Archive October 20th, 2006

What's in my glass?

TGIF!  This Friday, by popular request, I’m going to share what I’ll be drinking for Happy Hour. With summer coming to end, it’s a good time to re-visit some old friends - red wines!  When it’s hot I tend to sip on something cold and refreshing.  During the chilly months I gravitate towards rich, tasty reds.

If you like a nice smooth glass of red wine that you can drink without food, try a blend.  Blends are when winemakers use a variety of grapes to come up with an interesting mix..  One of my affordable favorites is Big House Red, 2003 made by Bonny Doon vineyards.  They have blended Syrah, Petite Sirah,  Carignan,  Zinfandel,  Barbera, Malbec,  Charbono, Montepulciano and Sangiovese.  Basically everything but the kitchen sink, and it’s delicious..

Big House Red usually goes for about $10-$12.  It’s a fruity and fun wine with an aroma and taste of blackberries and raspberries.  Big House Red goes great with pasta, pizza or some  sweet/spicy barbeque.

Don’t let the screw top scare you. More and more wineries are beginning to bottle wines with screw tops. When it’s done right, the screw top can create a secure seal, which eliminates the chance of “corking”.

My other current favorite red wine is Babcock Pinot Noir 2005.  It’s called Tri Counties Cuvee because pinot noir grapes from 3 different wine counties were used; Santa Barbara , Monterey and San Luis Obispo.  To quote the wine maker, “It delivers exactly what this exploding, post-Sideways Pinot Noir market is looking for; good quality at a price that has remained constant even in an atmosphere of hyper-Pinot-demand.” 
You’ll smell jam and earthy spices, and taste nutmeg, a little ginger and other rich spices.

The cost can range from $21-$24 depending on where you are located.
I could easily sip this pinot noir all by its self.  But it pairs nicely with poultry, veal, pork and especially salmon.

Thanks for hanging out with me at happy hour!

Cheers!

Lynne

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