Dessert Wine the Japanese Way, Choya Ume-shu

The Japanese LOVE their version of the plum or "ume", pronounced, "ew-may". The two most common forms are pickled (ume-boshi) and fermented into wine (ume-shu).

For foreigners, pickled ume or ume-boshi is something you'll likely try at least once, it's part of the foreigner hazing. If you didn't grow up on ume-boshi, you'll cringe at the salty, bitter creation (but eventually learn to love it, like me!).

Fortunately the wine is MUCH more pleasant, divine really. It's a great, affordable dessert wine, perfect for any occasion. As you and your friends polish off a bottle, have fun eating the fermented plums at the bottom, but watch out for the pit! The most marketed brand is Choya. Resist the urge to buy the cheaper brand made in China, it is NOT very good. If you're looking for some indication of taste, it's somewhere between a peach and plum.

I had the pleasure of visiting and ultimately living in Japan for several years. I even tried some homemade ume-shu made by a Junior High School teacher, it was incredible. I recall he had a 5, 10 and 15 year old batch, if only I were that successful in home brewing...

Cheers!

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More Wine Shop Antics!

I mentioned in a post several weeks ago a bait and switch problem at my local wine purveyor. I clearly didn't learn my lesson and gave the shop another shot at winning my business today... Unfortunately I discovered another infraction that was either pure laziness or intentional deceit.

In this particular store, rated wines are labeled with their score beside the price tag. It draws the eye and makes it easier for some to find an affordable, quality wine. Be careful though wine shoppers, make sure and read your labels closely. Make sure the rating and year on the label matches the year on the bottle. A rated wine for a 2006 vintage does not make the 2005 or 2007 equally as good. It's true that a good wine maker can crank out excellent wines year over year, but the one thing they cannot control is weather! Caveat emptor

Cheers!

Can't Smell Your Wine?

To really taste and enjoy your wine to the fullest, you need to smell it! As you know, taste is 75% from smell. Unfortunately the Winter time is an ongoing battle with the cold and flu, and it's gotten worse in recent years. For me getting a cold is a cruel, cruel trick, not only do I feel crummy, but I can't drink or enjoy my wine!

I'm proud to say this year, I am COLD FREE (so far)! Believe it or not, I don't live in a bubble, in fact, I have three germ carrying children in daycare and work in a converted warehouse surrounded by other sick people. So what do I owe my newfound wellness? I've become a very vocal proponent and user of Ayr Saline Rinse bottles. A simple squeeze bottle where you mix a small amount of salt and warm water. I've used everything from simple table salt to kosher salt and even sea salt. Simply mix, tilt head and squeeze in one nostril and let it run out the other; it's a modern day netty pot. Without getting too graphic, you'll be surprised what you're able to flush out. I do this once in the morning and again at night.

So why let cold and flu season get in the way of your next wine tasting. Give nasal flushing a try, it's easier than you think and you'll be healthier for it.

Cheers!