...About Last Night...

Ice ice Riesling!  After an hour or two fridge thaw.

The plan was to stay home.  We are usually devoid of energy on Friday nights.  Fix a nice dinner, split chicken breasts oven roasted with wild and brown rice and fresh beets.  Mary worried that the beets would stain everything including the plates.  The only beet stain was on Dora's whit fleece.  Afterwards sink into the couch and watch NetFlix with a glass of wine in hand.  A documentary on Blondie recording Parallel Lines was our pick.

Not long after Blondie's New York end my son and his friend came over.  Things got serious.  maybe 4 or 5 bottles were consumed by the four of us.  At one point I place 2 in the freezer for a quick chill.  One came out.

I don't know what prompted me to open the freezer this morning.  But there it was.  Ice cold frozen bottle of Barefoot's Riesling.  Perhaps it was there 7 hours.  Top to bottom ice.  I still am amazed that the bottle did not crack.  What is it, 7.5%?  Now thawing in the fridge.  I'll report back about the flavor.

Big Bold Red: Yellow Tail Redeems Itself

Took a chance when I bought this one.  Fortunately, it was purchased it when I made the terrible decision to get their Riesling.  Suffice to say it put a smile on my face and a stay of execution has been granted.  Yes Virginia, there is a decent Yellow Tail.

Big Bold Red.  Dark as the night in this photo. Smooth and evaporates in the mouth.  No after taste.  Perhaps a bit strong at 13.5% but acceptable despite tipping the balance but still a nice full body wine.  The alcohol does not dominate the flavor.

I started the bottle after work.  It was a cold bicycle ride home and I needed something to warm up with.  For the first time this day I felt good as it seemed to settle my heart and blood pressure.  It went well with our dinner of pork chops.

Alright you 'Rooheads, Big Bold Red has redeemed your country and your wine.

Yellow Tail Riesling

Starting a white wine dive.  Mary was asking about them.  Other than moscatos I have not brought home very many whites.  Of course on Thanksgiving I will pour a bottle of chardonay into the water bowl of the smoker for the turkey but I will not drink it.  So I set out for whites.  Rieslings are among my favorites.  Just the right amount of sweetness and booziness for a nice drink.

Hoping that the Great Barefoot Sale was still on at my store of choice I was greatly broken hearted to see that the $3.99 special was on South Eastern Australia's Yellow Tail wines of the Casella family.  I've been burned by this brand before but forgot what varietal burnt me.  Cheap enough for another go.  I also hedged my bets with Barefoots Riesling and Malbec for a full body red.

That was Friday.  I do not recall if my first glass was on Friday or Saturday but I remember regretting the purchase immediately.  I did not have any the next day but tonight I decided to finish the bottle.  I let Mary have the first sip tonight.  Immediate frown.

Sweet yet dry.  But a lingering dryness and flat taste.  For people who hate sweet wines they may like this.  I think it may be do to the alcohol content.  The 2013 vintage clocks in at 12%  Barefoot was only 7%.  Tasting the booze not the fruit.  Not enough body to fully support 12%.

Will I purchase this one again?  Unlikely.  Then again it may be good in the smoker for Thanksgiving.

Barefoot Alert!!!

$3.99 per bottle at Windsor Heights Hy Vee.  Lowest price I have ever seen for that vino.  Wide assortment--Malbec to Chards, Moscato to Pinot.

get ya some!!

Barefoot Red Blend Trilogy

Was started as a review of Barefoot's Rich Red Blend but I drained two bottles with only a photo and nothing to write about.  My next visit to the store for bottle #3 had me come home with the missing siblings, Rosa Red Blend and Sweet Red.  So I will review them together.

The back label is called "Footnotes."  here they leave a description and a sweetness chart.  Rosa is the sweetest followed by Sweet Red and Rich Red is closer to the dry end of their chart.

In terms of alcohol content Rosa clocks in the lowest at 7.5%, Sweet is 10.5% and Rich beats them all at 13% by volume.

Descriptions.  According to Footnotes, the Rich Blend "is a velvety red blend with bold aromas and flavors of blackberries, blueberries and vanilla.  hints of caramel and oak compliment the smooth  finish."  I found it to be full bodied and smooth.   No boozy taste despite being 13%.  It is a dark purple color.

Rosa Red "is a bright, lively and sweet red blend wine with notes of raspberries and strawberry jam.  Floral notes compliment the sweet lingering finish."  This one put a smile on my face immediately.  A rich pink color and a taste reminiscent of sangria with bubbles on the top that made me wonder if it was still fermenting.  I did not find it overly sweet.  Very well balanced for a "sweet" red.  Screw top for convenience.

