“Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle.”
― Paulo Coelho, BridaA significant amount of time has past since I lasted blogged- and much has happened since. While I have not ceased to incorporate wine into my daily lifestyle, I cannot say the same about taking the time to blog about some of the wonderful wines I have tried. Four wines in particular, that were given as a graduation present this past summer, still linger on my palate whenever I reference them. By far one of my favorite gifts, I received a case of 6 bottles of wine, only two of which are still unopened. I am saving these beauties for extremely special occasions, for example, the graduation of my Ph.D.
I cannot think of a better way to start back into blogging than to discuss these amazingly wonderful wines. And of course, I will pair them with music.
1. Franciscan Estate, Nappa Valley: Magnificat, Meritage Red Wine (2007)
Easily one of the BEST wines I have ever had in my entire life, this wine gave a new meaning to the term "red milk". Smooth finish, harmonious to the palate, full-bodied and full of plum and black fruit flavors. I drank this completely by itself, to soak up every flavor. I finished the bottle, with the help of a friend, in two nights. I would absolutely purchase this wine myself- although somewhat out of my price range.
Song: Miss You, Trentemoller (because, like this song, this wine was smooth, simple, and dreamy).
2. Cruz Alta-Grand Reserve Malbec (2010)
I typically am not a spicy, deep, Malbec-kind-of-girl. I actually did not mind this one and would definitely recommend it to any Malbec-lover. It has notes of cherry and plum and is full-bodied. A little spice is left on the palate as a finish but it paired wonderfully with the steak I had. I might not drink this alone, but with a hearty-meaty dish, this is a very nice, reasonably priced Malbec.
Song: Broken, Lauren Hoffman (because, for a Malbec, this was a laid-back wine, much like the vocals of this song).
3. Domaine des Préauds Pouilly-Fuissé (2010)
This wine was elegant and light, with a nose of apple, lime, and a hint of hazelnut. Medium-bodied, easy to drink; I tasted a lot of citrus. I drank this mostly alone, but I think it is safe to say a seafood or light chicken dish would be a perfect pairing. A very refreshing and crisp wine-one that would be perfect for summertime (but then again, aren't all white wines?)
Price: +- $20
Song: Yellow Light, Of Monsters of Men (because I love their vocals, beat, and overall sound- a perfect song to complement this simplistic wine).
4. Alfio Moriconi Selection, Sancerre-Chirstian Salmon (2010)
I enjoyed this wine overall but I will say that the finish to this was not the best, especially to drink alone. I found that when I paired it with something simple, it had a much better finish. Notes of lemon and pear overwhelmed my nose and taste buds. It was very refreshing, easy to drink, and light. Overall, I enjoyed this and would purchase again.
Song: Lakehouse, Of Monsters and Men (because this is a great wine to listen to while at a lake, or beach, or any form of water for that matter).