crisp – One With Vino

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I had to take a step back from a few things. I write out more than just this blog (or in the other two universes I find myself orbiting, which you can find here and here), and I love writing. At times you get burnt out. I know I have. I was going at it at such a massive clip, that two plus years of consistent posts a week was going to lead to some sort of exhaustion. I’m tired as I write this out now…

This is a wine blog, but when we write we also tend to get a bit personal. That’s what we do. The subject matter hits home with us to varying degrees, and we hope that the reader feels the same. If not, then it becomes even more transparent and hollow. And especially for the former, not in a good way. You always want to be able to cast a shadow.

I like what’s familiar but then I like to feel uncomfortable. I like to try things that are out of the norm, and may not be easily accessible at your local wine shoppe or any shoppe to begin with.

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What drew me to Seaside Cellars Vinho Verde was the image of the lighthouse. For I’ve seen plenty of those in images presented to me by family, by virtue of art galleries, picture frames, and from living in Maryland. There’s sentiment on top of sentiment. To say it hit a nerve and shed a tear would be an understatement. With that being said, I hope the wine is great too.

Vinho Verde, which is literally means green wine, is a gift from Portugal. It’s out barely months after being harvested, so it tastes young and ready to drink almost immediately. And at around $10, the Seaside Cellars is kind to you in that regard as well.

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This isn’t close to the best wine I’ve ever sipped but that’s not the intent here. At least that’s what I think. I just think this is meant for right now, like many things. It’s about living in the present, enjoying the present, and being the present. It’s important to just be. Simple right? Just like this wine.

Nothing should be taken too seriously. It’s about having fun and I had fun with this wine enjoying the views off of my friends’ rooftop deck and appreciating the beauty of the day, and the beauty of life.

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I had nature all around me in the forms of plants, flowers, and the shape of many other things to come. It’s beautiful to see things start from a few seeds and become the beautiful entities they were always destined to be. I saw these plants from the beginning and they look glorious now. And the timeframe was similar to the bottling of this wine, a good 3-6 months. I love the parallel’s. I wouldn’t call this a coincidence in any circumstance.

I didn’t intend for this post to be a reset of things, but in fact I did. If I implied it or said it, means that somewhere along the way I thought about it, I contemplated it, and I well, am living it.

It’s still September and it might be time for a few for seasonal wines before we transition into….

Not yet… I’m celebrating a rebirth, a rejuvenation, and a bit of healing. The healing will be constant and ongoing. It’s good to have a constant I’m grateful for this wine, for this experience, and for everything.

As always, peace be with you…

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This is one of those weeks where I wasn’t thrilled or convinced with my wine options, to write about. Some of it was timing, my intuition, and certain wines and stories being out-of-place (for now).

I thought the universe handed delivered me a sign yesterday, but then that quickly fizzled out. Little did I know was that sign led me to something else. It led me somewhere else. It led me to my favorite wine shoppe of them all, the Wine Source in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore.

As organic and authentic a wine, beer, cheese, and specialty foods experience as you’re going to get, the Wine Source has always had this amazing aura and great energy about it. It could be the neighborhood, it could be the selection, or it could be something bigger that is in no need of explanation.

But the choices of wines has always surpassed most other wine shoppes. This is where you go to fine wine that other stores aren’t going to carry. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found a bottle here that I wasn’t even looking for but worked perfectly for the event or occasion I was going to attend. Here’s my original story from the Wine Source to illustrate that fact.

A meet up with a dear friend who I hadn’t seen in some time obviously led to some catching up. It was also a reintroduction into a neighborhood I’ve grown partial too, but also seen some changes that are disconcerting. The local element is still the majority but a chain here and there is a part of the sadness,.

But all roads lead to the Wine Source. Somehow we ended up in the area and as always I can’t not walk in. It’s one of those places that if I’m nearby, I’m walking in. It’s as simple as that.

And each time tells a different story.

I had no idea there was small bar set-up in one of the back corners of this massive space. But here you can sample wine, beer, spirits, and even have a full glass while you shop. Yes I said while you shop.

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I saw selected wines were only $4 a glass, which is a steal anywhere in the world. And the fun part is, if I want to drink a wine I purchase, and want to drink it there, they’ll open it for you there.

With all these enlightening and transforming information, I had to get a glass. And I want to thank Brook who was working the table for letting me sample the 2015 Kung Fu Girl Riesling from Charles Smith Wines.

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Now if that label looks familiar than is more than likely is.

For the most part, Riesling has never been one of those wines I sought out. It was always too sweet and sometimes too much to stomach. Knowing what I know now, I understand that not every Riesling is sweet. And considering this is from the great state of Washington, I learned that these are of the dry side. And it’s outstanding.

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This is one of the smoothest, crispest, and easily drinkable wines (let alone a Riesling) I’ve ever had. I mean that sincerely. It could have been the environment we were in, which was literally my friend and I sitting at the counter enjoying a sip (a few beers were sampled too, which is rare for me) and just enjoying life. It was at this pint I only learned we could walk around with our wines.

And you still get just enough sweet to make this a delightful Riesling. The taste of apples and lime, among various citrus flavors our perfect for Summer. I love that so much.

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I felt like I was in another dimension, outside of the city. And maybe I was. I’d like to believe that at least. Time felt like it stood still even though it’s always moving the same. And knowing I was at my favorite wine shoppe ever only accelerated something already so special, in that moment. It was one of those things that’s almost too good and too surreal to share, but why the heck not right?

The Kung Fu Grirl a great wine by the way. And in the price range of $9-13, you can’t go wrong. It’s an everyday wine that go with lots of fun foods. That’s my kind of varietal.

Chances are you’ve seen Charles Smith Wines at your local distributor. And more than likely this bottle for sure. I’ll get to that one soon enough.

I want to thank Brook (who is the beer guy ironically) at Wine Source for giving my glass of Kung Fu Girl Riesling on the house. I hope I don’t get him in trouble by saying that I’m grateful nevertheless.

If you’re in or close to the area I highly recommend a visit.

For more on Charles Smith Wines and where to find these most accessible of wines in your area, click here.

Here’s their story and more about the wines themselves.

I’m only just getting started with my admiration of The Wine Source.

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