snickerdoodles

Corky comes thorugh...

Our guest writer and wine expert Corky Girl heard my cry for help regarding some savoury new wines for these chilly November nights...enjoy!

Winter Wine Top Pics

Get ready to get cozy!  Drink up!

Wingnut -  Zinfandel
Amador County California

 

This Zin is just what you want with barbecued burgers, saucy ribs or grilled pizza.
Juicy aromas of - blueberry, vanilla, roasted nuts, cherry, raspberry and spiced mocha. Bright berry fruit on the palate with exotic spices - cardamom, cinnamon, clove - with peppery hints and a chocolaty smooth finish.  Easy drinking and perfect for those chilly nights in!
 
BC Government Stores - $18.99


The Show - Cabernet Sauvignon

**Don’t let the 3 different labels fool you!  They are all the same wine—just keeping you on your toes!

Dark night-red color with black fruit and mocha on the nose. Cocoa and chocolate take the forefront and dominate the finish. Cherry, vanilla and bitter tannins lurk underneath. Smooths out after breathing and becomes a rich, lush, wine with considerable muscle.

BC Government Stores - $19.99

 

Thanks Corky GIrl!  Your picks never fail to impress.

I also wanted to add in Meditrina, named after the Roman Goddess of Wine.  It is a perfect marriage of Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel that's juicy, rich and full of fruit.  Plus it has the BEST label and website, so pretty & witty.  The label sings the praises of the letter M,  like MacLeod, our last name...it's very cute.  Play on the wesite and be named as a God or Goddess of something silly...I got named the Goddess of Hamburger Press Mishaps.  Glad I don't have one of those strange gadgets!  The site even created wine tags and name tags to be printed for you and your friends...could be a fun party ice breaker.  That is, if  I ever get my new printer hooked up.  Nasty Mr. HP  sits in it's box and gloats every day - I hate it, it's so damn lazy.  Wish it would just come out and do whatever it has to do to start working!    

...hummm, I might need to paint a big M like that somewhere in our new abode next year.

Also recently enjoyed sipping some Dona Paula Los Cardos 2007 Malbec and 2 up Shiraz 2006. The bottles are quite boring aesthetically speaking, not that that should matter...but it kinda does to moi.    I got them recommended at the liquor store and served them at our Make & Take nights both were nice.

 

Rose, White & Red Wine Picks

3  Wine picks for July from Corky Girl :


Jackson-Triggs Proprietors' Reserve Cabernet Franc Rose, Okanagan BC, 2007
Cranberry coloured with aromas of strawberries, currants and black cherry with melon notes and a hint of vanilla. Crisp on the palate with summer berries, citrus peel, melon and cedar spices. Off-dry with bright acidity, good power mid-palate and a suggestion of pepper on the finish.
Very tasty - great for sipping or take it to a barbecue!
BC - $14.99

Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Merlot, Okanagan BC, 2005
Rich, warm and earthy - smokey plum and black cherry aromas with sweet allspice and Bourbon vanilla notes. The sweet dark fruit continues on the palate - silky on the tongue with vanilla, spice and leather-y flavours. Supple tannins on the finish with lingering choco-coffee flavours.
Beautiful!
BC - $24.99

La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Luberon Blanc, France, 2007
This BC drinkers favourite is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc and Roussanne.
Rich mineral notes with honey, green pear, hazelnuts and star fruit. The flavours echo the aromas with green pear and mineral flavours in the mouth with lemon, chalky minerality, nuts and a hint of spice on the finish. Gently rounded on the palate with a vibrant, zesty finish.
Pair with heartier fish or creamy chicken dishes.
Seriously good value!
BC - $13.99

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I had such a great time in the city yesterday afternoon/evening...a frantic sale bonanza at Banana Republic on the way in, Granville Island with my friend Steph, then an amazing time at my Lifestyle Mapping workshop with Carrie & Danielle.  (look up their page on my sidebar) For the first time in years (no joke) I slept for 8 hours straight!  It was such an amazing rest, I am so grateful to Steph for being the "Hostess with the Mostess" and giving me her bed!

I can't wait to tell you more, and I will share soon but for now I need to fly.  I am hosting Book Club here tonight so there are appies to prepare, treats to make and a little backyard decorating to do.  We are talking about Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, such a great read!  I am making a couple savoury treats, then sticky smores with Lindt chocolate and Marguerites, a recipe from my idol Ree, or the Pioneer Woman.  Her recipes and photography teachings are a bit of an addiction for me right now.  See her page here:   or in the left sidebar. 

I am craving some La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Luberon Blanc after that amazing description...hope you find a new favourite too!

Gooey, sticky, sweet and salty Marguerites!  Thanks PW!

Wine picks...

I am proud to introduce Corky Girl...the new wine and spirits expert for Snickerdoodles.  She is actually my sis and she knows her booze.  She has worked in the wine industry for years and has a meticulous palate.  Here are some of her top picks for this summer, they are all under $20 so you can try them all.  Thanks to Corky Girl we can all pass on our old standards and venture out into the world of wine with confidence.  Cheers!

Ganton & Larsen ‘Rock Wren ‘ Pinot Noir  (BC) $15.99
A typical Pinot Noir in every sense of the word with its silky smooth texture, rich black cherry/strawberry fruit, and creamy vanilla with hints of toast, dill and spice. Super-soft acidity and firm tannins on the finish will allow this wine to develop over the next 3 months, just perfect for summer entertaining

Smoking Loon Viognier  (California) $16.99
Super-ripe aromas of peaches'n cream, honey, white flowers and a drizzle of spiced vanilla. Smooth and oily but not heavy on the palate with sweet fruit, spice, with a heady whiff of citrus rind and anise on the finish. This viognier is consistently a fresh and satisfying bargain!

Orofino Riesling (BC) $19 approx PRIVATE WINE STORE  (this is KILLER—I had it Fri and it was perfectly balanced!)
The wine has a rich mouthfeel with a fine balance of acidity with residual sugar. Lime, mango, pineapple, green apple.... This wine has a multitude of potential food pairings from baked ham to seafood, to summer salads. This is a fine follow-up to the 2006 Riesling that took a gold medal at the All Canadian Championships. The grapes are sourced from our vineyard's old vines and our neighbours young vineyard that produced its first small crop in 2007. This is Riesling terroir!!