Much-needed reality check

About three weeks ago, I made a really dumb decision.

In fact, I was so angry I was in tears.

I screamed at myself the entire half-hour drive home and then when I got home, I continued to scream at myself in the mirror.  I considered locking myself in the house and never coming out again but knew that wasn't reasonable. I was supposed to go to my happy place with the Evil Red Genius but at that point I didn't want anyone to see me. I didn't even want to see me. Prowler, God bless him, still loved me and that helped. If he had shunned me I don't know what I would have done.

I, thankfully, had enough bobby pins to make myself look acceptable and off I went, in a surly mood, to pick up my friend and head to my happy place. No one was the wiser and that's exactly how I wanted it to stay.

Nothing seemed to go right that day. I was doomed. The wine that Chef Mike picked out for me (and he has never picked out one I didn't love) didn't make me happy. In fact, he offered to buy it if I didn't like it and usually when I receive that offer, I know it's going to be stupendous. Nope, I took him up on his offer and gave it back and decided on one that we had before and knew we liked. It was nice that the wine had a "V" on the label. At least the wine wasn't disappointed in me. Yet, it still didn't really make me feel any better. Mike even toasted the comes-with-your-meal bread and brought out a made-for-me dipping oil, and while it was delicious, it was going to take a lot more than food and wine to get me out of this funk. (Ya never thought you'd hear me say that, did ya?)

A few hours at my happy place was nice but when I returned home reality set in. I don't care what other people think. I stopped caring about that a long time ago. In middle school, I was treated horribly and it was arguably the worst time of my childhood.  Kids are mean and the way things are nowadays they are even meaner. No amount of bobby pins and hairspray would take away the cruel reality I was now facing though. The next day I invested in a lot of both and decided I was going to suck it up and make the best of it - or at least just not let anyone see me in this state.

The next week I had a concert to attend and the weather gods were on my side because the rain allowed me to wear a baseball hat the entire evening. Once again, I was able to hide the disaster, be considered concert-appropriate stylish and no one was the wiser.

I knew eventually, this would end though. I wouldn't be able to hide forever. About a week after the tragedy occurred, I decided to embrace my mishap. I'm not sure what made me feel this way but that Friday I showed up to work without a single bobby pin on my head. I took a deep breath, made sure I wore something that would possibly accent the new-do (and more importantly distract from it) and with my head held high, I owned this monstrosity!

People were shocked. In fact, some people didn't even recognize me. But to my surprise, people actually liked it. Were they smoking crack, I wondered? Possibly, but hopefully not while on the clock.  Were they just being nice? No, these people are brutal. They don't care about anyone's feelings. They will tell it like it is. Did it make me feel better? A little. Honestly, it was nice to hear but in all actuality, it didn't matter. I wasn't happy with it and THAT is what mattered.  My self-esteem had been crushed. My opinion of myself had been demoralized.  I knew in time it would get better but I knew it would take a lot of time before that would happen.

That night, Red and I stopped by my happy place to do the weekend wine tasting and pick up to-go food. This was going to take courage. It was the first time I had walked in there looking this way. It was a Friday night so the potential for "everyone" I know to be there was high and I really couldn't fathom getting crushed at the one place that accepts me no matter what. I was nervous yet something other than stupid bangs were going to have to keep me from being at the place that I love most! I may not be happy but I'm going to own this, I thought! No one is going to know that I'm feeling extremely defeated. I planned this! I did this on purpose! Yeah, that's it.  Embrace it!! After a little wine, I wouldn't care anyway, right? (ok, it would take a lot of wine and that didn't happen.)

Arthur was floored and in a good way. He was almost blushing and said he absolutely loved it. I had been told earlier I was chic and even sultry. Tara, who has no filter at all (which is something I love about her), couldn't understand why I wasn't over-the-moon happy with the way I looked. I swear I thought Ashton Kutcher was around the corner with television cameras. It was a matter of time before Chef Mike would come out of the kitchen exclaiming that I had been punked.  But it didn't happen.... They were sincere and it was truly heart-warming. Yet, it still didn't make everything ok.

I still went home and stuck my tongue out at myself in the mirror.

As another week went by, I still clung tight to my bobby pins and only went without them two times. One time was a Board meeting day and I knew I'd have to endure some comments but I didn't think that it would be the exciting topic of conversation that it turned out to be. However, the comments were overwhelmingly positive and often from unexpected individuals.  Again, I wore an outfit that would hopefully distract and I received comments in that regard as well (which I tended to believe more).  Still, I went home and pulled my hair back in a knot, screaming again because it wouldn't all go back in the ponytail holder anymore. Deep sigh. It was going to be a long couple of months or even close to a year before this would be anywhere near fixable.

Then it happened.......

Divine intervention slapped me across the face. 

My dad is losing his hair. Yeah, he's a man and who doesn't love a smooth, sexy bald head on a man? Men can get away with not having hair, right? Of course they can. But when you have prostate cancer that has metastasized to the bone and you're going through chemo and THAT is why you're losing your hair, it puts a whole different spin on things. Reality smacks you in the face. Even if you're feeling better. Even if the treatment is working (praise God!) and your side effects aren't as bad as they could be (although you sure do feel like complete hell most of the time), looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing your hair falling out is a harsh reality check. It is a blatant and constant reminder that you are sick and you have cancer.

What the hell am I complaining about?
It's just hair.
It will grow back.
Get over yourself, girl! 

If Dad can handle losing his hair as he battles cancer, the absolute least I can do is accept screwing up mine.

 

 

If food is the body of good living....

......wine is its soul.

-Clifton Fadim

 

Sometimes, the right wine and food make everything better....

It sure did last Saturday afternoon.



2013
 Scout's Honor
Venge Vineyards

This spicy, fruity and smooth blend of Zinfandel, Petit Syrah, Charbono and Syrah is

named after Scout, the owner's beloved golden retriever, who has since passed.

Plus there's a big ole "V" on the label and we all know what that really stands for!
 

 "Wine is sure proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

-Benjamin Franklin

 

 

Villagio - an Italian Trattoria

Villagio, meaning "village" in Italian, is a restaurant located on Main Street in 

historic Clifton, Virginia.

http://www.trattoriavillagio.com/

 

It opened in 2013 and I have been wanting to try it but the time has just never been right.

Last month, the time was right and the Evil Red Genius and I went for lunch one Saturday afternoon.

 

 

When I try a new Italian restaurant, I expect a few things:

 

Good wine

Excellent pizza

Welcoming atmosphere

 

I loved the tiny area where we were sitting, especially the one brick wall! So much character!

 

 

The atmosphere was welcoming and our waiter was pleasant. However, when we had narrowed the wine selection down to two options and he talked me out of the first one, I wasn't too excited (especially hours later at a wine tasting when I found out his description of it was completely inaccurate).  

 

We decided on our second choice and he stated he was going to chill it for just a moment!

Here we go again!

 

This time, I knew better and requested that he not do so. Once bitten, twice shy.

 He looked at me like I had just put a gun to his head but to each his own!

I am paying for it. I'm the customer. Just do what I want.. and he begrudgingly did.

 

San Lorenzo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

 

 

I am not well versed in Italian wines and I think most of the time the long names scare me away. However, I have learned that I tend to like Montepulcianos (remember the stick wine I blogged about last September at the Outer Banks?)

 

I find they are easy drinking wines and are on the lighter side of a red wine yet smooth and fruity. 

 They tend to be a good food wine and this one was no different.

 

 

I am always sold when a restaurant has an impressive cheese plate. Of course, we never know if it will be good until we try it but hey, it's usually worth trying!

 

Villagio has a cheese platter where the customer can choose three, five or seven cheeses off of their decent but not extensive list.

The Evil Red Genius and I decided on the five cheese platter which came with baguette slices and honey, cranberry and apricot jellies. While Villagio was very generous with the cheeses, they were not the best cheeses we've shared, but they sure didn't go to waste!

 

Garroxta - a firm, earthy goat cheese from Spain that was fine on its own but not with the wine.

 

Mahon - buttery sharp, slightly salty and nutty; tasted like white American cheese and was not good with the wine at all.  However, I wanted to put this one on a BLT sandwich.

 

Bra Duro - a cheddar-like flavored, semi-firm cow's milk with a coarse outer rind; a hint of farm funk

 

Aged Crotonese -  a sheep's milk cheese that was way too hard and tasteless - Boo!

 

Sottocenere - a semi-soft cheese made with raw cow's milk and slices of truffles then rubbed with various herbs and spices; aged in an ash rind to convey the subtle flavors. 

This was an extremely bizarre cheese but absolutely delicious!

 

Overall, the cheeses were pretty bland but the Stottocenere was by far the best of the five. I don't regret trying the cheese platter but there's no need to try it again during a future visit.

 

 

While there were 10-12 pizzas to choose from, we selected the Romana - tomato sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage and mozzarella cheese. Sometimes simpler is better and this was a good pizza. Did it make me moan and long for more? Was it the best I've ever had? Am I going to brag about how it teased my taste buds and how I wish there was more when it was gone?

No, but it was enjoyable.

Villagio did not "wow" me by any means but I am quite the critic these days.

With that being said, it was an enjoyable experience and I'd definitely go back to sit at the bar or even try dinner.

Besides, who doesn't love Clifton and the Clifton Wine Shop is right upstairs from Villagio!

 

"Drinking wine is just a part of life, like eating food."
- Francis Ford Coppola
 

 

From mediocre to memorable

I have favorite wines.

I have can't-live-without wines.

I have everyday-go-to wines.

I have wines that "will do" because they are simply better than the alternative.

 

I enjoy trying new wines and often will be surprised and encounter what becomes a new favorite.

Lately, I've become more particular - some may even say snobby - about the wines that I enjoy.

 

 I don't drink wine just for the sake of drinking it.

I drink it for the taste. I drink it for the magic that occurs when paired with food. I drink it because I want chocolate and it's a good excuse.

 

I also drink wine because it just feels like the right thing to do sometimes.

 

It often has the power to make a horrible situation happy... if just for a little while.

 

 

About a month ago, on the way home from a disappointing doctor's appointment for my dad, we decided to go to my happy place for a late lunch. We decided to go there because no matter what life throws at us being at my happy place always seems to lessen the blow for even a little bit.

This day was no different.

 

 Dad wasn't feeling very well and didn't have much of an appetite but he wanted our favorite pizza so that's exactly what he was going to get! In fact, we got two to share between the three of us.

 

 

Naturally, I was asked to pick a wine. We both wanted a light red and didn't want to break the bank. It was late afternoon on a week day, we were the only ones in the restaurant (which we liked because we're able to spend quality time with the staff) and we wanted to just relax and try to comprehend the harsh reality.

 

As I perused the wine shelves, I came across an Oregon Pinot Noir that I had heard of but had never tried and the price happened to be just right.

 

2011

Spindrift Cellars

Pinot Noir

Willamette Valley, Oregon

 

 

With aromas of bark, earth and dead-on-the-side-of-the-road funk, this Pinot had flavors of strawberry and sweet berries.

It was simply delightful and paired nicely with the pizza.
 

It was exactly what we needed.

 

It also proved to be somewhat of a hilarious wine.
 

I always ask those who are with me what they smell and taste when they are trying a wine. Dad and the Evil Red Genius have become in tune with my nonsense and humor me now by telling me those things before I even have to ask.

 

Dad hands his glass of  Spindrift to Mom and asks,

"What do you hear?"

