Blood Of The Vines - Scared Of The Dark

Pairing‌‌‌ ‌‌‌wine‌‌‌ ‌‌‌with‌‌‌ ‌‌‌movies!‌‌‌  ‌‌‌See‌‌‌ ‌‌‌the‌‌‌ ‌‌‌trailers‌‌‌ ‌‌‌and‌‌‌ ‌‌‌hear‌‌‌ ‌‌‌the‌‌‌ ‌‌‌fascinating‌‌‌ ‌‌‌commentary‌‌‌ ‌‌‌for‌‌‌ ‌‌‌these‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌movies‌,‌‌ ‌‌‌and‌‌‌ ‌‌‌many‌‌‌ ‌‌‌more‌,‌‌ ‌‌‌at‌‌‌ ‌‌‌Trailers‌‌‌ ‌‌‌From‌‌‌ ‌‌‌Hell.‌‌‌  This week our trio of films is for those who sleep with a nightlight on. Don't worry, we have wine pairings for each movie. And, we'll leave the light on for you.

Darkman, from 1990, was directed by Sam Raimi and starred Liam Neeson as a scientist who was severely burned in an explosion. In true superhero fashion, he hides his disfigured face and seeks revenge on those who took his good looks away from him. He hangs out in his new favorite place, The Dark.

The scientist happened to be working on developing synthetic skin for burn victims at the time, so chalk one up for synchronicity. "Hey, I could really use this stuff. Wish it was good in the daylight, too."

Dark Horse Wine's Double Down Red Blend is as dark in the bottle as it is on the label. Those molasses and dark chocolate notes will leave you quaking if you're scared of the dark. Fortunately, the alcohol level is high enough to get a good buzz going halfway through your second glass. It's cheap, too. 

The 2012 big screen version of Dark Shadows had an interesting cast. Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Helena Bonham Carter were in it, leaving us to wonder how Johnny Depp got the part since he only has two names. Jonathan Frid, who played the vampire Barnabus Collins in the TV series, had a cameo in the movie. By the way, he died just before the film was released, and the movie's producer passed away just afterward. Talk about dark.

I remember hating the hour when Dark Shadows the TV show was on. My sister loved it, and I simply couldn't take the low production value. Yeah, I was a snotty teenager. I don’t remember what was on the two other channels at that time, but it must have been good programming. The only times I fought with my sister were over what to watch on the only TV set we had in the house.

Wine pairing often pits the sweet against the savory. Barnabus Collins is definitely not sweet, so let's pour St. Barnabus Commandaria for Dark Shadows. It's a dessert wine from Cyprus, and it’s nice and sweet, the perfect counterpoint to the dark shadow cast by the vampire Barnabus.

1971's Daughters of Darkness serves up horror with something for everyone: vampires, an old hotel, a man with a weird mom, straight razors, and a side order of eroticism. Did you ever have the feeling that you'd seen someone before, but didn't really want to remember them? That's this movie.

Horror scribes have ranked it in their top 100 horror films, although down towards the end of that list. Considering how many horror films have been made, perhaps that's a reasonable achievement. Some folks like the movie's score, from François de Roubaix. As an added slice of darkness, actor John Karlen also played several roles in the TV version of Dark Shadows. Hey, if you're doing something you love, it's not really a job. 

Opaque Wines of Paso Robles invite you to "taste the darkness," so, why not? Their Darkness wine is made from Zinfandel, Primitivo, Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot grapes. Primitivo is basically the Italian version of Zin, but that's just those crazy Paso Roblians for ya. It's about $30 to taste a bottle of Darkness.

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Full-Bodied Rosé From Lodi

Michael David Winery in Lodi makes plenty of wines that have eye-catchingly oddball names. Freakshow, Lust, Rapture, The Scoundrel, the list really does go on and on. Today's wine, however, is simply called Rosé.

The Phillips family has been farming Lodi dirt since the 1860s. This brilliant pink wine is made using grapes taken from the family vineyards. Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot are blended to make this wine. It is vinified and aged in stainless steel, with no oak intervention. Alcohol is at 12% abv and the retail price is $22, although my bottle was on sale at Trader Joe's for a measly six bucks. 

This wine has a bold salmon color, very rich looking. The nose offers strawberry, peach, citrus, and a touch of lanolin aromas. The palate is fruit forward, too, and carries a refreshing acidity along with it. It is great as a sipper, but pair it with salads or cheese

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Edgy, Racy Chardonnay From Burgundy

Domaine Jean Defaix, is a family estate which has crafted Chablis for 150 years in the town of Milly. The domaine is led today by Vincent and Sebastian Dampt, the grandsons of Jean Defaix, who "continue the legacy of their father, Daniel Dampt, and grandfather. Winemaker Vincent follows the family philosophy of producing fresh, lively wines with a distinctive mineral character, choosing to forgo oak in favor of preserving the intense minerality of the Chablis terroir."

The Domaine embraces sustainable vineyard practices. This Grand Vin de Bourgogne has alcohol at 12.5% abv and it retails at around $30. 

This wine is a pale straw yellow in the glass. Aromas of lemon, apple, and wet sidewalk adorn the nose. The mouthfeel is full and a striking acidity is present. The fruit appears fully on the palate, along with a strong minerality which provides the wine’s backbone. Shellfish will work here, as will any other seafood. Lemon enhancement adds to a food’s pairability with this wonderful French Chardonnay. 

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Blood Of The Vines - Psychotic Breaks

Pairing‌‌‌ ‌‌‌wine‌‌‌ ‌‌‌with‌‌‌ ‌‌‌movies!‌‌‌  ‌‌‌See‌‌‌ ‌‌‌the‌‌‌ ‌‌‌trailers‌‌‌ ‌‌‌and‌‌‌ ‌‌‌hear‌‌‌ ‌‌‌the‌‌‌ ‌‌‌fascinating‌‌‌ ‌‌‌commentary‌‌‌ ‌‌‌for‌‌‌ ‌‌‌these‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌movies‌,‌‌ ‌‌‌and‌‌‌ ‌‌‌many‌‌‌ ‌‌‌more‌,‌‌ ‌‌‌at‌‌‌ ‌‌‌Trailers‌‌‌ ‌‌‌From‌‌‌ ‌‌‌Hell.‌‌‌  This week, Let's get crazy. Let's get nuts. Let's pair wine with some films from the fringe.

From the crazy '60s, 1969 actually, Coming Apart stars Rip Torn as a psychiatrist with mental problems. Physician, heal thyself. Good luck, with that hidden camera in your spare apartment.

Released with a rating of X due to the explicit sex scenes, one critic called it pornography for intellectuals, which is what I thought Playboy magazine was when I was a teenager. Oh, I only bought it for the cartoons.

Baccio Divino has the perfect wine for this theme. The label is perfect, at least. The strange Italian red blend is called Pazzo, which means "crazy." So, call me crazy, but I think mixing Dolcetto with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot, and Petit Verdot is brilliant.

Clint Eastwood's Play Misty for Me holds a special place in my heart. Clint plays a cool radio deejay in Carmel. I, too, was a deejay, and figured if I was good enough at it, I would someday drive a sports car on Highway 1 and do my show on tape so I could come and go as I pleased. The downside: women with knives.

I never got the sports car on Highway 1 and I spent many long hours chained to a microphone. On the other hand, I never got stabbed.

Eastwood was once the mayor of Carmel, so a Monterey wine would be appropriate.  He told interviewers that he preferred to drink Chardonnay, so let’s grab one from Bernardus, which has several good Chards in the 30 to 50 dollar range.

The 1976 slasher pic Alice, Sweet Alice was directed by Alfred Sole, a guy whose previous film got him charged with obscenity and excommunicated in the state of New Jersey. Who knew Jersians could get so upset over a movie? Eddie and the Cruisers 2, anyone?

Brooke Shields debuts here and glides into a career in film'n'fashion, where the wine, bubbles and sometimes tequila flow like a fire hydrant. Brooke now says she has a glass of water for every drink. I knew a guy who claimed to "run a mile for every one of these," as he held up a Rob Roy. I always imagined him running a marathon before work each day.  

