Paringa Sparkling Shiraz 2008

OK, confession time: this bottle was originally intended as a birthday gift. I hate when I buy someone a birthday gift, and then the gift never gets to the person it's intended for. That's why I make sure that the bulk of my gifts for out-of-towners are alcohol. Wine, preferably. That way I can always enjoy it myself if the receiver never gets the gift.

This was a pretty inexpensive gift at $8.99, but when I picked it up, I thought it would provide a lot of bang for the buck. It's unique - it's hard to find a sparkling shiraz out here in CT (way to go, Stew Leonard's) - and has a 13.5% alcohol content. Nice! It's like bubbly for the die-hard red drinkers.

From the first loud POP! when the cork came off, I knew this would be something fun. It's so cool to pour it into a champagne glass and watch this smashed-blueberry-colored foam rise to the top. And it tastes fun too: it tastes grapey. Like real grapes, purple and red grapes. It's tart, but in a nice way.

This wine makes me happy from the first sip, and after these last three weeks of hell that I've had lately, I'm so glad that there's a wine that makes me happy & I can take a momentary vacation with. Even though all that crap still awaits me when I return, this is definitely worth the trip. Find out more at www.paringa.net.

Cheers!
Kate

2006 Ashford Court Santa Barbara County Chardonnay

OK. I have a shoutout/confession here: I originally bought this wine, very well priced at $8.99, for the family's annual Memorial Day BBQ. In a sad twist of events, however, my poor Grandpa was hospitalized, so the annual BBQ never took place. SAD! So, shoutout & prayers to my beloved Grandpa. He's the bestest grandpa anyone could ever ask for.

Back to the wine. I'm drinking this wine at room temperature, and I've got to say, it's giving other chardonnays at even double the price point a run for the money. It's at once oakey & buttery without being overly so. It's smooth. And, with an alcohol content of 13.5%, it's no lightweight either.

I'm really starting to feel like all wines should be consumed at room temperature. I don't like my white wines chilled anymore. This one in particular almost feels like a red wine in my mouth. It's heavy, but there's no legs on the glass. It's one thick sheet that looks like it wants to form legs, but just doesn't have the ability to do it yet. But it wants to.

Kudos to this wine! This wine is proof that you can find a great, food-friendly, delicious chardonnay for under $10.

Cheers!
Kate