$10 and lower » A Glass After Work

Christmas Eve Wine Indulgences

$10 and lower, 3.5 Corks, Prices, Ratings No Responses »

Jan 092013

*** I received this wine as a sample. ***

Wow…it’s been a month since I’ve blogged, and boy have I missed it. It’s a sign of how busy the holiday season was for me. Or, really, it’s a sign of how busy the last quarter of 2012 was, as I’m very far behind in my blogging. It’s a new year, though, and while I’ll definitely try to go back and post what I missed writing about in 2012, I also want to get 2013 off to the right start. So, let’ get started…

Hubby had to work Christmas Eve, but I was fortunate enough to have the day off. I was hit with some last minute present inspiration, so I braved the fray of other last minute shoppers and spent the day buying and wrapping my late acquisitions. As the last present was tucked into place under the tree, Hubby walked in the door and our holiday was underway.

Several years ago, Hubby and I started going to one of our favorite locally-owned restaurants—Ray’s the Steaks—for Christmas Eve. This year, one of our favorite couples joined us in our traditional Christmas Eve feast. We ordered a bottle of Michel-Schlumberger Maison Rouge before deciding on our dinners, and the night was off to a fabulous start. We indulged in sherried crab bisque; filets topped with Ray’s secret spicy Diablo sauce and blue cheese crumbles; New York strips seared with cracked black peppercorns in a port wine-peppercorn cream; and enough garlic mashed potatoes and homemade macaroni and cheese to satisfy even the biggest of carb fiends. The four of us ate, drank, and were merry, celebrating both Christmas Eve and our friend’s new job, and I think we all rolled out of the restaurant feeling full of good food, wonderful friendship, and festive cheer.

2010 Trivento Syrah

By the time Hubby and I got home, we were ready to open our one Christmas Eve present (another one of our Christmas Eve traditions—opening a new pair of pajamas), relax for a little, and head to bed in time for Santa’s visit. Of course, some wine was needed while presents were opened, so Hubby turned on the Christmas music while I opened a bottle of red that I thought would be a nice follow-up to the earlier wine and food orgy.

The 2010 Trivento Reserve Syrah (winery) was from Mendoza, Argentina and had a deep ruby color with hints of bright purple. On the nose, there were plums, nutmeg, and hints of dark chocolate dust. In the mouth, there were plums and black pepper with hints of nutmeg, chocolate, and cedar. The wine had medium tannins, medium body, and medium alcohol.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At an SRP of $8, this wine has an amazing quality price ratio. It’s smooth and enjoyable, has nice balance, and is very food-friendly. Admittedly, it tasted a bit young, so I think it could probably age in the bottle for another year or two. But, at this price, you could grab two bottles—one to enjoy now and one to open next year. It looks, though, like it might be a little hard to come by, so if you see this gem of a wine, grab it and don’t look back!

Question of the Day: What’s are your Christmas Eve traditions—celebrate with family or friends, dine in or go out, travel to exotic places or stay put? Give us the scoop, as I love hearing about other people’s holiday traditions.

Suggested Retail Price: $8
Received as a sample.
Overall: 3.5 Corks

Beaujolais Nouveau Magic

$10 and lower, 2.5 Corks, 3.5 Corks, Prices, Ratings 2 Responses »

Nov 212012

I know I say this every year, but I feel like the end of Fall and the beginning of the “holiday season” isn’t American Thanksgiving…it’s Beaujolais Nouveau Day! Several coworkers and I tried to find DC restaurants and wine bars that were having release parties, or at the very least were serving the 2012 vintage, but it seemed like this year had much smaller buzz than past years. I can only assume that it’s because the weather meant a smaller Gamay grape crop, which in turn means smaller Beaujolais Nouveau production. But, I wasn’t going to let that spoil my holiday fun. It may have taken me until Sunday, but the A Glass After Work household can finally say “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé!”

For the uninitiated, Beaujolais Nouveau is made in the Beaujolais region of France using Gamay grapes. Unlike most wines, though, Beaujolais Nouveau isn’t aged before it’s released to distributors for sale. In fact, the whole purpose of the wine is that it is young. It only takes 6-8 weeks for the grapes to leave the vineyard, go through crushing, fermentation, and bottling, and head to the distributor and wine store shelves. The fruity, immature wine hints at the wonders that will be the 2012 Beaujolais vintage as the wines age, and often is a great wine to have at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

I grabbed two bottles this of 2012 Beaujolais Nouveau, both from Georges DuBoeuf. This year marks the 30^th anniversary of Georges Dubious ‘s debut of the Beaujolais Nouveau in the United States, so the theme for this year’s release is “Nouveau Magic” and one of the bottles I opened was certainly shared the Nouveau Magic.

The 2012 Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau with the orange label (winery, amazon) is the bottle you’re most likely to find in stores. It was a very light ruby with pinkish and purplish flecks. On the nose, there were strawberries, “red shoe lace” licorice, and hints of mint leaves. In the mouth, there were hints of strawberries and tart raspberries, but the biting acidity overwhelmed most of the taste. The wine had a light body and light tannins.

Price: $8
Purchased at: Harris Teeter
Overall: 2.5 Corks

The 2012 Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau with the purple and orange label was a very light ruby with a pinkish purple tint. On the nose, there were strawberries, “red shoe lace” licorice, and under-ripe raspberries. In the mouth, there were strawberries, under-ripe raspberries, and twigs. The wine had high acidity, low tannins, and a light body.

Price: $10
Purchased at: Whole Foods
Overall: 3.5 Corks

Final thoughts: Admittedly, beyond the label design, I’m not sure what how to help you differentiate between the two bottlings, but there was certainly a quality and taste difference. The orange label wine was not only not magical, it was downright disappointing. The purple label wine, though, was worth the extra two dollars and was exactly what I look for in a Beaujolais Nouveau—a fun, light, and fruity wine that will please most wine drinkers at your Thanksgiving feast and is the perfect pairing with turkey and cranberry sauce. One hint before you serve this wine at your dinner table, though…refrigerate it a little beforehand. It is one of those red wines that benefits from a little chill.

So, go grab a bottle of the purple Beaujolais Nouveau and,
to all my American readers,
have a safe, wonderful Thanksgiving.
Santé!

Grüner and Zinfandel in Cape May

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Nov 132012

Hubby spent the last full day of our weeklong vacation in Cape May on the beach. Considering it was the Friday of Labor Day weekend, we were surprised the beach wasn’t more crowded, but we certainly weren’t going to complain. We did head back to the rental a little early, though, because we both wanted time to walk around the city photographing the amazing Victorian Houses. It really was a photographer’s dream…and in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, I hope everyone there is on safe and on the road to recovery.

After the sun set and the lighting just got too dark to take any more photos, Hubby and I went for a delicious dinner at The Ebbitt Room, which specializes in farm-to-table menu items. When I saw the restaurant had Domane Wachau Federspiel Terrassen Grüner Veltliner on its wine list, I knew what I was ordering to drink. And, truthfully, the food decisions were just as easy to make. Hubby started with a salad, but I couldn’t pass up the chance for Jersey Clams Casino, particularly when I thought about pairing it with the Grüner. For main courses, Hubby ordered the locally caught flounder, which he said was very well prepared, and I had the broiled jumbo lump crab cakes with the best whipped potatoes I’ve ever eaten. The Grüner turned out to be the perfect pairing for both of my seafood choices.

2009 Cellar No. 8 Zinfandel

After leaving the restaurant, Hubby and I walked back to our rental to pack so that we could head home early Saturday morning. Thankfully, the packing went quickly, and I was able to drink my last bottle of wine out on the porch while reading and enjoying our last night at the Jersey Shore.

The 2009 Cellar No. 8 Zinfandel (winery, amazon) is made from California grapes and has a deep ruby color. On the nose, there were figs and blackberries with hints of vanilla. In the mouth, there were figs and blackberries with a touch of vanilla, cinnamon, and tobacco. The wine had medium tannins and a medium body.

Is this worth a glass after work? Sure…you won’t be drinking anything out of the ordinary, but you’ll have a decent, reliable glass of wine. At $9, it’s hard to say no to this wine. However, I was a little disappointed in the “heft” of this wine. It just didn’t live up to the richness and promise that was offered when I took a whiff of the wine before tasting it. That said, I think it would be a good cookout wine, as pairing it with some hot dogs and hamburgers would probably fill in the gaps in flavor.

Question of the Day: Have you ever been to Cape May? Are there any restaurants there that you loved? Places you went that were particularly fun? Or, maybe there was a house that caught your fancy? I would love to hear your thoughts on this gorgeous area of the Jersey Shore!

