Dr. Konstantin Frank Gewurztraminer `10 $18.99 *** #Wine #ChickenSoup

It's official, here in New York the seasons have changed. There's a chill in the air, and in the morning I can see my coffee breath as I head off to work. These cold mornings and falling leaves call us to hearth and home.  For me, home is that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when simmering scents waft from the kitchen for hours, music plays in the background as I putter in the kitchen, slicing, dicing and sluicing.  In this ethereal bubble, no matter what, all is right in the world.

On Sunday, I had the chance to be in that moment, I made chicken soup & dinner rolls, and paired it with this NY State Gewurztraminer. The apple pie I baked was just culinary overkill.... (the wine was really good with that too!)

It took me three years to be able to pronounce Gewurztraminer correctly. This Alsatian varietal is a great option when you are an "ABC" like me. (anything but chardonnay). It is rich, with citrus notes, and a hint of sweetness (sometimes with honey tones) - it was a great foil for the fatty chicken soup and rich, buttery dinner rolls.

Dr. Konstantine Frank is a legend in the NY State wine demi-mond. Back in `10 (while the grapes in this Gewurztraminer were still on the vine), I reviewed their Riesling (paired with a PB&J). Traditional northern European wine varietals, grown on old vines in the Finger Lakes of New York. Dr Frank' legacy is robust, available and delicious.

Menu:
Crock Pot Chicken Soup (my own recipe)
Classic Dinner Rolls
Apple Pie





I'll leave you with a slideshow of early fall in Central Park:

Gerard Metz Gewurztraminer AOC `07 (Not TJ's)$22.00 ***

Wow, a big mouthful of fruit, with a dry, yet sweet aftertaste.  Crisp. A couple of weeks ago I popped in at Greenvale Grapes, announced what I was planning to cook for dinner and picked up this recommended bottle.  (Then I went to Leonetti's for pastry & bread)

It smells fruity, tastes fruity (crisp pear) and has a dry finish.  Perfect for a spicy food, but not cheap @ $22.00. You should buy this wine as a pairing for some exotic Thai take out that you are having to impress someone with.  This is classic AOC French  Gewurztraminer; if this wine were a person, it would be Elton John: White, rich, fruity, a bit on the heavy side with a little spice. 

Domaine Gerard Metz is almost artisanal: Hand picked grapes, made in a rich tradition, following all of the rules. A lot like listening to Benny and the Jets or Crocodile Rock from Elton John's Greatest Hits.  Songs I love because they don't surprise me, and on certain days, when the timing is right, I listen to them and it is just perfect. 

I had it with a fake Paella:  Sauteed Chorizo and rock shrimp with onion, garlic, spinach and rice.

On Friday morning, I was outside with the dog .  

The dew was on the flowers in S's garden 

and I was lucky that I had my camera handy in the kitchen.  

This is what a beautiful Spring morning looks like in my world:

Jean Ginglinger Gewurztraminer `07 (Not TJ's) $22.99 ****

What a delicious wine.  It was one of the wines I tasted during my "Demystifying French Wine" Class at Bacchus. I have learned so much by taking these classes.  Like:  don't store Champagne in the fridge, unless you are just about to drink it. Actually, don't store ANY wine in the fridge.  56 degrees Fahrenheit is fine.  Which is why all my wine lives in my pantry (The unheated former entryway (now enclosed) of my NYC crack house - yes, I live in a former crack house - don't judge... it is cute!)

Back to the wine.  This Gewurztraminer is sweet, rich and buttery.  BUT it has an acid undertone that perfectly balances it.  I didn't want to uncork this bottle on a work night with no planned menu.  After all, it is expensive, but I needed wine and all I didn't have much in the fridge. 

This wine is lush, fruity and smooth.  It would go great with a spicy Thai or Chinese dish.  Those Alsatians know how to make a good Gewurztraminer.  Four stars.  Well worth the $22.99.

Menu:

Spinach Salad
Potato, Provolone, Bacon & Onion Tart

Now, enough about the great wine.  Why am I writing about an expensive (to me) wine on a Wednesday night???? 

After a long, exhausting day, facing a 568 page line edit for a friend's novel, there was a box of 8 LBS of bacon waiting for me.  Which effectively brought my larder up to 16 LBS of premium bacon.  Someone has a twisted sense of humor.  How did I end up with 16 LBS of premium bacon in my larder?  Well, 8LBS of it was my mistake.  We all had a laugh when I got on line and ordered bacon from Benton's in Tennessee (minimum order 4 LBS)  oops, I ordered twice.  Now, a month after my initial snafu (and subsequent hahahahah moments) I just came home to another box of bacon.  (Guess what you are getting for Christmas J&S...)  Sigh.....

Michel Leon Gewurztraminer $7.99 ***

This is a nice fruity wine. It would go great with a curry (a masala or something mild) or a Thai dish (maybe a pad thai or a green curry or a panang) - can you tell that I am currently obsessed with curry? Lately, with work being so busy, I just don't have the time for prep and cooking when I get home at the end of the day.

I of course had the Gewurztraminer with a chicken pot pie from Westside Market. Still good, not nearly as exotic as the wine deserved.

Fruity, deep and sweet with a nice acidic after tones. I like it, although it is not my favorite Gewurztraminer from Trader Joe's. (update: my favorite so far is the JW Morris Gewurztraminer $3.99 -The price is the prize it is half the cost of the Michel Leon and just as good)

And as this is the second night I am having a glass of it with my supper of fresh popped Parmesan popcorn. (It was a heavy lunch day).

Finally, I want to extol the virtues of Parmesan popcorn (my favorite snack). If you eat microwave popcorn, THROW IT OUT! A bag of unpopped kernels is cheap (.89 cents at my local bodega) throw it in a pan with some hot canola oil (or if you are decadent, render some slivered bacon, then add the kernels) Pop the corn in a few mins, then while it is popping, microplane some good Parmesan, then as you transfer the popcorn to a bowl, sprinkle the Parmesan on the popcorn in thirds. Drinking a cold glass of this Gewurztraminer with the popcorn while watching the Top Chef Finale - PERFECT!

J.W. Morris Gewurztraminer 2006 *** $3.99

I like it. Much better than it's brother Riesling.

Nice crisp taste.. a little sweet. I had it with chicken soup and cheddar biscuits for the first pour and then the next day at brunch with spinach deviled eggs and smoked salmon with capers.

I'll buy this again.

Update 1/08- I did buy it again!!!