Tag Archives: Manteca Wine Tasting

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.

MAP_Historial_Walking_Tour

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).

new car

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:

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~ 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

Yellow Door sauvignon blanc     tomato-feta-bites-cl-l

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

clearwater creek chard 2       dill havarti

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

goofy foot chardonnay

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

stonefly syrah

cheddar smokies     chocolate truffles 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

Echelon cab     peppered salmi and cheese

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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You deserve some Wine Time

Some people have a sixth sense. A ‘gift’ they may call it. Their intuition may alert them to someone who needs help or something equally heroic.

Mine is connected to salvaged things of awesomeness.

Ridiculous? I think not! I can prove it…

Sunday, January 12, 2014

The plan for the day of watching football with Steve’s nephew & family was hijacked by my increasingly nagging intuition. So, I sent this text:

text message

We drove straight to the thrift store. Not the closest one, or even one in town. We drove 25 minutes across two cities. And, waiting there for me – in the pile outside of stuff that was just donated, not even priced yet – was two wonderfully Mid-Century night stands. Sure they were hideously painted green ‘shabby chic’ style, but that’s no deterrent. It was like the Universe sent me a text message via mental telepathy. That’s how the Universe works.

Universe: Your nightstands were just delivered – come pick them up.

Me: I’m on my way.

nightstand     faux gator skin

Here’s a repainted nightstand with the faux gator skin that will be held in place with decorative upholstery nails and, in turn, transform it from salvaged junque to one-of-a-kind-awesomeness.

Just in case you’re not convinced…

I designed this bed frame for our new mattress:

new bed diagram     new bed

The upholstered part is a genius idea that DOES NOT REQUIRE SEWING. See it here. Notice the angle part of the headboard for Steve to prop himself up? I’ve been trying to decide how I was going to build that when the Universe took pity on me. I found this on the side of the road:

headboard

FOR FREE!

This picture was taken after I cleaned, sanded, primed and painted one coat (it still needs another coat of paint). It’s not exactly what I had planned, it’s much better and the angle is perfect! Thank you Universe.

There you have it, indisputable proof.

Needless to say, I deserved some wine time on the Front Porch!

Here’s this week’s picks:

four wines 2

Blackboard Chardonnay ~ Deep Sea Chardonnay ~ Cerro Chalten Malbec ~ Red Willow Cab

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blackboard chardonnay     blackboard chard saying

Blackboard Chardonnay ~ California $3.99    elsewhere price $11.99

Terry said this Chardonnay was very light and not too sweet. Steve commented that it is a good drinking wine and Larry really liked this pick.

On-line review:  Tropical fruit nose, apple pie on the palate followed with a toasty finish. A tasty go to Chardonnay. Perfect with seafood, salmon, roasted chicken, and creamy cheeses

From the label: Like children, grapes need proper care and encouragement to grow and mature. Similarly, winemakers use the skill and patience of teachers to craft grapes into the highest quality wines. Blackboard wines earn high marks for being delightfully balanced – and for donating a portion of the proceeds to support the educational development of children.

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Deep Sea chardonnay

2009 Deep Sea Chardonnay ~ Central Coast $3.99    elsewhere price $17.00

This Chardonnay did very well the last time we had it in the store, I’m glad Steve chose it for tasting. Becky recognized it from the last time we had it in stock. She enjoyed it with hand seared Tilapia with a basil crème sauce. Yum. Steve said it was dryer than the first Chardonnay and Arvin thought it would go well with chicken.

On-line review:A crisp, clean Chardonnay from the Central Coast of California.  This wine does not have any of the off-putting butter or oak that some Chardonnays do – instead, this is easy drinking with enough acid to keep the wine refreshing throughout your mouth.  An excellent value Chardonnay that will please Chard lovers and those skeptical of Chards as well.

Winemaker’s Notes: The 2009 Deep Sea Chardonnay is a brilliant golden hue. Welcoming aromas of mandarin orange with a hint of green apple, fresh dough and honey greet the senses echoed by soft, notes of citrus zest and just enough oak to add a layer of complexity. A sprinkling of vanilla, butterscotch and nutmeg, add to the supple mouthfeel complemented by a refreshing crisp acidity and minerality.

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malbec

Cerro Chalten ~ Mendoza, Argentina $4.99    elsewhere price $11.99

Mmmmmm, I really liked this one. Becky said it was a lighter red that would go great with food. Arvin and Larry both liked it. Terry commented on how it finishes mellow on your pallet and Connie said this is delicious, great with chocolate!

On-line review: This Cerro Chalten tastes young and is on the mild side..no nose to speak of but smooth with a bit of earth. I liked it and in fact bought it again to make sure..I still do.

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red willow cabernet

2007 Red Willow Cabernet Sauvignon ~ Yakima Valley, Washington $5.99    elsewhere price $15.99

This Cabernet was recommended to Steve by one of his loyal wine customers that had tried it, then came back for a whole case. Becky noticed the blueberry aroma and called it a ‘good hearty’ wine. By this time in the evening I noticed that I was failing at taking good notes on everyone’s comments. I sure was having a good time though.

From the winemaker:  Tasting Notes
Dark red color. Aromas of red fruits accented with cocoa, sage and lavender. On the palate, cassis and plum are balanced with moderate oak flavors which lead to a medium-long finish.

On-line review: All three wines are excellent. The 2007 vintage is drinking beautifully right now, and the 2009 vintage, while still young, may be their best wine yet.

