tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240263682429223782024-03-14T09:39:30.309-07:00Winey ThoughtsCrymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-14552843773311130412012-08-16T07:14:00.001-07:002012-08-16T07:14:31.001-07:00Fixed Gear by Lakefront BreweryI guess I consider Lakefront Brewery to be local even though I haven't lived by it in 10 yrs. Located in Milwaukee it's only an hour away from the town I grew up in. Easily a day trip if the grandparents want to babysit...although we've never actually visited. It would be a blast though...Milwaukee seems like a fun city.<br />
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Fixed Gear American Red Ale is a strong beer. It would be perfect on a day like today...high of 75, storming like crazy outside. It's so dark right now (9am) that it looks like its 830-9pm. I'm a sucker for red and amber beers. This one packs a punch. The front flavors are nice and smooth and full and then the back end hits you with the hops. Not too much hops, just enough to say whoa there it is. And then it brings you back to take another sip. I don't get tired of the whoa kick at the end. <br />
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I also have to give them props for the label. I'm really not sure on the price of this one. My guess is that it's around 10 bucks a 6 pack here in Ptown.<br />
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Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-44751188039457455572012-08-14T05:16:00.000-07:002012-08-14T05:16:20.108-07:00Wake up Blog!I thought I'd wake up the Winey Thoughts to share what I've been drinking this summer. I've been mixing it up between expensive beer and cheap wine. Get excited!<br />
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First up my FAVORITE beer right now is <a href="http://www.twobrosbrew.com/all%20year%20beers.htm">Domaine Dupage by Two Brothers Brewery</a>. A "local" brewery from Warrenville IL. C and I need to make a trip to do a tour because really all their beers are good.<br />
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Domaine is a versitile beer. I would describe it as a really good red or amber ale, loaded with lots of flavor. It tasted great during the hottest hot stretch of summer (100 plus degrees) and now that it's starting to chill out a bit for fall I'm still craving this beer. That's hard to do for me...I'm usually a seasonal beer drinker and a summer one does not go great for me in fall. Honestly though, I can see myself sticking w/ Domaine until winter hits and almost skipping the Oktoberfests...almost. It's a pricey beer. You can easily spend $10 on a six pack, I think we've even seen it higher down here in Ptown. But to my delight lots of bars have started carrying it on tap. I might have had a tall Domaine Dupage at Buffalo Wild Wings for $5.75! and it was delish.<br />
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Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-39910447742843031462011-11-21T17:31:00.001-08:002011-11-22T17:55:56.761-08:00Skype Wine Night - NovemberWe may have failed a little in keeping this blog updated. Don't get us wrong, we've been drinking wine, but we just haven't been writing very much. However, there is a new feature we're going to start (at least for a few months or so) where <a href="http://www.crymsonflower.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Crymson</span></a> and <a href="http://listof101.blogspot.com/">Miranda</a> will have a monthly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">skype</span> wine night. Basically we're trying to catch up and drink some great wine 2,000 miles away.<div style="text-align: center;">And as all things necessary in a civilized society there are a few rules:</div><div style="text-align: center;">1) We each drink the same type of wine</div><div style="text-align: center;">2) We each prepare a recipe</div><div style="text-align: center;">3) Guests are both welcome and encouraged</div>This past weekend we had our first organized <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Skype</span> date and we decided that we would also try to cross of one of the wines on our 'Wines To Try' list. It's surprisingly harder than you would think to be able to find the same wine to try in Illinois and California. We resorted to the Internet and UPS to be able to help us out. Now the one downside to ordering wine online (if there can even be such a thing) is that the price of shipping can be nearly as much as the bottle of wine. So we'll have to do some good searching to make sure we're both drinking the same wine.<div style="text-align: center;">The Details:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wine - <a href="http://www.onehopewine.com/">One Hope Winery</a>'s <a href="http://www.onehopewine.com/2009-onehope-arroyo-seco-reserve-pinot-noir"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pinot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Noir</span></a> (featured on <a href="http://wineythoughts.blogspot.com/2010/12/drinking-for-cause.html">Drinking for a Cause</a> post)</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amy's Recipe - <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/brie-en-croute-recipe/index.html">Brie En <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Croute</span></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJq94pwpMFksvcGzh6Uri0UIZWsji9CByh0UHYvugxdO-HK-A4dmU-pqpLUVqDYwZFdeWYRFsL6lq4lAEY0pFEVVIhAtHeToNEcoNtv32Ax2LFk50urFcE0tcBualt_ar7kgSoCMj8R9S/s1600/IMG951885.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJq94pwpMFksvcGzh6Uri0UIZWsji9CByh0UHYvugxdO-HK-A4dmU-pqpLUVqDYwZFdeWYRFsL6lq4lAEY0pFEVVIhAtHeToNEcoNtv32Ax2LFk50urFcE0tcBualt_ar7kgSoCMj8R9S/s320/IMG951885.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678001770255157762" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miranda's Recipe - <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/apple-crisp-with-dried-cranberries">Apple Crisp with Dried Cranberries</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center; clear: both;" class="separator"><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUtJNXYftGwFM59Ulpp2J36ValbyzdZm64a5ccJt7y612kNOuC1JZs52EC7gXxzc9ss7W3Vz78yP-jgaVMW24OHrMkF74JFqi-NDLGiLkhs-Yrw9329bjXn2K7DLmFFwuxz-chz1jn-o/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUtJNXYftGwFM59Ulpp2J36ValbyzdZm64a5ccJt7y612kNOuC1JZs52EC7gXxzc9ss7W3Vz78yP-jgaVMW24OHrMkF74JFqi-NDLGiLkhs-Yrw9329bjXn2K7DLmFFwuxz-chz1jn-o/s320/photo-2.jpg" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Amy's take: </i>It was a nice wine, a lot lighter than the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pinot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">noirs</span> I'm used to. But the flavors were nice and smooth and sweet. It went down fast. I'd probably give it 4 stars...any other wine would have probably only gotten three but since this was One Hope and it's a charity that ups it. Kinda fun that we ordered the wine too. At least until we noticed the shipping rates. I made baked brie or if you want to get fancy like Paula <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Deen</span>, Brie En <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Croute</span>. It was good and super easy to make. It was more than the three of us could handle though, very rich. I'd bake brie again for a bigger group and I think I'd use an unusual jelly to top it instead of the candied pecans.