If any of you are are not on the email list for Great Wines and Spirits here in Memphis, I highly recommend that you do so and quickly!!
Great Wines has some awesome tastings, wine dinners and special offers, but from time to time you'll run across a truly remarkable thing . . . Four of the most wonderful words "Distributor Close Out Sale".
Friends, let me tell you that I have had some truly great wines at some even more remarkable prices when I have purchased wines from the close out lists.
But there are few things of which you should be aware:
1. ALWAYS EMAIL YOUR ORDER- it's the best way for them to determine who had first dibbs on something and for you to be sure you've ordered everything you intented
2. EMAIL QUICKLY - These lists are always on a first come, first served basis. If you wish to sit and contemplate the 2007 Chateau de Chassulet versus the 2006 Campo al Mare, then this close out list thing is NOT for you! Type now or forever kick yourself that you didn't get that great wine at an extraordinary price.
3. TAKE A CHANCE - If you have always wanted to try a certain grape type, a certain vinter, or wine from a certain region, then a close out sale can be a good way to make the daring leap without blowing your wine budget. I did this with a few Italian whites I've always wanted to try. One I really liked and the other was so-so, but at least I found this out without breaking the bank (or credit union).
So there you have it folks!
If you want to get on the email list, go to http://www.greatwinesmemphis.com/ and click on the "join now" button on the left side of the home page.
Until then,
Cheers!
Dee
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
a singular beauty: Dominique
My trip to wine country was fabulous! I got to enjoy some great wines that you cannot get in this market. And when i joined the Ferrari Carano wine club and got my first wine club shipment, i was so excited to see that the 2009 Dominique Chardonnay of Russian River Valley was in the shipment!
Dominique is Rhonda Carano's middle name, and if the wine is any indication of the woman, then she is one beautiful lady! This wine is terrior-driven with full, rich aromas of citrus and vanilla, lemon, and graham cracker. The flavors are rich stone fruits; apple, pear, and lovely citrus on on the mid-palate. It's almost decadently rich and soooo delicious!
While you can't find it on stores here, but you can order it from ferrari-carano.com.
Cheers!
Dee
Dominique is Rhonda Carano's middle name, and if the wine is any indication of the woman, then she is one beautiful lady! This wine is terrior-driven with full, rich aromas of citrus and vanilla, lemon, and graham cracker. The flavors are rich stone fruits; apple, pear, and lovely citrus on on the mid-palate. It's almost decadently rich and soooo delicious!
While you can't find it on stores here, but you can order it from ferrari-carano.com.
Cheers!
Dee
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Wine wasn't the only great drink i found in CA
When my time in wine country ended, i headed back to San Francisco for work. A very good friend of mine had asked me to see if i could locate some rye whiskey and gin made by Anchor Steam. After some searching i was able to locate two of the whiskeys and one of the gins. The Old Petrero whiskies were wonderful examples of small bstch brewing! The Hotalings was much smoother than the other one. And while i bought the wrong gin, it was in fact a happy accident as it was some of the best gin I've ever had!it was great to be able to taste the juniper minus the piney aftertastes that a lot of gin has. Oh! And here's a tip: if your sipping whiskey has a bit too much heat for you, take a taste of salt before you sip! I knew it woked for tequila, but it works for whiskey too!
Well now i've made myself thirsty! Lol!
Cheers!
Delynn
Well now i've made myself thirsty! Lol!
Cheers!
Delynn
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Friday, June 3, 2011
Wrap up from San Francisco
Hello all!
It's Friday eveing in foggy Frisco. It's been tremendous! Monday was my last day in wine country and it started in grand style with a trip up a windy mountain road to Chappellet· This 44 year old winery runs completely on solar power and produces some of the best wines in the region. Of exceptional note was the chenin blanc with its deep stone fruit flavors, its delicate honeysuckle nose and crisp acidity. And knowing their excellence for reds i bought the cabernet franc without even tasting it! The day ended at Domaine Chandon with what else but bubbles? While all of their offerings are well done i was especially impressed with the pinot noir rose reserve. Just ripe strawberries meet toast and a hint of dark cherry-delicious!
