The Urge to Splurge

2008 Andrieux et Fils "Cuveé Victoria" Tavel Rosé

I like my house but I can't stand the out dated grayish, brownish, beigeish carpet.  It's just nasty, and even more so now that we have a family pet.  A week ago our puppy, Miss Scarlet, got clobbered by some kind of wicked stomach bug that made her throw-up, and up, and up. You know dogs; they'll eat anything so it was hard to determine the exact cause of her hound hoarking.  Anyway, she managed to be indoors hanging out on the carpet when each and every morsel of puppy puke glided off her tongue. Of course I felt bad for Miss Scarlet, but couldn't stop myself from shaking my finger in her face, asking, "Couldn't you throw-up outside or on the kitchen floor?  Huh? Geeeez!  Mumble, mumble, stupid dog."  Apparently she couldn't and our carpet has gone from just plain nasty to a sort of hideous barf mosaic floor covering.  Oh well.  At least now the big sick stain that Miss Puff laid down this winter won't stand out so much.

After a week of cleaning up after Miss Scarlet and resorting to hooking a bottle of stain remover (is there such a thing?) from my belt, I decided I deserved a treat and something a tad more satisfying than a bag of cheese puffs (again...is there such a thing?).  As I headed across the street to ransack the neighbors lilac bushes, I knew exactly what I wanted to be sipping when I handed over doggie vomit duty to Mr. B -- a Tavel Rosé.  I risked blowing an entire weeks' allowance but honestly, after handing over $50 for doggie drugs at the vet, I felt more than justified in a $16 wine splurge.

Since rosé season isn't yet in full swing, my Tavel -- world class rosé from the southern Rhône -- choices were a little slim.  I had one choice, to be exact, but knew from experience that with rosé of this quality, I had nothing to worry about.  The moment I returned home with my treat, I skipped across the kibble crusted carpet into the kitchen and quickly pulled the cork on a bottle of 2008 Andrieux et Fils "Cuveé Victoria" Tavel.   Within seconds, I was transported to the lavender scented hills of southern France, far away from all stains, spots, and spills.

After my first glass, when I reluctantly came back to reality, I began to think more seriously about the Cuveé Victoria  and wondered: who would this wine be if it were to come to life?  I poured another helping and began to realize how ridiculously happy I was, the same kind of happy I got from watching vintage "I Love Lucy" videos on YouTube.  Hang on a sec while I do a little math.... Tavel=happy, happy=Lucy; therefore, Tavel=Lucy, ta da!

I know I got some 'splainin to do, so here goes:

A Tavel is not your average rosé, just as Lucy is not your average redhead.  A Tavel is full of unexpected pleasure that tickles you pink; Lucy is full of unexpected humor that tickles your funny bone.  A Tavel can turn a sick pooch into a reason to celebrate; and Luuuuucy,  bless her soul, can turn the job of wrapping chocolates into a snorting laugh fest. 

The "Cuveé Victoria" is as much fun to drink as Lucy is to watch.  Just when you think you get the wine, a burst of candied ginger hits your tongue, leaving you with a surprised grin. Just when you think you understand Lucy, she tries to get a job selling Vitameatavegamin, a viscous barf inducing vitamin/meat/vegetable supplement. Much like the Cuveé Victoria, Lucy is a blend of spice, freshness, and irresistable charm.

So here's the plan for my next down-in-the-dumps-grossed-out-by-my-stinky-wall-to-wall- carpet day:  self medicate with a little "I Love Lucy" and huge glass of a Tavel rosé and giggle myself into oblivion.  And if that doesn't work, I'll gorge myself on chocolates, just like Lucy.

xoxox,
VinoMama

She's Crafty and Just My Type

Work Week Wines - #5

During our recent spring break Miss Puff and I took a short road trip to Portland, OR, with my friend, LoJo, and her two kids. I was itching to get out of town, away from the daily routine at home and heading to Portland was the perfect solution. For me it represented time away from having to play with zhu-zhu pets, empty a single dish from the dishwasher, and a couple days of no crafts and no crafty clean-ups. Although I wasn’t completely off the mommy-hook, I was able to leave my wife and Peace Keeping outfit (Krispy Kreme sweatshirt, ripped Nike sweats, and doggie-chewed Jungle Mocs) at home and slip into something less likely to cause Miss Puff extreme mommy embarrassment.


LoJo and I borrowed our hostess’ two kids (because five kids under the age of eight are way more fun than three) and headed off to the Oregon Zoo and OMSI. By 3:30, we were ready to give it a rest but we knew that simply leaving OMSI wouldn’t be that simple. You see, the kiddy-cool science store was strategically located right near the exit and there was no way five kids were going to let us leave without buying something. Miss Puff shopped the shelves very thoughtfully, considered many useless items and finally decided on a book called Spa Lab. I took one look at the spa book and tried to direct her to something, anything, else – all I could see on the pages of the book were the future craft messes I would be cleaning up.

Homemade Berry Lip Balm? Give me a break. Exfoliating Oatmeal Facial Mask? Oh…great.


 Of course I bought her the book and have made both of those things. But luckily for me, I was also doing research for this month’s Work Week Wines which helped tremendously when it came time to pick the crusty, glued on globs of oatmeal out of the bathroom sink après the exfoliating experience. There are some beautiful wines listed so, by all means, go mix yourself a little facial slurry and while you’re waiting for it to work its magic or turn to plaster on the bathroom counter, enjoy a glass (or two) of any of the following:
 

-2009 Château Moulin de Ferrand Bordeaux Rosé, France -- $7.99 @ Community Food Co-op:  Ahhh, my first Rosé of the season and it didn’t let me down. What really tickled my fancy the most was the texture of this Cabernet-Merlot rose blend.  It was so silky that it almost felt oily, coating my tongue completely with long awaited flavors of spring – tangy strawberry rhubarb pie. 

-2007 Rootstock Zinfandel, California -- $6.99 @ Trader Joe’s: I don’t buy many Zinfandels because they tend to be a little pushy.  This one, however, was slightly delicate and didn't step my toes.  Like all Zins it was jammy, but not overly so.  There was also a nice note of cedar on the palate that lingered through the finish -- it reminded me of a rustic cabin in winter.  A GVV for sure at seven bucks.

-2008 Château Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, Washington -- $10.99 @ Fred Meyer: There's absolutely nothing wrong with buying a wine you know to be consistently good, as is the case with this Sauv Blanc.  While some SB fans claim to like a little cat urine in theirs, I am not one of those people (I have nothing against cats, just their eye-watering piss).  This is an ideal white when you're in the mood for something crisp, perky, and citrusy.  This is a VMF and a great go-to wine when you're in a rush.

-2008 Bodegas Luzon Verde, Spain -- $7.99 @ The Market at Fairhaven, $8.99 @ Haggen: OMG, this was fantastic!  First off, this is 100% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) which is cool in and of itself.  Second, the dark cherry flavors are drool-worthy.  And last, the integrated Marjoram accents are spot-on!  I'd happily make Fairy Glitter Gel all day if I had a glass of this in one hand and a magic wand in the other.

-2008 Château Val Joanis Syrah Rosé, Southern France -- $9.99 @ The Market at Fairhaven, $10.99 @ Haggen:  This is the perfect time of year to think pink and find some sweet deals on last year's rosés.  Some people swear that any rosé over a year old is a dud.  Baloney.  Any rosé worth its salt can age for at least two years, unless of course its Alamaden which probably has a "sell by" date printed on the box.  True to form, the Val Joanis is a dry rosé that aims to please simply by being deliciously uncomplicated.

As it turned out, I enjoyed my Oatmeal mask and was positively radiant without all that excess dead skin dragging me down -- even Miss Puff commented on my youthful appearance. However, although it was money well spent, I never would have bought the spa book if it had included more serious "treatments" such as waxing.  I can only imagine how I would look with...

one eyebrow.

xoxox,

VinoMama

Dancing With the Fools

I have found a new foolproof way to make a fool of myself and it doesn't involve wearing a bathing suit OR alcohol.  It's Zumba!  This wasn't an exercise class I was in a big rush to try because of the huge fool factor.  But when I saw a retired grandpa-like fellow decked out in his high-waist jeans and all purpose sweatshirt shaking his booty to the Latin rhythm, I threw caution to the wind, skipped into the class, took my place up by the mirror (gutsy call, I know), and "let the wild rumpus start"  -- acting that foolish has never felt better.  And the best part about Zumba?  The other fools actually clapped for me after each song!  I know it was just a courtesy clap for the whole gang, but I imagined it was just for me and, for a brief disco ball moment, I felt like I was Dancing with the Stars.  Hey, if that lady with all those kids (and that really nifty ex-husband) can do it, so can a VinoMama.  Now, give me those hair extensions, Giorgio.

As you can see, I try not to take myself too seriously.  For starters, I don't get all dolled up before taking Miss Puff to school.  I know I'm giving my fellow Domestic Peace Keepers a bad name by doing this but frankly, why bother.  Secondly, I know I'm no spring pig so I don't torment myself by trying to look younger than my mental age of 36.  Lastly, I'm not above trying a wine just because it's cheap.  Note here that I said try a wine.  If the cheap wine tastes like how a Kmart smells, I won't buy it again.  And you know what?  If I had a higher price standard for wine, I never would have tried the 2008 Juan Benegas Malbec -- for eight bucks, this is a serious wine.

When I first opened the Benegas Malbec, I was a little underwhelmed.  But having spent the day with Miss Puff in the rain at the Zoo, I decided that being underwhelmed was better than no whelm.  I finished a glass, stuffed the cork back in the bottle, and set the bottle aside as my "emergency" wine (not unlike the "emergency" pound(s) of butter I keep in my freezer).  And wouldn't you know, an emergency occurred the very next day so I was forced to revisit the Juan wine and I'm sincerely glad I did. 

As I was taking my time and getting to know the Benegas Malbec a bit better, I was reminded of the first time I met Mr. B.  Much like the wine, I was less than impressed when I met my future husband and, at the time, would have liked a cork to stick in him.  However, like my emergency bottle of wine, I didn't just toss Mr. B aside.  Since he was my neighbor at the time and since he ended up working where I was working, I had no choice but to give him a second chance.

The more time I spent with the Benegas Malbec, the more attractive it became and the same holds true for Mr. B.  Like the Benegas, Mr. B is definitely no-girlie man and he actually looks good in Carhart work pants.  But, like the wine, there's more to Mr. B than his masculinity -- there's style, intelligence, and a good dose of humor.  While the wine can be both bold and chocolaty, it can also be gussied up and sophisticated by offering intriguing hints of cinnamon, pomegranate, and fresh thyme.  Mr. B can also be bold, especially when speaking in a Norwegian accent, recounting the latest mishaps of Sven and Ole.  As for style and sophistication?  Mr. B's got it going on, especially in his designer jeans and ultra-hip shirts from Gary's -- by golly, he would look great at Zumba!  But you know the funny thing about Mr. B and the Juan Benegas Malbec?  They like the fact that you don't know what to think when you first meet them.  In order to see and appreciate just how cool they are, you'll need to invest a little more of your time, but trust me, it's worth it.

After 18 years of marriage, I know it's easy to forget why we ever got together in the first place.  It is for this reason that I'm going to make the 2008 Juan Benegas Malbec my official "emergency" wine -- for those emergency moments when I need to remind myself of just how lucky I am.

xoxox,
VinoMama

Wine in 3-D

I want to be clear about something -- I am not an expert on wine.  As a matter of fact, I am not an expert on anything.  Nothing, nada, zip.  This isn't to say that I'm dumb because much like Robert DeNiro in This Boy's Life, "I know a thing or two about a thing or two."  For instance:  I know when my pancakes don't have enough butter on them; I know real half-n-half from the fat free stuff;  I know that two more minutes on the treadmill is way longer than two more minutes of sleep; and, lastly, I know a 3-D wine when I taste one.


