The Night Before Christmas

This week, two and a half situations presented themselves, and forced me to make a quick decision, but more importantly, provided some holiday content for this here blog. 

Situation 1: Gathering with family, what to open dilemma 

Situation 1/2: Feel a sneeze coming on in the grocery store

Situation 2: Feast of the Seven Fishes wine pairing

While in Arizona for an early Christmas gathering this past weekend, the all too familiar "What should we open?" conversation took place. The scene was organized chaos, in a great family gathering way. We had a happy hour spread with spreads, cheeses, and crunchy things. The cookie tray was accessible, as was the dark chocolate squares. Beverage consumption of the group ranged from beer, holiday punch, whisky, to White Claw. Perfect timing for Beth's "I think I'm ready for wine!" line. All eyes, or two, I don't specifically recall, turned to me to open wine for some of the crew, myself included. So the, what to open? situation happens. It's the holiday and family and we want something good, but with all that's going on, well, hopefully you get my dilemma. 

My suggestion, avoid the urge to crack the Menage a Trois. The family deserves better. But it's also not the time to crack the special bottle from the special tasting room you bought for a special occasion. It just won't get the opportunity to shine. You family deserves it, but consider the wine. Wine has feelings too. 

So I share with you three jammy crowd pleasures that I've purchased in three different states, so I feel confident you can find them too at your local wine shop or Total Wine. 

#1: Saldo Zin from The Prisoner Wine Company. Usually around $26. 

I first discovered this at a happy hour The Toasted Barrel in Corona. It's really smooth and easy to like. The label maker label is a cool touch too.  

#2 Rombauer Zin, $32

We first had this bottle at Tap's Fish House to go with cioppino. Yes, red with spicy seafood. Twas a great pairing.

Rombauer makes great wine. I'm not a Chardonnay expert, but that's soo good too. 

#3 Belle Glos Las Alturas, Pinot Noir. $33-$48

It's just always delicious. The prices on this are all over the place. I've found it much cheaper online. Buy a case, split it with friends or bring with you when we have you over! 

Now, three wines that I feel like posting pictures of and you should drink over the holidays and you're welcome. 

#1 Tensley, Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah, $40

I know this isn't a pic of the Colson Canyon

Tensley makes great wine. Wine Spectator agrees too, as the 2018 Colson Canyon Syrah came in at #40 on their annual Top 100 Wines of the year. The pic above sells for about $25 at Total Wine. Not as good, but not bad by any means. 

#2 Herman Story, Casual Encounters, $45ish

Photo cred to Lindsay. She's good at lots of things.

A cool thing about Casual Encounters is that it's a co-fermented blend. Meaning, they throw Syrah (42%), Mourvedre (18%), Grenache (8%) and Carignan into the barrel together, and whatever casually happens, happens.

We love all things Herman. They're fun,

That's Russel, the owner and winemaker gifting Beth a Magnum in July because he found out they share a birthday. 

funny, https://www.hermanstorywines.com/ .  Seriously. if you enjoy my writing beyond, "hey, I know that guy," you should check out their website. Good stuff. And the wine is lovely. 

Jeb Dunnuck thinks so too: Herman at Hi Times

#3 Austin Hope, Cabernet Sauvignon $40-$50

This past summer, same July trip as the Herman pic, we got a recommendation to go to Austin Hope to try their Cab. It was a, "where have you been all my life?" experience. How we'd visited Paso so many times without stumbling upon Austin Hope winery is a bit of a head scratcher. But here we are. And the Cab is fantastic. Wine Enthusiast agrees too, as it just earned #7 on their Top 100 Enthusiast Wines in the World. Well-deserved!

They also make Troublemaker. A $12 easy drinking, bad labeled wine that they don't advertise at the tasting room. 

The sneeze situation wasn't all that spectacular. At the grocery store, I felt one coming on, which usually means there are at least 2 more on the way. I was wearing a mask, which seemed gross to sneeze into. But I was in the produce section of the store. Such 2020 problems. I'll leave the conclusion of that conundrum up to your best guess. 

