The Blog According to Buzz

We’re in France - why wait til Wednesday?

Actually, Wednesday is the day we do some serious tastings here in the Loire, so expect a longer post then. In the meantime just a quick little video we shot tonight mixing some Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne and Chambord Liqueur Royale.

We visited the Chambord Chateau today, and on the way back to Le Moulin Du Port (our B&B), we passsed the Chambord property - pretty cool.

Once again, our pairings are TOTALLY off, but what are you going to do when you’re in France with a 10mo old and curfew is each night at 7p, and the restos don’t open til 8? Well, you do a quick video with some champagne and Chambord for y’all and then settle in for a few episodes of Dexter on the MacBook.

BTW, tomorrow, we walk the 4k along the banks of the Cher to Chenonceau, a chateau with no moat, because it was built on the river.

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Yes, we’re in France, but we’re in the North, not the south where the wine is (yet). Here, the trees are filled with apples, and the Belgians are just a barrels throw north. So Normandie is not about wine, it’s about cider. Lots of it. Cider and apple brandy, called Calvados, which also happens to be the name of the department (county).

But back to Beer Thursday. With the abundance of apples, and the friendliness of the Belgian beermakers nearby, you knew someone, somewhere would get chocolate apple juice in someone else’s peanut butter beer.

Oh, and I dont know why my head got cut off .. it was fine in the original footage.

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To celebrate our engagement on Monday night, Jen and I opted for a romantic dinner in.

A couple of boxes of takeout from Mezzo di Pasta and a bottle of Tavel from the marche.

Again, we’re not pairing this properly, but Jen was so excited to see this half bottle on the shelf, she dropped it (must have been the extra weight from that engagement ring;). It didnt break, we bought it.

This wine is only available in the spring and is ripe for the hot Mediterranean days to sip on a patio with a bucket of mussels. It’s about +2 and raining in Paris and we’re having bolognese pasta. So the pairing is off - way off. But this is Paris, and Jen and I got engaged today, and Zacharie is sleeping. All that makes a perfect pairing.

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Still slushing through the snow, here's what's up on the radio:

    - If you're a political junkie cheering on the sidelines of the US election. Check out GlassBooth.org to see who you "should" be cheering for.  Check out this article I wrote about how I think quizzes like this should be mandated at the voting booth.

    - Entertainment Tonight is about to go all "Anna Nicole" on Heath Ledger, if they havent already.  They have a bought a video of Heath in a very drug filled environment and will air it tonight.

    - Getting ready for the Super Bowl and beer's not your thing?  Check out these football friendly cocktails. And don't forget the food!!

    - Oprah went and got herself a new book club book.  And a handy new gadget to read it with.

    - Pepsi has "leaked" their SuperBowl commercial starring Justin Timberlake.

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Email. Twitter. Blog.

Jen is a wine rep and knows a thing or two about a thing or two, especially when it’s corked.

First things first, unless your bottle is from the region around Reims, it’s not called Champagne, it’s sparkling wine - or as they call it in the biz, bubble.

If you’re looking for a bubbly booze to pop on New Year’s, pick Pink.

It’s a fresh, flirty bubble from Yellowglen in Australia, it’s just $12 and it’s PINK! It’s cute, and actually very very good.

If you’re a traditionalist, Jen recommends grabbing some Seaview, it’s your regular golden bubbly goodness and has a perfect pricepoint at just $13.

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Tis the season to have people over.  We’ve got a little do this weekend, here’s what I’m serving.

- Caprese Salad Skewers

- Crudites with Creamy Roquefort dip

- Mini Quesedillas

- Gorgonzola and Walnut Crostini

- Artichoke Heart and White Bean Dip

- Cranberry Apple Brie

- Prosciutto Salad Rolls

- Rosemary Maple roasted nuts

- Ginger Molasses cookies

- Coconut Cardamom Burfi

- Shortbread Buttons

- Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

- Gingerbread letters (cut in the shapes of Z, B and J for Zacharie, Buzz and Jennifer)

I’m thinking it’s too much.  I saw an episode of The Barefoot Contessa where she said it’s better to make a lot of a few things, than a few of a lot of things. I think I’ve screwed this one up, and I’m not evening making my famous Bastilla Cigars, which I really wanted to add to the list.

The bar will have Lindeman’s Semillon Chardonny and Little Penguin Shiraz.

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Vitamn V has a list of 5 bottles that will work well for any party this weekend. I’ve had them all and love them all!

1. It will be a very berry Christmas indeed with Pink by Yellowglen. The delicious pink sparkling blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is perfect for seasonal gal pal getaways or festive holiday entertaining. $10.99

2. Baby, it’s cold outside! Bundle up and stay in to enjoy a bottle of Wolf Blass Eaglehawk Cabernet Sauvignon. Displaying attractive spice, mint and berry aromas, this perennial favourite is ideal for an intimate winter dinner à deux. $12.99

3. Pinching your pennies for a Boxing Day shopping extravaganza? Look no further than Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay for an exceptional and affordable Australian wine that will keep you (and your guests) quenched and happy. $10.99

4. When the weather outside is frightful, opt for a wine that’s nothing short of delightful. Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Shiraz is sure to please your palate with its delicious aroma of warm, spicy liquorice and brambly berry fruit. $15.99

5. Looking for a seasonal yet sophisticated wine to match your seasonal, sophisticated outfit? Opt for Beringer Stone Cellars Merlot, a luscious and well-balanced sipper that’s perfect as a pre-dinner apertif or paired with turkey and all the trimmings. $13.99

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