Auratus Quinta do Feital Alvarinho-Trajadura `09 $15.99 (Not TJ's) ***

After a very bad experience with Vinho Verde, I drank my first sip with trepidation - it was a good sign that this wine is a pretty, light gold hue  - which was dramatically different from my last foray into Vinho Verde.

This is a Portuguese white wine made with with Alvarino and Trajadura grapes. After tasting, I simply considered it grapefruit in a glass (which to me is a novelty, as with a kidney transplant, I am not allowed to have grapefruit - it interferes with my medications).  This blend is tart, refreshing and has a slight mineralty with a crisp citrus taste. Auratus is easy to drink both with and without food. Serve well chilled and this is a solid, refreshing summer wine.

We had it with a dinner of "Saturday Surprise" - yummie leftovers and a fresh quiche straight from the oven. This wine held its own against the buttery homemade crust of the quiche and the custardy filling with a hint of nutmeg and pancetta. It also fared well with the leftover braised smoked duck in red cabbage. I could imagine this wine in a variety of informal meals where a refreshing, tart white wine is called for.

LaCheteau Vouvray `09 $6.99 ****

Impromptu drinks on a late Spring evening.  I grabbed this Vouvray, wet it down, and popped it in the freezer to chill while I whipped up some h'orderves. Meanwhile, in the livingroom, the boy tried to figure out how to add Green Day and U2 to my Pete Seeger/Johnny Cash Pandora Mix.  HAH! Foiled.  (although I do like U2 and some Green Day....)

A very helpful saleslady recommended this wine when I was shopping for Summer white wine - she knew what she was talking about.

This is a fresh, fruity, slightly buttery, semi-dry (sweet(ish)) wine.  It goes great with cheese and crackers.  I could easily see this as a nice chilled picnic wine with a salad.  The dominant taste is pear, with a slight effervescence, and it does have a slight burn in the back of my throat, so I'd say drink it slowly. It is a "thick" and semi-sweet wine, but it is not cloying.  I wish we had some Brie, I think this would be a great wine with Brie and Apple. Umm Asparagus, not so much.  As a matter of fact, it is hard to match asparagus with a white wine. Brooklyn Guy wrote some good stuff about pairing wine with Asparagus.  I think he is spot on when he says:

 "For me, the classic pairing is Sauvignon Blanc. I'm talking about wines from Sancerre or Touraine, for example."

He's right, and I am going to take his advice in the future, as Asparagus is my favorite vegetable.

My final thoughts:  Good wine, well with the money.  Impressive (even with a plastic cork!) It wouldn't hurt to keep a bottle or two on hand.

Menu:
Salmon on crackers with a dill/ no fat sour cream
Deviled eggs with crispy chorizo
Steamed Asparagus with microplaned domestic Parmesan

Jean Ginglinger Gewurztraminer `07 (Not TJ's) $22.99 ****

What a delicious wine.  It was one of the wines I tasted during my "Demystifying French Wine" Class at Bacchus. I have learned so much by taking these classes.  Like:  don't store Champagne in the fridge, unless you are just about to drink it. Actually, don't store ANY wine in the fridge.  56 degrees Fahrenheit is fine.  Which is why all my wine lives in my pantry (The unheated former entryway (now enclosed) of my NYC crack house - yes, I live in a former crack house - don't judge... it is cute!)

Back to the wine.  This Gewurztraminer is sweet, rich and buttery.  BUT it has an acid undertone that perfectly balances it.  I didn't want to uncork this bottle on a work night with no planned menu.  After all, it is expensive, but I needed wine and all I didn't have much in the fridge. 

This wine is lush, fruity and smooth.  It would go great with a spicy Thai or Chinese dish.  Those Alsatians know how to make a good Gewurztraminer.  Four stars.  Well worth the $22.99.

Menu:

Spinach Salad
Potato, Provolone, Bacon & Onion Tart

Now, enough about the great wine.  Why am I writing about an expensive (to me) wine on a Wednesday night???? 

