PN at 3am.

Picking started at 3am... Here are some photos! 

It has begun... or will tomorrow anyway.

It's official. Our harvest will begin tomorrow. Peter and I have decided to bring in some Pinot from Carneros. The Napa side of Careneros. This was a bit of an unexpected turn of events, but we really liked the vineyard and the owners at Thomson Vineyards, as seen here on Google Earth. The town of Napa is to the Northeast. Peter flew up to check it out on Friday and viola we are now making Hocus Pocus PN again. As its going to be blistering hot this week up there, we've decided to pick tomorrow. Starting at 3am. We are concerned about leaving the fruit out there this week because we think all we will get is sugar development and no flavor development. We want moderate alcohol wine, not 14% PN. Plus, we are afraid they will just dump water on it as it gets hot and that's no good. So we are off and my poor husband will be busy by himself until I can get up there this weekend. So here's to a great vintage - we hope! Ching! AMY

Lots of Xs and Zs.

Gurrutxaga, Bizkaiko, Txakolina, Spain, 2008. 

In the vein of Vinho Verde comes another light bright lady, Txakolina. A grape variety that expresses fresh, crisp citrus notes and tart green apple. Like Vinho Verde its a mere 10.5% alcohol and has a spritzy spunk which makes it the perfect Monday morning breakfast wine. Start your week off with this blend of 60% Hondarribi Zuri, 20% Mune Mahasta and 20% Txori Mahasta. 

Can you say that 10 times fast? 

The perfect pairing with raws oysters to speed up your waning summer libido.

Around $20 at Larchmont Wine and Spirits. 

A sack of delicousness.

Adega Cooperativo Regional de Monçao "Trajarinho," Vinho Verde, Portugal, 2008. 

I could drink Vinho Verde day and night, what with its light spritz, citrus spunk and low alcohol content (generally around 10%). 

This one was particularly enjoyable because of its label. It's like looking into the clouds and finding rabbits and unicorns. Open to interpretation. I see many things in this label. An old man's face, a fish hook, or potentially a ball sack. 

At any rate, try not to think of the ballsack and try to think of pink roses and furry lambs.

$12 at Larchmont Wine and Spirits. 

Tea for two. Two for tea.

Velenosi, Antica Lacrima di Morro, (vintage? oops!)

You can see by this photo that the night was getting on... darkness settled on the deck and Simon and friends began to move to heavier wines. Goodbye Vermentino and rose. Hello... umm... hello... uh... jeez... what is this??

I put my nose in this glass and said WHOA! Spectacular! I have never in my lfie had a wine that smelled like this wine. It was as if Paula had poured me a lovely cup of Earl Grey tea. The lavender overtones were HAUNTING, and I've never said that about a wine before. Ever in my life. I've heard a lot of people use lavender as a descriptor, and I've always smiled and nodded and went a long with it. But this night, wow! Did I get some lavendar. And black tea. Simply delicious.   

This winery is located in the Marches region of Italy, more specifically in the Rosso Piceno Superior zone. I do love me some Rosso Piceno. Not that I get to drink it that often. Lacrima di Morro is the grape variety and I want to say that its all done in tank. You know I generally hate tank fermented and "aged" wines. They are fruit dominate and lacking in complexity. But this little one just sings. Have it with a scone perhaps. Or Japanese chocolate like we did. 

Around $15 at Larchmont Wine and Spirits. 

Crispy Cream.

Saint Andre de Figuieres, Cotes de Provence, 2008. 

This is a serious rose people. And I mean like really good and complex and beautiful and elegant and simply divinely fantastic. I found this wine to be both creamy and crisp on the palate. Don't know why that is, but its not an austere kill-you-with-acid rose. Rather its slowly seductive. Gives a little cream and gives a little crisp. 

You can't help but love the strawberry cream notes. Like love it for summertime people. And in case you hadn't noticed its still kinda summertime here. Until they put out that fire I'm celebrating summer. That could be next year and I'm fine with that. 

Around $15, this is available at both Larchmont Wine and Spirits and Domaine LA. 

We've got a lime one here.

Domaine de la Louvetrie, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, 2004. 

It's not everyday that I get to drink a 2004 Muscadet, but its not everyday that I get to hang out with Simon, Simon Cocks as he's known to his friends.

What a beautiful lovely treat this was. Undertones of this, overtones of that. Complex and rewarding to drink. Lime and briny salty flavors dominate with yeasty notes and an every so slight floral touch. What is that? white flowers of some sort? I wish I knew botany better. But alas, I know not. 

$14.99 Larchmont Wine and Spirits.  

Excite, engorge, engage.

Ah! My friends, it has been some time since my last post, which was about a sad lost dog and nothing whatsoever to do about wine. So let's try to remedy things. First of all, I'd really like to change things up a bit. So I'm thinking about a new format. Not quite sure of the particulars yet, but hopefully a good idea will come to me in the next few weeks. 

Today I begin a 7 day adventure with Larchmont Wine and Spirits. Simon Cocks, as he's known by friends and enemies alike, is a stand-up guy with a couple of great dogs who really knows how to pick great wines for a great price. Says the Tony the Tiger, "He's GREEAAATTTT!"

Domaine Maestracci, E PROVE, Corse Clavi Blanc, Vermentino, 2008. 

Wow! Well, I can't say I drink a lot of Vermentino, but this one is at the top of my list to drink again. On warm breezy nights (we got at least 2 of those in LA this year) it's the perfect starter to a long night of debauchery and deception. I say deception because this wine is a bit deceptive. Vermentino from France? Who knew? I certainly didn't. I always associate, correlate, relate (whatevs) Vermentino to Italy. So lie, deceive and drink French Vermentino. 

It's like fresh squeezed meyer lemons in a glass. Fermented meyer lemons that is. Crisp, no oak, very clean and linear and even has a little spritz to get your tongue excited and engorged. No, I don't mean engorged. But what do I mean? I'm having one of those Christopher Durang moments in Beyond Therapy.  I think I mean excited and engaged. Engaged, engorged, whatevs. 

So enjoy this for $16.99 at Larchmont Wine and Spirits. Ask for Simon. Simon Cocks, as he's known by his.... well you know the rest. 

Dog Found

Anybody want a great dog?

I found her at La Brea and Washington yesterday. She's a pit / lab mix. Super sweet. About 9 months old, but probably 65 pounds. The most lovable, well adjusted dog ever. Very healthy. 

We are taking her to the West LA Shelter today as Bubbles has not taken too kindly to her, and we are sure she has owners and hope that they look there. She's potty trained and just a barrel of love and kisses. If you know anyone who is interested, that's where she will be.