Girls Nite In

It's so very satisfying to have women that you have been friends with for many years. I have several such friends from different pockets of my life. I met many of them through having children of the same age. They all love wine. I wonder if having children makes you appreciate wine more? It was with one of these groups of friends that I enjoyed my wine with on Saturday night. I made my visit to Everything Wine on Saturday morning, with my friend Kathy joining me. My goal for the trip was to stay under $20 but in the end I didn't even go above $15. I bought several bottles from South America and a couple from South Africa and one from Italy and France. It was too easy to just keep putting bottles into my basket. It's a little like being  'a kid in a candy shop' with so many brands and flavours to choose from. I will take months to sample all those wines, and they are continually bringing in new products. Not to mention the Vintage Room that I didn't even venture into....out of my price range at the moment! 
For my evening get together I made a hot artichoke and spinach dip that was delicious. Kathy's expansive granite top island was full of delicious food. Lobster cakes with chipotle sauce, mini quiches, homemade guacomole and salsa. Our first bottle of wine was one that Kathy had bought. It was from Argentina, a Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec blend by the name of Arrabal, ringing in at $12.99. It tasted light and spicy, but I found it a bit too acidic. The next bottle was on of my choices, called Gato Negro. A Chilean wine, and only $9.99 a bottle. A Cabernet Sauvignon with a soft, fruity flavor it complemented the food nicely. These are, of course, simple, inexpensive wines that are suited to drinking when having a casual visit with friends. The company and conversation overshadowed the taste of the wine as we all caught up on the day to day happenings of our lives. As our children are entering the teen years we all had lots to share....thankfully, we had lots of wine!

Cheers!

The Learning Curve

I didn't drink any wine last night. As much as I love wine, I realize that I just won't be able to drink a different wine everyday. So I will settle for every week. Since starting my blog I've been busy researching and have discovered a number of great websites as well as several books, all more than willing to extol the numerous virtues of wine.  I've always been really good at drinking wine, but I've never spent alot of time learning about it. And there's ALOT to learn! Tannins, and legs and aroma and bouquet are all words I've heard and associated with wine but have now taken on a new meaning.  I've read, watched videos on Youtube and chatted with various people. You'd be surprised at how many people have offered to share wine with me...or maybe not so surprised. Thank you to each and every one of you, I will definitely be taking you up on your offers!  Wine drinkers are a passionate bunch (lol, like grapes!) There is a wide range of wine drinkers, as well. Some know alot about wine, others know a little, and still others know only how to pour it into their glasses and raise it to their lips. And after a few drinks, sometimes they even miss their lips. It doesn't matter how much you know or don't know about wine though. What's important is that you have fun when drinking it. Drink with friends, relax and enjoy yourself. I'm good at that :-)  I've also  joined a few on-line sites that send newsletters and offer information on events for wine tastings and seminars. Everything Wine offers regular tastings and sends out emails about specials and new products. There are sites for wineries and they offer tours! Pairing wine with food is a popular topic as well and I'm excited to read and find out more about it.  Guess I'm gonna be busy but I can't think of a better subject to spend time on! I will be sampling some nice wines this weekend and will be sure to keep you posted.

In the meantime, life is short, and we should all take the time to enjoy a nice glass of wine...I know I will :-)

Cheers!

First Taste

 I've always liked South African wines and last nights bottle did not disappoint. Nederburg Wines is from Paarls, South Africa, and has been producing wine since 1791. My girlfriend and I enjoyed the Cabernet Sauvignon over interesting conversation that included the merits (or lack thereof) of mother-in-laws and planning a girls night in. The girls night will enable me to sample more wine. See, there is a definite method to my madness!  The Nederburg bottle self describes itself  as "a burst of ripe fruit complemented by delicate oak spice flavours". It is a combination of wild berries, chocolate, mocha and "a waft of vanilla". It has a lovely rich flavour and I think it would go nicely with a good beef stew.  As it was only one of two bottles left in my wine rack, from a previous purchase, I don't recall what I spent on the bottle, but I'd estimate that it was around $15. My wine rack, a beautiful xmas gift from my mother, holds 23 bottles of wine. I am looking forward to filling the rack bottles to begin my official tasting.

I cannot leave this post without commenting on the weather. SNOW DAY! An unexpected Arctic front has set Victoria on its ear. It's mid-afternoon and it's been snowing all day, with more to come. I am happy that I have my brand new snow tires on and they worked fabulously when I went out this morning. Now, as much as I love my red wine, I'm sorry to say that a SNOW DAY just cries out for coffee and Baileys or a delicious Polar Bear (hot chocolate/peppermint schnapps) so that's what I shall enjoy today. :-)

Cheers!

Blogger Newbie takes the plunge!

My very first blog....sigh...You've come a long way baby! Welcome to my blog and thanks for stopping by. It is my objective to write daily or whine daily, depending on my mood ;-) I am also going to try out new wines on a regular basis and share my thoughts about them. I am hoping that others will feel free to comment on wines they have tried as well.  I am a red wine drinker most of the time but with summer not too far away (hey, I'm an optimist!) I will be drinking white wine as well. Oh, and probably Sangria too.  Any excuse to drink, right? No, I'm not an alcoholic but who doesn't enjoy a smooth glass of red at the end of the day?  I generally try to stick to bottles in the 'under $20' range but for this blog I will be venturing into the higher range as well as trying to find a really great low budget wine. Along the way I plan to share my thoughts on various other subjects hopefully with thoughtfulness and humour. Afterall, what better way to end the day than with a laugh and a glass of wine. Cheers!