in praise of greek wine and cheese

00GreekWineAndCheese

Well, our ‘Greek Night’ is coming along and preparations are falling together.

Mizithra Cheese is tough to find, but not impossible and essential for our Sifnos Honey Cheesecake style pie. I am pleased with the wine purchases as described by Boutari:

Boutari Naoussa

“The first Greek red bottled VQPRD wine to enter the Greek market, constituting a landmark for red wines in Greece. For 6 generations, it has been enjoyed by consumers, introducing young people to the experience of red wine and rewarding its loyal friends with its consistent, timeless quality.Typical, classic wine of Naoussa. Deep red colour with an intense personality. It produces a rich bouquet of ripe red fruit, blackberry and plum, together with sun-dried tomato and the aromas derived from ageing, cinnamon and wood. A rich body, good balance and structure, soft tannins in its finish.”

Boutari Moschofilero

“In an effort to literally save the Moschofilero variety from extinction and in recognition of the enormous potential of this strongly aromatic variety, Boutari created one of the most famous brand names on the market in history. The Moschofilero Boutari is now synonymous to the Moschofilero variety and has gained international recognition, as one of the most versatile wines that amazes the international cuisines.Yellow-white colour with tints of green-yellow, a strong varietal aroma of flowers and citrus fruit on the nose and palate, with white rose and orange blossom prevailing. A fresh wine, full and balanced, with a long aftertaste.”

Achaia Clauss Mavrodaphne

“This thick, purple mavrodaphne reserve has gone the way of a tawny Port, age simultaneously lightening and deepening its flavors. Now the fruit is more baked apple and apricot, while the freshness has turned to truffle, spice and deep caramel. Most remarkedly, the sweetness has mellowed considerably, giving plenty of ripe flavors while finishing light and clean.” –Wines & Spirits

Now, everything is coming together!

Roger

following karen and her adventures

Karen's very social world
reflecting on Karen's very social world of 2009

My  daughter Karen is a social animal and very unlike me she maneuvers life’s social mine fields with finesse and aplomb.  So it really doesn’t surprise me that she fits so well in the world of social media and public relations. This year she traveled to Greece, the Netherlands, Boston and San Francisco making professional presentations in her area and everywhere she tempted me with pictures of the cultural treasures and the cuisine.

When I was younger I loved the old James Bond films as they took you to places you may not have visited and helped you explore parts of the world in a much more fun way than a dry National Geographic film tour. However, now I have something so much better, following Karen and Kristin’s adventures.

Thanks for sharing, ladies…. see you soon and on facebook.

Dad

looking forward to 2010

Here's Looking at 2010
Here's Looking at 2010

I guess I am the perpetual optimist because I always look forward to the next year, next birthday and even the next football season…. even though my teams suffered a bit this year.

This is a special holiday season for me… getting everyone together in this busy world is often challenging at best.

So, Happy Holidays to all and a wonderful 2010.

Roger

we are all so different

Karla has a humourous take on differences in personality
Karla has a humourous take on differences in personality

Our daughter Karla has an innocent sense of humor that isn’t too often far from the mark. However, don’t think it weak of me, but I also found the ‘dipping of the shoe’ unsettling in ‘Who framed Roger Rabbit”, too.

Thanks Karla, you made me smile.

Roger

when daughters go rogue

Kristin doing one of her many things well
Kristin doing one of her many things well

What’s wrong with this picture? Kristin is having a ball, while I sit and try to detect the mysteries of a traditional Sifnos Honey pie with Myzithra cheese? Actually, we are each doing what we love, besides she loves to cook and she and Karen will be with us soon for Christmas!

I do enjoy  FACEBOOK if for no other reason that it provides a wonderful glimpse into the lives of family. Kristin posted some of these pictures today on Facebook and I could hear her mother screech!

Greece hom of wonderfully healthy and delicious food!
Greece -- home of wonderfully healthy and delicious food!

Back to the Greek Honey Pie called Melopitta, the traditional Easter treat of the island of Sifnos! Searching for authentic ingredients for “Melopitta” is challenging. Most of the knock-off recipes substitute the Greek cheese  Myzithra (μυζήθρα, pronounced mee-ZEETH-rah) with Ricotta, Mascarpone or even Cottage cheese… but it is far closer to cream cheese in practical use. There are also many ‘cheesecake’ variations utilizing Myzithra with brandy, fruit and nuts.

Enough, it is lunch time with some wine and Tiropetes!

Roger