Award Winning Wines…

Chaos. Complete chaos. All my ideas, no matter how small they seem at the beginning, snowball into a chaotic maze of out-with-the-old and in-with-the-new. We finally got a new bed. Simple, right? Not so much. The new bed is bigger than the old bed, so we need a bigger frame. The night stands and dressers match the old bed frame, so they go too (they’re all listed on craigslist). I scored the ‘new’ nightstands at a second hand store and they need to be refinished. So, the bookshelves that are staying also need to be refinished. and the bench.

Sigh.

I only stop here to protect you from the tornado of details that need to be done. (Yes Steve, ‘need’ is the right word!) I can share more with you later, but for now, let’s just say that this project includes faux gator skin and batik burlap. I love the weird and the wonderful! I must admit that it’s exciting to hear that tiny dictator whispering in my head again, cheering me on. I have missed him these past couple of weeks even though the house stays much neater when he’s quiet.

batik burlap

Batik Burlap

So, given this surprise project, it’s understandable that we missed one Front Porch Wine Tasting. I could’ve used it in the middle of all this…

 long gamma white wine

2010 Long Gamma White Wine $5.99 elsewhere price $16.00

Sonoma County, California

Larry commented on the pale clear color and Steve liked the light-crispness of his first sip. Terry said it’s not too sweet, very refreshing. Joe tasted citrus, orange to be exact. He also let me know that nothing rhymes with orange. So, this video is for you, Joe.

On-line review: We are very pleased to bring you another great wine – On paper, this wine might seem sweet. In reality, this is a balanced, crisp and very refreshing white blend. Perfect for your spring and summertime sipping pleasure, we are also recommending that you keep some on hand for the fall holidays.

Tasting Notes from the Wine Maker: Aromas of white flowers, orange marmalade and a touch of honey jump from the glass.  Luscious mango, apricot and mandarin orange make their appearance on the palate, complemented by nutty and honeyed-tea notes courtesy of the Roussanne.  On the finish distinct impressions of lime and minerals keep the wine fresh and balance its tropicality.

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Duck pond chardonnay

2009 Duck Pond Chardonnay $3.99 elsewhere price $13.99

Columbia Valley, Washington

WORLD WINE CHAMPIONSHIPS AWARD: Silver Medal Gold medal-2011 Seattle Wine Awards; Silver Medal-2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition; Silver Medal-2012 International Women’s Wine Competition.

Arvin started us off on this Chardonnay, with a nice, ‘mmmmmm, oh yeah’. Terry commented that it is medium bodied and dry, everyone agreed. Joe called it warm – more bold. Steve said he really liked this one, it’s a great chardonnay to have with dinner.

On-line tasting notes:  Silvery golden color. Robust baked pineapple, papaya, and pistachio nougat aromas with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tropical fruit salad and peppery spice finish.

From the Wine Maker: Our Chardonnay is mostly fermented in stainless steel to capture the rich fruitiness of Desert Wind Vineyard’s Chardonnay grapes. One quarter of the blend is fermented in barrels to add structure and weight.

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triptych red wine

Triptych Red Wine $5.99 elsewhere price $14.99

Paso Robles, California

Terry called this red blend smooth and smokey. Larry tasted chocolate and Joe tasted licorice. Becky said it was a lighter red wine. Steve and Arvin both liked it and commented on tasting blackberries.

On line review: The color is black cherry red with a crimson halo. The nose is a good mix of fruit and spice, black cherry, Christmas spice, a whiff of smoke, menthol and sweet strawberry. This a medium bodied wine, but with a lush mouthfeel and loads of flavor. It tastes of plum and black cherry, Altoids spice, baking chocolate and cranberry. The mid palate shows a little earthiness and some creamy blueberry. The tannins hover around the edges of this wine, bring structure but never getting in the way. The acidity is well balanced and helps a fruit/spice finish tingle on your tastebuds for a respectable amount of time and actually almost fades away, then comes back strong.

From the Label: A Tritych is a piece of art in 3 panels. Originating in the 11th Century, it also represents the highest amount paid for any piece of contemporary art and has inspired this three-variety blend. This wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Petite Sirah from our estate vineyards in Paso Robles. The palate shows the lifted, forward fruit of Grenache being further enhanced by the components. It is a wine for many occasions and can even handle being slightly chilled for those warm summer days.

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 Lucinda Millie cab

2011 Lucinda & Millie Cabernet Sauvignon $4.99 elsewhere price $12.99

Mendocino County, California

BRONZE MEDAL (2011 Vintage)
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Larry noticed the bold aroma right away and Terry said it was very dry. Arvin said ‘yes it is dry, I like it! Write that down.’ After pairing with a sharp cheddar, Terry thought it was much less dry and Steve thought this Cabernet would also pair nicely with dinner.

On line review: We chose this 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon for many reasons; one is that it is organic, so you feel good drinking it. It is clean and simple with notes of black fruit, cedar and earth — a perfect picnic wine! It is not as full-bodied as many California Cabernets, but we think it’s perfectly charming. From the Today Show, video here: California knows how to party! (1:49-2:18).

From the winemaker: Aromas of red berries reveal flavors of juicy black current and savory spices. The palate is bright and forward with great acidity and firm, balanced tannins. Echoes of cassis and bayberry mingle with cranberry and quince on the finish. This Cabernet is an elegant wine to pair with your favorite dishes.

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.

four wines

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

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soft white

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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tablelands sauv blanc

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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Pra Vinera Cab

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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Bordeaux

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.’

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.

becky

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.

Mommy Juice Wine Tasting

 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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pri vina

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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merlot

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

Ready for Thanksgiving!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished I was Samantha Stevens. How great it would be to just twitch my nose and finish my DIY projects. If you’ve been following along, you know that I had a long list to complete in a short amount of time: painting the kitchen cabinets, the guest room and the guest bathroom. Yes, I know the bathroom wasn’t originally on the list – but, in my infinite wisdom, I started that one while completing the rest. It did bump the painting of the front doors though… for now.

kitchen before and after     bathroom before and after

Newly painted kitchen cabinets with new hardware and cultured marble bathroom counter (w/flat iron burn) painted to look like granite

guest room

Retro guest room – hard to get a pic of the whole thing, you can’t even see the most-amazing-thrift-store-find-ever, the purple egg chair!

I was fortunate enough to have all my kids get themselves on restriction! They all pitched in on my project list in exchange for an early release. Turns out, the youngest is a BOSS at baseboard miters. They are perfect! His prize will be to finish the entire house in new baseboards. Don’t tell him, I want it to be a surprise. Surprises are fun. 🙂

So, I’m ready for Thanksgiving. Let’s have some wine!

five wines

Terrapura Chard ~ EOS Chard ~ Concannon Cab ~ Cate Cab ~ Homestead Sangiovese

We paired these wines with a fancy selection of cheese!

goat cheese

I didn’t think I was a fan of goat cheese. It sounds like it should be kinda disgusting. I like to think of myself as adventurous, so we gave them a try. I cannot believe I waited 40 years to try it! They were the perfect compliment to wine tasting. I especially liked the Blueberry Vanilla, it tasted like dessert. Definitely not disgusting. Also, pictured are Garlic & Herb, 4 Peppers and Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil (not pictured: Cranberry Cinnamon). The price in those other stores is $4.39 for 4oz, but who would pay that when you can get it at Grocery Outlet for just $1.99? I will be serving these at Thanksgiving.

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Terrapura chardonnay

2011 Terrapura Chardonnay – Central Valley, Chili – $3.99

Elsewhere price $8.99

Larry says it was very light in color but, it’s got a bite. It’s a wine that’s down to earth. Brian said he liked this one and Becky thought it was earthy. Arvin said it was good and called it a blue collar wine. Terry noticed that everyone was enjoying it and Connie liked how it paired with the blueberry vanilla cheese.

The label reads: Terrapura represents the Balance Spiral, symbolic representation of the earth, that exists in perfect harmony with all the other elements from nature: climate and hand labor.

On-line review: An amazing value Chardonnay (at $10.99)! Big, rich, well-balanced and priced well below the recommended retail price – snap up Terrapura Chardonnay for a Wright Find from Chile!

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eos_chardonnay_1

2009 EOS Estate Chardonnay – Central Coast, California – $4.99

Elsewhere price $12.99

Becky liked this Chardonnay right away and Steve tasted a hint of vanilla. Larry tasted grapefruit or pineapple and Brian said this one had more tannins, it was drier than the first Chardonnay.

The label reads: At EOS our approach to winemaking is traditional and natural; our methods are decidedly low tech. We allow the soils and climates of each vineyard site to be clearly heard in our wines. EOS Chardonnay is fresh, lush and refined with pear, citrus peel, pineapple and vanilla. (dang! Steve & Larry are getting good at this)

On-line review: This Chardonnay is ultra-fresh and approachable with aromas of red apples, lemon custard, pineapple and melon. Toasty oak fills in the palate and adds depth and character to the wine. While there is plenty of richness…

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Concannon

2008 Chateau Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon – San Francisco Bay – $6.99

Elsewhere price $10.99

Connie started right off by noticing the wonderful bouquet, she said it was very smooth and Arvin liked that it was full-bodied. Brian said this Cab was a winner with him, it had long legs but not too much tannins. Larry commented that it goes well with dark chocolate, he really liked it (Red again, Larry? Wow) and he can really taste the dark cherry. Terry agreed, she said it finishes well with the cherry taste.

The label reads: Our Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, rich with black cherry and vanilla-oak flavors. Subtle spice and just a hint of chocolate mingle in the smooth finish. Enjoy with your favorite cut of beef or cheese.

On-line review: 84 Points. Aromas of sweet cherries, red licorice and rose petals, a little bit of pepper. Medium-bodied and tangy acid, lots of bright cherry and raspberry with notes of caramelized sugar, red licorice and soft toast. A fun, easy-drinking style.

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Cate Cab

2012 Cate Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, Ca. – $8.99

Elsewhere prize $19.99

Terry found the aroma to be intoxicating before she even had a sip. Brian noticed that it had short legs and thought it would go well with a grilled steak. Arvin liked this one, he said it was dryer and he tasted black berries and enjoyed the finish. Larry and Steve both tasted tobacco, they collectively decided that it would be great with a cigar after a great big steak and loaded baked potato.

The label reads: Fragrant cassis, black cherry and cocoa notes tantalize the nose while the mid-palate is jam-packed with fleshy ripe tannins, blackberry, dark chocolate and tobacco flavors. The finish is well balanced integrating the ripe fruit with its plush tannins ending with subtle hints of caramelized almonds.

On-line review: Can you believe in this day and age that there is absolutely zero information on this wine? Nada, zip, zilch. Not even on the winery. No pictures, nothing, until this blog of course! My internet search gave me everything from cat wine to Cate Blanchett. Crazy.

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sangiovese

2010 Homestead 1897 Sangiovese – Napa Valley, Ca – $3.99

Elsewhere price $14.00

This wine was recommended to us by a regular wine customer. He taught Steve all about Sangiovese, including how to pronounce it. Steve worked Sangiovese into every sentence he possibly could after that, lol. He also learned that this is the prominent grape in Chianti. Chianti is usually a very dry red wine, but this Sangiovese was quite fruity. Terry and Cici both tasted peaches and Becky tasted elderflower. Terry also said it made her feel warm. Warm=happiness.

The label reads: In the boom of Napa Valley’s mining era 1897, Ed Haus homesteaded a small vineyard and ranch in the far north eastern corner of Napa Valley. Homestead 1897 is made with the same care and attention to detail as the first wines handcrafted during the turn of the century.

91 points from Cellar Tracker

Carpe Diem!

Did you ever notice how fast time passes? Like when you first have a baby and everybody tells you they grow up so fast – take pictures and pay attention. And you’re like, yeah sure, I have decades ahead of me taking care of this new person. The next thing you know, they’re teenagers and you look back and think WOW. That was fast. You then become one of the people warning others to watch out, they grow up so fast.

I’ve noticed that as I get older, time goes by faster and faster. The holidays come quicker each year and there’s less time to prepare for them. I’ve had to be more creative in finding time to make progress on the famous DIY project list that must be done by Thanksgiving. (It’s kind of at a boring stage, stayed tuned for the before & afters!) Instead of making dinner when I get home, I head out to the garage to paint another coat on the cabinet doors and tell Steve to find something in the freezer to heat up. I am sick of painting cabinet doors. It takes forever. When I finally come back in, with an aching back and paint-stained hands, I find Steve and Jake eating apple pie for dinner. At least they used plates. Pass me a fork.

We all get older, but we don’t have to grow up. One day this past week I thought I’d try something new and act like a grown-up. I wore one of my nicer work shirts and a watch. That shirt was uncomfortable and the watch squeezed my wrist all day. So much for that! Acting like a grown-up is no fun. It was alright for a day, I guess, but I’d rather wear a comfortable shirt and go through the day wondering what time it is.

Sometimes we have to pay attention to time so we don’t miss out on something great. Like babies growing up or a 20% OFF WINE SALE that ends this Sunday (November 10, 2013) Time to stock up on great wines for the holidays so we can relax with our families and make new memories. Carpe Diem! Seize the day!

20% off wine sign

Here’s this week’s wine picks – worthy of stocking up…

four wines

Hey Mambo Swanky White ~ Carmen Chardonnay ~ Homestead 1897 Red Wine ~ Red Door Pinot Noir

This month is CHEESE-topia! (loosely translated means: cheese-lovers paradise)

fresh mozzarella     Irish cheese sliced

Here’s some wonderful CHEESE-topia treats! Fresh Mozzarella cheese drizzled with herbs and olive oil on slices of Campari tomatoes and two Irish Specialty cheeses from Kerrygold. Aged Cheddar with Irish Whiskey and Dubliner with Irish stout.

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 Hey Mambo 2

Hey Mambo Swanky White California $3.19 (after discount)

Elsewhere price $13.99

At first sip, I thought the Hey Mambo Swanky White was tangy. It’s color is very light and it tastes fruity like a summer wine. Terry said it was slightly sweet and also noticed the fruity bouquet. She liked it, as did Larry. Steve announced that this was his favorite white wine, tasted like sauvignon blanc.

Winemaker’s Notes

A refreshing blend of eyebrow-raising charm, this Hey Mambo Swanky White is markably an uncommon treasure. This vintage is a harmonious blend of Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Muscat Canelli, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Fresh and alluring, this wine is an ideal candidate for holiday occasions. Serve with herb and Dijon mustard roasted turkey or baked ham glazed with tropical fruit. When the heat sets in, try this wine as a base for a puréed, chilled watermelon-mint soup or a dessert of ripe blackberries and raspberries folded with freshly whipped cream made with Mexican or Tahitian vanilla.

The hue of fine yellow crystal, this wine unfolds with aromas reminiscent of summertime by the pool or in the garden with fragrant floral blossoms, rose petals, ripe apricots and a hint of cloves over a backdrop of lemon-lime from the Muscat. The palate is very juicy, honeyed with gooseberries from the presence of Viognier and grassy tones from the Sauvignon Blanc. This wine’s heart and soul is captivatingly fruity, with crisp acidity driven by the Chenin Blanc. It concludes with a clean, dry finish of Pink Lady apples, orchard peach and limestone.

90 Points from Wine Enthusiast

“The word for this white is fun. It’s filled with apricot, pineapple, peach,green apple, honeysuckle and spice flavors, and is not complicated, but has a fine, crisp structure. The creative blend is Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Muscat and Chenin Blanc.”

90 Points Wine Enthusiast

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carmen-gran-reserva-chardonnay-2010

Carmen Gran Reserva Chardonnay Chili $3.99 (after discount)

Elsewhere price $14.99

This Chardonnay had a nice distinct aroma, that we collectively decided was apples. Steve tasted oak from the kegs but Larry said he could smell the kegs, but couldn’t really taste them. A very enjoyable glass of wine.

From the Winemaker:

A very fine chardonnay with a complex bouquet of fruits, wood, vanilla, and butter; pleasant in the mouth, with great body and length.

On-line review Tasting note:

The 2010 Carmen Reserva Chardonnay wins the Best Brie Wine award! It’s caramel, toffee depths are a perfect backdrop for such a rich cheese. The green apple and citrus notes give the wine a mouth-watering vibrancy. Top me up! Chardonnay  food  pairings: lobster in butter, rich pasta dishes, lemon chicken.

