All Posts By

Alex Golden

The Food

A New Spot in Little Rock!

I took my youngest 2 daughters to dinner last night at the Sterling Market (515 Shall Ave, Little Rock) – for those who don’t know, it is in the newly developing neighborhood just south of the river and Heifer International and East of I30 in Little Rock.

It has become home to new hot spots like Camp Taco, The Railyard, Fidel & Co. and is just a short distance from the Clinton Presidential Library Center and River Market.  No doubt this area will contribute to downtown Little Rock’s further success in becoming a destination spot for locals and tourists to enjoy food, beverage, song, and atmosphere.

Sterling Market did not disappoint.  I was expecting it to be good, but it was much more than just good in all aspects.  It has successfully captured a setting that is fun and lively, but clean and easy to maintain/control, formal enough to make you feel special but casual enough to make you feel at ease; the menu was extensive/varied, but not overwhelming – quality and character of food was unique, interesting, and excellent; and while all I had was a glass of wine with dinner, there was a full bar, and eclectic beer/wine selection.

On top of all this, it has “The Alley,” which is their spot directly next door featuring an indoor/outdoor spot for events or private parties or small concerts, etc.

I was very impressed and gratified that Little Rock is really starting to expand its offerings in this area for food/drink and fun.  A significant investment has been made and the planning and execution shows it.  Go support and have fun when you can – you will enjoy all aspects!

https://www.sterlingmarket.com

En Vino Veritas!

Alex

The Drink

The Drink – Great Wine!

The-Drink-Great-Wine-Featured


What makes a “Great Wine?”  Is it only the taste?  Or is it something that gives you pleasure with all your senses AND your sensibilities?  In other words, it needs to be something that not only has a unique and pleasing taste but also needs to have other qualities qualities that we appreciate, such as stamina/longevity, depth, value, beauty, and/or history.

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This is why it is so difficult to answer when people ask about my favorite wine…. I sincerely do not have one.  I enjoy most all wines for their intended purpose at hopefully their intended time.  However, I can say with great emphasis that I tend to seek out the times to have a Bordeaux or other great Cab with a wonderful meal.  I learned this from my father who started collecting wines around 1982 when he was infatuated with the fact that he saw a bottle of wine at the counter of his local liquor store once and wondered how any single bottle of wine could cost twenty-five dollars!!!!  Seemed soooooo exorbitant!  On the second visit, and out of pure curiosity he bought it, took it home and researched for months until he thought he knew enough about Chateau Lafite to be worthy of a taste.  He tried the wine and promptly went to every liquor store in Little Rock to find the other 11 bottles of the case, and has been collecting, learning and enjoying wines ever since.

He found something more than just taste in his journey, and this is what makes a Great Wine!

Last night my parents had my wife and me to dinner to celebrate my 54th birthday – it was supposed to be a simple dinner (I like to think birthdays should be more about the mother now!) but when we arrived we saw what he had planned – a 1970 (my birthyear) Beaulieu Vineyard George Latour Private Reserve and a 1983 (one of the greatest years in Bordeaux) Chateau Latour (one of the 5 first growth wines of Bordeaux and arguably the “strongest” of the 5).  It was a hell of a test and comparison – to see if the BV could last 54 years and then to compare it to a 41-year-old French master.  My simple evening just turned incredible – one of the sincere joys of my life is to find these “great wines” through this type of search surrounded by my people.

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The BV was incredible – could not believe that it made it the 54 years!!!  It had definitely started on its downhill slide, but its taste and constitution and color were all extraordinary.  I wish I had a better vocabulary when it comes to describing these wines – I will work on it!  Next, the Latour.  While the expectation for this wine was much, much greater, it did not disappoint.  I described it at the time as “Plato’s form of the perfect wine.”  It was everything I want in a red wine and nothing I don’t.  For now, it has become that wine I will compare all others to, at least for a while.  If you get the chance to try either of these, I highly recommend them both for completely different characteristics but the same reason – they are GREAT!

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for another memorable evening/experience, that I will do my best to savor.

En Vino Veritas!

