Holiday in a bottle

:: Daniel Cellars Spicy Rivanna, produced by Burnley Vineyards, $13.25 ::

When I tasted this wine at the Virginia Wine Festival, I immediately said "Christmas in a bottle!" It's sweet, cinnamony, slightly citrusy. Now that I'm consuming my second glass I realize it's a little too desserty for my taste; would taste just like Swedish glugg warm, I bet, though! I was awed that the wine could be so sweet and could evoke spices SO vividly when I first tasted it, but I was a bit naive I guess, because the wine is essentially pre-mulled with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice, anise, orange peel and lemon peel. I also pick up on tastes of plum and raisin. It's pretty delicious for a glass and would definitely make an appropriate gift for the season, especially for someone that doesn't usually enjoy wine. I don't see how anyone could not like this.

This time around it essentially tastes just like glugg to me: glugg was first introduced to me last New Year's eve at Aditi's place, and since it was such a hit, she's brought it out at quite a few parties. It's especially appropriate and enjoyable during the winter holidays because it's warm and festive. (Note that this wine really is like glugg, because glugg is sweetened and spiced wine served hot, except without the chunks of raisins and almonds.)

It's funny that the wine brings me back to last New Year's tonight, because I feel like after a long couple of weeks, I had finally stopped thinking about last New Year's eve. I've been a little anxious-ridden this holiday season. I love the winter holiday season: I love the crispness in the air, the cheery spirit everyone seems to be in, the partying and entertaining, the gift-giving, the feeling of calm and tranquility I get when looking at winter scenery (bare trees, snow), the cute hats and scarves... plus, boys look so good in sweaters! But back to the point. I definitely enjoyed all those aspects of the season, but I've also felt an enormous amount of jitters about the new year. A LOT changed this year, and while I think the changes have overall been positive for me, it's just overwhelming to think of everything I've gone through. New boys, friends, classes, cat, apartment/roommates, progress at work... Maybe the thing that's been bothering me is that though I've gone through a lot, in the end I'm the same person, I want the same things from life, and I don't clearly see that my new life is getting me to my goals. But I guess the new year is a good time to self-evaluate and change whatever needs to be changed, right?

Also, I don't know when I became an adult! It feels weird to even say it; am I really an adult? But during Thanksgiving, this guy started talking to me at Top of the Hill (one of my favorite bars in Chapel Hill), and then I realized that he was a senior in college: i.e. three years younger than me! People three years younger than me can legally go out to bars?! I still think of myself as the youngest person in any given situation; I was always one of the youngest in my grade, in my group of friends. But as I get older, I obviously meet people that are younger. It's just strange.

Anyway, I think I have a pretty good plan for the year. I decided my biggest problem was not having my priorities straight, so I've organized all my resolutions to fit into nine priorities for 2009! So I'm ready to put my angst aside and take the year head-on. Let's hope it's not all serious; some mischief and dancing should ensue! (Not that old, yet!) Definitely started the year on the right foot.

Comfort in a bottle

:: Indaba Chenin Blanc 2006, produced by Cafe Classics (South Africa), $8.99 ::

My friend Fred brought this wine to my "Around the World in Food and Drink" dinner party. Though I encouraged people to be more creative with the international drinks they were bringing, I forgive Fred for bringing the wine, because I love the label :) Plus (and perhaps more importantly), I don't think I had ever tried a South African white wine before.

I really enjoyed it. It's not very complex or interesting wine, but it's well-rounded and easy to drink. It's crisp, light and citrusy. It has some ripe fruit on the bouquet, particularly bananas... but not in a way that evokes warmth. I actually remember thinking it almost smelled like rain!

