Monday, April 7, 2008

Saturday's Imbibing

Saturday night I met with my poker crew actually not to play poker, but to enjoy dinner, wine and conversation. We had some Belvedere Chardonnay, which was pretty good for a chard. Not too oaky or buttery (which I used to love, by the way) but not too acidic (which I'm starting to like more but not quite there yet).

Overall, this was pleasureable to drink, a little bit of refreshment after a long week.

2.9 corks for overall ok-ness, but in general it was a little too boring.

Celebrity Wines - Chapter 1

Lil John has decided to take his private label-only wine and go mainstream. Awesome. Here is his official statement:

"I'm not no 'drink wine every day' kind of dude. I'm not like an expert, so don't ask me no questions ... I just like the taste. The wine is more nature: I wanted to not just have a direct connection, but make it just alittle bit more upscale than regular Lil Jon. This is not no ghetto Boone's Farm; this is some real wine."

(http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=25464)

If I had cash like that, and the means to create random wine labels, Iwould too. At least it's not "no ghetto Boone's Farm." Hey wait, what's wrong with a little Boone's?

4.7 corks just because this is so random.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

My New Rating System

I'm going to add in a rating system here...I'm thinking that since I love corks, and tend to keep them when I can, I'll just use those!

1 cork = No thanks, can I have a beer?
2 corks = Just ok, probably will not drink again.
3 corks = Good, will order/buy again, has enough going on to keep me interested.
4 corks = Yummy, will definitely order/buy again, fun things happening to explore.
5 corks = Divine. Will tell you everything you need to know about this wine.

Finally...

...I got to visit the very elusive-to-me Pizza Azzuro. I have to say, it was well worth the wait! Having moved to Main Street recently, Pizza Azzuro stepped it up in decor and location. With its blue & white striped outdoor curtains and long frabric shades, to the black woodwork and large mirrors, everything about this place says "stay here and enjoy." And that I did.

I met a friend there this evening to catch up, have a glass, and share some stories. We both ordered the Siduri 2005 Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley in Oregon. It started out rather astringent, but opened up beautifully and was a pleasure to imbibe. Soft tannins and smooth mouthfeel welcomed a teeeeeny bit of spice and a lot of killer fruit flavors with open arms. (I know no one actually says "mouthfeel" in real life, but it's such a perfect description! I'm all about texture, and mouthfeel is the perfect term for my version of wine texture.)

A swing dance partner to my sweet onion and goat cheese pizza, this wine held its own, even with the powerful flavors of my delicious, patiently-awaited Pizza Azzuro dinner.

Rating: 3.5 corks