Kosher Food & Wine Experience 2012 – Part 1

Yesterday, we spent the afternoon and well into the evening at Pier 60, in Manhattan’s Chelsea Piers for the Kosher Food and Wine Experience 2012. We taped interviews with wine makers, wine executives, restaurants, etc., for tomorrow evening’s two hour show special at BlogTalkRadio.com/kosherscene at 7:30pm (Eastern Time). We started by interviewing our long time friend, Jay Buchsbaum (the walking wine encyclopedia I consult on all my wine and spirits’ questions). As Vice President of the Royal Wine Corporation, and after a few decades with the company, no one is better qualified than Jay to introduce us to this event.

We followed that intro with Asaf Paz and Sasson Ben Aharon, winemakers at Israel’s Binyamina Winery…

The owner/founder/winemaker of Elvi Wines in Spain, Dr. Moises Cohen came next, not only did he describe his wines, he shared some fascinating vignettes from his life. It was interesting to hear how his vineyards helped him discover some aspects of Jewish history, in the region, predating the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of the Jews in the 15th century. It also gave some great insights into his passions and personality.

Phillip Jones, the colorful owner/winemaker at New Zealand’s Goose Bay and Oregon State’s Pacifica was next…

Jürgen Wagner, winemaker at Capçanes in Spain, spoke to us next…

Domaine Netofa‘s owner, consultant to the Royal Wine Corporation and to some of France’s greatest wine making châteaux – Pierre Miodownik spoke to us next…

Wine writer, seven times published cookbook author (together with his wife), owner/winemaker of Napa Valley’s Covenant – Jeff Morgan – joined us next. His writing on wine led him to some unintended, but fascinating places in his life’s journey…

Mordy Herzog, Royal Wine Corporation Vice President and Spokesman talked with my co-host, Geila Hocherman (author of Kosher Revolution)  and I, about the history of eight generations of winemakers in his family…

Next, Geila and I spoke to my dear friend Jeff Ingber, a trained Chef who graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI – where he still resides – and volunteers as manager for the wine shop at the Providence Hebrew Day School. The wine shop is a fundraising tool to help defray the cost of tuition for frum parents who don’t have the means. Jeff told us about his favorite wines on the show and how he would pair them with various dishes in Geila’s cookbook.

Finally we spoke with the charming, young owner of Guilty Pleasures – Maureen Sussanah. She left a successful real estate career to pursue her dream of creating shapes, colors and incredibly delicious chocolate treats.

Please listen in to our upcoming two hour broadcast special, tomorrow evening at 7:30pm to 9:30pm (Eastern Time) on Blogtalkradio.com/kosherscene. We’ll be waiting for you!

Meanwhile, in case you missed it, listen to our archived Bitayavon – A Talk with Shifra Klein. Shifra is Editor-in-Chief of Bitayavon, an award winning kosher foodie magazine.

CS

Sukkot Wine Pairing

[I have the pleasure of introducing you to my good friend Jeff Ingber. He lives in Providence, RI. A trained Chef and graduate from Johnson and Wales in RI, one of America’s top culinary schools, Jeff graciously agreed to share his menus and pairings. CS]

Rosh Hashanah is behind us and most of us Jewish households here in the North East are preparing to dine “al fresco” for a week, while enjoying good company in the Sukkah.  The change in temperature and the observance of the holiday offer us a chance to snuggle up to some bigger and bolder wines on these cooler nights. For over 20 years now here in Providence, people have long anticipated seeing and tasting what wine gems would be served in my Sukkah.

At the beginning of the Israeli Wine Revolution, I was still a student in college. I remember traveling to New Jersey on Sundays to pick up as many varietals of Kosher Wine I could get my hands on, at a store in Teaneck. I would arrive at 11:00am and the clerk would remind me that I could not complete a purchase until after 12:00 in Bergen County. I do not think she knew I had just driven 175 miles and 10 more minutes would not kill me.

Today, I manage a small Wine Store that is located inside my children’s school.  Yes, that is not a typo.  We are the largest retailer of kosher wine in Southern New England.  We carry over 100 labels and sell over 500 cases a year.

This morning I reviewed my menus to ensure some great pairings.

I am not a huge fan of wasting print with personal reviews. It is too refined a process for me.

I have become a huge fan of kosher wines coming out of Spain and Argentina.  Israel is running right behind them.  I try to do my pairing at this time of year with those countries offerings in mind so here goes.

Over the next 1o days or so I will be serving the following:

Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Chorizo and Jicama……….. Elvi Adar (Spain)

Arugula Salad with Sweet Potato Crisps and Dried Cranberries……….. Capçanes Peraj Petita (Spain)

Grilled Asparagus with Roasted Garlic Slivers……….. Arco Nuevo Shiraz (Argentina) $9.

Garlic Soup……….. I must say, this is a good time for my favorite Bourbon.  (Willet’s or W. H Harrison)

Jeff Ingber showing one of his catches

Black Sea Bass Ceviche (I catch it myself)……….. Barkan Classic Pinotage OR Carmel Shaal Gewürztraminer  (Israel)

Grilled Southwestern Style Salmon……….. Flecha De Los Andes Gran Malbec (Argentina)

Chicken with Apple and Fig Chutney……….. Or Haganuz Amukah (Israel)

Chicken with Roasted Sweet Chilies and Cilantro……….. Segal’s Single Vineyard, Dovev, Merlot (Israel)

I know , this is a wine Blog not a food blog but it is important to know what we are pairing with here.

There are many other super wines for the season.   Wines from the Dalton Winery like their Shiraz or Tepperberg Meritage a big and bold are just the thing on these cooler nights to keep your senses on high alert. Other great wines like Bynyamina’s Yogev  Cabernet Zinfandel blend or Binyamina Choshen label Ruby Syrah are dancing with a mouthful of Mediterranean flavors of mineral dark fruit.  Elvi’s EL26 Priorat and Ramon  Cordova Rioja remind you that you can sit in the sukkah with tapas, fine wine and great friends for a night under the stars. And, as my wife walks by and takes a look at my musings, she reminds me that Baron Herzog’s Late Harvest Chenin Blanc is her favorite accompaniment to fresh berries and custard. These wines are all in the $7.00 t0 $28.00 range, except for the bourbons which are around $40.00 Everyone can get in on the season of rejoicing!!!

Jeff Ingber