Folie a Deux, Menage a Trois, Red 2006, $11

A"Menage a Trois" of the senses... what a wonderfully fun and inexpensive wine! This little cutey features three heavy hitting varietals all in the same bottle. According to the wine maker the Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon were all fermented separately and combined later into a finished product. The wine seduces you with candied fruit and jam with some delicate tannin sprinkled in. I bought two bottles and at this price, I'm going back for more!

Most of us will never experience an actual Menage', but I'd imagine this comes in a decent second...maybe third.

Cheers!

Mark West Pinot Noir 2006, $10-$11, Baby Bum Smooth...

Enjoy Pinot Noir but don't like paying premium Pinor Noir prices? Try the 2006 Mark West Pinor Noir. At $10-$11 a bottle, the value here is palatable! I got hints of cherry and ripe strawberry accompanying a baby bum smooth finish. WARNING! Do not drink this one alone, you might finish the bottle yourself!

Cheers

Wine with a Smokey Taste??

Have you ever had a Sauvignon blanc or Chardonnay with mild or distinct smokiness on the palate? If you look to the left you can see why! Often wine makers will char the inside of a barrel to impart these flavors in the wine. Wine gets it's unique flavors from three areas, the earth, the barrel and the grape. Another reason I love wine, it's simplicity.

Cheers!

Wine & Calories, What Should I Drink on a Diet?

I'm about 6'1", 165 pounds soaking wet with a metabolism of a 12 year old. Jealous? Don't be, I lost all my hair in college. Ying/yang, everything balances out. Age is catching up though and my genetic luck is running out... I can't drink like a college student and expect to keep my mannish figure!

Did you know a glass of wine has less calories than beer & soda? If you are craving a tipple but are watching your calorie intake, it's time to give vino some serious consideration.

I think you'll be surprised by these numbers:

• Light beer 12oz, 110 calories
• Beer 12oz, 150 calories
• Dark beer 12oz, 168 calories
• Red wine 5oz, 105 calories
• White wine 5oz, 100 calories
• Sparkling white wine 5oz, 106 calories
• Distilled spirits (Scotch, vodka, bourbon, gin etc.) 1.5oz, 100 calories

Cheers!