My Personal Wine History and a Visit to Sonoma County
About nine years ago, my husband suggested we create a wine tasting data base to record our adventures and our preferences. It seemed like a good idea, as many of my favorite magazines were starting to publish wine columns and our "want to try" list was getting longer and longer.We never had the time - or never took the time - and we never purchased a wine program or did anything formal about it. But it was the start of something. An awareness perhaps. And we've had fun ever since.
My own adventures with wine started as a toddler. Yes. That's what I said. While the grownups enjoyed wine with their meals, I was given a wine glass filled with water and enough wine to add flavor - and pique my interest. I don't think it did any harm; in fact, it was probably useful. Early on, I saw wine as a meal accompaniment and not something to be consumed in large quantities in order to achieve an altered state.
But I've been here, too.
These days, my husband and I often drink a glass or two before and during dinner. We enjoy the complexity of wine, and we like to experiment with pairings and we talk about building a wine cave like the one my brother built. We've got the perfect place for it, but we've got a lot of other priorities, too.
We're not especially educated and we've not snobbish. In the last month or two, we've tasted Two Buck Chuck (now three bucks) as well as some pricier wines. As for bubbly, we like everything from the occasional supermarket offering to the bottle of Dom Perignon that is awaiting just the right celebratory event.
Recently at dinner we ordered a meritage blend from California's Central Coast that was layered and rich, with a plummy introduction and a cherry-vanilla finish. Next month, we'll enjoy the black wine of Cahors as we look out over our own (for two weeks, anyway) private vineyard.
I recently spend several days in Sonoma County, tasting, learning and observing. The variety before me was awesome, as they say, but in the true sense of the word. Thanks to A for her wine tour and to E, F and M for their companionship.
I'll be back, Sonoma...
What's your wine story?
Comments
We've had our share of exquisite wines, but even a modest wine can have its pleasures. We recently had dinner at some friends' house. When I chose white wine from the drinks offered, the host made a big deal out of serving an "award-winning chardonnay." With that, he brought out some Two Buck Chuck! It had actually beat out high-priced wines in a blind taste test. It still is two bucks in California, I'm pretty sure--just three bucks elsewhere--and still a deal.
I have lost my taste for Chardonnay recently and have found more intrigue in red wines. I like blends - a lot!
Years ago, when some WI friends visited me in CA, they told me about the "Wisconsin Wine"--found in CA: "Beer is SO expensive here!!!" (said in a "whiny" voice)
But, LOL, that does sound like someone from Wisconsin.
We've joined a wine club and receive a bottle of red and white every 3 weeks or so, it's fun to try them, most are from CA. but once in awhile they send a bottle from New Zealand, Chile or France too.
Two Buck Chuck is pretty good though!
My husband and I also sit back at night - usually only on weekends, but sometimes on weeknights - and enjoy a glass as we recap the day. Sometimes we switch to margheritas.
I've got a white blend from Michigan uncorked - I like offbeat little blends a lot!
Yes, time...
Do they export it? I would love to give it a try!
I love a Sav Blanc from New Zealand called Monkeys Bay. My womens group have now renamed it as "Monkeys Bum "and we always have a bottle when we get together - its our "in" joke. I am having two couples from said group over for dinner this Saturday and we will have a bottle of Monkeys Bum for sure!
Its actually very good as NZ does Sav Blanc so well! LOL
Lady Jicky, I have tried NZ wines! A few years back, I stumbled across one and it was very good!
Toni, I continue to be amazed at the price of wine in France. Six more weeks now, and I will be there sampling it...
I love your approach to wines. When I lived in So. American many years ago I tasted my first wine, also diluted in a glass of sparkling water, and never looked back.
Ever since my husband and I visited the southwest of France and tasted the wines there, nothing else comes close for us. We love the different reds from the myriad small wineries there. And, lucky for us, our local co-op has a wine buyer who ferrets out just the wines we like. Not too pricey either.
Next time you come to California, would you please let me know? :)
I certainly will return, though, and would love to meet you somewhere. In fact, before I left I did a Google map thing to see how far away your would be. I love this part of California!
I was just reading about Quercy wines and drooling. Last time we stuck to wines from the grapes in the vineyard "our" house overlooks. This time, I think we will be more adventurous.
Lately, I've been buying offbeat blends and other little wines, based on the label description.
Meanwhile, we've still got a bottle of Dom Perignon that requires just the right occasion. Soon.
It was wonderful spending time with you in the Sonoma area Mimi. Love the photos too. Its a beautiful part of the world and the wines are wonderful :)
I tried that last time I was in the US and thought it was great! About time one can buy a decent wine for a good price there~
But, please, Chuck, no higher....