Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2010

I have been chatting idly with assorted people of late, well, naturally...if you know me, you know I can be a talker...it's a double edged flaw!  Mostly, when the subject of wine comes up, I become quite interested, I want to know what people are drinking, what interests them when they shop for wine, are they being adventurous, or staying with the same old, same old.  Add to this, that, while most winters I switch to reds, this winter, I have stuck mostly with whites...sauvignon blanc being the most common.  I do love the combination of crisp and fruit.  Not too sweet, not too dry...it's just what's needed.  I digress...

Recently, I was chatting with a co-worker, and she mentioned that she drinks mostly reislings.  While reislings are great for certain dishes, there is definitely a time to move on...and this post is for that co-worker!  You see, I want to share the adventure that is wine...with everyone.  And this is a wine to move onto, under $15, easy to drink, and it works well with cheese, fish, chicken or fruit. I prefer cheese.

Let me take a moment to tell you about the cheese...Heber Valley Artisan Cheese Snake Creek Sharp...er...CRAZY GOOD!  Just the right amount of dry, crumbly-ness with a slight fresh kick...how do they do that?

Back to the wine, the label reads "...passion fruit, lime zest, grapefruit and newly cut grass."  Aside from the the lime zest, I just don't get it.  On first whiff, I got a gentle smokiness, with definite oakiness, and the lime zest.  As it breathes in my glass (wine + oxygen = breathing) the wine has developed some grapefruit-ness.  I have no clue what passion fruit tastes like, so I can't tell you about that.

Bright, crisp, fresh = YES!  This wine is a standout in the crowd that is sauvignon blanc's.  I will buy more and probably look for other Firestone wines, as this one is a rather enjoyable.  I say "Buy some!", and...

Cheers!

Les Jamelles Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Les Jamelles Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

It’s been some time since we have discussed the French.  Pondering the wine shelves today I was drawn to something a little more traditional, a Cabernet Sauvignon.  As usual, I picked the wine according to price and presentation (label, bottle, etc).  This one has it in spades, beautifully classic presentation and, at around $8 a bottle, the price is perfect.

 

 

It’s not hard to drink either.  The wine has enough character and complexity to make it pleasing to drink alone, however, there is not so much to it that it fights the food you want to pair it with.  By this, I mean that you smell the blackcurrent, raspberry and a hint of cedar, but once you roll it around in your mouth, you find it’s easy going, rather like me!  It’s not heavy on the tannin, and just dry enough to pair nicely with red meat, and soft enough to pair with pork.

I prepared some filet mignon from Harmons, served with a red wine reduction, steamed asparagus and sour cream & cheddar mashed potatoes.  Tony was quite silent as he ate, and sipped his wine, interspersed with the occasional “hmm”, and “that’s what a steak is supposed to be”.  I’m hoping the wine will go nicely with the raspberry tart I bought for dessert…yum!

I recommend stocking up for the winter with this one.  It will keep nicely, and it will be fabulous to keep on hand for when you need a dependable red. 

Cheers!

The Hermit Crab

Great name, great wine!  This is a Viognier Marsanne blend from South Australia, 2009 vintage.  It really is quite amazing, and Wine Spectator gave it 90 points.  I knew nothing of that when I bought it, though, it was all about the name, how could I possibly resist?

My first bottle was enjoyed with my BFF, Nicole at The Oyster Bar (ww.gastronomyinc.com).  We had one of the specials, it was fish, and although I cannot remember what kind of fish, I do remember both of us marveling at the wine.  It was smooth, crisp without being too dry, and delivered exactly the right amount of fruit and honey in perfect combination.

That experience made me want more, so I bought two more bottles (under $15, of course!).  Tony and I shared a bottle on Saturday night with some macadamia crusted tilapia, potatoes au gratin and asparagus.  Yes, it was still amazing, although it seemed a little different from what I remembered.  Now, it came across with more citrus flavors, and the same crisp, refreshing finish. 

I won’t bore with you with too many details from the label (they discuss the vineyard more than the wine), but I will STRONGLY recommend that you run right out, NOW, and buy yourself a few bottles.  I think it’s worth at least $100 investment from your summer entertaining budget.  Your friends will thank you, however, you may want to fib & tell them it’s the last bottle, or you’ll never get rid of them!

Whether it’s a fun label, an interesting bottle or a weird name, your wine purchase is your decision...don’t take it too seriously, and enjoy the buying and drinking experience.

Cheers!

Malbec – Valle Perdido – 2007

Ah, Malbec, how I love thy smooth, full flavor, and thy long, velvety finish. Yes, this is how much I love Malbec, and you will too! And, there is no need to hesitate when buying a Malbec, as I have had very few bad ones, and this too is another great example.


From Patagonia, Argentina (who knew you could get more than sweaters from Patagonia???), this wine is very easy going, although I do recommend you let it breath for 15 to 20 minutes. What to serve? Any red meat dish¸or red sauce (lamb, beef, red clam sauce, etc). In fact, it would also be a great accompaniment to dark chocolate, or cheese (I am enjoying some Dubliner with it, as I write).

This Malbec tempts with a fruity bouquet, leads you to edge with blackberry and smoke, and climaxes with a soft velvety finish, leaving you wanting more, and more! I know, I just mentioned the “c” word, but it really is that good! For just $9.99, it’s worth picking up a few bottles, for occasions like tonight, cooking a last minute juicy steak on the grill (it’s finally warm enough to grill outside)¸ looking for the perfect bottle of wine, and this is it.

Cheers!

Reserve Perrin – Cotes Du Rhone – 2007

The label of this wine has a lot of information that is almost meaningless to me – appellation Cotes Du Rhone controlee, and lots more French, that all those French language classes in school did not prepare me for. Well, you know me, my main interest is what is inside the bottle, not the outside!

I bought this wine because I noticed I have been drinking wine mostly from Australia & South America, and I promised to be diverse in my posts. How did I ever forget France? Ok, so yeah, it may have something to do with the fact that they insist on writing in French on their label, it makes it hard to understand what I’m buying. Thankfully, I often buy wine cause I like the label, and the font on this label is pretty darn cool. I know, not really scientific, or even something a sommelier would do, but it works for me.

Oh, and does it work for me – the wine is really, really good. The label on the back of the bottle offers a little more guidance, that I can understand, mostly cause it’s written in English (thank God!). It explains that this is a blend (most French wines are, it’s the appellation thing from the front of the label) of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre & Cinsault grapes. The result is an incredibly easy to drink wine, with exactly the peppery aromas & black cherry flavors the label promises.

I do want to mention that I got a great wine book for my birthday last year, and I took a look for Cotes du Rhone. Chateau de Beaucastel (the producer of this wine) is included, and the book says great things about the wines. Interestingly, the book mentions a Cotes du Rhone bottled by this producer that I have not yet written about, Coudoulet de Beaucastel, a wine we have drunk more than once (it’s really great), and I have two bottles laid up to see what they will be like in a year or two. I haven’t included it due to the price, it’s over the $15 limit (unless you find it on sale!). But, guess what, I think the Cotes du Rhone I am drinking right now is, in fact, the more expensive Coudoulet de Beaucastel, under a different label. Yeah, $9.99 for a great bottle of wine.

And the food, what did I serve? Mustard rubbed roast beef, medium rare. It was a good match.

Cheers!

The Stump Jump – 2008 – d’Arenberg, South Australia

It was the name that made me stop to take a look at the label, and I was not surprised to find it originated in Southern Australia (just Australia, to be precise). Wines from Australia are amongst the most common in liquor stores today, second only to American wines. And, whilst the names can be a little unusual (Stump Jump?), the blending of different varietals may be more traditional that you might think. This particular wine is a blend of Grenache, Shiraz & Mourvedre.


Ok, back to the name, Stump Jump. The label explains that a Stump Jump is a plough of Australian invention, designed to “jump” over Eucalyptus stumps, providing a more efficient means for a ploughshare to get their work done.

Wine Spectator gave it 90 points, and declared it a “Best Value”…we shall see!

