In this episode, Jeff pops open another Locations wine with his frozen pizza…
Wine Tasted:
Locations F-1 French Red Wine
Stay Rad,
Jeff
Have you tried any of the Locations wines? Which ones? What’s your favorite? Are you following JeffIsRad on Instagram yet? Leave a comment, and let us know what you think.
Hey, y’all!
I just wanted to check in with you, real quick, to show you the meal I made last night…
And since we all know that wine is my favorite food, we’ll start with that.
Check it out!
Trader Joe’s 2012 Grower’s Reserve Chardonnay
You know that I’m a fan of Trader Joe’s brand wines for their exceptional value.
You should also know that I’ve been in a white wine type of mood, lately.
So…
When I found this $6 Chardonnay made from organic grapes, I had to check it out.
Color: A deep, Golden Delicious apple flesh kind of yellow.
Nose: Green apple, peach skin, lemon, and lime fruits are accented by a subtle toasty note.
Taste: Fruits of apple and pear are wrapped up in a toasty pie crust, topped with a lemon squeeze.
Score: Not the most complex of wines, but it brings a refreshing flavor at a great price. 87 points.
Food Pairing:
Pan-Seared Tilapia Fish Tacos with Greek Yogurt, Vinegar Slaw, and Sriracha
The acid of the wine elevates the buttery fish to bring out this really fun toasty and nutty flavor.
This is a great pairing.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What wine would you pair with this fish taco? Leave a comment, and tell us about it.
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.
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.
Last night, I was heading over to a friend’s house for a little get-together.
He asked everybody to brink an appetizer and a bottle of wine.
Now…
Some folks stress out about what to bring, but not me.
This is how I roll.
Earlier in the day, I stopped by Trader Joe’s to get some apps and wine.
I got two types of frozen samosas, and tossed ’em in the freezer.
I also got me a bottle of Trader Joe’s Reserve 2009 Lot #72 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and put it in the fridge.
Now…
Some folks may question why I would put a red wine in the fridge, but it totally makes sense. First, it had been sitting at room temperature for a couple of weeks in a grocery store. That, coupled with the fact that it was pretty hot yesterday, meant that I had to bring the temp of the wine down.
Let’s keep going…
About an hour before the party, I pre-heated the oven…
While the oven was getting to temp, I took my dog for a walk.
After I got back, I was ready to throw the samosas in the oven.
While the samosas were cooking, I took the wine out of the fridge.
By the time I got to the party, the wine was at perfect cellar temperature.
So…
Now let’s talk about the wine…
You know that I’m a fan of the Trader Joe’s Reserve wines. It’s tough to go wrong with quality juice at $10. This Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was produced by Mazzocco Winery (a great Zinfandel-heavy winery in Healdsburg).
Color: Dark ruby.
Nose: Chalky raspberry, blueberry, and plum with hints of leather.
Taste: There are some aggressive (yet chalky) tannins on this wine. Great fruit notes of raspberries and blueberries.
Score: This is a solid, solid wine. I love the fruit to this wine, but there is not a whole lot more to it. Still… at $10, this wine totally over-delivers. 88+
The next time you have to bring apps and wine to a party. Don’t stress… roll like me.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your wine-of-choice to bring to a dinner party? Leave a comment, and let us know.
In this episode, Jeff pairs a different kind of red blend with a steak…
Wine Tasted:
Ancient Peaks 2010 Margarita Vineyard Renegade
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Jeff
What’s the worst food and wine pairing you’ve ever had? Leave a comment, and let us know.
I was in a grilling type of mood this afternoon, so here’s what I did…
I picked up some pre-marinated Peppercorn Garlic Pork Tenderloin at Trader Joe’s today.
Here it is on the grill…
The tenderloin is supposed to be grilled over medium heat for 20 minutes a pound, so I had some time kill.
Here’s where the wine comes in…
Trader Joe’s Reserve 2011 Lot #77 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
You know that I’m a huge fan of the Trader Joe’s Reserve wines. You can’t help but love the quality that they bring for around 10 bucks. You also know that I’ve long been a fan of wines from the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. When taking into account my recent crush on Pinot Noir lately, I just had to pick up this wine today.
Color: This Pinot Noir was a very light red. There were a few shimmering hints of rusty orange as well.
Nose: Very fruit-forward. Strawberries and cherries up front, with hints of potting soil and some fresh cracked black pepper.
