On Tuesday, Hubby and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.  To be honest, I can’t believe how quickly the time flies.  We’ve both changed a lot since 2007, but the fact that we’ve done it together has helped make our relationship stronger.  To be honest, our “6th year” was a good one, so I wasn’t necessarily in a rush for it to be over.  That said, 2013 was also a year that reminded me how very lucky I am.

As I’ve mentioned a number of times, I had major hip surgery in March 2013.  The surgery left me stuck at home and in bed for 3 weeks.  Even when I returned to work, I spent several more weeks working part-time and hobbling around on crutches.  And none of that includes the months physical therapy or the fact that I couldn’t drive for 6 months.  Through all of it, I know I wasn’t the easiest patient, but I could never have gotten through the surgery and the lengthy recovery without Hubby’s support, encouragement, and love.  So, we definitely had something to celebrate this year.

Now, I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this, but a couple of my girlfriends and I are splitting a Mumm Napa Wine Club membership.  Our first Club Vivant shipment arrived right before the holidays, and it not only included two magnums that the three of us will open in a few weeks when we finally have a chance to get together, but also it included a wine that is the collaboration of musician Carlos Santana and Mumm winery—the 2007 Santana Supernatural Rosé.  Hubby is not a big music person, but when we first started dating there were several conversations about Santana and how sexy his music is.  Because of those conversations, Santana has followed us through our relationship.  Therefore, when I saw a “Santana” bottle of wine in our shipment…and a vintage from the year we were married…I knew which wine I was claiming and what I would be opening to celebrate our anniversary this year!

The 2007 Santana Supernatural Rosé (winery) is from Napa, California and is a blend of 51% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir, and 1% Syrah grapes.  The bubbly had an orangey-pink color with a lot of small persistent bubbles.  On the nose, there were red plums, Bing cherries, and touches of cream and vanilla.  In the mouth, there were blackberries and cream mixed with tart Bing cherries and hints of toast and limes.  The sparkler had a light body and bright acidity.

It’s also important to note that Carlos Santana donates 100% of his proceeds from the wine sales to his family’s Milagro Foundation.  The foundation was started in 1998, and it provides financial assistance for educational, medical and housing needs of children all over the world.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely!  If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed.  At the regular retail price of $70, the sparker is actually a little pricey for what it had to offer.  I want my socks knocked off with a little more subtle complexity for that much money, and it didn’t quite do that.  However, the wine is currently on sale for $56, and if you’re a Club Vivant member it actually is $52.  For $52, this bubbly has good flavors, fresh acidity, and a little something special to offer.

I actually opened the sparkler after Hubby and I returned from dinner at SEI.  We opted to celebrate with sushi because, after spending two weeks in Italy, anything else was bound to be a huge disappointment.  Plus, SEI is one of our favorite sushi restaurants in DC, and it didn’t disappoint.  I ordered a new wine for dinner–the 2011 YINYANG Pinot Grigio Roséfrom the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  It was the perfect pairing.  Light in flavor, but still having some pink grapefruit and lemongrass mixed in with the bright acidity.  It was everything I want in a sushi wine.

When it came to the food, admittedly, I’m a creature of habit with SEI’s sushi, as I love their “Fish and Chips” flounder and “Triple Tuna” rolls.  Hubby and I did switch things up a little with our non-sushi dishes, though, as we tried the shrimp tacos (which came with guacamole, wasabi sour cream, and potato crisps) and the fried rice (which was with eggs, crispy ginger, and Chinese sausage).  The tacos were good, but the fried rice was the stand out dish.  It was absolutely fantastic.  Afterwards, Hubby and I capped off the evening with a raspberry sorbet and sea salt ice cream.

By the time we got home, Hubby and I were both stuffed.  However, that didn’t stop me from opening the Mumm bubbly and my new 2014 Moleskin Wine journal, which has become an annual Christmas present.   All in all, the 2007 Santana Supernatural Rosé perfect way to cap off our 7th anniversary celebration.

P.S.  Don’t forget to fill out my reader survey.  It’s only 9 multiple choice questions, and I’d love your input as I figure out what’s on tap for A Glass After Work!

Question of the Day: Do you like to drink wine with sushi?

Price: $52
Purchased at Mumm Napa’s Wine Club
Overall: 4 Corks