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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v03n18)
The Wine Scene - by Jill A. Ditmire
posted: Sept. 08, 2006

Wine Scene header

Guinness & Harp's Better Than A Biscuit: Boofday Bribes

Guinness: Harpy, yesterday was Grandma Kathy's birthday and our crazy mama forgot to send her a card or get her a gift. Once again she leaves all of the pressure of unconditional love to us. . .
Harp: That is not a good thing. Grandma Kathy always gives us LOTS of treats when we visit. Those Snaps treats she doles out are even better than the goose pate on the canal.
Guinness: I saw no stamp-licking and heard no computer key clicking.
Harp: A simple yes or no will do, Guinness. No need to audition for Masterpiece Theater.
Guinness: That reminds me of the big book with the eye on it that Mama was reading - glorious pictures of art related to the wine world. Maybe we could find it, bury it, and dig it up the next time Grandma Kathy visits.
Harp: That would be Imagery from the Benziger wine family. Their top-of-the-line wine carries that name and gets bottled with a label designed by an artist. This book shares the best of the labels/art produced since winemaker Joe Benziger and artist Bob Nugent designed the first Imagery label in 1985. Each of the selected artists writes a narrative about their experience with wine and how it influenced their label design. Imagery is much more than a coffee table book. It's a sensual history of wine and art.
Guinness: Or we could take her to Perk Up, that nifty, natty, comfortably classic new coffee house at 6536 Cornell.
Harp: Now you're ringing my Pavlovian bell. I'd love to sink my teeth into a homemade scone or succulent ham and cheese sandwich, followed by a Ritter's Dipper and cup of REAL coffee. Master Roaster Matt works on site creating an assortment of custom blends for coffee lovers as well as his regular roster of freshly ground offerings.
Guinness: Ritter Dippers are encased in luscious, dark, rich chocolate. We can't have chocolate and we won't be getting any more SNAPS if we don't find a good gift for Grandma Kathy.
Harp: Maybe we should follow our crazy mama's advice: when all else fails, there is wine, and when nothing fails, there is wine. That means a bottle of Rutherford Hill merlot.
Guinness: But Grandma Kathy loves white wine and got turned off by tutti-fruity merlots.
Harp: That's why she needs to try Rutherford Hill. The Napa winery specializes in merlot, so you won't find that easy-to-order/no-personality red wine in this bottle. Winemaker Doug Fletcher works hard to grow great vines and be true to the terroir. The result is a silky, full-bodied dry red with inviting aromas of blackberry and spice. Rich fruit tannins create a dry, yet fruit forward wine packed with blackberry, cherry, and black raspberry flavors with a touch of white pepper. The recently released 03 is drinking well now, and should for the next year or so.
Guinness: Bet it's expensive.
Harp: Nope. 25 bucks. Our crazy mama would call it a great value if she were ever here to write these reviews. I bet she's over at Perk Up enjoying a Belgian Breeze.
Guinness: I bet she's sipping an Italian soda waiting for an Italian winemaker to come by and recreate Under the Tuscan Sun. Does Perk Up have any French drinks?
Harp: Aaah, Poodles, Pastis and Paris. Now that would be the perfect gift for Grandma Kathy.
Guinness: We need to check out that French Pharmacologie place down the street from Girly Chic and Periwinkle's. Maybe they do dog-friendly buying trips to France. . .
Perk Up 6536 Cornell Ave 317 251 0033
www.Benzigerwinery.com
www.rutherfordhill.com



Jill A. Ditmire is an Omnimedia wine specialist, AWS certified wine judge, freelance broadcast journalist and 20+ year home owner in the Warfleigh neighborhood of Broad Ripple. Send your questions and comments to Jill at jill@broadripplegazette.com
Also on INSTAGRAM @jaditmire




jill@broadripplegazette.com
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