Category Archives: Wine in Pajamas!

Chip Shot

I spent this summer in writer’s purgatory. The anticipation of a summer without masks and worrying about COVID quickly gave way to watching tote boards of daily variant numbers rapidly climbing again. To write about wine at that time seemed a bit frivolous given what was happening in the world. I’m a worrier by nature and was concerned for people everywhere.

I began to realize that researching, writing, and photography, for me, had always been a safe space, and very therapeutic. So, slowly, I’ve been looking here and there to get myself back into the swing of things.

Shall I begin with Wine Chips? Why not begin with Wine Chips?

Just so you know, these are not made with wine, which runs all over the place. They are “made with real cheese” and “flavor optimized for wine”. Wine Chips come in four flavors: Smoked Gouda, Blue Cheese, Manchego and Asiago.

Randomly, I chose Smoked Gouda. On the label they recommend pairing with a hearty Cab Sauv. What did I first pair it with? A light Pinot. OOF. BIG mistake. The Pinot, while a nice wine on its own, was way too light against the robust flavor of the chip.

But isn’t the beauty of research that sometimes it needs more than one sample?

My next choice was a $10 Apothic Dark. Go cheap and brooding or go home.

My rationale? The test of a good wine pairing product is whether it can stand up and be counted. A premium wine can usually make any food taste good. This isn’t always so with a cheaper brand. Which doesn’t mean that lesser – priced wines are bad – many times they can rival the big ticket players – & much ballyhoo of wine is actually in the marketing (I’ll save that for another post).

So how did it all stack up?

First, let me describe the chip itself: thick, both in cut and flavor; smoky and cheesy. They do a good job attempting to re-create the weight and mouthfeel of cheese. To give you a reference, it’s comparable in texture to a thicker Sour Cream ‘N’ Onion chip. Creamy with a distinctive flavor, but less salty. I kept thinking how nice these would be as part of a charcuterie featuring a mild prosciutto, soppressata or sliced bratwurst, spiced cashews, figs, and grapes.

This Apothic blend boasts dark fruit notes of black + blueberry with hints of coffee and dark chocolate. It seemed to meld better with the weighty cheesiness of the chip. And the more I paired it, the better it got. And that was a factor of two things: the wine gradually opening up, and the fact that the wine was robust enough to play with this chip.

And in the spirit of full disclosure, there is no spon con here. My review is completely my own; I have not been gifted any product, neither chips nor wine.

As we enjoy this fall as best we can, please take care of yourselves, and each other. ❤️

Next up: my annual Halloween Wine Roundup! 🎃👻🧟‍♂️

Cheers!🍷

©️copyright TheWineStudent, 2021

Wine, Women & Song

To celebrate Women’s History Month in the best way I could think of, I revisited a book about women whose passion is both the grape and the wine. 🍇🍷🎉

In her book, Women of the Vine, Deborah Brenner explores the lives of several women in wine. Each woman shares her own story about how she came to be in wine world; the pitfalls, the triumphs, and candid views on their experiences of discrimination within the industry.

There are only a small handful of books that chronicle the lives, careers, and history of some incredible wine women – those who have gone the distance in a typically male-dominated profession. But this is a rapidly changing landscape as more and more women are finding themselves drawn to the world of wine.

Here are two more great books to look for:

Women Winemakers: Personal Odysseys by Lucia Albino Gilbert & John C. Gilbert

Labor of Love: Women Winemakers of Piedmont by Suzanna Hoffman – a historical perspective of women

And here’s how you can support some wonderful women winemakers! Check out their sites below (and their unique stories) and keep them in mind on your next wine run:

🍇 Theopolis Vineyards

🍷 McBride Sisters

🍇 Aslina Wines

🍷 Imagery Estate Winery

🍇 Groth Vineyards & Winery

🍷 Screaming Eagle

Here’s to all the amazing, strong women in the world: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them, & may we enjoy their amazing wines! 🥂🎉

Cheers!🍇🍷

©️ copyright 2021 TheWineStudent

Wines for Valentines: Sweet Dreams are Made of These

Who am I to disagree?

Since we’re all staying home right now, Valentine’s Day is going to be, well, a lot quieter. It can still be a sweet day, and I’m all for opening a little bottle to enjoy. And who better to share it with than you? From a distance.

Each Valentine’s I look for bottles that have some fun label art for the holiday. The art can be sweet or sassy, with word ‘love’ or maybe some hearts. This year, most wine companies are keeping things very simple – which makes sense right now. I did manage to discover two that were close to the theme and moderately priced: Love Noir and Red Head Red Blend.

Check out the video below!

Love Noir Pinot Noir 2018– Jammy, with flavors of cherry, and a whisper of espresso, this Pinot has some velvety texture to it. Still a relatively young Pinot, it’s lighter in both color, body and mouthfeel. Aging in American Oak, gives it just a hint of vanilla. And less time in a newer barrel gives it a less smokey or oak-y vibe. Because it’s younger, decanting is important here to bring out all the flavors. Pinots by nature are delicate wines, so you don’t want to cellar them too long.

Recommended pairing: roast pork, chicken artichoke flatbread. I’d throw chocolate anything in the mix for dessert.💋

Price point: $15.99

***

Red Head Red Blend – From L’uva Bella Winery in Lowellville, Ohio, this wine has flavors of bright cherry, blackberry, with a little tang of blueberry. This wine is a ruby color with good legs (meaning viscosity). First sip is a combo of sweet | tart which then settles into a spicy kiss on the finish. This combination makes it an interesting wine especially for those new to drinking red wine.

Again, decanting is important as this wine takes a little while for the flavors to unfold.

Pair it up with some assorted cheeses including spiced havarti and dark chocolate (with some spice) to bring out the heat.🔥

The $11.99 price point definitely makes it a great starter wine.

And I think they’ve changed their branding on this a little. It still has the cool art but it’s now just called ‘Red’.

Keeping things quiet is a good plan for Valentine’s Day this year. Open a bottle, gather your snacks and watch your favorite rom-com. And if you can’t be with all the ones you love, make sure to love the wine you’re with!♥️

Cheers!🍷💝💋

©️copyright 2021 TheWineStudent

Winey Friday: Curmudgeon Red Blend

The other day, I gently brushed off a favorite old collection of stories that I hadn’t seen in a while. The spine cracked open as a puff of dust billowed up. It revealed a tale of adventure and thirst. A thirst that could only be quenched by… wine. The name of this tome: my blog, The Wine Student.

If we’re speaking truths here, I haven’t been very motivated to write lately. With everything happening in the world, I’ve really only wanted to curl up under a blanket and not come out ‘til the coast is clear. And since I’m already in my stretchy pants and sweatshirt… also, I’m a little crabby. You might even say, a little curmudgeonly.

The other day, I found myself in the wine section of my local store (one of the few times I venture out) and I found myself just staring off into space for a split second. But what brought me back to earth was some of the label art in front of me. I started to see a theme: the label art was getting kinda dark.

But maybe it was just me…

And yet, the Curmudgeon spoke to me.
From Parlier, California, this Curmudgeon is actually a friendly blend of 42% Zinfandel, 32% Merlot, & 26% Petit Verdot. Fermented in stainless steel, then aged 3 months in Kentucky bourbon barrels, this wine smelled amazing right at the first pour. Wafting scents of vanilla, and caramel was a nice preview of coming attractions. I let it open up a bit to coax out the flavors of stewed blackberry, dark chocolate, caramel and a hint of smoky spice. Because of the high percentage of Zin in the mix, it was very fruit forward, jammy- a little sweet-ish, then settling into a nice dark, leathery chocolate earthiness.
While I didn’t pair it with anything except crackers – because I’m a curmudgeon today- it was a juicy, rich blend to take the chill off a cold day in January.

Price point was about $14.99

The upside lately – I’ve noticed that the days are gradually getting longer. Which is a wonderful sign. We’re headed in the right direction!

And you know what? I refuse to give in to the darkness. Better days are ahead. Even us curmudgeons have our moments of hope.

Cheers!

Copyright, TheWine Student, 2021

My 2020 Halloween Wine Picks!

Well look who’s ready for a Halloween at home! 🎃🧛🏻‍♀️🍷

With tricks and treats around the corner, this year, you want to stay extra safe. So wash your hands often, wear your mask, and don’t go near the woodshed that belongs to the creepy guy who lives at the end of the dark road…
Like downing one too many tequila shots, nothing good can come of it.

My Halloween this year consists of maybe making a candy chute for trick or treaters, and being distanced from friends and neighbors. But that’s ok. It’s where we’re all at right now.
And wine pairs well with pretty much everything this year has thrown at us.

So… without further delay…my All Hallows wine picks for this unprecedented year.🙃🍷

Click below to see the video👇 and then read the roundup beneath!

The Walking Dead Bloody Red Blend 2017

A very bright blend of 40% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 30% Cab Sauv and 20% Petit Verdot.
Tasting of cranberry, raspberry, and shining cherry, it was very bouncy in my skull goblet.
Aged 10 months in French and American Oak casks, there’s some good body yet it still retains it’s lip-smacking vibe. That is, if you have lips, some zombies, sadly, don’t.

