Was it the Italian wine or my Russian girl crush?

 

On April 29, I held a fundraiser in honor of my dad to raise money for ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer.  Two days later, I felt run down and physically miserable. It was inevitable because I had been tirelessly working myself silly for this event since January. Now that the event was over, my body needed to rest. Rest is good. Four days of antibiotics in my system though is not good. The antibiotics wreaked havoc on my "wine buds".  No, not my friends who enjoy wine with me but my taste buds which could no longer enjoy wine.  Pretty devastating for the chick who writes a blog on wine and food, right? Yeah, that's probably why you haven't seen any blogs of that nature from me lately - because for the entire month of May my taste for wine was destroyed.

 

All wines tasted the same.

Red. White.

Dry, Sweet.

A moscato tasted the same as a big Napa Cab.

All wine tasted like salt water.

Yep, I might as well have opened my mouth and shoved it face first into the ocean. 

 

This same thing happened to me a few years ago when I had a glandular virus and was hospitalized. I lost my wine buds for six months straight so I was devastated that it had happened again, but unfortunately prepared for the worst. I figured it would be a torturously long summer without wine.

 I decided to make the most of it though and thankfully, wine was the only thing that had an altered taste. Thank God for whiskey and a plethora of breweries to try out!

 

Each Friday, I would still go to my happy place and partake of the free tasting in hopes that maybe my taste would come back. After about a week, I could get some "wine taste" out of the ocean but it wasn't enough to actually want to drink more than two sips. It had become depressing but was more of an experiment at this point.  In fact, I think it upset my friends more than it did me after a while.

I had been through this before and to be honest, I thought it was a way to make me appreciate how good I have it.

Things could be a lot worse.

For instance, I could be fighting for my life and enduring chemo.

 

I thought I was on the mend when one night I went to an event (which was already paid for) and the first sip of wine tasted almost normal but then the second sip was pure salt.

What a cruel joke.

So what did I start doing?

 

Wine shots!

 

Yep, the only way I could taste the wine normally is if I drank both sips in one gulp.

Whatever it takes.

Let's at least make a game out of it if nothing else, right?

 

********

 

On June 3, I bought my first new car in 10 years. A Jeep Cherokee Limited!

I was so excited and couldn't be happier.

 

 

I don't know of anyone who enjoys going to car dealerships and I am no different. However, my "screw you, I know what I want" attitude made it bearable. The bright spot in that debacle was meeting Rochelle, the Customer Service Manager. We hit it off immediately and once wine became a topic of conversation, I knew we'd be friends for life. She lived less than a mile from my happy place and knew nothing about it! I, then, felt it was my civic duty to inform her and invite her to join me at some point in the near future.

 

On an impromptu June 5 night after work, Ro met me at my happy place for the first time.

Instant kindred spirits.

 

I can't even begin to explain how well we instantly hit it off and let me tell you something... I don't have many real girlfriends. Most women are catty, annoying and too high maintenance for me.

On top of that, I'm allergic to most blonds.

 (Can you keep a secret? She's really a brunette! Makes perfect sense to me!)

 

 

No, your glasses aren't dirty and your vision isn't going. This photo is out of focus.

It's probably out of focus because I was so excited and shocked when I took it.

A blurry picture of this moment is better than no picture at all.

 

The tasting of the weekend was Italian wines. I am not exactly crazy about Italian wines but I am growing to like a few. Years ago, I told Arthur that I didn't like them and he was determined to find one (or four) that I would like. He loves a challenge and I love giving them to him.

 

I tasted the first few whites and they tasted normal to me. Still, I didn't want to get overzealous.

I got to a light red and it was still normal.

I got to the big red of the night and still normal!

No salt!!

As much as I love the ocean, I don't want it in my wine glass!

 

After a little over a month,  

My wine buds were back!!!!

 

Hallelujah!

 

The question of the night:

 

Was it the Italian wine that brought my wine buds back?

(That's what Arthur likes to think so he can make a point.)

 

OR

 

Was it my new Russian girl crush that brought my wine buds back?

 

 

 

Either way, this Tiny Wine Girl had one of the most natural, super fun nights of her life and knows there will be plenty more where that came from!

Ya never know what life has in store for you.

Who knew I had to buy a Jeep in order to find my kindred spirit?

Everything truly happens for a reason and in its own time.

 

 

“It was like discovering a wine-cellar filled with bottles of amazing wine of a kind and flavour never tasted before. It quite intoxicated me.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien

Take me to Church, Eric that is!

Music is a huge part of who I am. It always has been. It is the one stable force that is always there for me no matter where I go, what I do, who I'm with or how I feel. It never leaves me and is something I can always depend upon.  It makes me happy. It makes me sad. It consoles me. It reminds me.

A few years ago, I was asked by a friend to accompany him to a Kenny Chesney music festival at FedEx Field. I have seen Kenny more times than I can remember, have met him a few times, was part of his fan club and even made friends with his keyboardist, Wyatt.  But Kenny wasn't the draw for me this time. Being at FedEx Field, the home of my beloved Redskins, is always a joy and I had never been there for anything other than a game.  Free tickets sure did sound good as well. But the reason I wanted to go to this concert was for one man and one man only:

ERIC CHURCH!!!!!

 

That night, I fell in love with Eric. He was raw. He was natural. He was real country with a hint of bad boy. Eric isn't flashy. He stands there with his guitar, his baseball cap with his infamous aviators and sings the hell out of every song!  Unadulterated Eric - THAT is what I saw that night and that is what I have longed to see more of ever since. In fact, after that night, I vowed to never miss an Eric show when he was back in town. I'd also love to sit at a honky tonk bar and drink whiskey with him. Maybe one day.....

Then it happened. Eric came back to the area in March!!! I couldn't have been more excited! My favorite guy and Red were excited too because they had never seen him before. So off we went to the Verizon Center in the pouring down rain to see THE MAN!

 

But first we had to make a stop at Hill Country Barbecue Market!!! Voted the "Best New BBQ restaurant in America" by Food and Wine Magazine, I don't know what we were doing more of - smiling or drooling! Mac and cheese, brisket, wings, cornbread, baked beans....

 

 

and of course adult libations....

Country music is three chords and the truth.

~Harlan Howard

 

In our seats and ready for show to begin!

I wanna rock some sheetrock, knock some pictures off the wall.

Love you baby, like a wrecking ball.

That's damn rock and roll!

 

 

Carolina....

keep calling me home

 

 

 

What dreams forget the whiskey remembers... kinda like molasses in late December

 

When the winds go cold and it blows October,
I think about us shoulder to shoulder,
Like those cars my thoughts roll over and over and over,
 in my mind.....

 

 

 

 

 

These sleepy streetlights on every sidewalk side street,
Shed a light on everything that used to be....

Give me back my hometown.

Funny how a melody sounds like a memory....

 

 

Yeah if you want to impress me, baby, here's my plan
All you got to do is put a drink in my hand.

 

 

 

 

Wanna little more right and a little less left
Little more right now, a little less what's next
Act like tomorrow's ten years away
And just kick back and let the feelin' flow
Drink a little drink, smoke a little smoke, yeah

 

 

You can't hold back the hands of time,
Mama's goin' grey, and so is daddy's mind.
I wish you'd come on back and make it all right.
Before they're called home, boy

 

 

Jack Daniels kicked my ass again last night.....

 

They're the in crowd, we're the other ones.
It's a different kind of cloth that we're cut from.
We let our colors show, where the numbers ain't,
With the paint where there ain't supposed to be paint.

That's who we are.
That's how we roll.
The outsiders.

 

 

Not many men can leave me speechless.

Eric is one of the lucky few.

Every. Single. Time.

 

Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together.

Anaïs Nin

 

Ready, set let's ride.... in honor

Ready, set, let's ride.... in honor

"The Founders of Rolling Thunder^®, Inc., Artie Muller and Ray Manzo, were ordinary men who understood that they had a right to have their voices heard and proceeded to lay down the plans for a gathering in Washington, D.C., during the 1988 Memorial Day weekend. They reached out to their families, fellow veterans and veteran's advocates to unify and form a march and demonstration in the nation’s capital. Their arrival would be announced by the roar of their motorcycles, a sound not unlike the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam dubbed Operation Rolling Thunder. Hence, they would call themselves "Rolling Thunder^," a title that would endure time and be trademarked in 1990.

Word spread quickly and by Memorial Day weekend in 1988, approximately 2,500 motorcycles from all over the country converged on Washington, D.C., to demand from our leaders a full accounting of all POW/MIA's. As the Founders of Rolling Thunder made their stand that day in front of the Capitol, they reflected thankfully for the people who came in support of the POW/ MIA's and for the unity that was felt. This was the first Rolling Thunder demonstration. On that day, the foundation was laid for the annual "Ride for Freedom" to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall (also referred to as the "Ride to the Wall"). The number of participants/spectators in the Memorial Day weekend Ride for Freedom has grown from 2,500 to an estimated 900,000.

On the morning of Sunday, May 24, I was honored to be part of Rolling Thunder as I joined the bikers leaving the Harley Davidson dealership in Dumfries. As we rode up Route 1 to 95 North, I was in awe of those who lined the roads to see us, to witness this incredible sight and to honor those Americans who have been lost.  I vividly remember an elderly gentleman, who could barely stand, on the side of the road with his baseball hat on, holding a US flag watching in awe and I'm sure filled with emotion as we filed up Route 1. How I'd love to be able to sit down with him and listen to his story.. and to thank him for his service.

I cannot put into words what an impact this ride has had on my life but I am truly honored to have been part of it. Seeing my dad, who is a Vietnam Vet battling prostate cancer and fighting through chemotherapy, standing at the overpass as we drove up the highway gave me chills as equally as it made me proud. I specifically rode for him and for his fellow soldiers in Vietnam who were lost - Michael Thomas, Ronald Ward, Sgt. Ronald Rowell, and Harry Richardson, Jr. I thank God that Dad was able to see this miraculous sight instead of being a memory for who we were riding. Many others were not that fortunate.

It may have been my first Rolling Thunder but it surely will not be my last.

There's more to Argentina than Malbecs

There's more to Argentina than Malbecs.

 

Truth be known, Argentina has developed an extraordinary wine industry over the last five centuries.  Argentinian wines are unique because Argentina is one of the world's nature reserves. With a territory that is four times larger than France, Argentina boasts a wealth of natural ecosystems that includes vast, highly-productive grape growing regions stretching at the foot of the Andean strip to the west of the country and covers almost 540,000 acres!

Who knew?

 

These people, that's who!

 

 

 

We didn't know it before we took our "trip" to Argentina, but this we sure know it now!

 

 Mendoza is the center of reference for the wine industry in Argentina and South America and we sampled eight wines from this area.  Mendoza was compared to Washington state which made me optimistic b/c I like WA wines. Perhaps, jt shouldn't have been because I got my hopes up.

 

 

2013 Tilia Torrontes

 

 This white wine is very aromatic, crisp and has citrus notes. Its flavor is predominantly of lemongrass. I instantly started to crave a Vietnamese noodle bowl upon first sip.

 

 

2012 Catena Alta "Historic Rows" Chardonnay

 

Ahh.. yes, the aroma of this wine made me very happy - toasted coconut and vanilla.

It tasted like a watered down Napa Chardonnay and I suddenly craved roasted chicken.

 

 

Fun fact:

 The soil where this grape is grown is primarily limestone. There is calcium in limestone. Calcium is good for your bones. Therefore, drink more of this wine because it's good for your bones.

 

 

2011 Catena Zapata "White Stones" Chardonnay

 

In the beginning, this wine smelled like the beach on a breezy day. Lovely, right?
 The taste was a bit crisper than the previous Chardonnay. It was decent but I preferred the first Chardonnay. The more sips I took, the more I didn't like it though. It quickly became tart and tasted like the liquid version of a green apple Jolly Rancher hard candy. 

Not a fan.

 

Val: And...... the smell-a-thon is on!

Brad: I want to break shit now.

You had to be there. Seriously, you should be. It's so much more fun live.

 

2012 Renacer Enamore

 

Referred to as the "kissing wine," I'd have to call it the spitting wine because it made me want to spit; not kiss.  It smelled of licorice melting on the bottom of a shoe on a hot summer day.
It instantly sent a burning sensation to my sinuses. If kisses were like this, I wouldn't enjoy them as much as I do.

 

 

2011 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc

 

And...the game begins!

Finally, a wine that is in it to win it.......the smell-a-thon, that is!

 





 

I quickly coined this Cabernet Franc, the "Christina Aguilera wine" because it is

 

Dirrrrty!

 

It started with hints of dirty diaper and as it opened up more (swirl it, girrrl!) it turned into a scent of a kitty litter box... that four cats frequent.

It did taste better than it smelled though and I typically like stinky reds.

 

 

2011 El Enemigo Bonarda

This red has a funky smell laced with rotten fruit. I commented on how it made me want to spit and Brad delightfully gave me the dump bucket. How gentlemanly. Richie offered me his cupped hands at one tasting. I declined because he was waiting on tables that evening but it was tempting.
 Everyone takes such good care of me at my happy place.

 

2011 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon

and

2010 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino

 

Ironically enough, these last two wines, priced at $65 and $150, had no distinct smell or flavor and I believe it was because the El Enemigos destroyed my nasal cavity with their kitty litter and rotten smelling fruit aromas.
Such a shame.. Or was it?
I don't think it would have been a good idea for me to have liked these two wines given their prices.
The wine gods were definitely looking out for me while in Argentina.

 

So, this "trip" definitely opened my eyes to there being more than just Malbecs in Argentina. However, I have to admit, based on one trip alone, I'd have to say that I'd be happier if Malbecs were all there was to Argentinian wine.

 I believe in doing something well; not doing a lot of things in mediocrity.
Stick to the Malbec my South American friends.
You do them well!



 



“This is one of the disadvantages of wine, it makes a man mistake words for thoughts.”
― Samuel Johnson

Release the Trocken

One day, three friends went wine tasting in Germany. They were excited and hopeful to find some delicious wines from the regions of Mosel, Rheinhessen and Rheingau. While they enjoyed their adventures, they left in a quandary...

How can Germany be so very beautiful and yet its wine be so mediocre?

 

 



 

We tasted eight wines, of which five were Riesling.

While Germany is known for Riesling, it is also home of the world's third largest producer of Pinot Noir (also known as Spatburgunder) and Pinot Gris (also known as Grauburgunder). Germany is also the world's second largest producer of Pinot Blanc.  It would be an understatement to say that we were disappointed that our visit only included one Pinot Noir and not one Pinot Gris or Pinot Blanc.

 

Still, that didn't stop this trio from making the most of their German wine adventure.

 

Lassen Sie die Weinproben und Kritik beginnen!

(Let the wine tasting and critique begin!)
 

 

2013 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir

From Pfalz, this Pinot Noir was similar to watered-down cough syrup and I found myself wishing there was a spittoon within reach.

 

2012 Loosen Up Dornfelder

I have had a German Dornfelder before and enjoyed it with ease. I have even had a Dornfelder grown in the German style by one of my favorite Virginia wineres, Otium, in Purcellville and found it quite delightful. While the previous Pinot Noir made me want to "hock and spit," this Dornfelder, just made me want to spit.

2014 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rose

"If you don't like wine, and you like water, this is the wine for you!"
 

This salmon-colored fish wine looked like red food coloring added to Perrier and its aroma reminded me of walking into a florist.

When asked if we liked this wine, no words were uttered....just the lovely sound of crickets.
(Grillen, to be exact, German crickets, of course.)

 

2013 Maximin Grunnhaus Riesling Trocken

 

I never thought I'd say it, but I welcomed this dry, crisp Riesling with open arms!
The aroma was reminiscent of Thanksgiving dinner and made me smile.

It has one of the best names I've ever seen in a wine and, of course, we were quickly able to give it relevant nicknames.

This Gluteus Maximus Riesling was delicious - ya gotta love a "butt wine".

 

 

 

NV Dr. Loosen Sparkling Riesling

 

Just as I was thinking maybe there was hope after all for this wine adventure, then came the bubbles. We have a rule that we don't waste wine. Even if it's something that one of us may not care for, we give it the other to drink. We don't pour it out.
Well, friends, I hate to say it but, this one got poured out.

 

If only I had a plastic wand in my purse and then I could have dunked it in my glass and blew bubbles with this wine like I was five years old again.

 

 

 

2011 Robert Weil Riesling Kabinett

 

 This light and delicate Riesling smelled of Vaseline and had an acceptable first sip.
However, the second sip quickly turned sweet; too sweet for us.

 

 

2012 Dr. Loosen Riesling Spatlese Wehlener Sonnenuhr

 

This silky Riesling reminded me of what I enjoyed when I first started drinking wine. It was nice to remember that time but even nicer to be able to appreciate how much my wine tastes have expanded.  I have nothing negative to say about this wine; it used to be a friend of mine. A friend that you don't forget but you just have nothing in common with anymore.

 



 

2011 Maximin Grunhaus Riesling Auslese-Abstberg

Welcome to your typical German Riesling, ladies and gentleman!

 At $82.99, you can enjoy liquid candy and I will not even ask you to share!

This wine should be baked in puff pastry as a dessert; not served as a liquid.



\

 

Thankfully, for us, there is Washington State wine available in the region of Germany which is referred to as my happy place.  As soon as the Riesling show was over, we immediately started searching for a big, voluptuous West Coast red!



 

 The 2011 Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon saved our German wine trip from disaster!

Its dense colors, firm tannins and well-defined acidity was the epitome of Washington State style.

It even made the steak and cheese pizza sigh in delight.

Or wait, maybe that was me...

 

 

And the quote of the night goes to silly passport Brad:

 

"I love the smell of a Cabernet in the morning!

It smells like victory!"

 

A fun trip to Germany chock full of fantastic memories, a beautiful Riesling butt wine that made us release the Trocken, and a Washington State red that made the trip worthwhile.

 

 Sieg, in der Tat!



(Victory, indeed!)