"Never Compromise Quality" - Frei Bros. Chardonnay

 

In 1890, Swiss immigrant Andrew Frei purchased the core of what is now Frei Ranch in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley and built a winery producing 20,000 cases of wine annually by 1895. In 1903, Frei turned the winery over to his sons, Walter and Louis, who adopted the name Frei Brothers.

(In the 1970s, the Gallo family bought the winery and vineyard.)

 

 

 

The only Frei Brothers wine that I have tried is their

2012 Reserve Chardonnay

from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma. 

 

It has aromas of banana, vanilla pudding, a hint of coconut and a slight bit of butter. 

 It has a slight tart and crisp finish with a pleasing aftertaste of buttered toast.

After one glass. I was longing for seafood or cheese.

 

 

 

This is a nice wine to enjoy a glass of sitting on the back deck on a warm summer evening.  I haven't paired it with food but I believe it would most likely improve with food. It's not my favorite Chardonnay by any means but it's definitely an acceptable Chardonnay under $15 when you want something simple to enjoy after a long day at work.

 

I must admit though, if drinking more than one glass, it could heighten your senses and make it difficult to keep your mouth shut when a neighbor ties his dog to a tree with a chain and leaves him there all night.  Believe it or not I was showing more restraint by holding my tongue than that wretched chain that was restraining poor Rico. But I digress...

 

 

When researching this winery, I found something very interesting and admirable.

These winemakers consider themselves "farmers first" and are dedicated to

sustainable farming and winemaking.            

• For every acre of land they plant in vineyards, they set aside one acre to be preserved as natural wildlife habitat.
• When they expanded the winery, they chose to transplant a row of 13 mature redwood trees rather than cut them down.
• They capture and reuse rainwater. Currently 80% of wastewater is reused.
• They are currently working to leave a lighter footprint through their packaging, and are exploring new components that use less glass per bottle, recycled materials for labels and shippers, and recyclable capsules.

 

Their motto:

"NEVER COMPROMISE QUALITY"

definitely entices me and makes me want to try some of their other wines.

“Give me wine to wash me clean of the weather-stains of cares”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - Stop rushing me!

My second official IYI event took place on June 11 and I took the Evil Red Genius as my "plus one".

 

An Evening with Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

 

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars has a long and distinguished wine reputation and is considered a Napa Valley first-growth estate.  Founded in 1970, this winery was thrust into the spotlight when a bottle of the 1973 SLV estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon won the now famous 1976 Paris Tasting, besting some of the most renowned wines of Bordeaux.  The victory, known as the Judgment of Paris, launched Stag's Leap Wine Cellars into the ranks of the world's most noteworthy Cabernet producers.

 

We tasted six wines this evening and overall I wasn't too impressed. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful because without this avenue I wouldn't ever try wines like these or at these prices, but I can honestly say none knocked my socks off.

 

 

 

Let's run down the wines we tasted:

2010 Sauvignon Blanc

68% Sav Blanc, 28% Sav Musque

 $27/bottle

 

Typical bouquet of grapefruit, canteloupe and melon

It did taste better than most Sav Blancs; not that overwhelming flavor of grapefruit yet still very subtle and fresh

2012 Karia Chardonnay

100% Chardonnay

 $32/bottle

 

I was excited to try this one because I have immensely enjoyed the 2011 Karia Chardonnay (and even posted about it in an earlier blog). However, this vintage was not as smooth as the 2011. It has a lower percentage of malolactic fermentation so it's balanced between oak and the apple and butter minerality. It also had some spice notes to it. This wine disappointed me because I had such high hopes for it based on its previous vintage. After tasting it, I longed for seared scallops so maybe that would help. But then again, why pay $10 more than the previous year's vintage when the previous year's vintage is delicious to me?

 

2011 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon

86% Cab Sav, 14% Merlot

 $60/bottle

 

Regardless of how lovely the description reads or how fancy the representative spoke of this wine, it was too tart for me. The representative mentioned this wine was "an iron fist in a velvet glove." While I appreciate that description, I don't feel it is indicative of this particular wine.

