Must go candle shopping

Some funny labels showcase great wine, some pretty bottles are meant to be pretty bottles.  Unfortunately, that is the case with the wine review for tonight.  Though I am not a huuuuge fan of Pinot Grigio, I do still find an occasional sippable one (yes, Barefoot is still a fav, don't judge me.)  However, I never rule out a grape or varietal.  So, I tried the 2008 Gaetano D'Aquino.  Blaaah.  Mostly,  I find Pinots that I don't care for to be bland, watery, and lacking any sort of quality worth remembering.  This was slightly different, in that it wasn't necessarily bland...just not good. As a co-worker stated "It has flavor, but, not good flavor".  It also had an after taste somewhat like after you are done sucking on a sour candy, when the flavor is gone, and just the chemical pucker remains.  No thanks. There was no beginning, middle, or end, just hello and goodbye.  It also had an oily texture which I personally don't find all too appealing in my mouth. If you're looking for a pretty blue candle holder for your mantel, by all means, pick this up.  If you're looking for a compliment to your chicken piccata, keep on walkin'.

Wine: 2008 Gaetano D'Aquino Pinot Grigio

Varietals: 100% Pinot Grigio

Region/Country: delle Venezie, Italy

Price: $8.97

Location: World Market

$6 Therapy

So, I had to take my kittens (yes, they are named after wines) to get fixed today.  This was not fun.  On the ride home, they kept giving me that "what did I do to deserve this" look.  And to make matters worse, they have to wear these awful "E-Collars" (you know, those cone shaped things that keep them from licking themselves?), which needless to say, they hated.  And when I say hate, I mean run around aimlessly as fast as you can trying to bash into things to get it off.  Good thing my apartment is about the size of a dumpster.

Anyway, my nerves were in need of some soothing.  Enter Bear's Lair Viognier.  

Light and smooth (almost velvety in the mouth), this had the taste of papaya and mango with a kick of lemon at the end.  As it warmed in the glass, hints of vanilla came through to round out this pleasant white.  It didn't have the honey and melon that usually comes with a Viognier, but thats the best thing about wine; they all taste different!  I recommend picking this up to combat the stress (or guilt of castrating) in your life.

*I realize this is a   picture of the 2006  bottle, but if you are that picky, please buy me a camera so I can take a picture of the real thing.

          

Wine: 2007 Bear's Lair Viognier

Varietals: 100% Viognier

Region/Country: Napa, California

Price: $5.99

Location: Trader Joes

The Kiwis strike again

Crisp, dry, zesty. I do love me some Sauvignon Blanc. Especially in the summer. In my opinion, New Zealand and Chile do the best job with them, and this wine follows suit. It is FULL of flavor, unlike those watery (ahem) California attempts. It has grapefruit, lime, pear, and that great little zing on the tongue that only SB can bring. I highly recommend this wine with appetizers (hello hummus & pita chips) or grilled shrimp.

Wine: 2007 Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc

Varietals: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region/Country: Marlborough, New Zealand

Price: $9.99 (on sale from $13.99)

Location: Harris Teeter

Sparkly & pink, what's not to love?

I've been trying all summer to find a delicious rosé worthy enough for front porch sippin', but have been quite disappointed...until now. Ahhh cava. Why do I ever doubt you? This delicious sparkler is full of strawberries on the nose, and crisp, dry, fruitiness on the palate. The clichéd label of a wooden chair on the beach that made me bypass this wine before deserves an apology, for that is exactly where you want to be while drinking this. A perfect compliment to my spinach & goat cheese salad (mmmmmm), or to a beautiful Carolina sunset. Open with caution if alone; it'll be gone before you know it.  

Wine: René Barbier Rosé Cava (NV)

Varietals: 50% Macabeo, 35% Predllada, 15% Xarel-Lo

Region/Country: Catalonia, Spain

Price: $6.99 (on sale from $7.99)

Location: World Market

What to expect

There’s nothing worse than picking up a $16.99 bottle of wine only to find out that the you prefer $3.00 glass of un-named house wine from the night before. Thats why I’m here. I am surrounded by gorgeous bottles of wine everyday, yet if I want to keep a roof over my head, I must resist temptation. Unfortunately, I love the darn stuff. So, to avoid candlelight and eviction, I am forced to settle for the weekly (or daily) dirt-cheap bottles, and the occasional mid-priced bottle to keep me satisfied. What I’ve found in my “research”, is that there is some pretty tasty wine out there with a small price. The trick is not letting the Franzia and Sutter Home experiences of the past prevent your taste buds budget-able bliss. Now, I hate the cutesy label and much as the next wannabe connoisseur, but if you can’t judge a book by its cover, whose to say you can judge the juicy goodness inside by the dancing rooster on the front? I'll help you find which ones to snicker at and move past, and which ones to take home and enjoy.