Wine-o: Wilson Creek Winery Almond Champagne

Wilson Creek Winery Almond Champagne, Temecula, California

11% Alcohol

To celebrate the holiday season, Macadoodle's featured several specialty wine tastings to help customers plan for their Christmas meal.  I was lucky to find my friend Dan at the Wine bar and knew I was in for a treat.  I was surprised to see that the first wine was the Wilson's Creek Almond Champagne.

Now, I love Wilson Creek.  Mainly because this is my father's favorite vineyard in Temecula.  My father is lucky enough to live within an hour of Wilson's and is a proud member of the Wilson Creek Wine Club.  I asked Dan: "You mean start out the evening with champagne?"

"Well yeah, invite people into your home with a little bubbly!  Loosen things up a bit!" was his response.

Freya's Score: 8 -If you like almonds, and you like champagne, you will like this.  It is bubbly, the almond welcomes you with a friendly aroma and continues with a lovely slightly sweet flavor.  If you are looking for your bottle buddy for December 31st, this is a great alternative to a dry or overly sweet champagne.  Available in several Liquor Stores, including the Macadoodle's Pineville location.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

May your holiday be filled with good cheer, friends and family, and all you hold dear!

Stay tuned for updates and more wine reviews in the new year!  And look for our New Years Eve review: Wilson Creek Winery Almond Champagne

Wine-o: Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon

Cycles Gladiator  Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Soledad, CA

Alcohol: 14.5%

This is a wonderful wine.  I would describe it as darker and very round and full.  I tasted mocha and dark fruits.  I have greatly enjoyed this wine.  The best flavor was about an hour after opening to a day later, the taste seems to have gone slightly downhill around day 3 of the wine being opened.

Described on Snooth.com:

Our Cycles-Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon has lovely aromas of raspberry, mint, and mocha. Flavors of dark fruits layered on more dark fruits wrapped in a cloak of dusty tannins. Lush and mouthfilling from start to finish, there is enough acid to support the whole structure but doesnt finish sharp. The wine drops off at just the right place. I am declaring this the Official Wine of Filet Mignon. It will also go great with BBQ short ribs, and with bigger, spicy, tomato-based pasta and meat dishes. 

Freya's Score: 8 This wine was delicious with venison roast as well as turkey and egg noodle soup!

Cost: ~ $7.23 on Macadoodle's E-Commerce site, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  They have a discount section that provides cases of wine perfect for any party, event, or just a personal favorite that must always be handy.

Recipe: Opa's Spritz Cookies

My family is very proud of our Dutch heritage.  After WWII my Oma & Ope (grandparents) moved to the U.S. to start a new life and a family.  My Opa left the family bakery he was to inherit and baked cookies in the U.S. until he had his feet under him and could start a carpentry business building houses.  He worked hard and honestly and many would say achieved the "American Dream".  My mother was able to gather a couple of the old recipes from him.

Spritz Cookies

5 part sugar
7 1/2 part butter
10 part flour
1/2 cup water or milk (more flavor)
couple drops vanilla extract (or almond)

Cream butter
Add sugar
Add water or milk
Mix all ingredients together 1 at a time
Add vanilla extract (or almond)
Fold flour in (don't mix or overwork)

Put in pastry bag and pipe onto cookie sheet (cookies will flatten out and expand)

Bake at 250 or 300 until cookies are a little brown on edge (sugar burns easily)


Freya's Score: 8  - easy to make and delicious subtle flavors, nice contrast to brownies and other chocolate cookies in flavor and appearance

I've only seen my Opa make Spritz cookies once.  He made them when we visited for Christmas one year and they are delicious.  I was surprised to notice that while all American recipes call for an egg, his does not.  I was faithful to this recipe (although I did substitute almond extract for vanilla) and the result was deliciously thin butter colored cookies.  They are far superior to the traditional sugar cookies in my opinion.

