J Lohr Chardonnay

I've said it before: never say you don't like a certain grape; eventually, you will end up eating, re, drinking those words. For a long time, I would say I don't like Chardonnays. Too oaky, or steel-y. The grape, I think, tends to take on a lot of characteristics of the barrel. But joining the wine club in Billings really helped me expand my palate and now I'm more willing to try those grape I swore I didn't like. And here I am enjoying a beautiful, oaky, buttery Chardonnay.

J Lohr has a Brookings connection (SDSU alum) and it's easy to find a great selection of his wines here in town. 

This Chardonnay has great pear & apple aromas. It has a wonderful lingering smooth oaky finish. This is a bit of a splurge as it is between $14-$20/bottle. But very worth the splurge! 

La Crema Pinot Noir

This was my choice for Thanksgiving. Now, right off the bat, I have to admit that this is definitely, no contest, a splurge, but if you are going to get one wine for Thanksgiving, I think a splurge is in order. La Crema can sometimes be found in grocery stores or Wal-Mart and is typically between $20-25/bottle.

The Pinot Noir is a great match for Thanksgiving. Hints of cranberry and pomegranate with an earthy undertone are subtle enough that the wine does not overpower any part of the traditional Thanskgiving meal. A short finish leaves you wanting more and this is very easy to just sip on all day long (and finish the bottle before you even realize it!)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Gnarly

Like totally awesome wine, dude. I do love Old Vine Zins (thanks Diane!) and this is a great affordable option. Dark berries, wild spices, vanilla and a light toasty oaky finish. Lodi Zins are predictable and lovely. Full of flavor and life.

Gnarly Head wines are fairly easy to find: grocery stores that sell wine, Target, and even Wal-Mart will have these and they are consistently under $10. A definite buy again and again!

Just found out they have a rib recipe contest -- totally entering my rib recipe next year! I think it would be great with this Old Vine Zin!

Flip Flop Malbec

After a terrible cherry wine last night (I actually dumped it out. I NEVER dump out wine.), I picked up a number of bottles of wine while out & about today. Flip Flop wines were on sale at Hy-Vee (and I was pleasantly surprised to find we can buy wine and beer at the grocery stores in Brookings!). As I wanted something nice and easy, I figured a bottle of Flip Flop would fit the bill nicely.

This is a nice Malbec. Dark juicy, fruits, earthy undertones smooth finish, a perfect match for a lazy Saturday evening

Outcast, Steele Wines

This is a beautiful red blend: 51% Syrah,23% Zinfandel, 11% Petite Sirah, 7% Merlot, 5% Malbec 3% Petite Verdot and is brimming with black raspberry, cherry and plummy fruit with hints of mocha, cedar-y perfume and black pepper spice. The final pepper spice gives it a short finish, which of course, begs you to reach for your glass again. I have enjoyed this on it's own and with beef nachos. It was perfect.

 

This was a gift from my wonderful friend Diane (and I wish I could have enjoyed it with her!), so I know it's a splurge. However, it is definitely worth the splurge and I plan to add another bottle to my cellar soon.

 

Steele Winery is located in Lake County California, which is an area of great wines and few tourists! As they do not see as many people as other northern Califonia wine areas, they are the "Outcasts." Pretty sure this would be on my must visit lists!

Sure Thing, a white wine

This was given to me on the occasion of our 10th anniversary, along with a bottle of Fat Basterd Merlot and Mad Housewife Chardonnay. (Awesome theme gift.) I enjoyed both the Merlot and Chardonnay, but we've been so busy with settling in that I forgot to blog or take pictures.

This is a fruity white wine, bright with citrus and a pineapple finish. It is a sweet wine, but not overbearing. This would be a great "deck" wine -- if it were warm enough to enjoy a glass of wine on the deck :)

 

The Naked Winery is located on the Hood River in Oregon and with wine names like Sure Thing, Fore Play and Climax I can only imagine how much fun wine tasting could be!

 

Once Upon a Vine, a Blanc

This is a wine Rocky picked up the day we moved into the house. This is a light bodied Sauvignon  Blanc and a label I've enjoyed before. This is smooth and delicate like a "glass slipper." A taste of pitted fruits like nectarines and peaches makes this a really nice late summer/early fall wine. We've got the windows open and I'm watching the sun set from our new living room.

 

I'm not sure of the cost, but as this is a great "grocery store" wine and I know my husband won't pay more than $10/bottle (unless asked ;) ), I know it's under $10 and a definite purchase again!