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.

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.