Fabulous Framboise Lambic Belgium Beer

MMmmm, simply marvelous! From its rich velvety texture to its luscious fruit flavors, sometimes I just have to indulge into my Lambic cravings.

Now, I’ll admit I am a bit bias in my admiration for Belgium Beers, it is in my family name after all. But this one is a love even for the non beer drinker.

I was craving dessert this evening, something in a beverage but not quite a martini- when suddenly I ran into it and remembered the lambics. Seen here in raspberry, this malty beverage comes in many fruit filled flavors (Lindemans carries black currant, apple, cherry, strawberry, you name it and they are all quite wonderful).

It is a good balance that comes together beautifully.

I don’t know what it is with me and beers with corks, but somehow it seems to be a recurring theme! This one in particular actually has a cap on top of the cork which is quite rare. It is all covered with a richly colored foil that best matches its fruit flavor.

It is made from local barley, unmalted wheat, and wild yeast. Raspberries are added after spontaneous fermentation creating a secondary fermentation which yields exceptional flavor and complexity in this beer.

It is a must try for anyone!

One Of My Favorite Glamorous Dinners

So last night my fiance and I enjoyed a wonderful evening in celebration of a recent business endeavor. It is something we both wanted to accomplish and throughout the year finally made it true.

We decided, why not celebrate it in our favorite glamorous style- a meal that stands out like no other and is simply a celebration on its own.

And so we did- we opened our chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rose and prepared a couple of hot dogs- a dinner of absolute style and delight.

Marlene Dietrich had it right when she said her favorite meal was hot dogs and champagne- they go quite lovely together- really! You have to try it, it is simply delicious and all around too fun. How can you not enjoy yourself? That is what it is all about anyway, isn’t it. You may laugh but it is absolutely wonderful.

We enjoyed ourselves and will remember the occasion so much more for it. It makes it all the more unique and special. I think we are both anxious to do it again soon. I suppose that means we better start creating more reasons to celebrate. I think I can handle that

Here’s to a luxurious and glamorous dinner of Hot Dogs and Champagne- after all, in the words of Coco Chanel:

“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it s not luxury.”

Much love and luxury,

Bombshell Beauty

Twenty Bottles By Two People In Less Than 15 Minutes

Oh you heard it correctly; last night my Fiance and I stumbled into quite the surprise- no to mention unimaginable find.

We actually went to the grocery for a bottle of wine (we had plans to meet with some friends for a drink later that evening). Little did we know at that very moment they were setting up a wine closeout like never before. I like this particular grocery for their selection- their wine steward has an excellent taste and presents a fine selection that competes with shops many times their size. Wow, oh my head this closeout.

Bottles were marked down at half price, and then marked down an additional half price. We purchased three bottles of Conundrum ($30.00) for only $9.00 a bottle. I love to try new wines and this is definitely the opportunity and way to do it.

Some we knew we liked (such as the Kim Crawford, Conundrum, and Groth) and others we knew we liked other varietals from their vineyards and were curious to try others by them- and with these prices it was impossible to pass up. There were some great French wines I have been curious to try as well that were included in the close out, a white Bordeaux among them. Pinot Noir is a favorite of ours and so we purchased some new selections to taste as well.

Oh, here’s a kicker.. when you purchase six bottles (even with the close out) you receive an additional 10% off. Even more enticing to purchase more wine.

The Wine Steward was of great assistance, too- she liked many of the same wines we did and gave us some great recommendations of what to try next. There is so much here I am not quite sure where to start!

Needless to say, there will be some tasting notes posted as I do.

We bought a couple doubles (one bottle is being chilled and not pictured)

Because Who Doesn’t Love Champagne

I love the bubbly, and the Veuve Clicquot is certainly one of my favorites. I would drink it all the time when out and about at night in Miami, not to mention at home as well.

I have Veuve on my mind and a bottle being chilled. Mmm… I love it on its own as a toast to… simply having it or me- who honestly needs an excuse? It is something I like to enjoy for the sake of enjoying. And the Veuve Clicquot Rose is especially special.

Although creating an occasion is always just as delightful.

Marlene Dietrich had it right- and I like to follow in her example on the subject. One of her favorite meals was:

hot dogs and champagne

I LOVE it- simply marvelous.

And that is just it, too- you make it marvelous. And no judgment or false snobbery- it is all about finding what you like and embracing it.

Who cares what other people think? We all have our own tastes. Certainly there are rules to abide but with in those rules are so many possibilities for creativity and uniqueness. Make it your own and make it Glamorous.

Another Glamorous Beauty Of Belle Glos

Belle Glos and Pinot Noir are synonymous with delicious and glamor. You know you are in great hands and know the wine will be grand. The Taylor Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir is among the best in their collection.

Pretty much, when you see the wax dipped bottle- buy it. Don’t even look, just take it home and enjoy it for you are certain to have found a treasure.

Normally this dark burgundy color is what you should seek- and do seek it, but keep in mind the Pinot Noir Blanc Rose with its bright and pink wax color.

If for some strange reason you have yet to seek that one, you are truly missing out. And don’t let false snobbery get in the way if you drink “only red wines” or whatever it might be- there is something to be captured and admired in all wines. It is just a matter of finding the right ones. Don’t let one bad experience spoil a complete varietal for you. Would you do the same with food? I certainly hope not.

This Pinot Noir is everything of its namesake, and a tasting and experience will do far better than words would describe, and I will let you see for yourself. And let me know, too- I love to hear a response.

So Remember- the wax dipped bottle from Belle Glos is guaranteed to be a delight every time. A votre sante.

Syrah So In Love

SO-Normally I wait and finish my glass (or bottle as it often goes) until I begin my post, but this is simply too delightful for patience.

Brian Benson has certainly impressed me and gained a far new respect-this by far is the best Syrah I have tasted, and am anxious to retrieve more of it.

It all started with my fiance and his curiosity to woot and woot wine (of all places). Wow, am I ever pleased and delighted with this find. This particular purchase offered a vertical tasting of a 2004 and a 2005, which if you have read my ‘Vintage Beautiful Vintage’ entry you know it is something I look for. As much as I enjoyed the 2004- and I assure you I most certainly did, the 2005 bottle has vanished faster than any bottle in our household, and believe you me that is saying something.

It is everything I love in a wine and look for in a Syrah. When a dear friend of ours who has worked harvests from South Africa to California alerted us of the beauty of this wine we knew we were in great hands. He informed us that the Denner vineyards produced the best grapes for Syrah and Brian Benson Cellars truely cared for their wines.

He must, too, beginning at such a young age he is certainly in the right place. He began his training at his Grandfather’s vineyard and later his Father’s winery- he learned about the process of wine making before completing elementary school.

This is a beauty to be enjoyed by all and I encourage you to look into a bottle for yourself if not your friends as well. www.BrianBensonCellars.com will give you more about it, and at the age of 25 he is certainly making an impression in the wine industry. Have a taste and delight for yourself- I certainly am and will continue to do so.

A Rose Tres Tres Belle of Pinot

Lovely, beautiful, and incredibly scrumptious. I dare you to find something as divine; this is truly a gem to be treasured and enjoyed. I adore pinot noir and my love only grows stronger here.

Don’t let its adorable color frighten you- it is like no other blanc you may have had before. It has the character and taste of Pinot Noir with that Je Ne Sais Quoi that will keep you happily returning for more. Its priced at about $25 which is perfect, the most delicious pinots are usually priced above $20. Below that price point it becomes a bit of a miss for the most part in my experience, and I much prefer to enjoy my beverages.

Belle Glos Pinot Noir Blanc Rose is a must- MUST, must must must have. It honestly is that many musts.

Look for the wax dipped bottle or simply the pink gleaming in the light, and purchase a bottle (or two I would recommend) to share with friends and loved ones.

This is a dear treat I enjoy for myself or for friends- I love watching their reaction as they taste it for the first time. It is an instant love affair.

Chateau Richard Bergerac Wine

Organically farmed and certified by ECOCERT, I was pleasantly surprised and happy to taste the Chateau Richard Beragerac Wine. Presented in a half bottle it has an appealing charm and comes with a pleasant reward.

Bergerac itself is a town in France East of Bordeaux and in the Dordogne departement. Its location at the Dordogne river offers excellence in its grapes and wines that are well known as among the best of the Bordeaux region. The Red wines of Bergerac are best for tasting when aged from 2-4 years, which makes the 2005 just right. Full of fruity flavor- particularly black cherry and plum and some hints of vanilla, it has a nice balance to the tannins and acidity of the wine.

Many times half bottles can be quite alarming with their price tags, though this one I found more welcoming at $15. Its a reasonable jump if its your first and you will not be disappointed.

Trying wines (both familiar of names and those perhaps strange at first) and finding what you like is what it is all about- and you do not know until you try.

Vintage beautiful vintage

In love with wine as much as me? Its such a beautiful thing, especially when enjoyed among loved ones. The other night I had the pleasure of a wonderful dinner with my boyfriend, his father, and a dear friend- and soon to be sommelier I may add as well. Wine with them is always a delight, and last night was no different. Always something beautiful and always something interesting. Vintage- we all notice the year but maybe do not give all the thought to it. Well, here is for a little more thought and practice.

Last night we had two wonderful bottles of pinot noir- and mind you of the same kind- or so it would seem. The first was of 2002, fruit forward and lovely. Along with dinner, and still a bit of wine remaining, we then moved to the 2005. Wow, you can really tell the difference from such a short little time- the harvest, the year, all that was done differently between the two- subtle gems that I insist you must try comparing side by side.

It was such a delight- look the next time you are shopping or at a restaurant and about to enjoy your favorite wine. If different vintages are available, having them side by side is a must to really reveal what the wine has to offer.

Explore the most of your wine and beloved vineyards.

A Wine To Love

This is one to be admired, shared, and enjoyed- once sought after and found. A friend turned me on to this most treasured jewel after living in Sonoma for two harvests. He became familiar with the wines and people of the region and returned with so much to share; I am very fortunate and especially thankful for this one.It is beyond the greatest of my expectations of the flavors of Sonoma Coast with an intense focus on the fruit. It is such a delicious true gem with an enormous audience in agreement. ZEPALTAS 2006 La Cruz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is acknowledged by Wine Spectator with an outstanding 95 points! That’s not something that happens too often, and it is wonderful to see such a great wine to be correctly appreciated.

Its price tag is a friendly one at $47 as it comes only from Zepaltas Wines. I would recommend optioning for the Magnum and I think you would be pleased in doing so. Look for yourself at www.zepaltaswines.com for the latest. Zepaltas is getting recognized as well it should- be among the lucky first to enjoy this one with your closest friends.