It was the best end to my adventures in wine country possible!
Cheers!
Dee
It's Friday eveing in foggy Frisco. It's been tremendous! Monday was my last day in wine country and it started in grand style with a trip up a windy mountain road to Chappellet· This 44 year old winery runs completely on solar power and produces some of the best wines in the region. Of exceptional note was the chenin blanc with its deep stone fruit flavors, its delicate honeysuckle nose and crisp acidity. And knowing their excellence for reds i bought the cabernet franc without even tasting it! The day ended at Domaine Chandon with what else but bubbles? While all of their offerings are well done i was especially impressed with the pinot noir rose reserve. Just ripe strawberries meet toast and a hint of dark cherry-delicious!
It was the best end to my adventures in wine country possible!
Cheers!
Dee
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
day 4, a great last day in wine country
The last day of wine country was spent in Napa, and it did not disappoint! More later!
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Monday, May 30, 2011
Day 3:best.wineday.ever
Good morning from sunny Napa Californ-i-a!
The clouds went away I was blessed to experience some of that warm California sun! While I had thought about sticking close to home and thinking I had missed Kathleen Inman, I sent her an email to let her know that I was a complete bonehead and had gotten my days confused. I thought she would be at the winery on Sunday, not Saturday. And a few minutes later she replied stating she would be at the winery until noon that day, as she had to take care of her two newly adopted cats, Brett and Stella. So, I replied I'd be there when they opened! While surfing the web I discovered that Siduri/Novy was out near her as well, but they only do tastings by appointment. So I shot them an email and hoped for the best. I got a phone call - could I be there at noon? Well, heck yeah I could.
So with Starbucks coffee and a breakfast sandwich in my belly I hit the road for the hour drive. I have to tell you about driving in northern CA. The people are polite. They don't really speed. If you turn on your blinker to change lanes they let you in and don't speed up in an attempt to pass you before you get over. I think it has something to do with the scenery around here. You drive past huge rolling hills, some covered with trees and cattle, some covered with rows of grape vines, some just covered with a warm golden short grass. Sort of hard to get road rage, ya know? I would take pictures, but that's hard to do while driving. :) I will try to get some shots for ya. Oh, and cell phone use in the car, unless its hands free, is illegal in CA.
I arrived at Inman Family Wineries and was greeted by Erin, Mary and Kathleen. They were so friendly and so gracious and allowed me to taste through the entire portfolio. To me, her chardonnay and the 3 pinot noirs I tasted are very much in keeping with the Burgundian style of winemaking. They are crisp, clean, good acidity and just a delight to drink. And Great Wines and Spirits should be carrying them soon! But the highlight of the tasting for me was to try the 2010 Endless Cruss Pinot Noir Rose. Slightly effervescent, a deep cotton candy pink color, and tastes of almost ripe strawberries and a slight hint of citrus. it's so good that I bought two bottles - one to bring home and a chilled one to enjoy later that day.
Next up was Siduri and Novy. Now Siduri is well known for its luscious pinot noirs sourced from some of the best growing regions in the state for pinot, such as Santa Lucia Highlands, Rosella's Vineyard, Willamette Valley (yes, the one in Oregon), Sonoma Coast, etc. . . The Siduri Pinot Noirs show what talented and passionate winemakers can do with a most difficult grape to grow. Their pinots range from delicate and soft to "big and sexy" as they call it. They really show off the versatility of the grape. And all were fabulous and at great prices! With the Novy line, they produce everything except Pinot Noir. And again, all of them were just fabulous. In fact, I'd venture to say that the Sauvignon Blanc and the Zinfandel I had (this is the red one folks, not the pink stuff :}) were among the best I've EVER had. The sauvignon blanc was all stone fruit and honey, and the zin was black cherry and just a hint of pepper. Divine!
And they will ship to Tennessee folks so I suggest you visit their web site, www.siduri.com or call them and place your orders TODAY! All of there wines are available for shipment. I am bringing home a sauvignon blanc, a zinfandel and a viognier. I didn't get to sample the viognier, but with the quality of their wines I don't think I'll be dissapointed!