It had a fragrance of rotten plums that had been laying on the ground for hours on a hot, humid summer day. The Evil Red Genuis stated that "it feels muddy" and we both agreed we needed to scrape our mouth or use a tongue cleanser afterwards. 

 

While disappointed because we both favor Cabs from Napa, I, then, realized why I didn't care for this one.

It's called Artemis.

 

Artemis is the name of a disgustingly-vile character on the FX show

"Always Sunny in Philadelphia". When viewers are first introduced to Artemis this is what occurs: "When the gang assumes Charlie is going to die of cancer, Dee brings Artemis in to audition to be a "Coyote Ugly"-style bartender for Paddy's. Dennis is immediately upset at seeing her appearance and attitude, but she continues to perform her acting routine on top of the bar, ending with licking Dennis' face."

 

Case in point. Artemis - bleh.

 

 

Before I go on with the next three wines, I have to go off on a rant for a moment which will also explain the title of this post.  From the start, this winery representative was making me crazy. Not only did he look like a nerd trying to be cool but before we could even taste the first wine he was already on to explaining the second one. It was not only annoying but confusing because he would be talking about one and you'd be drinking the other. When drinking wine, especially at a tasting like this, one needs to slow down, smell, sip, enjoy and savor.  At one point, I literally looked at the Evil Red Genius and said, "Stop rushing me!!!" I wanted to scream it out loud to him but I refrained. It was difficult to keep my mouth shut, but I did. After the two whites, I literally just sat back and did my own thing. You can see from the photo above, I have a red in one glass, water in one glass and still some white in another..... stop rushing me, dude!!
I'm ok with nerds. I love an intelligent arrogance in a man but not coupled with annoyance and he wasn't even attractive!

 Ya'll know how I hate when people try to rush me or tell me what to do.

 

Ok, back to the wines......

 

 

 

2006 Fay Cabernet Sauvignon

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

$116/bottle
 

The "Fay" vineyard was purchased in 1986. This was the vineyard that originally inspired the winemaker to make wine in this area. It is the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in the area and consists of 66 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and half an acre of Petit Verdot.

 

I was hopeful for this wine because it was one of my two quarterly IYI wines that I get with my membership so I already "own" a bottle of it. With an herb and licorice bouquet and aged in 100% French oak, I was hopeful. The taste was uneventful. It wasn't horrid but it wasn't delicious. The Evil Red Genius mentioned, "it doesn't strike me as your kind of cab" and she was correct. At $116, I wanted euphoria. I have had many cabs that I prefer over this one in this price range and definitely in the lesser price range.  After the event, we decided to try it again (since there are leftovers!) and see if we could make ourselves like it. After all, I do have a bottle at home and we don't waste wine!  I was told that it could most likely improve over the next year or so but not to wait much longer than that since it was an '06.  I figure at this point, I'll use it as an excuse for an amazing meal and when all else fails indulge in chocolate. We'll make it work!

 

2005 SLV Cabernet Sauvignon

100% Cabernet Sauvignon
$150/bottle

 

The "S.L.V" was the initial vineyard owned by the estate. It consists of 35 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and one acre of Merlot. This vineyard was the source of the grapes that produced the wine that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris.

At this point in the night I was told I was getting "punchy" and perhaps I was...
What did I smell with this wine? My first thought was rotten tomatoes and when I tasted it I immediately thought that I was licking something that had been burned.  My senses are heightened the more I drink, I suppose. It can also be quite entertaining.  This wine definitely had more prominent tannins and was earthy which I liked. Perhaps the smart ass in me answered when this question was posed by the representative, "Notice anything different about this one?" I said under my breath, "the price?" Yep, the Evil Red Genius and I began cackling like young school girls.  I concluded with my last taste that it was reminiscent of being in a zoo. Remember though, I am fond of funky smells when it comes to wine. I don't want to taste the zoo though, just want to smell it.
 

Oh, and I almost forgot the best part...  As soon as I looked at the tasting list and saw SLV, I immediately started singing a song by SWV (Sisters with Voices) from the 1990s.

"I'm so into youuuuuuuuuu. I don't know what I'm gonna do..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL-pm-xRb40

 

Don't ya wanna come drink wine with me now? Super fun, eh?

2005 Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

$220/bottle
 

Here comes the heavy hitter.
The flagship red wine.

  It is a blend of Cab Sav from the SLV and Fay vineyards.  The first vintage of this wine was produced in 1974 after the winemaker noticed that a specific cask, numbered 23, stood out from the other casks produced that year. It is not produced every vintage but only in years that are viewed by the winemaking team as producing excellent quality fruit.

The winery's description of this flagship wine reads as follows:
 "A classic example of tremendous power and great finesse. The wine presents a symphony of aromas of sweet black fruit to cigar box, from savory spices of clove, allspice and licorice to dried herbs and flowers, even a touch of minerality.  It's a wine sure to enhance any dining experience."

Sounded good to me.  Made me want a prime rib even.

 

Upon first sniff, the Evil Red Genius hesitantly stated, "It smells good. It doesn't stink."

Hopeful, I took a sniff and said, "It still smells like a zoo... but with roses."

A friend's mom was sitting across the table from me. She is rather distinguished and quiet; has a sophisticated way about her. She doesn't say much but evidently she enjoyed this wine because after one sip her response was an emphatic, "DAMN!" and then a smile.

 

The Evil Red Genius and I take a hesitant taste because we haven't been thrilled with any of the wines as of yet and are hopeful since this is the last, and supposedly best, one.

 

Our summation:

 

"I could get a piece of jewelry for that price!"

 

 

 

While this event could not compare to my first IYI event with RASA vineyards which was phenomenal, it was still fun and enlightening. While I didn't attempt to knock people down to get the last bottle of their flagship wine (as I did with RASA), it pleased me to see how discriminating my palette has become. Who knew when I got married (regretfully so) to someone whose parents were wine snobs (and alcoholics) and I vowed to never drink wine just to spite them and because they "all tasted the same," that over 11 years later I'd be a connoisseur!

 

I enjoy wine but when I say I enjoy wine I enjoy all aspects of it; not just drinking it. I enjoy learning about the winemaker and the vineyard and how the grapes were grown, the science behind how the wine was made. I enjoy trying to decipher what I smell and what I taste. I enjoy pairing food with wine and when that one perfect pairing happens it's pure magic. I love how no two wines are the same. I also love how it's a neverending journey.

There will always be new wines to try and experience!

Bring it on!

 

 

"Either give me more wine or leave me alone.”

― Rumi

 

Save the J.Lohr for the last dance

There are some wines I just always have on hand at home becuase I never know when I may be in the mood for one.  Many years ago, the J. Lohr Merlot and the J. Lohr Cab became lucky enough to always be in my home.  At under $12 a bottle at Wegmans on any given day, they are definitely two of my everyday go-to wines.

I had just gotten home from laying my sweet cousin, Bobbie to rest and having lunch with my family in Alexandria.  I sat in traffic for almost two hours on a Friday afternoon. I was solemn, tired and feeling anti-social. Should I have gone to my happy place? Probably but I didn't have any desire to go back out once I got home. Some days are like that.

So I found this beauty in my wine rack and poured myself a glass.

 

2011 Los Osos J. Lohr Merlot

 Paso Robles, California

While I am partial to Merlots from Washington State, I still am fond of this Merlot from Paso Robles. It smells of an abundance of chocolate with plum, pomegrante and dark berries.
The taste has a mellowed-out chocolate with nice rounded dark fruit.
 There's nothing spectacular about this wine which is exactly why it was perfect at this moment.

 

84% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot

Fermented in stainless steel tanks 

and stored for 12 months in American Oak barrels from Missouri forests



I also found that this wine pairs well with the movie, "Save the Last Dance".

 

 

 
This movie came out in 2001 and to this day, I still love it. It's not earth-shatteringly dramatic, it's not a classic, it's not a movie that most people would probably even remember or know. But I'm a sucker for a good love story; a forbidden love story even. I love going against the odds and throw in some dance moves and music and it makes it even better!

Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas have a chemistry that everyone who's ever been in love and wanted to beat the odds will appreciate and embrace.

 

Sometimes I just need to have a glass of wine and be a girly-girl. It doesn't happen often but this wine and this movie were the perfect match for that option.

 

"The first kiss and the first glass of wine are the best.”

― Marty Rubin

 

 

Play it again... and again... and again...

Music.

I don't know what I'd do without music. It truly is food for my soul. It can make me dance.

It can make me sing.  It can make me laugh. It can make me cry.

I can hear a song and it transports me back to a moment in time.

I can't imagine my life without music.

 

I've always enjoyed live music and while I love all types of music, Country is one of my favorites. 

 

On May 30, the Evil Red Genius and I went to Jiffy Lube Live to see Luke Bryan.

I had seen Luke one time prior when he opened for my all-time favorite, Tim McGraw, two years ago. I liked Luke but after seeing him open for Tim I was hooked! What a down-to-earth fun dude!!!

He may not have the best voice out there but he is an incredible entertainer. Plus he sings songs that every day people can relate to!

You can't go to a Luke concert and be unhappy - it's just not possible!!  

 

I like Jiffy Lube Live as a venue. I like that I don't have to get on a highway to get there. I do not like; however, the traffic on a Friday night to get there nor do I enjoy the 1-2 hour wait to get out of the parking lot after the show. But we know this is par for the course with this venue and you take the good with the bad and believe me, there was much more good than there was bad on this night!

 

Even though we only had an hour before the show started, we still planned to tailgate. It may have been stressful but we enjoyed our J.Lohr Cab in red solo cups (dear God, that was against everything I believe in!), chicken salad sandwiches, cheese and chocolate! 

 

Of course it wouldn't be part of my life if it wasn't an adventure though, would it? 
Of all the places in the parking lot, where does PWC's finest decide to park their cruiser?
Yep, right next to us... and they turned off the engine and hung out for almost 40 minutes.
What are the odds? Meanwhile, some underage drinkers are acting like fools right around the corner, no doubt.  We, rebels, survived though, drank our entire bottle and were roaring and ready to watch Luke "shake it" for us!

I had already gone against all my best instincts and drank wine out of a red solo cup (by the way, I may be the only one on the face of the earth who can't stand that Toby Keith song) so why not keep the nonsense going!!?

 Yes, kids, that is a plastic carafe of a ridculously-overpriced Robert Mondavi Woodbridge Cab with two plastic cups!!

When in Rome.....

 

 

 

It didn't take long for me to get over the plastic part.

Why?

Because Lee Brice came on right before Luke and because of the beautiful 50 year old man (who didn't look a day over 40) sitting next to me.

 It's too bad that not only was he married, but his wife was super cool.
We did dance though and he asked me where I was when he was single.

Story of my life. But I digress...
 

There are many reasons why I love music. Sometimes it's the harmony, sometimes it's the beat, sometimes it's the instruments, sometimes it's the lyrics.
A song with fantastic lyrics will send me into a euphoric oblivion.

We missed Cole Swindell but can't say it bothered me any.

Lee Brice, though, that's a different story.

 

"Never let your prayin' knees get lazy... and love like crazy!"

"I don’t dance, but here I am, spinning you around and around in circles. It ain’t my style, but I don’t care. I’d do anything with you anywhere. Yes, you’ve got me in the palm of your hands, cause I don’t dance. "

Then there's my favorite Lee song which stirs such emotion in me and brings me to tears because I feel my Steve's presence every time I hear it. Hearing Lee sing this live was so emotional for me.  Not only did Steve die suddenly, and too young, but my dad bought his truck.  I drove his truck one time down to the new house (a place he loved dearly as well) and sang this song at the top of my lungs. So powerful.
 

"I drive your truck. I roll every window down and I burn up every back road in this town.

I find a field, I tear it up til all the pain's a cloud of dust.

Yeah, sometimes I drive your truck."

 

Then there's the party anthem, the song that my father despises, the one that you just can't help but get on your feet and sing along to at a live show, especially after a bottle and a half of wine!

 

At the parking lot party (whoa oh oh oh!)
Tailgate buzz just sipping' on suds
Ain't never too early
To light one up, fill up your cup
Cause there ain't no party like the pre-party
And after the party the after-party
At the parking lot party

 



 

Cheers to you, Lee Brice!!

Great opening act!

