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.

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.

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.

Barefoot - Red Zinfandel @@@@@ (5 corks!)

Retails: $7.99 (Wal-Mart)


Smooth is what best defines this red zinfandel. It has just enough flavor to be interesting but not overpowering. I'm shocked, truly. I've tried other Barefoot wines befoore and have never been overly impressed but this Zinfandel has knocked my socks off. The fact that it is also considered a Wine Buyer's Guide "Best Buy" doesn't hurt either.


I think what's really interesting about this wine is that it tastes expensive. I'm pretty sure you could serve it at a seriously fancy gathering and hear nothing but compliments, it's just that good. From the subtle berry flavor that turns peppery, to the carefully placed dryness that rests on the center of the tongue post-gulp, this is a fantastic wine.


There's a French wine drinking tradition called the "le gout d'amour" (luh goo d'amoor) or the love drop. It's extremely romantic, so all you dudes out there, listen up. After finishing a bottle of delicious wine with someone you love--or are romantically inclined to--place the empty bottle of wine on its side, wait about five seconds, carefully pour the drop into your girl's glass and explain that it's a French tradition...not only will she think you're dashing for extracting the last drop for her, but worldly and cultured. Let the festivities begin!