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Miranda's take</i>: I really enjoyed the wine. It was not nearly as dark red as I thought it would be, but it still had a pretty rich taste. So two thumbs up for One Hope. One for donating 1/2 the profits to charity and one for having a yummy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pinot</span>. Overall I'd rate it a three star wine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now let me just say that my apple crisp is freaking delicious. I accidentally misjudged the recipe and the size of the pan it needed. I thought a pie plate would be enough so I had to make two batches. And I had nearly finished the first batch prior to wine night. Oops! But seriously I give the recipe like 4 stars.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Does anyone else have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">skype</span> dates? Any suggestions on a good, but readily available wine? We'd love to hear your thoughts.</div></div>Things To Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01081414495534211408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-54377226562468740552011-07-07T06:16:00.000-07:002011-07-07T09:03:46.428-07:00dinner and drinks<a href="http://www.winelog.net/images/wines/MDVfc3lyYWguanBnMTE5NzUyNjQwNg==.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 165px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 399px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.winelog.net/images/wines/MDVfc3lyYWguanBnMTE5NzUyNjQwNg==.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Last night's dinner was full of all sorts of lovely things that were wine. I decided to try my second attempt at braising a roast in wine. My first attempt was good but the meat wasn't as tender as I'd heard it should be. This time I didn't follow a recipe. I had a roast and browned it on all sides in olive oil and added salt and pepper. Then I put that in my dutch oven threw in some potatoes, cut up onions, carrots and celery. I dumped a bottle cabernet savignon on stop, covered it up and put it on my stove to bring to a boil. Once I got to a boil I turned off the heat and put it in my stove set at 275 for 4 hours. </div><br /><br /><div>After about 2hrs the entire house smelled like cab sav. I didn't think it was possible, but it was lovely. Now came the decision of what to drink while making the rest of the meal and while eating. It sorta of seemed that since I was cooking with a cab sav I should be drinking a cab sav. But I've been more in the mood for Syrah's lately. I'm not sure what the rules are or if there are rules about what wines to drink when cooking with wine. I went with the syrah and had a bottle of <a href="http://www.cyclesgladiator.com/">Cycles Gladiator</a> Syrah. It was yummy</div><br /><br /><div>I've had Cycles Gladiator pinot noir and it is a standby for me and good pinot noirs. I enjoyed the syrah just as much. I had opened it the day before and thought it was good, but with dinner and being open for a day it was delish. I had planned on just a small glass. C and I shared two large glasses. I would have finished the bottle except R hasn't been letting us sleep much lately and any more wine would have forced my eyes shut by 8 last night. </div><br /><br /><div>Dinner turned out wonderfully. The meat cut like butter which is how I've heard it described on top chef. That's the essence of braising, long and slow under low heat in an acid environment. I've read you can also braise in beer. The wine turned the onions a lovely purple color as well as the other veggies. It was such a nice dinner. I can't wait to eat the leftovers for lunch today!</div>Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-36074427624048351642011-06-28T03:34:00.001-07:002011-06-29T07:15:35.631-07:00Toast of the Town Chicago<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAlM1_lhwH5scloKIZzHFL1l23zckk8cgKi1pZX5h_a5SJZzL4tqO82wFZg-n4-1Ke_lrKDverSUtRi0XMSMEAj4Y4XsOQm1ERv17uzk2t4Z-w3l-qf9g_LuBLIqC2_H2gcwf_OVHgWnH/s1600/264533_10150217648061923_52402386922_7593543_3927380_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAlM1_lhwH5scloKIZzHFL1l23zckk8cgKi1pZX5h_a5SJZzL4tqO82wFZg-n4-1Ke_lrKDverSUtRi0XMSMEAj4Y4XsOQm1ERv17uzk2t4Z-w3l-qf9g_LuBLIqC2_H2gcwf_OVHgWnH/s320/264533_10150217648061923_52402386922_7593543_3927380_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623217345282578514" border="0" /></a>After two years of talking nonstop about wanting to attend this amazing event we splurged and bought VIP tickets. This is <a href="http://www.toastofthetown.com/">Wine Enthusiast's Toast of the Town event</a>, taking place in 5 cities across the country. In Chicago it takes place at the <a href="http://fieldmuseum.org/">Field Museum</a>, my personal favorite of the city's museums. I was in love with the idea of tasting delicious wine and tasting fancy food underneath <a href="http://fieldmuseum.org/about/traveling-exhibitions/t-rex-named-sue">Sue</a>. That experience was everything I had hoped it would be.<br /><br />Over 500 wines were available for tasting. I didn't get through half of them but I did taste some wonderful wines. 35 local restaurants were there each supplying a single bite of something delicious. And it was all wonderful. I even found myself at one point focusing more on tasting the different foods than the wines. It was fun trying new things and different flavor combinations. I would totally go to a foodie event like this. I'm not sure they exist but they definitely should.<br /><br />Favorite wines tasted are<a href="http://www.twistedwine.com/Wines/Zinfandel/TwistedZinfandel/2009.aspx"> Twisted Old Vine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Zin</span></a> and <a href="http://www.jlohr.com/wines/family">J <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lohr's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pinot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Noir</span></a>. I think they were both reserve wines which could be hard to find. But they both have their non-reserve wines available at local stores and I plan to pick them up soon. I can't really pick a favorite food that I tried. It would be difficult to choose from lobster sandwiches, fried octopus, spicy sushi, lemon ginger <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">gelato</span>, deconstructed upside-down pineapple cake (amazing) and many more. Everything was really good.<br /><br />It was a fun event and C and I both said we'd do again. M was wonderful enough to come out to Chi-town to join us this year. One of the other city's this is held at is in San Fransisco. I think that sounds like an excuse to head to California for a weekend!!Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-35511964822690773592011-06-14T18:28:00.000-07:002011-06-14T18:38:58.107-07:00Scott Harvey Barbera 2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cawineclub.com/images/products/1133_image.ScottHarvey_220.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.cawineclub.com/images/products/1133_image.ScottHarvey_220.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I haven't been around much mostly b/c life has been busy and taken over any extra blogging time. Also b/c early summer tends to be beer drinking time for me, so not a lot of new wines have been tried. Until recently...<br /><br />A few weeks ago we drove up to Chicago to visit the fam and stopped by my <a href="http://www.petersonwinecellars.com/">favorite wine shop</a>. It was a chilly weekend and rainy, I wanted something red to warm me up. So I asked the wine nerd who worked their to recommend a syrah to me and he recommended Opolo's syrah. I haven't tried this out yet but I'm very excited to. Then I asked him what his fave wine was in the store right then and he immediately went to <a href="http://winestore.scottharveywines.com/barbera-c3.aspx">Scott Harvey's Barbera</a>. <br /><br />I'd never had a barbera before, in fact I'd never heard of it. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbera">An Italian grape that produces good yields and is known for it's deep color, low tannins, and high acid</a>. It's definitely low on tannins, didn't need much air to smooth it out. And the next day the wine's still good and tasty. It's a good wine and I'm glad that I tried it out. I paid $20 for the bottle and I'd get it again. Although it was good it's not on my favorite list I give it 4 stars.Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-44294634329147358632011-04-24T15:16:00.000-07:002011-04-24T15:16:42.640-07:00Paso Robles Wine Tasting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last weekend, I went on a great getaway to the Central California Coast. As with many of my trips, wine was near the top of the agenda. We drove down on Saturday morning and spent the day wine tasting in the Paso Robles wine area. We didn't have any specific wineries to visit, we would just drive and see where the day took us. With 250 wineries in the area, we didn't have far to look. Here's the wineries we visited and some of my favorites.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.docerobleswinery.com/">Doce Robles </a>- The first winery we stopped at. I don't really remember anything standing out about this place. I blame the fact that we got up so early to drive down. Definitely will have to stop again when drowsiness is not a factor.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7_oouBTK-WS2yUD6XhbC0IpJTnHiWni-etlh5Xxf07aYGsUoko_VQ0IKHEbGyREOXXh0NvOkfca3RrzXZNOANC2dytxikfufU31YjTiPInrzS1Rgx1JQIgfQPESYDpLAoJW54sN8_OZp/s1600/Paso_Robles1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7_oouBTK-WS2yUD6XhbC0IpJTnHiWni-etlh5Xxf07aYGsUoko_VQ0IKHEbGyREOXXh0NvOkfca3RrzXZNOANC2dytxikfufU31YjTiPInrzS1Rgx1JQIgfQPESYDpLAoJW54sN8_OZp/s320/Paso_Robles1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.summerwoodwine.com/">Summerwood </a>- As you pull up to this winery, you notice the gorgeous wisteria overhanging the porch. The Vin Rouge wine was a big favorite here.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq_iBx24e_bC5fO3ID4toJQhq5TVQX-molSbsc-eh_ip_TYtidRQmOZK77EFFUkIoEcFsIFkFZYI47U4k2ZyHebnWVe36gNAgiyp-sSWs-3sxYi-J1o2fT4Mm1LK67YR4BveOlIQVzkYq/s1600/Paso_Robles2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq_iBx24e_bC5fO3ID4toJQhq5TVQX-molSbsc-eh_ip_TYtidRQmOZK77EFFUkIoEcFsIFkFZYI47U4k2ZyHebnWVe36gNAgiyp-sSWs-3sxYi-J1o2fT4Mm1LK67YR4BveOlIQVzkYq/s400/Paso_Robles2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.peachycanyon.com/">Peachy Canyon</a> - I'm always a fan of Zins. And when a winery has six available for tasting, I am hooked. Plus the tasting was waived with bottle purchase. So I *forced* myself to bring some 2008 Westside Zin home. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.veriscellars.com/index.html">Veris Cellars </a>- You know my favorite kind of wine tasting? Free Wine Tasting. Combine this with cheap bottles of flavored sparkling wine (Peach, Raspberry, and Almond) consider me in love.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://eaglecastlewinery.com/">Eagle Castle </a>- Not one of our favorites for wine, but the location is just awesome. There were two weddings being held at the castle that day and I couldn't imagine a cooler place to get hitched. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.darkstarcellars.com/">Dark Star Cellars</a>/<a href="http://www.brianbensoncellars.com/">Brian Benson Cellars</a> - I didn't actually taste any wines here, but I was excited for two reasons: 1) Any where you can try different wineries without having to drive to another place is already tops in my book and 2) the incredible bottle designs at Brian Benson Cellars.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8Zwe4U3nmyr-e8Vtu6gMQjTslUlBclRFAjd_9uypXow2XMPYonjD3T_KaunQSCOj7pi-4nkeC1Z2eQrfDrSonEXU7L6_vOy4MR1OuWSt-vhHZXvOnXu_qlipmw6S4nTjUDYPtKICYVo3/s1600/Paso_Robles4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8Zwe4U3nmyr-e8Vtu6gMQjTslUlBclRFAjd_9uypXow2XMPYonjD3T_KaunQSCOj7pi-4nkeC1Z2eQrfDrSonEXU7L6_vOy4MR1OuWSt-vhHZXvOnXu_qlipmw6S4nTjUDYPtKICYVo3/s320/Paso_Robles4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ninerwine.com/">Niner Wine Estates</a> - Another place I didn't try very many wines. But it's a great space and when you look out towards the hill you see the most awesome tree design. I <3 it.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8snHhHPc4cGTwxH48eI5aScRNqkV8BzJfm6qDNdjxXrklC9fdBA1VkrvMGV0QMNwp-bQcmW_g5jG-WQvJVZiWjo09_Uhwe86WFbc0WfQvG2wiWHf_8w1qFZLOOkbh8jiU-m0wI6dmdVJO/s1600/Paso_Robles5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8snHhHPc4cGTwxH48eI5aScRNqkV8BzJfm6qDNdjxXrklC9fdBA1VkrvMGV0QMNwp-bQcmW_g5jG-WQvJVZiWjo09_Uhwe86WFbc0WfQvG2wiWHf_8w1qFZLOOkbh8jiU-m0wI6dmdVJO/s400/Paso_Robles5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1279893236"><br />
</a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.donatifamilyvineyard.com/">Donati Family Wineyard</a> - Our last stop of the day. The people were super friendly even though some of our crew were feeling the effects of visiting 9 different wineries. Was a fan of the Sorelle Per Sempre wine ('Sisters Forever') and might have to look to get some in the future. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nine wineries in six hours. Definitely one of my best tasting experiences and it's just getting me prepared for a couple of more weekend tasting adventures in the next month. So have you visited Paso Robles or tried any wines from the region? Any great places we missed? </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-7457700292341514582011-04-07T08:52:00.000-07:002011-04-07T13:31:24.228-07:00Wine in Hollywood<a href="http://listof101.blogspot.com/">Miranda</a> blogged recently about some fave links of hers that she wanted to share. One of those was a link to <a href="http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/March-2010/Wine-and-Film-Through-the-Years/">wines in films by Wine Enthusiaist magazine</a>. They took a look at movies that featured wine in either a lead or supporting role in the movie. I was intrguied by the movies they came up with. Lot's I hadn't see or heard of before. Others are classics that I've been meaning to watch to ages. I did some other searching and came across another article at <a href="http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-06-22/wine/17300223_1_wine-films-paul-henreid-great-pairing">SFgate.com</a> with their list of the top 10 wine movies. I'm combining the lists and looking for more movies that feature wine in them. I'm actually hoping to find some foreign films where wine has a role. I enjoy foreign films and would love to see some new ones. Here's the list so far: <br /><ul><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/">Casablanca 1942</a> apparently there's lots of champagne drinking in this film. Just another excuse to see this classic.</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038787/">Notorious</a> by Alfred Hitchcock in 1946 </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050105/">An Affair to Remember 1957</a> A couple falls in love and agrees to meet on top of the Empire State Building to drink pink champagne. </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051658/">Gigi 1958 </a>A young girl in training to become a courtisan learns the arts of flirting and wine drinking while practicing a rich playboy. </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051658/">This Earth is Mine 1959</a> about a wine company stuggling during Prohibition </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055928/">Dr. No 1962</a> I have not see any of the Sean Connery James Bond films. I'm very excited to watch this and maybe a few others. Apparently this is before Bond switch to martinis, in this film he mostly drinks champagne. </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064952/">The Secret of Santa Vittoria 1969</a> the main character schemes to find a way to hide the town's wine from the approaching German army </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066449/">Theres a Girl in my Soup 1970</a> recommended in the comments section. He's a food/wine critic who takes a very young Goldie Hawn to a disaterious wine tasting. </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071718/">Killer Bees 1974</a> A strong willed woman not only dominates her wine making family but also has a strange hold over the colony of bees in the vineyard. </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079588/">The Muppet Movie 1979</a> Steve Martin's cameo is how this made the list. He plays a sommelier to Kermit and Miss Piggy during a fine dinner scene and they order some bubbly. </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102926/">Silence of the Lambs 1991</a> Theres no wine in this movie it is responsible for one of the most famous wine pairings in cinema. </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105871/">Year of the Comet 1992</a> a comedey about the discovery of an almost 200 year old bottle of Bordeaux </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114887/">A Walk in the Clouds 1995</a> I've heard this is bad, but it's a love story and her family is has a vineyard</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113117/">French Kiss 1995</a> romantic comedy with Kevin Klien and Meg Ryan. She travels to France to win back the boy. He a son of a wine maker finds her stranded and offers to help her win back the boy. </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115710/">Blood and Wine 1996</a> Jack Nicholson plays a Miami wine shop owner in this mystery</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375063/">Sideways 2004</a> I love this movie and can watch it again and again. Sort of a dark comedey about relationships starting and ending and drinking wine to find their way. </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401445/">A Good Year 2006</a> I hadn't heard of this movie until now, about a New York tycoon tamed by the romaticism of the vineyard while visiting after an Uncle's death. </li><br /><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0914797/">Bottle Shock 2009</a> based loosely on the true story of how the world found out California can make good wine. </li></ul><br /><p>Have I missed anything worth seeing? </p>Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-5976352603595552192011-04-07T08:31:00.000-07:002011-04-07T08:52:26.621-07:00Charles Krug Cab Sav<a href="https://www.charleskrug.com/assets/prod_image_6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 85px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="https://www.charleskrug.com/assets/prod_image_6.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>Have you ever had a really good <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">cabernet</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">sauvignon</span>? One that just melts in your mouth its so smooth and just gets better as it breathes. The color of these cab <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">savs</span> are an amazing deep red like gazing into a ruby. And probably as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">precious</span> as that ruby. I haven't done a lot of experimenting with cab <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">savs</span>. I know that a really good one is worth its weight in those rubies. I also know there are a lot of bad ones out there. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://www.charleskrug.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=productdetail&product_id=6">Charles <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Krug</span> cab <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">sav</span> </a>which is part of the Peter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mondavi</span> family wines is one of those really good cabs. I would never have picked it out myself, with the bland label and I've seen the price range from $24 (what I paid) to $30 a bottle. It was actually recommended to me by a fellow vino lover who has similar wine tastes to me. I threw it in my cart next to my cigar <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">zin</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">palo</span> alto and left a happy camper. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is the first and only wine drank at our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> slumber party that I can review. It had the perfect <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">amount</span> of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">oakiness</span>, a small bite that smoothed out as the air hit it. The flavors where strong and complex. This is not a light <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">berryish</span> wine. I would drink this wine with a big meal or while nibbling on dark chocolate. Or by itself. I give it 5 stars, a lip licking good wine. I'll have to get it again just to see if another bottle will bring as much satisfaction.</div>Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-26794819705325106132011-03-29T06:01:00.001-07:002011-03-29T06:29:37.000-07:00CigarZin<a href="http://luekensliquors.com/store/zen-cart-v1.3.8a-full-fileset-12112007/images/product_cigarzin_2005-192.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 168px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://luekensliquors.com/store/zen-cart-v1.3.8a-full-fileset-12112007/images/product_cigarzin_2005-192.bmp" /></a> <br /><div>Back in December I posted about a search for <a href="http://www.cosentinowinery.com/index/page/product/product_id/2029/category_id/797/category_chain/799,800,797/product_name/2008+Cosentino+Winery+CigarZin%2C+California%2C+750ml">CigarZin</a>. I'd tasted it at a local restaurant called 309 and very much wanted a bottle. In January I took C back to 309 and ordered a glass but was told that the <a href="http://www.cosentinowinery.com/">Cosentino winery </a>had been bought out and that they didn't have any of the cigarzin left and weren't sure if they were going to continue making it. I was bummed. We tried their normal zinfandel and it was good but not as spicey and wonderful as the cigarzin. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Then a couple weeks ago while at the wine tasting at UFS I ran into bottles and bottles of cigarzin. Another quick check of their website shows that they did merge with <a href="http://www.vintagewineestates.com/">Vintage Wine Estates</a> early this year. But their wine shop very much looks like they will continue to make and sell the CigarZin. The website lists the bottle at $22, I paid $14 or $15 at UFS a local discount store (with a huge liquor section). </div><br /><div>I do perfer that good wineries stay small and family owned. Not that I know a lot about this but I love the romatic idea of it. Large wine companies that take over all the smaller ones ruin that dreamy perception. But I know that can get sorta political and I'll stick to more of what I know...good tasting wine.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>CigarZin is yummy and yes that is now an official term to describe good wine. It has a nice rich berry flavor thats followed up by this spicey bite that makes me say hmmmmm. I could drink this wine by itself but it would be supurb with a nice meal. I will be buying more of this wine in the future. I give it 4 stars!</div>Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-37150389438968543282011-03-23T18:07:00.000-07:002011-03-23T18:23:21.528-07:00wine shoppingTwo weeks ago was the semi annual wine tasting at <a href="http://www.ufsdeal.com/browse.cfm/2,4.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UFS</span></a> a local savers store. I know lots of people that go there for their booze but you can also get pretty much anything at this store. I'd heard about these tastings, free wine and spirit tastings and usually a fairly good selection. So C, R, M, and I went to check out the hub bub. <br /><br />Apparently it wasn't as big as it usually is but it was still a good time. I tasted a bunch of wines and a margarita in a can. The margarita in a can tasted like Sprite, which was eh at the time but it's still in my head. I may have to pick some up. We tasted good wines, and bad ones. One bad the guy said had hints of grapefruit, I'm pretty sure it was grapefruit juice. We left with 3 lovely bottles plus M picked up a red Greek wine for us to drink. I don't remember what the name of it was but it was pretty good. Not too dry not sweet either. A nicely balanced wine. I should have kept the bottle for a real review.<br /><br />One week later we had a slumber party that destroyed my wine stash. 6 bottles were emptied between 3 of us. My beautifully stocked wine rack reduced to 2 meager bottles. 2 that were more expensive and didn't want to waste on our drunkenness. Good times good times. That's what wine nights/slumber parties are all about. =)Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-71470236001041140592011-03-20T07:12:00.000-07:002011-03-20T07:30:36.829-07:00Echelon Pinot Noir<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://volunteer.blogs.com/winewaves/images/echelon_central_coast_pinot_noir_2004.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 211px;" src="http://volunteer.blogs.com/winewaves/images/echelon_central_coast_pinot_noir_2004.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.echelonvineyards.com/">Echelon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pinot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">noi</span></a>r was the other bottle I bought at World Market up in Chicago. I paid $10 and had high hopes. I hate to blog this, but this wine was a disappointment. C and I opened it while cooking dinner. It was harsh and very <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">alcoholy</span>. We poured large glasses and swirled and let it breath while we cooked dinner. The thought being air and food would tame it a bit. Unfortunately not, we still found the wine undrinkable and ended up dumping the bottle. Perhaps the bottle was contaminated with cork rot, but the cork looked to be in good condition. Doesn't matter though, I cannot give it another chance. I give it 1 star.Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-56261662462715274912011-03-18T14:04:00.001-07:002011-03-20T07:11:55.822-07:00Oscar Night follow up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.steampunkwines.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/FourVines_Zinfandel_Martinelli_2007.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 284px;" src="http://www.steampunkwines.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/FourVines_Zinfandel_Martinelli_2007.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Yep it took a while to type up the Oscar night follow up, I've been sick again. This has been one heck of a year for colds, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">flus</span>, and infections. At the moment everyone in my house is one the mend, and I'm playing blog catch up. With Miranda in town and tonight's wine slumber party lots of wine will be had.<br /><br />So....<br /><br />Oscar night was fun. We <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">skyped</span> across the country and drank together. There was a slight lag so California knew who the winner was about 5 seconds before we did but it was still fun. Unfortunately we had a big storm pass through and the we lost the channel showing the Oscars for a good part of the show. This kinda sucked but we did make do by watching Daniel Craig as James Bond, which sorta makes up for anything.<br /><br />The first bottle opened for the red carpet and beginning of the show was <a href="http://www.fourvines.com/our_wines.html">Four Vines 2008 </a><a href="http://www.fourvines.com/our_wines.html">Old Vine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cuvee</span> Zinfandel</a>. I bought it at World Market a few weeks back when I was up in Chicago visiting the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fam</span>. I think I paid $10. This was a decent wine for the price. Smooth and fruity tasting. It's great for an every day cheap wine. It's good for I'd b<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wespeakwine.com/images/products/preview/99286267.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 189px;" src="http://www.wespeakwine.com/images/products/preview/99286267.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">uy</span> it again." On a side note while visiting their website I found they are doing a <a href="http://www.fourvines.com/drinknakedtour.html">4V Drink Naked </a><a href="http://www.fourvines.com/drinknakedtour.html">Tour</a>. I kinda wish their blog was updated.<br /><br />The second bottle opened was <a href="http://www.gnarlyhead.com/Wines/">Gnarly Head</a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pinot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Noir</span>. I've had their Old Vine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Zin</span> before and remember it being good. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">pinot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">noir</span> was $10 and I figured worth a try. It was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ok</span>. Not a lot of depth of flavor and it didn't get better w/ air over the next few days. It wasn't offensive or bad, but didn't stand out to me. I give it two stars.Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-20432824653639720002011-02-27T14:04:00.000-08:002011-02-27T14:36:42.450-08:00Academy Awards Wine Night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://vator.tv/images/attachments/260209085230oscars.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 281px;" src="http://vator.tv/images/attachments/260209085230oscars.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://listof101.blogspot.com/">Miranda</a> often credits me on her blog for getting her addicted to things like photography, cooking, and sometimes even wine. Although the wine thing is silly we each got hooked on that together. When she lived in town we had a wine night every week. We'd buy based on label, price, or at one time whether or not the bottle had a real cork. <br /><br />Well the road goes both ways and she's left her impact on me as well. She's gotten me hooked on <a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/categorylist/dept/liberty-of-london_scarves?resetFilters=true">Liberty of London scarves</a> and their target collection. She's officially hooked me on West Wing, Six Feet Under, Project Runway, and Brothers and Sisters. And she's gotten me hooked on watching the Academy Awards. Now I'd always been kinda interested and would watch here and there. But the last few years I've found myself seeking out date, times, and channels it will air on. And now I can't watch it w/out watching at least an hour of the red carpet before hand. What makes this event even better is a bottle of wine. This year we are stepping this up a bit and watching it together through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">skype</span>. It's a cross country wine night with lots of wine and red carpet celebs. I'm super excited about tonight. I have no idea what I'll drink but I went wine shopping so I'd have a selection to choose from. <br />Do you watch the Academy Awards? Does it involve wine? Are there any events worth cross country <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">skyping</span> to watch together w/ a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bestie</span>?Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-58171855310453602772011-02-24T17:53:00.000-08:002011-02-24T18:22:17.113-08:00Testaroassa Palazzio 2006 Pinot Noir<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.winecommune.com/lotImage/121592032.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 343px;" src="http://images.winecommune.com/lotImage/121592032.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />About a year and a half ago I discovered the <a href="http://www.petersonwinecellars.com/">wine shop</a> in Naperville I mentioned in the last post. They had recently bought out a wine shop that had been there since I'd met my hubby. At first I was a bit hesitant since I tend to be loyal to the shops I enjoy. But then I discovered first their huge variety of wines, and second the glorious sale they have every year around my birthday. Every year they have a huge sale, a buy one bottle get another for a penny. Any bottle as long as you buy two of the same. The owner happened to be there when I discovered the sale and was wonderfully lost and overwhelmed in a sea of wine trying to figure out what to buy.<br />He steered me to some wines that were higher priced and I hadn't heard of before. We chatted about what we enjoyed to drink and he told me about how his wife had the daunting task of tasting all the wines and figuring out what they should sell/stock. She happened to particularly like the <a href="http://www.testarossa.com/">Testarosa</a> 2006 Palazzio Pinot Noir. They were priced at thirty something dollars a bottle but with the sale I figured that was reasonable and I wanted to try something new and exciting.<br />I opened the first bottle not long after I purchased them and found it to be strong and very bitey for a pinot noir. This was probably the first pinot noir priced over $12 that I'd ever drank, and so I was not used to needing to let a pinot noir breath. Of course at the time I didn't realize this and figured it was kinda a eh wine. More of what I would expect from a cab sav, which was not what I was wanting then. The second bottle was put on the rack and forgotten about. And then I got pregnant.<br />It took until the babe was near 9mo old and my wine supply freakishly low before I thought about opening this second bottle. This time I let it breath. I poured it into my decanter and then poured a glass and let it all sit in the air for at least an hour. The first sip is still sorta bitey for a pinot noir but that bite goes away after the second sip. And then by the third it turns into a sigh of contentment. Not many wines let me make yummy noises w/ every sip, this one does/did. It's a beautiful crimson red wine with complex flavors. I can't pin point the fruit in it and that makes me happy. And its oh so smooth, how air does wonders for some wines. Or maybe maturity of my pallet but this wine is definitely 5 stars, lip licking good, and won't be forgotten for quite some time. You definitely can't just a wine by its label or even its first taste in this case.Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-90263606876374585872011-02-22T17:34:00.000-08:002011-02-22T18:32:39.472-08:00Hayes Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1IT13NM3YHT5SuNoDy_a0PiFynF8wz4ersgGYa4cYXZEeC0LZ5whY-XUTq4NOsbqns-dh-wadwXshpQQM7sQ6UuO5F8NNk4cDQ0N1YQO4zqOFO7fqagA2VA4h7_WbKMSB1nbclEXamr1/s320/Hayes+Ranch+Cab+Sauv.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1IT13NM3YHT5SuNoDy_a0PiFynF8wz4ersgGYa4cYXZEeC0LZ5whY-XUTq4NOsbqns-dh-wadwXshpQQM7sQ6UuO5F8NNk4cDQ0N1YQO4zqOFO7fqagA2VA4h7_WbKMSB1nbclEXamr1/s320/Hayes+Ranch+Cab+Sauv.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.petersonwinecellars.com/">Peterson Wine Cellars</a> is an awesome wine store in Naperville IL, only about 5min from my inlaws house. I visit this shop almost every time we're in town. C enjoys their beer selection and I always find different wines here. They have some fun and amazing sales. They have a top sellers area where they show the top 10 bottles that sold the best that week or month. I bought their number one to see how the tastes of Napervillians compare to my own. So I got their number one sold bottle, <a href="http://www.hayesranchwines.com/">Hayes Ranch In the Saddle Cabernet Sauvignon</a>.<br /><br />I let this bottle breath a half hour to an hour in my decanter. It's really a yummy wine. You can taste berries in front and then you get a bit of the oak and the sauvignon bite at the end. It's a nice bite, not too much. And then I got sick, a cold which turned into the flu, and I was out of commission for a while. 2 and a half weeks later feeling better and craving a little wine I poured a glass of the remaining wine. It's still a decent wine! A little bit more of a bite than when fresh but it was definitely still drinkable and delicious. I give this wine 5 stars, lip licking good, both fresh and two weeks later.Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-43298002244597101372011-02-18T17:53:00.000-08:002011-02-18T18:20:54.405-08:00two passions margaret river 2008 chardonnay<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEu2u6JHaS0Oj2RvRYCVekgzdHObxbSPd51fodU3UrGlsRHWqqOVRkQBam_oLEbVTbBpaVvYFKDFs9azXGsK_JZrFG6W6f_P8UMrBgwF4kKcZjkX_bJTowPrzxztp3raz-GPEewprSf8/s1600/2passions.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEu2u6JHaS0Oj2RvRYCVekgzdHObxbSPd51fodU3UrGlsRHWqqOVRkQBam_oLEbVTbBpaVvYFKDFs9azXGsK_JZrFG6W6f_P8UMrBgwF4kKcZjkX_bJTowPrzxztp3raz-GPEewprSf8/s1600/2passions.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Produced by the <a href="http://www.wildberryestate.com/">Wildberry Estate</a> in Australia. I haven't dabbled much in Australian wines, although I've had a few New Zealand ones, all of which are red. This is the first Chardonnay I've had in a while. I chose it exclusively based on the pretty label and the price $15. It also had a wine spectator sign next to the price saying it received 91 points but that was more icing on the cake.<br /><br />C and I drank this together, sipping on it after R went to bed after the big snow storm. I had even chilled in in a giant pile of snow outside. I did not care for this wine. I thought it tasted like really old apple juice. Which then reminded me that that's what I've thought of other Chardonnays. Maybe that is the draw people have to this variety, or I just haven't had a good one yet. I didn't get any complex flavors or even any oak. C liked it alright and finished the bottle. I give this 2 stars.<br /><br />I'm looking for suggestions/recommendations for a good chardonnay? Anyone have any faves? Or how about some good Australian wines? I'm always looking to add to my list of to drinks!Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-44341560631436422992011-02-14T08:43:00.000-08:002011-02-14T11:03:01.109-08:00Spanish Wines - "Mederano" and "Navarrsotillo"Apposite to my previous entry with <a href="http://wineythoughts.blogspot.com/2011/02/tome-y-traiga.html">the partly Spanish quote</a>, I would like to bring Spanish wines to your attention. My long-term favourite has been the Spanish <a href="http://www.freixenet-wein.de/produkte/freixenet_mederano/detail/index.asp?auswahl=tinto" target="blank">Mederano Tinto</a> (Freixenet). At a price of about 4 Euros, it is a reasonably priced wine and nice for this price (I would rate it 4 stars). Recently, I have made the experience that red wines below 4 Euros are usually kind of awful.<br />
<br />
On Friday, we ran errands at the local organic grocery store. At a special price, I bought "Navarrsotillo Joven 2009 Rioja Noemus".<br />
<a href="http://www.navarrsotillo.com/en/index2.html" target="blank">http://www.navarrsotillo.com/en/index2.html</a><br />
(For a picture, click <i>products - see products - Vino Doc Rioja Joven - Tinto</i>)<br />
Special price was about €5.50, regular price should be about €7.00 - 8.00.<br />
And boy, was it tasty. It was fruity and slightly sparkling from the beginning and it was just as good the next evening. Well, I am not so good at wine tasting/testing. The website says:<br />
<i>"A young Rioja wine, balanced and with body, obtained from a skilful mixture of varieties. It has an attractive cherry red colour with violet glints, very clean, with a medium to high robe. It has a sound, whole nose wrapped in spicy clove and vanilla tones. It has the typical acidity of the grapes used, giving it freshness and good persistent finish, and a meaty, tannic mouth feel.<br />
Noemus: The Israeli patriarch Noah, said to be the first man to get drunk on wine."</i><br />
I would love to drink this one again. For the time being, I would rate it 5 stars but then I am rather unexperienced. So do not take this too seriously. ;)<br />
<br />
I cannot wait to try other Spanish wines as well as Greek ones.nordwolkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04026965360591296360noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-56177018058303129252011-02-11T08:30:00.000-08:002011-02-11T09:50:06.590-08:00"Tome y Traiga"<blockquote>"Tome y Traiga (Give and Take): things in life come and go; drink the wine and let me drink some too." <br />
<br />
~ booklet of the CD "El Chango: the Very Best of"</blockquote><br />
I found this quote in a booklet of an album by a musician with the name <a href="http://changospasiuk.com.ar/" target="blank">Chango Spasiuk</a> related to a traditional song called "Tome y Traiga". I had never heard or read this quote before and liked it.nordwolkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04026965360591296360noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-29006975431861040642011-02-10T22:19:00.000-08:002011-02-10T22:22:31.953-08:00I Work and Drink in Cubes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVs36cZnqIwA9wCawDBFr5ZAuRfHW01Co2mD1n3SdP4rYESpo21fGmsOxI6t6vzWUSgsacbCRinFpiBWEQVvki7RW01SGp33qtLRjjLZf7087hQ0OfLHZCeIyTz64LuX0a-pALHu9iifi/s1600/DSCN7694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVs36cZnqIwA9wCawDBFr5ZAuRfHW01Co2mD1n3SdP4rYESpo21fGmsOxI6t6vzWUSgsacbCRinFpiBWEQVvki7RW01SGp33qtLRjjLZf7087hQ0OfLHZCeIyTz64LuX0a-pALHu9iifi/s320/DSCN7694.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>My town has two Targets. The one that is 5 minutes from my place and the one that is 20 minutes from my place. Now of course the one that is 20 minutes from my place is the we'll call the 'classy' Target (aka Targét). The one closest to me is let's say less classy (aka Target).<br />
<br />
I had four places to stop tonight: the library, Target, Michaels and Office Max. That meant I didn't have the time to spend hours shopping and so I settled on going to the close/shady Target. Of course this Target has a very sad wine display with not a lot of variety. And I didn't want to make another stop. So while looking at bottle after bottle of Mondavi, I decided to take a risk.<br />
<br />
I. bought. a. cube. of. wine.<br />
<br />
If I have to choose, I think cubes are cuter than boxes. Everyone says so. The cube also pointed out that in Europe (yes, Europe) wine is often offered in nontraditional packages.<br />
<br />
I went into this experiment wanting to hate the wine. But a quick glance of my rosy cheeks in the mirror says it all. As far as cheap wine goes, this isn't bad. Plus two bottles at $10 is kinda awesome.<br />
<br />
I'd give it 3 stars meaning I'd buy it when I've run out of wine but I know my wine club is going to be coming due in a couple of weeks so I need to make my dollars stretch. Or if I have a big fancy dinner party and need to impress my guests by having expensive wine (meaning I buy the empty bottles and fill them with box wine, ala<i> Raising Hope</i> this week).<br />
<br />
Have you ever had box/cube wine? Am I a total wine snob? Or are wine cubes the new black? I'd love to hear what you think!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-80284974804987746332011-02-03T14:09:00.000-08:002011-02-03T14:29:20.960-08:00Tiz 2004 Red wine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hip614uLHuYLDadotd3VqgGgN2ZLMezf6pyZHfHCPMjGSKs5oS9WKlk0cT0194Xx37jvX0nZziJUVRV57qc8YzrIvuSq9K2TPchlFnmUryfgKhVAkxjc0udcrfr0r6pOMMLzdd8mdUw/s400/tiz_red.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hip614uLHuYLDadotd3VqgGgN2ZLMezf6pyZHfHCPMjGSKs5oS9WKlk0cT0194Xx37jvX0nZziJUVRV57qc8YzrIvuSq9K2TPchlFnmUryfgKhVAkxjc0udcrfr0r6pOMMLzdd8mdUw/s400/tiz_red.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I bought this wine to have around Christmas time and just now got to drinking it. It was cheap about $7.99 from Fresh Market. Between the price and the pretty label I was sold.<br /><br />It was an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ok</span> wine. A blend of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">merlot</span>, cab <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sav</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">syrah</span>, that's not too bad. You get a bit of the fruit up front then a bit of bite to behind but nothing too bad. It tasted better when I drank it with dinner than it did while I was cooking dinner. By the third day it had smoothed out a bit and was actually quite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">tastey</span>. The fourth day was a rapid down hill. A little air definitely helped but the decline is sharp so drink her up quick.<br /><br />I'd rate it a 3 "eh." I wouldn't go out and buy this again but if its on hand its not too bad a wine to have.Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-11913331034596671792011-01-31T23:52:00.000-08:002011-01-31T23:59:05.576-08:00Sale Wine is the Greatest Wine of All<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATUEzRJjDt17xleepxcAeyR2UBIxSwaQO9BvmERWeWx_2rbxP4yNcEIwpeLQn9JNLFFse3wFeKFBMuNDnjW2a8mknEdHiVEAGZhLyV2wlleOasQDkeBpz9584z4KqRe945b7kGPxSIeny/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATUEzRJjDt17xleepxcAeyR2UBIxSwaQO9BvmERWeWx_2rbxP4yNcEIwpeLQn9JNLFFse3wFeKFBMuNDnjW2a8mknEdHiVEAGZhLyV2wlleOasQDkeBpz9584z4KqRe945b7kGPxSIeny/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a>If I were to list my favorite types of wine, I think my list would go something like this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">10. Moscato</div><div style="text-align: center;">9. Anything with Petit in the name</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Syrah</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Cheap Wine</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Pinot Noirs</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Cabarets</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Expensive Wine</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Zinfadels</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Old Vine Zinfadels</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. WINE ON SALE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, imagine my excitement when strolling through the aisles of Safeway a couple of weeks ago and found Firefly Ridge 2008 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon on sale for $6.99 regularly $16.99. I consider anything that is more than half off a winner already. Plus I love the name Firefly - consider it a side effect of my obsession with all things Whedon. It already had two things going for it. It was wonderful $7 wine and I would totally stock up on it for that price. I doubt that I would pick it up full price, but that's the danger with sales right? Cause I'll be honest when shopping, I look for the little yellow tags telling me how much I'll save on it this week and I can't remember the last time I bought a full priced bottle. I may be a wine sale slut.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What's your thoughts on sale wine? Does it ever prevent you from buying at regular price? Or does it make it so full price bottles that much more special?<br />
<br />
Overall rating: At $7 it is 4 stars meaning "pretty good I'd drink it again" and at $17 it is 3 stars meaning "eh".</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-77467279132929667312011-01-25T19:04:00.000-08:002011-01-25T19:08:16.726-08:00time out for immune systems<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/71526338@N00/5347531015/" title="img246 by Crymson's Photos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5347531015_8a516f36f7.jpg" width="500" height="352" alt="img246" /></a><br /><br />All of us are recovering from head colds, stomach viruses, or something or other. Wine has been put on the shelf while recovering and drinking beer during football games. C did buy me a good Cab <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sav</span> to review while up in Chi town for the weekend. So new reviews to come soon. In the mean time enjoy a photo of some antique decanters. I love them, they are my mom's. I want to go antiquing just to look for some cool old decanters.Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-4560758207712337832011-01-14T04:40:00.000-08:002011-01-14T11:38:52.782-08:00Blackstone Merlot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blackstonewinery.com/files/FlexibleImage/139/merlot_2008.gif"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 384px;" src="http://www.blackstonewinery.com/files/FlexibleImage/139/merlot_2008.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Merlots</span> elude me, seems like every one I've tried is different. I don't remember any that have really stuck with me as I gotta have that again. A few months ago I ordered a glass of Merlot while out for dinner and really enjoyed it. I remember it being dry but with a wonderful plum flavor that really won me over. I really thought it was a Blackstone Merlot, so I picked up a bottle to see if I would like it at home.<br /><br />I opened this bottle as a sipping wine which could be my first mistake. Some how I'm thinking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">merlots</span> are more a wine you drink with dinner. I didn't taste any fruit the first day this was open. It was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bitey</span> and very dry. I slowly sipped a glass, poured the rest in the decanter. The next day I sipped another glass with dinner and it was better. I still didn't taste the plummy flavor from the restaurant so maybe it wasn't Blackstone that I had. I finished the bottle with C on the third night while cooking dinner. It was still <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ok</span>. Not a fave. And I would rate it "eh."<br /><br />What are some good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Merlots</span> I should try? Anyone have any faves?Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124026368242922378.post-66877666240241798712011-01-11T18:00:00.000-08:002011-01-11T18:23:53.610-08:00OZV lodi zinfandel 2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.zinfandel.org/uploads/full_label_952_OZV_Zin.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 605px;" src="http://www.zinfandel.org/uploads/full_label_952_OZV_Zin.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />After a long day at work coming home to a baby who's starting to learn separation anxiety. We cooked up a supper that turned out so-so, but opened this bottle of wine. <a href="http://www.oakridgewinery.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90&Itemid=43">OZV, old zin vin</a>, from the <a href="http://www.oakridgewinery.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1">Oak Ridge Winery</a> in Lodi California. <br /><br />This wine was good right from uncorking. The first sip had sweet drips on the tip of the tongue in the beginning. And then the wine turned rich and jammy and smooth. Delicious. And got better as it breathed in our glasses. Both C and I polished the bottle off after baby went to bed. <br /><br />The rating was unanimous between the two of us.... Lip Licking Good wine. It's a bottle we'd definitely buy again. I'm not sure how much it cost since it was a Christmas gift. But no matter the cost I'd get it again for both a gift and for us. I'd be curious if a second bottle is as enjoyable as this one. In fact after looking at the Oak Ridge winery website I'd look for and try any of the wines they make.Crymson Flowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962583690205232416noreply@blogger.com3