Wine Diary for 2018

This will be the year for discovery through wine - as an art and as an experience. Learning the business of wine is also a goal - so we shall see how that goes.

Jan 1: Home

Welcoming the new year with my wonderful friend Tim. Opened a bubbly on hand which was tasty if a bit thin. Then we indulged in opening one of my favorite Chardonnay's as a best start to what will be a phenomenal 2018.

Leon Launois Cuvee Reserve Brut - good bubbles, little flavor

Walter Hansel Russian River Chardonnay 2014 - honey and lemon on the nose, add in pear, peach and then caramel on the palate - absolute yum ...$42

My friend Brian introduced me to Walter Hansel while first exploring Chardonnays back in 2011. Did not have any of it during 2017 - kept waiting for the right moment. Well, the time has come for living the best life now.

Jan 4: Highland Fine Wine

Attended the wine tasting Nick and Jim so generously host every Thursday night. The past few weeks provided a distinct pleasure to be able to attend with "the crew" of oenophiles they typically have sipping whatever is open. Amanda led us through the tasting, and will be hosting each Saturday afternoon at Highland Fine Wine from 3 to 5 starting on Jan 13th.

Bridge Lane - 2016 Chardonnay, un-oaked from Long Island, easy sipping $17

Cristom Mt Jefferson - Pinot Noir 2015 sustainable, passionate about the watershed - nice and soft (I think they were one of the earliest in Oregon)$24?

Herman J Wiener 2016 Cab Franc, Merlot, Cab Sav, Blaufrankisch (typical to Austria, known as the "eastern Pinot Noir" with lots of tannins) from the finger lake region of NY - very smoky on the nose with bright cherry on the palate and then some layers $18

Sierra Cantabria Rioja Selection 2015 longer aging, more oak, maceration with pepper on the nose, and then an opening up given all the tannins $11

Bought a bottle of Rioja as have a new neighbor coming over on Saturday who says she only drinks red.

Someone at the tasting said "my favorite wine is the wine in my glass".

Jan 5 Cocoa in VaHi

Great chocolate can be like a fine wine with complexity and richness of aroma, flavor and mouth feel. The hot cocoa at Cocoa in VaHi transports. You can feel the serotonin surging.

Jan 19 Taken while indulging at Tim's house

Adding some deliciousness to the mix. Thanks to Bill & Helene, there will be celebrations for the first four months of the year due to delivery of Murray's cheese. January start this series off right with the super delicious Greensward - a soft cow cheese encased in spruce jacket and brimming with bacon mushroom flavor. It came with yummy "speculous" Belgian cookies which went beautifully with the cheese and immediately disappeared all by themselves!

Feb 1 Enjoyed late night at home as medicinal

Yes, warm chocolate chip cookies are prescribed for upping the happiness factor. Their aroma started the process for serotonin uptick, and then taste and sensation of crisp bite followed by melting chocolate morsels completes the mission.

Feb 22 "You get what you pay for" is one of those aphorisms which feels like a challenge. Am bargain hunter by nature, and thrill to the quest of finding the best value. This becomes ever more difficult as my taste and for wine - specifically my palate evolves. This is resulting in an unabashed endorsement for Highland Fine Wine. What I believe is their most affordably priced Chardonnay is a much better value than a whole selection of my former favorite super discounted (at your local Publix) wines. If you like big round interesting Chardonnays (not just a glass of oak, smoke and poke), go for the Aviary.