DISCOUNT WINE CELLARS

There was a bottle lined-up with the other Californian offerings at the store, and I thought I had heard of it somewhere before. Chablis. The name resonated way back to my pre-wine consciousness. Why was that name so familiar? I don't recall every tasting any. Then I read-up on the wine I was planning to drink, discovering that 'chablis' has long been synonymous with 'white wine'. I must have heard reference made to chablis in movies, on television, and at my parents' parties. Now often associated with cheap wine, its value has deteriorated over the years. Actually, my choice was very cheap which was why I bought it.
According to Jordan Mackay this is unfortunate and ironic since Chablis comes from the Burgundy region of France. That is, one of the most famous wine regions in the world, known for producing high-quality products, bottles suitable for the wine cellar. Moreover, chablis is actually chardonnay. The only differences are that chablis is bottled without oak, and usually misses the tropical qualities of a chardonnay which would likely be produced in a hotter climate. Without oak, vanilla, toast, and spice or also supposedly gone. Instead, chablis relies on the flavors of the grape itself: green apple, lemon and pear. Sounds alright to me. I don't mind the sound of mineral undertones either, but the grainy texture I'm expected to experience does nothing to excite me.
Then again, the bottle in front of me is from California, which is where we get so much of that tropical, fruity, oaky chardonnay. Perhaps it isn't best to have any expectations. I'll just drink and enjoy.

Labels: Burgundy, California, chablis, Chardonnay, cheap wine, Discount Wine Cellars, France, wine cellar, wine cellars

Everyone I've ever spoken to about New Zealand either really wants to go or has been and thinks it's fabulous. I'm very curious about this country, birth place of my favorite singer-songwriter Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House). There are also a lot of very good wines coming out of New Zealand. You could taste some of these if you went to New Zealand for the Kia Motors Devonport Food and Music Festival, February 20th and 21st at Windsor Reserve, Devonport, Auckland. This is a fundraiser for their branch of the Rotary Club. Tickets cost $30 per/person, $55 per/family. That's NZ money, of course, so what that means in the northern hemisphere I have no idea.
Fifteen of the top New Zealand wineries will be at this event. I wondered as I read this: 'what are the top wineries in New Zealand?' It's hard to even know what is meant by the word 'top': top-selling? Award winning? I looked for some New Zealand wines and found a few award-winners.
'Melton Estate' produces under this name and also 'Front Row'. This is a boutique vineyard making sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, riesling and chardonnay. 'Waitiri Creek' offers a similar array of wines, as does 'Gibbston Valley'.
Matua Valley Winery is another award winning boutique winery offering the same range of wines as above, plus a few others such as viognier, merlot, and gewurztraminer. They have quite a selection to peruse.
I would go to New Zealand to thicken my CD collection, my wine cellar, and to experience all the rest of that beautiful country's charms. I know what my husband would say: 'if you want to us to be able to afford a trip to New Zealand, you'd better write faster.'

Labels: 63 bottle wine cellar, Chardonnay, Discount Wine Cellars, New Zealand, wine cellars

Not long ago I began commentary on the race between 'Booze Monkey' of Australia and America's 'Palate Press' who are racing to see who could raise more money for Haiti through their respective wine auctions. Their efforts are going strong, and I am seeing more regular movement in the bidding again. I'm pretty sure that Palate Press is ahead of Booze Monkey; then again, Palate Press started first and Booze Monkey has finite deadlines rather than creating 'hot lots' after an item hasn't had action for 24 hours. Urgency spurs actions, I say, whether physical or financial.
Items that have enjoyed frequent friendly bidding have included the Cakebread Cellars mixed case, valued at $536. This case includes Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfadel. The current bid is $400. Lot 29, Fox Run Vineyards Mixed Case valued at $160, looks like it might go for $150. A Zugibe Vineyards case of 2007 Riesling (yum) could go for it's retail value: $195.
Booze Monkey isn't seeing as much action as Palate Press, but their catalogue has grown from 5 pages to 7. If bidding stopped right now, bidders would get some wonderful deals. Penfold's Grange Shiraz Magnum 2004, signed by winemaker Peter Gago, is worth $2000. Right now the bid has moved from a recent $960 to $1010 (Australian Dollar). A Castagna Mixed Dozen worth $789 might be sold for $370. Dogpoint Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007, 12 bottles worth $500, has seen a bit of action: $230 has gone up to $240.
What I have to remind myself as I see valuable wine and related items graciously donated from the cellars of generous men and women almost being given away is that this money will all go to Haiti. The attitude of organizers and donors is that whatever they get will be thankfully received.
Still, I hope that the value of many of the lots on offer will inspire the public to bid high and from the heart. Wow, that sounds really sappy.
Just hand over your *&%#$ money. No, too Bob Geldof. Not me at all.
Please tell everyone you know about these auctions which combine fun with fundraising in a community that appreciates what is on the block. Or should I say, on the wine rack?

Labels: 6 bottle instant wine cellar, Australia, big bottle wine cellars, Chardonnay, Discount Wine Cellars, Haiti relief, Riesling, United States, wine charity, wood wine racks

The 2010 Winter Olympics are very nearly here, after four years of planning and mounting excitement in BC. The Olympic flame is going to come through our little city of Salmon Arm, carried by Roy Sakaki, former principal of my daughters' elementary school. Roy Sakaki is a guy so well known and liked around here that the regular task of shopping or taking out a library book takes him forever, what with all of the conversations he has to have with people he knows (or who know him) along the way. And he remembers everyone too! Plus, he both plays hockey and is deeply involved in the sport here. He is the right person to carry the flame through Salmon Arm.
Who else represents the Olympics in BC? Lots of companies are sponsoring the Olympics and Olympians in one way or another, big fast food chains for example. I won't name names. The commercials are getting boring, though they are introducing me to some of the faces we hope to see on the podium in just a matter of weeks now.
Among those companies which are supporting The Olympics, Paralympics and Canadian Olympic athletes is Jackson-Triggs. You may remember them from the Malbec I so enjoyed. Part proceeds of their 'Esprit' series of wines will go towards this cause. Wines of the 'Esprit Series' include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Merlot (a very nice wine by the way), and Merlot. So, any Canadian wine drinkers out there, take note: you can fill your wine rack and support the Olympics at the same time.
I know you picture yourself gracing the snow-frosted mountains with your stylin' form, on skiis, snowboard: you don't care. It's only a dream. If there was a medal for most diverse selection of wines on a wine rack well: you'd be a shoe-in. At least, when you sip your wine while watching the Games from your couch, you can feel like you're making a difference.

Labels: 20 bottle classic wine rack, 48 bottle wine cellar, Airplane Travel Wine Charms, cabernet sauvignon, Chardonnay, Discount Wine Cellars, Jackson-Triggs, merlot, Olympics, Sauvignon Blanc

Finally, it's time for an exciting Discount Wine Cellars vino review. I know you've been waiting there patiently near the wine coffee table, twiddling your thumbs. Well, twiddle no more!!

Labels: carbon emissions, Chardonnay, chenin blanc, custom design cellar, custom wine cellar, custom wine charms, dress for success, gewurztraminer, middle sister wine, offsetting carbon

You heard me, a wine bottle opener is needed here immediately.  No pity, eh?  I don't blame you.  I should be more prepared for this journey into inexpensive wine land.  The wine tasting table is ready, the first sample of Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio "Pasta Wine" is ready--but there's no bottle opener!  I'm guessing the old one ended up in the wrong drawer, meaning not even a drawer at all.  It's possible the darn thing rapidly evolved into a robotic opener that can walk on four legs and disappear into another dimension.  So, it's Discount Wine Cellars to the rescue with a new order of a wall mount opener so it won't have the opportunity to traipse off again.  While waiting for the delivery, I'll be committing sin by drinking box wine.  No worries, my wine racks will forgive me as soon as I start stacking vinos for my tastings!

Labels: Chardonnay, Discount Wine Cellars, Pinot Grigio, wall mount opener, wine, wine bottle opener, wine racks, wine tasting table