Figuring I had really done well for the day, I headed back to the hotel, got in some walking for exercise, and then after a snack headed to the pool with my Endless Crush in tow. Sitting in a chaise lounge, feeling the warm sun beating down on me and sipping that wine was one of the most relaxed, peacful feelings I've had in a while. Eventually I went from poolside into the pool to cool off. And then for a soak in the hot tub before dinner. And that was also a remarkable experience.
A glass of Mumm Napa bubbly to start. I ordered the Calamari for an appetizer, but had I realized how huge the serving was, I would've made it my meal. It was fantastic - light and crispy and the garlic aoli was perfect. When I saw the grilled lamb on the menu it was a slam dunk decision for dinner. They understood completely what medium rare means and it was served with a spicy ginger and balsalmic vinegar reduction that almost brought me to tears. Yes, it really was that good. And the grilled asparagus and roasted red peppers rounded out the meal nicely. But the star of the evening was indeed the wine. At a bargain price of $40 for a restaurant, I had the privilege of pairing the lamb with 2007 Elyse "Nero Misto" Petite Syrah blend. Again, I have had few meals in my life that have brought tears to my eyes, but this was one of them. The nose on this wine was one of dark fruits and just a hint of toasted oak. And the taste - well - it was just so soft and luscious with blackberries, black currant and boysenberry. A nice long finish that hangs around to bring out the best in the bite of lamb grilled to perfection and lightly coated with the reduction. I'm no matching expert by any means, so I can say that I got very lucky with this one.
After that, yes, I was done. Full in body, full in spirit.
And for day 4 - a tour and tasting at Chappellet! Gotta go get ready!
Cheers!
Dee
The clouds went away I was blessed to experience some of that warm California sun! While I had thought about sticking close to home and thinking I had missed Kathleen Inman, I sent her an email to let her know that I was a complete bonehead and had gotten my days confused. I thought she would be at the winery on Sunday, not Saturday. And a few minutes later she replied stating she would be at the winery until noon that day, as she had to take care of her two newly adopted cats, Brett and Stella. So, I replied I'd be there when they opened! While surfing the web I discovered that Siduri/Novy was out near her as well, but they only do tastings by appointment. So I shot them an email and hoped for the best. I got a phone call - could I be there at noon? Well, heck yeah I could.
So with Starbucks coffee and a breakfast sandwich in my belly I hit the road for the hour drive. I have to tell you about driving in northern CA. The people are polite. They don't really speed. If you turn on your blinker to change lanes they let you in and don't speed up in an attempt to pass you before you get over. I think it has something to do with the scenery around here. You drive past huge rolling hills, some covered with trees and cattle, some covered with rows of grape vines, some just covered with a warm golden short grass. Sort of hard to get road rage, ya know? I would take pictures, but that's hard to do while driving. :) I will try to get some shots for ya. Oh, and cell phone use in the car, unless its hands free, is illegal in CA.
I arrived at Inman Family Wineries and was greeted by Erin, Mary and Kathleen. They were so friendly and so gracious and allowed me to taste through the entire portfolio. To me, her chardonnay and the 3 pinot noirs I tasted are very much in keeping with the Burgundian style of winemaking. They are crisp, clean, good acidity and just a delight to drink. And Great Wines and Spirits should be carrying them soon! But the highlight of the tasting for me was to try the 2010 Endless Cruss Pinot Noir Rose. Slightly effervescent, a deep cotton candy pink color, and tastes of almost ripe strawberries and a slight hint of citrus. it's so good that I bought two bottles - one to bring home and a chilled one to enjoy later that day.