Alex

The Food

Grand Cayman – The Czech Inn

We just got back from spring break with my 2 daughters who are seniors in high school – it was our first trip to Grand Cayman’s 7 mile beach.  We stayed at a nice condo development called Casa Caribe and enjoyed the week on a very beautiful beach with many eating and drinking spots within walking distance on the beach.

On Thursday of the week, we rented a boat with our group and explored starfish cove and stingray city with a great crew.  I was talking to one of the crew, Chris about how much we were enjoying the island, but the one thing I was missing was a good ole “joint” for a food alternative.  I love the nicer places, but as you know if you are reading this, a place with a good story, a lot of character and a proprietor who devotes his/her life to that endeavor is something that I just absolutely love and respect.  I told Chris all this and he said….”you need to go the Czech Inn Grill over in Bodden Town.”

Well, we did just that – told the family I had found a possibility for a great place and we needed to go on an adventure!  We went and loved it!  Apparently the chef is Czechoslovakian and retired from a more high powered fancy gig somewhere in Europe, to the Islands and opened a surf board decorated cheeseburger / taco / schnitzel / steak / seafood / rib / lamb shank full fledged “joint!”

It was great!  One of the best burgers and schnitzel I have ever had coupled with cold Cayman Lager – CayBrew in a perfect eclectic setting of memories and other memorabilia decorating an outdoor patio and bar facing the road in Boddentown.  If you make the trek to Cayman – check it out!!!!

En Vino Veritas!

Alex

The Food

Cheeseburger – Part II

After visiting my friend today at Origami Sake in Hot Springs, Arkansas, he took me to Deluca’s new
location in downtown Hot Springs. I need to disclose that I am normally an old timey cheeseburger fan –
the type of cheeseburger you get in an old drive-thru or side of the highway dairy bar, so when we sat
down (by the way the new location is awesome! The bar imported and put together is beautiful and the
new kitchen is immaculate with 4 pizza ovens!!! Incredible!) and Matt said, “have you ever had the
cheeseburger here?” I immediately thought of a big gourmet style burger with too many condiments
and too tall to take a bite…. Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong. It came out – small pretty thick
cylinder of a patty, COVERED in cheese (which was beautiful), on a small toasted bun with three pickles
(home made mind you) on the side. I asked, respectfully, “do we need condiments at all? What do you
recommend?” I was told immediately and emphatically – NO – “just try it and if you want anything, we
will get it for you.”

It didn’t need a thing – it was the perfect blend of ground beef, cooked perfectly, spiced even more
perfectly and quite possibly and probably the best cheeseburger I have ever had. It was simple and
complex at the same time. My mouth is still watering, and I can’t wait to go back and get another one.
By the way, Matt says that Deluca’s has dedicated one whole pizza oven just to creating these
cheeseburgers – they are on to something special!!!

Btw, my side was an arugula salad with homemade lemon/honey dressing – it was great too – as salads
go anyway – hahahhahhaha!
https://www.facebook.com/DelucasPizzeriaNapoletana/

En Vino Veritas!

Alex

The Drink

Did You Say Sake? In Arkansas?


Today I visited an old friend…. Matt Bell invited me to tour his new operation – creating Origami Sake in
Hot Springs, Arkansas. Matt and I have known each other a long time, even worked together when we
were just out of college in the banking industry. We have kept in touch socially – he is a great guy who
loves to have a great time – and I have followed his many career paths since college. He has made it
interesting to say the least. Matt told me today that the idea to create sake in Arkansas began back in
2016 and he was just never able to shake it. When he sold his last successful business, he decided to
take the plunge and develop the idea into reality. He has surrounded himself with experienced and
qualified people who know their Sake and he has put his entrepreneurial spirit full into developing a top
notch quality product with an extremely viable business plan.

He toured me around his facility, where they are currently brewing small quantities by hand and I was
able to taste some of the first batch of the White Lotus and the Thousand Cranes – 2 of three initial
varietals of sake that Origami intends to start with, and I was crazy impressed. They are both light and
flavorful – delightfully clean and refreshing with no after taste. Suffice to say that while he may have
some difficulty educating the market (only .02% of current beverage sales in the US are for Sake), but I
believe once educated he will have plenty of repeat buyers.


