El Casey and Forbiddenly Funky Cheese

photo by St. James Cheese

It's 4pm on Thursday.  I arrive back at the shop after running a few errands, expecting to find El Casey checking in our cheese order that was to be delivered during my absence.  Instead I find El Casey and Magic Matt behind the bar tasting the open bottles for quality control purposes, and they inform me that the cheese truck driver said he couldn't make our delivery because in doing so he would exceed the 14 hour limit for time spent on the road.  Knowing there were a few important items on the truck that we needed, I get in the mini and drive down Old Gentilly highway to the Motel 6 and meet said truck driver in the parking lot and make the exchange.  

My car reeking of pungent cheese, I arrive at the shop and the boys help me unload.  El Casey's gleeful giggle at the sight of the case that is source of the offensive odoriferousness makes me realize that by my own request he has managed to get a forbidden product in our case, a truly stinky cheese.

You see, I've asked Casey, our resident cheesemonger, to start a new project in the store with a featured regional/seasonal cheese and wine pairing.  His first selection happens to be Livarot cheese from Normandy, so wildly popular that the region holds an annual two day festival each August to celebrate their famous curds.  In choosing the Livarot, he neglected to tell me that it is one of the top 10 stinky cheeses of France!  

Anyway, he has chosen his cheese, picked his pairings and this week we will reveal the details of El Casey's first regional/seasonal pairing.  We are very fortunate to have such a talented and kooky guy in the shop, so stop by and have a chat with him, and please pick up some of this stinky cheese!!

Toscana 2013, Photos from our Wine & Culinary Tour

Each year we take a group of 8 Swirl customers on a wine and food tour of Tuscany.  Our trips are based in the Medieval city of Cortona and are led by a Cortonese native, comedian and Italian wine specialist, Antonio Molesini.  If you'd like to join us sometime, let me know!

"Frizzy" Wines, the Perfect Antidote for the Summer Heat

Guido from da Ferdinando

Spending a lazy afternoon with our new friends Guido, Marco and Ferdy at da Ferdinando on Spiaggia di Fornillo became a blissful habit.  We would start in the morning with a little time on the water, renting a kayak or pedal boat from them with the later becoming our preferred vessel due to the minimal amount of effort it actually took to move it. After an hour or so of swimming and cruising in the cool blue waters,  we'd meet friends on the deck for lunch at our table in the corner.

One of our favorite appetizers, grilled mozzarella on lemon leaves

Lunch would begin with our favorite antipasti of prosciutto e melone (prosciutto draped over honeydew or cantaloupe), mozzarella alla griglia (grilled mozzarella on lemon leaves), insalata caprese, alici fresche al limone (fresh anchovies with lemon), just a little something to hold us over 'til our main courses arrived. Needing to wash all of that food down with a local beverage, the sheepishly grinning Ferdy would bring the first of many pitchers of our preferred drink to the the table, the house white wine. 

Kerry pouring us the favored vino bianco in Portole, Italy

Vino Bianco della Casa in Italy is really everything one wants in a summer wine and during one of those dreamy afternoons, many pitchers later on the beach a da Ferdinando, the name "frizzy" wine seemed most appropriate. Usually served in small ceramic pitchers or glass carafes with a subtle amount of spritz or frizzante, it is light, palate cleansing, refreshing and much too easily drinkable by the litre or two or maybe three ...And while we most enjoyed it during those lazy afternoons on the Amalfi Coast, it was our drink of choice from Rome to Cortona and everywhere in between.  

They call it VinhoVerde in Portugal, Txakolina in Spain, Frascati in Roma, Greco in Greece, Falanghina on the Amalfi Coast, but no matter the grape or the name, it's one of those highly quaffable beverages that when served with the local food makes for an unforgettable experience.  So in trying to recreate those moments for us and our friends I'm putting together a collection of "frizzy" wines at the shop.  And if you've been to any of those places I mentioned above, you know what I'm talking about.  Usually inexpensive and always easy to drink at any time of the day, best experienced by pouring them into a ceramic pitcher and envisioning yourself sitting on the Amalfi coast gazing into the crystal clear waters...

Our time on the deck at da Ferdinando would end with fuzzy heads from frizzy wine, so Guido would set up our umbrellas as we take our spots on the colorful beach chairs for a nap and a last dip in the aqua blue waters.  Once our heads would begin to clear we stop back at the bar for espressi and maybe a limoncello, say our good byes to the guys and local cats before we took the walk back into town in search of gelato, leaving another hard day on the coast behind us.

Spiaggia di Fornillo, Positano

Current selection of frizzy wine:

Fontana Candida Frascati, Riondo Soave, Anjos Vinho Verde, Arca Nova Vinho Verde, Ameztoi Txakolina, prices range from $8-$17

Terre Nere Olio d'Oliva, A Rare Treat from an Amazing Producer

Ancient elixir, ritual anointment, symbol of peace, gift from Athena to the Greeks, the olive has been an integral part of life in the eastern Mediterranean since the first stirrings of civilization.  In many ways, olive oil is one of the most important agricultural products of Europe and most wineries devote considerable acreage to the beloved olive tree for their own personal use and many for export.

So it is no wonder that one of our favorite Sicilian winemakers, Marco de Grazia of Tenuta Delle Terre Nere, produces an exceptional olive oil that we are very excited to have in the store. Marco's estate occupies prime real estate on the slopes of the famed Mount Etna, the still active volcano producing some of Sicily's most extraordinary wines that we had the privilege of visiting in 2009.  The estates has 1,500 trees, many which are centuries old, that are all farmed and cared for organically. Lovingly tended, the olives are hand harvested, cold pressed that same day, with the luscious green/gold oil bottled unfiltered.  The volcanic soils give it an almost sweetness, with elegant, spicy pepper notes; pure quality flows from the bottle.

