Napa Vacation Planning & Wine Friday: Meritage

Happy Good Friday! I have today off. Yipeeeeee! I am doing exciting things such as laundry and cleaning. I plan to treat myself to a manicure this afternoon :)

Perhaps what I am most excited about is that I just booked our trip to NAPA! We are headed to wine country in early June with another couple and I am just beside myself with excitement. I have been researching, pinning and dreaming of all the wonderful things we'll do. I know some of you out there have been or live in the area, so I'm all about getting great advice from others! Here are a few things I've got on our list:

We're staying at the Embassy Suites Napa Valley. Embassy is my main client at work, and I love this brand, so of course we'll be staying there! They've just had a renovation, so it will be even better. Plus, free cooked to order breakfast and nightly cocktails don't hurt, either!

There are lots of vineyards on our list, and we plan to do a little bit more research before making our tasting appointments, but here are a few I've heard great things about:

Miner Family Wines

Swanson Vineyards

 Merryvale Vineyards

Cakebread Cellars

Domaine Chandon

 The food is going to fabulous!! There are tons of great restaurants, and lots of great grocery stores and markets. We plan to do a nice dinner at a 'fancier' place and then more casual the rest of the time.

 I really want to eat at Celadon!

Perhaps lunch at Mustards

Maybe we'll assemble a picnic lunch for ourselves at the Oakville Grocery

Morimoto has a place in Napa. That would definitely be good!

My dream list goes on and on, but I'd love to hear from anyone that's been if there is a "must-do" that should be added to our list!

Speaking of wine, here is a great Meritage I've been enjoying recently. I usually only buy one bottle of any kind of wine, but this is one I like to keep several of in stock.

Lock and Key North Coast Meritage

Year: 2009

Origin: California

Average Price: $10

About the wine: Lock and Key is a true Meritage blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Spicy and supple, this North Coast red is an amazing value. Grapes are sourced from some of the best vineyards in Sonoma and Lake counties, the grapes are vinified separately, cold -soaked for rich extraction and French oak aged. You're going to love this ripe red that tastes like it should cost double. 

Happy Easter Weekend! :)

Wine Friday: Pinot Noir

Happy Friday!! This was a short week for me so the weekend came sooner than it usually does. I could get used to that! I'm excited to do my second Wine Friday of 2013. 2/4 Friday's isn't so bad! I'm makin' a come back...

Today, I'm featuring my FIRST Pinot Noir of my Wine Friday series. Why? Because I've only met a few Pinot Noirs I ever liked. I'm more a full-bodied fan. But, this one is a gem. It recently converted me from a pinot-hater, to an ok-I-could-get-used-to-pinots person.

The Crusher Pinot Noir

Year: 2010 or 2011

Origin: California

Average Price: $13

About the wine: It's got a little bit of a cranberry, plum thing going on that made me a happy girl. This is a great red when you're looking for something a little lighter. I'll definitely be buying this one again the closer we get to summer. The winery where this comes from also produces other favorites of mine such as Pepperwood Grove, Smoking Loon, The Other Guys, Moobuzz and many more I've featured on this blog.

Keith and I are planning a trip to Napa/Sonoma this year and this place may have to be on my list!

Happy weekend :)

Wine Friday & Sangria Recipe!

Wine Fridays are back! It's only been 4 months since I've posted one of these. But, it's not for a lack of wine consumption. Trust me! Our recycling bin is embarrassing. The good news is, I've got lots of good bottles of wine stored up on my list to share with you. One of my many 2013 resolutions is to return to ye ole blog and do a better job of keeping it updated. So, today, I've got a Wine Friday feature and a Sangria recipe. This is what we call in the South a twofer. Two fer one. Get excited.

Y'all know I'm a big fan of Food Network. So, when they recently started advertising their Entwine brand of wine, I became intrigued. But, I buy wine by the mixed case so I don't shop for it regularly. A case will last me a while since Keith doesn't usually partake with me! My favorite locally-owned wine shop in Downtown Memphis doesn't sell Entwine. But, on a recent quick trip to Walgreens, I spotted the brand and had to give it a try. Yes, my Walgreens has a full liquor store in it. I don't think that's a common thing, but I'm not complaining! Nothing like picking up your medical prescriptions and a bottle of liquid therapy. Hah!

Anyway, this bottle of Pinot Grigio impressed me and my fam so much that we went back for two more bottles the next day! And, we were not out of white wine. We just had to have more of this particular one! I would really encourage you to check this one out. Now I can't wait to try the other Entwine varietals.

