Thursday, June 11, 2009

Proffered To Perfection

Toño is a wine aficionado. That prevents me from selecting the wine for dinner. This is something, I happily leave to Toño. However there is much more ado about serving the wine.

One of the issues is, serving the wine at the correct temperature so that it can unfold its flavours and suit the palate. For this, one can put the bottle in a bucket with ice...



...or already chilled into an isolating wrapping...



...although nice to look at, these are less-than-ideal solutions. The only thing a wine aficionado can be satisfied with is an ostentatious temperature-controlled wine cabinet for up to 133 bottles (equals about 3 months of consumption) with 3 distinct temperature zones:
  • one in the centre for maturing wines in ideal conditions (10-14 °C)
  • one at the bottom for chilling (6-10 °C)
  • one at the top at room temperature (16-20°C).



Our cabinet arrived on Monday. Today, we were allowed to switch it on. And this is Toño selecting the first, perfectly tempered wine to be proffered for dinner:



I know, the cabinet still looks a bit empty. But it's quite a task to drag 133 bottles 4 flights up. This is another thing, I happily leave to Toño.

11 comments:

Ms Mac said...

That might be the poshest thing I've ever seen!

Mickle in NZ said...

Each time you come up to your apartment you'll have to carry a bottle or two to fill it up.

The top section will be brilliant for raising plants from seeds!

Huggles

Gauss Jordan said...

"I know, the cabinet still looks a bit empty. But it's quite a task to drag 133 bottles 4 flights up. This is another thing, I happily leave to Toño."

Just as you offer him the joy of selecting that perfect wine, and getting it right, you offer the joy of lugging cases of wine up flights of stairs. Ah... Love. ;-P

Unknown said...

Congrats, yes now that looks like luxury! I do have to visit one day, I do have to visit! :)

Mr. Urs said...

@Ms.Mac... Toño kept repeating that line all evening.

@Mickle... With that carrying rate it will never be full, because a per day a bottle is removed... We think about a lamp which is for me to chose...

@Gauss Jordan... somebody (i.e. me) has to pick up the tab. There is no free lunch.

@Expat... a bed is always ready for visitors.

Mickle in NZ said...

New, again "fine wine" blasphemous, thought - the top section will be just brilliant for getting a yeasted dough rising.

Meanwhile, each time he come up the stairs Tono will just have to carry at least 2 bottles with him.

Surely he can get "Staff discounts" on wine from his workplace???? That way he can continue to keep you in the "fine wine" style you've become used too? All dear darling Tono's own fault???

Much love to you and Tono, two very dear and special Men in my life,

Mickle xxxxxx and Zebbycat (gloriously alive and Silent)

Mr. Urs said...

@Mickle... Toño works for a wine magazine. They don't sell wine. So there is no discount :( However, he has good contacts in the business and knows where you can get a good price/value ratio :) And occasionally, he brings home some leftovers from a tasting.

naturgesetz said...

Just saw this, because I just realized I need to follow you. That cabinet is spectacular. Once Toño has filled it, it will be wonderful not to have to go down and up four flights (Btw, is that total or each way?) every time you need a bottle.

Mr. Urs said...

@naturgesetz... I', honoured having you as a follower. four flights is one way. I thought I count only the way which includes caring wine. Meanwhile, Toño filled it up.

Planetx_123 said...

Wow I want this exact experience: the boyfriend who works for a wine magazine, the dozens of bottles of wine, and the human size wine cabinet. You're giving me goals for myself :-)

Steve

Mr. Urs said...

@Planetx_123... You're welcome :)