Pölka dot Riesling

Hot, humid, summer nights require something cold to drink !
I bought this on sale for $9.00 at my local grocer today.
Oh my goodness...this is just what I need...
Polka Dot balances floral aromas with ripe fruit flavors of pear, nectarine and apricot. Delicious !!

The Wine Exchange (oh, and a giveaway)

Today was errand day. I came home with a new book. You know what that means, don't you ?

My book shelf is full, so in order for her to live here, she needs for one of my books to leave. You know...the whole 'cozy kitchen' thing applies to my whole house.

Outtakes from a Marriage by Ann Leary.

I really enjoyed this book. I won't give anything away, except to say that if I was the 'wife' in this book, I would have acted and felt the same way. I mean...um..EXACTLY THE SAME WAY !

I found that when I was reading this book, my stomach was clenched ! It was very real, and it had to come from 'experience'....it just had to. I know the author denied that it was based on her life with Dennis, but I beg to differ. {I'm just sayin'......!! }You can read about it here.

If you're looking for a fall read, please leave a comment on this post to enter the giveaway. And if you won in the past, enter again ! It's ok to win twice !

Random.org will pick the winner Tuesday morning !

Now, for the good stuff !

Tonight I'm tasting Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon ."With a bouquet of cherry and blackberry fruit... Notes of chocolate, leather, roasted coffee, and sweet oak linger in the mouth. Tannins are mouthfilling but soft, with a hint of smoke. "

This is my kind of wine. I love everything about it. And so does Mr.B !! TGIF.... {I found it on sale for $9.99 and I will buy it again this fall.} Yummy !

{Don't forget...to enter the giveaway, just leave me a comment ! }

The Wine Exchange

I've been waiting for this moment all week long !

It's been "one of those weeks" I'd rather forget forever and ever, or if someone could just rewind the clock that would be great too.

Tonight I will introduce

Ruffino's Lumina Pinot Grigio (Italy )

(*I picked this up at Walmart on sale for $8.97 )

I always think that white wines are summer wines, but I can see myself sipping this now and into the fall months, as it has such nice green and citrus hints to it.

I really like it.....Yahooo ! Things are looking up already !

" The bouquet opens with sensations of wild flowers which are immediately sustained by notes of pears and green apples. Refined mineral scents bring elegance and finesse to the wide variety of aromas." from the Ruffino website.

The Wine Exchange, Rosemount Cabernet Merlot 2005

It's about time I review a new wine. I picked this up on sale for $9.99. It's very smooth. I likey !

"Dark ruby core with a lighter rim. Fruity and bright aromas of black cherry with smoke and earth wrapped around it. Smooth, easy entry on the palate with bright acid making it fresh and easy to drink.

There is a touch of baker’s chocolate with black cherry and raspberries and a nice punch of chewy tannin supporting the body."

A Barefoot Valentine's Day

Guess which one is mine ? Oohh, this was so yummy, and the perfect ending to a Perfect Day!

"Our Bubbly White Zinfandel is perfect for a hot summer day with flavors that pack in a season's worth of fruit: juicy peach, strawberry and fresh watermelon. All these sparkling notes culminate in a refreshingly sweet finish. "

Queen B's Wine Exchange definitely recommends...

I would drink this for any occasion ! $8.99

The Wine Exchange: Kendall Jackson Chardonnay and the 200% guarantee

2009 is.....well, ....quite a year so far. This requires a great wine recommendation, because I just don't have time for BAD wine these days. ! Soooooooo, I asked the wine lady at my local grocer what she recommended.... She said her top seller was Kendall Jackson Chardonnay. It just so happen to be on sale for 11.99, ( was 15.99 ) so I bought it !! One of my requirements for my taste testings, is that I only choose wines that are on SALE... So, I grabbed the bottle, and a few other items and drove home. At the stop light, I looked down at my receipt and noticed I was charged FULL PRICE. Umm...excuse me, but I just wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't go back and get my four dollars back... so I drove back and asked the clerk to please check the price of the wine, because I was sure it was on sale.

Well, it WAS on sale. The clerk promptly handed me back my bottle of wine AND $17 dollars and some change.

??? What ? I told her all I needed back was around 4.00.

Evidently, my store has a 200% guarantee, which means...if anything is rung up WRONG, you get the item for FREE , AND the FULL RETAIL PRICE of the item............. (not the sale price! )

I got free wine and was PAID to drink it.......... I almost felt guilty....... ( I said, almost!)
So about that wine....It was delicous, and I'd buy it again, on sale of course !

"Tropical flavors such as mango and pineapple dance with aromas of peach, apple and pear. Richly layered and balanced throughout. Lightly buttered toast headlines the indulgent, lingering finish."

What's in that blue drink anyways ??

Blue Hawaiian

3 oz ( 1/4 C. plus 2 TBS) light rum

2 oz ( 1/4 C) blue Curacao

1/2 C. unsweetened pineapple juice

1/4 C. well stirred canned cream of coconut such as Coco Lopez

( NOT coconut milk )

3 C. ice cubes

Blend all ingredients in blender til smooth !

Makes 2 drinks

Hop on a table and dance !!

The Wine Exchange gets Happy

Over the Holidays, I tried something new ! A friend gave me Yellow Tail's new Sparkling White Wine. Don't ask me why, but it didn't occur to me that 'sparkling' meant "bubbly" as in champagne...so I opened the bottle an ordinary Tuesday night, and then said...."OOOhh No ! It's champagne-ish...I should have saved it...but oh well...it's opened so guess we're stuck drinking it." Well,well, well folks, let me tell you....this is a 'happy' let's draw a giant bath and sink into deep bubbles kinda sparkling wine. It's so light and fruity and well, it just made me so 'happy' I wanted to sing !! A definite possibility if any of you drink something fun on Valentine's Day...which is right around the corner !
And it's around $8.00 !! Go ahead, buy two ! You'll find an excuse to drink the other one, and I bet it's before New Years !!

"86 Points, Wine Spectator - Soft, a bit sweet, but spicy and floral, reminiscent of a sweeter style of Prosecco. Pear and hazelnut flavors linger"

The Wine Exchange

I can't help it. It never fails, I get totally overwhelmed every December. After a long, hectic week, I was in search of something that had the potential to bring a smile to my face. I chose this beauty. Hess Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, $13.00 . "Aromas of mocha, brown sugar, and dark chocolate wrap around a core of mountain blackberry. Cedar and cassis follow as secondary aromas. The palate is well balanced with berry flavors and spice. While displaying classic mountain concentration, fine grained tannins provide a smooth finish." Oh ya baby...I'm smiling !

The Wine Exchange

Blackstone, Merlot

I found this on sale at my grocery for $9.00. The Blackstone Merlot is a rich red wine, with an almost creamy texture. This Merlot has a flavor profile that is brimming over with ripe fruit flavors of plum and blackberry covered with a splash of vanilla. Excellent choice.

The Wine Exchange

Yes, Yes, Yes....... I will buy this again. It has been dreadfully dreary day. A stormy, thundery, rainy, cozy, flu shot, bubble bath at 6pm kinda day. A perfect red wine night.... I picked this up at the local grocery on sale for $9.99.

Bogle Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2006

"Dark cherry fruit and vivid plums create a welcome first impression, while touches of herbal tea and leather nestle themselves among the spicy, saucy fruit. Sixteen months in American barrels have produced wisps of tobacco leaf and notes of spicy cigar box. With well-integrated tannins and a rich and round finish, this wine will be a favorite for years to come."

The Wine Exchange

Fetzer

Pinot Grigio

I love this wine. It picked it up at the grocery... $7.49 ! A refreshing basket of apple, pink grapefruit, and lime sorbet ! LIME SORBET ??? ARE YOU KIDDING ? What's not to love ?! A great wine to try !

The Wine Exchange

It's Friday Night. I've had a long week. Tonight, I'm not feeling well. I didn't even make my "homemade" pizza. I ordered Luigi's Pizza for a whopping $35.76 ! Waaaaaaa ! But what can I say...I'm not superwoman.
Dang !

The least I can do is review the wine I'm drinking with our Pizza !!

J Lohr Estates Los Osos Merlot 2005/06 Paso Robles, California

"A rich Merlot showing juicy cherry flavors.
A dark red, supple and soft Merlot from carefully selected vineyards in California’s Paso Robles region. This full-bodied wine shows lively."

It has rasberry, red currant, and blackberry !
I bought it at Walmart for $13.99.
Will I buy this again ? Yes! Simply fabulous !!