All in all, great wine for under $10. I think I've been a little stressed lately (between work, class and personal life), and it was the perfect thing to comfort me. Well, it was either the wine or my new kitten Andy (short for Ampersand)... or maybe a combination of the two made for the ultimate relaxing evening :)

In other wine news, I watched the movie Bottle Shock a few weeks ago. It's no Sideways, but you'll probably enjoy it if you're a wine aficionado. The preview makes it look funnier than it really is, and it may be a little too long, but I liked it okay. It's about California winemakers setting out to produce better wines than the French in the 1960s (and succeeding!). Based on a true story, apparently. Makes me feel better about California red Zinfandels being my preferred kind of wine, haha. Actually it's really funny I've consistently said red zins are my favorite considering the francophile I am! Guess I'm a true American at heart.

Speaking of being American, I'm going to my first professional baseball game tomorrow. Super-excited!

Summer in a bottle or two

Since I haven't written in a while, I'm reviewing two wines together this time around. With DC summer in full swing, I present to you two nice white wines to enjoy in the sun. They are both nice, "summery" white wines, though they have very different personalities. (I think they do anyway; I tasted the Viognier a while ago and am working off my notes, so I apologize if my description's a little muddy.)


::: Richland Reserve Viognier 2006, Potomac Point Vineyard, $20.99 :::

The first wine is from the Potomac Point Vineyard in Stafford, VA; I visited the winery on a road trip to Charlottesville with my friend Aditi in April. It's a great little spot not too far from DC; beautiful setting, decent wines and great service! I definitely recommend it. There's also just something special about getting local wine from the source itself. Getting a bit of the winery and region history makes the experience that much more memorable, I think. I hope to do a little wine touring again soon... Virginia has a lot of reputable wineries, after all. I was kind of on a road trip kick for a bit this summer: between late March and mid June I went to Philly, Charlottesville, New York and Atlantic Beach. I slowed it down a bit after that because an exhausting two week vacation to India got in the way, but next up is Dewey beach at the end of this month! :) It's nice to get away for a bit. Sometimes you just need to be in the middle of nowhere with your girlfriends belting out Shakira, snacking on Bugles and reminiscing about high school (as I did during the Memorial Day weekend at Atlantic Beach).

Anyway, so out of the 13 wines I tasted at the vineyard (for $10) the Viognier was my favorite. I thought at the time that it was the perfect spring/summer wine. I remember it being lighter than it really is, though. "Summer" in a bottle seems fitting, then, because I also remember DC summer being lighter than it really is. The beginning of summer was especially brutal since we had hardly a glimpse of spring before the sun was blazing. I was looking forward to festivals out on the National Mall, to outdoor concerts and to day trips this summer, but it suddenly got too hot for me to want to head out of the house. The wine is definitely crisp, floral and citrus-y, but it's more of a heavier white wine. It even has a warm appearance and scent: it is a dark yellow, almost apple juice color, and it smells of melon and flowers. It's not too sweet, but sweet enough that it's really easy to drink. It has a long finish; makes you feel warm and fuzzy a few moments after you swallow. (I recently learned from my wine book Alpana Pours that heavier whites have often been exposed to oak, and this wine has indeed been aged in French oak barrels in addition to stainless steel.) It is kind of a complicated wine, offering freshness, warmth and depth all at the same time, but it manages to strike a balance.

My summer has offered something similar. Before I left for India, thunderstorms and rain would cool off the air every few days. (In India, the monsoon would do the same.) Summer days can be awful, but summer evenings can be lovely, perfect for mingling on an outdoor patio. I've participated in many happy hours and nights out this sumer... maybe that's why I think summer evenings are "warm and fuzzy" even though they offer a kind of crispness! Highlights thus far have been Clarendon Ballroom (fun but dangerous) in Arlington and Red Derby in Columbia Heights. Sometimes these nights lead to complications and shenanigans, as Laura H. from work would put it, and other times they're just good fun with friends old and new.


::: Terrazzo Esino Bianco 2007, Verdicchio-Trebbiano blend, $9.99 at Best Cellars :::

This wine is more my style of white: light, fresh, lively and fruity! May not be how summer really is, but it's how I like summer to be. The wine looks and feels light too; it is a lot lighter in color than the Viognier. It smells and tastes very crisp. On the nose I get peach, lemon and melon... but not as ripe-smelling as the Viognier. On the tongue I get a little apple and lots of citrus. It's tingly on the tongue, and the finish is like biting into a lemon. You might compare it to a Pinot Grigio, but I think it has more character. I had a glass with some Pad Thai, and that seemed to bring out the apple taste.

