by Christine | Wine Friday
In these days of high unemployment and wild uncertainty, it’s nice to relax with a bottle of wine that doesn’t break your pocketbook. I’m here to sort out the memorable from the truly awful, and each bottle is under $10 unless noted otherwise.
Butterfly Kiss Chardonnay 2011 Vinted and bottled by Diageo Wines, Sonoma, California Alcohol 13.5% by Volume
On the Label: “Treat yourself to sheer bliss with a glass of Butterfly Kiss. In this delightfully soft Chardonnay, you’ll taste a kiss of lush pineapple, pear and vanilla bean flavors.
Please Enjoy Our Wines Responsibly. www.ButterflyKissWines.com”
My Take: I was in a rush. Making a garden veggie dinner for the fam, and I needed a bottle that wouldn’t break the bank and that was already cold. Luckily, there was this bottle of Butterfly Kiss in the refrigerated wines section of Vons, and it was in my budget. Plus, hello. Screw top!
I was completely prepared to love this wine, but like the label said, it’s soft. As in, almost taste-free. NOT something you particularly want in a white wine. I needed more flavor, and didn’t smell or taste the pineapple, pear or vanilla bean. It was a meh wine that cleared my palate between bites, but did little else.
My Rating: ~ Barely Drinkable ~ I mean, it wasn’t bad. It might be a good wine to give to folks who don’t usually drink wine; this one will certainly not offend anyone (but neither will it make them jump up and down with glee).
flipflop Merlot 2009 Vinted and bottled by flipflop Wines, Livermore & Ripon,
California Alcohol 13.5% by Volume
On the Label: “Medium bodied, silky Merlot with plum and mocha notes, soft tannins and a balanced, luscious finish.
“Jammy aromas and soft tannins pair well with TExas chili, black & blue sliders or cheddar cheese broccoli.
“Serve at room temperature now or store away from direct sunlight for up to 3 years after purchase. www.flipflopWines.com “
My Take: Bland in a bottle. Inoffensive. Would I pair it with chili? Not chili that has any kind of heat behind it (and I’m not talking temperature here). Again, this might be a good beginner wine, as it doesn’t have a big mouth feel and isn’t too dry. It’s an easy sipping wine, but not very flavorful. I didn’t find any “luscious finish”. I doubt I’ll buy this again, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the perfect wine for you.
My Rating: ~ Drinkable ~ But not my first, second or third choice of wines.
When it comes right down to it, my tastes most likely aren’t yours. It doesn’t matter what I think of the wine. The only criteria that matters when it comes to purchasing wine is: Do you like it? and Can you afford it? (Because there are many wines I adore but can’t afford!) But I do hope that I give you a place to start looking, and when confronted with the daunting selection at your local grocery store, you will come to recognize the wines – which ones you like, and which ones you’d like to try – all while staying within your budget. (Yes – I am doing a public service, lol!)
As usual, this is just my honest opinion and depend upon my mood, the weather, and what cycle the moon is in. Your taste buds will differ.
~ Until the next time, cheers! ~
~oOo~
My Rating System: Undrinkable; Barely Drinkable; Drinkable; Very Drinkable; and the ever-popular “Stay Away! This is MY wine, you Slut!”
Demon Soul and Demon Hunt are available for the Kindle and Kobo! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Writer Wednesday
Are you looking for some summer reading? You are SO in luck! It turns out that some of my favorite people are now my favorite authors! Here are three ladies I am proud to call friend, and they all have new books out.
Lynne Marshall
Lynne Marshall, a long-time Harlequin Medical Romance author, has the second in her Whispering Oaks trilogy out for Harlequin Special Edition called The Medic’s Homecoming. (You can find my review of it on Amazon, but here’s a hint…LOVED it!) Here’s the blurb:
THE GIRL NEXT DOOR… ALL GROWN UP! Lucas
The Medic’s Homecoming by Lynne Marshall
Grady never planned to return to Whispering Oaks. But when family duty called, the prodigal son arrived like the good soldier he’d been for years. And with him came the unfulfilled expectations of the past-expectations his neighbor, Jocelyn Howard, knew all too well.
Jocelyn had been in love with the rebel next door since she was a little girl. But she couldn’t shake those old insecurities that she’d never be good enough, for Lucas or for anyone else. Still, the newly discharged army medic had scars that could never be truly healed-or so he thought. Maybe together, they could mend their wounds…and make each other whole again…
Dee J. Adams has a very successful romantic suspense series out with Carina Press
Dee J. Adams
called the Adrenalin Highs series. This next book, Against the Wall, a High Stakes novel, is her newest and if its anything like her previous books, will undoubtedly grab you by the throat and not let go until the last, final explosion (and kiss, lol!)
Against the Wall by Dee J. Adams
Here’s the blurb: Tanner Bryant wants revenge. After spending seven long years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, he’s determined to even the score with the man who put him there. The only thing in his way is a slip of a girl in a big-ass bind.
Jess St. John needs eight million dollars or her kidnapped family will die. Caught in a war between the mob and her boss, a corrupt film producer, she will stop at nothing to get the job done.
In a race against the clock, and a deal with the devil, Jess forms an unwilling partnership with Tanner to help find and free her family before it’s too late. In return, she’ll look the other way when her boss goes permanently missing. It soon becomes apparent that Tanner has more honor than he wants to admit and Jess finds herself falling for the gentle man beneath the rough exterior. But love and revenge run a close race and when push comes to shove, Tanner has to decide which one is more important.
Roz Lee
Roz Lee is the author of the successful Lust Boat novels, and she’s just come out with a new series with baseball heroes. Who doesn’t love those boys of summer? The latest, Bases Loaded, looks fantastic! Here’s the blurb:
Antonio Ramirez is ready to leave his wild reputation
Bases Loaded by Roz Lee
behind in New York and adopt a more respectable life with the Texas Mustangs. When he spies the woman of his dreams at a Fundraiser—its love at first sight. Convincing Clare Kincaid that he’s sincere is harder than he expected. Giving Clare what she wants could wreck his career and compromise his feelings for her.
When super sexy Antonio Ramirez approaches her, Clare is sure he’s playing a cruel game, but the Mustangs new Center Fielder won’t take no for an answer. She might be convinced of his sincerity if only he would invite her to play the one game she longs to play.
~oOo~
Links to Amazon are in the book titles – you know the drill! What are YOU reading this summer?
Butterfly Kiss Chardonnay 2011 Vinted and bottled by Diageo Wines, Sonoma, California Alcohol 13.5% by Volume
California Alcohol 13.5% by Volume