Now bring on LUKE!!!



 

 Just an aside - it's not easy to carry a plastic bottle of wine, two plastic cups and still stand up, dance, sing and scream at the top of your lungs. Then when you sit down you have to worry about fools walking by you and kicking over your wine. So I became resourceful and put my plastic cup in its own holder on top of the plastic carafe. Mama, didn't raise no fool!

 

Oh Luke, instant happiness.
Pure fun.

 Boot stompin', hand clappin', booty shakin' music!!

That's my kind of night!

He sang the oldy but goody sing-along-songs which I knew every word to and sang at the top of my lungs.
 

"All my friends say, I started shooting doubles when you walked in......All my friends say....

YEAH YEAH YEAH!"

and
 

 "Rain makes corn. Corn makes whiskey. Whiskey makes my baby feel a little frisky!"
and

"Baby, is someone else calling you baby? It's driving me crazy... this being in the dark. Goodbye ain't never easy, so break it to me hard. If you're over my love girl, lay it on my heart. Don't try to save me. Is someone else calling you, baby?"

I never said that he was a genius lyricist!! But he sure knows how to get the crowd going!

 

 

 

Then there are the newer songs which are just as good, if not better, yet still catchy.....

 

Like the one that gets all the "country girls" dancin' and Luke's signature tight-jeaned gyrations started which makes everyone, including me, lose my voice.......

Shake it for the birds, shake it for the bees
Shake it for the catfish swimming down deep in the creek
For the crickets and the critters and the squirrels
Shake it to the moon, shake it for me girl

or the one that makes me swoon and brings back memories of a forbidden time often forgotten......

You got your hands up
You’re rocking in my truck
You got the radio on
You’re singing every song
I’m set on cruise control
I’m slowly losing hold
Of everything I got
You’re looking so damn hot
And I don’t know what road we’re on
Or where we’ve been
From staring at you girl
All I know is I don’t want this night to end
 

There's just something to be said for speakers going boom-boom, loving me like you loved me when you loved me and you didn't have to try and crashing my party any time.

Then there's the heartfelt ballad about his lost siblings which give me chills and pulls at my heartstrings:

So long my friend
Until we meet again
I'll remember you
and all the times that we used to...
... sit right here on the edge of this pier
and watch the sunset disappear.....
and drink a beer




Then, of course, it wouldn't be a party if it wasn't for a little catfish dinner.

Ain't that right, my friend, Evil Red Genius? 
(insert hysterical laughter here)

 

"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."

 ~Confucius 

 

No doubt, we both walked out of that pavillion a "little drunk on Luke" and high on summertime, longing for him to "play it again, play it again, play it again" and again and again and again.......



Festival weekend follies

Growing up, Festival Weekend at Colonial Beach was a big deal. It was the one weekend that you couldn't miss during the summer in that town. A fire engine parade on Friday night and the Potomac River Festival on Saturday afternoon. When I was in high school it was such a time to look forward to - we'd cruise the strip, have our favorite songs cranked up on the car radio, meet friends or make new ones on Reno Hill, drink wine coolers or beer, and just enjoy life. (A country artist really should have written a song about my summers back then.) Friends who had grown up and finally "escaped" that town would come back on Festival Weekend even if they hadn't returned any other time during the year. I have so many memories it would take days to recount them all.

 

I hadn't been down for Festival Weekend in probably a decade or more. As I got older, life got in the way for various reasons or it was just too hot. Well, this year I decided I wanted to be there. It wasn't the same and honestly, I'm not sure why I thought it would be. In all actuality, it wasn't the parade or the excitement of the fire engines that made Festival Weekend. It was the friends I was with and the new friends I made. It was the crazy antics of Luke, Kyle's hound dog, jumping out of Steve's jeep. It was seeing Charles driving the fire engine. It was knowing the girl who was crowned "Ms. Colonial Beach" riding on that gorgeous Z24. It was playing it cool and hoping the guy you wanted to notice you would drive by at just the right moment. It was daisy dukes, flip flops and sunburns.

 It was Bartles and James and Boone's Farm.

 

This Festival Weekend was spent with my parents, our good friend, Betty, an hour long joke of a parade, good food and good wine.

