The Lie about the Truth

We all know that saying about two sides to every story.  I have recently found out (the hard way) there are actually about 36 sides to every story.  Keeps life interesting.  If you tell me something, I will believe it.  I am a complete sucker.  Gullible to a fault.  Seriously, make something up and tell me about it.  I will believe you.  This has gotten me in trouble several times.  Yet, I continue to make the same mistake.  I don't mind this fault of mine.  You know why?  Because the truth is that sometimes its not a bad thing to just believe.  While it may cause me some uncomfortable moments, it's really not about me.  I choose to trust. The thing is that truth always has a habit of coming to light.  I always seem to get hit in the face with it when it would be much easier to just simply be kept in the dark.  Nope, if I had a dollar for every time I was hit with the truth in the face after believing, I would be in my mountain house in Brevard sitting in the hot tub sipping a gorgeous bottle of wine...

And speaking of wine...I made a stock up trip to Trader Joe's this week to pick up some new goodies.

Going to tell you about two that I have tried this week.  As you are aware, I love Trader Joe's wine selection because you can experiment with several wines and not break the bank.  So far on the taste o' meter, I would say I have hit the jackpot with what I have tried so far.

Let's talk about 2012 Benefactor Cellars Shiraz.  This is a gorgeous bold and spicy Shiraz from South Eastern Australia.  And at $5.99 per bottle, can you say grab two?  Deep color and the spice that I am drawn to.  I will definitely add this to my routine stock ups at TJ's.  Cool freaking bottle, too.

Winemaker's Description:  "There are those who have mourned your passing with many a tear, many a boo hoo.  But we celebrate the generosity of your death.  Those wines which once taunted us from beyond our price range now pour happily - affordably, deliciously, attainably - into our glasses, thanks to you.  A toast to failed predictions!  To bloated, insupportable markets! Here's to the benefactor!"

I also got lucky with the Pascual Toso 2012 Malbec from Argentina.  The winery was established in 1890 by Pascual Toso, a winemaker from Italy.  This wine is 100% Malbec.  This wine has a perfect blend of both red and black fruit with that smokiness/leathery spice mixed in.  I would highly recommend an aged cheese as the perfect companion to this wine.  Some other recommended pairings include creamy pastas, barbeque or spicy dishes.  Again, a find at under $10/bottle.  

I am telling you my truth when I tell you these are some fabulous wines.  Go ahead, you can believe me.  

The Voice in my head

Sometimes the little voice in my head is annoying.  You know why?  Because its usually right.  I hate being wrong.  Especially when it comes to feelings and emotions.  Those who know me well know that I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve.  I would love to be able to hide this fault in my persona, but it's there...for the world to see.  Good days, bad days, sad days, you will know it.  I can't hide it.

But, I can pair it with some wine to make myself feel a bit better, right?  I have some wines to catch up on.  I've had quite a few surprises over the past week and I have actually tried a brand new varietal that I can tell you about for the first time ever in my blog.

My first treat is Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa 2011 Shiraz.  All I can say is this was love at first sip.  (I still believe in that.)  Grand Barossa Shiraz epitomizes the premium international reputation for Shiraz which has made the Barossa Valley famous.  Aromas of blackberry, plum and black pepper are accompanied by spicy, dark berry fruits.  Absolutely glorious!  This wine from Australia hails from the oldest and grandest Chateau- the site of the very first vines planted in the Barrosa in 1845.  Retailing for about $25/bottle it is well worth it.

And for something brand new for me.  Zinfandel.  I finally made the leap of faith.  I kept being told if I liked it spicy I needed to get a bottle of Zinfandel.  I debated and debated while I was in the wine section of Trader Joe's.  I stocked up on several bottles and one lone bottle happened to be the Trader Joe's Zinfandel Paso Robles Lot #84.  This wine is bold and fruit driven with raspberry, black cherry and the much anticipated peppery finish.  It truly was a treat treat treat at $9.99 a bottle.  I will definitely be heading back to grab a few more of these before they are gone.

Gonna keep working on that emotion thing, too.   Maybe one day I will learn.

Bring It

I think we just skipped right over Spring.  We went from nice cool weather to heat.  No real transition.  I know I just need to suck it up and deal with it, because the heat isn't going anywhere.  We are just getting started.  In a few weeks I will be begging for temperatures like they are right now.  Then we will get hit with the humidity.  So I picked a great time to start training for my very first marathon.  Bring it.

I have had the pleasure of trying out some additional wonderful wines over the past week.  First is Zaca Mesa 2009 Syrah.  This is a California winery located in Santa Barbara County.  The wine is 99% Syrah, 1% Viognier.  Interesting.  There is a rich blackberry, mocha, sage spice flavor and aroma.  There is a very silky finish to this wine.  I have to admit I am liking these Syrah's more and more as I continue to delve in to this varietal.  This wine retails for about $25 per bottle.

My next super ridiculous find...super ridiculous because the bottle was under $10 and insanely superb, was Iuvene Rioja.  This Tempranillo from the Rioja region of Spain was truly a great find.  I purchased this at Best Bottle based on its description:  dark fruit flavors with a peppery spice.  Yep.  My kind of wine.  I describe is as super spice right from the start.  I went back for more only to find it was sold out.  Next time I find this I will be smart and buy as much as possible.  At this price it's possible.  

I am looking forward to my drive home tonight.  It's Friday and in addition to a few treats I scored at work, I will most likely be stopping by Best Bottle to see what new treats I can pick up.  Unfortunately, I will be dry tonight in preparation for a 10k race tomorrow morning.  But I will make up for it Saturday.

Sip on!

Argentina Edition

After coming off of a slightly disappointing 10K at Cooper River, I really had been looking forward to my next race which happened to be a 5 miler here in Columbia this past weekend.  While I did not set and personal records, I did manage to win overall Master's and take home some cash, and take home a top 10 finish.  For a race this large, I am happy to have met those goals.  There are days we have it and days we don't.

There are wines that have it, and some that don't.  I am fortunate that lately I have been getting very lucky with my selections.  I have been actually picking out some on my own without assistance from my wine guru and have been pleasantly surprised at the results I have had.  Let's talk about Salvatore Principe Malbec.  This wine hails from Argentina in the Mendoza region.  One of my favorite wine regions.

 
I love this Malbec.  I found this at World Market and actually went back and bought the last of the bottles that were in the store!  Very nice deep red Malbec with a medium body and that spice and smoky subtle taste that I enjoy.  Of course, this pairs perfectly with pizza, vegetables and cheese.  Three of my favorite things.  I have not been able to find any more of this since my last purchase, but will remain on the lookout.  I know I did not pay over $10 for this bottle; so it's quite the bargain.  I do have one more bottle at home that I am saving for a rainy day.

My next bottle is a red bland from Argentina.  Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend 2012.  This is a blend of 60% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Shiraz.  Yum.  What a perfect blend.  This wine is also deep red with violet undertones.  Dark fruits and exotic spices with tobacco and hints of mocha emerge right away.  There is a wonderful balance of these varietals and again, I will go back for more.  This one has more of that bold bang to it when you are in the mood for something to really hit you.

And the darn bottles are so pretty!  I just can't help myself when I go in to the stores and see these beautiful bottles with the perfect descriptions underneath.  I purchased the Chakana from Best Bottle.  Retail for this beauty is around $27/bottle.  Well worth it, as I continue to read that this wine will be going up, up, up in price!

Happy Sipping!

Who wants to be Idaho?

Its been a little over a week.  I have been a little busy with...life in general, I guess.  I have two absolutely fantastic wines to tell you about this week.  I think in my last post, I mentioned my new favorite little wine shop:  Best Bottle, located in Woodhill Plaza.  I have a great fondness for this place because of the wonderful variety of wines that they carry.  It is really a great place to go in to.  Whether you are a wine novice or have a little more experience, the owner is a huge help in helping you find just what you are looking for.  It's my new go-to place when I am looking for something special to try.

This week I found just that.  The last thing you probably think about when you are thinking about wine hot spots is Idaho.  Idaho?  Wine?  Huh?  In doing a little research on Sawtooth, the winery was opened in the late 1980's.  At present time there are about 45 + wineries in Idaho.  Who knew?  Not me.  But now I am curious.  I purchased a bottle of Sawtooth 2011 Estate Grown Syrah.  Oh my God!  This is amazing.  A very dark and savory red with amazing spice notes right from the smell to the first taste and finish.  I absolutely loved this bottle.  It amazed me...not just because it was from Idaho, but because I am early on in my Syrah sipping phase and I was blown right away.  Call it beginners luck.  If I were you, I would find a bottle of this ASAP.  This retails for around $20/bottle.  I was sad that when I went back today, they were actually out of this.  See...it's that good!

Next on the list is Wild Oats Shiraz hailing from Australia.  http://www.wildoatswine.com/the-wild-oats-story/  The website gives you the history of the wine and region.  This is a velvety red wine with some spicy characteristics.  I am a slave to the spice.  Value wine at around $10 per bottle.


Just a little education.  I did not know this, but have learned that Shiraz and Syrah are one and the same.  I was quite confused at first, but my handy, dandy, wine teacher let me in on this little secret.  I felt really silly at first, but hey...you have to learn some time.

Now that the weather is finally starting to get warmer, I will branch out soon into some white varietals.  Until then...sip on!

Discovery

Sorry for the delay in getting this post out to you.  I have been incapacitated by a bug thrust upon me by a devilish 3 year old.  While said bug did put a damper on some wine time...I did manage to ingest a few especially tasty treats in the days leading up to my downfall.  

LoNuevo Vilata 2012 Monastrell-Syrah, Old Vines, Jumilla.  Talk about some beautiful spicy aromas right from the first smell with a peppery finish.  This is a wonderful bottle to sit back and really enjoy.  I am also finding that I am intrigued with the Jumilla region, as this is the second bottle I have tried an absolutely adored.  This is a blend of 85% Monastrell/15% Syrah.  Again, I cannot ignore my passion for wines from Spain.  This does not disappoint.  And a great value coming in around $12-$15 per bottle. I discovered this at my new favorite little wine shop, Best Bottle Wine and Gifts located in the Shoppes at Woodhill on Garners Ferry.  Go in if you have not!  

My second treasure found this week was Unban Uco Malbec Tempranillo 2012.  Hailing from the Uco Valley in Argentina, this blend of 50% Malbec / 50% Tempranillo is another wonderful value red blend that you should jump up and grab.  I have already gone back and purchased a back up bottle of this one.  This is a medium-full bodied wine with a deep purple-red color.  I love it when a wine grabs you right from the start and this does not disappoint.  Another value coming in at $15.00 per bottle.  

Now that I am back on the road to recovery, I will be sure to have some additional great finds for you next week.  

Cheers!

 

Excitement

I am finding it really hard to be calm this week.  I have a HUGE race coming up this weekend and I am very excited about it.  It is a mix of excitement and nervousness and elation.  Quite the combination of emotions.  I am excited because I have a seeded entry.  I am nervous because I have a seeded entry.  I am elated...because I have a seeded entry.  It's quite a bit of responsibility being laid on me.  Regardless (or irregardless for my 'special' friends) I am looking forward to heading to Charleston to partake in the Cooper River Bridge Run.

I am also excited to share with you some amazing finds that I have happened upon in the past week.  First let me tell you about  Marques de Casa Concha 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto, Chile.  Amazing.  This wine has a very flavorful and spicy taste.  100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is deep ruby in color.  I would describe is as medium bodied with a nice lingering finish.  I found this bottle at Whole Foods and it was right over $20.  It paired wonderfully with my cheese and crackers I had been snacking on.

My next wonderful find was Juan Gil 2011 Jumilla Red Wine, another from Spain.  Holy.  I cannot express my love for this wine!!!  This is a 100% Monastell wine highlighting smooth plum and red berry flavors.  This wine is wonderfully aromatic.  It is a mix of dark fruit, sweet spice, black pepper, and smoky oak.  I have to say that this is one of my new favorites.  This retails for about $15 per bottle.

I also received a wine gift this week that I want to tell you about.  The Rabbit.  Many of you may have heard of this tool or may already have one.  I hadn't.  I was told it would change my life.  I think I am a smarter person after just two corks of use.  I really like this nifty contraption.  I am very adept at using your regular wine tool opener...although I will admit I cut myself more often than not on the little retractable knife used for removing the foil seal.  And when I cut myself, I do it well.  So, I have fairly consistent stab marks on my hands from my wine habit.  This being said, the rabbit leaves no room for error.  It's Shannon-proof.  One flick of the wrist and your cork is out and you can start sipping away!  If you do not have one, I would highly recommend the purchase of one...or tell someone you love to buy it for you for  your next gift exchanging occasion.  You will not be disappointed.


Happy uncorking!