Price: $9
Purchased at Montreal Liquor Store
Overall: 3 Corks

Kicking Back With A Jersey Beer

$10 and lower, 3 Corks, Prices, Ratings No Responses »

Oct 172012

The week after quitting my job was a little stressful, even though I knew I was leaving my position. I wanted to make sure everything was organized in a way that I could hand it off to my little boss, and he could, in turn, hand it off to my replacement when s/he starts. What was most awkward for me, though, was that 5 days after I gave notice…which was 5 days full of copying files, organizing notes, and writing down details…Hubby and I left DC for a week on the Jersey Shore. The vacation was planned long before I knew I was starting a new job, and I certainly wasn’t going to lose the deposit and miss my vacation. So, off we went!

Flying Fish Brewing Company Extra Pale Ale

The four-hour drive was mostly traffic free, but the weather was not cooperating. After a summer of very little rain, drops threatened to become a down pour almost the entire time. Thankfully, as we arrived, the rain stopped long enough for us to unpack the car, walking the 3 miles round trip on the Promenade, and grocery shop. Hubby and I were on our walk back from the liquor store, with some wine and beer in hand, when the drops started falling. And, as soon as we walked into our home-away-from-home-for-the-week, the skies opened up. It clearly was a sign that I need to crack open my beer, grab my book, and sit out on the porch to settle into the first night of vacation.

The Flying Fish Brewing Company Extra Pale Ale (brewery) is from a New Jersey brewery and is an American Pale Ale. The beer was a light golden yellow with a small layer of head. On the nose, there were citrusy aromas—lemons and orange peels—with a touch of yeast. In the mouth, there were lemons, oranges, and a bit of baked bread. The beer had a light body and good carbonation.

Is this worth a glass after work? Sure…you won’t be drinking anything out of the ordinary, but you’ll have a decent, reliable glass of wine. At $10 for a six-pack of glass bottles, this beer was a nice way to start off the vacation. I picked something that was local to get into the spirit of the location, as well as to try something that may not be as readily available at home, and it was a good choice. I wouldn’t say it was my favorite beer and I probably wouldn’t go searching it out as I do with some others, but I enjoyed it while reading on the covered porch and watching the rainstorm, as well as while watching Hubby grill hot dogs and corn. The beer was very food friendly, a nice compliment to the cookout food. It was perfect for what I was looking for.

Question of the Day: When you go on vacation, do you try to drink the local wines and beers or do you stick with the breweries and wineries you know?

Price: $10
Purchased at Montreal Liquor Store
Overall: 3 Corks

More wines priced $10 and lower:

Springtime Sauvignon Blanc

Not So Wily Jack

Celebrate Spring with the 2006 Governor’s White!

In Love With Paul D

A Job Quitting Vinho Verde

$10 and lower, 3.5 Corks, Prices, Ratings 1 Response »

Oct 032012

*** I received this wine as a sample. ***

Even though I had the Mac Daddy of job offers, I was ridiculously stressed about actually quitting. First thing Monday morning, I emailed The Boss and asked if we could talk. I spent all weekend prepping for a phone conversation because I thought The Boss was on work travel, but his response to my email said to meet in his office in the late afternoon. Having to wait all day to give notice set my last nerves on edge, but as soon as the conversation started, I was on a roll. By the time I finished, I couldn’t have been happier. I practically skipped out of his office. Not only was I making a great career move, but also I was leaving all the job insecurity of the last 8 months behind.

There were still some decisions to be made, as The Boss asked me to stay for 4 weeks instead of the 3 weeks I had planned on, but the hard part was over. When I walked in the door of the condo, I gave Hubby a big smile saying that I did it, then cracked open a bottle of Vinho Verde to relax and discuss the timing of my big move while he made dinner.

2010 Quinta da Aveleda Grinalda Vinho Verde

The 2010 Quinta da Aveleda Grinalda Vinho Verde (winery) is from Portugal and had a light straw yellow color. On the nose, there were green apples and limes. In the mouth, there were green apples and limes with a hint of peaches. The wine had a light body and bright acidity.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $10, this bottle of wine is definitely after work and budget friendly, particularly on a hot summer night. It’s not very complex, but it’s light and refreshing. I find it difficult to pair wine with salad, but this was the perfect match for Hubby’s spinach salad, which is topped with pineapple teriyaki seared tuna steaks and is made with a light oil and wine dressing. I actually enjoyed a second glass after dinner, which is unusually for a Monday night, but I figured that if there was ever a day to do it, it’s the day I quit my job!

Question of the Day: Do you a good job quitting story? If so, I’d love to hear it!

