tasty – THE DUDE OF FOOD

La Tur cheese will mooove you, baaah.

This blend of cow, sheep and goat milk from Italy made by the fine folks at Caseificio Dell’Alta Langa is absolutely delicious. Soft enough to spread on crackers and will easily melt into hot pasta. The flavor in this cheese is rich enough for cheese experts and lively enough to wake up a boring appetizer party.

The Dude of Food melted a good chunk of this cheese into some hot noodles the other day and was stoked I did. I can see myself craving this cheese in the near future.

Thank you Caseificio Dell’Alta Langa for your La Tur cheese. It is delicioso.

Sour beers are delicious.

The famous beer author Pete Brown describes Lambic and Gueueze style beers, commonly called sour beers, in the following way – ‘Instead of adding laboratory-cultured yeasts to start the fermentation of sugar into alcohol, lambic brewers rely on the natural yeasts in the air around them.’ Pete would know. I love reading his books because he knows about beer.

Making beer this way was the way of fermenting your brew. Back in the early brewing day taste was partially dependent on what bacteria fell into your beer. That would start the fermentation process and affect the taste of your wort or alcohol stew. The luckiest brewers came up with something different and delicious.

Below are three brewers the Dude of Food recommends you should begin your sour beer journey by investigating first. Prost.

The Dude of Food likes Bogle 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

When you are looking for a full bodied Cabernet that is not short on flavor and you’re not sure what to do because you don’t want to over spend, look for this bottle of wine. Bogle 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is a really good choice around $12. It may not be an expensive bottle but when folks taste it they won’t think you’re a cheapo, instead they should realize a smart deal and learn.

The Original Soup Man of New York

If you have not tried this Jambalaya then you need to!

Great on its own or as a base for your own recipe.

“Yum , thanks Soup Man!” the Dude of Food

AQUINAS – Napa California Cabernet

AQUINAS 2011 California Cabernet Sauvignon

Named after St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), an Italian Dominican friar, priest and revolutionary scholar who used the laws of science to support his belief in the Almighty. This wine, like it’s namesake, is smart, bold, dedicated and has many quality attributes.

The Dude of Food rating:

Give this wine a try.

Bodega ELENA de Mendoza 2010 Red Blend

This family of fine wine is named after the matriarch who came from Italy, Elena Napoli.

Bodega ELENA de Mendoza, Argentina

2010 RED BLEND

62% Malbec

21% Syrah

17% Bonarda

This family has developed some top wines from Argentina that I happen to enjoy. The Malbec and the Red Blend from Bodega Elena de Mendoza are my favorites.

According to the web, the “legs” or “tears” of wine that run down the inside of the wine glass are a sign of alcohol. The heavier the legs, the lower the alcoholic content of the wine. If this is in fact true, then these wines are low in alcohol and big in flavor. The legs may be attributed to sugar, I don’t know.

This Red Blend, like it’s sister Malbec, is loaded with solid flavors and not too sweet.

It’s not too dry either, but just right. These wines will slowly undress for your tongue, landing softly, pleasuring your taste buds, leaving you wanting another sip.

Was priced under $10. Get some.

MALBEC Review – Espuela del Gaucho Reserve 2012

This tasty limited edition Malbec was also grown and bottled in the Mendoza region of Argentina and is imported by WX Imports, Novato, CA

Do Not Confuse with the 2011 which wasn’t good.

www.espueladelgaucho.com

This is another fine Malbec that is now on my Top 5 Malbec list. Not as good as my favorite, Bodega de ELENA, but gets close. This winning wine is a 2012, so maybe could use a year to age, but is a very good selection.

The Espuela del Gaucho has unique, slow running, heavy legs. It carries a lighter body, that lands gently on the tongue, joyfully leaving hints of mixed berries grown in the fresh Andes air and then drifts away.

This is another quality Malbec from Argentina, that any California cab or Merlot drinker will enjoy for under $12.

Las Rocas de San Alejandro 2009

This product of Spain is a tasty red table wine.

This wine is lighter than a Malbec or Cabernet and has thin streaky legs. The taste immediately reveals sweet berries and then lightly tapers with a fume of apricot and pear. Not heavy. Not too sweet

Great for day sipping, happy hour or with meals. This wine would go well with a meat, cheese and olive platter as well as your favorite steak salad.

If you pay more than $10. it’s not a good deal. It is not the average bottle of wine, so be a unique wine buyer and try this.