Cuvee de Pena

Hello Wine Lovers!
I know you are going to find this very hard to believe... but I just finished a 30 day sabbatical with no alcohol! You're asking yourself, why would anyone want to do that? Good point! But the point was simply to make sure I could, to reassure myself that I was the one in control. At the end of it all, I discovered I was the one in control, but I also discovered how much I miss a glass of wine with food. I ate the same things, cooked some wonderful meals, shared exquisite meals with my lovely Bride,food just didn't taste the same to me without wine... period! Which leads me to another issue, the hangover. In all my years of partaking in the grape, I have rarely been hungover. I am about to share my secret...H20. A simple, yet very important, key to not feeling like crap in the morning. I don't know bout you but for me, I don't have the time to feel like crap anytime, let alone in the morning!
I had a "light bulb" moment in Italy a good number of years ago. I am in Florence having dinner with friends that lived there and I could not help but notice how much wine they consumed. I consumed approximately the same amount but could barely function the next day when the Italians got up early and went to work as if nothing crossed their lips! So, the next evening, we are out to dinner again, (I was recovered by dinner time) and I asked my friends what their secret was. Their answer was as basic as it could be... drink the same amount of water as you do wine and you will be fine. Of course I'm thinking they're crazy and they just don't want to share their little secret, but I figured what did I have to lose. That particular evening I drank a glass of water between every glass of wine I consumed. And guess what? I awoke pain free! I am here to tell you, I have not been "bit by the dog" since that fateful night! Just for the fun of it I googled "hangover" and next is what I found:•The ethanol contained in alcoholic beverages has a dehydrating effect which causes headaches, dry mouth and tiredness. This effect can be lessened by drinking plenty of water before and throughout your night of drinking. I rest my case.
Now on to the wine. Cuvee de Pena, 2009 Vin de Pays, from the small village Cases de Pena in the Roussillon region in Southern France. This wine is made up if 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Carignan and sells for $8.99 at the Wine Discount Center. It is imported by Hand Selections whom have a great reputation for importing great value wines from France for under $10. This one is no exception! You will find this wine to be medium-bodied with black cherries, spice and a slightly smoky note on the finish. It has enough tannins to say it is serious and yet has a nice smooth silky finish. I believe you will find this wine to be a remarkable value.

Cheers!
J

Domaine de Fenouillet Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2009

Hello Wine Lovers!
It's here, the largest spectacle in the world... The Super Bowl! So get in the kitchen and make yourself really good food, get your favorite beverage chilled, get ready, and go watch it! Make it an event! And why not! Too many of us don't take the time to really enjoy life, take the time to smell things, touch things, enjoy what this great big beautiful world has to offer, and most of all, take the time to really taste things. Food and wine most notably!
I went to dinner last night with my lovely Bride, and as I put the first bite of a lamb croquette in my mouth, it hit me... most people don't really TASTE. The first bite made my knees weak, I mean this little morsel that the Chef and his crew made was amazing! I like to eat food that excites me, makes me yearn for more, makes me damn glad I am alive! As the dinner progressed, I became more and more enthralled by the whole experience, I mean this was really good food prepared with really fresh ingredients and the most important ingredient... love! The Chef and his crew love what they do! So, that leads me to my entry today. Let's cover the win first,Domaine de Fenouillet Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2009. Imported by Neal Rosenthal, Domaine de
Fenouillet is an astounding producer. This wine is their entry level Vin de Pays.
It's a blend of Grenache and Syrah with a touch of Mourvedre. Well balanced with a rich texture and a modest 13% alcohol. The flavors are classic southern Rhone;
smoky with dried herbs, bright fresh red fruit, hints of pepper and a nice finish. Much more character than you'll normally find for a $10 wine! This wine is available at the Wine Discount Center and I would hurry up and get it before it sells out!
Now let's talk about taste, more particularly, how we taste. The tongue is covered with small bumps, or "taste buds", that are grouped together in areas with different functions. These taste buds react to simple tastes and pass messages on to the brain.
Taste buds on the tip of the tongue detect sweet tastes, and those at the back of the tongue detect bitter tastes, the side of the tongue measure sour and salty tastes. The tastes of any food or wine is a combination of these four basic tastes.
It is the brain which processes the information and tells us what is actually in our mouths. We each have approximately 10,000 taste buds on our tongues. Hot foods tend to taste better because the heat causes more of the pleasant smells to rise into the nose, as the aroma of a glass of wine. These abundant smells contribute to the total taste of what is in your mouth. Now, just as important to taste as the taste buds, is your ability to slow down and move the food/wine/whatever, around your mouth. Close your eyes and REALLY taste. Start with your eyes, look at the colors, the shapes, the size, then smell, take a bite or drink, move it around your mouth, chew slowly, and swallow slowly. Allow your senses to pay attention to texture and flavors, relax and savour the moment. Don't eat / drink out of necessity, eat / drink for the experience!

Cheers!
J