Sweet Red "is a smooth and sweet red wine blend with luscious aromas and flavors of black cherry and plum."  Honestly, despite drinking wine on the sweet side and enjoying such I do not care for sweet reds.  Bedhead Red from Jasper Winery is one of the few exceptions.  Unfortunately this was not.  Too sweet.  Mary thought it had a bitter element to it but I did not.  Most likely the plum flavor.

The important thing, taste.  Rosa Red hands down or bottoms up!  It's ace.

A Dry Red From iowa that is Great!! Summerset Winery

Summerset Winery Marechal Foch

I opened up the fridge and there were only two bottles.  A moscato and a pink moscato.  We were having smoked ribs so I desired something less sweet and more full bodied.  I needed a red, a dry red.  Looking into my wine reserve I was disappointed that all the Malbecs were gone.  The Bolla Valpolicella would have to wait for a better occasion.  But the Summerset Marechal Foch was ready.  I gave it a half hour in the fridge before opening.

I purchased this bottle in Windsor Heights, specifically the Hy Vee.  Those that know me also know that I get most of my wine there.  Sample day and a representative from Summerset was there.  Those that know me also understand that I am a sucker for local free samples.  Well, free samples.  Obviously, I tried and liked and bought.  This bottle must have been in my reserve for 2 or 3 months.  Time to uncork.

Iowa has a horrid reputation for dry reds.  Our rich soil and harsh winters are not suitable for most varieties of grapes.  We produce an abundance of sweet wines, both red and white, but finding a world class dry red is a challenge.  I have no desire to search for a dry white as of yet.

As the name implies, the wine is made from a French hybrid named after the famous French Field Marshall who was instrumental in the armistice of World War One.  The grapes are small berry sized and are cold weather hardy which suits Iowa's climate.  I have noticed that other wineries in Iowa use the same grapes.  I will endeavor to try them.

The taste.  Flavorful, dry, no aftertaste, no funky taste, no boozey taste.  I think this wine stands up quite well against cabs, Malbecs and pinot noirs.  I cannot find a fault with it and snotty Californians may enjoy it as well.  I wish they would have put the alcohol content on the label but who cares.  Taste is the standard.  In my opinion there is no better wine from Iowa.  Do yourself a favor and purchase a bottle.

Summerset Wines

Thank you Ron and Linda!!

Avoid

Micro second of pure rose joy and then godawful dry flat taste.  Yuck.  Was given to me.  Now I know why it remained unopened at the event.  But if you fancy dry whites, knock yourself out.

The Mythical Tisdale White Zinfandel

Forever on the look out for a quality inexpensive wine I always smile when the "discount liquor" shopping cart appears at the store.  Here the booze manager fills with discontinued or slow selling wine beer and booze.  It was one at Fareway that I found a bottle of Tisdale's White Zinfandel.

Tisdale is a decent low cost wine.  When it appeared on the Des Moines market it was the $3 wine.  Quality was always fine.  Their Cab S was an Italian product.  No matter the variety, there was a cork.  Generic cork but a cork.  I've tried them all but soon went for $5+ wines.

So in the cheap booze cart was the White Zin.  All encompassingly delicious.  Most White Zins have that boozey taste.  Not this one.  Smooth, sweet but not grossly sweet.  Went down quick.  that was the problem, too fast.  I went back to Fareway but they were out.  And every other store in town did not carry it any more.  

Something like 10 months pass by.  If I remember correctly, I made the original purchase during winter.  So a new Fareway opened up in July.  Since it is on my way home from work i stopped in.  Walked through the door, sprinted past the Organic Section, checked out the meat counter and then perused the wine aisle.  Barefoot was $4.99 so I grab a Malbec.  And then check the White Zinfandel section.  Jesus Bingo Christ!!!  There it was!!!  $5 or so but not higher than $5.  Do to cargo limitations and cash flow I purchased only one.  Immediately fridge it when I got home.

Finally, cork is removed and glass filled.  A heavenly cascade or raspberry and strawberry flavor!  Mind you it is sweet but not teeth destroying sweet.  It goes down fast.  No need to worry, a mere 7% alcohol.  Just a jet higher than a quality craft beer.  That should have dropped the smile from my face, a tad bit higher than half the alcohol of most wines.  But flavor is what I crave.  Flavor and a bargain price.

Definitely on the list again for future purchases.  I've only seen it at the new Fareway and since that is no longer on my way home due to trail construction I will need to make a special trip.  If you enjoy a White Zinfandel, do yourself a favor and get a bottle.

ALERT GREAT BUY ALERT

Windsor Heights Hy Vee has Gallo wine at $1.99 per bottle.  A case (12 bottles) is 10% off.  Cost then is $21.5+ tax and deposit.  Does not get better than that!

Santi Solane 2008 Valpolicella

Not quite one of those days.  It was much worse.  And when we were heading back to Mary's parent's farm I knew I need a drink.  After all I just gave an eulogy for my mother at her wake and tomorrow we would bury her.  My in-laws are past the age that one keeps a selection of alcohol at home and I failed to bring any down.  Fortunately, there was a Hy Vee grocery store on the way.  My intention was a cheap bottle of Sutter Home red blend, something that had gotten me through the winter.  Red and dry and nobody would want to share it with me.

I always like to check out the "wine & spirits" section of any store in any city to satisfy my curiosity of the culture of the town.  That and the newsstand.  What is offered and sold reflects upon the people that live there.  I admit that the selection of wine at the south side Ottumwa, Iowa, Hy Vee was alright.  And once again I felt like a little kid in a toy store trying hard to make a decision without much time.

The red blend was not available.  The mythical Tisdale white zin was absent as well.  I may have purchased the last of that at Fareway a month ago in the discount booze cart and now regret not doing the write up on that.  I cannot find it anywhere.  It has such a nice hint of  raspberry to it.Tisdale was the $2.99 wine for quite some time.  Cork not screw top.  Then it hit me.  This was a dark day, one that required a special wine albeit a cheap wine.  Find Bolla Valpolicella, my favorite red.  But again, despite the other Bolla offerings, it too was unavailable here.

"The wine is aged in wood for about 15 months..and is suitable for long aging."

A quick glance back and I realized there was not an "Italian" section. Reds from Bolla were located under "Latin America."  Geography 101 fail.  Then I looked up and saw the Veneto blessing.  Santi Winery from Italy.  Region aside, it was $18.99 bottle which is exceeding my criteria of cheap wine.  A search on the internet reveals that it is a $14 bottle but sold out in a few locations and even "unavailable" in my State.  Lisa's Liquor Barn dot com has it for $11.  Bolla would be $10 in Des Moines.

It is labeled as "ripasso" which means it had a second fermentation.  This was the first time I looked up that word.  I have had Valpolicellas that have gone through the ripasso before and have not found them to be better than regular Bolla Valpolicella.  This process increases the alcohol percentage.  Solane clocks in at 13.5%.

Real cork judging by the way I murdered it upon extraction.  I failed to get a photo of it in the wine glass. Yes, my mother in-law gave me a real wine glass.  No Mason jar or sundae glass tonight!  Nice rich red color.  I must state it felt a bit lighter than the Bolla counterpart.  Two of my sons shared some but did not go back for seconds.

Lisa's Liquor Barn describes it as "Santi‘s Valpolicella Classico Superiore RipassoSolane is a huge overachiever for the money. A delicious, feminine Valpolicella, the Solaneoffers up generous red berries, crushed flowers, spices and licorice. To be sure, this is one of the more understated Ripassos readers will come across, but the wine’s balance and sense of harmony are beyond reproach."

So, would I purchase this wine again?  Honestly, at $18.99 a bottle it would have to be a very, very special occasion and without another Valpolicella available.  This was a good purchase for me at a time of need, a distraction from my state of sorrow but I would have preferred Bolla or another brand and perhaps one that lacked the second fermentation.  But I always take the opportunity to consume the Veneto wine when it is available if I know that I would like it.  Give it a try.

Fisheye Riesling

Hard to pass this one up.  the sale price caught my eye.  $3.75!  That is cheap!  I have enjoyed other products form Fisheye but have not gone out of my way to repurchase them unless they have been on sale.  Today I was after a Malbec but could not resist this "medium bodied" summer wine.

Fisheye is an Australian vino, one of many that flood the American market to satisify the needs of frugal consumers such as myself.  More specifically, it is from South Eastern Australia.  Learn more about them at Fisheye Wines

Rielings are considered a "summer" wine.  Light and crisp, not too heavy.  The grapes are a "noble" grape most noted for their sweetness in German wines although they are not always used for sweet wines.  They are considered the opposite of Chardonnay, rarely aged in oak barrels, lighter in body.  Rieslings are noted for a fruity aroma, "fresh picked apricots and floral wafting."

My experience.  I have always found Rieslings a bit boozy tasting.  Light, crisp, somewhat sweet but a definite alcohol taste and after taste.   Something I always find with this.  Sure, it smells nice.  but once expelled through breath it would tell the tale of woe and convince everyone that you have been drinking heavily.  It's the sort of alcohol prungancy that I fear would be my aura if I drank all night, slept two hours and then went to work and be quickly sent home.

Fisheye clocks in at 11.5% by volume.  Comes with a screw top instead of a cork.  No need to fook around.  Chill and twist!  I find it light and crisp with a dry after taste.  not a thick heaviness found in truly sweet wines.  It is going well with the black Bean & Mango Salsa pizza Mary just baked for me.  The bottle says it pairs well with "shrimp pad thai, curry chicken and garlic naan."  Rieslings are quite versatile with many foods.  probably great for outdoor festivities when something light yet well balanced is needed.  Falling somewhere between sweet and dry it is sure to please most but the rigid vinophiles.

