Monthly Archives: September 2011

RECOMMENDED: The White Knight 2008 Viognier, Clarksburg (Central Valley), CA. 13.5% alcohol. Typically $11.

Posted on September 27, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Golden straw in color, this gently aromatic wine is mouth-filling, medium-bodied and dry, with flavors of honey, melon, apple, baking spices, and minerals. When Thanksgiving rolls around, we’ll be serving this with our turkey. If you’ve never had Viognier, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Viognier | Leave a comment

DID YOU KNOW … A wine cooler is just that—a cooler—even if it has a thermostat.

Posted on September 27, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

You’ll need to use ice packs or already-chilled bottles of wine to get the temperature down to where you want it. The wine cooler has a limited ability to refrigerate and keep the temperature steady. In retrospect, I wish we … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips | 1 Comment

An Artist’s Blog: Jacqueline Gnott

Posted on September 27, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

An artist myself, I admire many other artists and enjoy the Painting-a-Day movement. Here is a great painting by artist Jacqueline Gnott: “Grape Harvest,” watercolor on paper, 5.5″x8.5″. Visit http://www.jacquelinegnott.com/ or http://jacquelinegnott.blogspot.com/.

Posted in Art and Music | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED: 2008 Fleur du Cap Merlot. Stellenbosch, South Africa. 13.5% alcohol. $8.99.

Posted on September 23, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

It’s a great time to be a Frugal Wine Snob—the whole world has opened up. We’re no longer limited mostly to California and European wines (as we were 25 years ago), a large percentage of which used to be cork-sour … Continue reading →

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DID YOU KNOW … 75% = Varietal

Posted on September 23, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

DID YOU KNOW: In the U.S. and much of the world, as long as a wine consists of 75% or more of one varietal (i.e. Cabernet Sauvignon), it can be blended with other types of grapes (such as Merlot) and … Continue reading →

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DID YOU KNOW … You CAN Ship Wine to Your State.

Posted on September 23, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

This online wine store CAN ship to all states. They have acquired retail liquor licenses or warehouses in every state. Some restrictions still apply (i.e. in TX they can’t ship alcohol with more than a 16% alcohol content; a few … Continue reading →

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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: A movie! 2008 “Bottle Shock.”

Posted on September 23, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Based on real life, this film has been in the making for several years, under the tentative title “The Judgment of Paris,” and was released as “Bottle Shock” in 2008. Movie synopsis: France’s position as the world’s top wine producer … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, France, Movies | 2 Comments

DID YOU KNOW … The Truth about Drinks in Movies

Posted on September 23, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

According to the producers of the movie “Bottle Shock,” the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) regulations forbid the drinking of alcohol on the set. All the wines, beer, etc., portrayed in movies are various kinds of juices, with yeast added if … Continue reading →

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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: 2008 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA. 13.5% alcohol. $9.99-11.99, available for as little as $8.95.

Posted on September 23, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

This Cab is from the same area and the same vintage as the J. Lohr Merlot we like (see the September 12, 2011 post). We weren’t surprised that it’s good, but we were surprised that it’s THIS good, as well … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California | 1 Comment

Friday, September 23: Grenache Day

Posted on September 22, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Tomorrow is International Grenache Day! How are YOU going to celebrate?

Posted in Grenache/Garnacha, Wine Days | Leave a comment