Vino - Heads Up

My two latest favorites in the wine realm have interesting names, and one would believe, from their very different websites, that they were totally unrelated (?) but they are both completely satisfying reds that while satisfying a different taste and appeal, there is a richness to each type that deserves a wide audience.

GNARLY HEAD
Authentic Red
 I found out from my local wine vendor that this had become his most popular wine and now, favorite recommendation.  Under $11 a bottle, this touch of sweet yet spicy bold red wine accomplished exactly what I sought from a blend.  I have grown an immense appreciation for red blends because I do not think my palate seeks what one type of grape can accomplish, I appreciate the mix of tart, sweet, bold, oaky, rich, fruity, and spice.  This is my perfect idea of a wine that can be enjoyed everyday, used for Sangria, enjoyed slightly chilled or room temperature.

TOASTED HEAD
Shiraz
One of the first types of red that I grew an appreciation for was the Syrah or Shiraz. Its blended boldness was what led me to appreciate Chianti later on.  I come back to the world of Shiraz as I found a perfect representation of the Shiraz, that spicy bold slightly tart and slightly oaky wine I first fell in love with.  It is hard to say if I like one over the other, as the Gnarly Head is definitely something that can be enjoyed with frequency, but the Toasted Head is definitely the kind of wine I like to savor, the spice notes are unique and the bold tart nature of this wine would be more appreciated in lighter rotation, like a fine cigar (or with a fine cigar!)

Loving Cup

Although today is the exception, spring feels like it is making an early arrival, and nothing transitions winter into spring better than Pimm's. 

"Pimm's was first produced in 1823 by James Pimm, a farmer's son from Kent who became the owner of an oyster bar in the City of London, near the Bank of England. Pimm offered the tonic (a gin-based drink containing quinine and a secret mixture of herbs) as an aid to digestion, serving it in a small tankard known as a "No. 1 Cup", hence its subsequent name."

My two favorite ways to drink Pimm's No. 1? Let's break out the Collins glass and:

Pimm's Cup ~  lemonade + Pimm's + ice + thin slice of cucumber and slice of strawberry
Royal Cup ~ Champagne/Prosecco + Pimm's + thin slice of cucumber and lemon

...also try mixing with iced ginger tea. YUM!

Revisiting Coquito for Dummies

It's that time of year again, don't forget to shower your loved ones with a little "spicy holiday spirit in a bottle".

xoxo
-Lainey

Zweigelt!

Upon cracking open the cap of this spicy bottle of wine, a burst of Austrian air seems to fill me! I haven't felt this excited about a simple bottle of wine in a very long time. Amazingly priced, (usually $13.99) and almost perfectly tailored to my palate, this slightly briny, spicy, yet fruity wine by Weingut Hofer is pretty well received for its unique lightness in body with contrasting boldness in flavor.

Not the typical bottle, 750ml, beer style cap, it retains its tangy spiciness for days, and tastes best when slightly below room temperature (an accidental yet delicious discovery)

Zweigelt as defined in wikipedia is "a red wine grape variety developed in 1922, at the Federal Institute for Viticulture and Pomology at Klosterneuburg, Austria, by Fritz Zweigelt. It was a crossing of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. It is now the most widely-grown red grape variety in Austria, as well as having some presence in Canada's vineyards."

Wine Lovin Misters

Wine Loving Lady

I love the full bodied, tangy oaky taste of Chianti. With a distinct raspberry tartness, and a little lighter than average, I am loving my recent purchase of Castello D'Albola Chianti Classico (2005). I am enjoying it so much I made an Etsy treasury about wine. Snuck it in there! HA!

As I was typing the beginning of this blog I searched google hoping to find an image of the wine label, and awesomely enough, I came across an interesting online wine store Wine Library, whom have this wine available for purchase ($10.99!), and provide a passage about the estate; “Nestled in the Tuscan hills, the Castello d’Albola is an architectural tribute to the 15th century. The estate was long the domaine of famous and noble families whose influence during the Renaissance remains legendary. The estate, its vineyards and the surrounding hills are located in the heart of the Chianti region. This Chianti Classico consists of Sangiovese (95%) varietal base blended with a balance of Canaiolo (5%) grapes. Red garnet in color and full bodied in character you will find it pairs well with roasts, pasta dishes and cheese.”-Winemaker