I bought a nice chard tonight at my local grocery store. Hess 2006 Chardonay Monteray. Light and smooth. I had it with my leftover seafood gumbo on rice. It was perfect. Snooth rating is 3.0 which to me is a drinkable wine for the price.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Breathe!
I bought this wine aerator on my last Napa wine trip. I think it works just as advertised and really boosts the flavor of the wine. When I bought it, there were four of us tasting. The two men noticed a difference but didn't like the aerated wine. I liked the change and the other woman didn't really notice any difference. My daughter, who has a great palate, wasn't with us when I bought the aerator but I brought it with me on a trip to her house and let her use it. She noticed the difference and liked the aerated wine best. So, you might not want to rush out and buy one, but next time you're at a winery see if they've got one and will demonstrate. We only tested in on reds on our trip but I've found I enjoy the improvement in whites as well.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Chianti
I knew about Chianti before I knew about wine or alcohol. When we were small, our mom used to take us to a little hole in the wall Italian restaurant in L.A. called Chi Chi's. If it still exists, Google doesn't know about it. It had the requisite red checked table cloths and every table had a candle holder made with an empty Chianti bottle. Multi colored candles had been stuck in the neck of the bottle and, as they burned, wax dripped down the neck of the bottle. My brother and I were much more concerned with the spaghetti than the table decorations and my mom never ordered Chianti with her meal so I didn't associate the bottles with any liquid. Just fire.
Now I love Chianti. It's a great robust red wine and you can usually find a nice, full bodied Chianti for a nice, low price. I also really like Sangiovese which is the varietal that contributes heavily to Chianti.
In some ways sangiovese is to Chianti as cabernet sauvignon is to Bordeaux. Both form the base of wines normally blended with other varietals and both by themselves share a certain distinctive elegance and complexity, when well-made.
via
Sangiovese or Chianti are the perfect accompaniment to spicy, red sauce pasta! Or chocolate. Or both.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Wine Cooler
When I got my new refrigeratorl I decided I should also have a wine cooler. Now I have a cute little 30 bottle cooler. The box says it can hold 36 bottles but they must be referring to those thinner dessert wine bottles because I have 29 bottles in there and can't fit one more. Two hare fatter champagne bottles so I might get 30 bottles in there eventually. Or, if I become a dessert wine aficionado, 36.
I'm glad to have the cooler, not only because I can have several white wines ready to go without filling my refrigerator up, but also because I can now leave the house without worrying that the air conditioning might go out. If the A/C is out during the summer the heat inside can get up to 90+ degrees and that might be the end of my red wines.
I understand the power might but it will probably kick back in before the house gets to 90 degrees and, even if it doesn't, the cooler will give some wiggle room - but not enough for extra bottles of wine. :-)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Cheap Cabernets
Several posts back, verbatim linked to a list of cheap Cabernets. I tried the Smoking Loon and the Ravenswood (both found at Trader Joe's) and liked both of them well enough but wasn't dazzled. I'll keep working on the list and hope to find a good house cab. I'll let you know how it goes.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Zintastic!
I opened up one of my Armida 2005 Maple Zins tonight. I wish I was better at describing wines but I'm not so I'll rely on the website description which fits perfectly: "This is a big rich Zinfandel, characteristic of Dry Creek Valley with its earthy, almost dusty nose, with a touch of spice. The wine is balanced with dark cherry and ripe berry fruit that pops out of the glass. The mouth-feel is enhanced by allspice and vanilla notes, with a big, sweet, round velvety finish." So true. According to the Arimida website, it has sold out so you won't be able to get any. But if you're ever at my house, ask if I have any left. I'll be happy to share. And you'll love it.
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