I’ve heard about this epic brew, only recently. I came to discover Higgins, just across the street, carries it by the bottle.

The color is yellow-copper with a thick sappy head. The aromatics are sweet malt and expansively floral: cardamom, violets [reminiscent of Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette liqueur], pine forest, bergamot, with fruit nuances of pink grapefruit, orange zest, tangerine, and faintly peach. Weighty with a malty roundedness on the tongue; yet, it is still refreshing enough to beckon a second bottle, if the 8% abv doesn’t get you first. One of the better Double IPAs I’ve had and my refuge beer at the moment.

I heard Higgins has offered it on tap before; I look forward to its return.

Anthony Garcia
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

These are just a few of the wines presented for blind analysis this week.  I wish I could say I nailed them all. Anne’s been great getting the wines opened and writing down everything I say, when I work through the grid. It seems so wasteful to have all this wine around, more than Anne and I can drink. BUT it’s not like I can call friends over to have a party as these are the final moments before I leave for Las Vegas to take the Master Sommelier Exam, and the last thing I need right now is a hangover. That’s for when I get back!

Today Anne and I went to the food trucks and brought sandwiches back to our balcony for a quick picnic before she left for Paley’s Place, where she now works Pantry. Nice. She had a glass of Grosses Gewächs Riesling with her Tomato Tapenade sandwich; I had a glass of Barolo with my Duck Confit sandwich [from Addy's Sanwhich Bar]. These were incredibly yummy. The other day I ran down and got another Porchetta & Arugula sandwich [from the People's Pig] to go with a Brunello I had tasted earlier.  It was delicious.

 A little bright spot in an otherwise painful process.

What's in the fridge would also make a decent BTG list, I think.

Anthony Garcia
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

This is a rather extracted style of Rioja; a solid ruby color with a hint of garnet and an almost opaque concentration, very viscous with gooey tears heading into the glass after a swirl.

The nose is heady with lush, ripe red cherry, dried strawberry, framboise liqueur meeting sage, lavender, stinky barrel, vanilla, dill, dried rose petal and mint, plus mushroom and cut-in-mouth blood minerality.

Dry and full-bodied for a Rioja, showing a bit of its age; the vanilla-lactone-coconut profile becomes more pronounced on the palate. A sour blackberry nuance emerges to combine with the cherry and dried strawberry profile.  Of the herbaceous flavors, it’s the mint that takes the forefront and the mushroom note translates to more of a damp earth/potting soil characteristic. The wine’s abv is 13.5% with cheek filling tannins, medium-plus acid and a long finish. A steal for $16 [Vinopolis]

Enjoyed with…
Grilled Tails & Trotters Mock Pork Tenderloin [a pretty unbelievable leg cut]
Soy-glazed Sugar Snap Peas with Spring Onions
Roasted Cauliflower
Today's Spring Mix Greens, lightly dressed, with Organic Cherry Tomatoes

The cut was so melt-in-your-mouth good, I had to go back for seconds. I don't take for granted Anne's cooking or her multiple trips to the Farmers' Markets!

Anthony Garcia
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

Ninkasi’s seasonal IPA is a delicious treat, presenting upfront citrus flavors with a quiet hoppy undertone. Think of it this way, the citrus profile of the ale is the slam dunk and the hops are the alley-oop. The body is full and creamy [think lemon custard], but not heavy. I enjoy a beer that toys with being over-the-top, but goes for harmony instead.  Balanced and refreshing. It reminded me of Blanche de Bruxelle by way of its head, color and citrus notes. 

With a 6.8% abv, having a second might land you on your butt, but a 22-ounce bottle is perfect for sharing!

...with grass fed NY strip, frisée, fresh pasta & peas atop Dinosaur kale and fennel.

...and watching the sun set in PDX, dining on our balcony. A sumptuous end to the day.

The wine is red raspberry, red cherry and a hint of blackberry with white pepper and cedar on the nose. It has a ruby to garnet color with a little faded garnet variation to the robe. The palate adds a little sage to the profile with 14% abv, a silky mouthfeel, soft tannins and medium acidity.  Tasty and pure Southern Rhône for $19. [purchased from Vinopolis]

Anthony Garcia
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

Anne killed it when she brought home this cheese from the farmers' market today. A cow and sheep soft-ripened cheese from Scio, OR. [$7] Just enough sheep to give it that tang. Creamy, but light and airy, too. Love the tagline, "Raised with respect, nourished to nourish you." Nice.

Scrumptious with this village Chablis, Domaine d'Elise Chablis 2009. [purchased from Vinopolis; $17.70]

Anthony Garcia
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

Four blocks away from our home is the epic, Saturday Farmers' Market at PSU.  Anne went this morning and brought back a bunch of beautiful produce and cheese. She encouraged me to explore before she left for her fourth day to stage at Beast. I really wasn't looking forward to studying Greece today, so I went. The day is breathtaking; the Farmers' Market is crazy!

I bought a gorgeous NY Strip from Sexton Ranches, a nice family operation. I look forward to eating it tonight!

The Portland Art Museum, which is literally next door to our home, is running an exhibition of classic automobiles.

All along Park Avenue were these pristine, antique cars.

I couldn't resist another food truck experience, today's winner, The People's Pig.

I got this delicious Porchetta sandwich with arugula and lemon, plus cycling advice. I totally appreciate it.

I'm running low on coffee, so I walked to Stumptown at the Ace Hotel next. Thanks for the Rwanda coffee recommendation!

A quad espresso is always obligatory.

Then, just around the corner from Stumptown Coffee is Vinopolis. I bought a bottle of Chablis and Vacqueyras, for tonight's feast with Anne.

I've spent more money this week at Vinopolis than I care to admit.

So maybe I've delayed my studying today, but "Hey!" I awoke to this situation before a 21 mile bike ride, a chilly and sunny 51-degree morning. And right now? It's 73-degrees and perfect. Nice.

Anthony Garcia
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

Just about 11 miles from home, I decide to head back. Those flashcards aren't going to flip themselves. It feels great to be on my bike again. I love this city!

Looks like the vertical lift of the Hawthorne Bridge caught me. Maybe I'm suppose to stay on the Eastside today?

Anthony Garcia
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

I can't believe how many flashcards had wrong information or how many duplicates I created for the correct information.

The recycling bin is directly behind me. I will discard with pleasure.

Anthony Garcia
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

The Central Library on SW 10th Ave. is just a few blocks from home. I think I'm going to be in here a lot over the next three weeks. I leave for Las Vegas in 20 days.
Northern Italy nightmares, thank goodness for a lunch break!
First food truck experience in PDX [SW Adler]. Aybla made me a rather tasty and enormous lamb gyro.

Now, I'm at Stumptown in the Ace Hotel. Next, I'll visit my new favorite wine shop to buy a bunch of wine, Vinopolis, located on SW Washington, then back to the books. It's a gorgeous day!

We literally live just blocks away from all of these places. Even our new bike shop, Bike Gallery, is just around the corner on SW Salmon. Anne's bike is getting a little TLC before she puts it to use. She stages at Beast tomorrow. Nice.

Anthony Garcia
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine