Blaufränkischs can be absolutely wonderful and complex
Philippines wine supplier Manila wine shop discusses wine by the grape variety Blaufrankisch. This is not well known among wine lovers in Manila but it is a wine that is worth exploring.
April 29, 2011
“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” – W.C. Fields
Okay, while we’re pretty sure that Central European wine wasn’t W.C. Fields’ first choice of libation when either cooking or imbibing (oh, who are we kidding – the man probably put down whatever was placed in front of him. Though oddly, he didn’t start drinking until well into his twenties in his Vaudeville days, when the loneliness and vagaries of the road started to get to him), the similarities between the man and this week’s Forgotten Grape Blaufränkisch are surprisingly robust. Certainly not their places of origin – Fields was born just outside of his beloved Philadelphia to parents of English-Irish descent, while Blaufränkisch is typically found across central Europe, including its primary home in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary – but more in the way that they both carry themselves, how both try to come off as a lot more than they actually are. Well, at least, that’s the way Fields’ characters came off throughout his film career. The man certainly had the talent and charisma to match his portly physique.
You see, Fields took his film facade to new heights during the 1920s and 1930s playing a variety of carnival barkers, card sharps, swindlers, cheats, and thieves, none of whom were similar in character to the real Bill Fields (as his friends referred to him), yet all of whom presented themselves with an air of sophistication and the appearance of a gentleman even as they swiped the nickels out of your back pocket. And yet no matter how comically nasty the character he played, Fields always seemed to imbue that fellow with just enough sympathy to humanize them and to make the audience not only care about the character, but to want to root for Fields the actor and see him in his next and latest role.
Oh, and he really, really, really liked to drink. A lot. Did we mention that?
Blaufränkisch? Well, it draws a lot of similarities to both of these things. This is a gape that presents itself in the wine as big, substantial, and able to hold its own with some of the great dark red wines of the world. Bordeaux? Hermitage? Chateauneuf-du-Pape? Bring ‘em all on. When grown properly in cooler climates and vintages without excessive heat and sun, the “Pinot Noir of Central Europe” (as it is sometimes called because of its prevalence and reputation throughout Austria and the former Soviet satellites) can even be imparted with aromas and flavors similar to Burgundian pinot noirs, and in hotter climates, the flavor patterns of Syrahs. But that’s where the similarities end. Because despite Blaufränkisch’s seemingly suave and distinguished scents and tastes, they really don’t hold up through the entire sip of the wine. In fact, these big plum and dark fruit flavors tend to flee faster than Larson E. Whipsnide at the sight of a cop, and all they leave behind is the hot tingling sting of alcohol. Which is not to say that Blaufränkischs are wines that are high in alcohol (most are between 13%-15% ABV), but rather that the wines can be unbalanced enough so that the alcohol rises to the top, or in this case, takes over the sip as soon as it hits your tongue. That’s right, Blaufränkischs may present a front of worldliness, erudition, and savvy, but deep down, they’re all just big lushes, depending far too heavily on alcohol to get by.
And yet, if you can get past this, Blaufränkischs can be absolutely wonderful and complex wines that will have you thinking and discussing among friends and you take your next sip. There is a reason it is the second most popular red grape in Austria and accounts for almost 5% of their total wine yield every year. Blaufränkisch, despite its woozy, inebriated stature, is a wine that can stand up, and one that any dedicated Friend of the Forgotten Grape would sample at least once.
So lift up your glass (wine glass, pint glass, shot glass, whatever glass you have in front of you, and offer a toast to this week’s Forgotten Grape, BLAUFRÄNKISCH, and
remember, while others may not have sympathy for a wine that’s intoxicated all the
time, the wine that’s intoxicated all the time doesn’t need sympathy.
Source: http://www.forgottengrapes.com/blaufrankisch.html
The wine shop in Angeles Philippines Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga as well as other wine shops, wine bars and wine outlets in Subic and Manila are wells stocked with interesting selections of many kinds of wine from various producers covering a wide range of prices. Of particular interest to wine lovers is the depth of vintages of wine available at the wine shop, wine bars and other wine outlets of Yats Wine Cellars in Philippines.
As a wine collector, hobbyist or someone in the wine trade, are you concerned or interested about this also? If so, please stay tuned in to Yats Wine Cellars’ web site to stay abreast of things to do with wine in the world.
News and pertinent information about wine trade, wine appreciation, wine shops and outlets, wine and food pairing, wine making, viticulture, vintages, climate conditions affecting wine, new and revived wine regions etc can be found here in this section. Yats wine Cellars is much more than a Philippines wine supplier with a few wine shops, wine bars and wine outlets in Philippines where clients can buy good wines in Manila, Angeles City, Subic and Clark Philippines. Yats Wine Cellars is also a rich source of information for the convenience of the growing community of wine lovers, wine connoisseurs and hobbyists in Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila, Subic, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark Philippines can enjoy fine vintage wines in any of Yats Wine Cellars wine shopping outlets, wine bars, nightlife spots, wine shops and wine restaurants.
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This fine dining restaurant is also famous for its low carbohydrates “low carb” dishes highly recommended for frequent diners who are on a low fat food and favor healthy food. This is a unique restaurant that can help frequent diners maintain a healthy diet and enjoy delicious fine dining cuisine at the same time. Vegetarian dishes are a specialty here also and so are “halal” cuisines also.
Favorites of frequent diners, foodies and wine lovers are steaks, Wagyu, Foie Gras, lobsters, venison, kangaroo loin, osso buco, veal chops, Kurabuto pork, escargots and a good selection of cheeses to enjoy with fine Vintage port and Sauternes. Cuban cigars such as Monte Cristo, Cohiba, Upmann, Partagas, Romeo Julieta and Trinidad are also available in the Magnum Room which is a wine bar and lounge for before and after dinner relaxation. A good selection of Armagnac, Cognac, Single Malt, Vodka and other liquor is served in addition to the wine vintage wines some served by the glass.
Recent opinion survey of frequent travelers heading north towards Subic and Clark Pampanga revealed that the number one most frequently visited fine dining restaurant in Pampanga is Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar located in Clark Philippines.
Inquiries and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and Kiko
Http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
For assistance in hotel and resort booking in Clark, Philippines, log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
For assistance in locating a suitable venue for wedding reception, log on to
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