March 22, 2014

What Inspires You?

Outdoor dining season is here! I’ve literally been working on fixing up my backyard for two years. It’s ~~really kinda close to being done~~ about halfway done…

Instead of taking advantage of the great weather the past couple weeks and finishing the landscaping, I stayed true to form and started a new project in the backyard that could also be left almost completed (for now). It’s a really simple design, my son Jake built the skeleton (in record breaking slow motion). He used stainless steel deck plates that we happened to have laying around for the counter tops. Then I used fence boards to finish it. The unfinished part is the shade. Stainless steel will definitely need to be in the shade before summer, it’s already really shiny. So, a gazebo (from my favorite Bargain Market, perhaps) may be in order…

Welcome to the outdoor kitchen

I don’t know if it could actually be classified as a ‘Kitchen’. It has no electricity for a mini fridge (yet) and there’s no sink or running water – even though I have mentally ran water lines every possible route from the source to the new kitchen. Every route is completely complicated. So, maybe it’s more like an outdoor food prep/bar. But it’s enough. And, it inspired me to move Front Porch Wine Tasting to the back porch!

And, in turn, drinking on the back porch inspired me to add a couple of Fancy Craft Beers to the tasting menu

Quimera Premium Craft Beer from Chile

750 ml Amber Ale or Imperial Stout $3.19

Elsewhere price $11.99

We tried the Stout first, it is very dark with brown foam. Smelled kind of sweet and tasted of burnt caramel. I don’t usually like dark beers, but I didn’t hate this as much as I thought I would. Arvin tasted cocoa and Connie tasted coffee. Steve definitely liked it. He said it tasted like good clean dirt. I have no idea what that means.

On-line review: This Chilean Impy Stout pours pitch black with an off-white head that lingers. Intense malty aroma with notes of burnt sugars, molasses, dark chocolate, cigar smoke, tar and ashes. Taste is sweet with an ashy hint, not overly complex but with good development in the mouth and thoroughly enjoyable. Body is big with a dense texture. Almost viscous and chewy. The 8.2% alcohol is well disguised. A well-made strong stout.

I really enjoyed the Amber Ale. It had a nice creamy colored foam, you have to be careful when you pour or you’ll get way too much of it. Everyone liked this one. It was an easy drinking beer. Steve commented that he would enjoy this beer during a Packer win or even a loss.

On-line review: Poured a very pleasant amber color with minimal head. Nose was nearly pure malt and this followed through in the mouth. A very nice beer.

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Then, on to the wine…

Eco Love Riesling ~ Blue Fish Riesling ~ Washington Hills Syrah ~ Lady in Red Cabernet

For some reason I was inspired to experiment a little with the food. I came across a recipe for Swordfish Skewers with salsa verde. They were easy to make and I found the swordfish right here at Manteca Grocery Outlet. So convenient.

Turns out, I love Swordfish! (2lb $9.99 in the freezer dept)

Click the picture for the recipe from Food & Wine

2011 Blue Fish Sweet Riesling $2.99

Elsewhere price $13.95

This beautiful blue bottle of Sweet Riesling from Germany was refreshing. Larry tasted peaches and nectarines and thought it was excellent. Terry said she really liked it, that it was clean and crisp tasting. Connie also enjoyed it, saying it was very summery. I definitely will be getting a case of this wine. Of course I enjoyed drinking it, but I plan to make a nice chandelier from the bottles to hang in the outdoor kitchen. Thermodynamics (from middle school science class) is my new best friend.

Like this one, but with blue

On-line review from Snooth.com: Color: Soft gold with green reflections Bouquet: Seductive perfume of fresh apricot, peaches, and ripe pineapple Taste: Fruity sweetness with a full-bodied structure and refreshing acidity

or this would be pretty cool too!

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2009 Eco Love Riesling $3.99

Elsewhere price $15.00

This sustainably grown Riesling is from the South Island of New Zealand and also comes in a really pretty bottle! We found this wine to be refreshingly crisp and fruity. Perfectly paired with the grilled Lemon Pepper Shrimp Kabobs as recommended by the on-line reviewer at yumsugar.com below.

On-line review: But I was equally taken by their Riesling’s layers of fruit: peach skins and petrol on the nose to start, followed by a puckery citrus and green apple palate, then a gooseberry finish.

Click the picture for the recipe from McCormick

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2011 Washington Hills Syrah $5.99

Elsewhere price $11.99

You know I love me some Syrah! Terry commented that it is very smooth and Larry said Hoorah for the Syrah. Steve thought it was sweet for a Syrah. Connie noted that it is full bodied and she noticed a spiceiness. I asked Arvin how he liked it and he said, “Well, it’s gone”. I think that means he likes it. We all did. The whole bottle was gone. Lol.

On-line review from Snooth.com: Lots of blueberries and blackberries. Very calm, slightly sweet but very delicious. I like this a lot!

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2009 Lady in Red Cabernet Sauvignon $10.99

Elsewhere price $24.99

Arvin started us off on this Cab. He said it has a full noise and is sexy! Every other comment that was made was either inappropriate for this blog or I was completely distracted and didn’t write it down. The on-line review is spot on:

5 of 5 stars from TotalWine.com: Aromas of blueberry jam, cherry, red currant, blackberry and elderberry. These are balanced by tea, tobacco, cedar, spice and vanilla which develop in the glass and on your palate leading to a nice, lingering finish.

March 13, 2014

Share your Bargain Junque

I’m always looking for a bargain. That’s what Grocery Outlet is all about and that’s what I’m all about. The treasure hunt for a great deal is all part of a fun game that can be played alone or with others. I feed my family on bargains and I decorate my home with found treasures. I love to decorate and I love bargains!

