For those of you who've never had the chance to see one of these up close, here's what it looks like. I found this particular old vine at Chateau Haut Bailly while traveling in Bordeaux. Chateau Haut Bailly uses wine from their oldest vines (pictured below) to benchmark all of the other wine they produce. It's kinda like their litmus test for each vintage.

Depending on the Chateau, a block of vines can either be the same age or mixed. It's fun to look several rows of vines and see if you can spot the younger ones versus the older ones. Younger vines tend to have much thinner trunks while older vines are more gnarly, veiny, and enlarged. The oldest ones that are still capable of producing enough wine are treasured and in my opinion, beautiful.

Enjoy!

 

(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

 

While in Bordeaux, I visited something I never thought I would see in the old world wine country. As soon as I stepped through the brand new doors of Château Faugères, I felt like I was back in the commercial confines typical of many California wineries. Now while there was no gift shop selling the usual California winery collection of magnets and bottle openers, there was something about this winery that made it "new school" in an otherwise old world.

Here's the story: In 2005 the winery passed hands from years of French ownership to none other than a Swiss investor. To commemorate the new ownership, a new winery was built atop a hill's view of the original old world winery. Equipped with shinny wooden vats, and high tech grape sorting equipment that can visually recognize size, quality, and type of grape, this new facility brings a new edge to the old world.

The winery produce four labels of blends predominately consisting of Merlot as is typical of St. Emilion wine. The premiere blend is made from only the oldest vines and earns its place among the best 30 wines of Bordeaux and the title St. Emilion Grand Cru. I've tasted it and can attest that it is packed with a punch, character, and tannins unlike any other Merlot blend that I have ever had the chance to put in my mouth. Certainly a fitting tribute to the memory of Péby Faugères , the husband of the ex-owner that passed away years before the winery changed hands.

It will be a couple of years before it is released, but I am curious to see how the new Château packed with new technology affects the future vintages of wine. When I asked the winery this question, I got the typical French response of "the wine will still be the same because the terroir has not changed. I have to believe that this isn't true... more importantly, I think the wine should taste even better. Whether or not this is due to a good harvest, damage to the vines from a hail storm earlier in the year, or the new facility, it is yet to be determined.

We'll just have to wait and see!

 

What do you think of this new school winery? Will Bordeaux move to new technology and ways of making wine as a result? How will this affect the terroir?


(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

 

Some things are difficult to clearly see through someone else's eyes. I don't think anyone really understood what I was feeling as I went through this part of my life. Growing up I constantly struggled with my vision. It started when I was in first grade. I had trouble reading the chalkboard and eye strain would give me constant headaches.

My concerned mother took me to the eye doctor. I remember nervously sitting in an oversized chair while he stared into my eyes using the light of a star as bright as the sun. I left the office with a pair of glasses and the knowledge that I had inherited something from my father and several other generations of males in my family that would render these glasses useless over time. I was only seven years old and I had cataracts.



If you don't know what cataracts are, I'll give you a brief explanation of how they affected my vision for the next sixteen years. Have you ever looked through a shower door covered in soap scum? Everything seems blurry, dull, and flat. Light just doesn't penetrate the same as it would a clear surface. Well, this is how the world slowly started to appear to me as my cataracts progressed. Like soap scum on a shower door, cataracts create a hazy buildup of cells on the lenses inside your eyes, preventing light from shining through.

Years later, I found myself having trouble driving at night. I couldn't even see my computer monitor without practically wiping my nose with it. The time had come to have my cataracts removed. Little did I know, this would not solve all of my problems. Now I could see clearly at a distance and colors once again were vibrant however the world became flat after the cataracts were removed. I would never again within three feet of my face be able to see clearly without wearing reading glasses.

At first, I didn't care. I just made sure to always carry my reading glasses with me. Without them, I couldn't read a restaurant bill, computer monitor, or cell phone. Over time, I realized that having to carry these glasses around would become a huge pain in the ass.

Then one day, someone helped me...


 

I was at a local tweet-up. I brought several bottles of wine for the group to enjoy. As I was taking my glasses off and on to look at the wine, sniff, and sip, the dude next to me noticed what was already second nature to me by this point. He turned to me and asked why I wore glasses. I recounted the story that I just told you and he stated that he may be able to help. I got a little excited at first, but didn't think it was possible without surgery and I wasn't about to go through THAT again. He told me to come by his office and he would help... at no charge!

After that night I kept thinking about being able to enjoy a glass of wine (as well as many other things) without having to be chained to a pair of glasses. After a few weeks, I took the leap and let him show me what he could do. I have never before worn contacts but I wish I had known about these sooner. The multifocal contacts he prescribed were just enough to allow me to escape from glasses without losing my distance vision. I was in heaven!

As I type this, I am sitting comfortably from my computer monitor, glasses free, with a smile on my face. I have finally conquered my cataracts and thanks to one man who noticed my struggle, my quality of life is much better. While I admit that there are much more serious ailments in life, I depend so much on my vision for what I do everyday. You have no idea how much this little change has improved my life.



Despite the fact that this post is way overdue, I am writing it because this awesome eye doctor is actually the first guest on the Cabernet Couch. Who knows, he may be able to help you too... click his image on the couch above to check out his site, ask him questions, or just say hello. He's one of the friendliest, kindest, and coolest people I've met on Twitter. Maybe he can change your life too!


Click here if you would like to be the next guest on the Cabernet Couch and tell your story on The Wine Whore.



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

 

- VS -
(left photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid)

 

On Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 8:24 AM, Gary Vaynerchuk wrote:
hahah :) def man, lets do this email me oct 25th and we will nail down details for nov!

--
Gary Vaynerchuk

For several months, everyone has been asking about it. The moment is now upon us...

It's time!

You may remember my challenge to wine lover and social media guru Gary Vaynerchuk... well, it is now time to set a date for the long awaited Whore-Off. With a Hollywood production company lined up, the logistics worked out, and tons of people anxiously awaiting, there's only one question left:

Are you ready Gary?

You can't avoid this challenge. Too many people have been waiting for this moment. Let's give the people what they want and most importantly, let's drink some wine!






(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

It was a trip of a lifetime and a 30th birthday that I'll never forget. I can't think of any better way to spend my birthday than cruising through the Crus of Bordeaux. While I couldn't take everyone along with me to enjoy the celebration, I have put together a slide show chronicling my adventures in this far away wine country...

Pour a glass of wine, sit back, and enjoy the show!

 

(If the slide show doesn't show up correctly, you may need to click here)


(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

 

I spend a lot of time thinking. I think about what makes wine taste good... I think about what I enjoy reading... and I think about what other people enjoy reading about wine. Like all well planned quests for knowledgesearches, my search for information about wine began on the internet. Not only is this information superhighway great for free porn and social networking sites, but it also has a lot of great information about the grape.

When it comes to free wine info, the internet offers two outlets: blogs and winery websites. I follow a great deal of both. While there are a lot of great websites out there, every single one has positive and negative qualities. Everything from spelling errors, crappy photography, and run on reviews plague many wine websites floating around the internet today. My blog is certainly no exception.

What is the RIGHT way to blog/write about wine?

Since it is Saturday afternoon, and I have a pounding headache (sadly not from too much wine), I figured I would open up the discussion. What do you like about wine websites or blogs? What do you hate? Provide examples anonymously if you are afraid of upsetting people... believe me, they'll thank you for the constructive criticism in the end.




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Despite the fact that I should have been getting ready for my trip, I took a break last night. Meeting up in Orlando with two fellow wine bloggers made for a perfect pre-vacation pastime. In attendance: Frank Morgan from DrinkWhatYouLike, Brian Kirby from The Other 46, and a great selection of wines by the taste, glass, or bottle compliments of the Wine Room.

We tasted two bottles: a French white and a California Pinot Noir:



First Bottle:

Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre 2007
Price - $23/bottle

This wine reminded me of playing tackle football as a child. Fond memories of a face full of grass and dirt after getting pummeled came flooding into my senses. Much like these childhood days of play, this wine taught me a valuable lesson: don't drink your whites too chilled. The true personality doesn't come out unless you melt the icicles from which it is hiding behind. In this bottle's case, it should have kept hiding. I felt compelled to finish my affair despite the fact that I found my mate unattractive, boring, and abrasive.












Second Bottle:

Belle Glos Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2007
Price - $50/bottle

This Pinot packed a fragrantly fruity punch but tasted more like a train wreck. Unbalanced acidity and alcohol painfully fought for my taste buds until the last drop was decimated. This Pinot had great potential but needed a serious time-out in a decanter before even thinking about hanging around in my glass. With its relatively high pricetag, I felt slightly used when it came to this affair.













(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

I was talking to my buddy Nate earlier today and it got me thinking...

How would you fill in the blank:

"Wine is like .... "





(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

There is going to be some great wine in my future... I can just feel it!

As I mentioned yesterday, this week is all about getting prepared for my European journey. The excitement is almost too much to stand. As a red wine lover, there's one part of my trip that I am especially excited about. For those of you following along at home, here is what I will be up to during my stay in Bordeaux.




Day One

I'll arrive at the Bordeaux St Jean train station, grab a taxi and check into my hotel, the Bordeaux Regent. This night is for the Wine Whore and the Mrs. to enjoy on our own. Got any food suggestions?




Day Two

Today will start nice and early: 9am. For those of you who follow my tweets, you know that I LOVE to sleep in. Well, this isn't a trip to take lying down. There's way too much that I want to cram into my time in Bordeaux to waste time in bed.

The day will start at Classified Growth Chateau Haut Bailly on the left band of the River Garonne, south of Bordeaux in the commune of Pessac-Léognan - home to all the Graves Crus Classés.

Next stop, Medoc located on the left bank of the Gironde Estuary in Bordeaux. Lunch break and then it's off to Chateau Grand-Puy Lacoste and then Chateau Rauzan Segla in the commune of Margaux.

After all of this excitement, it's back to the hotel for an evening of food wine and whatever other trouble I can find. Oh yeah, did I mention that today will also be my birthday! Finally 30 years old... I wonder what bottle of wine I should order to celebrate. Suggestions welcomed!



Day Three

Another early morning as I head to Pomerol for a tour and tasting at Chateau Bourgneuf Vayeron where I will also have the chance to meet the one and only Mm. Vayeron. I hear she has been dying to meet the Wine Whore as much as I am excited to meet her!

From there I head to St. Emilion which has been known since Roman times for the quality of its wines. The village and vineyards of St. Emilion are classed today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I am surprised such a famous place is allowing me to visit... I'll try to be on my best behavior but I can't promise anything.

I'll be touring around this city before I head to a tour and tasting at one of the finest chateaux of St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe Chateau Larmande. The visit to this city will conclude with a tour and tasting at Chateau Troplong-Mondot. After a long day of much wine, I'll be let lose to explore and enjoy my last full day in Bordeaux.


Day Four
As the French say, "au revoir"! If I don't come back, you'll know that I decided to stay in Bordeaux forever... is there a French word for Wine Whore?




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

Living in Tampa, FL makes it difficult to get excited about Fall. Aside from the fact that the sweltering heat lessons from 95+ degrees during the day to a cool 85+ degrees, nothing usually changes. This year, however, things are going to be different. Despite the fact that this change of season is wasted on Florida, this October is going to be an exciting month.

Two important things are about to change!

Not only am I turning 30 years old, but I am also about to cross another item off of my bucket list. Look out Chevy Chase, this is going to be an overseas excursion that is sure to rival even the biggest of Wally World adventures.... I am about to make my first trip to Europe. Life as I know it will never be the same.

Planning out this trip was a difficult task. I want to see as much as possible without feeling rushed. That's why I decided to focus my visit to the following three places:



Amsterdam

What better place for a Wine Whore than this Dutch city of canals. Home to legal prostitution and marijuana, Amsterdam is sure to be a great start to my trip. Hopefully the space cakes and purple haze fades in time for me to catch the train to the next stop on my tour.




Paris

Home to crepes, the Eiffel Tower, and excellent WINE!!! I'll be soaking in all of the sights and sounds of this Parisian paradise as I sip away on some of the finest vino in the world. This may be the city of romance but there is only one place fit to be called my one true love...






Bordeaux

How could I call myself a wine lover without stopping in the infamous red wine region of Bordeaux? I'll be taking a guided tour of some of the best estates this region has to offer. Tomorrow, I'll post the full tour schedule including exactly which estates I'll be visiting. Stay tuned!







Like all things in life, there is some bad news. While I am away, I won't have access to all of my usual communication channels such as Facebook, twitter, email, etc. I'll make sure to respond to any emails, birthday wishes, or other notes as soon as I get back to the States. Now for the good news... while I am away, I will have my new HD Flip video camera on me at all times. Now I'll be able to share my overseas affair with you while I am gone.

