In honor of All Hallows Eve Eve (Eve)

Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon (2006):

Given to me by my dear friend Heather on the night of my Halloween-themed game night (which, coincidentally was also a couple weeks in advnc of the actual Fright Night), the Ghost Pines Cab Sauv was the sole survivor of a handful of Halloween-themed wines that night (among them: Evil and Bitch wines from our store, and Dracula's Blood - a "semi-sweet" red that literally has the hue of blooid - go figure.)

After a weekend of just the right amount of wine, Monday's last-minute Mojave date added two glasses to the week and Tuesday's duty of finishing off the Dancing Coyote Petite Syrah (my first purchase from the shop - and the beginning of a new stage in my wine daze) was supposed to polish the wine daze off this week (in preparation for the Halloween celebrations.)
Then Wednesday evening hit. And so did that all-too-familiar after-work craving for a sip (aka glass.) The conditions were ripe and as soon as I saw the Ghost Pines wine in my rack, the deal was sealed: I HAVE to open it before Halloween, right!?
And I did. And it was amazing. There is nothing like sipping a Halloween-y red wine when the apartment is decked out in spiderwebs, orange lights are glowing and the Charlie Brown Halloween special "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is on low in the background - a throwback to the days when I would watch this special at home in Minneapolis as my dad put the endless array of decorations up around the house.
Now, to the juicy part: The wine was, well, divine...very smooth, which is a trait I don't find very often in a Cabernet Sauvignon, though it certainly did not lack in body...still bold, and smelling of blackberries, it was the perfect accompaniment to a quiet night at home on the couch, a perfect way to wind down the day, and to say hello to All Hallows Eve...

Kristin the Wine Vixen

The Ultimate Decision...

When the seasons are on the cusp of warm, lingering days and the crisp autumn chill, what do you do when you are at a favorite restaurant and want to fit one last glass of that chilled white in before it is seasonably "inappropriate" - yet your palette is screaming the lush, velvety feel of a smooth red?
Order Both.

Musings at Mojave...(Astoria, NY off the Ditmars stop on a chilly yet gorgeous autumn day)

Waiting for my "date" (in quotes since it is in fact my sister, who I have started to have more and more wine dates with) agonizing (okay, maybe not SO dramatic, but still a tough decision) over Red, or White???
The season has definitely shifted into a more decidedly red mode...but yet it is one of the last lingering days that it is appropriate to order a glass of white wine not meant to pair with food...purely meant for the pleasure of sipping...
Asking for a taste from the waiter who has waited on you since your first Mojave experience (he himself has moved up in the restaurant industry from busboy to server - this was the first time he asked what I wanted to drink instead of just filling my water glass) and see what tempts the palette...
I see a new listing: A Spanish blend of Verdejo and Viura) called Rueda proves to be spark the young wine tasting buds in my mouth - a delightful first sip. In appearance, it is slightly cloudy, feigning a slight effervescence but is hands down a dry Spanish white. The palate is smooth with a slightly tangy, lingering finish.
Scents reminiscent of apple and honey on the nose lead to a big bang on the tongue. This is my night to say goodbye to the a season, goodbye to a nieghborhood where I started my life in Astoria, and a toast to the end of a year that has brought endless surprises, experiences, lessons learned, trials faced - and many, many wines tasted, enjoyed, shared, savored...a goodbye to the wine daze of the past and looking forward to the daze just beyond tomorrow...

And another day of wine begins...

But this is the first one of many wine days (or should I say daze?)
Welcome to my wine blog - I am yet another one of the thousands of people who love, love LOVE wine!
I am here to bring different experiences with wine to light - from tastings, to pairings, to grapes know-how, to NYC wine hotspots - all circling back to the simple bliss of that first sip of the night...stay tuned!

Kristin (the wine vixen)