It pairs well with dark meat turkey, which has a fattier component (this helps cut into the bright acidity of the wine), roasted pork, creamy cheeses, and in particular bleu cheese.

It’s a pretty good wine for $14.99, and it has a cool “Living Label” app you can download to watch the dead ‘rise’ on your bottle! Spooky fun!🧟‍♂️

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel 2018

If you want a luscious, juicy red you can sink your teeth into, this is a great one.
Unleash the cork and you’ll find dark, rich notes of jammy blackberry, mocha, vanilla, and whispers of spice. This is from Lodi, which is known for its spooktacular Zins.

It pairs well with deviled eggs, sinful short ribs, and cheeses with deeper flavors like smoked gouda, and sharp cheddars.

You don’t need to bargain with the devil for this Zin, it’s a steal at $9.99.
Give it a little time in a decanter to really open up the vault of flavors. A treat indeed.

Whatever you find yourself enjoying this Halloween, please stay safe and don’t be afraid! It’s always darkest just before the dawn.💋

Cheers! 🎃🍷🧟‍♂️

©️copyright 2020 TheWineStudent

Get Your Côtes!

Hello! It’s been a long time! This summer has been flying by, and I hope you’ve all been keeping safe and well!

The other day, I found a lovely surprise in my fridge – a bottle of Henry de Floret Côtes du Rhône Rosé! It always feels like summer in my glass. The shimmery, salmon-pink color + the flavors of strawberry, golden plum, dried apricot and black currant bring to mind visions of warm sunsets of pink and golden light through a gentle haze.

Côtes du Rhônes wines of all types must adhere to the regulations of Apellation d’Origine Contrôllée (AOC) which ensures a uniformity of flavor and style within this growing region.

Rosé from this region boasts the classic GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) blend with primary grape being Grenache. It can also include Carignan, Cinsault as well as white varietals Voignier and Rousanne. This gives a wonderful depth of flavor and aromas. Feel free to pair with some delicate cheeses, savory nuts and mild paté or experiment with whatever you have on hand!

This wine was the perfect pairing with a delicate breeze + some jazzy summer beats. 🎶

Wondering how this bottle found its way into my fridge? Sweet HubbyDoug. 💗

We may have to keep our distance, and not go out as much as we might like right now. But it may be the simpler pleasures, and sweet surprises we’re meant to enjoy.

Take good care of yourselves, enjoy the sunshine, and some good wine, whenever you can! 🌞

Cheers!🍷

Wine in Pajamas! Moon over Mendoza 🌜🍷

Don’t know about you, but I’ve been in my pajamas for about a month. Ok, I’ve changed them from time to time but, yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve worn anything without an elastic waist band. And honestly with all the comfort food, Netflix bingeing, and wine ‘researching’, I’m not sure I can go back. Pajamas it is!


My interest in Malbec has been a long time thing. So I wanted to see how they stack up.
Originating in Cahors, France, Malbec’s reputation has been sealed in Argentina. Bright, beautiful, rich essences of black cherry, blackberry, spice, vanilla, plum, and black currant are expressed beautifully in Malbec from Mendoza but what happens when the new kid on the block shows up? That new kid being California. New is a relative term; Argentina Malbec was planted during the 1800’s. In California, Malbec was only considered a stand alone varietal since 1993. Before this time, it was lumped in with ‘other dark reds’. The majority of Malbec is cultivated in California, and primarily to produce Meritage, yet only 0.5% red grape plantings are Malbec, compared to Cabernet Sauv and Zinfandel.
Main growing regions for Malbec in California include Napa, Alexander Valley, and Paso Robles; known for deep, well-drained layers of gravel, sand and silt. Gravity works to pull water away from the vines, forcing vines to go after it. This in turn places stress on the vines, resulting in smaller berries with more intense flavor. Climate is similar to a dry Mediterranean, with sunny, warm, dry days cool evenings. This encourages the grapes to ripen at a slow and even pace. This grape is vulnerable, though, succumbing to many vine ailments such as downy mildew and frost so the higher the planting on the hill, the better.
My search for Malbec from Argentina was easy. My hunt for California Malbec not so much. But I managed to find one on one of my few excursions out. And having just watched the movie ‘Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome’ thought I’d put it to the test.


