Grape Experiences | swirl.sip.savor

Underground Cellar – An Intriguing and Fun Place to Purchase Wine

Posted on March 10, 2014

Let’s take those spiral steps and go underground to a wine cellar with a different spin. Underground Cellar, a new online wine startup, gives wine buyers amazing deals on some mighty nice wine. Each bottle you purchase has the potential to be upgraded *for free* to one of a higher price. Pay $20 and receive a $50 bottle instead? It could happen to you (and read on for a code to help you receive $10 off of your first purchase within the next week)!

To test the process, the powers that be at Underground Cellar were nice enough to put $30 in my account (a benefit of writing about wine) after I signed up to be a member *for free*. Their inventory of wine is offered as a “flash sale” meaning that their availability is on an extremely limited basis for a short period of time and change frequently. Once the wine is sold out, you’re out of luck…so if you see what you would like, make that purchase!

I logged on, reviewed the inventory which included wines from around the world and chose to use my credit to purchase two Mystery Wines, each costing $15, with only fifteen hours left for the sale. Being the risk taker I am (and who doesn’t love a good surprise when it comes to wine…) I reviewed the five choices knowing that I could either receive the least expensive $15 2011 Rosé of Pinot from Oregon or the highest priced $75 2007 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Other offerings included a $20 2008 Alexander Zin, a $25 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 2005 Brunello de Montalcino for $54 (I was keeping my fingers crossed for that one!). But my cost was $30 regardless of what was sent and the details about each wine remained a mystery. Intriguing!

Although I chose to have the two wines shipped, I could have requested that they were to be held *for free* in their Cloud Cellar, a state of the art temperature controlled facility in Napa, until I ordered enough wine to guarantee free shipping. Shipping costs are $5 for six bottles and *free* for a case of twelve to anywhere in the continental United States. The Cloud Cellar makes perfect sense, but I was anxious to see what I was getting!

Once the flash sale was finished and inventory was sold out, my bottles were shipped. What did I receive?

**King Estate Luminous Pinot Gris 2011 – Ahhh, I was thrilled to open the box and find out that this mystery bottle was from one of my favorite Oregon wineries, King Estate, although it was the least expensive in the group. I loved the floral and fruit notes of strawberry and raspberry on the nose and this tart, dry Rosé with high acidity and more fruits had a pleasant finish which paired well with the light hors d’oeuvres I served one evening. Serve chilled.

**Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 – Opened one evening with “the girls” the aromas of jammy red berries, vanilla and plums were intense. On the palate, spice was front and center and the velvety tannins, more deep red fruit, and eucalyptis led to a more than satisfying finish. This wine was delicious and even more so after letting it breathe for twenty or so minutes.

I can’t think of any reason not to purchase wine from Underground Cellar. The wines I purchased were quite good and were upgraded (slightly) so I received a $40 value for the $30 spent – still a good deal. Had I not liked either wine, I could have returned it for a replacement – their customer support is excellent. Yes, I paid the shipping cost myself, but the next time I use Underground Cellar, I’ll choose to store my choices in their Cloud Cellar until I accrue a case.

Check out the following video for a brief overview (it’s fun to watch) as well as their website for their current inventory and FAQs which include how to gather points so you can save even more money on your wine purchases.

And if you sign up to be a member, you can use the code GRAPE10 to save $10 off of your first purchase within the next week!

Underground Cellar is one place I’ll want to visit again. It’s no mystery that wine from their cellar to mine is a smart choice: case closed!

Cheers! ~ Cindy

Posted in Product Reviews, Regional Wines, Thinking Out of the Box, Wine Reviews | Tagged cabernet sauvignon, pinot gris Leave a comment

Weekend Wine Under $20 ~ Bubbles with Bacon Popcorn – March 7-9, 2014

Posted on March 6, 2014

It’s almost Friday and you are already thinking about your weekend plans and perhaps which wines to purchase. Weekly, I post two recommendations, one white and one red, for your weekend choices which are usually under $20. On occasion, I pair a wine with scrumptious recipe…like this week. We’re pairing bacon popcorn with bubbles and you must try this!

I am a huge popcorn fan and one of my favorite beverage with that crunchy snack is a glass of sparkling wine - especially if I’m watching one of my favorite shows! Recently, I found this recipe for Bacon Popcorn and just have to share it with you. It’s couldn’t be easier to make and will satisfy any popcorn lovers need for texture, salt, cheese, and of course, the magic ingredient…bacon! Paired with a special Sofia Blanc de Blancs from Francis Ford Coppola Winery your taste buds will thank you!

