RisqueSommelier.com

Kynsi 2005 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, Ca

Tonight… favorite LUSHES invited Risqué to drink and dine Alfresco… Our hostess served a delicious cold Summer entrée of Grilled Medium Rare New York Steak tossed with Arugula and Al Dente Penne Pasta dressed with a Balsamic mustard vinaigrette… wonderfully toothsome! The LUSHES paired it with a complimentarily delicious (and one of Risqué’s favorite Wineries) KYNSI 2005 PINOT NOIR, Edna Valley.

The accompanying wine had a lovely dark plum color with tangy cherry, pomegranate and anise nose with spicy Pepper, Rose, blackberry and anise rich, blood orange across the palate with just the right oak and a lingering fruity finish.

The Arugula in the salad and the pepper and tangy fruitiness of the wine paired perfectly and made Risqué quite glad… he had accepted the Invitation!!!

Alcohol 13.8% ($25)

Tsar Nicoulai Café

Charles Heidsieck & Co

Risqué again found himself enjoying a day in San Francisco with nothing else to do but luxuriate!!! So, along with delicious LUSHES he found his way again to the #1 Fairy Ferry Building (how appropriate!). Lunch seemed inappropriate; however, Caviar and Champagne seemed ideal! Risqué and guests settled into a “Connoisseurs” selection of Caviar at Tsar Nicoulai Café with several bottles of Charles Heidsieck & Co’s Monopole Blue Top Non-Vintage Brut Champagne and a bottle of Schramsberg Non-Vintage Blanc de Blancs (of Barbara Walters’ fame).

The Caviar Connoisseur… consisted of 5 – 1 gram portions of Select California Estate Osetra, California Estate Osetra, Hackleback Sturgeon, Paddlefish Sturgeon and the finest Imported Azerbaijan Caspian Sevruga. Each of the caviars were presented with homemade buckwheat blini with crème fraiché and Risqué requested chives.

The Charles Heidsieck & Co’s Monopole Blue Top Non-Vintage Brut Champagne, although not a vintage bottle of bubbles was quite acceptable with the caviar… it’s light golden color yielded a bright and balanced creamy textured liquid with just enough acidity to refresh the palate after each bite of caviar and provide a nutty finish… Yummm…

Alcohol 12% ($75)

Risque’s favorite among the delicious egg selections was of course… the finest of all… the imported Servuga…. Life is a Banquet!!!

2004 Müller-Catoir Haardter Mandelring Scheurebe Spätlese, Pfalz, Germany

Martini House, St Helena, CA

Risqué, while touring Napa, on a very warm Summer day, settled into a lovely lunch, with some of his favorite LUSHES, at one the acclaimed Pat Kuleto’s Restaurants, Martini House in St. Helena. Looking for something light, bright and refreshing, from the Menu, Risqué selected a wonderful Cream of Mushroom Soup with Toasted Croutons and Chives and a Country Style Duck Terrine with Celery Root and Apple Salad in a Creamy Hazelnut Vinaigrette. Charming (and knowledgeable) Wine Director, Rob, recommended the 2004 Müller-Catoir Haardter Mandelring Scheurebe Spatlese.

This pale greenish tinged sparkling light and elegant liquid is saturated with the aromas of stone fruits… bushels of apricots and yellow plums and mouth watering citrus with sprigs of sweet herbal mint. The mouth is flooded with more rich textured delicious ripe stone fruits and honey, balanced against a firm stoney and lightly salty mineral backbone woven with a floral Damask of citrusy acidity through a lengthy finish.

This Spätlese was delectable and filled the bill for Risqué’s cravings for truly bright refreshment but paled to the wonderful company and time spent enjoying the moments with dear friends… Ahhhh, Summer love!

Alcohol 9.5% ($45)

The Social Decline of the Straight American Male?…

Recently I was out on the town with customers. At the end of the night, a client asked me in a hushed voice “OK… you’re gay, right?” After I put her straight (no pun intended) , I asked what caused the confusion.

The reply - “You always seem to look good and really know your way around a wine list, so we just assumed…”

OK, how did we come to a point American culture where positive personal attributes are assumed to be the exclusive domain of gay men? Unless you behave like Al Bundy or Homer Simpson you must be gay? Lookit, I’m not offended about being asked if I was (that part is just like being asked if I’m left-handed). It’s more about frustration that straight males in American society no longer getting any credit for looking good and behaving well.

It wasn’t always so. I submit that many of yesteryear’s “alpha males” would be considered “pretty boys” today, if for no other reason that today they would be…

- Dressed a little too well

- Would be a bit too physically fit

- Would speak with a little too well, exhibiting some wit and intelligence

- Would exhibit a little too much taste for good food, fine wines, a few of the other fine things in life

Not so long ago, these characteristics were hallmarks of a gentleman and a goal shared by all men (straight or gay). Don’t believe me?… pull out an old photo album and check out a party pic of dear old Dad, Granddad, or Uncle Frank from the 1960’s…

I’ll betcha he’s dressed better in it than George Clooney at a Cannes premiere. And some famous examples from the ‘Good Old Days’… Gary Cooper; Cary Grant; Dean Martin.

I believe that we in the US have forgotten that good grooming, social ease, and demonstrable intelligence are not an integral part of one’s sexuality. Unless we get a ‘course-correction’ and set some higher expectations, we’re gonna end up with a single straight male population of socially-inept goobers.

Or (looking on a bright side) maybe I could just start a “mail-order groom” business and take advantage of the situation? My guess I could make a killing.

Just sayin’.

Risqué believes.. “The Straight male has abandoned everything sensible in society… except for the fully subscribing “Metro-Sexual”… and thank GOD for George Clooney! Waiter… “Bring Risqué the wine list… Please!”

Hello all you darling Risque LUSHES! Risqué wanted to inform his LUSHES that this week he is suffering in Napa and Sonoma…please forgive any light posts and know that Risqué does so love his devoted LUSHES.

À votre santé!

Risqué Sommelier

Risqué has just had a delightful day in San Francisco where he had the pleasure of spending the day at the Bliss Spa located at the W Hotel where Bryan, the cute massage therapist alleviated all his built-up tension with his gentle but strong hands, arms and an occasional elbow.

After exhausting the spa services, Risqué made his way to the infamous Michael Mina’s Restaurant bar in the St. Francis Hotel where Boris, the handsome bartender surprised Risqué with the perfect martini (Boris created) to complete his spa experience called “Indian Summer”.

Risqué loved it so much that he couldn’t wait to share it with his devout LUSHES.

Indian Summer

- 1.5 oz. Ketel One Citroen

- .75 oz. Gabriel Boudier Crème de Cassis

- 1 oz. Jorge Odonez Malaga Moscatel 2001

- 2 broken pieces of cucumber

- .75 oz. Fresh lime juice

- 1 drop Fee Brothers Grapefruit Bitters

- Splash of egg white

Fill shaker with ice, combine ingredients and shake, shake and shake. Pour into chilled martini glass and garnish with a slice of cucumber.

Makes 1 martini

Enjoy, my darlings…take a day off for a Spatini and go to the spa and afterwards, indulge in an Indian Summer.

Marchese Antinori Riserva 1996 Chianti Classico

While sharing a lovely afternoon on the dinning terrace on a late spring evening, Risqué was charmed by the presence of one of his newest LUSHES who came baring offerings; she brought with her a bottle of Marchese Antinori Reserva 1996 Chianti Classico. Risqué’s little soiree immediately centered around this lovely bottle of wine where everyone partaking referred to it as “Tongue Candy”.

The face of this wine reflects deep dark red with glints of fiery amber. One smell reveals earthy terroir and stoney minerality which leads to dark candied flavors of licorice, root beer and plum…almost Port’esque. The 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon blend swirls on the tongue with a woody tannic frame that showcases more licorice drops, root beer and Montmorency cherries. This Chianti Classico is made from selected grapes that have been grown on the Antinori Santa Cristina, Pèppoli and Badia a Passignano estates in the Mercatale Val di Pesa in Chianti Classico and where the wine has been aged in one and two year old French oak barrels.

Risqué thinks there is probably not a better term for a precious and delicious libation than “Tongue Candy” and this little confection certainly delivered oodles of exactly that. Risqué would pair this with almost anything boldly flavored, hickory grilled Cowboy bone-in Rib Eye steaks or Spicy Cajun grilled wild King Salmon come to mind. Along with dinner… Risqué would also pair this with a little “Eye Candy”… Sweet! Points for his new LUSH!

Alcohol 13% ($65)

Robert F. Varga, Nude on Blue Towel

Sun, Seashells, Surf, Salty, Sand, Sails, Swim Suits, Sandals, Skin and Sex all Swirl through Risqué’s Salacious mind as Summer begins to Sizzle. Summers always Summon images of the Season in Ptown MaSSachuSettS and days on the Shore and in the Swale preserves. Robert Varga Seizes this Sensual Scene Succinctly. The Shadows and Semi Sculptural aspect of his brush Stroke bring Stimulation, Spirit and Scope to his Sedulity.

Supposing yourself a voyeur Seagull, the Slim, Smooth, Sufficient, Stomach prone Subject peers down the Strand at Something of interest along the near Seaside… Risqué’s Savoir faire Says “There is Surely Something of Significant Substance to Spur Such Speculation”. Risqué’s finds the Subject’s observed supple aSS quite Satisfyingly Splendiferous!!!

Risqué recommends you Slip by the Leslie/Lohman Gallery Site and Surf the Supplications of Sumptuous art Skill in Varga’s Submissions.

Risqué, a lover, believer and consumer of aphrodisiacs has finally found an aphrodisiac in wine form. Full of love, lust and beauty, this mystical potion was quickly plucked in the night allowing for “cold skin maceration”, fermented in stainless steel and then aged on lees for 4 months. Truly a gift from the gods via Cotes de Gascogne.

The salacious scent revels soft floral and zesty citrus leaving a downy softness on the nose. On the tongue slides Verve (enthusiasm and vitality) with mossy and earthy notes, then after a delayed response explodes surprising tangerine and mandarin orange ending with a little stoney minerality and “racy acidity”.

Beautiful with a sweet Malpeque oyster topped with a light squeeze of citrus or paired with double crème brie.

Risqué says open the bottle and drink it solo because you really need to feel this wine first before taking on any delicacies. Aphrodisiac Magnifique!

Alcohol 12.5% ($12)

Who knew that after all these years of having Gay Parié, France would finally give us some Gay Wine??? Risqué say’s it’s about time!!! The new wine that will be launched 1 July is called TendreBulle Gay Vin by Domaine de Boyer.