Wk19: Origin: Malbec 2009

I had high hopes for this bottle as South American wines usually please my palate.  This one did not.  The flavor was inconsistent; dry and sweet to bland and bitter.  I wouldn't pair this with a meal or drink it to get trashed.  Disappointing.

Wk18: Tisdale: Carbernet Sauvignon

This cab-sauv from Tisdale was a gamble that did not pay off.  I wanted a "classy" wine to pair with a "classy" Hamberger Helper meal and I thought $2.99 was a good starting filter.  I wouldn't recommend this wine even if it was cheaper.  Say what you will about Two-Buck Chuck, but it sets a standard that Tisdale could not meet.  The flavor was rocky and inconsistant with a sweetness that was unexpected and unwanted.  Adding grapes to beer would make a better wine.  Oh well, live and learn; they all cannot be winners. 

Wk17: Sutter Home: Chardonnay 2009

The Sutter Home Chardonnay was not bad for a cheapo wine.  This is one of those wines that I've always seen but never tried as it seemed to be barely one step above Carlo Rossi jugs.  I found four packs of mini bottles that we hid in place of eggs for Easter.  Adult fun and the chard was better than expected.  The wine had a solid flavor that was consistent throughout the palette if not bitter at the end.  Pleasantly dry and easy to pair with drinking wine. 

Wk16: Vino de Fratelli: Naro D'Avola

I've never really cared for Italian wines, other than Chiantis,  and the Naro D'Avola by Vino de Fratelli was no exception.  The flavor was muted and it did nothing for the meal.  Oh well, better luck next time. 

Wk15: Bear Flag Wines: Soft White Wine Blend

The Soft White Wine Blend from Bear Flag Wines was purchased based on the bottle design, I admit.  I wanted a white wine and this one was fine.  As a blend, it is nothing special, but it tasted just fine and would be great as a relaxing wine.  I won't pair it with anything, though I did, as its flavor is neither complementary nor representative of foods.  I will keep it in mind, though, as a social wine.

Wk9: Meridian Vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Meridian has made a very smooth "Cab Sauv".  We opened this bottle to just enjoy and it did the job.  It was flavorful without leaving and aftertaste and it was smooth throughout the taste.  I could see it pairing well with any meal or occasion.  I liked it, though it didn't really stand out .  I'd get it to share or in a pinch. but not in a case

Wk8: Caposaldo: Pinot Grigio 2009

Crisp and uneventful in flavors.  I like my Pinot Grigio's to be bold and dry.  This one from Caposaldo was neither.  It played well with the Ginger Glazed Dorado, but it didn't bring anything to the table that wasn't already there.  This wine could have been forgotten and the dinner would not have missed a beat.  It was good to try, but now I know not to buy it again.

Wk7: Unruly Red: California Red 2008

This was a pretty good mixed red.  The Unruly Red [BevMo] was pretty mellow and worked well as a relaxing wine.  It doesn't pair too well as it was fairly sweet without being a dessert wine.  I think I'd have this before or after a meal or just to chill after work.  Not bad, but not an overall winner.

Wk6: Gnarly Head: Chard 2009

Bevmo was having their 5cent sale and I needed a wine to pair with my Puff Pastry Salmon.  I found this Gnarly Head Chard and I was not disappointed.  It had a crisp taste that was mellow throughout the pallet.  It paired well with salmon and I'd buy it again. 

Wk5: Powderkeg: Petite Syrah 2008

I wanted a dry, spicy wine and I figured BevMo could help me find one.  I asked the worker for a "peppery" Syrah and he recommended the Powderkeg Petite Sirah.  We both noted how most Syrahs are trying to tame their flavors and make them smoother at the cost of taste.  When I get a Syrah, I want one that will wake up my taste buds and set my lips on fire.  Unfortunately, this one couldn't do that.  It had a hint of pepper and the overall flavors were pronounced and Syrah-y,  it just wasn't what I was looking for.  I'd recommend it for pairing with a meal, but it wasn't the sipping wine that could stand on its own that I expected.  I probably won't get it again as I'm sure I'll find what I really wanted. 

