Des Moines Wine and Food Connection

Autumn Reds

Tuesday, October 6th from 5-7 PM Casa di Vino pours "Autumn Reds". The weather is cooling off. Time to bust out the big boys and those rustic reds we've been eyeing all summer but didn't really care to drink on a 90 degree day. CDV will sample a happy half dozen that you'll want to drink all winter long.

Howard Bernstein
Owner, Casa di Vino
Wine and Food Guy
Des Moines Wine and Food Connection

Industry Tasting No. 3- Johnson Brothers

Johnson Brothers industry tasting was yesterday afternoon(tuesday) at Prarie Meadows Conference Center. Unfortunately so was a Casa di Vino wine tasting. That left me with just over an hour to run around and taste. I tasted 44 wines including; 1 sparkling, 11 whites & 32 reds. Johnson Brothers probably has the largest portfolio in the state but much of the wine is geared towards volume sales and supermarkets. I did finds some interesting wines though including a pinot noir from Oregon's Belle Glos, a top notch (and top $$$) sauvignon blanc from St. Supery (Virtu), and a wonderful German riesling from Dr. Hermann amongst others. These wines should be gracing CDV's shelves over the next few weeks. Stop by and taste what's new and exciting.   

Industry Wine Tasting No. 2 - Glazer Distributing

Glazer Distributing put on their industry tasting Thursday evening at Foxboro Convention Center here in Johnston. It was nice having only to go a half mile from Casa di Vino. I tasted 6 sparkling, 18 whites, 44 red & 2 Scotches. That's correct, Glazer distributes liquor also. The liquor bottles were only suppose to be out to show off but as I was wrapping up my tasting I noticed the fill level was down in a couple of the scotch bottles. SO... I asked for a tipple. Tasted two different bottlings of Glenmorangie. One aged in Sherry casks, one aged in Sauterne barrels. Noticibly different tastes with the Sauterne bottling having a slightly sweet note. Very nice.

Industry Wine Tasting No. 1 - Dimitri Wine and Spirits

Dimitri Wine & Spirits kicked off the wine industry holiday tastings yesterday evening at the Embassy Club in the 801 Building. Dimitri always puts on a classy event and the views from the 41st floor of the 801 building can't be beat. Your intrepid wine and food guy put his nose to the grindstone and tasted 87 wines yesterday evening including; 3 sparkling, 16 whites, 63 reds & 5 dessert wines. Standouts included Sicilian winery Ajella; a couple of wines from Argentinian winery Terra Andina; Mendocino winery Seabiscuit; and Cabernet specialist extrordinaire Randy Dunn. Watch for these wines and others soon to grace the shelves here at Casa di Vino.

Tonight Glazer Distribution puts on their tasting and next week Johnson Brothers Distributing has theirs. For this wine guy this is prime time in my search for new & interesting wines for the upcoming holiday season and beyond. I'll be updating this blog regularly with my latest finds so check in often to keep up to date. If you've tasted something exceptional (or just tasty) that you think I should be aware of drop a line. Inquiring palates want to know!  

Howard Bernstein
Owner, Casa di Vino
Wine and Food Guy
Des Moines Wine and Food Connection 

Blogs vs. Twitters

So far I've had no interest it Twitter. I barely am keeping up with my blogging and had no interest in Twitter whatsoever but I just read an article last night that peaked my interest so now I'm wondering about it. Am I missing the boat by not twittering? Any tips on getting involved? It's a little sidetracked from wine but I could use some feedback. Anyone?

Howard Bernstein
Owner, Casa di Vino
Wine and Food Guy
Des Moines Wine and Food Connection 

Tasty tastes

Just a quick note on some of the goodies we've tasted around Casa di Vino lately:

Forte Canto 2005 Negroamaro: From Puglia, the heel on the boot that is Italy, this beautiful red has a deep purple color, soaring nose, and wonderful black and blue fruit. Notes of dark chocolate, and cocoa on the palate. The back label is all in Italian and tells a story about men with strong voices(I think) but I can't figure the rest. The wine certainly sings. A fine steak wine. 

St. Urbans-Hof  2007 Riesling QBA: Although just a Qualitatswein (though estate bottled), this wine bursts from the glass with a mouthful of pineapple and citrus. This could easily be mistaken for a Spatlese that would cost twice or three times the price. A big hit at CDV's tasting.

Fat Cat 2008 Pinot Noir: This California Pinot Noir is a great little value. Your wine guy here is always on the lookout for value P.N. beacuse they're more difficult to find than good value Cabernet or Shiraz. This wine delivers nice red and blue fruit with a bit of spice. It won't make old bones but for a good, rich  pinot with a bit of complexity here's your bottle.  

Paul Deau NV Cuvee Speciale Blanc de Blanc:  Pol Deau is a French sparkling wine, a Blanc de Blancs from the Bordeaux region. It is a blend of three grape varietals: Ugni Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. This wine is crisp & bright. Great for cutting though rich dishes, this wine is also super with a Thai coconut curry. In addition, for the price it's also fine for blending into Mimosas and Kirs. This wine went over big at Casa di Vino's anniversary party. It will be one of our go-to wines for the coming holiday season.

These are just a few of the goodies we've tasted lately. With the coming industry tastings your wine and food guy will be on the lookout for new values and great keepers for us to enjoy during the holidays. Stop into CDV or keep posted on this blog for more of what's good. If you're drinking something fun we want to know about it 

Drink well, 

Howard Bernstein
Owner, Casa di Vino
Wine and Food Guy, Des Moines Wine and Food Connection  

Le's Chinese Bar-B-Que

Le's Chinese Bar-B-Que is a little hole in the wall "restaurant" located at 1600 2nd Avenue just north of downtown Des Moines. I call it a restaurant loosely because there are a couple of tables in there but no chairs and I've never seen anyone there eating. Their business card says "Dine in & Carry out", but if you're going to dine in you'd better bring your own seat. What Le's lacks in ameneties though it makes up for with great bar-b-que. Not typical midwest bar-b-que though. No ribs, beans & slaw at this bar-b-que joint. What Le's does feature and specialize in is Chinese or more specifically Vietnamese bar-b-que pork and duck.