Fumble in the Freezer

This tale goes back to a couple of weeks or so before Thanksgiving. It had been a busy day, and I was at Wal-Mart late in the afternoon, trying to get home before dark and start dinner.  Knowing that Wal-Mart doesn't usually have the style of hash browns I like (shredded, not diced), I just had to look anyway.  The hash browns were on the top shelf of the freezer.  Because they were over my head, I had to stretch to reach a package, yup they're the diced ones.

Oops, it's falling...gotta catch it.  Almost got it...nope there it goes again.  Smack...hit my hand, glanced off and hit the floor.  I tossed the offending item back into the freezer, and holding my injured hand, made my way around to collect the rest of the stuff on my list.  The pain was growing, and the bruise was starting to form by the time I reached the checkout.   See my nasty not-so-little bruise.  This picture was taken a week after it happened, and it took several more weeks for it to completely heal.  

 

The burning question is how did a little ol' package of hash browns cause this much damage?  I'm glad you asked, and I'm here to tell you.  It was two pounds of solidly frozen taters.  That's right, coming at me like a brick.  Owwww!  Felt like a brick, too.  Apparently, they had been allowed to thaw before being put in the freezer.  That was bad for the food and worse for me.  Unfortunately, you find refrozen food a lot, and not just at Wal-Mart either.

What's Your Temperature?

No need for a doctor!  We're talking about wine here.  Most particularly, red wine.  Now I expect that most of you serve and drink all your red wines at room temperature.  But what is room temperature in relation to wine?  Most of us are comfortable at around 72°.  Some want it warmer and some cooler, but for discussion's sake we'll consider 72° room temperature.  While this is fine for us, our wines suffer, and we don't get the full pleasure from them.

As wine enthusiasts, we know that the ideal cellar temperature for any wine is 55°.  We also know that not everyone one has a climate controlled cellar.  My basement is pretty close to that this winter at 60°.  In the summer that will rise to the low 70s.  That is still better than my kitchen, which has a day time range of 72°-77° depending on the season.  Now would I want to drink wine between 72°-77° degrees?  Would you?  OK, we're agreed, that's too warm, but still people insist that you never chill red wine.   Maybe we should say instead that we are correcting its temperature.

The proper serving temperature varies by varietal.  I've looked over a number of charts outlining  the proper temperature for specific wines (both red and white), and while they can vary by a degree or two, they are all within the same basic range.  This chart is a good example of temperatures for a large variety of styles, and what I used as my reference.

Light reds such as Beaujolais Nouveau can be served as cool as 48°, while fuller bodied reds are served between 58° and 64°.  This is significantly different than a 72-degree room.  Although our focus is on reds, white wines have their own issues.  Sparklers are at the lower end of the range for whites at 39° to the mid 40°s, but a full bodied chardonnay can be served between 50° and 54°.

More good reading can be found here and here.

The whole outdated idea behind "room temperature" assumed that rooms were much cooler, or, in the case of European castles, in the low 60°s, the optimum temperature for most reds.

This is a sore spot with me, and therefore I wanted to have my say on the subject.  Pretty much the only time we ever get red wines at the correct temperature is at home.  Not even at restaurants, where you would think they'd be knowledgeable and care about the pleasure factor for the customer.  Even Ombu, where I had half expected or at least hoped for a different answer, had all their reds at room temperature. The Chef there is unhappy about this and trying to come up with a solution.  Sadly, I don't expect other places to make the effort.

This is what I want to know, is temperature important to you?  I welcome discussion on the subject.

Food Bank in Need

Let's please remember those folks less fortunate than ourselves.  There are more and more people depending on charitable organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina.

There are many area drop-off sites including these new Goodwill locations:

3921 Battleground Ave., Greensboro
1421-C E. Cone Blvd., Greensboro
1235 S. Eugene St., Greensboro
3739-A High Point Road, Greensboro
1145 E. Lexington Ave. (College Village), High Point
5301 Samet Drive (Wendover Shopping Center), High Point
303 E. Arbor Lane, Eden
610 Rockingham Square, Madison
1551 Freeway Drive, Reidsville
2635 Lewisville-Clemmons Road, Clemmons
815 North Main St. (Kerners Village), Kernersville
2760 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem
3510 Polo Road, Winston-Salem
2701 University Parkway, Winston-Salem
2129 N. Church St., Burlington
2320 Maple Ave., Burlington
598 Deerfield Trace, Mebane
10102-G S. Main St., Archdale
1064 E. Dixie Drive (Highway 64), Asheboro
101 Pointe South Drive, Randleman
251 Lowes Blvd., Lexington
2246 N.C. Hwy 86 N., Yanceyville
960 Blowing Rock Blvd. NE, Lenoir
Mocksville (opens 2010)

Anything you can give will make a difference in someone's life.  Here is a link to their list of needs.

Restaurants.com 80% off Promotion

If you like dining out, then restaurants.com is for you.  You can save big with their latest promotion.  You can now get gift certificates for 80% off.  This means you can get a $25 certificate (regularly priced at $10) for just $2. 

To get started, go to their website and put in your zip code to see a list of restaurants in your area, or anywhere you'll be dining.  When you've made your selections, remember to use the code savor when you check out to get your 80% discount.

I've used these, and they do work but if you're unsure, call the restaurant ahead of time to verify their policy.

Expired

Quote of the Week

You don't want to get to the end of life's journey and discover you never left the interstate.

- Robert Brault

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  On the highway of life, that's not always the best route.  Life is short, so make the most of all the twists and turns.