Game of Seasons: A Vintage Girl on a serious wine/beer & food mission! www.gameofseasons.com

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Leftovers... Also what to drink on Thanksgiving Day....with all that yummy food!

Instagram @gameofseasons post 11/22/2016

Leftovers: Home-style Chow Mein thin noodles and Ha Gow.
I sipped with this spicy wonder, @prestonfarm Preston GSM 2012 Dry Creek Valley

Grenache-Syrah- Mourvedre Sonoma County blend.

Organic chemistry from 3 lovely grapes that love to bathe in the California sun.
This earthy wine hint the spot, and balanced well with aromas of black currant, over ripened dark cherries, and pomegranate, on the nose and on the palate. I'm definitely back in Cali, the oak is there. But it adds a little complexity that paired well w/ the Chinese mega-hot sauce and greasy yummy noodles. #leftovers #grapes #blend #california #wine #winenerd #winegeek #winelover #spicy #lifeofanimporter #beachlife #insf #womeninwine #busyday #chinesefood #hagow #foodie #chowmein #oak #caligirl #winepairing #winelifestyle

So Thanksgiving is approaching.
What do you bring if you are going over someone's house?!
BRING THE WINE!!!!!
Trust me if they need anything, or for you to bring something.....
They'll ask. Or make a request. Or potluck.
However, I never want to overwhelm the cook, especially if he or she has planned their dinner, and wants it a certain way.

Be the person that brings the booze.
People forget stuff like that when cooking for family, and generally concentrate on the "bird", the "fixins", and how many people they're serving.

What goes well with TURKEY?

Well....it depends on how you look at it. Is this family, friends, winos, professionals, or people who barely drink? If you don't know, in my professional opinion, always go with a PINOT NOIR.

Or chicken if you couldn't get that turkey!

Enjoy spending time with Your family and friends....

Also a ZINFANDEL will pair very well with these festivities!

These are just a few Thanksgivings experiences from past few years that I cooked with friends and paired wine with. This 2014 particular Thanksgiving, my friends father shot the turkey for us and we prepared it. I never had this experience before and when you are a serious foodie, worked in restaurants in the past....

This is something that I was excited for and freaked out at the same time. LOL

Being that this was in Burgundy, France everything tastes different....even down to the butter.

I had to bring something different and new. I brought a Cali Zin. I liked the Mazzocco, Zinfandel. The oak is not terribly strong for the French.

The Zin was was a hit, the bird was lovely, and so was dinner.

Last year, 2015, again I was in Burgundy. Francois(hubby) had never had an American Thanksgiving. This had to be fixed. This time, I had trouble finding a turkey. So the best thing I could find was a Rooster.

I also made a butternut squash lasagna with a creamy cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice flour, milk, and brown sugar sauce. He made an apricot pie.

I paired a 2011 Gevrey Chambertin, Pinot Noir,

and a 2012 California Rockpile Zinfandel to throw in some flare.

This was the lineup for my honey's 1st American Thanksgiving.

Also another year working in France for me, on my holiday.

I had to bring it again and was working with a Rooster, not turkey....

Before

After

And Butternut Squash Lasagna came out cheesy, savory, sweet and delicious.

My man was very happy, and so was I. Leftovers for days and even had friends over for lunch the day after. When in France you "baguette." Rooster sandwiches were tasty and made a perfect American holiday introduction for the French.

So if you're not sure, my suggestions would be:RED

1. Pinot Noir: It goes with almost everything. Simple. I've even paired Pinot Noir with Salmon. And it is good.

2. Zinfandel: (Experienced drinkers will appreciate the heat and the balance of a Zin, that goes very well with this type of heavy food. For me it breaks the heaviness down, and adds a little character...to slow the eating and really enjoy the food. Also California Zinfandels are high in alcohol. Generally 14%-17%! That's California, it's all the sun!)

3. Beaujolais Village or Nouveau: (This wine, it's light and easy to drink and won't overpower the meal. It's also great for people who aren't experienced drinkers, but will enjoy the wine and this pairing.)

White

1.Chardonnay is nice. So is a Chardonnay or Rose Champagne /Sparkling wine.

This year I am spending with friends, and we are going to a restaurant. We all work and none of us wanted to cook this year. LOL

I'm personally bringing one of my favorite "go to" wines and very reasonable in cost($11.00) *Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/ Viognier blend in 2014 and 2015.

SO....These are also the times I have to show off a tiny bit, because of my work...

I must bring it! So on that note, I will be bringing 2 of my imports for such an occasion. Plus my friends are professional winos and "will eat anything" and mixed with a little "stuck-up" foodie-food madness, I have to bring it. We work hard and play hard.... This year I am looking forward to our Adult Thanksgiving dinner 2016, and I'm back in the City.

2. I going to bring the Laurenti Rose Champagne 2014 and the Luxor 24k Gold Chardonnay Brut Sparkling Wine!

Laurenti Rose Champagne
Visit www.gameofseasons.com for full descriptions

Luxor 24k GOLD Chardonnay Sparkling Wine.
These are good, 'tis the season, and exclusively
Imported by Game Of Seasons.

Cheers from San Francisco!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks for stopping by,

xoxo Game of Seasons

Friday, November 11, 2016

Lady Markman's visit in France! When work meets fun!

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Game of Seasons visit to Rhône 2016 #lifeofanimporter

Friday, September 16, 2016

My latest trip in Champagne with my new and exclusive client was amazing! Grateful for days like this.... This is the reason I do this job, that I love, and work so hard for. It is the simplicity I enjoy, after hunting for something special. Finding that unique new wine experience, for me, is pure joy.

A beautiful day at the vineyard. Lovely very well taken care of and manicured Chardonnay vines and bountiful grapes!

Gorgeous! Some people like a cruise ship, I would take walking in a vineyard any day.....

Dominique Laurenti is the best!

(Nick as he told me....we are friends! Hey I am a Nik too! I love it!!)

https://youtu.be/VlwXl90CXcE

(press link above)

Luscious Chardonnay grapes ready for harvest!
I'm Lucky to see this!

Geeking out on Pinot Noir! Ready to be harvested. If you know anything about this area..... they are harvesting by hand, no machines! They do this quickly, because of the rain and weather! It has been very strange in Champagne. I know this from living part time in Bourgogne. This year of 2016, was very interesting in the weather. However, I am believing in the expertise and knowledge of these producers!

Moving on.....

My guy.....just enjoying what I do. Francois, was born and raised in Bourgogne, by his parents and they are Portuguese descent.... This sculptor and architect by trade, is always watching my back and secretly enjoys the behind the scenes work of my job. He knows it isn't always glamorous, but hard work. I appreciate his support and loving wine!

We continue with the tour and where the champagne is fermented.....some in barrels above and some is distilled in steel.

A private walk and geek moment to myself. And thank you Dominique for choosing me after I found you! He does NOT like big shots! He told me that he appreciates the passion for this(me) Boutique Importer and believes in my work! Thank you!

https://youtu.be/B_MUK23Gcxw

(Press the link above)

Inventory

Sleeping wine....aging!

My pallet is ready to be shipped to the US!

The day is finished. The Purchase has been made. Now the fun downtime.....

Enjoying champagne by the pool.

Next time I will bring a BIKINI!

HE even has a gameroom!

La Piscine at the winemakers home. I am a lucky girl! I am grateful to spend time with such cool winemakers and making dreams come true.

Thanks for stopping by....and as Robin Leach would say: Leach ended each episode with a wish for his viewers that became his signature catch phrase, "champagne wishes and caviar dreams." ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifestyles_of_the_Rich_and_Famous

xoxo Game of Seasons

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Autumn is coming! Get ready for PORTS and yummy food! At least I am.......Whooohoooo! Harvest season!

Jose Gourmet vihno garanita fine white port 19.5% alcohol and we love it. Yesssss! Feeling Warm and fuzzy inside is right now to be exact! The seasons are changing. Autumn brings fresh apples crisp apples and butternut squash both favorites. I love Zinfandel rouge ports from California, and there's nothing that touches a fine white port from Portugal, Porto.

Harvest on 2 sides of the world....I'll take it!

I would not be a game of seasons if I could not cook..... Also my betrothed is French, they like to eat.....so I kinda have to. LOL Years of pairing wine with dinner got me to where I'm standing today......