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)

Wine Whore Review:

How did wine play a role in your life this weekend?


As a tribute to all of the 'wine whores' of the world, I would like to invite you to share your weekend wine story with me.

Here's your chance to share YOUR story, pictures, and video clips...

• Did you drink an expensive bottle from your wish list?
• Maybe you finally opened that special bottle that was tucked away for years?
• Perhaps you discovered a new favorite wine or varietal?
• Or did you just have fun relaxing with a cool glass in the sun?

Share your weekend wine story with the WWCrew and I may choose your story to recap and feature in next week's review.

Cheers!
Randy Watson (a.k.a. The Wine Whore)

Become a member of the WW Crew! Sign up here before it's too late!!!


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

Let me start by saying, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!

As a professional wine whore, I am going to sacrifice my palate in the name of science. Once again, I am going where no wino has gone before...

For this week's poll, I am going to attempt another feat of awesomeness that even wine guru Robert Parker would be afraid to tackle. I am going to taste wine in one of three unconventional ways and report back my findings to the world of wine.

To add to the suspense and excitement, I am letting YOU decide which scenario to compare. Choose your favorite by voting for your choice in the poll located here. The winning scenario will be announced, tasted and featured in a review later this week.

 

Be sure to follow me on Twitter or Facebook Wednesday night @ 6:30m pm ET for my tweets as I open and taste the wine that you have picked. This is your chance to ask me questions or just get a sneak peak at my review. 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 with next week’s tasting (Wednesday @ 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:


When I am not busy drinking wine, thinking about wine, or writing about wine, I like to see the world and meet new people. I am especially happy when wine has a chance to play a role in these adventures. For me, there's nothing more exciting than the discovery of a new place and a great meal accompanied by a nice bottle of vino! I have to admit that although I live in Florida, some of my fondest memories are set in the 'Left Coast'.

How does someone from Florida, or anywhere for that matter, find great places for wine and food?


Off the Vine is a magazine passionate about all the fabulous food and wine that the left coast has to offer. They talk about everything from wine and restaurant reviews to their favorite weekend getaways, cookware and even taco trucks. They're based in the Napa valley, but have coverage spanning all the way from Vancouver, British Columbia down to San Diego, California and everywhere in between. If you're looking for the best wine, restaurants, gourmet shops (or anything else culinary) to be found on the west coast, you will be sure to find it in Off the Vine.


There is tons of free content on their Web site and you can get even more by subscribing for full site access. After the launch of their print edition in September, they'll be printing six times a year. The Web site is updated all the time, so be sure to check 'em out whenever you decide to take a break from the Wine Whore... or better yet, just open up a new window so you can stay up to date with both of us!

Click here for more wine, food, and travel discussion at the Wine Whore Forum!

Cheers!


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

Wine Whore Review:

m2 Wine (click for more info)
m2 Wine Lodi California Old Vine Zinfandel 2007
m2 Wine Sierra Foothills California Trio Red Wine 2007



This week, I immersed myself in two bottles from a winery with an intriguing name: m2 Wines. m2 is a dynamic boutique winery located in Lodi, CA but the ultra-premium wines they produce come from distinctive vineyards throughout California. Since 1999 m2 wines have been created in small lots through a combination of old world craftsmanship and modern practices.

Here's how it worked... you voted, I drank... and then I drank a little more!



Never Wine Alone:
Wine is more fun when shared with the company of others. Join me every Wednesday @ 6:30pm ET for the virtual tasting via Twitter and Facebook. Keep reading to find out how this week's tasting went down...

Geek Out with Some Vintage Info:

• m2 Wine Lodi California Old Vine Zinfandel 2007"This is classic Lodi Zin at its best. Intense, upfront rich, deep flavors of jammy blackberries and black cherries, along with strawberries and cassis. Our winemaker calls this one “Velvet Elvis."
  
  
  
• m2 Wine Sierra Foothills California Trio Red Wine 2007"This is our signature blend of Cab, Syrah and a hint of Petite Sirah. Complex and layered flavors of red and black fruit with a long, lingering finish. Aged in hybrid French/American oak."

Stats:
Producer: m2 Wine
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Old Vine Zinfandel, Blend of Cab, Syrah and Petite Sirah
Appellation: Lodi, Sierra Foothills
Residual Sugar: N/A
TA: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: N/A
Aging: N/A
Cost: Zin - $28, Trio - $22 (Click to get some m2 Wine of your own!)

Wine Whore Score:





My rockin' experience summarized by the senses...

m2 Wine Lodi California Old Vine Zinfandel 2007

• To the Eyes: Mysteriously deep purple hue
  
  
• To the Nose: Dirty wood with a hint of minty acidity
  
  
• To the Tongue: Velvet Elvis: gaudy and a little over the top, yet you can’t look away

m2 Wine Sierra Foothills California Trio Red Wine 2007

• To the Eyes: Overflowing crimson waves of blood
  
  
• To the Nose: Fruit roll-up sprinkled with a hint of spice
  
  
• To the Tongue: Great blend between tart and sweet exits in a graceful finish

SummaryLike Elvis, both of these wines were fun and entertaining to the palate. Trio made for a great red blend with lots of great character (especially after a good bit of air). Both wines were full of flavor, fun, and well crafted. One taste and you'll be "all shook up" with enjoyment.

Cheers!

Wanna Zin with Elvis?
Click here to have some fun of your own!

Credits:
Very special thank you to Layne and the folks from m2 Wines 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:
Christopher Creek Russian River Valley Estate Reserve Petite Sirah 2006 (click for more info)
Taste Score = 8.5/10 Points
Enjoyability Score = 9/10 Points
Overall Score = 8.25/10 Points (Additional stats below)


There is a region in the United States that every wine lover should instantly recognize. It is a region rich for viticulture in California. The region and source of today's wine time enjoyment: The Russian River Valley.

Named after the Russians who were the first non-natives to settle in Sonoma County, the Russian River Valley was originally a place for hunting sea otters for their furs and providing food and staples for Russian colonies in Alaska. The Valley evolved as settlers from wine-producing European countries developed the region. In 1876 the Russian River Valley produced in excess of 500,000 gallons of wine, with about 7,000 vine acres planted. Although prohibition slowed production, the region was brought back to life in the 1960’s when Bob Sisson, the University of California Farm Advisor for Sonoma County, began urging local growers to turn their focus toward cool climate grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.


Climate and soil also make the Russian River Valley unique. 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.

So what does this region mean to a bottle of wine?

Let's get down to drinkin'!

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


Wine Geek Vintage Info:

"Our Estate Grown Petite Sirah grapes received, as always, very special care during the 2006 growing season. We are fortunate to have several blocks of Petite Sirah each with varying age, elevation and sun exposure. We hand-thinned the crop and did extensive deleafing to expose the fruit which maximizes pigment in the berry’s skin. All this work paid off and allowed us to get concentrated and healthy fruit. The favorable growing season coupled with sun-exposed fruit helped develop rich tannins and let the complex flavors of cassis, blackberry, coffee and spice fully develop. As with past vintages, the wine should age well over the next 8-to-10 years. So that the tannins will soften and the fruit will shine, we recommend holding this wine until mid-2007 before drinking. Should you want to drink the wine earlier, we suggest decanting a half hour before serving." – Christopher Creek



Recommended Food Pairing:
"Petite can be enjoyed with many foods and can make a meal more memorable. Our suggestions for pairing are: Ahi tuna, game birds (especially duck, goose and quail), turkey, venison, lamb, pork and beef. If you are preparing gravy, try adding a tablespoon of wine to each cup of gravy to integrate the food with the wine (be sure to warm the gravy to cook off the alcohol)."


Stats:
Producer: Christopher Creek
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: Estate Reserve Petite Sirah
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Residual Sugar: N/A
TA: N/A
pH: 3.71
Production: 630 cases produced
Alcohol %: 14.9
Aging: Aged in French and American oak barrels
Cost: $32/bottle (Get your own bottle!)

Wine Whore Score:



Let's take a closer look...


To the eye:
Deep inky purple stained with a brilliant red hue.


To the nose:
Sweet floral bouquet floods the nostrils with blackberry, plum, and a spicy grip.


On the tongue:
Soft delicate acidity playfully dances across the palate with beautiful form and structure.

Get yourself a bottle and experience this Russian River Valley Petite Sirah firsthand!

Cheers!


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


Also, very special thank you to Pam, Fred, and Randy from Christopher Creek 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)Photo of courtesy of Christopher Creek Winery

Wine Whore Review:

 

The nominations are in... now it's your turn to decide who you think is the HOTTEST Wine Whore.

To help you decide, following the poll, I've included pictures and brief descriptions of each of the contestants.

Vote by selecting your favorite here.

Don't delay! Poll closes Tuesday, August 18.

Cheers!

 

Contestant Info:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

I am going where no wino has gone before...

For this week's poll, I am going to attmpt a feat of awesomeness never before accomplished. I am going to taste and compare two wines that I normally would never put together in one sitting.

To add to the suspense and excitement, I am letting YOU decide which pair to compare. Choose your favorite by voting for your choice in the poll located here. The winning wine will be announced, tasted and featured in a review later this week.

 

Be sure to follow me on Twitter or Facebook Wednesday night @ 6:30m pm ET for my tweets as I open and taste the wine that you have picked. This is your chance to ask me questions or just get a sneak peak at my review. 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 with next week’s tasting (Wednesday @ 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


My brothers from another wine loving mother are back and here to share more about South African wine. This week, the Wine Bandits visit the wilds of Africa to explore the similarities between the Rustenberg Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon and none other than… the African Elephant!

But before we explore this intriguing wine pairing...

Geek Out with Some South African Wine Info:


"Rustenburg is a historic estate in Stellenbosch sheltered by the Simonsberg. It has a wine growing history dating back to 1682 with wine being bottled at this cellar for an unbroken period since 1892. It has been in the possession of the Barlow family for over 60 years, the longest period any one family has owned the property.


Peter and Pamela Barlow bought Rustenburg in 1941, then a neglected farm and homestead, along with Schoongezicht and reunited the properties. Some of the vines planted there had been uprooted and replaced with fruit trees for the export market, but fortunately for the wine lovers of the 21st century the war had put an end to the export fruit trade which made way for this well known and well loved winery.


The grapes for Rustenburg and Brampton wines climb the rich red slopes of the Simonsberg and Helderberg. The amphitheatre of slopes, soils, altitude and aspects allows for site specific plantings of the classic grape varieties and harvesting by hand. Controlled irrigation is used when necessary to alleviate stressed vines and maximise quality vines.


Simon, son of Peter and Pamela Barlow and the force behind the 21st century renewal, regards himself as a caretaker with the responsibility to leave Rustenberg in a better place than he found it. The family see varietal character as only one facet of the winemaking process, to them this multi faceted process encapsulates terroir (soil, weather, micro-climatic variation), healthy vineyards and ripe fruit, cellar handling, blending and maturation. Hence the Rustenberg wines exude a sense of place.

Rustenberg has distanced themselves from the New World fervour for fruity wines and have concentrated rather on simplicity. To Simon international appeal does not imply loss of identity which rings true in their international success with their reds, and fresh, fruity whites."

Now I am sure the thought in everyone's minds is: How does their Cabernet compare to an elephant?

Here is the answer:



The Wine Bandit Mission:Discover more about great South African wines by talking to wine makers, demystify complicated wine subjects, having a good laugh the whole way through, making wine accessible and entertaining.

Get more of The Wine Bandits! Hang out with them as they get Under the Influence of fine wine. You can also find them on their blog.

Cheers!


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

Wine Whore Review:


Wouldn't it be cool to be able to create something amazing while having fun at the same time?

Although there's no doubt that we all clearly enjoy drinking wine, how many of us get the chance to create this magical juice on their own? Of course, you could go out and make a huge investment in a winery, a staff, and all of the equipment that is necessary to make a bottle of your very own wine. But then again, not all of us are as lucky as the Number 99, formally known as Wayne Gretzky or the always funny, Dan Aykroyd:


Well now there's a way to make wine without being rich and famous!


Vintner's Circle is a winemaking on-premise franchise. They teach wine lovers how to make their own wine in 4 easy steps over a 7 week period of time. Their goal is to enhance peoples’ enjoyment of the wine lifestyle and have a great time while doing it.

How cool!

As fellow Wine Whore Crew member, Liz Mitchell said in her Wine Talk post, 'What’s in a Label?', a wine label can mean so much and often a lot of thought goes into it. What if you could not only create your own bottle of wine, but also be able to wrap it in a label incorporating anything you want... whatever you can imagine!


All three of these labels were winners in WineMaker Magazine’s label contest last year. Each has special meaning to the winemaker. The Flying Pig label was created by a wine lover whose friends believed that she would make wine “when pigs fly”. The leaf label was created from a photograph one couple’s son had taken on their deck.


Now onto a wine lover who turn his talent for creating perfect circles by hand into unique and intriguing wine labels...


Nemo, how did you become interested in creating wine label art?

"It all started when I was talking to this guy on Twitter one day about Nocino, which is a kind of vodka he makes from the walnuts of these huge trees he has in his yard. He asked me if I could draw him a label and he would give me a case of this stuff in exchange. He sent me a sample of Nocino which arrived in the mail in an un-labeled mason jar and sent me some pictures of last year’s harvest day for inspiration.


Then I meet another guy on Twitter who shows art to wine makers and tries to get them to use the art on their labels; he works off the commissions of the sales. Well, he told me it would be a good idea to make up some designs so people could really see how a label would look. My wife being the graphic designer in the family came up with some cool designs using “Good Omens” as the theme; Omen being Nemo spelled backwards."


Nemo will be showcasing his cool circular art labels at art shows, wine bars, and wine tasting events. It won't be long before one lucky winery decides to use his artwork for their labels... just remember where you saw it first!

For more of Nemo's art, check out his website and blog!



Very special thank you to Nemo, Robin, and the folks from Vintner's Circle for their kindness, support, and willingness to share their love for the grape for the rest of the world to enjoy.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)Photos of courtesy of Nemo Art, and Vintner's Circle

Wine Whore Review:


The best part of enjoying wine is the chance to share a glass with others. Exchanging stories, ideas, and a laugh, is all part of life and learning about wine. I am proud to announce two new and exciting ways to do this from the comfort of your own home...


I have released The Wine Whore Corner, an interactive forum to allow discussion amongst us Wine Whores about none other than our favorite topic: wine! There's also general topics and even games to keep you busy between glasses while enjoying a good buzz.

To celebrate the launch of this new chance to interact, I am offering a giveaway but it's only for a limited time. One of the first one hundred people to post to the forum will get the chance to win this cool t-shirt from X Winery for FREE:




To win, all you need to do is sit back, say hello, and share your thoughts!


Also, now you can always share a glass with myself and other wine lovers right from the front page of the site. Just type a message in the 'WW Chat Room' located to the right sidebar:

I look forward to spending more quality wine time together!

Cheers!


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

Wine Whore Review:



As the Wine Whore, I proudly enjoy drinking wine. I especially love to drink red wine. Even with my unabashed love for the grape, there are some occasions where I realize that my purple teeth passion is spelled out in an embarrassing way. For instance, how many times have you been at a party socializing while enjoying a glass (or five) of wine. Everything is going great until you look into a mirror and realize that your teeth are TOTALLY stained.

How do you avoid purple teeth without giving up wine?


It's time for a throw down! A couple of weeks ago, I shared some wine straws that may help with this problem. Another contender has stepped into the ring. This new contender is so sure that they would be able to cure my purple teeth, they sent me some samples to compare to these wine straws as a sort of "Pepsi Challenge".



The test:

• Day 1 - Drink a bottle of characteristically staining Petite Sirah (in the name of science, of course) using the glass straws.
  
• Day 2 - Drink the same bottle of wine and then use wine wipes and compare the purple teeth results.

The verdict:
While the straws helped prevent SOME staining, the wipes worked better at actually cleaning off stains. In fact, the straws actually made a bigger mess when I rubbed them on my mouth, teeth, and gums. On the other hand, although I didn't bite into them, the straws tasted better than the wipes.

In conclusion:
Use straws to help prevent staining... use the wipes to clean up staining... and brush your teeth to completely remove staining. The only 100% sure fire way to be stain free is to avoid wine altogether, but clearly that's not a plan I am willing to endorse here.


Want to hide your purple teeth tattoo?

These wine wipes are a quick and easy way to tidy up your smile for an afternoon at work, a hot date, or pictures at a party. Get some of your own by visiting Wine Wipes today!

Cheers!


Want more fun wine accessories?Check out The CorkScrew Shop for more cool stuff...Also, check out my gift recommendations for summer, pet lovers and Earth day.

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

Wise Wine Review:
Casillero del Diablo Concha Y Toro Chile Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (click for more info)
Taste Score = 8/10 Points
Cost Score = 9.5/10 Points
Overall Score = 8.5/10 Points (Additional stats below)



Talking with my friend, photographer, and fellow wine lover, Jennifer Senel, we began discussing my two favorite topics: food and wine. She had some advice to share with me along with a great glass of wine:

"Ok, here is a problem that I find a lot of us do...

You find a recipe that calls for wine. Looks yummy doesn't it. Well not if you use the wine that you find on the spice aisle. Look at the price and look at the quantity. Taste it. Would you serve it? Hell no! So why put it in your food?

There are plenty of decent inexpensive wines that you will drink and spare a splash or two in a recipe. And I know we have all heard the tip "freeze your leftover wine and use it to cook with." Who has left over wine? Seriously. If you need to cook with wine, buy a decent bottle you don't mind drinking. Otherwise, find a new recipe."

Here's a bottle that's inexpensive enough to spare for cooking, yet tasty enough to enjoy a glass when the meal is ready to be served...

Let's get down to drinkin'!

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

Wine Geek Vintage Info:
"Straw in color with green hues. Fresh and citric bouquet with notes of peaches and hints of gooseberry. Gentle, round and mouthfilling with crisp acidity. A clean and bright wine of astounding quality." –Concha y Toro


Recommended Food Pairing:
"This wine is best when served chilled. Enjoy with ceviche, oysters, and sushi."


Stats:
Producer: Concha y Toro
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Appellation: Chile
Residual Sugar: N/A
TA: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: 13.5
Aging: 100% fermented in stainless steel and aged for 4 to 6 months sur lie.
Cost: $10/bottle (Get your own bottle!)

Wine Whore Score:

Click to Enlarge

Let's take a closer look...


To the eye:
Translucent yellow with subtle green hues


To the nose:
Expressive with plenty of varietal identity; tropical fruits, white peach, currant, and refreshing citrus notes.


On the tongue:
In the mouth it feels balanced, intense, fresh and with a good acidity level. An elegant and round wine with a pleasant, long finish.

For only $10, this is a devil of a great value! Full in flavor, not sweet and fruity, but very bold in character makes this wine great for cooking but also nice to drink when the pots and pans are empty.

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)Photos of courtesy of Jennifer Senel Photography, and Concha y Toro

Wine Whore Review

Now there's yet another reason to drink more wine. Every bottle brings you one step closer to the ultimate holiday ornament that no home will be complete without.

Shelly from Wine at Five has joined the 'Better to be a Wine Whore' movement to share how she gets creative with corks.

Take it away, Shelly!

"If you enjoy wine like I do, you probably have a collection of corks and are wondering what to do with them. I’ve been searching around for projects that use corks and have come across the usual trivets and cork/message boards, but I was looking for something a little more unique, something that I would use in my house and would feel proud to give away as a gift. Then I found the cork wreath. Not only are these beautiful and SO easy to make, they can be customized for any occasion or to fit any decor. I decided to make my first wreath trimmed in purple and gold, as this will go perfectly in my Parent’s kitchen or living room. I think they are going to adore this.

You start out with a craft wreath, I decided to use one of twine to give it a more rustic look, your collection of corks (I used a medium wreath and 76 corks) a hot glue gun, and any ribbon or extras you want to add.


Start by gluing the corks around the wreath. No specific pattern is necessary, and if a little twine shows through you can either leave it or fill in with leaves, flowers, or whatever you’d like.


Continue to cover the entire wreath until you feel you have full coverage.


You could actually leave it like this if you prefer. I decided to add a little color. I wrapped gold ribbon around the entire wreath and tried to cover any spots that seemed a little bare. I glued the ribbon to keep it in place. I then took wired purple ribbon and crafted a bow, tied once around the wreath. The bow can be positioned anywhere you’d like, top bottom or side. My wreath was a little odd shaped so I compensated with the corks and bow to make it look more symmetrical. In the end, I had this:



This was one of the easiest crafts I’ve ever done. I spent $2.49 on the wreath and $5 on the ribbon. The project took less than one hour from start to finish and I am quite pleased with my finished product. I also saw similar items selling online for more than $60. If you have the corks, why not create a memento of all those bottles shared."


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

Wine Whore Review

 

'The Wine Whore' is looking for the top ten hottest Wine Whores! Use the comment form here to nominate your favorite member of the wine industry. Don't delay! Nominations will be compiled and voted on starting Saturday, July 18.

Cheers!


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

Wine Whore Review:

O'Brien Estate Romantic Trio (click for more info)



Wine is about romance, love for the grape, and getting a nice buzz!

Here's how it worked... you voted and I drank... and then I drank some more!

Details:
This week's poll started out harmless. As a tribute to the FREE WINE Contest, I asked you to choose which romantic phase of the O'Brien Estate Romantic Trio Gift Set is your favorite. It was all down hill from there...

After hearing the recommendation to open all three, I got a bright idea. Why not make this more interesting? If the poll receives over 100 votes, not only will I OPEN all three bottles, but I will also attempt to DRINK THEM ALL in one sitting.

BAD IDEA!!!

The good news is that I made sure to write down my thoughts before I was unable to type and way before I lost the ability to form a coherent sentence. The bad news is that the sun will eventually rise and with it will come a pounding headache, queasy stomach, and the challenge of a new day. Whoever said being a Wine Whore is easy never attempted this feat.



Never Wine Alone:
If you were with me for the virtual tasting via Twitter and Facebook you already have a good idea of how well this Cabby pair performed. If you missed it, take a minute to mark your calendar with next week’s tasting (Wednesday @ 6:30pm ET) and keep reading to see how it all went down.

Geek Out with Some Vintage Info:

• Attraction Chardonnay
  
  
  When our eyes met,my heart said hello.Are you the one for whom I long?Are you?
  
  
  Tasting Notes:
  "Light straw in color and exhibiting intense aromas of pear, almond, butterscotch and spice that layer with flavors of fig, tropical fruits and spice in a full-bodied, round and creamy chardonnay with good acidity, a subtle touch of spicy oak, and a long finish."
  
  
• Romance of the Heart Merlot
  
  
  Extend to meThe hand of conversationTwirl me with laughterEmbrace me with kindnessWill you be mine for a moment?Or for a lifetime?
  
  
  Tasting Notes:
  "This is an elegantly structured wine with notes of deep, dark blueberry and plum with hints of tobacco, vanilla, and spice. It has a smooth supple entry with a soft mid-palate and lingering finish."
  
  
• Seduction Bordeaux-style blend
  
  
  Romance of the heartPassion of the soulA voluptuous wine with sensual flavorsAnd a velvet kiss.Enjoy in good company.
  
  
  Tasting Notes:
  "(Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot) Deep, dense purple throughout, this wine displays wonderful aromas of sweet black cherry, warm licorice, cedar, oak and toasted espresso bean. Intense currant, berry and crème de cassis flavors on the palate are framed by fine grained tannins in this full bodied, supple, well concentrated blend."

Stats:
Producer: O'Brien Estate Romantic Trio
Vintage: 2005,2006,2007
Varietal: Chardonnay, Merlot, Bordeaux-style Red Blend
Appellation: Napa Valley
Residual Sugar: N/A
TA: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: N/A
Aging: N/A
Cost: $250/set (Get your own set!)


Wine Whore Score:

Click to Enlarge

My seductive threesome experience summarized by partner...

Attraction Chardonnay

• To the Eyes: Light and ethereal like the fringe of a clear sunset
  
  
• To the Nose: Buttery and sweet like an ear of corn drizzled with a hint of ripe citrus
  
  
• To the Tongue: Slowly rolls off of the tongue like butter melting off a hot biscuit

Romance of the Heart Merlot

• To the Eyes: Deep, brilliant ruby surrounded by hints of ink mysteriously floating towards the edges
  
  
• To the Nose: Cherry and licorice angrily rubbed into tanned leather
  
  
• To the Tongue: Slightly hot but dripping with sweet fruit and a stubbornly everlasting finish

Seduction Bordeaux-style blend

• To the Eyes: Deep cherry pool of goodness
  
  
• To the Nose: Fuzzy oak blended with a lively bouquet of grapes
  
  
• To the Tongue: Cabby to the tongue with a slowly structured dry crescendo into the sunset

Summary
Overall, I was very impressed with the Trio. Aside from its impressive packaging and romantic backstory, the wine itself is crafted well. Although the Seduction Bordeaux-style blend won out as my favorite of the triplets, the other two bottles were not far behind. I would recommend this set to anyone who loves wine and wants to express this with someone special. It makes a unique gift that will be remembered and cherished for years to come... just don't attempt to drink all three bottles in one night.

Cheers!


Wanna have a threesome of your own?
Click here to treasure a Trio of your own!


Credits:
Very special thank you to Bart and the folks from O'Brien Estate for their kindness, support, and willingness to share a glass of their wine for the rest of the world to enjoy.

Images courtesy of National Geographic magazine, Country Living, and O'Brien Estates


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

Wine Whore Review



"If I am gonna drink it, I may as well let it inspire!" - Jennifer Senel

I am proud to introduce you all to a visually creative member of the 'Wine Whore Crew' movement. Her name is Jennifer Senel and she doesn't mess around when it comes to wine and photography.


'The Wine Whore' will be regularly featuring fun photos by Jennifer Senel for your personal use as desktop backgrounds or screen savers. Enjoy them responsibly!



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?

If you are interested in owning an archive quality, limited edition print of these images, please contact me.

For your madly sipping pleasure, I now present Jennifer Senel's belated tribute to Mother's Day...


Now that's what I call dirty laundry!


This is the ONLY way to do housework!

Cheers!


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

Wise Wine Review: Parducci Sustainable White Mendocino County 2007 (click for more info)
Taste Score = 8/10 Points
Cost Score = 9.5/10 Points
Overall Score = 8.4/10 Points (Additional stats below) When this bottle of wine showed up, I didn't know what to think. Sustainable White? What the heck does that mean? What does sustainable have to do with wine? As I did more research, it became more apparent that I might have a good bottle of wine on my hands. What's more, this bottle only costs $10. Yes, $10! Before we crack it open and see if there's a pearl in this oyster, let's talk for a moment about its history.

 

 

Parducci is locally owned and operated in California's Mendocino County. They are committed to sustainable winegrowing practices that yield top quality grapes and wines while protecting the environment and supporting our communities and local farmers. So what is a 'sustainable' wine anyways?

• Locally owned and operated
• Grapes from family farms
• Sustainable farming Practices
• 100% green power
• Earth-friendly packaging
• 1st U.S. carbon neutral winery

Only one way to find out if this bottle of wine is any good... let's get down to drinkin'! (Click here for the full review and scores…)

The Romantic Trio expresses three different phases of a relationship. In the beginning, uncertainty and hope. Then deepening romance, turning into passion...

Which is your favorite phase?

Last week, I asked 'which one would you choose?' but for this week's poll, I am asking you to decide which bottle to choose based on your favorite phase of romance described by the Romantic Trio. Choose your favorite by voting for your choice in the poll located here. The winning wine will be announced, tasted and featured in a review later this week.

 

 

Be sure to follow me on Twitter or Facebook Wednesday night @ 6:30m pm ET for my tweets as I open and taste the wine that you have picked. This is your chance to ask me questions or just get a sneak peak at my review. 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 with next week’s tasting (Wednesday @ 6:30pm ET) and then prepare yourself for the fun by checking out the previous winners.

Cheers!

The Romantic Story behind the Wines of the Trio:
(Back labels written by Bart O’Brien and inspired by his wife Barb)
Attraction Chardonnay

 

Tasting Notes:
"Light straw in color and exhibiting intense aromas of pear, almond, butterscotch and spice that layer with flavors of fig, tropical fruits and spice in a full-bodied, round and creamy chardonnay with good acidity, a subtle touch of spicy oak, and a long finish."

Romance of the Heart Merlot

 

Tasting Notes:
"This is an elegantly structured wine with notes of deep, dark blueberry and plum with hints of tobacco, vanilla, and spice. It has a smooth supple entry with a soft mid-palate and lingering finish."

Seduction Bordeaux-style blend

 

Tasting Notes:
"(Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot) Deep, dense purple throughout, this wine displays wonderful aromas of sweet black cherry, warm licorice, cedar, oak and toasted espresso bean. Intense currant, berry and crème de cassis flavors on the palate are framed by fine grained tannins in this full bodied, supple, well concentrated blend."

Credits:
Very special thank you to Bart and the folks from O'Brien Estate 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)
Photos and descriptions courtesy of O'Brien Estate

 

Wine Whore Review:
Rominger West Yolo County California Rosé 2007 (click for more info)
Enjoyability Score = 8/10 Points
Overall Score = 8.13/10 Points (Additional stats below)

wine label credit: Just Karen

Trying new wine is all about mystery. Heck, that's half the fun! This week I wanted to share the excitement of opening a bottle of wine I would have otherwise never tried. I asked you to pick for me the bottle to drink based on hardly any information at all. What better way to make an educated decision? Alright, there may be a million better ways but that's not the point.

Here's how it worked... you voted and I drank!

Details:
Last week I tested the price of air. This week, I have decided to simply ask 'which one would you choose?' This week's poll was easy... all you had to do was decide which bottle to taste based on a generic description.

And the mystery wine you chose for me to consume was...

• Rominger West Yolo County California Rosé 2007

Rominger West uses grapes from Yolo County Vineyards

If you have never heard of Rominger West, take a minute to review my previous post on this winery.

Memories of the good 'ol days:
Yolo County is home to UC Davis which reminds me of College... which reminds me of fun, parties, and overall great times. This wine brought me back to those days. If you want to let the good times roll with me next week, make sure to pay attention to this:



Never Wine Alone:
If you were with me for the virtual tasting via Twitter and Facebook you already have a good idea of how well this Cabby pair performed. If you missed it, take a minute to mark your calendar with next week’s tasting (Wednesday @ 6:30pm ET) and keep reading to see how it all went down.

Geek Out with Some Vintage Info:
"A bright and fruity, dry rosé of Grenache. The Rose' is a soft crisp Wine. This smooth wine gives the ability to pair well with any food especially spicy foods. The subtle fruity aromas and dry finish balance out the many flavors." - Rominger West Winery

Stats:
Producer: Rominger West
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Rosé of Grenache
Appellation: Yolo County, California
Residual Sugar: N/A
TA: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: 13.5
Aging: N/A
Cost: $12/bottle (Get your own bottle!)

Wine Whore Score:

Click to Enlarge

My wine time tasting experience summarized by the senses...

To the eyes: Cranberry swimming in a deep murky pool of watermelon.

To the nose: Slightly musty muted hints of alcohol mixed with bittersweet cranberry.


On the tongue: Round and fruity. Fun, yet tacky like a tuxedo t-shirt!

This wine is great for the summer! Crack open a bottle, relax, and let you worries melt away. After all... it's time to party! :)

Cheers!

Wanna join the party? Click here to rock out with this Rosé!


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

Wine Whore Review



The FREE Wine Giveaway was a blast!!!

But like all good things, the contest has come to an end. I would like to thank you all for your participation. Although over 1000 people entered, only one lucky winner can be selected....

The winner of the FREE Romantic Trio from O'Brien Estate which will include an engraved nameplate goes to...

(drumroll)

Click here to find out if you won and for a special limited time offer from Bart...