Gumdale - Shiraz @@@@ (4 corks)

Retails: $8.99 (Total Wine)

The divorce became final last Tuesday and I couldn't be more relieved. Despite some (predictable) drama from the ex in the courtroom (door slammed in face, are we surprised?) the proceeding was over within 5 minutes. I wish I could say I immediately felt as if I had returned to a normal life, but I'm still adjusting. I am fine, better than fine, I am strong, stronger than I ever thought I was. But still, there's an enormous amount of adjustment.
Curious though, you'd think in this day and age, the novelty of a women's filing for divorce from her husband wouldn't be met with such absolute shock. Even the judge assumed that he must have filed, a quizzical look traced his face when my ex piped up that "No! This was her decision!" And even after that awkwardness was settled, there was still the consoling "oh, you elected to handle finances outside of court, was the outcome agreeable for you?" Agreeable for me? As the higher earner shouldn't you be asking that of him? But sure, you're right, it's safe to assume that I would be the one navigating dire financial straights after a divorce, what with being a woman and all. Of COURSE I would be a) destitute or b) money hungry enough to demand a financial settlement from my ex. OK... I realize I am probably reading too much into things but it's hard to ignore the undertones of patriarchal surprise when one discovers that not only did I file and pay for the whole darn circus but I also had the bright idea of obtaining a prenup. Awesome high-fives aside, there's something still wrong with the fact that more women aren't taking this kind of control over their (financial) destinies.
One of the first lessons I learned in my Women of Financial Independence seminar at Smith was to a) begin contributing towards retirement as soon as you're employed and b) never let go of 100% of your finances in marriage, you have earned this money and you are entitled to keep some of it and in fact, it's advisable to do so for this and other reasons (widowhood, independence, sanity). Not just women, men, too, should take this into consideration. A marriage is pure devotion, absolutely, but was a wise friend once said --- it should be 1+1 makes 3, individually you are awesome people and you come together to create an awesome unity of people. Why shouldn't you maintain some independence? What's wrong with that? Isn't your independent self what the other person found attractive initially anyhow?
Alright, getting off my high-horse now, let's talk wine. Gumdale's selection of wines have yet to truly disappoint. They are exceptionally priced and usually deliver a predictably solid bottle of wine. This shiraz is no exception. Full-bodied, it packs a complex variety of flavors---loads of berry and cherry with hints of chocolate. Very little dryness which allows for it to be easily drinkable to a multitude of wine drinkers. I could easily see this being a good option as the red for a dinner party.
Enjoy. Contemplate. Above all, rejoice in your identity of self --- I'm now starting to rediscover my own.

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...

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.

Lindeman - Shiraz @@@@ (4 corks)

Retails: $6.99 (Total Wine)

Give this Shiraz ample time to breathe and you will have yourself one indulgent glass of red! At first taste, this wine left me unimpressed, however, after ample breathing room and a little patience, this wine delivered surprisingly good results. This is an important rule for all red wine drinkers to uphold--ALWAYS give your red time to breathe, to bring out its flavors, its complexity, its personality...
I don't deal with grief very well. My entire life my family has lived far away from me. One half of my family lives in the Southern United States while the other half is located in Quebec, Canada. Even into my young adult life, I've somehow found myself many times in long distance relationships---the only exception being my current relationship, to whom I am engaged to be married. I moved to Florida in part to seek a warmer climate, but also to become more acquainted with my Grandfather. I just found out today that he has endured a 3rd stroke (he is 91 years old).

By my saying I do not deal with grief well, by no means do I intend to say that I am in hysterics. I simply do not react how most would expect. There are no tears. It seems that almost every major crisis has been brought to my attention over the phone. In each moment of intensity, I lose my breath, a ball welling within my throat. The response is delayed---days away I might finally feel the release.

I'm saddened to the point that my hands shake and I have a difficult time concentrating and forming my words---this entire blog entry has taken me much too long to write. Constant re-wording, re-working, re-imagining what I mean to say, simply because, I can't find the words.

The first time he had a stroke, I was a day shy of graduating from college. Now, I'm looking forward to my marriage and I feel privileged that it seemed he would be around. Now...who knows. I'm hopeful, he's a fighter even at 91, but I'm worried. And I just can't find the words...

Casella - Malle Point Shiraz @@@@ (4 corks)

Retails: $5.99 (Total Wine)

As usual, Total Wine's "Wine of the Month" has not failed me. Almost always priced under $10, Total Wine's monthly selection is almost always stupendous, this is no exception.

I've never been a huge Shiraz fan. Frequently, they're too sweet or acidic for my tastes. This one is very well balanced. Very aromatic, hints of vanilla and cinnamon fill your nostrils. This Shiraz is full-bodied, slight smoke-y flavor with a nice bit of dryness in the finish. There's an interesting, warm, butterscotch flavor within the palette which is especially unusual. It's a smoldering, seductive quality about this wine that makes it difficult to not stop at one glass. Enjoy!

Spier - Pinotage/Shiraz (2008) @@@@ (4 corks)

Retails: $6.99 (Total Wine)

I hate Miami.

In the past year I've been to Miami no fewer than five times, all for work purposes, and every time I find it repulsive. Most people would clamor for the opportunity to spend time in this glistening land of fake boobs, money and never-ending parties...not me. Yet, every time I go, I psych myself up for a "fun" time that never ends up happening. This past week I found myself at the current "it" spot, the Fontainebleau, for a conference. Yes, in these economic times, I was sent to a five-star resort in Miami. Don't even get me started on that bit of hypocrisy...

Anyhow, so in this plasticine land, I was holed up in a 5-star hotel where security guards tell you not to take photos for fear of "disturbing the guests..." as if every over-paid celebrity/doctor/poseur was not there to see and be seen...where a glass of wine costs no less than $13. A. GLASS.

I arrived at 8pm on a Saturday at the Fontainebleau. The gliteratti were just starting to filter in

It's not that I hate big cities... I love Boston, love Paris, love London, love San Antonio, (hate NYC)...I hate feeling like I have to be someone else in order to enjoy my time there. So, you can imagine my happiness when I made the 4-hour trek home where I could enjoy my BOTTLE of wine---priced well below $13.

I digress...so Spier's Pinotage/Shiraz is excellent. Full fruit flavors subtly engulf your tongue, leaving a nice, dry finish that's not overpowering. Swishing the wine in your mouth, you'll discover a lovely, spicy taste in your cheeks. One must never forget to 'swish.'

Rosemont - Cabernat/Shiraz @@@@ (4 cork)

Retails: $5.97 (Total Wine)



Rosemount's Cabernet/Shiraz mix encapsulates what it is to be a blended red. Gorgeous, flavorful presence on the tongue with a dainty application of dryness as the penultimate flavor. For the price, you can't ask for a more enjoyable wine. I'm absolutely shocked at how delicious this wine is for the price. Even the "look" of the bottle signifies a "couture" wine--a delightful pentagonal shape with a simple royal blue label. I would highly recommend this wine for any other opportunity where wine is an appropriate gift.

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.