The Wine Spectator is running its 5th Annual Video Contest. Anybody can enter but there are a couple of basic rules: it has to be short (under 3 minutes); it should be educational and entertaining, and no "commercials" are allowed. So I decided to enter by compiling pictures and videos from our last three "wine adventures" (to Italy, Argentina and Peru). It was a lot of work as I had to piece together many different objects, synchronize it with music and, at the end, having it make sense and deliver a message. My message is very simple and emphasizes on the importance of friendships in our every day lives. And, of course, wine and food play a special role. Life is too short and we should enjoy it while we can!

Here is my video. I hope you like it and I hope they like it too. They will announce the finalists on September 12 and the contest will be open for voting.

I hope we make it to the finals but it doesn't matter. Putting together this video made me realize (again) how important it is to live a happy life.

Cheers!

Equation of Life 2.avi

They had me all excited and on stand-by all day yesterday as I received the call that the cellar would show up anytime between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Every time I called the shipper they told me that it was on the truck for delivery and the driver would call an hour before arrival. Well...the call never came. So we expect it to be delivered today. If so we will be testing it over the weekend to ensure there aren't any problems before finally loading it with bottles of the precious juice.

We have waited so long (almost 3 months) that a couple more days won't matter - although, i must confess, I am getting a little impatient. I will keep you posted.

There is no doubt that we are running out of storage space for our wines as we have grown from a few labels to over 120 labels as per our last count. That's why we are so excited about our new cellar so that we can continue the thrilling growth! But its delayed arrival is not stopping us from bringing some new and fantastic wines.

This week we continue to focus on California Zinfandels. This is of particular interest to us as it is a wine that is the happiest in the company of a good beef or Italian sausages (which we are featuring on our specials also!). A big Zinfandel pairs also extremelly well with tomato based pastas while a lighter Zinfandel pairs well with creamy pastas.  Here is our line up:

Zinfandel Old Vine, Pezzi King '07 - Bottle $38

100% Zinfandel - Sonoma County

91 Wine Enthusiast: "concentrated dark fruit aromas of jammy black cherry and cassis along with spicy notes of white pepper and truffle laced with vanilla. This full figured wine is big, ripe and expressive. Soft tannins, warm notes of caramel. Long, lusty finish."

Zinfandel Marietta '09 - Bottle $38

100% Zinfandel - Sonoma County

High-lighted by bright and rich red berry fruit aromatics and flavors. The nose is full of raspberries, blackberries, black pepper, and brown spices with really high toned and immdeiate aromas jumping from the glass. The mouth feel is lush and viscous with ample acidity and tannin pulling through on the finish.  

Zinfandel Orin Swift "Saldo" '08 - Bottle $44

88% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah, 4% Petit Syrah - Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Amador and Contra Costa.

#69 in the Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2010. 91 points Wine Spectator: "Well-built, yet rich and stylish, with spicy blackberry aromas and zesty, layered flavors of black cherry and licorice framed by toasty oak. Offers a long, satisfying finish."

Zinfandel Elyse '06 - Bottle $48

100% Zinfandel - Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

Dark ruby colored, with intriguing aromas of dried sage, white pepper, black fruits and wild brush. On the palate, deep flavors of plums, raspberry, persimmon, cola, earth and hints of cream and spice lead to a seamless mouthfeel and long, pleasing finish.

SALSICCIA FRESCHE CON PEPPERONI - $7

Perfectly grilled Italian sausage is further cooked with red and yellow bell peppers, red onions, garlic, chopped fresh oregano, tomatoes and red wine.

GNOCCHI AI QUATRO FORMAGGI - $8

Delicate potato dumplings on our super-special four cheeses sauce (Taleggio, Gorgonzola Dolce, Grano Padana, and Mozzarella di Buffala). Accented with some cracked black peppercorns

SCAMPI CON AGLIO E FINOCCHIO - $8

Succulent shrimps sauteed with thinly sliced jalapenos, garlic and fennel. Deglazed with white wine and accented with chopped fresh mint.

FILLETO MEZZANOTTE - $31

10 oz filet mignon delicately grilled to medium rare. Topped with our special sun dried tomato pesto and gorgonzola cheese. Served with choice of sauteed vegetables or pasta.