Girl on… a whole lot of grapes

Murphy’s Law Red

Sweatpants: the double-wide embarrassment of your closet or just an accessory when you feel double- wide?

Until six months ago I perceived these leisure costumes as a crutch or an emotional escape but these days I develop a sense of pride when I spend the night in my “sweats.” Bottom line, I spend less money when seated on my bottom line.

I recently upgraded my recession depression clothing line by purchasing a “Snuggie,” the pop culture phenomenon blanket that has groupies, bar crawls, and action figures celebrating its awkwardness. After ripping open my package from the official Snuggie website I learned that the Snuggie is thin, the color of a blue ford focus, and feels like a flea and germ-ridden airline blanket. The free book light doesn’t win me over. This “robe” is a cheap fleece jonnie with wizard sleeves. Who knew that the dissolution of the gold standard, the subprime mortgage crisis, and failed economic policies would create a colossal fashion obsession of humiliating clothing?

What’s the lesson learned? In the words of Young MC, “don’t hang yourself with a celibate rope.” Life is for living - with some semblance of self-respect and responsibility.

The name of this week’s wine Murphy’s Law is almost too easy for me to touch. I will refrain from making any cringe-worthy analogies and simply say it is a great wine. Friendly and comfortable but complex enough to make me want to discuss how to boost liquidity for small businesses - not watch America’s Best Dance Crew. Comprised of 65% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec and 6% Sangiovese, its diversified portfolio works. I know it sounds dim-witted but I like the label, the kitschy slogan, and the fact that it is from Columbia Valley. Murphy’s Law is a trend that I am willing to get behind for $15.99.

This really is the ultimate “house wine” for when you should stay in your house but you want to enjoy a decent wine with friends. So, here’s to sitting on my couch drinking a great glass of wine- wearing a kicky pair of boots.

“Again with the sweatpants?”
“What? I’m comfortable.”
“You know the message you’re sending out to the world with these sweatpants? You’re telling the world, ‘I give up. I can’t compete in normal society. I’m miserable, so I might as well be comfortable.’”

- Jerry and George, in “The Pilot” Episode

Tags: American wine, blends, Red Wine, Sarah Osteen, Washington Red
Category: Girl on Grape | Comments (0)

Look out 2012, America’s Drunkenly Stumbling Your Way

A report commissioned by Vinexpo’s ruling body has suggested that by the year 2012, the United States will have surpassed Italy in wine consumption by volume, making it the world’s leader.1 Additionally, China and Russia, a couple of wine noobs, will soon overtake the venerable wine-drinking nation of Spain.  This development is not unexpected.  All three of these nations have been steadily climbing the ladder of wine consumption for some time.  Assuming these numbers hold true, Russia alone will have doubled its level of consumption from as little as four years ago.2 The overall effect of this news reminds me of the improbable rise of the Tampa Bay Rays to baseball’s biggest stage this last summer: it’s as though the residents of the kid’s table have finally decided to join their elders for dinner.

The study, which is done annually by the French convention giant, also predicted that wine consumption and sales will be protected, in large part, from the effects of the global economic downturn of the last twelve months.  Apparently, not having enough money in one’s pocket is not a compelling enough reason to quit drinking.  The resultant three year forecast then, is this; wine consumption will continue to flourish as it always has, but the people consuming said wine are going to look more radically different than ever.  This is bound to have a profound effect on wine production, but that is a topic I’ll take up at a later date.

And so I invite you to raise your glasses, America, (or your Carlo Rossi filled Solo cups, Allston).  You’re well on your way to world wine domination.  Take care that you keep your eyes on the prize; the italians are not going to go quietly.  I did my part by drinking a bottle while writing this, but did you do yours?

J.

Tags: America, American wine, Italian wine, Italy
Category: The Wine Blog | Comments (0)

Samantha Starr Chardonnay 2007

It disturbs me that my first wine review on the new site is of a California chardonnay, but it’s what I’ve got in my mouth, so I am compelled to make note of it.

I’m drinking the 2007 Samantha Starr chardonnay, from the Monterey AOC.  Samantha Starr is associated with the Monterey super-house, Talbott.  Much like Talbott, the Sam Starr label deals largely in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  At $16.99 it’s not necessarily budget chardonnay, but the comparative value is great.  Moreover, the chard is the house pour at the Taj, and so for a relatively modest investment, one can take a little bit of hotel luxury home with them.

In the glass the wine is a beautifully clear, pale gold.  The nose suggests ripe, creamy pear and, with a bit of time in the glass, a pleasant, vanilla-scented toastiness.

Though it offers a largely citric first pitch, the coolness of Monterey definitely exerts itself later in the count with notes of soft pear and a hint of green bananas.  The finish is clean, if a bit sharp, which suggests that some of this fruit is sourced in, or around Talbott’s super-dry, Sleepy Hollow vineyard.

I like this wine.  It tastes like chardonnay.  For the money it offers an alternative to the ubiquitously oppressive weight of pineapple and vanilla ridden swill chardonnay, (I’m talking to you Kendall-Jackson, and you La Crema and. . . oh forget it, you all suck).  The dry, bay-cooled climate of Monterey offers an interesting venue for chard, and this bottle has suggested as much while resisting the urge to manhandle the natural disposition of the grape.

J.

Tags: America, American White, American wine, California, California White, chardonnay, Samantha Starr, white wine
Category: Wine Reviews | Comments (0)