The first sip was a surprise – a somewhat spicy, almost snappy wine – not the fruitiness I was expecting from an Australian wine. Although there is a snap, it is not tart enough to leave that sharp, tannin edge in the mouth. As I sip my second glass, I can taste how the wine has developed into a softer, fuller finish that demands attention, or at least, another sip! Tony took a sip of my second glass, and described it has having mellowed out.

This is a wine that is definitely worth buying a case of (David B – go buy me a case, I will pick it up next time I am in Cali, I think I deserve it by now!), and it would be great to see how it develops over time. OK, so, maybe not a case, but at least three bottles, one to drink now, one in six months, and another in a year.

What did we serve with it? Mustard crusted roast beef, with mushroom gravy (older versions of Better Home & Garden Cookbook will have this recipe). Make sure to cook the beef only to rare, then wrap in tinfoil, it should never be done more than medium rare (you will ruin the beef and the wine!). Serve with roast potatoes, or boiled, buttered potatoes, mustard carrots and green beans.

At $9.99 a bottle, this wine is sure to please – Cheers!

Ruffino Chianti – 2008 – Italy

Since we have tasted so many wines from overseas, I decided it was time for an Italian red, and since I just sampled an Italian white (Kris), now seemed like a good time. Sunday night is “Sit Down Dinner” night at my house, and I always try to get a roast or something resembling a roast on the table. This week it was rib eye steaks from Costco (great deal, all meat should be purchased at Costco, if you have room to freeze, and a plan to cook it soon!)

The label does not have any recommendations as to what to serve with the wine, but I would recommend some kind of pasta dish, with a red sauce, something typically Italian. That said, it is a great accompaniment to the steak – especially if you like your steak rare to medium rare!

This wine is much lighter, both in color and texture, than some of the Pinot’s and Shiraz’ we have been drinking lately. And that just makes it easier to drink with a perfectly clean finish, a touch of tannin, and blackberries, just to keep things interesting. As Tony said, it is indeed a very drinkable wine.

Drink up, enjoy, and cut yourself another piece of steak! At a mere $8.99 a bottle (in Utah), the wine is cheaper than the Costco steaks, so you should probably buy at least two bottles, one for now, and one for six months from now.



Cheers!

Kris – Pinot Grigio – 2008 – Italy

Before we go any further, I must apologize for not posting this sooner - I have really good excuses moving, wedding planning, life in general,dog ate my homework!  We drank this wine a few weeks ago, and the memory of it's deliciousness has almost faded, must be time to buy another bottle!

Last night we had friends over for dinner. This was our first official “dinner party” in our new home. Mike and Shawnie joined us for cedar planked salmon, rice & vegetables, and thankfully, they drink wine. I say thankfully, as there seem to be fewer and fewer people of my generation who enjoy wine, and are willing to try something new in the wine genre!

I bought the Kris a few weeks ago, after it was recommended by some friends, and noticed it on several wine menus. It’s not overly expensive, $11.99, although you will find it marked up to $30 in some restaurants. I always recommend bringing your own wine to dinner, many restaurants allow it, and the corking fee is considerably cheaper than most of the over-priced wine on the menu.

The Kris label extols its contents as combining”modern technology and traditional winemaking artistry to handcraft an exquisite modern Italian expression of Pinot Grigio from the classic Delle Venezie region”. They are not far wrong, at least on the exquisite part, I know nothing about the region or the winemaking artistry! Shawnie exclaimed “Wow, this is the best white wine I have ever tried”, immediately after her first sip. The second and third sips just improved the fabulousness of this masterpiece white. Crisp, clean, with honey and lime, this was a delight to drink on what turned out to be a hot, sunny evening. The wine served as a perfect accompaniment to the smells of the salmon, grilling on the bbq with its mouthwatering marinade of soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger and garlic. You hungry yet?

In closing, this is another must try…Cheers!

Morgan Pinot Gris 2008

Let’s just start with the last line…buy it, try it, it’s delicious! That’s the simple part, describing this wine and where it came from (2008 Pinot Gris, Santa Lucia Highlands, R&D Franscioni Vineyards bottled by Morgan Winery), gets a little more complicated.

