Great Gift Idea for Wine Lover, Friend or Foe

This was a fun find I wanted to share, especially with the recent fly-by of Halloween which begins our rapid decent into Thanksgiving, landing us right into Christmas.  If the impending season has caught you off-gaurd, finding fun gifts like this, early, might be a good idea.

Firebox.com has a product called "Don't Break the Bottle" wine puzzle.  For puzzle and wine lovers alike, this mind-bender of sorts is attached to a wine bottle and in order to open and pour your wine, one must solve the puzzle!  I see this as a fun conversation starter at parties or a hostess gift for wine loving friends.  Be careful, friend could turn foe if unable to crack the lock; this puzzle apparently looks easy but is not.  Not recommended for serious winos,  good sense of humor required :)

You can find this gift idea here!

Has anyone ever tried one of these or something similar?  I would love to know what you think!

Cheers!

Friday TRYday: Lazy Bones Cabernet Franc 2009

In the words of Jimmy Fallon as the nasally disc jockey Dirty Dan on Saturday Night Live, "And We're BACK!"

Yes, it has been a while since my last post.  I took a short hiatus to focus on finding a job and lucky for you, after a valiant effort, I remain unemployed :)  If anyone has any suggestions about job hunting for an up-beat, can-do, creative, global studies major... let me know!  because I haven't just struck out...at this point, I have been benched.  On a positive note, I get to come back to what makes me smile, BWA and the people who read it. So, do you know what day it is?  That's right folks! It's Friday TRYday!

Today's Pick

  Winery: Lazy Bones

Type: Cabernet Franc

Year: 2009

Origin: Paso Robles, California

Bottle Description:

 "When the day is at my pace, I can relish small pleasures like ripe cherries, spiced blackberries, aroma of sweet wood and fresh herbs."

Thoughts from the Palate:
 BWA: Regardless of the super-cool graphic on the bottle, which is why I bought this wine in the first place , this is an all around yummy wine that makes you want to just sprawl out naked on a magic carpet in the hills and chill (this woman is now my idol).  The wine itself is a beautiful rich color that is at first simple on the palette then builds mildly in the back of the throat.  It manages to be both bitter and spicy at the same time, which makes for an overall balanced flavor.  I would pair it with a day of solo painting or a cool fall pic-nick with bf or some friends.

For $6.99, this Trader Joe's find is worth a try!

Cheers! and Happy Friday!

Friday TRYday: Palo Alto Reserve

In lieu of being with my family in Texas this Friday I have enlisted a few extra troops to try two types of wine from the Palo Alto vineyard in Chile.  I grew up in the bay area, more specificaly in Palo Alto, Ca., a far reach from Chile,  however props to mom for picking this up for us to try.

My big bro, my mom, bf, and myself have tried both types of wine and have given our opinions below.

TODAY's PICKS 

Winery: Palo Alto

Type: A blend - Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah  

Year: 2009

Origin: D.O. Maule Valley, Chile

Bottle Description:

 Our wine is a unique blend of rich Cabernet Sauvignon, peppery Syrah, and sensuous Camenere, Chile's Signature grape Variety.  The ripe berry flavours and elegant  oak of Palo Alto create a complex yet balanced wine which is deep red in colour and rich in aroma and character.

Thoughts from the Palate:

M: It grew on me.It started out a little harsh and almost acidic, but the more I let it breath the better it tasted.

 BF: It resembled a restaurant's house wine.  It was nothing special, but I would drink it and not have any complaints.

BB: Red is good.

BWA:  At first sip, I thought it was way too harsh.  Very full bodied.  The bottle recommends letting it breath for 15 mins. but I would wait longer if possible.  It did calm down on the palate after a few sips but this blend was not my favorite.  Two thumbs down from me.

Winery: Palo Alto

Type: Sauvignon Blanc

Year: 2008

Origin: D.O. Maule Valley, Chile

Bottle Description:

Our Sauvignon Blanc vineyards catch the cool sea breezes off the Pacific Ocean, resulting in this crisp fresh white wine.  Mouthwatering flavors of gooseberry and grapefruit mingle with mineral, herbal notes.

Thoughts from the Palate:

M: Too simple.  Not very full layers of flavor.  I would not recommend.

BF: There is some taste in it that is overwhelming, not in a good way.  I'm also not a fan of whites, especially this one...too sweet for me.

BB: White is bad.

BWA:  By looking at this wine you can tell it is going to be weak.  It is extremely light in color and has a slight green- yellow hue.  As you start to drink you breathe in a what seems like a nutty fragrance.  It feels weak on the palate and the after taste is not very pleasing.  I would not buy again.  

This wine was purchased from H.E.B grocery in Texas for around $4.99 a bottle.

Cheers! and Happy Friday!

Feeling Crafty? CORK IT!

I try to reuse as much as I can and re-purpose everyday items into cool crafty projects. 

With all of this wine I have been sampling I've acquired a nice little collection of wine corks. Even bfm has started saving her wine corks for my new venture.
My glass bowl of corks looks interesting, but seeing as it has been steadily growing I have begun looking for ideas for what to do with them.  I have seen them cut in half with an opening made on the top and used as place-card holders at a wedding, but with no major event like that on the horizon, I am looking for something else to do.

Makezine.com had a super cute idea on their blog that is definitely share worthy.

 
It is a wine cork trivet!  This is not only adorable and useful,  but made entirely out of a product that would have otherwise ended up in the trash. 

What other projects have you tried or are thinking about trying with corks?  I'd love to hear!
Cheers!

Friday TRYday - La Finca 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Every Friday myself, and who ever else would like to join me, will be trying a new wine...and sharing the experience with you!

TODAY's PICK

Winery: La Finca

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon-Red

Year: 2009

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina

Bottle Description:

 Deep red colors with sweet pepper aromas.  Its luscious berry fruit on the middle palate and its wonderful soft texture and finish is inviting.  This is a wine to enjoy with beef, lamb dishes, and mature cheeses.

Thoughts from the Palate: 

This is a goooood glass of wine.  It almost shocked me at first how smooth and unabrassive it was when it first hit my lips, almost like it wasnt there.  As you sip and then slowly swallow the wine, the flavor begins to build subtly on the back of your tounge. It felt light, not very sugary, and I would almost describe it as thin-bodied, like it snuck up and surprised you with it goodness.  Easy to drink.  Fun to share.  I would reccomend.

Would you be shocked if I told you I picked up this bottle of La Finca Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 at Trader Joe's for only $3.99?  After I tasted it, I was!  Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself here!

Check back every Friday to see what we try next!

Cheers! and Happy Friday!