Next up was Siduri and Novy. Now Siduri is well known for its luscious pinot noirs sourced from some of the best growing regions in the state for pinot, such as Santa Lucia Highlands, Rosella's Vineyard, Willamette Valley (yes, the one in Oregon), Sonoma Coast, etc. . . The Siduri Pinot Noirs show what talented and passionate winemakers can do with a most difficult grape to grow. Their pinots range from delicate and soft to "big and sexy" as they call it. They really show off the versatility of the grape. And all were fabulous and at great prices! With the Novy line, they produce everything except Pinot Noir. And again, all of them were just fabulous. In fact, I'd venture to say that the Sauvignon Blanc and the Zinfandel I had (this is the red one folks, not the pink stuff :}) were among the best I've EVER had. The sauvignon blanc was all stone fruit and honey, and the zin was black cherry and just a hint of pepper. Divine!
And they will ship to Tennessee folks so I suggest you visit their web site, www.siduri.com or call them and place your orders TODAY! All of there wines are available for shipment. I am bringing home a sauvignon blanc, a zinfandel and a viognier. I didn't get to sample the viognier, but with the quality of their wines I don't think I'll be dissapointed!
Figuring I had really done well for the day, I headed back to the hotel, got in some walking for exercise, and then after a snack headed to the pool with my Endless Crush in tow. Sitting in a chaise lounge, feeling the warm sun beating down on me and sipping that wine was one of the most relaxed, peacful feelings I've had in a while. Eventually I went from poolside into the pool to cool off. And then for a soak in the hot tub before dinner. And that was also a remarkable experience.
A glass of Mumm Napa bubbly to start. I ordered the Calamari for an appetizer, but had I realized how huge the serving was, I would've made it my meal. It was fantastic - light and crispy and the garlic aoli was perfect. When I saw the grilled lamb on the menu it was a slam dunk decision for dinner. They understood completely what medium rare means and it was served with a spicy ginger and balsalmic vinegar reduction that almost brought me to tears. Yes, it really was that good. And the grilled asparagus and roasted red peppers rounded out the meal nicely. But the star of the evening was indeed the wine. At a bargain price of $40 for a restaurant, I had the privilege of pairing the lamb with 2007 Elyse "Nero Misto" Petite Syrah blend. Again, I have had few meals in my life that have brought tears to my eyes, but this was one of them. The nose on this wine was one of dark fruits and just a hint of toasted oak. And the taste - well - it was just so soft and luscious with blackberries, black currant and boysenberry. A nice long finish that hangs around to bring out the best in the bite of lamb grilled to perfection and lightly coated with the reduction. I'm no matching expert by any means, so I can say that I got very lucky with this one.
After that, yes, I was done. Full in body, full in spirit.
And for day 4 - a tour and tasting at Chappellet! Gotta go get ready!
Cheers!
Dee
Sunday, May 29, 2011
What I tasted yesterday and day 3: Inman Family Wineries
Greetings all!
Let's recap what was sampled yesterday at both Ferari Cerano and Chalk Hill. I know this sounds like a lot of wine, but please remember that I had tasting pours, which are about an ounce to two ounces at most. :) And there's no resampling or going beyond the number of tastes you bought. Once you have your alloted pours, you're done.
First, Ferari Cerano - upstairs tasting room:
2010 Pinot Grigio - 100% varietal fermented and stored in 100% stainless steel, which really allowed the honeysuckle nose and peach and lemon flavors to shine without any interference from any oak. Only sold on property. Delicious!
2009 Viognier - also 100% varietal, but this grape can take some aging in oak barrels. The oak dominated the nose at first, but once it got out of the way, it revealed wonderful stone fruit aromas with tastes to match. Only sold on property, only grown on 2.5 acres. I bought a bottle to bring back.
2008 Tre Terre Chardonnay - Tre Terre means "three earths" and the grapes comes from their three properties - Sonoma, Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley. aged 10 months in Burgundian French oak and 80% malolactic fermentation, this is one Chard not to pass up! The luscious fruit nose and flavors are complemented by the nutmeg and spicy notes provided by the oak.
On to the downstairs tasting room where the very private reserve wines are offered!
Many of these wines are only offered on property or for wine club members. Some are sold at very high end restaurants, and one or two are widely distributed, like Tresor.
2008 Emelia's Cuvee - Russian River Valley - Like Tre Terre, this wine underwent 80% malolactic fermentation and spent 10 months in Bugundian French oak. However, this wine was head and shoulders above Tre Terre, which was good! This one had much more complexity in the nose and on the palate and a much denser and creamier texture. It was a great way to start.
2009 Dominquie Chardonnay - Russian River Valley - 14 months in French oak and 70% malolactic fermentation. This one was also divine and it was interesting to taste the difference that a lower malolactic fermentation and longer time in the oak barrels made. It was just about as creamy as Emelia's Cuvee, but the flavors leaned to more apple and citrus with more vanilla and toast in the aroma and at the finish.
On to the reds:
2008 Petit Verdot - Dry Creek Valley - It's very rare that you see this grape made as a 100% varietal, and while these are fine wine makers and the wine was good, I can see why. This wine was very dense, inky purple in color, and had a restrained fruity nose. The flavors were dense versions of dark fruits, currant, blackberry and cocoa and it was a bit chalky on the tongue. After tasting it I got a really good idea as to why it's used as a blending grape for most Bordeaux style blends. While this may not be a wine to drink on its own, pair with some fatty meats (ribeyes, pork bbq, etc) and you'll have a tremendous dining experience.
2006 PreVail West Face - Alexander Valley - this 64% cabernet sauvignon and 36% syrah blend came from grapes grown in volcanic ash enriched soil that of course faces the West. This one was drinking beautifully now, but could be laid down for a few more years. It was dense and a lovely dark plum color. Tons of fruit on the nose and tasts of currant, black cherry,and blackberry complimented by milk chocolate and cocoa notes provided by 20 months of aging in French Oak. Utterly fantastic!
2006 PreVail Back Forty - Alexander Valley - this one is 100% cabernet sauvignon and the 20 months it spend in French oak helped to bring out the graham cracker and sweet toasted oak both in the nose and on the palate. Nice finish - good balance of tannis. Wonderful boysenberry and dried dark and red fruit flavors. Pair this with a grilled filet mingon and you will have a very memorable meal!
I didn't buy a lot of these to bring home because I think most of them will be in my wine club. And rejoice wine lovers! Tennesse will allow you to receive up to 3 cases per year! So many wineries are now offering direct shipping to Tennessee!!!
After lunch, I was only able to get one more winery in, but it was a good one. Chalk Hill. This Dry Creek Valley winery is known for its "big boy" cabernet sauvignons and creamy, oaky Chardonnays. They are widely distributed, but alas, in Memphis, we don't get their full line.
I tried the Pinot Grigio, the Sauvignon Blanc, and the Chardonnay, but I fell in love with the Viognier. It was everything I had ever hoped for in a Viognier: viscous, lush, great stone fruit in the nose and on the tongue. This one is also grown on only about 2 acres out of the 1700 acres Chalk Hill owns. I was all set to buy a bottle or two, but then was handed the price list. $75 a bottle. Don't get me wrong, this was extraordinary Viognier, but not $75 a bottle good IMHO. Sooo, I skipped on that.
The reds from Chalk Hill, the Merlot and the two Cabernet Sauvignons I tried were just as good as what you'd expect from this winery. Dense, delicious and well balanced.
I did get to sample their Boytrois Semillion - which they have on sale for $99 for a 1.5 liter bottle (normally $180). This was fantastic Semillion, as good as I've had from France. Very sweet, very dense, great aromas and tastes of honeysuckle and almost overripe peaches. a very small pour goes a long way as this is really an abundantly sweet wine.
It rained yesterday, which really didn't affect my enthusiasm, but it did make the driving tiring. By the time I got back to my hotel room I was exhausted. And full. I didn't even have dinner (shocker I know!) I did have some more of the espresso rubbed cheese and some champignois cheese I got a Safeway. That was good enough.
So - onto Day 3!!