Situation 2, Beth's making Pasta Pescatore for Christmas Eve dinner tonight. Big decisions on what to drink with it. I'll keep you posted. 

Merry Christmas to all! Cheers! 

 

Mean More

 

I'm sure for Niner Winery, they know when making their flagship wine, Fog Catcher, each year they're creating something special. To make only 27 barrels of something so beautiful, is, well, beautiful. They do it really well, too. 

I think it's pretty cool that winemakers bottle future moments and memories for their consumers. We didn't know that when we visited their tasting room in Paso 13 months ago that last night's bottle would mean so much, but it did. It was beautiful. 

Some bottles just mean more. 

 

If the Helpful Honda Guy Gave Wine Tips

Sure, you could scroll through the Purple Tooth archives 8 years and find some helpful hints, but I'll save you the work, provide a refresher, and keep myself productive on a Saturday morning. I have 2 products and a philosophy to share, perfectly timed with the fast approaching holiday season and stay-at-home orders, suggesting we drink more wine from the comforts of our couch. 

Product Number 1: 

I've been adding this chemical to our pool weekly for three years and every weekend I chuckle at the design flaw of the bottle. It's comical to me and I wonder if other people share my thoughts (but don't tell me. I'm sure I could look it up). 

This pic may not do the drippage justice

I could probably report my complaint to the Leslie's Product Police, but I'll just share with you. And try to better make a point. No, I'm not telling you to add Perfect Weekly to your wine glass. Keep reading. 

Previously, I hailed this as the best $4 investment of all time, and I stand by it today. In fact, I'm taking it a step further to say, invest $8 for a 50 pack of disc pour spouts, then give some away to improve the lives of those you love. If you don't use these, can we even really be friends?

Why people tolerate wine dripping down the bottle is beyond me. Do they do that with the milk carton too? Gross. 

These discs are cheap, reusable and super reliable. 

Product Number 2: 

Sometimes Max will tell me about a Bugatti Chiron with a $3,000,000.00+ price tag (no typo). I'm amazed for so many reasons. Cool looking car. I'm sure it's fast. Probably comfy too. 

But, it's kind of a scam, right? So are wine openers. Is there another industry where consumers say, "wow, that expensive purchase broke much sooner than I expected, let me just spend a little more money on the next one," like we do with wine openers? 

Ridiculous. Pick up one of these guys. The little hinge thing makes it super easy to use, and you'll look cool. Well, at least it makes me think that I look cool. 

I've purchased 2. Not because I broke one, but my sister's fancy opener was causing problems, so I got her one too. Game changer. 

Philosophy: 

We recently went to Kingman, Arizona for a baseball tournament. No shortage of reliable options for fast food and goods. 

But a quick Yelp search led us to Rickety Cricket Brewing for lunch. 

 

If you're the type of traveler that seeks out a Rickety Cricket over Del Taco, consider buying wine from somewhere other than Albertson's. 

Nothing wrong with the selection at the grocery store. You know what you'll get and the prices will be competitive. But, live a little. Check out your local wine shop or liquor store. There are so many quality (highly rated), well priced wines that never make it to the grocery store shelves. Try some. 

Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa  is awesome, and delivers. 

And if you live near me, don't let the sketchy building & parking lot of El Cerrito Liquor fool ya. The place is an absolute gem. 

Happy holidays, friends. Cheers! 

Empty Bottles

 "I am a firm believer that an empty bottle of wine is worth much more than a full one. Empty bottles remind us of the laughter, food, and friends that we enjoyed them with." 

- Anthony Yount, Denner Winemaker

My grand reunion with Purple Tooth was going to be a witty one. I had a plan, man! But, sometimes life ain't fair. Yesterday was sometimes. 

So, today, I creep back in, thanking you for empty bottles. And my neighbors, whose kitchen window is next to our recycling bin but never complain, I'll thank them too. Some bottles get recycled, some turned into candles, but all create a memory that we just might be able to hold on to. 

Drink the good stuff. Empty bottles are better. Cheers!