Kroger Wine: Simple Truth Organic Red Wine Tasting

(updated video will be up shortly!)

Hello my wine lovers!! It's been a hop skip and a jump since our last encounter, but I have a new wine to share with you all! :)

As you can tell from the video and title of this post, I found out that Kroger (yes, the grocery store that keeps expanding their stores... Yep, they have everything now in their stores! I actually bought an awesome dress at one location, and they have shoes too!!) now has their own wine, besides everything else!
Okay, honestly, my first thought, Kroger is trying to measure up to Costco and their Kirkland brand wines. However, after trying this discovery, I do not think Costco will have a problem with Kroger.

Simple Truth Organic California Red Wine

Okay, so just warning you guys up front, this might be the first wine tasting review that I am about to share where I honestly did not really care for the wine. Stating that, let us move on to the wine and explain why.

I bought this on a whim when I explored my favorite Kroger location in Mansfield, TX. (I am a Tom Thumb girl, but just can't help this store! It's awesome!) I saw this wine, and was blown away at the price (hello super super Inexpensive!) and the temptation of trying an organic wine from the brand that already makes so many great products (haven't had a bad simple truth organic product before). Because I am yourwinegirl, I had to jump at the chance and give you guys a review.

This red wine is a light and very fruit forward. Lovely red cherry color, you can smell the blackberries as soon as you pour the wine. You can taste the lightness of the wine as you take a sip (because there are no added sulfites... yes, majority of wines add a little more sulfites to the wine as a preservative so the wine does not spoil, and to give it a little more flavor...this wine tastes very fresh and light), and then a raspberry jam takes over your tongue.
Here is where I got a little disappointed. The raspberry jam just ends. No lingering finish. Nothing more than a quick hit in the mouth of raspberry jam, and then nothing. There is no substance.
However, after letting the wine sit for about twenty minutes, it did open up a little bit more, and had a little bit of a finish, but not much.
Honestly, after the jamminess left my tongue, I did not like it.
The next day (after we used our wine saver and sucked the oxygen out to help keep it fresh... yes, I actually have these things. They work well, but honestly, if you're going to finish the wine the next day, there's not really a need for it. But hey, whatever floats your boat!), the wine really was not good. It was done.

Here is a quick wine lesson on why the wine did not last the night.
Sulfites are a natural product of making wine. They help prevent oxidation in the wine (wine + oxygen = bad), prevent further fermentation, and act as a natural preservative for shelf life of the wine. As stated earlier, majority of your wines add sulfites on top of the naturally occurring sulfites in order to help preserve the wine and add a little more flavor, and sometimes to even preserve that red color of red wines.
Many people (I hear this on a daily basis), think that sulfites are the reason for their headaches/allergies with wine.. especially red wine, and I am here to tell you that you are pretty much wrong.
Now I must state that there is a very small percentage of the population that is allergic to sulfites, and they usually have asthma. Since no one wants an asthma attack, by law (at least in the U.S.), vineyards have to report "Contains Sulfites" when they add sulfites to the wine, on the bottle.
Here is the kicker: Organic wines and wine before adding sulfites contain anywhere from 10-40PPM (parts per million) of sulfites. When sulfites are added, it jumps up to about 50PPM, which really can not do much damage, as compared to some foods, like prepackaged foods and dried fruits, that can contain up to 1,000PPM or more (which honestly, who wants that much preservative??); AND Red Wine has LESS sulfites than White Wine! 

That is right. For all those out there that think red wine has more sulfites and that is why you get headaches and are allergic, here is your eye opening fact: White wine has more sulfites added to them because they have less color. Red wine has naturally more occurring sulfites in them due to the hardier, tougher, black colored grape skin, which gives the wine it's color and natural sulfite derivative, which the white grape does not have.
Sweet white wine, hello my Moscato drinkers, has even more sulfites so a secondary fermentation does not happen from the excess sugar in the wine.

(If you want to read more about sulfites, check out these awesome articles:
- The Bottom Line on Sulfites in Wine
- Sulfites: Separating Fact from Fiction )

A lot of cool wine info right?!?!

Because this simple truth wine is 100% certified organic and "contains no detectable sulfites," (No added sulfites. Remember that's really what it means.) this is why the wine more than likely tasted fresh, but went bad quickly and did not taste good in the long run for me.

All in all, if you want an easy, basically cheap wine for the night, this wine will do the trick!

Perfect to Pair with: Spaghetti Squash, light chicken dishes, salad.

Average Price: $4.99!! (Hello Super CHEAP!)

Cheers my wine lovers!

Green Wine for St. Patrick's Day?!?

Happy St. Patrick's Day my wine lovers! Now I know that this is a big beer holiday, but hey, why don't we change it up, and make it a wine holiday! :)

Now how do we make this grand Irish tradition a wine holiday you ask? 

Well, how about with a glass of GREEN WINE?! That's right! Someone finally came up with green wine, and that someone might just be me! :) 

So how did I do this you ask? Well, it is quite simple... and quite fun!

Step 1: Pick out your favorite bottle of Pinot Grigio. 

Why Pinot Grigio? Good question! Well, if you look at your selection, majority of your Pinot Grigio bottles are green, or have some green to them somewhere on the label. Hence, a reason why I picked the Kirkland Pinot Grigio. 

The other reason for picking a Pinot Grigio is that they are light, easy, refreshing, and inexpensive (Kirkland Pinot Grigio is on sale at Costco for $5.99! You can find a bottle of decent Pinot Grigio around $8 at any wine retail location!). Personally, for me, I have always assumed a little green tint to Pinot Grigio because of the citrus and light feel. I could also say the same thing for Sauvignon Blanc. The point: grab an inexpensive bottle of Pinot Grigio!

Step 2: Go Green!

Yes, what you see there on the table is GREEN WINE!! :) All it takes? A couple drops of Green food coloring! Yep! That is it! No harm to the wine in any way, no take away from the taste, just plain 'ol non toxic coloring dye! 

Now you can make it your wine as green as you want. Like in the picture above, and the video available below, you can add a couple of drops to your own glass, which makes it an Emerald Green, or you can add a couple to the bottle, and come out with almost a Slimer Green (yes, totally just made that reference to the Ghost Busters. Can't help it. He is an awesome shade of green! Click on the link to watch a clip of Slimer's first appearance!)

 

Step 3: Enjoy!

Now that you have your St. Patrick's Day juice, it's time to celebrate and enjoy! I know it is a little weird to look at while you take a sip of the green delicious liquid, but I promise, it is worth it, and will be a huge hit at your next gathering! Plus, how many times can you say you drank Green Wine?!? 

So sit back and relax with your bottle of Green deliciousness and have a Happy St. Patrick's Day my wine lovers! Cheers!

Popcorn and a Glass of Fifty Shades of Grey White Silk!

Hello again my wine lovers!! Hope you are keeping up the drinking, as it is a civic duty of a wine lover. :) Now grab some popcorn, (I really do enjoy a bag of the Skinny Girl Popcorn. My husband got it for me and it's so delicious!) and then hit the store for a bottle of today's wine tasting!

Fifty Shades of Grey White Silk

Okay, so yes, I will admit, I read the book when it first came out, and went to see the movie Valentine's weekend. My two cents: book definitely better, but the movie did a pretty good job too! And yes, I went to Alamo Drafthouse and had a glass of this white blend while watching the movie too. Don't judge me. I like wine and I am sticking to it!

Now when I found out about the Fifty Shades of Grey wine a while back, I was surprised that a white blend (well now that I think about it, Grey does drink a lot of white in the movie and I believe in the book too...) would be made (there is also a red blend, called Red Silk, which I will hopefully be trying soon!). However, I think this blend hits it just right!

A blend of Gewürztraminer (as I mentioned in Rose Wine tasting, the one that usually has a defined Lychee taste) and Sauvignon Blanc, this crisp white blend is light and full of flavor! 

Clear with a light golden hue, this white opens up with lychee on the nose, a little pear and crisp honeysuckle; but blows your mouth with even more lychee (it's like you just bit down on one! Mmmm), grapefruit and a slight creamy butterscotch! 

So what are you waiting for??! Grab that popcorn and a bottle and enjoy all for under $15!

Perfect to Pair With: Popcorn, light pizza, fruit and cheese plates, white fish, and of course, just by itself!

Average Price:$12.99- Available at Albertsons, CVS (yep, the drugstore!), Total Wine, World Market and other wine retail locations!

Cheers my Wine Lovers!! 

It's Wine Time! How About a Cold Glass of Cameron Hughes CAM Collection Chardonnay?

Welcome back my wine lovers! Hope you all are keeping warm in this icy Texas weather. If not, just grab a bottle of wine and start chugging! Well, only if you are stuck inside like most of us. :) 

So on to the featured wine! Now as some of you may know, I used to have many jobs. (I used to have five jobs at one point. All I can say is, there was $$$ coming in.) One of these jobs, that really got my fascination with wine going, was working for a wine negociant, Cameron Hughes Wine as a Wine Contractor. Many of you might recognize the name from Costco and Sam's Club, (That's where I actually started. Doing dry tastings at Costco. I worked every weekend for months, to the point that I became dubbed "The Wine Girl." Most of the people did not even know my name. Just wine girl. Hence, I am now yourwinegirl,.... you know, just in case you were wondering how I got the name,) when they were in the Lot Series (The ones with Lot # that were like super inexpensive. We're talking mostly $10 and under. I believe this is where my $10 and under obsession began).... and yep, I was one of those people who would talk to you about the wines and offer you a taste as well. Ah the days. 

Jump to the present, and Cameron Hughes now has his own line, the CAM collection. 

Cameron Hughes CAM Collection 

Monterey Chardonnay

I am loving this wine! I do not think I have ever liked a Chardonnay so much as this one. :)

Born in the sunny Monterey County in California, this wine is just lovely. 100% Chardonnay grapes, the golden color lights up your glass as honeysuckle, mango and vanilla fill your nose. My favorite part is when it hits the lips and it tastes like creamy, lingering pineapple mango all the way down! (I am a huge fan of Mangos! Some might even call me that. Right Pineapple? ;-p) 

Perfect to Pair With: Creamy pasta dishes, salmon, white fish, white or margherita pizza, or just by itself!

Average Price: $15.99- Available at Tom Thumb, World Market, Kroger and other wine retail locations!

Cheers my Wine Lovers! Enjoy your snow (ice) day!

Sweet Wine, and Kosher Too!

Happy New Year my wine lovers!! Resolution: new post every week! Starting today! :) Hope you all had a great year; and well, to start it off here is a wine that I have been meaning to write about since I discovered it! And why yes, it is a sweet wine, and kosher too! :)

Bartenura Moscato!  

Yes, many of you may recognize this beautifully blue bottle and squeal with delight. It is that good. 

Made in Italy with 100% Muscat grape (it's a small grape that is extremely perfumey (I don't think that's a real word, so let's go with fragrant), with the nectar and grapey smell, that it actually attracts insects... kind of like a moth to a flame kind of deal), this white wine is light in body and color with only 5% alcohol (yes, I am sorry ladies, but most Moscatos are about 6% or lower in alcohol), but big on taste!

Smooth, crisp, and refreshing from the slight effervescent bubbles, the nose is filled with nectarines, tangerines, and I get a little peachiness too, as the wine slides into your mouth and becomes absorbed with the classic grape taste. Yes, this is a wine that actually tastes like grape! (More of a white grape versus the classic black or red grapes). Keep that in mind as you shop for your next girl's night in. :) 

So what more could you want?! How about, this wine is actually Kosher and Passover approved? 

(Psss... Here is an easy way to identify Passover approved wines: If you look on the bottom of the front label, there's a little P in the bottom corner, which symbolizes Passover approved; and for authentic Kosher wines: if you look on the back label, there's a K which symbolizes that it is a Kosher wine. Pretty sweet and simple huh? And a little extra tidbit: Not all Kosher wines are Passover approved!)

So what exactly does this mean? Besides the fact that just about anyone can drink this wine; in a nut shell: that certain types of yeast must be used and handled by male Sabbath-observant Jews to equal a Kosher and Passover wine. Ta-da!

Now do you have to be Jewish in order to drink this wine? Do I have to be like Drake in order to drink this wine (yeah, just found out that Drake is Jewish! And he totally drinks Bartenura Moscato and shows it in his explicit (hey, I tried finding the rated version, and there is none such) video, I'm On One around the 3 minute mark)? 

Simple. No, just a fan of wine, or learning to become a fan of wine. :) Especially one under $15!

Perfect to Pair With: Desserts (goes a little better with non- chocolate desserts), fresh fruit plates, or just by itself! 

Average Price: $11.99: but you can usually find it on sale around $9.99 to $10.99 at Tom Thumb, Market Street, Total Wine, and other wine retail locations!

Mazel tov (cheers) my wine lovers! 

"Where Words Fail, Wine Speaks."

Wine and Big Bang Theory?! Don't Mind If I Do!

Hello again my wine lovers!!! I know my posts are becoming more few and far between, but I am here for you! Ever have a question or curiosity, just email me (yourwinegirl [at] gmail dotcom), Facebook me (Facebook.com/yourwinegirl),  or leave comments on my video tastings (youtube.com/yourwinegirl)!!

Now who's a fan of the comedy show, The Big Bang Theory? Well, just in case you were unaware, I am a big fan. Not like a fanatic, or overly obsessed, but I do enjoy smart comedies (hello, Frazier was totally awesome too!) Now, if you have been watching recently, you will notice that they usually all drink wine through out the episode. The fun part for me, being a wino and all, is to watch what they drink (weird I know, but it's fun, and well, I am a nerd), and I am sure I am not the only one who will occasionally notice what the label is.

Presenting, the winners of last night's episode, "The Prom Equivalency" (<--watch the episode):

Bota Box Chardonnay


Visible on Penny's counter in the beginning of the show, this inexpensive, medium bodied white with aromas of vanilla and green apple, is part of the box wine trend that is blowing up all over the world! (You'll notice if you watched Shark Tank recently. BeatBox wine is available at Spec's Liquor now!) I mean, it's the most economical way to go right now. How you may ask? Well:

A: Bota Box is made from recycled material. Now who's against saving mother earth?
B: The wine inside the box is actually inside a huge plastic bag (another recyclable!) with a spout on the end, that you pull out of the box (There's an outline on the side of the box where it comes through).
The great thing is that the vacuum like action of the spout keeps the oxygen from interacting with the wine in the bag (oxygen + open wine = spoiled wine. You'll start to get that different, funky taste), making the wine last up to a month after you open it! Woo-hoo!
C: 3 Liters worth of wine. That equals 4, yes I said 4, bottles of wine. How many glasses is that you may ask? Well, it adds up to 16 glasses. Yep, looking better by the minute right?
D: Party in a box. It is very inexpensive, good eco friendly wine that you can take anywhere (hello hiking, camping, tailgating. Anywhere that prohibits glass, this baby can go!) and can sit in your fridge for a month.
E: All of the above only add up when you figure in the price. Most of these boxes you will find on sale for under $20!!

Perfect To Pair With: Salmon, Creamy Alfredo Pasta, Greek Salad, or your favorite cheese and fruit plate!

Average Price: $19.99 - Available at Tom Thumb, Market Street, Kroger and other wine retail locations!

Now don't judge Penny and the others so fast. We are in a wine loving economy :) Right after you see the Bota Box on the counter, Penny actually pours three glasses of red wine. It's a quite Noble wine:

Noble Vines 337 Cabernet Sauvignon

From the soils of Lodi, California (great grape growing rocky, free draining, sandy soil area), this wine is one of my absolute favorites for under $12! 
Called Noble Vines for the long growing history and traditions in Lodi (long history, long roots, good wine!), this is a nice medium bodied red with blackberry, cherry and coffee filling your nose, it goes down like silk with the slight toast and tannins, and leaves your mouth filled with deep cherry, blackberry and slight pepper. Mmmm. Oh yes, Penny has good taste and a great budget!

Perfect To Pair With: Stuffed Pork Loin, Ribs, Grilled Hamburgers, Chocolate, Pepperoni Pizza, or just great by itself!

Average Price: $10.99 - though you can find it on sale for $9.99! Available at Tom Thumb, Market Street, Kroger and other wine retail locations!

Cheers to Big Bang and Wine! :) What a lovely combination! 

"The Secret to enjoying wine: 1. Open the bottle and allow it to breathe. 2: When it does not breathe give it mouth-to-mouth."

It's Summer Time! Rose Wines!

Happy Summer My Wine Lovers!!! I am ecstatic to be writing for you again!!! It has been too long, but yourwinegirl is here to stay, and is now a married woman! ☺ (Sorry boys, I’m taken!) 

Now what better way to celebrate this Texas heat, then with a glass of chilled wine? 

But with what wine, you may ask? What about trying something new and PINK? Yes, I said Pink.  I mean, it’s summer my wine lovers. Pink is the new Red!

 So what is this awesome pink wine I keep talking about? It’s called ROSÉ! 

