Friends, Meatloaf, and Three Wines

Yesterday Noel's friend from high school, Scott came over for dinner. I wanted to make something that was sure to show off my kitchen skills. I came up with meatloaf, but how could I make it special? I know what you are thinking, he used bacon. No not this time. This time I used mozzarella cheese, brussel sprouts, carrots, garlic, pink, white, green, black pepper corns and saffron. I was a little buzzed after a few beers at Savin Bar and Kitchen and a bottle of wine between Tom and I so I don't know the exact measurements of the spices probably tablespoon each pepper and three pinches saffron. First I had to figure out how to put the veggies in without there being too much water. Rebecca to the rescue. She is one of the owners to Beacon Hill Wine and Gourmet in Melrose, MA. Her and I always chit chat about food and she has taught me a thing or two. So when I had to figure out how to put the veggies in my meat loaf I knew just who to call. She came up with the idea to roast them on high heat for about 20-30 minutes. I cut the carrot up into half inch flat pieces, smashed two garlic cloves and de-leafed 6 brussel sprouts. As they were all roasting I made my meat mixture. I had the half pork, half beef meatloaf mix and added a pound of Italian sausage. I had some rolls that I got at Bacco Wine and Cheese that I had left out for a few days, perfect for making breadcrumbs. I cut up half a roll added the pepper and saffron and mixed it all up in the meat. I put half the meat in the pan then covered the meat with half the mozzarella cheese then covered the cheese with the brussel sprouts and carrots and topped with the rest of the cheese and the rest of the meat. Just before I put it in the over I sprinkled a little fresh parmesan cheese, fresh cut pepper, and a pinch of saffron. I cooked it at 350 until the thermometer reached 160. When it got to 155 I put a little or parmesan cheese on top. I wish I took a picture of this when it came out of the oven. Not only did it look good but it tasted amazing!! All the spices mixed together divinely and the veggies were perfect especially with the mozzarella.

I opened three bottles of wine yesterday. Before Scott came over my buddy Tom stopped by to unwind from work before taking the long T ride home. To help him unwind and to celebrate my trip to Chile (in three days) I opened Secreto Viognier, from Viu Manent. I love this wine!! Viognier is one of my most favorite wines. It's floral, with pears, nectarine, lime and a healthy acidity. There is nothing not to love about this wine. Secerto is a fun wine. By law a wine must be 85% of a grape to be put on the label (in California 75%), so 15% can be anything. Viu Manent ran with this and came up with Secerto. Sometimes a winery will put on the back label what has been blended in a wine, but they don't have to. Secerto does not tell you. Each variety has a different label that is painted by Catalina Abbott that shows someone keeping a secret. This is a just a fun wine from bottle to juice. The next bottle was a bottle that Scott brought to our house. I also find it interesting what people will bring to my house. He brought Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley. I love Washington State wines. This wine was great! Nice cedar, dark cherry and rose. This wine is made by Charles Smith, he was wine maker of the year 2009 and is the brain behind such brands a Kung-Fu Girl, The Velvet Devil, and BOOM BOOM . I can't wait to try more of these wines, it was a nice change of pace having someone bring wine to my house. I am going to stop telling people not to bring wine to my house. After that wine was polished off I opened Viu Manent Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon knowing that if we didn't finish it I could just show it the next day. I love being a wine rep!!!! I can open a bottle have a glass or two and just show the rest the next day. This wine is one of the best value wines in my company portfolio and may be my favorite wine ever under $15. This is a Cabernet that could battle some of the Napa Cabs that are twice the price. About a year ago I dorked out with my bestie Molner. I opened a very nice Bordeaux, a Sonoma cab and this wine. At first taste Molner asked why my third bottle was a nicer bottle than the second.  I told her it wasn't and that the Chile wine was half the price of the Sonoma wine. We both agreed that night Viu Manent Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon was the winner that night. All three of these wines are must try wines!!

Saturday at 330pm I get on a plane and go to Santiago Chile for a week. I get to visit Viu Manent and their vineyards. I will make sure to post about the wines I drink while down there and maybe a few of the dinners. I can't believe this trip is already here!!