Entwine Pinot Grigio

Year: 2010

Origin: California

Average Price: $12.99 (totes affordable)

About the wine: The website for this wine describes it as crisp, refreshing and citrusy, like a green apple drizzled with lime juice and honey. I couldn't have said it better myself! We paired this with a cheese board and pears the first night, and enjoyed it with this honey gingered salmon with jasmine rice and steamed broccoli the next night. YUM!! This would go well with any Asian or Mexican dishes, as well as white fish. Oh, and it's won a bunch of awards, but hopefully I've bragged on it enough for you.


....You could also try the wine in this tasty Sangria recipe! I made this for Christmas Eve and it was so super simple, really pretty and tasty, too.

Winter Sangria

click here for printer-friendly version

Ingredients:

2 bottles of crisp white wine

1 bottle of sparkling apple cider

1 orange, sliced

1 red apple, sliced

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 handful of fresh mint leaves

Combine all ingredients together. If possible, allow to chill for 1 hour for flavors to blend.


Happy New Year & Happy Friday! Let me know if you try either of these.

Wine Friday: Malbec

Happy Friday! Don't you love a short week? I love how fast it goes by! It's been oh so long since I've done a Wine Friday post, but no worries, my wine consumption has not wavered....

On Sunday, we enjoyed this delicious Malbec with friends. Ashley and I agreed it was super tasty. We were sad when the bottle was gone so fast! I loved the smooth taste, and the design on the cork was also super cute. Yes, that's silly, but I noticed.

 

Bodega Elena de Mendoza, Malbec

Year: 2010

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina

Average Price: $8-9 and I love that price!

About the wine: This Malbec has received high-ratings and many awards and I can see why. It's got such a nice finish and would pair well with so many things. Try a grilled meat, pasta dish or even a spicy chili. I might even like this with a nice bbq burger. Another fun fact? It's from a female winemaker. Bonus points for that!


Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

 

Wine Friday: Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday! I hope you've had a wonderful week! I'm off work today, which makes me a happy girl. At my office, we have a new summer hours program so that every other week you can be off on Friday if you put in 40 hours Monday-Thursday and if you are able to break away from your to-do list. I don't have any problem getting 40 hours in 4 days, in fact it's usually more, so this is a nice way to be rewarded for that!

I'm also excited today because my blogger friend, Sheri, has featured me today on her blog!! She has a new Foodie Friday series of posts and she interviewed me to be her first one - I can't believe it :) How flattering! Please click here to check out her post, and explore her great blog, too!

 

Before I get into Wine Friday...and because I have been so behind on posting, I thought I'd share a few of my instagram images from the last week so you can see what I've been up to!

Last weekend, I added a new painting to the kitchen. This is by a local artist and I think it's perfectly funky and colorful for us! Her name is Susan Hood and her art is sold in various shops around the Memphis area.

I exercised my creativity on Monday at an all-day meeting/brainstorming session. The tables were filled with toys, candy and random art supplies. I made excellent use of the pipe cleaners!

We've been having caprese-something almost every night this week. Tomatoes are at their peak right now and my herb garden is full of basil. Keith is also addicted to this flavor combo, so we just don't get sick of it!

This is a product that I recently found at my grocery store and I LOVE it! I have bought 3 bottles since I discovered it. In case my store decides to pull it off the shelves, I don't want to run out!

Alright, now it's time for some VINO!

This week, I'm featuring a wine that I tried about a month ago. As you can see from my photo below, it had been a long, long day. I like to write dates and notes on my corks - it makes my bowls full of them a little bit more fun. Anyway, this is a yummy Cabernet and I've since bought a few more bottles to keep in my stash.

Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon

Year: 2009

Origin: Washington State

Average Price: $10-11

About the wine: This wine received 90 points from Wine Spectator, and I would agree with that ranking. They also classified it as one of the 100 Outstanding Values for 2011. For a reasonable price, this is an excellent cab. Costco sells for $8, so stock up!

And, please say a pray for the families of those killed in Colorado at the movie theater shooting. I can't even comprehend why these terrible things happen, or what it must have been like to be there.

Have a nice weekend!

Wine Friday: Hey Mambo

Happy Friday!! Wheeew, this is long overdue. My week has been NUHHH-TEEEE: working late, Keith traveling every day, random dinners in front of our DVR'd shows, dishes piled in the sink, personal to-do lists totally forgotten, blog posts never made,  one completely sleepless night and some rainy days. Needless to say, this is one weekend I am READY for....

And this bottle of wine is one I was ready for tonight..

