Sweltering Friday: Meet Surprise wine tasting at Azul Tapas Lounge!

Ahh...Alas the week is over and today officially marks the beginning of another weekend in Shanghai.
Today's surprise tasting - kindly offered to my sister and I ("secret diners" for the TV show "Independent Inspector") was a perfect way to kick off the weekend...and to head full on into a heady weekend of lovely wine, fabulous people, and painting the town red. Eduardo Vargas of Azul Tapas Lounge brought over the glasses, and we did the tasting.

To begin our journey through the eight open bottles that are kept in an airtight contraption to preserve freshness and are expressly for customer tasting (I love how Eduardo insists the customer taste before purchasing a bottle,) we had a well-balanced Argentinian Malbec, which I thought (emphasis on the "I") found perfectly soft and fruity with just enough tannin and fruit to balance it out...but what Eduardo REALLY wanted us to try was this:

 A 100% Grenache that had was oh so much more complex! Some nice metallic notes to it with a rustic feel in the mouth. A grape that is typically used for blending, this pure Grenache version was everything a Friday evening Tapas dinner needs: A little soothing, a little spice, and just enough pizzazz to match the array of dishes you might order - and to send you off well for another Friday night out in Shanghai.

Several more tastes and I lost track...no notebook = dealing with Kristin's short term memory! That's ok, I have the bigger memory of a lovely dinner...and after all, every part of a wine daze should have it's pure moments of enjoyment...right? Right.

If you go:
Azul

Address

Ferguson Lane 8/F, 378 Wukang Lu, near Hunan Lu

武康路378号8楼, 近湖南路

Phone

5405 2252

Foreign Yet Familiar...

...And starting to feel a little like home. Who would have ever thought my wine daze would bring me to where I am today - in a little (ok, not so little, but you get the drift) place we call Shanghai, China! As a result, I have yet another "home away from home," where tonight I sip on the last of a 2010 Grande Cuvee Cabernet/Syrah blend from the Pays d'Oc region of France. Looking back to my arrival one month ago, I was indeed 100% a foreigner: illiterate, intimated by getting lost on the streets of the French Concession, and struggling to find “my place” amidst the sea of a foreign language, foreign surroundings and vast array of new, “foreign,” people.  Yet, there was one thing I knew I could count on to help me ease into this new world: wine. 

With that in mind, I set out to the nearby Tesco to pick up my initiation bottle: A 2010 Merlot from ‘Wines from France.’ Despite the hideous label with purple lettering reminiscent of the ‘Thriller’ album, it proved to be a perfect pre-out-on-the-town and quiet-night-at-home sipping wine. With  a soft, almost gossamer entry and aromas of blackberry, blueberry and hints of ripe plum, this light yet luscious wine was exactly what the doctor ordered. And at 59 RMB (approximately $9.50 USD) it’s one I will go back for. 

In the past month, I have catapulted myself into Shanghai’s wine scene - attending several tastings, meeting with some movers and shakers in the industry over here, and of course continuing my hunt for the best values (and out of curiosity the most expensive bottles) in boutique and chain retail shops, as well as supermarkets throughout the city. 

The best bang for my buck so far? That would have to be the 2010 Escale Grande Cuvee, purchased at a western style market called Parksons on Huihai Lu - and what a juicy and intense delight it was! Aromas of blue and black berries with hints of cassis invade the nose, leading into a mouthful of rich fruit and soft, velvety loveliness. A superb wine for everyday drinking as well as for pairing with a cheese plate or light appetizers. Again, at this price point (69 RMB/11 USD) you can stock up for the week. However, if the weather is anything like the sauna of summer in Shanghai (and I am pretty sure it is!) make sure you have proper storage...or thirsty guests!

As with many travel experiences, it is just as I am starting to settle in and get comfortable that the time begins to come to a close. Although with a month left, there is plenty of time to bask in the wine dazes of Shanghai...and to be more diligent in reflecting on them, of course! ;)

So This Is What Happens When You Get to Shanghai...

...You are too busy tasting and drinking wine and imbibing in the nightlife that the posts are set to the side...until now!

