In Wine fuck the new trends and save tradition

Dear Readers,

you might have noticed that I am being writing more about wine than any other argument lately.

Today’s Post is dedicated to some of the newest trends in wine. Don’t be excited just yet, wine world is very conservative and there’s not much room for development and experimentation, thus Wine Houses, Producers have started playing with the outer stuff.

The outer stuff, as I call it, is the bottle, the label, the box of the wine bottle and the cork.

As long as you do not play with the content of the wine, (the precious nectar) it is ok with me but let me tell you that adding a screw metal top to a nice bottle of wine or a plastic cover is not a nice thing as well.

It is not nice for so many different reasons, you do not unscrew a metallic cover of an expensive wine, and you do not generate more demand for plastic if you are using a millenary tradition of cork taps that are both ecological and safe.

My humble contribution today is to tell you not to purchase any wines that do not have a cork tap, the reason why can be seen in the video provided.

Please spread the word.

As we say in Portugal: “Saùde” Good health when you raise your glass of wine.

Bon Apetit,

Chef Gourmet Du Art

The Best Red Wine in the World 2012 - Poliphonia 2008

Dear readers,

If you remember well, in my last post, I have transcript a passage of an interview of Mr. Baudouin Havaux (President of Brussels World Wine Contest) where he declared that Portugal was the European country where Wine has registered the biggest development in terms of quality.

I do not if it was a premonition or not, but the truth is that the Wine that this year’s won the CMB was the Portuguese Red Poliphonia 2008.

It is produced by Henrique Granadeiro in the wine region of Alentejo. If you are a follower of my Blog you have noticed that I often suggest Alentejo Red Wine together with some of my recipes.

It is made with Alicante Bouschets grapes and aged in French Oak Barrels.

I would like also to emphasize that this year’s edition of CMB had the participation of more than 8.400 wines in competition from 50 different countries of origin. Portugal participated with almost 1.000 which represents a growth of 44% when compared with the past edition.

Here’s my humble contribution in the divulgation of Portuguese Wine and also a word of appreciation and congratulations. Keep on the good job.

Bon Apetit,

Chef Gourmet Du Art

Portugal is the European country where wine has registered the biggest development in quality

Dear readers,

today's Post is small, its only scope is to further enhance a recent interview that Mr. Baudouin Havaux conceded to the Portuguese News Agency (LUSA).

According to Mr. Baudouin "Portugal is the European Country where wine has registered the biggest development in Quality".

Do not forget that this Friday it starts the 19th edition of the Bruxels World Wine Contest (CMB) and Mr. Baudouin is its President.

Hope that you manage to enjoy some Portuguese Wines, I recommend Red from the Alentejo Region.

Bon Apetit,

Chef Gourmet Du Art

Amazing Prawn Orgy - Aphrodisiac recipe

Dear readers,

as you know I have often praise the magical powers of some foods and its ingredients.

I have also posted some aphrodisiac recipes in this Blog. Today I will once again experiment and share with you my latest discovery.

Prior to the recipe I think it is appropriate to remind you all that Spring is finally here and the Season of excellence for Love and Lovers deserve a few thoughts and considerations.

Since ancient times that food and ingredients are used to improve sexual power and/or appetite.

Some are famous and well known others are still secrets that are passed from generation to generation.

Sex and food do have an umbilical relation, you see sex is not all in the head, it is also physical, and a mixture of many factors and situations that we can describe as psycho-bio-environmental in which food and nutrition do pay an important role.

When we speak about aphrodisiac food or ingredients we often speak about increasing power and manhood, thus a sexist approach to the all idea and of course we end discussing about erection.

Folks, aphrodisiac food is equally important to women as well. Do not forget that it takes two to dance the tango.

Maybe you do not know that the libido of women can be increased by simply eating avocado or that man can have a longer erection by simply eating watermelon (Nature’s response to Viagra).

When we discuss about erection, one should know the chemicals factors behind it. You see erection involves the release of nitric oxide during the sexual stimulation. The nitric oxide is formed from Arginine (an amino acid).  The supply o zinc, proteins, magnesium and benefic fats is very important to the production of testosterone. You can find Arginine on Chocolate, Milk products, Fish, Read Meat, Dry Fruits and Sea Food.

As my good friend Chef of Natural Cuisine Ramona Saviola once said, “You are what you eat.” So the importance of an diverse and balanced diet is not only good to your health but also good for your sexual performance. All chemical reactions that occur in an Human being and that stimulate the sexual desire and sexual pleasure are also important during the phase of attraction, you see pheromones do play an important role while searching and choosing for a partner.

