Waltzing Vine - Shiraz @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $6.99 (Total Wine)

My boyfriend and I have a friend, Biker Tim, (we have to differentiate this way because he has a co-worker named Tim as well) who occasionally joins us for dinner. One night while he was over, and I was preparing my excellent pasta carbonara, he decided to ask me for financial advice while I was trying to cook the bacon, the primary ingredient to this Italian Masterpiece.

Like the amateur chef that I am, I am incapable of making conversation while cooking. I'm half French Canadian, which means I tend to gesticulate a lot with my hands. I tend to forget all about the food and get absorbed in conversation and potentially splatter sauce all over the kitchen. In this instance, I managed to thoroughly burn the main ingredient in my meal: bacon. Needless to say, the meal was terrible, but edible. Biker Tim's phrase of the evening, which I found completely a propos : "it'll make a turd."

What's the equivalent expression for wine? It'll give you a buzz? It'll cause you to urinate? I don't know. This is pretty much what this wine does for me. It has a smoke-y smell, sort of average taste, and a little dryness in the finish. It's not great, it's not horrible, it's just *eh*.

Generally speaking, this is how I feel about Shiraz. It never manages to thrill me like other reds. Somehow, it lacks the pizzazz that other wines bring to the table. But, being the wine blogger that I am, I wanted to represent all ranges of wines, not just my favorites. this particular Shiraz came highly recommended by "Bob" at Total Wine. Well, "Bob," this wine is about as boring as your first name...if that really is your name. I suppose I was enchanted by the label, shocking I know. It depicts a jolly farmer dancing with his grape vine in sort of a faux wood block print style. Being a dancer, I can appreciate a farmer who dances with his vines, how enchanting. Unfortunately...you've led me astray, enchanted dancing farmer. Your Shiraz is neither enchanting, nor dancing or delicious.

Final Words: Meh. Forgettable but not bad, 3 corks.