Brewing Day!

 Yesterday was beer brewing day! Patrick and I decided to split a 5 gallon kit of "Phat Tire". It was also Charles' birthday! So naturally, no beer brewing evening or birthday is void of of beer or other potables. The beer of choice for the evening was some delicious and under-priced honey brown. When that was all done we switched to some Guinness in honor of Charles, who might be slightly obsessed with it in the best way:D. We bought it in the first place to make some Guinness cupcakes that were never made since Tyler showed up with some of his mom's amazing red velvet cake (FROSTINGGGGG).
 He also brought over a very nice bottle of Louise d'estree brut rose. For 8 dollars a bottle it wasn't a bad way to catch a buzz. I'd give it a 3 for taste and a 4 for value, out of 5 of course.
The night, however, dragged on longer than my buzz. We managed to get Keith's beer all set, but ours didn't get onto the stove until just about 10. After hours of boiling, stirring, going out to buy more beer, ice, and beer again, and a few episodes of Psych and Black Mirror later and almost everyone had left. That and our beer was racked and ready to ferment. The wort was sweet and super yummy! I can't wait for it to be ready. As its friday, i'm sure there will be more adventures, at least some port and (vegetarian) rubens!

Tuesday night TV and wine

 What else is there to do on a lazy Tuesday when all motivation has left the building but crack open whatever wine has been hanging out in the fridge and check the TV for new episodes of Portlandia and Archer (or at least episodes that are new to me)? Especially when a food coma has set in from demolishing some awesomely seasonal Shamrock Shakes. For this exciting occasion I pulled out the second tier Vinho Verde (I'm hoarding the good stuff, it'll pop up on the blog a little bit later. Espiral brand, that I had Mike pick up from Trader Joe's for me for a little under 5 bucks a bottle, is a a good stand in for my favorite type of Vinho Verde. Light and crisp, its more of a summer drink, but I'll drink it anytime I get the chance. For under 5 bucks this bottle is a great value, I'll give it a 4.5, with a 4 for taste. This was a great bottle to start the evening.

Unfortunately, I made the not so great decision to switch bottles midway through to a bottle of California Collection Beringer wine that I picked up for about 4 dollars from Payless last week when I was food shopping. While I was looking for a bottle of  light, drinkable white, I should not have followed up one of my

favorite with a savignon blanc. This wine wasn't sweeter than the Vinho Verde, but it somehow contrasted really poorly to my first glass. I think i'll have to try it again on its own before I can make a real decision on it. It seems like a wine that would be good with dinner as oposed to an accompaniment to some tv time. After this thanksgiving when Beringer wines went on sale for $2.50 a piece for a few varieties of deliciously drinkable wines, thus making my holiday season, I can't just write them off.

I'd also make a note, that yes, those are Ugg slippers behind the bottle. And no, they are not mine, they are Patrick's. :)

Still trying to be classy....

Last weekend was full of new wines to try, so much so, that I almost forgot about my 4 dollar Kroger wine from the Gallo Family Winery. Honesty, I don't remember much about this wine, since it was the second I took part in that night. Overall, it was easy to drink, not too dry, but nothing I plan on purchasing again, unless of course it goes on sale. That's what I get for drinking it after the Peter's Mill White. I'm definitely willing to try others from this winery; there were a few other options hanging out on the bottom shelf, including some reds and a White Zinfandel.







Yesterday,  in an attempt to have a lazy Saturday night, Patrick and I cracked open a bottle of Landshut Riesling from the Aldi down the street. I may have only picked up this bottle because A) it was $5, B) there were only a few left on the shelf, C) because i really like the color of the bottle, forgetting that rieslings are a rather sweet wine, not my usual fare. I was not completely disappointed, though. While sweeter than I would have liked, it was still a very drinkable wine with good flavor (beyond, holy cow, sugar!). Patrick's roommate tried a glass and was pleasantly surprised. For myself, though, I'll stick to the drier side and maybe only enjoy the rest of this bottle for dessert one day this week.
As for ratings, I'd give it a 3 for value and t2.5 for flavor. Better luck next time, Aldi, I should have gone for your classic winking owl.

Patrick's Classy Fondu Party

Last weekend was filled with delicious wine! Patrick and his lovely roommate hosted a very classy chocolate fondu party that rapidly turned into a multiple bottle per person semi classy, stuffing yourself with food party. In order to fit in, I brought the bottle of Wildcat Creek Peter's Mill White that i purchased last semester after a wine tasting at this local winery.
If you are ever in Lafayette, IN, I would highly recommend a visit to this tidy little winery off route 38 (near 65). Set off the road by a picturesque creek that is boat-able and float-able in summer, this winery purchases grape juice concentrates for their wines, like most other local wineries. They did say at my last visit, however, that they were working on maturing their own vines. Overall, I find many of their wines to be too sweet for my palate, but this, one of their drier whites, is light, drinkable and at 14 dollars, a pretty good deal when bought at one of their free tastings. Their shop staff are super friendly as well as the wine makers who frequently drop in and are more than happy to answer questions.
As for ratings, I'd give this a 4/5 for value and a 3.5/5 for flavor, but hey, I might be a tough judge, and i'll basically drink a 2 and above.

If only we were still in Venice...

Just another chill evening (over a week ago) sipping on whatever white wine is left in the fridge. If only I were still in Venice enjoying my wine with some delicious Italian food! Or on a beach somewhere, which i would take even without the wine.... Spring break is on its way!
So... back to wine... this approximately 6 dollar bottle was a great find by Patrick until I tried some after drinking my favorite wine ever, when i noticed its over dry taste, and unbalanced flavor. While it is drinkable, Rosemount Pinot Grigio is not on my must buy list.
As a side note, the other writers and I have been discussing a rating system for our wines. Since we are trying such a variety of types of wines and possibly other drinks, as well as bottles of differing values, it might take a little while. In regards to this wine, using an untested rating system, out of 5 (1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest) I would give it a 2.5 for flavor, and a 3 for value. It wouldn't be bad paired with food, but I'll take something else for sipping next time.

Gekkeikan Sake

While I don't know much about sake, other than knowing a carafe of it makes my sushi taste twice as good, I must say I thought this was a solid bottle. Brought over for Valentine's Day, Rachel and I warmed it up (at times too much) and wound up enjoying the entire bottle with our take out sushi ^_^

Pool, wine, and friends on a lazy weekday

Lovely, lovey thirsty Thursday! Even if i cannot enjoy you to the lengths that others can .... ahem.... A glass of wine on one of these nights can go a long way. I very much enjoyed this $3.99 Kroger bottle. While other varieties of the Tisdale wines have been disappointing, this type is, while not good, at least pleasantly drinkable. Without much dryness or strong aftertaste, I'll definatly get it again (if nothing fancier is on sale and i'm still shopping 4 dollars and under... )