Wineporn

Why Wineporn? Because using words and images to create a culinary sensation is analagous to showing videos of well-hung Russians and cockhungry cheerleaders to get you off. These are my naughty, sensual meanderings about the wine I love and the food that accompanies it.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Pinot Surprise

Last weekend I had drinks at Hotel Biron to celebrate Makana’s birthday. Hotel Biron is a small wine bar just off Market street. It’s cute, quaint and has wonderful couches that my tired ass just sunk right into. Intriguingly, it smells like an underground wine cellar inside. To a wino like me, that scent makes me almost horny. I managed to check my libido and act in semi-socially appropriate ways so that we could all focus on the birthday boy. Makana is a neophyte enthusiast. He discovered the joys of wine this year and has submerged himself in experiencing and educating himself about wine. It’s adorable. He’s falling in love with wine for the first time, and I’m enjoying experiencing first love through his eyes (and nose and palate).

The one flaw of Hotel Biron is that they don’t offer flights, and I love flights for the opportunity to taste several wines before committing to a glass. However, they pour a taste of any wine-by-the-glass that you want to try, so we had the opportunity to sample many options. The bartendress was knowledgeable, cute and sassy. I wish we had taken pics that night.

We tasted a few wines but unfortunately, I lost my frickin’ notes, so I can’t remember everything. I do remember that Joe tasted a Rioja that had a very clear and powerful aroma of Kikkoman Shoyu! Strange, but honestly not unpleasant.

Surprisingly, the best wine of the evening was a pinot noir. Despite the current popularity of pinot, I haven’t become a convert. I appreciate its subtlety and it’s ability to pair with so many foods including many dishes that usually pair with whites (e.g. fish, cream sauces). But my taste runs toward big reds. I like to get bitch slapped by my wines. I like tannic zins and cabs that are spicy, fruit forward and textured. I was surprised to find all of these qualities in the 2004 Silver pinot noir from Santa Barbara. It was beautifully purple, much darker than most pinot noirs. The aroma was plumy with subtle herbs (light tarragon? thyme? a little grassy?) and then a subtle smell of sea salt. The salt was surprising and pleasant. The plum flavor continued on the tongue. The wine had a very pleasant milky consistency. Makana noted a little ‘heat’ on the front of the tongue, but I didn’t get that. The finish was lasting and complex. A week ago I had a duck confit at Chow and I craved that duck again to pair with this pinot noir.

Happy Birthday Makana! I look forward to many more birthdays, glasses and bottles with you!

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