Alice, Sweet Alice had several different titles, one of which was Communion. Is Alice, Sweet Alice an indictment of the church, child abuse, the death of the family, or psychiatry? Have fun guessing, while I focus on the wine. 

Fat Bastard's Bloody Red is a French Grenache/Merlot/Syrah blend that's perfect for a slasher movie. Really marketed for Halloween, it works here as well. It only costs about $10.

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Vermentino From Sardinia

Argiolas was the dream of Antonio Argiolas, passed down to his sons Franco and Giuseppe, and today helmed by his grandchildren Valentina, Francesca and Antonio. It's been a family affair for generations, and no doubt will be for generations to come.

The label of the Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino de Sardegna carries the word "Duemilaventuno," which a translator tells me means "two thousand twenty one" in Italian. That's a couple of years off for the vintage, however. It's 2023. I guess in Italy, as everywhere else, labels are expensive to change. 

The wine, made from Vermentino grapes, of course, was aged in the bottle for just a couple of months before release. Alcohol sits at 14% abv and it sold for $20 at Eataly. 

This wine is yellow in the glass, with hints of green showing. The nose displays massive citrus fruit, some apricot and melon aromas, and a big whiff of salinity. The palate has an interesting mix of lemon, peach, and orange peel. There is a savory slant to the flavors, too. The acidity is fresh, stopping just short of bracing. The suggested pairings with seafood and soft cheeses are right on target. It goes well with butter-sauteed spinach, too. 

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Verdicchio Specialists

The Bisci estate is located on Italy's north side, in Marche, not that far from the Adriatic Sea. The winery has specialized for more than 50 years in the Verdicchio grape. The estate is planted primarily to that grape, with a much smaller amount of vineyard land given over to Sangiovese and Merlot.

The 2023 Bisci Verdicchio di Matelica was vinified in cement tanks and aged there briefly, too. Winemaker Aroldo Bellelli oversees the process. The wine has alcohol at 13% abv and I paid $22 for it at Eataly, a price I consider to be a bargain.

This wine has a beautiful golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of apple, citrus, and a good bit of salinity are on the nose. The palate shows apple, apricot, lemon peel, and that wonderful saline quality. The acidity is fresh, but not ripping. The finish leaves a savory fruit flavor behind. Pair it with chicken dishes, cacio e pepe, or risotto. 

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Blood Of The Vines - Gene Hackman, R.I.P.

Pairing‌‌‌ ‌‌‌wine‌‌‌ ‌‌‌with‌‌‌ ‌‌‌movies!‌‌‌  ‌‌‌See‌‌‌ ‌‌‌the‌‌‌ ‌‌‌trailers‌‌‌ ‌‌‌and‌‌‌ ‌‌‌hear‌‌‌ ‌‌‌the‌‌‌ ‌‌‌fascinating‌‌‌ ‌‌‌commentary‌‌‌ ‌‌‌for‌‌‌ ‌‌‌these‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌movies‌,‌‌ ‌‌‌and‌‌‌ ‌‌‌many‌‌‌ ‌‌‌more‌,‌‌ ‌‌‌at‌‌‌ ‌‌‌Trailers‌‌‌ ‌‌‌From‌‌‌ ‌‌‌Hell.‌‌‌  This week, we honor another great who has gone to the great hereafter. We have wine pairings, too, of course.

Gene Hackman passed away at the age of 95, leaving a lot of questions unanswered at the time I'm writing this. He also left behind some great movies, including Oscar fodder like The French Connection, Unforgiven and Bonnie and Clyde. Picking three of his films was not easy, but not because the pickings were slim.

Hackman made five films in 2001, but The Royal Tenenbaums topped the list. Directed by Wes Anderson, Tenenbaums stars Hackman as an absentee father of three adults he hasn't seen since they were teenagers. They were child prodigies who peaked too soon. His character tries to churn up some familial love by claiming to be dying. Well, we're all dying, aren't we? It's just a matter of time. The best we can hope for is a good epitaph.

Let's name-check a wine for The Royal Tenenbaums. Covenant Wines makes kosher wine, inspired by the wines of Rabbi Elchonon Tenenbaum in Napa. He likes the Zinfandel, but Covenant carries an entire line of kosher wines that taste good. 

Prime Cut was a dark 1972 glimpse of the underbelly of the underworld in the American Midwest. Director Michael Ritchie - before Bad News Bears - manages to juxtapose the sex trade with slaughterhouses, and it doesn't seem like that much of a reach. Anyhow, Hackman plays a miscreant meatpacker against Lee Marvin's mob muscle. 

For some reason, the scene that stuck in my seventeen-year-old mind was Marvin looking over Hackman as he tore through a hideous looking plate of food. "You eat guts," says Marvin. Hackman replies, with a mouthful of food, "Yeah. I like 'em." Then Marvin blocks the plate and says "Talk now, eat later." The scene leaves me with mixed feelings about sausage.

We will want a wine for Prime Cut which pairs nicely with midwestern beef. You may opt for a Napa Cab - nothing wrong with that choice if you are afraid to branch out. I'll go out on a limb for Zinfandel without any prompting. Beekeeper Zinfandel hails from Sonoma County and will face off against any Cab, anytime. And, people who wear labcoats to work say red wine is not only good with guts, but also good for your gut. As long as you don't drink too much of it. Cheers.

1974's The Conversation examines how the teller tells the tale, and how the listener chooses to hear the information. Hackman plays a nerdy audio guy who listens in on other people's conversations for a living. One conversation reveals a murder plot, and he pulls off the headphones to try and stop it from happening. Of course, when you start really listening, you can notice things you didn't notice before. 

My own career spanned more than a few years working in and around audio. At one radio station, we recorded all phone calls on the request line, in case something happened that we could use on the air. We used birthday wishes, anniversary dedications, and the like. Pretty tame stuff. Then, there was the guy who threatened to come to the station and cut out my heart with a pair of scissors if I didn't play "Free Bird." Hackman's audio guy would love to listen to that one over and over.

I have it on good authority (some guy posting on Instagram) that Hackman liked the Chardonnay of Pouilly-Fuissé. I don't see anything wrong with that. André the Giant liked it, too. Reportedly. Hospices de Beaune makes a good one that starts at more than a Benjamin. Louis Jadot makes a good one for a fraction of the price.

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Couldn't Wait For Spring - Lambrusco Now!

The 2024 Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco di Modena DOC was made with organic Lambrusco Grasparossa grapes from the vineyard in Castelvetro di Modena, in Emilia-Romagna. The wine was produced using only a single fermentation, under pressure. There was very little aging, just a month in the bottle before release. Alcohol is Lambrusco low, at 11% abv, and it cost $18 at Eataly in Los Angeles.

This wine pours up dark purple, with a matching head about one finger tall. It's a pretty pour. The nose is more complex than your garden variety grocery store Lambrusco. There is a ton of fruit showing, like cherry and strawberry flavors a la Jolly Rancher. The palate has darker fruit, black plum, currant and licorice. It’s fizzy for just awhile, so get your bubble thing on in a hurry.

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Raise a Glass To Tradition: Passover Wine Like Never Before

With Passover coming in April, it's a good time to scout out some great wines for the Seder table. My friendly, neighborhood publicity person, Vicki Jakubovic, has passed along some suggestions for wines to seek out from Royal Wine Corp, the largest manufacturer and distributor of Kosher wine.

Vicki asks, "Why settle for ordinary when you can enjoy a glass of history, culture, and craftsmanship?" She reminds us that "the four cups of wine aren't just about tradition - they're about creating memories, laughter, and connection."

Eight-Day Passover Holiday Begins Apr 12 - Apr 20, Celebrating Freedom

The holiday is celebrated with festive meals. Part of the celebration includes the Seder - a dinner at which the story of Passover is told, commemorating the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt and their ultimate exodus to freedom.  During the Seder meal, adults consume four cups of wine to symbolize the Ten Plagues that befell Egypt during the time of the Exodus. In many homes today, wine is the star of the Passover show. Forty percent of kosher wines are sold for the Passover Holiday. 

The following are some of the wines under the Royal umbrella which she assures us will make Passover even more special. 

USA: 

·    Herzog Generation VIII Cabernet Sauvignon Double Creek Vineyard Chalk Hill 2021:  A rich, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from Chalk Hill's esteemed Double Creek Vineyard, showcasing the perfect balance of power and elegance (SRP: $200)

·    Herzog Special Reserve Chenin Blanc 2023: A crisp and refreshing Chenin Blanc with notes of citrus, green apple, and honey, perfect for warm weather sipping (SRP: $35)

France:

·    Great new 2022 vintage burgundy wines from Domaine du Château Philippe Le Hardi:  A range of exceptional Burgundy wines, including the rare kosher Grand Cru Clos Vougeot, highlighting the region's renowned terroir and winemaking expertise   (SRP: $65 - $500)

·    Château Le Gay Pomerol 2022:  A luxurious, full-bodied Pomerol from one of the region's most prestigious estates, boasting rich flavors of dark fruit, spice, and velvety tannins (SRP: $250)

·    J. de Villebois Pouilly-Fumé Silex Blancs 2023: A crisp and mineral-driven Pouilly-Fumé, showcasing the region's signature flinty notes and citrus flavors (SRP: $50)

·    Château Bellevue Morgon Grand Cras: A high-quality, full-bodied Beaujolais from the esteemed Morgon appellation, offering rich flavors of dark fruit, spice, and smooth tannins  (SRP:  $35)

·    Clos Triguedina Probus:  A flagship Malbec wine from the renowned Clos Triguedina estate in Cahors, boasting rich flavors of dark fruit, spice, and velvety tannins (SRP:  $110).

Italy:

·    Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico: A classic, full-bodied Chianti Classico from the esteemed Rocca delle Macie estate, highlighting the region's signature blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and other local varieties (SRPs: $25- $100).

Spain: 

·    Clos Mesorah and Elvi Wines release a very limited new wine from Garnatxa Nera (Grenache Noir): A limited-edition, full-bodied red wine from the esteemed Clos Mesorah and Elvi Wines, showcasing the rich flavors and velvety texture of Garnatxa Nera (SRP:  $80)

Israel

·    Feldstein- Dabouki Dry White Wine, Grenache Rose dry rose, Gilgamesh Dry red, & Cabernet Sauvignon dry red: A range of exceptional wines from the esteemed Feldstein winery, offering a perfect blend of quality, elegance, and value (SRPs: $50-$90)

·    Gros: A selection of high-quality wines from the renowned Gros winery, boasting rich flavors and smooth textures (SRP:  $45- $90)

·    Naveh by Chateau Golan:  A range of exceptional wines from the esteemed Naveh by Chateau Golan winery, offering a perfect blend of quality, elegance, and value (SRP:  $50 - $85)

·    Darom Cabernet Sauvignon-  Vintage: 2023 | Dry Red Wine, Yatir Winery:  A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from the esteemed Darom winery, boasting rich flavors of dark fruit, spice, and smooth tannins (SRP: $32)

 

Jay Buchsbaum, Royal Wine’s VP & Director of Wine Education notes, "The kosher wine industry has seen … incredible growth and industry accolades."

Increased variety: The range of kosher wines has expanded significantly, with more varieties, shades, and flavors to choose from. White, sparkling, and rosé wines are especially popular. 

More kosher brands: There are now many more kosher brands to choose from than in the past. 

Boutique wineries: A new trend is the emergence of kosher micro-wineries in Israel, often founded in people's garages. These small, family-owned wineries are all-kosher.

Organic and sustainable wines: Some kosher wineries are certified for organic grapes, sustainability, and carbon footprint. 

Higher quality: Kosher wines have evolved from cloyingly sweet to well-balanced and complex.  

Buchsbaum adds, "Kosher wine is made with the same fermenting process as traditional wine but only uses kosher-certified ingredients. The creation of kosher wine must be supervised and conducted by Sabbath-observant Jews."

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