This pink wine is the most refreshing and light, fruity pink wine you will ever try this summer! Ranging from slightly sweet to dry, these pink wines are full of light cherry and raspberry, and just so darn delicious! Perfect for the poolside (hello ladies, I know you hide it in a red solo cup... just like I tend to do myself.. ☺ ), a Sunday patio brunch, or a make your own sangria night with your girlfriends (heck yea!); there are so many to try, and all under $10!

How can this be you say? Never fear! Yourwinegirl is here for you! I have two Rosés for you this week. Both under $10, both delicious and pink!

Starting with the awesome frog, Toad Hollow Dry Rosé is probably my absolute favorite pink wine! Made from the awesome Pinot Noir grape, (fun fact! Rosés are made from either: 

Option 1: The Pinot Noir grape, and barely pressed, (which really means that just a little bit of contact is made with the grape skin when combined with the yeast and sugar liquid, to get the awesome flavors and pink color in the wine!) 

OR,

Option 2: A blend of red and white grapes! (Remember how you would always lose your crayons? Not that way, but the coloring way.  Well, I totally lost the pink crayon. Actually, it cracked in half, so I need to use my red and white crayon to get my awesome pink! ☺ ) These grapes can range from Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Muscat, and more! )  

this pink is full of rose aromas (some floral-ness going on as soon as you open it!), that follows with tastes of strawberries and some delectable slight raspberry.  This wine blows me away every time! It’s just so light and smooth, with the perfect amount of fruits and dryness, all for under $10!

 Perfect To Pair With: Salmon, pasta, or even spicy buffalo wings. 

Average Price: $9.99 – Available at Market Street, Kroger, Albertson’s,  and liquor stores!

What about this other Rosé in the picture? Ah yes, my other wine of the week, the blended Ménage à Trois Rosé!  Yes, we all know the name…and yes, it kills me every time, but hey, makes you love their wine even more! ☺

 This pinky is a blended rosé of Merlot, Syrah and Gewürztraminer. What’s the last grape you ask? Yeah, it’s a tongue twister (pronounced Ge-vourz-tra-meener), this grape adds a little bit of Lychee fruit  荔枝 taste(Asian fruit you peel with a white fleshy inside, revealing a sweet fruity goodness), to the floral, raspberry,  and strawberry notes. Making your mouth water right? Just a tiny bit of dryness, with a lightness that’s sure to please, especially in the blazing hot summer sun; this wine is another great under $10!!

Perfect to Pair With: Asian dishes, white pizza, grilled pork dishes.

Average Price: $9.99 – Available at Market Street, Kroger, Albertson’s, and liquor stores!

Cheers my Wine Lovers!!! 

Stay cool and wined up! ☺

“If I ever go missing, I would like my photo put on Wine bottles instead of milk cartons, that way, my friends will know to look for me!”

Spanish Quarter Wine Tasting!!

Happy Holidays my wine lovers!!! :) Sorry we missed each other on the last holiday, but hopefully you were able to check out the Thanksgiving wine pairings on my Facebook page, Youwinegirl.

Now! It's time to think of Christmas gifts, and well, what better gift is there than the gift of love through a bottle of wine!!! :)

This week's wine selection is the Spanish Quarter Cabernet Sauvignon-Tempranillo 2010.  An awesome Spanish Red wine, this is a delicious new tongue teaser that's below ten dollars and makes the perfect Christmas gift!

The Spanish Quarter
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon-Tempranillo
Spain

A beautiful red colored wine, this Spanish beauty captures you from the bouquet of raspberries, and dark plum. Smoothly it flows down your tongue with a little spice, red fruits, and low tannins! That being said, there is No bitterness, No dryness, or intense alcohol in this wine! 

It's absolutely delicious and pairs well with pizza, heavy meats, and chocolate!

Great for your last minute Christmas gift, this wine is available for purchase for under $9!!

Average Price: $8.99!!! Available at Market Street stores, and other grocery stores!!

Cheers my wine lovers!!:-)

Merry Christmas!!:-)

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Cocktail."

Zombie Wine Tasting!

Happy Halloween my wine lovers!! Time to bring out the ghosts and goblins, and have some spoo-tacular dripping red blood wine! :) 

This week's selection is the Haunted Zombie Zin. A novelty item, and unfortunately only seasonal in most available locations, this wine is perfect for your halloween party!

