misa en place

Carissimi,

I don’t know about you, but I’m suffering a bit of post-college basketball malaise… And what better way to get over sports malaise than Malbec and early 19th Century Italian lyric poetry (see Giacomo Leopardi’s “Canti” – some of your favorite ultra-springtime-depressing musings). As MM speaks, I am re-delving into the Italian Malbech (2005, Venezia) from TJ’s at (I think) 5 bucks. It is definitely dry and needs some lamb chops or pork tenderloin to go with it – am finding a cheese-pairing difficult despite my recent purchase of an Irish sheepsmilk semistagionato. Although, if I remember correctly, didn’t we drink this same wine with an olive-laden pizza????? Buona.

Cari amici,

You know that warmer weather has arrived when I buy a bottle of white wine all for myself. Today was not the warmest in Los Angeles – it dipped down below 70 degrees (put on your cardigan!) – but Easter weekend reached 85 and I threw open all the windows. My usual eno-craving this time of year is Sauvignon Blanc, not being a fan of the ubiquitous California Chardonnay that I usually find really gross. One of the few Chardonnays that I find fantastic for the price is the Novella Chardonnay from Paso Robles. Also their Synergy white blend – very drinkable, though on the sweet side – I recommend it with spicy Thai noodles. Tonight I am trying Zarafa Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa (4 dollars at TJ’s) and I am pleasantly surprised – not too grassy to overpower your spring vegetable pasta musings yet not too wimpy to make your wine and cheese night a total flavor bust.