Blueberry Pinot

  Last weekend I was out doing some site seeing.  I was not planning on buying any wine.  My wine rack is flowing over and I made a promise to myself I needed to open a few more bottles before I add another.  We  ventured to National Harbor right outside of Washington DC.  Fortunately for us there was a little open air market going on.  We walked around, picked up some amazingly yummy tomatoes and nectarines.  Just as we were about to head to the car, we saw a small tent offering wine samples.  Well, I don't know about you, but when I see wine samples...I'm like a moth to a flame.  I cannot walk away.

  The winery was Solomon Island Winery.  This is a local Maryland vineyard located in Lusby, Maryland.  This day they were offering their Island Mist collection.  I sipped Kiwi Pear Sauvignon Blanc, Mango Symphony, Watermelon White Merlot and last but not least Blueberry Pinot Noir.  I liked all of them, but the Blueberry Pinot Noir stood out.  

  It is labeled as a sweet wine.  Compared to many sweet wines that I've had the pleasure of tasting I did not come off as a sugary sweet wine.  Instead, it was more of a strong blueberry pinot noir.  It is recommended to be served chilled.  I don't typically like my pinots cold.  To me, if a wine is too cold it loses a lot of the flavor.  I tried this chilled and room temperature and both were absolutely delish!!  I must admit slightly cool is my favorite.  Will I purchase another bottle?  No.  I will pick up a case next chance I can!

Where to buy?

Bongo for Bogle

Some time ago I found myself wandering around the wine store (this happens more often then it really should). After listening to me talk about all the wines I have liked so far, my favorite sales clerk suggested I try Bogle wines. He said all of their wines are great, especially their pinot. With that said, I picked up Bogle Pinot Noir.

Have you ever picked a wine because of the label? I admit I have. That's a very hit or miss way to pick up a quality wine. Bogle Pinot Noir is one of those wines I would have picked only because of the the beauty of the label. If I did it, would have been a hit!
I thoroughly enjoyed this wine. At first opening I found it smooth, rich and easy to drink. After allowing it to breathe I found the wine to be spicy and still very enjoyable. Will I buy this again? Of course!

Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir 2010

Since beginning this search each week for a new wine I have found myself going back to Pinot Noirs. I just love them! I have also noticed they are not created equally. Some are light and smooth and others full and spicy. I'm not sure if it's the acidity or what (my immature palate and wine experience is showing), but some pinots have that umph...that little bite on your tongue that sends a jolt of electricity through your mouth and down your throat. While I do like that type of pinot, some nights I really want an easy, soft, smooth, no jolt glass of wine. If you are looking for an easy going wine with lots of flavor that is smooth and fun to drink, Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir is the one for you. I picked it up for $11.99, you can't beat that. Have a glass or 3 and let me know your thoughts.

Erath Pinot Noir 2009

A couple weeks ago I took part in #winechat on Twitter. You can learn more about it, via this link. After hearing about so many great wines from Oregon I decided to pick up a bottle. I checked my shopping list and low behold I had an Oregon wine on my list, Erath Pinot Noir.

First, I was surprised to see it was another screw top. With my recent success with screw tops I didn't let that phase me. Many pinot noir's that I've had the p leasure of tasting up until this point have been very dark in color. So the first thing I noticed was the lighter color of this wine. I'll be honest, first glass went fast. I was watching television and talking to friends. Before I knew it, my glass was empty! Since I wanted to review it, I was obligated to pour another glass. With the second glass I took my time and thought about what I was drinking. I found it soft, light, not overpowering with just a hint of spice. I would not classify this as sweet or dry. If you like sweet wines, I would not recommend this. But if you are up for something new, a slightly richer wine than your sweet, I give this two thumbs up. It really is an easy wine to get lost in thought and conversation with. It goes down easily and went over well with a mixed group of wine drinkers, from newbies like myself to self proclaimed sommeliers. You
can pick up a bottle for under $20, grab one and share your thoughts.

Valentine Cupcake

I'd been eyeing Cupcake Vineyards Pinot Noir for awhile now. I noticed the brand back when I was drinking nothing but Moscatos. But (in my best "I'm better than all" voice) I thought since it was so inexpensive, it couldn't be good. What!?! I know! How stupid and silly can a person be?

I picked this up for under $10.00. I found this to be amazing! I wasn't sure what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. It was smooth, rich, juicy with a hint of sweetness. The end added a kick of spice. Overall it was fantastic. I will definitely be purchasing this again and I really want to try the rest of the wines Cupcake Vineyards offer. MMM, MMMM Delish!! Looking for a yummy Pinot for your valentine dinner? You cannot go wrong with this!

Elude to Etude

  A few Saturday nights ago I had the immense pleasure of trying a wine that I would have never purchased.  I was invited to a dinner and as our party sat down and began perusing the menu, I was asked what many are asked around this time in the evening, "Red or white".  Recently, I have been drinking a lot of red, so I said red.  After much discussion at the table over which one, a decision was made.  This was a party of 16, knowing multiple bottles will be needed, they decided on a pinot noir,  Etude, Estate Grown Carnero, Napa Valley 08.
  Let me first say, my experience with most wine to date has been based on what I am willing to spend on a bottle.  What am I willing to spend?  $20 maybe $30 max.  Up until this evening, I had not found a bottle over $20 that I wanted to buy.  I have to admit, this was a great glass.  It had a beautiful color (not sure why I find myself noticing that, but I do find myself staring at a glass of wine and noticing the color) silky smooth, rich and very easy to drink.  The menu listed this bottle for $75, a helluva lot more then what I would pay for a bottle.  But it got me thinking... there are a lot of blogs out there dedicated to cheap or inexpensive wines and they all reiterate that price does not equal a great wine.  I wonder if I can find a pinot that I like as much as this one within my price range?  Not sure, but I am up for the challenge.

Pinot

This bottle was purchased only because it was recommended by a good friend. A fairly inexpensive wine ($9.99) I didn't think much about buying it. She suggested this after I told her that I had gone to a friend's party the night before and had a glass of pinot noir and loved it. Since I had a few glasses and other wines, I neglected to get the name of what I had to drink. I was just excited to find something, other then a sweet wine.
As I drank I read some reviews of the wine. I decided to do this because I think it will help me get a better understanding of what I am drinking and if I should follow the recommendations of the reviewer. I found a review:
Light bright black cherry hue with fresh fruit aromas of spicy strawberry with slight cinnamon notes. Quite nice!
Palate--Juicy acid,with mouth watering presence. Light on the palate with strawberry notes and a decent finish.
This is a value "Coastal California" sourced Pinot Noir wine and Mark West does it well. Be sure to read the labels of the Mark West line of wines as they source grapes from all over the world. For $10, it tastes real and varietal so raise a glass.
My thoughts- It is very light. When it first hits your tongue it smooth and juicy. But as it works it way down your throat, the spiciness of it hits you. My drinking buddy did not like this. He took one sip, and said, "Not for me". Me on the otherhand, after one glass, I'm not sure. The taste is unexpected. I think I was expecting richer, heavier...I would drink another glass, but I am feeling a pretty strong buzz right now! :-) Before I pass final judgement, I think I need to drink another glass with a nice meal. So far thumbs up!!