The Show

Tonite I decided to venture out for dinner. I ended up at PF Chang's. This very adorable bartender tells me about a great red wine, a Garnacha. This red beauty boasts an alcohol content 14.9%. I'm in love. And I'm not just talking about the the cute guy, lol! 

Garnacha is one of my most favorite complicated grapes. The Show wine does not disappoint. Cheers to my new found obsession!!

*picture thanks to www.theshow.com

2011 Robert Mondavi Private Selection "Meritage"

Tonite I decided to sip on a special vino that I have not tried before (I love a challenge). Robert Mondavi Private Selection Meritage, vintage 2011. The idea of tasting a Meritage wine is very exciting. There is a great story behind the creation of Meritage wines. The name is a combination of the words merit and heritage. This particular red is a blend of five red grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot). 

Since the vintage is three years old, I decided to aerated the wine. I'm interested in tasting the complete palate. At first sip I noticed a jammy texture, dark berry flavor, and medium tannis. So far so good! Since the wine is layered with all dry grapes, I suggest pairing with a thick juicy steak or Bar-b-q ribs. With an alcohol content of 13.5 you can't go wrong with this wine. I would truly recommend tasting this wine to my great friend Denise. She loves red blends and this one is well worth the sip. 

19 Crimes

After fussing through the super market gathering goods for the kids and I so that we can buckle down for yet another icy winter storm here in Maryland, I decided to visit a wine/liquor store that I had never been to before. I was completely surprised by the variety of wines the store had to offer. Running late (as usual), I try to breeze through the selection of vino. Believe it or not I decided to purchase a 2012 Red Wine named 19 Crimes. Now, I have heard about this particular wine. It's from South Eastern Australia. By what I have been told, it's a very good sweet red. As for my personal preference, I can not get past the marketing and name of the wine. But today I was on a budget and the 19 Crimes wine was just my price. Ok, I have to admit the wine is delish. I tend to lean towards dry reds grapes but was interested in the dark berry, very cherry, low tannin vino in my glass. At first swirl and sniff it was refreshing to smell the fruity notes. I completely recommend 19 Crimes Red Wine to all of my Wine-O's. If the packaging bothers you, keep the bottle in that lovely brown paper bag we all know and love, LOL!

Check out the 19 Crimes Wine website for more details regarding the history behind the vino. 

www.19crimes.com

Cheers!!

Welcome 2014!

As one of my New Year resolutions, I have decided to enjoy 2014 to the fullest! This includes keeping abreast of my most favorite passion (besides my children and vintage hand bags), the love of fermented grapes. The holidays are now over and it's time to settle into great winter wines. I'm a huge fan of the local vineyards. At this point of the season everyone is trying to keep warm from the Maryland frost and are starting to plan for the upcoming spring and summer season of fun and festivals. In October 2013, I was able to assist a local vineyard with their fall harvest. This included picking and bundling grapes right off of the vine. The experience was one of a lifetime and I intend to join them every year from now on. I know what you are thinking, "did we get a chance to stomp grapes with our bare feet"? Unfortunately, we did not. But that has always been a dream of mine, thanks to that famous episode of the TV show I Love Lucy. To my adored Oenophile's, look forward to a new year full of exciting blog posting, videos, and hopefully a new Pod Cast station. 

Cheers!!

XOXOXO

I Heart Fermented Grapes

14 Hands Merlot

HAPPY NEW YEAR Wine-O's! It's 2014 and I'm ready to begin the next 365 days with a glass of my favorite grape, Merlot. For the holidays I was gifted an unbelievable 2011 Merlot from the 14 Hands Vineyards in Columbia Valley. To my surprise, this is the BEST Merlot wine I have tasted thus far. When the vino was poured in my glass, I could smell the aroma of black cherries and plum. This Merlot has the most distinct low level of tannin I have ever tasted. I am very much impressed. With an Alc% of 13.5, you will be surprised. I researched the vineyard on the web and was happy to see the price per bottle was under $15. This vino is a winner all around. What a wonderful way to begin the New Year! Cheers!

Mars and Venus

Today I chose to drink a Sauvignon Blanc. The name of the wine is Mars and Venus. I really like this wine. And the name reminds me of the book Men are from Mars and Woman are from Venus. This great white wine is from Italy, boasting 12.5% Alc. While swirling the vino in my glass I smelled sweet citrus notes. At the first sip I could taste the citrus but with a little pucker. Sauvignon Blanc has always been one of my fresh go to white wines. I truly reccomend Mars and Venus Sauvignon Blanc with a light meal or by itself. 

Cheers!!

Chesapeake Wine Company- A Sparkling Beauty

The other day I visited one of my favorite wine bars in Canton, Chesapeake Wine Company. This place is extraordinary. I love how the shop owner tastes each of the wines and adds a personal tasting note describing his opinion of the vino. Just reading his wine notes made for an exciting experience. I purchased a sparkling wine all based on the hilarious description of the personalized wine note. I am not much of a sparkling wine sipper but when the wine bar owner wrote that the wine was “Stupid” (meaning awesomely great) by then my interest was spiked. The wine I choose was Prosecco Superiore di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene. This sparkling beauty is produced in Italy. At first sip I could taste hints of peaches along with a slight mob of bubbles crawling to the back of my tongue. I truly recommend visiting Chesapeake Wine Company as well as tasting this sparkling wine. I also suggest sipping the vino without being paired, or making Mimosas for Sunday brunch.

 

Cheers!!