Written by Brenda McMillan | 03 August 2010
Posted in The Best You Never Had

Naked! Now before your mind goes off on a happy tangent, remember that this is a wine blog, so the only “naked” is going to relate to that subject. How you drink it is your own business.

Four Vines winery in Templeton, California (next door to Paso Robles) sets the tone for their wines with their slogan, "Temperance, like Chastity, is its own punishment." Four Vines produces 2009 Naked® Chardonnay from fruit sourced farther south in Santa Barbara. Fermented in 100% stainless steel, it (thankfully) wears no cloak of oak so is crisp and fresh with aromas and flavours of peach and apple as well as lemon with a soft minerality on the finish. It goes well with oysters if your mind is still lingering on lingerie. Get Naked directly from the winery or at Paso restaurants. And look closely at the label... are those really gnarly vines? 

While we are on the subject of sex (I’m reading your mind here), how about some Foreplay? I was directed to Toogood Estate Winery in Fair Play CA by the friend of a San Francisco cousin because Toogood produces a wine called Foreplay. Unfortunately, I was unable to get to the winery or obtain a bottle, so I cannot attest to the quality of the product but believe that Foreplay would sell faster because of its name than a stellar rating any day. Could be embarrassing to order in a bar unless you are the kind who regularly asks for Sex on the Beach or a Slippery Nipple.

Written by Brenda McMillan | 22 July 2010
Posted in The Best You Never Had

So I’m in a bar in San Francisco (sounds like the beginning of a joke) for a family reunion when cousin Rich from New Zealand offers me his glass. The contents swirl dark with seductive aromas of spice and cherries. He raises one eyebrow; we order a bottle and happily drink the whole thing without sharing with any of the other relies. Ya... we were bad but only because the wine was good.

2008 A to Z Pinot Noir is luscious with acidity and tannins perfectly in balance with loads of ripe red fruit and a touch of spice. It has an elegance and finesse for all its intensity. I was intrigued by the wine and winery because this is a blended product with thirty vineyards across Oregon as its source. The slogan of  A to Z (the bartender pronounced it “Zeee”) Wineworks is, “Aristocratic wines at democratic prices.” $20 at the winery, $48 from the barkeep who was not conservative with this prices but was liberal with his pours. AtoZWineworks.com

I also have to thank Rich for introducing me to Eradus 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, a wine a Kiwi writer describes as the “next big thing” from his homeland. I have to believe the writer is correct as Richard is very fond of wine and drinks quite a bit of this one. The grapes are sourced from the stoney terraces of the Breloft and Te One Vineyards (Awatere Valley, Marlborough) nestled between the Southern Alps and the Pacific. Expect a grassy nose with tropical fruit that carries over to more of the same flavours but adds a lovely minerality indicative of valley fruit. Lip-smackingly crisp but well-balanced, delicate but rich, quaffable with a smooth finish. Thanks for bringing it all the way to California, cousin. EradusWines.co.nz

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Written by Brenda McMillan | 19 July 2010
Posted in The Best You Never Had

Pretty in pink, this cheeky little lass has spunk and attitude. No girly wine, she challenges anything on a plate. And wins. Meet QG Espadeiro Rosé, winner of a gold medal at the 2010 Vinho Verde competition in Portugal.

Crafted by roving winemaker António Sousa for Quinta de Gomariz from 100% Espadeiro, an indigenous red varietal, this perfectly-made, perfectly-delicious, rosé tempts with fruit and floral perfumes then follows with more fruit, a solid minerality and a whack of acidity that makes her vibrant and alive. She has a dry sense of humour and a long and satisfying finish. She likes to be taken out for pizza, loves steak and ribs from the barbecue and has nothing but complements for fish and salad. QG Rosé is a go-to wine.

The trouble is that you have to go to Salt Lake City, Utah (no joke, but sounds like one) to find her as it is the only place in North America where she is sold. Quinta de Gomariz 

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