Welcome to Wine Friday! It's been fuh-evv-uhh since I've posted anything of the sort in a while! Have you been able to continue making wine selections without me? :) What have you found? Do tell.

Here's a little charmer I enjoyed tonight. Although just about any variety would have sufficed, I liked the sass of this one. It fit my mood. I zoned out for a minute and read the back of the label on the bottle and then agreed that this was perfect for the night. SASSY, SULTRY, BLENDED.

Hey Mambo, Bistro Style Wine, Sultry Red

Year: 2010

Origin: California

Average Price: $8-10

About the wine: Feisty and creative, 'The Other Guys' wine company has dished out a few wines that I've really loved - and, this is one of them. This is a blend of a number of big red varietals from the places that they grow best: Syrah, Petite Syrah, Grenache, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot. Their website says: this blend would pair wonderfully with a rack of slowly braised ribs dripping in molasses based BBQ sauce. Sausage lasagna would also be a good pairing. You could also serve this wine with a dessert course of dark chocolate (the 60-70% Cacao stuff). This is a very versatile wine.

I would agree, 'TOG'. This is a new favorite!! I also love your creative cork :)

Happy Friday!

Wine Friday: Kumbaya Red Table Wine

Is it finally Friday? Where have I been all week? I sure haven't been making blog posts! It's crazy how time gets away from me. We are in the final countdown to Keith's graduation, we seemingly have things planned every night and weekend, and life is just busy good!

My dear friend Jessica came over tonight for wine and cooking. It was delightful, much-needed girlfriend time. I picked the recipes, and she picked the wine. Needless to say, we both picked well!

So, welcome to Wine Friday! I know I've slacked the last couple of weeks. I've been trying to reduce my weeknight glasses of wine. If I'm hitting the gym, I figured I needed to cut back. No need to defeat the purpose of an exercise! At least for now...  

As a result of my decreased intake, my list of new wines has been a little stagnate. But, not anymore! Jess brought this little gem over this evening and we loved it.

Kumbaya Red Table Wine

Year: It doesn't say, and I don't really care!

Origin: California

Average Price: $8-10

About the wine: I LOVE the name of this wine - Kumbaya - how fun! Doesn't it make you think of this?

...except the children would not be partaking, of course.

This is a really lovey wine blend that would pair nicely with just about anything. It's robust, without packing a punch, and just made me overall quite happy. I'm sure the company of a great friend helped out with that, too.

Either way, buy a bottle of Kumbaya and bring a little harmony to your life, no campfire required :)

Have a great weekend!

 

Wine Friday: Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon

TGIF! Happy Friday, friends! This has been a busy week for our social calendar, and the weekend will not be slowing down! Whatever your plans are, maybe you can find time to relax with a bottle of vino. We have two showers and a wedding this weekend, so I'm sure many cheers will be in order.

 

Here are a few phone pics from our week:

This was the view on my drive home one evening. Gorgeous!

The view from the Madison Hotel rooftop - a lovely place to see the Might Mississippi River!

The patio at Alfred's on Beale Street last night. The weather was great and there were lots of happy Memphis Grizzlies fans after the big win!

So, where ever the weekend takes you, here's a great bottle of wine that I occasionally keep stocked in my wine barrel.

 

Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo - Cabernet Sauvignon

Year: 2010

Origin: Chili

Average Price: $10

About the wine: Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon is named The Finest Value Cabernet on the planet, by the renowned wine critic Matthew Jukes, in the British newspaper Daily Mail. So, you know this will be good. It's also the most famous Chilean wine in the world. Pair with red meats, spicy dishes and ripe cheeses such as Gruyere or blue cheese.

A fun fact about this wine for you: Don Melchor, found of Concha y Toro Winery, created the wine legend when, to keep strangers away from his private reserve he spread the rumor that the devil lived in the cellar. Hence the name, Casillero del Diablo, or House of the Devil.

 

They have a pretty awesome website, check it out for pairing recipes!

Happy Weekend!

 

Wine Friday: Syrah 2008

Happy Friday! I've missed the last few Wine Fridays for various reasons and I've definitely missed doing it! Things have been so busy - we've traveled 3 weekends in a row and I'm delighted to not be packing a bag right now! The weather has been absolutely wonderful and our patio is currently our favorite spot in the house. 

And patios are a perfect place for wine...

 

On Wednesday night, Keith's mother came over for dinner since his Dad was out of town for work. We enjoyed a nice evening on the patio, and grilled this dessert afterwards! Yum.

And while on the patio, we enjoyed some delicious syrah...

