SOHO WESTWOOD 2011 ROSE’    Rose’s, after years of being badmouthed and given the cold shoulder by wine snobs, they are now coming back into fashion. The timing couldn’t be better.  The Holidays have been thrust upon us, and with them, comes days and nights, full of entertaining.  This beautiful rose’ is made with Merlot and Malbec and will be fantastic with brunch,.   I like to switch things up now and again,  keep people guessing.  Yes I love my mimosa’s but I am a trend setter and therefore must lead the way.  This wine has a gorgeous bouquet of bright strawberries and floral notes, the attack is a mouthful of ripe berries, lush peach, apricot and the finish is crisp and dry.

I gave it a 7  – Check out V’s Rating System

TASTE  2 – Good

PRICE  2 – On the $$ 17.98 AMAZING GRAPES

COOL FACTOR  3 – Gotta Have It

Pierre Chainier Brut Seduction  

When is the best time to drink?  The question should be, when isn’t it a good time?  How about when you wake-up still drunk from the previous nights festivities.  That is always a favorite of mine.   I roll out of bed and onto my knees and promise God I will  never drink again, if he will only make the banging in my head go away.  I stumble around my apartment in a half drunken stupor waiting for lightning to strike, and when  God ignores me, I crack open a beer and look for my cell phone, because there is no way I’m suffering alone.  I call my crew and wake their drunk butts up – it’s time for food and more drinks.

By the time the disheveled have gathered I’m way ahead of them, I’ve opened a bottle of prosecco and started making mimosas.  Yes that first beer was better then coffee.  I’ve decided to skip the part where we’re all  standing around debating where to eat over the noise of our growling stomachs,  I have a standing reservation every Sunday at a cafe close to where I sleep.  They know my name, appreciate my loyalty, and haven’t hit their stride yet and don’t care that I haven’t actually made a reservation.  The best reason to go to this place is they have an unlimited drinks prixe fix, so I know the waiter is trying to avoid us, but I don’t let that deter me from flagging him down and ordering another round.  Hey I payed my $13.99 and want to be sure I get my money’s worth.

The shenanigans that ensues after the bill arrives isn’t lost on our waiter, but he smiles through it, knowing I’ll make sure he’s taken care of.  I always have spending money because I shop wisely.  Pierre Chainier Brut Seduction makes  fantastic mimosas.  It is balanced, firm and fresh with graceful bubble action.  At $8.98 you just can’t beat it!

I gave it an 8 - Check out V’s Rating System

TASTE – 3 Very Good

PRICE – 4 Screaming Deal $8.98 AMAZING GRAPES

COOL FACTOR – 1 Been Done

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REGINATO 08′  Celestina Rose’ of Malbec

We are all gearing up for the Holidays, and stocking up on booze and wine to help  keep everyone in a festive mood.  The Champagne and Sparklers have started to arrive down at AMAZING GRAPES.   Since this gorgeous bottle arrived I was intrigued, a sparkling Malbec, plus, as I’ve already mentioned, I’m a Malbec Lover.  This wine also made “The O List” as ” A few things we think are great.”  and the cover of “The Oprah Magazine”.  Oprah has amazing taste, and again she hits the mark ,with this suggestion.

The wine is a rich cherry red, thanks to the Malbec and I got baked rhubarb pie and toasty-yeast on the nose.  You definitely taste the Malbec but this wine is somehow still light on its feet, crisp dry and very refreshing, with delicate tannins.  I think this sparkling beauty will go very well with Thanksgiving Dinner….

I gave it a 10 - Check Out V’s Rating System

TASTE   3 – Very Good

PRICE   4 – Screaming Deal  $13.98 AMAZING GRAPES WINE STORE

COOL FACTOR  3- Gotta Have It

ARGIANO 06′ Brunello di Montalcino

I have to start by letting you know I might be a tiny bit biased, as Brunello is my favorite wine.  I started my day tasting sparkling wines, then SOMEONE ordered pizza and we opened the ARGIANO Rosso.  I was ready to step it up when I was choosing who to go home with.  Hey, get your mind out of the gutter!  I’m talking about wine.  I had my heart set on this beautiful baby, and since there was 10%off Italian Wines I knew I was making the right choice.   I was thrilled by the seductive nose of red cherries, bright plum, tobacco, mocha and surprisingly southern BBQ.  It’s a full-bodied wine, rich in texture, with elegant but  structured tannins.  It glided down with a smooth, velvety finish of lively fruit and acidity.  Clearly “winning”.

I gave it an 9 -  Check out V’s Rating System

TASTE – 4  Amazing

PRICE – 3  Deal $52.98 AMAZING GRAPES WINE STORE

COOL FACTOR  2 – Hot

LUCA 08 Beso De Dante

I’m a Malbec lover and my roommie loves Cabernet, so we decided to compromise.  I have the opportunity to try all kinds of wines while I’m at work.  I work at Amazing Grapes Wine Store,  and earlier in the night  Zac opened a bottle of the Luca 08 Beso  De Dante and gave me a taste.  I am  not ashamed to admit I was drooling, it was mouth wateringly good.  Beso is a sultry blend of 55% Malbec and 45% Cabernet, with aromas of cedar, spice, black fruit, violets and an earthiness that flirts with you from the glass.  It keeps your palate captive with its’ full spectrum of flavors held together with firm tannins.  This bold wine has a long , luxuriously rich, smooth finish.  This gorgeous baby will continue to show complexity for another 2-3 years.  I grabbed a bottle for myself and we were both happy with my choice.

I gave it a 10 - Check out V’s Rating System

TASTE – 4 Amazing

PRICE – 3 Deal $29.98 AMAZING GRAPES WINE STORE

COOL FACTOR – 3 Gotta Have It

PODERI ELIA 08′ Barbera d’Asti

We’re studying Italy this week in Peter Neptunes Advanced WSET class, and I decided to go native.  I brought home a Barbera along with a pizza.  I was not disappointed.  The wine had a beautiful dark violet hue, the purity of the fruit really shone through with some coco and spice.  Deep dark cherries, zesty cranberry, and spice on the palate.   I also noticed an earthy complexity was there when I came back to it..  The finish was long and smooth on charms.  A perfect match for pizza:) 

I give it an 8 - Check out V’s Rating System

TASTE – 2 Good

PRICE – 3  Deal $14.98

COOL FACTOR – 3

  BIG VINE 07 Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is an instant classic and blows away anything even twice its  price!  Black currant, coco, tobacco and dry rose petal on the nose and then your mouth is invaded by rich ripe dark fruits, and earthy dusty tannins keep it all together.  This is a gorgeous one!  I say drink now but has potential for aging! $14.98

I gave it a 9  - Check out V’s Rating System

TASTE 3 – Very Good

PRICE 4 – Screaming Deal – $14.98

COOL FACTOR – 2 – Hot