My entire existence consists of one spontaneous obsession after concurrent with another. Like shiny objects that distract my attention way too easily. I guess the lack of forethought to recognize that a project will become amazingly-frustrating- to-the-point-where-I-wished-I’d-never-started-it is part of my personality disorder. It also includes, among other things, I-forget-how-old-I-am and I-don’t-have-to-leave-yet-there’s-plenty-of-time-to-get-there. I do not always love these things about me. I do love the idea of finished projects, but I want to hurry through the work part (i.e. painting walls) so I can get to the fun part (staging/decorating).

I’ve been hoarding art for the past couple of weeks. I thought it would be fun to have a gallery wall in the loft. Of course, the loft had to be painted first. I didn’t even consider the fact that I have come to hate painting walls before I got started. AND before I was even done – I wasn’t sure I liked the color Repaint? Nope.

On to the fun part: Staging and decorating the room. Now, just for informational purposes, the term ‘found treasures’ is not equal to any old cheap junk. Found treasures are equal to one-of-a-kind pieces that are found at bargain prices = Junque! I like to stalk the clearance racks, thrift stores, craigslist and occasionally I even strike gold at curbside shopping. Last week I followed a Salvation Army truck through town and was rewarded with this:

Behind that $17 copper side table, that’s a 1962 record player/real to real/stereo cabinet that works! The same one that was in Don Draper’s office in the first season of Mad Men. I picked that up for $50, fresh off the truck.

And this little rolling portable bar?

$15. Yeah, that happened. (Five bucks for the table runner from Target’s clearance rack)

2′ diameter, 3″ thick Handmade Solid Wood Mayan Calendar (expired): $25

Solid wood King-size headboard: Free on the side of the road

I’m sure this post will only add to my competition on craigslist, but that’s cool. We’re kinda like family now. Families share. I would love it if you shared some of your great Junque finds in the comments for me to see… Here’s the gallery wall:

(sorry bout the pour lighting )

Inside the open closet (behind Don Draper’s stereo) in the loft still needs paint, but I finished the fun part so I moved on. I was kinda hoping I could trick one of my kids into finishing the painting for me… I’ll let you know how that works out.

Here’s this week’s Bargain Wine picks:

Aja White Table Wine ~ Rocland Chardonnay ~ Ass Kisser Grenache ~ Rock Wall Zin

Aja White Table Wine $2.99

Elsewhere Price $8.99

We tried this white with spicy Asian food like the label suggested. Steve and Becky both thought it was better without the food. They thought it should be enjoyed during the summer by the pool. Kari disagreed, she said the food gave it texture. This was Kerri’s favorite of the night.

From the bottle: Aja (pronounced Asia) is all about the food. The 2010 vintage is a delicious Australian Pinot Gris blend specially created to perfectly match the spicy fragrant flavours of Asian food. With zesty, aromatic, luscious fruit flavours upfront, to balance the heat of chilli and other spices, and a crisp citrus finish to cleanse the palate.

Tasting notes: Colour: Pale green straw. Nose: Aromas of pineapple, passion fruit, musk and white peach. Palate: A medium bodied and zesty white wine with intense flavours of passion fruit and white peach. Natural fruit sugars give luscious lingering flavours of guava which are structured by zesty citrus acid giving a crisp elegant aftertaste.

The esteemed wine critic Winsor Dobbin wrote: “There’s plenty of appealing upfront fruit and some nice crisp juiciness on the finish that suggests this low-acid number will, indeed, partner well with a variety of Asian spices.”

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2012 Petite Rocland Chardonnay $2.99

Elsewhere price $10.99

Larry thought this Chardonnay had a nice nose and Terry & Becky agreed, they said it was light and had a fruity aroma. Terry said it was on the sweeter side. Becky tasted oranges and peach. Steve and Larry both tasted pear. Kerri thought it would be good in a white sangria and Arvin liked it as well. We all agreed that it grows on you.

From the winemaker: Green & Gold highlighted colour with a vibrant sheen. An inviting fruit driven nose exhibiting white stone fruits and floral esters. Crisp citrus flavours married in with mouth watering peach and nectarine

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2009 Royal Ass Kisser Grenache $2.99

Elsewhere $11.99

Well now, that’s a fun name! Terry commented that the nose is soft and the taste is soft. Soft like Arvin’s silk shirt from Hawaii. Scott and Joe liked it at the first taste, as did I. The second taste was even better, lol. I liked it with the dark chocolates and berries. This was Connie’s favorite.

On line review: This delicious Grenache is no joke, and our tasting panel was very impressed; this wine delivers great value.

Wine Spectator 88 points: Light and silky, bright on balance, this features lively raspberry and Earl Grey tea flavors that linger easily. Drink now.

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2012 Rock Wall Zinfandel $12.99

Elsewhere price $25.00

Last week we tried the Rock Wall Petite Sirah and loved it! Kerri thought this was a subtle Zin with a mild palate. She was also quoted as saying, ‘And I love me some Zin!’ Larry noted that it had a mild nose, Scott liked it and Joe said it was plumy. Scott, Terry, Larry and me all picked this as our favorite of the night. Joe Liked the wine, but really wanted more pizza.

Cellar Tracker 88.1 points: Decant for a hour. Upon opening, was pretty closed, vegetal and tight. After an hour, the wine drank smoother and the berry notes jumped out. Spicy with good tannins, ripe cherries, and good earth tones. Kind of a muted nose of black raspberry and dark currants. Also some hints of spice. In the mouth a decent balance with cherries ruling into a medium finish.

February 15, 2014

Why drink wine?

Why not? There are so many great reasons to drink wine. Here are my favorites:

1. Drinking wine actually could be good for your health Click to read more, it’s really great info!

2. Something about drinking from a stemmed glass is just sexy. Picture yourself taking a sip, your hair blowing back in the wind… Yeah. Sexy like that.

3. Choosing new wines each week is like a fun adventure that ends in drinking wine.

4. Some of the wine labels you find are really fun.

5. Sipping wine makes me feel sophisticated, even in my jammies.

6. wine with dinner makes the food taste better.

7. A glass of wine takes the edge off a stressful day.

8. You can make really cool stuff with the corks.

9. Enjoying wine can be very social and it makes me friendly.

10. How else can you make these without empty wine bottles?

Now go ahead and start up your own weekly wine time with friends and drink like classy people!

Here’s this week’s picks:

~Rock Hollow Sauv Blanc ~ Heritage Ranch Chard ~

~Valentine Cab ~ Emma Pearl Merlot ~ Chianti Classico~

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2010 Rock Hollow Sauvignon Blanc $8.99

~~elsewhere price $22.99~~

Larry started us off by announcing that he has really started liking Sauvignon Blanc (he usually prefers Chardonnay) He says It’s much lighter than most Chards. I thought I tasted crisp. Steve and Larry both tasted melon. Steve commented that it was very tasty and Larry said he really liked it.

86 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine: Nicely crisp in acidity, this has a minerally scour that cleans the mouth. The pineapple, lime and guava flavors are strong, and the finish seems just a little sweet

90 points from Cellar Tracker: Excellent QPR

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2010 Heritage Ranch Chardonnay $4.99

~~elsewhere price $9.99~~

Terry noticed that this Chardonnay started sweet and Steve pointed out that it had a buttery finish. Larry tasted vanilla. I thought it would have more of an oakyness, but was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t. An enjoyable Chardonnay. Wow, we are really getting the hang of this!

84 points from Tastings.com: Pale golden color. Aromas of vanilla salt water taffy and dried pineapple with a dryish light-to-medium body and a pencil shaving and floral bath talc accented finish

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2000 Valentine Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon $6.99

~~elsewhere price $24.99~~

I tried this Cab as I was getting ready for wine tasting. I was a little worried about it’s age, not sure if it held up over the years, lol. I didn’t even let it breath, and I immediately liked it even though it had a touch of oak and was on the dry-er side. Later, Terry thought it was bold and Larry really tasted the tannins.

92 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine: Bright yet plush, with black cherry, currant, sage, herb, spice, licorice, blackberry, chocolate, toast and smoke flavors all neatly layered for complexity. Firm, solid, ripe tannins add good structure. Finishes long and lush.

93 points from Wine & Spirits magazine: Long and sleek, this dramatic mountain cabernet has a reservoir of flavor at its dense core, a lovely fruit richness that keeps giving with overtones of the underbrush in a pine forest by the sea.

Awards – Valentine Vineyards 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon

June, 2004

Valentine Vineyards 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon wins a Bronze Medal at the 2004 San Francisco Wine Competition.Source: http://www.valentinevineyards.com/or.html

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2010 Emma Pearl Merlot $4.99

~~elsewhere price $19.99~~

I was excited to try this Merlot, the label was so pretty. Tiffany blue. Very elegant. I also, tried this one ahead of time and I think it may have ruined all the other wines for me. I liked it that much. But, I powered forward and tried them all anyway. Terry commented on the smoky-ness and Steve tasted the spicy finish. Larry liked the tart red cherry that he tasted and I really enjoyed how smooth it was.

89 points from New Hampshire Wine-man: In the glass, the color appears slightly more ruby than pomegranate and is quite clear, but is crowned with only a thin clear rim. Mildly aromatic, the nose is a sweet red cherry, light cinnamon and cedar, with just a whiff of alcohol (14.5%). Good acidity and mild tannin are carried by its medium body and a “normally” smooth and textured Merlot. Flavors of tart red cherry, plum, with hints of smoke and alcohol trail long into a spicy finish. I was pleasantly surprised by this Merlot, and I would certainly recommend it, but the caveat is that great spice on the finish: some may prefer less of it.

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2007 Chianti Classico $6.99

~~elsewhere price $21.99~~

Chianti is Arvin’s favorite, but we had to try this one in his absence as he and Connie were on vacation this week. We missed you guys, hope you thought of us while you enjoyed the tropical beach!

I noticed right away how dry this Chianti was, which would definately make it go well with food. Larry said it made him pucker and Steve decided that this was his absolute favorite!

93 points from WineFetch.com: A vivid garnet red color with flashes of violet fading to the rim reveals an elegant bouquet of wild berries and violets with notes of roasted coffee beans and flinty minerality. The core of fruit is plush and caressing with notes of dried strawberry, Bing cherries, pipe tobacco, leather and violets and a long, silky finish. The silky tannins are ripe and integrated into the wines forward personality. This is textbook Chianti that will continue to develop for 5-7 years. Enjoy it with anything Italian, burgers and grilled meats.

Chianti 101 from WineWeekly.com: ‘Almost all producers of Chianti Classico belong to a consortium that acts as a watchdog and ensures that high quality is preserved in the wine. Wines made by these high standards are identified by a black rooster on the neck of each bottle. (Why a rooster? That’s a whole ‘nuther story…)’

What does the Rooster signify?: What makes unique Chianti Classico compared to other Chianti wines is the unmistakable pink label with the Black Rooster seal. This particular label is the symbol of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, founded in 1924 to protect, promote this wine and prevent wine fraud.

Chianti Classico is a DOCG wine and shows unique peculiarities and characteristics. To be named “Classico” is not enough to be produced within the Chianti region. In fact Classico wine has to respect specific rules. Its blend is 80% for Sangiovese, red grape typical of this area, 20% for other grapes that can native grapes such as Canaiolo and Colorino, as well as other international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

February 8, 2014

The BEST way to enjoy a rainy day!

Five fun things to do on a rainy day. GO OUT IN THE RAIN! We have been waiting for the rain all winter, it’s finally here, so let’s actually go out and get wet. WHAT? You may only think of indoor activities on a rainy day, but wait, there’s more to life… Bundle yourself up in your favorite raincoat and grab an umbrella. Here’s my favorite things to do in the rain:

1. Walk the entire Tidewater bike trail through town, don’t forget to stomp in all the puddles. Click here for a map.

2. Go Geocashing. Geo-what? It’s a super-secret-world-wide scavenger hunt! Watch this quick video to learn more:

3. Browse the thrift stores in town for unexpected treasures.

4. Take the Manteca Historical Tour down town. Click here for details and larger map.

5. Test-drive a new car. I know! Border-line Genius. You don’t have to buy a new car to enjoy it. BUT, you do have to give it back (that part is kinda important) Just be ready with your exit line (I think we’re gonna look around some more before we commit).

When you get home, I guarantee you will appreciate lighting a fire in the fire place, baking cookies or making homemade soup, and cozy-ing up on the couch with a glass of wine and starting a movie marathon more than if you’d stayed in all day.

Here’s this weeks wine picks:

~ Yellow Door Sauvignon Blanc ~

~ Clearwater Creek Chardonnay ~

~ Goofy Foot Chardonnay ~

~ Stonefly Syrah ~

~ Echelon Cabernet Sauvignon ~

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2010 Garden Row Yellow Door Sauvignon Blanc $4.99

elsewhere price $10.99

We paired this wine with a basil and tomato feta cheese on a cracker with a slice of tomato. Larry commented that this Sauvignon Blanc tasted citrusy, grapefruit maybe. He got a burst of citrus. Terry said it was very smooth. Misty thought it was light and she liked it. Scott said he’s not much of a Sauvignon Blanc drinker, but it’s nice – it’s a nice change.

This wine got 4 out of 5 stars on Vivino – but there were no reviews that I could find

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2009 Clearwater Creek Chardonnay $4.99

elsewhere price $17.99

This wine paired well with a Dill Havarti cheese on a buttery cracker. Terry thought this Chardonnay was very bold. Larry noticed the oak and Steve tasted citrus. Scott said he liked this one, it would good well with seafood.

On-line review: Bright, fruity and crisp, this Mendocino Chardonnay is a perfect summer wine Aroma: Pear, apple and papaya. Tasting notes: Nutmeg and allspice over pineapple and pear. Serve It well chilled. Pair It with Vietnamese or Thai cuisine, fish and shellfish.

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Goofy Foot Chardonnay $2.99

elsewhere price $9.99

Misty liked this fruity Chardonnay, she said it’s not as bold as the last one. Larry agreed and said it was much lighter. Joe S commented that is was good and light. Scott noticed the nice fragrance and agreed that is was very light for a Chardonnay.

This wine got 5 out of 5 stars on Vivino – but there were no reviews that I could find

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2011 Stonefly Syrah $4.99

elsewhere price $20.00

YUM!

We tried two separate pairings with (my favorite) Syrah. Cheddar smokies and then chocolate truffles. (separately, of course). Larry tasted berries and Steve argued that it was cherries. Joe S said they were both wrong, that’s definitely Fruit of the Forest. Terry said mmmmm, I like that and Misty added that it’s really good with chocolate truffles. I noticed the light ruby color and how light of a Syrah it was. Steve thought a white wine drinker would actually like this red.

On-line review: A fragrant and flavorful Syrah, bursting with dark fruit flavors. Starting with floral aromas on the nose, herb and violet notes complement a hint of spice on the finish. This lighter-bodied Syrah develops into a mild flavor of lavender jam and anise.

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2011 Echelon Cabernet Sauvignon $3.99

elsewhere price $9.99

I chose to pair this wine with a sharp cheddar cheese and peppered salami. Scott announced that this Cab was his favorite of the night (he also couldn’t believe the price!). Larry said it made him warm and Steve commented about how well this would pair with beef.

Tasting Notes from the Wine Maker: Bursting with aromas of Dutch cocoa and ripe black fruit, Echelon Cabernet Sauvignon is sumptuous with flavors of juicy blackberry and black cherry and a hint of black pepper spice. Soft tannins accentuate the deep, dark fruit flavors for a long, supple finish

On-line review: Another Cabernet built along classic lines, this bottle has some green pepper aromas and flavors among the cassis and cherry. There is good acidity, and tannins that area bit astringent in the mouth–which will make it a great partner for juicy beef dishes. Very good QPR (though if you find it for $7, consider this excellent QPR!)

sidebar: I have no idea what QPR is

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January 11, 2014

The Drink of Success

The Holidays can be a little disruptive to our regular routine. With the New Year, we settle down and get back in the swing of things. And for those of us that frequent the Front Porch… that means wine tasting on Wednesdays. If you think Wednesday is not an appropriate day for wine tasting, then you’re an amateur and we can’t be friends. Just kidding. Pick a night, I’ll drink with you.

Often the New Year is seen as a new beginning or a fresh start. We make New Year’s Resolutions to change ourselves for the better (I haven’t had much success with that). Instead, I like to make a list. I love making lists. I love everything about making lists. Cute little notebooks or nice paper and a smooth pen (hopefully with colored ink) to write with. Seeing my thoughts/tasks on paper makes them seem easier to get done. When you have things written down, they can be physically crossed off the list and that brings a great feeling of accomplishment. Sometimes, if I do something that is not on the list, I write it on the list just so I can cross it off. Okay, not sometimes. I do that every day. My list for the coming year, among other things, includes travelling with my husband and restoring the 1961 Baja Bug that was abandoned at my house. More (fingers crossed) on that later.

It’s gonna be a great year, worthy of many bottles of wine! It is the drink of celebration, of success and the best way to drown sorrows. We wish you much celebration and success and no sorrow in the coming year.

The four bottles we tried are from all over the world! Napa, Idaho, New Zealand and France.

Ste. Chapelle Soft White ~ Tablelands Sauv Blanc ~ Château Naudin Bordeaux ~ Pra Vinera Cab

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2011 Ste. Chapelle Soft White $2.99 elsewhere price $9.99

from the Snake River Valley in Idaho

We had not seen a wine that was referred to as a ‘Soft White’ before, so the sweetness took us all a little by surprise. It reminded me of a Moscato. Steve tasted pear & melon and Caroline tasted apple as well, pink lady she said. Terry liked it with the Boursin Cranberry cheese and said it grows on you, the sweetness dissipates as it breaths.

Wine.com user review: ‘This wine is great. It is light and sweet it tastes like it is made from pears instead of grapes. I would definitely buy again especially at this price.’ ($7.99)

The label reads: ‘Since 1978, Ste. Chapelle has been crafting award-winning wines from grapes grown in high-altitude vineyards overlooking the famed Snake River in southern Idaho. Our region’s long daylight hours, warm summer days, crisp evenings and well-drained, volcanic ash soils are ideal for producing distinctive wines like this Soft White. Enjoy its delicate pear and melon aromas and richly textured, luscious flavors on their own or with fruit, cheese and light desserts.’

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2011 Tablelands Sauvignon Blanc $5.99 elsewhere price $12.99

from Martinborough, New Zealand

I am sad to say that the Front Porch Wine Tasters did not care for this wine. However, my favorite Wine Snob/blogger did.

Click this link to read his full review, here is part of it: ‘On the first night, the wine had a pleasant nose of ripe yellow melon with a little green fruit. Palate of yellow melon, ripe gooseberry, yellow grapefruit / golden kiwi, a little minerality. Fruit is perhaps slightly weak, as if the wine were already getting old, but the taste finishes well with acid of medium ripe pineapple.’

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2012 Pra Vinera Cabernet Sauvignon $5.99 elsewhere price $17.99

from the North Coast, Napa, California

This Cab was extremely smooth, the aroma made me feel immediately happy. Terry said it just flows right down. She tasted berries and Caroline tasted blackberry. Steve commented that allowing it to breath a good 30 minutes improves the plum taste.

The label reads: ‘Many thoughts arise when a winemaker gazes at a Field of Vines (“Pra Vinera”). They remember past struggles and past triumphs. They remember techniques that brought flavors to their peak. Their gaze takes in the vineyard’s potential, and ponders how best to capture the vines’ offering. In many ways, to a winemaker a vineyard is field of dreams; dreams rich with the taste of the past and hope for the future.’ (That’s fitting for the New Year!)

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2012 Château Naudin Bordeaux $5.99 elsewhere price $18.99

Grand Vin De Bordeaux, France

This French Bordeaux is a perfect example of wine that is meant to go with food. At first taste, Terry said it was really dry, we all agreed. Then when we paired it with Little Smokies from the Deli, Caroline thought the wine was much juicier and we all agreed the food made the wine taste better. Weird.

I read the label out loud: ‘Our winemaker has selected for you this Château wine from the world famous Bordeaux vineyards for its highest qualities. Perfect to be enjoyed with grilled meats, barbecues, salads and cheeses.’ Steve agreed, he thought it would go great with a grilled cheese. -_- At least he heard two of the words I said, lol.

What does it mean when a French wine is labeled with “Grand Vin De Bordeaux”?

Here’s an explanation from Dr. Vinny at Wine Spector Magazine: ‘“Grand Vin,” or “great wine,” is an impressive-sounding but unregulated term. I’ve most often seen it used with red Bordeaux as a way for a château to indicate its best wine, a step up from the second bottling. Since it denotes what they believe is their best showing, it’ll typically carry a higher price tag. It may be a terrific wine, or not. You might prefer the second bottling more. All you know with the term “Grand Vin” is that they’re marketing it as their best.’

December 20, 2013

20% OFF ALL WINE SALE 12/20/13 – 12/22/13!

During all the hustle and bustle, remember to slow down and actually enjoy yourself during the holidays 🙂

I love all the decorating and baking and finding the perfect gift for people, but this year I just flat out ran out of time for decorating. And something wonderful happened, nobody noticed or at least they didn’t care enough to mention it to me. Thanks for that everyone who came to the Christmas party at my house! Unfinished ornament garland on light fixtures, half-lit garland on the stair railing and no wreath on the front door.

In my head, I thought I’d make everything perfect, but I squashed it. I shut that annoying voice right up, you know the one that makes me go overboard in everything I do. He’s been pretty quiet and I don’t even miss him. Yet.

I had planned a dessert table that belonged in a magazine. Didn’t happen. Nobody cared. We all had a good time and I plan on taking this one step further…. That’s right – all the presents that would normally be perfectly wrapped with wired bows and matching tags will all be in bags this year instead! I hope my daughter can handle it. Viva la Holiday lazy!

We skipped a couple of wine tastings this month and I for one, sure missed it! They have become a weekly event worthy of looking forward to. A welcome break during the long work week that includes a reason to drink. Cheers Hump Day!

Enjoy the Holiday remix from the Camel here:

Terry & Larry hosted Front Porch Wine Tasting this week, all the regulars were present.

That’s Becky with her Mommy Juice.

Mommy Juice White Wine and Red Wine $3.99 each, from the Central Coast

Elsewhere price $9.99

Mommy Juice is named by the Mom/Wine Maker’s kids who pointed to wine glasses everywhere they saw them and said, “that’s Mommy’s juice!” Most of the Front Porch Wine tasters do not have small kids anymore, so ‘Mommy Juice’ was interpreted a little differently… and maybe a tiny bit inappropriately. shame on us. Proceed with caution.

After we all composed ourselves, we actually liked the wine! In fact, I noticed that after we tried all four wines, people poured seconds of both the White and the Red Mommy Juice wines.

We started with the White. Arvin said it’s got a twang to it and Terry thought it was very pleasant. Becky noticed a tartness with a little zing. Larry and Steve liked the citrus they tasted, grapefruit along with pear. I liked the fruitiness and the fun label. I think it’s very Mommy appropriate. Joe didn’t get the name and Connieonomous (she didn’t want me to use her real name) thought the bottle should have a nipple shaped bottle stopper.

Wine Maker’s notes:

Aromas of tropical fruit salad—pineapples, guava and bananas. Hints of lemon grass and citrus rind as well. Kiwi, lime and a hit of grassiness round out this very fruit forward Chardonnay. Drop the kids at a sitter and drink on a picnic with your significant other or at GNO (Girl’s Night Out).

Blend: 100% Chardonnay

Mommy Juice Red Wine: Steve immediately commented that it was not bad, Becky agreed but also said it was dry but not over-powering, which she likes. Connie said she really liked this one and Joe said it’s good. Larry also liked it and commented that he can taste the tannins. Terry was halfway into a sentence that sounded really smart – but somebody interrupted her and by the time I got to ask her what she was about to say, she forgot 😦

Wine Makers notes:

Aromas of bright berry fruits. Plums, tobacco and a subtle floral note. Full and rich flavors of blueberries, blackberries and dried cherries. Dried plums and a little anise spice round off the wonderfully smooth finish. Moderate tannins make this a wonderful wine to drink while the kids are sleeping.

Blend: 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc 3% Grenache, 2% Syrah, 2% Zinfandel, 1% Carignan, 0.5% Cinsaut, 0.5% Malbec

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2012 Pra Vinera Napa Chardonnay $2.99

Elsewhere price $9.99

Terry noticed that this light chardonnay had no bite to it and tasted a little sweet. I thought that it tasted buttery, which I have never been able to detect before! I had to ask around the room if I was right, lol. Becky thought it was savory and Steve said it was light, Arvin and Terry agreed.

From the Bottle:

Many thoughts arise when a winemaker gazes at a Field of Vines (“Pra Vinera”). They remember past struggles and past triumphs. They remember techniques that brought flavors to their peak. Their gaze takes in the vineyard’s potential, and ponders how best to capture the vines’ offering. In may ways, to a winemaker a vineyard is a field of dreams; dreams rich with the taste of the past and hope for the future.

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2012 Michel-Schlumberger California Merlot $5.99

Elsewhere price $19.99

Terry commented on the nice purple color as Steve poured the first glass. Larry liked the darker grape, he said it was high octane! Arvin said That, is a good wine. Steve said that this bottle needed to breath. After 30 minutes, it was decided by popular vote that Steve was right. Allowing the wine to breath changes the flavor, we tried it again and it was even better! (However, even though Steve may come across as the voice of reason in this situation, it should be pointed out that he lost his wine glass without even getting up from his seat.)

On-line review from my favorite Wine Snob Blogger(s) -(that is said with admiration, not spite): As it’s a younger wine, it’s less elegant than the 2011 was, but it’s richer and more assertively complex. After about 45 minutes in a decanter, it improves considerably to show ripe flavors of blueberry / blackcurrant, Merlot pine tar, ripe red cherry, with a soft but drying earthy tannic finish. It’s excellent now, but I expect it will hang on or even improve for the next year or so.

Big shout out to the Angie’s Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Popcorn that Terry served, it went perfectly with the merlot. The Front Porch Wine tasters actually broke out into an organized chant to get the bowl refilled.

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Don’t forget to check-out Front Porch Wine Tasting on Facebook for a chance to win two Stemless Wine Glasses from MommyJuiceWines.com

I’ll leave you this week with good advice:

Live your own life – try the Fruitcake!

~Arvin Reed

October 11, 2013

Do you prefer ZING! or Dirty?

Zing=White Dirty=Red (I’m not sure what you thought, lol. Read on, to be enlightened)

My #3 favorite thing is Front Porch Wine Tasting. #3??? You may ask. Drinking wine for free on the Front Porch with friends every week comes in at #3? How can that be?

Well, the tiny dictator that lives in my head is obsessive about list making and he says it’s #3. If you have a tiny dictator in your head, then you know he must be listened to. If you try to ignore him, he won’t let you sleep at night.

#2 on the list is text messages from Larry. His typos and auto corrections are at a level hilariousness that cannot be described by the written word without outing me as easily entertained. It has endless entertainment value for me. My current #1 favorite thing (it’s an ever-evolving list) is when a small child – like 2 or 3 years old – puts something – like a quarter – in the tiny pocket of his tiny jeans with his tiny hands.

Is there anything cuter? No. No, there is not.