It was a weekend to appreciate what we have and remember the good times in the past.

 

After sitting in the heat for the parade, it was a pleasant change to walk into an air conditioned house!!! Later, while relaxing on the front porch, I decided to open the Peach Wine that I had been saving since January for just the right hot summer day.

 

 

Classic Peach

The Winery at Bull Run

Centreville, Virginia

 

When the Evil Red Genius and I went to this winery after a snow storm, (see the post about our visit in January) we were both surprised that we enjoyed this peach fruit wine.  Made purely from fresh peaches and fermented it truly was a delight. We bought a bottle each because we were told it wouldn't last long at the winery and saved it for a special occasion. Knowing how my mom doesn't like wine, I'm always trying to find one she will like. If it takes like fruit juice, I'll typically hate it but she'll love it. This one, I had a hunch, we would both enjoy given the right moment.

Mom and Dad both enjoyed it, as did I.

Was it because it was refreshing?
Was it because it just felt right to be sitting on the front porch on a summer afternoon?
Was it because it smelled and tasted like biting into a fresh juicy peach?
Was it because it made me want angel food cake or pound cake?

Yes, all of those!

Oh yeah and then Dad said it reminded him of Christmas. Hmmm.... leave it to Dad.
Fresh peaches.
Christmas?
Ok, Dad. There's no wrong answer.

 
A few years ago, I came upon a Sean Minor 4 Bears Pinot Noir from California. Typically, I am an Oregon Pinot snob but for some reason this was not your usual California Pinot. I haven't been able to find it since, of course. However, I did find the Carneros Sean Minor Pinot and figured I should try it out.

We were having burgers and sausages Saturday night for dinner so I figured this light red wine would be just fine as an accompaniment (and it was)!

Well, guess what? It is nothing like the 4Bears Sean Minor Pinot. This is what I call a typical California Pinot -

a HUGE CHERRY BOMB! 

Now, for those of you who like light, fruit forward, overwhelmingly cherry tasting wines, then this is for you. However, I am not a fan of cherries (unless they are dark cherries or Michigan cherries) and this a cherry explosion.  Bleh!  Dad liked it but he also said that it smelled like a pack of unfiltered cigarettes. Uh.... yuck!


However, boys and girls, there should be at least one thing you have learned from my blog thus far.....
When you have a red wine that you're not quite fond of,

EAT CHOCOLATE!

A red wine drinker should ALWAYS have a bag (or 2 or 5) of dark chocolate chips on hand - for wine emergencies, if nothing else.  Not only was this wine better with dark chocolate, but it also got better once Keith Urban's song, "Cop Car" came on the radio.

I mean, come on!

What wine wouldn't get better paired with Keith Urban and chocolate?

Right, Evil Red Genius?

By special request from Mom, I made lamb ragu on Sunday night for dinner. How on earth I was able to do that without taking any pictures is a mystery. I have made this dish numerous times and never had a picture of it. Makes absolutely no sense to me but yet again, no lamb ragu shots. So sad.

 

I did take a picture of Mom's deviled eggs and my roasted butternut squash though!

"It's not a party without deviled eggs." - Jeffrey

The weekend tasting at my happy place was French wines and the very last red was one that I became fond of. I immediately thought "aha, this could go well with lamb ragu!" When Arthur agreed and I saw the price was under $20, I bought a bottle to take for Sunday dinner with the family. I am an American girl when it comes to drinking wine. It's not that I don't like French wines. It's just that I haven't had many and don't know much about them. Well, we were going to be guinea pigs on Sunday and man did I knock this one of the park!!

 

A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan

 

Aromas of forest, bark, and dark fruit with a bit of spice on the palette

 

Tautavel is a village located between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean and recognized as one of the cradles of human civilization. The vineyards are planted on pebble soils, limestone rich terraces and south-east facing hillsides. Someone take me there, please.....

 

Dad said it reminded him of a Merlot which is a huge compliment, Mr. Bertrand!

 

He then said, "It tastes like Lucy stomped on the grapes with her feet and they were dirty."

Yeah, I'll let you ponder that for a moment.......