After a long, exhausting day, facing a 568 page line edit for a friend's novel, there was a box of 8 LBS of bacon waiting for me.  Which effectively brought my larder up to 16 LBS of premium bacon.  Someone has a twisted sense of humor.  How did I end up with 16 LBS of premium bacon in my larder?  Well, 8LBS of it was my mistake.  We all had a laugh when I got on line and ordered bacon from Benton's in Tennessee (minimum order 4 LBS)  oops, I ordered twice.  Now, a month after my initial snafu (and subsequent hahahahah moments) I just came home to another box of bacon.  (Guess what you are getting for Christmas J&S...)  Sigh.....

Oreana Happy Face Syrah $5.99 *

Shudder. First sip bleech. Think bitter chocolate. I only made it through three sips. Now for the vinturi. After the vinturi - it is substantially better, but still bleech. I can't really describe the taste. Tannins, a lot of tannins. And acidic, and well, rough. To save the day I am switching to Vodka Cranberry for brunch. Buy this wine at your own risk.

Menu
Butter lettuce & mushroom salad
Ramp, Spinach Ricotta Tart
Tiramisu (who can resist espresso, marscapone lady fingers and Marsala??)

This has been the first time in a long time that I have poured a bottle down the drain. I won't even cook with it. Happy Face on the label - someone has a sense of humour!

Stonehedge Santa Lucia Chardonnay $8.99 **

This wine only gets two stars from me, as reviewing is subjective.

Today is the day after the Kentucky Derby (one of my high holy days - won this year by Mine that Bird, a 50-1 long shot upset) and the day after the six month anniversary of my kidney transplant. I'll sum it up by calling it a rainy Sunday "day after".

Brunch is quick and painless - a mixed leaf salad, Chorizo, Onion and Mushroom omelet, and reheated six cheese macaroni & cheese. I also may have fried my taste buds on mint juleps yesterday.

My first sip of the well chilled wine was shudder, sour. So shocking that I walked into the living room, held out the glass and said "taste this, is it off?" He said "No, it is chardonnay. Could you make me a Bloody Mary please?" - great, I ask for an opinion and I get a drink order.

After cooking brunch, we sat down to eat. It goes well with food. The saltiness of the chorizo is a good balance. I wouldn't open this bottle for a drinks party, but I would serve it with a meal. I don't think that it is worth $8.99 though - not in this economy. Hence my two stars for a wine that is probably a three star wine.

TJ's Coastal Chardonnay $ 4.99 **

I've been watching Depression Cooking with Clara. I can't say that I'd actually make many of her meals so far, but it is eye opening to watch this 91 year old woman reminisce about her past and cook a quick, simple meal. In honor of Clara, I am going to make a late lunch of Peppers and Eggs. And to drink, I'll have the TJ's Coastal Chardonnay.

First sip while cooking - this is a pretty good wine. Well chilled, this wine has a clean taste, sweet finish. As the wine gets warmer, it turns slightly sour with a sharp aftertaste. Still ok, nothing I'd ever buy again - drinkable - there is better out there, and as soon as I find it, I'll blog about it.

Menu:
Spinach Salad with warm bacon dressing
Rustic Italian Olive Bread
Sauteed Peppers and Eggs

Clara is on to something. Peppers and eggs are a great lunch. I'll try it again when I have peppers fresh from my garden - with a different wine.

Bandit Pinot Grigio 2006 $7.89 * (not TJ's)

It has been a bad week. A friend died. I never made it to Trader Joe's. On an impulse, I stopped at Crossroads Liquor Store on the way home. In memory of Susie, I bought a bottle of Silver Patron and while at the register I grabbed a 1L box of wine, Bandit Pinot Grigio.

I opened the wine today (Saturday) and poured myself a glass to have with lunch (chorizo, pepper & onion omelet) One sip - yeech. So, being the cheapskate that I am, I poured it into a water glass, added cranberry juice and orange juice and called it "white trash sangria".

Later this afternoon, I was making roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Bacon & Sage. I poured a healthy amount of this pinot into the risotto. I don't know what I'll do with the balance of the 1 litre box, but I can assure you that I won't be drinking it.