Wine Wednesday

Mercedes Eguren

Price: $8-12

Origin: Spain

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon

Best Served With: Italian pastas (with red sauce), steak, lamb, roasts, and venison.

Description: “Solid yet lively, this full-bodied red offers plenty of plum, black cherry, chocolate, light herbal flavors, with round tannins and light yet firm acidity." -Winery 

Wine Wednesday

Feeling ducky?  James' love of ducks led us to stumble upon Duckhorn Vineyards.  We have tried their Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon, Decoy Zinfandel and Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon.  We absolutely loved them all!  The Decoy wines are a little less pricey ($25), while the Duckhorn wines are more on the pricey side ($65 but well worth it).  Above is a picture of our attempt at mixing a couple things we love in our little duck/wine nook.  The nook includes a duck serving tray, wooden duck wine screws (from Wisteria), a cork cage, a wine candelabra, and a few ducky/empty wine bottles.

Wine Wednesday

Lot 18... a wine lovers dream!  Lot 18 is an online wine store that provides great deals on fine/rare wines, wine accessories and specialty foods.  This store is an invite only wine store a lot like One King's Lane for home decor, Jet Setter for travel, or ideeli, Gilt, and Rue La La for clothes.  If you aren't aware of any of these awesome invite only stores, go ahead and pick your pleasure!  Click on the any of the store names and receive a personal invite from me.

Wine Wednesday

Smoking Loon

Price: $8-12

Origin: California

Type: Chardonnay

Best Served With: Scallops, ceviche, white meats with fruit salsa, mixed greens and brie

Description: "Behind the light straw color are aromas of sweet spring flowers, green tea, and a touch of fresh pineapple. The palate is framed by flavors of lemon meringue, fresh papaya, limestone, and subtle nuances of clove finishing with nectarine and light vanilla oak tones." -Winery

Wine Wednesday

Yes, please.

Wine Wednesday

(similar shirts found here)

First things first, I am not a runner.  Running is something I have tried very hard to avoid for years now.  That being said, a good cause and a rather persuasive boyfriend convinced me to go against my gut and do something crazy.  I signed up for a 10k!  The last weekend in October James and I, along with a few other friends will be running to support Run to Honor.  James has conjured up a training schedule for us that he claims will turn a couch potato (assuming he meant me... thanks sweetie!) into a runner.  We started small this week working towards the goal of a 5k.  Below is our 1st round training schedule:

  

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
1	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	1.5 m run	30- 60 min walk
2	Rest or run/walk	1.75 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	1.75 m run	35-60 min walk
3	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	2 m run	40-60 min walk
4	Rest or run/walk	2.25 m run	Rest or run/walk	1.5 m run	Rest	2.25 m run	45-60 min walk
5	Rest or run/walk	2.5 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	2.5 m run	50-60 min walk
6	Rest or run/walk	2.75 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	2.75 m run	55-60 min walk
7	Rest or run/walk	3 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	3 m run	60 min walk
8	Rest or run/walk	3 m run	Rest or run/walk	2 m run	Rest	Rest	5-K Training Complete

 

 

Any runners have some motivational tricks or words of wisdom?  I am needing it, along with the shirt above!

Wine Wednesday

Last weekend one of my oldest friends, Steph, was visiting.  I drove out to Waterford, VA to spend some time with her at her parents place.  Upon my arrival my she informed me that there is a vineyard in walkable distance.  Although, I knew that vineyards are all over Loudoun County I was in shock because prior to this I had always thought nothing (and I mean absolutely nothing) was in walkable distance from her place.  We strolled down the narrow gravel road to this quaint vineyard.

While there we sampled both the red and white flights.  The most noteworthy wines were a Viogner - a light white wine that smelled exactly like honeysuckles (yum!), and a Riesling - I enjoyed because it was not overly sweet.  They had a great dessert wine selection as well, including a Lemon Cello, a Raz - tasted like a Chambord but better, and a USB (what you call a Port wine that is not made in Portugal) - aged for eight years in whiskey barrels (genius!).

After the lugging a few too many bottles of wine home from the vineyard, we invited a few friends over to Steph's for some pool time.  All and all it was a great day for all of us.  Who had more fun, us or Captain?  That's up in the air!

Wine Wednesday

Oyster Bay

Price: $10-15

Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand

Type: Sauvignon Blanc

Best Served With: Shellfish, salad and recipes containing pesto

Description: “Fragrant tropical and floral notes with vibrant fresh lime and citrus zest, a fine texture and an intense crisp finish.” -Winery

Wine Wednesday

Wine Screws

Fun and colorful wine stoppers, what a cute idea!  A glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away, is a theory I had long stuck to.  Therefore, the old me would say that wine stoppers aren't necessary.  Nowadays James and I have made the weight, health and money conscious decision to cut back.  Seems like the perfect excuse to invest in a few of these to me.  Find them here.

Wine Wednesday

Educated Guess

Price: $15-20

Origin: California

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon

Best Served With: All types of red meat

Description: “Rich and ripe, yet focused with black cherry and cassis fruit, hints of cocoa and mint, all tied together with a toasty French vanilla oak finish.” -Winery

Wine Wednesday

Pink Truck

Price: $5-10

Origin: California

Type: Sweet Rose

Best Served (during the summer) With: Red fish, veal, and game meats

Description: “A classic wine with a very sophisticated twist. This exceptional blend exhibits berry and citrus aromas and strawberry, raspberry and pomegranate flavors that tantalize the palate. Juicy orange notes make for a delicious, bright finish - a refreshingly complex wine crafted in a balanced off-dry style.” -Winery

Wine Wednesday

Steady Sticks

Too cool!  Steady Sticks are made to stick in the ground and hold both wine and champagne glasses and bottles.  This wine accessory would be perfect to take to the beach, a picnic or an outdoor concert.  With nice weather finally here, I think that buying these might just be a must!  Different versions of can be found here, here and here.

Wine Wednesday

Alamos

Price: $10-15

Origin: Argentina

Type: Malbec

Best Served With: Red meats (like steak, lamb or duck) and beef stew

Description: “Alamos Malbec has a dark, blackish purple color. The nose shows ripe black fruits, black pepper spice and floral notes. The mouthfeel is full yet soft and supple, with black raspberry and currant flavors mingled with notes of sweet spice and a touch of leather. The finish is long and persistent with soft, sweet tannins.” -Winery

Wine Wednesday

I plan on making a weekly shout out to something I hold dear to my heart... wine!  I'm not going to claim to be an expert on the topic but I will say that I absolutely love it.  An undeniable fact about my relationship with wine is that I tend to prefer those extra yummy kinds that I can’t seem to afford, so for the sake of my (and potentially your) wallet I’ll aim to keep the price range between $5-30 (although we might have to splurge on occasion, right?).  With that said, I’d like to start with my favorite white of the moment: 

Pouilly Fuisse Louis Jadot

Price: $20-25

Origin: France

Type: White Burgundy

Best Served With: Shellfish, fish and white meats with cream sauce

Description: "Ripe, supple and of medium body, this classic expression of Pouilly-Fuisse shows vibrant Chardonnay fruit flavors with notes of melon and minerals, gently touched with oak, ending in a fresh, silky finish." -Winery