Suggested Retail Price: $10
Received as a sample.
Overall: 3.5 Corks

A Great Garnatxa Negra

$10 and lower, 4.5 Corks, Prices, Ratings 2 Responses »

Sep 122012

One of my former coworkers and I enjoy sparring with each other over wine. He tends to prefer the very traditional, French-type wines, while shunning many of the big California wines. I, on the other hand, am not as picky about style, which he enjoys teasing me about. The truth is, though, it doesn’t really matter if it’s a light unoaked Chardonnay from Chablis or big, spicy California Zin as much as I expect the wine to be high quality and deliver what it promises.

2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra

Spanish wine tends to be the focus of our debates over “good” wine, as I am rabid fan of both the reds and whites, and not just a drinker of the well-known (and often delicious) Rioja. My coworker, on the other hand, is not. If I bring wine into work for a happy hour, he will make jokes about leaving the Spanish stuff at home, and he always finds an alternative on the happy hour wine list so he can avoid ordering Spanish wine. Therefore, I was shocked when he told me he bought a case of Spanish Garnacha from the not-well-known region of Terra Alta and said that I should grab two of the bottles for myself. I’m so glad I listened to him.

The Herencia Altés Garnatxa Negra (winery) is from the Terra Alta region of Spain and is made with 100% Garnatxa Negra (Garnacha/Grenache) grapes. The wine had a deep, bright purple color. On the nose, there were strawberries and raspberries mixed with hints of white pepper. In the mouth, there were more red berries and white pepper with hints of minerality. The wine had a medium body and soft tannins.

Is this worth a glass after work? It’s worth more than one! What are you waiting for? At $10, the quality/price ratio for this wine is out of this world. Plus, it’s incredibly food friendly, which makes it the type of wine you could not only open after work, but also bring to a party. It was a beautiful pairing for the lamb burgers and roasted pesto potatoes that Hubby made for dinner, as the minerality in the wine kept it fresh, while keeping the red fruits in check so as not to overpower the food’s flavor. I actually enjoyed a second glass after dinner, which is a rare thing on a work night, but I wanted to see how the wine held up on it’s own. It turned out to be an absolute delight as I knitted and caught up with the shows I had on TiVo. All in all, if you tasted the wine blind, you would never guess that it was so inexpensive. It has personality without being overbearing and is perfect for A Glass After Work.

Question of the Day: Do you only drink wines from certain countries or regions?

Price: $10
Purchased at Recieved as present
Overall: 4.5 Corks

Top 5 American White Wines & Sparklers for July 4th

$10 and lower, $11-$20, 4 Corks, 4.5 Corks, Prices, Ratings 1 Response »

Jul 032012

Yesterday I shared 5 American red wines to bring to a Fourth of July barbecue or cookout. A lot of people don’t like drinking red wines in the summer heat, though. Plus, there is something about sitting outside on a summer evening with a glass of crisp, white wine that just screams summer vacation, even if I’m not really on vacation. Therefore, as you’re putting together your final shopping list for tomorrow’s July 4^th party, here are some American white and sparkling wines to consider:

2009 Fess Parker Viognier

The 2009 Fess Parker Viognier (winery) is actually a blend of 80% Viognier, 13% Marsanne, 5% Grenache Blanc, and 2% Roussanne grapes, and while you know my recent confession that I don’t tend to be a Viognier fan, this wine is definitely an exception. The mix of tropical fruits—honeydew, pineapple, and champagne mangos—with hints of butter, vanilla, and wet stones makes for a delicious wine. I made an avocado chimichurri bruschetta that I found on Pintrest for last Saturday’s get together with the Wine Ladies, and I think it would not only be good addition to a July 4^th party, but also would pair nicely with this wine. I gave it 4.5 corks and purchased it for $18.

2009 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Black Label Pavillion

The Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Black Label Pavilion (winery) is a blend of 96% Chardonnay and 4% Viognier grapes and is a more full-bodied white. It has a nice mix of citrus—mostly grapefruits and limes—and nectarines, with touches of pears, passion fruit, vanilla, and ginger. It’s wine that was made to enjoy with food and will go nicely with some of the cold salads that often are served as side dishes at a cookout. I gave this wine 4 corks, and while I received it as a sample, the suggested retail price is $17.

2010 Sawtooth Winery Riesling

The Sawtooth Winery Riesling (winery) is an incredibly affordable Riesling from Idaho. It’s full of stone fruit characteristics, which are mixed with Lemonheads candies, white flowers, honey, and a nice minerality. While it has a touch of sweetness, the bright acidity and little bit of spritz in this wine make it very refreshing, particularly in the hot summer weather. My one word of caution is that it is so light and enjoyable, you may forget that you’re drinking alcohol! I gave this wine 4 corks and purchased it for $10.

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige

The Mumm Napa Brut Prestige (winery, snooth) is a sparkling wine that has a lot of sparkle. It surprised me a little with its floweriness, but I enjoyed the way it mixed with the cream, limes, nectarines, and toast. It had a bright acidity and was actually the sparkler I drank while watching fireworks on our roof deck last Fourth of July. I gave this bubbly 4.5 corks and purchased it for $20.

Gruet Brut

The Gruet Brut (winery) is an affordable sparkling wine from New Mexico that would be a fabulous addition to a July 4^th cookout. It’s full of limes, granny smith apples, and toast with a nice acidity that keeps the sparkler fresh without making it too biting. I gave this bubbly 4 corks and purchased it for $14.

Question of the Day: What are your plans for July 4^th?

Great Sense for Monday Night Relaxation

$10 and lower, 3.5 Corks, Prices, Ratings No Responses »

May 022012

*** I received this wine as a sample. ***

Monday was supposed to be a quiet day at work, one of those days where both my boss and The Big Boss were out of town, and even though there was work to do, the pace was supposed to be slower. For some reason, though, it just didn’t work out that way. From the moment I walked into the office, the emails were flying and the phone was ringing. Much of work revolved around preparing for next week, which is when a big project of mine is due. However, since it’s still a whole week away, I wrongly thought that it would be a less chaotic preparation.

As if that wasn’t enough to leave my head spinning, I finished the day with a doctor’s appointment for my hip. Long-time readers may remember that I started running about two years ago, and a year ago, I ran my first half marathon. Since then, running just became part of my life, like drinking wine. However, I developed hip pain at the beginning of this year. Well, months of anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and a second opinion later, the doctor told me on Monday that I have a muscle tear. I’d been trying to avoid a cortisone shot in the hope that I would heal on my own, but that just wasn’t happening. So, Monday evening, I had the shot.

By the time I got home Monday, I was exhausted. Between work, the doctor, and the shot, I just wanted to lay on the couch and relax. So, Hubby made dinner while I had some wine.

The 2010 Great Sense Vinho Verde is from Portugal and is made with 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, and 30% Trajadura grapes. The wine had a medium yellow color. On the nose, there were limes, granny smith apples, and a touch of honeysuckle. In the mouth, there were limes, granny smith apples, pineapples, and hints of chalk dust, parsley, and honeysuckle. The wine had a light body, bright acidity, and the slightest touch of sweetness on the finish.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $6, this one has one of the best quality:price ratios have seen in a long time. It’s a solidly enjoyable wine with something a little different. It’s the perfect wine to take on a picnic and has a low alcohol content (9.5% abv), so it’s not going to unknowingly catch up with you as you sip away. I paired this with lobster cakes and steamed green beans, which worked well, although I think the wine would be better with a lighter fish or with a salad. All in all, though, it was exactly what I needed at the end of a busy day.

Question of the Day: Vinho Verde seems to be showing up more and more in my local wine store. Have you noticed the same thing? And, have you tried any ones recently that you’ve enjoyed?

Suggested Retail Price: $6
Received as a sample.
Overall: 3.5 Corks

Beaujolais Day…A Month Late

$10 and lower, 2.5 Corks, Prices, Ratings No Responses »

Dec 142011

*** I received this wine as a sample. ***

The third Thursday of November is one of those days that wine lovers either embrace or they mock. It is a day that shows the true power of marketing, something even those who are giddy with the excitement at its arrival will acknowledge. It’s Beaujolais Day!

For those who are unfamiliar with Beaujolais Day, it’s the day when the current vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau is released. Beaujolais Nouveau is a French wine made from Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region. The wine is shipped and ready to drink 6-8 weeks after harvest, so its a wine that hasn’t had any time to mature and should be purchased and consumed quickly. The Beaujolais Nouveau release is supposed to give an indication for how the Beaujolais vintages from that year will fair.

I’m an unabashed Beaujolais Nouveau lover…or at least I love the concept of Beaujolais Day, even if I don’t always love the wines. I’ve reviewed past vintages and openly acknowledge I’m a victim of fabulous marketing. And, I don’t care. For me, Beaujolais Day, not Thanksgiving, is the true start for the holiday season. I mean, what better way to ring in the holiday season with the year’s first wine!

This year, I missed Beaujolais Day itself because I had dinner plans with a very good friend. Plus, my bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau didn’t arrive on time. By Friday, though, my bottle of Georges DuBoeuf was waiting for me and I had a whole evening to enjoy it.

