Special ordered this December 2 … I blame falling for AMEX’s front of the line privileges afforded me! Arrived yesterday – was well within their 8-12 week delivery window! Beautiful attention to detail regarding package and delivery! Very impressed! Oh, and what’s w/ that awesome order number 95959 … it’s a prime, a palindrome too! I love it, it’s a sign from my number God, means wine’s def got to be exceptional! Can’t wait to try, and I know exactly what I’ll be cooking … more pics then, I promise! Oh, and for all inquiring minds – $100 for the deuce!
I LOVE my new kitchen, the whole place kinda rocks! New stainless steel fridge, new cabinets, counter-top, island, sink & faucet, above stove microwave, new backsplash, new bar stools … but the star of the show is a new gas stove!! My first time cooking w/ gas too. In fact I had a maiden meal all planned out, I wanted pasta w/ either braised/simmered oxtails, or veal shanks … but grocery store deals dictated otherwise, so it’s pasta w/ sausages & meatballs. Not too shabby a second fiddle! Oh, true story – wanted to serve my inaugural meal w/ a Barolo … and a couple days ago allowed myself a final budgetary indulgence. It was a front of the line, membership benefits I saw in my inbox, a limited release Barolo. Perfect timing! I pounced, and if any’s left, the rest of you plebes can search ‘n seek LCBO’s inventory, when it’s finally released to the general public. I payed the same price, $49.95/bottle (plus only $15 shipping) for the 2 bottles I bought. Oh, speaking of indulgences, I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my next to last one … that one should arrive anytime soon. Perhaps, another blogpost, lol?!
Ok, mostly pics, few words – better, eh? A couple of notes about my gas range. Of course we all know (even if you don’t own one, never have used one), the best feature is immediate heat. I love that. But, my fave new thing to get used to, is not only the incremental heat that is available, but unlike other types of ranges w/ burners that continually shut off, trying to moderate cooking temps – gas ranges don’t … there’s never that lull, the simmer/sizzle never stops. I LOVE that!! As promised, pics …
Chimay Spéciale Cent Cinquante … it’s a limited edition Chimay, commemorating their 150th anniversary …. and it’s VERY hard to come by … my LCBO app has been working overtime checking for availability/locations. Picked up a couple of bottles the day it was released to the public (a mere 60 bottles for all of Ontario) … have a HUGEChimay crush of late, if ya hadn’t noticed, lol!!
Ordinarily you won’t find me driving 70 km … leaving the GTA for nuthin’ … ‘less it’s for some sweet stuff!Chimay Blue Cap qualifies. Been checking my LCBO app for days, and to my delight realized they were bringing it back, restocking it … seems to be either seasonal, or a one-off thingie. In any case, for three days straight kept showing zero inventory … till Thursday when 209 bottles became available (rubbing hands together) for the WHOLE province of Ontario … in ONLY two stores no less … one all the hell up in Orillia, ‘sup with that, lol?! A day later, the inventory shrank in half (almost) … only 128 bottles remained. Which brings us to today, Saturday … and me to Pickering … and from what remained on the shelves, just in the nick of time. An hour drive (each way)? Pshaw, ain’t nuthin’ … this boy’s a smilinghappycamper! 😀
… LCBO employee. I do have the niceguyknackgene, and I really appreciate his kind words as he lead me into the stock room (employees only permitted area btw), and grabbed this limited edition Guinness glass, slapping ‘n sticking it to my Harp … Happy St. Paddy’s Day danistrulytheman!!
Today was the release date of these seasonal wines, ready-set-GO to be stocked on LCBO shelves for sale … well, were supposed to be, talking about the actual physically stocking part – LCBO employee dude was happier than a pig in shit (even commented how we were making his job/life easier) as we kept taking bottles directly out of the boxes from his cart. Every year it’s a mad rush, so get there early or prepare to drive from store to store getting what you want. I walked in with my cut out Toronto Star article (and a Tiffany K Post-it® with her wants for added accuracy – not to mention a way-too-early-in-the-a.m.-finger-waving–pay-explicit-attention-to-what-I’m-saying-so-as-to-not-fuck-it-up-session detailing said specific must-have purchases, doubly ensuring no errors from yours truly as well, lol) and immediately upon entering – mere minutes later, a couple of gents followed with their crib notes. Quick draw Dan had 3 bottles of the coveted Negrar Novello Del Veneto secured, but when I overheard one guy wanting/asking for a case of Negrar, snuck back and snagged my fourth bottle … this store’s allotment was only three cases, and after our troika was done picking, was left with a dozen bottles (after half an hour of the store opening … on the first day of the Beaujolais Nouveau release). And btw, that’s it folks – once when they’re gone, they’re GONE!! A few pics from the day …
Shelves starting to get stocked
My pile ‘o wine on a vacant shelf – minus the one, lol
And now four
Two bottles of Dubœuf Gamay Nouveau
Tollo Novello Rosso Terre Di Chieti and Catalans Primeur Syrah Merlot
I’ve always loved my beer, and have tried/experimented with easily well over 100 brands/names. And those who know me, know that my two favourite beers of recent times are Creemore and Pilsner Urquell … both very high quality and both easy to drink, and drink … and … lol. But since my self imposed beeratorium … and raising a glass with increasing infrequency (I’m somewhat embarrassed calling myself a beer drinker now … I feel like an excommunicated member, lol), I was prompted purchasing these. Trappist beers are a select group … only seven Trappist Monasteries qualify and are permitted to brew beer to be sold as Authentic Trappist Product. Inasmuch as I’m drinking less … hell, I might as well drink the very best … AND these beers (unlike my aforementioned beloved pilsners) are meant to be consumed at a much warmer temperature and really aren’t favourable to drinking more than one or two at a go … you ain’t guzzling, you won’t be pounding these back, lol. They’re meant to be savoured and enjoyed sparingly … which is exactly what I’m doing on this lazy hazy Sunday afternoon. Cheers y’all!!
The obligatory LCBO receipt …
Loved the champagne style corked tops on the 750 ml bottles …
Don’t own a Chimay chalice (working on it, lol), my Leffe beer glass substitutes …
And a halfsack of Anchor’s Liberty Ale (old habits die hard, lol) …
danistrulytheman 