It's been a while

I moved into a new place in Queens. I like it so far, easy commute and I can always smell something that the neighbors are cooking. As I look out the window from my shower, I get the bacon and fried things cooking each morning. As I leave the apartment and go into the hallway it's the garlic. When I come home each night I can tell that there are Indian people living here with me. I like Queens and should make friends with my co-tenants. It smells good.

KCRW in the NY Times magazine today. Listen to this radio station. I'm finally getting an ipod so I can load podcasts.

Tired of my restaurant, but I like talking to the customers calling in for reservations. I'm like an advisor in a mini-therapy session. I've been told that people here in the city will look for any way to discuss their neurosis. I like to listen b/c it makes me happier about my situation. Right now I'm dealing mostly with problems of logistics, romance and clothing choices. Is there anything else really?

"Drinking the man's penny."

Che Significa?

Saluti. Hola. Hallo.

Whether we know it or not, we are all searching for fine wines every day. In a new shirt, a car, a painting or a mate. We want the perfect balance of body, elegance, weight and complexity in everything we look for... and at a good price. After we taste a little maybe there's a tickle and buzz of fantasy. Will we like it after we take it home with us, or in the brightness of daylight? After years of looking, you've created your little list of what you want filled with this and that. Then maybe you are just sticking to reds only? Watch out because there is so much more on the wine list.

Spanish and Portugal wine classes tonight, and next week. From one of my books I've learned that Spain boasts 600 grape varieties, though just 20 account for 80% of all vinyards planted.

Italian wine classes started last week, and two more to come in the next few weeks. A Barbaresco must be aged at least 2 years before Barbaresco can appear on the label. A Barolo, aged 3 years before it can have Barolo on the label.

German wines, I have a tasting coming up next Monday. My pick for a German wine (2001 was a great year) is a Riesling DreiStern, from Sybille Kuntz:
... Kuntz have created a great food wine, fermented dry (meaning fermenting all the sugar "to dry" - so think dry versus sweet - any sweet you get is the expression of the fruit). www.sybillekuntz.de