PDX Daily Drinker

I'm a Portland Oregon girl who loves her wine - white, rose, or red. I drink it daily and I'm always looking for a good bottle at my local grocer or wine shop that's $15.00 tops, often less. Here I'll share my finds - good & bad on the wine that makes it into my home (belly) and random items that catch my attention.

[pdxdailydrinker]

3 Years to Delicious

So long Cork.  Cork was one of my favorite little wine shops in NE Portland on Alberta that very recently shut down.  On their last day I bought a bunch of wine, and drank all but 1 bottle before I decided to start blogging.  Silly me was going to save a Chianti from 2011, but then I discovered online Chianti shouldn't be saved longer than 3 years.  If I'm going to completely honest with you - I've read plenty of refutes to this claim, but that night that information worked for me!

Score!  I raced down to my basement to pulled my bottle of 2011 Castellare Chianti Classico off the shelf and was pleased that I had an excuse to tap in to this $22.00 bottle of wine!!  That's more than I typically spend - a real treat.

It was smooth!!  Of course it was dry and it seemed to have an earthy undertone.  Anyway I LOVED it!!  I also can't find it anywhere (New Seasons or Whole Foods), but if you come across it - let me tell you... it's so totally worth it!  And please tell me where you found yours!!

Here's your fancy from the Wine Spectator who gives it 90 points!

"A graphite aroma introduces a burst of fresh cherry flavor in this fluid, supple red, with ample tannins. The density carries the detailed fruit, spice and tobacco notes, with fine length. Drink now through 2022."

[pdxdailydrinker]

Um... Dry does not mean sour Whole Foods lady

: / Seriously.  Yesterday I drank my last bottle from my mixed case (ok I have one more white, but I don't feel like it right now), so I went by the Whole Foods to pick up a staple - I just wasn't in the mood to try something new and of course they were out of my usual red when I don't want to think, so I went on a recommendation.  I gave her my flavor profile and stressed not too fruity.  True to her word I did not get fruity - I got sour.  Bleh it was terrible.  There was absolutely no balance and certainly not any of the earth, spice, pepper, mineral, whatever that I like.  I tell myself, maybe it was corked?  Maybe, but I'm not trying it again.  

Sorry Domaine Des Echardieres - you'll not be on my rotation.  $11.99 at Whole Foods.  2 thumbs down, which is a bummer  because that $12.00 that could have been spent on something fabulous!  Ah well - I gave it to my husband, he doesn't care.  Hahahaha :)

[pdxdailydrinker]

Yes.  Yes I would.

[pdxdailydrinker]

Nice share @MirabeauWine!

[pdxdailydrinker]

My White Night

Cheesy title I know - but that's what I was looking for :)  After the bottle I enjoyed the night before I was looking for another hero.  I opened Domaine Labbé Vin de Savoie Abymes (2012).

This latest white had notes of citrus and was very light reminding me of summer, again recommended by the New Seasons lady.  She really nailed this box and this is the last bottle from it *sigh*.  $12 pretty sure - I promise to start keeping better track now that I've decided to share my finds :)

Fancy description from TheSavvyLush...

It truly smells and tastes like the mountains from which it came. Graceful, fresh aromas emerge from the pale lemon green liquid (I smelled light citrus, pineapple and soft apple). Ethereal floral hints also mingle with the citrus fruits. This dry white wine tastes of fresh citrus and floral natures, and is balanced by minerality and crisp acidity. It's a wonderful cross between Sauvignon Blanc and unoaked Chardonnay.

[pdxdailydrinker]

Macedonia... Who knew??

I guess Macedonia is known for their wine, but I can't say by me. Apparently everyone else on the internet knew this and I couldn't wait to be one of them!

So in my last blog I mentioned that the lady at New Seasons helped me out while buying a mixed case.  She pointed me to an amazing red, Laya, and she sure seemed to know her whites too.  I generally keep to red in the winter, but she seemed pretty excited about this next recommendation - Tikves Rkaciteli Special Selection.  

I don't know how to pronounce it, but that is how you spell it.  Again she nailed it.  It was dry, light, and acidic.  When I have white wine - I don't want buttery and this was my perfect.  

$10.00 (give or take $1.00) at New Seasons.

Here's your fancy review, this time from the New York Times Wine Club.

"The origins of Rkaciteli date back to at least 3,000 BC, as determined by archaeological digs and carbondated seeds. The fascinating and delightful nose produces scents of orange blossom, jasmine, white peach and apples. On its complex palate, look for pineapple, fennel, papaya, marzipan and apricot. With wonderfully zingy acidity, Rkaciteli is a delightful, refreshing white."

[foodandwine]

© Dale Anderson

Wine Wednesday: America holds the No. 1 spot when it comes to overall wine consumption. But who’s the champion when it comes to drinking per capita? Wine expert and author Tyler Colman (a.k.a. Dr. Vino) shares the answer.

[pdxdailydrinker]

Laya me have it!

You'll see a trend with me.  I like wine - light or heavy and I like them dry. Descriptors that I look for and ask for would be mineral, spice, pepper, earthy - whatever you do, do not give me fruit forward.  

I explained that to a New Seasons staffer in the wine section when I was buying a mixed case and she recommended a wine called Laya (2012 Bodegas Atalaya).

 1. OMG - I think this may be a name I actually can remember w/out referring to my phone pics and...

2. - it was delicious!!  Thank you wine lady!

It was a medium bodied dry and balanced wine with the right amount of earth for my pallet.  It was $9.99 at New Seasons and I highly recommend it!

If you want a more fancy review here's one from The Wine Advocate who gives it 90 points.

"The 2012 Laya, a blend of 70% Garnacha and 30% Monastrell, has a superb bouquet of pure dark cherries, blackberry and incense that would normally grace a wine far more expensive. The palate is medium-bodied with layers of succulent black fruit that is neatly entwined with the subtle French oak. It is not a complex wine, but it is supremely well-crafted for the unbeatable price. Excellent."  

[pdxdailydrinker]

Anyone who tries to make you believe that he knows all about wines is obviously a fake.

Leon Adams, The Commonsense book of Wine