Wine Log - 2015 Q2
This is a continuation of my wine log on a quarterly basis (2014 & 2015 Q1). Transitioning from Office Manager of a law firm to Operating Partner of DWSF is in full effect and expanding of my knowledge of all things Food & Beverage is necessary. I am in the middle of a 30-Day Fitness Challenge using Shredz supplements and am prepping for Bodybuilding.com's #StillInIt 6-week challenge beginning on April 20th. Drinking won't benefit me in these challenges so I expect this log will not be extensive, but when I do drink, it will help me remember what I have tasted.
Via my Instagram (@bappletree). Bubbles!
Mark West - Pinot Noir
Sven & Ole Zinfandel - 2013
Menage a Trois - Red Blend 2013
It was #WineWednesday and it was a long day. With the day not even coming to close after almost 12 hours of work, I thought a glass of wine was earned. I thought about trying to mix being social with this glass of wine but two friends were still at work, my 'Sobrino,' a former Clerk of mine, had a sore throat, and 'LD' didn't even bother to reply. What a booger. :) So, I remembered my Roommate's friend left a bottle of wine at the bar. He got home and I asked if I could have some. It smelled a little funny as it's been over a week since it was opened, but I took a sip anyways. It'll do. So I had half a glass while I filled out medical insurance paperwork for DWSF. I haven't had anything to drink since Friday. It doesn't help me stay focused when I have so much to do. But it was good. I do remember having this brand at an officer's retirement party in Campbell, CA with my girlfriend, Mela, a very long time ago. See how brands trigger memories?
Porta Vita - Rossa
We normally go to Texas Roadhouse, but when Christy and my little loves are on this side of the Bay, we need to switch it up every so often. So we went to Olive Garden and our server offered us a taste of their signature wines, Porta Vita. Christy and I looked at each other and we both knew that we don't turn down complimentary wine. It was the Rosso and was a bit sweet. We went with a different glass of wine to go with our meal. Check out another blogger's experience with OG's wines HERE. Sign up for OG's newsletter and get a complimentary appetizer.
Rock Wall
Monte Rosso Zinfindel - 2013
Jack's Petite Syrah - 2013
Bottles
The Naked Grape - Pinot Grigio
Per my Influenster review: "Found this bottle at Target and it was on sale for $5.49. I have had alright bottles of wine for under $10 (think 2 buck Chuck aka Charles Shaw) so I was willing to give this a shot. I am going for the Italian Wine Specialist certification but feel I should get as much knowledge and taste as many wines as possible, even if they're not Italian. This has no vintage on it. It's not a twist top like many new wines nowadays and I feel it has a playful, youthful logo/label. Does this mean the wine is young? Chilled in my fridge, the wine had a bit of a bite at first but as it sat in my glass over dinner with a grilled chicken salad, it lost that edge. It was pleasing. I wouldn't be opposed to trying their other varietals."
Per my Influenster review: "Found this bottle at Target and it was on sale for $5.49. I have had alright bottles of wine for under $10 (think 2 buck Chuck aka Charles Shaw) so I was willing to give this a shot. I am going for the Italian Wine Specialist certification but feel I should get as much knowledge and taste as many wines as possible, even if they're not Italian. This has no vintage on it. It's not a twist top like many new wines nowadays and I feel it has a playful, youthful logo/label. Does this mean the wine is young? Chilled in my fridge, the wine had a bit of a bite at first but as it sat in my glass over dinner with a grilled chicken salad, it lost that edge. It was pleasing. I wouldn't be opposed to trying their other varietals."
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| Opened while trying to catch up on Gotham and making dinner |
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| "Bare it All" |
Sunce Winery & Vineyard - 2011 Syrah
*Gold Critics Challenge Winner 2013*
This was first tasted in early November 2014 when a friend, Mike, was visiting from Ottawa, Canada. While waiting for my business partners to arrive in Sebastopol, CA, we went ahead and got a jump start on wine tasting. We stopped at Sunce not knowing an event was taking place that day with many other wineries in the area. Without a ticket, the greeter allowed us in anyways and there were soooo many to taste! They were quite generous. I was also feeling a bit under the weather and our thoughtful pourer gave me tea bags from her purse. How kind. Mike discovered he liked NorCal's Syrah. This was his first purchase of wine in Sonoma County. And one Sunday evening in April with my ex-roomie, studying wine after a healthy dinner, we enjoyed it. It had a deep, garnet appearance, fruity and not too tannic.
Pulling out this wine also reminded me that I recalled the name when my best friend, Christy, and I were checking out locations to hold her father's memorial service in late January. In Fremont, CA, the woman showing us a spot near a park and cute townhomes was wearing a gray Sunce hoodie. "Hey, I've been there!" That was a fun day with bocce ball, tasting appetizers and many wines straight from the barrel. Not bad of an experience for Mike's first winery in California, right?
*Gold Critics Challenge Winner 2013*
This was first tasted in early November 2014 when a friend, Mike, was visiting from Ottawa, Canada. While waiting for my business partners to arrive in Sebastopol, CA, we went ahead and got a jump start on wine tasting. We stopped at Sunce not knowing an event was taking place that day with many other wineries in the area. Without a ticket, the greeter allowed us in anyways and there were soooo many to taste! They were quite generous. I was also feeling a bit under the weather and our thoughtful pourer gave me tea bags from her purse. How kind. Mike discovered he liked NorCal's Syrah. This was his first purchase of wine in Sonoma County. And one Sunday evening in April with my ex-roomie, studying wine after a healthy dinner, we enjoyed it. It had a deep, garnet appearance, fruity and not too tannic.
Pulling out this wine also reminded me that I recalled the name when my best friend, Christy, and I were checking out locations to hold her father's memorial service in late January. In Fremont, CA, the woman showing us a spot near a park and cute townhomes was wearing a gray Sunce hoodie. "Hey, I've been there!" That was a fun day with bocce ball, tasting appetizers and many wines straight from the barrel. Not bad of an experience for Mike's first winery in California, right?
Stella Rosa - Stella Rosso
KeChaunte actually brought this over to my house for the Pacquiao fight in early May but it wasn't opened. She invited me out to her new pad in town for Memorial Day and thought it was best to bring it back for her to try it. I have seen billboard ads in town but haven't tried it, from what I remember. It was bubbly, light and sweet. KeChaunte was happy with it and 'found a red wine I can drink.' Oh, I need to take her wine tasting.
Glasses
Chateau Ste. Michelle - Riesling
On the same evening Christy and I received a complimentary taste of the Rosso by Porto Vita, we went with this glass of wine. I decided to go with the baked tilapia and veggies which ended up being a big mound of broccoli. I was not going to complain. I love little trees. I have had many glasses of Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling before so I knew I liked it. A bottle was going to cost $29, when on my ShopKick journey to Wal-Mart later that evening, I found a bottle of this stuff for under $8! We paid $7 for a glass. Oh, the mark ups in restaurants.
Mark West - Pinot Noir
I failed in noting the vintage but it was definitely the best tasting of the wine selected by other folks in the birthday party group while at our second stop at Joya in Palo Alto, CA. There was an unimpressive rose, a very sweet Chardonnay and a decent cab selected by the birthday boy.
Menage a Trois - Red Blend 2013
It was #WineWednesday and it was a long day. With the day not even coming to close after almost 12 hours of work, I thought a glass of wine was earned. I thought about trying to mix being social with this glass of wine but two friends were still at work, my 'Sobrino,' a former Clerk of mine, had a sore throat, and 'LD' didn't even bother to reply. What a booger. :) So, I remembered my Roommate's friend left a bottle of wine at the bar. He got home and I asked if I could have some. It smelled a little funny as it's been over a week since it was opened, but I took a sip anyways. It'll do. So I had half a glass while I filled out medical insurance paperwork for DWSF. I haven't had anything to drink since Friday. It doesn't help me stay focused when I have so much to do. But it was good. I do remember having this brand at an officer's retirement party in Campbell, CA with my girlfriend, Mela, a very long time ago. See how brands trigger memories?
Sincera - 2012 Pinot Noir
At my nephew's 1st birthday in Marina, CA, my cousin pours me a glass..and a half...of this wine that had a very pretty color, light body and on the fruity side. My Cousin Marilyn says, "There's more!" And watch out for Cousin Jenny stealing yours to double fist. She likes it.
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| Wine & family go hand-in-hand |
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| Watch out for this girl. |
Tastes
Boheme - I was able to crash a private tasting of the following wines. While multi-tasking, I jotted down a few notes.
Taylor Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay - 2012 - Smelled better than the English Hill's Chard below.
English Hilł Vineyard Chardonnay - 2012 - Tasted better than the Taylor Ridge.
Taylor Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir - 2012
English Hilł Vineyard Pinot Noir - 2012 - I thought this tasted a bit bitter.
Stiller Vineyard Pinot Noir - 2012 - Hands down the winner IMO of the wines tasted. The color was deeper than the English Hill's with hints of blackberry.
Occidental Hills Syrah - 2012 - Tannic and chocolatey.
Porta Vita - Rossa
We normally go to Texas Roadhouse, but when Christy and my little loves are on this side of the Bay, we need to switch it up every so often. So we went to Olive Garden and our server offered us a taste of their signature wines, Porta Vita. Christy and I looked at each other and we both knew that we don't turn down complimentary wine. It was the Rosso and was a bit sweet. We went with a different glass of wine to go with our meal. Check out another blogger's experience with OG's wines HERE. Sign up for OG's newsletter and get a complimentary appetizer.
Rock Wall
Monte Rosso Zinfindel - 2013
Jack's Petite Syrah - 2013
More to Come!
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