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We have a winner … wait a min … we have TWO winners!
Published June 15, 2011 | 
The FREE WINE GIVEAWAY has come to a close. We used Random Org to come up with our two lucky winners.
The winners are: Jackie McDoougall (Comment No. 7) and Elle from Elle’s New England Kitchen (Comment No. 34). Please email Cathy your mailing address? Once we have that, we’ll give it to the winery and they will ship direct.
As is ALWAYS the case with wine … there must be someone 21 or older to sign for the wine.
Thanks for playing 
. I forgot how much fun it was to do a giveaway. Hey Cathy … what can we give away next?
Posted in Check This Out, WMD Wine Review | 
Andrew Caldwell, Legends of wine, living ledgend, wine giveaway | 
2 CommentsLegends of WINE ~ GIVEAWAY!!!
Published June 7, 2011 | Free WINE!! hehehe Now that we have your attention 
The girls of WMDA are doing a giveaway of our favorite product “WINE”. We are so honored to have been selected to host this fun giveaway for our kick ass readers!! Many of you know our dear friend Andrew Caldwell author extraordinaire of the wonderful cook book series “Their Last Suppers” WELL Andrew has done it again! His new endeavor called; “Legends Group” will be a series of wines featuring well known figures in history and their one and only current living legend, Ivana.
http://www.legendgrp.com/ http://www.ivanawine.com/
These Premier wines will feature Ivana as our only living legendary figure. Followed by Betty Paige and Amelia Earhart as part of the “Legends Collectibles” Editions.
They use only the finest selected grapes from the Winery at the Larson Family Winery, one of Sonoma’s, premier vineyards. They offer a beautiful rich, red, fruity classical Cabernet, and a wonderful, bright, crisp, zesty Chardonnay, much like Ivana herself.
We are so grateful to be a part of this special launch of these spectacular wines and in honor of this launch we are giving some of this incredible wine away! This first production will consist of 12,000 bottles and we yes we are proud to announce that we are getting some of the “first” bottles to share with our readers!!
So here is what you need to do to be eligible to win:
1)Leave a comment of course but you must tell us your favorite wine and why.
2) Share with the peoples and come back and tell us where you shared! Twitter / FB etc…
That’s it pretty simple!
Last day to enter will be June 14th ! Winner to be selected by Random Org and will be announced by Kristy on June 15th or June 16th depending on if a crazy thing called work gets in the way 
** Wine will be shipped direct from Winery! So hopefully you don’t live in one of those restricted states!
Oh ya and I am saving the best for last! We will be selecting a couple winners!! So enter as much as you want and spread the word!!
2 new (to me) Paso Robles Wine Discoveries
Published May 31, 2011 | A couple of weeks ago a few of us girls decided it was time to hit the “wine” trail. So we headed North to Paso Robles for the weekend. Since we had all been there many times in the past we decided to get out of our “winery” comfort zone and do some tasting at some new places. So glad we did! We hit 7 new (to us) wineries all together that weekend but a couple of them really stood out.
My favorite of the weekend! Thanks to an introduction from another great winemaker extraordinaire, Victoria Schmitt of “Volatus ~ http://www.volatuswine.com” is Aron Hill Vineyards (www.aronhillvineyards.com). Talk about timing! Ours was incredible ~ as they just opened their new tasting room on Highway 46 the very day we showed up. WOHOO lucky US! I must say it was love at first taste. I am not sure what she does to her Paso Juice but she nailed it. From the first sip I knew “Judy” (AKA owner incredible) and I were going to be very good friends! This small family vineyard produces wines that sucked me in from the very first sip! Their wines are big, full bodied, deep in color and full of rich fruit. The varietal that I can still taste is the “Primitivo”2005 Estate Grown Cabernet. OH MY that one could easily become a dangerous addiction!
Here is an excerpt from their website stating their philosophy and I LOVE IT!!!
Wine Making, like life, is a collective effort. At AronHill it begins with Intention, Patience and Passion, We join our hands and our hearts to create our wines. Together we arrive at the bold and luscious varietals we proudly present as the jewels of AronHill. Expertise and friendship link us in our mission to create the best wines the grapes will allow. Each bottle is a work of art and beauty. We strive to make wines that everyone can enjoy and by sharing them to “behold the heart of another.” French Proverb
If our wines can enliven your heart, awaken your palate, tantalize your taste buds and stir your passions we have accomplished our purpose.