That’s not to say that the taste is overly complicated, or that this is overly difficult to drink. It is easy going, with a lot going on. Gooseberry hits hard, with the first sip. Many of you may not know what a gooseberry is, but take it from me, it’s there. This wine is definitely dry, with less of the crispness you find in a Pinot Grigio. The finish is softer, but still dry, with none of the hanging on you find in a Chardonnay. This can be drunk straight from the fridge, or even room temp, like I said, it is easy going.

I have heard many of my friends say they prefer reds, and I think I know why. The reds we drink are the Pinot’s, and Shiraz, or the blends. They are warm, full, comforting, with velvety finishes. And, that is great in the winter, when we need a little warming up from the inside.

In the summer, you need to get lighter, put away your warm sweater of a red wine, and get your summer wines out, that keep you fresh, cool and relaxed. I know, it’s tough, and that’s why I try not to put too much pressure on you, but eventually, you have to give it a try. Oh, and at $7.56 a bottle, this is a good way to get started.

Remember what I wrote at the beginning…Cheers!

Justin – Isosceles – Paso Robles – 2005

After 10 hours in the car, it was such a relief to pull up to my brother’s home in LA. Not only has it been too long since I have seen him, but I knew there was the chance of really good wine…and I wasn’t wrong! Doug and Minda have a membership with Justin Vineyards & Winery (it’s a new thing, check it out!)


This wonderful red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Merlot. Based out of Paso Robles, California, this could potentially be considered its flagship wine. The label provides a somewhat serious description of the growing, harvesting, blending and eventual bottling of this wine. Although rather dry reading, it gives the drinker a great basis for understanding the incredible woodsy flavors that inhabit the deep red depths of the glass.

A generous sniff provides the recipient with plenty of blackberry and you may even get some of the french oak that this wine is aged in. As you may know from prior posts, I am no wine aficionado, but this is quite something else. I have no clue how much it costs, but I am fairly certain that it will not fall within my $10 budget. Additionally, you probably won’t find it at the liquor store, at least in Utah. There is an off chance that you may find it at a restaurant, or the odd wine distributor. I am pretty sure it will cost you more that (quite a bit more), than most of the wines you purchase and drink immediately. But, you have to find it. It is a wine that you can fall into oh so easily – slightly spicy, with generous fruit flavors.

Minda, who has more experience with Justin wines than I do, and has tasted more aged Isosceles wines, feels that is could age a little longer. In the past, older Isosceles (bottles which had been put away, forgotten, and re-discovered years later), resulted in full, velvety flavors, that she remembers with fond words, as though reminiscing about old friends. And, those of you who have tasted the really delicious aged wines, know that a great wine is like an old friend, it holds your hand, tells you everything will be just fine, and puts you to bed with a gentle hug and kiss.

I recommend you start looking for a bottle, and put it away in a cool (around 52 degrees), dark place, on it’s side. Forget about, then when you are re-modelling, moving or doing some long needed spring cleaning and find it – open it up, let it take a breath, and sit down to enjoy with a good friend. Minda and I have made short work of several bottles of Justin red this weekend, so you may want to find more than one!

Cheers!

Concannon – Merlot – 2007

About a year ago, I found a delightful Petit Syrah by Concannon, in a great bottle. Yes, being of the female persausion, packaging is important to me. The bottle, embossed with the Concannon “logo”, had a real foil top, something you don’t find too often these days. I grabbed a bottle, we tried it, and decided that it would be our anniversary wine.


Recently, I bought a bottle of their Merlot, after enjoying the Petit Syrah so much. We opened it tonight, to drink with londron broil, roast potatoes, onion and mushrooms, and some peas. It was a simple meal, and I thought the Merlot might accompany it quite well.

This Merlot is uncomplicated, and starts out very easily. Tony finds it rather dry on the finish, not as enjoyable as the Petite Syrah (don’t worry, I have two bottles on hand, I shall blog about it soon!). That said, I really enjoy it. It is dry, and less “fruity” than some of the Shiraz & Pinot Noir we have been drinking. The label talks of blackberry and cherry, both of which I can imagine as I drink it, although I would not have come up with those analogies myself. Well, blackberry, definitely, try swishing it across your tongue, it will happen.

