Valentine's: The Day After

Broken Hearts, Mended Souls, Love Beginnings

I dedicate this tale of love to a friend forever seeking the higher road…

 She dreamed in color, she dreamed in red, she thought she had the better man. Tortured soul, tormented mind. Grounded by reason, torn by love…What wicked games were played, foolish desires gave way. The questions burned, the doubts incessant, the dreams oppressive, the tastes too real. Denial fought till the bitter end, “No, I don’t want to fall in love. This world is only going to break my heart.” What a wicked thing to say, never felt this way. What a wicked thing to do, let me dream of you (Chris Isaak). Too late, too much. Too soon forgotten. The path laid, the soul freed. The risks far too great…

The end left much debate, but I had faith in you. No looking back on this forward track. Best of luck. No fading whims. Pure hearts beat strong. Love life, live long. Nobody loves no one.  

Gravity settled. The attraction opposite, but equal. She requested affordable Pinot for the minutes shared between the two. Here's my thoughts, now try and experience more. Challenge his palate, turn him to France: 2009 Beaujolais, 2009 Cotes du Rhone, if he likes Pinots, these will swill better for much less $ :)

Pinot Noir for Your Valentine, you can be sure to find West Coast time.

A to Z Wineworks Oregon Pinot Noir $12-13

Sineann Oregon Pinot Noir 2008 $16

Torri Mor Oregon Pinot Noir $25

Anne Amie Cuvee A Oregon Pinot Noir $22

Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County, California $16

Ken Wright Willamette Valley 2009 $25

Five Days of Wine Fidelity: A Homage to Valentine's Day

 

Friends Forever (Day 3)  — Host a party at your home amongst friends. Olfactory conundrums unveiled. Stimulate your friends with a “nez du vin” challenge. At one time or another we have all pondered, “I know that smell, but can’t quite put my finger on it.” Unmask the aroma to immediately unleash the moment of revelation. How often do you think wine descriptors are complete bull? The wine descriptor guru, Gary Vaynerchuk, says it well with zany quotes, “asparagus wrapped in gym socks,” or smells like “rhino fart.” Yum. Well, my friends, a sensory exercise is long overdue! This Valentine’s invite your friends for a Nez du Vin tasting. Four simple instructions follow with Pinot Noir as the selected wine style. Feel free to break loose with different ideas, or ask me personally oenophile81@gmail.com for more custom ideas.

·         Pick the type of wine you wish to drink. Explore descriptors classically associated with the grapes used to make your wines. Great ideas can be found on Gary Vaynerchuk’s Wine Library TV. Watch a recent show on Beaune (Pinot Noir) for example sake. Check out the link http://bit.ly/gCec5V.

·         Select 10 different ingredients and individually place them in large wine glasses from which your guests will smell. For Pinot Noir organize the following ingredients: sliced mushrooms, soy sauce, sauerkraut, crushed cranberries, pulverized cherries, sliced strawberries, cooked radish or beets, cracked black pepper, squashed raspberries, flat Coca-Cola (stir all the carbonation out).

·         Have everyone bring a bottle of Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara, California; Willamette Valley, Oregon; Russian River, California; Burgundy, France; Marlborough or Otago, New Zealand

·         Pour the wines and smell. Don’t drink anything until all the ingredients have been sniffed, and I advise to take BIG sniffy-sniffs. Then continue to taste and sniff. Educate your palate. Train your nose!

Pinot Envy

It was the night before Monday, all was quiet through the house. I awaited my guests anxious as all get out. I had run all about for baby, work, and now for dinner delicious beyond any doubt. More than anything, I wished to lounge on the couch, soak up some tweet deck, and raid my cheese pouch. At times in my life, I wish for the performance to end, but as a single mom and sommelier, I must bear and grin. Don't get me wrong, the hustle is for what I live. The energy just continues to cycle, never gives in until the ultimate moment of chagrin. As everyone knows, these moments when failure sets in, doubt lurks, you feel the energy slip...down, down, down, spiraling downward never to return again. I fidgeted around the house, wringing my hands, little did I know, the best for my soul was about to begin...and thus, this is the tale of Pinot Noir pinned Antidote to Chagrin.

Love has never been a strong suit for me. The trump card has consistently been fairytale romances spun in my head, always fed by renaissance literature or revolutionary periods for Western Civ. Jane Austen's pick of gentry, like Mr. Darcy, or Stephanie Meyer's Edward Cullen, could very well fit the fairytale my head lives in during those moments apart from the world, when reality has no bearings. Women pine, "Where are all these men?" I never dreamed one would walk right in eager to devour four plates of London Broil marinated in Dr. Pepper, molasses, garlic, curry spices, wine vinegar, and worcestershire--an attempt on homespin.

Homespun, indeed. This was the only ticket I would need. Brussels sprouts sizzled with bacon, and squash casserole baked with panko, butter and Prima Donna Gouda accompanied the 5lbs of London Broil served with a red wine demi-glace my roommate and I mastered for a guy she wanted to win. I have to admit, though, I didn't realize the potential of this male guest until after the Pinot sipping was put to the test. Four bottles of Pinot Noir brought on a plane by a dear, dear friend, sat on my table calling for me to succumb: stop for the moment, quit playing Artemis and sit down at the feet of Bacchus and listen to the trance brought on by his flute.

This story will not reveal the innermost thoughts of romance unwilled, but it does speak to hope in love, passion, and all the tingling feelings of raw emotion one can spill. Envy of love, I must say I am; but at least now I can be lost in Pinot envy.

My dear friend mentioned above visited Willamette Valley a few weeks ago and sought to buy a few gems. My contribution was the 2009 Ken Wright Cellars Willamette Valley, which I think still should win for all those dire pinot lovers envious to drink good vin.

Here's the lineup, and the notes to follow within:

Briefly I mentioned my favorite to be the 09 Ken Wright, following suit was the 08 Sineann Resonance Vineyard. I plan to write a comparison between the two vintages '09 and '08 in my Terroir section, and I will add some Pinots under $20 worth sipping, Just give me this weekend.

2009 Ken Wright Willamette Valley approx $29
Opulent fruit, the texture of the wine is what gets me everytime, so much to chew on, but yet silky soft. Bright acidity, bouquet lingers through the finish. Delivers what I want from a Pinot

2006 Methven Family Vineyards Reserve Willamette Valley approx $35
Most Burgundian of the four with the more earthy undertones, dark fruit, leather. Beautiful nose, but the wine began to disappoint on the finish after it had been open awhile. First sip, killer. Last sip, didn't deliver for the price.

2008 Sineann Resonance Vineyard approx $42
My second favorite. Bright cherry fruit with a sensation of standing in a wild strawberry patch with a wiff of a flat Coca-Cola in your hand. Ethereal palate feel, what makes Pinot so yummy. Vervy acidity, great with our cheese selection of Cypress Grove Purple Haze and Brillat-Savarin.

2007 Sineann Wyeast Vineyard Columbia Gorge $42
Consistent in style with its '08 Sister--female in sex with this wine because the delicate fruits play true on the nose as well as the palate. Red fruits of cherry, strawberry, touch of rhubarb, and some pomegranate play out on the palate. Good acidity, but just not the same depth as the 2008 Resonance.