**Sofia Blanc de Blancs 2012 - I popped the flip top of the can of chilled Sofia Blanc de Blancs (purchased) while at an Oscars 2014 viewing party doubling as a charity event at a local theatre. Yes, this can with a straw was a mini version of the bottle and if you haven’t had it already, I suggest you do since it’s a great way to smuggle in a bit of bubbles during a movie if you know what I mean! I was a but suspect of the can idea, but the blend of 82% Pinot Blanc, 8% Muscat, and 10% Riesling made it worthwhile and I look forward to opening up a bottle soon!! What I enjoyed were the fizzy, fresh mouthfeel of raspberries, apples and pears and a nice finish. The fruity effervescence was a terrific counterpoint to the bacon popcorn (recipe below) - just try it!! And for $5, you can’t miss!

Bacon Popcorn

Print recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup bacon grease
3/4 cups unpopped popcorn kernels
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
3 tablespoons bacon bits (optional)
1 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1
Measure the bacon grease and place in a 6 quart pot over high heat.
Step 2
Add one or two popcorn kernels to test. Once the kernels begin popping, add the remainder of the kernels and cover with a lid.
Step 3
As the popcorn starts to pop, shake the pan back and forth constantly to keep the unpopped kernels on the bottom where they can pop.
Step 4
When the popping slows down, remove the pan from the heat and let it finish popping.
Step 5
Pour the popcorn into a large bowl or paper sack. Season with half of the seasoned salt and stir. Taste before adding more salt!
Step 6
Toss popcorn with bacon bits and shredded Cheddar cheese for an extra special treat.
Step 7
Enjoy with a lovely glass of bubbles!

Cheers to the weekend! ~ Cindy

Posted in Recipes, Sparkling Tastes, Wine Reviews | Tagged muscat, pinot blanc, riesling Leave a comment

Bottlenotes Launches Restaurant Week for Wine in Chicago, Denver and Washington D.C.

Posted on March 2, 2014

Bottlenotes, in partnership with Anna de Codorníu (one of my favorite sparkling wines from Spain), Trivento (Argentine portfolio), and Rhône Valley Wines will soon host launch parties in Chicago, Denver and Washington D.C. to celebrate the start of their third annual Taste Around Town “Restaurant Week for Wine”. Launch party attendees will have the opportunity to taste a wide variety of the wines that will be poured during Taste Around Town and to enjoy light hors d’oeuvres.

The launch party is open to the public and tickets are $40 each. However, since you’re one of my favorite wine lovers reading this post, you can receive 30% off of the price in any of the three cities by using the code GRAPE30 when ordering your tickets! Information for ordering is on the Bottlenotes site.

LAUNCH PARTY INFORMATION:

Chicago Launch Party – Monday, March 24, from 6:00-8:00 p.m

SUB51, 51 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60654

Washington D.C. Launch Party – Tuesday, March 18, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Veritas Wine Bar, 2031 Florida Ave. NW #1, Washington D.C. 20009

Denver Launch Party – Wednesday, March 19, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

1515 Restaurant, 1515 Market St., Denver, CO 80202

Taste Around Town which runs from March 24 – April 6 in all three cities invites wine enthusiasts to head out to restaurants and wine bars to discover great wines from France, Spain, and Argentina. Participating venues will feature select wines by the glass, in tasting flights paired with food and/or by the bottle throughout the two-week program. The following list includes many of my favorite restaurants and wine bars but check out the Bottlenotes site for the complete array of venues for you foodies and wine lovers!

Chicago’s favorite restaurants and wine bars, include but are not limited to:

HUB51, Reel Club, Nacional 27, Summer House, Saranello’s, Petterino’s, Di Pescara

Dillman’s, Bavette’s, Gilt Bar, Au Cheval

GT Fish & Oyster, Perennial Virant

Roka Akor (Chicago and Old Orchard), Naha, Eno Wine Bar, 676 Restaurant, Salpicon,

Del Frisco’s, III Forks, Thalia Spice, The Portage, The Monarch, Chez Moi, Carriage House

Washington D.C.’s favorite restaurants and wine bars, include but are not limited to:

Acacia Bistro , Asia Nine, Brasserie Beck, Café Dupont, Jardenea, Kellari

Lillies Restaurant, M Street Bar and Grill, Rasoi Indian Kitchen, Terasol

Veritas Wine Bar

Denver’s favorite restaurants and wine bars, include but are not limited to:

1515 Restaurant, Arugula Ristorante, Ast D’Italia, DiFranco’s, Delizios

Limon, Randolph’s Restaurant and Bar, Southern Hospitality, Tapaz D’Jerez

The Corner Office, Volta Boulder, Yanni’s, Zink Kitchen and Bar

Are you a social media aficionado? Bottlenotes is giving away prizes to everyone who participates in Taste Around Town via social media (That’s you if you answered “yes”!) Click here for a complete list of prizes (They are really worth your time to do this!). Use #tastearoundtown on Twitter so everyone can follow your wining and dining experiences. If you have further questions, message @bottlenotes.

How can you make this food and wine experience even more fun?

1. Be sure to browse the list of participating restaurants and wine bars on the Bottlenotes website (you’ve already done that I’m sure!).

2. Round up your friends who won’t want to miss this!

3. Make a reservation (not required by highly recommended) on Open Table by clicking the “Book It” link next to each restaurant listing.

4. Dine or sip (why not both?) at your restaurant(s) of choice, and choose glasses, flights, or bottles of the three wines at the bar or when ordering off of the Taste Around Town menu.

5. Spread the word on social media using #tastearoundtown. Share your tasting notes and ratings of each features wine at Bottlenotes.com or on the Bottlenotes iPhone app, Facebook, and Twitter!

Bottlenotes always does a fantastic job making this wine and food event fun! What’s not to love about savoring wine, trying new restaurants, sharing your experiences on social media, and hopefully receiving a prize…bonus!? Don’t forget to use GRAPE30 when ordering your tickets to the launch party in any of the three cities so that you can receive a discount! And I can’t wait to read your tweets!

Cheers to another terrific experience for foodies and wine lovers alike! ~ Cindy

Posted in Events and Travel, Regional Wines, Restaurants | Leave a comment

Weekend Wine Under $20 – February 28-March 2, 2014

Posted on February 27, 2014

Beginning this week I’m renaming the post title to reflect the price of the wine reviewed…and if my choices are a bit above the $20 mark? Well, it will be entitled “Weekend Wine Around $20″! But you get the idea…I’m trying to keep these quality driven recommendations at a price you can afford.

You may also have noticed the winesearcher.com widget on the right side of the page. If you are intrigued by a particular wine and would like to find out where you can purchase it, simply put the name of the wine and vintage year in the space provided and press “enter”. Online sources will be displayed and from there you can hopefully locate the wine in your area. By the way, this is not an affiliate program, so I’m not getting paid for each click – I have added the widget for your convenience.

Some wines which I review may not be available when you use the search engine. They may be wines I tasted at a trade event and not yet available, wines which are only available via the winery’s website, or unavailable in your state. Just give yourself permission to learn about a new wine, grape, or region – and you have to admit, wine education is always a “grape experience”~

And now…this weekend’s wines for under $20!

**Morro Bay White Oak Estates Sauvignon Blanc “Sur Lie” 2012 – This Sauvignon Blanc from Morro Bay Vineyards in Acampo, California is a perfectly nice wine at a reasonable price. With colors of pale lemon and green, aromas of citrus, lemon, and honeysuckle wafted from the glass. Loads of citrus including more lemon, lime, and pineapple on the palate with a touch of minerality and a clean, crisp finish were lovely and this wine could be paired with a variety of light appetizers or just to sip while pondering what to make for Friday night’s dinner! “Sur lie” indicates that this wine was aged on its lees which is the sediment of dead yeast cells that gather at the bottom of the tank once fermentation is completed. Aromas and flavors are enhanced and sur lie ageing may give more body and complexity to the wine. I purchased the Morro Bay Sauvignon Blanc at Whole Foods for only $10 ~ a terrific value for a weekend or even everyday wine.

**Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 – This past weekend I attended a party where this lovely bottle was on the wine bar for guest enjoyment. Loving wines from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, I was happy to pour myself a glass and “cheers” to the evening with good friends! You’ll love the aromas of black cherries, vanilla, and plum as well as tastes of blackberries, rich red cherries, more plums, and spice. I enjoyed the tobacco notes with a touch of smoke which helped balance the fruit on the palate. The smooth tannins and structure were just what I expected from a wine from Alexander Valley Vineyards and the price? $19.99 and most likely, less… ~

Cheers to finding affordable wines! ~ Cindy

Posted in Wine Reviews | Tagged cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc Leave a comment

The Master Class Tasting at Tre Bicchieri 2014 – Highlights in My Glass

Posted on February 24, 2014

The Grand Hall in Chicago’s Union Station was abuzz with an Italian vibe on the afternoon of February 11. Gambero Rosso was proud to present to the wine trade and media the best Italian producers with their latest award winning wines from many regions in Italy. The Tre Bichierri 2014 World Tour was launched in 1988 with the guidebook to Italian wine, Vini D’Italia Guide. Each year, tasters from Gambero Rosso travel and taste wines throughout Italy to find those worthy of their “one, two, and three glasses” designation and the Gambero Rosso website offers a list of the winners. Congratulations to these wineries which produced some of the most interesting Italian wines I have tasted. Now if I could just work on my Italian language skills so that I can converse intelligently with these brilliant winemakers!

I was invited to participate in a Master Class, Maestri Vignaioli, held prior to the trade tasting. Marco Sabellico, editor in chief of Vini D’Italia Guide, led a select group of participants in our own wine journey through some of the most unique Italian terroirs. The regions of Veneto, Piedmont, Tuscany, Lazio, Marche, Basilicata, Sicily, and Emilia Romagna were well represented with wines (and two spirits) from small to medium, independent, and family run wineries. Low yield in these vineyards result in high quality production. Wines are made using traditional hand harvesting methods, sustainable practices, and more so that each vintage can express the characteristics of the terroir and of course, the personality of the grape!

During the presentation, each winemaker or owner added their own perspective of the wines offered, their process of vinification, history of the region, and what makes their winery different from the others. Participants tasted twenty two outstanding wines and each was special. But what I absolutely loved about this tasting was that there were wines produced from grapes I knew existed yet had never had the opportunity to taste…and I have a few standouts of my new grape friends as well as some of my old favorites to share with you. Below, the name of each winery and region are in bold with a link to their website which you should absolutely check out for more information about their viticultural techniques, terroir, and environmentally conscious mission.

Daldin Spumanti (Veneto)

Valdobbiadene Extra Dry Vidoro – My first wine of the day just had to be a glorious Prosecco! With citrus, green apple, floral, and fruit forward notes, I loved the zesty finish…and I kept going back to this glass during the tasting!

Rubinelli Vajol (Veneto)

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2009 – Raisins, earth, spiced apple, red and black berries, perhaps some blueberries and raspberries tickled my nose and satisfied my palate…are you enticed yet? This concentrated, high alcohol Amarone from the Corvina grape was rich and delicious.

Guado al Melo (Tuscany)

Guado al Melo Bianco 2011 – This wine from the Vermentino (or Rolle) grape was blended with Petit Manseng. I loved the high acidity, salinity, balance, and easy drinking qualities…the winemaker referred to this as their “coastal white wine”… And yes, please! I’d love to sip this on the coast of Tuscany with you ~

Trappolini (Lazio)

Lazio Rosso Paterno 2010 – Consisting mostly of Sangiovese this wine is meant to be enjoyed while young. A classic wine with tastes of rich cherries, smooth tannins, and balance was just what I loved and appreciated.

Conti Malacari (Marche)

Conero Riserva Grigiano 2008 – Rich and red, this wine from Montepulciano grapes is from revered old vines and the winemaker shared that it is considered a “workhorse” with its low maintenance. I loved its austere and aristocratic tastes and with its fresh finish, I felt well, quite, royal…

Cantine del Notaio (Basilicata)

Aglianico del Vulture La Firma 2010 – With elegance and balance, this red wine of the Aglianico grape, one of my new favorites, was just delicious with its complex aromas of fruit, chocolate, and spice. As the top label of this winery, there is a strict selection of grapes which are grown on slope side vineyards in volcanic soil.

Ferreri & Bianco (Sicily)

Sicilia Catarratto Brasi 2011 – Ahhhh, I was thrilled to taste and enjoy yet another grape with which I was unfamiliar: Catarrato which is widely grown in Sicily. The mild, spicy aromas led to lemon, lime, and pineapple tastes with a fresh, snappy minerality which I love so much.

Salut to appreciating the excellence and quality of the wines from these unique boutique wineries in Italy! ~ Cindy