What?  You've never heard of a 3-D wine?  Well it's about time you did so keep reading.


In order for a wine to qualify as 3-D it must be delightful, de-groovy, and a deal.  When I was deeply immersed in my research on wine for Mr. B's big-gig, I unearthed several 3-D wines, all of which were under $8!!! 


I realize the deal aspect of a 3-D wine is  pretty obvious -- it's a wine that has got to be under, say, $10.  For a wine to be delightful is simple:  nothing too oaky and tannic, a little more complexity than just cherry this, cherry that flavors, and no big drop-offs on the finish that leave you hanging.  The final d in a 3-D wine has more to do with your feelings and how groovy you feel for having discovered such a delectable wine at a delicious price.  It's the type of wine purchase that has you making a fist, pulling down at your elbow and saying, "Yesssssss!" 

Can you dig it? Here are a few 3-D wines to get you started:

-2009 MAN Vintners Chenin Blanc, $7.99 (South Africa):  I sometimes forget how much I like Chenin Blanc so I was feeling pretty de-groovy when I spied this one at my local food co-op.  I knew I was taking a chance on pouring a non-Chardonnay at a social event (I'll get back to the Chardonnay in a minute), but I needed something white that would pair well with Phad Thai Salad and this dry Chenin was just the ticket.  The nose on the MAN Chenin was citrusy and clean with no heavy oak to bonk you on the head.  The flavors were reminiscent of those little Sweet-Tart candies, the perfect blend of ripe and tangy that made my taste buds stand up and stretch and do a little wiggle.  This silky-textured wine wrapped up nicely with a hint of smoky white pepper on the finish (a trait I find in a lot of South African wines).

-2007 Valréas “Cuvee Prestige” Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, $5.99 (France): The deal factor on this delightful Rhône red was huge!  As you may have guessed by now, I am a big fan of Rhône wines, mainly because I think they offer great value.  Let me be frank here (or bob, or steve, or suzie) -- being a Domestic Peace Keeper, i.e., out-of-work-housewife, is not a (high) paying job so I need to be on the look-out for fabulous wine values at all times.  The Valréas is 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah "from one of the 16 classified CDR Villages," which technically makes this a better quality wine than your average CDR.  The best thing about this wine is how well it holds up if you use a Vacuvin wine saver.  The bottle I saved lasted for 6 baskets of clean laundry that needed folding and two nights of dinner prep! (Trader Joe's)

-2005 Stonecap Syrah, Columbia Valley, $5.99 (Washington):  I know for a fact that this wine regularly sells for at least $10-$12, but due to gianormous inventories and the need to release the latest vintage, this wine was selling at a "close-out" price.  Spring can actually mean an abundance of good deals as more wineries need to "get out with the old and in with the new."  The 2005 Stonecap Syrah was drinking quite delightfully --  it had a smooth, rich body and offered dark chocolate and cherry flavors with a little obvious oak that added some structure and muscle.  When I can find a reputable Washington state, estate grown Syrah for six bucks, you better believe I'm going to feel a little degroovy.

(Food Co-op, $5.99, other grocery stores, $6.99) 

Back to the Chardonnay I mentioned earlier which was only a 1-D wine -- the 2006 Stonecap Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, at $5.99 was a deal, but it really didn't do much for me.  It wasn't bad wine, it was just too much...too ripe, too clunky, and too much like a Viognier for my 3-D taste.

Now that you know all about 3-D wine, grab some glasses (no, not those glasses) and enjoy a dimensional beverage while viewing Sponge Bob for the hundredth time.

xoxox,
VinoMama