It is always a good idea to try other “genre’s” of wine, and this is a good choice to broaden your “mighty grape” horizon. With a price of $9.99, this proves to be a great value, although next time I think it will be better suited to a bolognese sauce.

Later in the evening, I added some Coastal cheddar (Costco) and Creminelli Barolo Handcrafted salami (www.creminelli.com). Both are delicious in their own right. The addition of the Merlot makes for a fabulous ménage a trios - most of you know I am partial to cheese and wine, but add some salami, and the experience is positively blissful.

I recommend extending your wine experience to some Merlot, and this is a must try!



Cheers.

Castillo de Molina - Sauvignon Blanc - Chile - 2009

As summer approaches (no matter how slowly), I have been stocking up on some whites that seem to be worth trying.  So, as we prepared for our annual Mothers Day dinner at Market Street Grill, I had quite a selection from which to make a decision, and since Sauvignon Blanc has been making a regular appearance on my shopping list of late, it should come as no surprise that I ended up choosing one.

Knowing what I was to eat made it easier, as Market Street is celebrating Alaskan Halibut, and they know how to cook it right!  I was prepared to order the same meal that I had last year, Seafood Florentine, and this wine would be the perfect companion.

Perfect, if not for the one hour wait, which brought my wine to room temperature, and the waitress who decided to pour it at room temperature.  I know, rude!  Prior to that, we had ordered delicious Hickory Smoked Salmon to keep us going, and two glasses of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, by Matua.  That particular white was overly sweet, and I absolutely do not recommend it, unless you enjoy puckering after every sip.

Even at room temperature, this white is delightful.  Slightly smokey, with some fruit, and a clean finish, that didn't linger past it's welcome.  Now, I am enjoying it chilled (the day after), with a brownie and vanilla ice cream (dessert after a fabulous Mothers Day of steak prepared by Tony). 

The wine has stood up well, crisp, fresh, clean - everything you want from a Sauvignon Blanc.  Still lightly smokey, with plenty of gooseberry to keep it interesting.  And that finish, it leaves you wanting more, and then some more. 

This is definitely a wine I could easily drink myself, the entire bottle, in one evening.  Jealously guarding each drop for myself, I want to experience it as it develops from chilled to warm temperature.  With birds singing their evening chorus in the background, I can settle in for a relaxing evening, with what will become a regular guest in our household (temporary only, wine just doesn't last long around here!).

Please accept my apologies for no photo - digital camera is dead!

Unfortunately, I did not keep the reciept, but I am pretty sure it is affordable, less than $10.  Definitely worth it, especially if you want to become more familiar with white.  This wine is sure to please.

Cheers.

Gallo Family - Sonoma - Pinot Gris- 2008

Call me a wine snob, but I'm a cheap wine snob!  It has been more than 10 years since I have tried a Gallo wine of any kind.  My experience with Gallo dates back to the 80's, when Chardonnay & Rose (or pink Zinfandel) was all the rage, and cheap wine didn't seem to offend anyone.  Since then, I have broadened my horizons, and moved from only drinking white to a lover of red.  I don't remember any good Gallo experiences from the 80's, but I know I drank lots.  I lived in California, and I hung out with probably the most stereotypical 80's California girls (blonde hair, big racks, small bikini's, you know the kind!).  Cheap white, or almost red, was everywhere.

What I carry with me, all these years later, is an extremely low opinon of Gallo wine, and California wine for that fact.  I have been trying hard to overcome my aversion to California wine, and, indeed, have found some fine wines from that region.  This, however, is the first Gallo I have tried in a very long time.

And, it will be the last.  It is not memorable, and it failed to finish.  Tony explained it as starting as though it had great things in store, but never completing.  The drinker is left unsatisfied and disappointed.  At $8.99, it is about $8 too much.

Instead, let me tell you about the food we had.  I made some delicious salmon, with a citrus basil viniagrette.  For dessert, mini cheese cakes we purchased from Harmons at Corner Canyon (they have a fabulous bakery!)  The wine seemed to improve when paired with the cheesecake, perhaps the sweetness of the cheesecake was complimentary to the overly tart, failing finish of the Pinot Gris.

In closing, let me recommend a delicious summer Pinot Grigio - one from Cavit (which I will review as the summer progresses), not overly pricey, and the crisp, snappy finish doesn't miss a beat.

Cheers!

The Wine Headache – a cure???

Ahhh, I remember the days of the wine headache, you know, the morning after pounding your head gets if you over indulged just a little too much? I don’t seem to get them anymore, it could be that I am now immune, I do drink wine most nights, and when I am not drinking wine, I have a beer or a rum & coke.


Honestly, I have another theory…water. Yes, lots and lots of water. In the past few years, I have made a lot of effort to increase my water intake. I know, I know, you hear it all the time, and sometimes, you SHOULD believe all you hear, especially when it comes to water.

And another thing, whenever I feel like I may have imbibed a little too much, I make sure to drink a large glass of water before I go to bed. You probably think you will be up all night, going back and forth to the bathroom, but it will be worth the effort when you don’t wake up with a pounding headache.

Here’s another idea…keep it to one glass, then switch to water. You will gradually build a tolerance for the second glass, just keep that glass of water in mind, or on the nightstand.

Now, go enjoy a nice glass of wine, followed by a nice glass of water.

Cheers!

Yalumba - Y Series Viognier 2008

It has been a few weeks since I drank or wrote about wine (I feel guilty if I drink without writing, what can I say, it’s my Jewish heritage!). The label says Viognier is grape variety, and I must say, the taste is rate indeed. Absolutely smashing, from the first sip, which was light on the tongue, and finished crisply. After just a few minutes sitting in the glass, a honey background develops, which complements the fruit nicely. The fruit, sort of citrusy, and yes, ending in a honey, slightly syrupy finish.


This is one of the sweetest wines I have tried in while, but please, don’t think Reisling. This is not that sweet at all. Light, crisp, with a slight sweetness, that is worthy of the salmon, wild rice and green beans that accompanied it. I was surprised at how well it joined the meal, as if it belonged there.

For those of you who say you don’t drink white because of the sweet wines you have experienced in the past, you MUST buy a bottle and at least try this. You may not want to drink it again, but I think this is an essential experience if you want to develop your wine “skills” (couldn’t think of anything better, sorry!).

And at a mere $9.99, it’s easy to say yes to this experience.

Cheers!

Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon – Chile - 2007

Friday night turned out to be a quiet night, and spaghetti sounded good to me. Just Megan and I in the kitchen, talking about school and making dinner. Red wine is a great conversation wine, it definitely loosens the tongue, and makes things more interesting all around.
It’s not the first time around for this wine, I have purchased it before, and it makes a great spaghetti sauce. This is not a particularly full bodied wine (a little thin in the mouth), but it does get better the longer the bottle is open, or the wine sits in the glass. It accompanies the meal nicely, and generally makes life more pleasant. It’s light and easy to drink. Although I cannot remember how much I paid (I threw out the receipt), I do know it is under $10.

On Saturday evening, we finished the bottle, with the left over spaghetti. The wine definitely improved, it seemed fuller, with a longer finish that may even be a little spicy. That fact that I wrote this while also watching “The Sixth Sense” doesn’t seem to improve my ability to focus on the wine! So, while I wish I could tell you about the fruit I tasted, which is hard for me at the best of times (it all tastes like wine!), all I can think is that the wine is keeping me warm while the movie keeps chilling me to the bone!

This is definitely not a gateway wine. If you are white wine drinker, moving into reds, I would recommend something a little fuller, smoother and frutier, like a Shiraz or a Pinot Noir. Once you’ve conquered those, and decided you are now a red wine drinker, this is a good one to try. Make some spaghetti, slosh some wine in the sauce, then drink the rest with dinner.



Cheers!

Wine Selection: Villa Maria – Sauvignon Blanc – 2007 – Marlborough, NZ

I realized at 5PM that I was to be all alone tonight, as Tony is having game night with the boys, and Megan is being a teenager at someone else’s house. At first I was bummed, feeling a little dejected saying to myself “I am gonna be all by myself tonight”, then it became, “Wait, I have the house all to myself tonight?”. So, I went to Harmon’s, bought some macadamia crusted tilapia, squash, red potatoes, salami and cheese. Then I headed to the liquor store for wine (the most important part of the meal), and on my way, I called my trusty sidekick, Nicole. She made her way over, having stopped to pick up her own piece of tilapia, and we settled in for a girl’s night.

With the wine chilling, we started with some Red Stripe beer, and visited about each others week, and aggravations of the work place, blah, blah, blah. After running Megan to her friend’s house, I got to preparing red potatoes, the summer squash and zucchini, and the oil for pan frying the fish (olive oil and butter). Here’s a tip – start the oven at 300 degrees, once the fish is browned on both sides, transfer to a dish and put in the oven until the veg and starch is complete.

When we were ready to eat, I poured the wine and we settled in for a fabulous meal. And, when I say fabulous, I mean Nicole prefers halibut or salmon, but she ate the tilapia just fine. I like tilapia because it is mild, firm and works with anything.

Back to the wine – the label explains it as passionfruit, lime & gooseberry with a crisp, lengthy finish. Nicole got white wine at the front (duh!), sort of buttery and smooth, with a smoky finish. And I have to say I agree, although I sort of get the gooseberry and lime, but the passionfrut is out of my range.

This is the wine that Tony and I drank with our Valentine’s Dinner (The Oak Room at Grand America), with our salad and appetizer, before the steak and halibut turned up.

I say try it, although it is more than I usually spend ($14.10 with tax), and it is not a gateway white. Once you have tried the Silver Birch, this is a great white to move forward with.

Cheers!

Wine Link: Delish Wine Guide Link

I found this as I was researching future wine experiences to share (look out for "10 Reds under $10")

Never heard of this guy (I drink wine, rarely read about it!), but he must know what he is doing after 34 years, right? Also, check out some of the links to pairing wines with different foods, but do it cautiously. Take the tips for what they are, tips, and then go your own way (thank you, Fleetwood Mac), and drink the wine with whatever you please. Or drink it alone, the choice is yours. Cheers!

http://www.delish.com/recipes/wine-guide/

Wine Selection: Silver Birch World Wines – Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, NZ

Lets cut straight to the chase with this one…if you are “green”, or “granola”, or you drive a Subaru (you know who you are!), you should run right to the liquor store and buy a few bottles of this truly fabulous white (it’s about $10). Why? Well, I will tell you why (since I am rarely shy in sharing my opinion). The label starts with “No trees were chopped down to make this wine.” It goes on to say that it never touched an oak barrel, or an oak chip. Get it? Yep, this wine is most definitely being marketed to those who care about their footprint (the carbon one, that is), and the marketing is blatant. The label on the front of the bottle has some beautiful tree trunks (sort of looks like aspens in winter), and, talking about the label, it isn’t made of paper.

Ok, all kidding aside (and I do love a laugh at the expense of the lefties and greenies), this is a great wine, and it is worth trying. Oh, and by the by, this is not just my opinion. I have recommended this to a few people, and they have expressed their enjoyment, and the fact that this wine has turned them back on to whites. Yes, this is another gateway white, but I swear, it won’t lead to Chardonnay*

I poached salmon with this, and we ate it with a box of rice pilaf (by that company that makes the San Francisco Treat), and some broccoli. Not the biggest fan of broccoli, but Tony loves it, so I make the sacrifice! The wine performed well, and is quite in line with the promises made on the label (again, no paper here) – it even promises to not be mistaken for Chardonnay. Not sure how Chardonnay got such a bad rap, but I may have to explore that over the summer.

Gooseberry – yep, it’s in there, cool and sunny – I get it. What they don’t mention is the crisp green apple, juicy and bursting in the mouth. You start to get that with the salmon, but when you follow it up with a sharp, dry cheese, it comes out in full force. If I had some green grapes, they would be on the cheese board right now.

