One of my favorite dining spots is at my dear friend Julie's home. Not only is she an incredible cook but great wine and colorful conversations always flow. I never pass up an invitation to her house! She is always so good at last minute get-togethers and one particular night she called and invited me to join her for an evening of wine and cannelloni. I was out the door before we could hang up the phone! Julie, Hal and I began the evening by sipping a 2007 Chateau Millegrand Mourral while munching on a very tasty Coastal English white cheddar cheese. This delightful wine is a blend of 3 grapes that are handpicked from 60 year old vines in the Minervois appellation of France; 20% Grenache, 40% Carignan and 40% Syrah. I loved its aromas of dark ripe fruits, spices, herbs and a hint of licorice.
Over dinner we enjoyed a bottle of an Italian 2007 Antica Vigna which is a blend of these grapes: 50% Negroamaro, 30% Lambrusco and 20% Anglianico. The deep flavors of the wine are a result of the age of the vines -50 years (I try to remind myself that aging can be a good thing). This richly flavored wine was the "ticket" when served with Julie's sister-in-law's mouthwatering cannelloni recipe and a green salad tossed with Girard Champagne dressing. I can't begin to describe the magic of these food and wine combinations and then to top it off, Julie served a lemon cheese cake with raspberries. Can it get any better? What a delicious evening-did I mention that Julie wore a red hair piece? Stay tuned for more "richly flavored" evenings!
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