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Trader Joe’s – 12.99 Under – Wine #5 – Muscadet

Trader Joe’s – 12.99 Under – Wine #5 – Muscadet

by Mary Beth Vierra | Jan 31, 2021 | Featured, Wine Regions, Wine Reviews, Food & Wine

And we’re back. The final in my series of Trader Joe’s Bargain Wine Finds. Wine #5 is a crisp, lemony white.    Do you want a MUSCADET with your freshest seafood and oysters?  Yes you do!  Especially when Trader Joe’s offers one at $7.99. When I think of high...
TRADER JOE’S – 12.99 Under- Wine #4: a Roustabout Meritage

TRADER JOE’S – 12.99 Under- Wine #4: a Roustabout Meritage

by Mary Beth Vierra | Jan 16, 2021 | Wine Reviews, Food & Wine

If you like big silky juicy fruit …AND.. a dose of drying tannins, this wine is for you.Bordeaux blends from Paso Robles can be very satisfying – with a rich, full or silky mouthfeel balanced with tannins that range from dusty-fine to firm and drying. That’s a nice...
TRADER JOE’S – 12.99 under- Intro & Wine #3: Verdejo

TRADER JOE’S – 12.99 under- Intro & Wine #3: Verdejo

by Mary Beth Vierra | Jan 8, 2021 | Wine Education, Wine Regions, Wine Reviews, Food & Wine

What can I say, this one’s a steal at just $4.49!  Check out the “wowza” snack pairing I discovered with it – might be worth a TJ run this weekend.Scroll down for my Wine #3 review As you know by now, I accepted a wine challenge – find wines...
TRADER JOE’S – 12.99 under- Wine #2- Susumaniello

TRADER JOE’S – 12.99 under- Wine #2- Susumaniello

by Mary Beth Vierra | Jan 7, 2021 | Wine Regions, Wine Reviews, Food & Wine

Let’s continue our walk down Trader Joes’ wine aisle! As I shared in Tuesday’s email, I accepted a wine challenge – find wines $12.99 & UNDER, from one wine re-seller. I chose TRADER JOE’S!  Are there any I’d recommend? I’m happy to report, of the 9 I put in my...
Trader Joe’s – 12.99 under – Wine #1: Gewürztraminer

Trader Joe’s – 12.99 under – Wine #1: Gewürztraminer

by Mary Beth Vierra | Jan 5, 2021 | Wine Education, Wine Regions, Wine Reviews

Happy New Year! 🌟I hope you rang in 2021 safely, warmly and with a glass of something good in hand (even if it wasn’t until your favorite coffee at 8am!) TJ’s Wine Finds – Good Wines Priced at a Steal!   Trade Joe’s has a wine aisle teeming with (often)...

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About Mary Beth

Crushing on..... silky pasta -- strong coffee and bright wines -- a world map -- and a good dance beat

crushcoursewine

This wine is a beauty! Smith Story Wine Cellars’ This wine is a beauty! Smith Story Wine Cellars’ @smithstorywines inaugural release of a white Rhône blend-
 Fleur Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, 2022. 
Its nose is orange blossom. Its gossamer light entry is a mineral beauty, then broadens into perfect palate weight carrying juicy green melon, citrus and a touch of sea salt. I literally swooned over it in the tasting room. Last night, enjoyed with mild Indian curry, then another glass just for sipping. 
  The blend- 50% Picpoul 50% Bourboulenc - yes!
 It will be perfection with raw seafood, oysters, salads, light pastas, and warm days… and I also suggest omelettes and eggs!  Think Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or a beautiful gift.
I recommend wholeheartedly. 
Same for Allison and Eric - the phenomenal and coolest humans behind this craft winemaking venture. The first line of their mission statement captures why: “Smith Story Wines are made with respect for the land, kindness for the grower and, love from the winemaker.” This is their north star - care and support of the people in this industry - and they carry it forward with their daily actions and choices. 
Check out the FLEUR BLANC on their website. But if you’re in the northern Sonoma area, I recommend a detour and stop for a taste of their other temptations too: 
 —their delicious, and also new, BRAVE carbonic Zinfandel(served chilled!)
 —the Cabernet Franc you’ve been dreaming of
 — and the 8th vintage release of a perennial Smith-Story favorite, their incredible Sauvignon Blanc. This vintage is stunning. 
Enjoy!
 @Alison Smith Story @Eric Story #sipsonoma #drycreekvalley #winelover #stayhealdsburg #sipwine #farmtobottle #craftwine #brightandbalanced #crushonwine #rhoneblend #whitewineblend Crush Course Wine #wineeducator @smithstorywines
I was blown away (but not surprised) by the level I was blown away (but not surprised) by the level of deliciousness, especially with the delicate fresh flavors and layered spring goodness in both the Spring Bruschetta and Ravioli ai Quattro Formaggi topped with everything spring last night at Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria. Think fresh goat cheese ricotta, green garlic, fresh peas, fava beans, asparagus, snap peas, spinach, lemon, preserved lemon, chives, and black trumpet mushrooms. Always stellar, Diavola is always on my radar for the best place to go these early months of the year for the freshest, fleeting flavors of spring. The Alto Adige Pinot Bianco from Terlan was a perfect companion to the dishes.
The 17th annual Pigs & Pinot—was the best of bot The 17th annual Pigs & Pinot—was the best of both …and running into friends and winemaker-friends and chef-friends. The 5-spice caramel spareribs by Chef Louis Tikaram for the win! 
 Pinots that called my name-- @dotwinerocks White Pinot Noir was a gorgeous welcome, @raradrinks Ra Ra PN nouveau, @tongue_dancer_wines, and @melville_winery ….
#pinotnoir #pigsandpinot #stayhealdsburg #winelove #crushonwine #wineeducator
Latergram- Started the day with @ plsthepalate All Latergram- Started the day with @ plsthepalate Allison Levine, tasting the fabulous @idlewildwines lineup and Italian cheeses with Sam. Then after a break back at my desk and quick relax, enjoyed pop in tastings at @aeris.healdsburg Wines for 1st in Cali Carricante, and @longboardwine to meet new friends (@lorilynnpr ) and tasting. Next up, an evening of #pigsandpinot 
…
#lovewine #healdsburg #stayhealdsburg #italiangrapesincalifornia #friendsinwine #wineeducator @slowwine
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Crush Course Wine is at Gravenstein Grill.

2 weeks ago

Crush Course Wine
It was a beautiful evening at the “Aromatic Whites & Rose’” walk-around tasting at the Gravenstein Grill — the first of their Summer Wine Series. I discovered some truly (truly) stellar wines and sipped new vintages of favorites, poured by their talented winemakers. Chris Sawyer knows how to throw an intimate party with all the best guests (and lovely atmosphere, delicious passed apps) to accompany the killer wines from our beautiful North Coast. I also sipped some of the most beautiful examples of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc I’ve ever enjoyed [have to call out Porter Creek Vineyards and Davis Family Vineyards (Chard) and Quivira Vineyards and Seawolf Wines (SB)]. And I think I actually teared up over the Davis Family 2013 “Gratitude”, Sara Lee’s Vineyard Lat-Harvest Viognier. Thank you Cooper Davis for sharing the story behind this nectar. Follow Chris and the Gravenstein Grill so you don’t miss the next event. So lovely. ... See MoreSee Less
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Crush Course Wine

2 weeks ago

Crush Course Wine
And it begins. Day 1 of 2.5 judging the 2023 Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition. 117 reds ahead of me just today. Sip, judge, spit. Repeat. ... See MoreSee Less
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Crush Course Wine is in California.

4 weeks ago

Crush Course Wine
A beautiful wine! Smith Story Wine Cellars’ Smith Story Wine Cellars inaugural release of a white Rhône blend- Fleur Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, 2022. Its nose is orange blossom. Its gossamer light entry is a mineral beauty, then broadens into perfect palate weight carrying juicy green melon, citrus and a touch of sea salt. I literally swooned over it in the tasting room. Last night, enjoyed with mild Indian curry, then another glass just for sipping. The blend- 50% Picpoul 50% Bourboulenc - yes! It will be perfection with raw seafood, oysters, salads, light pastas, and warm days… and I also suggest omelettes and eggs! Think Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or a beautiful gift.I recommend wholeheartedly. Same for Allison and Eric - the phenomenal and coolest humans behind this craft winemaking venture. The first line of their mission statement captures why: “Smith Story Wines are made with respect for the land, kindness for the grower and, love from the winemaker.” This is their north star - care and support of the people in this industry - and they carry it forward with their daily actions and choices. Check out the FLEUR BLANC on their website. But if you’re in the northern Sonoma area, I recommend a detour and stop for a taste of their other temptations too: —their delicious, and also new, BRAVE carbonic Zinfandel(served chilled!) —the Cabernet Franc you’ve been dreaming of — and the 8th vintage release of a perennial Smith-Story favorite, their incredible Sauvignon Blanc. This vintage is stunning. Enjoy! Allison Smith Story Eric Story #sipsonoma #drycreekvalley #winelover #stayhealdsburg #sipwine #farmtobottle #craftwine #sonomawine #brightandbalanced #crushonwine #rhoneblend #whitewineblend #wineeducator ... See MoreSee Less
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