Sometimes You Just Have to Jump...

Whether it's a jump back into writing (for myself in this instance, though I have had a few writing spurts published on Snooth, my most recent full time wine venture) or a jump out of what is predictable and familiar (in this case life in NYC) and into a life of the unknown Asian abyss that is Shanghai, life is full of 'jumps,' risks, and incredible opportunities; opportunities that in turn would not have been possible without taking those leap(s) of faith. I don't know about you, but I cannot think of a better companion (friends and family aside of course) than a lovely glass of wine.

And with that my friends, I am back to coddle this baby blog of mine. The timing couldn't be better as I prepare to embark on the journey of a lifetime to the "Pearl of the Orient," also known as Shanghai, China!

There will no doubt be oodles of odd and "character building" experiences, but along with that endless glasses of wine and wine experiences...the precise inspiration for this blog I created over 2 years ago!
So I invite you to join me on this (wine) journey if it fits into your busy day - and at the very least stay tuned for some great pics!

I must not get ahead of myself...after all, I have a whole month left here in NYC (and lots of wine to taste) before I take off, so stay tuned!

My "First" Review!

Okay, well not the first, but the inaugurate one after my first day as Tasting Coordinator at Snooth Media! What a perfect way to keep the momentum going on this wine (daze) writing blitz!

(At Heidi's House - Upper East Side)

Taste 1: La Chasse White Cotes du Rhone (CDR)

Clean and crisp with subtle mineral nuances develop into white stone fruit marked by a tinge of pencil lead. Floral notes on the back palette with a fresh bouquet of white flowers...parfait!

Taste 2: Chateau Grand Antoine 2009 (White Bordeaux)

Decidedly more citrus on the nose an palette and even more crisp than our lovely CDR.

The Decision: COTES DU RHONE! Bring it On!

Why the CDR, you ask? Less bite and more savory notes with some grassy notes and a medium finish. Depth and body are balanced out with crisp notes and a tinge fresh lemon rind that reveal itself after a few sips (ok, 3 or 4...;)

(Well that was quick!)

I find myself musing over the concept of Acclimation:

Acclimation to new surroundings; acclimation to a new 'horaire du temps' (bosser, bosser, work work!); and last but not least, acclimation to a whole slew of new wines - whether I am cataloguing them into the inventory grid at Snooth, researching them, contemplating them, or, best of all, TASTING them!

So, which wine have I (and you!) been acclimating ourselves with in the recent weeks?

Well...many @ Heidi's House (way to state the obvious) including:

The delectable and oh so utterly lovely:

• Estandon Cotes du Provence Rose
• Thomas Henry Pinot Noir (CA)
• Penny Farthing Cab Franc (CA)
• La Jaufrette Cotes du Rhone 2001 (FR)
• Montagne St. Emilion (FR)

Hmmm...time to expand the horizons beyond Heidi's House, Kristin the Wine Vixen!?

Well, one thing can be said about habit:

Once you acclimate yourself with a certain wine(s), a certain wine bar, a certain schedule, and certain surroundings, it brings you to next step, and new experiences...

So as I said about the CDR tonight: Bring It On! :-)

Good Wine Comes to Those who Wait...

"Day 1" as Tasting Coordinator at Snooth Media. To celebrate/inaugurate this occasion (and to keep up the tasting momentum) I find myself at Heidi's House to get the writing going!

Taste 1: La Chasse White Cotes du Rhone:

Clean and crisp, with mineral nuances, white stone fruit are singed with a tinge of pencil lead. A second sniff reveals floral notes reminiscent of a bouquet of white spring flowers. YUM!

Taste 2: 2009 Chateau Grand Antoine White Bordeaux (aka Sauvignon Blanc)

Decidedly more citrus on the nose and the palette and even more of a crisp 'bite' than our lovely CDR.

The Decision: Cotes du Rhone! (Bring It On!)

Why? Less bite and more soft and savory notes - exactly what the Doctor ordered for a week of change and adjustment!

Grassy tones lead to a medium length of finish. The depth and body of this white is indeed balanced out with its (slightly) uncharacteristic crispness. A tinge of fresh lemon rind reveals itself after a few sips (ok, 3 or 4...) and my palette welcomes this perfect choice of wine for this momentous occasion.

And after a few sips, I am onto this concept we call Acclimation; acclimation to new surroundings; acclimation to a new 'horaire' (work schedule); and acclimation to a whole slew (374 and still going) of new wines - whether they are to be catalogued, researched, contemplated, or best of all...to be tasted!

But first things first; you have to pay your dues before indulging and reaping the benefits of working around wine with fellow wine lovers (though in my eyes this is payment in itself!)

So, which wines have I been acclimating myself with in the last few weeks?

Well...many here at Heidi's house (way to state the obvious!) including:

• L'Estandon Provence Rose
• Thomas Henry Pinot Noir (CA)
• Penny Farthing Cabernet Franc (CA)
• 2001 La Jaufrette Cotes du Rhone (FR)
• Montagne St. Emilion

(Note to self: Time for Kristin the Wine Vixen to expand her horizons...!)

Okay, there was the hand-picked (by one of our all time favorite bartenders Joel) Rosso di Montalcino (an indulgent $15/glass at Uva)

And speaking of Italian reds, here is Freddie's (our favorite bartender at Heidi's House) house favorite:

Caburnio Toscana (Tenuta Monteti):

Delicious red fruit with an ample amount of tannins and finesse...

Full-bodied with a slight hint of baking spices (clove in particular) that linger on the finish...

A perfect wine to end my tasting with, and the ideal way to ring in the beginning of another adventure in this daze of wine, life, changes, and most of all acclimation and appreciation.

--Kristin the Wine Vixen (ha!)

The Wine/Life Mirror

What a whirlwind of a weekend back home, graced by some truly delectable wines that warmed my heart, and traveled alongside me at home.

Frigid weather in the good old (612) was assuaged by some warm hearty reds. And thank god, given the debacle I ran into on in -14 temperatures! A flat tire on the freeway (more like burned to the rim if you ask me) on Interstate 35-W North in that inhumane temperature would have been much harder to manage had I not just ingested the following:

1) A delightfully balanced Vacqueyras, appropriately named Les Trois Couronnes since it was fit for no less than a king - or queen, which I may or may not be admitting to flying back from NYC for since we did not have time to consume it over the 2010 holiday wine lineup. This floral yet substantial red wine from the southern Rhone Valley of my beloved France is almost 100% Grenache, which lends the body needed to stand up to those Watts-style appetizers that are indigenous to the homestead of 721 West Minnehaha Parkway (yes, laugh as you'd like at the street I grew up on ;)

2) A versatile Barbera enjoyed with our delightful dinner at In Season. Though it was our alternative choice to the Cotes du Rhone they had no stock of (enter harried distribution woes...) it was worthy of every drop in the bottle.

Looking back on the bitingly cold weekend now (with a glass of plain 'ol Trader Joes Chardonnay/Viognier blend beside me; good, but no Vacqueyras) I am struck by how much can happen within the span of three days of a quick weekend trip home to be present for a dear friend's CD release show. I am even more struck by the how much these jam-packed days mirror all that goes on in the senses and through the mind upon that first sip of Vacqueyras - or Barbera - or even this $4 bottle of TJ's white blend that has been sitting in the fridge for a little over a week now (yes, that was a confession...)

The nuances that present themselves through the wine remind me of the varied emotional levels that can happen in so short a time:

One sip of that Vacqueyras and my palette was dancing with a blend of dark and light fruits with tinges of soft tannins around the edges; One moment of realization that I was stuck, alone, on a freeway in -14 temperatures, and my mind danced first with panic, then settled on methods of problem-solving and an eventual 'rescue effort' from my dear father.

Much in the same realm, sipping and savoring to the very last drop that delectable Barbera at In Season mirrors every moment that I took in and cherished at my friend Natalie's show that Saturday night - taking in the energy, the crowd, the music, and yes, even those horribly over-priced glasses of wine at the Fine Line in downtown Minneapolis.

Wine, heart, home and mind...sometimes that's all it boils down to.