Wk4: Vampire Vineyard: 2009 Merlot

Vampire Vineyards claims they were a winery before they were bandwagon shills.  I think they just want to cash in on the vampire craze.  Either way the Merlot didn't taste like blood and it didn't taste good.  The flavors were too pronounced and unrefined.  It is a young wine, but even Three-buck Chuck tastes more put together.  Maybe this brand would be a good conversation starter at a Twilight party.  Maybe.  Save your money. 

Wk3: Challis Lane: 2008 Merlot

A pretty good merlot.  Not too dry or too bland.  It mixed well with our fish tacos and that is all I expected.  I'd try other wines from Challis Lane in the future. 

Wk2: Finca Lalande: 2009 Malbec

This was a much better bottle of wine.  I like the subtle flavor and it paired well with the marinara sauce dish we had.  It had the right amount of dryness that helps bring out the other flavors of the wine and the dish. 

Wk1: Black Mountain Vineyard: 2006 Pinot Noir

The first wine of the year was a stinker.  For a pinot noir, I found it not dry enough and too unbalanced for my unrefined pallet.  I don't expect much from my wines, but this one will not be purchased again.  It was paired with the parsley-dumpling, turkey soup and while it didn't hurt the flavors of the meal, it didn't compliment then either.

Wine

Well, since I'm making my own meals at home, I figure I'll need something to pair it with to wash it down.  I also want to taste for myself if there is a taste-to-price difference.  I read an interesting article about how in taste test, the $50 wine could be a $15 wine.  I'll do my own study one at a time each week.  I can also tell you that I am not a somolier and I also grab what is on sale or that I have had before.  And anyway, isn't a glass of wine supposed to be good for you?

Week:

1. Black Mountain Vineyard: 2006 Pinot Noir
2. Finca Lalande: 2009 Malbec 
3. Challis Lane: 2008 Merlot 
4. Vampire Vineyard: 2009 Merlot 
5. Powderkeg: 2008 Petite Sirah 
6. Gnarly Head: Chard 2009 
7. Unruly Red: California Red 2008 
8. Caposaldo: Pinot Grigio 2009 
9. Meridian Vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
10. -
11. -
12. -
13. -
14. -
15. Bear Flag Wines: Soft White Wine Blend
16. Vino de Fratelli: Naro D'Avola
17. Sutter Home: Chardonnay 2009
18. Tisdale: Carbernet Sauvignon  
19. Origin: Malbec 2009 

The Resolution: The Challenge

I want to make a difference in 2011 and no single resolution will suffice.  Rather than make one iffy, generic resolution that will either be too hard to complete or too easy to be considered worthwhile, I'm going to set multiple weekly goals over the whole year.  I want to do the following once a week, every week:
- Read a new book
- Patron a new-to-me, local restaurant
- Brave a new bar
- Try a new beer
- Try a new wine
- Make a new recipe
- Send a postcard to my mom
- Donate to a charity

In the end, I will have done each 52 times over the 52 weeks in a year.  Most are just interesting things that I've been trying to do for a while; like I can't even count of how many local restaurants I pass everyday as I go to the same-old places again.  A few will be real challenges; for example I have started to read more frequently, but my book wish-list keeps getting longer.  I really look forward to the ones that will help others; such as finding more than several charities that could benefit from a new donor.  I really just want to set a good goal and finish it next year.

The general rules:
I have from 12:00 a.m. Sunday to 11:59 p.m. Saturday to complete each task for the week.  These times will be based on whichever time zone I happen to be in on those days.  2011 makes it easy to follow this schedule as I will have 52 full weeks, with only January 1, as a by-day.  This blog will be used as a way to keep my accountable and then document my progress.  Finally, the most important rule is that I want these to be new things.