Haunted

Zombie Zinfanel

California

Non Vintage

"The zombies are on the move. No need to panic. Haunted Zombie Zinfandel is a flavorful, easy-drinking wine with just the right amount of spice to satisfy the un-dead's insatiable cravings. It's sure to seduce anyone from the grave."

A totally easy drinking red blood wine (it's pretty red), this Zombie comes to life not only in the dark (Yes, I totally checked it in the closet after buying it. Totally glows, just make sure to expose it to the light), but also on your lips! 

For those Red Zinfandel drinkers out there (Guilty!), this wine is a little light and young compared to your Lodi Zinfandels, but still has the intense raspberry, slight oak and spicy aroma that carries over your tongue with cherry, increased raspberry notes, and moderate alcohol that slide down the back of your throat. 

Perfect to pair with spaghetti and meatballs (I mean brains and eye-balls!), steak or any hearty dish, this wine really is a perfect gift for a Halloween occasion! 

So sit back, pass out the candy to the trick - or - treaters from the front porch, and relax while sipping a glass of "zombie blood" and a handful of "chocolate eye-balls." 

Average Price: $13.99 - but Market Street has it on a steal of a sale for $5.00! Available also at Albertsons! 

Happy Halloween Wine Lovers!! Cheers!

"Wine and Dine is Fine All the Time!"

New Age Red Tasting

Welcome back my wonderful wine lovers!! Cheers to a wonderful weekend and a loving hug to all my winos!  Sorry for the very long delay in this post, but all is well, and now time to get down to the bottle!!!

New Age Red
Non Vintage
San Rafael, Mendoza


Served Chilled, and this will probably be the last chilled bottle you can have this year before the cold front really comes in (Am I right Texans?!), this Argentinian wine is a wine spritzer's dream come true! It's literally like a red wine spritzer in a bottle! 
A blend of two popular Argentinian red grapes, this wine was specially made in a way that the floral aromas of rose and violets (yep, FLORAL is a common description that you will soon see popping all over labels. Yes, wine can definitely have a floral smell. Think about it the next time you smell some fresh cut flowers, and if you've ever smelled them anywhere else. Say, maybe some Honeysuckle in a Chardonnay??)  catch your nose when the glass reaches the lips, folding into flavors of cherries, and raspberry that stick to your tongue like a juice cocktail blend with an oh so slightly sweet sparkling "sprite" touch to refresh your palate. 

Enjoy this wine simply by itself as a dessert, with some spicy dishes (it will definitely take that little extra spicy Zzzing off), or sweet dishes. Personally, it tastes good no matter which way you have it. Have it with chocolate, Kung Pao Chicken, in a glass with a splash of lime (makes it a little more exotic and brings out a little more of the flavors), or while watching the next Cowboys game with a bowl of hot wings (yes, WINE can go with football party favors. In my opinion, usually better than beer!). 

So sit back, reel in the last days of warm weather, and enjoy a glass while watching the sunset. 

Average Price: $8.99  - You can also find it on sale as low as $7.99. Widely available at grocery stores, liquor stores and whole sale in the "Argentina" wine section, or in the "Red Blends" section. 

Happy Friday my Wine Lovers! Cheers!! 

"The wine cup is the little silver well, where truth, if truth there be, doth dwell"

More Wine Please

Hello My Lovely Wine Lovers!! I have missed you so! The wine tasting is to follow this week, but just wanted to share some wine info with you guys to increase some of that wine knowledge I hope I'm installing in you! :D
I Saw this on my local news, and just had to share it with you!

Glass Shape, Color Can Influence How Much Wine You Drink

There's always a reason to over pour your wine one night, especially after a crappy work day, but also when it comes to one of those over-sized fancy wine glasses too. (You know what I mean, who can resist the awesome huge wine glasses?!?) Just remember my wine lovers, a standard glass of wine is 5 ounces! How much is that you ask? A little over half a cup. Yeah, that's right, HALF A CUP. Check out that measuring cup of yours; yeah, it's not that much. But that doesn't mean you can't slowly sip that glass or hey, even have more than one glass! It's just a little way to help you regulate (you can do it!) and remind you that when you go out for a drink, that half a cup is your way standard size; so enjoy and savor it, or buy a bottle (it could be cheaper!).

"Good wine is a necessity of life for me."

Sweet Red Wine Tasting!

Hello my wine lovers! Glad to see you again! Now let's get down to the good juice!  This week's wine selection is Llano Sweet Red, from none other than, TEXAS! The newest state to join the wine industry, and becoming increasingly popular, Texas is making a huge impact, as more and more wine drinkers are discovering the wonderful wines to come from yes, my home state. :)

Non Vintage 
Llano Estacado
Sweet Red


"Llano Sweet Red is medium sweet with a smooth finish and aromas of blackberries and cherries. We recommend this unique wine be served slightly chilled or at room temperature with spicy Texas foods, Southwest cuisine and oriental dishes."

(Just a little fun information for you guys!) Classified in probably the first wine category to put Texas on the Wine Country map, Texas Sweet Reds, have kind of become the staple, at least, of the lone star state. I mean, you couldn't go wrong with a sweet delicate red that was easy, very affordable, and showing your local support! Of course, since these wines became popular, other awesome wines have surfaced and become vineyard favorites.

One of the first vineyards to gain this popularity, Llano, has always been one of my favorites. Never a disappointing wine, this vineyard is wonderful, supportive and affordable as can be!

A nice light cherry colored wine, the aromas fill your nose within the first swirl of your glass. Raspberries, blackberries, cherry, and a light effervescence take over and create an intoxicating atmosphere as you breathe it in, bringing your mouth joy as you take a lovely sip of an off dry (meaning, it's sweet, but not intense dessert sweet), light bodied red wine, that awakens your palate (tastes) of blackberries, raspberries, cherries, and for me, some sprite/spritzer (let me know if you taste this too!). Ending with a smooth (it's not rough) medium finish (the tastes linger for a little while after taking a sip), this wine is sure to please your taste buds and cleanse your mind of the day.

Enjoy with spicy foods, asian dishes, as your dessert, or, as me and my family did, with portabella mushroom tacos and salad! The slight jalapeno in the tacos really complemented the sweetness in the wine. :)

So sit back, relax, and enjoy your weekend with a great bottle of Texas Sweet Red! :) 

Average Price: $ 7.95 - I got mine for $6.99 at Kroger. Widely available at grocery stores, and liquor stores! 

Happy Friday Wine Lovers!

"Love is like wine. To sip is fine. To empty a bottle is a headache."

Pizza and Wine Friday!

Welcome back my wine lovers! :) It's Friday, and taking a different spin here and doing a pairing wine tasting! This session is a pairing of pizza and wine. This week's wine selection, a well known, and fairly inexpensive wine, Rex Goliath Giant 47 Pound Rooster Cabernet Sauvignon

HRM Rex-Goliath Free Range
Giant 47 Pound Rooster
Cabernet Sauvignon

"Our hearty Cabernet is dark and intense - it's long on fruit and short on attitude."

This wine I have seen literally everywhere! Located at just about every grocery store, and liquor store, Rex-Goliath is easily available, and after tasting it, easy to drink.

Winner of like 30 gold medals, this light bodied (not very heavy) Cabernet is lovely cherry red (color of the wine), with aromas (smells) of cherry and strawberry, and unfortunately, a pretty moderate alcohol taste and tannin (drying sensation at the back of your throat) with dark cherry, plum, and a slight smokiness, that lingers a little bit as the light goodness slides down the back of your tongue. 

It's pretty light for a cabernet, especially if you've been drinking the ones I have tasted or suggest on my Red Wines Page, but it is very drinkable. It does have 13.5% alcohol, and at first sip it is pretty evident, but it grows on you. :) 

Perfect with Pizza (any kind really. Preferably more heavy pizzas, like supreme or meat lovers, or if you are a vegetarian, mushroom and spinach), the light fruit flavors accent the pizza and do not over power. 

So pop open a bottle, pour a glass, and enjoy with your favorite pizza while watching a cheesy movie. :) 

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Average Price: $6.99 - Though you can find it at Kroger and other grocery stores as low as $4.99!!

“Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle.”

Santa Julia Wine Wednesday!

Hola! Welcome back my wine lovers!! It's What's Today's Wine Wednesday Tasting Time! This week's selection is  Santa Julia Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. A recommendation from my sister, a new enthusiastic wine lover, this wine is from Mendoza, Argentina; an area that has been producing wine for ages, but is now climbing back up the popularity ladder. :)

Santa Julia Reserva
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Mendoza - Argentina

"This Santa Julia Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine matured in French oak for 10 months to lend structure, finesse and harmony, it displays all the hallmarks of this classic variety. it has elegant blackcurrant fruit with hints of vanilla, spice and cedar."

