Cafes & Wineries

Thanks Larry!  You have been key in introducing a robust, evocative descriptor into the hoity-toity lexicon of wine:

"But Sen. Larry Craig’s contention — made just after his arrest in a restroom sex sting — has permeated the public consciousness, showing up as more than just the punch line to late-night talk show jokes.

The online Urban Dictionary defines ”wide stance” as a euphemism for a closeted homosexual. David Kurtz of the blog ”Talking Points Memo” called Craig’s wide stance claim ”The Best Legal Defense of 2007.” And Beau Jarvis, who writes about wine, travel and food on the blog ”Basic Juice,” notes that the phrase has become less than innocent and proposes ”cleansing” it by using it to describe a well-balanced wine."

Do you have a favorite wide stance wine?

Bonus France pic:

Lady Lib’s wee sis.

Original post by beau

Thanks Larry!  You have been key in introducing a robust, evocative descriptor into the hoity-toity lexicon of wine:

"But Sen. Larry Craig’s contention — made just after his arrest in a restroom sex sting — has permeated the public consciousness, showing up as more than just the punch line to late-night talk show jokes.

The online Urban Dictionary defines ”wide stance” as a euphemism for a closeted homosexual. David Kurtz of the blog ”Talking Points Memo” called Craig’s wide stance claim ”The Best Legal Defense of 2007.” And Beau Jarvis, who writes about wine, travel and food on the blog ”Basic Juice,” notes that the phrase has become less than innocent and proposes ”cleansing” it by using it to describe a well-balanced wine."

Do you have a favorite wide stance wine?

Bonus France pic:

Lady Lib’s wee sis.

Original post by beau

Say you’re a war correspondent for a major newspaper.  You’ve been witnessing the chaos of occupation in and around Baghdad for several years.  You need a break.

Where to go?

How about slightly-less-war torn region?  How about one with great wine?  If you wish to stay in the Middle East, one idyllic-yet-occasionally-war-torn spot beckons - Lebanon′s Bekaa Valley.

Find out what the LA Times former Baghdad bureau chief and current Middle East bureau chief discovered in this unique wine-producing corner of an extraordinarily complicated part of the world:

"The summer war last year between Israel and Hezbollah didn’t directly affect the vineyards. Shipments were turned back before reaching their destinations. The vineyards also could not produce an increasingly popular Beaujolais-type wine. But fortunately, the war ended two days before the harvest began.

The war was nothing compared with the larger challenges of producing wine in the Muslim Middle East, where some grape growers refuse to sell to vineyards for religious regions.&quot

Read the full article here.

Original post by beau

Off Topic: NBA West Conf. Finals

Watching the pregame, I’ve come to a conclusion.&nbsp I would rather drink Beringer White Zin than listen to the braying of Stephen A. Smith.

On the other hand, Michael Wilbon is like a nice glass of Madeira - interesting and enjoyable.

Jon Barry is more Totts than Remy P.
(harsh and off-putting; rather than sprightly and inviting)


Gojazz!

Update: Ginobili is the guy you hated playing against, but when he’s on your team, he’s an immense asset.  Bummer for UTA.

Original post by beau

Things one learns in Lafayette, La.:

Cajuns are descendants of Acadians who left Nova Scotia, N. Brunswisk & Prince Edward Island during the 1700s..

"In the Great Expulsion of 1755, around 4000 to 5000 Acadians were deported from Acadia by the British; many later settled in Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns. Later on many Acadians returned to the Maritime provinces of Canada, most specifically New Brunswick. During the British conquest of New France the French colony of Acadia was renamed Nova Scotia (meaning"

Étouffée simply refers to smothering or braising meat or veggies in its own juices.

Blackening fish is very unCajun.

A seafood gumbo with tasso (Cajun smoked pork) is perfect paired to crisp German Riesling.

While not Cajun, the smoked duck quesadillas (w/fresh jalapeno, sour cream and pepper jack cheese) at The Blue Dog Cafe in Lafayette is so good it makes on produce tears of joy.  I already have an ahnvee for this dish.

Original post by beau