Gone…but back again

Tolkien was a brilliant writer. His much loved characters are still important and recognizable today. He wrote of fellowship and honour and standing up for what is right – all lessons that we need in a troubled time such as ours.

The title of his prequel to his successful trilogy was the Hobbit, but as every one knows, the faithful main character renames it, at the end of the book as “There and Back again”. I can relate to that.

I have been missing in action, and thanks to you who were wondering where I have been for the last little while. I am alright. I am not sick. I was just…gone.

See the writing biz is a difficult one, and in the food world even more difficult. So in order to pad the old coffers for the long winter ahead, I had to take a real job, which unfortunately I love very much, and has taken me away from my first love – food writing.

No…..don’t fret! please come back…I’m still here. Back with stories and food and wines. Just because I was not writing about food for a while does not mean that I have abandoned it forever. See, I have a new job which is – like a fellowship. We are banded together – our little group – to set about a daunting task, monstrous, even. What is it? I can’t say – I have signed to many documents forbidding the reveal of its identity, and if I were – the litigious monsters from hell would surely take my soul forever. So I am bound to this journey – for now.

But this is just it – I am still writing about food, and for other sources and writing more and more. more magazines are coming my way, more gigs. Who needs sleep when I get presents of wines not even in the local store catalogue. I spent the past weekend drinking 5 new wines – all of them new.
Take the Long Neck Cabernet Sauvignon for example. South Africa is developing a strong international reputation for high quality product without high prices. This is a new release from the Cape Town region. Situated on the coast, the terroir lends itself to strong growing conditions of hot sun combined with the cooling breeze from the ocean. It makes for a good combination. This dark plum or purple colored wine is full of deep, rich and ripe fruit. The nose sends hints of acetone, however it soon mellows out. A fruity palate of flavours descends on the tongue. A moderate long finish seals the deal with ripe cherries and plum overtones.

Raimat Abadia 2003 is a mature tasting blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo grapes. The tempranillo is the most well known of the Spanish grapes of the Rioja region. What comes out is smooth and creamy wine. The mouth feel is a velvety smooth with a deep ruby colour. Other notes of pepper and tobacco are noticeable without being overbearing and it ends with a long, elegant finish. I am sure that this wine, if cellared, will only get better with age.

On the white wine side of things we have the Placido Pinot Grigio. When slightly chilled it retains a floral nose, a true mark of Pinot Gris. As a pure pinot wine it is a good example. Exotic fruits, citrus and rose petals are present. It has a delicate body, slightly spicy and sweet, but not sickly. This light coloured wine would be perfect with a light salad and citrus vinaigrette, or even just simple heat kissed whitefish.

See..I’ve still got it…well maybe. More posts to come from my wilderness time spent away from the keyboard. Perhaps a good break was good for us all.

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copyright 2006