winewaves

Biker Zin and The Road to Sturgis

My guess is a lot of bloggers have experienced what I'm going through. I find myself covered up in more lucrative work and the time left over for updating my blog suffers badly. Especially this summer, Winewaves has taken a back seat.

Take this week: I'm in the Sturgis, South Dakota area working for one of my "clients", a family company started by my brother and cousin, Diamond Gusset Jeans. G. Gordon Liddy interviewed me about our motorcycle jean called the Defender, which has Kevlar reinforcement to protect you in case that day comes when (heaven forbid) you hit the pavement. The Sturgis Rally is a spectacle for those not acquainted with it. There are hundreds of thousands of mostly Harley riders commencing on western South Dakota, with the little town of Sturgis being ground zero.

Shameless Promotion: Diamond Gusset Jeans are 100% American made, unlike just about any other jeans out there today, and they have a diamond shaped gusset sewn into the crotch for comfort and freedom of movement. I really like my pair of DG Carpenter jeans.

To get to Sturgis, I flew into Denver and drove up. I spent the night in Torrington Wyoming and discovered the Chicken Hut, which is a refreshing alternative to the national fried chicken chain restaurants. They purport to offer southern fried chicken, but I detected a hint of cumin which I've not come across down south. Still, the Chicken Hut makes truly outstanding fried chicken and it's worth going out of the way for. The crust isn't overly thick or greasy, and the meat is moist, tender and nicely seasoned. Even the typical side dishes: fries, cole slaw and a biscuit were tasty.

There is some wine involved on this trip, too. I brought a bottle of Four Vines Biker Zin 2005 with me. It hails from Paso Robles. I like the 2004 that I picked in Denver on the way to last year's Sturgis Rally, and I like the 2005 at least as much. I drank it in my hotel room with a really good carry-out bacon cheeseburger from the All Star restaurant in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

Very nice value ($23). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 15%.

Style: Boldly fruit forward, unabashedly lush, with moderate oak spice and polished tannins.

Photo is from 2004 vintage, but the '05 looks the same.

Comment: To heck with the terroir-ists who say they want to do away with all high alcohol fruit bombs. Sturgis is all about freedom of expression and this wine expresses freely.

The other event that has put a damper on my blogging this summer was the passing of Opal, our feline companion who ruled the house for 18 years. She passed July 31st at 1:11 PM with my ear pressed against her chest the moment her heart stopped. She showed up on our door step back in 1989 and I can't believe she left us. Opal is sadly missed.

Some Expensive Home Grown Heirloom Tomatoes

These heirloom tomato plants growing in our Nashville Tennessee backyard may well produce the world's most expensive tomatoes. These pictures were made today (Mother's Day), marking the end of week number 2 since these plants went into the ground. The largest plants have already grown to 18 inches tall.

The raised beds were made out of treated lumber salvaged from the deck that was removed from the house a few years ago. The soil is "Sta-Green" brand and the 20 bags cost about $120-130. The landscape fabric cost almost $10 and the pine needles cost $12. Then there was the cost of the soaker hoses ($18 total) and the support cages ($70). The varieties of tomatoes include: Brandywine, Mortgage Lifter, Arkansas Traveler, German Green, Mr. Stripey, Amish Paste, Boxcar Willie and more. There are a few peppers and a couple of basil plants in the beds.

It should not be too long before a show of tomatoes can be produced along with corresponding wine recommendations for pairing with home grown tomato dishes.

The slideshow format is a new feature here at Winewaves. You may click here or any picture above to be transported to a slightly larger version of the same slide show.

Burgerville Exceeds Expectations

Having heard about Burgerville from Jane & Michael Stern's "Road Food" appearance on American Public Media's The Splendid Table hosted by Lynne Rossetto Kasper, a lunch stop was a must on my trip from San Francisco to Seattle via Portland and Walla Walla.  The location I chose was The Dalles Oregon, the last location heading east for 24,700 miles according to the billboard before the exit off I-84.

The story of Burgerville is fresh, local and sustainable "fast food", in other words, a myriad of burgers with everything, fish and chicken sandwiches, fries and shakes, hold the guilt. I didn't expect the food itself to be the best tasting food value of my 8-day trip, but it was. As an added bonus, I found the people to be incredibly nice and interested in my needs.

Burgerville is a relatively small chain of quick service restaurants located in northwestern Oregon and southwestern Washington, founded in 1961. Although they look like the typical fast food place from the outside, the emphasis is on quality from the inside out. You pay a bit more for their food and you may wait a minute or two longer for it, but in return you get a more thoughtful product which does taste better and makes you feel better too.

Ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible from area farmers and producers who follow sustainable and eco-friendly methods. All power is purchased from local wind production, and all employees (20+ hours per week for at least 6 months) are given access to affordable health insurance.

Beef is purchased from Oregon Country Beef, cheese from Tillamook, hazelnuts for their seasonal Chocolate Hazelnut Shake from Oregon orchards, onions for their onion rings from Walla Walla, and so on. In mid-January Burgerville became the first quick service restaurant chain to begin using cage-free eggs exclusively.

I ordered a Pepper Bacon Tillamook Cheeseburger with french fries and iced tea. The burger was perfection, well presented, hot and freshly made, and beautiful to look at. The bun was fresh and worthy of eating unlike most fast food hamburger buns. The beef was attractively seared and smelled wonderful. The bacon was cooked to perfection, not an afterthought or gimmick. The lettuce and tomato were the right color and provided the correct contrast to the hot burger. I would even have to compliment the flavor and quality of the mayonnaise.

The french fries were piping hot and crisp the way you would write the standard but which you rarely encounter in a fast food venue.  Even the iced tea was special, brisk and well extracted with a fruity nose and full body.

Although the burger basket took care of my physiological hunger, my eyes and brain needed to try two more items on the menu: the Halibut and the Chocolate Hazelnut Shake. I ordered them up before leaving on my way, and thankfully so. The Halibut was firm, flaky white, with a crisp and not greasy crust, absolutely delicious. And while I'm not really a milkshake lover, this one is the real deal and something you have to try. Other seasonal mikshakes and items are available in the Spring and Summer.

I was waited on by "Dannie" and "Bobbi" who made me feel like a local during my short stay in The Dalles. They allowed me to take their picture and when I was taking a picture outside Bobbi came out and took mine. That's the first time that's ever happened; thanks Bobbi! Y'all really exceeded my expectations.

Sonoma County Carneros Rainbow

Yesterday evening (January 26th) after completing some business totally unrelated to wine in sunny Sacramento, I decided to make my way to San Francisco via Sonoma.

My intention was to pick up a few items at Sonoma Market before settling into the Holiday Inn where the food and wine choices are, let's face it, scant. My layover in San Francisco was to attend the ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) annual trade tasting on January 27th.

There was just a little break in the clouds right as the sun was low in the sky, and suddenly in front of Nicholson Ranch's Visitor Center a big rainbow appeared. My Taurus rental car veered into the parking lot and I was forced to snap off a few pictures. Apparently this phenomenon is common in Carneros, but my being in Carneros is not. And this year January has been dry.

Nicholson is a Pinot Noir producer, and the tasting room was busy at the time of the rainbow, although it seems I was the only one impressed by it. That wine must be pretty good.

Flying Over New York City 9-11-2006

Five years ago, I was on a flight from Nashville to Raleigh when the World Trade Center was hit, and I listened to the events on the radio as I drove to Winston-Salem and eventually back to Nashville. Therefore, I planned this week's trip to Maine and Philadelphia so that I would be in the air again on 9/11.

The flight was quiet this morning, but my fellow passengers were numerous and there wasn't any sense of fear. This was a picture I got out the window just as we passed over NYC, and it seemed a fitting remembrance.

Applejack Wine & Spirits Denver

My brother Jeff and I flew into Denver last week, and drove up through Wyoming into South Dakota, where we immersed ourselves in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for a day.  We were there to promote Diamond Gusset Jeans, which Jeff co-founded, and which are popular with Harley riders.  But before heading up to Deadwood, we stopped at Applejack.

Applejack has evolved to be the biggest wine and liquor store around.  The original store was geographically well-placed by visionary founder Herb Becker along the route to the ski resorts.  It was then purchased by alcohol beverage retailer pioneer (& current CEO) Alan Freis, who moved it into the current building in 1974 and has expanded it several times.  Now, together with son-in-law Jim Shpall, they have created a store that is buzzing even at 10 in the morning, and the action just gets busier from there.  A dull moment at Applejack is rare. The employees work hard for the money, moving a lot of cases.

Wine selection is beyond extensive.  The layout is good for a large store.  The case displays are at the front, and you don't even have to go back into the aisles to find plenty of choices that are current.  Back in the aisles there are extensive selections from all parts of the world, including impressive depth in Italian reds and Bordeaux.

A couple of years ago, Alan Freis himself was the first person to say hello when I came in.  He said then that he enjoys being on the floor, which having his son-in-law Jim in the business allows him to do.

The prices are very good, but you cannot use your plastic to pay - cash only.  Still, I purchased three wines to be reviewed here soon.  Because of the new air travel restrictions, I had to put the bottles in my checked luggage.  Thankfully, they made it home intact.  No interior pictures were allowed.

Southwest Airlines Drops Crown Royal and Foster's; Downgrades to Vendange Wines

Lately, I've been traveling a lot (not wine related), which is why July was a lean month for new wine posts at Winewaves.  Residing in Nashville as I do, and being on a budget, I've been loyal to Southwest Airlines for years.  In fact, three of the past 6 years, I've flown Southwest enough to earn a companion pass - no small feat.  And although I've experienced the ups and downs of air travel, I've always remained "in LUV with SWA".

However, for the first time, I'm truly disappointed with Colleen Barrett and the beancounters at SWA.  They just cheapened the bar!  Gone is Crown Royal!  Ouch!  Also out is Beringer's Stone Cellars Merlot and Chardonnay, replaced by noticeably lower quality Vendange.  Finally, Foster's has been replaced by Bud Select.

The resulting "bar menu" is short, yet it has Wild Turkey and Jack Daniels - a bourbon and very similar "Tennessee Whisky" on it.  They removed Crown, but no other Canadian took its place.  What do they have against Canadian whiskey?

I've always heard that only Jack would be offered were it not that Turkey is co-founder Herb Kelleher's fave.  Still, wasn't Crown a popular fave of the Vegas traveler, not to mention me?

Obviously, as Southwest is gradually losing its fuel hedge advantages over other airlines, they are rapidly feeling the need to cut costs, simplify offerings, and save money anywhere.

As for me, after an exhausting day on the road, once that door has closed and the cell phones are off, I want to think about the good options for a relaxing drink. 

I'm happy Heineken is still on the menu.  But I wish Southwest would reinstate Crown Royal, especially if they don't plan to upgrade the wine.  Charge $5 instead of $4 if need be.  Better yet, go the other way and offer more wine choices, even if at higher prices.

Key West Pineapple Rum & Cherry Pom

My assignment was to photograph some new signs at a hotel in Key West. It was my first trip to Key West, and the route included flying into Ft Lauderdale and driving a convertible to Duval Street, where I stayed at the La Concha Hotel.

It turned out to be a day off from wine tasting or drinking. My drink of the trip was fitting to the location: Pineapple rum on the rocks with a good splash of Pomwonderful's cherry pomegranate juice.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Rather than eating at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, the La Concha Hotel sent up my cheeseburger in paradise, complete with fries, and it went down well with the aforementioned Rum Pom drink. My only regret is that time didn't allow a visit to 915 Duval, the Tapas and Wine restaurant that people are talking about.

See the entire photo album.