Winesday

Rene - Pale yellow/gold in glass. On the nose I get some lemon with cold cream. Fatty in mouth with a mineral viscosity and trace of spice. I think this wine do well with something substantial like the Veal Alyssa at Mr. John's. Or perhaps the Oysters Rock at The Bombay Club where they serve a fried oyster on a bed of absinthe laced cream spinach. But I'd be equally happy drinking this on its own.

Peter - This wine is a walking contradiction. The color is faintly yellow, so you expect muted flavors and crispness. The nose has a sweetness like fresh melon. Then you taste and the sugar is very mellow, with a good bit of tang/spice on the end. This go well with the pan sauteed drum with smoked tomato beurre blanc that was on my lunch table at Lilette yesterday.

Joe the Wine Guy - The 2010 Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc from Provenance reveals lively aromas reminiscent of lemon custard, Key lime, orange blossom and kiwi. Hints of lemongrass and mineral - the signatures of this grape varietal - add complexity. The mouth-coating flavors pick up apple cobbler and nutmeg notes before culminating in a long, tangy finished that is lightly nuanced with sweet oak spice. This wine's vibrant, balanced acidity makes it a delicious apertif or compliment to lighter entrees. Retails for $24.99 and poured at Mike's on the Avenue and Mr. B's.

Winesday Redux - Coincidentally, Provenance Winery holds a special place in the hearts of Blackened Out fans because that is where Peter, The Pope, and their merry band of wineauxs stayed during their first trip to Napa. To read more about that viticultural adventure, click here.

Winesday

Peter: Really smooth. Tastes like a basic table wine or house red that you would be served at a small restaurant in Europe. Not a lot of tannins, but high alcohol content makes it linger around for a while. Thinking the lamb loin from Bistro Daisy.

Rene: Woodsy and spicy, I dont get a lot of fruit. Mellow wine not syrupy as some pinots can be. Acidity is present which I like in Burgundies or Oregon Pinots. This begs for something with mushrooms or a dark stock. Recently had a seafood gumbo at 5 Fifty 5 in the Marriott which would satisfy the latter. For the former, the blue corn crepes with huitlacoche, wild mushrooms, and brandy from Green Goddess would do the trick.

Joe the Wine Guy: The wine is a 2008 Acacia Pinot Noir sourced from the Los Carneros American Viticultural Area. The 2008 vintage was not ideal, but the orientation of the Acacia vineyards protected the grapes from the frost. The wine opens with ripe plum, raspberry and blackberry aromas. On the palate, the fruitiness gives way to nuttiness from the oak aging. Fine tannins structure the wine, while bright acidity nicely balances the bright, raspberry finish. Drink it with grilled salmon or chicken, roasted pork, veal or lamb, and mushroom dishes. Available at Ruth's Chris, Bombay Club, K-Paul's, and Dorignacs. Retail price is $22.

After Work Today...

Every four years the citizens of America rally around the local ballot box to cast their vote for the next president. And legend has it that if the president-elect sees his shadow, we get four more years of late night comedy.

We here at Blackened Out feel it is below us to pollute such a noble website with discussions about politics. And we dont want to ostracize half of our viewers by endorsing one candidate or another. Plus our mothers always told us to not talk about religion or politics at the dinner table.

But we have a feeling tonight Americans will be either really happy, very relieved, depressed, or furious by the end of tonight. But mostly citizens will be drunk. So tonight head on out to the Bombay Club and watch the election results. The Bombay Club has the type of atmosphere to make any Republican feel elitist and any Democrat guilty about the sorry state of the hoi polloi. A large selection of martinis will help you either drown sorrows or celebrate victory. Good food as well. And private booths in case Mary Matalin and James Carville decide to reach across the aisle in a display of bipartisan affection. Gross.

Let's face it the Presidential Election is important, but not as important to New Orleanians as the DA's race or the Congressional election in which Dollar Bill seeks to cement his position as the least effective member of Congress. When the FBI raided the freezers of the Blackened Out office they found 3 snickers bars, a bottle of vodka, and some frozen fish.

How both Presidential candidates have been able to run for office without barely mentioning New Orleans, hurricane protection, or Katrina is beyond us; but maybe that is for the best. Leave us alone and drinking.

No matter the outcome of any and all elections tomorrow Blackened Out Media will begin selling the following bumper sticker, "Don't blame me, I voted for The Pope."

OBAMA!!!! MCCAIN!!!! ITS THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ON FOX!