One last update... Bill can't make it this evening... He will try to contact Bob. Perhaps Bob is working the Big S sale... Also an article on bargain wines, this time from the SF Gate Chronicle ----- Forwarded message from "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> ----- X-MessageWall-Score: 0 (smtp-relay.enet.umn.edu) Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 14:49:17 -0600 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: [wine] [jellings(a)me.umn.edu: Pentastico at Muffeletta] User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.4i X-list: wine Mostly an update. Warren and Ruth will fill the empty spots. Last I heard, Lori was still off line, so you may want/need to call her... Looks to be wet and windy on Thursday through Friday. Recall that tommorrow is "Amature Night 2". Lots of folks out having green and black beer cuz they's just so Irish.... Cheers, Jim ----- Forwarded message from "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> ----- Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 17:00:18 -0600 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" <jellings(a)me.umn.edu> To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: Pentastico at Muffeletta User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.4i OK, Pentastico isn't a word, but Pentastyle is. Limit 10 people and 5 courses. General idea is to pair up w/ someone and tackle a course. Warren and Ruth have offered to fill in the gaps. See the more detailed menu below, as well as Warren's work number. Menu has a Roman Flare.... Course / Wine style Who's bringing it... 1. Appetizer Sparkling/Italian white Russ and Betsy 2. Pasta Course Reds from Italy (chianti?) Wrn/Ruth/Lori 3. Primi/Monkfish Bolder Whites and/or Fish friendly Red as befits the course. Bob and ??? 4 Secondi/Lamb Reds Pinot and/or S. Italy Nicolai and 1 of above 5 Cheese/Dolce Dessert wines, port, ??? Jim/Louise Who's a comin' Warren and Ruth Jim/Louise Russ Bob Betsy Lori Nicolai Bill Cheers, Jim ----- Forwarded message from Warren Gregory <wbgregory(a)qwest.net> ----- Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2005 12:55:42 -0600 From: Warren Gregory <wbgregory(a)qwest.net> To: jellings(a)me.umn.edu User-Agent: Microsoft-Outlook-Express-Macintosh-Edition/5.02.2022 Subject: menu hints for Thursday Jim, Here is what I have for our menu on Thursday. Starters / Zucchini blossoms stuffed with crab mouse some other small bites perhaps to include pheasant, marinated olives, baby artichoke with butter and mint. Pasta / Truck Driver's Pasta tomato based with caper, olives. sweet pepper. A hint of pepper heat but not a spicy dish is this traditional "Roman" pasta. Fish / Monkfish with garbanzo beans Expect JD to do something unexpected when you see "garbanzo" beans. He said "mild" but Monk fish can be fairly full bodied of itself. Braised Lamb / Roman style We are focusing on Roman cuisine this month so I think there will be something southern Italian about this dish. Assorted cheeses / Dolce along with a selection of cheeses perhaps an apple or pear based sweet. I'm thinking ten people, five courses, each person is assigned a course, two people on each. Prepare to have a white and red wine poured side by side, perhaps more than once. Ruth and I will take what ever others leave us as far as assignments go. E-mail me if you need an idea on something or call me at Muffuletta, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday day. 651-644-9116. Warren G ----- End forwarded message ----- Pop a cork for some bubble and squeak - Bargain Wines, Special to The Chronicle Thursday, March 17, 2005 Click to View Celebrations for St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, generally revolve around the wearing of the green and drinking of the brew. But, the luck of the Irish is with you today because this week's bargain picks ring in spring and add a few coins to your end-of-the-rainbow pot of gold. When it comes to food for St. Paddy's Day -- whether you're serving pork loin with apple relish, potato soup or bubble and squeak (potatoes and cabbage) -- look for a wine with vibrant acidity and a dash of sweetness. A top spot to turn for aromatic whites that fit that description is Washington state. The 2003 Snoqualmie Vineyards Columbia Valley Chenin Blanc ($7) is off- dry, light and fresh with delicate peach aromas. The 2003 Columbia Crest Two Vines Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer ($8) is floral; spicy notes waft from the glass and are joined by melon flavors and a balanced touch of sweetness. It's a joy to sip. For Riesling lovers, look for the 2004 Blackstone Monterey County Riesling ($10). On the dryish side of the Riesling scale, it overflows with zesty lemon-lime freshness. If a dry white is your preference, pick up the 2004 The Little Penguin South Eastern Australia Chardonnay ($8). Smooth and oaky, it has lush lemon creme pie flavors. Another Aussie winner is the 2004 Oxford Landing South Australia Viognier ($9). Viognier is a tough wine to pull off for a bargain price, but this charming wine ranks as one of the best under-$10 versions around. It's fleshy and floral with true Viognier character. What about wine to sip alongside the traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage? You can't go wrong with ros�. The 2003 Fetzer Vineyards Valley Oaks California Syrah Ros� ($9) is a substantial dry ros� with loads of juicy, red fruit flavors. Bottled under a screw cap, this terrific wine is one to stock by the case for spring and summer. Another wine that pairs well with corned beef and cabbage is the 2003 Delas Cotes du Ventoux ($10). Made from a blend of mostly Grenache with a healthy dose of Syrah, it is spicy and hearty with a vibrant quality that matches the tang of the cabbage. The grapes are grown on the slopes of Mont Ventoux in France's Rhone region. Cotes du Ventoux reds are reminiscent of those from their well-known neighbors, Cotes-du-Rhone. For big bold reds to complement Irish lamb stew or roast lamb, start with 2004 Yellow Tail South Eastern Australia Shiraz-Grenache ($7). Yellow Tail is the phenom of the wine world because of its widespread popularity. Most of the hype has been about its Chardonnay and Shiraz. However, this power-packed blend is nearly half Grenache, which adds an earthy kick to the wine, making it an ideal pick with lamb. The 2003 Cristobal 1492 Mendoza Bonarda from Argentina ($10) is a full and flavorful wine with licorice aromas and a streak of bright acidity that will pair well with lamb, burgers or hard cheeses. Bonarda is a red variety originally from the Piedmont region of Italy that is now far morewidely planted in Argentina. If you're looking for a wine with serious muscle, the 2002 Vina Cornejo Costas don Rodolfo Cafayate Valley Tannat ($10) is it. Nearly black in color, this meaty, smoky red with dark fruit flavors is tannic but incredibly complex for the price. Tannat is a variety of grape famous in French wines from Madiran. When grown in the high-altitude vineyards of Argentina's Salta region, where vines are planted up to 6,000 feet above sea level, Tannat becomes even more intense. Shopping list These are the best deals The Chronicle found for this week. WHITE 2003 Snoqualmie Vineyards Columbia Valley Chenin Blanc ($7) 2003 Columbia Crest Two Vines Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer ($8) 2004 Blackstone Monterey County Riesling ($10) 2004 The Little Penguin South Eastern Australia Chardonnay ($8) 2004 Oxford Landing South Australia Viognier ($9). PINK AND RED 2003 Fetzer Vineyards Valley Oaks California Syrah Ros� ($9) 2003 Delas Cotes du Ventoux ($10) 2004 Yellow Tail South Eastern Australia Shiraz-Grenache ($7) 2003 Cristobal 1492 Mendoza Bonarda ($10) 2002 Vina Cornejo Costas don Rodolfo Cafayate Valley Tannat ($10) Leslie Sbrocco is author of "Wine for Women: A Guide to Buying, Pairing and Sharing Wine" (William Morrow, 2003). E-mail her at wine(a)sfchronicle.com. Page F - 2 URL: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/03/17/WIG60BPTAQ1.DTL ----- End forwarded message ----- -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Lee Ellingson, Adjunct Professor jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 fax 651 XXX XXXX * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *