Saturday, August 29, 2015

Back to School and the Vin Vault

On the Label: Our Red Blend is a  unique combination of varietals that results in dark berry and black currant flavors, with plush tannins and a dark roast coffee finish.  www.vinvaultwines.com

Winey Girl says: I'm back! It's been a few months, but I want you to know I have been testing, just not writing. With the kids going back to school, I, too, am back to blogging, so here goes!

Back to School must be celebrated, but frugally! After all, we've just spent tons of moolah on notebooks, jeans, kicks, and cleats...you name it! Now, it's off to my local mecca of frugality, Walmart, and the wine aisle. I've been exploring box wines this summer - more to come on that. In all my trips down this aisle, I had never seen this one - Vin Vault. I love my red blends, and it's still really nice outside here (aka low humidity), so we decided to have a "Tasting in the Treehouse." Lovely! This wine was really great!  At first sip, we immediately thought "Apothic!" (This house is very excited about the fall Apothic releases!! What a great fall wine!) Anyway, we'll pay much more for that and this is an excellent swap! In fact, serve it in a carafe, and your friends would never know it's such a deal! It's from Modesto, CA, and packed by the International Wine Merchants, if you need that info. Again, I haven't met a California wine that I truly didn't like!

Wine in Tree
Pretty bold compared to some less expensive blends, Vin Vault has the taste of a much older red than 2013. Full bodied, smooth, and love the coffee smells and hints! (My other favorite drink!!) At 13% alcohol by volume, and a full 3 liters (that's 4 750 ml bottles), Vin Vault is an incredible deal. I paid $17.97, which would be $4.49 per bottle - excellent! Better than some at my favorite bargain wine bin, Trader Joe. AND, it comes in a really cool box.

No dogs allowed,
but isn't she a cutie?!
To add to this lovely evening, I served a cheese that said "Buy Me!!" A Somerdale "Vintage Cheddar Cheese" which boasts on the label,
"Enjoy me with Red Wine." And we did! This yummy, British hard cheddar was incredible with the wine. (Note: It was a cheese splurge compared to canned cheese, at $5.98 for the chunk. It was worth it!) I added a box of my favorite crackers, some grapes, and for $25 we had ourselves a scrummy celebration, with leftover wine and cheese, to boot.

We were quite content to stay right there in the treehouse all evening!

Red Winey Rating: 4 Stars!

Affectionately yours until next wine, Winey Girl