Wine-o: 2010 Irony Chardonnay

Irony 2010 Chardonnay Napa Valley, CA

Alcohol:  14.5%

Price: ~$11-

A great Chardonnay!  I enjoyed this wine served at room temperature instead of chilled.  It was full of butter and apple flavors, while not overpowering or spicy.  Straw yellow in color and clear; it paired amazingly with Perch Po' Boy sandwiches and a damp fall evening.  This Chardonnay currently rivals the Lucky Star and Clos du Bois that I love!

Freya's Score 83

Mona's Value 7.6

The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price; this produces a better analytic which takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Cline Zinfandel

Cline 2010 Zinfandel Lodi, California
Alcohol 14%
Price $12

This wine, had a great review from my Opa (the Dutch word for Grandfather).  We asked him to compare this wine with the Murphy Goode Merlot we served him first.  While he enjoyed the Merlot, he stated that it was better served with the meal (chicken sausage with onions, mushrooms, salad, and baked potatoes) while the Zinfandel was great on its own.

I've never heard my Opa speak about wine before.  In fact, I was under the assumption that he wasn't partial to anything except his whiskey and ginger ale which he has every night before bed.  (He buys a large handle of basic whiskey and stores it and the 2 liter of ginger ale in the top of the coat closet by the garage.)

Beyond my Opa's opinion, this wine was selected because my mother and I love Zinfandels (in particular the Plungerhead) and also because Cline is known for their Zinfandel.  If you want to try a great one, many will advise you to try a Cline Old Vine Zinfandel.

Freya's Score 86

Mona's Value 7.2

The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price, giving a better analytic that takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Big Claw White

Big Claw 2009 White Wine, CA
Alcohol 13.7%
Price $16-

This wine was a huge disappointment.  During a fun vacation on the Maine Coast, it was assumed that this wine would be fantastic with seafood.  While it did pair adequately, it was very weak in flavor.  The wine is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurtztraminer.  The bottle noted it as "the perfect lobster pairing."  I would recommend a large Yellow Tail Chardonnay instead.


"Dry, bland, disappointing"

"Flavorless, indistinct, expensive"

"Bizarre, watery"

Freya's Score: 40
Mona's Value: 2.5

The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price, giving a better analytic that takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Tereseret Antique Rose

Tereseret Antique Rose, FRANCE
Alcohol 12.5%
Price: ~$15

This wine was a lovely rose.  It was not as sweet as I anticipated and paired very well with hors d'oeuvres of crackers and french soft cheeses.  Served chilled it is a great solution for a hot summer evening.  I would recommend serving this first to guests and then a more conventional white or red wine paired with the dinner offering (remember, reds can be served slightly chilled as well!)

"Crisp"

"Refreshing"

"Sweet and slightly dry, pairs well with St. Andre cheese"

"Refreshing and a bit fruity without going overboard"

Freya's Score: 68
Mona's Value: 4.5

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Wine-o: Fat Bastard Merlot

Fat Bastard 2010 Merlot, FRANCE
Alcohol 13.5%
Price $12

This is a great wine that I have enjoyed many a time.  It is an affordable wine and therefore a great hostess gift.  It is a soft and smooth merlot, with some tannins that give a sharp metallic kick of an aftertaste.

This wine pairs well with a variety of meats.  It goes wonderfully with venison steak as well as barbecue pork.  I've even enjoyed a Fat Bastard wine at Thanksgiving with stuffing and domestic turkey.

"I love a fat bastard!"

Freya's Score: 80
Mona's Value: 6.67


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Wine-o: Marcus James Chardonnay

Marcus James Chardonnay, Eastern ARGENTINA
Alcohol 13.5%
Price: ~$11

Our move has been successful!  The art is up, and I am cleaning now because the dogs continue to shed, not for sanitization or moving reasons!  As the job search rages, I've converted momentarily to mondo sized wines, you know, the 1.5L steals that you can find for parties and whatnot.

If you know my current taste in white wine, you will know that I like buttery, full, Chardonnays, like Lucky Star's Chardonnay.  This is not buttery.  It is full, and the label says it all: "crisp fruity style with hints of apples and other orchard fruits..."  I really enjoy it.  It seems almost like a Sauvignon Blanc, but is drier as one would expect of a Chardonnay.  

All in all, it's great, it's large, and it's original looking. It goes well with appetizers such as tortilla chips with salsa or hummus, as well as roasted chicken.

Freya's Score: 70

Mona's Value: 6.4

Avocado Pit Project

Often I have wanted to grow an avocado plant from seed.  After many failed attempts, I had given up.  Until today!

While making guacamole I discovered that my avocados pits were beginning to sprout!  Now I know which end should go up in the water!  (The slightly more pointed end, the end with the round beige spot should go down and be submerged in water.)  And so it is currently living above my kitchen sink which gets some lovely southern sun.

My step-aunt lives in Southern California and has an avocado tree.  "How lucky you are!" I told her.  She then informed me that while she is able to gather 20 or so fruits not eaten by birds and squirrels, it also bears fruit once a year, about this time.  So if you're thinking ah-ha my avocado will quench my guacamole craving year round, that may not be the case...

Did I mention avocado pairs wonderfully with a Clos du Bois Chardonnay?

My Guacamole Recipe

Ingredients:

Avocados (enough for those in attendance)

Sea Salt to taste

Black Pepper

Cilantro (fresh is best, but dried will do)

minced onion (quarter of an onion for 1-2 avocados)

Chipotle Chili Pepper (note the Chipotle! can be bought at Walmart or your local superior grocery store)

Dash of lime juice

Cayenne Red Pepper (if you want to spice it up a bit)

Directions:

Mash avocados with fork, then add other ingredients and mix.  If keeping in the fridge a bit before serving, leave the pit in the bowl, it will help keep it from oxidizing.  If upon taste testing it doesn't taste right and you begin to panic, you can add some jarred salsa

Wine-o: Ponga Sauvignon Blanc

Ponga Sauvignon Blanc 2010, NEW ZEALAND
Alcohol: 12.5%

This was a lovely light Sauvignon Blanc.  It was purchased mainly because of the price and the fact that it is from New Zealand (New Zealand is known for its Sauvignon Blanc wines).

The flavors were very citrusy, with a hint of spice, as well as on the sweeter side, but not overbearing.  It paired very well with steamed clams.  I am sure it would also pair well with grilled salmon or other seafood meals.  I took it out of the refrigerator to let it warm up a bit before drinking and the flavor was wonderful.

Vintage Notes

Price: ~$11
Freya Score: 70
Mona Value: 6.4

Wine-o: Vendange Cabernet Sauvignon

Vendange Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, CA
13.0% Alcohol

As a part of our road trip, we decided to be economical and camp in some of our favorite parts of the country. While The BF loves beer, I am partial to wine and so we had to make a precamping stop.  The Vendange Cabernet Sauvignon was perfect for camping because it cost $3.79 for about 3 glasses of wine neatly packaged in a milk-like carton.  Easy to drink and close, easy to throw out with other camping trash.

While not the best Cabernet by far, the wine was passable with simple fruity notes and a short finish.  I felt that this wine stayed true to the varietal despite the low cost.  It paired wonderfully with my hunk of Semolina bread and cheddar cheese, as well as grilled sausage and fresh cutthroat trout.


Vendange
Cost $3.79
Freya Score  35
Mona Value 9.2

Wine-o: The Show Cabernet Sauvignon

The Show 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa County, CA
Alcohol: 13.9%

I confess I was very surprised to read the vineyard's notes on this wine.  I did not think this wine was "big and bold".  I enjoyed this wine with my grandmother (who has had several more wine tasting years than me and I assume therefore a more sophisticated palate).  We both agreed that the wine was simple, not overly flavorful and with a short finish.  The wine was fruity and a tad sweet, reminding me of the Masked Rider Petite Syrah.


We used a portion of this bottle in our slow cooked elk roast and it was delicious!  We mixed it with turkey broth, dry onion soup mix, several garlic cloves, and spices.  After 9 hours, dinner was ready and it was amazing!

