The Wine:
Bivio Italia Chianti 2007

The Affair:
Yesterday was one of those days... you know the ones where you wake up, it's raining, cold, windy, and you think to yourself that you are probably better off just staying in bed?



Well, this time, I'm glad that I pulled on a uncomfortable combination several layers of mismatched clothing including shirts, sweaters, and a jacket, got into my car, and drove through the rain to the golf course. As if someone planned it this way, the rain stopped the second I turned off the ignition and the sun came out to kiss me hello as I stepped out of the car. Unfortunately, my golf game wasn't so lucky to have been blessed by this divine intervention. But hey, you can't win 'em all, right?

18 holes later, I packing up my clubs and heading home. Looking in the rear-view mirror, I realized that I'm one of the few people who can get a suntan while basking in overcast, forty degree weather. It's amazing how much a round of 18 holes can take it out of you. Well, maybe the golf wasn't entirely to blame. Smuggling in a case of beer to the golf course and getting rid of the evidence in less than four hours sure didn't help.

After stepping in the front door, taking a quick shower, and organizing my collection, I was faced with that tough decision yet again. Which bottle should I open for tonight's affair. While there was nothing exciting about the leftover chili that I was about to heat up in the microwave for the fourth time this week, I wanted to open something different. There was one bottle that caught my eye, this was my chance to try it out.

This particular bottle of Chianti from Bivio showed up just before I left for my cruise. Selling at around $10-$13 for a bottle, the Italian/English packaging seemed to reflect more of an Italian wine for American dummies than a solid Italian wine. The labeling and bottle appeared imported but also seemed to have been defiled by that American marketing feel. Hopefully not all of the features I love about Italian wine had been destroyed in the process.



While the body of the wine was as thin as many of it's "value" CA counterparts, its finish was a bit different. Unlike the obnoxious metallic, led pencil taste I get from many wines from the US, this wine ended with a musty, schweaty finish. It was almost like wringing out the sweat of a wife-beater tank top from one of those black and white striped Venetian gondola drivers into a cup and drinking it. Although I'm not particularly fond of either aftertaste, I'll take the schweaty one over eating led any day... but hey, that's just me!

This bottle by far was NOT my favorite bottle of Italian wine. There are just so many better examples of what this country can do however they usually cost more than $10/bottle. If you haven't been spoiled by these "other" bottles yet, and you are looking for a nice table wine, or everyday sipper, this one will work just fine. Otherwise, I'd save up my pennies for something better.

What's your favorite Italian wine?

For this and other affairs, check out the summary of scores, map, or even choose my next bottle.



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Ok, so I went away for a week thinking I would just deal with the piles of boxes of wine when I got back. Now I'm drowning in a problem. This mountain of brown cardboard is starting to look more like a landfill than my office. I've decided that tonight is the night for me to go through what has arrived over the last two weeks so I can catalog, store, and organize them appropriately.

Unfortunately, since I live in Florida I am not lucky enough to have a cellar to store my wine. I have two wine fridges for the "special" bottles and the rest are stacked patiently into my closet to be enjoyed later.

I'm not too disappointed about the whole basement thing. After all, that just gives me an excuse to drink the wine that comes in faster. Someone once told me that nobody should ever outlive their wine collection. This is easier said than done, but I still think the message is important to remember. What's the use of having thousands of nice bottles of wine, if they never have the chance to be enjoyed. That's like having the cure for cancer and never sharing it with the world.

Okay, I'll leave you to think about this while I work on cleaning up this mess!

What are you drinking tonight? Will you be sharing one of wine's miracles with someone else?




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It's Saturday morning, it's cold (for Florida), it's raining outside, and you'll never guess what I am going to do....

I'm loading up the car with some beer, my clubs, and a jacket, and I'm going to go play a round of golf. There's just something about this game that really pulls you in once you start playing. Hopefully I'll play well enough to merit opening a nice warming bottle of red to celebrate.

You may be wondering where I've been the last couple days...

I wish I had some sort of story to tell you about drinking the world's most expensive bottle of wine or winning the lottery, but the truth behind my absence is nowhere near that exciting. You see, coming back to reality after spending seven days on a cruise has been more difficult than I thought. Between work, personal life, and sleep, I've been spending my time just trying to catch back up to speed.

I will tell you that I have been thinking a lot about the blog, my next steps, and my thoughts about wine and the wine industry in general. I can't wait to get out of the weeds, clear my head, and get back to posting regularly...

One thing is for sure... it may be good, it may be bad, but you know that I'll be sippin' on something again VERY SOON!

What's been filling up YOUR life's wine glass lately?




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The Wine:
Harvest Moon Russian River Valley Sparkling Gewurztraminer 2007



The Affair:
Drinking wine is a lot like jumping out of an airplane. You pack up your parachute, patiently await as butterflies circle madly in your stomach as you climb thousands of feet in the air, and then it all ends with that one moment you step out of the plane. It's at that moment that all of your fear, apprehension, and anxiety are given a roundhouse, knockout kick by a shot of excitement, adrenaline, and then hopefully a safe landing back on the ground. Sure, sometimes your chute doesn't open or something goes wrong and you end up like a splatter of bird poop on the ground... but sometimes the thrill of trying something new is rewarded with an intensely awesome experience. That's what living is all about!

The good news about drinking wine is that when it sucks, nobody gets hurt. You may lose of few bucks, but at least you still walk away with an experience... good OR bad. Last night's affair was one of those moments where I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. Not only do I have little experience with Gewurztraminer, but I've never had one with bubbles before. So I strapped on my chute, grabbed the bottle, and gracefully attempted to pry the cork out of its neck (see picture above). Okay, maybe not quite graceful, but what do you expect from me? :)

If you've ever asked someone to describe their experience after they jump out of an airplane, you've probably gotten the same lame, non descriptive answer. It's usually either "awesome", "peaceful", "beautiful", or something else like that. You'll never really know for sure how it feels until you try it for yourself. Well, this affair can only be described as tasty, enjoyable, and FUN! This is one jump that ended well... I didn't worry for a second about my chute not opening! It was THAT good!

Cheers!

When was the last time you pushed your palate to the EXTREME?


For this and other affairs, check out the summary of scores, map, or even choose my next bottle.



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The Wine:
Numanthia Termes 2007

The Affair:
To celebrate our first night home from our cruise, I decided to open a bottle that I KNEW my wife and I would love. We first tried this Spanish beauty while dining out about a month ago... in fact, YOU recommended for me to try it!

We enjoyed it then, and we TOTALLY enjoyed it last night! Coming home after a long relaxing trip can be depressing. You just know the fun is over. Work, life, and everyday problems are just around the corner. Isn't it nice to know that you can open a nice bottle of wine and delay everyday life just a moment longer?

This is just one of the reasons why I love wine...

Why do YOU love wine?

Cheers!



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

I'm all about celebrating...

Okay, well maybe I just love having a good reason to celebrate. That's why for my second wedding anniversary and Valentine's Day, I packed up my wife, my wine, and headed to the Caribbean on a seven day cruise. I know you must be dying to know how it went... so like a cheesy 80's movie, I've created a video montage to commemorate the event.

Grab a bottle of your favorite booze, a bag of popcorn, and enjoy:

The Wine:
Collier Falls Hillside Estate Dry Creek Sonoma Petite Sirah 2005


The Affair:
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I took this bottle out last weekend to enjoy with a nice cigar but ended up drinking beer, shots, and whatnot instead. Passed over and lonely, this bottle sat quietly next to my computer for several days. That is, until last night...

