Bottle Variance

Bottle Variance: A conondrum

This Christmas, I experienced Bottle Variance for the first time. It was the strangest thing. We opened 2 Azelia Barolo Margheria 2004, but they tasted like two completely different wines. Both were good: there was nothing wrong with either of the wines, but when we were blind tasting, no one guessed they were the same wine, or even the same vintage.

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Now, this can happen to any wine maker, any wine at any time. Remember, these are products of nature, so there is very little control over the end products. There is also the topic of storage: were they stored at the same place, at the same temperature? The corks, are they the same? Wine makers tend to experiment with different corks, which then could make the bottles act differently. There are so many factors that can affect the wine, which is why bottle variance occurs.

Nonetheless, Azelia makes amazing wines and both these wines were incredible! If you want to know more about Azelia, you can check out their website.

 

 

Piemontegirl makes Pasta Dough

Piemontegirl loves pasta

Piemontegirl, that’s me! As you probably know, I love italian food. Especially pasta. Over the years I have had the pleasure of cooking with some local italian women, among those the mother of Elena Currado (Vietti) and the mother of Bruno (who runs Corte Gondina).  These women are amazing cooks, and it is so much fun to cook with them. All in italian of course, and sometimes also in piedmontese… The latter is hard for me to comprehend, so hand gestures and visual aids are needed.

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Anyway, to make pasta dough from scratch you need:

  • Eggs
  • Flour
  • Salt

And all you really need to do is pour the flour (and a touch of salt) into a bowl or right onto the counter, make a little valley where you put the egg and then slowly you mix it together until it becomes a solid dough. Then the fun part: You need to knead the dough for 10 minutes! Yes, you heard me. 10 minutes! Man, were my hands tired afterward. Not sure exactly why you have to knead for so long, but I always try to follow the recipe.

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Above you can see me, Piemontegirl, kneading the pasta dough. Once you are done kneading, place the dough in plastic and leave on the counter for about 30 minutes. Then you can make whatever pasta you want. My favorite is ravioli (recipe to come).

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Let me know if you try it! Or if you need help. Enjoy!

Piemontegirl Needs Your Help

tbt cedar treePiemontegirl is going back to Piemonte – Finally!

It’s been waaay to long since last time. In May we celebrated my dad’s birthday and there was little time for exploring and going off on my own. This time I will be there for a long weekend, all by myself, and I am looking for recommendations on who to see and where to eat.

What wineries should I visit?

This is an area where I, Piemontegirl, could use some work. I usually just go back to the regular ones, mostly because I want to see old friends and try their new vintages. I will of course do that this time as well, but I also want to try something new. Any ideas?

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Got any good food recommendations?

There is no shortage of food in Piemonte, but I am tempted to try something new for once. Got any suggestions? I am obviously not looking for sushi or spanish tapas, but maybe it’s time I venture outside of La Morra? hehe…

tbt – what have I been up to lately?

tbt – throwing it back to the past few weeks

Who doesn’t love a tbt? I know I am very fortunate to be able to look back on these wonderful memories. You’ll see that I make pizza very often, both by myself and with others. You’ll see that I went for a joyride with Lorenzo and his girlfriend (and that we made Lorenzo sit in the back!)

Looking back I get a smile on my face. Especially when I see the picture of my dad hugging the kick ass chef at Centro Storico. Or Silvia working hard in her garden (as usual). Oh, and when the grandmother of Bruno (the owner of Corte Gondina) cooked and egg with me in the kicthen. How cool is that?

Piemontegirl tries her hand at Panna Cotta

Have you ever made Panna Cotta?

The Panna Cotta is a traditional Italian dessert. Usually served with fresh berries or caramel sauce and you’ll find it everywhere in the Barolo region.

Panna Cotta

Panna Cotta Ingredients

Here is how you make the Panna Cotta

Ingredients:

  • 2 gelatin leaves (or powder equivalent)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 1/4 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean, slit (or drops of vanilla flavor)

Steps:

  1. If you are using gelatin leaves, let them soak in a bowl of water. If you are using powder, follow the instructions on the packet. I used powder.
  2. Pour the milk into a pan, bring to simmer point (don’t let it boil), and remove from heat. Add the gelatin.
  3. In another pot, pour the cream along with the sugar and vanilla bean. Bring to boil over low heat, stirring constantly.
  4. Once it boils, remove pan from heat, remove the vanilla bean and stir in the milk mixture.
  5. Put the mixture into desired pans or bowls (depends on how you want to serve it).
  6. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours (until it sets).
  7. Serve the Panna Cotta with a sauce or just fresh berries.

Serving the Panna Cotta

You can serve it many ways, below are two of my preferred ways. You can take it out of the form or bowl and serve it with fresh berries like the picture on the left or in the bowl with berries on top like the picture on the right. If there are many guests serving it in the bowl might be easier so you don’t have to spend time removing it (and there will be fewer dirty dishes!

 

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Panna Cotta recipe from “The Silver Spoon”

Wine of the Week

Wine Review: Andrea Oberto Langhe Nebbiolo 2012

Wine Review

Wine Review Andrea Oberto

 

Wine: Langhe Nebbiolo

Producer: Andrea Oberto

Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy

Grape varieties: Nebbiolo

Vintage: 2012

 

Eye: ruby red, garnet reflections

Nose: floral, violets, red fruits,

Mouth: warm, rich, balanced

 

Price Point: $18

Available at Vinmonopolet: No, but you can find his Barolo and Dolcetto

Available at Systembolaget: No

Check out Andrea Oberto here: http://www.andreaoberto.com/ 

Wine Glass Writer

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Wine Glass Writer is a non toxic, temporary marker that can be used in many different scenarios.

Having a  party and don’t want to waste wine due to “glass abandonment”? Serving a cake and want to decorate or write a message on the platter? Need a creative place-setting idea? Wine glass writer is perfect!

One of the main uses in my house is for blind tasting. That way everyone knows which wine is in what glass and there is no confusion (which used to happen a lot!)

 

 

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I recently won a contest and now have 4 markers: black, green, pink and purple. I love my new colorful ones and can’t wait to throw a dinner party once I move back to Oslo.

You can buy the markers on their website. Check out their products here: /http://wineglasswriter.com/