I'm headed to Santa Rosa - a bit shorter driving time, about 45 minutes to visit Inman Family Wineries and possibly Siduri & Novy. Siduri is by appointment only, so I have sent an email to see if they have any openings today. (see what I mean about researching the wineries in advance). But, I did discover that Dutton & Goldfield is also open today, so if I can't get into Siduri, sampling Dutton Ranch wines will be just fine! When I get to Inman, I am going to ask if there are any wineries I should absolutely visit while I'm out their way. I am hoping they can steer me to some wineries we haven't seen in our market.
Weather today should be great - sunny and 71!
And as the French say, Votre Santi (to your health)!
Dee
Let's recap what was sampled yesterday at both Ferari Cerano and Chalk Hill. I know this sounds like a lot of wine, but please remember that I had tasting pours, which are about an ounce to two ounces at most. :) And there's no resampling or going beyond the number of tastes you bought. Once you have your alloted pours, you're done.
First, Ferari Cerano - upstairs tasting room:
2010 Pinot Grigio - 100% varietal fermented and stored in 100% stainless steel, which really allowed the honeysuckle nose and peach and lemon flavors to shine without any interference from any oak. Only sold on property. Delicious!
2009 Viognier - also 100% varietal, but this grape can take some aging in oak barrels. The oak dominated the nose at first, but once it got out of the way, it revealed wonderful stone fruit aromas with tastes to match. Only sold on property, only grown on 2.5 acres. I bought a bottle to bring back.
2008 Tre Terre Chardonnay - Tre Terre means "three earths" and the grapes comes from their three properties - Sonoma, Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley. aged 10 months in Burgundian French oak and 80% malolactic fermentation, this is one Chard not to pass up! The luscious fruit nose and flavors are complemented by the nutmeg and spicy notes provided by the oak.
On to the downstairs tasting room where the very private reserve wines are offered!
Many of these wines are only offered on property or for wine club members. Some are sold at very high end restaurants, and one or two are widely distributed, like Tresor.
2008 Emelia's Cuvee - Russian River Valley - Like Tre Terre, this wine underwent 80% malolactic fermentation and spent 10 months in Bugundian French oak. However, this wine was head and shoulders above Tre Terre, which was good! This one had much more complexity in the nose and on the palate and a much denser and creamier texture. It was a great way to start.
2009 Dominquie Chardonnay - Russian River Valley - 14 months in French oak and 70% malolactic fermentation. This one was also divine and it was interesting to taste the difference that a lower malolactic fermentation and longer time in the oak barrels made. It was just about as creamy as Emelia's Cuvee, but the flavors leaned to more apple and citrus with more vanilla and toast in the aroma and at the finish.
On to the reds:
2008 Petit Verdot - Dry Creek Valley - It's very rare that you see this grape made as a 100% varietal, and while these are fine wine makers and the wine was good, I can see why. This wine was very dense, inky purple in color, and had a restrained fruity nose. The flavors were dense versions of dark fruits, currant, blackberry and cocoa and it was a bit chalky on the tongue. After tasting it I got a really good idea as to why it's used as a blending grape for most Bordeaux style blends. While this may not be a wine to drink on its own, pair with some fatty meats (ribeyes, pork bbq, etc) and you'll have a tremendous dining experience.
2006 PreVail West Face - Alexander Valley - this 64% cabernet sauvignon and 36% syrah blend came from grapes grown in volcanic ash enriched soil that of course faces the West. This one was drinking beautifully now, but could be laid down for a few more years. It was dense and a lovely dark plum color. Tons of fruit on the nose and tasts of currant, black cherry,and blackberry complimented by milk chocolate and cocoa notes provided by 20 months of aging in French Oak. Utterly fantastic!
2006 PreVail Back Forty - Alexander Valley - this one is 100% cabernet sauvignon and the 20 months it spend in French oak helped to bring out the graham cracker and sweet toasted oak both in the nose and on the palate. Nice finish - good balance of tannis. Wonderful boysenberry and dried dark and red fruit flavors. Pair this with a grilled filet mingon and you will have a very memorable meal!
I didn't buy a lot of these to bring home because I think most of them will be in my wine club. And rejoice wine lovers! Tennesse will allow you to receive up to 3 cases per year! So many wineries are now offering direct shipping to Tennessee!!!
After lunch, I was only able to get one more winery in, but it was a good one. Chalk Hill. This Dry Creek Valley winery is known for its "big boy" cabernet sauvignons and creamy, oaky Chardonnays. They are widely distributed, but alas, in Memphis, we don't get their full line.
I tried the Pinot Grigio, the Sauvignon Blanc, and the Chardonnay, but I fell in love with the Viognier. It was everything I had ever hoped for in a Viognier: viscous, lush, great stone fruit in the nose and on the tongue. This one is also grown on only about 2 acres out of the 1700 acres Chalk Hill owns. I was all set to buy a bottle or two, but then was handed the price list. $75 a bottle. Don't get me wrong, this was extraordinary Viognier, but not $75 a bottle good IMHO. Sooo, I skipped on that.
The reds from Chalk Hill, the Merlot and the two Cabernet Sauvignons I tried were just as good as what you'd expect from this winery. Dense, delicious and well balanced.
I did get to sample their Boytrois Semillion - which they have on sale for $99 for a 1.5 liter bottle (normally $180). This was fantastic Semillion, as good as I've had from France. Very sweet, very dense, great aromas and tastes of honeysuckle and almost overripe peaches. a very small pour goes a long way as this is really an abundantly sweet wine.
It rained yesterday, which really didn't affect my enthusiasm, but it did make the driving tiring. By the time I got back to my hotel room I was exhausted. And full. I didn't even have dinner (shocker I know!) I did have some more of the espresso rubbed cheese and some champignois cheese I got a Safeway. That was good enough.
So - onto Day 3!!
I'm headed to Santa Rosa - a bit shorter driving time, about 45 minutes to visit Inman Family Wineries and possibly Siduri & Novy. Siduri is by appointment only, so I have sent an email to see if they have any openings today. (see what I mean about researching the wineries in advance). But, I did discover that Dutton & Goldfield is also open today, so if I can't get into Siduri, sampling Dutton Ranch wines will be just fine! When I get to Inman, I am going to ask if there are any wineries I should absolutely visit while I'm out their way. I am hoping they can steer me to some wineries we haven't seen in our market.
Weather today should be great - sunny and 71!
And as the French say, Votre Santi (to your health)!
Dee
Saturday, May 28, 2011
day 2: ferari carano and chalk hill
And here are some things that I learned:
Don't go over a major holiday weekend. The traffic is bad and the CHP are EVERYWHERE! The staff at the wineries are great, but if you are like me and really want to talk wine, the staff will be hard pressed to do so.
Be selective. The tasting rooms are normally open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. for some, so you can't hit a lot of wineries in one shot. Pick one or two, maybe three if get there at opening and then call it a day.
Research the area and the wineries in advance. Some require reservations for both tastings and tours.
If you don't already know, ask which wines are not distributed. And be sure to try those.
Here are pics from Ferari Carano and Chalk Hill. The photos of the ducks and swans are from yesterday. They live here at the hotel.
Cheers!
Dee
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Day 2: Healdsburg, CA
Hello all! Well today I am off to Healdsburg, CA to see what good wines I can taste up there! Some of the wineries include: Ferari Carono, La Crema, Lake Sonoma, Simi, Seghesio, and Rodney Strong to name a few! Wish me luck!
Cheers,
Dee
Cheers,
Dee
Friday, May 27, 2011
Dee's big adventure in Wine County!
Okay ladies and gentlemen! Please fasten your seatbelts, make sure your tray tables are secured and that your seats are in the upright and locked position, because we are about to take off for what I hope will be a great adventure into the very heart of US wine country, Napa and Sonoma.
I am posting this from my hotel room. I have included some shots of my room and the hotel, the Double Tree Hotel and Spa.Yes, I said spa. Messages, wraps, etc . . . I cannot wait to check out the services. This hotel also has an excellent restaurant from what I hear, I will have to check that out! And if you want to come stay in Napa and near Sonoma and not pay through the nose, I highly recommend this hotel. It's been recently remodeled so everything is just pristine. Oh, one thing about the hotel restaurant - I did go to the bar to have a drink while my bottles of bubbles were chilling and the wine list is just massively impressive. Cannot wait to check that out!