Sincerely,
The Team at AronHill
The Second Winner of the weekend was Caliza (www.calizawinery.com) a small boutique winery located on Anderson Road. This winery is perfectly located next to a Paso giant called Booker. Caliza has a relatively small case production but let me tell you there is nothing small about this place ~ their wines are big and very tasty. While we tasted all 5 varietals they were offering 2 of them really stuck with me: “Sidekick” which is a white blend of Roussanne and Viognier and “Cohort” which is a red blend consisting of Syrah, Grenache, Primativo and Petite Sirah. The Sidekick is what I would say a perfect summer wine. The blend of flavors will pair nicely with my raft in the pool on a warm summer day. The Cohort ahhhh the Cohort this little gem is well good… anytime! This is one big wine that you can enjoy now with a big bad steak or in a few years with yet another big bad steak! Both were excellent and I am looking forward to visiting them again and again!
Girls Weekend!
Wines for the Top 10 Tough to buy for peeps!
Published December 3, 2010 | This great list was passed on to me from a great wino and talented writer; Natalie Maclean and well it was just too good not to pass along to everyone!!
New York, November 18, 2010 — “Wine is one of the few presents that makes both the giver and the receiver look good,” says Natalie MacLean, the red-nosed e-sommelier behind www.nataliemaclean.com, one of the largest wine web sites. “You look like you spent a bundle on the gift (even if you didn’t) and the recipients are happy that you think they know something about wine (even if they don’t).”
“When you give wine, doubles are fine, there are no wrong sizes and you can always find something good in stock,” MacLean adds. “Vintage gifts will get anyone into the holiday spirits.”
Natalie’s Top Ten Gift Wines for Your …
1. Hairdresser: For the person who combines humor and optimism every time she styles your mop. Go for a light, gulpable wine like a dry rosé. It’s versatile and fuss-free-a great quaff for your coif.
2. Psychiatrist: Of course, he’ll analyze whatever you give him so choose a wine that’s all about balance. Easy-drinking pinot noir is medium-bodied yet packed with flavor. Surprise him with a large-format bottle, like a magnum. Big thinking means big progress for you. This wine also works for psychologists, marriage counselors and bartenders.
3. The Boss: Pick too pricey a wine and your boss will think your last raise was too much; go cheap, and she’ll think you lack judgement. Focus on a label with a lot of white space since that makes the bottle look more expensive. A castle in the distance also works, but avoid fluffy animals.
4. Personal Trainer: Think a muscular, robust red would work? Hold that position. Instead, try riesling: this light white wine pairs well with a health-nut diet of salad and seafood, plus it’s low in alcohol. You can also give it to Pilates instructors, yoga masters and Tai Chi coaches.
5. Financial Planner: You and he both know it’s going to take decades before your portfolio recovers after the crash of 2008. With that long-term view, vintage port makes the perfect gift. This fortified wine from northern Portugal, with its long aging potential, will be around for both of you into your retirements.
6. Travel Agent: She’s been everywhere and seen everything, so go local with your choice of wine. Even better, if you live close to the winery, get the bottle signed by the winemaker.
7. Teacher: If you can’t find a suitably obscure wine with a Latin name, there’s always cream sherry. It’s the tipple of Oxford dons, not to mention the centerpiece of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story The Case of the Amontillado.
8. Mail Deliverer: Go for a winery that’s consistent year after year in producing a wine that can be enjoyed in snow, rain, sleet or hail. Try an Australian shiraz or Argentine malbec.
9. Mechanic: Yes, there’s a wine called Red Truck, but try to be more imaginative. Why not give a wine made by Mario Andretti in California or Ferrari in Italy?
10. Online Date: So you’re on your second or third rendezvous with the person you met on eHarmony or Dating.com. If you’re not sure yet whether marriage is a possibility, try something middle-of-the-road, like merlot. Yes, it’s the soft jazz of wine, but until you know, play it safe.
And after all that shopping, don’t forget yourself: even Santa’s little helpers need more than milk and cookies. Try something with high-alcohol like Italian Amarone or Rhone syrah: these big reds easily drown out tone-deaf caroling and pair beautifully with tired feet.
For Natalie’s favorite wineries, tasting notes and recipe matches for all the wine types mentioned above, please visit: http://www.nataliemaclean.com/blog/view/2010/11/18/top-10-wines-for-holiday-gifts/133541
Top 10 Wines for Green Veggies & a FREE Wine APP
Published May 6, 2010 | The Green theme seems to be in just about everything we do, wear, eat and well now drink!! Hehehe… I mean why not! When it comes to wine pairing we often think of the heart of the meal first and pair to that accordingly..never or not often would we think to pair or even take into consideration those “green” things that share the plate with the main event! That is where incredible wine enthusiast and expert comes into the picture, Natalie MacLean. Natalie MacLean is an independent journalist and author of the bestseller Red, White and Drunk All Over. More than 110,000 wine and food lovers subscribe to her free monthly e-newsletter. For Google searches on popular terms like “food and wine matching” and “wine newsletter,” Natalie’s site is often on the first page of the results as it has become a go-to resource for food and wine lovers. Natalie has won four James Beard Journalism Awards, including the MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award. At the World Food Media Awards in Australia, she was named the World’s Best Drinks Writer. (You go girl!)
