And we're back!

So while my last post was about 18 months ago with a promise to be more diligent in updating, this time I mean it! In the time since my last post much has happened: My family sold our store, I reenrolled in school, I've been promoted twice and left another job. When I last updated, I didn't know what was in store and a few weeks later I got the news that my dad was selling the store. Without knowing what that would mean for me, I began to focus on other things and didn't feel comfortable updating this blog. Once the store sold the new owner retained me as a buyer, first just for specialty food, but soon I was buying for the entire organization (a total of 6 stores, more to come over time). I was then recently promoted to General Manager of the organization which is exciting. I will also graduate this December with a B.A. in Economics. I intend to change the format of this blog a bit, focusing more on the enjoyment of drinking wine, beer or spirits and occasionally food I find to be exceptional and less on just describing wines. I hope those of you who've read in the past enjoy the change and any feedback is appreciated. A few notes: My stores operate under the brands Bacchus Wine and Spirits, Bud & Elsie's and Whistle Stop grocery. We have 6 locations in Michigan: Kalamazoo, Portage, Union Pier and New Buffalo. Thanks for reading!

Updates!!!

Ok, I've done a TERRIBLE job of updating this blog for the last 6 months! Check for many updates coming soon!!!

Summer Whites!

It looks like summer is here, if not a little early! And with the warm weather comes crisp, cold, white wine! There are so many great options to cool yourself down, with wines from Spain to New Zealand we've got you covered. My favorite at the moment is Benito Santos Albarino ($19.99) from Spain, it has great tropical flavors and fantastic acidity that quenches your thirst! Moving across the globe there are great New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs that are incredibly refreshing with grapefruit and gooseberry flavors, my recommendations are 90+ Lot 2 ($15.95) and Spy Valley ($17.95). And if you like things just a bit sweeter, the Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($12.95) is what you're looking for! A dry riesling that has great green apple and peach flavors the sugar is balanced by mild acidity to provide a refreshing glass of wine. No matter which you choose, you will enjoy your summer and maybe cool down for just a bit!

90+ Lot 2 NZ Sauvignon Blanc

Annnnnd we're back! Today's wine is from the 90+ line which is one that I really like and provides such great value. All wines they release are from vineyards that have a pedigree of 90pts or more in publications or a gold medal in a tasting. There is no indication of the actual wine maker keeping the price down and marking each release with a lot number to help the customer know they are getting the same product. I taste all the wines that I intend to sell at the store and have yet to find a 90+ product that I don't think over delivers for the price. Today I want to share with you the 90+ lot 2 New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is first and foremost refreshing! It was a warm day when I tasted this for the first time and I really hit the spot. With the standard citrus notes followed by great melon and tropical fruit on the nose there is a great acidity and ample fruit that makes this extremely drinkable. A great wine for a hot summer day or paired with light fare this is a wine you don't want to miss!

Chateau de la Taille 2009 Bordeaux

And we're back! Sorry its been so long, I've been busy at the store and not focusing on the blog. Not that I haven't had some great wine in the interim! I'll share some of those reviews soon but today I'm sharing with you a new one. The 2009 vintage in Bordeaux is supposed to be one of the greats, on par with 2005 and 1982.... it seems like every year is the "best of the century" and I haven't had enough old wine to really have a point of comparison. However, the '05s were great and the '09s are still getting monster reviews so I'll have to trust those guys. Today's wine isn't a 100pt wine but its great, the Chateau de la Taille 2009 Bordeaux is a great example of wine that's priced right to give you bang for your buck. A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec, this is a silky offering. Showing nice tart cherry and bright raspberry on the nose, this medium bodied wine has a smooth mouthfeel with spicy earth and more cherries on the palate. The tannins are smooth but apparent and the finish is long. This wine pairs great with paninis, hard cheese and other light meals. At $12.95, its a steal!

Pico Madma 2006

Today's wine is a HUGE effort out of Spain. A blend of Monastrell and Petit Verdot in a 50/50 split, this is a really big wine that shows that Spain doesn't just export value wines for every day drinking. Pouring a dark, almost black, purple with an explosive nose of dark berries, cherries and a hint of vanilla. On the palate this shows black raspberry, cherry, hints of pine, and a vibrant acidity. The finish is long with some subtle tannin. This wine will defiantly hold up over time but is great right now. Each bottle is numbered out of the 44000 made and really will reward you purchasing.

Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2008

Sorry for the long delay between posts, its been a crazy summer! Today I want to share with you a wine that I am EXTREMELY excited about. Coming from Mollydooker Winery in McLaren Vale Australia, this wine exemplifies what they can do and provides a real starting point for this amazing winery. I will explore the other wines in more depth but they are all amazing. The 2008 Boxer is 100% Shiraz the comes from the same vineyards the higher end wines do but it represents the first harvest of those fields. After performing the "Mollydooker Shake" It pours a deep, almost black, purple with great color on the edge. The nose is HUGE, showing cherry, vanilla and a hint of spice. In the glass this shows the same cherry, some strawberry, pomegranate, licorice and some black pepper. All this flavor shows its self in a big wine that isn't too heavy and finishes nice and smooth with just a final touch of acidity to balance it all out. Overall this is a great wine that showcases a great vineyard and deserves to be enjoyed!