Posts Tagged ‘Food and Wine’

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Stay Rad Wine Blog TV Episode 180: Roastin’ Chickens and Rockin’ Cabs

January 26, 2018

As I was cooking some Blue Apron roast chicken tonight, I was thinking about the perfect wine to pair with it, and I came up with this sample from the ol’ cellar…

Cornerstone Cellars 2014 Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

The Cornerstone Cellars 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cab, and comes in at $75 a bottle.  Let’s pop that cork and give it a taste…

Yup!  That was a good one.

Stay Rad,

Jeff

Wine was provided as a sample for review by the winery.  Be sure to listen to Jeff each and every week on the We Like Drinking Podcast (available now on your favorite podcast app).

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Stay Rad Wine Blog TV Episodes 178 and 179: How to Remove a Wax Seal from Your Wine and/or What Was I Waiting For?

January 20, 2018

Let’s address the elephant in the room…

It’s been a solid year and a half since I’ve posted an episode of Stay Rad Wine Blog TV.
A Year And A Half!

That’s nuts to me.
Nuts!

When I first started this blog in 2011, I would get down on myself for going longer than two days without fresh content.

And now… it’s been a year and a friggin half.
Yikes!

I could spend hours giving you excuses as to why, and making apologies for the lack of posts, but that’s not what this blog is about…

Stay Rad has always been, and will continue to be, a blog about wine and all things awesome. Now, what’s more awesome than a world exclusive two-episode Stay Rad Wine Blog TV release?

That’s right…
Nothin’s better than that!

Enjoy!

Stay Rad Wine Blog TV Episode 178: How to Remove a Wax Seal from Your Wine

In the time since I last posted an episode, I’ve been anticipating sharing my thoughts on this sample I received from Castello di Amorosa…

Castello di Amorosa 2012 La Castellana Super Tuscan Blend

The Castello di Amorosa 2012 La Castellana is a Super Tuscan-style blend from the Napa Valley.  It rolls in at a respectable $98, and is built to lay down for years in your cellar… which may lead some to believe that I was waiting for a special occasion to open this one up.

Truthfully, one of the reasons why I was hesitant to share this on the video blog was I was a bit intimidated by the wax seal covering the neck.  If you look up how to open a bottle with a wax seal online, you’re gonna come across all sorts of wacky ideas as to how (anybody got a blowtorch?)…

“Excuse me, kind sir.  Do you have a chainsaw I could borrow?”

Well…

Here’s what happened when I tried my hand at opening the bottle.

Success!

Now, onto the wine…

Stay Rad Wine Blog TV Episode 179: Why Did I Wait So Long?

Food Pairing:

Pan-Seared New York Strip Steak with Blue Cheese, Baked Potato, and Roasted Broccolini 

Needless to say, I’m glad I finally broke open this wine.

Soooooooo Good!

Stay Rad,

Jeff

Wine was provided as a sample for review by the winery.  Be sure to listen to Jeff each and every week on the We Like Drinking Podcast (available now on your favorite podcast app).

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Oregon… But Not Forgotten 

February 12, 2017

Wow!

Really?!?!?!

July 16th!

That’s the last time I posted on this blog.

That’s almost seven months!

Geez!!!!!

You should know that I’ve been drinking good wine and eating great food the whole time… But, sometimes, life gets in the way (I’ve got all these kids, now!).

Now…

Even though I don’t post here as often as I used to, Stay Rad Wine Blog will be here forever.

If that’s not enough Jeff for you (I mean… Who doesn’t need more Jeff in their life?), you can always join me on the We Like Drinking Podcast (available here, or download on iTunes) every Friday.

Check out the wine I was drinking on our latest episode…

Troon Vineyard 2013 Black Label M*T Reserve

The Troon Vineyard 2013 Black Label M*T Reserve was sent to me as a sample for review a few months back.  It’s a wonderfully odd field blend of 57.67% Malbec and 44.33% Tannat.  It’s a big, dark, and juicy wine from Southern Oregon that would give many a Napa Cab a run for their money.

It also goes great with Taquitos!

A few days later, I jumped into another Oregon wine while I was making dinner…

A Blooming Hill Vineyard 2014 “Trouble” Pinot Noir

The 2014 Pinot Noir from A Blooming Hill Vineyard was another sample sent for review.  The husband and wife team of Holly and Jim Witte named their two Pinot Noir blocks after their dogs (Gemini and Trouble).  This “Trouble” has a super fun nose of mushrooms, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, and wet rocks.  The palate is surprisingly sharp and fresh on the first approach.  Loads of tart cranberries, red currant, and (would you believe it?) lime zest.  If the high acid up front scares you, don’t trip… It becomes much more approachable with time in the glass.

Food helps too…

Sicilian Cauliflower Pizza

That Pinot Noir is a great pizza wine.  The combination was a beautifully juicy and round meal… Perfect for a Friday night at home with the one you love.

Stay Rad,

Jeff

Be sure to listen to Jeff each and every week on the We Like Drinking Podcast (available now on iTunes).

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Stay Rad Wine Blog TV Episode 177: Troon Vineyard 2014 Vermentino / Sauvignon Blanc

July 16, 2016

In this episode, Jeff gets into a sample of a different type of white wine from a different type of region in Southern Oregon.

Wine Tasted:

Troon Vineyard 2014 Vermentino / Sauvignon Blanc

Food Pairing:

Za’atar Chicken Burger and Oven Fries with Feta-Labneh Spread and Garlic Chips

Stay Rad,

Jeff

Be sure to listen to Jeff each and every week on the We Like Drinking Podcast (available now on iTunes).

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When the Wife’s Away, Jeff Don’t Play

February 27, 2016

A few weeks back, Kara was out of town for a get-together with some old friends. As much as I love spending time with with my wife, I don’t mind the occasional nights alone… It gives me a chance to get together with some old friends of my own…

“Hello, Cornerstone Cellars! Hello, New York Strip! It’s been a while!”

Cornerstone 2012 Black Label Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and a New York Strip

You know that I love me some Cornerstone Cellars. I’ve been sitting on this sample of their 2012 Black Label Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for a while, and have been dying to taste it, but with Kara being pregnant, I have not had a chance to open as many bottles around her as I normally would (considering she doesn’t get to share it with me).

You should also know that I love me some beef. I’ve been dreaming of this juicy cut of grass-fed goodness a lot lately. My wife, however, has a “no mammals” policy when it comes to our meals. As a result, I don’t get a chance to indulge in as much red meat as I wish I could.

With Kara away, I had my chance to play…

Let’s get into this wine.

Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Black Label Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Sample provided by Winery):

Formerly known as the Stepping Stone series, these “second label” wines from Cornerstone bring some serious chops at a serious value.

Color: Inky deep purple.

Nose: Fruits of plum and blackberry up front, with secondary notes of leather, allspice, menthol, and pencil shavings. This is a nose a teacher can get behind (I’m talking about the pencils, not the Kool cigarettes, silly).

Palate: A nice, medium plus weight to this wine. Fruits of ripe plum, cassis, and high-toned red cherries on the front palate. There is solid structure here from the chalky fine tannins and long acidity. I love the transition of fruits to tobacco leaf and rich forest soil on the long, Earthy finish.

Score: This wine is friggin’ lovely! 93+ all the way. Kara should get out of town more often (Just kidding, girl. I love you).

Now…

While this wine would do perfectly fine as a stand-alone drink, the fine folks at Cornerstone believe strongly in treating wine as part of a meal. I could not agree more.

Here’s what I paired with it…

Pan-Seared New York Strip with Blue Cheese, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and a Baked Potato

What did I say?

Jeff. Don’t. Play.

Stay Rad,

Jeff

Be sure to listen to Jeff every week on the We Like Drinking Podcast (available on iTunes), and leave a comment below about your favorite Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and food pairing.

 

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Posted in Food and Wine, Wine | 4 Comments »

Stay Rad Wine Blog TV Episode 172: Heavyweight 2012 Petite Sirah

February 5, 2016

In this episode Jeff reviews a sample of Heavyweight Petite Sirah from Scotto Cellars with some Mac n’ Cheese…

Wine Tasted:

Heavyweight 2012 Petite Sirah


Stay Rad,

Jeff

Be sure to listen to Jeff every week on the We Like Drinking Podcast (available on iTunes), and leave a comment below about your favorite Petite Sirah.

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Good Eats, Podcasts, and Cornerstone Cellars

August 9, 2015

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to check in, and share a few samples from Cornerstone Cellars that I have been sippin’ on recently.

When we recorded last week’s episode of the We Like Drinking Podcast (available now on iTunes and your favorite podcatcher apps), I opened up this bad boy to pair with some Penne Pasta and Sausage…

Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Oakville Station Merlot

The Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Oakville Station Merlot is one of the first releases from Cornerstone’s new single vineyard series.  The wine consists of 100% Merlot from the Oakville Station block of the world-famous To Kalon vineyard in California’s Napa Valley.  This wine retails for $75.

Color: This Merlot has a deep ruby red color.  It’s so deeply red, it’s almost purple.

Nose: Bright cranberry and earthy blackberry aromas.

Taste: This wine is so much more than the ripe dark fruit that is so present on the front of the palate.  Just wait for it… There it is! There’s this awesome meaty quality, and a long, tangy and spicy finish.

Score: If you heard me taste this wine for the first time on the podcast, I let out a long, high-pitched, “Mmmmmmmm!!!!!” once the wine hit my lips…  Here’s why…

I was really excited to learn that Cornerstone was going to start doing single vineyard wines.  To me, there is no better way to truly understand the ever elusive terroir of a region.  This Merlot does not disappoint.  This wine is bangin’!  92 points.

On to the next wine!

Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Michael’s Cuvée

Along with starting their single vineyard series with the 2012 vintage, Cornerstone will now be producing a special blend of these vineyards. The Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Michael’s Cuvée is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot.  The fruit comes from Oakville Station (57%), Karios Vineyard in Oak Knoll (28%), and Ink Grade Vineyard on Howell Mountain (9%).  The blend is named after Dr. Michael Dragutsky, who founded Cornerstone in 1991.  This wine is also $75.  I paired it with a Chicken Apple Sausage on a Whole Wheat Bun with Onions and Mushrooms.

Color: Another deep ruby red wine from Cornerstone’s 2012 vintage.

Nose: Fruits of plum, red currant, and blackberry.  This wine is woodsy, both in terms of oak integration and the subtle forest floor aromas.  Nice notes of menthol as well.

Taste: Ripe dark fruits up front transition to tangy red fruit flavors on the finish.  There is a herbaceous backbone of mint, menthol, and tobacco leaf that is present throughout.

Score: This wine is bombastic, and yet subtle.  It’s in your face, but in a really laid back kind of way.  It’s Taylor Swift doing a set of Radiohead covers.  93+ points.

Stay Rad,

Jeff

Which of these wines from Cornerstone Cellars sounds the best to you?  Leave a comment, and let us know.

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Stay Rad Wine Blog TV Episode 167: Brut Rose and a BLAT

June 10, 2015

In honor of his first wine review for WeLikeDrinking.com, Jeff pairs this California Sparkling Wine with a Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, and Tomato Sandwich.

Bon appetit!

Wine Tasted:

Mumm Napa NV Brut Rose and a BLAT

Be sure to check out my complete review of this wine on WeLikeDrinking.com, where I can also be heard as a panelist on the weekly We Like Drinking Podcast (available on iTunes too)!

Stay Rad,

Jeff

What’s your go-to sparkling wine and food pairing?  Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

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The Wine in My Glass

March 28, 2015

I’ve been drinking a lot of my wine out of tumblers these days…

Case in point.

For me, the tumbler represents a relaxed vibe.

Yes.  I know that there is a difference in your abilities to perceive aromas and flavors when drinking vessels are switched up, but sometimes wine ain’t about all that.

Sometimes you just want to sit back on your patio with some good food, wine, and company… and just enjoy the moment.

Ferrari-Carano 2013 Fume Blanc

Ferrari-Carano 2013 Fume Blanc

Thank you for the food, Safeway.

Thank you for the wine, Ferrari-Carano.

Thank you, Parker, for going to bed early so your mom and I could enjoy this beautiful evening.

Tumble on, baby.

Stay Rad,

Jeff

 What’s your spring time patio wine?  Who are you sharing it with?  Leave a comment, and let us know.

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Bedrocking the Podcast and Tacos

March 13, 2015

Every week, when Jim, John, Jeff (the other Jeff), and I sit down to record the We Like Drinking Podcast, we each bring a different beer or wine to taste during the show.

Typically, I grab some random wine from my cabinet, or pick up a beer from the store on my way home…

I rarely put much thought into what I’m gonna be tasting.

This week was different…

IMG_9624

Bedrock Wine Co. 2011 Griffin’s Lair Vineyard Syrah

This week, we had our first guest on the podcast… The incomparable Martin “One Take” Redmond of Enofylz Wine Blog.

Not only is he one of the best wine bloggers in the game today, but he is also one of the nicest guys in the world of wine.  A few years back, when I mentioned to him that I had an interest in Bedrock Wine Co., Martin helped me get my hands on this bottle of their 2011 Griffin’s Lair Vineyard Syrah (a mailing list only wine).

So…

When Martin agreed to be our first guest on the podcast, I found it only fitting to open this bottle.

Griffin’s Lair Vineyard is in the Petaluma Wind Gap, a cool-climate region of Sonoma County.  This Syrah is co-fermented with 11% Viognier, which gives this spicy and lush wine an awesome, floral nose.

Those who have been listening to the podcast should also be jazzed to know that Bedrock Wine Co. does not put capsules on their wine bottles.

Also, this wine goes great with tacos!

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

So…

Don’t be a knucklehead.

Be sure to click this link to listen to this week’s episode of the We Like Drinking Podcast (or search us up on iTunes) with our special guest, Martin Redmond, to hear more about this wine, and everything else fit to talk about in the world of wine.

Stay Rad,

Jeff

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