While I am away, be sure to check back daily for pics, videos, and other fun snippets from my trip. I can't wait for my vacation to begin!!!


(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

Despite the fact that I am still weary about drinking Pinot Noir, I am feeling pretty good today. Not only is the end of the week upon us, but I have some great news to announce very soon. Before I do that, I must share the intimate details about last night's affair.

I have always had a fear of heights. Even a mere couple of feet off of the ground is more than I wish to enjoy. Ladders, balconies, and even escalators used to make me shake. That all changed when I was a teenager and started working as a stock boy at Walgreens. Outside of the store was one of those gigantic signs towering hundreds of feet in the air. Ok, it was more like 20 feet, but that's not the point. Every week, one lucky stock boy was awarded the opportunity to scale this monster to change out the message of the week. For most of the stock boys, this was an unpleasant task due to the sweltering Florida heat. For me, this hatred was intensified by my fear of heights. The first time I did it, I was not happy. My reward for a job well done: the opportunity to do it EVERY week for the next three months. Lucky me! Despite the fact that I was made to perform this task against my will, I actually gained something valuable. By facing my fear, I quickly lost my fear of heights. I was finally cured!

What does all of this have to do about wine?

In an attempt to conquer my paranoia about Pinot Noir, I held back my fears and tasted two bottles from my cellar. In the end, I still have my apprehensions about this grape but I did learn a lot about my fears. Although I still haven't found what I consider to be my ideal tasting bottle, I figured out exactly which characteristics I am looking for. One day this knowledge will bring me closer to finding it.




La Rochelle Monterey Pinot Noir 2006 ~$24/bottle
This Pinot packed a lot of structure but lacked that sweet cola taste I crave. A bit hot and offensive when first opened, but calmed down after some air and patience on my part. Not bad for $24 a bottle but not a bottle I would personally choose to take on a second date.










Cuvaison Block Carneros F5 Pinot Noir 2006 ~$45/bottle
This Pinot was loaded with structure, character, and fruit. This bottle also needed a bit of decanting but opened up into a dry wine with nice tannins after about an hour. For the style of Pinot Noir, this was made very well. Besides the difference of $20, there was also a noticeable difference in quality between the two wines. This wine had a much nicer finish that seemed to never give up. I also like the balance in this wine's character much better. Neither wine however had that round cola taste I was hoping for so I don't think I would have another affair with this bottle either.



In case you missed the tasting, here's the re-run. You can click the dots on the playbar in the video to fast forward to the clips of each wine:


 

(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

 

I'm not going to lie. Maybe I am just as much as an attention whore as I am a wine whore because I spend a great part of my day trying to figure out what interests people about wine. Even more importantly, I spend a great deal of time trying to figure out what could possibly drive someone to read about wine on the internet?

I would like to share what I have figured out so far. Aside from coming equipped with a wine dispenser, free refills, and a clean glass, there are a two things that all websites should offer at a bare minimum: credibility and honesty.

I've also learned that wine lovers want useful information in an easy to digest albeit purple flavored pill. Whether it's a blog, winery, or online wineshop, many wine websites are hard to navigate and have too much text. I am as guilty of this flaw as anyone else. People also don't want to be sold anything or have anything forced down their throat. If it looks appetizing, don't worry, they'll take a sniff, swirl, and a sip all on their own!



Can't we all just get along?

So many wine writers and bloggers spend more time attacking each other than they spend discussing what they supposedly love most: wine. To watch this juvenile behavior is more disappointing than opening a corked bottle of Lafite. I'd like to state for the record that I see nothing wrong with debating about which bottle of Cabernet tastes better. Rather, it's the contemptuous clucking of peers picking away at each other that sounds more like fingernails on a chalkboard than anything I would care to read. The worst part: in the end, credibility is never won or even gained. In fact, everyone involved appears absolutely ridiculous.



We could accomplish so much more if we would just work together!

I'd like to challenge Robert Parker, Steve Heimoff, and all of the other wine bloggers, writers, and fanatics out there. The challenge: if only for only one moment, we join together like a vino loving Voltron to form a unified kick-ass machine. If for no other reason, we should do this for those people out there who look up to us winos for entertainment, education, and guidance!

So what do you say? Who's with me?


Cheers!



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

As much as I hate to admit it, I can't deny that fast food is a huge part of my life. The bad news is that I am not alone. In fact, over 25 percent of Americans consume fast food every day.

This got me thinking...

What type of wine are these fast foodies enjoying with their Big Macs and Gordita Supremes? Here are some wine pairing suggestions to help everyday wine drinkers tackle these drive through dining decisions:



Hamburgers:
Like most Americans, I am a huge burger buff. Big Macs, Whoppers, and In-N-Out Double Doubles are among my favorite bun busting burger choices. Depending on your taste, these beautiful burgers pair with anything from Syrah to Cab Franc. Nothing adds a touch of class to an otherwise ordinary fast food meal like a bottle of Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon to wash down one of these fattening fists full of fun. Try it and you'll never see Ronald McDonald the same!



Mc Rib:
This sweetly sauced gelatinous shell of what a BBQ rib sandwich should be has plagued the McDonalds menus for too many years. These sub shaped sandwiches are messy enough without adding alcohol to the mix. If you are feeling daring enough to chance your brand new white shirt, grab a bottle of spicy Zinfandel and go to town. One way or another, this is sure to be an experience you won't want to forget.




Side Items:
If you enjoy your Chicken McNuggets plain, pair them with a nice Pinot Grigio. If you like 'em with a bit of sweet n spicy tang, then put them with a Zinfandel instead. Don't forget about alternative side items such as Mac N Cheese with a buttery Chardonnay, Campbell's Bean n Bacon Soup with Châteauneuf-du-Pape or my personal favorite, salty potato chips with a dry sparkling wine or a champagne preferably.





Salad:
Looking for a healthier option? If so, you won't want to eat that Chicken Caesar Salad once you destroy it with tubs of dressing, handfulls of croutons, and pounds of shedded cheese. If you still decide to eat this pathetic excuse for a salad, combine it with a Chardonnay or even a Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp, light, and refreshing is the key... at least that was the point before everything was added on top.



Pizza:
Who doesn't like a nice slice of pizza at the end of a long day or even for a quick lunch on the run? The next time you are dining on this delivery delight, toast a glass of Cabernet Franc or Syrah. Either wine will be a welcome treat to wash down your tossed crust pie piled high with your favorite toppings. Also, don't forget the anchovies!



Italian:
Although I am not sure if this fits in the "fast food" category, Spaghetti still deserves a special wine selection. The next time you take out this Italian dish, wash down these slippery strands by sipping on a glass of soft Chianti. Although Chianti's Italian heritage makes sense, feel free to pair any other soft red. Just make sure to watch out for runaway meatballs!



Mexican:
Who said that you can't drink wine with Taco Bell? Tempranillo or Grenache makes a great counterpart to a Crunchwrap Supreme or Meximelt. Like to spice things up? Try a nice Riesling or Chardonnay when applying copious amounts of those little Hot or Fire sauce packets on your meal. This combination will leave you refreshed but be careful. Overdo it and you'll be running for the border in no time!



Wings:
If you are like me, you like a good spicy chicken wing and a cold glass of beer. Feel like changing things up? Try a glass of cool Viognier, Riesling, or Chardonnay instead. All three are guaranteed to take the edge off of the hot sauce before it sears your taste buds into oblivion. One word of caution, if you are at Hooters, stick to the beer. This is not the place to try this experiment.



Chinese Food:
Who doesn't like those soggy little Chinese Food takeout containers with the flimsy metal handles. The next time you take home your Kung Pow Chicken, pair it with a cool Riesling. Not a fan of the Kung Pow? This sweet wine works well with any of the items marked by the little chili peppers. Riesling's sweet spot is perfect for complimenting these dishes while also refreshing the palate.



Fried Chicken:
Whether it's original or extra crispy, a cool Chardonnay will butter your biscuits while dining on the Colonial's secret recipe. The chicken may be finger lickin' good, but this wine combo will have you licking every last drop from your glass too.




BBQ:
If Sonny's BBQ Restaurant had a wine list, they would only need one type of wine: Zinfandel. This smokey vino rocks the BBQ pit better than any other grape. I wonder if Sonny's has a corking fee?






What's your favorite fast food pairing? Click here to share your favorite fast food pairing and maybe even find a new favorite.





(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

This week, I've decided to focus my affairs on one grape known for its stubborn personality: Pinot Noir. Although, I have had many piss poor Pinots in my past, there is one region that seems to consistently deliver delicious examples of this frustratingly fickle grape. One of my favorite regions for this grape and other types of wine such as Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and even Sauvignon Blanc just to name a few, is the Russian River Valley.



What is it about the Russian River that makes it such a vivacious valley for vino?

Climate and Soil!

Heat during the day combined with nocturnal influence of the cooling fog gives birth to amazing grapes which manage to sustain their natural acidity over a longer growing season. Goldridge loam soil, created by tectonic plates uplifting eroded ancient bedrock combined with volcanic ash, eroded volcanic material and large amounts of clay and alluvial materials form the deposits of the soil that create harsh yet perfect conditions for growing grapes.

To prepare for this week's episode of TWWTV, I've decided to give my HONEST take on three similarly priced wine choices from this region. What I found is that there is a Pinot to pair with practically anyone's palate. From soft and elegant, to harsh and gritty, here is how the Russian River rivalry went down:


Soft and Elegant:

Harvest Moon Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006
Price - $36/bottle

Although I tend to enjoy a little more "in your face" action when it comes to my wine, I still found this Pinot Noir to be a worthy contender. This wine showcases what I would consider many of the "old world" characteristics of a Pinot Noir. With its first breath of air, this wine's provocative nose puts out a delicate yet seductive bouquet of fruit. A noticeable tingle of acidity carefully teetered on the edge of balance without falling over. Overall, this affair left me refreshed and satisfied, yet craving a repeat encounter.



Smooth and Balanced:


D'argenzio Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005
Price - $36/bottle

This Pinot is just the way I like 'em. Classy, smooth, and well balanced, D'argenzio successfully found the sweet spot to my senses with the formula for their Pinot Noir. If you are looking for one of those overly "cola" tasting wines, keep looking. If you want a wine that has all of its elements performing in perfect harmony, this one's for you. Smooth, sexy, and balanced, this pleasurable Pinot is a symphony to the senses!



Harsh yet Heavenly:


J. Keverson Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006
Price - $38/bottle

This wine had a lot of the elements that I enjoyed from the other two Pinots with one exception. My palate did not agree with the harsh overtone I picked up on the nose and palate. Like a pimple faced teen maturing through puberty, I am hoping that more time aging and/or decanting would have smoothed out and matured this slightly awkward characteristic. Despite this minor flaw, I enjoyed the sustained finish and the seamless melding between fruit and cola present in this wine. I bet this one will be a stud in a couple of years when it matures.



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

As the Wine Whore, I see a lot of tragedy. Every day thousands of people put what seems to be perfectly harmless grape juice to their lips. What they don't realize is that this juice will one day change their lives. Every glass of these tragically horrible concoctions brings them one sip closer to wine enlightenment. One day they will wake up and be freed by the realization that there are so many better wines out there to be enjoyed.

Friends don't let friends drink gateway wine!

Chances are, you have a friend or family member who likes to drink one of these gateway grapes. They need your help! It is our responsibility to move people off of these gateway grapes and on to greener pastures. Although there are probably more of them out there, here is a list of the top ten to watch out for:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

 

Let me just say that our relationship has been rocky from the start. It probably has a lot to do with our first encounters. There's nothing worse than purchasing a bottle of wine and being disappointed.

This was our introduction:

(insert dream sequence here)

I was at a local restaurant with my wife. It wasn't an overly fancy dinner, but somewhat special nonetheless. I remember salivating as I gripped the wine list. There were so many bottles to choose from, I just couldn't decide. I did have one thing made up in my mind: we would be drinking a Pinot Noir tonight. I had just watched the movie Sideways, and felt inspired by the awkward wine geek personality of Miles. Tonight, I wanted to be like Miles, minus the socially awkward quirks and receding hairline. Tonight, I wanted to drink a nice Pinot Noir.



Now maybe this was my first mistake. But what really sent my wine troubles flying happened next. Being a neophyte to the Pinot Noir persuasion, I turned to the waitress and asked her a question that I would very soon regret. Maybe I put too much faith in waitstaff, and ever since this moment my expectations have adjusted accordingly. It was a simple question, but I had no idea that I would be so disappointed with the answer I would get.

"I'd like a nice bottle of Pinot Noir... what would you recommend?"

I wasn't looking for the cheapest bottle on the menu. In fact, I would have spent quite a bit for this "nice bottle". Instead, I was suggested a relatively overpriced bottle of Mark West Pinot Noir. The deal was sealed once she commented that it was her "favorite Pinot Noir". Okay, how bad could it be?



Let me just say that this was one of those disappointing affairs. It was kinda like the date where you pull out all of the stops, the fancy pants restaurant, limo service, even walk her to the door, without as much as a kiss goodnight. It was like the husband or wife that falls asleep watching television while the other spouse lays impatiently unsatisfied on the other side of the bed. It was like the blind date with the girl or guy who turns out to be on the Most Wanted list....

...Get the point?

(...end dream sequence)

Ever since this scarring moment, I have lived in fear of this fickle grape. I've had a few that were memorable, but more that were monsters. Are there any Pinot Noirs out there that taste good for a relatively low price?



I will attempt to get over my Pinot paranoia for this week's show. I am going to put two bottles of Pinot side by side to see how these Sideways selections stand up. Click the TWWTV logo above to join me this Thursday @ 7:30pm ET as I perform this Pinot throwdown. Don't come empty handed. Bring a bottle of one of the Pinots that I'll be tasting which I've (posted here) or one you just having laying around, grab a friend and bring them to this Thursday's affair... I’ll see you there!



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

This week I cracked into my white wine supply to prove an important point.

Men DO drink white wine!

To prove my point and help rally support for my petition, I sacrificed myself in the name of wine. I know, it’s rough, but all part of the job. To celebrate my manly decision to down white wine, this week's episode of TWWTV featured two Sauvigonon Blancs: Chalk Hill Estate, and Clos LaChance.

The result: not only was I completely comfortable in my masculinity, I also broke somewhat of a bad luck streak I have been having lately. As luck would have it, both of the wines turned out tasty. So delicious, in fact, that I completely emptied both bottles before retiring for the evening. It was a great night!

How I would compare the two bottles from last night’s affair?


There was a noticeable difference in character between the $10 bottle from Clos LaChance and the $33 bottle from Chalk Hill Estate. The later had a depth in grassy fragrance and finish that was quite impressive and earning of the relatively high price tag. This was one of those affairs that I would wake up and tell my friends about the next day.



Let me also go on the record as saying that the $10 bottle from Clos LaChance did not disappoint!

While it lacked some of the depth of its Chalk Hill counterpart, it had a round and sweet taste that made it enjoyable to drink. Not only was it not offensive, but I would admit that I think it was a great buy especially for only $10. This wine would have been an excellent choice for my discussion with Lynn Kessel about "Wine that doesn't have to break the bank". Despite the fact that I had a slight headache, I didn’t feel cheap, used, or dirty at all after this encounter.

So there you have it!

In case you missed it, here's the video from last night's interactive tasting:

 

(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

 

Friend and fellow wine lover, Jen Senel sent me some pictures the other day that made me stop and think. We travel through every day of our lives making many decisions. We choose everything from the food we eat, to the people we decide to help. Some decisions are good, many more are bad, but either way we learn about life. Personally, every decision I make seems to teach me something new about the world and who I am as a person.

The same applies to my interactions with wine. I choose which wines I like, why I like them or even what it is that I hate about them. Good or bad, every new experience teaches me something new about my palate. This led me to think about the bad experiences.

Have I committed any wine sins along the my journey.

How many of these cardinal wine sins are you guilty of ever committing? I know I have committed quite a few even in just the past month. Are there any you would add to the list?



Lust - Drinking wine from anything other than a wine glass (i.e. plastic cup, right from the bottle, etc)



Gluttony - Drinking so much wine, you get sick and/or hungover



Wrath - Pouring a perfectly good bottle of wine down the drain



Sloth - Drunkenly spilling a glass or bottle on someone (including yourself)



Envy - Spitting out perfectly good wine


Pride - Accidentally shattering a cork while opening a bottle



...and the worst wine sin anyone could ever commit:

Greed - Not sharing wine with others



We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll wrap up the week's wine affairs including this week's episode of TWWTV. In the meantime, share your last cardinal wine sin here. Also check out Jen's site for more cool wine photos like the 7 Deadly Zins pics included in this post.


(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

Ever have one of those days?

Not necessary a “bad” day but just one where everything you plan doesn't seem to go the way you expect?

Yesterday was one of those days where it seemed like someone was playing a practical joke on me. Nothing seemed to go the way I planned. I woke up craving Petite Sirah and Ahi Tuna. I trolled all day long looking for the right recipe and I couldn’t wait to go to the supermarket and stock up for the meal. What I didn’t realize was that the divine force of Publix had bigger plans for me. By divine plans, I mean that they were all out of Ahi Tuna. Insistent on leaving the store empty handed, I ended up coming home with some solid slabs of Tenderloin instead.

This changed everything.



Not only did I have to shelve the bottle of Petite Sirah that I had been salivating over for days, but now I had to dig up a replacement affair with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. This last minute wine booty call left me scrambling.


On par with my luck yesterday, I had to make TWO Cabernet booty calls since the first one went horribly wrong...



The first one was a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that arrived just the other day from Steven Kent Winery. I opened it and was immediately concerned. Although I was attracted at first to the soft yet somehow overpowering fragrance, when I took it from the nose to the tongue, something seemed foul. Since my tastes are accustomed to full bodied, overblown Cabs, this bottle seemed different. After a few minutes, an overtone of vinegar seemed to take over and I realized that shipping must have destroyed what should have otherwise been a delicious bottle of Cab. It became apparent rather quickly that I would have to end this affair early without even a kiss goodnight. There was no way I was going to bed with this wine tonight.


Too early to call it a night, I decided to call up another wine to accompany my evening of Filet foolery. After a brief search, I found a suitable suitor: a bottle of Optima Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004. This bottle was a bit harsh and unfriendly at first, but warmed up after some vigorous decanting. This Cab was earthy and not overly fruity but firm, strong, and charismatic. By the time the meal was prepared, this bottle was sitting up and begging like a well behaved dog... and by the end of the night I have to admit that this wine was giving my palate a bone!



Let me start off by saying that when it comes to food, I am somewhat of a culinary retard. Despite my passion for the grape, my food pairings are quite mundane. There is one exception. When it comes to Cabernet, I am as big of a carnivore as I am a wine whore.

I used to cook my steaks all wrong. The important thing about cooking steak is that you want to get a well done coating surrounding as large of a radiating pink center as possible. I used to just throw the steaks on an extremely hot grill thinking this would do the trick. This procedure created steaks overdone on the outside without a large enough pink center... hardly what I would consider ideal.

Despite the fact that I am nowhere near and probably never will become a chef, I still enjoy watching the Food Network. I blame my wife for this one. She enjoys watching these shows and after a bit of resistance on my part, I am now hooked. Now there are many different cooking shows, and believe me, I feel like I have seen them all, but there is one in particular that annoys me the most. Ironically enough, this is the show that provided me the guidance for my carnivorous cooking creations.



I can't help but say "Jeffrey" over and over again when I think of this show. If you have ever watched one the Barefoot Contessa's shows, you know exactly what I am talking about. Ina pretentiously mentions her husband Jeffrey at least a million times every show. As a side note, let me just say that in my opinion, this show should not be called "Back to Basics." When she begins to feature hot dogs and mac n cheese, then it deserves this title. Until then, there is nothing "basic" about the posh culinary creations coming from this kitchen in the Hamptons.

Aside from an aversion for culinary yuppies, I learned from Ina how to properly sear a steak. My recipe includes a bit of Wine Whore flair and a few tricks I am trying to perfect:



I start by patting the steaks dry with a paper towel, applying olive oil to the edges, and rubbing in a combination of freshly cracked black pepper, chili pepper, and garlic salt.


I like a healthy layer of pepper crusting on the edges. I still haven't found the perfect mixture of spices for my rub. This particular combination came out a bit too spicy. What do you use for your steak rub? This cornerstone to the perfection of a seared steak is yet to be discovered in my kitchen.



Once the steaks are nicely rubbed, I heat up a large frying pan with my secret recipe. If you are a fan of Paula Deen, this ingredient is NO secret. I don't use oil to sear my steaks. Instead, I use a whole melted stick of butter to sweetly sear these fabulously fat Filets.



Once the melted butter is nice and hot, I carefully add the steaks to the pan.



Let the filets lock in a crispy coating on each side for about 1 minute before turning over. Make sure to get all four edges as well as the top and bottom. This helps to get a nice tasty coating while not overcooking the middle.



At this point, I started boiling some big ass florets of broccoli. I absolutely love broccoli that is well cooked or even borderline falling off of the stalk. I know this isn’t the best way to enjoy these green goodies, but it's the way I used to eat it when I was a kid. Like Michael Jackson, this part of my palate never grew up.



After the steaks are done searing in the frying pan and all sides are beautifully crusted, I move them to the grill outside. Low heat for about 4-5 minutes per side help to cook the middle a bit while also not destroying the flavor and tenderness of the steaks. When they are ready to come back inside, I let them rest on a plate covered by foil until the side items are ready. Combine the steak with the fixin’s and voila!

Doesn't it look amazing?

After a long frustrating day, this was the perfect compliment to the Optima Cabernet and a great way to end an otherwise turbulent Tuesday. This is one wine whore that loves happy endings!


(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

There is a secret that some wine reviewers don't want you to know. This dirty little secret forces them to fail to paint the true stories about their wine affairs.

The secret: some bottles of wine are NOT good... in fact, many are down right BAD!

As the Wine Whore, I get all kinds of clients: the good, the not bad, and sometimes the REALLY bad. To kill time before this week's episode of TWWTV, I've decided to give my HONEST take on three of my wine choices this week of varying degrees of appeal. From daring and dirty, to downright disgusting... without further adieu, here is my synopsis of this week's affair.


The Good:


Harvest Moon Russian River Valley Sparkling Zinfandel 2007
Price - $30/bottle

I approached this odd sparkler with apprehension despite the fact that Harvest Moon holds a special place in my heart as the winery that broke my Wine Whore virginity. Having never had a Sparkling Zinfandel, I didn't know what to expect. It didn't take long for me to remember what drew me to my first love. I was pleasantly aroused by the floral nose. Jolly rancher, watermelon, and soft fruit wet my palate while the cleansing bubbles tickled my senses. When it was all over, the affair left me craving a cigarette and even excited to call back for an encore the next day!


The Not Bad:


Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Sangiovese Sonoma County 2006
Price - $20/bottle

Several odd shaped bottles arrived at my doorstep and for some reason, I chose this redhead first. The nose was nice and fruity but scarred by what seemed to me like a slight imbalance in acidity which came off with a hint of tartness. While soft and thin, it held on for a nice sustain on the finish without any obnoxious metallic aftertaste that tends to plague many other value wines. Overall enjoyable and a decent value for the price tag but nothing to brag to your friends about the next day.


The Ugly:


Graton Ridge RRB Sonoma County A+ Apple Dessert Wine 2007
Price - $23/bottle

This wine is perfect if I was looking for something to light a tiki torch or run a generator. If you are looking for something to actually swallow, I would not recommend this wine. Its harsh cider vapors reminded me of the cheap crappy booze I used to do shots of in high school. I tried to pour a little on some vanilla ice cream to drown out the acidic overtones and I think the ice cream actually melted in fear before I could even pour a drizzle on top. This is one of those affairs as The Wine Whore that left me feeling dirty, cheap, and used. Don't try this one at home.



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

Maybe I am just getting carried away, but I am just really sick of the ignorance. I think it's time to change the way that people see wine. You are probably wondering what will happen once the petition gets over 10,000 signatures. The honest answer is: nothing definite. I can't promise that anything will change.

So what's the purpose?

This petition is a vehicle to increase awareness. This is our chance to show the world just how many of us love the grape. This is our chance to socialize wine!

If you feel as strongly as I do about this cause, please sign the petition and spread the word to anyone you know who feels the same. I need all of the help I can get spreading this message. To help get the message out, I've formed a Facebook group dedicated to this cause and published the following press release:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Ending Prejudice One Sip at a Time

By collecting over 10,000 signatures, self proclaimed wino Randy Watson pledges to put an end to wine prejudice. His petition aims to change the belief held by many that a glass of wine isn’t as masculine as a frosty beer.

When it comes to misconceptions about the grape, self proclaimed wino Randy Watson is trying the change the world. Acting on behalf of all victims of “wine prejudice”, he is encouraging wine lovers to take a stand. The goal: change the belief held by many that a glass of wine isn’t as masculine as a frosty beer. Through a petition posted on his website (http://www.winewhoreblog.com), Watson is rallying for what he calls “the socialization of wine.”

Watson insists that everyone must do their part to “tear down these misconceptions about wine.” His dream is that one day wine will be as socially acceptable as chugging light beer during a football game. Proud about his own tastes, Watson loudly boasts “I am not afraid to admit that I LIKE drinking Chardonnay and I don't think THAT makes me any less of a man!”

By gaining over 10,000 signatures on his petition, Watson hopes to prove to the world that real men DO drink wine. He asks that all of the wine lovers of the world unite by signing the petition to join him in the fight against this injustice against wine drinkers.

Contact:
Randy Watson
thewinewhore@winewhoreblog.com

###


(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

Yesterday I had a conversation that made me so upset that I realized it was time to send up a flare in the sky of the wine world. We need to come together to prevent this ignorance from ever happening again…

I was talking to a friend and co-worker and he made a statement that really pissed me off. I am a victim of prejudice. I now know how it feels to be judged by who you are or what you love and it sucks!

I always love talking about wine. This conversation started no different than any other. We were discussing different local venues to hang out and have a drink. I told him about some of the places I visited last week. Naturally, I suggested that he and his wife check them out. I meant well by thinking that they would have a great time but I forget something very important. I forgot how many people DON'T give wine a fair chance. It was then, that he said something that took me by complete surprise.

Before I repeat the ignorant words that bellowed from his mouth, I'd like to ask the male wine lovers out there a question. Have you ever felt uncomfortable admitting that you enjoy a nice cool glass of wine as much as a frosty beer?

Has this ever happened to you?



You are hanging out with your friends, maybe even watching football and the subject of wine comes up. There is always someone who laughs and says that wine is only for women. Especially when it comes to white wine!

Getting back to the conversation with my co-worker, as we were talking about places to drink wine, he revealed that he doesn't like drinking wine. His reasoning: "I thought only 'fruity' guys drink white wine"

Really?!

I tried to argue with him about this but I knew it was a losing battle. After I calmed down, I realized that I had a job to do. My mission in life became clear. As The Wine Whore, I must do my part to tear down these misconceptions about wine. Wine needs to be as socially acceptable to guys as chugging crappy light beer during a football game. I am not afraid to admit that I LIKE drinking Chardonnay and I don't think THAT makes me any less of a man!

What will it take to make cool for the masses?

Prove to the world that real men DO drink wine by signing this petition. Both men and woman can do their part to make a change. I need 10,000 signatures to make a difference. Please get all of your friends and fellow wine lovers to help this great cause by signing this petition.


I will begin my rally during this week's show. I am going to crack into my white wine supply to prove an important point. Click the TWWTV logo above to join me this Thursday @ 7:30pm ET as I prove that men DO drink white wine. Don't come empty handed. We need to prove this together. Grab a friend, your favorite bottle of white wine and bring them to this Thursday's affair... I’ll see you there!


We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll talk about a serious problem (besides my drinking habit). In the meantime, click here to share your opinion on why REAL men SHOULD drink wine.




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

What is love?

It’s easy to criticize the work of others. In fact, most people probably spend hours of their daily lives talking about things they don't like. Being a critic is easy because it requires no creative ability other than the knack for pointing out the inadequacies of the things being critiqued.

To discover true love is much more daunting task. Regardless of the subject matter, everyone has their own unique criteria and expectations for what they truly love. I’d like to share my definition of true love in terms of wine, but before I do, there is something important to need to say that will come as a surprise to most people. When it comes to describing what people like about a bottle of wine, I've realized something important:

Tasting notes are BULLSHIT!



Most people see wine as some sort of mythical creature. They hear tales of its awesomeness, maybe even see a picture or two, but never really experience it for themselves. Their realm of knowledge is based entirely on someone else’s perspective. Instead of forming their own opinions, they look to these "experts" to gather what they believe is consciousness about an otherwise misunderstood subject. These recounts which are better known as tasting notes in the wine world, are the nemesis to wine discovery and enlightenment.

Here's a fun game I like to play:
Open up your favorite wine magazine, wine blog, or wine website and read the first tasting note you can find. Here’s a great example of a tasting note written by the infamous wine magazine, Wine Spectator:


 

91pts SHOOFLY Shiraz Adelaide 2007
Polished, plush and generous with its cinnamon and citrus peel-accented plum and cherry flavors.

I am going to have to call BULLSHIT on this one!

Polished and plush? Are you kidding me? Are we talking about shoes, carpet, or wine? People with little wine knowledge read such ambiguous terms and not only believe this crap, but also think that they are less knowledgeable for not being able to come up with such worthless rhetoric on their own. Let’s get one thing straight. The ability to sniff and sip a glass of wine and then spit out a tasting note like this only proves that you are creative and possibly have a large vocabulary. It says nothing about the degree of your wine education.

Maybe it’s only the uptight, elitist wine magazines that are spewing out these mythical tasting notes. Let's go a quick Google search on this wine to see what others have to say...

 

"Big, bold and delicious, this wine expresses oodles of spicy dark berry fruits, plums, black pepper and earthy mint"

"amazing nose, great mid-palate and finish"

"enough smoke, black fruit and tannins to have tamed a steak"

Unbelievable! No wonder so many people feel like they don’t know anything about wine. They are bewildered by all of the descriptive words being tied together into a string of meaninglessness. It's like a wine version of Mad Libs. Try it! Next time you are enjoying a glass of wine, string together some commonly used loosely related adjectives. Not only is it a lot of fun, but guaranteed to impress people of all levels of wine knowledge. It makes a great party game!

The bottle of wine of my dreams can not be adequately described using such gaudy tasting notes. The only way to do it justice is to put it to your lips and experience it firsthand. One sip and the experience will stain your palate and ruin every other wine that dares to have an affair with your senses. This is true love!



Last night I got into this discussion while sharing a couple of bottles with fellow wine blogger and wine lover of Drink What You Like. I explained to Frank what I thought was the ideal bottle of wine and also exchanged some tasting notes of our own along with the conversation. Here are my thoughts about the two wines we tasted:

 

Hollywood and Vine 2480 Cabernet
Right up there with Enron stock options, this is one of the worst investments I could have ever made. I was actually embarrassed by the fact that I was the one who suggested that we order it. Although the wine was good, it lacked the substantial character and that “wow factor” I expect from this relatively high price bracket. I could have found this wine to be a good value if got three bottles for the price of one.

Domaine Serene Yamhill Cuvee Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2005
If you like that signature "cola" taste that everyone talks about in a Pinot Noir, this one will deliver. This bottle was a much better value for the price tag than my first selection. Wasn't amazing, but definitely less embarrassing.

My advice: The best way to give your tasting notes is to be honest about what you like or hate about the wine. Ridiculous tasting notes show how many impressive adjectives you can come up with, not how much you know about wine. Instead of telling a tall tale, give your honest recount. Once you master honesty of your palate, you will graduate to a TRUE wine connoisseur instead of just a wine dummy.


We are all out of time for today’s session. Click here to share the story behind the wine of your dreams.




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

It all started when I began whoring myself for wine. I would get emails, Facebook requests, and all kinds of other spam asking me to check out this, or try that. I get so many of these types of requests, it's sometimes hard to sort out the ones that are reputable and the ones that are just plain stupid.

Along the way, I have made some friends. They come to watch TWWTV, they visit the site, and more importantly they help me enjoy the thing I like most in the world: WINE!

Today, I want to share this perk with you:



I met the owner of this online store when I first started my affairs. Like myself, he is trying to take his love for wine into an honest living. We talk very often over facebook and twitter and he has always been supportive and helpful to me and my affairs.

Just the other day, we were talking and he decided that all of my friends deserve a break. We, the members of the Wine Whore Community have received a special offer from ItsWineTime.com. We can now get 30% off all wine accessories including glasses, decanters, corkscrews, etc, using coupon code WINEWHORE at checkout. Also, for those of you who like cigars... they have those too!

Also, don't forget:
There won't be an episode this week of TWWTV but for those of you looking for FREE wine... it's time!



If you live in Tampa, be sure to join me this Thursday (9/17) at Winemall from 6:30-8:30pm in Tampa for a Happy Hour FREE wine tasting and the chance to share a glass with me! (Click here for event info and details)

I'll see you there!



We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll talk about my crazy weekend and why I couldn't get out of bed Saturday.




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

As I was saying yesterday, I miss the innocence of being a little kid. A lot of great ideas come to me while thinking about happy memories which is the reason why the inspiration behind the Whiney is so close to my heart:

When I was in elementary school I won an award that I'll never forget. In fact, I still have it stored away safely to this very day (picture above). This award was given to me for demonstrating leadership and scholastic achievement. Despite the fact that my mother would probably disagree, my modesty tells me to this day that I didn't deserve it. Nonetheless, I'll never forget how proud I was to have this medal bestowed upon me. Although I never really wore it, I will always keep it safely stored while I wear the memory of receiving it around my heart.

As the scavenger hunt comes to an end, I am proud to pass this memory on to someone else. As such, I am excited to announce that none other than the fabulous Wine Whore photographer, Jen Senel has won the first annual Whiney Award. This Whiney Award will take the form of a medal similar to the one I earned many years ago. The only difference will be the proud title of "2009 Whiney Award" engraved on its chest.

Jen, congratulations on winning this award! I'm sure we'll get some awesome pictures of you wearing it posted on the site very soon so everyone can gaze in jealousy at your accomplishment. To all of you who participated but didn't win: Thank you for making this so much fun... and good luck next year!


We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll announce a new and intimate position available. Until then, you can catch me at 7:30pm ET Thursday for my next online affair.




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

Despite the fact that I enjoy the freedom of being an adult, I sometimes miss the innocence of being a little kid. I miss how even the smallest things felt like the biggest rewards. I am disappointed at how this innocence is often overlooked as we get older. We get so wrapped up in life that we forget to put things into the right perspective. To preserve this innocent pleasure, I try to remind myself to take time to notice the little things that used to seem so awesome.

Just thinking about it, brings me back...

I remember how much fun I used to have as a kid going on Easter egg hunts. We would all scamper around looking for painted eggs as if each one had a million dollars hidden inside. What would it be like if as adults we could go on an Easter egg hunt?

I get a lot of great ideas while thinking about happy memories. This particular childhood memory served as the inspiration behind the scavenger hunt that I announced a couple of weeks ago. The hunt was comprised of a list of questions. To win, participants scurried around the internet looking for answers to as many of the questions as they could find.

The participants in the scavenger hunt weren't the only ones to learn a thing or two.

During the process of putting together the scavenger hunt, I learned something very important. By bringing together bloggers and other wine related folks, I learned that there are a lot of really awesome people in the wine/food community.

To all of you who were included and who joined in, I'd like to give a warm thank you!



... So now that you know the story behind the scavenger hunt, you are probably wondering who won the honor of taking home the coveted Whiney. The second question impatiently tapping its foot in your head: What the heck is a Whiney anyways?

I am actually really surprised at how few people questioned this award when the contest was first announced. Although this is only the first year I am hosting this event, I hope it will live on and evolve for many more years but one thing will never change. The winner will always receive the coveted Whiney award.

But what is it?

There is a good story behind the Whiney but before I get into that, here are the answers to the scavenger hunt clues:




1) Which wine produced at Gaspereau Vineyards absolutely tantalizes your tastebuds and we nicknamed it “Dangerously Drinkable”? http://www.gaspereauwine.com


2) Receiving 90 points in the 2007 California State Fair Wine Competition, what beverage was served with a Scallop entree? http://www.wineatfive.net


3)What two instruments does Joe from 1winedude.com play? http://www.1winedude.com


4) What year was the fire on Mare Island in Vallejo, CA that destroyed 1,100 cases of Rominger West’s 2004 vintage Chardonnay and Syrah? http://www.romingerwest.com


5) What wine did Gary Erickson of Clif Family winery want Sarah Gott to model The Climber Red wine after? http://www.winetonite.com


6) What wine goes well with BBQ? http://www.whineaux.com


7) Brianonwine wrote aebout a win under the label of an NFL legend before actually tasting the wine. Name the NFL legend, the article of clothing specified in the posting and the year and win/loss record to which he compared the wine. http://brianonwine.blogspot.com


8)What are the principal white grapes in the Loire Valley, France? http://www.vinosseur.com


9) What was the first Florida wine to be reviewed by ecoastwines.com. http://www.ecoastwines.com


10) Which winery does Wannabe Wino credit with her love of red wine? http://www.wannabewino.com


11) Which book chronicles a wine writers travels through the some worlds most extreme wine territories including Algeria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania? http://www.DrinkWhatYouLike.com


12) What region of France, considered 'The Cradle of French Rose,' only produces Rose wines? http://www.DrinkWhatYouLike.com


13) What's the most expensive wine that's ever been reviewed on http://wineweek.com.au? http://wineweek.com.au


14) Where did Melinda do her sake-making internship? http://tokyodrinkingglass.blogspot.com


15) What's brown and white and greedy all over? http://tokyodrinkingglass.blogspot.com


16) What author does Melinda dream of meeting? http://tokyodrinkingglass.blogspot.com


17) What California winery's 2004 Merlot boasted that the "ripe cherry, mocha, chocolate and spice aromas" would make Ben and Jerry eat their hearts out? http://www.3blindmoose.com


18) Table Scraps author Lynn Kessel cubes, freezes, then tosses what favorite summer fruit into a glass of white wine? http://www.lynnkessel.blogspot.com


19) On what date did the the westcoastwino review the Prime Cellars 2005 Napa Cabernet? http://www.westcoastwino.com


20) While drinking which wine might you find cattle grazing at the home of a French Baron? http://www.anotherwineblog.com


21) How do Mark and Sonia choose where to go for their intercontinental absurdities? http://www.pulpology.com


22) What year did the Sobon family make the decision to start farming sustainably? http://www.sobonwine.com


23) How many publications does wine.com use to collect ratings on wine? http://www.wine.com


24) According to the Passionate Foodie, what is one of the best stops in Portland for wine lovers and foodies? http://passionatefoodie.blogspot.com


25) According to Evan Dawson, when you meet Heron Hill's winemaker, what name should you not make the mistake of calling him? http://www.lenndevours.com



We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll announce the winner of the Scavenger Hunt and answer the burning question: What the heck is a Whiney?




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

• Seyval Blanc 2008

 

• What is gooad adsfBarefoot Bubbly Extra Dry Champagne. Barefoot Bubbly Extra Dry Barefoot Bubbly Extra Dry Champagne Barefoot Bubbly Extra Dry Champagne Barefoot Bubbly Extra Dry Champagne

 

• bass guitar and digeridoo

 

• October 2005

 

• Orin Swift’s The Prisoner

 

• Rock Gate Merlot

 

• Mike Ditka, William Perry's jockstrap, Chicago Bears 1969 1-13 season.

 

• Melon de Bourgogne, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc

 

• Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards Cuvee Blanc

 

• David Coffaro

 

• Africa Uncorked - Travels in Extreme Wine Territory

 

• Tavel

 

• The All Saints Museum Muscat (Au $1,000)

 

• Daimon Shuzo

 

• Misha

 

• David Sedaris

 

• 3 Blind Moose Cellars

 

• Watermelon

 

• Thursday, May 21, 2009

 

• Vina Los Vascos SB

 

• They started off with the darts-on-a-map approach, which didn't really narrow things down all that much because there are only a small handful of places on the planet they didn't want to visit. From there they started looking at weather factors, which changed a few times as their game plan changed. Budget played a small part; they've always wanted to visit Italy but now is just not the time to go to Europe if you want to stretch your US dollars.

 

• 1989

 

• 8

 

• The Browne Trading Gourmet Market

 

• Tom

 

 

Now that I am sharing more about myself, I think it is the appropriate time to admit something very embarrassing...

It doesn't take a sommelier to figure out that the worlds of wine and food are intimately related. Wine connoisseurs are constantly discussing the perfect pairings to match their prized bottles of vino while foodies relentlessly search for that bottle of wine to compliment their delicately crafted dish. In fact, as The Wine Whore on the streets, one of the most common questions people ask me is: what should I drink with ? or what should I eat with ?



Don't get me wrong, I often endeavor to put together special dishes. My personal specialty is working with red meat. I can sear, grill, and serve a steak that will satisfy even the most critical of carnivores. That being said, I am NO gourmet cook. Most of the time, I come home from work exhausted and barely willing to prepare a microwave meal let alone a four course presentation of duck a l'Orange. Even Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals are often too time consuming for my daily grind. Should that stop me from enjoying a nice bottle of wine?

Absolutely NOT!

I am a firm believer that the occasion should not be the cause for a good bottle of wine but that a good bottle of should be the cause for an occasion. You should be able to enjoy a nice bottle regardless of where you are, what you are doing, or who you are with (within reason of course). If it is truly a good bottle, it will make the environment in which it is experienced just that much better. It is in this way that wine compliments the storyline of life instead of always upstaging it.


My embarrassing secret: I often enjoy what many would consider to be scandalous affairs with food and wine. I am embarrassed to admit that I have no qualms about pairing wine with everything from everyday comfort food like Mac N Cheese to the classic hotdogs and beans. I’ll be the first to admit that my wanton disregard sometimes backfires but there are many moments of passion that result from rewarding combinations that otherwise would remain unknown to my tongue.



Last Saturday, was one of these dirty occasions. I have to admit that I did it once again. I just couldn’t help it. With no other appealing alternatives available, I resorted to pairing a South Australian Shiraz by Kilikanoon (Killerman's Run 2007) with none other than the classically gourmet dish: spaghetti with tomato sauce. Now I am aware that there are many ways to prepare an excellent dish of spaghetti but since I am being entirely honest, I am going to admit that none of what I enjoyed that evening was prepared from scratch. That is, unless you consider Ragu to be crafted "from scratch"? Not likely.



Although my affair was dirty and sinful, it felt good. The slightly sweet tomato sauce complimented the spice of the Shiraz quite well. Overall it was an enjoyable ménage that took only minutes to put together.

As for the vino, for only $20, this was a decent bottle of wine. While I wouldn't consider it to be in the same league as the beautifully dynamic bottle of Penfolds Bin 389 that I enjoyed a couple weeks ago, in terms of character, its softer body exposed itself with moderate decanting as a smooth partner to the texture of the spaghetti dish. The most important thing that I noted about the experience was that all of the components went together well. No one taste, texture, or smell overpowered another. To combine in harmony so elegantly is a symphony to the palate even the greatest of connoisseurs could deny enjoying.

So there’s my dirty secret. Should I be embarrassed to admit combining comfort food in such a taboo fashion? Maybe so, but for me, it's all part of the job of being The Wine Whore.


We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll announce the winner of the Scavenger Hunt and answer the question you probably have been wondering about for weeks. In the meantime, share your most embarrassing or strange food pairing by clicking here and sharing the details of your affair and whether or not it was a symphony to your palate or just a big disaster.




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

After many affairs, you become desensitized...

As a Wine Whore, I am most attracted to those clients with unique characteristics. This tendency reminds me of something I learned in school. I had a teacher that related the quality of a movie to my personal favorite McDonald's staple: The Big Mac. His theory was that most movies were like Big Macs. You find yourself craving it and wanting to enjoy it. You make your way to the counter, pay the fee, and quickly gobble it down. You may even be satisfied with your meal when it is gone. The next day, however like a one night stand, you forget all about your encounter. Your memory of the event is indistinguishable from any other Big Mac you ever enjoyed and inevitably, you move on with your life forgetting that the event ever even happened.

To sum up this theory in a word: forgettable.

That's the theory of the Big Mac. The things in life that are superior are not easily forgotten.

Although you won't find any sesame seeds, pickle, or cheese, the theory of the Big Mac also applies to wine. Many bottles are forgettable. The packaging is mundane, the taste is mediocre, and the experience is quickly forgotten. The only lingering memory is the painful hangover that follows the next morning. Aside from that, your life is unchanged and your palate moves on.

Yesterday, something unusual happened. In typical wine whore fashion, a client showed up at my doorstep wrapped in a flat brown box weighing about 16 pounds:



Yes, math skills time again, that's 4 bottles of vino that came a knockin'! But what's so different about this? Well, what seduced my palate were the contents that lay peacefully inside the brown shipping container. These four bottles were clearly hand picked for a whore like myself:



Despite the fact that these bottles are value priced like a Big Mac, selling for only $12 a bottle, there was one feature that stood out. Two of the four bottles are named Monogamy and the other two are called promisQous.

Which one should I choose?

The Wine Whore in me goes for the promisQous but the sensitive wine lover in me is attracted to Monogamy. I obviously have no choice but to try all four of 'em to see if this one night stand stands out from amongst the rest:
 

• promisQous California Pinot Grigio
   
• promisQous California red table wine
   
• Monogamy North Coast California Chardonnay 2007
   
• Monogamy North Coast California Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

How would you describe your love for wine? Are you promiscuous or are you monogamous about your vino? I'd like to invite you to watch my affair with these four bottles and share your love for wine:


Click the TWWTV logo above to join me this Thursday @ 7:30pm ET as I put the Big Mac theory to the test. Don't be shy and most importantly, don't come empty handed. Find a bottle of wine that either stands out or describes your personality with its name, label, region, vintage, or grape and bring it to this Thursday's affair... I’ll see you there!


We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll talk about something something very embarrassing for me to admit. In the meantime, tell me what stands out to you in the bottle of wine that you are going to bring to this Thursday's tasting by clicking here and sharing the story behind your pick.




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

 

Before I share some good news, I'd like to talk about something close to my heart: my fear. I absolutely hate being scared. The feeling of fear infects its way through my soul like a shiver of goosebumps penetrating my skin. By the time it reaches my head, I can't think, I can't move, I am powerless.

The worst part: when it departs, it leaves regret in its place.



I am ashamed to admit that when I was younger, I often let fear control decisions that should have been made by my head instead. I can recall one particular incident like it happened just yesterday. His name was Eric and he wasn't a giant, but he was much bigger than me. His popularity in the eighth grade was almost as large as his stature. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but for he some reason, he decided that I would make a great punching bag. Literally and figuratively. I felt paralyzed and powerless to him. Anger eventually replaced my fear but regardless of my feelings, I never once gave Eric a taste of what he really deserved. This, I will always regret.

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Maybe this belief is just a cheap form of therapy, but I think that I am a better person thanks to Eric. Although I still regret that I never kicked the ever living shit out of him, I did learn a valuable lesson in life: fear is powerless when you are in control. If I confront my fears, I will have no regret.



This week was an important week for me. I ran head-on into my fears without caring about anything else. It felt SO good!

Regardless of whether or not the words are ever met by another living set of eyes, writing from the heart is a very liberating experience. Despite my fear in exposing myself to others, it feels great to confront the world with my story by immortalizing it in print. To celebrate my transition as a Wine Whore, I have refreshed the site layout with a more risque and lush design deserving of my affairs. I am really proud of the new design. It signifies a new beginning for myself and my affairs with wine.

With all of this going on, there is something important I must not forget to be thankful for: YOU. I can't even begin to explain just how awesome it is to have friends to hang out with and drink with every week. I learn so much about wine just by hanging out and talking with other people. This week, we got together and honestly talked about "cheap" wine and what makes it taste good:

 

Good people in this world are hard to find but worth every bit of the search effort. It's especially cool when friends do unexpected things to help each other out. I'd like to take a second to recognize one such friend. I would like to say thank you to the folks over at ChefCommons for sharing one of my posts on their site. If you are into food, you'll want to join their network and make some new friends too!

We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll talk about something I have been getting a lot of questions about. In the meantime, let's get together and share a drink to celebrate the long holiday weekend. Share your weekend wine plans here.





(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

Sometimes I get really frustrated. If you are like me, you wake up exhausted, get in your car, and drown yourself in enough caffeine to launch a space shuttle just to be cognizant enough to face another day.

I am a firm believer that people were not meant to live the way we do... it just doesn't seem natural!



I'll save my rant about traffic for another post but I will say that I think most people believe that merging is a legal form of the game "chicken". Its all about who shows fear first. Show weakness, and you are destined to get creamed. Driving to work every day feels like a game of Russian Roulette. By the time I walk in the door of my office, I am just thankful to still be alive.

The best part? After 48 ounces of Diet Mountain Dew and ten long hours later, I get to do it all over again. Awesome! :(

I was going to go into a rant today about things that piss me off. Instead of dwelling on the negative (there's plenty of time for that later), I would like to share something that makes my daily struggle seem to melt away into a cloud of bliss...

My secret? No, it's not drugs!(unless of course you consider alcohol a drug)

When things don't seem to make sense in the world, there is a recipe that is sure to provide comfort for the soul. It's the only thing that can calm my nerves while re-energizing my morale at the same time. I don't have to travel far from home to enjoy it. In fact, I am usually much more content enjoying it in the comfort of my own home.

The formula to the remedy to my daily worldly woes is simple:
 

• Mix one juicy, thick, rare steak cooked to perfection.
  
   
• Add in one beautiful bottle of lush red wine:
  
   
• And serve alongside the company of the woman I love.

Last night, this recipe melted an otherwise horrendous day into a wonderfully relaxing evening. I came home from work, cooked up a thick crimson heap of 1.5 pounds of beautifully carved tenderloin and served it alongside a charismatic bottle of 2005 Clos du Bois Marlestone (decanted liberally). The conversation flowed as liberally as the wine, and long outlasted the meal... these moments remind me of the real reason why people were put on this earth: to live, love, and be happy!

