Food and Wine in September

The fall has always been my favorite time of the year, and although most of September still feels like the summer, its those last two weeks when I start to feel the need to begin my fall rituals. The cold crisp to the air and dry nights put me in the mood for the more austere reds and heartier foods. October and November continue the celebration of this wonderful time of year and I take solace in knowing that this is just the beginning.

One thing that truly marks the beginning on the fall is my desire to once again stand over a burner, for a half hour straight, stirring a risotto. That being said, my newest article at Snooth has just been published and its one that any lover of food and wine owes it to themselves to try; Risotto al Barolo.

Risotto al Barolo
Two Versions of this Piemontese Classic

Nothing thrilled me more as an aspiring young chef and lover of Barolo and Barbaresco than to learn that a dish such as Risotto al Barolo existed. The idea of it was almost unimaginable; pouring half a bottle of Barolo into a pan. I had to wonder, could it really be that good? Could it really be worth it? Well you know what? It is...

Read the rest and get the recipe at: Snooth

As for wine, September was full of some wonderful surprises. Some are top shelf, while others were amazing for their big rich and bold flavors. All are currently available at retail, even the 1973 Rioja. Each is worth checking out.

1973, Vina Valoria Rioja - This bottle was decanted three hours before tasting. It opened with sweet plum sauce, cherry tobacco, allspice and clove with sweet peas and musk on the nose. This wine excites the palate with roasted cherries, old cedar, sweet sun tea and fresh earth on a gorgeous velvety frame. The finish is long, long, long with tealeaf and spicy fresh cherry. (93 points)

Find it on: Wine-Searcher.com

1995 Comm, G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero -The nose on this wine showed black olive tapenade with mineral penny and dusty sour cherry. The first impression on the palate is how this wine starts sour and as it worked its way across the palate, became massive. Flavors of cranberry and wild berries with an herbal quality lingered on the long finish and gave way to a tannic tug on your palate. (93 points)

Find it on: Wine-Searcher.com

2006 Bodega Numanthia Termes Toro Termes - After two hours in decanter, this wine showed dark raspberry jam, mulling spices, musk and toasted gram cracker on the nose. On the palate, I found spicy, dark black fruits and plum sauce, which led to a long mouth coating finish. This wines structure was massive but the tannins have faded a little since my last tasting and it has left this wine with a velvety smooth mouth feel. (91 points)

Find it on: Wine-Searcher.com