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« September 2009 • Main • November 2009 »
October 31, 2009
filed under: Winning Wines
In a curious twist of linguistic fate, some decidedly frightening-sounding statements have been lately transformed into vehicles of praise. Mostly refashioned, as far as I can tell, by loquacious members of the surfer/skater culture prevalent in California, the phrases run the gamut of topics and references, but given the time of year I've singled out two that undoubtedly invoke Halloween.
A sampling:
"These [insert noun in the plural form] are scary good!"
Translation: These [things] are delicious.
"That [insert noun] was wicked bad." Translation: That [thing] was very cool/extremely impressive. (Note: True to the ironic spirit of this group, the use of two negative descriptors - "wicked" and "bad" - in this one makes it all that much more complimentary.
And so, to borrow a page from this verbally adventuresome sub-culture, I'd like to say that the following sweet wines are scary good, and that serving them on Halloween this year would be wicked bad of you.
Continue reading my latest on sweet treats and wine at WineCountry.com
And another piece on the same subject - but covering wine pairings for more savory Halloween fare (think sliders, mac 'n cheese and other kid-inspired fare) at WineAnswers.com * Happy Halloween!
Posted by Courtney at 03:11 PM • Comments (0)
filed under: Winning Wines
Let's face it: the recession taught us many of things, perhaps the most important: you've got to appreciate the small things in life. And with 2009 drawing to a close, we can all look forward a renewed perspective (not to mention uptrending economic indicators, whew!) in the new year. To go along with this reinvigorated view of things, we offer the following ten wines that are destined to be hot in 2010. Because if another thing is altogether clear as we head out of this strange era: Wine is and always will be a hallmark of the good times. And, it's time for each and every one of us to start living the good life again.
So go on: The little things in life are beckoning - and go down swell with a swill of some excellent vino...
Continue reading my latest at WineCountry.com for more on:
The Well Edited Chardonnay
The Portuguese Player
Oregonian Initiation
The...Ahem...Mature Red
The Israeli Upstart
The Secret Sauce Syrah
and more!
Posted by Courtney at 02:51 PM • Comments (1)
filed under: Ramblings
We've all been there before: The wine you've ordered arrives at your table at the chichi restaurant and smells...wrong. You're not sure what's behind the malodorous scent, but you're quite sure it smacks of your Aunt Edna's moldy attic. You're desperate to send it back, but nervous the "dirty attic" excuse will come off as uninformed, inadequate and pathetically incorrect all at once. But take heart, worrisome wino: there is a method to the madness of decoding wine faults (as usual, we've got you covered).
Because no one - your Aunt Edna perhaps excluded - should have to suffer through the unpleasantness of a mold-imbued wine...
Continue reading my latest piece at WineCountry.com for more on
Trichloranisole (AKA "TCA")
Brettanomyces (AKA "Brett")
Volatile Acidity (AKA "VA")
Oxidation
Mercaptans
and more!
Posted by Courtney at 02:44 PM • Comments (0)
filed under: Goods & Gadgetry
So many fabulous things come INSIDE of other things. Take, for example, presents - perhaps the ultimate expression of the excitement-from-within phenomenon. There are also engagement rings, chocolates...the list goes on. And now, just in time for Halloween, we can all feast our eyes on this VERY COOL new skull-inside-a-decanter creation from Esque Studio in NYC. Called the "Morte" decanter (how's THAT for an apropos name?), this extremely limited item requires a glassblower to first craft the skull, then make the decanter around it. Two out of three break before they're even done. Available @ Clo Wines. $995 Props to Food & Wine for the heads up on this one.
Aaaaand, for another (slightly less pricey) fabulously Halloween-ready decanter, check out Ralph Lauren's Skull-and-Crossbones black crystal decanter. Nice. $495
Posted by Courtney at 05:01 PM • Comments (0)
filed under: Events, Hip Tasters
Thurs. Oct 15, 6-8pm
TICKETS
Calling all ladies and skincare conscious gentlemen!! In just two short weeks I'll be co-hosting "Beauty & Bubbly," a fabulous evening of sparkling wines from the world over and incredible deals on medi spa services (which include, of course, Botox, as well as the likes of microdermabrasion, facials, peels, products and much more). It'll be at Union Street MedSpa - a gorgeous space in Cow Hollow - and I'll be on hand serving the bubblies, natch.
Best part? Your ticket scores you a signed copy of my book, Hip Tastes: The Fresh Guide to Wine ($20 value) and a rockin gift bag including product samples and a coupon for a FREE microdermabrasion ($100 value). That's like $120 in value - plus awesome international sparklers (some bubbs will hail from as far away as Argentina and Israel), light bites, fab music and stylish peeps to mingle with.
So what are you waiting for?? Reserve your spot today - it's all very limited, of course. :)
Posted by Courtney at 01:47 PM • Comments (0)