Speaking of which, it's time once again for me to serve up today's heaping portion of this amazing recipe for happiness. I hope wherever you are when you read this, you remember what's important and take the time to enjoy those around you instead of just fighting them in your daily struggle to survive.



We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I will announce some exciting news. In the meantime, share the little things that make YOU a happy camper here. Also check out Jen's site for more cool wine photos like the Happy Camper pics included in this post.



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

 

When we left off yesterday, I was explaining how you need to be careful what you wish for. Don't get me wrong... it's not that I don't enjoying drinking free wine. It's just that the job comes with its fair share of burdens. Today, I am going to share with you the most difficult position I have ever been faced with as a wine lover.

Just last Friday, it happened again. You always know when it is coming. It starts with an automated message from UPS and when you get home from work, there's a little orange and white post-it note stuck to your front door. I'll save my rant on FedEx and UPS for a later date as it could easily fill up an entire session, but what I will say today is that if you are able to intercept a package in one of the three strategically random scheduled delivery attempts, consider yourself very lucky.

Ok, so you got the package... now what?



Getting packages in the mail, minus the headache of having to deal with the carriers, is like Christmas. You anxiously rush home in anticipation. You look at the box, shake it, and try to guess what's hidden inside. It's only a matter of minutes before the package is torn open and the contents revealed. It's a different surprise every time but there is one surprise that is the equivalent of getting a sweater your mom knit... you know, the one with the arms that are completely different sizes and three sizes too small in the neck. Awesome! :(

You have no choice but to say thank you while trying to hide the disappointment behind a weakly composed smile. It's a very uncomfortable position to be in. I’ll never forget the Christmas when my folks pulled this crap on me… I’ll never forgive them. It wasn't because they tried to give me a lousy gift. I understand how hard it is to pick out a perfect gift, especially when times are tough. Instead I was pissed off because they PURPOSELY gave me a lousy gift just to see the reaction of my poorly disguised disappointment. After I politely accepted my grossly misconfigured sweater with a smile, hug, and a thank you, they brought out the real present. It sure taught me a lesson. It taught me that while 9 times out of 10 you may be dealt something you don't like, you should always be thankful. You never know what may happen or what awesome surprise it may bring.

What the heck does this have to do with wine?

Getting back to last Friday, as I said, it happened again…I was lucky to intercept the following brown box after only the second delivery attempt:



It was heavy too! For those of you who don’t ship wine often, I’ll give you some math to remember. A bottle of wine ships at about 4 pounds and this package weighed in at about 24 pounds. Sure enough, I tore it open to find SIX bottles of wine and one heck of a dilemma. I pulled out the first tray of bottles to discover a bottle of Merlot, Cabernet, and Chardonnay. The second tray held an entire duplicate set of the first three bottles: Merlot, Cabernet, and Chardonnay. Bonus! This would be good news except for the fact that when I looked up the retail cost of each bottle, they all topped out at a staggering value of only $8 each.



You may be thinking: So what's the big deal?!?

The MOST difficult position I have ever been put in is to have to FAIRLY review an $8 bottle of wine. The reason: everyone's expectations of such a value wine are so different. If you say that the wine tastes great, people think you are full of crap and if you say that it sucks, you seem snotty and elitist. If you don’t believe me, I can provide examples.

So here’s the million dollar question about a cheap bottle of wine:

What do you EXPECT from an $8 bottle of wine?

An impromptu survey from Twitterland revealed the following diverse and somewhat humorous results:
 

• I often apply the term "quaff-able:" Fine to quench a thirst, but not a taste to slowly savor. Except for the surprises.
   
• Not much. Just absence of anything offensive or off.
   
• Depends on where it's from. Had some nice surprises. Generally, good ones are pleasant if unsophisticated. Better w/ food.
   
• I don't think I have many expectations from a bottle like that.
   
• A headache and lots of sulfates!
   
• Nothing fancy and ponderous, but definitely drinkable.
   
• nada...
   
• If it goes down nicely with a cheeseburger maybe? ;)
   
• A good drinking wine that can be enjoyed w/friends.
   
• an 8 euro wine should give me foreplay...i dont expect an orgasm for that price.
   
• A headache! Actually it depends on where it from, and the style its going for.
   
• Is it a good $8 bottle or a not so good $8 bottle? ;)
   
• OK for every day. Good taste, with little or no character.

So here's what I have decided to do... Instead of just tasting the wine by myself and then feeding you some boring recount of what I see, smell, and taste, I want find out whether YOUR expectations would be met by drinking these $8 bottles of wine from Coyote Creek. I am sick of doing all of the talking. It's time for a good ol' fashioned debate (with a lot of wine).



Click the TWWTV logo above to join me this Thursday @ 7:30pm ET as I'll be discussing the qualities that make up a GOOD bottle of $8 vino. Bring your own value wine to open and share what you like or hate about it while I open, taste, and share my honest thoughts on these three bottles. I’ll see you there!


We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll let out some aggression on a topic that really pisses me off. In the meantime, throw in your two cents on what you expect from an $8 bottle of wine here.




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

 

 

 
I'd like to thank everyone for their positive feedback on yesterday's introduction. This whole process is very liberating for me and also a little scary at the same time. Sharing your life in print is a strange feeling. For me, there is a little voice in my head which tries to sensor the personal or unacceptable thoughts. From now on, I am telling that voice to shut the hell up. This is going to be real, at times shocking, and 100% true. Buckle up!

Today’s shocking secret is sure to make people hate me...



As I was saying yesterday, I became a Wine Whore to satisfy my palate's thirst for wine. I had no idea where it would take me. Although I hoped that wineries would want to be associated with a whore like myself, I never thought people would actually send ME free wine.

My affairs started off slow and dirty. A few bottles here and there, half a case of Barefoot wine… it all felt so dirty yet exciting at the same time. Word about my affairs spread like a bad case of herpes. It didn't take long before things got out of control.



My clientele quickly climbed. The bottles lined up waiting for me to enjoy them: a challenge for my liver equivalent to climbing Mount Everest or the Himalayas. In this whore’s opinion, it is unacceptable to spit out of throw out a bottle of wine, especially if you got it for free. Throwing away perfectly good wine just seems wasteful. My daily routine is to come home from work, choose the lucky bottle, and crack in to the night's affair. My wife often joins us unless she finds the bottle of wine unattractive to her palate or she just isn't in the mood.



Everything started off great. With cases of free wine arriving weekly, the daily affairs brought new experiences to my palate. I didn't realize is that there is a huge burden that goes along with being a Wine Whore. The luxury of free wine comes with an even bigger price tag. Once you receive samples, you begin to get pressured into trying the wine. With so many customers to satisfy, it's hard to make everyone happy at the same time. Unless you are willing to sacrifice on quality, it is impossible to review them all at the same time. You also find that once you become a Wine Whore, people begin to think that you give out wine for free. I am more than happy to enjoy wine in the company of others, or maybe even exchange a bottle for a favor or two, but that doesn't mean I am just going to hand the stuff out for free. What kind of respectable whore do you think I am?

So here's the shocking secret of being a Wine Whore: Satisfying the demands of free wine can be a huge pain in the ass... but you have to accept it as part of the job.



Just to give you an idea of how bad it's gotten, here's a list of clients lined up and waiting for my service right now:

 

• Bluenose Dry Creek Valley California Zinfandel 2005
   
• Bluenose Sonoma County California Zinfandel 2006
   
• California Cellars 41st Avenue California Chardonnay 2007
   
• California Cellars 41st Avenue California Merlot 2007
   
• Cinnabar Santa Cruz Mountains, California Chardonnay 2007
   
• Clos La Chance Central Coast California Estate Viognier 2008
   
• Clos La Chance Central Coast California Hummingbird Sauvignon Blanc 2008
   
• Clos La Chance Central Coast California Hummingbird Syrah 2006
   
• Clos La Chance Central Coast California Hummingbird Zinfandel 2006
   
• Clos La Chance Central Coast California Lila's Cuvee Red Wine 2006
   
• Collier Falls Dry Creek Sonoma Private Reserve Zinfandel 2004
   
• Collier Falls Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Primitivo 2006
   
• Collier Falls Hillside Estate Dry Creek Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
   
• Collier Falls Hillside Estate Dry Creek Sonoma Petite Sirah 2005
   
• D'Argenzio Mendocino County California Tocai Friulano 2005
   
• D'Argenzio Russian River Valley California Pinot Noir 2005
   
• Fortant Skalli Family France Chardonnay Kosher 2005
   
• Graffigna Centenario San Juan Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
   
• Graffigna Centenario San Juan Argentina Pinot Grigio 2008
   
• Graton Ridge Bacigalupi Vineyard RRV Sonoma Zinfandel 2007
   
• Graton Ridge RRB Sonoma County A+ Apple Dessert Wine 2007
   
• Graton Ridge RRV Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2006
   
• Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
   
• Harvest Moon Russian River Valley Sparkling Zinfandel 2007
   
• Hawkes Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
   
• Hazard Hill Western Australia Shiraz 2006
   
• J. Keverson Mendocino California Janes Vineyard Sangiovese 2006
   
• J. Keverson Russian River Valley California Labyrinth Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006
   
• Jacob's Creek Reserve South Austrlia Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
   
• Jacob's Creek Reserve South Eastern Austrlia Pinot Noir 2006
   
• Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Barbera Mendocino County, CA 2007
   
• Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma County, CA 2007
   
• Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Rosso di Sette Fratelli Estate Merlot Carneros 2006
   
• Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Sangiovese Sonoma County 2006
   
• Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Valeriano Estate Carneros 2005
   
• Joel Gott 815 California Cabernet 2007
   
• Kilikanoon Killerman's Run South Australia Shiraz 2007
   
• Kim Crawford East Coast Pinot Grigio 2008
   
• Kim Crawford Marlborough Dry Riesling 2008
   
• Kim Crawford New Zealand Unoaked Chardonay 2008
   
• Krutz Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2006
   
• Krutz Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay 2006
   
• Krutz Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
   
• Matthiasson Napa Valley Red Wine 2005
   
• Matthiasson Napa Valley White Wine 2007
   
• Murdoch James Martinborough Blue Rock Pinot Noir 2007
   
• Murdoch James Martinborough Blue Rock Riesling 2008
   
• Murdoch James Martinborough Saleyards Syrah 2006
   
• Murdoch James Martinborough Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2008
   
• Murdoch James Martinborough Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2008
   
• Optima Alexander Valley California Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
   
• Optima Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Unfiltered Zinfandel 2005
   
• Optima Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Zinfandel Port 2005
   
• Parducci California Pinot Noir 2007
   
• Parducci Mendocino County California Chardonnay 2007
   
• Parducci Sustainable Red Mendocino County California Red Wine 2005
   
• Penley Estate Phoenix Coonawarra, South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
   
• Raymond Burr Sonoma California Cabernet Franc 2006
   
• Raymond Burr Sonoma California Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
   
• Raymond Burr Sonoma California Chardonnay 2007
   
• Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Chardonnay 2006
   
• Shoofly Australian Shiraz 2007
   
• Sojourn Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2007
   
• Sonoma Creek Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Cabernet Merlot 2006
   
• Sonoma Creek Sonoma County Chardonnay 2006
   
• Stryker Sonoma Monte Rosso Vineyard Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
   
• Stryker Sonoma Rockpile Vineyard Rockpile Petit Verdot 2005
   
• The Wait Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
   
• The Wait Mendoza Malbec 2007
   
• Thumbprint Cellars Alexander Valley four play 2006
   
• Thumbprint Cellars Dry Creek Valley three some 2006
   
• Thumbprint Cellars Sonoma County climax 2005
   
• Toquade Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2008
   
• Torbreck Barossa Valley Australia Cuvée Juveniles 2008
   
• Truchard Vineyards Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir 2006
   
• Truett Hurst Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Old Vine Red Rooster Zinfandel 2006
   
• Truett Hurst Sonoma County Black Sheep Pinot Noir 2007
   
• Veramonte Reserva Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir 2007
   
• X Winery California Red X 2006
   
• X Winery California X3 Cabernet 2006
   
• X Winery California X3 Cabernet 2007
   
• Zonte's Footstep Langhorne Creek, Australia Shiraz Viognier 2007
   
• Tango Real Argentina Gran Reserva Malbec 2005
   
• Napa Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
   
• Naked Winery Oregon Pinot Noir 2007
   
• Chalk Hill Sonoma Merlot 2006
   
• Chalk Hill Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Anyone out there want to help me with my affairs?

I'd love to meet up at a public location and share some vino, good conversation, and make some new friends. For those of you in Tampa, let’s setup a tryst. I've added a new group for people in Tampa or nearby to schedule a chance to meet up. For those of you who aren't in Tampa, you aren't left out. Create a group for your local city to find other winos in your area. Who knows, I may be in your city and looking to have some fun.


We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll reveal the MOST difficult position I have ever been put in. In the meantime, if you love wine, take a second to introduce yourself and share the memory of your first affair with vino with others who have the same passion here.




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)
 

How rude of me!

After six months, I completely neglected to properly introduce myself. Well, here it goes… the whole enchilada:



My name is Randy Watson, I'm 29, and I'm a Wine Whore. My 30th birthday is coming up this October and if you know anything about me, you already know what to get me as a gift.

I wasn’t always addicted to wine...

Being born in North Miami Beach, Florida isn't exactly the same as being raised amongst the rolling hills garnished by vineyards found in wine country. I grew up thinking I would become a doctor. Didn't happen. I went to the University of Miami with a dream and a heavy course load of science, math, and everything else most people don't enjoy learning, and I came out with a Bachelors in Science (Biology and Chemistry) and a desire to go into business instead of medicine. Mom was so proud!

Isn't it funny how things change so quickly in life?

Instead of going to med school, I painfully worked through my MBA degree. Let me just say that "painful" doesn’t quite sum up how much it sucked having to get up, work a full day, take classes at night and then have to start it all over again the next day for almost four years. If I learned anything by this experience, I learned that I no longer wanted to spend time learning in a classroom. Instead of this grind, I wanted to learn about the world firsthand.



Where would anyone looking to satisfy their desire to learn about the world move to but the wonderful city of Tampa, FL. Okay, given the fact that I love wine, maybe this was a bad choice. Oddly enough, after living here for almost 5 years, I think I made a great decision. Life is good. The people I've met are among the best friends I could ever hope to have, I have a solid day job working as a Manager in I.T., and I will have been happily married for two years this coming February. (I have to tell you more about my honeymoon, but I'll save that for another post)

You may be wondering, what does any of this have to do with wine?

The answer: absolutely nothing and everything all at the same time.



My affair with alcohol began with hard liquor. In high school (I know… underage but hey, who didn't drink before they were 21) I would drink the cheapest, crappiest vodka I could get my hands on. Looking back it seems pretty pathetic, but these are amongst some of the my fondest memories. I was young and stupid… really stupid. The thrill of discovery of how alcohol, when enjoyed responsibly of course, can lead to great conversations, fun, and friends made up for the lack of quality. The hangovers, on the other hand, were not so desirable.



In college, my buddies and I would anxiously plan out and await the end of the day because it afforded us the chance to hang out and enjoy a case (or four) of beer. College drinking was very similar to high-school drinking. It wasn't about quality, it was just about having fun. Before college, I never really drank much beer, but these are the years that taught me how to tap a keg, kill a beer funnel in less than 2 seconds, and create a punch concoction in a garbage can that could keep a tailgate going for hours.

Good times!



At some point towards the end of college I was turned on to something I never before had known. It was right in front of me the whole time, I just couldn’t see it. It took someone blatantly pointing it out for me to realize what it was. The moment that made it all clear: the first time I enjoyed a first-class bottle of wine, a fine glass of Cognac, and a beautifully bold cigar. Although I couldn't tell you exactly which bottle of wine it was, I could tell you exactly why I enjoyed it. Aside from a nice buzz, it tasted pure Zen.

It was at this point, I sought out perfection. The more I learned, the more I realized how little I really knew. I became addicted to this pursuit, spending much if not all of my free time, researching and learning. Unlike my immature high school days, my palate was thirsty for discovery. It didn’t take long before I became sick of scouring the internet and magazines only to find the same mundane information over and over again, I realized that there was only one way I could ever satisfy my addiction. It would be a sinfully dirty adventure that my liver would be sure to regret undertaking. I had no choice but to have an affair with wine…

It was at this point that I became The Wine Whore.

We are all out of time for today’s session. Tomorrow, I'll reveal the shocking secret about what my addiction to wine has done to my life. In the meantime, if you love wine, take a second to introduce yourself and share the memory of your first affair with vino with others who have the same passion here.




(This message has been brought to you by The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review

After more than six exciting months of being The Wine Whore, I'd like to thank everyone for their comments both negative and positive. You have given me a lot to think about and hopefully make my site even better.

Starting today, I am directing the focus of my site away from "advertorials" and on to my daily affairs with wine.

I don't promise to be an expert on wine, writing, tasting, or anything else for that matter. Instead, I will simply share my story in my own voice as an average person who just really enjoys drinking wine.

Although I hope you will want to read what I have to say, I don't expect everyone to be a fan. That's okay. I welcome your different views and opinions which will hopefully help me develop as a person and wine lover.

Until then...

Cheers!



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

 Wine Whore Review



I have been called a lot of things. Jealous critics have attempted to rile my fans while others strive to discredit my reviews by simply saying that I don't trash enough wines. I have even been told by a PR rep in the wine industry that I am "ballsy".



Today, the haters and critics are about to be silenced once and for all. I am proud to announce that the Global Association of Awesomeness has awarded me the title of "Most Awesome Wino in the World". Well actually, I allowed them to give me the title, but who's counting.




Check out the press release:

----
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wine Whore Announced as Most Awesome Wino in the World

Tampa, FL, August 24, 2009--(PR.com)-- In a press conference held by the Global Association of Awesomeness, it was announced that the title of "Most Awesome Wino in the World" has been given to Randy Watson otherwise known as The Wine Whore. According to sources present at the conference, Watson gladly allowed the Association to bestow the awesome title which he was honored to accept. When asked what he would do to celebrate his achievement he stated that “nothing has changed, except for the fact that awesome just got cooler.”
-----



So what exactly qualifies me as the "Most Awesome Wino in the World"?

Clearly you know nothing about wine and being awesome if you have to ask, but in any case, here are just a few of the infinite reasons why:
 

• Instead of Listerine, I use Latour.
   
• I can age a bottle of wine before it's even bottled.
   
• I don't smell a glass of wine, I tell it how to smell.
   
• I actually turned Parker on to wine.
   
• I don't sleep, I just take small breaks between bottles.
   
• I don't get hangovers... ever! (okay, maybe sometimes)
   
• I sued the famous wine magazine over the original title of Wine Whore Spectator.
   
• If you have five bottles and I have five bottles, I still have more wine than you.
   
• There are actually two people who can turn water into wine.

...and the number one reason why W2 is the Most Awesome Wino in the World:
 

• I absolutely love sharing a glass of wine with good friends, and family.

Special thank you to all of the wine lovers who have helped this title earn my presence. I look forward to much more awesomeness in the future... or should I say, the future looks forward to my awesomeness.

Cheers!

... oh yeah, and to all of the critics out there who think that you have to be an a-hole in order to really enjoy a glass of wine: suck it!


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

 

 

Wine Whore Review:



WWCrew photographer, Jen Senel, is back with a fun lesson in housework. This is the best way to do dishes... just don't accidentally drink the soap!




When you're down with the dishes, it's time to sit down and enjoy a nice piano lesson. Just watch out for those pesky and distracting insects!





Show your love for the grape!

Download any of these images by right-clicking the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the desired location on your computer to save the image. Mac users can also just click the image to open the full size view and drag that to their desktops.

To set the image as your desktop wallpaper, Mac users should follow these instructions, while PC users should follow these.



Like What You See?

To own your very own archive quality, limited edition print of these images, go to Jen's site for details.



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Tune in for the excitement!

This week, TWWTV is going exotic. Showcasing some of the hottest handcrafted wines from Oregon and Washingtion, this week's LIVE show will reveal some excellent selections from Naked Winery.


"The Barringer and Michalec families hooked up at the turn of the century and have since formed Naked Winery. In addition to our Washington based winery located in Wishram we've recently opened our downtown winery in Hood River, Oregon (our hometown and company headquarters) about 60 miles east of Portland on the Columbia River separating Oregon and Washington State."

... and this week, I am going to get the chance to undress a handful of sexy bottles of this Oregon and Washington vino with you!

Tune in Thursday @ 7:30pm ET (note the new time) to drink with me as I taste and review their excellent wine selections LIVE. In the meantime, study up on Naked Winery and make sure to check out their website.



 

This is your chance to interact with me LIVE as I taste and review this week's selections!

Join me for the live tasting by clicking on the TWWTV logo above Thursday night @ 7:30m pm ET. You can also follow me on twitter and Facebook for my tweets as I open and taste the wine that you have picked.



The more the merrier, so tell all of your wine loving friends to join the party. In the meantime, take a minute to mark your calendar (Thursday @ 6:30pm ET) and then prepare yourself for the fun by checking out the previous selections.

Cheers!



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

 

 

Wine Whore Review:

• Tasted the 2007 Viognier and the 2006 Meritage
   
• Meritage is an 'old world' blend of 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 63% Cabernet Franc, 1 % Merlot, 1% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot
   
• Rappahannock is a great family friendly winery to visit
   
• Wines were soft, well made, and very enjoyable!

 

Never Wine Alone:
Wine is more fun when shared with the company of others. Join me LIVE on TWWTV every Thursday @ 7:30pm ET for the virtual tasting. You can also join and chat with me during the tasting via Twitter, and Facebook.

In case you missed this week's episode of TWWTV, here's how it went:

 

Wanna try the wines featured in this video?
Click the links below to have some fun of your own!

 

• 2007 Viognier
  
   
• 2006 Meritage
  
   
• Rappahannock Cellars Website

Cheers!


Credits:
Very special thank you to the folks from Rappahannock Cellars for their kindness, support, and willingness to share a glass of their wine for the rest of the world to enjoy.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review



IT IS FINALLY HERE!!!

The moment you have all been waiting for... first ever WW Online Wine Scavenger Hunt! Participants in the hunt are competing for the chance to win the coveted, limited edition "Whiney" award. To be entered to win, submit the correct answers to all of the scavenger hunt clues using the form located here. The deadline for the contest submissions is Friday, August 28th at 10pm EST. Only one submission allowed per person.

HURRY UP AND START THE HUNT TODAY!!!



Don't miss out!

Make sure to check back for the results and other official Wine Online Scavenger Hunt contest info!

Wise Wine Review:

Asunto de Vino Central Valley Chile Carmenere 2007
(click for more info)
Taste Score = 7.5/10 Points
Cost Score = 9.5/10 Points
Overall Score = 8.25/10 Points (Additional stats below)



It takes a region of character to make a wine that is memorable. Nestled between the Andes to the East, and the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Cachapoal Valley in central Chile is a great example of such a setting. Known for its full-bodied wines, and perfect weather for the growth of excellent quality grapes, Asunto de Vino leverages this terrain to create their wines to be shared with the rest of the world.



As the 'Wine Whore', it is only fitting that I should have an ‘Affair with Wine’. As part of my affair, today I am enjoying the tasty Chilean Carmenere selection from Asunto de Vino!


So how does it taste?
Only one way to find out... Let's get down to drinkin'!
(Continue browsing below for the full review and scores…)



Wine Geek Vintage Info:
"Tasting Notes - A unique Chilean wine, that is almost black in colour, with hints of exotic spices and a long velvety finish. Soft plum and berry fruit flavours define this smooth easy drinking wine.

Cellaring Potential - An easy drinking wine designed for immediate enjoyment and will also age for several years.

Suggested Food - Ideal with Texmex or spicy foods. Also goes well with hard cheeses or pan fried chicken."


Stats:
Producer: Asunto de Vino
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Carmenere
Appellation: Central Valley Chile
Residual Sugar: N/A
TA: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %:
Aging: N/A
Cost: ~$12/bottle


Wine Whore Score:

 

Let's take a closer look...


To the eye:
Plum playfully peeking out from behind a massively dark ruby.



To the nose:
Juicy cherries and strawberries piled in a bowl and topped with black pepper.



On the tongue:
Soft velvety finish waves goodbye to plum and berries seasoned with a hint of spice.


For only $12, I am crazy about this Carmenere!


Cheers!



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review



Get ready for some fun!

Announcing the first ever WW Online Wine Scavenger Hunt! Participants will compete for the chance to win the coveted, limited edition "Whiney" award. To be entered to win, you must find the correct answers to all of the scavenger hunt clues. Clues will be posted Wednesday, August 19th and the deadline for the contest submission will be Friday, August 28th at 10pm EST.



Don't miss out!

Make sure to check back beginning Wednesday, August 19th for the official Wine Online Scavenger Hunt clues!


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:




This week's poll winner is a winery with a magical story:

"In the fourteenth century, alchemists believed they could miraculously transform ordinary metals into silver and gold with the help of the mineral cinnabar. Consequently, this purple-red derivative of mercury was highly coveted by medieval nobility. Cinnabar founder Tom Mudd (1942–2007) as he captured the magic of alchemy in his handcrafted wines."

Today, Winemaker George Troquato combines small, intensely flavored grapes with meddle-free winemaking to produce three lines of complex, well-balanced wines:
 

• Santa Cruz Mountains Wines
   
• Central Coast Wines
   
• Saratoga village Tasting Room collection of limited-production exclusives

 

Never Wine Alone:
Wine is more fun when shared with the company of others. Join me LIVE on TWWTV every Thursday @ 6:30pm ET for the virtual tasting. You can also join and chat with me during the tasting via Twitter, and Facebook.

In case you missed this week's episode of TWWTV, here's how it went:

 

Wanna try the wines featured in this video?
Click the links below to have some fun of your own!

 

• Search for Cinnbar Wines
  
   
• 2007 Cinnabar Paso Robles Merlot
  
   
• 2005 Cinnabar Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

Cheers!


Credits:
Very special thank you to the folks from Cinnabar Winery for their kindness, support, and willingness to share a glass of their wine for the rest of the world to enjoy.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review

J. Keverson Dry Creek Valley California Old Vine Zinfandel 2006 (click for more info)
Taste Score = 8.5/10 Points
Enjoyability Score = 9/10 Points
Overall Score = 8/10 Points (Additional stats below)


When I set out to become a Wine Whore, I never could have imagined where it would take me. Best case, I figured I would get to try some wine and have some fun... worst case, I am back where I started. Either way, I had nothing to loose. Sounds simple but there is something I completely overlooked as part of the deal. I had no idea when I began this journey that I would gain something even more valuable than any bottle of wine: I never imagined that I would have made so many awesome new friends.

As a salute to all of the wine lovers I have been fortunate enough to meet albeit virtually along my journey, I present this awesome summer Zinfandel from J. Keverson.

What's the connection between J. Keverson and friendship?

The folks over at J. Keverson turned their friendship and love for the grape into a successful winery. I can't help it, I am just a sucker for stories with happy endings:

Click here to continue reading...
 

 

This week's LIVE show will feature one of these:
 

• Cinnabar
   
• Collier Falls
   
• Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
   
• Kim Crawford

Choose the winery that you wanna see on this week's show by voting in the poll located here. Then, tune in Thursday @ 6:30pm ET to drink with me as I taste and review their excellent wine selections LIVE.



 

This is your chance to interact with me LIVE as I taste and review this week's selections!

Be sure to join me for the live tasting by clicking on the TWWTV logo above Thursday night @ 6:30m pm ET. You can also follow me on twitter and Facebook for my tweets as I open and taste the wine that you have picked.



The more the merrier, so tell all of your wine loving friends to stop by, vote, and join the party. In the meantime, take a minute to mark your calendar (Thursday @ 6:30pm ET) and then prepare yourself for the fun by checking out the previous winners.

Cheers!



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wise Wine Review:

d'Arenberg The Footbolt McLaren Vale, South Australia Shiraz 2006 (click for more info)
Taste Score = 8/10 Points
Cost Score = 9/10 Points
Overall Score = 8.25/10 Points (Additional stats below)




What's with the funny name of today's selection?

"The founder of d’Arenberg, Joseph Osborn was a successful racehorse owner and Footbolt was the pride of his stable. In 1912 he made the hard decision to sell the stables and the horses to start d’Arenberg, so it is only fitting we pay homage to Joseph and his prize horse Footbolt."



But how does it taste?
Only one way to find out... Let's get down to drinkin'!
(Continue browsing below for the full review and scores…)



Wine Geek Vintage Info:
"The quality of vintage 2006 was very good across most varieties with fruit characters noticeably fragrant with good acidity and excellent length.

Average winter rain followed by heavy rains in spring resulted in vines with healthy, balanced canopies. A mild, early summer leading into a warmer period during veraison stopped vegetative growth allowing vines to channel energy into the fruit. A prolonged cool period occurred in February with some rain which enabled the fruit to ripen without stress. The warmth returned in March with cool evening temperatures to complete ripening in almost perfect conditions, enhancing fruit flavour and richness without diluting levels of natural acidity. Picking was staggered with many parcels picked in wonderful autumn conditions."



Stats:
Producer: d'Arenberg
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: Shiraz
Appellation: Virginia
Residual Sugar: N/A
TA: 7.3 g/L
pH: 3.38
Production:
Alcohol %: 14.5
Aging: 20 months in new and older American and French oak barriques including casks.
Cost: $15/bottle (Get your own bottle!)


Wine Whore Score:

 

Let's take a closer look...


To the eye:
Eerily deep black cheery hue.



To the nose:
Like opening a cedar chest containing intricately woven sweaters piled upon leather jackets.



On the tongue:
Fruit and cherries seasoned by a pinch of nutmeg.


For only $15, this wine is a strikingly great value!


Get yourself a bottle and experience it firsthand!

Cheers!



Interested in tasting this wine?
Click here to get your own bottle!

(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:

This weekend was filled with great wine, food, friends, and good times!



The fun began with a bang! Compliments of WineHarvest, Friday night was filled with my all-time favorite thing in the whole world: FREE wine!!! While listening to the sounds of is Spanish Night, the folks over at this new and exciting wine watering hole served bold, delicious, and fun Spanish wines. All were paired perfectly with tapas and great conversation. I had a blast meeting new friends including Jessica and Josh from WineHarvest. Not only were they very friendly and knowledgeable, but they also made myself and everyone else there feel like they were right at home... with lots of great wine of course!

Saturday Morning's Hangover Rating - 6/10



Friday night's fun was promptly followed up with an event unlike any other I have ever attended. Take one Zoo, add beer everywhere the eye can see, and sprinkle in a nice buffet of food and you have WaZoo! In addition to drinking tons of great brew, meeting the brewmaster from Tampa's own Cigar City Brewery was among the highlights of the evening. Despite the fact that the Zoo was packed, everyone was very friendly (partially beer induced) and the beer didn't stop flowing until well past the scheduled end of the event. I will definitely be back next year!

Saturday Night's Buzz Rating - 7/10

After a long night of beer drinking, I safely made it home and retired with a belly full of beer and a head filled with great memories.

Sunday Morning's Hangover Rating - 5/10

For pictures of this weekend's fun, check out the WWCrew photo collection! While you are there, make sure to add a few weekend wine shots of your own.


 

This week's LIVE show will feature one of these:
 

• Kim Crawford
   
• Clos la Chance
   
• Friday Monkey
   
• Jacob's Creek

Choose the winery that you wanna see on this week's show by voting in the poll located at the top of the page here. Then, tune in Thursday @ 6:30pm ET to drink with me as I taste and review their excellent wine selections LIVE.



 

This is your chance to interact with me LIVE as I taste and review this week's selections!

Be sure to join me for the live tasting by clicking on the TWWTV logo above Thursday night @ 6:30m pm ET. You can also follow me on twitter and Facebook for my tweets as I open and taste the wine that you have picked.



The more the merrier, so tell all of your wine loving friends to stop by, vote, and join the party. In the meantime, take a minute to mark your calendar (Thursday @ 6:30pm ET) and then prepare yourself for the fun by checking out the previous winners.

Cheers!



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review


It started with a simple question: "Who's the hottest wine whore?"

I had no idea things would turn out the way they did. Two weeks ago, I began a contest that changed the way people look at the world of wine.

In my quest to find the hottest of the wine world, 27 nominated candidates were posted and up for the public vote. Everyone from Jen Wall of Barefoot wines to the wine guru Jonathan Maltus was included. The contest even included a self titled wine guru and the famous dog from the Rombauer Family Vineyards named Moose.

--VS--
Several days after the contestants were announced, two individuals led the pack. The majority of the votes were in favor of Justin Wylie from Va Piano Vineyards and none other than Moose Rombauer (dog) from Rombauer Family Vineyards who commended a staggering lead.

It wasn't long before people really started taking notice. Only one week into the contest, an article describing the odd turn of events was published in the Walla Walla Union Bulletin. I started to get a lot of questions from the media. When asked what I would do if Moose won, I laughed and stated that I would give him the biggest bone he has ever seen!


In anticipation of Moose's victory, the dogs of Walla Walla have given me a token of their appreciation. While taking bribes may be a conflict of interest, I don't think I could turn down quite possibly the coolest gift I have ever received.



My very own copy of Winery Dogs of Walla Walla.

This colorful hardcover book is filled with pictures, stories, and info about dogs from all of the beautiful wineries located in Walla Walla. Proceeds from the sales of this book go towards the Humane Society and local Dog Park.

The best part: My copy was personalized for a Wine Whore and dog lover like myself.



Signed by author Barbara Whatley and her dog Styx:



Signed by Jutin Wylie:



And also signed by contestant Mary Derby from DaMa Wines:



Have a wino of a dog? Post your pics here!

Very special thank you to Barbara, all of the dogs of Walla Walla, Justin Wylie and Mary Derby for giving me such a special gift. This is a truly special and totally awesome addition to my wine journey. I will cherish it for years to come!

Cheers!


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review

image credit: matthew fang

I love stories about people dedicating their life to their passions. Aside from the fact that it packs a nice buzz, my love for wine stems from the fact that many bottles are based on such love stories.

Do you have a passionate story to share? Click here to share it!

Today's story stems from a bottle, albeit one that is much smaller and fits around the stem of a wineglass:

Her name is Aziza and she decided to turn to her hobby (lampwork glass artist and jewelry designer) into a business. She is a a wine lover and makes wine themed jewelry and accessories. Her wine glass charms (also called wine glass markers) are very handy for hosting parties or wine tastings. They are used at parties or even small gatherings of 2 or 3 people to distinguish your glass from your friends (works great especially when you’re too drunk to remember how full your glass was).


Each wine charm is made from lampwork glass beads made from my little gas torch and hand hammered copper wire. Very well crafted with no sharp pointy edges! They make a great gift for a wine lover, weddings, bridal party, birthday, graduation, or any gift giving occasion.

For more pictures and info on Aziza's wine glass charms here.

You can also view her entire shop here.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wise Wine Review:

Kluge Estate Albemarle Virginia Simply Red 2004 (click for more info)
Taste Score = 7.5/10 Points
Cost Score = 9/10 Points
Overall Score = 8.4/10 Points (Additional stats below)


There are just too many places in the world for good wine. In the US, we all know about California, Washington, and Oregon, but how many other places do we really pay attention to when it comes to the grape?

Boy was I missing out!


While at my local wine shop talking with friends and owners Sean and Jenn, I stumbled a wine that has changed my view on the world wine. I was surprised to learn that this Bordeaux style blend was from none other than Virginia. Go figure!

Do you know of a great winery in a state besides the "Big 4" (CA, WA, OR, NY) that makes great wine? Share it with me here.

Wanna know more about this Virginian winery?

Here's what they have to say about themselves:


"Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard, located on the southeast slope of Carter’s Mountain in Albemarle County, is tucked into the edge of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. The 2,000-acre estate lies next to the birthplace of American viticulture, Thomas Jefferson’s famed Monticello. This region is gaining recognition for producing serious wines and Kluge Estate is at the forefront. Combining meticulous winemaking practices with a genuine love of the land and support for the Virginia wine community, Kluge Estate is driving the region to fulfill its potential of creating world-class wines from the east coast of the United States."

Let's get down to drinkin'!

(Continue browsing below for the full review and scores…)

Wine Geek Vintage Info:
"All grapes are gently hand‐picked, then sorted and cold‐soaked for several days to enhance fruit character. The wine is aged for 14 months in 100% French oak sourced from seven major cooperages, 70% of which is new oak and 30% of which is 1‐2 years old, adding to the wine’s dimension.

This Bordeaux style blend has a balanced, smooth and silky palate. With a brilliant, intense ruby red color and smooth, velvety tannins, the wine is medium‐bodied with complex mineral expression. There are nuances of blackberry and black currant with delicate licorice, vanilla, smoke, and spice notes." –Kluge Estate


Recommended Food Pairing:
"This elegant wine is the ideal companion for beef carpaccio, baked brie, salad, pizza, cheeses, and French American cuisine. It even pairs well with firm, white fish, such as cod and swordfish."


Stats:
Producer: Kluge Estate
Vintage: 2004
Varietal: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot
Appellation: Virginia
Residual Sugar: N/A
TA: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: 3683 Cases
Alcohol %: N/A
Aging: 14 months in 100% French oak 70% of which is new oakCost: $19/bottle Call for special Winemall Price(Get your own bottle!)

Wine Whore Score:



Let's take a closer look...


To the eye:
Brilliantly intense ruby red hue.


To the nose:
Sweet bouquet of opens up like a freshly cut rose upon breathing.


On the tongue:
Dry yet structured with a politely delayed finish.


For only $14, this wine is simply a great value!

Get yourself a bottle and experience it firsthand!

Cheers!

Interested in tasting this wine?
Click here to get your own bottle!


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)