Reka's World

The Elegance and Tradition of Wines, Part 2

Wine and Special Friends
I am blessed to have many friends whom I have shared my love of wine over the years.  I’ve also met a lot of very interesting people whom I won’t forget.

One of the most impressive people I’ve met was Mr. Rufino Lamborghini.  He started making wine later in life after the famed Lamborghini achievement.  I’ve corresponded with for a while before he passed away.  My secretary, so intrigued by our exchange of correspondence, helped me with my Italian.  Mr. Lamborghini was one of the first to ferment wine in glass instead of oak barrel, the old fashioned way.  He believed wine should taste like the grape it came from.

The most impressive cellar I have ever visited—and the most impressive stories to go with it— was at La Tour d' Argent in Paris.  The first time I was there, I realized a very tall and elegant gentleman was watching me. He was the owner, Mr. Cloude Terreil.  After I finished my main course, his manager came over to me to relay Mr. Terreil’s invitation for me to visit his cellar and then enjoy a glass of dessert wine with him at the rooftop. The rooftop overlooked the most beautiful part of the Seine, across from the famed Notre Dame.  I was obviously elated.

Whenever I went there, I always wanted to see what “duck number” I would be consuming.  You see, whenever you ordered their famous "pressed duck", they gave you a postcard that listed what “duck number” you were having—that is, how many ducks they had served since including your order.  I think McDonald’s copied that rather clever promotion from La Tour d' Argent.

Once a wine sommelier, Suwit Chantra, from Houston’s Hyatt Hotel one day hosted a party for Prince Charles.  Suwit brought to me a small bottle of wine wrapped in a brown paper bag with just enough of the top open for me to see the foil wrap.  I knew what it was, a Chateau d Yquem, so I told him.  The sommelier was so impressed that he gave me that expensive bottle of wine as a gift.

Raising funds for Channel 13 at one of the French Consulate affairs, Pol Roget, one of the famous Champagne houses, donated bottles of 1914 and 1921 Pol Roget for a bidding.  Pol Roget champagne is the official champagne at the Buckingham Palace.  It was also Sir Winston Churchill’s favorite champagne.  I was lucky to have won the bid for all six bottles.  Pol Roget then said, "When you visit the chateau, I will open for you a 1904".  I have not taken him up on that yet.

Later, I felt it appropriate opening the 1914 bottle to share with Julia Child and her friends at the occasion of her 80th birthday celebration at the Greenbrier.  (The oldest wine I had was actually experienced was an 1863-Madeira.  That was made three years later when President Lincoln assumed the White House office.)

Roger Bohmrich is one whom I’ve enjoyed sharing the joys of wine with.  Roger was with Frederick Wildman and Sons when I met him.  He had many wines to share but I also had an opportunity to also offer 1914 and 1921 Pol Roger plus a special Trimbac Pinot Gris.  When I was guest chef for the James Beard Foundation, it was Roger who supplied the wines that were appropriate with the food. We have been friends since. Renowned as one of the Wine Masters Roger owns Melisima, one of the largest mail order wine companies.

The Elegance and Tradition of Wines, Part 1

Great Wines at the US Tour
I love wine not only for the taste but for the history of it as well.  Attending the wine tasting seminar "The Elegance and Tradition of Tuscany" last October 25th, 2010, I tasted 13 wines from the region and learned a lot about Chianti.  It’s part of the Simply Italian – Great Wines US Tour 2010.

After the seminar at the Trustees Room, I proceeded to the Celeste Bartos Forum for more wine tasting.  It was unusual to have a wine tasting of this magnitude and at this elegant building, the New York Library.  I loved that building, which I used to visit quite often years ago.

I was very happy to be invited and hoped to see some wine makers from Italy.  I was particularly looking to see if the Marquess (Count) Antinori whom I met years ago would be there.  I learned that I just missed him by a few minutes.  I met so many interesting people there, as was the case in similar special events.

The tasting that Monday brought back so many memories that I treasure and would like to share with my friends and customers.

Early Triumphs at a Wine Contest
At twenty-six years old, already living in the USA, I attended my first wine tasting in Queens, New York.  Before then, I knew I have already acquired some knowledge; however, I never really tasted real wines, just some inexpensive ones at some college functions.  At the wine tasting, I was walking around with a glass of wine, trying my best to learn, when I noticed a familiar-looking gentleman following me around.  I asked him if we’ve met before.  That was when I realized that I had seen this man before, watching him for months as a contestant in the wine category in a TV show called $128,000.00.

His name is Robert Lipinski, a New York City Police officer who also happens to be a wine expert and the author of many books on wines and spirits.  We started talking about wines.  I started learning more about wines from him.  Bob taught me what I did not learn from books and got me involved with different wine organizations including "Les Amis du Vin".

In 1976, Bob encouraged me to enter the International French Wine Contest Open in the Tri-States.  I was one of the 22 finalists from thousands of contestants. There were, in fact, only a few female contestants in the finals. The first prize received a trip to France. I came in second going home with French Wine Course prize. I felt unstoppable after that.  I studied wines from all over the world, visiting different wineries and going to as many wine tasting events and seminars as I could find the time and money to afford.

Wine and Food
The Windows on The World at The World Trade had just opened at the time.  Their Wine with Dinner Special, served at the special "Cellar in The Sky" room, offered five-course dinners accompanied with five different wines. I was there on the regular basis that they kept this cozy corner table for me; they said my name was carved on it.  I felt flattered getting to know all the staff.  Moreover, I earned my privilege of having me and my guests invited for a tour of the whole restaurant including the wine cellar.

In the restaurant circle that featured wines, I was known then as someone who is serious about wines.  On occasions, I was even asked to participate in blind tasting some wines.  I came through always not only because of my palate but also because of the academic knowledge I’ve acquired.

In 1985, when I opened Reka's Thai Restaurant in Mohegan Lake, I met Mel Vogel.  He was then a Salesman from BNP but he taught me the commercial aspect of it the wine industry. 

My most recent encounter with a nice story related to wines was at a Bordeaux Tasting this year.  I was at the Sauternes section, tasting Chateau Coutet.  Someone tapped me on the shoulder, someone who was talking to the owner of Chateau Coutet, Philippe Baly.  Referring to me, he asked the owner, “Do you know that she is Lady Y Quem?”  With quick wit, the owner said, “No, she is from Thailand and she is Princess Coutet. When she comes to the Chateau for the induction she will cook us Royal Thai Food.”  I thought, I would be the first princess to have to cook for her title if I were to claim one. I cherish his niece's email recalling this particular conversation.

Julia Child

 
The James Beard Foundation celebrated Julia Child’s 80th birthday at the Greenbriar Resort.  Julia was co-founder of the foundation.

Bad Company

 
Backstage with Dave “Bucket” Colwell of Bad Company. Bad Company came to the restaurant every night while they were here getting ready to perform at the County Center.  They invited me to the show with a pass to go to their dressing room for a party.