Wine Wednesday – 2012 Primarius Pinot Noir

Hi there!

It’s that time again!

I picked up a steal of a deal at the Harris Teeter last week.

Half off a $31 bottle of Oregon Pinot?

Didn’t have to twist MY arm.

So, I brought home all the bottles. 🙂

Okay, not really. I brought home one.

I wish I had brought home all the bottles because I also picked up a different bottle of pinot while I was there and that one was pretty disappointing.

It’s a sad, sad day in my world when the wine is disappointing. 😦

But, this 2012 Primarius Pinot Noir was most definitely NOT that!

It was light and delicious and fruity and spicy.

I kid you not when I tell you that one of the first things I smelled was SweeTarts. Remember the giant chewy ones? I used to love those! Even though they made my teeth hurt.

Seriously, those tasting notes weren’t kidding when they said “a hint of candy.” But, don’t fear – it didn’t TASTE like candy – I just smelled it mingled in with the cherries and fruit and oak. YUM!

source

And honestly, I’d happily buy another bottle of this at regular price. If you happen to come across some at bargain basement prices, snap them up. And give me a call. 🙂

Talk to me: What was your favorite candy when you were a kid? Do you still love them or have your tastes changed?

– jennifer

Wine Wednesday – 2010 JV Fleury Crozes Hermitage

Hello, hello!

I recently learned that there was a Total Wine not too far from my house so I decided to check it out this past weekend.

I love the little wine market by my house but I know what they DON’T carry and I wanted to see what I could find at Total Wine.

It was okay. I wasn’t overly impressed with a lot of the selection but I’m a wine snob particular.

I did find a couple of bottles that interested me and I snapped them right up.

One of the cool things about stores like Total Wine and Corridor Wine Market (when we lived in Maryland) is that sometimes, they list the Wine Spectator score and give brief tasting notes.

One of the bottles I found was this Rhone that was rated at 90 points (out of 100).

I thought it was a pretty great deal at $25!

And I love wines from the Rhone region. ❤

The interesting thing about this wine is it is not a blend. It is 100% Syrah.

Now, French Syrah is much, much different than a California Syrah or an Australian Shiraz.

It’s less “punch you in the face fruit” and more subtle, earthy, chewy spiciness.

This syrah had a lovely deep garnet hue and smelled of fruit and plums and earth. Mmmm…… 🙂

The tasting notes indicate ganache and espresso notes but my nose didn’t pick any of that. I guess the espresso was probably in the “earth” smell that I got. Think of how freshly ground coffee smells or maybe how the earth smells after a good rain. It’s clean and damp and … for lack of a better descriptor … earthy.

Wow. I should really brush up on my adjectives. 😉

The tasting notes state “leaves a smoldering feel through the finish” and I would totally agree with that. It was full (of flavor), round (I could taste it in my whole mouth and not just on my tongue, a little chewy (like I really wanted to chew it!), and spicy when I swallowed.

It was pretty heavenly.

Now, don’t get me wrong – I ❤ a good California Syrah and I never turn down a glass of wine from a Barossa Valley Shiraz (Australia) but this wine was something else.

It was complex and elegant and yet simple and very easy to drink.

We paired it with some sirloin steak tips (holy. delicious.) and roasted butternut squash.

I think you definitely want to pair this with red meats and hearty stews. You could do chicken but it should be hearty like Coq au Vin or even this stew (made this quite a few times. WORTH. IT.).

Talk to me: Have you ever tried a wine that surprised you? What’s your favorite recipe you’ve ever made from a Food Network chef?

– jennifer

Holiday gift ideas under $50 for people who love wine :)

Hello, hello!

Are you aware that Christmas is right around the corner?

Like, as in 21 days.

3 weeks.

Yeah.

So, you better get shopping!

1. Wine Cork Picture Frame

2. Individual Mini Decanters

3. Wine Aroma Tasting Set

4. The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert

5. Wineopoly (I have this game and it’s fun!)

6. The Wine Bible

7. Wine Cork Coasters

8. Wine Journal

9. Wine Charms

10. Wine of the Month Club

**Please note that I am not in any way affiliated with any of these stores or products. I just think these are pretty neat. If you buy any of them, I will not be compensated at all. I will only receive the joy of knowing you bought someone what I thought was a cool gift.  I might be a little sad if you didn’t buy it for me. 😉

Talk to me: Are you a last minute shopper or do you pick things up throughout the year? (my mother does that, hides the gifts, and then forgets where she hid them. lol)

– jennifer