Wine-o: Harpoon UFO White

Harpoon Brewery UFO White Wheat Ale, Windsor, Vermont
Alcohol
Price $8- (6-pack)

I was told very clearly by the BF and the BF's Former College Roommate (here on known as VegasBaby) that the Harpoon UFO White is one of the best if not THE best of White Ales.  In our house it is always served with a wedge of orange, and next to the Harpoon Cider is my favorite of their offerings (and beer in general).

The Harpoon Brewery has the most wonderful visiting area in Windsor, VT and Boston, MA.  They offer guided tours, have a lovely indoor and outdoor dining room, and offer tastings as well.  The layout is wonderful, with a nice retail area linked onto the dining room (but situated so that the diner and shopper can be comfortable in their area or floating between).  They also feature several wonderful events and do a great job of marketing.  All in all, this is our favorite brewery we have visited thus far and also The BF's favorite types of beer.  I have a feeling we will have Harpoon in the house as long as we are in the area.  Now to buy some of their Irish road signs...

Freya Score 95
Mona Value 11.9

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: American Microbreweries

The USA is the home to several microbreweries.  In New England I have noticed a pride in local microbrews that I didn't detect in Arkansas.    Breweries are very fun to visit, often with a dining room for sampling beer and basic pub fare.  And of course, a ton of retail items such as t-shirts, coolers, hats, dog leashes, etc.  Many breweries also offer guided tours.

The BF's favorite type of beer is IPA, and so this is more often than not the kind of beer in the fridge, and thus the kind that I try.  I am not a huge beer drinker, and my taste is narrow and specific, however I will rank beers on a 100 point scale.  I can detail the fun experiences at the breweries that we visit as well.

Printer Friendly Maps & Cheat Sheets:
New Hampshire
Vermont
Maine
Massachusetts
New York
Connecticut
Rhode Island

For more information about microbreweries, one can watch "Beer Wars" (available on Netflix Instant). This is a documentary about the market share struggle between the "big 3" and microbreweries across the country.  The narrator has a very clear opinion, but the documentary is informative.

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Wine-o: Il Cuore Barbera

Il Cuore Barbera, 2009, Mendocino County, CA

14.7% Alcohol

This Valentine's Day, what better wine to enjoy at home with those you love, than one from Il Cuore "The Heart" vineyard.  They have a variety of wines from Chardonnay to Cabernet, Barbera and more.  

This is a great dry red wine with a full bodied taste of fruits, (to me, plum and blackberry).  It tasted crisp with medium tannins along the top of the tongue.  The wine had simpler flavors than a Zinfandel or strong California Cabernet Sauvignon.  It paired wonderfully with the amazing gumbo The BF made for us.  It was recommended to me for pairing with wild game such as venison or wild duck (both of which were in the gumbo!)

Described by Dreyer Wine Co. as 

This vintage represents our fifth release of Barbera, the robust wine of the fabled Piedmont region of northern Italy. Long known as a rich, dry red wine it has been consumed at Italian tables throughout this region on an everyday basis. The grapes for the Il Cuore Barbera were harvested from vineyards in Mendocino County. The ripe raspberry aromas and rich cane fruit offers attractive complexity with soft tannins. The wine has dark garnet color with mouth-filling smooth fruit flavor with spice.

Freya's Score: 7

Don't forget to add some flowers to your Valentine's Day, either as a gift or just to spruce up your house!  This year, why not go local and support a small floral business (like the new Bud to Branch in downtown Bentonville)?

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.  

Superbowl XLVI Menu

The Superbowl is here!  While I continue to have difficulty understand the rules and strategies of American football, I perfectly understand that this game = party.  As any host knows, planning a menu is important.  Some girlfriends and I concocted this one up.

Menu



Ranch Dip
Hummus
Salsa
with...  Carrots, Cucumbers, Tortilla Chips

Taquitos & Burritos a la El Monterrey

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Fudgey Brownies

Red Wine Spritzer
BEER - The BF requested Bud Light as apparently the superbowl commercials are hilarious and include a dog.

My theory is, that by blending frozen snacks and preparing some healthy alternatives any host can survive the party without an anxiety attack or too much prep work.  Couple that with paper plates and beer cans; simple cleanup!  Happy gametime!

Wine-o: Friday's Folly & Venison Steak Marinade

Friday's Folly Red Table Wine, Boulder CO

And a folly this wine is.  I should've known by the label as there is no year printed.  However it does note "100% Colorado Grown" which I thought was a good sign...  


This wine tastes off, it has a musty overpowering smoky flavor.  The first night I opened it I felt it was drinkable, and I looked forward to trying it again after it had aired a day.  But alas, it tasted only worse a day later.  

It was when I realized drinking it was a chore that I decided to convert it into marinade.  I have no doubt that it will flavor our venison backstrap steak deliciously tonight.

Simple venison marinade:

5 parts red wine

sprinkle of Tarragon 

1 part Dale's Seasoning sauce (optional: any steak sauce will do, omitting the sauce and using just wine will also work)

Allow steak to sit out for a couple hours.  It is important to thaw the steak in warm saltwater.  This will take away some of the "gamey" flavor.  After steak is mostly thawed, cover with marinade and let sit until ready to cook.


Wild game is a much leaner (and healthier) meat than beef or farm raised meat that you will find in the grocery store.  Because of this it is important to cook the meat very hot and very fast.  If the meat is left on the heat for a longer time it will lose a lot of it's moisture and gain a touch texture.

 Freya's Score: 3 I give this wine points for being a local wine where I bought it.  The wine has a better flavor than Arkansas red wines, it is more musty than overly sweet.

Cost: ~ $15  from a liquor store between Boulder and Denver

Wine-o: Tasting at Wilson Creek

Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula, California

Assorted red, white, sparkling, and dessert wines

I was first introduced to wine tasting by my father in Temecula, CA.  One of his favorite wineries is Wilson Creek Winery and so he insisted that as many of the family as possible go.  It features a tasting room, restaurant, outdoor gazebo, lawn, and large store.

We tried a variety of wines at the VIP Wine Tasting Bar in the back barrel room since my father is a member of the Wilson Creek Wine Club.  He receives a discount on all purchases and a certain number of cases mixed by his choice every year.

The five of us came to a pretty general consensus as to which wines we felt were the strongest:

2010 "Yes Dear" Chardonnay

2008 Winemaker's Select Zinfandel (the 2009 has not aged enough yet)

2007 Family Meritage

I also enjoyed the 2010 Golden Jubilee.  This wine was a bit too sweet for many in our party and was probably the sweetest I would enjoy now.  It is definitely a summer wine in my mind.  It made me want to sit outside with a huge fresh salad and fish entree.

We also had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Rosie Wilson, one of the owners.  She was in great spirits and regaled us about their fun New Years costume party.  The 2012 theme was the 1920's flapper era.  She also had a trusty Golden Retriever in tow; the mascots of the winery.  There were a couple around the grounds lounging and receiving love from many customers (including me!)

Freya's Score: 8 -This vineyard is lovely.  Clean and with extensive grounds, it is great fun for a group trip.  Also, doggy presence gives an automatic score of at least 5 since we love dogs so.

For NWA locals, you can purchase the Wilson Creek Almond Champagne (their signature product) from Macadoodle's, check out their new e-commerce site to make digital orders!

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.