Wine With Wanda

The Bordeaux Surprise: These Excellent French Wines Aren't Always Expensive!

image courtesy of ©HarlemEatUp!_DanielDaPhotography

It's no secret that the wines of Bordeaux enjoy an exalted status among connoisseurs and collectors willing to spend impressive sums on these celebrated wines from the southwest of France. However, the big Bordeaux surprise is that the region produces an incredible selection of excellent wines at very affordable prices. These wines aren't just for drinkers with deep pockets - for less than $20 you can sip a bit of that Bordeaux magic!



Mary Gorman-McAdams (Master of Wine and market advisor to the Bordeaux Wine Council), Chef Marcus Samuelsson, and a bottle of Bordeaux at the Harlem EatUp! Festival.
image courtesy of ©HarlemEatUp!_DanielDaPhotography

Lest you think Bordeaux is old-fashioned and fussy, modestly priced Bordeaux wines are showing up in some very cool and unexpected places. Bordeaux has been poured at dinners and tastings at the annual Harlem EatUp! festival since its inception in 2015. Harlem EatUp! was co-founded by renowned Chef Marcus Samuelsson and Mary Gorman-McAdams (Master of Wine and market advisor to the Bordeaux Wine Council) was the catalyst for Bordeaux's partnership with the festival. The wines poured at the festival showed that modestly priced Bordeaux is still of excellent quality and can pair beautifully with a wide variety of cuisine from soul food to sushi, and Italian to Indian.




Bordeaux refers to the region and the wines produced there. Bordeaux's signature red grapes are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The white grapes are Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle.

I recently met with Mary and asked her to recommend five delicious and affordable Bordeaux wines. Here are Mary's picks!


Château La Mouliniere Rosé, Bordeaux 2015 ($10)
This lovely and well-structured rosé is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,  and Merlot - a fantastic way to experience the red grapes that are the backbone of the classic Bordeaux red blend. Dry, fresh, and fruity with lovely flavors of raspberry and strawberry; this is a great summer sip. Built in the late 16th century, Château La Mouliniere is a single-estate vineyard located on the right bank of the Dordogne River near Saint-Emilion.



Château Marjosse, Entre-Deux-Mers, Blanc 2014 ($17)
This gorgeous white wine comes from an impressive pedigree - Château Marjosse is the home estate for Pierre Lurton - the managing director of two legendary First Growth Bordeaux estates (Château Cheval Blanc and Château d'Yquem). Entre-Deux-Mers means "between two seas" and refers to the area of Bordeaux between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. This refreshing white wine beautifully combines the region's signature grapes Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sauvignon Gris, and Muscadelle to create a wine that Mary describes as "fruity and versatile" and with enough elegance and style to bring to a dinner party. 



Château Tour de Goupin, Bordeaux Blanc 2014 ($12)
Described as "dry with a light floral bouquet, crisp textures, and a clean finish," this blend of Sauvignon, Semillon, and Muscadelle is produced on an estate that avoids pesticides and chemicals in the vineyard. 



Château Recougne Bordeaux Superieur 2012 ($15)
Château Recougne has produced wine for more than 400 years and its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century in "recognition" of the quality of its wines. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is described as "supple, round, and generous."



Château Capbern Gasqueton, Saint Estephe 2014 ($19)
Owned by the Gasqueton family for 10 generations, Château Capbern is known for producing charming wines with enough structure to age 10-20 years. Mary says that "you don't have to spend a lot of money to start a collection of wine. It isn't just a rich man's sport. Modest wines can age well." This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot is an incredibly affordable way to start your Bordeaux collection. "Hints of smoke, tobacco, licorice, mocha, and earthiness wrap around a core of dark fruit in an exuberant wine loaded with pure textural richness" that will develop beautifully over time.