Would I purchase it again....At $3.75 a bottle, probably.  Once the sale ends it would be hard to choose given that I prefer other varieties and brands.  But I just poured the last glass, empty bottle and I had a vision of a bicycle tour in the heat of the summer and a need for wine, cold wine.

Tassel Ridge Pink Catawba

Tassel Ridge Winery is located in Leighton, Iowa, which is somewhere between where I live now and the city I grew up in.  I've watched the grapes grow off of highway 163 for many years.  They were the first winery in Iowa that I was aware off.  Someday I plan to ride my bicycle there and visit.

Iowa is not renown for wine.  It is a relatively new industry.  Some say the climate is not suitable for quality grapes and thus Iowa wine suffers.  Yet the industry is growing and I have found a few that I enjoy and will purchase again and again.

Two things attracted me to this bottle.  First, the sales rep was extremely short and cute.  I felt sorry for her having to stand behind her display and hope that people would feign interest and hope even more that said interest was enough to trigger sales.  I already had two bottles of my standard issue  $5 on sale favorites but I had to walk by her again.  guilt is want ran over me.  Had to help her out.  Perhaps make her day.

The other factor in picking this one was the use of Catawba grapes.  I have consumed its fermented juices before.

Catawba is a red American grape that is grown in the Eastern States as well as in the Midwest.  In the early days of America it was one of the most import grapes for wine making. It is a late harvest grape.  It is also used for juice, jellies and jams.  Light on tannins.  A sparkling wine from New York was the first non-Californian to win the California State Fair.

My previous experience with Catawba is epic.  My friend got enough of the grapes from a previous pressing and fermented a 30 gallon barrel of the wine.  Because it was second pressing the wine was a golden color.  After drinking about 4 mugs of his home brew beer he suggested that we try this wine.  It was his first taste of it.  It was wonderful.  It was nectar.  And because we had been drinking beer we drank the wine in mugs and at a beer consuming rate.

After about 4 mugs of the wine we stepped outside to smoke cigars.  While Sam was wondering why his would not light I was doubled over making a bird feeder.  "The damn cigar would not light.  Then I realized it was raining.  Raining hard.  We never noticed it.  And you were dieing.  All I could do was laugh and let you finish."  Thanks.

Lesson learned.  Sam's wine is powerful stuff.  Do not over consume.  But Sam got greedy and let it ferment more and the result was paint thinner.  Truly awful.  He ruined a 30 gallon barrel of wine.  He'd try to pass it on while camping and gatherings but the taste and the bird feeder story scared people off.  We tried to cut it down with mixers but it still was bad.  It became a "manliness" test to drink it.  He offered me the barrel but I declined.  It was dumped out in his garden.  I may have a gallon of it in my cupboard.  Wine of last resort.

So the 4 foot 6 inch bae showed me her wares.  Never having a dry Iowa wine I asked if she had one.  No.  She had about 8 varieties of sweet wines.  The first was the Pink Catawba and my mind was made up but I let her finish her spiel before initiating purchase.  Seeing that Catawba was available from a professional wine maker sealed the transaction.  I had an overwhelming desire to drink this.

This was how the bottle got home.  The manifest of this trip includes a 15 lb bag of dog food, 9 lb pork loin, 2 other bottles of wine, 2 lb of bacon, quart of half n half and some other stuff.

Sure enough.  It was delicious.  A semi sweet red, best served chilled.  The fruity tastes rolled through my mouth like a sunny day.  The color was light like a light rose.  One of Iowa's finest.  I will buy more.

Sutter Home White Merlot

Let me say this.  I loath Merlot.  Too aged in a barrel tasting.  Dry and nasty.  Dry full body reds are a favorite of mine but I have yet to discover one I like at my usual price range.  So I avoid them unless it is the only wine available or is a Chardonnay is the other choice or something worse like Manischewitz or Thunderbird.  I only picked this bottle up because I was in need to restock sweet chilled wine at home and Sutter Home was still $2.99 at the Windsor Heights Hy Vee.

The first thing I noticed was the cork.  "Enjoy" on top, "cheers" on the bottom.  I smiled because it reminded me of Sutter Home's delicious Red Blend I discovered around Christmas time.

White Merlot is made like White Zinfandel.  Crush the grapes, let the juice contact the skin for a bit and let the pink juice run off and ferment.  This explains the taste.  A medium sweet.  Just a little more of an after taste a tad bit of a jet drier.

Would I purchase it again?  Don't know.  Probably not.  I prefer a White Zinfandel or a Red Moscato.  And if the mood for a sweet wine hits me usually a Moscato attracts me.  Too many choices and this one is not the stand out winner.

In the meantime, cheers!  I will enjoy this bottle while it snows outside.