2011 Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

The 2011 Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau (winery) was a deep, bright purple with hints of ruby. On the nose, there were candied strawberries and sour cherries. In the mouth there were sour cherries, Strawberry Bubble Yum, and a touch of something minty. The wine had low tannins, a light body, and a surprising touch of acidity.

Is this worth a glass after work? Eh…if you have a bottle on hand, drink it, but I wouldn’t go searching it out either. At a suggested retail price of $10, this wine was just not cutting it for me this year. I enjoyed the anticipation of its release, the festive feeling it inspired, but didn’t really enjoy the wine itself. The minty finish was just too much for me. That said, not loving this year’s vintage won’t stop me from being excited about Beaujolais Day 2012. Plus, I’m still hopeful about what the 2011 Beaujolais will taste like, since I think the juice showed a lot of potential.

Question of the Day: Are you a Beaujolais Day lover or hater?

Suggested Retail Price: $10
Received as a sample.
Overall: 2.5 Corks

A Day of Chocolate and Cava

$10 and lower, 3 Corks, Prices, Ratings No Responses »

Dec 072011

*** I received this wine as a sample. ***

Last Saturday, I ran in DC’s Hot Chocolate 15k, which was sponsored by Ghiradelli chocolate and benefited the Ronald McDonald House. Let’s just say the race was an organizational disaster. The company putting on the race started making changes about a month ago—requiring carpooling for parking close to the race, changing parking lot shuttle times from 6:45am to 6:15am, changing the slowest pace allowed from 16 min/mile to 15 min/mile, redesigning the course itself…the list goes on and on. All this meant that the problems at the race weren’t a surprise.

On race day itself, I got up at 5am, got dressed, ate, and headed to Crystal City to catch a 6am shuttle (since I didn’t want to risk missing the last one at 6:15). My bus driver got lost going from Crystal City to the National Harbor and there was a ridiculous amount of race traffic, so what should have been a 20-minute bus ride turned into an hour and 15 minutes. But, hey, at least I was warm. It was 28 degrees outside, and the sun wasn’t out that early, so when I got off the bus it was very cold.

You can read about the rest of the fiasco in the race organizer’s apology post on Facebook. Whatever the reasons, the race was delayed over an hour, so by the time we actually started, I had been standing outside for over 2 hours and was so cold I’d stopped feeling my feet.

Once the race started, it took me 2 miles to really warm up. However, I ran with my friend, and we decided to take it easy and just enjoy the 9 miles. So, we talked, we ran, we saw several friends cheering us on, and we ate delicious chocolate fondue and indulged in thick hot chocolate at the finish line. All in all, I’m glad I ran the race, I enjoyed spending time with Kelly, and I felt good when I finally got home. In my head, it was definitely a reason to celebrate, so I busted out the bubbly!

Lady of Spain Cava

The Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Cava was 45% Macabeo, 40% Xarello, and 15% Parellada grapes. It was a medium yellow with a lot of small, persistent bubbles. On the nose, there were grapefruits, limes, and mangos. In the mouth, there are grapefruits, limes, mangos, and bananas with the slightest hint of creaminess. The wine is light-to-medium bodied and good acidity.

Is this worth a glass after work? Sure…you won’t be drinking anything out of the ordinary, but you’ll have a decent, reliable glass of wine. At a suggested retail price of $10, this bubbly offered something a little different with all of the tropical flavors. I enjoyed a few glasses while recovering on the couch with my knitting. I think it truly shined, though, when mixed it with some orange juice and made mimosas later in the evening. Before I knew it, I finished my 15k celebration by finishing the whole bottle!

Question of the Day: Do you ever open a bottle of sparkling wine just because you feel like it or does it tend to be something you save for special occasions?

Suggested Retail Price: $10
Received as a sample.
Overall: 3 Corks

Christmas Eve Wine Indulgences

Read more about Syrah:

Beaujolais Nouveau Magic

Read more about wines from France:

Grüner and Zinfandel in Cape May

Read more about Zinfandel:

Kicking Back With A Jersey Beer

More wines priced $10 and lower:

A Job Quitting Vinho Verde

Read more about white wines:

A Great Garnatxa Negra

Read more about Grenache/Garnacha:

Top 5 American White Wines & Sparklers for July 4th

Read more about Chardonnay:

Great Sense for Monday Night Relaxation

Read more about white wines:

Beaujolais Day…A Month Late

Read more about wines from France:

A Day of Chocolate and Cava

Read more about wines from Spain: