Tag: wine

Yay Ice Cream, Oh Wait Just A…

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WineCreamMine3

I once wrote about Wine Ice Cream and recalling I had mixed feelings, reviews, and emotions about what I was sampling.  It was out 0f my comfort level but that wasn’t the problem.   I feel I overpaid for something that wasn’t worth it weight in gold or ice cream. It was ok but nothing phenomenal.   For something as inventive and inspiring as this it needs to be special or it’s going to fail miserably.   I will give them another whirl again.

WineCreamBannerThis brings me to WineCream and part two of my experience at this years Wine in the Woods.

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I’ll preface this by saying I know the owner and he’s a good guy.  This in no way was going to sway my opinion one way or the other.   I was hoping for the opportune time to write about this sweet and tasty treat.

Did I just give away how I felt about it?  Well yes I did.    At these big festivals I try not to find out who’s going to be there if I can.  The decision is solely based on keeping me on my toes and adding to the suspense.  I have some idea of the staples and seminal attendees of the event but its always fun to be pleasantly surprised.

This was a pleasant and a wonderful surprise.

I had no idea what I wanted to order, yet the menus were so user friendly.  Everything was accessible.  Since I was a fish out of a water, my friend asked me what flavor I preferred. He then told me to trust him on everything else.  I mean how could I not.  Saying it’s a leap of faith is a stretch but its still fun to say.  And away he went.

The concept of how it works can be found here.

After a couple of minutes he handed me this peach concoction that I decimated in minutes.  What else was in it I don’t know and I may never need to know.  It was wondrous, it was masterful, and it was divine. I honestly didn’t realize how quickly I had trounced this thing until I was at the bottom of my cup.   The deceptive thing for me is how I couldn’t taste much alcohol. Unlike my previous Wine Ice Cream experience, this was consistent and left me wanting more.   Sometimes the best alcohol is when you hardly taste it.   However, if not careful you’ve had one too many and you’re spinning in circles.  Which may not be a bad thing depending on how you look at it.

Ingredients for all their creations are posted above.  I’m assuming mine contained peach wine, epic.

The rainy weather may not have been conducive to enjoying some WineCream but I didn’t care.  No one else seemed to mind either.

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And yes one cup equals one glass of wine, so I wish I could have had a few.  I did see some familiar faces enjoying more than one.  If I had my way that would have been me but I had a responbility at the festival that kept me in check.

Most important fact about all this, was this was on the house.  I felt flattered and grateful. It’s the little things that are the biggest things.  But that’s a detail that will never go unnoticed.

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This will not be the last time I expound on WineCream.  This was a refreshing alternative to the traditional glass of wine.  It’s the present and the future.   And I can only hope the future if unbounded and unlimited.

For more on purchasing their products go here, for our pals in the Maryland area here is their upcoming festival list.    Their faq and contact info can be found here and here respectively.

Finally, here is last weeks post from the same festival.

This is going to be a rocking Summer.

 

Best,

Ideen

 

Easter Party – The Blanca

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PalmaRealEasterBunny

I’m following up on last weeks post, where I paired the Easter gathering appetizers with a splendid red.

This week it’s the conclusion of the party with the main course, and of course a white wine (or in this case a blanca) that would hopefully go over well.

PalmaReal

If you guessed I brought a Spanish white, then you would win the door prize, if I only  had a prize to give.  However, per a few of the guests in attendance the Palma Real Rueda from my pals at Total Wine, was a hit and a de facto winner.  I only say that because the party included lots of beer, liquors, and other various adult beverages.   My bottles seemed to be a sentimental hit with a select few.  That just means more for us.

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With such a substantial and abundant meal pictured above, the vino has got to be light. You don’t need to be a sommelier to know that.  It’s simple common sense and respect for pairing a wonderful meal with a glass to balance it all out. If not, everything could be diluted.

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At this point so much food and alcohol has been consumed by everyone, that talk of wine may not mean much.  But it still does to me.  I’m always learning.  The synopsis is so simple.  It’s crisp and refreshing.   If I hadn’t read that before, I would still believe that. It’s exactly as such.   For me it’s refreshing on a few other levels.

I’ve noted in the past that I’ve preferred reds over whites..  I like my dry, full-bodied reds more than anything else that it doesn’t lend itself to sweeter white wine.  That’s a bias of mine that’s changing over time , with this blog and with my experiences. And those experiences with family and friends are just as important, if not more, than the wine itself.

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This party was about a family I’m proud to be a part of.  And a couple of our Baltimore family complimented on how refreshing and pleasantly surprising this wine was.  That’s all the analysis you need.  It reads that it’s a medium-bodied wine and it tasted perfectly, maybe even lighter than that.  And look at that price.  $9.99 is a bargain.

But in a sense that’s all micro.   The macro is the joy we felt sipping our wine, noshing on some great eats, and most importantly spending quality time with great people.

Moments like this are to be cherished.   Thankfully, this Easter party is not a one-off.  I’m grateful to spend time with these folks over many holidays or, even better, for no specific occasion at all. That’s a good life.

It’s the little things that are the big things.

Take good care,

Ideen

Boca Breeze

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BocaCheeseFruit

This will be one of the more visually pleasing notes.   Did I say notes?

I was invited to a gathering of friends.  Well maybe I just invited myself.   Regardless, I always like to bring something, whether it be a bottle of vino, a meal of food, or some sweet treats.  Luckily for me, I brought the former and everything else was provided.

My wine purchasing adventures has always been a highlight for me.  I sometimes like to go to parties blind, without knowing what will be served or what to expect.  I love the uncertainty.   On the contrary, if I know the food and snacks being served, I’ll research accordingly.  The 2015 Radio Boca Tempranillo from Hammeken Cellars falls under the category of unpredictability.

BocaBottle

Once again, the label is what drew me in.  That and the fact it’s a brand I’ve never come in contact with.   And being under $10 certainly helps the cause.   So how was the wine itself?

The tasting notes can be found here but I’d like to tell my own story again.

I didn’t adore it at first.  It felt flavorless and monochrome.   I was sharing this dejection with my friends.  It’s not a persons fault for when they unknowingly bring a wine to a party and it turns out flat.   I’ve been known to be hard on myself for that fact.   But common sense prevailed.  I let the bottle breathe as one should.

From there, the experience turned magical.   My next glass evolved into something beautiful.  I should add that this next glass was my last, as my friends decimated the rest of it.  You might notice, the bottle is empty in these photos.

The strawberries, cherries, and imaginative spices shown through.  For a light wine this one packed a punch.  It just took a few minutes.  All you need is some patience and a sense of spirit.  It also helps when your friends are sipping with you and enjoying it immensely.

 

Speaking of which, good company will usually make even the most drab wine better.  But this isn’t drab. It’s a grower and now I’m a fan.

The food spread enhanced this already immaculate experience, exponentially.    The strawberries and grapes opened up some nooks in my already fine glass.  And this has a bit more tannins than I expected.   I’m happy for that.

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All the food was amazing.  I give all the credit to the host and their impassioned cooking. Banana bread, croissants, chicken salad, and all the fruits and cheese encompass this iconic spread.

I’m a fan and now a convert.  I’ll be seeking out more Radio Boca and more of their expansive collection of wines.   And they got a lot.    For more information, you can go here.

These are the wines, the foods, and the events that make Spring so thrilling.  I can’t wait to see what’s yet to come.

Cheers,

Ideen

 

 

Fab Tuesday

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CardinalPlate3

I had no idea what I was going to write about this morning.  My mind drew a blank but I didn’t panic.  When I don’t know have any ideas, I venture out and experience. It happened again.

Most of know that yesterday was Fat Tuesday. So what does this have to do with the wine?

There is a wine that can go with anything.  I believe that.  It’s not rocket science.  Even if it’s not conventional or following social code, who cares?  Mardi Gras has never been about following everyone else.

My views on the event and New Orleans have rapidly changed in the last year.  I made my first visit to this amazing city last Summer.  And I still think about my experience often.

Of course it’s about the libations but it’s also about the revelry, the comradery, the food, and enjoying life.

I will get to yesterday in a moment.   But if you want a recap of my previous NOLA posts, one can go here, or you can click on this exciting post, and finally this inspirational story. Hooray!

The Cardinal Tavern of Canton is fantastic.   I may be understating this significantly. There food options have been unique in a city of many ordinary establishments.

I’m grateful to have friends who do their Sunday Brunch here on a regular basis. And that has introduced me to creative dishes and concepts that make me yearning to come back.

Last night I came back.

They had an amazing buffet spread for the holiday.  And the kicker?  It was free. For 2 hours we had a breathtaking spread that I’d pay $50 for.  I’m not joking.  This was insane.  I felt bad having a couple of plates.

Instead of explaining every item, I took photos of the smorgasbord.  You can use this as a legend to identify what’s on my plate.

Don’t drool too much.

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Here’s where the wine comes in…  I will say I impressed myself yesterday.  With spicy food, you want lighter choices.   I looked at their wine list and naturally figured I would like a Pinot Noir, Riesling, or even a Prosecco to go with this dish.  When inquiring with the barkeep, he suggested the former.  That was my intuition and first choice.  That felt good.   It’s the simple things.

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The 2013 Arrogant Frog Pinot Noir was the bottle that complemented this iconic meal.  As an added bonus, the bottles were half-off tonight as they are every Tuesday. Having the entire bottle for only $10 is highway robbery.  

The label seems deceptive.  And l might be sounding sarcastic, but nothing about this vino is arrogant. I found the bottle to be understated and humble.

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Psychologically speaking, discounted food and wine is going to taste so much better when otherwise it wouldn’t.  This doesn’t apply here. I’d pay good money for all of it. This is a great bottle with simple flavors of berries, cherries, and a few hints of spices.  What those are is up to you.

The wine is not listed on their site but I’ve seen it listed at under $10.00 elsewhere. It tastes like one that is worth one-and-half to double that. It’s light and easy to drink.  This can be had alone or with a multitude of eats.

To get in touch with them about their wines, you can guide yourself to this link.

CardinalBeignets

Finally, the crawfish beignets never had a chance.  Free food is going to go rapidly. However, these were being decimated instantaneously as a fresh batch came out. I mean it when I say all the food was amazing. But this was on another level.

My pals and I were able to grab a small plate to share amongst ourselves.  We were very fortunate.

And we’re very fortunate to wine and dine in a cozy, comforting, and welcoming.

I’ll be back soon.  It might be this weekend.

Damn this was good.

Happy Holidays!

Ideen

 

 

I Believe In Magic

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I had no idea Alchemy Elements even existed.  Nor that it opened minutes away from me in Bel Air.  That’s magical in and of itself.     This will be quite the introduction as I’ve yet to partake in dining at their Hampden location, appropriately titled Alchemy, go figure.

This falls along the lines of unplanned and serendipitous.  I’ve heard from multiple sources how splendid and amazing this restaurant was.   I was eager to find out about it myself.  I thought I would have a set date and time I would be going.   Thankfully I went with a friend on a random lunch.  And what a lunch it was.

I mentioned magic in the title.    When reading about them, that’s how I found out about their concept.  If you’ve been to either location, I guess you know what this magic is.  I was told molecular fusion is how they prepare their food and their cocktails.  I think that’s marvelous.  It’s something different and in a world where restaurants claim to be this or that, which basically is over-the-top words to cover up for how ordinary they are, this felt different.

As long as the food, the atmosphere, the energy, and the company are magical than everything else will fall into place.

This is a wine blog and I will get to that.

Per the friendly waiter’s advisement, I ordered the Quinoa Spinach Salad with chicken breast.  It was divine.

AlchemySalad

The black tea egg, the spinach, the quinoa, the walnuts, the goat cheese, and everything else in between was from another dimension.  Holy moly this was good.  This salad was good for 3 people.  I made sure it was only for one.  Before I knew it, the whole thing had been decimated.

The Canyon Road Chardonnay paired well with the salad.  As per suggested, it went perfectly with the grilled chicken.  It’s just not a wine I would go out of my way to have again.

I’ve never been a big fan of Chardonnay in general, so this wasn’t a surprise.  I also won’t let a grape I’m resistant to cloud my judgement.  I will always give a new wine a chance and will try anything once.  This was a serviceable medium-bodied white that tasted citrusy with some fruits that complemented many of the ingredients of the salad.

So the recommendation was spot on.  It’s just not a wine I was crazy about.

Believe me, with everything else clicking so perfectly, this will hopefully be a place I visit regularly.  And I look forward to being amazed and dazzled by the city location as well.

For where you can track down Canyon Road Wines in your area, click here.

All The Best,

Ideen

 

Traders’ Trios

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TraderJoesMeritage2

It’s been a little while since I wrote up on a Trader Joe’s food and wine pairing.   How thrilling that is turned out that our entire meal was based in items from one of our favorite stores.

It wasn’t planned that way or was it?  Cue mysterious music.

There are wines sitting my stash that have been cozy and snuggled in hiding for more than a year.  And some for a couple of years.    The 2011 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Lot 27 Napa Valley Meritage is one of those I’ve had for a while.

If memory serves me correct I purchased this in mid-to-late 2014 and I sadly put it off to the side. Perhaps it was being set aside for a special occasion.   Not all wines are created equal, even though many table wines should be.  This I would put up just a notch higher as I purchased it for around $13.00.   For a TJ’s wine that is a bit higher.

I have no idea what this Meritage included.   Nothing on the bottle would tell you any different. But I will say it was surprisingly good and got better with each sip.  It was breathing for a while and definitely improved as time went on.

TraderJoesMeritage

I did detect some oak, spices (including cinnamon or vanilla?) and most likely some black cherries.  A wide assortment of berries could be another component, and you could take your pick as to what they might be.  I just thought it was a solid wine that exceeded my expectations.

Why exceed?  Because sometimes cheap doesn’t always mean good.   I love Trader Joe’s and my go to for wine is their store near Old Town Alexandria, VA.  I’ve wrote about them before.

Maybe it was the first time, feeling like a kid at a new toy store or discovering something brand new.  It felt fresh and inviting.  And there were so many bottles between $5-$8, that you could get in trouble.   Maybe the good kind of trouble. That feeling hasn’t been back as much.  Is it because I have expectations?  Well the last few bottles have been a bit disappointing, and those cheap prices have slowly gone up.

So I went with one just a little bit higher and we’ve been rewarded.   If you see this in your local Trader Joe’s, I would give it a shot.  It’s not going to be the best wine you’ve ever had but that isn’t the intention.  It can go with anything you please.  My hunch tells me a sweeter meal woks more effectively here.

Luckily for us, we paired it with some Korean-Inspired Pork Shoulder sliders and Sweet Potato Frites, all brought to us by our aforementioned pals.

This was the different kind of sweet treat than we’re used to having.  But sweet nonetheless.

Hopefully more love to Trader Joe’s to come.

Best,

Ideen

 

 

 

 

I Love Labs

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This is simply going to be an homage to my favorite breed of dog, the Labrador Retriever.   Oh yes.  My whole being glows when thinking about them or when one crosses my path.

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Dogs are what life’s all about.  They love you, want to be your companion, and will always stand up for what’s right.  Labs, like the majority of dogs, only want the simple things back; food, water, love, shelter, and a few related things in between.  They don’t ask for much.

At the heart of it most of us human beings don’t want much more than that either.

We like to enjoy a nice meal, good company, vacations and other outings, or maybe a journey to our favorite restaurant or watering hole.   So I found the most appropriate wine that symbolizes all of this.

I adore the happily titled Lab, from Casa Santos Lima Winery out of Portugal. What I am reviewing is the 2013 Label. The 2012 is what the site lists.

Aside from Syrah, the grapes are; Tinta Roriz which for us in the states we would know as Tempranillo.   35% is Castelao, which is a grape mainly found in Portugal.   Last but certainly not least is Touriga  Nacional, which is highly touted.

For such a simple pleasure it seems like a complicated wine and I didn’t meant to write this post as so.  If I drank this blindly I wouldn’t assume this was a bottle that goes  for under $10 just about anywhere.  It drinks like a $20+  bottle and maybe approaching $50.

This is all my opinion but this wine rocks. That’s a scientific term by the way.   I love this wine so much.  I want to cuddle with it like I do my favorite dog.   The label drew me in.  I mean how could it not?

It’s going to taste better simply because of the artwork.  If it doesn’t for you then I can’t help you there.

And the wine was marvelous anyways.  I got some black cherry, some unidentifiable spices, but most of all I got joy.  This is a winner.

Just like last week, I’ve been proclaiming what a softy I am when it comes to animals, and dogs in particular.  So this is only the beginning.

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And I mean that because as you see in this photo, and linked here, labs come in all shapes and sizes.  Did you see how I framed that?  I love ’em.

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We enjoyed our vino with one of those simple things, a good slice of pizza (or two).  And it may not be the ideal pairing for these grapes but we didn’t care.  It worked for us and that’s all that matters. If it works for you then that’s exactly what I’m saying.

For our friends in Baltimore and Maryland, their wines can be found at Cranbrook Liquors and roots market, respectively.   For elsewhere, they can be contacted here.

More Lab wine reviews will be forthcoming.  This is just the beginning of an amazing journey.

On a not-so-final note, I’ve never had a dog of my own.   If there ever was a sign…

I Love Lab(s),

Ideen

Frog Splash

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GreatFrogsBottles5

The Maryland Wine Festival took place this past weekend and there was no way I was missing this.   I have months worth of material to write about and I will attempt to space it out accordingly.   It’s also possible I’ll just give you a half-dozen posts in a row of the best and worst that Maryland Wineries have to offer!  This post will be about the former.

The site was the visually stunning Carroll County Farm Museum.  And for many this is the one time a year they visit Westminster.

In addition, this is the one time a year I get to meet up with certain friends, either because our schedules are conflicting, friends are busy raising a new family, or the near distance of an hour is too much for some.  I love the drive and find myself in the area at least several times a year.

I got to the festival at opening time so I can could beat some of the crowd and get all the tasting and note-taking in that I could.Fortunately, it was never a struggle to do a tasting any time of the day and the weather was dazzling and awe-inspiring.

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I got in, grabbed my tasting glass, and if I’m going to attempt to go by chronological order, got to my first winery, Great Frogs of Annapolis, MD.

I’ll give a brief back story on this place.  A little over a year ago, I dropped someone off in a remote and beautiful part of our state capital.   I didn’t know these homes and this area existed but, the houses looked like they were in the millions and right next door to where I sat, was Great Frogs Winery with perfectly cut grass and bushes.  I had never heard or seen of them until this day.  It looked so intimidating.  I almost felt like I didn’t belong in the area and that someone would ask me to leave momentarily.

The signs read that the visits were by appointment only.  I was intimidated but that was all my creation.   If i had only known now what I had known the, there would be pictures and I could show you what a thing of beauty this was, from the outside looking in.

I had been hoping that one day I would get to try their wines, as the enigma I created intrigued me.

And the universe looked out for me.

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The staff and volunteers pouring the wine were all so friendly and were happy to ask any questions I may have had. They also loved that I was taking so many photos.  I think I explained to a few wineries that I write about this beautiful subject.

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The wines itself and the labels are very charming.   They range in price from $15 to $40 so some of these can get a bit pricey and not within many people’s budget. That’s the fun of these festivals and tastings. We can at least get to try some new wines and even if we’re not in a position to buy today.  We now have a lasting memory and can always purchase at a later time.

GreatFrogsPrices

My favorites were the 2012 Watermen and the 2012 Meritage.  Yes, off the top I went with the dry reds and they were the perfect start to a warm and beautiful Summer event.  The descriptions are listed in the links above but to me they both represent the greatness of Maryland wines.

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The former contains Cabernet Franc, along with Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, but the Cab Franc is really what makes this awesome.  Call it local sentimentality or just what I like.  But this was fantastic, albeit a little pricey for me now.  I would love to grab this and hold onto it for a very special event or party down the line.   Lots of oak and different fruits were detected to make this my kind of wine.  There was a summer into fall feel to this one.

The Meritage is Half-Merlot and Half-Cab Sauv and just as awesome.  I could taste a mix of chocolate, vanilla, and some more oak. Once again, not at my price point, just yet, but still wonderful nevertheless.

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The Lollipop Red was a huge favorite to many, but that wasn’t for me on this day.  I thought it was ok, but I wasn’t in the mood for anything too sweet.

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I also got to try 2013 Chardonnay and White Squall. These were both a joy and so easy to drink.  I could enjoy either with a meal or with nothing.    One marvelous detail to both of these is that they were both 100% grown on the estate.  So you’re getting the full local experience at the palm of your hands.

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I didn’t get the opportunity to try the $1.00 premium samples.  All the more reason to make a visit!

I’m pretty sure I tried others but there were so many throughout the day to get into all. I’ll try to be as concise and approachable as I could with these experiences, and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead.

And speaking of approachable, this is exactly what this winery was on this day.   I am so compelled to make a visit.  And any reason to get back to Annapolis is a great one!

They have a dog here too! Yes!  For more on the winemakers you can click here.  And here’s their FAQ.  Their online store can be found here.  And for our pals local to the area, here are stores that carry it and restaurants that serve it.

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Finally, a little more on the vineyard itself.

I cannot wait to make a visit!

Thanks so much.

Best,

Ideen

Wine Ice Cream Social

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It’s time to switch it up and pay another homage to this beautiful season we call Summer!

I’ve come across various wine ice creams, slushies, and other frozen concoctions in the past couple of years and never thought to try them, let alone write about them. There’s no time like the present.

In serendipitous fashion, I discovered Mercer’s Wine Ice Cream at one of my favorite local wine shops near me!

With the assistance of the friendly team members at Wine World of Abingdon, MD, I got 3 pints for me and my pals.

WineIceCream

You can’t judge a book by its cover, but how beautiful do these look?

Now if you were just getting regular, old-fashioned, and delicious ice cream, $6.99 a pint might seem a bit steep.  But we’re talking vino, we’re talking emotion, and we’re talking new experiences.

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Most importantly though, how did they turn out?

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Strawberry

Exhibit #1 : The Strawberry Sparkling. This was my favorite.  You could really taste the alcohol content right away.   And mixed in with the ice cream this was a match made to perfection.  The strawberry pieces really added a lot to this.  This is one of my favorite fruits in frozen form or to be cherished alone.  This was fantastic.

Strawberries and champagne will usually always be a winning combination.  And they nailed this one.  If I wasn’t careful I would’ve eaten the whole thing and been unable to write this post.

Peach

Exhibit #2 : Peach White Zinfandel.  I liked this one too, but I didn’t taste much in the way of alcohol.  I love peach and the fruit pieces were also delectable and very much appreciated.   I haven’t had much experience with Blush Wines like this one, so I didn’t have the highest of expectations.

Don’t get me wrong, peach is a wonderful fruit and is one of the joys to be had during these beautiful months, but I just felt like I was tasting peach ice cream.  On its own that would be great, but my taste buds didn’t get much of the wine.

Cherry

And finally, exhibit #3 : Cherry Merlot.   This one hit a little more.  I love cherry and the cherry pieces looked magnificent. Merlot is a grape that I’ve gradually enjoyed a little more each time I have it.

Of the three helpings, this is the least summery but the one that seemed the most powerful.  The color also stands out.   This is one I’d think I’d have to be careful with or I may be taking an extended nap or two.

There was an abundance of flavors, so if time allows, I will be reviewing some more!

If you’re interested in purchasing some, the only location in the Baltimore area that carries them is Wine World.  And here’s a location guide for anyone else interested!

I would definitely recommend these creams for any outdoor events and parties. We have a lot of Summer left!

Enjoy!

Best,

Ideen

Pinot Pals

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prisma

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?

orange

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