Michael Austin – Page 21

Talley Vineyards Estate Chardonnay, from Edna Valley, offers lime, a floral and nutty quality, minerality, a slight wood presence and a crisp finish.

9 wines from San Luis Obispo introduce you to a region you should know

June 11, 2018 at 3:41 p.m.

Things don't always happen so fast in SLO, and certainly that is part of the area's appeal. "SLO" spelled-out is San Luis Obispo, the wine-producing county in the Central Coast...

Steak and red wine: Still a beautiful combination.

3 red wines to make your steak taste even better

June 9, 2018 at 7:15 p.m.

With steak, red wine. It's not a rule — we don't like wine rules around here — but a simple guideline; for every rich, full-bodied white that can stand up...

Six wild Burgundian snails are the star of the wood-grilled escargot ($12) at Le Sud. The Roscoe Village restaurant's version of this dish is not hiding in a pool of garlic butter or served in a scalding hot dish. Presented on a skewer, the mollusks are brushed with olive oil infused with herbs de provence before they're grilled, absorbing a delicate smoky flavor that lingers in your mouth. Tender and buttery, the snails are served with a few generous pats of herb butter that melt, adding another layer of fragrance and lusciousness. A side of green salad dressed with olive oil, lemon and salt provides a bright contrast to the skewer and a hearty country bread serves as a foundation for assembling a makeshift toast point. The portion is small, so make your dining companions order their own. $12. 2301 W. Roscoe St., 773-857-1985, <a href="https://lesudchicago.com/">lesudchicago.com</a> — Grace Wong

How to say wine words correctly — and avoid a little embarrassment

May 2, 2019 at 2:11 p.m.

In the special features of the movie "Paris, Je T'aime," which I recommend to anyone who loves Paris, the filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen are being interviewed about their short...

19th-century Viennese chef Franz Sacher would be pleased, I think, by the version of his eponymous chocolate cake served at Café Selmarie in Lincoln Square. First, the top of each slice of Sacher torte is decorated with his name, elegantly written in chocolate script. Second, the cake is a real looker: Layers of chocolate cake are mortared with raspberry preserve and chocolate buttercream; the whole thing is then frosted with more buttercream and wrapped in a smooth sheet of bittersweet chocolate — firm enough to be eaten on its own, if you like, with a fork. Third, every bite is delicious. The devil's food cake is firm and pleasant, while the raspberry offers a deep berry counterpoint to all the chocolate. $4.20. 4729 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-989-5595, <a href="http://cafeselmarie.com/" target="_blank">www.cafeselmarie.com</a>. — Bill Daley

Wines to celebrate an easy summer pizza

June 10, 2018 at 8:52 a.m.

The flavors of tomatoes, spinach and walnuts come together easily on a pizza, but try to pick a wine to have with it and you've got to pay attention. The...

Makes: 1 cocktail
Aromatic cocktail sprays from Alice & the Magician can transform your favorite drinks, like this Tell It To The Mountain from Jonas Koep, beverage director at the Ryland Inn in Whitehouse, N.J.
2 ounces dry gin
2 ounces New Zealand sauvignon blanc
3/4 ounce elderflower liqueur
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Alice & the Magician Rosemary & Wild Honey cocktail spray
Combine all ingredients (except the cocktail spray) with ice in a shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Mist with the spray; serve at once garnished with a rosemary sprig and lime wedge.
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/drink/sc-cocktail-sprays-drink-food-0701-20160628-story.html">For more on cocktail sprays, see the story here</a>.

10 canned wines to tote to barbecues, beaches and more

June 11, 2018 at 9:16 p.m.

I couldn't help thinking of the Stroop effect when I started popping open cans of wine and drinking them straight from their containers. Remember the Stroop effect? That's when your...

Pesto and artichoke pizza, a tricky (but rewarding) wine match

June 10, 2018 at 7:55 a.m.

Beer is most often the go-to beverage for pizza, of course, but the bread-with-bread pairing can fill you up. Here, we offer two white wines and one red that pair...

From cabs to Rhone varieties, Paso Robles offers lots to love

June 10, 2018 at 9:49 a.m.

If Napa and Sonoma are the Beatles and Stones of California wine regions, Paso Robles must be Led Zeppelin. (For anyone under 30, that's Napa/Taylor, Sonoma/Biebs, Paso/Gaga. Or something like...

Fruit of the vine in your pasta sauce and in your glass

May 2, 2019 at 2:11 p.m.

This pasta sauce is dubbed fruit of the vine because it incorporates a generous pour of wine, yes, but also because it pulls flavor from the bounty of farmers market...

Buying wine can be confusing, with the hundreds of choices available in shops. You're going to need a guide you can trust.

Buying wine? You’re going to need a guide you can trust

June 10, 2018 at 8:45 a.m.

Unless you are completely committed to traveling your wine journey all alone (a horrible idea), you need to find a trustworthy and effective resource to sometimes show you the way...

Baja fish tacos come together easily with a quick and easy batter. Finish them with salsa, slaw and a squirt of lime.

3 summery wines to quaff with Baja fish tacos

May 2, 2019 at 2:11 p.m.

When we say fish tacos, you probably think: Beer. Or a margarita. Great choices both. But consider wine for a minute. A crisp, chilled white, rosé or sparkler can complement...

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