Taste: A whole lot of cola and soil up front. The cranberry fruit on this wine is blended with some subtle notes of orange zest. Good tannins and acidity. Now… I know this is gonna sound weird, but there is a finish of a salty, pecorino romano cheese.
Score: Like most cool-climate Pinot Noirs that I’ve been digging on lately, I really enjoyed the subtle complexities of this wine. There aren’t many 10 dollar Pinot Noirs on the market that can bring it like this TJ’s Reserve. I’ve got a feeling that a lot of folks would prefer this over most of the 20 dollar Pinots in stores today. 89 points.
Now…
Back to the pork!
22.5 minutes, and 160 degrees, later… It’s ready!
Grilled Peppercorn Garlic Pork Tenderloin and Steamed Brussels Sprouts
The juicy and smoky pork highlighted the strawberry fruit and spicy notes in the wine. The bitter, green flavors of Brussels sprouts showcased the soil and tannins of the wine.
Fantastic!
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What would you pair with a pork tenderloin? What would you pair with a Pinot Noir? Leave a comment and let us know.
Today is #ChardonnayDay!
I ain’t gonna lie…
This mofo snuck up on me this year.
Luckily, I had this bad boy on hand…
Jason-Stephens 2012 Estate Select Chardonnay
100% of the grapes from the Jason-Stephens 2012 Estate Select Chardonnay come from their vineyard in the back woods of the Santa Clara Valley. Jason-Stephens does two Chards. The Estate Chardonnay is 100% Stainless Steel fermented and aged, while the Estate Select sees a fair amount of oak and goes through secondary malolactic fermentation. It’s 14.5% alcohol, and retails for 30 bucks.
Color: Bright straw yellow.
Nose: Very clean nose of green apple, lime, pear, and wet rocks.
Taste: There’s a good weight to this wine. It’s got a big initial hit of toasty oak up front, which quickly gives way to buttered green apple, minerals, and lime zest.
Score: This wine is pleasant, but the finish is a bit awkward. All-in-all, it’s a solid effort from one of my favorite local wineries. 86+
While tasting the wine, I put together a quick little Indian dish for dinner…
Basmati Rice with Curried Chickpeas and a Samosa that One of my Students gave me for the Last Day of School
Pairing: The acid of the wine plays well with the lemongrass of the curry. It really makes the spices pop. What a great pairing… I rule!
Stay Rad,
Jeff
In this episode, Jeff picks the perfect wine to go with a greasy cheeseburger…
Wine Tasted:
Stepping Stone 2011 North Coast Red Rocks
After the Fact:
Jeff was WAY off. This wine saw NO OAK… Just 5 months in a stainless steel tank.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
Have you had any of the Stepping Stone Rocks wines? What’s your cheeseburger and wine pairing? Leave a comment and let us know.
How’s the weather in your neck of the woods?
It’s beautiful here in Northern California.
It’s the perfect time to break open the ol’ grill.
When you’re grilling, there are a couple different ways to go in terms of wine pairing.
For me, the choice was obvious…
Stepping Stone 2012 Corallina Syrah Rosé by Cornerstone Cellars
The fine folks at Cornerstone Cellars sent this wine my way as a sample, and I just had to break it open.
This rosé is 100% Napa Valley Syrah. The block of this Syrah was intended to be used for rosé from the beginning. In a world where some rosé is treated as an afterthought, this wine was made with intention. For a wine that saw French oak for 5 months before bottling, this rosé is surprisingly affordable at $20 a bottle. Considering that it is now available on special at $16 from the winery, this rosé is a steal.
Color: A beautiful salmon pink.
Nose: Citrus of grapefruit and lime, with a fun cherry 7-up minerality on the nose.
Taste: Make no mistake. This is a dry rosé. The fruit, however, gives a good perception of sweetness. Beautiful notes of cherries, raspberries, and cranberries with a little orange zest on the back end. A nice minerality, and good acidity, gives this wine a fresh balance that completely hides the 14.1% alcohol.
Score: Cornerstone will tell you that this a serious rosé. I agree. A solid 88.
Now, onto the food…
Mushroom, Onion, and Bell Pepper Kabobs, Marinated Portobellos, and a New York Strip
Some folks will tell you that this outdoor meal requires a big Cab, or a ripe Zin, but those folks are squares.
This is rosé weather.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your beverage of choice when you’re manning the grill? Leave a comment, and let us know.
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