Two go in…one gets… drunk
Andean Moon v Mendoza Vineyards. C’mon now, that’s hardly fair, a $5.99 wine from Trader Joe’s up against a grand region in Argentina? I dunno… some reviews I’ve read have hailed this wine as a good contender. So let’s put it to the test!
I pulled HubbyDoug and our girl, Andrea, 22, into the challenge. I tried to make it as blind a tasting as I could but had to ‘recuse’ myself because I did kinda sorta know which bottle was which (I’ve been bingeing ‘Billions’ so the word recuse seemed appropriate). In the next room I poured out a bit of each wine into each tasting glass, then brought them back in to the waiting judges. I did this because the bottles had enough difference as to give away their identity, even covered in a burlap bag.

What did the see..swirl…sniff…and sip reveal?
Wine A ~ a clear yet deep dark color, thin legs, a smooth caramel, cranberry, blackberry, dark cherry vibe with a pleasant, velvet mouthfeel ~ much like a Pinot Noir.
Wine B ~ a clear, brighter ruby color in the glass, also thin legs, with a smoked cherry essence; sweetbitter flavors of earthy, raspberry and licorice, making it seem more complex yet some bitter remained on the palate in the finish.
The winner, with a combined score of 7/10 was….. Wine A: Andean Moon! Yes, the little wine for $5.99 held its own!
It’s kind of like what we’re doing by sheltering in place, social distancing, and staying as positive as we can; we’re holding our own.
I hope that you’re all doing ok, and staying safe and well! And if a little wine tasting can help see us through until we can all be together again, that’s a little win for us. Thank you for doing your part to flatten the curve.
I want to send my gratitude to all our front line heroes: nurses, doctors, EMT, first responders, delivery drivers, grocery store employees, all of you are keeping the world going. Glasses are raised for you ~ you are the best!💕
Cheers!🍷

©️copyright TheWineStudent, 2020

Get Lit This Holiday: Wine Nog, and Boozy Glogg

Bells will be ringing, snowflakes will swirl; the holidays are fun, until you hurl.

Such sweet poetry… yep, I’m full of it. Poetry, that is…

Remember my old rule, when I write a bad pun or rhyme – take a sip. So take a sip. Maybe two.

Each holiday, I’ve written about various wines with which to toast the season. This year, I wanted to mix it up a little by making my own wine concoctions. I did not invent these recipes, but I wanted to try them because I’m feeling creative. And using a cork screw in artful ways just didn’t satisfy my creative thirst.

But first, a little winter’s tale of nog for you – gather round.

It was a cold Christmas eve, the snow crisp and deep, and even. With everyone at home with their treasures, and few creatures stirring, HubbyDoug realized that he’d forgotten to buy his traditional carton of nog! What now?? Donning his best Maple Leafs toque (beanie), and jacket he dashed out to find the frost was indeed cruel; no open stores. Bah! When what to his wondering eyes should appear, a lone open gas station, oh dear, oh dear! And, yes kids, it had one remaining carton of the nog he craved; as if it was there just for him.

Now, what could possibly go wrong by drinking gas station egg nog, you ask? Well, my friends, it wasn’t just the frost that was cruel that night…

Lesson learned: Always. Check. Expiry. Dates. Even at Christmas.

My nog will be different. It will be delightful! It will be tasty! It will be fresh! It will have wine! And it will be served within a day of making it!

Two of the most consumed traditional favorites are Egg Nog, and Glögg. Egg nog is, well, egg nog; delicate eggy goodness with nutmeg and cinnamon. And Glögg? You’ll see in a bit.

Use Your Noggin’

While my nog has white wine, the only stipulation is that it be a dry white. So many possibilities, but also the chance of a swing and a miss; too dry or savoury and it upsets the delicate balance. Too sweet and you may need to go to the ER. What to do??

I looked at the general flavor profiles of a couple of white varietals and narrowed the field down from there. While I love Sauv Blanc, the herbaceous profile suggests it might be too pungent: flavors of green fruit and vegetables such as gooseberry, green bell pepper, grass, and sometimes nettle. Using wines with great complexity of flavors is, honestly, a waste since the star attraction is really the nog, not the wine. So go for an inexpensive wine that has a higher acidity (to cut some of the nog’s creamy heaviness). An affordable Pinot Gris might be a good bet since its style can range from dry, off- dry, medium to sweet, and flavors include spicy tropical fruits, hints of honey and nuttiness, depending on the region.

I chose a 2016 Chateau St. Michelle, from Columbia Valley, Washington, with flavors of pear, melon and a whisper of spice.

Christmas Egg Nog:

Serves 10

2 egg whites

1/2 bottle white wine

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest 1/2 cup honey

3 cups milk

1/2 quart half and half nutmeg

Place egg whites in a clean bowl and beat with hand mixer until stiff. Set aside.