La Cité du Vin

If you're planning a trip to France, now is an especially exciting time to visit Bordeaux - the stunning vineyards and elegant châteaux have a shiny new neighbor - La Cité du Vin. "An immersive and sensory adventure showcasing the cultures and civilizations of wine," La Cité du Vin is a stunning architectural statement that is meant to evoke the essence and soul of wine. Visitors can experience a variety of interactive experiences, art installations, restaurants, and plenty of wine! A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bordeaux was #2 on The New York Times list "52 Places to Go in 2016" - impressive!

Personality on a Plate: Chef Serena Bass Dazzles at Lido in Harlem

Serena Bass, Executive Chef, Lido.
image courtesy of Lido

Serena Bass, executive chef at Lido restaurant (2168 Frederick Douglass Boulevard at 117th Street) in Harlem, is no shrinking violet and her cuisine is vibrant, creative, and multi-faceted - just like the woman. Born in London, Serena seems to have taken New York City by storm from the moment she crossed the Atlantic. Serena's culinary career was dramatically launched when she was asked to cater a last minute dinner party for Andy Warhol and 60 guests. Since that fateful call, her catering business continues to flourish with all manner of celebrity and society clientele. For years, Serena was also a doyenne of New York's nightlife at the eponymous lounge that she operated in the basement of the  legendary Chelsea Hotel. Author of a James Beard Award winning cookbook, Serena brings serious knowledge and charisma to Lido.


image courtesy of Lido


image courtesy of Lido

Owned by Harlem resident Susannah Koteen, Lido opened in 2011 and is one of the pioneers of the Restaurant Row that has blossomed along Frederick Douglass Boulevard. A neighborhood restaurant with boundless appeal, I've enjoyed many wonderful meals at Lido and the elegant but unpretentious ambiance is the perfect place to relax over a leisurely meal with friends. In the warmer months, you can dine al fresco at Lido's sidewalk cafe and watch Harlem stroll by in all its splendor.

I recently had the chance to sit down for lunch with Serena and sample a few of the item's on Lido's seasonal menu. As the name implies, the menu is inspired by Italy but Serena deftly incorporates flavors from around the globe. A meal prepared by Serena is one you'll never forget and a meal WITH Serena was one of the best lunch dates I've had in ages. If Serena is at Lido while you're dining, she will saunter by your table to say hello and ask if you are enjoying your meal. I'm pretty confident that your answer will be yes!  Here are a few of my Lido favorites.

Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, Organic House Made Ricotta
More kids would eat their Brussels sprouts if they were this delicious! The creaminess of the ricotta is a fabulous contrast with the crispy bacon and earthy sprouts. Seasonal, sumptuous, and satisfying!


Grilled Tuscan Bread Crostini
Sicilian Tuna, Fennel Seed Aioli, Fried Capers, Parsley, and Lemon
This savory appetizer unites big flavors in a harmonious way. A sophisticated alternative to a boring tuna sandwich, quality ingredients make this quite special. The hint of lemon unites everything with a jolt of freshness.


image courtesy of Lido

Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Sauteed Spinach, Celery Root Mash, Citrus Beurre Blanc, Crisp Parsnip Ribbons
If you avoid salmon on menus because you find it boring, this is the dish that will make you reconsider. Resting on a bed of the most luxurious celery root mash and topped with crunchy ribbons of parsnip, Lido's salmon is revved up but not over-the-top. Another great example of Serena Bass's knack for combining flavors and textures.


image courtesy of Lido
Warm Victoria Plum Bread Pudding, Scented with Orange Zest & Rosemary,  Vanilla Gelato.
Excuse me while I spend the winter cuddled up with this dessert. Yours truly does not have a huge sweet tooth and prefers desserts that aren't too fussy. What could be cozier than a warm piece of bread pudding paired with ice cream? This is a homestyle dessert interpreted by a pro and the result is a little slice of sugary bliss.

I've only tapped the surface of the Lido menu - the restaurant offers a diverse selection of pastas, salads, seafood, meats, desserts, and more. There is also a lovely wine & cocktails list.

For more information, visit the Lido website.

 

 

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