And as I am posting this, I am having a WONDERFUL glass of Mumm Napa brut rose and a FABULOUS rainbow roll that I got at the grocery store. The Safeway here is the equivalent to Fresh Market in Memphis, but better because it's the size of a normal grocery store, but it has all the high end items you can only get at Fresh Market in Memphis. I also purchased some bakery made brownies and bread, and four cheeses. And I got a seaweed salad to complement the sushi! Both are just heaven. the rainbow roll has tuna and salmon with avacado, cucumber and a spicy sauce. The seaweed salad is nutty and sweet and delicate.
And they pair perfectly with the brut rose!! Score!
And speaking of scores - I bought some Espesso Bellavitano Cheese. Yes, it's really cheese. Here' what the package says "As a s delicious treat for your breakfast or dessert, we hand rub freshly roasted espresso into sweet, sugary Bella Vitano wheels aged to creamy perfection. Wake up and smell the Bella."
It is indeed the best of both cheese and coffee worlds. Creamy, velvety cheese with a nice bitter espresso chocolatiness. I can see that this would indeed make a great breakfast cheese. Or a wonderful dessert cheese as I am experiencing it now. It's divine. Perfectly balanced.
Well, as my body cannot decide which time zone it wants to be on, I think I will have to continue this tomorrow.
Until then - Cheers!
Dee
And as I am posting this, I am having a WONDERFUL glass of Mumm Napa brut rose and a FABULOUS rainbow roll that I got at the grocery store. The Safeway here is the equivalent to Fresh Market in Memphis, but better because it's the size of a normal grocery store, but it has all the high end items you can only get at Fresh Market in Memphis. I also purchased some bakery made brownies and bread, and four cheeses. And I got a seaweed salad to complement the sushi! Both are just heaven. the rainbow roll has tuna and salmon with avacado, cucumber and a spicy sauce. The seaweed salad is nutty and sweet and delicate.
And they pair perfectly with the brut rose!! Score!
And speaking of scores - I bought some Espesso Bellavitano Cheese. Yes, it's really cheese. Here' what the package says "As a s delicious treat for your breakfast or dessert, we hand rub freshly roasted espresso into sweet, sugary Bella Vitano wheels aged to creamy perfection. Wake up and smell the Bella."
It is indeed the best of both cheese and coffee worlds. Creamy, velvety cheese with a nice bitter espresso chocolatiness. I can see that this would indeed make a great breakfast cheese. Or a wonderful dessert cheese as I am experiencing it now. It's divine. Perfectly balanced.
Well, as my body cannot decide which time zone it wants to be on, I think I will have to continue this tomorrow.
Until then - Cheers!
Dee
Monday, May 16, 2011
Love chocolate? Then you've got to try this!
Who can resist the taste of rich, decadent, chocolate? Not me! So that's why I am so glad that 360 Distilleries developed 360 Double Chocolate Vodka. This quadruple distilled, five-times filtered eco-friendly vodka offers the drinker a choco-licious experience. This vodka is smooth and creamy with a lush and rich intense chocolate flavor that lies between milk and dark chocolate. I love to keep mine in the freezer for an after-dinner dessert. The smell is just divine; the thick and dense smell of truffles or freshly shaved chocolate. Pair with a peanut liqueur and you've a Reese's peanut butter cup in a glass!
To find out more, visit their web site today!
Cheers!
Dee
To find out more, visit their web site today!
Cheers!
Dee
Welcome to my blog!
Hello everyone!
I decided to set up this blog so I can share with you all my musings and observations about all things, basically, involving alcohol.
I love wine, am a home brewer and a Squire for Jack Daniel's.
So please check back often for my posts!
Santi,
Delynn
I decided to set up this blog so I can share with you all my musings and observations about all things, basically, involving alcohol.
I love wine, am a home brewer and a Squire for Jack Daniel's.
So please check back often for my posts!
Santi,
Delynn
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