Rated 88 points by The Wine Advocate (it's an awesome independent bimonthly wine publication where wine critics, like Robert Parker, rate and review wines on a scale of 50 - 100 points. (Like a test grade, the higher the better!) So if you see a sign that says something like "Rated 88 points by Robert Parker," you now know he's a wine critic, and he likes the wine, and it's probably in his review! And just FYI: there are many wines he's rated 85-90 points that are under $10!!)

A Beautiful Red Ruby Wine, this color just draws you in.
Open it up and immediately you get the aromas of plum, black cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and the toast and vanilla (that tells you yes, it was aged in an oak barrel)

Slightly dry
(it's not sweet) with medium tannin (which is just a fancy word for that drying sensation at the back of your throat, that is actually responsible for texture and complexity of the wine. It also plays a part in the color, as tannin is really a blend of the grape skin, seeds and stems... which kinda explains why it is only in red wine, because only black grapes, the grapes used mainly in red wine, have the dark skin, which play the main contributing role in tannin),
you can taste the black pepper, blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, and toast with just a hint of mint, as the beautifully balanced, medium bodied(
the body is either light, medium or full) wine smooths on down your now red lips.
Enjoy this delectable wine with the meat of your choice, or by itself! Me and my family enjoyed it personally with some thin cut steak, scalloped potatoes, and sauted beet greens. Totally made the meal! So sit back, relax, and pour a glass, as you enjoy the sunset on your back patio! :)

Happy HumpDay! Cheers!

Average Price: $12.99 -
Though you can find it on sale for around $8.99 or visit check out Costco where I got it for $6.99!!

"Life is too short to drink bad wine.”

Sparkling Wine Thursday Tasting!

Welcome Back! It's that time again my wine lovers!! It's Wine Thursday Tasting!! Sorry for the delay, but hey, your girl's gotta work. :) 
This week's lovely wine selection is the Cruse Brut Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine. Yes, this bubbly is from France! Bubbly from the motherland. And why No, I have not gone all high and mighty on you, because this is an excellent French bubbly for an awesome price!

Cruse Brut 
Blanc De Blancs
Sparkling Wine

"This crisp, fruit-driven sparkler is filled with fresh notes of apple and peach, touched with just a hint of toast. An amazing value that is sure to please your guests, this delight is also great for mimosas and bellinis."

A wonderfully clear, pale golden wine with a tremendous amount of fine, tiny bubbles, (it's really fun to see all the bubbly), this wine lures you in with the abundant aromas of honeysuckle, and light, fluffy bread and butter. (Now, I know that sounds weird, but the bread and butter taste is actually quite common in sparkling wine. Why you wonder?? Because this is a natural occurring aroma that happens as the bubbles are made. The ingredient responsible for making the bubbles?

Yeast. Yeast is a must in wine making... it's what actually is responsible for converting juice into wine... and for sparkling wine, the yeast actually sits in the bottle, or tank, with the juice. While it sits in with the wine, the more bread and butter taste it produces, and usually, the more carbonation it builds inside the container. Though each type of sparkling wine is made in a different method (which will be explained in my sparkling wine page), this is usually the foundation for all sparkling wine. A little wine trivia for you, and maybe your answer to what is that bubbly taste? ) Leaving your nose and making your mouth water, you can literally taste the peach, apricots, and crisp apple as this bubbly finishes off, and leaves you begging for more from this under $10 wine!
 Enjoy with some chilled seafood, light salads, parmesan cheese, or, if it's not quite sweet enough for you, as a mimosa, and you will not be disappointed. Me, I happened to have it with chilled lobster (it was on sale), and parmesan cheese, and my mouth could not stop smiling. :) 

So put a bottle in the fridge, get comfy, and cool off with a glass while enjoying the sunset. 

Happy Thursday Everyone! Cheers! 

Average Price: $6.99 - But, I found mine for $5.99 at Total Wine in Dallas, where it is constantly stocked! (And if you happen to stop by, say hi to my friend Joseph, who is always happy to help any wine lover! ) 

**The tasting video will be following shortly! Please Stay Tuned!**

"Age is just a number. It's totally irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine."