Winos Anonymous

My buddy Mike kept talking up this super affordable, super yummy red table wine called “Redart” from Urbanite Cellars and I finally got around to trying it… and I’m OBSESSED. I can’t believe this wine only costs $9.99- it’s a smooth and complex blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, and 20% Zinfandel from a variety of vineyards in California. The result is an easy-drinking, velvety table wine that goes well with just about anything (especially Pizza- and yes, that’s exactly what I paired it with.) Pick up a bottle (or 4) for a cheap but absolutely delish go-to wine.

Confession: Last week I was on my way home from a long day at work, about to pay rent, and needing just ONE glass of wine to take the edge off before I passed out to sleepland. Since I knew I shouldn’t spend more than 10 bucks on an “it’s-that-kind-of-a-night” bottle, I stopped off at my good friend Trader Joe’s and did something I NEVER do- I bought a bottle of wine for under $5. And you know what? I didn’t HATE it. It was light bodied, fruit forward, a little jammy with notes of blueberry, dark cherry, and a little pepper. It was a little sweeter than I like but hey, for $4.99 it did the trick and if I didn’t know how much it cost I never would have guessed it. NOTE- DON’T buy this wine thinking you’re going to get your mind blown- it’s not gonna happen… but for $4.99 it definitely didn’t suck, guys. Cheers!

I just got back from a wonderful $12 tasting at Elvino, which has become a weekend tradition for me. Today was “A Taste of Healdsburg,” featuring 3 wines from Sonoma.

The first wine was the 2008 Longboard Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc:

It’s bright and crisp, with notes of melon, peach, and citrus with a nice minerality and acidity. Claire, who led my tasting today, described the wine as a cross between a Sancerre and a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It doesn’t have quite the punch as my beloved New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, but I liked it a lot more than most California Sauvignon Blancs I’ve tried, which tend to be too “fruity” for my taste. The coolest part about this vineyard is the attitude of the wine-maker, Oded, who says, “Relax, it’s only frickin’ wine…enjoy it with food you like and trust nothing but your own palate.” Words to live by, folks. $18.99 at Elvino… can be found for $17. It’s a solid wine.

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