Monthly Playlist for November
The second go-round for our new feature that is replacing the now retired 6 for 60 something sampler. Wine, food, music, umbrella fights and more.
The Monthly Playlist will take you on a wine trip and will always be in or around $75-$85 and feature at least 6 wines.
Ordering is easy, just click on the link at the bottom.
If you want to sign up to receive it monthly without having to respond, just drop an e-mail and say "Hook Me up, Bryan!"
This sampler also makes a great gift and we can do it for a recipient over any length of time you'd like, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or a year. Read further and fascinate your wine minds!!
SIX WINES - $77.00
Easy to order - just click on the link at the bottom...as always - all selections are available separately or by the case, too
2010 CRISS CROSS MERITAGE
Criss Cross. Makes me think of Throw Mama From The Train or a bad 90s hip-hop group. In this case it's none of the sort but chewy Cali cool that isn't made at a refinery. ($11)
Where It's From: California - Lodi & Clarksburg.
Grape(s): 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and visually enhanced for your pleasure with Petite Verdot, Petite Sirah, Malbec & Merlot.
Aromas and Flavors: Dense cassis, spice, mint. Ripe, savory sledgehammer for 11 bucks
Food Choices: A bigass ribeye done with butter and onions in a cast iron skillet.
Music Choices: 'Lodi' from Creedence Clearwater Revival. Like the song and region, where else can a group of Bay Area Artists in wine and music go and become swamp rednecks
2011 LECHTHALER TERELDEGO ROTLIANO
The heart of darkness is at hand with this wine and grape. One of the last outsider, true scrappers of Italian wines. ($14)
Where It's From: Trentino in NE Italy.
Grape(s): Tutti Tereldego
Aromas and Flavors: Plum, coffee, sage, molto mineral. Lush texture belies its baneful nose. Just enough spice and zip
Food Choices: Perhaps my absolute favorite lasagna wine. Works very well with a tangy pecorino cheese
Music Choices: 'Hurt' by Johnny Cash or Joy Division's 'A Means To An End'. Both are as haunting and as delectable as the wine
L'OUSTAL BLANC "K-11"
It's all about positive mental attitude when taking on the man. In this case France's AOC, L'Oustal Blanc are one of the real rebels within Languedoc, specifically Minervois ($16)
Where It's From: France. OK, unofficially Languedoc and Ok unofficially Minervois. Just don't be tellin' anyone
Grape(s): 100% Carignan which is why it isn't officially allowed to be called Minervois, which makes us call BS on that regulation but certainly not the wine.
Aromas and Flavors: Strawberry, balsamic, herbs, lavender. Pure wine fury. Deep, peppery, and wind-blown flavors. Very full.
Food Choices: Lamb chops, lamb shanks, lamb leg, lamb lollipops...and cassoulet
Music Choices: 'Out of Step' by Minor Threat. The whole punk album which embodied the D.I.Y. spirit of which this wine is made.
2011 TERRIERE BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES VIEILLES VIGNES
Nothing more versatile than cool Beaujolais, and no, this isn't the scourge, the Olde English 800 of the area, Beaujolais Nouveau. Handcrafted and artisan stuff! ($12)
Where It's From: France, caught between Lyon and Macon.
Grape(s): Gamay.
Aromas and Flavors: Cinnamon-stick, raspberry, graham, peonies and pepper. Cool, penetrating and agile. A real 'belle plante'.
Food Choices: Do I really need to start?? Sausage, fresh mushrooms, turkey, steak-frites and on and on.
Music Choices: Johnny 'Guitar' Watson's 'Lover Jones' for sheer gutteral sensuality and Wilco's 'Misunderstood' because that's what fine Beaujolais is.
2013 CHATEAU FONT-MARS PICPOUL DE PINET
Lip Stinger! Exactly what this white wine translates into. Dry, vibrant and sure to rev you up. ($12)
Where It's From: Languedoc, France.
Grape(s): Picpoul (pronounced peek-pool).
Aromas and Flavors: Lemon-lime, Mediterranean herbs, seashore scents. Energetic and dry; zest and zing
Food Choices: Thai preparation of prawns or clams in basil, simple hors d'oeuvres, hell you can even use it in the shower.
Music Choices: 'Flight Of The Bumblebee' from Rimsky-Korsakov or The Minutemen's cover of 'Ain't Talkin' Bout Love'. Both are tasty and fly by as fast as this bottle will.
2013 LA SERRANA BIERZO "BEGANTE"
Up from the middle of nowhere is what Bierzo's mantra should be but now the wines are quite famous, delicious and come in various shapes and sizes. ($12)
Where It's From: Bierzo, Spain. Pretty much one of the most remote places to get to
Grape(s): Mencia. The grape and not the comedian.
Aromas and Flavors: Marionberry, slate, spice, earth and cherry pit. Vibrant, succulent, very easy and clean
Food Choices: Ham, fried chicken or substantial fish preparations.
Music Choices: 'Wine Spodee-O-Dee' from Lightning Hopkins. Free and loose blues with many double-entendres.
Order the Playlist!