Wine-o: Plungerhead Old Vine Zinfandel

Plungerhead Old Vine Zinfandel, 2009 Lodi, CA
Alcohol: 14.9%


This was my favorite wine from the Thanksgiving week of wine tastings.  The wine is a beautiful ruby red and had moderate flavors of plum and pepper.  It was a drier wine which paired wonderfully with venison, vegetables, and pate.  A great simple wine.  


I am so glad that Dan from Macadoodle's recommended this wine to me.  My mother was horrified by the name and label and declared she could never serve it at a party or give it as a gift.  After we had sampled a couple wines over the Holiday we were both won over with the Plungerhead.  I have bought it again since and look forward to opening it at my next pizza night.


Described on Wine Spectator with a rating of 83:

Ripe and smoky, showing baked cherry, fresh sage and cedar notes and dry flavors. Drink now. 36,000 cases made. –TF

Freya's Score: 8 Zesty and flavorful, it went great with venison tacos and pate hors d'oeuvres.  


Cost: ~ $12 in Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  They have a discount section that provides cases of wine perfect for any party, event, or just a personal favorite that must always be handy.

The Holiday Party with Glogg

The foundation of our holiday party every year is Glogg.  This Scandinavian holiday mulled wine is delicious and is spiced with cloves, cinnamon, raisins, almonds, and more.  I was thrilled to run by Macadoodle's to pick up a jug of Carlo Rossi red wine, port, and brandy to make this recipe.  To keep our guests bellies happy and keep the cooking pressure low I served a variety of hors d'oeuvres and holiday treats.

To spruce up the house I used these fun (and free) printables created by Chickabug.  It added some festivity with a banner on the mantle piece and bright holiday cards interspersed with the food display to create a more dynamic tablescape.

The Menu

Glogg - Warms you inside and out!  Maybe arrange for a taxi or designated driver...

Grapes - fresh fruits and vegetables offer a healthy option and provide color for your food display

Baked Brie with Handmade Plum Jam

Wasabi Peas - I did not make these, they are from Trader Joe's and are amazing

Dutch Spritz butter cookies - my Opa's recipe does not call for eggs and replaces water with milk, they turned out great!
Icebox Cookies - these cookies can be made in advance and kept in the freezer.  All you have to do the day of is slice and bake!

Note: due to an unfortunate incident involving the glass port bottle colliding with the cement driveway Noilly Rouge vermouth was substituted with wonderful results.

Looking for a Glogg alternative?  Try one of these holiday cocktails.

Wine-o: Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon

Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Sonoma County, California

Alcohol: 13.8%

This is a delicious wine.  It was recommended to me by Dan, one of the wine specialists at Macadoodle's Wine Tasting Bar as one of his top 5 red wines to have on hand at all times.

It is a full and round taste.  With definite flavors of dark fruits.  Powerful in aroma and dark in color.  This wine pairs very well with my usual diet of venison based dinners.  It was described by the BF as a nice "sipping wine."  I take that to mean he very much enjoyed it and wanted to savor it.  The flavor also lingers on the tongue, letting one savor it for a time.

Described on Snooth.com by Westchester Wine Warehouse: 

The grapes were harvested at optimal ripeness during September and October, then de-stemmed but not crushed upon arrival at the winery, leaving 20% - 30% whole berries in the fermenter. This process retains the grape's varietal character and minimizes bitter tannin extraction in the wine. Extended skin contact occurred for an average of 6 to 8 days for maximum extraction of color and flavor. The must was fermented in a mix of rotary, punch down, and static fermentors at an average of 85 to 88 degrees for about 5 to 7 days. A variety of yeast strains were used to ensure the development of desired flavor and aroma characteristics and 100% of the wine completed malolactic fermentation. (90 Points - Wine Director) 

Freya's Score: 8 A great California Cabernet Sauvignon, I admit I am partial to these since my trip to Napa this past June.

