Another Good Reason to Visit Daniel and Cari

Even though I am very sad about my best friend moving to New Mexico, I wish him and his lovely wife the best and get ready because we will be visiting very soon. New Mexico and Albuquerque especially have excellent cuisine and great wineries producing wines that are seen all over the world. Probably the best known is Gruet Winery which makes the best sparkling wines in the desert. They make these sparkling wines in the Methode Champenoise which means it's made with the same grape varietals (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and same method (Second Fermentation in Bottle) as true Champagne from France.
Methode Champenoise, Brute, Non-Vintage ($16)
This Brut offers a crisp, full-bodied sparkling wine. Flavors of green apple, grapefruit, and citrus pop in your mouth with a smooth creamy, nutty finish.

Sophia's Place Albuquerque
This hole in the wall is know for Duck Enchiladas and Blue Corn Pancakes. I can not wait to visit to try them both. Then I will go see Dan and Cari. I saw this restaurant one night while watching Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on the Food Network with Megan. I have been told that New Mexico has some of the best food in the US and can't wait to visit.

Daniel and Cari, I wish you the best and hope that you come back to the East Coast soon, but don't come back until you have tried the all the local flavors. Take this opportunity to try somethings that you can't get in NC or VA. If I learned anything from moving back to VA from Chicago is that we will always talk about the amazing restaurants, bars, clubs, and shows tell the day we die. We loved it in Chicago and yall will love it in Albuquerque. Remember you can do anything for two years!!! Love you guys!

Pinot Noir Rack of Lamb

Every couple of weeks I like to try something in the kitchen that I have not done in the past. Megan loves it when I try new things in the kitchen. This is why I love her so. Maybe it's because she doesn't have to cook. This week I grilled a Pinot Noir and Rosemary Marinated Rack of Lamb. I could not believe how easy it was to cook this wonderful piece of meat. Usually when people talk about Rack of Lamb you immediately think $$$. Since Easter was right around the corner I purchased this rack on sale at Fresh Market for under $20. This is by far my favorite store to get fresh cuts of meat on the cheap. They cut all their meats really thick and only cut a certain amount per day so the meat is always fresh but you have to get it before it is all gone.

Pinot Noir is one of my favorite wines to marinate with because of it's aroma and flavor profile. PN always has a smokey, almost rendered bacon fat, kind of aroma. PN is also a lighter grape so you won't have to worry about the wine stealing the flavor show. PN always has a flavor profile of Cherries and usually Raspberries.

Stringtown Pinot Noir, Oregon ($18):
Visual: Ruby Red to Brick Red in color, Medium to Medium-Long Legs
Nose: Smokey, Raspberry Jam, Black Cherry, Plum
Palate: Bright Cherries, Plum, Tiny Tannins (those things that dry your mouth) but they work perfectly with the lamb because the lamb has quite a bit of fat in it so the tannins help to clear you mouth of the fat so when you take that next bite it is just like the first bit you had. A very balanced PN for under $20