Vintage Notes:

Like a Hatch print for an Elvis gig, The Show grabs your attention. Big and bold, it is dominated by full flavors of dried black cherries, jammy preserves and complex toasty, vanilla, and spicy oak. Learn more at www.threethieves.com

Other Notes:

86% Cabernet Sauvignon 12% Petite Sirah 2% Zinfandel

Price: ~$15
Freya Score: 58
Mona Value: 3.9

Wine-o: Ferrari Carano 2008 Chardonnay

Ferrari Carano 2008 Chardonnay, Sonoma County, CA
Alcohol: 13.9%


If the last Chardonnay I reviewed wasn't very buttery, this one definitely is!  It had a strong flavor I have found in several white wines that I've enjoyed and I think this can be attributed to the "soft toasty oak".  It is a very full and strong flavor, I did not find it subtle.  In a moment of laziness, I was also very happy to discover that the top is a screw cap top, an excellent choice for a party gift or camping.


This summer we are enjoying a 6 week vacation across the country before we relocate.  We enjoyed this wine in Aspen, CO.  It paired wonderfully with grilled salmon and zuchinni.

Vintage Notes from the Vineyard:

Grapes come from our vineyards in three growing regions in Sonoma County: Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and Carneros. A year of fire and ice, we began 2008 battling heavy frost in April, fires in the summer, and heat in the early fall. Reduced yields but intensely flavored, well-balanced, ripe fruit was the happy result of a very challenging growing season. Harvest began mid-August and was completed the beginning of October — 2008 being one of the fastest harvests we can remember.

Price: ~$23
Freya Score: 78
Mona Value: 3.4

Wine-o: Barefoot 2010 Moscato

Barefoot 2010 Moscato, California

9% Alcohol

This wine is large. It was given to me at a party, but for whatever reason it was never opened.  Now that we are moving, I am working through my pantry and uncovered this gift.  

When I first started drinking wine, I had just graduated from college and was also graduating from Cosmopolitans and Malibu Coconut Rum and Kool-Aid.  I loved drinking Riesling wine, especially the late harvest, and I think I would have loved this Moscato as it is very sweet and smooth; all in all a simple wine.  (Now I wish it was a large buttery California Chardonnay, or a sparkling wine, oh how times change.)

Pairings:  Would pair well with cupcakes and taquitos.  That or a keg I suppose, it's just so sweet!  For the more sophisticated drinker, I would like to try it with key lime.  In any respect as the bottle I was given is the large/grande size, I will be tasting it with a variety of options.  

Freya's Score: 40 If you like sweet drinks, this is your girl.  

Mona's Value: 5 The price is right for any party.

Cost:  ~$8- from the Pineville, MO Macadoodle's Liquor Store.  Buy a case of mixed wines and enjoy a 10% discount!  Or, check out their new e-commerce store for more great deals.

*Note: My Father recommended that I change the metrics by which the wines are ranked.  A Freya Score of 80 means that I think this wine is better than 79% of the other wines I've tasted.  A Mona Value of 70 is calculated as: VALUE = FREYA.SCORE/ PRICE.PER.BOTTLE

Wine-o: 2010 Apothic Red

Apothic Red 2010 Modesto, CA

13% Alcohol

This wine was given to me as a dinner party present.  I was excited to try it as I had seen just recently that it will be featured at the Peel Compton Foundation's 2012 Gardens Uncorked event this month.  The wine is a blend of several reds, including Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more.  It has a very fruity flavor and I found it a sweeter, more full bodied red.  It bursts in your mouth with a hint of vanilla.

Pairings:  Would pair well with red meats, but I think it would also go amazingly well with a Margherita or wild mushroom pizza.

Freya's Score: 77 This is a wonderful wine, although I wonder if those who prefer drier or less sweet wines would like it as much... 

Mona's Value: 7.7 Technically, since I did not pay for this wine as it was a gift, the Mona should be 77, however I thought I'd play fair.

Cost:  ~$10.00 from the Pineville, MO Macadoodle's Liquor Store.  Buy a case of mixed wines and enjoy a 10% discount!  Or, check out their new e-commerce store for more great deals.