We had the pleasure of Marco's company in the shop a few years ago for an intimate, seated tasting of his wines as well as a few others he is importing.  Soft spoken, loquacious and extremely passionate about the region, it was wonderful to hear about his approach to wine making on the Etna, to taste the wines with him and hear his stories about what makes this reason so special and one of the most exciting wine producing regions in the world today. His approach to wine is one of minimal intervention, using certified organic practices, and an almost indiscernible use of oak, allowing the expression of the true character of the wine. In tasting his olive oil, it is obvious that he applies this same careful, thoughtful approach to its production as well.

Olive oil is a daily staple in our home.  We use it liberally and as often as we can, often finding excuses to design a dish around it.  Having met Marco and visited the wild world of the Etna, this oil is extremely special to us. We have it now, it probably won't be here for long, so if you have an appreciation for this ancient culinary delight, representing generations of farming and centuries of history made by people who truly care, come see us.  

Il Silencio Bellisimo

My mornings here in the walled village of Cortona couldn't be more different than those I enjoyed in Positano. While there are a few similarities between our two favorite Italian towns, like the beautiful views and the challenges presented to your legs, heart and lungs, the quiet serenity here on the Cortona hilltop is as precious to me as the waking to the beat of that beautiful coastal town.
Instead of sitting on the terrazza gazing at the Mediterranean, I'm at a little wooden table, looking out stained glass doors into green forests that surround the upper part of the town. Stone walls two feet thick keep the apartment cool, no air conditioning needed even in July, in this beautifully restored building from the 15th century. Kerry and I stay on the uppermost road of the town, very close to the top of this commanding "hill" at 2100 feet, with the Porta Montagna, the ancient stone portal from the mountain into the town, right outside our door.


History seeps from the buildings here as Cortona is considered one of the first European cities. Older even than Rome, its true origins are lost to history. Founded by the Etruscans sometime around 800BC, then home to the Roman Empire, evidence of the different civilizations and cultures can be seen in layers of the foundations and architectural detail. The ancient city walls still encircle the town protecting it from the siege of the modern world.


So as I write this post in the early morning, it is delightfully quiet as I'm greeted only by the sounds of the singing birds and a few roosters from the nearby farms. No cars, the tourists haven't arrived yet and even when they do they rarely venture this far up the hillside. And with the deep sound of the church bells at 7am, I can't help but think about those same morning bells ringing in Positano, someone else sitting in my chair absorbing the energy of that place looking at that view as I sit and soak up the calm peacefulness of this one. I feel very fortunate indeed to have experienced both.


I hear the creak of the shutters opening upstairs as Patrizia, the owner of this beautiful piece of history we have the privilege to call home, quietly says "buongiorno" to a neighbor slowly walking the cobbled street. Cortona is waking up and I can't wait to see what the day will bring.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Vini del Cuore, Antonio Caggiano

Our visit to Cantina Antonio Caggiano was a most amazing day, one that leaves an impression on your soul not easily forgotten. Because while the wines are some of the best of southern Italy and the area rustically beautiful, it is the man himself that makes this place so special. Architect, photographer, and wine producer Antonio Caggiano is one of the most charming, artistic, visionary people that I've ever met! He believes in living life to its fullest, adores women and has more love in his heart than 10 people. He spent the day with us and everyone was totally taken with him, even chef Richard and our friend/driver Vincenzo who helped interpret for the winery manager Angelo as they didn't speak much English.



The incredibly rustic and beautiful winery was designed and built by Antonio and his son Pino in 1990. Constructed to be harmonious with the look and feel of the landscape of the Taurasi region, they delved three floors deep underground to create the amazing and extensive cellars carved out of local stone. Every piece of furniture in the winery, including the light fixtures and railings are made from barrels, the tops and the metal rings that surround them. They also practice organic agriculture and using techniques that help to reduce their environmental impact on their prized Taurasi vineyards, all of which by law are planted with 100% Aglianico vines.


One of the other things that made our connection with him complete is that Antonio visited New Orleans in 2004 and absolutely fell in love with our city. As soon as he found out where we were from he put on a big smile and the mardi gras beads he had saved from his visit, and wore them both the entire day. He brought out his photo album with a menu from Herbsaint and lots of photos from his visit which was during mardi gras. He placed his hand on his heart and kissed his beads when he began to talk about New Orleans, It was his favorite city on his US tour.


I've been writing about his wines for a few years now as I discovered them on my first trip here in 2011, so I won't go in to the technical aspects that you can read in previous posts. But it was an amazing treat to share some of my favorite wines at lunch seated beside the man himself! We drank the 2012's of two of the whites named after photo expositions he did in the Sahara desert - Bechar Fiano di Avellino, and the arctic - Devon Greco di Tufo both of which were stunning and the 2009 of the Macchia dei Goti DOCG Taurasi which is an approachable but very young Aglianico. The real treat for me was the passito wine made with 50% greco and 50% fian, a beautiful, honey, appley, not to sweet dessert wine that I've never tried before.



We spent quite a bit of time there, as our four course "light lunch" was over 2 hours outside looking at the Aglianico vineyards. An incredibly comfortable relaxing afternoon with Antonio, Angelo, Pino and great friends that somehow ended with all of us smoking cigars...But it was just us, in the middle of nowhere in this gorgeous place with truly special people who love wine, food and life - I've always loved the Caggiano wines but now, knowing the man behind them, I'm a fan forever!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

I Colori del Blu

The combination of an adventurous group and absolutely fabulous weather is adding up to a more active Positano vacation this year. Wanting to experience those crystal clear waters in every way, shape and form possible, a few of decided to check out the kayak rental situation on the beach.

I was able to get the group moving somewhat early so we took the beautiful walk down the 160 stairs to the center of town, stopping to pet the many smart cats that hang out by the Pescaria, checking out the local catch of the morning before heading around the bend to Spiagga del Fornillo. We stop at one of the first "snack bars" on the beach, del Ferdinando - a spot we've enjoyed on every trip we've made, to inquire about the kayaks on the beach. Here these snack bars have many purposes. Not only do they serve deliciously fresh local dishes, but they also have boats, changing rooms and those lovely colorful beach chairs with umbrellas for hire. The very happy, smiley guy who runs the place tells us 5 euros per hour per boat, no prepayment, credit card or waiver are required as they take us to the beach gives us oars and send us on our way.



Getting yourself on the water as well as in the water here on the Amalfi Coast is a must. From the gigante ferries that bring people back and forth to Capri, Amalfi and Sorrento, the expensivo boats and captains for hire and the do-it- yourself kayak, peddle boat options, there are many ways, at many price levels, to do so. But the view of the shore line from the sea is absolutely breathtaking so whatever option you chose, you will not be disappointed. Pastel colored stucco buildings hanging on to steep hillsides, rocky ledges jutting out into crystal clear water, the cars traversing the Amalfi Coast highway perched on the edge of the cliff, beckoningly beautiful faraway islands, it is really a sight to behold.



Probably the most enticing part of this is experiencing the water itself. Clear enough to see the bottom from great depths, a cleansing salinity that could float an elephant and the most amazing shades of aqua and Mediterranean blue you've ever experienced, it literally draws you in and very reluctantly allows you to exit. So as we paddle along the bay, watching the colors change from one brilliant blue to another, I make a promise to myself to be in and/or on the water everyday of this trip. Combined with my other promise to eat gelato everyday, these should hopefully balance each other out and I won't BE that elephant by the time I leave!

Today's activity is hike in the Latari mountains along the Sentiero Degli Dei, Walk of the Gods, with a side trek that allows us to finish on Spiaggia Arienzo for a quick dip before we take the little wooden boat back to Positano. Ending with a creamy gelato at Buca di Bacco, it should be a picture perfect day!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

La Mattina in Positano

Being an early riser is both a blessing and a curse that I inherited from my somewhat compulsive parents. It's an annoyance when I'm at home and feel compelled to sit in front of my computer and work but an absolute joy to me when on vacation. While most people are excited about having extra time to sleep away the stresses of home, for me it's the perfect time to bask in quietness of a place and watch as a new day stirs into motion.

Today is one such morning as I awake at 4:30 to the sounds of a few tourists continuing to enjoy a very late night. Spending the next half an hour trying to will myself back to sleep, I lie listening and literally hear the tempo of the town begin to change from nighttime revelry to morning calm. 5am approaches and the light slowly begins to brighten outside our bedroom window as the sun creeps up from behind the Latari mountains. If feel the tug of the early dawn as the rhythm changes from night to day and I can’t help but get up and witness the transformation.

Coffee now in hand, I sit on the lovely terrace taking in the scene as the town readies itself for the day. Positano hangs on to rocky cliffs surrounding a small valley with pastel colored shops, restaurants and villas nestled inside and the Bay of Salerno lapping its shore line. I close my eyes, tuning my senses to the sounds echoing off the cliffs and wafting up to my perch above.  Roosters crowing in the distance, rolling gentle waves, the setting of tables in the cafes, vespas zipping down the main street, brooms sweeping the cobbled walkways - and by the time the bells of Santa Maria Assunta ring at 7am, I open my eyes to view the brightly colored umbrellas going up on the beach as the jewel of the Amalfi Coast awaits the summer masses.

Completely unaware of the beautiful spectacle that has transpired over the last few hours, others are finally stirring in the villa.  But as for me, currently feeling blessed by my inherited internal alarm clock, I am already completely and utterly content and even can't imagine what other joys await...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Gambit Reader's Poll, Best of New Orleans!

The Gambit Reader's Poll is a great way to show your love and support for your favorite local businesses!  We've got one incredible neighborhood here in Faubourg St. John and if you like what is happening, let people know! Are you fans of Lux Salon's services or cocktails at Pal's?  Enjoy eating at your local neighborhood restaurants like Cafe Degas, Toups Meatery, Lola's, Santa Fe, Nonna Mia or Serendipity?  Chillin' with coffee and pastries at Fair Grinds? Makin' groceries at Terranova's or Canseco's?? How about dog grooming and premium pet foods at Fetch!?  Gift shopping at SOPO or sporting goods at Massey's? And maybe you love hanging out at a certain little wine bar/shop called Swirl? Let them know! 

Yes, it does take awhile to fill out, and you have to complete at least half of it for your vote to count.  But this year one online voter will receive a $460 prize pack that includes a stay at the Hotel Modern, along with dinner at Tivoli & Lee and drinks at Bellocq. You don't have to fill out every category on the ballot, but only those ballots which are at least half-completed will count (and will be eligible for the prizes). And you don't have to complete the ballot all at once, but can come back to it at any time. Voting concludes Aug. 2.

So how 'bout grabbing a cup of coffee and settling in with your computer or ipad and fill it out.  Truthfully,  it only takes about 20 minutes! Click on the link below and happy voting!!

gambit readers poll

An Extraordinary Event Tomorrow

Beckstoffer...if you have a love of California wines, chances are you've heard the name. And if you've ever tasted any wines with Beckstoffer on the label, as a vineyard or producer, you know the level of quality that will be poured from the bottle. The Beckstoffers are Napa's largest independent family growers providing top notch fruit for a number of well known wineries. They have acquired several historical vineyards over time with their fruit in extremely high demand among premium wineries. Tuck Beckstoffer has taken advantage of all this great fruit from the finest areas of California and has been making award winning wines since 1990's.

Lucky for us, these wines are carried by our friends over at Mystic Vines and they've agreed to do a very special seated tasting with us. And what a lineup! Showing the quality and diversity of fruit from the Beckstoffer owned vineyards we will feature the Melee Grenache (2010-WS 93, $38), 2010 Semper Pinot Noir (WE 93pts, $46), 2010 Sempre Chardonnay ($50) plus 3 wines from his 75 Wine Company - affordable, premium wines of distinction, and his Hogwash Grenache Rose. As a special treat, Scott Howett of Mystic Vines will share a bottle of the newly released 2010 Mockingbird Red and 2010 Mockingbird Green Cabernet ($170) that will be available for pre-order at a very special price for Swirl customers attending the event.

And if the wine lineup weren't enticing enough, Casey Foote of St. James Cheese will show off some amazing California cheeses from top producers like Cowgirl Creamery and Cypress Grove while Scott Frank of Point Reyes Farmstead will have some of his cheese on hand as well. $30, reservations and prepayment required. Call 504.304.0635 to reserve your spot.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Tomato Season in the South

It's one of my favorite times of the year here in New Orleans.  No, it's not Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest, it's tomato season, when my most favorite food is in abundant supply in all shapes, forms, sizes and colors.  Our friend Mary gave us a bag full of big, ripe Creole Tomatoes this weekend and Kerry has our little garden overflowing with cherry tomatoes.

We were having a little get together last night for our group that is coming with us to Positano this year, so I decided to make use of all this beautiful fruit and make a few tomato dishes.  Both of these are so simple yet amazingly delicious. 

The first is classic tomato bruschetta, and when I say classic I mean the way the Italians make it in Italy.  There is no vinegar or onions just five simple, fresh ingredients assembled and served with good, grilled crusty bread.

Bruschetta al Pomidoro (Tomato Bruschetta)

This is a summer staple on the Amalfi coast since Campania is also the DOP of San Marzano tomatoes.  You know, those delicious, deeply flavored plum tomatoes that we are only fortunate enough to get in cans.  But a quick lesson on bruschetta; it is pronounced bru-SKE-ta and bruschetta refers to the bread, not the topping.  The best bread for bruschetta is a stale, dense loaf like a sour dough or country style bread. The bread is cut into slices, grilled, and brushed with good quality olive oil then rubbed with fresh garlic cloves.  There are many recipes you can make to top your bruschetta, but the pomidoro is a classic.

To make the topping:

-4 medium sized ripe tomatoes cut into 1/4" dice

-2 cloves of garlic minced

-10 fresh basil leaves torn into small pieces

-1/2 to 1 teaspoon coarse salt

-few turns of the pepper grinder

-a pinch or two of peperoncino

-2 tablespoons of good quality extra virgin olive oil

For the bruschetta:

-12 slices of dense, stale bread, no more than 1" thick, and about 3-4" long

-olive oil  

-1 clove of garlic cut in half

Mix the topping ingredients, stir to combine and set aside.  Using indirect heat on a grill quickly toast the bread slices until the edges get slightly dark.  Remove from heat, brush on some olive oil and rub with the clove of garlic.  Add the topping and consume immediately!

Now what to do with all of those tomatoes Kerry has been so proudly attending to?  Cherry tomatoes always make my mouth water for a classic Sicilian dish and Lidia Bastianich's recipe is tried and true. Delicious, light, fresh and very unique, this is the perfect summer pasta dish. I've fallen in love with this brand of dried pasta called Cipriana that is sold at the Fresh Market on St. Charles and now use it anytime I'm not making fresh

Pesto Trapanese 

From Lidia's Italy

Serves 4 to 6

¾ pound (about 2-1/2 cups) cherry tomatoes, very ripe and sweet

12 large fresh basil leaves

1/3 cup of whole almonds, lightly toasted

1 plump garlic clove, crushed and peeled

1/4 teaspoon peperoncino or to taste

½ teaspoon coarse sea salt or kosher salt, or to taste, plus more for the pasta

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound spaghetti

½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano

Recommended equipment:

A blender (my preference) or a food processor

A pot for cooking the spaghetti

Rinse the cherry tomatoes and pat them dry. Rinse the basil leaves and pat dry.

Drop the tomatoes into the blender jar or food processor bowl followed by the garlic clove, the almonds, basil leaves, peperoncino and ½ tsp salt. Blend for a minute or more to a fine purée; scrape down the bowl and blend again if any large bits or pieces have survived.

With the machine still running, pour in the olive oil in a steady stream, emulsifying the purée into a thick pesto. Taste and adjust seasoning. (If you’re going dress the pasta within a couple of hours, leave the pesto at room temperature. Refrigerate if for longer storage, up to 2 days, but let it return to room temperature before cooking the pasta.

To cook the spaghetti, heat 6 quarts of water, with 1 tablespoon salt, to the boil in the large pot. Scrape all the pesto into a big warm bowl.

Cook the spaghetti al dente, lift it from the cooking pot, drain briefly, and drop onto the pesto. Toss quickly to coat the spaghetti, sprinkle the cheese all over, and toss again. Serve immediately in warm bowls.

Happy Anniversary to Us, Celebrating 7 Years!

Neil Gernon pouring at our very first Friday Free For All, June 16, 2006

It's hard to believe that it's been seven years since we opened our doors and held our very first Friday Free For All tasting for a very enthusiastic and thirsty neighborhood crowd.  Those were tough times in New Orleans in June of 2006 with all of us so effected by the failure of our Federal levee system and the devastation it caused.  Collectively dealing with the destruction of entire neighborhoods, losing jobs, rebuilding homes, fighting with insurance companies, friends and family leaving the city in droves - we were all struggling to find our way.  Returning and rebuilding were never even a question for Kerry and me. Our faith in our city and the resilience of its people were enough to keep us here; and as Chris Rose so appropriately stated, "the longer you live in New Orleans, the more unfit you become to live anywhere else..." 

Store front June 2006 and now...

Pre-renovation and then in 2008

But just returning wasn't enough, we wanted to be part of the rebuilding, investing our hearts and our pocketbooks in our beloved, broken city.  And I can tell you, it was an uphill battle from the start!  Dealing with our flooded home; leaving a very secure, well paying job of 8 years for the unknown; negotiating with a neighborhood association that was initially against our plan and an incredibly difficult city permitting process; a terrible accident that took place in the shop just days before we opened; a business partner who disappeared in our first week; needless to say, it was a drama filled beginning.  But it was, and still is, the neighborhood support that kept us going.  Because somehow through it all, Swirl became a place where people gathered and shared their stories, a bright spot in the midst of the post-Katrina madness to clear your head, rest your feet and share some good wine while you were at it!  

Bar area in 2006 and now.

Taylor, the original swirl shop dog!

Well the conversations have changed since then, but the feeling in the shop remains the same - a comfortable spot to sit and relax with friends over a nice glass of wine; a place you can bring your dog to, your kids, your date or your grandmother and feel good about being there.  A special place, that you've helped us create filled with lots of great memories over the years.  And seven years later, as a business, a neighborhood and a city, we all have persevered,  flourished and now finally find ourselves settling in to a very good rhythm that we hope will continue for many more years....Thank you all for you support, then and now, because you are what makes Swirl such an awesome place!  So forget your troubles, come on get happy and join us in celebrating our 7th birthday at our Friday Free for All or any of our fun, upcoming events this week!

Friday Free For Alls now...

Last Supper Club of the Summer @ Three Muses

Amuse & Cocktail served on the balcony @ Three Muses

Our last supper club until September!  This is a small, intimate event on an evening when Chef Daniel Esses incredibly popular "Three  Muses" restaurant is closed for regular business.  Dan has designed a special French Caribbean themed menu for the evening that we will pair with French wines and a delicious Caribbean style cocktail presented by David Sobiesk of Artisan Fine Wines.  This promises to be a wonderful evening of great food, wine and company! The seating for this event is extremely limited and we only have 12 spots available for swirl customers, so please watch for my special email later this week with reservation instructions.

Chef Daniel Esses’ Supper Club

Cost: $75 inclusive

For reservations: email Candice Sirmon, candice.sirmon@gmail.com

You will receive a return email from Candice with a PayPal link where you can pay with credit or debit card.  Your reservation is not complete until payment is made and Candice receives the confirmation from PayPal.  She will follow up with an email once she has received your payment. 

Wines supplied by Swirl Wine Bar & Market

Presented by David Sobiesk, Artisan Fine Wines

Amuse Bouche

Mini Goat Meat Pies

Ananasinha ~ Rum, Velvet Falernum, Pineapple & Lime

1st Course

Crab And Corn Fritter

2011 Verget-Macon Charnay "Le Clos Saint-Pierre”, Burgundy 

2nd Course

Banana Leaf Steamed Snapper with Grilled Peach Salsa

2011 Chateau De Valmer Vouvray, Loire

3rd Course

Pork Tenderloin Colombo 

Sides- Yellow Rice Pilaf With Local Fresh Beans

          - Coconut Milk Braised Greens

2011 Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone les Deux Albions, Rhone

Dessert

Banana Tarte Tatin with Coconut Ice Cream & Rum Carmel Sauce

2008 Herman Mosel Beerenauslese, Austria

Swirl on NOLA.com!

NOLA.com included swirl in this quick video at the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience last weekend! Check it out!

From the Hills of Tuscany

This week we are pairing up Matt and Walter for our Wednesday Nite Flites and their mutual love of Tuscany made it an obvious choice for our featured wine region. Knowing what draws me to Tuscany is easy to answer, but I asked Matt and Walter to share their thoughts on what it is about Tuscany that makes it so special.  Here is what they had to say:

Matt Snyder:

Rolling green hills, the fresh smell of the countryside, Renaissance history, art, and architecture, the incredible food, the even more incredible wine.... what's not to like about Tuscany? I was fortunate enough to visit Italy's primary wine producing region last summer, and it was one of the best vacations of my life. Tuscany truly embodies everything I love about food and wine - natural, earth-driven delights, such as Bistecca Fiorentina with a nice Brunello, born from a land that overflows with cultural wealth and has an unparalleled appreciation for all things epicurean. There's truly no other wine region like it on the planet.

Walter Greenwood:

I have had the pleasure of visiting Tuscany on three different occasions. It wasn’t until my third trip when I was able to submerge myself in the more laid back Italian life style. I was fortunate enough to become good friends with a local in Florence that showed me how day to day life is living in the Tuscan capital. What I enjoyed most about Tuscany was the welcoming locals and fantastic food and wine scene. To me there is nothing better than sitting in a quaint square while sipping on local wines and indulging in a simplistic meal that is elevated with outstanding olive oil that was produced just miles away. Forget about planning your trip based on tours and set schedules. Talk to the locals and find out what they do on there down time then submerge yourself in the fantastic Tuscan life style.  

Tuscany 2004

And for me? My personal love affair with wine started in Tuscany...  I'd been your typical wine enthusiast until 2004 when I arranged a trip for a group of 10 friends to one of the most gorgeous wine regions in the world.  In the year before the trip I became completely obsessed with learning everything I could about Tuscan wine and local food traditions and the more I learned, the deeper I dove.  The trip itself had a profound impact on me as I experienced first hand the passion that Italians have for wine and food, the emphasis they put on family and tradition, the dedication to preserving their history and culture -  it became a major turning point in my life.  Not just about how I wanted to make a living, but about how I wanted to live my life.    

We're excited to share our love of all things Tuscan this Wednesday as we pour the four amazing wines.  And of course there will be Italian themed cheese and meat plates available to pair with the wines.  Flites are $15 for 4-2oz pours of delicious wine!  Here's a little preview on the wines we'll be serving. 

2011 Mazzoni Bianco -  The perfect Italian summer white blend from the Tuscan coast. Beautiful with  the local Pecorino Toscano cheese (which we'll be serving this evening) and light seafood dishes, this is a blend of Vermentino (75%) and Chardonnay (25%) all fermented in stainless steel tanks and allowed to settle for 5 months on the lees to intensify the complexity of the flavors. On the palate it is fine, elegant, savory, with the right acidity and the structure that recalls its Tuscan origin. $14.99

2012 La Spinetta il Rose' di Casanova - A delicate, yet complex pale-salmon colored rose' made from a blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Prugnolo Gentile (the clone of Sangiovese used to make the famed Vino Nobile of Montepulciano) from gently sloping Tuscan hillsides that enjoy cool Mediterranean breezes. Elegant rose petal aromas followed by a hint of pomegranate and sour cherry on the palate. Perfect with garden salads, mild cheeses and light, delicate fish like trout and the local branzino. $18.99

2009 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva - Nothing says Tuscany like

Chianti Classico paired with Tagliatelle con Ragu di Cinghiale (pasta with wild boar) and this is one special Chianti! The  #31 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2012, 93 points from Robert Parker, 92 from Tanzer, this is a stunner!  One of the top producers in Chianti, the Castello di Monsanto estate sits halfway between Florence and Sienna, near the historic medieval town of San Gimignano. Here, Monsanto can trace its roots back to an Etruscan settlement in the late 10th Century. The native and elegant varietal of Sangiovese has been cultivated on their lands for the past 200 years, and while the "fattoria," or farm has been in operation for the past three centuries.  At $24.99 it is an amazing taste of the Tuscan hills.

2010 Aia Vecchia  Lagone - Aia Vecchia is located deep in the Tuscan countryside between Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci. This is the land of Super Tuscan, where a favorable microclimate and soils produce very high quality wines from the French Bordeaux varietals of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The Lagone is 60% Merlot , 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cab Franc that is aged one year in barrique and six months in bottle. There is an elegance and defined structure to this wine that makes it seem more expensive than its very modest price. ST 90pts., WE 91pts. 

Perfect Summer Reds

 

Imagine this scenario.  You are sitting in your neighbors backyard under a big umbrella, beads of perspiration accumulating on your forehead from the Saturday afternoon heat.  An overflowing platter of grilled steaks, burgers and Terranova sausages arrives at the table surrounded by traditional picnic fare.  Ready to dig in, all you need is a good glass of wine to wash it all down and you notice a bottle on the table.  Warm from the summer heat, out of the bottle pours a fumy, headachey, hot glass of a big red wine and you suddenly find yourself searching for the cooler full of cold beer instead...

While there is nothing wrong with this scenario for some, for many of us it's just too much to drink big reds in the hot summer months especially if you are outside.  But thankfully for red wine lovers there are great alternatives that are delicious with a slight chill and can hold up to your most of your grilled fare. Here are four great summer reds that we'll be featuring these at our Wednesday Nite Flites this week - a few very unique, hard to find wines and some traditional favorites that are all perfect for our climate and your picnics!

2012 Clos Cibonne Cuvée Spéciale Tibouren - Obscurity and drinkability from the South of France, this wine was a huge hit in our Provence tasting last week as we sold every bottle we had in stock!  The Roux family of Clos Cibonne are great fans of Tibouren, a native varietal and believed it to be the ideal grape for the region. As part of André Roux’s revitalization in the 1930s he replaced all of the estate’s Mourvèdre with Tibouren. The estate’s vineyards are located a mere 800 meters from the coast and are surrounded by hillsides in the base of a bowl that faces the Mediterranean Sea. This topography creates air circulation that allows for perfect maturation of the grapes. A truly unique wine,  The Cuvée Spéciale Tibouren is made from 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache with a fairly rich layer of deeply savory notes and perfumed red fruits all backed by core of acidity and velvety tannins.  This is very good and you should try it before it is all gone...$24

2012 Ameztoi Stimatum - You've seen both the Ameztoi Rose' and white in the store and we've just  brought in the brand new to the market red!  From the Basque region of Spain, just five minutes down the coast from San Sebastian, Ameztoi’s vineyards overlook the Bay of Biscay. The Ameztoi family has been making txakolina in Getaria for seven generations, and in 2013 the estate introduced a new project: Ameztoi Stimatum. Made from 100% Hondarribi Beltza, this is red txakolina, sourced from their highest elevation vinyards and fermented with indigenous yeasts, the Stimatum shows bright and juicy flavors of boysenberry and other wild fruits with a refreshing acidity that holds it all together. $18

2010 Terres Dorees Cotes du Brouilly - Jean Paul Brun is located in Charnay, a village in the Southern Beaujolais just north of Lyons, in a beautiful area known as the "Region of Golden Stones". Brun is the owner and winemaker at this 40-acre family estate and has attracted the attention of the French and American press for the wonderfully fruity and delicate wines he produces. Brun wants to make "old-style" Beaujolais and his vinification differs from the prevailing practices in the region. He believes that the charm of Gamay's fruit is best expressed by the grapes' indigenous yeasts, rather than by adding industrial yeast. His wines are capable of aging, yet enjoyable young as well. The Côte de Brouilly is fresh, energetic and spicy, light but intense and very fine. $20


2008 J. Daan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - There are very wines from this infamous vintage in Oregon still available so this is another that you should scoop up while you still can!  Justin and Megan Van Zanten own this small winery in the Yamhill County town of Carlton. J Daan Wine Cellars, currently housed at the Carlton Winemakers Studio, is the effort of Justin and Megan Van Zanten. Justin's "day job" is as assistant winemaker to Andrew Rich, and he worked previously at major Oregon wineries, including Adelsheim and Chehalem.  The wine is produced from the Croft-Williamson Vineyard and Apolloni Vineyard grapes. This vintage shows off the best of Willamette Valley Pinot-- lush flavors of raspberry and cherry with an elegant finish and silky mouthfeel. $24


You can taste all of these with Kimi and Walter at our Wednesday Nite Flites this week, $15 for four amazing wines and no reservations required!

The Idyllic Wines of Provence

Provence...

Just saying the word brings visions of lazy seaside lunches, enjoying fresh seafood under a dazzlingly blue sky and of course, glasses of cool, delicious salmon colored wine. Known as the birthplace of rosé  this area of southern France is one of the world's oldest wine regions and offers many distinct styles of red, white and rosé making it a source of intrigue for wine professionals an enthusiasts around the globe.

Provence is blessed with perfect climate: sunny, dry days, with just enough rainfall, and the famous "Mistral" winds, blowing down from the north, drying out the grapes and protecting them from rot and other diseases while sea breezes temper the hot rays of the sun. The quintessential Mediterranean climate!

While rosé is king here, reds and whites are hugely popular as well. Provençal reds feature Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut, and Carignane. They are usually boldly flavored, solidly built, medium-bodied wines, with moderate to pronounced tannic structure. The reds pair well with the assertively flavored meat and game dishes of the region, especially lamb and venison.

White wines from Provence are made from Ugni Blanc, Rolle, Semillon and the Rhone varieties Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Clairette with Viognier and Roussanne making inroads lately as well. They are an excellent match with the seafood-based cuisine of the Mediterranean coast, as well as with the spices and herbs used so liberally in Provençal cuisine.

And then there Provençal rosé, the perfect summer wine with its typical floral- and berry-infused bouquet, savory minerality and a dry, high-acid finish.  The typical grapes are Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah

and Tibouren with Cabernet making it into a few of the blends.  Perfect for quaffing, delicious with seafood, cheese, and spicy, light dishes; for me the quintessential summer wine.  I always anxiously await the new vintages and producers in the spring and you will always find many Provence options in our rosé section.

Sommelier Kimi Kiviranna just finished an extensive course on the region and is anxious to share her new found knowledge with you! We'll feature 3 rosés, 2 reds and a hard to find white from the area and we've invited Casey Foote from St. James Cheese to join us with some delicious pate and French formage to pair with the wines. $30 - Reservations and prepayment required. Thursday, May 16, 6:30pm @ Swirl. We have spots for 5 more lucky people! Call 504.304.0635.

10 Reason to Bring Your Jazz Fest Guests to Swirl!

Happenings
Jazz Fest Central Round 2!
The energy in the neighborhood last week was incredible as we kicked off Jazz Fest 2013 with mostly good weather, amazing music and lots of backyard parties that continued well after the gates had closed.  While we got a little cleansing rain yesterday, it looks like there's more beautiful weather on the way. And with that extra day at the Fest on Thursday this week we want to be sure to give you and your out of town guests lots of reasons to stop in to shop for party beverages, check out all of the local art and fun t-shirts or have a drink at the bar. 

10 Reasons to Bring Your Out-of-Town Guests to Swirl

1. Check out one of New Orleans Own Famed Food Trucks - Zagat just published a list of "must try" food trucks, selecting one truck from 10 major cities across the US, and guess who they picked from Nola? Midcity's own Fat Falafel! You can check 'em out, every Tuesday in front of Swirl 6-8pm where they are dishing out delicious Mediterranean food ($5-$10) that you can bring into the shop with wine specials at the bar selected to pair with the food.

2. Wine by Local Producers - People are always looking for "local" wines and we feel these great labels produced by some of our favorite New Orleanians should fit the bill and deliver a whole lot of quality.  We've got James Moises' 2008 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir and his 2011 Pinot Gris in stock from Oregon and the entire lineup of Vending Machine Wines from Napa including the brand new relase of Horror Show III! Open a bottle in house, take a few home, or we can ship!

3. Refreshing Mimosas to Kick off Your Day at the Fest - Join us on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week from 10:30-12:30 for our $5 mimosas - a Jazz Fest Swirl tradition!
 
4. Great Local Art on the Walls - Check out the really cool New Orleans themed work with local art from "in nola words" and Shaun Aleman, Lizano’s Glass Haus, Carnival Sculptures, Jeanne Catahula Vidrine and Julia Stefanski! Their original works start at just $20!!

5.  Quality Selection of Wine and Beer - The perfect gift to thank you for hospitality?  Bring them over to pick up a few bottles for the house or sit outside and watch the festers go by while enjoying a glass of wine and a cheese plate.  How about a nice cold rosé to sit on the bayou with in evening? The perfect end to a wonderful day at the fest!

6.  Artisan Cheese, Chocolates and Breads - Fresh breads from Maple Street Patisserie, a nice selection of imported cheeses, olives, cured meats and local chocolates from Bittersweet confections await!  Cheeses are cut into perfect cheese plate sized chunks and breads are delivered fresh on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

7. Try a Wine Flite at the Bar -  Stop by on Wednesday for a special flite nite featuring 4 of our favorite summer picks!  We've got some stunners in the lineup this week with the Steven Kent Lola, Hammacher Pinot Noir Rose from Oregon and two killer reds!  Flites will feature 4-2oz pours of really great juice.  No reservations required, just pull up a seat at the bar and get your boarding pass! Selections for the flite are posted on our Facebook page on Wednesday. $15

8. Chef Walter's Culinary Treats on Friday from 5-9pm!  -  Chef Walter Greenwood's small plates have become "must try" culinary treats on Fridays and he'll be back again this week with some great new items to hold you over 'til the taxicab line thins out!

9. Citizen Nola Tees  - We're stocked up with those cleverly designed tees from our friends at Citizen NOLA so come over and check out the new designs coming in on Tuesday!They make great gifts and "festive" wear!

10.  More than 25 Wines by the Glass - Have a drink at the bar or sit outside with a cheese plate and watch the festers go by! And our selection of quality rose' is infamous!  The perfect New Orleans summer beverage!

There's Something About Alloro...

The first time I heard the name Alloro Vineyards I was on a plane to Portland for our first trip to Oregon.  Anytime you are headed to wine country, anywhere in the world, people have opinions on where you "must go".  As this guy spouted off about Alloro to his friend, I didn't pay much attention to him but I did file the name in the back of my brain for future reference.  

As you drive down Highway 99 from Portland into the Willamette Valley, the first AVA you hit is Chehalem Mountain with the town of Sherwood marking the entrance to wine country.  Blue and white signs along the road announce which wineries are where and your heart starts to beat a bit faster just thinking about all of the delicious wine that awaits you.  And as we came through Sherwood on that initial drive down through the valley, one of the very first blue signs I see is for Alloro Vineyards.  Including the location of the winery into that file in the back of my brain, we drove on through Newberg, then Dundee and Lafayette, stopping finally in Carlton to check in to our apartment.

That evening at dinner James Moises is talking about other wineries that have approached him about distributing their wines in New Orleans.  Again the name Alloro comes up and I realize that after the third mention in a day, I need to pay attention.  So James ends up visiting the winery the day we leave the valley and is incredibly impressed with the place, the wines and the people.  Yes, he will be picking up the wines and he can't wait for us to try them.  And after much discussion we end up putting Alloro Vineyards on our itinerary for our upcoming Artisan Oregon wine trip in October, based purely on James' excitement about his experience.

Photo from allorovineyards.com

Then comes the big Wine Spectator article on Oregon's 2010 vintage and the Alloro Riservata Pinot Noir is chosen as one of the top 20 wines out of 550 tasted for the article and the Chehalem Mountain Pinot scoring 92 points!  No longer filed in the back of my brain, the wines certainly have gotten my attention and are now in the store. We finally had a chance to revisit the 2010 Chehalem Mountian with dinner last night, inspiring this blog post today!

From the southwest facing slope of Laurel Ridge in the Chehalem Mountains, the vineyard plantings start at 475 feet and rise to about 650 feet and have either a southwest or southeast aspect.  The soil is classified as Laurelwood Series, a silty soil made of ancient decomposed volcanic material with a top layer of ancient sediment. 

It's all estate grown fruit and they only produce 1200 cases of the Chehalem Mountain and 300 cases of the Riservata.  Both are in stock as well as their lovely Pinot Noir Rose'!  So if you are a fan of really well made, small production Oregon Pinot Noir, come by, we are sure you'll be impressed!

2010 ALLORO PINOT NOIR, 92 points

Sleek and refined, with a nice point to the black cherry and mineral flavors, lingering with haunting delicacy on the finish.  Drink now through 2018. 

2010 ALLORO ‘RISERVATA’ PINOT NOIR, 93 points

Polished, expressive and distinctive, offering meaty, savory overtones around a silky core of black cherry and mulberry fruit, coming together with intensity and harmony on the finish.  Drink now through 2020. 

Cocktails and Bikinis @ Three Muses

The Amuse Bouche and cocktail we paired at the Chef Dan Esses' Supper Club last week was a big hit with the crowd.  "Bikinis" really are a Spanish tapas menu called as such because they are cut in little triangles like a bikini bottom!  Thin, grilled, crustless sandwich with usually made with black truffles, Iberian ham and cheese, how could you go wrong?

We paired the bikinis with a simple, classic style cocktail that we named Epanoles Ocaso or Spanish Dusk for it's burnt orangy color.  Made with a dry fino sherry and a red vermouth, it was deliciously refreshing!

Españoles Ocaso

      1 oz El Maestro Sierra Fino Sherry

1 oz Dolin Rosso Vermouth

1 dash Bitterman’s Citrus Bitters

1 twist orange peel

Stir well over ice cubes in a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, add a twist of orange peel and serve.