Shock and Flaw

I had been wanting to see "Bottle Shock" since Kevin Zraly mentioned it in wine class a few months ago. The movie is the "based on the true story" of Chateau Montelena in Napa beating the French in a blind tasting for the best white in Paris back in 1976. Bill Pullman plays Jim Barrett, the winning vintner, and the rest of the cast is name-brand: Alan Rickman, Freddy Rodriguez, Eliza Dushku, Chris Pine (before his star turn in "Star Trek," of course). I wish I could say I liked it, but the script was just so clunky and predictable. Maybe they were dumbing down a wine movie for the masses, but I was expecting something a little more sophisticated. "Bottle Shock" was at Sundance in 2008, and then seemingly went straight to DVD. This movie wasn't about the grape; it was pure corn.

Neighborly in New York

As a New Yorker for the past eight years, I can ignore almost anything except a) people talking at the movies and b) the howling baby on the plane in the row behind me. Which is why it's so surprising to me that people are flocking to restaurants like Co. in Chelsea, which has communal dining tables, and talking to their neighbors. Usually we like to observe our fellow diners but never actually interact with them. But that's exactly what Bobby, Jane and I did a few nights ago: We spoke to our Italian/English-speaking neighbors to my right, and a cute young couple from the neighborhood on my left -- we even shared pizza with them! (That's Jane talking to them, above.)
The name is a little baffling; I keep referring to it as "Koh," but I have read that it's pronounced "Company." They have done a great job renovating a space that used to be a dumpy little corner bakery, into a refined room with lots of wood and soft lighting. The food, the wine and the service were spot-on. I started with a cup of the savory Tuscan bread soup, and Bobby, Jane and I shared the pizza bianca (flatbread with sea salt and olive oil, served with fresh ricotta), and I had the pizza margherita. Jane and I both sipped the Artazuri Rosado 2008 Bodega Artazu from Navarra, Spain ($9), a juicy, semi-dry rosé. Bobby had both the 2006 Falset (Monstant, Spain) for $9, a lighter red he described as "fine" ... and later a peppery Syrah 'Tous les Jours' 2006 (Andrew Murray Vineyards, Central Coast, California), also $9.
And I couldn't resist a scoop of praline gelato to top it off.

A Toast to Jane

Jane Armstrong lands in New York for her annual visit. Naturally, a cork must be popped; in this case a flute or two of Pommery n.v. before dinner in the neighborhood. This is one of my go-to types of bubbly, always crisp and refreshing. You can just never go wrong with the lighter-to-medium bodied Champagnes. (Well, actually, you can go wrong -- ask me the day after the Oscars every year. Oy.)

Think Pink

Last night was a fun evening of girl talk, sushi and rosé while helping Laura pack for her vacation to Cambodia. The wine was a 2007 L'Estandon Côtes de Provence, which was an appealing salmon pink in color and had notes of citrus. ($11.99). (L'Estandon's Web site says it's "Provence's oldest brand" so hopefully they know what they're doing.) Anyway, it went well with the sushi... and the gossip!

The rosé reminded me that I've been meaning to write about A Year in Provence, which I finished reading a few weeks ago. It was a pleasant enough diversion, but I failed to see why it was such a blockbuster. It seemed winkingly filled with stereotypes, drunken driving and tax evasion, and I had more than I could stomach concerning Peter Mayle's godforsaken home renovations. And enough about the weather! I guess it's an English thing. Loved the goat races, though.

Family Dinner

Last week I revisited 112, a restaurant in the warehouse district of Minneapolis. They've expanded since I last ate there; the new upstairs dining room is softly lighted and welcoming but a bit loud when the place is full. So what did we drink?
To start, Bud picked the 2007 Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine Reine Juliette (Languedoc, France), which was refreshing and slightly effervescent. ($20). Bud said he drank this on a summer trip to Provence, and I can see why. Next I selected the 2005 Vacqueyras, "La Graelière," Pierre Amadieu (Rhone, France), which was plush but a bit "closed-in" at first; it opened up enticingly as we got further into the bottle. ($42). To finish, Bud ordered the 2006 Minervois, Chateau d'Oupia (France), an extremely friendly blend -- I read later that it's 60 percent carignan, 30 percent syrah and 10 percent grenache -- and a great value at $24.
I had a delicious romaine/roquefort salad; the banana cream tart for dessert was a miss (not enough banana!). Next time I could stuff myself on the goodies they bring to the table automatically: addictive spicy nuts and green olives. And of course, something new from the well-organized and accessible wine list.