Friday, June 4, 2004

The right way + the wrong way Champagne is a great example for everything done right - or wrong! The right way: a father or mother teaches their child how to open a bottle of champagne properly. Grab the cork with one hand and the bottom of the bottle with the other. Turn the bottle so the bubbles swirl sideways and not up the neck and at the same time slip the cork out. Don't pull the cork. Hold the cork and turn the bottle. For practicing place a towel over the cork so that it can't fly through the room by accident. The wrong way: in the U.S. a couple of thousand people lose an eye every year because of champagne corks being pulled badly, so let's make a law that allows only plastic corks with tethers no longer than 12 inches. I read that California was actually going to have a law like that a few years ago. The champagne-cork is a beautiful tradition. Let's pass it on. Yes, it can be dangerous - IF YOU ARE AN IDIOT! I have opened many, many champagne bottles and I rarely ever spill a drop. It's all in the wrist, ladies and gentlemen! If nobody has taught you how to open a bottle, please find out and learn. It is a beautiful little ritual and I was very proud when my dad thought I could handle my first bottle opening in my early teens. (Yes, some people ducked and many averted their eyes, but they also cheered when I did it right!) PS: Hm, this 1995 Dom is nice, but my friend Tetsuya, one of the greatest chefs in the world, told me in 1999 he was soon going to get his hands on some 1959 Dom - the year we were both born...I haven't been back to Sydney since then, but I have often wondered what that would taste like... PPS: If you guessed that I would rather sleep on a bench in the railway station so I could afford a truly great meal than sleep in a regular hotel and eat crappy food - you are right!   9:33:38 PM  comment []   1224/2000 I made it to #1,224 out of 2,000 this morning and at 11am the boxes I had signed were taken to ABQ for shrink-wrapping. I will sign the rest of the boxes during the break between leg one and leg two of the tour. For now we will leave 225 here in Santa Fe for web-sales and will take 999 with us on this first leg of the tour.   8:56:23 PM  comment []

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