14 Hands Vineyards - Cabernet Sauvignon @@@ (3 corks)

Retails:  $9.97 (Walmart)

I'm joined this evening in writing this blog by my boyfriend, the charming, witty, and handsome writer from Tap-Ins.  Patrick's task this evening was to select a bottle of wine that I had not yet blogged about for the purpose of doing a joint review, something I have yet to attempt.  And so, we can blame Patrick if the wine isn't thoroughly palatable.  He is not a wine drinker.

This bottle has a slightly pungent scent, "smells like other reds I've had," notes Patrick, "it lies to you, it does not represent the taste to come."

This evening's menu included my famous turkey meatballs, jar o' sauce and penne noodles, followed by a coconut custard pie.  Don't ask, the pie just sounded like a great idea -- and it was -- but I digress...

Throughout the duration of this bottle, the conversation flowed as effortlessly as each gulp of this solidly satisfying wine.  OK, Patrick disagrees, this wine is not satisfying, he would describe as mundane.  But he doesn't really drink wine, so, take that assessment with a grain of salt; "which is what this wine's special ingredient appears to be;" oh, such a comedian.

The conversation lazily meandered from animation to Zeppelin, Led.  We discovered that we both solidly agree that "Grateful Dead is for stoners." "The Doors were overrated." "Our high school friends were solidly divided between Pink Floyd fans and devoted Led Zeppelin fans.  Pink Floyd being far too trip-y for general enjoyment without a substantial amount of invested time or drugs."  However, we also discovered that "Led Zeppelin and The Beatles were the source of all modern music that is good."  And we are such experts in determining the good from the bad when it comes to aural experiences, without question, clearly.

But, again, I digress...

"What do you get? I get the smell and the initial taste from the smell but it quickly drowns out into what the label describes as 'espresso.'  I taste a hint of bean, but it transcends into a...rubbery after taste...as if I'm gnawing on a Michelin."

"The taste is solidly on the back of my tongue.  I can taste a little espresso as the bottle promises, however, and this could be just because I'm PMS-ing, but I taste a little chocolate. I like it.  I smell stone fruit (cherry)."

"It isn't that it's bad...I just expected more uniformity."

"But..wine isn't supposed to be uniform."

"Right, but I didn't expect it to veer off the path so...harshly."

"I'm partial to the thin viscosity of this bottle, there's no harsh enduring aftertaste, in my opinion.  I don't taste Michelin, but then again I've never gnawed on a tire before, either..."

"I'm sure you've had rubber in your mouth..."

Dirty, this one is.

"Tastes like...burning...like new car smell on crack."

Colorful descriptors.

"After it's swallowed, the 'happiness' prior to being swallowed, is there.  It's like a chocolate covered cherry. I dunno, I don't like wine blogging." (Mimes throwing computer off the dining room table.)

Well, that was a fun experiment.

Bottom line : Solid bottle, not exceptional but certainly not a total disappointment.  Patrick's ability to blog about wine is as adept as my ability to talk about sports, but I dig him anyway.

Fish Eye - Cabernet Sauvignon @@@ (3 Corks)

Retails: $9.33 (Per 1.5 L, Total Wine)


Another inexpensive Australian brand, Fish Eye's Cabernet Sauvignon doesn't deliver as fully as some of its other Aussie competitors. However, for the price, this would be a well-received wine to serve for a large group gathering --- especially since the 1.5L are STILL under $10 themselves.

The flavors are pretty overpowering, plenty of oak and tannins, not much complexity in flavor. However, where other "bulk" wines of similar price points provide a flat, flavorless glass, this one definitely packs a punch. It bursts into your mouth with a demanding presence, "I am RED WINE, (bitches)."

For those of us who do enjoy a robust red, this is certainly preferable to the generic, watered-down, bargain variety red. I wouldn't pair this with a delicate meal, it requires equally commanding foods to hold up against its rich flavors. Wine and cheese, totally fine, garden salad, not so much.

Yellowtail - Shiraz-Cabernet @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $6.99 (Wal-Mart)

I'm apologizing in advance for the severe lack of posts over the past 4 MONTHS. Holy crap, where did the time go ?

Thankfully, this week, my HUSBAND and I (yes, it's still fun to say 4 months later), have been awarded a kid-free week, thereby affording me some free time with which to reconnect with my beloved wine blog. You see, in this period of adjustment between having the kids full-time, getting married, going on a honeymoon, moving, the holidays, work shenanigans and, um, LIFE in general, there has been little time for the blog. Sorry, blog, won't happen again.

To the wine!

Yellowtail is one of the inexpensive Australian brands that I have woefully neglected in the past couple of years. It's not because I don't have a love for the Yellowtail, I think I just equated it with, if there is such a thing, a wine cliche. You see, back when I first began drinking wine (legally) during senior year of college, every Thursday evening after classes, the members of my "house" at Smith College would get together, drink wine and eat cheese. Yes, I realize that living in a dormitory called a "house" at a women's college and drinking wine and eating cheese are all rather elitist cliches in and of themselves. But, please, allow me to continue the story...

So, every Thursday, a different set of girls would be responsible for the wine and cheese. Given that all of us were fully enrolled in college and um, broke, Yellowtail was a frequent guest at our Thursday evening soirees. Perhaps, you could say, I had been a little tired of Yellowtail and avoided it in order to regain an appreciation for it. Yellowtail is predictably affordable and predictably good. Definitely a solid staple-wine to have around for the unexpected visitors or after work relax-o-glass (yes, I'm coining that term).

Full-bodied, definitely requires ample time to breathe to achieve its full potential. The Shiraz-Cabernet blend exhibits characteristics of both grapes, fruit flavors from the Shiraz, hearty oak and tannins from the Cabernet. Plenty of flavor and a nice dry finish make this Yellowtail blend a solid red wine.

So, friends, my apologies again for the lack of updates and wine critiques, but I've been a tad busy you could say what with the kids moving in, court battles, moving into a house, the holidays, the crazy production schedule at work and well, the um...

Beringer - Cabernet Sauvignon @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $7.99 ($11.99/1.5 Litre -- Publix)

Beringer's Cabernet Sauvignon has an earthy, seductive quality. The flavors drift from your palate up unto your nostrils inducing a gorgeous, tranquil haze. As each second passes, the aromas shift from earth to tart cherries to leather and back to earth---quite the metaphor for the month of August, I'd call it the perfect glass for the season.

I wake up early every morning to walk the dog, stealing a luxurious ten minutes to myself while my fiance and the kids bang out the usual morning routine, get-up-get-dressed-eat-brush-teeth-make-beds-tie-shoes. There's a scent in the air this time of year that even the dog can smell. It's hidden behind cloaks of warm, humid weather, but still present---a delicate strand of crisp, cool air, indicative that fall is near. Those who claim that Florida is a season-less state fail to notice the beautiful subtleties of our changing seasons.

August has always held a certain air of melancholy. Summers of my childhood were spent squeezing every last drop of summertime we could in Maine's too short season. No meal was spent inside unless weather forbade, days were spent by the pool or beach. Nights were spent avoiding mosquito bites, taking long drives down winding roads with the windows down, and the smell of the sea wafting in. You see, a Maine summer is always a summer lover --- there for a season and gone as soon as August rolled around. Our seasons end abruptly, and winter is unforgiving and especially long by comparison.

August always carried with it a certain amount of tragedy. This past August was no different, but to appreciate the eclipse from one season to the next, paying attention to the subtle cues around you help bring perspective to the time that lies ahead. For me, it's (step)motherhood, for you it's...

(a decent glass of wine?)

Fetzer - Gewurztraminer @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $7.99 (Total Wine)

Gewurztraminer (guh-voorts-truh-mee-ner). As if the guttural, spit-inducing, dry-heave-of-a-word didn't give it away, this is a German white wine (grown in California). Quite a good, German white wine, I might add. About two months ago, a co-worker asked me for a recommendation on a German wine to give as a gift to a neighbor. Having never reviewed a single one, I was at a loss as to what to recommend and put my "roxy.cape dot com" stamp of approval on. How embarrassing! Yes, as of recently, my reputation around the office has been that of "wine connoisseur"--- in truth, I'm probably the office wino, a title I graciously uphold and am honored to have (will they let me have business cards though, that's the question...)

This is a delightfully rich white wine best consumed ALONE--yup, it's a loner. It isn't bad with a meal, but it does tend to be a bit overpowering. It's a solid dessert wine, honey-sweet at first with a slightly dry, crisp finish -- somewhat reminiscent of green apples.

In other news, my fiance and I celebrated our dating anniversary this past weekend --- yes, we celebrate our dating anniversary. By tradition, we head up to Tampa's Channelside district, right near the cruise ship port. We rent a hotel room and walk to all of the bars and restaurants at Channelside. In particular, we enjoy some bowling at Splitsville --- both for its club-like atmosphere and the sense of irony in going to a venue called Splitsville for your anniversary. This particular year, however, we ended up getting food poisoning at Stumps Supperclub, resulting in my making a mad-dash to the bathroom at Splitsville in the middle of our second game, and calling it a night at 9:00 where we spent the rest of the evening taking turns in the bathroom. Happy Anniversary!

Lucky Duck - Malbec @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $3.97 (Wal-Mart)

At $3.97 per bottle, I had to take a gander for myself (so pun-er-ific!)

I wouldn't call it the world's most incredible wine but for the price, it's really not half bad. I also wouldn't have pinned it for being a Malbec either, but hey, if you're looking for a red with a nice flavor and you've got $5 to your name, you've come to the right place. I would really call it 2 corks if it wasn't for the bargain price!

Aside from the adorably handsome label, you'll enjoy a medium-bodied red that delivers a flavorful combination of chocolate and cherry notes and a bit of a bite--but not too hard. I wouldn't call it sweet, but there's a certain softness about this wine at the start. It's not overly dry but it certainly packs a bit of a chomp on your taste buds towards the finish. It's really quite a good find considering the price. It's equally good alone as it is when paired with a meal.

If you're simply strapped for cash, you'd be hard-pressed to find another bottle under $5 with such a good flavor.

Barefoot - Shiraz @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $5.99 (Total Wine)

I've been meaning to write about this one for some time. As usual, Barefoot delivers a totally drinkable wine for just shy of $6. Sure, I'm only giving it 3 corks, but 1) I'm not much of a Shiraz drinker and 2) 3 corks isn't a bad rating especially when you consider the price (I mean c'mon, $6?! One glass of wine is $6 at any given restaurant!) I would say it's the perfect wine to bring to a party because it's not overpowering in any one direction. It has a slight sweetness and finishes slightly dry, any red wine drinker would be content with it.

Over New Years this past year, my fiance and I were up in Quebec City celebrating both our engagement and the New Year with my French-Canadian family. We were invited to my Aunt's house for New Years Eve in Lac Beauport, a country-side suburb of centre-ville Quebec City. I went to the local SAQ to purchase a bottle for the occasion. For some crazy reason, true liquor stores--outlets that serve more than just beer (the national beverage of Canada)--are scarce and as far as I know, SAQ (Societe Alcoholise de Quebec) is the only one that sells full liquor and wine. I was astounded by the prices on alcohol! I didn't find a single bottle of wine under $12 Canadian (which at the time, was about equal in value to the American dollar). I actually ended up purchasing this same Shiraz for the occasion which sold at an astonishing $12.95 plus tax!

Nevertheless, Barefoot Shiraz was well-received, even amongst an assortment of far more expensive wines. Many party-goers commented that it had a very lovely but unobtrusive flavor that complemented the evening's offerings. In fact, we actually dined on raclette--- a Swiss tradition, similar in its communal nature to fondue, wherein an assortment of raw meats is offered (we had everything from chicken to emu and salmon) and a large indoor grill is placed in the middle of the table where people are to cook their selected meats. Underneath the grill, a special kind of cheese is melted (also called raclette) to pour over your meats after cooking.

It was an incredible meal, a fit beginning to 2010. And, Barefoot's Shiraz was present to complement the occasion.

3 Blind Moose - Pinot Grigio @@@ (3 Corks)

Retails: ? Gift (assured it was under $10) from Publix

2 1/2 years ago I had the extraordinary good fortune of being hired at one of the premier tourism publishers in the USA. From its crayola-box colored walls to its casual office environment, I couldn't have picked a more suitable work environment for yours truly.

I had original applied to this company as a web editor, a position that had been filled by the time I applied. Due to my semester's worth of video production experience in college, our fabulous HR recruiter steered me towards a burgeoning video production team capturing the best of Florida and beyond--all while riding around on a giant, colorful RV.

For over a year, I traveled from the panhandle to the Keys capturing all of the best hotels, delectable eats, exciting attractions and beautiful vistas Florida has to offer. Everywhere we went, we were treated like rock stars. Free meals at 5-star restaurants. Free theme park tickets. Meeting celebrities. Chillin' out in penthouse suites perched high above the sands of some of the best beaches in the country. How dreamy!

Eventually, and perhaps surprisingly, the constant instability of being gone a minimum of two weeks per month, was too much to deal with. My rock-star treatment had caused me to gain almost 20 pounds due to the lack of a regular fitness regimen and noshing on 5-star meals late at night. I know most of you are shaking your heads at me right now, but at some point in the 200 or so videos we produced, I got bored. I became disenchanted with road life and couldn't wait for a regular schedule...

...and the dawning of a "normal" office job again.
I know, ridiculous, right? Road life was not a permanent fixture for me. And so, for the past year-plus, I've been an office rat--again by a shear miracle that a job as "coordinator" of our exciting video production team became available. I am a cubicle monkey...and I can't say that I'm mad.

One thing that's been a huge plus is getting to know people in the office. It was an odd experience being a part of the elusive "Open Florida crew." (yeah, that's what we were called). People knew who we were, we were plastered all over one particular client's website, but I had no idea who the other people were in the office. My crew was like family, but I still feel weird that there are particular people that I've communicated with via email who I wouldn't recognize on the street (or in the office kitchen).
Two of these lovelies are the heroines of www.sillygoosetravel.com --- an artist from our creative department and a (former) writer from our editorial department. They have graciously given me a recurring guest spot on their blog, and I in return.
On one of my excursions to Total Wine, I came across a wine branded none other than SILLY GOOSE. I promptly purchased it for my silly goose girlie in creative---her guest blog should be up, erm, some day.

As a gift, she presented me with this lovely bottle under $10 in return. I have previously reviewed a red by 3 Blind Moose and I was presently surprised by this white. Fruity, crisp and deliciously aromatic, 3 Blind Moose triumphs again with an enjoyable white that is perfect for every-day drinking (OK, I understand that SOME don't have wine everyday, but I do---hey, it's good for your heart and psyche)! It's a beautiful wine to pour, golden in color, if you intend to serve it at a gathering, your guests will delight in its clarity and sunny radiance.
Enjoy!

Bully Hill - Old Barnyard Red Wine @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $7.99 (Total Wine)

I've been admiring this bottle for a year now. It has a cute color pencil sketch on the front of the bottle featuring the wine maker and his "bully animals." In a sea of drab, pretentious labels, it's a breath of fresh air. The way the local Total Wine merchandises its store puts the Northeastern wines right near the rums (where I buy my fiance's bottles of Captain Morgan...yes, bottles). Produced in Hammondsport, New York, Bully Hill's slogan is "rural life is fertile and very lively." Judging by the label, and the contents within, I would have to agree.

I came across an interesting factoid while researching this winery. Apparently, the artist who created the labels was the original wine maker himself, Walter S. Taylor. A number of the bottles feature sketches of the space shuttle --- what does this have to do with wines? Mr. Taylor was commissioned by the government to paint it and you can find the originals at the Air & Space Museum in Washington (yeah, THAT Washington). It could be just urban legend, but I think it's pretty cool.

Curious, however, they do not list on their bottle or on their website what grape varietals are used in this blend. My best guess would be muscadine with a mix of je ne sais quoi. It's a sweet red, much to sweet for what I normally consume, but it would be an absolute crowd pleaser with non-wine drinkers. Sweet, with just a hint of tartness and a tiny bit of dryness, this is a total departure from your typical red experience. It reminds me of Lakeridge Winery's Southern Red (yeah, I still need to blog about that one). Just know, it's a good one!

Target Wine Cube - Pinot Grigio @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $8.99 (Target)

My name is roxy.cape and I LOVE this wine-in-a-box.

I went into this with absolutely no expectations. I've never had wine-in-a-box, never thought to even attempt to consume a wine that comes from a box. Don't get me wrong, I adore Target for its inexpensively priced, quality goods--there's a SuperTarget right by my work and I have to admit, 90% of my wardrobe comes from its racks---and I consider myself a relatively fashionable person--No, scratch that, I AM a fashionable person. Boo-yah.

However, I had no intention of liking this wine. At all. I figured the true test of this brand of box-o'-wine would be to try one of their white wines---as we all know, I'm notoriously apprehensive about non-reds.

I'm completely drinking my words. This Pinot Grigio is light but not flavorless. It is a total-mouth experience, attacking the palette with an intensity usually reserved for red wines. There's a presence of dryness in the finish that isn't overpowering but merely serves to cap-off your senses' experience in this box-o-wine exploit.

Essence of honey and apricot lingers on the tongue. My only complaint is the acidity-- it's a little too much for my taste, but this is an attribute that I typically associate with white wines to begin with---too much acidity. As much as this could be a red wine drinkers' white, white wine drinkers won't be disappointed either.

For the price, you can't beat it. Within this compact cube you get the equivalent of two bottles of wine. TWO. The spout doesn't drip and it occupies a nominal amount of space within your fridge (as you can see, it snuggles easily with my coffee creamer and orange juice). If you're having a large group of people over, this is a really inexpensive yet satisfying wine to serve.

Final Word: Consider me converted!

Barefoot - Merlot @@@ (3 Corks)

Retails: $8.99 (4-pack, BP Gas Station)

I'm sitting in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere--the Everglades to be exact. I'm on a shoot tomorrow at the Miccosukee Reservation and I decided to stay the night before at their hotel/casino---yes, apparently the stereotype holds some truth in this instance. As soon as I walked through the doors, the fairy-princess-twinkle of slot machines and the overwhelming stench of cigarettes greeted me. The decor is identical to the "entertainment decorating" of Disney World and Carnival cruise ships---nauseating patterns accented by over-the-top bright colors with neon lights for an accent. Opting for the economical dinner option, I chose to eat at the buffet (what casino doesn't have a buffet?!), big mistake. The only thing on the menu was a heartattack. As I awkwardly ate half-ass bites of lard-encrusted roast beef alone, I noticed that in an entire room I was the only person under 50. I know you snarky non-Floridians out there are saying "But Florida is ALL old people." No. It isn't. It's about 65% old people, thank you, and I cannot remember a single instance where I literally could not find anyone within 20 years of my age. (20 YEARS!!)

Luckily, I came prepared. Fully knowing that this hotel would be located in the middle of nowhere, I stopped into a BP and picked up a "classy" 4-pack of Barefoot Merlot. No, I'm not planning on drinking all four, but from experience, the 4-pack is a better bet on the road than a full bottle. So, before hopping on Alligator Alley (the passageway between Naples and Miami that runs you right through the Everglades), I stopped into a BP for a pee break and to snag some wine for the destination.

Considering that I got this from a gas station, I'm impressed. I was shocked that this BP carried something other than Sutter Home, heck, I didn't even know Barefoot came in a 4-pack. As far as Merlot wines are concerned, it's nothing to write home about, but it's not bad. It's absolutely drinkable. It's making an otherwise lackluster evening watching American Idol (don't judge, all hotels offer an appaulingly small amount of channels) and surfing the net in an ashtray, into a slightly more luxurious experience. Slightly.

Travel for pleasure and travel for work are two different experiences. I've stayed in some extremely terrible and extremely lovely locales and in each instance, relaxing with a glass of wine at the end of the day has been able to keep me from completely going mental. So, should you ever find yourself under similar circumstances, I suggest you run down to your local gas station and snag yourself a 4-pack of Barefoot Merlot.

Santa Rita 120 - Merlot @@@ (3 Corks)

Retails: $6.99 (Total Wine)

A friend of mine recently gave me a very useful gift as a birthday present: a wine journal. This one made its way to me by way of Williams & Sonoma, which was coincidentally this same friends' choice for her wedding registry (affordable? um, no.)

This gracious present has actually been extremely useful. As of recent times, I'm back on the road pretty much full time. Thankfully, for the time being, I'm as local as a half hour away so I'm still privileged to have some time at home.

This economic climate has not fared well in the world of video and unfortunately, as previously mentioned in some of my entries, half of our team has been thrown to the wayside. I'm fortunate to be kept afloat, however, it comes at a high price to my leisure time. This wine journal has provided a sacred place to store my opinions an thoughts on each bottle I'm too pressed for time to write about in real-time.

This Merlot comes my way via Chile, although lacking body in flavor, this varietal provides a strong variety of flavors -- slightly wheat smell, some concord grape taste with peppery accents and a very dry finish. It tends to leave a pucker-y flavor on the palette so for those of you who prefer a less tannin-infused wine, this is certainly not for you.

Beringer - Pinot Noir @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $6.49 (Total Wine)

After the succcess of Beringer's Merlot at our Girls Night wine tasting, when I came across the Pinot I HAD to give it a shot.

At the same time, I've just recently acquired a Sam's Club through my work, which if you happen to have an employer who offers this as a benefit, you should absolutely take them up on it. I did a little bit of research while I was there today, mostly loading up on bulk toiletries, and the wine/liquor section's prices are IDENTICAL to Total Wine! Although Sam's Club offers awesome discount on most bulk items, if you happen to have a Total Wine nearby you'll save just about the same amount off of normal retail prices (without the cost of a membership!)

Beringer's Pinot Noir is quite good, it definitely requires some breathing time after uncorking. The flavor tends to rest in the middle of your palette, be sure to give it a good swish in your mouth to really get a full sense of the flavors. Tons of beautiful cherry notes with good deal of dry, tannin flavor in the finish. For the price, not a bad wine in the slightest.

Anakena - Sauvignon Blanc 2008 @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $7.99 (Total Wine)

This perky little number is a surprising find. In general, everyone should take my cork-ratings for white wines with a grain of salt--most of you out there know I'm pretty keen on reds and a little critical of whites. I think most white wine drinkers would enjoy Anakena's Sauvignon Blanc.

This bottle comes to us from Valle Central in Chile. A luminescent champagne color fills your glass, it's a truly beautiful wine to behold and looks equally stunning in a simple white wine glass. As far as wine vessels are concerned, I'm a purist and prefer simple wine glasses with clean lines, as opposed to crystal or something extravagant. I have a friend who bought me a set from Target (another weakness of mine) that I adore--they don't need to be expensive. Especially in my household where my live-in boyfriend has a tendency to break at least one dish per month. For those of you unfamiliar with the "proper" glass for each wine, the general rules are: the fat, rounder glasses are for reds, this allows them to be slightly warmed by your hand. The taller, narrower glasses are for whites which need to maintain a cool temperature, away from your hand. I believe, so long as the wine looks appetizing and elegant, rules can be broken :)

Upon first taste, you'll notice a slight effervescence furthering the champagne-like qualities. The flavor is very subtle but sweet--apples, apricots and honey are the defining notes. This wine is easily overpowered by other flavors so be careful with what you pair it with. I'm slowly discovering what I like in white wines and this one can definitely be appreciated for its delicate bouquet.

Nostrada - Garnacha @@@ (3 Corks)

Retails: $6.99 (Total Wine)

A sea change is upon us and nothing accents this movement in tempo, time or place like a simple glass of wine. I've had the profound good fortune of being surrounded by an extremely talented group of colleagues with whom I've traveled extensively, laughed full-hearted-ly and bonded with more than any other group of professionals. I've experienced the elusive "dream-job." The kind of work environment where creativity and eccentricity are encouraged and you enjoy your colleagues enough to actually hang out with them in your spare time--despite spending copious amounts of time together on the road. Due to the current economic climate, unfortunately, a new hand has been dealt. A group of eight has slowly been reduced to two and although I'm thankful for my job retention, I feel a sense of loss and broken hearted-ness over the deconstruction of our beloved crew. My day-to-day is being altered. The energies surrounding me will never be the same.

Adjusting is never easy but I find that somehow the mystic powers that wine bestows upon us somehow makes the transition less of a confounding experience. Wine's great wisdom imparts better judgement somehow. Miraculous, really.

Nostrada's old vine Garnacha comes to us from the Campo de Borja region of Spain. I'm not thoroughly sold on this bottle but the more I sip it the more I'm impressed with the complexity. Like many Spanish wines, it is characteristically dry with strong tannins and a smoke-y flavor looming in your palette. Garnacha or Grenache as it is known in France, is one of the most common varietals cultivated. It requires a hot and dry climate to flourish, making Spain, the South of France and the San Joaquin Valley in California each an ideal location. This particular grape is one of the last to be harvested, well after Cabernet Sauvignon, allowing it to reach alcohol levels in excess of 15%. In other words, if you're looking for a good buzz, you've come to the right place.

Douro Doc - Vinzelo @@@ (3 corks) 2006

Retails: $6.99 (Total Wine)

This was a recommended wine by Wine Spectator in 2005, unfortunately 2006 really isn't super impressive. It's not a horrible buy, but for the price I've sampled similar wines with more versatile qualities.

It's color is beautiful, however, a deep purple-red with a luscious quality to the liquid. Unfortunately, the taste is not horribly interesting: huge oak flavor with a hint of leather and spice, the after taste is super dry and pucker-y in the cheeks. This is a very full-bodied wine, it's better alone than coupled with something else, it's too overpowering. It was slightly better after it was allowed to breathe, but not much improvement. If you enjoy wines with a whole lot of bite, you may find this one more palatable than I did.

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.

Chateau Montet - Bordeaux @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $5.99 (Total Wine)

I'm not horribly familiar with Bordeaux wines, but I do know that like many other kinds of wine produced in France, a Bordeaux is technically any wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France. Wine in this region is said to have started in Roman times, 48 AD is one estimation. That's one of the things i love about wine enormously is how historically important it is.

Any interesting fact, all wine producers in Bordeux prefix their brand name with chateau (sha-tow). Traditionally, the word means "castle" in French. However, in Bordeaux, no matter how humble the producer's estate may be, they are all "chateau's."

I'll be honest, the pink label really caught my eye. Chateau Montet's reasonably priced varietal needs to breathe for atleast ten minutes. Right out of the bottle it's not particularly good. There's a weird tart aftertaste initially that goes away with some breathing time. Given proper time, it has a nice robust flavor with a slightly cigar-smoke-y after taste. I'm consuming it with garlic fish and noodles and it's a lovely compliment.

Turning Leaf - Merlot @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $4.97 (Wal-Mart)

Another inexpensively priced gem from brothers Ernesto and Julio Gallo, Turning Leaf Merlot is actually quite a tastey bottle for the price. Certainly, I've had other reds within this similar price range that have wow'd me more, but it's not bad. Frankly, I'm pretty surprised, after my previous post on their Gallo brand Zinfandel, I was not expecting a whole lot.

The marketing for each brand under the Gallo umbrella is fascinating to me. This particular brand follows the tradition of allowing a wine to "breathe" by encapsulating their entire marketing strategy on wine as allowing the consumer to breathe: "Before you uncork a bottle of Turning Leaf wine, we invite you to take a deep breath, let the day slip away and renew."

Let's get down to taste: it's not quite as flavorful as I'd like it to be but it's pleasant nonetheless. The best part is the finish: slightly dry with a smokey aftertaste. No offensive tastes on the palette so this is definitely a good choice for beginner red wine drinkers.

Maison Louis Jadot - Beaujolais Villages @@@ (3 corks)

Retails: $8.97



Il n'y-a rien comme un bon Beaujolais! C'est vrai, n'est pas? Maison Louis Jadot makes primarily Burgundy wines in France, the Beaujolais Villages is one of the more affordable wines under this brand. Hey, it's Maison Louis Jadot ("House of Louis Jadot") so it must be good. The Gallo is just a pair of bros, this guy's got a whole HOUSE. This is also a wine company that's been around for a while. Started in 1859 by THE Louis Henry Denis Jadot in Burgundy, France, though, it is said, that the Jadot family started making wine around 1826 with the purchase of their first vineyard.

The Beaujolais-Villages wines are made in Beaujolais, near Lyon in the Rhone River Valley. On their website (http://www.louisjadot.com/) you can actually pull up exactly where the grapes come from with fancy flash-maps.

It's a smooth wine with very little offensive dry aftertaste so I consider this a good introductory red wine for non-drinkers. This is definitely a varietal that needs to breathe before consumed otherwise the flavors can run a little flat. According to their website, this is a wine to be consumed young, no need to let it age forever.