These tags were the creation of two mothers of young children who wanted to do something creative with something they both loved, wine. Go to popptags.com to read their story and see all the witty tags. These cards say a lot about the gift giver and receiver. The giver has gone an extra step to show the person that they want the gift to be memorable, and the receiver knows that they are truly thought of in a very special way. I think wine people are passionate not only about wine, but also about life. We enjoy what I call the “wine lifestyle”, great friends, family, food, and wine. Many oenophiles include wine related items as a part of their décor that melds into their lifestyle and mirrors how they entertain. I must admit I fall into that category and would not have it any other way!
I also like the fact these tags can be personalized. I thought of a few lines and shared them with the ladies of Popptags.

“Real men drink pink!”
“Don’t whine, drink wine.” Okay, I just made this one up, but the first line is legitimate.

My final words would be, to make these tags a part of a gift and please give a nice bottle of wine. Nice does not have to be expensive, just a great tasting bottle of wine. Think about the person and what varietals they like; not what you like. If you are unsure ask a wine merchant about a popular wine the store sells, after describing your recipients flavor affinities or “likes” in the wines he or she drinks. I guess it is the “thoughtfulness” that counts; I think that is why I like these tags.

Lorrie LeBeaux writes Life’s Little Luxuries Newsletter @ lifeslittleluxuriesnewsletter.com

“when the amount in the glass decreases, a constant amount is poured from the tank into the glass.
never overflowing from the glass because of air pressure and water pressure.”

[Kyouei Design via Dornob]

I got an opportunity to sample their wines; so, I would like to share with you my tasting experience.

Jazz Cellars Viognier 2007 Catie’s Corner Vineyard Russian River Valley
This Viognier was a pleasant surprise! Most Viognier wines have more residual sugar than I tend to like in a white wine. This wine was more like a sister to Sauvignon Blanc, still maintaining the characteristics of Viognier. Lots of floral notes and grassiness on the nose, with tropical fruit on the palate with a lively acidity on the finish best describes this lovely white wine. I could see this wine easily paired with shellfish and grilled fish. My personal pairing would be a crab cake with a wonderful creamy spicy sauce.

Jazz Cellars 2007 Zinfandel Sonoma County
This Zinfandel has the fruit forward flavors of blackberries and hints of blueberries, plums, and cocoa. I loved it! It was so easy to sip. I just wanted to taste and taste, well you get the picture. This wine pairs well with pork or any meats on your grill. Zinfandel, and especially one filled with fruit always taste good with BB-Q sauce; especially a sauce with honey, spice and smoke.

Jazz Cellars Syrah 2006 Las Madres Vineyard Carneros
This wine has that great Carneros fruit that wine lovers love! Flavors of dark fruit, cocoa, pepper and vanilla is integrated in this wine with medium tannins. I must admit, that I love Syrah! I opened this wine and sampled it alone, then with my Sunday dinner of pot roast with chopped sage and rosemary as the “leading stars” in my gravy. Sage has always been my “go to” herb when pairing Syrah; Rosemary has been my “go to” herb with beef. So, I decided to “mix it up” while cooking my pot roast. The result was a tender roast, with wonderful gravy. The Syrah made the meal a perfect pairing.

Jazz Cellars 2006 Petite Sirah Eaglepoint Ranch Medocino
Petite Sirah is petite in “name only.” This varietal is not for the faint red wine drinkers. I like Petite Sirah. It is a great wine for a big juicy porter house steak or rib-eye steak that has a little fat to make the steak flavorful and to compliment the firm tannins of a big red wine, like this Jazz Cellars 2006 Petite Sirah. The Petite Sirah is dark, inky, and has a nose of dark fruit, smoke and vanilla spice. The palate has notes of dark fruit, spice, coffee and hints of lead, which I think represents the tannins. This wine benefits from decanting about a half hour or so before serving. Now, if one wanted to serve a gourmet burger with a hint of blue cheese in the middle of the burger or melted on top; I would call this a “fabulous –casual” pairing.

In closing, I know that we are in a tough economy right now and our purse strings may be held a little tight. But, we have to treat ourselves at least once in a while. In New Orleans we have a saying, “Don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself!” I think that is what makes us “go on” and have faith to believe, “The best is yet to come!”

Lorrie LeBeaux writes Life’s Little Luxuries Newsletter @ lifeslittleluxuriesnewsletter.com

When my guest entered, they loved the candlelight, their first sip of bubbly and the music. I was asked by several of my guest what artist was playing, I replied, “Why my high school classmate Lance Ellis.” They noted after the party how the music helped make the evening a success.  Lance is a Jazz Saxophonist and a wine lover.  So, naturally we have a kinship that all Oenophiles have; the love of wine.

Women have such hectic lives; we are wives, mothers, entrepreneurs, employees, and good friends to our closest and dearest friends. All those jobs can leave us wanting to have a little relaxing “down-time.”  This CD and a glass of Country Roads Wine will do the trick! Not only is this pairing great for your own little piece of heaven, but for your fellow sisters who need a little slice of heaven as well. Now, try this pairing and tell me that wine can’t be paired with music!

I received a bottle of Country Roads Tempranillo from Deborah Brenner with a wonderful inscription that touched my heart and my spirit. I am still trying to figure out the perfect pairing. But, I know one thing I’ll be listing to track number nine, Voodoo Love when I take my first sip!

So go to the wine shop at www.womenofthevine.com and www.lanceellis.com and try my pairing. After listing to Voodoo Love, you’ll be under the spell of Lance Ellis’s music and ordering another bottle or two, three, four; well you get my point of Country Roads Wine.  You also will have a little piece of New Orleans, because Lance is from New Orleans, trying to rebuild his life and the spirit of New Orleans. I do my part of keeping the spirit of New Orleans alive through my writing, my recipes and entertaining style.

Lorrie LeBeaux writes Life’s Little Luxuries Newsletter @ lifeslittleluxuriesnewsletters.com

Upon opening the bottle I was greeted with light aromas of black berries and currents. I poured the first glass and took notice to the deep, dark color that is typical of a classic Petite Sirah. I gave a few swirls. Notes of black berries, cherries and currants were basically over flowing out of the glass. On the palate were jammy black fruit components along with notes of prunes, pepper, oak, and a hint of vanilla. It had a well balanced, full body mouth feel, with a good long finish.

I believe this has become a new favorite of mine, for both its price and its quality.  Its the kind of wine you keep on hand and bring out when your just hanging out with friends, or you just want a nice wine to enjoy with out breaking the bank or taking from your collection.

[$13.09 / WS 88pts.]

Lorrie LeBeaux writes Life’s Little Luxuries Newsletter @ lifeslittleluxuriesnewsletters.com

This light crisp white wine has one of the most aromatic noses I’ve ever smelled in a Sauvignon Blanc. You smell pear, melon and other citrus notes.The finish has the expected mineral and grassiness of a Sauvignon Blanc, but it does not overpower the fruit.

I love this wine alone or with a salad topped with grilled chicken, Manchego cheese, croutons and Ken’s Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. The wine cuts through the richness of the dressing and cheese to create a delightful meal. This wine would also be great with fried fish or grilled fish with a cream sauce. The wine retails for $15.00 and can be purchased at www.rodneystrong.com.  Most wine retailers will have this wine available in their stores.

Lorrie LeBeaux writes Life’s Little Luxuries Newsletter @ lifeslittleluxuriesnewsletters.com

For a Tastier Wine, the Next Trick Involves …

I recently picked up a bottle of MontGras Reserva Carmenère 2007. I had heard good things about it (Robert Parker gave it 90pts) and decided this would be a good choice, and at $12, a great value too.

Upon opening the wine, the nose was very tight. I could not make much of the aromas within the glass. However, after letting it sit for a bit, about 30 minutes, it slowly began to open up. I was able to get light aromas of black fruit, cherries and hints of herbs. It had a nice medium-bodied mouth feel, with flavors of black fruits, cherries, plums, peppers and a hint of vanilla on the finish.

I let about half a bottle sit over night – what a difference that made. The flavors were much more intense. I wouldn’t say the flavors changed in regards to “what” I tasted, but the flavors that I had tasted the night before definitely become more pronounced and more defined.

I would suggest that if you pick this up, make sure you decant it for a couple of hours before serving to your guest or enjoying with your dinner.

[$12 / WE 90pts.]