Wines from The Women’s Wine & Dine event on February 27, 2008
Well, we did it - people didn’t think we would but we did it - we drank….egads, BOX wines! at the last Women’s Wine & Dine.
Now, why did we did we do this? Precisely because lots of people out there think you SHOULDN’T. Here’s the deal - is a box wine going to rock your world like a small production, single vineyard fine wine - NO. But then again - you shouldn’t be expecting a KIA to beat a Mercedes in a drag race either. Everything (and every wine) has it’s purpose in life. Box wines - their time has come.
This year, I’ve found myself making the acquaintance of several people who do the “boating” thing - whether sailing or power boats, one across the board rule seems to be “no glass on the boat”. So, what’s a girl to do? I mean - I like my glass of wine while I’m watching the sun set on the bay et al…Box wines baby, to the rescue!
Now, were we in VA where they are civilized to the point of allowing people to purchase wine in the grocery store, even at Target… we’d have a MUCH greater variety of wines to choose from - however, we live in Maryland - and the system is not into making wine easy for you to get your hands on (sorry). So, the selection is somewhat limited.
Last Wednesday we sampled the Box Star wines…
The Cabernet, The Shiraz, The Merlot and yes, the Chardonnay (Mucho thanks to Allison & Stu Doris of Four Corners for helping out on that)…they were great! We served them instead of our usual bubbly and everyone agreed - for the price ($17 a box which holds the equivalent of three bottles) mighty tasty.
We also tasted some “bottled” wines as well…
Here’s the lineup:
Barnard Griffin White Riesling Washington State, USA ($10) OK - Why Riesling you ask? Here’s the deal… Easter and Passover (no this wine is not Kosher but if you do the meal and don’t necessarily keep Kosher it would work, make sense?) This slightly sweet wine works with a variety of salty, sweet, savory foods. It is crisp enough to keep your tastebuds snappy and can go with a LOT of different things.
Man Vintner’s Chenin Blanc South Africa ($10) - In the Loire Valley, in France - they GET Chenin Blanc, they understand that it is a highly versatile grape that can make still, sparkling, even sweet wines… In South Africa, they get that as well. Why Chenin Blanc? Well - every try to please everyone and find it darn near impossible? Here’s the deal - Chenin Blanc will usually appease both the Sauvignon Blanc AND Chardonnay drinkers…plus, at this price -it’s great value when cooking or entertaining.
Graham Beck Railroad Red blend South Africa ($12)- I just love this red wine. It drinks SO MUCH more expensive than it is. It is a lovely blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Yummy. Everyone there loved it too…this was by far one of the most favorite poured.
De Bortolli Petite Sirah ($11) Australia, with a screw cap - can’t beat that!
OK - We tasted this to help show case the difference between Petite Sirah and Syrah or Shiraz. I have a phrase I have coined (really) that goes like this: “No Sirah, Que Shiraz, syrah…” Meaning Sirah is separate from Shiraz and Syrah - which are the same animal just pronounced differently in different parts of the world.
Happy Drinking! (in moderation of course).
