A rainy Sunday evening

Appetizer:  Avocado with True Myth Edna Valley Chardonnay (2012)

Dinner: Pulled BBQ Pork and Roasted Winter Veggies with 2011 Little Vineyard Zinfandel - Sonoma Valley

I'll admit, tonight's dinner is a bit of a mish-mash.  A few weeks back I cooked a pork loin for my partner and me.  We had A LOT leftover, and I froze most of it.  Fast forward a few weeks, and I find myself unexpectedly wanting ot cook a nice Sunday meal.  I pulled out the frozen pork loin, let it de-thaw in the fridge, cut up one onion and added about half a bottle of BBQ sauce.  It's been simmering on the stove for about an hour or so...  I looked at a wine chart to see that pork goes well with zinfandel so voila!

In the meantime, I peeled and chopped into large chunks beets, parsnips, turnips and rootabega.  I drizzled olive oil over the top, added salt, pepper, thyme and some rosemary, all in a great baking dish.  It's been in the oven a good hour at 350 and still has a bit of time to go.

A bit about the wine:  the 2012 True Myth Enda Chardonnay... we are not huge chardonnay fans.  Especially if it is from California.  The whole malalactic fermentation thing (whatever it is that they do) and the buttery taste that results = Yuck!  However, I received this wine through a local wine club I belong to near where I live.

My vote is that for a Chardonnay this is nice - nothing too overwhelming.  It overpowered the avocado a little bit, but still was a nice way to unwind and start the fooding.  My man - eh not so much.  He does not like the wine much at all - he drank it b/c we paid for it, but really any chard is a bad chard in his mind.

Little Vineyard - I am excited about this wine!  We bought it on a work trip out to California.  I had a conference, and we went early to play in Napa/Sonoma.  We went to the valleys a few years back on our honeymoon - and this time we got to explore many of the wineries we haven't had the chance to do so.  Anyhoo Little Vineyards was a bit off the beaten path - secluded and very beautiful in the foothills.  we went in late Autumn, so the crowds were not that bad.  At any rate - so far a beautiful bouquet... letting it get some air while the food finishes...

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And post meal - that wine was quite excellent.  It had a nice fruity flavor that really went well with the root vegetables.  I like a full bodied wine - and this was just what I was looking for.  Not so big that you feel like your mouth got whacked with a 2x4 - but enough of a oomph of flavor that you notice it. It paired really well with the pork too - the meat wasn't overpowered by the juice or vice versa.

I think this wine would also be good if you were sitting around with friends, just having a drink or two.  We also finished this bottle the day after while preparing some chop suey - and it was a great starter while we waited for the meal to finish.

At any rate I would buy this again - quite a tasty Zinfandel if I must say so m'self.

Wine for the rest of us

I'll admit that I enjoy wine.  Nothing says life to me than sitting down with friends or loved ones, uncorking a bottle of wine and letting go, and enjoying the conversation that ensues.  Yet much of the conversation on the blogs out there are by real connoisseurs who have amazing tastes (and incredible budgets!).  I am not an expert, I don't even pretend to be one.  Yet, in the words of countless vineyard owners and tasting room people, "Don't let the experts tell you what you should or shouldn't taste.  The real key is if you like it, or not.  If you enjoy it -drink it."

And that is the point - I will intend to share stories of wines I enjoy: whether at home with my family, out with friends, or on an exciting adventure.  The key is to help others learn about tasty wines, and perhaps a recipe or two to go with it.

Cheers!