"FAT bastard" Chardonnay (2008)

I'd had a variety of Fat Bastard a long time ago and seemed to remember liking it. So last weekend I picked up a bottle of the Chardonnay.

I can't describe it except full bodied - just as the label describes - I liked it. Definitely would drink again and try another variety.

Thierry & Guy Fat Bastard Wine Company, France
www.fatbastard.com
Label is very traditional, but then there's the fun gold hippo.
Purchased at Wine & Spirits, Center Twp. - $11.99

Back label says:
"The Origin of the FAT bastard
Good friends Thierry (renowned French winemaker) & Guy (British wine industry rebel [read the website - I like this guy]) created FAT bastard almost by accident. It started out as an experiment Thierry had been doing in the back of his cellar, leaving a barrel "on the lees" (yeast cells). He didn't know what to expect, but when the friends tried the wine, Thierry exclaimed.. "Now zat iz what you call eh Phet bast-ard!" (read with a strong French accent). This very British expression perfectly described the wine's wonderful color and round, rich palate so that's what they called it."

"No-one remembers exactly where the hippo came from."

Gnarly Head Merlot (2009)

Late birthday celebration a few weeks ago with family - it also happened to be St. Patrick's day - 4 of us took down two bottles of this so there ya go. It was good.

Has a woodsy/oaky and raspberry flavor. Beautiful dark coloring. Not too dry. Not normally a Merlot fan but I really liked this one.

Gnarly Head Cellars, Manteca, CA
www.gnarlyhead.com
Restaurant price was $22 / bottle.

Check out the website - this is a fun line of wines - I definitely want to try some of their other varieties.

Red Cat

About a month ago, I picked up a bottle of Red Cat - simply based on the label depicting a red cat in a hot tub - fun stuff.

I found it very clear, clean and light. Loved it. I'm the only who drinks wine in my house so thanks to my Vaccu-Vin, a bottle can last me three days if I'm just drinking with dinner. I had this particular bottle with lasagna and then various party foods the next day - awesome both times.

Red Cat Finger Lakes Red Wine
Hazlitt Vineyards / Hazlitt's Red Cat Cellars Hammondsport, NY14840
www.hazlitt1852.com
Purchased at Wine & Spirits Center Twp, PA.

Back label says:
"Serve the original hot tub legend and make your next gathering an occasion. This versatile semi-sweet wine is great with pizza, burgers, wings, or snacks. Grab a Red Cat & Get Your Party Started! Serve chilled. Serve often."

Okay- I figure since I finished the last glass of the german red, I would move onto the Dog Tail Vineyards-Fire Hydrant Red (California Red wine). Not a winner in my eyes. Fun label but that's about as far as it goes. Taste like rubbing alcohol going down. Now I am out of alcohol!!!

I just finished a bottle of German red wine. The guy at the liquor store recommended for a person like me that doesn't really know the difference between red wines. The name of it is Dornfelder- 2008er Heimersheimer Rotenfels. This was a perfect red wine for me. It wasn't too sweet but had a nice flavor. It was super cheap- 8.99 a bottle, I think.

FAT CAT, SMOKING LOON, RED BICYCLETTE, PAZZO

I promise to create a better format for this--just have to figure it out first.
I want to add a "Glenn decimal" rating for alcohol content. My husband's voice gets louder the more alcohol. If he is talking loudly after one glass --look out! .And pics--one step at a t
ime however

Favorites so far:

All under 15.00 ( I will keep track of the price the next time around)

FAT CAT---Pinot Noir 2008--California

SMOKNING LOON--Pinot Noir 2007--California

RED BICYCLETTE--Pinot Noir 2008--France ***so good we bought a few more bottles***

$17.00 and was a Director's choice, but is was the sign promising it to be 'peppery' that made me buy it. Well, there was no pepper taste, but I loved it anyway.

PAZZO--prorietary red wine 'Call Me Crazy' 2006--California **smooth as silk, Glenn was sleepy after 2 glasses**

Not-so-Favorites:

To be fair, I have been in a Pinot Noir mood. Usually I like really stong, grows hair on your chest wines, but these left a really strong after taste that was not appealing. I might give another grape a chance from the same winery.

Plunger Head--Zinfanel 2008
3 Blind Moose--Cabernet Sauvignon 2007


Surprise of the week:

Pitcher of red Sangria from Houlihan's--$12.00 and quite delicious if you like something that is refreshing and completely missing any alcohol taste. Great sipping it outside at the Robinson Mall while people watching.

...a beginning

This blog is dedicated to friends and family who love wine but know nothing about it. All we know is that we like what we like and we don't need any snooty waiters, books, or couch-experts to tell us we are wrong. We simply want to share our wine buying/drinking experience with each other and say things like--"it really tastes good with popcorn" or "it made that ugly Monday meeting go away".

A wise restaurateur/wine maker from Beaver, PA told a crowd at a Wine Tasting in Sewickley, stop thinking price and quality are the same. Buy what tastes good to you, chill red wine if you like, and start having some fun.

So....if you drank a bottle that you liked, let us know. If you know the price, fine, if you can describe it beyond , " It was good", fine.

My picks that last few weeks have been solely based on cool labels and this has worked out pretty well so far. Maybe I'll try by country next.