I love a good Petite Sirah. Perfect fuel for staying warm on a cold night or calming down after a long day, Petite Sirah just seems to sooth the soul. The better quality bottles of this grape tend to be packed with tons of that gritty, fruity, character that causes my cares to melt faster than a stick of butter in Paula Deen's kitchen. The thinner, less robust Petite Sirahs are okay, but nothing compares to a well made bottle of this beauty.

Last night's affair was one of the better Petite Sirahs that I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. It was full bodied, dry, and ready for action. Maybe I've just had a rough week, but I found myself quickly emptying my glass and looking for more.

If you like dry reds, this bottle will deliver. If you have more of a sweet tooth and dread smokey oak, this may be an affair you would want to pass on. In any case and for whatever reason, this hump day affair was a great way to improve an otherwise busy, and overwhelmingly rough week. For that, I am very thankful!

Cheers!


For this and other affairs, check out the summary of scores, map, or even choose my next bottle.



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

Here's a riddle:
How do you get a bottle of Silver Oak and two bottles of Fairchild Estate wine sent to your door?

Answer:
Either spend about $350 plus shipping... OR write a post entitled "Opus One Sucks the Big One"


Maybe it's just a coincidence, but since that controversial post about Mondavi's lovechild, I've been getting some seriously expensive bottles in the mail. This may sound like I am bragging.... well, actually that's because I am bragging! That's not the point. The point is that I feel like the wine world is embracing my honesty and rewarding me for giving the finger to all of the wine snobs out there who have no REAL taste. Now THAT'S something to brag about!

Okay, so if it's honesty you want, it's honesty you're gonna get!

That doesn't mean I'm gonna start bashing every bottle out there... it means that I am going to keep telling you the honest truth about the wine I taste. After all, pretend to like crappy wine, and you'll just get MORE crappy wine! No thanks!

So let's get down to business...

Why does Fairchild Estate believe they can charge over $100 for a bottle of their juice?

Ironically enough, Paul Hobbs, the winemaker for Fairchild Estate, worked for Mondavi earlier in his career and was even assigned to the Opus One team in 1981. Oh, now we're getting somewhere! I wonder if Paul has managed to create a wine worth its hefty price tag or if this is just more overhyped California crap? There's only one way to find out.

This sounds like a job for The Wine Whore!

Until then...

Cheers!



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

People are often intimidated when they first get into wine. Others drink it for years yet still manage to completely miss the most important part of the wine experience: enjoying the wine.

Over the past year of my "wine whoring", my perspective on wine has changed dramatically. One thing is for sure... The more I learn about wine, the more I realize how little I know.

Of all the lessons I've learned, I find the following six steps to enjoying wine to be the most important:


1) Don't Drink Alone
You wouldn't show up at a party with a case of beer, hide it, and then drink the entire thing by yourself, would ya? Well, maybe that's a bad example. But the point is that the key to enjoying wine is to enjoy it with other people. Not only is it more fun to drink in groups, but it is also a great chance to hear how other people perceive the same wine you're drinking. Everyone has different tastes, knowledge, and experience in wine. Learn, live, and enjoy the fact that we are all different!


2) Drink as Much as You Possibly Can
No, I'm not suggesting that you binge drink and puke on the family dog. Moderation is essential to avoiding this sort of embarrassment. What I AM saying is that you should seek out different types of wine and enjoy them on a regular basis. If you pair your wine with your everyday meals, after a few months you'll find that you've gone through quite a few bottles.


3) Travel
The best way to learn about wine is to go right to the source. I learned more about Bordeaux by visiting this region for a few days than many people learn during their entire lifetime.

Don't let your budget stop you from getting out there. In most cases, you don't have to travel far to find a winery since every state in the U.S. has one! Visit and support your local wineries and plan trips to other areas known for their wine. If you can swing it, plan a wine tour overseas. Who knows, you may find a new favorite varietal, region, or type of wine.


4) Eat More Food
The more I drink, the more I realize that food, beer, wine, cheese, etc... all have similarities. Just look at Stilton and Sauternes... I know it sounds like a ridiculous combination but it actually tastes AWESOME! Like a symphony of the senses, food and wine can be combined in many different ways. Experiment with different combinations and don't be afraid to think outside the box. Often the most bizarre or unlikely combos offer the most rewarding results.


5) Ask for Suggestions
I like to keep a list of all of the wine suggestions that people give me. When it's time to go to the wine shop or out to a nice dinner, I print out the list and choose the ones that have gotten the best props. This works much better than trying to find Wine Spectator's over inflated and often out of stock top 100 selections.


6) Have an Open Mind
This is by far the most important lesson I've learned when it comes to enjoying wine. Don't ever rule a bottle out for ANY reason. PERIOD!


Am I missing anything?




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

Looking back on it, I have to believe that some divine being must have planned the whole thing out from the very beginning. There are just some things in life that happen without explanation but seem entirely too coincidental to be left to pure chance...

Todd Sweeney, the guy to the right of me in the picture above, has played an interesting, almost serendipitous role in my life. I met him over four years ago. I still remember the day he started working at the same corporate gig as me. We shared a common love for music and instantly became friends. Since then, he has introduced me to my wife who just so happened to work at the same hospital as his wife. He was a groomsman at my wedding. And now the winding paths of our lives are crossing once again.

This week I'll be doing something different. Instead of my usual solo broadcast, this week's TWWTV wine tasting will be open to the public. I won't be airing this week's show LIVE so if you want to join me, grab your liver and head over to Careme's Market in Lutz next Thursday for some FREE food, wine and HOT SAUCE!

Here's your chance to taste wine with me as I pour, taste, and discuss some new wine selections. Not only will this be a fun chance to wet your palate, but I'll also raffle off some sweet Wine Whore gear (shirts, glasses, bumper stickers).

See you there!




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

Whoever said that whores don't get any love clearly wasn't talking about wine whores! To start off this holiday of love, Cupid has delivered not one, but TWO Valentine's Day treats. Ok, so maybe the schweaty UPS man with the gravy stain tie plastered to his uniform doesn't quite count as cupid. But hey, he brought me wine. That's good enough for me!



The first gift came from Jacob's Creek. A bottle of their Centenary Hill Shiraz along with a heartwarming note and some suggestions of local places where one can "Bring Your Own Bottle". Wait a minute... places that DON'T charge ridiculous corking fees DO exist? Maybe that WAS cupid at my door earlier today afterall!



The next arrow of love was thrown by one of my favorite repeat mistresses: LangeTwins. Joe Lange always knows the way to my heart and coincidentally, my liver. Joe and the folks over at Langetwins have my V-Day covered with a nice bottle of their 2006 Midnight Reserve. I can't wait to have an affair with this Bordeaux blend, a nice steak, and ... oh yeah, how could I forget, Mrs. Whore!

Thank you Constance and the folks over at Jacob's Creek as well as Joe and the folks at LangeTwins. After all, what would Valentine's Day be without several bottles of wine to enjoy?

Cheers to you all this Valentine's Day!

What will be in your glass?


Get 50% off shipping of 6 or more bottles of our fine wines with coupon code "febwine"


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This month's Wine Whore Wednesday entries are in and NOW it's time to vote for your favorite!

Here's how it works:
Every month a theme will be announced. Post your essay/response to the theme on your blog, Facebook page, or wherever else you can find a place to post it on the internet. The deadline to post the link to your entry (in the comment section below) will be the first Wednesday of every month. After this deadline, there will be exactly one week of voting. After the votes are tallied, the winning entry will be announced and prizes, fame, and bragging rights will be awarded!

This month's topic:
Ever puke on your dog, wind up lost in another country, or just swirl onto the person standing next to you? What's your most embarrassing wine moment?


Thank you for participating and good luck to those who entered... the deadline to vote for YOUR favorite entry is 2/12/2010 at midnight ET. Hurry up and vote using the form below!

Cheers!





(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

Ok, I've gotta be honest here... Although there's a good chance I may crack into a bottle of wine tonight, most likely I'll be drinking beer. And that's okay! Don't ever feel like you HAVE to drink something because of what your eating or doing. Instead, drink WHAT you like WHEN you like! This recipe is the key to a perfect pairing every time!

What will YOU be drinking tonight?

Cheers!



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

After a long week, I felt that it was only fair to celebrate the weekend in proper wine whore style. To kick off the party, I made my way to the "World of Beer" to meet some old friends and make some new ones. I wasn't about to order a glass of wine at a place named after its selection of beer, so I started off the evening with a Rogue Dead Guy Ale followed by a Bellhaven Scottish Stout, and finished with a hoppy 90 Minute IPA.

Feeling pretty good, I made my way to a friend's house for some dinner and drinks. Once I arrived, all bets were off. Everything from Bogle Old Vine Zin/Grenache to Red Zeppelin Syrah was flowing. I even remember having a shot of Citron at one point in the evening.

Last night was about enjoying life, not about tasting notes. Sometimes you just have to forget about WHAT you are drinking, and just focus on enjoying time with your friends, family, and whoever else you are sharing the moment with at the time. After all, isn't that the whole point?




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

Figured I'd pass this nugget along:

Wal-Mart announced that, sometime in 2010, it will begin offering customers a new discount item - Wal-Mart's own brand of wine. The world's largest retail chain is teaming up with Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery of California to produce the spirits at an affordable price, in the $2 - $5 range.

Wine connoisseurs may not be inclined to put a bottle of Walmart brand into their shopping carts, but "there is a market for inexpensive wine," said Kathy Micken, professor of marketing at the University of Arkansas.

"But the right name is important." Customer surveys were conducted to determine the most attractive name for the Wal-mart wine brand.

The top surveyed names in order of popularity were:

10 . Chateau Traileur Parc
9. White Trashfindel
8. Big Red Gulp
7. World Championship Riesling
6. NASCARbernet
5. Chef Boyardeaux
4. Peanut Noir
3. I Can't Believe it's not Vinegar
2. Grape Expectations
1. Nasti Spumante

The beauty of Wal-mart wine is that it can be served with either white meat (Possum) or red meat (Squirrel).

P.S. Don't bother writing back that this is a hoax. I know possum is not a white meat.

Opened my inbox this morning to find this interesting press release:

Richard Geoffroy, Chef de Cave at Dom Pérignon, uncorks personal blog 


Hello,




As one of the leading wine bloggers, we thought you would be interested in knowing that Richard Geoffroy, chef de Cave at Dom Pérignon, is launching his personal blog, which is an unprecedented initiative for a prestigious Champagne house's creator.

Making Dom Pérignon's purpose is double: Richard Geoffroy has long aspired to not only share his experiences as Chef de Cave and artist, but to also tell of his encounters and travels from the cellar in Epernay to the four corners of the world, at public events or behind closed doors. The blog will be a privileged channel to browse through Richard Geoffroy's memories or project into Dom Pérignon's future.

It is also a place to foster new relationships and communicate directly with Dom Pérignon, Champagne and wine enthusiasts.

Making Dom Pérignon will début as Richard Geoffroy launches the Dom Pérignon Rosé Œnothèque programme in Japan, the opening act of Wine Mission 2010, which will send him on a true trip around the world, from Asia, to Europe, to the Americas… The year to come is full of promise for Dom Péringon, and Richard Geoffroy's blog will be the place to follow the action, and share our passion!

Yours sincerely,

The Dom Pérignon team

The blog | Richard Geoffroy's biography | The Dom Pérignon Manifesto | Richard Geoffroy on Facebook

The Wine:
Paul Dolan Mendocino County Pinot Noir 2007
Paul Dolan Mendocino County Cabernet Sauvignon 2006


The Affair:
Another week is coming to an end and what better way to celebrate than to enjoy some wine!