 

 When Mom responded with, "the ocean" Dad had to hear for himself.

 

Spindrift was taking Dad's pain away and that instantly made me a fan.

 

At this point, I was going to give Dad anything that his heart desired and when he said he was ready for another bottle who was I to tell him otherwise?

 

Keeping with our not-breaking-the-bank theme, I remembered the Chilean Montes Twins Malbec/Cab blend that I tried when I "went" to Chile a few weeks prior.

 

 

While I'm not a huge Malbec fan, this Malbec blend was delightfully stinky and had much more depth than the Spindrift. I was pleased that Dad enjoyed it as much as I did.

 

 

I wasn't sure when the three of us would be back at my happy place and I wanted to make sure that this afternoon was relaxing, uneventful and good for our soul.

 



To our surprise, we were then serenaded by one of our favorite happy place friends, the amazing, Tommy! We also found out that day he was named the County's High School Teacher of the Year and no one is more deserving!

 

 

 "I used to walk in the shade with my blues on parade

But now I'm not afraid

This rover crossed over.

Grab your coat and get your hat

Leave your worry on the doorstep

Just direct your feet to the sunny side of the street"

 

The three of us were smiling through the tears and couldn't have asked for anything more. Thank you, Tommy! We love you and are so blessed to have you on our side!

 

Sometimes it's not about the wine being fantastic.

It's not about the taste. It's not about the smell. It's not about those things that I always think of when I find a wine I really enjoy.

 

Sometimes it's the people who are with you, the food that you eat, the music that you hear, the love that you feel that makes the wine spectacular.

Sometimes those things often make what I would normally think of as a mediocre wine, one of my absolute favorites.

 

On any other day, under any other circumstances, the Spindrift Pinot and Montes Malbec would have meant absolutely nothing to me.

But because I shared them with my dad on this day, they will forever be special to me.

 

 

"Drink wine, not labels."

 -Dr. Maynard Amerine

 

Rombauer - Everything a Chardonnay should be

Rombauer Vineyards was founded in 1980 on a secluded tree-covered knoll overlooking the Napa Valley.  Their family philosophy of wine and food goes back to Koerner Rombauer's ancestors from Rheingau, Germany. Wine is considered an essential complement to a meal in Rheingau.

Koerner's great aunt, Irma Rombauer, wrote the well-known book titled The Joy of Cooking. As a result, Rombauer Vineyards chose to use the term "The Joy of Wine" as their motto of taking time to handcraft and nurture their wines from the vineyard to the bottle. They believe in celebrating wine as a complement to good friends and good food.

I fell in love with the Rombauer Chardonnay in 2010. I learned quickly that when I see a Rombauer Chard, I should grab it because it never stays on the shelves very long. When I was in the Outer Banks two years ago, I saw a Rombauer Chard at my local wine bar, Trio, and grabbed it. I hadn't seen it in the Northern Virginia area for years until a night in January when my happy place held an

"Evening with Rombauer"

 event!

Rombauer is known for big and rich wines with lots of character!

2013 Chardonnay

Even though it had been years since I tasted this Chardonnay and this was a new vintage, my love for it has just deepened. As the smell of butterscotch, nutmeg and vanilla collides with a hint of coconut and baking spices, my taste buds were transported straight to paradise. It was almost like an out of body experience the moment my nose and the aroma met. Rich, big and lots of character; just as they promised. The same way I like my men... wait, that's it!

The Rombauer Chardonnay is just like the perfect, yummiest man,,,,,, in a glass!

I didn't need to taste any of the other Rombauers because I had already met the one that mattered and to which no other could compare. In fact, I bought three bottles to take home - one I shared with my favorite people the following weekend, one to cellar and one for when I feel the need to treat myself to something incredible... just because I can!

While I was still moaning in delight, the rest of the evening was continuing so I decided I'd play along. 

 2010 Merlot

 

 I am becoming a Washington State Merlot snob the more Merlot I try.  The Rombauer Merlot is actually stinky for a California Merlot which impressed me. It has lots of big red and blue fruits in its taste and it's good but it's not as smooth as a Washington State Merlot.

2012 Zinfandel

There's always one wine at these events that always stands out to me - whether it's for a good reason or not. The minute I smelled this Zinfandel I thought of roast beef. I was then craving mashed potatoes and carrots! Call me crazy, but I swear that's what it smelled like. Thankfully, it didn't taste like roast beef. It tasted more like a raspberry glaze over a roast. I'm not saying that's a good thing. It is what it is.

This Zin is definitely richer than the Merlot but with 15.9% alcohol (which is very high!) it is definitely too sweet for me and I didn't care for the aftertaste.  Chocolate would have helped it.

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

I'm the one who always claims you can't go wrong with a Napa Cab. Well, Rombauer may have proven me wrong this time. Upon smelling and tasting this wine, I immediately thought of bacon and maple syrup and wanted to pour this wine over pancakes.  I tasted no fruit until the aftertaste. This was very bizarre! Rombauer claims to have big rich wines but this sure wasn't a big Napa Cab!

2009 Diamond Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

This Cab was by far the best red of the night but I still wasn't impressed. Being 95% Cab, it was full of black cherry and licorice with a jammy spice smell. Hey, wait...
it's the latest addition to the Spice Girls
  Jammy Spice!

Well, thank you, Rombauer, for sharing your wines with me at my happy place. Thank you also for solidifying my love of your Chardonnay. The Rombauer Chardonnay is embodies everything that a Chardonnay should be!

"Nothing makes the future look so rosy as to contemplate it through a glass of Chardonnay."



Under the Tuscan Grapevines

The Evil Red Genius and I went to Tuscany last night. Well, ok, maybe not literally but we did travel to Tuscany's world of wine at my happy place via Arthur and Don Paul. My buddy, Don, used to work at Winestyles but now works for Vinifera, an Italian wine importer.

 

 

 

I don't know much about Italian wines. Actually, I don't know much of anything about Italian wines, except I know I like Montepulciano and I think part of that is because I like saying the word.
 

How do I learn more about Italian wines though?

Taste and listen and that's exactly what we did on our trip!

 

Interesting fun fact: Italy is second in wine production by country with France being first; however, Italy exports the most wine.

 

 Tuscany has lots of sunlight and heat and is in the center of Italy. A rocky combination of limestone and clay make up the soil and it's usually hot during the day and cold at night in Tuscany. That's about all I retained this evening because I was all about trying the wines and not so much into the educational side of things. It had been a very emotional week and I needed an escape.

 

Mormoraia Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG 2011

San Gimignano, Tuscany

 

 

 This 100% Vernaccia wine immediately smelled like a French Chardonnay (which is a compliment). It had an overwhelmingly acidic taste though, especially at the end. It tasted like when you are standing in the ocean and a wave comes and smacks you in the face causing you to swallow an abundance of salt water.  Yeah, I don't waste wine but I also don't drink it if I don't like it.

My buddy, Steve, got the rest of this one. Too bad we didn't have cheese; that may have helped.

Tenuta Mormoraia Cianti Colli Senesi DOCG 2012

Siena, Tuscany

 

This Sangiovese/Merlot blend smelled better than it tasted. It has a slight dirty yet fruity smell; a nicely balanced aroma. As my new passport buddy, Brad, stated, "It's fruit that has gone past the five second rule". However, it didn't taste dirty at all. That made me sad.

 

Look closely at the tasting sheet description below.  5,500 cases made? B.S.! ha!

 

 

 

Fattoria Poggiopiano La Tradizione Chianti Classico DOCG 2007

San Casciano Val di Pesa, Tuscany

 

Another fun fact: The Sangiovese grape has been around since 17th Century BC!

Unfortunately, this wine smelled better than it tasted as well. It was rather medicinal to me.  While the tasting notes said this wine showed leather, I didn't get any leather flavors or aromas. However,   out of nowhere, Brad announced to our table, "I get the leather in my wine and in my life!"

 

 

It was with that exclamation and visual to go along with it that I burst into laughter during the presentation and couldn't stop. Don't worry, I apologized to Arthur for being obnoxious which he thought was nonsense.  Me being obnoxious? Impossible!

 

 

Castello di Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2007

Montalcino, Tuscany

 

 

This Brunello smelled of lightly smoked bacon and tasted of tart raspberries. It was the most tolerable of the wines at this point in the trip but it still didn't blow me away.  When Brad exclaimed, "It's all about the earth," my immediate and most natural response was to sing, "It's all about the earth, 'bout the earth, no leather".

 

At this point in our trip, we started getting a little punchy. Was it because we've been dealing with record low temps and snow for most of the week? Was it because we've been putting up with nonsense at work all week? Was it because I was so tired of being an emotional wreck that it just felt good to be silly and laugh? Yes, to all of those.

It's my happy place; anything goes!

 

Castello di Romitorio Il Toro IGT 2008

Scansano Maremma, Tuscany
 

 

45% Syrah, 45% Cab, 10% Petit Verdot

Now we're talking, Tuscany!

 

This wine smelled like smoked roadkill and tastes fantastic with a cheesecake aftertaste. Yep, I know, but I can't help what I smell and taste! This wine definitely stood out above the previous ones tasted.

 

 

Fattoria Poggiopiano Rosso di Sera IGT 2006

San Casciano Val di Pesa, Tuscany
 



Everyone knows the Evil Red Genius and I get excited about wines that have an incredible aroma. When we find a wine that we take our time smelling and don't even care to taste, you know it's good. This was one of those wines. In fact, all four of us at the table took turns moaning and sighing as we smelled this wine. It was quite entertaining. 

This was by far, THE BEST smell, taste and wine of the night for me. A perfect blend of ripe dark fruit with leather, graphite and oak on the nose with very rich vanilla, chocolate, black pepper and blackberry notes on the palette. 
Ah, I love a wine I can chew! (Naturally, my favorite one is $108.)

When I looked back at the name of this wine, I realized another reason why I enjoyed it so much.
It has my name in the title. Everyone should unleash their inner Val, right?

Terreno Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 1997

Greve in Chianti, Tuscany

 

The last wine of the night was a pure treat - from 1997!

Notes of red fruit, tobacco, spice, fresh earth and truffle mushrooms that is smooth as silk to the taste!

 

It also is the wine that gave Brad his official nickname, "Mr. Anarchy". Poor guy. We sat together when we went to Chile and then he ended up with us again for our Tuscany trip. He thought he was safe until I got there. He's becoming one of us (insert devious laugh here) and he's gonna like it.

 

 

So I took my first trip to Tuscany. It wasn't really the trip that I had been dreaming of but it was definitely a super fun experience. After all, it's not always where you go or what you do, it's who you're with and I sure am grateful to have the best wine buddies out there!

 

"We don't explain; we just drink."

 

 

 

Wine gives a man nothing; it only puts in motion what is already there. ~ Samuel Johnson

Cathartic ride

What do you do on a rare 64 degree Sunday afternoon in February?  Shirk your responsibilities. Push off that laundry that needs to be done until later.  Grocery shopping can wait.  Take a quick shower, throw that hair into a pony tail and put on your boots.

You hop on the back of your man's Harley, throw caution to the wind and enjoy every single second.  Not just because you know you're looking at frigid temperatures, wind chill advisories and more winter weather to come, but because you deserve it.  Because you know that things are going to get worse before they get better so you make sure to take advantage of enjoying that simple pleasure while you can.... even if it's just for a few hours.

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.”
― Sylvia Plath,The Bell Jar