Cost: ~ $13- bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  They have a discount section that provides cases of wine perfect for any party, event, or just a personal favorite that must always be handy.

Freya's Journey: New Dog Behavior

Choosing Your New Dog, Behavior


There are many things to consider when choosing a dog to adopt or purchase.  The personality and behavior of each individual dog is highly important as you consider making them a part of your home.


When choosing your new dog it is important to consider your lifestyle and an individual dog's behavior.  The BF and I are both active and I knew I wanted a dog that could keep up on a hike for an hour or so.  The BF is also an avid hunter with a love of retrievers, so I wanted to try to look for a dog with some retrieving instincts.  


The Centerton Animal Shelter allowed me to take Freya out on a leash on the lawn outside the facility.  I was able to see she was rambunctious outside.  She also responded when I called her and while a bit timid, sat nicely for pets and looked at my eyes when I spoke to her.  I also noted that when I threw a small woodchip she pounced after it.


Tips from Dr. Wolfenkoehler at All Pets Animal Clinic 

Evaluate behavior:  Reluctance to approach may indicate fearfulness, which can manifest as aggression in stressful situations.  The obvious signs of aggression are bared teeth, staring, growling, etc.; but fear-aggression can look like more like shyness:  tucked tail, laid-back ears, head down.  Try to spend enough time with the dog to properly evaluate behavioral tendencies. 

Note:  In increasing numbers, veterinarians are seeing pets presented for euthanasia due to behavioral issues – ranging from lack of house-training to biting.  Many of these issues can be handled with proper and consistent training. Aggression issues are more difficult.  Only owners with the resources to address these potentially heartbreaking and/or dangerous situations should adopt a dog with a tendency to be aggressive. Families with children should not take such a risk at all.

·         All newly adopted dogs, of any age, should be evaluated by a veterinarian.  All Pets generally recommends: 

• a fecal examination (checking for internal parasites)
• a heartworm test (checking for evidence of heartworm infection
• age and lifestyle-appropriate vaccinations (we would consider exposure to other dogs and exposure to ticks as part of our vaccination evaluation)
• heartworm preventive and flea/tick preventive

All Pets performs a head-to-tail examination of the 10 major body systems (gastrointestinal, nervous system, urogenital, respiratory, skeletal, skin, heart, eyes, ears, mouth). They also discuss preventive dental care, exercise and nutrition, grooming, behavioral and social skills, as well as microchipping.


In addition to being a great office, All Pets Animal Clinic is very involved in the community.  You can visit with them March through November at the Downtown Bentonville, Inc. produced First Friday events.  This is a great way to meet the staff and ask pet health or behavioral questions you may be pondering on.

Wine-o: Les Jamelles Pinot Noir & St. Nick

Les Jamelles Pinot Noir Aude, 2010 L'Aude Region, FRANCE

Alcohol: 12.5%


Coming from a Dutch immigrant family, the tradition of St. Nick is still celebrated in my mother's house on December 6th.  One must leave their shoes by the door on St. Nick's Eve and if you've been good then you may find a treat in your shoes in the morning!  Freya decided to try to soften up St. Nick a day early with the last of our Pinot Noir.  (She's lost all her balls and is in desperate need of new toys to chew.)

This is a very light red wine.  It is very fruity with lovely flavors of plum and blackberry.  The flavors almost have a "jam" tendency to them.  Light in aroma, and moderately flavorful.  I anticipate those that are transitioning from white wine to red wine will enjoy this as it is quite light and not robust like many Malbecs and Merlots.

I was also sold on this wine by its' label.  It has a vintage French feel to it.  Simple and classic.

Described on WineVariety.com:

A developed style, with spiced cherry, plum and currant flavors that are organisation and fresh-tasting. Shows hints of dim chocolate on a finish. Drink now. 40,000 cases imported.

Freya's Score: 8 Nicely paired with bread and medium aromatic cheese.

