2011 Zolo Gaucho Select Torrontes

Tonight I am having a glass of the 2011 Zolo Gaucho Select Torrontes after a truly wonderful day. We went up to the Huntington Garden and Library today on a truly spectacular Sunday. The weather was partly cloudy, however by mid afternoon, the sunshine was out in full force with a slight breeze.


So as I sit here writing the chef is immersed in dinner. Tonight some homemade Persian food of chicken kabob, ground chicken on skewers, There is a countertop of the various parts of the meal that will be part of the dinner, Persian cucumbers, Feta cheese, onions, tomatoes, and the famous addictive bread!  Can't wait to get into all that!


In the mean time just a quick reflection on the day. As we left the gardens late this afternoon, I perched myself outside the gift shop while the other half decided to peruse the inside. I strategically sat as watched the promenade of people that were both leaving and those arriving. Just a parade of fashion, epecially watching some of the women. All done up with heels! God Bless them, just strutting down the runway. Mostly clinging onto the arm of a friend, boyfriend or husband. 


I would say the people watching there is pretty high up on the list of "best places"!  Great mix of people and just watching and listening was better than TV!  Here is one story I'll share.  A man in late 70's or early 80's is guided over by his daughter. She says "I think we need to get you out of the sun, you've been in it most of the day!" He smiles as she guides him over, and she directs him to the shady spot under the umbrella on the wooden bench, he sits down with a slight groan, smiles and moves back to get comfortable. The daughter says she is going into the gift shop to look around and to get Chloe, who is related some how, probably the granddaughter.  As she leaves and turns back to give him the look of "I'll only be gone a minute", he smiles, and as he watches her enter the shop and disappear into the store, he slides over to the sunny side of the bench, smiles, closes his eyes and enjoys the March sunshine on his face, with a look of complacency and knowing he should be on the shady side of the bench, however, is willing to risk getting caught and listening to a lecture on the dangers of the sun.


So as I drink the wine and recount the day, I can taste the citrus and flowers. It has a great crisp finish and I know not only with this be a great vino with the meal, but a great vino with some Thai food or a spicy sea food like shrimp! Yep, this is a great vino that I suggest you pick up and keep around. Gives Chardonnay a run for it's money for sure and at only $14.00 a bottle, I'd say the Mendoza region of Argentina, will be producing some great wines from now and in the future. I have tried the other Zolo wines and they have not disappointed.


This vino made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON! 

Thorin 2013 Beaujolais Nouveau

Dinner tonight was a roasted and smoked turkey, stuffing with some cranberries and walnuts, from Mr. Garcia, fresh corn and broccoli, a delicious 100 layer roll and this great Beaujolais that I bought this past weekend. Now the bird sat on the grill yesterday for six hours! Yes, 6 hours, slowly smoking with citrus chips, it's insides stuffed with tangerines and lemons. I need to also mention that the bird also spent the night in a brine with apple juice.

I worked n the garden most of yesterday and could smell the smoking turkey and would smile when people walked by and would say "something sure smells great".


In the past we have had some great Pinot with Turkey, and then I saw this bottle of Thorin Beaujolais Nouveau and thought why not. First, the bottle is stunning, with beautiful colors and artwork. It easily can be seen on the self from a distance. Secondly, it had a great price point. Third, it only is sold for a short period of time, starting around Thanksgiving and is made to be drunk within a year.

Here is some notes about the wine:

Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France, where the beverage accounts for half of the region's production. While most red wines improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about freshness. Many producers, race to deliver the first of the vintage to celebrations throughout France and the world.

Under French law, the wine may be released at 12:01 a.m. on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins. Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed right away (or within a year of being made), and is best served slightly cooled. Nearly half of the wine's 70-million-bottle production is exported abroad, mainly to Japan, Germany and the United States (where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner).


The wine is sweet and dry, with lots of fruity flavor. Red fruits and a deep cherry flavor, minimal tannins so easy to drink and enjoy. Now, many of the critics are quick to judge the Beaujolias with low ratings, but I think they're wrong. Sometimes it's great to step outside the box and find a new vino. What's the worst that could happen? I mean sometimes, you have a great surprise!


Time is running out running, so check out places to pick one up and give it a try with your next chicken or turkey dinner, you won't be disappointed.


For under $10.00, it was a great vino. This one made "The Pig Jump Over the Moon".

Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France, where the beverage accounts for half of the region's production. While most red wines improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about freshness. Many producers, including regional giant Georges Duboeuf, race to deliver the first of the vintage to celebrations throughout France and the world.
Under French law, the wine may be released at 12:01 a.m. on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins. Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed right away (or within a year of being made), and is best served slightly cooled. Nearly half of the wine's 70-million-bottle production is exported abroad, mainly to Japan, Germany and the United States (where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner).

Read more at http://www.gayot.com/wine/beaujolais-nouveau-day.html#hmm1TM0IEHIOL8EA.99

Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France, where the beverage accounts for half of the region's production. While most red wines improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about freshness. Many producers, including regional giant Georges Duboeuf, race to deliver the first of the vintage to celebrations throughout France and the world.
Under French law, the wine may be released at 12:01 a.m. on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins. Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed right away (or within a year of being made), and is best served slightly cooled. Nearly half of the wine's 70-million-bottle production is exported abroad, mainly to Japan, Germany and the United States (where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner).

