Ideal Bite

Need a theme for your summer soiree?

08.02.2006

Submitted by idealbite on Wed, 08/02/2006 - 5:00pm.

The Bite:

Go with one word: organic. Summon your wine-swilling, cheese-loving pals, uncork a few bottles, set out the cheese tray and kick back… it could be a long evening. With all the organic wine and cheese options available these days, you'll make Dionysus green with envy. And note: organic wine does not last as long uncorked, so "darn!" Finish the bottle!

The Benefits:

Fewer 'cides. Organic wine made with organic grapes means zero chemical insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. And organic cheese is also free of hormones and antibiotics.
Organic farms often employ eco-friendly agricultural methods, using cover crops and natural fertilizers and promoting plant biodiversity.
Your palate will thank you. Minimally processed and produced in smaller quantities, this type of vino changes up your regular wine routine.
As Biters can attest, zero added sulfites (used as a preservative in regular wine) means gentler hangovers.

Personally Speaking:

Wanna know what we think about wine & cheese? Well, we love love LOVE it. But for more details, check out our past tips, where we babble 'bout our love of everything fermented: Unwined with Biodynamic Wine and In Vino (Should Be) Veritas, and about everything stinky: "Say (Organic) Cheese!"

Wanna Try:

During our last company retreat, we did some taste testing. Here are some of the Ideal Bite team's faves:

Frey Organic Red Table Wine - Toshio has delicately sipped his way through bottles of this (ahem) and reports zero hangovers ($8).
Cooper Mountain Old Vines Pinot Gris 2004 - Sara loves this local, Oregon wine ($18).
Sumarroca Muscat 2004 - a fruity Spanish white that reminds Jen of her semester abroad in Spain ($10).
Vendemmia Chianti Classico 2002 - made with organically grown grapes, Heather has already polished off a case. Ask your local shop if they can get it from this importer ($22).
Medici Ermete Assolo Reggiano Rosso Secco 2004 - Italian sparkling red ($12).
Cowgirl Creamery Collection - mmmmm. Let's say that again. Mmmmmm ($55).
Moonstruck Gift Box - amazing for blue cheese fans ($70).

Cocktail Fact

The most expensive bottle of wine was sold for $160K in 1985. 11 months later, the cork slipped into the bottle and ruined it.

Bang For The Bite

Contrary to Heather's belief, you won't save the planet drinking organic wine. Still, you can feel good knowing that added chems and hormones aren't in your glass or on your plate.

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