In this episode, Jeff tries a side project from a cult winemaker…
Wine Tasted:
Locations I-1 Italian Red Wine
After the Fact:
Check out Jeff Eckles’ review of this wine on TheLonelyVine.com.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
Have you had any of the Locations wines? How was your experience? Leave a comment, and let us know.
In this episode, Jeff tries a popular wine from Trader Joe’s…
Wine Tasted:
Tribunal 2011 North Coast Red Wine
Stay Rad,
Jeff
Have you ever had this wine? How was it? Leave a comment, and let us know.
At this point, we know each other pretty well, right?
So…
What would you say if I told you that I just tasted one of my favorite wines of the year (so far)… and it was only SEVEN DOLLARS?!?!?!?!
First, let me show you what I made for dinner…
Rosemary Chicken, Mushroom & Bell Pepper Skewers, and Grilled Cabbage Slaw
Now…
After Kara and I picked up most of our ingredients from our local farm stand, we swung by Trader Joe’s to get some organic, free-range chicken breasts. While browsing the wine aisle to find the perfect pairing, I came across this bad boy…
Pontificis 2011 Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre
Now…
You know that I am a big fan of Rhone-style wines.
You also know that I’ve been loving the value and quality of wines coming from the Languedoc-Roussillon in Southern France.
So…
When I see a seven dollar Languedoc composed of the popular GSM Rhone blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (30%), and Mourvedre (20%), you know I’m going to be all over it.
But…
Does it deliver?
Hells to the yeahs, it does!
Note: I opened, and poured, this wine a good 45 minutes before tasting it.
Color: A dense, and inky, deep ruby red.
Nose: Beautiful notes of dusty chocolate with fresh strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry fruits.
Taste: Though young, this wine has a medium body of very soft, and approachable tannins. The front palate starts off strong with dense and brambly fruits of blackberry and dark cherry, which transition nicely to a mid-palate of cranberries and orange zest. On the finish, these fruits begin to raisinate, and show off a wonderfully long, acidic finish.
Score: Wow! This wine is a strong 91+… And I almost feel bad scoring it that low. My only reservation is that this wine appears to lack the ageability of a truly fine wine… But… C’mon guys… This wine is what it is. This is a fantastic wine that is ready to be consumed right, the F, now… And the great part is that you can find this at your local Trader Joe’s… Right. The F. Now. Of course, if you shop at my local TJ’s, you’re gonna have some trouble finding it. I’m buying them all up. Right. The. F. Now.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s the best seven dollar wine you’ve ever had? Leave a comment, and let us know.
Last week, Kara and I headed up to Reno to visit my folks.
Here’s a quick look at some of the stuff we found up there…
Upon our arrival, my dad poured me one of his new favorite beers…
Shock Top Lemon Shandy. If you like wheat beers and lemon zest, this is the brew for you.
Check out what my mom made for us…
We’re expecting a baby at the end of December. This will be their first pair of shoes.
Now…
My folks have lived in Reno for over a decade, so I’ve gotten to know this town pretty well. Our goal on this trip was to try some new things.
We started off our second day in town visiting a hidden gem at the University of Nevada, Reno…
Fleischmann Planetarium. They’ve got some pretty cool star shows almost every hour.
Later, we hit up a local favorite for lunch…
Dish Cafe
I first heard of this spot when it was featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”.
Here’s what I ate…
The Cowgirl Panini made of Creekstone Farms Tri Tip, Carmelized Onions, Thyme, Goat Cheese, Dijon, and Goat Cheese Spread on Sourdough. Mad tasty.
The good eats continued when we went to Old Granite Street Eatery for dinner.
Here’s what I had…
Sweet Bacon Chips. Mmmmmmmm…
Chilled Asparagus Soup with Crème Fraiche and Watercress. A perfect dish for a hot summer night.
Wood Grilled Burger with Aged White Cheddar and Potato Medallions. So good!
Pair it all with the Cascina Valpane 2010 Barbera d’Alba and a beautiful woman, and it’s all good.
The next day was the Fourth of July. After waking up to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN, we strolled around downtown Reno to check out the Wing Fest.
You know I had to sample some…
Some fantastic Nitro Wings.
That’s how I get down.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
In this episode, Jeff and Dave TheVegetarian taste a few wines before dinner…
Wine Tasted:
XYZin 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel
Big Basin Vineyards 2009 Coastview Vineyard Pinot Noir
Food Tasted:
Homemade Bread with a Trio of Compound Butter
Linguine of Asparagus and Garlic
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your favorite 15 dollar Zin? What’s your favorite wine region for Pinot Noir? Leave a comment, and let us know.
In this episode, Jeff shares a Right Bank Bordeaux with his clarinet-playing father…
Wine Tasted:
Chateau Garraud 2010 Lalande de Pomerol
After the Facts:
Here’s the Ribs Marcello made…
And here is his Merlot vine!
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your favorite value Bordeaux? Do you want to hear Dave TheVegetarian play some music? Leave a comment, and let us know.
I don’t know about you, but when it’s hot out, I don’t want to do much of anything.
In my neck of the woods, we’ve been in the triple digits for the last few days, and are looking at more of the same through most of next week.
Ugh!
It’s unbearable.
The only thing I’m liking about this weather is that the tomatoes that I’ve been growing in the back yard have finally ripened up.
Two Tomatoes. Two Pounds. Too Good.
On a hot day like this, tomatoes are the perfect food.
Cool.
Juicy.
Substantial… But not too filling.
So, here’s what I made for lunch…
Tomato Mozzarella Stack with Basil and a Balsamic Glaze Drizzle
Just add some Full Sail Lager, and hot ass days like these get hella cool.
Hella.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What do you eat and drink on hot days like these? Leave a comment, and let us know.
As part of the Wines of Alsace Twitter Taste and Chat, Jeff tries four different Alsatian Rieslings in this episode. Let’s see why #AlsaceRocks…
Wines Tasted:
Rad Wines of Alsace
Trimbach 2010 Riesling
Domaine Ostertag 2011 Vignoble d’E Riesling
Meyer-Fonné 2011 Riesling Reserve
Weinbach 2011 Cuvée Théo Riesling
Oh man!
See Jeff’s first tasting of Trimbach Riesling here.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
Don’t forget to join the Wines of Alsace Twitter Taste and Chat between 4 and 5pm Pacific, 6/27/13. Use the hashtag #AlsaceRocks, and throw a Q in front of your questions, to find out all you want to know about these dry Rieslings from France.
In this episode, Jeff tries a frozen wine cocktail that Kara brought back from a bachelorette party…
Wine Tasted:
Arbor Mist Merlot and Blackberry Frozen Wine Cocktail
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your favorite wine cocktail? Leave a comment, and let us know.
In this episode, Jeff pairs KFC and Homemade Waffles with Wine!
Food Pairing:
Chicken, Waffles, and Sparkling Wine!
Wine Tasted:
Korbel 2009 Natural
After the Fact:
You can follow JeffIsRad on Instagram here.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your Chicken n’ Waffles wine pairing? What do you think of JeffIsRad on Istagram? Leave a comment, and let us know.
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