Wine Chicks Guide

Eden Ridge Chardonnay and Eden Ridge Red Blend

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Kellie Stargaard

I swear it’s been July for at least four weeks now! At least it’s felt like July or maybe even August. On Saturday my area hit 98 degrees. It’s not supposed to be that hot, not yet! I also learned this past weekend that Liquid Nails melts in high temps. My latest garden art project was holding fine earlier in the week but on Sunday fell apart. All the glue had melted.

We did however get a break two weeks ago; well I guess it depends on how you look at that break. Friday night just before bed, I thought either I’m getting the wine sweats or the AC isn’t working. Sure enough, just warm air coming out of the vents. Next day we realized the fan in the outside unit wasn’t turning. We were able to “kick start” it a few times but this was futile. Every time the air kicked off, we had to go “kick start” it again, until finally even that didn’t work.

Two lucky things happened here. One, is my husband is amazing around the house and after doing some research and a few You Tube videos came to the conclusion it was the capacitor, which I will here out refer to as the flux capacitor! Well, turns out it’s a $16 part which can be ordered off Amazon with free two-day delivery. The other lucky break, a drop in temps and humidity which allowed us to leave the windows open and not swelter until the part arrived.

Since then, we’ve been confined to doing our wine drinking in the nice air conditioned living room. But that’s ok, the wine is good and so is the company.

Some recent wine samples I received include Eden Ridge 2013 Chardonnay Barrel Select and Eden Ridge 2013 Red Blend

Eden Ridge 2013 Chardonnay Barrel Select
Aromas of apple and tropical fruits. First sip was a little buttery but more like creamy butterscotch, then a semi sweet lychee fruit flavor rounded out by peach and pineapple. SRP – under $11.
We were able to enjoy this wine on the porch during are cooler temps. It was nice to look at the process the gardens have taken and watch my Dollar Tree pinwheels spin in the breeze.

Eden Ridge 2013 Red Blend Barrel Select
Plum and blackberry aromas. Juicy ripe strawberry and blackberry flavors. Finish is a hint of vanilla and spice.
Easy sipping after the hottest day of the year as we reached 98. We spent the morning at New Echota, the first Cherokee National Capital. If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend. It’s not expensive and has a lot of historical buildings and information.

Well folks, Fourth of July is just around the corner. Grab some burgers, hot dogs, apple pie and watermelon. And don’t forget the wine!

Cheers!

Peace, Love and Light

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Kellie Stargaard

I did have a post prepared for this week but in light of the tragedy in Orlando, I’m left wondering what happened to the innocence we once enjoyed in our country. It has been years since I’ve felt that security that nothing could break us but I remember it well as a kid.

Wearing red, white and blue on July 4^th, eating rocket pops, swallowing a watermelon seed and wondering if a watermelon would grow in my stomach, playing outside until the street lights came on, going to the playground without parents, riding bikes up to the local mall, slumber parties, Friday nights at pizza parlors, these are the childhood experiences that make me happy.

I’ve really had a chance to stop and think about all the little things that make us whole and happy.

For example, yesterday as I looked at the flower garden my husband and I spent so much time on, not to mention money. Labored over for six weekends and still putting in time. I was just beginning to think we were doomed, that we just don’t get enough sun light, I put the seeds and bulbs in the ground too late, etc. All that work and not a single flower blooming. But today, I walked through the garden and saw one Morning Glory, walking further on, I saw one small bud on one of my Cosmos, then another small bud on a mystery stem. And I thought, maybe there’s hope yet.

Now my story can’t compare with heart breaking stories, the loss of a loved one or traumatic event but it’s these small things that make up our lives. We’re not just one faceted beings, there are things that shape us almost every day. The decision to hold the door for a total stranger, even when they’re several feet away (what is the appropriate amount of feet from the door that justifies holding it for others anyway?), the stranger in front of us struggling to pay for all of their groceries so you offer to help or the decision to try to stop in time from hitting the squirrel that ran out in front of your car.

Each day, the way we interact with others, family, friends, co-workers, even strangers, creates little chinks in time that make up our day and ultimately our lives.

Today, three of the victim’s funerals are being held in the Orlando area and there are groups moving in to riot and create nothing but hate and commotion at a time when the world could use a little more love and compassion. I’m not going to go more into this group because frankly, I just don’t want to waste my time and energy on them.

I don’t really have much of a point to this post but maybe just take a little time to stop and look around at the beauty, the ones you love and the freedoms we have.

Just a note on the title. I recently began meditating and while my mantra changes on occasion, I tend to use peace, love and light pretty regularly. Feel free to use it for your own centering.

Peace, love and light to you all.

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Dearly Beloved I Thee Red

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Kellie Stargaard

Summers always make me nostalgic. It starts around the time the seniors are getting out of school and graduation is approaching. I remember the feeling of freedom after my last exam, the excitement that life was about to change. I didn’t think about how I wouldn’t see some of my friends for months at a time or ever again. There was still summer.
Then I think about my summers as a kid. My mom was a teacher so she stayed home with me during the summer and we’d go to the beach, vacation two weeks on Sanibel Island (just a mere 30 minutes from our home), go see relatives in Illinois, or just spend the what seemed like endless days in our backyard pool.

I was allowed 3 hours of TV time from 8-5. I remember watching, I Dream of Jeannie, Gilligan’s Island and the Monkees. Around 10:00 AM, I’d go out to the pool where I’d remain for the rest of the day. I ate lunch in or beside the pool, I got out to use the bathroom and if there was an afternoon thunderstorm. If it was just raining, with no lighting, I stayed in the pool.

I made forts out of towels and lawn furniture, my Barbies and Fisher Price people went on “vacation” each summer and the pool was always a big hit with them. So were tours around the living room in their shoe box car (my Barbie apparently couldn’t get a car loan for the sports car).

Those long lazy days of reading, swimming and playing are something I wish I could have again. And this summer, I vow to have just a tiny bit of those days.

Over Memorial Day a chain of events prevented me from sitting lakeside, so I got my beach chair, attached the oscillating sprinkler head and read a book in our river rock by the driveway. After a while I decided I better put some sunscreen on and the scent of Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Lotion took me back to my beach days.

Even the smell of the moth balls used to keep Rat Snakes away from where our chickens like to lay eggs brings back memories. Now the porch area smells like my Great-Aunt Gladys’ bathroom.

Well, in case you couldn’t tell by the temps and the occasional tropical storm, summertime has arrived! You know what else arrived…some new wine samples! Yes, I went to check my wine mailbox, I think it had been close to a month since I checked last and what to my wondering eyes should appear but 6 shiny bottles full of my favorite fruit.

One of the bottles is one of my favorite go to wines. Easy to find, easy to drink and very easy on the wallet, Dearly Beloved.
Smokey and robust berry aromas. Dark black cherry and mocha flavors. Medium bodied and a suitable red for porch sipping in the warm summer months. Smooth, easy drinking and affordable, winner, winner, chicken dinner.

I think on Sunday, I’ll do a little gardening and then drag out my chair and book and and turn on the sprinkler.

Posted in Red wine, Summer wines, Wines under $10 | Tagged Dearly Beloved I Thee Red, summer, Wine Chicks Guide | 1 Comment

Confessions of a Foodie and Wino

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Kellie Stargaard

For years now I’ve been struggling with my weight. Actually I’ve struggled with it all my

These are a few of my favorite things.

life. In high school, I stayed thin by not eating. Sure I’d faint or come close to it several times a week but at least I was thin. In college I only gained 5lbs vs. the freshman 15, this brought my 5’10 frame up to a whopping 122lbs. Yes, still very much underweight but I felt fat and would deprive myself on a regular basis.
But something happened after college, I stopped going to dance clubs and dancing off my alcohol calories and started going to bars where I’d sit for hours with friends drinking and just having fun. But now the calories had nowhere to go except my butt, hips and stomach.

Oh I’d do diets and lose some weight but like so many others I’d soon gain it back and more. I exercised, took up running, which I never enjoyed much at all, and I would lose inches. Weight stayed pretty much the same but I’d go down in clothing sizes. But work got too hectic and I stopped going to the gym and never picked it up again.
For the past few years since we’ve had our dog, Rooster, who requires daily walks my weight has stayed the same. I guess it’s better than going up but I really want it to go

More of my favorite things

down.
I’m not a gym person, I know I won’t go so I’m not going to buy a membership. So I need to figure out how to incorporate just a little more exercise, I’m thinking weights/strength training and more importantly how to cut out the empty calories, that stick to your butt, hips, thighs and everywhere else, and here’s the big one, how to cut down on my beloved wine…gasp (cue dramatic organ music).
I don’t mind telling you the thought of giving up my nightly wine time with my husband saddens me. I truly consider wine to be a food group and one in which I enjoy several servings of nightly. Some nights, I enjoy a few more servings than others but lately we have kept it to one bottle, so what if it’s a 1.5 liter. Ok, just joking.

So why am I telling you all of this? Because I want to be accountable and somewhere to record by successes (hopefully I have them) and my failures (hopefully there are less of these). I specifically did not make this a New Year’s resolution because I think that just sets a person up to fail. I need to make small changes so it doesn’t seem like a punishment and will become more of the norm rather than a big change. So the date I’m choosing is Feb 1. My birthday is on the 22nd, so hopefully I’ll see just a few pounds difference by that date.
Here are the things I will struggle with consuming less:
Wine
Pasta – I know whole wheat is better but I literally have dozens of boxes and bags of pasta in my basement pantry.
Bread – I’m fine with buying wheat for everyday sandwiches but my husband bakes our baguettes, rolls and specialty breads.

Here’s what I won’t have any problem giving up:
Sweets – any kind. Chocolate, ice cream, cookies, etc, not my thing. Sure I have them occasionally but it’s rare.
Junk food – not my thing either.
Fast Food – ugh, it’s barely food and I don’t eat the crap anyway.

So there you have it, the things I love have made me fat! Stay tuned, I hope to have some successes to share in the upcoming months!
Until then, I’ll be enjoying some wine, cheese and pasta.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Wine Chicks Guide | Leave a comment

The Absent Wine Blogger

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Kellie Stargaard

I think I should change the title of my blog to “The Absent Wine Blogger”, because that’s

View of Yonah Mountain from The Cottage Winery – Cleveland, GA

just what I’ve been…absent. I don’t know how other bloggers with full time jobs do it. After spending 8-10 hours on a laptop, I’m toast at the end of the day. My creative juices are all used up and it’s all I can do to make dinner.

On the weekends I’m trying to play catch up on house work, projects and spending time with my husband. My hats off to those who seem to do all of it because I’m truly failing at doing it all.

So what have I been up to? Well I’m still drinking wine, of course but now it’s an even bigger challenge for me to source affordable wines. If you read my blog you know my husband and I moved to NE Georgia in 2011. Having come from Tampa I was spoiled with the ample places to buy good wine at good prices. The area I live in now has one wine store with a limited number of wines and unfortunately none of them at everyday drinking prices, at least not for my budget. We do have the big box grocery stores but the wines are so overpriced they typically go for twice the price they would be at other large wine retailers. The liquor stores offer a few opportunities but are still limited…sigh.

So what’s a wine drinker on the cheap to do? Well once a month I trek down to Alpharetta and spend a couple hundred dollars on wine. I always get the same question, “Are you having a party?” My response used to be, “No, just stocking up.” Now I try to make it a game to see what kind of responses I can give. My favorite is, “My parents are coming for the weekend” and I don’t offer additional info. Sometimes they laugh and other times they have a somewhat concerned look.

My other new source is Aldi. The selection is very limited but is better than nothing and they do have a few that are very drinkable and priced right.

Outlander Meritage – $8.99 – Blackberry aromas with flavors of blackberry, dark plum and a hint of vanilla in the finish.

Lil’ Koala Shiraz – $4.89 – Spicy aromas with plum and dark berry flavors. For $4.89 it’s not something I would take to a nice dinner party but it is drinkable when you just can’t spend $15+ on a bottle of wine every night.

Burlwood Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon –$4.89 – Flavors of dark fruits and a hint of spice in the finish. Flavors are a little flat and truly benefits from proper chilling but still not too bad in a pinch.

Los Andicos Malbec – $7.99 Flavors of plum and black cherry with a spicy vanilla finish. We had this one this past week, not bad really.

Herres Brut Sparkling – $4.89 – my go to every night sparkler. Fresh apple flavors, listed as a brut it tends to be on the drier side but there is just a touch of sweetness. Light and good for the price.

Don’t have an Aldi? Don’t worry; they’re expanding into markets just like their sister company Trader Joe’s. Owned by Germany’s Albrecht family they are listening to US consumers who are listing both stores as their favorite grocery stores beating out Safeway, Kroger, Wholefoods and even the south’s beloved, Publix. For an interesting article on the two stores, published by Time click here.

Well kids, that’s all the time I have this week.

Happy drinking!

Posted in Red wine, Sparkling Wines, Wines under $10 | Tagged aldi wines, red wines, Trader Joe's, Wine Chicks Guide | 2 Comments

Applesauce, Not Just For Pork Chops Anymore

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Kellie Stargaard

We’ve all seen the Brady Bunch episode where Peter Brady tries to reinvent himself and gives his horrible yet now well-known impression of Humphrey Bogart. Peter walks into the Brady’s burnt orange and avocado green kitchen and asks “What’s for dinner?” Carol and Alice respond with pork chops and applesauce. Peter: “You say we’re having pork chops and applesauce. That’s swell.”
I don’t know about you but I’ve uttered this phrase when telling my husband what’s for dinner more times than I can count. Problem is, we really don’t have the applesauce because my husband’s not a fan, until now.
Our neighbor came back from Iowa with bags full of apples which they happily shared with us. My brain started thinking, what can I do with all these apples? I don’t really like apple pie and apple butter just sits in my fridge, so applesauce they became.
I didn’t puree, I left the apples chunky which got my brain going again, this applesauce is more than just a mere side dish, this applesauce can be the star of the show.
Think holiday season, parties, dinners with friends or just dinner with your family.
Just a few ideas:
Water crackers topped with Gorgonzola, applesauce and chopped almonds
Crustini with applesauce and smoked almonds.
As a chutney served over ice cream or well just about anything.
Crumble bacon on top and just eat!
Or as the usual applesauce with pork chops or brats

Here’s my quick and simple recipe.
Apple Sauce
Ingredients:
Apples – amount depends on how much you want to make, cut into bite size chunks
Peeled or unpeeled, the choice is yours
Liquid – I used faux moonshine* but you can use apple juice
Sugar – I didn’t add any since the shine was already sweet but add to your liking
Ground cinnamon – healthy dose

Place apples in sauce pan, pour enough liquid to cover the bottom of the pan. If your liquid is dissipating before your apples are cooked, add a splash more. The apples will add a little of their own liquid
Cook on medium heat
I continued to cook the concoction and stir for about 20 minutes. Once the shine began to thicken, it was done. The house will smell amazing.
I store mine in Weck jars in the fridge and should keep for about 2 weeks.

*Apple Pie “Moonshine” – given to us by our neighbors
Ingredients:
1 gallon apple cider
1 gallon apple juice
3 cups white sugar
8 cinnamon sticks
1 liter bottle of 190 proof moonshine or grain alcohol – neighbor used Everclear
Directions
In a large pot combine the apple cider, apple juice, sugar, and cinnamon sticks.
Bring it to a boil, then take it off the heat and allow it to cool.
Add the liter of liquor.
Pour this into mason jars, put the lids on, and let it “age”.
Can be cut in half or ¼ to make smaller batches.

My husband and I drove up to Blue Ridge, GA last week. We took the scenic route up through the winding mountain roads and through Chattahoochee National Forest. This road used to scare the crap out of me, I still don’t want to drive it but I don’t have to shut my eyes now and can enjoy the beautiful scenery. We stopped at Woody Gap to take a look at the Yahoola Valley below and a pee break. The ridge gap is 3,160 ft above the Yahoola Valley and where the Appalachian Trail crosses Highway 60. There’s a small shed with trail bathrooms and let’s just say it was very windy, cold and well there were drafts hitting places on me that I don’t think have ever felt a draft.
After a nice day in Blue Ridge, albeit a very crowded day with leaf peepers, we headed home but went the other direction and through Gilmer County, the Apple Capital of Georgia. We stopped at one apple barn but I passed on getting more apples, instead we went for 3 huge heads of cabbage and huge bunch of turnips all for $5. Well can you guess what one of my upcoming posts may be, that’s right how to get rid of, I mean use sauerkraut and turnips. I know you’re excited.
Stay tuned. Oh and maybe we’ll talk about some wine again too.

Posted in Cooking | Tagged applesauce, fall apples, faux moonshine, Wine Chicks Guide | Leave a comment

Basil Pesto Rigatoni and Herres Brut Sparkling

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Kellie Stargaard

Basil Pesto Rigatoni with Shrimp

Every October I start watching low temps to see when I need to either make pesto with the remaining basil or try to bring a plant or two inside for the winter. Last year I brought two plants in and they did ok until around February. I think Daisy may have been snacking on them and they probably just didn’t get enough sunlight but they looked pretty pathetic.

Generally I make different varieties of pesto, sundried tomato with basil, spicy Thai basil, just regular basil you name it. Oh and the basil is great in compound butter too.
Last night I was feeling like I needed some pasta and since temps will be in the upper 30’s next week, it’s time to start using up the rest of that awesome summer basil.
Here’s my quick and easy recipe

2 cups of basil. I used two handfuls of mixed varieties
3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil – add more if needed
2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts – I didn’t have pine nuts and don’t care for the flavor too much.
Pinch of salt
1 garlic clove – chopped fine
3 tablespoons of shredded parmesan
Tear the basil into small pieces and place in food processor. Add remaining ingredients and mix until all ingredients are in small pieces and blended well. If too dry, add more olive oil.

That’s it, quick and simple. If using immediately cook pasta, add shrimp, chicken or whatever you like along with any other veggies. We did shrimp, peppers, fresh tomato and asparagus.
If you make a large batch freeze them in ice cube trays. Once frozen, place into zip top bags and store in freezer for whenever you need a taste of summer.

I struggled with what wine to pair the meal with as I felt it needed something that wouldn’t overpower. My husband’s not a big white wine drinker and if we have a white wine, it’s not always served with dinner but enjoyed on our front porch.

I also knew my husband was probably done with wine for the evening, so I popped open a bottle of Herres Brut Sparkling from Aldi. Yeah, that’s right Aldi. Since I’m back, to working full time, I don’t have my Fridays to run to Alpharetta and hit Trader Joe’s, Total Wine or any of my other big box wine stops.

A few months ago, I decided to check out Aldi and picked up a few bottles to see what they were like. Herres, a German Sparkler quickly became one of my favorite inexpensive wines to turn to.
Flavors of crisp, fresh apples, dry and refreshing and priced at just $4.59, I’ve gone back for more several times. The other plus, my husband doesn’t like Champagne or Sparkling wines, so it’s mine, all mine.

We go down to 38 tonight. On my agenda for the day is making compound butter and transplanting one plant to bring in side. I’ll leave the rest for now and hope for the best. The basil will not go to waste, this I know.

Posted in Cooking, Germany, Sparkling Wines | Tagged aldi wines, basil pesto, herres sparkling, summer dishes, summer harvest, Wine Chicks Guide | 1 Comment

Creamy Chicken with Mushrooms and Wild Rice Soup

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Kellie Stargaard

Rainy, dreary and all around kind of yucky. It’s October 1 and it doesn’t really feel like fall. The temps are cool but there has been so much moisture, it’s just been a muggy mess. To top it off, I’ve been swamped at work and just haven’t had time to write up a blog post this week.
However, since we are getting into “Soup Season” I do have a delicious Creamy Chicken with Mushrooms and Wild Rice soup recipe.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Yield: About 5 servings
Ingredients
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend (I used ½ cup of wild rice and ½ cup Basmati)
• 1 small chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup of sliced portabella mushrooms
• 1/2 cup sliced carrots carrots)
• ½ cup sliced celery
• 7 Tbsp butter, diced, divided
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 5 cups chicken stock (can use chicken broth)
• Onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 lb cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts halves
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions
Melt 1 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Add onion, mushrooms, carrots and celery and sauté until tender, add garlic during last 30 seconds of sautéing. Set aside.
Prepare rice according to directions listed on package. Mine took about 45 minutes. I used the same pot I used for sautéing.
In a separate pot heat stock and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
Shred cooked chicken and add to the stock. Add cooked rice to chicken and stock.
In a separate pan melt remaining butter, add flour and cook 1 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. While stirring, slowly pour milk into flour mixture. Stir until the mixture thickens.
Add mixture to soup in pot and cook soup until thickened. At this point you can allow to simmer longer. Before serving stir in heavy cream.

My husband made rolls that night and they were divine with the soup.
We have enough left over to use in making Chicken Pot Pies which will be tomorrow’s dinner. I do love meals this time of year!

Posted in Cooking | Tagged chicken with mushrooms, creamy soup, fall soups, wild rice soups, Wine Chicks Guide | Leave a comment

Middle Sister Wines Part Two

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Kellie Stargaard

Aw, fall, my favorite time of year. Brilliant pops of orange, yellow and red have been appearing on store shelves for weeks and now the vegetation as well. I grew up in Florida and didn’t experienced a true fall. In Florida fall just meant you went to the beach less as the Snow Birds and other tourists flocked to the white sand and began clogging the roadways. Fall in NE Georgia is a true fall with leaves changing colors, temps dropping and the leaves too.
At my house, September brings what I consider decorating season as I put away décor that is up for much of the year only to brought out again on January 1. Currently my house is filling with pumpkins, both real and faux, ravens and little by little, Halloween. Oh yes, this weekend I’m bringing out all the Halloween décor and there are many. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
A couple of weeks ago I talked about three of the Middle Sister wines I received as samples. I have a few more to cover in this post. So let’s get going.
Sweet and Sassy Moscato
I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of sweet wines so Moscato is not my favorite varietal. However I happened to have a couple of house guests one weekend and one does enjoy sweet wines. I asked them to sample with me.
Tropical pineapple and mango aromas. Flavors of pineapple, peach and a touch of honey. I had just a small glass which reminded me of sweet tea minus the tannins. The sweet wine lover approved of the wine and enjoyed the rest of the bottle.

Varietal – 100% Moscato
Appellation – California
Alcohol – 12.5%
RS – 8.00%
TA g/100mL – 0.72
pH – 3.3
Aged – Steel
SRP – $12

Rebel Red Winemakers Blend
Smokey dark plum and blackberry aromas. Lush flavors of red currant, strawberry and plum with a beautiful leather finish. This was by far my favorite of the Middle Sister Wines. Drinks like a $20 wine.

Varietal – 25% Merlot, 25% Mouvedre, 25% Malbe, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Zinfandel, 5% Carignane
Appellation – 25% Central Coast, 75% Lodi
Alcohol – 13.5%
RS – 0.50%
TA g/100mL – 0.55
pH – 3.75
Aged – 5 mos French Oak
SRP – $12

Wine sipping on the porch in the evenings is back in full swing. I love looking out at the Dogwoods and seeing more and more red leaves each day. I also notice the days are getting shorter and it’s dark by 8:00 PM. Some nights we just light a few lanterns and enjoy the outdoors, knowing in a few months we’ll bundle up and eventually just drink wine by the fireplace in the evenings. All that’s missing is a bearskin rug. Guess we’ll have to snuggle up to our dog Rooster instead.

Posted in Red wine, White wine, Wines under $15 | Tagged fall weather, middle sister wines, Moscato, rebel red, red wine blend, sweet & sassy, Wine Chicks Guide | Leave a comment

Middle Sister Wines

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Kellie Stargaard

I started this blog in August 2009 as an outlet, a voice if you will. I had just lost my full time status at my job of 10 years and I was angry, actually I was pissed. My husband and I had just married in May and I already felt like a burden, like I wasn’t pulling my own weight. I knew I wouldn’t make money as a blogger but I needed something to do with my extra time.
I enjoyed wine and figured I could learn more about it and share my experiences at the same time. I wasn’t sure if anyone was reading my words but I kept at it and in just a few months I received an email from a PR firm, asking if I would like to sample Cakebread Cabernet. My response, Hell Yeah! And so it began, I knew someone was reading and liking what they saw.

Over the years I’ve changed positions at my paying gig, sometimes I had more time than others to spend on my blog but there was definitely a decrease in posts.

Fast forward to August 2015, I began working full time again and find I have less time to spend on my blog. Oh I still drink the wine and I still take notes but carving out the time to put my words out for the rest of you to read has been a challenge. But, I vow to try to do better and to up my posts to if not weekly at the very minimum bi-weekly. So, without further ado, onto this week’s wines, and there are several.
Back in June I received a variety of samples for Middle Sister Wines. I had tried one or two years ago but have to say, I had no idea there were so many labels. Some how every time I pick up a bottle I hear, “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.”

Surfer Chick Sauvignon Blanc
Peach and citrus aromas and just a hint of minerality. Tropical mango and white peach flavors with a touch of sweet honey in the finish. An easy drinking summer wine.
Varietal – 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Appellation – California
Alcohol – 13.5%
RS – 0.63%
TA g/100mL – 0.58
pH – 3.36
Aged – steel

Mischief Maker Cabernet Sauvignon
Bing cherry and jam aromas. Flavors were unusual as I detected cinnamon apple with a finish of cardamom and anise. I found the flavors wonderful; it was like fall in a glass. Maybe I was just ready for fall to arrive.
Varietal – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation – California
Alcohol – 13.7%
RS – 0.40%
TA g/100mL – 0.56
pH – 3.63
Aged – 18 months in French oak

Wild One Malbec
Rustic and woody dark berry aromas. Fresh off the vine blackberry, a touch of Bing cherry and a hint of vanilla in the finish. It was a bit one dimensional but still easy drinking.
We paired this one with handmade pizzas. One a simple Margherita topped with fresh from the garden tomatoes, basil from our garden and Trader Joe’s mozzarella. The other made with fresh eggplant, Andouille sausage and Kalamata olives.
Varietal – 100% Malbec
Appellation – Mendoza, Argentina
Alcohol – 12.7%
RS – 0.05%
TA g/100mL – 0.63
pH – 3.51
Fermentation – Aged 5 months in French barrels

Goodie Two Shoes Pinot Noir
Aromas of cherry and leather. Bright juicy plum and red fruit flavors with a hint of fig in the finish. Light bodied and low tannins. I’m very picky about Pinot Noir and I have to say, I didn’t hate this one. That’s saying a lot coming from me.
Varietal – 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation – California
Alcohol – 13.5%
RS – 0.50%
TA g/100mL – 0.59
pH – 3.65

Time really does fly, I just renewed my winechicksguide.com domain for another year. When people ask, “How many followers do you have?” My response is always “I don’t really know. I don’t keep track.”
Them: “Really? Take a guess.”
Me: “Seriously. It’s not something that’s important to me. I don’t do this to see how many followers I can get.”
Maybe that makes me a bad blogger but that’s just me. I’m not in it for the attention. I’m in it for me.
Cheers!