Forgive me ‘Corkies’ for not posting over the past few days. It’s been a stressful few days studying for my Certified Specialist of Wine designation. I have NOT forgone finding great summer wines at cheap prices, however. After studying German wine regions, I was inspired and found a FABULOUS sweet German Riesling for right around $10. 2008 Jakob Demmer Auslese out of the Rheinhessen wine region. It, along with the Mosel region, is world renowned for their Riesling, and this one is a fine example. Pale honeyed gold shimmers in the glass. Take a big whiff and your nose is overjoyed with aromas of pears and honey. Then, as your taste buds water, don’t wade…DIVE IN!!! Flavors of peaches, honey, pears, and a slight hint of ginger wash you away in divine dessert ecstasy! Sit out on the back deck with what’s left of this brutal summer heat and let your cares melt away in SEVERAL glasses of this one!
Monthly Archives: August 2011
The Sweet Taste of Summer: Zinfandel Port Under $20
Success is mine! My children are officially back in school, the house is my own again, I can hear my own thoughts without the constant barrage of Pokemon and teen angst. I have accomplished more in 3 days of studying for my Certified Specialist of Wine exam than I have in the 3 months of summer vacation.
Tonight, I celebrate my victory…and oh, how sweet this victory is.
My eyes look longingly at the bottle of Montevino Terra d’Oro Zinfandel in my hands. Hello my dear friend…oh I have missed you so! The beautiful garnet color, the smell of raisins and dark chocolate (LOVE that smell of dark chocolate), and toffee…yes, toffee (another dear friend of mine), as well as a hint of orange peel.
But mostly I’ve missed the fact that you dance on my tongue and make me sigh. Big jammy, blackberry and cassis flavors, the chocolate…ahhhh…the chocolate and even coffee flavors, the sharp sweetness with a touch of orange on the finish.
My taste buds are in sensory overload.
Nothing can take away this pleasure. No, not even my 8 year old daughter who is CERTAIN she will be swept into a portal for another dimension IF she goes to bed on time. Not the 16 year old daughter, the sensitive artist, who lives a life of torture because she is so deep and no one could possibly understand her. No, nothing could make this simple delight any sweeter (literally or figuratively)…except maybe the price. This little slice of heaven is under $20, which means it qualifies for designation in my Summer Cheap Wine Tour. Yes, that DEFINITELY makes it that much sweeter!
And this piece of dark chocolate I’m nibbling with it…did I mention this goes sooooooo unbelievably well with chocolate? Oh, it goes well with a strong cheese like the Dutch Bleu I was nibbling on earlier.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is better than date night ever could be…cheaper too, and no chance for disappointment.
Montevina Terra d’Oro Port is a fortified Port style wine made from the Zinfandel Grape in Amador County, California. High alcohol content (19%) but an amazing balance of sweetness and acidity.
Make your life a little sweeter. Pour yourself some today! Cheers!~CC
For Strong Bones, Drink Red Wine | Health News | News & Features | Wine Spectator
More solid reasons for making wine a part of your routine:
For Strong Bones, Drink Red Wine | Health News | News & Features | Wine Spectator.
When it’s Hot, Go Tropical! Summer Cheap Wine Tour: 2009 Staete Landt Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The summer has been brutal! Even the tropics look like a cool spot compared to a few spots around here locally in the Kansas City area. I decided I could either put on my best Brazilian bikini and pretend I was on an island paradise, or just open up something tropical and pour it in my glass…fortunately for YOU, I opted for the latter choice.
The 2009 Staete Landt Sauvignon Blanc out of the Marlborough wine region of New Zealand will definitely make you think of that perfect tropical get away. As you pour, you’ll see bright sunshine in your glass with that bright, pale-colored straw hue it possesses. Take a sniff and find yourself basking away in the aromas of citrus fruits, lush melon, nectarines, and…chalk? Okay, so the chalk isn’t very tropical, but it’s a light smell, and it certainly works with the other smells…let’s just go with it.
Quenching your thirst (it’s the ‘tropics’…you’re bound to be thirsty), your taste buds ‘sizzle’ with flavors of melon, lime, green apples, a refreshing minerality and…chalk again? Not something I’m used to tasting in a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but it worked! Nice acidity, nice balance…not too tart and not too sweet.
What IS sweet, is how well it paired up with my grilled Ahi Tuna steaks with peach/jalapeno jelly. This would work sooo well with a nice Waldorf Salad…or even that Mandarin orange salad at Wendy’s if you’re busy taking the kids to practice somewhere.
It’s a nice sipper alone as well…especially on the deck when it’s this hot. And the price is right too…got this blonde beauty for just under $14.
So do me a favor, forego the Speedo, and take a dive into this lovely Sauvignon Blanc.
Cheers!- CC
Could Wine Be Your Best Sunscreen
According to a study published by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, wine could be your best defense against sunburn or skin cancer. Read the article here, then pick a recommendation from my “Summer Cheap Wine Tour” for your next bout of sun and fun!- CC
http://bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/01/7218394-drink-wine-dont-get-sunburned
Corked Cowgirl 