The Value of Chilean Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is one of the world's most difficult grapes to work with.  As such, it has a price tag much larger than other varietals.  It needs perfect growing conditions.  As an early ripening grape, Pinot Noir prefers a cooler climate and longer growing season.  The longer growing season allows the grapes to develop fully and mature to their potential.  So, this is a common denominator as to the areas that Pinot Noir is suited to make the best wine.

The most obvious area for great Pinot Noir is its home in the Burgundy region of France.  However, finding a bargain from Burgundy is a difficult thing.  Moving around the world, Oregon, New Zealand and parts of California share similar conditions, though a bit still on the pricier side.  Now Chile is being recognized as a place for great Pinot Noir.  Better yet, great Pinot Noir at great prices.

These are three examples of great price to value:

Terrapura Pinot Noir comes from a single vineyard in the Aconcagua Valley relatively close to the Pacific Ocean,  It is hand picked, which is something that drives prices up in other parts of the world. 

For example, hand picked, single vineyard wines in Oregon or California have prices over $50.00 per bottle.  Terrapura sells in the $11.99 range.

Carmen Wave Series Pinot Noir is another cool coastal wine from the Leyda Vallay.  This one is also hand picked and sells in the $11.99 range.

Ritual Pinot Noir from Casablanca Valley is joint venture between Paul Hobbs and the Veramonte winery.  Another hand picked and hand made wine, this one is a bit pricier, but well worth it ($17.99).

Cheers to all Pinot Noir fans that are on the quest to find great wine at a great price!

Cook Bacon Naked "Bacon Freak" Style

Bacon Freak

Bacon Freak Bacon starts off with Kentucky's finest hogs.  From there, everything is done by hand, cutting, curing, rubbing and smoking. The smoking is done on a real hickory fire, ensuring the best in hickory smoke flavor.

Their curing method dates back 2000 years to the Roman times. This method extracts the water from the bacon.  Meaning, when you cook a pound of bacon, you still end up with just about a pound of bacon.  Mass produced bacons are injected with water as a means of raising the weight.  Consequently, the water cooks out, and there is much less bacon as a result.

Another important note, is that you can actually fry Bacon Freak Bacon naked. This not only means clothing optional, it means there is no splatter since there is no water.

In addition to their bacon, Bacon Freak has an entire line of other goodies.  From hot sauces and BBQ sauces to clothing and pet snacks.  We've started off with 2 hot sauces and 2 BBQ sauces.

  

Bacon Hot Sauce - The original bacon flavored hot sauce.  Good on eggs, pizza, potatoes, wings and anything else you can think of.

Porcus Internum - VooDoo chile sauce and salsa.  The warning on the bottle states "Semper Porcinus" Not for use as a personal lubricant.

Honey Apple Bacon BBQ Sauce - A sweet, tangy BBQ sauce with the bacon flavor.

Flaming Bacon BBQ Sauce - Habaneros combined with other hot peppers are at the core of this spicy BBQ sauce.

These items are available now at Main Street, and we'll be adding more as the summer goes along.

Please visit the Bacon Freak website to see if there is anything you would like us to bring in.

Sprecher Craft Soda

Craft Sodas are doing to Coke and Pepsi what Craft Beer has done to Budweiser and Coors Light.The statistics and reactions are similar.  Overall beer sales have declined over the past few years, while Craft Beer sales have increased.  The same with Craft Soda.  So what do the big boys do? They purchase or acquire Craft Soda makers and add them to their portfolio.

Although there is no definition of Craft Soda, they generally don't use high fructose corn syrup or much in the way of preservatives.  Needless to say, they are made in small batches.

The Sprecher story begins in 1985.  That's when Randal Sprecher left a nice job at Pabst to start his own business.  Its been such a success story that they had to move into a bigger facility in 1994.  Sprecher makes both Craft Beer and Craft Soda.  While the beers are still not available to us, we're happy the sodas are. Descriptions are from the Sprecher Website.

LoCal Root Beer - Our Lo - Cal Root Beer Soda is prepared in a hand-made, gas-fired kettle right at our micro-brewery. By using just a touch of real Wisconsin honey, pure vanilla and a host of botanicals, we produce our rich, rooty flavor and thick creamy head. (Note: contains the sweetener saccharin.) For your optimum enjoyment, serve in frosted mugs.

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Cherry Cola - Sprecher Cherry Cola is a masterful blend of Wisconsin’s own Door County cherry juice, raw honey, the finest cola extract, and a handful of select spices cooked to perfection in our gas-fired brew kettles then lightly carbonated for refreshment that tickles the taste buds with an array of pleasing flavors. One sip and we’re sure you’ll agree – cherry cola has never tasted this good!

Ginger Ale - Our ginger ale is a sophisticated soda, pale in color and reminiscent of a light, sparkling chardonnay. Its complex flavor is very dry on the palate, combining the bite of ginger ale with a surprising hint of oak. A truly unique taste experience. Nothing like the ginger ale you are used to!

Puma Cola - All Natural Puma Kola, is fire-brewed in our unique gas-fired kettle for distinctive flavor and character. Each batch is made from scratch using the finest ingredients; kola extract, real vanilla, a pinch of cinnamon and pure honey. You will roar with delight at this wonderfully rich and flavorful soft drink.

There are other flavors available, and we'll be adding them also.

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Spicy Sweet Potato Soup with Chorizo

6 oz. Dried Chorizo Salami (I used Volpi)
2 TBS. Olive Oil
2 medium onions, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 lbs. Sweet Potatoes, peeled and diced
1 lb. Baking Potatoes, peeled and diced
2 1/2 Quarts Chicken Stock
1 bottle dark, malty beer (I used Breckenridge Vanilla Porter)
2 tsp. Chili Powder
1 tsp. Cumin
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Turmetic
Salt and Pepper to taste
4 oz. Cream Cheese
4 oz. Sour Cream
1 6.5 oz. Container of Victory Hop Devil Cheddar Spread)

Render the Chorizo in a soup pan with 1 TBS. olive oil. About 5 minutes.
Add the other TBS. of olive oil and the onions and garlil.
Cook until the onions are tender and translucent.  About 10 minutes.
Next add the Chicken Stock, Potatoes, Beer and spices (I usually mix and prepare them ahead)
and bring to a boil.  Lower heat to and simmer until the potatoes are fork tender.  About 30 minutes.
With the heat still on low, add the Cream Cheese, Sour Cream and Cheddar Spread.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream and some minced parsley.

Beer pairings:  Breckenridge Vanilla Porter
                         Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout

Wine Pairings:  Lapierre Raisins Gaulois Beaujolais
                          Penfolds Koonunga Hills Chardonnay

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