fine wine of the month: double pinot grigio

June 23, 2015June 24, 2015 ~ laura bodré ~ Leave a comment

Spring moved fast. So fast that it’s almost the end of June already, and I have neglected to do a fine (but affordable!) wine of the month for this month…or last month.

So to make it up to you, let’s talk about two wines!
…Two wines, because I missed last month.
…White wine, because it’s officially summer.
…And pinot grigio, because it’s my favorite.

I like pinot grigio because it’s crisp, refreshing, a bit citrusy, and not too sweet, which is exactly what I’m looking for in a summer drink. Both these bottles are now in regular circulation at our house, along with one other that I’ll feature later on. (Gotta keep you coming back for more, right?)

The first wine is from Sterling, the same winery I featured in April. This crisp and delicious bottle goes for around $13, but I found it on sale for about $10.

Sterling pinot grigio — anyone for an afternoon tipple?

The second is from Smoking Loon, a reasonably priced winery I haven’t featured yet but one I’m growing to like very much. This bottle goes for a cool $10, and is perfectly refreshing on a hot and humid East Coast evening.

Smoking Loon pinot grigio — who needs air conditioning?

So next time you need a light and summery pick-me-up, head to the wine aisle and take home one of these beauties. You’ll feel cool as a cucumber in no time.

Cheers!

fine wine of the month: sterling syrah

April 26, 2015April 26, 2015 ~ laura bodré ~ 1 Comment

April is almost over. How did that happen?

Before we run out of time, let’s talk about wine. This month’s delicious, affordable wine is a syrah from Sterling Vineyards.

I love syrah. It’s bold, but balanced. It’s versatile without being boring. (Sometimes, secretly, I think it might be the perfect cheap wine. Don’t tell.)

I also love Sterling Vineyards. Next time you’re in California’s Sonoma Valley, hop on a gondola and take a tour. It’s not the cheapest winery in the area, but the views from the top are spectacular.

When it comes to this type of wine, we don’t discriminate. We sip shiraz (from Australia) or syrah (from the U.S., or France if you’re feeling fancy) at least once a week. I’ll definitely be featuring more syrahs in the future. But for only about $10 a bottle, Sterling is a great place to start.

Stay tuned in May for a sure sign that spring is here: a white wine of the month!

Happy sipping!

fine wine of the month: gnarly head pinot

March 10, 2015March 11, 2015 ~ laura bodré ~ 2 Comments

Dear friends, it is that time again … to sing the praises of a yummy wine that won’t break the bank.

This month’s pick is another well-rounded red. Gnarly Head makes delicious red wines — we love their cab — but tonight we are making chicken pesto pasta so we cracked open a bottle of something a bit smoother: the pinot noir.

Gnarly Head’s version is pretty bold for a pinot, but that’s okay with us. This versatile wine would be delicious with just about anything. (Or with nothing at all.) And for about $9 a bottle, we suggest popping this one early and often.

Happy sipping!

fine wine of the month: rex goliath cab

February 5, 2015February 13, 2015 ~ laura bodré ~ 2 Comments

If there’s one thing that can soothe my soul after a long day of work, it’s a warm, fuzzy glass (or two) of red wine. But my husband and I work five days a week, so that glass or two (times two) can really add up. So we’re always on the lookout for a good wine that won’t break the bank. And now, dear friends, I shall pass on the results of this tireless research to you.

This month’s big red is Rex Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine came recommended by some friends of ours, and it does not disappoint. In fact, it won first prize at a recent blind wine tasting party. At around $8 per bottle (or two for $10 at your local Harris Teeter!), you really can’t ask for more than that.

The Rex Goliath website describes this cab as one of their “bold” wines, and for a cheap wine they aren’t wrong. It doesn’t have as much oomph as a more expensive cab, but that actually makes it more versatile. We’ve sipped this alongside the typically prescribed beef or brie, but it would pair just fine with whatever you’re making for dinner. (Mac ‘n’ cheese, anyone?)

If you’re hesitant, it’s even sold in a 500mL carton. But at about $2 a glass, we think the full bottle is worth a fair try. (Plus, like, antioxidants. You know?)

Happy sipping!

disclaimer: Rex Goliath did not ask me to review their product and I am not receiving compensation for this review in any way. We just really love wine. Enjoy!