The Inebriant Grape

Hey Mambo

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Mon, 1 Oct 2007 20:07:00 -0500

Hey Mambo Bistro Style Wine. What Bistro? Nice beginning and yucky finish. The discriminating pallet of my cousin and myself decided never to buy this stuff again. It was nicely followed up with a dirty martini courtesy of my fantastic neighbors. Thanks for saving the day guys! Paired with enough food varietys to feed four and have leftovers. Cousin - send me the salad recipe!

International Wine - Thanks Z!

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:06:00 -0500

How to acquire international wines:

Step 1. Work for cool people who travel internationally
Step 2. When they ask you if they can bring anything back from abroad tell them nothing at all. Then drop the hint that you LOVE red wine.
Step 3. Reserve said bottles to share with your best friend.

I reserved both bottles to share with my very best friend, my cousin. She referred to the 1st bottle we opened as "the demon" (a reference to the wording on the label...all foreign). She said "the demon" was the same quality, if not better, than the Folio wine which she picked up in Florida. Hey, if you've had Folio then you know what I mean. If not - you need to.

The cool person who traveled internationally said:

You are very welcome. Thank you for everything as well. I am glad to know that you liked the wines, I was a little nervous as I am very unsure of my wine tasting and selection ability.

I didn’t get them in the same location. I purchased one in Germany right outside of Heidelberg where Jennifer grew up, and the other I found in a small little wine shop in Venice . I actually killed a bottle of the Chianti in Venice , and I liked it a lot. I figured that one was pretty good so I went back to the store and purchased another one to bring it home for you.

I actually miss that little shop in Venice – even though Venice during the day was hot and miserable during the night it was cool, relaxing and quite romantic. Sitting at a restaurant drinking a bottle of wine was quite relaxing.

---------------------

Can I just say that knowing the coolest people on earth really rocks my wine glass?

Este

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:44:00 -0500

Este De Bodegas Alto Almanzora 2004. Red table wine. Product of Spain. Wow! Good job Ok so I didn't use a glass. Just kidding! Says it's an Eric Solomon - European Cellars Selection. That should sound a little familiar. But more importantly, is that a cow on the label? A goat? A Fictitious animal? I am munching on hot wasabi peas. With or without the peas though...this wine is way beyond five stars. $7.99. You can't beat that unless you have a baseball bat and you really want to. But why would you want to do that to your wine?

Yauquen

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 19:17:00 -0500

Yauquen Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec 2004. From the label: "Accoriding to mapuche tradition, "Yauquen" is the ritual of sharing a drink." Are they nuts? I'm glad they shared it with me. But if they meant that I should share this bottle of wine with someone - well they're just plain crazy. It was a bit zippy at first. But very good. I paired it with a cheese, that had it been saltier, the combination would have been perfect. Three and a half stars. But because I didn't share it - five stars. Cheers!

Redwood Creek

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 19:05:00 -0500

Redwood Creek California Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. Most likely you will find yourself drowning the taste of this wine with a salty cheese, a pretzel, or even a toothbrush. You really shouldn't bother with this one - even though it is under $10. The only good thing to come out of this wine was the cork. Why? Because it's a cutesy "portable ruler". I know a few guys that wouldn't appreciate it. It's ...well....bigger.
Taste: no stars.
Humor: Well, because of a certain man I know: 5 stars.

Jacob's Creek

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:04:00 -0500

Jacob's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage 2005? How is it vintage already? I paired this wine with a tomato basil tortillia, tofurkey, mexi cheese and parsley. Then I nuked that. On the side we have pickled garlic and parmesan cut from a wedge. Truely outstanding with or without the food. Yay on the stars!

Cellar No 8

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 19:05:00 -0500

Cellar No 8 Cabernet Sauvignon California 2004. I don't usually dig on the Cali wines. This one, however, is worth purchasing again. The label is classy. The taste is classy. "Cellar No 8 is a great discovery which might just become your next tradition." I think they're right. Thanks Cali!(finally!)

Kondor

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:55:00 -0500

Kondor Cabernent Sauvingnon - Mendoza Argentina 2003. Spiffy label eh? This was on sale for $3 a bottle. It was really damn good. Funny thing though, the corks wouldn't come out. They had to be pushed into the bottle almost every time. I think 3 out of 5 times. Yes we shared that many. Pushing the cork in alone -2 stars. Pushing it in with your best friend and laughing your ass off +5 stars.

Bueno!

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Sun, 8 Jul 2007 14:55:00 -0500

Bueno! In every sense of the word. On a Sunday afternoon when you find that your live in chef is falling in love and that you could you could use a study break, you should open a bottle of Bueno! You'll buy it because it says Malbec. You'll enjoy the company because you'll argue about who has the better wine; Argentina or Australia. Snack all day. It really doesn't matter what you eat with this wine. However, it's best paired with a homemade bread that turns out - well - it has a bad middle. Mendoza, Argentina; good job. Bueno y gracias. 12 stars. Chef and I needed it (peppers and chocolate. who knew?!)

Altos Las Hormigas

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:27:00 -0500

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec 2006 Mendoza Argetina. Today the amazing chef paired this wine with what she describes as boring. "Basic penne pasta with a really simple marinara sauce, ceasar salad, food for the sake of sustainable food, ya gotta eat, I was craving pasta. But I always use fresh stuff...fresh ingredients. " Her words. She didn't want me to quote her. She thinks the wine would be better paired with seafood. Like I care. The wine has a zipper effect on the tongue at first. By the second glass that fades. The wine is good. I have to go. She just handed me some Havarti on a toasty piece of bread....I'm out! Ten stars. (duh) Oh and put your pj's on!

Alba Liza

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:38:00 -0500

Tikalo Alba Liza Tempranillo Granache blend. A european wine. Served with pan seared tilapia with a spicy plum pico de gallo, and strawberry parmsean couscous. Go ahead and ask me why it was served with this. Nevermind, I can no longer stand the suspense...I've hired a live in chef. Thanks, Chef!!! The wine was 10 stars and the food was fabuloso! If you're bored visit here.

Mattie's Perch

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Sat, 9 Jun 2007 12:03:00 -0500

Mattie's Perch South Eastern Australia Cabernet Shiraz. The label says, "Dinky-di!". I have no idea what this means. There is also a very cute koala bear on the label. If you want to see it then click here. Oh ok...I just read the label. Apparently, dinky-di, means "the real thing". WHATEVER! Australia!!!? Why do you fail me so? Yuck, yuck, yuck!!! This wine rates negative on the star scale. EW! I don't know what else to say....I'm sad now and I need a Kleenex.

Lindemans

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Fri, 8 Jun 2007 16:37:00 -0500

Lindemans Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvingnon South Eastern Australia 2006. This is a smooth and beautiful red for around $10. I paired it with shrimp, baby spinach and feta. Get it because it looks expensive and tastes expensive. Five stars. (my new crappy camera phone)

Barton & Guestier

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Thu, 3 May 2007 20:15:00 -0500

Barton & Guestier Merlot 2004. I told her that you couldn't mess up purchasing Merlot. I was right. Thanks for the bottle LV. It was good. Tiny, but bright, stars.

Da Vinci

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Sat, 7 Apr 2007 18:59:00 -0500

Da Vinci 2005 Toscana Chianti. Jesse, thank you!!! This is a fantastic product of Italy. Paired well with Jesse and her friends at my dining room table. 10 stars. My first Chianti. No fava beans........

Thorntree

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Sat, 7 Apr 2007 18:50:00 -0500

Thorntree. South African merlot 20o3. From the beautiful label:

The "umbrellas" of the veld, starkly sihouetted against the breathtakingly beautiful African susnet, is a memory etched in the mind of many a traveller. The Umbrella Thorn (Acacia Tortillis - from the Greek word "acantha" meaning thorn) provides shade and shelter to both man and beast, all year round.

The words are beautiful. The wine is beautiful. $8.99. A bazillion stars.

Cousin,

The glass in the photo is the one I bought for you.

Trader Joe's

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Sat, 7 Apr 2007 18:47:00 -0500

Trader Joe's. From Bronco Wine Company. Charles Shaw Blend. Cabernet Sauvignon. $2.99. Did you see that? $2.99!!!! As a first bottle it rocks at $2.99! How did you know I would say $2.99 again? People all over Atlanta are flocking to Kroger for the $2.99 KILLER WINE. Go get your own. Enough stars for $2.99.

Il Bastardo

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:47:00 -0500

Il Bastardo Sangiovese - Rosso di Toscana - Indicazione Geografica Tipica 2005. Red Wine. Product of Italy. Bottled by RM - Rufina - Italy. Mine was imported by HB Wine Merchants of NY, NY. Thanks New York. I adore you. Someone please refer to my previous post regarding Fat Bastard. Because the similarities here are insane. Except that Italy knows what "zing" means. Amazing!

Hogue

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:14:00 -0500

Cabernet Merlot, Columbia Valley 2003. Make sure that your brand new wine opener is not broken. Then make sure that this is not your first bottle. If it is, use it to cook your food. I cooked and paired it with scallops, shrimp and onions that I sauteed in the wine - drained - and added heavy amounts of butter. If you really want to enjoy the wine with the food - add red pepper flakes to your food. I hope that Hogue Cellars has something better to offer. 2.5 stars. Get your own seafood.

Smoking Loon

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:09:00 -0500

Smoking Loon 2005 Cabernet Sauvingnon. Very worth it. Find it on sale...or not. The tapestry on the label is calming. I want a print for my living room. Synthetic cork. Serve it with any cheese. Please do visit their site. If for nothing else, do it for the man in the photo who we hope is a transman. If you know me, you know why I say this. Anyway, don't forget cheese with this one. Why? Because I'm about to start blogging my cheese. That's right. I'm a snob. I won't ruin the surprise of the tapestry on the label for you. Go find your own bottle. 5 stars.

Fat Bastard

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:39:00 -0500

Thierry and Guy, Limited Release, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. Whoa Nelly! This has got to be liquid gold. Cousin had to go pop a cork on it too! Visit their site and get gear, join the fan club and find out about events. Hell, they even have an "on air" radio. Enjoy. All the stars.

Yellow Tail

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Sun, 4 Mar 2007 12:03:00 -0500

The Reserve 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. Esta bien! She likes yellow tail.......that's why I got it. Many stars. Visit them here.

Folio

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 20:55:00 -0500

This is a "ride or die" wine. If you're special to me, you will know what that means. Montepulciano D'abruzzo. Ask for this italian wine at any vendor. See if they will import it. The 2005 is unsurpassed. Unlimited stars. You may visit them here.

Paringa

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:22:00 -0500

get yourself some

Fifth Leg

Your (optional) podcast author email address (theinebriantgrape) — Sun, 7 Jan 2007 10:48:00 -0500

Fifth Leg is brought to you by Devil's Lair.
Cabernet. Australian. Perfect.
I strongly urge you to visit their superb site.
Dinner at the Atlanta Fish Market.
We will absolutely return.
A show at the Fox Theatre. Excellent.
Cocktails with friends at Blakes on the Park. Good times.