In a large saucepan, combine white wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, and honey over medium heat. Stir until mixture is warm, then slowly add the milk and half and half while continuing to stir.

Stir over medium heat until mixture is frothy. Remove from heat. Fold in beaten egg whites, then pour mixture into individual glasses or mugs.

Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Serve immediately.

fullsizerender-8.jpg

Glögg

Glögg, on the other hand, has been described as the Long Island Ice Tea of mulled wine. There is a lot of booze in this, and really packs a punch, so better make sure you have Uber lined up if you’re drinking this during the annual open house crawl. Just reading the ingredient list will show you just how much booze is in this. It’s crazy.

Keep in mind, this serves 4.

1 750 bottle dry red wine

1 cup white rum

1 cup bourbon (getting tipsy)

1/2 cup brandy (hello I’m now drunk)

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup dark raisins

1/4 cup raw almonds (no skins)

1 entire orange peel

1 cinnamon stick 1/4 teaspoon whole cloves 5 cardamom pods

1 breathalyzer

In large saucepan over medium-low heat, combine all of the ingredients. ( Do not use an aluminum or copper pot because the metal can give the Glogg a metallic taste.)

Allow it to warm until small bubbles form along the edges of the pot. Make sure the mixture doesn’t boil as this decreases the alcohol content. And we don’t want that!

Carefully strain the raisins and almonds out of the liquid.

Now, nestle yourself in a chair or sofa because you may be there a while and … enjoy!

Whether you have a fully stocked wine cellar ready to go, or are trying a different take with wine based holiday drink, have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light.

Be safe, be kind, and be good for goodness sake. Apparently, he sees you when you’re sleeping.

Cheers!

Copyright ©️TheWineStudent, 2018

Something Wicked…

Drink up, witches! It’s haunting time again. This year, I found three wines that will scare up some yummy vibes in your goblet.

Each year when I look for wines to celebrate the season, I’m drawn to those with interesting labels. On my hunt, I found there was one with a distinct tv show tie-in (eg The Walking Dead Red Blend ~ I can only imagine what’s in it…).

Many wineries put together red blends just for the holiday, which is an excellent way to conjure new fans. This year, I was possessed by wines that have singular qualities that consistently haunt my mind like a spirit.

Ok, one was a blend. 👻

Here they are, in no particularly earthly order:

• Darkness Falls Red Blend

• Spellbound 2016 Petite Syrah

• Seven Deadly Zins 2014 Old Vine Zinfandel

Click the video below to see more about the tasting profiles, pairing options, and price points of my Halloween wine picks for 2018!

 

These are all enjoyable offerings that will look bewitching in your Halloween display, won’t behead your budget, and will pair well with any spooky party fare.

I hope you all have a ghoulishly safe and happy Halloween! 🎃

Cheers!

Copyright©️TheWineStudent, 2018

Treats Before Tricks!

Chocolate. Red wine. Chocolate. A perfect pairing especially at Halloween. 🎃

I been gifted a bottle of Chocolate Shop wine a while ago but I was a little skeptical. I’ve tasted chocolate flavored wine that was basically a bottle of Bailey’s Irish. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but when you want a glass of red…

This wine was very different, especially when you first open it; an immediate chocolate vibe was instantly on the nose. Ok, it passed the first test- it smelled amazing- but I was still not convinced.

Right off the bat it was very sweet, a lot more than I normally like. But as I sipped further rounder, full-bodied notes of dark cherry, stewed blackberry emerged, melding with the chocolate vibe. I experimented with it by leaving the wine to aerate for about an hour, and found the flavor evolved into a rich, pleasing dark chocolate covered cherry.

This was a very different wine for me: My preferences are for earthier, beefy red wines that have a slight whisper of chocolate, as part of their fermentation but aren’t necessarily chocolate fortified. A fortified wine has an extra element added (in this case chocolate essence) that adds sweetness or additional alcohol. This wine was a cool, decadent combination treat.

It helps to keep an open mind – and to let it breathe for a while! My only caveat is to not pair this wine with anything too sweet. Most experts agree that sweet wines paired with sweet treats can be overwhelming ~ I ate a handmade sea salt caramel with this wine, and the sugar level was way over top! Stick to some mild, slightly savory cheeses.

Finally, the best way to enjoy any wine during Halloween is with a good scary movie. I paired this wine with ‘The Lost Boys‘, a neo-classic 80’s vampire movie. 🧛‍♂️🦇

giphy

Next post: My Halloween picks for 2018! 👻🎃

Cheers!

©TheWineStudent, 2018