Anne: Thanks for my orange napkins - I love using them 'cuz they match my patio candle! :)

Here's the wine, and it was really tasty:

Magnificent Wine Company - Syrah

Year: 2008

Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington

Average Price: $16-19

About the wine: I love the simple black and white labels that are iconic of this winemakers' line. I have loved all of the ones I've tried. This syrah was great, a little on the lighter side, with hints of blueberry. YUM!

Have a great weekend - cheers!

Wine Friday: Massimo Sauvignon Blanc

Happy Friday! I hope you've had a wonderful week! The weather is getting much warmer around here, and with wedges and flip flops taking a priority in my closet, so does white wine in our fridge....so, welcome to wine friday!

I recently stocked up on a case of mixed wines at my favorite place in Memphis - Pyramid Wines & Liquors. The gal in there knows her wine and she lets you sample anything you like. She samples right along with you, so I'm not sure how she stays awake through a full day and night of sampling! But nonetheless, I always trust her recommendations. Below is a good one that I enjoyed this week:

Massimo Sauvignon Blanc

Year: 2011

Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand

Average Price: $11

About the wine:  I'm normally not able to make note of what specific flavors I get from wine - I just either like it or don't, but with this one, I could pick up on a few strong things: grapefruit, lemon, and some bright acidity. It was also recently award Silver at the San Antonio Wine Festival. I loved it and will be trying again!

Have a great weekend!

Wine Friday: Tarot Grenache

Hello there. Happy weekend!

I hope the weather is nice and sunny where you are. Spring has sprung around here and it's refreshing! Except for the pollen, of course :)

Welcome to Wine Friday! I'm sorry I missed it last week. But, last Thursday night I was halfway between Memphis and Dallas trying to scrub off parts of a bad spray tan, falling asleep over my laptop while catching up on work, and dreaming of the girls weekend I had before me. This week? Pshhh - totally different. The signs of the spray tan linger on my feet and I'm falling asleep on the couch at 9:45. I know... you're jealous! 

Seriously though, I took some time this week to slow down and enjoy dinners at home with Keith, a couple of glasses of wine with DVR'd shows, and flipping through some new magazines. Tonight, I poured a bottle of this wine, and I literally picked it out from my collection because it coordinated with my nail polish. It's the simple things!

Tarot Grenache

Year: 2008

Origin: McLaren Vale, Australia

Average Price: $12

About the wine:  This was my first Grenache to purchase. I tasted it at a local wine shop and loved it. The bottle label is interesting, too. The website for the winemakers is totally weird, but who cares? The wine is good. It's a bit sassy, which is just what I needed.

Have a great weekend!

Wine Friday: Pennywise Petite Sirah

Where has the time gone? I say this nearly every Thursday evening as I try to write this Wine Friday post. 2012 is proving to be just as busy as 2011. I have a suspicion this trend will only continue! Heck, we don't even have pets or kids yet! I have so many things I'd like to blog throughout the week, but time gets away from me....

This week, Keith has been in Jackson, Tennessee for a clinical rotation. I have been the last person to leave the office almost every night this week. I get home and numb my mind in front of the TV for a bit and then re-boot the computer for some more work or blog reading, and each night I've enjoyed a glass of wine amidst the insanity. It's the simple things, like pouring a glass of yummy vino, or snacking on a delicious ripe pear, talking to my hubby, or reading my trashy US Weekly celebrity gossip magazine that get me through the week. But, last night, I watched this video. And, felt guilty. How easy it is to forget how fortunate we are and minimal our troubles seem when compared to this. I encourage you to check it out! Sidebar: I know this video has stirred controversy, but the point is (no matter what is true about the organization), there are things going on in the world that we shouldn't ignore.

A pep in my step tonight is the thought of seeing my sister this weekend! Y'all, this only happens about once a year, so I'm EXCITED! I have a feeling we'll be sharing memories over wine at one point, so without further adieu, here is Wine Friday:

This week's feature is a brand that I've tried several times and quite enjoyed. My dear, sweet, she's-really-made-of-sugar mother-in-law is named Penny. So, I always think of her when I purchase Pennywise.

Pennywise Petite Sirah

Year: 2009

Origin: California

Average Price: $12

About the wine:  I LOVE THIS WINE. I don't have to explain it - I just do. Buy it, try it, love it, remember it. That's all you need to know.

Have a great weekend!

Wine Friday: Yard Dog Petit Verdot

TGIF, friends! Another busy week down, and spring is on the horizon! The weather here in Memphis is unseasonably warm and everyone is in the mood for a patio! Maybe the groundhog was wrong.

This week is a busy one - the ad agency I work for is moving offices. All of the boxes are packed and today (Friday) is the big move. We're moving from an old stand-alone building to the 6th floor of a nice office in the middle of downtown. I'm excited for the new energy it will bring to the group and for all of the delicious restaurants within walking distance! It will be strange to leave the old stomping grounds behind. Fun fact: Our old office, just down the street from Sun Studio, used to be a bank. Rumor has it that Elvis got a loan for his first car there!

On to the vino.

This week, I opened a bottle of delicious stress relief...with a very odd label. This is not one I would have been inclined to buy, but the lovely lady at Pyramid Liquors in downtown Memphis was offering samples this weekend, and I really liked it. For all of you Memphians, I love to shop at Buster's because of the huge selection, but I really like the gal at Pyramid. She knows her stuff, and the discount is better per case. Don't worry, Mom, I don't buy a lot of cases of wine :)

Yard Dog

Year: 2009

Origin: Australia

Average Price: $12

About the wine: This is a delicious red blend of 60% petit verdot, 20% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot. Wine spectator gave it 85 points. I agree, it rocks. I love the quote on the back of the bottle:

"Yard Dog, every street has one. Yipping and howling all day and all night. The once beloved family pet that has gone feral, a canine prisoner condemned to the confines of the back yard. Such is the fate of these varieties in Australia. Once the royalty of vitis vinefero, now neglected. Once adorned by winemakers now overlooked, left outside the back porch of the winery. Here it becomes dark, brooding and masculine losing its polished and pampered look. Beware of the Yard Dog."

Check out a bottle of this sassy vino and have a wonderful weekend!

Valentine's Day and Wine Friday: House Wine Red

Happy Friday to my friends! I am quite glad this week is over. It has been a busy and bittersweet one. Valentine's Day was sweet with my hubby, but yesterday and today - not so much. I am currently blogging from the D.C. area. I am here with some coworkers for a client's funeral and will be flying back this evening. He was a great man that we cared a lot about. We weren't just business partners, we were friends. This is a tough loss for all of us, but mostly for his sweet wife and daughter. I'll be keeping them in my prayers for the next few months. Very bittersweet.

The fittingly dreary view from my cab yesterday, yet still so beautiful

So, before I get to the wine (which I have enjoyed a glass of nightly this particular week) I wanted to share some pics from our Valentines' Day. I haven't been so great at sharing memories, just lots of food. Forgive the somewhat random nature of this montage!

We had a party at work on Tuesday morning for V-day. We reverted back to elementary school days and all decorated a white paper sack and brought treats and notes to share with each other. The creativity put into the bags just amazed me! Here are the pics:

I made tons of cookies at home the night before...from scratch and they are delicious. I make these constantly. Too much, in fact!

Me, in my red ruffles coat for the day of love! Oh yes, and the heater at our office has been broken, making it a chilly 50 degrees. I chose my coat first for my outfits this week. Needless to say, I now know how to type in gloves. Luckily, we're moving to a new office soon anyway, so we're all excited about that.

My sack - nothing really creative, but fun to decorate. I had a bunch of rubber stamps in different fonts and had several ink colors. So, while watching the Bachelor, I stamped all sorts of Valentine words. I'm not sure what gave me more entertainment...

My favorite bag by my friend, Eric. So darn clever!

Cute and funny!

Like love, Facebook style

Kate, my sassy friend, also made a very clever bag. She ended up with lots more treats. Smart girl.

At lunchtime, Keith showed up with to-go food for this busy worker and surprise roses! Love that guy.

That night, he made a delicious dinner of shrimp and grits. I gave him a stack of 100 simple cards, each with something I loved about him or us. It was so fun watching him read them! Otherwise, no gifts were shared and I like it that way! We relaxed, enjoyed our meal and then caught up on 4 shows in our DVR. Simple, but cozy. Just what we needed.

Now, for the VINO...

 

This is the bottle of wine that I had with my Valentine dinner at home. It was yummy and perfectly fit the occasion! Plus, I love the simplicity of the label.

HOUSE Wine, Red

Year: 2009

Origin: Washington

Average Price: $12

About the wine: It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 54%, Merlot 30%, Syrah 11%, Malbec 3%, and Cabernet Franc 2%. It received a rating of 88 Points and best value from Wine Spectator. The vineyard recommends pairing this with lasagna, pizza, grilled salmon, roasted root vegetables. I say pair it with whatever you want and keep an extra bottle on hand.

Add this to your list of wines to try. And have a wonderful weekend!