Barefoot - Pinot Noir @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $5.97 (Wal-Mart)

So, today is a fine day. In an homage to my French heritage and to Julia Child, who shares my same alma matter (Smith College), I'm attempting to cook a French meal. A seriously French meal. Coq au Vin. Yeah. For those of you who understand this meal and my cooking abilities, you are absolutely keen to the fact that I am definitely biting off more than I can chew. In my household, my live-in boyfriend is the primary chef. I tend to have a general know-how about Italian cooking, but outside of that realm, I'm well, out of luck. I once made a hamburger helper so soup-y it was an absolute mockery of American speed-cuisine.

I originally bought this wine because coq au vin absolutely requires either a Bordeaux or Pinot Noir. I opted for the Pinot out of pure favoritism. Being the Frenchie that I am, you can't cook with wine without sampling the wine. And by sampling, I mean like 2 glasses...

My thoughts...as an ingredient, it has a lovely flavor that fills your home with an air of Giverny on a beautiful spring day---no really, the only time I've ever had coq au vin was during a spring break excursion to Paris with my best friend and her family. we visited Monet's gardens and had a lovely, 3-course pastoral lunch on a hillside. Yet, I digress...

In short, it's an OK wine for the price and as an ingredient to a meal that calls for a flavorful wine, it's definitely an excellent, inexpensive choice. I've had better Pinots... I'm about to burn my meal so I must leave you friends, pray for me.