Last night I fired up the old webcam and cracked open a few bottles with you guys LIVE on TWWTV. Overall, both bottles were tasty. The Cab had a bit more of that California "in your face" action to it while the Pinot was packed with graphite and that "camping" smell. While both were not quite my taste in either varietal, both were still enjoyable, well made, and priced fairly. I think that my tastes prefer the Mendocino County white grapes such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc over their reds. Lucky for me, Paul Dolan sent some of their whites to try as well... but I'll save those for another affair!

Here's the webcam video recording of last night's affair:

Packing up and shipping wine glasses is hard enough when you're sober... but try it after a few drinks! Not quite easy! I think I've made a bigger mess than I've packed up.

It's not too late... get your glass before they're all gone here!


Cheers!



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

Oh White Zin, you poor, misunderstood, flamingo colored wine...

When we first met, I found you attractive, mysterious, and seductive. We used to have fun together at parties or even when we were alone. Our affairs were innocent and fun. We were young and care-free.

My wandering eye is entirely to blame. I kept looking at all of the other bottles and wondering. Wondering how a full bodied red would taste on my lips. Wondering how the sweet kiss of a Riesling would caress my palate. Wondering what else was out there that I was missing while I was with you.

Like the slowly spinning illumination of a lighthouse disappearing into darkness as my palate sails off into the night, our love faded. Many mistresses, life experiences, and lessons later, I still think back to our days together. My friends may never understand what we had, but I will always love you for playing a part in where I am today.

You may be misunderstood and mistreated, but you are an important stepping stone in the world of wine...

Cheers to you, White Zinfandel!




(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

Today ended on a good note!

I was a little disappointed to come home to a FedEx note barely hanging on my front door. You see, right next to my wife missing her period, missing a package is one of the most stressful events that could ever happen to me. Will I be able to catch it in time, will I have to go pick it up?

I know, I should only have it so rough that my biggest problem is how I am going to intercept my free wine as it comes to me in the mail, but catching these guys can be tricky. At least the cable guy gives you an 8 hour window... UPS and FedEx have no such courtesy. If you wanna catch a package, you're going to have to stay home all day. As soon as you leave for a minute, that's when they show up!

Well today, I got lucky!

I may have missed FedEx but I DID happen to catch a UPS delivery. Not only was I lucky enough to get this delivery at 8pm because my usual UPS guy's truck broke down, but I am lucky because of what was inside the package... a bottle of the newest vintage of Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

This isn't exciting for me because Silver Oak is a well known name in the world of California Cabs, or because of the fact that my first love will always be this famed grape... I consider myself lucky because I have been waiting for months for the chance to try this year's vintage to see how it compares with past years.

A lot of people have always told me that their two gripes with Silver Oak is its high cost, and varying degree of quality between vintages. Well now I get to find out first hand. I've had the 2003 and the 2004... and now it's time to see how well the 2005 was bred.

Has tougher economic times and a good growing year for Napa made this particular bottle a cut above its ancestors, or has Silver Oak lost their golden touch?

I can't wait to find out!

The only thing left to figure out is what I should pair with this Cab...

Should I go with the usual Ribeye steaks, or try something new?


Cheers!



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

It's almost that time again!

The week is coming to an end, and if you're like me, you're ready for a drink! Let's do it! Join me this Thursday night for another one of our online drinking distractions LIVE on TWWTV.

Please use the comment form below if you'd like to suggest a topic of conversation for this week's TWWTV and then join me LIVE as we distract ourselves from everyday life for a half hour by drinking and discussing wine together.

To join me this Thursday @ 7:30pm ET, click the TWWTV logo above

See you then!

Cheers!



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

Any time I have the chance to drink some wine, eat some food, and hang out with other like-minded winos and foodies, I am one happy Wine Whore!

That's why I wouldn't even think of missing this year's St. Petersburg Wine & Food Festival! Drinking wine and eating some good food is one thing, but this festival will also help raise funds for lung disease research, education and tobacco prevention programs. BONUS!