(Quick design note: apparently Terrazzo Esino Rosso (red) has the exact same Mediterranean-style label except it's colored in with red; cute marketing technique for customer recognition, I think.)

How I've interpreted the wines may have something to do with my mood as I drink them. After my trip across the world to India and Paris, I'm happy to be back in DC and relaxing. I've taken it pretty easy since I've been back-- I was exhausted, and I'm craving some refreshment, so that may be reflecting in my Terrazzo tasting analysis. I'm settling into my new place, too, and it seems like it's going to work out really well. Feels like a fresh start.

Irony in a bottle

::: The Prisoner, Orin Swift Cellars, 2006 Napa Valley Red wine, $31.95, #17 in best wines of 2007 as ranked by Wine Spectator :::

I thought my next post would definitely be a white wine since spring is finally upon Washington, D.C. but tonight is a cool, rainy evening that seems perfect for The Prisoner.

You would think "prisoner in a bottle" would be an easy title for this one, but I just can't bring myself to wing it that way. I suppose you could say the wine is just waiting to "break away"-- i.e. to unleash its power and flavor-- as it does, but to me it's more than that. To me, it's not a prisoner at all. It's so intense, flavorful and complex that it seems free... full of vitality and energy. It's fruity and full of berry flavors, but has quite a kick all the same (spice, citrus, just a hint of tannin). It's full-bodied with a rich, dark red color. It's a fun mix of different grape varietals, yet has a very specific and balanced taste.

I also found (when looking up the price, bc this wine was a gift-- merci, Diane!) that this wine is a vintage. I didn't know what that meant, and this is what Wikipedia tells us: "A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown and harvested in a single specified year. " In some cases this means higher quality. Anyway, just thought I'd share, since we're all learning :)

But back to the point. Perhaps the wine really isn't free, after all. Why is it named The Prisoner? Perhaps it's like the Macy Gray song says: "I may appear to be free / But I'm just a prisoner of your love." Perhaps it's like me.

Love in a bottle

So it's been over six months since I last wrote. Pathetic, especially since it was my new year's resolution to rev up the blog, and now it's almost April. But I'm inspired anew... so the blog is back with a fresh look and a more personal approach: I haven't worked out the details yet, but I will try to integrate my wine discussion with other things going on in my life. I also plan to post photos. Let's see.

::: Ce Vin Chateau Bellevue La Foret 2005, Negrette grape, $13 at Harris Teeter:::

This was my first experience with the Negrette grape varietal, and it was a pleasant one. I found this wine to be very fruit-forward, with an almost overwhelming taste of plum. The finish is very sour (almost as if you were biting into a lime!), but it doesn't have much of a harsh tannin feel at all. There's a little bit of pepper and spice. It is medium-bodied, with a very rich dark red tint. I snacked on chips and salsa while drinking, which was fine, but I imagine a steak (like the bottle recommends) may go over better... not that I would know, since I don't eat steak. I would definitely recommend it with food though; on its own, the citrus kick is intense! All in all, good wine.

I'm writing this on Friday night, drinking alone... it's been a while since I did that. (Before you get worried, let me assure you that I just had one glass.) It's nice though; it's nice to just be relaxing on my own and having a glass of wine to wind down the day. I really do love wine. Love. Funny thing, isn't it? My friend Aditi sent me the link to love on Wikipedia tonight. I found this line to be striking: "According to many philosophers, the only goal of life is to be happy. And there is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved." Is love really all you need to be happy? I've actually been struggling with this for two weeks. It makes sense if I think about love in more than a strictly romantic sense, though. As in, my love for art, my love for friends, my love for wine, my love for the little intricacies of life all contribute to my happiness.

One of my favorite quotes about (romantic) love is Shakespeare's "Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs; being purged, a fire sparkling in lover's eyes. Being vexed, a sea nourished with lover's tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, a choking gall and a preserving sweet." So I choose to name this post "love in a bottle," because love has been on my mind, but also because I think the wine leaves you with this "preserving sweet" taste even though the sour ("gall") is very strong.

Circus in a bottle

::: Beauzeaux red wine, 2004 Vintage California • Blend of 8 different grape varietals • USA Today Best Bargain • $11.99 at Giant :::

My favorite kinds of wines are zinfandel-blends, so that is what I wanted to drink to kick off the blog. Excellent choice, I have to say. In my opinion, this is the perfect kind of red wine for a red wine beginner; it's lighter and sweeter than what most beginners may think of when they think of red wine. Plus, you may be drawn to it the grocery isle, because of the attractive label: it features a juggling clown, and under the name it is spelled phonetically (i.e. bo-zo), for those of us that don't immediately pick up on the playful name/image. And the wine, too, was very playful. Although the different grapes gave it some depth, it was very easy to drink; I had it with some bread and cheese (brie, chevre and Dubliner), and it complimented the cheeses very well. It was medium-bodied.... very fruity, but acidic and very peppery as well: felt like it was dancing in my mouth! Essentially, circus in a bottle.

Me in a bottle

Why wine? Because it's not just a drink; each bottle has its own personality: medium-bodied or heavy, sweet or spicy, smooth or complex. As Maya in the movie Sideways put it, wine is a "living thing ... if I opened a bottle of wine today it would taste different than if I'd opened it on any other day, because a bottle of wine is actually alive. And it's constantly evolving and gaining complexity." I like wine.

I first started drinking wine during my French semester abroad sophomore year in college. My host family would offer a glass of wine with dinner almost everyday. I didn't like beer, and mixed drinks were always expensive, so I would order wine when I was out; plus it seemed appropriate — I was in France, after all! I guess I started getting used to wine. (People don't usually like wine right away... it grows on you if you give it a chance, usually several chances.) At some point I tried champagne, though, and that I liked. I traveled to Reims in the Champagne region to tour the Taittinger cave... I really enjoyed learning about the grapes, the fermentation and the storage, and at the end of the tour the tasting was sooo good. I have to admit when I got back to the U.S. I got a little snooty about champagne: I would correct people and say they were drinking sparkling wine, not champagne, unless it was actually from Champagne. Champagne is still my alcoholic beverage of choice: it's classy, celebratory and the happiest buzz ever!

Anyway, it was junior year at my publishing internship that I began to really enjoy all kinds of wine; thanks to my boss Bob, I wouldn't just drink wine, I would take it in. Bob decided one day that we would do Friday wine hour at Weaver Street Market, a local grocery store... he wanted me and Melissa, his assistant editor to learn to "appreciate" wine. We would try a different kind of red wine every week — he felt like white wine was for amateurs. We tried Spanish, Chilean, Italian, Australian, French, Californian and local NC wines; we tried merlots, pinot noirs, grenaches and blends. Each time Bob would take his first sip and kind of smack it on his tongue. He would take a couple of more sips and say things like "chocolate, pepper, a lot of berries" or "a lot of earth, a little tannin." Sometimes he would ask me and Melissa to say what we tasted before he gave his opinion to see if we were catching on... most of the time I would say "citrus," because you can't really go wrong with citrus! I was afraid of sounding silly and saying I tasted the wrong thing, but I was hooked. And I definitely started to have more of a sense of which wines were lighter or more full-bodied, which wines were sweeter, which were more earthy, which were smoother, which were more complex.

After I turned 21, I further pursued wine drinking. West End Wine Bar in Chapel Hill became my favorite bar, and I'd enjoy getting a bottle to share with friends. I went to a couple of official tastings, I read about wine occasionally, I started ordering wine with dinner, I started cooking more and pairing my food with wine.

I think I still have a long way ahead of me in understanding wine, so I consider myself a novice. This blog should help me stay on top of my wine drinking and thinking, though, and I hope you'll join me on my journey. Maybe as you keep reading, you'll find that you, too, get excited when you hear the "pop" of the cork!