Here's my humble contribution for you Lover's out there. Today's recipe is an Orgy of Prawns, I recommend a good Rose wine (Mateus Rosé) or a White Muller Thurgau.

Here's the shopping list:

2 kg of Cooked and Peeled King Prawns

240ml of Coconut Milk

4 table spoon of Olive oil

1 large Onion

Q.B. Fresh Garlic

1 large Tomato

1 large green Pepper

Q:B. Fresh Coriander

Q.B. Chilly Pepper (Piri Piri)

Step 1) In boiling water, boil for few minute the prawns

Step 2) In a frying pan add the oil and the chopped onion, when its gold add the chopped garlic and chopped tomato

Step 3) Add the prawns, the spices, salt and the Coriander

Step 4) After a few minutes of Sautee, lower the fire and leave it for 3 minutes

Step 5) Add the Coconut Milk, stir

Step 6) Serve the preparation in a large tray, with full prawns and fresh chopped coriander for décor

Step 7) You can serve it with White Rice

Bon Apetit

Chef Gourmet Du Art

The most famous wine in the world

Dear readers,

Spring is here, so with the rediscovered garden it is time to clean your grill and prepare your garden table and chairs.

Today’s post is dedicated to the wine that, for many, is considered the most famous in the world and one of the most sold ones as well. If you do not know it by now I will give another hint… a funny shape bottle (actually is the shape that also make this wine famous and its peculiar shape is a trade mark) and it is a Rosé wine. Did you guess it? Yes, we will discuss about Mateus Rosé.

Mateus Rosé is a young, vibrant, fresh, delicious, easy going wine that can be appreciate both during an aperitif and with meals (Asian or Seafood).

This famous wine comes from Portugal, the same area where Port wine is produced. Yes, the first DOC area in the world, the Douro region. Its producer Sogrape is a famous house that also produces acclaimed Port wines.

Here's some good stories and peculiarities about this famous wine.

Actually in Portugal the wine is not that famous, its is considered wine for Tourists, strange thing being the most famous and sold wine in the world. You can find this wine actually everywhere, sold in more than 120 countries.

Another good story is how the wine was launch, in this case in UK, one of the most eager for Portuguese wines market (historically due to the Alliance with England, the oldest diplomatic alliance in existence signed in 1373).

According to the urban legend this wine was introduced in the UK with a odd marketing campaign yet brilliant.

Apparently two Rolls Royce’s Cars were purchased and filled with bottles of Mateus Rosé then crashed one against the other and left there in the middle of the road completly destroyed. Such odd situation ignited the minds of all including the journalists that’s were searching for the owners and its story. Such incredible buzz lead to a over whelming popularity of the Mateus Rosé. A trendy wine search and enjoyed by all.

Another fact worth mentioning is the logo of the bottle, a famous barroc palace of the 18th century. This beautiful mansion (in Portuguese Solar) can be visited in Vila Real, it is actually owned by Sogrape. This famous palace is called "Solar de Mateus", so now you know also the reason why it is called Mateus ( or Matthew in english).

This iconic wine is enjoyed by me and my family during the warm summer nights especially with seafood.

I totally recommend it. Enjoy life enjoy Mateus Rosé. As we say in Portugal: “ Saùde”

Bon apetit,

Chef Gourmet Du Art

I can 6 thousand visits

Dear all,

another mile stone reached in a wonderful 2012.

Thank you for the more than 6 thousand visits, a dedicated Gourmet Blog with a truly international appeal and reach. I have received visits from the four corners of the world, it is my privilege to share my stories and recipes with you all.

Muito obrigado.

Chef Gourmet Du Art

Voted the best wine in the world - Port Quinta do Noval - Vintage 2003

It was the choice between more than eight thousand wines from the four corners of the world. Luca Gardini, best world sommelier in 2010, chose the Portuguese wine for "its extreme elegance and personality yet respecting tradition”.

Gardini, a renowned wine expert, considers the Port Quinta do Noval Vintage Nacional harvest 2003 a unique wine in the world, such honour goes to the producer Quinta do Noval, that retains it has one of the jewels of the Douro region.

This Port Vintage has resisted filoxera, a bug that by the end of the 17th century killed the vineyards in the Douro banks, never ever being exerted this wine has preserved the identity of a nation.

There will be only produced a mere three thousand bottles of this wines, making it a “venblen goods”. The demand is much higher that the offer so the prices go sky high for each bottle. Each bottle can vary from €500 up to €1000 and it is a good investment because this Vintage can easily last more than 50 years in the bottles, passing from a young exuberant with Douro region wild aromas to a more mature Port wine.

Enjoy it.

Chef Du Art