InTo Zin

Yep, yesterday at the grocery store I found a Zin from Lodi...one of our favorite wine countries. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite as good as I wanted it to be.

In To Zin was a smooth wine, but not as big & bold as I expected. The label at the store said bold, but it was more grapey and lite. It would be a nice sipping wine on the deck. It might be good the next day. We let it breathe for an hour, but still didn't have that zip or spice I expected in a Zin

7 Heavenly Chards

Last night we had a yummy Chardonnay! We found it at our local Wine Styles tasting several months ago. It's one of the few wines we really liked. This is a very rich, buttery Chardonnay that is extra smooth. Also has slight pear/peach flavor. If you're looking for a rich wine, this one's for you. We really enjoyed it with our chicken & artichoke dish.

7 Heavenly Chards
2006
Michael & David
Lodi, California

from the winemaker:

Heavenly Chards of an angelic line,
Each with a task, simply divine.

Chardonnays Justice, balanced and true,
Resurgence of light, life brought anew.

Chardonnays Temperance, patient and mild,
Riding the storms and taming the wilds.

Chardonnays Prudence, cautious and wise,
Embracing the earth, arms to the skies.

Chardonnays Faith, the intangible shield,
Solid as stone, refusing to yield.

Chardonnays Endurance, the river within,
Rising to flow, again and again.

Chardonnays Hope, a spark to ignite,
An unquenchable flame, a beacon of light.

Chardonnays Love, reigning supreme,
Uniting them all in this heavenly dream.

-Kevin Phillips

Thursday Wine Tasting

Last night we visited Wine Styles, our local wine shop that offers weekly wine tasting. We decided to go even though we didn't see any wines particularly interesting to us on the email.

Were we surprised!!!

Two of the wines were actually ones we would enjoy again.

Peirana Estate, The Other Red
Lodi, California
This wine is listed as mellow, but neither of us thought it was completely mellow. It is between mellow & bold with a great berry taste. Even has a little spice or smoke flavor. A really good value at 15.99. Here's the description we received:
Aromas of black cherries are complemented by spice, toasty oak, and cedar. Waves of crabapple, plum and candied fruit with a hint of smoky, dark oak and a long seductive finish.
This was a fun wine to taste.

Our favorite of the night was a Chardonnay, surprisingly. When the server poured our glasses, she said it was one of her favorites and it has a banana & caramel taste. I thought, "I'm not so sure about a banana taste". As we walked back to our seats, I sniffed and there was a definite banana aroma. I told Steve that he needed to smell this wine before he tasted it.

Michael David Vineyards
7 Heavenly Chards
Lodi, California
This Chardonnay has a great flavor & mixture of banana, caramel and cream. It was great to drink and we even bought a bottle to enjoy later.
Aromas of vanilla, peach & banana entice a sip. (That's for sure) The mouth fills with peach, apple & lime while flavors of cream and caramel round out the wine and leave a long finish. A little more pricey, but well worth it at 20.99