Australia, great bargin, vanilla, chocolate, spice, blackberries, great value
2009 Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay: From Marlborough, NZ of course we are biased. Try this chardonnay, light, apple, green fruit, enough acidity to tackle almost anything, another great deal at under $20
2008 Jacob's Creek Reserve 'Barossa': super cheap at under $15, great wine for the price, full of fruit, cherries, plums, refreshing!
2004 Whitehall Lane Silver Anniversary Reserve: Has a cult following, rasberry fruit with a hint of earthyness or smokiness, light tannins as of today
Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003: big, creamy Californina cab; calls for rare beef or lamb; would be delicious by a fire
Isabella Estates Gewertztraminer, 2009: floral, vibrant, bright example of this grape...try with some cajun rubbed pork or chicken
Villa Maria, Pinot Noir 2007: smooth, acidic, earthy pinot noir from Marlborough, New Zealand
Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc 2009: Vibrant, citrus, lime, gooseberry, tart, quintessential example of a Marlborough New Zealand Sav Blanc...not sure they make them better in the world
*Joseph Drouhin, Pinot Noir 2006 (a cheaper version of the previous that is okay but not as good) ~Katie
*Bouchard Pere & Fils, Pinot Noir 2005~Katie

JAPANESE CORNER

Ohayo (pronouned oh-hi-o...like the state)-Good Morning

Konichiwa-Good Afternoon

Kombanwa-Good Evening

Hai-Yes

Ie-no

Domo arrigato-thank you very much

(Domo-thanks)

Do itashimashite-your welcome

Oishii-Delicious

Kore wa ikura desu ka-How much is this?

Obiru O Kudsai-Beer please?

Kore wa nan desu ka-What is this?

Sore wa nan desu ka-What is that?

Ima nan ji desu-What time is it?

Shoyu-soy sauce

Miso shiru-miso soup

Maguro-tuna

Sake-salmon (also rice wine)

Ika-squid

Tobiko-flying fish roe (good for the male labido)

Miruku-milk

tori niku-chicken meat

gyu niku-beef meat

Sobo-grandmother

Obasan-aunt

Sofu-grandfather

Ojisan-uncle

Chichi-Dad

Haha-mom

Itoko-cousin

Nichiyobi-sunday

Gechiyobi-monday

Kaiyobi-tuesday

Suiyobi-Wednesday

Mokuyobi-Thursday

Kinyobi-Friday

Soyobi-Saturday

Watashi no namae wa Katie desu- My name is Katie

Kompai- cheers!

O Genki- How are you?

Genki des ka- I'm fine

Mata aimasho- See you again!

Hashi-chopsticks

Naifu-knife

Foku-Fork

Supon-spoon

Gochisosamadeshita-Thank you for this meal (said after eating)

Watashi wa Shitsuman ga arimasuka-I have a question

Wakarimasu-I understand

Wakarimasen-I do not understand

O genki desu ka-How are you?

Oyasuminasai-Good night

Hashimemashite-nice to meet you

Hisashiburi des ne-long time no see