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Red door Pinot 2

Red Door Cellars Pinot Noir Oregon $6.39 (after discount)

elsewhere price $16.99

Warm tastes of cherries and berries. We let this Pinot breath for a good 30 minutes before tasting. Steve noted that it warms the tummy and Larry actually liked it! He doesn’t usually go for the red wines, but he may be coming over to the red side 🙂

On-line review:

13.5% alc., $21 (I have seen it on the internet for $18 which is a steal). Crafted by Laurent Montalieu for NW Wine Co. (Precept Brands) in McMinnville.      ·     Herb-dusted red fruits, sage, bay, oak and char on the pleasing nose. Very light, even ephemeral, with red cherry and strawberry flavors touched by herbs. The fruit is well-supported by supple tannins. Goes down like mother’s milk. My only nit is that the finish ends in a flash. ~The PinotFile

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homestead 1897 2

Homestead 1897 Napa Valley Red Wine $7.99 (after discount)

elsewhere price $35.00

Originally, I had planned on tasting the Homestead 1897 Cabernet Sauvignon. I bought two bottles the morning before wine tasting, but by the afternoon, Steve told me he’s just about sold out, he didn’t even put it out on the sales floor! Some of his regular wine customers came in and bought it by the case when they saw it on the pallet with all the new wines waiting to get to the shelf. So, I opted to get the Red Blend from the same winery. We did taste them both and honestly, I could not tell the difference. I’m sure a lot of you could, but not me. Terry commented on how it tasted very berry and Larry had a second glass! A second glass of red wine for Larry? Its a Front Porch Wine Tasting miracle!

Cellartracker Expert reviews:

1/2/2013 – dnsteadman Likes this wine: 86 Points – I decanted this bottle for about 4 hours and it opened up nicely. We drank it with appetizers and some cheese. It was sturdy but not overpowering and the tannins were fairly mellow after the decanting period. I have 3 more bottles in the cellar and plan to let them age a bit more but would not hesitate to open another bottle this year.

6/16/2013 – dorphil wrote:89 Points – Garnet color – Excellent. Not too overpowering. Went well with meat. Would buy again

8/4/2013 – dorphil wrote: 91 Points – Brick color – Excellent wine. Mellow but bigger than expected for the price. Would buy again

Wine for your next Celebration!

Nothing is more annoying than getting in the shower the day after Halloween to scrub your face clean of the leftover zombie blood that still stains your skin and find that your husband used up all the soap and didn’t replace it. FYI shampoo does not remove zombie blood from skin. Thank goodness for make-up.

What does the first day of November mean to you? The start of the holiday season, maybe? To me, today is the first day of the great race against time to complete my various projects before Thanksgiving. I work best with a deadline. I’ve counted the weekends and confidently made lists. I am focused.

But…

In the back of my head, I can hear the faint whisper of that tiny dictator. ‘What a stunning impact newly painted front doors would make.’

Really? What is wrong with him? I have to finish the kitchen AND the guest room! The multiple lists are long plus I will have to perform the tedious chore of removing the protective layer of dust from all the rarely touched surfaces around the house. Most of the downstairs rooms don’t even have baseboards yet, why on earth would I even consider painting the front doors. Does that tiny dictator that lives in my head even know that I have a job? Maybe he wants to bring on the ever looming nervous breakdown so I will finally eat breakfast on a regular basis – breakfast that includes happy pills in a paper cup and is served from a cart that is wheeled into the room. Actually, that kinda sounds nice.

I did watch a YouTube video on the proper procedure to painting front doors so I’m basically an expert now.

Challenge accepted! I will finish all of these projects before Thanksgiving and I will bake fabulous holiday desserts. Then I will take a nap.

We tasted two unconventional wines this week that will go perfectly with holiday desserts and they’ll make fun gifts for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list. Make sure you read to the end to find them.

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backyard bar

Thanks to Joe and Misty S. for hosting our remote Front Porch Wine Tasting at their beautiful backyard bar – You guys definitely added some class!

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4 wines pic

Lunatic White Blend ~ Three Rivers Chardonnay ~ Fetzer Shiraz ~ Whiplash Red Blend

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14319-000_1

2011 Lunatic White Wine Blend $5.99 elsewhere $14.99

California

The label reads: ‘True genius often borders on lunacy. Visit lunavinyards.com to find out what makes this crazy good blend so insanely delicious.’

I’m pretty sure that whoever wrote that is calling me a genius 😉

As you can see from the picture above, the color of this white blend is very light. Misty and I both thought it tasted light and delicate as well. Arvin tasted peaches and apricot and Larry noted the fruitiness. Steve agreed. Larry said the fruit he tasted was grapefruit. Steve agreed. Lol. Steve also said that he tasted grapes and without missing a beat, Kathy said, “it does have grapes, we don’t know how many, but they’re in there.” Terry commented that we’re all feeling a little luny. Becky mentioned that it was kind of sweet and Scott said its got a little twang to it.

On-line review: The aromas are floral and real delicate, but on tasting there are citrus flavors on the front of the palate and apricot on the back. The tannins are very mild and delicately active – a nice crisp wine, perfect for summer….or for a hot hotel room.  Whichever works…the hotel room, in this scenario.  Hurry up summer! The Lunatic was so delicious I ended up ordering a case through one of my friends who owns a wine bar in Seattle…thank goodness for friends in high places.

Winemaker’s notes: Intensely aromatic, densely flavored, muscular but supple, graceful and delicate. This wine is full of contradictions and charming mysteries. It is a trifecta of Albarino, Malvasia Bianca and Chardonnay; each providing a balancing force in the blend. The Albarino is delicate in aroma, like a white peach, but full flavored. The Malvasia Bianca is almost overwhelming with jasmine flower and apricot nectar aromas, yet brisk and clean to taste. The Chardonnay is a ripe pear in both flavor and aroma, filling your mouth with warm, succulent flavor. But, the wine is much more than the sum of its parts… insanely good!

Blend: 38% Albarino, 34% Malvasia Bianca, and 28% Chardonnay

Arvin hit the nail on the head with the fruit he tasted!

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TRW-Chard

2009 Three Rivers Winery Chardonnay $6.99 elsewhere $15.99

Columbia Valley. Walla Walla, WA

Arvin says this Chardonnay has swagger! Moses tasted walnuts and Steve said it was little heavier. I thought it looked and tasted buttery. Joe S. liked it with chilled red grapes in his glass.

On-line review: “Pale straw. Orange blossom and dusty stone on the nose. Sweet, pliant and nicely balanced, with orange and nectarine flavors framed by a slight phenolic edge. This essentially supple chardonnay finishes spicy and nicely dry.”
88 Points International Wine Cellar

Winemaker’s notes: The long, temperate growing season coupled with partial rather than full malolactic fermentation yielded a Chardonnay of great richness and structure. The nose is scented with green apples, pears and a dash of vanilla. The palate is full and creamy with pears and pineapples. This is a beautifully balanced wine that complements a wide range of foods including roasted chicken, pan seared halibut, crab cakes and pasta in a creamy sauce.

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image_2329526_full

2010 Fetzer Anthony’s Hill Shiraz $4.99 elsewhere $9.99

California

Shiraz (or Syrah) is one of my favorite types of wine. This one had great color and I would choose it as an everyday-after-work-wine. Arvin smelled the aroma of apples and liked the pairing of chocolate with this wine. But, Becky thought it was too weak (she might be a wine-o, lol). Joe S said it tastes like a real wine – like my wife’s driving us home wine. Misty said good thing we don’t have far to go!

On-line review: The Fetzer vineyards Shiraz unoaked radiates with a dense, Garnet-red color. The aromas is characterized by intensely fragrant wild berries, wood and Oriental spices. On the palate the Fetzer vineyards Shiraz is unoaked tight, well structured game on the tongue and Finish with a thrilling sweet-acid soft round and exotic spicy.

The original review was in German (I think German)

Awards:

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: 2010 silver

San Francisco International Wine Competition: Silver for 2010

The label reads: Explore. I think of Shiraz as a grown-up Merlot. It’s familiar and different at the same time, a fearless choice when you’re ready for something new. From the deep purple colour to aromas of white pepper, plum, blackberry and licorice, you get a sense of adventure. Our Shiraz (others call it Syrah) is medium-bodied, with a lingering finish that is very satisfying. It’s a wine well worth exploring.

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whiplash

2009 Whiplash Redemption $3.99 elsewhere $13.99

California

Arvin and Larry agreed that this wine was smoother than the Shiraz and it had a dry-ness to it. Scott said it tasted better than it’s aroma would suggest. Becky liked the way this red blend started and even more when she paired it with chocolate. She said it brought out the fruitiness. She tasted a smoky flavor with cherries and coffee. Steve tried it with a smoky Gouda cheese and really liked the pairing. He also said chocolate brought out the fruitiness.

On-line review: Big fruit and firm tannins, blackberries and black cherry. Tart, tannic finish. If a wine ever called out for a bacon cheeseburger, it would be this one. Great casual Wednesday wine after getting home from work.

The label reads: Inspired by the timeless artistry of an intricately woven whip, Whiplash Wines are hand-crafted with balance & structure. Redemption is a dynamic blend of Syrah, Barbera & Zinfandel, with bright cherry aromas intertwined with flavors of succulent huckleberries, currants & spice, creating a wine of distinction & complexity. Want more? Check out www.whiplashwines.com

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chocolate shop wine   almond roca wine

Chocolate Shop ~ The Chocolate Lover’s Wine $7.99  ~~~  Brown & Haley’s Almond Roca Cream Wine $7.99

Misty loved the Almond Roca Cream wine immediately. She called it a Celebration Wine. Arvin agreed that this is a Holiday Wine.

Tasting notes: Inviting aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate entwine and continue on the palate surrounded by hints of cocoa powder. Nuances of red wine and residual sugar linger on the smooth finish.

Winemaker’s notes: Sweetening the tongues for centuries, chocolate and red wine has been the most reliable pairing in history. Chocolate Shop takes this pairing to the next level, marrying chocolate flavor with red wine to create a sumptuous drink. We start with a proprietary red blend of the finest vinifera varietals, add a touch of oak and a kiss of sweetness to create the perfect fruit-driven foil for the rich dark chocolate which unfolds in silken layers across the palate. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Terry loved the Chocolate Shop wine, she thought it was delicious. And, it was less sweet when paired with chocolate. Arvin thought it tasted like chocolate covered cherries and Becky said it smelled like cherry port.

Winemaker’s notes: In this cream-based wine, natural almond and toffee flavors marry with delicate cocoa notes, just like the flavors found in ALMOND ROCA® Buttercrunch toffee. ALMOND ROCA® Cream is crafted to be enjoyed over ice, as a traditional wine, or mixed with coffee. The 750ml bottles retail for $14.99 and contain 14% alcohol. The formula and flavor profile were co-created by Brown & Haley and Chocolate Shop Winemaker Hal Landvoigt. Precept Wine markets Almond ROCA® Cream.

Both are definitely Special Occasion wines. Stayed tuned to see how my Holiday race against time turns out!

Check out this link for some scrumptious ways to serve Almond Roca Cream Wine

Zombie Zin

zombie-zin-banner

For the last few years my family has become interested in – no, obsessed with zombies.

zombie steve     zombie kids     zombie me

We gather together to watch Walking Dead every week. Our house is known as the ‘Zombie House’ among trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood. We even have endless discussions on how to survive the zombie apocalypse. I know many people must be thinking –Crazy- But, have you considered WHAT IF!?!

Maybe, just maybe you should be prepared too. I apologize for this slap-in-the-face reality check for those of you that may not have picked up on the possibility that I may be a tiny bit nuts. In my defense, people that are kinda nuts make the most interesting of friends.

If you’re local to the Manteca area, the Bass Pro shop may be a safe refuge. All the camping gear and weapons on the second floor at your disposal with only elevators and one staircase accessing it. Once you stock pile some food and block the staircase you should be safe – after all, zombies lack the intelligence to use the elevator. (sidebar: if you work at PG&E, please set the main electrical control switch to stay on, even without payment, at the first sign of zombies. Thank you.) However, many people will probably think Bass Pro is the place to go and the food will run out quickly, so have a back-up destination planned.

The internet is great resource to get your plan together. Here is great video on the first steps you should take:

But, in reality, (yes, I get the irony) you could just add The Zombie Survival Guide (get it here on Amazon) to your earthquake preparedness kit (and maybe a couple weapons) and nobody will notice and think you’re crazy. I recommend including wine in that kit as well, as I predict booze will become a top commodity in the zombie apocalypse. After a long day of zombie hunting we all need to be able to wind down and relax a little. Tip: Don’t forget the can opener and the cork-screw!

Wine choice in a post-apocalyptic world: Zombie Zin! $7.99 at Manteca Grocery Outlet

zombie zin 2      zombie zin

I actually sought out this wine for the novelty value alone. I was extremely excited to find that the wine was way better than I expected! The Front Porch goers agreed.

Caroline (our resident wine-snob) immediately said it was very good after the first sip. She said it was smooth and the color was clear & not cloudy. I quote, “one of the best Zins I’ve had in a long time.” She tasted blackberry & cherry and again said this is really good. Terry also seemed surprised at how good it was. She commented, ‘Oh! It’s really good and it smells really good!’ Arvin said it was bloody nice, he thought he noticed a peppery-ness to it, but he wasn’t sure if that came from the spicy meatball he just ate. Larry thought his mummy would really like it ;-p  Becky said it starts fruity, like cool-aid, and Steve agreed. Joe said the flavor raises the dead. He also noted that he tasted strong Bing cherries and reported that it tasted woody –oak not cedar. So, cheesy wisecracks aside, we finished ALL the Zombie Zin and most of us plan on getting more. Our first shipment was only 4 cases and it’s going fast, but I hear we have another 12 cases coming.

Meet some of the Front Porch Wine Tasting tasters:

zombie wine tasters 1

top: Larry & Terry bottom: Arvin & Connie

   zombie wine tasters 3

Joe R, Becky & Caroline

Courtesy of Walking Dead’s ‘Dead Yourself’ app. You can download the app to ‘dead’ yourself here

Cellar Tracker gave it 87.5 points.

On-line review: Really enjoyable zin. Nose is full of berry and spice. Jammy, like a mouth full of fruit; black cherry, plum, blueberry. Almost a creamy finish with some pepper poking through. Rich, but very pleasant, with a nice long finish. I would definitely buy again, even at a higher price.

The label reads: As survivors of the apocalypse we have found refuge, hidden away from the world that was and from those who refuse to die. We pass the time making wine dreaming of better days gone by. The Zombie Zinfandel is blood-red in color. The aromas evoke visions of ripe blackberries and cedar coffins. The flavors meld together as an oozy mass of dark, ripe and horridly rich fruit with a layer of black pepper and spice. If you dare venture out and want to find us, look for the clues at chateaud.com/zombie. Be smart and stay alive.

Click this link to enter to win your own Zombie Apocalypse essentials kit including: Zombie Survival Guide book, Zombie Zin and cork-screw.

The Meaning of Life

Friendship-Quotes-4

This blog is written in memory of Frank Malorzo, my good-friend’s best-friend. You will be impossible to forget.

What is friendship? Simply put, it’s just connecting with others, humans are very social. We feel each other’s pain and celebrate each other’s joy. Friends inspire us to be more interesting, have more fun and to be all around better people. They also inspire shenanigans. Like Lucy and Ethel. Whether you are a ‘Lucy’ or an ‘Ethal’, having fun, being silly, and yes, participating in shenanigans with our friends is what makes our potentially mundane daily lives worth it.

1amwords_shenanigans

Do you remember Lucy and Ethel singing about friendship? They were mad at each other for wearing the same dress during their performance and, well here, you check it out:

That’s the song I hear as I’m typing this blog. I don’t know why I tend to think of black & white television shows when I reflect on anything and everything. I guess I relate to them. Don’t we all? Life lessons – learned through situational comedy.

It’s not how we connect to friends thats important though- it may be texting during football, dancing in the sand at a beach party once a year, or spending an hour or two each week tasting wine on the Front Porch – it’s only important that we connect. Touching each other’s lives for the better, making memories – good and bad – living life & having fun.

I just stumbled on the Meaning of life! You-Are-Welcome. Tell your kids.

Our friends at home took over Front Porch Wine Tasting this week. Steve and I went to meet up with all the friends we’ve made since being a part of Grocery Outlet. Mostly other store owners, and a lot of corporate friends too. We appreciate everyone who joined Joe & Becky on their Back Porch to help us all choose the right weekend wines. Thank You!

friendship wines

Lot 205 Chardonnay ~ Roblar O Pescador ~ Harlow Ridge Cab ~ Independent Producers Merlot

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lot 205 chard

100% California 2012 Lot 205 Chardonnay $3.99 elsewhere $11.99

Chris says this Chardonnay is very smooth and sweet tasting. Bob and Misty both found it to be citrusy and Becky thought she tasted pear. The label offered no ‘clues’ as to what to expect except: Lush, Vibrant & Aromatic… Think Grilled Seafood or Chicken.

On-line review: “I was pleasantly surprised by this wine, because it was a nicely balanced, creamy Chardonnay without aggressive oak flavors. It was pale straw in color, and had aromas of butter, cream, and apples. These aromas carried through into the flavors and there was a citrusy, creamy aftertaste that was pleasant and not at all artificial. This wine would be great with grilled chicken with lemon, fried chicken, or grilled halibut. But don’t underestimate the appeals of a white wine like this served with some simply munchies and an ice bucket on a Sunday afternoon.”

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Roblar

Santa Ynez Valley 2010 Roblar O Pescador $3.99 elsewhere $8.99

Click here for Roblar Winery Pairing Cuisine recipes

Becky has been trying to get me to taste this wine since we started Front Porch Wine Tasting! and I missed it… :-/ She really liked it but couldn’t remember the name, she called it fish wine because of picture on the label. Christine said this white blend is light, an enjoyable summer wine. Bob likes it dry and found it to be light and airy. Joe S. commented that, “it doesn’t taste like fish at all.” Whew! That fish pic on the label confused me too Joe, what a relief. Larry thought it had a sharp taste and Thelma said it was fruity with a hint of peach. Dan wanted to make sure we knew there were no peach pits :-p

I could not find any on-line reviews except for the wine-snob that harshly (in my opinion) reviews Grocery Outlet wines and is sometimes hard to understand if you happen to be regular people. But, this particular review is pretty funny. He clearly does not like it at first, but it becomes ‘drinkable’ to him in the end.

The label reads: Roblar Winery is committee to producing the highest quality varietals that best reflect the viticultural diversity of Santa Ynez Valley. Our logo is a symbol of our winery, our vineyards, and the meaning of our name: strength. Strength you can count on for quality and value.

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harlow ridge

………………………..
Harlow Ridge
Lodi
2011 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

SILVER MEDAL
 Jerry Mead’s New World International Wine Competition 2013
Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2013
………………………..

Lodi 2011 Harlow Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon $4.99 elsewhere $9.99

The label reads: When Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown in regions where summer days are warm and nights are cool, the wine is full-bodied and vibrant with varietal and fruit complexities. Meticulous cellar practices promote these attributes while imparting a pleasant, long finish on the palate. The enjoyment in composing this wine can only be enhanced when gracing your table with family and friends!

Local Lodi Wine! So, what did the Porch think? Bob says the 6th glass of wine is always good. Misty thought it was a good nightcap wine. And Dan, my new favorite Dan, said, “just a couple of sips and my cough went away. Is there a grape flavored Nyquil?” Yes. Yes, there is Dan. It is not good. But, wine flavored Nyquil, Now that’s what I’m talking about! (This must’ve been the last wine that was tasted, judging not only by the comments but the notes are kinda harder to read than the rest) Somebody said warming is the word that describes this Cab and two other people agreed that it had staying power with a little heat in the front. Well worth the price – it does Lodi proud.

 Wine Maker notes: “The striking appeal of this wine is the complexity of fruit and spice characters. Black cherry with hints of black olive and plum greet the palate. The wine continues with lingering notes of vanilla, cedar, and nutmeg.”

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independent producers

 Washington State 2011 Independent Producers Merlot $7.99 elsewhere $14.99

On-line review: Post modern northern latitude west coast style. Soft with some angularity, focused acid, somewhat wildly intoxicating, and picked early for greater vintage precision, yet medium high PH for smoothness. Coffee, pencil lead, anise, and earth. A vineyard focused place of origin wine.

Did you read that? ‘Wildly intoxicating’ Yes, please! I checked the notes Joe took twice, nobody tasted pencil lead or earth. Terry liked the intoxicating smooth scent. Larry thought the aroma reminded him of black cherry and Misty’s chocolate cake intensifies the flavor of the wine. Joe noticed a strong smokiness and wrote in the notes that everyone really liked it. Bob commented that it had a Merlot aftertaste with a little bite. He enjoyed the bouquet, even though while swishing it around in his mouth, he got it into his nasel cavity 😦 Ah, poor Bob.

What would we do without our friends? Well, we wouldn’t have any wine reviews for this weekend and we wouldn’t have discovered the meaning of life either. So, if you haven’t already found your ‘Lucy/Ethel’ (or ‘Oscar/Felix’, as the case may be) go out into your community, get involved in something, and find them. You don’t know what you’re missing!