2009 Opolo Summit Creek Zinfandel

So nice isn't it when you sit down in your favorite chair, recliner or curl up on the sofa and decide that you are going to relax. Now relaxing to each person is so different isn't it. Some people like to turn on the television. Some people like to read a book or page through a magazine. What ever you do to relax, I say good for you.  For this personal session of relaxation I chose the couch, a wonderful wool and mohair blanket from Ireland (Thank you Miss Lynn) and a stack of catalogs that we received in the mail. You know how right before the holidays you receive TONS of them. Houseware stores, clothing retailers, specialty food houses and so on! Well, I piled them up on the table to my left, put the leaf up on the side table, and brought in some cheese and a fresh baguette and a bottle of vino. I selected the 2009 Opolo Summit Creek Zinfandel.

When I opened it the fruit smell was very distinct. Black cherry and some hints of Raspberry. The color is dark, dark garnet. As you swirl the glass, the wine clings to the glass, then gently slides back down. The taste is the same as the bouquet, but the subtle spice and pepper is compliment the soft tannins.
So very, very tasty! 

So as I checked out the catalogs, marking various pages as possible treasures that might need to be purchased, I kept drinking the Opolo Zinfandel and thought what a great vino!  I mean it really was fantastic!
The bread and cheese went great as would a great dish like Big Daddy's Sweet and Sour Meatballs. A great dish for appetizers with some crusty bread...YUM!

While you are out shopping around, pick up a bottle or two. You'll love the taste of this Zinfandel from Paso Robles. This one will age really well also. I have another one in our wine rack and will do another taste test later in 2013.

Do you think it's too obvouis to put a note with each of the pages with the folded back corners, as a hint of a few things that I would like? 

For about $14.00, this vino definitely MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

Really? 2013 is almost here...

Well, I've had notes written down about several wines I 've tasted, just have not had time to put them here on the blog! Yes, it is the holiday season! That non stop express train that starts right before Thanksgiving, and keeps flying down the tracks until New Years Day!  At our house, I know we're in the finality of the season when I'm on the roof.  As I climb the ladder, start to detach the Christmas lights from the eaves and reflect back at how fast yet another year went by.

When up there on the roof, you have a fantastic view. Gives you the time to reflect and think too. When it's sunny and clear you can see the snow capped mountains in the distance. If you climb up at night, a great view of the Disneyland fireworks! While it's not quite time to take down the decorations, it will be soon enough, like in the blink of an eye.

One thing that I know I am really thankful for is my partner. While driving me crazy, being so creative it takes me to the edge of my understanding, he is a fantastic person. Truly special. Also, so very lucky and blessed to have a mom that is more like a friend. She also loves her "grand dog", Miss Ruby and comes by most everyday to take her for a walk and generally spoil her with tons of affection and love.

Of course, all of our friends. They are all more like family then anything else. You all know who you are! How wonderful that we've shared some great dinners, great parties, great adventures here and in Costa Rica. Memories that just add to the already fantastic memories for years earlier. It's really a funny thing about the group of friends that all hang together, so diverse, yet so much fun to be with. A recap of the all the various trips and celebrations makes me smile...all I can say is thanks, such great people and such great memories.

Looking forward to writing about more wine and stories in the coming year. More adventures, more wine and more fun! 

So warm wishes to everyone! Have a Happy Christmas and a truly Spectacular New Year!

All my best, and watch for more exciting news from The Pig Jumped Over the Moon!

2010 Menage a Trois Red

As we enjoyed the final bits of the appetizers I had mentioned in the last post, it was time for another bottle of wine. So Auntie V suggested the next bottle. She had brought it with her as part of the multi-bottle tasting that we had during the course of the holiday weekend. We chatted about so many things. A couple of years before, Auntie V travelled with Big Daddy to Costa Rica, and there were plenty of stories from that trip! We also chatted about her upcoming retirement, which is well deserved. You see Auntie V is one of the hardest workers you'll ever meet. She works hard and plays hard.  Always fun to visit with Auntie V!

So we opened the wine and and I pour each of us a glass. The aroma is really nice. A sweet blend of raspberry, blackberry and plum. The taste is really smooth and enjoyable. A real jam taste that is very, very smooth and has a wonderful finish. My "wine buddy" and I agree that this is an excellent value and totally tasty vino.

Here is the info from the winery:

 Sure, we could have settled for your good old-fashioned double entendre. You know, a not-so-subtle quip accompanied by a sly wink of the eye and a secret titter. But why stop at double when there was a triple entendre just waiting to be had? Ménage à Trois examines what happens when you put three attractive, single, young grapes in one exquisite bottle.
 
Ménage à Trois red brings together three strange bedfellows:

 Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. To add complexity and retain character, each variety was fermented separately, then blended together prior to bottling. On top we’ve got Zinfandel, a saucy tease that brings blackberry and raspberry jam to the relationship. Merlot, with its generous mouth feel and red fruits, fits perfectly in the middle. The rich flavors and firm tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon make it the ideal candidate for the bottom layer of the trio.

Now as the conversation moved into the actual title of the wine, things really got interesting. You see as the name of the wine can inspire a story or two be told, if you happen to be with the right group of people and in the right frame of mind. I'm not going to go into great detail about it, but one of the persons that was out on the deck relaxing and enjoying the artichoke dip and chicken meatballs in Marinara sauce was taking everybody back to a "menage a trois" story from days gone by. I have to say that I haven't laughed so much! As the story went on, everybody there was doing the same! There was also the "do we really need to hear about that" statement made...all in fun. Family fun. Crazy fun. Making memories fun.

What a great time and what a great wine. the cost is about $8.00 and this vino really makes THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

Get out and pick up a few bottles. Just be warned, the label may bring out the stories about the past...and when they do, just listen! Thinking about it now as I write this makes me smile!

2008 Rosenblum Zinfandel Paso Robles

So it's the Friday after Thanksgiving. We've had a nice day. First by having a great breakfast with Big Daddy's mom then a quick drive over to Auntie B's and Uncle T's. Big Daddy, the ever gracious host, no matter at who's house he may be at, made some wonderful Bloody Mary's to get the day started. We all relaxed on the deck of the house enjoying the beautiful sunshine and of course, some more food! 

We ventured out and visited a wonderful nursery which is more like a park than a conventional nursery. Lot's of great treasures too. It's called High Hand and a great place to explore. Then once everyone was accounted for, which is no great feat, we  headed over to a local winery. We visited the Wise Villa Winery. The views from the tasting area were great! As you looked across the valley, the fall colors were like a patchwork quilt. So many great reds and ambers. The sun and it's warmth just spectacular to enjoy the various tastings that the winery had to offer. I purchased some of the various vintages that they had and will write about them in the future.

