Alinea

Aline B found herself at AlineA for dinner last night. 23 courses and 4 hours later -- we still looked alive and here is the proof... Good company, good food and excellent wine -- what more could one ask for?

Survey for My School Project!

If you are married or engaged, please take a couple of minutes to fill out the following survey for a chance to win a $50 American Express Gift Card:

http://kellogg.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_cAU6PrSSqd2tTuY&SVID=Prod


Thanks!!

YOU Junior Board's Ninth Annual Wine Tasting Event

Here is what was on the menu at last Saturday's event:

Gruet Blanc de Noirs Champagne, New Mexico
2006 Montes Sauvignon Blanc, Curico Valley, Chile
2006 Bex Riesling QBA, Mosel, Germany
2006 Carchelo Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain
2004 Gravity Hills Zinfandel, California
2005 Las Pinot Noir, Trentino, Italy
2004 Kaiken Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ** Everyone's favorite by far!

Pinot Noir Blind Tasting

Last night was Pinot Noir night!

Here is what we tasted:

Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Star Rdige Vineyard 2002: very fruity, good
Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast 2003: my favorite of the night
Lucien Crochet La Crois du Roy Sancerre 2004: yes they make Pinot Noir in Sancerre, France -- French oak baby.
Laetitia Arroyo Grande Valley 2005: Burst of energy but short finish.
Echelon 2006: American winemaker who imports the juice from France? We weren't very clear. Least favorite of the night
Maison Champy Bourgogne 2005: Yes, this was French.
Regis de Valliere Bourgogne 2005: This one too.

Fabulous night.

Birthdays...

Imagine not seeing your Kellogg crew for more than 12 weeks...now imagine the first week back...Sacrifice yourself -- skip sleep and head out to see everyone.

First on the agenda-- Catching up with those that are a year older!

Raz's surprise party at Bar Louie...Ashish, what's that on your forehead? You look like your glowing -- Must be all that wiseness...

Pati's celebration and Barbara's goodbye party at Sound Bar:

Here are photos from dinner at Quartinos (where the wine is cheaper than water), my own birthday celebration.
Interesting, I don't think Jeff's ear would be tasty...

Special thanks to Matt K for the photos -- as my camera was stolen from the dinner table!

Finger Lakes -- New York

Yes, the state of New York has a wine industry...

Dr. Konstantin Frank: 2006 Dry Riesling
Dr. Konstantin Frank: 2006 Rkatsiteli
Dr. Konstantin Frank: 2006 Dry Rosé
Ravines: 2003 Pinot Noir
Hunt Country: 2006 Pinot Gris

This blog is dedicated to Carl Messina, who sold his soul to the evil company that starts with P that competes with the M company...The Finger Lakes is his sales region.

Anyways, interesting wines. I can't say I have much experience tasting these varietals - so this was about exploring and trying something new.

According to Craig -- our fabulous host -- Dr. Konstantin Frank is the most recognized brand from the region.

I liked the dry reisling best. As pointed out -- that's their specialty. Not a big fan of the rose. For something off beat -- try the Rkatsiteli.

Cheers,
Aline

Courtesy of a classmate...

In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would absorb more than 1,000 grams of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1,000 grams of Poop. However, we do not run that risk when drinking wine (or rum, whiskey, beeror other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting. Remember:
Water = Poop
Wine = Health

Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit.