Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Tomatoes and Vermentino Wine Sound Divine


It's hot, you're starving---and you have no time to thow together a meal. Sound familiar?
Luckily for you, tomato season is in full swing. Click here to find your local greenmarket for fresh- off-the-vine veggies, including succulent tomatoes.
Whether you slice them up and layer them with rows of mozarella and basil, or throw together something slightly more complex, like a Tuscan Bread Salad (go here for a great recipe), they pair well with a refreshing white wine, like Villa Antinori Bianco 2008 (pictured) from Tuscany.
While light, this wine is medium bodied and quite aromatic. Made in Tuscany from a blend of five grapes (Trebbiano, Malvasia, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio), the Vermentino is a great accompaniement to a tomato-based dish.
According to foodandwine.com, Vermentino wines are "assertive and savory, with a salty, lemony edge. Though the grape grows throughout Italy, the Vermentinos of Tuscany and Sardinia generally have the most character and the most complexity."
We love all things with an edge, especially if they are lemony.
Cin cin!

Pineapple Express: Van Gogh Vodka


Warning: You can paint yourself into a corner with this premium vodka!
Made in small batches in Schiedam, Holland, Van Gogh Vodka captures the crisp, juicy flavor of a ripe pineapple without the mess. (Have you ever tried to cut up a pineapple? Don't.)
And while some choose to sip this vodka neat, I think it tastes best chilled with a dash of club soda.
If pineapple isn't your thing, Van Gogh makes some other interesting flavors, like blueberry and espresso. Maybe if no one's watching, you can give your morning coffee a bit of a kick.
You can learn more about Van Gogh Vodka here.