September 24, 2011

Today, we have a guest blogger who took on the feat while I went to the Maroon 5/Train concert...

After a large plate of double crisp fries smothered in country gravy and topped with crunchy, thick cut bacon, I was craving some thirst quenching wine to combat the heavily salted snack. A fine chilled pinot noir should do nicely as the grape tends towards the lighter side. I'm still a bit fevered from the walk back from the Hubcap Grille for my food as it is still a humid 83 degrees even at 10pm. If they had accepted anything but cash alone this bottle would have been opened a bit later because the Hubcap has a great selection of craft brews. I selected the Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir to cork and was surprised at the synthetic cork which is custom printed with a delightful graphic. It is a very light color but perfectly smooth and tasty. It is a very fun wine which goes great with the movie I queued from Netflix before I left to eat! Lately I've been feeling bad that the doggies have nothing to entertain themselves with while us humans are away. So this time I started the movie “The Man Who Knew Too Little” starring Bill Murray and headed out to grab a bite. I intended to switch it off when I returned but it just sucked me right back in. The last time I saw this flick was in 1997 when it was in theaters! After a quick click to Rotten Tomatoes it appallingly received only a 42% from critics on the Tomatometer, highly underrated. The audience reviews seem to share my opinion that Bill Murray can do no wrong.

The doggies are now asleep on the couch as I'm ready for my second glass. Its very easy drinking and one I could see myself buying again for hot summer days. I bought a bota bag several years ago not even realizing it was made to be filled with wine! This would be ideal for a weekend trip to the driving range or to play frisbee.

Glass number three already, see I told you it was easy drinking and I'm not even typing with one hand with the glass in the other! I'm catching a lot of spices that are slowly working their way through my taste buds. It reminds me that I should really make some food to bring to a football party our friends are hosting. They have already tasted my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies so maybe I'll fry up some gameday nachos with homecut and extra crispy tortilla chips. Makes me wonder what wine would go well with nachos...

Name: Pepperwood Grove

Vintage: None Given

Cork Type: Synthetic

Grape: Pinot Noir

Origin: Valle Central, Chile

Alcohol Content: 13.4%

September 13, 2011

Tonight has been a whirlwind of activities!  It's like I've been on the go since the beginning of the day, so a glass or two of wine is exactly what I need to take a load off. First, taking care of that never ending laundry business.  Then on to preparing some delicious dinner - pasta a la sausage.  I have built up quite an appetite this evening from my 5k (3 miles for all those who didn't go to SI school) run.  I've been doing the run for 8 weeks now, and I'm not sure I see any results but I feel great.  My endurance and stamina have both really picked up so I feel much healthier.  Hopefully it's enough to battle off that nasty cholesterol.  If not, I'm sure the red wine I'm drinking with dinner will definitely help, or maybe the 4 tbsp of butter that goes along with the meal...

The dogs are up to their usual antics.  Wondering aimlessly around the kitchen waiting for anything to drop down for a quick after doggy dinner bite.  Writing this blog is definitely more exciting on my new Macbook Air.  Who could ask for a better piece of technology - super portable, light, compact, great design! Best part is no viruses

The wine is very tasty - it has a very oaky, earthy flavor when first opened.  But we'll see how the wine fairs after the tannins breathe for a little while and when paired with the pasta dish.

Name: Bogle Vineyards
Vintage: 2008
Cork Type: Conventional Cork
Grape: Petite Syrah
Origin: California, Graton
Alcohol Content: 13.5%

September 12, 2011

This evening has been filled with caring for sick dogs, troubleshooting hot water heater problems, and the never ending story of laundry.  Thank goodness I finally get to relax with some delicious red wine and my favorite breakfast for dinner!  My mom would of course appreciate that my favorite breakfast for dinner is the meat with the little potatoes in the can (corned beef hash).  It also happens to be the first Monday Night Football (MNF) of the 2011 season!! Who better to start off the season than the Patriots?  They are playing a fairly lackluster team (Miami) , but it is always fun seeing the all-star line up of the Patriots.  Unfortunately my fantasy football team is just as lackluster as the Miami Dolphins lineup, however I've still got a big time running back who I'm holding my breath for.  The dogs are doing their normal trot around the kitchen waiting for any morsel of food to drop down while food is being prepared.  To their dismay, they will probably have to settle for the dirty bone that's been stewing in the rug filth for a while.

Back to the wine.  It is a smooth wine with no bite so your mouth doesn't make that pucker face after taking a sip.  To my surprise, it is a wine from Chile which I have stereotyped as bitter, pucker face inducing wines.  It got a 88/100 on the wine enthusiast best buy list.  I'm sure it will pair well with corned beef hash a la scrambled eggs.

Name: Santa Alicia Reserva
Vintage: 2009
Cork Type: Twist Off
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin: Chile, Maipo Valley
Alcohol Content: 14%

September 4, 2011

Tonight I am starting my first blog all related to my experiences sampling delicious red wines.

This Labor Day weekend I have had several bottles of wine, some better than others, but all surrounding food, family and fun.  I am spending the weekend at my parent's house which is always exciting with 7 dogs! For me, the experience drinking the wine is what makes it memorable, so I will attempt to capture my experiences with wine.

Tonight...I'm joining the millions on the organic kick to find out if it really does carry over and enhance the taste of wines.  I will be sampling an organic Spanish wine with a new type of grape I have never tasted.

Name: Luzon Verde
Vintage: 2010
Cork Type: Conventional Cork
Grape: Monastrell (100%)
Origin: Spain
Alcohol Content: 13.5%

I am sitting around the kitchen table while the BBQ chicken cooks and the charro beans finish to a delectable spiciness.  The dogs have just finished supper and are running around my parents backyard. Everyone is preoccupied on their technological devices that one day will be the ruin of all mankind.  I have a slight upper respiratory infection which has been hampering my smell and taste since Friday. Despite my temporary disability, I am determined to make sure I eat all the good food and drink all the delicious red wine I can.  The wine is delicious, and doesn't have quite the bite some other Spanish red wines are notorious for.  I am surprised considering this is a 2010 vintage and it has not had much time to ripen to a nice fine age.  Dinner was fantastic - BBQ chicken, charro beans and seasoned sweet potatoes along with a nice glass of Luzon Verde.
__________

Fantasy Football 2011 Draft is about to begin!! Of course, where am I drafting...number 12 (figures).  I'll probably end up with a terrible team just like my other league.  Oh well.  At least I'm bringing in this drafting year with a delicious bottle of Boom Boom Syrah.  I've had this wine a few times at the illustrious Suga's in downtown Beaumont.  This time, I'll be enjoying with a decadent, freshly baked homemade brownie.  Everything tastes so delicious and thankfully I got a good QB and RB to solidify my team.  We'll see how football week one goes on Sunday!

Name: Boom Boom

Vintage: 2009

Cork Type: Twist Off

Grape: Syrah (100%)

Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington

Alcohol Content: 14.1%