Another week, another wine (or three - or four.)

So another week begins, and another glass of wine sits before me...this time Xavier Cotes du Rhone at my beloved Fig & Olive, a perfect blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.
Notes of blueberries round out this smooth and mellow red from my dear France. Hints of spice make this the perfect choice for reflection time on the last week which has offered more than its fair share of spicy drama. As long as you've had a little (or in this case a lot) you might as well round it out, right? Right.
These spicy characteristics are softened by silky hues of dark cherries, much like the heat that has put my life in kahootz has been softened on the edges by the little things that make these tumultuous times more manageable (enter those four wines mentioned in the subject line...) and that eventually lead to life lessons you become grateful for after enough time has passed. Perhaps a little like the time required for a heady, rich, and aged wine to breathe...
Breathing and letting things go - and learning from mistakes/bad choices is after all what embodies the development of our palette and fosters the expansion of (my) wine knowledge; what a perfect note to end on and also to begin the pursuit of my dream of a wine career in NYC...

The Toss Up...

Quelle 'blanc?'
It was surely a difficult decision Wednesday evening at Candle Cafe: French Sauvignon Blanc (appropriately named 'L'Atitude') or the other - sometimes more distinguished - Fume Blanc (Lololis) from Red River Valley, CA. Both the same vintage (2008) but each offering entirely different experiences in the mouth and on my contemplative mind.
One sip of L'Atitude and I was instantly transported back to the dog days that were this Summer where I wanted to drink nothing else but crisp, clean, light and fragrant 'blancs.' A fantastic sauvignon blanc, but just not quite on par with my autumnal state of mind.
One sip of Lololis and I was back into the crisp Fall air that breezes through Candle's entrance - and provided exactly what I was craving mentally and on my palette.

On the brink of yet another seasonal transition, this complex and heady blanc falls right in with the many changes that have come to pass in the last 6 months (which is also the last time I updated here...)
I make my return to the blogging world just as I make my return to NYC from a short but sweet trip home to Minneapolis. But this time I am sans soeur (I would have gotten a Sancerre if there was one on the list)
So what's taken me so long, you ask? Well, I think we all know the kind of mental, and frankly, emotional commitment this writing thing takes. But I guess the trick is to just get over it - just like we must get over our pre-conceived notions of the aromas, the nose and the mouthfeel of a wine we think we know.
So, suffice to say, many wine daze excursions (and hence tastings at Astoria Wine & Spirits) have gone undocumented. But that's about to change :)

I find myself with a solo glass of this remarkably and delightfully crisp fume blanc with an almost tangy intensity that lingers calmly on my palette. You'd think that this lingering mirrors a desire for the waning days of summer to last a little while longer, but think again...

So what is it that draws our perusing eyes to a particular wine on the list (or at the store?) Do we have subconscious wine desires, biologically engrained either from past wine daze(s) that reveal a hunger for that crisp white or silky smooth red of an emotional daze past, or is it pure instinct - a sporadic decision and impulse that just may reveal some inner workings waiting to be pronounced after that first sip (or couple sips, or couple glasses) settles in?
Whatever it is, that decision has got to be meant to be, right? If you feel that wine order envy setting in, fuhgeddaboutit! Enjoy the musing that perhaps this wine in front of you may not be the perfect decision; enjoy the nuances, the unexpected aromas, nasal and other sensory stimulations that - if you had chosen a different wine - you would have never encountered.

Okay, so let's get to the chase then - the wine chase that is...
Obviously (for those of you who know me well) I studied the list this morning (and again and again this afternoon, inbetween tracking Shel Silverstein and Fancy Nancy purchase orders - oops!)
As I said, I got it narrowed down to those two whites:

Option #1 Notes: In Lehman's terms, this French (Loire Valley) Sauvignon Blanc ($10/glass) had plenty of 'Atitude' but not quite the right angle of sass I was looking for. Revealing classic characteristics of a French Sauvignon Blanc: crisp apples notes on the nose, leading to a refreshing grapefruity 'zing' (perhaps that's where the attitude comes in?) that reminded me a little too much of summer's attitude this year

Option #2 (and the ultimate winner) Notes: Presenting the perfect equilibration between that all-too familiar taste of summer and that crisp haven of fall, infiltrated with that autumnal kick that I crave in these transitional days.

And speaking of transitions, I have no smooth one for the ending of my first blog back, so I hope you'll forgive me.

I am taking a leap: From the daze of wine musings to the full-on daze of reporting for the fantabulous wine Friday night wine tastings at Astoria Wine & Spirits.Please join me in this adventure as I highlight the wines from Fridaze at 34-11 Broadway, Astoria, NY, 11106

Friday, January 29th, 2010
The bitter chill from Old Man Winter did not prevent the brave souls from venturing out to take part in a warm night of wine tasting. Tonight's Feature: ITALY! Form the south to the north, to the south and back up again to land on a high note (of dark cherry) amidst the Barbera D'Asti grape of northern Italy.

Inzolia, Baglio del Sole, 2007
$10.99
A powerful and seductive Sicilian white with aromas of lychee and apricot that yield to a floral bouquet of smooth bliss. Dry on the back palette, a good way to whet the appetite for the evening.
Pairs with seafood, pasta, risotto, and appetizers.

Abbazia Di Novacella, Gewurtzraminer
$29.99
First and foremost, "There is nothing wrong with this wine." -YangWhen I first began working at Astoria Wine & Spirits, I asked Yang if he had a favorite wine in the store. He said "all of them." Until now...This Gewurtraminer has a finesses like no other wine. The gorgeous floral bouquet just "jumps out and onto our palette." With great minerality and smooth flavors of gooseberry, this is the perfect wine to sip and sip...and sip.
Pairs with seafood, white meat, great as an aperitif.

Baglio del Sole, Nero d'Avola, 2006
$10.99
Going back down to Sicily and the South to a wine that is a perfect everyday drinking wine. With bright, red fruits and blueberry notes on the palette, it is a versatile wine that goes beautifully with Italian dishes.With the fruit at the beginning, it leads to an unexpectedly dry finish.
Pairs perfectly with classic Italian dishes like pizza, pasta, and marinara.

Damilano, Barbera D'Asti, 2008
$17.99
Finishing on an note back up in the North, this robust Barbera D'Asti opens with aromas of licorice that quickly yield to notes of raisin and hints of dark cherry flavors. A powerful end to a night of North-South and back again...until the next Fridaze of tasting at Astoria Wine & Spirits.
Well-balanced with a long finish, this is a perfect accompaniment to cold cut appetizers, rich beef roasts, game, and aged cheeses

Stay Tuned!

Never Met a Wine I Didn't Like...until now...

It was a Montepulciano Monday, with plenty of mysterious aromas and much, much mouthfeel...

Sipping, waiting...thinking. Thinking about the events of the day, the week, the year...time passes quickly, (strangely) unlike this glass of Montepulciano that sits before me. 

I am waiting now, just as this bottle has waited to be opened for days, weeks in this apartment - and a year or so since the juices hit the mold of the bottle. And tonight the cap has been unscrewed, the evening begun...

I think this is definitely a first in my wine daze: I have actually come across a wine that I am not so keen on - so "unkeen" (yes, that is a made-up word, just for tonight) in fact that I stuck a bottle from Trader Joe's white wine into the freezer in hopes of relieving my palette when this glass has finally gone down (I am not disclosing the origin of this wine in front of me, at least not yet.)  Yet, I am not so put off that I am going to discard it down the drain...

My mind is piqued to wonder: What happens when you discover that a wine which you yourself has recommended on several occasions turns out to be one you shouldn't have been recommending all along and won't do going forward - at least to those whose preferred tastes lean towards the smooth and supple fruitiness of a Burch Hall Pette Sirah or a mellow yet meaty del sorvo Chianti? 

Two Options:

A) Question your own (wine) discretion and knowledge of this drink (glass, bottle) at hand and shy away sheepishly into the corners of marked wine mishap

B) Use it as fodder and testament to the idea (philosophy) that goes "to each their own." In this case, the confidence of one's own with which they make recommendations...I think I will take option B.

Ah, yes...at last the smooth texture of a welcome switch to the light, white goodness. The heater is gearing up for the night next to me, making this a very appropriate night for this glass of white that awaits before me (until I potentially switch back to red to test its pasta-pairing power - the whole reason behind my ill-fated recommendation(s) in the first place.

Montepulciano: Mysterious aromas of wood, moss, mold, and toasty notes...

TJ's white blend (tres pinos): Honey notes yield to a sweet first sip - a clear distinction: This is indeed a Trader Joe's white.

But sometimes that is just what the moment calls for.

The (Dreaded?) Return from a long, wine dazed Break...

...Though for sure and indeed not a break from the wine daze...
The holidays of 2009 - spent in the frozen tundra which is my "other" home - the lovely, albeit frigid, home town of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Luckily (and certainly not coincidentally) there was no shortage of wine (and occasional spirits) to help warm (all) our parts and souls - and to soothe and comfort the passing of our very own "Reine du Vin" - la maitresse who can be held accountable for the beginning of not only my - but that of our whole family line's wine daze.

Grandmere, ceci est pour toi...

...Not a break from the sipping, savoring, and, well, altogether drinking, of wine, but rather a break from reporting on it and about it; A break from the madness of the city, the banality (and occasional madness) of the 9-5 work day, and from the trekking and schlepping that comes with living in NYC - and Astoria...but no break - not a day or a meal - without the soothing and familiar feel and taste of wine on the pallet.
And now, for something I rarely do: A listing of all that was savored (to the best of my memory, which is focused wholly on memories made with my amazing family and trusted friends; memories in different settings, ambiance, etc, etc...

How the days pass and the daze continues on...

Such is life: I allow weeks to slip by, and many many different wines ingested and savored gone without mention on this so-called wine blog...but not to fret, there will always be another day and another wine to sip.

Tonight, I am breaking open a bottle to mark the new chapter that is opening up in front of me: A new residence, a new outlook, a new commute (um, so much better and faster btw!) a new (but old) roommate (Ahea, I am not calling you old; I am, of course, just referring to the fact that we have passed days as roommates in our blissful childhood daze) and, so it happens, the start of a new wine ritual.

I find myself in wine transitions, stages, whatever you want to call them...like stages in life, I suppose you could say. Going from a stage of being an utter lush, banking in on every opportunity to drink another sip; then onto a stage of so-called detox, when I challenged myself to break the cycle of sipping every night; then slowly back into phase of letting go and allowing myself to take part in that pleasure...which is where I find myself tonight: with an open bottle of Raimat Albarino (2008) that was an incredibly welcome thirst quencher for the end of a long work day and a long anticipated move into a new phase...

It will no doubt go unfinished tonight, left to sit in the fridge until I can come back to it next week after the Turkey Day celebrations. I have learned that the crisp taste will dissipate after three days of sitting there, waiting to be poured and sipped. I should know better than to open a bottle knowing it won't be nearly as spectacular when I get back to it. But I am doing a sort of experiment, seeing if indeed I can tell the difference. 

Guaranteed, my palette will be interrupted by the wines that will be tasted and enjoyed with my adoptive Thanksgiving family the Rosses this weekend; yet, I suppose this is also a test of how well my pallet is developing.

I will keep you updated (and I promise I won't let weeks and several wines pass without at least a brief posting...)

Cheers to a Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, 

Kristin

Fresh citrus notes yield to a tang of honeysuckle that lingers on the palette. Slight aromas of vanilla are barely noticeable, but definitely present in the mouthfeel. Promising to be a superb accompaniment to a whole gamut of culinary pleasures, tonight it will be paired with classic thai dishes: mixed vegetables and tofu and "healthy ginger" with chicken - with a definite kick that may clash with the citrus notes of my wine. We shall see...as is the case with every wine experience, right?

Fucking Merlot for the Fucking Rain! (But finishing smooth...)

Okay, excuse the language, but how appropriate (and typical I might add) for my last laundry session (or outing you could even say since it is indeed quite a spectacle walking back and forth, back and forth, with a laundry bag that literally is the height of my bitty self.) Which is why I find myself for one last time at my neighborhood Greek bar Stiniyamas. I already proved to myself that I could get through laundry sessions without a glass of wine in between loads (which I found myself having to stop after the toll on the cash flow - even at $5 a glass,) so what the hell! Why not make all the last neighborhood stops for old time's sake! I am glad I did, because the rain is coming down harder...
Okay, so for this Merlot, which is "really good for the price" according to my hot, blonde bartender: K242 (Korta For Two) from Chile: Scent is reminiscent of ripe berries, of course, that lead to hints of toasty oak that waft through the nose, all ending in a smooth finish - a mirror to my (fairly) smooth finish here in the 'hood.
It is almost exactly a year to the day that I began the series of laundry outings from 20-52 - getting better and more efficient each time with practice, just as I am (hopefully) getting better at recognizing and describing aromas and flavors each time a wine hits first my nose, then the inside of my lips, eventually leading to a full palette of ripe berry - or cherry, melon, apple, honeysuckle, grassy, herbal or toasty goodness.
in front of me the red juice of the (Greek?) gods sits quietly in the almost goblet-sized glass, leaving me puzzled (and either impressed or embarassed, depending on the mindset) how on earth I finished three of those on another laundry outing...
Wine that is soft, smooth, and delightful - a mirror opposite to the 'bottles in da club' thumping music that bangs in the background, grating against the monotonal drone of Mr. Kyclades' vocal notes over there at the other end of the bar...Oh, Stiniyamas, you will never change (even if your wine selction has, to which I can rightfully say a loud STINIYAMAS! (In case you haven't figured it out: Cheers! in Greek)
My grizzly surroundings areassuaged by the $5 glass of Korta in front of me, allowing me to focus in on the mouthfeel of the wine.
When the ambiance is 'meh' - (I say this with a back-and-forth tilted gesture of my right hand) it allows the mind to focus inward on the wine - and consequently, on the self. So many external irritations you can't control - especially in this city, this borough, this bar - yet it has taught me patience; patience with myself, patience with my loved ones, and patience with the daze of life...
The things I can control are my reactions and my decisions...and of late, my wine...But after a period of strict "I-shouldn't-drink-wine-every-night" period in my wine daze, I am ready to move on to a stage of letting go and purely savoring every moment (and every wine) I can - without counting, without stressing, without obsessing.
So what if I have wine every night? Right? Right. It is, after all, a part of my life, my day, my daze...obviously, it does many things...but I think most of all , it soothes and smooths - and that is okay with me.
Oh! and look...the rain has ceased...


Kristin

Unexpected Splendor...

It was bound to be my night. After going back and forth about whether or not to make my last stop (for a while at least) at a quaint restaurant on 35th and Ditmars that has been on my list of places to savor in my remaining days of residence at 20-52, I took the plunge on my way home (though that description doesn't really fit anymore, but I will use it while I can.)  

Sometimes the nights you think are so planned out turn out in the most unexpected ways - and this night was no doubt one of those nights in my sequence of wine daze...

The place: 718  - sitting smack dab in the middle of the beautiful, cashmere-crimson hued semicircle bar, with the older Greek men getting their drink on before Game 6 of the Yankees' World Series impending victory on my right and a very Astorian-looking couple on my left going through the list of specialty cocktails. It's 2 for 1 at the bar, a perfect way to sample a few wines...

The wine: A soft, smooth and supple Sancerre, with barely-audible aromas of apple and melon, leading to the perfectly balanced mouthfeel that leaves the palate relaxed and content - the exact remedy for unwinding after a 9-hour intensive (American Association of Publishers-induced) publishing crash course.

It was a day that trailed a 4-hour night of sleep, preceded by a 14-hour work day. Next week begins the packing madness and I know I will not have the luxurious splendor that tonight is turning out to be. I relish being in the calm before the storm, tucked in between the intensity of the days behind me and the whirlwind days that await me.  Purely in the moment, soothed and smoothed by the 1/2 glass of Sancerre that remains, and fulfilled by the anticipation (though it is quiet in the back of my mind) of the red-white decision for my #2 on 2 for 1 evening at 718-on the countdown to the changes that await me...

(Just in case you're wondering, I went for the red - a 2006 Leo & Co Syrah, fruit forward and the perfect trail to the Sancerre,  perfect way to toast to my writing, my wine, and my life in Astoria.)

Kristin

Sometimes You Just Know What You Want...

Maybe it stems from making a poor choice the first time, or maybe, just maybe, you are beginning to recognize the cravings of your own palette.
Tonight, I know what I want. La Linda Tempranillo (Argentina) The wine that last week was the perfect transition from the hazy warmth of September/October to the chilled crisp air of November. Tonight may prove a 360-degree whirlwind, though - I am contemplating switching from red to white!? Such is life...
Perhaps this mirrors the daily back-and-forth of my mind...
But tonight I am letting go, savoring the November harvest moon that sits so effortlessly in the sky if night just outside the door.
Tonight I must rest this mind of mine and savor every sip...
The Tempranillo tastes completely different ce soir - a reflection of the the self that is changing, my life that has trasnformed - a reflection of going back to what you thought you knew about your life, your circumstances, your past, present, and future. I moved on to the Torrontes, which was heavier and a bit sweeter than I was expecting and hoping for, but turned out to be a lovely accompaniment to our asparagus/goat cheese quesadilla - and a smooth finish to this night of wine...
Even if we know nothing of ourselves in a moment, we know one thing: that anything can happen in the next moment. In this case, it is the arrival of a familiar and comforting face - my sister coming to join me for another Mojave date...

Kristin the wine ("not-so-vixen" tonight)

Wine Tasting Notes (without the notes?)

I am beginning to think that my forgetfulness is due more to an overwhelming realization that there is so much to take in and process in life. As many things life, this is mirrored by my recent experience with wine...like the bottles that line the wall of Astoria Wine & Spirits - my recent venture (and my own personal pot of gold.)
Even with a month of Friday night wine tastings under my belt (though some of you reading may scoff, given that my wine daze started a little over two years ago at the ripe age of 21 - in France, appropriately) I still look at this wall - not to mention the three wooden "racks" that so beautifully display the bottles (each unique in their own right) by region, by country, ordered from light to "lourd" as the elder Frenchman reminded me last Saturday as we marvelled at "les grands vins de France - in particular les Bordeaux (qui sont bien sur plus lourds) and am suddenly overwhelmed by how much I have yet to learn.
This sort of realization can, of course, release a sudden feeling of exhiliration - much like the aromas and flavors that release after a swift swirl of the glass. But if you're like me - easily intimidated by everything you don't know and highly forgetful of what I do know and what I have accomplished - then the very thought of trying to describe - let alone know - the hundreds of bottles that are in front of of my eyes , your thought processing immobilizes. If there is one thing I have learned in life, it's that in moments - or situations - like these, the only thing you can do is take it ine day at a time, one wine at a time...
Tonight, I return for another glass at my most favorite Mojave in hopes of giving a full report on the Friday night tasting at Astoria Wine & Spirits...only to realize that my tasting notebook is still sitting behind the counter where it all happened: a night of new wines introduced, new customers met, and many, many sips of wine "degustes."
My memoru is piqued by a theme for the evening - "blending." Blending grapes, blending nationalities, languages, walks of life; mixing it up with new customers and old, familiat wines and those so unique and remote they merit a name known only to those from the region - Passerina - the standout shining star of the evening, the soul white that helped us bid adieu to the warm days of fall, leading us into the chill of an approaching winter and the season of merriment.
Une Quebecoise, un Francais, une Americaine who listens intently to the French conversation happening behind tasting central, longing for the ability she once had to converse freely and fluently with the French. In tune with a night of risk-taking, I delve into the conversation and join the other risktakers of the evening: Red drinkers who are leary of white, white drinkers that thought they swore off the red; Brooklynites in Astoria, hard drinkers in a cultivated wine shop, tasting this so-called juice of the gods; you get the picture.

Kristin

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)