A Pop Quiz

[cape chef]

Hey,

I have been thinking latley how people preceive wine and it's history when it comes to preparing food. How are chefs taking advantage of wine and it's history? Are Chefs really into the "Wine Thing?"

Well most know me as pretty intence when it comes to the grape and it's history.

I thought we could have a little fun with some "Pop quizes"

I will simply post a question, and I am hoping that by researching for the answer you can learn a little more about wine.

My first "Pop Quiz" Is

Who was Andre Tchelistcheff?
And who did he influence ?
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[Anneke]

He's a California vintner, is he not? I'm sure he must have influenced lots of people...

[cape chef]

Anneke,

His background and history in Napa is legendary.

I think you would enjoy reading about him, But you need to do some research
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[Anneke]

Ok Dad..

[garlicginger]

He is the father of Dimitri whose Napa Valley winery, Jarvis, won the Global Gourmet's Best Winery competition as third place in 1999; second place in 2000; and first place in 2001

[cape chef]

Thats right garlicGinger Dimitri is Andres son and started working with his father at BV in 1944. Back to Andre though. Lets try to dig a little deeper

[garlicginger]

He was born in Russia and educated in France. In 1921 he served in the anti-communist White Army and was severely wounded. Left on the battlefireld for dead, his father actually held a funeral for him. He became wine maker at Beaulieu Vineyard in 1938. He switched the vineyard from French to American oak for fermentation for "more flavor, more aggresive wine". He pioneered the process of cold fermentation and produced some of the best ever cabernet sauvignon before retiring in 1973.

A relatively short man, only 5'11" tall, he was a heavy smoker. He had a renouned palate, but at one point stopped smoking. He said that his palate suffered and he smoked the rest of his life until dying in 1994 at the age of 92. He is credited with saying, "Wine is a beverage of pleasure" and "Wine makes itself and the winemaker is simply the caretaker".

[cape chef]

garlicginger, You did your homework very well.

Another point with Tchelistcheff in regards to his arrival in Napa in 38 he brought with him a very sophisticated and wordly view on wine, the timing was cruical as he was able to revive napa after prohibition. he also brought science and chemistry into the wine making scene in Napa, Which was also extremy important do to the lack of sanitary practices in wine making in the 30s and 40s

Some of the people he influenced were Joe Hietz ( marthas Vineyard and bello oaks) Mike Grgich (Grgich hills) Theo rosenband ( formaly of Sterling)Bob Davis ( Jordan) and Jill Davis (Buena vista) just to name a few.
Again, Nice work garlicginger.
I'll be back with another one
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[Anneke]

...I also read he got a bad rap for overanalysing wines.

..Can you ever really overanalyse anything? (especially wines!)

[Suzanne]

You know, like Asti Spumante, or Lambrusco, or Mateus, or Boone's Farm!!

sorry, couldn't resist.

[Anneke]

[cape chef]

What about Night train and mad dog 20 20 !!

[Pete]

Talking about Mad Dog 20/20, there used to be a club that I went to that served MD 20/20 shooters as a special sometimes. The best part about them though, was that they would wrap the shot glass in little brown paper bags. It was hilarious!!!

[Rachel]

Thunderbird anyone?

[kokopuffs]

I think I'll drink some Thunderbird vino and chase it with some Brew 102.