He is currently finalizing his facility to utilize vertical floors and gravity to better transport the water and
rice through an intricate and logistical/repeatable process to create a consistent product for his
customers to enjoy. His excitement and pride in his process, product, and team were impossible to
ignore and I must say…. Contagious. I am so excited for my friend’s success in this endeavor. And I am
even more excited to become one his first customers. Congratulations Matt! Looking forward to what
Origami will produce – in many more ways than one! Visit their website at https://origamisake.co

En Vino Veritas!

Alex

The Food

When You See The Smoke Rollin’, Stop At Rollin’ Smoke Garage BBQ In Walsenburg, Colorado!

Recently we took a trip to Aspen, Colorado – I had never driven over Independence Pass (and airline tickets were through the roof!), so we decided to drive.  We were reasonable enough to expect to need to spend the night along the way – it is a 17-hour drive on google maps after all.  But we decided that we would “see how we felt” as we went… we made it all the way to Walsenburg Colorado – just before you turn off the interstate to head up and over Independence Pass… about 4 hours from Aspen.  When we stopped at a “side of the interstate motel,” I asked, “where is best place to eat and get a drink in town?”  The desk clerk immediately said, “Rollin Smoke!”  So, we settled into the room and then headed to Rollin’ Smoke Garage BBQ in town.  It was a quaint town, but it looked like it had been hit hard by whatever hits most small towns hard, so it had a lot of older buildings that had been fixed up.  But all in all, a fairly typical American small town.

Rollin Smoke was my kind of place – order at the counter and they had an eclectic menu of smoked brisket, pork, chicken and sausage – they had plates with sides, soft tacos, or you could get a salad with a protein., chicken wings or they even did pizzas (but they were out of pizza and wings the night we were there). 

I ordered the smoked brisket plate, my wife had a smoked brisket salad, and my daughter got a smoked chicken quesadilla and we all split a smoked brisket taco.  It was some of the best smoked meat I have ever had.  Good flavor, but more than that – cooked to the right consistency and with the correct outer crunch – GOOD SEAR – which is hard to do on a smoker, but this was done as well as I have had.  And the care with which they took to make the salads, taco and sides showed what a quality place this was.  No matter cardboard baskets, plastic utensils, and paper napkins – this was a QUALITY JOINT.  

I only wish I wasn’t worn out from a 13-hour trek from Little Rock to Walsenburg and could have hung out some in the adjoining bar or taken advantage of the cool breeze with the outdoor seating.  Unfortunately, I was sore and tired and after having a great meal and a good beer, I was ready for a short nap before tackling Independence Pass the next day!!!

But if you find yourself in Southern Colorado and need to stop in Walsenburg – check out Rollin’ Smoke Garage BBQ – it’s worth it.

En Vino Veritas!

Alex

The Drink

I would like a Scotch…or would I?

I am a scotch drinker.  I like everything….. but Dewars scotch has become, over the years to represent a rare consistency – I do not mean that it is the same every time – I mean that I know what to expect and it is easy to order – “Dewars scotch on the rocks please.”  Almost everyone has it and it is very hard to screw it up.  Lately and mostly on vacation, I have enjoyed trying different scotches, just to experience the different themes, tastes, and nuances.  So, recently, when I found myself in Long Beach, NY with friends at a small place called “Lost at Sea” I ventured out and asked what kinds of scotches they had.  This restaurant was known for their cocktails, so I was nervous – wondering if a simple scotch on the rocks would suffice for my order.  The waitress sent the bartender to the table and after a brief conversation – he said…. “Let me bring a taste of the two I think you will like and you pick”…. I was intrigued.

He returned with two small tastes room temperature in small glasses – just a sip of each and placed them in front of me.  My wife and friends were looking at me as if to say, “now, this should be interesting – how much of this stuff are you going to drink and what kind of B.S. will he come up with here???”

They were similar colors with slight differences in the nose – one was softer, the other with a bit of an edge.  I tasted each… and liked both…. But the softer one had a richer feel on the palate with slight nuances of other flavors.  The edgier one was very good, but it had a bite at the end that turned me toward the other.  I said these things as I tried them multiple times back and forth – very small sips – and a couple with a drop of water to smooth them out a bit.  I chose the softer and informed the waiting bartender (all took about 2 minutes).

His response: “well – you picked the one that is not a scotch!!!”  I immediately realized that I had been playfully duped.  But I did not care – what fun!  I had chosen Akashi White Oak Whiskey from Japan over Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whiskey.  It was an awesome realization, and I thoroughly enjoyed my “non-scotch” on the rocks, and believe I even had a second.  I am not sure however that I will be ordering it in the future… as it might make things more complicated than a simple “scotch on the rocks, please,” nevertheless, I will be watching for Akashi – and may even add it to my collection at home – might have to add a disclaimer label to it though.  

En Vino Veritas!

Alex

The Food

I Found It!!!!

By Alex Golden

At Lost and Found, A restaurant in Long Beach, New York

My wife and I went to New York City recently to see some old friends who live there.  Our children were off doing their summer activities, so we decided… “what the heck!?!?” and took off for the Big Apple to hang with the locals!!!  Our friends have a condominium in a building near the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan, which is an unfamiliar area to us, so we were excited to let them be our guide for the weekend – both from a cultural and culinary perspective.  We arrived on a Thursday and enjoyed walking the area for the afternoon while our friends finished up their workday.  After a drink at their place and re-acquainting ourselves, we walked to a nearby place they recommended called Mark’s off Madison.  It was a very interesting concept, with some curve balls on the menu, but all was good and the ambience, friendship and drinks were even better.  

The next day would prove to be a drastic off ramp from how I know New York!!!  We decided to leave the city and head 22 miles out of town to Atlantic Beach, New York (a 1.5-hour drive in traffic by the way!) – a close relative to the Hamptons.  It was my first trip to this area, and I must say, it was very charming, historic, and nostalgic, all of which I am typically a huge fan.  I love going to places that I know thousands or even millions have enjoyed and made memories before me… and it has stood the test of time for a reason…. Like…..  the owner has a unique personality, or there is one appetizer that is “out of this world,” or they make a drink a specific way, or…. what a view?!?!?!?!…. Something that makes it special and enduring.  Atlantic Beach reminded me of this – it wasn’t especially nice or lavish, but it was extremely well kept and most of the places looked like they had “endured well.”  We saw beach clubs like I have only seen in movies like The Flamingo Kid (made in 1984 with Matt Dillon).  It was an experience to see and understand the type of culture and environment it was for this type of access to a beach – very thought provoking and illuminating.

Anyway, that night our friends took us to Lost and Found.  What an experience.  This place had about 3 employees, maybe 40 seats at the most (our 4 were at the Bar, where we could watch all meals being prepared).  Completely un-pretentious in every way, this place is nestled between bars along W. Beech Street in Long Beach, New York.  Getting a parking place is almost impossible and finding an uber/lyft during these covid times is almost as bad… but it is worth it.  The area seemed so familiar – it was full, but not crowded; raucous, but not rude; and intoxicating but not irresponsible.  We walked across the street, right past a pale yellow 1982 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, which seemed normal, until I pointed it out… then, just slightly out of place, but another contribution to our jovial, back-in-time mood.  We walked in and saw the written-out menu that we were directed to photograph with our phones, so that we could refer to it once seated.  It was full and lively – we approached and sat at the bar to watch Alexis Trolf at work preparing meals.  He had an assistant in the kitchen and there was one other person delivering drinks – wine by the bottle mainly (I assume to cut down on the number of necessary trips to the table).  This was the exact concept my father and I had dreamed of creating in Little Rock, Arkansas in/around 1993 – it was amazingly like how he and I talked about it.  Very efficient and all about the food and drink.  The menu was simple and changed daily depending on available ingredients – see attached picture for that day’s example.  We ordered the kale salad, which was the most flavorful kale I have ever had – whatever his dressing was paired perfectly with the bitter kale.  Then we had both tar tars – tuna and beef – both were uniquely spiced, perfectly prepared, and the correct temperature.  For our main plates, we ordered 1) the braised rabbit white beans and mushrooms, 2) roasted chicken paprika, 3) blackened tuna arugula citrus, and 4) the lamb burger with brie and frites.  They were all exceptional, however, the lamb burger with frites was one of the more unique and simple dishes I have ever tried… so full of flavor yet so distinct at the same time – the ultimate in comfort food.  And it all paired perfectly with the 2017 Piteira red blend wine from Portugal we chose as a complement.  All the dishes and drinks were reasonably priced and to keep with the simplicity theme, the restaurant was cash only – although they did accept Venmo payments. 

It was a great meal, in a great/unique setting, with great drinks, and even better fellowship – I cannot think of anything about the evening which could have made it any better.  Finding places like this to “Savor the Experience” is the exact purpose of EveryDay SoMalYaY and to communicate them in a forum so that others may seek out and enjoy.  I don’t know if I will ever make it back, but oh what a night!

En Vino Veritas.

Alex

The Setting

The Classic Joint: Part 1

By Alex Golden

What is a Classic Joint?  It is a place where all participants (proprietors, employees, vendors, customers and any others involved) have come together to create a unique, enduring and impactful establishment.  This can be done through great food, drink, atmosphere, music, or a combination of any or all of these.  Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives” does an incredible job of finding such places all over the place.  They typically concentrate on the food aspect of a place, and all the places they look at are restaurants (at least what I have seen), but it is a great example of finding places people love and exploring exactly why they are loved.  In this segment of exploring Classic Joints, I will explore a recent family trip taken in June of 2021, where we hit 4 of the very best!

We loaded up the family truckster and headed for Destin, Florida, a summer vacation spot for my family since 1974!  We took a long hiatus from the mid 80’s to the late 90’s but really started back up again when I had kids.  Silver Dunes is in Destin – not Seaside, Grayton, Rosemary or any other part of the Destin area built after 1990 (or so it seems).  Silver Dunes is nestled on the original Red Neck Riviera between and amongst several high-rise condominium complexes that are the primary reason for the crowded roads, restaurants, outlet malls and beaches in the Destin area.  However, Silver Dunes has managed to maintain its original charm.  It has a single small pool to service the whole complex, but it has less units per sq ft of land than others do, so it is not a problem.   The Beach has umbrella service available and due to lower population is typically able to provide front row service to your family.  The people-watching on the beach is awesome – as ALL walks of people stroll by in front of your spot in the sand; and the blue waters that stretch out before you are just as blue as further east on Florida’s emerald coast (though you might have to endure a few more advertising boats and planes than other less crowded spots!)  Typically, we cook fresh seafood ourselves from Sexton’s or Destin Ice – just a short drive away – but there are other great spots in Destin, if you can avoid the crowds sufficiently – Harbor Docks, Dewey Destin’s, Louisiana Lagniappe, The Back Porch and High Tide in Ft. Walton are a few that have survived since I was a child in the 70’s.  The primary advantage to Silver Dunes is it’s design – a “high rise” (only 4 stories tall) in the back facing the beach with sawtooth 2 and 4 story buildings going down each side of the property leaving a giant open green space (that’s right – grass!) between.  The Beach and the Pool are wonderful, but I simply cannot adequately describe the fun I had playing in that green space as a child and watching, as a father, my children play in that space as well.  I would trade it for absolutely NOTHING.  Silver Dunes is a true Classic Joint and still worth it.

Once in Destin, the next Classic Joint to mention (already mentioned above) is The Back Porch.  I barely remember it as a child – simply a place we could walk to (a long way back then – so tired) to get a great cheeseburger.  It was acquired in 1983 by a General Cobb who insisted on serving an amberjack sandwich, which changed it (for the better) forever.  They remodeled, expanding exponentially over the years, but maintain the best fish sandwiches I have had anywhere in the world, and the atmosphere is unlike any other.  No shoes, nor shirt necessary (they are encouraged however), but it is the only place that I can tolerate that kind of heat while waiting on my food – still feels like I am just standing on the back porch of a small A-frame house waiting on some great joint food to enjoy!  It is a laid-back classic joint that may have equals, but no one can beat.

