18.11.10

A HOLIDAY WINE TASTING AT VINAIGRETTE

Wine tastings are fun. And the tasting held at Vinaigrette last evening for 30 members and guests of Slow Food Santa Fe was no exception.  Sommelier Greg O'Byrne  chose the  wines with Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations in mind. And as we swirled our glasses;  whiffed each wine; and madly guessed at the hidden perfume - rosemary? raspberry? butterscotch? grass?  - Greg guided us through the tasting with charm, wit and wonderful information.

The Menu of Wines

Juve y Camps Cava Brut Nature  - 2205

Champagne Aubry 1er Cru Brut NV

Domaine Wachau Gruner Veltliner -  2009

Brick House Gamay Noir - Ribbon Ridge - 2009

Adelsheim  Pinot Noir - Willamette Valley - 2008

Dry Creek Vineyards Heritage Zinfandel - Dry Creek - 2007

The color...
The swirl- releasing the subtle perfume of the wine.
The whiff...
The concentration.
The fun.
Thanks Erin (owner of Vinaigrette) & Greg for a lovely Slow Food Evening!

12.11.10

HERITAGE TURKEYS - THE HEIRLOOM TOMATO OF THE TURKEY WORLD

These beautiful and delicious birds have bloodlines dating back centuries. Their ancestry began in  Central America; then the first explorers brought them to Europe; and the first English settlers in turn brought them to America.  These Black Spanish Turkeys were then bred with the Wild North American Turkey and the elegant result was The Standard Bronze.  Now there are nine Heritage Turkey breeds with romantic names such as -  Bourbon Red, Narragansett, Jersey Buff, Slate, Black Spanish,  White Holland, Royal Palm, White Midget and Beltsville Small White. All are recognized by the American Poultry Association in its 1874 Standard of Perfection.

Slow Food has adopted four of these breeds for its Ark of Taste Project- the Narragansett, the Bourbon Red, the Jersey Buff and the Standard Bronze.

T h e   B o u r b o n     R e d
Photo by John Churchman courtesy of the Heritage Turkey Foundation

These handsome birds are the antithesis of industrialized turkeys, which can barely walk and are quickly bulked up to produce birds with abnormally plump breasts. Heritage turkeys freely forage in pastures and can actually fly. As a result their muscles are exercised and they put on layers of natural fat. The end result is a turkey that has a firmer texture and deep, rich flavors - the essence of turkey.

Where can you buy Heritage Turkeys :

Pollo Real - at the Santa Fe Farmer's Market

Gallinas Del Sol Farm
Heritage breed turkeys, guinea fowl, squab, pheasant, geese too!
505-610-8326

Talus Wind Ranch


And, if you have a hankering for a divine Heritage Turkey Salad or Sandwich
Stop in at Vinaigrette  - November 18th through December
 They are featuring Heritage Turkeys on their amazing menu...and ALL proceeds will be split between - SLOW FOOD and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) - earmarked for Heritage Turkeys!

And they have designed a very cool silkscreened t-shirt and hoodie for this promotion; and all proceeds will go to the ALBC. Good job Vinaigrette!

505.820.9205

And remember, when you buy a Heritage Turkey, you are not only celebrating and preserving magnificent birds, you are also preserving the Heritage of Turkey Farming.




2.11.10

SLOW FOOD SANTA FE - DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION


THE FAB ALTAR WAS FILLED WITH COLOR & LOVED ONES PHOTOGRAPHS



THE "DAY OF THE DEAD" STORY...


LOTS AND LOTS OF SMILES...



CHOCOLATE ELIXIRS...YUMM




SUGAR SKULL ARTISTRY




AND YOU HAVE TO LICK THE FROSTING!


AND MOLES GALORE



AND SPECIAL "DAY OF THE DEAD" BREAD


AND TREATS...



GREAT MUSIC TOO


AND EVERYONE HAD A MAGNIFICENT TIME!


SLOW FOOD SANTA FE KNOWS HOW TO THROW A SWELL PARTY!