Winter Blend from Barefoot

Used my large glass.  reduces my need to get up for refills.

We had a roller coaster of a week concerning the weather.  Monday was in the 50s, Wednesday dumped 3" of snow on us and temps dropped into the teens and single digits later on.  Friday it warmed up to near 60F and melted the snow.  I've noticed song birds returning to Iowa.  February that feels like March.  I like it!  What a better time to bust out a winter blend of vino!!

I stumbled upon this on Tuesday at my grocery store in Windsor Heights, Hy Vee.  Tuesday was the last nice day until Friday afternoon.  I had to stock up.  I thought it was a novel idea.  This is what breweries do but instead of a winter lager it it is wine.  The label had 2015 on it.  Not sure if that was the vintage of the first year it was available.  Given 2015 was in small print I suspect the latter.  Then I remember the two bottles of seasonal wine I purchased from Summerset Winery for Christmas.

Tuesday Stock Up:  One bag shown, two radlers, two bottles of Winter Blend, half and half for the weekend's coffee and Uncle Ben's long Grain & Wild Rice (Sunday dinner to go with the chicken in the other bag).  I've never lost a bottle or broke an egg shopping via bicycle.

Green bottle with a pale blue label.  "Notes of vanilla & blackberry jam."  A red blend of some sort.  "...pairs perfectly with gingerbread cookies and a cozy fire!"  We have neither.  I was hoping it would go well with Wifey, NetFlix and a leather couch.  What a long week until I could uncork!  It did go over well but she only had one sip and said nothing.  her preference is on semi sweets to sweet.  We watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain's A Cook's Tour (cookin' 'round the world!) an episode of The People v OJ Simpson and Caddy Shack.

First impression was how velvety smooth this blend was.  Felt light yet heavy like a tasty dessert. Definitely a dry red yet extremely smooth and soft.  Since our thermostat is set for 63F I felt no need to pre-chill this in the refrigerator beforehand.  Clocking in at 13.5% it is rather strong but the alcohol does not overwhelm the experience.  By the time Caddy Shack ended the bottle was finished.

Looking forward to the second bottle.  Possibly next weekend.  Also looking forward to next winter's seasonal offering.  If you like a rich and smooth red that is not sweet, try this one while it is available even if Spring is here according to the birds.

Williamette Valley Vineyards Riesling

For some reason my wine consumption has been down for about 6 months.  Don't know why. Perhaps beer consumption increased a bit then subsided.  Maybe winter has me wanting to shower, eat, and go to bed early.  Health issues, too.  But last night, despite a major gout flare up and a major change in meds I decided it was time to pull this bottle out of the fridge and uncork it.  It was after 8 pm, my leg was killing me like a mofo and the Aleve was finally kicking in.  That and Russell Crowe was on the screen fightin' 'round the world, Robin Hood.  It felt like time to enjoy an adult bevie.  Long week, long day.

Quality cork as well.  I did not murder it!

This bottle had been been chilling since October.  It missed our Thanksgiving Feast and Christmas dinner and Chill.  Not that I was avoiding it, just waiting for the right time.  According to the bottle, the best time to drink this is between 2015 and 2017, "peak drinkability."  The pressure, the pressure.

First taste and I knew I made the right decision, new meds be damned!  Cool and crisp with  almost pear taste.  Even Wife liked it.  Unlike most Rieslings I have consumed, the strong boozey taste was lacking, which is a plus.  Clocking in at 8% it should not overwhelm the palate with alcohol taste.  Definitely a medium on the sweetness scale which even the most bitter sweet hating people could tolerate.  Smooth, cool, delicious and not overly sweet.  A wonderful gift from 2014 Oregon.  I will look for this one again.

Life is precious when one can hoist their glass when Friar Tuck hoists his mead on the screen knowing that the vino in my glass is excellent!  Do yourself a favor and find this Riesling.  2014 was a good year!