More Banned Wine...

I went out to dinner tonight with some awesome ladies, I actually think I just had my first "Girl's Night Out" experience, and had a total blast! The food was amazing,the desserts to die for, couldn't have asked for better company, and we had an awesome Virginia wine!

I get home to find this article in my inbox, apparently Alabama has banned the sale of Cycles Gladiator wines because they are a bunch of prudes it shows "side boob". To be fair, it does have a naked woman floating alongside a bicycle, but the image is old as dirt, and it's not like she's showing something I couldn't see on TV right this second. Actresses pose like this all the time, and it's the cover image on Vanity Fair. So why can't a stylized woman with strong ankles do it?

And of course, sales of the Cycles Gladiator line have increased, because seriously, who doesn't love contraband?!?!?

I find this even funnier, because I have a series 3 of their wines on my walls, as art. Or maybe I'm just a perv. ;)

I have discovered the nectar of the DEVIL!!!

I love bubbles, all kinds of bubbles, Champagne, Cremant de whatever, Cava, you get the idea. I don't think bubbles get enough respect, you'd be surprised how well they go with seafood and even some chicken! Try it sometime, a time when you're not celebrating or romancing. Although that's fine, too, if you're celebrating and you have bubbles, invite me!!!
I also have a soft spot for dessert wines. Not just Sauternes (my wallet cringes just mentioning it) or Tokaji, but late-harvest Zins, Banyuls, and now, a fortified Tannat, you also get this idea...
I had the GREAT idea to put them together (and this was better than my ice cream and mustard idea, not as awesome as ice cream and cornichons though...) and *gasp* OMIGOD it's AWESOME!!
It's better than a Kir Royale, but definitely along the same taste profile. Depending on how much of the Tannat you use, you get anywhere from a light pink to an almost blood red!! It's freaking AWESOME!! I cannot stress the awesome-ness of this enough!!
I prefer to use cheap Cava for this, currently I'm using Pere Ventura, which at $15 isn't too much a splurge, and is good enough to drink all by itself.

I warn you, once you start, it's hard to stop, although the Tannat clocks in at 17% abv, so it won't take much. I was totally drunk at 2:30 on Tuesday afternoon!!

It's THE DEVIL!!!

My New(est) Addiction

One of the best things about working in a wine shop is bringing home a bottle of wine that you've had on the shelf for months that hasn't been selling, and going, "Holy Crap!! This rocks my socks!!!"

...And then subsequently selling the rest of the case to a customer who is as much of a cork dork as you.... and then realizing this means you won't have any for yourself...

Ever heard of a white Merlot? Me neither. It's made from 100% Merlot grapes, from (wait for it) an Italian speaking part of Switzerland, called Ticino!!

Everything about this wine is just so "out there" it's awesome!! It's made by Delea, and is called Chiar di Luna. I know everyone has heard about or read about "that study they did" where "they" served a panel of wine judges the same wine twice, once as a white wine, and the second time with red food coloring added, and got a different tasting note for the white and the "red"... If you haven't, you just did, congrats. ;)
Anyway, I think I've fallen into that trap, because my nose and mouth tell me I'm smelling/tasting white peaches, citrus, a hint of green apple, *some* strawberry, and if you pay attention to what TOLR (The Original Lab Rat) says, something "salty". But take that with a grain of salt, b/c all white wines either taste salty or like Cheerios to him. ;)

But again, I think that's one of the reasons I like this wine, my brain *knows* I'm tasting a red grape, so I'm expecting all the traditional Merlot aromas and flavors like currants, plum, etc... but my nose tells me something completely different...

Like I said, it's so weird and dorky and just plain GOOD that all I can really say is, "Hello Addiction" !!