Read more at http://www.gayot.com/wine/beaujolais-nouveau-day.html#hmm1TM0IEHIOL8EA.99

Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France, where the beverage accounts for half of the region's production. While most red wines improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about freshness. Many producers, including regional giant Georges Duboeuf, race to deliver the first of the vintage to celebrations throughout France and the world.
Under French law, the wine may be released at 12:01 a.m. on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins. Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed right away (or within a year of being made), and is best served slightly cooled. Nearly half of the wine's 70-million-bottle production is exported abroad, mainly to Japan, Germany and the United States (where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner).

Read more at http://www.gayot.com/wine/beaujolais-nouveau-day.html#hmm1TM0IEHIOL8EA.99

Well, I am back...do you know why I haven't been posting?

So it has been several months since I posted and I'm sure many of you know why I haven't. Let's squash the rumors of me going to rehab, or traveling through the various wine regions around the world.
The fact of the matter is that on October 6th, I had a life changing event, I broke the wrist on my right hand. My primary hand. Which for several weeks and into months, I could do little with it. The"incident" as I like to refer to it, happened at a roller disco party. Not going into great detail here, but I was out there, enjoying the music, not being a hot dog or anything, and when I went to exit the floor, I fell. Fell so hard and landed on my right arm where the break was heard. So after going to the emergency room, in costume (I looked like a 70's pimp for sure) I had my arm set. Then appointments with specialist and surgeons resulted in a new metal plate, 12 screws and a new attitude about anything physical that might result in injury.


On the Brightside, I didn't stop drinking!  So I have some scribbled notes, with lettering looking like it was written by a serial killer, and saved bottles to catch you all up on some great vino.


"Lefty" was a new nickname given to me, and I like it!


Enjoy, glad to be back typing with two hands!


Don Antonio

2007 Clos Du Bois Pinot Noir

So, when you have turkey you think Pinot Noir. How about having a turkey that is slowly cooked on your grill? Yes, a slowly roasted turkey that is smoked with some apple chips for several hours.

Big Daddy began the process a day earlier brining "the bird" in a mix of salt and apple juice. Frankly, I had no idea that we had a pot that large! There the bird sat for 24 hours on the lower shelf of the refrigerator. Once it was drained, Big Daddy did some magical things with herbs and away she went to cook on the grill for next several hours.

I chose the Clos Du Bois Pinot Noir and what a great choice it was indeed!

This Pinot delivers big on aromatics, kicking things off with layered aromas of vanilla, earth, baking spice, brown sugar, red cherry and rhubarb. On the palate it marries the variety's signature smooth tannins , silky texture and excellent balance with well-knit flavors of cherry, toast, blackberry liqueur and a hint of cranberry. The finish is long and concludes with a soulful, smoky note.

The smoky notes paired wonderfully with the juicy and smoky grilled turkey that we had. The other side dishes were mashed potatoes with gravy, fresh green bean with butter and for dessert, lemon cake with fresh strawberries.

Be sure to checkout Big Daddy's blog on how to make a turkey on the grill yourself. Pick up a bottle of the Clos Du Bois Pinot Noir.  Priced at about $20.00,enjoy a bottle or two while you

This vino made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON! 

2011 Pennywise Petite Sarah

So this is a little late in the publishing this wine review since it happened over the Labor Day weekend. I have had the bottle on the counter with my notes at the ready. But time kept marching on. Day after day, night after night, always with the best intention, just never happening.  Now, tonight I feel the need to finally stop the dilly dally and tell all of you how great this vino was.

I first poured the wine into the glass and noticed the dark purple color, then you notice the aroma.  Black raspberry, dark cherry, molasses, toasted cedar.  The flavors start sweet and then get darker on the finish. This blend starts with blueberry pie, blackberry, sweet cinnamon, fresh fig, and fire roasted smoky oak, and savory dried black cherry. 

It was a hot weekend. No not just hot, but humid and hot.  When Big Daddy said he was firing up the grill I thought he had lost his mind!  I stay out of the kitchen. He can be in there for hours. I do my stuff mainly outside, gardening, taking care of the chickens, seems that there is always a project to do. I like it, pretty cathartic. Big Daddy feels the same in the kitchen. Well apparently while I was doing my "thing", he was inside doing his. Preparing what would be a fantastic meal that paired wonderfully with this vino!

Big Daddy had roasted baby ribs on the grill. They were slow roasted then grilled with a nice sauce. Served with fresh corn on the cob, baked potatoes and tomato salad.  For dessert, the chocolate cake with extra special frosting was a spectacular treat. Let me tell you, the wine did great with ALL OF THEM!

According to the winemaker, you may also pair this vino with wild game; venison stew over wide pasta noodles, braised rabbit with roasted fennel and parsnips, or elk tenderloin with a blackberry molasses drizzle with roasted red potatoes. Or try with sausage lasagna, lamb gyros, or exotic mushrooms in an oyster sauce over jasmine rice.

I think though that this wine can be enjoyed with whatever you like.

Here are the winemaker notes from TOG:
Every year, I get to blend this wonderful Petite Sirah and it always makes me happy. The combination of Petite Sirah blocks from Lodi, Mendocino, Clarksburg, and Paso Robles makes for a sound wine. Even though the 2011 vintage was cool, we were still able to get some very ripe fruit and old vine characteristics from the warm growing districts of Lodi and Paso Robles. We paired this with some cooler climate Petite Sirah in Mendocino and Clarksburg to give the blend structure and depth. A little Merlot from Clarksburg for softness and black fruit and Tannat from Paso Robles for color were both ay, dded to round out this blend. At the end of the day, our Pennywise Petite Sirah always makes me happy. I hope it makes you happy too.

Yes, another great wine from the great folks at TOG wines. They know what they are doing. They have such great wines and even greater prices.  Pick up some, let me know what you think. For about $12.00 a bottle, stock up! This vino definitely MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

2011 Leese - Fitch Chardonnay

Well it's been a few weeks since I last posted a wine review, and during that time, vacation happened, and a bevy of dinners, time with friends and life in general. Oh, and we helped my mom move!  At any rate, things are settling down and we can once more enjoy the garden and dinner parties here at 336.  We're hosting one tonight, I can smell the chicken cooking in the oven while I write this out on the deck!

So we tasted the 2011 Leese - Fitch Chardonnay. Big Daddy brought it home from an excellent shop in Irvine and I have to tell you that this wine was perfect with that dish! The fact that vino had a great nose of citrus begs you to drink it.  The taste is really refreshing and it has a creamy note as well. Some acidity at the end gives you some spice, but it is really a refreshing wine.  The TOG folks have again put forth a tasty, well priced vino.

Now I know, I usually talk about the great meal that Big Daddy created with and we paired the vino with it, this time though, a great bowl of Pho, pot stickers and the evening was great. The grilled chicken in the broth, noodles, and cilantro really had a great pairing with this chardonnay.

So pick up a bottle, at about $12.00 it's a great value. So Mistress, be sure to get a few for that fridge, you know you LOVE a god chardonnay and this one is calling your name!

Jealous Mistress Red Table Wine

Well today is the 4th of July!  Big Daddy and I went to Crystal Cove beach for the day. Weather was perfect with a breeze to cool you down. People really enjoying there time off, Bogie boarding, building sand castles, volleyball and eating!  When we walked down the beach, it made me smile. To see families, couples and groups relaxing in the sun, really makes it seem like the holiday! Being able to go to the beach for the holiday is a wonderful thing.

After coming home and showering, I decided to open a bottle that was sent to us as a gift from the one and only don Mincho. Now Big Daddy is going to be serving some shrimp cocktail with a hearty and spicy horseradish sauce and some beef sandwiches and Caprese salad. So this red table wine certainly sounded like it would fill the bill. First, let's talk about where this special vino is from. A winery located in Maryland, yes in Maryland the vino they are turning out there is award winning. Here is the bio:

Making the best use of the land has been a goal of the Seibert Family. While the house at Knob Hall has been added onto several times, it still stands as a testament to this philosophy.
The barn which will house our tasting room and event space was originally built around 1860, utilizing wood and stone from the property, is another example of solid construction built to persevere through time.
 
It only took 200 years to plant a vineyard at Knob Hall.  Approximately 30 acres of vines have been planted along the gentle slopes of limestone-rich soil.  The planted varietals have been carefully chosen to reflect the “terroir” of this land and include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Albarino, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Traminette, Vidal Blanc and Viognier.
 
Our winery production building, a new structure, will be state-of-the-art and feature a gravity-fed system which will capture the essence of high quality grapes from our vineyards and under watchful eyes turn it into premium quality wine.
 
Knob Hall is an estate winery, producing high quality wines from grapes harvested from our vineyards, maintaining a tradition of sustainable agriculture.
 
Knob Hall is a winery for generations: past, present and future.  Come be a part of the experience!

When you open the wine you can smell the richness of earth from where it is grown. Pouring it into the glass you see a deep red-ruby. Lovely perfumed lift to the aromas of bright cherry, red currant, tobacco and flowers. It's medium-bodied, concentrated personality. This well-extracted wine has outstanding depth of fruit. Intense, juicy, and powerful, it coats the taster's palate with blackberries, cassis, and spices. Nice and spicy finish, makes you want that next sip of vino!

This wine will definitely be a hit with tonight's dinner, It will also be a great taster with Ben's famous barbecue sauce. Now Big Daddy will need to get permission from don Mincho to publish that recipe and when he does, you are in for toothsome treat!

The tag line from Knob hall reads:
Wine is like a Jealous Mistress — if you treat her well, she can treat you well with a wonderfully tasting wine. But if you ignore her, she can turn on you faster than you can say “what happened?”

They couldn't be more right. Now this vino retails for under $18 a bottle and I have to say it is a tasty find. SO get yourself a Jealous Mistress or two....This vino really MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

So thank you don Mincho, a perfect way to celebrate the 4th of July!