Girl on Grenache

posted on 1 June 2009 by sarah

yaluma-grenache Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache: $15.99

When I was 14 my mother lost her wedding ring at the beach. We did what all people do when they lose jewelry on the beach; we rented metal detectors. Within hours I was sweeping the beach with a tool that resembled a light saber crossed with a cane: not a great accessory for an angst ridden teenager. What was worse was that I was suddenly one of “those” people, folks so miserly that they spend their day looking for hidden jewels while developing scoliosis in the process. Amazingly, we found the ring along with a number of razors and tin cans. Each time the detector (brand name “The Barracuda”) buzzed, fellow collectors would pop their heads up with a scowl to see if we had skeeched something good. I had a permanent eye roll the whole way home.

While most misers leave me with a bad taste in my mouth, this weekend I stumbled across a miser that I love: the Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2007. Miser wine? Yes. Grenache is a serious worker bee in its early years; the vines produce multiple bottles of wine per bush, but as the vines age over 25 years, they turn into nasty and selfish little squirrels producing barely one bottle per bush. I can almost imagine these old bushes out with their Barracudas giving bad tips to their waiters. While not particularly giving, the old vines produce a high quality grape. This Yalumba wine comes from grapes that have been aged 30-70 years: crotchety yet delicious.

Perhaps I am not that familiar with Grenache because it is always overshadowed by other Rhone varietals. The funny thing is that this is the most planted red grape variety in the world; it’s just that it is usually blended with other reds.

I like this red for summer because it is fruity and light but not thin like a disappointing pinot noir for example. One could pair this old magpie with almost anything, a tuna steak on the grill or bbq chicken would be a good bet. I was really blown away by this wine and will be drinking it a lot this summer. At $15.99 you don’t even have to spend an extra hour on the beach looking for spare change to buy it.

Tags: Australia, Australian red, grenache, Red Wine, Sarah Osteen
Category: Girl on Grape | Comments (1)

Girl on Shiraz

posted on 15 April 2009 by sarah

paringa Paringa Shiraz 2007

I live in Somerville - my neighbors are all around me. They are above, below, and peeking around greasy stoves next door to watch me dart from room to room searching for a towel. Although we live so close, we exist separately; each eating, breathing, searching, procreating, and dying within a few feet of one another. The truth is, other than the friendly wave, the scorn of an abandoned trash can, and the occasional errant package, I don’t engage with my neighbors. Strange considering that I know when they shower… What happened to the days when you would go outside with a hula hoop and suddenly there were 10 girls in esprit shorts and geometric haircuts swarming around? Within minutes we were calling each other best friends and enemies.

Well I want to bring back simplicity! No, I don’t want to be BFF with Roberta my 93 yr. old neighbor who likes to smoke parliaments while yelling at Richard her Jack Russell, or start sucking back brews with Bob who sports leather chaps to leave his Harley throttling… I just crave a little taste of ignorance, like life before awareness of bizarre personality facets or inability to park properly.

The Paringa Shiraz is just what I am looking for. It is a really tasty traditional Shiraz. This southern Australian wine is not hiding some crazy grapefruity or sharp taste. It is what it is, a delicious Shiraz. The color is a deep purple which is appropriate for the full fruit flavor. It is great with ribs or a burger.

Next time you want to have a simple relationship with a neighbor I recommend offering them a glass of the Paringa. You can talk about the Sunday night drum circle and the pet guinea pig later.

Tags: Australia, Australian red, Red Wine, Sarah Osteen, shiraz, somerville
Category: Girl on Grape | Comments (0)