Back to that tiny dictator. Not only is he obsessive about making lists, he also is very enthusiastic about encouraging me to take on seemingly ridiculous projects/tasks/endeavors. He says things like, “Of course you should cover an entire wall in the guest room with random leftover wood from the pile in the garage. That would be AMAZING!”

Then, before that was even finished he was all, “Your kitchen cabinets would look great painted white. I bet you could sand, prime and paint them all in one weekend.” Did I mention that the tiny dictator has no concept of time? He also enjoys shopping at second-hand stores, e-bay and Craigslist for objects that can be spray painted, refurbished or hoarded. And, it was his idea to write a wine blog, It’ll be fun he said. Thanks! tiny dictator, you were right. You are always right 🙂 Read to the end of this blog for a link to Enter to Win FREE Wine!

Secret Wine ~ Wine with ZING! ~ Spectacular Wine ~ Dirty Wine (good dirty)

*****

2009 Lake Girl Sauvignon Blanc $3.99

North Coast/Sonoma County Elsewhere price $12.99

Light in color with a fresh, clean taste. Terry liked the lightness of the fruity aroma and Larry noticed the pear in his first sip. Connie said she really liked this one, it was a delightful surprise. Joe thought it had a sweet beginning but that the finish was lacking something. Becky said it was clean & crisp and Arvin tasted crispy Asian pears.

I really couldn’t find much in my internet search for this wine. Weird. The all-knowing internet dropped the ball on this one. The winery must be fairly new or small. Their website is under construction, but they do have a Facebook page. And that is all. Bummer this wine is such a secret cause it’s really good!

The label reads: ‘Listening to the lapping of the waves against the shore and seeing the moon reflected on the water, I’m transported to the moment of my first kiss. I know I’m home when I’m at the lake. Forever Lake Girl.’

*****

2012 Mosiac Chardonnay $7.99

Alexander Valley Sonoma County Elsewhere price $14.99

Larry immediately liked the bold fragrance and Terry said it’s got a real Zing to it! Like, ZING! Steve wasn’t sure if he liked it at first, but after the second sip he decided that he really did like it. He said he tasted something sharp in it…. Terry said, Yeah! That’s the ZING! Arvin tasted apple, Granny smith to be exact. Becky thought it tasted like candy. You know, that bag you get with the twizzlers & nerds and it smells so good when you open it. Joe was like, “No, she’s wrong. It smells like…CELERY. Lol, just kidding. More like vanilla water and it would be good with a caramel apple”. Connie said she’ll take a dozen bottles of this one.

Scored 4 out of 5 stars from Vivino , here’s their review: Brilliant gold color with the subtlest of green highlights, this wine has the pretty aromas of caramelized apple, citrus and asian pear. Bright and crisp on the palate with flavors of Granny Smith apple, soft citrus zest, and a whisp of vanilla. A well rounded mouthfeel is reined in by overtones of mineral spice giving the wine great balance and structure.

The label reads: ‘Mosaic Winery is small, family-owned artisan winery in the acclaimed Alexander Valley in Sonoma County. The passion behind the label is the Wilson family and their diverse estate vineyards.’

Winemaker Notes: Vibrant flavors of passion fruit, honey and Key lime lead the way to melon, citrus, and honeysuckle notes in the mouth. This delightfully crisp Chardonnay finishes with tropical fruit, pears and hints of vanilla bean.
Enjoy with an hors d’oeuvre of softened goat cheese topped with fig compote and crackers, or a dinner featuring honey-glazed ham or home-style mac and cheese.

*****

2009 Pampano Malbec $3.99

Mendoza, Argentina Elsewhere price $10.99

Nice dark color, dry with tastes of blackberry. Joe said that this is a spectacular wine! It was oakey with a full bodied aroma and slightly dry. Its dryness attaches to your mouth – which is good because it lasts longer. He said that he and Becky are real fans of 2009 wines, something about the weather that year maybe.

86 points from Wine Enthusiest Magazine Expert review: Fruity and friendly on the nose, with composure and solid aromas. Feels both plump and dry, with toasty black-fruit flavors accented by peppery spice that turns slightly bitter on the finish. Good and dark overall, with limited follow-through on the finish. ~ Michael Schachner

The label reads: ‘Our wine regions are not determined by their latitude or distance from the coast, but by elevation. At high altitudes, where the air is thin and the water pure comes Pampano Malbec. “Pampano” means a healthy vine root – which is what we seek above all else to give us a balanced crop and fresh, ripe, fruity flavors. Malbec is the emblematic grape of Argentina and this example from the Uco Valley of Mendoza is crammed with bright fruit flavors and makes a perfect partner to our national dish – steak on the grill.’

*****

2007 Orsianna Cabernet Sauvignon $8.99

Mendocino County Elsewhere price $20

Smooth and softly dry, I tasted dark cherries. Steve says this wine improves as it is allowed to sit. Arvin commented that it is peppery and meets expectations. Joe said it tastes rich and full bodied, dirty – the way we all like dirty (WHAT? maybe we don’t all like dirty. and even if we did, we certainly won’t all admit it. Oh, wait. Dirty, like earthy? Oh) – and sometimes a wine does not live up to its fragrance, but this one does!

Expert review from The Wine Spies : The 2007 Orsinna Cabernet Sauvignon is a bright, juicy and delicious Mendocino Cabernet, through and through. If you are used to Cabernet from Napa or Sonoma, then you’ll find this wine to be somewhat brighter, but just as expressive. There are differences, to be sure, and this is one thing that makes this wine so appealing. With balanced, juicy fruit and earthen characteristics, a big nose and a fruity tart finish that ends with a distinct black pepper note. With bright acidity, this is a perfect wine to pair with rich foods, cleansing the palate between bites. Drinking well now, this wine will continue to progress for the next few years. Decant for best results, and enjoy the unique terroir of Mendocino County with this tasty Cabernet.

I would just like to add, I wouldn’t be able to write this blog without all the help from my friends who like to frequent the Front Porch, Thank you! (and that tiny dictator, of course). Visit us on Facebook, to Enter to Win FREE Wine from this blog. Don’t forget to share this blog with your friends!

October 4, 2013

We had a ‘Remarkable’ time!

Every time I hear the word Remarkable, I think of the Little Rascals. Do you remember them? When I was a kid, I watched them (re-runs of course!) every Saturday morning. One episode, Spanky was babysitting a bunch of babies. Now, Spanky looks like a baby himself in this episode, but he has exceptional story telling skills! He is telling the babies a bed time story so they will take a nap and one of the babies keeps commenting, ‘Remarkable’ all through the story. Babies watching babies, remarkable. I don’t know who in their right mind would allow their baby to be supervised by The Little Rascals, that is really remarkable. As I remember, one of the babies ended up inside a big bird cage to contain him – he was a wanderer. Sure, inappropriate today – but back then – it was effective. If you have 4 minutes, watch a clip from the original Remarkable episode here.

That totally had nothing to do with wine, but may provide some insight as to how my mind wanders like an unsupervised toddler.

We tasted four wines this week on the Front Porch. (which had a tiny make-over to accommodate more people)

2008 Hangtime Chardonnay from the Central Coast, 2009 Fernz Chardonnay from New Zealand, 2008 Remarkable Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County and 2008 Monkey Business from the North Coast. (from right to left) Check our Facebook page for the ‘Giveaway’ tab to Enter to Win one bottle of each of these wines! Also, you can try the Bandana White blend and the Totally Random Sweet Red wines from previous posts this weekend at the Manteca Pumpkin Fair (Oct 5 & 6, 2013).

Hangtime Chardonnay $3.99 (elsewhere price $11.99)

First up, Hangtime Chardonnay had a buttery color and was slightly oaky. Terry thought that it started strong but after a few sips it goes down easy. Larry said it was not as lightly colored as some we have tried lately and Joe said it was smooth…like Larry. Lisa said let it breath for a few minutes, it was misleading at first. The Red Hat Ladies liked it but were really looking forward to the red wines (guests of Kitty, who thought the coffee was perfectly strong – just the way she likes it). Cellar Tracker gave it 86 points. (the wine, not the coffee)

The label reads: ‘At Hangtime Cellars, we source Chardonnay from the cool, windswept California Coast AVA where grapes spend a long time hanging on the vine – you’ll find the exact number of days printed on our label. These lengthy “hangtimes” allow grapes to ripen slowly, developing exquisite fruit character perfectly balanced by crisp acidity. Sit back with your friends, open up a bottle, and enjoy a little well-deserved hangtime of your own!’

Fernz Chardonnay $3.99 (elsewhere price $11.99)

I immediately liked the fruity smell of the Fernz Chardonnay. It was lighter in color and both Larry and I thought it had a distinct citrus taste. Joe said it was a little too tart for him (which is funny because he won a free bottle the next day, lol) The Red Hat Ladies wanted to remember this one so they could come into the store to get it – even though it wasn’t red. Tasting.com gave this wine 84 points and it won the Bronze Medal in the World Wine Championship! I like to search out info about all the wines we taste, and I came across a video of the winemakers tasting this wine on YouTube – check out their reaction to livestock crashing the party!

The label reads: ‘The Silver Fern is a national emblem of New Zealand which conveys a sense of inspiration, purity and pride. We strive to provide these same characteristics in our wine by using only sustainable winemaking practices, thus protecting the natural environment. It is our priority to provide you with the taste of pure New Zealand in every drop. Please enjoy with family & friends and take pleasure in the flavor of New Zealand!’

Remarkable Pinot Noir $5.99 (elsewhere price $19.99)

As we passed this Remarkable Pinot Noir around the Front Porch, Lisa noticed the bottom of the bottle and said she loved the ‘belly button’ on the bottle. She thought the wine was ‘Yummy!’ It coated her mouth and felt creamy and had a nice round flavor. She planned on getting a case the next day (her husband did come in and get it for her :-)). Terry said it was refreshing and it would be a crowd pleaser, especially for the holidays. Misty thought it was a remarkable price and would make a great holiday gift.

The label reads: ‘Aromas of maraschino cherry, rhubarb and cream yield into complex smoky notes, and layers of soft tannins.’

Monkey Business Merlot $7.99 (elsewhere price $12.99)

Perfect for the coming Fall months! Monkey Business Merlot brings a lot of fruit and a rich flavor. It is deep red and smells slightly floral. I thought it was smooth and dry. Larry said it started sweet, then becomes dry. It made Terry feel very warm (but, it was the fourth wine she tasted and she was sitting pretty close to Larry, so it could’ve been either of those things).

The label reads: Monkey business is located in the heart of Wine Country in Healdsburg. We bottle and blend small lots of the finest hand-crafted wine form California. Enjoy this wine by itself or with your favorite cuisine.’

I’m sure you noticed that I didn’t get any of Steve’s wisdom on any of these wines. He was present on the Front Porch… however, he was a rebel this week – he was having A Little Sumpin’ Ale. He said it might be considered bitter if you compare it to beers like Coors Light or Bud. He thought it tasted kind of like evergreen – like if you were on Naked and Afraid and you made a tea out of pine needles to stay alive – but with a kick. You are a kick, Steve!

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Front Porch Wine Tasting

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Do you prefer ZING! or Dirty?

We had a ‘Remarkable’ time!