DaleW wrote:
> Happy Birthday, way to celebrate!
> The '96 Barolo sounds pretty typical, great vintage that needs time (or
> decanting).
> Great notes, thanks.
> Dale
> PS No ripoff involved, I certainly didn't invent letter grades!

By the way, you'd be pleased to know that I used the Brasato recipe you
mentioned in Biba Caggiano's "Northern Italian Cooking." And I have a
somewhat funny story to relate regarding that.

When I started the simmer, I covered the casserole as directed, and
periodically turned over and basted the roast. About 25 minutes into
it, when I took the cover off, the sheer power from the fumes of all
the ethanol that had collected and condensed onto the bottom of the lid
just about knocked me out, and literally gave me a burning sensation in
the far back of my throat where the nasal passages are. If making this
again, I'll start it out uncovered for a bit...

- Chris