Bad choice, Nathan.

Next up is Twin Fin's 2007 California Cabernet Sauvignon.

Nate picked this one. I can't really blame him though. I probably would have at some point too.

This one has some kick to it. Unfortunately, not in a good way. At least for me. I think if it hadn't been so... powerful... I would have enjoyed it.

I suppose one of these days I should try drinking these wines with the suggested foods. It might make all the difference in the world. Maybe.

Wine rack, for one, please.

I'm a member of Mypoints.com. If you aren't familiar, they send emails daily where you can earn points by just visiting the website, and even more points for buying something. You can trade those points in for gift cards. It's a really cool deal. I received an email about Vinesse.com. Their new member deal was too good to pass up. I got 6 bottles of wine for $6 each, and free shipping.

I got:

~ 2 bottles of Andes Nevados Mendoza Malbec
~ 2 bottles of Alderwood Creek Vineyards 2009 California Merlot
~ 1 bottle of Green Groves 2010 Pinot Noir
~ 1 bottle of Ashfield 2009 California Cabernet Sauvignon

It even came with a wine exploration guide, and a sheet about each wine I received. The sheets include general info and tasting notes. Pretty handy dandy!

I thought I was getting 6 different kinds, but hey, it's still a deal. But, yeah. Now I think I need a wine rack. Especially since I found a website that carries that Oliver wine I so love... you know, the one that got me curious about wine... and they ship to NE! I haven't placed an order yet, but think I will soon. I discovered Oliver Winery also makes a black cherry wine. I think it's a must that I try that one also. Yes. It shall be so.

Twosome

Or a threesome.

The next wine I tried was Menage a Trois' 2009 California Rose. It wasn't the brand name that made me get it. I SWEAR. It was the first one I saw that was a rose wine. REALLY. I'm not that kind of girl. SERIOUSLY.

I wasn't too thrilled with this one. It was a bit too tart for my taste. Maybe too dry? I used to like tarty sour things, like gummy bears, when I was a kid. These days? It makes me pucker my mouth, wrinkle my brow and gives me the shivers. Maybe I would have liked the rose wine when I was 12?

Kidding.

Maybe.

My first.

Everyone remembers their first. And it's always amazing. Right? Riiiiiiiight.

Luckily for me, I have this blog, so 10 years down the road I don't have to try and remember my first. The first bottle fo wine I bought, that is. But it was pretty darned good. Definitely better than that other first. Hee hee, ho ho, ha ha.

The first bottle of wine that I bought is Red Chocolate made by Sweet Sunset.

According to the label, it's a grape wine with natural chocolate cream flavor. The back of the label says "Turn every setting sun into a Sweet Sunset! Rich, dark chocolate flavors make this a unique red wine with just the right combination of sweet fruit, mouth filling flavors and a pleasant lingering finish." It seemed an obvious pick, since I'm such a chocoholic. It was a good pick. I don't like it quite as much as that fateful Oliver wine from Indiana, but I would definitely buy it again.

I'm obviously not a master of the wine lingo, but I'll do my best. It is indeed rich, and you can definitely taste the chocolate flavoring. It works really well together. Well, as long as you like chocolate. Nate mentioned something about legs... or arms... but I haven't a clue what he was talking about.

Bottom line, I'm off to a good start!

50 Unusual Wine Bottles, Labels & Names - Photos - KETV Omaha

50 Unusual Wine Bottles, Labels & Names - Photos - KETV Omaha

I thought this was appropriate to share here. I admit to being drawn to wine with odd names and/or funny/weird labels.

And it begins...

I'm a beer girl. Always have been and always will be. When I say beer, I mean the good stuff, like Boulevard, Shiner, Lucky Bucket, and Leinenkugel. I've tasted just a few wines over the years, and never liked it. I figured it just wasn't for me and didn't give it a second thought. I pretty much put wine in the same category is wine coolers and Bud Light... otherwise known as the "BLARF" category. Until the day Mindy came back for a visit and brought a couple bottles of wine made in Indiana, that is.

"Want to try it?"

I'm a firm believer in trying just about anything once. I say just about anything because there is no way in hell that I'd ever shove a bug or animal testicle in my mouth. Not even if it was covered in chocolate. Anywho, so I took a sip... and wished I had taken a gulp. She was drinking Oliver soft red wine, and it was delicious.

Let me backtrack for just a second. I tend to get obsessive about things. Sometimes it's an idea I have for something crafty, a home improvement project, a new series of books I've heard about... and sometimes it's about food and drink. Yes, sometimes it's an issue.

As you have probably already guessed, this time it's all about wine. I mean, heck, they say wine is good for you, right? And discovering new things can be fun! So over the past couple of weeks I have been doing some research about wine, and have begun trying some different stuff to see what I like and what makes me make the bitter beer face. I decided why not blog about it. It's one heck of an easy way to keep track of what I've tried and if I'd drink it again or not. I am also hoping to receive feedback and tips from others who are more... how should I say... educated in the ways of wine.

If you're keeping track, this one is all Mindy's fault. :)

So... here we go!