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: 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!