2001 - Spring - Bully Wines for the Bear Cellar |
Men have been fascinated by bulls ever since the flourish of the Minoan Empire. Herakles and El Cordobés dispatched their respective bulls in the manly fashion of their times. Sitting Bull smote the intruders in a manner the bulls in Pamplona must admire in their dreams. Nowhere in history, however, does "Bull" ever conjure up visions of soft-skinned commerce and fairy godmothers.
So...why did they call it a "Bull" Market?
Perhaps during phases of optimistic economic growth, people buy tasty hunks of bull--filet mignon, rib eye, and sirloin. Technically, I suppose, these cuts are taken from some poor critter who was born a bull but spent his life with more boredom than bulldom. Alternatively, considering the fickle and often vaporous grounds for stock valuation, maybe "Bull" carries an earthy Texas compost connotation. Then again, perhaps the rodeo glamorized the experience of recklessly straddling a Bull. (Remember: the cowboy always ends up looking up at the bull, then running away.)
So...why did they call it a "Bull" Market?
Perhaps during phases of optimistic economic growth, people buy tasty hunks of bull--filet mignon, rib eye, and sirloin. Technically, I suppose, these cuts are taken from some poor critter who was born a bull but spent his life with more boredom than bulldom. Alternatively, considering the fickle and often vaporous grounds for stock valuation, maybe "Bull" carries an earthy Texas compost connotation. Then again, perhaps the rodeo glamorized the experience of recklessly straddling a Bull. (Remember: the cowboy always ends up looking up at the bull, then running away.)
Regardless of the etymology, Bull went very well with good red wine. Now, however, the American Bull has switched from red wine to red ink, European Bulls are running for their lives, Papal Bulls haven't helped noticeably, and the president wants to Bulldoze the Western United States. We must explore new wine and food matches.
What goes well with Bear? Experienced bear chefs are scarce. Let's improvise: Ketchup, undoubtedly. Garlic, certainly. Bear is brutally lean, so be generous with the olive oil. Capers, sun dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and balsamic vinegar might help. Gorgonzola would add a tasteful touch. Bear buns are often pleasing to behold.
Are you ready for the Bear Essentials Cookbook? Here's a sample:
Blackberry Pear Bear Tart
Bear of Bad Tidings with Tarragon vinaigrette
Bear With Me Yosemite Surprise Casserole
Gravenstein Grizzly Gruyere soufflé with okra
Aunt Ellen's Kodiak Cordon Bleu
Polar Bear sweetbread sorbet
Truffle Stuffed Teddy Bear
Running Bear with Little White Doves
Golden Bear in Big Game pickle compote
But what wine shall we serve? Old wine, for starters. Wine you bought last year. Running low? Well, we have some great specials that will go perfectly with that Blackened Bear in beer batter with buttered beets and bitter basil.
What goes well with Bear? Experienced bear chefs are scarce. Let's improvise: Ketchup, undoubtedly. Garlic, certainly. Bear is brutally lean, so be generous with the olive oil. Capers, sun dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and balsamic vinegar might help. Gorgonzola would add a tasteful touch. Bear buns are often pleasing to behold.
Are you ready for the Bear Essentials Cookbook? Here's a sample:
Blackberry Pear Bear Tart
Bear of Bad Tidings with Tarragon vinaigrette
Bear With Me Yosemite Surprise Casserole
Gravenstein Grizzly Gruyere soufflé with okra
Aunt Ellen's Kodiak Cordon Bleu
Polar Bear sweetbread sorbet
Truffle Stuffed Teddy Bear
Running Bear with Little White Doves
Golden Bear in Big Game pickle compote
But what wine shall we serve? Old wine, for starters. Wine you bought last year. Running low? Well, we have some great specials that will go perfectly with that Blackened Bear in beer batter with buttered beets and bitter basil.