 

 

Earlier in the day, Mom and I stopped by the Tides Inn Market to see what yummy treats we could find. To our surprise, we found homemade almond pound cake for sale. So, we bought one plain and one with chocolate drizzled over the top to have with wine later in the evening. YUM! 

 

"Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know.”

― John Keats

...and give me ducks in my yard........ yep, ducks......

Say hello to my new friends who didn't seem to be the slightest bit camera shy.......

 

What's a simple pleasures blog without animals?

Photogenic, friendly, ducks on top of it all!

Long live Prissy Pants... don't ask. You had to be there.

But for future reference, when someone asks me months from now when did Betty get her new nickname, now we'll be able to remember.

 

 

Ahhh the things that wine, card games, music and family will make ya do! 

 Cheers ya'll!

 

 

Birthdays are awesome!

I love birthdays.
I love celebrating birthdays of those people I love. 
My birthday is in September and I celebrate the entire month.
It doesn't have to be something spectacular every day but something special and something that I enjoy. 
My mom's birthday is also in September so I have no problem sharing the month with her.


As I get older, I enjoy birthdays even more because I realize what a gift they are to have. I know many people who aren't with us any more who I'd love to be able to celebrate with one more time.
So, instead we will celebrate here while we still can!

Dad's birthday was June 1 and fell on a Sunday.
The day before, Mom and I took Dad out for his Birthday Eve dinner.
He could have gone anywhere he wanted and he chose my happy place.
No, I didn't persuade him. He's got that good of taste on his own.

Dad doesn't like having a big deal made out of his birthday. I informed Arthur of this and I also asked him to help me find a fantastic bottle of wine for us which Dad would otherwise never imagine buying. Arthur put a bottle of Papillon aside for us which I was extremely excited about. Papillon is made by Orin Swift. Need I say more? I hadn't had it in years and Dad had never tried it.  Orin would have to wait for a while though because white wine was going to go with dinner!

 

spicy chicken wings for an appetizer - yum!

Dad's flounder stuffed with crabmeat special - melts in your mouth

 

When Chef Mike was asked if the flounder special was good he said that "anything is good stuffed with crabmeat - fish, chicken, even socks." Aww silly Mikey.......

I have to admit he doe have a valid point though.

 

              Moussaka!! A classic Greek recipe made by layering eggplant with a spiced meat filling and topping it off with a delicious creamy bechamel sauce which is baked to golden perfection.
So delicious!
mmmmmmmmm oooo saw kuh!!

I had my eye on Fog Crest for a while but hadn't tried it. Dad's birthday would be the perfect time to try such a beautiful Chardonnay!
It paired perfectly with the flounder special and wasn't too shabby with my moussaka either!

 

 

2010 Fog Crest Chardonnay

Russian River Valley, California

 

Aromas of peaches, canteloupe and nutmeg combined with buttered toast on the palette

 

 While Napa Chards are my favorite, Sonoma has always been a close second.

This Fog Crest confims that opinion.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Eve, Dad!!

 

 

 After dinner and after we said goodnight to the Fog Crest,

I asked Arthur to bring out the special bottle.

We wouldn't drink the entire bottle, but we'd have to try it on this special occasion. 

 

 

Sunday was Dad's actual birthday and he requested the celebration continue at his house.

Orin came home with us and we continued to enjoy Papillon.

 

 

2011 Papillon

Orin Swift Cellars

Napa Valley, California

Papillon is a blend of Cab Sav, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged 16 months in French oak.

As described on the Orin Swift website (and I couldn't say it better myself):

 

 "Bright ruby red in complexion, the wine bursts with a lively perfume of crushed boysenberry, spring flowers, creme de cassis, and a hint of toast. Upon entry, lush flavors of blackberry tarts and ripe plum lead to a juicy mid-palate mix of currant, mocha, and dark chocolate.  Already well-integrated, polished tannins are present on the finish which linger effortlessly with just the right amount of power and intensity."

In other words,

it is pure ecstacy in a bottle. 

 

 

 

 

  "Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”
 -Ernest Hemingway, "Death in the Afternoon"

 

Happy 65th, Dad! I love you more than you know!

 

 

Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words.

- Plautus