Although the bottle is the normal 750ML size, it doesn’t seem to last very long. I start to wonder if there is a hole in the bottom of the bottle, then I wonder if Tony is gulping instead of sipping. No, no, it’s just that the wine goes down so easily, and is so refreshing, crisp and clean, which makes it so hard not to gulp it down, like ice cold water on a long, hot day.

There is a reason why the bottle is empty in this picture – I was busy cooking dinner, and by the time I thought about blogging, the wine was gone! It’s time you tried it – go get a bottle, plan a nice dinner, and try it out, you will find out why we can’t leave any in the bottle. Cheers!


*Disclaimer: this in no way represents that this blogger will not try Chardonnay, and then blog about it. Whether you drink the Chardonnay is your decision, and the blogger shall, in no way, be held liable for your like or dislike of any Chardonnay referenced herein.

Wine Selection: Pillar Box Red - Padthaway, Australia

This comforting red is a blend of 65% Shiraz, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Merlot. We love it! I first bought this simply because I like the name and the bottle (label is printed on, no paper, and I’m not even green!), and it makes me so glad to be a girl (we often buy things for looks alone – shoes, bags, clothes we never wear because we will never be built like a supermodel!).

Oh, and get this, not only does the bottle look good (and it has a twist off cap), but it tastes great too, and it only costs around $9. Tonight’s bottle is the third one we have had, which says a lot for wine around our house – it’s rare for us to buy the same wine over and over, cause we like to keep our wine options open.

I decided on this wine when I was rooting around the fridge, looking for something to turn into dinner. I found some leftover bruschetta (it’s easy to make, I will post a recipe, one of these days!) from Saturday nights get together, and figured it would be great tossed with some spaghetti. Then I noticed some leftover half and half (from the last time I made clam chowdah, yes, it really is spelled that way, and yes, I will post that recipe sometime as well). Then the idea struck “Wouldn’t this be great as a cream sauce?” Then I thought “Wouldn’t it be even better with a dash of wine?” And let me tell you, it was great (there are no leftovers!), and the wine is a great compliment.

Right, on to the wine – since the majority of the blend is Shiraz; you will find an easy drinking, smooth finishing sip, gulp or chug. That is not how things start out though – when first opened, pour it into a glass and take a sip, just a small one. It will be sharp and almost mustard like (Tony says it went straight to his nose, sort of like wasabi). I know this does not sound too terribly inviting, but you have to take that first sip, so that you can fully appreciate how much the wine develops as it sits in the glass. You may not want to take another sip, but do it, in about 10 minutes, just one sip. Then eat some of whatever you are eating (red sauce over spaghetti, steak, whatever), and gradually drink some more. This wine develops (I know, that was a wine’y word, but it works here) beautifully, and fully, resulting in a smooth, dry finish, and yes, there may even be a blackberry here or there.

I recommend buying a few bottles, and drinking it with a variety of different meals, even with something white (clam chowdah, chicken, pork, etc). The rules are there to give you guidance, but once you become familiar with how the wine tastes, start flexing those rules – in fact, you should probably just break the rules.

Oh, so, in my last post, I mentioned Riesling being a gateway white. Well, the same can be said for Shiraz, or even a Pinot Noir. Both are sort of fruity (quit laughing), with a little dryness. You want a little dryness, too much of the sweetness results in a lingering in your mouth that feels sort of, well, yucky. Yes, that is a technical term.

I am going to leave the rest of this wine for tomorrow night – in my experience, the wine just gets better. And that reminds me; go purchase one of those air sucker things – with the rubber stopper and the pump that pulls out the air. It is crucial for preserving an opened bottle of wine over a few days. I can usually finish most bottles in a few days, but I have left a bottle for three days (one time only, it may never happen again!) and it was still drinkable when I went back to it.

One other thing – I would love to make this blog as interactive as possible. Please, please leave me your comments when (or if), you have tried these wines. I would love to read your thoughts on some of these. And, if you have any wines you want to recommend, and have me “test”, let me know.

I will update you tomorrow on the leftovers of this immensely drinkable wine, until then…Cheers!