Cost: ~ $13- bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  They have a discount section that provides cases of wine perfect for any party, event, or just a personal favorite that must always be handy.

Wine-o: Beaujolais Nouveau 2011

Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau, 2011 FRANCE

Alcohol: 12.5%

The Beaujolais Nouveau wine is a vintage that has been developed in the past 20 years.  Dan from the Pineville Macadoodle's wine tasting bar was happy enough to explain to me some of the unique qualities of this wine.  

This is the first grape to be picked in the spring.  It is made without using any oak and is released every year just before Thanksgiving.  The Georges DuBoeuf Beajolais Nouveau is the most popular and the one most people serve traditionally during the holiday season.

I had a very difficult time trying to taste this wine.  The aromas were moderate and very simple, grape smelling.  It was off dry and a light wine with a moderate flavor.  It definitely requires aeration, and even then I was less than impressed. 

We served this wine with Thanksgiving dinner and it went well, although I preferred the Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir.  It also went well with hors d'oeuvres of pate and a dill feta bread from the local bakery Stone Mill Bread & Co.

In the past 20 years this wine has received scores ranging from 86 to 87 and has an average price of 11-14 dollars according to Wine Spectator.

Freya's Score: 5  This wine was very fun to try since so many people talk about it this time of year.  It is important to drink it when you buy it and let it aerate for an hour.

Cost: ~ $10.44 in Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  10% off all bottles of wine not already on sale!

Freya's Journey: New Dog Health

Choosing Your New Dog, Health


There are many things to consider when choosing a dog to adopt or purchase.  How big, what sex, what breed, how active, what age, the list goes on.


One thing that many people forget and should be at the front of the list is health.  Studies have proven that mixed breeds tend to have fewer health issues, a result of genetic diversity allowing for fewer recessively linked health issues.


When choosing Freya, I followed a couple basic tips.  Cold nose, clear eyes, clean coat, no obvious parasites, no excessive coughing or wheezing, appropriate energy level etc.  Freya's vet, Dr. Wolfenkoehler at All Pets Animal Clinic was gracious enough to give me some tips.

1. When evaluating the physical condition of a dog you’re considering adopting, the signs indicating respiratory or intestinal problems are:  runny nose, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting.
2. Check for signs of parasites: red, itchy or inflamed ears (ear mites), ticks, scratching (fleas), hair loss
3.  Check the body condition – skinny or bloated may both indicate internal parasites or other internal conditions.

Note: In many cases, dogs with these symptoms are treatable and may fully recover with proper veterinary care.  However, prospective owners need to be aware that caring for a newly adopted pet, even if the pet was “free”, does not mean that owning a pet is free.  Budgeting for regular veterinary care needs to be a consideration for any family considering pet adoption.

So if you have found the dog you think you want to adopt, what's the final rundown of health procedures you should have done to help ensure that they will be healthy as you take them home?

·         All newly adopted dogs, of any age, should be evaluated by a veterinarian.  All Pets generally recommends: 

• a fecal examination (checking for internal parasites)
• a heartworm test (checking for evidence of heartworm infection
• age and lifestyle-appropriate vaccinations (we would consider exposure to other dogs and exposure to ticks as part of our vaccination evaluation)
• heartworm preventive and flea/tick preventive

      All Pets performs a head-to-tail examination of the 10 major body systems (gastrointestinal, nervous system, urogenital, respiratory, skeletal, skin, heart, eyes, ears, mouth). They also discuss with patients preventive dental care, exercise and nutrition, grooming, behavioral and social skills, as well as microchipping.

In addition to being a great office, All Pets Animal Clinic is very involved in the community.  You can visit with them March through November at the Downtown Bentonville, Inc. produced First Friday events.

Wine-o: Lindeman's Pinot Noir

Lindeman's Bin 99 Pinot Noir, 2010 SOUTHEAST AUSTRALIA

Alcohol: 13.5%

This wine was definitely a fruity wine.  The taste was wonderful a day after opening with flavors of raspberry.  I would describe it as smooth and round: a simple tasting wine.  It was delicious with Thanksgiving dinner.

In the past 20 years this wine has received scores ranging from 80 to 84 and has an average price of 8 or 9 dollars according to Wine Spectator.

Freya's Score: 7  This wine was a great contrast to the 2011 Beaujolais Nouveu.  I very much liked the fruity flavors and roundness.

Cost: ~ $9 in Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  10% off all bottles of wine not already on sale!

Wine-o: Lesson from Dan; 5 Red Wines

While visiting with Dan, a local wine expert at the Macadoodle's wine tasting bar, I learned a lot.  I asked Dan what 5 wines he would keep on hand in the house to serve at a dinner party or to a houseguest.  Here's the results:

Santa Cristina Sangiovese, ITALIAN

Cline Cool Climate Syrah, California

Plungerhead Zinfandel, Lodi, CA

Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, CA

Crios Malbec, Mendoza, ARGENTINA


Look for the Plungerhead Zinfandel and Louis Martinit Cabernet Sauvignon review coming soon!

Thanksgiving Menu

Last year we tried something new with the turkey.  We embraced our Arkansas life and smoked it.  We now love smoked turkey, there is no turning back, it is amazing!  A couple months ago for a friend's birthday The BF brined and smoked a wild turkey he shot in the spring, it was even better!

ThePioneerWoman.com

It is important to note that to brine anything, you must be prepared a couple days in advance as it takes that time for the meat to absorb the flavors.

This year we will of course have the smoked turkey, and I've decided to try to create a healthy Thanksgiving meal with decadent and delicious desserts.  I believe that one should enjoy what they eat, not only while they eat it, but afterwards.  I hate the feeling of looking to the next workout because I overindulged at dinner, or wasn't sure just how much of my spinach was sour cream and how much was actually spinach.

Plus, extra calories should be saved for sweets.


Our 2011 Thanksgiving Menu:

Smoked Turkey (brined for two days beforehand)

Turnip Greens

Sweet Potato Casserole

Mashed Potatoes

Cranberry Sauce


Desserts:

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Sweet Potato Pie


Wines:

Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc (my mother's favorite)

Les Jamelles Pinot Noir


Wines may be purchased at most local liquor Stores and from the Macadoodles new E-Commerce Site

UPDATE:  After conferring with The BF, several compromises were made.  It was pointed out to me that Thanksgiving is not Thanksgiving without regular mashed potatoes.  The Sweet Potato Casserole will be replaced with Mashed Potatoes and the Pumpkin Pie replaced with another Arkansas and Southern tradition: the Sweet Potato Pie

Wine-o: Lesson from Dan; Drinking vs. Tasting

I had the great fortune to have time after work to speak with Dan at the Macadoodle's wine tasting bar.  Dan is one of the wine experts at the Pineville location and he was kind enough to give me some pointers for beginning wine tasters.

The first thing he told me: "Tasting is completely different from drinking".  As he had me taste a couple different wines he told me that I was sipping and not truly tasting the wine.  He gave me the following steps:

1.  Take a gulp of wine, a large mouthful, let the wine run all over your tongue and mouth.  The tongue has various zones used for tasting.  It is important to make sure you are employing all of those when tasting.

2.  Then take an inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nose.  This completely transformed the taste of the  Reds Red Wine blend.  All of a sudden I could taste beyond the peppery tones of the Zinfandel.  Notes of berries and a much fuller taste were apparent to me.

3.  Aerator - an aerator changes the flavor of the wine by oxidizing it.  This enhances the fruity flavors and reduces the acidity in the wine.  It is important to open any dry red wine one hour before serving to appreciate the full flavor of the wine.  (As was noted in my post regarding the Tontitown Winery Merlot and Shoofly Shiraz)

The Macadoodle's Wine Tasting bar is open when the front doors are!  Stop by and try their offerings of the day and get some tips for your own wine tasting!

Wine-o: Shoofly Shiraz

Shoofly Shiraz 2009, South AUSTRALIA
Alcohol: 14.5%

This wine seems to have darker tastes to me.  After reading the tasting notes I definitely taste the licorice and mulberry notes.  The wine has a long finish, lingering on the tongue.  It is a dark red with a very full and almost tart flavor.  I find it a very powerful wine, large bodied and with a sharp aroma.

It is important to let this wine aerate.  I learned today at the Macadoodle's wine tasting bar that aeration is very important for dry red wines.  Open the bottle an hour before tasting to enhance the flavor.  When wine is aerated one can taste more of the fruit essences and less of the acidity.

The label is wonderful, funky and modern and chic all at the same time.  The font and fly logo is adorable.

From the vineyard:

On the nose, the 2009 shiraz shows earthy gravel, spicy licorice and dense dark mulberries, while the sweet upfront berry fruit presented on tasting gives way to complex cedar, earth and spice notes, wrapping up with ample structure and grip. The vibrant, juicy fruit runs the length of the palate and lingers with a “have another glass” finish.

Freya's Score: 7.5  This fun label grabbed my eye, the cap is so cute with the little fly raised on it.  The bottle would be a very hip hostess gift.  


Cost: ~ $12 in Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  10% off all bottles of wine not already on sale!


Today my boss was telling me of a Hungarian winter wine known as "Bull's Blood" but he could not remember the name.  He described the wine as very full, similar to a spicy Zinfandel.  Any suggestions would be welcome!

Culture Bit: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

November 11, 2011 marked an important day for the art community, and more importantly (to me at least) the Bentonville, Arkansas community.  The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is finally open to the public (and admission is free!)

This museum will drastically change the local community.  One of the most profound effects in my opinion will be through its' Education program.  Alice Walton has shown her passion for education and for the region and this beautiful facility will greatly enhance both.  Through a grant from the Walton Family Foundation, school groups will now be able to organize field trips at no cost and have lunch provided by the Museum.

The effect that the art will have on how these children view art and their own local environments cannot be measured.  I know that growing up in New York City, viewing art at Museums was a "have to" as my family took several trips every year.  I like to think this has broadened and changed the way I view my world for the better.

The opening sequence of events included several invitation only soirees, a Members Preview, and the opening ceremonies in conjunction with Veteran's Day recognition in Downtown Bentonville on the Square.  It has been a very exciting week, and I imagine that Crystal Bridges will only bring more excitement and pizzazz to an already cheerful and growing community.

This video was shown on the Bentonville Square at the opening ceremonies and I thought it very fun.


We're Glad You're Here from Crystal Bridges on Vimeo.

Note: I have noticed a lot of media has been condemning the name "Crystal Bridges" as boring, etc.  It is important to note that this Museum and construction of the Museum greatly values the land and unique environment in which it is.  The landscaping uses only indigenous plants and only 6 ft was excavated around the perimeter of the Museum to keep the environment intact.  The water that flows under the bridges of the Museum comes from "Crystal Springs" located north of the Museum on the property.  Perhaps people will think differently of the name when they know this history behind the project.

If you are interested in more information about events in Downtown Bentonville you can follow the twitter @DBIncEvents or the downtown association's facebook for updates.

UPDATE:  Bentonville was ranked one of the "Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012" by Travel & Leisure Magazine, the only place located in the USA of the top 12!

Wine-o: Dad's Day Off Pinot Noir

Dad's Day Off Pinot Noir, 2009 Puglia ITALY

Recently I watched 2004 movie "Sideways" with Paul Giamatti.  The film takes place on the California coast where Paul's character is a skilled wine taster with a love of Pinot Noir.  I decided to pick up some on my next trip to Macadoodle's Liquor Store.  

It turns out the the Pinot Noir grape is one of the sassier ones in that it is very difficult to grow.  Originating in Italy there are several Pinot Noir vineyards also in the Bourgogne region of France.  The wine feels velvety in the mouth and has a long finish.  The aromas are subtle and I thought I smelled hints of strawberry and rosemary.


The bottle recommends pairing with a beef dish or as an aperitif.  It went well with the venison quesadillas I made for dinner as well.

From Winelegacy.com: 

This wine shows dried black cherry aromas accented with spicy notes of clove and a hint of sweet tobacco. Quite fruity and surprisingly luscious on the palate with velvety smooth tannins and a slightly earthy finish.

Freyas Score: 6 I enjoy this wine, it is very rich and not as spritely as a Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Cost: less than $14 Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  I confess I bought this wine because of it's name, it was on the "Funny Wines" central display which I always love to check out. This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  10% off all bottles of wine not already on sale!

Wine-o: Tontitown Winery Merlot

Decided to take a detour from my California wine tasting and experience something local.  A couple months ago (just after a glorious trip to Napa) a group of us stopped by the Tontitown Winery just south of Bentonville.

They offer free wine tasting and we tried their Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a couple other red wines.  The Bf decided that the Merlot was the best and bought a bottle for us to enjoy at home.  (This is a great activity to do with visitors to the area as you can drop in during their open hours with no appointment.)

This wine definitely needs to be aired.  It tasted vastly better a day after opening.  The wine is very flavorful and dry, described by the winery as "Dry, medium bodied, with earthy flavors."  The vineyard has a very quaint store front and tasting room.  They also produce evening events combining wine tasting with local music in their outdoor area.

Tontitown Winery Merlot
335 N Barrington Road
Springdale, AR 72762

Freya's Score: 5 - expensive for the taste, fun to go local though!

Cost: $14 at the winery - I would purchase again for a tasting party as it is a local wine, however I think that I prefer other merlots.  I encourage people to try local wines as it does have a very different flavor from California grapes that many may prefer

Wine-o: Trapiche Malbec

Trapiche Varietals Malbec, 2009 Mendoza, Argentina

Malbecs are always a favorite in our house.  They pair very well with steak, and as venison is often on the table, Malbec is always on the wine rack.  This vineyard was recommended to me be a salesman in the Macadoodle's store and I find it a very nice table wine.  (This is how the Argentina wine found its way into my California case)

During tasting it was described to me as a bit flat.  However, as the wine aired the fruity flavors came out more.  I found the wine very flavorful and round.  Be careful as it (like most Malbecs) will turn your lips a little purple if you over indulge! 

From the vineyard (via Snooth.com) : 

Argentina’s flagship red varietal, made with grapes selected from vineyards in the High Area of the Mendoza River and the East Region of Mendoza Province. All fruit is hand harvested and transported in small plastic crates to avoid damage. With plum and cherry aromas, the wine has round and supple flavors in the mouth, with truffle and vanilla notes.

Freyas Score: 7 While a little flabby it pairs wonderfully with steak and is great for the price

Cost: ~$11 Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  10% off all bottles of wine not already on sale!

Freya's Journey: Nature's Select of NWA

Freya is my first dog that is really MY dog.  In High School I convinced my mother to get us a Shih Tzu, Phoebe, and in college I was best buds with my Granma's German Shepherds Gaia and Folgen.  But never was I entirely responsible for a dog.

As mentioned before, I found Freya through Petfinder.com and got her from the Centerton Animal Shelter (beautiful new facilities were built a couple months before I adopted her in September 2010).  There are many hoops that one needs to jump through when getting a new pet.  

1. Vet - for Freya we went to All Pets Animal Hospital which was recommended by a friend.  The staff is great, the facility clean and friendly.

2. Dog food 

3. Dog toys & supplies: brush, shampoo, dog bowl, toys, bones, bed, kennel, collar, leash etc. (Many items found at TJMaxx or else later and cheaper on amazon.com)

The dog food was a conundrum.  I wanted to have a healthy and happy puppy, but the options were endless.  I knew my friend loved Blue Buffalo and so I decided to start her out on that.  But it was expensive (a 30 lb. bag at Amazon.com costs 47.99).  

If I bought it from the grocery store I could rarely find Blue Buffalo or other high quality foods, and I was then faced with a very large and heavy bag to carry to and from cars and on and off of shelves, checkout belts, carts, etc.  (How does my grandmother who is almost 80 and has arthritis manage?)  And when I tried PurinaOne I found that Freya got picky about eating and was not thrilled by kibble.

It was then that I met Nature's Select of NWA at a First Friday event put on by the downtown association in Bentonville.  I looked at the ingredients in their products and was happy to see a similar list to the Blue Buffalo and other organic brands.  From their website:

"What we do use are hormone-free meats - the same you or I would eat. We use whole ground rice and flaxseed that are nutrient-rich. We use Vitamins C and E and rosemary extract to naturally preserve our products. We also use complete and easily-absorbed vitamins & minerals.  All of our recipes are formulated to exceed the nutritional levels established by AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for all stages.  In addition, all our foods are MADE IN THE USA (Texas), which has the MOST STRINGENT pet food guidelines of all 50 states. "

What's more, they deliver all orders over $30 for free to your home!  I ordered online, made a note that they should leave it on the porch, and voila! I would come home to find all dog food waiting for Freya. (I also found out later they send a reminder email about reordering food, very handy as I was getting low!)  

Doug & Danielle Magdych own the NW Arkansas Nature's Select and happily give out samples.  I observed Freya with the PurinaOne food one night, then the Natures Select the other.  Her reaction was completely different, she was much more excited about the Nature's Select!

Let Doug & Danielle know that you heard about Nature's Select from Freya's Keeper and get $5.00 off your order!

Culture Bit: Bentonville Farmer's Market

The Bentonville Farmers Market is a wonderful Saturday morning treat.  I was excited to go to the final market day of the season.  The fall foliage was definitely at it's peak this past weekend, and the market was bathed in that beautiful golden light I love so much.

This year the Farmers Market had several programs happening to close out the season.  Several vendors were handing out candy for children (and dogs) who were shopping in costume.  The Market also had a campaign "Leave No Vegetable Behind" which had been featured in the local newspaper the day before.  

This movement challenged community members and local restaurants to buy out the Farmers Market produce and send the Farmers home with an empty truck.  I loved the idea of not just supporting a market but also showing your support for the farmers and reducing produce waste.  (How odd that just after this weekend there was the announcement of 7 billion people now residing on this Earth.)

Customers have been thrilled this past season by the new offerings at market including: fresh local cheese, hand milled soap, wood turned products, a variety of baked goods, dog treats, roasted nuts, and more.

Northwest Arkansas may not be known nationally for its food, but the growing season is long and there was a huge diversity of produce.  A large variety of apples were for sale including the native "Arkansas Black" variety.  There is also a large Asian demographic in the area and one can purchase fresh bok choy as well as spicy peppers throughout most of the season.  I took advantage of the butternut squash sale and am excited to make a soup from my favorite recipe blog.  

The Bentonville Farmers Market is organized and produced by Downtown Bentonville, Inc.  This nonprofit organization works in conjunction with the City of Bentonville, Bentonville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and many other entities to produce public and private community events throughout the year.

The  Market has gone through some huge changes over the past couple years and sales grew 270% over the past four seasons.  This is due largely because of the attention paid to detail by DBI and increased community awareness.    Additionally, the downtown association focuses energy on urban development and renewal work in the area.

For more information or questions about Downtown Bentonville, Inc. and their programs: info@downtownbentonville.org
www.downtownbentonville.org

UPDATE:  Bentonville was ranked one of the "Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012" by Travel & Leisure Magazine, the only place located in the USA of the top 12!