Can you believe the Holiday Season is upon us again? It seems like just last week I was sweating my arse off, counting down the months until the intense heat would pass. Now, just a week after Thanksgiving and I’m sitting here wearing shorts and t-shirt again. I’m not complaining, I love my shorts and t-shirts and at least now I know it’s just a few days of 70 degree weather and soon we’ll be back to chilly nights of sipping wine by the fire.

Fall was beautiful but we held onto the heat a little too long. Not to mention all of the smoke in the air due to the number of forest fires burning in the area. Now we’ve had some cool evenings and have had a few nights with a lovely fire. The house is decorated, the tree adorned with my childhood ornaments along with the hundreds I’ve purchased as an adult and the front porch is hung with wreaths and Christmas lights.

We all know I love wine but there’s something special about those twinkling lights, Christmas music and cooler air that makes it more divine. Last night I opened a bottle of Apothic Crush Smooth Red Blend, 2014 CA.

Chocolate, red berry and a hint of leather on the nose. Lush black berry jam, black plum and a long spicy finish. I found mine at a wine & liquor shop for under $8.

I’m a huge fan of the Apothic wine line. Affordable, easy drinking and widely carried, but I’m not sure I’ve ever covered any of the Apothic wines.

Below is taken from the Apothic website.
Inspired by “Apotheca,” a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in 13th century Europe, the wines of Apothic are truly unique in style and taste.
Our winemaker, Debbie Juergenson, crafts bold, captivating Apothic blends by using only the most distinctive California grapes. From vintage to vintage, the character and flavor of the individual varietals guide the shape of each blend.
To craft Apothic wines, Debbie looks for a unique blend of grapes to create intense aromas and bold flavors. Each vintage, she lets the grapes guide the way from the vine to the cellar, crafting a collection of unforgettable wines, including Apothic Red, White, Dark, Crush and a limited selection of seasonal releases.
“I strive to tell a story with each blend of Apothic,” Debbie explains. “Whether it’s one of drama, intrigue or romance, the wines of Apothic are truly original.”

Due to the Fair Labor Standards Act that goes into effect today, I’ll no longer be working through my lunch. That means, more time to write and I can get this blog back on track. Yippee!

So, stay tuned, I promise there will be more regular postings. I’m hoping to get back to a weekly post, but will not make promises on that one just yet.

Next week, I’ll be reviewing one of my favorite sparkling wines, just in time for all the holiday hoopla!