*Note: My Father recommended that I change the metrics by which the wines are ranked.  A Freya Score of 80 means that I think this wine is better than 79% of the other wines I've tasted.  A Mona Value of 70 is calculated as: VALUE = FREYA.SCORE/ PRICE.PER.BOTTLE

Wine-o: Amiral Bourdeaux White

Amiral Dubroca 2010 Bourdeaux White, FRANCE

12-14% Alcohol

When I walked into the Liquor store and told my friend Dan I was looking for some spring weather whites, he took me straight to this wine, telling me it was a great buy at $15.  You can taste it!  The wine is smooth with fruity flavors of pear and lemon.  It has a crisp finish and strong nose, a great summer wine!

From the vineyard:

Amiral Dubroca Bordeaux white is a lovely, brilliant pale yellow colour. The wine has a complex nose of grapefruit, lemon, roasted nuts and candied fruit. An ideal accompaniment for fish – grilled or cooked in sauce - , white meat and poultry.

Pairings:  I think this would taste delicious with a salmon or other baked white fish.  It also would go well with sauteed spinach.  I served it with roasted chicken and sweet potatoes.  

Freya's Score: 80 a wonderful fruity taste!  I've never had a white Bourdeaux before, so this was a fun experiment!

Mona's Value: 5.33 a great wine, but on the more expensive side of what I am used to, especially considering that I got this bottle at a really great price.

Cost:  ~$15.00 from the Pineville, MO Macadoodle's Liquor Store.  Buy a case of mixed wines and enjoy a 10% discount!  Or, check out their new e-commerce store for more great deals.

*Note: My Father recommended that I change the metrics by which the wines are ranked.  A Freya Score of 80 means that I think this wine is better than 79% of the other wines I've tasted.  A Mona Value of 70 is calculated as: 

VALUE = FREYA.SCORE/ PRICE.PER.BOTTLE

My Father is a genius, so I think this will work out well.  Thank you for all the support readers!  Your comments both public and private are encouraged and appreciated!

Wine-o: James Mitchell Cabernet Sauvignon

James Mitchell Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Lodi, CA

13.9% Alcohol

I loved this wine from Day 1 to Day 4.  Day 1 upon opening it had a stronger smoky flavor, this mellowed out on Day 2 and really made me want to pair the wine with a good Barbecue venison.  As the smoky or oaked flavor mellowed the bright cherry and fruity flavors grew, making it pair well with homemade pizza made by the BF on Day 3.  (It should be noted that this pizza was amazing, only second to the Hoboken pizza I grew up on).

Described by fellow wine blog "Under the Grape Tree":

Grade=Above Average.  A solid red, with lots of black cherry preserves, brown spices, mocha and tobacco leaf.  Medium-bodied, approachable, a good value.

Freya's Score: 9 I loved this wine!  This is a bold and big California Cabernet.  Just what I've been craving!

Cost:  $11.88 from the Pineville, MO Macadoodle's Liquor Store.  Buy a case of mixed wines and enjoy a 10% discount!  Or, check out their new e-commerce store for more great deals.

Wine-o: Review from my Father, the California Conoisseur

Franzia Caberbet Sauvignon, 2011 CHILE

Alcohol: 12.5%

The Franzia wine is a collection of unknown vintages that have been developed since 1906, more than a century ago.  I, Andrew, friend and part-time keeper of the wolf-hound, Joy, am happy to explain to all of you some of the unique qualities of this wine.  

There is little known about this 5-liter box-wine. Millions of gallons are produced annually using grapes gleaned from 1000s of acres of old vines growing on the sun-drenched Chilean mountains. It is made using various processes that are unknown to the general public. Most impressive is that all these gallons were fermented and boxed in less than twelve months!

I am having a very difficult time trying to explain this wine. The aromas were delicate and muted, as might be expected from a generic red created by blending perhaps as many as 20 vintages from vineyards nestled intimately amongst the rocky crags of the Andes Mountains. There are delicate scents of - grapes - and more grapes. A grapey odor and taste that lingers delightfully in the mouth. However, it definitely requires aeration, and even then I was less than impressed.

