Big Fat Wine

Yet another cool evening here in the Pacific Northwest. I almost reached for the thermostat to turn the heat up. I think a wine review is a better choice…

2007 ”CSM” Red 

I have to come right out and give this a ”VOLUPTUOUS” Score from Big Fat Wine. An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. Terrific! From the label (yes I said label) to the deep jam colors and aromatic red fruits mixed with brown sugar, this bottle presents itself romantically well! Where it’s from: (winemaker notes) “100% of the fruit was sourced from the Wahluke Slope, a warm region known for ripe, jammy reds. The most northern Ste. Michelle growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River. The region’s warm days cause the grapes to assert sweet citrus and tropical characteristics, while the cool nights promote good structure, balance and flavor intensity”. Our wine reviews began with a white wine! I have been reminding myself that for about 2 weeks. So now I leap forward to one of our favorite places, Chateau Ste. Michelle. This wine was part of our membership wines and we couldn’t wait any longer to pour some at home.  Blend: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Syrah, 7% Malbec. It has some of my favorite qualities; It is a “heavy” red blend, balanced but pronounced tannins, and the ”sparky” berries stay with you long afterwards. It is late at night so firing up the grill is probably not going to happen. This is one for the beef slab. The huge chunk of london broil that Jona tosses onto the rack and sears on both sides, slices up and tosses it on your plate before it even knows it was out of the package. This wine is however, beautiful by itself. Color depth is deep and a purple garnet hue. The nose is definitely tobacco / leather /blackberry /  fig.  It is grapey, thick and lasting. Perfect for these cool Washington “summers”. C’mon summer. Get with it! Red’s will dominate our tasting reviews because that is what we prefer. I guess what that also means is that when a white is spoken highly of, it is worth the leap.
 

[JBC]5July2010 / BFW

Six tastes later and I do believe we discovered a brand new hangout and it’s only ten minutes away from home. The Auburn Wine and Caviar Company is truly a place worth spending some time. We had planned on going last night but our plans were deterred. It was a special Robert Mondavi tasting and celebrating the Mondavi’s 100 year anniversary. Thankfully, they had some left for us to enjoy.

I did some reading up on caviar before we left. The only caviar I have experienced was on a business flight to Sweden a few years ago and at the time I found it very inviting. If you have a “texture” plate, it’s definitely a treat. Expecting to sit down and learn about wine and caviar pairings, I asked our server, Linda, a few questions and found that guests merely order the caviar from their shop. I think I have a lot to learn before I order up a few ounces. I am looking forward to it though. It’s one of those decadent foods that seems to bring mystery and intrigue to life.

Linda was very helpful and friendly and when we found out Auburn Wine and Caviar is a popular hang out for her as well, it even had more of a draw for us. Their website says they have daily tastings from 4pm – 7pm and live music Friday’s and Sunday’s. If we don’t make it this Sunday (Father’s Day) we will definitely be back! By the way, we met a nice couple that hopefully we run into again. Jona talked to them at length (imagine that) and they seemed to enjoy wine and life.

The Auburn Wine and Caviar Company carries an extensive collection of both domestic and international wines and champagnes, as well as some really interesting beers. The wine we especially enjoyed tonight was Olympic Cellars “My Sweet Syrah” 2008.  A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Riesling, and four-percent residual sugar, it packed a surprise with its mild sweet berries and cream flavors with a touch of pepper. We brought a bottle home and it’s surely one for a special occasion.  This might be a good wine for those who don’t normally drink red wine.   I can think of a few friends who would love this one.  We’ll be back!

As Always,

Love, Laugh, Learn… LIVE!

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“Red red wine I love you right from the start
Right from the start with all of my heart” <UB40>

I am an enthusiastic oenophile, drinking what I want with whatever I want.  Red wine with steak, red wine with fish, red wine with chicken alfredo and (OMG) red wine with crab!

I know what the snobs are saying….that’s just not playing by the rules.  But rules are made to be broken! It isn’t that I don’t enjoy a good riesling on a blistering summer day, but red is where it’s at! If that means I am ousted from the snob club, C’est la vie.

I did find solace after reading a few months ago that a great many Bordeauxans… Bordeauxvians… Bordeauxites drink red bordeaux with almost every meal, regardless of the “rules”.  Many people in predominantly white wine regions in Germany, in turn, drink mostly white wine with most meals, guiltless and even in public!  Google “Wine and Food Pairing” and you will receive about 151,000 results.  The “rules” are everywhere, yet taste is subjective.  Opinions are like cellphones, everyone has one!  I will always be on the side of the reds no matter how offensive some may perceive it to be.

That being said, examining the multitudes of unique flavors wine encompasses, is fascinating! Experimenting with food and wine is both exciting and often sensual.  In the next few months, we will be periodically speaking to wine and food pairings as an adventure in the world of wine.  I hope you find it alot less complicated than it appears.  It’s actually quite simple and logical.  It’s a bit more than “red with beef” and “white with fish”, but hopefully, you will find our presentations informative, uniquely provocative, and above all, fun.

In the meantime, enjoy your wine of choice and we look forward to sharing our wine life with yours.