NYTIMES: Brunello Brouhaha

[Jenise]

They're blaming it on American wine critics again:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/dining/23brunello.html?ex=1209614400&en=bae6bb20733e04b8&ei=5070&emc=eta1

Speaking of the American palate vis-à-vis Italian tradition, have you seen the new commercial for Pizza Hut? The fast food chain apparently now offers some sort of pasta. According to the commercial, they served a bunch of the Pizza Hut pasta to Americans who were dining in some fancy Italian restaurant, and asked them how they liked the food. Ummm then all said, of course. I wonder if the vignette is real? Wouldn’t surprise me.

Reminds me of when you go to concerts playing music from some traditional great composer. Everybody dutifully claps and yells bravo. But when the orchestra for the fun of it plays some simple rock-n-roll song, they applaud the loudest.

If you respond, I can't re-reply for a couple of days. On my way to The City for the weekend.

YES Jenise, as always the americans are guilty!

But I found it an interesting topic to discuss why american people like such monster-wines with massive, jammy fruit with a lot of oak and alcohol and lack any kind of finesse. I am remembering at a tasting last year we had a cult-wine from Helen Turley 03 "Zinfandel" that was almost undrinkable with 15 or 16% and was more like a portwine. Here is the label:

http://belmaati.com/gallery/displayimag ... 260&pos=23


P.S. BTW, here something private, my living-room/dining-room:

http://belmaati.com/gallery/displayimag ... =260&pos=6

P.S. BTW, here something private, my living-room/dining-room:

http://belmaati.com/gallery/displayimag ... =260&pos=6

Ein Grund, wieder nach Berlin zu fahren ...

[Jenise]

Speaking of the American palate vis-à-vis Italian tradition, have you seen the new commercial for Pizza Hut? The fast food chain apparently now offers some sort of pasta. According to the commercial, they served a bunch of the Pizza Hut pasta to Americans who were dining in some fancy Italian restaurant, and asked them how they liked the food. Ummm then all said, of course. I wonder if the vignette is real? Wouldn’t surprise me.

Reminds me of when you go to concerts playing music from some traditional great composer. Everybody dutifully claps and yells bravo. But when the orchestra for the fun of it plays some simple rock-n-roll song, they applaud the loudest.

If you respond, I can't re-reply for a couple of days. On my way to The City for the weekend.

Haven't seen that commercial, but it's no surprise. They're not advertising for you and me but for the Olive Garden crowd who find authentic Italian food intimidating.

That said, I'd probably applaud for the orchestra, too. It's not that one is suggesting that rock music is greater than classical, but because it's something unexpected from a great orchestra. Like ordering a PB & J at Per Se.

[Jenise]

But I found it an interesting topic to discuss why american people like such monster-wines with massive, jammy fruit with a lot of oak and alcohol and lack any kind of finesse.

I can't answer that. But I suppose it comes from the same place the American version of Godiva chocolate comes from--it's sweeter than the Belgian version.

I love your living room! Your dining room table with all the different chairs? YES! You have a great eye.

Btw, how often do you have David to dinner?????

P.S. BTW, here something private, my living-room/dining-room:

http://belmaati.com/gallery/displayimag ... =260&pos=6

Ein Grund, wieder nach Berlin zu fahren ...

Big Austrian Brother is watching me!

But I found it an interesting topic to discuss why american people like such monster-wines with massive, jammy fruit with a lot of oak and alcohol and lack any kind of finesse.

I can't answer that. But I suppose it comes from the same place the American version of Godiva chocolate comes from--it's sweeter than the Belgian version.

I love your living room! Your dining room table with all the different chairs? YES! You have a great eye.

Btw, how often do you have David to dinner?????