Snoqualmie 2008 Chardonnay

Snoqualmie Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay

Snoqualmie 2008 Chardonnay

I was running (well, speedwalking anyway – safety first!) through Roth’s the other day. Julie and I were well on our way to being late to an hors d’oeurves party organized in her honor and we still had yet to make any vittles or find something to drink.

So, with my priorities clearly in mind I headed toward the refrigerator case in search of a bottle of bubbles. I almost sailed right past a wine tasting in progress! (I know! Can you believe it?)

Fortunately my years of training have left me cool-headed in such situations and I dug down deep to find the wherewithal to stop for a sip. On offer was a Malbec and a something-or-other and a $7.99 Chardonnay from Snoqualmie Vineyards. Continue reading

black-box-sauvignon-blanc

Black Box Sauvignon Blanc

black-box-sauvignon-blancAs part of their community outreach program, FoodBuzz likes to periodically buy our affections (on a strictly first come/first served basis, mind you) by giving us free stuff. This time around they reached generous new heights and sent us a box ‘o wine.

Now, before you get all judgmental and high-horsey you should know that this is actually good wine and not that nasty White Zinfandel that you started your hazy, queasy, headachy, wine-drinking career with (you know who you are). Black Box Wines has simply recognized that a bottle may not actually be the best wine delivery system ever invented and that the box – and it’s nifty internal bladder/bag thingy – just might be a vast improvement. Sure, a bottle’s got panache and all that but once it’s opened you’re pretty much committed (besides, we’ve heard that White Zin is available in a bottle too)… Continue reading

Segura Viudas Brut Cava

Segurda Viudas Brut Cava

A while back we featured another of our favorite budget-friendly sparkling wines, but lately all of our love has been going to this one from Segura Viudas. It generally runs a touch higher than the Cristalino pricewise (about $7.50 a bottle or so) but we actually like it better (the Best label we gave the Cristalino notwithstanding). We think the flavor is a little more delicate (or something) and the color is a little lighter, too. Continue reading

Backyard Picnic with White Wine Sangria & Asparagus Fritatta

A few Sundays back the weather warmed up suddenly (randomly) and Julie and Sister Amy decided that the perfect weather called for a picnic. Amy & Julie have a talent for great get-together ideas – and for cobbling together all-star menus at the last minute. This one was certainly no exception.

Amy just happened to already have a baguette and all the ingredients for an Asparagus Fritatta. Julie was the dispatched to the store for Wine, Goat Cheese and Olives. Continue reading

White Bean & White Wine Soup

tuscan-white-bean-soup

This recipe was originally stolen from Sister Amy who over the last few years has blossomed into a seriously top-notch cook. The Tuscan White Bean Soup she made was fabulous, and it was actually the vehicle for our first Garlic Crostini (which we should probably credit her for, too).

However, since we’ve never learned to leave well enough alone we, of course, tweaked it a little. Continue reading