Here's just a few of the local restaurants signed up for this event:

• Bella Brava
  
• Bellini's
  
• Crabby Bills Seafood, St. Pete Beach
  
• êvôs
  
• Green Chili Indian Bistro
  
• Kilwin's Ice Cream, Chocolates & Fudge
  
• La Fogata
  
• Marchands Bar & Grill Restaurant
  
• Middle Grounds Grill
  
• Mystic Fish
  
• Parkshore Grill
  
• Pei Wei Asian Diner
  
• Publix Apron's Cooking Schools
  
• Red Mesa Cantina
  
• Savannah's Cafe Fine Southern Cuisine & Hospitality
  
• The Melting Pot
  
• The Moon Under Water
  
• Working Cow Homemade
  
• Z-Grille

Since my "Screw Riedel" post, a lot of people have been asking me about it...

Buckle up, because they are FINALLY HERE!



For only $11.99 each (+ $8 shipping and handling), you can have your very own Libby 18oz balloon style Wine Whore Glass (see sample picture above) and be the envy of all of your wine loving friends!

For info on special discounts on bulk orders email me.

Click the "Buy Now" button below to get one for yourself or the wino in your life today!

Okay, so it's Monday night, you've had a long day, and you just want to relax...

What do you do?

What better time to open a nice bottle of Pinot to enjoy with a home cooked meal?

In the casa de Watson, we spare NO frills when it comes to "fine" nightly dining. That's why we feast on our dinners in none other than the dining room/living room:




How else do you expect me to keep up with all of the new episodes of Chuck?!


The Wine:
Harvest Moon RRV Pinot Noir 2007



The Affair:
I have to admit that I was a little concerned to discover last night that Mrs. Whore decided to make some Chicken Cordon Bleu. For some reason, I was having trouble deciding what to drink. With a little help from my wino friends on twitter and Facebook, I headed to the wine closet and pulled out this bottle of Pinot from Harvest Moon. After all, Russian River Valley is usually a sure bet and Harvest Moon's wines are usually pretty solid and very food friendly. (Click here to check out other Harvest Moon wines)

How did the night's affair turn out?

This particular Pinot was packed with that tart watermelon, jolly-rancher taste. Much different than an old world Burgundy, or a cola bomb from Oregon. Tart on the tongue but low on alcohol, made this wine an enjoyable mate for the gooey Chicken Cordon Blue. Although this was overall a nice pairing, I think an unoaked Chardonnay may have been a bit more exciting. Had it been a warmer night, I probably would have gone this route instead.

The wine disappeared quickly after the plates were cleared. Overall, combined with new episodes of my favorite prime time TV shows, it was a nice night and an enjoyable affair!


What's your nightly wine routine?

Do you enjoy the same type of "fine dining" that we do in my house?


For this and other affairs, check out the summary of scores, map, or even choose my next bottle.



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)

It's always more fun drinking wine with other wine lovers!

That's why I joined forces with Josh from drinknectar.com to enjoy some wine selections complements of Kiona Winery. This Washington winery features a lot of cool selections including the ones Josh and I tasted as part of our Tag-Team Threesome.

My favorite of the three was the Cabernet Sauvignon which was much different than your typical CA Cab. Mrs. Whore liked the Dry Riesling the most. Interestingly enough, she hates sweet whites... and isn't too fond of white wines in general... but lately, she's found that Dry Riesling is quickly becoming her favorite.

Don't take my word for it, watch how it went for yourself:

Grab your liver and head over to Careme's Market in Lutz next Thursday for some FREE food, wine and HOT SAUCE! Here's your chance to taste wine with me as I pour, taste, and discuss some new wine selections. Not only will this be a fun chance to wet your palate, but I'll also raffle off some sweet Wine Whore gear (shirts, glasses, bumper stickers).

See you there!



(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore)