by Fred McMillin
for November 30, 2000

The Flames of Obidos

Prologue

"A dry white Port goes with the flaming Obidos sausage appetizer the McMillins are preparing."

...New York Times food page

The Appetizer

Our son sketched José Montez stirring his Obidos appetizer, served with White Port.

Churchill's White Port.

In the ancient Portuguese walled city of Obidos, the sun was setting as we gingerly stepped into the tiny bar. The handsome owner (see sketch) was stirring flaming sausage at the table of robust, cheering local seamen. Soon they were spearing the sausage slices with toothpicks and devouring them along with substantial swigs of dry white port. Probably because our college-age daughter was with us, they insisted we join them. The next day we returned to learn the recipe. José was so moved he gave us the heavy ceramic dish he used (which we in turn employed for the New York Times demonstration, and still treasure). If you want the recipe, send a U.S.A. fax number to FX (415) 567-4468 and we'll send free copies to the first 10 requests.

The White Port

1970—The renowned Port firm of W&J Graham is sold, leaving Johnny Graham without a winery.

1981—With a rented Port lodge, a shoe-string budget, and a lot of know-how, Johnny and wife Caroline Churchill "bravely set up the first new Port firm in 50 years."

1998—"The Churchill Graham house quickly gained a reputation for fine wines, including an excellent old dry white port, which is aged about 10 years before bottling."...from Richard Mayson's Portugal's Wines & Wine Makers

So here is our...

Wine of the Day

Churchill's White Porto Dry Aperitif
By Churchill Graham Ltd., Oporto, Portugal
Tasting Notes—Rare, rich, smooth sipping. Serve cooled (90 minutes in the frig) with olives,nuts, patés, etc. In our cooking lessons and home entertaining, dry white Port has always been well received. Churchill's certainly can add pizzazz to your holiday entertaining.
Endorsement—None other than America's foremost wine authority, Robert M. Parker, wrote in his Wine Advocate, "Churchill Graham has established an impeccable reputation for superb quality."
Exclusive Importer—Frederick Wildman, N.Y.C.
Contact Amy Mironov, (212) 355-0700, Fx (212) 355-4723.
Price—$17 range

Postscript

Speaking of Caroline Churchill, on this very date in 1874 another Churchill was born, Winston!

About the Writer Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers. For information about the wine courses he teaches every month at either San Francisco State University or San Francisco City College (Fort Mason Division), please fax him at (415) 567-4468.

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November 2000

11/29/00—Those Eccentric Etruscans
11/28/00—A Wine From Gibraltar??
11/27/00—Thank You, Mitsuko
11/24/00—Help! Help!
11/23/00—Your Thanksgiving-Day Toast
11/22/00—Buy a Rothschild?
11/21/00—Overmatched
11/20/00—Worthless or Wonderful?
11/17/00—The Wizard of Mendocino
11/16/00—Terrified at the Temple
11/15/00—Will This Zin Make It?
11/14/00—A Tale of Two Coups
11/13/00—The Gorilla Cometh
11/10/00—Food and Wine by the Best
11/09/00—Washington Elected President
11/08/00—Pick of the Decade
11/07/00—Risky Business
11/06/00—Presidential Pinks
11/03/00—Where Are the Women?
11/02/00—It's Derby Time
11/01/00—Where to Grow Great Merlot?

This page created November 2000

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