When Natalie talks wine we all listen and if you don’t listen to her you should Here is her take on the Top 10 wines for Green Veggies in her own words:
San Francisco, April 23, 2010 – Which wines go best with “green food”, such as asparagus, peppers and peas? How about other fresh vegetables that we’ll enjoy this summer and fall?
“Green foods are the problem children of the wine world,” says Natalie MacLean, editor of one of the largest wine sites on the web at www.nataliemaclean.com. “But as a stubborn hedonist, I’ve found some terrific wines to drink with them.”
Natalie’s Top 10 Green Wine & Food Matches
1. Corned beef and cabbage: Pinot Blanc
2. Irish Stew: Cabernet Franc
3. Spring Asparagus: Gruner Veltliner
4. Field greens salad: Riesling
5. Tomatoes: Pinot Noir
6. Green peppers: Sparkling Wine
7. Grilled veggies: Rose
8. Green peas: Sauvignon Blanc
9. Spinach and bacon salad: Merlot
10. Artichoke: Verdicchio
For more tips on pairing green food and wine, visit http://bit.ly/dsYG0g.
Another very cool thing is that Natalie has a new and free yes free (my favorite 4 letter word) app that is all about wine, wine lingo, wine reviews, recipes, blog posts, articles and most important (to me at least) wine pairing! It is great for those of us who in a pinch want to know what wine to buy that is friends with a certain type of food!! This cool new mobile application is for iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, Droid and other smartphones. You can access the new app at www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp.
This killer app really is like having sommelier in your pocket oh and did I mention it was FREE!! !
Wine Terminology… Always helpful to know!
Published April 20, 2010 | Here are the top 10 wine terms according to www.eBacchus.com. These are very helpful especially when you hit the tasting rooms or social events and want to sound like you know what you are talking about
Aroma
The intensity and character of the aroma can be assessed with nearly any descriptive adjective. (eg: from “appley” to “raisiny”, “fresh” to “tired”, etc.). Usually refers to the particular smell of the grape variety. The word “bouquet” is usually restricted to describing the aroma of a cellar-aged bottled wine.
Balance
Denotes harmonious balance of wine elements – (ie: no individual part is dominant). Acid balances the sweetness; fruit balances against oak and tannin content; alcohol is balanced against acidity and flavor. Wine not in balance may be acidic, cloying, flat or harsh etc.
Crisp (Whites)
Wine has pronounced but pleasing tartness, acidity. Fresh, young and eager, begs to be drunk. Generally used to describe white wines only, especially those of Muscadet de Sevres et Maine from the Loire region of France.
Finish
Term used to describe the taste left in the mouth after swallowing the wine. Both character and length of the aftertaste are part of the total evaluation. May be harsh, hot, soft and lingering, short, smooth, tannic, or nonexistent.
Fruity
Used for any quality that refers to the body and richness of a wine made from good, ripe grapes. A fruity wine has an “appley”, “berrylike” or herbaceous character. “Fruitiness” usually implies a little extra sweetness.
Smooth / Soft (Velvety)
Generally has low acid/tannin content. Also describes wines with low alcohol content. Consequently has little impact on the palate.
Spicy
Almost a synonym for “peppery”. Implies a softer, more rounded flavor nuance however.
Structure
The flavor plan, so to speak. Suggests completeness of the wine, all parts there. Term needs a modifier in order to mean something – (eg: “brawny” etc).
Tannins (Reds)
A naturally occurring substance in grapeskins, seeds and stems. Is primarily responsible for the basic “bitter” component in wines. Acts as a natural preservative, helping the development and, in the right proportion, balance of the wine. It is considered a fault when present in excess.
Taste
Refers to the basic sensations detectable by the human tongue. Current scientific opinion defines these as “sweet”, “salty”, “sour”, “bitter” and “MSG” (Monosodium Glutamate) flavors all registered by the tongue taste receptors. The traditional view of the tongue having four distinct surface zones to register those tastes has recently been revised by a report of new research discoveries.
Boutique Winery in Paso that ROCKS!!!!
Published March 1, 2010 | 
http://www.greywolfcellars.com- 2174 Highway 46 West – Paso Robles, California
I love this wine – I really wanted to write a specific review on my favorite varietals but I found that impossible because I PRETTY MUCH LOVE THEM ALL! My New Hubby and I stumbled upon this winery about 4 years ago (we just started dating then) & (literally stumbled) and just fell in love with every wine that hit our lips. One wine really struck us not only because of how wonderful and smooth it tasted but because of the name, “SOULMATE”(new couple thing – I know oh how cute!!) Side note we bought more cases than our trunk could hold but we saved until our Wedding night the very last bottle of Soulmate that we bought on that first trip in 2005.
