Only The Horses

April 29, 2015April 29, 20154 Comments

I have been waiting for over a month to write about this wine. And the time has arrived. The time is now. I shouldn’t be so melodramatic. But I’m having fun here.

Over the course of this blog I’ve really tried to hit home my love for blends. The triumvirate of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah for both wines I’m going to review are pieced together so well.

The 141st running of the Kentucky Derby takes place this Saturday, May 2nd, 2015. And on one fateful day in the end of March, I found one of the most beautiful bottles I have ever seen. I’m sometimes dazzled by the things I attract into my life.

The 2012 Kentucky Derby Red Blend from 14 Hands is brilliant. After I saw the label and built such anticipation for it, I wanted to like this wine badly. And thank goodness I do. There is so much good about it, aside from the pretty horses. And they sure are pretty.

There’s a lot to love about this. When I opened the bottled and poured my first glass, I detected some chocolate aromas from the nose. It smelled like a full-bodied wine and the oak was permeating. I was really looking forward to drinking it. But I let it breathe for a few minutes.

It tasted more like a medium, which was just fine by me. It was a pleasant surprise. I could taste a little chocolate or cocoa, as the synopsis described. There is mention of loganberries. I have no idea what those are. I attached a link for your edification and mine. I like a winemaker that gets creative with the flavor hints and aromas.

But I still have no idea what loganberries are! That’s me being humorous. But really… I didn’t detect any plums or white pepper. But once again, it’s all perspective and interpretation. I’m always sensing berries and cherries in most of the reds I drink. So that’s always been a starting point for me. This is a fantastic wine. I agree that it goes with more easygoing foods like pizza and burgers.

An hour before, I had a glass of the 2012 Hot To Trot Red Blend. This is a bottle I have had several times before, and is a seminal favorite of mine. This is the first bottle of theirs I purchased, and I’ve been a fan ever since. For that alone, this will always be my favorite of theirs. And because there’s hints of cinnamon and spices, it really complements this blend very well. This is a well put together wine. It’s not that it’s any better than the Kentucky Derby Blend. It just has another aura of sentimentality, that the Derby one will also give me, if it hasn’t already.

I enjoyed both with some grapes and walnuts. But as the fact sheet suggests, pork, mushrooms, or other heartier dishes can work as well. I’d say it’s a little more than a party bottle as opposed to the Derby. So I understand their foodie recommendations.

I’ll tell you something. These PDF’s I have linked in this post, are so user friendly and approachable. I’ve learned so much just by reading these details. This is so well done.

One final note on the Kentucky Derby Blend. You may have noticed that they are Out Of Stock though their website. I bought this back in late March at Cranbrook Liquors of Cockeysville, MD, at their Dollar Days. They had cases of them at the time. I’d seen them in many shops all over the Baltimore area as of a week ago. So you may be able to find them at your local wine store, wherever you may live.

I definitely recommend both bottles for this Saturday’s celebrations. They may both be Red Blends, there are noticeable differences and are definitely pleasing to many palates. The Hot To Trot can be drank all year round. And just because the race ends Saturday, I see no reason why the Derby wine would be rendered obsolete. It’s a great bottle as well.

I’ve had several more of their Varietals as well. I look forward to writing about those in a future message.

Enjoy the week, enjoy the weekend, and of course, enjoy the Derby.

Take good care.

Best,

Ideen

Of The Earth

April 22, 2015April 22, 20153 Comments

As we celebrate Earth Day, I wanted to review a couple of wines that I ordinarily wouldn’t try. These will be of the organic and all natural variety. Drinking, eating, and living organically and/or healthy is something we should strive for all the time. But for the sake of the today, I am proud to expound upon these two selections. And I wish I had tried them sooner.

I am not vegetarian, vegan, or have a gluten allergy. But I can appreciate products that support peoples lifestyle decisions. And I enjoy trying anything that tastes good and promotes wellness and feeling great.

I would like to give a massive thank you to Friendship WIne & Liquor for all their help and suggestions.

First and holy moly, certainly not least, is Our Daily Red from Novato, CA. And I mean this with all sincerity. This is one of the best wines I’ve had in some time. It tastes so good. It’s a wine you can have at anytime and with anything. If I did a blind taste test, I wouldn’t know this was free from Sulfites, Vegan Friendly, USDA Organic, or anything else. But if all this led to this wine tasting out of this world, then I’m all for it. And at $11.99 this was a steal.

For the past year or so, I would see that charming label and think nothing of it. I’m a bit annoyed it took this long to pour a glass but better late than never.

If I hadn’t researched what it contained, I wouldn’t have known it contained Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. It tasted so light I’d have thought it was a Pinot Noir or even Beaujolais. But my palate has changed over time. With a bottle like this, there is no need for pretension. The back label keeps the information to what is important. This is a wine to be enjoyed and not over analyzed. It takes me to a higher place.

Now a new grape has been introduced to me. I had never heard of Carignan until now. If this gem from France had a hand in this bottle tasting so good, then I’ll be on the look out for it in future purchases. It’s mentioned that blackberry and black cherry flavors are prevalent and after sipping, some of that can easily be detected. I did sense a little toastiness but had no idea there’s some vanilla in there. What a fantastic combination of flavors.

This can be had alone or with any food your heart desires. I went in a different direction and paired it with a nice Korean Pork Shoulder BBQ and organic brown rice. Pure class all around.

I can’t get enough of how approachable their website is. I am grateful to have attracted this wine into my life. Since it’s Earth Day, I need to return the favor to the universe.

Not to be outdone is Lora Wines from Spain. I wanted to try another one since this day is so special and worthy of at least another organic gem. Their story of organic producing is just as inspiring. I know this is a movement that has been going on for years. And I fully support it.

The Tempranillo & Syrah was the bottle of choice. At first it tasted really strange. I don’t know how to describe it. It wasn’t bad. It just felt unique. This is to be expected when trying something new. But after letting it breath for 15-20 minutes, it settled into something great. And best of all, my favorite, the oak came through in a big way. I could detect some pepper, which is one of my favorite elements in wine.

As for everything else, it’s all interpretation and what your palate may tell you. This wine was a grower. No pun intended. Once again, this wine can be had on its own or with a variety of dishes. This was enjoyed with a nice grilled Cheese steak sub and a side of sweet potato and regular potato chips. Yum! And again, at $11.99, I was happy to pay that price.

It’s been a pleasure learning more about Earth Day and how some wineries are really going above and beyond to provide a healthier and affordable alternative to many of the wines we drink on a daily basis. This is not to be taken for granted. I look forward to drinking more organic Gems. And hopefully this will lead to a change in other lifestyle choices. These winemakers are to be commended for their gifts to us. It make me want to improve many of my eating and drinking habits. And of course, for today and everyday, do something to better our planet. So for that I say, thank you.

Stay healthy everyone.

Peace and Love,

Ideen

Merlot Mondaze

April 15, 2015April 15, 20152 Comments

We did have this bottle on a Monday. But it’s Wine Wednesdays and the tradition continues.

Today’s pick was based on the inspirational Wine & Food Matching Wheel. This will become a staple on this blog from time to time.

A lovely grilled chicken plate was on tap for dinner, so I inquired as to where this exciting wheel had been. It’s so user friendly, and very helpful in looking for some cool pairings. One of the suggestions was a Merlot. And voila!

Unfortunately, the wine was not very good. I have grown to love Merlot in the past year or so. It was one of the few reds that I did not care for. But that has changed. My palate has expanded and I am much more open minded to trying just about anything. This will not deter me from that. The bottle was the Harthill Farms Merlot, an exclusive from Whole Foods.

In my visit to Northern Virginia, I always hope to find good wine deals in stores that can’t sell them in Maryland. One of my sentimental stores is their Tysons Corner location in Falls Church, VA. They have a vast selection, and more reviews will come. And one hopes it can only get better from here. This was a purchase for a mere $5.00, if I remember correctly. So it wasn’t a total loss.

What immediately stands out is that there is no year or vintage to this wine. Maybe it was made two weeks ago? I’d like to know. In addition, there is little known via the grocers website about this farm. The reviews from various wine blogs are not positive, but I looked at them after I had my glass, which I could barely finish. Oh wait, I didn’t.

It just didn’t taste like anything to me. It wasn’t a table wine you could have with pals or have a hearty meal, like the one pictured below. It also doesn’t look like how a good wine should. It seemed transparent and hollow. Honestly, it tasted like bad fruit juice at times.

Luckily, the food was amazing. Thankfully my taste buds survived and I enjoyed a sauteed grilled chicken, with broccoli, and corn bread.

Just because a wine is cheap doesn’t mean it’s bad. But the opposite can also be true. I’ve had many great wines for under $10. This wasn’t one of them. I am confident that many future reviews will suggest just that.

Have a great week.

Best,

Ideen

The Bulgarian Beaut

April 8, 2015April 8, 20155 Comments

It was suggested to me that I start talking about the whites. With a few exceptions, my posts have revolved around the reds, and many of them of the full-bodied variety.

As the temperatures increase, you better believe more of these are going to be discussed. I’ve stated before that I love lots of oak in reds. The opposite could not be more true with whites. It’s an important detail going forward.

So it brings me great pleasure to be talking about the Sauvignon Blanc From Bulgariana Wines. And it’s a pleasure.

I stopped into my local Total Wine in Towson, MD, knowing they had a massive selection of every grape imaginable, and was immediately helped by a very friendly staff member. I wish I had gotten her name. I mentioned I was looking for a white, specifically a Sauv Blanc, for a blog I was doing, and she gave me a few wonderful suggestions.

I settled on the Bulgariana as it had the most appealing label, and even more exciting, in the synopsis there was a mention of pineapple! How awesome is that? I’ve never knowingly had the pleasure of sampling a wine that had pineapple or a similar exotic fruit in it. So I had to try. This is part of the fun. There will be so many unknowns in wine tasting, and that’s one of the best part of a wine tasters journey.

I couldn’t wait to take this home and chill it in the fridge for a few hours. When I finally opened it, the exciting aromas just hit my heart. It’s just one of those indescribable feelings. It might be too good for words. But I’m going to try. It’s that moment right when the bottle is about to be uncorked, and you just know something amazing is about to happen. That’s a wonderful high. And this is one of those beautiful moments. I can’t tell you what every scent or flavor it, but it was heavenly. Oh my goodness. And even the back of the label mentions exotic fruits, but doesn’t say exactly which ones. Maybe I’m not meant to know. Or maybe I will know in time!

The suggestions are to enjoy this with a salad, fish dishes, pizza, and pasta. Now the Sauvignon Blanc’s are always a welcome pairing with lighter fish entrees since most of the Blanc’s are light to medium themselves. Pretty simple!

As you can see, I chose to savor this alone. But this is a wine that deserves a wonderful food pairing. It’s light enough to be drank with friends, but it’s worthy of a delicious meal to go with it.

I have never seeked out whites and they’ve never been my first choice. But this bottle was something else. It’s a great way bottle to enjoy during the warm weather months. I also look forward to trying more of Bulgariana’s wines in the near future. In the meantime, this one will be celebrated in all her glory. And at only $10.99, I got more than my money’s worth.

Enjoy the spring.

Kindest,

Ideen

Food and Wine Pairing Pals

April 1, 2015April 1, 20153 Comments

Sometimes what I write about is predetermined. At other times the topics find me. This one is a combination of both.

The plan was to have cheeseburgers for a meal, and I wanted to find a wine that pairs well with them. As per usual, I did a Google search, and you get two dozen opinions on what goes well with anything. There is something to a food and wine pairing, but it’s all perception. What might look good to some, might be hideous to others.

Based on the consensus; Malbec, Syrah, and Zinfandel were the ubiquitous suggestions to complement burgers. Do you detect a theme? These are three of the more full-bodied reds, with alcohol contents higher than 13.5%.

I have reviewed the first two wines in previous posts. These can be seen here and here. So Zin is the big winner today.

In looking at our collection of bottles, I only saw one Zin. And I present the 2012 Old Moon (Old Vine) Zinfandel from our pals at Trader Joe’s. This is part of an exclusive collection, that can only be bought at their stores.

Not much in the way of superlatives to say about this wine. It’s pretty standard. But for $5.99 you really can’t complain. I didn’t care for it at first. But, after a few minutes of breathing it got better. It’s extremely fruity. And in reading various reviews of it, every fruit known to man has been detected. It’s best to go with your senses as to what you taste. There’s little oak that I could detect. And not much in the way of tannins. It’s very easy to drink. It can be enjoyed without food, for any occasion.

But if you’re looking for something groundbreaking, this is not it. It’s a very basic wine. This is a great wine for folks who are new to wine drinking. And then your palate can only expand from here.

Not every wine is going to pair well with your dish. My bacon cheeseburger with sides of regular and sweet potato fries was tremendous. However, the wine didn’t heighten anything or bring about any new flavors. It’s a decent and affordable bottle that serves its purpose. If you are fortunate enough to be in a state where your local TJ’s sells wine, this is not one I would go out of my way to buy. For the price alone, it’s ok. But there’s plenty of others at a few dollars more, with better quality. And I will be getting to those in proceeding posts!

How great does that look? 🙂

Thankfully, like I stated in the beginning, sometimes the topics are shown to me. This is a great lead in to talk about my first visit to a Trader Joe’s that sold wine! It was a serendipitous visit around the holidays in 2013 to their Old Town Alexandria, VA store! I will be discussing some of my past and recent purchases in hopefully a fun and harmonious way.

And if I feel the need, I will be talking about my sadness over the Charles Shaw wines.

Thanks so much for reading!

Best,

Ideen

It’s A Celebration

March 25, 2015March 25, 20154 Comments

Today’s post is a special one. A good friend of mine just recently found out he is now cancer free. Congratulations and it’s now time to celebrate healing and feeling good! So what better way than to start with some sparkling wine!

During a spur of the moment trip to Virginia over the holidays, I purchased the Bon Vivant Brut. Now, why did I go all the way over here? Because, aside from a few exceptions, you can purchase wine in any grocery store in the state for lovers.

I’ve always liked taking random trips to VA to buy wine on the cheap. A drive to Dulles back in December of last year led me to the Wegmans, which always has a great selection at very affordable prices.

So based on recommendations for ways to celebrate the holidays, I grabbed a bottle here. The price tag was a bit steep at $19.99. But, hey it’s the holidays and we like to spend big and over indulge. So why not?

However, with circumstances being what they were, maybe champagne wasn’t appropriate at the time. And with all of us going out to holiday parties, throughout the month of December, a lot of us were indulging in egg nog, cocktails, and fuller bodied red wines.

But that’s the good thing about sparkling wine and champagne. It can be saved for any time of celebration and to show love. Well today was that day.

So how does it taste? It was easy to drink and enjoy. I detected some pear and apple flavors but, nowhere on the back label gives any kind of synopsis of the wine itself. The added fun is that you can use your detective skills and intuition as to what you think might be contained inside. Not much is listed in various searches, aside from the company site which says the California wine is made in a French Style with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Sound easy or complicated enough for you? Ha.

Nevertheless, this is a drink to be savored and to symbolize what makes you happy and makes you feel great. That is what life is all about.

Even though the price is a bit high, for a grocery store deal, at $20, I would buy this again and recommend this to anyone for any special occasion. It’s all about celebrating joys and accomplishments in your life. And the wines we drink can be a small part of that. We’re approaching the warm weather months and that’s cause for celebration itself!

Stay healthy.

Best,

Ideen

Bet On Black

March 18, 2015March 18, 20151 Comment

When you ask someone about their favorite winery in Maryland, a popular response will be Black Ankle Vineyards. And I’d definitely place it near the top for me as well. But there are many great places to visit and find a gem.

My friends and I were looking for a nice wine to pair with our St. Patrick’s Day feast, and I instinctively thought of the 2008 Leaf Stone Syrah.

I was able to purchase a few bottles a couple of years ago, at a sale price of around $30.00 each, at Friendship Wine & Liquor in Abingdon, MD. And this was worth every penny then. So how does it taste a year or so later?

Well my response at dinner was that I am glad we’re having this now, and not a moment later. It’s still great, but it probably just went past it’s peak. Something just felt a little different. It had lost a little potency. The updated tasting notes match my findings. I am proud of myself to pick up on this detail.

Nevertheless, if you can find this year I suggest doing so. And then to drink it almost immediately. It’s got the oak and full body that I always love. And the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon is usually always a delight to complement the other grapes. As you can see above, on the back of the label, they have some fun facts that are easy to understand and are accessible.

So what else is great about this winery? Well I did visit once, and on the surface it looked unapproachable but when I walked in, the place was majestic. The outdoor setting, outside seating, and tasting room area are out of a fairy tale. It’s so beautiful that I can’t put it into words. It was cozy enough to make you feel you’re on vacation. In many ways, you are.

When I did the tasting room a couple of years ago, it was so packed that mine was done outside. No complaints here. The wines I sampled were dynamite and fit the season we were in. It’s been a while so I didn’t retain much from memory. But I do intend to return this Spring or Summer, when the room will have since been reopened.

The wines do range on the higher end of prices. Many are over $30, and as you can see on the site, that many are sold out and for good reason. So I was grateful to get mine at the price that I did.

In the meantime, we enjoyed our wine with a beautiful corn beef brisket, potatoes, rolls, and a side salad. What a perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Enjoy the week.

Best,

Ideen

Flippin’ Great

March 11, 2015March 12, 2015Leave a comment

One of my favorites, the Malbec from FlipFlop Wines, can be found priced anywhere from $5 to $8, depending on whereyou go. The problem is, you may have a difficult time tracking it down.

As seen above, all their other selections are available, but where’s the Malbec! It’s the best of the bunch. What was once a standard label bottle that could be found in even the most basic wine shop, is now nowhere to be found. I asked some respective store managers, and the prevailing response is that it was discontinued in Maryland. I find that disheartening on so many levels.

As of this writing, I was still waiting on a response on this matter from the company themselves. It’s no longer listed on their website.

So what’s so great about it? Well other than the fact that it’s so cheap, it tastes good. I bought this gem a few years ago at various wine shops, simply for the price and eye catching label alone. Who doesn’t love to be reminded of Summer and warm weather?

My first time opening it, I sensed some berries and other fruit flavors. But what really hit me was the oak and smokiness that came through. The latter two are something I have mentioned many times before. Oak and Smoke usually make a red wine divine. It’s a nice medium bodied wine that goes down perfectly, and can be eaten with many wonderful meals.

As pictured, the back of label gives some suggestions, along with some other fun facts. Speaking of which, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more user friendly label. Additional bonus, the bottles are twist off. If you read their story, you see that the intent is genuine and they want their wines to be approachable and drank for fun, and not in a snooty context. My blog shares that the same sentiment.

I’ve also liked their Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot, but nothing can touch their Malbec. I mean this. I’ve had similar ones priced $10-$20 and up, that can barely hold a candle to this. At an average price of $7, it’s worth at least three times that much. I’m that passionate about it. And the fact that it’s becoming so scarce, is adding to my sentimentality.

Fortunately, I have a few left in my collection and I will continue to visit various wine shops, and under the radar beer and wine stores to see if there is a stray anywhere.

If you can find this bottle, get it. Good wines at this cheap of a price are everywhere, but this one is on a level all it’s own.

In the meantime, I will savor my glass with some delicious ground turkey tacos.

All The Best,

Ideen

Pinot Pals

March 4, 2015March 4, 2015Leave a comment

I don’t always go into my posts with a plan of attack. It’s a blog. It’s mean to be fun. And the adventure is not knowing what I’m going to write about next. Sometimes I find the wine. Sometimes it finds me. The bonus is any complements I may find, to go with that selection, happenstance or not. Well all of that came together today, with the 2011 Prisma Pinot Noir from Chile and distributed/supplied by Brazos Wine Imports.

I would like to thank Chesapeake Wine Company for their recommendation of this bottle. I will admit, that the label had me sold. As you can see above, I wasn’t alone in that sentiment. The hippiness and pizzazz of the image caught my eye. And as we approach Spring, this is a kind of lighter wine that may appeal more, than the fuller ones we drink in the colder seasons.

From there, I read the owners review. It may be hard to read in the notes above, but, this is a light bodied, fruit oriented wine, containing strawberries and cherries. The kicker, for me, was that orange and floral peel smells were detected. I was intrigued. Funny how things work out though…

Minutes after purchasing this bottle, I stopped by a fundraiser/bake sale nearby, and one of the items for sale, were candied orange peels. I’m thinking to myself, how serendipitous is that?

And here is how I paired my vino. Now, for the wine itself, it’s not my favorite. When I smell it, I do detect a small amount of oak, as the bottle describes. For reds, my mantra has always been, the more oak the better! When there’s a small scent of it, you may not always find it when drinking. And that’s what happened, for me, here. The candied orange peels definitely heightened something after I had a sip. And the after taste lingered for a little while, which is a good thing. And while I do like light wines, this one did not wow me completely. I could also say it tastes like strawberry preserves, which is charming. But, something just seemed missing. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I wasn’t blown away.

And at a price tag of $16, which is reasonable, I wanted a little something more. If this were $10 and under, I might feel better about this purchase.

But, for overall label, and for me having candied orange feels (which were awesome by the way), I am happy I tried a little something different. And that’s the fun of wine drinking. There’s so many to choose from, it’s sometimes just fun to go with your instincts, or in this case, a beautiful label.

All the best,

Ideen

Sister Gertrude

February 25, 2015February 26, 20152 Comments

I gotta admit, I purchased this bottle, only for the label itself. And nothing more. And I was pleasantly surprised. This is a fun smelling and tasting wine. But the most important question of all, how cool is that pig?

The 2012 La Maialina Gertrude from Tuscany is a steal at only $11.99. This is a wonderful trio of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and the inspiring Sangiovese.

I must make mention that this was purchased at Lighthouse Liquors in the Canton part of Baltimore. They have one heck of a selection, and I find myself going in there at least once a week. In a subsequent post, I will get into the further details and expound about the fun things of this shoppe.

When I uncorked the bottle, I detected some cherry and mint flavors off the top. I initially thought this would be an amateur move, buying this wine because of how pretty the design was. But I was pleasantly surprised on the taste. Just as good as it smells.

It’s not that I had low expectations. I’m just not sure what my expectations were. But that’s the fun of trying a new wine or trying a new anything. Not knowing what you’re getting into an leaving your comfort zone is part of the fun

But this is a wine that can be enjoyed at any time of the year. And it can be eaten with anything within reason. Within reason is entirely up to us.

So what about the pig? Very charming, I know. What you see is the wrapping on top of the cork, and this looked too brilliant to pop open.

And see, that Gertrude cannot be stopped. You know I’ll be saving that cork, and heck, the bottle too.

Not much is on the web about this wine, aside from several reviews.

The origins of the La Maialina are listed on the back of the label and can also be found here. The description of the back says Gertrude is unique she does not have the cinta (belt) markings but rather is all. I’m honored to be a part of something unique. I love Gertrude.

Finally, the synopsis reads that this awesome Tuscan wine is ready to be enjoyed now or in the next few years. I look forward to doing both. This is definitely a purchase I am happy about. With Italian wines, I usually enjoy them with pizza and this is no exception.

I am happy to have met Gertrude and sometimes is does help judging by wine by it’s cover. But not too much.

Thanks so much.

Best,

Ideen

One With Vino

It's a spiritual thing.

Only The Horses

Of The Earth

Merlot Mondaze

The Bulgarian Beaut

Food and Wine Pairing Pals

It’s A Celebration

Bet On Black

Flippin’ Great

Pinot Pals

Sister Gertrude

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