The Wining Woman

Mark your calendars and register today for the Hudson County CASA 4th Annual Wine Tasting event being held at the Harborside Financial Center in Jersey City, NJ on Friday March 26th, 2010 from 5:30-8:30PM. If you are not familiar with CASA and the amazing work they do you must visit the website www.hudsoncountycasa.org where you can also sign up for this upcoming event.

Briefly, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a non-profit organization made up of trained volunteers who represent neglected and abused children. The Hudson County CASA is one of 15 programs in New Jersey. The court appointed advocates 1) research cases for facts to present to court 2) become the child’s voice in court 3) Safeguard the interest of the child throughout the court case and work towards finding them a safe and permanent home.  This year there are CASA programs in every state that represent over 220,129 foster children.

All proceeds from this event will support CASA’s mission. It is a fabulous opportunity to support a very worthy cause. There will be over 80 wines to sample and tickets are only $65 in advance. The event takes place at the Atrium of the Harborside Financial Center and complimentary parking is available. Reserve your place today.

Cheers,

The Wining Woman

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Zita Keeley’s Wine School

This is going to be a fun, tasty and enlightening event for all wine lovers! On Saturday March 20th from 1-3PM the NJ Chapter of Women for Winesense is hosting this special wine tasting event at Joe Canal’s in Iselin, NJ. There will be about 10 different wines that will be tasted in a guided classroom style setting. And, there will be light refreshments as well. There is limited space for this event and registration is required. Go to the Women for Winesense website at www.womenforwinesense.org .. see the event on the calendar.. Mar 20th.. and click there to register. Price is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Women for Winesense is open to men as well as women so join today.

Cheers,

The Wining Woman

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Zita Keeley’s Wine School now in sesssion

Who would think that wine and cars go together? Well, this morning a friend of mine tried to start his car but the battery was dead. Not having  jumper cables and with the parking attendant at the lot giving him no help, he left and took public transportation to his destination instead. I decided to see if I could do anything and so searched online for other ways to start dead car batteries. Well, lo and behold I came across this article about using red wine!! Really! It seems the acidity in the wine gives the battery a boost. So here’s how it works.

You pop open the battery cells on the car battery and then,  using a funnel,  pour wine into each cell. Voila!  Let it sit a few minutes and then the car will start. Does this sound like something you will try?

Cheers,

The Wining Woman

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Zita Keeley’s Wine School now in session at the Melting Pot- Hoboken

Returning from a holiday is always tough but having wine events to attend     right away definitely eases the pain. First, our NJ Chapter of  Women for Winesense hosted an event in honor of Presidents Week. There was a tasting of some of the wines served at the White House or at Presidential events. It was a fun tasting and I will post about this in greater detail another time.
This time I want to write about the excellent wine lunch I attended at Marea restaurant in NYC.
Hosted by Pasternak Wine Imports, this lunch featured the wines of Guy Saget, premier wine maker of the Loire Valley. Wine maker, Phillipe Reculet and producer, Arnaud Saget provided some beautiful wines and good stories. The Sagets have been wine growers in the Pouilly region for 9 generations. They have been purchasing property in other areas of the Loire and now have 4 wine makers with properties in Pouilly, Sancerre, Touraine and Anjou.
We were first presented with a brand new offering the La Petite Perriere Sauvignon Blanc 2008. This is a much more fruity and fresh Sauvignon Blanc closer in style to a New World wine. I enjoyed how refreshing it was with good acidity and no overpowering elements. This is a wine for today’s market at a price of $9.99!!
We then sat down for our meal. I was told that the Chef chose the dishes to pair with the wines that were being presented. He did a fantastic job. Here is the menu:

PRIMI

TARTARE -yellowfin tuna, grilled endive, candied olives, sorrel
or:
GRANCHIO – blue crab, granny smith apple, fennel agrodolce
Wine: Les Clissages d’Or Muscadet 2008

SECONDI

BRANZINO- seared striped bass, walnut agrodulce, cauliflower, pickled grapes, treviso
or:
POLLETTO – roasted baby chicken, brown butter cabbage, black trumpet mushroom
Wine: Domaine de La Perriere Sancerre 2008

DOLCE

TORTA DI FORMAGGIO – coconut cheesecake, passion fruit sherbert, coconut foam
or:
PANNA COTTA – meyer lemon panna cotta, huckleberry sorbet, citrus granola
Wine: Le Domaine Saget Pouilly Fume 2008

I chose the blue crab for my first course excited to see how the Muscadet would pair with it. This Muscadet was a clear, straw color with some light fruity characteristics. We were told that after fermentation this wine stays on its lees until its bottling time and so gives it its slight effervescence. This makes the wine very refreshing. It held up well with the crab dish with its good acidity and minerality. I was able to try this with the tuna dish as well and it also was a good match. Price $15.99.
For my entree I chose the fish – I love Branzino and thought this would be a wonderful pairing with the Sancerre. The wine was bright with fruity aromas. Again, good acidity that makes this wine refreshing on its own but a perfect accompaniment to food. This is one of the producers signature wines and we were told the 2002 vintage is still developing and a wine to hold. If you have a chance to try this wine I highly recommend it. Price $24.99.
My final course was the panna cotta and that was divine on its own. Incredible textures between the granola and the pudding.  I still had some Pouilly Fume to drink. (it’s a tough life!) This wine also was refreshing and well-balanced with some intense flowery notes as well. Price $29.00
While I know that French wine has had a bad reputation over here in the USA with pricing being one of the main issues,  these wines are definitely worth seeking out. They will all be available nationwide in the next month.
Cheers,

The Wining Woman
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Zita Keeley’s Wine School starting March 1st, 2010

This just in:

The state senate committee has approved direct shipments of wine to New Jersey homes! See article here

On another note, we’ll be offline for about 2 weeks. Please check back the week of February 22nd for new posts.

Cheers,
The Wining Woman

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Zita Keeley’s Wine School – Classes start March 1st.. REGISTER TODAY

I have to admit that I have been cutting back on my wine consumption these past couple of weeks since I’ll be heading out on a cruise and I expect to be imbibing quite a bit. But, after a long day of shopping, then an interview, then the gym my husband and I had a quick bite at our favorite local hangout with a glass of Pinot Noir. I believe the house wine is Mark West Pinot Noir and that’s not bad. I was happy sipping it with my salmon and avocado while my husband enjoyed it with his burger.
The only problem with having one glass each.. we came back home and wanted more. So, I opened the Pinot that we have in our wine fridge.. the 2006 Mueller Russian River Pinot Noir. I have had it before and it’s mmmm.. very nice. It’s color is pretty light (similar even to some Malbec Rose’s that I have tasted) but, the aromas and flavors are intense. Lots of strawberry and cherry with a slight smokiness. These came through on the palate as well with an almost jammy or dried fruit sensation. This wine has been fermented in French oak as well as undergoing malolactic fermentation giving it a very smooth and easy finish. ( briefly., in case you aren’t familiar with it.. malolactic fermentation is a second fermentation where the bitter malic acid (think astringent) is changed into lactic acid (think milk or cream.) That’s a bit of a simplification but you can get the idea.  I don’t know how many more bottles of the 2006 vintage are available but cost is approx: $29.00. There is a 2007 vintage and I am sure it is just as delicious.

Cheers.
The Wining Woman
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Zita Keeley’s Wine School – Register now – classes start March 1, 2010

I love Tawny Port! It’s probably because I love nuts and the more aged the Tawny, the more those nutty flavors. For my birthday, I received a bottle of Borges Roncao 20 year Tawny. That was 1 month ago and the Port.. well, it’s GONE!  Light in color, this wine was definitely not light in flavor. There was intense dried fruit characteristics with nice honey like overtones and that nuttiness I mentioned. The sweetness was balanced and the wine had a full and smooth finish that lingered for quite some time. I realize now that the age does matter on a Tawny and while a 20 year old costs more than the younger Tawnys, they are worth it. Seek out this wine and see what you think. Cost approx: $55
Cheers,
The Wining Woman

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Zita Keeley’s Wine School – March 1, 2010 – REGISTER NOW

Ok.. I should be writing my blog and giving  my latest wine reviews but, I am excited to share the latest review in tomorrow’s Sunday NY Times, Jan 24, 2010 – Metropolitan section. I got a sneak preview online and here’s that link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/nyregion/24dinenj.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Cheers,
The Wining Woman
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Zita Keeley’s Wine School- classes start Mar 1, 2010

I am looking for volunteers for my upcoming television pilot ..yes.. about  wine! Filming will be for one day the last week of January or first week of February (in New Jersey!) If you are interested or know someone who is.. please email me at info@allidoiswine.com.

Thank you,

Cheers.

The Wining Woman

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Zita Keeley’s Wine School now at the Melting Pot – Hoboken

Well, Happy New Year everyone! Hopefully, you had a happy holiday time and are ready for this brand new year.
It’s starting off rather cold here in New Jersey and, in the past, I’ve had my trips down to Florida at this time of year. But, this time I have to tough it out. That is..until February when I am off on a cruise with some fellow wine loving friends.

Until then, it is time to get moving ahead for a great year. Starting with my Winter Wine Dinner at the Melting Pot in Hoboken on Tue January 12th. If you can make it.. we’ll have a great time. But.. you need to call and make your reservation to confirm a place. Contact Hope Webb at 201-222-1440.

We’ll be tasting 4 wines that are being paired with 4 dishes including.. a cheese fondue, salad, main course fondue and chocolate fondue. You won’t leave hungry. I’ll be talking a bit about my wine classes that will be starting up again in March. It will be the 6 week..one night a week… wine appreciation course for all those interested.

Finally, I’ll also be working on the tv show so keep posted for more information on that.

Enjoy this first Monday of the New Year!
Cheers,
The Wining Woman

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Zita Keeley’s Wine School at the Melting Pot