This is a family winery and the young, adorable and award winning hotshot wine maker “Joe Barton Jr” is amazing – They have an Old World Wine Making Philosophy – They are very hands on and use only French Oak Wine Barrels and American Oak Wine Barrels. All their wines are crushed, barreled and bottled on the estate.
Here is a list of all the wines here that I have personally had the pleasure of swirling and swallowing!!!
LONE WOLF – Red Table Wine – We bought cases of this “everyday drinker”
2005 SOULMATE – Red Rhone Blend – Wedding Night Wine – That says something about how great this is and in 2007 we went back for more!!!
2006 ZINFANDEL – The Jackal- This Zin does have attitude
2005 CABERNET SAUVIGNON – Alpha – YUM
2005 ZINFANDEL – Barton Family Reserve – Oh Yea – So great
2003 BARTON ESTATE – Red Estate Blend – Thumbs Up
2004 BARTON ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON – Yummy
2005 ZINFANDEL – Big Bad Wolf – The after party after drinking this was amazing – Ha
2004 Petite Verdot – Silky and smooth like the website says -
All the wines here are excellent and if you get to Paso Robles (Highway 46 West) do not pass Grey Wolf Cellars up!!!
Cheers
Cathy
** AS Grey Wolf says, ” Life is too short to drink bad wine”
Fun Wine Sayings
Published January 18, 2010 | I know just about every industry has their thing – Here are some fun and funny “WINE” sayings that I have run across either in print or on T-Shirts:
Will trade Husband for Wine
Life is to short to Drink Bad Wine
How “Merlot” can you go.
In this house we only serve “fine wines” Did you bring any???
Make Me Wine
I’m Aging like Fine Wine … I’m getting Complex and Fruity!”
Wine a bit – You’ll feel better
Wine is the answer. What was the question??
I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.
Wine is the most civilized thing in the world. – Ernest Heminway
Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance – Benjamin Franklin
What is better than to sit at the end of a day and drink wine with friends, or substitute for friends.
And Noah he often said to his wife when he sat down to dine, ‘I don’t care where the water goes if it doesn’t get into the wine’.
“Men are like wine – some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age” – Pope John XXIII
God made Cabernet Sauvignon, whereas the Devil made Pinot Noir.
Drinks Well With others
Check out this great web site http://www.chrisstuff.com/ – He sells fun and playful “wine saying T- shirts and accessories.
Cheers
Cathy
Silkwood 2004 Syrah.. Oh My, This was incredible
Published July 16, 2009 |
Silkwood Wines ~ 2004 Syrah
Cracked a bottle of this baby the other night and it was smooth as silk. Dinner that night was a wonderful New York Steak with a gorgonzola cream sauce and it seemed appropriate that a big bad red wine went with dinner. This one did not dissapoint, WOW. From the moment it was uncorked you could smell all the richness in the bottle. This is one big wine with one smooth finish… This gold medal winning wine will continue to get better and better. Aged for 26 months in a French barrel this one easily has aging potential of 9 or so years. It was so good now that I am not sure it is possible for this to get better!! Silkwood Wines in located in California and makes some wonderful wines. Check out www.silkwoodwines.com for more information.
One Helluva Wine Night
Published May 14, 2009 | Well as many of you know I had the pleasure of having Chef Lance Toro along with Kristy and her crew over for dinner a couple weeks ago and all I can say is Oh What A Night!! I must say I was a little nervous cooking for a Chef but thankfully I stuck to a couple favorites dishes that over the past few months I got very comfortable cooking. Was not going to risk cooking something new The food was great and I served a couple of my favorites – Salmon with black bean and corn relish.
and Black Bean Chilaquile and a Beer bread with corn. Lance surprised up and whipped up a great summer salad with a lemon vinaigrettedressing. Chef Lance Toro will be launching his website soon where you will find great recipes and when he goes on tour with Christina Aguilera this summer he will chronicle life on tour!
Chef Lance Toro
Summer Salad with Watermelon, Berries, Goat Cheese topped with a Lemon Vinaigrette
Saving the best for last THE WINE of the Evening!!
Keeping in mind there were 6 of us we felt it was only fitting to drink 6 bottles of wine – 1 for each of us was only fair right!! I know that typically you would pair white wine with fish but we are all red drinkers. The one thing about wine is that you are never wrong if you like it you are right – I mean come on where else in your life are you always right?? That’s what I thought nowhere! Here is what we enjoyed that night and let me tell you every DAMN bottle was Kick ass! We drank wines from: Leona Valley, Volatus, Martin Weyrich and William Hill.
6 people + 6 bottles + a night of fun!!
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