4 posts tagged “wine”

We did a repeat of this dinner party.  This time we had 32 vessels for alcohol at the end of the night.  We're getting better with age, just like the Barolos we mercilessly consumed.

No earthquake this time, but my darling husband is once again talking about how closing one eye lessens the effects of his drunken state.  Never a good sign.

I knew I'd be getting my come-uppance.

One year ago today, Richard and I were officially "on the books" (read: a declared couple, no longer publicly equivocating or slinking around in dark alleyways).  Yaay, us!  *raises glass*

He is in the process of cooking me filet mignon (darling boy) while we happily munch on chicken coconut curry rolls and vegetable samosas (darling T Joe's).  Our plan is to drink too much wine, eat hefty meals followed by heftier desserts, and then watch Alien vs. Predator. 

Perfection, right?  Wrong.

For this most special occasion, I decided to open a bottle of 2002 Matanzas Creek Syrah on which I've been sitting for the past 4 years.  It's not the best wine but one that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I'd been saving it for just such an event.

I lovingly removed it from the wine rack, gently wiped the dust away (dust!), and removed the foil and cork with my trusty rabbit set.  After a somewhat jarring but not altogether disheartening whiff of a questionably potent cork -- and with great flourish, I might add -- I poured, swirled, sniffed, and sipped.

Naturally, it was totally corked.  It tasted like really yummy, really fancy, really expensive vinegar.  Bollocks.

Undaunted (though flame slightly faltering), I reached for a 2001 Zenato Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore.  This was undoubtedly one of the many cheap steals recommended to me by the owner of Urban Cellars in Noe Valley, who had thus far never led me astray.  Regardless, I know it wasn't especially pricey since I never buy anything I haven't tasted if it costs more than $10. 

Well.  Opened... and not corked... but I don't like it.  Perhaps I should avoid anything that lists "Vicks Vap-O-Rub or mimeograph fluid" in the tasting notes?

Karma police got me.  They got me, hard. 

What an eventful weekend.  The details are most likely only of interest to those in attendance, so I won't bore the rest of the world with them.  I will say, however, that I encountered the most dangerous situation I've ever encountered in my entire life while in Austin.

Picture the scene:

A market called Grapevine where they sell wine, spirits, cigars, and fine foods.  Inside, they are giving away free samples of various tasty foods and doing free wine tastings.  Outside, they're showcasing adoptable puppies!  In what kind of sadistic world is this okay?!  Bring `em in, get `em drunk, and let them cuddle adoptable puppies?  Cruel. 

I completely fell in love with a brother and sister, and if I had a residence in Austin I would be the proud owner of one if not two dogs right now.

I hate when people prey upon the weak, much less the wine-buzzed and weak.

... that words flow like wine when wine flows like wine?

I love you, Bonny Doon.  I truly, deepy love you.