Woodbridge - Mondavi's Everyday Elixir

On the label: In 1979, Robert Mondavi founded Woodbridge Winery near his childhood home of Lodi, California to craft fine wines for everyday enjoyment. Our Pinot Noir is an elegant wine displaying aromas and flavors of ripe cherries and a hint of cocoa, followed by a smooth, velvety finish. - www.woodbridgewines.com

...forgot to mention Woodbridge Pinot Noir
went really well with Breyer's new
Raspberry Cheesecake Gelato!

Winey Girl says: They put it right on the label - "for everyday enjoyment," so there it is. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi 2013 Pinot Noir is reasonably priced, in fact, it was on sale for less than $10 for the magnum. It's a beautiful color, like a pinot noir should be, but when uncorked, I could tell right away that it lacked the fullness of Robert's Coastal and Private Selections - but shouldn't it?! I mean, why would we pay extra if Woodbridge was the same as RM Private?! So, when compared to last week's 2013 RM Pinot Noir Private Selection, Woodbridge has a harsher taste - almost metal, and I really couldn't smell or taste much cocoa, but the cherries stood out as prominent.

This evening, we had a glass with roast beef, steak fries, and green beans, and lemme tell ya, it was good eats! I even cooked the beef in the Woodbridge, adding to the tastiness! That's another thing - if you're on a wine budget like me, cooking with Woodbridge is the way to go! It's dependable and easy on the pocketbook.


Winey Rating: 3.5 Stars
"Wine to me is passion. It's family and friends. It's warmth of heart and generosity of spirit."                                                                                                                                     - Robert Mondavi

Until next wine, Winey Girl

Sunday, Mondavi Sunday...2013 Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir

On the Label: Robert Mondavi Private Selection was founded in 1994 by Robert Mondavi to capture the delicious flavors from California's best vineyards. And that's what we're doing 20 years on. We invite you to experience our Pinot Noir. Smell: Strawberry, roses, vanilla; Taste: Cherry, raspberry; Pair: Pot Stickers, lamb burgers. robertmondaviprivateselection.com

Robert Mondavi Private Selection
2013 Pinot Noir

Winey Girl Says: I decided, with that bottle of magnificent Meritage, to proclaim this Mondavi March at Winey Girl!

I am willing to overlook the grammatical errors which smack me in the face with that second sentence (on the label)!! Put that aside, and we have yet another beautiful RM wine. I am not a huge fan of Pinot Noir, but this one is light and dry, which I really appreciate. The cherry does take over a bit too much for this girl at first sip, and I wish I could smell the roses, but the buds are already on the maple trees, so forget smelling anything over the obvious right now!! On second sip, this wine is truly a masterpiece, and the oakiness I love really stands out!

It's going to be great with the roast London Broil and veggies I made earlier, and I have dark chocolate brownies for dessert, in anticipation of a small glass to finish. Wine really does lift the spirits, and on this beautiful, sunny day, RM's Pinot Noir pairs well with abundant sunshine!

"Fine wine can turn a good meal into a feast."
                                                                       -Robert Mondavi

Until next wine, affectionately yours, Winey Girl

Nothing says Spring like Robert Mondavi 2011 Meritage.....?

On the label: "Like Mr. Mondavi, Winemaker Rick Boyer believes that wine enriches life. Our Meritage red blend is a velvety wine revealing notes of dark plum, black cherry, and blackberry with a lingering finish." facebook.com/robertmondaviprivateselection

Winey Girl says: It's been a while since I read Robert Mondavi's autobiography, Harvests of Joy: How the Good Life Became a Great Business, but Mondavi is an American Classic, and his wine

Meritage served with Lemon-Pepper Chicken and Pasta

heritage is still intact. This 2011 Meritage, from the Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Central Coast label, is, in a word, beautiful. It's all the label says, and you just can't compare a Mondavi wine with any other California wines, in my opinion. There are plenty out there that are good, but I believe all of Mondavi's wines are to be savored. 

It's a cold and rainy night here, despite the announcement that Spring has arrived, and although I wanted a light dish for dinner, this wine jumped off the shelf and into my basket! (Who needs the red meat/red wine rule anyway!) It is indeed velvety, but more than that, it fills your head with aromas of oak, flowers, berries, and is an experience! This is a wine to be shared with your best friend or in an intimate gathering where everyone can say, "Ahhh! Nice!" or whatever it is you say after you have a sip of greatness. I love the label, I love that it's "Coastal." Love. It.

Funny thing, you know I'm not a wine wiz, but I do remember reading that Meritage is a fancy name for an everyday red table wine. It's an American invention. Go figure. I guess Mondavi didn't let that stop them from their high standards. Don't let it stop you from trying this delicious red blend either.

Here's a nice article about Robert: http://www.winespectator.com/wssaccess/show/id/40906

One last note: I love that on each cork, and yea, they are the fake ones, is a quote from RM,
"Making good wine is a skill; making fine wine is an art."
Wine = Art. I can live with that!

Red Winey Rating: 4.5 stars

Until next wine, affectionately yours, Winey Girl.

Saint Patty's Pick - Black Point 2012 Red Blend

On the Label: "Don't be afraid of the dark - that's where you'll find the deepest, most intense flavors. Black Point merges the peppery spice of Zinfandel, the smooth fruit flavors of Merlot, the elegant structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, and the depth of Syrah to create a red blend that's graceful, bold and delicious." - Black Point Wines, Saint Helena, Napa County, CA

Black Point 2012 with Trader Joe's Truffles

Winey Girls says: Goodness gracious! You had me at "peppery spice"! This past year, I have really fallen for some red blends, and this is one of the best and best priced. Purchased at a price club, I thought if it wasn't good, no big deal. As it turns out, this wine is smooth, just like it says on the label. I couldn't verify whether it is oak barreled, but I can say I couldn't detect any metal aftertaste. So....what does this wine lack? It is a great everyday wine, but is not as full-bodied or as bold as some other reds. Not a wine I'd reach for on a special night, but one I'm glad to have as a back-up for drop-in wineos, in my cellar. It's one that a winey girl can have a second glass of, without worrying about a headache like some of it's bigger red brothers. All in all, the pros outweigh the cons!

Tonight, we tasted this with some delicious cheeses and Cocoa Truffles from Trader Joes! This wine paired well with Mushroom Brie, which was also smooth and creamy like the wine.The truffles were small, so we enjoyed a few of them, guilt-free.



Nothing green, you say? Where's the bangers & mash for St. Pat's? Though I'm not a fan of Irish food, I can assure you that any red meat would taste better with Black Point! No green beer here!

Red Winey Rating: 4

Until next wine, affectionately yours, Winey Girl

Sunny Sunday = Pinot Grigio

Sunday's Choice - Bella Sera - Italian Pinot Grigio, 2013


On the label: This classic Italian varietal from Veneto in Northeast Italy is a crisp, refreshing wine with lovely floral notes. Pair with pasta, herbed chicken, or fish. www.bellaserawines.com

Winey Girl Says: In Italian, Bella Sera literally translates "beautiful evening," and I can't imagine an evening more beautiful than one that include a glass of this! Well...maybe a glass of this on my favorite Floridian island, Sanibel, looking at the sunset...you get the idea. Crisp and light, this is, hands down, my favorite Pinot Grigio. I fell in love with it last summer at a local green awning restaurant, and, to this day, look at it yearningly every time I pass by it on the wine aisle of my local grocery! Not too pricey at $14 per magnum, it is more than this winey girl can afford on a weeknight. In fact, I reserve that price for a special occasion; however, I thought that writing about it qualified for that special event... don't you agree?! Anyway, it's gentler than a chardonnay, as pinots are supposed to be, yet this one has so much character that if blind-tested, I may say it is chardonnay! Since I met this wine last summer, it has the distinct pleasure of taking me right back to my favorite season, by the pool. I like it best cold, in fact, I am not such a snob that I won't add ice to a lesser wine, but this one just needs a good chill in the fridge. If you love chardonnay, yet find that it's a little too much for spring or summer, try this one for a more-than-suitable sub.

Tonight I am pairing Bella Sera with a rotisserie chicken and iceburg lettuce wedge with cucumber and Tzatziki dressing, With Spring just a few days away, I can't wait to drink more pinot grigio and enjoy simple foods again (aka no more hearty soup!).

What's Tzatziki? It's greek for YUMMO!
Check it out here: http://stalkerville.net/recipe/tzatziki-sauce/

White Winey Rating: 5 stars

Until next wine, affectionately yours, Winey Girl