Improvisation and forgetfulness

Late last week, Cheryl invited some friends over for an acorn-shelling party - part of her research for an article in the inaugural issue of Edible East Bay, a new, quartlerly newsletter of which she is the editor. She fed her friends on a soup of roasted tomatoes, Gravenstein apples, bay, mint, and dill - a recipe of her own devising inspired by an indigenous American recipe that she read somewhere many years ago. (Come by the shop on a Sunday and ask Cheryl for a detailed recipe.)

Also late last week, I opened a liter bottle of Darting 2002 Riesling 'Dürkheimer Nonnengarten' ($16). I drank a glass or two, stashed it away in the refrigerator, and forgot about it during a weekend flurry of Spanish visitors.

These two seemingly unrelated events converged this evening. Cheryl added some roasted corn, arugula, hot pepper, and leftover gazpacho (courtesy of the Spaniards) to the soup. She also discovered the Darting riesling in the fridge. What a great combination - and great argument for the staying power of an open liter of German riesling! The touch of sweetness in the wine played beautifully off of the Gravenstein apples, and the sour elements in the soup highlighted the wine's tart acidity.

Before re-discovering the riesling, I was enjoying a copita of Sherry: Lustau's Fino ‘Jarana’ ($15/750 ml or $8.50/375 ml) - also open a couple of days. I didn't expect the piercing dryness of a Fino to work with the soup, but oddly enough, it did. The Sherry's tangyness played up the tartness of the apples rather than their sweetness, and the wine's smokiness emphasized the roasted qualities of the corn and tomatoes.It was a completely different experience from eating the soup with the riesling, but no less pleasing.

So don't hesitate to improvise in your cooking and your wine pairings. And don't be afraid to forget about some open bottles in your refrigerator for a few days - especially when they're riesling or Sherry.