I served this wine with breakfast - okay, Sunday brunch - and found the subtle (very subtle) flavors of currants and other fruit did not instantly remind me of anything. The wine is actually quite smooth. It is not harsh. Therefore, it is doubtful that additional years will improve this melange du vin.

Cost: ~ $12.98 per 5-liter box (about seven 750-ml bottles for about $2/bottle, or 40-cents per glass)  in Southern California, bought from the Albertson's location in Corona, CA. This is a great deal if you purchase it alone or with additional boxes. It is always on sale!

Wine-o: Sebeka Shiraz Pinotage

Sebeka Shiraz Pinotage South Africa

13.5% Alcohol

Living in a dry county, it is more than customary to bring a bottle of wine with oneself when going to another's for dinner (That or some beer at least).  We had some friends over who brought with them the Sebeka Shiraz Pinotage to try.

This blended wine was lovely for the diverse group.  Fruity in flavor but not overly sweet or dry, it was definitely a crowd pleaser.  The bottle barely made it to dinner...

Freya's Score: 7 A very economical price and a great bottle!  (The cork is cheetah print...)

Cost:  $6.42 from the Macadoodle's new e-commerce store! 

Wine-o: Lucky Star Chardonnay 2009

Lucky Star Chardonnay 2009, Graton, CA

13.5% Alcohol

The back label states:

"Star light, star bright, your Chardonnay wishes have been granted.  With golden apple aromas and flavors, hints of citrus and a rich, crisp finish, our wine is heavenly matches with light appetizers, seafood, and frilled salmon or chicken.  May our wine shine brightly at your table and bring good fortune to you and those who share it."

What a lovely introduction to this sweeter Chardonnay.  I love the buttery flavoring to it.  It bursts in your mouth with an array of fruitiness that I find very pleasing.  A very decent price, lovely label, and great (sweet) taste!

Freya's Score: 8 I love the buttery and full flavor of this Chardonnay!

Cost: ~ $10 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.  Try out the Macadoodle's new e-commerce store to have wine and other goodies delivered to you.  

Wine-o: Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon

Sterling Vintner's Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Central coast Sonoma, CA

13.5% Alcohol

This wine has made me question what a "typical" California Cabernet Sauvignon tastes like.  I enjoyed the bold and full flavors.  It has a lingering finish of spicy flavors.  I would say that this wine is a bit more spicy than I anticipated, and also drier than I prefer.  In many ways it reminds me of a Zinfandel, more spicy than the round full flavor I was expecting.  I found that the more it aerated, the less I enjoyed it.  It was very good just after opening to a day after.

I would very much like to visit Sterling Vineyards at some point.  When I asked my grandmother which vineyards in the area she enjoyed the most on her tours of Napa, Sterling was one of the first.  To reach the winery, one can take a gondola and enjoy a one of a kind view of the valley.  I find the Napa landscape breathtaking and think this would be a very fun outing.

Freya's Score: 6 This wine paired well with venison chili.  I wonder how it would go with a barbecue pulled pork...

Cost: ~ $10 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.  Try out the Macadoodle's new e-commerce store to have wine and other goodies delivered to you.  

Wine-o: SCV Sauvignon Blanc

SCV Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 Sonoma, CA

13.7% Alcohol

This wine was recommended to me by Dan from Macadoodle's, a good white wine to have handy he would say.  To me, this wine has a very crisp aroma as well as taste.  It is almost zesty with citrus.  A short finish and on the drier side, this is not a "sweet" Sauvignon Blanc by my standards.  Nor would I say it has an "herby" flavor like the Nobilo Sauvignon (an aspect which I love in Sauvignon Blancs).

I opened this wine after the BF and I watched Food Matters, a documentary on "optimal health" through natural and wholistic practices.    I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in a healthy diet or alternative healing options.  It seemed like this wine would go great with our "super" vegetable laden salads.  It did just that.  And I anticipate it will be delicious with our shrimp Green Curry Thai tonight.

Freya's Score: 7 I love this wine's back label.  It seems very authentic to me, I love this idea of having a simple rundown from the vineyard on the bottle.

Cost: ~ $15 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.  Try out the Macadoodle's new e-commerce store to have wine and other goodies delivered to you.