Fabulous Culinary Experiences: Wine, Wine, Wine

I used to be a horrible baker, I used to claim to "hate" it. However, in actuality I just didn't know how to do it. When I was in high school my mother used to dread when I got the itch to bake because I would make such a mess of the kitchen. One year for my step-father's birthday I decided to make him his favorite lemon poppy seed cake and left out the baking soda so it was a dense disk like cake. It was frustrating, especially being the daughter of an expert baker.

So, in 2007 I vowed to teach myself how to bake. I do not claim to be an expert but I have gotten much better and have a few recipes that I do very well and I continue to challenge myself as a baker. I am also very proud to say that I can bake up just about anything and not make a mess of my kitchen.

In 2008 I wanted a new challenge to add to my culinary knowledge so I decided to take on blogging. My thought was that it would make me think more carefully about the dishes I was making as I challenged myself to be witty and entertaining to create a blog that people would enjoy reading. I am not sure if I have accomplished all of that, however I have really enjoyed blogging and plan to continue with it.

Now, with 2009 quickly approaching I find myself thinking of where to stir my culinary focus. I have not fully decided as of yet, but I think I am leaning towards wine. Not only the drinking of wine (which of course is a plus), but also learning everything about it and how to pair it well with food.

Last weekend the Gilbertson's and the other Kallos' came over to dinner (Italian Pot Roast, YUMMY!) and we tried a new bottle of wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon by Myers Vineyard. This wine is a lot pricey that I would normally buy, about $48, but I decided to serve it as the salesman at the wine store said it was better than Silver Oak at half the price. Silver Oak is a Cabernet that all of us, excluding Peter who doesn't care for wine (shocking), really enjoy. It is about $80-$100 depending on where you go, but it is very smooth, rich and delicious. By far the best wine I have ever put in my mouth.

This new bottle was very good, and I would not turn it down if offered to me again, however it is no Silver Oak. It is not nearly as smooth as the Silver Oak and has a bit more of an alcohol taste than the Silver Oak.