We then drove back to Aunt B's and Uncle T's to relax and get ready for yet another spectacular dinner. That;s right, because today, Big Daddy was in the kitchen! The menu he prepared included appetizers of artichoke dip, chicken meatballs in marinara sauce. Then for the dinner, marinated fillet Mignon, twice baked potatoes, a 24 hour salad and dinner rolls...just something light!

So before dinner and with the appetizers, we enjoyed a few bottles of wine. The first one we enjoyed was the 2008 Rosenblum Zinfindel from Paso Robles. The aroma is a wonderful cherry and rhubarb with a spicy pepper. When you taste it, the cherry and rhubarb are deep and flavorful, yet there is a slight dark plum flavor as well. The finish is nice, very, very favorable. Auntie V, who is from Sonoma, my official "wine drinking buddy" and I agreed that the taste and finish for this Zinfindel, was spot on! Truly an enjoyable wine that is well worth the money! 

Here is some information about the Rosenblum Zinfandel:

"Recognized for its Zinfandel, Paso Robles has an ideal set of climatic conditions to coax forward the varietal’s inherent fruitiness. Situated among the rolling hills and spanning valleys of the Central Coast, this large, diverse appellation has warm, arid days that are cooled by nearby Pacific breezes that sweep in at night. The dramatic shift in day-to-night temperatures allows the grapes to linger on the vine and develop rich, concentrated flavors. We sourced the fruit from several vineyards throughout the region, balancing the attributes of each for a complex, layered wine."

Auntie V and I concur, this vino definitely MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!  A great price too at about $16.00

2012 Thanksgiving in Lincoln California

When the alarm went off at 4:00am on Thanksgiving morning, I knew that time was of the essence. You see living in southern California, timing is so important when it comes to travel by car. Big Daddy and I are heading up to Lincoln, California. It's great little town just a bit north of Sacramento. As I wake and make my way to start the coffee, I notice the several bags on the dining room table. They contain the treasures that will be part of the holiday food fest which will leave everyone happy and eventually in a food coma.  For my part, I've selected 9 bottles of wine that we can enjoy for the two days we'll be visiting.

Once the coffee is brewed, I feed the cat, the dog, Miss Ruby who is taking the trip with us, and the chickens that think it would be crazy to leave their roost where they cozy up against the morning chill.   Once everyone is fed, I load the car with the booty of food and vino and we head on the freeway of love for the 7 hour journey.

We arrive at Big Daddy's mom's house a little worse for wear. We bring in the bags and Big Daddy's mom wants to know exactly how long we are staying...which is a totally acceptable question as the bags seem to be never ending. 

Skipping to the Thanksgiving meal, we have Big Daddy's mom, Auntie B, Auntie V, Uncle T, Miss Ruth, Big Daddy, myself and Miss Ruby.  We started with the various Pinot's I've brought, MooBuzz, Castle Rock, Leese-Fitch and Pennywise. WONDERFUL wines that were perfect with the traditional Thanksgiving meal we had.

What a great dinner! It was really wonderful. What is always amazing to me, is how the holidays really make everybody enjoy not just the food that everyone has worked so hard to put together, but the stories and remembrances that people have.  We had a great toast to Big Daddy's grandmother, who was the master maker of the "relish platter" as well as to Big Daddy's grandfather, who was a truly remarkable man that had some of the most fantastic stories having been a bus driver in the city of San Francisco for over 40 years.
So the banter at the table made everybody smile and feel good and give thanks for the great memories and family that had gotten together to celebrate the holiday.

I hope that you and and your family had a wonderful holiday and did whatever made you and your family happy. I think it's important to enjoy those moments as they go by so very quickly.

2009 Hill Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon

As we get closer to the Thanksgiving holiday you start to think about so many things don't you? I was thinking about our journey to northern California to visit family which will be a great time and then what happens after. Well at our house, it will be so many things! I've already been told that Sunday the 25th, probably would be a great time to get those outside lights up for Christmas!  And not to forget that the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade is on the 1st of December and...well you all get the picture.

Yesterday night though, it really brought the great things that do happen around the holidays, friends and family. My brother, sister in law and niece are visiting from Chicago and staying with my mom who lives about a mile from our house. Well Big Daddy put together quite the dinner! As always, there was food within an arms reach of wherever you sat. This is something instilled upon Big Daddy by the way that his grandmother and mother entertained. His grandmother used to say "just a little something to nibble on baby".

So prior to dinner, the bruchetta, stuffed mushrooms and "award winning snack mix" kept everyone engaged and catching up on a variety of subjects, FUN times! So when dinner was served, a rigatoni with vegetables and chicken meatballs in a wonderful marinara sauce, we decided to have the bottle of wine that my brother brought, a 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon by Hill Wine Company.

We opened it and poured it into the glasses. The first thing to remark about is the color. A really dark purple. A little sheen makes it appear almost a black purple in color. This Cabernet Sauvignon has the wonderful aromas of currant with some black fruits and notes of pepper and just a slight hint of clove. In your mouth it is silky and smooth! The finish is gentle and soft with more flavors of a dark plum and black cherry. WONDERFUL!

Here is some info about the winery:

"Hill Wine Company specializes in  organic farming. As the proprietor of Jeff Hill Vineyard Group, he owns and manages many high-end vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties. Some of the top rated Robert Parker wines currently listed come from vineyards he supervises. Jeff and his wife Rebecca hold a strong belief in sustainability and organic agriculture. Seeing a lack of wineries in Napa providing consumers with a high quality green product at a great price, they took their love of fine wine and passion for sustainable agriculture and formed Hill Wine Company in 2008. Hill Wine Company only uses Napa Valley fruit that is grown sustainably or organically.    
We use recycled glass, paper labels, boxes, and corks from organically certified forests. All of Hill Wine Company's apparel uses organic cottons and bamboo. By doing this, we are not only providing our clients with the best wine and products, but also giving back to the environment and the community"

Like some other newer wineries, this one has had some great responses on Yelp! and other social media outlets. So give them a try. They have had several awards bestowed on them and I can certainly know why.

This vino definitely made the PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON! So try a few bottles for yourself. The holidays are here and having a few bottles from Hill Wine Company are sure to be a hit with your friends and family!

And should you ever meet my brother, be sure to ask him about the story about the corner store and the owner Maxine...it will have you howling with laughter! Thanks, Dan, so many memories of being kids make me smile!

2011 Moobuzz Pinot Noir Monterey

Thursday as I walked from the garage to into the house I smelled the most amazing aroma filling the air. As I approached the kitchen, lifted the lid of the slow cooker, there it was, Beef Bourguignon. One the best dishes for an evening dinner that was ever invented.  Now the wonderful dish contains a beef roast, red wine, carrots, onions, mushroom and potatoes that all cook slowly for hours resulting in one of the most delicious meals in the world. Served with a warm baguette straight out of the oven and a very healthy amount of butter and you have quite the dinner.  As you've read, Big Daddy knows his way around the kitchen and we always have plenty. So when I decided on a wine I wanted something that complimented the meal, and would not be too heavy. So I pulled out a bottle of Pinot, it had been sent to me by the great folks at TOG Wines. Moobuzz, a 2011 Pinot from Monterey. The bottle has this really wonderful closure, the "ZORK", a revolutionary new wine closure with the convenience of screw cap and the celebration of cork. ZORK is, easy to remove by hand, simple to reseal and is completely recyclable.

When I opened the bottle and poured it into the glass the aromas of wild cherry, caramel, and fresh strawberry jump from the glass. The color of the wine in the glass was amazing as well.  The deep garnet color was so jewel like.  Deep ruby and as it swirled against the side of the glass, it gently rolled back like a wave on the beach. My first sip was of some wonderful cherry,  dried cranberry, and strawberry as well as savory notes of berries and a slight hint of french oak.

Here are some notes from the winery:
"Our 2011 vintage Monterey Pinot Noir comes from a large vineyards in San Bernabe. The 2011 harvest was a long cool season. This allowed the Pinot Noir to stay on the vine longer than normal and allowed this cool climate varietal to ripen over a long time. The result is a balanced, bright cherry inflected fruit with nice acidity and round tannins. We blended in a touch of Sangiovese to add some fleshy fruit to this blend as well as a touch of Tempranillo and Syrah for color and depth. This blend has firm acidity and rich notes of French oak. Enjoy!"

This wine was so tasty, I can't wait to serve it at Thanksgiving!  This wine is a real winner. Not only affordable at $16.00,  an OUTSTANDING stand alone in the Pinot category. Great job TOG, keep up the great work! Pick up a few bottles today and celebrate the holiday...or just celebrate this fine Pinot with a wonderful dinner.

This wine definitely made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

2009 MacMurray Ranch Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

So I write this the day after a spectacular dinner party at our home. Now that the holidays drawer closer, it's great to have a few friends by to relax and enjoy some great talk, great food and great wine!

Our dinner party was small just 6 of us, Big Daddy though cooked like 12 were coming! Everybody could not believe the starters that were produced before dinner! Too many to list, but after a bit of a rest, the main dish was brought out, one of my favorites, Chicken Picatta. It was served with a lovely green salad (Thank you Alsion & Mike)  some extra creamy whipped potatoes, asparagus, brussel spouts and crusty rustic bread. So great on chilly fall evening. The wine I chose was new to me. I had just seen a program on the Mac Murray Winery located in the Russian River valley. One of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL places in the world. Big Daddy and I have spent many a vacation in the area enjoying all it has to offer. We've visted several wineries, but not this one. It has an interesting background. Here is some of the info about the winery:

"At MacMurray Ranch, our wines reflect our passion for the special places that give us extraordinary grapes. Beginning with our home vineyard in the heart of the Russian River Valley, we select grapes from the premier vineyards of Sonoma County, the Central Coast and Willamette Valley to craft exquisite Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.

Our roots in the Russian River Valley run deep. In fact, our majestic ranch has been a homestead since the 1850s. Our modern history began when actor Fred MacMurray bought the ranch in 1941 and began raising cattle here. Today, Fred's daughter, Kate MacMurray, is intimately involved with MacMurray Ranch, helping us share the incredible story of our world-class wines."

When I opened the bottle the aroma just begged to be released! It has a really great vanilla aroma along with orange blossoms, spring flowers, honeysuckle and white peaches As I poured the wine into the glass and swirled it around, the beautiful light amber color really caught the light. As I tasted my first sip, you could taste the hints of vanilla right away. Then the sweet taste of caramel, and lemon cream. Great finish that really was so refreshing. Not abrupt, nice and smooth.

This is a great wine and it has a really great price too. Retails for about $20.00, however, in my research found it for about $14.00 at some stores. This is a great chardonnay that has rated up to 90 points in some circles.

So get a bottle or two and try it yourself. This vino definitely made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

2011 Leese - Fitch Pinot Noir

Well it's been a while since I posted a review. Well things been a little bit on the crazy side. It's Sunday and dinner is being created in the kitchen as I write this. Big Daddy is making a nice "big and hearty" meal. which could mean that after eating and cleaning up the kitchen, sitting down on the couch in the den and relaxing to the point of "nodding off" or as my grandmother would "just resting my eyes, dear".

A few weeks ago the great people at The Other Guys Winery send me a few bottles to sample. This is one of them. The TOG brand as I 've told you in the past, is not only and excellent wine, it is an excellent value! The closure in lieu of the conventional cork top. Amazing engineering used so that if you should have any left over (never a problem here at home) the closure will work great!

The Pinot has a fantastic deep dark cranberry in color, it has a boasts aromas of wild strawberry,  plum, caramel, sage, and a hint of  Oak. Your first sip shows flavors of  tart red raspberry,  cranberry, cinnamon spice, and sweet earth and finish. 
 
Here are some notes from the winery: "This blend shows the cool climate of the 2011 vintage. The cool climate leads for a longer hang time on the vine and more expressive flavors. The acid is integrated for good structure and the wine is vibrant and palate cleansing. We captured this vibrancy in our Pinot Noir from appellations like Monterey, Clarksburg, Mendocino, Northern Interior Valley, and Santa Barbara. Some of our Pinot Noir came in very light in color and structure, so we realized that we needed to add some other varietals for a little more depth the overall blend. As we assemble this blend, we added Syrah, Grenache, and Barbera from Lodi and the Sierra Foothills to add complexity and balance to the blend. The sum of the parts is a delicious glass of Pinot Noir that can fit the mood of any occasion.

This crowd pleasing Pinot Noir blend would pair wonderfully with an assortment of hard cheeses and dried fruit, turkey burgers topped with Colby Jack cheese and a roasted red pepper aioli, or any kind of pasta with your favorite marinara sauce."

This wine is a great taste and the blending of the varietals is done masterfully. Once you have your first sip, you anticipate the next! The longer this vino swirls around in your glass,the more it opens and reveals the more intense flavors of the wild strawberry and plum. The sweet caramel too makes your mouth just feel happy!

Well, the TOG Winery has done it again and I am happy that they have. The wine retails for about $12.00 and I'm telling you, once you taste it, you'll discover that this Pinot has it all. Wonderful color, spectacular aroma and a taste that would rival a much more expensive bottle of wine.

The wine definitely MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

Enjoy some and tell me what you think.

2010 Rodney Strong Cabernet Alexander Valley

Well on Saturday Big Daddy felt that he needed to some red meat in his diet. So much so, he brought home some what looked like brontosaurus T-bone steaks. Not kidding!  These could have fed 8 people. I had to ask what they were because at first, I thought we were having pot roast! He assured me that they were in fact T-bones and that I was just use to having a petite filet. He is correct on that. I really enjoy a filet, just love them so much! At any rate, he fired up the grill and the sizzle was soon heard in the den where I sat enjoying a glass of 2010 Rodney Strong Cabernet Alexander Valley.

Now I need to preface this with you knowing that Rodney Strong sent this to me to try. Now, I either like a wine or I don't. If you read my past post on a Chardonnay from them, I didn't like it. All that being said, on to my review.  When I opened the bottle the aroma was fantastic. Very rich in spice scents and fruit aromas. When I tasted the first sip, plum, boysenberry just a hint of vanilla. The finish was very interesting. It had some smooth tannins and earthy taste. It was really, really nice!

Now as we we enjoyed the meal, the wine was a great compliment, so this is perfect with a grilled steak. Hearty meal, hearty wine, great combo.

Miss Ruby, our Norwich Terrier sat between the two of us, not knowing which one of us to watch, just hoping for a piece of the brontosaurus T-bone steak. Which in the end, she was lucky enough to have a piece of. She however, did not get a taste of the wine. I decided after having it with the meal, I wasn't sharing any of it! 

This wine definitely MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON! 

2010 Coppola Rosso

Last night, Friday, we had a real treat, Deep Dish Pizza from Tony's Little Italy. As a pizza snob, yes I am a pizza snob, and I feel that I have the right to be since I was born and raised in Chicago, where some of the best pizza was ever invented comes from! Not kidding...actual fights have broken out in my family regarding which pizza is the best! I'm telling you though, if you want to have some truly unbelievable pie, go to Tony's Little Italy. It's located in Placentia, plan of waiting about 45 minutes to an hour for it. If you go there, relax and have a beer.I like to order it and then pick it up. Although, driving the 20 minutes back to the house is pure torture. Thisis thick pizza, it needs a fork and knife, so if you tried to eat it not on a plate, you would suffer some pretty nasty burns. That is why I place the pizza in the back seat area as to not tempt me to have a piece, have an accident and become was a termed as a "Sig-Alert here in California.

So on to the wine. I opened a bottle of Coppola Rosso which is a great red wine that goes great with a pizza and salad dinner. I'm a great fan of Coppola Wines. Great vino. So opening the wine, you can really smell the sweet aroma of fruit and vanilla. The wine has a great jammy strawberry, with hints of plum, some spice, and boysenberry. It is a great wine that as you have your pizza, you can really taste the fruit and spice with each sip...so GREAT!

Here are some notes from the winery:
"Rosso is made from a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from climatically diverse growing regions across California. This helps us achieve more complexity and intriguing nuances. Lodi fruit in particular benefits from temperature differentials where extremely warm daytime weather is offset by cool afternoon breezes from the San Joaquin Delta.

The supple texture and rich, juicy flavors of plum, cherries, mocha, and strawberry jam make this wine a perfect accompaniment to almost any meal."

This is a great wine for about $10.00 and it is perfect for you pizza.  Our friend, Mary came by to visit last night, and she agreed, a great vino for the pizza! This wine made the PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!  So enjoy this the next time you have some pie, and if you are close to Tony's Little Italy, treat yourself! You won't be disappointed by the pizza and certainly not by the wine!

2010 Corazon De Plata - Malbec Merlot

As I've mentioned in a few of my past posts,  fall arrived and I always enjoy the cooler weather and the opportunity to have a nice wine that helps you "warm up". You know, it's much nicer to have a pair of comfortable sweat pants, sweatshirt and either a book or magazine and relax with a great wine. Well last night was just that night.

Big Daddy made the announcement when he got home from work that we would be having a Tri Tip, would be seasoned with some Montreal Steak Seasoning and then grilled. Served with some mushrooms in red wine sauce (of which I did sacrifice some of my vino...such a good move on my part). Also some roasted cauliflower and mashed potatoes. You can only imagine how wonderful all of that tasted...yes, it was an awesome Saturday night dinner!

And Mike when you read this, that meat was so goooood. You know, real goooood!

So when I knew what we were having, I selected the Corazon De Plata - Malbec Merlot. This wine after I poured it into the glass and saw that deep dark ruby color, that had a wonderful aroma that gave you the scent of plums and ripe fruit, and a hint of spice. After tasting my first mouthful, it was bold. Great fruit flavors, plum, hints of cherry, a nice spicy and earthy finish.  Each time I took another sip, it just tasted more wonderful!

The winery is located in Argentina, other tan that, there is not much information! Estate grown in the Tulum Valley is about all I found online about it.

So the bottom line is, this wine was GREAT! Absolutely a great vino! Corazon De Plata Malbec Merlot retails for an amazing $12.99!  So get a bottle or two,or a case! This vino, MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!



Lovely and refined, the playful '10 Corazon de Plata Malbec/Merlot shows up with plenty of ripe fruit flavors that simply dance on the palate; yummy stuff.

2010 -14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon

Recently after reading an article about the wineries in Washington State, I decided that I should try a couple of them. I like to support wineries. ALL wineries! I wouldn't be writing this blog if I didn't! The article mentioned quite a few of them, but I decided that one in particular, looked really interesting, 14 Hands. So after reading the article I checked their website, and here are a few things out:

"The inspiration for 14 Hands wine recalls when wild mustangs once freely roamed the hills of eastern Washington State. These small horses, measuring a scant 14 hands high - a “hand” being equivalent to a man’s palm width and how horses were measured then - would travel down from the hills every day to drink from the mighty Columbia River and graze upon the luscious waist high grasses along the riverbank, and then retreat back up into the hills to cool off at night. Strong and tenacious, these little horses became known for their endurance and were revered around the world.

This unique and beautiful landscape that gave these unbridled horses their spirit and tenacity now feeds our vines. With loamy-sand and gravel soils, these hills require a strong and determined grapevine, and our 14 Hands vines revel in this unique and world class terroir. With the fruit from these tenacious vines, 14 Hands wines are handcrafted into big, bold, juicy fruit forward reds and crisp, fruit forward white wines that are laced with the unbridled spirit and legend of the region." And you what, they are RIGHT ON!

The wine heralds from the Columbia Valley and when I opened the bottle and poured it into the glass, it gave to me, a tremendous aroma of red currants and raspberries with subtle hints of spice. Nice dark color. A really dark, dark ruby red. Very earthy nose initially, then some berries come through. First sip is quite pleasant. It starts out fruity, then transitions nicely to an almost smoky taste in the mid palate. The finish is smooth. As time went on, this wine opens up really nice. I have to tell you, with the fall season now upon us, a great cabernet makes the evening just that much better! So add this one to your collection to have on hand. When you serve it, be ready to answer ALL the questions about it too. Everybody is going to say, "this is so nice, what is it?" Then use that special little, I knew it smile, and give them the spiel!

With this rich flavor, pair it with a nice Bruschetta. Now for those of you who have been to our home, Big Daddy makes a GREAT one that has very addictive qualities as well. Make some yourself and see, here is the link: http://bigdaddyscookingtonight.blogspot.com 

You could also have a great Eggplant Parmesan or a nice Italian American Meatloaf dish with this wine as well.

This wine definitely MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON! For about $11.00 a bottle well worth it to buy a few. Enjoy this vino, it's fall and it is enjoyable!

2010 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay

Recently I was sent two bottles of Chardonnay from Rodney Strong. Back on July 23rd I posted a review of the 2010 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay.  I didn't like it. The great folks at Rodney Strong have asked that I taste again, and I will. I did taste the other bottle and they have a clear winner in this Chardonnay!

When you open the bottle, the scent is that of citus, apple and vanilla. There is a bit of spice in the smell as well, but it is very, very  nice. The spice scent combined with the a small bit of oak, has a charming appeal.  When you pour it into the glass and let it take on some air, you can see the magnificent amber colors. Just beautiful! When you taste it, the citrus taste, sweet vanilla and a hint of apple all blend for a superior taste. There is just a hint of oak, but mixed with the other flavors it really enhancing the taste.

Here are some notes from Rodney Strong regarding this chardonnay:

"Rodney Strong was the first to see the potential of the Chalk Hill growing area as an exceptional place for Chardonnay, and planted his first Chardonnay vines here back in 1965. The ocean fog and chalky-white volcanic soils combine to produce distinctive Chardonnays that offer crisp citrus and mineral tones supported by lush floral notes and a rich baked apple character. We have produced Chalk Hill labeled Chardonnay since 1977."

Excellent with a great meal that Big Daddy put together of his famous Grilled Halibut and Cilantro Cream Sauce! Check it out at http://bigdaddyscookingtonight.blogspot.com

GREAT JOB Rodney Strong, a WONDERFUL Chardonnay for about $20.00! This vino really MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

2008 Las Rocas Garnacha Calatayud

Well it's Sunday, and dinner is happening soon. Big Daddy is in the kitchen doing a couple of dishes and by the smell that is waiving through the air I can tell it's Italian. A quick check while I write this confirms that Calzone and Baked Ziti are being created.  His recent trip to the local Italian market has yielded quite a bounty of wonderfulness!  I've decided that a great wine for tonight's dinner would be the 2008 Las Rocas Garnacha. This wine has robust flavors and for the price, is really UNBELIEVABLE!

The wine shows a deep ruby, almost purple color, with a spicy, rich cranberry bouquet. Its dark cherry flavors are highlighted by excellent structure and depth. Very  full in the mouth, with supple tannins and a fruit-filled finish. The way that it plays with the your taste buds is amazing! Black plum, followed by pepper, leather, spice and herbal berry scents and some perfect ripe berry flavors.  A little fiery but the real deal!  A vibrant black raspberry and spice box derived from a touch of oak. Exhibiting depth and succulent layers of flavor, the wine is round and full in the mouth. It is truly a wine that speaks for itself.

Here are some notes for the winey:

"By cold-soaking the grapes prior to fermentation, we extracted the full range of color and flavors for which Garnacha is widely renowned. We fermented the grapes for a little less than two weeks at temperatures below 83°F. Malolactic fermentation rounded out the palate to create a well-integrated wine. We exposed a portion of the finished wine to French and American oak for 10 months, using lightly toasted barrels to support the fruit flavors."          

The wine is an excellent value at about $14.00. Honestly, this is really a great wine and once you try it, you will just enjoy the taste and all of the layer of flavors with this great vino. The final decision was Calzone and this was the perfect choice with the marinara, cheese and crust. YUM!

This vino made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON! Try it and let me know what you think.

2009 don Rodolfo Torrontes

The weather here in southern California has been hot and humid.  Afterwork and as part of re-entry into relaxation land I had this bottle of don Rodolfo Torrontes in the wine fridge so I decided to give it a try. Over the past the few months I've picked up various bottles of wine and really have forgotten what all was in there! I am so glad that I opened this one!  Let's start with the color, it is
a translucent pale golden hue in color.  When I removed the cork, the aroma will filled the air with delicate floral hints of lavender and gardenia  as well as just a hint of honeysuckle.

Once I had the first taste you can taste the wonderful hints of balance and lightness.A very light and fruity wine. My tongue enjoyed the taste of  peaches and hints of citrus that lightly lingers to tempt but another sip. The taste also is delights with some floral undertones. So really refreshing, so really satisfying. When I did some research online I was amazed to find out that the Wine Advocate gave it 90 points! Wine & Spirits listed it as as "Best Buy" as well!

The website says "The VINEYARDS: Soaring to 6,000 feet, Cafayate Valley is one of the world's highest altitude viticultural regions. It lies amid the snow-capped Andes of northwestern Argentina's Salta province, near the border of Bolivia and just below the Tropic of Capricorn." The particular vines are 52 years old!
The taste of this vino is perfect for summer, so be sure to get a bottle or two and enjoy it with a light and summer meal. Priced at about $11.00, it is a fantastic value!

This wine definitely made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

2009 Radio Boca Tempranillo

Well it's the Labor Day Holiday!  Not a hugely busy day, but a nice day. Did some of the chores as they are in the garden. With our prior past weather being REALLY HOT, it made it pretty impossible to get out and do anything without gasping for air or sweating like Dick Fuld at a senate hearing! As I write though it is getting close to the time to enjoy the best dam burgers you'll ever have as Big Daddy is at the grill. Wanting a nice red wine to compliment that burger, corn on the cob and a fresh green salad, I've selected the 2009 Radio Boca Tempranillo.

This un-oaked, 100% Tempranillo wine is full of juicy, rich fruit and dark berries. Tannins are smooth and soft. It has a very earthy nose. The taste is fruity with a bit of cocoa. It has a nice smoky flavor as well. Not a spicy or syrupy feel either, just a nice taste in your mouth. Just the prefect blend for a casual barbecue, dare I say perfect, with your next burger.

So check it out. This vino is retailing for about $9.00 and is perfect to have with your friends at the next barbecue. At that price, bring a few bottles and everybody will enjoy it and thank you for bringing it! This vino definitely made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

Check it out and let me know what you think. Ciao, don Antonio!
 

2009 Querceto Chianti Classico

So as we continued our delicious dinner at La Parolaccia, we ordered a really tasty Chianti, a the 2009 Querceto. Since I was having the Margherita Pizza, it was a truly perfect fit with the fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil all on a spectacular thin crust baked in their wood fired oven.

The wine had a spectacular fruity bouquet. The taste gave you  substantial taste of black cherry, and blackberry with a soft rich and juicy hint of raspberries. The finish was dry with very light tannins. It was a really good Chianti and perfect for the pizza dish I enjoyed!mIt really tasted better and better as the meal went on as well. A nice smooth vino here.

The wine retails for about $16.00 and is worth it!  Checking it out online I saw that several of ratings were 89, so a tasty vino for sure! 

This Chianti definitely MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

 

Mionetto NV Prosecco

Yesterday after attending the Greek Fesival in Long Beach, California we decided to visit one of our favorite places for pizza, La Parolaccia. It's a great place with a fantastic menu. We love their pizza and that's just what we had. Now we also had some of the fresh baked focaccia as well as some light and delicious calamari. With that course we decided on the Mionetto NV Prosecco. Now I have to be really honest, I am not a champagne or prosecco drinker. Big Daddy and Miss Alison love their prosecco though. So I decided to taste it with our first course and you know what, this prosecco was perfect with them! If you want a nice sparkling and fresh taste, try this, you won't be disappointed at all!I like the face that you could enjoy the complimented tastes of the food with the prosecco.

The Mionetto NV Prosecco is "Refreshing"! Full of fresh, apple, apricot, and nectar flavors  fruity bouquet with a hint of golden apples. It is very dry, fresh, light in body and well-balanced. The prosecco with an immediate and fresh delivery of citrus, dried herbs and a subtle touch of white pepper. The aromas are what you should expect from an informal, easy-drinking sparkling wine and the bubbles are firm. YUM!

Now you can enjoy it when you visit La Parolaccia or buy it at a local retail store. This tasty prosecco retails for about $14.99. So try it the next time you order some appetizers or your first course. A great treat for sure, this MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!
      

    

2008 Coppola Alacante Bouschet

Well it is Saturday of the Labor Day weekend and we will be sitting down to dinner shortly. So I thought I would take some time before it and tell you all about a great wine, The Coppola Alacante Bouschet. Tonight's dinner will be a minestrone soup, meat ravioli with a homemade marinara sauce of our garden tomatoes. We'll have a micro-green salad with Italian dressing and garlic bread. You can check out Big Daddy's blog, http://bigdaddyscookingtonight.blogspot.com/ for the great recipes I just mentioned.

Now about the wine! The Coppola Winery has another hot wine on their hands with this vino, for sure.

One of the great things is the label, a HOT magenta color. The really great stuff though is inside. When you open the bottle and pour that dark, dark, cherry color into your glass you can smell the floral bouquet, it is a wonderful aroma. Then as you take the first sip, you can taste the jammy fruit and chocolate. On the palate the intense jammy fruit flavor carries over, as well as a little spice. This wine is medium-bodied and will pair well with various grilled meats as well as with a nice pasta.

Here is some additional information from the winery: "The Francis Coppola Diamond Collection 2008 Alicante Bouschet is made from 100% Alicante Bouschet grapes from Lodi, CA. The wine is aged for 11 months in 50% new American oak and 50% used French oak."

A great wine that will not disappoint. I found it a very enjoyable wine from beginning to end! So buy a couple bottles, I found it for just $9.99! This wine really made The Pig Jump Over the Moon!

Another winner by the Francis Ford Coppola Winery! Taste it and let me know what you think.

2008 Chariot Gypsy Red Table Wine

So today is Sunday. Today is also been a prefect day here in Orange, California. I did some errands in the morning, for me it's the usual. Some coffee in the morning a quick review of the Target sale flyer then off to start my routine. For years I've worked 6 days a week, and Sunday was my only day to do what I wanted. Well not exactly what I wanted, we have a system here. Whereby one Sunday is mine, and one Sunday is Big Daddy's. What that translates to is, one Sunday I get to garden or go to the beach, and on Big Daddy's Sunday, we do things like, Venice Beach or art and food venues.

This is my Sunday! Woo Hoo! So after several hours gardening, I am out enjoying the fruits of my labor. Sitting out on the deck relaxing as the sun starts it's decent to close the day.

As I sit and relax I wanted to write about the wine I'm enjoying. It's a great red blend. The menu later is for some wonderful slow cooked ribs, twice baked potatoes, corn on the cob and an heirloom tomato salad. (I just received confirmation from Big Daddy before publishing this.)

So here is some info on the wine:
"A red wine blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Sangiovese, sourced from vineyards in Napa Valley, Sonoma, San Joachim and Monterey, California."

That being said, it is a fantastic value! The color is a dark opaque crimson red. The nose is dark fruit, plums and light herbs. The taste is so rich and tad spicy. A bit of black cherry, strawberry and some blueberry as well. It has a very creamy finish, with a little bite at the end.

I think this is a great value. It retails for about $4.99. Yes, that's not a mis-print $4.99.  Once it comes out at the retailer though, buy it. It runs out really fast. We're lucky, our dear friend, Miss Lynn works at the store so she usually buys a case for us. ( I hope it's ok to say that, I think so, no last names were used!)

So when you do find it, BUY IT!  We served this at my birthday party a few years ago, and it was a smash! The theme was the "The Big Night",which was film a few years back, great movie, great food!

This wine is definitely one that "Made the Pig Jump Over the Moon".

California Conspiracy White Table Wine

The weather has been in the news here in southern California. For the last 10 days the weather has been over 90 degrees and so humid, I had to check to make sure I wasn't in Central America. That all being said, I wanted something refreshing that would go with the dinner Big Daddy was making.

So I found the bottle of California Conspiracy White Table Wine. Is was nice and chilled and ready for the taking!

I opened it up and poured a nice glass. As you lift the glass the aroma is really fruity, even a bit of vanilla. The taste is really, really nice. You can taste the fruit and it has a nice smooth bouquet. The taste renders a nice pineapple, with some honey dew and cantaloupe. Very tropical, very easy to drink.

As far as information on the wine, that seems to be a conspiracy as well! While the back of the bottle says that it is bottled by California Conspiracy Cellars, Santa Rosa, California. A search on the web finds nothing! I mean no specific wine cellar that I could find!

I would pick up a bottle or two, it is a great value at $8.99! It might be difficult to find, but if you are interested, let me know. I'll let you know where I found it. This wine really made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

A funny story...

So I was away on business trip to Dallas. There is a two hour time difference and many times because of meetings and so forth, I was unable to get the phone.

I looked and one of the missed calls, and it was my friend Bill. As soon as I saw his number, I smiled. As I've mentioned in a prior post, Mr. Bill loves a good vino...he also loves a great gin gimlet, that however, is another story!

His message just had me laughing so hard! Here are some of the highlights:

"Just tried the Gen 5 Old Vine Zinfandel 2010, excellent and not too shabby by along shot! Be sure to pick up a bottle, or you may already have received a case! Drink, enjoy, have fun and have some Lasagna."

That all being said, I know need to make sure to try the Gen 5 Old Vine Zinfandel 2010. Who knows I might even make my old world lasagna to go with it!

Don't ever change Bill, you really put a smile on my face.

Santa Alicia Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

When I purchased the Santa Alicia, it had some great notes about it from Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator. While not wildly highly rated, it still looked interesting. It was awarded a 91 by the folks at Wine & Spirits.

I opened it up and poured it into my glass. There is a hint of spice as well as some vanilla and mocha. Once I tasted it , you can savor the rick plum and blackberry. A spice flavor adds to the the hint of raspberry. The flavor is thick, don't be fooled. This Cabernet has a great palate. It will finish with just a hint of oak.

Just looking at that brilliant color in the glass, it is so dark, yet the deep ruby color shines through. The more you let this baby breathe, the better it becomes! Here are some notes about the wine and the area it is from:

"This brilliant Chilean is ripe with well integrated tannins. Santa Alicia have been producing wines in the heart of Maipo Valley since 1954. With grapes from three select communes, a state of the art winery, and judicious use of the finest American and French oak barrels, we believe the wines represent the highest price/quality ratio in Chile. In 2007, they were named Chilean Wine Producer of the Year for "best overall results from a Chilean winery" in the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition in London."

So when you see this Cabernet, pick it up. You will not be sorry you did. As I mentioned earlier, let it breathe a bit in your glass or decant it. It is a nice full body. My next bottle I'm going to pair it up with the Grilled Fillet Sandwiches with Maytag Blue Cheese Sauce. Check it out, here is the link: http://bigdaddyscookingtonight.blogspot.com/2012/05/open-faced-grilled-fillet-sandwiches.html

Yes this Cabernet definitely "Made the Pig Jump Over the Moon!"

Picket Fence Pinot Noir 2010

So when I see a Pinot Noir that has it's roots in the Russian River Valley I pay special attention. Why? If you haven't been there, let me give you a brief overview, which will still not do it justice.

The Russian River Valley is unique and the Picket Fence Winery has captured it best in saying "The Russian River Valley is one of the coolest appellations in Sonoma County with diverse soils and micro-climates because of its tumultuous geological history. During the evening the valley is covered by thick fog sometimes dropping the temperature 40 degrees. The fog steadily retreats to the coast by mid-morning and the afternoons are warm and sunny allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The long hang time creates full, rich flavors. The yearly flooding of the river renews the land with youthful river bottom soils supplying rich, rocky alluvium soil that nourishes vine growth.
These make for some of the best conditions recognized for growing world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir." With that being said, they have a WINNER with this wine.

When you open the bottle the aroma, the first sniff of this lush pinot, which bursts with big juicy blackberry aromas and a hint of black pepper as it tumbles into the glass. Luscious blackberry reigns on the tongue, too, tempered by a bit of clove. The long silky finish introduces intriguing late notes of black coffee and dark chocolate cherries. In a word, PERFECT! So tasty that it really is hard to put the glass down. Alison Crowe the winemaker has done an OUTSTANDING job in this wine.   It also is a great VALUE! It retails for about $16.00.

When you serve this, everyone one will ask you about it! Be sure you have PLENTY on hand!

This vino...MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!  Try it yourself and let me know what you think!

Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet 2009

Let me start this post by saying, Big Daddy came home from doing some grocery shopping and said " I have a real taste for some good steak". I of course suggested that he barbecue some. He then said, "I was at the store and they didn't have the cut you like, so I took that as a sign." I love that answer it reminds me of the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, one of my favorites! Anyway, so we ventured to a great place in the canyon, the Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse. If you haven't tried it, you should! Here is the link: http://www.trabucooakssteakhouse.com/  So Mr. Mike, we are making a date for you try it because we know how you like your steak! They really have GREAT steaks and they have really GREAT service.

We decided to bring a wine with us. I chose the 2009 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet. This was an absolutely perfect wine for a rich aged steak too! The flavor was really, really rich! It was a very ROBUST Cabernet! The aroma of the wine was really WONDERFUL. Plum, black cherry and hint of vanilla. The taste was really full and and mimic the fruit in the aroma perfectly. The finish was very smooth and polished. Very firm and nice...If you want a great wine for a nice aged steak, this is it!

Price wise, well our bottle was a birthday gift. Its over the $20.00 budget but this is really a great value. Retail wise it is about $40.00. The new 2010 is out so I am planning on buying a bottle. If you do see this one though pick it up...you will so enjoy it!

This really wine made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

Gen 5 Chardonnay 2010

As summer has heated up, I always like a nice refreshing beverage that I can enjoy and wind down with. So I went over to have a look at what would satisfy my thirtsy palate. As I moved things around in the wine refrigerator (another project I need to tackle) I pulled out the bottle of Gen 5. So glad I chose this bottle too, because I am here to tell you that this is a FABULOUS Chardonnay that is really refreshing and "OH SO TASTY" ! The flavor is well balanced with the crisp fruit of pear, guava and a touch of pineapple. The aroma is NICE too! You can smell the hint of vanilla as well sweet lemon blossom. A GREAT creamy finish as well.

The definitely opened up as it sat out a bit. So my recommendation here would be to let it breathe a bit, the taste really enhanced and the tropical fruit taste really came alive.

Here is some information from the winery: "For five generations our family has lived and worked our land in Lodi California, always striving to leave the land in a better state for the next generation. Grapes are harvested cold in the middle of the night and received at the winery immediately after picking for gentle pressing. Juice is cold settled for 48 hours then inoculated with special yeast that enhances varietal character and sur lie aging. Juice is fermented at 55F for 20 days, then wine is sur lie aged for 12 months."

They have a real winner here and I look forward to trying the Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet. They certainly have produced a REAL TASTY Chardonnay!


This is a really great wine and for the price of $14.99, it really has VALUE!

This really made "The Pig Jump Over The Moon"!
                         Give it a try and tell me what you think!

Cala Blanca Tempranillo 2010

About 6 months ago I was walking through the store and noticed an end cap that had the Cala Blanca line of wines displayed. The wine labels are the first thing that will catch your eye! They are colorful and in my case, really made me want to read more about them. I tried both the Tempranillo and the Old Vine Garnacha, which I'll share my notes on that in the future. 

So I purchased it and I have to tell you, I am so glad that I did. Once I opened it and poured it into the glass, you can't help but notice the very deep garnet color. Then as you lift the glass up to your nose, there was a sweet spicy smell with a great black cherry undertone. The I tasted it and, and WOW! Black cherry and currants really make this a bold tasting wine. The fruity flavor, with a great finish! As you let it open up the flavors become more apparent. I would use an wine aerator he next time for sure. I think that would really enhance the flavor.

This wine has a great taste is SMOOTH!  Affordable, you bet! Try under $10.00!  So be sure to check this wine out the next time you are shopping for a great wine to have around. You'll be glad you did!

This wine definitely MADE "The Pig Jump Over the Moon"!

Try it and let me know what you think.

Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Claret 2010 Bordeaux Red Blend...

One evening while relaxing in the garden I decided that the perfect way to "unwind" would be to have a bit of the vino while reading the newspaper. We had recently had quite a few events on our "social calendar' so it was nice to just hang out in the garden and listen to the fountain and birds.  So I went to cabinet and saw the unique bottle. You know, when you see it at the store, it has the wire covering the outside of it, and it has the distinct black and gold label. Seeing it I thought, let's give that one a try! 

So, I brought it into the kitchen, opened it up and pured a nice robust glass of it. I say robust because, it is a long way from the sitting area in the garden to the kitchen. I didn't want to bring the entire bottle out, I guess I really could bring the bottle out, no one is really judging. Well something to think about in the future. At any rate, the immediate spicy nose and a bit of vanilla was so refreshing.

When I tasted it, the plum and berry taste was nothing short of AWESOME! There is a spicy flavor but as a back note. A cherry and currant flavor are also present and very nicely complimented by a very light oak finish. Just a truly WONDERFUL wine from start to finish! The coloring is deep and rich as well. With the blend of four grapes, it has a dark, dark, velvety red color.

Here are some notes from the winery:

"Claret has been the flagship wine of the brand. We use

several Bordeaux varietals in our blend—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Occasionally, we add Malbec as well, although this vintage we decided to leave it out. We harvest grapes from our own estate as well as other Napa, Sonoma

and El Dorado vineyards. This combination of climates results in great complexity and exquisite balance."

The winery has a great wine here. I am looking forward to trying some of their other varieties as well. The wine price was great also, it retails for about $16.99 a bottle.  This is a perfect wine to bring to any diner party or event you're invited to.

This wine definitely MADE "The Pig Jump Over the Moon"!

Try it and let me know what you think. Great price and a great wine!

"

Rodano’s Poggialupi Toscana 2010

So sometimes when you have a plan and you have to drop that plan and go to another plan, or a plan B, it can be a really good thing. Case in point: Saturday night. "Big Daddy" and I planned on a trip down to the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa. You know, have some BBQ beef sandwiches, roasted corn on the cob, ice cream, a few cold beers and check out the exhibits.

 As we drove down the freeway we saw the lighted freeway signs telling the "fair goer's" which exit to take. Not us though, oh no, we know the back route in.  As we passed the hundreds of cars waiting to exit, I smiled and thought...ha ha ha no waiting for me.! Then as we drove thinking we missed all the traffic, it happened, GRIDLOCK!  The secret back route was no longer a secret! We then decided, let's just call Miss Debi and meet at her place and determine where we could go to dinner.

Not far from her place was Il Dolce. "Big Daddy" checked Yelp and it looked good! So after a cocktail to settle our nerves at Miss Debi's, we ventured to Il Dolce. Be sure to check them out at: http://www.ildolceoc.com/


What a GREAT place! The service was AWESOME! We ordered the calamari to start and it was just so tasty. We each had different pizza's and shared. The pepperoni was very tasty. The wild mushroom, so yummy (that was Miss Debi's response) and the Quattro Formaggi, rich and satisfying. The fresh bread and atmosphere made for an enjoyable evening.

We decided to have a nice Sangiovese with our dinner. From the wine list, we selected Rodano’s Poggialupi.

The wine was a GREAT choice. The nose was really fresh and brought to mind fresh strawberry and raspberry. When you taste the wine, it has a cheery and plum taste as well as a nice hint of licorice. It has a really wonderful finish, bold yet sweet. There is a complexity in the taste, but in a very good way! Just a hint of oak in the finish as well.

In looking up the wine to see where it was from, here is what I found:

"Rodano’s Poggialupi is made up of grapes sourced from the Chianti Classico Region but don’t let that fool you into believing this is just another Sangiovese. With a little help from Merlot (about 10% actually) this Tuscan easily earns its Super Tuscan status for half the price of comparable juice."

The wine not only tastes like it should cost twice the $15 it asks, it even shows the maturity and grace of a wine that would cost more than double that!

This wine definitely MADE "The Pig Jump Over the Moon"!

Try it and let me know what you think. Great price and a great wine

Zolo Malbec Gaucho Select 2011

Yesterday, I received a text from "Big Daddy" indicating he was making steak for dinner and could we have that wine from Argentina...first I thought he meant Chile. Then when I got home and looked through the rack of wine, there it was Zolo Malbec Gaucho Select 2011.

This wine is very hearty and so balanced. When you pour it into a glass the first thing you notice is the color. It has a rich and deep dark red color with purple hues. The aromas such as black cherry and strawberries really are present. When you taste it, it has a great full body with a hint of raspberry and wonderful finish that lingers on your palate with just a hint of spice. So easy to enjoy both by itself or with a great meal.

Here is some information on the winery:

"Tapiz Winery is blessed by a unique and remarkably consistent configuration of sun, soil, and cooling glaciers, the possibilities for world-class wine making in Argentina are indisputable. At Tapiz Winery, we are committed viticultural practices that utilize the best of both modern and traditional wine making strategies with a tremendous respect for the environment. Our goal: to produce the finest wines ever to come from Argentina. The vineyards located in Mendoza and Salta, with altitudes ranging from 3000 to 4400 feet high. Flanked by the imposing Andes mountain range, these vineyards are subjected to unique bio- climatic characteristics, thus making it a unique place for wine making."


We had it with a nice steak, boiled new potatoes, grilled crookneck squash with Parmesan cheese, roasted brussel sprouts (my favorite - Thank You Ina Garden) mixed green salad and some fresh grilled pita bread... 

This is a FANTASTIC Malbec and really priced well at $15.99. Watch for it as it does go on sale from time to time.

This wine definitely MADE "The Pig Jump Over the Moon"!

Try it and let me know what you think. Great price and a great wine!