I now, must return to my story of the long trek to Destin, because of course, flying is out of the question – only a 9-hour drive – that must be endured to truly appreciate the fruits of the true family beach vacation.  However, one particular year when I was very young, my parents decided to stop in Jackson, Mississippi to spend the night and stop at a steak restaurant.  Not many chains back then, so we were referred to Crechale’s… a family place that had great steak and seafood.  We have been stopping there ever since for their “Kings Cut” Ribeye, the soft-shell crab and the onion rings – oh my – the onion rings!!!  And the atmosphere has not changed in 50 years.  Same family who seats you and same jukebox (well it is a new jukebox, but same concept) that wails “Hail… hail… the gang’s all here” for a birthday celebration that happens almost every night.  Covid nearly did it in, but it is making a comeback and trying to re-staff as we speak.  I hope it survives – not many like it – a true Classic Joint.

At the end of our trip, we are normally just ready to be home and make the entire trek in a day with as few stops as possible.  But this year, we decided to exploit the opportunity to be able to drive into Greenville, Mississippi to the famous (at least to us Arkansans) original Doe’s Eat Place!!!  The tamales, soaked salads, and of course, STEAKS here are absolutely incredible!  Cooked in a unique broiler oven, and done to perfection by the family for years, is accompanied by the butter drippings that accumulate in this unique style of cooking, which make the fried potatoes an even bigger treat than normal.  And by the way, this is all done in an old house in a small older neighborhood of Greenville.  The Grill Room is the Living Room as you walk in the house and on to the back for dine in seating around a very large stove where there are skillets and big pots for frying the fries.  It is filled with locals and others who have heard about the incredible flavor produced in that little house…. And not just from the food.  The waitresses and other help who have mostly been there for generations (or at least years) are all in with treating each customer like their favorite uncle at a family BBQ.  It is an experience like no other, that I thoroughly recommend you take the time to enjoy.

We made it back to Little Rock a little later than usual that year, but we had a story to go with it.  I was overjoyed to have been able to enjoy it being straddled by the two small generations of my immediate family – 1) my parents, 2) my wife and myself, and 3) my kids – now old enough to appreciate.  Knowing how my father used to run over there with clients back in the 70’s and 80’s and how impressed he was with it even back then, and to get to see him introduce this place to my children and them actually enjoy it!  There are no words to describe the experience… And that is why these places are all Classic Joints!!!  Better try all of them quick – the world does not stop changing and these places won’t be around forever!

En Vino Veritas!

Alex

The Drink

Pick a wine from a Restaurant Wine List in Record Time!

KISS-PUT

Welcome to Everyday SoMalYaY!! This project (or whatever you want to call it — blog, business, experiment, experience, or even fantasy….) is the product of an idea had with good friends over good food and good wine recently, which, of course, is the source of all GREAT ideas … and when I happened to be describing the type of wine I had just ordered, Shannon said… “you need to do this online or publicly some way…. Seriously!!” I said I would love to…. She said…. “It is great every-day advice to people who aren’t knowledgeable about wine but love it….” And then said, “What do we call it?” I said you just said it…. “Everyday sommelier”, which of course was taken on the internet and in Instagram, and so we went with the phonetic spelling with the word YaY at the end to indicate wine/drinks and excitement about the idea!!! I reserved the website address www.everydaysomalyay.com at the table that minute, and we were under way!!!

The theme of Everyday SoMalYaY is to savor the experience, no matter what your particular experience may be. Choosing a wine from a restaurant wine list can be daunting and stressful if you have not had much experience at it, and it is supposed to be fun!!! After all, we want to choose a wine from any list and have the best chance of enjoying it the most. That is the key here…. BEST chance to enjoy the MOST…. The model of efficiency – an algorithm for enjoyment. To assist in giving you this added confidence, try my KISS-PUT method, which stands for Keep It Simple Stupid – Price, Use, Taste. See the following explanation:

  1. Price – Use a maximum price for what you want to spend that night…. don’t look at anything else…. Good way to vastly narrow down your choices… and by the way, if you have to order a 2nd (or 3rd hehe) bottle, will that price point be ok….???
  2. Use – with food or as a drink? What are you and your other guests eating/how “bold” do you want the wine to be? Remember…. This is just a general guide and a helping tool to assist you in your decision – you can get what you want any time – I have had a cabernet with fish many times and it is JUST FINE.
    1. Steak/Duck – other red meat – typically strong, bold red, such as Cabernet or Bordeaux, though others can satisfy this as well… Chianti/Sangiovese, or Super Tuscan – a blend of Cabernet and Sangiovese are probably the best examples of strong, big, bold wines.
    2. Chicken, Pork, Fowl, or other – typically more toward Pinot Noir or French Burgundy, or Syrah/Cotes Du Rhone
    3. Fish or Light Food – White wine – any you like… or Lighter Red depending on sauce and taste, and Rose’ is always an interesting choice for a lighter wine.
  3. Taste – Now that you have sufficiently narrowed the list, you can look through what is left and it is not as daunting or complex (depending on the list of course) … Now look at the following:
    1. Age – The older the wine, the more mellow the wine (tannins from stems or skins which cause the bitter dry taste become rounder and smoother with age) …. typically, you will not find anything more than 10 – 15 years old on a restaurant list, or it will get very expensive…. I like to find a French red from 5 to 10 years old if possible, but most people in the states like Napa Cab – and older the better I say – gets softer and softer, but most are only 2 to 4 years old…. Not as important in US wines because they are typically more naturally sweet (or less bitter is probably a better way to say this) and can be drunk earlier.
    2. Country – As alluded above, more variety in US/California, Washington, etc. But typically, European wines are better WITH food, and US wines are better as a “drink/aperitif” generally speaking.
    3. Grape Varietal/Region – The U.S. wineries tend to name their wines after the grape, such as cabernet, chardonnay, pinot noir or Syrah. The Europeans tend to name their wines for the region, such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Rhone. I have always heard that to call a wine after its’ grape name, it must contain at least 80% of that grape. To call a wine a Bordeaux, it simply must be grown in the Bordeaux region of France. And in this instance, a Bordeaux is typically mainly cabernet in its makeup; Burgundy is pinot noir and chardonnay, and Rhone is typically Syrah. However, there is still plenty of mixing grapes according to the vintners’ taste. see below for main grapes in red:
      1. Cabernet Sauvignon – Typically harsh when younger, but will age best
      2. Merlot – more of a blending grape in Europe but served by itself more in US… St. Emilion and Pomeral, on the Left Bank of Bordeaux are regions in France which has more merlot and is therefore softer.
      3. Pinot Noir – Burgundy in France – very different grape vinification in US and France –more “spicy” to me in US…. In France, it is a lot more complex, and is more of a softer version of Bordeaux/Cab…. But it can be drastically different in US/California, Washington.
      4. Cabernet Franc – Mixing Grape that tends to give wines that dry taste you have sometimes.
      5. Sangiovese – main grape in Chianti; though when blended with Cabernet it is known as a Super Tuscan and is one of my favorites!

There is an infinite number of qualifications and criteria for selecting wines even inside each of these areas that I have not listed here. BUT this KISS-PUT method will probably cover about 80% of the wine list and you should be able to narrow it down to a number more easily manageable. There are always wines on any list that you will not know or be familiar, but these tips will give you simple tools to aid in a decision which will make your decision a fun adventure rather than a daunting task…. AND, you have your conversation, for when someone says…. “why that wine?” For Example:

Q: This list is 25 pages long! And so many big names…… How did you ever come up with that wine?

A: Well, I noticed your wife was having the chicken, you and I are having steaks and my wife is having the Ravioli…. And I really didn’t want to spend more than $75 per bottle… (knowing we might get a 2nd!!!) ….. that left 2 Napa Valley Cabs ($58 and $65), 2 French Bordeaux ($56), 1 Burgundy ($68) and 3 Italian wines ($35, $48, and $62), since we had chicken and ravioli, I went with the Italian Chianti for $48…. It was 6 years old, so a little older than the young napa valley cabs 3 years old…. and I thought it would be a good middle ground for both the steaks and pasta/chicken…. Can’t wait to try it!!!

Once you have done this a few times and been through the process, you will start remembering which wines you loved and which wines did not impress you. You will start remembering what grape varietals you have enjoyed and which you thought were “harsh” or “too soft.” It is an incredible and fun process that NEVER gets old. I recommend it highly, but overall, it is a solid way to build confidence in how to order and to build an inventory in your mind of the different tastes of all the different wines, grapes, and regions you will order and what you relate them to. But always remember the point is to ENJOY and Savor the Experience, no matter what is chosen or how.

En Vino Veritas!